Surprise!!!

 This is our oldest daughter, Hannah and her wonderful husband, Jeremiah. Aren't they adorable?

 

This is the trailer packed in front of our house as we were ready to leave town for the wedding.

 They were married in May of 2009.

We went to Lubbock a few weeks ago to help them move into their new little house. After a few loads in the pickup, we sat around in their new living room to have a lovely dinner of pizza. Hannah handed out envelopes to everyone and had us open them simultaneously. Inside were name tags that said "Hello! My name is _____________". She had filled them in with all the appropriate new names: Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Caleb, Aunt Elizabeth, Aunt Mackenzy, Uncle Josh, Uncle Ben, and Aunt Rebekah.

Caleb has no idea what's coming!

Kregg, aka: Grandpa!

He guesses what is coming and gets choked up.

Jeremiah and Hannah enjoying Kregg's reaction

Me??? An uncle????

Aunt Elizabeth, Aunt Rebekah, and Uncle Ben

It begins to sink in!
 

I love the looks on the faces of the girls!

And now, we are grandparents!!!! They are expecting their first child in June, and are actually due on Jeremiah's birthday. Of course! And since Baby Foley is already a baby, I am already a GRANDMA!!! :)

How Many Adults Does it Take . . .

This is the most recent addition to the Conder Clan. His name is Jaxon and he is our grand nephew. We all convened at Grandma and Grandpa's house for Thanksgiving. While there Jaxon's parents wanted to take a picture of Jaxon, his cousin Talen, and his grandparents. Jaxon was not impressed.

Here they are all ready for the picture. Everyone is smiling except Jaxon. So several of us decided to assist. 

 

 Jaxon is not very impressed with the efforts. Everyone else was laughing their heads off.

 

 

 

 

Nothin' doin'.

 

No matter what they tried, Jaxon did not smile.

 This is as close as we got.

And then, after we gave it up, there was this sweet little smile. He is so adorable!!

Scary Elf

If this elf shows up at your door claiming to be from the North Pole, he is an impostor. 

This is actually my son Caleb and our daughter Mackenzy. 

I don't think I would let him in your house. He eats a lot. 

Just thought you should know.

Asking the Lord's Blessing on Your Thanksgiving

 

Our Loving Father,

It is hard for us even to begin to comprehend the scope of your blessings. May we see as You see. May we understand how You go before us and surround us with Your Mighty Hand. 

Increase our spiritual sensitivity so that we hear Your faintest whisper, Holy Spirit. 

Help us love the way You Love, oh Father. May we see each person as your Beloved; especially those who don't see themselves that way. 

In the midst of our abundance, may we hold nothing tightly, but allow You to spend any resource entrusted to us to accomplish Your Will. 

May we not allow ourselves to be swept up into mindless busyness, but to be Gracefully intentional in all our thoughts, words, and actions. May You be seen in us. And may we see You everywhere we look.

Many of us look forward to this time of year with mixed emotions because of unhealed wounds inflicted by those whom we love. Help us remember to have expectations of no one but You. It is so very easy for us to allow our expectations of how things should be, how people should behave, how we should be treated, to cultivate anger in our hearts. Let us choose not to be offended. May we walk through every meeting, and every moment wrapped in the freedom of forgiveness. When the evil one tries to stir up bitterness, may we instead respond in Love.

We love You, Lord. We long to be purer vessels to receive You in larger measure. May we be poured out in service to each one in our path and may You be the only One Glorified through that service. May we, with joy, anticipate the celebrations of the holidays as the world thinks about You. May we have, ready on our lips, the reason for the Joy that overflows our hearts onto everyone we encounter. May we declare You with every breath and may the aroma of our Precious Savior fill the air.

With Thanksgiving, we declare that You are the One, True and Living God and we give thanks that You claim us for Yourself.

Mom Years

While deeply pondering the important issues of life, I was meditating on the principle of "dog years". Why is a dog year seven years?  I would have to theorize that it is because dogs (at least ours) fit in enough "living" each year to equal seven human years. They are aging faster than normal creatures.

So . . . .

The question begs to be asked, "Shouldn't there be 'Mom Years'?" Compared to regular human beings, mothers squeeze more into each increment of time than any other living thing. 

In my humble opinion, to accurately come up with a reasonable formula for mothers, certain unique but critical variables must be considered. Here are the ones that instantly popped into my head:

a. number of children
b. ages of children
c. the intensity level of each child's personality
d. miles driven each week as chauffeur
e. temperament of husband
f.  homeschooler
g. misc. other responsibilities


I'm sure there are others, but this should allow us to come up with a "ballpark" figure.


Now for the equation:


1. Take the mother's age,

2. Add the number of children,

3. Add the age factor for each child (for ages 3 and under: +2 each; 
                                                        for ages 4-12: +2 each; 
                                                        for ages 13-17: +4 each; 
                                                        for ages 18 and up: -1 each),

4. For the intensity, rank each child's personality on a scale of 0 to 3, with a 3 
    representing  the intensity of a laser. Take the ranking for each child and add 
    that to the total of the first 3 factors above.

