Precious Baby Neil

I'm home after a wonderful Memorial Day Holiday with my beautiful grandbaby! The time was such a blessing....Neil is the joy of my life...and of course, his mother and father are such blessings to my heart, as well:) Thank you, guys, for the lovely visit! I look forward to seeing all of you soon! I love each of you!

Wednesday Morning Sunrise

I love standing in my "back yard" and watching the sun rise over the Blue Ridge. Our little town is such a peaceful, quiet place, especially at 6:00 a.m. The view of the rooftops, the town below, the hills and then the Blue Ridge, all accompanied by the songs of birds and an occasional Canadian goose, give me an uplifting coffee time and such a pleasant way to start the day....

Moose Hollow

What a beautiful, misty weekend we've had! These were pictures from an afternoon drive Becca and I took to Murphy and Hayes, North Carolina and Hiawassee, Georgia. God has given me such a tranquil lifestyle these past few years, and I know that these scenes add so much to the sense of peace and thankfulness that fills my heart. God's creative handiwork literally surrounds me, day after day. My heart is full of wonder and gratitude.....

Alabama's DeSoto Falls

What a gorgeous finale for Mother's Day! Paul shared one of his favorite spots in Alabama with us this afternoon....DeSoto Falls. The sheer beauty of the place is breathtaking, but combined with the mountain air, the delightfully cool temperatures (about 70 degrees), and the roaring falls, made the place one of the most memorable places I've seen since my move. Thank you, Paul, Elizabeth, and Rebecca, for this perfect ending to a precious weekend!

Mother's Day

What lovely surprises on this special day. Liz and Paul had sent a gorgeous bouquet of Irises and Tulips, and Becca gave me two books on Appalachian history, a book on wildflowers, and one on wildflower trails in Georgia. I'm reading Miracle of Brasstown Valley and I used the Audubon Society Wildflower book on our afternoon trip today. I'm also so happy that today is Anna's very first Mother's Day. She is such a good mother already and I am so proud of her!

Spring Place Moravian Cemetery

Becca's school began as a Moravian Mission to the Cherokee Indians in the early 1800's.

On our way home last night we passed the old Moravian Cemetery, where the missionaries and many of their converts are buried in unmarked graves. It had just rained and the golden light of the sunset gave the entire area an ethereal air. Daisies and primroses and some sort of purple flower unfamiliar to me grew in profusion outside the old wooden fence surrounding the sacred place. I thought how different Heaven's economy is from ours....that the least truly will be the greatest some day and that the unknown will be names of renown in that land. I knew that I was standing on Holy Ground of great Saints.

Knowing that the Trail of Tears started about 10 miles from my home, I wondered how many of those exiled pilgrims from our own country's history found their true resting place with God due to the efforts and sacrifice of these missionaries.

Murphy, North Carolina

After we left Ocoee, we stopped at a gas station, where we learned we were three miles from North Carolina. Paul had not been to North Carolina in years, so off we went to Murphy, which was about 30 miles past the state line. And how thankful I am that Paul and Liz are adventuresome types. We ate lunch at Rib Country and then set off. What a lovely town! We stopped at an old church there and explored the cemetery, the town itself, and an old train depot! What a delightful ending to a beautiful day! Thanks, Liz and Paul, for coming and for a wonderful Saturday!

Olympic Center at Ocoee

Next Paul drove us to the site of the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Event Center at Ocoee. It boggles my mind some days to realize that this is about 30 minutes from my little home.

And the Earth Displays His Handiwork...

I am constantly amazed at the minute details of God's wondrous creation. The sheer beauty of these mountains seems never ending. I've heard that Appalachia holds more botanical species than anywhere else in North America, and I'm not at all surprised by this. With almost every step of every hike that I take, I find a new reason to be in awe of our Creator God. His attention to every single segment of His world, His expression of diversity, and His lavish gifts of beauty all bring me to my knees..... Thank you, Lord, for sharing your creation with us and for giving us all five senses with which to observe your handiwork...

