Change is Coming: An {Important} Announcement

Some of you already know this {important} announcement. But here it is: We're moving.

It's never been our plan to stay in California unless the Lord directed us to. Before we got married we had two directions we felt we were to take: the mission field or seminary.

Well, Lord willing--we'll be moving to Louisville, Kentucky this summer where Joe will be attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I say "Lord willing" because he hasn't yet heard back from the admissions office. Joe forgot to mail the fees with the application, so we had a bit of delay in the application process...we're expecting to hear back from them within a week or two.

We're definitely excited about this decision, the prospect of a new town, and the proximity to my family (6-7 hours to SC!). I'm looking forward to four seasons, green scenery, having our own place again, and the newness of it all. What's also exciting is that the school has a Seminary Wives Institute, where I can meet other wives of seminary students and to prepare for whatever God has for us in the future as Joe prepares with his degree.

(He's going to get an M.Div, isn't that kind of funny? He'll be a Master of Divinity!)

As for now, we're planning (we're in the thinking of planning stage right now) to move sometime in the end of June/beginning of July. We have a wedding to go to in Virginia July 11th and 2nd Annual Oxendine/Patterson/Closterman Family Vacation the first week of July.

We're excited. If Joe gets accepted there will be much to do and research in the coming months. Can you believe it's already March? Crazy! If he doesn't get accepted we still might be moving back east...maybe. We'll see what God has. It'll be good whatever it is.

Valentine's Day

For V-day we've kind of made it our tradition to cook dinner together. This year the menu was fettuccine with a (homemade) white sauce and shrimp and a chocolate souffle.

Joey signing some Valentine's Day cards and reading his first Valentine from his great-grandparents.

Defining {Describing} the fear of the Lord

The fear of the Lord is one of those things that is hard to explain. We know that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov. 1:7), but sometimes it's hard to describe what it means, or more specifically how, to fear the Lord.

By "the fear of the Lord" is not meant a servile fear, a fear of punishment, of hell, wrath, and damnation, which is the effect of the first work of the law upon the conscience; but a filial fear, and supposes knowledge of God as a father, of his love and grace in Christ, particularly of his forgiving love, from whence it arises, (Psalms 130:4) (Hosea 3:5) ; it is a holy, humble, fiducial fear of God; a reverential affection for him, and devotion to him; it includes the whole of religious worship, both internal and external. (from the John Gill Exposition of the Bible)

Nicole from GirlTalk gave an excellent of example of what it means to fear the Lord. She breaks it into two categories: one who knows God and one whose awe of God results in obedience to Him, then she follows it with how a person who fears the Lord will be recognized. See the full post here.

I love the way she describes the woman (or man) who fears the Lord as one who "experiences a profound sense of awe at the thought of God, the creator of the universe who is “sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up” (Isa. 6:1)." Isn't that the way we should look upon and ponder God? With a sense of awe...

Jimmy O: MawMaw & PawPaw

They come as a package, MawMaw and PawPaw. It's hard to imagine one without the other.

Their wedding day

One of my favorites

MawMaw would have my head if she knew
I put this picture up, but I love it!

Jimmy O: An Eulogy

To see the suffering in the past couple of weeks have been a difficult period for us. Losing a loved one is difficult but we also lost a friend, an inspiration, a civil servant, a leader, a boss, and a visionary. No words can express what we are feeling right now and I’m sure only time can help us accept the fact.

Our father was one of those hard working fathers that always sought to provide for his family and for others. His words were the law in our house and at Red-Line. When I was young, I used to fear him but later I recognized he was already teaching me some of the most valuable lessons in life.

To stand up for what you believe in. To have principles. To have Faith.

But most importantly to Act on those Principles and Faith.

If someone said it could not be done, he would ask why not and conquer it anyhow. The mountain was never too high! If there was a mountain he could not climb, he was comfortable in asking God for the ability to climb higher. It’s only from the top, did you have the best view. As we grew older, we understood that he was teaching us along the way to be self-sufficient and handle your own affairs and give back to the community. He had a solution to every problem and had his ways of making things simple.

