Mom's 90th Birthday

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Dean and his brothers planned a wonderful cruise for their mother on her 90th birthday! We began in Boston and loaded onto a ship, The Jewel of the Seas, to head north. With stops in Portland Maine, Rockland Maine, St. John and Halifax Canada, we cruised, ate lobster, shopped, ate lobster, saw Reversing Tides, ate lobster... You get the picture.. I will attach a scrapbook to give you a clearer picture. What a wonderful time with the most precious of memories.

After the cruise, many of her grandchildren and great - grandchildren surprised her in Georgia. She had a great time!

We are so blessed to have her in our lives and have the chance to spoil her...

One Halluva Weekend

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The games began early Saturday with golf and basketball events. I must admit, Bill and Johanna attacked the competition with a vengeance, or at least, great outfits and attitudes!! They picked up so many spirit points they were hard to catch!!

Golfing events started the morning off.... The closest to the fountain event produced an unexpected winner with a most unusual technique...Greg, who had never played golf, copied Sonia's (Johanna's sister), who had also never played, ball skipping technique. In the long drive, David's golfing expertise showed through, even with his pirate eye patch handicap!(Note the judge hiding behind a tree!!) Another surprising winner came in the chipping (tossing) event..Aliah, Sonia and Aladeen's daughter, used excellent form to take the medal!

The group moved to the basketball court for the next session, along with their cheering section. One of the most amazing things to me was how many competitors there were in all events..from golf to scrapbooking. The basketball event was shooting to 29 (92 reversed, for Daddy's birthday). It was a close competition with Greg winning, and David and Bill placing and showing!

Then, it was up to the house for lunch and cooling off, plus the start of the indoor events. These included scrapbooking pages, orange slice sculpting, and WII target shooting. Greg came in strong for WII shooting, Diana won the scrapbook page, and Sonia, Aladeen and Ameer won the Diana Miller honorary orange slice medal!!    

Daddy also had a book "signing" while we were up at the house. For those of you who have spent time around our Daddy, you know that he is a virtual king of limericks and jokes..for instance, Daddy once promised Mama that he would make her famous...she wasn't exactly thinking of her caricature on a sack of fertilizer!! The book is full of all the stories and limericks that made his grandchildren laugh until they cried!!

Then, it was off to the pool, where we had an underwater swim, diving for smurfs...a cousin favorite, treading water, and a dress and pose competition ( inspired by Adam's famous gymnastics dismount pose). Though we had to postpone the last couple due to lightning...Bill, Johanna, and David finished up the events strong!!

Finally, the cooks went to work. There was so much food, I haven't had to eat again, yet!! From a Peruvian potato dish, by Sonia...to an okra dish cooked by our resident "Yankee", Ted...to Mim's Banana Pudding (a real Hall Reunion favorite)...to Susan's bean casserole (her mother's recipe)... to Bill's special ribs..to Margaret's grape salad...to my Potato sald..to Karen's veggie platter..to Johanna's carrot cake( her friend's)..to...well, I could go on and on, but it is making me full again..

After a wonderful dinner, we presented the grand prizes for the events. As you can tell from the pictures, we had a great opportunity to recycle some trophies, and one toilet seat for this occasion! Though rain had taken away the other outside events, we went back to our first family gathering at Bill and Johanna's...Karen definitely had the participation, wins, and attitudes for that trophy. Though the competition for the overall was fierce, David Miller walked away with the "trophy"!

So, our celebration and reunion ended with exhaustion from so much FUN!!! We hope we will be able to meet again, soon....Thank you Bill and Johanna for putting into action, a plan to get this family together  more often!! We do have so much fun. AND Happy Birthday, Daddy...a magnificent 92!!

One Halluva Weekend

Mim, Margaret, Susan, Andie, and Dianna

Day 1 of the Hall reunion/Daddy's birthday celebration (92)...we voted froma wonderful list of names on the title of the event. We chose from : 1. Sweet Willie Palooza 2. Willie Wanna Games 3. Wild Willie's Weekend or W3 4. One Halluva Weekend 5. The Hall olympics 6. Sweet Willie's Teaberry Shuffle 7. Willie Nillie Weekend 8. Willie's 92nd Bash.

Da da Da!!.. The winner, with 11 out of 13 votes is (drumroll) .... One Halluva Weekend. This was submitted by grandson, David Miller, (Mim's son). Soo.... David has one the first event of many games...Let us hope that he does not boast nor brag...as that will cost him dearly in Spirit Points!!!

