Birthday Number Twenty-One

So, my dear little baby girl, have we really reached this milestone? You are twenty-one years old today. Let me say this again. It has been twenty-one years since a gorgeous bundle of pink and white entered our lives and became the darling of her parents and twelve year old sister. And having gone through the stages of babyhood, toddlerhood, childhood, adolescence, and the teen years, now here you are a young woman, yet you continue to be the special girl we all love and want to look after and make sure you're alright. 

As unbelievable as it seems in so many ways to think of you as a woman, it's also something for which we're so very thankful. You've gone through all these years, and stages, and have arrived at this important time of life having the Lord on your side and keeping a desire to please Him in your choices and lifestyle. You've kept your love for family, ALL your family, from your parents to your sister and brother-in-law, and as everyone knows, your darling little nieces. And you've been a blessing to each and every one of us. 

You've made plans for your life, and they're good and godly ones. We hope you feel our support and good wishes as you look to the future. Hopefully, you'll be used of our Lord, whether you pursue nursing, which has been your dream (and a good one), or God leads you in some other direction by and by. Whatever road you're on, let Him be the guide in everything. Who knows what He has in store for you? All we ask is that you never leave Him out of anything that comes your way. If that's true, we know you'll be fine.

Happy Birthday. We love you.

Dad and Mom

Happy Five Years Old!

To our happy twirly five year old! You are five already? How did that happen so fast? But that's a good thing because it's a happy thing for us to see you growing and learning. And it's also so nice to see you still being such a helper to your mommy. Now that you're older, you can REALLY help her a lot--and you do! And sometimes you like to help me too and I'm sure you're a helper with other people when you get a chance. So God gave you a helper's heart, and we're very thankful to see that in you. And guess what, Shana? You are right in the middle of your sisters. That means you can learn things from Selena, and it also means you can teach Gracie things. Now that is pretty special that you get to do both!

You already know that PopPop and I love you SO MUCH. And you and Nanna like to hang out together, don't we? We like to eat good things together and hold hands. And you're still not too big to sit on my lap! You even said so the other day. :) Now, what makes your daddy and mommy and all the rest of us the happiest is that you want to love and please God. We will pray that all your life that will be what you want most. We'll keep praying that Jesus will be very precious to you and have first place in your heart.

We love you! Happy Birthday, Sweetie.

Nanna (and PopPop)

Happy Birthday, Sariah Grace!

Gracie! Two years old! I was remembering this morning those exciting days when we were waiting for you to come and then you were born, making us all so happy and you've been making us all happy ever since. What a delight you have been and now you're leaving babyhood and becoming another sweet little girl in our midst. Thank you, dear Gracie, for all your smiles, hugs and kisses, and pats on the back. Thank you for loving us, because we sure do love you--a LOT.

You're getting to be the age that you understand things better, and it's our prayer that you will understand all that the Bible teaches about Jesus and that you'll grow to love Him and want to please Him more than anybody else. if you do you'll be happy, Sweetheart. You'll be blessed.

We're so thankful God gave you a good home with a Daddy and Mommy who love you and two sisters who have cherished you from the moment you first arrived two years ago. I'm sure you're thankful too.

God bless you and Happy Birthday, dear precious Gracie.

Love,
Nanna (and PopPop)

Happy Birthday to Selena!

So, guess who it was that first made me a grandmom? Yep, it was you! Every time your birthday rolls around, I think back to hearing those first cries from my little itsy bitsy granddaughter coming from behind the curtain. What a blessed privilege that was! And now, that's been SEVEN whole years ago. Shall I say that again? You are seven! WOW. But you're still the same sweet and fun Selena we've had all along--just a bit older.

Keep being the same girl you are, Sweetheart. That's why you have so many friends, because you make others happy to be around you. And, of course, WE'RE always happy to have you around US too. Keep being a shining light for others, especially your sisters. What a wonderful and important thing it is to have others look up to you as the oldest. And you're doing a good job. You always have taken good care of Shana and Gracie. And we're glad they have you as an example in obeying your daddy and mommy too.

God bless you on your birthday, Lena. And most important of all: Keep loving Jesus.

Happy Birthday ! We love you so much!

Nanna (and PopPop)

It is Finished

(Image Credit: http://heycheng.tumblr.com)

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

Giving Thanks

If these darling creatures can give thanks for God's provisions, then surely we can. Hope you are all well and your families blessed of the Lord. We are doing fine.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Three Year Old Shana!

Well you can see early autumn is grandchildren birthday time in our family, and today it's Shana's time to shine. Three years old!! 

