A Grandmother's dream . . .

We have a small grove, 20 acres of grapefruit, which buffers our home and 13 acres from the road. We bought it when the buzz was circulating through our small rural community that property values were going up (and they did) so much that growers would be better off to sell for development. This would, of course, have put houses nearby, and the beautiful seclusion we have is why we moved here in the first place! So, we bought the grove.

But more than a buffer, it has become a nice supplemental money-maker, and the picking crew has just finished this year’s crop. Through no fault of their own, the pickers leave some good fruit, and Danny loves to call up grandsons and offer them the gleaning opportunity so they can make some money. Do they ever love to hustle out there early in the mornings in the Polaris and pick, pick, pick!

Daughter Katie’s family owns a small feed store and country restaurant at the crossroads, so their older boys are involved in helping the family business. The best time for them to pick grapefruit is early, early in the mornings. Today, the four older boys were out picking already when I got up.

From the time I was a little girl, it was my dream to be married, have a large family, and live on a farm. Well, our family started growing during the ‘60s and ‘70s, right in the middle of the “Zero Population Growth” days. After our fourth, Danny was under so much pressure from coworkers, and we foolishly decided the world’s philosophy was more logical than the precious Word of God. Our family ended at four wonderful children.

Okay, tie it together, Bonnie. When I got up today, the sun was washing its golden rays over the grove and pasture, and hungry boys began coming in from their work, wondering what there was to eat. There is nothing to make a grandmother happier than to have her dream come true in the next generation, strong healthy boys who love the Lord, and a patriarch whose heart is to see them carry the banner forth, all sitting around the table enjoying our own free range eggs, bacon, grits, toast, strawberries (yes, they are ripe here), and . . . the juice of fresh picked grapefruits. Thank you, Lord. You know how to take our foolishness and turn it into beauty.

Obviously, not

As can be seen, obviously the picture does not stay with the post. Okay, can some kind, gracious person give me directions on how to get a picture to stay with a post? Or at least not to stay at the top of the page when posts move down? I did "add a page element" then "add picture" and it went into a box just below the blog title. I guess that is why it is not moving down. So . . . there must be some other key. Hmmm . . . this is starting to resemble the hunt for the Jamestown 400!

testing again

Just testing here to see if the picture will move down with the post it is meant to be with, or if it stays at the top. Please bear with me :)

Okay, testing, testing . . .

Okay, testing my copy and paste skills. Here is our home, from the front. This was taken almost two years ago. The hurricane-ravaged oak trees indicate it was after Charlie/Frances/Jean, and lack of landscaping and porch swing hint that it was early 2005. I'll try and do a more recent picture, but Danny and I are still recovering dinosaurs when it comes to the digital age. Anyway, here goes . . .

Yay!

Danny says we can start planning a kitchen remodel! Whether we sell this house or stay here til Heaven, it needs to be redone. When we moved in, it was a wreck, and we did only cosmetic things to make it presentable. Now, thank God, some real demolition can take place!

A couple of sons-in-law have been pretty encouraging about being able to help, so it can get done expeditiously (hopefully). If I ever learn how to post pictures, I will do a before/after here -- most likely with the help of a grandchild or two! Okay, where is that graph paper . . .?

The Mantle Passes . . .

Every year, since the time our children were 13 – 19 years old (what, about 27 years now! Acckk!!) , our family has participated in a state-wide Christian youth leadership convention for Christian school and homeschool students. There they compete in academics, arts and crafts, athletics, music, and drama/platform events. It is a time of refreshing in the Word and enjoying the fellowship with like-minded young people, usually about 300-400 of the rascals.

Precious brothers and sisters in the Lord from around Florida have watched our children grow up, marry, and have children of their own, who now compete. Danny and I have been involved in various aspects, mostly as academic judges and convention deans (you know, those cranky old people who expect proper dress and good behavior?)

