Well, we left for Florida on 5/31 and I haven't blogged since. So here goes. We were able to sneak into Bradenton and had to hide for 2 days from my older son Joel. He turned 25 on 5/31, and his wife had a surprise birthday party planned for 6/2. Sooooo, we had to make up stories about why our home phone wasn't working, and that we had a job starting Monday, and just didn't know when we would make it down for a summer visit.
Saturday came, and we waited until the surprise party was underway. Joel was thoroughly surprised by everyone waiting at their clubhouse. However, as we were trying to sneak into a parking place, Joel saw us - and took off running toward us! It was priceless!
Joel looks great, having lost over 50 lbs. His wife, Robin, also looks great, having lost over 35 lbs. I am so proud of both of them.
Speaking of losing weight, I am having a Mini-Gastric Bypass on 7/5, and hope to lose (and keep off) this extra weight I've been carrying around my whole life. I am excited, as the results of this surgery are very good. I have been on about every diet imaginable over the years, and could lose some weight, but couldn't keep it off. I want to succeed this time. So, watch for pictures and I hope to show you some great results over the next 2 years!
Florida is hot, but this is a nice visit. Can't wait to get back to the beautiful mountains though!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Thursday, May 10, 2007
I'm back...with pictures!
Well...seems like forever ago when I posted about deck staining. We did accomplish the feat and the results are beautiful. I have added a new album of pics to show off our hard work.
So, this weekend is Mom's Day. I am pleased to say that I got a riding lawn mower as my gift! Shocked are you? Well, after mowing this mountain lawn with a push mower for 3 years, I am so thrilled to get a riding lawn mower that I can't stand it! Nothing is flat on this lawn! Now, I just have to learn how NOT to fall off the mountain!
I have also been busy making jewelry. I am participating in a festival this weekend, and hope to sell some of my wares. Being the day before Mother's Day, I should have a bit of business. I am actually trying to wind this jewelry business down. I started making jewelry in 2002 or so, down in Florida. Had a good time selling it...home parties and such. Now, I live in the land of jewelry makers! It's difficult to even get a spot in a local craftshow. So, I've been seeing what I can make out of the bits and pieces I have collected, without buying any new supplies. I am pleasantly surprised at what I've been able to produce.
Now I just have to finish up and get my dining room table cleared off, and the house cleaned, for company starting Sunday....
The whirlwind never stops!
So, this weekend is Mom's Day. I am pleased to say that I got a riding lawn mower as my gift! Shocked are you? Well, after mowing this mountain lawn with a push mower for 3 years, I am so thrilled to get a riding lawn mower that I can't stand it! Nothing is flat on this lawn! Now, I just have to learn how NOT to fall off the mountain!
I have also been busy making jewelry. I am participating in a festival this weekend, and hope to sell some of my wares. Being the day before Mother's Day, I should have a bit of business. I am actually trying to wind this jewelry business down. I started making jewelry in 2002 or so, down in Florida. Had a good time selling it...home parties and such. Now, I live in the land of jewelry makers! It's difficult to even get a spot in a local craftshow. So, I've been seeing what I can make out of the bits and pieces I have collected, without buying any new supplies. I am pleasantly surprised at what I've been able to produce.
Now I just have to finish up and get my dining room table cleared off, and the house cleaned, for company starting Sunday....
The whirlwind never stops!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Deck Staining Time
We've been meaning to stain the deck since, ah, gee, August of 2004 - when we moved in. It's funny what seems to be so urgent at the time, and then life just goes on, and the urgency with it. So, we're finally going to stain it. Now I say IT. But actually there are 2 decks, one small one off our bedroom on the third floor, and the other BIG deck that goes around 3 sides of the house. Doesn't it sound like fun?
Louie pressure washed the house and deck, replaced some bad wood, and now he's sanding down the railings so they will be nice and smooth. Tomorrow morning (early-yuck) we will do the actual staining. I'll post some pictures once we are finished.
