Caroline B

Ashley Ward's wedding site

2011-08-19T06:34:00.004-05:00

It's called The Muscadine Vine and it is gorgee-poo!

The first picture is the apron I'm making for the Belles, so adorable.

The second picture is overlooking the field and lake where the ceremony will be.

The third picture is the one of the kitchen.

The fourth picture is of the yard between the kitchen building and the storage shed where the serving tables will be.

The 5th is from the barn and drive where the guest tables will be looking over toward the serving lines.

I have a few more I'll post later.

Love you Debs!!!

So much.

2011-06-30T09:15:00.004-05:00

So much has happened since I last wrote. I wish my memory was super orderly and I could just spit out a time line or something. Katie B is having her second child in December, we find out today (false alarm - no ultrasound today) if we're getting a boy or girl. If the baby is a girl, how will she be different than LydieBug? If the baby is a boy, how will he be like his big sister? We went to the beach for a few days and got to see Lydia be astonished by the Atlantic. On the way to the beach, she stopped on the boardwalk, her hands stretched out, her mouth dropped open, and she shook with excitement. Seeing everything for the first time again is the best thing about being a grand. I'm always watching her face as she looks at the world. I followed her around all over the beach bending over her when she would veer toward the surf. Letting her feel the pull without losing her to the waves.

Corners

2010-09-04T13:38:00.007-05:00

We have lots of new corners at our house.

Soapy sudsy corner.

Playtime corner.

Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy corner.

Listening corner.

Sweet sleepy corner.

Love these corners.
Maybe we're turning a corner, too.

kitchen window

2010-07-04T11:10:00.004-05:00

The view from my kitchen window. I planted zinnia seeds this spring. I love their joyous chaos.

This picture made me notice that I keep favorite things in the kitchen window. The cactus Mike gave me for our last anniversary with a card that said, "Thanks for sticking with me." The nativity that Jeanne brought me from Spain. The geodes full of baby amethysts, the birdie Ruth Allen made for me. The bottle stopper Sharliss brought me from Italy.

My grandmother always had zinnias. They make me think of her garden spot below the rock wall. They are violating the gardenias and that makes Mike, with his architects love of symmetry, a little uncomfortable.

The butterflies like to come for a visit. The japanese beetles like to visit, too. But, Mikey B got me some spray today at Home Depot that should take care of that. He also got some new shelving for the laundry room. We heard a large crash yesterday and went to see what on earth had happened. I did not take a picture of it. The chaos was not joyous.

How come I never blog?

2010-06-22T21:38:00.004-05:00

I suffer from extreme lameness. That's why. I'm too busy doing stupid stuff when I'm not doing super important stuff. It's like one or the other. Really stupid or super important. Blogging must be somewhere in the middle. "Darlin' I don't know why I go to extremes. Too high or too low, there ain't no in between. And if I stand or I fall, it's all or nuthin' at all. Darlin' I don't know why I go to extremes." Billy Joel knows. Sometimes I listen to that song really really loud and think I could have written it. Should have written it.

I have an amazing baby grand baby. I need more words to describe her because the old ones are not enough. All I will say is that I thought I knew what love is. I remember when my baby brother was born when I was 8. I said to myself, "Oh! I see, this is what love is." But there keeps being more and more layers. You'd think I wouldn't be surprised by it at 47. I am completely shocked and blown away by this newest love. Undone. I am love sick. My stomach actually hurts when I think about her.

Her little toes are all perfect in a row. Her little everything is perfect.

A year ago today

2009-09-02T22:26:00.003-05:00

Mama and Daddy on their wedding day. Beautiful people. We lost Daddy this time last year. We miss him. A lot.Me and Daddy on my wedding day. Haha, he was in his big glasses phase. He went out and bought new cowboy boots that morning. He said there was no way he was wearing those fruity tux shoes.

Having just been through it with Katie, I can tell you for certain that Daddy's go through a lot on their daughter's wedding day. They have to smile and wave as some guy takes their little girl away. And pay for the whole thing, too.

Anyway, just missing big George today. And every day. A big man with a big heart. A bright light. A huge presence. My daddy.

Where's July?

2009-08-12T06:42:00.002-05:00

That reminds me, there is a guy named July in Lonesome Dove. What a seriously great movie.

I got a full time job. I love it. And hate it.

I love it because it is 5 minutes from home in the most beautiful building on Washington Avenue overlooking the rolling hills of the national cemetery. And because I'm working for a generous man of high integrity. I can walk to the square for lunch. Call me.

I hate it because I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how to do my regular life at the same time. Well, I didn't like my regular life all that much anyway. After Dad died in September, Katie got engaged in October, 3 big birthdays, our anniversary and 2 major holidays in November and December, wedding stuff non-stop until April 25th, Weston is diagnosed with leukemia...the aftermath was not so good. May and June were restless times of not knowing what to do with my hands.

So, now I have something to do. And I'm getting paid to do it. Which is nice. If you're married to a builder. And I am.

I haven't had my feet in the sand this summer. And sometimes I have a bad attitude and forget to look on the bright side. Sue me.

To be loved like that.

2009-05-04T12:06:00.002-05:00

I wish everybody could be loved like that. Longing for heaven while enjoying earth.

Frodo knows.

2009-04-18T21:45:00.002-05:00

"How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand...there is no going back. There are some things that time can not mend. Some hurts that go too deep...that have taken hold."

There is an action item at the end...

2009-04-07T21:29:00.002-05:00

"Freaks are emboldened when wicked men are in power."
~Caroline Bedingfield

Our local crisis pregnancy center is scheduled for pro-abortion picketing on Monday. How nice.

Pretty soon, men like my dear friend Dr. Bardwell, will be required by law to murder innocent children.

This from Gary Bauer today...

Obama’s Pro-Abortion Extremism

While President Obama likes to talk about “reducing the need for abortion,” his administration is taking steps to implement one of the most extreme proposals imaginable – repealing conscience protections for medical professionals. Make no mistake about the outcome of this action: religious hospitals, doctors and nurses will be forced to perform abortions or other procedures that violate their values.

This issue clearly exposes the pro-abortion extremism of Barack Obama and the Left. A woman’s “right of conscience” is protected to the extent that she can decide whether or not her unborn baby lives or dies. Now the pro-abortion Left wants to take away the right of conscience from doctors and nurses who want no part in the destruction of innocent human life. That is not “pro-choice” – it is pro-abortion.

TAKE ACTION: As required by law, the administration is accepting public comments before it takes further action on this outrageous proposal. The comment period ends on April 9th. Please respectfully share your thoughts with the Department of Health and Human Services by visiting www.regulations.gov or by sending an E-mail to proposedrescission@hhs.gov.

IV poles are like scooters

2009-04-06T08:48:00.002-05:00

http://www.caringbridge.com/visit/westoncrusselle

Weston has a CaringBridge page now. Go over there and tell them I sentcha. Weston took me on a tour of Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta last night. He rode his IV pole/scooter to the koi pond and showed me how he wants to modify the design for Grandmommy's backyard. We day dreamed about throwing a casting net in there. We talked about how nice it would be to have a chipping wedge right about now.

I love hanging out with Matt and Jennifer and Weston. If things stayed like they were yesterday, it would be a party up in that room every day. They are the most positive, fun loving, joking around, talkative, playful people I know. Seriously. I was super encouraged by their indominable spirits.

In a serious moment, Weston did say, "I don't want to die." And, "How do you know you would go to heaven?" I looked up 1 John and promised to go over it another time. He had about a dozen visitors at the time. A friend even spend the night with him last night!

He will get his port and his first chemo today.

Weston

2009-04-03T08:20:00.008-05:00

This is Weston Crusselle. He is my nephew. My baby brother Matt's son. You know, the brother who who was born when I was 8 years old and who was my sidekick for 15 years until I left home and married Mike. I called Mike "Matt" for a solid year. Still do, sometimes.

Matt married Jennifer and they had this miracle baby. She wasn't supposed to be able to have kids. I was there when he was born. He's like 5 kids rolled into one. Tons of personality. A 6 time state champion wrestler at 14. An all-star athlete. A freshman at our alma mater, McEachern High School, where he wrestles and plays baseball. JohnJohn's fishing buddy.

