Do I Understand Civil Rights?

I suspect this quest begin when I was quite young. Even though Perrin was a small town, we had different cultures. And you've heard me speak of the Hispanic family that were truly our best friends. When I was in high school I went to Brazil. I loved the Brazilian culture - enjoyed meeting my life long friend Luciana (she grew up in Nova Iguacu, and lives in Orlando now), and a fellow missionary Yoshia Tagomi. Also that summer I went on an FHA trip and my assigned seat for dinner several evenings was with the New York State delegation and I remember most of the people at our table were people of color. I also have a picture from the trip of me with a couple of people I met, one of which was a black guy.

Different cultures do not effect (or affect)  me at all. Sometimes I do find myself intrigued at our differences.

However I can be a bit naive. All of those discussions in the education classes - and the discussion was in EVERY education class - never really struck a nerve. It seemed too far away & almost irrelevant.

Brown vs Board of Education - the ruling came in 1954 but even during my birth year (1964) the process of desegregation was "minuscule" (Yoder, Kirp, Levin & Moran, 2002).  Yoder et al also surmised that Brown awakened the groups and for the first time blacks could see the possibility of removing the discrepancy between the supposed rights & actual rights. Their awakening led to confrontations between civil rights groups & southern political leadership. The confrontations then led to the historic 1964 Civil Rights Act (Yoder et al, 2002).

Brown began because a family wanted their daughter to go to school closer to their home. I never thought about it from its origin. A seven year old girl and her family wanting her to go to school - closest to their hone and she couldn't because of the color of her skin.

My husband's father went to school in Wichita Falls, Texas. He graduated from high school after 1954 but tells us he never played football or went to school with "colored" until college. And while in college in the late 1950s he shared that many hotels & restaurants would not serve the athletes who were black. My father in law remembers them sleeping on the bus and sitting in the kitchen (rather than the restaurant area) to eat. He also remembers joining them in the kitchen - after all "they were his teammates".

Almost 2 years ago I wrote about Son One living in Alabama (January 16, 2012). I enjoyed seeing the historic places first hand - the Montgomery Bus Boycott (Rosa Parks was just tired), the church where MLK, Jr. preached ..... These places were interesting.

This year I had the opportunity to travel to Memphis.  I am really not much of a traveler - but this was a work trip and my sister in law and I journeyed to Tennessee.  I knew very little of Memphis but I did my research before we left.  Of course there is Elvis' home - we got to see it from the street but it wasn't open when we were finished with our training.

We visited Sun Studios - the place where Elvis was first recorded.  It is a small little building on a main street in Memphis but it certainly wasn't what we expected.

We went to Beale Street.  I (being that same naive person) did not realize the significance of Beale street - it was cold, cold, cold and we were 2 of about 20 that ventured out that evening.  But evidently when the weather is pretty the street is lined with people.  The Memphis police still block off the street - even when there is a small group!

The music of Beale street - the essence of a huge part of the history of Memphis is another blog on another day - but I found perhaps my favorite type of music!  Perhaps that is why the next place is etched is this soul for a lifetime.

The Song As One Walks up to 306

photo credit, grace4greta, december 11, 2013

Please take a moment and listen to the amazing voice singing Precious Lord.  That is the voice I heard as we walked up to the hotel.  The hotel featured at the National Civil Rights Museum.


The Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

April 4, 1968 - the day the hotel became famous.

Photo credit, grace4greta, december 11, 2013

We had the privilege to speak with the security guard on duty that evening.  He grew up in Memphis - he heard Dr. King speak - his uncle was at the hotel that evening.

Do you know why Dr. King was in Memphis?

An excerpt from his speech on the night of April 3, 1968:

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land! (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memphis, Tennessee)

When Son One was in Montgomery he had a friend who was a friend to Morris Dees.  Dees is a civil rights attorney.  Son One mentioned that he had litigated some well known civil rights cases.

I am currently reading Mr. Dees autobiography.  It is a perfect account of the historical moments in the history of civil rights in our country.  I have learned a great deal.  And he begins the book - not talking about race issues between whites & blacks but instead issues between whites & Vietnamese ….. in Texas nonetheless.  Quite interesting.

