Here come the showers

Oh, How truly blessed we are to have fellowship with others of a kindred heart. Since we knew we were having a girl, I always wanted her wedding shower(s) to be filled with family and friends. She had two showers this weekend that met those expectations and there is a final shower coming soon that will finish the chapter of my "book" of her life thus far!!! How I again go back to the scripture "and Mary pondered all these things in her heart". I am so full of emotion and gratitude.

Where do I begin God was glorified this weekend. We had the privilege to be in a gathering of women all weekend long. When I say, we, I am please to announce, Megan, my mother, and I!!!

Friday night there was a small, yet very lively group of ladies invited to a lingerie party for Megan. The older women shared how Godly love is the most wonderful thing in the world between two people who are devoted to God and each other. We had a WONDERFUL TIME!!! There was tons of laughter and fun. Megan received some truly gorgeous "outfits". In fact there was an outfit for Lindsay as well. Megan's Mammaw made a flannel nightgown for Megan and a lounge slack and T-shirt set (matching) flannel for Lindsay. It was a great gift at a lingerie party from a girls' grandmother.

Saturday there was a brunch held in honor of Megan and Lindsay. We were overwhelmed with the love and support that the ladies of our congregation showed today for their upcoming wedding. God's presence was very evident today and many were able to "witness" to Lindsay's family members. They commented on how loving and friendly the ladies were at the shower and how much love was poured out for Megan, Lindsay and our family. My mom said it best. Today we saw the "seed" being planted. God "watered" the seeds and showers of blessings have begun!!! Oh what a wonderful day.

Below are a few pictures from our two wonderful events this weekend.

Friday night "laundry wash line" :-D

The hostess for the evening!

The flannel "ensemble"!

The beginning of the "unwrapping" . There were 4 "hostess" for this shower. Dear close friends of mine that love Megan and have prayed for Megan since we have been in Delaware (over 12 years now).

After the brunch, mom left for PA and Megan and I stopped by the house to change clothes and took the car filled to the brim with gifts to "their home" in Odessa, DE.

A personal gift of "love" from Megan's Mammaw to Megan and Lindsay. It fits perfectly on the spare-room queen-size bed.


God is good all the time.....All the time God is good.

Another week

(A rose from my personal "rose garden". They continue to bloom even though it's the end of September.)


I have been in my college class now 2 weeks and things are going well! I must be honest, I'm not sure why I did this class in the fall semester until today when I close friend of mine and I were having breakfast and she asked, "Why again are you taking a course now with all you have on your plate already?" (I knew that she wasn't condemning me for pursuing this degree, she has been a true encourager about me doing "things for me", which will enable me to serve others better!)

After thinking for a moment, my answer was the following: I have many transitions in my life at the present time and have many situations where I don't know when they will change from the "unknown to the known". I mentioned to her that I knew that I would have an empty void in my week without my 30-year run of private music teaching and I felt that this would "fill that void". I went on to say, that the class did not fill the void of my lack of teaching something that I am very passionate about, but I also went on to say, that by taking the time to receive this new degree I can use it to benefit my passion of teaching music on many other levels that I have not been able to experience without this degree. She totally could see where I was coming from with my answer.

After stating this, I felt a sense of relief and assurance, that even though I have many hats to wear and many situations pulling me in so many directions (don't we all), doing this college/university course study is a good thing.

I will be very honest, I felt somewhat overwhelmed when I heard this week about my paper and a presentation that will be due (thank God after the wedding), but I also have a sense of determination to make the best of it and do it a little at a time. It isn't a large paper and the presentation is only minutes long, but it is a "whole new world" , the last time I did something like this since I was 18!!

I was very touched that my friend cared enough about me to voice her concern for me. She has seen the last few weeks how my mind is so full of things that I'm not able to focus on many of the things that I need to focus on at times. She also knows that I have trouble sleeping (which some of that is the stage of my life that I'm in...it's an age thing).

