Aren't they just GRAND!

It is difficult to express how you feel when you have given birth. It's all about the anticipation, the excitement and the reality of the responsibility that comes with that. Sometimes I look back and feel I didn't spend enough quality time with my children. I was so busy working, taking care of our home, trying to make time for Charlie and taking care of Kelly and Dana that I feel like I missed out on some special moments with them. I just know they said a lot of cute things but my poor mind was operating on so many different levels that there is much I do not remember.

However in God's perfect plan He gives many of us opportunities to be "grands". We get to do those fun things with our children again only they are grandchildren. This time around I am slowing down and enjoying them. I am paying attention to those cute little things they say and do - not that I will remember them any better but I am paying attention. :-)

We recently celebrated the birth of our second grandchild, Rebekah Lane Wynn. I looked at her and wondered what she was going to be like in four years. I say that because her sister, Anna, will celebrate her fourth birthday in October. I could not imagine what kind of personality Anna would have and how much she would change each year. And so it will be with Rebekah.

So our precious Rebekah - Gran and Grandad are looking foward to getting to know you and spending time with you. What a blessing you are!

Spur of the moment gatherings

Aren't  those things that we do on an impulse some of the best times? No real planning. Simple activities.

That's what happened today. We really did not have any plans made for Labor Day.  It is not a holiday that we put a lot of emphasis on. However, Sunday evening we got a call from Greg about fishing today. Charlie was actually going to be working part of the morning (laboring on labor day - that's appropriate) but he suggested that we get together after Greg, Mona and Phil had fished and cook the fish from a previous outing.

What started with four people getting together for a fish fry turned into about eight of us. It was good having family in and everyone brought something. So we sat down to a table of fried fish, cheese grits, hush puppies, french fries, slaw and fried turkey nuggets. Yes, turkey. We thought we were thawing out quail. Oh well, it was one that Charlie had killed during this turkey season and it was really good.

Aunt Merry brought her fudge that everyone dies for and we had turtle pie and key lime pie.

Then my favorite part of having family or friends over is the conversation that takes place after the meal. That is my dessert. The girls - Aunt Merry, Aunt Mona and Margaret (Charlie's mom) shared stories of things that happened when they were growing up. We laughed and laughed. They were stories that I had never heard about them. I had fun picturing what they looked like as the events happened. Laughter is good for the soul.

I had to take pictures before everyone left. It is kind of like my diary to help me remember events. I think under some of these pictures I will have to write little blurbs of what they said today - like "Mat is coming" or "Margaret climbing up the barn wall" - so I can laugh again.

Yep, spur of the moment gatherings are fun!

Here are "the girls".

When you least expect Him . . .

I don't know why I should be so surprised that God shows up when I least expect Him - like I have to be prepared for Him everytime. I often am looking and searching and inviting but I never quite get there. Last night in a hospital room with my sister He did what he does best - magnifies and manifests His presence when we are absolutely at the end of ourselves.

Often I long for His presence and it just doesn't happen. That is because it is usually on my terms: when, where, how. But last night as she and I were at the end of ourselves and did not know what to do to bring comfort to her, we held hands and prayed - she surrendering herself to His perfect healing. As she finished - in His perfect timing "Surely the Presence" began to play on the Ipod we had been listening to. I could smell His presence. I don't know if that has every happened to you but for the first time in a very long time I was enveloped with the sweet aroma of my precious Rose of Sharon. Tears flowed down my cheeks as His presence surrounded me.

Within 30 minutes it was a turning point in her healing.

His presence, comfort and peace - when I least expected it.