chicken and green beans. a match made in heaven...

Norman and Mable Underwood.
Each probably in their 80's...
married to each other for 65 of those years.

Sweet Husband and I met the Underwoods
this evening at The Country Patch.
Our plan was to enjoy some good veggies.
God's plan was to introduce us to some precious saints.

We were actually finishing up our meal
when the Underwoods entered the dining room.

Mrs. Underwood came first, assisted by a cane,
her back, unable to maintain her once elegant posture,
now curving toward her feet
as she slowly shuffled her way to the booth
where a restaurant employee had placed their food.

Mr. Underwood was not far behind,
also walking with the assistance of a cane,
and a good bit slower than his sweet bride.
For a moment I wondered if he was going to make it to the table,
as he was intently working and breathing hard
while making the journey of 10 or 15 feet.

I silently breathed a sigh of relief
as I heard their sweet conversation begin,
realizing that he had indeed reached his destination...
the seat in the booth right next to his wife,
just as he has enjoyed since they were newlyweds 65 years ago.

Sweet Husband and I were instantly captivated
by their conversation,
which betrayed a deep, tender, long-suffering love.
It went something like this...

Mrs. Underwood:  Here, have some of these green beans.

Mr. Underwood:  No, I think I've got enough food to eat on my plate.
Do you want some of this chicken?

Mrs. Underwood:  No, I don't care for any.  But, here you take some
of these green beans.

Mr. Underwood:  I don't care for any green beans.  You eat them...
and take some of this chicken.

Mrs. Underwood:  I have enough food on my plate.  I wish you
would take some of these green beans.

Sweet Husband and I giggled together
as Mrs. Underwood tried to convince Mr. Underwood
that he needed a share of her green beans.
He was not in agreement and was not budging.
Nor was he able to "sell" any chicken to the Mrs.

Once they agreed upon what each would eat and not eat
they bowed their heads to pray.
Mr. Underwood led the prayer and
it was not a canned, quickly recited mealtime prayer
that he had lifted for the last 65 years of their life together.

It was a heartfelt, from the soul, prayer...
and it was if we could feel God's presence
as he bent to incline his ear to Mr. Underwood's
humble and slightly hushed thanksgiving
for the blessings of food and family and
the faithfulness of God.

I was overcome.  My eyes welled up and
I wept...
right there in the middle of The Country Patch.

As we stood up to leave,
Sweet Husband walked over to them and
asked them how long they had been married...
then told them what a blessing we had received
observing their obvious love for each other and
their love for God as they prayed together.

Introductions were made and a few questions were asked
and our conversation ended with Mr. Underwood asking
us to remember them in our prayers.
He said they were each dealing with health issues and challenges.
Sweet Husband said, "One day you won't need those canes anymore!"
They both said simultaneously, "That's right!"
My eyes welled up again...
they still are.

Sweet Husband and I have provided music
for many, many weddings during our 28 years of marriage.
Steven Curtis Chapman's "I Will Be Here"
has been a frequently requested song.
I thought about how the Underwoods
are one of the few couples I know who have actually lived the lyrics.

But, even though they continue
to enjoy "being there" for each other...
the song they would probably request today would be
"It Is Not Death To Die" arranged by Bob Kauflin
based on a hymn by Henri Malan.

It is not death to die,
To leave this weary road,
And midst the brotherhood on high
To be at home with God.

It is not death to close
The eye long dimmed by tears,
And wake, in glorious repose,
To spend eternal years.

It is not death to bear
The wrench that sets us free
From dungeon chain, to breath the air
Of boundless liberty.

It is not death to fling
Aside this sinful dust
And rise, on strong exulting wing
To live among the just.

Oh, Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has pow'r to save
All who trust in you will in your mercy find
That it is not death to die.
 
I hope this is not the only time
our path will cross with the Underwoods'...
this side of heaven.

