Well, I went to a old timey homecoming today . It is a lovely, one room church WITH NO INDOOR PLUMBING, back in the middle of nowhere. This little church has services once a year for this special event. I think back a few years ago, my mama and daddy had to bribe me to go anywhere it seemed. Well, with them that is. I remember well not being allowed to go to the Drive-Inn on Sunday night unless I went to Sunday night church first. I can't begin to tell you one single thing any preacher said during that time....however the lesson was not lost! Ralph and Pat knew just what they were doing. They knew me! Parents just crack me up these days.Or maybe word is"frustrate" me! I have heard many times ,especially mom's , compare parenting skills. "I don't do that" or "I should do that if such and such does" LADIES....when will we stop looking around and look UP! God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave each child to each set of parents. My dear friend,andprayer partenerealized , long ago that what worked for her kids and what worked for mine in discipline , and many other approches to life, were totally different. I know that God says each are "fearfully and wonderfully made" and I know He wired Hank and I just as he wired Kati, Marykelli, and Walt to match and be a perfect fit.Are there any perfect parents, HEAVENS NO!!!! Unfortunately, God did not give us an instruction book with them, or did He? I think He did. Yes, each of us, and our children have free will....but He is there to guide us through. Hank and I married when we were 17 and 18.(NOT RECOMENDED) I'd never been around a baby ever! I gave my life to the Lord at 19. Begged Him to help me be a good mommy. Don't know what "good"is or just what I meant, but He never left me. When you seek, you find! God has blessed Hank and I and 25 years later, we are blessed beyond what we ever imagined with our little family.(which now includes a 3 year old granddaughter named Rivers) Even though they didn't , and don't, always get why we do certain things, and yes, occationally bribery is involved, they do it anyway. Our only prayer is that in their free will, they always see the why.....because of Jesus. Not what anyone thinks, says, or anything like that....but just about Jesus. Not a religion or rule keeping....but a relationship. Oh, my poor little Mama and Daddy were so worn out by the time I was 17, God knew I needed Anne Harrington at that time. Well, the MAJOR blessing of my inlaws will be an entire other story...so, I just want to thank God for this special time with my family today in that little tiny church in the woods. But today, I mainly want to just thank Him and praise Him for wiring Pat and Ralph Thomas up for me!!!! They were , and still are, THE BEST!!!! When I didn't know how to be a parent, God just spoke His Word into my life, and looking back, I naturally longed for the Christian home I grew up in! I'll be sharing some of my teen adventures and you will probably see a little why my parents were worn out....but oh, thanks God for the LOVE they lavished on me! Now, they don't even have to ask if I'll go with them, I ask them can I go!!! Know what, they always say yes! I just love them!

That's all for now,
LO