There is an old song with the words, "Life is filled with swift transition." This weekend, I really believe it. My baby turned 40 years old! He was once a crying, red-haired baby in a crib at Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene. Born about 6:00 on November 15, he was a joy from the beginning. Now he is a handsome red-haired robust, chariasmatic man full of fun and life. I knew him when he would eat only raw oatmeal (straight from the packet) and sugar for breakfast. Now he loves Mexican food, Sheryl's pasta salad and my lasagna. I knew him when he raised a champion Hampshire pig named Wilbur; now he is raising (rearing) three beautiful children named Maddie, Ella and Sam. I knew him when he was the drum major of the local Wylie High School Band--we followed him everywhere and loved it. Now he is the drum major for many cruise ship performers who come to Nashville to be trained for performing on the sea.
I knew him when he sang to his father from the Sing-Song stage at ACU; now he tells his children "Poppy" stories, and they can't wait to meet Poppy in heaven. I knew him when he came into Moody Coliseum to tell me that he wasn't going to graduate school, but rather had auditioned at Six Flags Over Texas and was going to perform there. Now he trains others to perform. I knew him when he dyed his hair, wore a spangled vest without a shirt and sang as the major male perfomer on a Norwegian cruise ship; now he enjoys wearing fancy shirts in the Nashville tradition--I can no longer go to the Ralph Lauren section Dillards and buy him a shirt. I knew him when he traveled and performed in several ACU groups and recruited for the school. Now he travels and leads the Zoe Group as they inspire and lead thousands of people to worship.
Some of these transitions held joy and pain, but for me they were mostly times of great fun, joy and praise. I am so proud to be the mother of Brandon Scott Thomas, and I await more days of transition and exultation as I continue to watch him grow in the Lord.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Swift Sells Out
Anyone who watched the first Taylor Swift number on the CMA Awards last night knew immediately that she is striving to project a new image. I think it is very sad and an appalling commentary on our society when a young girl has to sexualize her image just to sell her music. Swift was just fine before--after all--she did win the Award!
I hope her fans rise up and protest!
I hope her fans rise up and protest!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Where is October?
Today is the 3rd of November! Where did October go? I don't remember it passing so fast last year--Sadly, the leaves on the trees here are dropping like confetti on a parade. The wind expected this afternoon will finish some of them off. We have had glorious color thanks to all the rain--You can't see anything in Vermont and Maine to equal Tennessee in the fall. I love it!
I had more trick or treaters than ever before--so many beautiful little princesses and tough Spider Men. It was refreshing to see moms and dads sheparding their little ones from house to house--and some young couples making it a fun night together.
I am loving teaching the ladies' class on Tuesdays. I am trying to persuade them to write their spiritual autobiographies. One of the things I love about teaching is looking out at the listeners and seeing that some of them are connecting with what I say. That look is priceless to a teacher. I was amazed to see how the hymn "Find Us Faithful" has fit so well with our study. It and Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing ("here I raise my Ebeneezer" [raise my memories])have become our theme songs for the series. I'm going to try Precious Memories next week--I don't know how well it will do considering that we connnect it with funerals.
I attended a precious funeral yesterday--the mother of our Doug Sanders. Her name was Ladye Frank Sanders--don't you love it?
Instead of flowers, she asked that her casket be covered with a beautiful old quilt made for her by her great-grandmother and specified that the quilt be left for Mrs. Sanders' first great-grandchild to carry on the tradition. Love traditions like that!
I had more trick or treaters than ever before--so many beautiful little princesses and tough Spider Men. It was refreshing to see moms and dads sheparding their little ones from house to house--and some young couples making it a fun night together.
I am loving teaching the ladies' class on Tuesdays. I am trying to persuade them to write their spiritual autobiographies. One of the things I love about teaching is looking out at the listeners and seeing that some of them are connecting with what I say. That look is priceless to a teacher. I was amazed to see how the hymn "Find Us Faithful" has fit so well with our study. It and Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing ("here I raise my Ebeneezer" [raise my memories])have become our theme songs for the series. I'm going to try Precious Memories next week--I don't know how well it will do considering that we connnect it with funerals.
