A Tribute to Wilda, A Proverbs 31 Woman

This weekend, Camden and I made a trip out to Arizona to celebrate my Grandma's life, and the legacy that she and my Grandpa Charles, left.  I have so many sweet memories that I could share, and I will share a few today, but as I have taken a step back to think of what kind of person my grandmother was, I have seen that she was very much a Proverbs 31 woman.  If you haven't had a chance to read that particular book of the Bible, I highly recommend it. You can read verses 10-31 here  

As a mom and a wife, it is definitely something I strive to be.  Obviously, none of us are perfect, and neither was my grandma, but in so many ways, I saw those characteristics ring true in her life.   

I thought that this post could be dedicated to some of the many things that my grandma taught me in her time here on Earth, with some sweet pictures of her life, and the time we had celebrating who she was. 

One of the first things that my Grandma taught me, was how to be a worshiper. She had a beautiful voice and she used it to give God glory and praise.  She was completely unashamed of her faith and love for Jesus Christ, and one of her favorite ways to express that, was through music.  The songs that she would sing to my dad when he was little, are the songs that my dad sang to me as a kid, and they are now the songs that I sing to my boys.  Not all 3 year olds today ask for "The Bird Song" before nap.  Only a few of you probably know that one.  "Where are you going little bird? Where are you going little bird? I am going to my nest…."  Along with that, Parker asks for "Daisy", "You are my Sunshine" and "Jesus Loves Me" daily.  They have actually been really helpful to him as a ministry when we visit people in nursing homes, he can sing songs that they know and love.  I love that my grandma has passed down her love for singing through many generations.

Something else I learned from her was how to be wife. 

 My grandma was head over heels in love with her sweetheart.  I have heard their love story many times.  As we talked this weekend as a family, people talked about how there was never a lack for affection between these two.  She served her husband diligently and made sure that she was his support.  I know they prayed together regularly, and she worked hard to make their home a safe and inviting place to life.  

She was a great example to me, as I learn to serve my own husband and be his biggest fan.  There was no question of whether or not Grandma supported Grandpa.  She was his cheerleader the whole way, even in the last few very difficult years of his life.

She taught me many things about being a mom.  I don't think I have ever met anyone who loved being a mom as much as she did.  She had 5 children, 4 boys and a girl.  If her doctor had allowed her to have 10 more, she would've.  She told me that too many times to count.

 Her favorite years of her life were those that she had little ones pulling on her dress, someone needing to be rocked to sleep, and picking up after them.  When I would bring my own kids to visit her, I could see the immediate love for a tiny human being in her eyes.  She lit up, just knowing she was about to rock a baby.

On the days that I am about ready to pull out my hair, or I am not sure I can go another night with little sleep, I think about her.  I think about her love for her children and commitment to raising them to, above all else, love Jesus.  I think of the many sleepless nights she must of had.  I think of the fact that she didn't have the luxuries of my dishwasher and washing machine and dryer.  I am given a little boost to keep going.  I am given a little encouragement to push through.  I think about how this is also my calling, and that if I can turn to God as my source, then I can do what He has put me here to do.

Not only has she been an example of a worshiper, wife, and mother, but she has been a great example of what a grandmother is to be.

She and Grandpa actually lived with us most of my life.  So I have had the great opportunity of spending many hours with them growing up.  We would have regular movie nights over at their end of the house.  Grandma would kick Grandpa out of the room for the night, (he slept on the couch, while I took his place on the bed!) and we would watch wonderful movies (always love stories) together.  My Fair Lady, Jane Eyre, The Sound of Music, Sense and Sensibility, and of course Pride and Prejudice.  She taught me how to appreciate the greats, the classics. All of this while grandpa served us snacks and drinks of our choice :) What a trooper!

 This weekend we had the opportunity as a family to reunite and remember all of the lovely things of this beautiful woman.

We ate meals together, laughed and cried together, and caught up on each other's lives. We also came together and sang some of Grandma's favorite hymns and worship songs.

