I AM BLESSED!

Good evening from the front porch.


It is a cool rainy (rare occasion here in Texas!) afternoon and early evening. Rain sounds so good! The grass, especially the pastures are getting a good soaking! The flowers and trees are also getting a good cool drink of water. Thank you Lord!

Been a bit overwhelmed the past few days. Rough-tough times…seems like when it rains..it pours… (no pun intended!!!).

Mom has been in the hospital….pray for her. We think she is on the road to recovery-somewhat…kids if you EVER see some of the Brandenburg/Lawson tendencies hitting me in my old age….sit me down and say one word…GRANDMA and hopefully that will shock me into reality!!!

Work..is a piece of work. I thank God for every dollar I have earned this past year, I thank God for having a job..BUT I have come to realize I do not fit in at this school. Some of it is my own doing I admit…but I have been a sore thumb since day one. I won’t go on and on…but pray I find ….”my place in this world” to quote Michael W. Smith


So here is my take on life for today:

Trials, sufferings, tribulations, challenges…we all have them. Sometimes it seems we are on the Sea of Life…it is smooth sailing. Slight breeze, gently rocking our boat to the rhythm of life. It’s beautiful, it’s grand, and it’s marvelous and amazing.

Other times it seems like we are in the midst of the storm of our life, the storm of the century, the storm of storms because it comes crashing, pounding and beating the very life out of us. The boat we are in is no longer rocking gently with the breeze. It is tossed like a little toy, picked up, tossed to and fro, battered, beaten again and again-no end in sight-no where to turn to, no one to help-or so it seems.

That is when our Lord comes walking out on that sea and steps in our little boat and rebukes the storm with 3 little words “Peace be still’. Amazingly the storm subsides and He reaches out to restore, renew and reassure us.

That is our God, our Lord, our Redeemer, our Master our Savior. Why at my age are storms still coming??? Keeps me on my knees of course….but offers me another opportunity to call on HIM and reminds me it is HIM I must dependl upon and Him I must cling to. He is my source and my comfort…my EVERYTHING! And in spite of it all I am blessed. I have a fabulous, supportive husband who keeps reminding me ‘it will be alright’….and when I do share tidbits of things that are going on….he is ready to put on his Knight in Shining Armor Suit and ride the white horse and defend ..’his queen’, I have four supportive, God loving, God serving, family loving kiddos and 8 of the best looking, smartest, most talented, sweetest grandkiddos!! LET ME SHOUT IT OUT: I AM BLESSED! So big bad ugly devil….put that in your hat and sit on it…..


Anyway, in looking through my pictures I have digitized I found four of each of the four that may bring a smile. When I do feel down, lonely or out of sorts…I pull out some of the pictures from my earlier days and they NEVER fail to bring a smile. So enjoy and smile along with me. One of the kiddos has requested I not post any pictures of him (too embarrassing??? what are mothers for???

The first picture is Julie and Joe...Joe's hair usually stood up (sorry his sweet little face is a little faded out) look at his blog and see history repeat itself in Justice's little sweet face and hair!

There's a picture of Lori roller skating like a speed skater in Newport News, Virginia...Tim is buried alive...not really but looks like a Joe Job for sure and Tim is buried under sand at Virginia Beach...he doesn't look too unhappy now does he??? Julie and her glorious day in Falmouth, Ky. as a 'flag girl' drill team...forget the offical name and then the four on the couch of a good friend to us in Virgina..Bruce and Judy Smith. We were at their house many an evening for she would whip out some good 'southern hospitality' cooking and treated us just like family. By the way get a 'kick' out those cowboy boots those two boys have on! Looks like a prediction of the future for some Texas two stepping!! Look at sweet little Lori ..Judy loved Lori and was her special little buddy. And Julie...that little bear was a gift for Christmas I think....what a fabulous woman she has grown up to be. She could always be counted on to keep those two boot boys riding straight in the saddle! Good days!


So enjoy these pictures from the past…..and come again and visit the front porch…real soon!

