The Many Faces of Gavin

First Shampoo

Gavin Comes Home

Welcome Gavin Reece Griggs (a.k.a. Kayley Louise)

Gavin Reece Griggs was warmly welcomed into the arms of his mom and dad Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6:27 a.m. He weighed 6 lbs 9 oz and is 19.5 inches long.

And what an entry he made! After months of planning and preparing for "Kayley Louise", what a surprise to see Gavin instead! Dad instantly threw his arms up in the air as he cheered the birth of a son, Nan began to laugh from both the joy of the birth and the realization that Gavin had just played his first trick on his parents, and Mom, not yet being able to see for herself, just could not believe what she was hearing! She just kept saying, "It's a 'boy'? It's really a boy?"

A fast trip to Wal-Mart was definitely in order and in no time at all pink began to be replaced by blue.

Both Gavin and Mom are at home and doing well.

Count Your Many Blessings . . .

. . . name them one by one!

I was sitting here doing just that and thought, "Wouldn't it be fun and encouraging if I shared some of my blessings with you and you did the same with me?" I'll even go first, how about that?

~ comfortable home - I greeted the morning having had a peaceful night's rest in a soft bed in a cool room in a nice home in a safe neighborhood.

~ a hot cup of coffee - I love that first cup of coffee in the morning but today I am aware that to have the "choice" of coffee is a blessing. Many people will not even have a cup of clear, clean water to drink much less enough food to feed their family.
(one of my favorite cups)

~ family - This morning I have been blessed to hear the voices of people I love even though two of them now live thousands of miles away.

~ technology - I have "visited" the home of my son and daughter-in-law in East Asia without ever leaving my house. (Want to visit? Go to www.unitycannon.blogspot.com and click on "Come On In!")

~ the view out my window - Butterflies are dancing around the passion plant that trails the fence around our backyard while a squirrel scampers around the branches of the tree. I wonder if God placed them there just to make my heart smile?

So here are just of few of mine. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you!

(Browneyes, you got me! I'm stumped!)

So Much to Do . . . So Little Time

I've learned life never slows down, not even after retirement! My mom periodically reminds me it's been quite some time since I have updated my blog. She's right. I thought once I was no longer working I would have lots of time to blog, read, and attend to household chores that have gone begging for far too long. Hmmm. I haven't read anything to speak of for months now, haven't taken time to blog since June, but can boast that I have made some headway on the homefront having disposed of a great deal of "stuff" through a garage sale (thanks to Denea for a tremendous amount of help in getting ready, working the sale and then hauling away the remains!!!).

Since my last post, we have helped Landon & Alycia store, give away or throw away their household belongings in preparation for leaving for East Asia in just a couple of weeks. Other than what has been stored at various family member's homes, they have reduced their belongings to what will fit in 4 suitcases. Just imagine the challenge of trying to pack what you will need/want for the next 4 years into 4 pieces of luggage. I spoke with Landon the other day. He and Alycia were doing a "trial" packing to see what needed to be omitted or where something might could be included.

Time and again I've wondered if I could possibly do what they are doing . . . basically walk away from almost every "thing" I own to begin again in a totally new culture.

I've also had the opportunity to visit with Jake and Denea several times and help get the nursery ready for Kayley's arrival. ETA: October 3. Denea has done a wonderful job of decorating, never ceasing to amaze me with her creativity (I still haven't figured out where she got it). I tease her often that Kayley will need sunglasses for her room.

When I was expecting my firstborn, I was blessed to have a mom who was an awesome seamstress. She made the coverlet, bumper pad and dust ruffle for the baby bed as well as blankets, sleepers, etc. Denea, on the other hand, was blessed by a sister-in-law who made her a really cute baby quilt and helped with the bumper pad and dust ruffle. My contribution? One of the few things I know how to do . . . latchhook. I made the rug!

Here's a snapshot of the room



















Our family got to enjoy a week at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas the last week of July, sort of our last "family" get-together before Landon and Alycia leave. We had a wonderful week of hiking, eating, card games, eating, geo-caching, eating . . . well, you get the idea. Our cabin could not have been more perfect. It had a screened-in porch on the back that opened onto a deck overlooking a cliff. Well, as they say, a picture's worth a thousand words so I'll just show it to you.














