Somerlov

Yard of the Month

2010-05-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

LET ME BEGIN WITH...

When my cat, Sunny, is not basking in the sun on the porches and playing "catch" with the birds, he can usually be found lying next to me on the sofa.

This photo does not do justice to what he really is like...

Believe me, when we are both on this sofa together, he conquers 3/4 of the space. It is quite the sight!

NOW ON TO THE FEATURE OF THE MONTH...

Last Mother's Day was the beginning of the landscaping of our Somerville yard. The front entry pathway went in, then the shrubs in the front of the house. A few weeks later the side yard received its facelift. With each season I have planted flowers to bring color and interest to the property.

The vision, hard work and upkeep brings its rewards for the month of May.

The city selected our home to begin the Yard Of The Month for thE 2011 summer.

Please enjoy the pictures but more than that, come and see for yourself as you sit with me on the front porch.

I would love it!

Oh, how your garden grows!

2009-09-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

Our gentle giant resteth.....

2009-09-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

You can find us in the dark now.....

2009-09-01T13:57:00.001-07:00

Solar power lights up our new house number at 341 9th Street, Somerville, TX. each night.

Y'all come!

Garage Sale Church

2009-08-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

So, are you amazed at the title of this posting? Well, I am amazed at how the Father directs our steps and hearts!

Here is the story of the "Garage Sale Church"!

Last Saturday I drove my usual trip to Brenham to the H.E.B. market and to the Farmer's Market. On the way, I observed a garage sale sign just outside a seculed housing development but I decided I would not stop because.....1) I needed to conserve my money and 2) I was on a time schedule of my own making.

About 1 mile past the sign I decided to turn around and go see the treasures --- was I tempted or was there another purpose?

You guessed it! You are so smart! :)

I encountered a family who really loves the Lord despite some extremely difficult times right now.....mom is in the final stage of Lupis. What an atmosphere of hope and joy I sensed as we conversed. Just as naturally as talking about the Lord, the topic of a local body of believers demonstrating support and love was mentioned. I asked where this body of believers was and Greg (the dad) said, "Champion Fellowship near downtown Brenham". He asked me where I received my support and love and I had to admit I had no church family at the present time. His young daughter of 9 years spoke up and said, "Why don't you come to our church this Sunday!" As I looked at her, I envisioned one of my granddaughters saying that and I smiled at her saying....."You know what, I am going to be there tomorrow...look for me, ok?"

On Sunday I drove into the parking lot of Champion Fellowship and was greeted by a man directing vehicles. He even opened my car door! Pointing me in the direction of the front doors, I made my way into an experience of worship I will never forget! The men and women of the church were so very friendly, the music was worshipful, communion was conducted in a manner that caused me to worship Christ and then the message was encouraging from the Word of God. The pastor was finishing up his series in 1 Corinthians 5. What a marvelous day!

Although I did not purchase anything at the garage sale, I was given information about a church, genuine concern from other believers and hope! Now, where can you go to a sale, not spend one penny and come away with more than you went with?

God bless that mom, bless that dad and their two young children!

Thank You, Lord, for the garage sale sign last Saturday!

Sunny Welcomes The Birds To Take A Bath

2009-07-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

It has been in the triple digits with the temperature in Somerville so I put together a make shift bird bath near a bird feeder by our property line. Sunny felt it his duty to check out his new picnic area, drank some of the water and then proceeded to clean himself.

Sunny became aware that I was standing in the side yard filming him and he decided he had better get himself down from there. He came running to me, rubbing up against my legs as if to say, "That really was not me up there....you know I would never do something like that...!"

(Between Sunny and the five deer who visit our yard every night, there is little water left in the dish for the birds.)

Somerville's Fire Department Benefit-July 19,2009

2009-07-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

The Annual Somerville Fire Department's Fund Raiser is held at the American Legion hall with great food catered by Mantey's Catering. What a feast there is! Who would not love Barbequed chicken, beef and sausage! Huge portions of all three of these meats were served in large to-go boxes. Included in the meal were hot twiced baked potatoes, the most delicious spicy black beans, a deli pickle, a warm slice of bread. On a separate table each guest could select a dessert of choice --- oh, dear, these homemade desserts all looked so yummy! Trust me....from this one to-go boxed meal I had three meals! From ticket sales, purchase of a meal(s), the silent auction and the regular auction, the money raised helps the Fire Department with all their yearly expenses. The community turned out in force for this one! What a great event! I enjoyed every minute of it. Connie Mantey, co-owner of Mantey's Catering said they had served over 800 meals that day! And the meal was only $7.00! Meet our neighbor across the street in the big white house. This is Missy Tharp. Here Missy is determining which items she and her husband, Kenny, will bid on. The Tharp family own the Overall Lumber Company in Somerville and are very active in the development of Somerville. Missy just won the election to be on the Somerville ISD Board. We are happy for that. She is a hard, dedicated worker. The Tharps donated some really nice items to the auction to benefit the Fire Department. Nice people and the view of their home and property from our front porch is spectacular, as many of you know. This is our dear friend, Connie Mantey! She is one of the sweetest gals you will ever meet! If ever I have seen a hard worker with a fabulous attitude, it is Connie. She is a blessing to be around! Her family is heavily involved with the Somerville Fire Department. Gene Welch is Bud's cousin who also lives in Somerville. Gene's wife, Marilyn, could not attend the benefit due to health challenges. Marilyn is a fabulous pianist, cook and has a generous heart. Gene and Marilyn are two of the most pleasant folks to be around. Bill and Julie Smith are dear, sweet folks from Somerville. I first met this couple at the first Arts At The Lake meeting I attended by invitation. Julie is the Secretary/Treasurer for the organization. Bill is a retired attorney, and gives his valuable legal interpretations and insights as our organization is beginning to take some shape. Believing this is a venture Somerville needs to connect Lake Somerville patrons to the town of Somerville, I accepted an invitation several weeks ago to be on the board of directors. Although I see such great potential of the Arts At The Lake and their mission statement, I have become aware that my attentions need to be in another direction. I resigned my position just this week. Sunday's community activity and involvement with the Fire Department Benefit was truly a great time for me. Our fire fighters do so much more than fight fires for our town and county, they are some of the most friendly people! We live in the best little town ever!

Elaine in the office on Monday, 7/6/2009

2009-07-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

Sunny on July 4, 2009

2009-07-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

See the Curtains From Switzerland/Stires

2009-07-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July Landscaping at the Lovell's Home

2009-07-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

Butterfly Garden is in!

2009-07-01T13:06:00.001-07:00

Landscaping continues at the front of the house....

2009-07-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

The Bird Garden now has a white picket fence!

2009-07-01T12:36:00.000-07:00

Honoring Bud on Father's Day 2009

2009-06-20T15:38:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Memorial Weekend Project 99.9% complete!

2009-05-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

In a previous blog you saw the project Charles and I began for the entry to our home. This weekend we completed it except for the front step from the walkway up to the top of the porch and the solar lights that will be installed along the walkway on either side. Come......walk up the path to the front porch. Sit with us for a "spell" and enjoy a tall, cold glass of peach iced tea! Tea is served or if you prefer a cup of hot coffee! The Suel's gave this wonderful garden art piece. Now we would like for the other families to do the same. We want to have you welcome our guests as well. If you need to know how to do this project, please contact Jamie Suel at P.O. Box 30405 Nairobi, Kenya 00100 or call her at 011254731094950. We would LOVE to have all our family photos like this on our front pathway. How about it? This photo does not do justice to how it really looks. I will have to enter another one to show off the colors of the flowers to the right of this photo.

