Construction Phase .....

Daddy,
Thank you for being God's Love.  Thank you for saying with each prayer - "Father thank you for loving us."  You taught me love in so many ways.  But you also taught me who God is.  Knowing that God is Love has proved my literal saving grace forever.  There are so many conversations I want to have with you today about God.  I think I need to hear your opinion.  But if I am honest- I already have - God's Love meant everything to you.  And it is how you treated others - you lived God's Love in all that you did. 


Sometimes we look and we cannot see things the way we might should.

The typical view that I would choose is the picture above.  This is out my front door - the one I go in and out all the time.  I think it is a beautiful picture.  I love the colors - the definitions - just really think it is pretty.

Same skyline - from a different vantage point - this time my side yard.  Typically Kerry feeds our dogs - today I did.  Or  maybe typically when I feed the dogs because I do that (not as much as him) I don't take time to look toward the western sky.  

And this close up view nearly took my breath away.

Same skyline - same home - same.

But yet not at all the same.

There is a God story in these pictures for me.  In the popular religious circles of today there is a word that is being used.  I think it has been around for about 5 - maybe 10 years.  This word of "reconstruction".  The time in life when one looks at what they believe - how they believe and decide to do something different with the knowledge.  

Look at the last bullet point ... an impression, model, or re-enactment of a past event formed from the available evidence.

That is where I am.  And while that definition is so incredibly vague to me - I think I can explain.  I am not sure that this is where others on this journey are - or if they would even agree with my interpretation of the reconstruction definition - but for me this is where I am .... today.

I am finding that while some things seem new - they are in fact really not.  I mentioned to Kerry last night that it almost aggravates me at times because I wonder why it has taken until 54 to figure some of this out.  He reminded me that I have learned a whole bunch of stuff about other areas of life as time has gone - why would this God journey be any different.

He is right.  I have always had somewhat of an impression that I should understand all the God stuff just perfectly - like right now.  That what I knew growing up should be what I know.  If it is God and I have to know God for all the things of life and the after life to fall into place- then surely I understand the God part in its entirety or at least enough to get where I surely want to go.

Good heavens.  Seriously - such a naive approach to life.  

Of course God is not something for me to completely understand and figure out completely today - or yesterday and probably not tomorrow either.  But I can go back to my original viewpoint and see.  I can look to the same spot from a slightly different vantage point - but yet still be in truth and see new.

I was still in my home.  I was still Cheryl looking at the western skyline.  The foundation was the same - I just took a different vantage point.  But the western skyline was still the western skyline.

This is what is happening to me right now.  

My foundation was formed a long time ago.  I suspect it was formed as she carried me from Florida to Tennessee back to Texas before I was born.  Then they carried me throughout Texas and raised me almost exactly how she would have raised me.  I have learned about the birth family and to use an expression of old - they are a "God fearing" family.  The messages I have received about my grandparents - the stories that are told all show their foundation in God's Love.  Her life is also an example of God's Love.  She is still today a living breathing evidence of God's Love.  

The same is true for the couple who raised me - my parents.  Everyday of my life I knew of God's Love.  I felt love - I lived in love.

And so Love is taking me on this journey to examine what I believe to be true about God.  Jesus is guiding the path - I am looking at what I know to be true - the foundation - but I am also looking to God from all kinds of vantage points.  The foundation has not changed.  The views to see him are multiplying. 

That was the message in 1989 - the other side is below and hangs on my kitchen wall today ...

Continue reading I John 4 - it is a wonderful chapter about God's Love.

"Dear friends, if God loved us this way, we ought to love each other.  No one has ever seen God.  If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us." 4:11-12, CEB.

Growing up in that wonderful church in Perrin - we used to sing a song ....

There is no fear in love - but a perfect love casteth out all fear.

For fear hath torment and he that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him because he first loved us and I will not be silent.

I will praise his name forever - for my God is Love.  

God is 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.

Remembering East Texas

This time of year I often think about our time of living in East Texas.

1986-1989.

On our way to church in Mt. Pleasant there was this really tall tree (not like I see around here) and when it changed colors - the red was absolutely beautiful.  I would always say that I wanted a picture so I could remember that tree.  I never took one - Kerry mentioned that the memory in my heart might just be enough.

He was right.

I have those same colors in my back yard now.

