Blog Reflection

I pressed the key on my computer to publish. What was I doing? I didn't have a clue. I had only read one blog in my life.  I didn't know what I was stepping into.  I didn't have a vision, nor a direction. I didn't even have a name...I just guessed at one.  All I knew was I was in a hole and I needed to climb out.  Maybe by working things out on paper I could survive.  Thus began my blogging journey.

The pit I was digging out of started with the loss of life as I had dreamed it would be and what I knew.  We had lost the "American Dream".  The one you hear about all your life.  Home ownership, after 28 years of mortgage payments, had slipped through our hands.  The economy was nose diving and we were the product of this turn.  Our age would not be to our advantage for job options.  The mortgage companies wouldn't work with us and interest rates were high.

I began to blog.

In blog world, I found support.  I found women who had walked through this journey and many who had walked through much more. ALL pointed to their source - Jesus Christ.

Through the years there would be deeper pits and still higher mountain tops... unemployment, another move contrasting with marriages, graduations, grandchildren and new jobs.

This year, my typing keys were more silent. I would write in my head, but the words never seemed to manifest on the computer, nor the "publish" button pushed.  I don't know why, but that's okay.  I want this blog to be my journey and sometimes the journey makes you stop and be still.

Today, I leave you with little Instagrams of this year. If I summed it up, it would be "Life is found in the Instant Moments"... those moments that bring us joy in our journey. Instagram provided me balance and helped me look for those moments.

I thank you all for your support...your blogs...your prayers and personal emails.  The Body of Christ is BEAUTIFUL.  As I gathered around our large, ornament-filled Christmas tree, I was reminded from each ornament of how faithful God truly is.  I look forward to 2016!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Our oldest son bought himself a sports car for his 32nd birthday. It is stick and he allowed me to drive it.  Now this instant was a blast!!!  After all.....I did give him birth!

Our little guy still lights up my world.  If I am every discouraged, this little guy has the words of encouragement for his mother.  He has also began to share the gospel with his class mates.  I couldn't ask for more.

Twins are just too much fun!!!

Grandsons...and Grand mommy babysitting.  This filled my life with joy this year. Anchor has dark hair like I did as a baby.  He is our youngest grandson.

Don't blink or this one is out of your site. When you take twins, two - 2 year old and a four- year-old to the pumpkin patch, don't blink!  I enjoyed Grand Mommy adventures in what we call the Grand Mommy mobile,(my old Toyota) with my grandsons this year.  We ventured everywhere!!  Instagram let me catch the moments. 

The blessings of my husband of 35 years helping me handle three grandsons and Benjamin at the Dallas Children's Christmas Parade.

My sons working together to restore an old house to its future glory.  Move in date,sometime soon.  They are friends....what more could a mother desire, then her children to Love the Lord with all their hearts and love each other also?

Those dreams of our family expanding and enjoying the open space we had at our dream home, are gone.  Instead we are crowded setting elbow to elbow.  Those dreams are replaced with God's faithfulness to us through this journey.  Our rent home may not be what I had or what I envisions, but it is full with my family.  My heart overflows with joy!!!

I welcome 2016 and God's continued writing of my story.

Reflecting Back

I know it is December.
                    I know I am running late.
                                                      I know life keeps jogging along as I am skipping, enjoying the slower pace....or trying to.

I can't go into December without reflecting back on three years ago.  Three years ago my oldest and his wife were still going through treatments in order to conceive their first child.  Many of you prayed for them.  Three years ago they opened their home and heart to a little boy name Joshua, my first grandson.  The day they announced their desire to adopt him, we were celebrating the engagements of two of our other children.  Three new family members were to be added to our family.

I also hear the voice of a friend of mine from decades again say, "whenever I call your house it is like calling the Lucy Show!"  So began the fast pace Lucy Show of the Wright household.

Since that day of announcing the adoption of our first grandson and the weddings of two of our children, we have now added two in-laws, and SIX, yes I said SIX grandsons!

Such a testimony of God's work in all of our lives.  We just never know.  We only see in part, yet He sees the whole.

Our first ever kids table!!!

Today I wanted to reflect and rejoice.  Things still go up and down.  Many of my daily struggles are the same, but somewhere in the midst of struggles there are six little boys that smile at Grand Mommy.  When they warm my heart with a smile, I remember God isn't finished yet!!!

In the business of feeding the twins, and chasing two,  two year olds, I didn't get a picture of my daughter and her family. Thanks for your prayers.  They move this week.  They will be an hour and half drive away. Their new home will be an adjustment for all, as she steps up to bat.