To give you an idea of the brilliant colors of the flowers selected. There are blues, yellows, reds and white perennials. Everything looks so beautiful against the white Colorado River Rock. (Just had to get Colorado in there somehow.)

What have we been up to lately?

2009-05-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

The nearly finished product. We still need to place steps in the front of the porch and add a few more flowers to the garden to the left and right of the walkway. Charles and I worked extremely hard in sunshine and rain to get the entry to this point. We are happy with it. It is time for you to come and visit us! Charles is securing the edging into the ground ..... the final tap, tap to the weekend project!

We never dreamed there was so much physical labor to doing such a simple project! Both of us were working hard from 9:00 AM on Saturday, May 16th until Sunday at 6:oo PM to get the project to this point.

These impatiens will be surrounded by other colorful plants. Please note the little tree next to the impatiens.....we preserved it because it has been there for many years and it has memories! It has been mowed down many times and there have been wishes to remove it, but it remains! Memories! Memories! Memories! (And hopefully, we can see it grow and be a beautiful shade tree!) GROW, TREE, GROW!

THE NEAR END OF A GREAT WEEKEND PROJECT FOR US!

Mother's Day project has its pictures backward. Begin at the bottom and work back up to see the full project.

2009-05-11T11:43:00.003-07:00

Mother's Day Project 2009

2009-05-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

My mom sent me some money for Easter. I wanted to develop my bird sanctuary and attract not only additional birds of all species, I also wanted to bring butterflies. So....I used the money to purchase brilliantly colored plants to attract these precious creatures and also specific butterfly plants. I spent from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM on Mother's Day cleaning out original soil, digging deep (1 foot deep) in the specified space and then adding rich soil. The weather at 8:30 AM was very pleasant and as the day approached 12 noon, I was feeling the heat and humidity. I consumed loads of water. The challenge was that with the intake of water, you guess it, I had remove my work gloves, remove my tennies and go into the house......such a bother! I needed those astronaut diapers! :) With the task completed in good time, I was able to stand back and enjoy the fruits of my labors. Thanks, Mom! This will be a memory I will treasure for years to come. (Oh, yes, did I tell you that the tree in the center of the bird garden is one I brought from Duncanville, Texas? Yes! A squirrel had hidden the seed in one of my patio planters and it took on a life of its own. When we moved in 2006 to Somerville, I knew I wanted a memory of our life in the Dallas area and God just sent a marvelous squirrel along to bring that wish true. I trust you enjoy these photos as much as I did working on my bird garden. Come and enjoy it with me, the birds and the butterflies. Sunny Cat helped me also as he spent most of the day lying on the porch watching me work. I am sure he was dreaming of the delicacies that may come his way once the birds revisit the feeders. Oh, dear, what a thought!

Our dear friends, Jim and Kaye Booher, with us April 30 - May 2, 2009

2009-05-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

Appreciation Luncheon from FBC, Wharton, TX. 5-3-2009

2009-05-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

Final Sunday School class for Elaine at Wharton, TX.

2009-05-04T12:40:00.001-07:00

Charles' final choir rehearsal in Wharton, TX.

2009-05-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

And even more people I work with at the Real Estate Center

2009-03-13T06:59:00.000-07:00

More people I work with at the Real Estate Center

2009-03-13T06:57:00.001-07:00

People I work with at the Real Estate Center

2009-03-13T06:40:00.000-07:00

63/62; 1946/1947; Diane/Elaine -- sisters!

2009-01-30T14:22:00.000-08:00

I went to Denver, Colorado on December 25, 2009 to spend time with my mom, Dora McMahan. While I was there we planned to celebrate my older sister's and my birthday. Our dad began our celebration at the Simm's Landing Restaurant in 1984. I attended all celebrations until I moved away and my mom and sister continued the tradition. What a joy it was for me to be a part of the festivities this year. Brought back so many wonderful memories of my dad! This year Mom took Diane, Diane's daughter, Ruth Lans and me to the buffet luncheon....oh, what a feast! Fun! Fun! And more FUN! No matter how old (mature) I get I will always love birthdays! HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLDER SIS!

It's Our Mason's Second Birthday-January 11, 2009

2009-01-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Elaine in Denver, Colorado on Christmas Day

2009-01-09T13:46:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Denver, Colorado with my mom was the highlight of my Christmas holiday! Texas A&M University gives their employees from December 23 (noon) until January 5 and what a gift for me. I flew to Denver on Christmas morning where my sister, Diane Maurer, picked me up at the airport and stayed until December 31. Mom and I had a wonderful time together! Seeing downtown Denver from her apartment window early in the morning was glorious. A few photos had to be taken so I could remember the beauty God provides for us each morning! Mom has made such beautiful friends in her complex. They adore her (who wouldn't?)! I even got a touch of a flu bug while I was there and just like mom, she nursed me back to health! This Christmas was so very special for me and I am most thankful to my Father, God, for blessing me! What is in store for next year? I can hardly wait to see!

Steph, Madeline and Mason in Somerville-Dec. 2008

2009-01-09T13:17:00.000-08:00

We had an added blessing this 2008 Christmas........ Elaine's youngest daughter, Steph, and our grandchildren, Madeline and Mason, arrived in Somerville on December 19 to celebrate the holidays with us! "Thank You, Father, for blessing us!" How do you squish hundreds of activities into one and a half days? We seemed to do it! We put our running shoes on and charged through each moment grasping onto memories! Taking loads of photos helped! Of course, "Sunny Cat" was the biggest attraction for the children! Madeline bought a special toy gift for him, which has become his most favorite thing to play with! Sunny loved the attention! Steph and I talked and talked....not sure who talked the most! :) But how strange it is....we just never have enough time to say it all! The girls (Madeline, Steph and me) decorated homemade gingerbread boys. Madeline piled her frosted boy high with every kind of sprinkle there was available and then set her boy aside to gobble up the sprinkles that had gathered in the "holding dish"! Steph was the artist with her gingerbread boy! Every sprinkle was carefully and thoughtfully placed on the smoothly applied frosting! A work of art which dared not be eaten! I just frosted my gingerbread boy, shook an array of sprinkles on and indulged in the gingery delicacy! It was a grand time! (Mason and Sunny Cat were taking a nap and I GranBud was watching a football game!) GranBud sat on the porch as the children played outside. Mason enjoyed lining up on the porch with him and "talking" man things! A precious sight! The visit was way too short, but we were so thankful for every waking second. Perhaps next time, Jay will be able to come. (He was on a business trip at this time.) We missed him greatly! A Memorable 2008 Christmas with the Flowers!

Christmas with our daughters, Jamie and Jodi and their families 2008

2009-01-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

Jodi, Jack and Toby (their wonderful dog) arrived on Saturday morning, Dec. 13 around 1:30 AM! It was so good to see them! After a few hours of sleep, we had one of Charles' wonderful breakfasts and then we prepared for the Suel family to arrive (preparation was more food). The van pulled up and life began! Charles and I always get so excited when the van door opens and out jump five wonderful grandchildren! (And of course, we get excited to see their mom and dad as well.) What memories were made this year. Charles and I knew all too well that next year would be totally different with Jodi and Jack having a little punkin, Mary Ellen, added to their family and Jamie with her family in Kenya! We had a few tears and more smiles as we realized that this year was so special for us! We lived in the moment with mental pictures to carry us forever! "Thank You, Lord, for our children and grandchildren! You have blessed us!"

The Prices Have A Prize A-Poppin!

