We Pulled Off a SURPRISE Retirement Party for Richard!

Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.














Amy told me a few weeks back that she wanted to throw a retirement party for her Dad. As we talked about it, we decided to host it at our house as this last week of school is so very busy for her. We decided to make it a surprise and led her dad to think that it was a going-away party for friends who are leaving in June. He had to be given a reason for the party for we would be making food and setting up tables to host about 20 people in our home!! I made the guest list and told Richard all of the couples who would be coming. He didn't know that Brian, Amy, and the kids would be here for the party so that is how we surprised him. (NOTE: Chip wanted to be here but of course, Sundays are his big day of ministry. At over 300 miles away, he just wasn't able to buzz on down after church. We spent 5 days with Chip right after Richard's retirement and he "feted" his dad's retirement during that time.)

After all of the guests (6 couples from church: James & Ann, Jerry & Peggy, John & Jeanette, Dan & Dorothy, John & Regina, Ed & Arda ) arrived on Sunday night after church, I called Amy to ask if I could "borrow" something and if she could bring it over. Well, she and her whole family walked in and that's when Jaden handed the invitation to Grandpa and said, "Here Grandpa, read this!"

URL of video of Richard reading the invitation AT the party that you can copy and paste into your favorite browser: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3b93043a744af0c259c5

We had a good meal with Chipped Ham Bar-B-Que sandwiches (Brian's mother's recipe that Amy recommended), potato chips, a veggie tray, and a mixed fruit bowl.

After we ate, we had a "Congratulations, Richard" cake with coffee or punch. Here is the URL for the video of the group singing and of Richard and the grandkids waiting to blow out the candle: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=63c71afd2721bf306c53

Everyone gave Richard some retirement exhortations using words starting with the letters R-E-T-I-R-E-M-E-N-T and that was fun. Richard opened the cards from our friends and then it was time to wind down as ALL OF THOSE WORKING PEOPLE had to get home to bed and be ready for the Monday morning alarm. We didn't set ours. :) Here are some pics of our fun evening:

Christmas Party Blessings

Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.


The tables are set and we await our guests as we come together to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.... (Click on any pic to enlarge for a better view)



Richard and I always enjoy hosting our annual "Couples Christmas Party" which this year included inviting 8 couples to our home. This year we were privileged to have our new pastor and co-pastor and their wives attend as our very special guests. We have grown to love Dr. Neal and Tracy and Dr. Lloyd and Karen. (I don't use last names on my blog.) In addition, the following couples came: John and Jeanette, Jeff and Sandra, Ed and Arda, James and Ann, Jerry and Peggy, and Larry and Margie. With Richard and me, there were 9 couples so we had 3 tables set to accommodate 3 couples at each. The ladies helped with the meal so we had delicious food and precious fellowship. Richard and I can only hope that our friends enjoyed it half as much as we did. Here are some pics from our party which was held on Sunday night, December 9.

Ed and Arda are the first to arrive. Here comes Arda with her tray of veggies and dip.


Jeanette and Karen visiting.


Fellowshipping during dinner...


We played a Christmas Carol game and then shared around the circle...




Our friends graciously posed for pics...



Merry Christmas from Richard and Susan!

The Place, The People, and The Purpose

Isaiah 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.


It was a wonderful time at the Ladies Retreat on Friday night and Saturday. I'd like to share with you the Three P's of how God worked in my heart.

The Place..... The retreat was held at The Palms of Destin Resort. It was a beautiful condo with lots of amenities. It was quiet and serene and afforded us a wonderful atmosphere for drawing closer to the Lord.

The People... About 100 ladies from our church attended the Retreat. There were girls just out of college up to ladies in their 70's with the majoring of ladies being the young set in their 30's and 40's. I enjoyed seeing so many ladies whom I know and then meeting and making some new acquaintances during the retreat. It was a blessing to hear our guest speaker, Debbie Morris as well as our own church member Dee P. Tracy, our pastor's wife, did an excellent job of emceeing the retreat. The ladies who led the singing, played the keyboard, and sang specials were all used of God to draw my heart closer to Him. Of course I so much enjoyed staying with 5 of my dear friends. Sandra, Ann, Lucille, Peggy, and Regina were all used of God to encourage as well as challenge me in my Christian life. The pic is of them on the balcony of our 3-bedroom condo.

The Purpose... The purpose of the retreat was to come apart from our everyday busy lives to be able to focus on God's Word, draw closer to Him, and of course to have some fun time together as sisters-in-Christ. The Theme of the Retreat was "The Secret Garden." The sessions were designed to help us retreat back to the Secret Garden of knowing Christ in a very real and intimate way. It's amazing how easy it is to relegate Him to a backseat in our lives. The Retreat helped me to re-focus as a Christian. It all worked together for good in my heart... the messages from our guest speaker, the fun stuff we did as a group, the meals shared, and the wonderful fellowship and time of sharing with my friends in our room. I'm so glad I was able to attend and know I would go again in a heartbeat, the Lord willing!!

