May 25, 1931 - this was the date when Ruby Eileen Houston was born to Claude and Lola Houston.
Ruby's only sibling, brother, Coy was 15 years older than she.
She became the pride and joy of her home.
Ruby Houston Davis is my mother.
Eighty years have passed since her birth.
On Wednesday of this week she will celebrate her 80th birthday!
And that is quite amazing, considering that Mom has had diabetes for 67 years (diagnosed with it at the age of 12 - long before much was even known about the disease nor how to treat it). All who have ever known my mother would agree that has always seemed to be somewhat frail in health. Yet, it's amazing how well my mother has gotten along, especially when you consider her diabetic condition. God has been very good to my mother!
Also through all of these years my mother has always been a kind, loving, caring, absolutely sweet individual. Everyone who has ever met her would agree.
You may or may not know; her lifestyle as a young woman, young wife started out (and continued for over 25 years) to be lived on the road;in a different city each week, singing music with my dad at revival meetings. Their only home was a travel trailer, and were parked in a different city each week of the year. Mom and Dad were always meeting and interacting with new people, always in the 'public eye', living in a 'glass house' sort of scenario.
I was born after Mom and Dad had been married for 13 years and was quite a surprise to her and to Dad. Mom was very sick while expecting me, and doctors and friends feared for her health - wondering if she'd even endure the stress of a child being born. But she did! I am grateful. :)
My mother's mom and dad died before I was born, each of them around the age of 62 when they passed on. All my life growing up, I could tell by the way my mom would speak that she didn't expect to live any longer than her parents had - and it's been my impression that she expected to be gone to Heaven at least by the age of 62, if not sooner.
Mom has survived a stroke, a mild heart attack, a quadruple bypass, and a broken hip...and has come back kicking (well not literally), every single time. God has certainly been good to my mother and blessed her with remarkably good health all these years.
She has also been by my Dad's side (they are coming up on 61 years of marriage next month)through Dad's health challenges of heart bypass and recently his stroke, two years ago.
Here I would like to insert that my dad has always been very so wonderful to my mom, treating her like an exotic flower, caring tenderly for her at all times.
Mom has become a stronger woman throughout all her life. Especially in these past couple of years, as many changes have occurred, many not pleasant, I have seen her become stronger in spirit and stronger in endurance.
With each passing birthday she chuckles and says...."can you believe I'm 70?" can you believe I'm 79?" Well on Wednesday, God giving her a couple more days, she will be able to say, "Can you believe I'm 80?" and she will smile and she will chuckle! And so will we who hear her say it.
We love the fact that she is 80! And yes, we believe it!
I've always said that if God has favorites, she is one of his favorites!
She is a wonderful woman and I am so thankful that she is my mom.
Happy 80th Birthday, Mom!
And many more...
With love.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sentiments from a Snowmobile
This past Sunday afternoon, Tim and I went snowmobiling for time #3. It was 12 degrees outside, so I was a little suspicious of whether or not going out was wise, but we stayed quite warm dressed in our winter gear and we had a delightful time out on the trails together.
Instead of doubling up on the same sled, this time we each drove our own. This provided an unexpected quiet time alone on the sled with my thoughts, prompting this blog entry. Well, quiet except for the loud roaring of the snowmobile engine. :)
A few miles into the ride, I realized that it had been way too long since I had just been quiet, uninterrupted and alone with my thoughts. In today's constantly accessible info/communication environment, even my 'alone' time is often distracted with my desire to check email, Facebook, look up a fact on the internet, or view an incoming text. There's hardly ever a time other than being in the shower, when I can 'drown out' all other distractions and just...think.
It's rather good and extremely therapeutic to just...think. To ponder life. To ponder God's goodness...
I find my creativity wanes when I do not take adequate time to think. The stresses of this world call loudly when I do not quiet myself and think.
And this is all in addition to the morning quiet time with God and devotional time, which I have regularly. I cherish my morning reading and quiet time. But still, in a normal home environment,even then, distractions are close at hand. Always, close at hand, distractions are there to, well...distract.
