My dear son-in-law Ed is my go-to man for technology. Dh bought me a new computer before the end of the year (the story of the old one is . . . umm . . . embarrassing -- maybe for a later time), and Eddie came over tonight to set up the transfer of stuff from the old computer.
He was long gone when it finally finished, so I tried (and tried) to enable the "disabled" files. Finally, I was able to get my web access opened, and here I am! It sure is nice having everything already on the computer, although I can tell a few things will need to be reinstalled, etc. Thanks, Eddie. You are a dear son-in-law.
Anyway, it is nice to be back. Christmas has been lovely -- we will finish the season on New Year's Day, when my large extended family is at our home for our "big family" Christmas get-together. The Lord willing, my Daddy and Mother will be here -- quite a production, since he must come over an hour from the VA nursing home in Tampa, but we all want to see him and spend time with him. He is so fragile, and has come so close to going Home in the last couple of years, but the Lord has a special reason for leaving this tough old Marine here with us.
Our sweet children surprised us with a special gift -- I feel a sentimental post coming on about it before too long. When our Christmas play is over, I will be chomping at the bit to get on here with flying fingers. Hopefully, remembering Paul's admonition to Timothy concerning those who should be wise women of God, "And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not." (I Tim. 5:13)
What a temptation the Net can be! Wandering about from "house to house", leaving our calling undone, leaving things in print which we ought not. Thank you, Lord, for a good Word to live by in these days of easy access to the "back fence". Keep a watch on my lips, O Lord. (Ps 141:3) Okay, 2007, here we come! To God be the glory.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Are you finished??
Well, one daughter sent an email around this morning on our family loop, listing what she was giving the grandchildren, hoping to avoid duplications. It made me get out my master list (with 21 grandchildren, you need a master list) and check for duplicates (there was one) and update what had been received, what was still in transit, and a few last-minute actual "going-to-the-store-and-buying" items.
So, are you ready? With my dread of shopping, I consider the Internet the best invention in decades. My daughters take more after my husband, the shopaholic (rather, I should say, the bargainaholic), although they do their fair share of online shopping.
We still have some items to get for our Christmas play (feathers for angel wings, fake blood), although it may need to be postponed til the Sunday after Christmas, since there has been a round of flu/colds, etc. through the family, and practice has been non-existent. Wish I could record and post it here -- they are so precious. The older children love drama and music, so they work as diligently as I do to produce something special each Christmas.
Last year, we got a "terrorist" converted -- you should have seen the audience jump when the oldest grandson burst into the room shouting like a terrorist! This year, we had promised a "cowboy Christmas" for the middle grandsons, but they compromised for a sappy sentimental Civil-War era melodrama, since they would get to wear fake blood and carry guns. I must say, these are pretty good productions!
So, I guess this little reminder means I better get up from here and get to town for last-minute items! I have actually talked dh into leaving his office for a few hours to go with me. Well, are you ready?
So, are you ready? With my dread of shopping, I consider the Internet the best invention in decades. My daughters take more after my husband, the shopaholic (rather, I should say, the bargainaholic), although they do their fair share of online shopping.
We still have some items to get for our Christmas play (feathers for angel wings, fake blood), although it may need to be postponed til the Sunday after Christmas, since there has been a round of flu/colds, etc. through the family, and practice has been non-existent. Wish I could record and post it here -- they are so precious. The older children love drama and music, so they work as diligently as I do to produce something special each Christmas.
Last year, we got a "terrorist" converted -- you should have seen the audience jump when the oldest grandson burst into the room shouting like a terrorist! This year, we had promised a "cowboy Christmas" for the middle grandsons, but they compromised for a sappy sentimental Civil-War era melodrama, since they would get to wear fake blood and carry guns. I must say, these are pretty good productions!
So, I guess this little reminder means I better get up from here and get to town for last-minute items! I have actually talked dh into leaving his office for a few hours to go with me. Well, are you ready?
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Let It Snow! and Miracles ...
The older grandchildren (the "Country Cousins") played last night at the Florida Flywheelers' Christmas village, and all the family came out, along with about 15 of our homeschooling friends. It was a nice place to play and sing, an old barn in the village. The children did a great job interacting with the audience (mostly "snowbirds" who have left their grandchildren behind and love to see polite, cheerful children who respect their elders).
