Where are they now?

You've seen those television shows or tabloid magazine articles about child stars and someone asks the question, 'where are they now?'... You know how I love to scrapbook, and part of that is the journaling, telling the story. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but without the words, sometimes the picture is ... well, an incomplete story. And sometimes, a picture can't tell the story at all. I said all of that because the other day I was looking ahead to my next scrapbooking layout (unfortunately, even though I was 'looking ahead,' it's really looking behind because I'm just now scrapbooking the fall of 2005!). Anyway, I was reading through my journal for November, trying to get an idea of the stories behind the pictures I had and once again, I was filled with thanksgiving that I do journal stories and days of my life because I ran across one I had totally forgotten. One that made me ask the question, 'where are they now?'
It was Thanksgiving weekend 2005 and the five of us spent the whole weekend together beginning with cooking Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday (and being thankful for the turkey) to leftovers Friday through Sunday and being thankful the turkey was gone! One night we had a family devotion, ending with everyone praying. Matthew thanked God for each of us by name...Aaron pretty much duplicated Matthew's prayer, then Sarah (who was 15) thanked God for each of us by name, too - but then added 'please let Dad and Deiga's relationship work out, let them get married so we can be a family, and let them be a good couple for you, Lord.' As I read, I remembered how I felt when she prayed that, how my heart was just so full, and wondering how was I supposed to pray after that -I was about to cry. They were all very interested in spiritual things then, very much liked going to church ... but now, 18 months later, I'm wondering 'where are they now' spiritually. I'm not sure they would pray those same prayers now. It just seems they aren't quite as interested in spiritual things, they go to church with us when they are with us for the weekend, but they seem to be fine if they don't go, too... and how will it be when we're married? I don't know... all I (we) can do is keep praying for them, keep taking them to church - exposing them to Christian beliefs and Christian people... and hopefully, continue to be positive influences in their life ... and hope that Sarah's Thanksgiving 2005 prayer is answered ... that we will be a family, and a good couple for the Lord.

At long last, it's mine...well almost...

You know I'm getting married in 82 days, but I don't have an engagement ring on my finger yet. This picture was taken last July (2006) when we found the perfect ring and put it on layaway. Ron has faithfully, and steadily, been paying on it every month since then and today the last payment was made! It's still not on my finger yet because it's being sized down to fit ... but soon and very soon... check back for the story of how he gives me the ring. I'm anxious to know myself!

How does it feel?...

Easter didn't really feel like Easter - there was no new Easter dress, no Easter baskets, no chocolate bunnies (or any other chocolate), no ham dinner, no Egg Hunt. For the most part, it just felt like a normal Sunday except Ron's son, Aaron, was baptized. Something he's been trying to accomplish for about a year. In the Baptist church, (or at least at Immanuel Baptist) you have to sign up for the Sunday you're going to be baptized. You don't just walk down the aisle and get baptized like at the Church of Christ. We had to be at the church early so Aaron could change (they do the baptisms first thing). While Ron was with Aaron, Matthew and I were standing in the foyer waiting to go inside and he asked me, "How does it feel to be old?" I asked, "Why are you asking me?" (sure, go ahead and smile...) But, then I realized that to an almost 11-year-old, 54 would be old... but I answered, "I don't know. I don't really feel old. I suppose you get tired easier, you can't do things you used to be able to do, you can't remember stuff... " come to think of it, maybe I am old! Anyway, it was quite a 'moment.' Reminds of the questions my grandson, Trevor, asks! Anyway, witnessing a baptism and seeing Aaron raised to new life was the perfect way to celebrate Resurrection Day! God bless you, Aaron.