My Great Hero

You've seen this photo from the wedding. I think I promised a story.

 

But, before the story, tell me doesn't this photo touch your heart? It's of my Handsome Navy Son and my Best Sister Ever helping get Grandma Tatum to the wedding ceremony. (Thanks BFF Melanie for the photo. I'll save some stories about Melanie for another day.)

 

 

 

I've shared some blessed moments with my Grandma Tatum. You can read two of them here and here.

 

But, I don't think I've ever shared the most important thing.

 

While giving all the glory to Jesus, I give much credit to my Grandma and Grandpa Tatum for helping me find Him. There were ALWAYS Bibles in my grandparents home. Grandpa Tatum was a Gideon. Grandma had lots of Bible story books, and we cousins would "play" Sunday School with much regularity. Grandma was my Sunday School teacher for a time, what little time I was able to go to church. (My parents grew active in church and Daddy was saved years later.)

 

Grandma Tatum gave me my first Bible. She arranged for me to go to church camp. She prayed and I knew she prayed. She loved the LORD, and I always knew she loved him.

 

If you look back at the posts I referred to under the photo, you can see that Grandma's health has deteriorated quickly in the past several years. She has declined both physically and cognitively.

 

On Saturday, after I convinced her to smile in a photo with me, I asked her if she wanted to go see Whitney all dressed in her wedding dress. She asked me, "Is Whitney getting married today?"

 

You know it hurt my heart a little when she asked that, but I tried ever so politely to tell her yes without making her feel embarrassed. And, of course, she wanted to go see Whitney.

 

When we took her in the room, it was as if all the brain waves for that moment worked like they were meant to. She looked at Whitney, and she looked at my mama. She looked at Whitney, and me, and she looked at Mama. Her eyes filled with tears.

 

So did mine.

 

So did Whitney's.

 

So did my mama's.

 

And.......possibly every other brides maid in the room.

 

And Grandma said as she looked back and forth. "She looks so beautiful." "Isn't she just the most beautiful bride?"

 

And, that's the kind of moment I will treasure forever. My Jesus gave me a great hero in the faith. He allowed me to have in her my life for 49 years. No many almost-49-year-old ladies can say they spent time with their grandmother this weekend. And, he ordained that moment in time, when Grandma could see clearly the beauty in her great-granddaughter on her wedding day.

 

Then, to make it all the more special, it became a moment of prayer. All these ladies, four generations, and a group of Whitney's dearest friends held hands in a circle which included my greatest faith Hero, on Whitney's most special day.

 

It was an Ephesians 3:20 Miracle of More moment.



A Blessed Wedding Day

I know...I know...it's the pictures you've been waiting for. I love this one....a moment when Whitney was herself. She held it together all week long and all day on Friday before the wedding. Just a few hours before the wedding, she was overcome with the "business" of it all. We were finally able to get her to relax!

 

And, later, hope was really able to bring out the "Whitney" in Whitney.

 And, I don't know if I've every REALLY realized how much I love these big kids! But...I missed them so much when they all 3 moved out within 6 months of one another...and I was full of joy for the hours we had together on Saturday. Look at the smiles on the three of them!

(And, might I say, that is the most handsome submariner EVER!)





 

 

This photo might really be my ALL time favorite of the day. It's my Grandma Tatum. I couldn't possibly count all of the people who call her Grandma. She just turned 89 years old, and, though she forgot occasionally why we were all together, I was beyond happy to have her there. Does it show? I'll have a post in a day or two about how special one of the moments with Grandma Tatum was on wedding day.

And, in case you didn't already know it....those 7 blessings in this photo are my greatest treasures. I'm almost weepy typing that. I cannot imagine my life without them. I could not ever have imagined 10 years ago, that I would be the mom of 7 blessings! They are indeed MY Miracle of More.

I have a couple of special stories to share and plan to later this week. You won't want to miss them!

And...can you believe it? My camera died before the end of the day. I have no photos of the groomsmen, except Brandon. And, I have NO photos of the groom. I have not photos of my darling daughter-in-law who helped keep it all organized.

So, when the happy couple gets their official photos, I'll be a boastful mama and post more!

One Blessed Weekend

My heart is full as I reflect on the blessings of this past weekend.

Many of you now, but lots of you may not.

My firstborn child got married this weekend.

I was ready to post some photos and share details of the weekend when, alas, I cannot find my card reader.

I am taking that as a sign from heaven that I need to spend a little extra time with JESUS and get some much needed rest.

But, tomorrow, if He wills, I will go to town to buy a new card reader and share much with you in word and pictures about all that our Miracle of More God did for my family this weekend!