Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands!

Come, ye thankful people, come,

Raise the song of harvest-home:

All is safely gathered in.

Ere the winter storms begin:

God, our Maker, doth provide

For our wants to be supplied;                

Come to God's own temple, come,                                          

Raise the song of harvest-home.

                                        George J. Elvey

(Art work by Samuel)

This is my favorite Thanksgiving poem...I am sure my kids grow weary of it year after year!  I love Thanksgiving...the aromas, the tradition, the history that surrounds the holiday.  As we read aloud about the Pilgrims, I always seem to learn something new!  Their story teaches us much about faith and gratitude in the midst of perilous times.  As I reflect on the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father in my life, I feel blessed beyond measure.  He is my strength and my shield.

I am so thankful for my husband, Paul.  He holds my hand and my heart!  I am thankful for eight wonderful kids... Lauren, Megan, Andrew, Ethan, Luke, Samuel, Jonathan, Caleb and a new son-in-law, Andrew!!  My kids have taught me so much about the love of our Heavenly Father.  I love being a wife and a mother! 

I thank the Lord for my parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins!

I love hearing all the stories of the past and having so many to share the future with!

My life would not be complete without the inner circle of kindred spirits that the Lord has brought into my life!

You have encouraged me as a woman to always seek the Lord, to love my husband, and to cherish my children.  We have shared laughter and tears through the years!  My prayer is that I will be a Titus 2 woman used of God and a blessing to my family and others.

Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.  For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; And His truth endureth to all generations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Is it Monday Already?

I must admit that after a week of travel and a little slower pace... Monday seemed to be screaming in my ear!!  Packing to go on a trip is so much easier than putting everything back into its proper place upon the return home!!  It felt so good to be reunited as a family that the task at hand became less overwhelming. 

We enjoyed Bible study as we sipped coffee, juice, or milk.  It was a crisp morning and a nature walk was the next order of the day.  The boys were excited to see the nearby creek flowing rather quickly and then our dogs jumping in for a swim.  They picked up rocks and sticks and anything that was of interest as we started the hike back up the winding road.


One is given many chances to be a man; one can be a boy but once.
                                                                                Emery Pottle


What we have a right to expect of the American boy is that he shall turn out to be a good American man.  The
boy can best become a good man by being a good boy-----not a goody-goody boy, but just a plain good boy..."Good," in the largest sense, should include whatever is fine, straightforward, clean, and manly.
                                                                                                                      Theodore Roosevelt



             
                                                                           

Home Sweet Home

We were met with only a brief delay as we started the trek toward home.  We were looking forward to lunch with Megan and Andrew on our way back home. 

We were delighted to share lunch and catch up with the newlyweds!  They are doing great and seem to have adjusted quite well to married life.  We are so thankful that they live close enough to visit from time to time.  The little guys have really had a difficult time with Megan not living at home now, especially Caleb.

We stayed a little longer than planned, o.k. a lot longer than we intended with Megan and Andrew.  We arrived back home after dark where we were greeted by smiling faces and a clean house!!  It was so good to see everyone and be back home.  There is truly no place like home!

Dinner and a Show...the Nashville Way!

We loaded up the truck and headed out for Nashville this morning.  The drive should have been around 3 hours but not today.  There was a wreck on I-40 so we had plenty of time to chat as we crawled along.  We pray that no one was badly hurt in the accident.

  We arrived in Nashville somewhat off schedule to be greeted by a motorcycle parade.  Another delay...oh well...it was a gorgeous day and we were soaking it in!


We enjoyed a romantic dinner at my new favorite restaurant....which we will only be able to visit on very special occasions!  It was lovely!  The atmosphere was wonderful, the food was great, and the service was amazing!

Then we headed off to the show!!  I have looked forward to this for a long time...ever since I was a kid!!  I can remember my mama listening to some of the folks that I saw tonight...and watching them on T.V.  I was so excited to finally be going to the "Opry"!!  My husband really did do his homework for this trip!!    

Little Jimmy Dickens hosted the first half of the show.  He is 88 and still going strong.  The Isaacs, a family group, who sing gospel were great.  I loved their acapella song, We Will Praise Him!   I will be looking for their CD.  Riders in The Sky, Jimmy C. Newman, The Whites, Jean Shepard, Bill Anderson, Gene Watson, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Sarah Buxton all preformed on the Opry stage.  


This was the best dinner and a show date night ever!!  This is an anniversary trip that we will cherish for years to come.  Our time together has been wonderful!  We have enjoyed good conversation,  strolls through the town, hiking on the nature trails, Cades Cove, The Biltmore Estate, and the Grand Ole Opry!  