I attended a precious funeral yesterday--the mother of our Doug Sanders. Her name was Ladye Frank Sanders--don't you love it?
Instead of flowers, she asked that her casket be covered with a beautiful old quilt made for her by her great-grandmother and specified that the quilt be left for Mrs. Sanders' first great-grandchild to carry on the tradition. Love traditions like that!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A Tender Tennessee Christmas
It was a joy on Monday night to attend a taping of a Christmas show featuring Amy Grant. It made me want to get out my Christmas CD's early (I usually get them out Nov. 1 anyway). Taped for the Armed Forces Network and to be played for military people all over the world during the holiday, the show was geared to them naturally.
The Air Force Strings and the Air Force Band was there, as well as Take 6. Amy's duo of Breath of God with Take 6 was "breath-taking". There was Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, and other good ones as well as an unexpected duet with conga drums and a bagpipe. Different.
Thanks Babe for the ticket--what fun!
The Air Force Strings and the Air Force Band was there, as well as Take 6. Amy's duo of Breath of God with Take 6 was "breath-taking". There was Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, and other good ones as well as an unexpected duet with conga drums and a bagpipe. Different.
Thanks Babe for the ticket--what fun!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Trunk or treat
One of the more pleasant things about the up-coming holiday is the new tradition of trunk or treat. You simply back up your car in the church parking lot, install candy, and the children come in droves.
Last night Otter hosted one of the biggest of its history on Franklin Road. So many cute little Cinderellas and super-heroes running around. Of course, Sheryl made the kids' costumes--different and unique. Maddie was Bat Woman, Sam was a proud Shark Boy and Ella was a very cute and stylish car hop. Sheryl, however, was the hit of the evening dressed like Luci Arnez--red hair, big lips and all. I did not even know her at first. What fun!
I decided to add oranges to my selections this year--they were cheap at Publix and they were a big hit as an alternative to all that chocolate.
Last night Otter hosted one of the biggest of its history on Franklin Road. So many cute little Cinderellas and super-heroes running around. Of course, Sheryl made the kids' costumes--different and unique. Maddie was Bat Woman, Sam was a proud Shark Boy and Ella was a very cute and stylish car hop. Sheryl, however, was the hit of the evening dressed like Luci Arnez--red hair, big lips and all. I did not even know her at first. What fun!
I decided to add oranges to my selections this year--they were cheap at Publix and they were a big hit as an alternative to all that chocolate.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Remembering
Eighteen years ago last night just before midnight, a large group of people, Brandon and I were sitting on the fifth floor of Hendrick Memorial Hospital listening to the last breath of my huband Sam. He had fought a valiant 8year fight with prostate cancer, and it had won.
Although the mood was somber, we couldn't help but tell some Sam Thomas stories. Sam was a notorious prankster. After he became a principal, there was the story about his interview with a prospective, newly graduated teacher. Seems she had slipped her shoes off during the interview, and he had somehow manuevered to get them under his desk. When the interview was over, the woman realized she couldn't find her shoes. She was embarrased to ask, so just started walking toward the door barefoot, until Sam confessed and rescued her. She got the job.
His favorite thing to do was to put plastic bugs or snakes in the mail boxes of unsuspecting teachers (it didn't take long for them to catch on). The teachers could always look for candy in their mailboxes on Monday and many times there would be a personal note of encouragement, as well.
He loved stealing lunches of his teaching buddies and putting paper in the sandwich and then returning the lunch to its proper place. If we had guests for dinner, a large ugly plastic fly would find its way to the bottom of the ice tea glass, or a plastic piece of cheese would be placed among the other pieces. I couldn't do much about his propensity for fun--I loved it.
Even after all these years, I miss his sense of fun and his warmth. Love you, Sam!
Although the mood was somber, we couldn't help but tell some Sam Thomas stories. Sam was a notorious prankster. After he became a principal, there was the story about his interview with a prospective, newly graduated teacher. Seems she had slipped her shoes off during the interview, and he had somehow manuevered to get them under his desk. When the interview was over, the woman realized she couldn't find her shoes. She was embarrased to ask, so just started walking toward the door barefoot, until Sam confessed and rescued her. She got the job.
