2 years in Heaven

July 21, 2011...that is the day Donna left to go home.  Her Heavenly Home.  She feels no pain.  She doesn't have to watch what she eats.  She is free to be herself, and to worship her God.  In the company of a whole host of people, who love her and she loves them.

I didn't think I could miss her any more than I did that first night.  But I was wrong.  Each passing day, I miss her more and more.  My hope is in God though.  I will see them again.

She loved being with her family... Skip, Jamie, Desiree, Payton, Molly, Jack, Emme, Parker, Patrick, and Preston.

 

Donna loved being with her boys...They may have towered over her in size.  But she could hold her own with them.  She loved knowing about their life and what made them "tick."

Donna was my best friend.  She let me tag along when I was little whether it was with family, her friends, or whatever...She never complained that I was there.  She always made time for me.  I miss those quick trips with her...and just hanging out.  She helped losing my mom and dad bearable.  Now they are all together...someday soon!!!!!

 

Home-Made Ice Cream--Shirley Style

I made this my profile picture on Facebook yesterday, and it was suggested we have captions for our pictures.  I guess especially the old ones.  So here it is...

Donna and I were always close.  In this picture I was about 4 and she was about 10.  She always included me in stuff whether it was family or her friends.

We were at my grandparents house in the hot summer.  If I remember the cousins from out of state were there and it was time to make home-made ice cream.

The ice cream, the ice, the towels, and then the kids.  The process was that the adults cranked it, and to keep it all together they needed weight to hold everything in place.  That is where the kids joined in to help.  I remember us all taking turns.  But when it was our turn...Donna and I did always did it together.

Donna was laughing because of the way it "felt" underneath.  I am sure she probably lasted on it longer than I did.

It's a Saturday

Wow...what a week.  It has been great.

Be strong in the Lord.  That is what we taught the children this week.  Using encouragement, praying, our bible, and commitment!  Kingdom Rock was a great VBS and the kids had a marvelous time learning how to be strong in the Lord.   Tomorrow is Sunday.  Find a church and worship the Holy God!

Wednesday Whirlings

Well I have been gone a few days...so sorry.
Vacation Bible School this week.  It is going great.  The theme is to "be strong"
 from Kingdom Rock.  We travel around in groups and learn all kinds of ways to be strong from experiences with bible characters.

Today is day 3.  The Norman kids are with me this week.  They are having a great time at bible school and just hanging out with me.  

More tomorrow...."Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up."  I Thess. 5:11

Saturday Situations

Saturdays were always extremely busy for me.  That is the day I usually spent grading papers, recording grades, and anything else I needed to do for school.

Today  was definitely different.

I got up and was going to work on some things here at home....yearbook, laundry, etc.  Got a reasonable amount done.  Surprisingly!

I went to lunch with some friends.  That was nice.  We ate at the Blue Moon and I got Catfish.  It was really good.  Sandy invited us to her house after lunch.  She makes these miniatures.  Miniature houses, stores, people, scenes, and a whole lot more.  She said it relaxes her to make them.  It would make me more tense.  God has given everyone a gift.  Miniatures is definitely hers.

Well tomorrow is church day.  Get up and go worship.  You'll be glad you did.

Friday Findings

It is Friday once again.  A day that most people seem to want to see.  A day that most yearn for the weekend in order to be off work.  I use to feel that.  Now I am off (work) all the time...it is just another day...or is it.

I actually like Friday...Because my favorite day is Sunday.  That is when I get to sing with my church family...love it.

I got up this morning at 10:30.  Well, I meant to get up at 7.  I even set my alarm for 7.  When it went off instead of hitting the snooze...(as I did when I was working!!!)...I just turned it off.  Therefore I got up at 10:30...

I wanted to get up at 7 because I had to go to Walmart

and get a few things and I hate to go to Walmart anyway, but especially when they are busier than usual.  So I get to Walmart at 11 or so and they are not too busy.  And I was able to get all the things I needed.

Sunday is Father's Day.  I have the best earthly father.  He is living in Heaven now, which means I miss him terribly.  I will get to see him again.

He loved to have his picture taken.  He just loved to be with people...especially his family.  He use to take us to see people when we were growing up...not because he wanted to show us off...but because he wanted us to know them!   I found this picture of him and his siblings.  I would have loved to have known him as a boy!

More about Dad tomorrow!  

Why do we do what we do...

Why do we do the things we do?

Last week my nephew mentioned to me while he and his son were helping with the Moore destruction...that someone asked him...Why are you helping?   It got me to thinking... what is our motive behind the things we do.  My nephew told the man...that he was helping because his family was safe from harm.

Why do we help others...is it so that we will be seen as a helper.  Do we help in order to fulfill some need that we feel we need to do...

OR do we help because we are concerned about that person or that event and we do it out of love.  Without LOVE we are nothing...

Donna's Birthday 2013

Birthday Alley continues....Donna's birthday is tomorrow...June 8th.  She was born 61 years ago.  Her favorite way to spend her birthday was with her grandchildren...so I decided to gather some pictures of her with her grandchildren.

Donna loved to be with her "kids"...big and small.  She hated to have her picture taken...but would do it.  She loved to organize things for people...holidays, birthdays, etc.  She even gave Me a SURPRISE Birthday Party!

 Payton loved her Patrick.  Donna loved it when the cousins were together.