Same Power

Months ago a new song was released by Jeremy Camp.  Within this song are truths  the Lord desires for me to understand in my heart and not just in my head.  Each time the song is sung, my spirit jumps.   When did I forget the truth of this song?  When did I allow the worries of the world to steal the truth Jesus purchased for me on the cross?  Why am I trembling at the news of the state of the world, or even my own situation?

The song seemed to play on the drive home from school each day.  Benjamin has learned it is the song I turn up and join in with declaration.    Even one night my grandson and I heard it on the radio, where I joined in singing, wanting the truth of the words to be sung over my grandson.  His world will be so much more of a spiritual battle then the one I grew up in.

I opened my devotional.  There were the words again.  News of attacks around the world, didn't mean these words aren't for today, it means they are still truth. Court decisions, political races, loss of jobs, illness and the list continues, to yell at us defeat, instead of victory.

Ephesians 1:19-20New Living Translation (NLT)

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.  Romans 8:11

In the past this is the blog post I dedicated to my grandmother and called it Sunday Singings.  I am sure she would enjoy singing this song.  I still hear her voice singing praises to God, even through her worldly struggles, she knew the truth.

Today I share with you the song and God's words, praying they give you courage to take on every challenge that is before you.  Maybe you, like me, need to sing it over and over again, to bring it from your head to your heart.   As the social medias remind us of all that is wrong in society, or  the many results of a fallen world which touches our personal lives, maybe it is time to be reminded who holds everything in His hands.

With each bump in the road and added winkles on my face, I am rejoicing more and more in knowing I have a God who takes care of me.  The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us.

I can see

Waters raging at my feet

I can feel

The breath of those surrounding me

I can hear

The sound of nations rising up

We will not be overtaken

We will not be overcome  

I can walk

Down this dark and painful road

I can face

Every fear of the unknown

I can hear

All God’s children singing out

We will not be overtaken

We will not be overcome

 

The same power that rose Jesus from the grave

The same power that commands the dead to wake

Lives in us, lives in us

The same power that moves mountains when He speaks

The same power that can calm a raging sea

Lives in us, lives in us

He lives in us, lives in us

 

We have hope

That His promises are true

In His strength

There is nothing we can’t do

Yes, we know

There are greater things in store

We will not be overtaken

We will not be overcome

Greater is He that is living in me

He’s conquered our enemy

No power of darkness

No weapon prevails

We stand here in victory

The Evidence is Everywhere

My businesses have taught me a lot about how people live.  Entering clients homes hired as their interior designer or to maintain their home, allowed me to see we all don't live the same.  Many homes were camera ready for a magazine shoot, while others were marked with evidence of activity. Some homes told the family's stories, while others announced, "Adults Only".   Each type of home has taught me something.  Organized homes can bring a sense of calm, when there is a balance.   Fully lived in homes seemed to say, "life is more important than items."

So if you happen to drop into my house, I can guarantee you it won't be camera ready, but you will be welcomed in anyway, because the evidence is seen everywhere of our life.

The pieces I so strategically arranged on my newly painted coffee table...............

Will probably be found where I recovered them

Yes, someone decided he could decorate better than Grand Mommy and she later found them

That is right...lined up on Grand Mommy's purse

Forget the well organized kitchen cabinets

He loves the plastic cabinet and spends play time sorting through and stacking cups.  Well organized "NO!" cabinets aren't worth the price of missed memories.

Even the bathroom leaves behind evidence that this is a Grand Mommy's house, where she allows her sons and grandsons to be creative more than clean.

Someone left behind their art tools.

  

And just who needs, "All Toys Put Back Where They Belong?"

These cars just warmed my heart, left behind after a day of play at Grand Mommy's house, lined up on my stereo speakers.

Sushi on the floor, proves that a special night with my youngest breaks all house rules. 

Life is just too short for possessions to own us.  Life is too short to spend so much time saying, "No!" in order to keep a camera ready house.

So, now you are warned.  My door is always open, come on it!

I won't apologize anymore for our lived in space..............because Memories

Are More Valuable than An Impressive Home, full of things that will rot.

I pray my home always shows evidence of those who come through and enjoy life!!

That is the story I want to tell, more than camera ready.

How Do You Hit a Curve Ball?

I am not a softball or baseball player.  In fact, I am not sure I even attended many baseball games until I got married and started having ball players!   I was the mom on the bench yelling and cheering them on, yet not totally clued in on all the rules.  My sons and daughter have played pitcher, catcher, infield, outfield and first base.  Although my husband played in high school and my father-in-law was a semi-professional baseball player, my own knowledge can be summed up in the last sentence about the positions my children played.


