A LABOR OF LOVE

Greetings from the front porch.

Not your typical evening...weather has been rainy and everything looks more like spring than Fall... I can handle that!

Speaking of rain..I am finding that having huge trees right in front of our house is a great blessing but can also be a burden. Twice now this summer we have had some major tree branch breakage at the home place. Heavy rain, lightning?? not sure. Anyway, number 2 son, the 'baby' took several hours out of his busy busy schedule and came over and cut the branches-cut up for fire wood :) and did several other major 'parent do' chores for us! TIM, A SHOUT OUT FOR YOUR HELP! Me and the preacher just aren't as strong as we used to be. Those young strong arms of Tim's sure helped us out.

I pray blessings of many times over come back upon you Tim. Have a great week! May God pour out on you so many blessings you cannot count them all.

By the way this is one of my favorite pictures of me, Tim and his dad. Us on a younger better day and Tim as handsome as ever!


From the front porch to yours especially to Tim's Love ya!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE!

Greetings from a rainy (much needed) kinda cozy Sunday morning from the front porch!

Today is Preacher and my's daughter's birthday. She was born on a sunny Kentucky evening...just a few years back-so it seems. Preacher and I married young right out of high school-that seemed to be the thing to do back then...we were very young-very much in love and have had a roller coaster ride ever since! Ups and downs kinda sums it up after 39 years of marriage. But I would not change anything about my dear Preacher or the wonderful, blessing-the gifts as Joe pointed out the last time he preached or us...my family. I feel each one was sent by God..fearfully and wonderfully made-unique as can be.

Out of those 39 nine years came 4 children and 8 grandchildren and blessings and memories and good times and even a few bumps along the way. We had Julie 2 years after our marriage-we were still so young! I am the oldest of 8 children-Glen one of 12 .but I soon realized that being part of a being family dosen't automatically make you a wise parent! As a matter of fact-how strange it is that for the MOST important job in all the world-being a parent-the ONLY game plan/road map/user guide/manual/ that we have is the Bible...God's Word. It gives us directions...but still being a parent MUST be done with prayer and fasting and fear and trembling daily. I made countless mistakes along the way-hopefully my children now as parents themselves will realize just how hard it is being a parent...it's a challenge when trying to speak in wisdom, making decisions in wisdom-you just do the best you can and PRAY.

Julie kinda of grew up with us it seems...has always been there is seems...has been a steady constant part of our lives. Her and the Preacher always had a very special relationship..even from day one...he so often referred to her as 'his little pumpkin'...long story..but a sweet one.

Julie being the oldest..was an achiever-able to tackle and do anything she set her heart and mind on. I guess a mixture of the Lawson/Gabbard genes and therefore has accomplished so much in her life. God has blessed her with many talents and gifts and as a parent it thrills our hearts when we see our children-no matter how 'young' succeed in careers but even more so in the ministry.

Today is her birthday. It has been a challenging year for her and her girls...for her and her entire family. Julie, know that we love you-we are praying for you-God's blessing be upon you!

Better times are coming-that's a promise from the Lord.

From the porch to Julie...Happy Birthday to you!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTICE!

Justice Cole Gabbard! Born September 8, 2007...aka 9/8/07...kinda catchy and easy to keep straight.

Anyway from Grannies Front Porch here in TEXAS a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LITTLE GUY ALL THE WAY IN Lee Summit, MO a stone's throw from the Big K...Kansas City.

Little J reminds me of his Daddy so much...walks like him has the same kind of 'stick up on your head' hair..just a little sweetie. DID YOU GUESS??? The first picture is not Justice but Joe...about the same age..one of my favorite of Joe. Happy, smiling just waiting to make sure something exciting happens!!! I miss seeing him and his brother Jace and of course Ronnin and Joe....hopefully someday me and the Preacher can celebrate these long distance birthdays.

Once again Happy Birthday Justice!

HUGS, KISSES AND LOVE TO YOU

Love PaPa and Grannie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACE!!

TODAY IS JACE'S (Joe's oldest little guy) BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU JACE!!

HUGS AND KISSES

Wish me and PaPa could celebrate with you. We couldn't be with you...so here are some pictures from some of the birthdays we have been able to shrare with you!

Love Grannie and Papa

BEING THANKFUL!

GOOD EVENING FROM THE FRONT PORCH!

I need to be doing a million other things, but decided to take a little time and visit on the front porch. I visit a farm from time to time Farmgirl Fare and absolutely love it! Visit her ‘farm’ sometime. Anyway, I saw a post where she and a friend made a commitment to e-mail each other 5 things they are thankful for each day. That got me to thinking…..I should be able to post 5 things I am thankful for at least once a week???? Hopefully, more often. So here goes……….

That is what life is really about….appreciating the small wonders, the surprises when God’s display of greatness, mercy and grace unfold and envelope us. So here’s the post for today with a picture of one of my favorite things: my little farm.

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

My God. I do love Him so..I fail Him over and over…but His grace and mercy wash over me and keep me safe in His arms.
My family: my husband, Glen, who has his moments, but is a dear loving man who still loves me after all these years and thinks I hung the moon!
My children….are they perfect??? No, pretty close and pretty great in spite of me.
My grandkids!! I LOVE THEM, I LOVE THEM, they are the neatest little Gabbards (Garzas, Cubbages) alive! They keep me on my toes, especially the ones living with me right now.
My little farm: brings me such joy and peace. Strange, I’ve NEVER worked harder-but enjoy every minute…even cleaning out the stalls. I love to see the beauty they bring, the different personalities, the wonders God has created. My favorite spot…under the pecan tree…it’s always shady…and always entertaining as two legged or four legged manages to capture my attention.

Thanks for stopping by and how about you too, stopping and be grateful for the treasures …as my son, Joe, said, the “gifts”, God has given us!

Stop again soon and we’ll chat again.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RONNIN!

Greetings from the front porch!

Glad you stopped by. Busy day so I will have to say hello and get going...but you are welcome to stay and linger and enjoy the 'view'.

Today is my daughter-in-law, Ronnin's, birthday.

So RONNIN, Happy Birthday to you. I will do my usual “Happy Birthday” call later-but I want to begin a new tradition and feature the Birthday people in our family with a little tribute and walk down memory lane.

So, I do want to thank God for Ronnin. She is more than a daughter-in-law to us. She is family. She is Joe’s wife and mother of two of our wonderful grandsons, Jace and Justice. They spent a few days with us in July at “Grannie Camp’. It was not enough time but so thankful for them coming and visiting.

Joe and a friend are on their way back to Texas as we speak. He is going to be the guest speaker at our church this weekend and he is bringing a good friend to help with the praise and worship. It will be so good to see him!

To show you just how understanding and sweet Ronnin is…..even though today is her birthday…..she ‘released’ Joe and so he is on his way to Texas….that’s pretty great….


So once again Ronnin Happy Birthday to YOU!


Come back and visit soon!

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.