Over the past two weekends Frank and I have enjoyed some extra time with Spencer and Abby.
We don't have them by ourselves very often because Joy is a full-time, stay at home mom.
But to our great delight, John swept her away for a two day celebration marking their fifth anniversary. (It's important to keep reminding ourselves why we got married in the first place, now isn't it?!) Noni and Poppa joyfully swept in to keep the children fed and clothed!
Then yesterday, they let us take the babies for the morning. We loaded car seats, diaper bags, snacks, juice cup, bottle, stroller, babies and headed for a walk around the lake. Of course we were thrilled beyond measure and walked around smiling over every action of our adorable grand babies until our faces hurt.
People who stopped and engaged Spencer in conversation were shocked, of course, when our brilliant grandson (who is not yet two) focused on them and answered their patronizing questions with fully intelligible responses! [Run-on sentence completely necessary!]
His second birthday comes on February 5th and this kid communicates like a three year old.
One small problem accompanies an incredibly verbal two year old deprived of his full-time interpreter. Noni and Poppa do not speak "Spencer-ese"! And because Mommy, Dad, the two aunts, even Uncle Nathan DO understand nearly everything he says, the problem obviously lies with Noni! (Or so Spencer reasons.)
We had only had them in the car for a few minutes last week-end when this difficulty became abundantly clear. Mom and Dad had been kissed and dismissed for their second honeymoon. Both car seats had been properly installed in Noni and Poppa's Tahoe.
We were riding down the boulevard when Spencer said calmly from his spot in the back, "Moo Gick." I smiled that grandmotherly smile of supreme satisfaction, "Isn't he adorable?!" I addressed the equally satisfied Poppa. "Just listen to that little voice."
"Moo Gick." it lilted toward the front of the vehicle with a precious sing song quality.
"Okay, Precious. Everything is okay." I spoke in reassuring tones. He wanted to know that all was right with his little world even though Mom and Dad weren't with him. How adorable!
"Moo Gick, pease!" Spencer was a little more insistent this time. He was asking politely for something. He obviously expected some sort of response.
"What's he saying?" asked Poppa. His was a tone that meant "Let's find out what he wants and give it to him. Just how much could the moon cost any way?!"
"I don't know," I responded. "What do you want, Baby?"
"Moo Gick! Noni, Moo Gick!" The pacifier was out. His legs had started bouncing. His little arms were now flailing.
Oh, good heavens! Fifteen minutes into this thing and we were already in BIG trouble! Was he telling me he was hurting? Warning me of impending diaper difficulty? Begging for food? What?! What did this angel need that I couldn't get him because I couldn't understand what was perfectly clear to him?!!
I grabbed my cell phone and frantically started dialing Joy's number! He grew louder and more frustrated in the back seat!
Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I happened to catch the direction of his arm flailing and blue eye focusing.............."Moo Gick, Noni! Moo Gick!"
"MUSIC?! Is that what you want? You want Noni to turn on the radio?"
Huge smile. Pacifier re-instated. Blue eyes beaming. Pudgy hands clapping. "Yeah! Moo Gick!"
(If you guessed that right from the start, please don't ever tell me. I'll feel even dumber than I did when the light finally dawned.)
I have a list of other fun Spencer-isms. Frank said I should save them as a guessing game for tomorrow. And since tomorrow is Poppa's birthday, that's exactly what I plan to do. Hope you'll stop back by to try your hand at "Translating Two Year Old"! And leave a few great phrases from your own little ones.
Last time I wrote about our own tiny talker, someone shared this great story. Their daughter (3 1/2 at the time) was busy coloring when Mom asked her to help tidy up. The little girl looked straight into mom's eyes, held up the crayons clutched in both little hands and stated the obvious, "I can't, Mommy. I'm full of hands!"
Too Precious!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Special Day
Today would be my mom's 75th birthday!
I'm sure she organized her own party in Heaven for today; then acted surprised when everyone yelled her name. 'Cause that's just how Mama rolled!
Coming up to this day brought some struggle for me. The big days that she should be here to mark often do. But, His grace is sufficient!
Frank knew I was quietly grieving her loss all over again today. So after my lunch appointment, I found the most beautiful bouquet of spring flowers waiting on my desk. Frank sent them to honor her special birthday and memory. Such a good, good man!
You would have loved my mama! Everyone did!
She battled a rare form of cancer for many years. So, of course we made the most of every holiday and major event. But it was a brain tumor that sneaked onto the scene and stole her away with almost no warning.
I'll forever be thankful to the precious people of Garden Grove Church who prayed and put action to their prayers. They released me to be with Mom as much as possible during those final six weeks.
One of the great moments I remember during that time took place in the hospital. I had no idea how rapidly the tumor was progressing so I wanted Mom ready when she got out. (She had many hospital stays over the course of the years.)
It took some strong "requesting" but the physical therapists finally arrived in her room. They started trying their best to get Mom on her feet. She had rocked forward several times but couldn't seem to quite make the last push necessary for standing.
The therapist looked at her kindly. He probably understood much better than I about what was actually going on. He suggested that they lay her back down and just work her leg muscles. Mom determinedly shook her head no!
Talking had become almost impossible for Mom. The woman who had always been a verbal dynamo was reduced to monosyllable responses and visual cues for communicating. But there was no misunderstanding her intent this time.
Mom wanted to try again!
The two strong therapists made eye contact over her little gray head and one responded rather dubiously, "Okay, let's try again."
They grasped her arms, steadied her feet against their own and counted off once more.
Lift. No good.
Again. No good.
On the third try of what we all knew would be the final attempt to help Mom stand, something seemed to rise up in her.
