Going Down Memory Lane-Part 3: English Class

To be continued for the FINAL time...
           (Be prepared for a lot of pictures.  I love my pictures).

     On with the final memories...

    Hopefully, when a new school year begins, you would experience a fun excitement.  Most of my life, the beginning of school was not much fun.  My excitement was a more nervous excitement. Who was my teacher?  Who was in my class?  I hope I had some fun people in my class, some close friends, etc.... 

     As a quick review from Part 1 and 2-"Going Down Memory Lane," I shared how God had blessed me in so many ways: I was in my Senior year, Captain of the Football Cheerleaders, loved my church and all my choir activities, loved my girl friends, & loved dating Dave Register.  Now, loving to learn and study was like me riding on a galloping race horse, then pulling back the reigns resulting in an immediate halt!!  This was not my comfort zone.  This was not fun.  School was just a medium so I could be apart of all this other.

     Thinking back to kindergarten & reviewing by report card, yes I still have all of them; I do see a pattern.  I had Mrs Emma Stevens.  We all called her Mrs. Emma & I loved her to death.  She was so creative & told the best stories.  In reviewing my report card, my marks for outside activities were basically on the high side of things.  But, when it came to my attitude of sharing, care for the playground & respects the rights of others--there was room for improvement!  Let's dive into the marks for inside activities.  I did great with all music.  But, I definitely needed improvement when it came to listening in the circle.  Her commits were: "Her talking keeps her from paying best attention."  Well, that truly has summed me up dealing with most of my educational experience.

    The following grades up until my Senior year were A's, B's, with many C's when it came to reading, spelling & English.  That is why you see many errors in my writing ability & why I laugh at myself in even writing a blog.  Oh well, I keep trying.
     This brings me back to my Senior year.  For the first time in my life I was excited about school.  Mainly due to the extra activities, but I was actually excited about learning.  I had the perfect schedule that year.  It took care of all my desires & wishes, I loved who was in my class, & I loved my teachers.  UNTIL!!!  There always seems to be a little fly in the anointment when things are going great, don't they.
     Dave carried my books as he walked me to most of my classes.  How sweet is that! :)  When our year began, all of a sudden Dave realized that we were in the same English class.  Of course, this didn't bother me.  But, it sure did bother him, BIG TIME!  His perfect schedule  accommodated his playing football & working at Pantry Pride Grocery Story.  All of a sudden he wanted me to change my perfect schedule to accommodate his wishes so we would not be in the same class.  Well, I wasn't even going to go there.
    I don't know if you caught it in the previous blogs that I wrote about Dave being smart.  He had been taking all honor classes throughout high school until, this English class.  Because of football & work he got put down a level, & that is how he got into my class.  He thought I would be a great distraction in the classroom.  Sorry, that was just not my problem.  I wasn't about to change anything.  So, to help him concentrate, Dave, not the teachers, put us on the same row!  I had to sit at the front of the row, & he sat on the last seat of the row.  This way he could keep an eye on me so I WOULDN'T TALK.  If I began in any extra conversation with Elaine who sat next to me, he would snap his fingers, or motion to me to get back in line.  What is too funny, it actually worked!
     I won't ever forget the day that Elaine was talking about something " juicy", & it was killing me not to be apart.  So, I would lean myself halfway into the aisle, & my ear got bigger & bigger.  I wasn't about to turn my head to see if he was looking.  I could already feel his eyes boring a hole through my head, but I wasn't about to miss the "juicy story."
     I didn't have many goals in life, but one goal that I desired deeply was to beat Dave Register at least once on one of our test scores.  It finally happened, only one time.  I beat him by one point.
     Another fun fact concerning our English class was we were married by one of our English teachers, Mr. Walter Salter.  Our regular church pastor had a previous engagement, & since our teacher was also a pastor, we asked him.  Too funny!
     Honestly, I don't know what I would have done without Dave Register in school that year.  When we "love birds" would study together at his house--WE STUDIED!!  He was not about to allow me to mess him up.  Because of this, he taught me how to study, & he actually was my tutor.  Many times we would ride to school together.  He would call out our spelling words in preparation for the test.  I would have never passed English if it had not been for him teaching me how to write a term paper.  This foundation has carried me through the rest of my life.  The Lord blessed me: beginning with the help I needed in kindergarten, giving me Dave to teach me how to study, to being Valedictorian in Dental Hygiene School.  Amazing!!!  Who would have guessed!  God is good!
    
    Before I close, I want to take this opportunity to love on my 1973 Graduating Class.  I am so grateful to the ones who work so hard to bring us together for our 10th, 20th, 30th, & 40th Reunion.  It has been the same ones every time.  I thank you for your dedication, & love for our class.  Many thanks go out to Beth, Sandra, & Elaine (who has now passed away).  There are many on the committee, so I'm going to quit while I'm hopefully ahead.  I'm so grateful that the some of the women in the Class of 1973 get together at least once or more a year for lunch.  This has meant a great deal to me.

     To the Class of 1973, thank you for enriching my life and for the memories that we have created together.  Go Wildcats & the Black & Gold!!!