Yesterday, he was diagnosed with ALL. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

An appendicitis sent him to the ER to find out his blood work was unusual. Scottish Rite hurried over to WellStar Cobb to pick him up. They removed his appendix yesterday and will begin 3 years of chemo on Monday. There is a great survival rate and he plans to win.

Here is my Mama with most of her grandkids this past Christmas. It was our first Christmas without my Daddy who we lost in September. And it was one weird holiday.

Me and my brothers Matt, Ben, Mama, me and Buddy in reverse birth order. Weston belongs to Matt.

Playing games at Riverstone Summer Camp. He actually won the frozen burrito boxcar race.

I LOVE this kid.
My heart is broken.
Katie is getting married in 21 days.

Slumdog

2009-03-03T10:13:00.002-05:00

I tried to see Slumdog Millionaire last night with Mikey B. I lasted about 20 minutes and just had to get up and go. Too much for me. Maybe I'm like an ostrich. No, I've been to India and have seen some of that stuff with my own eyes. Seen some of that meanness, felt that hatred. Maybe I just didn't want to relive it on a screen that's like 50 feet wide. I'm glad people are going to see the movie and I'm glad that I supported the movie with my money. Little Jamal was so beautiful. I can't reconcile my heart today. The world is unreconciled, so out of balance. It just doesn't add up.

Sore Throat

2009-02-10T10:39:00.002-05:00

My throat feels like it is caked with scabs of acid that are on fire. I wake up in the night and wonder what I'm forgetting about the wedding. Last night I dreamed that I was in India and the Fritchmans came to visit me in this warehouse and there was a flood and all the merchants took their stuff to this plateau and I climbed up there and there was nowhere to walk and I climbed over some merchandise and the merchant picked me up and set me down in a moving convertible right on top of some people and I was wearing a dress. I got to hold baby Webb in church on Sunday and he is very wonderful for reminding you why you do what you do. If you are me. I love the eTrade commercial where the baby calls the old golfer "Shankopotamus". That is one wise-cracking baby. JohnJohn has a big math test today. I love to peek in his room at night and see him working complex problems at his desk while listening to his headphones. Jack Bauer doesn't play by the rules. That is why you are still alive.

Queen me.

2009-01-29T11:55:00.003-05:00

We started the Beth Moore study about Esther last night. The sub-title is "It's Tough Being a Woman." So true, so true.

Did you see the movie "300"? It is super violent and has some really nasty parts, but I LOVE THAT MOVIE. The movie takes place in time just before the book of Esther begins. It's the story of Leonidas and the few Spartans who took on the many, the beginning of the end for the Persian Empire intent on moving into Europe. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. If you're up to it. It is stylized and, in my opinion, beautifully made. But beware, the man in my life thinks it is kinda sick that I like it so much.

I was just thinking about the history of Israel and about how it was only 70 years ago that 6 million Jews were slaughtered. That's not very long. And then I thought of the story of Joseph. I've always thought of him as a type of Christ. But, he is certainly a type of Israel as well. God chose Joseph (Israel) from among his brothers (other sons of Abraham..ah hem...) causing jealously enough to sell him into slavery (a million examples) to suffer (holocaust, etc.) and eventually prosper to the point of reigning with power providing sustenance even to his starving oppressors (the near future?).

Anywho, it is very difficult for me to imagine our precious Queen Esther with the Xerxes in the movie. I'm not sure how I will reconcile that one.

Some things I am thinking.

I, too.

2009-01-26T11:14:00.003-05:00

5-12 I, too, give witness to the greatness of God,
our Lord, high above all other gods.
He does just as he pleases—
however, wherever, whenever.
He makes the weather—clouds and thunder,
lightning and rain, wind pouring out of the north.
He struck down the Egyptian firstborn,
both human and animal firstborn.
He made Egypt sit up and take notice,
confronted Pharaoh and his servants with miracles.
Yes, he struck down great nations,
he slew mighty kings—
Sihon king of the Amorites, also Og of Bashan—
every last one of the Canaanite kings!
Then he turned their land over to Israel,
a gift of good land to his people.

Psalm 135:5-7 (The Message)

I love this

2009-01-22T10:41:00.002-05:00

I love this picture. It doesn't belong to me, I swiped it off the world wide web. Can you get in trouble for that?

Anyway, I love babies. And I've always wondered what it is about babies that I love so much. It doesn't matter who they belong to, I love them instantly. Is everybody like that? I absolutely love little bitty humans. Why? I can love tiny ones effortlessly.

I can't love the big ones as easy. I just read The Same Kind of Different As Me. It's a story of a wealthy Christian couple who learn how to love people at a homeless shelter. Their newest and bestest homeless man friend decides, after trying to figure out if and how to receive this love, that everybody is the same kind of different. From each other.

I'm pretty sure that God is softening my heart. And I wonder if one day big people will be as easy for me to love as little ones. That would be amazing.

Flower Shopping

2009-01-16T10:14:00.002-05:00

Me and Katie B are headed out flower shopping with Mrs. Barbara Dean today. It is so exciting to be getting to some of the fun stuff! We're going to plan out the wedding flowers, Katie has been clipping photos. She likes daisys. Alot.

Party of Five

2008-12-22T09:42:00.003-05:00

Brett, Katie, John, Caroline and Mike.
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime.
Hope you are, too!

Wacky Arnold Christmas Fun

2008-12-14T22:01:00.004-05:00

We spent the weekend in Franklin and Nashville with our besties, David, Sharliss and KJ. We got there Friday night and were treated to a steak dinner complete with bakers, salad and this most amazing cheese sauce all to the tune of some funky yet festive music. They even put Cole Kitty out so Mike wouldn't sneeze his head off.Doesn't Katherine look great?! She just finished her last big chemo, HURRAY!

Sharliss made us an amazing breakfast on Saturday morning, pancakes, bacon, sausage and an egg any way you like it. We then headed to Dickens Christmas where the whole town of Franklin is transformed into a Victorian village. We saw a hand bell choir, lots of other choirs, got a Starbuck's Caramel Cider which is just about the best thing ever, met up with the Manns and had a horse drawn carriage ride around historic Franklin. Laughing all the way. But, the laughter was only beginning. We said farewell to the Manns and headed to the Leiper's Fork annual Christmas parade. Mike and I have decided that we will never miss this parade again. David and Sharliss have been telling us it was awesome, now we know it is true. A gorgeous drive through rural Tennessee took us to Main Street lined with townspeople from near and far. The kids were poised on the edge of the street with their bags ready. They knew what was coming. I did not.

First off, the Grand Marshall was Naomi Judd. The real Naomi Judd. In a horse drawn carriage, no less. Next came a Scottish bagpipe and drum marching band, beautiful. And, don't worry, there was a human snowglobe. Yes, a human snowglobe which consisted of this guy in the back of a flatbed Ford inside a big plastic bubble full of blowing snow singing his heart out. Except that the snow wasn't blowing right so he would pick up handfulls and throw it in the air. There was a busty blonde bail bondswoman float and a septic tank pumper truck tossing Tootsie Rolls. Get it?

Mike's favorite was the huge trailer with nothing but a tiny dog dressed up like Santa waving a banner that said, "Less is More." At one point I turned to David and said, "Where am I?" That was about the time grandpaw drove up on his lawn mower wearing angel wings made from real feathers. There were several more lawn mowers and quite a few tractors. Even more antique cars with various politicians. Some convertibles with Queens of something or other. And everybody was throwing candy to the kids the whole time. The parade was at least a mile long. We could see down into the valley where they were staging the floats and we left before we even saw half of them.

We all retired for the rest of the afternoon to rest before dinner which was in downtown Nashville on music row at Merchant's Grill. We met an undercover sensei at the bar while we waited for our table. After a huge dinner we said a tearful goodnight to Katherine, Sharliss and David and checked into the Loew's for the night.I know I'm forgetting stuff. But, I can't remember it all. Some of it is a bit blurry. All I know is that we are back home. And missing our precious friends. Love you Arnolds!

23 Years

2008-12-14T21:50:00.004-05:00

Mike and I have been married for 23 years today. He got me the all time greatest gift.The reason I love this gift so much is:

I needed it
I had not asked for it
It took some paying attention to know I needed it

And so I celebrate this gift. And this man. Who knows what I need without me having to ask.