2009-01-09T07:21:00.001-08:00

We are absolutely thrilled that God is blessing us with our 12th grandchild! Jack and Jodi Price have recently purchased a new home, in Ft. Worth, TX., to nest their sweet family. They now have one great dog (Toby) and soon to have their first little one - a precious little gal, Mary Ellen! Jodi is feeling just great -- look at her rosey cheeks! Don't you just love Jack's expression in this photo....not too proud to be a papa, huh?

"May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You. Psa, 33:20-22

2008-10-13T18:32:00.001-07:00

"We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You." Psalm 33:20-22 On August 31, 2008, Charles (Bud) and my world was shaken. News from our family in Tirana, Albania, shocked us. Our little grand daughter, Whitney Laine, sustained a most serious injury to her right eye. What we call a "freak accident", we are learning was God's loving way to have us learn to truly wait in hope for Him, to rejoice from the depths of our hearts in Him and to trust in His holy name. Many doctor's, many airplane trips to many countries, many tests, many eye drops, many eye patches, many tears and the faithful love of a mother, Whitney has had more life lessons and experiences than most 9 year old girls. Whitney's retina specialist in Houston, Texas. Whitney's eye specialist in Istanbul, Turkey. Whitney's air evacuation, via Red Star from Tirana, Albania to Istanbul, Turkey. Chelle and Whitney in the American Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. And who would have guessed on May 23rd, 2008, Whitney's 9th birthday, that God would have plans to prosper her and give her a hope through an avenue not yet realized. The ways of the Lord are perfect and who can doubt it? Blessed be the Lord God Almighty! Whitney, GranBud and Grammie love you so much. We will continue to pray for your complete healing. Our prayer is that as you trust in Jesus as your Savior you will always know in your heart that it is He Who preserved your sight so that you might thank Him with your life. To our dear family, who stands firm in the hope of God, the help of God, under the shield of God and in His unfailing love, we say.......we love you dearly. What a testimony you all have been to us of your faith. Love to you and thanksgiving to God, Charles (Bud) and Mom GrandBud and Grammie

"...He is our help and our shield..." (Psa, 33:20-22)

2008-10-13T17:54:00.000-07:00

"May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You. Psalm 33:20-22 Oh, there is not greater joy than to hold a grandchild in your arms! I could hardly control my emotions (OK, I didn't!) as I would hold Whitney, looking down at her beautiful face and thank God for her. The great joy of being able to be with her for a few short days was hardly more than this Grammie's heart could endure....but I did and enjoyed every second of it. What a marvelous picture of sheer joy on the face of all three of us! God was blessing us even in the midst of the trials of Whitney's challenges. There is nothing more precious than family! Here Whitney had gotten all made up (thanks to her other grandmother, Rose Ann Stire, from California) and fixed a beautiful luncheon for me. So much detail went into the luncheon...special placemats handmade by Whitney, place cards with each name on them at our special seats at the table, a specially designed centerpiece on the table, and the food specially planned and prepared by Whitney. It was so special for me. I have no make-up on in this photo because I cried it all off in sheer joy of how Whitney showed her love for me! Thanks, honey! You did a beautiful thing for your Grammie. I will NEVER forget it! The joy to see Chelle and Whitney was above and beyond what I could ever have dreamed, but God blessed yet more and more...... He brought my youngest daughter, Stephanie from California to be with Chelle and Whitney! I could have held this pose for hours....no, I could held it forever. It felt so good to touch my two daughters and encircle Chelle, Whitney and Stephanie in my arms. "Thank You, Father, for the fulfillment of Your promises to me, your child. I love You. Amen." I really think there must have been some action going on behind my back (if you know what I mean)! Those smiles are awfully mischievous! Oh, how can I say thanks, for the things God has done for me. Things so undeserved that He gives to show His love for me....... To have my two daughters with me, my grand daughter, my friend, Rose Ann, all in the beautiful home of the girl's dad, Bill Boyd and his marvelous wife, Amanda, was like my heaven on earth. "To God be the glory! To God be the glory! To God be the glory for the things He has done....... Early in the morning, before the sun came up, Whitney followed me out to the deck where I was enjoying precious time with my Father. She curled up with the blanket her mommy made for her in Istanbul, Turkey and waited patiently until I finished and then she snuggled with me. Here we were looking up into a tall tree and tried to make out an object setting on a branch. Whitney said it looked like a big shoe, Grammie said it was a bird. Whitney won! As Hurricane Ike had torn through the Houston neighborhood, a pair of men's shoes were tossed high into the tree. The joy for me to hear Whitney's giggles, feeling her heartbeat against me, holding her close to me, caused tears to well up in my eyes in gratitude that God spared this little gals life and saved her eyesight! Does prayer work? As this Grammie........ IT SURELY DOES!

"In Him our hearts rejoice..." (Psa. 33:20-22)

2008-10-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

In the process of waiting on on another doctor's appointment, Chelle and Whitney came to our home in Somerville. What fun it was for our family to get together. Jamie, Gaven, Jaden, Avery, Emma and Zephan came from Ft. Worth. We celebrated everyone's birthday for 2009 with Cream Cheese Cupcakes and candles. GranBud's birthday gift bag from Jack & Jodi is on the table....what a hoot! GranBud is fixing one of his marvelous breakfast meals for us all. Yummy! A peaceful, still and chilly autumn morning in Somerville for Chelle to read her Bible. What a joy it was for her mom to look out the kitchen window and see the delight of her heart worship the God she loves. "I have no greater joy than to hear (or see) that my children are walking in the truth." (3 John 4) Whitney helped Grammie make chocolate chip cookies and make ONE BIG one for GranBud's birthday! It was Whitney's idea to make a big one and put a candle in the middle. GranBud truly enjoyed getting this delicious gift from his gal, Whitney! Whitney had not seen the stray kitty GranBud and Grammie took into their home shortly after her family went to Tirana, Albania. The bond that was built in the four days Chelle and Whitney were with us was so sweet. Great memories were made during these days. In the midst of an unsettling emotional season, we were able to rejoice in God's blessings. Truly, as in Psalm 33:20-22 says, "We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You." "Thank You, Lord, for your faithfulness, your peace, and your forever love! Amen. At the writing of this blog, Monday, October 13, 2008, Chelle and Whitney are safely back in their home in Tirana, Albania. What beautiful memories GranBud and Grammie have in their hearts of the precious time with Whitney! What beautiful memories Charles and Mom have in their hearts of the precious time with Chelle!

Progress to our home in Somerville, TX.

2008-07-27T20:32:00.000-07:00

We have been blessed to have this home in Somerville, TX. which has belonged in the Lovell family for nearly 100 years! We decided to retire here and enjoy country living and build memories with our family and that we have been doing for nearly two years now. Slowly our home is reaching its completion. With challenges, set-backs, testings, trials and many joys along the path, we are thanking God for His goodness and faithfulness to us! With the exterior of our home caulked and painted, we can now concentrate on our landscaping! As we have said before, we restate......"Come on down to Somerville to the Lovell Lodge and sit a spell on our porch!" Our doors are open to family and friends alike.

Memories are being made!

2008-07-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

With the pitter patter of little feet on our hardwood floors in the morning, the cuddles, the kisses, the kiddie snacks and just bringing out the inner child in us, brought Charles ("Bud" as some of you know him) and me laughter and sweet joy to our hearts for four very short days with Steph, Madeline and Mason. But we packed in so many fond memories! Here you will see a few!

What could be finer than children and grandchildren to make "forever" memories!

WHAT A GRAND TIME WE HAD!

Steph, Madeline and Mason come for a four day visit!

