Welcome, Elijah William

Elijah William, born July 27th, 2010, 12:00 pm, after 3 hours and 57 minutes of labor. GOD truly answered our prayers for a wonderful and safe delivery. Elijah weighted 8 pounds, 3 ounces and is 21 1/4 inches long. He has already stolen Nana and Papa's heart.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for our little guy! GOD bless each of you!

Blessed to be Nana,

Andrea

Blurry, Yet Strong

Life has  been a little topsy-tervy the last several months. Just as the above picture is a little blurry, so have been some of life's events in my life. I miss visiting with each of your regularly and hope to be back reading all my favorite blogs, soon.  Through this season, GOD continues to draw me closer to HIM. HIS strength abounds as I continue putting one foot in front of the other.

Though some life events remain blurry others are clear. Tomorrow, I will coach out daughter Lauren as she is induced for Eli's delivery. Doug and I traveled back from the Outer Banks of N. C. to share in the birth of our second grandchild. We did not have to come back, we wanted to come back. We would not miss it for the world. We have teased and laughed thinking of how our new little guy will be starting his life, just as our kids have done. He is keeping Nana and Papa on their toes and reminding us what is truly important. Our children have always kept our life eventful, exciting, and a little scary, sometimes! We are also reminded, GODS time, not ours!

We continue to miss our precious Macy (cocker spaniel). It has only been a few days since our youngest son bravely took her to the vet for the last time. Doug and I could not be more proud of Wil. He is growing into a phenomenal young man. Indeed, we are truly blessed!

Many of you have watched our precious Savannah (our 3year old granddaughter) blossom on this blog. She is struggling with asthma. We ask for your prayers on her behalf. Nana's heart still skips a beat when she says, "I'm Nana's girl!"

My precious friends, as life continues to bat you around, look for the beauty amongst the thorns. Know there are others who have walked similar paths. May GOD bless each of you!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea

Macy Trades Her Earthly Paws For Heavenly Wings!

Yesterday, Macy traded her earthly paws for heavenly wings! She was a faithful and much loved furry child. She will be missed tremendously. To read the full article about Macy, her life and death, go to Sitka's blog: All God's Creatures. For those of you who do not know, Sitka is my/our Alaskan Malamute and Macy's younger furry brother.

Thank you to each of you who prayed for Macy and for each of us. Our family is blessed to be loved by so many!

Missing Macy,

Andrea, Doug, Human Kids and Grandkids,  and The Perdue Zoo

Transformed In Life's Storms

As the power of the waves churn against the ocean bed, each shell is tossed about. With each toss and tumble through the sea every shell, stone, and piece of glass is polished with tremendous refining power. Slowly and vigorously a transformation takes place.

Walking the beach after a storm reminds me of GODS refining in my own life. I often feel battered and beaten by life's storms. Sometimes, I feel as though I have been spit onto a desolate beach by the storms furry. Yet as I stand alone on the beach I realize the beauty within this process.

Never alone, always safe despite the furious storm, I find myself better for the wear. A renewed and transformed spirit embodies the old self. Changed for HIS glory, I praise HIM for the once dreaded storm.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea

Be Real

On Saturday, Doug visited our local farmers market. Among his purchased treasures were "real" tomatoes. I refer to tomatoes in two different categories, real and fake or wannabe tomatoes! Both real and fake tomatoes look beautiful on the outside, but when you bite into them there is a vast difference. The real tomato is not only beautiful, but has a flavor unlike anything else in the vegetable world. It simply dances across ones palate, enhancing every other food in its presence.

Let us strive to "be real" and enhance the flavor of every situation in life. Let us  not only look beautiful, but "be beautiful!"

Trying to "be real,"


Andrea

Eagerly Waiting!

We are waiting with eager expectation for our second grandchild. His name will  be Eli! Please pray with us for a safe and healthy delivery for both mom and baby.

Please visit Sitka at All GODS Creatures to find out his/our definition of family!

Praising GOD for the opportunity to be a Nana, again!

Blessed beyond comprehension,

Andrea

Heat Wave

Here on the east coast, we are having record breaking highs. Today, it is expected to be between 105-110 degrees. I have lived on the east coast all my life and I don't remember ever experiencing this type of heat. Heat of this magnitude affects the elderly, little children, and those already impaired by illness the hardest.

Please pray for all those affected by the heat. If you are in a position to help others, check on those affected. Offer fans, air conditioners, and water or a safe cool place to rest. Each of us must put action to our prayers, if God has given us the ability.

Storming the heavens in prayer,

Andrea

Happy Independence Day!

I pray each of you are enjoying "Independence Day" and reflecting on all it means for each of us. The brilliant red in these azaleas reminded me of the blood shed by our military through out the years. Since the birth of our nation we have enjoyed privileges many other people never know. After the hamburgers, hot dogs, and fireworks are over, please remember to pray for each member of the military and their families. Soon, my son will leave for an undisclosed location to serve our country for six months. He is a marine and loves his country. Many years ago, during WWII,  my husband's father, James Bolling Perdue died serving our country. My husband was about 14 months old and only has pictures of he and his dad together. He has a very tender heart for the children left behind. So, in memory of his dad, we ask you pray specifically for all the children whose parents serve faithfully.

Praising GOD for freedom and praying for all those responsible for my freedom,
Andrea