There's no crying in baseball.....

Today was Mother's Day.  I am sure many of you are being celebrated and celebrating this very special day.  I started the day off by going to church with my husband and a very sweet friend.  Then I slid into home base for a uniform change. I headed to Willow Grove and pick up the beautiful woman who gave birth to me. She raised me to be the coach I am today.  We headed to the Phillie's baseball game and celebrate being mom's together.

As I sat there, next to my mom, I thought about how being a mom is much like being a baseball coach.  You train each child and eventually release them to play the game of life.  But, as the coach you are still there to guide them and instruct them.  Some of your players seem to be naturals and things just always fall into place.  While others need a little extra T.L.C.

I didn't get to select my team players.  God, the owner, did the selection process.  He then presented me, the coach a.k.a. Mom, with my line-up.  Each child has there position, or role, to play.  Both offensively and defensively.  And there moments when my team looks like a world series bound team.  And there have also been moments I am coaching the bad news bears.  Regardless how the team is doing I am still so proud to be the coach.

My team consists of four girls, one boy, a dog and a cat.  And there is another coach.  I call him husband.  He really is my right hand man.  Most of the time I review the daily game plan with him.  Sometimes, things change and I have to make a game day decision.  If he isn't around I know that he trusts my decision and vice-versa.

Having four girls on the team, and being a woman myself, there tends to be a lot of emotions. We can be sitting in the dugout and doing a round of high five's one minute.  And then the next minute someone is running off to the locker room slamming locker doors or crying in the shower.  Have you ever seen movie, "A League of Their Own", with Tom Hanks? There is a scene where one of the players starts to cry.  And a very non sympathetic coach blurts out, "There's no crying in baseball!".  We are women and we leak. We cry tears of hurt, sadness, confusion, concern, joy and sometimes we have no clue why we are crying. We just cry. And to be honest I often hear myself saying,  "this is not the time nor the place...." It stinks when you slide into third base only to be called out.  Or when you get pulled from the game and get a time out because you aren't performing the way you've been trained to play.  As a coach I just want my team to be at their very best.  Often, I know that my girls just need me to wipe their tears and hug them. No game plan.  No coaching.  Just some sweet embrace and quite prayer.  One day, God willing, each of my daughters will have a team of their own.  As their mom (biological or inherited) I need to prepare them for playoff's.  I pray that they each know that I am their number one fan.   I truly want to see them be world champs.


The boy and the other coach (husband) both play a huge part on the team as well  They don't have the same roller coaster of emotions.  Many times they are pretty level headed and keep their focus.  However, when they lose they really don't like that.  They may not leak like the women on the team.  But they do show emotion.  And, as the coach (mom) I need to get to the heart of their frustrations.  They are both so patient and loving.  The boy waits for the signals.  He is usually pretty good at reading them.  But sometimes his pitches can be a little wild, sluggish or just plain out of the box.  And when he loses focus he occasionally hits another player with the pitch.  That's when the husband steps in.  You see, he has a way of redirecting the boys focus.  He understands the boy in a way I couldn't possible understand him.

I have seen God's faithfulness at work in each of my players.  And I am blessed.  I have the best team in all the land.  My children know my heart for them.  And every morning and evening I lift each one of them in prayer.  God has a plan for each of their lives.  I am thankful that He selected me to "coach", guide, nurture and love each one of them.

Today and every day is a wonderful and very happy Mother's day!!!

My life is not my own.......

I have this overwhelming sense of, "My life is not my own".  And to be honest I am okay with that.  But, I will admit that I didn't always feel okay with my life not being "my own".

At one point in my faith journey I felt that my husband, children, family and friends didn't appreciate the things that I would do for them.  I would spend hours cooking the perfect meal.  Sometimes I would clean the kids rooms (only because I felt overwhelmed).  And spent countless hours picking up the mess my loves would leave behind.. I would drop anything and everything just to make life easier for anyone.  And in the process I forgot to take time for the one thing that was needed (Luke 10:38-42) and the pity party erupted.  I would have these stomp your feet, slam a few cabinets and doors, and scream at the top of your lungs, spoiled brat moments.  And once the tantrum was over I would continue doing what I do best.  And that is doing.  Oh the Martha in me.

