Happy Birthday Robert Davis!

Today is my oldest son's Birthday! 39 years ago today (just 13 minutes ago) I gave birth to a little bouncing baby boy in Augsburg, Germany!

How thrilled his Dad and I were to be through with labor and see his sweet face. My hubby was in the Army Security Agency with the Army and had taken two weeks leave to be there for the delivery. The day leave was over, I went into labor. Dave reported back and said "I have to leave as Sherry is in labor!!"

It was worth all the pain to receive the blessing of our new baby boy. Robert Davis McCurley. My father's first name, Dave's and his Dad's middle and last name. He was named after his daddy, and both Grandfathers. Back then one did not go home right away. He was delivered in a Field Hospital with no luxuries. I was in a ward with 11 other new Moms who thought nursing was not the way to go. I alone chose to nurse my new baby!

I was to go to a 'meal room' and get my own food, take the baby back and forth to the nursery and care for my own needs. As I look back I am so reminded of God's presence and grace to this very naive new Mommy. I thank God for the very large nurse who took pity on me and helped me sooo very much. She came to my bed, whipped the curtain closed (trying to figure it out with 11 non nursing women giving me the evil eye was intimidating) undid my gown and showed me the art of nursing a new baby in 5 minutes. He caught on and the rest is history.

Our new baby had jaundice and was to stay in the hospital with me being sent home after 3 days. I began to cry......really cry. My Doctor came to discharge me as I continued to cry. "What is wrong??" I don't want to leave my new son!!!!! They won't let me nurse him! (Back then, they gave water to jaundice babies and formula. No nursing.) He quickly said, "You do NOT have to go home, I say you can stay until the baby is ready--and that is that." Wow, was I thrilled! So Rob and I stayed a full week in the Field Hospital and went home together!

How marvelous are God's ways. Higher, much higher than our ways. I thank HIM so much for being with me those many years ago. He provided just what I needed, what my new baby needed and more blessings than we could of ever imagined! As I think back, I see the hand of God moving through the years and always, always giving grace to this very undeserving Mother.

Thank you Lord for Robert Davis and all the tremendous ways you have worked. I am one very blessed Mom and I know it......so grateful you bestow such love and grace on this undeserved girl!

Delighting in Jesus today, Sherry Lynette

Song for a Rainy Day~

Our family was discussing 'songs' last week as we sat around. I love children's songs and have so many rattling around in my head. I started singing this one.....Dave was the only one who remembered it. I couldn't believe it! I sang this song with everyone of my kids! Go figure!

~Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam~

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for Him each day;
In every way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

Jesus wants me to be loving,
And kind to all I see;
Showing how pleasant and happy
His little one can be.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

I will ask Jesus to help me,
To keep my heart from sin;
Ever reflecting His goodness,
And always shine for Him.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

I'll be a sunbeam for Jesus;
I can if I but try;
Serving Him moment by moment,
Then live with Him on high.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

A very nice song for a rainy day, don't you agree?

So my kids think I'm nuts, I don't care....

Singing here ~

Lynette

Marriage Monday

Today is Marriage Monday ~

How often do you really really 'look' at your husband? Not the causal glance but really look at him, deeply into his eyes?

I had a friend in Kingston who was very frustrated. She was a little older than me but married for just a few years. She said he hubby never looked at her. He did talk to her but never looked at her. She was pretty, stylish and slim. I talked with her about men, marriage and relationships. I asked her if she 'smiled' at him? Did she speak softly, drawing him in? We spoke at length about what femininity is. One day she called me up and asked me out to lunch, (a major planning for a Mom with 5 kids at home, homeschooling) which I accepted.

She told me a story. She had spoken to her hubby of her frustration. He didn't agree. He thought he looked at her all the time. She wanted eye contact. She wanted smiles AT her. So she got up one morning, washed her face and drew a big black 'dot' on the end of her nose. She used an eyebrow pencil to do it. She also put on some make-up, did her hair and dressed as usual.

She made his breakfast and sat down to eat with him, the newspaper spread out before him as he ate. No reaction. They had a wood working design studio and he went to work on that in the garage. Still no reaction. She made him lunch. She worked around the house, running into him many times during the day. Dinner over she settled in for the evening with her hubby. At bedtime she took the bull by the horns.

