CHOOSE: TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 2017

For Christians, Advent is a time of waiting. Waiting for the Lord. Celebrating His birth at Christmas.
After seeing the movie "Star" with two of my grands we walked through the neighborhood to see decorations.
After seeing lots of Snoopy and Grinch Christmas decorations we came upon a large Nativity tableau.

Peering into the manger, Lucy, somewhat stunned,  asked, "Where is the baby?" My response was that maybe since it wasn't Christmas yet,  they would put the baby in the manger on Christmas Day.
Recently, I mailed Lucy info to explain the way we, her daddy's family, celebrate the 4 Sundays of  "Advent," even including some carols we sing and a small gift to open----as a way of focusing on the One who is the "reason for the season." It's a way pf making the "waiting" for Christmas a little easier.

Tonight we had our first Advent with grandson, Owen. Hubby read the Isaiah 9:6 scripture, "For unto us a child is born..." I shared the story of advent and then he, as his mother had always done on the first Sunday, lit the "candle of faith." We sang , "O Come all Ye Faithful" and then he "Scrooged" the candle out and opened his gift.

What a blessing to choose to celebrate "Advent" with grandchildren.

CHOOSE: SATURDAY AND TEACAKES

Saturday and Tea Cakes---a story in photos which blesses my heart.

Pictures can speak louder than the words this book loving, tea drinking grandmother could have even attempted to write when her only granddaughter set up this party for her friends.

CHOOSE: READING ALOUD

Reading aloud might seem ordinary to some, but at our home we call it a "shared adventure."

There's nothing quite like having read the same book together to "bond" a family----whether a picture book or a novel. It's what we do!

When a grandchild "understands" his PopPop's unusual relationship with squirrels, he can take a turn and read aloud. Laughter bursts forth....! 

....there is a season for that, as well(Ecclesiastes 1:1, 4,)

It's all "part and parcel" of choosing a shared adventure, AKA "reading aloud."

HERITAGE TRIPS: COMING AND GOING

Heritage---something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth; something one person gives to another---an inherited lot or portion.(dictionary.com) 
A man's lot in life. His heritage can greatly influence his ensuing life.

Godliness passed down from generation to generation is not a guarantee but it certainly enhances the "chances" of a continuance of a spiritual heritage.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,...(Proverbs 13:22) 

Eleven years ago,son Buddy started "heritage trips" with his "first born" son. This year was his last "trip" year as he brought son #5 to Memphis to "show" him all his special childhood places and included a day on Liles Lane at Pickwick (fishing, shooting, swimming) and exploring the lake with extended family. 
It involves an air flight---just daddy and one son. That, in and of itself, is a big deal when you have 4 brothers who remain at home.
For me, I love the anticipation of this time.

"Coming"-----"the BEST part!!!

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. (Proverbs 17:6)

The "going"----NOT so much.

So......I have to remember to cherish all those "in-between" times. 
But I.....still "puddle" when any of my "grands" leave!!

But God......reminds me, "What a blessing to see your children's children." (Psalm 128:6)
It is a BIG earthly blessing!!!! 

"connectivi-TEA"

And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come. (Psalm 71:18, NASB)

iPads, iPhones, iPods, e-mail on my iMAC----so many devices to allow me to stay connected with my grands. (grandchildren) But....do they allow me the ability to connect spiritually? Maybe in the not so distant future, when I no longer have voice or possibly can't even find my brain, then hopefully this blog will continue to be a reminder of God's truth that was such a part of their grandmother's life. That's the legacy I want to leave them. A life well-lived. A life lived for God.

A cuppa connectivit-TEA sweetened with a God-filled legacy to keep my "grands" and me connected on the spiritual level in the years to come, regardless of the condition of my mind or body.

***Interestingly enough---this thought was on my mind 4 years ago today as I blogged about the "grands" visiting. Very similar activities---we even have a "tummy bug" once again. Plus, now there's another boy in the family. 

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: a "looking" perspective

10/13/13 Cousins Owen(6) and Lucy (almost 2) rarely see each other----Memphis and Brooklyn are 1,100+ miles apart. But...this past weekend they spent a good bit of time together. What a joy it was to watch Owen "looking out" for his young cousin and for little Lucy to "look up" to him. She not only looked up to him, she tried to "keep up" with him as well. Fun to watch!

Hula Hoop lessons

Lego® lesson gone awry

Tree climbing lesson

Encouragement from the top

Day 1---Golf Cart lesson 

Demonstrating eating Whirley-Pop® popcorn by the handfuls

Smaller hands but just as full 

Pumpkin decorating demo w/ "sticky" cut-outs

Re-arranging "sticky" pumpkin cut-outs.

Decorating Owen with "sticky" cut-outs instead of the pumpkin 

Day 3--Independent golf cart driving. Shoes helped----it's all about the accessories.

PERFECT ARRIVAL

10/11/13 A perfect arrival, in terms of air travel, is early! It was still almost 10 pm Brooklyn time but Lucy was awake and even entertaining, between yawns. Plus. she was up bright and early today and ready for a "tea party."

Thanks Delta Airlines for an early arrival and thank you Lord for keeping those predicted thunderstorms at bay.

A cuppa for Lucy----

A cuppa for Owen

"TEA for TWO"....more tea, Owen? Yes, please.