                                                 MUCH LOVE!!

ann :)
                                              THE END

 

Going Down Memory Lane-Part 2: Cheerleading

To be Continued....

     Well, on with the memories....

      I can't say it enough, how much fun I had during my high school years!!!  Since cheerleading was one of my major events in my life, I have to write more concerning it.  But first, I am going to try to explain a little bit more about the lay out of the high school.
     Back then, boy do I feel old when I say that!  Anyway, back then, the school was right next to the football stadium.  The school and stadium were located right behind a Shopping Plaza that contained some of Valdosta's greatest stores.  You know the ones like: Sears, Pantry Pride grocery store, Woolworth's, Barnes Pharmacy with a special soda fountain, plus some other great unique shops.  There was a wide walkway through the Plaza that connected the school/stadium and the Plaza parking lot.  This complex was a major part of our high school's life in every shape & form.

     Totally off the subject, but while I'm thinking about it, this story will be great for the Grands to read one day.  Dave, their Grandpa, was not only a football player, smart, & good-looking, he was a hard worker.  During his spare time, he worked at Pantry Pride bagging groceries.  He really did work hard to pay for our dates, and saving for whatever he saved for at the time.  We had been going out for a while, when all of a sudden it hit my Daddy that our dates were probably expensive for Dave.  So, to help Dave out with our expenses, Daddy gave Dave a five dollar bill!!!  To make matters worse, this was the only time Daddy helped out.  All we could do was laugh & roll our eyes-after we left him of course.  I think Daddy was in a time-warp.  Five dollars did not even pay for us to go to the movies or out-to-eat!  

     Back to the story at hand.  As I wrote in "Going Down Memory Lane-Part 1:The Beginning," I referred to the building of the high school as the Old High School.  My 1973 graduating class was the last class to use this building as a high school.  Afterwards, the city used some of the building for city offices & tore down the gymnasium a few years later. :(  I find it interesting that the new city school is located just inside the city limits, & is built with open rooms-the class rooms don't have a full wall to separate each classroom.  I would have never made it there.  I'm too much of a talker, & I don't want to miss a thing-especially if there is something fun going on around me.  But, our children attended school in this new facility :-/  and they did great!!!
     My class was called "The First, & the Last."  We were the first class to have all ninth graders in Valdosta to attend school downtown, due to integration; and the last class to attend the Old High School.
     The Football Cheerleaders were in charge of many of the VHS traditions during the Football Season. Some of my favorite traditions were: the School & City-wide Pep Rallies, and all the festivities of Homecoming Week.  Homecoming Week was so much fun.
-Everyday during the week, we had a different theme: one day we wore our Wildcat black & gold colors; another day we wore red in honor of Miss Flame-who was picked by the football players; and Friday, we dressed accordingly to our Homecoming theme-our year was the "Roaring 20's."
-Thursday night was the City-Wide Pep Rally.  This was held at he Shopping Plaza Parking Lot.  Our platform was a base of a trailer.  This definitely served our purpose, only if we could maneuver our jumps between the holes in the platform.  The Marching Cats, our band, was always there playing all our greatest hits and fight song.  They were awesome by the way!  Then the team would parade from the stadium, through the Plaza until they took front and center of the Pep-Rally.  All this excitement was broad cast through the Valdosta radio station, WVLD!  Then came the bonfire.  There was nothing like caring a flaming torch through the crowd to light the bonfire.  Gratefully, I only set the bonfire on fire.
-Friday: the school had a Pep-Rally, and the city came out for the school parade.  Guess who lead the parade?  Yep, the cheerleaders!  Then, the big game!  Oh yeah, I don't want to forget wearing those huge yellow mums with long ribbons hanging down.
     Another thing I loved was at every game the cheerleaders lead the Wildcats onto the field, properly named-Death Valley, with the Marching Cats playing the fight song.  What a thrill!!!
-Saturday: Was the big Homecoming Dance!
     Changing the subject a little, I love Christmas, especially when I was a child as most children do.  I loved every decoration.  My Mother had a special way of decorating our home for the Christmas Season in such a meaningful way, along with our church, and even downtown Valdosta.  The decorations downtown did not just hang along the sides, but the decorations hung from one side of the road to the other side.  The college at that time was called Valdosta State College, had these over life-size camels that just glowed.    
     One thing I dreamed of when I was a child was to be in the middle of the street of downtown Valdosta taking in all the lights.  This wish came true in two ways: 1) Valdosta always had a Christmas parade.  When I was about five years old, I got to ride on a float wearing my church choir robe.  I was in heaven.  2) The other way my dream was fulfilled was when I was a FOOTBALL CHEERLEADER.  I bet you were wandering how I was going to bring all this together.  Every other year the city and county school cheerleaders would swap off leading the parade.  Yes, it was our turn to lead the way.  I must admit, I just took it all in with pom poms in hand, & the Marching Cats were rights behind.  As you might can guess, it doesn't take too much to thrill me, sometimes!  I took in all the music, every glowing face, Christmas sounds, and all the beautiful lights.  I felt so blessed!