Our Theme Song for the Retreat was "In the Garden." That song is special to me anyway as it was sung at both my mother-in-law's and father-in-law's funerals. I was blessed to read what was printed in our program regarding the words of the first verse and thought I'd share those thoughts here....

"I come to the garden alone" ~~ Matthew 6:6
This verse brings to mind the idea of a secret or private place that you can go and spend time with the Lord. Do you have a special place that you can go to every day to spend time with the Lord? Where is it? What makes that place special? Are there things that draw you to that place?

"While the dew is still on the roses;" ~~ Psalm 5:3, Psalm 63:1
These verses indicate a need to get up early to have a special time with the Lord. Do you get up early?Do you give God the first part of your day or is He just mingled in with the rest of your busy schedule? Some people would say they do better spending time with God at night because they are more alert. Consider this thought: a thing is more precious if it is gained through sacrifice. If an early quiet time with the Lord is a struggle, will it not be sweeter once you have done it?

"And the voice I hear, falling on my ear," ~~ John 10:4-5, 27
The sheep recognizes the voice of the Shepherd because the sheep stays close to the Shepherd. The sheep listens attentively for the voice of the shepherd, and it is not led astray by another. Are we so in tune with the Father that we recognize His voice and leading right away? Do you doubt when you hear or do you know the Father so well that you can recognize it immediately?" I John 4:1 tells us to "...try the spirits whether they are of God." Are you aware of deceivers who would try to lead you astray?

"The Son of God discloses." ~~~ John 20:14-15
Can you just imagine being there in the garden weeping because the One that you love is dead and His body has disappeared? Oh what joy when He says your name! You recognize His voice and are consumed with the fact that He has revealed Himself to you. Do you know that tender love of the Savior? Have you heard him call out your name and speak to you? Is your relationship with God close enough that you hear His voice?

"And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known." ~~Genesis 3:8-9; I John 1:3-4; Revelation 3:20

God came looking for Adam and Eve in the Garden. God desires that we have fellowship with Him. He comes to us and waits for us to enter into that place of fellowship. In order to have sweet fellowship with God, we must first come to God with a clean heart. I John 1:9 tells us to confess our sins and we will receive forgiveness. Are there things in your life that are keeping you from having sweet fellowship with God? Take a moment and do a little inventory of your heart to see any hindrances. Confess those to God. Then ask God to help you to have communion with Him.

I thank God for the privilege of attending the retreat as it was used to bring me back into the secret garden where my heart was reigned in and refocused on JESUS.

Blessings afterwards..... riding home with my daughter Amy, but first, we went shopping in San Destin together. Being just the two of us, we enjoyed a lot of mother-daughter conversation all of the way home. No one would believe how little time we are able to spend together ~~ especially with just the two of us. It was the "treat" of the retreat!!

And then coming home to my sweet Richard. In the past 6 years of living in Pensacola, we have probably not spent more than 5 nights apart. I missed him!! While I was away, he did a couple of neat things for me..... one of which was to do our laundry. That was totally unexpected and a real sweet blessing. :) I thank God for His blessings on all fronts!!

Lunch with Mary, Sharon, and Ann

A gracious woman retaineth honour..."
Proverbs 11:16

I have had such a nice day. It started off with the Bible Study at the retirement center and serving alongside two woman as the three of us conduct the study there. It was a blessed time as we met with our senior citizen friends there. After the study, I met three other friends for lunch at Chili's. What fun we had for nearly 3 hours eating, talking, sharing, laughing, and encouraging each other in the Lord. The biggest topic of conversation: our GRANDchildren. (We grandmas are always glad to talk about our children's children. :) I thank God for the "gracious women friends" I have in Mary, Sharon, and Ann and for the positive influence for Christ that each of them has been in my life. I pray God's richest blessings upon my friends and their families!!!

FRIENDS ~~ special gifts from God

Proverbs 18:24~~ A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly....

Richard and I hosted a dinner party last night. We had met a new couple in Sunday School three weeks ago who are new here and have come to enter into the ministry of which we are a part. Having moved here just 5-1/2 years ago from my hometown of where I lived my first 50 years, I remember that one of my biggest concerns was "would I be able to make any new friends ~~ real friends." I thought that might be a concern for this new couple who moved here from out-of-state just 4 weeks ago so we had a "Welcome Jerry and Peggy Party!"

In addition to Jerry and Peggy, we invited 4 other couples which made for a total of 12 people. That way, I was able to seat the men at our kitchen table and the ladies at our dining room table. The men were able to chat with Jerry and the ladies were able to chat with Peggy. It certainly sounded like our ladies table had the most fun. :) Except for Peggy, our guest of honor, the other 4 ladies each brought a dish so that made for some good eating! We had chicken cordon bleu, squash casserole, slaw, cheesy potatoes, bread, and 3 different desserts. I want to thank James and Ann, Ed and Arda, John and Jeanette, and Jeff and Sandra for coming, bringing a dish for the dinner, and showing themselves friendly to Jerry and Peggy. It was good food, great fellowship, and a special time of sharing prayer requests and closing our evening in prayer. Welcome to our new friends!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so thankful for the DEAR friends with which God has blessed Richard and me here. He is so faithful in every area of our lives. Here is a cute story that was read at the party last night. You might enjoy a chuckle from it....

