The Magic is Coming.....

..
Sea BreezesThe magic is coming....tomorrow night.....I can't wait...I hope you believe in the magic of Christmas. Funny, the magic comes whether we believe or not. Believing is seeing!
The sun sets on Christmas Eve, and the air cools and the breeze stirs. The magic begins.

Like so many years ago....a young woman great with child traveled riding a donkey while her young husband walked beside her, confused and worried...yet trusting in the magic.....he found a place for them to stay in Bethlehem...the best this young husband could do was a stable, a home for animals, but I am sure he appreciated the shelter and drew warmth from the animals.

Soon, his young wife gave birth, with the help of the magic.
A son was born, they named the baby, Jesus. They were warm and happy. The young husband knew his tiny son was special, a magical son who belonged first to God.

I can't wait to celebrate this magic at the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord tomorrow night at our beautiful little church. I can't wait to sing the celebration music and look at the ruby red communion wine sparkling with the lights of the church.

The magic is coming and I will be ready. I will dress carefully and ask for the only gift I want for Christmas....the gift of the Holy Spirit. I can't wait for the magic. I hope you are ready. Merry Christmas to you all.

9 Reasons Not To Own An English Cocker Spaniel

Sea BreezesI feel compelled to write this blog. Nine (9) reasons why you should not own an English Cocker Spaniel. If you are a frequent reader, you know that this past year has brought us, not one, but two English Cocker Spaniels. Pippin is a year old girl "Puppy" and Lewis is a 2 1/2 year old "grown up" finished his championship boy. I am home sick today, or better yet, trying to be sick with an awful cold. Hubbie is making me go see the doctor.

In the meantime, I attempted to be sick on the couch this morning which brings me to reason "1". EC's, as we who have them call the breed, have lips. Being licked in the ear by two sets of dog lips while sick is beyond explanation.

Reason #2...EC's can pick up anything, including the blanket I wrapped around my feverish body, which they pulled off and carried through the house.

Reason # 3....EC's can quickly change gears and become unmovable instant couch potatoes. Being feverish with 45 pounds of dog on one's body does not make for resting.

Reason #4....EC's can quickly change gears from couch potato to jumping circus dog. Being jumped on and off and on and off by two EC's while attempting to be sick is beyond explanation.

Reason#5...EC's are always happy, with tails wagging. Trying to be sick on the couch and feeling sorry for oneself while
getting kissed by happy dogs defeats the whole purpose of lying on the couch in the first place.

Reason #6....EC's eat anything....being brought a piece of the live Christmas tree while trying to be sick and lie on the couch makes one's heart rate rise, which is not good for healing.

Reason #7.....EC's love anything stuffed....All my pillows were pulled off the couch, and lying on the couch sick with no pillows is not fun.

Reason # 8...EC's love to stare at you until they get what they want like throw a ball, play with them, or give them a command. When one is sick, the last thing one wants is to be stared at by two sets of big, soft, brown, dog eyes.

Lastly, reason #9....EC's love with their whole dog hearts. When one is sick, one wants to be left alone to sleep and rest. Having hands and pj's pulled at by two dogs to play is not fun when one is lying on the couch trying to be sick.

For some reason, I am no longer on the couch. I am typing on my laptop that has a key missing and was found on the floor with teeth marks in it. I made the Dr. appointment. I put the part the Christmas tree lost in the garbage. I put the pillows back and folded up my blanket. I took 10 dog toys off the couch and put them away. I guess I feel a little better. It's hard to feel sick and sorry for oneself when one lives with two English Cockers who insist that daily life is to be enjoyed and laughed at!

Thanksgiving For Love

Sea BreezesWe spent our Thanksgiving holiday in Montreat in the mountains of North Carolina. We didn't have all of our kids with us. Patrick and girlfriend Holly stayed on St. Simons as Patrick's work schedule kept him home. Usually everyone travels to our house for the big turkey day, and we bunk up like teenagers all over our house. This year Tonya's radiation schedule wouldn't allow for travel from home very far, so we met them at Montreat, a Presbyterian retreat not far from Asheville. The retreat was beautiful, the mountains were alive with the last remnants of fall color. Our weather was warm, for mountain weather, and sunny during the day, chilly during the evening. The "cousins" had a blast playing together and exchanged Christmas presents. We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner in the grand hall of Montreat after a sweet Thanksgiving service.

The giving of thanks. This year has been an eye opener for all of us. Tonya's diagnosis and cancer treatment has been paramount in all our thoughts and prayers. I have said it before, she has handled all in an amazing way. She is strong and valiant and fighting with all she has. She has everything, you see, to fight with. She loves our Lord and trusts in His healing power. She fights with the strength and victory of God's amazing love and grace.

