Why I Drove All The Way To Branson, Missouri

At the end of April, I loaded up my car late one Thursday afternoon with three daughters, three granddaughters and lots (and lots) of luggage to head northeast on a Girls Getaway.  This one was a little different from the Girls Weekends I have attended in the past.  This time we were renting out a huge lodge and filling it with Jenkins Women.

The Rusty Moose Lodge

This place was gorgeous...Sitting above Table Rock Lake in all of its splendor!

Yet it couldn't hold a candle to the beauty that would be inhabiting her walls for the next three days.  It was time to gather with my family.

Aunts

Cousins

We had talked of doing something for over a year.  We booked the house the first part of July.  We discussed food and travel arrangements and what we wanted to do while we were in town.  They teased me that the whole reason for this trip was to teach this Jenkins woman how to make biscuits.  (And I did learn, by the way.)

What we didn't know was that my heart would be raw at the loss of my dad...and that I would need those women in the worst kind of way come April of 2015.

And so, it was a touch bittersweet for me to gather with members of my dad's family.  But you know what?  We had fun!  We laughed!  We cried!  We teased!  We cooked!  And we ate.  Boy, did we eat! And we watched as the next two generations of Jenkins women bonded...over Converse tennis shoes and Frozen dolls.

First Cousins Once Removed
I love these girls!

(Some of) The Next Generation of Cousins
Don't judge, they were OVER all the picture taking in about ten minutes.

And my heart was blessed beyond measure!

Jenkins Girls' Retreat: 2015

We've talked about it for years.

This year, we finally did something about it.

We reserved a lodge in Branson, MO that would sleep 30 and most of us Jenkins Girls met up for a weekend of sweet fellowship and laughter.

From Left to Right: Dana, Aubree, Jana, Kathy, Brianne, Peyton, Addison,
Kristy, Camille, Kelli, Elliot, Brooke, Debbie, Delayne, Meagan, Janelle and Fonda

There were seventeen of us in all.  Three aunts. Five first cousins & cousin-in-laws.  Five first cousins once removed.  Three first cousins twice removed.

From the very first moments of our stay, the little girls were running and playing, laughing and giggling.  And it wasn't much different for us 'not so little' girls. 

I'll be sharing some of my favorite pictures this week...and maybe a few stories.

Until then, a huge 'thank you' shout out to these lovely ladies who have helped shape me into the woman I am today.  Love you all!

Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy

Donald Jenkins, 69, of Crossett, died Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at his residence.  Mr. Jenkins was a native and life long resident of Crossett and Ashley County.  He worked for Steve Bolin Logging for 23 years and he operated the NAPA Parts Store in Parkdale for many years.  He was an avid outdoors man, fisherman, turkey and deer hunter and a board member of the Pine Lodge Inn Hunting Club. 

He is preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Desi Rodgers and his parents, Arlee & Lurlene Maxwell Jenkins. 

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Donna Doyon Jenkins of Crossett; three daughters, Fonda Goode and husband, Jim, of Waller, Texas, Rosa Bolin and husband, Steve, of New Albany, Mississippi and Cecily Jenkins of Crossett; three brothers, Bobby Jenkins and wife, Kathy, of Crossett, James Jenkins and wife, Glenda, of Benton and Glen Jenkins and wife, Debbie, of Crossett; two sisters, Camille Brookings and husband, Dale, of McGehee and Carolyn Morin and husband, Fred, of Kalamazoo, Michigan; 8 grandchildren, Meagan Goode Rodgers and husband, Derrick, Kelli Goode Ham and husband, Matt, Brianne Goode Allen and husband, Josh, Naiz Bolin, Brian Goode, Jana Bolin, Stevi Bolin and William Goode; seven great-grandchildren, Davin, Delayne & Dayton Rodgers, Brooke, Maddux, Elliot & Weston Ham and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services are 10 a.m., Saturday, February 21, 2015 at Wallers Chapel United Methodist Church with Rev. James Morris and Rev. Toby Austin officiating.  Burial will be in the Crossroad Cemetery.  Pallbearers are Brian Goode, William Goode, Casy Jenkins, Justin Jenkins, Jerry Don Clark and Jimmy Chalk.  Memorials may be made to Ashley County Cares, PO Box 366, Hamburg, AR  71646. 

