Now To Just Have Taken Our Camera!

We arrived in Albuquerque about 7:30 last night.  We went to Grapevine for my niece's wedding.  Leah Kathryn and David Freeze are officially husband and wife. 
Sweetest rehearsal dinner and wedding I believe I've attended.  She is the Princess Bride - a movie she enjoys was played out in real life.  (well, not all of it, I saw no horses or giants or the swapping of wine by two men).  A good time was had by all.  A most relaxing and loving wedding. 
Today is a bitterly cold day, the sun being beat out by the winter winds and Arctic air.
 We took Coco and Scout and they enjoyed the travel as well - making themselves right at home in the hotel room.  However, they too are tired today.  We have been the proverbial crib rats.
My mom looked wonderful, my cousin, Linda was there and looked great as well.  We also got to see Janet (Alexander) Hamilton and enjoyed some time together. 
We have never attended a wedding where grilled cheese sandwiches were served.  We may have to make that the mark of a great wedding from now on.  They were perfect as well as the rest of the food. 
My great niece, Emma, loved the band and rocked out (she is 9 mos old) to "Billie Jean".  She can really keep up with the beat of the music.  Great band, by the way.
We had a wonderful time.  We enjoyed the company, the food, the wedding and meeting Alan's in laws as well as Leah's new family. 
We are also glad to be back home again.  I did OK.  I couldn't travel that distance on a regular basis.  Sitting in a car is very tiring, who knew that?  I am a road warrior and never thought twice about jumping in the car and driving long distances.  Now, I do.  
The Lee's hosted Sophie, the cat.  She may never want to live here again.  She was treated royally by her hosts and we thank YOU for being so willing to take her at the last moment.  Cats are quite sufficient, but I think by the end of our trip, she would have been beside herself.  She loves her canned food and someone to talk back to.  Thank you, David and Peggy.
We are mindful of those families who have been devastated by the tragic shooting in Tucson, AZ.  We're think of all who lost their loved ones, no one person is more special than the other - but the 9 yr old girl who lost her life...it states over and over again, that our lives are but a vapor.
Love one another; make amends, be kind, live with an open hand and an open heart.  Imagine her parents telling her to have a good time and enjoy the opportunity she was going to have - never dreaming it would be the last time they would see her alive.  The federal judge - the same story, a quick hello to the Senator and home with his bag of groceries. 
All of these people have touched and been touched by many lives.  Their families are never going to be the same, nor will those who were close to them.  Praying that God will bless them and bring what they need into their lives. 
Back to nap time as the sun makes it's way down on this side of the earth to wake those on the other side.  Isn't that just a wonder?  One sun is shared around the world.  Rising and setting while we are carrying on our lives.  I watch it set most every evening..a reminder that God loves us so and takes care of us in the most incredible manner.  The perfect amount of light and darkness; seasons that come and go - always right on time.  What is a wonder to you?
i love you!
kathryn

RJ

kathryn and ruthie, 2010

So guess who is coming to dinner?  Ruthie!  Our first guests and dear family friends, were here last week. 

I haven't downloaded Jeff and Lisa's photos yet.  I'll get to that this evening (I hope).  Another story of deep friendship...

This girl has been in my life since 1974.  Naturally, after months of my boss touting the incredible find she made when Ruthie applied for a job at Colonial Florist, Stillwater, OK, I hated her.  She was beautiful, smelled wonderful, wore beautiful clothing and was "so talented and going to be such an asset to our little world". 

On an August morning, high on humidity and heat, low on make up and tolerance - in walks this beautiful, gorgeous creature.  Lovely, happy, helpful, wanting to be "a part of the team".  She walked to the Xerox machine and said, Hi, I'm Ruthie Jones.  I probably snarled at her (knowing her by all of the descriptive terms we'd been hearing for months) - Hi, I'm Kathryn Parker.....Jordan.  She quickly said, well, which is it?

By noon, we were best friends.  Planning meals, eating out at cheap dives for lunch and spending every waking hour together.  On December 4th, my first husband, Arliss Jordan, took his own life.  Ruthie is the one I called to come and take me home to our apt.  She stuck with me through most of the night.  I remember my friend, Alisha, spending one night with me.  My memories are very broken - some are very strong and most are just fragments.

 Ruthie and Keith filled my days with love and friendship - though in deep shock, they were there for me...as were so many other people.  Relatives, friends, acquaintances - all holding me up and brushing me off and praying for me to be able to get myself glued back together again.  God's grace and mercy and tender loving kindness brought me through that stormy time.

Ruthie and Keith moved away in May after Keith graduated from OSU.  One day, after moving to Okla City, I was so at loose ends, feeling so lost; needing someone who knew "me then".  I called Ruthie.  We picked up right where we left off.  I spent many weekends in Snyder OK.  There was a lot of talk, a lot of laughter, some sledding on the huge interstate circle on inner tubes, a lot of working through our lives together.  We are "knit in heart"....Arliss' death brought us to a level of friendship that is indescribable.  I love her with my whole heart.  She's been through many difficult journey's as well.  God has this amazing ability to put people together.  And keep bringing them together as the years unfold. 

I love you RJ.  Can't wait for you to get here.  Sophie is patting her little feet right now.

Enjoy your day,

love kathryn

Lovely and Bitterly Cold Sunday Brrrrrrr

January 2, 2011
From his fullness we have received, grace upon grace.  John 1:16

The best news of the day is found in John.  The Word spoke and creation exploded into being.  I look out the back window of our house and see hundreds of things He spoke into being.  The volcano's, pine and evergreen, pyrocantha, trees of great variety.
I look beside me, he created Coco and Scout.  I look at myself and know he created me - to be his child, to go through trials and great joys, to become a mother, to enjoy laughter and funny people and strange things that fill this earth, a person who loves to read, cook, eat, share what is running through my mind, loving others, working to understand others ideas that are different from mine and love the differences, driving, though that is on hold for a bit.   I appreciate acupuncture and receive great relief from JinLin's gentle touch. My doctors, Dr. Clark, Dr. Glass, Dr. Brown, Mindy O'Neil and nurses to numerous to name.  I love my animals, I love Jim and Molly and Dain from the depths of my heart - what a great gift.  I do not understand all of this, but am glad it was placed in my heart by God's love.  I love to garden and see the results of putting plants into the ground;; enjoy the bounty with more than enough to share....isn't that the point of gardening anyway? to share?  To watch these dogs and this weird cat and all of their antics.  To have dear friends come and stay with us.  To have a slice of my dad's great sense of humor and sharp wit.  To have my mother's hands and feet to work and do things I enjoy.  To have the love of Jesus...."deep down in my heart".  I pray it that it will be reflected in my daily life.
To you - You are so very dear and precious.  Gems that fill my heart and reflect to brightly in my life.
i love you,
kathryn