CHAMBERS
CHATTER
Correspondent Maryanne Chambers Gilmore
cell ph 940 733-0593
tranquilityplace@Hughes.net_
APRIL
2008
WELL, MY DEAR FAMILY
I didn’t realize I had so much
to go in another newsletter, but this is going to be full of news.
Starting with Glen and Carolyn’s trip to
“We did talk to John Craig (he sounded GREAT and normally up-beat) and he strongly encouraged us to go see Aunt Nina. We did and were also very pleased with her cognizance... and tickled to see the Chambers Reunion yellow ball clap on her dresser! We had a good visit and I also took a nice picture of she and Glen which I will send soon - (we just got home and got the car unloaded, but not the camera as yet). Enjoyed the newsletter. Carolyn (and Glen) Chambers “
A couple of days later, a follow-up:
“I finally got my pictures drained from the camera this evening. Nina's picture is attached. She was so tickled... neath that big grin she said "you hug me like you love me". And of course she tickled me when she pronounced me "pretty as a picture" (a very old one no doubt) Carolyn.”
People, I have just not become proficient enough to include pictures in the newsletter. I do get some beauties, and this was one of them. And all those precious babies……forgive me for not sharing. When one of you younger people are ready to take this project out of my hands, there’s no doubt it will be much better. But on to another great letter without the picture…..
“Thanks for another great newsletter! I finally have
a photo from the
On
Seems like the year for family weddings ... Hmmmm....
Ah, Yes!
Later,
you can read about another!! But
it’s not my turn to brag, yet…..
“Our Altell
Cell was long distance in and out of
I will try to have it with me at all times. Our new way of life in a 200 apartment retirement center is fun and something different everyday. We are very happy and enjoy having absolutely nothing to do.
I have been driving in Kingwood and Humble, both a part of
Subject: Lillie's Great-Great
“Here's a picture of three of the five generations in our family. Grandma Lillie
with me and her Great-Great Grandson
Ryder who is 6 months old. Ben
couldn't make it home for the visit but
Kristin brought the baby to see us here in Powell. It was great to finally
meet the little cutie! They'll be back in June for a longer visit and hopefully
Ben will get the time off too.
Love,
Laurie [Larsen]
NOW.. it’s my turn!!!
March 16, 2008, granddaughter
Bobbie Lynn Gilmore, daughter of
Jimmy & Vickie, became the bride of
one Hayden Cowen [a young man of
extremely good taste, who has been warned to be good to our baby….]. The wedding
was held at the Arboretum in
On a
different note... you know that [sister]
Patti has moved to Missoula, she went to Phoenix to stay with my
ex-mom-in-law Susan Peterson (who got laid up here for awhile after a Christmas
visit - and my sisters got to know her -- and love her as I do -- while she was
in rehab. Anyhow Patti accompanied Susan back to
I'm happy to
have Patti back. We are fixing up the 'little wing' -- the back of my
house that soon will have a bath, a sitting room, small kitchenette and bedroom
with nice hardwood floors being put in too! She'll stay back there and
we'll be out of each other's way but close enough to shout or visit any ole
time. So that should work out great. She's threatening never to leave!
love you
Deni
[Llovet]
A
VERY SERIOUS SUBJECT
I sent the word out, and received this note from Connie that evening:
Thank you Dear Aunt Maryanne. I am trying to stay positive, but have my
moments. Ang, Aaron & Paul will be with me tomorrow, but I will have a
huge host of angels praying for me. Everywhere from
About John: He keeps in touch with me on a fairly frequent basis, and is progressing much better than expected, following that horrible accident. He is hoping to go back to work soon. He still needs our prayers.
Family, I know there is a lot going on that we never hear about among the various branches. And prayer is a powerful tool. I’m not ashamed to tell you that I want your prayers. Let us know if you go through a time when you really need all of us to pray. That’s all we can do….. about ANYTHING!
“Connie got
the best news - the cancer had not spread into the lymph nodes. She had
reconstruction surgery at the same time as the mastectomy.
She is doing very well - getting
stronger everyday. The Eisenhour-Chambers semi-annual domino tournament
was this past weekend in
At the end of May I'm retiring after 36 years of teaching. Can't
wait!! Then our 3 granddaughters (ages 12, 11, and 10) from
Bragging time
again….
“Lilah was nervous about even participating because she has been sick. I told her to just do whatever she could do and that would be fine with us. We didn't expect her to place in any of the events, so all in all, I think it turned out as good as possible.
