Eighteen Days

When my brother, Bruce discovered that he had Stage Four cancer, he began preparing himself for accepting the outcome. He knew that nothing was impossible for the omnipotent God he served. He had a peace that passed human understanding for either choice God was to make about healing him. Bruce placed his hand in God's hand and together they started walking towards November 3, 2010. He was not concerned about where they were headed, why it was necessary, nor was he concerned about when they would arrive. Bruce was so happy to be in the Creator's presence. He walked where God led him. Bruce followed Him all the way.
When I learned that Bruce had Stage Four cancer, I googled it on the Internet. I was heartbroken to find out that the life expectancy for the type of cancer he had was 5 years, at best. I prayed and asked God to allow Bruce to be at least counted among those with maximum survival. Even though it left me a little bitter, I accepted the meager five year sentence and mentally began plans for making them the best five years of our lives. After all, Bruce and I were experts in knowing how to make memories.
Bruce and I never had a chance to implement any of the activities on the 5 year plan. Eighteen days later, he died. If I am ever faced with another life expectancy countdown of 5 years, I will know how to properly thank God for the additional 1808 days. As for Bruce's eighteen-day countdown, I thank God for the memories we were able to make before he began his walk with God to the place where it became obvious that he was "going all the way." Turns out, five years would have only delayed the end of the most wonderful walk in the world. Joy!

Knowing

For years I wore a fragrance from the Este Lauder line called "Knowing." I appreciated the strength of the fragrance and its aroma, but I had an even deeper appreciation for the name it had been given, "Knowing." As humans, we find great comfort in simply knowing some things. For some like me, even if the contents of the knowledge are negative, we would still rather "know." Science teaches us that the extent to which knowledge can be observed and measured will determine its value.

God asks us to "walk by faith and not by sight." Abraham was abundantly blessed because he saw the invisible as though it were visible. Revelation 2:7 admonishes those of us with ears to, "...let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches...." David wrote in Psalm 34:8, "O taste and see that the Lord is good." Jesus told Thomas concerning His resurrection, "...blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed," (John 20:29). God is not subject to the observational protocol of science.

When it comes to God, our faith is all the evidence required. Accoding to Hebrews 11:1, faith, itself, is evidence-evidence of things not seen. The mercy of God does not leave us vulnerable and weakly clinging to the evidence of "faith." God gives power to our faith for the cynical observer. The Bible is full of examples of God's demonstrations of the power contained in faith: at the Red Sea (Exodus 14), at Mount Carmel (I Kings 18), and at an empty tomb (Matthew 28).

God knows that there are some things in our faith journey, we just need to know. For example, we don't just need to know by faith that we are loved by those we love. Our humaness demands a demonstration for evidence. Observable demonstrations of love and appreciation are crucial as one passes from this life, via death, and onward to eternal life. Mark 14 records the importance of the timing of this display of love. The woman broke the box and poured its contents (as if it were her love) on the feet of Jesus (verse 3).

This photo is from the Haliburtons' 2006 Celebration. Our family and friends gathered that evening to honor Bruce for completing his doctorate, as well as to celebrate Rita and Nita's 50th birthday, and to celebrate Rita and Wesley's 25th wedding Anniversary. Bruce had a lifetime of demonstrations of love towards him, but none like his final days in this life. We each flew to D.C., unaware that we were saying our goodbyes: first, Francene followed by Cheryl, Rita, Daddy, Judy, Nita, and Mama. We each broke our box of love and shared it against his impending burial.

I received a Sympathy card from Rita today, "On the loss of Your Brother." Her closing statement in her handwritten note reads, "How we will miss him, but besides the consolation of knowing he is in Heaven is the truth that he was loved and knew it." There is comfort in knowing. Joy!

The First of Firsts

In I Corinthians 15:19, Paul writes, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

Today is Thanksgiving. I am thankful most of all for the love of God. It was His love for me that caused Him to send Jesus to redeem me from the penalty of death. It was also His love for me that allowed a demonstration of His resurrection power, so my faith could carry me past my sorrows caused by the deaths of loved ones and past the fears caused by thoughts of my own pending death. I am thankful that we have hope that reaches beyond the grave.

