Life and Legacy

What is the value of life…and what will my legacy be when my earthly life is over?

I’ve pondered both questions the last 4 months, as we have buried 2 of my favorite people in the world. Alzheimer’s robbed my Aunt Bibbie, once a concert pianist, of the ability to think, speak, feed herself, and for the last 2 ½ years of her life, the ability to even walk! My “twin” cousin, Susan (their daughter) was an attorney in Orlando, FL. Her eldest brother died in 1981 and her younger brother died about 2-years ago, leaving her my aunt and uncle’s only living child they had. When Alzheimer’s reared its ugly head, Susan moved her parents to Orlando, sold her home and purchased another with them, gave up her law practice and cared full time for them. Aunt Bibbie’s eternal homegoing occurred in April of this year.

By the time Aunt Bibbie died, Uncle Jerry was several years into Alzheimer’s, also. A former Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, this once-in-control-domineering man slipped into full dependency for bathing, eating, dressing…anything that required small or large motor coordination. His mind was also robbed of the ability to think, reason, or remember with a few exceptions. For example, when I drove my mother to my aunt’s funeral in Mississippi, he knew my Mom but had no idea who I was. In fact, Susan shared that he rarely knew who she was. Sadly~ perhaps, and perhaps not~ he did not even seem to comprehend that his “Babe” (mu Aunt Bibbie) had passed away.

On August 10, 2010 Uncle Jerry peacefully breathed his last earthly breath in a Hospice Center in Orlando, Florida. My mom and Susan had just left his room to eat, when they received the call that he had died. Susan lost both parents within 4 months of one another and both brothers preceded her in death! We had a small, but lovely, memorial service in Franklin, KY., where most of the relatives reside. Many cousins, aunts and uncles came whom we had not seen for 20+ years. One brought photo albums filled with pictures of my Mom as a young lady, my grandmother, even photos of Susan and me as babies. It was a small family reunion, of sorts, and a blessed event. Susan’s nephew, David, played the bagpipes at the beginning and end of the service, wearing Uncle Jerry’s full kilt regalia. His last name (my mother’s maiden name) was Gregory, of the clan Gregor of Scotland. Many sweet memories of Uncle Jerry were shared.

My mom and my cousin had written a piece for the pastor to read, briefly summarizing Uncle Jerry’s life in the military, as a husband and a dad, as he had never met my aunt and uncle. The pastor did a marvelous job of sharing the importance of being prepared for eternity NOW! But here’s what struck me: When he finished reading it he said he felt like he did know my uncle. He sensed love, admiration and respect from people of all walks of life for Uncle Jerry. Then he said something to the effect of “I don’t know where he was spiritually; nothing was mentioned in the piece I read”…and suddenly, in my mind’s eye, I saw the dash between his date of birth and date of death, and I wondered where eternity will be for him. Oh, I hope and pray it is in Heaven with my aunt; that’s what my heart wants to believe. Yet, I never heard him talk about God or his salvation. Perhaps it was a very private matter to him…perhaps it wasn’t until he was put in the hospice facility and my mom sat by his bedside reading some of the Bible to him and talking to him about Jesus (even though he did not seem to be cognizant)…truth is, I am not sure.

This I DO know: he was a wonderful man (not perfect), but wonderful…he served our country well and for a long time…he loved his wife and children AND his extended family…all of that is a part of his legacy, all a part of the dash between birth and death. Yet, those accomplishments, those endearments, those good qualities of life are not what gets anyone to Heaven. It is only by a willful decision on the part of each individual to invite Christ into his/her life to be his/her Savior and Lord, relinquishing control to the Heavenly Father, asking for forgiveness of sins and accepting the power of the Holy Spirit within to guide him/her into all righteousness that a person’s salvation is granted and secure and that he/she is heaven bound! It is the one decision that no one can make for another person! It has to come from within and be between a person and the Lord!

So, I ask you—are you prepared? (You may not be “ready”, as in a hurry to get there), but are you prepared? And what will be said of the dash on your headstone between the date of birth and the date of death? It is never too late to change the course…it’s up to you!

Please visit here to read Linda Ellis’ poem entitled “The Dash”

A vacation from my vacation?

Every year since I was born (with one exception) my parents have taken our family (now 15 of us) on an annual vacation. It is the highlight of our year! We have been to Florida numerous times, out west ending in California, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Hawaii; we’ve been on a Caribbean cruise and a Hawaiian cruise; we’ve been to Acapulco many times…We work at least one jigsaw puzzle (someone always manages to “hide” one piece), sunbathe, swim, read, play board games, play Rummy and/or Gin, tell jokes, shop… It is time alone and lots of time together. What a blessed gift my parents have given us~ not so much in where we have gone but in the being together! We spend quality time in the quantity of time away from the routine normalcy of life! No bills to pay! Fewer meals to prepare! No unsolicited phone calls! No house cleaning! No errand running! Little, if any, washing of clothes! Just pure l-a-z-y rest and relaxation! So why is it, then, that often when we return I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation? Could it be a big does of reality hits me and I realize I am back to grocery shopping, meal preparing, house cleaning, errand running, bill paying, clothes washing…my “nor*mal” life? What is “normal”? “Nor” means “not” and “mal” means “bad”….so, then, my NORMAL life is “not bad”! So perhaps my “normal life” is my vacation from the annual vacation; and maybe the annual vacation is vacation from my normal life? This is so confusing, I’m even confused! Just enjoy some photos, then…

Blessed yet stressed…and then some!