To Be Continued Only One More Time!!!--I PROMISE!

ann:)

Going Down Memory Lane-Part 1: The Very Beginning

     I have been blessed to have been married to the same wonderful man for over 41 yrs.  Where does the time go?!  Well, these next couple of blogs are going to be strolling down memory lane.  I hope you will enjoy walking along with me.

     In 1972, I remember the first day of school, standing outside the Old Valdosta High School waiting for the bell to ring thinking, "I'm 17 yr old, & it's finally my Senior Year.  I have arrived!  Before I know it,  this year will be over & I'll be going to my 10th year High School Reunion.  I wonder where I'll be?"  After the bell rang, I went on my merry way, struting down those old halls having a feeling of great pride!!  Yes, I was a big Senior, & the Captian of the Football Cheerleaders.  I loved my church and all the choir activities that I had the priviledge of being apart.  The Lord had blessed me with wonderful, great girl friends, and I was thrilled to be dating Dave Register.  He was not only good looking, & smart, but also one of the Captains of the Football Team.
      I'm going to back-up the train a little bit.  Valdosta had & still has two high schools: 1) the city school & 2) the county school.  I went to the city school which had a long rich traditional heritage of football.  If you went to Valdosta High School, no matter who you were, you were proud to be a Valdosta WILDCAT, and proudly wore the BLACK & GOLD colors!!!  Yes, all the sports were important to the school, but I have to admit that the football team, football cheerleaders & band ruled the school-or so they thought!
     As I have already mentioned, the Football Wildcats had a rich history which included wins.  I wish I had all the dates of these wins, but I don't.  I can say that Dave's Dad was the first team under Wright Bazemore & Dave's Sophomore year (1970-1971) was the last.  During those years, there were too many State and National Championships too count.  After Coach Bazemore retired, the second Coach lost one game the first year, I think.  Two games were lost the second year.  In Valdosta, GA three losses were too many, & he was gone.  Then came Coach Hyder.  Again, I don't remember how long he was Coach, but he was always called the "New Coach."  Dave's second brother was apart of the first team under Coach Hyder (1973-1974?), while our son was the last under the "New Coach Hyder (1997-1998)."  As you can see, Valdosta definitely has had longevity with their Coaches.
     I won't ever forget the thrill during my Sophomore year going to my very first Wildcat Pep Rally in the very old gymnasium.  Again, I thought I had arrived!  I dreamed of being a Wildcat Cheerleader ever since I was a small child.  This dream was about to come true during my Junior year by becoming the Co-Captain Basketball Cheerleader.  Oh, those were fun times & I loved every minute.
     During my Junior year, at the end of football season, (remember our football season was lengthy due to all the Championship games), I began dating Dave Register.  Our first date was a double date.  Dave is nine months younger than I am, & he didn't have his drivers license yet.  Remember, I told you he was smart.  He did first through third grade in two years.  That is how he became a part of my class.  He was not in any of my classes, because his classes were honor classes & mine were not.  I was doing good to get a few A's and mainly B's.
     Back to the first date.  The beginning of our date, Dave had asked me to walk him off of the field.  Again, what a thrill to be apart of all the girls & girlfriends to walk off the players.  I went down to the field with my close friend who we were double dating with.  She was experienced in what to do, so I followed her lead.  Well, the time came.  The game was over and we were allowed to run onto the field to find who we were to walk off.  I had worked hard during the entire game to remember Dave's number & tried to learn what his position did.  So, here I went.  I saw him & I was going as hard as I could to catch-up with him.  I really couldn't see his number on his jersey real well, but I could see his "toe-blonde" hair anywhere.  All of a sudden, I was in the middle of the field, & no Dave.  As I nervously looked around, there he was behind me laughing his head off.  I had been chasing the wrong player all this time.  Oh well!  Now, the huge question was how was I suppose to respond to him when I got to him?  I was new at this dating game.  Even though it was our first date, I did give him a big hug around his dirty, sweaty uniform, telling him how great he did!  Afterwards, we went out for pizza & then MacKey Park.  We went for a walk, but the couple we were with officially started going "steady."
     to be continued...

 ann :)

"Where's My Paci!?" (2 blogs in 1)

     The last blog that was written about our Grand Daughters, was actually written by my Daughter-in-Law, Jenny Register in Aug. 2014.  She did give me permission to copy her story-"A Young Mom's Walk of Shame", which is so identifiable & too funny for words.  At that time Audrey was just about 4 months old, Haven-2 yrs old (in the middle of potty training), & Lauren-4 yrs old.  If you want a good laugh, I would encourage you to go back and read it, especially if you are a young Mom.  Well, now the girls have grown-up a bit: Lauren is in first grade, 6 1/2 yr old, ears pierced & just recently lost her first tooth.  Haven, 4 1/2 yrs old, is still talking & singing from the time she wakes up until she collapses at night time & definitely potty trained :)  Now, we are going through the potty training phase with Audrey who is 2 1/2 yr old.

