Class of 83 Reunion

POOR JERRY PAUL. WE HADN'T BEEN THERE 10 MIN.

& SOMEBODY, NOT MENTIONING ANY NAMES, ALAN,

PUT THIS STICKER ON HIS BACK!

THE GIRLS

JEFF & DON

As I travel on life's pathway,

Know not what the years may hold;

As I ponder, hope grows fonder,

Precious memories flood my soul.

Precious memories, how they linger,

How they ever flood my soul;

In the stillness of the midnight,

Precious, sacred scenes unfold.

LIESA & ANGIE

TERRI, PAUL REX, TONY, & TOMMY (HUSBAND OF FRANCES)

THE ELEMENTARY LIBRARY IS IN A DIFFERENT
BUILDING, BUT THESE SAME PIC'S OF PRESIDENTS WERE
ON THE WALL IN OUR LIBRARY WHEN WE WERE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

BEAUTIFUL CAKE AND DELICIOUS FOOD

THE WHOLE GANG!

GINA & HUSBAND

RANDY & ALAN DISCUSSING THE ANNUAL

SHEILA & HUSBAND

ANDREA & LIESA

PAUL REX & WIFE WITH MRS. GREENE

DARREL & WIFE

RANDY, DEBBIE, LIESA, JEFFERY, & FRANCES

DAVID, JERRY PAUL, ANGIE

RANDY & WIFE

MRS. GREENE
FRANCES

TONY
DON

LISA
JEFFERY
DEBBIE

TERRY & WIFE

COUSINS: JEFFERY & BETTY
I HAD NOT SEEN BETTY SINCE WE GRADUATED.

I WAS OVERJOYED TO SEE MY DEAR FRIEND.

LIESA & BETTY

Today was the day; my 25th class reunion. I've thought about it every single day for almost 2 months and now it's just a memory. I am so thankful I got to attend.

The officers did a great job decorating and planning. Thank you Jeffery, Gina, Lisa, Tony, Alicia, and Jeff.

We met at the new cafeteria at Belmont School. As soon as I walked in, it was like stepping back in time. No one seemed awkward or uncomfortable. It was like going home. We just picked right up where we had left off a quarter of a century ago. Alicia and Terri took us all on a tour of the school. They have built a new high school since we graduated. We went to what is now the middle school, which was the high school when we were there. My mind was just flooded with memories as we walked the halls and went into some of the rooms. We would name each teacher as we'd get to their room.

One of the guys said, "Right over there is where I got my first paddling." He pointed outside the door of his second grade classroom. Of course, it's funny now!

Even the smells were the same. A couple of us was commenting at the same time about how the gym and the school still smelled the same. That is so amazing.

One of the ladies is already a grandmother and one of the guys will be a grandfather in December. That is unreal! And it's funny because at the other reunions we've had, we would stand and tell where we worked, etc., you know, give our titles and that kind of thing, and this time, it was more reminiscing of the times we had at Belmont school. Titles, prestige, and popularity were put on hold for the evening and we just celebrated our precious years together and our wonderful friendships.

This journey of life is so peculiar. We feel like the seasons of our life will last forever and then we look around, it's past, and another is upon us. My wish is that each of my classmates would know that this gal loves them and is so thankful and grateful to have shared with each and everyone one of you the journey down the halls and in the classrooms, in the gym, on the playground, in the library, in the bleachers at football and basketball games, and everywhere else the years took us. You wouldn't have missed a thing had you never met me,

but I pray that each of you have a personal relationship with Jesus. If you don't know Him, you've missed everything. I want to stroll over heaven with you!

GOD BLESS THE BELMONT CLASS OF 83-MY PRECIOUS CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS!

BELMONT CLASS OF '83

Tomorrow afternoon is the day I've looked forward to for probably around 6 wks now; my 25th class reunion. I will admit, I'm very... ummmm, whats the word? nervous, anxious, ... well, anyway....I am excited about it, even a little sad, yes, I'm sooo melancholy. 25 years have just passed by so quickly. These are some of the first very important people in my life that were such a big part of 12 years of my life, some even longer than 12 years. I see some of them from time to time. But, what about the ones I haven't seen in years? What will they look like, what will their interests be, etc.? Tomorrow at 4 p.m. will tell the tale, I guess. I hope lots of the class will be there. We may never get to meet like this again. Everyone is scattered about with their own lives. We've been so blessed to not have lost anyone in the last 25 years; that is a rarity.
I'm finding myself very emotional over the whole thing. I just hope I can find the words to tell them how special they are to me and sincerely from my heart, I love each and every one of them. I hope I don't cry. If you are reading this, you are probably rolling your eyes at me.
The Class of 83 was a great bunch of folks, a close class of people. I took care of the white hair this week, couldn't seem to lose the much needed 20 to 30 pounds this week! lol.
I will post hopefully tomorrow night or Sunday about the blessed event!

