A New Addition....

Well, Marley became a member of the Gorman family that week. She is such a well mannered dog. It is amazing that someone would leave her behind. I heard from a dog kennel friend that in Albany over the past year (all the plant closings-economics) there were around 3500 pets left on the streets. How sad! Marley seemed to attach herself to Warren and would jump at loud sounds. She started tugging at my heart strings. The vet check up was good and she got shots needed for the moment. We figured that she had just had babies for obvious reasons and the vet agreed.

We played Wii and cards a lot! I stepped into the bedroom, every Tuesday as they entertained teenagers at a weekly Bible study in their home. I worked on my quilt, enjoyed loving on my kids and continued to be a housemaid out of pure enjoyment! Jill and I did a few mother/daughter things like: a movie, cooking at "A Pinch of Thyme", and taking the granddaughters to a pottery place to make things for Father’s Day.

Yes we babysat the grands while Shana had a photo shoot for a wedding on a beach in Florida. It was a busy weekend…and as everyone knows, I always have lots of stuff to do while babysitting. We even took the girls to a friend’s house that had children the same age and played in the huge waterworks they had set up in the backyard. We had Boy scout pancakes for b’fast and root beer floats for dessert that night. Mommy was back on Mother’s Day so after church we had a nice lunch presented to us and crowns from the grands and Auntie Jill.

Marley didn’t know what to think of all these people but I have to say she continued to be so well mannered.

First Stop in May.....

My first location was Albany w/Jill & Warren. Saturday started off well and I found out we were going to a fashion show for a charity event in town. Another sweet couple w/their sweetness of a baby girl came over and w/the guys babysitting, we three girls got dressed up and went downtown for the event. I was so glad Jill wanted me to go along w/her and Ashley. We got back home and “little sweetness’ was still up, although wanting to go to sleep. I asked permission to take her back to the bedroom and rocked her gently to sleep…oh I was in heaven! How wonderful to remember the smell, panting breath and small hand on your chest as a baby sleeps in warm soft pajamas. I rocked and prayed for about an hour…the best time w/God was always w/my babies in the rocking chair.
I know “little sweetness” and myself worked out all the problems of the world that hour.

Sunday was filled w/church, good dinner and afternoon naps. It was good to see some faithful friends at church. Great to worship w/my children and enjoyed a sermon from the new pastor. Monday came and I was destined to surprise Jill by preparing dinner so she did not have to when she got home from her stressful job. So I cleaned (which is one of the things I love to do) did laundry and prepared dinner. End of another day…still missing Steve! The week went fast I was going to have 9 days w/Jill n Warren then moved onto Shana n Bill’s.

On Wednesday we went to church and supported Warren as he spoke to the youth. He can really get the message of Christ out to teens in a way that really makes them think. Then after church we went to a friend’s house that just happened to have a white lab show up on their doorstep. He had hung around for a few weeks and since J&W was thinking of a dog, well we got to meet Marley. Though not it’s real name but that’s who she looked like, Marley, from the movie a very gentle, calmer version of the movie dog I should add. We get back home and start convincing Jill that she would be a good dog to have, as long as no one has claimed her. Warren and I did a very good job of putting on the Ritz for Marley’s case!

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I had lunch w/dear friends. Let me introduce you to Roxanne, Karen, and Denise, great women of faith, encouragers, and strong ladies whom you can turn to in times of storms. I had so much fun with you all…thanks for the cherished memories!

Just finished listening to “Believe Me Now” by Steven Curtis Chapman. That’s all that God wants from us, a relationship that calls us to just believe…believe that God is in control, that God truly has out best interest at heart. Some days these are hard to comprehend…but we must listen to that still small voice that calls our hearts to His side.

Ready Set Go~

I am just sitting here listening to Selah singing “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Such a calm assurance isn’t it?

I look at what I need to do to get self back on track w/my blogging and the task seems daunting enough but this music should sooth my soul and allow me to journal my thoughts once again. So I start with the last week of April 09… The biggest issue is NO PICTURES, our computer had a near miss w/a Trojan horse virus so when we cleared everything off of the computer, we thought we got every last picture off before we wiped it clean....well, that didn't happen so all of my 09 pictures are gone into cyberspace...eternal! I will not faint, OR get mad at technology!

Taking a trip w/Steve is always a pleasurable thing for me, so driving to Atlanta was refreshing. As Steve took of for his myriad of meetings at Orange Conference, I stayed put in the hotel room, secluded w/my Bible, current novel, journal/pen and the T.V. remote I started basking in quiet! Now this is vacating!

Two days of solitude and evenings w/my best friend, then Friday came! Our daughters were driving up to Atlanta so we could go shopping at IKEA. Never been there so I was looking forward to just window shopping, or so I thought. It is a huge store, w/greater prices on nice things. (Vern Kipp, gets all of his stuff for home décor there.) I bought drapes for our living room window, a bamboo plant, things for the grands and had a great lunch w/my girls. We had so much fun together!!! We came out of the store with 2 big palm trees for the girls and other sundry items they needed. I really needed that time w/them. We spent the day there (yes, it’s that big) then headed back to a Crackle Barrel to meet Steve for dinner.

I made a big deal of the picture b/c it was the first time in a long time that we ate just with our daughters. Now grown, married women, Steve and I are so proud of what they have become. After dinner, I kissed my dearest friend goodbye and started off for southern Georgia w/my girls! Jill and I arrived in Albany around 11pm and I was greeted by my sweet son, Warren, only 3 more wks till I see Steve again.

Starting Fresh...n catching up!