She tucked her chin and suddenly called out, "With the help of the Lord...........I WILL!!"
Even though they were shocked, the therapists managed to hang on as Mom came to a slightly bent, standing position! She wobbled around for a few moments, then sank back onto the bed. Completely spent from the effort, Mom allowed the therapist to help lay her back down.
But the look of satisfaction in her big brown eyes will stay with me forever.
With the help of the Lord, she did!
What a great rallying cry for us all in moments when it feels that life will surely keep us from doing what we long most to accomplish.
"With the help of the Lord..............I Will!!"
And just in case they have internet in Heaven -
"Happy 75th Birthday, Mama! I know the celebration of being there beats any party we could have planned for you here!"
I'm sure she organized her own party in Heaven for today; then acted surprised when everyone yelled her name. 'Cause that's just how Mama rolled!
Coming up to this day brought some struggle for me. The big days that she should be here to mark often do. But, His grace is sufficient!
Frank knew I was quietly grieving her loss all over again today. So after my lunch appointment, I found the most beautiful bouquet of spring flowers waiting on my desk. Frank sent them to honor her special birthday and memory. Such a good, good man!
You would have loved my mama! Everyone did!
She battled a rare form of cancer for many years. So, of course we made the most of every holiday and major event. But it was a brain tumor that sneaked onto the scene and stole her away with almost no warning.
I'll forever be thankful to the precious people of Garden Grove Church who prayed and put action to their prayers. They released me to be with Mom as much as possible during those final six weeks.
One of the great moments I remember during that time took place in the hospital. I had no idea how rapidly the tumor was progressing so I wanted Mom ready when she got out. (She had many hospital stays over the course of the years.)
It took some strong "requesting" but the physical therapists finally arrived in her room. They started trying their best to get Mom on her feet. She had rocked forward several times but couldn't seem to quite make the last push necessary for standing.
The therapist looked at her kindly. He probably understood much better than I about what was actually going on. He suggested that they lay her back down and just work her leg muscles. Mom determinedly shook her head no!
Talking had become almost impossible for Mom. The woman who had always been a verbal dynamo was reduced to monosyllable responses and visual cues for communicating. But there was no misunderstanding her intent this time.
Mom wanted to try again!
The two strong therapists made eye contact over her little gray head and one responded rather dubiously, "Okay, let's try again."
They grasped her arms, steadied her feet against their own and counted off once more.
Lift. No good.
Again. No good.
On the third try of what we all knew would be the final attempt to help Mom stand, something seemed to rise up in her.
She tucked her chin and suddenly called out, "With the help of the Lord...........I WILL!!"
Even though they were shocked, the therapists managed to hang on as Mom came to a slightly bent, standing position! She wobbled around for a few moments, then sank back onto the bed. Completely spent from the effort, Mom allowed the therapist to help lay her back down.
But the look of satisfaction in her big brown eyes will stay with me forever.
With the help of the Lord, she did!
What a great rallying cry for us all in moments when it feels that life will surely keep us from doing what we long most to accomplish.
"With the help of the Lord..............I Will!!"
And just in case they have internet in Heaven -
"Happy 75th Birthday, Mama! I know the celebration of being there beats any party we could have planned for you here!"
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Quarantined
I've spent the day as a prisoner in my own home!
Yes, I had a bit of a runny nose on Sunday. Yes, I felt pretty run down. Yes, I did fall asleep on the couch at 9:15 Monday night. So?!
So........Frank insisted that I make a visit to the doctor Tuesday morning. She promptly tested me for the flu. Which apparently had taken up residence in my nasal cavities. Resulting in the forced home imprisonment program!
I hear you, "Boy, what I wouldn't give for a day at home!"
(Here comes the whine and cheese)
It's true that I did feel too badly to DO anything. But I also felt too good to just wander from couch to bed and back again.
When you're really sick, your eyes are closed. You can hardly hold your head up. You need the bathroom and tissues close. You wonder if it's a misdemeanor to drink Nyquil during daytime hours.
But my somewhat glassy eyes were completely open:
Fortunately, my doctor believes in the benefits of Z-pacs. Hopefully, when I awaken tomorrow morning I will readily rediscover my formerly chipper self. And when that happens, boy do I have a story for you!!
Just a tease..........Frank and I kept the babies Friday and Saturday while John and Joy escaped the city for an anniversary celebration!
I now know why God gives small children to YOUNG people!!
Yes, I had a bit of a runny nose on Sunday. Yes, I felt pretty run down. Yes, I did fall asleep on the couch at 9:15 Monday night. So?!
So........Frank insisted that I make a visit to the doctor Tuesday morning. She promptly tested me for the flu. Which apparently had taken up residence in my nasal cavities. Resulting in the forced home imprisonment program!
I hear you, "Boy, what I wouldn't give for a day at home!"
(Here comes the whine and cheese)
It's true that I did feel too badly to DO anything. But I also felt too good to just wander from couch to bed and back again.
When you're really sick, your eyes are closed. You can hardly hold your head up. You need the bathroom and tissues close. You wonder if it's a misdemeanor to drink Nyquil during daytime hours.
But my somewhat glassy eyes were completely open:
- The laundry mocked me.
- The kitchen cried out for attention.
- The blog begged posting.
- The phone warned of un-returned calls.
- The computer even "dinged" periodically.
Fortunately, my doctor believes in the benefits of Z-pacs. Hopefully, when I awaken tomorrow morning I will readily rediscover my formerly chipper self. And when that happens, boy do I have a story for you!!
Just a tease..........Frank and I kept the babies Friday and Saturday while John and Joy escaped the city for an anniversary celebration!