Dean, Jack, Ted and David

We will almost all of us together tomorrow...Bill and Johanna, Johanna's sister, Sonia, husband and two children  (from Tampa) will be here tonight, and Greg and Karen will be here tomorrow (from Tallahassee). Let us not forget the dogs of the family....ours: Baxter....David and Dianna's , Lloyd...Bill and Johanna's, Lola, and Greg and Karen's two..Jake and Kora!!!

Tomorrow....Let the games begin for One Halluva Weekend!!

Holy Land Day 7

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This day started earlier, as we were headed to the lowest area on Earth..The Dead Sea, which is 1200 feet below sea level. On the way, we passed by the city of Jericho. Jericho's distinction, other than the stories we know about from the Bible, is that it is the oldest inhabited city in the world. It has been inhabited by someone from over 7,000 years ago through present day. Next visit, I hope we will be able to stop in Jericho.

Then, we proceeded to the farthest point, the historical site called Masada. This place is a disconnected mountain with only two ways up..the winding snake path, and a cable car. We took the cable car!! At the top, you will find ruins of another fabulous palace built by Herod. This would have been a home used in the winter to protect his family from his many enemies.

Masada, however has a much more interesting story. Seems that over 900 Zealots from Jerusalem and surrounding areas made their last stand against Rome in 73 AD. They escaped Jerusalem and made their way to this isolated and protected fortress, which had been a well designed palace, complete with an intricate water system, large cisterns, storerooms, and supplies.
With only one way up the mountain, they were able to spend months, if not years, keeping the large Roman Legion who followed them there at bay. The story is told that when the Romans finally completed a "ramp" which breached the fortress, the group decided to draw lots; fathers would kill their own families, and 11 men would take care of the rest. They did not want to become slaves and decided that dying would be a better answer.
The Isareli Army, today, still gives their oath of service on the top of Masada. The oath basically says that they will fight to the death, so that they will never become slaves to anyone again. Patrick Henry must have even heard about Masada...

We left Masada and headed for Qumeran. This is the location of the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Imagine a Bedouin shepherd, tossing a stone into a cave, hearing a breaking sound, and discovering the scrolls. Thankfully he took them to the shoemaker I described earlier, who knew what to do. The Isaiah scroll was found almost completely intact. Note to self...on our day off tomorrow, we will go to the museum which houses the scrolls.

Finally, many of our Pilgrims got to float in the Dead Sea. Andie was not one of them, but Dean just had to get his swimmer self in that salt water. The Dead Sea has no life, because it is around 33% salt. It was the first time I have seen Dean float, and his feet were not under water. There are 28 other minerals in the sea, and even Cleoptra noticed the skin secrets in these minerals. There are still products produced today that are in great demand from the Dead Sea...yes, I did get a lovely Lavender Scrub. Dean says I have to carry and pack that 8 pound jar of salt!!

Though this day was hot, and we were in the lowest of lows, once more, the learning continued. I loved the story of Masada, and completely understood why a young man was having his Bar Mitzvah at the top of this intiguing mountain.

We passed  many Bedouin villages on our way back to Jerusalem.

They live such an austere existence...

Holy Land Day 6 Jerusalem

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The "old city" is divided into three sections...a small Christian section,
the Jewish section, and the Muslim section, which houses the beautiful Dome of the Rock.

We began this day at the West Wall of Herod's Temple...at least what is left of this magnificent temple. You know this better as The "Wailing Wall" or the Jews' Holy of Holies. Immediately the ladies separate from the men and each pray and tuck prayers into crevices in the wall.

Though the Israeli control this land, the Muslims hold the prominent structures atop the uppermost part of the area. One is a mosque left when the Crusaders were driven out of Jerusalem. This left many questions as to what happened to the Ark of the Covenant. Non- Muslims are not even able to visit the Mosque at this time.

Neither is any non Muslim able to enter the Dome of the Rock. This beautiful sctructure is not a mosque, but a Muslim Holy Place that commemorates where Abraham ascended into Heaven. Jews also recognize this place as where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac, and the large rock is covered by this structure. They are saying that next year, the Dome will open its doors to visitors.

From there, we walked to the Pools of Bethesda, which have long since been dry. In Jesus' time it was a large spring area and pools for cleaning of animals, purification for people, and healing waters for the sick. This is where Jesus performed the Miracle of healing the man who had been afflicted for over 38 years. Here, at this site, Pastor Sydney annointed those of us who were asking for healing for ourselves and others. During the annointing 3 Nigerians walked up to Dean and asked if they could also be annointed by our Pastor...what a moment for all of us...especially, Dean. I believe this was his God moment on this trip.

