Moments to Remember MLNO/WP Trip

We just spent an incredible week with an awesome bunch of young people from Batesville First Baptist youth group! Under the direction of Lacey and the leadership of Chase, they spent a semester learning the music of Hillsong - doing all of their own instrumentation and vocal work! Some were skeptical of their possible success but pushed through and with a lot of hard work, they were exceedingly successful! By May 31, The Worship Project was ready to debut! They exploded into the summer at First Baptist Church, surprising and pleasing the gathered parents and friends with their professionalism and excellence. The most critical element however, was the worship - they truly brought all who listened and observed to the Throne in an act of worship. They were, indeed, ready to take their worship event on the road and New Orleans was waiting for them. Lacey and Chase had planned a trip which would include Mission Lab of New Orleans Theological Seminary, a program which is intended to give home missions experience and opportunity for young students and their sponsors. Because of their desire to present the Worship Project as a part of their trip, Mission Lab set up opportunities around New Orleans as a part of their plan.

Following the early morning service at First Baptist, 30 people (22 young people and 8 sponsor/leaders) set out for a long drive from Batesville to New Orleans, with high expectations. Little did we know the challenges of entering another culture, climate, and life style that we would encounter and overcome by God's grace that week.

First of all, we knew the mileage when we left and knew that New Orleans was a long way from home. The trip was still new when we stopped outside of Memphis to pick up the Barnes and eat a little lunch. We were very tired, and definitely ready to arrive by the time we found the seminary and finished our registering process that evening. We got in on the end of the first Worship session and to our surprise were asked to follow a staffer from Mission Lab to the student center! IT WAS SO FAR...and we were walking! Mickey and I decided at the last moment to ditch our Hotel room and opted to stay with the rest of the "trippers" when we discovered that it would be possible. We all gathered in our designated room for "church time" - the last time I actually saw that room that week...but we did indeed experience "church time" again through working together and sharing our hearts.

What a great, pleasant surprise that our mattresses were new and very comfortable! Our rooms were clean and adequate. The showers were a little cramped and I am convinced that a do-do must design those things...come on, couldn't you design them for a little more privacy and convenience? Anyway, other than the very loud flushing toilets and the room doors with slats (which allowed even whispers to escape down the hall), our home for the week was nice. I thought the food was actually excellent...well, it began that way, any way. By the end of the week, my daily breakfast was grits with Splenda (VERY GOOD...I don't care what you say!) and a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios along with a diet coke. I tried the bacon and sausage and they just tasted like someone had sliced them straight off the pig and served them...the eggs were powdered, I'm sure. Lunch every day was a good old ham sandwich on white or wheat, depending on what was left (was there also turkey?) a package of mayo or mustard, a bag of chips and a cookie. Every day. Until we got smart enough to do something about it, the drinks were hot - and really not enough variety to please everyone - but we survived. We had our lunch on the sidewalk in front of the dorms under the shade trees. It was really too hot for us to care much about what we were eating. No one complained. Supper was really pretty tasty. Chicken strips, spaghetti, red beans and rice, chicken alfredo and noodles...not bad. One night everyone went to the Dairy Queen for ice cream...that was fun to watch. On Friday night, we ate at the French Quarter - I think everyone had beniets - even me!

Before telling about the exciting days of ministry, I just have to devote some time to how God protected our group. The trip to New Orleans was fairly routine - no big bobbles or loop de loops. Mickey and Greg drove the whole way, pulling trailers and Alison spotted me in the Yukon. It was an incredibly long day and we were very tired by the time we saw the red full moon over Lake Pontchartrain. That we made it safely, with no major incidents was an amazing act of God in itself. We wandered around in New Orleans some during the week, not knowing where we were going exactly. The caravan, however, was able to stay together and made it through the many stop lights and turnabouts without too much hastle. Everyone was sun burned and a few people got blisters and minor cuts, but no trips to the hospital. Good health, for those of us with some issues, was well maintained. We were made keenly aware of a phobia that Alison has while on the trip. Alison was driving to the correctional facility as we entered the Huey P. Long bridge. She had said earlier that she didn't like bridges and so we all became a little anxious for her. This bridge was the highest, longest and most dangerous looking bridge in New Orleans! To top it off, there was construction going on and we entered the very narrow bridge beside a bus. Alison was petrified! She sat up and held on to the steering wheel with all of her might! It turned out that the construction work was a blessing - traffic had to streamline and travel in one lane which put the bus in front of us instead of beside us. We made it across the bridge safely and I drove on the return! We were never in real danger, but the perceived danger was unnerving and God's protection was very real. The time for us to leave came with few problems and other than every day aggravations, our week had been uneventful and we had been watched over and cared for by the Father. We all loaded in the vans and Yukon and headed back to Arkansas. As we rounded the second corner, the second van "kerplunked". Greg stepped out to access the situation and got quite a surprise. As he had driven over the speed bump, the trailer had come loose from the van! Even in this moment, we recognized God's hand over us. Had he not hit a speed bump, we might have discovered the loose trailer on the interstate and it could have been a tragedy. This says something for speed bumps in our way, doesn't it? It could have only been God's protection. The long trip home finally began. We were nearing lunch time and planned to stop soon. The trip had been uneventful and everyone was tired enough to sleep - well, except for Mickey's van, who were bored enough to play "hide-n-seek" in the van (don't ask, I don't know). Suddenly everything went wrong. I could see a white car ahead, stopped dead still on the interstate and Greg was sliding toward it. The car which had gotten in between us was throwing on its brakes and I was pumping mine, thinking about how I could get out of Mickey's way to give him more room while watching him swerving, smoking and breaking in my side mirror. There was no possible way that we would all come out of this unscathed. But we did! Praise the Lord! No damage, no injuries came from any vehicle involved in the potential pile up. The students on Mickey's van said he was literally standing up on his brake! Isn't our God good? We knew and felt that it was His total protection. We exited and took a much needed lunch break, looked over Mickey's tires and thanked the Lord for His watch care.

One week prior to our trip we were alerted that we would need to provide for our own Back Yard Bible Clubs. At this late hour, Bro. Gary helped to secure some materials for us. While the students spent hours practicing the Worship Project, I spent an unscheduled day cleaning out the resource room at the church in an effort to see what we could use for crafts that would be cost effective. This was important because we really had no money allocated for this part of the trip. To my delight, I found a lot of left-overs from Vacation Bible School the following year and used my years of pre-school experience to develop some ideas using the available materials. On Wednesday before we left the curriculum that Bro. Gary had ordered came in. I went to work, editing and planning out days of what I hoped would be flexible material to meet our need in any situation. I thought it was really good material and would work well for what we needed. Our students complied with my request that each of them get a costume and play a part in the on going dramas that we would present to the children. They each brought a small blanket or towel to use for sitting on the ground. I think that everyone kept up with their own packet which included a script and information to help with the daily Bible Verse and craft that we would use. These young people are amazing. For five years, many of them have been involved with Terrific Tuesdays at our church. It is a free morning event, offered to the community's families for children 4 years through 5th grade, every Tuesday. The students work the program leading the children in games, crafts, music and Bible stories. Terrific Tuesdays served them well on this trip. We really didn't have a lot of information about the places that we would be leading in a Back Yard Bible Club, so we knew that to be flexible would be important. (Put your index finger out and move it down and out and back in...our sign for flexibility for the week). One of the groups would be at an indoor location working with a community based program with the children already gathered and ready to begin. The other group would have to gather their children by going door to door and would have a vacant lot to meet in. Both places presented their own challenges, but the empty lot group definitely had to stretch themselves and be more creative and flexible.

The community based camp, "Excite", was held in an air conditioned building with two available rooms for us to use. They also had a canopy set up in a small grassy field across their parking lot which was great for early gatherings, snacks, and games. Mrs. Penny and Mr. Jerrold were the directors of the program and were very cooperative and helpful. The children were already divided into three groups by age when we arrived. The big surprise for us, was older children - tweenagers. The students each took a group to lead and developed relationships with them quickly. Victoria was the lead teacher for the older students and adapted so well that you would have never known that she didn't expect it. We "flew by the seat of the pants" changing the schedule and adapting to the unexpected arrangement of the rooms. Quickly we knew that we would need to use "Matt's Place" a coffee house atmosphere and the room the middle age group of children used for crafts and Bible verse learning, as our large group gathering where we would do our dramas and our music. My biggest surprise was that we discovered a stand up comedian among us. I had asked Spencer Barnes to play the on-going part of Paul and Zach Smith to play the part of his Roman guard. The first day we were all left in stitches and amazement at Spencer's delivery - totally relating to the children but effectively getting the message across. Zach was appropriately mean and scary and the children immediately sided with a captive Paul who was under house arrest. On the second day, Mrs. Penny told me that Wednesday was not going to work out for them, as a water slide was coming for the day. She also told me that Friday was field trip day, so we would not be needed then, either. I must admit that I was a little disappointed that we would not be able to do everything we planned with the children, but put up my finger and flexed. This meant that we would be available for some other mission for two mornings, but what that would be, we didn't know. On Thursday, our last day with the children, we decided to do all of the dramas for Day 3, 4 and 5 and all of the Paul and Brutus skits as well. We also brought along a couple of guitars and the djembe drum to sing a couple of Worship Project songs for the children. All through the week, the students stepped up. They taught songs they didn't even know themselves, loved on the children, maintained order - even through the fire ant attack - and pulled out games and songs from their past T-squared experience. The children and the directors were happy and grateful.

Although I wasn't at the other BYBC site, I realize they were the real heroes of the week. They had to "find" their children. It wasn't easy and keeping the ones they found was hard, too. Many of the children they had attend were very young - preschool age. They found their vacant lot and found a disappointing surprise. It was a small grassy lot (too grassy - needed to be mowed) with sticks, glass, and trash on it, sandwiched in between two houses. They were blessed by the gracious people who lived in one of the houses who offered their tiny front porch as a shade from the blistering heat. Each day they would go expecting more children. Each day they would go and there would be different children, most of whom would come and go through out the morning. It was hot and it was hard, but the students and leaders were consistent and loving and flexible. They lost balls under the house and gave away the rec equipment as the children left. These children of the 7th Ward lived in poverty and came from homes that are surrounded by crime and the threat of disease and devastation. It was an honor to send them home with a craft and with a new ball or hoola hoop or jump rope and with a glimmer of hope that someone cares.