Since Kitty was 8 (I guess that means 10 years ago), we have been taking the younger ones, ages 8-12, to the Junior State Convention in Ft. Pierce. It was begun by some sweet friends whose church sponsors it so that the younger children will have a place to begin building confidence in these areas and learn to present themselves for the Lord’s glory.

This Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, we will be taking 4 grandchildren and a little homeschooling friend to the Jr. convention. Daniel is the oldest this year, so the mantle of leadership passes to him. His “gang” (the Middle Grandchildren) have moved on to “Big State”, as he will next year, but this year, he is the leader of the “Little Cousins” (not so little anymore). He, Abby, and Markie are presenting an instrumental trio, “I’ll Fly Away”, on the dobro, fiddle, and mandolin. They are remarkably good! They don’t get too much opportunity to shine, since the older children are so good at bluegrass, but Jr. State is their chance!

Benny (9 yo) has decided to make Physical Fitness his specialty. He won second place last year and has been working hard (carrying 100 pound bags of feed helps!) getting ready this year. He is a wiry little Marine, so sit-ups, chin-ups, and push-ups are made for him. Their friend, Andrew, will join them on the academic quiz team, and they will be participating in various other events. Most of the family packs up and goes along for the fun and support, although a couple of older ones will be staying back this year.

It is a wonderful privilege for these grandparents to be able to have such close involvement in the lives of these sweeties. Why in the world would anyone want it any other way! Thank you for my life, Lord!

Milestones . . .

(Warning: l-o-o-n-g. This is probably a little mundane for family members who read here, but several ladies have asked for peeks into how our family handles certain events and what our family life is like, so . . .)
Well, it has been almost a week since a very important milestone in the life of our family, especially oldest granddaughter Kitty. Last Friday the 19th Kitty turned 18 years old. The anticipation was palpable, as it is for every event the first time it happens here. Kitty being the oldest grandchild and oldest in her family lives the life of a pioneer. Every milestone is precedent setting.

When she turned 12, we had a wonderfully touching “rite of passage” with the whole church-family. We had a ceremony with special song and charge, and her parents commended her once again to the Lord. We all signed a commitment to pray for her as a young woman and bestowed upon her certain privileges and responsibilities decided by her father and mother. Danny and I gave her a hope chest he put together and finished for her.

Each girl cousin who has turned 12 (5 so far) has enjoyed the same ceremony and gifts, with special touches specific to each family. The boys also (4 so far) have benefited from this same affirmation, although it hasn’t been quite as emotional (well, maybe for their mothers!). Danny decided to give each one of them a .22 rifle, and their parents settled on specifics for their families. It has been such a blessing to watch them mature with this milestone – voluntarily praying and leading in music in the church meetings, rising to the occasion when facing challenges.

When the girls (2 so far) have reached 16, Danny and I have offered to sponsor a ladies’ tea for them – so gracious and elegant! They love it! It is precious to see them and their sisters, cousins, and friends all dressed up and proper (although they are always proper!). The first grandson will be 16 this year, so we will see what precedent-setting celebration his parents and family will come up with – probably hunting related!

So this was Kitty’s 18th birthday. Her siblings and cousins and friends gave her a nice surprise party with games and music and gifts, but the grownups – Mama and Papa, Grandmother and Granddaddy, and the aunts and uncles – waited to take her out to dinner. We had a semi-private space and enjoyed a wonderful meal. Then her parents presented her with an heirloom piece of jewelry – a family brooch that her great-grandmother had given her mother, Beth. Beth was the top jewel in the crown, because she was the first (and only, at the time) grandchild. Tears flowed. Of course they did. It was our emotional family.

The aunts and uncles gave her items she has been collecting for her hope chest, mostly Desert Rose pattern from Franciscan ware, which she loves. Danny and I gave her pearls his mother (her great-grandmother) had worn for her wedding in 1946. There were more tears. We also gave her money and a gold coin for her dowry. We read to her I Thessalonians 2:19-20. She truly is our glory and joy before the Lord. What more priceless thing can we present to the Lord at His coming than our precious grandchildren?

