Here we go again...

We signed another contract on the house last night. I guess I should be excited about it, and I am, deep down. But after the let down previously, I'm really trying to keep my emotions in check. It's not over till it's over, right? Any number of things could go wrong related to the financing portion for our buyers. This whole process has been sobering to us. I've realized how the market decline has really impacted the contract price that we were able to secure. Here are a couple of pictures from the construction of our house. This picture was taken on construction Day 4, May 16, 2003. It's one of my favorite pictures! Look how little our boys are! They are so cute! This picture was taken on Day 14 of the house being built, May 26th, 2003. On to other things... We leave on Thursday morning for a "Presidents Club" trip that Rick earned with our Merchant Services business. We're looking forward to a long weekend in Napa Valley, California. And the quaint inn where we are staying looks very sweet and romantic! It's a long way from right now to tomorrow when we board the aiplane. Lots to do, packing, wrapping up things at work, youth group tonight, etc.

This Side of 30 Hours

It’s 3pm on Sunday afternoon. I’m tired. But not hungry. Not anymore. And I don’t think I’ll say “I’m Starving…” again without thinking twice. Because there are 26,000 children that are starving… and will die today from hunger, malnutrition, and preventable disease. We’ve just completed a fast-paced, fun-filled, hunger driven “30 Hour Famine” with the kids in our church youth group. Groups all over the nation are participating in this World Vision event to raise money for children in need all over the world. About 20 of our youth helped to create a weekend that will make a difference for these children. Yesterday was filled with “survival challenges” that taught us about the physical, economical and environmental challenges in other countries. We made graffiti signs, slept in cardboard boxes & tents, asked for pledges, and learned about poverty and hunger.

Through pledges and generous donors, our kids raised almost $2,250! World Vision forecasts that this will feed and nourish 75 children for one month. Or, it could feed one hungry child for over 6 years! One very miraculous event occurred when a weary, tattered, and obviously very hungry couple appeared at the doors of our church. It was in the middle of Saturday afternoon, when the kids were really beginning to feel the hunger pains of their fast. This couple arrived in need. They had been walking from Jacksonville, all the way to Mabank (about 65 miles) on their way to Dallas. Our kids welcomed them into the cool of the church where we asked how we could help them. They were hungry and needed to rest for a few minutes. The most beautiful acts of service and love were visible as our youth scrounged around in the kitchen to assemble a meal for our guests. As their own stomachs were growling and they were feeling the pains of hunger, they graciously prepared a feast for those more hungry. They carefully spread the mayonnaise on the bread. Added cheese, ham or turkey. Wrap in foil. Bag up some chips. Found some Little Debbie snacks for dessert. A group of the kids walked the meal down to the coffee area where our guests were resting. They set napkins before them and offered the food, in a humble gesture of acceptance, love, and even understanding. “God Bless You,” they told the couple. Then, not wanting to strip them of their dignity, we left them to eat and rest a bit. Sure, there were a million questions we wanted to ask, but didn’t. Sometimes, you just need to provide for a need without knowing all of the details. About an hour after our guests arrived, they were on their way again...continuing on foot 60 more miles to Dallas. They didn’t accept the backpacks we offered that would have been loaded with food and supplies. “Keeping it light,” the road-weary man told us. They turned the corner and walked out of sight. I’m not entirely convinced our guests weren’t angels. Sent to allow a youth group in Mabank Texas the opportunity to minister. To be the hands and feet of Jesus even as they stretched their own limits of comfort, food and shelter. Angels or not, there is no doubt our friends provided a God-Sighting, as Allison – the youth minister – calls it. God-Sightings are all around us, if we will only look. People, places and incidents that call us to be the hands and feet of Christ. It’s not just in Africa or Mexico or South America where children are starving. It happens right here, in Mabank Texas. It happens on the long weary road to Dallas. It happens in the grocery store, the nursing home, the mall. And it happens when the teacher prays for their student that is safer in class than he is at home. I was so proud of our Youth Group this morning as they shared their hearts with the congregation in both services. It was inspiring and worshipful. In a world full of despair – riddled with job loss, homelessness and hunger – our younger generation shared HOPE with us. We set out this weekend to fight hunger with hunger. But what we got was so much more.

Hanging in...

Since my last post, things changed. They always do. Nothing is ever for certain in this world. The contract on the house fell through on the last day of the buyers "option period." This happened a little over a week ago, the day after my last post. And, of course, it happened after we moved the Jukebox out. While Taylor was home one weekend, we decided that he would be great help for moving the heaviest item in our house to Athens. In the video below, Taylor and Rick work on getting the JukeBox in place for the trailer.

Fast-forward a week to Easter: Despite the "blues" I felt from the house contract falling out, we were blessed with a fantastic Easter.