I have needed to get back into my journaling for months now..so my first goal was to get a FRESH background! I love this background for a few reasons, it fills the theme of what I will be doing over the next week ~ filling you in on life over the past few months. (I think I left off the first of May) I also love me some college football so with my favorite colors being scarlet/gray well, this was the best choice. And finally I will post photo's from the past so I have a journal entry of all that has happened.

I will start with the most recent "dates of happenings" and that way IF you are interested, all you have to do is log in and understand why I have not blogged of late.

Today is Saturday and a very relaxed one at that. Steve was in Honduras this time last week so I was really missin my BBF, my companion, my sweetie. The trip for the team was filled w/tons of work (up n down hillsides) worship times, serving times, a day of relaxation at the beach, times of sorrow and times of blessings. I don't think I have yet heard all the stories and experiences but of what I do know, the momma in me wants to go there and fill all the needs of these children. The woman in me wants to go and help these women in their homes, their spirutal lives and their own interests. We have it so great in America. Although I cannot do "all these things," I can pray fervently for the people of LeCeiba, Honduras. God was good to our team as all were safely brought home to those of us who waited w/our signs at 11:30 pm for them to walk or run into our arms again.

Words 4 thought...

Empty me of the selfishness inside.

Every vain ambition and the poision of my pride.

Any foolish thing my heart holds to.

Lord empty me of me so I can be..FILLED W/YOU.

(Chris Sligh)

I remember the first time I heard this song, it captivated me so that I was crying out loud. WOW! After explaining this chorus to my oldest granddaughter today, the words once again helps me to keep focused on what is pure and right and godly. Selfishness is so powerful and empty and useless. Joy!~

FYI..Ace of Cakes, MaryAlice and Duff

We call ourselves the Kids of Cakes! Established May 18, 2009

Yo Duff,

We had fun making this cake for our parents 9th anniversary. This cake is really cool! It's about all these bears that are having a swimming party. We used gum for surf boards and the diving board with white icing as the glue. I wish your people were on the cake (the people that you make for your cakes) We hope you write back to us and when you write back I hope to see a picture of you and your crew. If we come to Boston, can you call and give us directions. See you later. From Kids of Cakes, Chef JennahKay (age 7)
This cake was fun to make and it has beach balls that are made from blow pops.Teddy Grahams were very hard to make their bathing suits but it was so much fun making it. How do you make your cakes? Do you have fun like we did. We are sending pictures and you would have fun looking at the pictures. We hope you write back and we hope to see you. From Kids of Cakes, Chef Lorahbeth (age 5 1/2)
I liked to decorate the cake. I love you. I want to go with you. I want my DeeDee to come with me. I liked the people on there. I want you to get some glasses. Goodby, I like you.
From Kids of Cakes, Chef AudreyAnn (age3 1/2)
Mary Alice, Chef Duff and crew...(above notes were typed as they recited them to me, the fingers at the computer)This email and pictures were from the fun memories we made today while my granddaughters parents were celebrating their 9th anniversary. My grands love your show and so we thought you would love to see their version of your fantastic cakes. I only get to see these great girls a few times a year since they live in southern Georgia and I in Ohio. Thanks for being a positive role model for young children thru the avenue of television.
Joy, DeeDee , JennahKay, Lorahbeth & AudreyAnn

I will seek your good....

Deciding to read once again The Psalms of Ascents (chap 121-132) I read Psalm 122 today:

IT IS a song done as a prayer for Jerusalem . So to me, my Jerusalem is Columbus , Ohio . So I prayed over Columbus , that she will hear the call of God. That churches who name the name of Jesus will 'get out' of their comfortable boxes. Reach toward the lost, poor, broken spirits that live in this city.

THERE is a family in Columbus who has done just that: sold their suburban home, moved to the inner city and lives Jesus to broken spirits-wow! Amazed after few years the crime rate has drastically reduced in that neighborhood.

Anyway back to my thought....V3-4 talks about a city who is solidly built so people can go and give thanks to the Lord. Pray for your city to be built like this!

V6-8 TALKS about praying for peace to envelope your city, my city, Jerusalem . Peace for your walk, prosperity within the protection of your city.
V9 is what stuck my heart today...."because of the house of the Lord our God, I WILL SEEK YOUR GOOD."

As I live and breathe everyday, do I seek the good of others? I say I do, my actions show I do...but do I breathe it everyday? Do I breathe it BECAUSE of the Lord my God?

What would happen to our cities if we did what this family in Columbus did?? Not necessarily move into the inner city but live like we are in the inner city...REACHING OUT OF OUR WELL PLANNED, DESIGNED BOXES OF WHAT WE THINK GOD DIRECTS US TO DO AND REACH INTO A LIFE (or 2 or 3) "because of the house of the Lord our God, I WILL SEEK YOUR GOOD."

Okay then..food for thought (at least for me)

Last Monday, as I was walking out of WalMart I saw a mother w/her infant and a huge cart of groceries plus a giant package of TP under her arm. We giggled about growing another arm when a baby comes and walked to our cars. After I emptied my cart I went over to her and told her that I wanted to take her cart back to the corral for her. She looked shocked but said thank you, I really shocked her, by giving her $2 to buy a coke or milkshake as a treat from me. She refused kindly, I told her that I had to give it to her b/c if I didn't I would not be obeying the Lord. So I said "Please, enjoy on me." She shyly said "ok, thank you" and I walked away.

I did not share this to brag on self...but after reading Psalm 122 and remembering this family's life change, I thought that maybe that is ONE WAY I can reach into another life.

Let's see if any of you out there in blog land can come up w/other ideas to REACH INTO A LIFE..."b/c of the house of the Lord our God."(V9)