For the second set, they played and sang "White Christmas", which of course got the audience singing along. I always sit in the front to keep the performance on track and hold up their cue cards, and somehow, my seat was the one selected -- as the song began, a "snowstorm" of fake flakes descended on my head and my husband's!! Oh, the children loved it, as did the audience! I am still picking styrofoam out of my frizzy hairsprayed hair this morning!
After the performance, we went to a restaurant for late supper and fellowship (the one place in town that could handle 42 of us!). I am afraid this particular place is becoming known as a workplace for kindred spirits of the "alternative" lifestyle. The spirit in the air was almost palpable -- when you bring several large families who have chosen life in Christ into a place where those who have chosen death hold sway, it is no wonder.
Immediately, silent prayers began. The children, littles and teens, lived up to their upbringing, showing themselves to be friendly, cheerful, helpful, and . . . normal! We weren't quite sure what to make of an older couple continuing to stare at the group, until they got up to leave and the lady told us she grew up aas one of 15, and our family reminded her of her good childhood.
Whereas the restaurant staff was irritable and irritated when we came in, they became friendly and helpful. When we left, I heard one of the servers tell the older boys, "Y'all stay polite, okay?" The boys later said he apologized to them for using questionable language when they asked him not to.
One thing we have tried to emphasize with our children is that, yes, the Lord instructs us to avoid the very appearance of evil, and to use prudence in our relationships, etc., but His Word also gives us this principle, ". . . where sin abounded, grace did much more abound". When we find ourselves in spiritually challenging situations, His grace will be there enabling us to live victoriously. It was a visible miracle to me that we had a lovely fellowship time and left a real life testimony to His grace.
For the second set, they played and sang "White Christmas", which of course got the audience singing along. I always sit in the front to keep the performance on track and hold up their cue cards, and somehow, my seat was the one selected -- as the song began, a "snowstorm" of fake flakes descended on my head and my husband's!! Oh, the children loved it, as did the audience! I am still picking styrofoam out of my frizzy hairsprayed hair this morning!
After the performance, we went to a restaurant for late supper and fellowship (the one place in town that could handle 42 of us!). I am afraid this particular place is becoming known as a workplace for kindred spirits of the "alternative" lifestyle. The spirit in the air was almost palpable -- when you bring several large families who have chosen life in Christ into a place where those who have chosen death hold sway, it is no wonder.
Immediately, silent prayers began. The children, littles and teens, lived up to their upbringing, showing themselves to be friendly, cheerful, helpful, and . . . normal! We weren't quite sure what to make of an older couple continuing to stare at the group, until they got up to leave and the lady told us she grew up aas one of 15, and our family reminded her of her good childhood.
Whereas the restaurant staff was irritable and irritated when we came in, they became friendly and helpful. When we left, I heard one of the servers tell the older boys, "Y'all stay polite, okay?" The boys later said he apologized to them for using questionable language when they asked him not to.
One thing we have tried to emphasize with our children is that, yes, the Lord instructs us to avoid the very appearance of evil, and to use prudence in our relationships, etc., but His Word also gives us this principle, ". . . where sin abounded, grace did much more abound". When we find ourselves in spiritually challenging situations, His grace will be there enabling us to live victoriously. It was a visible miracle to me that we had a lovely fellowship time and left a real life testimony to His grace.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
CJ . . .
Okay, you knew it had to happen. I promise it won't be too often. You know, "oh, my grandchild said the cutest thing the other day . . .!" Well, he actually did. Barely-4 year old CJ was here the other day with his daddy, who was setting up the trap-shooting for dh's party. CJ came inside and said his daddy needed a 'stension cord. What kind?, I asked. "He needs a heavy-beauty one!" was his reply.
A Few Things . . .
Today, I got an email that made me wonder . . . it was from irs.gov (the government domain extension), and it said if I would provide my SS number and a credit card number, they would refund $63 to my credit card. Yeah, right. My only question is how do they get away with using the .gov extension?? I reported it as spam.