A Little Country Church in Maryland

Good Morning ...thanks for stopping by the front porch..


Another busy day ahead...but stopping here for a few minutes to get settled for the day...the to do lists, the challenges, traffic, noise, ...we all know how it is whether you are in a 8-5ish job, SAH mom, self-employed or work for the 'man or the woman'. Anyway, whatever your destination...thanks for stopping by for a few moments and visiting.

Want to see another picture from long ago and far away?? This picture was in taken when we were pastoring in Lothian, Maryland.....early 90's??? It was a good church, a good time in our lives as a family, met some good friends we still keep in contact with...met Mike and his family there! Julie found her true love there...boys came into their own in sports, good schools, good country living....anyway...picture of me and the Preacher...where does time go??? I was talking to someone about my kiddos and how I am overall comfortable with where I am right now...a grandmother, getting a little older everyday...hopefully wiser (not really) but that I would NOT go back and try to redo anything...especially with my kiddos.....I might really mess it up if I tried to go back and redo it....they all have grown into such wonderful men and women of God in spite of the many te moves, the challenges, good people, not so good people, me............


So from my front porch to yours...have a blessed day indeed!

WHO IS THAT HANDSOME YOUNG MAN??

Hello, from the front porch!

Well, today as I was browsing through my pictures I came across a picture of a handsome young man. Recognize him? Hope so...The Preacher from a long time ago and in a far away place...well maybe not too far away...seems like a long way from Texas though...do you recognize the hills of Kentucky? You can see snow-if I recall this was one of those Spring Easters that was blessed with snow.

It was taken in front of the original "Gabbard Tabernacle" in the late 60's. This was the Dodge Coronet he drove. It ranks up there with one of the worst running cars we had. Well, he actually inherited it from his older sister, Charlotte-we also drove it when we were first married. It was a light yellow and thankfully Dodge did improve their quality of cars...this particually model did 'bite the dust' and rightfully so.

Anyway, still not sure what the Preacher actually saw in me that made him fall so madly in love with me and stay so madly in love with me all these 39 years (you are kidding right????) anyway what a fellow! I lived right around the 'corner' just over some of those hills in a little 'shack' of a house...no running water...no inside plumbing...another story another day perhaps....




Does he have his ‘moments’? Yes, indeed don’t we all. Kinda drive each other crazy, frustrate each other…but with God and the Holy Spirit...it seems we kinda stick together with a special kinda glue that bonds us into that 'one flesh'. Amazing....for I don't know if there are any two people who were such 'opposites' but here we are 'still standing with each other ...39 years later.



But if I had to do it all over again, I’d do it again, fall in love with the Preacher man, have four wonderful children, and eight fabulous grandchildren, and then follow him as he followed his dreams and goals and live all the places we have lived and met all the people we have met.


God has woven a pretty interesting tapestry for our lives and it has been a good life overall. Preacher still pretty handsome in my eyes, as it should be! That dark brown hair is now gray (well what is left of it), still has those sparkly blue eyes some of our kiddos and grandkiddos have inherited, still loves his chicken, sports and clearly devoted to his God, and his family. I’ve heard most of his stories and jokes a thousand times it seems now, but still laugh at them. Heard him preach countless times now…but still he can allow God to open up a new depth to the scripture and allow God to use him and bless those 'who have an ear to hear'.


He is supportive of me and all our children! Thinks each one of them can ‘hang the moon’ if need be. Kiddos, your Dad loves you so much. He mentions your names almost everyday, wonders what you are doing, how you are doing, do you need anything, how can he help you, when will he see you guys and your little ones……one of the first things we say to each other when I’ve been at work and he’s been going about his Preaching stuff and we ‘visit’ with our afternoon coffee is “have you heard from the kids…how is everyone doing???.

So where will this journey end? What other chapters will we write together? Not sure….because God is the author and the finisher and He is writing the book of our lives...but I’m sure it will be good and pleasant. It will have challenges I’m sure…but what a comfort and treasure it has been, it is and will continue to be to have God holding the pen in His hand and writing the script for our lives.

