HAPPY BIRTHDAY PREACHER!

Good Morning from the front porch!!!


Where have I been? Seems like around the world and back. I cannot begin to explain the situation the Gabbard family has been experiencing lately…well for a month now. It has been one roller coaster ride after another. Another twist or turn after another. It has been times of weeping, praying, fasting, more weeping, wringing of the hands (and wanting to wring a nose or two!) and just plain madness, mayhem, foolishness and chaos.


But, today is the day that the Lord has made. It is the Preacher’s birthday….another year older and wiser I’m sure. His birthday chair (Gabbard family tradition) is ready….presents are hidden and to be placed on the table in front of the birthday chair, mushy, gushy cards are signed, sealed and ready to be delivered. A birthday dinner (lunch) celebration is planned at Babe’s, the world’s best fried chicken house. Best of all he is happy that Julie has some peace in her life….for now. Thanks to everyone who has been praying! Please continue to pray…you know the enemy…he is sly, sneaky, slimy and sickening. However, he is defeated by the blood of the LAMB. He thinks he can destroy, damage and degrade God’s children. Nope, he is defeated and God does have the last say, the last word, and it is ….it is finished.

Anyway, life is busy, girls and Julie are with me as most of my followers know. Never, never a dull moment. But, I feel this is part of my ministry at this time. To be here for the girls as I would for any of my children at any time.

So come back soon, gotta go and fix the Preacher a birthday breakfast.

WHAT A DECK!

Greetings from the Front Porch!

What did you think of the pictures? (opps for anyone wanting to know about the pictures...I finally loaded them...I had them saved on the desktop and they would not load...Plan B and I think you should see!)......I have a few words: WHAT A DECK! I must share with you this DECK story. We moved to the Farm over 3 years ago. We looked for months before we found something we thought we would like. Preacher accepted the pastorate at Proaper in August 2009-almost 4 years ago. We began looking for ‘just the right place’ in August. This was my opportunity to get a ‘little farm’.

That search went on and on. We just couldn’t find anything that we could afford or was a ‘farm’ or was too far from the church and my school. So Fall came and went….Christmas came and went…Spring came. Meanwhile, we were driving back and forth to Prosper from Seagoville-70-80 miles one way…3-4 times a week.

Well, one day in late March the Preacher called and said he had found a pretty neat looking place and had us scheduled to look at it the next day (Saturday). It was a little rainy…but we walked the property and when I walked in the house …I knew this was the one. Is it perfect???…no has some things I would change if I could. But overall a good fit. EXCEPT for this old in-ground pool-it was huge-deep and scary. Me and the Preacher don’t swim…someone made the comment…”that’s just an old hole in the ground you will throw money into”. That was an understatement. Money and work…money and work. More money. We put thousands into this old money pit to keep it up and running, replacing items, running the pump, adding water. The kiddos and grandkiddos LOVED it. Friends LOVED it. Me and the Preacher…maybe got in it 3-4 times tops.

So after last year, the pool guy quoted a price of several thousand more $$$$ needed to repair it. I said nope…no way…

Now what to do with this huge hole in the ground.

We decided to build a deck over it. So what you see is what we got. It started out with just some boards over the pool and a nice little deck. We got a huge deck….I call it “Noah’s Ark” because part of the shape looks like a boat that is about to launch.

Anyway, when you see it I’m sure you will also think “WOW! WHAT A DECK”. And it is. So now you can sit on the front porch (metaphorically speaking) or sit on the DECK-literally!

We just had a DECK PARTY..had about 50 of our church folks over to celebrate the completion of the deck. We provided all the food and fun...Preacher even gave out some deck awards to the men folk from the church who built the deck.

Until next time……….join me on the front porch or the deck...your choice!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM! From a front porch in Texas!

ENJOY THESE PICTURES.....3 of them are from past birthdays...including Tim celebrating with a baby back rib dinner and Tim helping the Preacher and Potamic District break ground in Yorktown, Virgina.


29 years…seems so long ago…yet really time slips by so quickly. May 19, 1980 a few minutes after 8:00 in the evening…Timothy James Gabbard joined the Gabbard family. Tim’s arrival in of itself is a story. We found out we would be blessed with baby number 4 AFTER we had sold everything-including all baby stuff and decided to evangelize. We came to a defining point in our lives and knew God had more for us….after much soul searching we felt God directing us to sell house, furniture and everything we didn’t need or could put into a 28 foot travel trailer and GO out in faith. At the time we never worried or wondered what the outcome would be. We just knew that we knew God would take care of us. We had only been out on the ‘field’ a few short weeks when I knew that I knew we would be having another little Gabbard. I remember panic wanting to come and set up residence in my heart and life-but somehow overcame it and put every ounce of trust in God. We barely had room for the other 3 kiddos in this little travel home….no job…just going where God opened a door and receive whatever the church deemed we were worthy of. Some churches couldn’t give much of an offering-so they us food…an old fashioned ‘pounding’ it was called. In other words each family brought us a pound…..of whatever…which leads to a tuna story I’ll share another day…….

