Scared to LIFE!

The more common phrase we hear is, "Scared to Death!"

Well, we recently had a major scare.  But we've chosen that it will scare us to life - not death.

This little "episode" in our journey has caused major re-evaluation in our way of living.  It is proving to be one of those crossroads moments we all encounter.  And we've taken a definite turn.

"Sheri, what on earth are you talking about?"

Several weeks ago, we had two families move within just a few days of one another.  Of course, Frank and John were there to help pack the moving trucks.  And Frank ended up with a pulled muscle in his chest.

He nursed it along for a couple of weeks then made an appointment with his doctor to confirm that it was just a muscle issue.

The doctor did an EKG and scheduled a stress test.  All routine.  Frank sailed through both.

The next day, he got a call requesting that he come in to discuss the results.  We finished our lunch appointment with a new church family and I decided to ride with him.  An errand in that part of town made it a wise choice, we thought.

We walked in to the doctor's office and took our seats.  (Frank's regular physician was out of town so we met with his associate.)  The new doctor came in, shook our hands, flipped open Frank's chart.

Without emotion he said, "Mr. Hawley, I'm sending you directly to the hospital for a heart cathiterization."

Time froze.  We both stared with blank expressions.  Our minds swirled trying to process his words.

"Excuse me, what?"  Frank regained his voice first.

"Based on these results," continued the doctor. "I'm sending you straight over to the hospital.  I don't even want you to go home and pack anything.  I'm hoping they can do the procedure this afternoon."

Frank's last hospitalization was 36 years ago.  For appendicitis.

He has walked the halls of the finest hospitals and medical training facilities in the southeast - as pastor and as chaplain.  Never as a patient.

It took us a few moments to regroup and wrap our heads around what this doctor was telling us.

"Of course, the choice is totally up to you.  But if you leave here and wait for Dr. Vasquez to return, I can tell you I don't feel comfortable with that.  There was a change in the EKG and your stress test showed some points of real concern.  The wise choice is to have this surgical procedure right away.  Let them look at your arteries and put in a stint if necessary."  The doctor looked up from the chart with a patient but determined expression.

Frank and I looked at one another then nodded in agreement.

Within an hour, they had whisked us through the checked in.  An IV was in Frank's arm.  Monitors were beeping.  The frustrating hospital gown had been donned.  We moved like people in a dream.

The girls, the church board and our parents were called.  We filled out forms; answered questions; silently wondered what lay ahead.

The procedure actually took place first thing the next morning.  In half an hour it was over and I was talking with the surgeon.  There is blockage but only about 20%.  They did another test to rule out blood clots in his lungs.  That was clear.

Our own doctor went over the results of everything with us.  "You didn't require a stint," he said.  "But you must respect what we've discovered.  Exercise 45 minutes a day, four times a week.  Low carbs.  Red meat no more than once a week.  Only two servings of caffeine a day.  A new medication to lower cholesterol."

"Don't ignore this, Frank."  Dr. Vasquez leveled his gaze directly at us.  "This is a serious matter that requires serious life-style changes."

And we're making those changes.  Calmly.  Quietly.  No fanfare.  Just changing.

Because of a missions trip (we leave today to work with a church in Padova, Italy) we had talked of cancelling a few days of vacation we had scheduled.  We took those days - and rested.

Frank now starts at the gym four mornings a week then goes directly to his prayer room.

We cancelled another conference we were to attend in August.  And we're replacing it with a few more days of vacation.

We're eating so much fruit, fish and chicken that I think I found a pin feather on my arm yesterday.  And I'm certain I'm swimming better.

 A few take-aways for me:

• When you're scared, it's comforting to see faces of those you love.  (Thanks for driving twenty miles to "drop by" and be with us, dear ones.)
• Nurses are important people!
• Right choices have lifetime consequences.  I'm so thankful Frank made that appointment!
• Change is often for the good - if we see it that way.

This scared us.  No doubt about it.  But we've chosen to let it scare us to LIFE!

Is there something you've been meaning to follow up on?  Do it today.  Right choices have lifetime consequences.  




PS - Kristin, Frank and I will be part of a ten-person team ministering to children in Italy for the next ten days.  Steve and Patti Gray are our missionaries in Padova.  They target immigrant children from dozens of different nations and share the Gospel through VBS/tutoring programs.  They asked last fall that we bring a team to help this summer.  We're so thankful to be part of this powerful ministry.

