Christmas Ramblings 2007…

I was sitting here at my computer listening to the first Christmas music of the season. I decided to work on my annual Christmas letter and thought I'd share the rough draft with my fellow bloggers. :0) This is definitely off the top of my head, but what wonderful thoughts sometime come off the top. ...

Sparkly soft snowflakes falling like cold little kisses… if only. Not in Central Texas, but we can dream, can’t we? Christmas brings up inside me a thankful heart. I always have a thankful heart, but at Christmas time it somehow becomes more magnified.

Thoughts of the Christ Child coming to earth as a tiny newborn baby; God incarnate; Savior for all mankind… if only we believe. His star in the East leading wise men from afar. Shepherds trembling at the sight and sound of a heavenly choir…. I mean, what would you do if you were outside in the middle of the night; looked up and saw a choir of angels for Pete’s sake? I’d tremble too I imagine.

Christmas is magical; supernatural as we come to grips with the God of the universe making a way for us to spend eternity with Him. What’s so bad about that? His plans and ways are perfect whether we understand them, wrestle with them, debate or argue with them… because, well… He is God and… we are not.

His love is amazing! In fact, isn’t it a wonder He didn’t just give up and start over? I thought about that with my own kids around the time they hit puberty, but loved them too much to really “pinch their heads off”. (who ever thought of a saying like that? Yuk!) Boy, am I glad we persevered; glad some of that Jesus-love filtered through to give us all grace to go on. OK, I’m about to say something that anyone who reads my Christmas letters is most likely used to by now. My kids are great!! Awesome grownups despite their sassy teenage years and our parental blunders. I have incredible grandchildren; six and one on the way. Allie, Jack, Cooper, Skyler, Claire, Asher, and “Popcorn”. I am moved to tears at the sight of them. Tears of love and tears of exhaustion. Ha-ha

Here’s what I think… I think God sees clearly and speaks His words of faith over us until we are transformed into the dream of His heart; that’s what I think. Some of us just take longer than others. That’s why He came to earth on that first Christmas Day, isn’t it? To make a way for us when there was no other way. He had a dream and though the world says there is no God; won’t they be surprised when one day they too will bow their knee and confess that Jesus is Lord? No one will get out of that one. Nobody! Whether we’re heaven bound or have made the choice to go elsewhere; every single knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. If this Christmas message bugs you; let’s just say… God loves you too much to leave you alone. We love you too. Just think of it this way… what if those of us who believe are right?

Tiny Fingerprints on Window Panes...

Sitting here, I look across the empty room;
So close behind the clamor
Tiny faces; fingers pressed upon the window panes are etched within my mind.
Lots of laughter mingled with predictable crying
As little ones yawn and rub their tired young eyes;

Zerberts and tickles usher the return of giggles and smiles
New words spoken as babies learn and grow
Amazed adults who used to be babies themselves not so long ago

Family... with a love so deep there is no end
Hugs so warm; how can I let go?
Toys, sippy cups and miniature spoons are left behind
Crumbs and spills; but still... I treasure them every time

As things are put back into place;
With a tear and a smile I reminisce;
I think to myself these encouraging words...
"They'll come again" I say
And gently wipe those tiny fingerprints away
With happy faces etched inside my mind

Revisiting Good Toughts of Honor and Love...

As I read over the things I've written; comments, and my comments to your comments; I ran across this. It is my heart and I wanted to share it as a new entry to encourage all of you precious mother/daughters, mother/friends, and even all my sons. I've learned the importance of being transparent through the lives of my children most of all, and thuogh sometimes painful, this principle has brought so much freedom. We are not perfect people, nor will we ever be. We are a work in progress, and that is a good and Godly thing. If we don't see and face up to our weaknesses and imperfections, how will we ever change? As I am honest with myself and those who are dear to me; I am encouraged and affirmed, as well as sometimes corrected and challenged. You are all precious and I love and value each one of you so very much.

