The Great Escape!

We took over 200 photos!!

I will let the photos speak for themselves. We enjoyed the beach, finding all the little sea creatures that were living in the quiet waters of the bay, and swimming in the pool just outside our unit. It was fun and relaxing and such healing medicine for us all. God's majesty in the beauty of His creations is always inspiring for me.

We have had such a traumatic and hectic summer with my parents illnesses that apparently it showed in my face and demeanor. One of our friends at church told me that I looked as if I needed a break and offered us their condominium for several days this week. We graciously accepted the offer and we were off to Gulf Shores late Monday night. We arrived at Compass Point about 3 am tired, but glad to be in such a beautiful spot for the next few days.

The next morning we arose to the most wondrous view from our balcony...we were in paradise!

VBS is sooo much fun!

We just finished VBS this week and our theme was Castaway Bay- Where faith conquers doubt and fears are cast away!

We learned about Elijah and how God didn't speak to him in the wind, earthquake, or the fire, but in a still, small voice. Elijah was taught how to see God.

Then on to Josiah, the 8 year old king who restored the temple to its original glory and in doing so, found the written law and returned the people to God. Josiah was taught how to know God.

Next, we saw how Jehoshaphat, also a king, was threatened by a massive army that would most certainly overpower his forces. He "kept his eyes on God" and sent musicians and singers to so battle and the Lord fought the battle for him. He won because he learned to trust God.

Then came Naaman, who was stricken with leprosy. He was told by Elisha, God's prophet to dip in the waters of the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed. Naaman was angry and wondered why he couldn't have done that at home where he had access to cleaner water. After encouragement from his servants he did it and was healed. He learned to obey God.

Finally, there was good ole' Jonah who was told to go to Ninevah and tell the Ninevites to turn to God and stop misbehaving. Jonah ran, was thrown into the sea, swallowed by a huge fish for three days and then spit out onto the shore. He decided he had better go to Ninevah and once he told the people, they did as God asked them. Jonah learned to share God.

We had teenagers who performed skits featuring two comical characters named Izzy and Dewey who were castaways on Castaway Bay, we had each classroom decorated like a tropical island and our entire hallway downstairs was like an ocean with fish on every wall and even hanging from the ceiling. It was great. The kiddies loved it. Dinner was served every evening and snacks afterwards and we sang songs and prized awarded each night for the "Best Listener" and the person who brought the most people with them. Certificates were given to each child at the completion of the week along with all the crafts and work pages they had diligently created.

The pictures that I have posted are only the skit set and the photos of my classroom. My camera battery didn't allow me to photograph anymore, so you will not be able to see the full scope of talent that is expressed in our decorating, but this gives you an idea.

VBS is so much fun and I like to think that I am able to make a difference in a child's life in even a small way by showing them a little love, a little fun, a little about God, and sharing a little bit of me with them. I know they bless me immensely by allowing me to share a little bit of their world!

I am overrun with children!

We've had a visit from my niece and nephew this week, so it has been five children and me, all by myself! Those are not good odds! I can hardly keep up with counting heads just to make certain they are all with me, much less keep up with what they are all doing. Luckily, they are all good children and for the most part are well behaved.

We had a quiet Fourth of July at home with food cooked on the grill, fireworks and sparklers, and Daddy with us for four whole days. What a treat. Grace exclaimed to me, "Mama, this is the best Fourth of July ever!" And it was.

Jasmine and Aaron came on the 6th and have been staying with us off and on since. They are so cute and have such a good time here that they don't want to leave to go home with Daddy. Marcus doesn't have three built-in entertainment systems at his house named Micah, Callie, and Grace so of course, it is not as much fun at his house, as it is here. But part of their fun is country living. They have played in the yard and with the dogs and cat. They have played volleyball and basketball. They walked up to Mama's and played in the pasture. They had to sleep on air mattresses on the living room floor and what kid doesn't love to do that? They have been able to do so many of the things that kids love to do and unfortunately, living in the city, they are unable to do. I hope they are making lots of good memories to take back to Orlando with them. Enough to last them until they come back to visit!

A little piece of my creativity

I am practicing with the picture thing, so here are some photos of flower pots that I painted. I really like to paint, but I never seem to find the time to do as much as I would like to do.

My sisters, my friends!

The Ides of March will never be the same again for me. 2008 marked the first annual "Sisters Weekend" for me and my sister girls. We took off to Neva's (our cousin) house in Fort Morgan on Friday. Janet and Neva went down early to meet Patty who flew into Panama City and drove over. Ellen and I left a little later.

Ellen and I were carefully following Neva's directions(or so we thought) when we realized that we were supposed to be on I-10 and we were going under it. I pulled over into a parking lot and we phoned our cohorts. As I am speaking to Neva on the phone and as I look to my left, I see none other than the U.S.S. Alabama! We were at the Battleship in Mobile Bay. They laughed at us all weekend for getting lost on the way there.

We arrived about dark and spent an entire weekend laughing, crying, relaxing, and renewing our relationships. There were no phones (except our cell phones), no TV, no husbands, no children, and no pets. We had the best time ever. We will are planning to make it an ongoing tradition and I highly recommend it to anyone.

Southern Ladies Under Tremendous Stress!!!

How was I supposed to know you had to type the text first?

My previous post was of pictures only because I didn't know how to upload pictures. Then I got the pictures uploaded and I couldn't key in any text! Man, it is tough trying to learn this computer stuff on your own. I am slowly picking it up so please be patient with me.

We had a good day at the pond with the family. GGmama and GGdaddy were there, Aunt Linda was there, Ellen and Tommy were there, our family, Randall and his family, Freddie and his family, Nolan and most of his family, Johnny and Rita, Aunt Neanie, and Aunt Melba were there. There was food, fishing, fun and fellowship aplenty all topped off with one of the sweetest watermelons I have had in a long time. It was HOT, but the occassional breeze helped to cool us under the canopy. The children captured frogs, lizards and other sundry bugs and insects. They gazed in awe at gigantic spiders which seem to thrive there. They chased dragonflies and played in the dirt. It was as magical as it always is for them...a veritable child's haven filled with plenty to keep them occupied for hours.

Labor Day is just around the corner and that will be our next gathering at the pond. Ya'll come!

Happy Birthday, America!!