Supper/Tater-Topped Casserole

I finally cooked this new recipe (new to me) last night.
I made the casserole and served it with buttered french bread and tea. That was it!
We ate all but one helping of it. My bunch probably won't beg for it again, but they seemed to like it pretty well. I loved it, of course, as most of you know, I love most anything.
Here's the recipe, it really was very tasty and good.
I do recommend it although there was sarcasm up above.

TATER TOPPED CASSEROLE
(or as one blogger said, NOT casserole)

Brown 1 pound ground beef with a small chopped onion, drain.
Spoon this in a dish, they said an 8 inch square dish, I used a round deeper dish.
Mix 1 can of cream of mushroom and 1/4 cup of milk together and pour over meat.
Top that with either a can of veg-all, or a cup of frozen mixed veggies.
Spread 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top, then place 1/2 a bag of tater tots on the very top. Bake 45 min. at 375. I would have loved the veg all, but my bunch isn't crazy about green beans, so I used a can of carrots and a can of whole kernel corn instead.
ENJOY!

THE MOUSE

Ok, I haven't posted anything since Sun. night. Scot has ask me each night this week, "Did you BLOG today?" (He reads it usually every day. I don't know if it's because he actually enjoys it, or if he's just trying to stay ahead of Randy at work! ha.) And the answer each time has been, "No, I really didn't have anything to blog about." Well, I do today!!! Some of my friends have commented on how positive and encouraging my posts are, and I have vowed to try to keep it that way. But, today is not really positive or encouraging; neither is it negative or discouraging. It's just life lately!
I normally would not have even mentioned what I'm going to tell you cause I have this fear of being a bad housekeeper, etc. and I sure don't want anyone to think I'm nasty. One of my friends who I know is very clean and a good housekeeper had this same problem a couple of weeks ago, so that made me feel better about this problem I have. (Thanks R.)
Here goes it: I can hardly bare to even say it:
I opened up a kitchen cabinet last night and 2 beaty eyes were staring at me, yes, WE HAVE A MOUSE! And it's not MICKEY! You have to understand the reason this is so devastating and so blog-worthy to me is as far as I know, we haven't had a MOUSE since we lived in an old trailor 18 years ago! Of course, when Mr. Mouse and I met last night, I let out a nice loud scream(NOT BECAUSE I WAS SO GLAD HE WAS HERE EITHER), and running to my rescue was Scot and Cale. Noelle is deathly afraid of mice.
She is as afraid of mice as I am of snakes. It's serious!!! They asked me 2 or 3 times what was wrong before I could even get the word MOUSE out of my mouth! Just couldn't hardly say it!
So, Noelle is sitting Indian style on top of the bar and I'm perched up there with her watching the guys hunt the MOUSE! You can tell we weren't expecting this visitor and this is a totally new experience to us. It was not just me and Noelle scramming around. Scot put on his shoes, grabbed his keys, and headed out the door. I asked where he was going and his reply was "Somewhere to get a mouse-trap." Now, it is major when Scot jumps in the vehicle and goes off to Wal-Mart after 8 o'clock at night. He is usually nicely settled into his recliner by then.
He came home with not one, but FOUR traps.
I pray for the little visitor. I pray he'll find a trap!!!!
I want him to find it soon so I can do some major cleaning in the cabinet. Oh, and by the way,
the MOUSE does have good taste. He had found a mini-butterfinger bar! And No, the bar was not just laying around lost. It was tucked nicely inside my candy bucket with it's friends the Paydays and other Butterfinger buddies. Thanks MR. MOUSE for making me have to throw away the entire bucket of good eatin'. I guess you were helping me with my hips!
I'll let you know the rest of the story as it develops or ends, hopefully the latter.
I wonder if Wal-Mart has anymore traps!

XC Meet

The Spartans ran in a XC meet yesterday at Tippah Lake in Ripley.
First of all, the scenery was just gorgous! One of the prettiest parks I've ever seen. The course was rough, or so the runners said. It was pretty hilly! The team did great as always. After the race, some of the spartans and their families pic-nicked in a shade at the park. We all had a very nice time eating and fellowshipping. The kids all played ultimate frisbee and most of them ended up jumping in the lake! The sad thing about yesterday is I forgot my camera. David sent me some pic's of Cale.