Ocoee

This weekend was so full and such a blessing that one post will, in no way, even scratch the surface...
Paul and Elizabeth came Friday night and then took me on a driving adventure Saturday. Our first stop was Ocoee, Tennessee. These are views atop one of the many mountains in the area. We found a trail next to one of the overlooks and took a short hike through a lovely forrested mountainside. It had rained Saturday morning, and the rich greens and dark woods were simply beautiful. And nothing...nothing....tops the smells of fresh mountain air after a rain. We even found a wild peach tree loaded with new peaches!

The Brag Book

A Rite of Passage....
For my entire life I'd only been the observer of that ancient species....."Proud Grandparent".....and now, I find myself a full-fledged member of its race.....
For Christmas, Joy gave me this precious granny albumn for future pictures of my life's greatest treasure....Neil Benjamin. Today I put this wonderful gift to full use at the office.... What absolute bliss! Anna, thank you SO much for the beautiful pictures! Those not currently framed are finding a home within the pages of this very book! (and being whipped out at every convenient moment:) Baby Neil, how much I love you!

Thank you Rachel Earle and Jane Knudtson

What a delightful way to spend a rainy Saturday morning. And what clear memories rushed back to my heart. Bear Trap Ranch, Colorado.... Drizzling rain.... Jane, ever the leader and trail blazer for our motley group.... Searching for the elusive Golden Lady Slipper.... I can still see Rachel, rain dripping down the bill of her parka.... Laughing from sheer delight over God's creation.... Hopefully I will continue to follow in their hiking boot trail prints for as long as I can make it up mountains..... Today, was such a time trekking up Ft. Mountain.... Ferns abounded....I learned to spot New York Fern, Christmas Fern, Cinnamon Fern.... Wild mountain geraniums abounded as borders for our trail.... Common Wood Violets and Bird's Foot Violets sprang up, here and there, alongside May Apples....And there was even an abundance of Sassafrass...... All was misty and ethereal until the final mile or so...when torrents of rain showed up for our parade.... But all of us were undaunted and enjoyed the time to the end of the trail! Thank you, Lord, for Your matchless creation!

Summertime Clothes for Baby Neil

I think the grandmother part of my heart has totally taken over:) I was out today and passed the Osh Kosh Outlet. These were the result. I just fell in love with the little sandals. And of course Neil needs summertime shorts as well! What absolute fun!

Two Years Ago....

Pictures taken today from atop Ft. Mountain....overlooking Murray County below.

My cousin, Judi, called today, telling me that it was two years ago today that I sold my house in Baytown. What a nightmare of a time....and yet, my gracious Lord was there with me in the midst of what were to become the darkest days of my life. I know for certainty that He led me through the Valley of the Shadow of Death during that time....death of relationship, home, family as I knew it, career, everything familiar and dear.....real death to what had become my identity and my life. But what New Life He had in store! He does give us beauty for ashes. He has proven Himself to be Husband and Father and Friend. He has been my Rock and Fortress and my Deliverer. And He has led me through the wilderness to a vast, open Land of Promise. He has led me Home.....and though I'm very much aware that I'm a broken Pilgrim, how I trust Him with my life and look forward to a future that He holds for me.....in His loving, nail-scarred hands....

Sunday Afternoon Hike up Ft. Mountain

What a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We drove up Ft. Mountain and hiked to two overlooks. This was the first. This was the site of our very first hike in Murray County when Becca came for her interview at Spring Place. It is no wonder that she fell in love with this place from the start.....

Despise Not the Day....

So many examples of God's creative hand.....It seems that every bend and curve holds another surprise from my Father himself. He is so totally lavish in His love.....

Trekking around Point Park

What breathtaking views atop this mountain. This is the very place where Sherman started his march toward Atlanta. From the peak, one can see Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia below. Such a beautiful place to walk.....

Lookout Mountain

We decided to take an afternoon drive today. We thought Lookout Mountain would be a good place to explore. Here are just some of the views.

