Sister

 



 

Hope & James

Katy & Susi

I'll anxiously wait to hold you for the first time, give you a bottle, feed you, and sing you a nursery rhyme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke & Hope

Hope, James, Luke

 

 

I'll take care of you when Mom's not around, if you're sick, if you're scared, or simply wearing a frown.

 

 

 



Hope & Luke

I'll match outfits for a picture, clap when you do something grand, give up my weekend to be your biggest fan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William & Elizabeth Reid

Gil & Griffin Senn

I'll call when I miss you, sleep with you at night, play with you at Grandma's, then start a fight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James, Luke,
Hope

Hope & James

I'll blame things on you, then take your side, run away from you, but find you when you hide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susi, Katy &
Grandmother Brown

James & Hope

I'll ask you for help, tell you to leave me alone, then we'll plan something sinister when Mom's on the phone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jo & JR Jahn



Katy & Susi

I'll be jealous of your grades and your new car, think you're spoiled and too bossy, then miss you when you move too far.

 

 

 

 

 

Griffin &
 Gil Senn

I'll write about your wit and your good looks at school, or maybe I'll write about you just because
 I think you're special and so cool. 

Hope & Luke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susi, Katy, & Hope



Susi & Katy

I'll be the first one to dance, I'll wear a big smile, when you walk down the aisle, when you hold your first child.

 

 

 

 

 

Luke & Susi

Hope, James, & Susi

I'll be happy and keep pictures when your family starts, give them hugs and kisses, ask God to live in their hearts.

 

 

 

 

 

Dena & David



Brett & Bonnie

 

 

 I'll listen when being a grown-up is too hard to take, you'll need advice, you'll need love, comfort, and a slice of cheesecake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James, Hope, Luke

I'll take you to lunch, we'll discuss Mom and Dad, I'll laugh when you're happy, pray when you're sad.

 

I'll work like Martha and sigh when you sit like Mary, I'll turn around, you'll be at my side when there's something heavy to carry.

 

I'll take up for you, talk for hours and defend, when you're weak, I'll be the strong one, from beginning to end.

Steve & Sheila

 

I'll feel a little guilty when you give more, your time and your love, you always do, it's what you live for.

 

I'll hold your hand during a crisis and cry, we'll making frustrating decisions when it's time to say goodbye.

Jo & JR Jahn

 

There's no match for my love, you can travel the world to see, God thought we should be together, just you and me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

John 11:

v3 -So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, "Lord, your dear friend is very sick."
v20-22 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask."
v28-29 Then she returned to Mary.  She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, "The Teacher is here and wants to see you." So Mary immediately went to him.

A sister is like you but different. She may be stronger.  She may be weaker.  She may be younger.  She may be older. But she will always be that childhood voice, a constant.

August 3, 2014 was National Sister's Day. Celebrate with your sister if you have one.

To my sister, Susi Brown.

Thanks for being there for me, loving me, taking up for me, being an involved aunt that loves my children, a daughter that takes care of our parents, and the keeper of childhood memories.

 

Love ya, Sis,

Katy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Light

 

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14 NLT

Gardening is.............

Knowing what to plant where. At a distance or a large area, lighter flowers draw the eye and add light to dark backgrounds.  I have a large back yard in front of woods, so I plant light impatiens, dogwoods, roses, and azaleas.  I'm happy with these choices against the dark woods.

Having and following a plan.  Fast growing Leland Cyprus provide privacy. And they grew quicker and bigger than I expected. In my opinion, they're ugly, but they serve a purpose, providing privacy. We live on a corner lot, and it would be a tragedy if I couldn't drink coffee on my deck in my pajamas. The solution to the ugly but useful Leland Cyprus was landscaping with different textures and colors. And since the ugly but useful Leland Cyprus are dark, I added light: pink roses, flowering almond, and two white crepe myrtles. Light against dark, my plan was a good one.