The week is turning out to be a hectic one. We had our regular "Monday school" at Grandmama's, practicing for the upcoming performances; Tuesday I played for my lovely and talented daughters to sing at their homeschool moms' Christmas tea (they did a wonderful job, of course!); today, we took all the children to a local retirement home, where they blessed the residents with their singing and playing.
Tomorrow, we go to Tampa to the VA to play and sing. My Daddy is over in the hospital again, so I hope we have time to go there, as well. He would be so sad to miss the great-grandchildren. Friday, we go to Ft. Meade to play for the Florida Flywheelers Christmas Village. It's a neat place -- they have all these old-time steam engines and a little old-fashioned village decorated for Christmas. It should be a nice family evening.
Thankfully, a Saturday performance was cancelled -- I am starting to feel like I'm coming down with something, which usually leads to pneumonia for me. (Prayers appreciated) Anyway, His grace is sufficient for His work, and He has always proved faithful. These Christmas performances really do lift the spirits, mine included.
The week is turning out to be a hectic one. We had our regular "Monday school" at Grandmama's, practicing for the upcoming performances; Tuesday I played for my lovely and talented daughters to sing at their homeschool moms' Christmas tea (they did a wonderful job, of course!); today, we took all the children to a local retirement home, where they blessed the residents with their singing and playing.
Tomorrow, we go to Tampa to the VA to play and sing. My Daddy is over in the hospital again, so I hope we have time to go there, as well. He would be so sad to miss the great-grandchildren. Friday, we go to Ft. Meade to play for the Florida Flywheelers Christmas Village. It's a neat place -- they have all these old-time steam engines and a little old-fashioned village decorated for Christmas. It should be a nice family evening.
Thankfully, a Saturday performance was cancelled -- I am starting to feel like I'm coming down with something, which usually leads to pneumonia for me. (Prayers appreciated) Anyway, His grace is sufficient for His work, and He has always proved faithful. These Christmas performances really do lift the spirits, mine included.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Check Out the Bottom of the Page
Please take a look at the bottom of this page. I do not know what in the world I am doing technically, but I wanted to let you know about Kim C's project/home business/blessing. She and her husband are framing pages of an authentic Geneva Bible. What a treasure! Please visit her site. The address and a banner are at the bottom of this page.
Thanks, Granny!
Granny Welcome to Granny's House graciously slipped me a clever little hint how to make paragraph breaks. Thanks, Granny!
Big Day
Well, the big day is over! The BBQ went of with barely a hitch. What a nice idea my husband had! And how blessed I am to have the help of children and grandchildren for something of this nature.
Son-in-law Robert's barbequed ribs, beef, and chicken were a hit, and since we put some flyers for the store around, hopefully the food's reputation will bring business. This was their first big catering job, and we were happy to be the trial run.
The grandchildren's performance went so well -- they included Christmas songs along with some traditional bluegrass. The older folks especially enjoyed them. And dh (that means dear husband to me) had arranged for son-in-law Chris to set up a trap shooting rig in the field, so most of the men and even some ladies had a good time shooting. Of course, the dogs were nowhere to be found until the noise stopped!
It was good to meet the families of dh's business associates, and I know the Lord intended it for my own personal growth, as I would stick to my own little circle if allowed. Hopefully, we were able to demonstrate God's heavenly family to those who are crying out for light in the darkness of this world's warped view of family life. He has been so good to us.
Three of the grandsons stayed over tonight to help us get the house ready for homechurch tomorrow, and dh is getting ready to have devotions with them. Line upon line, precept upon precept. There is life after your children grow up -- grandchildren!
Son-in-law Robert's barbequed ribs, beef, and chicken were a hit, and since we put some flyers for the store around, hopefully the food's reputation will bring business. This was their first big catering job, and we were happy to be the trial run.
The grandchildren's performance went so well -- they included Christmas songs along with some traditional bluegrass. The older folks especially enjoyed them. And dh (that means dear husband to me) had arranged for son-in-law Chris to set up a trap shooting rig in the field, so most of the men and even some ladies had a good time shooting. Of course, the dogs were nowhere to be found until the noise stopped!
