Happy 100th!

My Granddaddy, Gwyn William Blevins, Sr., was born on May 12, 1912, so he would have been 100 years old today. If he was here with us, he'd make us laugh with his stories and jokes. He'd love getting to see his great-grandchildren ("the young 'uns," he'd call them).

Granddaddy loved a celebration, so he'd be happy to blow out his candles and have us sing "Happy Birthday" to him. And if it wasn't his birthday or if it was Christmas, he could hardly wait to give us the presents he'd bought.

I was able to spend a lot of time with Granddaddy and Maw-Maw, my mom's parents, because they lived only three and a half hours from us and we could drive down to Bel Air, Maryland from New Jersey for a long weekend or holidays. Some of my favorite memories of Granddaddy are of him in his garden or mowing the lawn (his own or the church's yard) or when he would sit in his recliner and listen to the Orioles play baseball on a summer night. And he was a devoted husband to my grandmother, patiently caring for her needs, even when he had to return shoes to the store multiple times. He was the grocery-shopper in the family (since my grandmother didn't drive) and could have won big money on "The Price Is Right" if he'd been a contestant (it was his favorite show).

Oh, and he loved to go get soft-serve ice cream at the local drive-in. After supper on summer evenings, he'd get us all in the car and drive down the road to the Arctic Circle for a cone. Wherever we went in the town where my grandparents lived, we'd run into someone he knew. It was always fun for me to go to even the most ordinary places with Granddaddy because he was always so proud to introduce me to his friends.

Granddaddy and Maw-Maw were so excited when I came to Nashville to attend Belmont College in 1985. They loved to watch The Nashville Network (TNN) and when I'd call, they'd tell me that they'd been "watching Nashville" that week. They got to come to Nashville in person for my college graduation and for my wedding. Little did we know that the last trip in October 1991, was going to be one of the last family occasions when he was healthy. Soon after my wedding, Granddaddy was diagnosed with bone cancer and he passed away in early January of 1992. I'm so thankful that he got to come be a part of those two special occasions in my life and I am even more thankful for the legacy that he left and the memories I have of my Godly, strong, fun-loving Granddaddy.

By the way, there seems to be a lot of other notable 100-year anniversaries in 2012. Maybe 1912 was a banner year, I don't know. Since I keep hearing about something or other being around for 100 years, I thought I'd put together a list (cause I like lists).

Here are some that were especially interesting to me:

1. National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.
2. Girl Scouts (I was a Brownie, Junior and Cadet)
3. Titanic (coincidentally, it's also the 10th anniversary of the movie, Titanic)
4. Hume-Fogg High School (Daniel's school)
5. New Mexico 

OK, I had to look up that last one about New Mexico, but since I've had lots of fun memories visiting that state, I thought it was worth including.

Yes, I think 1912 was a banner year, mainly because my Granddaddy was born!

Friday Favorites: Frappuccinos

Starbuck's Frappuccinos are a favorite treat of mine, especially during the special times of the year that they offer Frappuccino Happy Hour from 3:00-5:00 each day! Of course, their goal is to get us all "addicted" to these fun drinks just in time for us to have to pay full price for them again. And you do have to be careful about the calories. But the best thing is that last year, Starbuck's started offering "custom-made" frappes, which for me means I can get them made without sugar-free and decaf.

My favorite flavors to get are Caramel or Vanilla Latte, Chai Tea Latte, or if I'm really being indulgent, I'll get the Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino. Those are just a glorified vanilla milkshake, but they're a fun treat.

This week's Happy Hour will be going on for a couple more days (through Sunday), so go get a frappe!

Let's play catch-up

I know I've probably been disappointing the two or three readers of this blog by my sparse posts, but we've been living life and I haven't had made time to sit down and write (and post photos, which I like to do).

Anyway, here are some things that we've been up to (and will hopefully blog about soon):

• Jazz Band Spring Concert (Daniel played with the main jazz band, plus was in a combo)
• Hume-Fogg Centennial Celebration Block Party
• Daniel took the SAT (and said it went well)
• Celebrated Cinco de Mayo (we don't really need an excuse to eat Mexican food, but it was fun)

In the meantime, I'll tell you about the excitement we had at the "church house" (where I work) this past Monday. Vice President Joe Biden came into town for a fundraiser and his motorcade route went right by our church. I didn't actually see it when he went by the first time (maybe he had a different arrival route), but we waited and watched and watched and waited and then saw the large entourage drive by on their way back to the airport.

My coworker shot the video on his phone so it's a short clip:

Stay tuned . . . I'll try to post some more soon!

Friday Favorites: Radnor Lake

I've said it before and I know I'll say it again, but Radnor Lake is one of my most favorite places on earth!

It's good for my soul. It's good for my body. I can let go of my anxieties and just feel the stress leaving my neck muscles whenever I go for a walk around the lake. And I love to talk to God as I walk. Just being there in the middle of His gorgeous creation makes me want to praise and thank Him.