However I still wonder….. Do I understand civil rights?  Do I know what it is like to be treated differently because of something I cannot control - something I did not do - something that just is?

Morris Dees (2013) stated being oblivious to the suffering of others is at the root of racism.  




I can recall:

-While growing up - others disliking me because of decisions my dad would make.

-Some choosing to not consider me "family" because I was adopted and not the birth child of my parents.

Those hardly seem significant now.  And they truly are not EXCEPT…..

The recollection of my feelings during those times - that is what I need to recall so that I do not become oblivious.

Civil Rights - Racism - Hatred - Prejudice - whatever word we use the problem or the root is quite simple.

We fail to LOVE.

We fail to remember what His word commands us to do.

I Peter 4:8

Perhaps understanding Civil Rights is to understand Love.

Perhaps I do know more than I thought.

Now the challenge

Do I practice that Love?





Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Parts of Speech

Again lately I have been reminded that our God inhabits praise.  One of the reminders was a message came on a Facebook post by a friend.  This friend is the oldest daughter of the preacher that we listened to each Sunday morning when we lived in East Texas.

"I haven't forgotten to be thankful in the last few days but as I watched so many people struggle with circumstances in various situations, I had to ponder the various meanings behind thankfulness. Scripture says that God inhabits the praises of His people....."

I have written before about Russ Taff's song with the Imperials - "Praise the Lord".  Always before I have concentrated on praising Him and how my life will be if I choose to praise Him.

That's good.

But what about God inhabiting praise?

My OCD behavior caused me to start thinking about the use of praise in this phrase that has stuck in my head.  Our God inhabits praise.  I decided - with the help of my mom - that praise in this case is a gerund.  So what other words might we use in that sentence - let's leave out the subject for now and ponder….

We inhabit worry.
We inhabit busy-ness.
We inhabit socializing.
We inhabit reading, talking, playing, watching, and that list could go on and on….
We inhabit ___________

Wherever we live or dwell - are we there with Him?

If He dwells (or lives in) praise……. how can we do the same?

Let's multitask!  In the midst of our lives - in the midst of our worry, busy-ness, socializing, talking, shopping, planning, reading, visiting, learning, working - whatever we are doing ---- let's also be praising Him.

We know that God inhabits praise.  So praising Him must be the constant in life.  And even though the seasons change outside my mom's backdoor

our behaviors, our core cannot change.







Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Ubuntu Maybe .....

Well I wonder what happened to my opportunity to write more!!!  The saying of once you retire you are truly busier than before is completely true!

But I am taking a moment right now.

I received an email from Nephew Three in the middle of the night.  I saw it this morning.  I thought it was one of those virus emails that get sent when someone hacks into your email account.  So I did not open it --- at first.

That response somewhat reminds me of our world today.  We are such a skeptical people - and yes most of the time rightfully so.  But what do we miss because we are skeptical?

A friend's Facebook post reminds us...

His post says.... What a great gift! Another day has awakened. Give a stranger the gift of kindness today! It only cost you a little effort and it might be the highlight of their day! 

What do we miss because we are afraid to open?

an email about some African culture word - ubuntu - which when googled appears to be an operating system, but also one can find:

Ubuntu is a Nguni word which has no direct translation into English, but is used to describe a particular African worldview in which people can only find fulfillment through interacting with other people. Thus is represents a spirit of kinship across both race and creed which united mankind to a common purpose.

I have no idea if "ubuntu" is real or something someone created for a great story but I do know that I recognize the idea.

John 13:34-35 
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Several months ago a friend recommended the book The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns.  There are 26 chapters in the book - I have only read two.  I already know that it will be one of my favorite books.

In Chapter 2 he states "Are you willing to be open to God's will for your life?"  And an excerpt from Chapter 1:

I suppose that this blog is just an entry to leave us thinking - an entry to remind us what this life we live is really about.  Many times - many, many.... I get caught up in the day to day and forget to remember that if we are not planting the seeds in the lives of others by our actions & our words that we are not a part of Jesus' mission statement.

