Do you remember how old you were when you were allowed to use the stove on your own? I vividly remember. I was 10. I had been chomping at the bit for ages. I wanted to be unleashed and let loose in the kitchen. After years of helping around with meals, I was ready to set out on my own. LET ME LOOSE PEOPLE! Of course, my grandma is the person that let me off the leash. My summers with her were epic and include some of my favorite memories. My first solo cooking adventure was a classic meal. I was making hamburgers. And she was my sous chef. And…

One of the worst parts of the day that Tomica died was the waiting. We waited all day for an update. I am not being dramatic or drumming up the suspense. I mean that we sat together in a family room close to the ICU all day long. They needed to run more tests. And those tests took time. Four bland walls, some chairs, random end tables, lamps, a TV, and tissues. I do not remember if the TV was on or off. I do not remember what we talked about, but I so clearly remember the waiting. I remember silent prayers and hope. Hoping beyond hope that it all…

Road trips have long been part of our family fabric.  Car riding is in our blood.  We pack our bags and head out for that open road.  Oh, and snacks…we pack snacks too.  (You know my family is big and big on food…LOL!)  We were sitting around Bible Study Mama’s kitchen table.  Bible Study Brother asked for volunteers to help him drive to Tacoma. Since car riding is in our blood, I am sure that you assume that I jumped at the opportunity.  How could I resist three days of a fabulous cross-country adventure?  I quickly told him “no.”  While I do not mind driving, I was not eager to…

While I know that I have written about my grandma before and some of our shenanigans, I do not recall ever just focusing solely on who she is as a person.  I have always been a little mature for my age.  And my grandma certainly fostered and encouraged my maturity.  I so looked forward to spending time with her.  I would write her letters to check on her.  I would call her if I thought the grown-ups in my house were not doing a good job meeting my demands.  And she always stuck up for me. In my eyes, she is not like a typical grandma.  Or at least, not…

Back in the summer of 2004, I got to spend 3 weeks with my father at Arkansas Governor’s School. For those who don’t know, this is basically like a summer camp for what college will be like for Juniors before their Senior year in high school. This was a huge deal for me as I never really got to spend this much time with my dad so I was over the moon about it. I don’t know what I expected to get from my time up there, but what I got was something I’ll never forget. There were two Residential Assistants there who were pivotal in my experience, Everette Callaway…

What are you believing God for?  It is not a rhetorical question.  I really want you to think about it.  I really want you to think about it.  I am going to be honest with you.  Sometimes, I feel like I wear God out.  With my questions.  With my requests.  With my desires.  It was not that long ago that I realized that I had stopped believing.  I had stopped expecting. Writing the blog has stirred up my expectancy.  You can go back and read the blog “I’m Expecting” and feel the excitement leap off the screen.  My hunger and hope were renewed and revived.  I wanted more.  Dreamed bigger. …

I am somewhat of a hoarder.  I come by it honestly though.  My grandma holds on to things too.  You never know when the thing that was in that box for all those years may come in handy.  Seriously.  I fight against that hoarding instinct at times.  Not often but sometimes.  I mean, you can get in my house and walk around without fear of towering piles of my precious collectibles falling on your head.  But behind these closets and closed doors…well, let’s just leave those things where they are.  I have a closet full of boxes that I did not unpack after my home renovation two years ago.  I…