God is Good

No pictures, no profound epistles, just simply....God is Good!  So often I find myself forgetting that fact or turning to Him when things aren't going like I think they should.  But, I'm working on turning that around.

There have been so many sad, tragic, uncalled for events that have come to light recently -- things and circumstances that have happened to friends or acquaintances of mine -- that could have been me, my family, my loved one.  How are these folks going to cope...how are they going to carry on without that loved one in their life?  Parents having to bury a grown child much too soon.  A Mother having to leave her precious family long before she has been able to enjoy her grandchildren growing up.  Sons laughing with parents one morning and that afternoon...their parents are with God. 

We all know someone affected by grief and sadness - of all kinds.  Fortunately, a good number of these friends know the Father and His Son...that is the only way they will be able to keep going.  It will be hard.  There will be days and nights of endless tears and heartache.  But they will go on.  Others may not know the Creator.  They are the ones who lose out on having a church family and friends to lean on and their Father to dry their tears.

So, this means there is still lots to do about sharing our Father with those around us.  How about you?

S.O.S. at Broadview Assisted Living

How wonderful to serve God and our fellow man...this is what 23 of the Timberlane church family did Sunday afternoon.  Carl and I were proud to be a part of this great group of folks.

As most of you know by now, Carl's mom, aka Mrs. V., is at Broadview Assisted Living, as is long-time Timberlane member, Bettie Lemley.  Mrs. Bettie is now 95 and Mrs. V is 93.  They, along with approximately 76 other residents have become content in their new home at Broadview.  Men and women of all ages of adulthood and various means of mobility and health, congregate daily in the beautiful main hall, centered by a two-story, double sided fireplace.  Always decorated to compliment the season, the fireplace is currently flanked with pumpkins, fall garland and decorations, with a cozy fire burning to calm the soul. 

Sunday afternoon the Timberlane group, consisting of young professionals, singles, young couples with young children or no children, and others in the not-as-young-anymore category, joined together, singing hymns, sharing smiles and love with those unable to get out and attend worship services any longer.  The college and young professionals class also prepared and brought with them, small orange pumpkins with a joyful tag with scripture and/or greeting on them.  After singing, everyone in our group went around and gave out the pumpkins and shared a moment with residents, who especially enjoyed the little children.  I believe both groups benefitted from this special time and we plan to go back - especially during the Christmas holidays and sing carols and share a little something again.



Some of the "givers" Sunday afternoon.

Serving...this is Jesus' example and command to us.  Let's remember His example and "do unto others...".   I need to try harder to do as my mother did before her heart problems and death...she tried to do some random act of kindness for at least one person every single day.

[note to self: start taking the camera whereever you go, THEN remember to take pictures DURING events, not just when they are over...will try to do better next time!]

90 years and Counting!

Good intentions aside, I finally have gotten pictures together and want to tell about my dear Dad's 90th birthday, October 6.  He is the only surviving uncle on either side of my family -- that's counting spouses of parental siblings as well.  He says it kind of gives him an errie feeling to be the lone survivor!

On Dad's actual birthdate, October 6th, my nephew Brett, who works in the Gulf with oil rigs, went through Mississippi, loaded up Dad and his wife Carole, and took them to good ole Alabama.  They stopped off for the night in Tuscaloosa, where he lives on the river in a beautiful home.  Friday they went to Wetumpka, where my older brother lives, and where Dad and Carole stayed the night.  Those of us who had arrived early had a great time Friday afternoon, setting up for the big party/reunion. 

On Saturday, the 8th, everyone gathered at the fellowship hall at the Wetumpka church of Christ for a day of fun, food and fellowship.  All four children & spouses/friend, all seven grandchildren and spouses/friends, and eight of 10 great grandchildren were on hand for the festivities. Theo, the older of the great grands and a Marine, had just returned to Camp Pendleton from a tour of duty and Hope, a high school senior, was heavily involved in a band function she could not get out of.  

Here's some pics of the families and then candids from the day.  So many of the cousins were unable to attend and wanted to so badly...so view & enjoy and we pray there will be another opportunity soon for all of us to get together!

Some of the spread...yum!

Yummie cake....so glad Publix is in Alabama now!



Man of the Hour ~ doesn't look bad for a 90 year old!



The Bakers (L to R): 
Cathy Baker Kirkley, Tip Baker, Max Baker, Philip Baker, Melissa Baker Vinson

~ Pa with the Grands ~
L to R - back row:  Brandon Kirkley, Jason Kirkley, Mike Vinson, Brett Baker, Charlie Vinson
front row:  Rochelle Baker Knighten, Tip Baker, Carole Baker, Renee' Baker Baldwin

~ Pa with Great Grands ~

L to R (back row):  Megan Mathew, Kayla Baldwin, Allie Knighten, Jared Baldwin

(front row):  Dalton Pierson, Tip Baker, Carole Baker, Matt Baldwin

(the Baldwin triplets are 18 years old now - can you believe it!)

Max Baker & daughters:  Rochelle Knighten & Renee' Baldwin
Tip & Carole


[didn't find a picture of Rochelle & Allie - Billy, Rochelle's husband, is
working in Mississippi and was unable to attend; Hope, a senior, was in a band function]

L to R:  Kayla, David, Tip, Jared, Carole, Renee' & Matt   [Baldwin]
(can you believe the Baldwin triplets are 18 years old!)

L to R:  Connie, Tip, Brett, Carole, Philip  [Baker]

(thanks to Brett for getting the ball rolling on this party and his efforts

to get Pa and Carole to and from Mississippi!)

L to R (back row):  Charlie, Nichole Daviduk (Charlie's girlfriend), Mike,
(front row):  Melissa, Tip, Carole and Carl  [Vinson]

L to R (back row):  Ed, Tiffany, Jason, Brandon, Christy,

(front row): Cathy, Tip, Carole, Megan, Dalton [Kirkley]

Tip & Carole with neices and nephew:

Jan Davis Cole (seated), Lori Cole, Charles Davis, Lynda Carroll Hyde

Here's the group!

And, here's some candids to finish the day...

Three CRNA's:  Lori Cole, her mother, Jan Cole, and Nichole Daviduk (Charlie's girlfriend)

(for those who do not know, that's a registered nurse anethetist!)

Pa during a "Tango" video chat with great grandson, Theo,

our Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, who just had to call and wish

Pa a Happy Birthday!

Blowing out the candles...

also enjoyed some sour cream pound cake (his fav), and banana pudding!

Opening presents - he racked up:  cash, lots of gift cards from various stores,

framed family picture from Rochelle & framed picture of Dad's family - his parents,

brothers and sisters, and.....

...his favorite, a custom ALABAMA football jersey with "90" and "Baker"

across the back!  (Great job, Brett!)



What a great day and visit with our dear ole dad, Tip Baker!!

He received a basket full of cards from friends and family, and was

overwhelmed with the love and attention he received!

On Sunday, the weekend was topped off by Dad getting to worship at his former congregation in Montgomery - Dalraida Church of Christ - Brett, Carl and I went with Dad and Carole and he so enjoyed getting to see his old friends there!

We love you, Daddy!  Blessings for many more years to come!