Happy Birthday To My "Wonder Woman"

There is an amazing woman that I'm privileged to know and love.

She likes soft, flannel sheets.

Her favorite restaurant is Outback...the 14 oz. Ribeye.

A few of her favorite things are vegetable gardens, heavily scented cabbage roses, baby chicks, pet rabbits, her grandchildren, her Momma and a table covered in Southern Comfort food!

Her house if filled with photo albums, framed pictures of her grandchildren and their artwork.

Call her anytime and she will have a complete meal ready and waiting for company in less than an hour!

She has those envious "smiley wrinkles" from years of positive thoughts, words and actions.

She cares deeply for everyone.

She doesn't have time to be a "neat-freak" or OCB...she's too busy sewing little dresses for granddaughter's baby dolls, fishing with her grandsons or taking video clips of the latest little one learning to walk.

Does she have enemies? I don't know of any and I don't think she's aware of any. She just couldn't bear the thought of having one. Oh, I'm sure there are those that envy her resilience and kindness....I have, myself, at times! But, she has always managed to find the very best in everyone.

She is loved by many.

I've often wondered what is the emotional make-up of this incredible lady that makes her so unique from all the others?

It must be her unwavering unselfishness.

She lives for others. She lays no claim to her own way...her own wants...her time. And the most amazing thing is that she does it all with gladness. As if it were a privilege to offer her help.

She is a pleasant person, not one that is moody. In the thirty-some years I've known her, she's had very few down days. Gone through hard times? Plenty of those, probably more than her share. She just doesn't let it affect her enthusiasm for life!

Only the tired eyes reveal how she truly feels. "I'm fine" is her answer to how she feels 24/7. (I love this one!)

Her attitude is not ruled or dictated by hormones!

As with the increasing number of people now days, She doesn't rely on medication to be content or happy.

So, what is her secret?

Is it her deep relationship with the Lord? or is she just naturally born this way? I wish I knew. Believe me, I've wondered about this one! It must be a combination of both.

She is a rare individual. One that is unforgettable.

To her ten (#11 is in the oven and due in a few months) grandchildren, she is a Queen! She doesn't spoil her grandchildren, she only corrects them when absolutely necessary and very lovingly and gentle. I don't remember her ever criticizing or raising her voice at any of my children.

She looks like a "Memaw" and isn't ashamed that age has slowly crept in her hair or drawn lines on her face. Her self confidence is not lacking. She doesn't have to try to look thirty years younger. She's content to be in this season of her life.

Memaw's house is not a three story mansion decorated with silk and tapestry, but her place is a palace to my children and the most desired place to be. Offer them a week in Hawaii, Disney World or Memaw's house....it's an easy choice for them! (Think that's an exaggeration? Ask 'em....I just did!)

Today is her 59th Birthday.

We celebrate her beauty, inward and outward, this day and commend the beautiful lady that gave birth to her, Granny Mary, for giving us a gift from heaven.

Charnelsa Kay Diller, I am blessed to call you "Momma".

Happy Birthday!

I love you!

Why I go....

A sense of expectancy fills the air! We've gathered again to feast. A banquet has been prepared by the host of heaven and we've been invited to "come".

Three times a week we gather. To sing. Worship. Share. Listen.

Tonight....the beauty of hands raised and hearts full of His praise crown the final song. Just as the minister comes to deliver what God inspired, my rambunctious two (and sometimes four) begin that parade of restlessness, throwing whatever is near by and punctuating it all with those loud, outside voices.

Deep inner sigh....I scoop up my #2 twin, open hallway door, release the energizer bunny and follow his toddler steps to the brightly lit foyer.

Sundays are long, weary days for me. Mixed emotions of the joy and privilege to gather twice that day and yet wrestle with our little angels as Jacob did thousands of years ago. (Only it's my back rather than the hollow of my thigh that gets out of joint!)

I love to saturate myself in the love of God's people as we fellowship and pray for one another. So many services I've left with the weight of worry lifted from my burdened shoulders...just knowing that God was going to take care of it.

