Come on Tide!

It doesn't really make any sense.

But I think when we start trying to figure out God's plans and his timing - it never will make sense.  That statement is true from beginnings to endings and everything in the middle.

In June of 2013 I shared with you my connection to Cheryl.  That connection was simply the coolest growing up - I loved knowing someone else with the name Cheryl.  Finding out that the adult
Cheryl loved Alabama was just another cool connection.  More on Cheryl in just a moment...

I know you simply don't get why I like Alabama.

It doesn't make any sense.  After all it was in the National Championship in 2010 that Alabama beat Texas and I loved Texas during that time.  Those seasons of watching Colt as the quarterback were so much fun and that is really where my love for college football began.  But about that game... if Colt doesn't get hurt - Texas wins - really - he had studied the Tide and he knew what they were going to do.  Colt getting hurt and not getting to play is another thing that simply doesn't make sense ... but let's never forget Colt's post game interview

Colt's Interview

I will never tire from hearing those words.... 

I love this game... I always give God the glory.  I never question why things happen the way they do.  God is in control of my life and if nothing else I'm standing on the rock.

I latched on to The Tide bandwagon over the next few years.  I went to Alabama several times after that National Championship game and even tried to be an Auburn fan but in the end it was Son One who shared the Alabama Crimson Tide tradition with me and I decided to join him in this quest to love that Alabama football team.

I know you remember that Son One lived in Montgomery for a year.  He made many friends - and most of them were on the side of The Tide.  In Alabama one must pick - you either love The Tide or you love the War Eagle.  I remember weekends in Montgomery - basically in the middle of the 2 towns (Tuscaloosa and Auburn) - the cars and people would be decorated with the school colors.  That's something we don't see here in Texas - maybe if you are in College Station, Waco, or Austin - but not in cities in between.

Another aspect of it all that really doesn't make sense.

But for me - it is about cheering for a team that I can just love and I don't have to personally hurt when the game or season doesn't go as planned.  That's where it started.  I just found a storied, southern football team that has tradition beyond tradition and quite frankly I love the colors and the houndstooth!

So I cheer for Alabama.  But I also cheer for Ohio (I loved watching JT Barrett) - I cheer for Clemson - I cheer for Georgia - I cheer for Texas (mostly when McCoys were at QB) - I cheer for college football - it is truly a game I love.

So it doesn't make sense - I realize that - but just love that I love because that same love for college football goes far beyond a game and into the lives of others.

Which brings me back to Cheryl.

You must follow her blog...

Cheryl's Blog

Particularly - follow the link to her entry about The Benny Books - but specifically notice what she has to say about love.

Why is it that we in the "Christian" world truly forget to love?  Or maybe we don't know how "to love".  

I think I Corinthians 13 has become so popular that perhaps we forget to read it - internalize it - and live it.   I know I almost avoid that chapter because everyone references it....

But love is the only way to make sense of all of this life.

But if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

That speaks volumes.

So it really doesn't matter now much faith in Jesus we think we have - if we leave out the love part - we are nothing.

Ouch.

That hurts much worse than losing a National Championship, or losing the first ever semi final college playoff game.

In this game I must love others with that same kind of love football passion -

Perhaps it is about being a fan of loving others.

Now back to God's plans & timing not making sense....

When is Sweet Baby One going to arrive????

This family is ready (pictured.... Daughter One, Son One, Nephew Three, Grandpa, Son Two, Grandma, and Grandson One)! There has been more than one night that I have thought my phone was going to ring.  Oh don't get me wrong - it has rang plenty of times.... Mom - what temperature should I cook _____, Mom we are all sick (yes Son One and family have been sick), Mom did you see that play?

But I haven't heard ....

Roll Tide

Because when I hear Roll Tide - it means our Sweet Baby One is ready to be in 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.

Gracious & Football

If you have read my blog for any length of time you know all about my absolute LOVE for football.  My first love is high school football - that stems from years and years of walking with my dad on the sidelines of Perrin High School football.  Then that love just escalated with Nephew One hit high school and our dedication and admiration for Graham Steer football began and I suspect will never end.

We have laughed, cheered, yelled, and we have cried.

This year I also got to see graciousness on the field of play.

Nephew Three is a Graham Steer.  He is also the perfect example of what preparation can do.  He played football for Perrin and really had a great freshman and sophomore season.  Then his junior year he started both ways for Graham on the junior varsity team.  He was moved up to varsity and finished the season as a slot receiver for the 2013 Graham Steers State Semi-Finalist.