It seems that those 18 years flew by – faster than my children’s years, it seems. Just remembering back to the very moment of her birth – she was the most alert baby I have ever seen come forth, eyes flashing with mischief from the very beginning – and watching her grow, bouncing through life with amazing energy and intensity . . . now she is a young woman, steady and faithful, beautiful and talented, but humble and gracious. Lord, you knew what you were doing when you sent us Kitty. You knew she would be the encouragement to us that Your plan and purpose will go forward beyond our years. Thank you, faithful Father, for Kitty.

Finished

16 yo granddaughter Sarah has come over the last two days to learn how to sew a Civil War (or I should say "War between the States) re-enactment dress. Last year her sister Kitty was able to be an "ice angel" at the Brooksville Massacre re-enactment, and they have several other homeschooling friends who are also involved, so Sarah was ready to try. With the re-enactment coming up Saturday, we knew we better kick it in high gear.

We shopped for appropriately homespun fabric and trims (although we did concede to a zipper) and cut the dress out yesterday. I knew that table tennis/pool table was taking up huge space for a reason! As we went along, I felt I should tell her about the "real" way to do certain steps, learned many years ago in Home Ec class. I did not want to fail to expose her to the "right" way, but then off we went on Grandmama's shortcuts! I found out she is a common sense sewer like me, so we were a good fit.

Today, I had to leave with dh for a few hours just as she came to the zipper. I gave her basic guidelines, and when I got home, she had done a beautiful job of setting in the zipper! As we neared the end of the whole process, she said she had learned two things it took me a while to learn years ago: 1) sometimes pinning things up is really shorter than trying to hold things in place; and 2) the iron is your friend -- keep it handy!

So dh took her home a few minutes ago with an adorable Prairie Muffin dress, simple, practical, yet beautiful, and her "ice angel" apron, which we made without a pattern (a perfect exercise to demonstrate the practicality of math). I think I feel as satisfied with a job well done today as she does -- after all, investing my life into a darling granddaughter's is about as satisfying as it gets. Thank you, Beth and Eddie for allowing us the time, and especially, thank you, Lord.

Incredible Era . . .

(My, oh my, I am wordy today! Well, it's on my heart.) My husband and I just finished reading a remarkable book which has solidified our thinking in some important areas of life. We have begun realizing more and more what an incredible era we have been blessed to live in, by the sovereignty of our faithful Heavenly Father. Our parents were born at the beginning of the depression, and both of our fathers saw (very) active duty in WWII. We were amongst the first of the Boomers – post-WWII babies. Although my family was very poor all during my childhood, we were never hungry. We had an automobile, and by the time I was a teen, we were able to afford a used TV. We lived frugally, but we were not urchins.

The years my husband and I spent in “full-time” (notice the quotes) ministry were very tight financially. Our children learned frugality from the cradle up, also. But they had a good childhood (they say today), and we even took a vacation or two.

What am I saying? It is an incredible era when poor folks can have a good life, all needs met, no starvation. Most of history has been hard for the world’s population, but America has had unprecedented bounty since WWII. I believe our generation (Boomers) has lived through a time which may not be repeated in America’s history. I believe we have been prosperous in many ways, due to the last remnants of the influence of our godly forbears. If we are not faithful with that heritage, our grandchildren will not see that good America that I knew as a child.

My husband and I turn 60 years old this year. This antiquity gives us a certain perspective – so much has changed and seems to be changing with exponential quickness. The book we finished is Mark Steyn’s “America Alone – the End of the World as We Know It.” It is a fascinating and eye-opening read. Facts are facts. Numbers are numbers. God’s people need to be about the business of strengthening and encouraging Christian families if we appreciate America as we know it. We need to be vigorous in vision, beyond the ends of our noses. The church today is as wrapped up in the “now” as the world. Where will this leave our children? We had better prepare them for life as the Remnant, or we will answer to their Shepherd. God help us to be faithful.

