Thursday, July 17, 2008

Tribute to Lilly!!! Happy Birthday Lilly, My sweet niece is 4 years old!!!



Happy Birthday Lilly!!!

My sweet niece was born 4 years today.....She is now with my brother John and Carol my sister in law, and her sweet brother Lucas in Brazil on the mission field. I only get to see her now once a year....but oh how precious the next time will be when I get to see her!!!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

surgery update.....

Vanderbilt spine decompression in Feb.......
Turp at JMCGH on his prostate in June....
Replacement of his artificial sphincter in July.....

Mike got home today from the hospital. It was the third surgery in five months....Wow!! This has been the year.....but through it all God is faithful.....Hopefully we are home free from hospitals for awhile. I thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this time in our life. Now after these surgeries that gave us a scare at first; his back pain, and control of his bowel and bladder, which led to lack of control....but in time all will come back in a matter of just healing.....and the happiness and joy of such more comfort in his everyday life physically and mentally.

Again, I want to say thank you for all who lifted him up in prayer, or throughout the day thought about him.

I love you all!!!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

best friends!!

This is the newest picture of my precious niece and nephew!! Again, Oh how I miss them....They are in Brazil with their mom and dad!!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

it's me again....and Happy 4th of July weekend!!





Wow, it has been over a month since I have posted anything. Hope all is well.....This past month has been a journey in every aspect from spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. But the good Lord is faithful through it all.... So please take that in consideration for anyone that does read this blog, or was saying where was she.....??!!

On a more jolly note, I have been to quite a few weddings this summer, and staying busy with various activities...Hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures soon. Today is Tiffany Staggs and Lowe Finney's wedding date.....Tiffany is a wonderful friend of mine, and so happy to see this day come for her, and Lowe both even though I don't know him that well....The Lord could not have picked anybody better for the two of them.

Have a great 4th of July weekend!!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

My First Letter!!!

My First Letter arrived yesterday in the mail. I sponsor a sweet lil girl from Compassion International. She is from the country of Brazil, and she will be 6 in couple of weeks. It was basically like in survery form on elementary paper from Compassion Interantional from a sponsor that works with her down in Brazil. I was still so excited. So if anyone would like to pray for her and her family her name is Diva Christina Barcelos Rocha, she seems full of life. I look forward to building on this relationship with her over the years, and watching as she grows into a ball full life in her community as well as with her love for Jesus.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Last Weekend of May---and June 1st!!!


Weekend of Weddings!!!

Congratulations Megan and Richard!!!

Megan Parrish and Richard Murphy united on May 31, at 1:00. What a sweet time it was, this courtship was so full of love but mainly a servantship and reflection of Christ from the beginning. I am so happy for you both. Megans' mom and dad Gil and Robin were our small group leaders in Sunday School at the church we attend.....Amazing people, and it is a reflection in their daughter Megan. Richard I have met through Megan, and shopping at Outdoors Inc, and mutual friends. His humble heart and love for Christ and Megan is amazing as well.

Congratulations Lori and John David!!!

Lori and John David got married at 6:30 on May 31!! What a fun, God centered time this was as well......The ceremony was nothing but precious, with the flower girls and ringbears coming down the aisle of the many children that Lori has invested in and families she has babysitted for--- that mean so much to her. The reception was so much fun.....the DJ made it so fun in how he got into every song, and made it fun being in the midst of the reunion/reception. Lori has been a friend that I have gotten to know through Young Life, and mutual friends, and just growing up in Jackson, she did some of her shadowing at Pathways with me years ago befor she graduated from college. Lori's life shows with her love for people and love for Christ. Lori and John David I am so excited for you both.....!!!

And, on May 31 Lynley Mandrell a sweet friend, and my pastor's wife of Ben Mandrell had there 3rd precious boy, Precious baby Number 4. I had the priveledge to hold him today....He is so sweet. I think he favors lil Ava....but oh how babies change.

On June 1st, one of my closest friends dad passed away. Jim Looney. Quiet, reserved man,with a neat dry sense of humor, who loved Jesus, and his family very dearly, and intently. Thank you Jesus, when we get to heaven there will be no more suffering.....We will miss you Jim, but we know you are in the hands of the Lord.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Memorial Day Weekend!!

Memorial Day Weekend!!!

A weekend of rest, that was much needed.

Friday, Mike and I rented the movie Bella. A wonderful intense "drama movie".....If you would like to feel every emotion, try watching it very thought provoking. I would highly recommend it. It is in the new releases at Blockbuster. My close friend Molly Graves Campbell recommended it to us.

