A Pair of Bartletts

2011 And So Much To Say

Wow.  It's 2011...where did the last 20 years go? is it me or is time just flying by at warp speed?  To those reading this right now, thank you for being a faithful reader of this blog.  I will keep this post short since we have to head out the door shortly.  But, I wanted to let everyone know that MUCH has been going on and I have LOTS to fill you in on since my last post.  There has been so much to happen (good and bad, but all for God's glory).  Stick with me...and I'll try and catch you all up to speed over the next couple of weeks.  The hiatus from the blog has been good, but OH I HAVE MISSED IT!

If you don't do anything else the rest of the day, I would ask that you do one thing.  Please pray for my sweet friend, Joanne Heim from The Simple Wife.  Many of you may know her and already know the happenings of the last few days.   Joanne suffered a massive stroke a few days ago and is in very serious condition.  I cannot begin to tell you how Joanne's life has impacted my life in the last few years, so right now, I beg of you...PRAY for her in earnest!  The details of the last few days have been chronicled by her precious husband, Toben, on her blog.  You can click the hyperlink above if you would like to visit her blog.

I can't thank you enough for the prayers on her behalf...and I'm sure Toben and her sweet girls are even more appreciative.

I am looking forward to visiting with you in the next few days to "catch up".  I hope to see you soon,

 

 

In Joanne's honor, I will forever remain

Total Abandon

 

On August 3rd we lost a very special person in our lives...both for me and for Rob (and certainly a host of others).  She stood in the place of my own deceased grandmother at our wedding.  She was our "MeMe" and she was a mother and grandmother to many more than her own biological children and grandchildren.

Our "MeMe" was the mother of my best friend, Sue.  She went to be with the Lord after what we thought would be a successful open heart surgery that she had undergone in the days before.  She was an incredible woman of God with an incredible life story.  She loved the Lord her God with all of her heart, mind and soul...and she'd be very quick to ask you if you knew Jesus....and if you weren't sure, she would tell you how you could in a heartbeat.  And she wasn't just a witness, MeMe was a worshiper.  She adored singing to her God....to the top of her lungs, no matter who was around.  She worshiped with true abandon.  Not many people can honestly say that they can or do worship like this.  

While thinking about her today, an old hymn came to mind that I thought I would share with you.  I pray that you have a wonderful day tomorrow in your place of worship.  And think of MeMe....with her head thrown back and lifting worship to her Lord.  

Missing her,

 

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

Refrain

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Refrain

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Refrain

Lamby Lamb Lambs!

 

I JUST HAD TO SHARE this precious picture!  This is my friend Laurel with the newest additions to her farm in Canada. Couldn't you just smooch their little lamby faces off?  I should have been Ellie May Clampett!

Thank you Laurel for sharing all of your new babies with me!  One day....I'll get to the farm!