There are several, timely Christmas blogs I want to share again. Please enjoy Josh Groban’s version of “The Little Drummer Boy”

The Blessings of Friendship

One thing I have really enjoyed while traveling these past 8 years has been making new friends. Well, really more than just new friends but being BLESSED with new friends. This trip God blessed me with 3 ladies all who were so special in their own ways.

Ammon and I sat by Marilyn Yelle going from Atlanta to Newark. I enjoyed chatting with her, and she was so interested in Ammon and Carter. She does business for interior designs with such hotels as Westin and Dream. I am looking forward to corresponding more with Marilyn. She and I were in sync with the value and importance of education. She has two children, a boy and girl, and I am praying that they will have successful ventures finishing up high school. I also hope and pray that Marilyn has a blessed career and helps guide her children with fulfilling lives.

Auris is a young Hispanic Woman who works at the Café Cranberry. I always seem to find a friend there. While I am making my coffees there in the early morning hours, I chat quite a bit, and this is the 2^nd time I’ve found a Hispanic friend to converse with in Spanish. Auris is about to receive her General Education Development degree, and I am so proud of her. She has such tenacity and will to fulfill that goal, and I know she will do it. Auris helped me with the message of “Don’t give up.” It is a such a comfort to know that if you symbolically end up in a closed room, open a door or window. The cool thing is if you’re “in sync” with God and the Holy Spirit, they will open the door/window for you.  She encouraged me to write and fulfill my goals in life. Thank you Auris!

Jennie Diaz is a young, Hispanic ( Dominican Republic!) who is a receptionist at the Double Tree where we stayed this time. Through the Holy Spirit, Jennie and I connected our spirits, and it was such a fellowship of thoughts, feelings, and spirituality. I enjoyed sharing about Christmas, Christmas music, family, life, and love.  Jennie’s message was the message of faith….that hope in God of things unseen. When she and I talked about Carter and Ammon, I could genuinely feel her true concern and interest. After she and I had chatted for several mornings, I knew I had to buy her some flowers. On Thursday after my morning jog, I bought her a bouquet of fresh flowers and gave them to her. She was elated, and that made me happy as well. Jennie, you made my stay at the Double Tree extra special. Thank you.

Marilyn, Auris, and Jennie, thank you for your wonderful selves. God, thank you for these wonderful ladies, and bless them and keep them in Your care. Merry Christmas, and God bless you.

Crazy Delta

My airline of choice for 20 years has been Delta. One of the biggest reasons has been the accumulation of sky miles where we can cash in on the occasional “free” trip,  or the  occasional upgrade to 1^st Class but MANY times, they screw up our itinerary. For example, Delta separated Ammon and Carter from us adults on our return trip from New York City, La Guardia Airport!! Carter and Ammon are Silver Medallion Customers who have flown waaaay over 25,000 sky miles with Delta this past year, and Delta KNOWS they are only 4 years old, so why in the heck would they move them away from their parents!! Okay, yes, we’re writing some letters VERY SOON.  LOL…. However, …unbeknownst to Delta, they gave me a blessing on Saturday.

We arranged our seats to where Sean was between Ammon and Carter, and I was one row back and diagonal from them. They did great of course with Sean, and I had the opportunity to sit by a young lady named Eileen. She was AWESOME: wonderfully friendly, engaging, intelligent, and a TWIN (YES, she got the Ammon and Carter story and knows they aren’t TWINS, but still….she was very interested in their story). Eileen’s twin is boy, and his name is Gareth. They have just entered their 30s, and they live in New York. When she told me that she and her brother were different yet have kept a close, familial bond, the Holy Spirit gave me a hope that Carter and Ammon would be close as they age. Eileen has a Ph. D. in biotechnology, and Gareth is a professional musician! Isn’t that contrast AWESOME!  The coolest part is that they both live in New York City, and they live about 30 minutes apart. Eileen is newly married, but Gareth is still single; however, they get together at least once a week for dinner and fellowship. In my elation in the hopes that Carter and Ammon could be that way in 26 years (oh, my goodness!!  LOL),  I began to cry. It was a special moment for me.

Lifelong Friends? Lord Willing, yes!

Please friends and family, pray that Ammon and Carter will always be close. It would do my soul well. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

86th Floor Empire State Building December 3

Museum of natural history December 2

I miss my type writer key pad And home wifi!!!!! LOL

We are having a great time. When I have time and patience, I want to dedicate a blog to the Broadway show …so far Wicked & A Christmas Story (Dana Whitehead)’ but more to become. LOVE to all

Friday Nov. 30

Veteran’s Day

Silence is golden, this silent commercial for our veterans is golden, and our veterans are golden. Happy Veteran’s Day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZtPqWIPv6Q

“Almost” 4 year olds with their EARNED gifts (Look closely for Ammon’s blond braid)

Ammon and Carter have started earning some “spending money”/allowance. They are picking up toys and putting them into their toy boxes, folding clothes, putting up clothes in their armoires, picking up garbage, helping feed dogs, making their beds, etc.

I know this isn’t much, put they are getting about $1/week (in quarters). Last week they earned enough money to go to our local Dollar Tree and buy something for themselves. However, before they did, they had to give 25 cents to church. With the remaining $1.25, they chose their presents. Carter chose a crawling soldier, and Ammon chose a hair piece to wear. We are saving their change and future allowances for continued giving to themselves and back to OTHERS.

Please pray that they keep a good work, saving, and GIVING ethic. So far, we’re off to a good start.

Carter and Ammon sang “Jesus Loves Me” today at church. It was awesome. All the children did great. I hope you all enjoy it, and I hope you all have a blessed upcoming week. Special thanks to Mrs. Bev and Mr. Neal!

Fixing on Jesus

Our Autumn Mantel is set. I couldn’t help but think of Dantes Paradiso XXIII 43-45

Then her eyes turned to the eternal Light

Into whose depth we may believe the eyes

45 Of no other creature penetrates more clearly.

When there are angelic figures or human figures on our mantel, I try to position them where their eyes are fixed on the Eternal Light, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy Autumn Everyone, and God bless you all.

First Day of 2012-2013 Preschool: September 11, 2012

Carter and Ammon had such a great Summer 2012: lots of good swimming (all the way across the pool & diving), an AWESOME Baltic Cruise with Germany, Czech Republic, and London mixed in, wonderful playing at home, Nana time, spending the nights at Mamaw’s house, and our trip to Las Vegas the first week of September.

We are ready for the school year! Please pray that all goes well….Update on how it’s going soon! Love to all.