UNCLE.....We Surrender.......We're Ready for Spring

It has been a rough ten days weather wise around Central Kentucky.  I think school was called off all of last week and we are just trying to get back into some semblance of a routine this week.  It worked out well for me, as I had graphed out Mark Joseph's baby quilt, so all of that snowed in time was spent on cutting and sewing fabrics into my first quilt creation in many a year.  It's almost ready to start the quilting, as soon as I add one little applique piece to the quilt top.

Church has been cancelled for the little country church, where I attend the past two Sundays, but as Mark reported, with the help of many, our parking lot may finally be cleared and I'm hoping for the opportunity to worship in church this coming Sunday.  The Daniel Bible study has also been on hold, as our BSF class, studying Moses was also cancelled last week.  Thankfully, we got caught up this week and I am so amazed at Moses, Aaron, Joshua and especially Caleb as the Israelites began their years of wandering in the desert. I had read Numbers before, but this time it really was striking to realize that out of the over 600,000 Israelite men who were with Moses when they left Egypt, only the faithful and courageous Caleb and Joshua would live to obtain the land of milk and honey that had been promised by God.  I find all of this Old Testament study extremely fascinating, and so faithbuilding, as well.

Little Mark Joseph has already hit the six week mark and his parents are looking into the future aspect of daycares available to him.  Because the facility that seemed to be the best fit for them, has a long waiting list, I'm going to be given the opportunity to watch him a lot during his first year.  If I remember correctly, they don't run around too much the first twelve months.  

My family continues to be blessed this year as we celebrated my dad's 89th birthday with a family dinner at Cracker Barrell.  Everyone had fun passing little MJ around the table as we all enjoyed his squeaks and facial expressions.  

After record breaking cold and snow accumulations, I think we are all looking forward to Spring, which is just about several weeks away.  I'm going to try something new this year, by planting vegetable seeds indoors.  I need lots of advice in that department as my vegetable garden seems to produce less and less with each passing year.  Our church may even attempt a community garden this year, as our new pastor, Evan has gained experience this past year in helping with such a garden near Wilmore.

And do you feel the excitement in our commonwealth as we near the mad month of March?  It is so awesome that we have a UK team of exceptional young men, who also seem to have a knack for roundball.  We in the BBN are having a hard time controlling our united utopia as we root for our Wildcats and pray that they continue to play their best and maintain their admirable , everyday qualities as students, while they muddle through this throng to come that we call March Madness.  I learned yesterday that the Paris Greyhounds are still in the hunt for their district championship, so I better get busy making phone calls, in case I'm needed at the next game.

As always, I wish you many blessings today and everyday.  Stay warm and safe as we look forward to the most important time of the year.  luv, Susan   

MY BEST BLESSING OF ALL......A GRANDBABY BOY!!!!!

Forgive me Father, it has been over a month since my last posting.  Well, that's what it feels like, that I am in a confessional and it has been so long since I was here.  I did have a rather hectic month, to say the least.  My little grandson, Mark Joseph Alligrini Berry was born on January 13, eleven days past his due date of the 2nd.  In that time, his little Libby cousin, Parker, whose due date was the 6th, managed to be born early, thus passing our little MJ up, and is now the older of the two, which seems weird.  Anyway, it was a healthy labor and delivery.  We are absolutely ecstatic about this little miracle that seemed so long in coming.  It was nice having God's reassurance of a healthy mom and baby when a semi passed me on the way to Frankfort with the slogan, "Our number one priority in serving you is a safe delivery."  It was an answer to prayer, for sure, as I had begun to get a little worried because this labor/delivery was taking longer than either of mine.  I am very thankful to God for blessing us in such an awesome way.  Mark Joseph has already turned a month old and we are indeed blessed.

Before my babies were born, I spent all my spare time in New England, working on baby quilts.  I've managed to work on a quilt or two during the years, but nothing like when I was waiting on my babies, being a full-time new mom in Chepachet, RI.  So, it's been a bit daunting to try to reach back into my creative self and try to figure out how to go about making a quilt for my first grandbaby.  Well, thankfully, I can now report that I have started this project and hope it will be done in just a matter of days or possibly weeks....stay tuned.

As I reread my last posting, I was reminded that I had wanted to commemorate the anniversary of Mom Libby's passing on February 10th.  However, I was busy that day taking my Mom and sister, Kathy to visit Mark Joseph and Christina.  It's also difficult to go back to my last days with Mom because she was in an induced coma after suffering an aggressive type of infection.  Every day was a one sided conversation about how much she was loved and needed on earth, yet assuring words of her place in heaven with Dad, if she was ready to accept Jesus as her savior.  The talks we had in the times before her hospitalization never ended with the desired responses, but I have my faith that God reached down and accepted her delayed repentance and acceptance of His son during those final days in February when we prepared for her ultimate reunion with Dad.  Their ashes were given their final resting place on the island where they first set eyes on each other, and I enjoy thinking of them spending eternity in youthful bliss on Lanes Island or enjoying their view of Old Harbor.

