A Week's Recap

Our week was nothing out of the ordinary, but looking back, we had something on the calendar every day.  

Monday:  Platinum Singer rehearsal for Dick and Men's Bible Study at our house

Tuesday:  Libby had an appointment with a pain management specialist

Wednesday:  Dick taught his Wednesday Life Group class and the housekeeper                       came.  Not any too soon!

               The Trumps visit Royalty and looked royal.  This didn't affect us personally as we weren't invited.  Nevertheless, it was fun to take in the events from a distance.

So many negative and judgmental comments were made, but I thought they all looked "royal" and dressed to the nines, as my mother used to say. 

Thursday:  Platinum Singer concert in Tyler, TX

Our choir was invited to join the Green Acres Senior Choir for a concert and lunch.

I invited long-time friends, Judy and Tom Ivey, who now live in Longview, TX, to drive over and meet us.  It was so good to see them again after our move from Shreveport five years ago.  

Friday:  Dick went to his Men's Bible Study that meets every Friday morning at 7.

            

            I walked in the Willow Bend Mall which is near our house.

The story of Willow Bend could be capsulized with Bad Luck From The Start!

When The Shops at Willow Bend, a 1.4 million-square-foot shopping center in Plano, TX, one of the nation’s most affluent and growing areas, opened in August 2001, it was billed as this area's answer to luxury shopping — but the mall was on life support from the start.

Its debut came just weeks before the Sept. 11 attacks, which sparked an economic downturn and dampened retail spending nationwide.

Willow Bend struggled to draw consistent foot traffic and never quite found its own identity.  Today, Willow Bend is remembered as the last enclosed mall built in Texas — and among the last in the nation — a reminder of a retail era long past.

Now, it has been sold again and branded “The Bend.” The new plans call for demolishing more than 500,000 square feet of the mall to make way for apartments, offices, retail, green space as well single-living homes on the outside.

So what does a huge luxury mall doomed for destruction look like?

It is the perfect walking space for all seeking some relief from the intense Texas heat.

Many of the stores are closed so there are several Pop Up stores and cultural dress shops.

The original anchor stores have all closed except for Dillards and Neiman Marcus.  Neiman's is slated to close in 2027.  It is such a sad story for this mall.

Our afternoon was spent binging on the series "A Place Called Home" on Prime.  

Saturday:  Dick again met his buddies at Whataburger for their usual Saturday morning gathering.  We had a friend over for lunch, then the rest of the day was spent in front of football games.

Sunday:   We get to go to church for worship and Bible Study with some of the nicest people.  It's been another good week for the Days in Plano.

Tribute to Virginia Revels

Many years ago, a group of young women, bound together by a Sunday School teacher who loved each of us unconditionally for who we each were, became the "DOVR" - Daughters of Virginia Revels.

Virginia is front and center.  Can you find the writer of this blog?

 Twenty years later, in 2015, a group of us got together to honor this special lady and friend.

 This week, we received word that our "Mother", Virginia Revels, went to be with her Lord and Saviour at the age of 99.

We moved to Bastrop, LA, in June 1969 and lived there until August 2002.  Dick and Virginia Revels were among the first to welcome us and make us part of their family.  We soon learned that Dick and my mother were distant cousins, so quickly, his name for me became "Cuz."

When my youngest sister, Sarah, came to live with us in August 1969 to complete her senior year of high school, Dick and Virginia's youngest daughter, Jana, quickly befriended her.  This meant so much to Sarah and to us as well.

It didn't take long for Dick to discover Jana's outstanding vocal abilities, and we both remember vividly her first solo at church.  She went on to major in vocal music and is now an Associate Professor of Voice at Kennesaw State University.  We feel that another of our children has done well.

Through all of this, our friendship continued to grow, and a mutual respect began to develop between not only Dick and Virginia, but with their children as well.

How does one adequately describe a saint, a role model, and the epitome of graciousness?

Virginia was the most gracious lady who could make the most awkward young woman feel special.  She had a way of making everyone she met feel loved and accepted.   She was a hostess extraordinaire, and an event at her home was always memorable.