Visitation is 6-8 p.m., Friday at the church. 

Could I Ask You For Prayers Today?

Cecily, Rosa, Daddy and I on January 4, 2015

My sweet Daddy has had a rough week and a half.  He physically grows weaker and the medications aren't doing what they used to.  He is experiencing a bit of pain and his irritation levels are rising along with his feelings of discomfort. This is a rough journey for all of us...especially for him, Donna and Cecily who live it 24/7.  Please, if you have a moment or when the Lord brings us to mind, would you pray for the Lord's presence to fill their home, for His peace to settle over their hearts and for Donna's strength in these tough times.

With tears of grief mixed with joy,
Fonda

Country Music Should Come With A Warning Label

The majority of our family loves country music. With the exception of our oldest son, Brian, who says it's too sad and boring. He is kind of like those folks who used refer to it as 'I broke my toe, lost my woman and my dog just died' music. I have to admit he might just have a point.

Like most people, I like to listen to music as I exercise. So the other night I climbed on the elliptical and hit a new playlist on my phone titled '90's Hits'. I should have known something was a little off when Grand Funk Railroad's hit We're An American Band came on. Not exactly 90's music (1974 actually) but I thought that maybe it was from a movie soundtrack and kept going.

A few songs later I hear George Jones' He Stopped Loving Her Today. As soon as he started on the first chorus I knew it was too late. Tears began streaming down my face. And I continued to cry through the rest of the song as I pushed on, one step at a time.

It's a good thing I was on the back porch with only the puppies staring at the crazy woman bawling her eyes out and not in the middle of a gym.

Music speaks to my soul in a special way. And though I normally enjoy my country music, when I am in a season of sadness, grief or loss it can catch me unaware and overwhelm me with emotion.

Just before Christmas they made the decision to put Daddy under home hospice care. He is now on oxygen 24/7. It has caused some of the color to come back in his face and he is eating better. But we know it is only on the surface that he seems to be doing better. Even though I knew this would probably be part of our journey, it was still hard to hear when the time came.

Please continue to lift him and Donna in prayer. Pain has not been an issue yet, but he is anxious. I do not have the words to express how much I respect and admire Donna for the weight that she is carrying with such grace. Please pray that she remains healthy and strong in the battle that lies ahead.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

It's All In The Journey

This post was written on November 12th and for whatever reason, was never posted. Though the date above says November 12, I am hitting publish on December 31. There is now more to the story which I will post soon.

Yesterday morning as I drove in to work, I was listening to a short audio book by Anne Lamott when I heard a quote that stuck in my head and heart.

"We're all just walking each other home."  

Ram Dass - As quoted in Stitches: A Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair by Anne Lamott

I'd never heard of the original author of that quote before yesterday and am totally unfamiliar with his theology. (Though a quick internet search leads me to believe that it is not the same as mine.) However, when I think on that quote, line it up beside one of my life verses (Romans 12:15) and consider the ministry that the Lord has called me to...it speaks to a deep longing in my soul.



I find myself in a very tender place with the Lord these days. He is teaching me to open myself up to Him more fully, to ask Him for the desires of my heart, and more importantly, to trust Him with the answers.  I know that sounds elementary to a lot of people.  It would have sounded that way to me just a few short months ago.



Then, in early September, Jim and I made a trip back to Arkansas to work on the family deer lease.  It was supposed to be a long weekend filled with tree trimming, relocating deer stands and the like.  Unbeknownst to us, the Lord had ordained our trip to coincide with my dad being diagnosed with a metastatic melanoma on his brain.  Our long weekend turned into a week filled with waiting, tests, doctor's appointments, more waiting, and a little tree trimming thrown in for good measure (AKA stress relief).



We didn't just decide to stay the week, it sort of unfolded day by day.  We packed our bags at least three different times to head home. But the Lord was gracious and He either impressed on us that we were not to leave yet or He sent the newest bits of information just before we were to pull out.



The rest of September is a blur for me.  I spent a lot of hours driving back and forth between Waller and Little Rock.  First there were the appointments with his oncologist, followed by ones with the radiologist, and finally a surgeon.  The next trip was for surgery itself, which went so wonderfully that God Himself had to have been in that room.  We were prepared for a long recovery IF daddy woke up. (The tumor was located on the area of the brain which causes you to wake.)  Instead, we were talking to him within an hour.