Anyway, we traveled on…..and we had a meeting in the Virginia Beach area. We felt very good about the area…no we loved the area…we decided to find a little park and set up camp. This we did in Hampton, Virginia. God opened up and we ALWAYS had something to eat…we ALWAYS had enough food for gas and park fees. Looking back-it was not only a walk of faith…but everyday a miracle. Precious times, sweet times, while baby Tim grew strong in my tummy.

We felt God’s blessing to settle in this area. Just in time, we found a little rent house to live in (opps no furniture) but we slowly and surely somehow got everything we would need for baby Tim and the other three as well.

Now keep in mind-we did not have a ‘church family’ that we could call on…family was far, far away-therefore we knew every blessing came straight from the Hand of God…from the Throne of Heaven. To God’s glory we never missed a meal or really lacked in anything.

Glen found a little job which turned into one of the biggest blessings we every had. That job eventually bought us everything we needed-clothes, cars, a home, we used money to start a home missions work in Yorktown, Virginia. We sent our kids to a private Christian school, went on a vacation to Disney World, Glen finished his degree from Southwestern Assembly of God University. I could go on and on..God blessed above and beyond our expectations! That’s the kind of God He is!

Tim came out of this kind of faith. I believe that is one reason he is where he is right now. He was conceived and born with the Preacher and me believing God for every morsel of bread, every single ounce of strength, every step in front of the other-holding to God’s unchanging hand!

So many might call Tim our ‘tribulation child’…No he represents to the Preacher and me our “Victory child”. He was sent from God (Preacher and I still wonder just how…well excuse my frankness, we know how he was conceived BUT really was not on the agenda and just happened.


Anyway, what a blessing he was as a baby. The sweetest little round faced Gabbard that I could have asked for. Rarely cried, slept (like a baby! really) most of the time. Never fussed…slept all night after a few short weeks, never was fussy or high maintenance. Did he have his moments? Yep…he took a spell when about 6 or 7 and decided to try out some very colorful 4 letter words (well this is what his siblings told on him….hard to believe isn’t it???!!!)


Anyway, a few bumps here and there…after all he was a “ Gabbard”. Did he cause me and the Preacher to pray a lot????…Yep…but look at what he has turned into. I would not change anything about that time….Tim’s arrival…It grew me and the Preacher into who we are today.

Who is Tim??


A young man (still young at 29…Tim one more year before the big ONE)…who loves his God, his wife and family …his church ..his country…So Tim HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…ENJOY, your day and know that you are loved.

Come visit us on the front porch soon! And bring that lovely family of yours!

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

Good evening from the Front Porch,

A beautiful spring day and equally great evening.

Just finished feeding the critters at Grannie’s Barnyard. The latest additions are doing very well. Camryn KIKI is back! He came meowing up the pasture like he was so glad to be home! I picked him up and welcomed him back scolded him for being gone so long and not telling us goodbye! He seemed a little thin. However, Winston does not like KIKI at all. He started barking, Kiki jumped out of my arms and he was off. Winston continued barking, KIKI hissing. I finished feeding everyone including the ducks and then coaxed KIKI back, scooped him up and took him up to the garage for a good meal. He was starving. However, Destiny aka Bushy hissed and tried to attack him. Poor KIKI ! He seems so tuff but he doesn’t like being barked at or hissed at. I don’t blame him.


Great Mother’s Day! Perhaps the very best! Talked to all the kiddos, had a couple visit, one stayed over for a few days and is still here. Very thoughtful gifts, touching cards and good phone calls.

Best of all is to have the grandkids around…sorry big kids you had your day! Camryn and Kaden accompanied me to the barnyard for egg gathering, critter feeding and walking the dogs around the pond. I am attaching some pictures.

I should have more kiddos visit Memorial Day weekend! Lori and the Garza guys will be coming in, Tim and Gabbard Gaggle will come in to celebrate Kaylin’s 5th birthday and Memorial Day. Julz and the Cubbage Crew will be here in some form and Joe and his J’s won’t be able to come but we are planning a Big July Gathering…so that will be something to look forward to.


Anyway, need to go check on a sleeping Karson….feed him and have some fun, fun, fun!

Well, overall there are many challenges..but the bottom line.....It is well with my soul....from the front porch!

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…