tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87943241810633823852024-03-08T04:31:31.112-08:00Passing Thoughts of a Blessed LadyCheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-56974419598356881572009-04-13T20:01:00.000-07:002009-04-13T20:35:30.067-07:00"I Dreamed a Dream"Susan Boyle, an unassuming forty-seven-year-old lady from a small village in Brittain, has shocked millions of people this week with her performance in England's version of American Idol. I have spent a good part of the day today replaying recordings of her performance before the three judges and a standing-room-only crowd. I have been greatly moved by her performance and am very impressed with this lady, and I do not use that term loosely.<br /><br /><br /><br />I have watched as Simon Cowell, American's judge also, made fun of this lady as he spoke with her before her performance. He mocked her the entire time and seemingly urged the audience to do so. The camera would pan the crowd and one could see smirks on many of the faces. Outright laughter could be heard coming from the audience.<br /><br /><br /><br />Ms. Boyle announced that her chosen song was "I Dreamed a Dream" from <em>les Mesirables</em>. Simon and the crowd once again had their laugh at this choice of songs. As the orchestra began to play, an angel's voice could be heard singing the words to Ms. Boyle's chosen song. Applause and cheers immediately began rising from the crowd who once made fun of this beautiful lady. Shock was the expression on all three judge's faces and Simon seemed overwhelmed. In fact, one of the reviews I read today said that he (Simon) seemed to be in love with her during the performance. A total reversal of opinions in such a short time!!<br /><br /><br /><br />Susan Boyle is a child of God who has never been given a chance in life to be what she really wanted to be, a performer before a large audience. Why? Because of her looks!! No, she is not a "freak"; but she is not what most people would consider a "beautiful person." Her beauty is definitely more than skin deep and we can see that beauty as she talks before the performance and then begins to sing.<br /><br /><br /><br />I have been impressed to write about Ms. Boyle because I wonder how many more people exist in this world who could be more than they are if we would only allow them to be. Too often we judge people by their looks, their knowledge or lack there of, by the houses they live in and where they are located, what school they went to, what church they go to (or don't go to), by how they smell and so on and on. How many future doctors have we passed by, Presidents of the United States, fighter pilots, nurses, teachers, professors, preachers because we weren't impressed by their looks? How many have we been unfair to? How many have we judged unfairly? If Susan Boyle is an example of the "forgotten" people, then we are the losers!! And, by the way, I pray that Susan Boyle wins England's Idol this year and that she shows us all!!!Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-63930427190314626792009-03-01T17:43:00.000-08:002009-03-01T18:29:42.538-08:00Destination ImaginationOur entire day Saturday was spent watching hundreds of children from pre-school age through seniors in high school participate in a program entitled Destination Imagination (or DI for short). I come away from these competitions every year totally amazed at the imagination our young people have and I wonder if I was ever blessed with that much imagination!!<br /><br />Destination Imagination is a program which started in our public schools many years ago and has now spread to private schools and home schoolers. Originally called Odyssey of the Mind, Destination Imagination is an extra curricular program that is designed to challenge the minds and creativity of the participants. Early in the school year the teams are given "problems" they need to solve using various means. For months the teams work untold hours after school attempting to solve the problems, build props, write scripts, make costumes, build machines, etc. The students are challenged to be as creative as they can be and to use any items they can come up with to display their creativity. Budgets must be kept up with and accounted for when the competition occurs. Many of the costumes are made out of empty soda cans, empty drink bottles or boxes, straw, shredded paper, plastic bags or grocery sacks, bubble wrap, old ties, old jeans, pieces of discarded fabric or wrapping paper, safety pins, ties their fathers no longer want (or are just confiscated from their closets!), old aluminum foil, paper plates, aluminum two gallon cans that came from the school cafeteria. I think you get the idea. A value has to be placed on each item in the challenge.<br /><br />It is totally amazing seeing the products these very creative young people have come up with. I have watched in amazement every year as each team arrives to perform, seeing what they have used and what the outcome is. From the very youngest to the oldest participant I have observed, so much teamwork and enthusiasm and general pleasure in seeing their final products on view for everyone to see. The faces of these "great thinkers" are amazing as they work together-smiles, laughter, encouragement for each other, brows wrinkled as they try to solve problems and always, always showing sportsmanship and thoughtfulness. Kids from all economic backgrounds, from different parts of the state, from homes where parents are very involved to homes where parents really don't care as long as they don't have to do anything, working together as one to solve problems.<br /><br />I was thinking as we watched all day long that it would be wonderful if all the students in all our schools were as enthusastic about learning as these are. It would be wonderful if everyone worked together and there would be no gangs or socioeconomic divisions of the students. It would be wonderful if all teachers AND ADMINISTRATORS were as enthusiastic and hard working as the coaches of these teams are. Perhaps our schools would be full of scholars instead of failing students; perhaps our kids would feel appreciated and loved more; perhaps our kids would want to be a productive part of society rather than a burden on society; perhaps our kids would just feel special, something we all want to feel!!<br /><br />Destination Imagination does more than teach our kids to think. It teaches them to work together for an outcome that is so exciting; it teaches them to be a member of the team. It teaches them that no matter whether you win or lose, you are a winner!!<br /><br />I had a most wonderful day and can't wait til the first of April when we go to state. Go Lone Oak Buffaloes!! Go Greenville Lions. You are all winners in my mind!!Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-55854567937691675092009-02-18T12:28:00.001-08:002009-02-18T13:02:45.041-08:00Mamas and Their BabiesHave you ever watched a mother hen as she gently tries to round up all her chicks? She is not happy until they have all come to her and are resting under her wings. One by one they come and she gently nudges them under her wings with her beak, not satisfied til they are all there. Protection is a word that comes to mind. Love is another. She loves on them and protects them until they begin to spread their wings and take flight--or as we might say, they leave the nest. Is it hard for her to watch her babies leave? Probably not; for, in the case of the mother hen, she will lay more eggs shortly and will have more babies to tend, the thought of the ones before just distant memories.<div><br /></div><div>How do human mothers feel as their children begin to leave the nest? They have loved them, fed them, clothed them, taught them and protected them for so many years. Is it hard to see them fly away? One answer is appropriate for this question: YES!! In the case of mothers who see their children leave to fight a war or wars, I am certain it is even harder and the longing for that child only grows stronger as the days, weeks and months go by. The only thing she can do for that child in war is pray--pray for protection and safety and guidance. Pray that they remember they are loved. Pray that they will return home whole and safe.</div><div><br /></div><div>A young man who has been a very good friend of both my children for years returned this week from a war in a foreign land. He came home for R&R (the military's term for "vacation") for two weeks. This young man is a quiet person. He has a beautiful smile and his eyes just sparkle. He LOVES BMW's. He has a most precious and beautiful young wife and two of the most gorgeous little girls in the world. Last night several of us met in a local restaurant to surprise this young man with a "Welcome Home" and "Happy 27th Birthday" party. As he entered the room and saw all the people, his face just began to shine and that smile came across his lips. He was truly surprised. I watched as he greeted each one there. First was his family. His Dad, his sisters, in-laws, friends. I began to watch his Mother as he came closer to her. The love in her eyes was so great; the smile on her face was one of relief; the tears were ones of happiness. But, the thing that really caught my attention was when she reached up and began to touch the back of his hair. Her hand lingered there for quite some time; and, with each stroke of her hand, a sense of, "My baby is here, right where he belongs!" was seen on her face and demeanor. Her chick was home, under the wings of protection!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Our babies get bigger and grow up and move out of the home. Some may go near and some may go far. I have told my two babies all their lives that they may grow up and move from home, but they will ALWAYS be my babies. I will always want to hold them, rock them, make everything right for them, protect them. My children were true gifts from God. I firmly believe that He wants me to continue to pray for them, offer them shelter from the storm if necessary and to love, love, love, love them unconditionally. When they "fly from the nest" my job is not done. I am their mother forever and ever and ever (or for infinity as I always tell my son)!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank You, God, for mothers who have to "loan" their sons to the armies. Thank You for the sons who are willing and ready to go. Thank You for my babies and for the many women who have been my mentors in showing me how to be a good mother. Thank You, Father, thank You.</div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-21812026183981088852009-02-11T18:12:00.000-08:002009-02-11T19:09:04.778-08:00Sam and Esther<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Story of Sam and Esther</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have spent the day trying to decide how, and even if, I should post my thoughts today. You see, I started my blog to share my thoughts on various subjects that I found interesting, funny, helpful or insightful. I did not want to limit my subjects; but, I did not want to bore myself or anyone else in doing so. Today's subject was brought to my attention very early this morning as I was reading another blog. What I saw on that blog has been very vivid in my mind and on my heart. "How, Lord, do I tell others without boring them? Will they even be interested? Will they understand the hurting in my soul? Will I have the correct words to convey the message?" His answer to me was, "Start writing and I will give you the words!!" So, here goes!