5. Take the number of miles driven as chauffeur each week , divide it by 10, then add it      to the total of #1-4 above. 


6.  For the temperament of your husband: if he is calm and even keeled then subtract 10; 
     if he is laser intense add 5 to your total so far. Anything in between, add 0.


7.  If you homeschool your children, add 20


8.  Miscellaneous other variables, add 20 just for good measure.


The total of all 8 above would equal your age in Mom Years.


Now for my numbers:

1. I'm 48

2. I have 7 children


3. I have 3 children in the 4-12 range so that's +6
    I have 1 in the 13-17 range, so that's +4
    I have 3 in the 18 and over range, so that's -3


4. I have 3 lasers! So I add 9.
    I have 4 easy ones, so I add 0.


5. I don't drive much, so 150 miles divided by 10 equals +15


6. My husband is very even keeled, so I subtract 10.


7. We homeschool, so I add 20.


8. Lots of miscellany, add 20.


My grand total=116



No wonder I'm so tired!

But I wouldn't be ANYWHERE else. I love my antbed!!

Perfectionism vs. Excellence

What's wrong with this picture? It was taken when we were in the breathtaking Canadian Rockies. Those majestic mountains, the azure blue of the sky, the verdant green forest all scream, "GORGEOUS"! But then there's that wacky tree. Does it bug you? I don't have PhotoShop, but I am sure there are people who could "fix" it. Then my picture would be "perfect".

REALLY?


That's the way my brain works sometimes. Okay, it's not my brain. It's my heart.

Oh great . . .


Here comes another object lesson right, Lord?

Why do I want it perfect? 

Perfectionism: a personal standard, attitude, or philosophy that demands perfection and rejects anything less.

What gives me the right to "reject"? What gives me the right to define the standard? Isn't it because I know how things should be, what's best, what I/others need? 


Oh, I see, it's Pride. (head drooping)

Pride. The sin of satan. Pride. To say I am the standard of measurement. Pride. To say I know best. Pride. It is such an ugly word when it reveals such arrogance. 

Perfectionism (aka: Pride) is focused on me, but the collateral damage devastates. And when that is the lens through which I see the Lord's Creation, it grieves His Father Heart. 

For His lens is Love. 

Perfectionism builds walls and causes separation. His Love seeks to gather us all unto Himself.

Instead of striving for Perfectionism, He would have me strive for Excellence. Doing everything as unto the Lord. For Him, not for me. For His Glory. Not mine. That's the difference. It's about the Glory. And it's all His. Not a single speck is safe for me, because it will only increase my desire for more.

Excellence versus Perfectionism is like Relationship versus Religiosity. It's like Grace versus Pharisaical Law. Perfectionism, Religiosity and Pharasaical Law are all about making someone jump through hoops. It's devoid of Life for our spirits. It bears no eternal fruit. It brings only bondage. And He is all about True Freedom.


Doing my best out of Love and releasing to Him my expectations of others brings Him Glory. It is filled with Life. It speaks to my spirit. It touches Eternity.


It's a beautiful scene. The mountains, the sky, and the trees all scream: The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of His Hands. Day after day they pour forth speech. Night after night they display knowledge.


I think I will leave the tree as it is. 

The Story of Jonah

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

This is adorable! Reminds me of our oldest at that age!

 

My Heart, Reflected in My Children

Convicted.

Again.


I heard my child criticizing another driver as we were coming home yesterday. Guess where she learned to do that? 

My youngest is a mirror for my soul. The Lord did that on purpose. He wants to purify my soul. He wants me to be a mirror for Him. 

This morning there's more. The lesson of yesterday wasn't enough. 

He is serious about this. 

This morning, I hear how harshly she speaks to her siblings at times. Guess where she learned to do that? My words are not always seasoned with Grace. 

He is serious about this.

In His Faithfulness, He cannot leave me like this. I can fight Him while kicking and screaming, or I can humbly focus on His Sovereignty over my every thought, word, and action.

From the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. 

Lord, 
Please help me submit fully and allow You to sanctify the deepest recesses of my heart. I am so quick to use my mouth in ways that do not bring You Glory. Thank You for always forgiving me. Please help me pay attention. Please help me be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Thank you for showing me what I sound like. I know that it is Your most loving way to remind me of Your Will. Thank You for loving me enough to convict me and correct me. Please help me set a good example for my children. In every moment. In every thing.




 

Jewish Feasts Parallel Pregnancy!

She's 23 now! And they used to tell us to put them on their tummies.

This is the most incredible thing I have read in a very long time! The Lord has revealed Himself in every aspect of His Creation!! It is so exciting! It's like a treasure hunt, and He is the object of our quest. May we have eyes to see Him in everything! Lord, give us eyes to seek and see. 

Click on the link to read the post from Pursuing the Old Paths.

