I just received the following text message from Shonna ...
RJ was waching Stanley show on Disney and they used "habitat". We are out and he just asked if we were going back to our habitat.
RJ is almost 5 -- while he was learning about 'habitats', Rudy (8 months old) was deciding he needed to call Nana again!! He seems to do that fairly often these days!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Meet Larry Boy's father!! (Veggie Tales)
We are blessed to have as one of our closest friends, Dennis Nawrocki. We met him through another dear friend, Jan Merrill. In May, they stayed in our home along with Allen, Rachel and their family. What an awesome time we had!!Dennis one of those rare kind of folks .. actually, it shouldn't be rare ... whose passion for living a Christlike life is evident at all times. We have been blessed to call him "friend" for probably about 15 years or more! Over the last several years, we have really enjoyed getting to know about his son's passion -- Michael Nawrocki is "Larry Boy" of Veggie Tales! Tomorrow, the movie, "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" opens in theaters across the country. We've been able to hear stories along the way so I am really anxious to see it! Dennis (who is now retired) stayed with Mike and Lisa's children while they traveled overseas to work on musical arrangements with one of the symphonies (and I can't remember which country right now!)
They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree so I am excited to see how God is continuing to use Mike and his talents to reach families for Christ. Dennis can't quite figure out where Mike comes up with all his stories and "silly songs"!
Rachel and Allen are in the photo above with Dennis taken in September 2006.
The "ice cream" photo took place in May at the Candy Kitchen in Madeira Beach where Dennis and Jan treated us to ice cream! (It was so hot that the ice cream was dripping like crazy!!)
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tornadoes, Floods and Fires!!
It's January and you wouldn't think we would be going through all of this!! I was talking to my sister and during the conversation, I heard an "oh, no"!! Their garage was flooding from the rain and it the weather forecast called for rain all night! This morning, I awoke to this news -- which continues and will probably continue throughout the day! We used to live just south of Polk City so it feels quite close to home! (This is from Channel 10 in Tampa.)I-4 closed, three dead in Polk pile-up
Near Polk City, Florida - FHP has shut down I-4 both directions from the Polk Parkway (570) to US 27 in Haines City. This is near SR 559 & CR.557 (Old Grade Road) in Polk County. Visibility is extremely limited due to smoke from brush fires in the area, and fog.
Three people are confirmed dead. There are at least 50 known vehicles involved with 20 of those being semi tracker trailers. Several individuals are still entrapped at this time and rescue crews are working to get them out. There are also over turned tankers.
Several agencies are on scene working the crash. The emergency crews are having difficulty getting to the scene due to the smoke and traffic backups.
The accidents are a result of smoke from yesterday's brush fire that started as a controlled burn. The fire has burned 500 acres so far. Division of Forestry officials say the dry conditions and the freeze conditions last week could mean more of these types of fires this wildfire season.
Monday, January 7, 2008
They're never very far away ... and I am blessed!
Our girls are grown -- at least, I think they are! However, I usually talk to them often and for that, I am blessed! I know of other moms who don't hear from their children often or perhaps even have a strained relationship.
Yesterday, I got a call from Teri ... "Mom ... I just called to say I'm glad you're my mom. That's all -- love you, I'll talk to you later!" A very short call but a treasure. The calls have to be short since she's a mom of four and sometimes drives herself crazy trying to keep up with all of their lives!
Sandi usually calls most often -- she helps me in many ways to keep organized and on track. The other girls swear that we are attached at the hip and while we may be together often, she is definitely more attached to her husband than to me -- and for that I am grateful. Not because I don't cherish our relationship but because that is the way it should be. All four of the girls would confirm that in their own relationships, I am sure.
Roxanne and I are probably the most alike in a many areas - and I know that is interesting since she is adopted. (However, we don't consider the 'adopted' issue -- she is our daughter in every way that matters!) I just find it interesting that while we may not be connected by blood, we seem to be connected in other areas. I enjoy her laughter - we can also butt heads the most.
Shonna is the youngest -- I do not call her my 'baby' even though she is. She's much more like her dad than she is like me. She's more willing to take risks than I am -- I'm more tentative and a little uncertain at times. Although she swears that I know a person's life history before I get through a grocery line.
Each one is so different - yet so unique and again, for that -- I feel so blessed. I love to sit back and watch God at work in each of their lives, developing their various gifts as they strive to honor Him in what they do. I get amused when people say, "Wow, she must have gotten that from you ..." when applauding something one of the girls has done. Usually my response is, "No ... God gave her that gift and I have just enjoyed watching her develop it!"
When we all get together, laughter is the name of the game. It would take too much space to describe some of the hysterical moments in our lives but there have been many!! Our Sunday dinners usually end up being a 'remember when' time -- and sometimes, I didn't even know what happened way back when -- but I do now!! (I guess they figure by now, I surely won't punish them for whatever misdeed they did ... especially since they are all over 30 years old!)
I mentioned they are never very far ....
So ... I am blessed ... through the sharing and keeping me on target, through the laughter -- like Roxanne's husband, Chris, walking in the door this evening to greet me with -- "Lucy, I'm home!!" Through tears during tough times when we aren't quite sure of God's plan (yet trusting His hand!) ... all the while knowing that no matter what we face in life, we are a team -- we are a family -- and we are so deeply blessed!!
What more can I possibly ask???
Yesterday, I got a call from Teri ... "Mom ... I just called to say I'm glad you're my mom. That's all -- love you, I'll talk to you later!" A very short call but a treasure. The calls have to be short since she's a mom of four and sometimes drives herself crazy trying to keep up with all of their lives!
Sandi usually calls most often -- she helps me in many ways to keep organized and on track. The other girls swear that we are attached at the hip and while we may be together often, she is definitely more attached to her husband than to me -- and for that I am grateful. Not because I don't cherish our relationship but because that is the way it should be. All four of the girls would confirm that in their own relationships, I am sure.
Roxanne and I are probably the most alike in a many areas - and I know that is interesting since she is adopted. (However, we don't consider the 'adopted' issue -- she is our daughter in every way that matters!) I just find it interesting that while we may not be connected by blood, we seem to be connected in other areas. I enjoy her laughter - we can also butt heads the most.
Shonna is the youngest -- I do not call her my 'baby' even though she is. She's much more like her dad than she is like me. She's more willing to take risks than I am -- I'm more tentative and a little uncertain at times. Although she swears that I know a person's life history before I get through a grocery line.
Each one is so different - yet so unique and again, for that -- I feel so blessed. I love to sit back and watch God at work in each of their lives, developing their various gifts as they strive to honor Him in what they do. I get amused when people say, "Wow, she must have gotten that from you ..." when applauding something one of the girls has done. Usually my response is, "No ... God gave her that gift and I have just enjoyed watching her develop it!"
When we all get together, laughter is the name of the game. It would take too much space to describe some of the hysterical moments in our lives but there have been many!! Our Sunday dinners usually end up being a 'remember when' time -- and sometimes, I didn't even know what happened way back when -- but I do now!! (I guess they figure by now, I surely won't punish them for whatever misdeed they did ... especially since they are all over 30 years old!)
I mentioned they are never very far ....
- Roxanne and her family live in our home right now (transitional time)
- Sandi, her husband and son live about 1-1/2 miles from our home
- Shonna is about ten minutes away, and
- Teri is the farthest -- about 1-1/2 hours away (Winter Haven, FL)
So ... I am blessed ... through the sharing and keeping me on target, through the laughter -- like Roxanne's husband, Chris, walking in the door this evening to greet me with -- "Lucy, I'm home!!" Through tears during tough times when we aren't quite sure of God's plan (yet trusting His hand!) ... all the while knowing that no matter what we face in life, we are a team -- we are a family -- and we are so deeply blessed!!
What more can I possibly ask???
Honoring a special lady ...
Yesterday, Sandi and I attended the memorial service for a dear lady in our church, Bernie Richardson. Bernie was one of the sweetest ladies and dearest friends we have known across the years. I remember when we moved to St Pete ... We were actually commuting back and forth between our home in Auburndale and the parsonage in St Pete (on the weekends.) Teri was staying in the parsonage during the week and almost daily, Bernie would check in on her. After we settled in permanently, Bernie continued that tradition and has seemed like part of our family since then.
Bernie and her husband, Jim, did not have any children but poured their lives into other people's children. They headed up the nursery at Cornerstone for many years and as Elaine Dressback described it so well, "I felt like I was handing my babies to Jesus."
Jim passed away back in 1999 and part of Bernie went on to heaven with him. She was lonely but had an awesome church family. Bernie didn't drive but someone always was making sure that she was at church or the various functions she wished to attend. She was very involved in the church prayer chain ministry -- I've received many calls with Bernie sharing the latest prayer request and making sure we were all okay, too.
Several shared during the memorial service yesterday including our daughter, Sandi. I thought she did an awesome job as she shared how Bernie did not let the generational gap deter her! She loved all ages and wanted to be involved in anything she could -- Sandi shared how Bernie had given her an envelope with $5 in it for the Block Party. It was all she could give -- I loved how Sandi shared -- Bernie used a walker for quite a while -- she was quite short -- I usually had to lean way down to hear her. (And Bob did especially -- she loved Bob dearly!!!) Her voice wasn't real strong so if you walked by her and she wanted you, she'd grab your arm. As Sandi said, "She was STRONG!" (LOL!) She grabbed her the day of the Block Party and handed Sandi the envelope!!
Some shared yesterday how Bernie shared "truth" -- even to the pastors but always in a kind way. She had an expression on her face that let you know that she loved you no matter what she might be telling you. I didn't remember until on the way home just what that meant to us.
Teri has shared her testimony here at Cornerstone so I feel I can share this. Teri became pregnant with her first child about six months after we came to Cornerstone. She was not married. (She did marry Jeff and now has four children.) I remember the day that Bernie came to me and said, "I told Teri that I don't agree with what happened -- but I wanted her to know that I love her no matter what!!" That had a profound effect on Teri because Bernie lived that out in her life!
We will miss Bernie -- I will miss her pulling me down to whisper in my ear, "How's Bob?" Or, "Please tell him how I am doing ... I know he would want to know!" I remember the day that she went outside her condo, lost her footing and fell in a bush. She laughed after I asked her how she was doing. She assured me she was okay but that there was a dent in the bush!! LOL!!
I got to talk to her the last Sunday before she passed away. She was having trouble breathing but she wanted to be at church! I just reread the last part of a letter she had written to Bob ... "That's enough of my aches and pains -- I am not afraid -- I am ready to go and I am in His hands!"
We are blessed by knowing Bernie ... she will not be forgotten!!
Bernie and her husband, Jim, did not have any children but poured their lives into other people's children. They headed up the nursery at Cornerstone for many years and as Elaine Dressback described it so well, "I felt like I was handing my babies to Jesus."
Jim passed away back in 1999 and part of Bernie went on to heaven with him. She was lonely but had an awesome church family. Bernie didn't drive but someone always was making sure that she was at church or the various functions she wished to attend. She was very involved in the church prayer chain ministry -- I've received many calls with Bernie sharing the latest prayer request and making sure we were all okay, too.
Several shared during the memorial service yesterday including our daughter, Sandi. I thought she did an awesome job as she shared how Bernie did not let the generational gap deter her! She loved all ages and wanted to be involved in anything she could -- Sandi shared how Bernie had given her an envelope with $5 in it for the Block Party. It was all she could give -- I loved how Sandi shared -- Bernie used a walker for quite a while -- she was quite short -- I usually had to lean way down to hear her. (And Bob did especially -- she loved Bob dearly!!!) Her voice wasn't real strong so if you walked by her and she wanted you, she'd grab your arm. As Sandi said, "She was STRONG!" (LOL!) She grabbed her the day of the Block Party and handed Sandi the envelope!!
Some shared yesterday how Bernie shared "truth" -- even to the pastors but always in a kind way. She had an expression on her face that let you know that she loved you no matter what she might be telling you. I didn't remember until on the way home just what that meant to us.
Teri has shared her testimony here at Cornerstone so I feel I can share this. Teri became pregnant with her first child about six months after we came to Cornerstone. She was not married. (She did marry Jeff and now has four children.) I remember the day that Bernie came to me and said, "I told Teri that I don't agree with what happened -- but I wanted her to know that I love her no matter what!!" That had a profound effect on Teri because Bernie lived that out in her life!
We will miss Bernie -- I will miss her pulling me down to whisper in my ear, "How's Bob?" Or, "Please tell him how I am doing ... I know he would want to know!" I remember the day that she went outside her condo, lost her footing and fell in a bush. She laughed after I asked her how she was doing. She assured me she was okay but that there was a dent in the bush!! LOL!!
I got to talk to her the last Sunday before she passed away. She was having trouble breathing but she wanted to be at church! I just reread the last part of a letter she had written to Bob ... "That's enough of my aches and pains -- I am not afraid -- I am ready to go and I am in His hands!"
We are blessed by knowing Bernie ... she will not be forgotten!!
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