An unusual collection of thoughts, old, wonderful pictures and random musings before I go to bed...

Ah. good evening, mon cheris!

I do hope you're well this lovely evening!

I'm doing splendidly...lots of thinking. Tonight we watched "Luther" and then afterwords listened to Max McLean's "Here I Stand" (in which he reads Martin Luther's words) and I was so inspired and encouraged! I was also stuck at how he seemed, many times, to end prayers or speeches with "God help me."

May I have that same attitude, and heart's cry-to be ever calling out to God for His help, and mercy, no matter what my circumstance...

Hence, I thought I would post some quotes...what a blessing our spiritual forefathers are to us!!

"I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen."

"Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God--
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!"
-Martin Luther

Thank You, Lord...
Oh, and in honor of the fact that we've been organizing our boxes of pictures, (January is organization, honey!) I thought I would post a few ancient shots for the general amusement and enjoyment of all...And:

Oh-My-Goodness.

That is Mikey III and Joseph Jr.! They're so-little!!And this one is 'specially for you, dearest Jo-Dee-LOL! :D We still have that pot, and that dress now adorns the painting garb pile...
(I love you so! I cried when our car drove off to Alabama this afternoon without me in it too...miss you lots!)
Michael Jr.!! And look, there's Andrew! Haha...I've got me some cute brothers. (Tom, the army boots with the shorts is a~la class, honey...)

(The reason we're all standing in front of the tree is because it was supposed to be the oldest tree in...Georgia? Or the oldest specimen of that type of tree? Anyway, it was super cool, and HUGE. 'Twas bigger in real life.)
Edwin, Samuel and John! Check out the baby cheeks!!Oh, oh, this one's good...Campbell, you were just a baby!

Marty hasn't changed a bit.
LOL, just kiddin', darlin. :D

And I love this picture of Paul and Edwin. So, so precious...
The three Smith girls!! Kress, 'member when you used to loose your shoes at the door? :D Rach, I see you with that blue scarf-and there's Bethy, sneaking in some calories from that bowl of...Chocolate Chews, probably.

(Gracious-I so remember that candle. Strange the things you recognize after 50 years... ;) )
Summer delight!! We can get so much fun from water, black plastic and an entire bottle of dish soap...
Daddy had taken us on so many incredible vacations...and so many times it was to some amazing historical site-here's a few of us at the grave of one of our ancestors, I believe.
And do y'all remember that really cool place we stayed at in Tennessee, with that cabin (where the sweet landlady looked just like Aunt Pat) and there were a million flights of stairs to that awesome river!? Ah...bliss...and the Rhododendron was in full bloom everywhere...
And here's me, posing elegantly with some. It looks as if I felt very charming and picturesque here.
(The "I feel like a painting" look, along with my non existent bun and yellow T shirt is so great! :D)
Edwin and John, in the old red giant!
Our whole family at Tallulah Gorge... (Look, Mama dear's great with Paul! (and I can hardly get over John's cheeks...and Wesley's hat is so, so precious! Oh, that was such a neat, sweet season in life...)

I just love old pictures.
Oh, and one last look at The Shoe.

*sniff*

The beautiful, black, bowed shoe that is the closest to pump-ish perfection ever contrived....
And a stunning hat, for lusciousness! And because Spring is getting closer, and the straw hats of the world are soon to appear once more out of their dark winter quarters, to shade the eyes and delight the hearts of their wearers...(Her earring are perfect, too. And the gloves. Oh mercy.)Oh, and for all you who like letters and handwriting, check out these!

Charming.

Well, I love you all. Hope you sleep well.

Hugs,

Addie~O