the party boat at sunset

After eating crab legs at the Blue Heron Friday evening,
some friends surprised us at the dock.
They came to pick us up in their boat
which I immediately dubbed "the party boat."
Along for the ride was "Tank" the family dog.
So after that wonderful dinner
we set off on a boat ride to watch the sun go down.

Way after the sun set
we were still going
and it was getting darker and darker.
at one point Eli stated...
"We are running out of time."

After Captain Phil assured all
that it was safe
to be in the middle of the Chicahominy River
in the pitch black,
we settled back to enjoy the ride.

Can't remember when I've had as much fun.

I love surprises...
call them unexpected blessings.
Thank you Lord for family and friends.

cathy

eight to five

We left Lanexa at 8:00 this morning....
We drove into the garage at 5:00 this afternoon.
At some point Eli asked this question....
"Grammy, what continent are we on now."
I know little guy,
it seems like
we could have driven to another continent by now.

Bumper to bumper vacationers along I 95
spilling off to all of the beaches along the way.
Restaurants, rest areas, and gas stations
were popping with too many people.
So glad to be home.

Things I want to teach my grandbabies...

How to see animals frolicking in the clouds.
How to hear music in the rain.
How to feel the caress of a warm summer breeze.

Is it just me,
or is it getting dark earlier already?
c

hi from lanexa

This is charlie~bear, the hollingsworth's cat.
In my opinion, he is a very fine specimen.
His coat is shiny and smooth.
He is quiet and very dignified.
I can tell that he likes me alot.

Lanexa is in the country.
A nice lady in a huge SUV just pulled up to the back porch
and left us with a plethora
of just picked tomatoes and peppers.....
still warm from the sun.

Amanda is a fine cook.
She made a peach cobbler to die for.
We are getting ready to imbibe.
Yes, we will put ice cream on top.

It is hot here, but you know me...
i love summer so bring on the heat.

Hope everybody back home is well.
We'll see you on Saturday with two little
tow~headed boys ready to hit the beach.

Until then,
love & kisses,
cathy

library book day

It's the smell that hits me first.
When I open the door, there it is.
The smell of paper and glue and print.
My heart quickens just a little
as I head up the stairs to the second floor.
Ever since I was a little girl I've loved the library.

Today I chose four books...
one about World War I,
one about WW II,
a book set in the times of the Puritans,
and a book about an earthquake zone.

This is a miracle,
a hard fought battle....
Bubba and I are very close to being completely out of debt.
Something we've been working on for a while now.
I never thought we would get there.
And let me tell you,
It is only by the grace of God that we stand in this place.

Not buying expensive books
is one little corner that I started cutting
and by doing that
I became reacquainted with the library.
Love, love, love the printed word.

Road Trip
In the morning we are driving to Lanexa.
Going to spend a few days with Mark and Amanda
and then will bring Jake and Eli home for a visit with us.

On the road again....
can't wait!
cathy

skirting the issue

I love skirts....
have collected many over the years.
Bought this one just last week.
It is a pinkish tea~stained color.
very old...anitiquish looking.
I love it...
plan to wear it with a denim jacket in the fall.

I started in March selling my old clothes on e-bay.
I have made just short of $800.00 in that time.
All money made will be saved for something wonderful.
What?
I don't know yet.

The goal is to not buy any more clothes
(except for that skirt)
anytime soon.

One more thing about Skirt.

There is a magazine by that name in Savannah.
It is by far the most feminist rag sheet I have ever seen.
I grab one occasionally out of curiousity and read
when I treat myself to coffee in a sunny coffee shop
just to see how other women think,
and it's not pretty.

The thing that amuses me the most in this paper
that touts a woman
to love herself as she is
and accept her imperfections as beautiful,
is that it is absolutely chock full of ads for,
plastic surgeons,
botox,
face and tummy lifts,
fad diets,
and every conceivable trick
to make yourself appear younger and more desirable.
What deception....

I am not deceived and I will not
"skirt the issue" of getting older.
It is happening to me at a rapid pace.
Nothing can change the procession of age
and I wouldn't want it to.

