Jim Lassiter

Andy and I met Jim and Faye Lassiter in Huntsville during our dating/newlywed days. Their daughter, Theresa, ran in our Bible Chair group, and they were always around, or we were at their house. He was a grumpy, complaining sort of guy; Faye the charmer of the group. At first, he scared me.

Heart trouble ran in Jim's family, and we soon learned that Jim had retired because his cardiologist basically told him to "go home, sit down, and wait to die." Right. That was 1975ish. Now, he didn't run marathons, or eat crazy stuff with lots of fat, but he certainly didn't sit down. They served in everyway he could, loved his two daughters and grandson with all his - pardon the pun, - heart, and even outlived dear Faye.

After we left Huntsville, they began Soujourning with their camper. Faye began having strokes; small at first, becoming more incapacitating each time. We kept in touch with Christmas cards and on visits to Huntsville. And then, we heard that Faye died. Now the man she took care of all those years was alone. He kept going on Soujourn trips, and met and married Delores in 4 days.

We ran into them in Tulsa right after they married; they showed us pictures of the wedding; his two girls and her four boys. One happy family, and Jim was not alone anymore. They later moved to Kerrville, and we saw them a couple of times afterwards; they came to Gregg and Erin's wedding. People from Pleasanton that visited in Kerrville would meet them, and they'd always ask about us.

When their Christmas card came back this year, I got worried, but not enough to investigate, and I learned this weekend in Huntsville that Jim has died. They moved to Phoenix to stay with Delores' son, and he died there. We never heard.

While I wasn't truly surprised, it made me so very sad to learn we've lost Jim here on this earth. He always loved strongly, and told things boldly. I felt like his daughter when I was with him. I know he is at peace, but I will miss not seeing him again.

Andy has 5 men he considers mentors in his Christian walk; Jim was one of the first.

A weekend of remembering

I know, that title is a lot like the last one; but it fits the past few days for Andy and me. The 45th reunion of the Bible Chair was very nice - we felt very welcomed and very loved, if not very far removed from our years there. The group was small, if the couples that live in Huntsville had not been there, it would have been very, very small!

Our arrival in Huntsville brought back lots of good memories; once we checked into our hotel, we drove around the city and took in lots of old haunts. Our little duplex where we first lived is still standing, but the barbeque place next door is shut down. We had dinner where we had our rehersal dinner 33 years ago; I think the same curtains were still hanging, and the waitresses had definitely not been born yet!! The food was okay....

Saturday brought lots of familiar faces and stories. I told the one about meeting Andy in the funeral home, he told the one about me "stealing" the donuts on a weekend trip to Dallas. We talked about those not there, and gave the new director some interesting facts about the groups that came before him. That night, we had a nice banquet at the church building, and two of the three elders who began the BC were there! Our sweet Brother Ray King has recently passed away, but we recalled his influence on getting things running. It is amazing the lives these men impacted with their decision - elders, deacons, ministers, Godly husbands and wives, and so on are the result of their desire to touch young Christians on a college campus.

Sunday, the alumni conducted services, so Andy served on the Lord's table, along with the others. We sang great songs, visited with those we had not seen yet, and then had lunch with the Taylors. It felt really good to be back. Of course, everyone asked about Dana and Erin, and I'd come prepared with lots of pictures, so that was an added bonus!!

Leaving Huntsville is always sad for me; I have such good memories of living there. I just hope that those who were not able to be there can make it next time -

Back where we started

Tomorrow morning, Andy and I leave for a reunion in Huntsville. We met in the Fall of 1973; he a Sophomore, me a Freshman at Sam Houston State. To say we fell in love fast is an understatement; I was only there two months before I met him, so all my college memories have him in them. This weekend, we will travel back to visit with our Bible Chair group and attend worship with the saints.

Huntsville is so many things to us; the Tissues, getting married, graduating from college - my dad so proud I thought he would pop! - having Dana there. We always said we would go back there to retire... don't say that anymore, but it will be so lovely to see that place again!

Andy grew to love the church in Huntsville. It was his first exposure to the Body of Christ, and so many loving people taught him about the Christian family. A large number of those have gone on to Heaven; Brother Kramer, Faye Lassiter, Betty Waldron - sweet people who just made it known that we were a part of their lives. Some have moved on to become elders, some have divorced, some have stayed right there and lived out their lives in the tall pines and rolling hills.