HOWEVER, one term I do know is the curve ball.  Since three of my children were pitchers and my late father-in-law got his spoken name of  "Lefty" because he pitched left-handed, I know this term means you are trying to catch your opponent batter off guard.

Out of all six of my children, there is one child that has been dealt more curve balls than anyone in our life... it is my daughter.  Some of these curve balls were thrown at her by the opponent to knock her out of the game of life.  Other curve balls were ones she allowed by making some wrong choices and then others are just the fact we live in broken world.  BUT, MAY I SAY....................THEY  HAVE NEVER TAKEN HER OUT OF THE GAME OF LIFE!

I just need to list some of the more recent "life-changing, possibly-take-you-out-of-the-game" curve balls she has hit out of the ball park for a home run.

The same day that her "Knight in shining armor" proposed to her, her father (my hubby) lost his job.  We were jumping with joy over her engagement while wondering how we were going to be able to pay bills.  How would we pay for a wedding?  Our financial struggles had already put us on a roller coaster for a few years and we were sinking again.  That unemployment journey took one year to complete before my husband got a regular job.  Did she run and pout about us not being able to throw our one and only daughter the wedding of her dreams?

NO!, she looked straight at that curve ball and decided, "you just watch me!" and proceeded to hit it straight out of the ball park, by paying for her own dream wedding.

Score - Pure Victory 1 - Opponent 0

The next curveball came with excitement, but meant she would have to alter how she hit the ball. Their honeymoon brought pregnancy and Baby David was born nine months later.  Housing had to change during the pregnancy to handle a baby.  The one room apartment wouldn't work for a growing child.

Score - Pure Victory 2 - Opponent 0

Just as they were walking in the joy of parenting and she was working to bring in extra income, they decided to buy a house.  This would be the house with the backyard where the active David would play.   This would be the house she would decorate and hewn in her homemaking skills.  The process was long...a few foul balls along the way put them living with friends for months before they entered their home.


Score - Pure Victory 3 - Opponent 0

As the young family started to see how newlyweds and a new baby made a family, they discovered they were to be parents again of, not one new baby, but TWINS!  As Pooh would say - "Oh My!"  She giggled and laughed, while chasing around a toddler, and trying to see how they could financially make it without her bringing in an income.

TWINS were born!!!

Score - Pure Victory 4 - Opponent 0

She hit it out of the ball park.  There hasn't ever been the joy I have felt from being her mom like I have felt as I have watched her mother three children under the age of 2! She laughs, she plays, she just flat out enjoys those boys!!  Not one time have I felt she couldn't do this.  Not only is she doing this....she makes it look easy.  When the twins were only a month old, she knew living off of one income with a mortgage was going to be a challenge, so she started her own furniture business.  Her garage is full of sawdust and wood.  The jobs have been pouring in.  Babies on her hips and she keeps going.

Score - Pure Victory 5 - Opponent 0

Then the next curve ball came this week.  She called.  We need to sell the house and do it fast.  As much as they had tried to avoid this coming...............it came.  She stands up to bat.  Will she bunt...and try to make it to first base only?  Will she just let it strike her out and walk back to the dug- out feeling defeated?  Will she stand strong and hit the ball out of the ball park?

The sale of her home means they will downsize drastically. She will sell much of her furniture.  Their life....temporarily will take them on a different walk.  She will move to an unfamiliar city.  She will have to take this adjustment and move forward for her husband and her boys.

I don't know the end of the story.  She and I have both cried.  I would say there have been some strikes...not three, and a few foul balls, from both of us.  Yet, she stands strong holding on to the source who has ALWAYS....YES.., ALWAYS BROUGHT HER THROUGH TO COMPLETE VICTORY!!!  Her Saviour and Lord.  As we drove around looking at houses for her, she joined me in singing Praise to the Lord.  You see, We will not be overtaken, we will not be overcome............. because the truth is... the Lord is swinging the bat!

Simple Pleasures

Life seems to just have so many twist and turns, which means I am breathing.  In the midst of breathing or catching my breath, I can lose sight of the simple pleasures God has provided for us.  These simple pleasures seem to be the best anti-stress medicine available.  Since my weight has decided it had missed my body and came back to take up residence, my legs are taking me out to work out, and in my obedience, the Lord refreshes me with Simple Pleasures.

 I stopped to get a picture of nature on my brisk, calorie-reducing walk.  I enjoyed watching in amazement. I sent a copy to my oldest grandson to enjoy with me.    A Simple Pleasure.