The Bible says
"Let your beauty be
the hidden person of the heart
with the imperishable beauty
of a gentle and quiet spirit
which in God's sight is very precious."
I Peter 3:4

God's beauty is imperishable.
That, friends, should be what we seek after.
A gentle, quiet spirit is forever,
will never go away.
And, it is precious in God's sight.
I love this.
cathy

an alabaster vial of perfume

She was rich.
Only wealthy women could afford a vial of perfume.
The Bible tells us that she was a sinner.
Jesus Himself said,
"Her sins are many."

She came and found Jesus
reclining at the table
in the home of a very important man....
a ruler, a Pharisee, in the city.
Needless to say,
the Savior was drawing her to Himself.

She stood behind Jesus.
She was weeping.
She began to wet His feet with her tears,
and she kept wiping them with the hair of her head.
She kissed His feet,
and annointed them with the perfumed oil.

Later, after a discourse with the Pharisee concerning this woman,
Jesus looked at her and said,
"Your sins have been forgiven."

And, O priceless pronouncement,
Jesus then said this to her,
"Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

What?
What has saved Her?
Her faith.

This woman had a tiny little grain of faith
and she based it all on the fact
that Jesus was the promised Messiah,
the Son of God.

She was broken to tears.
She fell on her face before Him.
She humbled herself to the point
of washing His feet with her tears.

Jesus, seeing her faith,
took her sins upon Himself.
He saved her and sent her away in peace.

She never said a word!

(based on Luke 7: 36~50)

everybody needs....

a little break now and then.
Those blogs
just weren't dancing around in my head
this week as they usually do.

So here goes another round.
Thanks for not giving up on me.

I am reading,
not straight through but intermittently,
Faith Tried and Triumphant,
a commentary on the book of Habakkuk
 in the Old Testament
by Martyn Lloyd Jones.
As I have stated before,
he has been my mentor for many years.

I have found in my Christian life,
when I am struggling the most,
God always takes me somewhere,
either in His word or a trusted book,
that speaks directly to what my problem is.

I always whisper to Him, "How did you know?"
And then I am ashamed because of course He knows,
I am His child
and He loves me with a love
I have no means to comprehend.

Waiting on God's Answer

"I will stand upon my watch,
and set me upon the tower,
and I will watch to see what He will say unto me,
and what I will answer when I am reproved."
Habakkuk 2:1

This is so amazing.
In the previous blog
I mentioned a tower
with a bright red telescope at the top.

In my struggle this past week
God gave me a beautiful way to remember
that He is in control of my circumstances
and a way to picture this vividly in my mind.

Climb up that tower,Cathy,
and set up a watch. 
Gaze into that telescope
at the face of God
and wait for His response.

He is testing my faith right now.
He has provided precious words
and a stunning word picture
to help me remember what I have to do.

Thank you my heavenly Father!
cathy

red roses.....

so beautiful.

Bubba and I found a marina tonight
That had a four story deck built on the dock.
To our delight, when we climbed to the top,
there was a beautiful red telescope.
We could look out over the river
and over the marsh to see Green Island
and a working shrimp boat.

Wonderful breezes up there
ended a perfectly beautiful summer day
here in Savannah GA.

"Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer,
the One who formed you from the womb,
I, the Lord,
am the maker of all things,
stretching out the heavens by Myself,
and spreading out the earth all alone."
Isaiah 44:24

eighty 8

My dad turned 88 this past week.

This picture was taken at his party Thursday evening.

The beauty is in the tiny little details.....

Harry's rapt attention to the candle,

Gus on daddy's lap just before sticking his hand into the icing,

and Lucy trying to get in the first blow.

Steaks,

Bubba's luscious mashed potatoes

fresh corn,

and a homemade peach pound cake

rounded out the party.

Notice his numbers on the side of the cake.

He says he's got two more years.

Sure hope he stays healthy and able to go.