Please pray for us as we go.  We've asked that God give us the hearts of many children (and parents). 
 

A Parable

Much to share about life right now!

• Of course, there's the wedding!  October 24th rushes closer every day. 

• Lots of travel for speaking engagements.  I got to spend this past weekend in Nasheville.  My dear friend, Brenda, lined me up to speak for the women's conference at her church.  Women's conference and time with a best friend?  Ah-mazing!!!

• Our missions trip to Padova, Italy is less than one month away.

• Frank and I are watching as a personal miracle unfolds.  (More about that when it's all settled.)

• It's summer.  So something is going on at church almost every week.  VBS starts next Monday.

Well, you get the idea.

But at the conference, a couple of the ladies came up to talk with me after my first sermon.  They were convinced that I must have heard the message their pastor had preached the Sunday before.

"Your sermon just tied in perfectly with what Pastor said!  We were listening with our mouths hanging open!"  They nodded in unison.

I assured them I hadn't heard their pastor's message.  But it sounded like maybe God had something He wanted their ladies to understand if He sent me from FL with the same thoughts.

They then told me of a parable he used.  And it's so good that I just had to share it with the Embrace the Grace family.

It seems a farmer went to a wise man to discuss his problems.  The crops were not doing well for anyone in that area.  A drought was draining the entire valley.  Bills were mounting.  Everyone was under extreme pressure.  The farmer, a leader in the community, was distressed and considering giving up his life profession.

The wise man talked with the farmer for a few minutes then asked him to put water in the three pots sitting on his stove.   They discussed the difficulties the farmer was facing and the decision before him as the wise man moved about in the tiny kitchen.

When the water in the three pots finally came to a boil, the wise man asked the farmer to drop a carrot in the first pot.  He then handed him an egg for the second and a tea bag for the third.  

Continuing to share his fears, the farmer complied absentmindedly.  

"Everyone is depending on me to know what to do!" exclaimed the distraught man.  "The entire community seems to be looking to me and I'm afraid we're going to lose everything!"

Without answering, the wise man reached for a spoon standing in a can near his stove.  Slowly and in quiet tones he began to speak as he fished the carrot from the pot.  

"See this boiling water?" he asked simply.  By this time, the water was rolling wildly in each of the three pots.  "Look at what it did to this carrot."  The wise man laid the carrot on the stove top and mashed it easily with the back of the spoon.  "The carrot turned to mush."

He reached into the second pot to retrieve the egg.  "And this egg?"  he tapped it lightly on the porcelain top.  The cracking sound was clear.  "The egg hardened."

With that, the wise man dipped the spoon in the third pot and brought out the single tea bag.  "But the tea bag?  Well...." he smiled ever so slightly.  "It seems the tea bag has changed the water, now doesn't it?" 

The wise man laid his gnarled hand gently on the the shoulder of his friend.  "It's the same water boiling in all three pots.  The difference is the item in the pot.  Life's troubles impact us all.  We must choose.  Will we be like the carrot and allow the difficulties to cause us to fall apart?  Will we become hardened by the pressure like this egg?"

He turned and slowly poured the fragrant tea into a battered old cup.  "Or will we bring change to our circumstances?  Will we use the trouble to help release something inside us that we didn't even know we had?"

"The boiling water changed the carrot and the egg.  But the tea bag changed the water."

Father, give us all the courage we need. Help us face the difficulties while determining not to fall apart.  Not to become hardened or bitter.  But determined to impact the circumstances we find ourselves in and create something positive instead!

May we all serve as change agents in our world today!

Pentecost Sunday

Sesame Street had a great song when I was a regular viewer twenty-five years ago. They would flash a picture of four different items then joyfully sing,  "One of these things does not belong here.  One of these things just isn't the same......"

(I'm sure there's more to the song but I can't remember it right now.)

I would immediately see the odd item and start prompting the girls.  "What doesn't match everything else around it?"

Blank expressions.

"See, a brush.  A hair curler.  A ribbon.  A waffle iron." I gave it my best coaxing, patient-mom voice.

Blank expressions.

I knew the timer was ticking.  Some small measure of tension would build in my chest.  "C'mon girls!  You can do this!"

Finally, at the last possible second someone would call out with the announcer, "Waffle Iron!"

"Yes!!  Good job!"  Applause all around.  My children were brilliant and I knew it all along!

Soooo, what does this story have to do with Pentecost?  You're probably wondering.