I must stop here and publish and post...I will continue this blog at another time...so much more to tell.

"Free as a Bird!"

Today was Mickey's last day in the secular world - working that is. His company no longer has the need for his services and in a world gone mad and an economy that is stinky - there was not much he could have done about that. Here we are at 52 years of age, having been married for very close - in one week and a half - to 31 years, and facing a new horizon. It is exciting and amazing, if I can just remember to breathe! It is very strange to have no real plan. A few weeks ago I was reading in the Perspectives Reader and there was an article that helped me form a clear understanding of where God wants us to be. The article said that in general, we all would like to have a map, while on the journey, but God provides us with a compass. The compass is His Word. I would like to add that not only do we have a compass, we have a personal Guide - the Holy Spirit, who was present at the creation of the Universe! He knows all! The article reminded the reader that a map can only take you as far as another has gone, with a compass you can go outside the boundaries of a map into uncharted territory. So...that is where we are - in uncharted territory! The page is blank. I can't wait to see how God shows up and where He is going to guide us. Two things...a couple of years ago, I believe he alerted my heart to "expect big things" and I have been praying for a power encounter that I can be a part of - to see Him show up in an unusual way and be aware that it is only the work of His hands. My heart is becoming more and more tendered toward the lost...I weep for them. I pray for divine appointments. God has now freed up my partner to live life dangerously for Him, so here we go!!

This is my life...I am married to my best friend - the man I love and adore. We have been married for 30 - almost 31 years and there has never been a dull moment! We love to laugh together. We love to spend time together - sometimes, we will just ride to the post office or to do a quick errand together because we like to be together. I am so blessed!! Really - how many married people are that crazy about each other? Over the years we have had many days apart with his job taking him all over the United States. I never look forward to him going and am always anxious to see him coming home, but we are both really ok with the separation time, too. I totally trust him and am very confident in his love for me. One time I remember thinking that the only two couples that would completely shock me by getting divorced would be my parents and us. We both know that we are complete in Jesus and that we compliment each other strongly - and both facts are what makes it work so well. It seems that every day is a new adventure when we are together. Our children and grandchildren are God's gifts to us and we love to be with them. We are so proud of them. However, they are not our only source of joy. We cautiously decided to make our number one focus on this earth, each other. Our marriage comes first, even before the children. When they grew up and left us, we were appropriately sad, but we knew life was not over. We had each other and a new journey to begin. If you came to our house you could easily find us sitting at the card table playing a strategic game together. We are competitive but really just like each other's company. When we were on a college choir tour many years ago and engaged in our first intentional conversation, I knew that I was going to marry him! It is unbelievable, but it is true. I didn't know that I loved him, but I knew that we fit like a "hand in glove" and that he was the one. I thought then, that he was perfect. I know now that he is perfect - for me. Meeting and marrying him was the beginning of a great adventure, and crazy as it is sometimes, I wouldn't want my life to be any other way!

Writings

I decided to transfer over some of my favorite writings and some I just wanted to keep from my Facebook notes. You will find them here if you scroll down - 4 0r 5 things. I love to write. I love to put into words how I feel, my thoughts and reflections, memories, and opinions. I'm sure that no one will ever be interested enough to read my babblings, but I still get joy from seeing them in print. It is a form 0f therapy, perhaps. I have written a lot of things that I have just organized on my computer and I will probably be transferring some of them to my blog. BUT not tonight! Think I'll call it a night!

Benjamin Ellis Parks

Facebook post

Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 9:04pm
Yes, it's true!! I am a grandmother twice now. I know it is hard to believe but it is true! Today, Kelly gave us our second grandson in 15 months! He is 8 lbs and 3 oz and 20 inches long. I told her that no one should have such an easy birthing experience...and that the only birth that I know of that was easier was Simon Birch's...his mother sneezed! She is doing great and the baby is doing great. I really think the most tired of them all is Aaron! They are such awesome parents and God has blessed them richly. Kelly has decided to be a stay at home mom and is very excited about getting to live her dream. Pray for them as they begin a new phase of life. Oh, and you can help support the dream...Kelly will soon be on I tunes! BG

PS...I should have mentioned Asher...he is pure joy to this nanna and I can't believe that I'm allowed to have this much fun! When he firsts saw his baby brother, he gave him lovin' and then clapped his little hands!

Life - After the Wedding!

In a series...a Facebook post

Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 1:48am
Well...it is over. Chase and Lacey are now married and the wedding and reception have come and gone - but the marriage still goes on! The wedding was beautiful, Lacey was a beautiful bride and Chase a very handsome groom. The wedding party all behaved themselves and looked impeccable! I made it through the wedding without throwing up (even though I spent most of the "getting ready" time on the bathroom floor trying to recover from some unknown illness which caused me to lose my cookies violently)! I made a vow that if I could get up and be at the wedding and hopefully part of the reception, that I was not going to care what happened or didn't happen as far as our plans...just to be there was my goal. My family and dear friends did an awesome job in pulling it all together and everything was perfect. My dear friends and the bridesmaids who knew I was sick (and kept it from the bride!), prayed for me and I know that is why I was able to pull myself together and walk down the isle on my own groom's arm - I'm sure that my sister-in-law's help of "anti-throw-up" syrup helped, too! The day was pretty much perfect...but NONE of it happened by accident! People who love me and Mickey, Chase and Lacey, and the church just came out of the wood works to make sure it was an awesome day of celebration to be remembered. God provided a beautiful day - cool breeze and sunny skies - after a spring of heavy rains and flooding and saturating the ground! Chase and his best buds mowed and worked on the grounds and our friends, the Gillmores worked magic on the muddy gateway to the parking area to solve our last problem! The tent was whopper-jawed but still "looked" safe enough and beautiful from the highway! The dance floor was worth the trouble and money and everyone had fun! I want to name people and express my gratitude, but there are too many!So...away they rode into the sunsets of Jamaica!Mickey and I spent the next week just returning things and tying up loose ends and resting. On Sunday following the wedding we sadly said goodbye to Ozlem and Sebastian, our German friends, and to Aaron and Kelly and our precious grandsons. It was also our dear friend, Mark's, last day at our church...NOW...we have several busy things to do this summer, but mostly we are trying to figure out what we must do for the Kingdom and how God is directing us. Some unexpected things have happened...Chase and Lacey are now acting as Youth Interns for our church for the summer and so they are living in Batesville and attending First Baptist with us. Many of our ministry jobs cross over and we are weeding through to see how that will all work. Mark is gone. For five years, he has been a huge part of our lives...in ministry, family, and personally. We spent a lot of nights playing games, talking, and laughing (or crying) together. There is a void in that place that we aren't sure how to fill. In the immediate, we have to figure out transportation...I wrecked the Yukon.I hit the Sonic. That is right...I hit the Sonic...the building, and I took out a speaker along with it and messed up the Yukon pretty well. (I thank God that a car hop wasn't in my way!) DON"T drive in flip-flops!! It got hung on the gas and took it to the floor and there was nothing I could do! SO, the police came and investigated and turned in an accident report...only they got my name wrong and so "Betty White" ran into the Sonic...not me, apparently.Mickey is going to a sleep doctor specialist tomorrow...he apparently has idio something or another, hyper sleep disorder (I can't remember what it is really called). I don't believe it and so we shall see.We will be married 30 years on June 17 and he still likes me enough to take me to Florida on a mandatory work trip so that we can be together on our anniversary day. We are going to the Perspectives National Conference first and then fly out of LR for Florida. In August we will make a trip to Gulf Shores for Kevin and Amy's wedding...and a side trip to play some Settlers of Catan in Montgomery, Alabama! So...now that I've bored you to death with our lives...I think I'll go to bed with my own version of the elephant man (Mickey in a c-pap machine - that I LOVE!) Happy day to anyone who is psycho enough to read all of this!!