I love you father of mine!

cathy

finally...she swims

Never ever give up....
This week,
every morning at 8:30,
Lucy was at the pool for an hour,
working hard,
listening to the teachers,
obeying what they told her to do.

This morning,
when we could watch,
she made us proud.
She jumped in and swam to her teacher
and then back to the side.
No one caught her or held her up.....
she did it all herself.
We were proud,
so proud, and so was she.

I took everybody to "The Original"
to celebrate.
We had breakfast for lunch and it was delicious.

What a joy
to watch a child develope
the skills that will last a lifetime.

"Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 20:6

remember me

The yellow rose means "remember me,"
"i miss hearing from you," "i love you."
These lovelies have graced my house this week.

It has rained wonderful rain all day today.
Great big,
dark,
thunderous clouds
have hung around tempting me to be still and quiet.

I love days like this....
been recuperating and napping for the last couple of days.
Perfect weather for doing that.

The full moon this month was the "Thunder Moon."
I know exactly why it has that name....
it thundered all night last night
as it usually does this time of the year.

I love the summer.
Even if it is hot I love it.
So enjoying the long bike rides
on these endless summer evenings.
(before the sickness set in)

When I am laying in my bed propped up on pillows,
(like Camille)
I can see a river.
On the river sits a little boat.
Not modern and sleek,
but old and boxy with a little cover over it.
Sometimes I dream of getting on that boat
and sailing away like Wynken and Blynken and Nod
to an island far away where it never gets cold.

A dreamer....that's me.
c

this one's about Lu

There are pictures
and then there is this picture.
It speaks volumes & volumes of our precious Lucy.
What a gift,
what a treasure she is.

This was taken on the Sunday afternoon of her dance recital.
She had begged not to take a nap.
Visions of her first public performance still danced in her head.
She asked if she could just rest & read.

She insisted that her "pink dancing roses" be nearby.
You can see "much loved puppy" upside down in her arms,
and you can barely see "zzz zzz jessie" under her head.
Also notice Gus,
the authentic Ethiopian doll,
sitting at attention on the other side of the bed.

Book folded....light blazing,
she was asleep within seconds.
She didn't even know how tired she was.

Yesterday morning
I presented to her house sick
to take her to swim lessons.
I told her I was going to the doctor.
She fell very silent,
not at all like her usual self on the way to the swimming pool.
She said,
"Grammy, I will pray for you until you get well."

I love that little girl with all my heart.

see to your soul

This morning I woke up

with yet another infection
and was off to see my doctor,
or let's say,
I was compelled to do so.
I'm wondering if the infusions have stopped working.
This is #3 in the last six weeks.

Just woke up from one of those naps
that is feverish and otherwordly.

This is one of those blogs that I've been thinking of for a while,
but was always hindered in writing.
After writing it and rereading,
I think I know why.

We have so many physicians for our bodies......
eyes,
teeth,
skin,
ears, nose, throat.
Just to name a few.

At the first hint of trouble
we call an office and make an appointment
and demand to be seen immediately.
Sometimes we go just to make sure everything is okay.
We take very good care of ourselves physically.

But what about our souls?
God, in His word,
teaches that our soul,
that innermost part of us,
who we are,
will live forever.

How many of us take care
to see that our soul
is healthy and functioning as God intended?

How many are reading His word to find out what He requires.....
what will cure these sick, sinful souls of ours.
Not just reading superficially,
but studying deeply every day
to discern what are God's purposes and plans for us...
how the part of us that will live forever
can be fit and healthy...... ready for eternity.

John 3:16 speaks of eternal life.
That means living forever.

"For God so loved the world,
that He sent His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him
shall not perish but have eternal life."

Those souls
who are not trusting in Jesus
for eternal salvation will live forever too....
just not in a desirable place.
In Hell you would be in constant torment
and separated from God and His favor.

People don't talk much about Hell anymore....
would rather pretend that there is "no such place."
But I would be no friend not to warn of this catastrophe.

Jesus said it clearly in John 14:6....

"I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father (God)
except through Me."

