Turkey Bowl Time

Our Thanksgiving celebration includes a touch football game among the cousins that has become a favorite activity for all ages! The Bo-Willie Reunion takes place at Camp Marannook in Alabama, a Christian camp run by Aunt Barbara and Uncle Charles. The families sleep in cabins not far from the lake. There is a football field with lines and a big turkey painted in the grass in the middle. The older uncles have graduated to referees and one rule is that every player gets a turn at carrying the ball. The aunties and grandmothers sit in the non-stands(really a sloping hill with a picnic blanket) and the toddlers take turns rolling down the hill. It is great fun and terrific exercise to fuel the appetite for the big meal!
After a nap, we reassemble to have a family worship time of guitar music, old hymns and testimonies to the LORD's blessing in our lives. These traditions have been going on for over 30 years, but it will be the first since Granny B arrived in heaven. We will all miss her greatly, but continue to welcome many new little lives into our family circle!

Reasons to Be Grateful

King David reminds us in Psalm 103 to "forget not all His benefits." This Thanksgiving season, even if we are in the midst of serious trials, we have much to be thankful for each day. Ask your self, "What has the LORD done for me?"
David reminds us why we should be eternally grateful.
As we delve into His Word we have the answer.
1. He forgives all my sins.
2. He heals all my diseases.
3. He redeems our life from the pit.
4. He crowns our lives with His everlasting love and mercy!
5. He is slow to anger.
6. He is quick with His mercy.
7. He won't try to get even with us.
8. He realizes we are frail and need His strength.
9. He is compassionate to His children.
10.He rules over all!

Fan Letters

I haven't wanted to brag, yet the last fan letter I received changed my mind. It's time to share an exciting letter that our book, EMPTY ARMS has generated.
Ann Caldwell and I have heard from a teenager in Seattle the same week we heard from an older woman from North Carolina. That was encouraging.
But two weeks ago, we opened an e-mail from the Ukraine that was amazing!!
The writer was named Ludmilla, and she wrote "Each woman know deep in the hearts the truth: that it was a baby, my baby..."signed Lyuda with love.
EMPTY ARMS had had a strong impact on her life and her letter made an impact on ours.
Thanks for the response...keep those letters coming, we love it!!!

A Week with Nana

A week ago Thursday we were excited to have our daughter and granddaughter coming to visit us, but in God's providence it did not happen. Needless to say my husband and I were very disappointed but my mother volunteered to fill in the void of the sudden change in plans. My sister, Sally and her husband, Rogers were coming to ballroom dance at the Fall Formal and brought our mother along from Franklin, Tennessee.
My mother, Evelyn Beatrice Holm Johnson is a trouper!!!She is 90 years young and stayed at the party until nearly the end. In recent years she faced a broken hip, the loss of her husband,(my dad) of 66 years and a cracked pelvis, yet she continues to trust the Lord and keep on keeping on. She waltzed with Henry at the dance. She attended several Bible studies, church and Wednesday night prayer group. She beat me in a mean game of canasta. She visited in the homes of two of her grandsons. She even attended a CCS musical production of Fiddler on the Roof that lasted until 10:30 p.m. and thoroughly enjoyed and raved at the great performance!
But the most rewarding moment was when we skyped with our daughter,Tacy and granddaughter, Molly. She is just about 2 years old. I heard Molly use the name my children used for their grandmother, calling her great-grandmother, Nana! It was music to my ears!

Time to Tango

Henry and I joined the St. Elmo Waltz Society last week. It was great fun to brush up on the box step, the promenade step and paddle turn as we spun around the classroom floor, following the lead of our teacher.
Excited to be dancing again Saturday night at the ballroom at the Fairyland Club, we also need to brush up on our tango. We are so pleased to have my younger sister and her husband join us as we twirl around to the sounds of a Big Band called Nashville Daze.