You've Got to Read This!

When I was talking to Sandy this morning, she told me about this blog she had read. Oh my! It is so encouraging and a blessing. You've got to read it! It is www.aholyexperience.com/ The story is entitled Where to Find Happiness dated February 24th. I am so getting a horn to put in my house. What a great reminder of God's greatness!

Sweetest Baby and Mom in the Whole World

I love this picture because it is my baby girl holding her baby girl. It is hard to express the love that comes to someone the first time you see them this way. How can that be so? I call it a mother's love. I felt it when they first handed Anna to me when she was born and then in a different way when I held my granddaughter, Lila. As for the title of blog, yes, I am slightly prejudice, but I am proud of both of them. Anna, you did amazing in delivery and now being a mom to Lila. As for Lila...you can just lay there and cry and poop and spit and still be the cutest baby to me.

Will I see them again?

Happy New Year! Of course, while I am cooking that southern ham hock (what part of pig is that? :) and beans for New Year's Day (and cornbread), I am reflecting back on 2011. I know...I know..I need to look ahead, but I need to look back to see God's hand (and my hands messing it up plenty of times). I am such a forgetful person (not sure if it is the age or the wanting to forget some things); but this is what I don't want to forget.....I made it through reading the entire Bible; Had the privilege of discipling Robin and Eddie (so proud of them); completed monthly book reviews for BFG class; Took enough antibiotics and prednisone to kill a horse (but kept going and going and going); Started family prayer time one night a week with Caleb in April and we've kept it up; Survived a tornado; Got to go to Seattle and Dallas for Randall House doing seminars and getting paid to talk (loved it); Watched another Warrior Dash, in other words did not participate; Enjoyed beach and got to go with the Sullivan's; Attended Merge and lived through it again; Helped sister with Jared's beautiful cupcakes, I mean wedding; Celebrated 25 years of Wegener's and healing; Found out that Anna and Chase are having a baby girl (still waiting on Lila); Caleb got a deer with my car but was not hurt (not true about buck and my car); Memphis crew became part of our family; fell and sprained my knee; got sick in Ecuador but managed to still finish out trip and get to do the training. Of all the things God did through me and in spite of me, I am once again humbled that He picked me and all these events. Sounds so cliche'. But I refuse to look ahead without acknowledging God's hand in the past. Did I always like it (especially the death angel visit when sick in Ecuador...ok I am dramatic)? No, but I cling not to the past but to the faithfulness of God. Because if I did not believe He was faithful, I wouldn't even think about 2012. Oh yeah, 2012....I almost forgot :)

I Got My First Christmas Present

This is not my Christmas tree, although that would be really neat :) This is a photo taken at the Heritage Hotel during our girls-shorter-than- usual-birthday-weekend-outing. And yes, the photo was taken by a random person that we scout out and ask to do so. (And did I mention the tour of the famous men's bathroom in the hotel?) Back to the post......I love Christmas and I am so ready for it this year. I just had to type those words as that is not always the case as am usually running around but I am ready and even having guests tonight for dinner just because I actually have the time (ok, the prednisone is keeping me pumped up, too but that is another story.) Again...back to the post....I already received my first Christmas present. Wednesday at the doctor's office, after a cystoscopy (where they put a camera (yep, a camera about the size you see at Professional Photography Studios ha) up your you know what and it hurts like, well, I can't think of words to describe that right now, but it's painful. Anyhow, there were NO tumors in the bladder this year which means no surgery. Thank you Jesus! The no-tumor gift this year was just what I needed!

Happy Birthday Anna

I can't believe it has been 27 years ago since my belly looked like Anna's in this picture :) Yep, 27 years ago I gave birth to one of the best joys of my life. Looking back (the old days), we didn't even know if we were having a boy or girl. When the doctor said, "It's a girl", we instantly bonded and she has been our pride and joy since. Such fun she has been (despite little bit of melancholy she got from her dad :) Did I mention she got her brains from me? Time really does fly by so fast...The thought that she is having a baby girl of her own seems unreal. I am so thankful for Anna's creativity, her style (she keeps me on my toes), her service to her Savior, her beautiful home, her Christian marriage (God bless Chase), her perfection (although that can get her into trouble sometimes), her advice, her help. The list could go on as we have so many great memories. Anna, you've been a great daughter and now I know...you will be a great momma.

Just Call Me Tia Karena

Here's the new addition to our Ecuador Family. Yes, my dear friend Sarah had her baby while we were there and she named him one of our favorite names....Caleb. Can you believe it? She had him on Wednesday morning and came home that night! I had the parasite night before, so I think we both look pretty good considering 24 hours ago she had a baby and about 12 hours ago I was in about that much pain, too. :)

Disappointment with God by P.Yancey

For this month's book review, Philip Yancey tackles three questions no one asks aloud: Is God unfair? Is God silent? Is God hidden? He uses the book of Job in first part of book that sets out to prove the faithfulness and love of God. "Job gained a faith that can never be shaken because it came out of having been shaken."
Using a friend named "Douglas" (a modern day Job), Mr. Yancey asked him, "What have you learned that might help someone else going through a difficult time?" "I learned first...not to confuse God with life. We tend to think life should be fair because God is fair. But God is not life. And if I confuse God with the physical reality of life ---by expecting constant good health, for example---then I set myself up for a crushing disappointment."
"Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse."
"God is like a person who clears his throat while hiding and so gives himself away." (By Meister Eckhardt)
I love the next to last chapter entitled, "Why Job Died Happy".
Another great quote: "I had far rather walk, as I do, in daily terror of eternity, than feel that this was only a children's game in which all the contestants would get equally worthless prizes at the end. (By T.S. Eliot)
Another great book that challenges and convicts! Ok, the York Peppermint Patty has nothing to do with the book, but was just a reminder of the lesson learned about the power of chocolate and mint ..... I mean the power of prayer and God's word.