     When I think about how quickly the children are growing up, it really makes me sad.  I tell them all the time that "I'm going to just have to put a book on their heads so they will quick growing-up."  I have enjoyed each one of them, & most of their growing-up phases :)  Knowing Audrey is our last grandchild on this side of the family, I have made a conscious effort since day one of her life to just enjoy-it will be over too quickly!

     Most of the time when I'm around, Audrey is glued to my hip.  I just melt when she reaches those little arms up to me.  I reach down & swing her high in the air, then I give her a big hug, grab some kisses, & then with big grins on both of our faces we go our merry way.

     Audrey has many loves!  One of those loves are blankets.  I have never seen a child so in love with blankets like this child.  Her second love is being rocked.  The third love was her Paci.  No matter if I'm rocking Audrey at bedtime, or on the front porch swing in 95 degree weather, Audrey has to be covered from head to toe with her blanket, Paci in her mouth & holding her fourth love-her animal head blanket.  I must say, I will miss the day when the rocking will be over.  So until then, I will claim every opportunity that arises.  Already, these rocking days for Lauren & Haven are few & far between :(

     In writing about the Paci, I don't know if you caught the past-tense of that love.  She has just recently had to give up her Paci, & this was not by choice.  This child was not just in love with her Paci, but saying she was OCD concerning it was an understatement.  In fact, you could even go to the point that her Paci was her addiction, BIG TIME!!!!!

     We had the privilege this past June for our entire family to go to Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri.  If you have never been, go!  It is beautiful place, near Branson & Silver Dollar City, & very family friendly!   

     Anyway!  During this time in little Audrey's life, her parents were trying to break her of the Paci.  Naturally, when Audrey was just with me, if she wanted it, she got it.  What are grandparents for!  So, every time she saw me, she was asking for that thing.  I would tell her to go ask Mama & Daddy concerning the Paci, making them to be the bad guy & not me.  I must admit, I hated to see it go, because it was just another toddler stage to disappear.  That growing-up thing again!

Well, during that week I must say it did get a little too funny observing Audrey's reactions with her Paci.  Here is what I observed:

     First of all, Audrey & everyone else knew, including me, Audrey's boundaries concerning her Paci.  They were quite clear.  The Paci was to stay in her pack-in-play.  She could then have it when she was sleeping.  Sometimes, Audrey would get this incredible urge to suck on that thing in between times.  She was allowed to have it, only if she would enjoy it in her bed.  This happened quite often.  Now, her bedroom was upstairs in the farthest location of the house.  It was a great deal of trouble for a two yr old to get to.  In fact, it was a great deal of trouble for me to climb those winding, steep stairs, crawl over the bed that was in her room, then, lift her into her bed.  Pretty soon during the week Audrey began making her way up to her bed by herself-sneaking the Paci out.  
     When she got caught & was confronted she would respond in several ways:
1) head down, slumped over, and began walking in her own special pouting way-not wanting to give it up. 
OR  2) she would cover the Paci with both hands while it was in her mouth, trying to hide it like we couldn’t see it.  I must admit this was too cute :) 
OR  3) Onetime she some how talked her Mama into allowing her to keep it in her pocket-keeping the temptation too close at hand.  You can just imagine how that turned out:) 
OR 4) when she wasn't having it, she constantly was OCD over it.  She kept asking me if she could have it, or asking where is was, or crying because she just wanted it.

Well, by now, you are probably knowing where I am going with all of this. If you are anything like me, we all have our "Paci"s that we just can't give up-or we think we do.  
Some of these "Paci"s maybe shopping, chocolate, alcohol, Starbucks!!! I love a Starbucks Ice Coffee with cream, but no syrup. I must get credit for no syrup, don't you think!? :) What about the heart "Paci"s?: anger, jealousy, comparing, & worry to name a few.

     In my life I am grateful that God cares about my "Paci"s.  I guess it is time to start being really honest and call a "Spade a Spade".  "Paci"s are the IDOLS in our lives that sometimes we/I just don't want to give up.  What is an IDOL you might ask?  It is anything we put in place of where God should be in our lives-actions or heart.

     Like Audrey, God makes my boundaries really clear concerning my IDOL.  Like Audrey, I want to sneak that IDOL, or I think I just need some extra playtime with that thing.  When I get caught, I pout, not wanting to give it up, or cover it up with both hands-hoping God wouldn't really notice or care; or (one of my big ones) I love to keep that IDOL in my pocket close at hand just in case I need it; or just keep crying/complaining over that thing.

     Just like Audrey who has good parents that love her deeply, & wants what is best for her-to grow, & mature, especially in the Lord.  I too have a good, good Father who loves me deeply.  My Father not only loves me deeply, He loves me with an everlasting, perfect love.  He knows me inside and out.  He created me.  He is sanctifying me to be more like His Son, Jesus-wanting me to grow up, to be mature in Him.  He cares about my heart; cleaning out those IDOLS, so I can walk in freedom through the Holy Spirit.  

     Now, what about your "Paci"s?  Are you sneaking around with them?  Are you hiding them in your mouth, covering them up?  Are they in your pocket close by?  Or, have you given them to God, Who is a good, good Father.  Who wants you to walk in freedom! 

