Love in Action

Life is full of people who do nice things just to get some favor in return. When I see people who show real love just because they are sharing the love of Jesus, then I believe my life has been truly blessed. I have witnessed this recently in the lives of my mom and step-dad.

About 50 years ago Dave(my step-dad) was pastoring his first church and met a man who became a part of his life forever. Eugene started coming to the little church when both of the men were in their 20s. Eugene was different than most of the people around him in the fact that he had cerebral palsy. He walked with a crippled limp and his speech was somewhat slurred. Dave befriended this man and Gene followed him to the different ministries that Dave became a part of. Dave made sure he had a place to live and proper medical help. Gene had very little family and after his mom died, there was no one except friends to take care of him. Gene received his high school diploma and had a paper route where he made many friends.

After my mom married Dave, she was introduced to Gene. Mom enjoyed making him feel special. I have talked to her several times on the phone to find that they had gone and picked up Gene and brought him to their house for the weekend. Mom would cook his favorite meal of fried chicken. When my family would go to Indiana for Christmas, we always made sure that we went to the home where he lived and had a Christmas concert. Our kids along with any cousins would play instruments, sing and visit with the residents.

Those who knew him also knew that he loved God.
He once told my Mom and Dave that if anything should happen to him in surgery, he knew where he was going. He also stood and testified in church that he was ready to see Jesus. He loved going to church and often asked those around him if they attended church.

I talked with mom a few days ago and they had gone again and spent time with Gene. They were disappointed to find out that he was not doing well physically. They received a call early the next morning to learn that Gene had crossed over into heaven. Mom was crying on the phone as she shared the news with me. I couldn't help but think of the memories they shared together with a man that would be considered "the least of these." They have been there for him through medical procedures, times of depression, and good times. They are mourning a real friend. There have been dear people help out by donating a burial plot, the funeral home has written off costs and made sure he has a viewing because the town folk will want to pay tribute to their former paper man. He will be dressed nice and have dignity in his death because of love. Any cost remaning will be paid for by my step-dad, the man who loved him through life.

What is heaven like for those who have never known what it was like to talk plain or walk straight. I can not even imagine!! I believe Jesus welcomed him with open arms and showed him his forever home. He is complete and whole!!

So, what do I take from all of this. We are called to love others-it is the greatest commandment! I am glad my kids have seen Jesus in their grandparents as they loved Gene. "Inasmuch as ye have done it uno the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40

Micah-2 months

Our little Micah is already more than 2 months old. We are enjoying him so much. Here are a few pictures we took recently. He weighs more than 13 pounds-that is the way we grow them:)

Baby Micah!

Micah Allen Bozone made his grand appearance into this world Sunday night at 8:04 p.m. He weighed 7 lb 10 oz. and was 19 in long. We are thrilled with him!!

It sure wears a fellow out to be born.

Our 5 kids.

Proud Papa

Surrounded by love

Ready to go home.

"HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY JULIANNA!!"

Julianna celebrated her 13th birthday today! We had a nice time together as a family making her day special!

She wanted a pink MP3 player-she is having a good time figuring it all out.

She wanted a key lime cheesecake instead of a traditional cake-it turned out very yummy!

Singing Tree and Parade!

Doyle directs in the rain-Hey,they won the trophy and got their picture in the paper!

Last week was a busy one here at Hobe Sound. The Singing Tree performed 4 times and we had our annual town parade. I put 49 pictures on Facebook, but decided to put a few on my blog. Lydia waves at the crowd on the school float. It started raining when they were almost done-what a mess!

Our band with the youth group behind them.

Julianna getting ready to march.

Samuel in line with his trumpet.

Joseph was a shepherd on the float.

Lydia was Mary.

Joseph was a cat in the animal song for the Tree performance.

Julianna was an angel in the Hallelujah Chorus.


The Singing Christmas Tree!

Samuel gets ready to go sing with the rest of the kids.

Lydia as an angel.

Doyle plays for the prelude.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMUEL!!

Samuel turned 11 today! We celebrated his birthday last night because the kids and Doyle have a big practice tonight. This was his year to have a family party, so it was just us. He wanted cupcakes for his cake, so I put them in the shape of a tree.

He also wanted to light his candles. All of my kids love the idea of lighting candles-not sure why.

Joseph watching Samuel open his gifts.

His big gift this year was a DSI-something he has been wanting for a long time.

He had a lot of fun figuring out all of the features.

Today I took cupcakes in to his class.

We played a board game together as a family before going to bed last night-we knew this week would be a bit hectic, and felt like it was important to spend some time to celebrate his special day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSEPH!!

Today Joseph turned 6 years old. He wanted a race car themed party.

Here is his cake with the track shaped into a 6.

A closer look at the flag.

He had a few friends to help him celebrate.

Doyle did some magic tricks for the kids.

Opening gifts.

Our gift to him was a Mocha pup Webkinz.

His party guests and siblings.

Playing red light-green light.

Coloring race cars pictures

Another race car game.

Everyone seemed to have a good time. I know Joseph enjoyed himself-I love my little guy. I can't believe he is growing up so quickly.