The Circle of Life

The year 2012 has already been one of ups and downs, extreme happiness and overwhelming sorrow.  Our oldest son and his new bride moved over 900 miles away, and our youngest son has become an assistant manager at his job. We are so proud of both of them and the direction their lives are taking.

We have had a slew of new babies born in recent months, filling our church with precious sounds and the knowledge that we will continue into the next generation.  New families, new babies, new members joining our body...God is blessing us. 

We're not without other issues - no church is - but we pray for those who may be affected by some not so pleasant and sometimes hurtful actions of others...God will handle this.

We have also suffered much loss in this same time period. 

Robin Skipper Harned



Annie Ruth Jacobsen



Marilyn Kelley

These three ladies were special...to their family and friends and to our church body.  Robin struggled with multiple bouts of cancer and she was so in love with her husband, daughters and precious grandchildren to be taken so young.  She had not been an active part of this church for many years, but God knew her heart and life.

Annie Ruth was an integral part of this church family "forever" it seems.  She was a spunky, 93 year old matriarch, 4 ft. something in heels, mother of 8 children and countless grandchildren, great grandchildren and hosts of other family members and great friends.  She was a servant, a giver, a friend, a mentor, and a precious child of God, always ready to give advice and encouragement to anyone she came in contact with.  We will miss her greatly...but she also had her family promise to carry on her legacy of giving and encouraging.

Marilyn Kelley passed away only yesterday, February 20.  Mrs. Marilyn was a classy, quiet lady, always ready with a smile and hug.  She was a mother of four, grandmother, aunt and friend.  Mrs. Marilyn's husband, Max, was taken much too early, over 30 years ago, and I don't think she ever truly got over this loss.  She is now with Max again, but her family and friends will miss her everyday presence.

Another friend of our church also passed away on Saturday (Feb. 18)...Don Kemp was a big presence - in size, in voice, in humor and in his love of God, Jesus and His church.  He and his wife, Rita, served in churches all over the South and he was a true soul-winner, a believer in spreading the Gospel.  He will be missed by all who loved and knew him.

The Circle of Life...we're born, we live, we die.  Sounds rather blunt, but that is all part of God's plan.  It's what we do in the living that determines the rest.  May we all live to serve God and others and to be a friend to those around us.  We never know when the end of this circle will come...

Continue to keep these families in your prayers...everyone grieves in their own way and time.  We must be there with love and support, and share in the memories.

There's Cold...then there's cold!

Well, our children are now living in Pennsylvania!  When we thought it was cold at 38 degrees the other day, they said we knew nothing of cold...it was 12 degrees there and several inches of snow on the ground!  Mike flew home after helping Charlie & Nichole move and it was warm to him when he stepped out of the airport...and it was 41 degrees!  So, there are degrees of cold now, which we will learn more of soon enough!  Dress warmly children!

Then there's another cold...in your head, stuffy nose, sinus pain and overall yucky feeling!  That's what I developed this weekend while going through my mother-in-law's home in Alabama...this too shall pass, but it just seems to be taking it's sweet time in leaving me!

And, we have babies being born - two boys born to children of good friends of ours...children we have known since they were 3 or 4 years old!  Now having children of their own...ugh!  But, I refuse to be considered old - that's only in the mind's eye...Congratulations to Robert & Angela and to Raymond & Tracy - both had girls first and now both had boys - how cool is that?!

Blessings to everyone and prayers going up to friends about to have tests run tomorrow and others in Hospice care...the circle of life just keeps going...may God hold you all in the palm of His hand!

Brunch, Anyone?!

Last Saturday several ladies from church swarmed the beautiful home of Harriet Sespico as we enjoyed a lovely brunch celebrating the pending arrival of Grayson Rose.  Her precious momma, Maggie, had a great time surrounded by family and friends past and present in her life.  Unfortunately, I was not able to stay and these are the only pictures I took, but you can see Maggie and Jeremy were blessed with lots of goodies to have ready when Grayson arrives!