Neil Benjamin

"Children are a heritage from the Lord and the fruit of the womb is His reward."
Never in my life has my heart been so full of love.....and wonderment....and thankfulness.....
What a perfectly beautiful and innocent life has been given to my dear daughter and her husband!
And so many lives have been touched in the process.
I've always believed that family is so much more than mere "blood". To see the celebration of this new life, not only by human relations but by love, was deeply moving to me. Neil will indeed be loved by so many!
I watched Anna and Philip instantly transform into loving, and gentle, and protective parents. And I was not only immensely proud of them, but oh, so humbled in the process. To see that a godly heritage will be carried to the next generation is reason for great hope and joy.
Thank you, dear ones, for allowing me to be a part of these past days....
I love you with all my heart....
GB

If anyone would care to see the most precious baby my eyes have ever seen, please begin logging onto:
blessournestblog.blogspot.com

All This and Heaven Too

I was just enjoying the sights below when it started SNOWING here! As I looked out on Grassy Mountain and Ft. Mountain and saw that their peaks were becoming increasingly dusted by the flakes, I simply could not stay in the valleys any longer.....So up Ft. Mountain I drove! These were some of the sights along the trek. It was a delight along the way to see others enjoying the springtime surprise from our Lord, as well. They were also getting out of their cars to trek along the side of the byway. All of us were taking pictures, making snowballs or simply relishing the icy whiteness..... I even shared the state park with a UPS man who was taking pictures for his wife on his cell phone! (His cargo may be a few minutes late, but I cannot help but think of the movie "The Castaway" and know that Tom Hank's character would be very pleased by this! Makes me want to "go" with UPS instead of FedEx:) Somehow it is so very comforting to be surrounded by kindred spirits, even if I don't know their names......

Spring Comes to Dalton

The earth is waking here in the mountains.... How much I am enjoying the emerging colors and life of Spring. The colors here amaze me....such variation and intensity in each season. I am so thankful for a job in which I travel these hills almost daily. Becca made me some beautiful cd's for the journeys. Mountian music and hymns fill the car and add to the wonderment of these scenes. I've learned to love solitude.....which is such a different state from "loneliness", and I'm slowly acquiring the gift of truly knowing God's presence with me as a Friend and Guide...

The Dawning of a Brand New Day

I was shooting this sunrise when my cousin Judi called and read beautiful verses from Deuteronomy telling of God's provision and cover when we remain faithful to Him and of His scattering our enemies in seven different directions when they come at us.....And as often happens at the close of her phone calls, we were able to pray together. What a blessed way to start this Passion Week of our Lord.

Hush a Bye

Hush a bye...Don't you cry
Go to sleep-y Little Baby
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little Horsies
Dapples and greys
Pintos and Bays
All the Pretty Little Horsies

I could not pass this precious pony by when I saw him in an old antique store in Ellijay....
Baby Boy, how your Granni B loves you with all her heart already!
I can hardly wait to meet you, dear One!

Reflections on Turning 60

Choosing to truly live life each day. Seeing all things bright and beautiful. Loving those God allows in my life. Thanking Him in all things and for all things. Knowing the brevity of my journey toward my new home. Counting it all joy! Enjoying the side roads and byways. Learning to laugh from the depths of my being and to cry from the recesses of my soul. Realizing more each day that "all will be well".....that nothing comes to my life except through our Lord's loving hands.... that there is a purpose for everything He allows. Being thankful for the paths He sets before me. Longing to see His face........

The Georgia Scenic Byway

To reach my little home, one must take the Appalachian Foothills Parkway from Hwy 75. To reach many of the schools I visit, I must then take the Georgia Scenic Byway. What lovely names for these roads less traveled.... An artist once told me that to truly see, one must know the name of what she is seeing.....(ie. Lemon yellow is a very different color from yellow ochre, the Appalachian Mountains are very different from the Rocky Mountains, Dandelions are very different flowers from violets) God's paths are often like that....The ways have names instead of being mere numbers on the map of life.... So much is involved in taking time to know the names of these paths, and the mountains and valleys, flora and fauna, rocks and streams that border the way.....
...How much more of God's created world will we see when we take the time to know the names of the components of His creation...and even more crucial....

How much more will we know our Lord when we take the time to truly know His name..............

"He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake......"