 Taken at John's house on the afternoon of Molly's college graudation...a happy occasion.

 This is one of my favorite pictures of us as sisters.  It was taken at Jamie's wedding in Florida.

Jack loved to pillow fight with his Uncle Jamie.  Donna would watch them with a smile on her face.

Her two favorite guys!

...and their families

Dad 2013

Tomorrow is Dad's birthday.  He was born on this earth 88 years ago.  He loved his family.  He always wanted to be with them.  He didn't necessarily have to talk to them, but wanted to be where they were.   He loved to eat...and often ate things that he probably didn't like, but he would have never have told you so.  Steak was always his favorite, though.

He wanted to help people, whether he could or not...he would try anyway.  He loved to spend time in the yard...mowing, weed eating, etc.  

He loved his church and enjoyed serving God there.  I still "see" him taking up the offering.  He was kind of "behind the scene" kind of guy.

He loved his girls.  This was taken on Easter Sunday.  It was in front of Mom's parents home.  We went to pick up my grandfather, and somebody took our picture!

Love you Dad!  I will see you at the HOUSE!

Falls Creek and a Storm

Yesterday was very strange...First day really to be at home.  Since retiring from a job I have had for 20 years I don't think it really has hit me yet.  As soon as school was out on the 24th...I went to get Patrick and we went to Falls Creek for Children's Associational Camp.

It was a wonderful time.  The weather was fantastic.  Cool with a breeze.  Then I got back from Falls Creek and spent a few days with the kids in Norman. We got caught in another stormy/tornado night.  Mostly floods and wind in Norman.  Went to a friend's house who had a shelter.  God's protection was on us though.

Well lets see where this day takes me...

Mother's Day 2013

Happy Mother's Day.  This is one of my favorite pictures.  It is with Dad, because they were always together.  When I think of one of them...I think of both of them.  They were always very supportive of one another, and of our family.
Mom was such a good example of a Godly woman.  She loved all of her life, and she was such a good example for Donna and me, but also to our extended family.

I found this picture a while back.  I think it is at my Grandma's house and all the "women" are helping out in the kitchen, in which they always had a blast together.

Happy Mother's Day Mom...love you bunches....see you at the House!

Resurrection Sunday!  From a promise to the proof of Eternal Life.

Watching The Bible on TV.  It is amazing to me how both in biblical times and today that people in all generations argue with the Truth...even from people they trust.  God always leads his people...but they need to be obedient and they need to listen!

Beauty...love.

They seem to go together.

God is love, but in the book of Hebrews it describes a different side to him.  It describes the "Son" as the radiance of God's glory.  Radiance seems to represent something that shines, glows, and reflects to all of its surroundings.  Radiance includes light and hope.  It is inviting and comforting.

Something that is radiant is precious and special.  Unique. And the radiance also  is the "exact representation" of God himself.  He is sustaining all things by his powerful word.  The word teaches us and we are able to faithfully worship him.

Faith Fear Trust

Faith.  Fear. Trust.

Fear may be the opposite of Faith, but the synonym of faith is trust.  

Somehow, I have never had a problem in believing that God is real.  That he really exists, and loves me, and is willing to give me eternal life.  But when it comes to everyday tasks and activities...I can say I have faith to allow God to work...but do I really.  I face trials or challenges in my life and I try to "fix it myself."  I want God to do it on my time...but it MUST BE IN HIS TIME.  That is faith.  Trusting that God has already won the battle.  He has already taken care of it.  And it pleases God when I have faith in him...when I completely trust him.
..."know therefore that the LORD your GOD is GOD; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands"...Duet 7:9

Thankful

Thankful.

We are taught as children to be thankful.  There seems to be a whole host of people to thank.

Thankful to my mom and dad, my sister, nieces and nephews for loving me and just wanting to spend time with me.

Thankful for my extended family for the incredible way they always include me.

Thankful to teachers who always made me Want to Learn!

Thankful for the incredible group of people that I work with every day.  They make me always wanting to do more.  The students that I always get to work with keep me wanting to learn more and to teach them more.

Thankful and my brothers and sisters at church who love to "worship" with me.

But most of all...I am so thankful to God...who loved me first, who made me into what I am, who allowed me to choose him, and is constantly leading me to him.  I am so grateful for each and every day with Him who molds me and teaches me what faith and trust is all about.

May I never forget where I have been, and who has brought me through.  Each day is new and exciting.  What a life!

Tribute to Mom

Ahhhh Mom.  It has been 12 years since you left this world.  I miss you more each day.  You were the best.  You loved me like no one else could.  You taught me well, and I am thrilled to be called your daughter. You always gave the "right" advice, and you never seemed to be tired of giving it...though I know you probably were...You touched the lives of some many in our town that sometimes it overwhelms me.  See you at the House! 

Happy Birthday Patrick

Happy Birthday Patrick.  Today you are 12 years old....wow!  Where did the time go.  I still remember the time when my own sweet mom wanted desperately to hold you on this earth.  And she got to hold you when you were only 2 days old.

You loved to come and play the piano at my house.  I took this picture when you about 2.  I thought you looked like a grand pianist.  But then Aunt Cissy always had blinders on when it came to you, your siblings, and your cousins...or did I?

You are such a good brother and cousin.  I love how you tend to everyone and make everyone seem special.

Happy Birthday Patrick