She's Back!

Here's the sign we made to take with us to the airport last night:

(in the small print, Leslie and Steven's names were included on the lower portion. we bought them welcome home prizes in case they were genuinely offended!)

Anyway, it was a LONG week and Ava grew and changed and apparently adapted well to California, but she was obviously OVERJOYED to be home. Can you tell we're just a wee bit ga ga over this little girl?

Leslie, Steven and Ava had an awesome trip and hopefully they will post some of the beautiful photos they took on their blogs soon. I'm just thrilled to have them ALL home--where they belong. ;)

Midweek Ramblings

This week has been unique. (Beginning with a rhyme is always good, right?)

First, Leslie, Steven and Ava Grace flew to California on Saturday. Reports from the Left Coast are that all is well and that Ava misses her Nana. I'm confident that she misses me very much less than I miss her. Who'd a thunk (as Beaver Cleaver would say) just a year ago that my heart would be so smitten by this little one? Many people told me that you can't imagine what it's like to be a grandparent until you are one. That was a colossal understatement.

Anyway, Leslie has now enjoyed some of the California haunts that Steven loves and will hopefully blog about all that when they return. For now, they are enjoying time with Grandpa Gompers, Great Grandma Elaine and Aunt Tracy and family. They will head to the wedding of one of Steven's college roomies this weekend and then return to us on Sunday.

Monday, David had severe back pain that he thought stemmed from a pulled muscle initially. As it became unbearable, I took him to the Urgent Care because Nichole had an appointment that she couldn't miss. Seems he had a kidney stone and is still dealing with it--so please remember him in your prayers. It was basically a "kill me or heal me" kinda pain and I have to say I've never seen him so miserable. If you've had one, you know. If you haven't, I hope you never do!

Finally, I finished reading "The Shack" on Monday night. There are quite a few theological/doctrinal inaccuracies in the book but if you can read it for what it is, a work of fiction that endeavors to present a lavish-love Father (Papa)to a wounded soul who has only been able to conceptualize Him as a God of rigid requirements that must be performed perfectly, then it's not a bad read.

Speaking as one who has gone through the rigors of a thick-skinned writing critique by Moody Editors including Jerry Jenkins, I couldn't help noticing the numerous literary no-no's employed by this novice author, but he never intended this book to make it to the mainstream. He wrote if for his six children and self-published the work. It's a "word of mouth" phenomenon that has made it to the marketplace without being published by a major house. Apparently, it was rejected repeatedly by Christian publishers saying it was too controversial, and by secular publishers who said it was too Christian. Therefore, if nothing else, I give it two kudos for that. It's a feat people.

I am currently reading "The Copper Scroll" by Joel Rosenberg. So far, there is nothing I can say except GET THIS BOOK. It is fascinating and it will suck you in like a Dyson on the first page.

Well, it's time to get back to work. Happy Wednesday and God Bless~

Braggin' Mother-in-Law

Last night, Nichole's rendition of "Fallin," Alicia Keys soulful ballad, won her a spot in the finals of WSOC TV's Gimme the Mike Charlotte. If you missed it, you can see it online at: www.wsoctv.com, click on "what's hot," then select the link under the heading on the right labled "show information". At that point, select the clip from segment #7. It was a lot of fun and we are all very proud of Nichole!

Our Broken World

On Sunday night, the weather was perfect for baseball--America's pastime--and our son's sport. We arrived at West Charlotte's field at a little after 7 and set up our chairs on a hill behind home plate.

David plays for the NABA men's league at different fields, but always at a Charlotte area high school, and although we realize this isn't an area of town considered to be the best, when he plays we are there if we can be.

A little after the game began, a group of six young teens walked up the road on the opposite side of the fence yelling profanity that was worse than X rated at the players. When they reached the area where we were sitting, not only did they continue their vulgar taunting--especially targeting Nichole and me--they threw rocks at us, one of them narrowly missing Nichole.

I won't detail the events that ensued because that wasn't my reason for blogging about this very disturbing incident, but it wasn't pretty. What bothered me most though(other than fear of being killed by these kids who could have also been carrying guns for all we knew) is that I actually saw up close and personal the depth to which some in our society have fallen. These kids were barely out of elementary school, yet they spewed morally reprehensible language and demonstrated their violent hatred without provocation.

For hours, I was unable to fall asleep. I know God loves these very lost kids. They are people who have no respect for themselves or anyone else--no fear of authority--no sense of right or wrong--and no concept of decency. I am angry. I am sad. I am outraged that our granddaughters will likely someday be victims of such vulgar verbal assault. I detest the fact that children can no longer remain innocent for the duration of "childhood" because they live in this very broken world.

I remember the occasional reminiscing that my own parents did when they lamented the loss of a sweeter, more innocent time. Today, I am them. I am there.

Glam-organic

While reading Architectural Digest magazine this morning, I discovered my "if funds were unlimited" style. I learned that I am a glamorganic girl. It's hard to imagine having the kind of monetary resources that would allow ownership of such a property, but I think I would eventually adjust.

Each month the magazine features vastly different architectural masterpieces, but rarely do I see anything that I covet. (I know, I've already prayed about it.)

"My" house, owned by Randolph Duke, is the perfect blend of form and function, light and shadow--and the vistas couldn't be adequately captured by the photographer, but breathtaking is obviously an understatement.

So, if I'm not meant to acquire this hillside oasis, I'd settle for the quaint little yacht featured in the May 08 issue. It's name? Audacia. I guess that sums up this blog about my Sunday afternoon home daydreaming. Audacious.

