CLARISSA'S CORNER

This past weekend, I enjoyed the "Best of Both Worlds"...time spent with both friends and family.

If it had been up to me, I might have just stayed at our Hickory Nut Falls bungalow - chilling out, resting and relaxing, sitting by the creek, watching the birds (and even a hummingbird), taking a gazillion pics of flowing water...but I would have missed out on so much more that the Lord had planned for my weekend!

You see it's like this: I have always been shy and not what you would call a "Social Butterfly". I'm happy with a good book and some music. However, the Lord has brought some friends into my like who have changed all of that - me and my outlook on life.
Sis. Margie, Sis. Deborah, and Sis. Erika, my North Carolina sister chicks, are three of these special ladies. I love our get-togethers! They just seem to think I'm the "coolest", "most organized", and a "Camera Queen" to top it off! Plus they are game for any adventure I can dream up!

We may only see each other a few times a year but we just pick up where our last visit left off! We always manage to have one adventure or another and there is always good food! One moment, we will be laughing so hard, tears will roll down our cheeks, then a few minutes later we will be all serious soaking up Sis. Margie's wisdom like an oasis in the desert. Oh, and no visit together is complete without a prayer meeting - no matter the location, when we join together in prayer, the sweet presence of the Lord just comes into the place ministering to needs with joy unspeakable. The friendship I share with this special group of ladies is definitely a "Heavenly Treasure"!

The other "Best" part of my weekend was time spent with my family! I have to see them, even if only for a few hours. I was thankful when plans changed and I was able to get an unexpected 2 1/2 days (woo-who!) with them! I am always amazed at how quickly the boys are growing and their interest seem to change from visit to visit. It's so hard to keep up with everybody. It was a special joy to hear Keagy talking up a storm! Chico, our newest member, is a tiny bundle of joy and Duke is Old Faithful.

When I'm hanging with my family, I can just relax, content to be accepted just as I am - Aunt Christy! I don't have to hang the moon or be something extra special (just pack a few surprises in my suitcase!) and I am still so loved! We can do what we want when we want...even if we just want to do nothing at all! Just sit around the living room, watching the boys play and taking pictures! (They love this attention!) Now, some may call this BORING! But I don't think so!!! I so enjoy not having a "Plan"...being spontaneous and together!

So there you have it...a prelude to the upcoming "My Weekend Away" Blogs! Don't worry...I will be sharing more complete with pictures! I would say most of you cannot even begin to guess how many pictures the "Click Chicks" gathered this past weekend! Honestly, the actual number is a little embarrassing and a lot of hard work to sort since there was absolutely nothing boring about this vacation!!! Keep watchin' for more posts soon!

Joy 2 u! ~ C ~

Last night, Jeanette and I went shopping for "all" of those last minute vacation essentials. After several hours of shopping, a large Donatos pizza, and a cherry Icee, I think we were exhausted and the sugar in the Icee went straight to our heads. How else can you explain two gals taking pictures on the kids rides at the mall? And for the record, this time, the pictures were Jeanette's idea!!



I am so ready for this long weekend away..I know there will be lots of laughter with friends, good food, the Phantom of the Opera (so exciting - my first opera) plus I get to see my brother and his family. There will be waterfalls, lakes, cityscapes, mountains galore, shopping, and ocean waves. What more can you ask for in a vacation? So, hopefully, there will be plenty of blogs along the way!!

Anticipating Adventure...Blessings to you! "C"

As I was looking through pictures preparing for my Father's Day tribute, I came to an unsettling realization: I have very few pictures of me with my parents, even as a child. I have thousands of pictures of nature, sights around the world, special occasions like birthdays and holidays but very few individual photos of just me and my mom or my dad. How could that be!! So, I made up my mind (family members - please don't say I didn't warn you) there will be more posed family photo shoots!!!


And I have already started...Father's Day! Celebrating dad, taking him out to eat, opening presents, spending time together, everyone all dressed up...the perfect setting for pictures!

What about you? Do you have any pictures you need to take? Don't put it off until tomorrow...start today...right now!! Time slips by so quickly.

Until next time...joy 2 u! "C"

In a world where there is seemingly a great lack of true fathers, or even mentoring father figures, I count myself very blessed. So I would like to take a moment to tell you about the "Fathers" in my life.

My dad, Clyde Buster Hodge, is a great example in all the roles of life of just what a father, husband, pastor, provider, employee, and now grandfather should be. One of several children growing up in the coal mining towns of Southeastern Kentucky, he knows what it is like to grow up poor, to do without (and not even know you are doing without), to be hungry and to make sacrifices. Maybe this is the reason he can identify so well with the needs and people of our small town, especially the youth on the streets.

He proudly served his country in the Army overseas during the Vietnam War. Being drafted was quite an experience for this country boy. One moment he was getting on a bus in Cincinnati with no idea he was actually being drafted. Then a few hours later calling his mom from Fort Knox, Ky as a member of the military. His travels to New York City and Germany have made him leery of plane rides to this day. The next time he wants to fly is to his Heavenly Home.

My dad has always been a worker...sometimes working two jobs and attending Bible school. No matter the job, whether on a construction site, in a factory or at the Depot, he never complains. Even around home, he is always busy..piddling around the garage, cutting firewood, transplanting the garden, or working on one craft or another. His most recent favorite pastime is making Kentucky Skeeters.

