IT'S ALL ABOUT TIMING-

The kids and I have all agreed that I will move to Texas.  The question is when is the right time.  They say move now---my wise confidant say moves now---I just can't seem to make a decision.

At this time, I am young enough--active enough---in good enough health that I could move and start over.  It's just a daunting thought!  It was difficult enough to move a mile down the road--can't imagine moving all those miles.

I know Ruston---I have friends in Ruston--I know where to go--where to live--it's like my friend's really old housecoat that is in tatters---she knows how it is going to feel when she slips it on and is very comfortable in it and doesn't want to make a change with a new one.  

Recent happenings have me questioning when is the time right.  Our small group of MANY years has disbanded.  I knew these friends and they knew me--we shared struggles-deaths-divorces-marriages-births---life.  We spoke of deep theological mysteries and shared struggles in our walks with Christ.  It has been a huge blow and deeply saddens me.

My running group has dwindled down to an occasional run between a few of us.  This morning---always the biggest run of the week--there were 5 of us---which is a huge group these days.  I didn't run Thursday---I didn't have anyone to run with.

My work has dwindled down to one day a week.  I have filled the idle hours with volunteer work--but the income was helping put away money for retirement.  Perhaps it is time to go to work for someone full time and why not make that change in Texas.

On the other side of the coin---I LOVE Texas---BUT I have been looking at houses online and comparing living costs.  I can actually buy more house in Texas than I have here-BUT the property taxes are 5 times more.  There also seems to be HOA dues in many of the areas.  I have not gone much deeper yet--but know the utilities are higher too.  It has to be one of the least expensive places in the country to live in Ruston.

I like my church--I am working with the 3 year olds---working with the school ministry.  I would have to find a new church--and start all over.  You can't just walk into a school in a large town and volunteer--they have to do background checks.  

BASICALLY---it is NOT a small town where we know or know of most of our fellow citizens.  It is a big world--where you have to find your way.

LOVE my kids---and KNOW there will come a day when I will need assistance-it is NOT fair to expect them to take care of me in Ruston while they all live in Texas.  I am NOT going to do that and hope to make myself as non-intrusive as possible.

The question remains---When is the time right?

FROM COOL TO AWESOME

Sweet Camille has driven her share of vehicles in her short driving career---

There was the first "Pony"---she rolled it over and totaled it out--thankfully not seriously hurting anyone

Then there was the next "Pony" which she drove until she finished high school and then for 4 years of Baylor.

A "Cool" SUV---

THEN she graduated from Baylor and as a graduation present her Daddy & I gave her a new vehicle of her choice---

Her Choice---a Volvo Station Wagon---I personally thought perhaps a little granola (I do LOVE granola or horse food as I affectionately call it).  She drove this the year prior to marriage ---she married and moved to Erie, PA---4 years in the snow---back to TX---with two babies in tow.

NOW with the third baby on his way---she has a new vehicle---it tells a lot about where she is in life---

LOVE IT--AND LOVE HER AND HER HUBBY AND THOSE SWEET BOYS AND ONE MORE TO COME!  She has always been AWESOME!

THE WISDOM OF C.S. LEWIS

I am quiet---I don't talk about it aloud much anymore---but God is still listening in the silence of my pain and aloneness as evidenced by this infamous quote by C.S. Lewis:

“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

He has listened---He has shouted where even I could hear---He still has His megaphone and it penetrates the veil of dispair.  He is near--He is faithful and He sustains me.

C.S. Lewis was a very wise man--who knew God well.

DEAR HEALTH SUPPLEMENT TAKERS--

To my friends that are trying to sell me----some brand---of health supplement and think it is the answer to all the woes associated with our propensity to stuff our mouths with anything that gets in our path AND want me to then sell said supplements etc to all my friends---

I SAW YOU THIS MORNING AT THE DONUT SHOP WHEN FINISHING MY LONG RUN!

Now I'm just saying that no---I have in the past--but no longer take handfuls of supplements and drinks to ensure I will live to 100.  I've done it all---including drinking "Barley Green"---which is BARLEY GRASS -dried and mashed and mixed with water.  IN OTHER WORDS---YARD CLIPPINGS!  BUT has it occurred to you to maybe get out and get a little exercise?  Maybe a walk around the block on a regular basis----any kind of motion---ALL motion counts!  I don't get spending big $s on all these latest and greatest when you will not do any form of physical activity.

SO---what you want is to live a LONG LIFE in a nursing home because you have not worked at sustaining your muscles and core strength?  It ALL works together---Eating and taking the right things will not guarantee a long--ACTIVE life---you have to do SOMETHING to keep those muscles strong.  Read up on it----do you know the amount of muscle fiber we loose after 40 per year---it's staggering!  TAKE your supplements---wonderful---BUT get a little exercise too, PLEASE!

MEETING OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY--

WAY BACK----a LONG TIME AGO--Mamaw James belonged to the "Missionary Society" in the Methodist Church.  This organization was the fore-runner to the Methodist Women which I belonged to while a member of the Methodist Church.  Mamaw James was QUITE the character---not much on being joyful and happy--in fact slightly on the negative side.  She was ALWAYS complaining about Missionary Society.  One day someone asked her why she bothered to go if she didn't like what they did or who was in it and she stated,  "It's my only social outlet".   NOW THAT WAS FUNNY!

So today I had lunch with some of my running buddies----we all seem to be running in lots of circles these days and don't get together as much as we used to.  Today  --somehow we managed to get a few together.  An hour and a half later---we were having to pull ourselves away.  GOOD FOOD AND GOOD COMPANY---cannot beat it!

Why did I bring up the Missionary Society----Well someone stopped off at our table and asked what were we all doing together today.  It just blurted out of my mouth---"We're having a meeting of the Missionary Society"-----they quickly filed on out of the restaurant without asking any more questions!

GOODNESS--IN THE MIDST OF SORROW

We said our Earthly Goodbyes to Carol today---a sweet memorial service in which I found myself reflecting, laughing, and remembering Carol and her part in the James family. 

My sweet offspring all made the trip to say Goodbye with me.  It was a rare occurrence of having the three adult children back under my roof with only us here.  We laughed and talked until 11:30 last night---my kids have wonderful gifts of humor.  Camille and I retired for the night and then giggled and gabbed until 1:00 AM--you would have thought we were a couple of teenagers.

I have three wonderful children--who make me proud---and are a constant Blessing in my life.  Thank you, Lord---for the wonderful gift of children.