The China

Today was china sorting day. The day when the stacks and stacks of mismatched china plates went into boxes to be used on our wedding day, just 38 days from now.
The first set of china I pulled out was my grandma's. And I started to cry.
It hit me that my Granny would miss out on our big day. She wouldn't be sitting in the front row with a corsage or get to make a big deal about what she would wear. All that I have of her is her china. For that, I am ever so grateful. Her china plates are simple, much like my Granny was. No flowers or embellishments. What you see, is what you get. And while she won't be there to laugh when I ask her to dance. Her memory will linger with us all day. And as I sit surrounded by my best friends, we'll do what my Gran loved best. We'll eat. Off her dishes.

Cousins

I have the best cousins ever! They make me laugh and they are here for me when I need to cry. They gently remind me of who I am and where I come from.
M is my closest older cousin, in age as well as in relationship. He and image like brother and sister. He has this saying that has stood with me since college. Anytime something upsetting or bad happens he says,"Sister, God is in the interruptions in life."
These last few months and especially the last few days have been full of interruptions. So, I'm listening. I think God is about to say something big.

You are cordinally invited to...live life.

Often times we ask God to show us a sign. To give us a hint that we are following the right path. Sometimes that can be an encouraging word, or a random road sign that we notice for the first time in years. For me, it was a spoken word at a dinner table.

Many of you have probably read my recent post about Jeffrey interviewing at a church in Fresno, CA. 

If not, you should read it because I lay a lot of things out on the table there!

Short story is, I was feeling really jealous because I thought J was about to change our plan based on his friends decisions. That was completely wrong! In the weekend that followed God saw fit to hand me not just a street sign, but a personalized invitation...

J headed to Fresno on a Thursday, stopped by the beach and 

found a $3,000 Cartier watch in the water, ~that's another story entirely. 

When he got to Fresno, with his friend Nate and Nate's brand new fiancé, they were treated like royalty. They met the mayor, hung out with Brian and Katie Torwalt, took tours of the city, went to worship nights and finally had one last dinner with the Pastor and his wife, who also happens to be the mayor. 

It was during that lunch that the pastor told J this story....

A few months before a friend of the Pastor's had felt that God was showing him the person who would be the missing link for reaching hundreds of youth in Fresno. The church has a club, called Retro, that they run for youth of the city. They have local bands come in and serve the kids food and just let them have a good time in a safe environment. But they can't quite figure out how to get those kids into church the next morning or even how to get them to show up for any kind of "church" event. The church has been seeking anyone with a vision for young people and evangelism to offer a solution to this problem.

 This man, who operates in the spiritual gift of Prophecy, saw a young couple, he felt they would be under 30 and newly married, as the missing link for the kids of Retro. 

This couple, especially the husband, he felt would be influential in seeing the youth of Fresno radically transformed. And in turn, those youth would transform the city. 

Now I know what you're thinking. 

"Well H that could be a lot of couples."

And then the pastor said this,

"He told me the guy he saw was bald and had a beard. That's you isn't it?"

I wish I could have seen the look on J's face when he said to the Pastor,

"Yea, that's me." 

In that moment, I was more sure of our move to Fresno, than anything else that we had planned. I was sure God was holding out a personalized invitation with our names on it. It simply said.

 Go.  

And Go we will. 

Ruby

This is my granny's ruby ring. She and my grandpa lived on a farm and worked hard to make ends meat. She worked at a cabinet factory when my momma was little. Sometime in her marriage my grandpa bought her this ruby ring. When she passed away in July- almost a year ago- this was what she left me.
One night as J and I were talking about my wedding ring he said. What if we used your grandma's ring? I was so excited. I still have no idea how we'll go from flower ring to vintage wedding band. But come October 13th we'll know. And as he slips that ring on my finger I'll be happy that even though she's not there in person, granny will be there in ruby ring form :-)

Salvation Army China

About a month ago, my parents and I headed down to Southaven MS to my sister's house. I know. Most of you just said,"I didn't know you had a sister?!" Well I do! I actually have 3half siblings; 2 sisters and a brother. I'm the baby ;-)

Anyway, my nephew was playing in a ball tournament so my parents when I see him and I tagged along. While we were waiting on the games to begin, mom and I headed to a few stores in search of some china.