This blog is well read......I am always amazed.
Mostly I share my life,
and my pictures,
and things I love from God's word.

This one is very serious.
Please at least consider.
I love you,
Cathy

my heart yearns for You

listen to.....
"God of my Everything"
by Bebe Norman.

I'll write a little later,
Lord willing....
c

shells i found on the beach

Bubba and I just got back home
from a bike ride out on Skidaway Island.
He let me lead and I got us lost.
For some reason my "honing" device,
which usually works to perfection,
failed.
Because of this,
I was unable to get us back to where we started.
After an hour and 30 minutes
we finally found the car and our water bottles.
Our main problems were "fanny fatigue"
and extreme thirst.

Afterwards, we feasted on hamburgers and roasted peanuts
at the new "Five Guys" on Wilmington Island.
We laughed about why Bubba let me lead in the first place

Tomorrow is my second Pilates class.
I am afraid that after this bike ride,
I may not be able to move,
so we will see.

Also, I have to have Lucy at a new pool .
for more swimming lessons at 8:00 in the morning.
I am determined that she will swim
before this summer is over.

Love this....
"Open my eyes that I may behold
wonderful things from Thy law."
Psalm 119:18

His law is His word.
There are wonderful things there.
The prayer is that He will open my eyes
so that I can see them.
cathy

the story of gus

or...
the sovereignty of God
in the life of a child.

I cannot recall these circumstances
without getting goose bumps.

Gus was born somewhere over in Ethiopia
sometime during the month of November, 2010.
He was abandoned as a tiny infant
on the streets of Addis Ababa.
The police found him
and brought him to the orphanage.

David and Erika
came to us over two years ago
with the unexpected news
that they were going to 
adopt internationally....most likely from Ethiopia.
Bubba and I were stunned at the news. 
We thought they had lost their minds...both of them.

Little did we know then,
but God had a spiritual journey
for us to embark on
with the end result being
to witness His incredible power
at work in bringing this baby home.

I thank God for the joy of watching Him
work out every tiny detail
down to the last penny needed
and for the grace He gave to change our hearts
to be able to receive this tremendous blessing.

Gus went to the pediatrician yesterday.
He is perfectly healthy.
He is officially eight months old.
He weighs 16 &1/2 pounds.
He is the happiest and most contented baby I have ever seen.

To God be the glory great things He has done.
cathyc

sweet childhood dreams

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night

Sailed off in a wooden shoe---

Sailed off on a river of crystal light,

into a sea of dew.

"Where are you going and what do you wish?"

The old moon asked the three.

"we have come to fish for the herring fish

that live in this beautiful sea;

Nets of silver and gold have we!"

Said Wynken

Blynken,

And Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,

And Nod is a little head,

And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies

Is a wee one's trundle-bed.

so shut your eyes while mother sings

Of wonderful sights that be,

And you shall see the beautiful things

As you rock in the misty sea,

Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three;

Wynken,

Blynken,

And Nod.

I've always loved this poem by Eugene Field (1850-1895)

lucy's new haircut

Lucy is having a serious conversation with my dad.
Who knows what is passing between them,
but I love the look on her face.
The very young learn
from the very old....
and, I think, vice versa.

I threw together a broccoli-chicken casserole
this afternoon for some special guests.
Everyone liked my new rice dish
made from sweet red peppers, onions, and rosemary.
I love to prepare meals for people I love
and then linger around the table
over coffee and "a little something sweet."
Nothing like that wonderful fellowship.

After all of the work I did in my pilates class yesterday,
I am not sore at all today.
Should I be worried?

One of the greatest joys of my life
is to run up the stairs after I've been gone for a while
to see who has left me a note on e-mail
or a comment on facebook.
Thanks to all who do.

"Those that have been taught of God from their youth,
and have made it the business of their lives to honor Him,
may be sure
that He will not leave them
when they are old and gray-headed,
but will make the evil days of old age
their best days."
Matthew Henry

When I look in the mirror
I see more and more gray hairs
so I am very thankful
for the above quote.
cc

i decided....

that I only have this one body
and it has to last me until I go home.
So...
now I have a personal trainer named Nikki
who is teaching me to do Pilates.

