In Memory of Pepoppie

Missing My Pepop

It’s only been a year today
Some days it seems a lifetime away
But then, I’ll swear just yesterday
I talked to you about my day

We miss you more than you can know
Pepop, you helped our lives to glow
With love and laughter year after year
And now we miss you with every shed tear.

Heaven’s much sweeter with you up there
We continue to live life, just wishing you could share
The laughter and love of Ellie Grace
The sweet times of family in one place.

Our hearts will always ache for you
While we live on earth, continuing to do
The living and loving you taught us to know
As you helped us all to learn and grow.

I love you more than words can say
So know I’ll always remember you this way,
With a smile and a hand, as we danced away
To a song whose words hold so true today. . .

Some day, when I'm awfully low,

When the world is cold,

I will feel a glow just thinking of you...

And the way you look tonight.

Yes you're lovely, with your smile so warm

And your cheeks so soft,

There is nothing for me but to love you,

And the way you look tonight.

With each word your tenderness grows,

Tearing my fear apart...

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,

It touches my foolish heart.

Lovely ... Never, ever change.

Keep that breathless charm.

Won't you please arrange it ?

'Cause I love you ...

Just the way you look tonight.

Mm, Mm, Mm, Mm, Just the way you look to-night.

Pondering God's Amazing Ways of Being in the Details

I’ve been struggling lately. Those close to me know it all too well. I’ve whined. I’ve cried. I’ve pouted. I’ve licked my wounds and cried some more. And I can say without hesitation “lesson learned”.

Still, though, I could not seem to get myself out of that pit. On top of that, we have had one more busy week. Dinner to this couple, dinner with another couple, volunteer night at Sav a Life. The list goes on and on. And sometimes, when I’m non-stop like this and I’m a little down, it just intensifies. Now, not only do I cry because I’m sad. I cry because I’m sad and tired and worn slap out.

And with four weeks of Me Myself & Lies under my belt – and in my heart! – I am finding myself more attune to what’s in my thought closet. As my true-blue bud says, get that junk that’s taking up rent free space in your thought closet OUT!!!

So, last night, despite being so tired, I made time for studying more of Me Myself & Lies. Thank you, Good Lord Above, Thank You! God is definitely in the details, y’all! Last night, I studied Day 4 of week 5: Who is the Center of Your Thought Closet?

Guess what? I realized while I’ve been over here sulking, crying, and focusing on my hurt heart, I’ve kept ugly, sin-filled ole’ ME at the center of my thought closet. The author, Jennifer Rothschild, gives three distinct steps to follow to make God the center. They include things like speaking “YOU” statements about God rather than speaking about me, me, me. I also must be conscious of decreasing me and increasing God in my thoughts. And, get in the Word and stay there! Perhaps my favorite part of all is when Jennifer says, “Are you the center of your thought closet? It’s lonely in there! Make room for God.”

My, my how lonely it is.

So, I closed my book and my Bible, snuggled up in bed and asked God to increase his space in my thought closet. And today, as I’ve focused more on the fact that God created me (Isaiah 43:1), that I’m precious in His sight (Isaiah 43:4), that His love is everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3), and that He accepts me (Romans 15:7)- all of these among many other promises of God – I’ve been much more at ease in my heart. And it’s been a day where I’ve found myself praising God for who He is, for how much He loves us, and for the amazing fact that this detail? Is just one of millions He’s in the middle of right now.

Library Nerd Talks

I'm a library nerd. I admit it. I love to read. But I'm the type of reader that reads a book once and that's it. Of course, every once in a while, I come across a book that's worth keeping to me. And the last book I read? Definite keeper.



Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. It's fantastic! It's a story of Ron and Denver. Two very different men who end up in a beautiful friendship. I highly recommend it. Highly.



So, today at lunch, I went to the library. With my "books to read" list in hand (See? I told you I am a library nerd!), I trucked it on up to the 2nd floor. After quickly researching their online catalog to find out which books they had on hand, I made my way over to pick out a few books.



Now, despite the fact that I visit this library every 2 weeks, usually on Fridays, returning and borrowing books each time, I still don't feel like the employees of this library are friendly. They refuse to act as those they've seen me there before. I finally figured it out today. Librarians? Snotty.



Here's proof:



After making my selections of, granted, a few novels, I proceed to check out. Ole' tall skinny employee who's always working helps me. He's helped me before at least 50 times. Never chit chats. Well, today, I decided I'm breakin' down that wall.



Me: "So, do you read?"

I realize that was a really stupid question. But go with me here.

Skinny: "Yeah"

Me: "I just read a fantastic book."

