I am back!

July 29, 2010 was one of the best days of my life. Receiving a telephone call from son-in-law Joel that our first grandchild had been born. Michelle and Noah were well... Noah Ezra Brown... what a wonderful name! Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? A healthy 10lb 11oz 23"L, healthy baby boy...

I started packing my overnight bag, 'cause we were going to be heading out to see Noah... and this mom wanted to make sure that her daughter was okay as well... knowing a bit of what she had to go through for Noah to arrive.

Oh, what a joy to see her, and to see the miracle of life laying in her arms. My daughter was now a mother, that is totally awesome!

To hold Noah for the first time brought memories flooding back of the first time I held our girls, and as I write this I am starting to tear up... miracles of life!



Hard to believe that a whole year has gone by, and my "little man" has celebrated his 1st birthday. Where has the time gone?

I am still in awe of this miracle of life. Loving every minute of being a Grammie. What a joy it is!

Happy first year "little man"! And happy first year of parenthood Michelle and Joel! What great parents you are... so proud of you!

What am I doing here?

WOW!!! I haven't been here in so long... why I am now is a mystery to me... I must have something to write... *shrugging shoulders*. I do? Hmmmm.......

I think I will return later, when I get my thoughts in order....

Heart Transplant

Last night in the "Outback" Bible study, there was an excerpt written by Barbara Johnson that read; "Belonging to Jesus Christ means that you've been given a heart transplant. With a new heart, He gives the power to be joyful, exuberant, and thankful. Eternal values replace temporary ones."
In today's devotional reading "Scripture compares our conversion experience to receiving a heart transplant" and references Ezekiel 36:26 which reads; "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
I have accepted this life-changing grace, that only comes from God. I thank Him daily for being patient with me, for never giving up on me. Without Him I am nothing. God freely offers His unconditional love, and I have been blessed beyond measure because of it.
My hope is that you will accept this miracle of grace, too.

Alone......................?

I have not been on here in like, forever!!! And I'm not exactly sure why I am on here now. I think it has something to do with me being lonely. I have M&E here with me today, but it just isn't the same as having my family here. There has been a lot of stuff happen in the last month, good and not so good. Nothing that God can't handle for sure, but it seems that when things are going really good, a monkey wrench gets thrown in and messes up the gears of the forward motion. It either comes to a grinding halt or is going very slowly. I know that these are the times to lean on Him, and petition Him for His wisdom and help, and that is what I will be doing. Waiting on Him. So, for now. Our plans for the weekend have changed big time. We were going to the Family Camping weekend in Mechanic Falls, ME with our CBC church family. Melissa was coming up to join us. We are not going to be able to go now, at least for the whole weekend. David's truck needs to be fixed this weekend, and will be quite a project....a good couple of days. We will need the money that we would have spent on the weekend to put towards the truck repairs. UGH!!!! I have talked with Melissa and she will still be coming up, but we will only be spending a day at McFalls.....probably Sunday so that we can be there for the baptism in the afternoon. A very huge part of family life. It isn't a total washout, but our plans are not always His plans. I am working on my patience and perseverance....I am totally exhausted. Michelle and Joel have been going through a tough spell for a few weeks, and Melissa has left the nest for college, and all of that weighs heavy on a mothers heart. I praise God that He has them in the palm of His hand, and has plans for each of them, and that they all love Him, and serve Him. I am truly blessed. So, I have rambled on long enough. I need to go and talk with my Father. He always makes me feel better.

Advise...?!

Yesterday at the bridal shower for Shara we were all handed a small card to offer some "advise" to Shara for her new life to come. This word really got me thinking and wondering what "advise" I could give to someone. I could find all kinds of scripture verses or I could give some "deep" intuitive mumbo jumbo, but that is not really who I am. I don't like giving "advise", I think it is because I stumble with it. If I give "advise" and don't live it, then I feel like a hypocrite. If I can't live it myself, I don't think I should offer it to someone else, I mean I don't want them to see my failure(s). Well, I got over the mindboggling feeling of being inadequate to give "advise", and wrote something, not sure what it was exactly but the card ended up being really small, but it was from the heart. It was something I put into practice daily, not always an easy thing to do, but something that is God honoring when done.

So, the only "advise" I can give is think about what is pleasing to God, then do it.

Emotional........

It's one of those days! I know I am exhausted, so I'm sure that has something to do with all the emotional stuff, but WOW!!!! I am realizing that come the end of August we will have no "children" at home. Hmpf!!!!! that really stinks! The nest will be empty.

I am really proud of both of them, but they will be gone. They have grown up, and are moving on. Melissa will be home occasionally for weekends and maybe breaks, but there will be two vacant rooms for most of the time. Michelle and Joel aren't able to come back much as they are both working full time and it's hard to get time off other than holidays and special occasions. And I can tell you right now that there aren't enough of either of those as far as I'm concerned.

I knew this day was coming, but it has certainly been coming faster than I had thought it would or, for that matter, hoped it would. Oh well, life goes on.

Aaaaahhhhh......Spring, and New Life

I just love Spring. All the signs of new life. The new leaves coming out on the trees and new grass poking up through the turf, flowers budding and coming into full bloom. Absolutely beautiful! The fruit tree buds turning into blossoms and the smell of the new apple blossoms. Oh, spring is such a wonderful time of year.

It brings me back to May 12, 1987 when I experienced new life in Christ. What a great night that was! I went from being dormant for 32 years, to being made alive in Christ. For the past nearly 21 years I have experienced new growth, the pain of being "pruned" and "cut back", but most of all the love of the Creator to guide me through it all.

I am so grateful to God for loving me that much. That He had a plan for me and waited patiently for me. I can't imagine life without Him. Thank you, God!