When you see the pictures, you will wonder - wow - why didn't they paint the house like they said they were going to? That crazy blue-green color has got to go. Hmmmm. Just another one of those urgent things that got less urgent. The paint is not the best color, but it's still in good condition. So, we'll continue to live with it for now. Funny what you can learn to live with or live without. Like those frenchdoors for my bedroom deck......
Louie pressure washed the house and deck, replaced some bad wood, and now he's sanding down the railings so they will be nice and smooth. Tomorrow morning (early-yuck) we will do the actual staining. I'll post some pictures once we are finished.
When you see the pictures, you will wonder - wow - why didn't they paint the house like they said they were going to? That crazy blue-green color has got to go. Hmmmm. Just another one of those urgent things that got less urgent. The paint is not the best color, but it's still in good condition. So, we'll continue to live with it for now. Funny what you can learn to live with or live without. Like those frenchdoors for my bedroom deck......
Saturday, April 14, 2007
The groundhog lied...
Well, looks like the groundhog lied, since winter has revisited us here. We had snow the night before Easter, and may have somemore in a couple of days. Windows have been closed, and the heat turned back on. Off go the sandals and on go the socks and clogs. Pooh. And all this while Mike, Peggy, Jen and Austin are having fun cruising.
The one thing I am very glad about, is that we DID NOT get our garden planted. Good thing, as we would have worked for naught. After several nights in the low 20's, all the beautiful flowers on the trees are gone, and the sweet, green leaves have withered. I look around my yard, and pray that the willows and other trees and shrubs will regrow their leaves. The apple farmers in Hendersonville have lost most of their crops. Such a shame.
So, about that global warming.......
It could be true, although my thoughts are that it may just be cyclical weather. With all the technology that we now have, it's easy for us to see the polar ice caps melting, and a lot of other things that could not be seen 100 years ago. Who knows if what we are going through now, is just a repeat of something that happened several hundred years ago. We've had weird weather. Look back in history and you will find many strange things caused by or due to "un" natural weather patterns. Even this year is not unique..it snowed on a camping trip we took on April 22, 2005. The only thing different this year, is that we had unseasonably warm weather BEFORE the late freeze. So we have super warm weather and super cold weather. Is is really so strange?
Well, I don't worry about it too much. Someday we will have a new earth, and until then, I'll just stand amazed at what happens in nature and weather. All the earth will sing His praises.
The one thing I am very glad about, is that we DID NOT get our garden planted. Good thing, as we would have worked for naught. After several nights in the low 20's, all the beautiful flowers on the trees are gone, and the sweet, green leaves have withered. I look around my yard, and pray that the willows and other trees and shrubs will regrow their leaves. The apple farmers in Hendersonville have lost most of their crops. Such a shame.
So, about that global warming.......
It could be true, although my thoughts are that it may just be cyclical weather. With all the technology that we now have, it's easy for us to see the polar ice caps melting, and a lot of other things that could not be seen 100 years ago. Who knows if what we are going through now, is just a repeat of something that happened several hundred years ago. We've had weird weather. Look back in history and you will find many strange things caused by or due to "un" natural weather patterns. Even this year is not unique..it snowed on a camping trip we took on April 22, 2005. The only thing different this year, is that we had unseasonably warm weather BEFORE the late freeze. So we have super warm weather and super cold weather. Is is really so strange?
Well, I don't worry about it too much. Someday we will have a new earth, and until then, I'll just stand amazed at what happens in nature and weather. All the earth will sing His praises.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Church and Community
Churches of today certainly come in all sizes, from the very small home church to the mega church with thousands of members. The church that we now attend has about 250 members, not small, but large enough to not know everyone. The church we were part of for 17 years was larger, but we had many friends that we developed over the years, through choir, home fellowships and the like. In all of that, we had a few friends who were our dearest, our truest, our closest. So, even after we moved, our former church really felt like home - and continued to feel that way for several years, until our closest friends also left for various reasons. Now, there is no "draw" for us there, even though the preaching and music hasn't really changed much, our hearts don't connect like they did before.
