told ya i'd add the pics

so, i finally got some pics of my husband's haircut! ENJOY!!!

Church Family

Today we took the Sunday School teaching shopping ($50 each) at Mardel Christian Bookstore! It was great being able to let the teachers go through and pick out things for their classes! They had a ball. It was like Christmas for them.
But I just have to say how much I enjoyed being with church family. We always have such a great time together. Fellowship is sweet! Anyway, nothing else to report. Just want to brag on wonderful teachers whose hearts are for the Lord!

REPRINT from June 8, 2008 "MY UNCLE RONNIE

Ring, Ring.....Michael answers the phone, "Donya, it's for you."
"Hello?" (It's my brother, Marcus)
"Hey, I have bad news...Uncle Ronnie's been killed."

I am aware that most of you will become bored with my story and quit reading...but for me, this is therapeutic...so whether or not anyone reads it, I'll feel better for doing it.

Also, let me take a moment to say to all the family, but especially his immediate family (Peggy, Ronald, Chris, Denise, Doug, Doyle, Alesia, Derek, Jane & the girls) I am praying for each of you and hope that through this tragedy Christ would be glorified. God's timing is not our own. And we know that God was not sitting up in Heaven going, "Oh, No, What happened?!" God knows His sheep and He knew exactly where Uncle Ronnie was and what would take place. Be thankful that he knew the Lord as his Savior and that you can rest in knowing that Heaven has already become is permanent home!

After I hung up the phone with Marcus, a terrible grief and agony filled my heart. It was a feeling that I haven't had in long time & it took me quite by surprise. You see, I am not very open with my emotions. Don't know why...I'm not hard hearted, quite the opposite, I just try to keep my emotions in check.
I don't remember ever crying at the passing of my granddaddy, granny Godwin, or Granny Holley...but at this loss, I wept bitterly. I couldn't stop, it was a release of emotion that even surprised me. I think some of it was because I'm in Texas & couldn't be there for the services.
You see, My Uncle Ronnie was like a second father to me. When other kids wanted to spend weekends and summers with friends, I wanted to go to Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Peggy's house. Was there some great water park or exciting fun there? No, they were in the country...in Chumuckla, FL where nothing ever happened. Join me if you want into some of my fondest memories, not just of my time with Uncle Ronnie...but these are even some of the fondest memories of my life.

I remember on Friday afternoons, mama would pick me up from school, I'd hop into the truck and see my little worn out green suitcase...my begging has earned me a weekend at Uncle Ronni & Aunt Peggy's house! WOO HOO!!! We'd make the all the way to where the paved road turned to dirt, drive on down and there I could see my cousin, Chris, squatting down with arms wide open. I would ump out before the truck even stopped, run into his arms and give him the biggest hug ever! It felt just as good as home there. Inside, I wold ask the question that I already knew the answer to, "When will Uncle Ronnie get home?" I just couldn't wait for him to get there.

Here are some tings that my mind often drifts back to:
His Hands. They were short and stubby, rough & gentle all at the same time. He was a brick layer by trade...and the best one at that. He worked hard out in the sun and heat all day, no complaints. I even 'helped' when I was allowed to go to work with him. He would pick me up and set me on his lap with those hands, and there we would stay for hours watching old westerns (with the volume way too high)

His Belly Button....I know that's weird, but I was always amazed at how his belly button was off to one side. And in the country the men went around with no shirts on a lot of times. This was the case with Uncle Ronnie. he would often be shirtless and that was the most comfortable spot for a nap as a child, right on his gut!

His Hair...or the lack thereof. But that didn't stop me from trying my hardest to fix it with my hairbrush.

Going Swimming at the Creek...the drive there on the back of the truck...the watermelons we would stick in the creek to get good and cold...Uncle Ronnie teaching me to swim by laying on my belly across his arms in the water.

The Tom Thumb Store...There we would go get him a DP and me a carton of chocolate milk. We would rent movies (& in the early days even the VCR)...get some candy and go back home to eat Aunt Peggy's homemade pizza.
I was the apple of his eye as a child...he spent a small fortune on my little indulgences. he would do nearly anything to keep me happy.

Now this one is more for my Aunt Peggy....having my own special bed sheets...the ones with the roses on them.

Going 4 wheeling in the woods.

Fresh veggies. he always had the best garden. I would help pick butter beans & field peas and then do my best to shell them.

Worms....Fishermen from all around would show up early in the morning to buy a couple hundred.

Going fishing.

Running around bare foot, not brushing my hair all day, eating a big breakfast every morning.

The day Derek, his first grandson, was born; the joy that being called "Paw Paw" brought to him.

The simplicity of their lives.


Although life has now taken me down different roads and I am not a little girl anymore, I have always kept that whole family near my heart. I love each of you, even if we rarely see one another.

So now the question becomes.....
Will I ever see Uncle Ronnie again? Please take that question seriously. You see, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will. He accepted Christ as his Savior, just as I have. Therefore, we both have a home in heaven. Do you? There's only one way you'll ever see him, hug his neck, or tell him you love him ever again. And that's by the blood of Jesus.
Please take time to read these verses if you are not sure if you'll see him again.
Romans 3:10
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 10:9-13

Sleep depravation (sp?)

Oh my soul!!!! We must live on the busiest street in America. OK, I may be exaggerating, but it must be in the top ten! We live on the corner of a 4 way stop right in the middle of a huge neighborhood. It's the main strip. What were we thinking?

