When we said, "I do"!

Wow! Was it really 28 years ago when we stood in the front of the church, me in a poofy, ruffled dress with lots of bows and lace (I Know...not me at all!), and you in a grey tux with tails, professing our love til the end of time in front of Friends, family and God?

What an awesome adventure it has been! The journey has been one with many twists and turns. The plans we were so sure of changed so many times, the vision for our future was not what the reality became.  Our lives have been anything but boring, and I wouldn't have changed a single thing!

For Better or Worse..............The better always wins over the worse! THere have been enough of both days to know! Thank you for always knowing when to make me laugh!

For Richer or Poorer...............Lol! Thank heaven our love for each other is not tied to the amount of money in our bank account!  Thanks for your love in "little and in much"

In sickness and in health.........In 28 years, we have seen each other through many days of health, and quite a few of sickness. What a pleasure to know you are there..always, as I will be for you...even when I won't know your name

To love and to cherish................The easiest part!  Even more so today because our love is tested and has always proven true, with each passing year, I cherish you more!

Forsaking all others................forever and ever!

Till death do us part! ................just try to get rid of me!!!!!! Forever is not long enough!

What a blessing it is to have the love of a Godly man beside me for 28 years!  May the next 28 be just as spectacular!

Happy Anniversary, Baby!


I love you...forever and ever

Running on empty

Do you ever feel that you are "running on empty'?  I often do.  There are days when it just seems that there is only so much in your tank and by 9:25 in the morning you are running on fumes?  I had one of those days today.  I just didn't see how I was gonna make it through the day.  But somehow 3:00 came just like it does everyday.  Restoration was on the way... I should have been grateful for today, for the privilege of having a job, for the blessings I have been given, but instead, I saw the negative and counted the minutes until my day was over.  I had lost precious moments to be a positive influence instead of a negative one.  I could have been joyful instead of fretful.

Lord, I need a "do-over" today.  I need to Stop, Drop (to my knees), and Roll into a better attitude! Can you tell it's Fire Safety month?

I pray that tomorrow will be a better day.  I am human, and it may not be, but these are the scriptures that I will meditate on for a "fill up":


"Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You." Psalm 25:5

"Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" Jeremiah 33:3

"Do not be afraid, Be strong and courageous, for I the Lord your God am with you wherever you go" Joshua 1:9

 May you be "filled up" my friends!

Missing you

Psalm 104:12
The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.

The term "empty nest" implies that the kids have left  and Mama and Papa bird are at the same place, just waiting for those  birds to come back home.  Well, we have left the nest too, and built one in a different tree. I know birds have an awesome sense of direction, and even the ones that don't have GPS thingies, and can find us at anytime (you always do), I also know we can go and see your nests too...but that doesn't help today.

I truly am glad that you have your own nests and are  singing in your own branches

But today.....

I miss my birds and their pretty wives and sweet baby(ies)

I know when Andy and Opie let the baby birds Winken, Blinken and Nod go, the trees looked full, but today, I would rather have a full nest!

I am glad the holidays are coming and we can see you soon.

So for now, I will get the home nest by the waters ready...because you have given me plenty to sing about!

Missing you all,
MB (Mama Bird, Mama, Mom, Nana)

Walking through

So much of what I have been reading and hearing lately has been about "Walking through" life together.  In my mind, that is the picture of what Jesus did.  How often to do we stop and think about that?  We share life with people every day..if it is through an email, a phone call, a visit, a meeting or even through facebook. We learn about their ups and downs, and their joys and sorrows.  We learn about their silly quirks and annoying habits, but we are doing something for them and they are doing something for us...we are keeping them from being alone on their journey.  We are "walking through" this portion of their lives with them.  Living life together, and sharing in their joys and pains.

Thank You, Friends, for "Walking through" so much of life with me.  May I do the same for you.

Blessings  to you from me on this cool day in Alabama...May your walk be beautiful and may you have someone to "walk through" with you!

Saturday as it should be........

Football is on Tv, the washer and dryer are going, the cars are washed, the errands are finished, it is Saturday as it should be.