If you are in Kentucky, you are enjoying a beautiful snow covered picture out your windows.  I can't begin to describe how awesome seeing the sun light up the sparkling snow is this morning.  I have a quilt to put together and so many other things to do.  I hope you are warm and safe and enjoying the blessings that God is bestowing on you today.  Have a great day.  luv, Susan 

A LIBBY ANNIVERSARY

Today is a Libby anniversary.  It has been one year since we lost Dad Libby.  He fell ill about the day after Christmas in 2013 and remained hospitalized for the next few weeks.  For a while we really thought he would pull through, like he had many times before.  We were so happy the day that he sat up and had some sherbert.  It also seemed like a good sign that he was throwing pillows when he was having difficulty getting his point across to his caregivers.  But, this was his last recovery, of sorts, and we received the phone call a year ago, today.

We had been there for a visit after Thanksgiving that year.  I had a conversation with Dad about the book, Killing Jesus.  He wanted to explain to me the general theme of the book about looking at the killing of Jesus like a  death to be solved through present day methods.  I wanted to use the opportunity to discuss his salvation.  As I questioned him about his belief in Jesus and his acceptance of Christ as his savior, he got frustrated with me and simply stated, with emphasis, "Yes, I know all that, yes, I did that."  To which I simply responded that was all I needed to hear from him, that he had accepted Jesus as his savior.  We then talked about the book.  

Now, today, we are still awaiting the arrival of our first grandbaby.  My mom, sisters and I just got back from Illinois where we said goodbye to mom's younger sister, Mary Lou.  We know for certainty that, she, too, accepted Jesus as her savior.  I'm looking forward to seeing Dad Libby and Mary Lou in heaven when the time comes for me.

I hope you have a great day.  Stay safe. love, Susan

January 8, 2015 - Happy Birthday, Elvis!

I normally don't like change, just some sort of human nature of growing accustomed to the people, places and activities I've been used to and enjoying them each day.  However, there is one change that has me just giddy with excitement and that's the soon to be ( we hope ) birth of my first grandbaby.  And with this birth in my family, comes a death. My mom is one of six children born to Davie and Cressie Pope, a farmer and his wife who lived in Forsyth, Illinois.  Their children included Betty Ann, Davie Jr., Mary Lou, Jean, Linda and Carol.  We have been so blessed as a family to have had them all right up to a couple days ago when we lost our Aunt Mary Lou.  We'll be heading home to be with family soon. 

In the meantime, we are getting into the new routine for 2015. I had dinner with my friend, Marti, on Monday, as we meet monthly to get together with our former PHS classmates from the Class of 1974.Yesterday my sister, Pam, and I had our first Bible Study of the year.  However, today I was not able to pick up my friends for our monthly homemakers meeting, due to the frigid weather conditions.  

I really didn't like this weeks Bible Study on Leviticus.  As an animal lover, the sacrificial system used by Moses and the Israelites, as they roamed in the desert, is very hard to take. But because God cannot be near sin and we, because of our sinful human nature are unable to resist sin, there needed to be sacrificial blood to cover our sins.  Sacrifices were mandatory to cover and then remove our sins, so our loving God could dwell with us. We are reminded that nothing but blood( life ), can cover our sins( death ), that separate us  from our God. When hands were laid on these innocent animals, usually bulls, goats, lambs or birds, by the sinner, the sin was transferred to them and they were then killed for the sinner to be forgiven each and every time sins took place.

We watched some old videos on Christmas Day. I think it was Christmas 1984 at my parent's home in Paris with all our family present.  Seeing my mom and dad holding a two year old Dustin and a one year old Christina were really sweet memories.  A previous Christmas, we had watched a video of Mark's Grandpa Weeks talking about his life. He had worked in his younger years at a  stockyard/slaughterhouse with another young man and it was their job to kill animals.  Listening to this gentle, loving man talk about specifically killing a bull, and at another time killing little lambs, took me to a very dark place.  I never intend to watch that video again and I wish I could erase it from my memory, but I've not been able to do that.

My favorite parts of the Bible are the gospel stories about the birth of Baby Jesus in the stable, surrounded by the animals. Wednesday, after Bible Study, Pam and I went shopping at a Christian Bookstore because I needed a new angel to top my Christmas tree.  The previous angel, after lighting the past 30 Christmases or so, had been developing burned holes in the plastic cone surrounding the white lights.  Thankfully, her white satin gown never ignited, but it was time for a change. Not only did I find a new angel treetopper, but  I'm embarrassed to say that I've increased my nativity collection by three new sets.  I only select the ones that include all the stable animals. Not only will my new little Sixlibbyberry be surrounded by it's animated Christmas animals, but a lot of new nativity stable animals as well.