Lacey's Wedding - a LONG story

Another Facebook post

Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 1:20am
Hello everyone! I wanted to be able to send some pics with news of the wedding, but we haven't really gotten any yet! I know!! Hopefully, we will get a peek at some next week...if you have any and want to send them to us...PLEASE!! I am talking about Lacey's wedding, of course. Actually, we have a FEW snaps that some friends and family sent by email, but the pro's pics aren't ready to look at quite yet and so...we would love to see any that you have.OK...here is the run down. First of all, if you didn't know or have forgotten...Lacey is now Mrs. Chase Moore. Chase is a true-blue Texan and over the last three years Mickey and I have gotten to know him very well. You see, while Lacey was overseas, we dated him! HA! Really, we spent a lot of time together because he blessed us with weekend visits while he was in school and honored us with his presence. We love him very much and count him as our own. Chase is a Christian Ministries major from Williams Baptist College as of May 3, 2008. He is very gifted with words and public appeal. He is a quick thinker and any public delivery whether it be announcements or preaching a sermon is well received and much admired. We are very proud of him. Mostly, we love his character and the way he cherishes the Word of God and loves the Lord with all of his heart. He unashamedly loves Lacey and would not hesitate to make that clear in any public setting. Chase is a risk taker...he loves rock climbing, caving, jumping off of high cliffs into pools of water (doing as many back flips as possible) and all water sports, and playing and watching soccer and football. He is daring and adventuresome and in the past, sometimes it has gotten him into some tight spots but we also love that part of him. Chase and Lacey will go back overseas to reach an unreached people group...probably not an easy place...and we are comforted that this time, Lacey will have him there with her...and we are confident that they will take care of one another well. Right now, they are living in Batesville and working with our Youth at First Baptist for the summer...and then we will see...Now...to the wedding...the day was unbelievable! It had rained so much in April and May and Batesville had flooded BIG time twice and the ground was totally saturated...and the week of the wedding CALLED FOR MORE rain! We planned an outdoor reception at some friends' house and the parking lot (a field) was pretty much "mushy" going into the week and the "ditch" where we planned to cross over into the field was really just mud and goo! We prayed a lot...and worried some...and talked...and went back and forth and I tried to follow Lacey's lead...which was to just wait and trust! Whew! It was stressful - BUT - with Chase and Mickey and great friends and church family and relatives...the day came and all of our issues were taken care of and God provided a beautiful sunshiny, but not too hot, day! I have to mention that I had planned a very stress free day...for myself! ALL of our family came in by the droves and took OVER and moved EVERYTHING that had to be moved and put the WHOLE reception together (Mickey did SO much work that morning...my hero!) My dear friend, Kathy Brooks, helped so much and I can't leave out our caterer and my dear friend, Joella Huddleston, who worked herself almost to death that day!! As I said, my day was SUPPOSE to be smooth sailing as I had asked my two dear long time friends to "kidnap" me from it all and "take me away"! So Jeannie Whitener and Susan Parker came and got me...and took me for a pedicure (that was awesome...I loved it so much and it WAS a great time for me!) The trouble came when they took me to lunch at our local "special events" place "Elizabeth's" and I took one look at my food and KNEW it wasn't going down...they graciously took me to church (quickly) and well...I lost all of my cookies - and lay in the bathroom floor trying to get well enough to get ready for the wedding. Jackie Martin...my niece whom I knew I could count on, took care of me...while not letting Lacey know that I was sick and getting herself ready, too ( She didn't know going in that taking care of a sick mother of the Bride was going to be a job for the Maid of Honor!) My God is so good! He not only allowed me to get up and get dressed right on time, I also got to go watch Lacey's dress go on and walk her to her private meeting with her Groom before the pictures began. The wedding was beautiful...with so many people! Lacey had 9 (I know!) Brides Maids and Chase had 7 groomsmen with an honorary one (Matt Duran - serving in Iraq)...There were 6 (I know) flower girls and 3 ministers involved. The Bride's Maids wore copper skirts with either a copper or espresso brown top and some wore sashes and belts while others didn't...they each had a different top on...kind of like a fashion show! The little girls wore rings of baby's breath in their hair and tea length off white dresses and went barefoot...they were so cute! They all came down the isle together throwing flowers as they went...and we had benches at the front for them to sit on when they got there. They were perfect! 3 of them were Lacey's little cousins and 3 of them were Chase's little cousins (all either 4 or 6-7 years old). The men wore black tuxes with copper colored vests...so handsome. The sanctuary was decorated with two black wrought iron candle stands with chunky candles, and lamp post stands on each of the banister posts. They had wide off-white ribbon tied in single bows with the ribbons cascading to the floor. Each window had black wrought iron candle holders which filled the windows with 4 chunky candles in each of them. The first six rows of pews had off white bows cascading to the floor on each end. The unity candle was on a wood and glass table in front of the baptistry with the curtains open and the lighted cross visible and lighted. There was an off white swag on the top of the table which just lay over the edge of the table in the front in a half circle. We didn't have any flowers or plants except the vase of calla lilies in the foyer. All of the girls carried calla lilies and the men had calla lily bouts. Flanking the sides of the stairs, we had backless benches which were covered with off-white and tied off with a big off white bow in front for the flower girls to sit upon. Some of the highlights of the wedding are...Sebastian - our German friend - playing a German/French original love song on guitar and singing, Lindsey - Chase's twin sister, placing a rose on the Unity Candle table in memory of their mother, Christian and Megan Baxter, Tim Byers and Brandon Smart playing praise and worship, Todd Kaunitz - Chase's youth pastor, speaking about marriage before the wedding, Lacey in her stunning off white Danish designer dress which we bought in Paris, Chase's love poem and declaration to Lacey - spoken during the processional of the B. maid's and flower girls, Mark McLendon - our precious friend - marrying Chase and Lacey as his last act as a minister at our church (the next day was his last day in Batesville), the slide show - which Aaron (our other son-in-law) put together and made very special, Kelly playing and singing a special song that she and Chase had collaborated on for the lighting of the Unity Candle, the three ministers (Mark, Todd, and Bro. Gary Buckner) commissioning Chase and Lacey with a prayer time over them, and our dear friend Marcus Buckner pulled it all together on a great DVD!

Sometimes God asks us to do hard things...

More of my writings transferred from Facebook

Friday, August 29, 2008 at 2:45am
My friend and boss once told me this...and I know it is true. I've been thinking about doing hard things. The first hard thing I remember doing was moving. I was 17, had a boyfriend and had grown up in the same hometown with the same people, loved my high school, church and friends and was about to enter my Senior year in high school and my parents told me we were moving...to Batesville (a rival town which was too far away!). I literally cried all night! I grieved (and sometimes still do...) for my loses. The next hard thing that I can remember is my Father-in-Law dying when I was 25. I had to tell Mickey that he had to quickly go to his mother's house...she thought his dad was dead...and he had to go alone because Kelly was small and I had to stay with her. It was hard when I had to move to Oklahoma when I was 33 with my mom telling me that she would NEVER come to see me because she was so hurt (she did though). AND living there was numbing...too much sky! I had a giant hole in my heart...aching for Arkansas and home. Mickey's business failed...we had no money and no job and were facing our children needing braces, driving cars, their Senior years and college. It was the hardest time of our married lives...but He was there and we wouldn't trade what we learned of Him through it all. Physical Therapy...boring, tiring, burned out...when I had frozen shoulders and had to go three times a week for 6 months...it was hard (it was successful and I can put on a coat now because of it). Watching Lacey walk down to the gate to get on a plane that would take her away for 2 long years to a third world country, in many ways, with no one that I knew and I couldn't get to her if I needed to was very hard...I decided to allow myself to cry about it every day (not for long, but unashamedly...and I did). The first time I had to shoot my self in the belly with an insulin shot (in fact, I didn't...Lacey did it for me!)...it was hard, but really nothing to it now. Recently, I had to share bad news with my precious son-in-law...that his dad was seriously ill...perhaps the hardest thing I've ever done. Maybe "hard" is relevant to the moment. All I know is my God is a great sustainer and even though he asks us to do hard things sometimes, He is always there. Sometimes all we can do is just sit in His lap and watch while he takes care of things...a safe place to be.

The Devil Wears Prada - and so do I

This is a fun little post that I put on my facebook a while back...just didn't want to lose it, so here it is!


I just picked up my cute little black and red purse that I bought at Macy's in NYC a couple of years ago...it started a series of thoughts running through my head and I decided to share. What got me to thinking was..."I like this purse...it is light weight and just the right size for the things I carry." From there my mind drifted to the purse that I have been carrying for quite some time. It is sitting across the room, waiting for me to remember to take it to the repair shop because a handle broke. Any way, I really buy purses for the convenience factor...not for fashion. You know, I decide if it would "go with most things" (I never change purses ...too much hastle and usually I am running out to go somewhere). I also look at the way it is made...will it sit flat on the bottom or when I put it down, will it go all limp and fall over or be unbalanced. I also look inside...is there a cell phone pocket...which, by the way, I NEVER use! AND of course, I look at the price...is it reasonable and affordable! I really wish I could be like the Baxter girls...Megan, Nicole and Alison - buy it and use it because it is so cute!Well, let me tell you about the former purse that I carried, which is what made me write this note. Lacey sent home this purse with Jackie when she visited her in India a couple of Christmases ago. I thought it was cute and so I called to ask her if she wanted me to put it back and keep it for when she got home. She said, "Oh, no, Mom. I will NEVER carry that purse...it is way too pretentious for me! I bought it on impulse and knew that I really could never carry it...but you can." Well, I didn't know what all of that meant but I liked the purse (the color, the shape, the cell phone pocket and the price (free to me!), so I loaded it and began carrying it. I asked a friend...What is PRADA anyway? I was told that it is "what the devil wears" and was satisfied so I began using it. Now when I look back on it all, it just tickles me. I can not tell you how many people NOTICED my purse!! Random strangers would stop me to tell me how much they liked it. Young store clerks would "Oooo and awww" over it...almost drooling. A few of the teenagers at my church checked it out. I decided to go on line and look at PRADA purses and discovered my PRADA purse was listed at $2000!! How funny!! NO ONE ever said they liked any other purse I carried - ever, and suddenly my purse had made me trendy and fashion aware! Now to me it was - practical. It served it's purpose! Anyway...I was just thinking of all of this and it made me laugh. OH - by the way, for those of you who are skeptical and ask...."Is it real?" Well, all I know is there is a "certificate of authenticity" in the pocket! You decide...

Things I love about my church!

26 Things I love about my church - plus 12 more and 2 more - and 10 more makes it 50!

Here are the first 26 things that popped into my head...I know there are more, so I will add to the list as I think of them. I just want to start accentuating the positive...rekindle a lost love...encourage the body...remind myself of things of which I have lost sight. By the way, they are randomly placed...God is first and his Word being preached is of utmost importance, so don't freak out that it wasn't first on the list! I would LOVE to see some more from YOU...