It is fitting that the first holiday since Bruce's death be "Thanksgiving." My family has a year of firsts to face: first Christmas, first New Year's, first Valentine's for Brenda, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, 4th of July, Wedding Anniversary, and family birthdays and celebrations. "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

Because Jesus lives, I can face tomorrow and all of the firsts between now and Thanksgiving 2011 with "joy."

Unpack Your Tool Kit

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:..." 2 Timothy 4:7

Paul testified in his last days by evaluating his work, his God-given purpose. He wanted to leave behind instructions that would keep the Church moving forward no matter what transpired once it was no longer possible for him to minister in his body. He knew that even the circumstances surrounding his "cause of death," would be enough to derail some if they did not have guidance from him about what to expect next or what next should be done. He comforted them by making sure they understood that his work was finished and that he had finished strong. He said,..."I have kept the faith." He let them know that they too, must fight a good fight, and that to finish strong, they must finish with "the faith." We shall all finish, but our finish will not count if we do not "keep the faith," no matter the circumstances of our finish. If the player crosses the goal line without the football or the relay-runner crosses the finish line without the baton, he does not get "the prize." Paul wanted us to know that we must finish with "the faith."

Finished means complete; nothing is left out. For Paul, all that was his responsibility to say, he had said. All that was his to do, he had done. All that was his to write, he had written. Paul declared his God-given purpose finished, like Jesus declared His work complete in John 19:30 with the words, "It is finished." We have a tool kit, full of the promises of God in order for us to fulfill our divine purpose. Whatever we need to survive in this life is in our tool kit. God has provided all that we need to finish our course. The men and women of God in the ministry are responsible for teaching us to use the tools left in the tool box.

My nephew, Troy has spent his entire life observing and obeying his father. He knew that his father could teach him to be "a good and godly man." Troy knew that he could count on the instructions from his father to contain the best his father had to offer. He knew that his father would withhold no "good thing," from him. Troy lived his life, confident that his father would always give the best advice and guidance that he had come to trust and count on. His father, Bruce, had guided him through his toddler years, teenaged years, and early manhood years. Troy had no fear of the challenges his middle-aged years would bring because he was convinced that his wise father would be there to navigate his course through those unchartered waters as well.

The enemy would like Troy to believe that now that his father is present with the Lord, his father will no longer be the guide Troy has trusted since he had a memory. This is not so. Bruce finished his course. Part of finishing his course included his responsibility as a father to Troy and to Tiffany. He packed a tool kit for Tiffany. He packed a tool kit for Troy. Bruce said all that was his to say. He wrote all that was his to write. He did all that was his to do. Then he placed the tools in their tool kits.

With joy and confidence, I encourage everyone who has ever received godly guidance from someone who has finished his/her course and has gone to be present with the Lord...I encourage you to go now and unpack your tool kit. There you will find all that you need. For if it is godly counsel you yet desire, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Bruce, and Francene awaits you. Unpack your tool kit. Joy!

The Empty Cup

While growing up, I did not particularly like eating the caramel-coated popcorn inside a box of Cracker-Jacks. I did, however, enjoy the peanuts. More importantly, what I was really purchasing whenever I bought a box of Cracker-Jacks was the surprise prize inside. The words to the advertisement jingle went, "Carmel-coated popcorn, peanuts, and a prize, that's what you get in Cracker-Jacks." For me, eating the box's contents was simply a means to get to "the prize." Digging around in the box and going straight to the prize always felt like cheating. For me, there was only one way to get to "the prize." That way was to eat my way to it.
I've seen romantic scenes in movies where a handsome, young man would propose to a beautiful woman by secretly dropping an engagement ring into a glass of chapagne. The goal, of course, was for her to see the ring in the bottom of the glass once she had finished the drink. To retrieve "the prize," she had to drink all of the glass's contents.
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to His purpose." The prize for living my God-given purpose can be retrieved once my cup is empty. Everyday, I drink a little from my cup.
Bruce and I would enjoy coffee and prayer everyday when he was with me. Whoever poured the last cup from the pot would warn the other, and a decision would be made to either share the last of the coffee or to turn off the empty pot or to make another pot of coffee. A decision would be made, and we would each be satisfied. Sometimes he finished first. Other times, I finished first.
Bruce and I will not be drinking coffee together anymore. On Wednesday, November 3 (the day after my birthday) Bruce left this life and joined the Great Cloud of Witnesses listed in Hebrews 11. He drank all from his cup of God-given purpose. I was devastated when I saw Bruce's empty cup. I knew that the help I needed could only come from one source, so I went and told Jesus (July 28, 2010 - Blog). God's goodness and mercy ministered to me day and night until I had regained my spiritual hearing.
Finally, on Saturday, November 6th, I could hear my Lord saying to me, ever so sweetly, "Look at your cup." When I looked with my spiritual eyes, I could see that...my cup was running over. Every day, I drink. Bruce's last message reminded me that, "the prize" is in the bottom of "the cup." The empty cup counts. "Joy!"
I can only struggle to imagine a smile from Bruce full of more joy than the one seen here in this photo. Once my cup is empty, I'll be able to see that too .

