Monday, June 30, 2008

Ed's 40th High School Reunion


Ed and I attended his 40th high school reunion this past weekend. I have never been to a high school reunion so I wasn't sure what to expect. Someone had told us that at the 20th reunion everyone is still trying to prove themselves and at the 40th they are all just happy to be there.
Ed was able to see some old friends. The ones pictures here - Donald and David (twins) - were his best friends from elementary school through high school. It was fun to see them.
As for the reunion, there was a lot of talk about putting on your glasses so you could see and speaking louder so you could here (most of it in fun, but not all of it).
What I can say for sure is that clean living pays off! Ed was the youngest looking one there!
The evening was topped off with Ed winning the prize for the most grandchildren. Go figure!!!! Way to go, babe!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Global Food Crisis and What we Can Do

My son, Brian works for Compassion International. Go to his blog to find out how you can be a part of the solution! Let's don't just sit and ignore the massive numbers of people who go to sleep at night hungry. We are a blessed people who need to step up and help in Jesus name.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

The Curse of Perfectionism

Hard-headed, strong-willed, opinionated, pure melancholy, PERFECTIONIST
These are words that have been used to describe me during my lifetime.

I have lived life battling my perfectionism – struggling with expectations vs. reality. It felt like a curse.

Being a perfectionist can result in…
Disrespecting my husband - "why can't you be what I need you to be"
Impatience with others - "do it my way now"
Critical spirit - "no one knows how to do it right"
Missing the moment - so worried about things that we don't stop for the moment
Misplaced priorities- so worried about things that we don't put God and people at the top of the list
Caring more about what others think
Focusing more on what I am DOING for God rather than working on my relationship with God
Stress, stress, stress - Did you know that perfectionist have one of the highest rates for auto-immune diseases - IT AFFECTS THE BODY
Discontentment - life can never be what we want it to be; people can never be what we expect them to be.

If you struggle with "the curse", please know that God gifted you with your personality. It is what we allow Him to do with it that makes the difference. Perfectionism is all about ME - not necessarily about GOD. Learning to allow Him to take the ME part and direct it back to HIM is the answer. This is an ongoing process for me. It will always be the struggle between self and God. I have not arrived, but I am now experiencing what life can be like when I'm not trying to "do it all" - "be it all" - "fix it all".

If you are one of "these", I encourage you - give it up to God - the peace that you experience when you realize that you don't have to make EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE perfect is amazing. The relief that it doesn't have to be your job or that it is simply not that important is exhilarating.

Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message)
5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.

Join me in recovery and tell me your story.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Happy Father's Day!

We are a blessed family to have an amazing Father. Ed has been a godly example for his sons and they now stand as incredible fathers to their children (a total of 15!). I am so proud of my son's and son-in-law. Though they travel or have jobs that require lots of time, they do all that they can to be present, to be helpful, to be teachers, to model character and to show the kind of love that every child needs.
I love you all!
Mom

Happy Father's Day!

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Thank you, Pop-Pop!


We just spent 4 days with all 26 of our family in one house - 15 grandkids and 11 adults - at the beach. It was made possible by the head of our large family, Pop-Pop (aka Dad or Ed). He loves his family more than you can know and he absolutely does all that he can to help his family know of the love he has for them. The picture here was taken when most of the grandkids attacked him with a huge thank-you group hug.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Sunrise on Galveston Beach



Three of my granddaughters joined me on the beach this morning at 6 a.m. for sunrise and searching for sea shells. The clouds blocked some of the view but gave us some great pictures and a moment to recognize again the beauty of God's creation.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Family Vacation



We are away on a Family Vacation with all 26 of us. We love the beach and the kids are becoming true "beach kids". There is nothing sweeter than watching your kids and grandkids playing together and loving on each other. It has been so fun to watch us "herd" all of these kids from one place to the other. Tonight we are all glowing with a touch of the sun. Tomorrow morning some of us girls will rise early and go watch the sun rise on the beach. I hope to post some great sunrise pics tomorrow.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Nail Salon - Anjelah Johnson - Comedy Time

If you have ever had your nails done - you will love this video. It is so true!