A Positive Memory Post

It is Wednesday and we again join with Joyce for the Hodgepodge.

Click HERE to see the other bloggers today.

1. January 24th is National Compliment Day. Is it easy or not so easy for you to accept a compliment? Share a recent compliment you've given or received.

I have had to learn to accept a compliment graciously.  A dear friend has been a wonderful example for me.  She is beautiful and a sought-after soloist.  When complimented, she looks the person right in the eye, smiles, and sincerely thanks them for whatever they might have said.  I realize that a compliment can be gift and I try to accept it as such.

I see myself as an encourager and  delight in paying compliments to others.  I think the last one I gave was to my husband on Sunday morning because he looked so handsome.

2. Ten little things you are loving right now.

Clarification:  This list is more "LIKE" than love

1. Ringing Handbells
2. Winter
3. A new candle stand in guest bath
4. Doing Pilates with my friends
5. Thinking about seeing my Dallas family in a few weeks
6. Looking forward to joining long-time and seldom seen friends for a couple days on Feb. 2
7. Reading the Bible through
8. Learning to use the Pritikin eating plan (this may not be a love or even like thing yet!)
9. Our new Alexa
10. I do absolutely LOVE these new head shots of our little actress granddaughter
    

3. Would people describe you as a positive person? Do you see yourself that way? I read here  a list/description of eight things positive people do differently-

Yes, I think my glass is always half full.

Positive people find something to look forward to every day, they celebrate the small stuff, they're kind, they stay busy, accept responsibility for their actions, forgive themselves, know when to move on, and resist comparisons

Which action on the list would you say you do regularly?

Since a child, I have always had to have something to look forward to.  After retiring, that took some readjusting, but I still plan and look forward to something almost every day.

Which action could you add to your life to give you a more positive outlook?

I could probably do more outside the home to stay busy, but am not pushing it.

If you're a positive person, what's something you do regularly that's not on the list?

I pray and seek God's direction.

4. Homemade chicken soup, beef stew, or a bowl of chili...what's your pleasure on a cold winter's day?

Of these choices, it would be a bowl of chili

5. The best part of my day is....

Afternoons when Dick comes in from the office and we sit together, talk, read and enjoy a hot cup of tea.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

This past Saturday we did something Dick has been wanting to do for some time.  We took a road trip back to where he grew up, Columbia, Louisiana.  He knew all of the old houses they had lived in were no longer standing, but he wanted to see if he could find the old home places.

There was a huge flock of geese scrounging for food in a recently plowed field

We did find a couple sites and he relived many of the memories that took place at each.  It was such an interesting time for both of us. 

The house above was Dick's grandfather's house that was built in the early 50's.  He was blind, but Dick remembers seeing him sit out on the porch which overlooks the Ouachita River.  This whole area was once called "Hudson Bend."

He also remembered that his family had lived in an old house back on the other side of the field, which is long gone, and even as a small boy, worked in this cotton field.

Life was not easy during that time, but it was all they knew.  Because of those struggles, there have come generations of strong, well-educated, professionals who only hear the stories.

I recently came across this picture of  Dick's sisters, aunts and uncles and grandparents.  Dick is sitting in his mother's lap.  Evidently, the Ouachita River flooded in 1940 and this is where the farmer and his family lived until the new house was built.

We also found the cemetery where his mother's family is buried and the headstone for his grandparents, and great-grandfather, James.

This was such a fun day and we were so glad we took the time to go back and remember.

Wednesday Ramblings

Since we aren't having our Wednesday Hodgepodge this week, I thought I would share some different things with you.

I recently read this article on how to have a good relationship with your adult children.  Even the closet families can have room for improvement some times.  This article contained some good information.

Bond With Adult Children

These are some amazing photos of God's amazing creation

Can you imagine yourself on this little winding path in Bavaria with this colorful sky overhead?

 Is this not the most perfect mountainous sunrise!

 Because of my granddaughter's love for Spain, anything having to do with that beautiful country catches my eye.  Can you imagine taking a hike on this steep path with such a breathtaking ocean view?  Not with my knees but I can dream, can't I?

These are a few pictures I took this past weekend while out for a Sunday afternoon drive with Hubby.