Drink Ye All Of It

As recommended for all 50 year olds, I had my first colonoscopy. I had heard from others, the stories about the distasteful mixture one must drink in order to prepare for the procedure. They did not exaggerate. Drinking the solution was necessary for the preparation. The instructions tell you that you must drink all of it. (It must have been a frequently asked question. I know it crossed my mind). It was unpleasant, but it did not kill me. In all honesty, I was in no danger.

In Mark 16:18, Jesus promised that if those baptized believers drank any deadly thing, it literally would not harm them. When the mother of James and John asked Jesus if her sons could each be Jesus's left-hand man and His right-hand man, Jesus asked the brothers if they were willing to drink from the same cup from which God purposed for Him to drink. They answered, "Yes." Jesus confirmed that indeed they would drink from it (Mark 10: 35 - 45).

In Matthew 26: 36 - 46, Jesus is served the cup containing His God-given purpose. He asked God's permission to let the cup pass without His having to drink its contents. Permission denied was His Father's response. I imagine expressions like, "Someone must drink it. If you pass it Jesus, to whom would you pass it? Do not pass it. Drink it. It may kill you, but it will not harm you." Hebrews 12: 2 says of Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross." He drank the contents of the cup.

So must each of us drink from the cup, the contents purposed for us. It may kill us, but our Savior has already promised and proven that it will not harm us. October 7, 2010 was Nattie's birthday (my stepmother). It was also the day Bruce told me that hours earlier, his doctor informed him that he had cancer. It goes without saying that we are petitioning and believing the Father for a miraculous recovery. Until then, His instructions to us are, "Drink ye all of it." Whatever happens, God must help Bruce and our family to drink from the cup set before us. I am asking Him to teach us to count this "Joy."

Preparing To Meet Jesus

If each of us were to live our lives according to the Creator's purpose, we would spend every day preparing to meet Jesus. When we firstly, discover the Creator's purpose for our lives and secondly, connect that purpose with the ultimate goal of meeting Jesus, we will understand that every experience in life that transpires between the two, is full of choices. We live our lives making choices that will prepare us to meet Jesus as Lord and Savior or to meet Jesus as Judge and Conqueror. God does not ask us to calculate the infinite number of choices we make between His purpose and meeting Jesus. He does, however, expect us to believe that those choices do count in the currency exchange of "The Abundant Life." Follow this simple equation. 1 (God's purpose for my existence) + 2 (The goal to meet Jesus) = 3 (Life more abundantly, including eternal life with God, the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost). I cannot specify a number for the choices I make, but I do believe that whatever that number is, it counts. In addition, I know that my Redeemer knows that number, not only for me, but He also knows it for everyone He has created. As I prepare to meet Jesus, I am 1) Learning to Love, 2) Learning to Forgive, 3) Learning to Use My Faith, and 4) Learning to Give the Same Hope to Others. They count. Joy!