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... It's a challenge to be a mom, isn't it, but so very rewarding. Every child is worth it all. I have four amazing kids who married some of the most wonderful people in the world. We now have 6 grandchildren and one more on the way (who has a very strong heartbeat I've heard) and I'm sure there will be more little ones to come. Mothering, even in this season of life, continues to be a challenge because I want to do it so well; and of course, I have not mastered my position perfectly; nor will I ever I've realized. However, I am finding there are even more rewards as life bumps along at break-neck speed. Where does the time go?!! Let's just say, 'bumpy' and 'speed' make for a wild ride, but I wouldn't trade the world for one mile of it. I obviously get weary and grumpy at times, but don't we all? Let me just say a word of encouragement to whomever may read this ... because in this "bloggy" world, we can say what we want, can't we? Be encouraged to always look at what you do in life in Light of Truth; whether it be mothering, being a Godly wife, husband, father, friend, co-worker, etc. Always keep centered in the love of God through His Son, Jesus, and even the challenging and overwhelming circumstances of life will come into perspective. Our responses will be loving and right when we passionately follow after His ways and purposes. I miss the mark when I lose sight of Him and life is good and right when He is my top priority. "His love is what holds everything else together." I am in awe of God's redeeming love over and over again.

A New Sweet Potato Recipe???

I actually don't have a recipe. I'm not even a good cook, but every now and then I do something surprising and find that someone actually liked what I created. Amazing! Last night we hosted our Lifegroup to a Thanksgiving Dinner, of sorts, and my sweet potato casserole was a hit. I don't even have a recipe but someone asked for it. Isn't that something? Anyway, thought I'd share how this dainty dish transpired.

Peel and boil as many medium sized sweet potatoes as you'll need to feed as many folks as will eat them; cook until tender and drain. Plop some butter in there and mash it all up with an old-timey potato masher; sprinkle in some red hots and stir. Slap mixture in a casserole dish; toss some marshmallows on top and stick 'em in the oven on broil. As for me, I left the kitchen to light a few candles; fluff some sofa pillows, and start some soft relaxing music for the evening. Needless to say, the marshmallows burned black as tar, but then I like burned mashmallows. That's it. Easy breezy for sure. If you would rather have brown marshmallows instead of black; don't let the sweet potatoes stay in the oven more than about five minutes; if that long. Don't go do another chore or anything and expect to come back in the kitchen without your smoke alarm going off. Good thing that cold front had not hit full force and all the windows and doors were still open.

Critter Alarm!!...

There is definitely fall in the air. The leaves are beginning to turn and pumpkins grace every porch and stoop as far as I can tell. The pansies and chrysanthemums are blooming and the birds are feasting on berries fit for a king. Speaking of those flying creatures; when we consider the birds of the air and the flowers of the field; how God Himself feeds and clothes them all; why should we worry or be anxious for anything? His care is perfect in every way. Oh my goodness! How can we be this blessed and not utterly explode with gratitude and joy?

Life is truckin' right along; jam-packed as ever. Just this morning when I thought about my calendar I said again, "Lord help us know how to simplify our lives for Pete's sake!!" My husband's last district game is tomorrow evening in Bryan, plus our annual Women's Conference at our church all day Sat for me. Then we start getting ready for playoff games (hopefully); and Thanksgiving for a mob of kids and grandkids. Oh how I do love fall! There will be groceries to buy, fire ants to kill and leaves to mulch believe you me. I noticed this morning while I was out watering in the front yard before work; huge fire ant hills with villages and cities of ant communities. Mice are beginning to come into our house like Gus-Gus and the gang. I could make little shirts and hats for them with the hope that they might help clean house and do laundry, but we've opted to set traps instead. Caught two just this morning. Cinderella would be appalled! Not to mention the snake Darrell spotted the other day while he was brushing his teeth. It was relaxing against the cool porcelain of the pot right beside his feet. Good grief!! It's a zoo at our house. He picked it up by it's head, went outside in his whitey-tighties and pitched it over the fence into the field. Believe me when I say, I carefully peek around every wall in either bathroom every time I go in there. Do I really think snakes are confined to bathrooms? I guess that mindset is somehow comforting... or not. It was just a little chicken snake he said... but WHO CARES?!!! Snakes do NOT belong in our house! That is just NOT OK!!! Oh happy fall.

This Book of Daniel Rocks!!!...

