Seaside, Florida, 2011

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Matthew 22:37

Spending time with my family helps me to take care of my heart, soul, and mind. I am truly blessed! Spending time with these three makes me the happiest person in the world! I was meant to be a grandmommy.

Kirsten and Tucker had a blast! Tucker loved spending a week with his cousins. What memories! Look at his beautiful smile.

My Cool Dudes!

Love this bookstore! Unique and fun!

Outside Elmo's Grill. Great food and yes, they had Elmo's everywhere.

At the well-known Red Bar Restaurant at Grayton Beach. What an experience!

The house we rented for the week. It was a huge hit with everyone. Randy and I rode bikes around the community almost every day. 38 A is a great place to stay and quite a different experience than a condo and all of the people.

Skyler and Hannah had fun. We were happy that she came with us.

Look at my adorable babies!  We absolutely can't wait to go back. It was like we had our own private beach and it was beautiful.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12

On Dec. 17, 2011, my dear and loving father turned 79. Everyone in the family that can goes out to eat for my mother and daddy's birthdays. It is difficult to talk daddy into going out, but he usually gives in. He likes to go somewhere close, so we went to Winfield to the Plantation Restaurant.
I am so blessed to have such wonderful parents. My sister and I honor and respect our parents. My wish is that my children respect my husband and me as much. My parents raised us to respect authority and do what is right. My dad did not go to church when I was a child, but I knew what a good man he was by how he lived and how he treated me. My mother took my sister and me to church our whole lives. Today, my dad faithfully attends church. I will never forget the first time I heard my daddy pray on Thanksgiving, 2010. I cried because it made me so happy.

Joshua 24:15...choose you this day whom ye will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

My, how time flies! We spent a wonderful vacation with my children and grandchildren at Seaside, Florida this past summer. Hannah was able to go, too. We rented a house, spent time on the beach, rode bikes, ate, ate, ate, watched movies, played games, shopped, and spent time together. The morning we left, Randy told the kids, "This was the best beach trip we ever had."

If you have never read any of Sister Jane McWhorter's writings, make your day happy by opening up one of her books and spend some time getting to know a wonderful Christian lady.

Great Saturday

Write on thy heart every word.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10

Peyton and I went to hear Brenda Ladun, 33/40 news anchor, speak today about her trials with cancer, not once, but twice. She is a terrific speaker and a terrific person.

When we got home, we spent the rest of the day enjoying the children. Rode the four wheeler, played with the dog, fed the fish at the pond, played ball, grilled out, Mom and Dad came to visit awhile.

What a beautiful day! How blessed are we!

Anniversary, 2011

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.” Winnie the Pooh

On Tuesday, Randy called me at school. He rarely calls so I immediately asked what was wrong. He just thought we might be able to get away this weekend for our anniversary. He said maybe Vicksburg, MS or Breaux Bridge, LA. I said great, to let me know if he could. He called back on Wednesday morning and said that it didn’t look like he’d be able to go after all, too much going on at work. He called again on Thursday saying it was on again. Where’d I want to go?

We’ve been to Vicksburg several times for our Anniversary and it has kind of become our anniversary place. As of 10:00 Thursday night, we were going to Vicksburg. Book Anchuca, our Bed and Breakfast. Friday morning, when he kissed me goodbye for work, he said, “I think I’d like to go to Franklin, TN.” So off we go around  2;00 p.m. without a place to stay, the few Bed and Breakfasts in Franklin booked. The owner at one B&B recommended Franklin Cool Springs Marriott, so 30 minutes out, I called and made a reservation.

Friday night, we had steaks at Jonathan’s. Randy loved the asparagus and we both loved the fried artichoke.

On Saturday, we bolted out of bed at 8:00, surprised that we both slept soundly that long. We got free breakfasts at Lorraine’s, Marriott’s restaurant and a promotion they were running for weekend guests.

My chandelier. 

My anniversary present from Randy.

Then we set out for the Historic Downtown Franklin. First, we stopped at the shops at The Factory, a very nice specialty stores and booth type mall.

To the left, as you enter, is one of the nicest antiques mall that I’ve ever visited and I’ve been to quite a few. I could have stayed several hours just in this one building.

 I found some etched glass and gold trimmed dessert plates that Randy bought me as an anniversary present. Absolutely adore them.

