I have a story to tell...

Roy & Gayle (Grogan) Young

Some of you know Gayle Grogan from Borger. She was married to Dru Grogan and had three children with him. They were the best of friends. Dru volunteered at Living Water when he retired from United Supermarkets---and what a perfect fit! He was over our food room. Gayle has a beautiful voice and would sing on occasion at LW also. She also taught "Women of Worth" to the women who came to Living Water.
Dru died about 3 1/2 years ago. He got sick and within a matter of a few months, he was gone to heaven. We were all devastated by his loss. But none more than Gayle. She'd lost her best friend.
After Dru died, I emailed Gayle, as a friend, and gave her "permission" to grieve. You see, Gayle is a very godly woman and I know it was in her heart to do this "right" because people love and admire her and she knew they were watching. And I know that she would have wanted everyone to believe she was ok when she really wasn't. And she did grieve....for about 2 years. About 16 months ago, Gayle came to me out of the blue and told me, "My grief is over." I was astounded!!! I'd never heard anyone say that! I didn't know your grief could be over! Of course, she still had sad moments, but for the most part, her grief was over.
Enter Roy. Roy is a man 9 years older than Gayle and he quietly began pursuing Gayle a year ago. (Boy! Was his timing perfect!) At first, Gayle only wanted a friendship. But one day about 4 months ago, she realized she wanted that man! And they began "dating with purpose," she told me. (She also told me they would wait a year before they talked about marriage, but we won't remind her of those things.) Last Saturday afternoon, they were quietly married in her friend's home. (I highly recommend these kinds of weddings! Talk about simple and sweet!)
It just amazes me to see God at work.
And the reason I like this story so well is because Gayle walked through her grief, but knew when it was over. And then God moved in....

Confession Time

I think this says it all:

Becky's PathWords Profile

Personal Best:

940

Playing Since:

Apr 22, 2009

Stats:

Won: 0 Lost: 0 Tied: 0 Total Games: 0 Rounds: 149

Longest Word:

GRACED

Personal Best:

940...

I can't quit!

Andy on KAMR

Coming up right now!

Not thy will but mine be done...

I doubt you've ever prayed that. Neither have I. But I think I've lived it alot! And I think alot of my prayers have sounded like that to God, too. Sunday, Carl Duso taught on Isaiah 42. Verse 1 talks about Christ, the servant. I began thinking on that after I got home. Jesus said he came to do the will of the Father who sent him. Not his own. Do you think Jesus ever wished he didn't have to do something the Father told him to do? I think he did. He was tempted in all ways, just as we are, yet without sin. As I'm learning to come to the King...and as I bow before him offering myself as His servant for the day, there are tests. Am I willing? Am I willing to carry out his will that may not be mine? Will I say, "Not my will, but thine be done?" I think I need help!!

PathWords

Has anyone ever played PathWords on Facebook? There have been other games just like it on other websites and now I remember why I don't play them. Besides the fact that I find them addicting, I begin dreaming about WORDS! After playing a few games, I can even look at a person and see words formed by their eyes and nose. (I'm not kidding here!) I can sit and be thinking about letters that are sitting together and words they would form. I'm sure there's a name for this. I think the game cuts paths in my brain where words are formed and zilches out! I say all that to tell you that I'm quitting. Cold turkey. (Besides...I couldn't get past a score of 720.) How in the heck did Bennie Edwards ever reach a score of 1230??? I wonder what her brain looks like!

KAMR--Tuesday--10:00 p.m.

Andy will be on KAMR Tuesday night, April 28, at 10:00 p.m. He was interviewed tonight about his mission trips. (He told the whole kidnapped story, but it's only gonna be 1 min., 20 seconds. HA!) Weird how it came about. Anyway, hope you can watch. Sorry, Amy & Zach---I don't know how to record---don't have a way to record.

