Anniversary Slide Show - Short

Here's a video short of the 50th anniversary slide show. Enjoy!

50th Anniversary Update - 5/31/08

Seven days and counting until the big 50th celebration. I finished the slide show! I had a hard time deciding how long to make it. So I settled on 25 minutes and my parents can watch it at their leisure. Warning: they should bring tissues. I need to investigate if it can post it here. Now I've got to get ready for cousins coming in to stay and my other assignments from my brother--he's heading up the shindig. My hubby is working, so I and my daughter are on our own.

Well, darn it!

Probably within five minutes of posting that I hoped Danica would win, she was taken out of the race! She was so ticked off, she was going down to give the guy what for, when a big security guard made her change her mind. Good call.

Go Danica

It would be great if Danica Patrick wins the Indy 500 this year. The first woman to win the 500, how cool would that be?

Fun on Lake Allatoona

This cutie pie is Kelli, our 5-year-old cousin. Very sweet and very well behaved!
Our cousins from North Carolina came down for a visit for the Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, we took our boats out on Lake Allatoona. It was a beautiful day.


This was our first time on Allatoona. We weren't sure what to expect since we usually go to Lake Lanier. The lake was clean and full of water.

25 Years and Many Pounds Ago

Jody, Me & Mary
1983

Me

We had some good times in college. My senior year, we went over to my friend's house and decided to play dress up with her mother's old clothes and wigs. Aren't they great? We had a great time being silly and laughing. Mostly, I couldn't believe that her seemingly tame mom, was actually a tigress! Rrrrrrrrrrr! We looked pretty hot, too! Oh how I wish I still looked like that today! Mary still does, even after having five kids. I've lost track of Jody, but I hope she's doing well.

Your right, you're wrong

I don't mean to sound like a grammar snob, but people, get it right! Some of you didn't get taught much in English class! Here' a little lesson in when to use "your" and when to use "you're." It's a common mistake that people make to use "your" when actually they should be using "you're." Your is an adjective. According to Webster, your is:

1 : of or relating to you or yourself or yourselves especially as possessor or possessors <your bodies>, agent or agents <your contributions>, or object or objects of an action <your discharge> 2 : of or relating to one or oneself your right> 3 —used with little or no meaning almost as an equivalent to the definite article the<your typical teenager>

For example, Park your car over there.

You're is a contraction for "you are." Example, If you park your car over there, you're (you are) going to be out of the way. See how simple that is? So, before choosing your or you're, ask yourself, "If I choose to use your, does that mean that you're going to get it right?"

Cook Wins!

I predicted weeks ago that the top two on American Idol would be the two Davids. My pick for #1 was David Cook. The top two were both fantastic and both winners. Great finale show tonight. Wish I had taped it!

50th Anniversary Update

Tom and June
June 7, 1958

I have worked for days on scanning old photos and editing a video for my parents--I mean DAYS! Sunday afternoon, I turn on my pc. I look for the video. It's not there! I search ... it's just not there! You've got to be kidding me! I'm hoping I'll turn on my pc in a few days and it will magically appear.

Desperate Finale Was Good!

Finally, Desperate Housewives had a decent show. They must have been saving the best writers for the two-hour season finale. The last five minutes were the best. In case you didn't watch, they zoomed ahead to five years later. I wonder ... what happened to Mike? Is Susan married to this new guy? Is Bree still with Orson? Gaby's older child looked older than five years old ... could the child be Carlos' by another woman? Where was Edy? Is Carlos still blind? I'm glad that evil child of Tom's was shipped off somewhere else to live--that was great how he faked a call from a worker, but it was really the doctor on the phone. Then I wonder, if it was all a dream or a what if ... . Well it will be interesting when the fall season kicks off with new shows. I'll be tuning in.

Rebecca's first dance

Last week was Rebecca's first dance. She didn't go with a date. In fact, most of the kids didn't go with dates. They're in 8th grade, and it's more acceptable (according to her) to go with a group. Her father and I were happy she didn't go with a boy--we can wait a little while longer for those days. She went with a couple of friends and met up with more friends at the dance. According to reports from Rebecca, the kids danced, behaved themselves, and had a good time. I was expecting drama, but there was none. They went, they danced, drank sodas, got sore feet from wearing high heels, and came home beat. This fall, she'll start high school. High school! Holy cow! How did that happen? Seems like she was just sleeping in her crib!

Season Finales?

The shows just came back from the writer's strike and we're into season finales already? What's up with that? They're gone for weeks, come back for a month, then go away again for the summer. What a rip off! And, the shows have been mediocre to boot!