She took him by the face and looked straight into his eyes. He said "you have dirt on your face"! She said " all day I have had this dot on the end of my nose and you never noticed!" He didn't notice and he knew it.

I remember this story often. We look, but we don't see. At our kids, at our friends, and yes, even at our spouses. Take time today to really see ~ with the eyes of love!

Lord, teach me to SEE! Lynette

PS. Yes, they are still married. He's learned to 'see' better and she learned to give her expectations to the LORD ~ HE always 'sees'!

Friday Funnies This is a very funny story from my favorite blog...Girltalk! Enjoy! A Homeless Man's Funeral As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Kentucky back country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play. The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man. And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full. As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years." Apparently I'm still lost.... it's a man thing. Laughing here, Lynette

Hump Day

Today is Wednesday! I have heard some call it 'hump day' because it is the middle of the week. But is it really? I guess if you work or go to school Monday through Friday it would be the middle of the week for work and school. Yet there are seven....SEVEN days in a week! Are you one who lives for the week end?

When I was in grade school, I know I lived for the week ends. School was not one of my favorite things unless I was in recess, Library skills, Art or lunch time. I was a 'day dreamer' , checked out most of the time when doing Math or book work. It was just maturation. I was slow to give up baby dolls, naps and play time. I think back and remember my parents saying "she is smart, just a dreamer!"

My Mom was President of the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) at Canoga Park Elementary School. She knew all the teachers, Principal and Staff. My 2nd Grade Teacher was Mrs. Barnett. My poor 2nd Grade teacher didn't know what to do with me. Everyday at 2pm we had 'learning to tell time' class. Everyday at 2pm I put my head down on my desk and preceeded to go to sleep. EVERY DAY! So the teacher had another meeting with my Mom. "Your daughter must go to bed eariler!" Mrs. Barnett said. "She's in bed at 7pm every night and sleeps all night." my Mom gently told Mrs. Barnett. The school year continued and I continued with my one hour nap from 2pm til school let out at 3pm.

One Spring day my Mom was at school doing some volunteer work and ran into Mrs. Barnett. "How is Sherry doing now?" "Oh ~ Mrs. Masters, never worry about your daughter and school! She is our 'little mother'. "When we have a problem with a shy student, or one who hits or is unable to get along with others, we put them with Sherry and she sweetly 'helps' them overcome. " She will do just fine in life. (My Mom told me this story when I was in my thirties) I have no rememberances of it!

I am told I did outgrow needing a nap everyday the years following 2nd grade. . My Mom told me when I had my own children that each child is unique, special and different in different ways. Some need very little sleep. Some need lots of sleep and then there are some like me who took naps all the way through the early years. It is okay! God has a plan and a purpose for each and every one. As we trust, pray and wait and see, HE will do marvelous things!

As I see little ones coming and going on the days I work, I find myself smiling inside. They too may not remember the funny things that happen. Maybe they will remember! I wonder how many 'need' a nap? Some are probably hoping for the week end to come quickly, just like I did many years ago!

Happy 'hump day' to you! Hug a 2nd Grader in your life!

Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

Isn't life funny?

Just like everyone else, I love week-ends. Our three kids (well, not really kids--16, 18 and 22 yrs old) are in Deep Creek, Maryland--on a CrossCurrent Leadership Trip. They are doing Bible Studies and interactions and snow tubing too. Learning to share their faith more openly!

Dave and I are home alone.....the second time in 40 years! (overnight, that is) How quiet it is. Well, sorta-ha. I must say, I was even able to play my Sara Groves CDs 'loud....louder....loudest of all' yesterday as I trotted around the house!!! I loved it! I went downstairs yesterday afternoon and could still hear it! YES!!!! Would never happen with my kids here, "turn it DOWN Mom"!