2008-07-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

On day three of the visit to Somerville, we made a 25 minute trek to Grammie's workplace at the Texas A&M University's Real Estate Center. The children were dressed in their new "Aggie" shorts and T-shirts and, wow, did they look cute! Sitting at Grammie's desk at work was fun! After working so hard we went to lunch in College Station. What a fun day this was! And, of course, Grammie was most proud to show off her daughter and two grandchildren. Did I mention that I took a week's vacation from work so I could totally be immersed in the fun and memories of the visit!

Madeline, our grand daughter, celebrates her birthday with us!

2008-07-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

GranBud and me gave Madeline what she loves the most right now....."twirly dresses! She especially loved the white eyelet one she is wearing in this photo. Of course, we had to have a "showing" of how she dances. A born ballerina! Her final bow was grand! Happy Birthday, our dear, sweet four year old! Instead of having a birthday cake for Madeline's birthday, we went to Somerville's Dairy Queen. Our birthday girl had a vanilla cone while the rest of us had our favorites! Mason is anticipating his ice cream as Madeline opens her birthday gifts. GranBud and me are so proud of our precious girl! And did you notice how tall she is getting but not too big to sit on GranBud's shoulder!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MADELINE!

Texas In The Spring

2008-06-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

Charles (Bud) and I went for several rides this spring around Somerville to see the beauty that God created for our enjoyment. We found that He had given us so much! We counted our blessings.

Oh, I wish you could have been in our vehicle as we drove from Somerville to the Independence, TX. area. There we saw field after field abundantly covered with Blue Bonnets, our Texas state flower. And not only the gorgeous blue, but peppered in with them were splashes of orange, white and yellow! The flowers were spectacular!

I was enthralled with the new life this year. So many baby goats, new calves, colts and growing red ant dwellings (I know because I stepped in one and watched the growth of hundreds of little red critters crawl up in ankle.) However, getting off that painful thought.....I took photos of the goats, the cows, the horses and even the ant hill that I stepped in. God has so wonderfully formed each little one. "Thank You, Father for the little blessings!"

Next year, please plan a trip to Somerville, TX. in the springtime. Charles and I will take you on a tour of God's creation in this area of His universe. Place your reservations in the Lovellodge early as time and space are limited! :)

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

Update News on the Lovells

2008-06-03T04:05:00.000-07:00

It seems as though it has been years since we talked. Charles ("Bud" to some of you) and I trust you are doing well. We have kept ourselves busy in semi-retirement. Charles still is ministering at the First Baptist Church of Wharton, Texas. He was asked to build a choir and he has been doing that faithfully. From a praise team of four, which led the congregation to worship, to a choir with approximately 21 members now and an organist, a pianist and bass guitar player, he knows God has blessed his efforts. Charles drives 85 miles every Thursday to spend the day at the church in Wharton and leads choir rehearsal at 6:30 PM. He arrives back home around 10 PM. On Sunday's we both go to Wharton. I sing in the choir even though I cannot make it to choir rehearsal. Wish I could go and fellowship with my friends there on Thursday but that is not what God has planned for me at this time. We are blessed to have a church home such as this church. Our sisters and brothers in Christ are so sweet and loving. I work at the Real Estate Center at the Texas A&M University in College Station. It is a 25 minute drive each morning at 7:40 AM. What a beautiful drive! I go through farming country. Cows, sheep, chickens and beautiful fields of grass. The sky just bursts with God's beauty as the sun rises and tells me "Good morning!". I love the ride. The first half of the ride I enjoy the prayer time for my work day. The last half of the the drive, I listen to the American Family Radio (AFR) programs and music. My work as the Senior (not age related by any means) Office Administrator for the Real Estate Center is so satisfying to me. I have been challenged in areas I never thought I would EVER be expanded. But those of you who really know me, know that I love a good challenge! The University pays for its employees to take classes to enhance their skills and abilities. I have taken many, many classes. I have learned so much. God has blessed me immensely! I am grateful! We have so much news to share with you about our children and grandchildren. It would take you all day to read what I want to write. In case you are not aware, we are a "blended" family. And we really do blend! God has blessed Charles and me with great children. Charles' has Jamie Suel who is in Ft. Worth, Tx. and Jodi Price also in Ft. Worth, Tx. Elaine has Chelle Stire who is in Tirana, Albania and Stephanie Flowers in Valencia, California. We are blessed with 11 grandchildren. We are so very proud of our four sons-in-law. They are great husbands to our daughters. We love them. I will write in more detail at another time about our children and will share photos of them. Sorry there are no photos in this blog. We love you! Charles (Bud) and Elaine Leave us a comment after you have read this blog. Thanks.

Marie and Debbie come to visit.....

2008-04-13T20:02:00.001-07:00

Marie Dunn and Debbie Webb enjoy their friend and favorite choir director. Oh, yes, just look at the beautiful field of Blue Bonnets behind them. What a trio of colorful characters here-Marie, Elaine and Debbie! Oh, yes, note the field behind us. Charles (Bud) and I took Marie and Debbie to the Antique Rose Emporium in Independence, TX.. Marie took this photo. The many gardens of roses, in full bloom, were so breathtaking! Blue Bonnets! Blue Bonnets! and even more Blue Bonnets! While enjoying the field of Blue Bonnets we captured this herd of healthy cows enjoying them as well. What a wonderful weekend we had with Marie and Debbie in our home. What great friends God has blessed us with and we thank Him!

An Addition To Our Family!

2008-03-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

I know our addition looks nothing like Charles (Bud) and me, but he acts like us.....loves attention, loves food, loves the retirement lifestyle and feels the freedom of expression!

Our new "orange" cat's name is "Sunny". We came by that name by my asking Chelle and her children one day as we were Skyping what they felt we should name our new baby! Sierra came up with the name "Sunny" and it was a match! Thanks, Sierra!

Sunny brings us great joy! He was a stray who has been around our home area for some time or at least since he was a youngster. He just never had a front door that would stay open to just him. Well, ours did! He has found that inside our door there is love, food and a quiet place to sleep. What more could a cat want, right?

He purrs so loudly when cuddled. I love to hold him close and just try to match the purring sounds he makes.

Sunny and I play each morning before I go to work at Texas A&M University. Play time has become a ritual. I scurry my slippered feet on the hardwood floor and he goes crazy! He starts racing from the kitchen through the living room and back toward me. We play until he gets tired of the same old routine and he just drops down to the floor near my feet. I pick him up, love on him and then he finds a place to rest from his exercise routine.

Charles (Bud) loves to have him up on his lap. They love each other. Now, who wouldn't love Charles? I am thinking that Charles' lap might just be large enough to hold both Sunny and me! Will have to give that one try! :)

What a lovely SURPRISE!

2008-02-17T14:38:00.000-08:00

In the previous blog I told you I was given a wonderful surprise when I went to speak for the Ovilla United Methodist Church Women's Fellowship......here she is!

One of my dearest Christian friends came to hear me!

Sonia Nixon, a woman who loves the Lord with all her heart and has served Him as a pastor's wife for many years before her husband went to his coronation with his Lord in glory. Sonia knew her calling to serve her Lord and began teaching Sunday School at the Cliff Temple Baptist Church where she served faithfully until 2006!

Sonia and I were prayer partners while Charles (Bud) and I were at Cliff Temple. She was actively and faithfully involved in the prayer group I began, From The Father's Heart. What a bond we experienced!

What a joy it was to see Sonia walk into the room at the Dove's Nest restaurant on Saturday, January 26. I used every ounce of strength within me to hold back the tears of joy just struggling to break out of their hiding place. It was SO good to see her!

