Monday Musings

I know it is still winter, but in my part of the world today, it looks like SPRING!  We are really trying to not brag on our great weather while other parts of our country are still being buried in ice and snow.

Friendships Get Sweeter

It was 1969 and Hubby and I were visiting a church in northeast Louisiana "in view of a call."  Probably only you Baptists will understand that phrase.  But it means that a church had invited us to visit them to see whether they wanted us on staff or if we wanted to serve with them.  I was 8 months pregnant with our first child at the time.

I visited a couple's Sunday School class that morning and was immediately drawn to another young mother-to-be.  I found out later it was mutual and Monica and I became best friends as did our sons, John and Jonathon, who were born only a few months apart.

A few months later we added Becky and Neal to our circle of friends and their daughter Ginger, who was only a few months older than our sons.  A few years later they had Neal Allen who was like a younger brother to John and Jonathon.

All that to say, our families were very close and we shared many good memories.

The three of us at a typical Friday night gathering at Neal and Becky's house.

But, life happens and people move and circumstances dictate relationships.

Our friendship changed through the years although there has always been a very special bond between us.  Recently, we saw each other and vowed to get together soon.

We did that this past Friday at my house.

There is something about a friendship like ours that survives and overcomes both distance and circumstances.

It is as if it has been sifted and only the sweetest and most meaningful part remains.

 We so enjoyed our time together and just let me tell you that the conversation never lagged for a single second.

Yes, we are planning more times together in the near future.

Monica, Becky, Libby

 Tales of the Heart

 Judy and husband Karl are Sunday School friends of ours and this beautiful story was featured in the Shreveport Times this past weekend.  It is a touching story of how this Mother and Daughter have fought a serious disease.  Click below to read this story.

Judy, Sarah-Grace & Megan 

Leggings Are Not Pants

I recently saw an article entitled "Leggings Are Not Pants," and thought "Thank you!"

I am so tired of seeing not only young girls but women, some even my age (YIKES, for sure) wearing leggings as if they were a pair of pants.

A couple weeks ago the South Bend Tribune featured an article about this very thing:

"They're Tight But Are They Pants?" 

There were comments for and against the wearing of tight fitting leggings, but one courageous Principal's school policy is:

"When leggings began showing up to his school in force in October and November, school officials were repeatedly sending teens back to their lockers or calling parents to bring something to cover up.

The rule is that legs must be covered south of the hip, fingertip length; in other words, a skirt or shirt or sweater must hang south of where a dangling arm's fingertips reach.

I have to agree and voice my appreciation for this philosophy.  Leggings are fine as long as the top covers the hips and upper legs.

There really are some cute looks and I personally enjoy wearing mine with a long loose top or sweater and boots.

Here are some Do's

 

& Don't s!

 So, what are your feelings on this hot topic?

Souchi Fashions

 I thought you might enjoy pictures of fashions from the past of this favorite Olympic sport.
These are skaters from the 1924 Olympics.
Hungry on left, Great Britain, and USA on right.
Can you imagine doing a Triple Axel in a full-length wool skirt and sweater?

Figure Skating Fashions Through the Years

You will enjoy this article by Diana Pemberton-Sikes

Ten Olympians Who Set Fashion Trends

For those of who are still suffering through Winter 2014, let me inspire you to hold on.

Spring will return!

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

Miscellany Monday - Blues & Friendships

 Can it possibly be Monday again already?  I sure had good intentions to do more than one blog last week, but alas!  That just didn't happen and here we are a week later.  My oh my, where does the time go?  But, it is always good to know that Carissa is here Monday after Monday waiting for us to join her for Miscellany Monday.

BLUES & BLUES

 A few weeks ago I featured our newly enclosed back porch and included pictures of a couple outdoor plant stands.  I asked for suggestions about whether to paint them or not.

Daryl @ porch enclosure system suggested that a navy blue would look nice.  After discussing this with Hubby on numerous occasions, we decided to give it a try.

Now, there is navy blue and there is navy blue.

  So, after looking at what seemed like hundreds of color charts, I made my selection and got busy.

Because the stands would be unprotected outside, and the wood was already showing a lot of deterioration, I applied a good coat of primer.

Now, the final coat and stands are in place.

 

 I think I'm pleased with the result.  It picks up the colors in the painting just inside the window.

 

Thank you Daryl, for the advice to go with navy blue.