Captivated

We attended the Saturday night service at church tonight. Rick Harwell, Meck's Worship Pastor, delivered a challenging message reminding me that I have to choose my life's path (or road) paying particular attention to the example set by Christ.

Before Rick's message, Steven led worship. Tonight was meaningful to me because a song that he wrote last winter opened the service. I've heard its progression from the initial chorus to the completed piece, and I love the message and the melody that God gave Steven. It's a song about grace and our response to such an amazing gift from God.

At the end of the worship set, Nichole sang a song accompanied only by Andrew's guitar. I will be the first to admit that I may be ever-so-slightly proud of my two kid-in-laws, but I don't know when I've been more blessed musically than I was tonight.

The song that Nichole sang is called "Captivate Us," and if you've never heard it--you should. I doubt there is a more powerful recorded version available than what we heard live tonight--but here are the lyrics. I hope they cause you to sense the splendor of God's worth and majesty and that if you aren't already captivated by His greatness and love, you soon will be.

Your face is beautiful
And Your eyes are like the stars
Your gentle hands have healing
There inside the scars
Your loving arms they draw me near
And Your smile it brings me peace
Draw me closer oh my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You

Your voice is powerful
And Your words are radiant bright
In Your breath and shadow
I will come close and abide
You whisper love and life divine
And Your fellowship is free
Draw me closer O my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

Let everything be lost in the shadows
Of the light of Your face
Let every chain be broken from me
As I’m bound in Your grace
For Your yoke is easy, Your burden is light
You’re full of wisdom, power and might
And every eye will see You
Captivate us, Lord Jesus--with you

No No's

This morning I had to say "no, no, Ava," so many times I sounded like a broken record. The issue at hand is that she wants everything she shouldn't have--especially if it could hurt her.

I redirected her three times from electrical cords that she was reaching for behind various pieces of furniture, and I picked her up and loved on her after an object that she chose to use for leverage toppled as she was pulling up. Undaunted, she moved toward other equally inappropriate objects.

The morning's events made me think about God's view of me (as does almost everything she does these days).

I understand that the absolute ONLY reason God ever says "no, no" to me is because of His love. I also realize that He knows best. Why, then, do I ever question Him? That's my thought to ponder for today.

Chewing on The Word

This morning as I prayed for Ava, I asked God specifically to give her a passionate love for Jesus and for God's Word. Now I'm not saying that this was an answer to my prayers exactly, but at the ripe old age of nine months, I caught her less than an hour later "chewing on The Word" after she discovered that she could now reach the Bible on my bedside table!

And a little child shall lead them...

Freedom--oh the blessing!

Thankful, I am, for freedom inherited
A wonderful gift that I haven't merited

Because I was born in this land of the brave
I was given the birthright that every soul craves

I won't take for granted,how brazen I'd be
if not grateful and mindful that I'm blessed to be free.

Pre-Independence Day

Ava Grace is happy about becoming independent! Happy July 3rd!

All Good Things...

must come to an end. That's what I've been told, anyway. And such is the case for something that has become a wonderful part of my life for the last nine years. As a result, I've spent part of today pondering what's next and feeling a little blue.

Discovery Jones Expeditions is in its final season. Today, I submitted what will likely be two of the last scripts I'll write for the series--script #'s 147and 148. That's right--I have written 148 scripts and it doesn't seem possible! So...it was quite a bittersweet moment as I hit the send button on my computer.

Being a part of the show has afforded me adventure and experiences I never imagined. For the first year, I traveled with the production crew on location as we trekked through alligator infested swamps, Louisiana graveyards at midnight, and various other places that sane people rarely venture.

Writing these episodes (which I think have now included at least one location in all 50 states and 10 foreign countries) required me to research subjects and topics that broadened my knowledge and perspective while challenging my mind and imagination in ways I can't even explain.

As a result of my role with DJE, I've become enlightened about what it means to experience zero gravity, and I've been inside the Space Shuttle. (not when it was on a mission--just to be clear!!) I've learned about PADI certification and what it's like to live aboard a dive boat in the middle of the Pacific off the coast of Palau. I've watched my colleague and the show's host skydive with the Army's elite Golden Knights, and I saw his pale face after a World War II pilot did loops in a two seater bi-wing plane while he occupied the front seat.

With my team, I've learned about Mt. Rushmore and Grand Piton. I've experienced hang-gliding and parasailing, boat flying, and zorbing. I've seen footage that my crew shot at the Nissan Outdoor Games in Chamonix, France, and I've vicariously ridden to the top of the highest peak in Switzerland alongside them.

I was at the Pentagon two weeks after 9/11, and atop Hatteras Lighthouse after it was moved just before they permanently banned anyone from climbing it. With the guys, I hiked Red Rock Canyon to get the perfect shots, and I survived a self-righting vessel rescue mission with the U.S. Coast Guard. I should mention that I have immense respect for those people and I would never, ever, never, ever aspire to that role...(think "The Guardian" here). Also, I can't recall comparable nausea in my entire adult life.

This list doesn't scratch the surface of all I've learned and experienced, and I know that it's only because of God's blessing that I was chosen to be part of something so incredible. I have loved every crazy minute of it and ask you to pray for my team as they leave for Ireland next week--that God will go before them and that they will touch lives for Him as they work to create shows that bring the message of God's saving grace. Also, please pray that this show continues to be shown around the globe and that children hear the clear gospel message as they watch Discovery Jones explore the world. I won't know this side of heaven why God allowed me to do this, but for the rest of my life I'll praise Him for the chance!