Something New

Hey, it is always nice to learn something new.  Can you tell what I learned today?  It more than likely will get tweaked a bit but for the first attempt - I like what I got.

Blessings and Hugs,

Today's Proverb

 What the Lord says about me and what I often say or think about me sure can be different.  More than anything I need to hear and put to heart what the Lord says about me.



*To hear the video go to the bottom of this blog and stop the music. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oOpXLVhBuk

1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Proverb 3

Home Sweet Home

These pictures are of a little box that belonged to my father's mother.  The box is probably 50 or 60 years old and very tattered and worn.  The lid deteriated on the hinged side so now it only sits on top but somehow I think it is such a sweet feminine little box I can't part with it.  On the top it has Memories written across the bottom.

When you look inside on the bottom of the lid I can see where my Grandmother wrote, "Fort Lauderdale, the most beautiful place in the world."  This is a woman that had traveled around the world.  I often wonder what made Fort Lauderdale so beautiful to her. 

I have never been outside of the United States and up until our daughter moved with her husband and family to Kentucky I had hardly seen any of the US.  I was raised in California and have lived all my adult life in Arizona.

The most beautiful place in the world to me has to be the house on Kristal Lane that I call home.  There is just something special about going somewhere on vacation or away for a family emergency and then returning "home".  Home sweet home - no other place I really want to be.

On a spiritual note when I think about how much I love my home then I am quickly reminded that my Heavenly Father is building a mansion custom made for me and  I am just awe struck at what that must be.  Thank you Lord that You know me and You love me so very much.

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Quick and Easy Cobbler

This is my go to recipe for quick, easy and wonderful. Such a nice recipe because everything is usually stocked in the pantry for a quick dessert.

Fruit Cobbler

1 stick of butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
can of cherry pie filling (or 3-4 cups fresh, frozen or canned peaches is good)

Melt butter in 8x8 glass pan. Mix sugar, flour, salt, baking powder and milk together and pour over melted butter. Don't mix. Top with fruit and again don't mix. Bake at 375* for 30 minutes or till golden brown.

As usual I am linking to Lisa at http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/ to join the other fun ladies with fantastic recipes.

Labor Day Cookout

Remember how I have shared I only make my delicious coleslaw when we have company cause Precious Husband doesn't care for coleslaw?  Well, whoppee I am fixing coleslaw next Monday.  Yes, I know, it doesn't take much to make this mémère happy.

We are having the pastor and his family along with the young men living in our Pampa house all down for a big cookout.  Emmit, one of our young men prides himself on his BBQ and his secret sauce so he is in charge of cooking the meat.  I will be making lots of salads, baked beans and of course the heart attack special cheese bread that everyone loves.  Jason, our son who also lives in the Pampa house will make his signature hot sausage and cheese dip.  Anthony will be here too and he does love his mother's coleslaw : )  So all in all it should be a very great cookout.  Plan to challenge Pastor Eddie to a game of Wii bowling to make the evening complete.

Wahooo!

It isn't much but at this point I will take what I can get and say, "Thank You Jesus!"  Can you tell the hot Arizona summer is getting to me?

Feeding of the 5000

  

 At the beginning of August I blogged that I may have a modern 2010 version of the feeding of the 5000 as told in John.  Well this is that anticipated blog.   I had signed up to help in any way needed at our VBS.  Our young and very small church held vacation Bible school with the goal to minister to children living in the projects near the church.  Our pastor's desire was to feed the children both breakfast and lunch along with snacks and then at the end of the week to send them all home with a backpack filled with school supplies.  Of course this was in addition to the main purpose of telling them about Jesus through Bible lessons, music, games and crafts.  I was assigned kitchen duty and given the responsibility to make sure we could serve breakfast, lunch and a snack to about 60 children.   "Oh my goodness" was my first response and panic quickly set in.  BUT GOD - the source, the answer to my puny faith was there to meet every need and amaze us all with how He supplied our every desire.  It truly was a week that ministered to me along with many children.  Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding and to acknowledge Him and He would direct our path.  He graciously did!  We had food, water and juice in abundance and actually in excess.  At the beginning of the VBS we did not know where or how we would supply backpacks only to have them given by another church who had more than they had needed. 

  And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

  

John 6:5-145 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" 10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.   Truly children's lives were touched during our VBS and I know for a fact that my faith was strengthened once again.  Thank You Jesus!!

