Good Morning!! Yesterday I was surrounded by amazing people .......the kind of people that I want to be like.....they have given of themselves so freely with no hesitation, I felt as if I were a fish out of water and I was so honored to be among them.... In January I received a call of congratulations," Teresa , the Cast Iron Grill is being recognized for its community service by The Association of Women in Communication, you will be awarded the Louise Allen award at a luncheon in April".... I honestly could not wrap my head around what she was saying and I had no words to express my heart, I felt so undeserving.... 4 1/2 years ago when Shelby and I felt the calling to use the grill to feed the hungry we didn't do it to be recognized... We did it because we were to use this amazing place to feed body, heart and soul for those that we're not able to feed themselves..... Shelby unselfishly wanted Sam to go with me to the luncheon..." Sam has cooked for St.Benedicts for 2 years he needs to go & realize what he does is important." .... Happy beautiful Wednesday y'all.... there are so many amazing people in Lubbock that do some extraordinary things & they are making a difference everyday in others life. I had the great opportunity to meet Holly Edwards Betenbough....Betenbough homes sponsored the Cast Iron Grill table and she presented the award to me ... Being in her presence was amazing ...she exudes what Christ is .... Loving, giving, caring... I was so honored to meet her. My heart is overwhelmed with the kindness that has been shown to myself and to the CIG....I couldn't help but think, usually I am the " hired help" when it comes to luncheons and banquets ( which is what I love) and yesterday I was so humbled to be in the presence of others who personifies what our Heavenly Father wants us to be. Last night as I was sharing with Shelby about the days events, he became a little irritated when I told him I did not speak, " oh my gosh Teresa why not?" ..... I guess my fear of speaking but more than that i was so overwhelmed by the kind words were that were spoken about us and the grill I just couldn't ...I wanted to make sure I did not take away from what was said." Yesterday as I sat and listened about all of the other recipients my heart was challenged to continue ...... Continue to fulfill the plans my Heavenly Father has for me .... So many ordinary people are doing extraordinary things to make a difference , I was so honored to sit among them yesterday!!
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Good Morning!! Today while the amazing CIG crew holds down the fort for lunch , Shelby and I will be standing on a baseball diamond as the Idalou Wildcats honor the seniors that have played with pure heart and given blood, sweat and tears for the love of school and game. Over the last year I have thought about this day a hundred times ....... I remember the first time I ever sat in the stands as an Idalou Wildcat parent .....& today I will sit in the stands at the Idalou field for the last time as a parent ... I will now just be a fan. Walking into the grill this morning I had tears rolling down my cheeks.... This is the first of many last for my precious family. The game of a baseball ..... Yes it is just a game but it has taught my boys a lot about life. Happy Beautiful Friday y'all...... 14 years ago when my B first hit the ball off of a tee, I had no idea the journey we were in for....& 2 years ago when B chose to become an Idalou Wildcat we had know idea the impact that this school and coach would have on him......he has become apart of a school that builds character and has been coached by a man that emphasis a strong Christian faith before a strong arm. I am so honored to be able to experience this day today...... "In Baseball as in life, all the important things happen at home" ...... What amazing memories our family has shared "at home " , today may be the last home game , but we look forward to some amazing playoff games, hopefully makin our way towards state. I am proud to be an Idalou Wildcat & Proud to be a baseball parent thanks for the amazing ride B!!
Good Morning!! Have you ever experienced a moment and your first thought is "how can people think that God really doesn't exist.....or he is dead".This week for us is typically a little slower, people recovering from taxes and getting ready for Easter .... Yesterday the guests started flowing in sporadically... The biggest blessing I receive when this happens is I have time to chat with the amazing guest that walk through the doors.... This is usually when I am told something that is life changing for me..... My guest just talk and I listen and soak it up like a thirsty sponge. I greet the lady holding a baby carrier and ask how many ... 4 was her response .." 4 and the baby?" Or 3 and the baby ?" Babies that visit the grill are usually in their carrier and covered up by blankets so I am never quite sure .... Boy or girl ? 3 it was , so off we went, we were talking small talk as we made our way to the table and she places the carrier in the chair...as she started to pull the blanket off the carrier I always wonder what I will see ..... Small, big, bald, lots of hair, an infant or an older baby .... Sleeping or wide awake..... As I look down at the 4 week old precious sleeping baby what I saw was breath taking and beautiful..... And yes my first thought what an amazing God we serve..... Happy beautiful Thursday y'all ..... This precious baby boy didn't have 10 fingers and 10 toes... He didn't even have feet or legs and only had 5 fingers because the other arm was missing a hand and instantly my first thought he was perfect. I look up from this precious baby to see a mom that is brimming with joy and love ....she tells of their journey ... 22 weeks into pregnancy is when she found out .... Eventually new legs from the Scottish Rite organization will help him....." But he is absolutely in perfect health... What a blessing" .....my response" Wow God has an amazing plan for you and him" I leave her table and my thoughts are swirling and my heart is thankful....... I didn't feel sad for this little angel , I felt blessed ..... Blessed to have an amazing Heavenly Father that loves us, died for us, protects us, comforts us and has great plans for us.... I know my God is alive ...... He created this perfect little boy to make a difference in so many people life's.