He had massive radiation in October and his health is still not as stabilized as we would like. The oncologist thinks he is too weak for the chemo right now...so we wait. And we hope.  But mostly, we pray.  Openly. Honestly. We plead for healing and mercy and strength...because really, there is nothing that we can do to change any of it.



One week he sounds strong and nearly back to his old self.  The next, he is weak and tired as he struggles to just feel 'better'.



Please don't take this the wrong way. I am not ready to walk my daddy home. He's not ready to be walked there either. Heavens, he is only 69 years young!



But, in other ways, we are all doing this every single day.  As we build memories, share burdens and joys, listen to one another's hearts and simply 'do life' together...we are walking each other home. We are being the hands and feet of Christ to those He has brought into our lives. As we laugh, cry, and sit in silence together, we are moving a little closer to home.



I, for one, am grateful for the journey...and I am glad for the companionship offered by each of you, my fellow sojourners!

It's the Little Things

Sunday Dinners in the south. Where the family gathers at grandma's house for a huge eclectic meal after church services, followed by sports on the television and a rambunctious card or board game at the kitchen table. Or a backyard softball/volleyball game and some mud riding.

We enjoy them around here on occasion - usually once a month or so. But that is a rarity compared with how I was raised. We spent pretty much every Sunday Dinner gathered around the table at Grandma Fulton's or scrounging for an empty spot on the hearth at Grandma Jenkins'. (Unless it was below 60 degrees outside....then Grandpa would have that fireplace blazing so hot you couldn't get near the hearth without firefighter gear on!)

So it was that I found myself up early on Sunday morning trying to get a roast in the oven before church. (Confession: I never made it to church. I don't know how my grandmother's did it EVERY Sunday while making it look so easy.)

I pulled out the gray oblong roaster, washed the potatoes and loaded them in the bottom, seasoned and seared the roast and turned to begin peeling the carrots. As I watched the thin orange shavings building up in the sink, I caught the sight of my own hands moving swiftly over each surface with Grandma Fulton's old silver peeler.

My heart filled with love while my mind filled with memories. I am so thankful for the heritage the Lord blessed me with. And I am often taken by surprise at what evokes the strongest memories. It is most often "the little things".

And it makes me wonder, "What will evoke those memories of us when our grandchildren have grandchildren of their own"?

I'm sure it will be "the little things" that we hardly take notice of while they are happening.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

I Feel A Bit Like Dorothy

No matter how many wonderful people you get to see...



or what great adventures you have...



there is no place like home...



there is no place like home!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Thankfulness: Day 1

“Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship. ~Margaret Mead”

Perhaps never have those words been more true than of Rosa and myself.  As children, we did NOT get along.  In personality, we have always been polar opposites.  But as adults, she has become my best friend.  There is nothing I wouldn't trust her with.

I couldn't help but think of her today...after all, it is the anniversary of the day she became my sister.  So, I begin my month of Thankfulness remembering one of God's most grace-filled relationships in my life -- the joy of being her sister.

Happy birthday, Rosa! 

    I respect the Godly woman that you have become.  Your fierce loyalty to your family and friends makes me aspire to be more like you.  You always say you look up to me...I don't think I tell you enough how much I admire you.  May the Lord richly bless you in the year to come. 

I love you dearly!

Fonda

Living Proof...That Is What We Are

Last spring my cousin, Rita, called and invited me to join her, her daughter and other ladies from her church for Living Proof Live in Bossier City, LA. She and I have both taken and led Bible studies by Beth Moore...but this was Rita's first time to see her live.

Well, it turned into a family affair. Steeping in the Word is a great way to spend a weekend with those you love the most. Especially with such a gifted teacher and a heart healing topic like escaping the traps of the Enemy.


Back in June, we decided to invite her mom and mine to join us for the weekend. Then just the Sunday before, Derrick decided to send Meagan along for a girls getaway weekend.


Both mom and my Aunt Fran had three generations attending the event. It was a sweet time of fellowship and a memory I will cherish for years to come. Thanks for the invite, Rita. Sorry we took over your weekend! LOL!

