3rd Thanksgiving Picture

Okay...so I am still very prejudiced and want to keep posting pictures of Frank. But see, I put Josh in it this time!!!

Josh is a very special and perceptive young man, who knows when something is wrong and stays away from certain people. Why? Well, Josh has autism, which (for those of you who don't know), autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. The autism spectrum disorders (ASD) also include related conditions with milder signs and symptoms.

Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by multi gene interactions or by rare mutations. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Other proposed causes, such as childhood vaccines, are controversial, and the vaccine hypotheses lack any convincing scientific evidence. The prevalence of ASD is about 6 per 1,000 people, with about four times as many boys as girls. The number of people known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved.

Autism affects many parts of the brain; how this occurs is not understood. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. Although early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and communication skills, there is no known cure. Few children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, but some become successful, and an autistic culture has developed, with some seeking a cure and others believing that autism is a condition rather than a disorder.

What does that have to do with Josh being special? After Frank and I got married, I'm afraid that some very bad misconceptions began to go around, and rumors abounded on who and what Frank was. I'm very sorry to tell everyone that he is not a vampire, or anything out of the ordinary. No, he is not possessed by any special demons, (and no, I am not joking. I've heard some very nasty things, and I'd like to put some curiosities to rest. ) But I knew when my dear uncle and aunt invited Frank and I to go over to their place for dinner, that the ultimate test would be when Josh and Frank met. I kinda dreaded it in some ways, but I wanted to see what would happen. In the end, I trusted that Josh would love Frank just as much as I do. Can anybody guess what happened when Frank and Josh collided? Let's just say we are all trying to think of different ways to get Josh to do something other than jump on Frank's lap, beg him to go push him on the swing, and hog all the attention for himself. I guess any ideas I had that Josh might not like Frank were completely ungrounded. Between Josh always saying "more" for more fun time with Frank, and Abby showing the devoutest devotion to Frank by being the sweetest, most endearing creature when he's there (yes, I have to fight her for his lap, his kisses, and the privilege of sitting by his side!) when we go over I almost have my family to myself. I can only say that Josh is always right. If Josh loves Frank so much in his limited knowledge (which I daresay is more unprejudiced, simplistic, yet sophisticated than other persons in my acquaintance!) than everyone else who still has a problem with my husband needs to humble themselves to Josh's level and realize that they need to take a second look on how they are dealing with their opinions of my husband. And just as a reminder, if you, my dear reader, are getting the slightest bit upset about what you're reading, than I daresay you have a guilty mind. If it doesn't apply to you, then thank God right now that He has opened your eyes to His truths. And trust me, a guilty conscience is not a happy bedfellow. So if you can't sleep tonight because of too much on your mind ~ maybe it's because it isn't clear.

2nd Thanksgiving Picture

Okay, so I admit I am very prejudiced. I want to have a picture of Frank posted now, because I don't want to wait. (Don't worry, everyone who was at the feast will have their pictures posted soon.)

Frank has always encouraged me to tell the truth and be stand strong in what I believe in; so I wrote a poem today of something he would say...just in my words. Frank speaks many truths, I just have the knack of writing it down in a way that sounds pretty and softens the blow of exactly what it is ~ the truth. Feel free to comment...and please tell the truth. :)

To Be Strong

To be strong doesn't mean,
To always look good;
It's doing what's right,
What we know we should.

It's not saving face,
Or trying to be cool;
Because we will make,
Of ourselves a great fool.

It takes great courage,
To truly be strong;
It means telling the truth,
Even when you're wrong.

It means standing up,
For what you believe in;
Because when you lie,
You commit a great sin.

And being free from lies,
Will give your heart a song;
Standing for what is right,
Is one way to be strong.

1st Thanksgiving Picture

Okay, so I have a ton of pictures from Thanksgiving...(thank you Abby!!). I will try to be posting new pictures daily until they are all posted. Keep your eyes on the Wilson blog, and you just might learn something new about us...

