Blog Psalm 31:5a

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!

I hope and pray that everyone has someone to love and share this most wonderful day of remembering Christ our Lord, Jesus born as a humble baby. For me, celebrating this mysterious miracle is always shrouded in aura of holy awe. Though the busy days of cooking, decorating and visiting can sometimes seem to hide this deep spiritual reality, for me my heart is always so aware of this scared miracle….. Jesus.

Personally, Bob and I are most grateful this season to be in our little home in Fairhope; spending time with our family and friends: that includes three adorable grandchildren. I think last night attending our Christmas Eve Communion service at Christ Anglican Church in Mobile was a highlight. The church, beautifully, yet simply decorated with lots of candles and greenery, set the stage for the timeless melodious carols that we sand together as a congregation. Watching our grandchildren’s little eyes twinkle in the candlelight of hundreds of candles lifted high as we sang “Silent Night” ... well, I choose that as my most precious gift. I will cherish that memory forever, along with a prayer that they too will carry that memory in their hearts for a lifetime.

The tire swing, a large pile of fresh straw, art journals, a new set of markers, reading the Christmas book “Holly and Ivy” (thanks Ellen Duke), Natalie Grace playing her violin, Amelia’s self-taught almost perfect cartwheel, and Hunter’s early morning solo concert from his pack and play….these are all the best gifts, sweet and pure and priceless.

We play “Crazy Santa” at our larger Christmas gathering at my Mom’s house. The rules are you have to bring something wrapped up that you want to get rid of. When you pick out your present, by numbers, you then have to sing it, share it or wear it. This little add-on has given the game a little drama and often some really funny moments! One favorite, was Ashley, Stuart’s girlfriend, who got an old Alabama, Roll Tide Championship hugger. She threw it like it was a “hot potato” and of course that started off a hearty round of the Auburn fight song from several confused family members :) :) !

I just noticed that it is time to dress for our Christmas Day lunch, but there is so much more to share and celebrate. Would love to hear some of your stories!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Friends

My dear friend, Himmie, turned 60 years old Dec. 6. She has never looked better, glowing as she celebrated with new and old friends. Himmie is the wedding singer, and I can still hear her beautiful voice at my wedding 36 years ago and more recently at my oldest son’s wedding ceremony in 2002.  His was  a Christmas Military Wedding so rich with wonderful traditions, hope and excitement. Strength and courage were undergirding the promises and vows being made with Himmie’s soprano voice filling in the tender moments of the making of a lifetime memory.  Friends are the rich background of life’s events and such rare gifts that we too often take for granted.

Monteagle, Tennessee… check it out.  Thanks Margret!
Kindergarten teachers… what is not to love about them!
Himmie’s friends now my friends! What a gift!

The ladybugs... joined together to do good!

Now, home… onward to prepare for Christmas, while remembering this thought:  “Christmas Ease.”

Monday, November 29, 2010

Finding the Happy Part

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving in West Point, New York with our son, Nolan, and his wife, April, and our three grandchildren. Arriving in the White Plains airport, greeted by the brightest big brown eyes of Amelia Claire, 4 years old, jumping up and down with squeals of delight……” Naaaannnn and Biiiiiggggg B” repeatedly made us laugh along with the rest of the folks in the airport. So Thanksgiving quickly became “Thanksloving” for us! Memories were made, prayers were prayed, songs were sung, and stories were told. To help ease our departure, we discussed making a “to-do-fun-list” for our upcoming time together for Christmas. Together we are thinking about the happy part…… and that brings me to the now of tonight.

My heart is sad about one of my children, and I need to find the happy part. It is so true that no matter how old they are my heart will always care and feel their struggle and their pains; but really learning how to trust God with their lives is easier said than done. It helps me to think about my childhood faith in Christ and to know that I need to rediscover for myself that “first-love with Jesus” once again.  Then that deep-knowing can settle my anxious soul and strengthen my spirit.  And then I can do this again tomorrow... and the next day... and the next. The trust lesson is in the “living of life.”

A dear friend prayed for me today “that God’s peace would be a 'garrison' (which means: a battalion, fort, stronghold, defense force, barracks and occupying force) around my heart.” She did not know I had been at West Point. How real and meaningful that word is to me. So tonight, I hide and rest in HIS garrison of peace as I trust God with his loan of love, my child.

An aside:
The local tangerines grown in Fairhope are delicious and my sweet kumquat tree is bent over with fruit. We are having frosty nights, but so far the vincas will not give it up, and I don’t have the heart to take them out. Just another happy part.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

THANKSLOVING!!!!!!!

We are preparing for our Thanksgiving trip to New York to be with our oldest son, Captain Nolan Gordon, his wife April, and their three little beauties…… Natalie Grace, Amelia Claire, and Hunter Hayes. Just thinking about those happy hugs and squeals of delight when we first see each other makes me smile!!

We will be going to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is a first for me. Now, I am wondering how many layers are enough for their weather.  Natalie Grace is making a list of “to do” things for Nan and Big B! Hunter is already making tractor sounds and will love the little Tonka Chucky Dump Truck I am bringing him. Amelia made a beautiful card, and her mother April asked, “Amelia, will you tell me about that card?“ Amelia said, "Mama, it’s a 'THANKSLOVING' card." I think that says it all………………

SO, HAPPY THANKSLOVING!!!!