It's Getting Simpler--2nd Post

After reading My Utmost for His Highest this morning, Jodina & I went walking. I began to share with her what I felt God was showing me. And I used these very words: "It's getting simpler." The older I get, the more I understand about God, the simpler it gets! I used to think God had created me for some higher purpose---that there was some mountain to climb, some thing to achieve, some purpose to figure out--for God's glory. I think God does plant a seed of greatness in each of us. It gives us the drive to serve Him. But I think that seed of greatness is a quickening in our spirits that we are royalty. We are a child of the King. It's not about achieving greatness...it's about worshiping greatness, His Majesty, the King.

I always think of John F. Kennedy, Jr. I'm old enough to remember when the photo was taken of him under his father's desk in the Oval Office. He had complete access to his father at any time. His father was the most important man in the world at the time...and yet his son had total access to him.

Just like us. We have complete access to our Father, the King. But most of us (just like JFK, jr.) are no longer children. Even though God told us to come to Him as a little child, we're no longer children. If JFK were still alive and still the president, John-John (JFK jr.'s nickname) wouldn't be hiding out under the desk any longer, playing. Imagine that JFK jr. served in some political capacity for his father. He'd approach his father in a different manner, but maybe with the same heart. He'd come at an appropriate time with an understanding of who his father was. He'd come with respect. And he'd ask his father questions. And he'd carry out the will of his father (even though he might have differing opinions).

The older I get, the simpler it gets. I'm approaching my Father differently these days. I bow before Him and ask him (like Esther asked her king), "If I've found favor in your sight, would you..." And I offer Him my service for the day. I come humbly (which is how a child comes) and respectfully. Through this, I'm understanding it's all about Him and His plan. I'm here to serve and obey. I don't have to have the big plan or purpose or achieve greatness. I just serve the One who is Great. You understand this is my new guide. I'm still learning.

Oswald Chambers

This morning, I was reading My Utmost for His Highest and read this:

"Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him. A great number of Christian workers worship their work. The only concern of Christian workers should be their concentration on God. This will mean that all the other boundaries of life, whether they are mental, moral, or spiritual limits, are completely free with the freedom God gives His child; that is, a worshiping child, not a wayward one. A worker who lacks this serious controlling emphasis of concentration on God is apt to become overly burdened by his work. He is a slave to his own limits, having no freedom of his body, mind, or spirit. Consequently, he becomes burned out and defeated. There is no freedom and no delight in life at all. His nerves, mind, and heart are so overwhelmed that God's blessing cannot rest on him.
But the opposite case is equally true---once our concentration is on God, all the limits of our life are free and under the control and mastery of God alone. There is no longer any responsibility on you for the work. The only responsibility you have is to stay in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him. The freedom that comes after sanctification is the freedom of a child, and the things that used to hold your life down are gone. But be careful to remember that you have been freed for only one thing---to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker.
We have no right to decide where we should be placed, or to have preconceived ideas as to what God is preparing us to do. God engineers everything; and wherever He places us, our one supreme goal should be to pour out our lives in wholehearted devotion to Him in that particular work. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

Another blog of my thoughts to follow. I knew it would get too long!

Mom's Birthday

This is a picture of me, my mom and my siblings....from left, Bob , Gary, Me, Sandra (the baby) and below, mom. If Gary & I switched places, we'd be in birth order. Today is my mom's birthday. I could not think of one thing to get her. What do you get for someone who has everything they want? A framed photo of their children!! ha! I was going through all of my photos last night (see below) and found this one we took last Christmas and the light bulbs went off! I took it to Wal-Mart and had it made into an 8x10 and framed it. I can't wait to give it to her. Aren't we a great looking bunch??? As far as I know, Mom doesn't follow my blog---but if you do, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! (She doesn't know what the frame looks like...)

Aunt & Niece--Post 4

Ok...Sandra talked me into one more. Aunt Mamie & Alexis.

Mother & Son--3rd Post

Ok....one more. Isaac and his mommy. What do you think?