Leland Cyprus
Crepe Myrtle

Making Mistakes and Learning. Trial and error.  As the white crepe myrtles grew, so did the dark Leland Cyprus.  The optimal place for crepe myrtle is full sun, but the Leland Cyprus hide the sun for part of the day. I fed both crepe myrtle trees equally, but one is in a place where it receives more sunlight, so it grows faster and produces large white blooms, light. The other is hidden from full sunlight my more Leland Cyprus, a large shrub, and it's closer to the woods.  So, it hasn't grown much and barely produces blooms, light. But, it's still a white crepe myrtle, still alive, growing slowly.  It  serves a purpose, adding texture but giving no light.  

Reevaluating for a better plan. I could hang a sign WHITE CREPE MYRTLE on the smaller tree.  Then, everyone would know its blooms should be giving light against the dark.  I could cut down the Leland Cyprus, but they serve a purpose.  They're not my favorite, but they work.  I could keep feeding the small crepe myrtle year after year and see if it eventually gives light as it grows.  I could move it, while it's still small, to a place where it will not be hidden from the full sun and replace it with something suited for that spot.

magnolia

No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:15 NLT

Do we show up in a dark world? Are we reflecting the Holy Spirit within us? When others see our actions, do they see Christ, the true Light? Are they drawn to live a life that glorifies God? OR, do we rely on signs to let them know: t-shirts, bumper stickers, quotations OR BLOGS ?  I hope you know I don't think those signs are wrong; in fact, I'm grateful for the verses and thoughts others share. They minister to me. But not everyone sees these signs. Not everyone reads what I write, so how do they see Light?

Snowball bush from
Diane Leary's yard

Will we offer more light as we are fed and grow?  Yes, definitely, Yes.  When others seem to offer more light, we often compare ourselves and become discouraged, but we're fed differently and at different times, and perhaps our world doesn't give us much light, maybe it's darker. Showing Christ is our purpose, so if we desire to reflect His Light and allow Him, He will use us. 

Can our Light be hidden under a basket? Can something block His Light from us?  I believe sometimes we can simply be in the wrong spot, not always a bad or sinful spot, but maybe a spot that's not optimal.  Moving, changing, giving up a plan is difficult, especially when realizing we no longer offer light even with the best intentions.  God may have another plan, different means, and a better, more optimal spot for us to reflect His Light.  And there's no mistaking that Light when it shines.  Whether close or at a distance, it's clear and noticeable to those walking in darkness.

Yoshino Cherry

"Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father." Matthew 5:16 NLT

 

Katy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't Turn This Down

Diane Leary, MeMe

Do you remember Sunday lunch with family? Even though it's the decade of crowded restaurants, I know several women who cook for their families on Sunday, but I'm focusing on one particular family today, the Leary family, because Diane, MeMe, posts on Facebook the incredible feast she's preparing. Her menu is long, usually two meats, many sides, and several desserts. So, after church on Sunday, I like to offer a few of her grandchildren the option of a sandwich or O'Charley's.  They say, "No." They're not going to turn down lunch at MeMe's. I offered her son-in-law a pop tart instead of MeMe's pie.  He said no, too.  I don't blame them. You'll know why when you read their answers to my questions.

1.  What are some of your favorite foods on Sunday?  

Pork Loin wrapped in bacon, macaroni and cheese (a weekly staple), chocolate chip cookies, hamburgers in gravy, pork chops and rice, fried chicken, chocolate delight, cabbage casserole, squash and cheese, pound cake, wild rice casserole, tomato pie, peas and dumplings, cheesecake, lemon icebox pie, coconut pie that makes its own crust, red rice, sweet potato casserole, caramel cake, ETC, ETC, ETC

2.  When you're away, do you miss eating Sunday lunch at MeMe’s?

Graham, grandson, Yes! It’s the highlight of the week I can always count on.

Michael, son-in-law, Yes! If I have an out of town business trip, I will try and schedule my flight to make it back in time for Sunday lunch.  

Kaylene, daughter, Yes! Totally messes up my week if I don’t eat at MeMe’s on Sunday.  Besides corporate worship it’s my true-north for the week.  With all of our schedules, Sunday is a time when we can come together… if only for a little while.