Saturday----Was a long awaited day for a good friend and her handsome fiancee....Shekia and Chima...On May 24!!! Congratulations to both of you guys. The wedding was nothing but beautiful...Shekia you did a wonderful job planning, and God sure blessed this special day of yours. I wish you both many years of happiness and God's blessings upon both of you. Don't ever walk where He doesn't lead!!

Monday---Happy Memorial Day!! God Bless all the veterans, and everyone that is serving in the war or has served!! It rained mostly all day off and on....Later that day the neighbors invited us over for a fish fry. Mike rested on this day, but I went over there and visited with the neighbors...Chris and Libby. I would have to say it was the best fish I have ever put in my mouth.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The middle of the week is here otherwise known as Hump Day!!

Well it is Hump Day, a little update from the past couple of days.

My lil bonus in life called a car; which got out of the shop yesterday. I am so blessed as a dwarf(lil person) to be able to drive. And, then everybody knows I am a lover of being on the road, and traveling especially to Nashville. Everybody asks how do you drive, or are you able....earthly and fleshly speaking I love me some driving. And, the joy of it is anybody can drive my car, the extensions that come out from the pedals, they are on the rods, not the pedals themselves. So it is nice to have some wheels back in my life, due to my job causes me to travel and stay on the road. If anybody that is reading this needs a good and honest mechanic, I prefer Lynn's Auto Body Repair over anybody in town. You will get good honest work for your money.

And, since Mike has been home from the hospital, he has had a catheter in and out 3 times, and yesterday made the third time due to some unexplainable fluid built up, and his body is still in shock from the surgery. So please still keep him in your prayers regarding his overall recovery. Time is the only answer in the regards to his healing.

Today I am taking Minnie(Mike's mom) back to the airport in Nashville...Got my car back in the nic of time. Hopefully it will be a successful trip.

Also I had the chance yesterday to see a close friend, Susan Larson and her two boys. She was visiting down from Nashville at her mom and dad's in Jackson. Her mom, the dear Mrs. Marilyn Jett, is struggling with cancer, and theres' days where her chemo takes a hold of her moreso than other days. What a trooper she has been, and neat to see how she is nothing but in the Lord's hands. I also had the pleasure in seeing Steve and Dana Jett's triplets for the first time in action play together....They are so adorable, and have so much life in their personality.

This weekend marks the first of a few weddings I will be attending this summer. I'll be going to Milan for a friend of mine Tashekia Brown. It will be exciting for this day to finally come for Shekia and Chima. What a sweet day it will be....

I hope everyone is having a blessed week.......

Monday, May 19, 2008

oh how i miss them!!


Carol, Lilly, John and Lucas!!

Oh How I miss them!!!

This is the newest picture of my brother's John and his family.

This picture is taken in the last month. They are in the mission field in Brazil. Lilly and Lucas are growing up, glad they're are things like internet so it allows us to see pics of them growing up.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

My Pride and Joy---Minnie and Maxx




Well it is the weekend, Saturday evening, and my car is still at the shop, so it looks like I will be getting it back sometime late Monday or Tuesday afternoon. My flesh in my soul is saying "I am stuck here all weekend, and won't be able to leave the house." And due to having no car, I self pitied in my selfishness with such a material thing that we seem to not be able to live without. Then I realized, I have so much to be thankful for and dont'even realize it. This will be the first weekend that I can rest, and not be busy... filled with events with the upcoming of summer weddings and such.....And, when I will get my car back it will have a full tank of gas. And, no gas was used.....So this afternoon .....My husband Mike, Minnie(and my precious mother-in-law), and my pride and joys Minnie and Maxx took a road trip to the Market downtown, and the Fresh Market on Hollywood Dr, and to the infamous Walgreens on Campbell. And, after every stop Minnie and Maxx tried to get out of the car, and acted like humans and wanted to go with Minnie and I while Mike stayed in the truck and waited on us.....It was quite interesting with 2 ornery dogs(but precious ones),my mother-in-law(Minnie), my husband and me, and five people in the front seat of a Ford F 150. So basically the point of this random talk about my lil afternoon.......is Life Can Be Adventure even in the lil things in life, even when you dont' always get your way, or if life doesn't always go as you expected in the not being to have your car one weekend....Life can be enjoyed in so many small ways....I dont' know what I would do without my precious children( yes they are dogs), but they have brought much joy to my life.....Minnie my oldest doggie is so loyal, and Maxx is so loving, and playful.....and so precious. I just taught Maxx how to shake, and in the process of teaching him how to rollover, but he haven't grasped that yet. And even on facebook, a new social imenity that we all love has been a great way to reconnect with friends.....So to end this day, even in the lil things there are always things to be thankful for.....