She took third place in the high jump by clearing 4' 8". The second place finisher cleared the same height, but did it on her first attempt. The first place finisher cleared 4' 10", but had the crossbar bouncing hard (it just didn't fall off). So even though she wasn't feeling good, Lilah still managed to be competitive.
On the triple jump, she place third with a jump of 32' 4" which tied her best jump ever. Her team mate beat her out of second place by 1/4 of an inch and first place was won by a girl that had a once in a lifetime jump of 33' 3.
For the mile relay, her team took third place, which about what we were anticipating.
Prior to the start of the half mile sprint, Lilah told me she just didn't feel like she was going to be able to do it. I told her to tell her Coach. The 1/2 mile run is an event that [friend] Bethany has won for the last three meets (Lilah did it for the first time last week), so I figured it wouldn't hurt if Lilah was pulled out. At least she would be rested up for the mile. But when they called for the 8th grade runners, Lilah and Bethany both went out to the starting line.
Since it was
such a close race for 2nd, 3rd and 4th place, for the final stretch, the stands
went wild with excitement. Some folks yelling for Graham, some for Burk, some
for
I asked Lilah about why she ran that race, and she said that she had rested enough to go ahead and run. And then when she was running, she got to thinking about the fact that with anything lower than third place, you just get a ribbon. But she wanted a medal, and that's why she sprinted the last part of the race.
When it came time for the mile run, I was pessimistic about her winning again, because of using her energy up. And she was very worried about not winning. I couldn't emphasize enough to her that it really didn't matter. But when the race started she took the lead again and held it till the end for first place finish.
Cullen participated in three or four
events and did really good. He was greatly outsized so he has to work twice as
hard to match the competitions strides. But he showed a lot of heart by hanging
in there and I suspect next year,
he will do even better. Love ya, Billy
[Gilmore]
Note: Lilah has never lost the Mile Run, in any meet since she began track. She’s in the 8th grade.
Cullen is our Great-grandson, son of Cecil Jr. and Jana Gilmore, and is in the 7th grade. I’m just a little bit proud of my kids…….all of them.
ABOUT THAT ROCK….. The local archeologist is frustrated at the lack of response, too. He says it has to be due to the picture not being as impressive as the actual rock. If we submitted the rock for examination, we would not get it back. When you are here, you may look at it for yourself.
We are still finding interesting fossils and artifacts. Debbie Gilmore found a perfect arrowhead in the creek last Sunday…. April 13th. If any of you are interested in that sort of thing, come prepared to hunt and dig.
UPDATE ON
First of all, our FRIDAY THE 13TH
CRUISE has been scheduled for
Food will be ready at the Gathering House. Everybody is on your own to eat before we go to the Texoma Belle Riverboat. Bring a sweater or jacket, since it gets pretty cool on the water after dark.
SATURDAY, JUNE 14TH
CATERED SIT-DOWN DINNER AT
IMPORTANT: We must have a head-count. If you know NOW that you WILL NOT BE HERE, please let me know. And if you know you WILL, let me know….. Otherwise, tell me as soon as your plans are secure. Everything hinges on numbers……
The new building is still far from finished. Plan just the same as if it was ready to occupy. And if it is not in a usable state by then, you will be invited to the PUBLIC HANGING of our contractor at sunrise Saturday morning!!!
I
know all of you kept the last
newsletter, as a reference page for reunion information…..
Sure you did…..!!! This is
the last you will hear from me until after the
OKAY, ready for this?
An Announcement…. An Advertisement!
[I am still in shock from all this.]
CRUISING THROUGH THE GOOD BOOK
WITH GRANNIE ANNIE
That is the title to a children's book that is in it's final stages before being printed. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be tooting my own horn by bragging about this little book. However, I have learned that the book is not my work at all, but rather that of the Lord. Therefore, I have no shame in talking about what a wonderful book it is.
I wrote the main part of the text some 5 years ago, but grew discouraged and laid it aside. After the publication of my life story, and my becoming acquainted with the publisher, I knew I needed to finish this children's version of a Bible Guide, in the disguise of a funny little story and coloring book.
My publisher, Kathy, sent an illustrator, Ruby, to me, without any of us knowing the Christian status of the other two. But God knew, and He brought us three together for His own purpose.
Ruby is a very dedicated artist, and her precious work is what will initially attract children to the words inside. When she read the manuscript, she said, "This is the book that I thought I was supposed to write and illustrate. God didn't tell me that somebody else had already written the words, and all I have to do is draw the pictures!"
Before I go any further, I want to share a page from the book that explains its' purpose:
A MESSAGE TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS
Greetings,
Grannie Annie is in real life a great-grandmother, with another
generation now coming along. I say
that so that you will know that I’m qualified for the title, and role. My
knowledge of the Bible comes not only from education, but from many years of
teaching Sunday School, as well as designing and managing a children’s worship
service in our church.
