I just want you all to know that I do have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This past month has been stressful in many ways, but challenging my testimony is not one of them. Well.....that isn't exactly true. I want to know something. How can a loving God in Heaven give to women, mothers, daughters of God, HOT FLASHES ?????? This has challenged my testimony. Yes, I know you are ALL too young to understand the complications of such a seemingly innocent body function. But I ask you, have we not already sacrificed a week of our lives every month since we were at the tender age of 10? Sacrificed sanity, water gain, white jeans and swimming? I don't understand. What more can I give? Well, apparently, I can give a little more. In the middle of the night (3am to be exact), I can give up my sleep, covers and any modest pj's. Is that enough? NOOOO.....IN the middle of the day, a slow sweat drips down my back, as if I am sitting in the middle of a beach. I am not on the beach.
I LOVE the Lord, but if I ever get the chance, unexpected hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and hair growing in all the WRONG places!!!! I will make a change or two.
This isn't over yet.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sometimes . . . . .
Sometimes we have to do really hard things in our life. Things that we don't choose to do, but things that we know are the right thing to do. Or we are prompted to do. Life is not always easy. Sometimes we just have to do hard things because no one else can do them. Not because they don't want to, but because they are paralized and can't do them. Last weekend was one of those times.
I gave the eulogy for my little niece on Saturday. I have no idea how many people were there. (Lots). I got really nervous as we were driving to the church. It was one of those things that no one wants to do. I felt compelled to speak for the family. (And I was asked by my brother-in-law).
I am grateful that I have had a lifetime of service in the church, teaching and speaking, that I wasn't paralized, that I could express the love Maddy had for life, and her family. It was the most difficult speech I have ever given, I cryed, but got through it.
Most importantly, the family was appreciative. They knew I spoke for them, through them to everyone else who was there grieving.
Prayer made it possible. Prayer is beautiful.
I gave the eulogy for my little niece on Saturday. I have no idea how many people were there. (Lots). I got really nervous as we were driving to the church. It was one of those things that no one wants to do. I felt compelled to speak for the family. (And I was asked by my brother-in-law).
I am grateful that I have had a lifetime of service in the church, teaching and speaking, that I wasn't paralized, that I could express the love Maddy had for life, and her family. It was the most difficult speech I have ever given, I cryed, but got through it.
Most importantly, the family was appreciative. They knew I spoke for them, through them to everyone else who was there grieving.
Prayer made it possible. Prayer is beautiful.
Friday, May 16, 2008
The circle of life - - - -
The circle of Life - or- 2 funerals and a wedding.
My (Bari's) niece died this morning. She was 9 years old. She had Cerebral Palsy. The last couple of days of her life were spent with loving members of her family holding court at her bedside at Children's Hospital. We have spent the last couple of days also with the family. Some of the family are holding up pretty well. It is a difficult time burying a child. The grandparents are not coping well with the loss. It seems that those who have some faith, even a little bit of faith, are dealing with grief much better than those who do not. Maddie really did change those around her. She had a marvelous life. She saw and did many things for such a young girl. I think she was tired of missing out on all the dancing at the weddings she has gone to. We love you Maddie - - - dance on!!!!
Maddie's funeral is Saturday at noon. Bari and I are photographing a wedding at 3. It is a contract for another photographer, and we can't get out of it. It will be difficult, but we'll manage.
There is another funeral on Monday, in Chattanooga, for Bari's Step-Mom's father. Bari's dad (also Bari), and step-mom Linda were on the way here on Tuesday, they got as far as Knoxville when they got the call that Linda's dad died. Bari and Linda went back to Chattanooga, made funeral arrangements and Bari drove back up here. Linda and other TN relatives will be driving up tomorrow for the funeral Saturday. I guess it will be a caravan back down on Sunday morning. Bari and I (my Bari) will also be driving down on Sunday and returning on Monday after the funeral.
Throw in Dance photos, Seminary graduation, scout camp outs, birthdays, modeling shoot, wedding rehersal meeting, and regular work stuff and it could possibly be even crazier than normal. And our normal is pretty crazy.
My (Bari's) niece died this morning. She was 9 years old. She had Cerebral Palsy. The last couple of days of her life were spent with loving members of her family holding court at her bedside at Children's Hospital. We have spent the last couple of days also with the family. Some of the family are holding up pretty well. It is a difficult time burying a child. The grandparents are not coping well with the loss. It seems that those who have some faith, even a little bit of faith, are dealing with grief much better than those who do not. Maddie really did change those around her. She had a marvelous life. She saw and did many things for such a young girl. I think she was tired of missing out on all the dancing at the weddings she has gone to. We love you Maddie - - - dance on!!!!
Maddie's funeral is Saturday at noon. Bari and I are photographing a wedding at 3. It is a contract for another photographer, and we can't get out of it. It will be difficult, but we'll manage.
There is another funeral on Monday, in Chattanooga, for Bari's Step-Mom's father. Bari's dad (also Bari), and step-mom Linda were on the way here on Tuesday, they got as far as Knoxville when they got the call that Linda's dad died. Bari and Linda went back to Chattanooga, made funeral arrangements and Bari drove back up here. Linda and other TN relatives will be driving up tomorrow for the funeral Saturday. I guess it will be a caravan back down on Sunday morning. Bari and I (my Bari) will also be driving down on Sunday and returning on Monday after the funeral.