Junior Season

Nephew Three with Coach Brad McCoy (My boys' football coach)  & Dillon Cobb - Nephew Three's coach from Colt Camp.  This was after JV game against Abilene Wylie in the Junior Season.

Grandson One wearing the helmet became a tradition in the Junior Season.

The helmet wearing continued into the Senior Season.  

Back to that "what preparation can do".  

The summer of 2014 our #33 spent the entire summer working hard to prepare for the Senior Season of football.  If you want to know how to truly be a part of a winning football team - then ask #33.  He spent day and day in the weight room and practicing 7 on 7.  In fact that Graham Steer 7 on 7 team won the State 7 on 7 meet for the 2nd year in a row!!

Nephew Three & Coach Son Two - State 7 on 7 Champions!

Then came the Senior Season - of which there is much to write about!  Nephew Three was a running back and receiver - played on both the kick off and return teams.  And scored touchdowns!!  It was just the most awesome season and we had so much fun watching him play as a Graham Steer.

Nephew Three with Dillon Cobb again - Wylie football game - 

we won (we beat them twice this year!)

Funny thing about high school sports - there is an ending.  Even though we WON on my birthday - that second win against Abilene Wylie - WON again while playing a tough Stephenville team - even if we could have won that game on December 12th - the season was going to end.

Ours ended one week earlier than what we had hoped.

But in the midst of all of our tears - mine included (I simply hate the ending....).  I witnessed graciousness.

Gracious defined --- very polite in a way that shows respect, showing consideration, showing a natural kindness - thoughtful (prepare2prosper)

One more time he posed for the traditional picture....

That's how one prospers in life - live graciously.  Nephew Three showed that -

Nephew Three knows Jesus.

Nephew Three lives as Jesus instructed and prepares each day for that living.

Nephew Three is a Graham Steer - 2014 State Semi-Finalist.

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.

More than one....

There is more than one place to write!

I have another blog - it is a bit different - my goal is for it to be more devotional in nature - more specific about Biblical studies rather than whatever event in my life I want to share with you ....

Which lately has not been very many....

We are loving every moment of Graham Steer Football.  I wonder just how many times I have said that!!

I created a notebook for my dad to have to look through - primarily on Friday evenings when we are at football games.  My dad always called me his "favorite daughter".  Yes - of course - I am the only daughter.

My dad is doing well.  Sometimes I wonder how to answer the question "How's your dad?"  My dad is different but yet he is the same - he is sick but yet he is well - he is human but yet he receives God's grace.  And that last part is the part I remember EVERY time I see him.  He never shows unhappiness even though I know that if he completely could verbalize his living arrangements he would not be very happy with me, he is physically doing just fine and holding his own, and every day he shows and voices his love for Jesus.  I simply cannot ask for anything more.  He is a living example of God's Grace.

Me & my dad taken rather recently....

While it is busy - it is also so much fun to have teenagers in our home.  Spaghetti Lunch on Fridays has become the best time.  

Nephew Three (far right) with Grandson in the middle.

I think he is LOVING being with the Graham Steers!

Would you like to follow my "other blog"? Here's the link...... Cheryl's Other Blog

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.

#Intramural - Part One of NYC

I can still remember the day I became an aunt.  Well - it really wasn't my day to become an aunt because it was in 1983 and I wasn't married to that baby's uncle yet.  But I still remember....

We are a family who celebrates each other....

A couple of summers ago (almost 3) it was a United States Coast Guard graduation ceremony on the East Coast and as our life so often becomes...... fate sent us back to the East Coast this spring.

Nephew Two (middle) with his precious wife - July 2011

Our East Coast trip this time was to the Big Apple.  Yes we went to New York City.  I still cannot believe we got to do exactly that!  We went to NYC.

I am a bit intimidated by vacations.  And quite honestly I feel quite sure I would have never asked to go to NYC - under normal circumstances.  But a film - premiering - at - the - TriBeCa - film festival....

Well that's a Coast Guard graduation equivalent!

This #Intramural event really started a while back in our community.  Nephew One brought some of the group to Graham to talk about the film and raise money for production.  We had a wonderful time meeting his friends and even hosted some in our home.  

Do you recognize us?  (Febreze commercial....)

That's what aunts do - we follow those nephews around celebrating their success.  I found another aunt in NYC.