Perhaps I should notice what I am missing when I am afraid to open?

Keeping His word... that opens doors, opens lives, opens eternity.


Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Becoming a Servant

This really began in the fall of 1985 however just as with much of life I certainly could not foresee today.

my grandma Cannon & my dad - many years before 1985...

My grandma Cannon got sick.  My mom tells me now that some thought it was a mini stroke but whatever the case the children were staying with her each day and night.  Since my dad lived 2 hours from her home the weekends were his assignment.  I do not remember how many weekends we went to her home but I do remember one.  I remember sleeping on the couch and my parents helping my grandmother.  I had just recently gotten engaged to Kerry and the engagement ring offered some visual comfort in this strange setting of caring for a grandmother. 

I grew up visiting the elderly.  In our small church in Perrin we went to the nursing home in Jacksboro many times – maybe even once a month.  We would sing, walk from room to room, and talk to the residents as if we knew them.  I do not remember knowing any of them personally – I just remember that visiting never bothered me.

One of my dad’s sisters went to live in a nursing home.  She had Alzheimer’s.  I loved visiting Aunt Mary when she lived next door to my grandmother – I loved visiting my Aunt Mary when she lived in the home.  That was the home my grandmother eventually lived in. 

My other grandmother lived in a nursing home for the entire time that I knew her.  That was in Madison, Nebraska and it was an amazing home.  Very clean, very friendly, very much responsible for taking care of our family members. 

That is not always the case.  Nursing homes aren’t always the best place – just sometimes they are the only place.  I am just not ready for my parents to live in a place that is not their home…..

As I have shared before my dad has dementia.  As with this illness we truly have no idea what the prognosis is from day to day.  I do know that having a spouse with dementia certainly presents wear and tear on the life that doesn’t have the illness. 

my parents just last year....

So in order to give both of my parents a quality of life that they truly deserve – we decided they needed more help in their home.  A help that could give my mom some relief – a help that understood the elderly – a help that they knew and would immediately feel comfortable with – a help that was ready to serve them – a help that could give back as they had been giving for 49 years to her – a help they love – a help that loves them. 

my dad, me, my mom - Father's Day 2013

We often say it takes a village to raise a child.  I believe it takes a village to grow old gracefully and with dignity. 

Now my career is Servant. 

Servant for 3 scheduled days a week for those people who gave me a family & home 49 years ago. 

Servant (with a huge learning curve) to the family that became mine when I married.  Do you have any idea how difficult it is to learn a new language?  Especially a language composed of PVC fittings, THHN, conduit, filters, American Standard, Rheem, sweep, 90, 45, accounts receivable, accounts payable, ESC, Quickbooks,  - and my list is so incredibly long!  I now have the joy of serving at my husband’s office 2 days a week. 

And I also can be a better Servant in my home.  Even though this new career has only been in place for 10 days – I already feel more at peace – more focused on Him – more focused on helping others. 

Of course one must have tools for this new career!  Just like the village will have diaper bags for the children – in this village I have a tote bag for DJ & Grandad’s.

His mercies.

New.

Every morning.

Great IS his faithfulness.

Note:  Now that I have time that is better suited for writing – I plan to write for Grace4Greta and more on Prepare2Prosper.org.  My closet is FULL of books and I have many on being a servant…..  I think that is where Prepare2Prosper needs to begin …. Again!  Be sure to visit prepare2prosper.org

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Snake Bit - All in a Definition

Yes - it is a real concern.  A snake bite - from a copperhead nonetheless.

He was in the backyard playing fetch with the dog.  He at first thought it might have been a stinging scorpion but as the copperhead slithered away - he knew the cause of the sting.

Fortunately Son Two was home and within 5 minutes they were at the emergency room.

He was dressed in shorts and flipflops.  He did not realize the dangers that could be hidden in the grass.  He was doing something he enjoyed - and something our dog enjoyed.  What are the parallels to our walk with Jesus?  Are we sometimes not "dressed" appropriately for the journey?  Do we have scriptures hidden in our hearts so they are always with us?  There are of course dangers hidden in our walk with Jesus - so are we prepared for the dangers along our path?  Even sometimes when we are doing things we enjoy - and it doesn't seem as if there are events, places, people, activities that can hurt us - are we prepared just in case they do?