One thing we've never done is have a family portrait made. Thanks to Becky Peterman who drove up with her husband, Tony, from Hot Springs to do the honors.












And so, in abbreviated form, that's what's been happening since June.

Thanks for stopping by and please, feel free to leave comments.

Until next time - Memento Vivere!!

Just Out of Reach

Don't you hate it when the thing you want most is just out of reach?

Looking out my window just the other day my attention was captivated by a little squirrel that daily visits the trees in my backyard. He's a curious little fellow to watch but his antics on that particular day were quite entertaining. He had discovered two little bird feeders I had hung and filled only the day before. He had, in fact, not only discovered them but he was determined to take his share of the booty. The problem being, just how does a squirrel avail himself of the delicacies contained in the dangling feeders?

Sitting in the large fork of the first tree, he carefully studies the task at hand. One can only imagine his thought processes but soon he makes his move. He scurries out on the limb from which the feeder hangs some 2 feet below. Not a problem, all one has to do is hang upside down from the limb by one's hind feet then carefully, hand over hand with the front feet, pull the feeder up to himself. Looks easy enough but perhaps he miscalculated the weight. He carefully pulls the feeder up about two or three inches and suddenly realizes he must either let it go or lose his grip on the tree. He scampers back to the fork in the trunk to study the situation once again. Maybe if he adjusts his hold on the limb a little bit, hangs on really tight, and works really fast, he can do it. Deciding it's worth another try, he returns to the limb just above the feeder, swings to the underside, secures his footing, and stretches down to begin pulling the feeder up. Still frustrated with his lack of success, he now hurries back down the limb, to the trunk and down to the ground. What he needs is a good look from underneath. Surely from this perspective he can find a better way to go about it.

Up the trunk, out on the limb, hanging upside down he knows pulling it to him is hopeless so monitoring his balance, getting his footing just right, holding his breath (sounds good anyway), he lunges for the feeder. As he hits the top of the feeder it swings wildly out of control, the seed begins to spill out to the ground and the squirrel in a great frenzy is grabbing at thin air. With a stroke of luck one front foot just catches the chain enough to keep from falling and he's pulled himself back to safety.

Not to be defeated, he relinquishes hope of nibbling on the delicacies of this feeder and turns his focus to the one on the second tree. This feeder hangs within about 9 inches of the trunk so he quickly finds that if he holds on real tight and stretches real hard, he can just reach the feeder. Precariously he pulls the feeder as close as he can and snatches a few seeds before he begins to loose his grip.

I just wonder if he thought it was all worth the effort. At any rate the old saying must be true - even for squirrels - Necessity is the mother of invention.

Still Adventurous at 93

Meet our dear friend Agnes, an inspiration to all who know her!

This past Saturday Landon talked his dad into a ride on the Harley. Denea, Jake, Alycia and I were all sitting out back on the patio when we heard the motorcycle out front, horn honking. In just a few minutes Steve calls the house phone from his cell and tells us we must all come out front and "see." Oh my! What a surprise to see Agnes sitting behind Steve grinning from ear to ear exclaiming, "I'm 93 and look at me!!"

It seems as they rode past her house she was out mowing her lawn. They stop, Landon gets off the bike and tells her he will finish the mowing. Steve, in jest, suggested Agnes hop on for a ride while Landon mowed. To his astonishment and before he could call Landon over to assist, Agnes was climbing on board and ready to go!

Definitely a "Kodak moment." We printed a copy of the above picture and gave it to her before church on Sunday. She in turn proudly showed it to everyone she could.

I can only hope that at 93 I have a zest for life like Agnes. Memento Vivere!

Meet "The President" (aka: Clematis)

As I've said before, I just love spring. Haven't done much "deep cleaning" in my house yet, but I'm really enjoying working out in my yard. Talking to Denea on the phone the otherday I was telling her how "The President" was really strutting his stuff this spring. "Take a picture and e-mail it to me, mom." What a novel idea!