 I think I will keep striving for freedom!

ann:)

Side Note From Nanna:
     [This is just a little added story for me to remember, & for me to tell Audrey one day.]

     I think most young Moms use this method in breaking their toddlers of these Paci's-they clip the end of the Paci a little at a time, until the child doesn't have anything to hold onto.  Well, with Audrey this was working.  Until one day Audrey told her Mama that it won't stay in her mouth.  Jenny responded by, "It has just gone bye, bye."  Audrey promptly responded, "No, you keep cutting it off."  Oh, well!  She is no dummy!

     Soon after this, I found out that Audrey had given up her Paci for three days at home.  Now, it was time to break her of it at my (Nanna's) house-like I wrote earlier, break Nanna also of this Paci!  
     On the way to drop off the younger two children at my house for me to baby sit, Jenny called me to give me the heads up to GET RID OFF ALL THE PACIS IN THIS HOUSE before Audrey gets here.  So, I cooperated reluctantly!
     While Jenny was leaving, Audrey made a "bee-line" to the master bedroom where her bed is, & yes, where her blankets & paci are.  She immediately came to me & asked me where her Paci was.  I told her that she was doing so great, that she didn't need it anymore, & they were gone.  All of that was true, but I was ready to pull it out of the trash can in a split second if  need be.
     When nap time came a long, Audrey starting asking for the Paci again.  I told her she could pick out a stuff animal to sleep with instead.  She seemed to be ok with that answer.  I dodged that bullet.
     After nap time we began doing our different activities.  One of these activities my Grandchildren love to do is look at the picture Snapfish books I have created with our photos.  Audrey picked out the ones she wanted to look at.  I could not believe the change in Audrey in one year.  She had grown up so much!  In fact she didn't even reconize herself.  She kept calling herself Haven, when she was the baby in the picture.
     In looking through the pictures, all of a sudden, Audrey called out, "THERE'S MY PACI."  I started cracking-up.  Every page had Audrey with that Paci.  She would then say, "Wait a minute Nanna, go back," so she could just lust after her Paci one more time.  I guess if you can't hold it, or suck on it, you can at least gaze at it for a while. :)  
     This kind of reminds me of the "Winnie-the-Pooh & the Honey Tree" story.  Pooh ate so much honey that he got stuck in Rabbit's house door.  Pooh had many visitors to check on him while he was waiting to get thin again.  One of those visitors was Mr. Gopher.  He had brought his dinner, & you can probably guess what was part of his menu-honey!  As soon as Rabbit heard the word honey, he ran out of his back door to confiscate the honey.  Promply Pooh responded, "I wasn't going to eat any of it, I just wanted to smell it."
     NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN IS IT!

     

"All We Like Sheep"

“All We Like Sheep”                         

{Community Bible Study Devotion given 10.11.2016} 

     Don’t you love a good story.  Well, I’m going to tell you a special story God orchestrated for me & my family last Christmas (2015).  I have always enjoyed the Christmas Season, but the entire month of Dec was unusually special for me. 

It all began during the Fall months with me baby sitting my three grand daughters on Fridays.  Part of the schedule was picking up two of them from school.  Audrey was 1 1/2 yrs old at the time, Haven 3 1/2 & Lauren 5 1/2.  On the way to pick up Haven from school, all of a sudden I saw something I had never seen before.  It was a beautiful flock of cream colored sheep right on the corner of where I had to turn.  I went crazy!!!  Where was my phone camera when I needed it?!  I really knew I missed my awesome opportunity of taking a picture, because when I returned, they were gone:(  Oh well!!  I was still so excited, I told everyone.  We did keep seeing the sheep from time to time during the Fall months, & I did finally get my pictures:).

I’m very organized, & part of my planning two weeks before Christmas was shopping for the Christmas turkey meal which I had done for 41 yrs.  As I was in the grocery store all of a sudden I got in my head to buy a leg of lamb instead of the turkey.  I was actually excited about this, which was very unlike me.    What was I thinking!!!?  I had never cooked a lamb in my life!  I asked the butcher for help with my new endeavor, & we finally found the only leg of lamb in the store.  I was so excited!!

It was now Friday, 8 days before Christmas.  I was on my way to pick up Haven as usual, & I couldn’t stand it any more.  All of a sudden I found myself turning into the driveway of the beautiful home where these sheep live.  My heart was pounding & I felt like a giddy little girl.  Audrey was asleep in the back of the car.  I left her there & made my way up to the beautifully decorated door.  I knocked several times & finally a darling college age girl, who I woke up, came to the door.  After I gave a “sheepish” explanation of “You don’t know me but, does your family ever let strangers see your sheep?”  She sweetly explained that her family did all the time.  Well, I jumped on that with all fours!!!  I was so excited, I could hardly stand it.  I was planning to wait to surprise everyone at the end of the day to let them all know what we might be doing, but! as soon as Haven got in the car, I was babbling away.  When Jenny, my awesome daughter-in-law, came home from work, I told her the entire detailed story.  Jenny then told me that just recently Haven PRAYED that God would let her hold a lamb!!

