On Friday I was invited to speak to over 200 high school students at "College, Yes You Can" Day, sponsored by GSFC - the organization that manages the HOPE Scolarships. Speaking to groups like that has been part of my job for the past 11 years, but the unusual thing was that it was in the South Wing of the Georgia State Capitol. I only had about 5 minutes to speak, but because of the location my mom, my best friend and my son accompanied me. The students were attentive and my little spiel went well. My son told me I was the best speaker, which is quite a complement coming from a 14 year old.
After the students dispersed to The Depot for the rest of the program, my family stayed back and began to explore the Capitol. We had never visited it before, so we walked into the House and Senate chambers, as well as the Governor's Office. Everyone who worked there was so polite. One of the administrative assistants even took a group photo of us in the Governor's Office. The chambers were magnificent and the history was everywhere, but I did not envy the job that each elected official has been appointed to do - by their constituents and mostly by God.
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
The trip on that cold, rainy day was better than I expected. I was so honored to be able to speak at the Capitol, even for just 5 minutes. Of course, the best part was sharing it with my family.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
A Week of Celebrations
By no effort of my own, I was born into a rather large extended family. My mom is one of seven and the first cousin to a bunch of kids who grew up within 500 feet of each other. Needless to say they are more like siblings than cousins. And one of these cousins just happens to be the First Lady of Georgia, which means that the Governor's Inaugural week becomes a family affair.
It began last Sunday with a friends and family reception at the Governor's Mansion. We each had our photo made with the First Family - Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal, then we went to a reception in the ballroom downstairs. As the two hours passed, more of the cousins came and by the time we left it was decided that we made up about a fourth of the crowd. (I did mention this was a rather large extended family, right?)
On Thursday evening we attended the Governor's Inaugural Gala. We wore long fancy dresses, had more photos made, hung out with the cousins, watched a tribute video of our Governor's life and enjoyed four musical concerts by Georgia artists.
That should have been it for the week, but the Inauguration coincided with our family reunion. So, on Saturday we headed to a reunion with the same cousins we had celebrated with all week. It was a great party and even better food.
And still, the week was incomplete until we celebrated my baby girl's 9th birthday. There is just nothing much better than having your child wake you up before 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning so she can see the minute she turns nine. She even opened her birthday presents while sitting in my bed.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor - it is the gift of God.
It was a week of celebrations, a true gift of God.
It began last Sunday with a friends and family reception at the Governor's Mansion. We each had our photo made with the First Family - Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal, then we went to a reception in the ballroom downstairs. As the two hours passed, more of the cousins came and by the time we left it was decided that we made up about a fourth of the crowd. (I did mention this was a rather large extended family, right?)
On Thursday evening we attended the Governor's Inaugural Gala. We wore long fancy dresses, had more photos made, hung out with the cousins, watched a tribute video of our Governor's life and enjoyed four musical concerts by Georgia artists.
That should have been it for the week, but the Inauguration coincided with our family reunion. So, on Saturday we headed to a reunion with the same cousins we had celebrated with all week. It was a great party and even better food.
And still, the week was incomplete until we celebrated my baby girl's 9th birthday. There is just nothing much better than having your child wake you up before 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning so she can see the minute she turns nine. She even opened her birthday presents while sitting in my bed.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor - it is the gift of God.
It was a week of celebrations, a true gift of God.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Tatting
Have you ever heard of tatting? It is a series of knots and loops used to create durable lace and decorative items. You may have seen it long ago on the edges of pillowcases or collars. Tatting was developed in the early 1800s, possibly influenced by netting and decorative ropework done by sailors and fishermen.
Over the past 9 months I've been trying to teach myself to tat with a tatting shuttle. The shuttle allowed the knots to be placed on a string. I could do it, but could never seem to increase my speed. Then last weekend I tried a tatting needle. The difference was amazing! This time the knots were placed on a needle, then the string was pulled through later. For me, this new way was so much better. it reminds me of another new way that made life so much better.
Hebrews 10:19-21 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God.
Here is an example of a tatted fish. (If you got this blog post as an email, you may need to go to the website to see the photo.)
I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men...
Over the past 9 months I've been trying to teach myself to tat with a tatting shuttle. The shuttle allowed the knots to be placed on a string. I could do it, but could never seem to increase my speed. Then last weekend I tried a tatting needle. The difference was amazing! This time the knots were placed on a needle, then the string was pulled through later. For me, this new way was so much better. it reminds me of another new way that made life so much better.
Hebrews 10:19-21 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God.
Here is an example of a tatted fish. (If you got this blog post as an email, you may need to go to the website to see the photo.)
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Welcoming the New Year
We have a TV, but no cable. There is a small indoor antenna that picks up a few local stations and that works for us. In the past three years of no cable, I've found that the house is calmer. Don't misunderstand - we have DVDs and occasionally watch free shows on the Internet, but our life doesn't revolve around the TV. We did turn on the TV for about 30 minutes to watch the ball drop to welcome 2015, but that won't be remembered years down the road.
The memories were made earlier in the evening as we played games to pass the time. First it was Hedbanz (a guessing game that caused contagious giggles), then Candyland, War, and a crazy made-up game called TicTacTalmo. By 11 p.m. we were wallowing on the floor trying to stay awake for just one more hour. Even that gave us the giggles.
Psalm 126:2-3 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.
Yes, the Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. Happy 2015!
The memories were made earlier in the evening as we played games to pass the time. First it was Hedbanz (a guessing game that caused contagious giggles), then Candyland, War, and a crazy made-up game called TicTacTalmo. By 11 p.m. we were wallowing on the floor trying to stay awake for just one more hour. Even that gave us the giggles.
Psalm 126:2-3 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.
Yes, the Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. Happy 2015!
Thursday, January 1, 2015
A Sweet Christmas
I've been away from my regular schedule for the past two weeks, so I'm a little behind on my post. Sorry Rita. ;-) Let me tell you about Christmas. We always have Christmas Eve at my parents' house. Thankfully everyone was healthy and, as always, the meal was fabulous. The gifts were appreciated and much laughter was had by all. The kids even allowed us to take family photos without too much arm-twisting.
The sweet spirit was repeated on Christmas morning with my kids. After each gift was unwrapped I received a hug, a kiss or a thank you - whether it was for clothing, a cd or a toy. Their attitudes and words filled me with peace and joy, making it one of the sweetest Christmases ever.
Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
The sweet spirit was repeated on Christmas morning with my kids. After each gift was unwrapped I received a hug, a kiss or a thank you - whether it was for clothing, a cd or a toy. Their attitudes and words filled me with peace and joy, making it one of the sweetest Christmases ever.
Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)