"Larry Brown" - On hearing from my Father.

The last few months, we've been experiencing a rather weird thing with our answering machine on the land line. When going to check the messages - there shows 1 new one. Upon listening, there is one of our all time favorite voices - that of Larry Brown. There does not show a number on the Caller ID connected with the message. All that is said is, "Larry Brown."

I must confess to being a little crept out the first couple of times I heard his voice on the answering machine. For those not in know here - Larry Brown was my daddy. I say was because he went to be with Jesus on November 1, 2006. And while my daddy has actually never been more alive - by all earthly standards - he is dead. His body is buried in a cemetery we pass by when going through the town connected with the front gate of our highly secure gated community.

If you've known me for any length of time - or have read my notes or blog or articles that have been published in various places or heard me speak in person... you'll know that my daddy and I were exceedingly close. He wasn't just my daddy... he was one of my dearest friends later in life as an adult. He was/is most importantly - my brother in Christ. His voice - even when mad at me - always brought me comfort. It was as familiar to me as any voice could possibly be.

You might be thinking - "How great to hear his voice again then!" Or about how weird it is that I am hearing from daddy... We know it has some thing to do with when my mother uses what was his cell phone to check for messages on the land line. Like I said earlier - it did creep me out the first couple of times. Now I laugh and have to smile deeply. Why?

My daddy always taught me and showed me by how he/we lived life's moments that the most important relationship I could ever have was with my real father. Oh sure... Larry Brown was my biological father.. my earthly dad.. but he is/was not my real father. Larry could not save me all the times he tried.

While I will always remember with such tenderness and fondness the sound of my daddy's voice.... it in no way compares to that of knowing and hearing and recognizing that of my Real Father's. The love that my Real Father has for me is the most precious. It is priceless. It is beyond measure.

So, dear reader..... let me ask you...

Do you know intimately the sound of His voice?

Would you recognize it above all others?

Do you walk toward the sound of His voice or run in the other direction?

And if you are a parent - are you intentionally teaching the child(ren) you've been blessed with to want to know the sound of His voice?

There is no voice worth hearing more so than that of God's.

As always, dear reader, you've been prayed for!

Hope Secure!

Today is the day for Trav's root canal. The lovely procedure will take place at 9:00 a.m. (CST). Fortunately for him - there is no public school tomorrow so he can stay in and rest. It's a given he is staying home the rest of today. Travis is not a good patient. He won the award for "groaning" after his appendectomy in 05. His hair is so cool though - it's hard to take that seriously.. Of course his mean trumpet playing will be put on hold for a few weeks. That's not like killing him softly - it's more like stabbing him with a knife in his scar!

As I said yesterday afternoon - mom is still to sick to have her stress test made. This is not good considering the fact that she is also in pain. She had spiked a temperature yesterday, but it appears to be going back down now. Did I mention I'm still unclear as to why she wasn't put in the hospital almost 2 weeks ago now? Then again, the doctor didn't ask me and there is so much junk going around this town that the hospital has been packed. A couple of weeks ago the public school system was looking at needing to close her doors even. There's a theory going around that it has some thing to do with the water. Please note - I did not say I buy into that theory.

My uncle is back home from being in the hospital. Home health care is coming to visit with him every day. This is a positive thing as he was looking at being put in a nursing home. While that may, on one hand, have been better for my aunt - it would not have been so for him. We greatly appreciate all the prayers, concern, hugs, and love that have been shown.

Please keep the prayers going! And while you're at them you can add the following.....

1) Austin is going to Belize during Spring Break. Friday he is getting the required shots necessary. This is just the first of his trips out of the US as a missionary.

2) Dick is teaching/speaking at a different venue on Saturday night. If you are a college student or a 20 something - you're invited. Send me a message saying you're interested and I'll send you the information on when, where, and etc.

3) Dick is also going to be out of town during Spring Break. He is going to be preaching Sunday morning, Sunday night, Monday night, Tuesday night, Wednesday night, and serving in the community where he will be at during the day. It is safe to say that the man is really pumped. He will be in IL.

4) I'm writing new Bible studies for the month of March for our 18 to 25 year old group. They've already be forewarned that "The Questionator" will definitely be there! I'm not the type of teacher/leader that talks the whole time. I require interaction! If you're a part of this group - consider yourself loved enough for me to go there with you! Know God loves you even more than I(we) do!

Thanks again! And remember - my (our) Hope is found only in and through God! For the woman who said to me last night, "Well at least you're still standing!" That statement has never been more true! I serve a Risen Savior and it is sheer joy even when dealing with the unpleasant - tough stuff of life's moments.

As always, dear reader, you've been prayed for!

Life in the Moments Update!

Thanks to all whom have checked in with me on being quiet lately. There has been so much going on that I've needed some RQMs (really quiet moments).

My mother has been ill for the last couple of weeks with pneumonia. Tomorrow she is having a stress test made. Just a bit ago - she informed me that I needed to contact a man I've not seen or talked with since 06. It seems my mother is going to be having heart surgery if the stress test confirms what was seen during her recent physical. I opted to not go that day to the doctor with her since her boyfriend was taking her and I was scheduled to be at the physical church building. Being my mom's caregiver is always interesting to say the least. Yes, please pray! Darren couldn't look me in the eyes the last time I saw him. He just cried at the mere thought of my daddy dying. Darren was my dad's Cardio doctor. There is no question he will be my mom's as well if he is available. We came to love him dearly as a member of the family. My daddy passing on didn't change that for one moment.

Travis went to the dentist today. On Thursday, that mean jazz player will be having a root canal. The dentist informed him that his soft drink and candy days are over! As his mother - I could see this coming a mile away. Choices come back to bite us if we're not careful. And according to Travis - this bites big time! Yes, please pray! I told Trav this is definitely a part of his "PK's story." If you don't understand that one... well, let's just say that not everyone can afford insurance. Fortunately, there is a discount when paying cash. God is good! All the time.. God is good. Being debt free came at just the right time too!

Parker is going to the doctor in just a little while. This is his second day of school to miss this week alone. I'm sure it's connected to his allergies. That's one thing we get for being surrounded by all these trees! When you have a dream.. there might be more you get than meets the eye! Yes, again... please pray.

On being debt free... I announced on Saturday (through facebook & twitter & in person with others) that the G family had reached this unbelievable feat! Once upon a time "experts" said it could not be accomplished. That's what happens when one has faced catastrophic illnesses for years like I did. Our being able to attain such is proof positive that "experts" truly don't know every single thing. It also goes hand in hand with dangerous prayers that have been prayed. "What can the people of God do if they were debt free?" Uh.... pay for a root canal with cash for one.. a doctor's visit for another.. just to name a couple! (Laugh.. really.. it does a body good!)

For those who have been praying for my uncle.. please continue to do so. The man does not want to walk. As I stood by his bedside last night, he and I had a bit of a heart to heart. Needless to say, I will be putting on my "other hat" with him if he doesn't get his butt in gear soon! Yes, please keep praying. This is the uncle I've always been closest to. He can be gruff.. he can be rude... but he is who he is and I accepted his weird form of love a long time ago now. (Laugh... he would find that rather funny!)

Is there news on a church for hubby/us? That one will have to wait. See? I can be quiet when I need to be. (Laugh..... there are moments when I can't shut up! If you've ever heard me teach/speak in person - you can say "Amen" now!)

So? What's happening in your life's moments these days?

As always, you dear reader, have been prayed for!

Note: This was written yesterday, Tuesday, 24th. My mom's stress test is today. Parker is indeed suffering from being highly allergic to certain trees.