Saturday, March 31, 2007

Loveable Lily!

Here's our adorable, loveable LILY! She always brings such joy to my heart, just watching her play or swing or wear silly hats! Here she is "doing her thing" with chocolate on her mouth (her favorite!) after playschool this week---- she's just having fun---what Lily does best! She's our LOVEABLE  fun LOVING LILY!

*while making these on the porch, I was playing around with some of the F-Stops on the camera! So, some are a little off as far as clarity goes, but, hey! I'm learning! I also had fun transferring some to sepia and some to Black/White!

Thursday, March 29, 2007

The next TIGER WOODS!

We were surprised today to see Kemp hit that ball the way he did! Natalie and Brad keep telling us he's a golf prodigy and I do believe he is! Terry bought Kemp and Lily this little golf club and this afternoon spent some time showing him how to hit the ball! He did GREAT...........We talked to Kristy via SKYPE this afternoon---she got to see her little man! She showed us all her pix of Kemp in her office and heard her CELL PHONE ring---Kemp saying, "pick up the phone Kristy!" a hoot!!!! She looked great but made me miss her, oh so much! THANK GOODNESS she is writing her journal everyday and sending it to us! It is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Katie keeps Lily and Kemp together!

Last week, Katie babysat the munchkins---together! One of her friends, Emily, stopped by to visit!( K/L loved Emily!). Katie said they were so adorable and that they were so GOOD, too!........ALSO, this is when she got that simply PRECIOUS picture of them, "KISSING COUSINS", on the steps! I am having that one enlarged, I love it so much! I'm afraid Katie is now a better photographer than I am!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

A nice e-mail regarding Becky

Message: Jan -

 


My name is Don Heacock.
Donnie and I were classmates
in Civil Engineering at
Auburn. Additionally, my
wife Janice and I lived down
the street from Donnie and
Becky at Holiday Mobile
Estates (or trailer park, to
be more accurate). Although
Janice and I had not seen
Donnie and Becky in many
years, their names and the
old memories would come up in
conversation every so often.

Janice and I were saddened to
learn of Becky's illness and
death. We got the word from
one of Janice's cousins,
whose brother was also our
engineering classmate. While
searching the Internet for
information, I found your
journal. I really
appreciated having the chance
to see the pictures of both
of them and to learn more
about Becky's fight the last
several years.

I will be contacting Donnie
shortly to extend our
sympathies. Meanwhile, thank
you for all you have done.

Don Heacock
Tallassee, AL

Sunday, March 25, 2007

WOW! We saw THOMAS THE TRAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This morning we skipped church (I should say everyone but TERRY skipped church---he went to early church!) anyway, after Terry got back, we headed to CALERA to Cracker Barrel to eat breakfast with Nat/Brad/Kemp/Michael/Kadie/Lily before we headed to see THOMAS THE TRAIN! WOW! What an incredible time we had!!!!!!!!We had a GREAT TIME! It was HOT, 87 degrees hot (SPRING in ALABAMA!) ,but it was so much FUN! Kemp, who LOVES Thomas so much, well there isn't enough words to explain how precious it was to see his little face when he saw that TRAIN!!! It was PRICELESS! We had soooooooooo much fun!!! The kids went crazy---they loved the train ride (Terry and I walked around while the others went on the train trip!) and then the kids also loved the huge sand pit under the tent as well as the "pump it up" style climb through maze! Even Michael/Brad hit a few balls on the mini putt putt golf ! haha! It was so much fun to see the faces of our little ones as they saw the REAL Thomas, up close and personal! I've never seen such a HUGE gift shop full of so much THOMAS stuff that it boggled my mind! All the train sets, etc! Even Terry was amazed!!! We had a WONDERFUL time and I'm so glad Nat invited us old folks to come along for the time of our lives! It was a perfect way to spend a SUNDAY!!! WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME HAD BY ALL!!!!!! I want to do it again NEXT year!