Haven’t blogged in a long while for various and sundry reasons, most of which I will not bore you with. I went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic; home for 2 ½ days; then on family vacation (all 15 of us!) to West Palm Beach; home and preparing for school to begin on the 17th; my dear Uncle is at the point of death in Florida…stressed, yet blessed!

Have you ever been to the point of desiring to blog, having many things to say, yet the creativity ebbs and flows…and at times seems to have disappeared?! Well, that’s me of late! I coulda, shoulda, oughta, wanna…but it just doesn’t happen! I cannot even really honestly say, “I’m back!” ‘cuz I don’t know if this is the beginning of more regular blogging or if this is merely a dash between moments! Please stay tuned, and see what happens…

Returning for the 8th year in a row to Santiago, Dominican Republic with a team of 27 folks from our church was nothing short of a HUGE blessing! I am “at home” in the DR; a big part of my heart stays there each time I leave; and I am in utter awe at the goodness of our Lord for and with the Dominican people! His Word is going forth in word and deed in that place~ we proclaim His goodness in going and serving them and they proclaim His goodness in the way they live their lives with the joy of the Lord oozing from their pores! To serve alongside, worship with, and “do life” with those of differing skin tones, different cultural styles, different socio-economic levels is but a glimpse of what Heaven will be…and it blesses me to the very core of my being!










Our day to de-brief and re-group for our return back to the States was spent at the beach. In spite of heavy rain showers, we shopped, snorkeled, sunbathed, and reflected on our week of team building and community sharing. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!





Tomorrow: Family vacation

Book Review of same kind of different As me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent

(This book is a must read for everyone! Please get your copy now!!!)


What could possibly bind a slave of modern day and an international art dealer~polar opposites in socio-economic status and race~together in a lifelong friendship of unconditional love? A woman with big ideas and dreams and gusto to match! Deborah Hall, wife of a wealthy upscale art dealer, was the glue that bound Denver and “Mr. Ron” Hall together in a most touching story of forgiveness, healing and love! In her life and in her death, Deborah determines to break down racial barriers and to unite people from all walks of life in peace. This story, written from the personal experience and perspective of both Ron Hall and Denver Moore, is filled with opposed themes that parallel life across America today~ rich vs. poor, single vs. married, black vs. white, life in upper class society vs. homelessness. Because of the determination and grit of Deborah Hall in bringing her husband alongside her valiant efforts to change the stigma associated with homelessness, lives are radically changed from a destination of poverty to a life of hope, power and abiding love! This compelling true story created a tension within my soul leaving me no choice but to find personal application. I laughed; I cried; I pitied and rejoiced; and by the close of the book I determined to not let this book just be a good read; rather, I must see others less fortunate that me through the eyes of God, and treat them as I want to be treated. same kind of different As me renewed my confidence in the American spirit of life, liberty and love for all mankind. It motivated me to see the needs in my own community and to determine to do my part to break down racial walls. From a plantation in Louisiana to a Hollywood home and New York art gallery, friendship between the forgotten and the affluent is formed by the power of God and the relentless faith and love of one woman! Not only do I recommend that everyone read this book, I feel it should be required reading in schools all across America (if not the world) as a testimony of the existence of racism and the potential for peace if racism were eradicated!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from
Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review
bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review.
The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in
accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 :
“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Making a comeback...

...real soon! Been on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic and cannot wait to blog about it! Stay tuned....

Esssentials for Life~Your Back-to-Basics Guide to What Matters Most Book Review

Remember elementary school days of reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic? The foundational elements of education revolve around those basic concepts. If those basics are not mastered, the ability to comprehend other more difficult subjects is compromised. Our education begins, then, with the simple and basic essentials on which other, more intensive concepts, build. In Essentials for Life Marcia Ford reminds Christians of the fundamental principles of our faith. In the “busy-ness” of every day life, with distractions all around us and many demands for our time and attention, it is easy to push time in God’s Word, growing in our faith and understanding, to the back burner. Bible study and prayer can even become obligatory and not from a heart yearning to draw closer to the Creator of the Universe. Ford reins us back into the basics of our salvation, with 50 topics including: answering the big questions, seeking the truth about Jesus, grasping the impact of the Resurrection, discovering who the Holy Spirit really is, surveying what Christianity claims and why we believe what we believe, developing a Biblical worldview, how to study the Bible, facing the future fearlessly, having grace and compassion for others, etc. Each section within a topic includes Scripture passages, quotes from Biblical scholars, practical application tips…and ends with a section entitled “what’s essential”, with a summary and suggested do’s and don’ts.
‘“The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief”.
T.S. Eliot

…Many Christians are afraid to defend the very concepts that are foundational to true Christianity out of fear that they may offend someone and come across intolerant; defending the faith without appearing to be unloving and arrogant is in fact an uphill battle for contemporary Christians” (p. 40).