FRIENDSHIP

In the early 1970's we became friends with Neal and Becky DeForest.  Our two oldest babies, John and Ginger, were only a few months apart and grew up as brother and sister.  They were always in the same classes all the way through school; in all the same church activities; in band together.  When Ginger's little brother, Neal Allen was born, he became John's little brother too.

The DeForest family adopted John as their own as well and he spent many hours with them, fishing, playing ball, and seeing who was the faster runner.

The years have passed and distance has kept them apart, but the bond still exists.

John and Ginger reunite at a their 10th class reunion in 1997.

 During those years, there were several couples of us who went to church together, most of the men worked together, and our kids were all about the same age.  We would get together on weekends to eat, play games, eat, and did I say eat?  We valued the friendships.

 Left to right:  Robert & Nancy, Andy & Sandy, Neal & Becky, Dick & I

 As we were all celebrating our 35th wedding anniversaries at about the same time, we decided to take a cruise together. What better way to celebrate such a momentous occasion than to do it with your best friends?

 Our Caribbean Cruise was amazing and memorable!

Becky, Sandy, Libby, Nancy, & Monica

 Last week, our dear friend Neal, died suddenly from a massive heart-attack.

As I look back, I am grateful for these lasting friendships.  I am grateful for our many years to share times together.  I am grateful for the example he was to our son.  I am grateful for the friendship and mutual respect he and Dick had.

One of the most memorable things that was said about Neal is,

"When the Lord changed him, he never got over it!"

Thank you Neal for living your life as a testimony to the Lord and what He can do in and through one individual.

We will miss you!

 A good friend of Neal's has paid a humorous and yet very sincere tribute to him HERE

Miscellany Monday - Friends, Food, Fun

It is so good to be back sharing my weekend happenings with Carissa on Miscellany Monday.

 Thursday

 Our weekend happenings actually began on Thursday when friends from Bastrop called to say they were coming to town and wanted to visit.  We could not have been more thrilled.  We met them at Superior Steak House for lunch.

I had the highly recommended meatloaf on mashed potatoes and one HUGE carrot.  It was delicious and worth repeating.

Afterward, Tommy and Lea came home with us while Charles and Jerry had a business meeting, but we just had to do a tiny bit of shopping on the way at Corner Collections.

Lea found some bright, colorful items to hang on her outdoor patio wall.  They are as happy and colorful as she is!  She is probably showing them off herself today at CiCi's Corner.

We enjoyed visiting and catching up on the years since our last visit which was much too long ago.

 This spontaneous visit with long-time friends was so much fun, one has to wonder why we wait so long between visits.  We vow to not let that happen again, and yet we know it probably will.  Life is busy and we all go in different directions, but it is such a blessing to know that when we do make time to renew old friendships, there is nothing more rewarding.

 Even the Hubbies enjoyed the visit.

Friday

We belatedly celebrated my precious and "oldest" friend's 70th birthday.  I know, who would ever know!

 Judy and I have been friends since we were preschoolers and reunited as adults 10 years ago.  It has been the sweetest friendship and one for which I am so grateful.

I prepared a delicious dinner for the four of us after which we enjoyed a game of Mexican Train.  We are really the Party Hardy Bunch!

Happy Birthday Judy!

 

Saturday

I went to my monthly Sunday School Class Ladies Luncheon which is always held at the

Glenwood Village Tea Room.

Last year, I featured this wonderful place and it's owner, my friend Sharon here.

Our dining table.  Isn't it just lovely?

 I love the Victorian Soup, which is asparagus and other goodies, so I rarely change my order.

But, among the other things ordered was this beautiful tray of Tea Sandwiches.  And, oh the deserts!

I love the Glenwood Tea Room!

That evening, we met another group of friends for dinner at Monjuni's Italian Restaurant

 prior to going to the Emmett Hook Theater for a production of

We undoubted have some of the most amazingly talented people here in Shreveport.  The production was superb.  Good friends of ours, Horace English and Barry LeBlanc played their parts as Javert and Jean Valjean respectively, equal to any Broadway production you could see.

Sunday

After Sunday School and Worship, Hubby and I took a new friend to lunch.  She is such a fine lady and one we really wanted to get to know better.  We so enjoyed our lunch with Mary today and look forward to doing that again.

It has been a great, busy, friend-filled, long weekend.  I am so grateful for friendships!

Now, for the lesson God is teaching me.

"Cast your burden on the Lord (releasing the weight of it) and He will sustain you."

Psalm 55:22