A nice drive in the country this morning though some cotton fields,  and a drive by the shore tonight will make for a great day.

I get so wrapped up in all the things I need to do, haven't done or didn't do right, that I forget to slow down and  enjoy life's beautiful simple things.

I am thankful for my Mom's improvement, for my Sister's retirement, for my children doing so well, for all of the blessings God has given us.  But today I am especially thankful for the one who has shared this day with me.  Who in just a couple of short weeks will be my husband of 28 years.  We have shared many Saturdays together, and each one is special, but for today, I am thankful for this one! 

Let's swing on the deck before today is over, honey!

Nothing beats a Satuday in the Fall in the South!

2,4,6,8...Who do we appreciate??!?!?!?!

Very few occupations have a day set aside to appreciate them.  But if you think about it, they are not the easy ones.  Mother's Day, Father's Day, President's Day, and  the one we celebrate today;  Pastor Appreciation Day.

 Pastors have played a very important role in my life.  From my earliest memories, Pastors have guided, corrected, loved, chastised and encouraged me in my walk with Christ.  They have married, buried, confirmed, discipled and nurtured my family as well.  They are not perfect, only mere mortals who have accepted the mantle of service and devotion that Christ placed on their lives.  God is so cool, because he sent each one at the appropriate time.  We also have many friends in the ministry, Godly men and women who walk humbly before their Parish and the world every day.  Living life with people whom they will come to view as family.

There is one minister with whom I am very well acquainted.  For nearly 29 years he has been my best friend. For nearly 28 of those years he has been my husband.  Do I appreciate him? You bet! But I did even before he was someone's minister.  Do I think he should have a special day?  He probably would disagree, but I think he should.  More than anyone, I know his heart for love, servanthood and compassion.  I know his passion for Christ and his heart for his people.  I know the holidays he gives up, the tears he has shed, the sleep he has missed, the events he has missed, the hurts he has endured and beyond all that, the joys, blessings and triumphs he experiences because of this road.

If you have a minute today, send a facebook message, e-mail, letter or a phone call to a Pastor you appreciate.  I think I'll go and do that right now!

Blessings on your day!

She is packing her bags....

Saturday was a day I will never forget. I went to see her..she has always been so beautiful with her pretty dark hair and exotic amber eyes.  Today, she was bruised and weary.  Her body shook and she was looking somewhere else.  Past us, past her room, past the immediate, past the pain.  She was reaching
for something we did not see.

Our finite minds and limited vision can only imagine what she is seeing from her bed right now. It must be a place where she is not defined by the things that confine her now. She is packing her bags.  I see  it in her eyes.  She is looking forward to a journey.  A journey that she is ready to make....more than ready.  Her focus is single and as we fade into the rearview mirror, we will become but background noise as the promise of this final trip becomes more and more of a reality.

From where I sit, the letting go will be hard.  It may not be today or tomorrow or next month, but the voyage is imminent for her. For her, I will not grieve, she is ready, just waiting for the passport and tickets. For me, how I say goodbye, how I send her off, how I leave the station are all life lessons I must learn.. But I must rejoice for her, with her, and focus on the joy that lies ahead for her as she approaches her joyful journey and her blessed reunion with those waiting for her and the One who will hold her close forever.

Ahhhhhh...................

There is nothing like the first truly crisp day of Fall.  This morning is awesome.  There is a nip in the air, my Spirit is revived.  It is a day for a drive, or Football either on TV or in person and chili and friends and family. 

The heaviness of a Southern Summer is passing and a fresh wind blows through us to revive us a little!
Thank you Lord for the renewing of our lives through Seasons.  You know just how long to let us linger in each one before Your blessed renewal. 

Thank you for the reminder that you are the one who brings us from darkness to light each day, from the heaviness of Summer to the sweet cleansing of Fall, from the dead of Winter to the glory of Spring.

Thank you Lord, for your loving whispers and mighty shouts into our lives!

Have a blessed Fall Saturday my friends!