Well, we had a re-enactment of the "one of these things does not belong here" as we marked Pentecost Sunday yesterday.  (Pentecost is the celebration in Christian churches that occurs fifty days after Easter.)

I don't normally write about special services with our church.  But this one was so unusual (really kind of funny)  I just had to share it today. 

Frank felt we should hold a special time of prayer to mark Pentecost Sunday for our congregation. So we began announcing it and encouraging people to attend about three weeks ago.

Now usually if you call for a special prayer meeting and have more than ten people show up - that's a huge crowd.  As prayer meetings go.  But not Garden Grove!

By the time we started the first song, over half our congregation had arrived.  We were so encouraged and excited to see what God had in store.  When you get that many people focused on talking to God about the same things at the same time - well, something is going to happen for sure!

Get the full picture of what was happening through out the service:
          Half the congregation pouring their hearts out to God!
          Encouraging scriptures being read as prayer instruction!
          Songs of passion and praise being sung!
          The electricity going out!

WAIT!  WHAT?!!

Yep!  We were half way through the order of service when it happened.  One of the men leading a particular prayer had a microphone in his hand when the lights all blinked.  Darkness!  The electric keyboard went silent.  The screens went black.  The people gasped.

The odd thing?  The emergency lighting kicked right back on and the microphone the leader was holding continued to work! We could still hear him reading the scriptures of instruction.

Frank had moved to the back of the auditorium so he just called out, "Keep praying!  Don't stop!"

So, we all closed our eyes again and went right back to prayer.  I mean, if you have your eyes closed anyway, why worry about the lights being out.  Right?!

About fifteen minutes later, all our power equipment returned to normal operation.  But I don't think we'll ever forget the "Power-less" Pentecost Sunday Prayer Meeting!  


Here are a few of the scriptures I was given to read aloud about our friendship with the Holy Spirit:
     I Samuel 10:6  He gives us the ability to change any area of our lives that isn't pleasing to God.
     Proverbs 1:23  He gives us understanding of the Word of God.
     Isaiah 63:14    He gives us rest/comfort.
     John 16:13      He guides us into truth as a teacher.
     Romans 14:17  He bring righteousness, joy and peace to us as we remain close to Him.
     Romans 15:13  He causes us to increase in HOPE!  (One of my favorites)
 

Afraid!

(Just a little word of encouragement as you start your summer.)

I delivered a sermon recently and entitled it Afraid of the Wrong Things.  The synopsis is this:  too often when God gives us the opportunity to be part of a miracle, instead of stepping forward in faith we step back in fear.  We focus on the impossibilities instead of the blessings that will come.

The points that came to me after prayer were really good.  The message encouraged my heart!

And the best illustration of the sermon actually came during my morning walk.

I'm once again (for the hundredth time) determined to shape up.  This time my motivation is all the wedding pictures we'll be taking in October!  I do not want to look back on those and think, "Wow!  I sure looked fluffy!"

So, the tennis shoes are dusted off and walking clothes sit handy in my closet.

I'm a boring walker.  Amanda never really enjoyed walking with me because I take the exact same path every single time I walk.  Down my driveway.  Left at the first stop sign.  Right at the next.  Left into another development.  Circle two cul-de-sacs.  Back home.  Every single time!

But what's boring to one walker is peaceful to another.  I know the path.  I know exactly how long it will take. I can just walk and think and pray to my heart's content.

Until this particular morning......

Deep in thought, I made the turn into the other housing development.  I even picked up the pace a bit.
That's when I heard it.  A low, menacing growl.  The kind that means, "Imminent Danger Ahead!" 

The growl turned to a loud vicious bark and suddenly, from my peripheral vision, I caught sight of a HUGE, horse of a dog! This dog was at least three feet tall; extremely unhappy; and charging full gallop in my direction!  He had every intention of helping me remember to NEVER pass this way again.

My response?  I just kept walking; didn't even waste time slowing my pace!

Why?

Because I've walked this way many times before.  And while the dog isn't always outside as I pass his house, he's been out before and I know that between that dog and me is an all important.....fence!

He's big.  He's scary.  And yes, if he could get to me he would very likely harm me.  But experience has taught me that he can't get to me!  His bark may startle me - but he can't hurt me unless I step into his fenced enclosure.

His intention to hurt me is a fact.  But the truth that he can't get to me is more important.  I just walk on, armed with the truth!

Fear is the only weapon darkness has against us.

(My friend Shirley gave me this acrostic for fear.  False Evidence Appearing Real.  Good, right?!)