Katrina, daughter, and family- Duh- Not only do we miss the southern cooking, but we miss the time with our family.

Teresa, daughter-in-law, Yes!  And most of the time since Ken works out of town he's sure to call and interrupt our lunch, but we don’t’ have to the heart to tell him what we're eating.

 

3. In-laws, what did you think about the big Sunday lunch?

They had Sunday lunches growing up, so they feel blessed to have this special time with family.

 

4.  Do you think MeMe enjoys this? 

They all agree that she does. It's her hobby, love language, and spiritual gift. It's her favorite thing.  She loves having her family together, she looks forward to it, and it gives her joy.  Caroline made an interesting observation, "She loves to cook, and we love to eat.....it works out well."

 

5. Has MeMe always cooked a big Sunday lunch?

Papa Lee on the grill
at Red Bluff, S.C.

Kaylene- She's been doing it a long time. As we were growing up she cooked every day, so years ago we went out on Sundays to give her a break. But once we were all married and she wasn’t cooking for us every night, she made Sunday the day for the family gathering. We go to church together, then continue our fellowship at MeMe and Papa’s. (We can’t forget Papa because he is the grill master… awesome ribs, steak and bbq chicken). Our kids don’t know anything different than lunch at Meme and Papa’s!

6. Do you think sharing meals together makes your family closer?

Graham- We wouldn’t be the family we are today if we didn’t gather together for worship then have lunch on Sundays.

Michael-  If it weren’t for Sunday lunches… we would go weeks without seeing one another. 

Kaylene- Yes!  It makes us closer.  On any given Sunday there is the blessing, incredible food but even better fellowship.  There is always laughter, stories, and leftovers to go around.

Caroline- It brings our family so much closer.  Without our weekly meals we wouldn’t know what’s going on in each other’s lives. It’s a time to laugh, catch up, and a great countdown. We countdown all of the time: to Red Bluff vacations, Christmas, or the next holiday from school.  Each time we meet we are a week closer.  It’s nice to have a close family that can be together every Sunday for a huge “feast” as my great-grandmother (Mammie) named it!

Katrina and family- Yes.  It encourages family bonding that we otherwise wouldn’t have, and it's an important tradition.  Another tradition is saying the blessing.  We take turns but often we say it together… “God is Great”… and that is Mackenzie’s favorite.

Teresa- Absolutely! After busy weeks of working and exhausting schedules we come together to share a delicious bounty.  We talk and share stories and experiences of our lives.  We celebrate each other… and believe it or not we each get a turn to talk! 

When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!“So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Matthew 22:3-5

Can you imagine turning down a great feast?  They all had excuses: the farm, a family, or the business.   But the parable takes an interesting turn.

And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’  Matthew 22:8-9

He invites us to a feast like no other, an opportunity to be close to Him. A banquet we should feel honored to attend, yet so many turn it down.  Maybe we're busy, maybe we think there's something better, or more than likely maybe we think whatever banquet we prepare for ourselves will be grander.  We're refusing God's richest blessings prepared with His untiring love for us: redemption, peace, mercy, and compassion. Many refuse God's great feast for their lives, and I speak from experience - there is regret. We're refusing fellowship with the One who loves us the most. 

Jackson & Katrina
Collins



Mackenzie Collins

Kaylene -MeMe never complains but does it with a smile and spends most of Saturday preparing: buying groceries, cooking, mixing, etc! We can’t forget Papa. He's gracious to have us as well and often contributes by grilling or smoking the meat of choice : ) And birthdays? MeMe lets us choose our own menu.  And.. please notice… very rarely if ever does MeMe serve anything out of a pot.  Everything is either cooked in a decorative dish or put in one for serving!  And… she loves decorative napkins.  We often give them to her for birthday, Christmas… so that she can use them on Sundays. Crazy, right?

