"Abby" - Abriel

This is my granddaughter Abby. She is 11 going on 20! She is funny, smart, energetic, outgoing, sensitive, lovable and cute. She loves the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus. She actually got to see the Jonas Brothers in person! How cool is that?

Abby loves swimming and she adores babies. She will be a great Mom someday. She has a pet dog named Minnie who really minds her very well. Abby also likes to go shopping with her Mom and her MiMi.

I miss her alot and wish we didn't live so far apart but I'm thankful that we can keep in touch by phone and computer. It's not the same as being in person but it is helpful. I am also very thankful for the relationship she has with her other grandmother, MiMi. It will mean alot to both of them when she is older. It's a special relationship that I wouldn't take away from anyone! They are blessed to have it! Every little girl should have one!

My Husband's Mother

This is a picture of my daughter in law and my son, Jen and Dan. It was taken at the Olive Garden during my Florida visit 2008. Jen is a beautiful, kind and warm hearted woman who is very thoughtful and so much fun to be around. This past year Jen sent me a poem that really blessed me and so I have to share it with you. I hope it blesses you too or that you can bless someone else with it also. Here it is:

"My Husband's Mother"

You were the one who held his hand
When his life had just begun,
The one who taught him everything,
Who raised such a loving son.
You were the mother he turned to
With questions and his fears,
The person who was always there
To guide him through the years.
I am the one who took his hand
To walk with him through life,
The one you "lovingly embraced"
And welcomed as his wife.
I am the one who is grateful now
For the job that you have done,
Blessed with a "wonderful husband",
...The man that you call your son.

- Author Unknown

My God Is No Stranger

This is a poem given to me many years ago but I've always liked it because I believe that God is everywhere in everything! He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. If you look for Him you will always find Him!

"My God Is No Stranger"

I've never seen God,

But I know how I feel.

It's people like "you",

Who make him so real...

My God is no stranger,

He's friendly and gay;

And He doesn't ask me

To weep when I pray.

It seems that I pass Him,

So often each day;

In the faces of people

I meet on the way...

He's the stars in the Heaven,

A smile on some face,

A leaf on a tree,

Or a rose in a vase...

He's winter and autumn,

And summer and spring;

In short, God is every

Real wonderful thing...

I wish I might meet Him

Much more than I do;

I would if there were

More people like "you"!

- Author Unknown

Rejoice In God's Many Promises

Our Bible is full of great and wonderful promises! Here are just a few to encourage you in your daily struggle with the troubles of this world.

God's promise to love you: John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

God's promise to guide you: Psalm 73:24

"You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory."

God's promise to comfort you: Jeremiah 31:13

"Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."

God's promise to answer you: Jeremiah 33:3

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

God's promise to help you: Hebrews 13:6

"So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'"

God's promise to protect you: Psalm 32:7

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

God's promise to provide for you: Philippians 4:19

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

God's promise to teach you: Psalm 32:8

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."

God's promise to bless you: Ezekiel 34:26

"I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing."

God's promise to fill you with joy: Acts 2:28

"You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence."

Mind Over Matter, Life Is What You Make It

This is a picture of my grandmother & I in the early 1980's. She has always been an inspirational guidance to me.

After posting her poem "Do Puppies Go To Heaven?" I decided to post two of mine that are not nearly as good as her's. I don't think I've been blessed with the gift of poetry "or" writing.

Anyway, they are posted below. They are truthful but kind of corny because I didn't know how to write a poem without making it rhyme! They were both written in 1982.

"Mind Over Matter"

For everything in life
There is a reason why.
You have to just believe
And give it your best try.
Get onto the right track
And then don't go astray.
You need to be determined;
Where there's a will - there is a way!
You can be anything you want.
You can win or you can lose.
It's all mind over matter,
Whatever way you choose.
Everything has two sides,
Opposite points of view;
Look into the looking glass
And see a double "you".
There's good and bad in everyone.
It's all in how you see it.
Whatever you are looking for,
Good or bad; you'll be it.

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

"Life Is What You Make It"

Knowledge is worth nothing
Unless you really learn it.
To appreciate what you have
You honestly have to earn it.
If you're out just for fun
And you just want to play;
It's never that simple,
You "do" have to pay.
If you only take what's free,
If that's the way you choose it;
If you take something for granted,
Sooner or later you'll lose it.
If you want anything of value,
If you want yourself to gain;
There has to be a sacrifice,
There has to be some pain.
Use this advice if you will,
However you want to take it;
Life isn't just a game,
Life is what you make it!

Do Puppies Go To Heaven?

This is a poem written by Emma Brant in the 1960's about our family dog DoDo (pronounced DoeDoe). She was hit by a car and died. We were all heartbroken but I remember how this poem calmed me. If any of you have lost a pet that's been dear to you, I hope this will be comforting to you as well.



"Do Puppies Go To Heaven?"

Do puppies go to heaven?
My little darling asked.
Her face was wreathed in sadness.
Her eyes, in tears were basked.
Her precious little puppy
So full of life and fun,
When playing in the garden
Out in the road had run!
The driver wasn't careless,
For he could scarcely see
The little ball of life and fun,
So swift a form was she.
I asked my loving Savior,
The one so meek and mild,
For answer to the question
Asked by our precious child.
Assurance came from Heaven,
The God who made us all
Does love each living creature,
He saw the puppy fall.
And in His loving Home, Dear,
There is a special place
For all the little puppies
To romp and roam and race.
And so, my little darling,
Remember God above
Will care for little "DoDo"
And keep her in His love.