Boojoyful

This is our oldest grandchild. He turned nine this month! Wish I could see him everyday! November 30 Passing through a town where one of my  besties  works, I called to see if she could take a lunch break and meet for a quick bite.  It was probably the only time we'd see each other before Christmas.  I told her I decided instead of a gift this year I wanted to foot the hotel bill for us to take a couple nights away this winter.  She said, "That's a great idea, we do not need anymore  stuff,   we need the time to be together." Time and prayer are two of the greatest gifts we have to give away.  Isn't it interesting how the seasons of life change your perspective on what is important.   This holiday season has the ability to conjure up a deep loneliness and longing for many people.  Oh, what I've give to be able to go sit and visit with my nephew, my brother, my parents and grandparents once again....

This three year old performed a perfect lipstick application! Keep those kisses coming! November 29 The grands are growing so quickly, sometimes I think we should just sell Shiloh and make a continual grandparent circuit... Minnesota to Utah, to Louisiana, to Florida, to Tennessee and across Virginia. Then repeat the loop when the weather permits! They certainly all live in fabulous parts of the country. There is such a desire to be aware of all their accomplishments, whether a first tooth, loosing a tooth, their favorite things and wishes and dreams. There are just so many of them and I must remember it's really all about Jesus, not just about grandchildren. Isn't it an amazing thought that God is omni present and aware of every detail in every life!  For this moment I stop and stand in awe of who He is and all He does. This has been fabulous month to focus on the One who is the reason for our thankfulness and now we get to enter the precious Christmas season.  May w...

November 28 Rising early one day last week, I headed over the mountain to the big city for a hair cut and errands.  As seems the norm lately, four hours later my brain was exhausted and I needed to rest. Placing my "Be Still" necklace one of our daughter in laws gave me around my neck, I laid down on our bed.  Then it hit me...with all my "to doing it" I hadn't stopped once to thank Jesus for his sacrifice or to simply say, "I love You." I wished I could call my grandparents and parents and thank them for the monetary and time sacrifices they made for me all those years. How often do we stop to give thanks for our forefathers and the sacrifices they made to establish this nation?  Do we ever contemplate the conditions on those tiny ships that sailed to the New World? Do we think about all the people who didn't survive the journey or the first winter? Living in the mountains and being the daughter of a road builder, I often think of the people...

 A Thankful day at VA Beach November 27 One of the highlights of our visit to our son's home was taking two nights to watch  The Sound of Music  with this sweet family.  The two older children had performed a "Broadway Hits" program at their school for Grandparents Day and I inquired as to whether they had seen most of the movies from the hits they sang.  DoReMi was the impetus for the selection for my all time favorite movie! Before the movie I asked my husband to give our grandson a bit of background on World War II and who Hitler was.  This personality, along with the Baroness who really only wanted the Captain and not his seven children, led into a fabulous discussion on mean people  and our propensity to sin. " All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. " Romans 3:23  Hands down,  "My Favorite Things,"  with bed jumping and pillow fights was the favorite song.  Buzz, buzz "when the bee stings!" ...

Watching these two maneuver all over this house in VA Beach hanging lights at every level had me saying "Whoa!" The end result is enchanting! November 24 A couple weeks ago we had the Nashville grands at Shiloh for a visit, while their parents parents worked on details for their move to Charlottesville. The first morning they were with us I pulled out their favorite cinnamon minis for breakfast. Then I asked if they would like a banana, pear or apple slices.  In unison their voices cried out..."We never do that!  We don't have to eat anything healthy at breakfast!  Our mom never makes us do that!" "Whoa! Okay, Okay!" I replied. What was the last thing that set you into a quick panic, needing to set the record straight?  There might have been stories told around the Thanksgiving table yesterday that needed a "whoa there" and some correction due to a different recollection. Years ago I remember sitting in a book study on praye...

Tuesday night I went from this costumed bedtime,  to a middle of the night potty hugging with an upset tummy. November 23 Had it not been for this 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge from a friend, I'm not certain I could have had the attitude I did waiting out an upset stomach at our son's home. I thanked God: For a beautiful home in which to feel lousy. For a private bathroom with clean floors, a cushy clean bath mat to sit upon, and a shiny spotless hug. For a cozy plush blanket I found to wrap around my shoulders and that I had changed from my spider man pajamas with the long zipper, to PJs that were easy to pull down to sit on the potty when needed. For the sound of fighter jets (we are in VA Beach) flying overhead reminding me of the incredible military our nation has practicing every day, so they are ready to defend us.  I also prayed for all those military families who sacrifice so much peace and comfort with their loved ones who selflessly put themselves ...

Grandparents Day at Norfolk Academy Impressive public speaking in 1st grade. November 22 "Grandchildren are the crown of old men..."  Proverbs 17:6 Not saying his old, just crowned! What a blessing it was to attend Grandparents Day for two of our grandchildren. The program they performed, encompassed Broadway hits and was both entertaining and educational. Sitting in that gym watching close to 1,000 grandparents wave, blow kisses and click away taking pictures made you almost able to reach out and touch the love in the air. Do you ever stop and consider why God created family or why He chose to create us with this huge capacity to love others and not just Him? Not everyone has a loving family unit.  Isn't there a song that has the refrain..."Wont you find somebody to love?"  Let's pray for those who aren't finding it easy to be thankful this season. There are children who need nearby grandparent figures in their live and "old men...