Serve by Design

Klay, our oldest and sixteen-year-old New Mexican grandson, and I recently enjoyed an hour-long chat at the nearby coffee shop. He and his family were in Illinois for a few days. We treasure these occasions and are thankful that we get to see each other two or three times a year. The world stops when we are together and we can get into a serious conversation quickly about any subject! Early Childhood Education!  😆 This time we were in a discussion about the next steps for Klay after he graduates from high school in December. He has been taking advanced classes for years and will be finishing this stage of his education two months from his seventeenth birthday. Now, he is earnestly focused on what his bachelor's degree will look like and where he will do his studies. He wants to get on a track that takes him to seminary in the next three to four years. It’s an exciting time for this special grand who has already been asked to preach a couple of times in his home church the last f...

We are still replaying the highlights of our last Saturday evening gathering to watch our beloved Cardinals play the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium! It was an occasion full of various elements that included celebrating with Matt, our eldest son, on his fiftieth birthday! Twenty-one family members had come in from New Mexico, Texas, Saint Louis, and Illinois! "Want some Dippin' Dots, Honey?" The mid-afternoon celebration started at Ted Drews Frozen Custard with each of us ready to sample our favorites from their famous ice cream menu of shakes and concretes. As we approached the ordering windows, a light sprinkle or two of rain greeted us momentarily, but it only lasted a few minutes before the sun would shine brightly throughout the rest of the evening. Then, we made our way over to the stadium to check in at the gate, and receive the David Eckstein Bobblehead promotional giveaway. Those of us who were older were eager to get a hand on this commemorative memento that f...

Our family room is decorated with Texas symbols. It is a tribute to the fifteen years that we resided in the Lone Star State. Prominently on display is a beautiful Texas Afghan throw comforter, that is draped over our largest couch and showcased by two Texas pillows at each end! The comforter pictures, in decorative stitching, some of the most notable symbols of the Great State: the Alamo, the Mockingbird, the Armadillo, a Bucking Bronco, a Pecan Tree, and numerous Bluebonnets outlining the perimeter! It is a continual reminder of what we love about Texas! A Tribute to Mac! I regularly read these monthly periodicals: Texas Monthly , Parks and Wildlife , and Texas Highways . They help me to keep up with Texas news, events, and happenings! I never miss reading the last page of Texas Monthly that features a delightfully funny and sarcastic short article with a “Question and Answer” format. It is written by Davis Courtney, The Texanist , who, by his own description, offers “Fine Advice an...