I realized that something needed to change.  Me.  I needed to STOP doing, doing, doing.  And take a step back and sit for a while.  I needed a time out.  I no longer had a servants heart.  I was doing out of habit.  And as a result I began to deplete my joy account. I was making too many withdraws and not enough deposits.

Over the past few months I have been taking inventory and trying to balance my "check book". I wake up every morning pray and read for a little.  Have a cup coffee. Go to work and hang out with a fabulous group of women. Leave the office.  Run some errands or head over to hang out with my "angel" and "sweet, sweet baby" a.k.a granddaughters.  Head back home to eat dinner. Run upstairs and put my P.J's on (my favorite time of the day).  And then do a mad dash to the sofa, sip on some wine and channel surf with my husband and whatever child is home to join us. Finally I head up to bed and watch a little more tube and finish the day with a little reading and prayer  I love almost every minute of each day.  But, I am exhausted!  There are some things I would love to do differently.  Most of them are a little selfish.  I would love to spend multiple hours of my day reading and blogging. There are some days I want to just bypass work (Monday and Friday) and just go to the park and hike for 8 hours.  And possibly bring the angel and sweet, sweet baby along to blow "grandma" bubbles.  Instead of running upstairs after dinner to put my P.J's on I could go for a walk or throw on the bathing suit and sip on my wine in the hot tub. What a wonderful opportunity to have some great conversation with my family. At the end of a crazy day it would bring me great joy to be able to pray with my loved ones.  Oh the desires of this woman's heart.

I could sit all day and focus on the things that deplete my account.  But instead I feel the need to do the better thing and make a deposit by counting my blessings. I thank God for giving me a desire to be a doer.  And praise Him for my beloved husband that adores me.  He, just like me, is a doer.  So, it makes it easy for me to adjust my direction, even when it doesn't fully fit my plan, to fit his crazy schedule. And then there are my children and grandbabies.  I would give them the world if I could. But instead I pray that they seek the riches that heaven has to offer.  And, as for the rest of my family and friends, I know that I may not give as much as I should and/or could.  However, when we are together I am blessed.  I am pretty certain that each and every one of my loves knows that, without a doubt, I would move mountains to see them happy and fulfilled.  These days I am realizing that it is when I am with each of them that I begin to fill my joy account.  And because of these blessings my life is quite full and overflowing with love, joy and happiness.

Again, if I had my way, everyday might have a much different outcome.  It's a good thing that my life is not my own.  I am a better person because of it.  I am honored to share this life with all of you.

"Martha, Martha you are worried and upset about many thing, but few thing are needed-or indeed only one" 

The Domino Effect.

My world was altered a bit yesterday around 3pm.  I had noticed that I had missed a few calls on my cell phone.  And 30 minutes later my husband called my office phone.  Instantly, when I saw his number pop up on caller I.D., I knew something was wrong. He never calls me at the office.  I answered the phone and the tone in his voice just confirmed my suspicions.  Something was wrong.  He said he heard, what he had hoped to be, a horrible rumor.  And I knew, because of the multiple missed calls, that the rumor was true.  My heart sank and I felt a little bit of denial.  I spent a moment gathering my thoughts.  And began to pray that God would give me wisdom.

I called my daughter, Kath, in California.  She was the one who had been calling me earlier.  And she confirmed the news.  Devin, her ex-boyfriend had died the night before.  My heart felt like someone had used it as a punching bag.  You see, even though Kath and Devin had broken up years ago, Devin was still like a son to me.  And he and Kath were still close.

I left work and headed towards home.  I knew I had to talk to Christian.  Devin was a brother to my son.  And I knew that he was going to be heartbroken, angry and confused.  A while back Christian had written a song about Devin.  And he talked about Devin's struggles.  As Christian and I talked he reminded me of that very song.  He said he was reflecting on how the song ended.  And how ironic it was that Devin's life ended the same way he predicted in the lyrics.

I then called Alyssa.  And by the time I reached her she told me she found out from social media that Devin had passed away.  She was crushed and heavy-hearted.  And told me that she was confused.  She and Devin were making plans to hang out together.  Not only did she consider him her brother but they were now neighbors.

I made a few additional calls.  There were people I didn't want to find out about Devin through "Social media".  And I sent out multiple text messages.  This was and is so surreal.

