Please pray for my friend, Tonya

This is Tonya and her son, Parker on Thanksgiving Day.  Please click on the link below and read her story.  Then, please pray for her, Dave and their son, Parker.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tonyachristman

Book Review - "The Edge of the Divine" by: Sandi Patty

I've watched Sandi Patty for years go through ups and downs.  Catharsis after catharsis.  I have always appreciated her frankness and honesty in all of it.  Her book, "The Edge of the Divine", is another such catharsis for her.  She reveals her struggles with weight and her desire to be master over it.  She also reveals her realization that she cannot master it and talks intimately about her coming to terms with who she is and how God made her.  This is not a deep theological book, but it does encourage the reader to come to terms with who we are in Christ and submit to His vision and view of who we are.  It's a beautiful story of love and restoration and a return to joy.  I enjoyed the book and recommend it.


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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Taste of Tropical Texas...

This is my friend, Tammy's blog.  She's somewhat of an "expert" on what kind of tropical plants will grow in Texas.  It's a fun blog to read...not just for the info, but she's a great writer, too.  Hope you enjoy it!
http://tasteoftropicaltexas.blogspot.com/

Doing 'This Thing' - A Compassion Radio Testimony

Doing 'This Thing' - A Compassion Radio Testimony

Emma Belle Beavers Scott ~ Sept. 14, 1910 - Sept. 24, 2010 ~

Today, Nanny went home to Jesus.  I got a text message from my aunt around 10 this morning to let me know.  It was a tough one to read, even though I've been expecting it for a few weeks.  She just hasn't been feeling right.  Mom, Uncle Bubba and Aunt Margaret were with her when she went home.  No pain or struggle, just peace.  What a joy!  What a blessing!  She had a big homecoming prepared for her, I'm sure.  My uncle noted that she was born in 1910 and died in 2010.  She was 10 x 10 years old and lived 10 days past her 100th birthday.  She died at 9:10 in the morning.  My Grand-daddy, who was quite the Mathematician, would be thrilled with all that.

As I have processed the day, I thought of all the people who have gone before her, gathering to meet her as she came home.  Seeing Jesus in all of His glory!  What an amazing thought.  Of course, Guy-Gan was there at the front of the line.  I'm sure my Daddy greeted her with warm hugs.  All 5 of her brothers, and 1 of her sisters.  Her Daddy and Grandma, who raised her.  And then I thought..."She is seeing her Momma for the first time since she was 8 years old!"  How amazing is that?!  I can remember her talking about her Momma when I was growing up.  I remember her saying it was harder and harder to remember what she looked like as she got older and then there was a time when she completely forgot what her voice sounded like.  What a reunion she must be having.

Oh how I will miss my Nanny...but oh how thrilling to know she is with the ones she loved so.

Saying Goodbye

We celebrated Nanny's 100th birthday last week.  How amazing is that.  She wasn't feeling well, but still wanted to be with us all for a bit to have cake and Dr.Pepper (her favorite).  Tonight we got a call from my uncle that we may be saying goodbye to her this week.  The Dr. says he's done all he can do to help her short of putting her in the hospital for IV fluids and such.  She wouldn't want that.  It would only prolong the inevitable and upset her terribly.  So now we wait.  My Momma will go up and be with her tomorrow morning.  I'm not even really sure how to pray right now.  I don't want her to suffer a prolonged wait.  I know she's ready to be with Jesus and to see my Guy-Gan again.  She loves them both so.  I will miss her, but I already do.  She has slowly slipped into the quiet of the years and has become less and less like the Nanny I grew up loving.  I pray I can honor her with the right kind of grief.  The kind that brings glory to the God she loves and the kind that teaches my children that it's okay to love with abandon.  I will miss my Nanny, but I will rejoice in her home-going.

These are my Nanny's hands.  They held the hand of a godly man for almost 60 years and nursed him as he breathed his last breath.  They have raised two godly children.  They have loved on six grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.  They have planted gardens and canned many fruits and veggies.  They have operated a radio at a military base during WWII spotting for enemy plans along the TX border.  They have inspired me, loved me and encouraged me many times...they've even disciplined me a time or two.  I pray my hands are this beautiful when I'm 99 and 3/4's.  I love you Nanny, you're the best!