I recently helped my siblings ready our parents' house and property for an estate sale. It was a very exhausting process ~ physically, mentally, and emotionally. We are each quite weary from the roles we played in seeing the process to its finality (those siblings closest to home bore the greatest burden). Being so very tired and so weary has made me wish for heaven more than ever before. Praise God ... when we get there, we'll not be weary, or exhausted, rung-out, short-fused, or on "overload". There'll be no more short nights, or aching backs, cut fingers, or weak knees. Won't that be just so incredibly wonderful? I'm being reminded more often of late that I'm not "25" anymore ... and it's such a surprise every time it happens!! And, of course, when I process life from my perspective, it's always colored by music; so ... many old songs have been playing in my head, over and over. "Won't It Be Wonderful There?" I'm looking forward to the opportunity to "Build My Mansion Next Door To Jesus", and it's quite obvious that "Soon, and Very Soon, We Are Going To See The King"!! Another comfort is the promise that "When They Ring Those Golden Bells", "I Won't Have To Cross Jordon Alone". Yes ..."What A Day, Glorious Day, That Will Be!" The greatest thing of all is that we'll be "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus", and "Face To Face" with our "Blessed Redeemer". The thing I most expectantly wait for is ... "Well...I Want To Hear Him Say 'Well Done' ",
My camera is broken, so until I can figure out how to fix it, text only will have to suffice. May the Lord of the Harvest bless each of you richly, and may we each share in the abundance of our blessings.
My, my!! Where does the time go??... and please ~ don't say it's "old age" setting in!!
I promised occasional "food for thot", and so I best keep my promise ....
True friends are like spiritual detectives; they lift you up. They look into all the deep recesses and darkened corners of your soul, see your potential and the gifts that even you didn't know you possess, and lift them up, mirroring back to you the best parts of yourself. Galatians 6:2
"The glory of friendship is not just in the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is in the spiritual inspiration that comes to someone when they discover that someone else believes in them, and is willing to trust them." Ralph W. Emerson
Solid friendships will always be two-sided. They are like bank accounts; you cannot continue to draw on them without making deposits. Proverbs 17:17
"My friends have made the story of my life. In a thousand ways, they have turned my limitations into beautiful privileges, and have enabled me to walk serene and happy in the shadow caused by my deprivation." Helen Keller
A true friend knows your weaknesses, but shows your strengths; feels your fears, but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties, but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities, but emphasizes your possibilities." William Alan Ward
People tend to become what the most important person in their lives believes they can be. Proverbs 27:17
True friends are slow to suspect, but quick to trust; slow to condemn, but quick to justify; slow to offend, but quick to defend; slow to expose, but quick to shield; slow to reprimand, but quick to forbear; slow to belittle, but quick to appreciate; slow to demand, but quick to give; slow to provoke, but quick to help; slow to resent, but quick to forgive.
Go ahead ... be a true friend ... beginning today.
This morning, as I was working my way thru boxes of old files, and trying to sort, toss, save, and re-file, I ran across several notebooks filled with quotations that I had "archived" over the years, and about which I had forgotten. It dawned on me that none of these really wonderful, thot-provoking "sayings" would be doing anyone any good if they just stayed in the notebooks. So, with God's help, I will try to share a few of these on a regular basis. Enjoy...and if they make a difference...that's a bonus....give Him the credit. Blessings to each one who reads these little gems.
"Do you pray for what you want, or for what God wants?"
"Adversity may be a blessing in disguise."
"Prayer is the tiny nerve that moves God's mighty hand."
"For the Christian, Thanksgiving is not just a day, but a way of life."
"When you pray, God hears more than just your words ~ He listens to your heart."
"Blessings: can't be pursued; must be accepted with gratitude; are to be used; should never be forgotten."
"If you want your prayers to reach Heaven, make sure you have a good connection."
"To walk with God, we must talk with God."
"Prayer pushes light and hope into the dark corners of your life."
"If your troubles aren't big enough to pray about, then they certainly aren't big enough to worry and fret about."
Since I last placed an entry on this site, I have moved to Idaho, to be near my son and his family. I am now living at a senior mobile home park right along the Snake River canyon. It is beautiful, high desert here, with sage brush, volcanic rock, and wind which blows incessantly.
