Where Did April Go?

As I look at the calendar and notice the date on my last post, it dawns on me that April is gone. It was a very busy month.  The days pass much too quickly when they are full.  Just wanted to share these photos from my son Luke in Iowa, near South Dakota.  Very near.
I find it crazy that while I was in Galveston with my mom, he was in snow.  He sent me these over a couple of days. Brrrr!

This is the backyard.

The house to the right is Luke's.  Notice in the vague distance the only color in the picture....a red stop sign.

Simple Consolation

Sometimes life just calls for baby steps.  We inch our way toward maturity...and often fall back more than we press forward.  As my list of things to do grows longer and other things in my heart grow heavier, I simply stand still and wish time would do the same.
There is a bigger picture.  Much bigger.  A grand design by the Grand Designer.  His definition of time has no meaning known to man, no beginning, no end.  He simply is.  He is at work with me on my list of things to do.  He sees the burdens in my heart and bears them with me.  I need reminding of this.
I will try and stop every day this week and remember that He wants me to succeed in living for Him more than I do.  He will overload me only to point where I realize that I am dependent totally on Him....a nice place to be.
My life is not hard...just desiring to run a steady race.

Psalm 94:18-19  When I thought, "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. 
Hebrews 4:16  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 
May these scriptures encourage you as well.  Pressing on with you.

Wolves and Foxes and Chicks and Goofballs

I was in my oldest son's bed, watching the movie "Narnia" with three of my grandchildren.
Now mind you, they have seen the movie more than once and were more infatuated with the fact that I had joined them.  If you have ever tried to watch a movie with two six year olds and a four year old in a queen size bed, then you know firsthand that it is a futile endeavor.
Some wolves and a fox came on the screen and as I am peering over Barbie and Bella, and Emma is putting lotion on my feet, and Luke is showing me his favorite blankie, I say, "You know that sometimes guys call girls 'foxes.'  This intrigued them.  Emma said "No way."   I said, "Yes, and guys can be wolves."
They giggled and laughed and asked what else can girls be and I answered, "chicks."
Emma:  "Chickies?" She ran into the other room asking her dad, "Can girls be chickies?"
Me correcting her: "No, chicks!"
She came back into the room with delight.
Me: "A long time ago when a guy would see a pretty girl, he would give a wolf whistle."
Emma:  "What did the girl say?"
Me: "Stop it!" and I waved my hand in the air as if to ignore the guy.
They all wanted to know what it sounded like.
Me: "Luke, call Grampy in here and ask him to give a wolf whistle."
Luke: "Okay, Grammy, you try to look like a pretty girl."  He was dead serious.
Me: (laughing so hard I almost fell off the bed)  "Okay, I will try."
So Tommy comes in and whistles and they all start giggling.
Emma: "What else can guys be?"
Me: "Goofballs."
So Emma, hysterical, said, "The goofball said 'woo hoo' (in a wolf whistle tone) and the chickie said 'stop it'."
Now, really.  Aren't kids a blast?

Car Shopping

I know it sounds fun to most people, but I am not one of them.  I do not like it and that is putting it mildly.  We are in the market for a car...sort of.  It isn't an urgent thing, so we CAN put it off for a while, but in the meantime our van will continue to depreciate...and we would like to trade it in.
Last week, we drove to a couple of car dealerships to check out an SUV...a smaller, less gas guzzling vehicle.  I was amazed at the ability of the salesman to bond with his potential clients...that being us.
Within minutes, we knew:
Where he graduated high school.
Where his mom graduated high school.
How many children he had.
What branch of the service he was in and where he was stationed.
How old he was when his first child was born.
All of the cities he had lived in.
What his wife did for a living and where she went to school.
Tommy made sure he knew that we were not there to haggle and that the first offer should be the best one.  He left to talk to his boss (the big cheese) and returned with a number that did not match our budget, and so before he could make another offer, we left.
I felt like I was leaving a long time friend...that we most likely would never see again.  We were not in the car two minutes when Tommy's cell phone rang and the big cheese was calling to negotiate.  Too late.
All of that to say, I do NOT like wheelers and dealers and car shopping.  So I told him - as I have in the past - just go buy one.  I have very few conditions, so go with my blessing.
I might add that he has done this before with great success.  He did, however, buy a house once when I was out of town.  I was less than pleased - though it turned out to be a great neighborhood and we made many friends there.  So, yes, he is reluctant to make big purchases without me.
We will find the right car together...and I will wait in the lounge area while he plays "Let's Make A Deal" with our next best friend.