As I sit here this morning, reflecting on the memories I have of Devin, my heart continues to feel bruised.  He came into our family not knowing the love of Jesus Christ. I remember thinking that he was just some punk kid my teen-aged daughter was mildly interested in.  And that he would just be another "boyfriend" and in a few days, a thing of the past.  But the days turned to months.  And the months turned to years.  And during those days, months and years I began to love this boy as my own.  I wanted him to know the love of God in the same way I knew of His love. I wanted to push him in the right direction.  So I prayed and set the "dominoes" in place.  I sought out every opportunity to show him unconditional love.  And asked him to come to church with us.  I remember giving him his first bible.  And I had great joy in my heart when I would catch him reading it.  And then the dominoes began to fall.  Devin began seeking for truth. He was coming to church and asking questions.  I would talk to him about pastors that I thought he would relate to.  There was one in particular, Greg Laurie.  I remember handing him a book written by Greg and asking him to read it.  And a few days later I found him actually reading it without me nagging him about it.

Over the years Devin and I had multiple discussions on God's grace.  I knew Devin was battling demons. But, I also knew that he was now aware of God's love for him.  We talked off and on over the past few years.  And sometimes prayed together. It gave me great joy to know that he had found a church in Manayunk that he loved.  He was forever grafted into our crazy family.  Despite Kath breaking up with him he would remain in our lives. Kath never stopped loving Devin and he never stopped loving her.  She just couldn't help him rid his life of those demons.

Our lives were blessed because God led Devin to our door.  Yes, I wanted to point him in another direction at first.  I am so thankful that I didn't.  You see he had a domino effect on our lives too.  Alyssa and Christian learned to never be afraid of who God made them to be because of Devin.  He taught us all that being goofy was necessary.  He taught Kath about life and how to laugh at craziness.  And because of him she is a very strong and courageous woman.  And, as for me, he made my heart bigger.

I am going to miss his text messages and his calls. However, I know this one great truth.  God is faithful.  And His promises are true.  We will see Devin again.  And when we do he will be whole.  We were absolutely blessed to have known Devin.  And I know that God purposefully put Devin into our lives.  Each one of us helped in directing Devin to God's unconditional love.  Devin may have needed strength to trust in God a little more.  But at least he trusted that God did truly love him.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor power, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord ~Romans 8:38-39

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.  For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, ,who are left until the coming of the Lord. will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that we who and still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage one another with these words. ~1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

I've Got No Strings on Me

We have all heard the saying, "It's time to cut the umbilical chord" It often pertains to that time in our children's lives when we need to set them free.  Release them into the jungle of this world and let them fight for themselves.  As difficult as that may sound it's a hard fact.  I know that it certainly isn't easy.  It's actually been quite painful at times.  The hurts and frustrations and sometimes the decisions that our adult children face can cause great heartache. When they do things that are outside of their "character" I, as a parent, have found myself saying, on more than one occasion, "that is not how I raised them".  I wonder how often God thinks, "That's not how I created them".

According to Genesis 1:27 we were all created in God's image.  Yes, God formed us in His perfect image!  He was incredibly thoughtful in the process.  Even before we were formed He had an intimate relationship with each of us. (Jeremiah 1:5) He formed us and wove us together in our mother's womb (Psalm 139: 13).  Even the very hairs on our head are counted ( Luke 12:7) God had to cut the umbilical chord for us too.  In this case we call it God giving us free will.

We have been given the freedom to make our own choices in this life. God is not a puppeteer.   And the last time I checked it was clear that "I've got no strings on me".   He allows us to take the paths we want.  I have walked in pure darkness and I have also taken a bit of my journey feeling very lost and confused.  I am thankful for one of the unlimited promises God has given us.  He promises that He will faithfully provide a way out of the muck and the mire (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Funny how we tend to forget that He, the God of our children, has allowed us to be a parent to each of them.  Just because we give birth or inherited them doesn't mean we are the ones holding the strings.  They are on loan.  Precious gifts that were given to us parents to prepare for this world. We carry them, raise them, praise them, guide them and pray for them daily throughout the years.  But when it comes time to release them into the world, on their own, that seems to be the most challenging.  Often I see my children walking in darkness or heading down a path the I wouldn't choose for them to go.  And I want to lift the paddles with the strings attached to their legs and move them into a different direction. I try to persuade them to go a another way.  My way!  But the strings have been cut.  And I am left sitting in a tangled ball of string due to my failed attempt to manipulate their adult decisions.

