Being A Long Distance Mom

Long distance relationship are hard! Even with all the fancy communication tools we have nowadays staying in truly touch isn't easy unless we are face to face with our loved ones. Add to that already difficult proposition trying to be a mom through the phone and Internet and you have an almost impossible task. This past week has made it very clear that even with the best of technology distance-momming is not the real deal.
My eldest Nicole has been sick - really sick it turns out - and has called me more since Sunday then in the whole month before. I've walked through her symptoms with her, told her what she need from the drug store and what to ask when she was finally convinced she had to see the doctor. I've fielded questions about fevers, racing heart beats and discussed hot tea vs orange juice. What I haven't been able to do is make her tea, feel her forehead or hug her and that's what really matters!
She is an exceptionally bright and talented young woman of whom I am very proud but in my heart of hearts she is still the little girl who would curl up in the big chair with her blanket and lamby wanting Momma to make her all better. She is still that teen who would lay on the couch covered in blankets sipping tea and trying to avoid going to the doctor. She is a smart girl who is learning to be a grown up (and that being a grown up is HARD) with a mom who isn't really ready to let go!



Feel better Nikki-Kate my love!!

Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life

Have you ever heard the expression "stop and smell the flowers"? I have - repeatedly. Living in Northern Virginia, growing up going to church activities and art lessons and softball and riding my bike all over Ashdale its something I heard one adult with an over-crowded schedule say to another all the time. Once I got to be one of those adults it became something I struggled with constantly. Over the years I have given up painting and sewing and even sleeping (thank You God for insomnia) trying to get all the things I felt needed done accomplished while trying to work and go to school again and raising my girls. It's not as easy as Momma made it look!! Now that neither girl lives at home and I'm done with school (for the time being?) and I'm not allowed to work my life has taken on a new tempo.

I've learned to not only stop and smell the roses, but also to; walk slowly enough through my days to enjoy the sunrise as well as the sunset, watch the trees change colors, listen to the birds sing and try to find them, enjoy the clouds dancing in the sky and generally find inspiration for life in God's creation around me. Living in southwest Virginia definatley helps with that quest, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth! Just driving from place to place fills your day with beautiful views and opportunities to see all sorts of "woodland" creatures.

Psalm 90 tells us: Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. What a wonderful promiseof which to be constantly reminded! I draw strenth from the Blue Ridge, they remind me of the power and might of the One Who created them and make me feel safe and protected. Psalm 72 reinforces this with the promise: The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.

How wonderful is the Lord our God to those who love Him and are called by His Name!

Labor Day Along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Tucker and I took Terri on a drive south along the parkway today. The sky was beautiful bright blue, the breeze just right and the temp never got above the upper 80's. It was perfect!

There is something to be said for leaving behind the sales & crowds of the malls and the noise and crush of the last day at the pool/beach/lake to wander along the roads remembering what we actually labor for...


Another nice reminder from today's adventure - not everyone gets a labor free Labor Day! Oh I know all the retail sales staffs are out in full force along with the food industry workers and theater & theme park employees, but they will get another day off to make up for today.

I'm thinking more along the lines of farmers, herdsmen, dairymen and cattlemen (and women) who don't get a day off period. The sun comes up and off they go... the sun sets and still they have things to do! Even on a "holiday" celebrating the working man.


We named this gentleman "Farmer Johnson" and I'm sure he thought we were nuts taking pictures of him. All he wanted to do, surely, was get his field mowed and get home! Look at the tree line and the incline of the land...can you imagine working a field like that just to get hay for your animals?! (BTW, the big orange cloud is POLLON - oy my sinuses!)

The amazing thing about these drives are the lessons - duty, dedication and honor never take a holiday - and surprises that God puts in my path along the way. After watching "Farmer Johnson" for a while I noticed something odd along the fence line.


This wonderful Cross is made up of a fence post, tree stump, vines and barbed wire twisted into a crown of thorns. What a wonderful beautiful picture of the work the Man of Sorrows did on that OLD RUGGED CROSS

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
(Refrain)

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
(Refrain)

4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.
(Refrain)


Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The continuing saga

First full day in Tennessee wasn't too bad, kinda cloudy but still got some good pictures taken (400+ in 4 days) made use of my kitchen and found the "art gallery". In of itself the gallery was a bit of a disappointment but the fact that it was founded by the artists themselves was quiet wonderful. It is open to the who community offering classes, lectures, demonstrations and a nice art history library.

I also found one of the wineries. Interesting place - not a grapevine to be found. Highlight of that stop was this cool wine glass rack I found... If only I had money...and wine glasses! Thus Monday ended...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My Trip to Tennessee

Have you ever noticed that no matter what wonderful ideas you have before you go on vacation they all go ary and yet it turns out ok in the end anyway...most of the time? I recently got to go to a wonderful area of Central Tennessee sourrounded by lakes and rolling hils and stay at a resort with multiple outdoor pools and even beaches. The idea of laying out in the sun soaking up all that lovely vitamin D thrilled me. Even better was the chance to visit with freinds I had not seen in years - decades even! To top it all off there were a number of wineries in the area. It sounded like a perfect picture-taking getaway. I was soooo excited.