We found these two patterns at The Salvation Army! They were all sat out on a table, just begging to be purchased! So we did! We left Memphis with a trunk full of plates! And one happy nephew- who happened to win his tourney.

Cemetery travels

I love cemeteries. Maybe it's because I visited them often when I was a little kid. Mostly I think they are peaceful reminders of life. My aunties and mom and I like to visit them every so often. Today we went to visit my Granny and Papaw's grave. As well as my Uncle Jaw's and even my Great Grandpa Brazier.
I think there's something peaceful about a place where you can think about how someone lived their life. I think cemeteries are a peaceful reminder of the heritage we all have. Each one of us is a piece of a heritage; one that comes before and one that we will leave behind.
Today, on Memorial Day when we honor those who gave so much, I visited my Great Grandpa Brazier's grave for the first time. He was a man who I never got to meet. The man who I have to thank for my red hair. He fought in World War II and came home an alcoholic. But in his later days he was around to buy my momma hula hoops and be her best friend. He is the reason my momma cries at the sound of Taps, because he was buried on a January day with full military honors.
His grave is out back of the farm I knew as my Grandparent's only home, yet today was the first time I climbed the hill to see where he was laid to rest.
I've heard it say that the most important thing on your tombstone is the dash between the numbers, because that's where your life was lived. I hope I live my life so that one day my great grandchildren will see the heritage I've left them and be thankful for it.

Failure-not an option.

Let's be truthful. Everyone likes to succeed. No one likes to hear that they aren't good enough. But sometimes we let a few people dictate how good we are at something and that can alter our lives forever.
Some of you may remember a few years ago when I started blogging while I lived in Washington DC. I probably talked one of two times about how I was told I might need to consider a new career.
But what I hid from most people was the real reason I didn't stay in DC. I didn't stay because they said I "wasn't good enough". It's not that I hated the jobs, although they were somewhat boring. It was that the people in charge of me told me I wasn't good enough. And I believed them.

So I came home, went to Nashville and interpreted. Dreading each day because I "wasn't good enough". I finally got my new job in Paducah, with a sweet kid who didn't really know if I was good enough or not. Let's face it, first grade conversations aren't that hard to interpret.

When Jeffrey and I started talking about moving to Cali, I was over come with a huge sense of "not good enough". I tried to hide it from him by proclaiming that I wanted to go back to school (which I might still do) because I didn't like to interpret. When in reality, I believed I "wasn't good enough" to interpret in a big city.
At least once a day I was haunted with that feeling of failure. The feeling of not being chosen to work full time in DC.

Jeffrey quietly let me talk about new careers and dreams. Until last night. He finally said to me. "Han, the gift you have is too special for your to run away from it. I refuse to let you be so scared of failure that you don't walk in the gift God placed within you. When we move, you can work wherever you want, but I want you to be involved with deaf people. I want you to try again, because all you've lost is your confidence. I want you to try again, because if you'd let yourself feel it, you know that interpreting is exactly what you were called to do."

There I was 2,000miles away from him and he knew exactly what had happened. Three years ago I let one person tell me a lie, and for three years I believed it. I convinced myself that I "wasn't good enough". When God tells me that through Him I can do anything.

When we move to Fresno, I can't interpret until I take a really expensive test. So I'll find another job for a while, but my goal for 2013 is to take my National Interpreting test. Who knows, in the course of this next year I might find that I like being in the deaf community but not interpreting.
But from this day forward I refuse to let one person, from three years ago, dictate who I am today. I refuse not to try again. If I try and fail, at least I did it on my own terms. At least I gave it one more shot. But I don't believe God placed such a unique gift in me, for it not to be used to impact some people.

I am so thankful for an amazing future husband who sees the gold in me and calls it forth. I Hope that if you have allowed someone to dictate who and what they think you are, instead of what God sees you as, you realize it soon. He only wants the best for us. And failure, is not an option!

The Best Friend Story...

This is what I'm calling "The Best Friend China". What a story it holds.  My Best Friend-Dena's mom Cathy headed out on the 100 Mile Yard Sale today, this amazing set of china, along with it's amazing story found her along the way. She called me to tell me the story, and now I'll share it with you. 

