Double Blessings

Our church ladies' Bible study class has recently finished studying the Book of Ruth and is now into the Book of Esther.  We wanted to compare and contrast the sovereign workings of the Lord in the lives of the two women for whom books of the Bible are named.  What a beautiful study this has been!  And what wonderful nuggets of truth the Lord is showing us as to how the lives of these women can inform our lives in the 21st century.

Although a book is not named for her, there is another woman in this study who has been a blessing to me.  That is Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth.  She is a wise woman who pours her life into that of her daughter-in-law, in order to see God fulfill His plan in the next generations.  The one thing that is most impressive to me about Ruth and Naomi is the depth of their relationship and their commitment to one another.  It is truly instructive to us -- to me -- as a mother-in-law.

Of course, my thoughts have turned to my own children-in-law.  When our children were born, what precious blessings!  We thought we could never love anyone as much as we do our children.  As they grew and the Lord brought them all together with their spouses, we found that we had received double blessings!  Each in-law that was added to our family became truly that -- family.  And our love for each one has grown in depth the place where we can both say we love them like our own children.

Now, as the parents of our 22 grandchildren, each child-in-law  has become even more precious.  Living in ever-deepening relationship with them, we can see their unique qualities, quirks, and characteristics coming out in the grandchildren, along with those of our children.  Each grandchild increasingly develops a distinct personality, a combination of both parents.  And that's what makes them so loveable!

Yes, children-in-law are truly a double blessing.  Thank you, Lord, for Eddie, Chris, Robert, and Ashley.  We could not imagine life without them!  We love y'all!

Eddie, with his beloved bride, our oldest, Beth.  He is a quiet Canadian, but he brings so much to our family.  His creativity is unique -- he is an accomplished artist, but too humble to let anyone know it.  His firm steadfastness of purpose has been passed on to his children, and we believe that will stand them in good stead in the difficult days ahead.  We love you, Eddie!

Chris, Molly's husband, with his grandfather.  Chris' heritage goes back many generations in Florida.  He is the designated story-teller when we get together.  Everyone loves to hear Uncle Chris get going on a story.  And generous -- he is always, always ready to help someone in need, especially if it means getting under a vehicle!  He is an artist at mechanics, and is a student of the Word.  We love you, Chris!

Robert, Katie's husband.  Here he is teasing his niece, Emma Jane.  Uncle Robert always wants to plan some fun stuff for the children -- giving them nicknames, playing dominoes.  He is quite a musician, but he doesn't like anyone to know it.  He has a sacrificial spirit for his family (as do all the daddies) staying away from home for weeks sometime to put bread on the table.  We miss him.  We love you, Robert!

Ashley, Jason's bride.  Ashley probably thought we were nutty when she first met us -- you know, big families, homeschooling, bread-baking, frugal living.  Now, she's just one of us!  She has been a very sophisticated lady but she knows how to handle a 4-wheeler in the woods!  Next, she'll be bringing home the venison out in Missouri!  She is a talented singer and public speaker and is a blessing to our family.  We love, you, Ashley!

My Kind of Day!

Yesterday (Thursday) was my birthday. At this age, some people want to forget birthdays, but hey, I believe each year is a gift from God, and I wanna celebrate! But not in the way most people do. When the girls asked what I wanted for my birthday, I told them, "Just bring dinner and your families, and give me the gift of time!!" There is nothing I love more than having my family spend the evening with me and their daddy, so that is just what they did!

The day started out pleasantly, with my precious mother and my dear friend, Molly's mother-in-law, Susan, both sending me sweet ecards, with perfect pictures, perfect music, and perfect thoughts of love and friendship. Then the phone calls from my son Jason and daughter Katie, who could not be here. What a joy to just spend time talking with my adult children and knowing that they want to talk and share their hearts!

About mid-day, my sweet husband brought me beautiful flowers and blessed my forehead with a kiss -- this is something he does regularly, and I carry it with me all day!

What a wonderful man to spend my birthday with!

Then sweet little Markie and Rosie came over to help Grandmother straighten up the kitchen before the evening's festivities. What a blessing to listen to them singing earnestly and enthusiastically while they work! It passes so fast -- Mamas, enjoy it while you are able!