The following day I grabbed five of my six grandsons and took the to an Apple Orchard.  We discovered many of God's creations.  I shouted with excitement, "There are the flowers I sent you over the phone yesterday!"  They were plentiful around the pond at the orchard.  I softly prayed, "Thank-you Lord," as my grandson and I discovered the same flower I had sent him through the phone the day before.

The other twin is in his mother's carrier asleep.  Our adventure was another of God's Simple Pleasures.

Our third son - Aaron-attends a class at the University near our home.  He drops in one night a week to eat, re-dress out of office clothes to casuals, before heading to class.  Last week he slowed down a few minutes to warm his brother and my heart by playing the violin.  I grabbed my phone to catch that moment.  Although he rarely plays, he still had enough skills to impress Benjamin.  A Simple Pleasure you can't buy with money.

He covered his mistakes with some silly notes. 

Saturday night we took off to a Drive-in Movie.  The fall night air just welcomed us to this adventure.  I haven't been to a Drive-in in DECADES.  I can't even tell you the last time I went.  Hubby, Benjamin and I had the best time.  Just something so simple...land...a movie screen...a fall night.  A Simple Pleasure.

Life just get too complicated.  One of our adult children is going through another change. Life just doesn't seem to slow down. The News reminds us of everything that is wrong. It is too easy for worry to step into my door and take up residence.  I am intentionally looking for the Simple Pleasures.  My God is in Control and if ...just if....I will stop long enough, He will show me what pleasures He has provided.  He is a Good and Faithful God, who wants us to pray and then let Go!

May your week be filled with Simple Pleasures.

Legacy?

As we step into Fall, I look back over what the Lord was teaching me this past season.

We continue to celebrate the life of my mother-in-law, who turned 100 years young this past summer. We also continue to celebrate the new lives added to our family, three grandsons.

We also celebrated the entrance of family and friends into their eternal life with Jesus.  My grandmother, my uncle, my friend's mother and this last week, a young friend, left this earthly world to see their Lord and Savior.

God pressed upon my heart a message that has been compounded with each celebration of life, both the ones here on earth, but especially the ones who are standing with the Lord.

I want to share part of the Legacy these left behind.  The Legacy which touched my heart and moved me to see the reality of what is worth our time.  The common thread woven through all of these lives is how they lived out scripture.

My cousin shared this story of my Uncle.  This was one of many stories people shared, which she had never heard.  These are her words.  The following week, while reading scripture, these scriptures summed up my Uncle's life and His Legacy.  He continued to walk with the Lord, after my Aunt went to her Savior decades earlier, after a battle with cancer.  While others could have become bitter, he just grew in his walk with His Lord.

"Last night was wonderful.  I heard so many stories from folks Dad has been there for over the years.  One teenage girl came and said a few years ago she wanted to play golf.  Her parents couldn't afford the golf clubs.  Dad bought her some clubs at a garage sale.  Through tears she said she was so excited and gave him a big hug, telling him she couldn't pay him anything for the clubs.  She said he just said, "I wouldn't let you pay me anything for them, but one day you can put flowers on my grave."  She came last night with a flower arrangement and asked if she can put it on his grave tomorrow."

I know what my Uncle said is a southern saying, "you can put flowers on my grave one day."  I have heard it all my life, but what hit me more than anything was that she came back to do just that.  My Uncle had made it possible for her to play golf, and she honored her word to him. The power in this story was strong from both sides...the man who quietly gave the golf clubs, and the young woman who remembered her promise.

 More testimonies of his life - "your Dad is the reason our family got back in church." "I was out of work and your dad quietly slipped a check into my pocket."

I will just leave it there....................................................

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them, otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.  When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites........................verse 4 - that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.  Matt. 6: 1-4

Legacy

End Summer with a New Grandson

As much as I hated to see the nonscheduled days of summer end and school begin, it came anyway.  I had a very intentional summer full of time with Benjamin and the grandsons.

The beginning of the school year has brought us another welcome addition to our family.

Our daughter-in-law was put on bed rest for the last week of her pregnancy.  She needed to make it to 37 weeks, which allowed me the joy of having Joshua and Maverick.  We decided we needed one more cousin picture before the newest Wright would be added to the growing heritage of boys.

Here is David (21 months) Joshua (4) holding his cousins (Elliott and Thomas - three months), then Maverick (21 months)

This week the phone call came and I ran to my car at 3 am to go meet my son and daughter-in-law at the birthing center, to bring Joshua and Maverick back with me.  Almost before I arrived home our newest grandson was born.

Anchor Hawkins Wright

Our daughter-in-law wanted a name that share the character qualities of our son.  "Steady and deep-rooted" were the character qualities she wanted passed to their son, through his name.  Anchor is the name God confirmed multiple times for their son.