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was drawn to a web site this morning after reading the blog of someone who is very involved in missions work around the world, but specifically in Africa. The web site featured a story that had a video to go along with it. The video was the story of an American woman who has spent limitless hours trying to help the starving masses in Uganda. The camera crew followed her as she went deeper and deeper into the bush, searching for villages of people who are so desperately hungry and ill and are dying. They stumbled upon a boy (Sam) and a girl (Esther). Sam is seven years old and his sister is five. They are found lying in the dirt with just shirts on their backs. The video is very graphic and shows their shriveled little bodies as they are lying there alone. The commentator, who is also a cameraman, goes on to say that Sam weighs no more than 20 pounds. He puts his large video camera next to the child and the camera is almost larger than Sam. His sister, Esther, is two years younger but is actually slightly larger than Sam. Both babies have had polio--<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">POLIO!!</span> How long has it been since you heard that term? Both babies cannot walk or sit up. They are laying face down in the dirt just turning around and around, crying out for help. Suddenly, in the background, the moans of a crying woman can be heard. It is the missionary woman who is so distraught she can no longer contain her sorrow. She says in the video that she has never seen anything like this in all the villages she has visited.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The people who had come upon this village watch in amazement as a sister, only eight-years-old herself, comes out of the bush carrying jugs of water. She goes over to the children and gently begins to lovingly bathe them (does this remind you of a certain story of our Savior when he washes the feet of his disciples?). The commentator said that this older sister had been cooking for her younger siblings but had run out of food. She could no longer feed them but she saw they were dirty and she bathed them out of love. I watched in awe as this little girl, not much larger than those she was caring for, picked them up and carried them to a mat after they were clean. The little girl was given packets of crackers and peanut butter the visitors had with them; and, before she had one herself, she opened the packets and give each of the other two children crackers. Notice I said, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"BEFORE she ate she fed the others!!"</span> A few minutes went by; and, to everyone's amazement, the two babies were sitting up. Their hunger had made them so weak they could not sit up!! (And I get anxious when I feel the least hunger pains!!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The commentator went on to say that before the group left the village arrangements had been made for the two younger children to be taken to a hospital 35 miles away. After six weeks they were strong enough to be sent to a foster home and plans were being formulated for the children to go to a rehabilitation hospital for treatment of the effects of the polio. The older sister had been placed in a foster home and was being cared for with monies sent by an American family who had seen the story.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Late this afternoon my husband and I were at a new restaurant in a town nearby for an early dinner. As I sat there and looked at all the food that had been laid out before us, my mind went back to the story of Sam and Esther. I am so blessed. I am so privileged. I am not hungry. I am not thirsty. I have clothes to cover my body. I have a home that provides a safe-haven. I have people I know love me and care about me. I have medical providers I can go to when I am sick. I have never wanted for anything. When I die I know I am going to Heaven.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sam and Esther have always been hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, unloved (except for their beautiful sister), never had medical care, always wanted because they never had and have never heard the Word of God so they don't even know what Heaven is!! And, yes, there are, unfortunately, Sam's and Esther's right here in America. I know. I worked for the welfare department (child welfare) at one time!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I want these babies, and all babies and mommies and daddies, to know my loving Savior. I want them to feel full and bubbling over and have warm clothes and homes, and loved. I want them to have medical care when needed. I want them to know all about Heaven. I may not be able to go physically myself, but I can support mission interests around the world and I can pray, pray, pray for those who can go and do. I can pray, pray, pray for all the Sam's and Esther's and Sally's and Bill's and ........<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."</span></div><div><br /></div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-30250312285061923922009-02-06T13:08:00.000-08:002009-02-06T13:38:42.996-08:00Robert, the Bag BoyTo be really honest, I have had a very difficult time the last few days finding something I really wanted to blog about. That is, until yesterday. I was finally feeling better after a week's worth of headaches, coughing and laryngitis. The sun was shining and it was an absolutely beautiful day. I spent the day doing "mommy-do's". My last "do" was a trip to the grocery store for my daughter.<div><br /></div><div>I spent about an hour in the store getting all the things on the list and was finally in the check-out area. Robert, the bag boy, passed by me going to another check-out line. When he saw me, however, he quickly turned and told the other bag boys, "I'll get this one!" Robert has been with this particular store for as long as I can remember. He has always been a bag boy and seems very proud to be there. I would say that Robert is in his late 30's or early 40's. Everyone who goes to the store knows Robert. He is very friendly and always has a tale or two to tell on his way to the car with your groceries. He greets everyone who enters with a, "Hello! How are you?", and a smile that spreads from ear to ear. I have never seen Robert unhappy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Robert is not the smartest person in the world. His life will probably always revolve around the job at the grocery store and his participation in the Special Olympics team he is a member of. You see, Robert is a "Special Friend", or someone who is not as (or as the experts would say) emotionally, socially or psychologically developed as the others in this world. Some people, and I have heard people say this, would call Robert "retarded". I HATE this word. I HATE it when I hear it said. I don't like it when people even play around with it. Robert is far from being "retarded" and he proved this to me once again yesterday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Greenville residents recently overwhelmingly passed a law allowing the stores in our once dry city to sell alcohol. The particular store Robert works at has taken one entire wall to stock beer and wine. As Robert and I were leaving the store a little girl, about seven or eight years of age, ran in front of us and nearly knocked Robert down. His comment was, "She could have at least asked us to excuse her!!" My reply to Robert was that, unfortunately, parents today do not teach their children any manners and it seemed that very few children even know what "excuse me" means. Our conversation led from one thing to another about our world today. Most of what Robert said really did make sense (and I have found this to be true in other conversations I have had with him). At some point in our conversation, Robert stopped what he was doing, looked at me in my eyes and said, "That STUFF that have put over on that wall (and he gestured toward the store in the direction of the newly stocked liquor aisle) is what is wrong with our world today! Too many parents drink and don't pay attention to their families. They spend their money on that STUFF and don't give their families what they need. They don't teach their children what God wants them to teach them. God sent His Son to die for us and we are to be example to everyone around us. He wants us to live life like He did!!" Robert went on to say that he had told his store managers that they were wrong putting that STUFF in the store and that they just laughed at him.</div><div><br /></div><div>I listened with great interest and awe at what Robert was saying. He told me that a lot of people had told him he should be a preacher!! I told Robert that he was in a very important ministry right where he was; that he was a minister to all his customers and that he was the only preacher a lot of them ever heard. Robert just grinned and went on his way. I watched him as he walked back into the store and saw him laughing and greeting everyone he met in his usual way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why is it so hard for "normal" people to get the message Robert was relaying to me? Why is it that "normal" people listen and reject the Message? Why is it that "normal" people make fun of Robert? Who is really the "normal" person? You go, Robert!! I love you and appreciate you more than you will ever know. I will never, ever get exasperated when you are talking so much as you take my groceries to the car. You will forever be one of my heroes!! </div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-35298236497109135612009-01-19T13:43:00.000-08:002009-01-19T13:49:11.924-08:00"Let My Lifesong Sing To You"I was just reading the blog of a friend and the music that was playing was, "Let My Lifesong Sing to You". Yesterday, Bro. Tim's sermon was about what message we were leaving with non-Christians as we walked through life each day....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"Let my lifesong sing to You".</span> Our Bible Study lesson in the 11th and 12th grade class was on being a mentor to those around us, those who do not know the Lord or who are not walking daily with Him....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"Let my lifesong sing to You". </span>The ladies in our church have been invited to a "Heart and Home" Rally in March and the theme is mentorship....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"Let my lifesong sing to You"</span>.<div><br /></div><div>I think the Lord is telling me something. I KNOW the Lord is telling me something. My prayer is that I will let my lifesong sing to Him in all that I am, in all that I do.