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Mother's Day Weekend!!!

How we say "Life is an Adventure"....Oh how it was this weekend, in every emotion, possible!!!

May 7( Wednesday): I was very excited about going to Florida, and on the way to Nashville to go to the airport, I turned on the AC about 10 miles outside of Jackson and instead of turning the air coming on, heat came a coming.....and I went into a state of shock and frustration. Not fun in the least. Looked at my temp gage, and it was all the way over to the letter H. Then I pulled in to Exit 93 Law Road exit, and it was steaming out of my front end. So their went a lil disappointment coming from me as I'm going to miss my plane. Finally a call from Roadside Assistance of Verizon, they sent out a tow truck to take my car to the infamous Lynn's Auto Repair Shop, the most honest shop and man in town. Then with a few calls I had wonderful friends Anna and Jeff Miller to take me to the airport to make the next flight at 9:05. Had a wonderful mexican dinner at this place in Dixon, probably the best I've had in awhile. But, silly me since I travel to Nashville alot, I thought that later flight was at 9:45, but when I called Mom to double check it it was at 9:05. So good ole Jeff did some bookin on I-40 going into Nashville....(ALWAYS NEVER ASSUME) I was a bit nervous....so when we got to the airport...curbside service was alrighty shut down. And, Anna and I went inside to check-in and I had exactly 20 minutes and they said my baggage was going to be Late Arrival, and my bags weren't going to make it. So by the grace of God, I made it to the gate running, and they hadn't even started loading yet. I got my pre-board....loaded in around 3 minutes.....sat down, and enjoyed the flight. I was glad to get off the plane...Plane landed in Tampa...and went down to get my baggage, and my backpack and suitcase was the first thing off the bayer belt.....what a nice surprise....I was so glad to see Mom, and glad to be finally there in the Sunshine State of Floria.

May 8th : Had the pleasure to go swimming in Mom's pool and hang out with my cousin Sarah and her boyfriend Regis. He helped me with my computer and my blog a little bit, due to my ignorance regarding computers. Then we found out the bad news with the car.....radiator damage.....Mom and I went shopping later that night and had a great time.....

May 9th----Found out more damage with my lil red car of mine, oh well. Thank the Lord for income tax checks. Mom and I went over to see Grandma. My aunt Sandy and the kids , and momma went to Channelside and went Bowling at the most neatest place, where you actually had a full course meal at the lanes, and your own private lane. Then we all went to see the movie Speedracer on IMAX. What an experience!!

May 10---My cousin Emily of 4 months got dedicated at the Baby Dedication at the crossing at the 5:00 service....What an incredible service it was, even after the Baby Dedication. Emily has grown so much since I seen her at the last time of 4 days old.

May 11---Happy Mother's Day to all parents!! What a lovely and challenging job you mothers have. It was a wonderful day with my mom, my aunt Sandy, and my grandmother. We were at my mom's swimming at her pool for the day, and lunch by the poolside. Later that evening Sandy and I went to see Aunt Dolly at the nursing home, and Evelyn was visiting as well. After Aunt Dolly's we went to Ronnie and Evelyn's and had a nice visit.

May 12---Mom and I had a nice day just hanging out at Pinebreeze....We went to Indian Rocks Beach, and had a great time at the beach walking, looking at wonderful beautiful houses, and swimming. Later we went to Crabby Bill's had a nice dinner...then we went outside to the patio and listened to live music. What a wonderful time that day that was spent with Mom!!

I was blessed to have a great weekend, and now I am home to my husband Mike, my precious mother-in law Minnie...and my pride and joys Minnie and Maxx(my doggies). As of yesterday, Mike got his catheter out, crossing of fingers, hopefully all will go well with his bladder, and he is having great success with his phyical therapy. So the recovery is coming along, but he has much more to come.....it's been slow and challenging but a promising recovery at that.

Love to all...and Blessings to everyone....

Saturday, May 3, 2008

What a busy day, but a joyful one!!