So until next time ….from the front porch…

TRIBUTE TO RANDY AND AJ

This is a rare day indeed...Stopping by twice on the front porch...but that's quite alright. Had an extra minute and Tim mentioned AJ...had to be the best dog we ever had. Aj stands for Augie Junior a nicknamed given Tim by the Queen of nicknames...aka Julie..Anyway, even Julie got into the act in this picture. We had just gotten Randy...wasn't he a cutie....AJ was Tim's dog ...Tim couldn't go on a Youth outing so he was running errands with me and we just happened to go by a pet store. AJ was in the front window with about 4 OR 5 other puppies...made you want to start singing...'how much is that doggie in the window?". Anyway, Tim begged for one...they were only $5.00. We called the Preacher and he said yes. AJ was Tim's dog from day one....a very good dog, very good, Tim's little bud. So in memory of both AJ and Randy.

Until next time....so long..

A TYPICAL DAY DOWN AT GRANNIES BARNYARD!

Greetings from the front porch!


Suppose to be a beautiful big sky Texas day! I’m home today taking a day to catch up on a ‘few of my favorite things’.

Anyway, speaking of a few of my favorite things. Remember that commercial when you take pictures and the people are ‘posed’ for weeks, months. Well, I took some pictures a few weeks perhaps month ago and opps wanted to let them ‘out’…so today I’m sharing some pictures of the Grandkiddos and a typical day on the farm!

Also, forgot to introduce another new guy at the farm...Chester the rooster. He is another 'gift' from a friend. And sorry Kiki the orange Kitty...aka Camryn's Kitty...see he was a stray from my school a few years back, he was the cutest little kitten.. I brought him home and hoped to find him a 'home' Camryn fell in love with him and things didn't work out for her to take him to her home. ...so the deal is/was...."he is her cat....but he lives at my house"...I think she also has a cat like that at Lori's house! Now who got the best end of this deal???? I don't mind because he stays fat and sassy keeping the barn clear of mice and other critters! Sorry I got the picture sideways....but you can still see his cute personality. He adores Camryn...one of the last times she was here he followed her all the way to her car as if to say...''don't forget I belong to you..little girl'! Anyway, never a dull moment...on the front porch or down in the barnyard!

AND I must confess I have some of the 'cutest'...handsomeest grandkiddos ever! Oh, and I must also show you Caleb's little friend we found down by the pond. Can you tell who she is? Beautiful isn't she???

Enjoy and stop again soon.

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE FARM!

Good afternoon (at least here on the porch)!

I’ve added some new members to the Gabbard Farm. But before I get there, a little history. Joe was 14 I think, we lived in Maryland and he wanted a dog for Christmas. He wanted a pug. but we talked him into a little brown puppy. We went to the SPCA and told them what we were looking for, and a few weeks later they called and had about 5 little brown puppies-a lapsa/poodle (can't spell) mix. They were cute. Joe picked out one and named him Randall Cunningham (after a well known football player) and it was shortened to Randy. Joe lost interest pretty quickly so did the other kiddos so Randy more or less became my dog??? He grew and never did get too big…and over all a pretty good dog. He moved all over the country with us and ended up here on the farm. He was about 17 years old, failing, feeble and blind, deaf, crippled…a sad little thing…but the vet said to keep him comfortable-he might last another year or so…as he was not in pain. I remember Randy loved to go on walks and his favorite ‘job’ was to walk behind Glen when he mowed or walk the pasture with me. We had to quit that because he would get so confused as to where he was I would have to carry him back to the house. He died one evening last fall. In some ways it was sad-but overall a relief because he was starting to really stumble and fall. He, like the preacher LOVED HIS CHICKEN!