Saturday, March 24, 2007

MIMI IS WALKING AGAIN!

MIMI IS WALKING!!! Hurrah hurrah! Only one more week and she will be going HOME! Natalie, Brad, Kemp and I went to see her this morning! It was great seeing her looking so spry and so excited to show us how she is WALKING!

Friday, March 23, 2007

SERENDIPITY comes when you least expect it.......

Just when you need it most, a  serendipitous moment comes! Katie made this beautiful pix on Wednesday. (I'm jealous, lately her pictures have been much better than mine!)

Thursday, March 22, 2007

A Service of Death and Resurrection

Yesterday was an amazing day. We put yet another family member to rest. James Malcomlm Blake, III---April 7, 1948-March 16, 2007

Charles WROTE the entire service! (He also wrote the beautiful obit for the Atlanta paper and the online Obit). He combined Methodist and Episcopal worships services and then chose the music, etc. himself. (Yes, he is special! )Here is how it went ( I did not type out all the scriptures, but you can look them up!). Rachel spoke so eloquently about her father and it was so moving. It was such a sweet and precious service and I know that Jim would be so happy to know that his beloved daughter spoke !

 ENTRANCE

SPECIAL MUSIC                                                         

GATHERING                                                               

Dr. Gorman Houston

 

We meet in the name of Christ who died and was raised by Glory of GOD the Father. Grace and Mercy be with you all.

The Word of Grace (John 11:25-26)

Greeting Dr. Houston

HYMN  "Surely the Presence"

Prayer----Reve. Kathy L. Jorgensen

Collect

Proclamation and Response (Old Testament Lesson --Isaiah 15:6-9)

Psalm 23

Gospel Lesson--John 14:1-4

Witness---RACHEL BLAKE FRY

                  Darryl Lanier

Sermon---Dr. Gorman Houston

HYMN---"It is well with my Soul"

Affirmation---Apostles Creed

COMMENDATION

Prayer

Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Lord's Prayer

Hymn---"All Glory, Laud and Honor"

Dismissal with Blessing---Dr. Gorman Houston

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Angels Among Us

The past week has been one of sadness, tears and loss. We've lost 2 wonderful souls that filled this earth with joy; happiness; intelligence; and who contributed much to this world. One, a young woman who only lived 56 years and the other, a man in his prime who left way too early as well, at age 59. Becky Hulsey and Jim Blake had only met once---at Charles and Rachel's wedding, but now they meet again---this time at Heaven's Gates. I can imagine they are marveling at all they are seeing and hearing! ......I made these pictures, not really thinking about using them in this way, actually---to be honest I was trying out my new camera and all it's incredible features and started shooting pix of some of the angels in the den and dining room. I had fun shooting with different "F" stops and trying my hand, again, at using the MANUAL button on my camera vs. always using  the Automatic one! I got some incredible shots.  Then I started playing with the edit buttons and instead of just fooling with the bright/contrast as I ususally do, I changed some completely! WOW, look what happened. And, as I loaded them onto the computer I realized they were more than just random pictures that I was shooting out of boredom and out of trying to figure out my new camera!They were almost as if God were sending me, (and anyone who is reading this!), a message. Our loved ones we lost this past week (and all those other dear ones we've lost in the past) ARE in heaven; they ARE listening to angels sing , AND, if we stop long enough---we might just hear the angels too........I know I do right now...........SO! enjoy some shots from God! Because that is just what they are!

Saturday, March 17, 2007

more sadness

Yesterday afternoon, Jim Blake passed away. Jim is Rachel's beloved Daddy and Charles beloved father-in-law. We are all in shock and we are anxiously awaiting Charles and Rachel's flight out of Washington to get home to the family so that we can put our arms around them and comfort them. Here is the e-mail Rachel sent out last night.....

***************************************************************

This is the hardest e-mail I’ve ever had to write. I apologize for the mass e-mail, but it has been a really rough night.