While I am a little apprehensive about going, since I don't quite look the same as they last remember me, I'm going to put on a brave face and enjoy myself. I'm sure we all have changed some, and it's our inner self that matters, right?! So, we'll talk about the past, share photos of past adventures and new grandbabies, and hug each other tights when we leave. Not a bad way to spend a weekend, right?!

A change in plans

Way back in December, when the board funded our little bonus, I mentioned that I was wanting to take a trip with the "discretionary income" I'd been afforded. Right away, I knew I wanted to do something different - something Andy and I had not done before; a new place.

All Spring, I'd banked on Philadelphia. Got the brochures, scoured the internet for sites, found the hotel on Hotwire; the works. (I learned a long time ago that, for me, the planning is one of the best parts of the trip!) Then, came the mammogram. The decision to wait to book the trip was a good one, now in hindsight.

So. Our plans have changed. With my procedure July 1, it will be in end of the month before I will feel like traveling, and then the walking and standing in Philadelphia's heat (while not Texas, still very warm!) became ominous to me. I decided that - for now, anyway - we need something cool; relaxing; peaceful.

Our plan is to leave for the Southwestern part of Colorado the 19th of July and head to some unfamiliar mountains, with their brisk air and majesty. I am once again on the hunt for lodging, activities, and routes, and have even booked us on a jeep trip high up into the mountains of the area. The only thing I am dreading is the long, long days of driving it will take to get us there, but it is a means to an end. I really need this adventure, and while it is not new and different, it will be wonderful. Nothing like the mountains to refresh this couple, and I'm banking on coming home rested and joyous!

A weekend to remember

What a wonderful, wonderful weekend... congratulations to Gabi and Caleb on their marriage, which was celebrated in grand fashion!! So many friends, past and present, were there, and so many little ones of the next generation to meet! Erin said wouldn't be great if they all ended up at A&M together in about 17 years; Liz, Cy, Pearson, Julie, Abbie... the Pleasanton connection, one generation removed!! That was an amazing youth group, and their lives now show they are still living their faith, which makes me so proud of them all! We missed Robbie, David, and Sean, but they were in our thoughts.

The Royals' yard looked like a glorious garden all dressed up for the party; lights around and in the massive trees, flowers blooming everywhere, pretty tables in their white finery with candles and flowers on top. It was a fun, romantic, God-filled wedding, and I can't imagine one thing that was missing!! We stayed until the happy couple left, then headed home. I was so glad the girls got to see and visit with their friends!!

I have to say; having Liz here for a nice, long visit was tops! I honestly could not take my eyes off of her - afraid I'd miss something cute. She got in good play time with both Andy and me, and her aunt Dana took more than her fair share of cheek kisses! It's so magical to me to try and figure out what she is thinking, and to watch her think things through - but the best is to see her with her mother. Erin finds every opportunity to teach her and to show her God in everything. I'm so proud of her.

And then, it was Father's Day. Andy had a nice one, proudly wearing his tie from Liz. I think he showed everyone at worship the tie (it has her 6 mo. footprint on it) and told them the story of getting it in Austin. So fun to watch him. Then, we went to eat at a new restaurant in town so he could have shrimp on his special day. The wait was long, but worth it. We'll be back.

So, that's my weekend. My sweet family, except for Gregg, surrounding me for a wonderful couple of days. Dana and Erin's good cooking to treat me, and lots of cuddles all around. I am so blessed.

I hope your weekend was a good one!!

An amazing realization

Today - and yesterday - have been so amazing.

Let me back up to Sunday - it's all been this wash of love flowing over me (and Andy, too) about this biopsy. Kisses, hugs, pets, rubs, eyes glistening with tears from men - what a humbling, reaffirming feeling I have received these past days while my friends and family have worried and prayed over my results. Am I truly so dumb as to not have known what I was facing that I wasn't as worried as they were !?! The sounds of concern and fear in the voices on the phone until I say "no cancer!" - then the obvious sounds of relief and thanksgiving. It's almost as if I have been watching this from a distance happening to someone else.

I know that I was scared; I watched Marilyn Tello die of this merciless disease, and that has always been my fear; along with being lop-sided in my clothes - but this time, I dodged the bullet. By the grace of God and the love and prayers of my family. Iwill never be able to thank them all enough for how they've loved me through this -

God is good!

Finally - news and a plan!

Good news - no cancer cells!! YIPPEE !!
Other news - however, there were "a-typical" cells that need to be removed so that they do not become cancer.