I have also been in my 3 bible studies over these past few weeks and it is going fairly well. I do feel that I'm "just doing" some of the studies and I plan to "revamp" this by doing certain studies on certain days, so I can benefit from my personal study time, since this is why I am doing them in the first place. God has helped me to clear my mind this past week to retain my personal study time and I know He will continue to assist me with my weaknesses and doubts. I am more blessed with these studies and especially the relationships that I share with my sisters who also are participating in these particular studies.

The campus dinner/devos are going very well. We are averaging 52 students each Tuesday evening. This is such a great ministry and the students are so appreciative. They are very open to discussion and sharing of their lives on a spiritual and personal level.

Today we, Jim and I, also had good news about his kidney disease. We have been seeing the neophrologist every 3-months, and this will continue, but the good news, is that his numbers have not changed since our last visit (in July). This is very good news. He is still in Stage 4 (Stage 5 is total renal failure and dialysis with a transplant). Keep those prayers coming and we have been thankful for when the changes have occurred over the last several months they haven't dropped severely. We know that there is a transplant in "our future", but we are thankful that Jim continues to do so well with little symptoms. Most people at this stage have many negative symptoms and we know how blessed we are to not be dealing with that. We are complaint and watch things that we should in eating, exercise, etc, but God is taking us on this adventure at a pace that we can manage.

The wedding plans continue to progress and it's only 42 days away!!! We are all getting excited and very emotional (good emotions) about the event. We are receiving r.s.v.p.'s for the adult invitation reception daily. This weekend we, Megan and I will be blessed to attend two showers for her. Mom will be here to enjoy the experience too. We are so truly blessed.

God is good all the time...All the time God is good.

Thanks for allowing me to share my babbles about my week :-D

1st Walk, but not the last

Friends and family that walked with us today!!!

Today we had the privilege to work and participate in Delaware's 1st annual kidney walk. We were expected approx 350 walkers, but were pleasantly surprised with 650 walkers. The weather was perfect and everyone who attended enjoyed their time together.

Jim and I had a "team Wilson" group and many of our team were able to walk with us. We were very touched and humbled by the outpouring of love. We ended out time together with a time of prayer and taking communion together under a several huge oak trees at the park.

God is good all the time.....All the time God is SOOOO good.

Below are pictures of our morning together. I was the picture taker for the much part and only had a few tears during the event. We are so blessed.

Volunteers from the Blue Hens For Christ campus ministry that we work with helping us earlier in the morning setting up.

Dr. Swanson, the head of the Transplant Center here in Delaware. He will be the surgeon, at the present time, for our needs.

We had all ages of supporters to walk with us! It was a very special day!! Here are two "friends" from a local radio station and our own minor league baseball team.

The Wilmington University soccer team who participated in the walk as well as fund raising for the Kidney Foundation throughout the year.

Ladies weekend

This past Friday day and Saturday a group of approximately 25 women from our church went to the women of faith conference held in Philadelphia, PA. The theme was Infinite Grace. Our time together as a group of ladies was enriching. We laughed, and cried, and shared throughout our time together. We have been participating in this conference for several years and look forward to our time together attending events. We may or may not attend next year, but definitely plan to have a time of renewal and enrichment for all of the ladies that would like to attend. We're actually (some of us) praying about doing a retreat getaway for our ladies for a more one-on-one time as a congregation. This would be a bigger undertaking, but one that we (those that are praying about it) see as a great opportunity. (All things, but the prayer part is on hold until after the wedding)!!! :-D God is good all the time and all the time God is good!!! We are blessed to be able to share our faith and lives as women, aren't we. Have a great week!

The 1st meal and so much more

Tonight I had the great opportunity to coordinate the campus dinner for our local campus ministry. I will be working with this ministry on a weekly basis organizing and coordinating the dinners. It was WONDERFUL to see students from previous years and "catch up" as well as meet new incoming students. What a great blessing and opportunity. We're so blessed to be working with this ministry. For more information check out the campus ministry site and blog. It is a privilege to serve these students. I get so much more than I give!

What we did on Summer Vacation

Make a Smilebox photobook