I was shocked to find a chandelier like the one that I had purchased at auction a couple of months back. The price was $1175.00. Let me tell you about my best auction purchase ever. Mom and I went to B & B Antiques Auction in Winfield. I love this auction and have bought many things in my home there, rugs, furniture, china, depression glass, etc. I really didn’t have anything particular that I wanted to bid on that day other some flo blue plates.

We had gone over to the hunting club to eat lunch. Dad cooked fish and wanted us to come by, so we were late getting to the auction. When I sat down at B&Bs, I immediately said “ Look,” pointing directly over my head at a chandelier. “I’d love to have that in my foyer. ” Mom said, “You can’t afford that.”

I bought a couple of stained glass windows. The auction was winding down. Everything was going cheaper than usual and Mr. Webster was ill, even more so that normally. I went to pay behind a short line. I walked over to the side and he said, “Let me sell this light here. I wasn’t going to sell any lights today, but someone asked for this one.” I turned around and Brandon was pointing a yard stick at ‘my light.’ I couldn’t believe it. He said, “A thousand, “in his auction voice and then, “$500. Does no one want it?” Someone said, “$100.”   Then, “ $125.”  I couldn‘t believe it . I said “$150.00.” No one else said anything. He said, “Sold. I hope you know the deal you got. The tag on it says $1150.00.”  I was shocked and elated.

Now back to Franklin. There was my light hanging in this shop. I called Randy over to show him.

I bought a few little items. We had lunch at a unique Mellow Mushroom, even for Mellow Mushroom. Then we went up and down the streets of Franklin, into the cutest stores. I bought the girls some earrings.

Then we went to tour the Civil War plantation, Carnton. I called Georgia to ask her about the novel she had read about Carnton. It is, The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks. I purchased it at the gift shop and can’t wait to find the time to read it.

Carrie's grave.

We both enjoyed the tour and visiting the cemetery. Over 9,000 solders were wounded, killed, or missing at the Battle of Franklin, 7000 confederates. Many were never identified;1481 buried in the cemetery on the grounds.

We wanted a Japanese Steakhouse  for dinner so decided on Shogun. We could have made a better choice had we been some place more familiar, but it was good.

Sunday morning, we had another huge breakfast and went to Franklin Church of Christ. It never fails that when we start to talk with people that we find someone who knows someone we know. The first lady who greeted us knew the Hamners in Fayette. Then the family sitting behind us knew Pam and Ginger, maiden name Higgins. The lady’s maiden name was Evaline Ward. She had gone to school at Bluff and graduated from Fayette County High School. Her mom lives in Bluff and attends Mount Olive Church of Christ.. She knew the Deavours name and couldn’t wait to talk with her mom to ask her about our family.  How fun to meet new people through connections! We had lunch at Pucketts, an obviously popular place by the wait and the number of people having lunch inside and out.  We both liked the casual atmosphere and highly recommend it if you visit Franklin.

On the way home, we made a side trip to Nolensville’s Amish Market. I wanted to get several loaves of bread. Even though the scenic route was nice, I probably would not recommend taking this side trip.

We had a great weekend. It was nice to get away and spend some time together. Randy, thanks for asking. It was such a nice surprise!  We’ll definitely be going back to Franklin, TN.. (Missed the family. Diet tomorrow. )

Incidentally, the Winnie the Pooh saying at the beginning of this entry, hangs in my bathroom, where Randy and I can see it every day.

Wow! 32 years. What a blessed life!!

My Guys Love to Turkey Hunt

My husband, Randy, and my son, Skyler, both killed a turkey the first day of the season. There are only two kinds of wild game I eat, turkey and quail. So I actually want them to go turkey hunting.  I’m  having the Deavours family to my house the Sunday before Easter for lunch and we are having fried turkey. It is important to me for our family to get together occasionally no matter how large the family gets. I have the best nieces and nephews anyone could ask for.  Sometimes I feel as if I love my family so much that I might burst and God commands us to love Him even more.

Genesis 29:20  says, And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

That’s the kind of love that I pray often for my children to have and a mate that will help them get to Heaven. I have such a mate and I thank God for sending him to me.

Pictured are ladies who spoke at the Cleveland Church of Christ Ladies Day.

The following is the lesson I presented.

Two elderly couples were enjoying each other’s company when one of the men asked the other, “Henry, how was the memory clinic you went to last month?”