Another blessing I had that day was to have two other dear friends from Cliff Temple Baptist Church come to see me. Mary Smith and Louise White came and we shared some sweet hugs. Oh, how I love these gals! God has blessed me with such precious friends and I thank Him.

The Ovilla United Methodist Church Gals

2008-02-17T14:17:00.000-08:00

What a marvelous fellowship with the gals of the Ovilla United Methodist Church Women's Fellowship and some of their guests. This is a memory that will remain with me for quite some time. Thanks, gals! Let's do lunch again some time soon!

The Ovilla United Methodist Church Women's Fellowship Luncheon

2008-02-09T12:17:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, January 26, 2008, God blessed me with the priviledge to speak to the Ovilla United Methodist Church Women's Fellowship. This was such a special time for me because my friend, Marcia Haugarth, was the event coordinator. Marcia and I became dear friends several years ago when she was going through a most painful time of losing her mother.

I began praying for Marcia and Marcia kept in contact with me through emails.

In the course of many emails, we shared our spiritual longings, our health issues, our love for the Lord, and what we wanted the other to pray for.

Prayer has been the theme of our strong friendship and so, when Marcia called and asked me to speak to her women's fellowship luncheon, she asked me to speak on PRAYER!

What a joy for me!

As I prepared my heart, I was reminded of how powerful prayer is and has been in my own life. In my past, knowing someone was faithfully praying for me has not only encouraged me to keep going when the moments were painful, but also, knowing that someone cared enough for me to take me to the Father brought me into a deeper commitment that prayer, on my part, for someone else would be powerful as well.

On the Saturday of the luncheon, Charles (Bud) decided to drive me from Somerville to Waxahatchie because the fog was so intense. What a sweetheart! He ministered to me with the generosity of his time and expression of his loving care for me, even though he could have stayed home and watched football, golf or simply relaxed. During the more than three hours of drive time, we enjoyed the time together.

God was so wonderful to give me a double blessing- time with my husband and time to fellowship with many dear sisters in Christ!

When I arrived at the Dove's Nest Restaurant, I found a quaint, antique shop so attractively designed and displaying marvelous items of yesteryear, sweet handcrafted goods and added to all this.... the fragrances were divine! I fell in love with the shop immediately!

But beyond the shop, there was a darling, cozy restaurant. The kind that you have always dreamed of when you were a child. (Okay, the truth be known....I dream of relaxing in these surroundings and ambiance more with each passing year!) The walls were welcoming (there were even well-thought of details such as near the ceiling a hidden nest cradling a dove), the antiques tastefully displayed brought back marvelous memories for me and the fragrances surrounded me and caused me to forget the cares of tomorrow.

I was brought back to reality when Marcia called me on my cell phone to inform me that she would be a little late because she was going to swing by her church for some supplies for the luncheon and to pick up someone I knew well and loved and bring her to the luncheon.........

And the story continues on.

See my next post!

Christmas In Albania

2008-01-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Tirana, Albania with Elaine's oldest daughter, Chelle, and her family was so very special this year. Oh, Charles (Bud) and I were not able to be with them in person, but in spirit we were very present, as were many others with us!

Something happened which was very special this year.

Elaine, a member of the "Women In The Word" Sunday School class at the First Baptist Church of Wharton, TX. found what "love in word and deed" looks like in reality.

The class "adopted" the Stire family for Christmas!

We asked and received a list from Chelle of needs and wants the family had (mostly the children). The women of the class worked to fulfill the needs of the list.

Before Thanksgiving two large boxes filled with "goodies" were sent to the Stires in Albania.

Approximately ten days later Chelle wrote that the boxes had arrived safely.

Well, you can imagine how each member of the class anticipated news of the reactions from the children on Christmas morning.

Here is what the Stires wrote to the Sunday School class about Christmas morning: "It was so fun to see the girls' eyes dance when they saw all the presents under the tree. We had told them that they would not get much this year and so it was a real treat to have a variety of neat things from you!"

What do I see in the lives of these women in The Women Of The Word, at the First Baptist Church of Wharton? I see the fulfillment of 2 Corinthians 2:14-16! I see the "spreading everywhere (Albania) the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.".

A huge "Thank you!" goes to those women whose hearts humbly gave to make Christ's love known to our family in a foreign country for their first Christmas.

Charles and I love you dearly!

Am I really an Aggie?

2007-12-31T19:38:00.000-08:00

Mama has a new job! I am working now at The Real Estate Center at The Texas A&M University! Work began for me on December 3, 2007! I serve as the Senior Office Executive, which really means, I handle everything that comes through the front doors to when the doors close at the end of the work day! It's a great job! I love it! To find out more about the Real Estate Center, go to http://recenter.tamu.edu .

Teddy Bears, "Honey" and Mom

2007-12-31T18:13:00.000-08:00

My mom and I had a fun time on Saturday, December 8, when we went to the historic town of Chappell Hill, TX. for their traditional "Teddy Bear Parade"!

Our thoughts were of standing on Main Street with others who enjoy the sentiment of teddy bears and Christmas. We just knew we would see joyful children on decorated floats displaying various forms of teddy bears!

We waited. And we waited for the parade to begin.

No parade!

So we asked where the parade would begin and we were informed that the "Teddy Bear Parade" was happening right then on the porch of the City Hall with Mrs. Santa reading Christmas tales to children who had dressed their own beloved teddy bears up in the joy of the season.

Off we trekked to City Hall to hear a story or two.

The joy of seeing the children of all shapes and ages starring at the books Mrs. Santa was reading and holding their bears was a parade enough for us.

We quickly reflected on a very famous bear we knew who was always thinking of his need for "honey"! We were hungry and found ourselves in the famous, Bevers Kitchen, in Chappell Hill. Oh, my, their homemade soup was so delicious, but could not compare to the satisfaction the homemade pies were to our sweet tooths!

What a day we had together!

We treasure our own "Teddy Bear Parade of Memories" made on that day!

Singing in the Somerville Home

2007-12-31T17:22:00.000-08:00

November and December were good to Charles (Bud) and me. We found that our hearts were full of thankful songs because we felt the hand of God in our lives with His blessings. My mother, Dora McMahan, from Denver, Colorado was with us from November 14 through December 11. During that time, we enjoyed making many memories together. We had coffee every morning, walked around Somerville, laughed over memories of past years and enjoyed the blessing of having a portion of our family together for Thanksgiving Day. Our daughter, Jamie, her children and our precious grandchildren, Gavin, Jaden, Avery, Emma and Zephan were with us enjoying turkey and all its traditional fixins'! We missed having Jamie's husband, Chris, with us though, but duty called in Ft. Worth and he had to go back to work. It was a time for us to give thanks for our family who were enjoying Thanksgiving in other parts of the world (the Prices in Ft. Worth, TX., the Flowers in California, and the Stires in Albania). But most of all, we gave thanks for the blessing God has given us in our freedom.

The "Big D" and SMOT concert.....

2007-11-12T05:06:00.000-08:00

On Thursday morning, November 8, we went to Dallas for several wonderful reasons. Charles was going to sing with The Singing Men of Texas (SMOT) that evening in a concert at the Calvary Baptist Church in Oak Cliff. Several of our friends were going to come to the concert to hear the men sing and see us. The photos here are not the best but none could be taken during the concert. I trust you will enjoy them anyway. We stayed overnight with our dear friends, Walter and Nancy Counts. Their guest bedroom is really considered "our home away from home". They are so dear to always open their home to us. The fellowship with them is always so dear. On Friday, November 9, we were on the road at 7:00 AM for Cliff Temple Baptist Church, where Charles was joining the SMOT group to do a CD recording. The recording session would take all day. I went along to assist with whatever was needed and to also see our friends at the church. What blessing we both had in Dallas for two days!