</div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-42558085512797018452009-01-17T08:25:00.000-08:002009-01-19T13:33:42.625-08:00"Our Heavenly Father Made the Birds"One of my favorite children's songs is, "Our Heavenly Father Made the Birds". I have sung it over and over and over for years to children of all ages. The words of the song are:<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our Heavenly Father made the birds.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He showed them what to do.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If God so loved the little birds,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know He loves me, too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are like me, there are many songs that I sing (or hum to myself as my children remind me all of the time) where I just repeat the words that I have learned and never really listen to the message. I think I get in a habit of just singing the words and not really listening to them. Our Worship Leader at church reminds us often of how important music is to true worship. Music sets the tone for worship. Music is a vital part of worship. How often, however, are the words absorbed and applied to my life?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gary and I have a very large back yard. Being the nature lover that he is, Gary has put up many bird feeders....red birds, tufted titmouse, sparrows, crows, house wrens, painted buntings and finches are just some of the birds that visit our home daily. Perhaps one of the most beautiful ones to visit, however, is the dove. We have both ring-neck and mourning doves visit every day. This morning Gary and I were sitting at the breakfast table watching the birds as we ate. I don't even remember what we were talking about at the time, but my mind flashed back to the song I have mentioned above as two or three doves began to make their descent to the bird feeders. They were flying pretty fast as they came in; but as they came closer, their wings and tail feathers began to spread and they slowed to almost a crawl as they landed. A perfect example of the words...."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">.....He showed them what to do. If God so loved the little birds, I know He loves me, too."</span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Man, alone, races through life at a fast pace....seeking, seeking, seeking. Their landings are often rocky, shaky and, almost always, disasterous. Man, alone, tries to do it on his own. No one is there to show them how to spread their wings and tail feathers and make a smooth landing. However, man with God in his heart and life, learns through gentle nudging and persuading to put their trust in the One Who loves them so, to spread their wings and tail feathers and to come in for a perfect landing....the landing that all Christians long for. What a beautiful sight the perfect landing of the dove is. What a beautiful sight when someone who has searched for so long finds the One Who will guide their landings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I pray for the day when more and more men and women will open their hearts and let Jesus come in. I pray that God will make me an instrument of His message to people throughout the world. I pray that I have many more chances to sing, "If God so loved the little birds, I know He loves me, too". What a beautiful message to a lost and searching world. Help me, Lord, to listen to the words You have given me through Your messengers. Help me to be aware of what You would have me to hear. Help me, oh Lord, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world around me.</div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-51318439465522674092009-01-14T07:49:00.000-08:002009-01-14T08:17:09.214-08:00This, Too, Shall PassSix months ago, when Lee announced that he was selling his home, moving back in with us and saving for seminary, I felt a twinge of uneasiness. As the days and weeks went by, however, that feeling subsided and I really began to enjoy having Lee home with us once again. Sure, his being here added to the dirty clothes pile, one more bed to be made in the morning and more food to be prepared every day. But, I loved the fact that my baby was home once again and I could go to the bedroom to see him sleeping during the middle of the night, just as I had done so many nights before.<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, however, the reality of his impending move struck me like a lightening bolt. I was in town doing some "honey-do's" and some "mommy-do's" when I received a text message from Lee. It simply said, "I am going to Rockwall with Greg and Ted <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">FOR THE LAST TIME</span></span>. See you later. I love you." Well, that phrase "FOR THE LAST TIME", could have been a Mack truck hitting me and I would not have felt any different than I did when I read it!! I wanted to shout back at the phone, "It is not over for good!! You are just going away for only a short time and you will be back!!", but I didn't. I simply texted him back with, "OK!". Tears came to my eyes and all I wanted to do was hug him and rock him.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have experienced a child moving before. When Elizabeth went to East Texas Baptist University in Marshall I thought my world was ending then, too. I survived the four years, however, and am so very proud of the beautiful woman of God and wonderful teacher she has become. She needed that physical distance from Mom and Dad to be able to spread her wings and grow. She needed that time to form new and lasting friendships. She needed that time to prove to herself that she could. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, as Lee prepares to move to St. Louis, I am having to learn to let go again. It is in God's plan for Lee's life that he start this new adventure. It is in God's plan for my life to let Lee spread his wings and fly. I am convinced that Lee knows exactly where God wants him to be at this time and phase of his life. Covenant Seminary and St. Louis seem so far away; but, it could be so much farther. I am looking forward to the day when Lee crosses that stage and receives his Master of Divinity degree. Three years seem like such a long time; but, this, too, shall pass. I am looking forward to the plans God has in store for Lee after those three years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Note for Lee: I love you, Booger Bear. I am so proud of you and the man you are becoming. Thank you for sharing your life with us and for being a wonderful son. I will miss you, but I do know how to get to St. Louis and you better believe I will be coming....SOON!</div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-82865779567306993062009-01-08T15:37:00.000-08:002009-01-08T16:23:41.522-08:00Tag! I'm It!Well, my friend Denyse has tagged me to participate in this "thing" about the Number 8. I hope I can get eight things in all of the categories. It should not be hard since I like to eat (wayyyyyy too much!), I love music, I watch TV and I get excited about planning for the future. So, here goes.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">8 TV Shows I Watch</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. House Hunters</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Design on a Dime</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. John and Kate Plus 8</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Little People, Big World</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Ice Road Truckers</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Overhaulin'</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. My First House</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Designed to Sell</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I am addicted to HGTV)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">8 Favorite Restaurants</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Saltgrass</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Pei Wei</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Johnny Carino's</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Lafayette's</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. ElCharo</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Olive Garden</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Sylvia's in Santa Fe</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. My Mother's kitchen for fried chicken or chicken and dumplins</div><div style="text-align: center;">(it may be cheating to do this last one, but my Mom's food was the best!!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">8 Things That Happened Today</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. I had coffee with Gary this morning </div><div style="text-align: center;">(our usual morning ritual)</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. I worked with the babies in PDO</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. I met a new friend (Dala) who helped me in PDO</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. I got to hear Emma say, "I did it!" in person.</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. I went to WalMart to buy groceries (oh joy! oh joy!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. The sun rose this morning and we had a gloriously beautiful day!</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. I bought most of the ingredients for Aji de Gallina</div><div style="text-align: center;">(move over Peruvian cooks! Here I come!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. The news people are still talking about John Travolta's son's death. Why</div><div style="text-align: center;">don't they just leave this poor family alone!?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">8 Things I Look Forward To</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. The trip to the Northwest US and Canada with Gary in April and May</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. The ladies meeting that we are planning at HTBC in March</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Caribbean trip in September (I hope)</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. My sister Karen retiring so we can spend more time together</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Gary retiring so we can spend more time together</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. 65 and Medicare!! (Hah! Hah!