There is constant noise: diesel trucks everywhere, garbage trucks, fire trucks (with sirens), cop cars (also with sirens), ambulances (that's right...with sirens), and on and on.

What's the problem? Nothing if we didn't have an autistic child who already never sleeps. And once she does fall asleep, we walk on egg shells. (ok, not really. i mean how crazy would it be to have eggs all over the floor?! ha ha ha) Anyway, case in point, she goes to be without any problems last night (Praise the Lord) and 30 minutes later.....sirens and lots of them. Effect? Bailey begins screaming! Well, again, this is no normal child. You can't just say, "OK, honey, go back to bed, it's okay." Our only resolve is to shut her door all the way and let her cry it out! Or scream it out in her case. (we're horrible parents, I know....well, you're more than welcome to walk a day in my shoes) This fit could last as long as an hour........and has often times lasted longer.

Praise the Lord, she only cried a few minutes and off to sleep she went! The moral of the story? OK, there isn't one. Just had to complain about living in a location that we chose for ourselves...........so I guess there's no one to blame but me! how funny. try to come on here and vent about aggravations and then end up realizing it's my fault to begin with. i just crack myself up sometimes. Oh well, have a great day everyone! I will.

Going Bald for Bibles

That's right. My husband decided to shave his head if our church raised enough money to buy 300 Bibles for the Beams Bible Day (Feb. 1) Well, of course our church did so, in fact, more so! So Sunday night, Mrs. Willie Jo got out the clippers...and zip, it's all gone. I don't have a pic yet, but I will.....and I will post it!!!!
We had such an amazing church service Sunday night as well. I love those services where the Spirit of God makes Himself so evident in the midst of us! God spoke, the Holy Spirit convicted, Jesus was lifted up, Saints were edified.....it was just wonderful! Thank God for a church who loves the Lord and one another!!! And thank God for my husband who is sensitive to the Holy Spirit, even when he's lead to do things a little different!

REPRINT from June 11, 2008- "You're Invited"

I have all we need: confetti, party hats, shiny streamers, a cake & metallic balloons. The occasion? Reading my other blog entry sent me into a little pity party! I know, I should not let things weigh me down, but I'll be the first to admit that although you try to serve God with all faith and joy, sometimes situations can bring you down. Yes, I know it's wrong; but I think that if I jest get all of this off my chest I'll feel better. Besides, it's not really me that I feel sorry for; it's Bailey. And honestly, I think sharing my heart will help others who have a child like Bailey.

As I was in that 'other' situation in the other blog entry, I couldn't help but notice some things. There were a couple of 2 year olds, a 3 year old, a 4 year old and that 6 year old. Bailey is the oldest one in the room. They were all playing; doing things normal kids do: playing pretend with the baby dolls, building with legos, getting up and down from the table, talking to one another, sitting down and standing up, getting on and off the car. What's wrong with this picture? Nothing, except it's all things that Bailey could not be included in because she is unable to do these things. Although she's right there with them, taking in every action & observing every detail, she's still an outsider. She can't say, "wanna play house?" or "let's play duck duck goose" (she doesn't even know what those things are) Does she even realize this? I don't know. I don't think so. She probably things she's just as normal as everyone else there. Although sometimes she does have that look on her face as if to say, I wish I could do all of that, too". It makes me so sad for her.
She's missing out on so many things...little things that we take for granted. Even right this moment, she's watching Brody put on his spiderman outfit and jump around saying "I'm Spiderman!" He's jumping around with ease, saying and doing whatever he wants with no problems. (as if she knows what I'm doing, she just came over, mouth wide open, and gave me a kiss)
Would I change her if possible? I would change the fact that she doesn't speak and I would change the fact that her motor skills are undeveloped. But I would never change the person she is. She has a wonderful personality, even if the outside world never sees it. She is appreciated, loved and wanted. So, OK, party over. Now that wasn't too bad was it? If just needed to explain some of the heartache I have from now and then. Thanks for listening!

Shelby Grace Dianne Bertha Martha.... REPRINT from May 13, 2008

I am sitting here looking at old photos, maybe 3 years worth. I found this cutie pic of Shelby Grace. She must have been 5 yo at the time. Anyway, I got to thinking about how special this kid is. her first three years were all about her...then came Bailey. her world changed drastically. All eyes were no longer focused on her, time had to be shared and attention went in a different direction.
With all of the drama that came about with Bailey, Shelby had to grow up fast. She had to assume responsibility that most young adults don't even have. She became a second mother and also took second place. Without Shelby, we would be lost. She can take care of herself, Bailey & Brody.
Even to this day, if we are out and about in town, Bailey is the first one everyone notices. She's showered with, "Oh, she's so beautiful" "What gorgeous hair" "She's just precious" and on and on. While Shelby silently watches along side, never having a word spoken to her. Bailey is always the first to get hugs, a smile, attention from strangers, compliments...the one everyone wants. And like a gracious little lady, Shelby steps aside to let her little sister have the lime light. You know, as long as I can remember, Shelby has never once complained about Bailey getting more attention than she. She is very mature for her age, always has been.
I can only believe that the Lord will greatly use Shelby and her experiences to glorify Himself through her life. Of course we don't and shouldn't require men's applause, but I do think that she deserves a little recognition for her attempt at motherhood starting at age 3! I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store for her!