But, even more importantly, my dad has been called to be a Preacher and a Pastor. He has a desire to see the Lord move mightily in lives and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has driven buses, taught Sunday School, preached on the streets, even donned the costume of K. C. the Kentucky Klown. Most recently, this love for the Lord has even meant riding a Skateboard just to keep it "Real" for the youth. (I don't know if he has recovered yet but can you put a price tag on eternity?) We are never surprised when he says he's going to run to church to turn on the heat or air...this just means he is going to spend sometime with the Lord praying, seeking his will and studying. Hardly a Sunday afternoon goes by without finding him with his Bible out searching for the Word to encourage his congregation.

Some of my favorite memories are traveling with my family whether it was camping, on vacation, or church conferences all over. My dad has always been supportive of his kids and our latest 'thing': who can be the first kid to see the Indy Speedway or hey let's drive to Nashville in the morning to see a Mime program! Thanks for being such a great support! I love you, Dad!

Not only a great father, he is also now privileged to be called Grandpa by three precious little boys. Needless to say these guys have Grandpa wrapped around their little fingers.

Speaking of these guys brings me to another Dad who deserves notable mention: My brother, Kevin. My brother and I are as different as night and day but how many sisters have a brother who will change her flat tire after a long day at work and while still on call. Every time I watch him interact with his boys, I am filled with awe. I used to worry that he would work "too much" and miss the "moments" of the boys' childhood years. So it does my heart good to see him fishing with the boys, crabbing in the canal, playing basketball,(or baseball or soccer), enjoying a rousing game of UNO or Candyland, or just snuggling up watching a movie together. I am so proud of you, Kevin! Happy Father's Day!

Both of my grandfathers passed away when I was only a babe. So growing up, Kevin and I were surrounded by Great Uncles who filled in the gap. Granny's brothers: Uncle Joe, Uncle Robert, Uncle Eli, and Uncle Nelson were all special to us. But my Uncle Joe was probably the closest to being a grandfather figure to us. I have lots of memories of evenings spent eating Chef Boy R D pizza and watching Dukes of Hazard, Hee Haw and "Who Shot JR?" or fishing at Evas. Uncle Joe was a wonderful bluegrass musician playing the guitar and mandolin. Oh, and he was quite particular about just how his cut should be cut. But perhaps my most precious memories are the Sunday mornings I was privileged to take him and Aunt Dorothy to church. It was a sacrifice but I've never regretted the early mornings and long drives. Although sick and unable to drive himself, he still desired to worship and enjoy the sweet fellowship of being in church.

Being a good dad in this day and hour requires wisdom from above, a healthy dose of discipline, unending love and a great deal of patience. So to all the men reading my blog, whether a father or a son, I pray you will be honored this weekend.

But before I close this post, I must confess that although I am richly blessed, my life has been surrounded by those who were not and are not as fortunate to have a dad like mine. Maybe your father has passed away and the loss is deeply felt on this celebrated day. Or perhaps your dad has forsaken, failed and disappointed your family, abusing the title of Father, and you want to skip this day altogether. I would like to tell you of our Heavenly Father who sees just where you are today and He Cares for YOU! He is not one untouched by our cares but the One who bears our burdens. He not only wants to see you succeed and dream big, He has even bigger desires for you. He formed your life. He has been with you through every moment, through every tear and every heartache. I pray that you will not judge him by the choices of your earthly father but give him a chance to show you the love of a Real Father. I pray you will come to know Him as the One who loved you so much that He came, He died, He rose again and He has prepared a Place for You with Him for all Eternity.

May you find peace in the Saviour...until next time! "C"

FABULOUS!!! Breathtaking!! Inspiring! Heart Touching! From the first harmonious note to the last slide of the fiddle, the ladies of Celtic Woman, their backup singers and musicians gave an awesome performance. Every time I heard the "next song", I said, "This one is my favorite" and then another would begin. I just couldn't get enough!

As everyone knows by now, I have a great love for fiddle music and this pixie-like dancing fiddler is one of the Best! She has such high energy that you are caught up with her in the excitement of the music. (I still have not figured out how her long golden hair did not get all tangled up in the strings - I can only imagine if I tried that!!) I sure hope there are some fiddlers and bagpipers in heaven. I so enjoyed the words of hope, encouragement, and affirmation heard throughout the evening. There were love songs for the romantic such as True Colors and Have I Told You Lately (that I love you) which were endearing. Sail away, Sail away is one of those "catchy" tunes that you find yourself humming ALL NIGHT LONG!

But the special tribute to America for accepting the "Celtic Woman" into our hearts and homes followed by "You Raise Me Up" was just stupendous. Here is a link to the video on Youtube so you can share the moment with us. Don't forget...you may need to pause the player to hear this video!



Then, just when we thought we could stand no more, we were privileged to share in an encore...three more songs! Who saves the best to last? But it was Awesome! (I just adore artists who preform encores...it feels like they have the desires of the patrons at heart!)

Of course, no Girl's Night Outing is complete without food! I mean Really! So we had dinner at Chick-Fil-A and a Fruista Freeze for a late night snack. Those Strawberry and Pina Colada flavors are so addicting! Beware! :) I am so thankful and complete blessed to have shared this wonderful evening of music, memories, and peals of contagious seemingly unending giggle sessions with the best of my friends, Jeanette and Anissa.

Until my next adventure..God Bless you is my Prayer! ~C~