Happy Birthday Blessings, Aunt Faye

Happy Birthday, Aunt Faye!
I hope your day was special!
I am thankful for the gift of your love and presence in my life!

Thank you for recently sharing memories of your trip to Newfoundland soon after my birth.  I am sure your visit was an invaluable gift to Mom, Dad, and Tommy!  Seeing these photos has been especially meaningful to me! Thank you for sharing them!

 









I love imagining how loved Mom must've felt to be surrounded by you, and your 70 yr old grandparents (my great-grandparents) who camped their way up the east coast, having crossed the ferry to meet you there.

There are many other sacrificial ways you have loved me, and I thank the LORD my life has been marked and influenced by yours!
I love you!
❤️K~

Happy Birthday, Granddaddy Roy

I really enjoy and appreciate old family photos.
This picture was given to me a couple of weeks ago.
When I showed it to our sons, I told them, and asked out of curiosity, "One of these police/dispatch officers is your great grandfather. Can you guess which one?"
They'd never met him, so their chances of accurately guessing were slim, but I was no less curious to see what they'd say.
I sort of thought they'd have some idea, since they've seen old family photos, but not this one.
Not one guess came close.

My grandfather stands third from the right. He was the oldest of six children, and he was the only son.
He was a man of small/short stature at 5'8".
His dear mom stood around 4'11"-5', and his father towered over them both at approximately 6'2"!
So, when our sons are lined up beside one another, I get a glimpse of Granddaddy Roy's stature in MS, and his father's towering height in John. Isn't it fun and encouraging to see how God unifies and blends our ancestral genes into our children? I am awed!

If Granddaddy Roy were alive today, we'd celebrate 104 yrs, but sadly he passed away in '83.
Today I remember him, and I'm thankful for the many years he was endeared to me and my family. 

Family Friends Forever

15 And she said, "See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." 

16 But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.
17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you." 

18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.
Ruth 1:15-18


I marvel to consider the difficult transition Ruth made when she left her homeland and family to follow Naomi back to hers.  They'd each lost their husbands, so it was no easy feat to leave, but Ruth made a decision; it was obviously one of deep conviction and loyalty to Naomi, to permanently stay with the woman whose son she married.  

This story has captured me.  
I question, "Would I?  
Why did one DIL follow and the other not?  
By God's grace, Ruth was full of faith to go.   
It was His plan, not hers; His!"  

God was gracious and compassionate, merciful and wise to choose Ruth, a young widow, to bring redemption to His people.
This story is beautiful...!


I've come to realize over the years just how unusually blessed our family is.  The LORD has granted faith and repentance to many of us, and we gather because we have a common desire to be united in our walk with Him, but also, because we enjoy being together.  We have long enjoyed fellowship and gatherings several times a year, and actually have worked hard to maintain some semblance of routine get togethers.  

I think of my SILs, how thankful I am for all they add to us, for the many ways they give of themselves sacrificially to serve and love our family, especially my parents.  They have each been embraced and loved by my parents as their own, which is soo very special. My parents have always said, "We thank the LORD all the time that He brought Mary and Pam to us."  It's hard work getting a family as large as ours together, to prioritize family time.  I remember the sacrifices made when the children were little, especially those that Tommy and Mary made, because they traveled two hours for many years to join us, as oft as we scheduled a gathering.  What a blessing it is to remember all the Family Day memories we've enjoyed, and to know our children still want to spend time with their cousins because they are friends!   


The LORD has been gracious to shape us as He has willed and worked to make us the family He desires us to be. 
I am thankful He will continue to be Faithful!  
I trust He is still weaving threads to make of us a beautiful work of His hands.   

[I] give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good:  for His mercy endures forever!  Psalm 136:1

How Inscrutable His Ways

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34  "For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?"
35  "Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?"
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever.
Amen.

Romans 11

My heart and mind are prayerful for the Gulf Coast Panhandle communities that have been devastated by that fast approaching and intensified tropical storm turned category 4 hurricane whose name was given Michael.  I realized, and am awed to think, the name Michael means, "Who is like God?"  

Has any man been  more satisfied by anything material, like he is satisfied by his very breath and beating, pulsing heart?   When it comes to the deeper soul matters, can man say, "Who is like God?" 

