Joy has told me for several years about a most wonderful shop over in Bainbridge, GA, a little town about 50 miles from Dothan. She said it had so many things I would like.  She has shopped there, but it has never been convenient for me to go.  She called the first of the week to see if I would go with her on Friday.  I said I would, and we asked Pop to go with us.

Since Joy and Pop live on the other side of town, I went over and picked Pop up and we went to Joy’s house.  We got into her car, backed out of the garage, and then she stopped.  She turned around and looked at me and said, “I hate to tell you this.”   She did not, however, hate to tell me this…I could see it all over her face.   She continued,”  Tommy wasn’t able to get me gas, so we have to stop and get some.”  What she meant was, “Na Na Na Na Boo Boo…You gotta get out and pump gas”.  Because, the fact is, as a grown woman of 55 years…she CAN NOT pump gas.  I think this is deplorable.  What woman in today’s world cannot pump gas?   It just makes no sense to me.  I asked her what she would do if she was alone and had to have gas and  she said she would find some kind man and smile real pretty and make him feel sorry for her and he would pump it.  I told her she was a disgrace to womankind ever where.  She did not care.  She laughed…a mean, maniacal laugh. She showed me this book she has been reading…

Pity she won’t get to finish it……

We stopped at the Shell Station.    So, I ran the card and took out the pump and started the flow.  P.E.O.P.L.E……that gas was not the least bit willing to get into her Volvo.  It dripped…dripped, I tell you.  It took over 10 minutes to get it up to $20.00.  Of course, she wanted me to fill it up.  I didn’t.

Some nut case in another car was having fun with their car horn.  I thought it must be a child, but when I looked…no, it was a grown woman.  On and on and on and on. I was still trying to pray the gas out of the pump.  It was all just too much.  Joy got out and said, ” Sister, what’s taking so long?”  So, I stopped pumping and went inside to get a bottle of water.  I asked the clerk if their pumps were always so slow… because I never wanted to come back if they were.  She said they had some body come and fix them earlier, but there were still a couple of pumps that were slow.  I said,” I ‘m supposing #8 is one of the slow ones, huh?”    And she laughed!  “I bet that’s the one you got, ain’t it?” she said.  “It is, ” I said.  Then I suggested she put a note on the tank. 

I got in the car, and down the road we went toward our destination.  Bainbridge, GA is a little town about 50 miles away.  It has a lovely town square with all the shops located around it.  A very well kept garden area with comfy benches to sit on.  Pop had already decided that he was going to pick out a bench and enjoy the sunshine and the people.  We pulled up into the square and there was no doubting which shop it was.  There were lots of buildings around the square…much like so many Georgia towns.  But, nothing else looked at all inviting or even open.  But, that was OK…cause the store we came to see was more than enough. 

 This was one amazing store. These was stuff…and stuff on top of stuff…and stuff behind the stuff.  Every single shelf was like that!  Throughout the whole store!  And, it was all current merchandise, too.  We walked through once just trying to see everything.  Then we went back and picked out some things for Christmas gifts.  They began wrapping our gifts and as we continued to walk around, we found more that we had not seen earlier!

We had a ball!  And, we both got a lot of our Christmas list crossed off.  AND…they wrapped everything…for free!  We had so much they put the wrapped presents in garbage bags!  Back to the car, and Pop came walking through the square to meet us.  He had found a place that sold ice cream and a shady tree to sit under.

Joy had heard of another few stores in another little town named Colquitt.  So, off we went.  We talked of first one thing and then another….nothing of great importance….just enjoying being together.  The weather could not have been any better for us…warm and sunny with a little breeze.  Arriving in Colquitt, we visited the two shops.  Pop sat in the car and napped a little.  It did not take us nearly as long here as it did in Bainbridge.  But, we found a few things that begged to come home with us.

We made our way back to Dothan, and all went our separate ways. A beautiful day…Volvo gassed…shopping accomplished….memories made.

Saturday dawned just as beautiful as Friday.  And, what fun…today we celebrate the first birthday of that sweet boy, John Thomas!

Tara and Will live on Bush Mountain (Abbeville), about a 45 minute drive, and Tara has to drive it every day…Will, too.  They have such a lovely home, in the middle of beautiful untouched land.  John Thomas has a perfect place to grow up.  Will, and his cousins who live close by, are all big hunters. Tara had everything decorated and festive and ready for a party!  Both sets of his grandparents were there and several aunts and uncles and cousins and even a great grandfather.   Ian even came down from Birmingham!

And presents, galore!  He got the first one, the musical dog, and that was it!  He loves music!  He’s is walking well, and now has a riding toy and a big red wagon!

Afterwards, Suzanne fixed Ian his favorite hamburgers and then Ian, Don and Alex played chess until waaaay late!

FAMILY…what a blessing!  I could say more, but that sums it up…we are blessed!  It is a gift from God.

Adam and Suzanne went to the party earlier that day, so Adam could make some family pictures for them.  He made quite a few, but here’s my favs.

Today is Alex’s birthday.  He is 29 years old.  I don’t know if I can tell you all that is in my heart about this young man.   He was always different from his brothers. They both had a darker coloring like me and Don…Alex was blond, blue eyes, and very fair skin. 

