World's best mom

Have you seen these photos of the world's best mom over at Slate? They are some really good black and white pictures.

Do you consider your mom, the world's best mom?

My kid's these days say to me, "Mom, you are my bestest mom." And I say thanks.

Today, Kara told me she remembers her Chinese mom, and coming out of her stomache. Okay, that's a six year old's version, which led to one of those talks in answer to the question "How can you come out of your mommy's stomache." I told Kara, that she probably does have a memory of her mom and being inside her. I told her I was glad she could remember her. And I told her I wished I could meet her to tell her that I thank her for having Kara. She looked at me funny on that one, but then lept into my arms for a hug and kisses all over, as she puts it.

Do I consider my mom, the world's best mom? I consider my world's best mom. She is the best mom for me. She has had a big inflence on me being who I am. My mom was always giving to others, being there for others in their time of need. She loves Jesus, and she taught me to love Jesus. She used to hum and sing when she was working around the house. Yes, I do too. She also worked outside the home as a nurse, and she was a good one. She raised three kids who are very different. She loves her grand kids and they adore her. She loves her kids, and they love her. So yes, I consider her world's best mom.

Was she perfect? Nah, but neither am I. Did she try her best? Oh yes she did. She would dance and play with us. She did her best to make home life good for us. And I think that's a good thing. She made sure our needs were met. She supported me in getting a college and seminary education. She prays for me and supports me now. She's my mom.

My mom is getting older now and needs us more. Her age is starting to wear on her more. Although she still gets around, is a volunteer for Hospice, and is active in her church and my sisters. She has friends she still goes to visit or goes out to eat with. I hate I am not closer by.

I want to say "thanks Mom, You are my bestest mom!"

Clumsy me

This week has been so fast and furious that we had not unpacked all the suitcases, including mine in the bedroom. And of course it was the big one. Well, we had it sitting in the floor and the big cat, Tygger had taken it over as if to say, "you aren't going anywhere, anytime soon." That was okay, because we had it set it out of the way or at least I thought it was. The other night, I was going into the bedroom to go to bed, and the lights were off. Koda, the little dog was under my feet. I rounded the corner into our bedroom and went tripping pretty as you please over the edge of the suitcase, spilling right onto the floor. The suitcase had some kind of hard plastic edge to it that scraped and bruised my thigh all the way from the knee. I was laying on the floor crying and the dog was licking my face. He thought it was a game and funny. Inspite of my screaming when I fell, the kids did not wake up. Bob came in and rescued me, turned out I have a pretty bruise and abrasion. It has really hurt for a couple of days. We iced it down and I have been using IBprophin. I have been wearing shorts too, could not stand anything to touch it. Needless to say, the suitcase has been emptied and put away. Tygger is very angry with us too for doing that or maybe she was angry that we went away in the first place.

Comings and Goings, Dogs and Cats

Well we are all home safely. We had a nice relaxing stay in Chattanooga. The hotel had a indoor swimming pool, which the kids enjoyed a lot. And we went to the Tennessee Aquarium. Katy's comment was that it was fantastic. I think they liked the petting pools most of all.

Two days before we left our gray cat, Rhianna, was ran over and killed. Bob buried it so we wouldn't have to keep seeing it. We were very sad. And we were sad to come back and she wasn't there to greet us.

The day we left, the kids left the back door open by mistake and the dogs escaped to run free for awhile. So we had to wait on them. I picked up things and threw away trash while we waited. They came home, and we prepared to leave. Well wouldn't you know it, the kids left the door open again as we were ready to leave again, and there went the dogs. Koda, the little black dog, came back first and then the big brown dog, Lily Bear came home later. I think we spent about two hours with the dogs running and coming back before we could finally leave.

Well, today when we came home; one of the kids, left the back door open, and out the dogs went and away they ran. They didn't stay away as long this time though. And the kids didn't leave the door open again. I would say the dogs and cats are as glad for us to come home as we are to be home.

March Anniversaries

It was a year ago, that we went to China to get our son Zach. Boy has time flown. And how he has grown, and is maturing. He is such a whirlwind of activity, loudness, and fun. I am so glad that God brought us together.

Yesterday, was the date of my father's birthday. I could always remember it because it was the first day of spring. I now remember it emotionally because he died in 1998. I miss him a lot on this earth. I don't miss him spiritually. I know where he is. And he often comes to me in dreams, thoughts and feelings. I am grateful also that God allowed us to be together, as father and daughter.