SMOT at lunch!

2007-11-12T04:52:00.001-08:00

The Singing Men of Texas (SMOT) had a most productive morning of recording a new CD and just had to refuel for the afternoon session of recording. The recording was done in the temple of Cliff Temple Baptist Church. The sound system and acoustics are fabulous there! Lunch was catered! Hungry and thirsty men scrambled into the Fellowship Hall to be greeted by Marie Dunn and myself! What a joy to serve them with some of the best Mexican food! The men even sang a song of "Thanks" to Marie and me! Wow! After lunch the men went back into the temple to finish up the recording. The entire session of recording took from 7:00 AM until 3:15 PM! The CD will be on sale soon with the proceeds going for the Singing Men of Texas ministry trips throughout this coming year. Each of their recordings are fine productions with the best hymns and arrangements for worship. If you are wanting some inspirational music, we highly recommend you purchase one or more of the SMOT recordings. You will be blessed. Contact us and we can give you the website for ordering. An idea: These would be marvelous Christmas gifts!

The Money Counters in the Church.....

2007-11-12T04:48:00.000-08:00

Our friend, Marie Dunn and myself were asked by the treasurer of the SMOT group to count the money received from those who enjoyed lunch. Do you think we were going to say "No, thank you!"? Oh, what fun we had (as you can see)!

Mack and Jayne Mathis of Wharton, Texas

2007-11-10T19:13:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 4:7-8,11-13 says, "...But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, He led captives in His train and gave gifts to men."...It was He who gave some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Our pastor, Mack Mathis, has been given the gift of pastor/teacher. Mack pastors the First Baptist Church of Wharton, Texas and has for 7 years now. His teaching of God's Word does not scratch our spiritual surfaces, it penetrates into our very hearts. We believe it's effectiveness is because his heart's desire is to be holy, to reflect only the Lord Jesus! Mack's heart of compassion is so genuine. We thank God for him. Jayne, his sweet wife is one of the dearest women you will ever meet! Her smile draws you to her, her eyes keep contact with you so you know she cares deeply. To watch her work endlessly and with commitment to Christ is such an encouragement. Mack and Jayne have become such dear friends. We love them!

A man's got to do what a man's got to do.....

2007-11-10T18:55:00.000-08:00

What is it with older homes and "settling"? Here we have our hardworking handyman, Charles, filing down the door clasp because the house has been settling, thus making the door difficult to lock. How about that? But, my handyman, successfully completed the task and we are now safe and sound with a door that locks!

YOU MUST TRY THIS RECIPE!

2007-10-16T23:55:00.000-07:00

The seasons are changing from our hot, humid Texas weather to the falling of the golden leaves from the trees in our yard. A cool breeze is coming through our windows to tell us that the fall season has arrived. This is the best time of the year! The smells of fall begin on my stovetop with the aroma of simmering WASSAIL . For years I have made this yummy beverage from a recipe I received from a friend in Denver, Colorado. This year I have tried a new Wassail recipe. It comes from the Culinary Compositions Cookbook, page 417. Mary Rutledge of Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas submitted it to serve 30 people, about 5-6 oz. per person. Please adjust it according to your own wants. Here it is: 64 oz. orange juice (not from concentrate) 64 oz. apple juice 32 oz. cranberry juice 12 oz.can frozen lemonade, undiluted 2" sticks of cinnamon 1 tsp. ground cloves 1 tsp. ground allspice Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Simmer and serve in your favorite mug with a cinnamon stick The fragrance this recipe gives fills our home with the feeling of warmth and comfort. This fall season enjoy this hot beverage. Serve it to your family and friends. If you prefer, come to our home, curl up on our sofa and I will serve you a cup or two. Of course, I could not just give you a cup of Wassail, I will serve you a yummy goodie to go with your beverage. Below is a dessert that I recommend you try this fall. ..................................................................................... ANGEL PUMPKIN CAKE WITH SUGARED PECANS: 1 (16 oz.) Betty Crocker Angel Food Cake mix 1 (30 oz. can Libby's Easy Pumpkin Pie Mix 1 tsp. pumpkin pie seasoning Fresh ground nutmeg Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13'X9" baking dish with Pam and then wipe excess with paper towel. Mix together cake mix, pumpkin pie mix and pumpkin pie seasoning in a large bowl on medium speed about 1 minute, scrapping down the bowl to mix all well. Pour into prepared pan and then sprinkle with fresh grated nutmeg. Bake 30 to 35 minutes until well set. Cool completely. Spread topping on cooled cake and then sprinkle with 1 cup chopped sugared pecans. PUMPKIN TOPPING: 1 (12 oz.) tub Cool Whip, thawed 1 cup canned pumpkin 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie seasoning 1 (3.4 oz.) instant vanilla pudding. Use the pudding dry. Gently stir all together. Spread on cooled cake. SUGARED PECANS: Place 1 cup of chopped pecans onto a cookie sheet. Melt 1 cup of butter in your microwave. Add to the melted butter 1 cup of brown sugar. Stir. Pour the melted butter and brown sugar evenly over the pecans. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake until the pecans are a golden brown. Watch your pecans that they do not overcook. From our home to yours....... MAY YOU HAVE A JOYFUL FALL SEASON!

The BIG 66 for Charles! Happy Birthday!

2007-09-29T19:38:00.001-07:00

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

History continued........