Shana, you are our sweet little cuddly girl. Always ready and willing to snuggle with the people you love. You make us happy when you look at us with those eyes and give us those hugs and kisses. You're a big girl. now!! For almost three years you've been the baby girl and the little sister, but now you're also a big sister. You really surprised some of us. Being the baby for all your life, I was thinking MAYBE you'd be just a little envious of the new baby that was coming to your house, But almost a month ago, your new little sister arrived and NOBODY loves her more than you do. I remember how you warmed our hearts the way you kept saying "Awwwww, look at her. Look at the little baby. Look at her little hands. Awww." Well you've always been one who loves baby dolls and now you have one who's living and breathing right in your house. And you're still as sweet to her as the first day, giving her lots of kisses. Someday, I think you're going to be a good mommy and your children will love you as much as you love your own mommy. 

Someday, we all hope you will be as accepting and loving to Jesus as you are to the people you care about. Someday, we all hope you'll live up to the Proverbs 31:30 verse your mommy and daddy have given you to live by, and that you will be a woman who fears the Lord, and that will make you beautiful.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Hugs and Kisses,

Nanna

Another Girlie!!

God in His kind mercies has added another girlie to our family. My husband and I are rejoicing to see yet another granddaughter added to the number. Now there are three!!! Sariah Grace arrived on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, weighing in at seven pounds, two ounces, 20 inches long, and adorable as all get out!

If you will look closely, you will see the loving hands of her big sister, Shana, who was the last arrival almost three years ago. (How time has flown.) Big sister, Selena, now five, was somewhere around too. I don't know which one adores her more! 

All you grandmoms are sure to know the excitement we're feeling right now. We are richly blessed.

Five Years Old!

I can hardly believe it was five years ago today. I heard your first cries from the other side of the curtain in the delivery room and waited so your daddy and mommy could have a few minutes with just the three of you. When I first saw you, you were only about three minutes old and I loved you right from the start. Actually even before that. There was a lot of excitement that day and there were many people who came to see you and they all fell in love with you as soon as they saw you. Of course for me, PopPop and Auntie Nee, our love for you has only grown as these five years have gone by. But that's because you're so easy to love. You have such a bright and happy spirit. You're so helpful and friendly and excited about learning new things. The Lord has given you a mind that likes learning new things which you are very good at. You are a blessing to all of us and we thank the Lord for bringing you into our lives.

Our biggest prayer for you is not so much that you be smarter than anybody else or that you can run faster or jump higher than anybody else, but that you will love Jesus with all your heart and that he helps you to be the kind of person that pleases Him. We kind of think we see  Him already working in your heart and that makes all of us very happy.

Thanks for wanting to share your big day with us. We had a wonderful time with you and Shae-Shae this weekend. 

God bless you, dear Selena, and may heaven smile on you this coming year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Kisses and Hugs, 

Nanna

Extra Special Christmas Gift

Even though the Lord Jesus Himself is the most special gift that has ever been given to us, His children, He chose in His providential goodness to give our family an extra special gift during the Christmas season of 1992. She was born on December 22nd of that year and came to us all wrapped in pink and white on December 26th. She stole our hearts right away. . . can't you see why?

So, every year on this date, in the midst of all the seasonal merriment, we celebrate this special Christmas gift. This year's celebration is a significant one, however. Today is the eighteenth one and you know what that means. Not only are we thankful that the Lord has allowed us to share this day with Neesie as she reaches this milestone, but we're able to rejoice that God has seen fit to draw her to Himself and that as she reaches young adulthood she continues to look to Him to guide and direct her life. We know He will.

Neesie captured the heart of her dad and mom and big sister on that day after Christmas eighteen years ago and continues to do so. Now added to the number of those who love her dearly are a brother-in-law and two doting nieces. And I can honestly say there are quite a few others among family and friends who consider her a truly special gift.

Somewhere in her childhood we began to recite Psalm 121 to her at bedtime, and that tradition continues to this day. Needless to say, that passage is her life verse(s) and we put its reference on every birthday cake and card. So as I say "Happy Birthday, dear Neesie", I say it with a prayer that the reality of these words in the psalm will keep you looking upward all the days allotted to you. We love you very much.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth. . .The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. From Psalm 121

"Silver" Church Anniversary

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

In September of 1983 my husband and I and our three year old daughter gathered with three other couples and their children for a picnic. Now having a picnic with other families is not an unusual occurrence by any means, but this meeting together was special in nature. You see, this group came together that day to discuss the possibility of establishing a church in our area. We were all like-minded in our theology and in what we believed concerning what God required of His Church in its worship. For a year we met as a Bible Study, with the help and covering of an established congregation which "mothered" us and with continued growth in our number during that year. Then, in September 1984, we had our first worship service, meeting for another year as a fellowship. By God's mercies, in December of 1985 we constituted as an official church body and ordained our pastor, who remains to this day.