My Table

When my family or my friends and I go out to eat, we prepare ourselves for the possibility of having to wait for a table. (The more popular the restaurant, the greater the possibility of a wait). Whether a short wait or a long one, we get a sense of satisfaction from finally being seated at "our table." I have experienced an even stronger satisfaction when I have been seated at a table designated for me because I am the guest of honor at an event. Whether I have been the lone honoree or among a group of honorees, the satisfaction of being seated at "my table" at an event is greater than being seated at "my table" in a restaurant. At a restaurant, the people at the other tables are tending to various agendas. On the contrary, at an event, all who are present have a similar agenda. If I am one of the event's honorees, I am a part of the agendas of all who are present. I do not have to hustle for a seat, nor do I have to wait for a seat. Someone will escort me to "my table."
Psalm 23:5 says, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." Have you ever suffered humiliation at the hands of an enemy? It is a painful experience, especially when it is coupled with a feeling of helplessness. The more vulnerable you are, the more unmerciful a vicious enemy can be. I am learning to count the persistent pursuit of a vicious enemy...joy. Oh, I remember praying and asking God to make that enemy leave me alone, but he/she stayed in pursuit and refused to let me escape in peace.
In the 14th Chapter of Exodus, verse 13, Moses told his people, "for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever." Verse 17 prophesied that the Egyptians would follow them (pursue them). The level of commitment from your enemies to follow after you to destroy you will determine the level of their destruction and discipline from God. Exodus 14:28 reports that not a one of the Egyptians survived that pursuit.
Now when I am in a vulnerable state and being pursued by a vicious enemy, I pray for him/her. It is unwise for them to "follow after me." Unlike them, I know where I am going. If they pursue me, they will wind up face to face with, "My Table." JOY!

You Are Here!

Amusement parks, large shopping malls, and other public places post maps on their grounds for their customers or clients to use, to get from one location to another. The words, "You are here," identify where your journey starts and shows the relationship between where you are and where you want to be. It is comforting to know "where you are," and it is comforting to be able to check as you progress towards your destination and goal. I have used many such maps to find my way when I was feeling lost. I still recall the relief and satisfaction that came with knowing that I was about to reach that desired place.
In my spiritual walk, I have longed for such a map, in order to navigate away from my troubled circumstances towards happier, brighter skies. I would love for God to shine a blinking, neon light on my dark days that read, "You are here." I would love for yet another source of light to disclose the path that would lead me from "here" to "there." Psalm 30:5 says, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." God guides us from the weeping night of "here," into the joyful mornings of "there," the place He wants us to be. The Word of God is the only map we have; it is also, the only map we need. Faith in God's word is the light we so desperately desire in dark times. The promise in God's word is, "You are here." You are in a dark place weeping, but I am going to take you to a place of "light and joy." Lord, teach me to count the dark places...joy. I may be in a dark place, but You will not leave me "here."

Learning To Be Satisfied

Unwisely, I have spent most of my praying life trying to tell God how to bless me. I have rejoiced with others, singing, "Any way You bless me, Lord, I'll be satsified." I believed I meant that. Now, I question myself. This year has been full of high-highs and low-lows for me. I count those highs, but especially those lows, "joy," because they have drawn me nearer and closer to my Lord. Through my low experiences, I have discovered what it means to prefer the Will of God over what I want. What I want becomes a curse to me if it is against the "will" of God. Chasing what I want in this life, detours me from God's purpose for me if I am not subject to His "will."
Children make foolish requests. Some even get what they want by any means necessary (to their own detriment). They learn to regret that success. My life is full of examples of regretting that I got what I wanted, even in matters for which I prayed. Long before now, my faith should have led me to put away childish prayer requests (I Corinthians 13:11). Now I pray, "Lord, teach me to use the resources You have given me to fullfill Your purpose for my life. Then Lord, fill my life with the abundant joy that comes from pleasing You."
I don't have to tell God how to bless me. Jesus assured me in Matthew 6:32 that my heavenly Father knows what my needs are. "Anyway You bless me, Lord, I'll be satisfied. Thank You for the joy in learning to be satisfied with the choices You make and the gifts You give."