So everyone knows how I eloped to marry Frank. Right? Okay, good. So does anybody know WHY I did it? Didn't think so. Little known fact: I suggested we invite Frank to church even before I knew his name ~ I think it goes without saying how that turned out. But regardless of everything that has happened since the night of September 3rd of the year 2007; Frank is my husband now. I want you to look at the picture above and give a good, hard look at Frank. Don't think about how he "stole me away." Look at his picture without prejudice or malice of any kind. Frank is a good husband, and he loves me beyond the expectations I ever had of him. He has made my family different forever, and it's time we all accept him for who he is. If you can't love Frank for who he is, (as a lot of you don't know him personally) love him because you love me. I am still the same Deborah I always was, except that I have been made better because God has bestowed His grace upon my life and given me the man I was going to need to keep me going strong. Yes, in some ways I am different. But I am different for the better. Yes, God and Frank still have a lot of work to do; God for the spiritual, and Frank for the earthly aspects. But I could not do without either of these two in my life, and I am thankful for where I am today. I know I am where I am because of the choices I have made. But I want everyone who knows me to understand that Frank and I are husband and wife now, and I will not allow anyone to look down on a wonderful thing.

Second in that picture is my good ole Uncle Sam. We all know he's a project, (sorry Sam) but you know what ~ it takes a lot of humility to be the only one in my family to invite Frank and me to sit at his table. To eat among his daughters for what all we know are now plotting their "escape" through their windows. Sound silly to you? It does to me. Despite every person's mistakes in life, God gives us each our own measure of grace to deal with the mistakes of others. What does this have to do with Uncle Sam? Start by asking yourself this: Who are we to judge others, when we ourselves have a log in our eye? I mean think about it. Are we sinless enough to point out the sins in others? Are we qualified like a panel of judges to decide who did wrong? When was the last time you sinned? And in case anyone is confused by my question, yes I mean lying. I mean things we categorize and consider "little lies." Telling your husband a partial truth. Telling your child that they can't do something and then getting up and doing it yourself. Do you see the double standard I am trying to explain? Sam has allowed the chiefest of sinners (yes, I mean me...and I'm kinda tired of telling everyone that) and has invited us to his home, among his wife and children, no less. Do you think you could do that? Do you have enough humility to do what he has done? He doesn't have us over to remind us that we're bad kids, that we need to start bonding with the rug beside the couch, etc, etc. But I have learned from him that pride needs to be put aside, and we need to be humble.

Samantha. Where do I start? Beyond asking me why I had left home, she accepted me and Frank. (Key word readers, FRANK.) Yeah, remember that guy I married? The one that's my husband? Same one. All I told her was "because I loved him." She didn't need to know the whole story. She didn't need a three hour explanation. And just like that, she nodded and gave me another hug. To have the love of a child. I wish everyone could be as simplistic as she is. She's not naive like other children. She knows right from wrong very well. But you know what, she loves me enough to forgive all rumors she hears and is told, and decided that love and forgiveness were more important to her than keeping a grudge.

Sometimes the people we love make very bad mistakes in life, and we wish we could go back in time and start all over again. But sadly, we are given only one chance. We only have one life. No matter where you are, who you are, or what you have done; you cannot take it back. You cannot do it over. You cannot try again. We are each given one chance in every situation, and God promises to give us an opportunity in each situation to back out of it before it's too late. But many times (as we all can testify) we do not take that way out that God provides us. In every temptation, there is a way of escape. There is a choice we can make to do the right thing before it's too late. Once done, our choice is final. We can't take it back. We can't change our mind at the last minute and hope it will all work out. We cannot erase the past. God promises to forgive us of our sins, but He does not promise there will be no consequences as a result of our choices. My choice was to marry Frank. The way I chose to walk the path that lead to being his wife is not only the one I regret, but the one I will answer for. Frank told me that by sneaking around would be to show I was ashamed of him from the start. But I chose to not try again and appeal to my parents. I want everyone to know that I am not ashamed of my husband, and I would like for all the people I know and have grown to love (yes, everyone from FBT) to see what a wonderful man God has blessed me with. The journey will not be easy. But think of this: has your way of escape been closed because you chose not to do it God's way? Are you too late? Have you ignored your last chance at redemption forever because you refuse to admit your wrong?Think about that while you lay in bed tonight. No matter what it is, open your eyes and take that way of escape ~ you'll ultimately be glad you did.