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Lee getting his Master's Degree and going on to do what</div><div style="text-align: center;">the Lord has planned for his life</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Grandchildren</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">8 Things I Wish For</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Happiness for my children</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Good health</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. No pain for Sheila so she can enjoy life more</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Tre' to get the help he needs from Dr. Minrth</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Grandpa to be happy in his "golden years"</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Anthony John to find the place he belongs</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Gary to retire</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. My church to be a loving, caring body of Christ once again</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">8 Songs I Just Listened To</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Jesus Loves Me</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Oh, How I Love Jesus</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Jesus Loves the Little Children</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. If You're Happy and You Know It</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. How Much Is that Doggie in the Window? </div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Word of God Speak</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Homesick</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. I Can Only Imagine</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">8 People I Tag</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Elizabeth Anne</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Paige</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Addie</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Shannon</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Rachel</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Lindsey</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Malia</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Kara</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(I realize that Denyse has already tagged some of these individuals, but I</div><div style="text-align: center;">don't know that many who blog and maybe if we tag them twice they will respond!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-23319144770854568632009-01-04T17:45:00.000-08:002009-01-04T18:23:50.541-08:00Love1 Corinthians 13 says, "....love is the greatest of these." Thirty-two years ago this past December 25 I married the love of my life. Gary and I were thirty-years-old when we married. We were not "young marrieds" by the world's standard. But, we waited until God deemed it time for us to be married. <div><br /></div><div>Just prior to Gary asking me to marry him, I had prayed to God that He would send me the perfect mate or that He would show me how to be happy as a single person. This particular prayer was prayed in the Prayer Garden at Glorieta Baptist Retreat Center, Glorieta, NM, in September 1976. I was at a Single's Retreat on that weekend and had attended a conference on prayer. One of the "assignments" from the conference was to find a quiet place on the grounds of the center and read some Bible verses. The one particular verse that was a life-changing verse for me was John 15:16, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you....". That was God telling me that I did not HAVE to have anyone because I already had Him. He had chosen me to be His child. He loved me and that was all that really mattered. I was one of His chosen. It was then and there, after almost thirty years of playing Christian, that I truly turned my life over to Him. I knew that I could be happy no matter what because I had Him. When I returned from that conference there was a letter from my Gary in the mail....and the rest of the story is that we were married the very next December 25, Christmas day, the day of the birth of my Lord and Savior. I had to realize that I was already loved by the One Who really mattered. Thirty-two years later I am closer to my Savior than ever and He has supplied all our needs (our family) for all these years. The love of my life is still the love of my life and that love continues to grow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday I had the honor of being a part of the wedding preparations and ceremony of a precious couple in our church. Like Gary and me, M and J are not "young marrieds". You see, they are both in their "senior years of life". They have "dated" for over seven years and we, the members of our church, have watched their love grow and grow. M and J are very faithful to their Lord and His church. They have both been married before and were very faithful spouses. I always enjoy seeing M and J out together. You would think they were teenagers, with sparkles in their eyes and enjoying each other so much. After seven years, M finally asked the question and J said, "Yes!" Yesterday, January 3, 2009, was the first day of the rest of their lives together. The ceremony was so special, with both families taking part in it. M and J were both nervous. M just wanted the ceremony to be to the part where he got to kiss her and J was so afraid of messing up!! M stood at the front of the church with his arm on J's shoulder the entire time of the ceremony, so special and so dear. They truly love each other and they know what true love is!! Unlike young couples, M and J were the last to leave the reception. You see, they stayed around to make certain that we, the ladies who were doing the reception, didn't need anything and that we were ok. True servant hearts, showing the love of the Lord they serve. When I saw M at church this morning he still had that sparkle in his eyes and he told me that J even got up and fixed his breakfast!! He was so proud, so in love.</div><div><br /></div><div>Love. That's what it's all about. We must love in order to be loved. We must mirror the love that our Savior has shown all of us. God loved me, a sinner so impure, so much that He sent His only Son to die for me on that cross so long ago. He has provided for me all my life. He sent me the love of my life. He loved M and J so much that He saw that their love grew and grew and He was a vital part of their marriage ceremony yesterday. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, M and J, for being an example of God's love and for allowing me to be a part of your special day. You will never, never know how much it has meant to me (and to Gary). Thank you, Gary, for loving me and taking care of me and for being the spiritual lead in our home all these years. As 1 Corinthians 13 says, love is the greatest of these. Without love, there is nothing. Thank you, my Lord, for giving Your love and for being the Example of love to us all. </div><div><br /></div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-49895675678538316992008-12-29T17:22:00.000-08:002008-12-29T17:31:21.973-08:00SadnessToday I am sad. My very first blog was about a dear friend who had cancer, Bobby Renfro. After many months of fighting this dreadful disease, my dear friend went home to be with his Lord and Savior this morning at 7:30 a.m.<div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Bobby, for giving so much for all of us. Thank you for sharing the love of Christ everywhere you went. Thank you for being an inspiration to all you met. Thank you for being there when we needed a friend, not just a preacher. Thank you for living an unselfish life. Thank you for being my friend.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am sad, not for Bobby, but for me. You see, Bobby is now walking the streets of gold he so often preached about. He is sitting at the feet of his Lord and Savior. He is whole again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bobby, you will always be loved and remembered as a dear friend. </div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-59045370743532248042008-12-22T06:34:00.000-08:002008-12-22T06:47:05.866-08:00The Hyatt Family ChristmasTen extra people in the house! Food everywhere!! Beds in every corner of every room! Laughter!! Memories shared. A puppy dog who is so tired he just wants to sleep!! White elephant gift-card time and all the uproar that goes with it. Twelve people trying to get ready for church on Sunday morning at the same time!<div><br /></div><div>What, you ask, do all these things have in common? Well, it was just simply another fun-filled Christmas party when all of my in-laws came to our house to celebrate the Christmas season together. Yes, the "Annual Hyatt Family Christmas" has come and gone and I am a bit lonesome this morning as I sit here and write this post.</div><div><br /></div><div>Food, and so much of it....from maple ham to roasted chickens to roast to corn casserole to mashed potatoes (Lee and Anthony John did an awesome job on them) to every kind of dessert imaginable. I don't think I will ever eat again....until dinner tonight!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Grandpa, Susie and Michael, Andrew, Anthony John, MaryAnn and Tony, Mattie, Anthony Wayne, Amy Ann, and all of my family (including Gunther) had a wonderful time together. Grandpa shared some really funny stories with us and told us about people we did not know who were in old, old photographs. The boys had a good time outside with Uncle Gary's guns and bows and arrows (at my house they can only shoot at boxes or bottles - not any of my wild animals!!). Amy Ann helped me wrap more gifts and all we could do was laugh!! So much fun. So many great memories!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't this is what Christmas should be? Loving each other and loving our God. What a truly precious time!! I love all of you guys. Come back any time you want to.</div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-55443613513864930952008-12-18T10:00:00.000-08:002008-12-18T10:21:36.311-08:00The Gift of LaughterLaughter has always been an important part of my life. I can still hear my Dad's laugh, a deep one that came straight from the soles of his feet. My Mother was a very short lady who laughed all over her body. Our family spent many hours together laughing and just enjoying life. I had many friends who never heard laughter in their homes and I often felt sorry for them. A young cousin was visiting from Oregon once and asked why our family laughed so much. Rather than laughter being the norm in his home, it was a rarity. I often wondered how we could come from the same bloodlines and have such different homes. When we were married and started having children, I made it a point to enjoy laughter with my babies. There were times when I wanted to scream (and I am certain I did on numerous occasions) but found the best answer was laughter. I have laughed so hard at times that I would cry. My face felt as if it would break and my sides were splitting in pain. <div><br /></div><div>There were many, many times when LH and EAH were growing up that laughter could be heard coming out of the house....times when so many of their friends were over and talk and laughter were freely flowing. I have longed for those moments so many times since our children graduated from high school....just to hear side-splitting laughter coming from those happy faces. Well, we experienced that once again last night. We had the honor and privilege of having the College/Career Dept. from our church over for their Christmas fellowship. Twenty-one young people and teachers joined us for a time of food and fun. I think I have mentioned in past posts that my husband is a really early-to-bed person. As usual, he went to bed around 9:00 p.m. last night. He has sleep apnea and requires a C-pap machine to help him breathe properly at night. About 30 minutes after he went to bed (and I thought he was asleep), the fun really began with the party going on in the other rooms of the house. You see, there was a "white elephant" gift exchange which caused uproarious laughter from everyone. All of a sudden, Gary says, with the machine still on, "That sounds so good!". At that point, I started laughing...he "rose from the dead" to make that statement and all that laughter sounded so good. Our gift last night (and it was not a "white elephant" one) was the longed for laughter from young voices once again raising the roof at our home!