What Would Jesus Do?

Just a thought.  Recently I was reacquainted with the book "In His Steps" by Charles Sheldon.  I was speaking at a Ladies' Retreat on the subject of caring what man thinks as opposed to what God thinks.  I took a survey beforehand and almost to a person, everyone said that they cared what God thought most of all, but did not always live like it.  I do understand what they were trying to say, but the truth is, there is not much truth in that answer.  
I remember a time when one of my children said, "I just want to please you and make you happy."  I responded with, "No, you just want me to be happy with your choices." And he/she agreed.  We want God to be happy with our choices often when we know He won't be, because our choices do not line up with His word....but often we proceed anyway.
In His Steps is where the term 'what would Jesus do?' originated.  A small church in a small town was asked by their pastor to take on a challenge for one year.  The terms were as follows: For one year, each person would ask himself "What Jesus would do?" before making any decisions.  If it was unclear, he/she would seek counsel in the scriptures.  Otherwise he would proceed as he thought Jesus would want him to. Not many were up for the test, but a few decided to join him in this endeavor.
It changed their lives...and the lives of many others.  Their testimonies were noticed. We have taken that phrase and put it on bracelets, bumper stickers, banners, and worn it around our necks.  But what if we just did it?  What if we just considered its meaning?
Just a life changing thought that we might all put into action...and see what happens.
Lord, I believe.  Help my unbelief.

Galveston With My Mom - 2013

Every year or so, my mom and I drive south and spend a few days in Galveston.  It does not matter if it is cold and rainy, or warm and sunny, though of course we prefer a brighter view of Galveston's murky waters.  Her eyesight is worsening and every day is a sunny day with her.  I admire the fact that she does not complain very much and often wonder how blindness would affect me.  Grace makes the difference.  God gives grace when it is needed.  We are both grateful for that.
Packing is always a pain...and unpacking as well, but I keep in mind that it - is - Galveston....where no one cares what you wear and flip flops and smiles cover the head and feet.  Other than that, pretty much anything goes. Scary, but stress free.
Shannon and the kids are joining us there. I am writing this before I leave the house and will continue it as the journey allows.  Got my fan, got my phone, got my camera and computer, got my toiletries, yep, I am ready...and a little cash just in case.  Oh, yes, and my glasses.  Leaving behind all sense of responsibility and reason.  After all, it's Galveston!
We stopped for lunch at Cracker Barrell on the way down.  Don't you just love Cracker Barrell?  So much to see and and browse through - like a blast from the past. They have all the old toys like Raggedy Ann and Andy, and Lincoln Logs...and then the old fashioned candies and sodas are so tempting.  Bought some butter mints and caramel corn for four little grandchildren to enjoy.
When we arrived at our destination and were attempting to check in, they informed me that we had one too many people. (There were seven of us.)  Let's see, which one of the kids can we do without...or which adult?  These are hard questions.  I persisted.  "No one told me that when I made the reservations," I said politely.
"You can only have six to a room.  How old are the kids?" the manager asked.
I told him and explained that one will be in a pack 'n play.
"What are their names?"
"Really?" I thought.  He made me write them down.
"Is it because of the fire code?"
"Yes," he answered.
I told him that I did not want him to get in trouble and I understood, but if we couldn't stay together, we would have to go home.  The hotel was packed with no openings and 3000 students were coming in from Brownsville and Corpus for a convention.
Bleak as it was sounding to me, I almost went home by myself and left them here.
However, he waved us on and I am keeping the name of the place to myself...and praying there isn't a fire.  Don't tell my friend George, the Fire Marshall.
I wanted to pay the bill in cash...til they told me I would have a pay a deposit.  If I used my card, they would not make me pay the deposit.  I know, I know.  It's a matter of them not getting stuck with a destroyed room and no money to pay for it.  But really, us?  Let's see....nevermind. 
The next day was cold and rainy.  Emma was pressing for a visit to the beach.  The sun should be out by noon and the temperature a whopping 70 degrees.  So we made the decision to eat lunch at Shrimp and Stuff at 39 and "O" St.  The Coles told us about this restaurant a few years ago and we have loved it ever since.  I have been coming to Galveston all my life and never heard of it.  It's wonderful.