Of Religon & Sports

So, for the people who don't know me. I am an avid football fan and was very happy to see Tim Tebow and The University of Florida win another BCS Nation Title. However what I'm very disappointed in is the Criticisms that Tim Tebow has come under for his "Message".

To Tim and many others there is a great message in those letters and numbers. To those that do not believe in the message they should only see letters and numbers, and have no reason for finding offense. But, that would make too much sense. The reality is that those that find offense in the letters and numbers John 3:16 are really finding offense with the God whom they are rebelling against. If they find offense in the letters and numbers of John 3:16, then they will also find offense in God's word found in the next verses. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather then light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:17-21

So, my applause to Tebow and the Christians that have positively responded to his message. To the reverend who thinks Tebow's actions aren't appropriate. God warns us about the consequences of being ashamed of Him in Mark 8:38 - 38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." This is a cynical world in which we live that tries to silence good Christian folks. Praise God for sending his Son to us to die for “OUR” sins and give us a chance for salvation, I for one am proud! It’s shameful that people are finding offense in the very message of hope and salvation. But then again that's nothing new for the times we descend upon.

More Wedding Pictures

I dug up some more wedding pictures, and as I had nothing better to do at the moment, here they are. And yes, Thanksgiving pictures will be published soon!

No blushing bride here...sunburned is more like it.

I don't know why I was smiling; I rememeber it was something like Frank had given me that special smile of his...and instead of bursting out laughing - I simply grinned.

"Don't like cake, don't like cake..."

"Alright, your turn, Frank!!"

I wonder if that ornament played any music?

See...we did get married in a church. I wasn't making that up, you know!

It's all over. Pity. Because now the fun part begins!!!

Not much going on around here...just busy working mornings at Dollar General with Frank along with all the household chores that cannot be neglected. So far no more possums, and no more missing food. I must say that when food went missing one could not help but think either Frank or myself was responsible; however, I assure you it was a rodent. Because when we eat, we eat it all, not leaving teeth marks and bites on bread bags and the like.

And now I must get back to my laundry - with Frank working so many hours between two jobs (about 13-16 every day) I simply do not bother him with petty household chores. Even the trash I'll be taking out myself because I just want to be able to sit down and spend time with him and not have to worry that things still need to get done. I cherish every moment I spend with my husband, and when he is home, he is responsible for nothing. Granted; he volunteers himself to do a lot, but I just want him to sit down, kick his shoes off, and relax. The most I've ever worked in one day is 13 hours, and it was not easy. Frank does it three days a week and it can be grueling. But he does it for me, he does it for us, so we can live by ourselves and have some peace and quiet. Right now he is trying to get an overnight job in case I can't work, and I can't help but love him for his continous efforts. He is the only man I have ever loved, and I will always love him despite what anyone says or thinks. Not only does he love me, he is faithful to me and does not stray. For those of you who are yet unmarried - having a mate to love, cherish and spend your life with is wonderful. I would highly recommend it.

