2009 ABF

Another ABF (Atkins Backyard Fellowship) has come and pasted into memories. As I think back to this latest one I must admit I enjoyed it far more than those in the past. I am now trying to figure out why that was, it could be I had most of the work done prior to the day and did not feel the pressure of trying to fix too many foods in the final hours. It could also be I grilled all the chicken outside on a beautiful day of sunshine and clouds also some rain thrown in for good measure. I must admit I did not look forward to standing over the stove and pre-boiling chicken for hours.

Then there was the friends that came to enjoy and fellowship with each other, total of 81 for this years to do. The Lord has blessed Walt and I with such good friends,they seem more like family. Some could not make it this year due to health reasons and prior engagements but the ones who came really seemed to have fun.

Walt is already working up the list of who to invite next year and I am not surprised it is much larger than this past ABF. Sometimes I wonder just how many is too many and I really do not want to find out.

Has It Been That Long?????

In a few hours we will be seeing another graduation at Bob Jones University, the last one was NINE years ago. I must admit I was very surprised when I thought about how any years had past since we watched our daughter, CristyLynn walk across the stage.

There have been changes that have taken place at the University over the past nine years. Here are just a few. The front entrance to the University is completely different and I really like it, to me it looks so much more inviting. The Bridge of Nations is still there but looks so different. The front of Rodeheaver is completely changed and from what I am told the inside has been completely redone for the better. There is now a parking deck behind the building instead of a small parking lot that held very few cars. Oh and they offer valet parking for $10.00, which I think is a great thing for the elderly. There is now an exit out of the parking area in front of the Dining Commons, which we used last night. Changes they do take place, but sometimes we are just not ready or expecting them.

The changes that have taken place that has affected my life the most have been major ones. I realize that there has been many small ones that come with the passing of time that we are not even aware of until we sit down and think about them. One of the small ones is I am typing this on a laptop computer where nine years ago I would never think I would be able to own one let alone be typing a blog. I still am not quite sure what a blog is, but it seems that many individuals have them.

Here are a few of the larger changes in my life, all have been good, because God has brought them into my life though some have been very hard. Truthfully, I know that they are all Good but there is sadness mingled with the joy. The first change would be that CristyLynn is now married and serving the Lord with her family in Russia. See there is joy in the serving but there is sadness in the separation. Thank you Lord for the ability to Skype. What a wonderful way to be able to see her several times a month. Mom would have loved it!

The second major change in my life was Mom going home to be with the Lord. She was so ready to go and I rejoice that one day I will see her again. As I sat at Maria's graduation today I thought of Mom and how excited she was about CristyLynn's graduation, the first of her grandchildren. One of my precious memories of her was the day she and I went to class with CristyLynn at Bob Jones University. She was so thrilled when CristyLynn's teacher called on her and she answered his question, after class she said "Well I have now been to college!" I also remember how she HAD to sit on the aisle so she could see HER Granddaughter walk past during the graduation ceremony.

The third major change was when Aunt Flo went home to be with our Lord. She was also there that day to see her Nieceie get her diploma. She looked upon CristyLynn as her own granddaughter and I know that CristyLynn felt the same way about her and Uncle Wallace.

The fourth major change was the birth of our sweet grandson, Isaiah or as my husband and now many other people call him "Missionary Isaiah". The Lord has truly blessed me through the past nine years and the birth of Isaiah has been such a sweet blessing. Mom and Aunt Flo would have loved him so much, but I know that one day they will get to meet him face to face. What a wonderful reunion that will be!

I realize more changes will come as the years go by, but the one thing I can rest assured is the unchanging love of my Savior.

TAXES!!!!

Why does fear and stress enter my life when my husband says "Let's work on the taxes"?
Each year I go through this insane fear and stress and I am not sure why. Our taxes work out fine without hardly any major issues, but still I feel like I am under a microscope for all my wrongs to be seen. This year my husband said "Let's start with prayer" which has helped a lot.

This fear makes me wonder about the day I stand before my Lord when He opens up the book and reads of all my thoughts and actions throughout my life. I know I will be hanging my head in shame for what I have done but most of all for what I did not do that I should have. It always amazes me that He loves me and has forgiven me of ALL my sins not just a few but ALL.

Well the first portion of the tax day is almost behind me and that is my mother-in-law's taxes are printing out while I am typing. Next we will go over it to make sure all is correct and then I get the privilege of writing Uncle Sam and the great state of North Carolina a check. That's right no refund for Millie this year. In a way this is a good thing because she did not have enough deductions for medical to help decrease her taxable income. I am grateful to the Lord for giving her such good health at almost age 84.

Next we will start on our taxes. Wow how exciting can Valentines Day be? Yes that is a sarcastic remark there. I know the Lord says "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's" but sometimes, well most of the time I think Caesar is getting a whole lot more than he deserves.

One nice thing about tax day in the Atkins home is that it will soon be over and not to be thought about again until next year. Walt is treating me to Papa John's pizza for lunch so that is also a good thing about today. Also he called me "His Little Valentine" now isn't that sweet. He also surprised me with a necklace and earrings from BJ's. So I must admit TAX Day is not really so bad.

Still Christmas

Well I realize it is January 19, 2009 and for most people Christmas of 2008 is officially over, but here at the Atkins home we are still going strong. The reason for this is Cristy, Thomas and Isaiah are coming to visit for a week and we plan on having Christmas with them. I have managed with help to keep the tree watered and it looks great. Granted some needles are falling and I have discovered if you don't touch the tree the needles will not fall!

All the decorations around the house and outside are still in their places waiting for Cristy to come. Let me tell you some things about my wonderful daughter. She has been blessed by the Lord with many talents and a wonderful sense of humor. There is one thing about Cristy that has never changed through the years and that is she DOES NOT like what I call "De-frocking: the tree. She always had me wait until she was back in school so she would not have to witness this awful event. The tree would be up and lit when she went to school and when she came home the tree would simply be gone. I must admit I did humor her through the years by allowing this behavior. Now that she is out of school, married and a mother of a almost three year old, I must admit I am eagerly awaiting to see if she will be able to assist in the "de-frocking" of the tree.

This still Christmas season will be fun too due to Isaiah being almost three. Wow how time flies by, our grandson is growing up so quickly. Our prayer is that he will come to love our Lord and Savior at a early age. The Lord has blessed us with such a happy grandson. I am looking forward to his reaction to the tree and presents and decorations around the house. Most of my decorations are snowmen. They make me smile when I look on them all having smiley faces. I was recently informed by one of the sixth grade boys in the husband's Sunday School class that I had a lot of snowmen. He asked me how many and I told him I never thought to count, I just enjoy them. He proceeded to count and came up with a rather high number, but I also saw him counting the ones on the wrapping paper. I use to add a few new ones every year but not for the past couple of years, it seems my friends have discovered my enjoyment of these happy faces and now they are adding to my collection. What makes a lot of fun for me is to remember who gave me the different ones.

So Christmas is almost over for 2008, I hope all have had a blessed and joyful season.