Throw in Dance photos, Seminary graduation, scout camp outs, birthdays, modeling shoot, wedding rehersal meeting, and regular work stuff and it could possibly be even crazier than normal. And our normal is pretty crazy.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Only have a minute- - -
I only have a minute or 2 before everyone gets home from school and the weekend begins.
The Wedding. So sorry I'm inept at the computer. The wedding pics are BIG and I mean B-I-G files and I don't know how to make them smaller. When Bari gets time to teach me, or just does it for me (!), I'll post all the beautiful portraits of the bride. The wedding was beautiful. The day was spectacular. Everyone behaved themselves. It was a nice, pretty, low-key, conservative, Prodestant wedding. The cake was really good. I questioned their choice of Carrot Cake, but it was delectable. They had a chocolate fountain that was a hit. I never got over to it, but the guests who did seemed to enjoy it. It took me until about Wednesday before I felt recovered.
On to the rest of the family. A week ago Sam's Cubs put on a magic show. It was really cute. I have to admit that I really don't like going to events where I don't know too many people (sometimes even places I do know most everyone there-) anyway. I wasn't looking forward to it, but wanted to support Sammy and the Cubs. I was so glad I did. It was sooooo cute. Each boy stood up and presented a trick he had learned. I can't even describe how fun it was. The boys were a hoot. I have to put in a big THANK YOU and HUGS to the Sisters who run our Cub program. They are terrific. Sammy really loves to go.
Madeline has a dance competition this weekend, Saturday and Sunday. Yes. Mothers Day. That's ok, I'm a low maintenence mom. I just want someone else to do all the cooking on that day. This is the closest competition to home, so if anyone is looking for cheap entertainment, it's free. It would probably be a bit boring, too. Anyway. That is what is coming up.
You have all noticed that I have (finally) figured out how to add a pic to my blog title, but now I need to learn how to make it SMALLER ! Again, the file is probably huge!
Work is pretty good. While I was out on Wedding-Leave, one of my favorite Bengal's players dropped off more things for me to frame for him. That was kind of a bummer because he is such a cutie, 390lbs, 6'6''- just one big Teddy Bear! He picked up his stuff Wednesday and I wasn't there Again! I still have another jersey to frame for him, so I'll get another chance in a week or so to see him. I am also framing 2 shadowboxes full of stuff for Marvin Lewis. They are all full of football and lacrosse items of his son Marcus. Marcus is graduating this year. They want them for the graduation parties. Oh, and the week before the wedding I framed up a really nice piece for Shayne Graham (the kicker for the Bengals) as a gift for his mother. It was really sweet.
Enough of that- -- I need to start to check on all of the dance stuff for this weekend !!!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!! to all the Great women I know -
The Wedding. So sorry I'm inept at the computer. The wedding pics are BIG and I mean B-I-G files and I don't know how to make them smaller. When Bari gets time to teach me, or just does it for me (!), I'll post all the beautiful portraits of the bride. The wedding was beautiful. The day was spectacular. Everyone behaved themselves. It was a nice, pretty, low-key, conservative, Prodestant wedding. The cake was really good. I questioned their choice of Carrot Cake, but it was delectable. They had a chocolate fountain that was a hit. I never got over to it, but the guests who did seemed to enjoy it. It took me until about Wednesday before I felt recovered.
On to the rest of the family. A week ago Sam's Cubs put on a magic show. It was really cute. I have to admit that I really don't like going to events where I don't know too many people (sometimes even places I do know most everyone there-) anyway. I wasn't looking forward to it, but wanted to support Sammy and the Cubs. I was so glad I did. It was sooooo cute. Each boy stood up and presented a trick he had learned. I can't even describe how fun it was. The boys were a hoot. I have to put in a big THANK YOU and HUGS to the Sisters who run our Cub program. They are terrific. Sammy really loves to go.
Madeline has a dance competition this weekend, Saturday and Sunday. Yes. Mothers Day. That's ok, I'm a low maintenence mom. I just want someone else to do all the cooking on that day. This is the closest competition to home, so if anyone is looking for cheap entertainment, it's free. It would probably be a bit boring, too. Anyway. That is what is coming up.
You have all noticed that I have (finally) figured out how to add a pic to my blog title, but now I need to learn how to make it SMALLER ! Again, the file is probably huge!
Work is pretty good. While I was out on Wedding-Leave, one of my favorite Bengal's players dropped off more things for me to frame for him. That was kind of a bummer because he is such a cutie, 390lbs, 6'6''- just one big Teddy Bear! He picked up his stuff Wednesday and I wasn't there Again! I still have another jersey to frame for him, so I'll get another chance in a week or so to see him. I am also framing 2 shadowboxes full of stuff for Marvin Lewis. They are all full of football and lacrosse items of his son Marcus. Marcus is graduating this year. They want them for the graduation parties. Oh, and the week before the wedding I framed up a really nice piece for Shayne Graham (the kicker for the Bengals) as a gift for his mother. It was really sweet.
Enough of that- -- I need to start to check on all of the dance stuff for this weekend !!!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!! to all the Great women I know -
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