Tuesday, 4 days before Christmas, finally arrived; and we were going to visit the sheep.  It was a beautiful day!!!  The weather was perfect, & everyone was well.  But, before I left my house, I had to check my Christmas-to-do list.  I couldn’t believe what I had written down 3 days earlier-thaw out the lamb :o!  I felt like I was killing the Passover Lamb.

 Anyway, the first thing the girls got to do on the sheep farm was hold Eugene the lamb, who was wearing his Christmas sweater, & feed him his bottle.  Noel, the pregnant sheep followed us everywhere.  We were there for a few hours & I took 100’s of pictures.  God gave us a day beyond our wildest imaginations, & most of all, answered YES to a 3 1/2 yr old child’s prayer.

 This year on (2016) March 27 was Easter.  Yes, as time got closer I began planning the big meal.  I wanted to talk to Lauren, who was turning 6, to see what she would like to add to the menu since we were celebrating her birthday at the same time.  So, I started rattling off the menu & said, “Lauren, Nanna is planning to have that special ham that you like, and lamb, and..”  Before I could say another word, without missing a beat—Lauren looked at me so intently with eyes as big as saucers and said, “Are we going to eat Noel!?”   ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BECAME PERSONAL!!!

It is the same way with God!  It was personal to Him when He sent Jesus to be our sacrificial Lamb.  From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation, from the manger to the cross: God showed us His grace & redemption through Jesus our Great Shepherd.

God’s people were shepherds & understood the ways of sheep very clearly.  These people not only treated these animals as a business, but many times it was more than that.  Many of these sheep were personal to them.  They named their sheep, the sheep knew their master’s voice, gentle touch, were loved, & that their masters would take care of their needs.  No wonder God spoke to His people many times using this illustration.  God says we are like sheep.  In Is 53:6-All we like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the sin of us all.  Sheep love to do their own thing, and so do we.  We clearly see the beginning of this in the Garden of Eden with Adam & Eve.  Personally, I have not thought about this until writing this devotion.  I would not be surprised, if God killed a sheep to cover Adam & Eve’s sin which was a foretaste of Christ shedding His blood for us.  Don’t forget Adam’s first job was to name the animals/sheep which he knew them very well.

  God’s people learned how to worship God by sacrificing rams, sheep, lambs, & other animals on altars.  As they would bring their sacrificial offering for the forgiveness of their sins, or peace offering, or even thanksgiving & praise offering; their animals had to spotless, without blemish. 

I find it interesting that many times God had the person who was giving the sacrificial offering, had to put their hand on the head of the animal while the animal was being killed, & by this they would feel the life leaving the animal.  WHY???  BECAUSE  IT’S PERSONAL!!!  Jesus is our only spotless, w/o blemish sacrifice for our sins.

  God shows us a part of Himself through His Names: Jehovah-jireh: The Lord will provide which He provided for Abraham a ram as a sacrifice instead of Isaac.  Jehovah-raah: The Lord My Shepherd in Ps. 23.

  We had the privilege to visit this sheep farm two times.  We held a lamb that was 4 days old, & feed Noel corn tortillas.  These visits made Scripture jump off the page in 3D living color.  We saw how the sheep ran from a stranger, but ran to their Shepherd just like we need run to Jesus, keeping our eyes on Him & in His word.  Sheep need to be lead & not left to wander.  God never intended for us to wander. That is why Jesus calls us His friends.  We are His adopted daughters & sons; we are not orphans.  God keeps His promises & covenant: He is our God, we are His people, & He will dwell in each of our hearts if, & only if we ask Jesus to be our Savior.  We saw how sheep really do leap for joy, as we should do in our hearts in praise to our King.  It was so clear to see how the shepherdess loved taking care of her sheep; as God our Father loves taking care of us.   Finally, we learned all about the staff that really does comfort, guide & keep the sheep out of trouble; just as God’s Word does for us.

From the Garden of Eden, to the shepherds at the manger, to the finishing of the sacrifices once & for all at the cross—our story doesn’t end there!!!  BECAUSE IN REV 5 WE HAVE THE LAMB STANDING! THAT WAS SLAIN, & HE IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE SEVEN SEALS.  He is our Victor & will be called Faithful & True.  Yes, it was very much personal to Jesus, is He personal to you?

     

ann :)

Marinade vs Faith? Part Two

Written : March, 2012
Second of Six Blogs on God's Faithfulness concerning my AR RDH Boards 

continuation...
I had the opportunity to take a wonderful 2 1/2 weeks trip in March of this year (2012), to go back to Highlands, NC then to Valdosta, GA & on to Atlanta.  I hadn't been back to Highlands since we moved the end of Sept. 2011.  It was great spending time with my Mom but, it was also a bitter sweet time because it was my first time back at home since my Dad past away this past Jan (2012).  The Dental Conference in Atlanta is always fun.  I learn a lot of information, got many CE credits, & I had so much fun being with Dr. Dyer's office.  Along the way I got to visit with many wonderful friends, & went to a wonderful Women's Retreat.