I now know why God gives small children to YOUNG people!!
Friday, January 4, 2013
The Headless Camel
At this very moment, a decapitated camel rests in forlorn fashion on my kitchen counter!
The camel is headless and I am heartbroken!
I stand before you, the witless culprit of the dastardly deed. Yes, I alone bear responsibility for the breaking of the camel's neck! Such Shame!
A new nativity set beautifully graced our buffet throughout the 2012 season. My joy soared each time I looked at it. As we started putting away the decorations today, I (being the most careful member of the "put away team") offered to dis-assemble the new nativity.
I exercised such caution! I paused to relish the colors and movement of porcelain clothing. I carefully brushed away any dust that had dared to accumulate. I thrilled as each member of the creche neatly found itself once again tucked into its assigned spot in the styrofoam protector.
Unfortunately, Mr. Camel doesn't have an assigned spot. Mr. Camel actually came to the manger scene as a later addition. A piece of plastic and a lowly grocery bag serve as his annual covering. And so it was that the moment came for me to slip the carefully wrapped beast of burden into the box.
But the only slipping that took place was Mr. Camel slipping from my clumsy fingers to the floor!
My loud gasp could not save Mr. Camel! The break was quick! Clean! And thanks to the plastic, contained! I opened the packaging only to reveal what I already knew - I now have a headless camel!
Huge SIGH!
Frank hurried from the other room. He glanced at the two pieces of porcelain held in my hands; the sad expression on my face. Then he asked (in typical detective fashion) the question that drives every wife to despair - "What happened?!"
Fortunately, my wonderful husband does have ceramic glue and massive amounts of patience! I dare say that by morning Mr. Camel will be whole once again.
Why all the fuss? (Did you think that?)
Well, the nativity has sentimental value for me.
I purchased it at the estate sale of the Kiser's home this past spring. Some of you may remember the precious older couple I wrote about early last year. The Kisers celebrated 62 years of marriage. Then Hilda passed away in February and Ralph followed his bride just six weeks later.
Frank and I only had the privilege of knowing them in their sunset years. Such a precious couple. Ralph, a fighter pilot in his younger days, regaled Frank with military stories. Hilda carried herself with the air of an officer's wife right up until the time she became bedridden.
Alzheimer's had stolen her spunky personality. But one didn't have far to look in her home before seeing signs of the organizer. The talented seamstress. The fabulous chef. The impeccable housekeeper. The doting mother/grandmother. The Christ follower.
I'd been looking for an additional nativity and gladly purchased the one that had graced the Kiser home so many years.
While unpacking it for display last month, I noticed that Hilda had carefully numbered the bottom of each piece. She had then written the identifying number on the storage spot reserved for that piece. Meticulous!
Not one of Hilda's nativity pieces was glued. Not a single wise man's head. Not a staff or lantern of Joseph. Not a delicate hand of Mary. Not even a finger of the Infant bears signs of breakage.
Her ages-old creche spoke to me of character issues Hilda could no longer teach. "A little extra care goes a long way!" Rest assured that I heard her message clearly as I unpacked the nativity this season. I determined to keep this set in pristine condition.
And that's why the broken camel was such a BIG, hairy deal for me! Again I say, SIGH!!
Okay, so meticulous doesn't head my personality giftings list. No one has called me a fabulous chef - ever! And now, my poor camel (formerly known as Hilda's perfect camel) will show definite signs of slippage for all the future generations.
But David assured me in Psalm 145 that as long as I'm telling the next generation about the greatness of God in whatever way I'm given - that will be enough! Headless camel and all!
Ah, the timeless messages of grace and hope!
Happy New Year to you, dear readers! May His Grace and Hope fill each day of 2013 for you!
The camel is headless and I am heartbroken!
I stand before you, the witless culprit of the dastardly deed. Yes, I alone bear responsibility for the breaking of the camel's neck! Such Shame!
A new nativity set beautifully graced our buffet throughout the 2012 season. My joy soared each time I looked at it. As we started putting away the decorations today, I (being the most careful member of the "put away team") offered to dis-assemble the new nativity.
I exercised such caution! I paused to relish the colors and movement of porcelain clothing. I carefully brushed away any dust that had dared to accumulate. I thrilled as each member of the creche neatly found itself once again tucked into its assigned spot in the styrofoam protector.
Unfortunately, Mr. Camel doesn't have an assigned spot. Mr. Camel actually came to the manger scene as a later addition. A piece of plastic and a lowly grocery bag serve as his annual covering. And so it was that the moment came for me to slip the carefully wrapped beast of burden into the box.
But the only slipping that took place was Mr. Camel slipping from my clumsy fingers to the floor!
My loud gasp could not save Mr. Camel! The break was quick! Clean! And thanks to the plastic, contained! I opened the packaging only to reveal what I already knew - I now have a headless camel!
Huge SIGH!
Frank hurried from the other room. He glanced at the two pieces of porcelain held in my hands; the sad expression on my face. Then he asked (in typical detective fashion) the question that drives every wife to despair - "What happened?!"
Fortunately, my wonderful husband does have ceramic glue and massive amounts of patience! I dare say that by morning Mr. Camel will be whole once again.
Why all the fuss? (Did you think that?)
Well, the nativity has sentimental value for me.
I purchased it at the estate sale of the Kiser's home this past spring. Some of you may remember the precious older couple I wrote about early last year. The Kisers celebrated 62 years of marriage. Then Hilda passed away in February and Ralph followed his bride just six weeks later.
Frank and I only had the privilege of knowing them in their sunset years. Such a precious couple. Ralph, a fighter pilot in his younger days, regaled Frank with military stories. Hilda carried herself with the air of an officer's wife right up until the time she became bedridden.