How To Recognize a Blogger

You know you are a serious blogger when you carry the camera around with you wherever you go.  Precious Husband told me he smiles when he sees the flash go off in another room because he knows there will be a new post up soon.

Never thought I would enjoy blogging so much but I do ; )

An encouraging Word for today:  Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:21-23 

            

 

 Grandchildren having fun making ice-cream this summer.  Yum!

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday - Blueberry Muffins

Sharing a recipe today that I received from Prairie Flower Farm blog for blueberry muffins.  Precious Husband loves blueberries and quickly let me know these were "a keeper".  Along with a wonderful recipe please check out Linda's blog for a real treat that will encourage your heart for sure.

The Best Blueberry Muffins

1/3 c. oil
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. milk
2 1/2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
2 c. flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare muffin cups with paper cups or grease them. In medium sized bowl beat oil and sugar, then add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in vanilla, baking powder, salt and then milk. Fold in flour, then blueberries. Spoon into muffin cups. Make the topping: I use my food processor. 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 tea cinnamon and 3 tbl. soften butter. Blend until into crumbs. Sprinkle the top of each muffin with topping. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.  Makes 18 muffins. 

Good Advice

 Yosemite June 2010 

So refreshing to remember this beauty we enjoyed.  

Somehow it helps remind me that this AZ heat will pass.

Today I would simply like to copy and paste here something very good I read on Courtney's blog, http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com.  I needed to hear this today and maybe you do too. 

D. Gordon, says in his book Quiet Talks on Prayer "Waiting means steadfastness, that is, holding on; patience, which means holding back; expectancy, which means holding the face up; obedience, holding oneself in readiness to go or to do; listening, holding quiet and still so as to hear."

The Old Paths

Lots to do today around the homestead and I really have no creativity either so with that said I am posting an email I received this week.  

THE OLD PATHS

I liked the old paths, when Moms were at home.
Dads were at work. Brothers went into the  army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!

Crime did not pay; Hard work did;
And people knew the difference.

Moms could cook; Dads would work;
Children would behave.

Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive;
And children were polite.

Women wore the jewelry; And Men wore the pants.

Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen;
And children looked decent.

People loved the truth, And hated a lie.

They came to church to get IN, Not to get OUT!

Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful;
Rejoicing sounded normal; And crying sounded sincere.

Cursing was wicked; Drugs were for illness;
And divorce was unthinkable.

The flag was honored; America was beautiful;
And God was welcome!

We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school;
And preached from house to house.

To be called an American was worth dying for;
To be called an American was worth living for;
To be called a traitor was a shame!

I still like the old paths the best!

'The Old Paths' was written by a retired minister who lives in Tennessee. 

 

 

Great Quote For The Day

I was out and about today and ran across this great quote:

"A good memory is one that can remember the day's blessings

and forget the day's troubles."

-author unknown

Even hotter at supper time tonight but I will choose to remember the fact that we have beautiful, wonderful, gorgeous winters here in Arizona. 

Arizona in Word Pictures

The temperature at supper time tonight!

Our skies last night - gorgeous!

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday - Oriental Chicken

I seldom make anything without a recipe and I follow that recipe to the T.  I can not credit my mother for any culinary ability I may have because she is the kind of cook that just throws it together.  I smile when I remember asking her how she could forget the sugar in a muffin recipe I gave her.  The first thing the recipe says is blend the sugar and shortening.  Her answer was she just throws it all in and mixes it up.

It was my Aunt and my Grandmother on my Dad's side of the family that taught me to cook.  My Grandmother I especially remember following the recipe and measuring things accurately.  My Aunt taught me cooking in 4-H and that was a special time in my life remembered very fondly.  My Aunt had a new home and her kitchen seemed so modern and professional to me as a ten year old.  Why even her cookie sheets had their own custom made storage space.  This was all very inspiring as a young girl. 

I say all that to say this, the recipe I am sharing today is one that you can adapt totally to what you like or what you have in the fridge at the time.  You most certainly don't have to follow this recipe exactly.  Use it as a base and go from there.   I originally found this recipe in 1985 on the Rita Davenport TV show (a local program at the time).  Precious Husband really enjoys this meal and we have it quite often. 

Oriental Chicken Stir Fry

4 boneless chicken breasts, cut in small pieces
1 large green pepper, diced
1 cup celery, sliced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
15 ounce can chicken broth
3 tablespoons corn starch mixed in 1/4 cup water
1/4 cup soy sauce

Sauté in some butter or oil the chicken and then remove and sauté the veges.  Remove from pan and pour broth in pan and add cornstarch mixture.  Cook till smooth and thick then add soy sauce and return chicken and veges heating everything through real well.  Serve over rice.