Meanwhile, at our current church, we have made some friends, through being involved in music, the tech team, and Bible studies. But we don't feel that connection that we had before. Folks are nice, and we feel loved, but not really known. I guess that's what community is. Being loved and being known.
Community is when friends become family. It is the true church. It involves risking yourself, by being open and honest about the good, bad and the ugly. It means loving someone when they are wonderful and all is well, and loving them when they are in a tragic place. It means being willing to share, and being willing to listen. To encourage and lift up, and to hold accountable. To have fun together, and to cry together. To pray for and with each other. To be available to others, not to be Jesus for them, but to point them to Jesus. To eat together, and drink coffee together, to talk about all the meaningful and meaningless aspects of our daily lives, and to be there for each other, regardless of the circumstances.
I have a community like that. It's really stretched out right now, by miles and house sales, but it is there. I am blessed to have people in my life who love me inspite of who I am in me, and because of who I am in Christ. And I am blessed to be able to love them in return.
My dream is that this community will come together logistically closer, and closer in spirit and heart. The early church is our example, meeting together daily, for worship, prayer, songs and hymns and spiritual songs, fellowship and food. And when they did so, they grew, and they changed the world. I want to change the world that I am a part of, and I know that I can't do it on my own. But with the Lord, and my community, no telling what can happen.
So, right now, I will continue to be an active part of my stretched out community. Praying fervently, bringing encouragement, feeding my friends both spiritually and physically! Being family...being the church.
Meanwhile, at our current church, we have made some friends, through being involved in music, the tech team, and Bible studies. But we don't feel that connection that we had before. Folks are nice, and we feel loved, but not really known. I guess that's what community is. Being loved and being known.
Community is when friends become family. It is the true church. It involves risking yourself, by being open and honest about the good, bad and the ugly. It means loving someone when they are wonderful and all is well, and loving them when they are in a tragic place. It means being willing to share, and being willing to listen. To encourage and lift up, and to hold accountable. To have fun together, and to cry together. To pray for and with each other. To be available to others, not to be Jesus for them, but to point them to Jesus. To eat together, and drink coffee together, to talk about all the meaningful and meaningless aspects of our daily lives, and to be there for each other, regardless of the circumstances.
I have a community like that. It's really stretched out right now, by miles and house sales, but it is there. I am blessed to have people in my life who love me inspite of who I am in me, and because of who I am in Christ. And I am blessed to be able to love them in return.
My dream is that this community will come together logistically closer, and closer in spirit and heart. The early church is our example, meeting together daily, for worship, prayer, songs and hymns and spiritual songs, fellowship and food. And when they did so, they grew, and they changed the world. I want to change the world that I am a part of, and I know that I can't do it on my own. But with the Lord, and my community, no telling what can happen.
So, right now, I will continue to be an active part of my stretched out community. Praying fervently, bringing encouragement, feeding my friends both spiritually and physically! Being family...being the church.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
What's your Big Dream?
I watched part of a TV show the other night...Donny Osmond was hosting, and it has to do with people pleading with the audience to vote for them to grant their biggest dream. The premise is not bad, as I believe that everyone should have a dream, but the show was really rather hokey.
Anyway, it got me thinking about my Big Dream again.
Before moving to NC in the summer of '04, Louie and I read The Dream Giver, by Bruce Wilkinson. It's about a little Nobody named Ordinary who lives in the Land of Familiar....and he has a Big Dream. It tells him that he , a Nobody, was made to be a Somebody and destined to achieve Great Things. This book changed our lives.
We get rather content in our lives, and often get so involved in the routine that we don't even remember that we have a Big Dream. For us, the Dream involved leaving our Land of Familiar- our forever home of Florida, and moving to our Land of Promise - North Carolina. It was frightening, fun, heartbreaking, lonely, exciting and fulfulling. That was almost 3 years ago!