Life is funny! I was sitting at my desk in my bedroom late this morning, writing some notes, music playing softly. Dave had gone outside to start on the damage control with all the fallen branches from the two blizzards we had. As I am concentrating on writing my notes, I hear him talking outside. What? I thought we were home alone? He kept talking for a few minutes. I kept writing. What am I hearing, he's chatting with a neighbor? So I looked out the window and he is alone! I knocked on the window, he didn't look up. So I knocked harder---whacking the window! .....who are you talking to?, I asked, mouthing the words to him! He looked away and kept talking!

It hit me then. YES! We are going to Mexico in June! On a Missions Trip with our Church. He is learning Spanish by Pimsleur from the library. It is a little disc with ear buds you put in your ears. You learn, you repeat, you repeat, you repeat! You see, he was a Linguist in the Army....spoke not only German fluently, but also Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian and Romanian. Limited vocab in each, other than German. My hubby has a propensity for languages.

So pray for us as we 'prepare' ! We want to go to be a blessing. We want to serve. We want to see God at work! The most important thing we take isn't our luggage, but our hearts. Hearts that are not only forgiven, forgiving, and full of mercy, but hearts that are soft, pliable and seeking HIS face! It is all about HIM and sharing the gospel!

Home alone? Not really....because Jesus is here with us! Isn't life funny!

Delighting in Jesus today, hugs, Sherry

Thursday Thinkings~

Today is Thursday. I usually grocery shop on Thursdays. I guess I pretty much have a schedule as I think about my daily life. I think I have found it easier for me to get all the important stuff in that way.

Today was a different Thursday though. I got up at my regular time and spent time reading scriptures, praying and writing in my journal (which I have come to love....didn't use to be that way, to my chagrin). My hubby and I had planned a special lunch today. So he came home around noon and off we went.

We went to Panera Bread and placed our order for their yummy sandwiches, soups(for them) and of course their divine salad (for he and I) and took them to his parents home to have a delightful time of lunching together---our treat. My hubby's parents are faithful loving servant of Christ. Not sure who enjoyed it more, them or us....smile!

After a lovely visit and full bellies, we were off and running again. What a funny conversation we had as we drove around doing some extra errands about my technical difficulties with downloading my ipod, using the computer and always not figuring out the DVD player without assistance from one of our brood. It is so EASY for my kids, yet I sometimes can't even get the TV on, much less on the right place. I push every button twice that they tell me to...no go!

I was once again reminded of how 'kind' my hubby is in explaining (again) how to download my ipod. He is a numbers man. He thinks in numbers. He is a walking concordance, honest. Just ask him for reference or verse and he will tell you. Just say the verse and he can tell you where it is in the Bible. Anyway....I am not at all like that. It is really sad. It takes me a few times of doing the same things over and over again to 'get it' with anything technical. I am a sad case, what can I say? Honest, I try. I really do. I just do not get how it all fits together. He is so kind to me. He is patient. He is loving. He doesn't make fun. I would be lost without his know how.

Isn't it funny how we are all different? What would life be like if we were all the same? I am glad God does things the way he does. Opposites attract. Similar s attract too, don't they? Yes, we each have the people in our lives that God has chosen to bring us the greatest lessons. Am I learning?

We got home and as I had dinner simmering on the stove early, my hubby said "come here, I want to show you something". What? Sit here and look at this. Put your fingers on the key board.......and he gave me another lesson using my ipod. What a guy! What thoughtfulness! Such kind words. I am so glad, I am so blessed, I even think I have it this time!

So off my hubby went to his meeting tonight. I sit here and count my blessings! I know that today is Thursday. Yet, not at all just like every other Thursday. Grace has entered my life today because HE was seen in the eyes of one very patient hubby with one very puzzled wife and her ipod struggles. Isn't HE wonderful!

Delighting in Jesus today, hugs, Lynette

Sweet Girls, part 2

Being the Mom of two girls is sheer joy! I know part of the reason I feel this way is because the Lord blessed Dave and I with four boys before giving us two sweet adorable bouncing baby girls. Girls are so different from boys. They are much more different than I can even share in this short blog. Here are a few of my own observations. I am sure you could add your own list!