That is the original recipe but as I said use what you like or have on hand.  My favorite is onions, mushrooms, little miniature peppers, and broccoli.  We like food with a little kick so I also add red chili flakes and also almonds for added crunch.  I always serve it over brown rice.  Colorful, attractive and nutritious meal in a bowl.  Very easy too.

As always on Tuesday go see Lisa and check out all the other bloggers great recipes.

Cupcakes and Saturday

Probably 26 years or more ago a special aunt gave me a big picnic basket full of candy molds and a nice box of Wilton's decorating tips.  I use the candy molds often and have added quite a few to the basket but I never have tried my hand at decorating a cake with the tips.

This last Saturday was I believed the birthday of one of our young men that had lived in our Pampa house.  He has left the house to return to COTS so Precious Husband and I planned to attend the Saturday evening service so we could give our birthday wishes to Cliff.

Rather than a cake that would be hard to serve I made Cliff birthday cupcakes and I decided after all these years to retrieve the Wilton tips and try my hand at decorating.  It was great fun and quite easy actually to take my plain cupcake and make it so festive.  I think I am hooked and am even considering taking a Wilton class at Michael's sometime soon.

We got to church and after the service we tracked down our birthday boy only to find out his birthday is the 14th of September not August.  Oh well, the young man is in need of extra love at this time so the cupcakes and accompanying hugs and kisses were still much appreciated.  He said he will look forward to September 14th now knowing what he can expect : )

I got to use this vintage cake carrier that I wrote about here to transport my cupcakes.  Lots of fun!!

Fear Not

We are living in very difficult times.  People all around us are struggling with various needs.  Great fear threatens to invade our homes.  As wives and mothers we must be strong and grow in our faith so that we can come against fear in the name of the LORD our God.  

 

One of my favorite verses is Psalms 20:7 which says, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."  We can't put our trust in things or people because they will let us down and inevitably disappoint us.  But God has proven Himself over and over again and greatly desires to daily prove Himself faithful to us.

 

Look up some of the names of God and be encouraged by their meaning.  Which name do you need to stand on today for strength and encouragement?  El-Shaddai is waiting to meet the needs of your heart.

 

A Few Hebrew Names and Their Meanings

 

El-Olam -- The Everlasting God
El-Shaddai -- The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People
Jehovah-Elohim -- The Eternal Creator
Jehovah-Jireh -- The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Ropheka -- The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Shalom -- The Lord our Peace
Jehovah-Tsidkenu -- The Lord our Righteousness
Jehovah-Shammah -- The Lord is Present
Jehovah-Rohi -- The Lord our Shepherd
Jehovah-Hoseenu -- The Lord our Maker

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend.

Amen!

"Lord, help me to pass on my strengths to my children 

and not burden them with my weaknesses.."  

-- Andrew Attaway

My New Pets

I want some chickens but Precious Husband tells me no.  Now in his defense he doesn't tell me no very often at all but to having chickens in the backyard he said no.  So the next best thing I guess are these two cutsie roosters I got yesterday at The Dump in Cave Creek.  Aren't they the cutest thing ever?

My sister,  niece and I had a great time Monday and Tuesday shopping and looking for treasures.  Today we met my oldest son for lunch and then they hit the freeway to head for home.  We had a great time together and shared lots of laughs!!

Precious Husband likes my chickens too.

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday - Waffles

Sharing this wonderful make ahead recipe today for waffles.   Linking again this week with Lisa at http://www.blessedwithgrace.net

Belgian Waffles

2 2/3 cups all purpose flour

2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups milk

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup butter

3 eggs

In large bowl combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt, mix well.  Heat milk, water and butter until very warm  (120*).  Add to flour mixture.  Add eggs.  Using electrcic mixer beat one minute at medium speed.  Cover and refrigerate over night. 

During my stay with Dallas and Michelle when grand-daughter Ava was born I bought Michelle a waffle iron because Tristan wanted waffles.  This recipe came with the instruction booklet.  They are great waffles – Dallas loved them – and I like the recipe because I can make them up the night before.

Company Fun

My sister and her daughter arrived last night about 11:45 PM.  Had fun today running them around to craft stores and thrift shops.  My sister is a shopper to say the least and it is fun watching my cute little niece try to keep her mother corralled.

