Getting to know me
I am a daughter, wife, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law, friend, and daughter of the King.
I am Mom to three tall, handsome and hardworking sons who are now grown men with families of their own. They have given me my daughters and they in turn have given me four handsome, lively grandsons and one beautiful granddaughter (finally) and one precious Great-granddaughter. I love them all dearly.
I am the wife of a loving, caring, passionate man who loves God with all his heart, mind, and soul. Ministering, teaching, and preaching… that is his life. He also has a secular job at one of the largest hospitals in our city.
I met him for the first time when I was only fifteen years old and he was visiting his grandpa in California. He had hitch hiked all the way from Illinois just to see “Papa” who his dad had told him could answer his question, “What is sin?”. And between Papa and Papa’s pastor (my dad) they did just that.
We’re still on an incredible journey together. Time changes many things and seasons come and go, but our love has remained constant throughout all the ups, downs, trials, hardships of life, and the JOY of serving God.
2008 has been a life-changing year for us. Bud lost his Mother on Easter Sunday 2008 in the same month that his Father passed away in 2004. He lost his brother, Fred, this past December 19, 2008 from cancer. We moved my parents from Missouri, to live with us in April 2008 and we are all adjusting to combining all of our different routines, sleep habits, and just the fact of each of us no longer having the “empty nest” anymore. They are struggling with their “independence“… while we are trying to let them be independent! They will both be 84 this July 2009. I am privileged to have this precious time with them. We have lived in different states for most of my married life and didn’t get to visit often. So, this is extra special. I am blessed!
I am passionate about learning all I can from God’s Word. I truly believe that He is coming back for His Body, His Bride…The Church. We don’t know when “our” time to meet Him will be, if it will be in the “catching away” or “crossing Jordan”… I know that I want to be ready and found doing all I can and living for Him.
My secular employment is in insurance. I work for a major insurance company and am licensed for P & C and L & H (property, casualty, life & health). I’m also a certified medical assistant and had worked in the medical field in allergy and dermatology, until the shifts became 10-12 hours. I now have my weekends off and after 5:00 PM I’m on my time! I do miss working in the medical field… but the benefits outweigh the “missing” at this point in my life.
I grew up in Southern California. I never dreamed I would ever live in the South and love it! Perhaps, it’s because I’m now sliding down the “older” side of life and the crazy “rat-race” doesn’t impress me at all! I’ve had some occurrences (cancer being one of them) in my life that have led me in the direction of what’s really important and “things or the collection of stuff” is not on my priority list anymore.
In fact, I’m trying to “DE-CLUTTER”… what a task that is! A CHORE I’m not enjoying! Not only is it time consuming, but it verges on embarrassment! What was I thinking??????
I now require a house large enough to stack the boxes and work full-time to support all this stuff! I have repented!!! I hope my new life doesn’t precipitate the downfall of our consumeristic (did I make up a word?) society! Our country’s economy couldn’t sustain its position in this world if we all quit “buying useless” stuff! Hey, I’m off my soapbox now! RELAX!
Hubby and I have simple tastes and desires. We are happiest when browsing in a bookstore with a strong brewed cup of coffee or latte. That’s next to heaven!!! Ummm does that mean we are getting older? Probably does!
Family, church family, and friends are my greatest joy. I cherish my time with my Savior, Jesus! Without Him my life wouldn’t have any real purpose.
Hi! Nice to meet you. I like the title of the blog.
‘Tennessee’ and ‘Nashville’ always reminds me of Bill Gaither and Guy Penrod. They are quite famous here in India among the Christians. I also like the song ‘Tender Tennessee Christmas’.
Thanks for stopping by at my blog.
I will visit often to hear the whispers of a Tennessee heart.
-Martin.
Tennessee is a beautiful place, isn’t it?
I can sympathize with the de-cluttering. We are trying some downsizing of our own in preparation for retirement, and it sure isn’t easy!
I’m glad I got this chance to know you better.
Becky
Hi, I just seemed to stumble across your site. I attended the Ladies Conf. this year it was great. What part of Tennessee do you live in. I am app. between Nashville and Memphis.
Sis Lannette,
Wasn’t it awesome. She was so anointed! I’m kinda of like the young girl with us. I didn’t want to go home either. I live in the Chattanooga area.
Hello,
I’m Carol Connell from California. I have seen you post comments on several blogs that I visit, so I decided to drop by. I know that I don’t know you, but I can sense from your writings a deep love for God and the things of God. I really appreciate that, and I hope to get to know you better through blogging.
God bless you,
Carol
Thanks for visiting me at my blog. My mother’s family is all from Western Tennessee. It is simply beautiful up there and over where you are is absolutely awesome. I pray you have a blessed day and year.
In His Awesome Service,
Johnnie Ruth
I am trying to help an eighty-three-year-old retired missionary find the song “Take your harp down from off the willow.” Can you help?
Hi! Loved your blog and the opportunity to read about your amazing life. I also am a transplant to TN and I also love it. I am also an author on the Everyones Apostolic publications and that is where I found your link to this blog. I praise God for every opportunity that He has opened up for me in my life. My blog is http://www.hazelwoodusa.blogspot.com
I also have extensive blogs and a whole mess of photo albums on what used to be everyones connected. (Now http://www.ubuti.com (ubuti means communities in some foreign language.) I hope you will have the time to listen to my podcast on itunes sometime – it is HazelwoodUSA. I need to get busy and work on broadcasting or podcasting I guess, on a more regular basis.
I will come back and visit your blog again, and look forward to reading more of your articles and blogs on Everyones Apostolic Publications.
Sincerely,
Sis. Lisa Anne Peter, Henderson TN
So good to see another ‘Jesus Name’ believer blogging his Word. I am fairly new to this website, but it links to others I am using.
We are at EveryonesApostolic as well, so good blogging and reading! Lanis
http://lanis.wordpress.com
Hello… I have noticed that you added my blog to your page and wanted to meet you… Have a blessed day
Thanks for stopping by. Blessings to you.
SIS PAM, I CAN’T GET OVER THE WAY YOU HAVE WITH WORDS. GOD AS SURELY BLESS YOU WITH WRITING. WE MISS YOU SOOOO IN IL. BUT AT THE SAME TIME ARE SO HAPPY ABOUT YOUR LIFE IN TENN. HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN SOMEDAY IF NOT HERE THEN AT THE GREAT SUPPER BEING PREPARED FOR US. LOVE U MARSHA
Thank you…I love to express myself in writing. We miss you all too! We had so many good times together. It seems impossible that our “little ones” are grown up and with kids of their own! Wow… time flies by! We hope to be up that way again to see Jason and Marc and the grandkids!!!
Save me a seat if you get there first, if I do, I’ll save you one!