Saturday, March 24 is my Wedding Anniversary. My husband has been going around saying 17 years, wow 17 years. His first marriage lasted 12, but probably should have ended the day it began. He can't believe we have been married longer than his first and that it has been so much better than the first. I can't believe I am even married, and even still married. I was single for so long, that I had come to the place of accepting that I might remain single for my life. And I will admit that for most of my life I thought I wasn't marriage material, you know, things I thought about myself from some pain and hurt of life. And yet here I am married to this beautiful man for 17 years. Wow. He is working on getting a babysitter so we can have a date Saturday. Ya'll pray, he hasn't been able to find one yet.

And on March 29, I started blogging this blog of St. John's Rev Abi. It was originally named Vicar of Wadley for where I served as pastor. Here is my first post,The vicar is in Maybe.
I originally started blogging about our trip to China to get Zach on our adoption blog under the name of my husband. (I turned that over to my husband, who sadly has not picked it up, but dropped it.) But I have to say I am so glad I started blogging, in that it has opened up a whole new world of friends from all around the world. I have a new family in the revgalblopals, and with those in the Methodist blogging world. I have met some of them f2f at conferences, and will hopefully be seeing some more at the Festival of Homiletics in May. I thankful that God brought us together.

Wow what great anniversaries to have in March. I am celebrating!

The Long and Winding Road...

Thanks be to God, we are back safely, well at least Bob and the kids are home. I am back at Camp Sumatanga for the Board of Ordained Ministry Interview Retreat. Not sure why they call it a retreat when we work all day, and late in the night. But we are interviewing the candidates for the probationary and full connection in the United Methodist Church. We got this new rating system we are doing, not sure how this will work.

I want to thank you all for your prayers and thoughts for my family as we go through our grief over our Pop. It was a great time with the family. It was interesting explaining to Kara and Zachary about Pop's body, the casket, and all. Kara almost pulled the casket down, trying to touch his body. She also almost fell into the hole, trying to look in. Now Kara and Katy have been to many a funeral, but this was the first of a family member. So I am sure they just couldn't get it. I had left my notes up in Alabama but was able to do the funeral, maybe it was good I left them. My cousin Larry got up and told some funnies about Pop, which is part of who he is. My neice had written a really sweet note that was read at the funeral. We had balloons for the kids to release at the end of the funeral so they could have a part in it too. And in honor of my Grand dad, we ate at his favorite resturaunt, Homer's buffett, he loved to eat.

Thank you again for your prayers. Would you believe it that a couple of places I did not have internet service, and I just didn't have time to post if I did. I hope to get back to reading and commenting on all my friend's blogs. It is so wonderful to be lifted up and surrounded by prayer and the arms of a loving community.

On the Road Again

I am on the road again. I will be gone from home from this Monday until next Tuesday late. First I will be at the Emmaus walk of the Alabama Cluster as one of the spiritual directors from Monday until Thursday.
Then Thursday, Bob and kids will pick me up for us to go to Avon Park, Florida for my Granddad's funeral. I am doing the funeral.
Then Sunday I am back at Camp Sumatanga for the Board of Ordained Ministry Retreats. I am on one of the Interview teams and I present an interviewee. It won't be as emotional for me, because I am not on the hot seat.

Yep, a lot of travel time, sitting time, eating and eating out. Using my mind, heart and soul. Long days, maybe even some sleepless night. Emmaus will be a very Spiritual time. The time in Florida will be an emotional time. The Interview Retreat will be mental, and wearing. So keep me in your prayers and I'll keep you posted.

The Power Rangers

My son Zachary loves the Power Rangers, what little boy doesn't. He also likes Batman, Spiderman, and Superman. You get the idea, all the superheros. Well, the girls have taken a liking to the Power Rangers too. Why? Because there are girl Power Rangers. Our grandson, Joshua loved PowerRangers, and now our other grandson, Austin loves them. Want to know what you can learn from them besides Karate, winning over the bad guys?

From their website it says they teach the following values:

• Standing for what is right
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Confidence
• Physical Activity
• Caring and Friendship

When they started in 1992 there was only one tv show and group of Power Rangers, now there is Power Rangers; Mighty Morphin, Operation OverDrive, Mystic Force, SPD, Dino Thunder, Ninja Storm, Wild Force, Time Force, Rescue, Galaxy, Space, Turbo, and Zeo. My favorite tends to be the Mystic Force, cause they got adults like me in it.

Why am I blogging about this? Because it seems like everyday the Power Rangers enters into our conversation. It usually goes like this; (this was at lunch yesterday)

Zach: "When I grow up can I be the Red Power Ranger?"

