Same song - 4th Verse

Just look at those sweet faces! My beautiful grandbabies just LOVE to shop with Maw-Maw.

Well, it has happened once again. And is anyone really surprised? I mean, I shouldn't be. However, knowing that she is a rambler, knowing that she runs from trouble and knowing that she has played me against her natural father for more than 16 years, I am still in shock - dazed, surprised, and a total emotional mess. Yes, I am talking about Jennifer. She left again this past Saturday night, with the grandbabies. It is hard, it is very hard and sometimes I feel as though my heart will break in two yet again.

At the first of July, we moved her and the babies back into our home. Shayne chose another life that did not include her, Bryanna, Tryston, or anything legal for that matter. She was broken, like a wounded soldier returning from war. She had no self-esteem. I wish that I could have taken all her hurt and pain, bandage her boo-boo, kiss it and make it better - just like when she was a little girl. But these are adult hurts, mature hurts and no amount of momma nurturing was going to take away her pain. I took her for a pedicure, a vacation get-a-way to Nashville, bought her some new clothes to make her feel better about herself. But nothing worked. What she needed to fine while she was back at home with us, is a relationship with Jesus Christ. She helped me with VBS and seemed to have fun. But in the end, her choice was not the way of responsibility but to run again.

Then it happened. Friday night she wanted to go to a friend's to watch movies. She would take Bryanna and Tryston because her friend has a son about the same age as Bryanna. At 1:00 AM, I called her cell phone. It was too late, she was spending the night with the friend and leaving us the following day. Apparently she had been making her plans of escape for several weeks. Contacting her father to tell him how bad she had it and he sent her money and so she is gone. Gone with those precious grandbabies that I love so dearly. And, she says that we will never see them again. Oh the hurt runs deep but the Love of God is stronger and mightier than any pain I bear. Just to think of the pain that He bore for me - nothing in comparison to my pain. He still loves me, He still loves Jennifer and one day He will bring her back into His flock. Like the prodigal son, she will return to Him.

Thank you Lord for your mercies and bless and protect my daughter and grandbabies. Keep them safe. Remind little Bryanna of the Sunday School songs that she loved to sing and gently whisper to her soul of Your love for her. Be with Craig, Nathanael, Axy and I as we walk this road once again. But NEVER alone! I love you Lord............ Kelly

The Meaning of the name -

When I first saw my Prince Charming, aka Craig, he was speaking at a church dinner. He had just moved to my church as an assistant youth minister and he was introducing himself at the church function for the first time. He introduced himself as Craig Woods - woods as in many trees - not just one. Everyone laughed and that phrase stuck with me. Now whenever people ask if our last name has an "s" on it, I will reply: "Yes, many trees, not just one!"

Little did I know at the time that this phrase would come to mean so much in our lives. We have had
1. Many Blessings from our Father
2. Many trials to test our faith
3. Many children to share our joy
4. Many times to show others the love of Christ.

We are a bible believing, truth bearing, salvation receiving family and are NOT ashamed to proclaim our faith, our beliefs, our testimonies, and our Lord as Savior to all the world.

This is my first attempt at blogging - of any kind. Please bear with me as I try to share glimpses of our life as "many trees".