The giving of thanks. The freedom to offer our praise and Thanksgiving to Christ is a gift He has given us. He gives us a freedom to live our lives free of worry, or cares, or fear. Do I live a life free of worry, care or fear? I try so hard, and I fail so miserably. I am thankful He knows my weaknesses and lifts me back up again. Are you like me, trying so hard to please Him and serve Him and messing up in the process?

The giving of thanks. A gift. I thank the Lord that He has blessed us with the gift of children and that He has allowed us to see our children's children. Blake, Tonya, Henley, Lander, Paisley, Katie, Greg, Kennedy, Whitfield, Patrick, Holly-as long as I draw breath on this earth, I pledge to love you each with all I have and all I am. To Harold, we made our vows so many years ago. I pledge to you to love you always and always. I

So this Thanksgiving, stop and think about Love came down, took on our burdens, became one of us, and died for our sins that we might live eternally. God is Love, and where true Love is, God Himself is there. I am thankful for that Love.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

They Cast Their Nets In Galilee

Sea BreezesThe above picture is the scene I see every morning on my way to school as I drive over the Darien River bridge. We hear a lot of fishing talk where we live. Our little town is on the Atlantic coast and a lot of folks make their living from the sea. Fish of all kinds, shrimp, crabs and oysters are really cheap here compared to other parts of the country. Our seafood is fresh and tastes wonderful. Every weekday morning, I drive over the Darien bridge and am always awed to see our fleet of shrimping boats docked and ready to go out to the open sea for a days' catch. Shrimping is hard and dangerous work, the weather can change violently for the boats and they have to seek safe port. Some seasons are better than others. Fishermen spend long weeks out at sea away from their families. It can be a dirty, nasty, long hour job. Those friends of our who fish our sea love their jobs. They recount the hours on the open sea as free and peaceful, in a sense.

This morning at church we sang a hymn which makes me sad; yet makes me think. Our Lord called those fishermen away from their peaceful lives to change them completely and make them fishers of men. Many died as martyrs for Our Lord. They suffered for His Sake. I think all our suffering as Christians is for His sake. If, in the middle of our sufferings in this life, we can take the hand of One who suffered for us because He loves us so, then our suffering takes on a new meaning. Our suffering comes in so many forms, financial, loss of loved ones, illness, injury,loss of jobs, failures, anger at friends or family members.
And yet, we are still offered a peace that the world understands not, a peace that passes all human understanding. I will see those fishing boats pictured here as I drive over the bridge in the morning and think of those first simple fishermen called by Our Lord. Here is the hymn. I hope it makes you appreciate Christ's Peace. Are we willing to suffer for Him? He suffered for us, and died that we might live.

They cast their nets in Galilee just off the hills of brown
such happy, simple fisher folk, before the Lord came down.

Contented, peaceful fishermen before they ever knew
the peace of God that filled their hearts brimful, and broke them too

Young John who trimmed the flapping sail, homeless in Patmos died
Peter, who hauled the teeming net, head down was crucified.

The peace of God, it is no peace, but strife closed in the sod,
Yet let us pray for but one thing-the marvelous peace of God.

Give Thanks

Sea BreezesIt is suddenly that season to give thanks. In this economy we are all giving thanks for our jobs and simple things such as food and shelter. In this age of divorce, I find myself giving thanks for my sweet husband and all the love he gives to me. Our marriage is something I treasure. I give thanks for my children, and spouses and my grandchildren, and my son's girlfriend. I give thanks for our church and our dear friends, old and new. I give thanks for our silly animals that keep us laughing and busy. I am thankful for my education and my students.

This year we are thankful dear Tonya is headed toward the end of her cancer treatment. It has been a rough year for her, her family and all of us. We all have learned a lot about love and hope and perseverance. I am thankful for those lessons.

I am thankful we serve a Lord who loves us beyond our understanding.

I am thankful for the problems this year has brought because they have made me stronger and wiser.

We are closer as a family because of joining together in Tonya's fight for her life. She is still fighting and we are still hoping and praying for complete healing.

In Thanksgiving for you all readers, Phyllis

Lewis and Miss Pippin and Sunday and Patrick's Birthday.

Sea Breezes I hope you are having a great Sunday. I know we are. Life is easy today for the English Cocker Spaniels. Pippin went to Savannah yesterday to get groomed and Lewis tagged along. The spaniels have had an easy day today running the yard and snoozing on the couch and the screened porch. Holly and Patrick are on their way over for dinner. Today is Patrick's 24th birthday.Happy Birthday Patrick! We love you! The weather today is lovely, sunny and warm and 82. Signs of fall are well, sort of hard to find, but they are there. The mornings are cool and perhaps a light jacket is needed....until the sun comes up! The ocean temp is still in the 80's and the beach weather is, well, fabulous. I went shopping with Holly and Katie yesterday at Hilton Head Island and we had a blast. Hope your day is restful and fun. We will continue to enjoy our fall days. We do have a pumpkin on the front porch. Sappy, the porch cat has taken to sleeping in a flower pot. Looking forward to starting another week. Remember to take time to praise the Lord each day and please continue to pray for precious Tonya as she battles cancer. She starts radiation soon and she continues to amaze us all. She is the bravest person I know. Enjoy your blessings and give thanks for children, and homes and jobs,grandchildren and pets and marriages and cars and all the little things we take for granted. "For the Lord God made them all."