I think my Grandma would have been very pleased with the way we came together as a family and loved on each other a little bit.  I think we may have made both her and grandpa proud and grateful to have a family that cherished and loved them.  The two of them left quite a legacy that I am sure will continue through many generations.  

But today, more than anything, I think my Grandma, this Proverbs 31 woman, is standing next to her sweetheart, singing praises to her Heavenly Father.  I am sure the choir of angels is very happy to have her join them, and I think she wouldn't want to be anywhere else. 

Thank you for your prayers and sweet words!

With Love, From Charlotte

A Month Of Celebration

Well, as usual we are up to a whole bunch over here.  We have been celebrating all sorts of things, from birthdays, to weddings, to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, to having family in town for a visit and life change through baptism.  I told ya! You're in for a treat, I'm going to give a quick recap of all we have been able to be a part of and enjoy in the last month or so!

A few weeks ago, I headed off with both boys in tow to Phoenix and San Diego for a few different reasons.  Philip  had been asked to preach at a camp for a week in Florida, and I decided it would be a good opportunity to make the trip to see my new nephew Judah Morrison.  I dropped the boys off in Arizona to spend some time with the grandparents, while headed off to San Diego,

It was so fun to be able to hang out with my niece and nephews, and I also got to hang out with some of my siblings!

Philip also talked to my sister, Sarah, before I got out there, and together they planned the whole day of my birthday to include coffee, pedis, sushi, naps, and family dinner. They know the way to my heart, notice most of the day consisted of me consuming something delicious.  As it should be ;)

I also had a friend from college getting married that weekend in Phoenix, so it was a great chance to meet up with all the girls (and Kendall) from school and be there for Kelsea and Victor's big day.  We got to catch up and reminisce about the good ole' days at Point Loma Nazarene.

We came home after not seeing Philip for a long 10 days and were grateful to be back together, but we hit the ground running!  That following weekend was Philip's birthday and Easter weekend!  We packed it full with Dunkin Donuts, Chik Fila, Easter egg hunts, and 5 Worship Experiences throughout the Easter weekend.

Whew!  Looking back at this crazy busy weekend, I realize how easy it is to get so caught up in what has to get done, instead of always seeing them as incredible things we get to be a part of.  That weekend, Philip got to baptize someone at every Worship Experience and we had over 1,900 people give their lives to Jesus church wide!

We followed Easter weekend up with a fun packed visit from my brother Zach and Sister-In-Law Carissa.  We love sharing life with our family, and we also don't mind sharing our boys with them either.

We enjoyed an evening out at Food Truck Friday.  It is an event in our city where 6-8 Food trucks all gather in one lot, and you get to choose what you want from where! It was such a beautiful evening to enjoy good company and food! The next day we decided to visit the Billy Graham Library.  We have been living here close to 2 years and have never been.  I'm kinda embarrassed to admit that.  I am sorry, please forgive me.

Needless to say, it did not disappoint and we will definitely be taking future visitors here.  So, let us know when you are coming, and we will set it up!

As I am sitting here writing this I am taking a few minutes while the boys nap to reflect on all the ways God blesses us.  We have experienced so much in just a few weeks and these last two days have been no different.  We had our Raised to Life Baptism weekend at church.  We got to set up and prepare for hundreds of people to publicly declare their faith in Jesus.  Not only that, but Philip got to dunk them. 

We had a huge party as person after person walked up to get baptized, and what I love about it even more is that the boys get to see this happening.  Of course they don't understand what is really going on as daddy puts people under water in the big bathtub, that they insist they should be allowed to go in.  But I truly believe that the foundation and the godly example that they get to witness and follow in their daddy each and every day, is one that will only help them to become more and more like Christ.  What are you able to celebrate today?  What has God blessed you with?

We pray that you will be able to find the little things to celebrate along with the big. Happy Sunday! 

With Love From Charlotte