I planted it 4 or 5 years ago and each year it comes back a little fuller and blooms all summer long. I just love it! So do the next door neighbors children!

Working out in the yard a couple of evenings ago, I watched as one little guy picked and picked until he had stripped all the blooms on his side of the fence. Initially, I was getting a little agitated with him until I remembered how Landon delighted in bringing me flowers he had picked when he was just about this boy's age. I also remembered how delighted I was each time he did! And so I'm glad that there were blooms on his side of the fence that his little hands could reach. Perhaps one day in the near future another pair of little hands will pick blooms from my side of the fence!

"Whose-It" Griggs

Ok, here's my first official "Grandma brag" . . . the first "picture" of my grandbaby!!

Doesn't it just look like the cutest, smartest baby ever?

I had the indescribable joy of going with Denea and Jake for their first sonogram! I'm not sure which was more exciting, seeing the baby or watching the wide-eyed wonder and amazement of the proud parents! At first the baby was quite active, performing all kinds of acrobatic moves for us, then it settled in for a little nap.

Hopefully the next sono will reveal if we have a "Gavin" or a "Kayley". But for now, all is well and little "Whose-It" looks quite healthy and on schedule!!

Happy Birthday, Landon! We love you!!!!

Spring Celebration

Spring Cleaning . . . going through closets, straightening drawers and working in the yard! It's a chore I'm looking forward to this year. I'm even planning for it, anticipating it. Come on spring, I'm ready for ya!

In fact, I got a little jump on it this weekend and found this image as I was sorting through old computer discs. The drought, coupled with my neglect, has taken it's toll and this little corner doesn't look quite so serene now. But I know with a little water and attention (okay, maybe a lot of water and attention) that once welcoming look can be restored.

Through the years, most of our time was spent working and raising a family. Our yard did good just to get mowed most of the time and getting a sprinkler turned on it was a treat. Then a couple of years ago, with one child married and in a home of his own and the other half way around the world on a mission trip, I decided it was time to start a yard! Boy, I was off like a cannon shot (okay, maybe more of a BB gun). Landon had replaced his old paint-peeled mail box so I rescued it from the trash and mounted it on an old cedar post in the back yard and planted flowers in it. Then I gathered up a few old milk cans to scatter about, talked my mom out of the furrow plow in the photo, put up some old weathered wooden fence panels for accents, hung an old window frame on the fence for jasmine to vine around . . . oh, I was on a roll. In fact, Landon told his dad not to stand still too long or I'd have him in the back as yard art!

Now with spring just around the corner, I'm itching to get at it again. I'm really glad God created the different seasons. I look forward to each one in it's time but I especially get excited about spring! It's like all of nature wakes up to celebrate the gift of life.

If I'm not careful, I easily get caught up in droughts of my own making, ending up feeling like my yard looks right now. Neglect also plays a part, except rather than the gardner neglecting the garden, the garden neglects the Gardener. It's not what I intended for my yard nor is it what God intends for me.

But then it happens. One morning you look out and notice the buds on the trees. There it is again, the whisper that winter has past and spring is coming, bringing with it new growth and fragrance and song. Yes, then it happens. You wake up one morning and realize that whisper you've been hearing is God saying, "Come with me. If you'll just look outside yourself you'll see the promise of spring and new growth and fragrance and song."

Oh, I love spring! Nature's celebration of life!

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. " Psalm 1:3

A Gracious Portion

Each morning during my devotion time I read a passage from Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening. Perhaps you are familiar with the name. Charles Hadden Spurgeon was a great theologian and preacher of the late 1800's.

I'd like to share just a portion of this morning's selection based on 2 Kings 25:30: "Day by day the king gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived."