The older-model mobile home in which I reside is located on a very quiet street -
.... almost like a morgue, sometimes. My neighbors all range from ages 55 to 90+ years of age. The lady living on one side of me is a widow, whose husband died 7 years ago. Mabel is 90 years old, and still drives herself to Boise when she decides to, and doesn't let snow stop her! Ice does. Because she still drives, and because I don't have a vehicle, she has offered to drive me to town when I need to go, but .... I am hesitant!! I don't know about that...90 years old, and all!! The lady on the other side of me, Ann, age 64, is also a widow, of 4 years, who has terminal COPD; a wonderful Christian gal. I have made it my business to try and make her smile or laugh at least once a day, by phone, since she cannot have visitors in...her immune system is too compromised now. She is on oxygen, and has decided to not let the medical community administer anything to her except for pain meds. The rest of the folks on my street have similar stories, ranging from deceased spouses, to grave medical issues. I'm really not ready to join them yet, in this particular "arena", so am looking forward to becoming a part of at least 2 Fiddlers Associations. It will give me an opportunity to play my autoharp again, as "fill" music for other lead instrumentalists, as well as perhaps open other windows of opportunity. One lady has discovered I can sing, so is pressing me to sing whenever they have "jam" sessions. I have decided I will be glad to do that, if they let me be the family-friendly/gospel portion of their venue. Will find out about that decision at the next monthly meeting.
Jonathan & Danielle began the daunting task of building their first home in November of 2007; they moved into the house at Easter time, 2008. It is a beautiful home. They did a marvelous job, and I'm so very proud of them.
Looking at the front of the new house (they anticipate finishing the landscaping in the front this Spring) ....
Looking at the back of the new house (landscaping in the back is 75% finished) ....
Just livin'...
The grandchildren are my great delight, and I find they force me to stay "young".
Ella, age 6, performing with her ballet troupe at a Christmas Crafts Show.
Nolan, age 3 1/2, chillin' out at home
Comet, the 9-week old Golden Retriever puppy that Jonathan and Danielle got the kids for Christmas...it’s like having a new kid in the house. And then there are new challenges, like:"Do not eat the toilet paper off the roll!" "Don’t pee on the floor." Above all else, "Don’t chew on Mom’s slippers!" .... etc, etc.Such fun!!He learns quickly, and obeys, and has a very sweet temperament, so I think he’ll end up being a really nice dog....it’s just getting everyone through his puppy stage that’s challenging.
I do miss Montana so very, very much, and aside from missing the majesty of the tall mountain peaks, the smell of the pine forest floor, the whispering of the wind through the trees, the hush of the snow, and the sights and sounds of the wildlife and birds, I miss my music ministry most of all. I am trusting the Lord to open doors here in Idaho that as of yet, are closed. I am reminded by the Psalmist over and over again that God's timing...His calendar... always preempts mine. I am also reminded that it (life) isn't about me, and so I would do well to wait on Him. Waiting is difficult, and I acknowledge that I am still learning how to do just that.
Matthew 6:25-34 "Therefore...do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ...For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Seek first God, and His kingdom, and His righteousness, and then all these things God will provide for you. Don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow has enough worries of its own."
In the meantime, Jonathan and his family are taking good care of me, and they keep me hopping!
We all spent Thanksgiving in California....
Jonathan, Danielle, and Ella watching "Miracle on 34th Street" at Grandma Linda's house in Ceres.
....and we all spent Christmas here in Idaho.
Nolan really didn't want to sit on Santa's lap!
In addition to holding down a stainless steel welding job, Jonathan also teaches welding at the college several nights a week; Danielle wants to take a night class this semester, so I have agreed to "grandkid sit" .... to help them out. That will be fun for the 3 of us "youngsters". and so .... the New Year, 2009, is "getting on with it", and so I must "get on with it" as well. I am looking forward to what God has in store for me, just around the corner.
I hope to be better about keeping this blog site current. Would love to hear from you Xanga-ites out there!! May the Father guide and guard you as you daily walk with Him. Blessings to everyone...
When you go to bed tonight, give all your cares and concerns to God. He'll be up all night anyway.
At long last...I've been blessed by the Lord, in answer to my many hours of praying for this moment in time, to be spending some quality time with my Dad and Mother, and my 2 sisters and their families.
Dad spending Sunday morning church service with Mother at Bethany Home, the nursing facility where Mother now resides.
Mother and I visiting with Dad at the house
My sister, Faye, and me at the Christmas parade in downtown Sonora, CA
My brother-in-law Caroll, my sister Joyce, and nephews Mark & Peter, pose with Jonathan, Danielle, Ella, & Nolan at Thanksgiving
