Every muscle in my body is screaming!

Today we worked in the yard! Oh, it is lookin' good! I planted lots of color we bought at Lowe's yesterday, lots of bulbs from a dear older 'sister' who has already home with the Lord, and one lone plant I have saved and moved to several different houses of my precious Maw-Maw's (who is also already in heaven making signs for me to welcome me in!) That was my favorite planting of the day. I hope it makes it! It is rare 'tamed' violet that makes beautiful ground cover. I have never seen it except in her yard until yesterday - there were some at Lowe's. I couldn't resist buying several. But my favorite is still that 'one'. As I planted it, I looked up at Rick and quoted my 'Grammy' verse: (Psalm 78) 'We will tell the next generation...' We both laughed and smiled at the tenderness of that moment. He knows.

We leave all our plants to grow in our absence. Tomorrow, we are heading to New Mexico. Our kids will come Monday and I can't wait! We have never done the mountains before - I am beach-kind-of-girl. But I am so excited about hiking in the mountains! - with my precious, precious family!!!!!! YEA!!!!

Psalm 71

Today is my birthday and want to share a passage that I claim as mine for the next year and maybe beyond. Psalm 71 speaks my heart -- I will type through my tears - sometimes authenticity makes me cry. Just the unveiling of my heart, I guess. (I am choosing to leave out a few verses here and there.)

In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; turn Your ear to me and save me. Be my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the evil and cruel men.

For You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on You; You brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise You.
I have become like a portent to many, but You my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendor all day long.

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me.

...as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.
I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone.

Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You?

I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God;
Iwill sing praise to You with lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You --
I, whom You have redeemed.
My tongue will tell of Your righteous acts all day long.



Now aren't those some words to use to celebrate a 49th year of life!

"Blessed"

This may feel kinda wierd to read because this is going to sound more like a diary than a blog. I have so much that I never want to forget about the last two weeks. (Keep it short, Bevie, keep it short!)
It was such a treasure in this mother's heart to be in Abilene with Jonathan as he finished up at Southern Hills. I love worshipping the Lord with my kids!!!! He is an amazing leader! Wed. night at his final HIP (High Imact Praise time), the praise team sang 2 songs he had written. INCREDIBLE!
Jennifer is looking so cute! Jedidiah is a much anticipated little baby! We saw the sonogram - we could actually see him wriggling as much as his daddy did! I can already tell he is a little doll!

It was also a treasure in my heart to get to spend time with Josh and Kayci. Rick and I stayed with them and were so appreciative of their sweet hospitality! Rick had to leave on Tuesday but I got to stay until Friday. I loved our late night chats and snacks! I LOVED walking across campus with Josh and watching an elder from Southwest Central in Houston tell Josh over and over how much they wanted him to come there to work with them! I LOVED Kayci asking every night what my favorite part of the day was!

Another treasure in my heart was coming home to lots of sweet, sweet notes that our Wed. night ladies' class wrote to me. The Lord and I shared a special time of reflection and precious sweetness as He reminded me that I am loved by Him and them!

I had another treasure when I picked up Malaya and we went out to eat and to see Curious George. She is such a wonderful buddy! She spent the night with me and we enjoyed lots of giggles!

Jonathan started at Bammel Road a week ago! Yesterday was his first Sunday. Cool: He got to pick up Mark Schultz at the airport Saturday.
Josh and Kayci made the decision to join the Southwest Central Church of Christ in ministry in June. Josh will be the pulpit minister for them! I'm so glad I got to meet some sweet folks from there.
Jenny has made a decision that I will be able to talk about tomorrow. I'm so proud of her! She is an extremely gifted young woman. I constantly learn from her! She and David are the best parents ever!!!!

I feel like I have put gift bows on the tops of these young heads and presented them to three churches with their mother's prayer of blessing. Serve the Lord's kingdom well, precious ones! He has gifted you each in abundance for His glory! I am blessed to have a front row seat to your lives! Your mother loves you and ... well, I do not have the verbal skills to tell you how proud I am! I love the Lord and I praise Him for putting His fingerprints all over you! Wear them well!

Last Thursday night, we went out to eat with our Bible study group. The girls gave me a precious gift. It is a necklace with a pendant that says 'Blessed'. I am soooooo blessed!