Ronnie and Patsy (Rick's brother and his wife) joined us in Easter worship at our church. They then followed us to Athens where we visited, laughed, showed them around our Fish Cabin.

The Bush clan then joined us there and we enjoyed a picnic together. The rain kept us inside, but it was still fun being with everyone. (Tod & Robyn, Tyler, Lindsey, & Kati, we missed you!)

Here is Uncle Lee holding his newest grandson, (my newest cousin) Wyatt. Yulia was eating, so "Paw-paw" had a chance to hold this sweet one.

After the rain cleared, mom, dad, Rick and I went fishing. Didn't catch anything but a good time, so that's ok!

Later on, Taylor and Collin showed up. We had a blast playing games late into the night. And just so you know, Rick and Kristen were the champs of "Gimme Five."

Four out of five games...is it pathetic to beat your kids in a boardgame? Nah... they needed a lesson. Especially after the "104 card pickup" that Collin made his dad play!

God reminded us over Easter of many, many things.

• We celebrated the gift of His Son and what His resurrection means to us.
• We celebrated the gift of family and laughter.
• We celebrated that in the midst of feeling "blue," we are indeed blessed BEYOND imagination in this world. Health, wealth, family and friends, jobs, homes...
• Need I say more?

Just before I hit "Publish" on this newest blog entry, we received a call from the Real Estate company. They were scheduling our house to be shown on Friday at 6pm. Maybe this will be the one?

Camping at the hospital

Below is a picture of Rick and his Mom dancing - I love this picture because it captures what Rick grew up doing... dancing with his Momma. Being the wife of a band member, Gladys would sit at the "band table" with the other wives every night. She taught Rick to dance, and you could say that he grew up on the dance floor. I guess Momma B danced just a bit too much, because her little knees have been giving her trouble. Today, Momma got herself a brand new knee! That sounds like it could be a Country Western song, doesn't it? I'm spending the night with her tonight at the hospital. I guess we're kind of having us a girls night out, complete with waitstaff and bedside service! She's going to be here 4 nights, and then will probably go to a rehab facility for a few days. She's pretty groggy and has been sleeping most of the day. The pain was pretty bad earlier, but it's under control for the time being. Other than that, the doctor said she did just fine, and would be up dancing again in no time! As for me, I'm armed with the following:

• A book Dad got me from the library entitled "A Dog Named Christmas."
• A travel Yahtzee game
• My favorite Sudoku book
• Computer (obviously) - this 5 star resort has free wifi!
• 5 outdated newspapers - Thanks, Ronnie... I guess! :)
• 5 hot tamales at the bottom of the box.
• Oops, no hot tamales, now.

The blue genuine imitation leather recliner really is quite comfortable... If I say it enough times, I'll start to believe it. Right?

To be honest, I am glad to be here. I love Momma B so much, it's a privilege to be next to her tonight. It's nice to have some "forced" free time, sitting next to her and talking if she feels like it, or just holding her hand through the pain.

And I've got a to-do list to begin composing that will be a mile long. We are going to start moving our furniture out next week, etc.

ETC covers ALOT of things.

Better go for now. Gonna check out the cute male nurse that just walked in.

Just kidding, Rick! (123!)

Rick, Rick, Rick

Mobile posting from my phone:
Rick is demonstrating how to use a hospital tray as a scooter.

We are waiting on Rick's mother to arrive from Recovery. The doctor
said surgery went well! More later.

Contract Pending!

Well, It Happened! This past week has been incredibly busy and exciting! We have finalized the contract on our house, set a closing date (soon!) and are getting ready for the Home Inspection. It happened on April Fool's Day - which had me cautiously watching over my shoulder, waiting on someone to jump out and shout "April Fool's!" This is Saturday morning - and while we are enjoying our Saturday Morning Ritual, my mind is reeling of all we need to do. Closing is set for Wednesday April 29. That's 25 days away. They take possession that day as well, and we leave the next day for President's Club (GO RICK!) in Napa Valley. Everything I look at in this house begs the question "to keep or not to keep?" I've never been more aware in my life than now of the "things" that clutter my life. There is so much that I've accumulated and don't need, it gets overwhelming. It's especially hard to get rid of those things that I've had since childhood. Sentimentality kicks in, and even though I have no place to store all of those little things, I just can't get rid of them. For instance: Snoopy and Belle and all of their cute little clothes. I've had those dolls since I was a little girl, and even though they've lived in my attic for years, I can't bear to get rid of them. Or the little baby doll rocker and the antique school desk? These things take up room, but they are sentimental. And yet, I have no desire to haul around stuff in life that I will never need or use. It's just that I worry about regretting the decision to get rid of it. So... that's where I am today. Trying to decide what to keep and what to give away.