Friday, September 22, 2017

The Best Laid Plans


Isaiah 48:17
This is what the Lord says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."

The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley. ~Robert Burns, To a Mouse 

Welcome back, my friends!

I'd love to be able to say that my hiatus from regular blogging for the reasons stated here have moved me closer to realizing more sequels to my two novel series, The Glade Series and Adventures in The Glade.  As I write this, I've only begun rereading the last book in Adventures, Revelation.  But you know what?  That's absolutely okay, because the amazing events which have transpired these past weeks have truly required my undivided attention.

It all starts when my mother receives an invitation to the 60th wedding anniversary celebration for two of her oldest and dearest friends.  My brother, Bill, and I have such fond memories of growing up with these folks and their children; so when Mom mentions how much she'd love to attend, but doesn't feel capable of driving herself, Bill and I decide to spend the weekend with her so we can take her.  What a marvelous and joyful reunion it is for all of us!


Next up, it's my husband, Danny's, retirement party!  Hooray!!!  His co-workers plan a 70s theme celebration for him, no doubt inspired by this photo:


LOL!

It is quite dim in the room where we gathered, so snapping usable photos is a challenge for me.





Here is a great, campy one taken in proper lighting:



I love it!  But what I love even more is having Danny home every day.  And no, before you ask, retirement is anything but boring for him, but that's a blog for another time.

And now that we have converted Giovanni's old room into a guest room, we can have our oldest granddaughter, Virginia Rose, over to spend the night.



However, this is what it transforms into when we're anticipating her arrival:



Virginia spends two weekends with us during September.  What fantastic fun we have!





Of course, we get together with Virginia's parents and her sisters, Savannah Jane and Alexandra Nancy, too.  Here are cute photos from their recent lunch visit with us.





So although I intended this break in blogging for a totally different reason, God most definitely had other plans.  Yes, I will finish the rereading soon.  No, there is not yet a clear path as to how another novel will play out.

But I'm not worried.

While the best laid plans of mice and men may go awry, God's never do.

Amen!

28 comments:

  1. Haha....I love that 70's photo!

    "While the best laid plans of mice and men may go awry, God's never do."

    Amen....

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    1. Glad you liked the photo, Sandi. I think it's a hoot!
      May we always follow God's plans.
      Love and blessings!

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    2. Speaking of the 70's, and in light of those cool white bellbottoms...are you guys related to Tony Orlando?? (And Dawn!)

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    3. Nope! Since Danny played guitar and sang in lounges during the 70s, he heard a lot of Orlando jokes, though. Lol!

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  2. Sounds like you've been having a blast! My husband will finally be home full-time after three years of working in Dallas while I'm in NWArkansas. Yay!

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    1. Oh, that's such good news, Talya! I know you are so looking forward to that.
      Love and blessings!

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  3. It's refreshing to see the joy your family brings you! Glad I found you on Count My Blessings link-up!

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    1. I'm so glad you found me, too, Robin, and I will definitely check out your place! Hope you will visit with me often.
      Love and blessings!

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  4. A wise feathery one once said (and I think he was referring to both now and the best days to come), "Life is a hoot!" Sounds like y'all are hooting...

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    1. Yes, indeed, Ed! Wise words of Reverend perhaps? Lol!
      Love and blessings!

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  5. We need to live our real lives first..that's where the true adventure lies...and when the time is right you'll be ready to add to the adventure of our friends in The Glade. Enjoy your precious family now!!! So happy for you!!!

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    1. Yes, Pamela, I am enjoying these moments so much and wouldn't trade them for the world at this point. The book will come eventually, I'm trusting in that!
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Sounds like lots of memories are being made! Thanks for sharing!
    Visiting from #Faith'nFriends

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    1. So nice of you to stop by, Julie, and I hope it will become a habit for you. I'll make a point to visit you, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. Love it! Great update for you and your lovely family. As far as plans go, I've found that it's not so much about balancing life as it is about finding the rhythm for a given season. Trying to keep everything in perfect balance is so exhausting, but if I can discover God's rhythm for the moment, it's so much easier! Blessings, Martha. Appreciate your heart!

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    1. God's rhythm for the moment . . . Yes, Jason, that sounds like the perfect plan for all of us.
      Glad you enjoyed the update here. I sure enjoyed writing it!
      Love and blessings!

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  8. Martha, when I saw the title of your post, I immediately thought of the quote from Robert Burns--my undergraduate American History professor liked using that quote in his lectures! Nevertheless, thank you for the update on what's going on in your life. At times when it seems like little is happening, God is still at work!

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Kim, I'm glad the quote from Robert Burns struck a chord with you! Such a cool poem in all its Scottish glory. :)
      And yes, God is always at work, and as Jason suggested above, we must seek His rhythm in our moments.
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Martha, I loved reading about what's going on and seeing the pics. I'll keep you in prayer for whatever direction God has for the other novel. I'm such a fan and can't wait!
    Blessings, sweet friend.

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    1. Beckie, your presence here means so much! Thank you for the confirmation and love. God will do what He intends, and I am ready to rest upon that. Glad you liked the recap, and grateful that I am in your prayers!
      Love and blessings!

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  10. What a lot of changes and joyful times, Martha! As always, I love the photos. :) I love the way you end this post - "While the best laid plans of mice and men may go awry, God's never do. Amen!" That's such a comfort that His plans never change! Blessings and hugs!

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    1. Trudy, thank YOU, for your comment here! His awesome plans never change, but are there for our taking, yours and mine. Never doubt them, my sister, but lean into them with all your heart, mind and soul!
      Love and blessings!

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  11. Hi Martha! Congratulations to Danny! To have retired is a wonderful thing, and even better is that you are so happy to have him with you. God bless!
    The makeover of the room is so sweet, a definite move from masculine to feminine. How wonderful to have your grandchildren around you so you can enjoy each minute. I'd say God's plan for you this break was truly one to relish. Who knows why he calls us to rest? Like the hopping birds, it's just time to relax and prepare. You'll be flying in your manuscripts soon enough...now is the time to rest.
    God's peace and blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. Yes, Ceil, this was definitely my time to do some hopping, not flying, and I enjoyed every minute. Yes, I'm so, so glad Danny could finally retire, especially after this grueling year we've had. And we are both enjoying having little Miss Virginia over more often. Such a blessing!
      Love and blessings!

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  12. Tell Danny I love the hair! (the 70s one). LOL. Glad to hear you are doing well and just waiting for God to "do His thing." You need a grandson. Just sayin'

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    1. I certainly will tell him, Bill. I have to chuckle every time I see that photo.
      And God will certainly do His thing when the time is right. Of that, I am positive!
      Love and blessings!

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  13. Sounds like you had a wonderful September! Glad you were able to take time and enjoy all the goings on. Grandkids are great, aren't they? Our oldest grandson (he's 9) spent the night this past weekend. Have a blessed week! :)

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  14. Oh, hey, you're back! Yeah, those plans.... I know how that goes. Ha! Glad you had a good time.

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