Wallace Lake Dam is managed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and is located about ten miles south of our house on picturesque Wallace Lake.  We had no idea it existed until that day.

Wallace Lake was created when the dam was built as a flood control lake, protecting a large area of agricultural land below it from seasonal flooding.  It is a wooded lake containing beautiful moss draped cypress trees and known for great fishing.  I understand it is only about 2 feet deep.

 This dam or spillway was built in 1946 strictly for the purpose of flood control.  It is now the sight for perhaps clandestine meetings, graffiti expression and Sunday afternoon explorings.

 We climbed the levy for this over view.  It was quite a climb but worth it.

The lake is out of sight off to the left somewhere, hidden among the trees. 

 I found it interesting that this was labeled as the Wallace Lake Mural Project.

 I'm afraid it has become more of a place for artists with a strange sense of expression.

 This young man was very busy moving the length of the dam with a spray paint can.  I was never able to see what he was doing unless he was painting over something. That could keep him occupied for quite a while.

 I loved this peaceful scene and it's as close to a rushing stream as we get here.

We then took another interesting little country road that we had never seen before and continued our exploration.  These beauties caught our eye and camera lens.

Dick said this is a good example of  "the grass is always greener on the other side."

We came into the tiny little village of Gayle, consisting of three large plantation homes and an old general store/post office.  The village was probably less than a mile long, but so pretty with acres of depth in farm land.

This was one of many beautiful old Oak trees surrounding the homes, with limbs looking like spider legs moving across the landscape.  So typical of the south.

I hope you have enjoyed my ramblings and have a great rest of your week.  Hodgepodge will return next week after Joyce bonds with her new perfect grandson.

Introducing Hudson House

A year ago, as part of my "Love Your Home" series, I featured the home of Jan Hudson.  This has been the most viewed post on my blog, incidentally and can be found HERE.

Jan and her husband own a furniture store and clothing boutique appropriately called
Hudson House.

Jan and I have discussed doing a series of posts on wardrobe planning because she is a master at knowing how to put together clothing pieces to build a wardrobe.  That will be coming in the near future, but I first want to introduce you to Hudson House.

 Located in the Historic Highlands neighborhood, it is like
Turning back time.
 To a time when multiple lamps cast shadows across objects while highlighting others.

 To a time when stark lighting in a room was unheard of - creating harshness rather than warmth.

To a time when gilt and glamor were at home with touches of tapestry, fur, and velvet.

To a time of warmth instead of cold metal racks and shelving.

To a time of romantic clutter and little vignettes where the eye begs to linger a bit longer.

That is Hudson House!

A jewel box full of wearable art and neoclassical furniture and accessories.

Adjoining is a little taste of what can be found in the larger furniture store down the street.

We shall enter this home designer's showcase another time.

In the meantime, when you think of Hudson House, think of romance.

 Linking to Amaze Me Monday

Beauty Without Within Thursday

Welcome!

I hope you will find this new addition to my blog as enjoyable and inspiring as it has already been to me in preparing it.  God has brought so many beautiful women into my life who have each brought enrichment through friendships, encouragement, insight, inspiration, and just plain love.  As I introduce some of these special ladies, you too will see their God-given

"Beauty Without & Within."

  Jean Anne Williams

MY FRIEND

 I met Jean Anne when she and her husband joined us on staff at the First Baptist Church in Bastrop, La. as Minister of Education in 1977.  We became immediate friends.  And although they only lived in Bastrop for two years, we have maintained a very close and intimate friendship.  And one I treasure.

For several years before and after they moved to Shreveport, our families spent New Years together.  This may have been the only time we saw each other during the year prior to our joining them in Shreveport in 2002, but we always looked forward to this special time of catching up, eating Dick's gumbo and Jean Anne's many deserts while watching football and working jigsaw puzzles.

We also have other wonderful memories including our Alaskan Cruise together in 2000.

There is something very special about Jean Anne.  Whether you are initially attracted to her beautiful and warm smile, her sweet and sincere personality, or the engaging way she expresses interest in you, you are captivated and want to know more about this person.

 So, let me tell you a little about her.