I love to go to Radnor lake in every season (although I can't say I've actually seen it much in the winter). Today, the bright green grass and other vegetation along the trail was so vivid, it seemed like it was painted on. And the colors of the blooms on the trees in the Spring and the beautiful leaves in the Fall . . . inspiring!

I'm just so thankful that this treasured place is just a few minutes from my home and my office. It's like a little mini-vacation right down the street!

Prom 2012

I don't think it was ever a question in Daniel's mind whether or not he would go to his high school proms. Since he's a Junior this year, this was his first one. He was planning to go regardless of whether he had a date, but he decided he would ask his friend Karlee (with whom he also went to the Homecoming dance this year). A group of friends made plans to eat dinner together before the prom and one of the friend's parents hosted them in their home. Some of these kids have been together in school since elementary and middle school days, so it's been fun to watch them grow up over the years.

And just so we can look back on this one day and remember the details, here are some facts about Prom 2012 (I'll get to the pictures in a minute):

• Location - Marriott Vanderbilt
• Prom ticket - $60/person
• Tux rental - $100
• Corsage - $25
• Valet parking - $25
• Dinner - $10/person
• Memories to last a lifetime - priceless

 I have been thanking the Lord above that I have a son, and that the group didn't decide to rent a limo. That plus the generous offer from the family that hosted the dinner, kept the cost way down.

But . . . it's not about the money. It's about teenagers being able to experience the fun events of their high school years. And Daniel and his friends know how to have good, clean fun, just hanging out together (none of the couples are officially dating, just guys and girls being good friends).

So, without further ado, here are some of the pictures from the night:

Off to pick up his date

The couples

The ladies

The gentlemen

Daniel and Karlee

Having fun

Friday Favorites: My job

It may seem strange to some people that I would count my job as one of my favorite things, but for me, it's true. I love my job! And today marks the third anniversary of the day I started my favorite job as Office Manager at Grace Community Church!

I always have to give a shout out to my friend, Jennifer, who had a baby and made it possible for me to have the opportunity to apply for the job. She loved the position, too, and had been there for eight years. She helped me learn the ropes before she left and it made the transition so much more smooth! Thanks, Jennifer!

One big reason that I can be thankful for a job that I love is that I have had jobs in the past that were not as pleasant and where I did not feel a sense of "calling" like I do in this job. The "low point" in my resume would be the temporary job I had pulling staples out of documents at a microfiche company (if you don't know what that is, you can Google it). Thankfully, that job was only temporary, and soon after I was able to get a permanent job at a place where I wanted to work.

The path to me having the job I have today began a long time ago when I was still in college. It was the summer of 1987 and I served as a summer missionary in suburban New Jersey, working at a church. One of my main roles was to work with the youth group and by the end of the summer, I was feeling strongly that God wanted me to serve him in full-time ministry. Since I had been working with youth, and loved doing that, I thought that He was calling me to be a youth minister.

The story of why that first inclination never came to be would take too long to tell here, but I know that the other jobs God led me to along the way, as well as the life experiences I had as a wife, mother, and church member, prepared me to be able to serve in the capacity I do today at Grace.

And yes, I work full time. And yes, I consider what I do to be ministry. I may answer the phone and turn away people selling office supplies unsolicited, but I try to do all of the aspects of my job with a heart of service. I love being able to support the work of the pastors and members of Grace and I love that God has given me unique gifts to equip me to do that. And the benefits of getting to work with coworkers who care about me and who appreciate what I do are beyond any paycheck I could receive.

 

"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
    and establish the work of our hands upon us;
    yes, establish the work of our hands!"

Psalm 90:17, ESV 

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17, ESV

Hymn Monday: Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting

The first time I remember hearing/singing this old hymn was on a Wednesday night with friends at Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN. My friend, Cindy, had invited me and our friend, Robin, and our kids to come to her church for a mid-week service. I remember that we sang this hymn and it was so beautiful and peaceful.


Sometime later, after our family started attending Grace Community Church, it was sung in a worship service and has become a favorite of mine. This past weekend, it was used during the worship time at the Spring Women's Gathering (Topic:  "Be Still" from Exodus 14) and then was also a part of our Sunday morning worship. I love getting to sing a favorite song in corporate worship two times in one weekend!


I am in a season of life when I need to be purposefully resting. Not just physically, although that is important, but I need to rest my mind and rest my spirit and rest in Jesus.


Jesus I Am Resting, Resting

Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee, and Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power, Thou hast made me whole.

Refrain:
Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

O, how great Thy lovingkindness, vaster, broader than the sea!
O! how marvelous Thy goodness lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved, know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise and have made it mine. (refrain)

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless, satisfies my heart.
Satisfies its deepest longings, meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings: Thine is love indeed! (refrain)

Ever lift Thy face upon me as I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ‘neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus, earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory, sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting, fill me with Thy grace. (refrain)




I hope that the words of this hymn will ring true in my heart, mind and soul and in yours as well.