Faithful
Responsible
Attentive
Never-ending
Karing

Loving
Initiative
Neat
Determined
Sincere
Endearing
Yielding

Wise
Interesting
Loyal
Succesful
Optimistic
Nurturing

The Abominable Opossum Part:2

So...this opossum story take bit of a twist. To the question of how it got in the house, well... it crawled up the the main water pipe and destroyed the floor around the pipe and crawled in. Talking with the Maintenance Man we figured there were more opossums around under the apartment. We decided that one of us should go under and check it out. Needless to say the Maintenance Man was scared so I went under, thankfully for me...& the opossums that there were none to be found. With no success at tracking the felons down, we settled for a trap by my front door. Well, 2 days went by with no success when one morning I was walking out the front door at 5:30am to go to work, When the mother of all opossums came running at me! With little time to contemplate, 5 hrs of sleep between jobs & extreme irritability due to lack of java...I kicked the opossum! It flew back and landed where of all place?, the trap. All the people in the apartment complex said it was the biggest they've seen. It was so sad, I put her in the back of my truck and drove down the road and let her go. She was so cute...all white with gray ears.

The Abominable Opposum

So…we had an exciting adventure here a couple nights ago – an opossum in the house!! I was just chilling in the living room, and Frank was at the computer, when we heard a bunch of racket in the kitchen. So we go look, and a baby possum was just knocking over stuff, and breaking into my Ritz crackers! Frank had me watch the little scoundrel while he went to go tell Miss Spivey. She called the police, and Frank beat the poor little thing senseless with two steel sticks. So when the officer finally showed up, he said we weren’t in trouble or anything, but there was nothing he could do. But we did have a good laugh. Frank and I ended up taking the possum to some old bike trails here in Belleview – hopefully far enough it won’t come back!

Love Is A Mystery

Love can come to anyone,
At any time and any place;
No one really knows how it happens,
It comes and goes without a trace.

Sometimes we think we are in love,
But are disappointed to discover;
That the other wasn’t worthy,
An unfaithful spouse or a lover.

True love will always be a mystery,
But faithfulness is the key;
Not only in our actions,
But in our lives, word and deed.

New Arrival

Well, talk about a long & a wonderful GOD given day.

We just got home from the hospital and we just had to share

the blessed new addition to the family with everyone.

So...without futher ado...We proudly present...

::Drumroll Please::

Phebe Lily-Grace Sosa

Congratulations Sam & Marisol

My Beautiful Wife & Precious Phebe

Frank Lindsey Wilson

Today is Frank's 28th birthday, and I wanted to post a picture of him for everyone. This is a picture from right before we got married last year, so he was still 26 in this pic. I want to say that I love Frank very much, and it is an honor and priveledge to be his wife. Happy birthday, sweetheart!

Overdue Wedding Pics

Frank and I have been married over 10 months already...very overdue pics!!! However, we finally moved out (hurrah!) and I am getting a lot of thigs done that are long overdue.

Work Days

So much has happened since I last wrote I hardly know where to start. The days have passed by so quickly I have scarce been able to comprehend where one day ends and the other begins.

For Christmas, Frank and I cooked up Christmas dinner together. We had a really great time together and the end of the year finished much too soon.

January came and went like a whisper on the wind. Towards the end of the month I started working in one of the stores Frank works in, so we’ve been working most of our days together. Frank’s boss gave me only a few hours to begin with, but today we found out over 40 extra hours are available. So with only 6 of us working the store, we can have as many hours as we want or need. As it was, I was getting over 30 hours for this next week; and now the boss told me I could have 10 more if I wanted. Even Frank offered to work on our days off; so now it seems we’ll be working every day of the week. But that’s okay with me, because more than anything I want to move out on our own. Frank wants to move out too, and we just need our own space. We are spending so much more time together now with us working at the same store, and it has been good for us.

I will try to keep the blog updated…whenever I get a spare chance. I pray everyone is well.

The Path Of Life

I have been so busy wrapping up different music jobs and practicing that I haven’t had a spare minute to write on the blog. (So sorry folks.) To catch everyone up on all the latest...

Last Saturday and Sunday I played Handel’s Messiah with the Marion Civic Chorale and it went fairly well. Messiah is always difficult for any musician; and this oratory in particular is always taxing on oneself. I think we all did the best that we could, and with God’s grace made it through without any extreme difficulty.

