dad in hospital....

Well on Wed. my dad went into the hospital. His heart is out of rhythm and after a test done yesterday they found a clot in his heart. So he is now in the hospital, on blood thinner, and being monitored. He feels fine. We are waiting for a blood work number to be where the doctors want it then he can come home.

God has all things in His hands. That is our daily confidence and confession. Where else would we be if we didn't believe that. He is our strength and in the midst of uncertainty He is our constant. Please be praying.

RW

another homegoing.....

Many of you who have read this blog from the beginning may have remember George asking for prayer for my cousin Barbara. She had been dealing with illness for over ten years. Well last week she received her great promotion and joined George and her mom and many friends and family members at the feet of Jesus. She fought valiantly for years, one surgery after the other, you couldn't count them all on your fingers and toes. Many, many surgeries ending with a small bowel transplant about 3 or 4 years ago. She had been doing well initially but the last year are so she had been battling many infections and even possible organ rejection.

She is now at peace. I am so excited that she is with George. She and George used to cut up all the time and they loved God's creation basically Barbara and George were cut from the same clothe. Isn't that funny how those who seem to go early are ones we so admire and seem to have such a testimony of the goodness of God. Maybe we are left behind because we still have a lot to learn.

2009 has started off with a bang. I am involved with the American Cancer Society--Relay for Life Baton Rouge. I am the publicity chairperson, so I will be working to get the word out about this event in order to rasie money for cancer research, and assistance for those battling this horrible disease. We are trying to get teams together to raise money. Places of business, or even family groups can form teams and raise money. It is not a race or a walking event it is like a festival. Starting now though the teams are in competition with each other to raise money. I will keep you all updated about the event, and if anyone out there wants to rally a team of people together from your work or friends and family please let me know.

School is back in full swing and we have hit the ground running with Bryan's basketball games. It has been a lot of fun.

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, lean not on your OWN understanding, ACKNOWLEDGE Him in all your WAYS, and He will make your path straight. WOW what a promise and a challenge.

Robin

2009....

Another year has come and gone. They seem to do that much quicker these days. Maybe it's just cuz I'm getting older. Lauren and I brought in the New Year in Kansas City, MO at a praise and worship/prayer conference. Bryan was in Alabama with George's mom and dad. Lauren and I and several people from our church were blessed to be at this conference. Oh the urgency of the hour. The realization of the times we live in. Jesus has called us all to be set apart and stand for Him and await and hasten His return. What an awesome thought that our Lord and Savior WILL establish His Kingdom. He will reign in it and we will rule and reign with Him. Oh Lord what an incredible thought.

Happy New Year,
Robin

Christmas...

What a different Christmas..... This has been the strangest holiday season. I got the tree up and the lights on and never got it decorated. It must have been catching because my mom did the same thing. My mom and dad didn't get the presents wrapped this year so they handed out the gifts out of the bags they bought them in. You know when you do Christmas like that you realize what is really important. Family, time together, and just playing and enjoying each other is what really matters.

We have had some great time together. We will be holding on to every moment before school starts again on Jan 6th. Lauren starts mid January.

I pray that you are all blessed and have a great New Year. I can't believe it is already 2009. How has that happened. Our lives are like sand through an hour glass (heard that somewhere before). But oh how true. That is why the Bible says redeem the time because the days are evil. We must make the most of each moment knowing that we can never repeat it or have it back to do something different.

I love you all may God bless you.
Robin

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....

WOW!!!!! This morning at 6:00 I woke up to snow cascading down like I have never seen before here. It snowed hard out here in Central until around 9:00. We accumulated about 3 to 4 inches. It is truly the most beautiful and peaceful sight. Watching it snow was so incredible. Yes I was officially declared the oldest kid out here on the property. It is after 4:00 and we still have snow blanketing the ground.

Christmas is fast approaching. Shopping still left to be done and going here and yon. Lauren finished her last final today. I am so proud of her. She has officially completed her first semester. Bryan is getting ready for his midterms. He has also started his basketball season. I love watching him and his friends play ball.