The last week of the afore mentioned 12 week Bible study is tonight. It has been AWESOME to say the least. Did you hear me say not too long ago; that it's been a real nail-biter; sit-on-the-edge-of-your-chair event for me and the other women who've come consistently over the last three months? In fact, it's so good that Darrell and I plan to offer it, starting in February, to couples so the guys can get in on all this earth shaking revelation as well. We start out each week with discussing what we learned in the previous session and go over the material in our workbooks; then for an electrifying hour we sit and hear the next video session led by Beth Moore; an incredible teacher of the Word let me tell you. I had heard of her, but had never been involved in one of her studies. I love that her top priority is making Jesus famous throughout the earth. This particular study; over the book of Daniel, has tremendous insight... the first 6 weeks focusing on living with integrity in a Babylonian culture (so relatable) and the last six weeks over end time events; it covers the prophecies given to Daniel that are now history to us and also events still to come. The books of Daniel and Revelation, and a few others I have to admit; were usually Greek to me with all the symbolism, angels, kings and kingdoms; who struck down who, fighting goin' on in the heavenly realm, etc. etc. Lord have mercy! We do have a drama King, don't we? Anyway, though I still have much to learn, I am certainly understanding better than I ever have, God's purpose and plan for the nations of the earth and specifically for Israel, as time [calendar years, months, and weeks] closes down. Praise God we know who holds us in the palm of His hand!! I'd be paralyzed with fear if I weren't so excited about running with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; the creator of all that is for Pete's sake. He is the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end... and I BELONG TO HIM! You do too if you know His Son. If God be for us, who in the heavenlies or on earth can be against us? Having that cemented in our brains could cause us to... as they say, raid hell with a water pistol, don't you think? We are more than conquerors through Jesus. No doubt about it. Can you tell I'm excited? Well, you're right. Call me crazy, but I'm having the time of my life walking with and living life wildly passionate for my Lord and Savior let me tell you. No greater place to be than in His presence; and you can take that to the bank. I know... I've written about this study before after one of the sessions when I was so excited I thought I might quite possibly shoot off into space like a sky rocket. Now, I can hardly wait until Feb. to get to facilitate this study in our home. Wish you could all be there! Well, I have to believe that if God is, in fact, leading us to offer this study; folks will come, they will be stirred to the max; 'til their glasses fly off and their hair stands on end with a passion to follow Jesus like never before. Oh that more of the world would be changed for His glory because of this treasure hunt; digging more deeply into His Word.

A Good Tired It Is...

What a weekend! When the whole crew gets together, it is a wonderful craziness to be sure. Hopefully, everyone has recovered by now. This is the aftermath story where I would LOVE to post pictures if I knew how and if I had a digital camera. Surely one of the girls will do the honors. I took Friday off as the kids began to trickle in on Thursday evening with Beau, Sara, and Asher. So fun watching Asher laugh, growl, and toddle about. He gets more balanced and stronger every day I think. His Poppie lovingly calls him an orangutan since he kinda waddles while holding his arms out from his body like a monkey. The most delightful thing about Asher is that he almost always has a smile on his face and loves to be with just about anyone who will love on him. Friday morning there were errands to run, people to see, and an amazing afternoon with my oldest grandchild Miss Allie Jill Powell. I've always wanted to spend one-on-one time with each one of my grandchildren, especially as they get older, so this Friday was our day; a precious Gibbie/Allie afternoon to celebrate her 11th birthday. We started off with a very nice lunch at Amelia's in downtown Waco; browsed around Sironia a bit and then we both enjoyed Allie opening her first hint as to where she would shop first... a store that begins with the letter "T". She guessed right away that is was indeed Target; one of her favorite hangouts. She received gift cards for a couple places and ended up at a young girls' shop called Justice. After we shopped 'til we dropped, we headed out to our house where she carefully spread her loot on the living room floor to do a bit of 'show and tell' when her mama, Amy, and her aunt Sassy came out before the TCA football game. Allan, Emily, and claire joined us and we all loaded up and headed to the football field. What a crowd we brought! Coby is helping his daddy coach this year so he was already there on the sidelines. Adrielle and Skyler arrived before the rest of us and was asked to help sing an impromptu "National Anthem". Oh how I wish we had gotten there a few minutes earlier so we could have heard the beauty of it! Rounding up three carloads of folks, including two big kids, three toddlers and a baby; along with their parents is a slow-go sometimes. However, we all made it with everyone intact and accounted for. The game was exciting and we all had a great visit as we hearded kids and kept them from falling off the bleachers. TCA won against Brazos Christian Academy, so one more district win and we're off to the playoffs again. During half-time all the Senior athletes and their parents were recognized; then... this has never been done before, but Friday night the coaches along with their wives were also introduced and our hard working husbands were given cards with encouraging and honoring messages and gift cards for a meal at the Texas Roadhouse. So thoughtful of the parents who were involved in this gesture of gratitude. All the wives were given a rose for graciously supporting the men in our lives who give up so much energy and time from home during football season.