I had my first session today.
We worked for an hour and a half
and she said I have hope.....
Actually, she was very pleased
with what I could do.

Pilates is hard work.
The two major training tables are
"the reformer" and "the cadillac."
Seems as if stretching "the core" is primary.
I kept getting confused on when I should
"breathe in"
and when I should "breathe out."

I am very excited about this.
It promises to bring great benefits.

Why Does God Bless Us?

"The earth has yielded it's produce;
God, our God, blesses us.
God blesses us,
that all the ends of the earth may fear Him."
Psalm 67: 6&7

God blesses us so that we may fear Him.
That means
revere Him,
exult Him,
praise Him
be in awe of Him.

happy fourth....on the fifth

The arrival, unexpectedly, of several of my cousins

from places faraway yesterday morning 

made for a very nice start to a wonderful day. 

Everyone, it seems, is clamouring to see Gus,

 and I can't say that I blame them. 

I wanted to get this on yesterday,

but today is not too late.

It is borrowerd from Biblestudytools.com

on facebook.....

"For those in America, Happy Independence Day!

For all of those 'in Christ,'

let us celebrate true freedom."

"Now the Lord is the Spirit,

and where the Spirit of the Lord is

there is freedom."

2 Corinthians 3:17

&

"Boast not of the greatness

of the great things our country has done,

but boast of the greatness

of the grace of God toward our country." 

(posted by amanda yesterday on facebook)

(author unknown)

going somewhere?

I found this photo on facebook yesterday.
It was taken on Stocking Island in the Bahamas
by Amy Brock.
Click on the picture
and see if you see a familiar place
listed there.

This weekend we are resting....
leaving the crowds and the heat
to the throngs of tourists
that have descended on this city.

Bubba will be throwing
some ribs and wings on the grill
and making Amanda's famous baked beans. 
We have fresh corn and fresh squash as well.
Want to show Gus what we mean by
Independence Day over here in the USA.

Will watch fireworks from the upper deck.
Should be able to see several different shows
from this vantage point.

How we should live....

"Live like one who expects Christ to return at any moment.
Live like pilgrims and strangers on this earth.
Live ever looking unto Jesus and leaning on Jesus.
Live like one whose treasure is in heaven.
Live like the best things are yet to come.
Live with your heart packed up and ready to be gone."

Heading for Heaven
J.C. Ryle

amanda's roses......

finally bowed their lovely heads.
They are now hanging upside down
in the big window
looking out over the marsh.

Going to sit on the upper deck
and read until it gets too dark to do so any longer.
The breeze feels and smells
like it is coming off of the ocean
and my book is too good to put down.
(World War II historical fiction.....
that era being of great interest to me)

It is over....
All of the gazing ahead to Ethiopia
has come to it's perfect end.
Gus is here with his family to stay. 
Erika has arrived safely back in Savannah from Raleigh
and Amanda is back in Lanexa.
Things will start to get back to normal
and that is good.

About our God...

By awesome deeds
You answer us with righteousness,
O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas; 
the one who by His strength established the mountains,
being girded with might;
who stills the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples,
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth
are in awe of You. 
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.
Psalm 65: 5~8

I could write my thoughts forever,
but Scripture says it best.
Only the word of God can change your heart.

july one ~ summer fun

Just checking in with a few more pictures.

When Amanda and the boys are here,

we go, literally, from sun-up to sun-down.

Therefore, it is harder to formulate and write 

my thoughts.  They leave in the morning and

I will be sad....

already planning for the next time to see them.

Jesus.....the object on which our eyes should be fixed.

"We are to run, making Jesus our example.

Taking no lower pattern than the Son of God Himself.

endeavouring to copy........

His meekness,

His humility,

His Love,

His zeal for souls,

His self denial,

His purity,

His faith,

His patience,

His prayerfulness,

and as we look we shall daily become more like Him."

Heading for Heaven

J.C.Ryle