Me: "Yes, you can be the Red Power Ranger."

Katy: "I want to be the Yellow Power Ranger."

Kara: "I want to be the Pink one."

Zach: "Mom, which one are you going to be?"

Mom: "I am the fat purple power ranger, my power is my blubber, get out of my way or I am going to squash you."

Laughter all around.

Yesterday we argued over who was going to be Dog who is over the Power Rangers SPD, and who is Cat who is the computer expert.

Not sure where Dad fits in here, I think he ended up being Dog..... (I like Dog.)

I can guarantee you there will be a Power Ranger discussion tonight.

A person in overdrive

I feel like a person on overdrive. Can I give that up for Lent?

Thursday had early morning meetings and phone calls, then I went to Huntsville for a meeting. Dealt with a death in a church member's family.
Friday I finished up preparations for my practice talk for the Walk to Emmaus on Obstacles to Grace, and worked on my sermon, and saw my kids somewhere in there. I think I fell asleep next to my hubby.
Saturday, drove back to Huntsville for the Emmaus Team meeting, did my practice talk. Came back to deal with family and then finish for Sunday morning preaching.
Sunday, preached. Dealt with family. Worked on my homily/meditation for Monday Morning Minister's Meeting on the second word from Jesus on the cross. Dealt with some church member's needs. I think I saw my family a little bit.
Monday morning finished up homily which included power point presentation, and then presented it. Then we discussed it and added our ideas. Came home around 2pm to work on my report for Board of Ordained Ministry for one of the candidates for Elder's orders in the Methodist church that was due that day. Nothing like working at the last minute. Got it in that evening. Went to a meeting that evening.
Tuesday went to Memphis to the Shea Ear Clinic to see what they could do about the ringing in the ears. It was an all day adventure. lots of testing. He does think he can treat the ringing, but I have to set it up since it is a three day outpatient treatment. Recommends hearing aids also. Came home, missed the eating out with the women once again. Spent time with my family, and then worked on things for today. Set up the church, the kids helped me set up the altar it looks neat for Ash Wednesday.
Today, I have been here since 7:30am for Ash Wednesday.I have had 3 people come at 10am. We had a brief yet meaningful service. So I have been working on the liturgy and sermon for tonight. Finishing emails that were delayed. Taking care of phone calls. Doing the bulletin for tonight. My secretary is out with her son who has the flu. Zachary is sick, Bob took him to the Doc, but she was not overly concerned. He took him to school, but then they called and said he had green snot coming out his nose and for him to please come get him. Zachary was glad to be home. He can't blow his nose yet, he breathes in instead which has made a simple cold worse.
Whew. I'll be glad when today is over. We have a Ash Wednesday worship service at 6:30pm. I am done when it is done.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a little less intense and busy.
I am coming out of overdrive and resting.

Oh and my 101 year old Grandpa is in the hospital in Jacksonville, and they don't know why yet.
And Bob is applying for Social Security. He actually seems relieved.

The Dreaded, "Youve been fired!"

Today, my husband got a call from the contract company he was working for, and they fired him. Of course it is the 90 days, and they will fire you for any little thing in that period. He was in absolute shock. He had no idea that it was coming. When he left Monday everything was okay. He was given some kind of an excuse that made no sense, and doesn't seem to fit. But they would not give him the detail. He then called the person whose name he was given to call, but no straight answer. He then called the two people he worked with that were over him, and they had no idea either. So now once again he is without a job. He is devastated, mad, and feels powerless. We have kind of boiled it down to what we think is going on, but we can't really say if that is true, because we don't know and haven't been told. But I bet he is right. Something "smells wrong in China." I am being as supportive as I can without letting my anger get the best of me or my sadness and scare. But the feelings are real. Say a prayer for him will ya.

Zachary gets Baptised

This last Sunday Zachary got Baptised by sprinkling by the DS. Zachary was so scared he clung to Bob the whole time and was near tears. It surprised me, since he is usally so boisterous. At least he wasn't bouncing all over the place. Instead of a lunch afterward, we hosted the meet and greet breakfast. Alot of people showed up and we had hardly anything left. Of course all the teenage boys helped clean up the food too.

The DS told this congregation that they represented family to us and to Zach. And because they have loved and accepted us they represented that and family to the community as well. Not sure I am expressing this right. But I think that was the most profound thing he said, well at least to us. I am not sure they got it. But that is true. They are family to us since ours is so far away. And they are family to those who have none or are far away too. And since they have loved and accepted us, they do have that to give to others. Now if they'll do that.....