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Lord, for the gift of laughter and for all those young people. Our Christmas is already a wonderful one!</div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-6346674344201909852008-12-16T11:28:00.000-08:002008-12-16T14:55:05.941-08:00Supper Club and Taco SoupLast night Gary and I had the honor of being the host home for what is called "Monday Night Supper Club". Both of our children and several of their friends get together on Monday nights to eat and just visit. Paige called and asked if we could provide the house this week if she provided the meal. Of course, I said, "Yes", and am so happy that I did. I had been hearing a lot about this "event" every week and wanted to be a part of it this time, too.<div><br /></div><div>I ALWAYS enjoy it when some of my "kids" come to our house, whether it be to eat or just to drop by. Because our two children are so close in age they have many mutual friends. During their "growing up years", we had the privilege (and I really, really mean privilege) of having many of their friends at our home on numerous occasions. There was rarely a Friday or Saturday night that someone was not at our home. During a "True Love Waits" function at our church, Elizabeth got up and thanked us for always opening our home to their friends and mentioned that we (meaning Gary and I) never knew who we would find on the sofa or floors when we got up on Saturday or Sunday mornings. What she does not realize is that I long for those days again....getting up with kids everywhere. I long for the laughter and talking and mud football games and the Bible studies that they so often did together. I long for the times when my mother would have to tell Lee and Justin and Matthew to settle down (at 1:00 or 2:00 a.m.) and to get to bed (Gary and I were soundly sleeping and found out about this later). I long for the times when Elizabeth called me at work to ask me to tell Lee and Matthew to let her out of her room....they had tied her door knob with a rope and had tied the other end to the bathroom door knob!! I long for the costume parties and for the kids coming here on their way to the prom or Favorites dances. Those times were some of the best times of my life and I hope theirs, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>I look forward to visits from all "my kids" who have come through my home at one time or another. I thank God that we were a part of their lives and pray that in some way or another we have made a positive impression on their lives. I love being a part of their lives and their babies lives now. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, "Monday Night Supper Club", for coming to our home last evening. Paige the taco soup was wonderful!! (thanks, Kimberly, for the recipe!!) Thank you, all of my kids' friends, for allowing me to be a part of your lives. </div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-68172549571161245462008-11-29T07:10:00.000-08:002008-11-29T07:38:25.630-08:00"Black Friday"The name "Black Friday" really puzzles me. What is so black about it? True, we had rain storms yesterday, but my Friday is more than "black"!!<div><br /></div><div>Elizabeth Anne and I went on our "Annual Black Friday" shopping trip. The trip began on Thanksgiving evening when we traveled over to Frisco to spend the evening in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Best Western</span> we had stayed in the year before....that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Best Western</span> turned out to be the same <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Hampton Inn</span> we had stayed in the year before. Elizabeth fussed the entire time because someone had changed the name from last year!! After checking in and lounging for a few minutes, we trucked over to the mall movie theater to see <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Four Christmases.</span> We laughed our way through it and listened to an old woman in the back row talk out loud about the show the entire time!!</div><div><br /></div><div>We set the alarm for 4:30 a.m. because we didn't want to miss out on the earliest shopping. Needless to say, 4:30 a.m. came and went and we were still in bed. I lay there asking Elizabeth if she was going to get up and she assured me she would, but, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"In a little while!".</span> Eventually we were up and going at 6:00 a.m......Starbuck's first, of course!! The line was not as long this year as last, or did we just sleep through the crowd? Our first stop was Old Navy, then Target, then the mall. Why is it that I always seem to know exactly what I want and the stores never have exactly what I want? Do I just dream these gifts up or what? The people we encountered were, for the most part, very congenial and neighborly. However, when we went to Penney's that was another story. I have never, never seen so many people in one store in all my life. There were times we had to walk sideways to get through the aisles. Merchandise of every shape, size and description was thrown on the floors and was being trampled by the masses. Elizabeth and I took one look at each other and said, "Let's get out of here!", and we did!! Back to DSW and Target, once more. Our shopping spree began at 6:00 a.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Thank the Lord for our brunch at The Cheesecake Factory or we would not have made it!! </span>I did not realize just how tired I was until I drove into the driveway and I thought Gary was going to have to carry me to the house!! Now, that would have been one for "The World's Most Famous Videos", wouldn't it!?!</div><div><br /></div><div>This "tradition" of ours started 4-5 years ago. At first we left home at 5:00 a.m. on Friday and did our shopping. This going to Frisco the night before and staying is a new tradition and we really enjoy it. I love the shopping and the crowds, but my most favorite thing is just being with my wonderful daughter. We laugh and talk and just have a wonderful time. "People watching" is a favorite "sport" of ours; and, boy, do we see some doozies on that day!! I am certain, however, that some of the people think we are "doozies", too!! But, back to Elizabeth, shopping is a passion of hers. I am so pleased that I taught her well!! Hah! Hah!! Now, all that is left is the gift wrapping....and that will come in the days to come. The most important thing is that we spent the time together, we enjoyed each other and the day and we came home in one piece!! Thank you, Elizabeth, for spending the time with me. I love you more than you will ever know.</div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-27640579044385912392008-11-26T13:02:00.000-08:002008-11-26T13:35:45.804-08:00SistersI have two very wonderful, precious, awesome sisters--Sheila and Karen. I am so thankful for my sisters, my friends.<div><br /></div><div>Sheila and I are three years apart. She is so talented musically. Sheila has the most amazing voice, a true gift from God. She graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a degree in education and a minor in voice. She was a teacher in the Dallas Independent School District for 29 years. She always taught in schools that had the "least fortunate students" in the district. I believe that she was a tough teacher, but Sheila loved her students and just wanted them to succeed because she know how rough the road would be for them. Several of her students have succeeded beyond words and have come back to thank Sheila for all she did for them. How many teachers have this happen to them? Very few I would think. We had the honor of attending her retirement celebration several years ago. Former co-workers and principals all gathered to shower Sheila with praise and thanks, which was so deserved. She was a hard worker who spent many, many hours preparing for her students. Students in Dallas are better because of her.</div><div><br /></div><div>When Sheila retired she took on another very important position, one that pays only in hugs and kisses. Sheila and her husband have four grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren. Sheila has taken on the responsibility of caring for three of these babies....a pretty tough job. Their mother is a single mother and works various shifts and needs the help taking care of them. Sheila and John have gone beyond basic grandparenting rules to be mentors, educators, care-takers, providers, and love beyond words for these children. How fortunate they are to have grandparents like these two. K and T have won first-place awards at the science fair many, many times because Nanna has taken the time to help them. Nanna has read to them and K and T excel in reading. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sheila has many health problems, any one of which would be disabling. She has, however, managed to continue caring for her babies. There are numerous days when she really needs to stay in bed or just lounge around; however, she is there, ready and willing to care for those babies. Pain is a constant companion for Sheila. I worry about her daily.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is just in the last six or so years that Sheila and I have been able to really get to know each other as adult women. When we are together we have so much fun and laugh continually. It is sad that we were not able to get to know each other this way earlier in our lives. I have learned to love and appreciate her more and more. She has become a most precious friend as well as sister. I am very thankful for Sheila. </div><div><br /></div><div>My "baby" sister, Karen, is ten years younger than I am. I can remember the day she was born. Sheila and I went door to door in our neighborhood to announce her arrival. We were so proud of our new baby!! From just a few days old until I moved away from home, Karen slept in my bed with me. I was very protective of her.</div><div><br /></div><div>Karen, like Sheila, is a school teacher. She has been a speech therapist and now a reading specialist. She plans to retire at the end of this school year. We, all three of us, have so many plans. I hope our husbands understand!! A few years ago the three of us met our Aunt and Uncle in Seattle to go see another Uncle who lived in Aberdeen. We stayed three days in Aberdeen and visited and had a wonderful time; but, then the three sisters went back to Seattle and had the time of our lives. We laughed and ate and saw as many sites as we could in just a few days. Memories, memories. How special they are.