Soon it will be a backyard with a patio.  I simply cannot wait!  I am learning a lesson in patience - which  I did not particularly ask for!  I was hoping our patio would be finished by October 1st.  Then I was hoping we would start by October 1st.  So November 1st was a bit soon - but we are on our way now!!!

I simply cannot wait! (Son Two is sitting on the steps and Kerry and I are on the right - I am in the pink shirt....)

Our time in East Texas was so very short.  I taught school in Gilmer and Kerry worked in Mt. Pleasant for Pilgrim's.  Our best friends in ET were Tom & Dixie and The Whites.  We have done a horrible job of keeping in touch - although with the connections with Facebook at least we have some contact.  

We learned about love in East Texas too.

We learned that it is about opening our hearts to new ways of worship and loving those who at first our different but in the end are just the same.

Over on the prepare2prosper site I mention that I grew up thinking my way of worship and what I believed was really the only right way.  I even told Kerry that I thought those people at that church had it all wrong.  Well those people at that church taught me once again about love.

We had fun going to church with Tom & Dixie and listening to Pastor White preach.  So glad that I went to God's word to figure out the "right or wrong" and did not close my personal door to learning more about God's love in a different place than I had learned before.  I would have missed out.

Have I written about Micah Drew?  He is the oldest son of Pastor White & Sister Teresa.  He lives in heaven now.  But we remember him each spring - we call fireflies "Micah Drews".  If I have written about our "Micah Drews" before - I haven't found the link!  But I will either find and share or write for the first time..... very soon.

Living in East Texas - the best of memories.... (picture of Don & Teresa White - borrowed from Donesa White Walker - their oldest daughter).

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.

Commitment & Dedication ...

During the month of May I had the chance to experience the word commitment both personally and to see it in action.  Commitment is a strange word and one perhaps I have managed to adjust through time to suit me.  But sometimes there is no adjustment to be made – just a matter of doing whatever it is that one was committed to do.  And it is after the commitment is completed that one can really experience the blessings and be thankful for the journey.

This journey began in the fall of 1990.  Most will not remember that it began that long ago – but I can remember standing in the workroom of Graford ISD and sharing that if Tarleton ever had a doctoral program – then I would want my doctorate.  That was 21 years ago…. Tarleton began that doctoral program in the fall of 2003 and I was a member of the first cohort class.

I quickly learned all the doctoral vocabulary – the one that seemed the most interesting was ABD (all but the dissertation).  Evidently there are many students who take the course work but never finish the writing project at the end – dissertation.  ABD means nothing in the real world – it is almost like saying I was committed to the program but not committed to the endeavor and the true challenge.  For me ABD was beginning to seem like a reality….

But I am Ed.D. – not ABD – and on Saturday, May 12^th – I completed the last phase of commitment to earn a doctorate -  I walked across Tarleton’s stage one more time. It was His saving grace that made that journey even possible.

While that commitment was important to me and to my family – I witnessed a far greater commitment on an evening in May – in a small church sanctuary – in warm water – with a youth director gone on to another life adventure…

It is a bit difficult to hear his comments (the 3 year old was sitting next to me ….) but some highlights are:

Being committed is what it is all about… but nothing is a commitment anymore – but yet that is what we must do.  Jesus knows we are not perfect but he calls us to LOVE when we commit to Him.

I wonder if we remember the value of that commitment.  Are we ABD – all but the dedication?  Are we living as if we have dedicated our lives to Him – dedicated to LOVE – dedicated to sharing with others - dedicated to supporting the new members of our cohort – dedicated to the writing project of our lives?

I love that he has on his Texas shirt.  A forever memory for us who have called him friend.  My dearest friend is his wife – Jamie.  They have committed their lives to LOVE and to being able to provide their children with a life full of health and happiness.  That health commitment has taken them to Colorado – and as difficult and out of character for me that it will be – I am dedicated to remaining a part of their lives – after all – how can I not be committed to their 2 – how can I not be dedicated to them remembering dinners & visits at Cheryl’s house?

The song by Jeremy Camp - Let It Fade - has been playing on my radio and in my head for days - the lyrics just seem to be ringing quite true right now....it is worth the $1.29 on iTunes -

Have you been walking on a surface that's uncertain?
Have you helped yourself to everything that's empty?
You can't live this way too long.
There's more than this, more than this.
Have you been standing on your own feet too long?
Have you been looking for a place where you belong?

You can rest, you will find rest.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade.
Let this new life offered be your saving grace.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade.....
---------------------------------------------------------------

His saving grace – oh yes it is that grace that keeps us from being ABD -

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.