Oh what fun...

2008-12-14T20:59:00.004-05:00

Bennett feeds the animals in Franklin at Dickens Christmas. Some of the critters get feisty and knock him down, but not for long. Christmas is so much more fun with babies! Everything is, really.

Blue eyed boy.

Feeding the offending goat.

Caroline, Katherine, Mandy and Sharliss

Grand Facade

2008-11-29T14:48:00.001-05:00

This song is speaking to me from my iPod...

Allies "Grand Facade"

Where do we go from here
When we've said hello, I'm fine and you?
Shouldn't we make it clear
It's alright to shed a tear or two

If I showed my weakness would you laugh at me
If I ran away would you come after me

We hide our hearts, we play charades
Here behind the grand facade
No fear eludes, no pain can escape
From the loving eyes of God

If you could read my mind
Would you comfort me with an old cliche
This is my best disguise
It serves me well, it keeps me sage
But I feel the loneliness my comfort brings
When one word of love could give my spirit wings

From out of the dark, come into the light
Beyond the grand facade

Hello Annie

2008-11-19T12:53:00.003-05:00

I can't believe I am posting this dorky video.
I'm about to hit "Publish Post".
I'm pretty sure I will regret it.
Alas, the things we do for love. Of Annie.

Hey Debbie

2008-11-13T10:46:00.003-05:00

This is how I look today. I'm wearing a white shirt and a white sweater with jeans and my Merrell's. I've been running around getting plans copied and delivering them to Mike for a plan review. I'm going to lunch with Katie B and we're going to look at a dress in the window at Vintage by Judith. And I'm smiling because you're coming to Marietta soon.

The Sovereignty of God

2008-11-09T13:22:00.002-05:00

John Piper has some great things to say. Listen for the thing he says about God's judgement.

My girl.

2008-11-06T10:33:00.012-05:00

KTB will be 22 tomorrow. Some people don't even have a KTB, and that's sad. So, you can borrow mine if you'll bring her back. Brett. I can't really talk about Katie right now as she is engaged to be married and I'm struggling to imagine this house without her.

She is happy 97% of the time. The rest of the time, she is unconscious.

She coaches volleyball. I can remember being in middle high and looking up to the older girls. She's that girl.

She fully rocks at Guitar Hero.

She got glasses. And even cuter. Can I say that she can wear a scarf like nobody's business?

Can I say that she didn't make the same mistakes as me and that I feel a little redeemed by that?
She and Brett love to swing dance. They are engaged to be married in April. We love him.

So, I'm being brave.

My boy.

2008-11-05T16:50:00.011-05:00

Some of my favorite John pictures in anticipation of his 19th birthday tomorrow. The beauty of his spirit has enriched my life in ways I am at a loss to put into words.

I know God loves me when I look at him...

diving in the keys,

playing guitar,

working hard,

catching fish,

taking risks.

Poetry in motion.

Another Mother Teresa

2008-11-03T10:33:00.003-05:00

Here is another quote from Mother Teresa:

"The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion because if a mother can kill her own child, what is left for me to kill you and you to kill me? There is nothing between."

So much at stake

2008-11-02T13:57:00.002-05:00

If you are wrong about this, how can you be right about anything else?
If you are wrong about this, what else matters?

If you get this wrong, you will be sorry. One day. You will be sorry.

The Hour of Decision from Mark Mallett on Vimeo.

I'll become even more impolite than this...

2008-10-30T23:13:00.001-05:00

This from Gary Bauer today...

"We know very little about the man who is currently leading in the polls and who may well be the next leader of the most powerful nation on earth. That is a profound problem, in my view, and British columnist Melanie Phillips recently summed it up well when she wrote the following:

“You have to pinch yourself – a Marxist radical who all his life has been mentored by, sat at the feet of, worshipped with, befriended, endorsed the philosophy of, funded and been in turn funded, politically promoted and supported by a nexus comprising of black power anti-white racists, Jew-haters, revolutionary Marxists, unrepentant former terrorists and Chicago mobsters, is on the verge of becoming President of the United States. And apparently it’s considered impolite to say so.”"

Fight for the Unborn

2008-10-29T08:49:00.004-05:00

Read Randy Alcorn's blog. He is amazing.

Abortion is the deal breaker issue of our lifetime. God have mercy on every Christian who votes for Obama.

If the people of the community close their eyes when that man gives one of his children to Molech…I will set my face against that man and his family and will cut off from their people both him and all who follow him… (Leviticus 20:1-5)

Do this so that innocent blood will not be shed in your land, which the LORD your God is giving you as your inheritance, and so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed. (Deuteronomy 19:10)

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood… (Proverbs 6:16-19)

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9)

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:40)

"Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you" (Ezekiel 35:6).

I am so proud of my nabe, Jeanne, for heading to Ohio to protect the unborn!

Phoenix with Debbie!

2008-10-26T16:39:00.013-05:00

I had an amazing time visiting Debbie and Leonard Sutton in their new hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. I had never been to the desert before. It isn't like here in the Piedmont. I didn't really know we had this stuff on our planet. I told Debs that I have a whole new chapter in my book of God. I've seen a new side of Him.

We began our whirlwind 3 day tour going from the airport in Deb's convertible to lunch, catching up all the while. Tuckered out from the traveling and 3 hour difference, I voted for going to the hacienda for rest and more catching up in Deb and Len's luxury 3 bedroom condo. Y'all, that thing is nice. Very roomy and nice with a pool and hot tub which we never got around to visiting.

After resting awhile, we commenced to prepare a dinner in celebration of the season with a medley of root vegetables roasted with pork tenderloin marinated in a mustard wine sauce. Very autumnal. And very delicious. Debs roasted turnips, carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes, both red and white. I didn't know I liked parsnips, they are like white carrots but they have a gingery flavor. Who knew? Debbie, that's who.

Thursday morning was lazy until we headed out to Pueblo Grande to visit the local Hohokam Indian ruins. The Salt River runs through Phoenix which is in the Sonoran Desert. This is the only place on Earth where the Saguaro "sah-wah-roh" cactus grows.

Isn't he cute?! He's like 100 years old.

We proceeded to tour around the Pueblo and see how the Indians did life. Here we are in front of a Joshua Tree.
Here Debbie gestures toward an Indian ball court. There are "goals" at each end. These are found all over the place, there is even one near Big Canoe.

The Suttons attend First Christian Church in Phoenix. The building was designed by Frank Loyd Wright and it is very interesting.

Yes, I was lying on the ground to capture this shot. It lacks context, but I'm rarely compensated for my photography. My gifts lie elsewhere.

One of Deb's gifts is asking people for help. She says that "Can you help me" are some seriously magic words. For example, when we walked into a high rise building in downtown Phoenix and found the elevator and pushed the highest number and walked out onto the 11th floor into a swanky office at 5pm and asked the receptionist if they had a window with a view of Camelback Mountain so we could take our own picture in front of it and the lady said, "Just a moment, they are having a party in there. Just wait here... okay, you may come in." At which point she begins to raise the light filtering shades in the windows that span one entire side of the building. That, my friends, is a gift.
One of my gifts is getting Debbie to stand on top of a privacy wall outside some condos where I am almost positive I can get us both in the picture with Camelback if we can just keep our balance.

Safely back in the convertible, here we are as I sort of lose it over the last few antics.

Listen, uploading these photos is taking a long time and I want to get this post up for you. I will continue in a day or two. Just know that we had lots of fun. And barely got hurt. I miss you Debbie! And, 'm coming again with reinforcements!

She's so funny!

2008-10-16T16:08:00.003-05:00

Jacob Bean Nysewander thinks his big sister is SO FUNNY!
And she is. You're a fine sis, Isaiah Grace!

The Catholic Church

2008-10-04T16:58:00.003-05:00

Psalm 33

2008-09-14T07:37:00.000-05:00

1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars ^[a] ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.

9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;

14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-

15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Prodigal Son

2008-09-08T09:14:00.002-05:00

Some friends of mine like to argue about Obama's economic policies. I can't even seem to focus on that, can't get past his bad foreign policy judgment. There will be no buying or selling if we are unable to keep peace.