</div><div><br /></div><div>Karen and her husband, David, had a son, a true gift from God. Joshua came into Karen's and David's lives one Thursday just before Mother's Day. He was 2 years old when God sent him. What a blessing he was. He was a special young man who went home to be with the Lord when he was just 19 years old--a massive heart attack. I saw my Karen and David hurt more than words can explain. But, during that time what a witness they were to others. I learned a lot about death during that time. I learned that I am no longer afraid of it because earthly death is just the beginning of eternity!!! Karen and David allowed so many--co-workers, neighbors, friends, family and total strangers--to be a part of this and were witnesses to everyone. </div><div><br /></div><div>Karen is a slim--unlike her two sisters--and very beautiful lady. She wears elegant clothes (you should see her closets!!) and perfectly groomed. She has always been this way. I can remember the days when she would "set" her hair in cleaned out juice cans!! I remember the times I tried to teach her to drive my stand shift Mustang!! I remember her trying to get Sham, her Irish setter, to let her bathe him and he got away and ended up in the back seat of her car! I remember the day she married David and was so happy!! What wonderful memories of my little sister. I am so thankful that I have been blessed with Karen in my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Lord, for my sisters, my friends. I pray that we only become closer and have many more adventures together. </div><div><br /></div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-53004952854527375872008-11-24T11:59:00.000-08:002008-11-24T12:44:39.303-08:00Our Princess and Booger BearThere was a time when I thought I would never have children. Gary and I had married "later in life" (what a term!!) and I was convinced that I had waited too long to have children. Gary kept telling me that God had children for us and that we just needed to be patient. How correct he was!! <div><br /></div><div>On September 21, 1979, our most wonderful, most precious daughter was born. I think I floated on air the entire time of labor and delivery. When she was born I can remember thinking how perfect it would be if only my Grandma Droddy could see her, my beautiful gift from the Lord. I immediately called my parents and told them how perfect she was.</div><div><br /></div><div>Elizabeth Anne (or Princess or Peetie or Punkin) has been the joy of our life. No one could ask for a better daughter. Oh, don't get me wrong, we have had our "times" when we had differences of opinion, but we have always worked it out and loved each other even more. She is very creative, a great thinker, quite an academically adept young lady. She has always excelled in whatever she attempts. Elizabeth loves to travel--from Los Angeles to Boston to Lima and Trujillo, to the "Big Apple", to Taiwan, to the travels of Paul in Greece--she loves to globe-trot. If someone says, "let's go", she is ready before the plane is!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Elizabeth has a great love for the people of Peru. She has made this love contagious. She will be once again traveling to Lima and Trujillo in March to assist with some work in an orphanage, a place that has really touched her heart. Elizabeth has a love for children, birth to high schoolers. Hannah, Hallie, Jillian and Emma are truly blessed to have her in their young lives. She thoroughly enjoys going on adventures with Hannah (now that she is a young lady). To listen to Elizabeth and Hallie talk is like listening to two old friends who have shared so much together. Jillian and Emma are now her babies. She can get on Jillian's level and communicate with her so well. Emma just sparkles when she sees "Bibbis" come into the room. Elizabeth loves her friends and is very loyal to them. I thank God for D and J and P and for what they do for Elizabeth.</div><div><br /></div><div>Elizabeth has become one of my best friends, not just my daughter. Crawling on the floor to "cut in" the walls of her apartment when we were painting it was quite an adventure. I often wondered if the neighbors wondered what we were doing in there. Our "day after Thanksgiving shopping trip" is a wonderful, blessed day. We run, and I mean run, at 4:00 a.m. to be one of the first shoppers and we go laughing all the way. I am thankful that Elizabeth still wants to do this with me. I am thankful for the fun we have and for the fact that we are now friends and enjoy each other so much. I am thankful that my Lord has given me such a beautiful, loving daughter. I am thankful that her Daddy and I were the ones who lead her to the Lord and that she now serves that Lord we shared with her. I am thankful that she is concerned about her brother. I am thankful that she loves her brother and wants to see him happy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Elizabeth, for being the best daughter and friend a Mother could ever ask for. You are my baby and always will be. Thank you for giving and loving and being patient with your "old" Mom. I love you more than you could ever imagine. I love you, Elizabeth!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Twenty-one months after Elizabeth was born, our home was once more blessed with the birth of our "Booger Bear" (his MawMaw named him that), Lee. That little package we brought home that day has grown into a wonderful man. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wherever Lee goes, he leaves an impression. I can remember him in Miss Sikes' kindergarten class at Bowie Elementary. The letter he dressed as was the letter "S" and we made quite a costume for that day. He was so proud of it and showed it to everyone he came near. There was also the time that Lee dressed as one of the characters in the children's book <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Stone Soup</span>. For some reason this was Lee's all-time favorite book. We made an ancient soldier's costume in green felt. We even made the shoes with the pointed toes. He read that book to younger children on that day and did a wonderful job!</div><div><br /></div><div>When he was in elementary school Lee and one of his friends had an obsession with the military. We spent many, many hours in the military surplus store purchasing old uniforms, from caps/hats to actual uniforms and boots. I remember the time Nancy Brantley, the music teacher at Bowie, had her older students do a performance on Veterans' Day. Lee and Jason dressed in their uniforms and were the stars of the show. I remember thinking how much Lee looked like his PawPaw in that uniform and how much I loved him because he wanted to be a part of something so special. People talked about that little show for quite a while.</div><div><br /></div><div>When my Mom had a stroke and had to move into our home, Lee was the one who made her days for her. She really spoiled him, and, in return, he took care of her. She would have special snacks prepared for him when he would get home from school. She would slip out of bed during the night and would call to us saying that she had fallen. Lee would run to her bedside, pick her up with a swoop and set her down in the bed saying, "Now, old woman, stay where you are supposed to!!" She thought that was something very special. They had a very special relationship and I am so thankful for that. She helped Lee purchase his brand new Chevy pickup when he turned 16. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just before Lee graduated from high school he decided he wanted to learn to play the bass guitar. I have said over and over again that I never really listened for the bass until Lee started playing it. He is basically self-taught and is really very good at it. He has been in many bands and really enjoyed them. When he decided he was going to seminary he started selling his guitars and it broke my heart. I love to hear him play and I knew he loves playing. He, however, was planning ahead for his future. He has always been that way....a thinker, a planner, and pretty much self-sufficient. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, my baby boy is going to move far away from me. Lee will begin Covenant Seminary in St. Louis in January, 2009. He will be working to get his Masters of Divinity. When he shared his plans with us months ago I was proud, yet sad at the same time. Lee has a heart for the down-trodden, the ones most people will not go to to be a witness. Lee was baptized by his Daddy a number of years ago. We taught Lee to love people and to share God's with them. He is doing just what God wants him to do, but I will miss him so much. I will miss his teasing and his hugs. I will miss him coming to the door of our bedroom to tell me goodnight. I will miss him calling to ask if he can bring me something for lunch. I will miss our trips to Lowe's to buy roses. I will even miss his telling me something just to see how I would react. I am so thankful for my wonderful son and the man he has become. I am so thankful that he did not quit listening to God as He talked to him. I am thankful that he loves me and puts up with my many quirks. I am thankful that God blessed my life with this young man who has become a tremendous man. I love you, Lee!!</div><div><br /></div><div>In Psalms King David says that, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">".....children are a gift from the Lord....".</span> God has gifted me with two wonderful, precious gifts. Thank you, Lord, for my babies.</div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-3481563394240858762008-11-15T05:53:00.000-08:002008-11-15T06:25:41.431-08:00The Love of My LifeGod has blessed me with the most wonderful husband. On Christmas day we will be celebrating 32 amazing years of marriage. In so many ways it does not seem like 32 years; but in so many ways it seems like we have been married forever. I guess that is the way it feels when you are married to right person and God has blessed the marriage all those years!!<div><br /></div><div>Gary and I have known each other most of our lives. Our families were very good friends; our mothers taught Sunday School together for over 25 years and were best friends (almost like sisters since neither had family in the area). I think I probably loved Gary for years before he ever realized I was more than a friend. He says God had it planned that way because we both had to mature and be at a place in our lives where we would love and appreciate each other the way we should. We were both 30 when we married; so, we have decided that the real truth was that we were just "slow learners"!! Whatever the truth and no matter how old we were when we married, I know that the last 32 years have been the best of my life!