GIFTS FROM MICHAEL, AMY, & JT

Amy, JT, & Michael Lentz

Michael, Amy, and JT Lentz gave me the beautiful church bird house and gave Scot the cutting board for Pastor Appreciation. Michael built both of the gifts. Michael is very talented in wood working and builds some gorgous lawn furniture, gun cabinets, etc. I collect churches and houses, so the bird house was just perfect for me. He told me I could put it inside or outside, but I assured him it would stay in the house so I could keep it forever. Scot has wanted a bigger cutting board to cut up deer meat on.

Sometimes being in the ministry can be lonely, tiring, and I know I catch myself asking sometimes if it's even worth it. Of course the answer is always a great big yes, but we are only human, and we need encouraging every now and then. Thank you Michael, Amy, and JT for being so thoughtful and so encouraging. God used you to be a blessing to us. We love your family and can't wait for little "Georgia" to get here in Jan.

(Amy is expecting their first daughter in Jan. I call her Georgia. That is not the name they have chosen! JT says her name is to be Caitlin (with a C) Brown Lentz. Mom said thats not her name either! ha.)

God is so very good to us!

HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY BRANDON

Noelle, Brandon, & Cale, playing Phase 10

Happy Birthday B Man

Concentrate! The weekly chess game.

Our dear friend Brandon Lee Jones celebrates his 25th birthday tomorrow, Oct. 13.

He is such a good friend to Cale, and we all enjoy having him in our home from time

to time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY B MAN!

My Scot

SCOT, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 197?

CUTE AS A BUTTON!!!
SCOTTY WAYNE GEORGE
CLASS OF 84
RED BAY HIGH SCHOOL

SCOT BEHIND THE PULPIT
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH, SPRING 1998

HANDSOME AS ALWAYS


SCOT WITH BABY CALE AND FOUR
YEAR OLD NOELLE.


HE'S A WONDERFUL DADDY!

SCOT AND I AFTER OUR BRIDAL SHOWER,

MAY, 1985

SCOT AND I, SPRING 2004

HAPPY 25TH ANNIVERSARY

My bestest friend in the whole world and her dear husband David, who is also my friend celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary Wed., Oct. 8th.
They had a beautiful wedding. Kathy and I have been friends since I was 15 years old, which was several years ago. She has been true-blue, and I'm so thankful for her and her family.

Happy Anniversary David and Kathy!!!!

I wish you many many more!

My Amusements

Yaay-I'm excited. I checked my blog views and it has been viewed 100 times as of 4:33 p.m. today! I know there are people I know who blog, but I don't know they blog: did you get that? Anyway....Blogging is a blessing to me, and so is reading other blogs. I get tickled sometimes when I read others posts. For instance, the other day I was looking at 2 different womens posts for that day, and one of them was all excited because she was buying makeup, etc.
The other lady was saying how we should just look natural and just carefully enhance our faces.
(foundation for blemishes, powder for shine) But thats the good thing about blogging, to each, their own! I read the post about the lady being excited to buy new makeup first, and I was thinking, Oh wow, I sure could use some new makeup, and then I read the post where the lady said that God made us beautiful and we should wear a minimum amount of makeup, and that if God wanted us to have "red" lips, we would have been born with "red" lips, and so my Mary Kay order sort of vanished! ha. The second lady saved me some money! ha.
Now, in no way, shape, or form am I suggesting that the lady that is purchasing the makeup is going to doll up like a Jezebel or anything. I think I can tell just by reading her other posts that she is not like that. I just found it amusing as to how we all differ, and it was just sort of funny to me that I read both posts at the same sitting. Both ladies have been a blessing to me in their blogs.
As for the makeup, I have been a faithful makeup shopper and wearer for 30 years. I used to would not open the door or even go to the mailbox without it; and Scot and I were probably married close to a year before he ever saw me with a complete "makeup-less" face. (don't you just love the words I come up with! lol.) but I've certainly mellowed on that
issue. I do like makeup though, but try not to look like a floozy! (Did I spell that right?!)

See, I told ya'll it's exciting livin' in my brain! lol.