2007-09-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

Click on each photo to see them up close and personal! When Charles (Bud) and I were still in Dallas, we began brainstorming on what we really wanted to do with the remodeling and renovation of our retirement home in Somerville. Out came the pencils and paper! Pencils...because we knew from experience that changes would be made to the original designs. Charles wanted a large clothes closet of his very own, a big working kitchen (He loves to create and cook. His food is so yummy!) and he also wanted a roomy bathroom with a large shower. I wanted the same as Charles in the kitchen, since I love to cook and bake. I also wanted a "secret place" for my office . Since Charles would have his own clothes closet that meant I would be have my own. We both sketched out what we wanted our "spaces" to look like, especially our closets. He let me design the kitchen according to my liking. (What a sweetheart he is! I thank God for him every day.) Today, we both are pleased with the kitchen and love being in there with each other and with our guests who gather around the island to talk as we are preparing something yummy to eat. Charles has a 12' X 12' clothes closet with closet organizers arranged just as he wanted them. Everything has its own place and he seems to be quite pleased with his own space. For the master bathroom, we installed an extra large shower with two corner seating units! Charles can sit and have his morning coffee, or simply sit and relax as the water cascades over him! The bathroom is his dream come true! The bathroom can house a small Bible study group, but be assured we will not use it for that while Charles is in the shower! :) I believe Charles is satisfied with his designs and now enjoys them. My office is attached to my closet in an "L" shaped design, which wraps around two sides of Charles' closet. From two office windows, early in the morning, I watch the birds come to feast at four bird feeders, bathe in the bird bath, dangle from the handmade hangers to feast on fresh fruit hanging there for their pleasure. ( Oh, yes, there are certain birds who love apples, oranges and grapes!) I love my office space! Cozy and tucked away! Okay, back to the house..... We did something FUN and FUNCTIONAL between Charles' and my closet. We put in a door! Yes, a door! Can you find it in any of the three photos here? "FUN", I said, because it is like a "secret passageway" from one closet to the other. The grandchildren have discovered it and love it because GranBud and Grammie have something "secret" in their home! A little mystery! What fun! Did you find the door? Hint...... Check out behind the dresser in Elaine's closet! Just because there are clothes hanging there above the dresser doesn't mean there isn't something behind it! Secret, huh?! Me thinks the secret is out now! "FUNCTIONAL", also, because, if needed, we can use it as a safety escape exit. When you come to visit, be sure to check out the "secret passageway"! Oh, yes, the grandchildren love to climb under Grammie's dresser and go into GranBud's closet to hide. FUN! FUN! FUN for all! Dismisses the myth that grandparents are boring, not creative and old! Some of us are still young at heart and extremely creative! Please make note of another thing in my closet.....the shelving that houses my shoes and the organization of personal and household supplies. Those are glass shelves! There is a wonderful and interesting story behind those shelves. Climb up into my lap, get comfortable, I am going to tell you the story.... Charles went to Brenham one day (a 15 mile drive) to check out a men's clothing store where he had shopped many times when his mom and stepdad were still living in Somerville. They were having a "Going Out Of Business" sale. While Charles was there he noticed glass shelving set up to organize the neatly folded men's dress and sport shirts. He had a marvelous idea! Knowing I love to organize everything, Charles asked the store owners about the shelves. They told him EVERYTHING in the store was for sale! So, Charles purchased all the glass shelving units for me and my closet! The store owners even thought what a great idea for a home closet! They said they would deliver them to our home in Somerville. Well, that became a real project! We all discovered to transport 12o GLASS units all intact would be almost impossible. So we hired a furniture delivery truck, the store owners disassembled each unit (each unit being 11" wide x 10" high x 16" deep) and placed protective paper between each piece of glass and had them delivered to us! What a job! My sweet husband spent several days putting together 62 units to house my shoes, books for my office and units to store additional household supplies. You can see it all in these photos. Perfect! I love them! And what an act of love on Charles' part to do this for me! I love him! And, thanks again, honey! If you fell asleep while I was telling you this story, that is okay, I will scoop you up and place you in our guest bed. That is what Grammies are for, right? The aroma of GranBud fixing your breakfast in the kitchen and the roosters singing their songs to you in the neighborhood will get you off to a great start as you awaken tomorrow morning! A little more history of our home in Somerville and what the Lovells have been up to in their retirement. Come and see for yourselves! Coffee is on! There might be freshly baked cookies, a cake or a sweet bread to go along with the coffee! Come on, ya'll! Charles and I are waiting on the front porch for you!

Retired, Yet Glorifying God's Name in Ministry!....

2007-09-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

Charles (Bud) has had a marvelous life of music ministry and has now retired. Thirty-five wonderful years of serving the Lord at Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas and having so much fun with friends there, Charles' (Bud's) retirement life felt empty of something.....ministry! Charles (Bud) decided to assist other music ministers in our area around Somerville, Texas as they needed to be away from their churches and choirs for relaxation, conferences, etc.. In this ministry, Charles (Bud) ministered at the First Baptist Church of Wharton, Texas, some 85 miles from Somerville. The church pastor and wife, Mack and Jayne Mathis, were warm and obviously so in love with the Lord and His work at the church that we immediately knew we wanted to maintain a relationship with them. Yet, God had designs for us that we knew not of at the time. In God's timing, the church asked Charles (Bud) to prayerfully consider becoming their permanent part-time Minister of Music! After seeking God's heart, we felt the First Baptist Church of Wharton was the place our ministry would continue. On, Sunday, August 19, 2007, we joined the church and Charles (Bud) became Minister of Music! When in the area on a Sunday morning, please do stop in to the church and join us in worship! Your hearts will be blessed by the worship music and the instruction from the Word of God by our gifted pastor, Mack Mathis! We love it!

Where are we ministering today?

2007-09-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

The First Baptist Church of Wharton, Texas.

Where are we ministering today?

2007-09-19T08:59:00.001-07:00

Jodi, our daughter, was with us on our first Sunday as Charles (Bud) was announced as the church's new minister of music. Thanks, Jodi, for sharing our joy!

Would you like to know how it all began?

2007-09-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

In February of 2001, Charles (Bud) and I "met" online on the Christian Cafe.com website. Neither of us had ever done anything like this before, but both of us had high recommendations from family and friends to "just try it"! So we did! After "talking" for a couple of weeks online, Charles asked me if I thought it was rushing things to ask me for a date. My response led us to meet at the Heritage House Restaurant in Montgomery, Texas on February 15, 2001. What a delightful time we had comparing our backgrounds - both preacher's kids, both had one sister, both went to Bible College, both had two daughters, both liked meatloaf, both liked people and the ministry, and on and on. We talked so long on the first date (closed the restaurant down) that we decided we would like to meet again. And the rest is our history! You will see here a photo of the restaurant where we met! If you are ever in Montgomery, Texas, please eat at the Heritage House, a family restaurant with great food! Update: We celebrated one of our anniversaries there and when we were to be seated we asked for the same table where we had our first date. Our waitress that evening was the same one as had waited on us! And she remembered us! Know more of our history in upcoming posts......

Isn't he handsome?

2007-08-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

This is the man God blessed me with on our wedding day, October 19, 2002!

His smile makes my heart glad.

His whistling makes me know what a blessing of joy he is in my life.

His spirit of peace and gentleness makes me love him more and more!

You are my sunshine, Charles Edward Lovell!

I love you!

Elaine

COME, TAKE A TOUR OF OUR HOME!

2007-08-18T00:34:00.000-07:00

We want to invite you to come into our home and see the work the Lord has done for us. This home was originally built over 90 years ago. It was filled with fond memories for Charles (Bud), of which he recounts with many fascinating details. We knew we wanted to continue the memories and began a journey of remodeling and adding on to the original structure. What you will see in the photographs below is the nearly completed project. I wanted to show you the progress of the kitchen, the dining room and the living room in this blog but will continue the tour in another blog to come. Please enjoy touring our home. We open our doors to you and have a cup of hot coffee poured. Come in, join us! Rejoice with us in seeing what the Lord has done! We are simply enjoying His gift of love to us! Now we share with you..........

2007-08-18T00:30:00.000-07:00

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There no place like with GranBud....

2007-08-18T00:12:00.001-07:00

Look at those smiles! The day was filled with special memories as we watched "Lady and the Tramp", had a snack, then piled into GranBud's car and went to the historic playground. After having loads of fun there, we went to Brenham to eat our lunch and play at McDonalds. So many kids to play with and so little time to do it and eat our Happy Meals also. Off to the Miniature Pony Ranch and then back to GranBud and Grammie Elaine's home. There we had snacks and played in the sprinkler. Grammie Elaine even ran through the sprinkler! What fun we all had! What a marvelous day and we have the pictures to remind us of the joy our grand daughters bring us!

The historic church has the best play ground....

2007-08-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

There is just no other place like the old fashioned playground. GranBud and Grammie Elaine took Avery, Jaden and Emma to the historic St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Gay Hill, Texas to play on the best playground with the old time equipment. All three girls loved to be pushed by GranBud on the swings and they loved to go high and higher! What a grand time! Good memories were made here!

Just the right size.....

2007-08-17T23:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is certainly the right size pony for us all. What fun GranBud and Grammie Elaine had with Jaden, Emma and Avery on Friday, August 10, 2007! We went to the Miniature Pony Ranch outside Brenham, Texas. It was a hot day(about 97 degrees), but that certainly did not hinder us from taking the tour and petting, calling and admiring the ponies. What a fun time we had! GranBud got a little warm and decided to return to the car to catch some air conditioning, but we told him about all our ventures. Nothing could stop us!

Fun in the sun with the Suel grand daughters....