I love you all more later.
RW

Thanks---giving.......

What an awesome time with family. My mom and dad, me and the kids went to Mike and Eva's for Thanksgiving. We had 20 some odd people there. Aunts,uncles, cousins, grandparents, even my new GREAT niece. Yes, I admit it I have a GREAT niece. That concept blows my mind. She is by far one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen. Michael and Audra, my nephew and his wife, live in Kentucky so this is the first time I have seen the baby since she was born in August. We ate plenty of great food, but beyond that it was fantastic being in the company of people you love so much and know that they love you.

It is now time to get the Christmas wheel turning. This weekend I will be getting out the tree and decorations and getting the place decorated. That will be fun.

Mom and Dad are following the Central Wildcat football team. They just won the quarter final game last night against Acadiana. My brother's two oldest kids are in the band and they are having a great time. If they win one more game they will go to the Superdome for the state playoff game.

Everyone have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend and remember as we enter the busyness of the holiday season to keep first things first. Love you all. RW

The Saints.....

Last night Scott, a friend of mine, and I went with Pastor Don and Eileen to watch the Saints play a Monday night football game against the Green Bay Packers. It was an awesome game and we all had a great time. The Saints won 51-29 in an offensive blowout. It was by far one of the best games the Saints have played this year.

I pray you all have a great holiday season. We are going to Mike and Eva's house for Thanksgiving Dinner. My nephew, his wife and their new 3 month old baby girl, Zoe are in from Kentucky. I can't wait to see them and hold my great niece for the first time. Bryan's off for the week and is taking it easy.

The Lord has brought a precious family from Iraq (a mom and two daughters 19 and 20) into my life. They are so sweet and I have loved getting to know them and helping them, along with many others from Hosanna. We never know what people are going through and even on the other side of the world this family was enduring great pain. But they are here now and maybe even if a little of what I have been through can allow me the compassion to feel what they feel and minister God's love to them then so be it. Thanks for your continued prayers as I still read through and edit the blog. It is a much slower process than I thought, but it is coming along.

Have an awesome Thanksgiving and be blessed my friends. RW

update...

Just wanted to update you. All the biopsies from my colonoscopy came back negative for cancer but did confirm colitis. Still curious about the regression of the colitis so when I see him in dec I will ask him about it.

Well today is an incredibly beautiful day.

Wanted to update you. Robin

howdy....

Well, I had the wonderful colonoscopy. The worst part of it is drinking the lovely drink that so graciously cleans the colon. Thanks to modern medicine and drugs I don't even remember the procedure. So honestly, there is no reason to put off having a colonoscopy if it is time for you to have one. The thought of it is worse than the actual procedure.

Well in 2000 I was diagnosed with ulcertative colitis (inflammation in the colon). It was supposed to have involved 50cm of colon (19.68 inches) then in 2003 a test said it involved 30 cm (11.81 inches). These numbers are significant because over 50 cm can increase you colon cancer risk by 50%. 30 cm or less then you have no more risk than the rest of the population. So since this is a new doc for me, he wanted to see for himself. Also, I have not taken medicine for this condition in over 2 years. He said that only 7 inches of colon was involved 17 cm. So it seems as though the condition is lessening. This is great because once you have UC it does not go away or get better according to the docs. Anyway, I am on some meds to lessen the inflammation. I will see the doc for a follow up visit on Dec 15th.

So if necessary have that colonoscopy and quit putting it off. It is not all that bad, I promise.

Continuing the editing and enjoying the LSU football season. I bought season tickets and have enjoyed being back in Death Valley watching the TIGERS.

later rw

checking in....

Hey everybody!!!! Wanting to welcome you to the holiday season. After October 31 I guess we officially enter the crazy zone of preparation for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I pray that as we enter this time that we would be conscious and purposed to love the people close to us. Let's let the LOVE of God so capture our hearts that we spill it out all around us.

Gayle you can get the book, The Shack at WalMart. It is a great read. Church yesterday was awesome. God is directing and we are following. How sweet it is.