I was planning on sending an e-mail out tomorrow, but after being unable to go to sleep, I realized that I needed to ask for your prayers now.

 Around 5:30 this afternoon, I got a call from our house sitter letting me know that my stepmother, Carol, had called asked that I call her back immediately. I knew instantly that something was seriously wrong. I called her, she told me my dad had collapsed at work, was unconscious, and that the paramedics were rushing him to Crawford Long hospital. She was at home, in panic mode, trying to find someone to drive her to the hospital. After talking to her, I sat in our hotel room (we are in>Washington, D.C where Charles has been attending a conference), stared at the wall, and just cried. I work with a lot of heart patients, so my thoughts instantly turned to that as well as the fact that my dad has a strong family history of heart disease. His own father died as a result of a heart attack when he was 49 years old. We had talked about how important it was for him to see a cardiologist, because of his age and family history. We got the news that he died from a massive heart attack around 7:00 tonight. Words can’t describe the emotions we all felt and are still feeling —shock, anger, sadness, just to name a few.   

 

My dad was 59. We were just joking about his 60th birthday party the other day and had even exchanged several e-mails today. I had thought about calling him to chat (as we often do) today, but then decided he was probably busy at work and figured I’d call him over the weekend when we would really have a chance to talk. I really wish I had called him today. We were extremely close and had so many things in common. It was only as I got older, that we both realized just how many levels we connected on—it was wonderful. It was not uncommon for us to spend hours on the phone when we talked, and we talked about everything. He was one of those people who knew something about everything in the world, literally. I was constantly amazed at everything he knew. If I had a question, I knew I could get an answer, even if that meant getting a 5-page e-mail back from him. He was thorough and he was able to express his thoughts through words beautifully. He had an engineering degree, had tried his hand at real estate, and later decided to go to graduate school to earn his MBA. A few years ago, he decided that he wanted to go to law school. He graduated from law school in December. We were all there to celebrate with him and it was a wonderful occasion. He took the Bar exam in January and was waiting to here his results (in May). He had bought land in Fairhope and was looking forward to moving there in a few years, to retire.  

  

Please pray that Charles and I will be able to find a way to Atlanta to be with the rest of our family. All the flights have been delayed in D.C. because of the snow/ice and it looks like Sunday might be the earliest we can leave. Also, please pray for our whole family. We are really having a hard time coping with andbelieving this news. It just seems surreal.

 

I can’t even begin to tell you how much we appreciate your thoughts and prayers. We strongly believe in the power of prayer and feel great comfort in knowing other people are saying prayers for us right now.  

 Love,

Rachel

 

  

Rachel Blake Fry, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar

UAB Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE)

1530 3RD AVE S

Medical Towers (MT) 521

Birmingham, AL 35294-4410

Phone (205) 996-4446

Fax (205) 934-4888

 

Friday, March 16, 2007

My tribute to Becky

Here's what I said yesterday at Becky's funeral. Unlike TERRY, I had to have my words written down!

 

Ten Top Things You MIGHT ,(or might NOT ), know about Becky!

 

10. Becky loved her FRIENDS! She had so many friends because not only did she HAVE friends, she WAS a friend. If Becky called you “friend” you had her for life. She loved her friends. And her friends loved her. And will never forget her and their lives were made richer for having had her in it!

 

9. Becky LOVED looking through people’s purses! YES!  Especially her sister-in-law’s purse—(PAM’S)! Becky would get a purse, go through it and  you know Becky---she didn’t even ASK  you if she could! And she would pull out things and die laughing ! Yes, one of Becky’s funniest quirks was going through PURSES!

 

8. Becky (and DONNIE!) loved TACO BELL!! Yes, we would go over to Mr/Mrs. Fry’s for a HOME COOKED meal of fried chicken; fried okra; mashed potatoes and gravy and Becky would sniff the air and say, “Me and Donnie are going to Taco Bell!”. The rest of us would shake our heads in disbelief! TACO BELL over Mrs. Fry’s cooking? I guess even Becky had a vice!