Skinny cuts me off: "I don't read fiction."

Refer to the first half of this post. My most recent book was not fiction. Thankyouverymuch.
Me: "It's not fiction. "

There may or may not have been a snotty look in my eye when I said that.

Skinny: "Oh, what was it?"

Me: Same Kind of Different as Me. I highly recommend it.



And that was that. I think I might've made headway with Skinny but time will tell.



What are you reading these days?



Now, I've got some silly ole' fiction to dive into. . . .

Daydreams of Parenting

It’s no secret that I’m anxious to get our family growing. Tim knows this better than anyone, God love him. I have loved every single minute of these last 17 months (+ 1 day) of wedded bliss. I really have. We have a great marriage. I often say it’s the best earthly gift God’s ever given me. And I mean that.

But oh to be a mommy. To have a child of our own. To be expecting a new little one. I cannot wait for those days. And I’m sure I look at parenting through rose colored classes, for I know we honestly have no idea what it’s like to be up at all hours of the day and night, to be cried on, pooed on, vomited on, and loved on all in one day.

Still, I think we’ll be excellent parents. No, I know we’ll be great parents. Even though I am a klutz more often than not. Even though I am often not the sharpest tool in the shed. Even though I am scared of my shadow when Tim’s not at home with me. I know we’ll be great parents. Cause Tim? He picks me up when I fall. He keeps me from tripping over my own two feet. He answers my random questions about anything and everything. He makes sure I’m home safely and locked in tightly with the dogs beside me whenever he is away.

See, I don’t think it’s ironic that I absolutely love being the woman of the house. I enjoy grocery shopping, cooking, and even cleaning up the kitchen after a meal. I love being responsible for keeping our clothes clean, folded and put away. I believe that God put that love for homemaking in my heart for a specific purpose. I know it helps me to be the best wife I can be to my husband. But I also hope it’s going to help me be an incredible mom one day, too.

I can’t wait to sing lullabies to my precious little one in my terribly off key singing voice. I can’t wait to read book after book to my child. Goodnight Moon for the 12th time today? You betcha! Oh to be cooking supper while I watch Tim play ball with our child in the yard. To overhear the little pitter patter of feet and a big ole’ “Daddy’s Home!” from our children.

Yep, I just went from dreaming about our firstborn to dreaming about a house full of children.

Don’t interrupt me. I’m daydreamin’ here!

Tim, if you’re still reading, take a deep breath, honey. No need to freak out! Yet!!

While I readily acknowledge this incredible desire to be a mom, I also know that God’s timing is perfect. This, too, shall come. If His Will be done.

I also am struck with just how much God loves us. Can you even begin to imagine the depths of his love for us? If I cannot wait to read a book to my child, to sing songs with my child, can you imagine how happy it must make God when we read His Book? Sing Hymns of Praise to Him?

What about how His heart must swell when he hears the pitter patter of our feet, running to our Abba Father?

In the meantime, I’m loving this marriage thing. Tim’s definitely God’s best for me. And I continue to pray that God will grow us as husband and wife, preparing us better and better each day to be parents. Should He see fit. And, while we anticipate parenting, I pray this every day for our future children: “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quite you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” ~ Zephaniah 3:17

Titus 2 Tuesday: Aunt Nancy

Two years ago last Tuesday, July 7, my Aunt Nancy crossed the finish line of life and entered into Eternity. How sad we were to say goodbye. But how thankful we were that she was no longer suffering; she was running, jumping, singing, and dancing with her Almighty Father.

After all, it had been years since Aunt Nan had even walked. Forget running. But she definitely sang til the bitter end. Multiple Sclerosis might’ve robbed her of the ability to go and do as she once could. But she could still sing her heart out! I think it might’ve been the last time my mom saw Aunt Nan, she was singing an old song from their childhood. It warmed my mom’s heart so much to think of Aunt Nan’s heart preparing her for celebrating and singing for all Eternity!

Aunt Nancy was one of those women who made definite impacts on my life just by being her.

We still laugh about the summer we were at the beach together - our families - and she lovingly rubbed the gold crab that sat on the coffee table, saying, “I just love crabs!” It was in her southern accent that made crabs more like “crayabs” and we all laughed til we cried over it! She definitely loved the beach, just as all of my mom’s family does. She was never afraid to putt putt through the sand in her scooter, marking her spot on the sand, sure to get the best view of the ocean and God’s creation.

Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners never were complete without Aunt Nancy’s famous cheese ball. And we still make it, in her memory. It’s just not as yummy as it was when it was made by Aunt Nan (no offense, Amy!).

