Academy Awards 1977....

...and the longest letter I ever received. Lonnie was never really interested in the Academy Awards before or after 1977. But, one of our first dates we went to see Rocky which came out in November 1976 and was nominated for 10 Oscars, amazingly enough! We really liked it and had a great time together on that date.

So, Lonnie wrote this very fun, long and memorable note on a skinny roll of blue paper....it is a treasure to me!

Here are some excerpts from this note:

"Well, I promised you the longest letter you have ever received and if this is not the longest I do bet it is pretty close....

....I think that tomorrow I am going to start a rigorous schedule. Apollo Creed, here comes the American Stallion. What? Dreams come true if you dream hard enough!

I am going to leave class right after the quiz because I want to see the Academy Awards. Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!

...And for the funniest girl of the year award: Chrissy!

...Best actress of the year: Becky!" (A side note: I did the voice of a young girl named Becky on the Christian radio station. Lonnie was my one and only loyal fan! He listened faithfully every Saturday morning.)

"...Happiest: Chrissy!

etc., etc., etc.,

The above has been written to fill up space! I guess you notice the spaces between the lines are getting wider. It may not be a very good note but you must admit it is long!

....It is now 10:00 p.m, I just saw the Academy Awards and Yea! Rocky!

Sorry, Sylvester didn't receive the Best Actor but, well, 'can't win em all.'

Got to go!

Like ya muches,

Lonnie"

They recently announced the movies up for the Oscar this year, but I wish I could go back to 1977 for just a little while....

January Happenings

January is such a special month with new beginnings for the year, a new calendar with pictures of the family from last year, special dates to remember, and the promise of the presence of the Lord for each new day we face. We have new days to live and new memories to make and we know that He is here and "He is near to all who call on Him in truth" (Lonnie's favorite verse--Psalm 145:18).

January started out with the release of Serenade and Strum. The music and songs Jennifer and Benji wrote and produced are really touching hearts and blessing so many! Thank you for your labor of love and for your precious songs, especially the tribute to "Dear Daddy."

Happy Birthday to Sunnie! You are a treasure! We love you so much and thank the Lord for you! You are so precious to me and to our family and especially to your husband and children. Thank you for your love and kind and gracious ways!

Happy Anniversary, Jeremy and Crystal! I think Cadel enjoyed your anniversary date very much! You are amazing and I thank you for your love and hospitality and making me feel so at home with you. Home sweet home!

Our children are so supportive and good to me and I am thankful for the love and welcome I have received in each of their homes. I am a blessed woman! Thank you!

As a sweet friend once said, right now I have "Home sweet homes!" It will probably remain that way for awhile as we welcome the birth of new babies this year and a possible adoption. I know the Lord will lead me and direct my steps as He has promised and it is my desire to learn and follow His ways...

Logan and Elijah's Little Brother

Jeremy and Crystal rejoice in the birth of their little boy at the end of 2010 and what an awesome boy he is! His big brothers love him so much. His name is Cadel (pronounced Kuh-dell) which means "Spirit of the Battle." He is a strong big boy and has brought so much joy to his family. His amazing mommy and daddy are thrilled with his arrival! His granmommy is too!

"Our Father in heaven, please bless little Cadel and his brothers and his mommy and daddy! Thank you that his parents love and desire to serve You with all of their hearts. Thank you that they seek Your guidance in raising their precious children. Please keep Your hand of safety and protection over Cadel and bless him as he grows to learn of Your ways and to walk in Your paths. Please keep watch over him and his precious family. We rejoice in this new life and know he is a gift from You. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Thanking God for this new precious life!

E-mails from God

I know that is a funny title but this past year I have been reading through the Bible with my I-phone (thank you, Jeremy, for my I-phone and for teaching me how to use it). As I have read through the Bible I would send verses to my e-mail address when I felt I needed to dwell on a particular idea or promise or it was just what I needed to hear at that moment.

This morning I went to my e-mails and found an encouraging and helpful message from a friend. I am so thankful for the many kind and loving messages throughout this past year. They helped me on my journey and I want to remember to be an encourager to others as well. Thank you.

Then I went to read my Bible on my I-phone and read the following verses in 2 Peter 1:3-9:

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Seemed like a good new year's resolution to me so I sent it off to my e-mail account and said to myself, "I just received an e-mail from God." You know, it's true. We have letters from God that we can read every day. He loves us and sends us words of encouragement and instruction.

We are not alone. He is with us. Emmanuel! I hope you read an "e-mail from God" today.