A daily portion is all that a man really wants. We do not need tomorrow's supplies; that day has not yet dawned, and its wants are as yet unborn. The thirst which we may suffer in the month of June does not need to be quenched in February, for we do not feel it yet; if we have enough for each day as the days arrive we shall never know want. Sufficient for the day is all that we can enjoy. We cannot eat or drink or wear more than the day's supply of food and raiment; the surplus gives us the care of storing it, and the anxiety of watching against a thief. One staff aids a traveller, but a bundle of staves is a heavy burden. Enough is not only as good as a feast, but is all that the greatest glutton can truly enjoy. This is all that we should expect; a craving for more than this is ungrateful.

As I was lying in bed last night, as I do very often these days, again my mind was churning with thoughts of making a very life defining decision, taking early retirement. I cannot tell you how easily and often my mind drifts in the direction of self-sufficiency, dependence on "me" and "my"ability to provide for the needs of both myself and Steve. If "I" give up "my earnings" will we still be able to make ends meet? Will we still get to enjoy some of the "extras" that we've grown accustomed to and have come to think we "deserve"? (isn't that a scary thought)

When I read a passage like the one above and think how sad the Father must be when after all He has done for me, after all He has provided year after year after year, I still think He needs my help.

Then my mind goes back to last summer when God blessed me with the awesome experience of travelling to Bolivia and sharing Jesus Christ with those I met there. From the moment I stepped off the plane until the time I got back on to return home, I was constantly aware of how little the people "have" and yet how generous and loving and welcoming they are.

I remember well when Landon travelled to Kenya at the age of 15. The night of his return home we heard him lying in his bed sobbing. "How", he said, "can I lie here in this bed surrounded by more than I could possibly need when they have so little?"

Oh, Father, in the land of plenty, we have grown so spoiled and demanding. Continue to remind me that my existence, the filling of my needs, was never meant to be my concern. My concern is to love with You with singleness of mind and heart and allow you to be GOD in my life. You are "I AM" and I am not. Your word to me is to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness and all these other things will be added to me, in accordance to my need rather than my wants.

You, God, are faithful, loving and true.

The day is dawning . . . . . Memento Vivere!

Joy in the Midst of Grief

This past week another tragedy claimed the life of a young teenager just turned 16 with seemingly all of life before her. However, for many, immeasurable grief is mingled with joy and peace in knowing that there will one day be a great celebration with family and friends, once again embracing this one who has gone on before. Yes, she will be there to greet them with a smile and a glow brighter than they could have ever imagined!

How do I know this? Because eight short years ago she was introduced to Jesus Christ and accepted Him as her personal Lord and Savior. Not only did she make her decision public and follow Him in believers' baptistm but she also became a living testimony to His Lordship, serving Him in her church, being an ambassador for Him among her friends and family, and sharing Christ with others through various mission efforts.

The story of this young girl touches me personally because I had the privilege and blessing of serving on the leadership team of the GA Camp at which she became a Christian. Did I have a direct impact on her accepting Jesus Christ as Savior? Yes, I think so. And so did every person who played a role in that camp from those who cooked our meals, to those who served on the staff at Camp Copass, to every volunteer who served in mission and Bible study and planned recreation, to the church counselors who gave a week of their time to bring their girls to camp.

While planning and working GA Camp, especially the actual week of camp, is probably one of the most physically, mentally and emotionally taxing things I have ever done, hands down, it's also one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. To think that in some small way God could use me as an instrument in impacting the eternal destiny of another is both amazing and beyond my understanding.

Father, thank you that in your infinite wisdom and by your perfect design, you work through those whom you have called. I thank you that even in my own life you used pastors, Sunday School teachers, friends and family to teach me about you and call me to yourself.

May all those who call you Lord be faithful in proclaiming that you are King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and our only hope for eternal life.

Just call me "Nan"

Many times I tried to imagine what it would be like to hear the words, "You're going to be a grandmother!" but nothing ever came close to the joy that washed over me this past Saturday as Denea and Jake told us they are pregnant.

Oh, my goodness the power a baby has over people (even when it's yet unborn!). Immediately Steve and I were speaking to Denea's tummy introducing ourselves!!

The happy couple will have their first Dr. visit today so hopefully we will have a target "due date" to share.