We've walked with Christ long enough to know, He is with us always!  He will never leave us alone, nor vulnerable to the fears of life.  So we walk forward, armed with the full truth.

And when we're invited to be part of a miracle, we take the step with confidence!  Experience has taught us that where He guides, He provides.  God is faithful; we can trust Him.

The challenge?  Don't be afraid of what looks impossible.  We should be more afraid of missing out on the wonderful possibilities God has planned for us!

Take up truth and trust.  Walk on.  Don't slacken your pace when the enemy barks loudly.  There are great things to be accomplished - and you're meant to be part of the miracle!










 

The Proposal (Part 2)

(Special thanks to LeeAnne and Sharon for reminding me that today is actually the tomorrow I promised yesterday!  Here we go.....)

So, knowing those we love is really a big help when trying to plan surprises for them!  And for the record, lying is not only acceptable but appropriate and to be expected for the following: Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Proposals!

I called Cody the week before Easter and pitched a possible idea for his consideration.

Regular readers already know this about us.  But every Easter since Kristin was two we've had a family sunrise service.  While it's morphed though the years to accommodate ages, interests and understanding, we thoroughly enjoy this tradition.

What if Cody high-jacked the sunrise service this year for the proposal?  It would meet all the elements both of them hoped for.  Surprise for him.  Dressed and picture ready for her.  Meagan could be there with the camera; it was, after all, Noah's first Easter.  (Brilliant, right?!)

As we talked, Cody started getting excited and the ideas started flowing.  Before that conversation ended, THE PLAN was in place.

He called Kristin the next day and told her they were going on a special date the Saturday night before Easter.  She should dress up because it would really be nice. Then he casually mentioned that she should bring sandals for a walk along the beach after dinner.

Getting off the phone, Kristin turned to her sisters and wailed.  "He's going to propose to me on the beach!  I hate the beach! (Kristin really dislikes getting sandy!  It's been a problem since her first visit at 18 months of age.) Doesn't he know that by now?  Good grief, why would he propose to me at the beach?!"

Her sisters (who had already been clued in) responded in reassuring tones.  "A beach proposal would be romantic, Kristin.  We can even go out and arrange shells for you guys.  They would spell out 'Marry Me, Kristin!'  Don't you like that idea?"

(Oh, how siblings torture one another!)

When she told me of her suspicions, I calmly pointed out that the possibility of Cody obtaining a ring by that time was pretty slim.  "It usually takes several days to have one sized.  And if he's designing it, that will be weeks!"

She pondered this - and Bought It.  (As we say in the South....... "Hook. Line. And Sinker!")

"Yeah, I guess you're right!" she sounded a little more hopeful.

On Saturday, we all went to have our nails done for Easter Sunday.  Meagan and Joy came to the house to help with Kristin's hair and make-up for the big date. They started snapping pictures and talking about what it would be like when she got engaged.

The anxiety about a sand-covered proposal returned.

Kristin looked right at Joy (who has never been able to lie) and asked, "Joy!  Is Cody proposing tonight?!"  Joy looked away and shrugged her shoulders.  Kristin howled!

Joy's honesty was the give away in Kristin's thinking.  Cody would propose.  Tonight.  On some sandy stretch of beach.

(Please bear in mind that all this time the sisters are completely aware that the proposal is scheduled for sunrise tomorrow morning.  They were simply fulfilling their part in helping Cody convince her that the ring was on its way in a seaweed wrapped shell.)

The date was perfect!

A fabulous new restaurant in Tampa.  Wonderful food.  Great music.  A boardwalk leading to a lovely gazebo over-looking the water.  Kristin caught her breath several times during the evening thinking, "Oh, here it comes!"

But each opportunity passed with Cody simply returning her puzzled expressions with a smile.

Torture!  Sheer Torture!

When they arrived home, she gave him a quick (rather cold) kiss good-night and went straight to her room.  Cody lingered just a moment by the front door.  When her door clicked shut, he gave a silent little victory dance and fist pump of joy.  We all mimed congratulations to one another and then aloud said good-night.

She woke the next morning at 4:30 to help me get ready for Sunrise Service.  Everyone was to be at our table at 6:00 AM.  Completely dressed and ready for church.  Absolutely No Exceptions!! ( John and Nathan helped play up that element.)

As she ran the vacuum one last time, we talked about her date from the evening before.  "I just knew he was getting ready to propose all through the evening, Mom.  And I don't mind telling you I was pretty upset with him by the time it was over!  I mean, REALLY??!"