 

7. Becky loved to SHOP!!!!!!!!!! Becky (and Mary Margaret!) had a tradition to go shopping every Saturday! They would start out early and shop till LATE! Yes, Becky was a “shop till you drop” girl and never came home without: new earrings/new shoes/new clothes! And, Becky LOVED buying Christmas decorations! Becky collected SNOW MEN and I will never see another SNOW MAN without smiling and thinking of Becky!

 

6. Becky loved AUBURN football!!! Becky was BROUGHT up an Alabama Fan but when she met Donnie, she was pulled to the DARK SIDE! Yes, Becky loved Auburn and orange and blue!! (we forgave her for that after a few years!). As hard as it is for me to say, “War Eagle< Becky!” (and a small Roll Tide, too!).

 

5. Becky loved DOGS! Becky loved her little Bailey, her 2nd son after Traye!! She loved all dogs and in the past year, I think she came to love CATS as well!!! (right ,Mrs. Husley?)

 

4. Becky loved her sister and brothers! Becky was # 3 in a family of 4. She held such a special place in her family---she was the funny one; the happy one; the sweet one; the caring one; the hugging one. Becky SUE was the JOYFUL one! She also loved her “in-laws” as well! David, Toni, Pam, Floyd and Jan. And we all loved our precious Becky. She loved us with all her heart and we loved her back with all OUR hearts! Becky also loved the BABIES in the family! Oh my gosh, that girl loved babies! Becky was happiest when she was holding/feeding/kissing and burping a baby. And the babies, especially her nieces and nephews, loved sitting in Aunt Becky’s lap!

 

 

 

 

3. Becky LOVED sending cards! Becky was the most thoughtful person in the world! I bet she spent half her paycheck buying greeting cards for those she loved! She sent out cards for every holiday; every time someone was sick and on birthdays. Becky kept Hallmark Stock way, WAY up!

 

2. Becky loved her “in Laws”!  Mr. and Mrs. Hulsey BECAME her mother and daddy after Mr. and Mrs. Fry went to heaven! Not only that, Becky knew all the love and care they gave her and I saw her thanking Mrs. Hulsey by making hand motions one of the times I was there and did so with so much love in her eyes. Becky loved Mr. and Mrs. Hulsey as if they were her own, and they were! I can’t even imagine Anyone that could have taken better care of our sweet Becky. And I can’t imagine anyone Else BECKY herself had rather taken care of her than Mr. and Mrs. Hulsey (and Donnie, of course).

 

# 1 !Becky found and married the love of her life! She found Donnie when young (On a camping trip with Grandma and Grandpa and met DONNIE!) and they enjoyed a married life most people only hope or wish for. She also had the baby she always wanted. She had her baby boy, Traye, who grew up to be such a loving and fine young man!!  Who was and is the apple of her eye. Traye---with whom she had such a close and precious relationship with and whom she loved with all her heart!. Yes, Donnie and Traye were Becky’s pride and joy! Whom she loved with every breath in her body! She adored her BOYS

 

 

 That is just an encapsulated TOP TEN that I quickly came up with. But,there is so much more about Becky we all could tell. Everyone has a story, a joke , a memory of our Becky Sue. That’s why we are here today. Out of love for her. For me, there are way too many to try and put into one paragraph. All I know is that she beat me to heaven ! But, she’ll be there when I get there and I know that Becky will greet me there herself one day! For now, I will just have to pull out of our hearts and memory all those moments we , as a family or as a friend, shared together.  Personally, God has blessed ME to be a small part in the life of Becky and I am thankful to Him for allowing me to have the joy and sunshine that only she could bring to this world and to share in that time we shared together. Some of my happiest memories of life, Becky has been a part of! Becky, I will always love cherish our times together and will miss you always…….

