How To Make Yourself at Home

Where is home?  Home is where the heart
can laugh without shyness. Home is where
the heart's tears can dry at their own pace.
~Vernon Baker

“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love."

John 15:9-10 MSG

I have loved you just as my Father has loved you. So let me love you always.

John 15:9 WE

I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love[and do not doubt My love for you].

John 15:9 AMP

I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you.

John 15:9 CEV

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

John 15:9 NKJV

When pain comes, home offers healing.

When fear overtakes, home is the safe place.

When despair consumes, home brings hope.

When life overwhelms, home is peace.

Home is not..

between walls

at an address

or a temporary shelter.

Home is..

where your heart is held

by the One who is love in the flesh -

who welcomes all with arms stretched wide -

mercy saturated and grace multiplied

The door is ALWAYS open

Make your self at home

in Jesus'

LOVE

I Do...I’m Done...and I’ll Dust...

Baby boy and his beautiful bride!

They had the sweetest ceremony and wrote their own vows.  I cried from the opening strain of the first song...

YES!

Another year of paperwork finished and filed...

Oh happy day!

Spring cleaning is still not done, but I will spare you any pictures of that sight...

There’s a new blog in town,
and if you will click the above picture link,
it will take you to something that was placed on my heart a few months ago.

I would love for you to look around and check out the different links in this work in progress...
and would feel most blessed if you decided to share your thoughts and testimonies over there.

.

Reflections….

Has 2009 gone by quickly for you?

And what in the world happened to the month of December???

Being the planning type of person that I am, December held such great possibilities of crafts, personalized gifts, bakery heaven, Christmas programs and ballets, and the list goes on...

But then...

Life happened...

Maybe not the exact events to coincide with my ridiculous careful “planning”, but life according to the Master Planner’s timeline...

Some things small and insignificant...others larger and forever implanted in our minds...

My calendar versus God’s calendar...

No fancy decorated Christmas cookies this year...

But frosting and a lot of licks love dabbed on candies to decorate some graham cracker houses...

No Christmas ballet...

But gales of laughter while teaching the “12 Days of Christmas” to a new generation...

No special craft days...

But a first birthday celebration for a sweet little furry girl...

Not one single favorite Christmas movie was watched from start to finish...

But at a church dinner theater, I saw an original Christmas play...it made me laugh, cry, and catch my breath in awe of the goodness of the Lord... and marvel at the talents He has given to so many...

Plans for special personalized “perfect” gifts, gave way to special personalized perfect time spent with especially loved special family...

Christmas Day was special this year...

A wanderer that was away last year was home...

A granddaughter celebrated her very first Christmas...

A son and daughter–in-law learned that the new life that had started was not destined to join our earthly family...

Thankfulness...celebration...grief...disappointment...and HOPE for the future...

Every member of our immediate family, except for a granddaughter in Indiana, shared love, laughter, and memories on this special day...

2009 has been a year of many changes...some awesome...some not so awesome...but we don’t have to worry about the future, because we know what is coming...

At one family gathering this season, a loved one mentioned she was very disturbed about the way things were going...that the uncertainties and changes in so many things had her worried...and more importantly, so very sad...

My spirit quickened as I listened to her and as my heart was nudged from above, I shared that...

The Lord is not surprised by any of this...the world is changing according to His plan...and we don’t have to fear the future or be saddened by the way things are going...because we know how it all ends...we know what is coming...

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Once upon a time….

Once upon a time, 32 years ago to be exact, a young man and a young woman were deeply in love and decided to get married. Not wanting the extravagance or expense of a large wedding, the young couple chose to have a small, intimate gathering.

As the guest list grew with each suggestion of a private ceremony, the determined couple decided to elope...

Plans were made hurriedly and the day came for the blessed event. Not wanting to go to a justice of the peace, the groom's dad was entrusted with the plans and helped supply a ready and willing minister to perform the ceremony.

