InstaFriday: Hello Again.

A blast from my blogging past! An InstaFriday!

In case you've forgotten, an InstaFriday is a recap of a week in your life all captured by the lens of the cell phone. Oh, our cell phones. Do we live in a different world than we lived in say, 10 years ago, because of them or what! God, thank you for them, and help us be wise with them!

Our week started off with a ball…a fuzzy yellow ball! Mary Grace had a tennis tournament in Joplin, MO. So much fun watching that girl on the court. And so funny when you snap a picture clueless that a reflection snuck its way in.

Watch out for that backhand!!!!!!

And after the tourney, time for inspiration. We went to visit a long time friend who has suffered for years with Multiple Sclerosis. But in the middle of her suffering, she has shone hope, inspired others, and glorified God. And she was honored by being one of those chosen to carry the Olympic Torch as it made its way to Salt Lake City in 2002.

Lou, Robin Creemer, and Mary Grace, holding the torch Robin carried

Sunday, it was time for a little banquet of the Academic kind. These two knuckleheads make good grades and it makes this momma smile. I also smile whenever I open my phone and find it's been commandeered and photographic evidence has been left behind.

Mary Grace has got Elizabeth's back;)

Sunday afternoon was also a nice day! A biking day! The one nice day we've had all this long polar vortex kind of winter!!! It was the first day my Lou got to try out his Christmas present. Can you spot it?

The Go Pro is seriously fun

Our beautiful little park has a beautiful little pond that, despite the warmer temperatures, was still sporting ice thick enough for the ducks to waddle on. I don't remember ever seeing this before this polar vortex year.

I was about ready to shoot the messenger early this week, but a cooler, (and obviously, fatter) head prevailed. Its news was the push I needed to get my rear in gear and resurrect My Fitness Pal. Lou is doing his part to help my cause - he just made a pound cake. Appropriately named, don't you think?

Hanging in the lobby at Bolivar Family Care Center is this throw back of BFCC kids. Elizabeth appeased me by posing just so. My kiddos are in the red.

Her sweet young self is standing on the stairs

Elizabeth is also one to stand by her friends, even when they eat a goldfish just...because. If you see Kacie (or Emma Wall), ask to see the video of the gastric demise of two unsuspecting innocent fish.

Early morning drives to Springfield for violin have their perks. Glory, I get to see some beautiful sunrises! Here, Venus and a sliver of the moon are greeting the sun. God does amazing work!

Did I mention earlier that we are having a polar vortex kind of winter? Good thing my brother, Keith, gave me this hat for Christmas. Have you heard anybody talk about or have you seen anything on tv about some Olympic games about to begin? Good thing my brother, Keith, gave me this hat for Christmas.

Heart my hat. Heart my brother.

It's always fun to open the paper and see a beautiful picture of a happy couple. And when you know the couple like I know this couple, it's double fun.

Double fun (or double trouble) is what you get when these two get together. Elizabeth took this and Instagrammed it on Wednesday. Her grandmother was her WCW (Woman Crush Wednesday). I think they kind of like each other.

Good thing I started the day today by stacking this wood. The calories burned aren't more than the ones I just consumed in the 2 pieces of pound cake Lou just made, but they did cancel out the first bite, so that's something.

Lots of wood means we are enjoying cozy fires. I'm sitting by it as I finish this post. Hope you are surrounded by warmth wherever you are.

Blessings to you as you start your weekend!

The Doctor, the Dad

The Doctor, the Dad

Dr. Hugh Wynn Vaughan

Here's to the doctor, here's to the dad,

The best on both counts that I ever had.

In memory of him on this his birthday,

I'm rhyming and writing my fingers away.

Born to Marvin and Truma, the second of four,

And now here's a bit of the family lore.

He swore on that day, they let him get cold,

He was cold ever since, which kind of got old.

A preacher's kid, of the Methodist kind,

He'd sometimes swim, just to unwind.

A kid, the same, but the Baptist sort,

Joined him one day to splash and cavort.

They splashed, they swam, then his friend went down!

My dad was afraid that Baptist would drown!