Almost There

I do not recall the title of the message, but I do remember that Bishop T.D. Jakes preached a message about a place called "There." "There" is a place of destiny. "There" is the place where the journey ends. If "There" is the place one wants to be, upon arrival, "There," becomes a place of victory and celebration. I have celebrated many victories in my lifetime where the place formerly known as "There," becomes a place called "Here." A dangerous gap in the journey between "There" and "Here," is a place called, "Almost There." On our spiritual journey, "Almost There" is the place where the enemy volleys at you all of the ammunition he can for the time he has remaining. When you reach the stretch in the journey known as "Almost There," you face an impasse, a predicament affording no obvious escape. Once arriving to "Almost There," and experiencing the desperate attack of the enemy and unable to find an obvious means of escape, we must remember that God always provides, "Choice," as an escape. There is always a "Choice." Joshua 24: 15 challenges us to choose whether we will or will not serve God. If we make the right choice at "Almost There," God will see to it that we arrive, "There." So whether the enemy lobs ammunition of financial destruction, love disconnection, social rejection, or even the devastation of the death of a loved one at you while you are in "Almost There," his goal is to discourage you in such a way that you will make a choice that will make you miss reaching, "There." No matter what your predicament in "Almost There," always choose God. God will get you, "There."
In Acts 16, we find the story where the enemy attacked Paul and Silas at, "Almost There." Paul and Silas were beaten, cast into prison, even into the inner prison, and had their feet placed in the stocks. While in this impasse, Paul and Silas chose to worship God. They prayed and sang praises to God, and God delivered them. "Almost There" is a dangerous place to be, but if you choose God, praise and worship Him, then God will get you "There." Joy!

The Light

Light increases our ability to see. The brighter the light, the better I like it. I recently discovered that moths and I have that in common. Also, for moths, the brighter the light, the greater the attraction. Moths will desert one light in pursuit of a greater light. The sun is a light. It holds a great attraction. Ancient civilizations worshipped the sun because they believed that there was no greater creation. Think about all we know and understand about the greatness of the sun. Now remember, that no creation of God is greater than...you are. Psalm 139:14 says, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made...." Man is the only creation made in the image of God. Man is also the only creation for whom God sent His only Son to suffer and die.

The sun is a great light; however, you are a light greater than the sun. Jesus says in Matthew 5:14, "Ye are the light of the world." Indeed the sun is a great light, but we are the light of the world. Verse 16 instructs, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven."

Like moths, people are attracted to light. Again, like moths, people will abandon one light for a greater light. Your light of good works will attract others to you. Once they become attracted to you, your responsibility is to show them your Father in Heaven. It usually hurts to be abandoned, but not under the cirumstances of Matthew 5:16. I count it joy when people, once attracted by my light of good works, desert me to seek Jesus, the "Light of the World." Joy!

Whom Must I Tell?

Daddy, Cheryl, and I missed our scheduled return flight home from D.C. one year. I don't know the proper name of the little transport vehicle that carried us from one terminal to the other, but I will never forget my experience on it. The car in which we were riding was full, so Cheryl and I had to stand along with a crowd of others. (Daddy was still trying to get past the metal detectors).

I should have gotten a clue to prepare myself when the automated voice warned that the car was about to be in motion. The first move of the car was a thrust. The second move was when I fell over my luggage and onto the floor. I got up, grabbed a rail, secured my luggage, and held on. That experience has taught me that when I even think things are going to be shakey, find something or someone to hold on to.

Have you ever had an abstract-shake knock you to the ground and leave you looking for a rail to grip or a shoulder to cry on? So many times like these, I have turned to others for words of comfort and for expressions that would lift my spirit out of the depths of depression. I have thought, if I tell Daddy, I'll feel better. If I tell Mama, Cheryl, Bruce, or...., I'll feel better. Although telling loved ones helps, telling no other person helps like telling Jesus. "Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pains we bear. All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer."

According to Matthew 14:12, after the execution of John the Baptist, his disciples buried his body, "and went and told Jesus." When life's challenges knock me to the floor, I roll onto my knees, and I go and tell Jesus. I may still tell my loved ones, but I always tell Jesus first. The more devastating the experience, the less loved ones can do about it no matter how much they may want to help me. If I want some help, I must tell Jesus. "Jesus can help me, Jesus alone." If I want to be comforted, whom must I tell? I must tell Jesus. I count it joy that when the world all around me feels like sinking sand, I can tell Jesus. Joy!

Ask

The twins, Nita and Rita (held in this photo by big brother, Bruce and big sister, Judy) created a language as toddlers that they used in private conversations between themselves. No doubt, the challenge was Rita's since she served as the bilingual interpreter. As twins, they were always together. Parents and babysitters alike presented the same provisions to both, even if only Rita spoke up and asked for what they wanted.