Mr. Underwood explained to us where they lived...
a home they bought when they had been married 11 years.
Perhaps Sweet Husband and I will pay them a visit.

I'll take lots of tissue.

family time. priceless...

We spent Saturday in Dandridge, TN.

Sweet husband's mother and step-father live there.

It's a beautiful place...where they live.

Douglas Lake is right in their backyard and

the Smoky Mountains beautifully frame the landscape.

I love to be there in the winter,

because the snow-capped peaks are beautiful to see...

especially when you can gaze at them from a heated room!

No snow on Saturday, though...only sweltering heat.

I stepped out on the back porch long enough to snap this pic...

    

and went right back inside and stood on an air-conditioning vent.

I admit it.  I'm a wimp.

But, so is MaMaw and PaPaw's dog, Romeo.

  

At least I didn't bury my face in the vent.

I admit I was a bit envious of such freedom, though.

 Bethany, Peter, Hudson and Drew were also there.

Poor Drew was a little tired

after having slept only three hours the night before.

  

He works at Tate's Day Camp...

only last Friday it was an all day and all night camp

for parents and kids...and counselors.

Precious Hudson enjoyed a little snooze, too,

while we ate the yummy hamburgers PaPaw grilled

and the scrumptious fried okra MaMaw made.

Drew definitely woke up for that!

MaMaw's fried okra is his favorite!

After we had finished lunch, Hudson woke up

and we had a ball cuddling his sweet little body,

smooching his pudgy little cheeks,

and acting like complete loons so he would smile.

Sometimes he would...

  

Sometimes he wouldn't...

  

Either way...I could EAT. HIM. UP.!

MaMaw enjoyed having her great-grandson at her house.

    

PaPaw did, too.

I think there's no better place to see

an obvious difference in how God created men and women

than when they're holding a baby.

   

See what I mean?

  

...nice recovery, PaPaw!

I think Hudson will definitely grow up

knowing that he is loved.

MaMaw and PaPaw ooze lots and lots

of love.

I think Hudson is already feelin' it.

After we had sufficiently mauled him,

Hudson enjoyed some time in a big boy chair...

and I definitely got the "shot of the day"!

Gerber will be calling...

yep.

any day now...

Thanks, MaMaw and PaPaw, for a GREAT day!
We love you!

"behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face..." w. cowper

A Sweet & Bitter Providence by John Piper is a book I've been working my way through...along with a couple of others...smile...

Too many good books...so little time!

This morning as I was reading, the following paragraphs reduced me to tears. 

"At one level, the message of the book of Ruth is that the life of the godly is not a straight line to glory, but they do get there.  The life of the godly is not an Interstate through Nebraska but a state road through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee.  There are rock slides and precipices and dark mists and bears and slippery curves and hairpin turns that make you go backward in order to go forward.  But all along this hazardous, twisted road that doesn't let you see very far ahead, there are frequent signs that say, 'The best is yet to come.'

Taken as a whole, the story of Ruth is one of those signs.  It was written to give us encouragement and hope that all the perplexing turns of our lives are going somewhere good.  They do not lead off a cliff.  In all the setbacks of our lives as believers, God is plotting for our joy...

Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven.  Life is a winding and troubled road.  Switchback after switchback.  And the point of biblical stories like Joseph and Job and Esther and Ruth is to help us feel in our bones (not just know in our heads) that God is for us in all these strange turns.  God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up.  He is plotting the course and managing the far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ."

Why the tears, you ask?

In part, because of how God has "plotted" my own life and the life of my family...which lifts my heart and soul to exuberant and unabashed praise, while simultaneously causing my hand to cover my mouth in awe that the One, True, Holy God would condescend to be mindful of me...of us.

In part, because of how God is continuing to "plot" my own life and the life of my family, as well as precious friends' lives, with the "switchbacks" that will serve to expose our hearts, unmask our idols, and reveal our sin, in order that we might enjoy and glorify Him, which is why He created and saved us!