And He did.

Yes, I've seen the unveiled "humanness" of those present. I've felt disappointment...until I realize I've disappointed others. I truly believe the Love that flows from the inner fountains of His Spirit deep within us covers all things. We are His Body.

Sinking down into one of the foyer's overstuffed guest chair, I listened through the opened doors to the ministed Word as Luke makes a well worn path in front of the glass doors.

From my point of view, I could see the nicely trimmed hair of men and skillfully designed hairdos of women that I call "Brother and Sister in Christ". New believers...children...Elderly saints...

I pondered as I sat.

Some are here because of obligation to Pastor, parents or whoever they feel accountable to....some come for tradition....others are here out of curiosity....still some gather to be seen or heard....and yet, there are those very wonderful and enviable individuals that have tasted His glory and come purposefully. They are driven by desire. Passion. They know Him....and He speaks to them.

Hmmmm..... my mind raced back throughout the years. I am fifth-generation Apostolic. I've experienced each one of those reasons for coming. In the ebb and flow of life, I am still experiencing them.

I'm remembering as an eight year old being submerged by water baptism in the name of Jesus. I received the Holy Ghost (as in Acts 2:38) by my bedside with Mom and Dad praying for me.

Did my life change then? Good question.

Six years of wanderings past. Wandering and tasting youth. Which road to choose? The way of my parents or the desire of my eye?

At fourteen I found Him. More than just that taste of honey that I received as a child. My heart longed for something deeper. I needed Him. His arms were opened to me. He melted my heart. No words could describe the fulfillment that Jesus revealed to me in relationship with Him.

I was truly in love. Gathering weekly to worship was my delight! Spending hours in His Word became the steady diet of my day. Witnessing the miracles of His touch on my life only drew my heart closer to His.

Whatever...where ever, Lord. Let me follow You. Like a starving man feasting on a table of delicacies....just hearing His voice speaking tenderly to my spirit lit a fire....I wanted more.

Throughout every season of my life, I've still yet to find a love that compares to His. The love of a husband....children...parents...best friends...are the height of human love. His love is different.

That Love has carried me through years of good times and bad times.

Now, with four beautiful children to prepare each Sunday morning, I sometimes collapse on the pew after each one has been carefully assisted to their Sunday School class. And the weariness that follows an evening service of wrestling with toddlers can cause me to question whether it's really worth going.

But, then He comes. His Word refreshes me. His Spirit lifts my heart full of cares....concerns....desperate to hear. Hoping that the wrestling match between my twins doesn't cause too much distraction, I whisper a prayer for help, and as always....Help arrives.


I'm understanding that each time I gather my little chicks around me (yes, I do feel like a mother hen sometimes!) and we make our nest on the third row of section D, I am making an investment. An investment in their lives and mine.

I'm praying that the day will come when, as an adult, they will gladly say, "I am sixth-generation Apostolic!"

That is why I go.....

His First Youth Camp...

We packed in a frenzy Sunday morning after church.

Going on the advice of our great friends, the Grays, we headed for Lake Benson where eight and nine-year olds were running everywhere...

It was time for Youth Camp!

Excitement filled the air and suitcases lined the dorms. Quickly after checking in and being searched for head lice, Landon scouted the crowd for his fellow Bible Quizzers!

Wow...three days without Mom and Dad! Three fun filled days of friends, ice-cream cones and activities! Three days without chores and responsibilities! I know he felt like a FREE MAN!!!

Bro. Clay, his Counselor, reassured us that he would be well taken care of. Landon had quizzed with his son, Wes, and really liked them both. I was glad for that!

I had packed three days worth of casual clothes neatly in gallon sized plastic zip-lock bags with each day written on the front in black marker. I packed all his bathroom toiletries in a duffel bag and any thing else necessary was placed nice and securely in his black suitcase. Everything was organized and looked great! With a disposable camera on hand and $20 for spending money...Landon was ready to go.

He glanced up at me, "Mom are you about to cry?"

