Priceless Gifts!

It was on Friday, a simple walk with Angie and Margaret!!! It was on Friday, a simple ice cream date with cousin Edward! It was on Friday, a simple shopping spree with sister Maggie! It was on Friday, a simple conversation with Aunt Ashley! It was on Friday, that I felt many simple but PRICELESS gifts all around me! YET it was on Saturday, a simple note from my sister Bubba to Brooks, a toast by Aunt Linda and Uncle Bob, and a simple letter to my precious cousin from MR. Guy. You see Mr. Guy, before he entered the church triumphant wrote a  letter to cousin Brooks for her graduation day! Memama read his letter to BRooks, it was on a Saturday! Brooks, sweet little babygirl, I pray you had the most perfect day celebrating many years of Hammond!

Brooks' High School Graduation Day!

Bailey pictured above!

Memama reading Mr. Guy's letter to Brooks!

Robert...STATE CHAMPS!!!

Grilling out in our backyard!!!

All the cousins celebrating BRooks!!

It was on a Sunday, a simple Pentecost party at Covenant! It was on a Sunday, a simple picture I took of Bailey! It was on a Sunday, a typical Sunday night at the Lane's home, YET It was on a Sunday, that Robert and I shared an evening together grilling out and enjoying the beautiful weather! It was on Sunday, that Robert won U13 Club state champs! It was on Sunday, that I was so proud that all the sacrifices he had made had paid off! It was THAT Sunday night, Robert stood up in our backyard and said..."I have felt so blessed today...won club, have a good dog :), like my job, grilling out, have a home to come home too, have a wife that loves me, I have felt so blessed today!" Robert, Thank you for your words on Sunday!

All Priceless Gifts indeed!!!

Time is a' Tickin!

So I am here in Montreat (again!) surrounded by God's creation, sitting on the porch... feeling God's spirit in the wind, seeing God's smile in the curves of the decorated mountains, hearing chatter and laughter of those who serve each day participating in God's ministry in churches from all over. Our theme at Annual Recreation Workshop - "To Know God's contagious JOY, and share it faithfully in the world," is It's About Time! The past four days we have worshipped together, laughted together, danced in our 80s costumes, prayed as a Body, and made friendships deepen old and new! It's About Time...for what, for who, for where....God is calling us to GO, but God is also calling us to BE! One of my favorite songs is David Lamotte's song - No Time like the Present. I have been reminded to embrace each day, hold on to every hug, savor every smell that sparks a memory! I have been refreshed to take hold of life eternal TODAY! Yesterday morning in worship we heard a story about a dad talking about his little girl growing up and how he took pictures of her in her young years of curiosity and wonder! How he watched his little girl grow up in time..how he was the one saying STOP growing.... instead of WOW embrace this time, the seconds, the hours, the days, the years that she is growing....growing into the beautiful young lady God is molding her to be! So ofcourse I cried tears of thanksgiving as I reflected on the little girls in my life I have watched grow...first and foremost my sisters, and then my cousins! Goodness God is so so good! then I think of the little girls from Dahlonega that are now graduating highschool that used to come and watch me get ready for a football game when i was cheering, the little girls at thornwell home for children that gave me so much hope while at PC, the little girls at FPC Hartsville that have just been confirmed! Then we watched the opening clip to the movie "Up!" (It was a scene of a couple who met, married, and grew together...go watch it!)  and we watched a scene from "The Bucket List" (two men who are battling cancer BUT don't let that stop time!)  Time flies! Time is a gift! The good news...is that its all GOD's TIME not ours!!!! Our time is measured, God's time is eternal! WOW! So I sit here in Montreat, praying, smiling and saying thank you Jesus! I pray that i spend my time letting my sweet husband know that I love him to the moon and back! I pray that I spend my time every minute of the day worshipping our God through relationships with people near and far! I pray that I spend my time...DANCING! Dance then WHEREVER you may be, I AM the Lord of the DANCE said HE!
I pray the prayer my parents taught me to pray...Make me be a sweet little girl and keep me safe through the night! Amen

(David Lamotte song lyrics below!)

He's got a meeting at six-thirty, so he won't have time to stay

For dinner with his darling and his daughter on the way

He's fighting down the freeway, sewing up that dotted line

There's no time like the present and there's no present like time

The little one gets presents for a little consolation

He gives her her own telephone but not much conversation

She asks him for a moment like a beggar for a dime

There's no time like the present and there's no present like time

Model student in her high school, does her homework every night

Sends her mortarboard flying with her future looking bright

Hangs the tassel from the mirror of the present parked outside

There's no time like the present and there's no present like time

Now there's a husband and a daughter and a lot of bills to pay

Everyone needs something from her and they all need it today

But she can't be omnipresent when she's working overtime

There's no time like the present and there's no present like time

While thinking about David Lamotte, I thought i would share my other favorite song by him!

"We are each others Angels"

Well I hope I see you later

'Cause it's time for me to go

Someone just pulled over

Sure was good to know you

Go answer your calling

Go and fill somebody's cup

And if you see an angel falling

Won't you stop and help them up

'Cause we are each other's angels

And we meet when it is time

We keep each other going

And we show each other signs

Sometimes you will stumble

Sometimes you might fall down

Sometimes you will get lonely

With all these people around

You might shiver when the wind blows

And you might get blown away

You might even lose your colors

But don't you ever lose your faith

we are each other's angels

And we meet when it is time

We keep each other going

And we show each other signs

Thank you for the water

I thought I was gonna die out here in the desert

But you quenched my thirst

Let's break a little bread together

I've got a little manna

It was a gift

From somebody who was passing by

And offered me a lift

Now go answer your calling

Go and fill somebody's cup

And if you see an angel falling

Won't you stop and help them up

We are each other's angels

And we meet when it is time

We keep each other going

And we show each other signs