 “Outstanding,  They taught us all the latest psychological  techniques like visualization, association, focus, and repeat. It was great.”

 “Well that’s good! What was the name of the clinic?”

 Henry went blank. He thought and thought, but he couldn’t remember. Then a smile broke across his face and he asked, “What do you call that flower with the long stem and thorns?”

 “You mean a rose?”

 “Yes, that’s it!”

 He turned to his wife: “Rose, what was the name of that memory clinic?”

Have you ever heard someone say? “My life has not been a bed of roses.”  We think how sad when we hear that statement from someone.  We might think “You must have lived a tragic life or something bad must have happened to you to say such a thing.”

But think about it. Beds of roses also have thorns. Those velvety petals with the lovely fragrance have nasty thorns,  some as large as the size of a fingernail, some are prickly like a cactus. Life is often riddled with thorns. Are we willing to suffer the thorns of life to enjoy God’s beautiful creation?

Thorns press in on us and often prick us. What thorn is pricking you?

                                                                                                                                              

Sometimes thorns prick us by way of vicious words spoken by those we love or from people with whom we work. Sometimes its hateful glares or complete silence.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7

Charles Dickens  wrote,    Never close your lips to those to whom you have opened your heart.                         

Jesus said in Luke 16:10 - “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”

When someone pricks you with mean looks or hateful comments,

how do you react to the thorns in your life?

David said in Psalm 139:23-24, my favorite scripture, says Search me, o God and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

Other times thorns pierce us as we are rejected by people we love, those we trusted, maybe a boyfriend, even a beloved husband, a mother or father who abandons us, a child who disrespects us, a friend who betrays us.

Paul  wrote to the Ephesians 4:32 - “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

 Isaiah 26:3-4

 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

David wrote in Psalms 25:2 - “O my God, I trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”

Matthew 22:37–39 It was the Sadducee who asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment.
Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

 A life with love will have some thorns, but a life without love will have no roses.

Consider the thorns Christ suffered for us.

                                                                                                                                              

Other thorns puncture us so deep that they may not come out so easily, they may fester and be a constant trouble. You may have lost your job or a home, you may not be able to provide for your family the way you use to, you may be retired and your income is fixed, as the economy grows bleaker. You or someone you know may have a chronic illness.

Isaiah 40:31 

 ³¹But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Do you believe Philippians 4:19?

 ¹⁹But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I love what the author of Job says in Job 9: 27 If I say I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness or  (sad face) and comfort myself or (wear a smile) The New American Standard says put on a happy face. When I think of the petty complaints I hear some times, I remember this verse and the hardships many are going through.

You can either complain that rosebushes have thorns - or rejoice that thorn bushes have roses.

Philippians 4:4 - “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”
Even in times of trouble

Paul said in 1 Thess. 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Writtne by Paul  ²⁰Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

 ²¹Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

I encourage you to plant scripture in your heart.

Turn in your Bible to Eph. 3:20-21.

One way I teach my Bible students to remember verses is to chunk. You teachers are familiar with chunking.

Christ can dwell in our hearts. We can be rooted and grounded in love.  Eph. 3:17

And we can be filled with all the fullness of God.  Eph. 3.19 If we let him, God can transform our thorns into things of beauty.

A thorn in your life may even be someone with whom you worship.
There are people in every fellowship who take joy in finding something bad about somebody else. When they hear something ugly, they take great delight in exposing it.

Love does not rejoice in iniquity. Love wishes that it never happened. Love tries to cover it. That doesn’t mean we condone sin, we cover it. Not “cover-up,” but cover it much like two of Noah’s sons did. 

Noah had three sons, Ham, Shem, and Japheth. Ham came and saw his father’s nakedness and was quick to tell others. Shem and Japheth walked backward into the tent and covered their father to help him cover his shame – not to condone what he had done, but to cover it.
Wouldn’t the world be a lot better place if we had that spirit? When the enemy tempts you to “stir the pot,” remember that love rejoiceth not in iniquity. 1Cor 13:6

Paul wrote to the Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all men especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Proverbs 10:12 - “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
Paul said to the Ephesians 4:32 - “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

Isaiah 55:7 ⁷Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

 Let us always remember as Christians 1 Thess 5:15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

Our Lord said in John 15: 12 This is my commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you.    And again in vs. 17

Let us not be a thorn to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Obamas do it each night, and some families do it over dinner. Maybe you’ve even played it.  It’s the "roses and thorns" game.  It is when you describe a good thing that happened that day which represents a rose and a low moment or a problem that happened that day which represents a thorn. What a great tradition to start with your family to keep communication opened!