Cathy spotted this beautiful 8 piece setting at a random yard somewhere on the route. When she and the lady who was selling it were putting it in the car, the seller commented that Cathy had come prepared. Cathy had packed some boxes and newspaper to keep the dishes safe on the way home! Cathy told her about me, her daughter's best friend, and our plans for The Wedding China.
The lady who was selling the china then said to Cathy. "This china belonged to my best friend. She died of a brain aneurism and left her china to my daughter. My daughter never used it and when she told me she was selling it, I've been sad all day. But my best friend would have been so happy to know that such a happy celebration was coming out of a situation that was so sad." 

WOW! What a blessing for our wedding day. A true reminder that God always knows the perfect plan!

 

Green...

"Oh, she's just jealous..." "..Green with Envy..." 

Most of the time this is a word that we use in passing, usually said with a joking accent, usually directed a someone's longing of your clothes, hair or style. But how often do we really allow envy or jealousy to seep into our minds and hearts? Proverbs tell us to "guard your heart, for out of it flow the issues of life."  I have heard this phrase too often, and too often I have passed it by. Never thinking that I would allow something to affect my life in that way...

The past few weeks have been hard for me. The stress of trying to decide what we are doing after October, getting my stuff moved, finding a summer job and deciding not to return to my interpreting job in the fall, and J trying to decide on an Internship, had taken it's toll.

And I found myself becoming snappier, less patient and less loving. Especially toward J.

He probably noticed this, but in true J fashion, he said nothing.

 Until that Sunday. 

I was driving home from my parent's house, and we began to hash out some things that were on our mind. I had been upset because in my mind J didn't need me to make the decision on where to go for his internship. Staying in Redding was safe. We knew the area, we knew people, he had a job. Safe.  But just a few days before,he and his friend Nate had met with a Pastor from Fresno.  Fresno, in my mind, was not safe. We knew nothing about the area, had no one, no jobs...

J's solution was to inform me that if Nate and his fiance didn't go, then we wouldn't either.  I heard, "You can't make a decision like this, so I'll just follow Nate, and you will have to be happy." That isn't what he said. He simply meant that if we had no community, no connection to anyone who believe the same way we did, we would stay in Redding. This was him looking out for me, I didn't see it that way. I became jealous.

Guard. Your. Heart.

I didn't realize it until about 3 weeks later, Monday of this week to be exact. I was driving down Hinkleville Rd, going to the mall, listening to NPR; when the announcer said something about the "envy of the American people."  And it hit me. I was Envious. Insanely Jealous. Of my fiance's friends.

 I had become jealous of the relationships J had in Redding. The bond he had formed with these friends over the past 2 years was something I don't have. These are guys who spend every moment together, they stay up late discussing their view on things like Grace and healing. They are forever friends. Friends that J would follow to the ends of the earth. Friends that he trust to help him make life changing decisions. *Which is actually good, now that I think of it*

In my jealous mind, Nate and J were making the decisions. I was left to follow him and "trust" that he had it all figured out.

I immediately began to remember how I felt when he would call and say they were going somewhere or hanging out. I immediately began to feel horrible about the way I'd been treating him. For 3 weeks I had made catty remarks about him being with his friends. I would hang up immediately if he told me he was the slightest bit busy.

Guard. Your. Heart.  

For almost a month I let jealousy flow out of my heart. Jealousy robs you of your love. It takes away your caring nature. It eats at you. I began to notice what things made me jealous.

Then tonight, I noticed that even though he is surrounded by amazing friends, J still needs me. 

He's headed to Fresno this weekend to see and make sure that's where we need to be. 

He has Saturday free. Nate and his fiance have each other. 

J simply said, "I'll be here alone."  Which was his way of reminding me, he still needs me.

Guard. Your. Heart

If you're like me, and are noticing that you are beginning to feel this way towards someone or something. Just simply stop. Remember that through Jesus, on the cross, we have everything. He understood that you would be jealous at this moment in time. He knows that you are better than that. He has Grace to help you be better than a jealous person.

Let's face it- being "green with envy" doesn't look good on anyone.

Away.

Some times living thousands of miles away from your finance is hard. Some days it's not bad, some days it feels like your heart is being ripped out. This week is one of those weeks.
In the last two weeks J has graduated from 2nd Year, had a grad party, gotten a new job, gone to I baby dedication. And I have missed it al. It hardest to know that he's there with his friends having a blast and knowing that you could be there too, if only you didn't live 2,200 miles across the country.

