Praise the Lord!

One year ago today, God answered a prayer that I'd been praying for years. Brandon asked me to be his wife :o)  I was so happy and exuberant!  I'm still filled with joy over the blessings from the Lord.

I knew God made me for marriage....and I had known it for a while.  As a teenager, I thought I'd graduate from college, land a job, and meet my husband.  God still was working in my heart in 2005, and still working in Brandon's. It took six years before I would meet my husband and seven before I walked down (rather, skipped, hopped, glided, etc.) the aisle. Even though there was some heartache, lots of tears, lots of asking why in prayers, and lots of longing, God knew. And it was totally worth the wait. Totally.

So happy one-year anniversary of the engagement between Brandon and me! I pray I always remember he is a gift from God and our marriage is sacred and something to be celebrated.

Killing your darlings

I don't know who first coined the phrase, "sometimes you have to kill your babies/darlings." I thought it was the Southern writer Eudora Welty, but it probably existed before her time.  It means that sometimes you have to get rid of what is dear to you - as a writer, that is.

I think it goes beyond writing and into any area within one's job. Sometimes you have to get rid of something you've created, or come up with that just doesn't work.  Perhaps it worked at one time, but now it just doesn't fit with the times or the people you're around.

I've found this to be very true in teaching. I discovered a rhythm that worked well for a few years. This year, the state changed some things on me, so that took away some of my rhythm. I had to make some changes - some good, and some I'll never do again.

And so, I'm in the process of killing my darlings (not my real ones, of course). It's been a year of transition in my classroom, and students never fully respond in those situations. I'm really excited as I begin planning for next year. Now that I know what to expect from the state, now that I know what's expected from me as a teacher under the new curriculum standards, I'm really excited to begin anew and create some new darlings.

Lolly Dolly

What Lolly Is Supposed to Look Like

Lolly Doll

When I was a newborn, the story goes that my mother and grandmother drove to Chattanooga for a shopping trip. Why they would take a one-week-old child on such an adventure is beyond me. Anywho, my Grandma B. bought a Lolly doll for me. Apparently, I immediately went toward the doll. Whether this is exaggerated or total truth is irrelevant. What is known in my family is my childhood love for my Lolly Dolly.

Lolly Dolly lived a rough life. I loved Lolly to death.  She's rather ragged, torn and to any other eyes but mine, ugly. But I loved my Lolly. I slept with her every night, and I'm pretty sure she attended church regularly...as well as pre-school and all outdoor activities. She probably ate a few meals with me and watched the Cosby Show on Thursday nights. Lolly was the best doll. She went swimming in the creek, rode in the wagon, and played in the dirt. She had countless "baths" in the washing machine, I'm sure.

When I was about seven-years-old, my parents decided Lolly needed to rest. I remember leaving her on my bed before leaving for school. When I got home, Lolly was missing. I was told I must have misplaced her. (Yes...it's true....my parents lied to me....) I looked all over for Lolly. It was a sad state of affairs for the household that night.

Several years later, I found Lolly in the back of my dad's closet. My mother explained they had to 'rescue' Lolly before she was completely destroyed.  I keep her tucked away in a trunk now and rarely remember her...except tonight.

Tonight I saw an advertisement for a children's clothing company called Lolly Wolly...or something to that affect. My first thought was "Lolly!" The Web site had nothing to do with dolls. However, just seeing the name Lolly brought back such sweet memories of a blessed childhood full of sunshine, warmth, and love.

My Lolly Dolly

Hosting Fellowships

Four years ago, a blessing of a cute little farmhouse fell into my lap. Having lived by myself for several years, I had gotten into the habit of becoming a hermit when at home. When I moved into this cute little house - located in the middle of a beautiful valley surrounded by a beef cattle field and rustic red barn - I knew I needed to make a change. So I prayed that my new (to me) cute, little house with the super long driveway and gorgeous scenery would be a place where people could come, laugh, eat, and hang out.