Tomorrow, we are having a celebration of our 25th anniversary as a body of believers. We started out in a school, have at times used borrowed facilities graciously lent to us by other congregations, and for the past eighteen years worshipped in a building of our own. The faces of the various people meeting at one time or another have changed over the years. There have been glorious days and painful days. We have been a people with feet of clay, as is the case with every single child of God in every single congregation on the face of the earth. After all, aren't we all sinners in need of daily forgiveness? We have pressed on, however, seeking to serve our Lord and doing our best to honor Him.

But this is not a post about us; it's about the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus Himself who has been kind enough to allow us to see this anniversary, still proclaiming His Person and Work. It's most of all an expression of my gratefulness to a Savior who has promised to meet with His people at each and every gathering in His Name on this earth, wherever that gathering may be and even if they're only two or three of them.

These are the words of my dear Bishop Ryle on Matthew 18:20:

"There is comfort in these words for all who love to meet together for religious purposes. At every assembly for public worship, at every gathering for prayer and praise, at every missionary meeting, at every Bible reading, the King of kings is present, Christ Himself attends. We may be often disheartened by the small number who are present on such occasions, compared with the number of those who meet for worldly ends; we may sometimes find it hard to bear the taunts and ridicule of an illnatured world, which cries like the enemy of old, "What do these feeble people?" (Nehem. iv.2) But we have no reason for despondency: we may boldly fall back on these words of Jesus. At all such meetings we have the company of Christ Himself." ~ J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Matthew.

Thank you, dear Lord Jesus, for your faithfulness to us these past twenty-five plus years. Help us to "persevere and not be ashamed," as Mr. Ryle further exhorts.

Our church website is here. Also the above picture is a drawing of our building.

Shana's Turn!

Now it's birthday time for Shana. As of tomorrow, our little Shae-Shae will be all of two years old! Do you remember when I posted about her birth? How can that possibly be two years ago?! Well, it has been and she is no longer a little baby. That doesn't mean Nanna can't still hold her on the lap and cuddle and give lots of kisses and hugs. She'll never get too old for THAT as far as I'm concerned.

Many people love little Shae. Of course, her mommy and daddy do; her big sister REALLY does, her Auntie Nee does too, and I could go on and on. But need I say, that she has a Nanna and Poppop who love her and are so thankful to the Lord for her and all the happiness she brings to all of us with her winsome little ways.

God bless you, sweet Shana-Bana. And may you come to love HIM even while you're young. We'll keep praying for you and your big sister.

Four Years Old!

When I started blogging in July of 2006, in every post that I wrote in those days she was centric. You see, at that time she was still in the womb and I was about to become a grandmother for the first time. Those of you who have been there know what it's like.

She was born on Labor Day of that year. I saw her just a few minutes after her birth, lying on her mama's belly with her eyes wide open and fixed on her mama's face. I was right outside the curtain when she came out and heard her first cries, a moment I'll never forget.

The baby days and toddler days are over for her and she's now a little girl. A precious little girl who is loved more and more (if that is possible) by her PopPop and Nanna each passing year. She is growing more endearing and delightful each and every day.

We love you very much, Selena. Happy Birthday, four year old!

Happy Birthday, Bev!

Today is another birthday for Bev! For those of you who don't know, Bev is our older daughter. She's also wife to Edie, Mama to Selena and Shana, sister to Neesie, and a friend to countless others. She's now also a busy Christian business lady, working with me as my partner at Speakable Gifts and newly involved in another enterprise called Mommy Bag Marketing. The most important thing about Bev is that she is a child of the King, having a relationship with the Lord Jesus since she was a child. I can attest to the fact that in her case, she came to the Lord at a young age and her heart has been faithful to him since then. Her blog is called The High Calling and she would welcome a visit at any time.

Bev is always doing for others and her husband and sister and a few close friends finally had a chance to do something for her. She couldn't stop them from doing it because they surprised her--with a party on Saturday where all her closest friends and family attended. The picture above was taken at that event.

Happy Birthday, Bev! You are loved by Dad and Mom and many others. And you are a blessing to all of us. Closing with your life verses: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. " Proverbs 3:5-6.