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Gary was the one who kept telling me when I became anxious about having children that God had babies for us if we would just be patient; he was the one who would get up in the middle of the night when our babies would begin crying and would bring them to me; when EAH and LH were sick, Gary was there to help; Gary was the one who read from the Bible to them while they were still in the womb; he was the one who helped care for both of my ill parents (he opened his arms and welcomed them into our home just like they were his parents; he took vacation time to take them to many, many doctor visits; he was the one who stood behind the x-ray machine to hold my Dad's arms up when he was too weak to; he was the one who would clean up after them without complaining; he was the one who loved me through all of it and was my rock when I could no longer be). Gary is an amazing Daddy; he has shown by example what a godly husband and father should be. He has worked very hard to provide a wonderful life for his family and continues to do so. Gary has seen me through a number of illnesses and surgeries and never left my side. He loves the teenagers of our church and works to provide a safe place for them to come to. Gary's love for his Dad is amazing; I love seeing them together and listening to their conversations. His love for our nieces and nephews is very evident--taking little boys and girls fishing and patiently showing them how to put bait on hooks and taking fish off those same hooks; patiently taking Tre' in his arms and calming him down just by talking to him; putting up with Aunt Cheryl when she wants to buy and buy for them; going to Dallas to celebrate a girl's birthday when he really should be at home working. He has adopted Jilli and Emma as his "grandchildren until we have some of our own" and he loves them. Watching him as he rocks Emma and sings to her or talking to Jilli who is sitting in his lap is a wonderful experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gary, I love you and always will. For these and so many more reasons, I am thankful that God has so richly blessed my life by giving me the best husband in the world. You are the love of my life and always will be. </div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-28297098428012357822008-11-13T12:18:00.000-08:002008-11-13T13:07:14.094-08:00ThankfulnessA dear friend has been using the days of November to publish a "Thankfulness List". I have thoroughly enjoyed reading her thoughts and want to "borrow" her idea for just a few of my "Thank You's".<div><br /></div><div>My Daddy was the first man I was in love with!! I was the first born child and was probably the most spoiled of the three girls. My Daddy took me everywhere with him....hardware store, grocery store, movies, football games--you name it, I was there with him. More important than anything, however, my Daddy (along with Mama) took me to church. He sat with me while Mama sang in the choir. I can still hear my Daddy's voice as he sang those old hymns. Daddy was not a little man; he was over six feet tall and weighed over 300 pounds. I remember his hands....how large they were and how they were callused from working as a pipefitter for over 45 years for Texaco. Just prior to retiring from Texaco Daddy taught a pipefitters course at Lamar University (for someone who did not have a college degree this was very impressive). Daddy's gardens were amazing. Our house was situated on two lots. Daddy used the extra lot to garden....and the lot was full of wonderful homegrown vegetables. People would stop to see his okra or corn or huge tomatoes. My Daddy worked hard to provide for us. He taught me the value of working hard. He had very high work standards....if you work for someone, work for them!! Don't be lazy and expect the pay anyway. I am very thankful for the example Daddy was for me. He loved me and I knew it. He told me he loved me every day. He showed me he loved me every day. In fact, the last words he said to me on the night that he died was, "I love you baby." Thank you, Lord, for my Daddy, and the gentle man that he was. He was the example I used when I was looking for a husband.</div><div><br /></div><div>My Mama was quite a lady. She was born into a farming family. Her Dad and many generations before her were wheat farmers in the panhandle of Texas. My Mama knew how to work. She grew up that way. Her mother passed away when my Mama was just 8 years old. She had a younger brother and sister. They lived near her Dad's parents so Mama was with them more than she was at home. She learned to cook for large numbers of people when she was just a child because she cooked for the farm hands. Mama learned the importance of working together to achieve a goal. She learned how to care for people, which she did all her life. Mama was a WWII bride. She left the panhandle and moved to southeast Texas when Daddy was discharged. She had a new baby, new home and new in-laws to deal with. In her usual manner, she took charge and everything was great!! Mama was in her early 20's when she came to know the Lord as her personal Savior. She joined Trinity Baptist Church and became a very important member of the flock. She taught 7-year-old primaries for 30 years. When meals were to be prepared for the church, my Mama was the one who did it (along with Lillie Hyatt and Kinnie Lee Woods). Mama was appointed the Children's Coordinator and directed Children's Church and Parent's Day Out. In the late 1960's Mama had her own television program for children....every Wednesday at noon....first for 15 minutes and then it was expanded to 30 minutes. The men who ran the sound and lights and cameras told her that they learned more about Jesus during those times than they had in all their lives. She told Bible stories, did handcrafts and sang with the children via the television. In the late 1950's Mama started going to the black churches in the area during summer months and taught Vacation Bible School to the children. She taught the ladies of the churches how to do Vacation Bible School. I would go with Mama every day and learned how to lead and teach and love everyone. After she was 60-years-old Mama was stricken with ovarian cancer, had a quadruple by-pass surgery, developed diabetes, had a broken shoulder, and numerous eye surgeries. Through it all she praised the Lord and thanked Him for giving her another day of life. Mama lived with my family the last 6-1/2 years of her life. This was not something she really wanted to do. She was always very independent and now she had to depend on my family for assistance. Although her eyes were very bad, Mama read her Bible every day. She kept it by her side. She had a prayer list and would pray every day for the people on that list. One of the many strokes she had left her voice very weak. Mama loved to sing and was very good at it. I can remember the Sunday at Highland Terrace Baptist Church when she tried to sing again and it worked!! The song was "Amazing Grace" and she sang as loud as she could. She looked at us and said, "I can sing again!!" I am thankful that Mama came to live with my family. Don't get me wrong, it was not always smooth and easy; but, I would do it over and over again. You see, I learned a lot more from Mama during those years. I learned to praise the Lord through disappointments and pain and I am thankful that God gave me that time with Mama. I am thankful that my children were able to be with their MawMaw the way the other grandchildren were not. They learned so much from her....to serve the Lord by serving others, to love people whether they are "good" or not, to strive to be all that they could be. You should have seen Mama the day she died. An angel came and took her home and peace could be seen on her face once again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Lord, for my wonderful parents. I am who I am today because of their love, their care, their guidance, their example and most important, they taught me Who You are and they taught me to love You!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have MANY more reasons to be thankful, but that will be another day's post. </div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-40917369285577995152008-11-12T07:02:00.000-08:002008-11-12T07:27:10.278-08:00Yellow Snowball Accepted!!Ok, Denyse, here goes!!<div><br /></div><div>Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. Yes, I would be one of those individuals who would keep her Christmas trees up all year long if I could. You read right: Christmas TREES!! In the past, when I was younger and Elizabeth lived at home, we would put up as many as five or six trees for the holiday season. I remember the year, not too many years ago, that I went to see the doctor shortly after the Christmas season. I was complaining about my shoulders really hurting and not understanding the reason. He asked how many trees we had put up and when I told him we had put up five that year, he laughed and said that was the reason. I had "Christmas tree shoulders"!! That ailment still does not deter us when it comes time to put up the trees.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have two 9-1/2 foot trees - one "froo-froo" and the other the "family tree". Thank goodness they are both pre-lit or we might not make it. We also have a smaller 7-ft. tree that we put in the kitchen/breakfast room area, plus several smaller ones placed randomly throughout the rest of the house. The "froo-froo" tree is in the living room and is decorated with burgundy, white and gold. Lee says this is not the "real" tree because it really doesn't mean anything to him--just another tree. His favorite is the "family" tree. I have ALL of the lovingly handmade ornaments Elizabeth and Lee ever made - from pre-school until they no longer made them in school. Reindeer made of felt, pine cones, footprints, handprints, sweet gum balls, clothes pins, etc. are lovingly placed all over the tree. Santas of every shape and description, angels big and small, ornaments from all our vacations (and now, this year, I have a Statue of Liberty one!!) and Nativity scenes dot various spots on the tree. My favorite of all time, however, is the ornament that Lee made the year he was in Mrs. Newcomb's pre-school class at St. Paul's School. That year was the year Haley's Comet made an appearance and that appearance caused so much uproar. Karen Newcomb is an extremely talented teacher. She had the class make "Haley's Comet" ornaments from very small flower pots covered in silver cupcake papers. The "comet" has a streaming trail made of silver threads of paper with stars glued on the ends. Needless to say, this ornament has a very prominent place on our tree. Many comments have been made about this ornament over the years. A story can be told about each of the ornaments on this tree....and that story is told EVERY year as we place it on the tree!! So much fun!! So many wonderful, precious memories!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lights and decorations outside are another story--like the year Gary had Elizabeth placing the lights on the roof. He, like Joel, had placed the ladder in the bed of his pickup and had Elizabeth go up the ladder and put lights on the house. He asked her about halfway through if she was ok and she replied, "I think I ___ in my pants!" Now, we just put reindeer and trees in the yard, with just a few lights around the sidewalks. Maybe I will call Denyse and get the name of the person who puts lights on her roof!! I really like that best!