Our girls like to 'chat'. At the ages our boys were making 'noises', our little girls were saying words and putting them into sentences. Girls like to be 'together'....boys are more independent players, although they like contact sports and wrestling more! Our girls are very affectionate too, in different ways from our boys. They hug, kiss and snuggle more, for a longer time and a lot more often!

Girls also take a bit longer to say what they are thinking. It takes more work to get at the 'heart' of the issue. Boys are blunt. Girls are not. My girls know just looking at one of us if something is wrong. Boys get it when you 'cry', girls see it coming way before you cry. They have a 'sense' of relationships. Girls are more intuitive. Hannah is so creative with crafts. She thrives with crafts. She 'initiates' doing a craft project with me often.....those creative powers at work.

Girls are more relationship centered too. I am sure the Lord does this because they need to be glue for hubby's, babies and children. My girls now have their own rooms, after sharing a room for many years. Often they are found in the morning in one double bed, having 'chatted' long into the night, or having read together into the wee hours of the morning.

Another thing I have noticed is that my girls notice 'tiny' things. They notice the clothes in the drier, or the dirty socks sitting on the steps and then they 'do' something about it. They 'see' the baby toys on the stairs, the sink of dirty dishes, the empty sugar bowl, or crumbs on the floor. Boys just keep going usually. They weren't lazy, they just never noticed. The girls will clean up the kitchen 'just because'. And then wait to see how you respond when you see the clean kitchen! They will notice the bulbs blooming, the dark clouds or rainbow in the sky and mention it. I am sure the boys noticed all these things too, it just never crossed their little minds to mention it out loud.

My girls are 'home' centered, wanting to make things lovely for us as a family. Hannah often just makes cookies as a surprise for her dad and Caleb. Bekah will sit and play the guitar just because it sounds pretty. Hannah will come up and rub my back just to be sweet, as I cook. Bekah will call home just to say she is running a few minutes late (she doesn't want us to wonder). Girls add sweetness and depth. Hannah will get up early to play sweet music on the piano to wake up Mom and anyone else sleeping (never Dad as he is the 1st one up always---early) Babies and children are drawn to Hannah and Bekah! Why? Because they know Hannah and Bekah love children....all shapes and sizes.

Our boys were outward looking. They want to 'hunt' and 'conquer' and 'bag the deal'. Not so much our girls. They want to make life sweet and provide a 'haven' for those they love. We need both. I am glad God has given me the opportunity to be a mom of both our four boys and two girls! How creative and majestic our God is in his making of boys and girls. What a plan. What a GOD! What a JOY!

Delighting in Jesus today, Lynette

Sweet Girls ~

The Lord blessed Dave and I with four bouncing, very active, cute, noisy boys! Our house was filled with truck noises, yo yo's dancing, 'shoot em up' ramblings, fish bowl filled with fish, baseball hats, turtles, cowboy boots, patches on jean knees, every shape and kind of 'ball' made in the western world, and every size and color of play 'sword' you can imagine! It was a boy filled home. And we loved it! Forts were often found in every room. I loved the giant 'sheet fort' in our basement family room that had 5 big sheets all clothes-pinned together. I even crawled in with them one evening and ate our evening snack together, laying in the fort! Of course that particular fort was built over and over and over again. The longest a 'fort' could stay up was a couple days! After all life does go on---smile! Company was coming, or we needed to vacuum or there would be a 'spill'. I kept a stack of sheets in the laundry room just for said fort building.

Then the Lord surprised us with a new baby. Mommy is PG!!!! What fun we had guessing what the baby would be. Boy? Girl? Boy? Girl? I just knew it was a boy! I do well with boys! I understand boys. I am a boy 'type' mother (what was I thinking?---there isn't even such a thing!) So I was sure it was a boy!

SURPRISE! Dr. Zacchheo said "It's a GIRL"!!! What? A GIRL!!!! I laughed and said " Please check again...are you sure?" Yep! A GIRL! Dave and I were just tickled pink. We were so happy! The nurses thought Dave with the four boys coming to see Rebekah and I at the hospital was quite something to behold. Rebekah Lynette was born on Mother's Day Sunday. She and I even had our picture in the Newspaper! Rebekah did not wear anything but PINK and PURPLE for over a year! Sweet, sweet, sweet. What can I say? Our lives CHANGED!!!! Rebekah was followed less than 3 years later by Hannah Joy. She is pure JOY to us. Yes, girls are definitely different than boys. I had no real idea about all that!