As it turned out arriving at the ER within five minutes made the difference.  GRMC was able to keep him here in town and treat his bite.  They marked the area and watched the venom move slowly up his foot.

Sometimes those dangerous events we land in the middle of make a mark on us - sometimes the mark doesn't slow (his did - it only went up the pinky toe and just slightly into the foot) and sometimes it becomes part of who we are.  

The doctor ordered Anti-venom - 4 vials.  Anti-venom can cost as much as $3500 a vial.

There are always consequences and many times remedies.  Both of which can be financially costly as well as costly to our emotional well being.  

He is blessed - within 3 days he was back at work and given a full release.

Yes he was snakebit - he experienced some "bad luck" - it could have been worse - however he could not predict the consequences - he could not alter the consequences.  He was in the hands of a medical team that made those decisions and in his case it worked for him.  But there are many places that the events could have gone "south".  

He was in a tremendous amount of pain for about 12 hours - a severe pain that the first choice of pain medicines would not even touch.  Being "snakebit" hurts - and the pain is very real.  

--------------------------------

I truly understand that term now.... snakebit - and it is always used with someone recognizing that they don't want to end up in the position again.  I know that he is watching closely where he steps - we all are and we don't wear flipflops in our yard!!

But we also need to be ever mindful of those dangerous places in our pathway that have very little to do with copperheads and flipflops.

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Understanding the Definition...

Snake bit.

How are those words normally defined?

What is the colloquial definition?

Albeit - an unfortunate opportunity - but I have a better understanding of why someone might use the term snake bit in their personal life.

I wonder how those definitions can compare to our lives with Jesus and those times when we veer off His path.  Why is the snake bit term used...  What happens - what descriptives can be used - what comparisons to our lives can we conclude when examining the medical condition of a "snake bite"?

So much more to write.....

To be continued......

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Our Memories

Maybe it is fresh on my mind because my neighbor left earth today.  My last real memory of her was the note I received in the mail after the State football season.  She wrote me a note saying how wonderful it was to know that those football players were staying in our home - and had she realized they were all here every Saturday morning - she would have baked muffins for them.  I cherish Mrs. Hatler sharing that with me.  

Leaving....

I am not so sure when he left.

I can remember taking them to football games of Son One and Son Two.

I can remember he stayed alone at the house in Perrin when my mom was in the hospital in December of 2009.

Now he is not so much the same person who brought me home on his birthday in 1964.

Even so - I cherish the time I spend with him (and my mom) every day.

Being an adopted child has always given me this great sense of belonging to something that is not really mine.  Oh yes they are my family now but I am every day thankful that God placed me in their family.

Honestly it does not sadden me to a level that I would have thought it would if you would have told me that he would be like his sister & mother. (you might need to read that sentence again...)  I can remember Aunt Mary and Grandma Cannon.  I can remember that Aunt Mary would always seem to "know" me and seem to "know" my dad too.  Much like my dad - I don't remember when my Grandma's memory left but she waited until she was 95 years old to leave earth.

The VERY best part is that I KNOW that I will see my Aunt Mary, my Grandma - and one day when my Dad is "called home" (just like I grew up hearing those wonderful Baptists say....) - I KNOW I will see him again too.

For now I will remember to cherish, I will remember to remember for him.  And if you need that extra push to spend time remembering with those older in age than you - then use this blog entry to move you forward.  Grab that cell phone, push record while you are talking, take pictures, look at pictures, talk - and talk some more.

Even when they aren't so sure.

But remind them.

And he always knows me.  He always knows my name - all of the names he has called me - Cheryl - daughter - and Sunday he told one of our elders that I was "his number 1 daughter".

He has said that phrase (#1 daughter) for as long as I can remember.