1) I got married there, Kelly got married there, and Lacey got married there
2) My church loves missions
3) Our Youth are the most amazing people in the world!
4) Kathleen Hill, Sylvia Pegg, Thelma Parker and Marian Fulbright
5) We have very talented people who attend our church
6) Special needs adults attend our church, are comfortable there, love it, and participate without inhibitions
7) My family - Mom and Dad, Curt and Marcia, Chase and Lacey, and Mickey and I all worship together there
8) We have a rich heritage of community and family surrounding us there
9) AWANA
10) Terrific Tuesdays
11) Vacation Bible School - still in the mornings
12) Chelli Pollet - an EXPERT early childhood professional
13) A very good facility for our preschool and children
14) New property - completely paid for and a dream for a new church plant
15) ESL
16) Men who work on the Disaster Team! Heroes - every one!
17) A great Main Street facility that lends easily to community events (Main street Halloween, Christmas Parade, Garage Sales, Give away events, Election site, Perspectives, emergency shelter)
18) People...some that I have known and worshipped with for over 30 years...some that are long time friends...some that are new
19) We are debt free
20) Many sweet memories
21) God's name is famed
22) The Bible is preached here
23) The Angel Tree
24) Lottie Moon Christmas Offering - worthy goals are set and met
25) College student care packages
26) We have a vision for the future!OK...you encouraged me...
27) I LOVE to hear the men in our choir sing...they are soooo good!
28) Codi Richardson - Lyon College student who has been so faithful to our church - joining, attending and serving and loving Jesus!
29) NEW lightweight tables!!!
30) Codi Richardson, Gloria Vaughn, Lacey Moore and Kristi Price - young ladies who love to sing and honor us by singing in the choir!
31) Taylor Toon - College girl, loving on our Junior High girls and teaching Sunday School - you rock!
32) The way the church pulls together (old, young, male, female) to pull off big events - we may not commit very early, but we show up and get 'r done. (Fall Festivals, Steak Dinner for Revival, Garage Sale give-away, Outreach events)
33) An AWESOME preschool playground!!
34) The quilt in the West Annex that is patterned after the stained glass windows in the Sanctuary that many of our women worked on...so creative!
35) That we have missionaries who are on the field but have chosen to entrust us with their membership while they are overseas!
36) That almost every room in our church is USED on Wednesday nights!!
37) Diane - a great custodian who does her job well and is one of the sweetest people on earth.
38) That even though I don't know everyone well, it makes me warm to see their faces on Sunday morning and delights me to greet them...greeting time on Sunday morning is one of my favorites

Oh, and one more - how could I forget...actually, I'll do two and make it 40...

39) My church overwhelmed us and Lacey with love, gifts, notes of encouragement, Christmas cards, prayers and a beautiful commissioning and reception when she went overseas...so much so that her partner was AMAZED - commenting that Lacey has an awesome church who supported her and loved her and even she felt included! Thank you, church - THIS is the body of Christ at it's best!
40) The Worship Project and Youth Praise Band - girl DRUMMER! yea...Heather!

I have 10 more...I want to let everyone share in these thoughts of loving my church

41) We still gather on the front steps for VBS - children still want to walk down or slide down the wide concrete side guards of the front steps
42) When we have pot lucks or meals, so many people stay to help clean up - it is almost like a party
43) Showers - wedding and baby
44) Weddings and Funerals - the place we meet to rejoice new beginnings and the place we say good-bye for a while - sometimes the church (the body) goes to another location other than our building to help celebrate and mourn...I love that!
45) I know that my brothers and sisters pray for me - they tell me so
46) Invitation for response - a thing of the past in some churches...seeing my Daddy praying at the alter, knowing it is for the church
47) The youth - down front and to the left - the place they have been for at least 35 years (they were sitting there when I came to Batesville as a 17 year old youth)
48) The preschool greeters desk and that we care enough to protect our babies and preschoolers!
49) Celebrating the Lord's Supper together in whatever form that takes AND that we stepped out of the box this year and did a foot washing - very moving! (lets do it again!)
50) The return of college students - to Sunday School or worship - Christmas Break, Spring Break and Summer Break - I love to see their faces dotted over the church!

New Day...New Look...

OK...I am trying this again. It is a cool winter Sunday afternoon, Mickey is watching football, and I am trying to figure out the new "blogger". Hope that I did everything right and that it will be easier to do now. I always forget what to do in between times.

Mickey and I started working on "healthier living" a couple of months ago. It is working! For the first time in our lives, it is really working. His goal was to lose weight and by doing so, help control his high blood pressure. My goal was better blood sugar control. At Christmas, he had lost 30 pounds and I was removed from all the insulin I was taking! We know that it means a huge life change to maintain it! Christmas was a little hairy with company and going and coming, but we are back into full swing again and seeing good results. I still have some hard work ahead...walking and losing 20 more pounds by May...that is my goal. Mickey just seems to look at lettuce and the weight falls off of him!! Really, for the most part, he is so disciplined and consistent! Sometimes, I just WANT candy or sweets - or something different - or to NOT have to eat at home. I just keep reminding myself of my precious grand babies and of my dream to take Jesus name to foreign lands and then I am back to celery and carrots (which, I love, by the way - it's a good thing!)

The Vision Team's work is coming to an end. That is a team which has been meeting for over a year with the purpose of developing a new vision for our church to follow. It has been a long process with a weekly all night Monday night meeting and lots of praying, talking, listening and following. The church will vote on whether to follow the recommendations of the committee next week. We are praying for an overwhelming response and that the church will be on board. We need to see our people willing to make changes that will allow our church to grow and flourish together as the body of Christ and all for His glory.

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement is starting up! We are excited to be offering the college level course in Batesville and to co-coordinate the class with our dear friends, Sheril and Donna Middleton. This will be our fourth semester to offer the class at First Baptist. We have an awesome team and have the BEST instructors lined up to present the lessons with a heart of God! We will be meeting on Monday nights for 15 weeks and so it is a good thing that the Vision Team's work is coming to an end!

Family is all well. Mom and Dad are in relatively good health and such a pleasure to live above and share life with! Kelly is "living her dream" as she says - staying home with Asher and Ben and doing housewife and mommy type things. She is an incredible mother and wife...plus an unbelievable singer/songwriter and now recorder/producer of her own music! Aaron is the best dad that I know...very interested in the lives of his children and seeing that his family is taken care of...plus always finding new interests and hobbies that fit well into life's plan and don't take away from family time. Asher is in a new "big boy bed" and loves it! I'm not sure I'm ready to see him moving out of the "baby" stage so quickly, but also, want him to mature and grow and have a productive life for Jesus. Ben is learning to walk...it won't be long until he takes off and then, before I know it, he too will be in a "big boy bed"! I'm not really sure what God is doing in Lacey and Chase's lives right now. They seem to be set on "go", yet no wheels are in motion. Once again, I will struggle with letting them go, yet knowing that they must and my inner soul desiring it for them and the sake of the Kingdom. I am truly blessed!

So, what is up for me this year? Right now, I will continue to mobilize and pray for as many college students and Perspectives students to get a word from God about how they will impact the Kingdom with their lives. I will continue to look to God for guidance on getting healthier and staying on track...because I will fail without Him! I will pray for how He will lead me and Mickey in the coming months and years in Church and in global work for the Kingdom. Right now, there is a lot of listening and waiting to be done.

It is good to see it in print...for those of you who said you "miss me" on Nanna's Nonsense, hope this is the beginning of a new love affair with words and musings...see you again soon.

Now...

It has been so long since I have blogged that I couldn't remember how I used to do it. Life has been so crazy in the last 6 months that I haven't had time to be normal. On January 3, little Benjamin, our second grandson, was born. We really thought that he would come in 2007 but he waited and made it into the new year. Mickey and I stayed with Kelly and Aaron and helped little Asher, who was only 15 months himself, adjust to this new life in their house. It was a very sweet time. Soon after, Lacey came home from her two year stay overseas. We began planning the wedding as soon as she came home. We invited Brandon, our friend, to come and live in our home and get on his feet...so our house was full. Chase began staying in Batesville almost every night and Mark allowed him to live with him for the semester. Perspectives started and so we were all involved with that...every Tuesday night. Kelly and the boys came and stayed with us for a week while Aaron went to Mexico...that was fun! As we were getting into "shower" time for the wedding, we were made aware that God was moving Mark and began working through the process with him. Suddenly, we were told about the plan to hire Chase and Lacey to work with our youth for the summer, knowing that Mark was leaving and God had provided them to First Baptist. Then we were looking for a house, having showers, planning the wedding, praying with Mark, mourning his leaving, delighting in Lacey and Chase staying, going to speaking engagements with Lacey, and looking forward to Chase's graduation from college, while agonizing over Brandon's bulging disk and inability to work...or do much of anything for that matter. Mickey was on so many committees and had so many leadership jobs at church that it seemed he always had a meeting if he wasn't working (trying to PAY for the wedding!) During all of this, my doctor put me on insulin and I began working through the emotions of having to give myself a shot in the belly for the rest of my life. I never really found any peace in the midst of the storm. It seemed that even though much of the related work was fun and exciting...there was nothing very relaxing or restful. So now...Ozlem and Sebastian have come and gone...Christina, too and all the family (all four sides!) and the house is quiet. It is back to Mom and Dad downstairs...and Curt's daily visits and Mickey and me upstairs in our "private haven" and Brandon on the couch...watching TV. Mark is gone and we miss him. Soon he will be gone for good...not from our lives but from our daily lives...and we are sad but we know it is right. We have decisions to make...what will we continue to do, what will we pursue with passion, what will we put away? I'm not ready to journey forward just yet...I need to sit and listen and reflect and think and talk to God. Now? We shall see...

Another Day in the Life

OK - so I haven't blogged in quite a while. I have just not been inspired. I think that NOW, I am. It is December the 16th - actually, I just looked at the clock and it is the 17th at 12:01.
Life is changing and I'm not sure about it. Mickey is working again and that is good. He traveled last week for the first time since re-employment. I turned 50. Just thought I would sneak that in. I went to Muldrow, Oklahoma to sit with my sister-in-law for a few days as she began recovery from a broken hip. Now we are both home - me and Mickey, that is. Today was Matt and Teela's wedding. It was beautiful and the reception was fun - lots of dancing! ALSO, a lot of work! I am tired - but not sleepy. Does anyone hear me? I think I'm too exhausted to sleep. Jackie went to India yesterday and didn't quite make it there. She got stuck in Bangkok. That was pretty tense. Now she is in a hotel where she will stay for another day and a half. At least, Lacey said she is laughing about it now. Her trip over there is turning into a 5 day adventure. Oh, well, at least she will have a good story to tell. My house is a wreck!! We have been coming and going for about 2 weeks and just dropping things where ever they land when we come in the door. Kelly, Aaron and Asher are coming for pre-Christmas this year. They will be here on the 20th and leave on Christmas Eve-Eve. Guess it will just be me and Mickey and Mom and Dad for Christmas this year. I'm ok with it, I think. My hip is a little out of whack - it happens when you get old. I found my wedding dress at the bottom of a barrel at Mom's house - yellow as a pumpkin and all wrinkled. I just couldn't throw it away. Now...what am I going to do with this crumpled up, discolored mess that I am calling a wedding dress? All in all, God is good. He is my Rock and my Salvation. I am going through Psalms and underlining all of the verses that point to the nations and God's glory in bringing them out of darkness into His light. That really is what it is all about - not me. So, with that, I think I can sleep now - and I'm out of here.

