Remembering Daddy

Two years ago today (January 22) my precious Daddy went to Heaven. Although he had been quite ill, we all expected him to recover, as he had always done in the past. He was a survivor, and we expected him to survive his health issues that had begun just a matter of weeks before his passing. Over the years, he had overcome some major heart problems, prostate cancer, and other serious conditions. I firmly believe one reason is because he wanted to be here for us: He was ALWAYS the Daddy! He felt his job was to take care of his family, no matter how old his daughters were. When we'd do things for him, he would always say: "It's not your job to do for me; I'm the daddy---I'm supposed to do things for you!" ~ A graduate of Georgia Tech, my Daddy was the smartest man I've ever known, and as a hospital volunteer said shortly before his death: "Your father is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge." I couldn't agree more.~ By the world's standards, my Daddy wasn't a wealthy man, but by his standards, he was. He loved his family so much, and he also loved animals. (He had five cats at the time of his death). It was very hard after my sweet Mama passed away (they'd been married almost 64 years!) but Daddy's cats were his companions. Over the years, whenever a stray cat or dog wandered into the yard, Daddy made sure the animal was fed and cared for. He loved wildlife too, and sent many donations to help care for sick or injured wild animals, in addition to the Humane Society. ~ But the most important thing about my Daddy was that he truly loved the Lord, and so now we have the comfort and peace of knowing Daddy is in Heaven, and we'll see him (and Mama!) again one day.

Happy New Year!!!

Wow! I've heard lots of folks commenting about how quickly 2008 flew by, and I agree. Although my days are not nearly as hectic as they used to be since I'm no longer teaching school, the time still seems to slip away too fast. ~ It's really made me stop and think lately about where my time "goes." As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of our time, and I'll be the first to admit that time management is something I've struggled with for quite a while. As we welcome a brand-new year, I'm praying for the Lord to help me use my time wisely. Due to my back condition, routine tasks often take longer than they used to, and that is frustrating at times. But I want to focus on the most important tasks this year, and do those things first. ~ I pray that all my family and friends are blessed with a safe, healthy, happy 2009, and that we'll always put the Lord first in our actions and thoughts. Happy New Year!! ~ (I'm including a picture of Sweetums as she celebrated New Year's Eve last year!).

Christmas Miracles

It's Christmas Eve and I've had a delightful evening of wrapping presents and visiting with my oldest daughter who's just arrived home from college. After we finished with the wrapping, I kept my Christmas Eve tradition of twenty-four years, as I sat down with my children (ages 24, 21, and 17) and read the Christmas story from the second chapter of Luke. I began doing that when my oldest was a newborn, 24 years ago, and it's a special tradition we always do on Christmas Eve. The most important reason we read that story each year, though, is to remember and focus on WHY we are really celebrating Christmas. We all get so busy during the holiday season and need to make the time to stop and think about that wonderful miracle of the Christ Child's birth so many years ago. It truly was a miracle and the most wonderful, joyous event we could ever celebrate! ~ And speaking of miracles--although this is a much smaller one--my Christmas Cactus has bloomed for the very first time since a friend gave it to me 3 years ago! I was thrilled when I noticed the tiny buds a few weeks ago, and then those buds turned into gorgeous blooms. Although the plant had remained green, it would never bloom. Then suddenly this year it presented me with a beautiful gift as it was covered in red blooms! For me, that was a "miracle" that blessed me as I prepared for Christmas.

OUT OF HER HANDS

I recently read a great book by Christian author Megan DiMaria, Out of Her Hands. I haven't read many books from the main character's point of view, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! ~ Out of Her Hands is the story of Linda Revere, a middle-aged wife and mom to a teen daughter and a college-aged son. Changes are happening in Linda's family, and being a loving mom, she wants to help control matters so things will go smoothly and everyone will be happy. But Linda realizes there are many situations over which she has no control, and she must trust the Lord to be in control and give her a sense of peace. ~ The characters in the story are so believable, and being a middle-aged mom myself I could definitely relate to many of Linda's feelings and emotions! There were parts of the story that brought tears to my eyes, and other parts where I was laughing out loud. I highly recommend reading Out of Her Hands by Megan DiMaria, and I look forward to more books by this talented author.

* * Megan has also written a previous book about the Revere family, Searching for Spice, which I haven't read yet (but I plan to!). You do not have to read it before reading Out of Her Hands.

Miracle, Kentucky

I just finished reading a wonderful book by Christian author Andrea Boeshaar, Love Finds You in Miracle Kentucky. I love the way Andrea writes - - she was one of the first authors I read when I "discovered" Christian fiction several years ago! ~ Love Finds You in Miracle Kentucky is a well-written, sweet story about a young woman seeking a fresh start in a different town (and state). She accepts a teaching position and moves in with her grandmother in Kentucky. One of her students is a precious child confined to a wheelchair, who just happens to have a handsome, widowed father. Their relationships and experiences are written about in a very believable way, and the story was never boring! As Meg (the main character) is able to strengthen her family ties, she truly finds love in Miracle, Kentucky. ~ I enjoyed this story so much, and now I'm looking forward to reading more stories in the new "Love Finds You.." line from Summerside Press!

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! I've been reading lots of blogs and articles recently about giving thanks and how much we have to be thankful for. This is so true, and I truly realize how very blessed I am. The Lord has given me so many blessings that I know I do not deserve, but I'm so very thankful to Him. At the top of the list would be my precious family and friends, but the list could go on endlessly. ~ ~ What I want to make sure to do, however, even after this Thanksgiving holiday is past, is to continue having a thankful heart each and every day. I need to make sure I give thanks to my Lord daily for all of my wonderful blessings---even if it's a day that doesn't seem too "special" when I'm in much physical pain, or things don't seem to be going my way---I still have so much to be thankful for even during those times! ~ ~ At our family dinner today, I'll read aloud Psalm 100 just as I have since I was a young girl (my precious Mother started me on this family tradition many years ago, and although she and Daddy are in Heaven now, it's a tradition I want to continue). ~ ~ Thank you, Lord for blessing me abundantly!!

Meeting A President!

One evening last week my oldest sister wanted several of us to meet for dinner at a nice restaurant in Atlanta. She wanted to celebrate having her house all paid off (which is certainly something for anyone to celebrate!). We had been seated at our table for about fifteen minutes when we noticed a couple being escorted to the table right next to our table. It was former President Jimmy Carter and his lovely wife Rosalyn!! I couldn't believe it, because at that very moment my teen-aged son was at home....writing a report on.....JIMMY CARTER !! I was so excited that I could hardly eat my delicious meal (although I did "force myself" to eat - LOL!!).

When President Carter's daughter Amy walked by my chair, I discreetly asked her if there was any way that she could snap a quick picture of her Dad for my son (and I explained about my son's report on President Carter). She said she'd ask him, and a minute later she turned back around to me and said that her Dad wanted me in the picture too! So I stooped down by his chair for a quick picture. He was so kind and gracious, and I was THRILLED!! (and thankful the Secret Service didn't come over and grab me.....they were nearby and very watchful!). I've posted the picture of Jimmy Carter and me (he was looking down at me, because the flash cameras bother his eyes). ~ What an exciting dinner!