Lewis, Our Newest Blessing

Sea BreezesLewis is here. In the picture of both dogs, Lewis is on the left. We are so glad he is here. Pippin is in heaven! They have played and played. Our family has grown now, two English Cocker Spaniels and a cat who sleeps in a flower pot on the front porch. Are we normal? Absolutely. We are smiling at the love that these creatures share with us and thanking God for His creatures, great and small. Welcome to insanity, Lewis. We promise to love and protect you, Sappy and Pippin promise to, well, annoy you on a daily basis. I am staying home today to bond with my new family! Enjoy your blessings.

Lewis Is Coming!

Sea BreezesHere is a picture of Lewis right after he finished his championship. He is so beautiful! We are going to be his forever home because his mommy show English Cockers and has had a bout with health problems, so needs to place a few of her dogs. We feel blessed to have him. I haven't met Lewis, but a friend has kept him a lot and his mommy also told me what a wonderful boy he is with a sweet personality and gentle ways. He plays with her puppy and of course, he will be wonderful playing with Pippin. He and Pip are both neutered so there will be no puppies produced. I will own a real show dog! Wow, but most of all I will be mommy to two lovely English Cocker Spaniels whose beauty and gentle ways stop people wherever we go. Tomorrow, my Lewis comes!

Pippin is getting a Big Brother

Sea BreezesThis is my Pippin, my beautiful English Cocker Spaniel puppy. O Sunday she will get a big brother. His name is Lewis. He is also an English Cocker Spaniel and is a blue roan, the same color as Pippin. Lewis just finished his championship. He is a beautiful boy, and we can't wait to meet him. This breed of dog is the sweetest breed I have ever known. We love the one we have so much, we are getting two. Stay tuned for pictures of Lewis.

The Annual Blessing of the Pets

Sea BreezesLast Sunday was The Annual Blessing of the Pets in honor of St. Francis. All of us community animal crazies got together to celebrate the creatures of God whom He has entrusted us with. I love people who love animals. Animal folks are down to earth, full of humor and compassion for all God's creation. We are a bit on the nutty side and share animal stories in abundance. This Saturday there was truly a menagerie of creatures from love birds to horses to dogs, mutts, cats of every color and rescues from the Humane shelters. Can you spot Pippin? She was sporting her pink bandana. I wanted to share with you some creatures great and small. Please remember that the Lord God made them all! We serve an amazing God who gave us dominion over all His creatures. May He guide us and remind us to take this responsibility seriously. Enjoy the pixs of some of my four legged and winged neighbors.

Mommy, Daddy..Can We Visit MeMe and Pops Again?

Sea BreezesThe grandparents weekend was busy. Kennedy and Whit came to visit while Mommy and Daddy went to a wedding. I hope the wedding was fun. but I doubt it was as much fun as our weekend. We had a slumber party, ate Cheetos and chocolate milk, stayed up too late and watched movies, took long baths, sat on the screened porch in our jammies and watched it rain, went swimming in the indoor pool, got balloons at Chic Filet, played with Uncle Patrick and Miss Holly, helped MeMe do laundry, read 100 books, went sailing on the seven seas in a laundry basket, and watched MeMe get up in a bucket and go rescue a cat. Boy! We are tired. We ate chocolate chip pancakes and helped Pops grill chicken. We played with our Mommy's old babies and doll house and Uncle Blake's andUncle Patrick's old cars. Will you take us back, Mommy and Daddy? We promise to be good, again.