Why do we need this feast, this fellowship?  It brings us closer to Him, to share our lives with Him. God offers His best to His children.  He made the ultimate sacrifice yet doesn't invite us begrudgingly. He looks forward to the time he spends with us, hearing our prayers. God knows life is difficult and rejoices in bonding with His children.  Fellowship with God is a privilege, and He urges EVERYONE to come. The Great Feast is a highlight you can always count on.  You're invited.

Don't Turn This Down,

Katy                  

A tremendous thank you to Diane's family for sharing their memories, thoughts, and pictures. Writing this not only spoke to me about fellowship with God but with family and how easy it is to refuse both.  

 

Live Like Royalty

 




Will, Kate, and heir to
the throne

Happy Birthday, Prince George!  I don't normally follow royalty but can't resist this adorable, chubby cheeked prince, and July 22, 2014 is his first birthday.  Imagine the princely party that will surely define his monumental day: inflatable rides, a petting zoo, a magician, a puppet show or will Kate and Will go with an elaborate 7 course dinner with the royal family?  Nope. Rumor says the popular couple will celebrate Prince George's 1st birthday with a low-key private tea-party at either Kensington Palace or Windsor Castle with LOTS OF CAKE, a valid reason to like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

What about a gift for the future monarch? I guessed a golden rocking horse, a 3,000 square foot brick play house, or a mini coupe.  Those are certainly gifts fit for a prince; however, Kate and Will prefer more personal, less expensive items like a scrapbook of his 1st year or more stuffed animals, his favorite, to fill his two nurseries. They also encourage donations to charities. That sounds like gifts for a commoner with only one nursery, but the Royal Mint announced the release of a £ 5 coin to commemorate the sweet royal cuteness. Hopefully, they'll capture every minute of the celebration and post hundreds of official princely face-in-the-cake photographs on the internet.  

James 10th bd

Why did I expect an over the top celebration? Probably because that's the American child's birthday party. We order the expensive cake,  reserve Frankie's Fun Park or Sky Zone, buy more electronics, and invite as many kids as possible. I know because I've done this.  I'm not being critical.  It's a birthday, CELEBRATE!

Luke 5th bd

Precious Prince George's birthday probably isn't a big deal to most Americans.  We don't have a king, a prince (except for the artist formally known as), or a queen and don't need one.  We live like royalty. Not the entire population, of course, but I'll guess that the majority of my readers live in a nice air-conditioned house, operate a smart phone, have plenty of food, own a car, afford vacations, and holiday shop til they drop. We don't need to be royal to throw special parties or live more than comfortably, but this hasn't always been the case.

And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel! Acts 13:23 NLT

The lives of average first century Jews living under Roman rule were lives of oppression and sometimes physical abuse by Roman soldiers. They longed for a righteous King like David to rescue them from the Roman leaders who were viewed as gods.

We live life to the fullest, but centuries ago, they lived to survive. In some cultures, you were considered either royalty or nothing, often living a difficult, meaningless existence.  The lifestyle and privilege of being included in the king's court was such a contrast to common life that men sold their souls, murdered, and offered their daughters as mistresses for royal favor.

Hope 6th bd

The quotation "Then let them eat brioche (cake)," was attributed (although never documented) to France's Queen Marie Antoinette during her husband Louis XVI's reign and was a response to poverty showing their selfishness and oblivious attitude to the people.  Heir to the throne was a life to be envied. It meant your existence was important. 

Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:7

Why do we need to be heirs? Our lives are fine. We live like royalty to be envied with prestigious careers, social lives, and restaurants anxious to please, yet so many walk around with empty souls because without the King of Kings we feel common and unimportant. Outwardly, we seem royal, but without the King of Kings our lives are meaningless. Christ left His heavenly throne to show us how to live as heirs of God's glory. His kingdom isn't of wealth or prestige; in fact, with one unplanned event, those earthly idols fade.  Where are we then? Hopefully, we're heirs experiencing never fading mercy, love, and peace in a kingdom where our souls are well regardless of our earthly status. We're heirs with hearts important to our King, living meaningful, uncommon lives.  



King Ludwig of Germany
bedroom in Linderhof castle

Accept your place as a child of the King of Kings,

Katy