Alzheimer's had stolen her spunky personality. But one didn't have far to look in her home before seeing signs of the organizer. The talented seamstress. The fabulous chef. The impeccable housekeeper. The doting mother/grandmother. The Christ follower.
I'd been looking for an additional nativity and gladly purchased the one that had graced the Kiser home so many years.
While unpacking it for display last month, I noticed that Hilda had carefully numbered the bottom of each piece. She had then written the identifying number on the storage spot reserved for that piece. Meticulous!
Not one of Hilda's nativity pieces was glued. Not a single wise man's head. Not a staff or lantern of Joseph. Not a delicate hand of Mary. Not even a finger of the Infant bears signs of breakage.
Her ages-old creche spoke to me of character issues Hilda could no longer teach. "A little extra care goes a long way!" Rest assured that I heard her message clearly as I unpacked the nativity this season. I determined to keep this set in pristine condition.
And that's why the broken camel was such a BIG, hairy deal for me! Again I say, SIGH!!
Okay, so meticulous doesn't head my personality giftings list. No one has called me a fabulous chef - ever! And now, my poor camel (formerly known as Hilda's perfect camel) will show definite signs of slippage for all the future generations.
But David assured me in Psalm 145 that as long as I'm telling the next generation about the greatness of God in whatever way I'm given - that will be enough! Headless camel and all!
Ah, the timeless messages of grace and hope!
Happy New Year to you, dear readers! May His Grace and Hope fill each day of 2013 for you!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Juxtaposed
Happy New Year!!
I hope all your festivities over the past few weeks have left you enriched, revived, and renewed. Ready to begin a new year! (Well, maybe that's a bit overly enthusiastic.)
At any rate, I do pray this will be a marvelous year of blessing for you and your family!
I experienced an odd "century jump" this morning and it's only 6:00 AM.
Because I delivered the sermon on Sunday, my devotional Bible is still in my office. So, I had to scramble around on my computer for reading material after my coffee cup was well in hand.
I first clicked a software program called LOGOS that Frank recently put on my computer. Immediately, a message popped up - "Update ready to install. Click here to begin."
Well, I want to be as updated as the next guy, so I clicked here.
The little wheel at the top of my page began whirling! This always makes me feel like I'm working hard even though I'm actually just sitting, staring at a screen. Some days, it's down right exhilarating!
At 5:00 in the morning, it's pretty quiet around here. So, I became impatient with the updating process rather quickly.
Just as I reached to click out of installation mode, another little message popped up - "Installation will be complete in 28 seconds. 20 seconds. 15 seconds."
"Oh, this is going more quickly than I thought. Guess I can wait it out after all."
"Installation complete. Please click here to install phase two. Installation Recommended."
"No one said there would be two phases to this! Oh good grief! But I'm already in this far; I probably should see it through."
Click. Whirling wheel reappears. Count down clock provides distraction just long enough to keep my impatient fingers off the cancel button.
"Installation complete!" Whew!
I began to ponder the thought that perhaps God should employ the "Pop up Message Method" of communication when it comes to matters of His will.
You sit down to pray and a message appears over your head, "Extra Grace ready for installation. Click here to begin. Installation HIGHLY Recommended."
Well, of course we would all click the installation button immediately. We look over our heads and spot the little whirling wheel spinning in mid-air.
"Oh, good! It's working!!" Such a sense of satisfaction!
And imagine how patient we could be if, in the middle of installing Grace into our lives, an update message also appeared. "Grace will be completely installed in 28 days. 25 days. 15 days........."
"Well, that feels like a rather long time! But I'm already committed to this process; guess I'll stick with it."
Unfortunately, God does NOT feel it necessary to utilize pop up messages.
He simply invites us to grow/change/update our thinking. If we agree to said maturing process, He starts working. But we don't know that He's working.
All we can see is the difficulty and inconvenience.
No whirling wheel to say, "Have patience. Just wait. Trust Me. You'll be glad you did!"
While pondering these thoughts, I clicked over to read Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest. And one of my favorite writers from the turn of the century put it this way: ".....God won't reveal what He's doing. He reveals who He is!"
Such an unusual juxtaposition of thought the Lord used during my devotional time this morning. The computer and Chambers. One hundred years of technology separating the delivery methods. But a singular truth.
God invites us to become more like Him. We choose to follow (install). He begins the process. Eventually, His character becomes ours. But the waiting period in between choosing and completion can be very frustrating!
So, if you're like me and could really use a message encouraging you to not "click out of the process" before it's complete - here you go!
"Installation of Godly Character will be complete in............... Don't give up! Keep watching for the sign that the work is complete. Trust Him. You'll be so glad you did!"
I hope all your festivities over the past few weeks have left you enriched, revived, and renewed. Ready to begin a new year! (Well, maybe that's a bit overly enthusiastic.)
At any rate, I do pray this will be a marvelous year of blessing for you and your family!
I experienced an odd "century jump" this morning and it's only 6:00 AM.
Because I delivered the sermon on Sunday, my devotional Bible is still in my office. So, I had to scramble around on my computer for reading material after my coffee cup was well in hand.
I first clicked a software program called LOGOS that Frank recently put on my computer. Immediately, a message popped up - "Update ready to install. Click here to begin."
Well, I want to be as updated as the next guy, so I clicked here.
The little wheel at the top of my page began whirling! This always makes me feel like I'm working hard even though I'm actually just sitting, staring at a screen. Some days, it's down right exhilarating!
At 5:00 in the morning, it's pretty quiet around here. So, I became impatient with the updating process rather quickly.