Virginia was not only an excellent seamstress but also a designer.  She had such a sense of style.  Her clothes were to be envied as they were always perfect - at least in my eyes.  Her tastes in decor helped set my own, and I can vividly recall almost every detail of her lovely home.

Virginia taught the young adult women's Sunday School class for many years, so there were many "daughters" who went through her teaching and influence.  She was the example to us of what it meant to be a godly woman, wife, and mother.  She was our friend!

After we moved to Shreveport, Virginia, and a group of ladies who were also my mother's friends came to visit her.  I cannot describe how much this meant to Mother.

This is who Virginia was: a friend, a giver, a joy, and an inspiration.

You will be forever remembered, Virginia, and forever missed.  I thank my God for you at every remembrance.

   

Hodgepodge of Remembering

Without love, there would be no grief, and grief is the result of having loved.

Thank you, Joyce for the questions this week.

To see more answers go HERE

1.  Are you more life of the party or more party pooper? If your answer is somewhere in the middle, which side of the middle do you lean towards more?

I am in the middle, but I lean more towards the party pooper side.  I don't enjoy being in large groups and don't really enjoy chit-chatting.  I would much prefer sitting on the sideline, watching and judging.

Birthday party, beach party, cocktail party, dinner party, charity fundraiser, surprise party, costume party, garden party, Christmas party, reunion...what's your favorite kind of party?

 

I do enjoy an intimate dinner party with friends, either in someone's home or a nice restaurant, when we can sit around the table and share meaningful conversation.

2. Cheese, wine, and balsamic vinegar all improve with age. What would you personally add to the list? 

Contentment!  I think as we get older, or at least this has been my experience, we learn to be content in whatever happens to us or around us.  This doesn't mean we necessarily like what's happening, but we have learned to accept it and either do what we can to fix it or simply move on.

The Apostle Paul set the example in Philippians 4:11-13.  Through many adversities, and rooted in his learned ability to find peace and satisfaction in any circumstance, not due to external factors, but through his strength found in Christ, he found contentment.  I think this state of contentment can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

3. How do you feel about your birthday? How do you want to be celebrated? Or don't you?

Birthdays in our family don't get a lot of recognition unless it's a big one, and I do enjoy celebrating my husband.  I really can't think of ever having a birthday party since I was a small child; however, I was a little let down when my 80th went by without acknowledgment, especially when friends all around me were being given big parties or at least a special time with their family.  Dick took me out for a nice dinner, and that was enough.  This goes back to the previous answer - being content in whatever circumstances one finds herself.  I was just jealous and feeling sorry for myself, which is not a good look on me.

4. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily your same birth year, just the same date/month.

    November 1

• 835 Pope Gregory IV decrees All Saints Day a holy day of obligation for the Catholic religion
• 1611 Shakespeare's romantic comedy play "The Tempest" is performed at court in front of James I at Whitehall Palace - its first recorded performance
• 1896 First bare-breasted women (Zulu) to appear in National Geographic Magazine
• 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor.  Japanese naval staff officers Suzuki & Maejima arrive at Pearl Harbor
• 1966 NFL awarded a franchise to New Orleans; the name "Saints" alludes to November 1, All Saints Day in the Catholic faith

5. Share two good things about your life right now. 

1:  A comfortable state of financial security for our future

2:  A loving relationship with my Lord Jesus, my husband, family, and friends

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This has been a very traumatic week on numerous levels - remembering 9/11 and the tragic death of Charlie Kirk.  I won't go into all that because most of you have also experienced the same emotions - unbelief that this could happen, why?, sadness, anger, disgust with so many negative and hurtful responses, etc., as I have.  And yet to see what God is doing among His people despite what the evil one intended.

On Thursday, we also lost a great saint, Virginia Revels, who has been a mentor to many in the First Baptist Church of Bastrop, LA.  She celebrated her 99th.

I will do a separate post on this extraordinary woman tomorrow.

A Blessed Hodgepodge

Thank you, Joyce, for this week's questions.  They were food for thought.  Jump over to From This Side of the Pond to see how she and others answered these questions.  How would you answer them?

