Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder!!!

Take a look at this picture and what do you see? To a rabbit it might look like a sweet treat, to a farmer a field of profit but to me it says "Grandma I love you more than anyone".

This bit of clover was brought in to me by my sweat 5 year old grandson, Chase and he told me he went out in the field and picked this "flower" just for me. A dozen roses couldn't have meant more to me (but I will take them Robert). Understand, when he saw that flower he thought of me. I was on his mind and all he could think of was getting it for grandma and running it into the house to me. He know I would open my arms and wrap them around him and love him, say thank you and tell him how much I loved him and how beautiful the flower was.

I love cliche's. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and one that the pastor used today in his sermon....You can give without loving but you can not love without giving. Chase was an example of this...he loved me so he retrieved the flower for me BUT the perfect example of love was GOD...For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will have everlasting life. God loved us so much he opened his arms and died for us so that we could have that personal relationship with him and everlasting life so full and sweat.

You might ask was the clover that beautiful...???!!!! It was far deeper than that, it was the thought that counted!!!! I was on Chase's mind and heart like I was on Jesus mind and heart the day he gave his all BUT the good news doesn't stop there. I am still on his mind and heart. He is my best friend. With arms wide open he loves to get our gifts of love, when we praise him, do good deeds, read his word and talk to him. We are on his mind...the questions is...IS HE on ours?

From This to THIS

Yesterday was quit a day for our family. This is the beginning product of the U.S. Army in Bubba's life. Several weeks ago I took the picture of him & his brother, Brandon, in Detroit as Bubba joined the Army and yesterday was the day he finished and graduated from boot camp.

I have to tell you when I first got the picture I didn't recognize him (the picture came through on my computer at work and wasn't as good as on my computer at home). My boy lost 23 lb. and I don't know if I have ever seen him stand so tall!!!

Robert and I didn't get to go to the graduation but Terrilynn, Heith and Brandon was able to go and represent the family. Bubba was surprised because he thought only Brandon was showing up. It was a great surprise for him and the four of them got to spend some great time together, I know because I was calling several times a day and every time I did they were laughing and cutting up. Bubba will be going on to jump school in July and our prayers are that we can go to graduation for that.

Bubba know that mom and dad are so very proud of you and have you in our prayers constantly!!!

I Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct , in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

I Timothy 6:20 O Timothy (Bubba)! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions for what is falsely called knowledge--(21) by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen

Love MOM and DAD

Thank you

I have added some pictures of the little ones that have been taken in the last couple of weeks. Lizzie and Ben are seen here in the picture with cousin Garrett. When Lizzie and Ben brought their parents home for the funeral we took a much needed brake and visited the Toledo zoo. That is where this picture is taken.

The next picture was taken last weekend of Chase and his new best friend. He loves all kinds of critters. The one with Gabi is her pose for Nana when I tell her to look at Nana and smile. For some reason I get the funny little cock in her head when she looks up at me but I love it. It is so Gabi. Gabi was picking "flowers" while Chase was chasing toads.

This is the first day since the home going of my dad that Robert and I have had the evening to ourselves. It has been so quiet and we are taking a brake to just chill out.

I want to take the time to thank EVERYONE who has sent cards, food, took time out to be a part of the funeral or help with the funeral dinner. Maybe you took time to drop me a line in email or a phone call. None of it has gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated.

I want to say a HUGE THANKS to Mike at Anderson Funeral Home. I so appreciate his heart and care for the service he provides. It only seems like yesterday but it was many years ago when Mike and I sat in study hall and he told me just what he wanted to do with his life. At the time, of course, I thought it crazy and morbid but I can't think of a better person. God gave Mike a vision and a dream and he has seem it come to pass.

Thank you Pastor Dennis for doing the service, Sis. Clay for playing and Linda Jackson for singing. It all was beautiful. I don't know all the women that helped at church with the dinner but it was wonderful and appreciated more than words could say. The family enjoyed it and commented what a great church family I had to provide so wonderfully for my family.

As Philippians 1:3 says...I thank my God upon every remembrance of you!!!! I couldn't have said it better. v.2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hugs, Cheryl

Daddy

My DAD

I have sat down to put some words here about my dad. For those of you who have not heard my dad went to be with the Lord on Wed. May 28th. His funeral was yesterday (Monday June 2nd.) One of the scriptures the pastor used for his service was John 4:2-3. I am sure my dad would tell us now to be ready for there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

Dad was a man who liked simple things. He would have been okay with a log cabin on the edge of a lake, stream, river, anything so long as it had water and fish and if it had fish in it he would have found them, caught them and ate them.

He loved to plant his garden in the spring. He loved to weed it and see how big and plentiful his garden would be. When it was time to harvest he loved to share. He would be in the kitchen helping in the canning or freezing also.

Later in the fall he loved to hunt. One year my dad shot 2 deer with one shot and they were both dead. That is not a lie!!! One shot 2 deer. I remember when dad use to go hunting for coon and sell the hides just to have the money to buy us kids Christmas presents.

All the memories I have of my father aren't this good. My dad was an alcoholic for most of us kids growing up years. When I was in high school my father was saved under the ministry of Bro. Art Clay. Dad was a saved and changed but it was hard for dad to grasp spiritual things, spiritual growth but if you would ask him he would tell you he was going to heaven and I believe that is where he is at. The bible says Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. My father was not afraid to tell others that he was ready to go to heaven, and that he was looking for Jesus.

Well, I am happy to say...he found him. He is now at home and in the arms of Jesus. He stuggled the last 3 years to just breath. Now he is breathing easy and living with out worry and he doesn't have to pay taxes. PTL!!! Daddy I Love YOU!!