As I sit there attempting to unravel the mess I see in my hands I begin to pray for clarity.  God has a bigger plan.  And He already sees the beauty in each of my heirs.  He knows the outcome.  Just like me, my children need to experience things on their own.  Some of them willingly listen to my advice.  And some of them "listen" but do their own thing. Many times they go through the fire and come out refined. Sometimes their "thing" backfires and they come running for advice.  My heart leaps for joy when they ask for my opinion.  It is then that I realize that I had to take my own path in my life.  It was necessary for me to exercise my free will to do the not so wise things only to be better prepared to help guide my children through their moments. And that is when I am remind God's faithfulness.

Life is a process.  And each one of us ultimately gets to our "home".  Some choose to stay within the parameters of how they were "raised".  While others go a completely different direction.  I would love to see my children every Sunday sitting at church right beside me.  I would be thrilled to know that they were getting "fed" the right stuff.  But they are string-less now. I know that by the grace of God's they will hear His words that have been written on their hearts.  And one day each one of them will find their way.  I continue to pray for them daily.  And often find myself praying for them multiple times throughout each day.  I can smile because I am blessed by five wonderful, independent, free willed, adult children who are learning daily.  

The Bucket List

A few nights ago I came home, after work in Springfield and then watching my angel and sweet baby, to find my husband deep in thought.  We ate dinner.  And for a few minutes sat quietly next to each other.  I was exhausted.  And was enjoying the silence for a moment.  After a while I broke the silence with, "What are you thinking about?".  He looked sad.  Earlier in the week he had heard of the passing of a co-worker who was five years his senior.  And this was weighing heavy on his mind.  He began reflecting on his on life, his goals and some of his past losses.  We talked for quite some time.  There were tears, smiles and a whole gamut of emotions flowing.  

Greg's parents both passed away before he and I got together. I never had the privilege to know them in a physical aspect.  But I have gotten to know them through the eyes of my husband, my inherited daughters, my sister-in-laws and many of Greg's, now mine too, Aunts, Uncles and cousins.  I often see a reflection of Grace and Richard in each one of them.  They were both so young they didn't get to see some of their dreams come to fruition. They missed graduations, weddings, births and so much more.  However, their legacy still shines bright in this family

Knowing that death is inevitable for each of us I brought up the concept of the bucket list.  I asked Greg to share about the things he wanted to accomplish before he died.  I smiled and laughed a little when he said he wanted to get a car.  And promptly I replied, "You should absolutely get a new car." After all the sacrificing he did for all of the kids and me throughout the years he should, at least, get a new car.

His list continued to grow with some silly and not so silly items. It was clear that he had been thinking a lot about his "bucket list".  Places he wants to see, things he wants to do, and little chores to accomplish.  But the most important things were deeply routed in his heart.  He told me that when Ashley graduated from high school he wished so deeply that his Dad, Ashley's Pop-pop, was able to share in that moment.  "Pop-pop would have been so proud of you, Ash" he remembered telling her after she received her diploma. With tear filled eyes he said, "I really want to be there for my grandchildren when they graduate from high-school so I can tell them I am proud".  Most of all he just wants to be there for the important things.

He asked me to share my thoughts about my list.  I don't have many things on my bucket list.  My silly and not so important items; write a book, draw again, and have a few great adventures with my loves.  But, just like my "better half", it's the things of the heart that are truly at the core of my list. 

There is one thing I know for sure.  I know that I won't live forever.  And God has a better "bucket list" a.k.a plan in mind (Jeremiah 29:11). When God chooses to bless me with a new day I want to reflect on the core items.  I pray that my husband, children, family, friends and future members know,  even when we seem disconnected, how deeply I love them.  My hearts desire is to know that my family feels God's love.  And that I, as His servant, can and will be a true reflection of His amazing grace.  And I pray that when I do "kick the bucket" that an abundance of love spills out and spreads far.  