1. What gives you energy? What takes it away?

A regular early morning workout routine, and anticipation/completion of a plan.

Being around highly energetic and loud people depletes me of energy.  It literally wears me out and gives me the heebie-jeebies.

2. How often do you shop for clothes? What accessory do you always wear?

I do not enjoy shopping, so I rarely go into a store to just look and shop, unless I need something specific.  The most recent items have been purchased online.

I always wear a pair of earrings and a bracelet, and when it is not charging overnight, I wear an Apple watch.

3. What's something free that you feel grateful for?

Grace is free to me, but it cost my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, His life.  I will forever be grateful for the gift of salvation because I am so unworthy.

4. Breakfast, lunch, dinner...which meal of the day do you enjoy most? What's your go-to comfort food? 

Breakfast!  I do not normally eat breakfast unless we eat out.  It is our favorite eat-out meal, and we enjoy meeting friends mid-morning on Saturdays.

My go-to comfort food is scrambled eggs and bacon/sausage

5. This week, the world remembers the tragic events of 9/11. Do you mark the day in any way? How do historical events shape your perspective on your personal challenges? 

We do not mark the day in any way specifically, other than being grateful that our precious Ginger's life was spared on that day.

I don't know that historical events shape my perspective other than to allow these events to serve as a reminder that a sovereign God is in control. He knows my needs and has a plan.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

In 2 Chronicles 20, God gave King Jehoshaphat the following instructions for dealing with a huge challenge in his life, and this is how I seek to face personal challenges as well.

The battle is the Lord's!

Don't be afraid or discouraged

Face the battle or challenge - don't ignore it

Position yourself where God wants you - in His will

Stand still - don't try to solve it on your own

Watch what God will do!

Then worship and praise Him for what He has done or is continuing to do

Wait for the blessings!

Speaking of blessings, you are invited to hop over to my previous blog covering the past 60 years of our marriage.  Warning:  Picture overload.

WOW! 60 Years

An Anniversary Week Recap

We only have one of these weeks each year, so we wanted to make the most of it in 2025. After all, how often does one become 85 years old while celebrating a 60th wedding anniversary?  Never!

Tuesday was Dick's special day and what better way to start the day than with special friends for breakfast.

We make it a habit to have breakfast with Richard & Mary as often as possible because it's our favorite meal of the day.  We met at one of our favorite places, the Toasted Yolk, where we are never disappointed.  We had a double reason to be together, because on Thursday, Richard was to have surgery to remove one of his kidneys.  We are so grateful that the surgery went well and he is doing great.

Wednesday night, following the 8-week class we are attending on "Finishing Well" for seniors, the group sang "Happy Anniversary" to us.  That was special!

Then it was Thursday!  I had made reservations at a locally owned restaurant, Steve Fields Steakhouse, to celebrate both my sweetie and us.  He loves a good Prime Rib, and this is the only place in our area that still serves it.

My favorite is the filet, and I was not disappointed either.  It is a lovely restaurant and the service is unmatched.  They ended our meal with a huge wedge of the most delicious six-layered chocolate cake.  Oh my!  We promised each other that we would return.

Friday morning, we got on the road before daylight to head east, back to Louisiana, to visit a dear friend we hadn't seen in too long.  It was an 8-hour round trip, which made for a long day, but was worth it.

For those of you who might not recognize the guy holding hands with Dick, it is the welcome mat outside every Buc ee's.  Southern Living magazine recently did an article on this Texas icon, found here Buc ee's

Saturday, we went with a group of leaders from Dick's Wednesday afternoon Life Group to Stonebriar Church.  Some of you may be familiar with Dr Chuck Swindoll.  He pastored this church for many years before recently retiring.

The Senior Adult ministry hosted an Old-Fashioned Singing event with a group that calls itself "Heaven's Front Porch."  They sing many of the good old hymns and songs we and our parents grew up on.  It was so good to hear and also sing along with these beautiful old songs.

This lady sang "No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus."  That was my very first solo in church when I was a very young teenager, and it has always been one of my favorite hymns.  I hadn't heard it sung as a solo in years, so I asked if I could have my picture taken with her for the sake of memory.  She obliged.