His favorite thing to do was to put plastic bugs or snakes in the mail boxes of unsuspecting teachers (it didn't take long for them to catch on). The teachers could always look for candy in their mailboxes on Monday and many times there would be a personal note of encouragement, as well.
He loved stealing lunches of his teaching buddies and putting paper in the sandwich and then returning the lunch to its proper place. If we had guests for dinner, a large ugly plastic fly would find its way to the bottom of the ice tea glass, or a plastic piece of cheese would be placed among the other pieces. I couldn't do much about his propensity for fun--I loved it.
Even after all these years, I miss his sense of fun and his warmth. Love you, Sam!
Monday, October 12, 2009
This and that
It has been a long time since I last blogged--got bogged down in company, conferences and everyday life.
The Zoe Conference was the first weekend of this month--excellent as always--except for the main speaker whom I shall not name--He reminded me of the "evangelists" who would visit my home church every summer equipped with a huge easel of flip charts showing everything from the items in the tabernacle to the placement of hell, paradise and gehenna. I think the same thought as I did then--Who cares??? Relevancy has taken over in our hearts and minds and the symbolic meaning of items in the tabernacle simply do not cut it when persons are faced with economic disaster, death, and addiction. Mike Cope, Randy Harris, and others did a fine job of inspiring us. It was wonderful to praise again with the Zoe Group.
If you don't have the new Zoe CD, go to the Zoe website and order one--it is one of the best!
I enjoyed having Sally Gary for a few days during the conference. We adopted her when she was Brandon's teacher at Wylie High School.
The most unpleasant thing that has happened to me recently has been bank fraud--someone went into my account on Oct. 2 and Oct. 9 and got all but $3.00. So if you do not check your bank account frequently, this is a word to the wise. The Bank of America assures me the money will be back in my account soon--I have changed banks.
Fall has come to us, and the weather couldn't be more wonderful--60 degrees with the leaves already turning and falling. Gorgeous!
Right now, I am spending a lot of time getting ready to teach Ladies' Bible Class beginning the 27th. I will be giving them a shortened version of my seminar on Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography. I am downplaying the term "writing" and using instead "compiling". People begin to back away from you when writing is mentioned. Harks back to those days when we received our essays back covered with red chicken scratching , and terms like "Awkward", "Wrong tense", and 'Incomplete sentence".
The Zoe Conference was the first weekend of this month--excellent as always--except for the main speaker whom I shall not name--He reminded me of the "evangelists" who would visit my home church every summer equipped with a huge easel of flip charts showing everything from the items in the tabernacle to the placement of hell, paradise and gehenna. I think the same thought as I did then--Who cares??? Relevancy has taken over in our hearts and minds and the symbolic meaning of items in the tabernacle simply do not cut it when persons are faced with economic disaster, death, and addiction. Mike Cope, Randy Harris, and others did a fine job of inspiring us. It was wonderful to praise again with the Zoe Group.
If you don't have the new Zoe CD, go to the Zoe website and order one--it is one of the best!
I enjoyed having Sally Gary for a few days during the conference. We adopted her when she was Brandon's teacher at Wylie High School.
The most unpleasant thing that has happened to me recently has been bank fraud--someone went into my account on Oct. 2 and Oct. 9 and got all but $3.00. So if you do not check your bank account frequently, this is a word to the wise. The Bank of America assures me the money will be back in my account soon--I have changed banks.
Fall has come to us, and the weather couldn't be more wonderful--60 degrees with the leaves already turning and falling. Gorgeous!
Right now, I am spending a lot of time getting ready to teach Ladies' Bible Class beginning the 27th. I will be giving them a shortened version of my seminar on Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography. I am downplaying the term "writing" and using instead "compiling". People begin to back away from you when writing is mentioned. Harks back to those days when we received our essays back covered with red chicken scratching , and terms like "Awkward", "Wrong tense", and 'Incomplete sentence".
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