Uncle & Nephew

I just had to put the 2 of them together--Uncle David & Josiah. What do you think?

It's Over!

Finished. Done. Completo. Fini. For another year. (Big sigh of relief here---ahhhhhh!) Every year at this time, I have to write a budget proposal for Living Water. It's to get funds from an organization. This year, it was 45 pages long. (Another sigh---but of exhaustion---ahhhhh!) I try my hardest to do it exactly the way they want it and to get it in ahead of time. I also try to use integrity and not be greedy. I ask for what we need.

But I've learned one thing. I spend more time dreading it than actually doing it. I think I'm going to try to reverse that next year.

Old Pictures

After seeing the pictures of Olivia that Amy posted today, I had to go back and see if I could find any pictures of her with her curly hair when she was small. And, of course, as I started going through pictures, I couldn't just post pictures of her. I took a trip down memory lane. Enjoy!

David & Amy on the motorcycles at Bell's Amusement Park in Tulsa. (I think if David had more hair here, I'd see Josiah in this picture)


Amy's 2nd kindergarten picture taken in Broken Arrow, Ok. (We moved her kindergarten year)


Amy & Matt playing with baby David.


Matt & Amy in Amarillo. You can see her red curls here.


Zach had to ride the engine of the train each time. Pretty cute!


This pic isn't that old---but I had to include it.


Amy, Matt & David at the Dallas Zoo.


David at Broken Arrow


Amy's 1st kindergarten picture in Amarillo.


Zach found a sweatshirt Andy wore in high school and had to model it. (Can you believe he wore this in high school? I guess to show off his muscles...)

Things I like

Some things I've discovered I really like (in no particular order):

• Time just to be quiet and rest
• Reading a really good book
• Reading a new blog by one of my kids--particularly when pictures of my grandkids are involved!
• Learning something new about God
• Seeing the lights come on for someone who is hearing Truth and readily accepts it
• Eating out with my husband
• Laughing with friends
• Trips to Amarillo, Lubbock & Florida
  
• Having money and shopping
• Taking photos--I'd really like it if I had a good camera!
• Balancing a checkbook (call me crazy!)
• Getting on the computer
• Praying with friends
  

Scott Lindon

Scott Lindon is my nephew. He's named after his 2 grandfathers who are now deceased, but were both godly men. Scott Lindon has a great heritage and is living up to it. His mom, my sister, called a couple of weeks ago and asked if I'd take his senior pictures. I was so excited! I borrowed Kaye Rene's camera and off we went. I was afraid he wouldn't last long, but get this....we took about 668 photos! Ha! (His mom said we took more in one day than he'd had taken in his whole life!! ha!) We just kept finding cool places. So....after a quick sorting and editing, these are some of my favorites. And notice...he even changed shirts as we went! Thanks, Scott, for letting me take your pictures---so many pictures. I had a blast!

Does he not have killer eyes? And that dimple in his chin...Girls, if you want his number, just call me. He's available.




The crazy guy jumped into this tank that was full of trash. That's when I knew he was willing to do anything for a good picture!


And not only is he available (at least I think he's available), but he loves the Lord!

Sandra, I promise there are some more photos out of the 668 with him smiling. But he seemed to like this look the most.





I don't know who this is! I don't know where he got that can. I was looking through a lense and certainly wasn't paying attention....

This was our last stop. Scott made me stop here---it's where Granny & Papa used to take him to buy rocks. I promise...rocks.
Ok, I can't lie. I made him take pictures at this spot. But I thought the sign over his head might have some significance....(hee-hee!)
Scott, you've come quite a ways since your dinosaur days! I love you a bunch and I'm really proud of you! Congratulations!! (And I hope your mom got that money back...)
Aunt Becky