I nodded sympathetically.

"Then this morning the Lord reminded me how patiently Cody has been waiting!  I guess I can wait a few weeks myself, right?  But I'll tell you right now, Jesus is going to have to help me!!"  Her exasperation was literal.

At 5:50 everyone else began to arrive and the volume increased greatly.  Bowls and platters moving from the kitchen to the table.  (In our wonderful new dining room!)  High chairs scrapping.  Voices excited and ready to begin.  Everyone knew what was coming, except Kristin and the babies.

"Let's open the windows so it really feels like we're outside," someone suggested (on cue).  "That's a great idea!"  All the windows were opened and the cooler air rushed in.

As soon as everyone was seated, Frank began reading the Easter story.  Then we launched into the traditional Easter songs we save mostly for that one day.  He Lives.   Alive for Evermore.  Up from the Grave He Arose.  (Which Spencer and Abby had learned for the occasion.)

"Today we're going to begin a new tradition," Frank moved forward smoothly.  "Mom and I want to read a scripture blessing over each family.  And Kristin, we have one for you as well since you'll probably be a family at some point this year."  Everyone chuckled and smiled.

(This "new tradition" was Cody's suggestion.  Kristin had no way of knowing but Cody was at that moment standing just outside the door listening through the open windows to everything.)

Dad read the passage we'd chosen for the Smith family.  Meagan snapped a picture of Noah.

"Honey," I said.  "you may want to speak up so we can all hear you over the babies."  Frank tends to get a softer voice when reading directly to someone.  I knew Cody probably couldn't hear him.

He cleared his throat and went on to read the scripture for the Schreck family, a little more loudly.  They smiled for Meagan's camera.  She then (very naturally) focused the lens on Kristin.

Dad began reading slowly and purposefully from I Corinthians 13.  (Cody's chosen verses.) ".......faith, hope and love.  And the greatest of these is love.  So always keep your heart open for when love opens the door."

On cue, the door opened.  (Of course, we had reseated everyone so Kristin would be facing the door.)  And in walked a tall, dark handsome young man looking dapper in his Easter suit and tie.

She smiled; still completely unaware of what was unfolding around her.  "Hi, Babe.  What are you doing here?"

Cody continued forward without a word.  Then she caught sight of the ring box in his hand.

The squealing and tears were almost immediate!

Cody knelt in front of her.  The camera clicked.  We all beamed.

"Are you going to do this right now?!"  she exclaimed.

"Yes!"  his response was certain.  "Are you ready?"

His well rehearsed words held great meaning for them both.  He used her full name.  She swiped frantically at tears trying to take in the wonder of the moment.

He concluded with the all important line, "Will you marry me?"

"Yes!  Yes!  Oh my goodness, YES!"  She jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck while apologizing for wiping her nose on his sleeve.  Meagan moved silently; catching every look.  We all sat with faces frozen in huge smiles.

It was an absolutely Perfect Proposal!!

A story they will both enjoy telling well after their fiftieth anniversary!

The Proposal (Part 1)

(TODAY IT IS! The long awaited story of Cody's proposal of marriage to Kristin!  Grab a cup of tea -and perhaps a biscuit- definitely a tissue.  And please bear in mind that while I make every attempt to share multiple perspectives when writing, this is my blog.   So the story will be my version.  That's the best I can offer!  Also, I found it impossible to record the entire story in just one post.  This will have two parts.  But worth the read, I promise!)

April 20, 2014 will forever be a benchmark day for Cody McGhee.  It's the day that Kristin Hawley agreed to be his wife! 

Their courtship has been long; with many twists and turns.  In February, Cody was asked by one of our guest speakers how long he had been pursuing Kristin.  Cody hit an app on his phone and said,  "1,163 days, sir!" 

"Well young man," gasped Dr. Trask.  "What are you waiting for?!!"

In reality, Cody was patiently waiting for the same thing John and Nathan waited for - the right time.  It just recently came to me that each of the men who've wanted to make a Hawley girl their wife has had to wait patiently. 

John knew Joy was supposed to be his but they waited almost two years in order to put degrees behind their names before putting Mr. and Mrs. in front.  (They met while touring with the choir of Southeastern University.  John, the confident pianist.  Joy, the adorable alto.) 

Nathan and Meagan first dated in high school!  They both cared very deeply for one another even then but it would be six years before Nathan completed college.  So they went their separate ways for a while. 