And when I found her -

I knew how this blog would go.

I believe that Christ has called me to celebrate my nephews.  I have the 3 best nephews that anyone could have.  It is pretty easy to celebrate a teenager while playing sports & making awesome grades (currently Nephew Three) and likewise a nephew who serves his country - well that is quite easy too (Nephew Two).

But a nephew who produces movies?  How do I celebrate that - how do I celebrate something that probably would not be shown in "a church"?  (you know where I am going with that I am sure....)

David Kinnaman writes about something just the same in his book You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church.... And Rethinking Faith.

My friends Steve & Valerie have modeled this "new mind" as their son, a filmmaker, has grown into a man..... Steve told me, "You should see some of the major films his' worked on to build his credibility in mainstream Hollywood - It's mostly great stuff.  But sections are jarring.  ..... Who do I feel comfortable inviting to see this?  How many Christian folks will understand how strategically he's placed?  That he may be the only Christ-follower some of these Hollywood-types ever meet, one of the only believers with inside access?  When some Christians pray for him - I think they are really saying they hope he doesn't go to hell in Hollywood - we wish their prayer was for him to find favor and work for God's pleasure....film can reveal the truth about human condition and our need for redemption in ways that are as powerful & provocative as any sermon."

Film also can bring families together.  My nephews work hard and long hours on the things they do.  But for a few short days in a great big city far from Texas - we were together.

Son One, Son Two, Nephew Two, Nephew One, Nephew Three - and 

it was Nephew Three's 17th Birthday!!!

I wasn't the only aunt celebrating a nephew.  I really don't know this family - oh how I wish I did - I know we would be immediate friends.  But I suspect she has some Christ-like conviction too.  Some thought that along the way - she will celebrate her nephew.

Me & Jay's Aunt Shaunda (you must pronounce it as Aunt is pronounced in the South)

Jay's sister, Nephew One, Me, Jay's Aunt Shaunda, and Shaunda's Nephew Jay

So I found the Aunt who traveled to see her nephew on that big screen. Aunts..... we find a way to celebrate.

Me, Kerry, LynDee, Nephew One, Nephew One's Precious Friend, & Kevin

I don't have all the answers to how God is using Nephew One in the film industry.  I do know that throughout EVERY conversation that we heard regarding Intramural:  The Movie - the cast - crew - people associated with the movie - ... the conversation always went back to what a great time they had - great experience filming - the bond that the group of people created is forever etched in their Austin Texas minds.  Nephew One gained some great friendships from this experience.  And I suspect they were amazed that there were 10 Groves Family members that traveled to NYC - to celebrate Nephew One's accomplishments.  

This movie has sophomoric humor and  Intramural:  The Movie is not for everyone - but it is absolutely hilarious.  If you are my age and you saw Airplane - then know that Intramural:  The Movie is the Airplane for now.  

I loved the movie.  I really cannot wait to watch it again.  There is so much humor and I know I missed a great deal.  (there's also a great message hidden among the craziness - a message about dedicating yourself to something - a message about listening to your heart...)

Most of all - I cannot wait to celebrate Nephew One again and again.  I know the production company - Ralph Smyth Entertainment - has many more films to share with us.  In fact - you should go find out about Dealt ........

The reason we celebrate - the reason Ralph Smyth Entertainment has movie stars talking about how much fun they had - the reason all comes back to having a relationship with something bigger than us - something that holds us all together.

Something that takes us to an ocean in July of 2011 

and a park in 2014.  

Part Two of NYC  - coming soon...... 

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.

A New Year, Alabama, And a Book

We had a wonderful holiday season.  I especially enjoyed our time at my mom and dad’s new home.  Sharing Christmas with my brother and his family was enjoyable and I am thankful for the time we spent.  I haven’t always been thankful for my brother – it makes me laugh to think about the time that I told my parents “to take him back – he gets too much attention”. 

my brother Chris, me & my dad & mom in their new home!

New Years was spent at our cabin with our boys – and enjoying the last day of 2011 with James Kelly & Mona Lois.  And I finally got another picture of our kids together.  Look how they have changed!