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18

grandchildren. crowning moments...

"Grandchildren are the crown of the aged..."  Proverbs 17:6

This is the only way I'm okay with being called "aged" right now.
God said it...and I'm not gonna argue with God.

If having grandchildren is the determining factor
between "youth" and "aged"...I'm good with that.

I'm also good with a crown  not made of gold
filled with pearls, sapphires and diamonds...

But one made of skin, poopie diapers, spit up and drool
filled with a soul.

The chief end of gems is temporal and fleeting.
The chief end of souls is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

As Bethany and Peter dedicated their son, Hudson,
our grandson and "crown", to the Lord last Sunday...

I felt an intense longing and desire for God to save Hudson,
as well as an urgency to pray for Bethany and Peter as they raise him.

I remembered when Sweet Husband and I stood on a platform
dedicating our sweet baby Bethany to the Lord...

...and for a split-second felt regret nipping at my mind's heels,
for all the pride, selfishness, and worldliness that had crept in,

resulting in heartache and destruction...
the inevitable results of sin...always.

Then as fast as my pity-party began...it was over...
as I looked on the platform and saw Bethany, Peter and Hudson.

Bethany with her head bowed in prayer.
Peter holding Hudson and kissing his sweet head.
Hudson looking up smiling...as if he saw God smiling at him.

The Holy Spirit whispered and reminded me
what I was gazing at were evidences of God's sovereign grace.

This moment and every moment past and to come
are not, never have been and never will be...about me.

They are living testimonies to our Sovereign God
who is fashioning all of his creation after his perfect will.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."  (Ephesians 1: 3-10)

May Bethany and Peter run this race called parenthood

with their eyes fixed on their Savior, Jesus Christ...believing that
"he who began this good work will be faithful to complete it
at the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

May Hudson, one day, join with the great multitude and shout,

"Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the 
Lamb!"  (Revelation 7:10)

May Sweet Husband and I not wear our crown as if he was our own.

May we lay our crown at the feet of Jesus...

for he alone is "worthy to receive glory, honor and power." (Revelation 4:11)

Amen.

'til death do us part. thank you, Mom and Dad...

Fifty years of marriage is practically unheard of these days.
Marriage has become as "disposable" as other conveniences in our culture...
disposable diapers, disposable cameras, disposable razors,
disposable underwear (it's real...look it up).

It seems that we've become quite adept at
"working hard" to make our lives easier.
Or perhaps we've become accustomed to
hardly working...even in relationships...
especially in marriage.

Thankfully, my precious parents took very seriously
the vows they made to each other before God
on September 24, 1960... almost 50 years ago.

When they said, "...forsaking all others, I promise to be faithful,
in sickness or in health, for richer or poorer, 'til death do us part,"
they meant those words...and they've fought to honor them.

Yes.  Fought.
Fought sin...and sometimes fought each other.
Thanks be to God, they have not given up!

One thing I never doubted in my growing up years
was Dad's love for my mother and Mom's love for my father.
It wasn't always pretty...but it was always sure.

Dad has always been my mom's biggest fan.
Mom has always been my dad's biggest fan.
Neither was their own biggest fan...

Perhaps that's why they're one of the few couples today
who are blessed to celebrate 50 years of marriage.

If you asked them how they made it to 50 years
they would probably answer...
"Only by the grace of God."

You see, the vows they promised to each other
were first and foremost a covenant in the eyes of God.

And while there have been days that they
have wanted to throw in the proverbial towel...
they have remained firmly committed to their covenant with God,
trusting him for grace to "bear all things, believe all things,
hope all things and endure all things."

Their example has served me well in my own marriage...
and I am wholeheartedly thankful!

Sweet husband and I, my brother and sister-in-law, and our children
were blessed to be able to celebrate Mom and Dad's 50 years
with a reception this past weekend.

Amazingly we were able to keep it a surprise,
not telling Mom and Dad anything about it until
my brother invited everyone during church that morning
to join us in honoring them.