On Tuesday I played with my orchestra at the Freedom Library right here in Ocala, and it went very well. There wasn’t a huge crowd, but that’s not what’s important. We had a wonderful time playing together, and we have only one more gathering before we break up for the holidays.

I have a wedding to play on Sunday afternoon, and I still haven’t gotten the music to it. So I have to sight read the whole wedding. I look forward to it. Only God can guide me through this one. I will have faith and trust in Him to direct my paths.

“Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16: 1-11

Last Handel Rehearsal

Practice went well tonight. It was our last rehearsal before the concerts Saturday and Sunday, so we went through the entire program with the chorus. One of my classmates from the college was there to sing for the chorus, and it was fun to work with her. We’re doing a lot of skipping in our performance of the Messiah, and I’m not really sure why. When we originally got our music 6 months ago, there were some pieces missing already. But now we’re skipping from #12 to #44 and that’s a bit of a stretch. But who am I to complain? Less work for me. Usually I don’t like cutting up music like that, but I hurt my shoulder the other day and appreciate any slack I can get for now.

Sorry I haven't e-mailed some of you. My e-mail is not working, thus the reason why I haven't written. So sorry.

Frank will be home soon, and I need to get some chores done. Till next time.

College Concert at the Appleton

My orchestra played for a church service today, and that went well. As soon as the service was over I had to run to the Appleton Museum and play with Miss Rosa’s college kids for their concert. Both engagements went well, and I was out a total of 9 hours. I am so tired from running circles all day that I got home, took a bath, am writing this real quick, and am going to crash. Frank didn’t have to work this morning, so I left the man in bed when I left at 9:15 this morning.

When Frank and I re-arranged out room, he never got around to plugging in the DVD player. So after I’m done with practicing music and my chores, I’ve been reading a lot. I enjoy watching movies, but it gets a bit much after a while. So I’ve just been reading a lot instead. Reading is better anyway.

I usually write more, but I am so tired from today – it was draining to say the least. I would gladly do it again though.

Tomorrow is the last rehearsal for Handel’s Messiah, so when Frank leaves for work Monday afternoon, I’m going to have to get on the button and PRACTICE! There are a few spots here and there that could use some brushing up.

Christmas Concert

The concert tonight was an absolute smash, and everyone did so well in their performances. It has been our best concert to date, and I am so excited at how well everyone is doing. There were a lot of people in attendance, and that was a surprise to all of us. Ocala was having their Christmas parade, so we expected a handful of people. But we had a great turnout and everyone sounded great.

My solo went well, as did Alex’s and Mr. Roger’s. I thought I would be a lot more nervous, but when the moment came, I didn’t feel the slightest twinge. After performing all these years, I’ve finally come to the point where I don’t loose my head. I’ve gotten a lot more confident in myself since I got married…I am not as shy as I was, and at least now I can do simple things that I never did before because I was afraid to. Things like making phone calls, doing my own shopping, making arrangements for this and that, etc. I can actually do things for myself without hiding behind someone else.

Dr. Spencer, his wife, and daughter came, as well as Pedro & Johanna and their 4 children. Even the clerk from the Ocala Library Bookstore was there! I hadn’t seen most of these people since before I got married, so it was good to catch up with everyone. Dr. Fishel, good doctor that he is, wanted to know all the details leading up to my marriage, and we had a good talk about everything.

The night was a complete success, and we all had a wonderful time. If we keep practicing and improving, we’ll be able to do a little traveling and who knows? Maybe we’ll go overseas someday.