Scared spitless, Dad was, but he dove on in,

Saved the boy and the day - A true Wynn win.

Summers he'd be at his uncle's farm,

Sowing and plowing with tan, strong arms.

He loved that work and the time and the place,

The memories produced a smile on his face.

High school he went to, he studied, he worked,

Nothing on purpose ever was shirked.

But one credit shy he was at the end,

So nope. No diploma did his school extend.

A college still welcomed this smart young man,

He studied, he worked - pre-med his plan.

Courses he needed, he finished, he aced.

No diploma again, but in med school was placed.

From this, he graduated! He did, for sure.

Off to Munford to work and help people, cure.

40 plus years of service, of life.

At his side, five kids and Violet, his wife.

Retirement came and so did a move,

To Bolivar, MO, and I did approve!

The book he wrote is a gift to us all.

His life, his work, now us kids can recall.

The stories, the heart, of this one dear man,

Left on some pages, prized in my hand.

I've missed him daily these last 10 years,

But a reunion's to come, with happy tears!

My Uncle Bill and my Dad -  early 1930s

Uncle Bill and Dad

Who's the only one wearing long sleeves? The one who was cold.

Dad's lifelong partner, Dr Sid Witherington, and Dad in front of their clinic

Dad and Mom
Hugh, Kathy, Me, Andy, Keith

Hugh Wynn Vaughan, M.D.
January 11, 1928 - March 20, 2004

What's In a Name?

I'm thinking about our David Elliot today.

First, it's Wednesday. Wednesday is "David's day." The day I pray for him specially. Not that I can't or don't pray for him or think about him on other days, but I started a few years ago designating days for each of my kids. It just helps me focus.

Secondly, today, January 8, has been on the calendar as the day we were going to hang with David in Springfield before he heads back to college. Lou, David, and I went shopping and out to eat. I've been looking forward to it and I loved our time together. I kind of like him.

And thirdly, Lou, reading Solid Joys this morning, says, "Jim Elliot was killed on this day in 1956."

Hearing Jim Elliot's name reminds me of David.

It takes me back to 1993 when Lou and I talked a lot about what to name the next child who was due in August.

Naming your child is a big deal.

From the moment you know a soul is growing inside you, you start the name game, bouncing syllables around like basketballs.

It's so much fun and a little bit terrifying. You know their moniker is more permanent than a tattoo!

My Lou and I had boy and girl names for children 1 and 2 even before we were pregnant with our first. So when we were expecting our 3rd, we had to do a little more thinking.

Since we never found out what we were having, we had to come up with a boy's and a girl's name. I honestly can't even remember what girl name we had in our pocket, which surprises me. How do you forget that? Anyway, the more we thought about manly boy names, we kept circling back to "David."

We were thinking about King David of the Bible, described as a "man after God's own heart." If we had a boy, we wanted him to be described as that kind of man. And we were thinking about our friend, David Falling, who was a mentor to Lou during medical school, residency, and after. He stood up with Lou when we were married.  (I'm so bummed right now that I can't put my finger on this great picture I have of the two Davids together!) We wanted our boy to be like David Falling.

David. Yes, David.

Now what to go with that good, strong name?

A spiritual mentor to me, although I didn't know her personally, was/is Elisabeth Elliot. Right out of college, I heard a talk by her that challenged me like few talks have. I've listened to The Path of Endurance many times since then and read most everything she has written. She has helped me love God more.

It was in The Path of Endurance talk where I first learned about her husband, Jim Elliot, who was killed along with 4 others 58 years ago today, January 8, as they attempted to meet and take the gospel to the Auca Indians in Ecuador. Her book, Through Gates of Splendor chronicles this story. It was in that book that I got to know Jim Elliot - a good man, a Godly man.

A man who is best known for the following quote:

We wanted our son to be a man who loved God like Jim Elliot. A man who was willing to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

Does Elliot go with David?

David…Elliot.

David Elliot Harris.

Yep, we liked it. We still like it. And we like that boy-now-man a lot.

We love him.

Thanking God for him today, January 8, and praying he continues to grow into a man who lives up to his name.