A Hamas leaders son recently converted to Christianity. His testimony is here from an Israeli news organization. It was also reported on Fox News. His insight into Islam is very interesting. Talk about a prodigal son...

Last Days

2008-08-28T09:11:00.004-05:00

If you're not reading Joel Rosenberg these days, well, I just don't know what's wrong with you.

Joel's New Blog

He talks about Joe Biden and Israel ramping up to strike Iran. He asks you to get out a map and draw a line from Moscow to Jerusalem noticing that you have to go right through Georgia. I just read his latest two works of fiction, The Ezekiel Option and Dead Heat. Dude.

And I've been asking myself some questions. If these are seriously the last days, what should I be doing differently? My daddy is very ill and we don't know how long he will be around, what should I be doing and saying? How important am I in either situation? What's my role in all this?

I really like Micah 6:8. I would really like to think that's all there is to it.

"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."

These aren't new thoughts to us, we don't live unexamined lives. I just can't quit thinking them.

And another thing, while I'm at it. I've got THIS SONG STUCK in my head. For several days now. What does it even mean?

Good to be me.

2008-08-04T10:38:00.000-05:00

Pot-o-gold, thy name is Stan and Jennifer. We've got company as of yesterday around 6pm. They flew in to spend the week and we are stoked! We got to the house upon returning from the airport, gave Mike a minute to concoct something fruity in large styrofoam cups, jumped into the boat and cruised over to SunDowners for dinner right as the sun was setting. I got the onion crusted Mahi, Jen got the Fish Oscar special, Stan had a crab stuffed Grouper and Mike got the YellowTail Snapper. SunDowners makes a Key Lime Martini, no lie, that has graham cracker crumbs around the rim. Our path home through the darkness was lighted with a truly stellar performance by the Big Dipper and my two new favorite constellations, Scorpio and the Teapot. If I brought my star maps, does that make me a nerd? I got to be first mate since JohnJohn went home and I even got to hold and shine the big light on the channel markers. It is good to be me.

Rainbow

2008-08-04T09:15:00.003-05:00

Imagine my delight as we approach the house and see a rainbow springing from our very roof. I love that story. But actually, Mike and Hun and I were leaving the cul-de-sac and I asked Mike to position the boat so that the rainbow was over the house. Still, it is cool.

John Livergood spent the night with us on Friday. He was in Miami on business and popped down for a looksee. He and Mike went fishing and it was really fun to have him and his energy infuse this house with life. Seriously, I spent 4 hours on a puzzle that day. We were in critical need.

I almost forgot! Mike and I went to Monkey Jungle on Friday! We kept seeing the sign last year on our trips to and from the airport. We love us some monkeys, so this year we went for it. It was hilarious. The people are in the cage and the monkeys run all around the outside. The lady at the front desk sold us some boxes of raisins and it didn't take long for the monkeys to school us in the protocol. They have little tiny buckets on long chains and they drop them from the ceiling on your head as you pass by. You put the raisins in and they draw them up frantically looking all around for their bigger cousins and quickly eat the raisins. You can tell they are well fed and it's more of a sport for them.Their resident Lowland Gorilla is named King. I love him.

Garish

2008-07-25T10:22:00.001-05:00

Newt

2008-07-25T10:01:00.002-05:00

Why don't we listen more often to this guy? He might be America's best kept secret. I don't know what a "speculator" is in regards to the price of a barrel of oil, and I'm sorry if you are one, but Newt is suggesting we tear them a new one.

Light on the Water

2008-07-22T11:20:00.004-05:00

It looked like a million diamonds. It was around 4pm and we were headed to fish at Butternut Key. There is a bird sanctuary there but it sounds like an island of monkeys. We anchored and the boys set about catching mangrove snapper and I started a new book. But, it's hard to read when you are distracted by so much beauty.

I got a boo-boo

2008-07-20T15:43:00.004-05:00

It doesn't look all that bad, does it? We were snorkeling around and seeing all kinds of life around the little reef known as Hens and Chickens. I saw Parrot Fish taking tiny bites of the corral, a really long snake looking fish, lots of little bumble bee Sergeant Majors and indescribable others. Mike threw some Cheez-Its in and I got to be in the middle of a frenzy of fish folk. The corral is so shallow right there that I could dive down and see up close. It seemed like everybody was ready to move on. The sea was tossing about 4 feet, the boat straining against its mooring. Maybe it's time to get out. Maybe I should relieve myself first, being the only girl along and all. Maybe fish respond to this activity, maybe I should be nearer the ladder. Concentration and success. Barracuda. Big one. A few feet away, closer than usual. What does he think about this? Scurry to ladder, throw fins over side of undulating boat. WHAM! Boat propeller into left hip. Do barracudas respond to blood in the water? Scurry up ladder, wrap boo-boo in Mike's sea soaked shirt. Wonder if I need stiches.I think, "When you see that white stuff you're supposed to get stitches." I say, "Where are we going next?" I was very brave. Or stupid. Sometimes they feel the same.

Katie in Scotland

2008-07-13T20:44:00.003-05:00

Wow. I miss Katie B something fierce. Check out their Scotland blog if you get a chance and pray for their youth camp and safe travels.

http://scotlandteam08.blogspot.com/

I shamelessly stole this photo from their blog. Whatever, I do what I want.

Service

2008-07-11T09:18:00.003-05:00

Doing the right thing at the cost of self-interest. Which of our candidates for President does this?

This man.

The first video is awesome, but if you wait a moment another one follows that is AWESOME.

Where are we going?

2008-06-13T16:54:00.005-05:00

Brave new world? I'm not so sure.
Check out the list at the bottom
of this article for an interesting
old world vs. new world comparison.

Most thought provoking quote:
"Mr. Obama is the new world, which is marked in part by doubt as to the excellence of the old. It prizes ambivalence as proof of thoughtfulness, as evidence of a textured seriousness."

Well said.

Proud?

2008-05-27T09:04:00.002-05:00

Maybe just a teensy bit. I like the exit sign in this picture. We were surely exiting.

Adorable

2008-05-06T12:22:00.003-05:00

Beware of looking at this picture for too long, you might get a cavity. Aren't they sweet?! We sure do love Kimmy. Big Bad John is about to graduate and we are soooo proud of him. He's been accepted to Southern Poly where he will study and learn how to take over CMA from his daddy one day, hope it's sooner rather than later...

Wonderfully Made

2008-05-02T09:02:00.000-05:00

The best thing I've seen in a long, long time.

News

2008-04-30T08:52:00.003-05:00

I've just been catching up on all the news articles I've missed while away. Some stories are a lot like the soap operas I used to watch when in high school. I got out of classes at lunchtime my senior year and would sometimes go home to eat before reporting for work at Brigade Quartermasters. I was hired initially to load their database of customers onto their smokin' hot new programmer created software, they were breaking ground in 1979 with software and hardware.

Back to the soaps. I would tune in and pick up the story, sometimes after a break of a week or so. I found that I wouldn't miss a lot. The plots moved at a snails pace with one single conversation between 2 characters sometimes lasting for days.

Mother and I were just talking about this yesterday at the hospital where my Dad is incarcerated for going on 5 weeks now. He is straight fibbing (atrial fibrillation) and the cardiologists hesitate to perform the cardoioversion that might regulate his heart rate because of some clots that have formed in the left atrium caused by the irregular heart rate. Talk about a circular plot. He's about to tear that place down so tired is he of hospitals and procedures.

So, like I started to say, I'm catching up on all the news. I vaguely remembered a scripture taught to me by Muriel Cash that perfectly summed up my feelings about my observations in the news. I couldn't find it for the life of me, I got out the Strong's, went to BibleGateway, couldn't remember the right words. When I woke up this morning it came to me, that old advice to "sleep on it" really works.

"The wicked freely strut about
when what is vile is honored among men."
Psalm 12:8

Well put King David. Well put.

Water wings

2008-04-29T10:27:00.003-05:00

I'm still trying to figure out what all the lessons were from my recent trip across the pond. I think I've almost gotten a hold on one:
Water wings. We spent lots of time introducing some young children to buoyancy, being in the water, floating, keeping your breathing apparatus out of the H20. They were excited to be in the water but wouldn't let go of our necks at first. Slowly they let us hold them instead of the other way around. And, here's the cruel part. The crucial part. The part I didn't like the most when it was done to me.