Though unable to be present for all the festivities (otherwise occupied with our kiddos packing for Pittsburgh), I did help provide offerings toward the goodies. I've received many requests for the recipe, so I've included my Brunch Casserole below...enjoy! 

Brunch Casserole

mix together and pour into a greased (Pam) 9 x 13 casserole dish (can be smaller):

2 C. Bisquick

2 eggs

3/4 C. milk

brown together -- I do this step first so the meat can drain well:

1 1/2 lb. sausage

1 small onion, diced (optional if you don't like onions)

Drain well on paper towels and sprinkle on top of first layer.

topping:

2 C. sour cream

1 egg

1/2 t. salt

Mix well and spoon on top, then smooth out like icing.

Can be refrigerated overnight and cooked the next morning...350 degrees for 25-35 minutes.  Top mixture will have a slightly cracked look in places and if using a glass dish, you're able to see the sides and bottom brown.

Yummie!  Serve with fruit and juice/coffee and you've got yourself a full, hearty breakfast or brunch!

                           



It's Snowing!

They've made it!

Charlie, Nichole and Mike made it to their destination early Tuesday afternoon - safe and tired, and did I mention, safe! (thanks to those who offered prayers for their journey)  Unable to get into the apartment yesterday, they spent the night in a motel again and awaited the morning.

A few brief texts have been exchanged this morning from our children so far away...but, I am forever grateful for this technology to keep us connected.  "...just getting up, getting coffee, start moving in around 9..."  "...it's supposed to snow 1 inch between 9am and 8pm today..."   "it's snowing"

My reply to the last one (I'm proud of myself):  "...save a moment to make some snow angels and laugh...really belly laugh...it will be good for the soul!..."   I figured with all the stress and anxiety over the last several months, they could use a good, hearty laugh!  Hope they all do that very thing!

"Remember, our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory

that will be revealed in us."   Romans 8:18

"When you come to the end of your strength,

remember the name of the Lord is a strong tower,

the righteous run to it and are safe."   Proverbs 18:10



And They're Off...Let the Adventures Begin

Believe me, it's no cliche to hear that you never know how your parents feel until you're going through it with your own children!  Today, Carl and I learned exactly how our folks felt when we left Montgomery and moved to Tallahassee 27 years ago! 



Driving off at 7:35 a.m.

 We all did fairly well, though all of us shed some tears...we were glad Mike was able to get off and go with them to help unload to their 3rd floor apartment.  They will try to get as far as Charlotte tonight before stopping, then head on up the road Tuesday.

Keep Charlie & Nichole in your prayers as they begin this new adventure in their lives.  Lots of changes coming up, but we know God will guide their lives and hearts and we pray He will help them with any decisions yet to be made.

We love you two and look forward to our visit this summer!

See Ya Later, Tater!

What a mad rush these last few weeks have been.  Charlie & Nichole have been trying to get around and see friends and family before they head North.  Last Thursday, we were able to get by to see his MawMaw and took one fuzzy (sorry) picture of the three generations:


Carl, Mrs. Vinson, Charlie



On Sunday, we had lunch with Nichole's parents, David & Jeannette Daviduk, her best friend Jan, and Jan's parents, Gary & Debbie Oberschlake (both families have known them for a couple of decades).  The parting after a great brunch at Cabos was also bittersweet...Nichole's parents were heading back to Pensacola.  Fortunately, they will be going to see "the kids" in about a month, so that's great!



Great family, great friends, great food...we won't say goodbye, just "see ya later, tater"! 

Think they'll get use to the "yankee" accents?  And, hope Charlie's ready to be poked for his "southern" accent...Nichole is originally from Ohio, so her accent isn't so pronounced.  We just want them to finally be able to set down some roots, establish their home and enjoy being newlyweds after such a whirlwind couple of months.  Enjoy the journey sweet ones...

   “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.

        You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

           You're on your own. And you know what you know.                

              And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”   
                                             

                                                                       Oh, the Places You'll Go...Dr. Suess

God bless you along the way~