Angels, Godliness, & Words

Scot taught on Angels tonight at church.
I enjoyed the study very much. The verses he gave us were so encouraging and uplifting.
Just to think that God gives angels charge over us. There's no tellings how many times we are kept from harm by God putting an angel between us and the danger. In Daniel, God sent an angel to shut the lions mouth. Wow!
We talked about the angels Michael and Gabriel, seraphims, & cherubs. He said angels are sent as messengers and guardians. The angels mentioned in the Bible are masculine form.
Other verses used:
Gen. 16:7, I Cor. 15:39, Ps. 148:1-2, 5,
Zech. 1:9, Matt. 1:20 and 24, Matt. 2:13 and 19,
Ps. 91:11, Dan. 8:16, Dan. 9:21,
Dan. 10:13 and 21, Dan. 12:1, I Thes. 4:16, Jude 9,
Jude 6, Is. 6:1-3 and 6, Ezek. 1:5, Ps. 34:7, Dan. 6:22, Heb. 13:2, Matt. 25:34

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I've been reading A Woman's High Calling by Elizabeth George. Today, I read about Godly speech and personal discipline.
How to follow our calling to godliness:
(from pages 18-22)
1. Pray- Prayer will most definately affect our behavior.
2. Purpose- to be more aware of God's presence.
3. Praise the Lord
4. And Praise Him some more
5. Pick a point of meditation
6. Prize-your high calling to reverent behavior.
7. Plan-to act in ways that attract attention to the Lord rather than to yourself.
8. Ponder- your behavior and your choices, for by them you tell on yourself.

You Tell on Yourself

You tell on yourself by the friends you seek,

By the very manner in which you speak,

By the way you employ your leisure time,

By the use you make of dollar and dime.

You tell what you are by the things you wear,

By the spirit in which your burdens bear,

By the kind of things at which you laugh,

By the records you play on the phonograph,

You tell what you are by the way you walk,

By the things of which you delight to talk,

By the manner in which you bear defeat,

By so simple a thing as how you eat.

By the books you choose from the well-filled shelf:

In these ways and more, you tell on yourself.

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A note from me:

May I tell you that it DOES matter what we say and how we say it? Words cut far worse than a knife. Words can either make or ruin someones day. Words can lift or tear down. Words can encourage or discourage. It's our choice! God does not make us speak goodness and kindness; it pleases Him when we do though. I myself am going to make a point and a matter of prayer to work on my tongue and my Words! I want to be an encourager, a good day maker, a lifter-upper. ( I made up that word) I want to spread sunshine all around, not slander and hurt.

Pray for me as I work on this and other Godly traits. And pray for me that I will handle peoples Words with a heart that over-looks and forgives quickly.

HUNGRY???

Well, it is fall, which makes me think of 2 recipes I have that we all love.
I will share them with my bloggin' buddies today.

Squash Dressing

2 cups cooked squash, mashed and drained

2 cups cornbread crumbs

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 eggs

1 chopped onion

1 stick butter

salt and pepper to taste

Cook chopped onions in the butter until tender. Stir in all ingredients. Pour into casserole dish.

Bake at 350 degrees until brown on top, usually 25 minutes. We eat this with cranberry sauce.

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Santa Fe Soup
2 pounds ground beef or ground chuck
2 cans whole kernel corn
2 pkg. taco seasoning
2 pkg. Ranch dressing
1 can chili beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can rotel
3 cans diced tomatoes
1 cup water
1 onion
shredded cheese
sour cream
green onions
tortilla chips
Brown meat and onion. Drain. In a large pot, mix meat, taco pkg., ranch pkg., beans, rotel, tomatoes, and water. Simmer. I cook this on low for at least 2 hours to let the flavors combine. We serve it with cheese, sour cream, green onions, and tortilla chips.
It's really more flavorful the 2nd day!!!!

Mr. & Mrs. Scot George

Liesa Gentle & Scot George were joined together in Holy Matrimony June 22, 1985 at 3 p.m. at New Union Missionary Baptist Church in Halltown, Alabama.
Parents of the couple are James & Elwanda Gentle and Gordon & Nora Ann George.

Bro. ZI Barnes, uncle of the groom officiated. The Matron Of Honor was Mrs. Kathy Minnis, friend of the bride. Brides maids were Susan Cornelious and Melody Crane, cousins of the bride.

Susan George, cousin of the groom was the flower girl. The Best Man was Mr. Richard McKinney, friend of the groom. Groomsmen were Jeff Emerson and Carl Fowler, friends of the groom. Brent Collum, cousin of the groom was the ring bearer. Ushers were Kerry Lee Peden and Michael George. Mrs. Sharon Bolding was the organist. The red, white, and gray wedding was centered around Ruth 1:16-17, Whither Thou Goest. To Me, by Barbara Mandrel and Lee Greenwood was sung as the Bride walked down the aisle. The Bride sang Whither Thou Goest to the Groom. We've Only Just Begun was sang after the couple were pronounced husband and wife.

