It was absolutely beautiful out this morning. I decided to go for a walk. When I went outside I was greeted not only by my cat Sophie but by 3 cows standing in the field. They live behind me but they think the grass is greener over here and so every day they bop right on over. They have gotten so comfortable that today one of them was laying down in my field. Then, they see me and get this look on their face of pure fear, they freeze and watch me to see what I will do. Usually, I just look at them and go on but every once in a while my devilish side comes out and I start talking to them. OMG, they take off like a scared cat. Cracks me up, I always tell them they need to go home. Can't you just see the neighbors watching me talk to the cows and wondering why I'm not locked up somewhere.

Ok, so back to the walk. The temperature was perfect, the sky absolutely beautiful blue and the trees starting to turn. I love this time of year. Our neighbors have a lab that is just precious but they have an invisible fence so she cannot get out of their property. I would say yard but they have like 20 acres of land, a little big for a yard! She runs up to where I'm walking and we have a nice little conversation as she walks along beside me, me on the road and her in her domain. It was really kind of nice to have someone to talk too. Sad, I know, I like to talk to the animals.

I'm going thru some pretty tough stuff right now in my life and so as I was walking, I was just talking to the Lord and asking Him what do You want me to do, where do you want me, I just don't understand. All I know is that I am in the desert and please don't leave me here for 40 years, I'll be 87!!! Seriously! Then this still voice came in my head "just seek me and you will find me". I haven't heard that voice in a long time. It has continued to go thru my mind all day and evening. Where do you want me to seek You, how do You want me to seek You. I'm willing, honest I am, I'm just in this desert and I am parched like I've never been parched before. I need water, the living water.

Psalm 23 used to get on my nerves, sorry Lord, because it was read at my dad's funeral and that is not what he wanted read. He told me what to have read and I got overruled. So, I had a thing about this Psalm for years. But, the Lord has changed my heart to this Psalm and now I think on it and just feel myself there.

The Lord is MY Sherperd, I shall NOT be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, (This is my favorite part, the peace that comes over me when I think of lying in green pastures right next to the quiet waters and I just know there are huge 100 year old trees and I'm lying on a big ol comfy quilt.)
He restores my soul. (This is what I long for, my soul to be restored)
He guides me in paths of righteousness, for His name sake.

Even though I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for YOUR rod and YOUR staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I WILL dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Its like He does the first part to prepare us for the second part. The valley of the shadow of death, that table in the presence of my enemies (the thoughts that come to mind on this one!) But with each step, He takes care us, His rod and staff comfort me. He anoints my head with oil after having to be at that table with my enemies. That is just the way He is. He doesn't promise happy happy happy but He does promise to be there.

Like that old cow laying in the field, I want to lay in the green pastures and drink of the living water so I can get past this parchment in the desert.

So, I would say the walk was good. I'm glad I went, maybe I will go for another tomorrow. Who knows who or what I might get to talk too!

I have done it!!!!

I finally figured this blog thing out!!!! I am so excited. The only problem is I lost some of you. So, please if you look at my blog and you don't see your name on my site, comment it to me. There are a couple of you I know I lost, HB and WE!!!!

Looking forward to posting more now that I have a nicer blog!
Good night! (I've been doing this for over 2 hours!!!!)

Mitchells Graduation

October 17, 2008 now has a new meaning as well. Mitchell, Kristyn's boyfriend of 3.5 years graduated from the Springdale Police Academy today. He is now officially Officer Regnas. He has been in training for 12 weeks. I'm just so proud of him and the way he has persevered and kept his mind on the goal of today.

During his training, besides all of the physical training, he also had to be tazered and have mace sprayed in his face. They did the shooting range, driving course and there was a lot of academic work.

The graduation ceremony was so nice. Both sets of his grandparents, his aunts, uncle, cousins, parents, brother, me, zach, susanna and kristyn were all there. He was dressed in the dress police uniform. They gave awards for the top 3 in the class for certain things. Mitchell came in 2nd place for shooting. After the ceremony the "class" had to go out and take down the flag. It was so beautiful. They fell into formation in front of the flag and saluted the flag and then 3 of the guys took the flag down. It was just a pretty picture of our Amerian flag and those new police officers standing there in formation that just touched my  heart.

