Haiti Relief

Bag of Supplies
Bryn receiving Sis. Angie's supply bag.

Blake and Bryn receiving and stacking the supply bags.

Part of the load in Bro. Douglas' truck.

Our church wanted to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti and we teamed with Compassion Services International to make bags of supplies for distribution to those in need. The response was overwhelming and I am so thankful to all who participated. Douglas and Kandas Johnson volunteered to pay the hundreds of dollars for shipping and I want to add my heartfelt thanks to their generosity. When such a huge disaster strikes, one can feel compelled to help but think there isn't much they could do. Remember this - when your contribution whether large or small is combined with hundreds of other donations, it becomes great. It reminds me of a song that says, "...little is much, when God is in it, labor not for wealth or fame..." I hope our meager efforts bring hope and help to those our bags of supplies reach.

A Kiss

Bryn: Kiss? Blake: NO!!!
Bryn: Too late! Blake: Yuck!!!
Awwww...but they really do love each other.

What? Already A Teenager???

Baby Blake
Blake found this snapshot in one of his photo albums
and he took it out, bought a frame,
and gave it to me for Christmas.
Mr. Mischievous

Laughing

Sweet

Thinking

Playing

Cute

Charming

Tired

Posing

Handsome

Teasing

Yes, I think there is a hint of fuzz on his upper lip.

"Mommy, I think by my birthday I am going to need to shave because I am starting to get hair above my lip," Blake told me much to my disbelief. What happened to my baby?!? Surely it was just yesterday that he was a baby in my arms. Where has the time gone??? Well, time has certainly flown.

When he was first born, he would instantly wake up and scream until a bottle was in his mouth. His dad would rush to get a bottle while I changed his diaper. Once fed, he would again sleep peacefully in his crib. At just three or four years old, he would awaken before everyone else, make his way to the kitchen, and find something to eat. He has always had an appetite!

It has been four years since I had a teenager in the house and now my baby boy is stepping into the teen bracket. This has been an interesting year watching him vacillate between boy and young man. He is beginning to eat more "grown up" meals with v-e-g-e-t-a-b-l-e-s, he no longer orders from the kids menu at restaurants, and I think he has grown several inches because I now have to look up to him. He still loves to learn, loves soccer, and, I think, his favorite thing is to still have someone sit and talk with him. Smart, curious, ornery, loyal, tender-hearted, thoughtful, independent, self-sufficient, and fun are just a few words that describe him. One thing is certain, he is still my "Good Looking" sweetheart. He voluntarily kisses me goodbye each morning on his way to school, and will holler, "I love you," when he gets out of the car at school. He has not reached "that stage" where he is embarrassed to "love his mom," and I hope he never does. He stole my heart the minute he was born and no matter how big he gets, he will always be my baby boy.

Happy 13th Birthday, Blake!!!

What Lies Within You?

What lies behind us

and what lies before us

are tiny matters

compared to what lies within us.

- William Morrow

Gloriously Conquer

Some day, in years to come, you will be wrestling with the great temptation, or trembling under the great sorrow of your life. But the real struggle is here, now, in these quiet weeks. Now it is being decided whether, in the day of your supreme sorrow or temptation, you shall miserably fail or gloriously conquer. Character cannot be made except by a steady, long continued process.
- Phillips Brooks

Gloriously conquer because character counts.

Worth It

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

- Beverly Sills

So, go ahead, persevere, and enjoy

because the journey will be worth it.

A Time to Laugh, A Time to Cry

Only in California will you find Palm Trees

where the valley floor and the foothills collide.

The beautiful, green farmland of the San Joaquin Valley

surrounded by the gorgeous Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The beautiful foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains

There were a few sprinkles of rain as we drove towards the cemetery.

Florance & Charles (seated, right side of picture, facing camera)

This pic was taken at our annual senior luncheon last year.

Yesterday, was a beautiful day in the San Joaquin Valley. From the valley floor, the Sierra Nevada Mountains could be clearly seen and the foothills were a lush green. It was a day to enjoy and yet a day to mourn. I was mesmerized with the view as we drove to a nearby town to perform the funeral of Sis. Florance's husband, Charles. This world and life work together like hand-in-glove and beauty is given to us even on dark, cloudy days. The last two years of Charles life were clouded by disease but precious memories pour sunshine through the clouds. Rest in peace, Charles.

My Girl, Talking About My Girl

My heart melts everytime I look into those beautiful eyes.

In Heaven Now...

My dear friend, and fellow blogger, has now passed and entered the land where there will be no more sickness or pain. She valiantly fought cancer and was even nicknamed the "Iron Lady" by her family and hospice nurses. I want to thank all of you who prayed for Janiver Brown, read her blog and left her encouraging comments. Her homegoing service will be this Saturday. Please continue to pray for her husband, children, family and the congregation of which she was the first lady.

Rest in peace, dear Janiver, until we meet again.

Bryn's Hairdo

Bryn and Karry

The Saturday and Sunday following Christmas, Brian and I were both sick apparently with a flu virus. We pushed ourselves to go to Sunday morning service and, afterwards, my friend Karry offered to take Bryn and Blake with her family for the afternoon so Brian and I could rest. Now isn't that a good friend?!?!? :) Of course, Bryn wanted to have her hair fixed like Karry's girls. Karry fixed Bryn's hair and it was so cute. However, the afternoon had taken its toll. In the Sunday evening service, Bryn conked out - - - but her hair held up.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Bryce singing at our Annual Christmas Concert.