There are all kinds of girls, just like there are all kinds of boys. Yet they are very different other than just the plumbing. My little girls were quieter as babies. Ours were shy and not real out going. Our little girls were so caring, affectionate to all, and very very in love with daddy. Rebekah never did take to baby dolls, not for lack of the number of them she was given. She'd rather play 'swords' with her brothers. I'm sure birth order had something to do with that...ha.

An example of the differences is seen in a snapshot of Rebekah and Caleb having a 'tea party' together. It took some doing, but she talked him into it. As they sat at the tiny table having tea Rebekah wanted to 'chat' with Caleb. He was all about gobbling down the cookies and being 'done' with it. On to playing with the legos. It was over before it began. Tears. So Rebekah and I sat and had tea at her tiny table, with tiny cups and saucers. We chatted. We smiled. We refilled our tiny tea cups. We had tea together. No rush. No 'when are we done'. We just sat and enjoyed the moments together.

Children are so special. I love all shapes and sizes. Not just mine either, although mine are special to me in special ways. Jesus told us we cannot come to HIM unless we come as little children. Trusting, believing and without anything to 'bring' to make us desirable!

Today's blog is getting too long. Short...I like short blogs! More tomorrow about 'Girls' ~ I am one, you realize!

Delighting in Jesus today, hugs, Lynette

SURPRISE!

I love surprises, don't you? I received a BIG surprise today...well, not today ~ I was told the surprise today!

May 16th Dave and I will be married 40 years! THAT is a long long time...yet it seems like yesterday! How can that be? Well that is the truth---40 years! He told me this morning he is taking me away for a whole week, a whole week...just he and me!!!! HE and ME!!!! YAY.....We get to have time all to ourselves for a whole week! We will be heading to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and the BEACH! It takes real love, time invested and resources spent to make such plans! True love! Love is action...a verb! It is a noun too ~ but mostly a verb!

We have a 'history' of BEACHES. I grew up 30 minutes from Malibu Beach, California. Dave asked me to marry him late one night at Zuma Beach (that is a whole story for another day!). We spent some of our honeymoon at the BEACH. I guess you could say we are 'beach people' ! We enjoy Sunset Beach, NC and Nags Head, NC so much. I am so excited to visit a new beach, neither of us has seen. So come May, Lord willing, we will drive the 10 hours to visit Hilton Head Island. What excitement and anticipation is in the air!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in you presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16: 5-11 (ESV)

My lines have fallen in pleasant places. The LORD is so good. He is faithful and true. My heart rejoices in His grace given abundantly to us. He has done it, and to HIM we are so grateful!

Our lives are full. Has it always been 'easy'? No it hasn't, lots of tears shed, yet HE is with us always, calling our name. HE really is what life is all about. Happy, sad, frustrated, fulfilled, challenged, easy, mad, glad, disappointed, grieving, rejoicing, hurt, encouraged, helped, alone, together, crushed, built up, poor, rich, naked, full, hungry, searching, seeking, praying, listless, hoping, sick, healthy, loved, hated, gossiped about, full of sin, misunderstood, homesick, lonely, secure, lifted up, surprised, supported, relaxed, quiet, noisy, accused, defended, thought ill of, forgiven, loved, never receiving what we truly deserve which is death! HE has meant it all ....ALL for our good and HIS GLORY! GLORY to JESUS!

40 years! Seems like yesterday we were just starting out as newlyweds. How fast life speeds by. How like a 'vapor' 40 years is. Yes, we are old by some measures! Yet it only gets better and better! I love my honey MORE today than I ever knew I could on our wedding day! Isn't that the way the LORD works?! With HIM it only gets better and better and better! Until one day one of us will lay the other into the arms of Jesus! How GOOD HE TRULY IS!

Surprises are nice! Many are precious here on earth with my lovey Dave! YET the best is yet to come in heaven with THE LOVE of my LIFE Jesus! ---sitting at HIS feet! HE provided the way! Won't that be the BEST of all!

Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

~My Three Sons Club~

We have not always lived here. We have lived in a number of interesting places. We spent 5 years in upstate New York, the city of Utica. BTW---Home of Utica Cutlery---one interesting fact!

When we lived in Utica, New York we were in the 'My Three Sons Club' ! Well really, it wasn't a true 'Club'....it was more like a friends loving friends group! We had 3 sons, Robert, Nathanael and Matthew Scott. All three were very active and busy as beaver little boys. We had friends in our Church with 3 sons also. Actually there were 5 families with 3 sons each. We understood each other. We knew the looks. We understood the need for sleep. We knew what life was like for each other. Trucks everywhere. Dirty faces and hands. Running in the house. Never having enough clean shirts for today. Patches on the knees. Running out of fruit. Messy hair. Dripping strawberry jam all over the 'church' shirt just as we are leaving for church. Missing shoes, one from one pair and one from the 'other' pair. We just knew....no need for words! We laughed A LOT!

I loved those years. I am grateful I had them. I always knew I would be a Mom of boys. I love little boys and big boys too. I think I was made to be the Mom of boys! Boys are fun. Boys forgive easily and sometimes wonder what you are asking forgiveness for. They are very affectionate to Mommy. They help well. They learn well. They are active and noismakers.....brrrrr....
mmmmm.....shr....... all the noises as they play with their cars and trucks, guns and yo-yo. Most aren't quiet like little girls are. They are messy and don't notice dirt. They don't care if YOUR hair is messy. They like adventure! They soon learn they have muscles and want to always carry the 'heavy' stuff for their Mom. My Three Sons Club members all know all these things. We had such fun laughing and laughing together about having boys! Oh the JOY and the fun we had when our group spent time together!

I was just recently thinking about all this. Maybe because we had Joschua here for a week during our blizzard. Oh the delicious noises he makes. Mmmmmmmm...... I love it!!!! Yet, I stop and wonder what delight the Lord takes in HIS children! How HE loves US! How GOOD HE is to us. How HE lavishes HIS LOVE on us. HE is the perfect FATHER! HE gives, and gives, and gives. Do I notice? Do I thank HIM? Do I ENJOY HIM? Yes...I do. Yet not as much as I should or could or might!

"Bless the LORD oh my soul and all that is in me, bless the LORD."

Lord ~ in YOU my soul rejoices! YOU are GOOD, so good...how can I know it!!! The sum is beyond me!

Delighting in Jesus today, hugs, Lynette

PS. More about the joys of girls later...smile!

"DU"

"DU" means Destination Unknown. My husband came up with the idea of 'destination unknown' when our Rob, Nathanael and Matthew were little boys. They had so much energy, I used to say we would be millionaires if we could find a way to bottle all that energy and sell it. Money was tight during those years, very tight. We had so much fun yet we had very little money for 'fun' things. Our idea of fun was pop-corn and a 2 liter bottle of Pepsi on a blanket in the living room. When a couple has very little money they need to become very 'creative'.

I remember when Dave and I were first married, we had zero money. Our date nights back then consisted of going to the Park and swinging on the swings (in Texas), long walks in the neighborhood (Salinas, CA), picnics at the lake, or going to the local Fire Station (Texas again) and climbing all over the Fire trucks for fun (allowed). Cost---zero.

Back to our DU's. It was a fun and creative way to enjoy being with our boys. Dave would spontaneously say, "We are going on a DU! We all went wild with delight! We would pile into the car with all sorts of questions.... none of which he would answer. We would buckle up, and drive away. Let's GO! Turn right, go straight, turn right, turn left....oh, turn around. We would ride sometimes for 20 minutes, sometimes for 5 minutes. Everyone would guess where we were headed on our DU. Most of the time I didn't know where we were headed either, but sometimes I did, secretly. We might be heading for ice cream at a new joint. One time we rode around for 15 minutes only to pull into our driveway and go inside for a special snack and movie! We went to TCBY or to visit friends. We went sledding, or to the park to ride on the merry-go-round. Our boys still talk about all the fun we had doing our DU's. Whenever we needed a pick-up or encouragement.......a DU would appear ! It was fun just being together. We were always surprised to arrive! Dave never was though...he always had a plan of fun just for us!