I remember Meagan lamenting to me during her sophomore year, "I've tried to date, Mom.  But I find myself comparing every guy to Nathan!  And none of them measures up!"

Cody became part of the young adults group at our church five years ago.  He was a handsome young man on the fast track toward success!  With charm and a quick wit, he seemed to win every heart.  His walk with the Lord began a slow, steady growth pattern that continues even now.

He and Kristin were aware of one another right away, but mostly because they irritated one another incessantly!

I won't give the recap of all 1,163 days of the pursuit.  But I will tell you that waiting doesn't hurt any of us if we choose to make the most of waiting times!  (Now that'll preach!) 

To his credit, Cody has taken this time to study and learn Kristin.  He knows her likes/dislikes; her quirky ways; her favorite food, flower, stores, movies; what makes her laugh and what makes her cry.
He has a masters degree in Kristin Nicole Hawley!

That's why his original plan for the proposal seemed perfect. 

This summer we will be taking a team of people to Padova, Italy for ten days of ministry with an international church.  We'll be conducting Vacation Bible School each morning and working with the English students in the afternoons.  They've planned outreaches in the piazza; evangelistic services; and canvassing along with several other ministry ventures.

We are so honored to be going!

On the one day we have free, the missionaries will be taking us to visit Venice.  This is a lifetime dream for Kristin especially.  And, of course, Cody knows that!

When he talked with Frank about asking about an appointment to talk with him about asking for her hand in marriage, (yes that's really how it happened) he shared his initial plan.

"I can't go on this missions trip because of my work schedule.  But I want to buy a plane ticket and fly over there for the day that the team is in Venice.  When Kristin gets to the place where the gondolas are, I'll be waiting there and have the ring ready.  I want to propose to her in Venice while riding on a gondola!"

WHAT??!!!  Such a brilliant, romantic, over-the-top, fabulous plan!  One small problem - Kristin has also always wanted to get married in the fall of the year.

At thirty-one, I didn't think she would want to wait until the fall of 2015.  And there wasn't any way in the world I was going to try and help put together her wedding in two months!!  We would all be looney!

So, it was back to the drawing board.  This proposal had to be perfect, in Cody's thinking. 

The per-requisites?  For Cody:  She had to be surprised!  He had to be the one to plan it!  It had to make a great story she would love telling for years to come!  For Kristin: She wanted her nails done and make-up on.  (No pictures for Facebook looking ridiculous.)

And I'm here to testify - every desire was met beyond what the precious couple could have thought or planned.  That's just the way our Heavenly Father likes to work it!

(PART 2 TOMORROW)

Front Door Joy

I'm so very glad to be HOME!

No joke!  I walked in through my own front door yesterday and just beamed! 

Travel has been a big part of my life the past four weeks.  Couples retreat in Delaware.  Women's retreat in Ohio.  Minister's conference in Jacksonville.

I love traveling......meeting friends new and old; seeing the sights; experiencing God's presence in different venues.  But I also love coming home! 

In fact, being away usually helps us appreciate home even more.  Isn't that true for you as well?

Bella and Gracie (the four-legged children) danced as Frank and I came in yesterday.  They had been well cared for.  But nobody pets them like "Mom" and "Dad."  Such Joy!

We had already received texts and phone calls from the real children saying, "Time to come home now!"  They even went so far as to pull out the BIG guns - they put the grandbabies on the phone!

Frank and I had the bags packed and ready to load as soon as our meetings ended!  The rain poured and the winds blew (that's not poetic; it's real) but we drove on without slowing down.  Hugs and kisses were waiting!  Such Joy!

We made it back to Winter Haven around 2 PM.  But appointments and phone calls kept us from actually collecting on the baby kisses.

Of course, we were still pretty happy.  The final appointment was at the bridal salon and we got to see Kristin try on a beautiful wedding gown,

The tears in Dad's eyes were the ones that always appear when one of his little girls steps out of the dressing room in the gown of her dreams.  Even if that little girl is thirty-one years old.  Tears of such JOY!

I know that I still owe you all the story of Kristin's engagement.  I know I'm late wishing each of you a Happy Mother's Day. 

But the joy of walking in our front door yesterday and then watching the sunrise over our back yard this morning seemed like an important, albeit quick reminder -

The best view is the one out our own front door! Such Joy!

The engagement story is on the schedule for writing tomorrow!  You'll catch yourself smiling as you read it, I promise.  Please check back in then......thanks for your patience!