Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Christmas Letter for 2014

I had awakened in plenty of time to get ready for my monthly widow’s group but “time stealers” kept interrupting my morning. I needed to pull out my heavy vacuum to clean up the coffee which spilled when I dropped the container….splattered foundation on my shirt resulted in having to change my outfit… and I had to make up the time spent on the phone with a neighbor. I was running about 15 minutes later than I had planned when I stopped by the kitchen to drop off my coffee cup. I heard a sizzling sound under the sink and investigation revealed water gushing from a busted hose.  I was able to get help and stop the water before there was permanent damage to my home. I knew immediately the frustrated interruptions were actually God ordained delays. .. “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NLT)

               Christmas is the time we stop to reflect on how “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)  I am so grateful to be loved that much….to have the assurance of eternal life; but I’m also thankful that Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV) We can start each day “Seeking His will in all we do, and He will direct our paths.” (Proverbs 2:6 personalized)

               Last year I didn't get out a Christmas letter. December found me in San Diego with Valerie’s family celebrating her 2nd born, Dalton’s graduation into the Marines.  This month is also memorable for Dalton because on December 27th he will be taking his beautiful Puerto Rican princess, Valeria Otero, as his new bride.  Valeria is a perfect fit in our family and we are very excited for them.

               More Family Highlights:
1.      Granddaughter, Kirstin and Josh were blessed with twins on August 2nd this year…..A son, Bronson and a daughter, Brynlee.  Elaine is enjoying the double fun of being a grandmother for the first time.  This great grandma can assure you they are both beautiful.
2.      Granddaughter, Danielle and Darren were blessed with a second son, Drew Kenneth on
August 8th, 2013. Daniel, who will be 4 in January, sure loves having a little brother. Sandra and Dominique enjoy the role of Oma and Opa…..and I love being Oma Great.
3.      Sandra’s son, Michael, still lives in San Luis Obispo, CA where he owns his own fitness business, McAlister Training
4.      Sandra’s youngest, Meghan, graduated from high school this year and is enrolled in the Elementary Educational Program at Pierce College in Lakewood, WA.    
5.      Clayton, Valerie’s first born, graduated from Northwest University in May.  He has been selected to attend the Marine Officer Candidate School.  He will be leaving for VA on Jan. 12, 2015.
6.      Valerie’s 3rd born, Quinton, is participating in Running Start for his junior year of High School.
7.      Valerie’s youngest, Preston, is a freshman in high school.
8.      Valerie had been a stay at home mom until last year when she starting working in her sons’ school district.  It’s a good fit because she’s home with the boys when there is no school.
9.      Sandra and Dominique’s “German Pastry & Coffee Shop” in Lakewood, WA is doing well and keeps Dom very busy. If you’re in the area, stop by for lunch or an awesome treat.


This Christmas season I am grateful for my wonderful family and friends.  I treasure each of you and thank God for the gift you are in my life.  Have a nice Christmas and join me in “Thanking God for His Son….a gift too wonderful for words.”  (2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT)

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

A Tribute to my Sister, June

I only had 19 months of my mama and daddy’s undivided attention before my sister joined our family.  Mother was sure she was having a boy so James Curtis Blanton, Jr. was the only name chosen for the new bundle. To their surprise they didn’t have a Junior but they did have a beautiful little June.

            June and I were best friends during our growing up years.  We played hard together, got in trouble together, and learned to do household chores together. We gave our hearts to Jesus on the same night, each of us leaning on one of daddy’s knees, repeating the sinner’s prayer after him. We loved to sing.  You could hear the two of us bellowing out the words to our Sunday School songs while pumping back in forth in the old tire swing, feeding the animals, or singing along with daddy’s guitar. I was told that when our younger sister was born, daddy told mother, “Now we have our ladies’ trio.”

            Music was in our souls and at a young age June and I found ourselves harmonizing with Sandra who could sing out the lead like someone much older. We sang our first special in church when Sandra was 6, June 8 and I was 10. This was the beginning of an incredible bonding and adventure between the Blanton Sisters.  As the years passed, we grew closer to each other and closer to God as we were given the opportunity to share God’s love in churches, homecomings, youth events, family camps, Sunday afternoon Singsperations, and anywhere else we were invited. After our trio was silenced by my move across the states, my sisters’ beautiful voices continued to bring God glory in their churches and community.  I recall the joy I felt when I visited at Stoney Run, watching June lead the choir, hearing her hit those high notes on “It is well with my Soul” and seeing her live out that hymn in her life. I get cold chills just remembering how I felt each time I heard her beautiful gift of song.

            June has always been more than just a sister to me….we went everywhere together as teens…..we both met our future husbands at Watha Youth Camp….we both became engaged in December of ‘61…..and we even had a double wedding planned but it was interrupted by Don’s call to Viet Nam.

            For the past 50 years, I have been living 3,000 miles away from June.  Physically we have been apart but our hearts have always been together.  My love and appreciation for my sister has continually grown as we communicated by long distance about our joys, hurts, prayer needs, grandchildren, and what God was teaching us. These last six years we have both had more time for long phone conversations and I looked forward to picking up the phone and hearing her say, “I just wanted to hear your voice today, Sis.”

Being a part of June’s life has enhanced mine. I’ve admired her sensitivity and response to the leading of the Lord…whether it was taking a dish to a friend, making a phone call, or providing a financial need, June was quick to follow God’s nudge. I have been the recipient of her tender heart many times, especially since the home going of my husband, and I desire to show my appreciation to her and God by being a better listener to His gentle voice myself.

June deeply loved her family. I too am so proud of all of them and I wish my health would have allowed me to be there to celebrate together the life of this one we all loved. I’m thankful for the memories I have made with my sister; especially of this past summer when she and Dewayne drove out to Washington State and spent time with me and my family.  My children and grandchildren adore this aunt and uncle and loved their time with them.  My son-in-law told me this week, “Aunt June was my favorite aunt.” The deep stomach laughs and great conversations of this summer’s visit will always be etched in my memory.

My writing of this tribute was interrupted this afternoon by a phone call from my grandson at Marine Camp. He shared how glad he was for a very special day spent in Seattle with Uncle Dewayne and Aunt June.  He ended our conversation by saying, “I observed that day what real love looks like; especially the love of a husband for his wife.”  Thank you, Dewayne for the incredible love you have extended to my sister these 51 ½ yrs.


Life as we know it will always be changing. But there is one thing we can depend on to never change and that is the love of our great God for His children. June understood that love and I believe she would tell us “His eye is on the Sparrow and I know He watches over you,”