A beautiful blessing :)



Times of Reflection are few and far between in a busy, rushed life that I keep choosing.  I am walking through a process of slowing down. 

Here are some of my thoughts from today:

Advice is not always needed.

Sometimes it's a hindrance rather than a help to someone.

GIVE YOUR PRESENCE

When tempted to give advice to someone; ask them if there is something they are feeling discouraged about.

If they say yes: 

ENCOURAGE THEM WITH NOTES AND YOUR PRESENCE

If they  aren't ready to share: 

just be a present friend

Words of advice aren't necessary in all interactions.

You can speak volumes to your friends with your presence.

**I need to apply this myself from now on. I thought someone else may need to apply this in their journey as well. :)  LOVE YA'LL

A Sweet Blessing

A few months after moving to San Antonio, we were invited to join a community group by Linsay.  We decided to try it out.......two years later we are on a sweet journey of doing life with an amazing group of young adults.  Last year we had about three to five couples that came semi-regularly. Starting Fall of 2012 we had a few new couples join. This group has been a great encouragement to both Doug and I. A dear friend from small group is a music therapist by profession.  She graciously offered her time and talent to come and visit my grandmother with me. We tried to find a time when we could both meet and when Grammer was available. Tonight, February 26th was when we were able to make it happen. My friend and I met for dinner and the whole evening was a blessing. A blessing to have a friend to pray with over the table before we ate, a friend to share a meal with, and a friend to talk to about the things that are going on in our lives. Oh how grateful I am that we have found community in San Antonio. God has provided some amazing women and men to be a part of this season in our life. We are so blessed. I was so excited for this night to share some music with Grammer. I really didn't have much of an idea of how it would go. I am 100% positive that it could not have gone better. IT was an incredibly sweet sweet hour. An hour of escape for all three of us to go on a journey through music. Grammer shared some memories that I had never heard before. She shared when they lived in SA during the 50s, that there was a pastor from Trinity Baptist that spoke at the Women of the Chapel meetings that she used to attend. She said that she told him, he was the first "older man" she had ever been in love with. :) I'm guessing he was a good bit older than her.....not too sure. :) Funny moment. She also mentioned tent revivals and that she had lots of books of music and books of revival music that she recently cleaned out and gave to her sister-in-law when she and Grandaddy were planning to move to the Ark retirement community. Grammer is now living at an assisted living facility and is adjusting rather well. She is very excited about the possibilities of improving mobility through physical therapy. I am hoping that in the coming month she will find new friends and new things she enjoys there. It seems that she is getting rest and being well taken care of there so far.
Also tonight on our way into the building, we were signing in and we talked with a lady named Sandy. She asked who we were visiting and told us she thought Grammer seemed to be doing much better. I really appreciated that she took an interest. Grammer gave sweet compliments this evening, saying that I am an angel sent to her. "our little angel" So kind. Grammer has always been my ally for as long as I can remember. She holds a very very special place in my heart. I have fun memories of walking through shops in Gruene, Texas with her. We would often visit, the Container Store, Garden Ridge, and the Rolling Oaks mall. Once when Tamagatchi's were the craze, she bought me one even though she thought they were incredibly silly. 
Tonight was very special. Thank you dear friend for sharing your talents with my family!

Visit with Granny!

Saturday Visit with Granny

One advantage to living in SA is the opportunity to see grandparents on a casual/ non-holiday basis. Today, Doug was playing golf and I went to spend some time with Granny. Granny is an extraordinary lady. She came into my life and has loved me so dearly as long as I've known her. She had a home that was very fun to visit in San Angelo. There were always lots of toys, plenty of food, and adults around who just LOVED to see the Hearne kids coming. She also had a wooden candy dispenser. Oh my! How I loved candy, and still do. Usually there were M&Ms in this dispenser. Usually the colors of whichever holiday was closest! I would try to sneak extra candy late at night before bed. Sneaky Colby. Granny and I shared a special bond since I was and still am her ONLY girl grandchild! She could buy me girly presents like necklaces and Avon lotion. She is great about sending cards and notes on special occasions. I was honored that she was able to attend my rehearsal dinner and wedding (black eye and all). Granny now lives in SA and so do we. In many ways she is ready to go to heaven. Her days here are somewhat cumbersome due to her being confined to her wheelchair. She strives to reach out to her neighbors and participate in the activities at her residence. She wants to make the best out of however many years she has left. She loves me like crazy. She is a positive encourager to me! She always has something nice to say to me every time I see her. She makes sure to say I LOVE YOU COLBY every time I see her. She is so special to me. I love to hear her stories as well. Today she told me about going to get a drink across from her dorm in nursing school once and said it cost 10 cents. Wow. The grilled cheese they would order was 25 cents. My how things have changed. She shared about a fishing trip from long ago, and reminisced about how great life is, and how hard it can be at times. She is full of wisdom and courage! I love you Granny!