The following words are from our grand daughters heart and they tell the story more completely that I ever could.

“Throughout the last month, I have been recognizing the image of God in both my boys and seeing His goodness and His glory shine through our story. The Lord perfectly orchestrated his plan for us to bring X into our home. Then after years of infertility, we NATURALLY conceived Bear after devastating losses. Nothing has humbled me and brought me closer to Him like motherhood“

Monday’s Music Moves Me

This week the theme at 4M is songs inspired by fiction or non-fiction people. I will pick non-fiction. The truth is, every song in a hymn book is inspired by a non fiction person. Every song on Christian radio is inspired by a non-fiction person. Every poem in the book of Psalms is inspired by a non-fiction God!

Recently I looked at several of the names for God. There is Father, Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Son of Man, Alpha & Omega, Beginning & End, but I think my favorite is Father of lights. James 1:14 tells us that every good and perfect comes from the Father of lights and the images above give perfect testimony to that truth. He places the breath of life in us and instructs His children that we are the light of the world and we should let our light shine in such a manner that others can see the Father of lights in us. The Father of lights is all over the photos above and I am ever thankful that He continues to shine in our family. May the Father of Light illuminate your life. Have a blessed week.

Blonde Cocker for the Win!

1971 Datsun 240Z

My ride from 1972 -1982

The year was 1973. We were headed to my company’s Christmas party. We had been dating since may and gotten engaged in October. What all started on a city bus will soon be 50 years of marriage. May 11 will mark our golden wedding anniversary and plans are under way for the celebration. It’s been AWW….SOME!!!

We were living in Tulsa, Oklahoma and my wife lived in an apartment complex one block away from my apartment complex. I rode the bus to work downtown. One day she got on the bus downtown to ride home from work and there was standing room only. I gave her my seat and she began riding on a regular basis. My wife is a very outgoing soul so it wasn’t long before we were chatting on the route home. Eventually I asked her on a date, she accepted and the rest is history. 

Our first date was in May, I bought the engagement ring in August and made it official in October. We got married in May, left for college in December, I graduated three years later and life has been very good to us. 

I was driving this 1971 Datsun 240Z when we met and drove it until our daughter was two years old. It is still my all time favorite car. A couple days before our wedding I put three coats of wax on it and we took it for a drive in the country around her parents home. Yes, my wife can drive a 4-speed!

Christmas 1975 we were home from college. Sandra was probably two or three months pregnant but I doubt if we were aware of our situation. Our daugher was born seven months later in June 1976.

Here is the day mother and daughter came home from the hospital. As you can tell, I have always had a camera in my hand, which was not always a welcome sight but it has recorded some life’s most precious moments.

Here is almost the whole crew this past Christmas. The oldest grand daughter, her husband and the older great-grandson are missing because she was busy bringing the newest great-grandson into the family. Like I said, God has been very good to our family and we thank Him every day for His blessings.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

So what were the favorite songs of 1973 = 74? Here ya go.

Aww Monday, The Sweetest Gift

Christmas 2023 arrived early as our new great-grandson was born December 17th. He arrived a couple of weeks early so he is a little fellow, measuring sixteen inches long and weighing in at 4lbs, 2oz. He spent a few days in NICU to ensure everything was working properly and came home December 22. Last Thursday, Nana and I made the three hour drive to Little Rock to welcome Barrett to the family. Indeed, life is the sweetest gift and God wraps His gift in the most beautiful packages.

Nana and Papa think he is perfect.

Looking at this infant we are reminded that, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with who there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) Thank you Lord for this perfect gift and the promise that you hold the future.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The theme this week at 4M is the new year. Select Songs relating to the new year goodbye/hello and old/new. Well we have just traveled three hours each way, in a single day, to welcome our new great-grandson to the family. One day we hope to welcome him to God’s family. It might sound something like this.

Proverbs, the book of sound advice, tells us to train our children when they are young and teach them right from wrong, good from bad, and what is pleasing to God. Raising children is hard work but the results are more than worth the effort. The goal is to teach them to see the world through the eyes of the Creator, find joy in pleasing their heavenly Father, and rest in the peace that only God can give, regardless of the life situation we find ourselves. Have a blessed week.

Family Album 2023

Not every image makes the family album

An so we have come to the end of 2023 Christmas Music Marathon. The time always seems to pass so quickly. I hope you found some joy, a little peace from the business of the season, and a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. May you and yours have the merriest Christmas ever and may the spirit of Christmas reign in your heart and home throughout the year. God bless to one and all.

All Things Made New

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who over

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Revelation 21:1–7.

Christ is Born

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Angels Announce Jesus to the Shepherds

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14      “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Lk 2:1–14.