Marcia Ford penned this treasured book in an easy-to-read fashion, applicable to seasoned believers, to those who have strayed away from their faith, and to those are not Christians but perhaps are seeking basic information about the Christian faith. Each chapter stands independently, allowing the reader to move around within the book. The essential and practical tools covered in Essentials for Life will draw the reader closer to God, shoring up the foundation on which a life in Christ begins.

“To fully embrace Christianity is to reject the basis of other faiths. As with the question of the divinity of Christ, there really is no middle ground here; Christ is either the son of God or a
fraud, and Christianity is either a unique expression of faith based on a relationship or just one of many other religions, utterly without distinction” (p. 41).

I highly recommend this book to anyone desiring to renew their commitment to Christ…to those who feel stuck in a spiritual rut…to those who don’t know Christ personally…and to those who are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a dying world---and that is all of us! Purchase your copy, or 2, or 10 now!!!

Treasures and the heart

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:21; Luke 12:34)

As a child I loved going on treasure hunts! The anticipation of finding something first and/or discovering something no one else had made my tummy flutter with excitement! Today I still enjoy treasure hunting at garage sales, antique and junk stores, and estate sales. I love saving money and finding bargains; the exhilaration of stumbling across something I genuinely need at a bargain price is priceless! I recently found the treasure below in an antique store attached to the tea room where my Mom, friend Linda, her Mom and I met for lunch. Perusing the shop after a delectable lunch was my exercise program for that day! Toot! Toot!



I have been in a “retro” season of décor for my kitchen, and have looked often at these type tables. It takes me back to my early days spent with grandparents and great grandparents on the farm, hand-milking cows, checking the chicken coop for eggs, and running around barefoot in freshly cut grass! When I saw this table and chairs it felt like home. My mom blessed us with the table for our anniversary and I purchased its coordinating chairs! LOVE IT!

Our church is in a series based on 1 Timothy 6: 17-19: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” There are astounding statistics about rich vs. poor, how they live their lives and spend their money. Here is a stat for you: Many of the people sitting in a congregation on any given Sunday morning are in the top 4-5% of wage earners in this country. Read that again! You may be rich and not even know it! Another statistic: In America, the more money a person has the lower the percentage of their income they give away. Did you grasp that? The poor of our country are typically more generous with what they have than those with money, fame, and ‘stuff” galore! Our pastor said that “in our culture, we equate ‘busy-ness’ with significance”. In other words, if I am working constantly for my church, giving to others, serving on committees, tithing, and organizing VBS, etc. I am significant/important/valued by God, correct? Is that the God of the Universe who created us in His image and for His pleasure? The reality is that we can’t do enough to earn His love; we cannot do too little to make His loves less. “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so”. My busy-ness means nothing to Him unless I am being obedient to His call on my life. He would rather I do NOTHING for Him and be in a deep, abiding, personal relationship with Him, than He would desire me to be busy all the time “for Him”. “You can be rich in busy-ness yet bankrupt in good deeds!” (Justin Davis)

Jesus said that it is easier for the poor to have faith in God, because the rich always have something competing for their attention. There are trips to be taken, houses to be built and purchased, elegant expensive cars to drive, and parties to attend…distractions from things of God. Jesus never indicates that there is anything immoral or wrong about being wealthy. Many people work very hard, resulting in great wealth; some are blessed with an inheritance of large sums of money…it is what many of those people DO with their wealth that can be right or wrong, according to Scripture. Verse 18 of 1 Timothy 6 says to “command them (those rich in this present world) to do good, to be RICH in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share”. One last stat: The people who give the highest percentage of their money away live below the poverty level”. I don’t know why that shocks me, but it does. Why is it so? Greed, I suppose! Pastor Justin Davis reminded me that because “I have more I should do more and give more!” MORE…not less…not the leftovers. When you invite guests to dinner, you don’t serve leftovers; you work diligently to prepare a special meal to honor your guests. Why, then, should we expect God to be satisfied with our leftovers?

The questions to ponder then are these: Do you obtain your identity fully from your relationship with Christ, or is it attained through money and/or stuff? Will money and stuff bring you peace of mind? If not, are you getting, getting, and getting some more, rather than giving, giving, and giving again? See, our stuff will not go with us when we leave this earth! What WILL go with us for eternity are the treasures of relationships, the treasures of Heavenly things learned, the treasure of knowing Christ ‘on earth as it is in Heaven”. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also”. Matt. 6: 19-21

I DO love my cute little retro kitchen table and chairs…I am slowly trying to purge of much unnecessary stuff…and I AM rich~in God’s mercy, His forgiveness, His grace and His love! Glory be to God!