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way"~Psalm 139: 23-24

Smooth sailing

My boat is rocky as the wind and waves begin to pound. My passenger is sleeping, I'm normally safe when He's around. On my knees I fall for it is courage I must find. As faith and fear begin to battle for my heart and mind. The waves seem to be coming faster as my boat begins to fill. I long to hear those precious words that will make my storm be still. Fear is holding fast and shouts, "you are lost at sea". But faith just whispers of God's grace and His peace for me. Wake up, my Lord, I need you to calm my every fear. With a smile He calmly wipes every salty tear. Oh, one with little faith, you must go through every trial. Storms will come and storms will go... I will be there every mile.

 I recently celebrated my two year anniversary at my current place of employment.  And I found myself reflecting back on my first days, weeks and months on the job.

In the first few days I was filled with great excitement.  I remember thinking how amazing this new v voyage was going to be.  I would be working, every day, with a group of people that started the workday with a prayer ( or reflection ). The first two days that is exactly what occurred.

On the third day I showed up at the branch that would soon become my "home sweet home away from home".  And, much to my surprise, there was no prayer or reflection, for that matter, on that day. So I quietly, at my desk, prayed for God's blessings and for my new work "family".  As the day progressed I felt like I was learning a lot.  I had spent the previous thirteen years managing a Wellness center.  And this was completely different for me.  Well, after the first week I went home feeling like I was on cloud nine.  I prayed every morning prior to getting out of the car.  And smiled as a soaked in all the responsibilities of being a "staffing specialist".

Then week two happened.  The branch that I was assigned to work in was, at the time, completely overwhelmed and understaffed.  I began to feel the stress of the young woman, Rhonda, that was orienting me.  It was so busy.  She couldn't even take a lunch break let alone train me properly.  Week three I found myself driving to another location to orient at a slower paced branch with Chris and Christal.  And eventually, after two weeks under their guidance, I was ready to return to the "home sweet home away from home" branch.

 In the three months that followed I felt moments of great success and great failure.  There were individuals that seemed to want to see me fail.  I was told that I wasn't doing what was expected of me. And there were a few individuals that felt I wasn't a team player.  I remember feeling crushed.  You see I have always given one hundred percent in any job I have ever done.  And I am always willing to go above and beyond the "call of duty".  I remember praying and crying out to God.  I felt abandoned. And I began to question the path I had taken.

Lord, why on earth would you have directed my sails into the heart of one of the most tumultuous storms?  I thought the months leading up to my getting into this new boat were difficult enough. And now, there I was, feeling like a failure and my boat seemed to be sinking fast.

Then I remembered something very important.  God was and has always been in complete control of this journey.  I just needed to trust in Him.  He was there.  Waiting for me to surrender it all.  So, I decided to let Him take control of the sails.  Occasionally I would tug a little (because I didn't like the direction He was taking me).  But, I realized that my faith grew stronger as I trusted in Him more and more each day.

Shortly after my one year anniversary I was informed that my job was relocating.  And, unfortunately for me, it was to a location that was too far for me to commute. Feeling the waves crashing against the side of my boat once more. I was so upset because I had grown to love my co workers.  I had prayed everyday for them and we had grown to be a family. And not to mention that, by the grace of God, I had become quite proficient in my job. We were given two options. Relocate or leave.  I was completely torn.  But I knew God was in control. Once again I handed the sails over. After much prayer I sat down and with the help of my husband formulated a letter.  I stated that I could not relocate due to my family obligations.  And that I was willing to stay until they hired my replacement.  However, there was one stipulation. I had to stay at my current "home sweet home away from home" branch.

It has been almost a year since I wrote that letter and I am still reporting to the "home sweet home away from home" branch.  I know that the end of my "staffing specialist" days are on the horizon.  This past week I have been training a sweet young woman named Rachel to do my job.  Each morning I pray for her as she begins her Mercy voyage.  And I believe, by the grace of God, she is going to be fabulous.  I want her to be one of the best staffing specialists my company has ever encountered. After-all the student should one day be just as good if not greater than the teacher.  I can only hope that it's smooth sailing for her.