Oh, now I remember . . .!

Oh, yeah, now I remember . . . why I don’t live in Orlando! Dh and I went to Orlando today on an inspection job. It’s about an hour away and entails some of the most horrific traffic – Disney World and other parks, as well as regular rush hour stuff. We were stuck on the interstate creeping along for miles. Then of course there was the “normal” traffic on the side roads, and stop-and-go, etc. Dh and I looked at each other repeatedly with that knowing glance, happy to know that we would be back to our little paradise in the country soon. Lord, I promise I will go anywhere you send me, but please, not to a big city!

When we had finally braved the fray and got close to home, it was almost 9:30 p.m., and we remembered the grandchildren were practicing their bluegrass band at son-in-law Robert’s general store. He is having a musical evening at the country store tomorrow night, and he asked the grandchildren to be one of the acts. So we passed our house (where resides our soft, fluffy bed) and headed there. What a blessing to a grandmother’s heart when they cheered as we walked in! “Grandmama, we need you! It’s chaos when you aren’t here!” Aww, I am still needed! What a nice feeling! So dh left me to come home with grandchildren, and we got to practicing.

It is an absolute ball to be with them when we go through a program of bluegrass, folk, Celtic, and gospel songs. The younger ones are getting good enough to join the olders, and the little cousins are always adorable doing their Roy Rogers “The Bible Tells Me So”. 12 year old Daniel is getting to be quite the emcee/announcer/jokester, and the older ones are quite polished now (as polished as bluegrass gets!). We are hoping their sweet faith in their Lord shines through and they will be a blessing to the community folks who love to eat BBQ at Robert’s. God is already using this precious next generation to bring joy to so many who never see cheerful young people. It should be a good time tomorrow!

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness . . .

He certainly does! I have always appreciated that phrase from Psalm 65:11 when contemplating the beginning of a new year, but this year, it was a real blessing to look back and consider how the Lord crowned the past year, 2006, with His special, providential goodness. A Vision Forum e-newsletter sent just before the end of the year had a wonderful suggestion – chronicle the year just past so your family can always look back on the faithful providence of God.

Our daughters’ families (who compose the majority of our homechurch members) came to our home for New Year’s Eve, and we did just that. Each family sat at a different table with the questions in hand and went through them, talking over the significant events, travels, joys, and heartaches of the year. Dh and I finished early, since it is just we two, and what a blessing it was to hear families talking, remembering, excited about uncovering and recording memories.

Praises were offered by all of us for how the Lord spared Baby Samuel, born at home with respiratory problems, and then brought him home well and happy after 10 days in the hospital. How thankful we are to have his smiling little face around! And everyone added thanksgiving for the two other precious babies born to the family this year – Savannah and Emma Jane, who became grandbaby #21.

Of course, the Lord always reminds us of His loving care and comfort through the difficult times. Daughter M has written a touching testimony of God’s faithfulness through her miscarriage of Baby 6 in May. Some day soon, I will post it here, with her permission. How excited we were today when she called to tell us the sonogram of Baby 7 indicates that another little brother should make his appearance in May!

We finished a few minutes before midnight, and as we gathered to join hands and sing the Doxology as the new year came in, I couldn’t help but think of the passage in Psalm 78 that instructs us to make known to our children and their children His wonderful works, so that they might 1) set their hope in God, and 2) not forget His works, and 3) keep His commandments. What more can we wish for our children and grandchildren when we are gone on to Heaven? The Lord has laid this mission so strongly on our hearts for our remaining years on earth. If we will be faithful to relate His goodness, He will be sure they don't forget. Lord, help us to be faithful.

Goodness!

Well, I had a lovely post all about reflecting on the past year, and I mistakenly shut down the blog before publishing it. Does anyone know how to recover it? I can't discover a solution, but to rewrite it. Guess I will have to get over my frustration and recompose it. Hmmmm . . .