"I could if I let myself." Biting my lip, I didn't want to put a damper on this day for him.

I reminisced of my Youth Camp days...those days were so carefree. I was more shy and hesitant to make new friends. But, by the end of the week, I was surrounded by wonderful new friends with names and addresses to keep in touch throughout the year. Time goes by so fast!

The drive took about an hour. He grinned the whole way! I knew the entire $20 would be spent on ice-cream cones....

Leaving him that Sunday night with a crowd of kids and Counselors was difficult for me! His assuring nod that "You can go now, Momma. I'll be alright" helped me and Daddy load the twins in the van and head for home.

Back home, Landon was greatly missed!!! Every day I prayed for him. I wanted the Lord to give him "God Experiences" at camp that would last a lifetime.

Finally, Wednesday came and we drove back down that beautifully tree-lined street to the Camp Ground to pick up my boy!

I spotted him immediately....my heart melted! His Counselor was near by and reported that Landon had been well behaved. (Whew!) Clay directed me to the boy's dorm deck where I could retrieve his luggage. I looked around at all those little guy's luggage laying around and clothes/underwear/etc drying on the deck's sunshine from what must have been a water fight!

He said his good-byes and climbed into the van. All the way home he shared cute stories and interesting adventures...we laughed over and over!

He and Luke (fellow Bible Quizzer) had been inseparable. He was chased by girls (and didn't like it...he'll feel different about that in a few years!) He and all his dorm buddies had an awesome time together...

He actually had $6 left of the $20 we had given him!! Amazing!

I asked if he took any pictures with the disposable camera. "No, Mom...I couldn't get that thing to work!"

"Did you ask Bro. Clay to help you?"

"Naw, I figured if I didn't know how, surely he wouldn't know either!" We laughed. Mainly because Clay is a doctor.

Everything had been squeezed back into his two pieces of luggage. Including pillow and sleeping bag. (I still don't know how they did it!)

When I unzipped the suitcase lid...Ewwww! I rummaged through damp, dirty clothes all wadded up and stuffed together.....Ugh! Remainders of what must have been a great time on the water slide!

I asked if he wore his dressy shirts during the evening services. "No, Mom, I just wore this" (what he had on...red T-shirt and dirty jeans) "Did you take a shower each night before church?"

"Not Tuesday night. Bro. Clay smelled my hair and said it smelled good."

His daddy and I were really laughing now...

"You haven't had a shower since Monday night?"

"Well, not really." (Lan is not one that considers a shower to be luxurious!)

Today has been his first full day home...he's been napping since 3pm. Now, with the sun setting and he's still zonked, it's evident to me that my little boyfriend has had a wonderful time at his first year of Youth Camp!

Oh yeah, his Aunt Angela reported that he did, indeed, have some God Experiences....he danced and praised God and was renewed in the Holy Ghost....doesn't get any better than that!

Happy Daddy's Day!!!

The look of panic crossed his face the moment he knew.

I remember it so well! I had carefully placed a pair of yellow baby booties and my pregnancy test in a beautiful gift bag.

It was our first.

For nine years we were FREE. Free to stay up late (if we wanted to). Free to travel anywhere, eat anywhere without interruptions and cold food. Free to think, act and feel however this husband and wife team wanted to! It was great.

Things would never be the same....and he, this man of mine...this reality-thinker, understood this.

Now, almost a decade later and four (or actually three) positive pregnancy tests later...I am looking at a man that I am so grateful to call the Father of my children.

Think he'd do it all again?.....the twinkle in his eyes the moment babies come running and wrapping their little arms around his pants leg at lunch reveal to me that, yes, undoubtly yes. Besides, who in their right mind would want to trade all those free kisses and hugs for an immaculate house anyway? The feel of their tiny hand holding your finger or watching your eight-year old son hitting that ball just like his daddy did years ago....those moments are not replaceable with things..stuff...or even a steak at Outback!

That moment of panic has turned into one of the most wonderful rolls he plays now:

Not just Father, but Daddy.

