Sandwich Years

This has definitely been a "sandwich season" for Glenn and myself.  We find our selves jumping between jobs as we enjoy the later years of my folks and Glenn's step-mom and also appreciate the youthfulness of seeing our grandkids- thus we are sandwiched in between those 2 generations.  

The old and the young.

I cherish the precious moments I have to spend with my parents.  I enjoy shopping and cooking for them as well as just being with them.  We were able to spend Thanksgiving Day with Mom and Dad and Christmas Day too.

 We had 3/4 of the Marr family together on Christmas Day.  (Sherrie was in Colorado).  And Meredith represented the 12 grandchildren that my parents have.

Marr family Selfie

As I think about my responsibility, as a daughter, mother and grandmother, the roles keep changing.  As a daughter, I enjoy going back to 9511 frequently to help my dad as he is the sole care-giver for my mom.  My mom has been suffering from Alzheimer's or memory loss for several years now.  I have been grieving for her each time I see her.  Besides losing weight, she has no memory of what happened yesterday.  Yet, she'll remember things from her school years, working in the cotton fields and meeting my dad on her 13th birthday.  

To put it in perspective, last week, she said, "Judy, is it 2008?"  I promptly said, "No, mom, it is 2015.  Where have you been these past few years?"  She tries to remember people's names and important dates, but that is becoming more and more challenging for her.  

But there is one thing that she does have.  And that is a smile on her face.  I love my mom.

Now, the day after Christmas, Glenn and I flew to Nicaragua to visit Ellen and Luke and the 3 grand-kids.  My role has changed.  I'm the mother now.  And I'm the Grammie.  However, I'm not the mother to the g'kids.  I have to step back and think and not to say too much.  But I do enjoy hearing the kids in the morning say "Grammie, Get up.  I want to play with you!"

x

David, 4 1/2 years old, loves anything about Batman, Superman and Lego's.  He loves to color within the lines and likes to watch and read about Thomas the Train.  He can easily mix up Spanish words within his English sentences.  His favorite Christmas present from Grammie and GrandDad was a "garage sale bargain" of Work-zone vest, hard hat, protective glasses and other tools.  My heart jumps for joy each time he asks me to repeat something by saying "What you said?"

I have enjoyed rolling Emily's hair up at night with the pink sponge curlers just like I would do with Ellen when she was this age.  And she didn't even complain about sleeping in them at night.  Emily turns 3 in February.

15 month old Lucy is a sweetie.  She goes with the flow.  She never complains, yet when she does, it is quick and loud and only because she has a need.  She loves me to hug her and sing to her.  She's a good sleeper.

Again, Glenn and I are sandwiched between the 87 year old parents at one end that we love dearly and count it a privilege to call them our parents, and then on the other end, we have our 3 grandkids that bless our hearts.  We are thrilled that we do not have the sole responsibility for these sweeties and that we are having a good 4 day visit.  We are tired and yet are encouraged to be around our g'kids.

This Is What 98 Looks Like

 On November 24, we went over to celebrate the 98th birthday 

of

 Lucille Tilley.

The Tilley's have been family friends for as long as I can remember, 

say, 

nearly 60 years.

Happy Birthday, Lucille!!

Moody Alumni Gathering

{photo courtesy of Moody Alumni Association}

Recently I attended the Dallas area Moody Bible Institute Alumni gathering.  It was fun to re-connect with dear friends such as Nancy (Alumni Director) and former Alumni Board member, Gene, who served with me on the board.

 

Gene was showing another Alumni some ways to use the BiblePrinciples Bible
Great Gift Idea!

Even the children were enjoying the explanation and one was absolutely amazed.

Down Home for Thanksgiving

A Feast For Thanksgiving

Before

After

There were 39 at the Thanksgiving gathering down home in East Texas. 

Big Mama (pictured above back in the 70's) had 7 children.  Her oldest child was my grandfather, Odis Helms.  Big Mama passed away in 1986 when we were living in Bolivia.  Her last child died just a few years ago.  Our Thanksgiving gatherings are all related to her descendants.  There were several relatives that we met for the first time.

I took a peak in Nelda's pantry. 

 Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmmmmm!

I am thankful for my family.  For the different ones who were there and for those who could not attend.

Christmas Cards

It's neat to see my personalized, hand made cards come to L.I.F.E.

After stamping the original image and then brushing the side of the card with some ink to give it the old and antique look, next it is time to paint the flowers, holly berries, leaves and blue bird.

After painting (water-coloring) the stamped image, I would glue the card to the color card stock.

Next, to embellish the card with 1 small diamond/pearl to go on the center of the branch.

Then a bow to tie on the top.

Then brads to hold the bow down.  I used the traditional colors of

 red and green

  ribbons, accented with some brads.

In total, I made several hundred of these decorated Christmas cards.  It is very therapeutic for me to stamp.  It allows me to concentrate and be creative and escape from my busy schedule and life.  

I would average about 6-8 cards per hour.

I feel good that all my Christmas cards have been made.  Now to dwell on and think about the 'reason for the season'

Only in Texas

 

You haven't lived until you have eaten Texas-shaped chips!

 I'm in H E A V E N!

Exploring Surfside and the Beach

Sunrise in Surfside

Exploring Quintana State Park

During WWII, the gun mounds at the base of the shipping canal, which are now within the County Park, were erected to protect Dow's Magnesium plant.  Guns were placed atop the mounds to protect the defense plant from aircraft, warships and submarines.

Then we enjoyed an afternoon of bicycling along the Oyster Creek Trail in Lake Jackson.

Good thing I downloaded my photos onto my computer, because the next day while we were out cycling, I misplaced my camera.  We went back to our picnic area to see if it was still there.  It was nowhere to be found.  I have my phone number on the camera, so hopefully someone will call us, otherwise I hope the camera is a blessing to someone else just as much as it has been for me.

White Rock Lake

I did it.  

Glenn purchased a new bicycle for me at a garage sale the day before, so to "break it in", Glenn and I rode our bikes around White Rock Lake.

As a teenager, I would ride around the lake with Prissy, Lisa, Donna and Pat.

  I think we'll do it again!  

Thanks Glenn for the nice Sunday afternoon bike ride.

Happy 125th Birthday!!

Over the weekend, Glenn and I celebrated the  
125th Birthday of Camino Global,
 formerly CAM International and Central American Mission.

 It was cool to see old photos from "way back" and to think what a
 great heritage 
 that Camino Global (Central America Mission / CAM International) has.

We enjoyed dinner with Phil and Bobbie, plus my parents along with Gary and Julie.

 It was fun reconnecting with old friends from Bolivia - Natalie and Linda!

 Steve Green was the special music.  Loved it.

Mom and Dad meeting the current president of Camino Global, Douglas Livingston.

For God So Loved the World

 Her name is Juana.

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Bicimetro - Brand New Service

We tell folks that it is unsafe to ride the public transportation here.  

It just is. 

 You could get robbed, your phone stolen, or even the bus drivers have been killed.  
It is just that simple.

However, Glenn and I purposely rode the Guatemala City bus on Sunday afternoon.  This is a brand new bus service designed to pick up passengers with their bikes. There is an armed guard riding on the bus.  The route goes from the upscale community off Las Americas (Zone 13/14) to Zone 1 and back.  

The buses are colorful!

The bikes are stored inside of the bus compared to being strapped on the front.

The route goes by a local market.

Glenn, BUSted!