The Count

I was in my office the other day when one of our residents popped his head in. He said, "Do you know how many cars passed by in front of our building between 8:40 and 9:00 a.m.? I said, "Well, I would guess about 100!" He said I was wrong and told me that 398 cars had passed by and then showed me his counter.

I don't know why that stuck with me. As I get older I want to be productive, not just fill up the time with things that don't matter. This man is a loner, a bit negative and yet, he wraps himself around my heart every day!

Father, please open my eyes to your possibilities all around. There are more opportunities than I could ever imagine, I know. Father, I want to be useful to use in all things until the day I go to be with you.

My friend with the counter may have his reasons for doing his counting. Maybe it's to talk with others about the traffic on our road and get people in good conversations. Maybe it's just to pass the time of day. His typical response when I ask him how he's doing is to say, "Well, it's good I woke up on top of the ground instead of under it."

Father, please be with my friend and allow him to focus on other possibilities, too. May we show him the light of your spirit and kindness in all that we do.

Thank you,
Lila

It's Time to Paint

I love to paint pictures, but now it's time to paint the outside of our inn! This photo is our house, but the inn is to the left and at the end of our driveway.

I want to do something different and fun on the alley side (where the guests park) and maybe even something a little different on the wall facing the courtyard and pond. Ideas? Our home is brick and painted cream with burgundy trim. It would need to coordinate, but not necessarily be the same.

I'm thinking serene. I'm thinking memorable. I'm thinking serendipity. Come on. Don't be shy. Give me some ideas! Thanks!!

Happy Birthday, Serge!

Today Serge turns 22 years old. It's hard to believe! When we met he was 19 years old. Serge is our adopted son and we are his American family for those just tuning in.

Serge is from Rwanda and survived the genocide of 1994. He almost died countless times while the Hutu tribe were hunting down the Tutsi tribe to kill them with machetes. These were his friends. His church members. His neighbors. 800,000 people died in 100 days.

When Serge got to ACU he learned about the love of God and saw that it really did exist. He longs to go back to his country where he can educate those there about tolerance, acceptance and the love of God.Serge's birthday fifteen years ago was spent running and hiding in a bamboo marsh to save his life. He was turning seven years old. My goodness, what his eyes have seen and her ears have heard. My older eyes and ears have never experienced.

We're taking Serge and Esperance (his pledged girlfriend) to dinner tonight at Bonzai. Esperance is from Congo and lives here in Abilene. To be pledged in his country and to meet families is like our engagement. She is a lovely girl and Serge is so in love with her. He's most thankful she is a Christian - - a real Christian...not the kind that killed his people in 1994. Me, too.

Happy Birthday, son!

Thankful ,
Lila

Miss Lissia's B & B

Vann and I had a wonderful time on our getaway. We stayed at Miss Lissia's B & B in Water Valley, TX. It's close to San Angelo. This quaint cottage was once an old school house that Michelle and Derek Doss purchased for a mere $51.00 to save it from destruction. They moved it to their homesite and acreage and found treasures underneat the bones of the building.

They've decorated in late 1800's decor with lots of lace and roses. They have a whirlpool bath, too. The best part for us was the front porch with the rockers. Bella and Suzie, their two dogs were precious and very loving. Patches, the cat made his home in our laps. Once I figure out how to show photos from my phone, I'll post them.

To feel the wind and hear the sights and sounds of west Texas, Miss Lissia's is a delight. Thanks, Michelle and Derek!

Thankful,
Lila

Busy, Busy

It's been busy this week but I'll write just a little to catch up with you.

Sunday and Monday Caroline and I went to Austin. I had a lunch at a conference on Monday. We were able to take advantage of some great deals (shopping). Care commented that we probably lost 5 pounds just by our laughter on the ride home. What a great time we had. I'm so thankful our family values laughter.

Work is steady as always. Big news is that I've decided (and felt lead) to pursue my Nursing Home Administrator's license. I'll start classes in the fall. I believe God has prepared me for this and I'm excited about the next phase of life.

The Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging is starting a new program called the TAHSA Leadership Fellow program. I'm delighted they (and my company) wanted me to be a part. I'll go for our first session next month. I'm looking forward to that.

I met with a "physical health mentor" today for the first time. It's a longer story for another day, but I'm looking forward to "clean eating."

Last night I met with my book club. I love those women! We discussed the book, Zippy, but also talked about many other things. What an interesting and interested group of women. Two are attorneys and one is a graphic designer. The kindergarten teacher and manager weren't able to make it. Such a serendipitous group. (Then there's me. :)

I continue to enjoy reading and painting. Our art class on Thursday nights is so much fun. I finished The Glass Castle the other night by Jeannette Walls. A poignant read and a memoir. I highly recommend it. Our oldest daughter, Katie Lea is just about through with it and it touched her, too.

Vann and I are heading to a Bed and Breakfast near San Angelo this weekend to celebrate our 28th anniversary. We'll be gone a couple of nighs and I'm looking so forward to spending that wonderful time with him.

Well, that catches you up with me and my world for now. I always love to hear from you.

Thankfulness brings JOY,
Susan

Joy School

I just finished this book. What a great book about middle school angst, feelings that are so real and ultra sensitive and just trying to figure out your own place in the world.

I really enjoyed Elizabeth Berg's writing. This was the first one of her books I've read. I purchased this one because of the title. A worthwhile read.

Next up - The Glass Castle.

I'm a Little Bit Country

I'm not really country. I do have a Kenny Chesney CD I listened to...once. Also, I have a Willie Nelson CD. Not sure why.

This evening coming home from fantabulous, ultraspectacular art class, I was traveling down Hwy 80 when I spotted the full moon in my rearview mirror while the sun was in my eyes.

Before I knew it, I was working away on a song in my head with these lyrics. A Country (?) song with these lyrics. It's probably a good thing you can't hear what's in my head this second.

A full moon in my rear view mirror
The setting sun in my eyes
Creation's all around me singing
It doesn't tell any lies.

While He speaks to me of his glory
I look around with my heart
A full moon in my rearview mirror
The setting sun in my eyes.

God has always, always spoken to me through his creation and creativity. I remember sitting with my mom at the kitchen table when I was growing up and watching the birds. She taught me all the different kinds and how they hopped, or walked or sang.

One time I was especially bored and said in the annoyingly whiny voice that only a 13 year old girl can do, "I'm booooooooo-rrrrrrrr-ed!" My daddy asked me in all honesty how in the world I could be bored when there was one blade of grass to be explored. I looked at him with utter amazement (not the kind that invokes awe, but rather the kind of amazement that wonders if he has completely and totally gone off his rocker.)

But today, I realize I could never, ever be bored. God's creation is just so....

Yep,
Lila