Randy Jones is truly a Daddy...in every sense of the word!!

Happy Father's Day

Our nighttime routine....

When the sun begins descending behind the tall trees in our backyard, the "nightie-night routine" begins....

A splash-happy bath with four, tiny feet kicking and squeals of laughter. Soap suds cover blond curls and dirty fingers are once again clean. Nice, fluffy towels bring in the finished products and carbon copies lay side-by-side as pajamas are hurriedly pulled over heads.

Tiny toothbrushes are excavating today's menu on little, white teeth. Smiles in abundance! Prayers going up that their mouths will always be filled with His praise....that their words will please Him.

Large glass of our family's popular beverage: water with a touch of "daulic-lemonade" as they call it. (Great way to keep summer mosquitoes and colds at bay!) Tall straw sipping and filling little tummies until they are satisfied.

Two, beautiful boys cuddle close on Mommy's bed to hear stories identifying colors, numbers, alphabet, Cat in God's Tree and Elmo. They are content and happy, so am I.
They help out with all the words.

Now for my favorite part....Lights are turned low and twins are laid all over Mommy like a thick quilt as we begin to sing together. Lullabies....Jesus Is The Sweetest Name I Know....Yes, Jesus Loves Me... A choir of tiny voices fill the Master Bedroom of the Jones' home with praise and worship. Grammar not perfect...pronunciation, that of a typical two-year-old...but beautiful music to my listening ears. We whisper the words of their current memory verse together and say a simple prayer for the night.

Laying there, I silently thank God for every moment He blesses me with my four beautiful children. I am truly blessed. Big brother and sister are patiently waiting their turn of back scratches and prayers in their rooms.

Daddy picks up Lincoln, I take Luke...we say good-night and give last hugs and kisses to each twin. Laying them in their baby beds and turning off light marks the closing of that day and a good night's rest preparing them for a brand new one ahead.

Yes, in only a few years, my dynamic duo (as Daddy puts it) will be tucking thier ownself in bed and, laying heads on soft pillows, whispering a prayer of gratefulness and protection. But for right now... Night-night my little ones....may His love surround you and fill your dreams with happy things.....Mommy loves you.

My life changed forever...

I'm remembering the moment I was introduced to him. He was that handsome and some what shy drummer. It was the very back pew of our old church building that we were introduced for the first time. Little did I know that I would spend the rest of my days with him.

I had high hopes. Dreams. Global dreams. I wanted to travel the world and...oh, the glamour of missionary work! The zeal that youth can bring. Inspiration.


I smile thinking back on those times. So naive and innocent. I had just returned home from a Missions trip to Russia and Finland. Next plan was to attend Bible College. Marriage was the very last thing on my mind.

Funny, how God, in His magnificent Plan, can change things so dramatically! I am always amazed at how He works. Watching it all unfold can be very frustrating at times and sometimes hard to understand....but looking back on the completed work is awesome.

Randy was always such a gentleman. That completely impressed me. His quiet demeanor made me want to get to know him. He wasn't loud and obnoxious like a lot of other guys. But he was always so much fun to be with! (I truly never knew what he saw in me that was impressive. I was so serious!)

The night he revealed his feelings toward me began a wonderful journey of love and friendship that I will forever cherish. We courted (I like those old-fashion words!) for fourteen months and married on a beautiful June afternoon. Our wedding was simple, yet marked by God's presence. My beautiful Momma had worked so hard to make things pretty, but I realize now that His arrival was what really sealed our vows. Knowing that the Lord had a part in our ceremony meant more to me than candles and roses.

My precious daddy walked me down the aisle. I was letting go of his hand and his name to be joined together with my best friend and lover. When I reached Randy's side, I noticed tears in his eyes. "Unforgettable" had played during the wedding party's entrance. That old, vintage song described exactly how I felt at that moment.

In all Randy's reality-thinking, serious, give-it-much-thought-and-prayer ways, he was marrying a fly-by-night-kind-of-woman!

I remember enjoying just getting to be with him 24/7. Now we went home together...in our own little house on Florida Avenue North. Those were amazing and marvelous feelings for me.

