Life and Happenings

Well it has been awhile, hasn't it folks? I could try to come up with a good reason for my absence but the fact of the matter is that blogging simply hasn't been a top priority for me. This Summer was extremely eventful, and has been a stretching experience for me and for all those around me. 

Many of us are a year older since I posted last! (Im 21 now!!). We have suffered losses - 

My dear step  -grandfather passed away unexpectedly - We have enjoyed "additions" (Mainly getting Franky officially moved down here, getting to know him and the boys better, getting to know Liz better and getting to know Aaron and his family better), we have had sorrow and happiness, but through it all we have seen the tender hand of God molding us and making us more into His image. So all in all, I can say that it has been a good summer for us Francos. I can't say if I'll be blogging more but I would like to. Another school semester begins tomorrow, and I would love to share all the cooking I've been doing with you folks! However, if y'all would like to stay in touch you can add me via Instagram @shorty_bess95. I post there fairly regularly and can keep up with all my wonderful readers.  In the meantime here are a few pictures to highlight my summer. Do enjoy! 

Dressing up for the GRBC Mother's Day Tea

Mrs. Gardner, Jan-Calvary, Havi and I 

Pastor Gardner, Hannah, Jan-Calvary and Juliet

Us girls with Mother dear and our adopted sister, Kadian

Me on the first day of Summer School which was also my 21st birthday.

Meeting family from Ecuador who came for a visit

Making my first ever Ice Sculpture at school!

Having a retro Sunday with Haviland

And throwing Jared into the mix :)

Spending time with these lovable people

Making it to the top of Table Rock after a strenuous hike. 

I look completely wiped out haha.....it was a LOOOOOONG hike, but so much fun!

Ministering through music with these wonderful kids. Love them all so much!

Having good ol' family time

Typical us!

Enjoying catching up with old friends at the Sprucepine Conference.

Working on my carpentry skills with Jared

Working on me lettering skills as well

Getting to spend time with a friend that I hadn't seen in 11 years!

Going to play mini golf for the first time on the last day of Summer school

Also going to my first professional soccer game in Charlotte

Spending time with this wonderful man

Celebrating Pastor Gardner's birthday with him and his family in Gatlinburg. 

And there are sooooooo many more. We've spent lots of time at the pool with all the nephews, my niece and siblings, we've had cookouts, and family dinners, and projects and countless other things. So I hope you enjoyed the small glimpse into my summer. Love you all! 

Fun times

Yesterday I got to spend the entire day with Mrs. Gardner, Hannah and Mary Morgan and boy did we have fun! We went yard saleing (I know that isn't a proper word hehe), shopping, and did a whole lot of cooking.  

Hannah and I made a cake together and it was so much fun to get to know her better and work on this little project. 

Our Candy land cake - Isn't it just adorable?

The 2 bakers :) 

Pastor Gardner also wanted to test my culinary skills (just to make sure this last semester has been worth it lol) so we got into the kitchen and made homemade fried chicken! It was quite and adventure and so much fun to do! We also made, garlicky mashed potatoes, broccoli, corn, and cheese biscuits to accompany it and enjoyed a good 'ol southern dinner. 

All in all it was a wonderful day :) 

In the Simple Performance of Duty

In the simple performance of duty, 

he pinned on a badge, 

checked his gear with a practiced eye, 

and kissed his loved ones good-bye.

In the simple performance of duty, 

he reported for work, 

joked with his buddies at roll call, 

and made his last trip down the squad room hall. 

In the simple performance of duty, 

he answered the call

to help the helpless, to find the lost, 

no matter the danger or how great the cost.

In the simple performance of duty, 

he lay down his life, 

for those in peril he tried to save, 

our brave friend went to his grave.

In the simple performance of duty, 

we honor his deed, 

as we carry him to rest in a flag-draped casket, 

long after the world has forgotten, we shall never forget.

Never judge or regret what he did, in the simple performance of duty.

~Sgt. Oscar R. Thomason II

In honor of ALL our brave policemen and in memory of:

Officer Allen Lee Jacobs

April 23, 1987 - March 18, 2016

Walk With Me

The other day while rummaging through my attic I came across a poem that my mother wrote for me on my 17th birthday.  At the time I didn't really appreciate it but now, reading it with a new perspective I see the love and desire that my godly mother has for me and for all her children. I thank God so much for bringing me and my family truly back together and helping us to strive to walk through life in unity and love. We all have our differences but God is teaching us how to forebear and seek to love each other and build each other up. So mom, this post is dedicated to you....I love you and am truly sorry for all the years I didn't walk with you....I thank God that it's never too late and I hope you know that I'm looking forward to walking with you now. 