Of course, we had covert operatives within their church
who had helped us for weeks to spread the word.
It was friendship at its best!  (Thanks Jean and Ruby!!)

There really are no adequate words to express
my love for my parents and
my gratitude for their example and love for each other...
other than to say,

"My soul magnifies the Lord and 
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."  (Luke 1: 46-47)

For it is directly from the hand of God that all blessings flow...
He receives all the glory and we, by his grace, all the joy!

Enjoy some photos from the reception...

 Here's my precious father...

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel

of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates both day and night."
(Psalm 1: 1-2)
    

Here is my beautiful mother...

"Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

'Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.'

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain

but a woman who fears the LORD

is to be praised."

(Proverbs 31: 25, 28-30)

     

Mom and Dad cutting the cake...

...and feeding each other.

I love the delight in my mom's eyes...

still...after 50 years!

(it's in Dad's, too...you just can't see it because of the angle)

  

Then they shared some punch...

isn't this GREAT!?!

     

We placed pictures of Mom and Dad on each table.

Here is a photo from their wedding and

my mom's bride's book.

I'm so thankful that it survived their house fire 10 years ago!

      

From left to right:

DeLeith and Trey Gossett (my brother)

Dad and Mom

Me and Sweet Husband

      

Dad and Mom and their grandchildren

Left to right:

Chris and Grant (my nephews), Dad,

Tori (my niece), Mom, Drew (our youngest son)

Peter and Bethany (our daughter), Hudson,

Loren and Jake (our son);

so sad Meggie and Josh (our oldest son) are missing!

      

My brother, Trey, with the "cake of shame".

He's probably saying, "There is nothing wrong with this cake!"

You see...

When he and DeLeith were transporting the real cake to

the reception, the top layer fell off. They returned to

the store to get it fixed or get another one made.

The cake pictured was purchased in the event the bakery

couldn't prepare another "real cake" on such short notice.

Trey and Sweet Husband wanted to put this cake

out on the hors d'oeuvres table.  DeLeith and I

told them it would not fit in the scheme of things...

thus, it was dubbed the "cake of shame"...
for it remained in the kitchen.  Awwww...

      

Here's the real cake.

The bakery did an excellent job rectifying

a disastrous situation.

 We were very, very thankful!

 (...and yes, that thankfulness was communicated

to the manager)

      

There were so many friends...

who stopped by...

(these are the husbands of the covert operatives)

to offer congratulations to Mom...

and Dad...

and to enjoy some good fellowship with each other.

      

This became the "cousins' corner".

They enjoyed visiting with the crowd...

but, most of all with each other. 

       

Hudson was a great sport in the room full of grandmothers!

But, when all was said and done...

he was receptioned-out!

      

 Then, it seemed, as quickly as it began...

it was over.

...and a sweet time was had by all!

Because...

He asked, "Will you?"

and
     

she said, "Yes!"

The rest, as they say, is history!

it's a long road to TX. a road worth traveling...

Where to begin...

I suppose at the beginning,
because the beginning is a "very good place to start!"

Last Thursday evening we packed two cars with
seven adults and a baby, lots of luggage and snacks...

...we highly recommend Great Value's "Cajun Trail Mix"!

Bethany, Loren, Hudson and myself rode in one car
while Sweet Husband, Peter, Jake and Drew rode in the other one.

This time was a highlight of the trip for me...
extended time with my daughter and one of my daughers-in-law.

They love Jesus and spur me on to love him more...so good!

We trekked to Meridian, MS and
bedded down for the night at a Hampton Inn.

What a treat to see our grandson, Hudson, in the morning.
He was full of smiles and coos.

Grandparent-hood is also highly recommended!

Friday morning we departed from Meridian and
headed to Lindale, TX...home of my extended family.

It was a great travel day...
except for the detour we took in Monroe, LA.