LIfe's twists

I am a "myspacer" and a "blogger", too. I spent some time this morning just sitting at the computer doing those two things. I love to follow the "comment" trail. It is fun when I find people whom I had lost and read about their lives. Sometimes it is joyful - sometimes not so much. Anyway, I have observed something that I would like to discuss here. In my searching, I have found at least two young Christian men who have made dramatic lifestyle changes since I last saw them. They are of different generations and don't know each other. I would love to sit long and talk much with them. These young men were very actively involved with their local church as young people - sold out to Christ, if you will. As they grew up and had different experiences, they began searching for something more. In the world, both found what they felt they had always been looking for. They are both now, out of the closet and living in gay relationships. One is what I would call, almost a "militant" gay man and the other embracing his new found life in "extravagance". Both have left the traditional church setting yet neither has renounced his relationship with Christ. Not that it matters, but I do believe that each of them made a commitment to Christ and that it can not be ripped away because of the sin that they have allowed into their lives. I believe we are saved by grace and that actions can not change that. (I know some will disagree with me - but so be it) The thing that has astounded me the most is that both young men have a circle of Christian friends who apparently support them in their life decision. I am just trying to figure out if tolerance has crept into the world and sneaked into the hearts of Christians without our being aware. I am not suggesting that these young men should be ostracized or abandoned, I just wonder if any Christian friend has confronted, in love, what they are choosing as sin. It breaks my heart that on their blogs and myspace page they boldly portray their new found lives and loves and everyone is commenting with "good for you's" and "hope you're happy's" and "I love you, anyway's", but I don't see any comments of "I'm praying for you" or "let's talk". I hope there is more accountability than what I am seeing in these comments. Yes, love them - also, love them enough to pray for them and let them know you recognize their choices as sin and hold them accountable. I really don't think that blogging or myspace is the place for deep conversation. Hopefully, I am barking up the wrong tree and in the privacy of personal conversation that has been done.

Little Eliot

If you really like blog reading, I have one for you. Kelly and Aaron have friends, Matt and Ginny Mooney, who created a blog - mostly dedicated to the story of their son's life, Eliot. Eliot was born with a chromosome disorder called Edwards Syndrome. The prospect of him living very long outside the womb was slim. Eliot just went home to be with Jesus a couple of weeks ago and was 99 days old when he went. Anyway, his story is so moving and the way that his young parents have cared for him and trusted our God for every moment is precious and I recommend that you spend some time there. Ginny is a jewelry designer and she has designed a necklace that she calls "Eliot". You can read more about it on their blog. www.mattandginny.blogspot.com

November 6 - Answers

This morning my mother had surgery. We have been waiting about six weeks for the answers to our questions surrounding the procedure. We are praising our Father for his care and his awesome loving kindness to us. The doctors were able to remove a large cyst from her abdomen with few complications. It appears to be benign. I was so pleasantly surprised to watch her "scoot" from the gurney onto her hospital bed with very little help when they brought her to her room. I know she is not completely out of the woods, but she was sitting up and drinking when I went in to see her a while ago, tonight. She is eighty-one and I am so grateful for the good report so far.

Mickey is very close to officially having a job. The company who bought his former company is preparing a written job offer as we speak. Hallelujah! In a short few days he should be out and about combing the country again. For those of you who have wondered - at least we discovered that his real job didn't include selling drugs or being a hit man after all! (It is an old joke with the young people who have graced our house in the last few years!) Any way, we are grateful for this news, as well. Now it will be up to us to be faithful to continue following and obeying our Lord's directives. He definitely has our attention.

My Single Friend

Ok - so I said I am not a match maker because I am terrible at it, but I will tell you about my friend and you can check him out, if you want to. He is one of mine and Mickey's dearest friends. He is tall and dark complected with a killer smile and kind eyes. He loves the Lord more than he will ever love anyone else and serving Him is his life. He is an associate pastor of our church where he serves with youth, college and singles. We have gone on several trips together - Passion a couple of times and 3 mission trips plus one family vacation and a lot of little family trips. He is so much fun and is looking for a mate who is fun. He loves to play games of all kinds. He is not highly athletic but is very hard to beat at racket ball - one of his big interests.
He sings very well and plays the piano well, too. He is highly creative and a huge ideas person. He is 36 years old and has never been married. He is looking for a single, never married girl who wants to work beside him in ministry. He is loyal. He is financially secure and a good steward of his money. I'm not going to tell you any weaknesses because if you decide to visit him on myspace and get to know him and then start to date him, you would be mad at me for saying he has faults of any kind. Ok - so that is all. Now you can go to my myspace page and try to figure out which friend I'm talking about and go to his page and leave him a comment - if you are a single woman!

Whew! Last 10 - Here goes!

1) I prefer my water to be straight from the tap with no ice and to stand at the sink while I drink it
2) When I doodle, I draw question marks
3) I appreciate a-symmetrical objects more than symmetrical
4) My biggest pet peeve is people who leave shopping carts in the middle of the parking lot. I will return mine even if it is so cold I can't stand it or I get soaked by rain. I also retrieve others from the parking lot.
5) I hate tongue pimples (inflamed taste buds) and to burn my tongue.
6) I am writing a story, "Journey of a Journeyman's Mother".
7) I love four and five year olds - they are great people with whom to chat.
8) In general, I am not very competitive, but give me something I care about and I can dig my heels in
9) I like to hold hands and to hug people. I don't mean just romantically - but with people for whom I care, just because I like being near them. I think touch is very important.
10) I am happy to be done so that I can write better and more interesting things...

See Ya' 'round!

20 and counting!

1) I am married to a man who spells his name like a mouse!
2) I function very well with a lot on my plate - seasonally.
3) I am thinking about cremation as an option for disposal of my body when I am dead
4) I think there is nothing wrong with Halloween and it is a fun holiday. I like ghosts and goblins in the make-believe world. I don't like demons, however, in reality - and I do believe they exist.
5) If I had to choose between having a privacy fence or an open back yard - I would choose open - it is just freeing to see for miles and watch the snow fall in the distance.
6) Some people I miss - my Grandma and Grandpa, my Aunt Violet and Aunt Joan, my Aunt Bessie. My mother is the only sibling (including her brothers-in-law) left in her family and my father has only one sister left besides himself (including his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law) - she lives in California.
7) I am a list maker - just not necessarily a list follower.
8) I am cell phone illiterate.
9) I had my ears pierced with needles by my neighbor after she had frozen them with ice cubes
10) I take some time every Christmas just to sit alone in a quiet, dark room and watch the lights on the Christmas tree blink - and reflect on Christmases past

JUST 10 more!!!

Likes and Dislikes and one admission!

1) I could spend an hour just smelling of candles or bottles of lotion in the store.
2) I could eat my weight in raw peanuts
3) My favorite childhood book was "Arty the Smarty", a tale about a fish that didn't want to go to "school" and was always swimming in the opposite direction from everyone else.
4) Although I am not "hooked" on it and don't watch it every day, I like to watch Judge Judy and eat popcorn
5) I cried when Michael Landon died.
6) I despise having to buy new blue jeans. I'd like to keep my broken in ones forever.
7) I love cats. Mickey and my sister, Jo, are very allergic to them so I can't have one.
8) I didn't realize it but I have a broken watch collection. I don't know why I can't throw one away - but I just keep saving them as if someone might want them some day. They are not even expensive or unusual - just broken.
9) This is an admission - I admit that I am a terrible photographer. Every picture I make is shaky and out of focus with the exception of one or two out of about every 20 but I still keep making them.
10) I enjoy people who are story tellers. I would never be bored with them.

Twenty more and it is a good thing because I am running out of things about me.

Again - More about me

1) I don't like watching scary movies - I peek through my fingers to watch the scariest parts.
2) I scream from the moment a roller coaster leaves until the moment it stops - at the top of my lungs
3) I can not move mattresses - it make me laugh and I am useless. Really, I don't know why, but it makes me laugh. It makes Mickey mad and so he just tells me to stop and he does it by himself - it is easier.
4) I really can not think of an earthly possession that I could not do without.
5) I love to lay on a blanket and look at the stars.
6) Purses are such a great accessory - so why do I ALWAYS carry the same one? Lazy I guess.
7) Speaking of accessories, I love pins. I always look at pins in the jewelry section.
8) Have I mentioned that my feet are numb? I miss feeling with my feet. That is definitely one of the things I look forward to in Heaven some day
9) I have all of the love letters that Mickey wrote me when we were dating. I think I want them to be buried with me.
10) If I had time for a new hobby, I would want to learn how to throw pottery.

Just 30 more - 3 more postings. Won't you be glad when it is over??

One liners on the downhill side of 100 things

1) Sometimes I bite my nails
2) I sleep with earplugs almost every night
3) If I have to choose a favorite number, I choose 7 - but I don't mean it.
4) I would like to learn Spanish
5) I have always thought that I will die young. (Guess that didn't come true!)
6) At one time, I had a Dr. Pepper addiction.
7) I hate to procrastinate, but I do.
8) I have "address" OCD - can't throw one away, even if I have multiple copies.
9) Mickey and I think people think we are the "Information Station".
10) I think laughing cures almost anything.

I'm out of here for a couple of days!

50 - Almost my age!!

