It Has to Start Somewhere

While we were enjoying our first fresh green beans with new potatoes (and squash and of course cornbread), Eddie said, "I sure am glad I planted those green beans."  I sat there thinking and got so tickled I couldn't eat.  Eddie began to laugh and said he realized I had picked the green beans, snapped them, washed them, and then cooked them, but he laughingly said, "It has to start somewhere."  He is exactly right.

The sowing of the seed of God's Word has to start somewhere.  Are you willing to sow the seed and let someone else water?  Are you willing to water what someone else has sown?  God may call us to sow one time and water the next or lay the foundation this time and build the next.  Let's just be available and willing to let God use us and then He will make things grow.

In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul said. "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."

Is God calling you to plant some seed in someone's life?  Is He calling you to water what has been sown?  What is your answer?

Kaylee - Our Only Granddaughter

Kaylee is our only granddaughter and she is also our oldest grandchild.  Where do I start??  What a joy she has been!  I remember the excitement we experienced when we knew we were going to be grandparents and when the news came that it was a girl, well, I began sewing for her right away.

Kaylee made her appearance as a healthy little girl on July 24, 1990 and very soon it was obvious she had a mind of her own.  It has served her well in her growing-up years.  It has enabled her to stand up for her beliefs and convictions - standing alone if necessary.

What an outstanding personality she has, much like her dad.  When she was between 3 and 4 years old, her mom and I were shopping at Talbots in Charleston, South Carolina and Kaylee infomed us she would sit at the bench near the front door in case anyone wanted to talk.  I can assure you a number of people wanted to talk to this cute little blond!

Some of Kaylee's activities include swimming on the swim team when she lived in Atlanta, playing on the tennis team and serving as captain of the basketball cheerleaders at her high school, Briarcrest Christian School.  In December of 2006, she decided to participate in the Miss Memphis Princess pageant and proceeded to win.  She was also chosen as a Fan Favorite and Miss Congeniality in the Princess division.  She was also selected by the Memphis Woman magazine as one of the 2007 outstanding young women of Memphis.  She has attended Kanakuk Christian Sports Camp several summers and served as a counselor there last summer.  She will also spend the last part of her summer this year as a counselor.  She has been very active serving her community during her teen years.  She has won other pageants and received other awards, but I can't remember them all!

Kaylee just finished her sophomore year at Mississippi State and has chosen to use six weeks of her summer on a mission trip with Campus Crusade for Christ.  I couldn't be prouder of her for giving of herself and her time to share Christ with college students in Salerno, Italy.  I miss her, and her mom, dad and brother really miss her, but I believe God is going to use her to make a difference in people's lives.

I can't wait to see what God is going to do through Kaylee.  She is going to help change lives!  God has blessed us with four dear grandchildren and I pray for Him to do wonderful things through each of them.

Trust Him in All Things

What a joy to serve a God of grace.  Nothing is too hard for Him!  "Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for You." (Jeremiah 32:17)  We must learn to trust Him in all things - even the "impossible."  When you serve an Almighty God, you can rest in Him and in His ability - that is trusting.

Have you wasted away the years of your life?  Have you used your time carelessly?  God can redeem the time you have wasted.  "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten."  (Joel 2:25)  We really can not understand this principle, but we can trust a God who has proven Himself faithful through the ages.

Oh yes, there are consequesces for our sins.  There are consequesces for wasting precious time, but we can trust our God to deal triumphantly in our lives when we trust Him in all things.

Josh - Our Youngest Grandchild

Josh, our youngest grandchild just had his 12th birthday!  It seems such a short time ago when Joshua Brent Martin made his appearance into our lives and won our hearts.  He will win yours too, most likely.

Josh is our actor, speaker, singer and is quite comfortable in front of a crowd (I knew this when I heard him give his report on grandparents day in the second grade!).  Josh also swims on the swim team and is an avid reader.  As long as I can remember Josh has wanted to help me cook - even if it meant only cracking an egg.  He also takes an interest in our garden and my flowers. 

Last summer (2009) will always stand out in my memory as a very fun time with Josh.  Eddie and I had planned to travel out west in June and had mentioned to our grandchildren that we would love for them to go if their schedule permitted.  It seemed at the time that they all had busy summers planned so we sort of forgot about it.  About 9 o'clock the night before we were to leave, Eddie thought he better call Josh to see if he wanted to go (everyone else was busy at camp, etc.).  About an hour later, Josh was at our house with his bags packed ready to go - thanks to a mom who got his things together rather quickly.

Very early the next morning, Eddie, Josh, Tigger and I began our trip to Durango, Colorado.  Josh and Tigger have a very special bond - they happen to love each other.  They were both excellent travelers - you have to be if you are going out west with Eddie because he drives, drives and drives!!!  We reached our destination the following day. 

We ate great food and saw beautiful scenery.  Two of Josh's favorite activities, I think, were the Chuck Wagon Dinner Theater and the train ride from Durango to Silverton.  Tigger and I drove to Silverton to get Josh and Eddie after the train ride.  (I had ridden the train before and they didn't allow four legged creatures even if they think they are one of us.)  The picture on this post was taken in Silverton, Colorado after the train ride.

Josh was a real trooper on this trip.  He was easy to please and a joy to have along.  Memories were made that won't soon be forgotten.

I can't wait to see how God will use Josh with all the talent He has given him.  Josh is special and uniqe as are Kaylee, Kam and Case.  I am so glad God has shared each of you with us.  You are a blessing!

Obedience - Not Always the Easy Thing

For months I felt the Lord was leading me to do something different, but I just didn't know what it was.  Maybe I had a hint, but just didn't want to be obedient.  The Lord did speak to me telling me to "do the next thing."  I accepted His word for me and just began trying to do what was in front of me.  Then, wow!  Everywhere I turned in my Quiet Time, He was speaking to me.  I heard things like obedience is not always the easy thing, but it is the right thing and I must die to self and my plans and embrace His plans. 

God assures us if we are obedient to Him, we will look more like Jesus.  That is the desire of my heart - to look more like Jesus - so what could I do but be obedient to what He was telling me.  I knew Eddie wanted me to help him teach the couples class he has been teaching for over four years, but he would not ask me to give up my class.  Giving up my class, that is the hard part!  Working alongside Eddie and helping him teach and minister to a great group of couples, that is the good part.  Being obedient, that is the blessed part.

"Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground."    (Psalm 143:10)    "To obey is better than sacrifice." (1 Samuel 15:22)