Someone in the "man car" was wanting Chick-Fil-A in a bad way!

We arrived in Texas later in the afternoon...
my, my, my it is hot and humid in Texas!

My mom and dad gave a couple of obligatory hugs...
but, quickly zeroed in on their first great-grandchild, Hudson.

It was love at first sight...of course!

I'll not post all the details of our five days in Texas,
otherwise you'd still be reading five days from now.

So...I'll just post some photos and a few comments now
and dedicate another post to the main event...

...the reception celebrating my parents' 50th wedding anniversary!

For now...here's a peek at our time together...

how I love my family!

                                

 Dad and Hudson became fast friends...

the Auburn outfit was fitting (Mom and Dad retired from Auburn University)

...Dad's singing sealed it for Hudson.

  

Mom and Hudson bonded quickly, too...

but it wasn't Nonnie's singing that won him...

    

...it was her little finger...better than any old pacifier!

Angela Jenkins and Chica enjoyed watching.

    

Dad and Jerry (Angela's husband) watched birds instead.

Jerry was in one of my dad's first junior choirs and

Dad was later in Jerry and Angela's wedding.

Dad and Jerry ended up teaching at Carson-Newman

for three years together...1967-1970.

I remember Mom and Angela getting together

to knit and chat when I was 6 and 7 years old.

Sweet friends...for many years.

It was great to see them again!

    

Tiger (Mom and Dad's dog) wasn't so sure about this

newcomer who was stealing all of the attention.

He never missed an opportunity to sniff or lick Hudson

the whole time we were there.

  

Trey (my brother), Jake (our son), Dad, Chris (Trey's oldest son),

and Sweet Husband...

Dad cooked his famous (to us anyway) "PawPaw Breakfast"

on Saturday morning.  We enjoyed eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits,

gravy, tomatoes, juice and coffee.  It was yummy!!

   

Loren, Tori (my niece) and DeLeith (my sister-in-law)

enjoyed PawPaw's breakfast!  Not sure what Tori

was doing or saying...but, Loren was tickled by it.

We enjoyed lots of laughter...yes we did.

   

After breakfast we gathered around and watched a

slide-show my mom had put together.

It was GREAT!

Talk about "a walk down memory lane"!

    

Hudson was feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on

Monday morning.

    

He tried so hard to tell Nonnie how much he loved being

at her house...

    

...they were definitely communicating...

     

...and Hudson loved every minute!

  

Whew!  Cooing and smiling is hard work!

    

The game of the vacation was "Ticket to Ride"...

     

...not sure how many times or how many configurations of

people played...but, it was a lot!

    

    

Drew with the Gossett clan and boyfriend/girlfriends.

    

This was Hudson's preferred position...

on either Uncle Jake or...

    

...on PawPaw...who is obviously upset by this.

     

This is such a great picture of how God, our Father, wants

us to "rest" in him...isn't it?

    

On Monday my brother, Trey, made up a HUGE pot of

gumbo.  It was AMAZING...as always!

     

Trey learned from our grandmother, Nana, how to make this

wonderfully delightful fare.  It's full of chicken, crab meat,

shrimp, celery, onions, spices, and eggs... Nana didn't

put eggs in hers, but Trey has added them to his.

I like the addition...a lot!

My saliva glands are now salivating and longing for more!

I've got to learn to make this stuff!!

   

After gumbo we gathered around to watch another slideshow

that DeLeith put together.  Yes, I have my own box of

Kleenex.  Yes, I used them...frequently.

 (thanks for taking this pic, Tori!)

    

It seemed like we blinked twice and it was time to head

back to Tennessee.  It was a wonderful time spent with

my precious parents.  We didn't "do" a lot...but, we loved

a lot...and talked a lot...laughed a lot...cried a lot (well...

I did)...  Most of all I was reminded of how blessed I am

to have parents who love each other...even after 50 years.

More to come on the celebration of that 50 years!  Stay tuned!