Today’s the Day!

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

In just a few hours Judy and I will be boarding a plane to make a once in a lifetime trip to Israel. I am still amazed that the Lord has worked everything out for me to go and I am so thankful to my husband for encouraging me to make the trip. I'm sure that it will be life-changing. We will be studying the scripture in the actual place where the events occurred and we will be led in that study by Kay Arthur. How awesome is that? I’m sure I will have many pictures to share and stories to tell.

At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of Jehovah, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart. Jeremiah 3:17

Easter Weekend

On the Thursday before Easter we left summer-like weather here in Houston to spend Easter with Erin and Lucas in Denver which was having a reprise of winter.

Actually, it has been feeling a little (ok, a lot) like the dog days of summer here, but that’s a story for another time.

Erin and Lucas had a lovely weekend planned for us starting with golf on Friday for the guys and breakfast and shopping for the girls. Dan and Lucas played at Arrowhead Golf Course which, from what they said, is a beautiful course. Naturally, Dan forgot the camera so I got this picture off the web.

Erin and I headed to Boulder where the wind was gusting up to 60mph and it was freezing. We started out with breakfast at Lucile’s. They have the best biscuits and blueberry preserves I have ever eaten.

The trees were just starting to bud. I don’t know what kind this one is, but there were lots of them around the Denver area with beautiful pink blooms.

The tulips along Pearl Street were gorgeous. I laughed because I have pulled up my pansies and they are just now planting theirs.

After we had seen what Boulder had to offer (which wasn’t much), we stopped in Old Town Louisville and Lafayette, Colorado before heading back home. Erin and Lucas recently got their house painted. I think it looks nice.

You can see that it is still wintry looking.

This is our new “grand-dog,” Scout, sitting in Grandpa’s lap.

And since Erin is a little slow about posting pictures of her house, I’ll take you on a little tour…

Their entryway…

Dining area…

Half bath…They put in the beadboard themselves.

Gallery wall upstairs…

Front bedroom…

Another bedroom…

Trumeau mirror Erin made…

Fireplace niche…

And guess who has the best seat in the house??

Friday night we had some great Mexican food at Hacienda. It’s advertised as Mountain Mex. I thought it was very good.

Saturday Erin had choir practice so we went to Park Meadows and did a little shopping while we waited for her. Afterwards we had our first experience with Five Guys Burgers and Fries. (Even though there are several fairly close to our house.) Forget Cheeburger, Cheeburger… Five Guys has got our vote for a yummy burger. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and then had an early birthday celebration for Erin at Barolo Grill.

Easter morning we got up to the smell of bacon, eggs, and cheese biscuits. You can tell that we didn’t miss a meal. Ha! Erin and Lucas attend a little Southern Baptist church in Lone Tree and Erin sings in the choir. It was wonderful being with at least part of our family in church on Easter. The people were very friendly and welcoming. (Of course, that was to be expected since most are from Texas. Ha!) Church was followed by a lunch of roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, and carrot cake. (and a welcome nap!)

Dan has never been to Colorado Springs, so Monday we drove down to the Springs to the Garden of the Gods.

 

It was hard to leave on Monday afternoon to head back to Houston.

But we were blessed to have this special time with Erin and Lucas.

Resurrection Dance

Easter is my favorite holiday of the year. The joy of knowing that we serve a risen savior is incomparable, as is perfectly expressed on the faces of my fellow church members who participated in the dance.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said." Matthew 28:5-6

Spring Break

Oh, how we were all looking forward with excitement to this week. It has been such a busy, stressful year, that we all needed some R & R, especially with plans like some of my coworkers. One is spending some quality time with her granddaughter seeing the sights like the Houston Livestock Show and Cirque de Soleil. Another is on a trip with her daughter and family to Washington, D.C. and New York City. Another is in Hilton Head with her family. Another is camping with her son and daughters, their boyfriends, and their extended family in Disneyworld.

My week so far pales in comparison. Ha! I have enjoyed the beautiful weather as I’ve cleaned out closets and plan to continue spring cleaning the rest of the week. Sounds like fun, right??? It’ll be nice to go back to work with a clean house. (Although I’m jealous of all of the family fun, I’ll just have to wait until Judy and I go to Israel!)

As I was cleaning out some boxes in my closet, I ran across some jewelry, gloves, and handkerchiefs of my mother’s. The gloves and the handkerchiefs reminded me of Easter. Sometimes we would get a  shiny white patent-leather purse in our Easter basket. Of course, in those days, your Easter outfit would not be complete without a pair of white gloves and sometimes a hanky to go in the new purse. I’m sure the gloves and hankies I found made it to many Sunday services.

Sifting through these keepsakes precipitated a bout of nostalgia and lonesomeness for my mom, who died 26 years ago when she was just a few years older than I am now. She was the heart of our home and was the glue that held our extended family together. It also made me think of all of my coworkers on their Spring Break vacations with their extended families. I hope they make a lot of precious memories…

Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise – that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life. ~Ephesians 6:1-3

Feeling Blessed!

After watching the news and seeing the devastation in Japan, I’m feeling especially blessed.

The Easter season is upon us and every day is a reminder of the faithfulness of God.

Even though times are uncertain, I know that my future is secure in His hands.

I am thankful that I have a family who loves the Lord and two sweet grandchildren who are being raised to know Him.

Last weekend we celebrated both Amy’s birthday (I won’t say how old she is. Ha!) and Katie’s third birthday.

Here is our birthday princess. Whenever her mommy is going to take her picture, she says “Katie, say Texas!” and it is just automatic…that hand goes up. I guess she is trying to do the “Hook ‘em” sign.

She is really into princesses and wanted a Tinkerbell Princess costume for her birthday. So…here is our little princess, crown and all.

This is our Lady in Waiting!

Texas is still the best! (Uncle Tony agrees, of course.)

Even princesses like to take a ride on a horse, or a Grandpa, every once in a while.

 

It’s even more fun when Sissy comes along.

Yes, she is Grammy’s girl!

And yes, I am very blessed!

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3 21-23