DINNER FOR EIGHT

A group of country friends from the Cottonwood Baptist Church wanted to get together on a regular basis, socialize, and play games. The lady of the house was to prepare the meal.

When it came time for Al and Janet to be the hosts - Janet wanted to outdo all the others. Janet decided to have mushroom-smothered steak. But, mushrooms are expensive. She then told her husband, "No mushrooms. They are too high." He said, "Why don't you go down in the pasture and pick some of those mushrooms? There are plenty in the creek bed." She said, "No, some wild mushrooms are poison." He said, "Well, I see varmints eating them and they're OK. So - Janet decided to give it a try. She picked a bunch, washed, sliced, and diced them for her smothered steak. Then she went out on the back porch and gave Ol' Spot's (the yard dog) a double handful. Ol' Spot ate every bite.

All morning long, Janet watched Ol' Spot and the wild mushrooms didn't seem to affect him, so she decided to use them. The meal was a great success, and Janet even hired a helper lady from town to help her serve. She had on a white apron and a fancy little cap on her head. After everyone had finished, they relaxed, socialized, and played 42 & Mexican dominoes.

About then, the helper lady from town, came in and whispered in Janet's ear. She said, "Mrs. Williams, Ol' Spot just died." Janet went into hysterics. After she finally calmed down, she called the doctor and told him what had happened.

The doctor said, "That's bad, but I think we can take care of it. I will call for an ambulance and I will be there as quick as possible. We'll give everyone enemas and we will pump out everyone's stomach. Everything will be fine. Just keep them calm."

Soon they could hear the siren as the ambulance was coming down the road. The EMTs & the doctor had their suitcases, syringes, and a stomach pump. One by one, they took each person into the bathroom, gave them an enema, and pumped out their stomach. After the last one was finished, the doctor came out and said, "I think everything will be fine now, and he left."

They were all looking pretty weak sitting around the living room, and about this time, the helper lady came in and said, "You know, that fellow that ran over Ol' Spot never even stopped!!!

God's Sovereign Protection

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." Psalm 91:11-12

This afternoon, Richard and I (along with Brian, Amy, and our 4 GRANDkids, returned home from a travel-trailer trip to Louisiana. We left on Friday evening and 44 hours later we were back home. We were a day late in returning due to circumstances beyond our control, but enjoyed our get-away so very much. We didn't see any accidents in all of the 700 miles we covered in less than 48 hours.

Richard and I were getting ready for evening church late this afternoon when our phone rang. It was my dear friend, Ann P, telling me that her daughter, Julie, had just been in a car wreck while on her way to attend a Sunday School teacher's meeting. James and Ann were on their way to the hospital as Julie was being transported by ambulance. Richard and I immediately changed out plans and headed off to the hospital to be with James and Ann.

We spent two hours in the ER room with the family as Julie laid on her gurney. She was taken out several times to have an x-ray, cat scan, and other tests made. We were there when the Highway Patrolman who "worked the wreck" came in to talk to Julie and her parents about who hit her ~~ causing the accident. He was a young man (22 years old). He did not have a valid driver's license. He was driving under the influence. He jumped out of the car and fled the scene of the accident. In all there were ten charges against him after he was apprehended, handcuffed, and taken to jail.

As we stood there in that little room inside the ER chatting with James and Ann and encouraging Julie during the trying hours following the accident, I was so very much reminded of the brevity of life. James and Ann testified after seeing Julie's car that God had truly preserved Julie's life. She is a beautiful 23-year-old ~~ a dedicated Christian ~~ a girl who would never hurt anyone. And there she lay in a neck brace and feeling the bumps and bruising taking place on the outside and not yet knowing what has happening on the inside. I am blessed to report that Julie checked out okay and was later discharged from the ER to go home and recover from the frightening event. She will have to shop for a new car, but she is okay. PTL!!!

And then there is the young man ~~ perhaps an illegal who declared that he doesn't speak English ~~ drunk on a Sunday afternoon, driving illegally without a license while under the influence, who wrecks not only his car, but his life. He is the real loser in Sunday afternoon's accident. He is now behind bars with 10 charges against him. He is probably feeling very helpless and hopeless. He most likely does not know Christ as His Savior. Who will share Christ with him? Without Christ, what kind of future does he have? A very bleak one at the moment for sure. He is just one of the millions who are searching and need to be told of our Savior's love and of His free gift of salvation so that their lives can be changed. Who will tell them??

James and Ann~~ Amazing Friends

James and Ann came to my birthday dinner as a surprise to me. What fun!! Richard first got to know James in Sunday School when I was in the choir and not in SS with him. I met Ann in a ladies group in which we were both quite involved and our friendship grew there. Our friendships grew on both ends. Ann and I have enjoyed doing "girl stuff" together (we ate at our favorite restaurant for lunch today!) and also enjoy doing "double-date" events with our hubbies. They are an awesome couple and their love for our Lord shines through. James and Ann are super-duper folks in our book!