Sunday morning, Dick stepped into the garage to find himself standing in water.  After searching for the source of the water covering the floor and not finding anything, we realized it was coming from our neighbor's garage.  After turning off their water, we began cleaning up the area.  Although not exactly how we wanted to spend our Sunday, we managed to clean up, and I got rid of a lot of things that we no longer needed.  So all is good.

May your week ahead bring joy and fun things to brighten each day, and may God bless your steps.

Stay tuned to see where the road takes us this week.

WOW, Sixty Years!

It all started on February 6, 1965, on a blind date in New Orleans, La., instigated by mutual friends, Alton & Betty Jo Sample.

It didn't take long for both of us to know this was a relationship we wanted to see develop.

Dick soon introduced me to his special friends, the McGee's and Morris's, and after a few months, with the men's prompting, he proposed.  Without needing their urging, I accepted.

This was taken the weekend Dick proposed at the home of Derry & Dora McGee in Kentwood, LA.

A few months later, on September 4, 1965, we were married at the church my dad pastored, First Baptist Church of Pine Prairie, LA, with both my sisters as attendants.

This post is a picture overload of most of these years, registering changes and events that have made these 60 years so memorable.

As there was no money or time for a honeymoon, two days later, we moved into our little duplex apartment in New Iberia to begin serving full-time as Minister of Music and Youth in our 1st church field at Highland Baptist Church.

One of many duets through the years.

After serving at Highland Baptist Church in New Iberia for 11 months, we were called to the First Baptist Church in Houma in 1966, which was further south on the intercoastal canal. 

After 11 months here, we moved with our cat Neiko #1 to the North Orange Baptist Church in Orange, TX, in 1967, where we served for almost two years.  It was here that we conceived our first child.

1968 - Our couple friends, Derry & Dora Magee and Bill & Velta Morris, came to Orange, TX, to inspect the union they had helped create.  I think they were pleased with the results, and until Derry's death, they all still remain dear and precious friends.
 

In June 1969, we moved to Bastrop, LA, in time for John Marcus to be born on August 22.  Dick was still serving as Minister of Music and Youth.  Those were busy days.

Our little family was completed on April 21, 1971, with the birth of Christina Elizabeth (Christy).

In 1972, our church gifted us with a trip to the Holy Land.

In 1973, Dick began serving full-time as just the Minister of Music.

 

1974 meant kindergarten for John and a mustache and sideburns for Dick
 

1975 - One of many themed Youth Sweetheart Banquets

1975 brought more changes as I started driving a school bus, John went to 1st grade, and Christy enjoyed a few hours during the week in preschool.

In 1975 Dick and I hosted a trip to the Holy Land with a side trip to Egypt and other points of interest

 1976  

1977 -  John transferred to a Christian school, and Christy entered Kindergarten there.  They remained in Cherry Ridge Christian until their 7th-grade years.

1979 - One of our Christmas Messiah performances

1980

1981

Christmas 1982

Our only Sweetheart Banquet with a teenage son

Christmas 1983

1985 - A family trip to Creed, CO, before John headed off to Louisiana College in the fall

1986 - Christmas with the animals, Muffin and Neiko#2

1987 - Christmas without Neiko and Christy's senior year in high school

1988 - Christy's wedding

1990- A trip with my parents, Poppa & Larla to Creed, Co.  One of the most memorable times.

April 6, 1993 - Birth of 1st grandchild, Chandler

Jan 18, 1994 - Death of my dad, "Poppa" Porter Lazenby

1994 - John & Michelle's wedding

Feb 28, 1995 - Birth of 2nd Grandchild and only Grandson, Jackson Day, 

May 23, 1997 - Birth of 3rd Grandchild, Cassidy 

1998 - A Mediterranean Cruise with best friends 

May 11, 1999 - Birth of 4th Grandchild, Savannah 

1999 - 30th anniversary at FBC Bastrop

2000 - Our final banquet at FBC Bastrop

                           Oct 5, 2000 - Birth of 4th Grandchild, Mary-Elizabeth 

2001 - Alaskan Cruise

2002 - Christy & Chuck's wedding and a new granddaughter, Emily


2002 - After 33 1/2  years of service at FBC Bastrop, it was time to retire and see what else God had planned for us.