This has definitely been a few weeks of choosing to love, even when you don't feel it. I would love nothing more than to be more than a name at these events and parties. But right now that isn't possible. And quite frankly- it sucks!
I just keep reminding myself that in 145 days- none of this will matter.

Operation Wedding China:plates from my adopted Momma.

Momma Cathy is Dena's momma.

I met Dena in college at John A Logan. She was and still is my life saver! She and I were inseparable. Even though we are separated by quite a few states, several hundred miles, and at least 14 hours- we're still best friends. Momma Cathy has been so gracious to me in the last 6 years that Dena and I have been friends; giving me a place to sleep, food to eat and loving me as her own.
When we started the hunt for the Wedding China, she quickly jumped on board. These were the first plates that she purchased for me. They are also the first dinner plates we had that featured colors other than pink! If you know me, you understand why this is such a big deal!!
The second pattern is what I and Momma C are calling "the DC plates".
When I moved to Washington DC almost three years ago I had some rough days. Days where all I wanted to do was give up and come home. I still have emails Momma Cathy sent to encourage me. I know, without a doubt that she was praying for me everyday. The spring I lived in DC Dena got to come visit me, right when the blossoms were starting to bloom.

I love the cherry blossom pattern on these plates because they remind me of the city I love. And that while the sorrow and pain may endure for a little while, joy and beauty always follows.

These plates will serve as a reminder at our wedding of people who, although aren't bound by blood, love us just the same!!

The Haviland.

This is the Haviland China. The dishes that started it all.
About a month ago I was talking to my mom about plates for my wedding in October. We had settled on white square plastic ones when I said,"if I had all the money in the world, I would want all different kinds of china plates.." To which my mom said,"ok, let's do it!"
I was shocked, and quite frankly I didn't think she was serious! But she was. Within a few days she had decided that if we spent no more that $2 a plate, it would be the same amount of money as buying plastic plates.
So the search began. This was the first piece of china purchase for our wedding. My daddy bought it. At the time we thought he over paid for just a few dinner plates. But when he got them home we found out there was almost a complete service. Meaning not only did he buy plates, he also bought lunch plates, bowls, teacups and saucers, a few platters and some teeny tiny finger bowls!!
He was very excited! Then he started researching his find. Let's just say that only grown ups get to sit at the table with the Haviland China!! Haha!

In the past month we have collected almost 90 plates! Not only is this a fun adventure for my mom and dad but some of our friends have gotten on board too.
In the next few months I will be posting about the different people who are helping make my wedding dreams come true, one mismatched plate at a time!

Light. Dark.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it.

John 1:5

Darkness and Light. Two polar opposites. One cannot exist where the other lives. There can not be both darkness and light in the same place. There can be light with shadow, but never light and darkness.

In the past few weeks I have come to appreciate the fact that God promises that no matter how dark the situation the darkness can never stand when the light is turned on. 

For many years I have lived in the view of what I thought was pure light. Only to realize in the last few weeks that the light was actually shadow. Not complete darkness, but a covering of how bright the light could have been. In the presence of shadow, fear and deception grows. How many times have we felt uneasy in a shadowed room than in a completely dark room? 

The shadow of what could have been pure blinding light, is worse than seeing pure darkness. Because shadows are deceptive. They mask things and make them seem as though they are something they are not. 

But yet, the Bible tells us that we can abide in the Shadow of the Almighty.  So just as there is good darkness. There are good shadows. Some times they are a covering for our eyes to adjust.  A covering for our hearts and spirits to get adjusted to what we are about to see. Like how you always wish someone would warn you before flipping on the light after you have sat in a darkened room too long. 

The Shadow of the Almighty is a covering. A pure and priceless gift given by the Father to protect us. 

But sometimes shadow is just that. A movement from light to dark. A mask that takes us from one area to another.

The Light shines in the Darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

Because not matter how hard it tries. Dark cannot over take Light. Once the Light is turned on...

Light always wins. 

Some times it might be painful. Like the way your eyes hurt when the lights are turned on. 

But Light. Always. Wins. 

Light always shines in the darkness. The darkness. Cannot over take the Light. The Light Always Wins. 

Powerful People, Powerful Decisons.

Last Monday, I was basking in the glow of seeing my fiance for the first time in seven months!! Well, technically I saw him on Sat, but you get the idea. 

