A Time of Blessings

Blessing of Friendship

Today I attended the funeral of a woman whom I've not known well or for very long.  In fact, I met her about a year ago at a Sunday School luncheon.  However, she made such an impression on me that day, that I immediately felt an unusual endearment toward her.  I called her a friend.  Earlier this year at another luncheon, she told us that she had been diagnosed with cancer.  As her condition worsened, she moved to be near her daughter.  I missed her.  Pat Thorpe was one of the happiest and funniest people I've had the privilege of knowing.  Evidently, she was the most creative teacher to have taught in Caddo Parish, having been awarded Outstanding Teacher many times.  Let me share with you one story she told on herself:

"I drove my little black Volkswagen into the car wash, and then went inside to wait for the waving towel.  Sure enough, in due time, I saw the guy waving his towel so I went out, gave him a little tip, got into the car and drove off.  Down the road a bit I reached over to get something I had left on the front seat and it wasn't there.  I began to look around and realized nothing looked familiar.  All of a sudden, I realized I was driving a Mercedes instead of my Jetta, so I turned around and went back.  When I drove up there was this weird guy running around waving his arms like crazy.

When I got out of the car he ran up and said "Lady, are you crazy, you took my car."  I told him, "I thought it was mine."  He looked at me and said, "Lady, there is about $50,000 difference in our cars!"  I just shrugged and said, "Well, it was black!"

That was Pat Thorpe.  We will miss you!

Blessed to Give

 Only a few months ago, this precious little James was homeless in Uganda, with nothing to call his own, and now he is excited to share his "shoe box" with another little one who has nothing.  Thank you God for blessing so that we might be a blessing.

Blessed to Receive

 Chris and Starr have been blessed to receive this beautiful little Ugandan daughter for whom they have waited so long.   They got to meet her this week.  This little one has no idea of the love in store for her..

Bless Your People

Israel at War

May we pray for the protection and peace of Israel as they are being fired upon this very hour.

 Lord protect your people, your land, and demonstrate your mighty miraculous power.

Thank you for Your Blessings!

May your Thanksgiving be a day full of God's richest blessings as you give Him Thanks 

Miscellany Monday - Glenwood Village Tea Room

I am so excited about this post today and thank you Carissa for Miscellany Monday.

This is a post I have been looking forward to doing for several weeks.  Since Sunday was Veteran's Day, this is the perfect time to introduce to you a veteran and true patriot. 
Sharon McCullar

When the Lord gave me the title, "Beauty Without Within" for my presentations years ago, I think He must have had Sharon McCullar in mind.

Sharon is without a doubt a beautiful lady on the outside as you will see below.  She is 100% feminine, loves makeup, curls, pink, lace and frills and is seldom without her pearls.

But, her true beauty comes from within.

Let me share with you some interesting things about this pretty veteran.

She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and joined the USAF at the age of 18.  She had a very interesting tour of duty while serving in Japan, Philippines, Burma and Thailand.  She was stationed at Korat AFB during the evacuation of Saigon and had to be air lifted out during the Thai Student Rebellion.

After spending her last six months of enlistment in Fort Worth, Texas, she had fallen in love with the south and decided to make it her new home.  Once discharged, she attended Texas Tech University for two years, then Texas Christian University and University of Texas in Arlington.

She studied Home Economics, Interior Design, Business Management and Food Science.

She was married 15 years before being divorced.  Her true pride and joy are her two sons, Ben and John who are both currently serving in USMC - Scout Sniper and Marine Special Operations.

Sharon has owned and operated The Glenwood Village Tearoom for 25 years.

Sharon established the Tea Party movement in Shreveport/Bossier along with 9 other patriots.

Two years ago, Sharon rededicated her life to Christ and this is the source of her radiant beauty.

I met Sharon about a year ago when we joined First Baptist Shreveport.  She hosts our monthly Sunday School lady's gathering at her Tea Room.  The food is as delicious and beautifully presented as the fellowship is sweet.  Should you plan to visit, you must end your meal with one her specialty scones.  The best you will find!

Come go inside with me!

What else would you expect to find in a Tea Room Gift Shop other than tea sets?  You will certainly find some beautiful sets, but there is so much more to be seen.  Sharon has created so many little vignettes that capture and hold the eye.

 

 Her office.  I think I could work here, don't you?

Thank you Sharon, for your service, for your inspiration, and for your beauty without and within.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

It is very late in the day but I want to get a new post in before I completely miss Wednesday all together.  So, I'm joining What I'm Loving Wednesday for a few of my Wednesday loves.

Loving Time with Ava GraceOn my birthday Ava Grace and Kit took me to American Girl in Dallas for lunch.  We had a great time, and Kit loved her pink lemonade.

 

 Afterward, we went in to the Galleria where Ava Grace introduced Kit to the ice skating rink.

 

We went to the Fall Festival at Prestonwood Baptist Church along with thousands of others.

 Ava Grace was Bat Woman personified!

Even a Bat Woman can snuggle with her pretty mommy, ride horses, race baby doll strollers against a perceived enemy, and escape the bad guys in the huge inflatable slide.

Thank you Ava Grace for helping me have such a great time with you and your family.

  

Loving That the Knight Family is Finally Together!

James and Jolie received a happy welcome from their sisters and grandparents when they arrived at DFW.  I got to meet them and get sweet snuggles from precious little Jolie this past weekend.  They are adapting so beautifully to this enormous change in their life.  But who wouldn't with all the love and attention that they are getting in this family.

  

Loving That the Election is Over

but

Not necessarily loving the results.

Loving that God tells us our sense of security and hope must not rest in things going our way, but in depending on HIM alone.

Loving that He will help me accept His will for this moment in time.

Loving that I can trust Him in every situation whether it is according to my design or not.

Loving that He loves me enough to teach me truths in difficult times.