Walk With Me

by

Lizet Franco

May 25, 2012

Some time has passed and I recall, 

In a melancholy way, 

The days when little hands held mine

As together we walked and the years went by

Lest those little hands might stray.

The little feet could not keep step

With my wider, faster pace

So I slowed it down a little bit

And together, we walked the race.

That race is life, the ins and outs, 

Of daily living here, 

Learning, striving, laughing, driving

Yet united - in God, the fear.

A season came when, by God's grace,

We were walking side by side, 

And sharing what was in the heart

Was naturally kept in stride.

But I'm a little slower now

My head is getting gray

And you are youthful, full of life

Running through the day

And still there's so much left to do, 

So much that's left unsaid, 

Won't you walk with me a bit

Before you walk ahead?

Won't you take my hand in yours

And slow your pace a mite?

So that, side by side again, 

We may sing and laugh and cry?

Can't we take the time to rest

And seek the Lord, to guide?

As life's choices lie abreast

Our face in His, to hide?

I love you ever dearly

From you I'll not walk away

But won't you walk with me, dear?

I'll not let you go astray. 

Dear readers, God has blessed each and every one of us with parents. Seek to walk with them, learn from them, love, respect and obey them. 

Valentine's photos

Hello folks! even though it is 4 days after Valentine's day I wanted to share some picture with y'all. Since the 14th was on Sunday Aaron invited me to dinner with him and his sweet parents on Thursday.  It was a surprise dinner and Havi took it upon herself to dress me up and get me ready.

Holding a rose that Aaron brought me :) 

Havi also took LOTS of pictures for us before we headed out.

What can I say....I LOVE this picture! God has been so good to me and I'm amazed at the work He has done in my life in the last 2 years and particularly in bringing such a godly young man into my life.

Dancing on the "lawn"

As I look back on this very special day I can't help but consider the love of God....John 15:13 tells us, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" and God manifested this love in sending His only Son to die in our place.  I see God's love poured out in my own life in the fact that He brought me back to Himself after years of rebellion and darkness, in how He brought me and my family together, in how He placed us at Grace Reformed Baptist Church and in how (in His own perfect time) He brought Aaron into my life in such a special way.

 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,  does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." 

Hiking at Table Rock

Monday was MLK day therefore I had my first day off from school! The Gardners invited me to join them on a hike at Table Rock and we had such a good time fellowshipping and enjoying God's creation. 

The view form the "half-way overlook."

Taking a break after that strenuous walk lol

Hannah, Parker, Aaron and I.  Had fun spending time with each of them! 

Aaron and I

All in all it was such a fun day. Thank you so much for inviting me y'all!

2 weeks (in pictures)

Have you ever felt like you get everything done - just to have to re-do it again? I know I have felt that way sometimes with house work or cleaning and cooking etc.  Well after my sewing/workroom day I was donated several bags of clothing and the process began again! Thankfully it wasn't nearly as much as last time so my sewing day was somewhat shorter. 

Project #1: The blue and brown skirt

Problem: Though the print was nice it just wasn't my style.

Solution: Chop off the waistband, hem the raw edge and convert it into a cute infinity scarf

Project #2: The blue and pink ponchos

Problem: I loved the color and details and thought it was a scarf....what a disappointment to find out it was actually a poncho!

Solution: Cut a straight seam down and make it a scarf.

Project #3: The orange blouse

Problem: Loved the feel and color, but just didn't like how it looked on me.

Solution: Cut off the sleeves, hem the neckline and make it a jewel necked blouse.

Besides workdays I also spent quite a bit of time with my siblings (I'll explain why in a minute) 

and this is what occurs when you get a bunch of Franco's together for an extended period of time!

Girlies

Typical us

Trying out the new AR!

Uhm....what can I say? LOL

"Alvina, Simon and Theodora" Maybe?

Boys

Love these guys

......boys. 'nuff said!

Havi and I

The chillens and I.

I was blessed to spend time with the kids before tackling the next project. Besides taking loads of crazy random pictures with my siblings I began acquiring notebooks, binders, pencils, highlighters, textbooks etc.

And drawing several notebook covers.

And you might ask what all this prep was for......WELL......because as of a week ago.....this girl is a college student enrolled in Culinary School!!!!

So needless to say my life has taken quite a change in 2016.  So far it has been quite fun and adventurous and I look forward to learning the ins and outs of chef life. However, I do covert your prayers as I am at school, there are many unbelievers surrounding me and I pray that I will be strong in the faith and a bright light to my teachers and fellow students. 

On a different note Friday evening the Gardner kids and us Franco kids went out for a evening of bowling and boy did we have fun! I think its safe to say that we are NOT experts but we had a blast anyway!

The whole crew.....God has truly blessed us with such sweet friends!

So there you have it folks....hope you've enjoyed a glimpse into my life as of late :)