At some point, you have to let them go. All the way. So they can fully experience the wings bearing them up. They have to learn to flex their little arm muscles to further submerge the floaties so their little noses and mouths can find the air. You can say it a million different ways, but in the end you have to let go with your hands and let them work it out.

It is scary as crap when you're a grown up in a very foreign land. And you're submerged in something you don't know how to maneuver through, somewhere that isn't instinctive or innate. I've got great instincts. I get by on them all the time. They were no good to me in Narnia. I needed something more.

I sure made some horrible gasping noises and flailed about like I was drowning, even if nobody could see me or hear me. But, as I finally realized, I had on my water wings the whole time.

They do tend to deflate over time and you have to add some air here and there. I totally get that now. But, they are just the beginning. I've heard of these things called surf boards. Hmmm...

The Crew

2008-04-04T08:18:00.008-05:00

Here we are at Mama & Daddy's on Thanksgiving 2006. And this is everybody's everybody.
My parents with most of their grandkids at Jeanne's beach house on the best beach in the universe. I post these because I'll be gone for about 2 weeks and if I get near a computer I can see some of my peeps.Mike and his Dad and brothers at their favorite gathering place. I'd like to post several more pictures, but if I don't pack my stuff I will surely miss my flight. One more of my bffs and baby IGN.Okay, one more of Nate, John and Sam.Brett and Katie swing dancing. It's so funny! Okay, I've got to go pack.

I Love This Man

2008-03-25T07:10:00.002-05:00

I don't want to debate politics with you. Unless I see you face to face. Then it would be nice to discuss ideas and maybe argue a little. I've always liked to argue. My Dad taught me to argue as a way of refining my beliefs. But, we usually enjoy a good argument so much that we will take any position just to keep it going. So fun. At every holiday table, coffee and dessert would be enjoyed while arguing. There we would be, my Daddy, 3 brothers and me. Refining our beliefs. And using any weapon at our disposal, including all the best informal fallacies of logic. While everyone else scatters to get away from the noise. So good.

I really like the online opinion page of the Wall Street Journal. It's free and fabulous. I'm falling in love with the man in this article.

Join me, won't you?

Knowing God

2008-03-14T10:20:00.005-05:00

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness,
judgement, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24

Spring will come again.

2008-03-05T18:27:00.004-05:00

Mama says that Robins are notoriously precarious nesters. I'm sorta glad. Because we got to see this nest on the ground last Spring. Egg shells are like nothing else, the way they diffuse the light, beautiful.
Here's the Easter eggs Mama colored last year. She does a big basket every year, usually with the help of the kids and grandkids. Sometimes Daddy tries to get fancy with them. The pink ones are my favorite. And the yellow ones. And blue and green. We got some peach ones in last years batch.

Debbie's in Phoenix now.

2008-02-27T14:47:00.005-05:00

I had a very bittersweet farewell lunch with Debbie yesterday. We packed up the last of her stuff.

The cold weather was blowing in and she cut these newly sprouted jonquils from her yard just ahead of the frost. She gave them to me.

I guess I should say they represent the fresh start she and Leonard are making in a new city.

She asked me to mother her violet.

It's supposed to be 83 degrees today in Phoenix.

She's coming back in April, but I'll be out of the country.

I'm going to stop typing now.

A Prayer (lament)

2008-02-23T07:52:00.003-05:00

Mission trip meetings real early on Saturday mornings, rockin' out with Nathan and American Revolution 'til the wee hours the night before, ears still ringing, waiting for my ride Amy, trying to focus, willing the coffee into my bloodstream, where is my passport, what should I wear for my visa application picture, ears still ringing, hair still wet around the edges, praying for my Daddy, and Abby, wondering how to say goodbye to Debs, and Annie, learning that many Psalms are laments, looking forward to being among those gorgeous children, ears still ringing, there's Amy.

10 Random Things About Me

2008-02-20T09:37:00.003-05:00

I have a friend, Annie, who tagged me on her blog yesterday. I'm not positive I know all the rules of the challenge, but I DO understand random. Here goes:

1. One day I'm going to be a great pianist.

2. My one thing in life that I can not in any way tolerate is spiders.

3. I remember every idiotic thing I have ever said. I replay them as I lay down at night in the hopes that I will not say them again.

4. I've never broken a bone.

5. I vacillate wildly between thinking I am never going to amount to anything and the greatest person alive.

6. I was head of dealer sales for a military supplier.

7. My youngest brother was born when I was 8 and that's when I began to figure out what love is.

8. I'm a freakishly good speller.

9. I had a baby before my first anniversary.

10. I keep a big heavy chain in the back of my 4 wheel drive. Just in case.

Now I hereby tag JennieB, h. and Sharliss Jane. Tag. You're it.

So good.

2008-02-19T22:09:00.000-05:00

Blog to Face

2008-02-07T17:49:00.000-05:00

This is a small recap for all our new blog friends, Chip, about an event awaiting it's third materialization.

B2F3 means Blog to Face Episode 3 where all our Riverstone/Stonebridge peeps come together for a meal and bring it home face to face. The prerequisites of attendance are:

current blog posts
valid RSVP via comments
pressing through uncomfortable silences

It keeps us from becoming creepy weirdos who never talk to each other even though we see each other at church, at the dentist and in Publix on a regular basis. And that thing about uncomfortable silences only happened when I wasn't there.

Who's in?! So far, I have Annie, Bill and h. I need a count for my grocery list. See you at Publix.

B2F3

2008-02-06T11:46:00.000-05:00

Here's what I propose...

Shrimp and Grits with Tasso Ham and Asiago Cheese Grits
Roasted Vegetables with Buttermilk Sauce
Baby Field Greens with Feta, Strawberries, Roasted Pecans and Raspberry Vinaigrette
Crusty Italian Bread

The Bedingfield Home
Wednesday, February the 20th
7pm

Whataya say?

Scary Trip

2008-01-25T08:13:00.003-05:00

I'm not what you would call a "world traveler". I've never been across the Atlantic. I've been to Honduras and Jamaica and Mexico, all in our hemisphere. So what I'm about to tell you may come as a shock. I'm going to South Asia.

That's right, come April I'll be headed off into the wild blue yonder to visit a friend who went there after college and started adopting children off the streets. She has 47 now. It's just about the coolest story you've ever heard, but it's better told in person.

We're going to take her kids on a retreat, a modified youth camp. And some musicians are coming and bringing instruments to play and leave with the kids to learn and play.

My old church used to give 35% to her short-term missionaries. My adorable little brand new start up church plant has no such policy and the whole 2 week round trip costs over $2,000, most of which is airfare. Mike says we can pay for the trip out of our pocket, and we will if I don't raise any money. But, if I DO raise some money, we could use OUR money to buy more gear and sound stuff to send that we will probably buy anyway.

So, here's my plea. Search your heart and see if you'd like to invest in my trip. If so, your contribution will be tax deductible if made out to Stonebridge Church with a note attached that it's for me. You could mail it to them at 176 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA 30060.

Email me at bellsouth.net if you want the web address of my friend's blog. I'm cbed at that domain. And pray for me to be infused with bravery. Although, like I told Annie recently:

It ain't brave if you ain't scared.

Surprise Sunday

2008-01-22T08:21:00.001-05:00

Look who walked in my door Sunday morning. I should say Sunday afternoon, as it was...after noon. I was in my pjs baking cookies and listening to some sweet tunes in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. My heart sinks. I'm thinking, that's the little kid that sometimes visits his grandparents next door and I'm going to have to make up a fat excuse why John can't come out to play. I won't be able to say the truth, "John is about 10 years older than you and an entire lifetime occurs between 18 and 8. No, he doesn't want to ride skateboards."

I'm wiping my hands on the way to the door thinking about how Mike is still snug in his bed because our Pastor called off church for snowstorm 2008 and I wonder what I will say if it's somebody looking for him, "Yes, I know it's after noon, but Mike is still asleep. I can't explain that to you, whoever you are, it's something that just happens, okay?"