Just as I reached to click out of installation mode, another little message popped up - "Installation will be complete in 28 seconds. 20 seconds. 15 seconds."
"Oh, this is going more quickly than I thought. Guess I can wait it out after all."
"Installation complete. Please click here to install phase two. Installation Recommended."
"No one said there would be two phases to this! Oh good grief! But I'm already in this far; I probably should see it through."
Click. Whirling wheel reappears. Count down clock provides distraction just long enough to keep my impatient fingers off the cancel button.
"Installation complete!" Whew!
I began to ponder the thought that perhaps God should employ the "Pop up Message Method" of communication when it comes to matters of His will.
You sit down to pray and a message appears over your head, "Extra Grace ready for installation. Click here to begin. Installation HIGHLY Recommended."
Well, of course we would all click the installation button immediately. We look over our heads and spot the little whirling wheel spinning in mid-air.
"Oh, good! It's working!!" Such a sense of satisfaction!
And imagine how patient we could be if, in the middle of installing Grace into our lives, an update message also appeared. "Grace will be completely installed in 28 days. 25 days. 15 days........."
"Well, that feels like a rather long time! But I'm already committed to this process; guess I'll stick with it."
Unfortunately, God does NOT feel it necessary to utilize pop up messages.
He simply invites us to grow/change/update our thinking. If we agree to said maturing process, He starts working. But we don't know that He's working.
All we can see is the difficulty and inconvenience.
No whirling wheel to say, "Have patience. Just wait. Trust Me. You'll be glad you did!"
While pondering these thoughts, I clicked over to read Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest. And one of my favorite writers from the turn of the century put it this way: ".....God won't reveal what He's doing. He reveals who He is!"
Such an unusual juxtaposition of thought the Lord used during my devotional time this morning. The computer and Chambers. One hundred years of technology separating the delivery methods. But a singular truth.
God invites us to become more like Him. We choose to follow (install). He begins the process. Eventually, His character becomes ours. But the waiting period in between choosing and completion can be very frustrating!
So, if you're like me and could really use a message encouraging you to not "click out of the process" before it's complete - here you go!
"Installation of Godly Character will be complete in............... Don't give up! Keep watching for the sign that the work is complete. Trust Him. You'll be so glad you did!"
Monday, December 31, 2012
Perfection!
December 30th marked 33years of marriage for the Reverends Hawley!
And oddly enough, we were married on a Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM central time. All through the day yesterday, I couldn't help but think about that wonderful wedding day - thirty-three years ago.
Frank, the handsome groom. Sheri, the nervous bride. Gowns. Tuxes. Flowers. Friends. Family. Perfection!
Because music was such a huge part of both our lives, Frank wrote a song for the ceremony. His college room mate helped compose a beautiful number using phrases from Proverbs 31.
Robert, such a good friend, agreed to cut his Christmas vacation short in order to be at the wedding. He accompanied Frank on the acoustic guitar.
When the doors to the sanctuary swung open, Frank began singing to me as I came down the aisle. The melody was haunting. His voice filled the room. Hankies were being passed around. I was mesmerized.
As in our courtship, Frank literally drew me toward him! Still makes me smile to remember.
One anniversary, as we listened to the recording of our ceremony, I realized that the intro was repeated. "Why did Robert repeat the introduction?" I asked. I knew they had practiced until the piece was perfect.
Frank smiled and dropped his head like an embarrassed school boy. "When the doors opened and I caught my first glimpse of you, I was so blown away that I forgot to start singing."
Well, who can complain about imperfection with an answer like that?! Certainly not me!
And here we are, thirty-three years later, still in love.
Complimentary tickets afforded us the privilege of visiting Sea World yesterday. Along with Shamu, sharks and dolphins, there were several excellent Christmas shows. Each performance was just filled with great music.
One of the numbers we heard was "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." That's what Frank and I chose for our wedding recessional. Our first steps as husband and wife were taken with a musical foundation declaring our love, adoration and dependence on Christ Jesus.
Some might read that statement and think it a bit cheesy. But even in our naive state as young 20-somethings, we somehow sensed that marital success would only come from such a foundation.
All these years later, we no longer sense it..............we KNOW it!
Last night certainly wasn't perfect. The park was jam-packed with everyone trying to use their season tickets just one more time before 2013. We were told that five thousand people crowded into one of the shows we saw. Almost 20,000 were in the park!
And it was unbelievably cold for FL! Especially sitting in outside theaters. Waiting over an hour for each show to start. On metal bleachers. With wind blowing like monsoon season.
And THEN, Shamu had the audacity to S.P.L.A.S.H. the area where we were sitting! I threw my coat up over our faces just in time to shield us from the worst of it!
We probably should have given up and gone home. But how often does imperfection yield such a funny story that we'll tell for years to come?!
And after the shock, the laughter was rich. The show went on. The stunts were breath-taking. The trouble was soon forgotten. Overcome by the next great song; the next marvelous moment.
So we stayed right there until the fireworks display that took place well after my normal bedtime. Impractical? Yes! But I'm so glad we chose to stay! The fireworks show was worth every bit of inconvenience!
And just in case you wonder, our marriage hasn't been perfect either!
We've slogged our way through some difficult times. Times when we loved each other. We were committed to each other. But we sure didn't LIKE each other very much!
(Brutally honest! Totally truthful!)
Selfishness. Pride. Unforgiveness. Stubbornness. They've had the audacity to splash over our marital joy.
Sometimes, it's been tempting to "give up and go home."
But after the storm, after forgiveness, the relationship is much richer. Life goes on. The miracle moments are breath-taking. The trouble is soon overcome by the next marvelous adventure.
