Dr Becky Towne

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Some of Momma (Inez) Smith's quilts are on display in the Towne House gallery. She does SUCH great work. What a blessing that we (kids and grandkids) get to display her handwork in our homes! I bought the purple quilt at the Barclay Sale. Glad I got one several years ago. The prices have gone up.

The rose quilt was started by my grandmother and then mom finished it as her first quilt in 1991 I think. The material is getting old! The third quilt won a blue ribbon at the Houston Livestock Show several years ago. I love the history and the varieties of color!

I forgot to bring a jacket with me to Colorado to celebrate the 4th. I would have only needed it once and then only for a few minutes while we were watching the children with their sparklers. But it was a cold day in July. All five of our kids (including our daughter-in-law) gathered at the Wright house with their parents, aunt, uncle, cousins, and grandma to eat 4th of July grilled burgers, dogs, and brats, potato salad, fruit, beans, and all the trimmings.

The night before was the Pueblo picnic with Grandpa and Grandma Towne. We loved watching the kids ride the rides and eat snow cones. Two fun days. Lots of good memories, good conversations, and good fellowship. Many of us discussed what we had learned during the year of transition, since Jim and I moved to Texas. Good lessons learned. God has been faithful. And it won't take a cold day in July to remind me about that important truth. (Above: Jimmy, Carly, Jim, Dylan, Becky, Mara, and Halee Towne; Below: Sammy Wright with Grandpa Towne)

Jim and I were able to celebrate my aunt's 70th birthday on February 28 (her birthday was actually March 1). Three of us had such good taste, we chose the same cards. Maybe card designers think that folks don't want to celebrate the 70th birthday. I hope I have as much energy and look as young in 15 years as my aunt does now! I'll celebrate for sure . . .

I thought transitions were coming to a close but I was wrong. On January 16, my role at Houston Graduate School of Theology was upgraded to Associate Dean and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. Our Academic Dean resigned to take a pastoral role so we have a "Dean Team" caring for his former responsibilities. My part is to be the "Dean of Record" for students in the Doctor of Ministry program (of course) and the MA in Counseling program. I have another learning curve to manage and the Team has had several challenges already, but I guess that's the best way to learn.

I continue to be amazed at the growing opportunities here and how much Jim and I have learned since stepping out in obedience to God's direction. I have been able to share about corporate discernment and listening to God in a variety of settings including a Disciples of Christ church board meeting, Friends Student Conference, and, most recently, a workshop for a regional gathering of a largely African-American church. Fun!

More transitions and more learning curves to come, I'm sure.

Our son Jimmy will graduate from Colorado State University in Ft.Collins, Colorado, Saturday, December 20, 2008, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish.

A graduation reception will be held for Jimmy on Sunday, December 21st. Jimmy’s plans for the near future include living in a small town in Mexico to work on fluency in conversational Spanish.

Way to go, Jimmy!

Since I had a little less preparation work for Thanksgiving this year, I had some extra time to make an intentional gratitude list. Here is part of it:

• Transition is nearly over!
• We have a house in Pearland.
• Almost all boxes are unpacked.
• Thanksgiving was spent with friends and family.
• Poultry seasoning is wonderful . . . I love to smell it cooking in the dressing.
• The kids have taken up the mantle of making pies and homemade foods for the holidays and have adopted some traditions from our family like Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday evening--just for the Townes. I'm so thrilled with ongoing legacies.
• I have a 4-day weekend to spend with Jim.
• Tonight, Jim played his Les Paul guitar with new Fender amp (bought with birthday money).
• We get to go to Colorado for our son's graduation and Christmas in a few weeks!

Photos of the new house . . . more on Facebook!