Biblical Feasts Parallel the Development of a Baby in the Womb 

600 Miles and a Longhorn

Longhorn Wrangler (aka: Ben)

Having not visited Bandera since August, we were suffering collective withdrawal. I received a phone call last week telling me about a special event at the development where we own some property. Even though this is deer season, which doesn't affect me but involves most of the rest of the family, we decided to squeeze it in. Kregg and the four youngest left on Friday around noon to drive to Sonora to hunt. The plan was for me to meet them there early Saturday morning and we would then drive on to Bandera. I will do almost anything to avoid going deer hunting, so I happily agreed. 

As part of the event in Bandera, there was going to be a chili cook-off, complete with prizes. Not known for my culinary craft, I wasn't planning to enter anything. But, one of the men helping to organize it talked to Kregg and begged us to enter a pot. He was afraid no one would enter. And they were giving away really nice prizes! So Friday after Kregg and the kids left, I cooked two big pots of chili, one for the cook-off and one for lunch on Sunday. 


Kregg called me Friday night to tell me Elizabeth had shot a deer. She was so excited! Daddy was awfully excited for her. They are so cute!

I got up at 5 Saturday morning, loaded the chili, filled up the Suburban and headed south. Now, any of you who know me or have read about my complete lack of direction need not worry. I actually had a map and written instructions, not to mention the fact that we have driven this route dozens of times. 

It is not often I spend several hours alone. I can't begin to tell you what a wonderful time I had. Cranking up the ipod, I worshiped for the entire way to Sonora. The only problem was when the weeping interfered with the driving! :)  


The terrain where we live is pancake flat, but as you travel south a few hills begin to appear. There is one place where the road drops off the caprock and you descend into a little valley. The very moment I came to the edge of valley, the sun peeped up over the far horizon.

Sunrise in route

It was so beautiful, I started weeping again! Can't help it. It just overflows the old heart and runs down the face. 


By the time I reached Sonora, Kregg and the kids were packing up at the deer lease and we met in town. A gourmet breakfast from the convenience store was enjoyed by all and we "lit" out for Bandera.

After a total of 300 miles, we arrived. Can't explain it, but there is just something about this little town of 900+ that captured our hearts.  Each time we cross into the city limits, it's as if a collective sigh of contentment escapes our vehicles. 


We drove out to the ranch, and the festivities began.

Joshua on Oreo

Rebekah's Turn

Elizabeth

Buckboard Rides

Would've been such a fun Christmas Card if only the other kids were there.

Rebekah wants one for Christmas

Monkey #1

Monkey #2

The boys have the boniest little behinds, I just cannot imagine how uncomfortable their perches were!

Next, it was time for a trail ride.

Then we went over to visit our land. Someday, maybe . . .

Outstanding in their field! (Caption suggested by a sweet comment)

This is a momentous occasion: our street is finally paved!!

Last, but not least: a short ride in a hot air balloon!!!

Inside from the top of the balloon

The poor Texas Flag needs to be ironed.

Kregg and the kids ready to board

Lift Off!

I rode next

Oh yes, the Chili Cook-Off! I won 3rd place out of 5 pots. It is definitely the height of my culinary career. I think it is time to retire from the kitchen. Definitely an epoch.  :)

We loaded up to head back to Midland. Ugh! But since we wanted to be there for church Sunday morning, off we went. As we were leaving town, Kregg was ahead of me and called to say one of the headlights was out on the Suburban. Double Ugh! We stopped in Kerrville to buy a replacement, but once he looked inside he found that the wires had been CHEWED through! Of course, my first thought is, "BY WHAT????!" Then we asked, "Now what??" 

The auto repair shops were closed by this time and there was no way he could fix it in the parking lot, so we decided it would have to wait until we arrived back home. That meant about 275 miles with one headlight. Kregg, being the wonderful man he is, offered to let me drive the truck and he would drive the Suburban. But I told him it was okay and we would simply make the best of it.

Things went along fine until we rolled into the edge of Midland at 11:15 that night. Sure enough, a Highway Patrolman whipped around and zoomed up behind me. Could not even believe it. 

He was a perfect gentleman, but I think I must have been really exhausted because I started crying!!! He told me he was only going to write me a warning. But, it didn't help. I kept crying. 

Then he felt badly. 

He explained to me that it wouldn't go on my record. 

There wouldn't be any fines. 

He knew we had tried to take care of it. 

I just kept quietly crying. And he kept trying to make me feel better. 

"We're just trying to keep everybody safe. It really is okay. You're not in trouble." 

I patted him on the arm and told him he was doing a fine job and I really appreciated him. That's probably not the best idea. I don't think they want you to reach out and touch them on the arm. But under the circumstances, he didn't haul me off to jail or anything. Bless his heart. 

He tried so hard. Giving up, he said, "God bless you," as he walked back to his car with his head down. 

I really didn't mean to upset him. I promise.

Boy, was I glad to pull into the garage. 

Kregg repaired the wiring and replaced my headlight IMMEDIATELY after church the next morning. I think I scared him, too.