1) My favorite things when I was growing up were paper dolls, Barbie Dolls, and stuffed animals
2) I just had a flash back - when I was little, me and my next door neighbor and best friend used to love a TV show called "Honey West". She was a secret agent. We played like we were secret agents all the time. We couldn't both be Honey West, so we made up Connie West (that was me) who was her side kick. Wonder why I wasn't Honey?
3) I am crafty - I like to scrapbook - wish I had more time for it
4) If I ever go bald, please don't look at the mole on the side of my head
5) I like to work jigsaw puzzles - especially at Christmas and when I feel stressed out
6) I am the only grandchild on my father's side that my grandmother never knew about. She died before I was born and I am the youngest. I hope to meet her and talk a long time with her in Heaven.
7) I really like rainy days when I can stay in doors - and thunderstorms
8) My favorite vacation was to New York City last year with my girls, son-in-law, Mickey and our friend, Mark. I think I could vacation there and never get tired of it.
9) I don't like rap but I love Toby Mac concerts - "...ticket to ride..."
10) I totally avoid alcohol and with the exception of an accidental drink of a strawberry daiquiri (I don't even know how to spell it!) in High School and trying a sip of champagne at a wedding after I was an adult (which I hated, by the way), I have never partaken of it. I think it is a bad decision for the most part, but not necessarily a sin.

OK - next time I will be on the downhill side of 100 and maybe I won't take the liberty to preach so much!! Catch you then.

Only 10 more to the halfway point

1) I get into the water slowly - no jumping in for me
2) My favorite thing to wear is a new warm sweatshirt and a pair of jeans
3) I hang up on telemarketers - immediately - don't even respond or say a word - just hang up.
I used to try to be nice, then I started lying - I decided the best thing to do is just hang up.
4) It looks like I (actually, we - Mickey is going, too) will be moving back in with my parents soon - never thought that would really happen - but it is a life cycle. They are excited. I am ok with it.
5) I need to memorize more scripture - I am bad at it.
6) If I could change two physical characteristics about me, one would be my teeth and the other would be my poochy-out stomach (thanks mom and grandma!)
7) I like to watch Westerns, Make-overs of all kinds, Court TV shows, Antique shows, and HGTV. I don't like "Reality" shows. BUT I do like The Office
8) If I could live at any other time in history, I think I would choose the 1800's. But I would want the option to return to modern day times at any time.
9) If I could have one super-power it would be to teleport from place to place
10) If I had the chance to be 20 once again, I would finish my college education and I would get a degree in Writing or Religion. I would write article for magazines and other publications,

OK - that is 40 - just 10 more to go for the first half - Are you bored with me yet??

More things about me

1) Even though I only have biological daughters, I have several young men that I count as almost sons
2) Mickey makes me laugh more than anyone!
3) I wish that I would not stink - I would NEVER take showers if I didn't
4) I would like to make a whole pan of Rice Krispy treats and eat them all in one sitting
5) I have never been snow skiing - and have no great desire to go
6) I hate coffee - but I am discovering a new love of cappuchinos
7) I love to have my back and neck rubbed - the harder the better
8) I have never been skinny dipping and think that I will probably never go - way too modest for that
9) I detest communication to India!!
10) My favorite color is purple!!

Second try-Second posting of ten things about me

1) I can whistle REALLY loud - to get a crowd's attention
2) I don't have a college degree, but I think they are very important!
3) I have zebra stripes in my bathroom and I have one leopard print pillow on my bed.
4) If it were socially acceptable for someone my age, I would have my hair cut really short and died bright blue - I did it once, and I really liked it.
5) I would like to attend a multi-cultural church
6) Ozlem is our "international" daughter - she is a Turkish/German girl.
7) Johnnie Johnson, the debated Godfather of Rock-n-Roll, (of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B Goode") entertained at a private Christmas party in Houston, which I attended. I sat on the piano bench with him as he played. My only claim to fame.
8) I broke my toe about six weeks ago. Will it ever heal??
9) Once, when I was dating - way back when - I snapped a clip on tie on my lip! Stupid thing to do. Don't try this at home.
10) I LOVE Settlers of Catan and Cities and Knights of Catan. My main two opponents are Mickey and Mark. We have a whole host of players and you can almost always find a game going at our house!

That is all for tonight!

Newly Inspired

I have been inspired to write a series of blogs about myself. I was inspired by Jennie when I read an old blog of hers - "100 things about me" or something like that. Now I don't think that I have enough time at one sitting to write 100 things so I decided that I will write a series of "10 things about me", beginning today. So here goes...

1) I grew up on a "half" street. I lived at 513 N. 7 1/2 Street in Paragould, Arkansas.
2) I had a couple of hiding places that I really liked growing up. The first one that I remember was a closet in my bedroom which was piled with blankets in the floor. I would go in there with a flashlight and read. The other one was in a mimosa tree in front of my house. In the summer, no one knew I was there. My dad knew that I used it as a get away and so he would keep stray branches from growing up in my "seat". The last time I sat in it, I was 17 and we were moving away.
3) I am a TERRIBLE match-maker (scarred because the only one I really think I had any thing to do with, divorced!). I talk about it, but would really NEVER do it.
4) I am not a very good long distance friend - in fact, I am NOT a long distance friend. I never keep in touch, even though I never forget people.
5) I like white, clean, new socks
6) I get bored at night when I am bed and everyone else in the house is asleep.
7) I hated math in school, but I am actually pretty good at it.
8) I discovered that I get satisfaction from doing very odd things - such as, folding paper with a nice sharp crease.
9) The sound of a train passing by is comforting to me - I remember listening to the distant trains pulling through Paragould after I had gone to bed as a child. I also enjoy the whirring noise of an eighteen-wheeler passing by on a lonesome highway - it reminds me of nights at my grandparents' house.
10) I am afraid of - alligators, grizzly bears, and sharks (stupid because we don't live near any of them - too much Discovery Channel, I think.

OK - that is all for today. I sure wish someone else would get inspired and do the same on their blog - and let me know. I really like reading blogs! (Oops, I think that was 11!)

Waiting and trusting

We are coming to the end of two months of "waiting". We have been waiting on so many things in our lives as of late. Some of those things have come around and the wait is over - Asher was born, my broken toe is getting better, we are home now, Perspectives will survive even if we must leave - all those are good things. Other things are still hanging out there - job hunting, my mom's health, the means by which I can participate in reaching the nations. Yesterday, God added a word to what he has been telling me about "waiting". It is "trusting". So I continue - "waiting and trusting".

More About Asher...

Well, the Parks family had their first "outing" today. Asher went to see his new pediatrician. He is 7 lbs and 5 ounces - just about right for his expected weight loss and regain. He is a little "pumpkin" colored - but I think he is just trying to be seasonal. Actually, the doc said it was fairly normal for newborns and the jaundice will begin going away in the next day or two. SO, he got to sunbathe a little today - not that he needs it for his tan (he looks very much like his mommy and appears to have her beautiful skin tone). His coloring puts ME to shame! He sleeps almost all the time and only fusses a little when he is hungry. He doesn't cry and scream a lot - yet, any way. So Dundee and I will be here for a few more days and then leave him in the totally capable hands of his parents. It has been wonderful to get to be here and get to know him. We will make it a more traveled path, I'm sure! Mickey and some great friends are playing for the FCA Mini-Conference in Batesville this weekend, so we need to go home for the event. I am looking forward to that!

Asher- One Day Old

Asher Everett Parks

Asher and his Nanna! Isn't he beautiful?




Asher and his beautiful mother, Kelly! She did so well - like a champ!

















Asher and his Dundee - that's right, Dundee!!

My grandson ...

He is finally here! And he really is beautiful! His name is Asher Everett Parks and he was born on Sept. 20 at 8:13 pm. He is 7 lbs and 9 oz and 21 inches long. We went in to see him and found him in his mother's arms, all bundled up and sucking his thumb! He has a lot of hair and it is a little wavy - dark, but I don't think as dark as Kelly's was when she was born. Kelly thinks his eyes will be blue, but I think it was like looking into her eyes as a newborn - they are blue, but not a really blue blue - so who knows. One thing for sure - he definitely has Kelly's nose!! He was alert and very happy. Asher was one of the tribes of Israel and means "happy" and Everett means "strong warrior". We stood and watched them weigh him in and give him shots and measure everything possible. Aaron is such a proud father, protector, and gentle, loving husband - my God ordained, son. I want to post some pictures, but that will have to wait until tomorrow - I'm about to crash and want to go see him early tomorrow!!

Talk Like a Pirate Day!!

September the 19th is just minutes away! If our grandson should happen to be born on the 19th, we would have another reason to celebrate on that day each year - he would be born on "Talk Like a Pirate Day"!! I have been talking about having a party on "Talk Like a Pirate Day" all year long and wouldn't it be just grand if we got to have a "pirate" birthday party every year? If he comes on that day, Mickey and I are going to wear eye patches and bandannas to the birthing!! We are thinking about bringing him a little patch, too. HA! So, the low down, maties, is that the little high seas ruffian hasn't kicked his way into the cruel world to receive his booty yet - so, shiver me timbers - if he does, we'll send ye all a note in a bottle!!

Not Yet, still

It is Sunday night and we are in Lowell. Mickey is snoring and I am AWAKE!! Kelly is a beautiful full nine months pregnant and Aaron is an anxious father. When we arrived, Kelly was dressed up to go to her 7th grade girls' group meeting. She was wearing her favorite "blue" maternity top and a cute blue jean skirt. She looks ready to pop! I don't know if I will EVER sleep - I keep listening for sounds of movement in the other part of the house. Any way, we are here! I called on my way today and asked to speak to my grandson- Kelly put the phone up to him and I told him that it will be ok for him to come now - I am here! I will post as soon as he complies!

NOT YET

I thought I would post once before "he" comes!! Mickey is snoring and I am "waiting"! We are so excited about the birth of our first grandchild - grandson!! We can't wait to meet him and know his name. Kelly and Aaron have chosen to keep that to themselves until they can "introduce" him to us. We will get the call first, because we are so far away. I don't want her labor to be long - just long enough for us to get there (4 hours, give or take). If he doesn't come by the weekend, we are thinking that we will go ahead and go to NWarkansas so that we can be there, for sure. Keep checking back each day - we will post from Kelly's house about all the details - and hopefully a picture or two!!