Good Morning!!.....forty four years of my beautiful life have gone by me. I have lived and loved many moments and I have grieved and cried over moments that have literally taken my breath away....I have never wanted life to stand still until now.... and I feel so petty and self centered even thinking that way..... My life is changing every second and I feel as if I am not prepared for what is to come...my role and favorite thing of being a mom is changing... Yesterday I am reading my newsfeed on fb and I come across a status that was heartbreaking. One of my precious friends has been fighting cancer for about 3 years.... A great fight she has given, when Shelby's friend was diagnosed and going down hill this friend of mine reached out to him, one warrior to another , to offer hope, comfort and understanding ...she was selfless in her love, words and actions. Happy beautiful Tuesday y'all , the words from my friend......there is not much time and nothing else to do for the cancer...weeks maybe a few months.....Shelby and I where driving around the lake when I read this, tears formed and my heart broke.... My first thought ...... Wouldn't it be awesome if her life could stand still ....that time and this horrible disease would not take her..... She talked that she felt bad for her kids and her husband , their life will change forever ..... I ask for prayers for my precious friend Darla & her family. A few weeks ago Shelby and I saw the movie "God's Not Dead" and the quote that was constantly in the movie " God is good ALL the time & all the time God is good" Amen....our God has a great plan for all of us and if I spend to much time wanting this time in my life to stand still I am not allowing his plan for my life to unfold and I am being selfish..... My sweet Darla, I love you .... You are teaching those around you grace and courage and you have shown God is good all the time and all the time God is good.... Bask in the joy of this beautiful day and the changing seasons in our lives!!
Good Morning!! .." I pray everyday that my heart does not become bitter or angry, so that I can still serve him".. My amazing guest are creature of habits. They order the same thing, usually drink the same beverage and usually comes in on the same day of the week( whatever their day is) When they get out of their routine I know there is something wrong. Last month I received a message to call Mrs.R. Mrs R is a catering customer & yes a creature of habit, never do we talk onthe phone about her monthly order....a week before it is that time of month to feed her husbands company she emails me, her and I never miss a beat, it works for us. When I was handed the message to call her my immediate response.." Was everything ok? Was she mad about something" breakfast slid into lunch and the message had slipped my mind..... Lunch was drawing to a close when Cindy comes to me and says "Mrs.R is on the phone"... "Oh mylanta is everything alright Cindy, she never calls!".... As I picked up the cradled phone my heart was pounding ..."Hey Mrs.R how are you,?" I knew instantly life was not good, sobs coming from the other end...." My husband has died Teresa" Happy beautiful Monday y'all... the conversation was heart wrenching, with both of us sobbing she tells of her love affair of over 30 years and how an aneurism stole him away in an instant. I listen as she shares .... Last week I receive another phone call from Mrs.R... It's that time Teresa I need to place the order after the order is given I ask how she and her boys are," lonely.... I walk around the house with no purpose it seems.We are still in shock that he is gone" her voice cracks as tears flows and she tells me of the love of her life.... A kind ,wonderful loving husband and dad and the one thing she really emphasizes... He was an awesome man of God ...& so she says the words written above" I pray everyday that mine & our boys heart's do not become angry or bitter so that we can still serve him" I sat and really thought about those words and they blew me away that in the midst of mind blowing grieve her heart is focused on serving the one true God . Are you in the midst of turmoil and grief ...think about Mrs R today and choose serving him over anger and bitterness... My favorite phrase " I choose to be better not bitter"
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AuthorI opened the Cast Iron Grill in October 2007. Lots of changes have happened in the last 5 1/2 years. The CIG started with 55 seats in an office building located at 18th and K. After five years, we were bursting at the seams with now 167 seats, and 24 wonderful co-workers working on top of eachother to make it happen. 2012 the Lord chose a different journey for the CIG. We relocated the CIG and opened our doors on January 2nd, 2013, just four blocks away from the old location! It has changed my world completely! All of these stories are the happenings of the people and the joy and celebration that make the CIG what it is. Archives
May 2014
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