Mom, Lauren (a friend of Brittany's), Aunt Fran, Rita, Brittany and Meagan
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Bossier City, LA

Taking Someone Else's Vacation

Way back in August...about the time I quit posting completely...we were honored by a last minute 'mini-vacation' visit from my cousin and her family.  Brandi and Joey decided to take a few days before Tiffany and Sarah started back to school and come down to Texas for a long weekend.

It was such a special time to me.  First of all, I really enjoy visiting with my family.  But even more, it took me back to the days when my children were young and Aunt Fran would come down to Texas for a week of day trip sight seeing or an overnight stay someplace new.

Brandi and Meagan are just a year apart, so many of their childhood 'adventure' memories are the same. This time around, they were able to revisit some of those memories with their children in tow.

Thursday we went to Galveston Island to enjoy a little Beach Time:

Beach Babe Delayne enjoying the waves

Family lunch at Tortuga

The we checked into Hilton's Galveston Island Resort for the night:

Friday morning we spent a little more time in the pool until check out..then we headed to Space Center Houston:

And finally, dinner on the way home...Aunt Fran's choice:

We had a great visit...Bri, Meagan and I teasing them about us enjoying their vacation.  Aunt Fran and I reminisced about watching our children playing in the surf and gazing at all the displays at Space Center while watching our grandchildren enjoying those same sights now.  It was a wonderful weekend.  We just wish that Kelli and the kids had been able to join us too.

I will close with this picture of our entire group from NASA:

Brianne, Joey, Brandi, Aunt Fran, Tiffany, Sarah, Delayne, Davin, me and Meagan

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Flashback Friday: It's (Not) In The Cards

This week's Flashback goes back to a quiet Sunday afternoon in March. Mom and Aunt Sylvia had come down for a quick visit and we decided to play some Spades.  About five hands into our game I was a dealt a hand that was so frustrating that I had to take a picture of it to show everyone when we finished.

The 'perfect' nil hand...all except that unbeatable Ace of Spades!  My, my, my!  At least my partner got a good laugh out of it when we were done.

Family Reunion, Day 2

I just wanted to share a few pictures from our larger family reunion.  We didn't think to take one of the WHOLE group...but here are some of our family (families).

The three sisters...in birth order.
Sylvia, Fran & June

The Offspring...at least the ones that were there!

Aunt Sylvia and her granddaughter, Ryan

Aunt Fran finally got a picture with the WHOLE family!

Mom's crew...minus four grandchildren, three great grandchildren and a grandson-in-law.

Updating the family tree

And this one was just a really good one of Meagan and Derrick...so I decided to share it with y'all.

We had a great time!  I was exhausted by the time we made it home on Sunday night...but it was worth it.  Now to get the Jenkins side of my family together!  Maybe next year!!!

Family Reunion: Friday Night Pictures

Here are a few more pictures from Friday night.  Beside the names, I have listed the relationship (1st, 2nd or 3rd cousin) as traced through Corbett and Lorene (Pickle) Fulton.  I hope you enjoy!

Jim and Fonda (1st) Goode
I'm not sure the extended family knew how to take my crazy husband!

Rita (1st) and Allen Smith

Rosa (1st), Steve & Stevi (2nd) Bolin

Derek and Ryan (2nd) Cisco

Joey, Brandi (1st), Tiffany & Sarah (both 2nd) Linder

Josh & Brianne (2nd) Allen

Paige (2nd) & Ryker (3rd) Jowers

And just so we do not forget that she was actually there...here is a pic of our princess before she headed off to sleep.  Brianne Allen (2nd), with Delayne (3rd) & Meagan (2nd) Rodgers

Family Reunion: Friday Night

I mentioned last Thursday that we were heading to northeast Louisiana for a family reunion with my mother's side of the family.  The extended family were invited to join us on Saturday morning, but on Friday night we were meeting up with 'our family'...the direct descendants of Corbett and Lorene Fulton.

These three ladies are their daughters.  My mother (June, the baby), Aunt Fran (the middle child) and Aunt Sylvia (the eldest).  From these three issued forth this crew.

Doing what all families do best...eat, fellowship, and eat some more!

L to R: Talan, Derek, Ryan & Blake Cisco and Sylvia Roesler

My Aunt Sylvia has five children, most of them still living in Michigan.  They were not able to make it, but her granddaughter, Ryan and her family made the trip.

