Lessons from the Rose Garden
      It's rose pruning time in Baytown...the marker is Valentine's Day.  Today was sunny with a cool breeze.  Couldn't ask for nice weather to be in the garden.  As I trimmed the tea roses, I found myself considering the ways that God prunes us.  The rose pruning rules are:  cut away dead branches, crossed branches, and anything small than a pencil.  Seems like God uses those rules, too.  When we have an unproductive area of our lives, he cuts it away.  Sometimes small rose branches appear to have good buds, but if left on the bush they produce weak roses.  Some areas of our lives prevent us from being really fruitful, even if they appear to be doing good work.  They are not God's will for our lives, no matter how good the ministry.  He has another purpose for us.  And then there are those areas that tire us out and are at crossed purposes for our lives.  God wants us to bloom for Him!

California memories

We returned very late on Thursday to a soggy, flooding Texas. It made me miss California all the more! After spending 4 days in Cambria at my brother's lovely new "beach house," we returned to Bakersfield where I was able to reconnect with several very dear friends. There's something about passing time with people who have known you for most of your life and who understand more about you than you understand about yourself. Take my 92-year-young piano teacher and friend. She has such a deep understanding of life and of what's important. I continue to learn from her, as I did for many years in her music room. What a blessing!
My Santa Barbara friend has such a wealth of knowledge and shares with us freely. Thanks.
After 45 years, I still keep in contact with my high school counselor and enjoy visiting with her.

My college friend (from over 40 years ago) and I still connect in ways that I can't explain. Being with her is like being home. We can share so much over a cup of coffee, it's like time has stood still.
I'm ever grateful for these friends! They have made my life so much richer.




I was blessed to attend a gathering for my brother's milestone birthday. Birthdays are a time to let others know how much they mean in our lives, and how much we appreciate them. Dave, you're the best! Thanks to you and Cindy for giving us a week of your precious time! I love you guys!

Going home to California was a resting place for my soul. Makes me anticipate Heaven all the more, when I'll really be home.

Our own strength

I woke up this morning, and prayed for God's strength and wisdom for the day. It's Martin Luther King day, and we're out of school, so the day appears wide open. Without warning, the words to a later verse of "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" ran through my mind. The verse reads:

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; were not the right man on our side; a Man of God's own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is He! Lord Saboath His name; From age to age the same, and he must win the battle.



I must confess to doing so many things in my own strength. No wonder I sometimes feel lost!

The battle is the Lord's! Forgive me, Lord. God must have wanted to remind me that today is His, not mine.

Wonders of the Season

As Christmas approaches, it's easy to get caught up in the parties, eating, shopping, eating, etc. We had a lovely brunch this morning for my Sunday school class. 19 ladies came, and did we ever have fun, and enjoy tasty morsels. About an hour later, Danny, Jessica, and Katelyn came to spend the afternoon. We visited El Toro for lunch and enjoyed fajitas. (Katelyn only eyed them! Next year you can taste some of the treats!) Katelyn has looked at me suspiciously since Danny and Jess left her at our house for many hours while they shot a wedding Galveston. Today, she finally let me hold her without crying. That thrills this old gran no end! Tomorrow we sing and ring for our Christmas program. Singing about Jesus's birth is a highlight of the season. He's the reason we celebrate. Let's not forget!

Thanks be to God

The turkey is packed away, and the pineapple casserole is consumed. This Thanksgiving Day is a day to remember. All six kids and Katelyn made the day very special indeed. After preparing the warm custard apple pie, and the cranberry orange salad and cornbread yesterday, I rose this morning to bake Mother Earth bread,

cornbread dressing, and get the ham ready to go.

Joel Orr, Katy's wonderful husband, smoked the turkey this year. It was super! David and Julie made a memorable pumpkin cheesecake (the spices are in the crust...wow!), green bean casserole and praline yams. Danny brought his camera and prepared to take pictures after dinner. The family picture is a good one, I think. Katelyn still looked worried every time she looked at me, and cried when I took her. She's still remembering the traumatic day a couple of weeks ago when Jess and Danny left her here (by herself, sob) for about eleven hours. She felt abandoned, I guess, because she just wasn't happy. Here she was again at the place. She just wasn't sure! I hope soon she won't feel threatened by me. I love her so much!

David and Julie are thinking of the name Matthew for their little boy. I know he will add much love to our family, too.

Tonight, as the only one up, I'm able to sit and thank God for a wonderful family.

" You are my God and I will give you thanks; you are my God and I will exalt You. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever!" Psalm 118: 28-29

Thankful

Today we were privileged to go to Riverpointe Church with Danny and Jessica for Katelyn's dedication. The church dedicated several beautiful babies today. There were pictures of each baby behind the group. Katelyn was a real lady. She even wore the dress that I smocked for her...she's almost grown into it. Only David was missing from our family today...he had to work.

Joel and Katy, Julie, and Jessica's parents, Lee and Joseph were all present for this blessed occasion. Following the main event, we enjoyed a scrumptious brunch at the Marriott. Only then did Katelyn finally have enough. Can't blame her. She had been passed around, played with and admired for one minute too many. It was time for a nap!

I am so thankful that God has seen fit to add to our family. Katelyn is a blessing, and our new little boy next spring will be an added blessing.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. " Psalm 127:3

Katelyn's school visit

Danny and Jessica brought Katelyn to Alamo School today. It was a delight to show her to so many of my school friends. She was on her best behavior, too. That was a special treat for me. My only disappointment was that I had to go teach a class, and I couldn't spend more time with her. It is a lot of work to get a baby ready to go visit. I surely did appreciate it!!

I love you guys!!