Thank You, Lottie Moon

Lottie Moon's trunk

Lottie's desk

Lottie's foot stool

Yesterday, I was visiting the Woman's Missionary Union in Birmingham, Ala. with my co-workers. For some of us, it was our first visit, so we were given a tour. Wow. The building is a museum full of artifacts. They have done a wonderful job of preserving items from history, like the items pictured above. The trunk was Lottie's trunk that she took with her on her missionary journeys, the desk was the the one that she used when writing her many letters, and her foot stool that shows years of propping her feet up. For those of you that aren't familiar with Lottie, here's a brief bio from the International Mission Board:

Born Charlotte Diggs Moon Dec. 12, 1840, in Albemarle County, Va., Lottie Moon served 39 years as a missionary, mostly in China's Shantung province. She taught in a girls' school and often made trips into China's interior to share the good news with women and girls. Lottie frequently wrote letters to the United States, detailing Chinese culture, missionary life, and the great physical and spiritual needs of the Chinese people. She urged Southern Baptists to greater missions involvement and support. One of those letters triggered Southern Baptists' first Christmas offering for international missions - enough to send three new missionaries to China. Lottie died aboard a ship in the Japanese harbor of Köbe on Dec. 24, 1912. She was 72 years old. (To read more about Lottie Moon, go to http://www.imb.org/main/give/page.asp?StoryID=5527&LanguageID=1709.)

To stand there and look at some of her belongings, made Lottie a little more real to me that day. This was a little lady, some say just over 4-feet tall, who gave her life to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the people of China. Thank you Lottie Moon for your example.

Mother's Day 2008

Mother and daughter

The chief, oops, I mean chef!

My husband

View from the terrace

Tall new building, blocking the view

My mother

Mother's Day was another culinary feast this year. We were treated to chicken fricassee, asparagus, and Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah.) It looks, tastes, and is prepared like a grain, but it's actually a fruit (I got that info from the NY Times.) The best part was, I didn't have to lift a finger--what a treat. Once again, the views from the terrace were spectacular and our chef, my brother, was at his best. I'm so glad he lives near us!

Recurring Dream

Do you ever dream the same dream again and again, or at least the same subject? My latest recurring dream is that I've left my purse somewhere. In some dreams, I come back and find that no one has taken any money or credit cards and I'm so relieved. Other times, I dream that I find my wallet open and all cash and credit cards are gone. Then I go into super panic mode and think, where are the phone numbers to call to report the cards stolen? Oh boy, I use my debit card a lot, how do I get money now? Have they tried to charge anything yet? It's going to feel like forever to get these cards replaced! That's what I actually say to myself in these dreams. I even see the detail of the wallet and where it's lying. In last night's dream, which was early this morning--you know, one of those dreams you have just before you wake up--I had left my purse unattended in a booth at McDonald's while I went to another booth to talk to someone. When I came back, all the cash was gone and all credit cards. I wonder what this dream means? Anyone have any ideas?

Mother's Day 2007

My mother, June

This Mother's Day, once again, we'll be dining on the 27th floor of "The Realm." Sounds exquisite and expensive, doesn't it? But our chef is my brother and we'll be dining in his condo in Buckhead on the 27th floor. Last year we feasted on rib roast, roasted potatoes, asparagus, and various other tasty dishes. I don't know what's on this year's menu, but it's a given that it will be delicious. These pictures are from last year and we had a fabulous time, especially since my mother and I didn't have to lift a finger! Can't wait for this year's treat!

My brother, Keith

The table is set

Views from the 27th floor of Buckhead

Rodents of the Ant World

I HATE flying ants and they're in my house! They're attracted to light, so as I'm typing this, there are about six on my screen! They twist and turn and circle around and around. They're not flying, but circling. They're crawling on the keyboard. They're getting on my arms -- yuk! I go to watch some TV at night, guess who else is there watching it? Yep, flying ants. A light is left on in the kitchen, guess who's scouring the counter top, that's right, flying ants. Gross! Where are these annoying rodents of the insect world coming from? My husband just sprayed bug killer all around the house. I don't remember these pests invading our home like this before. What are they doing during the day? Populating? In the spring, we usually get those tiny little ants that come marching in through a crack in a window and make a parade to our dog's food bowl. That's disgusting, too! I think the bug spray took care of them.

New Money

I love crisp new bills, especially one dollar bills. When I get one, I hate to spend it. I'll use up all the other tattered ones first. They feel good in your hands. They also feel a little thicker than older bills, so when you give a tip to the car wash guy, it feels like you're giving more. One new dollar bill, feels like two old dollar bills. I also like to put my bills in order and all in the same direction--it's neater, plus it's easier to find a five or a 20. Ahhhh, new money, I love it!