One of the best ways to make life special for your family is to create traditions or special moments that your family can reminisce about for years to come. My husband and I have our special song. He also has written love letters many years into our marriage that I will treasure forever and he has written several songs and tape recorded them for me.

A card that I carry everywhere is a simple one he attached to roses several years ago on Valentine’s Day. This is what it says,   A thousand roses couldn’t express the love that I have for you. 6 roses seems like only half of what is perfect. But 6 represents half of our lives we have spent together which were wonderful. And 6 represents the other half which I am looking forward to that I know will be great. You’re the only Valentine I have ever had and the only  one I ever will.

Do we have a perfect marriage? No one does, but we work at having a Christian family.

There is a song by a popular country music artist.  He says this about sitting around talking to his granddad.

Oh man we were livin
Sittin' there reminiscin'
We sang and talked and traveled back in time
We laughed until we cried

How many times have you laughed with family members until you cried? What joy when this happens!

Remember the sweet smell of roses not the hurt of the thorns.

We make a choice each day to be happy or crabby, helpful or hurtful, forgiving or forgetful, loving or hateful, friendly or discourteous, gracious or ill-mannered, peaceful or trouble making. 

Are we true southern ladies? When I think of a southern lady that I admire, many things come to mind. A gracious, caring, Bible loving Christian woman who doesn’t concentrate on the thorns but the beauty of the rose and the beauty that life brings. I’m so blessed to have three children and three grandchildren who bring much beauty to my life.

Paul wrote in Colossians 3:6 Let your speak always be with grace, seasoned with salt.

My image of a true southern lady would never let a curse cross her lips. But do we as Christians? I hope not.

A Bible school teacher asked a little boy to finish this proverb: “Cleanliness is next to...” And he said, “Cleanliness is next to impossible.” It’s easier to stay away from “stinkin’ thinkin’” when your mind is focused on the Word of God. Ask God this “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:4-5
I’ve work with children most of my life. It has been said that
We need 4 hugs a day for survival.
We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance.
We need 12 hugs a day for growth.
I try to hug and say I love you to as many children as I can every day at school. Children need smiles, and hugs and love. I’m a strong disciplinarian, but you can still be one while showing kindness and love. Find the best in every child and try hardest not to be a thorn to a child.

Benjamin Franklin  said,  “The sentence which has most influenced my life is, "Some persons grumble because God placed thorns among roses. Why not thank God because He placed roses among thorns?"  I first read it when but a mere lad. Since that day it has occupied a front room in my life’ Don’t you think Ben Franklin was a happy man with that kind of attitude.

                                                                                                                                       

One of the best ways to remove the thorns and focus on the sweet smelling roses in our lives is to concentrate daily on God’s word. I enjoy reading Christian literature. I keep a journal of church lessons and scripture. I refer to it often and it helps me remember specific lessons and scriptures.  Research shows that review and repetition is the best for long term retention.

I’ve learned much by keeping notes in a journal of gospel sermons and classes.

Another way to remove the thorns and focus on the sweet smell of roses is by doing good for others.In the Letter to the Hebrews  Heb 13:16  Paul wrote,” But to do good and  communicate or share forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” We know that God is pleased with us when we do good.  New American Standard  says, Do not neglect doing good.

I recently started a blog called The Servant Heart.  When Tucker was in the hospital, I was searching for an article on the Southern Living site when I came upon some Christian blogs. What a great way to spread God’s word, share recipes, and grow a list of ways to serve while keeping in touch with family, friends, and even strangers who love the Lord!

Our focus daily must be on the Lord and sharing our blessings with those in need.

II Thess 3:13 Do not grow weary of well doing.

A merry heart doeth good Proverbs 17:22

In conclusion, thorns can leave wounds, even scars. However, God has given us his promises.

Philippians 4:4-7 (King James Version)

 ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

 ⁵Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

 ⁶Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 ⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

1 Thess 18 says, In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus .

And  when the thorns seem the deepest remember that Jesus is our friend   He said, in John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.