Beautiful Chaos and Disarray

The hair dryer is in the middle of my bedroom floor, a toy school bus is hiding behind the couch. Every bed is unmade and the laundry has piled up. I'm not sure what the crumbs are on the couch and the bird and cat have a strange, glazed over look on their faces. Yes, the grandkids were here all week-end and it was wonderful. The house may never be the same but the important part is, neither will I. I am not the same woman I was before these beautiful, giggling little people came into my life and stole my heart away. ( By the way, which one of you stole one of my tennis shoes, I still can't find it!!) Because of them I can have a beautiful week-end even if "the weather is confused" as Riley puts it. Thank God for your blessings tonight, I know I am.

Tanner Bryant

Tanner Bryant briefly touched our family's life but will always and forever be a part of us. God bless you little guy, we love you.

This evening I am trying to hear His voice among all the sadness.

In you, O Lord I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
Rescue me and deliver me in your
righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my
fortress.
For you have been my hope,
O Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth.
From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my
mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.
Psalm 71

I have been reading about clefts. It is an indentation in a rock and inside the cleft the rock is its original pink color, unspoiled and protected from the storm and heat. That's where I want to stay. Fanny Crosby said it best:

A wonderful Savior is Jesus My Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me:
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand.
And covers me there with His hand.

Lord please hide my family in the cleft of the rock tonight. Thank you that You have even the littlest ones in your hand.

I just had a really sad conversation with a neighbor. She was talking about how she doesn't like her daughter's boyfriend and she really would be just as happy if she never marries. She said she hopes she just lives with somebody and has children with him. When I asked her why, she said she doesn't know one happily married couple, not one. She said she hasn't been happy from the beginning and may leave him soon. I'm sure I could probably have this same conversation with many people. I just think it is so sad. I am so glad I am not in that situation. I told her that I honestly don't know what I would do without my husband and she looked at me and said she has no idea how that feels. Mike, I love you and I am so happy you are my husband and my very best friend.

Home Again

Well I made it back and survived another market. It went very well, some funny things to keep us sane. I think we pulled off keeping all the lines happy and the customers liked what they saw. I am really tired, probably more than ever. I chose not to take all my ingredients for my breakfast drink and that was a major mistake. Never again. It was really good to see both my kids yesterday. I am so proud of my children. No mother has been blessed with any better. Kerri is gone to Cincinnati with some friends and Eric has the boys visiting his parents. Looking forwawrd to seeing them tomorrow. I am trying to re-enter the real world and that partly involves resigning from my little job at Macy's. It is so cool to see how God prepares you for choices and changes He wants you to make or you just need to make. I know this is the next step I should make, I've just been waiting to know for sure. There is a mix up with Mikey's release date and our attorney is going to be working on that this week. It was so different to hear Mikey say that he was praying he could accept whatever the outcome is. The difference is an entire 30 days. That's big when you are where he is. it is wonderful to hear him talk about God's control in his life. He's come a long way!! Well, I'm going to try to get rested up and ready for a full week.

I just talked to my friend Maxine. Her son is out waiting his trial on May 24th. He is in Akron with his older brother that really seems to have his life together. My prayer is that Garland will gain some wisdom from his brother and no matter what happens in his trial he will determine to get his life straightened out and walk the journery in front of him with God. If Maxine and Garland comes to mind, breathe a little prayer.

Well, I'm packing again. I leave tomorrow evening for beautiful downtown Highpoint N.C. A very tiring week but one in which I get to see my husband in his working environment. I don't think I have ever been to a market that someone hasn't spoken of my husband's integrity. I know we shouldn't be prideful but nevertheless I am very proud of him in a world where that kind of integrity is not often seen.
I am finding myself telling God how much I am in love with him tonight. So many reasons. My grandkids were so full of life today and Ginger is feeling movement and life from the little one she is carrying. I pray that God will continue to breathe life into that womb. Life is all around us and He is right here among us touching our lives in so many ways. For some people in my life, things aren't so hopeful. Touch them tonight God, and may every doubt that you love them be destroyed as Your Spirit breathes new life into them.

A Miracle

We are praying for a miracle. My younger nephew and his wife have been struggling with having a baby. They miscarried and now the prognosis is that another little one will die within the next few weeks. We are praying for a miracle. I know God has the grace to see them through this but I also know He has the power to heal. I pray that God will be very near, that they will sense Him as they never have before.

Good to be Home

We made it back from sunny Florida. We had a great time - ate too much (gained weight), played lots of golf (learned how to hit my 7 wood, almost) swam a little, got a little tan and had a great trip with some wonderful friends. I couldn't wait to see my boys , that was the first thing on our "to do" list. It's really good to be home but unfortunately I will be leaving Sunday for the furniture market. Not as much fun but a necessity. Thanks to Chan for feeding the animals. Tyson hates it when we are gone.
On a more serious note I have to say I was moved by the passing of the Pope. He must have been a wonderful man of God who really lived what he preached. Heaven is far richer with him there.
I'm really tired so think I'll get some rest.