We went into St. Anne's Church, to sing like angels. I have never heard acoustics like that place. After a visit down into the ancient pools, and ruins of the church that once covered them...it was on to the Via Dolorosa.

We passed the Triumphal Arch which has been completely sealed by the Muslims, and by St. Stephen's Gate, which was the site of the stoning of Stephen. Through this smaller gate, the Christians of today can enter the city on during their Palm Sunday celebrations.

Then, it was the Via Dolorosa, or at least where we are to remember His walk. I must admit, that the narrow road could definitely have been the path, but it was so hard to continue remembering, because of the noise of the Muslim marketplace, and the extravagances of the churches that cover the spots. The Holy Sepulchchre Church housed the stone that was supposed to be the one where they laid Jesus, when he was taken from the cross. It is annointed each day with oil, and can be touched and prayed over by visitors.

When we arrived at the Garden Tomb, it was easier to visualize this spot as Golgotha. It would have faced the Damascus Road, which would have been extremely busy at that time. The Romans would have wanted the crucifixions to be very visible, and this place would suffice, plus the mountain resembled a skull.

Also, the garden tomb was the right distance away. With the existence of the wine press, and a large cistern, the "working" garden (vineyard) could point to this being the actual tomb. We held communion there, and meditated in this beautiful spot.

The most memorable moments of today came at the Pools of Bethesda. Jesus asks us, "Are you ready to be healed?" Well...are we? Are we ready to leave behind the things that hold us to this world? All we have to do is say.."Heal me, Lord"...He will, and our lives will never be the same, again.

Holy Land Day 5

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Important thing learned today..3 major religions view the Mount of Olives as the beginning of the last days:
Christians believe that Jesus will appear here the second time.
Jews believe that the Messiah will come the first time.
Muslims believe that Mohammed will appear here.

My Father let this cup pass from me...Yet not my will but Thine be done.

Holy Land Day 4

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I will not be able to come up with enough words to express the overwhelming emotions we are feeling as we continue our tour. Plus, we continue to read more and more scripture, hearing the traditions, which help us to understand even more about this place...

We began the day in Cana of Galilee...you know the story. The site of Jesus' first miracle was at the wedding, probably of one of his relatives, as he was approached by his mother to handle the problem of not enough wine.

Six couples renewed their vows in this place. I must admit that after 40 years of being married to Dean, I have never felt any more blessed, than to be able to repeat that I would love and cherish him...forever.

We then left Galilee, drove the hills of Samaria and into the hills of Judea. We stopped in Nazareth and visited many churches and museums. Churches are generally built over or near the sites that are believed to be important places in the life of Jesus. Nazareth was no different. We visited Mary's Grotto (her home as a child), where Gabriel informed her of her future. Artifacts and even ancient grafitti (Carvings in the stones) are all ways that archeologists make these sites a probable match. The huge Church of the Anunciation is the largest church in the Middle East. It's property covers (literally) most of the village of Nazareth. Excavation, continues, and we visited what could have been Jesus' childhood home after the family's return from Egypt.

We piled back on the bus and headed for Jerusalem. Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel is HUGE!!! 1 million residents..80% Jewish and 20% Muslim (holding Israeli passports). We decided to go on to Bethlehem for a lunch and a short shopping opportunity, before returning to our hotel in Jerusalem. There is a border complete with soldiers and guns at the checkpoint...one way in..one way out. You leave the beauty and affluence of Jerusalem to enter the poverty of Bethlehem. The unemployment stands between 30 and 40%. Sam has Christian friends who have a great sandwich shop (The Christmas Tree??), where I had my second delicious Falafel. Then Bassam and Sam have friends who operate a shop specializing in jewelry and olive wood carvings.

After the shopping, we were greeted by independent entrepreneurs, ladened with bags and shawls and beads and fluffy camels and flutes. Though they were not allowed to enter the bus, they would pass their bargains up to one of the riders, and we would sell for them. What a hoot...We ended up with more wonderful bargains, which we of course, did not need...

As we crossed back over the border to Jerusalem, two young, smiling, gun toting soldiers glanced at our passports and we got to go on to our hotel.

The lessons remembered from today?? They come from Cana and Jesus' first miracle. The guests who came late to the wedding feast received the very best wine..not the tradition. The message? It is never too late to accept Jesus' amazing love and grace...you will still get the very BEST!