Prayer is Comforting

I feel like I never have enough time to devote to prayer.  I have felt an overwhelming need to read, read, read comforting words that just seem to bring me so much peace and hope.  Sometimes, I think we can just feel like we are drowning in “bad news” these days.  There is always something terrible on the news.  I try to read words that uplift me during my day, including blogs like my pastor’s and others that have messages of hope.  I also decided that I needed to download an app for my phone since I am always on the go so that I could read a little inspiring message every day.  Today’s message just spoke to my overwhelming need for comfort. 

“Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch with me.’  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will.’  Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’  he asked Peter.  ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’”

Matthew 26:  38-41

Of course, these words were from Jesus just before His crucifixion.  Can you imagine the fear he must have felt knowing what fate was before him?  He knew that in this time of his greatest fear and sorrow, that the greatest comfort available to him was prayer.  Prayer is like picking up the telephone and having an intimate conversation with your very best friend.  It lifts you up because you know you are speaking to someone who loves you dearly.  Why was Jesus disappointed in his earthly friends because they fell asleep instead of staying awake with him and praying?  Jesus wanted them to experience the love of their greatest friend to the fullest.  He knew that a dark fate was awaiting them all in the days ahead and that they would need God’s comforting love more than ever.  He wanted them to understand that they too could have the same intimate relationship with God that he had.  There is no time in my life when I have felt closer to God than in those quiet moments alone when I just wrestle and talk with God in my heart and mind.  Those are the moments when I have heard the gentle whisper of God’s message getting to me in the clearest way.  Those are the moments when the tears can flow freely without feeling like someone may be watching and may not understand why I am crying.   I just needed this reminder that I need to “pick up the phone” more and talk to God about my sorrows because he does care!  

A Father and Son Moment

Eddie has been waiting so long for a moment like this one.  I think every hopeful father or father-to-be probably has some dream of passing some interest or past time or tradition on to his son. Although Eddie loves sports, he was never a player.  His past time was hunting, and that past time was given to him by important male role models in his life.  He was taught to appreciate and respect guns for what they can do as a way to provide food for a family and as a means of protection.  He has some very old guns that were passed down to him that mean a whole lot.  I know nothing about different types of guns and probably couldn't even tell you the difference between a rifle and shotgun, but I could not stand in the way of allowing my husband to teach and train his son in this important tradition.  I am thankful that my husband still possesses the right in this country to do so...I know that some who read this may not agree.  I am not writing this post to start a gun rights dialogue.  I am documenting an important memory in my son's life.  This was the first gun shooting lesson that my son experienced with his father.  Evan will cherish this memory for the rest of his life.  He will have so many wonderful memories of special times spent with daddy when they get up way too early on a Saturday morning, dress in their camouflage, pack their supplies, and climb high into a tree stand to sit quietly and enjoy nature.  While we were visiting Eddie's family for Great-Grandpa's birthday, Eddie decided to take the opportunity to allow Evan to shoot one of his rifles.  Eddie's Uncle Matthew and cousins live in a rural setting surrounded by beautiful and well-managed pine forests.  I actually always love driving through this area (called the sandhills of North Carolina) because they have such beautiful tracts of long leaf pine.  Eddie's Uncle Matthew is also a lifelong contractor and brick layer and builds beautiful homes around the area of Pinehurst, North Carolina (think professional golf here and I am sure you have heard of Pinehurst).  Matthew and his son, Aaron, have built homes for themselves and Matthew's daughter Shannon's family that are just stunning.  They have beautiful masonry and stonework, wrap around porches, and gorgeous handcrafted fixtures.  Eddie and Evan did their shooting lesson behind cousin Aaron's new house while we all enjoyed touring their beautiful new home.  I wish I had taken more pictures of the house.

Eddie bought Evan some ear protection because Evan is very sensitive to loud sounds lately. 

Taking aim at the target. 

Sweet Daddy and son moment

Daddy helped him because Evan's little shoulder could only take so much as the gun kicked back when fired.  It was only a .22 which is supposed to be easier for smaller shooters. 

Checking their progress. 

Holding his target.  He hit the target several times. 

Brody cheesing on the porch.  

A picture of cousin Aaron and Christie's house.  They are still working on the front yard, but they kept a lot of the pine trees in the yard and plan to keep it pretty natural with pine straw covering the ground.  The backyard is more open and grassy.  I just love the wrap around porch, the metal roof, the wood and stone columns, and the big windows.  Aaron said they saved money by salvaging lots of the materials from a big, beautiful home that had caught fire in the Pinehurst area.  

Inside was tastefully decorated with beautiful hardwood floors, a wooden ceiling, and this beautiful stone fireplace centered between the open living room and kitchen. 

The kids' favorite part was this large walk-in stone shower. 