In that 3 years, we've bought a home, Louie has re-established his business, I've homeschooled Josh for 2nd, 3rd and now 4th grades and we've gotten involved in a new church. But somehow in doing so....I think our Big Dream is still unfinished. Or maybe our Land of Promise has become a Land of Familiar!
When we decided to move to NC, the decision was based on how we felt when we visited the mountains. Refreshed, renewed, replenished. Our hope was that we could have a home here that would allow us room for guests who needed a break. From ministry, work, or just life. And that they could come to our home and find a haven and refuge from the everyday. Thankfully, our home has room for visitors, and we've had them...and it's been great! However, most of the time it's been friends and relatives on vacation - so that means lots of running around, seeing the sights and doing all the mountain things. Not a bad time - but not always refreshing and renewing!
The best times of renewing have been those evenings of just sitting on the deck, watching the sunset and then seeing the fireflies come out as it gets dark. We keep some lidded jars on the deck table, so the kids (and kids at heart) can run around and catch a few of those glowing bugs. Meanwhile, on the deck, the conversation flows, and relaxation takes place. Heaven!
So, in all of that, I guess I'm just thinking about our Big Dream again. Our friends, Mike and Peggy McGrew, are in a transition period. Part of our Big Dream was that they, too would come to the mountains to live. For a long time, it began to look like they wouldn't be moving to the mountains, at least not any time in the near future. So, we figured maybe they weren't to be a part of our Big Dream. It made us sad.
While we've been here without them, we've been able to establish a sweet friendship with Peggy's sister Dana and her husband John, who live just north of us. But, between us and John and Dana....no telling who wanted Mike and Peggy here more! I guess we all prayed so hard for them to come, that the Lord decided to answer our prayer. What a whirlwind their lives have become! After a year of much change, they will be moving here soon! Just need to sell their condo and up they will come, bringing their daughter Jen and grandson Austin, too...and Grandmommy Joan. (It could only be better if my mom and sister Katy would move up!)
I know that already, Mike and Peggy and Jen have been through so much in this change in their lives, and there will be many more changes. But God has his hand on them, and he will walk them through the ups and downs of it all. I know that they are anxious to be here, and to get started on their new Big Dream!
In knowing that they are coming, it has made me reexamine my Big Dream...and I want it to be even Bigger than my original! I don't know what the Lord has planned, but I know that I want to be involved in whatever it is. I would love to see all of us - Louie, Josh and me, Mike and Peggy and Jen, John and Dana - all involved in community - living out our lives as ministry. In what way this will happen, I don't know. But I do know that we all love each other, and we love the Lord, and we are seeking Him. And if we seek Him, He will make our Big Dream known to us....we can't miss it, because He is the Dream Giver.
Anyway, it got me thinking about my Big Dream again.
Before moving to NC in the summer of '04, Louie and I read The Dream Giver, by Bruce Wilkinson. It's about a little Nobody named Ordinary who lives in the Land of Familiar....and he has a Big Dream. It tells him that he , a Nobody, was made to be a Somebody and destined to achieve Great Things. This book changed our lives.
We get rather content in our lives, and often get so involved in the routine that we don't even remember that we have a Big Dream. For us, the Dream involved leaving our Land of Familiar- our forever home of Florida, and moving to our Land of Promise - North Carolina. It was frightening, fun, heartbreaking, lonely, exciting and fulfulling. That was almost 3 years ago!
In that 3 years, we've bought a home, Louie has re-established his business, I've homeschooled Josh for 2nd, 3rd and now 4th grades and we've gotten involved in a new church. But somehow in doing so....I think our Big Dream is still unfinished. Or maybe our Land of Promise has become a Land of Familiar!
When we decided to move to NC, the decision was based on how we felt when we visited the mountains. Refreshed, renewed, replenished. Our hope was that we could have a home here that would allow us room for guests who needed a break. From ministry, work, or just life. And that they could come to our home and find a haven and refuge from the everyday. Thankfully, our home has room for visitors, and we've had them...and it's been great! However, most of the time it's been friends and relatives on vacation - so that means lots of running around, seeing the sights and doing all the mountain things. Not a bad time - but not always refreshing and renewing!