I hope everyone has a blessed and fun time with family and friends.  Remember to give thanks to our God who made it all possible!

I am so grateful that my little sister, Melissa, had good reports and is resting at home with her dear family! I Love You!

Barbara, safe travels flying home!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sunday Morning

What beautiful days we are having here in Fairhope, AL. One of my favorite things to do is to walk on Mobile Bay. The pier is 1/2 mile total in length, up and back, and there are some wonderful stairs to climb up the bluff. The only problem is that when the sun is setting and you are walking down the pier watching it's splendor, on your return your back is to the sun.  I have been known to walk somewhat sideways in order to observe and cherish this amazing event! ( I must kind of look like a crab.) I promised myself when we finally moved here that there would never be another "casual sunset."  God's brilliant handiwork paints a new canvas in the skies everyday, and even when it is gray and cloudy you know the sun is still shining.  It's just another reminder of HIS faithfulness in all the seasons of our lives.

Today is Sunday. Bob and I got up very early (around 5 AM), and we walked about one mile away to McDonald's. Can you believe that most of their workers didn't show up and the doors were closed?  Only two people were there, and we stood at the drive-through window and ordered our "senior coffee" (that feels weird).  So we sat on the edge of a brick flower bed, in front of an old, closed Food World, and like two kids drank our coffee and talked about "life stuff".  Then we joined a group of Army National Guard soldiers in their morning run, although we walked. We surely felt safe and kind of special, like we were training with them! :) :)  We talked to one soldier who told us they were getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan.  Immediately, I was flooded with memories of Nolan's deployment. Prayers for these solders have been in my heart all morning.

I am going to help teach the three and four year old Sunday School and then sing "The Blessing Song" for church. Bob is finishing Frances Grace's playhouse today. We will rest together this afternoon, hopefully have a nap and maybe watch a movie.

I Corinthians 2 "The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along." 

...I love pondering this...

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Veteran's Day


Our oldest son is a Captain in the United States Army. Can I tell you how proud we are of him and his family? WE ARE PROUD!!!

Recently our granddaughter, Amelia, 4 years old, sang to us her new song, "The Star Spanking Banner."  It was so cute, but there was a passion in her voice that sang more than words. She and her big sister, Natalie Grace, 6, are used to their Daddy coming home from work in his army uniform and helping him take off his boots. They are so glad he comes home to them these days. He has been deployed three times, and for a season he is now able to have supper with his family, play a game  or two, tuck them in bed, say prayers and kiss them goodnight. WE ARE GRATEFUL.
It's not just a soldier that is deployed, but his family is deployed into a world without Daddy. April, his wife, became the children's all in all. The price is great and the sacrifice unseen.  WE ARE THANKFUL.

For all the soldiers who sacrificed for our freedom…. MAY AMERICA GIVE HONOR TO YOUR SERVICE.!!!!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

"Grand Opening" and Fresh Bread

WOW!  How exciting to wake up to the “Grand Opening” of my new web site. NancyGordonMusic.com !!! I wish I could serve you some hot coffee and wonderful Atlanta Bread Co. cinnamon rolls! (Yea!  Bill and Holly Turk in Mobile, AL... the best!) Since I can’t offer you refreshments online, I will offer you the “Bread of Life,” God’s living Word.

Early this morning I was reading from a small antique book, Royal Bounty, by Frances Ridley Havergal. This songwriter wrote “Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee...”  I remember singing that hymn as a young girl sitting beside my Aunt Nell in Calvary Baptist Church;` I was so happy singing to the top of my voice!  My cousins Joanne and Patsy played the piano, so I was surrounded by the chords and refrains of the beloved hymns.

I think those songs took deep root in me, somewhat like my potato vine which is now climbing towards the roof of my patio! I was overwhelmed with the joy in those songs of praise, and they had no where to go but up and “out of me.”   I guess that is just what they did.

My reading today was, “Then I told them of ... the king’s words that he had spoken unto me.  And they said, let us rise up and build.  So they strengthened their hands for this good work.”  (Neh. 2:18)

What good work are you called to today?  Perhaps it is as simple as being available to someone in need. Or, you could be sitting on a judges’ bench making decisions that protect and defend millions of people.  Maybe you are nursing babies and raising small children -- the most important “root work” that few see in the moment -- but fragile hearts would perish without your love.  Take some time today to allow God to strengthen your hands.  Just come to Him, give thanks and praise, ask and receive HIS new mercies for this day.  I would love to hear how HE strengthens you.

Have a blessed day!

Nancy

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Welcome to my blog!

Hi, my name is Nancy Gordon.  Welcome to my blog!  I am excited to have a place to share with you what God is doing in my life.  First, let me tell you a little about myself.  I am a wife and mother, as well as a grandmother, sharing my journey of faith through words and music.  I am a songwriter, having written praise and worship music as well as classic lullabies for both little ones and adults.  I live very close to Mobile Bay and get to see the wonder of God's creation through the beauty that surrounds me.  I get to see His handiwork frequently in the beautiful sunsets He paints here on a regular basis.  I love observing His world and writing about His work in it.  I hope that something I might say would be a blessing to you.  I would love it if you would leave a comment for me, so that I can get to know you, too. 


May His blessings be upon you,
Nancy