HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY JO

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BABY DAUGHTER

We LOVE you Mary Jo and hope you have had a wonderful birthday.

Questions

Questions?? Questions?? Questions??

We all have questions. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do evil people gain riches? Why does that six year old have cancer?

On and On the questions go. We cry out to God and we don't understand.

Today I found this in Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. It really spoke to me and I hope it will bless you.

God comes to us not to answer, but as the Answer. The peace He brings doesn’t come from understanding. It transcends, passes, surpasses, and supersedes understanding. You will never have an answer for many of the questions stirring within you. But you’ll find that God Himself is the Answer and that He’ll give you a peace that passes understanding.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Home From My Journey

My "Walk to Emmaus" was a wonderful experience. 72 hours without TV, camera, ipod, radio, and cell phone. 12 hours of NO TALKING. That alone was a Blessing. Try it sometime. During this 72 hours there were many inspirational talks. Grace Grace Grace. I think the one that touched me the most was the one on Prevenient Grace. I had not heard this expression before. So if some of you like me have not heard it, the word prevenient means going before, preceeding. And Grace is giving us what we don't deserve. The gist of the talk was how God's Grace goes before us and draws us to Himself. When we are not aware of His directions, He is guiding us. I looked back on my life and saw so many many times God's Grace brought things or people into my life that prepared me for the things He wanted me to do in life. As a little girl I always loved children. Whenever there was a child around I was right there playing with him or her. Little did I know at that time God's Grace was preparing me for all these precious Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren I now have. The love God had given me for children just flowed right over into these grands and greats. And it has been and continues to be a journey of joy, fun, and hope for the future. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God's Prevenient Grace is working in the lives of these grands and greats. He is going before all of you preparing you and calling you to receive His love. Going before you preparing you for the work He has prepared for you to do. His plans for you are good and not evil. Even now you older ones should be able to look back and see God's Grace in your life. I certainly have seen it and continue to see His watchcare and protection over you. Thank you God for your prevenient Grace

Latest from Papa and Ma

Papa and I went down to Destin today to meet Chesed's friend, Patrick. We both really like him. He is extremely friendly and very smart. Nice looking too. Papa has been enjoying his golf cart. Wish we had videoed the installing of the back seat on the cart. I think we probably could have sold the video for comedy. Anyway we have it installed and ready for some children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to come and ride on it. I'm thanking God everyday for all his blessings. Tomorrow we plan to take the "old agers driving class." We are really looking forward to Norman and Mary Jo, Joshua, Karin and Mario being here this weekend. Also Josh and Summer and their friends. Think Karin's brother Mike and his wife and son will be here too. We will be celebrating Mario's first birthday Sunday. We do enjoy all of your blogs. So much for this blog.

I LOVE YOU Joe

Sixty-one years ago today Papa marked me with a "W"

Today I want to say something about Papa. He has always been faithful to provide for me. He has tried to keep me from being too impulsive. (sometimes that has worked, sometimes not). He has much more wisdom than I do. (Took me almost 60 years to realize that). I am so sorry I did not recognize that sooner. Too much of the time it has been me me me me me and what I wanted regardless of his feelings. I am so thankful that God has brought me to this place in my life where I love and appreciate him more and more each day. Nothing like having someone who can fix anything and everything. Someone to scratch my back, cut my toe nails and help me remember what day of the week it is. I am so thankful to God for allowing me to spend the large majority of my life here on earth with him. Hope we have many more years together.

I LOVE YOU Joe

Sixty-one years ago today Papa marked me with a "W"

Today I want to say something about Papa. He has always been faithful to provide for me. He has tried to keep me from being too impulsive. (sometimes that has worked, sometimes not). He has much more wisdom than I do. (Took me almost 60 years to realize that). I am so sorry I did not recognize that sooner. Too much of the time it has been me me me me me and what I wanted regardless of his feelings. I am so thankful that God has brought me to this place in my life where I love and appreciate him more and more each day. Nothing like having someone who can fix anything and everything. Someone to scratch my back, cut my toe nails and help me remember what day of the week it is. I am so thankful to God for allowing me to spend the large majority of my life here on earth with him. Hope we have many more years together.

Tony and Charis's 13 Wedding Anniversary

Belated Happy Anniversary to Tony and Charis

Tony and Charis were at Deep Creek on their Anniversary so I did not blog on their special day. I want to do that now. Thirteen years ago July 1st Tony and Charis were married at the First Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach. They seemed so young but we all had such a good feeling about their relationship. We just believed it was the right thing. We all loved Tony from the beginning. We thoroughly enjoyed all his stories. He made everything in the stories come to life. Most of the time he had us laughing our heads off. They moved into a farm house in New Harmony and started their life together. I can remember some one at the after rehearsal party or at the wedding saying something to the effect ”their home would be a gathering place for many people.” That has certainly be the case. How many wonderful hours we have spent at their home and farm. A year and a half after they were married the greatest thing this side of heaven happened. Mary McKinley was born. One of the prettiest babies I had ever seen. I got to go and stay for a few days and replay all the eleven times I had done the same things with all my grandchildren. McKinley has been such a blessing to all of us. So full of grace like her mother and full of stories like her dad. Two years later along came Brandon Jacob. All boy. What a delight. He and Papa have spent so many great times together. We love Brandon. Twenty months later here comes Miss Madelyn Grace. I could not take my eyes off her. Every time I looked at her I saw myself as I was as a little girl. She is so beautiful, smart and so full of life. Nothing escapes her. Twenty-one months later along comes Mauri Hanna. Blond blue eyes and like a China Doll. So fragile and beautiful. Mauri listens to her own drummer. Most of us can’t hear that drummer. We have had so many good times together playing “Old Maids” and putting puzzles together. She is a puzzle whiz. Twenty-eight months later we welcomed a brother for Brandon, Brady James. Now here is the one. My how cute and how sweet. However, I have had to share him (more than I wanted to) with Aunt Sarah. She is his favorite. I want to say, “Brandy, I’m your GRANDMOTHER. Aunt Sarah is just your great great aunt.” He takes that literally. She is the greatest thing around when she is around. But I enjoy so much seeing them interact together. Twenty months later beautiful little Madison Caroline arrives late in the afternoon with everyone at the hospital and in Charis’s room. Brady decides Madison is his and his only. It was all so great. Madison is so petite. We have really enjoyed her. Thanks Charis and Tony for producing such beautiful and sweet children. They have been such a joy to all of us. And as for just the two of you. Both of you have shared so much of your lives with us. Thanks for letting Papa and Me just come up the the farm and take over. For letting us play with the children as much as we wanted to and letting us spoil and pamper them. Thank you for letting your home be a haven of fun. A place to get away to from the real world into a children’s world where children can be children. Where they can run and romp, ride four wheelers and golf carts. I pray God will continue to bless your family as you in-turn bless us all. As Papa and I celebrate our 61 years together we are hoping and praying you can have at least that many years together and maybe even more. Being married to someone for 61years is like having your favorite pair of old comfortable house shoes available at all times . I love it. Tony and Charis we LOVE YOU.