While in Valdosta I got to visit with one of my dearest friends named Gaye.  We went out to lunch, driving in style with her new Jaguar.  Boy, did I give her a grief about that.  After talking about the families & all our girlie stuff, I began to talk about the woes of taking the Dental Hygiene Boards, again.  The bottom line of that conversation, was the Lord was with me through the NC boards, He will be with me through the AR boards.

Then, I began telling her after the joy of passing this AR DH board, I now get to pay over a $1000 to take a course for a week about Dental Hygiene Local Anesthesia.  In other words, I've got to learn how to give shots!!!  Not only do I have to learn how to give a shot, I get to be a guinea pig for someone else for five days for someone else to practice on.  :( :( :(  

Now, the Dentist & Hygienist AR love doing this.  I am the person who HATES shots with a purple passion.  I have hated them since I was a very small child.  I can't even watch someone else on TV with a knife or an animal attacking another animal on the Discovery Channel.  I can dig in your mouth & get all that gunk out, but forget a shot.

As I was telling Gaye all this, we started dieing laughing.  The more expressive I got, the more we laughed.  About the end of this conversation, it was time for us to depart.  Right before I got out of her car to get into mine Gaye then came up with this great illustration.  "Ann, just think of those mouths as being a chicken!  As you are giving those shots, you are marinating a chicken.  Just imagine that medicine spreading out like marinade all through the mouth."  By this time we were roaring with laughter.  Laughing tears were flowing down my cheeks--one of those belly laughs.  In fact, I am laughing all over again while writing this story.  

Well, I must admit, that if I ever take the course I might kill over laughing with the shot in my hand & never make it to the patients mouth.  At this point in my journey in preparing to take the AR Dental Hygiene Boards, I don't have a patient & my board is Apr 28th.  That seems like a long time away, but really I have about 1 1/2 weeks to find a patient or maybe I need to withdraw from the exam & give up practicing DH.  If I don't get my license, then I don't have to take the course.  Hey!! :)

Some anchor concepts of faith that I have really hung onto are: 
-that God is good no matter what;  
-He loves me & He wants the best for me & my family; 
-& He is faithful no matter what!  
-He hasn't failed me, 
-& I haven't failed myself through this process.  
-If I take the board or not, if I pass or not; He is still a good Father.
  
Again, these concepts keep me grounded in my life.  Other faith steps through this journey have been clinging to the verses that God has given me; not giving up; studying for the course before I pass the boards (I have to pass the boards to take the course).

Well back to the marinade.  Shots or no shots, God wants to marinade me in His Word & in His goodness everyday.  Don't you love that?!  Also, don't you love dear friends that help you keep life in perspective?!  I do.

                                 ann :)

A Young Mom's Walk of Shame by Jenny Register

A Young Mom’s Walk of Shame

STORY BY JENNY REGISTER

8.2.2014

(Ann Register’s sweet daughter-in-law)

     Just in case any of you have crossed me (JENNY) off your prayer list, let me give you a run down of my day thus far.  Ben (HUSBAND / MY SON) is out for the day hanging with some guys (can't fault him for it, it is needed).  So my friend Rhonda and her teenage daughter signed up to hang with me and the girls for a while.  So Rhonda and her daughter arrive and of course we're not ready.  I leave Audrey (3 ½ MON) with them while I reconfigure the car seats in the van so we could all fit.  I return to find Audrey in all out hysteria.  This doesn't surprise me, She is pretty picky about who holds her and how she is held.  So we load up to take her to my in-laws who have graciously agreed to watch her.  She screams all the way there.

     My gracious friend and her sweet daughter (also named Lauren) repeated assure me they aren't bothered by the ear piercing screams from the back seat.  Uh huh.

     So then we have an uneventful and pleasant drive to TJ Maxx where I feed my kids Nilla Wafers all through the store to survive.  Next stop, Chic-fil-a.

     So we arrive at Chic-fil-a just before noon today, which in case you forgot, it is Saturday.  It's very full, but of course it is their pleasure to serve us quickly and again, lunch goes by smoothly.  Big Lauren (daughter friend) watches my kids in the play area (which of course is full), while Rhonda (adult friend) and I sit and catch up.  Great.

     So then we break for ice cream.  Haven (2 yrs) finishes 1st and wants to go play.  Sure.  After all, I can see the play area clearly from our seat.  Then Lauren (4 yrs) finishes and heads out to play.  I notice she's having a hard time getting the door open, so I go to help her.

     As I'm approaching the door, I notice a pretty woman with 2 kids sitting right beside the play area in a booth.  You know, those booths that are right up on the glass?

     I hear her say, "Ummmm there's poop in the play area."  I think,  "Oh #$%T" because I know Haven is in there.

Back story:  Haven is really ready to potty train, and takes here diaper and pants off whenever she poops b/c she doesn't like poop in her pants.  Unfortunately, her mama can't find the energy to potty train right now.

     So I look through the door to see a poopy diaper on the floor with Haven standing beside it holding her dress up, showing her poop smeared tail to all of Chic-fil-a.  Upon closer examination, I see that there's a whole mess of poop on the floor BESIDE the diaper.