 

For the past year, I have e-mailed family and friends giving them updates on Becky that we received from Donnie and Mary Margaret. SO many people’s lives were touched by her illness but even more by the way she faced her cancer with such dignity. I would have people come up to me at church or send me an e-mail and say, “I never met Becky but her story touches my heart”, etc. So, the morning she passed away I sent a final e-mail to those to tell them Becky had gone home. After sending it I received so many e-mails back that I am going to make a little booklet with them!  Here is the final paragraph that I ended with  in my e-mail on Tuesday morning, the day Becky went home :

After Terry and I sat there on the couch in the early light of morning, after letting the news of Becky’s death sink in, we began reminiscing, for quite awhile we sat in silence with our own thoughts just remembering.  I would rub Terry’s shoulders that wracked with sobs and then those memories of Becky would flood in. The sun was coming up and the sunlight sent slits of light across Terry’s face. It was amazing to see God’s light shine on him like that. For ONCE I was speechless! I was quiet and just let him talk. After awhile, he began to talk about his sister and how he loved her and of COURSE, I  couldn’t be silent long, so I had to talk too about her. But, Isn't that what we all do when we lose someone we love? Immediately memories come flooding back, memories of laughter and joy and hugs and family times. It's amazing how God does that for those He loves! He gives us such comfort like that! In the midst of tears, there comes this CLOAK of comfort. As the sun continued to rise and more light fell across the room  and  as we sat there, all the sudden  Terry spoke words I'll never forget:" Right now Becky has a new tongue and she is proclaiming that Jesus is Lord".  

 I truly felt God's Presence when he spoke those words and I know it is the Truth. Nothing could be sweeter than to know Becky is speaking again and now, praising God with her new tongue! For all the suffering and pain, now she is free and healed and for that, and the gift of her life, we give Him thanks. Just as the Lord sent the sunlight for us Tuesday morning to comfort and warm us, He will continue to doso as we think of our sweet Becky, who, herself, is  now SINGING and being comforted by a far greater light-- in the sun of God’s own love….. Good bye sweet sister

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Good Bye sweet sister

Today was Becky's CELEBRATION day. It was a moving/sad/emotional/hard/sad/tiring day! Becky's funeral was today, of course! The funeral was a CELEBRATION of our sweet Becky's life.  I almost "lost it" when Donnie brought "Minnie Mouse", that Katie sent aunt Becky to place inside the casket with her! Katie sent that NURSE Minnie when Becky had her first surgery and Donnie said it sat right beside her all the time! I heard some sobbing and looked over and of course, it was Katie as she recognized what Donnie had done. How precious he is!!! Then the service started. First of all NATALIE sang! WOW! I don't believe angels could have sung any sweeter or with more love than she sang for her Aunt Becky! I was so proud of her!!! I was soooooooo very proud of Terry for getting up and talking about his little sister. He was so strong and courageous and it was a blessing to hear him speak. He spoke without any notes at all and just told stories about Becky and what a blessing she had been to him his whole life long. As soon as he finished, I got up. I gave the "TOP 10 THINGS YOU MIGHT KNOW (or NOT know!) about BECKY!" I was so peaceful and calm and I just knew that God wanted me to write it and read it, too. Then BEcky's minister (from Pleasant Grove UMC) spoke . So sweet. And then, Natalie ended by singing, a capella (again!), "IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL" (Beautiful!!!!). What a beautiful service for our beautiful girl. I'll never, EVER forget it. I wish I could send the whole service so that everyone who wasn't there could hear what we heard. All I can say is that GOD was there. He comforted Terry and I as we spoke and  gave Natalie peace and joy to be able to sing and honor her aunt whom she loved so much. We will always and forever miss Becky. But we will also always and forever cherish our days with her.............Good night sweet princess.