*******************************************************************

A few years ago, Scot was asked to speak at a Valentine Banquet and I was asked to sing.

They wanted a "love" song. I am not morbid, but I handle funeral songs much better than wedding songs. They are just easier songs to sing. I get literally sick when I sing at weddings.

I've pretty much sworn off from them. Back to my story.... I searched and searched for a song to sing at the banquet, and about 2 days before the event, I sat down and decided just to write my own song. And it goes like this:

*****************************************

I'D DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN

Chorus:

I'd do it all over again. I'd do it all over again.

I'd be your bride, I'd stand by your side.

Yes, I'd do it all over again.

1. We've been together for many years.

We've had our joys and we've shed some tears.

Knowing now all I didn't know then.

I'd still do it all over again.

2. I sang to you on our wedding day.

Whither thou goest, that's where I'd stay.

Not even knowing where our steps would end.

I'd do it all over again.

3. When our time down here shall come to pass.

Already it's gone by seems too fast.

No matter what comes our way til then,

I'd do it all over again.

4. I thank God for the good times,

I thank Him for the bad.

I thank Him for all the precious years we've had.

And when we get to heaven, I know I'll say,

No regrets!

I'd do it again.

(Words & Music- Liesa G. George, Feb. 02)

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Ruth 1:16-17

And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.

My Ma-Maw Claudie

I thought about my grandmother (mothers mother) alot yesterday. If she were still alive, she would have been 98 yesterday. I would always take her a dressed hamburger and a vanilla milk shake on her birthday. She loved that! She lived beside my mother and daddy. I miss her very much. She was a go-getter! I wish I had just a taste of the spunk she had. I don't know that she ever tired of working and keeping busy. She was alot of fun too. She'd say something humorous, and then say, "I was just guying you." She could outshoot any man; rode my horse when she was in her 7o's, slept with a pistol under her pillow, did some kind of dance up until the last few years of her life. The dance started out on all 4's , I'll have to ask my mother about that. I wore red to her funeral. I spoke at her funeral, telling about all the things she had told me through the years. Sometimes, she'd say in a loud voice, "Whoopie, diddle."
I told the people that I could just see her right after her eyes closed in death, entering heaven,
with a loud shout, "WHOOPIE DIDDLE, I'M HOME!" I know all of Heaven knew she was there! She was a hoot, thats for sure.

Pictures above: 1. My mother, Elwanda, Ma Claudie, Mothers sister, Laverne, and Mothers brother, Dexter 2. Ma Claudie with Cale & Noelle 3. Ma Claudie with the snakes she killed in one afternoon (2 were 6 1/2 feet long, 1 was 5 1/2 feet long) The snakes were trying to lay hold on her hens! 4. Ma Claudie and Pa-Pa Breatis

Oct. 5, 08, Sermons

I enjoyed church services yesterday at Bethany. God is so good to always give us what we need.
Scot preached out of Isaiah 26:1-11 yesterday morning. He preached about the song to be sung of Judah and pointed out things about the city & people.
1. The strength of the city. (Salvation) The strength of the city is the walls. Jn. 6:46-47
2. The gates of the city. (A Way) (Invitation to a Whosoever) Jesus is the door and the ONLY way to obtain salvation. John 10:9
3. The Walk of the saved, vs 7 and 8 of the text
4. The Justice of God, Vs. 10 and 11 of the text

Yesterday mornings sermon was good, but last nights sermon helped me more.
The text was Ezekiel 47:1-12. This is a great read.
He talked about how that when we get saved, what we do after that to grow as a Christian is up to us. He compared our Christian walk to the depths of water listed in the scripture text.
1. Ankle deep- salvation, life of faith
2. Water to the knees- prayer life, praying faith
3. Water to the waste- more under water than not, works
4. Water to Swim in- resting faith

He told us that God desires for us just to "jump in". God has no end to our bountiful life.
I want to be in the water deep enough to swim in. I don't want to be satisfied with just an ankle deep Christian walk.

Holley Farm; Church Picnic, Sat., Oct. 3, 08

Our church had our annual fall picnic at Holley Farm this year. The adults went through the corn maize, which is in the shape of a tractor from the sky, (I'm taking their word for this) slid down the huge slide, climbed a rope, enjoyed a wonderful tour of the farm via tractor/wagon,

and ate a delicious picnic lunch. Oh, and the kids had fun too!