I think it is important to get one's self into a situation where we can be quiet and think, ponder and listen....to God, our Maker, our Guide, our Friend....wherever that might be; on a snowmobile or otherwise. But it makes activities such as snowmobiling have a bit of a higher purpose; I think for me, at least, it can be quite therapeutic.
Additionally, my thoughts went to some situations with some friends recently, where I've been using words such as "We're in this together"...."We can't go through life alone"...."We need each other." As good as it was to have a time to be quiet and alone on my own snowmobile, I was surely glad to not be alone on the trail. I am new to this snowmobiling sport and lacking much knowledge that I might need as we go on the journey. I am glad, so glad, that Tim was close by. It was very comforting to see his sled's taillights ahead of me as I followed, or his headlights in my rearview mirror when he was behind me. Sometimes he'd go out of my sight because he likes to ride faster than I do, but then he'd turn around and I'd see his headlights coming back to find me, to make sure I was okay, still there, not having trouble of any kind. I like that! I need that! And friends, in life, we need a buddy on a sled near ours...we don't want to have to be driving out in the cold, in the dark, all alone. It's just simply not a good idea.
So go ahead, make time for some fun in life, and remember above all to make some time for you to be quiet, listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and what he wants to whisper to you....
Just don't plan to remain alone...find some good friends and do life together! That makes the adventure just about perfect!
Instead of doubling up on the same sled, this time we each drove our own. This provided an unexpected quiet time alone on the sled with my thoughts, prompting this blog entry. Well, quiet except for the loud roaring of the snowmobile engine. :)
A few miles into the ride, I realized that it had been way too long since I had just been quiet, uninterrupted and alone with my thoughts. In today's constantly accessible info/communication environment, even my 'alone' time is often distracted with my desire to check email, Facebook, look up a fact on the internet, or view an incoming text. There's hardly ever a time other than being in the shower, when I can 'drown out' all other distractions and just...think.
It's rather good and extremely therapeutic to just...think. To ponder life. To ponder God's goodness...
I find my creativity wanes when I do not take adequate time to think. The stresses of this world call loudly when I do not quiet myself and think.
And this is all in addition to the morning quiet time with God and devotional time, which I have regularly. I cherish my morning reading and quiet time. But still, in a normal home environment,even then, distractions are close at hand. Always, close at hand, distractions are there to, well...distract.
I think it is important to get one's self into a situation where we can be quiet and think, ponder and listen....to God, our Maker, our Guide, our Friend....wherever that might be; on a snowmobile or otherwise. But it makes activities such as snowmobiling have a bit of a higher purpose; I think for me, at least, it can be quite therapeutic.
Additionally, my thoughts went to some situations with some friends recently, where I've been using words such as "We're in this together"...."We can't go through life alone"...."We need each other." As good as it was to have a time to be quiet and alone on my own snowmobile, I was surely glad to not be alone on the trail. I am new to this snowmobiling sport and lacking much knowledge that I might need as we go on the journey. I am glad, so glad, that Tim was close by. It was very comforting to see his sled's taillights ahead of me as I followed, or his headlights in my rearview mirror when he was behind me. Sometimes he'd go out of my sight because he likes to ride faster than I do, but then he'd turn around and I'd see his headlights coming back to find me, to make sure I was okay, still there, not having trouble of any kind. I like that! I need that! And friends, in life, we need a buddy on a sled near ours...we don't want to have to be driving out in the cold, in the dark, all alone. It's just simply not a good idea.
So go ahead, make time for some fun in life, and remember above all to make some time for you to be quiet, listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and what he wants to whisper to you....
Just don't plan to remain alone...find some good friends and do life together! That makes the adventure just about perfect!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
ZIP DRIVE....Zambia Instrument Project
One of the highlights for me in the year 2010 was the kickoff of the ZIP Drive at a national level. You can learn more about this exciting project/ministry which is helping orphans in Zambia, Africa.