Father's Day 2013

Okay so I may not be sad like I thought but oh my heavens did this entry bring the tears!  I almost want to apologize but not so much - take time - dementia, alzheimer's and those conditions of the memory are not respectful of anyone.  And to some degree when those things are gone - they are just gone.  

My brother & me with our parents - Mom's Birthday 2013

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Honoring Stay At Home Moms

I did not realize when I said that innocent comment to Kerry that I would be setting myself up for failure most of the day.  I am enjoying my last day of "vacation" - stuck in the middle of a work week before I begin a full time job on Monday with the contractor.  I will be doing the exact same work - sitting at the exact same desk but without the benefits of accrued sick and vacation time.  I am grateful - I am thankful but I will miss the benefits of being a state employee.  So I have today to enjoy......

So I said to Kerry as he was leaving.....I sure wish I would have enjoyed being a stay at home mom a few years ago when I had about 5 months to enjoy it. I would like that opportunity now.

So my day began.....

*Cook Hunter's dog food (we make our own....)
*Edit a book for a friend
*Send an email to a friend about a college plan for her
*Take comforters to be washed (laundry attendant wasn't there so that one did not work)
*Cook pork roast
*blah, blah, blah - there are several more things that I wanted to get done - much more than the 12 hours or so that I had to actually work)


So - our security fire alarm works.

Nephew Three called and wanted me to pick him up from workout - the office called and I needed to reboot the server for our computers.  I put Hunter out, set the alarm, walked out the door - drove down the street......

Came home.  Alarm is going off - Kerry is calling me - house is filled with smoke.

Item #1 - Cook Hunter's food.  Now it was scrape Hunter's food off the bottom of the pan - open the house - let the smoke out.  Cancel the fire department - it was just smoke.

I had started cooking Hunter's food - did not remember that - so I did not turn off the stove.  When I texted Kerry and told him, he responded, Bad form.

This blog entry would be entirely too long if I shared all the things that I have started and forgotten about today (including the pork cooking on the grill - but that one I salvaged).

Hunter

For today I am reminded that I am really better when I am working.  Or at least that is the attitude I will have for the next 10 years or so.  I am thankful that during this time of being in the hallway (blog from 4/22/13 Two Letters - One Message) - I have found a job and will have the schedule that I have found that works for me.  It is not always convenient but it is what our family needs and for that - 

Thankful I Am.  He has provided - once again.

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Wallendas.......?

Sometimes I fail to connect all the pieces - and while I read a bunch now as an adult, I certainly did not growing up.  Which is kind of strange in and of itself.  My mom is a reader, she was not only my first grade teacher - but she was a Librarian too.  She reads constantly and I guess I have decided that reading is just as enjoyable as she thinks.  I told a friend just today that I am a "book-aholic".

My mom & me - Mother's Day 2013

So while I am watching the ridiculous walk across the Grand Canyon on the Discovery Channel - I did not realize just who the "Wallenda" family is - it really never entered my mind until we were at my mom's.  Kerry and I were telling them about the event - switched the TV over and Kerry said, "oh she will recognize the name."  And sure enough - my well read mother remembered this name from years gone back - so even though we did not have the Discovery Channel, internet, and instant access news - my mother still knew of "The Flying Wallendas".

I don't know if this is an actual picture or maybe a picture from the movie - but nonetheless - The Flying Wallendas....

I did not realize that I should know the name when Kerry was telling me about this amazing feat that was going to be aired on Live TV but it seems as if others knew the name....

I saw a Facebook post from a friend:

Kelly Strickland Green

Oh, please! Not another rain delay! I really don't want to watch Nick Wallenda walk across the Grand Canyon.

I can agree with Kelly - the walk across was just almost more than I could stand - in fact I missed the ending because I was talking on the phone - that was planned - I did not want to watch.  But I did record the event so that when he was successful I could go back and watch.

Nik kneels to steady himself - gain control - rest while the wind current whirled around him.  A newspaper account of the event stated, "Twice he stopped. Kneeling to regain his composure and steady the wire quivering beneath his feet."

There are just a couple of things I want to recall - and quite honestly - I want to never forget.....