L to R: Tiffany, Joey, Brandi & Sarah Linder, Paige Jowers, Fran Tomerlin, Ryker Jowers, Christopher Tomerlin, and Rita & Allen Smith

Aunt Fran had the closest to perfect attendance for the Friday night gathering.  She was only missing one granddaughter who had to work...but who made it on Saturday.  (Yes, I am talking about you, Brittany!)  Aunt Fran has three children: Rita, Brandi and Christopher.  Rita and I grew up together, while Brandi and Christopher grew up with our oldest two, Meagan and Kelli.  Kelli will tell you to this day about Brandi and Meagan not letting her play with them, so she was forced to be a tomboy and play with Chris.

L to R: Brianne Allen, Meagan & Derrick Rodgers, Fonda Goode, Josh Allen, Jim Goode, June Graves, Steve, Rosa & Stevi Bolin, Brian Goode and Davin Rodgers

And finally, my mother's family.  About a third of us were missing.  Delayne was asleep when we took this picture...and, as we were the last large group, the lighting had about disappeared altogether.  (We missed you; Naiz, Jana, Kelli, Matt, Brooke, Maddux, Elliot and Will!)

These three boys became fast friends over the weekend.  It was the first time they had ever met...being separated by about 1,300 miles.  It was also the first time they ever got to chase 'lightening bugs'!  Pawpaw caught them one...

...you would have thought they had discovered a whole new species, they were so mesmerized.

Talan and Blake with their 'baby duck' calls from Duck Commander.

Around 10:30, the younger crew decided to load up and head back to southeast Arkansas where they were staying at my sister's house.  It was time to put the kids to bed and for the adults to gather at the pool.

Brian is loaded up and ready to go!  He had enough of his mom and dad on the drive up.

I don't think they got much sleep that night...but there are 'inside jokes' galore going around Facebook since then.  We wanted to do this get together so that our kids would know where they came from.  I would say it was a success!

Family Reunion Time!!

Some of our cousins headed south on Wednesday.  Some of our kids will head north on Thursday.  Jim and I will join them on Friday.

We are excited at the prospect of seeing family members we haven't laid eyes on in thirty years (or more)...and thrilled to visit again with those we saw just last month.

Many will be unable to make the trip, for various reasons, including some of ours.  (And yes, I am bummed about that!)

No matter where they are traveling from...Michigan, Texas, Colorado, or ten miles down the road...we wish them safe travels.  And for those who can't make it..."We miss you!  Maybe next time!"

Family

Like branches on a tree

We all grow in different directions

Yet our roots remain as One.

~Anonymous

Treasures of the Season: Part 2

Thanksgiving is a special time for our family.    We travel back 'home' to southeast Arkansas to hunt and visit with my family.  We are not all able to make the trip anymore (this year we were missing Bri and Matt), but we try.  Since the majority of both of my parent's families are in the area, we generally get to see most everyone in one visit. 

Thanksgiving Day is hosted by my sister, Rosa, and my brother-in-law, Steve, at their cabin in the woods.  (Kelli pointed out the other day that their cabin looks eerily similar to the Santa pictures cabin!)

My Little Sister, Rosa: Hostess Extraordinaire

Rosa usually prepares most of the meats, including her delicious stuffed chickens which you have to be first in line to get some days!

The Jenkins Clan: 2011

This is Arlee & Lurlene Jenkins' crew...minus at least fifteen people!  We are a mob of chaos to try and get in a single photo.  Even in this one, we couldn't convince Maddux to get off of Uncle Steve's tractor for even one shot.

Uncle Bobby, Ray, Brandon, Glen & Will discussing the morning duck hunt.

We catch up with one another...

Time to eat! 
Mrs. Bertha, Steve, Brian, Jana, Shelly, Taylor and Derrick

...and we eat!  Boy, do we eat!!!   This is just the meat and side dishes.   In case you missed it, the dessert table is seen in the picture above with the boys talking. 

The Bolins and the Goodes

It is one of my favorite times of year because I get to be with those I love!

Standing: Derrick, Meagan, Will, Brian & Kelli
Seated: Fonda & Jim
Front Step: Davin, Brooke & Maddux