And, mostly today,as every day, I am so thankful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for making His ultimate sacrifice on the cross to forgive us all for all our sins.  Our sins are covered by His blood and we are forgiven because of Him, the perfect and innocent Lamb of God. The the shedding of the animals' blood is no longer necessary!

I want to wish Elvis a Happy 80th Birthday today.  We welcomed in 2015 watching and listening to a documentary of one of his last tours. It was awesome! Priscilla and I both agree that if he had lived, he would have done so much more gospel music as he got older, Amen to that.  The Libby family also welcomed a new little cousin for my little Sixlibbyberry.  Congratulations to Steve, Carla, Steve Jr., and Andi upon the arrival of little Parker Steven. We'll have a great time in Maine this year for sure! Please stay safe and warm and have a blessed day.  luv, Susan

 

My Day After Christmas Miracle

Yesterday was the first day of the new year.  I thought as the day progressed and I hadn't heard back from Christina that possibly they were welcoming that new little sixlibbyberry into the world, but, no, they were just busy with their binge watching of Harry Potter movies. Today is the actual due date, but with a first baby, we really don't expect him/her to arrive yet, but I won't be separated from my phone, you can count on that.

Watching parades and football games yesterday, I pretty much let the whole day slip away without accomplishing much.  Mark, on the other hand, managed to practically install an entire drop ceiling in our basement.  Today I have prayed to not let that be the case today.  Normally, I would be off to the Amen House, but we are closed, so hopefully, I'll have a list of things accomplished here at home.  There's still so much to get done in preparation for the new baby.  Also, there's all the decorations to put away and all the " new year responsibilities" that I have with my volunteer job at church.

It's gonna be sad putting away all the greenery and white lights that I spread throughout my house and the variety of nativities that I cherish.  My newest nativity is a book and ornament that are interactive.  As you read the book and push the appropriate pictures, the ornament lights up and the each animal of the stable tells it's part in helping Mary and Joseph on that holy night, as their little newborn enters the world. I actually have had this particular book and ornament for a couple years as I anticipated the birth of my first grandbaby.

After Christmas I also purchased some things for the baby's first Christmas which will be about a year away.  My sister Pam had the cutest animated toy that she had purchased for one of their grandbabies.  Because it terrified him, it still remained at their house Christmas day.  It's a cute little white, fuzzy dog that has red antlers with jingle bells attached to them.  Of course, when you turn it on it spins around excitedly shaking and playing Jingle Bells as it gyrates and jingles around.  I knew that I had to have one of them for little SLB, so I asked where I could find one.  She said she found it at Kroger, but was sure they were all gone.

The day after Christmas I met my sisters and my mom at Krogers to begin our day after Christmas shopping for bargains on Christmas paper and decorations.  I didn't even look for the little dog there, but did get some paper and checked out their cards.  After our traditional lunch and movie, I drove back to Georgetown where I stopped by our Kroger.  I checked out the shelf with the stuffed animals and saw lots of bears and snowmen, but no little doggie.  So, I again looked at the shelf and thought where would I be if I was the cutest little jingle bell doggie.  So I looked lower and lower to the bottom shelf and looked back farther and farther, til I saw the fuzzy white fur sticking up among the white teddy bears on the bottom shelf.  Yes, there it was, just sitting there waiting for me with it's red antlers and jingle bells.  It was my day after Christmas miracle!

I now have to confess that I didn't stop there, but proceeded to Cracker Barrel where I found a cute animated Santa that moves his eyebrows while singing and a reindeer that shakes while it sings as well.  And, at Wal-Mart I couldn't pass up the shivering polar bear that also comes with a book.  So, for my little SLB baby for it's first Christmas I am prepared with four Christmas singing, jingling, shivering, shaking animals, two books, and an ornament.  And, no, I do not intend to spoil this baby any more than any other grandmother would.  I better go get something accomplished today.  You have a great day, stay warm and safe.  luv, Susan   

  

HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR ( The Great Flood Of 2014 )

I go back and forth as to whether I should continue my attempts at an encouraging and uplifting Christian blog.  Originally, I wanted to feel still connected to those I left behind in Henderson, then I wanted desperately to reach my father-in-law in a manner that I felt uncomfortable with face to face, and now, I suppose, it is to do what we have been commissioned to do in Matthew 28:18-20.  I don't exactly consider myself as one of the twelve disciples, but I believe that my part is to plant seeds and water or nurture those seeds that have already been planted in the hearts of others.  So, I guess I'll carry on.

