Still So Blessed!

I'm late again, but what else is new?! Just returned home from Wednesday night church service, had my coke float (yum! - Butter pecan), and am watching/listening to the Braves. It's been a good week so far and I'm planning for the rest of it to be good as well. I've talked to all of my children this week, got good reports from the Brooks grands on the first day of school, saw some precious pictures of the McGinnis grands, and got a blessing from Stu's blog. How could I ask for more?

I have such wonderful friends! I asked the husband of one of my friends at church Sunday night if he had a chain saw. His answer was "yes, I have three." So, I asked him if some day when he had nothing to do (he's retired) if he would come by my house and cut down some azalea bushes by my carport. He said sure. Well, on Monday afternoon when I came in from work, my yard looked wonderful! He had not only cut the azalea bushes but had cut a dead cottonwood tree in my back yard and had all the trimmings piled out on the street for the trash truck. I called and thanked him and told him I would think of something to do for him, but he said no, he just wanted to do that for me. Christian friends are such blessings and I'm so thankful for those in my life.

I must go cheer the Braves on to victory (they are ahead at the moment) and do some studying before bedtime. Until next time...Mom.

Home from conference

My three friends and I attended the Women of Faith "Amazing Freedom" Conference in Atlanta this past weekend and had a wonderful time. We were inspired, encouraged, convicted, challenged, touched, and just overall filled with good music and messages. Patsy Clairmont, Marilyn Meberg, Sheila Walsh, Lucy Swindoll, Sandi Patti, Nicole C. Mullen, Anita Renfroe, Nicole Johnson, Carol Kent, the praise team, and Denise Jackson (Allen Jackson's wife) were all on the program and did a super job. There were a few frustrations: outrageous prices for food, parking and hotel rooms; tremendous traffic (18,000 in attendance just for the conference besides all the regular Atlanta residents); long, long lines; sitting in the nosebleed section, etc. We all came home thankful for our little town and the slowness of life. But despite all of that, it was a wonderful weekend. The icing on the cake for me was getting to have lunch with Stuart on Saturday lunch break. Even though we only got an hour together, it was great to be with him. Now that I've used ALL of my vacation time for the year, I pray for strength to get me through December (just glad we have Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays). So, until next time...Mom.

Back to the Norm

What a sweet week I had last week with both of my girls and five of my six grandchildren. Of course, I had to work during the day and only got few hours with them at night, but the time together was wonderful. From the 1 month old to the 16 year old, the children were precious and endeared themselves to me more than ever. How sweet it is to have those little arms reach up to me and wrap themselves around my neck and give kisses and hugs and say "I love you, Gami." (at least the three who could talk. ha.) They all left on Saturday afternoon and the house was quiet, quiet, quiet. However, I am not a moper, so I washed every dish in the kitchen and then went shopping. What else does a woman do to lift her spirits? ha.

Sunday, as you already know, is my favorite day of the week and this one was no exception. Sunday School, worship, lunch, leisure afternoon, and back to church at night was the norm for me and I love it! I am so thankful for godly brothers and sisters who give support and encouragement and pray for me. I know one in particular did because today at work was so much better. I just knew in my spirit that prayer had been offered on my behalf.

I'm looking forward to this weekend as four of us are going to Atlanta for the Women of Faith Conference on Friday night and all day Saturday. I went to one last year in Orlando and was greatly blessed, so I knew the ladies of my church should have an opportunity to experience the same blessings. Only three others could work it out to go, so we are really excited. The four of us are good friends and will enjoy the fellowship with each other on the way there and back and sharing hotel rooms as we will the conference. I'm sure next week I'll be full of things to blog about.

Must go get some other things done. Until next time...Mom.