Anyway, I kinda wanted another dog and then I didn’t. So I just began praying for the ‘just right dog’. Nothing worse than a bad dog…I had temporary custody of two very bad, chicken killing and chicken eating, jump in your face and chew your shoes, dig up your flowers, dogs. I tried to reform them and gave up after about the 10th ‘free’ chicken dinner. One was a stray from school and one was a Cubbage ..cute puppy…to a huge dog that was suppose to help reform my wild thing. Didn’t happen…the wild thing corrupted Jack and gave him tutoring in how to chase, torment, kill and eat chickens. Anyway, back to a dog.

Anyway, I’d look in the paper, I’d look on Craig’s List, I’d look at the feed store posting, I’d look at the SPCA web page posting. I’d drop by the Pet Smart adopt a dog day. Nothing seemed right. I have always liked Shelties and thought that sure would be a nice little dog BUT lots of money. Puppies too high maintenance and older dogs can come with too much baggage. I thought it sure would be nice to have a farm dog to walk the pasture with me and just keep watch over things.

Last week at school I got one of those all school e-mails about two dogs that needed a home. I read the e-mail and thought…this is interesting….just the kind of dogs I wanted.. I e-mailed back and told the friend of the friend that was helping find a home for the dogs, a little about myself and the farm and to call me. She did. I went to her place and met the dogs and it was a ‘match’.

So kids and grandkids, meet the new additions to the family. Winston and Riley. They are a little ‘shy’skiddish BUT overall so far seem to love being on the farm and walking around and discovering and meeting all the other critters.

FYI I also have 6 ducks I am raising. They are sure ugly…..but at the time it’s all the feed store had. I like having ducks because they keep the algae out of the pond and eat bugs from the pasture. I enjoy hearing them quack and love seeing them swim in the pond. They are still too small for that and are still in the barn. Hopefully soon they can get down to the business of being ducks. I had 4 ducks last year-but they disappeared in one night…never seen or heard of again.

Anyway, a friend’s friend has a couple of baby goats that need a home…..here we go again…I need to reorganize Grannies Barnyard….really could use a ‘bailout’ to get my little business up and running properly….just kidding!!!


Anyway, stop again soon…I have many more stories and pictures to share with you!

One, two, three little GABBARDS

Welcome….glad you stopped by.

I have a special little treat for today’s visit. Another one of my favorite pictures. Can you guess who they are??

Three little Gabbards...on a hot sunny summer day in Kentucky. Yep, this is from the time we pastored in Falmouth, Kentucky. We lived out by Kincaid Lake on the 'side of the hill'. I think the kids liked it pretty good-in spite of some of the challenges we had at the time. One of my favorite memories is eating supper almost every evening on the big screened front porch, looking out over the lake and the green hills. Anyway, can you guess who is NOT in the picture. She may have been at Band Camp or somewhere reading or somewhere away from these three. I do recall a typical day living there for these 3...get up, eat breakfast and these three would be off exploring the woods, playing, having one adventure or another....doing things children should get to do! No video games, no cable/direct TV, no computers..couldn't even get much TV out in these woods....but good times!



Friday…this is always such a welcome day of the week….Last week our thoughts were…’it’s Friday but SUNDAY is coming. Now that certainly has great significance for Good Friday and Resurrection Morning. But, boy, oh boy, how great it is to welcome the weekend! Time to catch up on some of the things we enjoy doing…and catch up on some of the things we don’t enjoy doing so much…like laundry, cleaning, etc.

Anyway, however, you want to spend it, be sure and spend time with your family and with the Lord. Talk to Him, worship Him, listen to Him, love Him, draw closer to Him. Whatever you do, wherever you go...keeping Him at the center of your activiites will make all things go better.


Stop by again real soon and I’ll share more of my ‘favorite things’!

TWO HANDSOME GUYS!

Hello…from the front porch. Glad you stopped by..

I pray this was a blessed day in the Lord. When you think about it they all are…if we are walking, talking, breathing and moving with the Lord. Acts 17:28….”in HIM we live, move and have our being”.