****The affirmations that Nik shared as he was on the wire.
****Kneeling to gain control
****Remember the Name

Affirmations - While Nik was "doing his job" last night - in front of that crowd on the reservation and in front of all of us watching on The Discovery Channel - he continually spoke to God - of God - and acknowledged His power.  Am I willing to affirm God in all of the settings I am in?  Yes my world might not appear to be as dangerous as what Nik was doing - but isn't this life all about the dangers and the more we affirm Jesus and His power - perhaps our walk across will be more successful?

Kneeling - Nik kneeled to regain his composure - perhaps to focus and get some control.  The wire was quivering beneath him.  Reminds me of life....how often am I willing to kneel?

Remembering a Name -  Not knowing The Wallendas was not such a big deal - but remembering the Name that Nik remembered while walking across is certainly valuable.  My mom knows both names - her well read knowledge never ceases to amaze me but her faith has been the real example to me for always.

One more thought......

The text from Son Two as Nik finished - and watching (the recorded version of course!) creates a huge smile....

He ran!

There's surely more parallels we could make with that remembrance.

Hebrews 12:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus,the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

A West Texas Hotel

Nephew Three's comment was timely, "I love this place." The wind was blowing - the breeze was cool - and one could see as much as they desire to the south, west, east, and north. We were on a mountain - at a friend's house - in West Texas.

I'm not much for being away from home - and I really don't like to stay with others if a hotel is near. I just really hate to impose. But I knew if I didn't stay at this "west Texas hotel" of sorts - I would forever be in trouble.

My dear friends have a home on top of a West Texas mountain near Abilene. It has been our hotel while Nephew Three attended Air It Out football camp. My friends were out of town - but we enjoyed the accommodations!

You have probably seen my friends on TV (if you watch college football...) or at least have seen their oldest son.

But my friends are so much more than parents to those three great men - they are the example of a couple who works every day to live as God wants them to live. They are not perfect - but they strive to live as Jesus.

I love how she has decorated their home. The room I stayed in has this print:

Another I found -

My friend was right - this is better than a hotel. This is a place where one feels love - From my Friends but also from the One they serve.






Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Life Long & Relatively Recent Friends....

I grew up in a little, little town.  I can remember making the drag when I first got my license.  Around the school parking lot, turn left, turn right at 2210, down to the Baptist church parking lot, turn around and back again. If I wanted to make the long drag - then we would turn right out of the school parking lot, go down to this road (which actually leads to the land I now have in Perrin), then to 2210 and take a right, Baptist church, and back again.

Across from that Baptist church parking lot was a sweet home inhabited by a grandmother.  I don't remember much about the grandmother except she had the most wonderful "thing" I could think of when I was growing up....

A granddaughter named Cheryl.

If I was as good as keeping up with stuff as my mom - I would be able to take a picture of my address book from those early days - and show you Cheryl Franklin's address.

She went to school with me when she would come to visit.

We wrote letters - just like pen pals.

Then as time continued - somewhere along the way we stopped writing.  (Side note: that's one reason I LOVE facebook- email and such.  There is less room to drop out of touch.)

Facebook - oh yes I love how I can find people!

Here's my message to her when I came upon her name on Facebook:

Roll Tide

Oh you must accept my friend request (here's hoping you remember me!) and tell me about your connection to the University of Alabama... I have a son who is living in Montgomery and we figured out real quick one had to pick between the 2 major universities in Alabama and we rolled with the Tide. Hope to hear from you....

February 21, 2011 9:21 pm

Here is part of her response:


Oh my goodness! As in the Cheryl Cannon from Perrin that I used to tag along to school with?? Oh I can't believe this!! And an Alabama connection at that?? How did you know we were Alabama fans? Actually to say that would be a huge understatement-haha!



Fast forward 2 years from that Facebook exchange....

I met her at a Barnes & Noble in Arlington - I told her "I am obvious" to describe how she would remember me!  I had to wear the Alabama shirt....

Cheryl & her husband lived in Alabama for 10 years and even got to attend games in Tuscaloosa (I am jealous....) - her father in law played for Bear Bryant at Texas A&M.  After visiting with Cheryl in Arlington - I suspect that Alabama still holds a dear place in her heart.  (that state has a way of doing that to the least expecting people....)

