When you don't have sisters, cousins are the best!!

My mother came from a family of four children, and each of them had one daughter each plus sons. Here are our parents from oldest to youngest: Marilyn and Bill (top, right to left),

Dora May (Doty) and Martha (bottom, left to right). Here they are in later years: Martha, Doty, Bill and Marilyn, youngest to oldest, left to right.Our parents have left us a wonderful heritage of faith and family. I have unforgettable memories of family times when we would all gather for a holiday. We called it "hoggin' up" because the house was full to the brim with grandparents, parents, kids, and dogs. These times were full of stories and laughter and food and music. Most pictures have our moms in housecoats. It seemed they were never quite able to get past the coffee pot and pajamas.

Now, it's 40-50 years later and all of the daughters have grown up and had their own families. Here's a picture from the late 70's.

Left to right: Bill's daughter, Lucy; Marilyn's daughter, Nancy; Doty's daughter, me (Julie); and Martha's daughter, Susan.

I think the baby is Jamie, Nancy's oldest daughter.

After years of trying, we finally were able to get together again for a marvelously memorable weekend. The flood of emotion that washed over me came unexpectedly. It was so wonderful to be with this part of my family again. And as years gone by, we filled our time with stories, laughter, food, and music; and oh yes, Lucy's "Shop Till You Drop-Lessons 1 thru 5." Aunt Martha got a C-.

Here we are today, same order. (Where are those skinny jeans?!?!?!)

Aunt Martha and Aunt Mari, Uncle Bill's wife, were able to join us. Here we are all together.
Thank you, Lucy, for hosting such a great weekend. I loved being with each and every one of you!!

I look forward to next year, same time, same place!!

To all the Walker family tree, please reserve the second weekend in July for this annual gathering. Details to follow.

June Travels

In mid-June, much to my heart's delight, I got to travel to N. Africa to see Jon, Sally and Jude. My friend, Sue, travelled with me, and we had a wonderful time loving on these three. We met up with them in the Paris airport, and we ate lunch and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jon before we had to part ways. He was on his way to the UK for some course work, and we headed back home with Sally and Jude.

Jon had been gone for a few days when he called home and spoke to Jude. Jude's face absolutely lit up with excitement when he heard his daddy's voice. Here's evidence!!

I had two main goals in going on this visit. To love on and encourage Sally, and to love on and play with Jude.

So we played...

and we played...

and we played!!!

And then we ate ice cream.

This was Jude very first ice cream cone.

He was sooooo cute!!

I just couldn't grab the camera fast enough for all the fun and cute things Jude did while I was there. Here's one my favorite things, although this picture doesn't come close to how cute he was.

Jude just loves music, and he will often ask for Sally's guitar. He is very gentle and careful with it. He holds it up like a bass fiddle and plays the strings in a very musical way. You know what I mean...he doesn't just "twang" on the strings, but picks and strokes them. Then when he's really into it, he'll close his eyes and sway with the music. Who knows what this kid will do when he's older, but I just bet he'll be a natural with music.

One of our outings was a trip to the big supermarket, kind of like a super Wal-Mart. It's about a 30 minute taxi drive, and we spent about three hours there eating lunch and shopping. It proved to be a long day for our little guy. I don't know of any better feeling than a little head laying on my shoulder. I also don't know of many things heavier than the dead weight of a sleeping child in your arms. Soon after this picture, we improvised a little bed in a shopping basket. Jude snoozed for most of the two remaining hours we shopped.

Sally was a marvelous tour guide, and took us to see some beautiful sights. Here's a fun picture from an outing. Aren't they adorable!!! Like I said, our friend Sue travelled with me, and she gave Sally and I a special gift by staying home with Jude while Sal and I went out to dinner. It was a wonderful evening for us to share our hearts. We both came away encouraged. I have to tell you that my daughters are my heros. They each inspire me toward our Lord, and this night was no different. I'm so thankful to Sue and to the Lord for giving us these special moments.

And believe or not, we ate sushi!!

Parting is always a hard thing, but when you feel like you have accomplished your goal, it becomes easier. I hope I'm right in saying that Sally was refreshed and encouraged by our visit. This knowledge made our goodbyes easier, even though they were still tearful.

I'm so very glad to have had this time with Sally. I have seen and experienced just a little taste of her life there. Knowing some of her world makes it easier to leave her there.

Always and ever, she and her dear family are in the Lord's care.