Summer, This

Sea BreezesWhere have I been? I asked myself that a moment ago as I realized I have not blogged in almost a month. I think back over the last weeks and realize I must have been, on what I call, beach brain. As a teacher, I get it in the summer after nine months of academic over stimulation of my own brain and attempting to stimulate the brains of teenagers. Daughter Katie loves summer like I do and just lives at the pool and plays. I have played a lot this summer. My puppy, Pippin, and I have done a lot of hanging out together and playing. Harold and I have played. The beach and I have danced in the summer sun. I have visited both sets of grand babies and enjoyed their laughter and love. I have joined dear friends on Sapelo Island and basked in the salt air and relaxed in the icy pool. I have spent countless hours in many pools watching grandchildren throw themselves off the pool sides and watching the prism of water catch the sunlight and stain a memory in my heart. I have turned 60.My husband turns 60 tomorrow. A youngest grandson turned 2. An oldest granddaughter turns 10 on Tuesday. We celebrated 38 years of marriage. Our daughter celebrated 8 years of marriage. All this in one summer. One thing has lasted all summer that won't go away with the school year starting. Tonya is still battling cancer. None of the sunlight of summer will take that battle away. I think we all who know and love her have discovered a new relationship with our Creator. I have never prayed so much or so hard in all my 60 years. I have learned the true meaning of "walk with Christ" as I have seen her walk into this battle with a "bring it on" attitude. As I write, I cannot linger on the pain or suffering she experiences each day from the poisons that are poured into her body. She doesn't complain much. She smiles a lot and we all call her an inspiration. She doesn't think she is an inspiration at all, she would tell you she is only a wife and mother trying to live for her husband and children. I have found a new beauty in life, a new color, if you will. I will call the color, courage, as it seems to be a mix of pure white, clear and all the colors in the rainbow. One day, Tonya saw a double rainbow and it followed her as she drove. She took it as a sign that God is watching out for her and that she will live to see her children walk as adults.

Tonya wears this color, courage. Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God is her strength, she would tell you this in a heartbeat. What am I doing with my life that lets His love shine through me? My body is not being shot through with poisons, yet, I complain and some days I am afraid of just what life brings to the day. Some days, I am filled with worry and weakness. Tonya's wearing of the color courage is indeed calling me to reexamine my own walk with this Son of the Living God who I call myself His disciple.

This brings me back to The Breastplate of St. Patrick. I think this says it all for us who call ourselves Christians. I took the summer to refresh and renew, but in my refreshing and renewing, I think I forgot the source of my life. Please read this carefully and prayerfully. Dear Tonya, in your smiles in the midst of your battle, in the presence of your joyful laughter and your smiles even when you are tired or in pain, I thank God that you are in my life and know that I love you. I pray this Breastplate of St. Patrick and petition our Lord to heal you.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through the belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness

Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today

Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,

Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,

Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,

Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today

Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,

In obedience of angels,

In the service of archangels,

In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,

In prayers of patriarchs,

In predictions of prophets,

In preaching of apostles,

In faith of confessors,

In innocence of holy virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven:

Light of sun,

Radiance of moon,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me:

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's host to save me

From snares of devils,

From temptations of vices,

From everyone who shall wish me ill,

Afar and anear,

Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,

Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of pagandom

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,

Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today

Against poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against wounding,

So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness,

Of the Creator of Creation.

For Today

Sea BreezesFor Today

O God:

Give me strength to live another day;
Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties;
Let me not lose faith in other people;
Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery or meanness;
Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;
Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;
Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;
Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;
Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness;
and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;
in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (from Forward Day By Day)

I share this lovely and poignant Morning Resolve with you. I have found that is freshens my spirit like donning a sun dried linen garment fresh off the line. A wonderful way to prepare for the day.

"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad."

May your day be filled with love.

A Morning Resolve

Sea Breezes A Morning Resolve

I will try this day to live a simple, sincere and serene life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking: cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and the habit of holy silence: exercising economy in expenditure, generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, and a childlike faith in God.
In particular, I will try to be faithful in those habits of prayer, work, study, physical exercise, eating and sleep which I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me to be right.
And as I cannot in my own strength do this, nor even with a hope of success attempt it, I look to thee, O Lord God my Father, in Jesus my Savior, and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

..From "Forward Day By Day" author unknown-

I have begun reading this prayer each morning and am amazed at how powerful the events in my day have become in shaping my walk with Christ. I hope you will find it as strong and powerful for you.

Sapelo 2010

Sea BreezesSapelo 2010 was everything it had promised to be. We had a blast. We laughed, explored, swam, floated, beach combed, devoured scrumptious meals, went shell seeking, sang, golf carted, hiked, biked, enjoyed shell seeking and raft floating, learned more island history and sealed lifetime friendships. The Sapelo Sistas are a rare breed. We share the common love of this sea kissed beautiful barrier island, and once a year, we stop our lives and enter into the magical beauty of Sapelo island with its mystical charm, ancient history and ghostly loveliness. I will let the pictures tell my story. What happens on Sapelo, stays on Sapelo.

How does a friend loveth?

Sea BreezesI love this picture of these two beautiful girls, these two best of friends. The lovely little brunette with the brown eyes is my daughter, Katie,the sweet blond with soft blue eyes is next door neighbor best friend Jennifer. Their children are best friends. Their husbands have been friends since babyhood. They share life together on a daily basis, the trials, tribulations and triumphs. They call their homes "The Compound". They share laughter, joy, tears and all the hoopla that comes with raising young families. They share breakfast on a Saturday morning, advice for sick babies, and date nights with hubbies. They are both teachers, loving mothers and best friends. I hope they realize how special their friendship is. I think they do. I love them both. I love their beautiful children and cute hubbies . I love their friendship. "A friend loveth like a sister"