Nanna and Dundee (that's right - Mickey and Aaron are planning on teaching him "Dundee", Mickey's golf course name)

"Passion for the Heart of God"

I am reading a book called "Passion for the Heart of God" by John Zumwalt. I've heard John speak twice in Perspectives of the World Christian Movement, a college level course - basically concerning missions. He is a riveting speaker with stories of God's glory all over the world. He stayed in our home this year when he spoke at our Batesville class. Mickey and I enjoyed his company very much. I knew that I would like any book that he had written. I am not disappointed.

I have been reading it slowly - trying to soak it all in. I know I will go back and reread it, maybe many times. John gets it!! He expresses it, well, too. Sometimes he is a little sarcastic but it is well placed sarcasm. I like it.

You may ask, "What does he 'get'?" The ultimate purpose for our being is to glorify God by allowing Him to use us to bring the nations to know Him and to participate in the increase of his Kingdom. He has already won the victory - now He is preparing a place for some of every tribe, tongue, and nation to gather around Him, rejoicing together in Heaven. That we must participate by praying for the nations and for God to get and receive His own glory - and that He loves us enough to include us in His plan. That when we pray - we pray for this end and not so much about our petty problems and our personal comforts. That our blessings come from participating in His work - even though it means suffering with and for the sake of Him. That hard times bring us closer to Him and in the end, others can see our enduring of suffering and His compassion and will come to know Him - His goal for our suffering, as it was His Son's. Most of all, that He calls us - all of us - to "go" to the nations.

Yes, I do believe we are ALL given a MANDATE to go!! MANY of us need to actually simplify our lives, put on courage and physically go to a dark place in the world who has never heard the name of Jesus and are ALL dying and going to hell because they don't know Him. Yes, He does expect us to leave our jobs, our families, our homes, our comforts and our comfort zone to follow Him. Some of us need to give large amounts of our money - simplify our lives to enable us to do so, get out of debt, seek out those who will physically go - commit to a different lifestyle so that others may go. Some of us need to commit LARGE amounts of time to praying for the nations and those who will actually go and those who will actually send. The world is also coming to our doorsteps. We have the world coming to us by way of the Universities and Colleges in the US. If we give them Jesus while they are here, then THEY can go home and can be much more effective among their own people than we ever could. BUT we have to engage them while they are here, and the door of opportunity is small - usually four to five years. We must prepare our young people to go - to be spiritually prepared and aware of His mandate. We must teach our brothers and sisters and children about the mandate and hold them to a high standard, expecting them to be goers, too. We must pray for our children to be used in other lands, for His sake.

He gets it! The end is near - the time when every tribe, tongue and nation will be reached and we will gather around His throne. There is an urgency to tell! He is coming again - but not until every nation knows of His love! I believe that it will not be tonight unless He chooses to reveal Himself in a supernatural way to all those nations who have never heard. I am grateful that He includes us in His plan and we get blessings because of it. We must fall in love with Him enough to want to see His return! We must "love His return". I still pray for that to be my "true love".

Wow! I didn't know I am so passionate about this! But, praise God!!

Take "Perspectives" if you get a chance! The information is life changing and the fellowship is sweet. I'm not sure how you can get John's book, but I recommend it!

Personal Preferences

Ever since our church has been in "worship wars", as it has been labeled, I have heard so many people say, "You really should not express your 'personal preferences' and we must all 'defer to one another in Christian love'." Now I know that deferring to one another in love is a Biblical concept and even though it is hard, it is the right thing to do. However, I don't think that having a personal preference is wrong - or even expressing it. We have lumped the two together so much that now what we have is people being afraid of being politically/spiritually incorrect by saying what they like or don't like and even saying, "I don't care what kind of music we have." So - I am going to tell you what I personally like, and maybe what I don't like, too! I like new music. I love praise and worship music accompanied by many forms of instrumentation. I like guitars, drums, flutes, pianos, keyboards, penny whistles, and harmonicas. I like lots of harmony contrasted with octave single melody lines. I like some eighties music being sung by an ensemble with four or six part harmony and accompanied by well done tapes. I like solo singing with a video in the background. I like many styles of music, but not too much of any one kind - that just bores me. Well, truthfully, I could sing praise and worship music, when it is done well, all night long without being bored. I can take a little country, a little rap, and some gospel. I will tolerate hard rock and even screamo, if I love the people who are playing it. I love hymns. I never want to be completely without hymns - they are a rich heritage and the words are comforting and meaningful. I love hymns done with a new arrangement mostly, but on occasion I like them played simply on the piano. I don't like to sing the same old choruses that I have been hearing for forty years and pretend they are meaningful or even "new". I would like to put many of them to rest. I don't like learning "old" choruses that I never knew but can tell by the style that they are past their prime. Most of them are cheesy. I enjoy choir music, when it is done with excellence - we just don't have that much any more. I like to sing in the congregation. I don't like to wear choir robes and I think they are pretentious. I like using the screen. I also don't mind using hymn books - but want to use the screen for choruses because I like to read the words - they are not in the hymn books. I like a worship service led by a team of people rather than just one person. Of course, the team needs to be led by someone, though. I am not as fond of "solos" as I used to be - but I like them on occasion. I like standing, sitting, raising hands, closing eyes, dark or bright rooms, scripture and prayer, and videos or slide shows. I like the room full of young and old people together, praising Jesus. I like instruments only, sometimes - with words on the screen just to read, sometimes.

I am sure I haven't covered it all - but I feel better, just because I got to say it. I DO prefer some music over others. Ahhhh!!

Peace?

I am experiencing restlessness in my heart. I am not sure exactly how to explain the feeling. In fact, it makes writing this entry almost impossible. I have started over several times. For the past couple of weeks, I have been given so much "bad news". I don't know how else to put it. Some of it is life threatening (not mine - friends and family), some of it heart-breaking, some of it life-changing (again, not mine - friends and family)... Much of it weighs on my heart heavily. Yet in all of this, I am personally pretty much at peace. I think that is my conflict. People all around me are being affected by burdens and I am just gliding along - not exceptionally happy or giddy, but just, as I said, at peace. I'm grateful that my personal life is not full of drama right now, but I still ache for my friends and family who are experiencing it daily. OK - I'm done. I wanted to go back and erase my ramblings because I am not making sense, even to myself - and so I am finished. I think I will just praise God because He is good!

Frustrations

Right now I am just so frustrated! I really thought that communication with Lacey would be easier than it is. I talked to her today and had to call her three or four times during our conversation because the line kept dropping. That means that I had to dial eleven numbers and wait for the calling card lady to tell me how much money I have on my card and then instruct me to dial the other fifteen numbers which would be her phone number and then wait while someone told me to "please hold" at least three or four different times - then I had to wait on the phone to ring and Lacey to answer. At some point she told me that she had sent me and email - two days or so ago - and asked if I had received it -the answer is NO! So my email is somewhere in cyber space and I keep checking to see if I am ever going to get it. On top of all of that - I sent her a suitcase full of stuff from home only to find out the B&BW soap had opened and spilled all over everything in the suitcase which had been ripped open by someone or something at the airport. I was so sad that I had not packed the soap in zip lock bags, to which she said with a laugh, "Well, live and learn". I think they recovered a lot of the stuff because I had packed a lot of the other stuff in zip lock bags. It was just frustrating.

Last Wedding for a While

Amanda Miller got married last week! I must say, the wedding was a flood of emotions for me that I didn't expect. First of all, Amanda was wearing the same wedding dress that Kelly wore in her wedding. She was beautiful! And so happy!! All of Lacey's girls were beautiful, too. They each were wearing a "citrus" green tea length skirt and had each chosen different coordinating tops. It was so interesting, waiting to see what the next bridesmaid was wearing. There were eight bridesmaids. Mollie sang and one of Jack's friends sang - both were excellently done and very moving. As Amanda left the church building on her new husband's arm, she let out a "whoop" that we could hear back in the church house! The reception had very good food with cheesecake for the groom's table. Amanda sang a song to Jack with Mollie backing her up and playing guitar. There were a lot of personality dynamics there - people you would be surprised to find in the same place - but all was good. It was a celebration for which everyone has been waiting. I wish Lacey could have been there!

Jennifer getting ready for her wedding

I just realized that I dont' have a "finished product" picture of Jenn or of Jenn and Kyle. When I get one - I will post it.

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Byers

Blue Man Group

Our last day in Chicago, we planned a "free" day. We all got on the subway and went to downtown Chicago. We found the visitors center and everyone chose an activity to do for the afternoon and evening. Our friend, Justin Walden, wanted to go back to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs/Braves play and so Mickey and I went with him. It just seems right that when in Chicago, you should see a little baseball!! Everyone else went to the "Million Dollar Mile" shopping strip and sight seeing and the Surgical Museum. It was a good afternoon. The Braves came back to win in the 9th inning. It was just funny to see the fans turn on their boys so quickly!! AND THEY DID!!

We went and ate some Chicago-style Pizza (which was actually, pretty bad - our choices were probably not the best!) and then on to the Briar Theatre to see The Blue Man Group! You know, the men painted blue all over that were featured in the Cingular commercial?? It was AWESOME, at the risk of using and old, overused word! The show consists of a small, but great, band of a bassist, a guitarist, and a drummer, as well as three men covered in blue, head to toe, wearing brown tunics, and a videographer. The blue men are center stage and play drums and other crazy rhythm instruments - sometimes, as they pour bottles of paint on them causing them to spray all over the front rows of the audience. The front rows are dressed in plastic coverings. The show is a totally interactive attempt to include the audience in the process of creating art in all forms (drama, modern art, sculptures, comedy, music - and this list doesn't even cover it!). We were on the back row, so we were in charge of "toilet paper" - now, I am not going to spoil it for you by telling you what that means!! It was great fun and I highly recommend seeing it!!

Chicago!!