I also had the joy of bringing his big brothers to meet him and also get to see him myself.

Our family is rejoicing over this new addition to our family.

Born September 9th - 7 pounds and 11 ozs.  Three weeks early.

Of course the boys then needed shirts.  So the next morning after taking Uncle Ben to school...we went shopping and bought supplies.  Joshua loves orange...he is the oldest grandson and now big brother to two small brothers. He will be my daughter-in-law's right hand.

Maverick is now a big brother also. He held his baby title a little longer than his cousin David did...but only by three months.

Greeting brother at home for the first time.  All the family was back together.

I am still Boy Grandmom.  Our hearts overflow with the joy of six grandsons in two years!  Wow Lord!!  You truly give more than we could have ever dreamed or hoped.

I plan to come back to blogland after my summer break. I miss everyone and also miss how the Lord teaches me through you all.  This summer was full of reflection and learning to take each day, one day at a time.

Welcome Fall.

Stopped in My Steps!

Texas is in her seasonal heat, which means, if I am going to exercise outside it has to be in the early morning.  This morning I finished my time with the Lord.  A special time in a devotional that reminded us to ask for God to create in us a clean heart.  Another reminder that out of our mouths comes the issues of our heart.  My reading and prayer time left me with a lot to mediate on as I slipped into my walking shoes.

I briskly walked beyond my normal route.  Sweat began to fall as the heat increase and the music in my ears propelled me forward.  I turned the corner to a familiar site.  I had never taken time to see what the flag represented, but today I stopped because it was at half staff.

I was frozen in my steps...I couldn't move forward as I recognized the flag.  Motionless I stood.  I turned off the songs, and I bowed my head.

  The flag flying at half staff was for the United States Marines.

My return walk home now had a new purpose as I prayer walked.

As I turned the corner again I had to smile.

Our homeowners association had made sure our flags were flying at half staff.

My walk today may have burned up calories, but more important it reminded me of what is important.  My prayers continue on all levels for our military and our nation.

Oh Me, oh My, It's Now JULY!

Oh me, oh my, it's now July.

This year has just been strange...well different.  It keeps flying by and I can't seem to catch my breath.

From Texas rains, which has still left us with closed roads, and lakes that use to be cow pastures, this has been a very unusual year.

June brought more rains and many milestone events in our family,

Our four son, and fifth child graduated from High School as a Distinguished Graduate.  This is my first child to graduate from a public school.  He is now deciding what he next steps will be.  This always brings mixed emotions as I launch another child into the world.  Did I do all I should have to prepare him for this world?  Parenting is such a walk of faith.

Both of the twins made it home, after Thomas' extended time at NICU.  They are doing great.  Now at seven weeks, their mother has it down.  She is a natural.  She is loving her three boys under age 19 months.  Grand Mommy has enjoyed cuddling and holding all three little boys.

The Lord provided a little time away to explore Arkansas before our son ventures out into the world.

Lake Catherine was a wonderful place to refresh.  We went back over sites where we had vacationed  years ago with our older children.  These last two enjoyed Hot Springs, Silver Dollar City and Eureka Springs like their siblings before them.

We hurried back home in time for Benjamin to go to violin camp at the local University. He made the 5th and 6th grade orchestra, even though he will only be entering 4th grade this next school year.  To hear him play is a total joy.

He shares his talent with the whole family.  He plays Joshua to sleep and inspired Joshua to try on a very, very small violin.  His prayer this summer has been, "Lord, make me wise for my nephews and future nieces."  He takes his roll as Uncle very seriously.

My Mother-in-Law celebrated her 100th Birthday in June!  She is still in very good health. She loves hearing her son play the piano.  She was once a piano teacher.

Summer has meant making memories with Benjamin and the Grands.  We went to the Wizard of Oz exhibit in Grapevine.  Each visit with the five grandsons deposits the joy of life in my heart.

Trying to continue a tradition, part of us met to enjoy the Fourth of July Parade on the Square in Denton, Texas.  The twins are in their little hats.  Our daughter-in-law made shirts for her boys, she is expecting our sixth grandson in September.

This Wife/Mom/Grandmother's hands have been full these last few months.  As the joy overflows so does struggles in life.  That means we are alive!  It has been a season of stopping to release so much to the Lord and know that it is He that will complete the work He has begun in all of us.

He is faithful.

As my mind had turned with words this season my hands haven't come to the keyboard.  Perhaps that is good, perhaps processing before I type is good. 

Happy Summer to you All.  If you plan to come to Texas...just know...our landscape looks different this summer with all the rain, but our heat has arrived this week!