They wouldn't accept any pay to help for Grandmother's birthday, but they were willing to enjoy a Dove bar for a treat and a few minutes to read, read, read!

Sweet Gracie made me what has to be my very favorite cake for a birthday cake -- a lemon angel-food cake with homemade lemon curd! It was soooo delicious! Granddaddy and I often muse about the blessed young men who are waiting to be revealed who will be the beneficiaries of these girls' culinary talents! What a blessing our family has in these accomplished bakers!

She decorated it with beautifully fragrant lemon blossoms, which, conveniently, grow right here!

Little Emma Jane (who still thinks it was her birthday) and Margaret Anne watch Grandmother ham it up.

Hey, everyone needs to blow out a birthday candle, even if it is imaginary, right? Homemade lemon curd awaits on the left.



Liberty Dollies came to the party, too, as they usually do. They spent a lot of time enjoy reading fellowship.



We ended the evening watching "Fireproof" together. What a blessing to be able to enjoy a good, God-honoring movie together -- we laughed, we cried, we held our breath and rejoiced when all turned out well. And so the evening capped off just the kind of day I love when it is my opportunity to choose. Thank you, Lord, for my precious family, and thank you, family, for a wonderful birthday! (And thank you, Kitty, for helping me edit this boondoggle!)

Oh, Goodness! Once More . . .

I can't seem to do a post without forgetting one of the pictures I wanted to put up! As we were preparing to leave the Whiddons, they brought out the baby goats, and Savannah decided they were hers! She loved them and didn't want to leave them. Whenever she comes to Grandmama and Granddaddy's, she wants to visit the cows and the "chickies" -- I think she is meant to be a farm girl! Thanks for indulging me again!

Road Trip part 3: coming home!

Before we leave the Ozarks, a few more pictures:

What a surprise to learn that there is a cemetary on our property! Danny and the children took a hike over to see it and found it very interesting. It is a small resting place that has not been well-cared-for over the years and has reverted to the property owners (us now). We plan to neaten it up and fence it, with access for families from the road. This headstone says "William Pitts, born July 20, 1864, died June 11, 1917. In my Father's house are many mansions". Interesting years: born the year the War between the States ended; died one of the years of the great influenza pandemic. Headstones always cause me to speculate! History is not dead!

Joey (right above) and Daniel (below) loved watching their brothers open birthday gifts. What a fun bunch of boys! And their only sister is the sweetest girl in Arkansas!

We were blessed that Robert was able to spend a couple of days with us while we were there. This was the "home time" when they accomplished the Great Yellow Model on their kitchen cabin ( see http://floridacrackercsa.blogspot.com/ ) Not only is this bunch of boys fun, but they can work hard!

After sad goodbyes, we made our way to Leesburg, Georgia for an overnight visit with the Whiddons. They graciously invited us to stay for the night, and we got an extra visit in the next day when we discovered the RV had a flat!! What a good time we had, and what wonderful hostesses the girls were when their parents had to be gone part of the time!

Here the two patriarchs discuss the conference we had all attended and the things our nation may be facing. Being family leaders with an "understanding of the times" is of great importance to these men. Thank you, Lord, for their leadership. Of course, the young people always love to sit and listen to wisdom and godly principles expounded!

The next morning, Mrs. Whiddon had to take the other children to appointments, so Brooke joined right in with the Country Cousins (actually one brother and two sisters!) to do a little bluegrass!

When the other girls returned home, they played some of the arrangements their beautiful string quartet plays for weddings and other occasions. Here Mallory plays harp, Laney plays cello, and Nina joins Brooke on the violin (no fiddlin' here!) These girls are quite accomplished and gave us a beautiful concert.Before we left, all the Whiddon children blessed us with "May the Lord Find Us Faithful". What a wonderful message for a send-off! Thank you, Whiddons, for the Christian love you showed our family with your precious hospitality!

We arrived home safely and ready for Florida sunshine and some rest! What a wonderful trip it was -- especially getting Granddaddy to take two whole weeks away from his office! After a little recovery, who knows what adventure is awaiting around the next corner!