I did leave that meeting a bit heart broken.

It seems that Cheryl's family traveled & lived a bunch between those going to school days with me and college for her in Brownwood.  She even moved to a place about 10 minutes from where I was living.  She finished her last year and a half of high school - 15 minutes from me.  It wasn't so great for her - and you can imagine..... moving to a new high school the last year and a half of school in a state you had not lived in before - with zero connections......

We would have been the best of friends - forever without the break in time... so ....

Now we pick back up - we text during college football season - and she visits her parents up this direction - and I think I should visit her near her home - down by the coast....

Thankful I found Cheryl  -my life long friend - just relatively recent all over again...

Roll Tide

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Transaction Failed....

Have you mis - swiped your credit card - tried to cancel and start again only to realize you caused a TRANSACTION FAILED message?

I looked at Kristen and mentioned what I was reading on the screen - she simply said "Did you push the red button?"  I had to respond with "yes" - then she said - "oh we can fix that in just a minute...."

I get the

TRANSACTION FAILED message all the time in life..... The red button I push has many different forms:

driving too fast 
take the wrong road (when I don't listen to the GPS)
eat some gluten
argue with my children
buy a shirt that doesn't really fit because I did not try it on!
smart off to my husband, friend - whomever....
fail to show Jesus' love in the moment when he expects me to

I am thankful that the "Kristen" in my daily life is a Man who hung on the cross for me (and you) - the Man who really did not even wait for me to tell him what I did -  just fixed it all anyway.

Today was a day that I needed that "oh we can fix that in just a minute...."

***a sweet man that I have worked with (okay he's really not sweet but I just adore him) .... I have worked with him since 2006 will now be working at another non-profit organization as their custodian.  It wasn't my decision however I feel a bit responsible (oh because I am one of those people who feels responsible for things that really aren't my cause....).  Anyway - seeing him with tears in his eyes just hurts a bit.  He will be missed for lots of reasons - and one can only imagine how much I did not enjoy cleaning our restrooms this afternoon!

***Our computers acted very strange today - I don't think I should even be specific but I take a certain amount of Pride in being able to troubleshoot a bit of technology and this one has baffled me.  Certainly not a big deal but one that has kind of weighed heavy on my mind.

***Then there's the whole job setting and whether or not I have one story....

***Then there's Son Two who is hurt - but finally on the mend.  No we don't know what happened but  his back was tired of moving!

***Nephew Three is getting ready for camp plus we have some school paper work to finalize with him for next year

***Son One and I continue to have a conversation that is going nowhere but we both cannot quit - we both need to Give that to Jesus (see below....)

***Husband has been working about 14 hour days for about a month - worry about him might just be on my plate too...

At the end of this work day.... I found myself feeling that headache that radiates coming on ...

But the reminder in the grocery store - was enough.



He does fix it all.

I don't even have to tell him that the TRANSACTION FAILED.

He knows.

When I was younger - much - I played the piano and sang in church.  One of my songs was "Give Them All to Jesus".  The words are perfect.

Here's a recording - you will be able to tell just how old the song is.....

Give Them All to Jesus by Evie

I am tired and oh how I dislike starting the Monday at tired.  But that is already passed and now I can start Monday evening - and Tuesday morning - reminding myself that I Gave it All to Jesus many years ago....

Lyrics:

Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows?
Are you tired of spinning 'round and 'round?
Wrap up all the shattered dreams of your life,
And at the feet of Jesus lay them down.

Give the all,
Give them all, 
Give them all to Jesus:  shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys.
Give the all,
Give them all,
Give them all to Jesus and He will turn your sorrow into joy.

He never said you'd only see sunshine.
He never said there'd be no rain.
He only promised a heart full of singing,
at the very thing that once brought pain.

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Side note:  as I am writing this entry - a text message exchange changes so many things that I have been worried about... I am not going to be blind to the fact that they message came through after I was willing to think about Giving It All to Jesus.  





Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.