Tonight I made my chicken enchiladas for dinner tomorrow night and just finished making waffle batter for breakfast in the morning.  Precious husband is loving having the company because it means more than cereal and fruit for breakfast : )

Having fun sharing recipes with my niece who is a newlywed.  This is the niece that was born 2 nights before I got married making it impossible for my sister and brother-in-law to attend our wedding.  My sister and niece both live in California. 

Gotta Love Little Boys!

Picked up my camera last weekend to download some pics and found this darling, cute, sweet, loving little face on my camera. 

I am not the kind of grandmother that lets her kids run wild or gives them anything they want.  I am a grandmother that knows little boys do like to tinker and investigate with what has been left out instead of put away where it belongs.  Just gotta love little boys!!

I Need A Maid!

Do you think Precious Husband is trying to tell me something?  Hey I will getter done - you just gotta give this Mémère some time.  Right now VBS is first priority this week and in all honesty a tad bit more fun than dusting would be.

Take A Minute

and be blessed as you watch this video. 

And while I am at it here is a favorite verse for today.
I will bless the LORD at all times ; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday - Earthquake Cake

Off today to get ready for VBS in Mesa.  May have a story to tell about 2010 version of the feeding of the 5000 when this week is over.  Fill you in on that later : )  

Sharing a simple recipe with things easily kept in the pantry which makes a wonderful cake!  Go see Lisa for more recipes this week.

 

Earthquake Cake

Mix 1 cup coconut, 1cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)  together & place in bottom of greased 9x13 dish. 

Mix 1 box of German Chocolate cake mix according to directions and pour over nuts/coconut. 

Mix 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1 box powdered sugar, and 1 stick melted butter together and pour over cake batter. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until done.

Cake will be crusty & cracked like an earthquake fault.

Very good and very easy!

Oh My Stars! Am I Old?

God's creation viewed at Mooney Grove Park, Visalia CA June 12, 2010

The little girl was taken to Sunday School each Sunday by her grandma.  One Sunday morning the teacher was asking the children about creation.  "Who made the moon?" the teacher asked.  "God did" came the children's replay in unison.  "Who made the sun?" asked the teacher next.  Again, "God did" came the quick answer.  "And who made the stars?" asked the teacher.  This time the little girl quickly answered, "my grandma!"  When grandma came to get her little grand-daughter the teacher shared with the grandma the cute story to which grandma replied with jolly laughter, "Well, my stars!"


You gotta love grandmas - cause I is one : )  And acting a little older, stranger and more feeble brained every day I am afraid.


When we went to Disneyland I was constantly looking around and accounting for all 4 grandchildren.  Now it was late in the day and I was tired but this was my senior moment to top all during our trip.  I had Thomas in my arms and had hold of Tyler.  I looked around counting heads and asked, "Where is Tyler?" to which my daughter answered, "you are holding his hand Mom."  Oh my stars!  Am I really this old?


Now today I look over my blog and am thinking about which recipe to share on Tempt My Tummy Tuesday only to find out I shared the same recipe recently.  Oh my stars!  Am I really this old? 


Thanks to modern technology I quickly deleted the duplicated post.  Wish there was such an easy way to correct some of my other senior moments.

How do I label this post?  Under humor of course, cause some days you just have to laugh so you don't cry.

Like Pooh Bear - No Long Words Here Either

 Trent, Tyler and Taralyn with Mémère at Disneyland June 7, 2010

Getting ready to sit and read Lessons From the Hundred-Acre Wood with Trent.  I love Pooh Bear in all his fluffyness.  Thought for today I would leave you with some quotes from the little yellow childhood bear of many of us.

Quotes from Pooh Bear

It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?"

Some people care too much, I think it's called love.

When having a smackerel of something with a friend, don't eat so much that you get stuck in the doorway trying to get out.

When late morning rolls around and you're feeling a bit out of sorts, don't worry; you're probably just a little eleven o'clockish.

You can't stay in your corner of the forest, waiting for others to come to you; you have to go to them sometimes.

I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words Bother me.

"I don't see much sense in that," said Rabbit. "No," said Pooh humbly, "there isn't. But there was going to be when I began it. It's just that something happened to it along the way."

Before beginning a Hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it.

Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.

Grandson Fun

Yesterday I headed over to our youngest daughter Danielle's home picking up a pizza on the way for lunch.  Had fun loving on all four grandchildren before the three youngest went down for nap time.  TLC #1, Trent, the oldest who will be 7 in September came home with me.