We had what my daughter stated as the end of an era here at our house a couple weeks ago.  Our water bed that we've slept on for the past 36 years sprung a slow leak weeks ago which turned into an impending flood of sorts during the middle of the night last week.  Mark, thinking that the waterbed mattress liner would contain the gallons of water that now filled each corner of the bed, said he would take care of it once he got home after work.  I, also worry free, went off to the Amen House for my three hour shift that morning.

When I got home that afternoon, I checked on the bedroom and everything looked just as I had left it.  The sheets and bedding had all been stripped and the heater had been unplugged, so I went on back downstairs to put away groceries and clean up the kitchen.  Hours later, when I went back up, I noticed glistening coming from the corners of the bedliner and realized that the water level was actually coming up higher than the mattress itself.  As I stepped closer to examine the situation, my foot touched down on squishy carpet.  That's never good, so I, in full panic mode, called Mark with the update on our now code red level disaster.

He quickly learned that his confidence in the mattress liner was ill-conceived, as the water was leaking from several spots along the foot of the bed and saturating the carpet.  He gave me the step-by-step instructions for draining the bed mattress with the water hose out front and then it was my responsibility to reverse this impending deluge.

The dogs thought it rather fun following me up and down the stairs and in and out the open front door as I ran up and down and in and out with the hose, and turning on the water, which seemed counter productive at this point, but eventually, I could see and hear the water from the bed liner draining down the hill in front of our house.  Eventually, I had to do the steps again as I actually attached the hose to the mattress itself, as,it too, began draining and I could then go about sopping up the water from our squishy carpets and continually checking the ceilings that are beneath our bedroom.

I am guilty of an "I told you so" of sorts for Mark, as I had suggested changing from our waterbed mattress to the traditional bed mattress we brought back from Mom and Dad Libby's guest bedroom.  He told me it wouldn't fit into the bedframe and that was the end of that.......until the day of the flood.  Evidently, the bedframe needed only minor adjustments and the new, kinda, mattress fit just fine.  Mark even thought that I may have actually sabatoged our bed in order to get my way, but of course, I would never do such a thing.  It is nice to be sleeping on this new mattress, though, I will admit to that.

As for New Year's resolutions, I again will resolve to try my best to be closer to God with each passing day.  I know if I do that everything else will fall into place for the best life that I could possibly live.  I'm open for whatever He has planned for me to do. I hope you have a wonderful New Year's Eve tonight and experience the most awesome 2015 possible. Stay safe, stay warm and have a great day.  luv, Susan 

   

 

MY CHRISTMAS WISH FOR YOU

Christmas Eve, it's here and, as usual, I'm not ready.  I've known all along that it was coming and I've tried my best to get ready, but I'm feeling very overwhelmed right now.  I did get the cards sent out, the house is decorated and I've baked and delivered cookies to friends and neighbors.  I went to the wonderful Christmas program at church, listened to the special music on the Christian Christmas music station and read all my devotions from my upper room leading up to tomorrow, but I'm still not feeling ready for tonight, tomorrow morning or the celebration of the awesome event that is  being commemorated.  I want to feel the peace that comes with knowing that I've done everything I could do to pass on the good news that we as Christians have been commissioned to do.

Every Christmas I feel such an overwhelming sense of "did I do enough" and "did I do too much" concerning gift buying and giving.  In addition to that I always feel a sense of guilt receiving the gifts given to me, because I didn't feel deserving of them.  I would rather my time and  their time spent thinking of how Jesus lived his live as our role model.  He spent time doing good, being good, loving, caring, teaching.  He knew his time was limited on earth and he tried his best to show the word, to be the word so that we might all see and know how to be and what God is expecting of us.

Have I sent that message to my family, friends and neighbors?  I ask every morning to be the hands and feet of Jesus, do I ever accomplish that?  Tomorrow's upperroom reading is about nursing home residents.  My thoughts and prayers have been and continue to be for my friends and family members who are in this very position.  Mark lost his parents at the beginning of 2014 and his uncle just weeks ago.  Did I do enough to let them know the wonderful news of our savior, who died for us?  I'm overwhelmed right now.  Have I done enough?  Have I done too much?

Dear Lord, please give me the peace that comes with knowing that I've tried to do what you've wanted from me each day, especially this time of year.  As I welcome my first grandchild in the new year, I can't even imagine how I'll feel when I hold this new life.  As with my children and all my family, friends and neighbors, I'll want this little life to know about Jesus.  I want to do enough, yet not do too much.  Not everyone wants to be told the good news.  It's a weird world we live in.

My Christmas wish for you is that you've done enough this Christmas to have the peace that passes all understanding in your hearts.  I think I'm feeling better.  Have a wonderful Christmas Eve and a blessed Christmas tomorrow.  Stay safe and warm.  luv, Susan