Great-Grandpa's 84th Birthday Party

We were so glad to get to celebrate this special occasion with Great-Grandpa (Eddie's grandfather). As I have lost all of my grandparents in recent years, I am so thankful that we still have Eddie's grandfather with us.  He has given us a few health scares this past year, and Eddie's mom has been staying with him to keep him from having to live in a nursing care center.  He has developed congestive heart failure and has to be very careful of what he eats so that he will not retain too much fluid.  Despite the rough year he has had, his face just lights up with joy when he sees his great-grandchildren.  This man has always loved children, and you can see it in the old pictures of him with his own children when they were small.  I just loved seeing almost all of the great-grandchildren gathered around him.  I know his beloved wife, Mattie, smiles down from heaven when she sees it too.  Grandma Mattie wrote about how much she looked forward to seeing her great-grandchildren, but unfortunately, she did not live to see them.  Eddie's Uncle Matthew and Aunt Patti hosted the party, and the weather was just perfect for some outside fun.  Aunt Patti had prepared some entertainment for Great-Grandpa and the kids, and I think everyone had a great time as the kids had a little family field day in the yard.  Aunt Patti even made little award medals for the kids.

Our little family with Great-Grandpa

Great-Grandpa with his children, Aunt Homa, Uncle Garry and Aunt Dava, Uncle Matthew and Aunt Patti, and  Grandma Rowena and Papa James (as my children who will one day read this know them) 

Great-Grandpa with some of his grandchildren: cousins Marian, Aaron and his wife Christie, Shannon and her husband Adam, April, Aunt Naomi, and Eddie and I

Great-Grandpa with 10 of 13 of the great-grandchildren and a few of the grandchildren who had to be present for some of the babies to cooperate

Great-Grandchildren: Brody, Evan, Grady, Emilia, Elena, Mason, Eva, Lilly, Jacob and Robert

Sweet Grady was content playing on his blanket outside on this lovely day. 

Great-Grandpa eating lunch with his eldest child and namesake, Dava 

Both looking cool in their shades. 

Great-Grandpa surrounded by his children

Our little table where the boys insisted Grandma had to eat with them. 

The kids' table minus Evan and Brody who wanted to eat with Grandma.

All of Uncle Matthew's granchildren

Of course, it wouldn't be a birthday without cake.  

The birthday boy

The children loved gathering around to sing happy birthday to Great-Grandpa. 

Can you tell Baby Grady is Great-Grandpa's favorite?  

Just look at them looking at each other.  Grandpa will tell you Grady is his baby. 

Grandma Rowena tried to get all the babies in the picture. 

Trying to catch Emilia for the picture. 

There's one with all the crazy kids!  

These kids loved showing Great-Grandpa the cards they made him. 

I just love the look of joy on Great-Grandpa's face.  I don't think you could have bought him any present that he loved more.  

Grandma and Brody tried out the see-saw. 

Then little Jacob gave it a try. 

The 1st annual family field day begins. 

The first event was the soccer dribbling race. 

Even little Jacob gave it a try. 

What a cutie!  I was amazed that cousin Marian's boys, Robert and Jacob, were so similar to Evan and Brody.  

Marian and Evan race while balancing bowls on their heads. 

And Robert too. 

Eva looks like a pro at balancing. 

Evan and Elena doing the egg and spoon race. 

Elena is a lot like cousin Evan and is very sensitive and sweet. 

Sweet Robert was really proud of his efforts.

Go, Elena!

Happy Birthday, Great-Grandpa!  We wish you many more, and we hope you enjoyed this very special day!

One Last Summer Post

Our pool closed for summer on September 8th so we had to get one last swim in.  The weather was so beautiful that weekend as it has been for the last couple of weeks with no rain and very mild temperatures in the 70's.  We loved it!  Brody decided that he couldn't let Evan outdo him on his progress in the pool this summer so he tried out a few tricks of his own by swimming freely with just his arm floats on without us having to hold onto him.  He was so brave and loved kicking his little feet.  When he got water in his mouth, all we had to say was spit it out, and he was fine.  I think we'll have another swimmer soon!

Just playing with his boat.

Evan practicing his underwater swimming in the baby pool. 

Brody loved having the little pool all to himself. 

Brothers playing in the water together. 

Evan trying to pose for a picture with Brody in the water.  

Brody loves pouring water on his head. 

And on Daddy. 

And on Evan too. 

Evan's favorite thing to do at the pool...play Foosball!  

Preparing for one last dive of the summer. 

And in he goes. 

I sure hope he doesn't lose his newly acquired water skills over the winter.  

Splash! 

He would rather swim underwater than above.  I think it takes him less effort. 

Coming up for air. 

He had to do it one more time! 

So proud of himself! 

We took little Italian ice cups to the pool as a treat because the snack bar doesn't stay open long. 

My little red headed cutie. 

Brody enjoying his cool treat. 

We had to pose for a picture for daddy.  

Mommy can never resist stealing a kiss.  I have taught him so well that when Daddy tries to kiss Mommy, he comes up making kissing sounds wanting to kiss too.  Haha!

Brody showing off his new skills. 

Water baby! 

That's our little swimmer. 

High fives for Daddy. 

He loves floating on his back. 

I think he'll be ready for swim lessons next year. 

So brave. 

He loved it! 

Time for basketball! 

He has also come a long way in being able to throw and catch pretty effectively. 

Silly face! 

Goodbye, Summer!  See you next year!