Wedding Blog Party

Today a blogger friend of mine had a very nice post about her wedding, with loads of lovely pictures, wherein she indicated she was taking part in a "Wedding Blog Party." I was immediately interested, partly because I'm a June bride and just had an anniversary, and also because our home business is diligently seeking to venture out and minister to brides with a new line of gifts and favors. So because of that, lately I've been particularly interested in all things wedding related.

After thinking about it and wanting to take part, I then wondered what in the world I would do, since I'm too short on time to copy a bunch of photos from our album, and since presumably we were to tell our stories, that might take me a while. Then I thought of a post I made in 2007 for our anniversary, and thought it would be fitting and proper to post it again for this occasion. Hope you like it!

Stephanie at Angelic Accents is the host of this little party, so if you like wedding stories and photos, you might want to visit there. Wow, you should see Stephanie's collection of wedding things and lots of other items as well! Now, here's a trip down memory lane from a thankful wife:

The Tale of an Arranged Marriage

Once upon a time there was a young lady who dwelt in a humble house in a humble little town in a nearby land. It came to pass that this young lady, who was an ardent baseball fan, became friends with a married couple who lived in a house which was on her selfsame block.

So it was that a few years before, in a faraway territory of the country, this married couple had met a nice young man who was on tour with a minor league baseball team. It later happened that at the time of our tale, the man of the married couple became employed by a local soft drink company. Lo and behold, he was amazed and delighted to find the same young man working there whom he had met some time before as a baseball player in that faraway territory.

The married couple thought that it would be a good idea if this young neighbor lady, who loved baseball, could meet this young co-worker man, who once played baseball. So they asked the young lady, who said “okay.” Then they asked the young man, who said “okay.” A phone number was given to the young man, whereupon a phone call was made to the young lady, and forthwith a first date took place—to where else? A baseball game

Time passed, and by and by, on the 12th day of June, in the year 1971, the young lady from the small town was taken as a bride by the young man who worked for the soft drink company. It was shortly thereafter that this young married couple officially began journeying together with the very One who had arranged and orchestrated all of the details of their lives in order that the aforementioned marriage might take place. This same kind Benefactor has kindly provided them with two daughters, a son-in-law, and a precious granddaughter. He also has bountifully supplied them with love, peace, and harmony.

The picture above is of the newly married couple as they were cutting their wedding cake. Thirty-six years have passed since the hot, humid day in June of that year; the couple is no longer considered young; they have continued to abide in humble dwelling places; and baseball is no longer an important factor in their lives. They are still together by the mercies of the same One who arranged the whole union in the first place. Even though they continue to be recipients of abundant blessings from His hand, it will not be until both of them reach their real home in a far better land, claiming their mansions there while living in the presence of their King, that this couple will live happily ever after.

From me, the once young lady, to my dear hubby, the once young man:

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

The Lord's Doing

This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23

Thirty-nine years ago today, I married a pretty nice guy. I think since it's been going along quite well that I'll keep him. Why has it been going along pretty well? The verse up above explains it. It's the verse I put on my anniversary card almost every year, because it's true. To God be the glory.

Praising My Savior

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Look what I found. My wonderful birds and my mom's favorite hymn together! What a blessing. Are the birds singing his praises where you live? They sure have been around here. Especially early in the morning! We should be more like them...Praising our Savior all the day long!

Blessed to Blog

The other day while going to my dashboard to check my feed, I happened upon a little piece of information that surprised me. I saw that I had made 399 posts so far with Blogger. So that means.. . [drum roll?] . . .yes, this is post number #400! Wow. I had no idea. I think people do special things when they reach these century numbers. Lots of folks have giveaways, but in case you haven't noticed the sticky note at the top of this page, we're having one of those right now at the business blog, so that won't work for this. I didn't know what to do to celebrate, so I decided I'd just count my blessings. Of blogging, that is.

As is true of most of us, there have been times that I've struggled with this whole blogging thing. Mostly the struggles have to do with fitting it into my busy and sometimes hectic life. Sometimes it has had to do with subject matter, feeling a bit brain dead occasionally. It has worked out much better after I made the decision here some months ago. Having settled in with that, blogging is now a definite part of my life, resulting in real blessings. I've thought of these six, but I'm sure there are more:

1. Friends. There are quite a few of you who I sincerely count as friends. We've never met personally, but it just "feels" like we know each other and are kindred in heart and spirit. When I come by your little place on the Internet and refer to you as "sister" or "friend," I really do mean it.