I open the door and there stands David, Sharliss and Miss Katherine Jane Arnold looking bright and shiny all dressed up for Grandma Nancy's retirement party from the Powder Springs City Council. We don't get to see them much since they moved off to Nashville. Well, you could've knocked me over with a feather. Doesn't KJ's hair look adorable?! It's growing all back and everything. She's come a long way baby. You will notice that I am not in the photo, that was on purpose. I did wake up Mike so he could get some hugs. It was a really good surprise.

I'm reading

2008-01-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

I'm reading Blue Like Jazz. I've had it for awhile and just kept putting it aside. I've read Anne Lamott and wasn't sure I could take a grace book again so soon. I was thinking it might be good to try to muscle my way through Christianity for awhile. I got tired. So I picked it up.

He quotes Chesterton saying something like poets don't go crazy, it's chess players. I've been thinking about that. How you can go crazy trying to figure out all the right moves and master a game. Or you can step back and examine living from a little distance. Maybe with yourself not playing the leading role. Everything on the line with this next move. I don't really know what Chesterton meant. I'm still thinking about it.

Welcome to our world.

2007-12-24T11:05:00.001-05:00

22 years today.

2007-12-14T11:07:00.000-05:00

TOP 10 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MIKE

10. He isn't a name caller.

9. He is ALWAYS cheerful.

8. He still laces up his high-tops to play b-ball with boys half his age.

7. He has amazing rhythm.

6. He gets down on the floor and plays with children.

5. He never complains about unplanned expenditures.

4. He has great handwriting.

3. He is fully devoted to Katie and John.

2. He is beautiful, inside and out.

1. He lets me be me.

I guess the list would be different every week, such is the organic nature of a growing relationship. It would be impossible to say enough good things about Mike, I have never known another person as good natured. He makes me look like an ogre, as I am fond of saying.

Soon I will have been married for longer than not. Our anniversary is right after Katie's birthday, just in time to be legal. We got preggers 2 months into our union and had folks counting on their fingers when she was born. I can't imagine a life without Mike, I don't even try.

I love him.

StoneBridge Blog

2007-12-13T16:27:00.000-05:00

Check out StoneBridge's blog. David's latest post about scars is mighty thought provoking. And leave a comment because we all know how much that encourages our hearts to keep pouring it out.

In other news, Katie won an iPod at her institute of higher learning which we respectfully refer to as "Hoochie Tech". She hates that. With this new iPod, she can download weekly podcasts of David's sermons here. Okay, now I'm bragging. Please don't let that stop you from affirming my pastor. He's a really great guy.

Mud Olympics

2007-12-07T11:24:00.001-05:00

John would win if there were mud olympics. I love this photo. For you with small boys, this is your future.

Oh gosh.

2007-11-30T20:59:00.000-05:00

So I got this really cool art piece for my birthday, the brainchild of one Annie Downs. It's way cool and you should be feeling a delicious mixture of gladness at my good fortune intermingled with a pesky lime colored envy.

Because this thing is really cool.

She wrote all around the letters with her best pen management the response to a question Katie B posed to some people who love me. I think it was, "What has Caroline inspired you to do?" There are a few cuss words, I'm not gonna lie.

Mostly it gushes love on me. Annie is supposed to give me the list of who said what, but I can pretty well figure that one out on my own. For I know you.

Thanks Annie and Katie B and Tatum and Brett and NotAnnie'sRealAuntJennifer and everyone who contributed to the awesomeness that is my present. I'm becoming suspicious that you love me.

Extrovert Melancholy

2007-11-27T14:36:00.000-05:00

It's a weird combination. I'm extroverted but also melancholy. This makes me feel like I absolutely must share. My darkest feelings. Makes for heavy blogging. Because of the Holy Spirit I can be light hearted. Without Him I am heavy hearted. I think. It's just a theory.

Maybe I get my inspiration from my audience. I fear my audience eventually grows tired of my stuff. Or I'll say too much and become embarrassed or worse, sound disloyal. Then the inspiration to share leaves me. It's a vicious cycle. If any of this makes sense. I don't really know.

A poem.

2007-11-26T16:05:00.000-05:00

Jeanne gave me a book of prayers and poems for my birthday. Here's the one I opened the book to. There is something I love about it.

WHEN THE DARKNESS IS DEEP

When the darkness is deep, figures
begin to appear at the place where
you and sky collide. First they
resemble the ones you drew as a kid.
Then, like your body, they blossom,
fill the space between you and mystery.

When the deep is dark, larger figures
appear, yours and not yours, now
and much later in the place without clocks.
But now is, as when on the phone
you said, now I feel good.

So when darkness takes you down
with her vast tender hands, trust in the earth
of her making, in the yeast of your fear,
the water of your courage, the heat
of your good heart. For you will rise up
over and over after being pressed lovingly
down just the right number of times
to be covered, baked in the heat of her hands
until you become the finest bread
which family, friends, neighbors,
even strangers in shops will see, taste and
ask: what is the recipe for that?
How can I become that?

Genie Zeiger

I'm not sure what all of it means. But it is good to me.

Every year.

2007-11-22T13:03:00.000-05:00

By the President of the United States of America

Thanksgiving Proclamation

October 3, 1863

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,

Secretary of State

BFFs

2007-11-20T16:42:00.001-05:00

You wish Jeanne was your neighbor. You would have all access to one of the premiere costume closets in all of Christendom. You would have somebody to ride to the State Capital with you just because you were scared to go all by yourself. You would have somebody to accompany you to the grocer when you felt too tall on the earth to go in public alone. You would have someone to build a fire at the backyard campsite for no good reason at all and sit there for hours solving the worlds problems. You would have somebody who shares her beach house with your entire family when your Dad's going through chemo. You would have somebody to pet your dog for you since you have terrible allergies and can't do it yourself even though you desperately want to. And you would laugh and laugh at all the funny things there are all around you all the time.

I made it.

2007-11-17T22:42:00.000-05:00

Barely. The last half mile almost did me in. It took 5 hours and all my strength to climb Mt. LeConte. I did it. I made it up. We started out in Autumn and climbed up to a winter wonderland. Lots of snow covered fir trees everywhere, it looked like Elf's north pole. I stopped so often just to marvel at the snow dusted moss and fern along the trail, the places where the fairies play. The streams and falls with icicles hanging, the lacy skeletons of ice covered brush. It was amazingly beautiful.

As we emerged today from Winter back into Autumn I couldn't stop looking at the leaves covering the trail. The colors and shapes and sizes, like a mosaic. I was thinking, "There's a sycamore nearby, a sugar maple, a red oak." The ridge views of the surrounding mountains in all their splendor were marvelous. And I didn't stop there, I continued in my mind to the one who thought it all up. My God, my incredible imaginative Creator God who spoke it all into being. The whole earth is full his glory.

The cabin we slept in last night didn't have running water or electricity. Propane heaters and bunk beds with wool blankets and a key to the outhouse, that was it. I'm so thankful tonight for my precious family. And my sleep number bed. Nowadays I get so homesick. I'm home.

Hike Inn

2007-11-15T22:29:00.000-05:00

At 6 in the morning I'm off for a 4 hour drive and a 7 mile hike up a 6,000 ft mountain to spend the night in a cabin. Let me just say I am NOT stoked. There is a snow and wind advisory for Gatlinburg which is the nearest city to Mt. LeConte, the tallest mountain in the southeast. I go reluctantly as one who said "yes" several months ago. Since there is no electricity, I'm quite sure there will be no internet so I'll miss my posting tomorrow...fo sho.

I'm such a weenie! And I'm scared I won't have what it takes! Am I really an adventure woman? How do I get myself into these things?! These are but a few of the things rattling around in my head as I "pack lightly". Maybe I'll have some good stuff to post when I get back on Saturday night.

Think of me. Often.

In the tub

2007-11-14T21:44:00.000-05:00

Many of you have heard this story...

The last time the Fritchman's were here Amy was giving the boys a bath in my great big tub. They love that thing. I decided it would be fun to reminisce about how I used to bathe my younguns. I would kick off my shoes and roll up my pants and put my feet in the tub, better leverage. Well, the boys thought that was great fun and decided to up the ante. Eli chided me to get in with them. I thought about it for about half a second and slid in, clothes and all! Then, of course, they wanted me to go under and I did. We splashed about half the water out onto the floor and had a big old time. Amy probably thought I'd lost it.

