the beach

We have just returned from our BIG Pitts beach trip. To say we are tired and worn out, would be an understatement! The ocean just about beat me to death! It will take me a few days to recover.

We missed Kathy. There were times when I was swinging in my hammock that I felt like my heart was going to break all over again. MeMaw made a very wise comment, though, …she said that we could not put everything on hold from now on…because we will never all be together again…that we were going to have to enjoy who we have with us and what we are doing. and, as usual, she is right! Joy, Blake, and Morgan could not come this year, but when we can be all together again, we will always be missing Kathy.

We did however, make some new memories. Bananagram was the game of the year…Deb found that one for us…we must have played at least a thousand rounds. The “snake of death” became the “flower of fear”…that’s just several inner-tubes taped together with duct tape…after riding the thing on some waves you feel like you’ve been in a major car accident. The little kids really enjoyed playing in the ocean this year. They were fearless, even when riding the “flower.” It was fun to watch the next door neighbors lob our kids with water balloons (using water balloon sling shots).

I don’t know if we will ever return to the beach, but I do know that we have some wonderful memories from the four years we have gone. At the end of the day, relationships that were built and memories that were made are really all you have anyway.

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100 years

Today, we celebrate the 100th birthday of Mrs. Virdie Drinkard, a very dear friend. We will have a celebration, at church, this afternoon. She wanted to have homemade ice cream and watermelon for refreshments.

Can you imagine all the living that would go into 100 years?! Think of all the changes in communication, travel, and…well…everything! Think of what one-hundred years would do to your body…your mind. Think of what all that living would do to your faith… your perspective…your insights.

Mrs. Drinkard has always been one of the most joyful people I have ever known. She is always glad to see you…always has a hug and kind words…and her laugh is contagious. She has lived about twice as long as I, and she has always seemed to have twice as much energy, too. She is a person I will never forget …one who made her little place in the world brighter, happier, more beautiful.

Happy birthday, Mrs. Drinkard. Thank you for the grace you have shown us through a life of love for God and for others. Thank you for a life well lived.

I love you,
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in memoriam

In memoriam of Kathy Hiebert,
August 27, 1963-July 3, 2008

“They are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind.
For in those whom they have blessed, they live life again.
And they shall live through the years, each day more beautiful.
As time declares their good, forgets the rest,
and proves their immortality.”

indescribable

Deb told me about Louie Giglio’s “Indescribable” message that is on UTube. Wow! I’ve always loved watching the stars and planets in the night and early morning skies, and this message reinforced my sense of wonder. All I can say is: “How great is our God! He created it all, and he holds it all in his hands.”
These are some of Giglio’s words:

“Maybe you are looking at a huge mountain. Maybe it’s the mountain of depression, or divorce, or abandon(ment), or loneliness, or (maybe) you have been wrongly accused and served a huge injustice. It could be cancer, or bankruptcy, or the darkness of death it’s self…but I say to you: there is nothing that this world can throw at you that can shake you out of the hand of God who is holding the entire universe in his very palm tonight and holding you. And his grace is big enough, and strong enough to hold on to you through it all, and to bring you through it all, and to bring you to the very end of it all still loving him and rejoicing in his goodness even in the darkness. You can trust him. We haven’t seen everything of God in our lives, but we have seen enough to trust him fully for the rest of our days.’

Psalm 33 says it like this:
“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth. (he is a star-breathing God)

From heaven LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- he who forms the hearts of all, (and is intimately acquainted with) everything they do.

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.”

Thank you, Lord, for keeping us alive in this famine,
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