Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ~Philippians 4:4
The last half of November is filled with legendary travel and joyful reunions for my husband, Danny, and me. He just finished processing gorgeous photos of scenery we enjoy along the way, so I'll share those with you at a later time. First, I want to focus on the main purpose of our journey: Seeing our family who now live in Raleigh, North Carolina!
When we arrive at daughter, Sarah, and son-in-law, John's, place on Saturday, it's definitely a time to rejoice! The hugs all around are indescribably long and longed for. When Virginia, pictured above, throws her arms around me, I think she will never let go, and that's absolutely fine with me. I find myself in this moment recalling every embrace we share during our visit; a visit that now seems more like a dream than reality.
But here are some undoubtedly realistic moments.
Alexandra
Alexandra is amazed by this unabashed greeting when she states, "He doesn't know you, but he knows you!" In other words, Finn has never met you, but he knows you are people he can trust because he senses you love him and love us.
What a wonderful and welcome post. Thanx Martha. It is always nice, great, fantastic, to be with family once more. I am so glad you enjoyed your time with your family ... and Finn the dog.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, God loves us beyond measure.
God bless you and your family.
Amen Martha God loves us with an Everlasting ❤ Love that will never let us go!
DeleteSuch lovely time so happy for you all. God is soo good.
Thanks for sharing, and may God bless and keep you and all whom you love safe and well.
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X
{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Thank you both, Victor and Shaz, for your kind words here. Yes, it's good to be back at blogging and sharing our adventures here. So grateful, too, for God's endless love and grace!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Ain't nothing like the love and hugs of the grands is there? our 15 year old still hugs us (except probably when others are around). LOL Like you, I am glad God's love has no limits. Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be back, Bill, and there is nothing like the hugs we get from our grands. I'm so glad that God's love is limitless, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Sounds like one happy set of grandparents!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Glynn, you can bet on that!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteGreat for having experienced true warmth and love for being together as a family!
Yes, doggies have a great smell and know you were of the same family but their sixth sense is something way beyond our ability!
Photos kind of hold on to the moments of joy... to relive them.
Hugs,
Mariette
Yes, Mariette, photos are great reminders, aren't they? I'm holding on to every memory I can cherish.
DeleteLove and blessings!
💞
Delete:)
DeleteOh, how I love these photos Ms. Martha; and can't wait to see all the beautiful scenery you speak about. That Mr. Danny is quite the photographer, I think. Sounds like everyone had a wonderful time, and I'm not sure I could've left without that little Finn in tow. What a cutie. Such talented granddaughters; I wonder where all that creativity and talent comes from. :-) Welcome back ma'am; we've missed all y'all.
ReplyDeleteI've missed all y'all, too, J. D.! Yes, Danny is quite the photographer, and I'm looking forward to sharing those with you over the next several weeks. We were awfully tempted to snatch Finn, too, but he's such a part of their family, I wouldn't have had the heart. We had the best of times!
DeleteLove and blessings!
So wonderful to know you have been enjoying life and spending time with your dear loved ones! I think you should move near them! Just my two-cents' worth. Life is so very short and fleeting, and every moment with the ones we love is so precious - other than our walk with God, I think it is the most important thing in life, and other things just pale in comparison. It is so evident how much you dearly love your family and so heartrending that you have to live so far apart. God bless all of you and keep you in His tender care. Sending hugs to you today.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Cheryl, for your hugs and well-wishes for our family! We have not thought about moving closer as my son-in-laws' job could require some transfers in the future. To pick up stakes and move just isn't in the cards for us at our age and Danny's need to be close to his trusted physicians regarding his heart health. We are hoping that John's office will move him to Chattanooga at some point as he is promoted. That would only be an hour and a half away from us, and a lot more accessible to say the least! We did have such a joyous time together, and will have Virginia down over the summer for at least two weeks.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, Martha, the girls are all growing so fast. And yes, they all look just like their grandmother!
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Growing too fast, Linda! I really want to put a brick on their heads to slow them down. :) Thanks for telling me they look like me; that is flattering, indeed.
DeleteLove and blessings!