Many of you have discovered that he was a very compassionate and kind person. He would give his time, resources and monies increasingly to missions, churches, individuals, foundations, universities, benefits, sports teams and a host of other activities. He had a GREAT BIG HEART for the hurting. To his friends and community he was always ready to help. He never asked anybody for help and he never wanted to be acknowledged for anything he did. When he helped, he simply helped.

I remember when we were little he was very strict as a father but that’s only because he cared for us and that the most important thing that he cherished was us, his family. He would often say how really proud he was of what we have become. We are who we are now because we had a father like him.

He showed strength until the end and like Jesus some of his last words were, “take care of your mama.” We promise we will continue what our father has started. We know we’ll be filling huge shoes but with your help we can do it.

Let’s remember how our Jimmy O shared everything that he had with us. And let’s celebrate that he has finally gone home to our Creator.

written by David Oxendine, my father

Jimmy O: Obituary

James (Jim) LeVerne Oxendine, 72 of Rock Hill, SC departed this life on January 19, 2009 at Carolina's Medical Hospital of Charlotte after a brief illness. Jim was born on February 3, 1936 in Rowland, North Carolina to the Reverend James E. and Esther Oxendine of Rowland, NC.

He and Magdalene Jacobs were married on May 26, 1955 in Dillon, SC. He was a member of Catawba Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC where he served a number of roles during his 37 year attendance. He was the founder and President of Red-Line, Inc. of Rock Hill, SC and so honored by a host of achievements and awards during his 23 years of ownership.

Survived by his wife of 53 years, Magdalene Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; son & daughter-in-law Gregory & Sheila Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; son James Michael Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; daughter & son-in-law Denise & Rodney Moore, Rock Hill, SC; son & daughter-in-law David Wayne & Kimberly Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; 14 grandchildren; 1 step granddaughter; 4 great-grandchildren; his sister Ruby Tireman and Bobby Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; Vergie O. Goolsby, Fairmont, NC; Barbara A. Strickland, Linda Oxendine-Emanuel, Brenda Lynn Hunt, and Larry Morgan, Lumberton, NC; Brenda F. Strickland, Pembroke, NC; Johnny B. Oxendine, Tampa, FL; and Sonya Allen-Toman, Yuma, AZ.

He was predeceased by his son Donny LeVerne Oxendine of Stanfield, NC, his parents James E. and Esther Oxendine of Lumberton, his sisters Myrtle Allen and Lucille Oxendine of Lumberton, NC and his brothers Tony, Furmage and Harold Oxendine of Lumberton, NC.

In 1986, Jim Oxendine founded Red-Line, Incorporated – a chemical manufacturing operation. Jim Oxendine, who was President of Red-Line Incorporated a chemical manufacturing operation was the eldest son of 14 siblings raised on a farm near Lumberton, N.C. He worked the fields of the farm two hours before school each day and would leave class at noon. He dropped out of school in the 10th grade to mind the farm for his dad, a sharecropper and minister. He also completed construction work on the side.

He married and sought permanent work at age 19. He traveled to Philadelphia and began work with Neats Foot Oil Refinery. Soon he was promoted to pumping engineer and then operated semi-trucks for the company all over the East Coast. In the mid-1960’s, he returned to the South and was employed with Southern U.S. Chemical and was assigned plant manager within a year. In 1972, he orchestrated a move of Southern U.S. Chemical to Rock Hill, SC and remained as plant manager until 1978 when he joined Annandale Corporation as their Plant Manager in Charlotte, NC. Annandale was sold in 1986. At age 50 and with much determination and a plan, he decided start his own chemical business. The success of Red Line is credited to his long hours and determination to provide quality manufacturing and customer service as the premier focus.



Mr. Oxendine was an avid philanthropist with support to a host of organizations and causes to include his church, mission organizations, The National Kidney Transplant Assistance Fund, the National Kidney Foundation, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Cancer Institute, the Special Olympics, the Rock Hill Area Arts Council, The Red Cross and area sports youth programs. He was very involved at UNC Pembroke and was a loyal supporter of the First and Ten Football Campaign and a member of the Chancellor’s Club and Braves Club.


