Cactus Flower

  On a fine sunny day in late September, Papa Byron and Gramma Michele hopped on a jet plane to head to North Carolina in hopes of being on time for the arrival of our third grandchild.  He beat us by a few hours, but we got to see the little fellow when he was only a day and a half old.  We couldn't have asked for more!   Our days were numbered, 15 to be exact, but each was well spent.  We were able to see all three of our sons and Byron's mother as well as my parents.  Mr. Logan was welcomed by his older brother and sister with open arms and many smiles. And everyone got a chance to pose for a photo with  the star of the show! Great Grandma Beckner and Great Grandaddy Beckner, Aunt Kerri and even Papa Scott.  Mr. Logan slept through most of the photo sessions! Mother and Father of Logan are well and doing great with #3 in their nest. We also were thankful to be present for the pastoral ordination services of our oldest, William Atha. He was exam...

Sarah Griffith Photography My mother really wanted some good photos of the little grandbabies, and honestly, so did I.  But a good photographer doesn't come cheap in Brazil or the USA.  Luckily we found one who is really good and not too expensive.  The results were divine...   We are joyfully caring for brother and sister two days a week while Mommy takes some classes at the community college.  It's investment time.  Investment in their futures!  I want them to know who I am, remember me, and know about my God and Savior. So with each stinky diaper and whiny day, I pray and hug and kiss and invest...  

Not too long ago the ladies at church hosted a surprise baby shower for the young lady that was married just before Christmas.  She's not well off and doesn't have much.  She lives in a small house not much bigger than my living room.  As I considered what sort of message I wanted to pass on to her as this important moment, I began to think of what a mother really has to have before that baby comes home from the hospital. Byron and I didn't have too much when little William came home from the hospital in December of 1995.  We had been in Brazil for a year and had come with four Rubbermaid action packer boxes between us.  I had in those boxes the baby quilt I had made back in the States and two maternity dresses (just in case). My mother had been sending shoebox sized packages with onesies and assorted baby clothes all through my pregnancy.  The other missionary ladies had a baby shower for me.  We had a sturdy wooden crib donated that quite a f...

Follow Me, son, I believe in you! I have now been through almost all the stages of motherhood… and most coincide with terms of service on the missionary field.    Deputation: two miscarriages First term:  first two boys born less than twenty months apart Second term: found out was pregnant with third boy days before leaving the States Third term: start of real homeschooling Fourth term: all boys in teens, some rough times Fourth Furlough: oldest will graduate I have read every book there is about raising children, raising boys and now every book imaginable about raising teens.  I've heard and given messages about being the perfect mother... I've finally come to realize in this latest stage of my life that there are no perfect mothers on this planet at this time... But there are women redeemed by the Grace of God, cleaned up from the imperfections of this life by the power and blood of Jesus Christ's act on the cross... These women can l...

The Joyful Mother recently posted this set of artful prints on her Flickr account.  I just loved each one and laughed and laughed.  The images are not Creative Commons, so click on the link to enjoy for yourself.  My fav was "Stop that! You can't build a fort in church!"   Things I've Said to My Children What's the craziest thing you've  ever said to your kids? Here are a few of mine:   No, you can't use the bathroom again!  (On William's first airplane ride in 1998, he loved to hear the big swoosh.) Get your brother out of that barrel right now! Get that dog off of the washing machine! Don't ride him anymore, he's not a horse. (Talking about Big John.) Don't make him pull you again, he's not a donkey. (Talking about Big John, he was strong!) Who hid my wooden spoon? Go find my wooden spoon, or else! (You know what wooden spoons are for, right?) Where's the rest of that worm? Do you know what this belt is...

I found this little entry in a folder marked "My First Son" this week.  Perhaps that was the actual name I gave it or perhaps Word did it since those are the first words!  I do not remember!  From time to time someone asks me about having given birth to all my boys here in Brazil, so here's a little of my story...  William in my arms, 1996, Fortaleza My first son, William, was born in Fortaleza, Brazil.  It's a city of several million located in Northeast Brazil.  In the States while on deputation, I had two miscarriages.  One was never really defined beyond the point of God's will.  It occurred around 9 weeks.  The second was a molar pregnancy.  There was a fetus, but it developed a form of molar cancer.  That pregnancy also ended around 9 - 10 weeks.  The year following the second miscarriage, I was tested each month for any signs of cancer. None were ever found.  Each time I went in for a regular check-up onl...