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.

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 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...

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.!!!!

"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