I am having a check-up colonoscopy tomorrow so keep me in your prayers. In 2000 I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon). Two year ago when George and I were in Texas, we went to a church where a man was speaking. He was used as a prophet. He called George and I out and had a word for us. As he was finishing, he looked at me and said, "Mam, you have a cliche in your digestive system and God is healing you even tonight your healing is coming." So stand with me and believe that this colonscopy will confirm in the natural the spoken word of God. I believe, because although there is no known cause and no known cure for this condition God can do the impossible and heal in an instant. I will keep you updated. I have not taken medicine for the condition in over 2 years. This is just a routine test, I am not having any problems.

Love you all. RW

The Shack.....

I am reading a book called The Shack. Oh WOW it is a must read. This book is by far one of the most anointed books I have read in a long time. Only 200 some odd pages packed with life changing words. I highly recommend it.

I am continuing to edit the blog. It has become a process of healing and dealing. Healing by reading it now from a different perspective than I read it the first time, and dealing with the truth of the situation as God ordained it.

I am still in a place of embracing God' love for me and for others. I am telling you it is one of the most powerful concepts, to fully grasp within our limited fleshly ability, the intense unconditional LOVE of our almighty GOD. It is what He is all about. LOVE AND RELATIONSHIP!!!!! Don't miss out, there are things He wants to tell you and peace He wants to give you that only comes from KNOWING Him. Not a head knowledge but a heart to heart place where you lay yourself bear before Him.

We have had beautiful weather and I know George would have been blogging about it. Breathtakingly beautiful to say the least. I love you all. Thanks for taking the time to check out this blog and keep in touch. If you read this and I don't see you or talk to you very much please leave me a comment. I want to know you're out there. RW

trusting God...

Friday I was editing March of '06 for the book. WOW!!! I am realizing more and more that even this process of rereading and editing is God's way of ministering healing to my heart. As I was reading one of the posts I was brought back immediately to the place we were two and half years ago and a flood of emotion consumed me. George's last line of that particular post was, the anchor holds. All I could do through my tears is say yes George the anchor does hold. God has held me and the kids and George's and my family for the past year. The bible says that God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Yes Lord oh yes you are close and your lovingkindness is better than life.

I am in the process of memorizing Psalm 34, if anyone wants to join me jump on board. I have made it through verse 8 so far. God's word is becoming life to my bones. I want to know Him more and more. Be blessed my friends and remember, THE ANCHOR HOLDS!!!!!!!

book....

Someone one asked me, by way of comment, what the goal date was for the book to be published. I would like to see all of the edits done by the end of the year and try to make contacts with a publisher or self publish at the beginning of the year. Please be in prayer because I am finding that the distractions of life can subtly shove us off course. I want to make sure that I am staying focused and doing what the Lord has called me to do. This past week has been incredibly busy, but I am looking forward to things slowing down a bit.

I know many of you have been keeping track of the economy. You know it is a bit unnerving to see investments melting away and wondering what is the best course of action to take. The one great comforting factor is that our FATHER owns the cattle on a thousand hills and will not forsake His children or have their seed begging for bread. I am confident that God will take care of His own. Let's keep our eyes fixed on the author and finisher of our faith. RW

god is love.....

Well it has been one of the most beautiful weekends. We went to New Orleans to visit with Granny Patsy it was her birthday on the 25th. Aunt Eva and Aunt Ebby were in from Alabama so we got to visit with them also. We had a great time and ate an awesome breakfast on Saturday morning. We returned home and Bryan and I went to the LSU game and watched them beat Mississippi State. Not pretty but a win none the less. Church was great as usual, pastor preached the heart of God. We then went on a church picinic and enjoyed some great fellowship. After that we went to see FIREPROOF. What an awesome movie about the love of GOD. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. Take the time to support movies like this. If we do then more will be made. The same church that produced FACING THE GIANTS made this movie. Kirk Cameron, back from our days (Growing Pains) was the lead and this movie is well worth you seeing it. We are home now getting ready for school for tomorrow.