So Zach got Baptised Sunday. No he is not an infant, but he is an infant in the faith. Yea!

The Countdown to my top 5 living people

Friday, January 12, 2007
Friday Five: Countdown Edition from the revgalblogpals

Songbird says: "Last night my TV Boyfriend Keith Olbermann made some comments I really appreciated, and it got me thinking about what makes one person admire another. In the spirit of Keith's show on MSNBC, welcome to the Friday Five Countdown Edition."
Please count down five living people you admire and tell us a little something about why they make your list. These could be famous people or people you know personally.

5... Lilly Q; Lilly is the Chinese Liason for our adoption agency. She has been involved in the Chinese adoptions a long time. Her story of how she got involved is that she was assigned as a translator to a group of Americans who had come over to adopt. The man who was handling the adoptions made off with the money, and so the families had no babies and no money to adopt. Lilly told them if they would stay in the country a little longer she would help them adopt. And sure enough she was able to help them adopt their babies. Lilly is a strong woman in the midst of a male dominated society. She has also worked hard to get foster parents for the babies and children, so they don't have to stay in the orphanage until they are adopted. She too has adopted. She is a good friend who I will always cherish her.
4... My sister; Denise is a very bright woman with many talents, gifts and graces. She is a good mom to her two children. She survived an awful marriage, and a difficult divorce. She rose to be Vice President in a Bank without having a college degree. She worked on her degree when she could obtaining it a few years ago. She did public relations for hospice. And she currently serves as a Christian Education Minister for a Presbyterian church. She has done a bang up job there, and even preaches on occasion. She has taken on the task of helping my mom as she grows older. She is good to people who are hurting. We are complete opposites, we both hated each other as children, but now love each other.
3... My Mom; My mom was raised in the north and married a man from the South. She married him one day and the honeymoon was the move down to Florida. She made herself a home and life in the South. She grew up in the depression on her grandparent's farm while her dad worked away in the city when there was work. She was sexually abused by a farm hand. The family was very stern, critical and puritanical. She obtained an RN degree and worked off and on PRN while we were growing up. Once we grew up she worked full time. She became a Christian later in life, and raised us to know Jesus. She struggled with depression, guilt and low self esteem as long as I have known her. She took care of her Aunt who had Alzhimers (Sp), and her mom two years later. She remained married to my dad even though he was difficult to live with and very domineering. She took care of him when he developed cancer and later died. She has handled his death well, and is living her life now. She was breaking racial barriers when it wasn't the socially acceptable thing to do. She does things for people that no one even knows. We were not close growing up, but we are now, and I love her.
2... My Grandfather; He is a 101 years old, maybe 102, his birth records were lost in a courthouse fire. He grew up in the early days of Florida. He watched a lot of his family die of the flu epedemic. He saw his brother killed in a fire. He worked hard all his life up to the age of 87, and would have kept working if his eyes had not failed him. He still though gardened at home. His wife was killed by a drunk driver when I was a young girl. He and his wife had a boarding house in order to make it through the depression. He came and helped with his son, my dad when he was dying. He outlived his daughter, his other child. He lived by himself up to a couple of years ago when he fell and broke his hip and he realized he could not do it anymore. He loves to play rook and other card games. Has a great sense of humor. Unlike me, he eats right too. Likes a little wine everynow and then. And he has a strong faith in God. I really love my Grandad.
1... My husband; I really love this man. Can I say it again. I really love this man. Bob grew up on a farm was 5th of 6 children. By the time he came along his mom was too tired to take care of him and his sister. So he was taken care of by his older siblings. He was a short fellow growing up. He worked the farm which was a dairy farm which left very little time for extra curricular activities. He went into the army, trained as a medic in special forces. He then went to Viet Nam, and lived with the Vietnamese. He says he delivered more babies than he did kill people. But many a time he almost was the one to die or get shot at. (I am not sure I wrote that right.) He does have PTSD, but he has been in therapy and a group to deal with a lot of it. He loves me and married me. He was previously married to a woman who mentally, emotionally and physically abused him. He's done therapy for that too. He is a deeply spiritual man. He is very astute at diagnosing problems and situations. He is a calm, patient presence. He went through all the crap we went through trying to get pregnant, including invitro fertilization. And he is a very good daddy. Again I love this man.

Thats my five that are alive, I have lots more that have gone on before me and I hope to see in heaven.
Now I would have to say I admire my revgalblogpals and thats my bonus for today.
Have a good weekend ya'll.