Afterwards all 17 of us went to Olive Garden and had lunch and then this evening we gathered in the lobby of the hotel and had cake and ice cream and Mitchell received gifts for his graduation.

We are all so proud of you Mitch. Job well done and I pray the Lords hand would be upon you as you begin protecting the town of Springdale, Arkansas. Godspeed.

Robin Wooten

October 17, 1960 my friend Robin Mary Wooten was born in Smyrna, Georgia. She was a beautiful girl, long brown hair, the flattest stomach ever and the sweetest personality. She had an older sister, Penny, who had already moved out of the house. So, Robin was kind of like an only child. 

We met at Legend Heights Baptist Church when I was in the 6th grade and became instant friends. We were inseparable for 3.5 years. We practically lived together. Our parents let us spend the night together even during the week. I called her parents Moma and Daddy Wooten. She called mine Moma and Daddy. 

We were friends thru those years of going from girls to teenagers. So many questions and thoughts that we shared together. We went skating every weekend and we would usually get ready at her house. It would take us hours to get ready. We wore blue eyeshadow, blue or green finger nail polish. We sat in her living room putting on our makeup while talking to her mom. We asked her mom some of the craziest things and she would just laugh with us and talk to us. I remember one time we asked how to kiss!!! Her parents were older as well, which made it all even more interesting. We listened to 8 track tapes, Bachman Turner Overdrive! How funny!

Every Sunday morning when we were at her house her mom would fix us fried bacon and grits and orange juice. I don't know why but for some reason that food tasted so good at her house. It was just the best.

I remember when Robin would get a phone call she would climb under their kitchen table to talk, especially if it was a boy!

We moved from Smyrna, Georgia on March 6, 1976. I was a freshman in high school. Robin came to visit us one time after we moved to West Virginia. We continued to keep in touch though.

On November 24, 1977, Thanksgiving night we got a phone call. I was on crutches because I had been doing a cheer jump and landed wrong and broke my toe. Anyway, we got a phone call that Robin and her boyfriend Randy had been in a car wreck and they both had died. She was 17 years old. I was devastated!

My mom, brother and I went to Georgia for the funeral. Her family had me sit with the family at the funeral. They buried Robin and Randy next to each other. They were planning to marry. After the funeral Moma Wooten had me and another friend go back to their house and go thru some of Robins things. She wanted us to have some of her things. I think about that now and I do not know how she did that so closely after the funeral. I guess because she knew I had to leave and she wanted me to have a part of Robin.

Today, October 17, 2008 Robin would have been 48 years old. There is not a year that has gone by in the last 31 years that I have not thought of Robin on her birthday and the anniversary of her death. 

I have looked for her sister for years and years during this time of the year. I have never been able to find her until this year. I finally finally found her and got her phone number and called her on my way to Fayetteville to see my kids. We just had the best time sharing memories. She told me it was nice having someone to talk to that remembered Robin. Both of their parents are gone now and so no one that Penny is with knew Robin. 

I told Penny I've just always wanted her to know that I think of her each year and I think of Robin each year and will never ever forget her. I've learned over the years that its important to people that their loved ones are not forgotten.

Interesting fact: Robin died on Thanksgiving night and Kristyn, my daughter was born on Thanksgiving night. Robin died November 24 and Kristyn was born November 23. Robin had green eyes and Kristyn has green eyes. I've just always found this little tidbit interesting.

So, Happy Birthday my childhood friend. You were my first best friend and I will never forget you. I'm thankful God allowed us to have the time we had together. Sweet memories of days gone by.

beth

Pumpkin Latte

Wow, its been almost a month since my last post. I don't know why except my computer at home will not get on the internet. I'm calling the Geek Squad right now. OMG just talked to Geek Squad and it will be 170.00 for them to look at my computer!!! Am I crazy or is that crazy!

I LOVE this time of year because I can go to Starbucks and get a Nonfat Pumpkin Latte. I love love love pumpkin. I'm drinking one right now and its just so homey, cosey and yummy!!!!

Happy Fall to everyone!