MEMORY MARKS

9/10/13 Sometimes it's the little things that can have a BIG impact on our memory bank. Smells, tunes, a soft breeze---all sensory triggers for my memory, such that it is.  My mind's eye seems to reside in my memory and it too can trigger emotional impressions of previous events. 

Visual recall is what occurred this morning as once again (2 times prior) I went to clean the upstairs bathroom. It quickly progressed to emotional recollection as I saw Andrew's (almost 3) scribbles on the tub tile. I couldn't wash it away. I prayed for him instead. 

Maybe when Lucy (almost 2) visits in October, she will be inspired to add her own markings to those of her cousin Andrew. I hope so.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children (and grandchildren) walk in truth.        (3 John 1:4) 

Family treasures---that's what memory marks are to me,

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Christmas Week 2012

12/30/12 Lots of illness and weather problems prevented all of the Liles/Adams family getting together but for those who came to Memphis, it was fun! A whole week of fun....will continue with Texans until 2013!!! Hooray!!  An E-Christmas (electronic) for everyone......plus outdoor sports, indoor games, Wii  "Just Dance 4," donut making, s'mores around the fire, long-distance calls w/ MA pix and space station sighting 12/30. 

Praises for the privilege of seeing our children's children! (Psalm 128:6)

Lucy Christmas morn in MA 

Lucy Christmas afternoon at MJ and G-Daddy's

Electronics for everyone but John Parker is the numbers king with the clock app!

From iPad's and iPhones to laptops and iPods 

Thumbs as fast as lightning! 

Dance Contest---hard to photograph with so much movement. 

Andrews homemade donut in mouth and in the hair.

Everyone shakes their own donut.

Swing climbing brothers Nathan and Noah

Owen wall climbing with cousins

E-Christmas for adults as well as kids.

Br-r-r----a perfect night for s'mores! 

Birdwatching with the identification chart close at hand.

Caleb, the puzzle pro with a little Mom help

Pop-Pop tracking the space station for us!

Space station sighting accomplished 5:58 pm 12/30/12!! Thanks, Hal for the info! 

A new "do" for Lucy---her first haircut!

OCTOBER 27, 2011

10/29/11 OCTOBER 27, 2011.....oh what a day! Little

"Lady" Liles entered the world at St. Luke's Roosevelt in Manhattan, (NYC) on her own time 6:25 pm EST (& of course, God's time) so doc did not have to induce!

Marion Lucille Liles
Weight: 6 lbs. 15 oz,
Height: 19 1/4 "
Parents: Megan and Josh Liles (May God grant wisdom and counsel in bringing up this special one. (Proverbs 2:6)
Proud first time "young" grandparents M.J. & Doug Bradley of MA Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, (Proverbs 17:6)
& Dotsy & Larry Liles, not first time, but first grandaughter

"For this child I (& lots of others) prayed"
(as Hannah spoke in I Samuel 1:27)
As a child may she not forget to do what is right and to share. (Hebrews 13:6) As a young lady may she be clothed in humility. (I Peter 5:5) May she follow after righteousness, faith, love and peace all of her days. (2 Timothy 2:22)

Daddy's pic of "Lady Liles" after her 1st bath.

Aunt Soozee's pic of "Sleeping Beauty."

Pathways

12/29/10 It's hard to find a clear path in my house especially a pathway to the computer because John Parker sleeps in the computer room. Not to worry, I wouldn't change one aspect of this Christmas visit for anything. However, as soon as this maze does clear I have some THOTS about paths that I'd like to share.

This is what the LORD says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16

The last part of that verse says, "But you said, ‘We will not walk in it." I do know that would not be a wise response. I also know that my (and probably your) life's journey has lots of twists and turns. I know, too, that without the Lord to guide me on the right path or the good way, I cannot walk in confidence.
It would be more dangerous than trying to find a pathway to my computer as I tiptoe in the dark clearing the path as I go. Stepping on those little lego toys that "bite" and trying not to bump the pack and play---virtually impossible. I can't walk with confidence when I can't see the path. That's why there aren't many blogs this week. But.....as I finish up this post, I hear John Parker praying for God to bless Shug (and lots of others) and thanking God for Jesus who got out of the cave and is alive. I am praying that all my grandboys find the pathway to Christ and walk in that good path all their days.

Sh-h-h-h…..Pop-Pop is napping

3/21/10 Sure is quiet around here. It is a serene Sunday of sorts --- a stark contrast to what it was just a few hours ago, before the Texans left. In fact, I feel lonely and sad.

Eventually, (still moving slowly from aftermath of tummy bug) the train room will once again be the living room, the carport will house 2 cars rather than a putting green, “kiddie” golf cart and a hockey rink and the parking lot for the red wagon and the little red car will revert to the laundry room.

Eventually, (NY guests arrive in 5 days) clean linens will be on all the beds and the linen closet will be replenished. Tummy viruses (5 victims & counting) call for lots of middle of the night bed changes. Why is it that such “episodes" always seem to occur at night?????????????

It’s enough to give you gray hair---which yesterday’s haircut revealed. No matter how sick you are, you keep that hair appointment. It’s a female rule and I stand by it. Besides, Larry was well enough, at that time, to drive me.

Was it a fun week with 4 little boys ages 22 months to 8 years? Unbelievably fun! I am so grateful to be given this time with them. Were we able to share our heritage in the Lord with them? Yes, indeed! Would I do it again? You bet----just not next week.

And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come. (Psalm 71:18)