FAMILY

She is married to Dr. Larry Williams, who since leaving Bastrop in 1979, has served as Minister of Education and now Minister to Senior Adults at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport.

They are the proud parents of two lovely daughters, Amy and Anne and five wonderful grandchildren, all of whom live nearby.

INTERESTS

Jean Anne is an excellent cook and enjoys trying new recipes in her bright and cheery kitchen.  She also delights in sharing her prepared dishes with folks who just need to know someone cares.  And she does!

She loves to read and now that she is retired, she is especially enjoying catching up on all the books she has collected by her favorite author, Karen Kingsbury.

But, Jean Anne's favorite pass time, other than spending time with her family, is scrape-booking.  She has been recording family memories in scrapbooks for many years.  Below is a box full of  2013 events and happenings so far.

I asked her what her favorite possession(s) was, and I got two very interesting answers.

Jean Anne just recently acquired this trophy from her father, age 92, which dates back to 1940.  The story is, in the little rural Oklahoma town in which her dad grew up, the only pass time for this tall athletic boy and his brothers was basketball.  In 1940, he played on the small High School basketball team that won the State Title, and this is his trophy from that memorable event.

Jean Anne said that her dad shared some very interesting stories with her recently about that time.  After graduating from High School, he was given a Basketball Scholarship to play at one of the large Oklahoma Universities.  After playing one year, he left school because "He just didn't feel right about being paid to play basketball when his two older brothers were serving in the military."  He continued to play basketball on local teams however, winning various trophies until 1973.

What a treasure trove of memories!

 Her other favorite item really didn't surprise me because I have been aware of this item and its significance for many years.

It is her grandmother's dining table.  If it could only talk, the stories it could tell.

SERVICE

As you will see, service is the most important part of Jean Anne's life.  And it is something she and Larry continue to pass on to their children and grandchildren.

Jean Anne served on the staff of Broadmoor Baptist Church for 30 years, 1983 - 2013; 15 of those years as teacher of the 3-year old class and also teaching music two days a week in the church's Week Day Preschool.  Then, she served as Director for 15 years.  Under her leadership, the school grew and enlarged services to the families of the children enrolled.  Although she retired in May of this year, she is still involved by volunteering to help as needed.

During this time, she also sold Premier Jewelry for 12 years.  She taught a Sunday School class, worked with Children's Choirs and continues to sing in the Adult Choir.  Yes, she has been a very busy lady.

Currently, she and Larry personally minister to the widows of their church.  They have organized the group called, "Circle of Love & Hope."  They meet once a week for Bible study, special interest programs, eating out, and craft projects that they share with local non-profit organizations.  They enjoy taking trips to interesting locations where they will also be involved in some type mission project.

 But, perhaps the greatest avenue of service has been in mission trips to Mexico and their on-going ministry to pastors and leaders in the South Central part of the country.  They have teamed up with the Mexican Indian Training Center (MITC) in Cordoba to help support the work of the local pastors and churches while also meeting the medical needs of the people.

Larry and Jean Anne began their Mexico ministry along with members of their church, in the early 1980's.  She has been going on these annual mission trips every year with the exception of perhaps seven of those years.

 

One of the things about Jean Anne is she is willing to serve where ever she is needed most.  Her  responsibilities on these trips through the years has been varied and include painting, cooking, assisting the medical teams, and most recently serving as "pharmacist."  But, knowing this gal as I do, I know that her main ministry is to love on, encourage, befriend, and show the love of Jesus to these people.

 She and Larry have passed the love for this ministry to their girls and now their oldest grandson.

I asked Jean Anne this question, although I already knew the answer:

"What is most important to you?"

Her answer?

"My Christian faith and the strength I gain from that.  Of course my family is very important, and my church because this is where I serve and the majority of my friends are there, but, yes, I would have to say my faith is the most important thing to me."

This large painting done particularly for Larry, hangs in their home and epitomizes the lives of both Larry and Jean Anne.

May I paraphrase and say that it has been a joy to know and love this Godly lady who is truly

 Beautiful Without & Within.

Links to remaining posts in series:

Sally Cox

Dana Mosely

Margaret Williams Jones

Sharon Mabus