2. Devotions. That's right. Some of the posts which some of you write are nothing short of devotional material as far as I'm concerned. I can't count how many times there has been a blog post that has edified, comforted, challenged, and/or encouraged me.

3. Travel. Now that may sound silly, but you've got a person here who has lived in one state all her life and has seldom traveled far from it. My blogging buddies tell me all about the weather where they are and lots of other goodies about other parts of the country. There have even been a few British and Australian friends that would give little tidbits about their neck of the woods. It's interesting reading about events on the west coast or what it's like to live on a farm and so on.

4. Fun. Love you witty folks. We actually have a lot of fun together! Some of our blogging friends give us something to chuckle about and you know how much we need the merry heart!

5. Helpful information. If you've learned a lot from being a blogger, raise your hand! I know I have. There have been so many times I've learned how to do something or how to save (like our Hands and Hearts blog), found a good recipe, gotten good household tips, etc. To me, that's no small matter and it's a real benefit. Blogging broadens our scope. I like to check in on a few folks who blog about political matters and I learn quite a bit that the regular news don't tell us. Sometimes we can find out things we wish we didn't know, but more often than not they're things we need to know.

6. Self-expression. It's good to be able to have a place to say things to others without even leaving the home. When we have a blog, it's our place where we can say whatever we want (within reason) and we can choose to "converse" with others via comments if we so choose. It's rather nice to chit-chat that way. But most importantly for me, this blog is a place where I can talk about the Lord. That's the best part of all.

So there you have it. I could say so much more, but as usual, I can't stay here long--have a lot to do. Be by to see you soon, friends, but for now you can congratulate me for 400 blog posts!

A White Wedding

One Sunday a couple of months ago, we had a couple of visitors to our church. One was a very friendly young woman, full of vitality and joy in the Lord, the other a quiet and reserved young man with a warm smile and and sweet spirit. Our congregation is somewhat small, so visitors seldom go unnoticed. I went over to meet these two young folks (age about thirty), and was cheerfully greeted by Noelle expressing how thankful she was to be there. Then she proceeded to tell me that she and the young man were probably going to be coming to our church and that they hoped to be married there. I thought they had probably called our pastor that week prior, but he later informed me that he had never talked to them before. The following week he told us that these two folks wanted to be married and wanted to be baptized. They have been saved not too very long, had met each other after a fairly long search for a mate on both their parts, and God had used E-Harmony to bring them together. They wanted to do things in a godly way, not worldly, and wanted to be married quietly, simply, and quickly.

Well after some counseling sessions, it was decided that they would be married by our pastor and hopefully, he would soon baptize them. He talked them into having a wedding with just a few trimmings and a small reception. The bride decided to get a vintage dress from the fifties and the groom decided to have his dad as the best man. We ladies will serve the thirty or so folks who will be attending. We've been excited, especially those who have been helping them put this ceremony and reception together.

And today is the day. But there is a hitch: I am about to go to bed now (it's a little after midnight) and when dawn comes, our first major snowstorm should be just starting. The forecast calls for snow all day and at about the time of the wedding (3:00), it's supposed to be coming down heavily. I hope and pray that this little Christmas wedding can go forth as planned. I pray the best for this couple and covet your prayers as well. Since they have been among us, their commitment to Christ and His ways have been quite a blessing to behold. I hope they are okay with their white Christmas wedding! Seems rather appropriate for a bride named Noelle.

UPDATE: It is now evening and it has turned out to be one of the biggest snowstorms in this area in recent years. Who would have thought that our family would have ventured out on such a day? But we did, and the wedding was WONDERFUL! I wish I had had the presence of mind to ask them if I could post a picture on this blog, but I forgot and I don't like to do that without permission. It was the sweetest and most precious wedding ever. As I said, it was small and intimate and particularly Christ focused. As we sat watching the ceremony, with the church decorated for Christmas, it was so beautiful to look out the window at the snow falling behind the wreaths. Just lovely. The bride was beautiful, the grooms eyes sparkled with that look of the husband taking his long awaited wife, and the words of their vows which they had written were absolutely God glorifying. It was so refreshing to be there. Then, at the end of the reception, the groom's thank you speech was more than anything a presentation of the gospel to his family. Wow. Thank you, Lord, that we went; it was worth the aggravation.

And it's still snowing!

Blessings

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17

I have so much to be thankful for! God has been kind and merciful and I want to thank Him or all my blessings. I wish I had the time to sit here and count them all, and name them one by one. But the list would be so long. I praise and thank Him for that and most of all, for Himself.

I am thankful for each of you who happens to stop by. I am wishing you all a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.