Wow!! May 3rd, can't believe May is here already just seems like yesterday it was first day of 2008. Today was the day of Susan's my very close friend, shower/brunch that Staci Brown, Peggy Smith, and I hosted here in Jackson at Dumplins.

Then I took off to Nashville to pick up Momma Minnie Mike's mom.......And before the shower I got a new hairdo by the wonderful Anna Miller. This haircut was a long time coming for ole Joy. I would love to post pictures of today, but as soon as I learn a few things from the blog and and get some couple pics, I will be writing for the time being. Now Minnie and I arrived home, and glad to be home.

Susan, it was so good to see you today. I am so excited for your big day on June 21!!

......joy





















Susan and Joy---one of my closest friends---
The shower at Dumplins on May 3rd...what a sweet time!!
















The hostess at Susan's shower: Joy, Staci, and Peggy!!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Very new to a blog, so bare with me!!

Very new to the blog idea...So bear with me!! I thought what will be my title and theme. First thing that popped in my mine is Vamos!! I love Brazil, the word, and the meaning behind the word. It means "let's go"!!! And, then my overall theme is Life is an Adventure!! Oh how that is true in every aspect, from the serious moments, to the lighthearted, we can go on, and on. And, then my address is vamosmyfriends@blogspot.com. Meaning Let's go somewhere, or let's just go enjoy life together---enjoy the journey in every aspect. God is so good. Blessings again my friends.

Today is the last day of April, wow how time has flown and soon it will be Christmas again. This year has consisted of going down to visit family in Tampa where Mom resides and other family members that I love so much. A few of the things I got to experience in my time in Florida this January, was my brother and his wife Carol, and they're two precious children(Lilly and Lucas). They were down to visit in the States for 2 weeks. I also attended my cousin Priscilla's wedding. She married the handsome Jacob. It was a beautiful wedding, and an amazing fun night at the reception. And, also I got to see my cousin Emily come in to this world. What an eventful week and visit during those few days in Florida in January. Blessings from afar!!






Joy and Lilly






















John, Carol, Lilly, and Lucas


February was a long time coming for my husband Mike....He had been experiencing long years of pain in his lower back, and had become paralyzed in his bowel and bladder area...So on Feb 4 Vanderbilt took on their gracious medical abilities to perform a 12 hour surgery that was only supposed to have been a 4 to 5 hour one. They had found a mass on his spine that at first they thought could have been malignant, but after they did a frozen biopsy......prayerfully everything came out negative. Mike stayed in Vanderbilt around 10 days, and then went to Milan General for 4 weeks of inpatient physical rehabiltitation. During this time, he is dealing with some struggles related to his prostate with high counts of PSA levels, and concerns of gaining his feeling back in his urological area. Please keep him in prayer in this area. A praise to be thankful for is he is going to outpatient physical therapy on his own in his truck now since returning home. We just hope his foley/catheter does not have much longer to stay in----.

Also in Feb on the 23, I attended a sweet wedding, a lady I have known since a lil girl -Ellen Flynn-- now married to Jordan Lloyd. What a precious wedding. On their honeymoon they went to San Francisco, what a beautiful city, especially a great place to go visit in the summer as well.







Ellen and Jordan at their reception!!

March and April was a sweet time with Mike's mom Minnie, and my precious mother-in law. She is 86 years old and a joy to be with. When I am at work, and Mike is steadily recovering, there is not a time when she is not using her time doing something.....She is cleaning for us, or asking what could she do to help, she lets me know what's going on regarding the soap operas....we take fun trips to Walgreens, and she even before I took her back to the airport, she walked the whole Opry Mills with me, and even shopped. What a trooper!!
Also in April too, I attended some sweet showers for some precious friends that are about to get married this summer.

Now May is coming upon us, and my first wedding shower I am helping hosts, for one of my closest friends in the whole I world.....Susan White. It will be held this Sat May 3, at Dumplins, and then the big day is June 21 in Lexington Kentucky. And, then right after the shower I head to Nashville to go pick up Momma Minnie, and we will probably go eat at the Macaroni Grill, and go look again for some swim suits. We are a funny pair. Then Wednesday I am off to Nashville again to vamos to Florida to see my momma, and some family.....Yeah!!

That is all for now, my husband should be coming home soon from going to physical therapy. We are probably having leftovers tonight as you all know cooking is not my fortae, but maybe it will become something that I grow to love someday. At the present I am just staying busy at work, and enjoy time with Mike and my sweet doggies....Minnie and Maxx!!

Blessings to all, and I'll write sooner next time.

joy