     Then I realize I'm late to this party.  All the children in the play area (at least 200 I'm sure) start chanting, "oooooooooh poo-poo!!!".  Some are frightened and run to tell their mamas (pansies!) and their mama's come to remove them from the horror.

     Meanwhile, I'm standing there trying to figure out what to do.  I keep asking Haven to leave her dress down.  Dern it, I left the wipes in the van.  I motion for Rhonda to please come help, bless her heart.  She goes to ask the folks at the counter for a bag of some sort.

     But oh no, it couldn't stop there.  Three, count them, THREE employees head our way.  I ask them for the materials, and they say no, there's a specific protocol that has to be followed.

     One clears all the kids out of the play area while the other slaps a "PLAY AREA CLOSED" sign on the door while I'm pretty sure every mom in there silently cussed me for ruining her 30 minutes of solace.

     And that's when we began our walk of shame.  ALL THE WAY BACK THROUGH THE RESTAURANT.  As we turned for the door we passed another employee, bless his heart too, who had gloves up to his shoulders, a spray bottle, and towels (I remember a gas mask in my mind, but surely that's not right) headed for the scene.

     We were thinking of moving to Conway, but we were at the only Chic-fil-a in Conway, so that might be off the table at this point.

     So then we load up and head home.  Haven with her sweet (and incredibly loud) voice chants all the way home.  Again, my gracious friend insists it isn't bothering her.  Uh-huh.

     We pick up Audrey who is sweet on the way home.  Thank you my little caboose.

     We walk in and Lauren (oldest-4 yr old) pushes Haven (middle-2 yr old) off the bathroom stool.  I send her to her room.  Rhonda asks to use the bathroom.  She heads down the hall and turns and says, "I'm sorry Jenny."

      I look into Lauren's room and she's squating and peeing on the floor.

Face Book Friends Conversation

MSE-Just dye everyone's hair and you'll be fine. It could've been worse, She could have pooped at the top of the slide, removed her diaper and slid down.

Jenny-Rhonda and Big Lauren (who, incidentally is really skinny fyi), get their purses and head out.  I've got a feeling it took all they had not to run.

Jenny -So now it's all quiet and I'm wondering if it's too early for a drink?

Jenny-Good point Mist.  Give us time, I'm sure it will happen.

MSE-Not at all! If anything, I would say you're late. Bottoms up, friend.

MG-Oh, Jenny!  By do you insist on always being the life of the party!  Haha. Bless you. Can I bring you some alcohol?  NOW?!

Jenny -I wouldn't recommend coming anywhere near my house Meghan....you probably are in the danger zone just living as close as you do!

Jenny -Ya'll, I honestly can't believe my life right now.  It is out of control in so many ways.  Prayers prayers prayers please!

Jenny -You always say just what I want to hear Mist! 

MG-Haven can poop on me anytime!!  And Audrey can spit up on me anytime!  And Lauren can call me poopy diaper face any time-I'm used to it!  Haha

MSE-Oh Jenny, I wish I lived closer. This will all be a blur soon. In the meantime, stock up on Benedryl and wine (or maybe tequila).

MG-At least you have a great story-well told, I might add-to lighten the load.  Some day, you'll laugh & embarrass the crap out of them!  (No pun intended)

Jenny -MG: my child would never use that language.

KS-his story makes me laugh!!!!

ALS-I almost peed on myself when I read this. 25 yrs or so from now you have a story to tell at her wedding rehearsal or graduation or something!! So funny!!

Jenny-I love ya'll!  You know, you have to laugh or you'll cry!

Saturday 10:42pm

AL-Okay first of all.... Im laughing my head off.... second.... pass me the wine I need it from just reading this... LOLOLOLOL I cant imagine this... But hey when a kid needs to poop it needs to poop! I say let the good times roll!!!!!! Get the Poop out!!!!!! And as for as those snoody people... their poop dont stink we all know but I pray they all get bad hemorrhoids!!!!! You know they were telling people later today that there was some trailer trash letting their kids poop every where well I say POOP in a walmart bag and go to their front door and smear it every where I tell ya that right there relieved me before and you can do it too!

23 hours ago

Jenny-I want to officially thank everyone for their outpouring of support. 

15 hours ago

EHR-Just seeing this. Oh Jenny. I love you. Only a really cool mom and person would share this. I admire you so!!!! Just think... one day you will long for these days back... right??? That is what we have to keep telling ourselves.

14 hours ago

C-Oh my word hilar!!!! Seriously Jenny one of my regrets is not taking enough pics and documenting all the craziness in my life when E&A were younger. It's a true blur. My first good memory of Ava is her first birthday! So rage pics! And realize this season is gonna pass then you will be able to tell them all about it and they will think its hilarious!

4 hours ago

Jenny-Thanks girls!  I gotta say, right now it's hard to see it all as picture worthy or anything I will EVER miss.  Good reminders.  We're taking a stab at potty training today....deep breath.

Chat Conversation End

TOO FUNNY!

ann :)