This is one of the sweetest moments; our first grandchild is born! I was visiting with a friend, and we were talking about being tired and how our grands are God-gifts of hope to make it through another day and the joy they bring. Thankful for our two children and our five God-gifts!

We have the sweetest Music "report" of my grandfather, Hugh Robert Etter while attending Lamar School. The organization of Plainview Independent School District was in 1902. Shortly after the elementary school was renamed in honor of the noted Texas leader Mirabeau B. Lamar. My grandfather was born in 1907. Add nine years and my grandfather would be writing cursive at Lamar, about 1916, or 107 years ago.

It is a dangerous slope when you feel like lives would be better without you, and then your brain begins to wrap its mind around this thought until it convinces you that it is true, but it isn't. It isn't true at all. I don't find the thoughts selfish; I find them solutional for the one who carries the weight of the line being fed them, often created through the accumulation of mental trauma.

I believe more people know these thoughts, created through depression, than we understand or know. It has always been a taboo subject until recent years. It still carries a sense of shame with it, and it saddens me that an illness of the brain is looked down upon by society.

I am not a professional, have no medical training, and don't pretend to prescribe. What I want to share is that we need to see others in a way that allows them a piece of hope and light to grasp hold of, that will enable them to hang in there.

Many have depression and never think to harm themselves, and can function for periods outside of the fog. Many self-medicate to make it through each day. Others are on a constant life-altering roller coaster and believe they want off...to find balance and healing. Unfortunately, it often comes when they bottom out from mental exhaustion. We pray they have a life-saver to hang on to when they find themselves in this dark place.

We lose too many beautiful souls to this illness of the mind.

We need to do more, understand mental illness better, and be equipped with the tools to break the spiraling thoughts. Reach out to a mental health professional as needed. Protect your sanity through the planning of your days. Do you have suggestions that will help us see more clearly?

Help is available; 988 is the three-number Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, open 24 hours in English and Spanish.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" John 10:10

Staying in the Word brings peace. God only wants good for us. We believe this. It doesn't mean overcoming this illness will be easy, but it IS doable. Finding ways to cope, survive, and even encourage others in ministry are available as change is created.

I enjoy vintage landline phones and we have several. It is fun because all three of us were saying goodnight to their dad from different rooms in the house!

Happy 13th Birthday to our next oldest grand-sister, Miss J! we've been partying all day & into the night!

Amelia Rodriguez Ramos, 92, of Plainview, passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. I first knew of Amelia as a Pink Lady at Covenant Hospital Plainview but did not know where the 'familiar first encounter' came from until much later.

The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

This past year I was able to be a long-term sub for Meals on Wheels. A sweet friend was in a medical crisis, and oh, the joy that filled my soul to be able to step in for a season. Praising God that she is better and back.

On my first day volunteering for this route, the first home, I met a treasure; her name was Amelia, and we instantly connected on a deep and spiritual level.

Sometimes her hands covered mine and sometimes, I held hers. We never tarried long, but in the minutes of time, the Holy Spirit was present. I needed her wisdom and God allowed me comfort and peace through Amelia's eyes, words, and the power of her touch.

Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Revelation 22:14

I find joy in knowing that the Lord is in every connection that I experience. I thrive in His presence. I am overcome with gratitude and will sing praises to him for the gift of a powerful love connection between Amelia and me. Oh, the joy that floods my soul as I invision this sweet lady in the presence of Jesus.  Her robe is washed and she has the right to enter His gates. What a beautiful lady with a beautiful testimony. Thank you, God for this gift.

This is a photo of my dad's sister Verna Delight Dayton Carlton with my first cousin, one time removed, Marty. He passed away recently. I have such sweet memories of visiting Aunt Verna and Marty running through the house and me chasing him into the backyard to play. Precious memories.

A well-ordered world would be so much easier to navigate. As God created the world, order was the design; there was no chaos. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33

Growing up, I would hear the phrase, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. I'm pretty sure everyone has walked this quote at some point in this life, but it sure feels like this quote has taken the place of, In God We Trust. There was a time when people cared more about others than their platforms. It was okay to have an opinion because we respected diversity. Instead, it feels like words spoken are frozen, never heard, and that when they are, it is like a symphony gone wrong, where everyone plays their heart out with no consideration for the presentation of the whole.

We trust God because we have no order, only chaos without him. The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way. Psalm 37:23 God has ordered everything, even our salvation; there is an ordered process of the heart, the purpose, the promise. 

God created me to be most effective through order and balance. He does that for me as I remain steadfast in my faith. He is our Peace provider.

As cra-cra as our world is ...

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Trusting in God's order of things past, present and future. I decided to follow Jesus...no turning back, no turning back.

Each new day is His, and in it, new life, new order. Great hope!

Sir Clinton talked me into attending the Floydada and Olton games over in Floydada on Tuesday evening. We went early to be sure we could get tickets and hopefully a seat. Well, we got in, but the seats on both sides were already mostly full by the first quarter of the girls' game. Sweet Mary Coleman (Jay Brandon fame) offered us her seat, and another woman and daughter got up, too. It blessed our souls for someone to do this for us. The games were both great and hard-fought. Either team could have won. Floydada came out on top, but Olton played great, too.

I made it through to the end. Too many people for me, but I did visit with Alecia Johson and Tillie Beccera and recognized several other fans from Floydada and Olton. This was fun!

Can you tell that I don't get out often? I'm happy though :)

Feeling a bit patriotic today...

Thank you, God, for the absolute blessing to live in the City of Plainview, Hale County, State of Texas, U.S.A!!!

This morning I was on a Plainview ISD campus, and when I looked the beautiful children in the eyes, I could see so much hope and joy in them to be at school. God, thank you for allowing these children an education here within the arms of Plainview. God, burn within each heart, both student and teacher, a desire to create the absolute best path to success. Allow the students to dream and know that they can create a way to reach their dream regardless of their struggles. I pray, Teacher, that your purpose for our children is made known; direct their way, protect them, and allow them peace.

(I don't own the rights to this performance, lyrics, or music)