Looking to make some good progress on the book so this week will be very focused. Love y'all.

hey.....

Hey friends and family. The compiling of the book is coming along. I have written the forward and have all of the entries in WORD so I can begin editing. Be rest assured that the editing will be at a minimum. I will only correct misspelled words. It is my heart's desire to leave it as raw and original as possible. Please be praying for me and this whole process, I need divine appointments and the Lord to direct my steps. I am confident He will, I just want it covered in prayer.

Today would have been our 19th anniversary. I guess another year of dealing with these special days and his absence has begun. People always say that time has a way of healing pain, but I would like to say that only the Lord can help us grieve loss. I have realized oh so clearly that we have bought into the worlds idiology about death, loss and grief. There is pain involved but when we think on the death, when we think about the person who's gone on, our hearts can be filled with joy. Joy of the memories shared, joy because they have experienced a promotion, joy in telling all the old stories. If we purpose to, we can continually celebrate that person's life by enjoying what they brought into our lives for however long they were allowed to be here.

We all gained so much in knowing George. I ran into a someone who knew George through another friend of ours. He was unaware that George had been sick and that he had passed away. There was shock on his face and he had me repeat it several times. He said a mouthful at one point when he said, "You know, I had never met anyone like George before, He was a special guy." That is many peoples statements. But George would want us all to know that whatever good you saw in him, received from him, loved about him----It was Jesus in him.

Love, RW

reminded...

I have spent time this week working on getting this blog ready to be published. I have started writting the Forward and thought about how the book is to be formatted. I know that the book will end with the writing I found about George calling forth his destiny. I thought I would repost it for you all to read again. Here it is

This was something George wrote on Monday March 3, 1997:

I have a destiny---that is farther reaching than my own self. I have a destiny that goes beyond my own greed, my own lust, my own wants and my own desires, my own passions. I have a destiny-- that's bigger than racism and bigotry and hate. It is bigger than pride and position, possession, and income and all of those physical and social trappings, we cling to so desperately. Hang on, oh my soul to the one who guides you, the one who made you, to the one who called you. I have a destiny that is not bound by political rule and governmental boundaries or corporate ownership. Even health--good or bad--cannot prevent my destiny. I want my destiny, I need my destiny. I crave my destiny. I have to fulfill my destiny! It is calling to me--I am racing to my destiny--I can see it dimly in the dawn--my heart pounds, my body struggles, my muscles burn and ask for rest-- but I cannot stop nor even slow down, for I must apprehend my destiny. As thirst screams for quenching--my very being thirsts for my destiny--fatigue cannot stop or dissuade me from my destiny. Depression? move to the left, anxiety? move to the right, for my destiny I have in sight. I command inspiration to come and lift me toward my goal. I command passion to come and fuel the long drive towards my destiny. I command persistence to come and assist me in the pursuit of my destiny. I come against any bondage that would prevent the attainment of my destiny--any of the "petty" frivolities that would entangle and hamper the attainment of my most ultimate desire. As minutes turn into hours and hours into days, weeks, months, and years, I seek my destiny. I will not be relegated to the archives of history. Futility, I damn you ---you are a facade. HA!HA! You are uncovered for what you really are! Nothing! Nothing but a deceptive mirage of sorts put in my path by who knows who, to distract me from my destiny. Yes, my love, I will one day embrace you as a child its mother, I am coming for you and no other only you, oh lover of my soul. I hear your whispers in the night, your call in my soul. I see a glimpse of you in the dawn-but only from within the cleft of this rock--when can I come out and gaze fully into your face? Ah yes. I know I must be patient, but please, don't ever let me go, for life itself has no meaning at all, apart from YOU-- may I dream of you every night, and every day let me keep you within my sight. Above and beyond every single thing in life, I must attain my destiny and nothing can stop me, for it is MY DESTINY.

Enough said,
Robin

one year....