I loved the country store. I purchased a jar of Peach sunshine and a jar of salsa.

All of their jelly's etc. are homemade, and sooooo yummy!!!! Who knew we had such a treasure just a mile from our home. The Holleys are very nice people. We are so thankful they are sharing their home and farm with all of us. A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.

Fall Blessings

Fri. night, Oct. 3, we met my parents at our local restaurant for supper. They brought me some pumpkins. Our family doesn't participate in Halloween, but we do love the autumn season. So, I put the pumpkins on my front porch to make things look "fally" around here. When we got home from the race Sat., there was a gigantic mum on my porch. Mother and Daddy brought it while we were gone. It's sooo pretty. Have I mentioned that I have the greatest parents in the whole wide world!? Well, I do!!! Happy Fall everybody!

NEW ALBANY MEET, OCT. 4, 08

The Spartan XC Team participated in the New Albany Meet Sat. morning. The Spartans all did very well. We were very pleased with Cale's time, 22:8, his personal best.

Pictures are of.... Scot & Cale discussing things before the race, the beginning, half-way, finish,

Jimmy Johnson and his wonderful sign, (Thanks Jimmy), Sam telling his mommy a "seket",

and Josh and Kathy. Go Spartans!

TWENTY

Yesterday, Noelle informed me (and others) that one month from yesterday she will celebrate her 20th birthday. 20 - Jumping Johosaphat! Is that possible? She will not be a teen-ager anymore, I won't be the mother of a teen-age daughter anymore. Twenty years ago, I didn't even know if she was a Noelle JoBeth or a Zachary Scot. Noelle has been a joy in my life. She is the young lady that I wish I had of been. As a little girl, she was soooo shy. If someone walked up to us and spoke to her, she'd grab my leg and hide, and almost make me fall. She was so talented and so smart. She would sing or quote Mother Goose or the Bible constantly. She could put us on a show being her dramatic self, almost a Shirley Temple personality when acting out something or singing. And believe it or not, she was quite a tom-boy. If you have only known her for a few years, you might have a hard time believing that. I remember that her cousin who is 3 years older than her, was scared of Noelle at times, just because Noelle was used to wrestling with us, etc. Noelle would run and jump and tackle Chrissy. (not in a hurtful way) But, Chrissy would end up on the back of the couch to get away from her! ha. Noelle's imagination was broad as the world! She loved to play and I very seldom heard the words "I'm bored" come out of her mouth. I remember one day she got into a bit of trouble. I told her to go sit in the rocking chair for a while and think about what she had done. She obeyed, and I went on with whatever I was doing. I came back through a few minutes later and looked in on her, and she had picked up a dusting cloth I had left on the entertainment center, which was beside the rocking chair. She was singing and talking, using it for a puppet! She was a Girlie Girl too, always in pretty dresses, matching hair bows, and her jewelry.(for church) After I'd dress her, she would come to me with her little hands out (palms down) waiting on her ring and bracelet. Noelle was a good student in school. She was very self-disiplined and motivated. Her heart has always been so tender, still is, sometimes to a fault, but yet, she is so steadfast and firm in her beliefs. She serves God and others willingly and joyfully. She made the decision to "NOT" date around just to date, which I wish I had made that decision as a teen-ager. I admire her so much. She shares my passion for books, movies, shopping, shoes, and purses! Noelle is a wonderful pianist and singer, and has such a way with the children at church. She has a great heart for others. Last Christmas, she baked several dozen cookies, made a list of widows, widowers, and shut in's in the community, and delivered the cookies to their door. She had not even met some of these people before, but desired to be a blessing to them. The greatest thing I can say about Noelle is she accepted Jesus as her Savior Feb. 19, 2002. That does a momma's heart good. When I was just a teen-ager, I heard a man say that he had rather God take his baby boy away from him and his wife than for that child to grow up and never be saved. I didn't understand that at the time, but in later years, I come to understand exactly what that man meant. Salvation is such a serious thing. My hearts desire since even becoming pregnant with my children was that they would be saved and serve the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind. God has given me the desire of my heart, and I thank Him each day for that. Well, I guess this has sounded like a "Brag on Noelle" post, but it's truly just been a walk down memory lane, and a "Thank You Lord" post. Time has passed quickly, but the journey has been very blessed and happy. This momma has no complaints!
I think I'll go hug my daughter now. L