 We will love you always. Until we meet again, in heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Becky has gone home

 
For all of you who have prayed for Becky for the past year and a half, Terry wanted me to let you all know that now Becky is healed. She is healed and home with the Lord. Becky went to be with our Savior this morning around 5:30.
We thank you for all MANY cards/e-mails/love and most of all prayers for the past year. I have had sooooooo many people come up to us (sometimes even at the mall or running into people at church or getting an e-mail out of the blue) telling me that Becky's situation has caused them to think so much about life and the simple things we take for granted---(eating and TALKING  for a couple)! Her life has affected so many!!! As you know,Becky had her tongue removed one year ago on St. Patrick's Day and has had a difficult year. But , as Donnie says over and over, NEVER complained! That , in itself, is something to marvel and give thanks for and that Donnie and Traye and Terry and Mary Margaret (and the rest of the family) had one more year with Becky......
Donnie will be going to Auburn to pick up Traye this morning and tell him-- (he didn't want to call him), so please be in prayer for that. Terry is thankful that Becky isn't suffering anymore but is already missing his little sister .Everybody that knows Terry, knows he doesn't mind shedding tears and there has been many shed these past few weeks as we struggled watching Becky slowly decline by the day. He would go every single day to Forestdale to Mr. and Mrs. Hulsey's home (Becky and Donnie literally moved in with them a year ago) to visit with her and tell her he loved her and pray with and hold her hand. Just 3 short weeks ago she was looking at pictures of Lily and Kemp and enjoying hearing their latest escapades, but even then I could see how quickly she was declining. She had to lay her head on the pillow and even fell asleep while we were visiting. Yesterday Terry told me that she had no response at all , she didn't hold his hand nor acknowledge his presence there at all. So, we were expecting the call but even when you DO get that message, it's still, well , still shocking in a way. As I told Terry, you never want them to leave, even if you DO want them not to suffer anymore.
Terry and I sat for a long time after we got that call-- crying and remembering our sweet Becky and how much fun she was and how pretty and sweet she was. She was so pretty! ( and  that beautiful FRY black, SILKY hair! WOW! I used to tell her I was so jealous of her hair! And, even after chemo , it grew back---thick as could be!!). And anyone who knew her, knew that Becky was such fun! Oh my gosh, all the laughter over the years! Becky has been, not only my sister-in-law since I was 19 years old, but one of my dearest friends as well. We got married just 6 months apart---Donnie, her devoted and I mean DEVOTED husband for almost 36 years! And sweet Traye, the apple of her eye, her only child (age 23). And,that Becky loved her nieces and nephews and BABIES! My gosh she loved babies! One thing she loved to get was pictures of Lily and Kemp. And she loved each one I sent her. She would often send me an e-mail telling me how much she loved getting those pictures and asked me to give them kisses for her. My favorite picture, (out of a gazillion over the years), is one of Michael, Becky and newborn baby Lily. Becky looks gorgeous in green with that black hair and she is in her element holding a newborn baby!!! She always loved her all her nieces and nephews growing up-- and, not surprising, Donnie wants our boys (Charles, Michael, Brad and Pat) to be the pall bearers. So, pray for them, too as they loved "aunt Becky", too.
 
After we sat there on the couch in the early light of morning, after reminiscing, we sat in silence with our own thoughts just remembering. Isn't that what we all do when we lose someone we love? Immediately memories come flooding back, memories of laughter and joy and hugs and family times. It's amazing how God does that for those He loves! He gives us such comfort like that! In the midst of tears, there comes this CLOAK of comfort.As the sun peeped through the window and we sat there, all the sudden  Terry spoke words I'll never forget:" Right now Becky has a new tongue and she is proclaiming that Jesus is Lord".  
 I truly felt God's Presence when he spoke those words and I know it is the Truth.
We love you and cherish your prayers that you have offered for Becky for the past couple of years. They were answered.
Jan <>< 
Rebecca Sue Fry Hulsey *Jan.2, 1951-March 13, 2007
For those who haven't seen her in awhile and those who wanted to see how she looked  (In the Christmas ones she had highlighted her hair here! Of course, her hair always was gorgeous!), here is how she would have wanted to be remembered , with those she loved and holding babies, her favorite thing to do--(Dec.2004)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, March 12, 2007

FLY WITH CHRIST, Pat and Jon!

