Caleb is home from Afghanistan! and we praise the Lord for keeping him safe and also the men under his command. His lovely wife, Rebekah, is such a "trooper" and she brought a lot of joy to all of us as we watched her brave the alone times with a small daughter, finish KSU and work to prepare their home and hearts for his return. Cherith is a lovely little girl (2 1/2) and she and Daddy are becoming great pals again.
Zach and Shay have welcomed their little girl, Catherine Mae "Katie Mae". We are so happy to receive this new blessing, our second great grand daughter.
Hannah is still in South Asia...teaching conversational English. It is truly SPECIAL duty! She will return home the first of February and that will not be too soon for us!
Christopher is in courtship with Emily Hollis and they seem quite smitten with one another. Emily has shared some of the Christmas celebration with all 35 of us and we view it as a good sign that she came back the second time.
Jon will finish West Georgia College in May. He is planning to earn his MBA the next year and then enter law school.
Morgan (Auburn), Natalie (North GA), Tabitha (long distance learning), Meredith (Anderson College). They'll be back "hitting the books" the first part of January.
We had five days of celebrating the week of Christmas. What a joy! What work! and what blessings! Who can possibly name one thing more melodious to this Gran's heart than to hear her children and grandchildren recount the happenings of the year and laugh and cry all the way through all thirty two?!
Wes and I took Meredith and Tabitha to NYC for four days of continuous activity. We saw two shows, the Rockettes, attended Brooklyn Tabernacle on Sunday, ate at Carnegie Deli, Tavern on the Green and wonderful small NY restaurants and delis that are such a delight. We did all the great touristy stuff (how many times for Wes and me?...don't know, but it is such a pleasure to watch others enjoy such for the first time!)- Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Battery Park, Bryan Park, Rockefellar Center, ice skating rinks, Empire State Bldg., ground zero area...
CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOUSE WOULD SOUND SOMETHING LIKE THIS:The headlights appeared on Tuesday night around 9:00 o'clock. The Betheas arrived from Montgomery and the last tail lights disappeared around 5:00 Sunday afternoon.
The families came (some of them everyday for the five day period!) - praise the Lord for a good freezer and caserole dishes (I ran out of dishes to cook AND freeze in although I have a Major Supply) the days were full of laughter, WORK, fun, WORK, food, WORK, praises ringing loudly for the wonderful blessings and learning experiences of 2009, WORK, and JOY abundantly! We are so full of thanksgiving for returning Caleb safe and sound physically and mentally and emotionally.
We are so grateful that all are IN THE FOLD! and that the Lord gave the stamina and desire for the WORK to meet the requirements of such a group being together for so long with no arguments, and lots of hugs and kisses!
JamesIsaac, Matthew and SaraBeth are here (spent the night) celebrating their December birthdays. Tori joins the group so that Matthew has a "partner in crime" and even tho' hers is a March birthday, she wants to celebrate early! (feels a little left out because they get to shop for their gifts...so). Last night, we had "breakfast at night" and Tori was so excited at our "connection" because she had just mentioned it to the kids upstairs before I asked if they'd like that. Then, there was the French toast this morning that they enjoy very much! Oh, the joys of being a grandmother. Altho' sometimes overwhelmed, I still love it!!!
On Sunday morning - after several nights of not enough sleep, "brain fog" set in. While 1/2 of the group was still here, I retired to the bedroom for an hour nap yesterday afternoon...must have been a POWER nap, because the fog went away and desire to serve returned.
We did away with all the left-overs along with two freshly baked chicken caseroles, two huge pots of broc. and a couple of pans of buttered rolls for lunch after church. NO dessert and no one mentioned it...I believe the sugar level max had been reached !
Tomorrow Christmas decor will be removed and a clean and orderly house achieved so we will be in waiting expectantly for that ONE prospective buyer for this home that we have enjoyed and loved for 30 years!!! Hopefully Tabitha and Natalie will be here to help me. Wes and I brought all the STUFF up, but I feel I must have help to store it all away and remove the dust, dirt, and disorder that seems to always be in the wake.
BERNADINE AND WES CANTRELL This blog is to introduce ourselves to old and new friends... acquaintances... and people interested in knowing about our books and speaking engagement scheduling. Check out our website: http://www.wesandbernadinecantrell.com