One of my greatest concerns has always been the
lack of continuity in the way we teach our young children.
The lessons are a series of stories that they learn well, without ever
being able to place them in chronological order, or in a certain time frame.
We throw big words at them, without ever explaining the meaning, thus
leaving them void of understanding.
I believe it is the responsibility of parents, teachers, and other
leaders to instill a love of the Word in these children at a young age, while
they are still receptive. My
greatest regret is that I did not give my children a working knowledge of the
Bible while they were under my wing.
They had to learn the same way I did, as adults.
This little book is designed to be a Bible Study Guide in disguise.
I want the children to have fun, while reading with the help of a parent,
teacher, older sibling or another “buddy”.
Sharing what they are learning will help to ingrain these “lessons” in
those young heads, as they are also laughing with you.
I have been very determined not to bring denomination into this book.
It is not my desire to snag little ones into a certain doctrine.
However, I admit without apology that I pray this study will secure the
child as a believer in Jesus as our Savior.
It is my hope that you, too, might find a bit of knowledge, or a new thought, while helping your child go through these pages. If you find my efforts worthwhile, please recommend this book to other parents or teachers.
............................................................................
I asked
several people from different
denominations to review the rough manuscript, without the pictures being
available. The responses have been overwhelmingly positive. Among them
was the following from a friend:
"WHY
WAS THERE NOT A BOOK LIKE THIS WHEN WE WERE FIRST BEGINNING TO LEARN ?
MAYBE WE (I) WOULDN'T HAVE HAD SUCH A STRUGGLE. I CAN REMEMBER POOR LITTLE
JEAN DENNY STANDING IN FRONT OF A GROUP OF JUNIORS AT FIRST BAPTIST ~ IOWA PARK
~ TRYING TO KEEP OUR ATTENTION BY READING TO US & TRYING TO EXPLAIN THE BIBLE.
NO WONDER IT TOOK SO LONG TO GET IT THROUGH OUR THICK HEADS. I KNOW YOUR
BOOK WILL BE AN INSPIRATION & GREAT LEARNING TOOL FOR MANY YOUNGSTERS. I AM
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PUBLICATION."
Another voiced the same sort of
opinion, saying "I wish I had had a book like this when I was a child."
And
an 83 year old friend wrote "I have learned sooooo much from this book. It
came from God." "Yes, you can use my name. It is an awesome book.
Mary" The back cover of
the book describes it as for children "from 9 to 90"……… Mary is of
course within that bracket, and her telling me that she learned
something fulfills my desire that it will interest adults, as well as children.
I was assured by others
that the work had to have come from God. I can't argue that fact, due to
the way things happened.
I had asked for prayer that I might
make the right decisions concerning the book. Many, many people responded,
and the results of those prayers brought about another miracle:
Still another friend has a very extensive ministry to Alcoholics and the
down-trodden in
"MARYANNE, I HAVE PRINTED OUT YOUR
BOOK, AND I AGREE IT IS FROM GOD. PUT ME DOWN FOR $3,000.00 PRE-PUBLICATION
ORDER. AN ENCOURAGER IN THE LORD, GARLAND"
I shared these notes with you so that
you will understand that this book extends far beyond my human efforts.
The book will be full sized, 8-1/2 x 11
inches, with a spiral binding, so that children can turn the pages back to color
It will contain some 90 pages of text and pictures. The cover is adorable,
colorful and laminated to last.
Because they are designed to
be personalized and kept, one book can't be shared between children. I
encourage you to purchase a book for each grandchild, great-grandchild, niece or
nephew in your family, or perhaps other children you
know. You wouldn't be ashamed
to have one in your own library!
Honest!!!!
Since the retail price is set to cover
marketing expenses, we are able to offer it to you at the pre-publication price
of $8.95. Postage
is $2.50 per book. Actual mailing costs will be figured if multiples are
ordered. The books will be shipped
from my home in
That price will be good until the
book is ready to print. I cannot give you a date, since there are many
illustrations still to be done, but hopefully, it will be in the hands of the
printers before June. You may look
at the text manuscript during the
Thanks for tolerating my attempt at
advertising..... and thanks for your support, either through orders or
prayer. Profits will be returned to the Lord's work.
Now….. I don’t want any smart remarks
about this raunchy old broad hiding my light under a bushel…
I’ve always had a good side….. you just didn’t know it!!!
All my life, I’ve been told that a work is blessed, regardless of how
unworthy the worker is…. And
now, I believe it!!!