In her final months on earth, she was so sick. She was weak. She was weary. She was tired. But she never, not for one second, waivered from her steadfast faith that her Heavenly Father would, in fact, complete a good work in her. And He did.

Aunt Nan, we miss you terribly. We love you beyond measure, and I admire you more than you can ever understand. Thank you for being a true Titus 2 woman in my life. You truly are “more precious than rubies”.

Want to participate in Titus 2 Tuesdays? Jump on over to Shanda's blog for details!

Learning Through Suffering

Wow, it’s been a week. It always does seem like coming back from vacation kind of kicks you in the gut, leaving your breathless. I sometimes wonder if the vacation was worth it. Believe me, though, the vacation we had? Well worth it!

I learned a valuable life lesson this week, and I’m currently praying that God will not let me forget it, that He’ll guide me to grow from it, and help me to move on. Friendships were damaged, hearts were broken, tears were shed. It was awful.

These last few days, I’ve found myself really thinking about the entire situation, and how I can learn from it. Wouldn’t you know my daily devotional in my inbox this morning was on learning from suffering?

Thanks, God!

It’s so good, I wanted to share it. While I wouldn’t ever wish suffering on anyone, it’s a fact of life, and as Hebrews 12 tells us, “the Lord disciplines those he loves”.

Difficult Lessons Learned Through Suffering from the messages of Adrian Rogers

BIBLE MEDITATION:Hebrews 11:21 - "By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff."

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:Jacob became a wounded worshipper because God did not withhold the rod of correction. The wounded in life are those who have learned difficult lessons through suffering. Do not resist the Shepherd’s rod of correction. Is the wounding painful? Indeed. Does it seem that you will not be able to bear it? Most certainly. Then, why would He subject you to such pain? Because you have a Father who loves you so much that He is willing to hurt you to heal you. What you need to focus on is not your pain, but your Savior. God didn’t save you to take you to heaven. That’s a fringe benefit. God saved you to make you holy – as He is holy.

ACTION POINT:Read Hebrews 12:1-13. What application can you make from this passage for your life today?

Hebrews 12:1 - 13 says "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."

I’m also reminded of this song that was popular two years ago. I cried every time I heard it that summer; it reminded me of my Aunt Nancy, who you’ll hear more about next week.

“Bring the Rain" ~ Mercy Me

I can count a million times

People asking me how I

Can praise You with all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly

Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you, oh Lord

My only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of

The dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny

So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

Holy, holy, holyHoly, holy, holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Is the Lord God Almighty

And so it is, during these difficult times, that we must cling to our Father, remembering that He loves us and wants to refine us to be more like Him. In which case I say, Jesus bring the rain.

Vacation Lovin'

Jamie over at Oh How Lovely had a love list on her blog. Considering it’s been a whole two weeks since I last blogged and I’ve been on vacation here, there and yonder, I’ve got a lot on my mind. Of all the things flooding my mind, I’m overwhelmed with just how dang good life is. I feel refreshed and rejuvenated. And it’s all because I’ve spent time doing things I love, being with people I love, and just loving. . .

Sharing it all with my best bud

Interacting with other bankers who refuel me and my love for banking. Hearing speakers who broaden my mind. Amelia Island. Group dinners with new friends. Fancy schmancy hotels. Leaving said hotels for a good ole’ regular vacation.

Having such a beautiful view from our porch

The sand between my toes. Feeling the sun warming my skin. Eating yummy food without guilt. The accomplished feeling of a work-out on vacation. Good books. Catching up on People while vacationing. Watching the sun set from the porch. Rocking Chairs facing the shore. Pony tails. Boat drinks. Fripp Island. Library books. Grilling burgers. Comfy cotton dresses. JJ Gray .

New Friends and True Blue Old Buddies

Playing with new friends’ boys at the beach. Deer. Ice cream. Pedicure with my MIL. Hashing out thoughts and what-ifs with the hubby while driving. Yellow flip flops. Shimmery pink lip gloss. Banana nut granola.

Impromptu trip to Columbia. Reuniting with my precious 7 month old niece. Feeding Ellie a bottle. Putting E down for a nap. Picking up our dogs from the vet. Much-needed rain. Forgiveness. Tim’s Dad golfing with him. Faith in the midst of storms. Jumping into the pool.

Fishing in the ocean. Boat rides. A mom and sister to feed the cat and water the plants while we’re away. Returning to life after such a great vacation is always bitter sweet. But I’m thankful to be back in the groove. With my first day back under my belt, I can definitely say I appreciate and love these mentioned things so much more. . . .

So, what are you loving these days?