The future groom came to pick up his future bride at her home and was surprised to find the bride's parents had somehow "guessed" something was going on and had come home early from work to bid farewell to their daughter and future son-in-law. Amidst tears and waving of hands, the couple drove away, not knowing the younger sister of the bride had already begun the rite of "taking over the older sister's bedroom before she is even out of the driveway."

With proper identification in hand and what they thought was the correct blood test certificate, the couple hurried to the courthouse to get their marriage license before the office closed for the day. Alas, another surprise, the certificate was invalid until signed by a physician!

What to do?? The groom's doctor was 2 hours away and the bride's doctor was unavailable. As fate would have it, the couple decided for a long shot and ran to the office of their pediatrician, whom neither one had seen in years. The Lord was looking out for them because after hearing of their predicament, a dear little nurse promptly brought the doctor to the front of the office and he signed the certificate.

Racing back to the courthouse with only minutes to spare, the couple finally received the marriage license. Then off again on the 2 hour drive to the groom's house where his parents had written directions to the church and well wishes for the couple.

Arriving at the church on the outskirts of Atlanta, the Wednesday night congregation was leaving to go home. The couple introduced themselves to the minister and his wife, and prepared to have their "small and intimate ceremony." A few ladies of the church asked if they could stay and watch, so the couple obliged them.

Only having eyes for each other, and hearing the minister speak the sweetest words about the holy union of husband and wife and the Lord, the couple held hands as the minister prayed over them. Vows were taken, the pronouncement was spoken, and it was all sealed with that first married kiss.

The couple lived happily ever after, and to this day, would not change a thing about their wedding day, except for having each of their parents, and only their parents, at the ceremony.

What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.





Happy Anniversary, my sweet Ricky! Precious memories we will never forget of our special day...

August 9, 1977...

No Left Turn

Turn signals are a good thing...when they are used. Notify the surrounding vehicles that you are turning and that is one less thing to provoke road rage.

Turn signals are a good thing...when they work. Continue driving without an operational turn signal and one can choose between risking a rear end crash or hoping the person behind you recognizes the hand signal for a left turn.

Or...you can do like SOME people and...

Go around the block...

I know, I know...it's a waste of fuel and unneeded miles are added to the odometer. But...going around the block sometimes works for me...at least until SOMEONE remembers to fix the left turn signal...

So I will continue to only turn right until I reach home...never mind that SOMEONE always forgets about the repair when she he they are not in the car...oh, no, not me...my mind is as sharp as a marshmallow tack...

I have gone around the block a few times...

while driving my vehicle...

and in my spiritual life...

The path to Christ needed a left turn, and as my signal wasn't working and needed repair, I decided to turn right...

and go around the block...

I would go around the block to find...

Things that satisfied for a moment, but not for a lifetime...

People to look up to and depend on that would ultimately disappoint and disillusion me...

Places that seemed inviting and promised riches and glory, but in reality TOOK and never gave anything in return...

I went around the block several times...

and never found the ONE thing to fill that empty spot inside until I reached my final destination at the Cross...

The sad thing is,

I could have made that left turn at any time and gone straight into
my Father's arms without all that searching and wandering...

But the great thing is,

I am there now and have a permanent turn signal installed with the Word...

So no more going around the block...

When I need Him, I just make a turn...

And He's there...

I'm home....

My Hero

Exactly 50 years, 4 months, and 21 days ago, I first met my hero...

I don't remember too much about that time, but they tell me he was pretty much taken with me...

Time passed and life happened, and I realized that something was special about my Daddy...

No one else's daddy could possibly be as strong as my Daddy could

No one else's daddy could ever protect them as well as my Daddy protected me

No one else's daddy could ever even hope to have a daughter that loved him as much as I loved MY DADDY

He worked hard...got up in the early morning hours...had already put in several hours on the job before dawn...

I never doubted for one minute that I wasn't safe when my Daddy was near.