In life we have DU's too. Sometimes they are surprises, like the one we had today. A surprise dinner out with friends---their "treat". Or sometimes they are not so nice, like illness, a big disappointment or a death of someone we love. Sometimes we arrive quickly and sometimes we are in 'process' on the long drive. We are always surprised where our DU takes us! Yet, GOD is never SURPRISED! He has a plan just for us! He is trustworthy and HE IS GOOD! HE is with us. We can 'ride' in the car of life and enjoy the getting there, because HE loves us and WE love HIM!!!! Do you see the connection?

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

I am so thankful for all the DUs my fun loving hubby took the boys and I on. What great memories we made together. Funny stories we have to remember and laugh over. YET even more thankful I am for the DUs I've experienced walking with my GOD. And I am thankful ahead of time for the DUs GOD has planned just for me as I 'ride along' in His Love and Grace! Are YOU thankful too?

Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

Snow and Ice

Yesterday I went to a Crop. A Crop is a bunch of ladies getting together to organize their pictures of family, friends and events into scrapbooks. It is a 'telling' of ones experiences in pictures and words. Most of us journal about the pictures, but not always. It is creative, it is fun and much fellowship takes place as we work. I think of it as the modern day 'quilting BEE'. It is something I enjoy and do. It's one of those things that is 'me'. I go when I can, not as often as I would like!

The weatherman was calling for a flurry with no accumulation of any amount. I am from California, so I never learned to drive in the snow. I do not drive in snow. I ride in snow all the time, during winter...my hubby loves to drive in the snow. My boys all love to drive in the snow. One of them even took me out and did 'donuts' ...around and around we went in a parking lot to my chagrin! Don't worry sons, I will not tell which one...hahaha I have NO experience driving in snow!

Dave and I talked about it. "I won't go honey, it's going to snow", I said. "Go" he encouraged me. " It is going to be a flurry, you will be fine!" I'll go....I'll stay....I'll go....I'll stay! I thank the LORD for a patient husband. He knows me so well. I went.

I arrived at the Crop on black pavement....no snow. The snow was to come around 3pm. The CROP was from 9 to 5pm. If it began to snow, I would just leave a little early! I was so looking forward to going and 'doing my thing'. Cropping is relaxing to me. I get something for my effort. It is fun! I sat across from my sister in love...Patti. So I took my 'stuff' out and went to work on my album.

My niece came over (she's the one in charge) and said my hubby wanted me to call him. I have a cell phone, but I never hear it (that is another story for another day), so I called him. "It is snowing really hard here at home Sherry." He knows me so well. "Okay darlin', I will pack up and head out."

The roads were snowy and icy. I was scared. I prayed. I trusted the LORD to help me. I did slide some, but the LORD held me on the road. I prayed all the way home. My heart was beating wildly. I kept praying...slow my heart LORD! He did. I took deep breaths. I went slow but not too slow. I made it up Lake Vista fish-tailing all the way...but I made it by God's grace. I was so happy to pull in. I almost cried with relief.

It was the LORD, not me and I know it! I can now say I have experience driving in snow! Yet I could of never done it without the LORD all the way!!!!

And yes...I did keep 'cropping' at home. I did 14 pages. Creative pages, I think. Maybe I will have a page in there about the 'day' my LORD gave me some snow driving experience!
GOD is soooo GOOD!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

I gave blood.....yesterday!

Open Bible Christian Ministries hosted a 'blood drive' in October with the American Red Cross. Many people came and gave blood and Dave and I were two of them. He was in the military and during his years 'in' he gave blood many many times....it was encouraged, if you know what I mean. The Army is like that.....they speak, you obey. Anyway, during those years I was busy being pregnant, nursing, or trying to get pregnant. Pregnant ladies can't give blood. So I never did give blood during those years.