Plan - July 1st, a lumpectomy (goofy word!) at Methodist. Day proceedure - should be home in time for bed. Hopefully. I've learned that, if you're going to be cut open, Methodist is the place to be. They are amazing at their care for you.

Thank you for all your prayers while I was waiting through this. It's a big deal to go from nothing to the thought of cancer, and so many people have taken time to love on me and include me in their prayers. Yesterday, the elders surrounded me and prayed, then they all hugged me and told me they love me. I know they do; it's just so nice to hear the words.

God is good.

Something to think about...

At the congregation where I worship, we sing with the words and music projected onto a screen; lovingly called singing "off the wall." It was a big change when we put it into play; some folks did not care for this new innovation, but it's come to be a matter of practice now. The song leader posts his song selection numbers on the board as usual, for the song-book-hangers-on, and off we go!!

Now, we have several men in our congregation who rotate leading singing. They all are giving their best, and try to make worship as meaningful as possible. But today, the leader accidently looked at his other list, and as we sang, faces upturned and voices in tune, he started another song! The screen went blank, and those of us recognized the other song sang. As the first verse came to an end, he stopped us, apologized, and turned us to the correct number. Everyone kinda chuckled, we got the correct song up on the screen, and off we went. Worship went on, without a hitch.

So here's what filled up my head the rest of the time (I know, I should have been concentrating on the sermon!). Why can I chuckle and go on when the leader I like so much messes up totally on a song, but when it's another leader, I get angry and think he should be taken out of the rotation due to lack of ability?! Why am I unforgiving of some, and yet blow off the same "error" done by another? This is something that bothers me about myself, and I need to work on my attitude. Perhaps now this realization today will stay forefront in my mind the next time another leader makes a miscue. I hope to be more loving!!

waiting still

I'm trying hard to put this biopsy result thing on the back burner and not let it affect my having Dana here for a few days, but it's beginning to wear me down, I'm afraid. I find myself sitting and staring at nothing a lot, and wanting to go spend money - how that fits in, I'm not sure, but it's there. Last night, I needed out of the house, and bad.

After Dana left to go visit some friends, we went to eat at a little place out of town. They have great pizza, but I was in the mood for a French Dip - messy dip and all! The place was busy, but we weren't in a rush, so we just sat and talked. After a long while, they brought out salads, and our money!! They said since we'd waited so long, they were making dinner on them! Wow - okay.

We ate our salad, and a bit later, the owner came over to apologize herself. I told her we wanted to pay for our dinner, but I'd take a piece of their delicious German chocolate cake if she insisted... she said they would throw in the cake on top of giving us our dinner! This lady was persistent!!

After we ate - good sandwich, but not the best French Dip I've ever had - I went up to get our cake. I tried to pay for it, but she wouldn't let me. I smiled, thanked her again and walked out the door.

Her tip - the price of our dinner. I still figure we came out ahead, what with the free pieces of cake and all!!

tick - tock - tick - tock

Well, the call should come today - about the biopsy results; they told me Wed. or Thurs. - so I should be hearing something.

I can accept whatever they tell me, but I can't totally block it from my mind. I want to get on with the summer, but Andy is holding me off until we know what - if anything - we are facing. I hate it when he is so logical!!


On a happier note; it's great having Dana home for a few days, even if it is only in the evening. She loved the first day of her workshop, so that makes getting up early in June worth it. Most of the folks she hangs out with when here are out of town, so her dad and I get the majority of her time. Yippee!! It makes the waiting easier to have her here.

I'll post news when I have it; until then, please pray -

Summer schedule

How I do love Summer!! Here it is, the 10th of June, and I'm already in a routine.

7:30 - kiss Andy "bye", go back to sleep.
9:00 - watch "Frazier" for 1 hour - good way to start a day, with laughter!
10:00 - catch up with Drew Carrey on "Price is Right"
11:00 - check emails and blogs :)
12:00 - eat lunch
afternoon - watch movie, straighten up the house, call Erin, nap - whatever.

5:30 - get dinner ready for Andrew!

Isn't it great?!?