In June, we moved to be near John and his family in Shreveport, LA, and closer to Christy and her family, who lived in the Dallas area.

2003 - We soon found that God was not finished with Dick and gave him 8 more years of some of the sweetest years of his ministry at Greenwood Baptist Church.

2004 - We took our four oldest grands to Branson and Silver Dollar City.  Precious memories! 

2005 - A family gathering at our home in Shreveport

July 28, 2005 - Death of my mother, "Larla" Laura Colvin Lazenby

Oct 17, 2006 - Birth of final grand, Ava Grace, 

Christmas 2007 - with John's family in Slidell, LA, the beginning of a new tradition

2008

2009 - Family reunion in Shreveport

2010 - Christmas in Granger, IN 

2011 - Attending one of many of Savannah's soccer games

2012

2013 - Band recital for Savannah and Mary-Elizabeth, Granger, IN 

2014 - Attended Glen & Tracy's wedding in Maryland before taking an extended trip to Niagara Falls, through Michigan, and ending up at John's for a couple of weeks to celebrate our anniversary.

2015 - We hosted our 50th wedding anniversary celebration at our home in Shreveport, LA with most of our family attending.

Jan 1, 2016 - The family gathered to watch Jackson and the undefeated WMU Broncos play Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl.  How exciting was that!

2017 - We enjoyed a wonderful few days on Mackinac Island, MI, before spending a few weeks with John and family in Granger, IN

2018 - Our final duet, FBC Shreveport, "Fiddler on the Roof" (with me singing bass)

2019 - The family at Emily's wedding

2020 - Dick's 80th BD & our 55th wedding anniversary party at Christy's

Oct 10, 2020 - Dick performed the wedding ceremony for Jackson & McKenna,  Granger, IN

While attending Jackson's and McKenna's wedding, Dick and I agreed with Christy that it was time we moved closer to either her or John, as "we were getting older."  After Dick and I got home, we had a plan laid out that was quickly put into action.  Due to the long winters in Indiana, it was decided to move to the Dallas area with long summers instead.  Our house in Shreveport sold in one day, and we were left to find a place to live in Texas.

Dec. 29, 2020 - We moved into the home God had been saving for us in The Village at Prestonwood.

Christmas 2020 - As we couldn't get movers until after Christmas, we enjoyed
Christmas with Christy's family

2021 - Dick performed the wedding for our nephew Lee Wyant and his beautiful bride, Jacqueline, at their wonderful North Arkansas cabin.

2022 - The big events were the births of our 1st two great-grandchildren, Landon Cunningham on April 6 and Jax Day exactly 3 months later, June 6.

2023 - Easter in Dallas

2023 - Birth of 3rd great-grandchild - Jasper Emerick

2023 - September 58th Anniversary celebration in Santa Fe, NM, before enjoying a 3-week trip through Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado.

2023 - Christmas in Indiana

2024 - Birth of 4th great-grandchild and 1st granddaughter, Navy Grace Day

2024 - Dick's 84th birthday and our 59th anniversary were shared with dear friends who were married exactly one day before us in 1965, Richard and Mary Phegley

2025 - Birth of 5th great-grandchild - Sebastian "Bass" Cunningham

Two weeks later, Bass's cousin was born in Athens, Greece
6th great-grandson, Noah Bitsaktsis

Three weeks after Noah's birth, great-grandchild #7 and another girl, Juniper Emerick was born

Ava Grace graduated from high school and entered the University of Arkansas
 All of these great events happened to the same parents/grandparents, Chuck and Christy. 



 Looking back over the past 60 years, we still wonder where the years have gone.  We can only testify to the amazing favor and blessings of a sovereign God who went before us and directed our every step.  We give all praise and glory to Jesus Christ, who saved us, led us to each other in His time, gave us two perfect children and their mates, wonderful places of service, life-long friends, seven perfect grandchildren, and now seven amazing great-grandchildren.

We know God isn't finished with us yet, and our desire is to finish strong until He is ready to take us home.

To many more years together!