And truth be known, I wouldn't want to miss out on experiencing the fireworks show for anything! The good times are always worth any "inconvenience" we experienced getting there! I'm always so glad we chose to stay with it.
Frank often says, "God is Faithful and you can Trust Him!"
I guess that homespun wisdom comes from a journey of experience. We have walked many miles together. Much of our journey has been over incredibly imperfect terrain. And we're totally aware that two imperfect people are the ones walking.
But our travel Companion is not only Faithful and Trust-worthy, He's also a perfect foundation making a good marriage possible!
Happy Anniversary, Honey! Yes, I'd marry you again in a heart beat!!
And oddly enough, we were married on a Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM central time. All through the day yesterday, I couldn't help but think about that wonderful wedding day - thirty-three years ago.
Frank, the handsome groom. Sheri, the nervous bride. Gowns. Tuxes. Flowers. Friends. Family. Perfection!
Because music was such a huge part of both our lives, Frank wrote a song for the ceremony. His college room mate helped compose a beautiful number using phrases from Proverbs 31.
Robert, such a good friend, agreed to cut his Christmas vacation short in order to be at the wedding. He accompanied Frank on the acoustic guitar.
When the doors to the sanctuary swung open, Frank began singing to me as I came down the aisle. The melody was haunting. His voice filled the room. Hankies were being passed around. I was mesmerized.
As in our courtship, Frank literally drew me toward him! Still makes me smile to remember.
One anniversary, as we listened to the recording of our ceremony, I realized that the intro was repeated. "Why did Robert repeat the introduction?" I asked. I knew they had practiced until the piece was perfect.
Frank smiled and dropped his head like an embarrassed school boy. "When the doors opened and I caught my first glimpse of you, I was so blown away that I forgot to start singing."
Well, who can complain about imperfection with an answer like that?! Certainly not me!
And here we are, thirty-three years later, still in love.
Complimentary tickets afforded us the privilege of visiting Sea World yesterday. Along with Shamu, sharks and dolphins, there were several excellent Christmas shows. Each performance was just filled with great music.
One of the numbers we heard was "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." That's what Frank and I chose for our wedding recessional. Our first steps as husband and wife were taken with a musical foundation declaring our love, adoration and dependence on Christ Jesus.
Some might read that statement and think it a bit cheesy. But even in our naive state as young 20-somethings, we somehow sensed that marital success would only come from such a foundation.
All these years later, we no longer sense it..............we KNOW it!
Last night certainly wasn't perfect. The park was jam-packed with everyone trying to use their season tickets just one more time before 2013. We were told that five thousand people crowded into one of the shows we saw. Almost 20,000 were in the park!
And it was unbelievably cold for FL! Especially sitting in outside theaters. Waiting over an hour for each show to start. On metal bleachers. With wind blowing like monsoon season.
And THEN, Shamu had the audacity to S.P.L.A.S.H. the area where we were sitting! I threw my coat up over our faces just in time to shield us from the worst of it!
We probably should have given up and gone home. But how often does imperfection yield such a funny story that we'll tell for years to come?!
And after the shock, the laughter was rich. The show went on. The stunts were breath-taking. The trouble was soon forgotten. Overcome by the next great song; the next marvelous moment.
So we stayed right there until the fireworks display that took place well after my normal bedtime. Impractical? Yes! But I'm so glad we chose to stay! The fireworks show was worth every bit of inconvenience!
And just in case you wonder, our marriage hasn't been perfect either!
We've slogged our way through some difficult times. Times when we loved each other. We were committed to each other. But we sure didn't LIKE each other very much!
(Brutally honest! Totally truthful!)
Selfishness. Pride. Unforgiveness. Stubbornness. They've had the audacity to splash over our marital joy.
Sometimes, it's been tempting to "give up and go home."
But after the storm, after forgiveness, the relationship is much richer. Life goes on. The miracle moments are breath-taking. The trouble is soon overcome by the next marvelous adventure.
And truth be known, I wouldn't want to miss out on experiencing the fireworks show for anything! The good times are always worth any "inconvenience" we experienced getting there! I'm always so glad we chose to stay with it.
Frank often says, "God is Faithful and you can Trust Him!"
I guess that homespun wisdom comes from a journey of experience. We have walked many miles together. Much of our journey has been over incredibly imperfect terrain. And we're totally aware that two imperfect people are the ones walking.
But our travel Companion is not only Faithful and Trust-worthy, He's also a perfect foundation making a good marriage possible!
Happy Anniversary, Honey! Yes, I'd marry you again in a heart beat!!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Laziness and Snow
LAZY!
I have officially achieved my goal for the day and it's only 11:30 in the morning! I've waited all year to tap the LAZY button on my calendar and today is the day.
I'm sitting in the recliner, favorite lap quilt, cup of tea, Christmas music playing. Gracie flanks me on the right, tucked as tightly as a little Shih Tzu possibly can. Bella has flopped down to warm my feet; occasionally rolling over for a belly scratch. Vegetable soup is ready to warm up; the washer and dryer are humming in harmony.
I AM EXPERIENCING - LAZINESS! And it is indeed delicious!
While Christmas plans were being made, we knew that a visit to Mom and Dad Hawley was a non-negotiable. But I just didn't have one more road trip in me this year. So Frank flew.
And although I hate not having time with my dear family in NC and although all our children are traveling or working and although I'm rarely alone like this.......I'm doing just fine.
A dear friend of ours once said he didn't feel like he was truly on vacation until he hit the point were he was bored. Well Bill, I'm not bored but I do feel wonderfully lazy!