Granted, I lived in the country, so it wasn't frequented often, but I did stick to having people over monthly (and weekly if you count my parents and family coming over for Friday night meals).

Now, I'm in a new portion of my life - having recently taken the plunge into marriage. It was easy coming home from the newspaper or from school and just wanting to be alone. It's even easier to come home to my husband and not want to share our quality time with anyone else.

So, B and I made a resolution to have people over to the house more often. Last Friday was our first foray into hosting a dinner for some mutual friends. A couple who has 30+ years of marriage under their belts (compared to our 7 months) came over for dinner. They are such a splendid couple and I admire them for their humor and dedication to each other, the community, and their farm. We had a great time, ate great food and laughed.

The best part of all of this is what B and I learned from the evening. They were able to share so much with us about marriage and life - and we've learned that the little things we do, are much like the little things other couples struggle or laugh about. All of us are so blessed to be surrounded by people who have been where we are and are willing to help us along in life, or vice versa. We were meant to fellowship and share the pleasantries and unpleasantries of life with one another.

Our next adventure in hosting will be with a couple who just married this past Christmas. I am so excited to have them over.

I meant to take a picture, but in all the conversing, I forgot. However, I did take a snapshot of the flower arrangement for the evening.

It's Snowing!

I love the gentleness of snow and was excited when I saw the flakes blanketing the ground this morning with their intricate delicacies. However, a pang of disappointment crept into my mind as I watched the snow: this is Saturday.  I quickly smiled at my thought and gave a slight laugh. It's so true, though. Snow days are the most exciting when they occur on weekdays :o)

88 Answers to Prayer

I've always known God cares for the little and big things in my life. He has proven that so many times. Recently, He provided a want in my life in the form of 88 keys.

You see, I play the piano as a hobby.  I'm no Beethoven, Bach, or Mozart, but I do enjoy playing their pieces to relieve stress after a day working with teenagers.

Since I no longer live as close to my parents, I've not been able to allow my fingers to dance across the ivories - and I've missed it.  So I started to pray about a piano.

At first, I searched for different keyboards and price ranges. But I felt I shouldn't buy one. It's hard to explain, but I knew God was telling me to wait on Him. I had the opportunity to go to some stores to look around, but again, I felt God was telling me not to look.

I'm glad I listened.

The other day, I was at my church and the thought came from no where to ask the music minister about purchasing a piano. The very next day, a lady at my church asked the same music minister how she could get rid of her piano.

When she called me to tell me she had a piano and asked me if I would be interested, I almost started to cry!  It was amazing how God worked it out. Even better, since she's known me all my life and knows my affinity for music, she's going to GIVE me the piano.

I was speechless - except to say a thank you to the Lord - for He does care about even the least of these.

Once it's moved to my house and tuned, I'll be sure to post a video or picture of this upright, 88-key answer to prayer :o)

Happy Birthday Grandma B!

This weekend celebrations were in store as my paternal grandmother turned 94 years-old!  My cousins from California came in we took Grandma out for pizza and then back to my parents' for cake.

David, Danny, Grandma B., MaryBeth, and me

Grandma B. played Happy Birthday as we sang to her.  Sorry the film is sideways.

Grandma B. and me at the local pizzeria.

Our First Christmas

Christmas was special this year, as it was my first Christmas celebrating as a wife. I've learned I've got a lot of learning to do before I become as good as gearing up for Christmas as my mom is. Her tree is always so pretty and interesting.  Mine was interesting and humble, but I grew to like it. I put pictures of the two trees so you could better see the difference.

Mom's Tree

My tree

B and I developed a few traditions this year. One of those was hosting an advent get-together each week. It didn't work out as well as I planned with busy schedules and a flu bug, but it was sweet. We had an advent wreath and took part in reading the scripture and lighting the candles each week.  We made many memories with this and I'm excited about doing it again next December.  

Glorious

This is a view of the sunset from my house tonight.  I thought it was rather special just because. I love watching the glory of God's goodness to us through nature.