Check out the website at www.zambiainstrumentproject.com
2011...Joyful in January
Yes, it's been a while....a long while.
My last posting was May 2010. And I was promising to update more often. Yeah, well. :)
Fortunately, it's January, the month of new beginnings, so I am starting over with this blog posting business. Giving it another try....
So much has happened since I last wrote here in May, there'd be no way I could recap all that took place, and it's almost too much to even summarize the highlights. But in a nutshell: God is good. Even when life is hard, God is good. That's the one constant, always, no matter what. God is good....
I've adjusted to Tyler's leaving home for Cornerstone University. It's a 20 minute drive from our home, but brand a new chapter in our lives nonetheless, as he is living on-campus and we go weeks without seeing each other. He is adjusting well to college life and is happy to be there, which makes the adjustment easier for all of us. He is majoring in The Art of Ministry with a Young Adult emphasis. He leads worship on Friday night college gatherings, and also is involved volunteering in leadership with the High School Ministry at Frontline Church.
Last fall, I spent two weeks in Florida with my parents as Dad had another small setback physically. The setback threatened to make changes in their living environment, but thus far, only minor changes have needed to be made, thankfully, and they are still living on their own, in their own cozy Brooksville home, with some help 5 mornings a week from a dear lady named Shirley. Dad is 80 and Mom will celebrate her 80th birthday in May, so all things considered, they are certainly doing very well, and we are grateful to God for his protective, loving and healing hand that holds them close.
Emily is in her junior year of high school and is studying hard this year. She also is having her best year ever playing basketball for the Girls Varsity Hudsonville Hornets team. Also new for Emily as of this past fall, she is involved weekly leading worship at our church's youth worship service that meets on Sunday night. It's very exciting to see her living out this role for which God has greatly gifted her.
Tim is still blessed to be employed by Spectrum Industries, and the company has had one of their most profitable sales-years yet, even in this very hard econonic time. Tim leads a men's small group that meets weekly at our church and he also is serving the Vice Chairman of the Board of Elders for Kentwood Community Church.
Kentwood Community Church is where I am employed, part-time, and it continues to be a great outlet where God uses my gifts and stretches me in many ways including leadership and serving. Our church has just ended a transitional year going from one beloved pastor...Wayne Schmidt, to the next...Kyle Ray. God is doing fabulous things in the lives of our congregation as we allow the Holy Spirit to do His work, and as we commit to becoming a diverse community, where people experience authentic relationships, finding hope and freedom in Jesus Christ, as they unconditionally love, selflessly serve and passionately cultivate life change.
These are among many reasons I have in which to be joyful....I am so very blessed. More later. Have a joyful January.
My last posting was May 2010. And I was promising to update more often. Yeah, well. :)
Fortunately, it's January, the month of new beginnings, so I am starting over with this blog posting business. Giving it another try....
So much has happened since I last wrote here in May, there'd be no way I could recap all that took place, and it's almost too much to even summarize the highlights. But in a nutshell: God is good. Even when life is hard, God is good. That's the one constant, always, no matter what. God is good....
I've adjusted to Tyler's leaving home for Cornerstone University. It's a 20 minute drive from our home, but brand a new chapter in our lives nonetheless, as he is living on-campus and we go weeks without seeing each other. He is adjusting well to college life and is happy to be there, which makes the adjustment easier for all of us. He is majoring in The Art of Ministry with a Young Adult emphasis. He leads worship on Friday night college gatherings, and also is involved volunteering in leadership with the High School Ministry at Frontline Church.
Last fall, I spent two weeks in Florida with my parents as Dad had another small setback physically. The setback threatened to make changes in their living environment, but thus far, only minor changes have needed to be made, thankfully, and they are still living on their own, in their own cozy Brooksville home, with some help 5 mornings a week from a dear lady named Shirley. Dad is 80 and Mom will celebrate her 80th birthday in May, so all things considered, they are certainly doing very well, and we are grateful to God for his protective, loving and healing hand that holds them close.