My point is this: I can't remember doing anything so foolish when mine were little. And I wish I had.

Now that I ponder it, Amy probably didn't think a thing because she strikes me as that kind of mom. The kind who throws caution to the wind to be zany. While we can.

It did, however, destroy my cell phone which was in my back pocket. I got a better one.

Thanksgiving

2007-11-13T08:41:00.000-05:00

I had the exact same Thanksgiving for 42 years straight until year before last. My grandmother died at 102 around Thanksgiving 2005. She lived alone on the 100 acre farm in Carrollton for 25 years after my grandfather died, drove her friends to church after they were too old, taught her Sunday school class, us kids stayed with her all summer growing up, I took her to renew her drivers license on her 97^th birthday, so every year is different because Mom is gone. She showed me a close representation of the love of God. When I was a teenager and behaving badly, I would always think of Mom. I would think about how I would feel if she could see me. But, it’s like she wouldn’t even believe you if you told her something bad about me or my brothers, like she never built a file in her brain to store anything unlovely regarding us. I went to visit her on Wednesdays for about 15 years. We would go shopping and goof off, go to lunch, go to Target, we made quilts for all the daughters-in-law, we canned pickles and pear preserves, she showed me how to cut corn off the cob and cook it in the frying pan, I got my first Tahoe 10 years ago with 4 wheel drive so we could drive all over the farm and look at her cows. We filled the bird feeders and visited her friends in the nursing homes. She loved to eat at Long John Silvers, she said you couldn’t fry fish that good at home, plus it makes a big mess. Mostly we sat on the porch and looked across the land and talked about God and everybody we loved. Those Wednesdays defined me for so long, I had a weekly reminder of who I am. A center.

Now I have a blog. Somehow, it just isn't the same. Y'all are great and all, but I'm just saying. I miss Mom.

I am SO not feeling it.

2007-11-12T21:44:00.001-05:00

If I typed everything that was on my mind right now I'd probably be shunned by my community of faith for some appropriate amount of time. Is it just me or does Owen Wilson have a witches nose? Mike and I hiked a trail today, we can sneak through a neighbor's yard and be in the National Park. Jeanne Livergood is a seriously great friend and next door neighbor. My daddy is about to start some more cancer treatment. Our last Beth Moore Bible Study is tomorrow night, I'll miss the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Oh, wait, Jesus is the true Tabernacle and He's right here in my heart. (I think he's knocking and trying to get out sometimes, too, Mary E...who could blame him.) A portrait of Katie B hangs above my desk. She's beautiful. And you should see Katherine. Her hair is growing back and she's mighty sparkly.

Golly Jeepers, Beaver.

2007-11-11T22:57:00.000-05:00

They're back. No worse for the wear. Lots of stories and I've gotten to hear them several times now and I'm over it. Something is in my eye, it's been there all day. David Eldridge is lighting up the universe with inspiration and conviction and Bo Bryant has a stellar voice. Amy Fritchman just popped in to give me a hug. Katherine and Sharliss Arnold are visiting for a few days. They brought their Yorkie named Lucy because they know how much I love domesticated animals. I'm almost caught up on the laundry. I've eaten several different things and I still don't feel like I've had dinner. We got new bushes.

oops...

2007-11-10T10:56:00.000-05:00

Now I'm 8 for 10. I guess I said that right, not a big sports fan. My dad watched boxing alot. We only had one TV and if boxing wasn't on he searched for a western. Oh well, the point is that I have missed 2 days on the NaBloPoMo dealeo.

My excuse this time isn't as great as last time. Or it's better, depending on your point of view and allergy situation. Katie B got a ticket for the Barnes/Wertz show last night before she knew about Vegas. So I got to be her and go to the show with Annie, Tatum, h., and Amy. We went to Loca Luna for dinner then on to Centerstage for the show that didn't start until 9:30pm. I began nodding off at around 11:15 when they were just getting warmed up.

Highlights:

1. Being one of those girls.
2. The sound at that sweet little venue was AMAZING! Mike and Brad would have loved the way the drums sounded. Great place to see a show.
3. Their lead guitar player was freakishly talented. He was by far the most talented person on the stage. He sang backup and hammered out leads that the other musicians were almost worthy of.
4. Gabe the singing piano man is my new favorite. He reminded me lots of Paul McCartney.
5. The drummer was very good but seemed really tired. I watched him the most, as always. I think the tour is almost over and maybe has taken it's toll. My heart is soft toward drummers.
6. I really love live music. I like to watch the sound guy and the light guy and watch the musicians talk to the monitor guy side stage and watch how they laugh together during songs and pick up on their sign language.
7. Hitting my pillow at 1:30am. I didn't even move all night. I'm not as cool as I thought.

And they're off...

2007-11-08T17:36:00.000-05:00

Katie B and her Daddy and Uncle Stan and Cousin Lena left for Vegas this morning. They got half way to the airport and realized Katie B forgot her wallet...no ID, no fly. So, I piled in the Tahoe wearing my PJs and hauled a to the airport, 45 minutes, my new record. They called a little while ago. Katie and Lena's room is on the 26th floor of the New York, New York Hotel looking down on the roller coaster that is but one of the very over the top amenities at this fine establishment. Lord, help us all. There will be no living with her now.

So, just me and John. Behaving. Nothing to keep secret here. Much.

Katie lost her first tooth

2007-11-07T10:53:00.001-05:00

Wasn't she the cutest 5 year old?! She's a pretty cute 21 year old as of today. She was born around 9pm on a Friday night. Mike's dad ordered a blonde haired blue eyed girl and, boy, did he get one. She's practically perfect in every way just like her good friend Mary Poppins. I think she looks like Mike. She acts like him, too. They are two peas in a pod and are packing up for a trip to Las Vegas over the weekend. I'm not sure what all is in store, but they do have James Taylor tickets for Mandalay Bay. Pretty cool. JohnJohn and I are staying home, alone in our principles. (movie line from That Thing You Do)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!

A really good excuse, you'll see.

2007-11-06T10:20:00.000-05:00

If I had gone to the doctor last night, he would have definitely given me an excuse. You see, our idiot dog sneezed right into my eyes and they swelled shut at about 10:30pm. With plenty of time to blog. The Benadryl I took to combat the reaction kept me from even dictating a blog to someone who could see.

I'm trying out a technique called "summing up in the first paragraph". I know you have lots of blogs to read, so if you are busy, you now know what and why from me without reading further.

I will now elaborate on the above described events. We had the Bedingfields, Crusselles and Livergoods over to celebrate the birthdays last night. I cooked this huge meal and decorated with cheesy stuff from the party store and we had strawberry cake and everybody brought lots of gifts and it was a magical night. I was feeling so expansive I even let Ellie in for a minute to play with Cousin Anna. Jeanne picked up the dog so Anna could pet her and I was sitting next to Jeanne. That put me at eye level with Ellie who turned to me and blew snot directly into my eyes. It was like that scene in Jurasic Park where the dinosaur sneezes on the little girl. It was SICK. I immediately knew...this is bad. ReAl bAd. The swelling began immediately, I wanted to run and get in the shower. There were 20 loved ones here, I couldn't go get in the shower! I did the hot washcloth trick which seemed to make it worse. Anyway, Nana took pictures of the kids and I was in some. Posterity will probably decide I had been crying a lot. Did you know that Benadryl gives you a terrible hangover? It does.

John is 18 today. I now have 2 adult children. How come I'm still so cool?!

Sinus Headache

2007-11-04T17:50:00.000-05:00

I've got one. Is it ragweed? Probably, since that was the half dollar sized reaction from my recent skin test. I kept the babes at StoneBridge this morn. Me and Kimmy. Lots of fun and laughs. I'm making roast beef and potatoes for dinner to keep from wasting a nice cut of meat, not because I'm in the mood. I bet if I could smell it cooking I would be hungry. Went to Home Depot with Jeanne to pick out her new shower faucet. Went to CostCo with Mike to get the stuff for birthday dinner tomorrow night. We're celebrating with the families for Katie's 21st and John's 18th tomorrow night. I'm dragging today. It's not because I'm not thankful for good friends and good food and cute babies. I think it has something to do with hormones. Enough said.