Cleaning The Trailer

Frank’s shoulder is still paining him, so his boss told him to rest up his shoulder and be fresh for tomorrow. I was happy, and Frank was even more so. We just lay in bed all morning, and I finally got used to the smell of Icy Hot all over Frank’s back and spine. Icy Hot smells good – it’s mentholated so I fell asleep so fast it wasn’t funny. But when one smells Icy Hot for 12 hours in a row it can get a little bit much. I didn’t mind the smell. But it did make me very sleepy, and Frank had trouble trying to wake me up. We did have a good time together, even though we squandered most of it sleeping. But as long as we’re together we have a good time. Whether it’s arguing the merits and demerits of frozen bread and milk to throwing the covers at each other to sitting quietly watching a movie, we always have a good time.

Frank’s mom and I are cleaning up the trailer in Belleview so I can set up a studio for my music classes. We went tonight and did some work on it, and we went to see Frank as soon as we were through. Frank and I like to take stabs at each other in public (I really don’t’ know why) but it always amuses the customers and employees at his job. Just tonight he mentioned that he should have bought milk and froze it. I was surprised at that, and said I wasn’t sure frozen milk was all that good. Frank replied that it was no different than eating frozen bread, and I retorted that I always thaw my bread and then eat it. He then said that milk was no different, to which I agreed instantly because I still wasn’t sure why we were even having that discussion. There was as an older couple he was waiting on who heard the whole exchange, and they were both grinning at us the entire time. The lady smilingly commented that we sounded like an old married couple, and Frank told her that we were married, but that it hadn’t been all that long yet. I couldn’t help it, I threw in the comment “he’s the one that’s old, not me.” That got everyone laughing, but for my own personal safety I steered clear of Frank until he cooled off about that jibe. He wasn’t mad at all; he feigned annoyance for the sake of the audience which included his mom. We love doing crazy things like that…it’s so much fun to feign an argument and then make up. Or should I say make out?

Of Pain & Practice

Frank hurt his shoulder moving all our stuff yesterday, so when he went to work this morning he came right back. He couldn’t move his shoulder past a certain point, and he was in a lot of pain. His boss sent him back home. He didn’t do much but lay in bed, and I joined him. He went to work this afternoon, but I was glad to have him here in the morning. We sometimes like to lay in bed and talk, but most nights we’ll just curl up in each others’ arms until we fall asleep. That’s always easier said than done, because we have to turn around several times before we get comfortable.

I practiced a while for the concert I’m playing on the 1st. I don’t want to over practice, but I do want to be prepared. Switching between the violin and cello might be a little challenging, but I think I can manage. I wasn’t too thrilled about doing a solo, but Miss Helen and Alex egged me on until I couldn’t say no. What inspired me more than anything was when Alex started practicing with Mr. Norman for her solo. So I picked cello since Alex doesn’t play cello, so I don’t get competitive and forget the whole point of playing is all about. Miss Helen was gracious enough to let me use her cello, and that is always a high point in any day for me. Her cello sounds so good I can be having a bad day and still sound good.

I’m real excited about this concert on Saturday, because it’s the first concert where I will be playing as Mrs. Wilson. It seems as if the music world is taking me seriously at last, and I’m more than thrilled to be playing among the best of Ocala. With Miss Helen having a bad shoulder and barely being able to play, she has been giving me all her jobs. At first I was so worried that I wouldn’t be good enough to fill in for her, but I keep getting calls and requests to play, so I can’t be that bad. I’ve been practicing a lot more than I used to, so that always helps.

I need to practice Handel’s Messiah. It has some rough spots, and I don’t want to goof up a perfectly good job because I didn’t practice. December is always so busy for musicians, but we love the business. In the spring the Marion Civic Theater always has jobs, weddings in the summer, and Christmas preparation in the fall. It’s a full life, but one I enjoy very much.

Frank was suggesting that once we move closer to town he trade in his Cruiser for an automatic vehicle. That way I can drive myself to my jobs and drop him off and pick him up from his. He teased me and said he wondered what I would do with a car to drive, and I replied I would do what I’m supposed to – drive him to work, drive myself to rehearsals, weddings, and concerts, and then pick him up at the end of the day. Guess I better get good with directions…as I will have to be doing a lot of it in the near future!