I received the sweetest phone call Monday evening. As I answered this precious little 4 year old voice said, "I hear your going to be a grandmother!" It was Parker, my great-nephew. He is such an awesome little guy and such a joy! He's promised me that he will come over and read stories to our grandbaby and teach him/her how to play with toys!


Memento Vivere!

Still Evolving

Greetings to all in the name of the Lord!

My blogger "guru" helped me add a few sidebar features that I hope you will enjoy.

Take a few minutes and browse the Study Helps. They are pretty self-explanatory and relatively easy to navigate. Classic Bible Commentaries features the writings of several different writers, greats such as Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon, etc. Bible Gateway will allow you to search for phrases and verses in multiple translastions and paraphrases. Blue Letter Bible has much of what the other two have but you can also do word studies in Hebrew and Greek.

You'll also notice a section called "From Great Minds" where I will be posting random quotes and tidbits that I have found meaningful or just simply entertaining. Thank you, Landon, for the first post!

As always, I welcome your comments and thoughts. Simply click on comments at the end of the post and share your insights. (The first time in you will need to establish a username and password, but it's very quick and easy.)

Allow me to share this parting thought: "This is the day the Lord has made" (Ps. 118:24).

Thanks for stopping by and until next time . . .



Memento Vivere!!!! (remember to LIVE!!)

What do you see?

"The question is not what you look at, but what you see." Henry David Thoreau, August 5, 1851

Most weekdays I'm usually on the highway, headed east, just before the sun peaks over the horizon. Some mornings my mind is racing through the day ahead, with varying degrees of "have-to-ness", while trying to safely navigate traffic complicated by highway construction. (For those of you who have driven Wise County highways, you know "traffic" carries it's own connotations!)

On other mornings, I travel the same highway, at the time time, contending with the same traffic mingled with construction, but the drive is very different. Why? I'm mostly "looking" at the same things but on those particular mornings I "see" something else. It's always there but often missed. I "see" the morning canvas of the Master Painter! Blues and purples and greens and yellows and pinks and oranges all perfectly splashed across the horizon into one huge masterpiece!

Even more amazing is the fact that having made that drive almost every weekday for 28 years, I've never seen the same painting twice!

Remember, it's the beginning of the day. Who knows what more there is to "see" if I will do more than just "look" at what God places before me.

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
~ Stuart K. Hine, 1899 -

(I think God just got up from His easel. Let's go see what He painted today)

Memento Vivere!

(Note: This image was taken in Wasilla, Alaska this past summer. We were there for summer solstice, meaning the sun just dipped below the horizon for no more than a couple of hours each night. Never did we experience darkness. We bought aluminum foil to cover the windows of our cabin so we could sleep!)

Unexpected Blessing

Happened into a good friend yesterday who has recently married and moved away.

Our visit was brief, barely more than minutes, but it only takes a moment in the presence of a saint to be blessed. (I'm sure she would blush at the title, but a saint is, in contradiction to worldly connotations, one set apart for the service and glory of God.)

Only a few short years ago her world crumbled around her but, rather than become discouraged or bitter, she tenaciously hung onto her faith in the Lord to see her through. And that is what God did, He saw her through. No, He didn't remove the circumstances or pain, He didn't take her around them, under them or over them, but walked her through them.

I can only imagine how difficult the trip must have been during the darkest of days but from the darkness has emerged an even more beautiful heart and spirit, and ever stronger child of God. Her countenance literally radiates the glory of God.

Yes, our visit was brief, but the witness of her spirit to mine? Timeless. Walking away I was reminded of the amazing promise of Romans 8:28: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Oh, gracious God, loving and faithful in all Your ways, not one of Your promises have, or will, ever fail.


Memento vivere!

Former things or new?

"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Behold, I will do something new...." (Isaiah 43:18,19, NAS)

Things of the past, whether good or bad, are just that ... things of the past. Today is new, pregnant with opportunity and purposed by God. If I am living in the past, not fully present in the now, I am certain to miss what God is doing today.

Look again at what He says: "I will do something new." It's a certainty. God's up to something and He invites me, and you, to be a part of it.

I'd rather be part of the adventure. How about you?


Memento vivere!