My life has never been what one would call the reflection of perfection.  However, God has been truly faithful.  And I know that He has great plans for me.  His grace is new every morning.  My future is looking bright. And my days will continue to be full.   There will always be moments when I feel like the storm is never going to end.  But with great faith I can open my eyes to realize that a tumultuous storm has the potential of becoming a smooth sailing sea.

"God is our refuge and strength,an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear...." He is ever-present in this gusty storm too. He reminds me that even though I have a little faith, like that of a mustard seed, I can move mountains.(Matthew 17:20).

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree.........no matter how far it rolls.

The apple certainly does not fall far from the tree.

I got up this morning and, like most mornings, went to my bible and read scripture, prayed for God's blessings on my family and friends and for His grace to, once again, guide me throughout this day. I came down stairs only to find that my living room had been taken over by 21 year old boys sleeping comfortably in the place I had planned on planting myself for some internet surfing. And now here I sit, chomping on a red delicious, on the stool in my beautiful kitchen.

The first place I chose to surf was blogger.com.  I like to look at the blogs that I follow only to check in for new insights.  Earlier this week I was blessed to see that a very special blogger had posted her first blog since May 3rd, 2012.  I was excited to she what her "Last Hurrah" was all about.  As I read through her beautifully worded blog my heart was leaping for joy.  You see this blogger is my youngest daughter.  An apple that fell from the tree and rolled all the way to Manayunk, Pa. a few months ago.  Initially I was alarmed at the title of her latest blog, "I've Already Failed".  As a mother I see each one of my children as my greatest success stories.  So, I began to read through her post and after the first sentence my concern had dissipated.  Her idea of "failure" was a bucket of popcorn.

There have been many moments throughout my life that I too have felt like a "failure".  I once heard from an old friend that, "promises are made to be broken".  That was a harsh statement.  And I try very hard to not to break promises.  But that hasn't always worked out in my favor. I have made silly promises to God, myself and others.  The promise to eat right, exercise and/or do cardio everyday only to go an entire week without following through.  The promise to get to a game or event even when my work schedule doesn't permit.  And even some bigger promises.  One in particular.  The promise that I would read through the bible before picking up any other book.  One could say, or at least I have found myself stating, I am a failure. However, God doesn't see me that way. In His eyes I am a work in progress.  The apple of his eye. (Deuteronomy 32:10).  Praise God that His promises are true.  And as far back as I can remember He has kept His promise to never leave me or forsake me. No broken promise on his end.

Years ago one of my pastors told me that one day the wisdom that my husband and I planted in each of our children, biological and inherited, would one day shine.  And this morning I got a taste of that while reading my daughter's blog entry. It brought great joy when she, like her mom, quoted scripture.

We have five apples that have grown on our tree. And each one of them has been the "apple of our eyes"  We have protected them, cared for them and given them wisdom and godly advice.  Prayed for them to walk upright and go in the direction that God has paved for them.  And each one of our "apples" has taken a path of their own.  Our youngest, the spartan, is still hanging on to the branch gathering the wisdom and nutrients needed for his future. Our "blogger", the gala,  has rolled away and is currently developing her color in life not to far from home. Another, our pink lady, has planted seeds and now has a tree of her own with two beautiful apple blossoms. And two have rolled a little further than the others. One rolled to the west coast.  She was bruised and not quite ripe when she left.  However, she has developed into quite the honey crisp now that she is closer the the California sun. And our oldest, the adventurous one, floated across the Atlantic where she shines and has grown into a beautiful and well rounded elma.  Each one of them has developed their own character and flavor. As I sit back and observe them in their quest in life I see some of our, my husband's and my own, pulp running through their veins. They have taken some of our good and not so good traits and have intertwined them with other influences to become the beautiful individuals they are today.  I can only praise God for His faithfulness and His promise that the wisdom He graciously bestowed on us, as parents, has not returned void.  It is only by His grace that each one of them has become a fruitful adult.

Sometimes promises are unintentionally broken or made. And often bring us to feel like failures.  I can honestly say, as I sit here at this moment reflecting on the "apples of my eye" that I am not a "failure".  I have five flavorful success stories in the making.   There is a new dawn to each day.  So, to my sweet gala, enjoy the oreo's and have a handful of popcorn......"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted He will provide a way out so you can endure it".  And to all of my "apples", I love you and want to say thank you for making our tree one of the best in the grove.