Last night was INCREDIBLE!! Terry, Katie and I went to closing for Chrysalis # 53. I didn't know it until yesterday but Max Blaylock was the Spiritual Director on this walk! He is the new minister at East Lake UMC and I had met him up at the hospital when Mimi broke her hip! He was with Pat/Jon all week-end! WOW!!!!! Also, one of Michael's friends, Neal Brock, was Pat's TABLE LEADER!!! A God thing! AND, if that isn't enough, Jon's table leader was Jeff Richardson!!! Who we know and love from Discovery UMC!!! GOD IS GOOD! It is always amazing to me that God always has just the right team for the right people!!! It was evident in every way this past week-end at Sumatanga!! And,  I wish everyone I know could've heard those guys SING!!!!!!!!!!!! They came in singing---and never stopped! It was AMAZING!!! There wasn't a dry eye in the house!! They sang AGNUS DEI and it was the most moving song ever. They serenaded us with several songs, in fact! UNREAL! Then the guys took the podium and spoke. Pat got up and immediately looked at me. He said, "when I was lying in the hospital bed after my wreck, I promised my mama that I would go on a Chrysalis. I'm so glad I did! Thank you, mama---I love you so much" and....."I looked up Saturday night and saw my whole family. I mean my WHOLE family and it was unreal. I can't even begin to tell you what this week-end meant to me, I have 11 new best friends"....Everyone in there crying as he talked, most of all the FRYS! ANd he talked a long time!  Then Jon got up! He talked about how he would NEVER have thought in a million years when he got there on Friday morning that he would have 11 new best friends. That this group of guys would bond like they did Then he told how he and Pat walked up the mountain, to the CROSS, at MIDNIGHT---without a flashlight!!! How they got to the top and when they got there, just didn't say a word, "we just sat there and felt God's Presence in such a real way". WOW!!! Obviously, he LOVED his Chrysalis, too and SHY (?) Jon stood up to that podium and talked for a LONG time about how much the week-end meant to him, too..... Each guy that talked spoke about how they had new friends and how well they bonded with each other---how the talks were amazing; how they felt God's love, some for the very first time! That is the purpose of Emmaus; Chrysalis; Living Water and Cursillo! Not to preach or judge---but to remind everyone of God's love for them. Last night as our little caterpillars became BUTTERFLIES, I felt renewed as well. That's ALSO the beauty of Emmaus/Chrysalis. You get to catch some of the glory of God just when you need it most! DE COLORES and FLY WITH CHRIST, Jon Jon and Pat Pat! I love you both more than you will EVER know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, March 11, 2007

CHRYSALIS # 53

Pat and Jon are still on the Chrysalis which ends late this afternoon! We went up to a special service last night (can't tell in case someone who reads this might want to go, it's a SURPRISE!) and were happy to have ALL the Fry kids there as well as John Mark and Charlene (Jon's parents). It was a great time. Katie and I went early to help serve a meal and I SNEAKED a few pictures (you're not supposed to take pix! SHH! Don't tell! I sneaked KATIE'S little camera in my purse and would pull it out and quickly make a shot! HAHA). Katie and I wandered around the Camp and enjoyed swinging; sitting on the rocks in the woods and sneaking pix of the boys rooms! Also, we helped the Worship leader with the Altar last night as she was almost in a panic! She told us, "God sent you to me tonight!" (wow, that felt good---to know GOD sent us to help her! Who would've thought?!).... Pat and Jon are having a BALL!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to pick them up tonight!

Saturday, March 10, 2007

KEMP, our outdoors boy!