One thing I was excited about was getting to go to school with him. J goes to Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in Redding.  Going with him was the highlight of my week. I can't explain how awesome it feels to be introduced to people who say, "Oh it's YOU! So great to finally meet you!" I love knowing that J is talking about me to people. I met a TON of great people and got LOTS of hugs!

On Monday, Danny Silk, who is the family and marriage pastor at Bethel was speaking.  He got up and started fielding questions from the students.  Little did I know, that in one question Danny would rock my thinking forever. A girl stood up and asked him, what the key to successful relationships was. Danny said this.

"You have to have two Powerful People, making Powerful Decisions,to LOVE." 

Mind blown. 

He went on to explain that if you only have one powerful person and one who doesn't view them selves as powerful you automatically set up a Victim relationship. One person (the powerful one) will have to over compensate for the others victim mentality.

The past few weeks I've been exposed to the reality of what happens when one person views themselves as a victim, and not powerful.  The reality is, that when you view each other as Powerful- you trust each other to be powerful. 

So from today on, I encourage you to start making Powerful decisions to LOVE. No matter who you are loving. Each decision you make is Powerful, because the Bible tells us that through Jesus, we are more than conquerors. 

Choose to be Powerful not a victim. Make your decisions count, not count against you.

Faith. Full

Blogging is cathartic for me. I love to hear the type on the keys or on iPhone. While some things are meant to be written in ink. Sometimes it's faster to log it here.
When I was at Bethel -J's Cali church- last Sunday Eric Johnson, one of the pastors encouraged us to close our eyes and think about the faithfulness of God. As I stood in our new home church holding hands with my fiancé I began to watch the story of Hods faithfulness unfold before my eyes. The sweetness of His presence in my life is overwhelming.
Today has been a hard day. The overwhelming feelings of things that are happening around me compounded with the nearness of J being taken away has left me in tears most of the night.
But a quick text to my bestie reminded me of the pure faithfulness of God. He promises never to leave me or forsake me. That His plans are much higher than mine. That He cares for me much more than He cares for the sparrows and they never go hungry.
He has already seen me crying in my bedroom asking Him to be faithful once again. And He, unlike me gets a sneak peak into the next season of his faithfulness. And for that I am entirely grateful!

Easter Sunday.

Is today. This is the first time in my life that I haven't been to church on Easter Sunday. I haven't always been with my family on Easter, but I've always been in church. Today Jesus had different plans. We encountered a dead battery last night when we landed in St. Louis. All of the people I knew where out of town. So as I sat on my hotel bed alternating between laughing and crying, I began mentally flipping through the people I knew. I landed on my summer job boss, Tim. But knew his son Caleb, who I'm sure would have helped was probably at home with his mom and dad. Somehow the connection to Tim made me think of Joe. Joe drives our truck from St. Louis to Eldorado every Wednesday during the summer. So I took a chance. I facebooked Joe. Within 2 minutes he had answered. Offering to come pick me up if I needed it. We decided that Sunday at 9 would work for him to come help us. A few hours and laughs later. Mel had a new battery and we were on the way.

My heart wanted to be in church. But Jesus is risen regardless of whether I'm in church or not. He's alive. He lives in me. So I celebrated this Easter. My 24th Easter was celebrated on the road. Away from my family. Away from church. But I'm ok with that.

He is alive. The same power that raised him from the grave lives in me. Everyday. He guides me. Not just on Easter. Every day. Happy happy Easter!!!

Sad day. Blessed day.

Jesus. Loves. Me.
Today was one of the hardest days I've had in a while. Today I said Goodbye to my fiancé again. This past week I got to spend pretty much every waking moments with him. Which only made me fifty thousand times more excited to marry him in October!! I met his roommates and got to see the place we'll call home in a few months. But today. Today was the Goodbye day. I woke up at 7 and as soon as I saw him the tears started. We have a rule that I can only cry while I'm with him (and a little on the plane/car home).
It's our rule because I think it hurts him more when I cry and he's not around to comfort me.
So I cried. A lot. I cried in the airport bathroom. And on the plane.
Then. We landed in Denver. Ran through the airport catch our connection to St. Louis. And that's when it happened. I'm sure God was just smiling at me. The flight we were on was overbooked. So they needed some people to give up their flights. My friend Melissa and I jumped at the chance. We ran to the counter. Exchanged our tickets for later ones and United gave us each $200 ticket vouchers!!