Babies R Fun

We headed to Katelyn's house yesterday to babysit for the first time. Jessica and Danny shot photos a wedding nearby. Katelyn was only a little fussy for a short time. She is smiling, "talking," and making sweet baby sounds. We loved the experience of babysitting. (Note that it took two of us to take care of one little seven week old!!) She loves to eat, play on her playmat and reach for the flower (maybe she'll like roses like her gran!), and to be calmed in her bouncer chair (with vibrating seat!) I understand so much more now about babies than when I had my own:

1. They don't break easily.

2. A little crying isn't terminal, for me or the baby.

3. They grow up way too fast! Appreciate every moment you have together!

I'm thankful for the opportunity to stay with her, and anticipate more time soon.

I love you little girl!

New school year

We spent the week at Alamo elementary school getting ready for a new year. The "in-service" meetings were a bit of a disappointment. We could have learned so much more from a discussion with our colleagues than from the so-called experts that have been too busy travelling the "inspirational" speaker circuit to spend much time in the classroom. We didn't need to spend time analyzing test data that has already been examined far too much. The opening convocation with Ron Clark was enjoyable, as was the address by our new superintendent.

Harry and I were blessed to go and visit with Danny and Jessica and baby Katelyn this afternoon. She's grown a lot in 10 days since we saw her last. She is responding to our faces, and moving around so much more. We are surely having fun with her. Maybe we'll get to babysit soon. She's going to church tomorrow. Wish we could sit with her!

Ballerina blessings

No one warned me that a little ballerina could steal my heart so. She's a blessing for sure. Katelyn was three weeks old yesterday. I understand now why grandparents have the desire to be with their grandchildren so much. I would definitely make a real nuisance of myself if they lived closer!

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

It's a special treat to walk into the backyard and watch a butterfly. God must love these beautiful creatures for He took such care in painting their wings. I was able to capture this remarkable insect as it gathered nectar from the marigolds.

A blessed event

We were delighted to

go to Dave and Julie's new home for hamburgers. They have done a marvelous job of painting and decorating their new home in Pearland. Now they get to decorate one more room...the nursery. They presented Julie's folks and us with decorated forks for dessert tonight. What wonderful parents they will be! And Katelyn is going to have a cousin close to her age. What fun God has lined up for the Heinlein family. He is so good to us!

Today's sermon was about the gift of forgiveness. God not only forgives, but forgets each sin as we confess it. What a gift that is to us! Isaiah says that He forgives us for HIS sake, to restore the relationship with us. That's what God's grace is...giving us what we do not deserve. Thank you Lord, for that wonderful gift each day. How much grace I need!

Blessing upon blessing

We ventured back to the hospital yesterday to see Katelyn. The look in Harry's eyes as he held her was another blessing.

Beautiful Katelyn

Our beautiful new granddaughter arrived at 2 A.M. this morning. She has dark hair like her daddy and is perfect. She met her mommy a little while ago, after Jessica was stable from the c-section. They're both doing fine. Danny has already snapped a jillion photos and videos and she's not 12 hours old! She'll have to learn to put up with that, with a professional photographer as a father! I only took a few photos through the hospital glass as the nurses gave her a bath. This is sweet joy! Thank you, Father, for such a blessing!!

Waiting for baby Katelyn

The outfit is finished... smocked, french seamed and embroidered. Now all we need is a darling baby girl to fill it! She will come when she is ready. We are anxious to meet you, Katelyn. I know Mommy and Daddy are ready, too.

Financial Help

We're heading to the "financial guy" this afternoon for a review of our accounts, etc. Man, am I ever glad that God is in control!! The markets have recovered only slightly, and our accounts look terrible compared with a couple of years ago. I'm so thankful that God knows what is ahead and will provide what we need!!

Philippians 4:19 NIV
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

I got a new camera this week... a Canon Power Shot SX10 is. I have a lot of learning to do...but the potential is there for great photography. The next trip is to Greensboro, NC next week, and I need to be up to speed by then. My most successful photo thus far is of a cosmos flower in the backyard.

Home again

We so loved our trip to Alaska. It was my favorite kind of vacation... hanging out with best friends, spending time where we wanted to go, which was an eclectic collection of places, to say the least. T and I found a fabulous quilt shop called Dina's Cozy Cabin Quilts. It had so many beautiful quilts, it made me long for more time to make some. (I really need to finish a couple that I have here, first!) We enjoyed sipping Kaladi bros. coffee at Jitters, a wonderful coffee place in Eagle River. Alaska has the great coffee...it has to, when it is so cold and dark in the winter, and cool and LIGHT in the summer. Thanks T&D for the special memories. We hope to return soon!

Talkeetna

Talkeetna is about 2 hours north of Anchorage. T & D, and Harry and I traveled there and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Talkeetna lodge. The view of Denali cleared more and more as we ate, so we walked around and took many photos. How can anyone deny the glory of God when you view these tremendous mountains? The puppies, Lulu and Penny, enjoyed a walking through the woods, too. The lupines were in full bloom...even more spectacular than the Texas bluebonnets! The columbine, daisies, and other flowers were wonderful, too.

We return (reluctantly) to Texas tomorrow evening, hoping to return to Alaska soon. There is so much more to see. I don't regret not going on a cruise one bit as we watch the buses and trains trying to get to the next place. Sometimes just "hangin'" in Kaladi Bros coffee, or the Tidal Wave Bookstore with best friends is as good as it gets!

Beauty of Hatcher Pass in Alaska

We spent a lovely day hiking and taking photos at Hatcher Pass with T and D. The place was amazing. We traveled to the top of the mountain to check out an old gold mine at Independence. It was active in the early 20th century and just went to ruin during WWII. It was an interesting place to explore. We enjoyed quesadillas at the Hatcher Pass Lodge. I've eaten too much today...Mexican food here is excellent! Tomorrow had better involve more walking!!!