2007-08-17T23:46:00.000-07:00

GranBud and Grammie Elaine had so much fun with Emma, Jaden and Avery on Friday, August 10, 2007. We had the girls for the entire day!

Perhaps the Stire's new home in Albania?

2007-08-15T06:14:00.000-07:00

As Kris and Chelle went house hunting for a home suitable for their family needs, they were led to this one.

Don't you just love the freedom of color there in Albania?

This is a three story home with beautiful hardwood floors !

"Adaquate space for everyone" as Chelle describes it!

OK! We are on our way!

Won't you join the Stire's and us in prayer that God will give them His wisdom in this search?

Thank you!

And God bless you as well!

Take another look!

2007-08-08T19:25:00.001-07:00

I know these photos are a little dark but I am learning how to do this whole blogging thing--I am having fun!

We are so thankful to the Lord that despite some challenges, God has blessed us with great friends to assist in the completion.

We want to thank our dear friends, the Chandlers from Conroe, Texas; the Wascoms, the Lanes, the Reeves and the Greers all from Dallas. We love you!

Look at the Lovell Lodge!

2007-08-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

I trust you can see what has been done to our home!

Since this photo the ceiling of the porches have been put up and more finish trimming done.

The seven (7) porch fans are installed and are they ever wonderful when we sit outside.

See who is trying to learn to blog....

2007-08-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

Here I am in my office trying to master transferring photos from my files to my blog.

I find this a challenge, but then again, I will ALWAYS love a challenge!

Recent photo of the Stire family ministering in Albania.

2007-08-05T19:06:00.001-07:00

On July 11, Elaine's oldest daughter, Chelle, her husband, Kris and four grand daughters (from left to right), Kaitlyn, Sierra, Breanna (in Chelle's arms) and Whitney Stire left Montgomery, Texas for Tirana, Albania to serve for the advancement of the Church through leadership training at Southeastern Europe Theological Seminary. Please visit their blog at http://www.stiretestimonial.blogspot.com/ and learn all about what their latest activities have been. Learn about the intense heat wave that they have been experiencing there and how creatively they have been to keep their "cool". See my grand daughters new friends and the fun they have had on their family adventures. Although our hearts ache to see them and hug them, yet there is for us a peace and joy knowing that the Stire family is serving the Lord with hearts full of compassion and commitment to personal godliness and training of others to be like Jesus! On Monday, August 6, 2007, they are leaving for a few days of family time to Macedonia and the lake and town of Ohrid. Here is the most recent photo Chelle sent to us via e-mail on Sunday, August 5, 2007. Please remember them in your daily prayers. Thank you, my dear family and friends.

Memories & Best Friends are Forever....

2007-07-15T17:02:00.000-07:00

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

The Lovell Family Expanded

2007-07-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

The Bud and Elaine Lovell home was inhabited by one extremely wild black cat with emerald green eyes. This cat found her way into our attic and nested to give birth to 5 darling kittens! After weeks of regular feeding, gentle talking and patience the wild mother cat was tamed and her family has become an attraction to our home. We have named the mother cat, McMama, the kittens; McBlondie, McGressive, McTigee, McTimid and McRunt and rounded it all off as the McKitten Family! They have wrapped themselves around our hearts. They certainly have added to our daily activities. The Stire family was just here for a four day visit with us before going to Tirana, Albania and each of the 4 grand daughters mothered the kittens nearly non-stop. I will post photos of this precious event as soon as I get them! Right click on McMama and Me, select "Open link" and see all the photos up close and personal.

JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE!

2007-06-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

The photos you see here of the Somerville home are not current with the progress of it. Just you wait and see the most recent photos of the house. We have come a long way since we first began to restore Charles' (Bud's) homestead and our home.

2007-06-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

See the original house just to the left of the white double patio doors! Addition is the sun room, a second bathroom and Elaine's closet and office.

The Power of a Dream

2007-06-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

The Somerville home has come a long way from this picture.

Retired, Reluctant and Rejoicing

2007-06-21T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hi, Everyone, Here Charles ("Bud" to some of you) and I are in our new life of retirement in Somerville, Texas! We are standing in front of the Somerville Museum at a Veteran's Memorial Ceremony on March 3. On January 1, 2007, we began discovering what retirement meant. We found that retirement is a bit misleading. Webster's dictionary says "retirement" is "a withdrawing into seclusion; withdrawal from circulation; privacy". Charles and I did withdraw from active service of ministry in Dallas, Texas. There, at Cliff Temple Baptist Church, Charles served as the Minister of Music for 35 years, did regular hospital visitations and ministered to the heart needs of church members! I worked at David Clayton & Sons Funeral Home as Executive Administrator, sang in the choir, taught the "Every Woman" Sunday School class and participated with the "From The Father's Heart" prayer group at Cliff Temple Baptist Church. Our service of ministry was complete on Sunday, December 31, 2006! We moved from Duncanville, Texas in January, to Charles' hometown of Somerville, Texas, with the help of our dear friends from Cliff Temple and Elaine's mom, Dora McMahan, from Denver, Colorado. Retirement began....... As we began life in this new environment, we found that our minds were being challenged with the reality of what the sudden change from our stable time schedules and consistent requirements had been to absolutely no sense of time or calendar now meant. We would stare at each other, not knowing what to do next. Those of you who are retired will understand. Those of you who long for retirement will know the meaning of this one day. This was a freedom we had never experienced before. For the first few months we found that one minute we loved retirement, the next minute we did not know what to do with ourselves. We were reluctant to honestly answer anyone who asked,"Well, how is retirement?" because we had not figured it out yet. As the months have gone by, we have found that God has blessed us incredibly with retirement. We did not have to figure it out, He was going to show us. And show us, He has! We rejoice that we have the time and space to open our home to our family and friends. In the 6 months of our retirement we have hosted over 20 guests in our home to date which gave way to our naming our home - "The Lovell Lodge"! We rejoice that we have been able to participate in the renovations of the house, which are nearly completed, by being here as "hands on" home owners. We found this to be a necessity as well. What a story! We rejoice that we have wonderful neighbors on all sides of us. We rejoice that we have been recipients of wild life feeling free to take up residence in our attic. A family of possum had to be removed from their comfortable hiding place and then a wild kitten gave birth to 5 darling kittens there in the attic. The McKitten family; McMama, McBlondie, McGressive, McTigee, McTimid and McRunt are still with us, but not in the attic. They have taken up residence under the back porch and give Charles and me such joy watching their antics. The joy of it all is that loving a wild mother kitten beyond all odds has resulted in a tame, loving mother cat! We rejoice that Charles has been able to take on music ministries in area churches for music directors who need a Sunday away from their churches. Charles has enjoyed keeping the yard nicely mowed and manicured. He has even helped out one of our neighbors with their back lot. Every evening we take a drive to Lake Somerville, less than a mile from home, to watch the sunset and count the deer grazing in the fields. Oh, how grand retirement is! Charles makes it his duty to pick up the mail at the post office around 9:30 each morning. At that time, it seems as though the entire town of Somerville shows up and everyone catches up on the news of the town. Our porches are a delight as we sit rocking and watching life happen. Sometimes it is just the joy of feeling the evenings cool breeze and hearing the railroad trains pulling into town with their bells whistling! Even amid some of our reluctancy of retirement, we would have to say we are settling into the joy of this life and finding that it is quite nice. Oh, yes, I knew I needed the challenge and stimulation of life outside the walls of our home so I have accepted a position at the Citizens State Bank of Somerville. I will begin working full-time on July 23. One day we will share of how God has blessed us incredibly, in ways we never dreamed before!