Visitation will be held Thursday January 21, 2009 from 6:30 - 8:30pm with a celebration of his life service will on Friday, January 22, 2009 from 3pm - 5pm. Both events will be at the Catawba Baptist Church of Rock Hill, SC. Green Funeral Home of Rock Hill is arranging with officiating by Dr. Tommy Huddleston and his pastor Ron Richardson. Internment will follow at the Catawba Baptist Church Cemetery, Rock Hill, SC.

Jimmy O: My Thoughts

After I found out that PawPaw had passed on from this life to the next I felt disoriented, sober, and busy. I remember putting my son in his crib and looking at him, telling him we were going on a trip soon. That PawPaw had died and was in heaven with Jesus. He just smiled.

But my heart choked and I could feel tears in my eyes. I felt a little lost, a little empty. I told him that PawPaw was in a better place, that he didn't hurt anymore.

And as I told Joey where PawPaw was, my eyes filled with tears, I knew PawPaw was in a much better place, even though his going hurts our hearts. I just imagine him standing in heaven--standing, no cane, no weak legs--looking across this vast expanse of light smiling. For "the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb" (Rev. 21:23).

And then, it got me. He's free. I am sad at his going, but he is free. It was as if suddenly I remembered that well-quoted verse, "and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

He is standing in the presence of Jesus! What better place is there to be? He is in the place where thousands upon thousands sing, continually, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev. 5:12). He is there in the kingdom of the One who so graciously saved his soul.

Oh, Hope beyond us all! What hope would there be in death, what consolation, without the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior? Even more than this our hope, PawPaw's hope, is in the One who has overcome!

"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor. 15:55)

The grave has been conquered and victory is won. The power of sin and death are no more.

"Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed.
Victory is won, He is risen from the dead!"
- I Will Rise, by Chris Tomlin

Standing free, our father, our grandfather, our dear friend is standing in the place where there is no need for light--for God is the Light--and sings, "Worthy is the Lamb!"

What a glorious place to be!

Jimmy O: My Processing

As some of you know, my grandfather (my dad’s father, who we call PawPaw) had been hospitalized for a few weeks and Saturday I got a call from my mom saying that the doctor’s said the family needed to make a decision of when to take him off life support. So, Joe and I decided that I should go back (with Joey) to be with my family for a few weeks.

PawPaw passed away on Monday afternoon. To put it simply, his immune system was weak, his kidney couldn't function, and his lungs were filled with fluid. Machines had been keeping him alive since Thursday. He was transferred to another hospital on Thursday and remained in ICU until his death. In his living will he stated that he didn't want to be kept alive by machines. So, after a biopsy came back showing no change, MawMaw called the family to come and say good-bye.

They all came, children and grandchildren, they stood around him as he was taken off the machines, while the nurse increased his morphine drip anytime it seemed he was struggling. He was gone within 15 minutes. He was gone.

I wanted to be there. I wanted to see him just one last time. That was my PawPaw. He wasn't just grandfather. He was the pillar of our family. Strong. Determined. Stubborn. He was my Indian Granddaddy that I was (am!) so proud of. How many people don't graduate high school, yet go on to start their own business? And, a chemical business at that!

He faced opposition, because of the color of his skin and overcame. He raised a family. Five children. Fourteen grandchildren. Four great-grandchildren. He had a heart as large as the ocean and gave generously. He loved people, telling stories, and teasing you. You can't think of PawPaw without also thinking of his Indian drums, love for western movies, and that tractor...

I can't help but be proud of him. To think much of him, even with all his idiosyncrasies. To me, he was an overcomer. An example to keep pressing on. Nothing's impossible with hard work and prayer. Excuses aren't necessary, just give it a try, even in the face of opposition. He was a man i could look up to.

He was my PawPaw, and for that, I loved him.

Still, I can't believe he's gone. It's unreal to me. Sitting in MawMaw's house this afternoon, even looking at his pictures on the coffee table, I fully expected him to come walking through the door or to see him riding across the lawn on the tractor.