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Since Elizabeth and I now spend Thanksgiving evening in the Dallas area so we can get up early the next day and do marathon shopping, we begin decorating a few weeks before Thanksgiving. I really like this....it gives me a longer time to enjoy the beauty of Christmas. I have often wondered why we don't leave the trees and lights and decorations up all year. We celebrate, or Christians do, Jesus Christ all year; so, why not?!? Have we become too commercial as everyone says? When did we change "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays"? Are we Christians remiss in not demanding "Merry Christmas"? As for me, I will let the lights and trees and decorations remain in my heart all year long. I love the REAL REASON we celebrate the season!</div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-72147662327247976582008-11-11T09:50:00.000-08:002008-11-11T10:08:40.048-08:00Thank You, All Who Have Served Us So Well!!Today is the official Veteran's Day celebration. In my opinion we should be celebrating our veterans and those currently serving every day of the year!!<div><br /></div><div>I am the daughter of a man who served during WWII. My Daddy never had to serve "across the waters", but he served his country well as an MP here in the United States. He had charge over many prisoners. I can remember him telling us so often of going to Ft. Levenworth KS to either deliver or pick up prisoners. My Daddy met Mama when he was investigating a plane crash on the Canadian River in the Panhandle of Texas. It is terrible to say, but, thank God for that plane crash and for the chance meeting of my parents!! Daddy was proud to serve his country and was even more proud of all the men he served with.</div><div><br /></div><div>My Grandpa served during WWI in the fields of battle overseas. I can still remember seeing pictures of him in his uniform. Grandpa never talked much about his experiences but he would tell us he would have done it over and over again just to protect his family in the United States.</div><div><br /></div><div>My Father-in-law served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was serving on a ship in the Pacific Ocean when Pearl Harbor was attacked.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have had many relatives who served, both during war time and during times of peace. Many young cousins served in Vietnam. Two high school friends were killed in Vietnam.</div><div><br /></div><div>The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are now raging. My children have friends who have served or are currently serving our country. Aaron Davies served in the U.S. Marines for several years and is now home. Andy Davis is currently serving in the U.S. Marines and Mark Shepherd is serving in the U.S. Army, currently deployed to Iraq for his third tour of duty there in five years. I see his little family as they attempt to be happy without him. I see his little wife suffer because her husband is not at home with her. He is missing out on some of the most beautiful years in the lives of his two precious daughters. </div><div><br /></div><div>Please, please, people of America, do not forget our veterans or the men and women who are currently serving. They should be our heroes rather than movie stars and politicians and pop singers! They should be the ones we look up to! They should be the ones who receive our praise and thanks!! </div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-62458569900517797412008-11-10T14:40:00.000-08:002008-11-11T09:49:52.278-08:00Youth-Just a Thought #2Yesterday as I sat with the freshman and sophomore "ladies" in Bible study, I was once more taken back by their youthful enthusiasm. Everything they say or do is done with so much zest for life that I sometimes find myself longing for that youth again. They talk about the last pep rally of the year and all the antics that went on. They talk about going to see a movie and having dinner together and just bubble at the thought of it. Oohs and aahs are very prevalent during the conversation. Was I ever that young? Did I ever act like that?<div><br /></div><div>The lesson was on building our life on a solid foundation--Jesus Christ. How blessed I have been in my life to have that "Foundation" holding me up through it all. Now that I am older and I wake every morning with aches and pains and I can't walk as fast as I once did and I can't hold up to shop as long as I once did (of, my!), I am very thankful for that "Foundation" because I would not be able to make it without Him. As I listened to all the laughter and conversation, I was also praying for these young ladies--praying that in their youth they would not forget the One Who is in control and Who will always be there; praying that their feet and lives are firmly planted on that "Foundation" and thankful that I can be a part of telling them about that "Foundation".</div><div><br /></div><div>Some days I long for that youth again; but most days, I don't. You see, I truly believe that a person is as old or young as they want to be. I may be over 60, but in my mind I still feel like I am in my 30's or 40's. Working with children and teenagers all these years has perhaps stunted my mental growth! But, that is just fine; at least my mind is still youthful!! I don't want to relive parts of my life, as I have heard countless other people say. I am afraid that I would make more mistakes than before and I believe that my God, Who has control of my life, planned for "things" to happen just the way they have. Youth is a blessing, but so is growing older. I am now more relaxed and can enjoy things more. I enjoy both of my children immensely, not that I didn't when they were growing up; but, I no longer feel pressured by the world to make them perfect in the world's eyes. They are God's creation and they are becoming what He wants, not what the world wants!! I enjoy sitting and talking with my husband more; I enjoy the trips to Beaver's Bend with Gary just to enjoy God's nature and each other; I enjoy planning the trip to Vancouver and the Northwest US with Gary to celebrate our anniversary; I enjoy watching Gary as he "plays" with Tre' and Anthony Wayne and Grandpa; I enjoy sitting and watching the birds and creatures in my backyard; I enjoy shopping with Sheila (my sister); I enjoy Kalyn and watching her swim and take care of Gunther (my dog); I enjoy watching cooking shows with Amy Ann and talking about what we might do if we had a show; I enjoy watching Mattie as she matures into such a beautiful young lady; I enjoy taking a "road trip" halfway across the country to Disney World with Hannah and Hallie; I enjoy Jilli-bean and Emma-licious - just loving on them and laughing at them and helping to take care of them. I never used to have time to do these things. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, to me, growing older is not so bad!! Maybe in my youth I was too busy doing things that really didn't matter anyway!! Thank you, Lord, for giving me a wonderful youth; and, thank you for giving me an even better time of growing older!!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be. It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars, the sun and Earth and Jupiter and Mars; but He's still working on me!"</span></div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8794324181063382385.post-7251457666026421942008-11-07T11:29:00.000-08:002008-11-08T08:11:02.904-08:00Just a Thought #1This is my first blog. I never dreamed I would ever be doing something like this.....a 60's something woman doing this!! Who ever thought?!? However, after reading so many blogs over the last few months and really enjoying them and learning some interesting and fascinating things from them, I decided to venture out on this blog thing myself!! So, here we go for the first one!!<div><br /></div><div>I am a truly blessed woman. God is so good to me in so many, many ways. One of those ways was working in our church office for almost 15 years. I just finished reading the blog of a dear friend whose husband was once my "boss". I put the term "boss" in quotations because I was NEVER treated like an employee by this gentleman; I was treated like a friend. I was loved and appreciated and I knew he prayed for me and my family daily. Today this wonderful man is suffering from the effects of a brain tumor. He is not the vibrant man we have all known and loved. His memory is suffering; his ability to walk and talk is suffering; he spends most of his days now sleeping....not the gentleman I once worked for. You see, this man was the pastor of the church I attend and once worked at. I was his secretary for six years....the most pleasant of all the years I ever worked. He cared about us and he protected us; he took up for his staff when the slings and arrows were tossed at us. He laughed with us, he consoled us, he had coffee (yes, we had REAL coffee breaks!) with us, he brought each of us crates of strawberries he had purchased on his way back from visiting in the hospitals in Dallas, he knew my family as if it was his family and he cared about them. It was easy to work for him because he was not a demanding, pressuring, harsh team leader. He knew if we were having a difficult day (and, yes, those do come very often in a church office) and he made it his mission to try to make it better for us. He truly cared!! </div><div><br /></div><div>The members of our church were all known by name and recognition by this pastor. He spent many nights and days at the bedside of sick ones; he comforted their families and loved them, just as a pastor should. There were very few days that he did not make a trip to Dallas to see someone who was in the hospital. He was there when someone had surgery, no matter how serious or not so serious it was. He spent many, many hours in the nursing homes and in homes were shut-ins lived. It did not matter who you were, if you were a member of his flock you were important to him. He loved people the way he found them, whether they were clean or not, whether they were wealthy or not, whether they were healthy or not, whether they knew Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior--he loved them and witnessed to them. He was a true example of loving people the way God loves them!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I learned so much from him. I learned that when people come to a church office they are usually truly suffering for some reason or other. For the first time in my work history I felt free to pray over the phone with someone who called in who needed an ear to listen and a heart to care. I felt free to take the time and listen, to laugh and/or cry with the person who had come in. Working in a church office is not like working in the secular world. When you work in a church office you have (or I had) 3000 "bosses". He taught me to love all these "bosses" and to make sure they knew they were loved by the church and its staff. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today, dear friend Bobby Renfro, my thoughts are with you and Jane, Libby and Lane. What examples you are to us. You love and praise your Lord through it all. Thank you, thank you, thank you for showing us how to love, serve, care and praise. I am so thankful that God placed you in my highway of life. You are truly a friend and are truly loved by more people than you can ever imagine!! Love you, Renfro family.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div>Cheryl Hyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609513716847293970noreply@blogger.com2