I had promised you another Christmas Miracle story from the Hawley Archives. Because so many of you are experiencing snow storms right now, this one seemed most appropriate -
Christmas Kiss from Heaven
In June of 1993, we left Asheville, NC (our home of twelve years) and moved to Brunswick County to pioneer a church. The fledgling congregation of twelve people had contacted our state office and asked that someone be sent to oversee the work.
It took a lot of courage and a definite call to uproot our family and move to that rural community on the coast. When friends would ask where Ocean Isle Beach was we responded truthfully, "Go to the edge of the earth and take a left!"
We left behind the team we'd been part of for nine years. All three girls had been born in Asheville. We loved the city, the people, the mountains, the weather, the events, the church family!
So why move? Because we sensed God's quiet whisper that the next chapter of our life story was to be written six hours away from what had become our safety net.
So we moved.
We included the girls in our plans from the earliest possible moment. (Kristin, who was only ten, actually knew first and kept it a secret for a month! Not many adults can claim that level of confidence keeping.)
Our senior pastor supported the move. He facilitated lavish encouragement given by the congregation we'd served for nine years. After parties and dinners and play-dates and a massive reception, we tearfully bade farewell.
(The greatest comfort afforded us was the incredible act of courage displayed by two dear friends. The Sheppards quit their jobs and moved with us to help launch this pioneer effort! A year later they moved on to Nashville, TN. But those twelve months kept us on course! Without their help, the church probably wouldn't have made it. I know I wouldn't have!)
The girls worked hard at adapting. They too left behind friends, a great school, a church that offered the very BEST in children's ministry. People that had known and loved them since they were first born. We were thankful that they had one another!
Frank went to work growing a congregation; I went to work trying to learn how to home school. We all had to work at being okay with the barest of necessities!
There was no guaranteed salary with this pioneer work. Church bills came first, of course. Then a stipend for the pastor if anything was left over.
Don't you have parts of your life where you look back and think, "HOW in the world did we make it?!"
Yep, us too!
But with God's grace, many unexpected offerings in the mail and a great knowledge of how to prepare tuna, we kept afloat.
As that first Christmas rolled around, we found ourselves lonely and discouraged. The church had only grown to about sixty people. We felt very isolated. We knew the parties and plays and festivities we were missing in Asheville. And mostly, it was just too warm at the beach for Christmas.
Meagan was only five and worried aloud about how it would ever snow in this place. "Well, Sweetheart, it doesn't snow here. Remember, we talked about that before we moved? But we get to enjoy the beach any time we want."
"Mama!" Her little girl voice held the sound of a reprimand. "The beach is where you take a vacation. It isn't where you LIVE!" (Meagan has never had trouble expressing her mind!)
"Well, Baby, it's where we live now." I couldn't come up with anything more eloquent that the plain 'ol facts.
December 25th rapidly approached and our hearts grew heavier with each passing day. Resources were so limited! The girls would have had almost NO Christmas that year if it hadn't been for a wonderful group of ladies in New Bern, NC.
Those church ladies "adopted" our precious girls and sent two boxes loaded with school supplies and treats. Frank and I quickly wrapped each item and placed them all under the tree. Such an answer to prayer!
Our Christmas would take place about three days early as we were traveling to my parents' home that year. So on the appointed evening, we marked Christmas Eve with all our regular traditions. Each girl opened one preselected gift, we sang, we told stories, we watched a Christmas movie, then put our angels to bed.
Frank and I stepped out on to the porch for a minute. The overcast skies foretold that our Christmas morning would probably be a rainy one.
"Well, great!" I thought. "Now they won't even be able to enjoy being outside tomorrow! No snow, no friends, no play time! Just rain! Lord, do you remember that YOU sent us here?!"
I didn't really expect a response.
Three tousled heads peeked into our room very early the next morning. "Merry Christmas!!!" The drizzling outside didn't dampen their spirits. There were presents to unwrap and they were ready to get to it!
The rain did bring in some colder air, at least, making a fire in the fireplace possible. Everyone got quiet while Frank read the Christmas Story from Luke 2 one more time. We thanked the Lord for the gift of His Son, for our fireplace, for the gifts the women's group had sent and for the great cinnamon buns we had waiting. (Children are thankful for all sorts of things.)
And that's when it happened.
"LOOK!!" Frank startled me with his loud command. "Girls, look outside! Quick! Everybody grab a jacket!! Hurry, it won't last long!!"
Instead of the rain, huge white flakes were pouring down in our front yard! We all rushed outside with our mouths hanging open in surprise. The girls squealing with delight! Our dog jumping and barking!
It was snowing at the beach!
The ground soon looked like powdered sugar. And the flakes were big enough to be caught on little tongues of excited little girls.
Now it really felt like Christmas!
We hustled back in to the living room to open the packages under the tree. More squealing and laughter! We drank apple cider and ate cinnamon buns. And just as our festivities concluded, the snow stopped.
Someone immediately said, "Look how much God loves us! He sent snow to the beach just for us! Just for our Christmas!"
I couldn't testify to that in a court of law. But the facts are as follows:
I have officially achieved my goal for the day and it's only 11:30 in the morning! I've waited all year to tap the LAZY button on my calendar and today is the day.
I'm sitting in the recliner, favorite lap quilt, cup of tea, Christmas music playing. Gracie flanks me on the right, tucked as tightly as a little Shih Tzu possibly can. Bella has flopped down to warm my feet; occasionally rolling over for a belly scratch. Vegetable soup is ready to warm up; the washer and dryer are humming in harmony.
I AM EXPERIENCING - LAZINESS! And it is indeed delicious!
While Christmas plans were being made, we knew that a visit to Mom and Dad Hawley was a non-negotiable. But I just didn't have one more road trip in me this year. So Frank flew.