4:30 am and beyond

Normally, when I wake up at night, I use the restroom while running a song through my head, get a sip of a drink, and go back to sleep immediately. Not this morning. Faces of folks I love kept popping in my head along with what is going on with them at this moment and how they need prayers. Here is the short list:
- Erin is having a new baby while she has a baby. Not an easy task, but she will be fine. I just worry...
- Dana is changing jobs, and her car is wanting every spare dime she has and then some. I hate - hate - spending money on cars!!
- Andy - work stress and the neverending thoughts that come with being an elder.
- myself and this stupid biopsy.
Father and I had a talk, and soon, I was back asleep.


Well, it's 12 hours later, and the deed is done. The doctor who did it said it could not have gone better, she got really good samples, and I should know something by Wednesday.
I have to tell you - as I lay there, listening to the team as they walked me through it and feeling the nurse petting my back ever so softly, I wasn't scared of having cancer. I wasn't worried about radiation or surgery or chemo or any of that. I was calm. I was focused on the moment and dealing with the sensations all around me. I was ever so appreciative of all the women who offered me best wishes and comfort yesterday, and who shared their experiences with me so that I was not walking into something totally unknown and fearful.
And now, I wait. The phone call that could change everything should come Wed. or Thurs. I will keep you posted !!

Kicking off summer with a Bang!!

Yesterday was eternal in it's length... I had absolutely NOTHING to do except watch the clock. Finally, at 3:30, my supervisor came in and told me to go on home. I almost knocked her down - not really!

We spent our evening with the Huttons and Kelleys eating deliciously grilled steaks - thanks, Robert! - and then, watching some "24". Wild folks, I know, but the good life is the good life, however you find it. Their grandkids are just about the best behaved little ones I've ever seen, and quite entertaining.

This weekend is full, as the past three have been. Today is a baby shower, then tomorrow is our elders/wives lunch after worship. Then comes Monday....

Andy and I are getting up and going into SA, where I will be having a biopsy on my left breast. Some SMALL calcification was found at my screening mammogram, and then we did some magnification images. I met with a surgeon, and we got me set up to do asap. I want to deal with this, and then get on to summer!! So, if you don't mind, pray that this is just a little tiny bit of nothing that they can just zap out. Right now, I've very calm and optimistic about it, and I plan on staying that way.

So - here we go!! Happy End of School!!

3 days to go....

On Friday, I'm outta here - another year of teaching will go into the books, and another summer will begin. This is the first time I've ever worked into June, unless it was Summer School, and I can say, I don't like it; it's just wrong. I know; whine, whine, whine! :)

Last night, Andy and I drove into SA for a wonderful dinner with our friends from Ohio, Steve and Dianne, and their "new" daughter, Wynter. She just turned 13. They adopted her out of Foster care after their own 4 were grown; a sad, sad story with a happy ending. They told us all about the adoption ceremony and celebration a year ago, and she is a very sweet girl. She has "baggage" as all foster kids so, but with the Connell family as her own now, she has a future brighter than she can imagine.

We ended up at Spaghetti Warehouse - Andy loves that place! - and enjoyed our meal. We were just settling in to visit, when I see a man walking past the other tables and right up to ours, pulls out a chair, and begins to sit down, all the while asking Andy to buy him "dinner and a piece of chocolate cake." Huh?!? Andy asks him if he is supposed to even be in there, and the guy says, well, no; but could we buy him something to eat. Andy looks him in the eye, and sternly tells him, "I will buy you dinner, but you have to wait outside for me." The guys says; "And a piece of chocolate cake?" No, dinner and a glass of tea. So the guy leaves and goes to wait outside, Andy goes to the manager, and they talk. Seems the restaurant has a Criminal Trespass Order against him for doing this kind of thing, but if Andy wants, he can buy him some food. So, the Probation Officer orders him spaghetti and tea, and takes it to him outside; asking him tons of questions, and taking him to the side table to be away from the door. We sit there, all the while, trying to keep Wynter in her chair, because she is fascinated by all this and wants to go with Andy and "see the guy". Turns out he is Paranoid /Schitzophrenic (sp) and off his meds. Andy tells him what he wants him to do and comes back to the table with us.

I have to tell you, I was nervous when he left us to go get the car - watched too many movies, I guess.

Welcome to San Antonio, Wynter Connell!!

Liz's noises

Liz is quite entertaining right now; she has found her voice and is sharing it with lots of enthusiasm! Every time I get Erin on the phone, she lets us know she is in the room - and I love it! Erin tells me it gets a little old after half a day or so, but for this Nana so far away, it's pure music!! I just can't wait until they come again so I can watch her in action.

From the sound of it, she's a born Soprano!!