After a total of 2,146 miles (included 200 extra miles just to go get the rental) we arrived at Dw’s childhood home where Grandma and Uncle Mark still live. Dw’s mom is 94 and as you guys know, Uncle Mark is 70. One day, Uncle Mark will come to live with us. He is a treasure and we are having lots of fun with him. As I am typing this Elizabeth was climbing all over him. And yes, I am noticing that I think my camera has a focus problem. Arggh. I need to get it fixed before I go to Ch*na for Miss Jubilee (keep praying, the paperwork should be in Beijing today).
Uncle Mark was wearing his sweatshirt we made him years ago….”Best Uncle in Town- Hands Down” with the kids handprints all over it. He couldn’t be happier having “his kid” home.
Elizabeth was a hoot – she said, “LOOK MAMA! Grandma has a kitchen!” 
Grandma’s beautiful hands……94 years of cooking, canning, cleaning, writing letters, holding the hand of the man she loved all her life (they were married 70 years just before he died)….rocking four sons, writing in her diary (she has kept one her entire life), turning the pages of her Bible………..
Oh my word! Grandma looks just like my Mamaw. She is 90! When I finally get my blog up and running I will do a post on her. She is the rock of our family too!
How sweet ! Sheri
Oh my word! Grandma looks just like my Mamaw. She is 90! When I finally get my blog up and running I will do a post on her. She is the rock of our family too!
How sweet ! Sheri
I LOVE the pic of DW with his Mama! So sweet!
Makes me miss having a grandmother! The hands of a woman who has lived through so many things. Nothing beats it!
Linny…so glad you took that photo of Grandma's hands. I can still picture my Grandma's hands–but I never thought to take a photo of them. Now I'm trying to figure out how to take pics of my parents' hands without them thinking I'm weird. :)))
Thank you for sharing your precious visit with us Linny. Lovin' the joy in those pictures!
Grandma's hands–beautiful!
Praying for the Lord to be ALL OVER that paperwork as it arrives in Beijing! This is the year of Jubilee!
Enjoy your time sweet friend!
Love from Texas~
Tina
Looks like you are making sweet memories already. Enjoy the time you have there with the family.
Lisa
Newark, Ohio
Heritage is a beautiful thing. Thank you for sharing! What a blessing to see!
This post made me cry… in a good way–I'm a bit sappy 😉 but it is great! Thanks for the happy tears!
Beautiful!
Aawww….I always had the same thoughts when I would looke at my Grandmothers hands. Thanks for the reminder :0)
how i have loved all of your tweets, your postings and toughts about your trip.
but i think i loved what you said about hands more than anything.
as my hands grow older, there are more "roadmaps" on them. while i'm not crazy about aging, they are a picture of all our hands do. thank you for reminding me.
BAWLING here. Bawling.
Such sweet memories. Her eyes tell wonderful stories. Such kindness and fun behind them.
And I LOVE how Emma has her hands hooked behind her grandma. A real hug. A tight hug. One where you don't want to let go.
So, so happy for you, friend.
oh my goodness, i started crying from the moment i saw DW hugging his mama (and the beaming smile on her face), all the way down to the photo of her hands. beautiful. have a blessed trip!
oh Linny how wonderful for you all to be there.DW's mom reminds me of my grandma. The look on her face was worth everything you went through to get there, wasn't it! What pure joy!
And grandma has a kitchen too, this trip can't get any better! Love to you all! Enjoy your sweet visit!
Praying everyday for sweet Jubilee!
Praying everyday for sweet Jubilee!
Beautiful. I love the hands. Hands of giving LOVE. Something to cherish.
Thanks for sharing. I am blessed by it.
Truly beautiful hands…hard working hands and from the photos a beautiful spirit. God is so good. I loved seeing all the faces of the children as they embraced their grandma and uncle…amazing family you have.
I also did my first Memorial Box Monday…and I want to thank you so much for starting something like this. I have never done this before…but since I began reading your blog, you have brought to mind so many answered prayers that I just needed to have a way to remember the faithfulness of God in my life..and to use it as a tool for others who enter our home…what an incredible idea…thanks again for sharing.
Have a blessed visit with your family.
Those are PRECIOUS memories! Praying for Jubilee!!!! For the paperwork, those that read over it & decide stuff, and for your beautiful family 🙂
YAY!!! So glad to hear about Jubilee's paperwork!!! I met her in January of 2006, what a beautiful smile that girl has!! And sweet beyond words:)
God bless,
Karen
I love old people (and I'm not taking about us!)!! What a blessing to have these special people in your life!! Our parents have all gone to live with the Lord- we miss not having the older generation around. I know they would marvel over the kids if they were here!
Enjoy your time!! How wonderful!!
Elizabeth is s cute!! I think it is wonderful that Grandma has a kitchen, too!!
Beautiful, beautiful. I love the pictures of the hands. What a special time you guys are having. I'm so very happy for you. Hugs..
Oh, grandma's hands make me miss my precious grandma who was married for 67 years to my grandpa before he died.
I am so happy you guys go this trip even if it did start off so adventurous!!
What a sweet testiment to grandma. Those are very lovely hands and should definitely be cherished. I love seeing her with the kids.
Kelly in SC
Beautiful, beautiful hands.
just beautiful! so glad you took the trip and did not turn back. Also cameras will not be able to focus well in low light. It looks like that may be what is happening.
Would she consider adopting me??
I so miss my Granny's hands! As hard as she worked, they were so soft and warm!
What a blessing for the kiddos and you and DW to have this time with her…and Uncle Mark.
I am excited about the paperwork for Miss Jubilee. Have I missed something? Are they going to let it go through? Oh, how I pray they do! She needs her family!
Blessings from TN
Angie
Love how happy the whole family looks just to be near each other. I'm sure looking at these pictures you will always know that the drive (and drama of the drive) were completely worth it!
Oh Linny, the picture of Dw hugging his mom and the one of grandma's hands (and the tribute you wrote of her hands) brought me to tears. Tender moments. Cherished moments. Forever memorable moments. Family is such a beautiful treasure. 🙂 Thank you for sharing yours with us!
Linny, as I read this the memories from having the joy of growing up next to Dwight’s Mother and Mark came flooding over me. I can recall the beautiful organ and piano music that would be played by her and serenade the neighborhood. The picture of the kitchen my oh my I recall many talks at the kitchen table, baking cookies with her, playing a game called Rummikub and just so much more. I was very touched by the picture of Dwight holding Gertie’s hands as she truly was like another grandparent to me just as Vern was as well. I can recall from when your oldest children were tiny and hard to believe that they have their own families now and that Mark will turn 75. I can honestly say that The Saunders Family has been one always blessed by God in one way or another you triumph over anything in your way.
Lucy, I am so grateful that the Saunders’ were your neighbor and that you were loved by them!! I look forward to meeting you again soon!!