Katie

What a year this past one has been for you!!! Moving into a new home...adjusting...well I might add...to motherhood with Journie...and welcoming baby bear into the mix!

I was watching the kiddos all play together today...using their imaginations...saying silly things...kissing their friends goodbye...such a sweet time for this Grammy...

I wish I had appreciated those times with you guys when I was younger...but you know...you get busy with life...and you forget to just enjoy...

If I could pass on any words of wisdom to you (and your siblings) it would be to sit back and enjoy...soak it up...cause you will blink...and wow your baby will be...the age you are today!!!!

I'm so thankful for the person you are! Thanks for all the times you checked on me this year...given me advice...and just encouraged me!

I love you!!! Now tonight...slow down...enjoy...and soak up your time with your sweet family...

love~mama

More Sweet Memories...

I was thinking again of those sweet memories with my kids...and a phone call I received from Sis...one that absolutely blew my mind...we had a certain issue that we, Scott and I...me more than Scott, for several years...Scott kept saying we needed to let her come to terms with it or she might always blame us...always wondering...

...and then...out of no where, she called us from college...yes...college...and told us she had decided to step away from the issue...she said she couldn't say it would be forever because she wasn't stepping away because she stopped caring...she went on to tell us that she stepped away because it was her every waking thought...first thing in the morning and the last thing at night...she said until she could get her focus on the Lord then she had to step away from the issue...and she did...it was long and it was hard for her but she made it...

I know we all have issues...maybe it's a dream or a job or a person or finding our whatever....but the truth is...even when we find our place or person...until God has our whole heart and attention...nothing else will complete us or satisfy us...

This memory is  a favorite for this mom because of the growth I witnessed during this time in her life...finding her satisfaction in the Lord...becoming her own person in Christ...my prayer not only for her but for all my kids...and grands...

Love you Sis

Sweet Memories

Lately I've had a pretty big fear of losing my memories...and during this time God has been reminding me of some of those sweet times I've not thought of for some time...

I will be sharing some of them in the coming months...but a few short ones...

When Heather was about to leave for her Jr. Prom...Katie was being silly and she spilled an ENTIRE glass of sweet tea all over Heather's dress...to which...that was one of the times Heather made me so proud...she never raised her voice to her little sister...Katie was immediately crying...she didn't mean to spill it and she knew it was a very big deal that she had potentially messed up...Heather kept telling her it was all going to be okay...not many 17 year old's that would do that...her dress was padded clean with damp towels...the night was saved and I was taught a lesson on being loving and forgiving...

But I've been thinking of a memory a lot the past few days...it was about 20 years ago...our oldest daughter was working in our local "grocery" store...they also made sandwiches...she had worked there long enough that she was able to work on Saturdays alone...so she calls me from work on day when she was working the store alone and she was almost hysterical! As a parent you can only imagine the things there were going through my mind...she couldn't really even talk...all she could really get out was mom I need you...please come...please hurry...while I'm still trying to get an answer from her...and again she can only get out please I need you to get here...so I ran out the door and drove way to fast the 3 miles to her...when I got there all she could really get out to me was...I'm lost and I need Jesus...will you pray with me...I know that all sounds so dramatic but it is how it happened...and I would go through it all over again...she was desperate for Jesus at that point...and what an honor to be there with her when she prayed and received her salvation...that is a dramatic thing in our lives...it is the moment we are forever changed...20 years later I get to watch her...as well as Heather, Michael and Katie how...praying for that salvation in their own children's lives...as Scott and I join them praying for our Grandchildren...

I can't thank Jesus enough for this gift...

My kiddos will laugh (probably out loud) at this but,...precious memories...how they linger...how they ever flood my soul...
  

Sunday's Coming

today is good Friday...I woke up this morning with that being my first waking thought...thank You Lord...without the cross we don't have the glorious resurrection morning!

This year things are so different in my heart...It is difficult to stand and watch someone disappear before your eyes...while they are still there in front of you...but not there...does that make sense...their body is there...but they lose a little more of themselves each day...

All of the sudden things that mattered before...or things that hurt before...seem to fade...the saddest part of this experience is...really...I never knew this person anyway...and now I want to so desperately and that time is slipping away and there is nothing I can do about it...

...my greatest fear...the message of the Gospel will not be able to penetrate the illness...and then the Holy Spirit gently reminds me there are NO barriers for God...as long as there is breath there is hope...

I'm thought of that saying...It's Friday...but Sunday's coming...all day today...but this evening it hit me...that can be the truth of our lives right now...our struggle...whatever that is...we all walk through our "friday's" but we must remember...those of us in Christ..."Sunday's" coming!!!

So on those days that the struggle is harder than others...remind yourself...Sunday's coming...

Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day for this person...a hard goodbye to a life of memories...of proof of a hard working person...of a gifted shade tree mechanic, wood crafter and a lover of some good ole bluegrass...my prayer though...is for this person to learn Sunday's coming...

