The First Decade...

Today our oldest grand turns 10...yikes! That means he is into the "double-digits", which is a frightening thought. I don't know if it's scary because it doesn't seem he should be that old, or if the fact that he is entering the "tween-age" years scares the life out of me. But, ready or not, it is here.

He is becoming quite a cool kid. I think he was born knowing about technology. This past season he  played football and has  come into his own in the process. He is an entertainer, like his father before him. Noah has a kind heart and loves people. He probably learned that skill going door-to-door helping plant a church. He can talk to ANYONE!

So, Happy Birthday, Noah! You will always be the first, the oldest,and the one we learned how to grandparent on.  We loved you from the moment we saw you on the video...before you were born. 

We are praying that you will follow God with all your heart and all your mind. We love you so very much and can't wait to see what God has in mind for you.

Mr. Trouble

July, August and September of 2009 will be forever etched in my memory as long...very long. It was in the time period that this one, know as Moses Owen Clifton began to, as we lovingly call it "cause trouble".

He, who was supposed to be born in October, decided that he would try everyone's patience and begin to try to arrive when he was good and ready. He sent his mother to bed (with three children in the house) and caused no small amount of anxiety and worry on other members of the family. Lives were uprooted and up in the air for a time period.  The hospital stays and trying to keep his mother on bed rest were not quickly remedied.

And then he came. Just as I flew home on Tuesday, he decided to arrive the next morning. Air travel has never moved so slow as it did that day. And when I arrived and finally held the little one who had our lives, especially his parents on hold...it was all worth it.

Moses is one of those kids that you love instantly. He has a twinkle in his eye that you know is going to be trouble. He has the happiest smile and the loudest yells. Perhaps the loudness is necessary when you are number four in the house.  He keeps everyone on their toes and gives the best hugs and kisses. God has something special for him. Maybe he will be a goat herder...:)

                                                            ....or a basketball player..

Whatever God has for him, he will be loved. We just can't help ourselves.

Wrapped Hearts

From the moment of birth, this boy has stolen my heart.

Besides the fact that he is the spitting image of his uncle, he arrived into the world with a caring heart. He is side-splitting funny, has the jokes, likes to play tricks all the while he's wrapping your heart and life around his little finger. 

He is cuddly and likes to wrap up in a blanket. He does all the things little boys do and then some. He's quick to give up something of his own if he thinks you need it and he love's shrimp!  The older he gets the more his heart is growing. My favorite video of him is last Christmas when he sang, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"....but he can't say "Christmas". :)

Isaiah  Naethanial Clifton is one of my true loves.

I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for him. With his heart for others, there is no telling where God will take him. 

Twirls, Curls and Lots of Swirls

This is the month that people specifically focus on being thankful, and rightly so. We have so much to thank God for---family, homes, food to eat, clothes to wear, churches to worship in among the few.  The smell of fall in the air and the sight of leaves changing (even if we Floridians have to look at other's pictures) seems to bring about of sense and a feeling that being thankful is the right thing to do. In a couple of weeks we will pull ourselves up to the table and afterwards shove ourselves away saying  that once again, we over ate. I want to think clearly about the things in my life I'm thankful for. I want to remember that God has put me in this place, at this time for a reason, and I need to be thankful. The Bible speaks over and over about being thankful. "O give thanks unto the Lord, all ye lands..." just to name one, and it says it all. Give thanks.

Today I am thankful for this one:

     When she was born, she was delivered screaming and hungry. Her father proudly brought her out to display her and it was very quickly known that she was ready to get down to business and eat. And ever since, she has been invading out hearts. She has been the "princess" from the start and still reigns in her domain (our hearts) today. She has been called Ruthe, Ru, Rooster, RUTHE ELIZABETH (loudly) and more frequently called Sassafras these days. She is high energy and runs on high octane. She can hold her own with those boys. She likes American Girls and likes to dance. She is very good at art projects and likes to help cook.  She is a good cleaner and is pretty good at it, too. She loves clothes and all manner of fashion items (she recognizes a Coach purse when she sees it). She has beautiful, curly hair that she loves to straighten. She is a good friend and has a sweet heart. She walked all over NYC with us and kept up.


 I am very thankful for Ruthe Elizabeth Clifton. She is our princess and has our hearts, especially the men in the family, wrapped around her finger. I am praying that she will grow up to become the young girl, teenager, and young woman God has called her to be.

Ruthe, you will always have our heart. <3

The Boy and his Goat

                                                    High on a hill was a lonely goatherd

                                                      Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo

                                        Loud was the voice of the lonely goatherd

                                                      Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo

Love this boy!

Comings and Goings

After spending a week with The Treasures, I have decided that I need to be able to be in at least two to three places at one time.    One of those places is undisclosable, if that is even a word.  The intended tends to live in secret, but I love him still. Another place is a town in Indiana. Doesn't basketball season in Indiana just seem right?  And I am particularly fond of a certain coach up there. The other place is a small suburb of our Nation's Capitol. There are six people that live there that are high on my list.


During this week, I have enjoyed playing all kinds of games, feeding faces, wiping faces, having adventures and just a lot of loving that went on. You can't get much better than that. I was also reintroduced to the "sporting parents" mentality as we went to several football practices. God help us all...no wonder children are turning out like they are.

I also attended what I personally consider one of the most mission-minded churches around. What they may not have in numbers and possesions, they make up for in their intent to reach the lost. Their heart for the Gospel and sending out the Gospel is far beyond just talking about it. They are doing it, and doing it with passion. If the saying, "Attitude reflects leadership" is true, and I believe it is, then you can know where the people of Pillar get their unbridled passion for God. It's from the leadership. This past Sunday, a new project was revealed and the casting of a dream was sent out.  Check it out www.praetorianproject.org.  It's big, it's hard work, it's almost uncomprehendable that it will happaen, but believe me when I say that God is in this.  As the vision was shaping up I found myself saying, "Yes, we can do this!". We all know I DON'T go to this church, but I believe in the church. I have a special interest in this church. I am, after all M/LOTP.....(mother-in-law of the pastor). smile

I love going places, but I also love going home. I go home today with a renewed sense of feeling loved and giving out love.  I also love people watching, which is what I am doing right now in the airport. And the sights are quiet riveting. 

and once again, there's no place like home.

Reflections and Resolve

With the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 coming up I was reminded of that fateful day and all its emotional ramifications. The horror, the fear, the uncertainty of what was next and the outright feeling of helplessness in the form of terrorism. That morning I immediatly touched base with my husband, my mother, my children and my sister. Just reaching out to "touch someone" was necessary.

A revival rallied in our land that day and the days after. People were drawn to churches and to prayer. Families loved each other a little more. Friends and acquaintances spoke in kinder and gentler tones. Our world had literally been rocked and for a while we knew that we were part of something much bigger than ourselves. It must not have taken long to sink back into our complacency as a nation, but also as Christians. Ten years later we are headed down a road that I'm afraid our children and grandchildren will pay the price. Christians, believers must take a stand. Eternity is at stake and we cannot afford to be silent any longer. It's been too long now.

I found this statement on a particular website and it struck my heart:

"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, deluded, or delayed. I wll not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me---my banner will be clear!"

Father, pierce our hearts to look like You. When that great day comes, I want to be recognizable.