I kept Kemp for a little while on Thursday. He was SUPPOSED to take a nap, but it was so warm and pretty that I just couldn't keep him indoors. Here's a few shots of our outdoors little boy ! I really love making SHADOW pix---look how cool those turned out!!

Friday, March 9, 2007

St. Albans Episcopal church (and CHRYSALIS, too)!

Early this morning, we left for Camp Sumantanga in Gallant, Alabama to take Jon and Patrick to CHRYSALIS # 53!!! Of COURSE, when we went to get Pat Pat, he was asleep on his bed (with his suitcase packed, however!). He said he woke up early and while waiting for us FELL BACK ASLEEP! Got him up and off we went! We weren't even late, despite the fact that I was FREAKING out b/c we were supposed to be there between 8-8:30 and we were at Natalie's at 8:15 and had an hour drive ahead of us!!!  THOSE BOYS!! They can sure SLEEP! We also had a time waking up JON as you can see! HAHA! BUT, despite those lazy bums, WE MADE IT to Camp ALMOST on time!! We left them happy and  yet I'm sure wondering WHAT THE HECK was going on! HAHAHA! (especially when we went around SINGING to them after they went to the conference room!). We left GALLANT and drove the "scenic" way thro Springville and on to T'ville and then on to East Glen to visit with Mimi.  We visited her in rehab and got her to write a card to take back to camp for Jon and Patrick. THEN, we went shopping at the new Trussville shopping area for awhile and ate at THE LOOP.  Katie found an adorable dress at Parisian's there. We shopped awhile but the stores are just like the ones here in Hoover so we came back. PLUS, we decided, we were "homesick" for Hoover! HAHA! But our busy day wasn't finished yet!  We had to get Jon's letters! We met  John Mark at "Berts on the Bluff" in Bluff Park . John Mark wanted us to see the church so followed him to St. Alban's Episcopal church where he is the new priest there! I took my camera to make pix of Pat/Jon this morning, but since we were late I didn't make any EXCEPT of Jon sleeping on the couch this morning before we left! I was glad I had the camera tho, so I made some of the church and John Mark. It's a quaint little church hidden in Bluff Park. I never would've found it without following John Mark! It's the prettiest church!!! The little garden area is so neat, too. John Mark is now a bona fide priest! Wow! Unreal! He also took us into his office and a tour around the little church! What a nice visit!!!!.........We keep thinking/praying for Pat and Jon! I just would LOVE to be a "fly on the wall" there at Sumatanga right now! I KNOW they are having a great time!    

Monday, March 5, 2007

One week ago!

It's been a week since our farewell dinner with Ashley and Kristy! We still miss them!!! Here's some pix we made while sitting outside by the Chimenia! It was a fun , but mixed with tears, too! I know how long they planned to come and then, poof! Suddenly the trip is over! The same thing happened last year to me! You plan and plan a trip so far away for so long and suddenly the trip is over! BUT, the good side is there are GAZILLIONS of pictures and memories to look at and remember. Over and over and over again..........("WE ARE THE DINOSAURS MARCHING, MARCHING!")

Saturday, March 3, 2007

Tornadoes!

There were some huge and DEADLY storms that came through our state on Thursday, that's for sure! At least 35 tornadoes is what I've heard! And, of course, the ones in Enterprise that hit the high school have been very upsetting for everyone in Alabama. We certainly pray for those survivors down there and pray for the families of the 8 high school kids that lost their lives Thursday morning. We had some massive winds but that's about all. Here are some shots of the clouds rolling into Hoover Thursday afternoon!

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Mozza and Kemp!

Here is Mozza and her favorite , (and only !HAHA) ,grandson, Kemp! He loved being with her and vice versa! What a wonderful 18 days for Kemp to be with his Mozza from Australia! I know he is missing her so much. We all are! I'm so glad that I drove them all crazy making photos! Now Kemp can look at them and remember...........!