After the game, Amy and Cooper went to Coby and Adrielle's and Allie spent the night with us; along with the Waters and Kavalich's. Corey and Jack had gone hunting over close to Meridian at "The Place". They saw alot of deer but chose not to shoot. "Lucky deer", I thought. Saturday morning everyone but Poppie, Beau, and I went to the Baylor Homecoming parade. The three of us did a little decorating on our screened porch to make Allie's breakfast birthday more festive and then I 'cooked like rip', as Granny would have said. There were pretty flowers, gifts, and a string of 8X11 prints of Allie from the time she was little until now, hung with clothespins all around one corner of windows. Ten big balloons in shades of purple adorned the porch and there was food galore. We had so much fun honoring our little Allie who is growing up so fast. Such a beautiful young girl in every way. Later, some of us fixed sandwiches and lit candles placed on a big birthday cookie that had 'Happy Birthday Allie' written in icing through the middle. Instead of icecream, Allie had requested pudding. A funny memory of chocolate, butterscotch, and tapioca.

We donned our Baylor shirts and Beau's family joined us with their Texas Tech paraphernalia; bright red and black. We enjoyed so much visiting with all of them and wished we could get together much more than we do. Once a year or so is not nearly enough and I thought to myself... how blessed we are to be connected to such amazing families through the life choices of our children; every single one filled with good and Godly people! God has poured out incredible blessings in the people area and we are so thankful for each one.

As far as the Baylor Bears is concerned; the game did not go well, but the day itself could not have been more perfect with warm temperatures for November and lots of sunshine. Sadly, Claire Bear did not feel well so she and her mommy and daddy stayed at our house during the game to take care of her. We now know the fever was from a double ear infection and our sweet; normally happy Claire just did not feel "fit for nothin' " as Mamaw Selke would say. The nights were exhausting for her; and for Allan and Emily as well. Darrell and I stayed home from church to do what we could to keep Claire entertained while her daddy went to play golf with Coby Sunday morning and so that Emily could get a bit of extra sleep. Beau, Sara, and Asher left to have breakfast and visit with some close friends who live in Temple. Darrell went to pick up the Powell boys from Coby and Adrielle's so that Amy and Allie could take off for their Mommy/daughter retreat in Dallas. Jack and Cooper played football until their cheeks were red and Cooper was getting cranky from trying his best two-year-old tackling techniques on his big brother. They had so much fun and we had so much fun watching them. When Skyler arrived she got right in the middle with her cute little hair bow, twirly skirt and got the football. Cooper tackled her and it was so funny to watch such a girly-girl hold her own with a bruiser of one of her cousin buddies. A perfect afternoon it was; Claire started feeling better, the Waters got back from Temple; Coby and Allan finished a fun round of golf and when Corey got back, we could honestly say, "The gang's all here"... except for Amy and Allie. It was wild and crazy, but so much fun! As Skyler crawled up into my lap she pointed at my glasses and said, "I like your windows." Such a funny funny little girl! I guess she was trying to find something good to say since I hadn't taken the time to really brush my hair, put on make-up, or install my daily contacts. I love that my grandkids are affirming even when I'm at my worst.

Saying 'good-bye' as everyone decided to head home was another adventure. We don't just leave in our family; saying good-bye is a project. Loading, kids crying, squealing, running, unpacking, packing again, finding missing toys, shoes, diaper bags, etc. Folding up pack-n-plays, getting the dogs to quit licking babies in the face, brushing the dirt off clean clothes, holding, kissing good-bye once more, carseats; more screaming, calming, starting videos (what a great invention), going back in the house for sippy cups, travel snacks, a stray sock; more hugs, closing the doors, fastening seatbelts and they're off. We wave until they are out of sight, sadly sigh wishing they had trickled out more slowly. We go into our quiet house and straighten the mess of leftover love and laughter, and then crash.... at least for a little while. What a great weekend! I LOVED every minute of it.