And although I hate not having time with my dear family in NC and although all our children are traveling or working and although I'm rarely alone like this.......I'm doing just fine.
A dear friend of ours once said he didn't feel like he was truly on vacation until he hit the point were he was bored. Well Bill, I'm not bored but I do feel wonderfully lazy!
I had promised you another Christmas Miracle story from the Hawley Archives. Because so many of you are experiencing snow storms right now, this one seemed most appropriate -
Christmas Kiss from Heaven
In June of 1993, we left Asheville, NC (our home of twelve years) and moved to Brunswick County to pioneer a church. The fledgling congregation of twelve people had contacted our state office and asked that someone be sent to oversee the work.
It took a lot of courage and a definite call to uproot our family and move to that rural community on the coast. When friends would ask where Ocean Isle Beach was we responded truthfully, "Go to the edge of the earth and take a left!"
We left behind the team we'd been part of for nine years. All three girls had been born in Asheville. We loved the city, the people, the mountains, the weather, the events, the church family!
So why move? Because we sensed God's quiet whisper that the next chapter of our life story was to be written six hours away from what had become our safety net.
So we moved.
We included the girls in our plans from the earliest possible moment. (Kristin, who was only ten, actually knew first and kept it a secret for a month! Not many adults can claim that level of confidence keeping.)
Our senior pastor supported the move. He facilitated lavish encouragement given by the congregation we'd served for nine years. After parties and dinners and play-dates and a massive reception, we tearfully bade farewell.
(The greatest comfort afforded us was the incredible act of courage displayed by two dear friends. The Sheppards quit their jobs and moved with us to help launch this pioneer effort! A year later they moved on to Nashville, TN. But those twelve months kept us on course! Without their help, the church probably wouldn't have made it. I know I wouldn't have!)
The girls worked hard at adapting. They too left behind friends, a great school, a church that offered the very BEST in children's ministry. People that had known and loved them since they were first born. We were thankful that they had one another!
Frank went to work growing a congregation; I went to work trying to learn how to home school. We all had to work at being okay with the barest of necessities!
There was no guaranteed salary with this pioneer work. Church bills came first, of course. Then a stipend for the pastor if anything was left over.
Don't you have parts of your life where you look back and think, "HOW in the world did we make it?!"
Yep, us too!
But with God's grace, many unexpected offerings in the mail and a great knowledge of how to prepare tuna, we kept afloat.
As that first Christmas rolled around, we found ourselves lonely and discouraged. The church had only grown to about sixty people. We felt very isolated. We knew the parties and plays and festivities we were missing in Asheville. And mostly, it was just too warm at the beach for Christmas.
Meagan was only five and worried aloud about how it would ever snow in this place. "Well, Sweetheart, it doesn't snow here. Remember, we talked about that before we moved? But we get to enjoy the beach any time we want."
"Mama!" Her little girl voice held the sound of a reprimand. "The beach is where you take a vacation. It isn't where you LIVE!" (Meagan has never had trouble expressing her mind!)
"Well, Baby, it's where we live now." I couldn't come up with anything more eloquent that the plain 'ol facts.
December 25th rapidly approached and our hearts grew heavier with each passing day. Resources were so limited! The girls would have had almost NO Christmas that year if it hadn't been for a wonderful group of ladies in New Bern, NC.
Those church ladies "adopted" our precious girls and sent two boxes loaded with school supplies and treats. Frank and I quickly wrapped each item and placed them all under the tree. Such an answer to prayer!
Our Christmas would take place about three days early as we were traveling to my parents' home that year. So on the appointed evening, we marked Christmas Eve with all our regular traditions. Each girl opened one preselected gift, we sang, we told stories, we watched a Christmas movie, then put our angels to bed.
Frank and I stepped out on to the porch for a minute. The overcast skies foretold that our Christmas morning would probably be a rainy one.
"Well, great!" I thought. "Now they won't even be able to enjoy being outside tomorrow! No snow, no friends, no play time! Just rain! Lord, do you remember that YOU sent us here?!"
I didn't really expect a response.
Three tousled heads peeked into our room very early the next morning. "Merry Christmas!!!" The drizzling outside didn't dampen their spirits. There were presents to unwrap and they were ready to get to it!
The rain did bring in some colder air, at least, making a fire in the fireplace possible. Everyone got quiet while Frank read the Christmas Story from Luke 2 one more time. We thanked the Lord for the gift of His Son, for our fireplace, for the gifts the women's group had sent and for the great cinnamon buns we had waiting. (Children are thankful for all sorts of things.)
And that's when it happened.
"LOOK!!" Frank startled me with his loud command. "Girls, look outside! Quick! Everybody grab a jacket!! Hurry, it won't last long!!"
Instead of the rain, huge white flakes were pouring down in our front yard! We all rushed outside with our mouths hanging open in surprise. The girls squealing with delight! Our dog jumping and barking!
It was snowing at the beach!
The ground soon looked like powdered sugar. And the flakes were big enough to be caught on little tongues of excited little girls.
Now it really felt like Christmas!
We hustled back in to the living room to open the packages under the tree. More squealing and laughter! We drank apple cider and ate cinnamon buns. And just as our festivities concluded, the snow stopped.
Someone immediately said, "Look how much God loves us! He sent snow to the beach just for us! Just for our Christmas!"
I couldn't testify to that in a court of law. But the facts are as follows:
- My babies were really missing their mountain home that Christmas.
- It really did snow at the beach on the morning we were celebrating.
- It really didn't snow another time during our six years in Ocean Isle.
- God really does love all His children just that much.
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