Amazed

Don't you just love it when God is teaching you something? And then one day, you look back and go, "OHHHH....this is what he's been leading me to!" That happened to me tonight.
Remember all of my blogs about approaching God (the King of kings) with protocol? Since then, I've had some amazing experiences, culminating tonight.
I was privileged to be at Jay & Amy's church for Easter. It was very moving. On their stage is an altar practicing the presence of God. As we took communion, we knelt before the altar, receiving the bread and wine. As a cross entered and left the church service, people bowed. I may not be describing it all the way Jay would describe it and I'm sure there are some things I totally missed just because I'm not used to protocol, but it was very significant to me and I was thrilled to be a part of it.
My own personal times with God have become more significant. I've practiced kneeling in God's presence. I've offered gifts before him. I've reverenced him and been in awe of him. It's changed my life.
But tonight.....Tonight was the a-ha moment when God showed me what he had been preparing me for. And I thought I was just going to a training meeting. Andy & I met at our church where the tabernacle had been erected. This is a replica of Moses' tabernacle. There really wasn't training involved. They just gave us headsets and sent us on our way to tour the tabernacle. The first thing we did was offer a sacrifice for our sins. We washed our hands in the laver. We lit oil lamps in the holy place. We took the bread and wine at the table of shewbread. We went to the altar of incense and took incense into the holy of holies. At each point, the meaning was all explained to us----and I GOT IT! I understood the protocol that brought us into the holy of holies where we were intimate with the God of the universe. It was amazing. And it took me back to a Greek Orthodox church we visited in Israel. They had all of the symbolism there. I'm so thankful I grew up learning about the tabernacle from my Mom in Good News Clubs. I understood the symbolism then. But tonight, I understood the protocol it represented. And I worshiped His Holiness as I walked through the tabernacle. I was in awe---and amazed.
If you live anywhere close to Borger, I highly recommend the experience.

Batman & Robin---Post II

Florida Fun!

I got home from Florida last night. I had so much fun! It just doesn't get better than getting to celebrate 2 grandsons' birthdays and Easter all in one weekend.

Amy had these tulips waiting in my room---loved them!!

I loved this Spanish moss hanging from the trees!

The Wright Family on Easter

Jay leading worship on Easter.

Can you believe those eyes?

Isaac singing with the choir on Easter.

Josiah coming out of the teepee at his birthday party. (I think he was being Robin.)

Jay enjoying Isaac's lego gift.

Miss Priss swinging.

Bathtime fun with paints!

Batman!

Robin!

Three kids enjoying popsicles---per dr's orders for Josiah's lip.

The Wright Family on Josiah's birthday. I wouldn't trade my time with them.
Buff was jealous. (But he was in China)

I'm Through Dying....

You guys must think I'm crazy! Who wakes up in the morning with dying on their minds? But I just wanted you to know that I'm through...for now. I won't say forever, because I know God too well. If I said forever, there would be a new opportunity to crawl back up on the altar and do it again.
But I'm ready to LIVE! Praise God for resurrection Sunday!! He came that we might live---and do it abundantly. One of my precious friends gave me permission this morning. She quoted Ecclesiastes 9:7, "Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart [if you are righteous, wise, and in the hands of God], for God has already accepted your works."
But it was so rewarding living yesterday as if it were my last. I learned that if I thought it were my last day, I would store up prayers in the golden bowl in heaven. That's eternal. I learned I would want family and friends to be reminded that I loved them. I learned that I would pour myself out to others. I asked God for opportunities to share my faith with those who needed him, but instead he sent believers to me who needed encouragement. Interesting! It's not what I want, but what he knows is needed. And I learned to keep my options open. Doors opened for me that I didn't expect and I was ready to go. I went to bed last night exhausted, but full. That's the kind of living I want to do every day!

Baptism

Caitlin & Alexis were baptized tonight at Trinity Fellowship in Amarillo. I'm so excited for them and very proud of them!

Here they are with their baptism certificates.

There was a worship time before the baptisms. You can see the girls front and center.

This is Alexis right after her baptism. She was pretty excited!

And here's Caitlin after her baptism. You can see how happy she is!