Who says you can't go back?

While up here enjoying my new grand-daughter, I have had the opportunity to visit some of the places we have served on staff previously and catch up with some very dear friends. It has been so great!


Have you ever gone back somewhere and just felt the warmth of family envelope you as you entered? Or had the comforting thoughts of "I am back home"? Even though some things have changed, the welcoming hearts are there and so excited to hug you and chat for awhile. Funny thing is, that no biological family lives or attends at some of these places, but they are family just the same.


That is what happened to me in two very different places I have visited recently. One a small town, God fearing, community of believers that are doing life together. The way I think it was meant to be. The other, a large group of believers that somehow mesh together and make you feel it is a place you belong.

Our former Pastor is a God fearing man of God that preaches the Word every week. He is definitly not ashamed of it. I was reminded this morning during the Message God gave him to speak, that Compromise starts very small and grows. And if you are not careful, it will suck you in and destroy you as it did with Lot's wife.

God used that message this morning to remind me of what He did for us a year and a half ago. He rescued us from the compromise we were running headlong into. He refreshed my soul today in the worship and the preaching of His Word. Also a reminder that it was no-ones fault but ours. We like to try to place the blame every where else except where it belongs.

Thank You God for all the blessings You have given and most of all for the grace and mercy You show every day. You are faithful and loving. I love YOU!

So, YES I say you can go back, you need to go back sometimes and be reminded of who & Whose you are! And to see those you love.

My Precious Ava

She arrived in her own sweet time. I had the honor of watching her arrive into this world. Not an easy delivery on her or my daughter, I was reminded of the frailty of life.

Watching Keith attend to my daughter's needs and breathe soothing words over her during the 21 hours of labor. I was reminded of my precious husband who did the exact same thing the day our sweet little daughter arrived into this world. What a tear on your heartstrings as you watch your daughter give birth for the first time. She was so strong! Always asking how Ava's heartbeat was and how she was doing. She is a natural mother. Thinking of our children before ourselves. The strength I saw in her through 15 of the 21 hours I was present for, showed me she had become a woman of strength and courage. She is no longer my little girl, but a wife and mother. Ava is a very lucky girl. Keith is a very lucky man.

How proud I am of Keith, my son-in-law, for all he is and has become. He adores both of his girls and watching him with them brings joy to my heart. I know they will always be cherished and protected. He is truly a man that was ready to become a husband and father. Ava & Linsey are lucky to have him.

What I am anticipating now, is the look on my husband's face when he finally arrives to meet his new granddaughter! He will melt and be wrapped immediately! They will have a special relationship. . .

God, thank You for all you have blessed me with! Thank You for protecting my girls through this delivery. Thank You for allowing me to be a part of it.

When did work become more important than family?

I had to make a choice today. . .

At a job I love and have really enjoyed, I was made to feel that I should choose it over a very special family event upcoming in June.

Was it a hard choice? not at all

Was it life changing? somewhat

Are we made to feel that employers come before family? YES

Would I make the same choice again? YES

Did my husband support and encourage me in the choice I needed to make? YES

See, to me family is everything. If I am put in a place to choose. . . .and it between you and family & you are not family. . .so sorry. The world today has jumbled it's priorities. My husband is my best friend, my kids are so special to me, my grand-kids are a rare treasure. I could not even fathom missing the arrival of my precious granddaughter!

So as freaked out as I am. I know that God will take care of me. He will guide and provide. He is ever faithful. If it weren't for my God, I would probably be insane by now. Because left to my own devices, I would freak out & worry ALOT.

The worst part about today. . .my character was brought into question. I was told I was not dependable and that I was demanding. Well, maybe according to this person, but, that is not true. So, I stepped outside of my usual "don't ruffle any feathers" mode and stood up for myself.

So. . .here I stand at a new crossroad. . .I am very interested in seeing what is up around the bend. . .AND I get to now spend MORE time with my precious Ava when she makes her entry!!!

I LOVE BEING A GRANDMOTHER!!!!

My New Love. . .

For my mid-life crisis I decided that I needed something or actually someone new. . .So on my 44th birthday I found the man I want to live the rest of my life with. . .He is tall, very good looking (even though he is an older man), graying in a Sean Connery sort of way. When he smiles the room gets brighter and it just makes you want to smile. . .I am so thankful I found him down on the boardwalk. . .Seems I lost track of the reasons I married him and have fought to stay with him all these years until last night! Last night I fell in love with my husband all over again!

A word of caution to those of you married for awhile or short time. . .don't take for granted the person you wake up to every morning! Learn to find something new about them and keep your view of them fresh. Take the time to walk on the boardwalk at night and rediscover the friendship that will keep you together. . .communication is very underrated in relationships these days.

I love you, Jeff!
me

Some great advice!!

I really like this list it is so true. . . #7 is my favorite, because I am in love at first sight every morning when I open my eyes and see my best friend next to me!

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVE N . Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk..
FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY-ONE. Spend d some time alone.