Signs in Texas

The first sign I saw as I drove into the small Texas town was:

A huge smile comes across my face – tears wet my eyes and I know it is all going to be alright.  I am a notice signs from God person.  The signs He sends me aren’t always conventional (are any signs from God conventional?) but they are my signs.  And that sign helped us more than once…. But you need to also know that had I not turned around on I 37 and went back to the exit I missed – I would not have seen this sign in this location.

Side bar.  While growing up in Perrin my parents had several sets of close friends but perhaps the closest was the Sam Samaniego family.  You have read stories about them before – but Papa Sam, Mama Shirley, Stephanie and Sammy were our dear friends (later they added Jason & Derek and Derek’s twin brother).  There was even a time that Sam & Shirley lived 2 lots down from me at Possum Kingdom Lake and my boys grew up knowing them too.  Stephanie is my sister. Oh and you should see the looks when I say that.  She is dark skinned, dark hair, slender and absolutely beautiful.  She recently said that I could pass for her mom’s daughter before she could – that’s true.  My brother and Sammy had their share of having fun growing up too.  And I can still hear the pain in my brother’s voice when he told me that Sammy was gone and we have since lost Papa Sam & Mama Shirley too. This family has endured many hardships – and I know when I think of the Samaniego name I think of God’s people, people who love Jesus, people who know that God is in control.  I wish I knew how many prayers Mama Shirley said for all of us!  So seeing the Samaniego sign – gave me a calm assurance.  I had to circle back to get the picture – found a house for sale that was great and our story continues…

While waiting for Son one to meet me in this town I drove around and just looked and made phone calls – and got organized.  After he got there we looked at one way out (all of about 5 miles but it seemed forever!) – then when we were coming back in to town – I wanted to show him this place by the Samaniego sign – so we went.  As we were driving back to look at others, he received a phone call from an agent about a house we saw and wanted to see.  I did not do a real good job of remembering streets but I felt like I had a general idea of where we were going.  I went the way I wanted to go only to realize that I really did not know where I was and just as I was going to turn and go another way – Son one wants me to stop.

Perfect idea. 5^th wheel set up for short term rent (Son one says he noticed it because of the electrical hook up – all those years of growing up with a mechanical contracting business can sure make a difference!).  What a great idea – we looked, met the owner – who lives right next door and 10 minutes later Son one called and said he would take it for at least a month. 

Oh – Papa Sam’s given name was Ernest.  

Son one's landlord’s name? Ernest. 

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.

I Will or I

The last few months have been most interesting.  I have experienced a wide range of emotions and I guess at times I am just weary.  There have been many changes – one son comes home from living 12 hours away, another son leaves for college 4 hours away, I move my parents to my town so that I can help them (don’t tell them that they need it – they are in denial!), my husband’s company experiences a work related serious injury of an employee, it was the summer that never cooled off (very difficult for a HVAC husband), AND I became Cheryl Cannon Groves, Ed.D.

Ed.D. – better known as Dr.  In this case I am a doctor of Educational Leadership.  I completed the final step on Friday, October 7^th at Tarleton State University.  I am no longer ABD (All But the Dissertation).  ‘Such an awesome feeling – and I just wake up each day wondering if it is really true!  A person in my office asked if it was somewhat pretentious to be referred to as Dr. Groves – in a workforce office where the title/degree are not required.  I said ABSOLUTELY not……  once I started the course work and went through that experience I vowed to always refer to someone as Dr. Whomever – it is quite a task.  So – by all means if anyone wants to call me Dr. Groves, Dr. Cheryl, Dr. Mimi Falaca (there’s a story to that one….) or just Dr. – then of course I will gladly answer. 

Lots of changes and there were moments that I just wasn’t sure about anything.  I think that is how life is sometimes – all around us seems to change – all around us seems to fall apart – all around us is uncertain.  I wonder do I use the phrase I will or do I just say I?

I will Trust in Jesus

Or

I Trust in Jesus

I never really thought how different those 2 expressions can be.  I will Trust in Jesus or I Trust in Jesus.