Rita began communicating noticibly quicker than Nita. After all, it was not necessary for Nita to speak English, for Rita could get Nita what she wanted. My parents have dozens of stories about the antics of Rita and Nita. "Hi...My name is Rita. She's Nita. We're twins. I'm the oldest, but she's the biggest." (Grammar correction: "older and bigger") ....Of course, with Rita being littler than Nita, Rita was probably asking for less food and snacks than Nita would have liked. I can only presume that Nita one day learned how much more beneficial speaking up for herself was. Boy did she learn to communicate what she wanted!

Jesus says in John 16:24, "...ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." Like Nita, I learned to communicate my wants to my Heavenly Father. It is exciting to receive something you have asked for, whether you are asking the creditor to borrow money or the human resource director for a job. No experience compares to asking God for something and receiving it. Usually when we ask something from God, we either really want it or we really, really need it. Having God meet my wants, and more importantly, my needs, indeed makes my joy full.

I count the temporary light afflictions of voids and needs, joy. Experiencing voids and needs cause me to call on God. They cause me to ask Him for what I need. When I receive from Him, my joy is full. I wait on God to supply my needs, but while I am waiting I count my voids and needs, joy. Yeah, Nita....if you want to be full, ask for yourself. Joy!

When Love Is Not Enough

Does this look like the face of a rebellious teen? Over a hundred eighty days a year, I share my home with this rebellious teen. She was not always rebellious. For years, some of the happiest memories of our lives were about the good times we shared together. Now the memories we share are mainly about the conflicts we get into. She has not figured out that the best way not to hear me repeating myself is for her to do what I have asked after the fourth time, or third time, or second time, or first time. Keep in mind that the anger of her rebellious spirit fires upon the enemy (me), or source of repeated instructions without realizing that the enemy has an arsenal of anger that, without the "love" safety, would obliterate her rebellious spirit in its entirety.

So many times like these, I have thought about my relationship with God. I think about all the acts of rebellion I committed against His instructions. I acknowledge all the many more that I cannot recall. I usually ask His forgiveness afresh and thank Him again for His grace and mercy and for all of His patience. God sent Jesus to die for my rebellious spirit. God's love for me kept Him from obliterating me while I was in a state of rebellion against His will. His love lifted me out of the state I was in, and I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Remembering God's mercy helps me to count my experiences with enduring my rebellious teen, joy.

When my love for my rebellious teen, with its human limitations, appears not to be enough, I do what I am supposed to do, and I say what I am supposed to say to keep her on a path of righteousness. More importantly, I pray for her to the God who created her. I am counting on Him to deliver her from the evil that jeopardizes her body and soul. My faith is in Him. I trust that He will do all that I am unable to do even though I love her. When my love is not enough, I turn to my faith in God, who is love.

How frightening to think of those who reject the love of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! There is no other to turn to when the love of God is not enough. Hebrews 2:3 inquires, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation...?" My experiences with my teen, reminds me of God's love and experiences with me. Therefore, I have learned to count them...Joy!

My stories are framed by "My Story." My African American parents had six children: five daughters and one son. I am daughter number four but child number five. My father was a leader in my community, and he believed in the American dream, and together, my parents taught their children to believe in the American dream. All men are created equal. We pledged allegiance to our nation "under God." God was interwoven throughout every aspect of our lives. He was in our home. He was in our schools. He was in our church. He was at the Girl Scout functions, the Boy Scout functions, and at the Y.M.C.A. God even went to the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo and the Genco Credit Union annual banquet. (God was everywhere we ate, every time we ate). God was everywhere we went: the homes of friends, the homes of relatives, and of course, the homes of other church members. After all, at church we were taught that God is everywhere. (I was too young to distinguish the difference between God's presence everywhere we went and the conception of God's omnipresence). Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the presence of God was not prevalent in some homes. He was an essential member of my family. How could He not be essential any and everywhere else? Are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness even possible without Him? My parents divorced when I was eight years old. I count it joy. God was present in both houses.

In chronological order:
My parents' (William, Delois) children....Judy, Bruce, Rita and Nita (twins), Francene, and Cheryl
My father and Nattie's (second wife) children....Andrea, William (Bill), and David
More joy:
Bruce and Brenda's children....Tiffany and Troy Haliburton
Rita and Wesley's children....Kathalyn, Wesley Jr. and Jonathan Nute
Nita's son....Steven Haliburton
Andrea and Eddy's children....Alexandra and Arrianna Rojas
Mama's goddaughter....Dorzelbra Kay Thompson