Top picture 2012, Bottom 2005

The month of January also brings the National Championship – and all the bowl games.  I have loved every moment of all this football.  I just cannot believe that on Tuesday – I will be counting down the days until the season begins again.  It is exciting to have a connection to the National Championship Game.  We have many friends that love the University of Alabama and Son one & I will be chanting ROLL TIDE ROLL on Monday (okay I may have started already).  As for Kerry and Son two – they aren’t quite the obsessive ones that I tend to be.  I have been reading today about the University of Alabama and the history involved with the University is just amazing – I am not so much a history person but I am interested in the history involving the civil rights movement.  I wonder where I would have been in those days...  I would like to think that I would feel as if I do today that we are all equal – I have always been proud that I raised boys who do not see color.  Would I have been like them?  God gave my boys that gift – I am thankful. 

My Bama Stuff!  LOVE this shirt - and check out the cups!

My dearest friends Ross & Jamie gave me a book for Christmas that is just perhaps my favorite gift of all time.  How did they know it was exactly what I needed?  Have you heard of “One Thousand Gifts”?  What a wonderful daily life plan…. The author – Ann Voskamp – also started a Joy Dare for 2012 – visit her website to learn and you can join in too!  aholyexperience.com

5. something you’re reading, you’re making, you’re seeing

I read about the University of Alabama and the events of June 11, 1963, I made potato soup for my boys  (yes they don’t feel very good…) and look what I have been seeing today….

my Christmas plant - blooming in our entry way - from my dear friend Lana....she is a gift.

I would love for you to capture gifts with me….I enjoy my cup of coffee and record my gifts in my journal.  I am quite thankful for the Christmas gift that included this cup & this journal – perfect timing!

 Roll Tide Roll…

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.

Champions!

Oh how I love the game of football.  I know you know that because I have probably written that exact line sometime earlier.  I am not sure where this love comes from – I think part of it is just watching the incredible talent of young athletes and celebrating their success.  I can remember as far back as Justin Pitcock (who is now a captain in the Marine Corps flying v-22 Osprey…) playing linebacker for the Graham Steers – I can still see his stance as he got ready to tackle the offense, Lance Cauthen as a wide receiver, Toby Dollar at QB and I am going to get in trouble with not remembering everyone.  Of course watching Nephew one play and winning the Defense MVP for the district his senior year was just special beyond description.  For Nephew two’s senior year I filmed the games for Coach McCoy – on the sideline.  That was awesome!  I loved that opportunity.  The memories from the seasons with our sons are moments I will never forget.  Some highlights include Facing the Giants (Stonewall…..), Thanksgiving dinners, Football in December, Son one predicting the score against Brownwood, Son two getting moved up to Varsity after the season had started his sophomore year, and of course the State Championship Game in December of 2009. 

State Championship…..  I never imagined it would happen for the Graham Steers.  The dream just seems a bit too big – a bit too far from reach – and in many ways it is.  It takes a tremendous amount of work and dedication to reach that goal.  But for one heart of Texas town – that goal was within their reach – was something they could do and once they got past the Regional Game their pathway became quite obvious.

Dallas Cowboy Stadium, December 15^th, 2011 – Mason Punchers vs. Stamford Bulldogs.  Hard work, dedication, determination, experience, commitment and the descriptives can go on for a lifetime.  What a joy to watch a group of athletes with enthusiasm for their team, excitement for their victories, and the will to win…..

The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:7 ~ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  And in I Corinthians 9:24-25 Paul again talks about competition ~ Do you not know that in a race all the runners, run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Paul would have enjoyed the State Championship game…..

I wonder if why I love football reflects my seasons with Jesus.  Watching a football game and seeing the success (and lack thereof) of athletes can be similar to our walk with Jesus.  Even though appearances at the state championship game do not always happen, successful athletes train as if it will happen every year.  I wonder if I am training day in and day out for the championship game with Christ? 

That is certainly something for me to ponder as I watch the awesome game of Football!!!  (It is bowl season you know….. the best time of year to be a football fan!)

And CONGRATULATIONS to the Mason Punchers

2011 Class A, Division I State Football Champions 

Kerry & me at Cowboy Stadium!

JK & ML - two of my favorites... Yes they are family (remember he is Kathy's cousin.....)

but more than that they are our friends!

ML & me!

I thought this looked really cool....

#20 - he's quite good - this season he made 5 out of 7 field goals - longest was 33 yards.  He made 93 PATs (90% for the season and that includes the blocked ones).  He averaged 39 yards for his punts and 26 touchbacks on kickoffs.  Such a fun player to watch! 

Love having a kicker in the family!

#20 as a running back - I know there were others who played

(and quite well - Mason had the MVP for both offense & defense)

This was his TD run....

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.