Look what happens...

2007-11-03T19:26:00.001-05:00

...when I leave town. Katie chops off her hair. I told her not to do it, I told her she would be sorry. I was wrong. I admit it.

We had a blast in Nashville! And in downtown Franklin and in Bellevue or wherever all we went. I got to hold baby Bennett, he's just the most precious! I must admit it, though, he liked Katherine better. Sad but true. I didn't get a one picture, either.

We went to the Life is good store grand opening and I found myself saying to the founder, "It's a smiley face, it's a SMILEY face, all this for a smiley face." I'm having trouble with this today and hope he knows that I realize he is spreading good cheer with a simple concept. I should have said that, why didn't I say that. 15 times.

Once again, David, Sharliss and Katherine Arnold were the best hosts ever. We set up a blog for Sharliss and she's off and running to NaBloPoMo. You can find her at:

www.sharlissjane.blogspot.com

I miss you Arnolds already. You're in my heart and soul.

Viva Nashvegas

2007-11-02T07:21:00.000-05:00

Mike and I are headed to Nashville today. He is building "Jake's House" stores, you know that little guy on the "Life is good." merch? His name is Jake. Anywho, the Nashville store is having a grand opening and we're going up to participate. Our very dear friends, the Arnolds, live in Franklin and we're staying with them. We'll be back tomorrow night. While we are there, we are SO going to see Kevin and Mandy's boy Bennett! I know you are jealous. I don't care. I'm going.

Life is good.

"Now this is eternal life; that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." John 17.3

Uh oh...

2007-11-01T14:17:00.000-05:00

Why did I say I would blog every day for a month? What if I can't think of something to say? HAHAHAHAHA

Tonight is The Office and Grey's. The friends will be coming to pile up on the sofa. I'll make coffee and tea and probably something else and we will watch stuff until we're too sleepy to stay awake. That's when the friends will get in their cars and drive away which seems risky.

I shopped our car insurance with Geico today and we save money by staying with AllState. Sorry really cute and well spoken lizard.

I recently discovered Buffalo Sauce at Chick-fil-A, it's the perfect dip for nuggets. We only had about 8 trick-or-treaters last night. Emma carved an Emo pumpkin and I was like, "What's Emo?" and she said it's short for emotional. John has to wear a heart monitor for a month and get an echo-cardiogram so we can figure out why his heart freaks out sometimes. We parched the pumpkin seeds and they are really good. I'm about to finish off an entire sleeve of fun-sized Snicker bars. Mike made an iPod trick-or-treat mix last night and one of the songs was, "We Are The Children". Remember that compilation? It was fun guessing and naming all the singers. Mike has really great ideas. ADD post complete.

John at 3

2007-10-30T07:50:00.001-05:00

He weighs the same here. I love his bowl cut. And his button down with khakis. And my kitchen when it was new.
He's going to be 18 in a week. Yes, I'm freaking out.

Miniature Buddah

2007-10-29T07:40:00.000-05:00

Have I ever mentioned that JohnJohn was a massive baby? He weighed 30 lbs. at 1 year, which is pretty hefty. He looks pretty relaxed here, huh? Cooling out on vacation somewhere with the fam, just floating his little worries away. I miss him. I admit it. But, I wouldn't go back. I like now, too.

On a serious note...

2007-10-18T09:37:00.000-05:00

Read this blog. I'm not even kidding.

http://joelrosenberg.blogspot.com/

Then re-read Ezekiel 36-39. Wow.

Why?

2007-10-17T14:56:00.001-05:00

This might be what's wrong with me. I loved THIS show.

One Film Can Change Your Life Forever

2007-10-12T16:45:00.000-05:00

One of you told me about this movie, I can't remember who...

This is an excerpt from Gary Bauer's daily email update:

"One person can change your life forever. This is the subtitle of a beautiful and touching new film called Bella that’s set for release on October 26th. An emotional tale of self-discovery, Bella is the story of two people whose lives change forever when they find that it sometimes takes losing it all to finally appreciate the things that truly matter.

With its pro-life, pro-humanity message, Bella has been largely spurned by Hollywood. Despite this, Bella won the Toronto Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award (traditionally a bellwether indicator for Academy Award success). The Toronto Film Festival is the largest international film competition in the world. This pro-life film has already touched many lives. In fact, a number of pregnant women considering abortion decided to give love and life a chance after seeing this powerful film.

Here’s what you can do. The film will open to very limited distribution in 31 markets on the weekends of October 26th and November 4th. Broader distribution opportunities will be based on the success of the screenings during the first two weekends. Bella needs your assistance to mobilize your companies, churches, friends and families to buy tickets and fill the theaters.

To find out more about what you can do to help spread Bella’s message of hope, please visit: http://www.BellatheMovie.com "

The Global Smash Hit!

2007-09-28T10:35:00.000-05:00

So the marquee said. Mamma Mia is reportedly a worldwide phenomenon being wildly loved by millions. Me and Jen decided to see what all the fuss was about. Any live performance on Broadway is bound to be entertaining...add the music of Abba and how could you go wrong?

As it turns out, I only know about 3 Abba songs and they sang about 53. They wove a story (loosely) around the lyrics of those 53 songs. People all around us were speaking foreign languages to one another during the breaks but sang out loud with one voice to each song. In English. It was weird. The people behind me were chattering away during intermission, and I distinctly heard them say, "Sadkfue sldifjjg sewierfgfh Ally McBeal."

My very favorite part was that the protagonist looked exactly like Amy Fritchman. She was perky and cute and absolutely precious, she even danced like Amy. It was awesome.

Anywho, I'm back home now and I ain't leavin' agin fer awhile.

blog2face

2007-09-24T12:20:00.000-05:00

It was my original idea, just ask h. So, where am I? In New freakin' Jersey. Not that I didn't completely choose New Jersey over blog2face, I did. But only because it is on the way to NYC. And NYC is a cool place to be. Except, I am slightly concerned about the visit of one particular world leader whose visit coincides. I will steer clear of the UN and Columbia, rest assured.

I've never been to New Jersey. I just walked across the Delaware River on a pedestrian bridge clear into Pennsylvania. It's a lovely area, lots of shops and old town squares. George Washington did the same thing in 1776 to defeat the Hessians. Except in the opposite direction. Good times. I want a full accounting of blog2face, no joke.

Love you, miss you.

who will it be?

2007-09-12T09:19:00.000-05:00

Fred Thompson?

www.fred08.com

Watch the video clip of his announcement to run. It's short and sort of awesome.

The Beatitudes

2007-09-11T08:02:00.000-05:00

An interesting excerpt from a book that considers the political ramifications of Jesus' teachings for those of us (Ryan) stuck in Matthew lately.

http://www.hoover.org/publications/policyreview/8810342.html

Rummy

2007-09-11T07:14:00.000-05:00

Did you know that on 9/11, after the crash at the Pentagon, nobody could find Donald Rumsfeld? After a huge building-wide search they almost appointed an acting Secretary of Defense. He was outside the whole time aiding the wounded and coordinating the rescue. He had his sleeves rolled up.

What Book Are You?

2007-09-06T08:51:00.000-05:00

You're Animal Farm!

by George Orwell

You are living proof that power corrupts and whoever leads you will become just as bad as the past leaders. You're quite conflicted about this emotionally and waver from hopelessly idealistic to tragically jaded. Ultimately, you know you can't trust pigs. Your best moments are when you're down on all fours.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Dude, I have no idea what this even means.

zoe and henry

2007-08-31T11:57:00.000-05:00

Just look at this precious baby girl. She loves to dress up like a princess complete with crown. When she comes over to visit we get out Katie's bug project for a science class and Zoe will point to them and tell me which ones have teeth and which ones have "pokers".

And just look at this blue eyed baby boy Henry. He's a bundle of cuddles and I'm quite in love with him. Go figure.

These babies lost their Aunt Bekah this week in a bad car crash. I'm praying for them to always remember her beautiful face. And I'm praying for their Mama to never forget what a glad reunion day it will be when we all get to heaven. I hope my mansion is right next door.