When Church and School decided to host a Blood Drive to help our very low Maryland Blood Bank, I gladly signed on. A bit nervous about it as I don't like needles, but well, it was for a good cause. Did you know 1 pint of blood helps at least 3 people? In October I answered all the questions, was tested for iron count, and asked to sign numerous papers with my John Hancock on the day of giving blood. I sat in the chair and gave blood. So cool. So quick. So easy. Even the needle didn't hurt. At the end I got a Coke and a bag of pretzels and a little button that says "I gave HOPE".

I received a call from the American Red Cross two weeks later asking me to sign up to give blood again in January. One must wait 58 days before giving blood again. Only 30% of the people who give blood give it a second time. Where is it, Iasked? Less than 2 miles from my house the lady said. What day ? January 18th....a Monday. Great, I can make it. So I said YES! I can do this!

Yesterday was January 18th and I went to give blood with my hubby again. I went through all the same things again. Sign papers, finger prick, blood pressure, temperature. (My temp is low, 97.5 as normal--BTW!) I thought the Tech was pretty sweet. We chatted. We smiled. We chatted some more. I asked if the Red Cross was sending blood to Haiti now. She didn't know, but mentioned everyone was asking that same question.

Into the high slung chair I sat. Everything was like last time. I thought GREAT! Just as she was done, I got very very light headed and she asked me if I was. "Yes", I muttered....she flung that chair back in a wink. She got a cold compress for my forehead and took off the winter scarf I was wearing. I felt like I was going to faint....I had never felt that way before. Kinda fuzzy and things far off....but I prayed, please LORD help me, I don't want to faint! She put a cold COKE in my hand and said "sip this"......after 3 sips, I revived. I was hot, but I was coming back. The fuzzy feeling left. She asked me what I had for lunch and I said a nice green salad. --WHAT? One should eat a hearty lunch or dinner before giving blood. Who knew? I sure didn't! Well I do NOW! I went on to the 'canteen' (they call it) and finished my Coke and ate a little bag of oatmeal cookies. I gladly received a free T-shirt this time AND my button!

Next time I give blood I will eat a hearty sandwich or soup, salad AND bread! Am I glad I gave blood? Yes...I am. I like to think of it as helping someone who needs it. Someone I don't know, but someone who is a brother, or a sister, or a Mom, or a Dad, or a child of someone who loves them.

YET---I am reminded of Jesus perfect blood shed for me! HE gave HIS LIFE for me! Not in part, but in FULL....because of the JOY set before HIM!!! How grateful I am !

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

Always a 'hummer' !

"I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." Psalm 9: 1-2 ESV

Do you like to sing? Are you a shower singer? Do you sing openly and loud with all your heart? Or are you a "mumbly" singer--barely opening your mouth? I love to sing and make a joyful noise to the LORD ! Problem here ----I cannot sing well. I sing, just not very well. I know God loves to hear me make a joyful noise, but that doesn't mean everyone else appreciates what HE does! Smile....I have come to know many just like me. Actually, I am a 'hummer' !! A very good hummer. In fact I hum as I work, as I drive, as I shop. My kids comment about it all the time....."Mom is humming ~ again!"

About 9 or 10 years ago, my sweet daughter-in-love, Jeannette, told me no one is actually tone deaf. See, my parents told me I was 'tone deaf' when I was little. I had a happy home, but not a musical home. After I became a christian I wanted greatly to be a good singer for the LORD. But that little comment handicapped me and all these years later, I still remember it and where I was when it was said. Jeannette is a very excellent musician and she told me that anyone can learn to sing, that it is a skill one can learn. That doesn't mean everyone is talented in it, but yes, one can learn the skill of singing. That gave me great hope. She encouraged me to begin. I did. I have come a long way. I am better at singing now than I ever was. My hubby has a beautiful deep bass singing voice and I even join him sometimes when he sings in the van. YET---I still love to hum, so much so I don't even realize I am doing it. A hummer I will always be. God loves to hear us sing to Him, to sing His praises. I always loved hearing my little ones sing, their sweet voices ringing in my ears. God loves to hear HIS children sing even more than that! So sing....so hum....begin today! Practice makes perfect and if not perfect, precious in HIS sight!!!!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette