Colorful Carry-Ons

"Traveling light" doesn't apply to babies! The great array of paraphenlia almost boggles the mind. In our day, we put down the station wagon seats, covered the surface with an air mattress, loaded in the toys, and off we went. Who knew we were forever endangering life and limb?

Today's children travel in great style --- and with much flair.

By the time Anne loaded Jack into his assigned space, the entire vehicle was loaded stem to stern with his equipment....all of which adds color and function.

Each loaded piece returned the log house to its sedate palette. and now nothing but empty floor exists where blankets, play areas, and bumbos once sat. My Mom used to try and keep "our smells" in the house after we left. With three children, I was just happy to get us altogether in once place and moving....no time to appreciate what she meant. NOW I do. I have walked around today hearing Jack's sounds, enjoying the laughter between Jeff and Anne, replaying conversations that challenged my thinking and touched my heart.

The visit is over, but the impact will never end. Hopefully, our lives are all like that. When we leave, there should be a residue of love. Dad used to say certain people left a "benediction in the plaster" as they departed. I know the Horch family from Nashville, TN, did that, and it is an encouragement to me.

Piney Woods Fresh

"Hey, Gram! I just took my bath and look how cute I am.. Mommy thinks I am just the best ever!"

I could not imagine having Jack (and his parents Jeff and Anne) here in the piney woods with me...until last week's announcement of a Texas vacation based at my house. Happy, happy, happy.

There will be more pics of "Just Jack," but this one was just too cute to save.

Come On In

The Jackson, MS Junior League produces a cookbook titled, "Come On In." The southern recipes welcome the reader into the world of gentility and charm.

As Mary Helen stood at her island on my weekly visit, I was struck with the sense of hospitality and warmth the house exudes. There she stood, ready to cook for us all!

I don't know if hospitality is officially one of the New Testament's spiritual gifts, but it is certainly the hallmark of Christian love. I am pretty sure I have never, ever entertained angels, but I can tell you with great certainty I have enjoyed the company of many whose hearts were sold out for Jesus.

Mary Helen can envision where all the Thanksgiving dishes will sit. She can see the family gathered together. She knows the day will soon come when we will noisily greet one another and celebrate the new house.

The day is coming when all believers will gather around a table unrivaled by any on earth. We will "sing and shout the victory." I look forward to that. How about you?

Deerly Beloved

"This package is deer resistant. You will really enjoy the carefree nature of this 'conservation model.'" Thus, I signed on the dotted line, paid many dollars, and entered into the world of wildflower-ness.

Oh, that the story ended there.

If you look closely enough, you will see a lone sprinkler in the center of this picture. For three hours 2x a week, I move sprinklers from place to place, watering these carefree wildflowers.

Then, just as they are getting a hold, the deer send out an email throughout the woods, "Salad bar at 1510 W. Holly Trail!" Deer resistant, are you kidding me? Judging by the response, they have the allure of a five star restaurant. Literally dozens of deer line up morning and night to munch down on my "conservation model."

Holly Lake Ranch protects its wildlife and clearly frowns on any efforts to discourage the deer. But, I feel like my yard is becoming Brenda-resistant to them. THEY ARE IN CHARGE.

If you love Bambi, come visit me. But don't expect any oohs and aahs from me at this point. GIVE ME BACK MY WILDFLOWERS is more my response these days.

Deerly beloved, go chomp somewhere else. I wish you well ---- and I wish you great traveling mercies.

Heading Inside

Time to say goodbye to the outside pics and head inside. But, before we go, I thought I would give you an idea of the side view. When the landscaping arrives, we will see a big difference. Mary Helen and Smith have carefully researched appropriate plantings and have designed a pleasing plan.

These two happy people are standing in the great room with their backs to the kitchen island. It is looking like a soon-to-be-completed edifice. Cabinetry, wallboard, lighting fixtures, and toilets make it feel real. This is not just a project ----- this is a home in the making.

Not believing in Eastern mysticism whatsoever, this pic of them still made me laugh. Do you notice that they are wearing black and white in opposing formation? They are doing the yin-yang of housebuilding for us. Funny thing is, they really do complement each other. In 40 years of marriage, they have grown together, strengthening each other, and learning truly how to love.

Where others flounder when undertaking such a project, they have flourished. It is fun to see a marriage continue because God is the true and firm foundation.

Just The Best

Chairs circled on the back deck speak happiness to me. It is a picture of gathering, laughter, and stories. It reminds me of family and friends.

Today is a special day ---- my sister and my daughter both share this as their birthday. I can tell you when Mary Helen was 19, she didn't think much about giving up her celebration to traipse over to Indianapolis for the birth of grandchild #1 for both the Smith and Horch families.

Now, they love sharing the day together.

We also remember Dad on this day, for he stepped from here to hereafter at 9:15AM, August 17, 2007. He finished well ----- he was well done by the time his heart stopped beating.

Each year I begin a birthday for my kids with a happy birthday call. AND I SING! This year, I called Heather and the phone kept breaking up. She emailed to say, "All I could hear was happy.....happy.....happy. I thought you were forgetting the birthday part."

It won't be long until friends or family sit in the chairs, propping their feet up on these wonderful pine benches. It will be a reminder that someday we will be gathered in heaven, telling stories of God's faithfulness, and singing songs of thanksgiving.

It's A House!

From a mere slab to a sheer beauty in 2 1/2 months. What fun it has been to chronicle the gestation of the Sleepy Spring house.

The exterior is now complete and the work has moved to the inside. Friends either tell them, "Now comes the slow part." Or, "It will just fly by now." The good news is ----- one is right!

The addition of the keystones gives it a very finished look. The angles and proportions are exactly to scale and represent the builder's vision perfectly.

Of course, I thought about the spiritual implications. :)

We have a heavenly builder who has laid out the plans for us. He has designed the angles of our experience to meet His expectations and to form us according to His drawings.

Somewhere along we start to look "finished." But, oh, that is when the inside work really begins. He isn't dealing with the outside (and all its obvious failings) as much as the work on the inside. The finish Carpenter begins.

During this process I have often thought of the words of Jesus, "I go to prepare a place for you." How fulfilling it must be for Mike the contractor to know he is preparing a place for Mary Helen and Smith to enjoy. And just think of the enormous joy we will have in the presence of Jesus when we share His house eternally. Cool!

Joy in the Morning

Heather, Bob, Andrew, and Bree Anna bounced out of the van rather sleepily. The early morning trip to the airport interrupted a short night's sleep.

But it was worth it, of course. They were off to California. Bree Anna just bubbled as she talked about the trip and held her doll, Madison, tightly. Andrew tried to play the suave man of the world with many flights under his belt. Heather was in "task mode" and busy making sure all the details were handled. Bob clicked into vacation mode and thoroughly relaxed as they headed out.

It is interesting to think about the different ways we deal with life. When I did life coaching and used Myers-Briggs Temperament Indicator, I enjoyed looking at the variations of personality reactions to stress. A trip to California is a perfect lab setting.

Since arrival I have heard several times and each message gets more and more glowing. Vacation is good ---- we all need a break from the daily grind. But sometimes getting there takes a temporary toll... case in point: Chevy Chase!

What Did You Say?

"Your daughter is going to be a HOSOB --- aren't you proud?" My sweet Southern Mom smiled as my mentor and friend, Layden Stroud, congratulated me on my move to Des Moines, IA. in 1994. "Oh, yes, we have always been proud of Brenda."

Later that evening I ate dinner with Mom and Dad at Prestonwood Country Club. One of my professional friends stopped by the table to say goodbye. Mom smiled broadly and said, "Brenda is going to be a HOSOB!" The stunned look on his face was laughable. He was having a hard time hearing this picture perfect lady make

such a remark. HOSOB stands for Home Office SOB, you see!

Breakfast with Layden last week reminded me of all he has done for me. His patience, his encouragement, his knowledgeable counsel, and his instruction have all built into my life. But, laughing about Mom and her HOSOB daughter is always the best!

Precious Cargo

"I love you, Gram," shouted 11 year old Andrew. "You already told her that," his 8 year old sister Bree Anna pointed out. But you know what ----- there are never enough times to hear that. It won't be long before it is definitely not cool to say that to an "elderly" Gram.

As Heather, Andrew, and Bree Anna drove out the drive, I was so thankful for the precious cargo riding in the convertible.

My Mom used to stand in the driveway waving long after we drove away (I suspect) when we lived in different towns. My runaway summer reminds me of those goodbyes. But, many times we loaded our family into a station wagon and drove thousands of miles from Grandmother and Grandfather. Thankfully, I am just two hours from this branch of the family.

However, I thought about my other precious ones in North Carolina and Tennessee,wishing mightily to see them in the piney woods.

Won't it be fun to see Jesus waiting for us? It will be good to welcome the day with no goodbyes. Until then, we smile, we hug, and look forward to the next time together.

Frogs and snails?

"What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice and everything nice." I have an "everything nice" granddaughter who loves "Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails," as well. Bree Anna spent her lake time scooping up tadpoles and sharing them with my friend Janet's granddaughters. When did little girls stop eeking and start seeking?

The lake didn't disappoint --- they all found ample supplies of creepy crawlies, including a disgusting crawfish her brother wanted to cook and "suck out the brains."

I thought about that great Psalm 139 that reminds us we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." He gave us imagination, curiosity, and love for the fish swimming in Holly Lake. Go for it, Bree Anna ---- there will be plenty of time for all that sugar and spice!