I am so thankful for my soul mate...my best friend, and the love of my life!!  I cherish our time together and look forward to the days ahead!

The Simple Heart

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me.
                                                                                                                                John 12:24-26 

I have been pondering much about a simple life and time these last few days.   We live in a culture that is bombarded with busyness, stress, and anything but simplicity!  God is so good...when I opened up my devotional book today, it was entitled, The Simple Heart.  

"Simplicity is not the absence of "things" or activities.  A simple heart can embrace activities with a deliberate attitude of accomplishment, knowing that the priorities have been guided by the Holy Spirit."

"Simplicity is also not a matter of style but rather an attitude of the heart.  A heart surrendered to Christ has a priority that impacts every thought and activity.  Compassion flows from our hearts and prompts us to provide for the needs of others.  Simplicity of emotions will purify our actions.  Words will be spoken more deliberately and anger will be replaced with patience."


"The mystery of creation that we see in the season of autumn reminds us that out of death comes life.  A falling leaf enriches the soil for the new sprout of spring.  Dying to self and living with Christ as our priority eternally enriches our lives.  It is the ultimate answer to all life's questions.  And it is the foundation for simplicity."                      Vonette Bright

Surprise!

Paul thrilled me with a wonderful surprise on Thursday!  We took the scenic route and ventured over to North Carolina!!  It was a long winding drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest. 


We stopped for breakfast and then on to our destination for the day...The Biltmore Estate!!  I have always wanted to see this spectacular architectural work of art.  It was a breathtaking day...words cannot describe the splendor of the Biltmore Estate.  The history of the family and the process of the building of the Estate is very interesting in and of itself.  The entry way leads to a a glass-roofed indoor garden.  The central element of the indoor garden is a marble and bronze fountain sculpture, Boy Stealing Geese, by Karl Bitter, a Viennese artist. 


The stone art works are amazing, as well as the tapestries, and the original Renoir and John Singer Sargent paintings.  This is a history lover's dream come true!  And of course, if you happen to be an avid book reader you can linger in the library...which houses 10,000 books from floor to ceiling!!  Among the striking features of the room is a ceiling painting - The Chariot of Aurora, by Venetian artist Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini (1675-1741). This painting was originally located in the ballroom of the Pisani Palace in Venice, the work comprises 13 separate canvases.  The furniture was ornate, solid wood pieces that varied from room to room...beautiful!!  

The mountains are a picturesque backdrop to the stately home and gardens.  We ended the day with a stroll through the gardens and the conservatory which houses many exotic plants and flowers.  What a day!!  I am so blessed to have a husband that knows how to bring joy to my heart!!  He scored some real big points with this excursion!!  

I must admit that after yesterday's theme of simple life and times...it might seem like this visit was the opposite extreme.  I guess in some ways it was...but then again, this family seemed to value the simple things in life: family, home, friends, nature, service, and faith. 

Off the Beaten Path

Paul and I enjoyed a breathtaking drive through the western corner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Wednesday.  The draping tress lined the winding hills with gorgeous red, yellow, and orange leaves.  The fall air was crisp as we approached our destination...Cades Cove.  It is a 4,000 acre valley full of both nature and history.

As we drove the 11 mile loop around the Cove, we were taken back in time to the mid 1800's when life was simpler.  True pioneers filled the Cove and were challenged by the rigors of self-sufficiency.  The first cabin in Cades Cove belonged to John Oliver.  It was hand-built in the early 1820's, using round logs hewn with an ax.  The second cabin belonged to his son, Elijah.  It included several outbuildings, such as a springhouse, a smokehouse, a corn crib, and a barn. 

It truly felt like we had stepped back in time as we hiked the trails and stepped into the cabins and churches.  The Cove was filled with deer, turkey, and various other wild life.  Paul enjoyed the cantilever barns and the grist mill. This is a must see if you are ever in the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge area!!

As we began the journey back to civilization,  I closed my eyes in an effort to place an indelible memory in my mind and heart of this day...a simpler place; a simpler time.

Fall in the Smoky Mountains

Paul and I are taking a trip together for some much needed alone time.  We usually spend a weekend away on our anniversary but this trip will be for the entire week!!  Paul's business is very demanding so we knew that we would have to be out of driving range in order to  relax!!  I am so thankful for this man who has been so faithful and so true.  His very presence brings me strength and peace.  I love just being with him.  So here we are spending time together as a couple and seeking the Lord's direction for our marriage, our family, and our future.

As I stepped out on the balcony of our condo(I tried not to say porch!) my eyes beheld a majestic sight...the beautiful Smoky Mountains!  My mind was racing and these words filled my heart... My God is an awesome God...He reigns, He reigns!