It'd be so natural.

It's 3am and I'm writing this post...

Joey's been sleeping well lately. He goes down for the night between 6:30pm and 7:30pm, then sleeps anywhere from 10pm to 1am before he wakes up fir his first feeding. He wakes up again anywhere from 3am to 5am for the next and then (most days) is back to sleep until 8:30am or 9am.

But a few times a week he wakes up, eats, and stays awake. Hence the reason I am writing this post. I guess he's gotten enough sleep and needs an intermission to play. I can't complain. He's not crying or screaming and rarely fussy, he just needs to get tired again. While he's having his play/get tired again time, I read, blog, or browse the internet. So, yes, I'm awake...kind of.

I've been meaning to update my blog lists for a few months now. I have two new blogs I've been reading and enjoying...and they happen to be sisters!

Introducing...

Empowered Traditionalist by Christa Taylor (who happens to own her own clothing website, cute & modest clothes at Christa Taylor)

Passi0nate Homemaking by Lindsey Edmonds

I'll say a little more about them & why I like them when it's not 3am and I have more than one hand free (yes, I'm chicken pecking).

Another introduction...

Also, I've yet to announce here that I launched a new blog in September/October. The topic?

Scrapbooking.


Here's a blurb from the About page:

Such a Time Scrapbooking is not your usual scrapbook blog, it is so much more. Our desire at Such a Time is to provide scrapbookers and papercrafters, of all skill levels, the tools and inspiration to enjoy scrapbooking and improve their skills.

We believe that scrapbooking is easy, simple, and accessible to everyone. We’ve heard too many women say, “Oh, that’s so cute! But I could never do that. I’m not creative.” Our hope is to demystify and simplify the scrapbooking process, while encouraging scrapbookers and papercrafters to explore and enjoy the process of creating.

Our goal is to offer step-by-step tutorials (with pictures), how-to articles, organizing tips, design layouts, and a weekly introduction to scrapbooking. As we grow, the list will expand to include weekly challenges, contests, giveaways, and a community gallery and forum.


Go and visit! I'm off to bed...finally.

We're back!

We had a great Christmas and vacation with my family back in SC. All the grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts/uncles got to hold and hang out with Joey.

We've been back for two weeks now and have gotten back into our routine (still new with the baby) and are enjoying life. Not much to say now except our little boy is growing and growing, and getting all the more adorable.

He's "talking" and even laughs on occasion. He plays with his animal friends. And he's getting some good fat on his little body...some nice baby rolls.

And, yes, I've taken pictures since we've gotten back (and even a few videos). Here they are:

One-month old

Look! It's Captain Adorable!

Dancing with Grandpa (and singing) to Dean Martin

I love this picture...so serious...so cute...

I think he picked up some moves from Kung Fu Panda, what do you think?

On a walk with mom

Up close and personal

The First Ten Days

Well, we're just beginning to settle into parenthood. Today is the first day Joe is back to work, so little Joe and I are on our own--what an adventure! (We even have our first trip to the doctor without daddy today.)

Even though today is technically the eleventh day Joey's been alive, here's a quick look back at his first ten days of life.

He was born.

Then he slept,


and looked cute.

His first walk and trip to the park, which he slept through.

He made some funny faces,

and lost his sock. (Why these pictures won't rotate, I don't know.)

He had his first bath, which he didn't seem to enjoy.

On Thanksgiving we went to watch Daddy play football,
but it started to rain so mom and baby went home. It was his first time to
Hilltop Park (where Joe proposed) and his first time in the rain with an umbrella, of course.

His first Thanksgiving and (decent) family picture.

And, of course, he looks adorable...

especially when he's making faces with Daddy.

On Sunday we had him dedicated to the Lord
(or as Joe would say, "to the Jesus").

Then we were welcomed back by the junior highers

and they were introduced to Joe.

We had 4 jr. highers with birthdays in November and all of them lobbying
for Joey to be born on their birthday. One of the boys Sam B.
(not Simba as seen here) said from the beginning Joey'd
be born on his birthday...and he was!