 He’s always thought and acted on a different level.  His spirit is that of a gentle soul.  He has an amazing tenderness, but he also is strong and brave.   Adam and Ian both got their fair share of spankings, but a spanking wounded Alex’s spirit…that was not the way to discipline him.  He had to write me a full page report on the subject at hand.  Oh, how he didn’t want to do that!

 Cousins at play…NC…….1985

We became aware of his disease when he was in the 8th grade, and it changed the life of our whole family.  Instead of going off to college, with fraternities, and studies, and girlfriends…he went to doctors, and doctors and more doctors.  Instead of choosing a major and making career plans….he was trying medicine and therapies to help him deal with pain.  Instead of walking in graduation and receiving his diploma and degree…..he was trying out wheelchairs and walking canes to help him stay mobile.

He is blessed to have 2 brothers who love him and are always there for him to lean on.  He has a SIL who loves him also. He has cousins who would do anything for him.  He has aunts and uncles who help us search for doctors.  He has a Dad who has provided him with a beautiful apartment in our home.  Here he has complete privacy and we are near to help if need be.  His grandparents have always spent hours in prayer for him and have been a source of strength.  Many of our friends are available for him at a moment’s notice.

Even though he is in such terrific pain all the time, he reaches down deep and summons the strength to get out and be with those he loves.

He shows us all the meaning of bravery, and is an inspiration to any one who knows him.  And…he has a new best friend!

As his mother, my heart breaks every day.  I see him suffering and I want to do something…anything.  But,  we have been to doctors all over the country.  We are continually searching for someone who knows enough about his disease to offer him some help.  We are confident that God will lead us to that person, if that is His will for Alex.  And, if it’s not, then we will continue depending on Him for strength each day.  We will praise Him for all that He has blessed us with.   Look at how He blessed us in the middle of the pain and helplessness.  He led us to a doctor who fixed so much of his vision.  This was just dropped in our lap…we weren’t searching for it or seeking help for his vision.  But, God knew…and in His time, He gave Alex his vision back, by working through his brother, Ian.  And, the biggest bonus…Adam is seeing much, much better also.  What a reminder that He is watching all the time, and He knows what we need.  I thank Him for sending Alex to our family.  He has taught us all such lessons, and he fill our life with joy.  Happy, Happy Birthday!

CHRISTMAS ! That’s right…..CHRISTMAS ! As of this minute, in 70 days, 10 hours,36 minutes……the big day will arrive. Wow! seems as if it just passed, doesn’t it? I was always told the years would move faster the older I got…and it’s true! They seem to fly by now.

When I retired after 20 years teaching music, I received many wonderful gifts from friends and co-workers (who are friends, as well). Some of the parents also shared wonderful kindnesses with me, too. All these ‘treasures’ are very dear to me. But, one of the most dearest was just a little card. But, inside, there was a note telling me that a lamb had been purchased, in my honor, and placed with a family in a South American country to help build their flock.

Since I was familiar with this organization…I was especially pleased. The organization is Samaritan’s Purse. It is run by Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham. You my be familiar with it through one of it’s programs, Operation Christmas Child.

Have you filled a shoebox or two with supplies and toys to send to a needy child? This is the same organization. One of it’s other ministries is helping families become self sufficient. By building their flock of sheep, or goats, of even chickens…the family will have enough for food for themselves and enough to sell to buy other supplies. For just $14, the family can receive a starter brood of a dozen chicks. $70 will supply a goat or other dairy animal. For just $50, a pond can be stocked with 500 fingerling fish. Then another$50 will supply nets for fishing or a boat for $350. And $35 will supply all that is necessary for a family to get started in the beekeeping business. The bees will then help pollinate the fruit trees that can also be provided. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

Before my Mom died, she encouraged us, as a family, to pool our money, and supply some of these needs. Our gift giving had gotten out of hand. We were all spending more than we needed to…on each other. We all were so blessed that we did not need a thing. And, there were so many others that did. So we followed her suggestion. And, the year after she died, we again contributed in her memory. This is becoming a tradition in our family that we plan to continue. We have just received our Christmas catalog. If you would like to have a catalog, you can see one at http://www.samaritanspurse.org. or find out anymore information you need.

This has not cut out our giving presents to each other, but what we give is just a token. The majority is now given to others through this organization. If they should receive more contributions for a project than can be used, our gift will be applied to a similar project where it is needed. They will gladly send a gift card if you would like to give a gift in honor of someone.

In our family, we made plans to take up money when we gathered for Thanksgiving dinner…..and then 1 person was in charge of selecting the areas we would support and they would bring a report to the rest of the family on Christmas Day. Our gifts were given in memory of Mom. You may choose to do your gifts individually or another way all together.

I realize this is quite different from my usual post. However, this is a program our family is fully invested in and I would encourage you to, at least, look at the information. Thank you for considering this worthwhile ministry.

“I tell you the truth,whatever you did for one of the least of these….you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40b

Good news! Just in!!!

Baby Owens’ heart is beating hard and strong!

At 6 weeks…6 days…all is well!

“…His eye sees every precious thing.” Job 28:10