Christmas 2016
Christmas is upon us and with it comes reflection of this past year. We have had four graduations. Tatum graduated from Milan high school and is attending Union University. Phoebe graduated from Crosspointe Christian Academy, Bremerton, WA as Valedictorian and chose to attend a community college to begin the process of knocking out degree requirements. She is also working for NFCU in banking. The family will only be there until September 2017. This was a wise choice for her. She will transfer to a larger school somewhere else – with no debt. Cassidy graduated from Union University (Degree in marketing with an emphasis in business administration), had one interview at one marketing firm in Jackson one week before graduation and was hired at a mid-level position. She is a mover and a shaker. Todd earned a Master’s degree in Administration in July at Union. God is moving behind the scenes to place him in the right job. Kellye had the lead in “Mama Mia” at Crossville professional theatre in summer. It was a “toned down” production from Broadway. Her big numbers of “Slipping Through My Fingers” and “The Winner Takes All,” brought the house down and caused Roy and me to weep with joy. Her voice is now a musical instrument at age 51 with increasing power, richness, and amazing control. She and Roy now do Cash/Cline concerts, which are such fun and the audience loves them. There were several of these through the summer. I sing duets with Kellye on hymns. Roy is busy through the year with God and Country events around the patriotic holidays. Just recently, he spoke to a large FedEx group on Veteran’s Day. Early this year, Roy and I flew to TOPGUN in Fallon, NV, where he presented a debrief of some of his Vietnam Combat experiences and, specifically, detailed one mission in which he shot down a North Vietnamese MiG-21 during an Air Combat engagement; I was privileged to share with some dear military wives. I have led two retreats in our local area. I also spoke at the Regional library in MS around Veteran’s Day as they specifically wanted to hear a message on how Veterans’ families coped. I was given the topic of “Keeping the Fires burning.” It was wonderfully received. This library is the meeting “safe place” in this MS Community. I spoke in Tupelo, MS for Stonecroft, where beloved decisions for Christ were made. I am scheduled to speak to Salvation Army personnel on Dec 6. Then on Dec 8, Kellye will present a Christmas concert at Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville, TN where she has done many productions. Roy will be singing three selections and I will sing “Heirlooms” (Amy Grant song). This theatre is in the top 10 in the nation for quality productions and professionalism. It should be fun. Carey came home from a seven-month cruise in August. Caleb came home from Baghdad in September. He is looking at colleges now as he will detach from Marine Corps in July 2017. Justice is in 3rd year at Naval Academy. Carey is up for orders next year. He is in a two-year billet as Command Chaplain aboard USS Stennis. We continue to love our Harvest Church. I am an intercessor for the staff and families…writing a prayer from scripture weekly. Also, I am continuing to prayer-mentor women. On Saturdays, I continue to write two posts on Facebook to encourage others to seek faith. On my profile page, the posts are called “Sunday Grace.” On my author’s page, they are called “Writing Word.” My passion this year has been prayer for America. I still moderate a God and Country group (8½ years). We have cried out to God through repentance and worship…praying scriptures throughout this election. He heard all the prayers of his people. Now our prayer work really begins for our new administration. I could write pages about this process. I do believe I was meant to be a part of this significant time of prevailing intercession. My dad’s only sister, Aunt Dixie passed away at age 91 in summer but I still have two uncles and mother’s sister, Peggy, to check up on from time to time. We celebrated her 87th birthday on November 30th. God is faithful to all of us. We are healthy, active and being readied constantly to proclaim Him whenever the door opens. My devotional times have increased in the mornings. They are now longer, precious and rich. Age comes to us all but what a privilege to grow older. Not everyone gets to do so. We have lost many friends. Stay well! This is my unstructured, annual, sporadic, update of 2016. God Bless you and Happy New Year in Jesus!
