Storms and More...

" It is Sunday......let the church bells stir your spirit and may the WORD renew your strength."

Last night brought a good ol' East Texas storm rumbling through the area, and while the thunder tried to make a huge statement, it was no match for the spirit of our community. Right in the middle of the downpour, the annual Soirée went on. Maybe there were a few umbrellas that popped open, and a few perfectly styled heads of hair that took a hit, but the heart behind the event never missed a beat. 

My friend Ronda, my daughter... Trista, and another friend.. Amy

While the sky may have cried a few tears, the people did not flinch. Laughter rang out between raindrops and donations poured in faster than the storm......and the silent auction??  A huge success!!  Guest were determined not to let the rain ruin the auction. They came ready to bid, even in soaked shoes and all.  This proved once again that you can't dampen a giving heart. 

Not the best picture, but you can see that there was a lot of effort put in to making up 50+ baskets for the silent auction.  Don't worry guys...there were plenty of men baskets that were in the silent auction too. 

The fireworks still lit up the sky just like they had something big to prove.  However, even the big, bright showing of the fireworks had to compete with the rain. 

It is true, that when hearts come together with purpose, not even the weather can stand in the way. Storms may come (and this is not the first time it has rained on this huge event) but when we give from the heart, it always brings sunshine to the community. 

While Sam and I were unable to attend last evening, our daughter kept me up to date on the evening weather and events....thanks to Trista, I was able to share these photos...

* In other news around here!

1. Sam and I had lunch with our two daughters yesterday...We so enjoyed this time with them.

2. Mylee Jo is now a High School Senior!

3. The honeymooners made it home safely yesterday.

4. Purchased a few more plants for the backyard...hoping to attract the hummingbirds. 

5. Great Granddaughter, Emersyn turns 5 tomorrow!!  

Y'all please enjoy your day....

Shug

Storms and a planned Soirée

Isn't it a wonderful Saturday morning?  Storms are expected later this evening around here, which saddens me a bit. 

We're keeping a close eye on the skies today as storms are in the forecast for this evening. And while we all know Mother Nature has her own calendar, I'm truly hoping she'll show us a little grace tonight. 

Each "MAY" a dedicated group of women in our community hosts a beautiful outdoor Soirée to raise money for scholarships for local seniors. These scholarships are given in loving memory of a young mom who passed away some twenty years ago. She was deeply involved in our community, and this annual event carries her spirit forward by helping young people step into their futures with a little less college financial burdens. 

Through the years, many students have received these memorial scholarships, and each one is a reminder that even in loss, love finds a way to give. A lot of planning, heart, and very hard work goes into this event. 

The men spending the evening before, cooking and preparing the meal for this occasion and the organizers pour a lot of themselves into making sure the tables make for a special time under the evening skies. Twinkle lights and a full table of auction items make the evening extra special. 

So tonight, as the clouds gather, we are praying they will drift on by. Hoping for clear skies and a night filled with hope and remembrance for our community. 

If the rain shows up.....I guess umbrellas will be passed out just as they have in the past.....and rain or shine, the love behind this event will shine brighter than any storm cloud ever could.  

Shug......

PS.....Sam and I are going to go to an Estate Sale this morning...Hoping to find some good prices on a few things..

Pockets of Love and Sparkle

My thought for the day:

"Tuck LOVE in your pocket and some hope in your heart.....and don't forget to add a little sparkle behind your smile........For we never know who might need our light today!" 

When I was younger, my mother always wore an apron while she was cooking....Of course, her aprons always had big pockets and I would ofter stick my hands inside them. She would always say: "These pockets are filled with Love" and then she would smile. 

I was watching a movie the other day and it was one of those sweet, small town kind, where women still wore aprons. The mom was stirring a pot of simmering apples, getting ready to make homemade pies. And...just like that, I was pulled back in time. 

I couldn't help but smile, thinking about my mother and her apron pockets filled with love. 

Those apron pockets held so much more than an occasional piece of candy or a clothespin. They carried a lot patience for when my siblings....I....(mostly ME) would constantly tug at her apron. They held wisdom for when she would clean her hands across the apron, and gently wipe away a tear from any of our eyes. They were lined with prayers, love and strength to make it through a hard day. 

I now realize that her pockets were not just sewn into the fabric, they were sewn into her heart.  In those pockets, she found enough sparkle to share with her family, but it was her heart that delivered her LOVE. 

This is a reminder for me today, that even though I don't really wear an apron with pockets each day, I can still tuck LOVE and Sparkle into my day..... to be able to share with others. 

Just like my mother did.....lets all share freely, what is in our pockets, without holding back. 

When we walk through the world with love in our pockets, we leave a trail of light behind us..

Happy Friday Y'all....Fill your pockets today!!

Shug.

shopping and lunch date.

I'm a bit late today.....

I started out early this morning....Left the house at 9:00 a.m. and headed into town. Had a few stops to make before meeting friends for lunch. 

First Stop:  The "At Home" store. Didn't find what I was looking for...probably didn't need it anyways.  

Second Stop:  A furniture store:  Found a couple of things I liked....Especially a piece for the TV to set on!  

The number 144 caught my eye.....This was the inventory number....

Next was a sofa and chair....

No purchases Made......

Then it was on to yet another furniture store...

But not this color.....The color I liked is a gray color.

A nice comfy chair......

And a floor lamp that I really liked.  

NO Purchases made!!

I mostly was just getting some ideas.

NEXT........

Lunch date with friends.  We went to "BJ's." 

I would rate the lunch date and the conversations a "10 +"

The food....maybe a "6" 

The service...... a "7"

I had one of the specials which was a mini pizza, salad and a pizookie strawberry shortcake for dessert. 

We got there at 11:00 and left the restaurant at 1:40.....LOL  💛 we really do enjoy each other's company and we had a lot of catching up to do. 

Today was a good day !!!!

Today was a gift.....simple, fun and full of friendships. The kind of day that leaves your heart a little lighter and your smile a little brighter. Moments like these reminds me that joy doesn't always come wrapped in big things, it often shows up in good company and the warmth of long time friendships. 

shug..