The day before departure the "guest" who was coming with me (and had the money) backed out. Ok, no problem - I had a full tank of gas, a trunk full of groceries and a condo with a full kitchen waiting for me. I could still do this... and the drive down was beautiful. I even stopped at Bristol and got some fresh fruits and veggies at a historic farmers' market.

I arrived at Wyndom Fairfield Glade about 3 hours later then projected and very tired but left the concierge with lots of local art, history and winery attractions. AND two bags of hot popcorn, 4 chocolate chip cookies and 4 oatmeal cookies hot out of the oven. So far so good right?! Wrong... they had me in a small unit with a flight of stairs to get in and 4 steps in the unit. Not good for the knee - oh and my parking was half a block away. Sooo back to the Club House, get the room changed to the one I had reserved and viewed online. Off to the new room, unpack the car and watch some TV - gotta find out about all my sunshine right?? LOL How bout four days of rain and overcast skies. Don't you love vacations??

to be continued...

A Fruity Pebble in a World of Cheerios

Have you noticed that you can find wonderful inspiration on Facebook? Today a friend posted in her status that she was a Fruit Loop in a bowl of cheerios and this got me thinking...  Cheerios aren't bad - in fact they are very good for you but Fruit Loops are more colorful and much tastier! Honestly I liked the thought of choosing to be identified as something out of the ordinary like the Horse of Another Color in The Wizard of Oz. Her comparison of herself got me to thinking - what kind of cereal am I?? Odd I know but well that's how my mind works.

After much thought I decided that Fruity Pebbles work best for me. Not only are they colorful, they make some serious noise (kinda like my joints LOL). Fruity Pebbles aren't made of wheat like most cereals but of rice which is awesome! You see, I have a low tolerance to wheat products and as a child spent years not being able to eat any wheat! Fruity Pebbles were one of the "treats" that I could have because well they are different. They're based upon a classic cartoon - how FUN is that?! All you have to do is look at them and you smile.

All kidding aside, God created each of us in HIS own image and yet we are each differently and wonderfully made. In all of the history of Earth there is only one you, and if you had been the only person ever born after the fall of Adam and Eve Messiah Christ would have still come to Earth to live as a human and sacrifice Himself so that you could be ransomed. That's just how much God loves each one of us individuals He created.

I am so happy that God made me a Fruity Pebble in a world of Cheerios.

I am unique, full of color and a bit noisy at times.

To some I may seem a bit crazy but Jesus thought I was worth dying for!

Thank you Lord God Almighty for your gift of my Blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ!

God bless and sweet dreams!

PS:

In case you think that Fruity Pebbles are a bit out there as a reference for talking about God, take a look as HIS fruity pebbles! They are gravel and dust particles from Mars and just like me they were made by an infinatly creative God!! As He said to Job; "Were you there when I laid the foundations of the Earth?" I know I wasn't and wouldn't even begin to limit His all encompassing power!

The Winding Road Home

Have you ever felt like you'd never FIND home much less GET home?? I've a couple friends who along with myself have felt this way before. I am proud to have been born in Richmond, Virginia. I grew up in Prince William County in Northern Virginia and have lived in Chicago, IL and Yuma, AZ as an adult. All three of these places hold a special place in my heart for different reasons but it wasn't until I moved to southwestern Virginia and particularly Franklin County, home of Ferrum College and touted as the Moonshine Capital of the world, that I finally understood the concept of home. Rocky Mount is the county seat and has quickly become home.

One of the wonderful things about returning to this area is that I had friends here already. The first were a dear couple that I knew from Riverview Baptist Church were the girls and I attended for years in Woodbrige. The second - who were a total suprise and have been a huge blessing - are Shari & Brent Good. Thank you Facebook!!

Another grand thing about coming back here was the sense of security that the mountians provide. I was in need of a haven, a safe place, protection and comfort. Driving into Rocky Mount from Roanoke feels like you are crossing over into a special place - a spot set round about with mountians and filled with the love and protection of the Lord. It is an incredible feeling of security and welcome.

This week I get the blessing of welcoming another friend whom I have known for almost ever to my haven. It is my prayer that she too will find "home" here and that her family will feel the same comfort and security. Life is pretty good... not that its perfect but being home - that sense of walking in the door and taking a big breath that instantly relaxes you - makes the rough spots easier to deal with doesn't it? Home is such a blessing from God and I am so thankful to Him for leading me down that long twisting road that brought me here.

sweet dreams y'all!