Emily is in her junior year of high school and is studying hard this year. She also is having her best year ever playing basketball for the Girls Varsity Hudsonville Hornets team. Also new for Emily as of this past fall, she is involved weekly leading worship at our church's youth worship service that meets on Sunday night. It's very exciting to see her living out this role for which God has greatly gifted her.
Tim is still blessed to be employed by Spectrum Industries, and the company has had one of their most profitable sales-years yet, even in this very hard econonic time. Tim leads a men's small group that meets weekly at our church and he also is serving the Vice Chairman of the Board of Elders for Kentwood Community Church.
Kentwood Community Church is where I am employed, part-time, and it continues to be a great outlet where God uses my gifts and stretches me in many ways including leadership and serving. Our church has just ended a transitional year going from one beloved pastor...Wayne Schmidt, to the next...Kyle Ray. God is doing fabulous things in the lives of our congregation as we allow the Holy Spirit to do His work, and as we commit to becoming a diverse community, where people experience authentic relationships, finding hope and freedom in Jesus Christ, as they unconditionally love, selflessly serve and passionately cultivate life change.
These are among many reasons I have in which to be joyful....I am so very blessed. More later. Have a joyful January.
Friday, July 2, 2010
May 2010
Fast forward from my February post to May...
Two highlights from the month of May 2010:
The first highlight was my parents' one week visit. This was the first time they had been to Michigan in three years. It was wonderful to have them here again in our home and make many wonderful memories together. They flew up from Florida and back this time, instead of driving, as they used to do, and of course, preferred the shorter travel time and are actually talking of flying up again in the future.
While they were here we celebrated (early) the occasion of my parents' 60th Wedding Anniversary (June 2nd, 2010 was the actual date of their anniversary). 60 years is a long time to be married! Congratulations are certainly due to Mom and Dad!
Tim and I surprised Mom and Dad by inviting 30 of their friends for dinner together at the Noel Restaurant in Jamestown Michigan. It was a very festive and special occasion.
The other highlight of the month of May was Tyler's high school graduation. Tyler walked in a graduation ceremony with the West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts Association. It was a very meaningful and memorable ceremony, with music provided by the Northern Lights Chorale, which both Tyler and Emily sing in, and a class song provided by the seniors, with Tyler singing and playing his guitar. The guest speaker for the graduation service was our good friend and former pastor, Dr. Wayne Schmidt, who spoke on the topic, "It's My Privilege".
All in all, a wonderful month, the month of May. :)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
coming soon....
Alright, you faithful few who read my blog: coming soon - an update! There's been lots going on and therefore, there is much to write about, but time has been a huge preventative!
Hopefully within a week or so I will be able to update you on things that have been happening in the Stitt Family! I look forward to connecting with you again in this way.
Have a great day!
Hopefully within a week or so I will be able to update you on things that have been happening in the Stitt Family! I look forward to connecting with you again in this way.
Have a great day!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Story of the American Tourist and the Mexican Fisherman
I heard this story today...and love it. I want to share it with you. It is not original....
An American tourist was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.
Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The tourist complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, "Only a little while."
The tourist then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?"
The Mexican said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs."
The tourist then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life."
The tourist scoffed, " I can help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat: With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor; eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You could leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually New York where you could run your ever-expanding enterprise."
The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"
The tourist replied, "15 to 20 years."
"But what then?" asked the Mexican.
The tourist laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right you would sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."
"Millions?...Then what?"
The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."
This makes me think of these verses in I Timothy 6:17-19: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
An American tourist was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.
Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The tourist complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, "Only a little while."
The tourist then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?"
The Mexican said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs."
The tourist then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life."
The tourist scoffed, " I can help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat: With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor; eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You could leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually New York where you could run your ever-expanding enterprise."
The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"
The tourist replied, "15 to 20 years."
"But what then?" asked the Mexican.
The tourist laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right you would sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."
"Millions?...Then what?"
The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."
This makes me think of these verses in I Timothy 6:17-19: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
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