Third Day captures it best (this is the second verse)

What are you going to do when your time has come

And your life is done and there’s nothing you can stand on

What will you have to say at the judgment throne

I already know the only thing that I can say I

Trust in Jesus

My great Deliverer, my strong Defender, The Son of God

I trust in Jesus

Blessed Redeemer, My Lord forever

The Holy One

I think that is all that really matters.  Am I saying – I will or I?  I think many times I have used the expression – I will trust in Jesus.  But I have decided that I trust in Jesus is so much more and the statement that I want to be living.  If you haven’t heard the song – take a few moments to listen.  

Trust in Jesus - YouTube Video 

2 Thessalonians 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

My favorite College QB - before the RRR

Debra, Chance, Brad, Dr. Groves, & Kerry in front of the entrance to the Cotton Bowl

(my first picture as Dr. Groves....)

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.

So Much More Than a Game...

It began a long time ago…. At least 40 years ago.  It is not a secret that girls are often “Daddy’s girls” and the bond between a dad and his daughter is often quite strong.  Of course since I was my dad’s birthday present in 1964 – it goes without saying that our bond would be forever strong.

There are many directions that this entry could take – some would make us all cry – some would make me cry but today is about something so much more….. Today is Saturday – and I am doing one of my most favorite things – watching ESPN’s College Game Day!

My dad would walk the sidelines of the Perrin Pirate football games.  In fact when we go watch my nephew three play – I still want to walk the sidelines and watch.  There are others that continue to do the same.  I went to every Pirate football game from 1966 – 1983 and during that time we also went to Baylor Bear football games in Waco.  And of course we watched the Dallas Cowboys on Sundays.  When I was a freshman in high school – a friend of Danny White’s got us tickets to see the Cowboys play at the old stadium – football is just a part of who I am.

That love of football has never left me.  It was a bit difficult when I married a wonderful man who went to a school without a football team – he did not understand my withdrawal on Friday nights when we were first married.  That quickly changed – and we watched Gilmer Buckeye football in East Texas.  Then when I started teaching in Graham we became avid Graham Steer fans.  In 1998 when Nephew one was a freshman that love of football went to a completely different level when I started watching our boys play and our boys of four increased to our boys of seven when the McCoy family came to Graham.

David Rupkalvis, editor of the Graham Leader, perhaps said it best…..

Quote from the editor's column in the Graham Leader

I do love football.  It has been a joy to watch #12 play in the Longhorn uniform and now leading the Cleveland Browns, we had so much fun watching the receiver at Hardin Simmons – he was a receiver that is steady and strong (Son two took after him – they both have the best hands….) but the bond between a QB and his O line is much like that dad and his daughter bond.  Forever.

So it was that the forever bond took us to California last weekend.  One dream I have is to visit football stadiums and watch college teams play all over the nation.  Of course the Rose Bowl in Pasadena would be a place to visit.  I will never forget Vince waltzing into the end zone nor the one standing on the sidelines a few years later.  But this year it was about a QB – and for me it was about his O lineman.

The friendship of those two has done more for my family than most will ever know.  In many ways the QB's love for Jesus brought our family back to that in a time when we did not even know we were away.  He was our Graham Steer quarterback and for three of those years – Son one was his O lineman.

When Texas announced that our QB would be the starting QB on Saturday against UCLA in the Rose Bowl – we started looking for tickets.  God blesses people in many different ways and for us it was with reasonable plane tickets, a time frame that worked, and being able to find game day tickets.  The QB’s dad – Brad was flying into LAX on the same flight and Colt’s financial agent was flying out of LAX that evening at the same time.  All the details worked and that O lineman got to watch his QB start in his first college game.

For me football is about the game – I do love the Xs and Os (I understand the game – I could probably coach a team ….) but it is also about the people and the excitement it produces.  Just this morning on ESPN College Game Day – they interviewed Dabo Swinney – coach at Clemson – I loved that interview and now will want to watch teams he coaches.  He talked about showing enthusiasm, loving what you do and being excited.  He also has a sign on his desk - There is nothing less important than the score at half time.

David was right – I do love football.  Thanks Dad – following you around is where it all began…

Notes: There is so much more I could write about football!  Last year when Son one was in Montgomery – getting to be in the stadium where the historical Blue/Gray games were held and seeing the Roll Tide/Auburn rivalry.  Son one’s senior year we took the QB to an A&M game and I have even been on the field at DKR when Colt was a QB at Texas.  My football experiences are just some of my favorite memories!  And of course watching our boys play high school football was the VERY best and ones I will treasure for a lifetime. 

Before the game!  Hook 'em!

His first TD pass!

Our group after the game

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.