I don't mean to mock the resurrection of our Lord...not at all...that is the point...the hope...the peace that surpasses all understanding...the strength...

So as we come to the end of Friday...and what it represents...a still, cold, lost, afraid, feeling deserted world...it's just for a while...cause Sunday's coming and the world would be shaken to the core because of the risen Savior...

Happy Resurrection Day...thank you Jesus...

Heather

Another birthday in our family today! Heather turns another year older...If I'm learning anything this year it is to appreciate those in my family more and more...each of us...bring our own personal dynamic to our family to make us...well US....

Heather came in quickly and quietly...she was by far the best as a baby...we like to tease her about the days as she got older but in retrospect I think we had it pretty easy with her most of time...(unless her brother and youngest sister were teasing her)...she has and continues to bring me great joy in my life...through the growth I've had the honor of watching over the last several years...through her passion for  others to know Jesus...through the twins she gave us...and through our friendship...

In just a few weeks I get to spend a few days away with my girls...there is just about nothing I love more than those times we have together...to love each other, encourage one another, prayer for one another...it's just good...

So this year...for Heather is a special because she will be moving into her BRAND NEW HOUSE soon...I'm so excited for them to not only have a new home but for them to also use it for the kingdom!!!!

I love you Heather Michelle...

Happy Birthday

Love,
MOM

Life Together

Today marks another milestone in our lives...this past year we have witnessed our sweet youngest grands turn 1, our oldest turned 13, twins are offically double digits, cams is 9 and we are right on top of Landon's next birthday and Laney...well she is our Laney girl! To watch each one of them continue to grow with their very individual personalities is so fun!!! I don't know if every grandparent feels this way but I understand better now than when I was the mom with the small ones...just how fast the years go...and I'm enjoying all the milestones with each one of them...

While I'm so thankful for each one of not only the grands but our kids and our in loves that God has brought into our family...this post is about 37 years...37 years of growing up...37 years of fears...failures...successes! 37 years of getting to know one another better...37 years of laughter and tears...of growing in Jesus together...of raising a family we are so very thankful for and proud of...37 years of getting older...of aches and pains...of becoming grandparents together...of serving the Lord together...of traveling to our second home (India) together...of learning to communicate better together...of learning the importance of praying together...37 years of life...37 years of losses and leaning on one another...37 years of marriage...

I cannot say that our marriage is perfect...truth be told we still have a lot to learn still...probably...or maybe I should say I hope we are and still willing to have a teachable spirit...

But today...we say thank you Jesus we have made it this far...I have been blessed by way more than I could have ever wished for or certainly deserved...

I love you Scott...happy anniversary...here's to at least 37 more years!

~Beth

Cassie Diane...

This beautiful girl is my first born! She is the first one I had to learn with or practice on...I did a not so good of a job most of her life...Jesus helped us...and I got better...

She was always expected...to be grown up...to be the responsible one...to do the right thing...and for the most part she did...but during that time she lost a bit of her childhood a long the way...something I, as her mom, took from her...something I wish I could give back to her...but again...I can't...and Jesus provided us with a first hand...witnessed with our own eyes...merciful...miracle!!!!

That history, however, formed who she is...and bondage's in her own life she would in time learn to break free from...she learned, due to the pressure I applied...to attempt to be everything to everyone...to be what and who people expected her to be...and that is something we cannot do or be...we cannot be other's source of joy...not even our own spouses...she also learned from her mom...to stew and fret...especially if someone is not happy with her...

However, God gave her grace, salvation...Jesse Ball...who helps to balance her...to teach her it's okay to laugh...life needs the laughter too!!! God also gave her 4 precious kiddos...in turn she has learned somethings that are very important earlier that her momma did...she has learned over the years...to embrace Jesse's ability to laugh even when life is hard...she has learned to cherished those hard...looooonnnng early years with her children...she has learned to give them individual time once in a while...she has learned to understand she must please God...then her husband..you know...seek ye first the kingdom of God...and His righteousness...and all these things will be added unto you...

This last year or so, she has gone back to school for her masters...and it's been hard on her...I've heard her say more than once she doesn't think she is doing good in any area...

Well my girl...you are doing amazing!!!! You've managed to keep up your school work...your job...you family...introduced to jr high sports and activities...loved Jess well...and those kiddos...

So, your special day is here...know just how truly loved you are...know that dad and I are always your biggest fans...that Jesse still looks at you like he did in your prom dress...that was the instant I knew...he was crazy about you!!!...your kiddos know they are blessed to call you mom...heck you gave them a dog this year!!!!

Start all your days in prayer...end your day laying your head down on your pillow knowing you lived your life to the very best of your ability for HIM that day...and then you will know...no matter what...it was a good day...

I love you so very much...thank you for being you...for growing into my friend...for loving Jesus and Jess...for giving us those crazy Ball kids...

Happy birthday sweet girl...
love~mom