Nine years we enjoyed our special togetherness. Late nights, vacations, fancy meals and lots of friends and entertaining made our marriage alive with excitement!

Bro. Solomon from Ethiopia opened up a new avenue of need when he asked one night if we had children. I had wanted one. Randy....no. He told me that they would pray.

Within a short time, Landon Isaac came. Our "Wara Crusade baby". (Ask me about it, if you don't know the story!) Now our lives revolved around this tiny bundle of soft skin and beautiful blue eyes. Our love had produced this amazing new miracle of life. God is so good.

Anna Elizabeth Kaye came two and a half years later with a wonderful pregnancy and delivery. She won the hearts of everyone around her! Her curly ringlets and bright smile still overwhelm me at times. She was my gift from God. My little girlfriend.

During this time, we sold our little love nest and built a new home only a mile or so away. A new neighborhood. Beginning again. Everything seemed new and fresh like a spring morning!

Our lives changed the moment we found out we were having twins....boys....wow! We sat in silence as the ultrasound revealed, not one, but two. This surprise carried us into many months of challenges ahead.

The night my precious husband and I came home from the hospital, it was storming. The older children were with family and our new preemie twins were snuggled in their hospital beds at the Neonatal ICU.

We were alone...together.

Because of the storm, our electricity was off. We ate by candle light and sat silently contemplating the many months ahead of the unknown.

Our love had taken us down this road. It was a time of learning and building....inside.

Exhaustion came. Worry. Fears.....then, through the prayers of others, Faith built a road of hope in our hearts. Our love had to mature through those times. A month of constant travel to the NICU. Monitors and oxygen tanks lined our bedroom. Loud and blaring beeps throughout the night separated our sleeping arrangements and forced us to....love at a distance.....for a while.

Then with each new day came hope.

Happy and healthy little toddler twins running wild on our hardwood floors! Words that make their daddy and me grin and ask for more. Laughing and tickling big brother and sister. Picnics and Andy Griffith. "Bubba's ball night", "Ice-team tone...peese!" and "Hallelulah" fill our ears...and we laugh.

Sacrificing has become a personal journey for us individually. Sacrificing our time.....our interests...our sleep....and, just as we will celebrate and travel together as a family for our 18th Anniversary this coming Sunday, sometimes our dates....yet, we will never sacrifice our love...deep love for one another.

I am always amazed at his interest in me. Those glamorous dreams of my youth are replaced with a different and more meaningful mission. I am his. I can't explain it....I know that in my heart he could have had much better, but he was made for me and I for him.

The day I met Randy Jones my life changed forever.....

Would I do it again? Without a doubt...you bet!

Happy Anniversary, Baby.....I love you.

Savory Veggie Chili...Mmmmm..really good!

My newest chili creation...sooooo good I wanted to share it! Whether you like vegetarian chili or no, this really pleased my taste buds!

In a large pot over med-high and 2 tbsp. olive oil and saute for a 5 minutes:

1 onion (chopped in large chunks)
1 green bell pepper (again, in large chunks)
a small box of fresh, sliced mushrooms
(Kids may not appreciate it, but I really like the chunkyness of the veggies...you could add red bell peppers also)

To this mixture add:

2 cans black beans with juice
1 can garbanzo beans with juice
2 cans large, red kidney beans with juice
1 can tomato sauce
1-2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. salt (or however much you like)
2 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. garlic salt or fresh, minced garlic
2-3 tsp. natural liquid smoke
1 tsp. cayenne pepper (add more if you aren't feeding kids!)

Let this combo simmer for 20 minutes or so. We did this tonight for supper and it was delicious:

Under the oven broiler, slice whole wheat french bread in half and open the layers. Lightly brown and pour chili over the top (similar to an open-faced sandwich).

Of course, you can add all the "other" chili ingredients to this: cheese, hot dogs, sour cream. We enjoyed it simple tonight with a light salad. It was so easy and....voila! Dinner's ready!