It was good to meet the families of dh's business associates, and I know the Lord intended it for my own personal growth, as I would stick to my own little circle if allowed. Hopefully, we were able to demonstrate God's heavenly family to those who are crying out for light in the darkness of this world's warped view of family life. He has been so good to us.
Three of the grandsons stayed over tonight to help us get the house ready for homechurch tomorrow, and dh is getting ready to have devotions with them. Line upon line, precept upon precept. There is life after your children grow up -- grandchildren!
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Something Has Been Lost
Something has been lost. And it is such a shame. The community of God’s people suffers for it. My husband is an engineer, and as such, has regular contractor clients he engineers for, as well as drafters to whom he subcontracts work. It is a nice business relationship, and he, being the “people-person” he is, asked if I would plan and hostess a “Christmas BBQ” for these folks. Well, I love to hostess, but mostly for our large family and homeschooling friends. But I am his beloved helpmeet, so of course, let the party proceed!
Today, the 5 older granddaughters (ages 13 to 17) and several of their homeschooling friends came over to Grandmama’s for a work day before the BBQ. They are superwomen! The granddaughters clean for me regularly, so they probably know more about my home than I do. They love to dig in and clean and arrange and decorate for me. Their friends are just as diligent and creative, so we had such a good time. Oh, the dusting of fan blades! The moving of sunroom plants! The re-organizing of the craft room! The place fairly shines!
And the fellowship – there is nothing like watching and hearing young virtuous maidens buzzing about in teams, talking and laughing and singing while the work. What a blessing! The preciousness of their presence was as much a blessing as the cleaning itself. This is missing in so many homes and friend-groups today, even in the church. The rare sweetness of their attitudes, the graciousness of their speech, the wholesomeness of their subject matter – all combined to make my heart fill with thanksgiving for this old path our family and friends are following.
It also gave me a tinge of sadness for other friends, Christian friends, who do not know this joy. The struggle they have with their young girls is the same as the world’s families. They don’t know what has gone wrong, and ask in frustration what in the world can they do? It is so sad that they really do not seem to want answers, because the answer requires dying to self themselves, and life today is about comfort, feel-good religious experiences, and quick, sit-com-length solutions. Step by step, the whole long way down this old path is just too restricting. By the time their daughters are in their teens, the twig has been bent, and only a miracle of grace will un-bend it.
So the sense of Christian community working and fellowshipping, young ladies loving to help others because their mothers have set the example, is rare. I can never thank the Lord enough for His mercy in sovereignly placing me where I am today. Thank you, Lord.
Today, the 5 older granddaughters (ages 13 to 17) and several of their homeschooling friends came over to Grandmama’s for a work day before the BBQ. They are superwomen! The granddaughters clean for me regularly, so they probably know more about my home than I do. They love to dig in and clean and arrange and decorate for me. Their friends are just as diligent and creative, so we had such a good time. Oh, the dusting of fan blades! The moving of sunroom plants! The re-organizing of the craft room! The place fairly shines!
And the fellowship – there is nothing like watching and hearing young virtuous maidens buzzing about in teams, talking and laughing and singing while the work. What a blessing! The preciousness of their presence was as much a blessing as the cleaning itself. This is missing in so many homes and friend-groups today, even in the church. The rare sweetness of their attitudes, the graciousness of their speech, the wholesomeness of their subject matter – all combined to make my heart fill with thanksgiving for this old path our family and friends are following.
It also gave me a tinge of sadness for other friends, Christian friends, who do not know this joy. The struggle they have with their young girls is the same as the world’s families. They don’t know what has gone wrong, and ask in frustration what in the world can they do? It is so sad that they really do not seem to want answers, because the answer requires dying to self themselves, and life today is about comfort, feel-good religious experiences, and quick, sit-com-length solutions. Step by step, the whole long way down this old path is just too restricting. By the time their daughters are in their teens, the twig has been bent, and only a miracle of grace will un-bend it.
So the sense of Christian community working and fellowshipping, young ladies loving to help others because their mothers have set the example, is rare. I can never thank the Lord enough for His mercy in sovereignly placing me where I am today. Thank you, Lord.
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