Friends. This means that on the day I had to say Goodbye to my best friend, I got a free ticket to go back and see him!!! Jesus. Loves. Me.

Not. Brave.

I am not brave. Contrary to what some people think about me. I am not. Some nights I find myself laying in my bed overcome with thoughts of worry about what will happen after August. You see, I don't have enough trust in God as I should. I always expect Him to leave me hanging. In the back of my mind I half way expect to have to come crawling home from wherever J and I call home in a few months. I alwasy think that I'm not brave enough to handle another move. But the more I think about it the more I realize I'm always scared right before something new happens. I think that's human. It's just that before my mom and dad have always been there to make sure I land on my feet. This time it will be just me, J and God. Not that the two of them aren't big enough to handle it. But still feelings that are not bravery overcome me. What will I do? Where will we live? Who will be our friends? Will I have to eat Cheerios for every meal? I don't even have a clue what will happen after we say I Do. Not one idea.

But I suppose that's where faith comes in. Faith that God is once again bigger than my lack of bravery. Faith that what He's done for other people he can do for us.


Please. Don't think I'm brave. Don't tell me that. Just think that I have a lot of faith. Perhaps this will be a testimony of calling things that are not, as though they are.

Talking.

Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, tweeted this quote today and it really made me start thinking. He said,"if you want to know where you'll be in 5 years, listen to what you talk about most now.". How true is that?! What we declare to be usually happens. 5 years ago all I could talk about was moving to Washington DC and being an interpreter. Check and check. Then I was talking about marrying Jeffrey. Almost check. :-)
Now I talk about being a world changer. About how all I long to do is serve God at Jeffrey's side. How I want to be a sounding board for people's dreams, to be a comforter to people who need it the most. How I want to lead people into the presence of my Father with my voice and dance. And how I want a fluffy gray kitten. Ha ha!!

Seriously though, dreams are ever evolving and changing. If they never change life would be too boring. Even though being an interpreter no longer rules the forefront of my dreams, why I do what I do is still the main reason I live. To love Him and make Him known.
Check back in 5 years. For the things I declare now will probably be happening. Because I'm drawing circles around our dreams.
4 "Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things."
James 3:4-5

Painting.

About 2 months ago I was overcome with the sudden urge to buy a blank canvas and paint. So I did. One night I bought a starter kit at WalMart, turned on some worship music and painted what someone had recently described to me in a prophesy. That painting hangs in my bedroom and reminds me that everyday is a day full of forgiveness.

In the weeks that have past I have painted a few more paintings. Usually from images that I've seen in worship. I'm not a great painter by any means. But I do think that God's really happy when He sees me worshiping with a paintbrush. This picture is of the most recent painting I did. A blue heart. For me that represents peace, for Jeffrey grace. So I painted the opening line of my wedding vows on there as a reminder of what will soon be one. A peaceful graceful heart.

Sometimes I take things for granted. Like the fact that I never had to really study that hard in school, or that I make friends really easily. Today I took a really sweet little girl to the movies. She had been to the movie before, but she has hearing aids. So hearing the movie probably want very easy for her. Today we used all of the cool technology available. A cool captioning device and headphone that make the movie louder. And I was so grateful to get to take her to a movie she could hear and enjoy. This is the best part of my job. Getting to use my knowledge to help people.
It also made me really grateful that I have good ears. I promise to take Care of them- no loud iPod music here!! I'm also very grateful for a momma who treated us to all the popcorn we wanted!

The End of the Road

Today was a wonderful time of listening to my momma telling stories about where she grew up. I think her life would make a great book. I'd call it "Us Boys". That's what she used to call her and her three brothers- us boys.

Today she told me how they lived at the end of the road when she was just a baby. The house had long narrow windows and my momma, the youngest of seven children was probably in a hurry to grow up and be apart of the bustling world that was her house. One day, just after they moved in my mom toddled up to the window and said "someone's 'tomin". You see their house was at the end of the road and if anyone came all the way down that road, they were coming to my grandparents house.
That house is long gone now, but the memories of my momma and and her three sisters and three brothers playing games like, Annie Over and Stink Bait will forever be stories I love to hear. And now, they will be things that I chronicle here, so I never forget the house at the end of the road.