As we have come to the one year anniversary of George's homegoing I am quickly reminded of God's faithfulness. It has been a year of much emotion as we have gone through birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, anniversaries, Lauren's graduation, the birth of our great niece, so many things have happened in this year. In the midst of these events, I have not only experienced the absence of George in our lives but I have also experienced that he would have wanted us rejoicing and not mourning. I have mentioned to many people that lately I have missed the energy that Goerge brought to every situation. I miss the intensity that George brought into a room. I think in the aftermath of the hurricane I really missed what I know he would have been doing. Getting the yard clean at any cost and helping so many others in need. That was George and that was what drove him. So as we remember George, let's think about what he would desire for us. What would he want us to experience in this life, even in his absence. He has experienced the greatest promotion this life has to offer. George is in that great cloud of witnesses cheering us on from the other side. Do you hear him, goodness knows he was loud enough, remember the richness of his voice and the excitement in his laughter. He is hooping and hollering, I can hear him.

His parents, Lauren and Bryan, my brother and his family all went to the cemetary Sunday. It was a time of rememberance for us all. I want to always be in a mode of celebrating George's life and the fact that he loved people with all of his heart. He always saw the best in people, even those difficult to love. George would find a way to love people. I am constantly reminded of his generosity, and heart to want all to feel the love of God.

RW

weathered the storm...

Well Gustav has come and gone but many are still feeling his affects. We have two big oak trees down. Thank God they did not fall on anything. We were without power for three days. We are so blessed because many are still without power and maybe without for weeks. A friend of mine, Scott, and I were talking about the spiritual hurricanes that blow through our lives and blow out a lot of debris. Then it is time for cleanup and new life to emerge. We need to take stock of what God wants us to clean out of our lives. What does the wind of His spirit want to blow out of our lives. What does He desire to change in our lives? I have gotten to the place of surrender again and again where I ask God to continue to have His way in me. If any one needs anything please let us know and I will see if I can get you some help. I love you all and thanks for keeping up with us. RW

hard to believe....

Yes, go ahead and let it be known, Robin has a daughter who is an LSU college student. I refuse to believe that I am old enough to have a child in college. How can it seem as though you just left campus and truly that was 20 years ago. Twenty years, you've got to be kiddin' me. Where has the time gone. I guess that is what happens while we are living life, ----time is passing. I think that is why the Bible tells us to redeem our time because the days are evil. I think part of redeeming our time is acknowledging that, like it or not it is continuing to pass and it will stop for no man. My gray hair is evidence of that.

God continues to amaze me with how He will give us divine appointments if we will keep our eyes open for them. I was in a furniture store with a friend of mine this weekend, and ended up in a conversation with the sales lady about George and the faith journey we have been on. It was awesome watching God come on the scene. She then expressed how she would have loved to have known George and how blessed she was that we came in the store yesterday. WOW God just do what you want to do. She gave us her cell phone and email address so we could stay in touch with her.

Keep the fire burning and let the trials in our lives prove God as faithful and then tell others about our awesome God and how He will see us through.

RW

God continues to do....

God continues to do what only He can do. As we surrender our lives to Him, He promises to lead and direct our paths. However, we must not lean on our own understanding. As I begin this new phase of life, I look forward with great anticipation to what God has in store. As we step out and seek to obey Him, He meets us and gives us light for the next step.

Lauren is officially employed now at Target. She is so excited and will be starting college (LSU) on the 25th. I have a daughter in college. There is nothing ok about that. Where has the time gone. I think I blinked and someone sped the time forward on me.

For those of you that read this blog and go to Hosanna, I want to encourage all of us to get on board with the vision Pastor has for us. We need to all dare to believe God and expect Him to refresh and revive us and speak this to those around us. Life is not about work, school, church and repeating that week after week. Life is about searching for the eternal purpose for the lives we come across on a daily basis. Life is about seeking the Lord and the way He would have us conduct ourselves in the midst of the circumstances we find ourselves in. Press into the things of the Lord and expect Him to answer and show the way. Love ya, RW