 We finally made it to the beach around 3:00.  Bright and sunny but the water was deathly cold.  Shannon made it very clear that no one was to get wet.  Very clear. They must have misunderstood her and thought she said, "Run!  Go get in the water as fast as you can!" because that is just what they did.  They were colorful little icicles, fully dressed and having fun.

 

We had forgotten our 'bird food' (crackers and chips) when we went to the beach and so Bella strategically placed morsels on the patio railing.  I am pretty sure this was not allowed, but the starving gulls made a beeline for them and the crackers disappeared quickly. We are just breaking all the rules here.





 

Bella painted my mom's toenails.

My days have been very busy as of late and I am thankful for this little diversion.  My mom had a wonderful time and keeps all these memories with her.  We had funny passwords to say as we would knock on the door to get in the room, even though we had a key.  Their bunkbeds served as hideouts and secret places to play in and not be seen.  Just wanted to share our time with you.

Round Top, Bruce, the Squirrel, the Governor, and Austin - and Oh Yes - Bluebonnets!

What a title, huh?  The story you are about to hear is true and I am not changing the names to protect the innocent because there are no innocents in this tale.
Our church has a prison ministry that Tommy and a guy named Josh started about 7 years ago.  Since then, many other men and some women in our church have taken part in this endeavor. Tommy only goes now as a substitute.  The chaplain at the prison submitted one of the men's names to receive the Governor's Chaplaincy award.  This man, Barry Wilmore, also happens to be an astronaut who is preparing to go to the space station and is currently in Russia. He was unable to travel to Austin to receive his award, so Tommy and Bruce went on his behalf.
I was informed by friend Amy Jackson that this was the weekend of Round Top.  If you have never been (and I never had), it is a giant flea market.  Did I say giant?  I meant Jolly Green. Miles of vendors beginning on the outskirts of town and ending in Warrenton, the next town over.  I was sooooo 'there'.  All of a sudden this trip looked pretty good to me.  Great deals and the Governor to boot!
We stopped at the first tent we came to. The weather was a little daunting, but we (me and Susan) pressed on. Enamel ware for $4 and tablecloths for $5.  Okay, so far!  Tommy and Bruce mentioned that there were more shops further down the road, though we were willing for this to be our only stop. (So glad it wasn't!) The sign said that there are 90 residents living in Round Top.  Unbelievable, because I saw 900 people shopping.  This flea market happens only twice a year...first of April and first of October.  It was very cool and we were all shivering as we took to the street on foot.  Bruce was looking for any hat that cost a dollar.  There were none, so Susan took her knitted cap and placed it on his head. Hilarity ensued, but it was warm so he kept it on.  We tried to act like we did not know him, but he just wouldn't go away.

No, that is not me with Tommy.

It was like a meeting of Providence church members because we saw Amy Jackson and her three boys and then we saw Aubrey Fleming and baby Abigail.

Amy and Bruce

Aubrey with baby Abigail

 Amy was in search of a table and Hank helped Susan bargain for a plant stand to no avail. (sad face)

Hank, Sam, and Jack Jackson

Squirrel and Nut - which is which?

We soon parted and left for Austin, but Susan and I are planning an October trip for sure;)
There is a pecan shop on the other side of Bastrop on Hwy 71.  A giant squirrel sits in the parking lot and I could not resist taking of picture of Bruce in his hat beside it.  Which is the squirrel and which is the nut? Hmm.
Soon we were in Austin and at our hotel, where the award ceremony would take place Friday morning.  We made our way downstairs and waited for Tommy to have his picture made with the other recipients. Twenty people were also being honored for their work in the prison system.  They all looked so happy and joyful.  It was very encouraging.  Barry's award was first on the list.  They spoke of all of his military accomplishments - a Navy captain, an astronaut on one of the last shuttles, and that he is preparing to spend six months on the space station.  The spokeswoman was sure to say that Tommy and Bruce were accepting this award on his behalf, but still someone came up to Tommy and asked him if he was an astronaut. Really?
Governor Perry was supposed to be there, but he was doing something else somewhere else...like the White House or some such place.  He did however make a video expressing his gratitude for the work of these men and women.  I am glad we were able to attend and meet some of these remarkable people that give their time to help men and women that are trying to change and re-enter society.
On the way home Tommy stopped and let me take some quick pix of bluebonnets.  They were lovely.

We ate lunch in Bastrop and I had a bowl of ice cream as a surprise.  It was my 60th birthday.  All in all a nice way to remember it.  From now on though, I will just be 60 plus.....