I remember...

Being his TV remote before there was such a thing

Learning to toss and drop pitch a softball and swing at it and miss hit it with a bat

Knowing if I did something wrong, I had better admit it quickly because my Daddy knew about it already

Having grasshoppers and spiders thrown down my shirt (I guess I should thank him for preparing me for a life with three boys of my own...I tried to pay him back one time and made him a weed sandwich but he was not fooled)

Walking down the looooong hall at our house and never knowing when my Daddy would jump out from behind a door and yell boo

After being outnumbered in a houseful of girls, my Daddy welcomed 5 grandsons...was he ever proud!

"Play with Granddaddy" was both the grandsons favorite thing to do, and the words to the song they sang until Granddaddy had wrestled with them so much they could not talk, but just shriek with laughter...

When my Daddy first became a Granddaddy, the problem arose of:

"How to tell the difference between him and my Granddaddy, when someone said the name Granddaddy."

We decided to call my Granddaddy, "Little Granddaddy," so my firstborn decided my Daddy should be called "Big Ole Granddaddy." And "Big Ole Granddaddy" he was called for years until it was shortened to just Granddaddy. He would just grin when they called him that...

My Daddy taught me to

Be respectful and courteous

Do what is right, not what is the most popular or easiest

Love, honor, and obey the Lord

One memorable event happened when I was about 17 years old. I wrote a graduation speech that included some dialogue written in CB radio talk lingo...think "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Dukes of Hazard" craze of the '70's...well, I worked very hard to write something that was appropriate for the occasion, but that included a conversation between the Senior class and their "future" as if they were talking on a CB radio.

Early on the day of graduation, the practice session for the ceremony was a disaster. One of the senior class sponsors, a very proper English teacher, labeled the speech inappropriate, and suggested I rewrite the conversation, as it would be spoken between two "educated people."

Later, I was approached by a couple of my classmates that said they would be ashamed for their family and guests to hear such a speech and they couldn't believe I was going to read it.

I was crushed.

As soon as I walked in the door early that afternoon, I burst into tears and told everyone what happened. I cried, "I'm just not going to graduation...they can send me the diploma."

My Grandparents were staying with us that week and everyone gave me good advice and calmed me down. One suggestion was to simply approach the podium and say, "I had a speech prepared, but due to the suggestion of a member of the faculty and a few students, I have decided not to speak."

But MY DADDY, who held me in his big strong arms while I sobbed and despaired said, "Karen, you do what is right for you. You wrote a good speech with a good message to tell your classmates, and if you don't read it because of ridicule of a few or embarrassment, then the wrong ones win. You decide what you feel is right to do, and whatever you decide, remember I love you and I am very proud of you".

Well...I don't have to tell you how that story ended...

MY DADDY,

MY HERO,

MY SUPPORTER,

MY GUIDE,

MY COMFORTER,

MY PROBLEM SOLVER,

MY ROCK!

So like my Heavenly Father...

About the time my Daddy retired, he began having many health problems that steadily grew worse and prevented him from enjoying some of the things he loved to do. So he adapted...took up new hobbies...and became a computer whiz...and eventually started his own "ministry," whether he intended to or not...

Anything you want to find online, my Daddy can probably find it.

Feeling blue?

He'll find the perfect joke or funny picture to cheer you up...sometimes they are corny or make me think, "I can't believe he sent that," but they are guaranteed to take your mind off your problems.

Feeling discouraged?

He'll send you an uplifting devotion that will make you count your blessings and have renewed hope.

Feeling hopeless and in despair?

He'll direct you to the One who has all the answers and hope for every problem.

My Daddy...my gift from the Lord...my Hero

I love you...

A Special Dad

Nearly 32 years ago, I was blessed with another special dad. Having known him for many years before then, it wasn't until I joined his family that I really began to realize what kind of man he really was.

Things I already knew about this dad...