This reminds me of our son Joe. He and his lovely little family came and visited us this past summer….seems like we don’t get to see them often enough. But time and distance can be enemies when trying to keep contact with the family. Hope we can see more of them ….soon. Anyway, Joe preached an incredible sermon from this scripture. Some of our church folks still mention it and it was a feast for the spiritual soul…a banquet. Joe has an incredible gift of the “Gabbard’ gab I call it. He can communicate the gospel in such a way that even something that I have read and I know that I know takes on new depth…he seems to be able to dig a little deeper and find a richer meaning to it. We are so very proud of all of children.


Tim, not to be left in his brother’s dust…..Always insisted he is not a ‘preacher’…..Well, we all have our ‘gifts and callings’….he can certainly hold his own in the pulpit….while not in the same way Joe does. However, if you can lead/preach/teach/exhort/sow seeds and over 100 souls be saved in one weekend…..something good is happening! Way to go TIM!

So, today I have selected a couple of pictures of these two men to share. It was sure a grand adventure ‘raising them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord’….and as I say again and again….look what God has done in spite of me and my mistakes..


Have a great day guys and keep up the good work!!

Guys, I love it when you stop by the ‘virtual’ front porch….hope to see you and your family soon on the ‘front porch in Texas’ soon.


Until then……..

WALKING DOWM MEMORY LANE WITH THE GIRLS

Good afternoon from the FRONT Porch.

Another beautiful day here in Texas! Another day to rejoice because ‘it is the day that the Lord has made’.

Much to think about, much to pray about, which can lead to even worry and stress. We are all there in some aspect. All of us have some ’little foxes’ that seem to nip and nag at us. The real source/culprit of course is our enemy-Satan. Just when you think he is defeated and down with the last punch. He rears his ugly head up and comes at us again. Must be the theme and inspiration for some of the horror films and flicks and ideas. Must be.

Anyway, God is good-He is still in control no matter what the challenge or the situation. Amen.

My girls. Both are ladies, young women now. I’ve often given them tribute to what I think of them as young ladies, young mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, friends and employees. They never cease to amaze me as to the loving ways, loving displays of love and devotions to their callings. Each of them has talents and gifts unique to them and their own calling. God sure does mighty good work! Anyway, here are a couple of my favorite pictures of these two. Many years ago-more than I like to acknowledge, more than I can imagine that have zoomed by…..So today my sweet girls, a walk down memory lane and a look back at some of the early pictures of the little Gabbard girls that have grown into great Gabbard/Cubbage/Garza ladies!

The second picture is the 'original front porch...not in Texas but in Kentucky!

The first picture is a classic too! Aren't these the two most wonderful looking young ladies ....from a living room in Texas! I think this was an Easter Sunday...Correct me girls if not so...




Hope today was a great day for all my dear family! If not……tomorrow is another day so try to join me …..on the front porch!

HARD DAY AT THE OFFICE!!

GOOD EVENING FROM THE FRONT PORCH!


Beautiful day on the front porch…everything is green…green…green ..for a change. We’ve had some rain.. Thank you Lord! Flowers are out and grass is green…at least for now.



Well, it has been a while since I’ve been on the Porch. Hopefully, I can get back into my routine and invite you to sit a spell more often. Rumor has it I last stepped on the front porch back in February. Surely not…

Anyway, WOW, my little four…are busy, bustling and bountifully blessed! Joe and Ronnin are in the Bahamas…just visited Joe’s blog and they look like they are having a great time, Tim and Amy have come through a great weekend and souls saved, many added to the Kingdom of God….check his blog out.. Lori and her Garza guys are thriving and never a dull moment…check Lori’s adventures as a SAH mom! Last-but not least Julie and her little family. Mike just celebrated another birthday along with me. They are doing well and the Cubbage girls are fast growing into beautiful little ladies…just like their Momma.



Gonna take a trip down memory lane…Been working on some pictures. Let’s see…let’s start with this one..


Well, I know Tim has been VERY busy…. I came across this picture and thought…this may have been what he may have looked like after one of the 14 hour days this past week!

Love ya Tim...so proud of you...Well, thanks for stopping by...Stop by again to take a walk down memory lane again with me! See ya soon.