The days ahead will probably cause many to realize their utter dependence on Him and others for help, provision, and care. 
It's easy to fret over the comforts we think we lack, until we realize we have more than enough, and more importantly, our greatest need is to know the One who created the hurricane for His glory!  


Only the LORD... 

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

For from him and through him and to him are all things. 

To him be glory forever. 

Family Night

It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.  
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Tuesday nights have become one of my favorite evenings of the week, because it's an evening I can look forward to, for knowing we'll be together!  What a treasured gift!  Thank you, Family!  
Every opportunity we have to be together is a blessing that I cannot measure!  
There is nothing really "special" about anything we do, but the very fact that we're sharing time and space is soo very meaningful and it blesses me.   

Tonight we enjoyed dinner which consisted of beef brisket smoked on the grill by Dad and Matt.  I made the requested macaroni and cheese, and green beans.  After we ate, we gathered in the family room to watch President Trump's rally in Iowa.  Our togetherness tonight was much enjoyed.  Simply being together is a joy. 

I captured these photos after Matt plopped himself down onto the couch where Grace, Katherine, and John were sitting, being the best friends they are <smile>.  Grace is so very lighthearted, and one to make the best of awkward situations, so she gathered Katherine and John in a little closer for a cuddle hug.  Of course, I took a picture.  

Sweet, sweet family, togetherness... I never want you to go away!  
Thank you, Father!

Be It Christ Hence to Live

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul!

Though Satan should buffet, though trails should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin- oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!  

For me, be it Christ be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel!  Oh, voice of the Lord! 
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!  

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Horatio G. Spafford, 1873

In my devotion yesterday, I was encouraged to write out the lyrics to this well known hymn.  
There are two additional verses I was not familiar with, and was blessed to learn of them...


For me, be it Christ be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

He is the object of my faith and His peace is the reward and glory of such trust.

But, Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel!  Oh, voice of the Lord! 
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!  

May it be so, Lord!  

Photo:  Thank you, Grace, for giving us flowers for our 31st wedding anniversary.  They are just as beautiful today as they were the day you gave them to us on September 25th  <smile>, and I am still enjoying them!  

May We Live to Believe and Praise Him

It is a great thing to praise Jesus Christ by day; but there is no music sweeter than the nightingale's, and she praises God by night.  It is well to praise the Lord for his mercy when you are in health, but make sure that you do it when you are sick, for then your praise is more likely to be genuine. 
When you are deep down in sorrow, do not rob God of the gratitude that is due to him; never stint him of his revenue of praise whatever else goes short.  Praise him sometimes on the high-sounding cymbals, -crash, crash,- with all your heart and being; but when you cannot do that, just sit, and mean his praise in solemn silence in the deep quiet of your spirit. 
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
"The Object of Christ's Death", Sermon #2483, published September 20, 1896

Poppy is home!  What a huge blessing it has been to visit him there this week.  He is getting around with his walker and can step away from it to help himself to the bathroom and shower.  He has been very cooperative through this month long process of being diagnosed, treated, and rehabilitated.  It has not been easy for him to give up his independence and last word of authority when it comes to certain activities and matters of strength or health.  In fact, he's been praised by many professionals who have told him how strong his upper body strength is.  Yet, his left leg and balance still needs exercise.  
The treadmill is still on the back porch near Dad's desk, and the backyard is right outside the wall of windows where his favorite pastime of gardening will be calling his name, but these activities are no longer allowed.  We are very mindful these days that some of his strong, leadership style initiative and finish what he starts, deliberate efforts need to be shifted down to first gear until he is stronger and more balanced, allowing him to be more independently stable on his feet for longer periods of time.  Dad will continue with physical and occupational therapy in his home, 3x a week, for the next couple of weeks, which is a huge blessing and convenience for both Mom and Dad.  
I am thankful!
While Dad continues to move forward in his recovery from this mini-stroke set back, I am mindful of how independently sufficient and merciful the LORD is, has been, and will continue to be.  
We look to Him daily for all that we have... our very breath and rhythmic pulse of our beating heart comes from Him, none of which we can heap up and store for tomorrow.  

Thank you, Father!! 
By day and by night, I am learning through this season, that You are worthy of praise...                 
However loud or silent our praise,  may we know You are the source from which our very living comes.  

22So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.
23For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
27that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
28for "‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
"‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
29Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.
30The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
31because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about this."
33 So Paul went out from their midst.
34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
Acts 17