How fun! I'm so glad you were able to spend time with these beautiful granddaughters. It's wonderful to know and be known, by others and especially by our God.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Lisa, to know and be known is such a blessing from God! We had a marvelous time together; in fact, I got so engrossed in each moment, that I realized I never took as many pictures as I intended to. I think that was God's plan all along.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a splendid reunion you've shared! I'm so very happy for you -- and the girls, too! What a wise observation from little Savannah; yep, she nailed it! I'm reminded of the quote, Dog is God spelled backwards.
ReplyDeleteMyra, a big, emphatic yes!!! Dog is God spelled backwards! Finn welcomed us as if the both of us were prodigal sons, and I'll never get over that. Our reunion with the family was every bit a celebration.
DeleteLove and blessings!
“Grandchildren fill a space in your heart that you never knew was empty" (Unknown). Glad the grandchild-space of your heart was filled to overflowing during your visit, Martha!
ReplyDeleteOh, Nancy, what a marvelous quote you've shared here! It truly says it all. We had eight days of glorious rejoicing in one another, and I already can't wait to do it all over again. At least we have plans to fly Virginia here for two weeks in the summer, with Danny flying up to escort her back. Already looking forward to it!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh how wonderful!! I am so happy you had such a grand time with your "grand girls", and Finn too! Yes, that is so special and sweet how Finn "knows you"...there is a special connection there for sure that God must have placed in Finn's heart for you. So sweet. Your girls are growing so fast. I see that you also celebrated Christmas with the girls while there. That is a good idea since you won't be able to be together with them again for Christmas day. Sure looks like it was a very memorable time together. So happy for ALL of you.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like we celebrated Christmas, Pam, and we did bring gifts along with us, but that's just my daughter getting a jump on the season. She has always loved Christmas since she was a little tyke, and can't wait to usher in the season. They will send us photos of the girls opening their presents on Christmas morning when that day arrives.
DeleteYes, dear little Finn stole our hearts, for sure. Danny has repeatedly said, "No more pets," but his resolve was certainly softened during that week. Who knows? We just might be adding a dog to our immediate family in the future.
Love and blessings!
Oh, Martha!! How absolutely wonderful!! The girls are so sweet and so beautiful! I know you relished every minute and now every memory of those minutes! Alexandra is a wise young lady and your grandpup is very perceptive!! I am so happy that you and Danny had such a good visit! xo
ReplyDeleteWe had a great visit, indeed, Terri, and I will be sharing more of it in future posts. As you and I both know, family is everything, period! The memories will last a lifetime, and I'm so grateful for the safe travels and marvelous times we shared during the week we were there.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Olá Martha
ReplyDeletePassando por aqui para conhecer o seu blog, lugar encantador. Linda postagem, a família é presente de Deus e como é gratificante aproveitar esses momentos juntos. Um forte abraço.
It's wonderful to meet you here, Lucinaiva; thank you for stopping by!
DeleteYes, family is definitely a gift from God, and we've been separated for too long. Our reunion was much needed and appreciated.
Love and blessings!
SO thankful your visit was all you hoped for and more. What a precious family! NOTHING like our grands!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, My Friend!
You're so right, Lulu - there's nothing like grandchildren, that's for sure! I love those T-shirts that say "If I'd known grandchildren were so much fun, I'd have had them first." Lol!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Glad to know you have been enjoying time with your loved ones!
ReplyDeleteThe girls are adorable!
Happy Wednesday, Martha!
Thank you so much, Veronica! Yes, I think they're adorable, too, but then again, I'm one biased Gammie. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
From the mouths of babes, God has perfected His praise once again. And the greeting of Finn. :) Alexandra sounds like a deep thinker. :) I'm so glad you had a great time with your loved ones, Martha. I love your thoughts of how these joyful greetings remind us of our God's ever-open arms and how joyfully He always receives us! Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteOut of the mouths of babes, indeed, Trudy! Alexandra does seem to be thoughtful about many things, although she can certainly be a bit dare-devil, too.
DeleteYes, God is ever and always happy to receive us, and for that, I'm so grateful.
Love and blessings!
Oh, so fun and blessed, Marth! Thankful you and Danny went for a visit. The girls are growing! Virginia looks so tall compared to even last year! Finn is adorable. Grateful we are known by the Father.
ReplyDeleteIt was a most cherished time, Karen, and I'll always hang on to the great memories we created together. Yes, all three girls have certainly grown - Virginia is almost as tall as I am!
DeleteLove and blessings!
a joy filled and inspiring story!!
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