First I must say, "I'm sorry". I just realized that the pictures have not been downloaded to my computer yet and I just can't do it right now. Wedding pictures - later.

OK, so Mickey and I left the wedding in the late afternoon on Saturday and arrived in Chicago at about 4:00 am. Mark had two couches cleared for us to drop into when we came in. He met us at the door of the church and we didn't waste any time finding our places. If you know me, you know that I still didn't sleep! It was all so strange and Mickey began sleeping immediately and SNORING loudly - I felt so sorry for everyone, that I felt it my duty to shake him every few minutes to keep him from getting too loud. You see, there were thirteen of us and all thirteen people were on air mattresses and couches in the same room - sleeping. That night we all bonded, pretty well. We actually had a snoring symphony going on with some talking, groaning and "whee-ing" mixed in (not to mention the unmentionable gas passing that happens to you unaware in the middle of the night!) The next morning I made it very clear that even though it was a small church, we did have other room choices and I would be making one for the next night for MYSELF. I also chose one for Mickey - far away from everyone else. Eventually, every snorer and noise maker was kicked out of the main room or left by choice.

So, a little about the church - they call themselves C3 - Chicagoland Community Church. They are a small church in the inner city of Chicago. They cater to the "Post modern" communities around them which is actually "Post Christian" as well. It is a difficult ministry. Two blocks from the church is where the homosexual community gathers - they own shops, provide entertainment, and support the transvestites and homosexual communities. There are rainbows on everything on the street. Two blocks in another direction is the "Goth" communities gathering place. You find the same thing there - they own shops, provide entertainment and support the Goth community. Surrounding the church are beautiful old restored homes and also new architecturally appropriate new homes. Most of them are "flats" and rented or sold separately from one another. This is where the "yuppies" live. The housing is expensive and much desired by these young professionals. There are some homeless, and quite a few run aways on the surrounding streets, too. So, as you can see, we were totally out of our element - challenged to completely leave our comfort zone!

We would sleep on blow up air mattresses, shower in the ONE shower available, and lock ourselves in and out of the building each time we came or went any where.

Pastor Jon Pennington had so many prayer requests when we asked him. He is a man with a huge amount on his plate! He juggles all of those communities and also has another church which shares the building - which has a totally different vision for their ministry than C3.

I really could write a play by play of all the things that happened this week, but you would almost have to be there to get the full impact. Each day, we did maintenance on the church (painted their sanctuary and bathrooms), found a park where we took our puppet shows and played with preschoolers, played Frisbee and basketball with the teenagers, and surveyed any one who would allow us to. It was a full and wonderful week and I am very tired. I am going to go to bed now, but stick around tomorrow or then next day - I want to tell you about the "Blue Man Group", which we saw! Awesome!!

Wedding number 2

We attended the wedding of our niece, Jennifer, last weekend. I helped Brenda a little on Friday with last minute preparations. Coletta, Mickey's sister and Kelly and Aaron arrived on Friday evening and it was fun spending time with them. Kelly had been to the doctor for her "find-out-what-the-baby-is" ultra sound. Bless the little dickens heart, already the baby is turning to Jesus - I can't say "he" or "she" because the baby was in praying position!! Baby Parks had the knees completely together and was modestly not going to change positions for anyone! They will try again in four weeks, but I am not getting my hopes up! (I still think it is a boy!)

Any way, Jennifer's and Kyle's wedding was very beautiful and I think just what the mothers and the couple wanted - the only people that matter, you know. Jenn had a gorgeous form fitted strapless gown with a chapel length train (I think). Her veil was fingertip length (I think). She was beautiful! There was a LOT of pink at the wedding - hot pink. The groomsmen wore black tuxes with hot pink accessories (OH, yes, they did!) There were pink flowers, pink bridesmaid dresses, pink bows, and even a pink light in the baptistery! It was lovely - and pink. By the way, Sarah was in the wedding and looked beautiful, too - in her pink dress!

The reception was at the church with cake, punch and a fruit table with a white chocolate fountain. Now the great thing was, the wedding began at 2:00 pm at Muldrow, Oklahoma and their honeymoon flight left Fort Smith, Arkansas at 4:50 pm. The wedding was about 35 minutes long and the reception was a quick eating of the cake and drinking the punch and a few "glad you cames" ending with a changed bride and groom running to the car under a rain shower of white bird seed (cup fulls, thank you). We don't know yet if they made it or not, but I must say, they were certainly brave for trying. All in all, it was good food, good family, and good fun and now they are Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Price.

Quick as a wink the family and friends cleaned up the reception hall and the sanctuary for the next morning. We could have almost made the 4:50 flight!! I am going to try to post a couple of pics, but don't cry if it doesn't work! Mickey and I headed toward Chicago - I will blog more about it separately - check it out!

Late Nights and Life Goes On

In the last month, I have had so many people look at me with "long faces", as my mother would say, and ask caringly, "So, you are really empty nesting, now. Right? How are you?" It kind of makes me giggle inside - every night (almost) during the last week we have had a table full of college students and new grads gathered 'round - who by the way, stayed past midnight. Last night we had six at the table and another five or six in the living room, just hanging out. Empty nesting? I'm not sure we know what that is yet. God has filled our lives richly and kept us busy with lots of young people and we are grateful.

We do miss Lacey in our every day lives. We talked to her today over "Skype". It was one of the clearest connections that we have had to date. Mickey has always made her laugh a lot. She laughed so much today - and it was so good to hear. At one point he had to tell her to stop laughing long enough to hear what he was saying (there is a sort of weird delay). Just as we had gotten warmed up though, the "prince of the power of the air" interrupted us. We got cut off and couldn't ever regain a connection. The worst part about that is not getting to say "goodbye" and "I love you" - no real closure to the conversation. Maybe I will just start out the conversation with that from now on.

Kelly is feeling the baby move a lot these days and Aaron finally got to feel it kick. She is not as sick as before and is beginning to really need the maternity clothes - but still mixing regular in sometimes, too. We get to know what the baby is on Friday this week! I'm going to say it here - I think it is a boy. Why? I don't know - I just am guessing and I think it is a boy. We will see them this weekend at Jennifer Jones' (our niece) wedding.

Following the wedding, we will drive all night to Chicago! Next week we will be with about 10 college students on mission trip at an inner-city church in Chicago. We are very excited about it. Mickey and I will get there in time for our own Sunday morning service that we plan to have on the lake somewhere. We will be doing all kinds of things (serving in a soup line, maintenance around the church and neighborhood, beach/park ministry to children, marketing-outreach (I think we are going to have a lemonade stand) and other things. We so look forward to the trip.

Perspectives is over. We had our celebration night, last night. It was great to hear the testimonies of what Perspectives has meant in the students' lives and how they will use what they have learned. I am excited for the next step.

With all of that, I guess I will spend my summer going to weddings. Tim and Jacklyn were the first to be married this past weekend. The wedding was beautiful (although the only way I know that is because Mickey and I crashed it - we weren't invited, as no one outside the immediate family was). It was in Garvin Gardens in Hot Springs beside a waterfall, which along with the birds provided the music. Yes, Tim did get a little "wet" eyed and so did Jacklyn. We wish them a long and happy life together.

OK - since I am really tired and Mickey has given the snoring a rest for the last few minutes, I think I will go to bed. I have a long day tomorrow getting ready for our trip.

On the brink of a new generation

About 9 years ago, we moved back to Batesville. Kelly was 17 and Lacey was 14. That is when our world as we know it today, came into existence. We lived in a house with a big back room, just perfect for teenage entertaining. The first of our regulars were Kyle Barnhill, Clint Crain, and on occasion Kevin Combs along with Cindy and Amy Woolf, Emily Baker, and Haley Butler. Scores of others began appearing regularly. Tim Meitzen and his girlfriend Carma would show up sometimes, along with Daren Neely - First Baptist's youth director, and Landon Wehrung with Bethany Klonowski. There were random homecoming and prom dates such as Ryan Scoggins, Ryan Reveley, Alex Jeffrey, Robert Garrison, Joel Goodin, Eric Long and Jonathan Bunch who made appearances (taking one of the five girls). During Kelly's Senior year at Batesville David Manning and Matt Middlecamp surfaced to join the already long established Leah Cooper and John Redmond. At some point, Lacey brought home, her now long time friend, Tim Byers. There were several other soccer players and foreign exchange students who graced our home, too. Mark Davis and TJ Stroud attended a few open parties and some chicken spaghetti dinners during those days. Ozlem became a vital part of our lives during her stay in America, and remains much like a daughter, even today. Life long church friends, Angie Appleget and Gloria Gatlin were there for church parties and special events. In her Sophomore year, Lacey met and introduced us to Brandon Smart, Stephen Settles, and Micah Dailey who brought along Joe Young. Patty Gordon and Brian Hirschey were two more who were seen around our house during Lacey's Senior year in High School. Some time in there, probably during the time we hosted a Senior High Bible Study in our home, Holly Moody, Jennifer Hawkins, Jessica Middleton and Pam Nuckolls, showed up. We also became aquainted with the other Klonowski girls, Alexis and Jesse. Chris McIlravy and Sam Nuckolls, who were a little older, became connections that we made mostly through associational meetings and camps. Then of course there was always Jackie Martin, my niece, who truly belongs to us and spent an amazing amount of time with us. Julie Whitener, Jon David and Kristy Parker, and Jacob Martin didn't spend as much time at our house, but were still important to our family. I am sure that I have left someone, probably very important, off the list as I am thinking back over the years. At any rate, we have seen a lot of young people grow up and been blessed to be a part of their lives. Many of these named here are now married, some with children of their own, or graduated from college and starting new careers. We don't see them as much as we used to. Some, we don't see at all any more. Some of the ones that we really spent a lot of time with, still come around when they are in Batesville. What a joy to hear about their successes and even their failures that have caused them to grow. Most of them are successful adults now. Even as I write this, and have a bitter sweet nostalgic feeling, I am excited about the next wave - the next generation. From our tiny little apartment last night, I locked the door at midnight as I watched five new graduates - college bound students - leave my house.