The best times of renewing have been those evenings of just sitting on the deck, watching the sunset and then seeing the fireflies come out as it gets dark. We keep some lidded jars on the deck table, so the kids (and kids at heart) can run around and catch a few of those glowing bugs. Meanwhile, on the deck, the conversation flows, and relaxation takes place. Heaven!
So, in all of that, I guess I'm just thinking about our Big Dream again. Our friends, Mike and Peggy McGrew, are in a transition period. Part of our Big Dream was that they, too would come to the mountains to live. For a long time, it began to look like they wouldn't be moving to the mountains, at least not any time in the near future. So, we figured maybe they weren't to be a part of our Big Dream. It made us sad.
While we've been here without them, we've been able to establish a sweet friendship with Peggy's sister Dana and her husband John, who live just north of us. But, between us and John and Dana....no telling who wanted Mike and Peggy here more! I guess we all prayed so hard for them to come, that the Lord decided to answer our prayer. What a whirlwind their lives have become! After a year of much change, they will be moving here soon! Just need to sell their condo and up they will come, bringing their daughter Jen and grandson Austin, too...and Grandmommy Joan. (It could only be better if my mom and sister Katy would move up!)
I know that already, Mike and Peggy and Jen have been through so much in this change in their lives, and there will be many more changes. But God has his hand on them, and he will walk them through the ups and downs of it all. I know that they are anxious to be here, and to get started on their new Big Dream!
In knowing that they are coming, it has made me reexamine my Big Dream...and I want it to be even Bigger than my original! I don't know what the Lord has planned, but I know that I want to be involved in whatever it is. I would love to see all of us - Louie, Josh and me, Mike and Peggy and Jen, John and Dana - all involved in community - living out our lives as ministry. In what way this will happen, I don't know. But I do know that we all love each other, and we love the Lord, and we are seeking Him. And if we seek Him, He will make our Big Dream known to us....we can't miss it, because He is the Dream Giver.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
New Pictures of Spring
Well, after posting yesterday, I realized some pics would be nice. So, check out the new Spring 2007 album. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the beautiful Bradford Pear (we don't have one! Every year we say we're going to get one!) , nor the blazing bright yellow forsythia (who knows how to spell it) bush. Enjoy our yard!
Yesterday was the last meeting for our current Beth Moore Bible study, Jesus the One and Only. Such a sweet group of ladies! Even though I am the baby of the bunch, I am the facilitator. These ladies are really great about sharing real life with each other, and praying together and for each request presented. I am blessed to know and love them. We will start again in May, and just meet for a Beth Moore video each week. We adore her, and are so thankful for the anointing that God has place on her in ministering to women, and in teaching the Word.
I do miss my Peggy....I know you check in! Even though my ladies group is great, there is nothing like having your best friend in person to talk to! So, be encouraged, know that we are praying for God to move quickly in your life to sell that condo and get you up here! Louie and Josh pray too! Mike, Peggy, Jen and Austin are family to us....and Florida is just too far away!
Yesterday was the last meeting for our current Beth Moore Bible study, Jesus the One and Only. Such a sweet group of ladies! Even though I am the baby of the bunch, I am the facilitator. These ladies are really great about sharing real life with each other, and praying together and for each request presented. I am blessed to know and love them. We will start again in May, and just meet for a Beth Moore video each week. We adore her, and are so thankful for the anointing that God has place on her in ministering to women, and in teaching the Word.
I do miss my Peggy....I know you check in! Even though my ladies group is great, there is nothing like having your best friend in person to talk to! So, be encouraged, know that we are praying for God to move quickly in your life to sell that condo and get you up here! Louie and Josh pray too! Mike, Peggy, Jen and Austin are family to us....and Florida is just too far away!
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