We stopped at Walmart and got a new Leggo to put together.  It is just amazing to watch a little boy take a bag with a zillion little pieces of plastic and come up so quickly with an object that will then give him hours of fun ahead. 

Today what would normally be a quiet and tiddy loft is a little boys kingdom all strewn with various toys and where he definitely is the center of his mémère's attention. 

I love having the opportunity to have one on one time with my grandkids.  Next week I am helping with our vacation bible school all week and then the next week I hope to bring TLC #2, Tyler home with me for more one on one fun time.

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday - Coleslaw

True story: For 2 years before we married Precious Husband ate and seemingly liked my coleslaw when I served it. The boys and I love coleslaw so I served it often during those 2 years of dating. Low and behold the first time I served my favorite summer salad after we were married Precious Husband leans over and tells me he really doesn't like coleslaw.  Well, for goodness sakes - why didn't the man tell me so.  Guess when you are courting you put your best foot forward and that may mean eating something you really don't care for.

So now I make coleslaw only when we are having guests so I have someone to help me eat it : )  The following recipe is wonderful and I always get rave reviews when I serve it - at least from everybody other than Precious Husband.  The recipe is similar to the Kentucky Colonel's and also to what they serve at Famous Dave's BBQ.  Yummy!

Creamy Tangy Coleslaw
1 good size head of green cabbage chopped finely
1/4 cup grated carrot
2 cups Miracle Whip
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish sauce
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon celery seeds

I use my food processor and grate the cabbage and carrots.  Mix all together and allow to chill well before serving.  Yields 6-8 servings.

Head over and visit Lisa at http://www.blessedwithgrace.net to see lots more yummy recipes to try.

*4:30 PM Just edited this to add and correct horseradish and mustard.  Sorry.

More Rocks

Several months ago I posted about my rock collection (here).  Today, I added a new rock inscribed "walk". 

 

I know my walk with the Lord is not what it should be and this is what I have meditated on today and studied.  I am thankful for the Holy Spirit's prodding in this area.

 

May I share some good verses with you on the word "walk"?  This list is not complete by far just some that spoke to my heart today.

 

Deuteronomy 5:33 NIV
Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

Deuteronomy 10:12 NIV
 [Fear the LORD] And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

Psalms 15:2 NIV
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart

Psalms 84:11 NIV
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalms 86:11 NIV
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Psalms 89:15 NIV
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.

Psalms 101:2 NIV
I will be careful to lead a blameless life-- when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart.

Psalms 119:1 NIV
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.

Psalms 119:45 NIV
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.

Psalms 128:1 NIV
Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.

Proverbs 2:7 NIV
He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

Isaiah 40:31 NIV
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Jeremiah 7:23 NIV
but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you.

Micah 6:8 NIV
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

1 John 1:6 NIV
If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.

1 John 1:7 NIV
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 2:6 NIV
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

2 John 1:6 NIV
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,  O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14 NIV

Very Special

Last Saturday lives were reunited for a few hours.  The greatly anticipated Sunshine Acres reunion came together with about 35 in attendance.  Some of us hadn't seen each other in about 25 years.  We had a wonderful time and only regret the absence of a few that had planned to come and could not make it or forgot (shame shame on you).  We are already planning on a repeat event but in January or February when it is cooler and we can enjoy a fire pit in the back yard instead of coping with 110 degree heat. 

Personally the highlight of the whole evening was the young man in the picture above with our son Anthony.  Gary and I found each other on Face Book 25 years after leaving the Acres.  What is so special about Gary is his love for Anthony!  The minute we connected on FB Gary wanted to know about Anthony.  When plans were made for the reunion,  again the first thing Gary asked was whether or not Anthony would be there. 

When Gary and his brother Jimmy arrived they greeted everyone and passed out hugs to the other Acres' kids and then he made a straight dart for Anthony.  He parked in a chair next to Anthony and spent the whole evening catching up on Anthony's life and giving him all his love and attention.  Now this is not always easy when you are communicating with someone who is non-verbal due to his disability but it did not stop Gary from reconnecting after all these years.  This is the young man that as a teenager would come over and put Anthony is the basket of a three-wheeler bicycle and bike him all over the Acres so Anthony could have fun. 

Very special.  Amazing love in action.  Watching the two of these young men really was the most special part of the whole evening.  To see my son loved on in such a genuine and caring way made my mother's heart swell with appreciation and love.

Promises were made not to let 25 years go by before getting these two back together again.  Every Anthony should be so fortunate to have a Gary that loves him in such a special way.