I'm not the only one!

A road crew working near our home had this road sign posted. They don't know their right from left either!

Planning a 50th Wedding Anniversary

In one month, my parents will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Wow! I have to confess that I didn't realize this year was their 50th. My brother was the one who reminded me about it. Of course, I went into semi-panic mode. What should we do? How much will this cost? Where do we go? Rent a hall? Have it at my house? Go to a restaurant? Take a trip? We finally decided to go the party route and have it at their house. The invitations have gone out and we're waiting on people to RSVP. As of today, 14 are coming. We sent out 50 invites. More updates to come.

Window to my soul?

If I said I love reading Harry Potter, would that make me a bad Christian? I mean, I know Harry is a wizard and Hermione is a witch, but they're the good guys trying to beat the bad guys and the books are so creative and good reading! If I like watching TV shows like "Dancing with the Stars," "The Bachelor," "Big Brother," and "Desperate Housewives," would you think less of me? Is it wrong to watch scantily clad men and women dance and rotate their bottoms? My mother has said that "Dancing with the Stars" is disgusting. Does that make me a disgusting person for watching? Are these shows planting seeds of iniquity in my mind? Now, I'm not saying I watch those shows, I'm just saying ... what if?

Psychic

My 14-year-old and I have this psychic connection. It's really weird. I can't tell you how many times we'll be thinking the same thing at the same moment. We'll see something and make the same comment or talk at the same time or want the same french fry. I tell her we were separated at birth and she says, "yes we were, you gave birth to me!" Many times I'll be thinking about someone and they call me! That's really weird. But a lot of times, I'll be thinking about someone and they don't call.

RA Pledge Lasts a Lifetime

Here is an article by my friend and colleague, Jim Burton.

The changes our nation has seen over the past 100 years are mind-boggling. Transportation, communication and education barely resemble what existed at the turn of the previous century.

Fortunately, there have been some constants since 1908 that represent a continuity of core beliefs for Southern Baptists. One of those is the value of teaching boys about missions.

As Southern Baptists celebrate the 100th anniversary of Royal Ambassadors, it’s not hard to see all the changes that have taken place through the years. If only some of the first 2 million-plus boys to become RAs could see the ministry today, they would probably be surprised to learn RAs now includes first through third graders and the quality of the materials exceeds their imagination.

However, an RA in 1908 would likely recognize one dimension of the ministry that still remains today, the RA Pledge. Though it has changed some, the pledge’s essence has remained the same.

As a Royal Ambassador I will do my best to become a well-informed, responsible follower of Christ.

Missions discipleship doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentionality to learn the biblical basis of missions and to understand how Southern Baptists do missions cooperatively. Missions learning is the foundation for missions-sending. People generally don’t respond to opportunities they don’t know about. Through the study of missions, memorization of Scripture, evangelism training and mission projects, the RA ministry equips boys for a missional lifestyle.

To have a Christlike concern for all people.

Missions is about other people—all people everywhere. RAs learn that missions means crossing cultures so that everyone can hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. An RA knows that today the crossing of cultures often starts in their neighborhood or school.

To learn how to carry the message of Christ around the world.

Missions learning isn’t just about how others do missions. It’s about how even a young boy can carry the message of Christ to his own “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) through his tithes, prayers, encouragement and personal participation that begins at home.

To work with others in sharing Christ.

RAs learn missions is rarely a singular effort. Even as Jesus sent the disciples out by twos, RAs learn missional teamwork strengthens the missionary effort. They learn why it’s important to work with missionaries, church planters, pastors and nationals in other countries to accomplish the Great Commission.

And to keep myself clean and healthy in mind and body.

RAs are God’s vessels for Kingdom work. They learn that purity and personal health discipline position a boy for meeting missional challenges.

The return on investment churches make in boys via RAs is more difficult to calculate than 100 years of enrollment. However, historically Southern Baptist pulpits and missionary appointments have been filled by men who trace their first understanding of God’s missional call back to their days as RAs.

Often when speaking in churches, I’ll recite the RA Pledge and watch men and boys of all ages across the auditorium mouth the words with me. They might not remember it verbatim, but the essence is still there because the RA Pledge is a powerful life pledge.

Just as RAs make a pledge for missions, RAs need churches that will pledge to nurture their boys for missions.

It’s a pledge to invest in the future.

Jim Burton is the mission education team leader for the North American Mission Board in Alpharetta, Ga. For more information about Royal Ambassadors, visit www.royalambassadors.org.