He was the father of three sons

He was the manager of the local supermarket

He always took his family to church

He led the church choir

He was a remarkable singer

He had an oldest son that I had a crush on since 8^th grade...

Well, I later married that oldest son and entered a male dominated world. This dad was still working hard for his family and had instilled a work ethic and set of values in his son that can still be recognized today. He was going to church and sang every chance he was given.

At one point years ago, he was my boss at work. Imagine the pressure of having your father-in-law as the district manager over your department...especially a supervisor who towered over you in height, and whose deeeeep bass voice carried strong authority. Someone once nicknamed him the "Big T Package" because he was so formidable and caused fear in the hearts of anyone that was not doing their job as they should or happened to be slacking off.

This dad just believed that everyone should do something right the first time and give 100% or not do it at all. I stood intimidated by the "Big T Package" with the rest of them...not because I wasn't doing my job well but because I was always afraid of disappointing him. He always made me want to do my very best. Luckily I was never fired or anything...

Let me tell you, his bark is worse than his bite...

Several times during the early years, when our family was growing and we were working to make ends meet, I would find out after the fact that this dad would hand his son a fold of money and say,

" Here, I remember how it was...use this to help with the kids' Christmas."

Or maybe the car we had was about to give out and we couldn't afford repairs, much less another car, and this dad would say to his son,

"Let's see if we can work a deal to help you get another car."

This dad is just like that...looking out for others and helping all he can...expecting nothing in return.

He is retired now, and enjoys working in the yard, building projects, and cooking. Every once in a while he will call me and ask,

"How do you like to cook your pork loins?" or

"Let me tell you about something I cooked the other night."

He still bursts into song whenever the urge hits him. When we visit, he and his son tend to drift to the bonus room and start "pickin' and grinnin' and singin' and laughin'".

This dad lives out in the country and enjoys visiting around at some of the different small rural churches in the area. He always comments about the music and if they sing from the "Red Back Hymnal".

The grands and great grands call him PawPaw and love to be around him because he just lets them be themselves and sits and grins and laughs at their antics. He still speaks with that deeeeeep bass voice but there is

No intimidation going on here...

Just love and happiness and thankfulness...

Thank you, Harry,

for the many sacrifices you made,

and for raising your children...

To honor and respect others

To appreciate the important things in life

To be faithful to their families

To reverence the Lord...

and thank you too

for making me

feel like a real

daughter....

A Good Man Found

What can I say about this next dad?

He is known affectionately as...

Dad

Pop

Boss

Mundant

Big

Poppa

and sometimes Clark W Griswold

He is a good provider...

in the good times and the bad.

His family always has a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food on the table...their needs are always met and many of the wants are made possible because this dad is and always has been a hard working man.

This dad does whatever it takes to provide for his family. He sacrifices so many things to take care of the ones he loves...

For long periods of time, this dad worked 7 days a week to make it possible for his children to have the things they wanted and be able to travel. Camping was always fun and vacations were a blast...who can forget the famous DC trips? Now the grandkids love riding in Poppa's camper and "marshing" hotdogs and marshmallows.

With the Lord's help, he managed to do all he did while his family was growing up, and they ALWAYS felt safe, protected and secure.

God blessed this dad with 3 wonderful boys and after each one was born, he thanked the Lord for His blessings and dedicated the children to Him...continued blessings have been given through the years in the form of 2 precious daughters-in-law, 1 special "daughter," 3 amazing granddaughters, and one awesome grandson.

This dad has given to his children...

A strong work ethic

A love of music

A gift of laughter with his imitations and antics

A time to groan with his parodies and "shows"

A legacy of faithfulness and honesty

A bounty of unfailing love

This dad is a good man with a tender heart beneath a sometimes gruff exterior...

His sons call this dad their hero and

his wife calls him HERS...

and thanks God for him every day.

I love you Ricky...

you are the love of my life

and the best dad to our boys...