A Merry Christmas to all of you!! We are have a lovely first Christmas in our new home in North Carolina. Bill will need to go to work this evening, but we will first eat Christmas dinner with our lovely neighbors.
I have sadly neglected this blog the last couple of months. It is not because there was nothing to write about. In fact, there were many things to write about--I was quite busy.
One of the big things on my mind has been my mother's health. She was in the hospital about a month--during November and December. She had an aortic valve replaced and also had a by-pass done. We wer there for about a week over the time of the surgery. PTL--she is making progress--a bit slower than we had hoped, but nonetheless, progress.
The thing I have been thinking about a lot this Christmas season is Jesus being the light of the world. Have you ever noticed how bright one little light is in a very dark place? Somehow, this world feels darker all the time. But Jesus' light shine brighter--the darker the surroundings!!
May you feel His light and love and direction in 2009!!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Our Healer
Our sovereign God is the ultimate Healer!! We are so grateful to Him for showing us His healing powers this past weekend. On Saturday evening Ken, my brother-in-law, suddenly collapsed. Since his breathing stopped, CPR was performed several times before he was air-lifted to a hospital. They fully expected to find a blood clot, but none was found. They finally concluded that he had an anaphylactic reaction to a mimosa tree he was cutting down. It still about gives me goose bumps when I think of how many times in that scenario he almost died. We were all pleading with God for his survival. He walked out of the hospital on Monday afternoon!!
As I am writing, Jeremy is in surgery, having the part of his brain removed that has caused him countless seizures and lots of misery. In his early twenties, he is unable to drive, hold down a job, operate any tools, etc. because of his seizures. His family and friends are praying for a miracle so that he can lead a normal life. I am so glad that God is a Healer!!
As I think of others with complicated and sometimes devastating illnesses, I simply must trust in God's grace, sovereignty, and healing abilities. If God does not choose to heal in this life, may He send immeasurable grace to persevere.
As I am writing, Jeremy is in surgery, having the part of his brain removed that has caused him countless seizures and lots of misery. In his early twenties, he is unable to drive, hold down a job, operate any tools, etc. because of his seizures. His family and friends are praying for a miracle so that he can lead a normal life. I am so glad that God is a Healer!!
As I think of others with complicated and sometimes devastating illnesses, I simply must trust in God's grace, sovereignty, and healing abilities. If God does not choose to heal in this life, may He send immeasurable grace to persevere.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
This and That
The gas shortage continues in our little town. Bill is able to get gas in Asheville, however, so we are okay. If any station has gas, there are usually long lines. You just hope that the station doesn't run out of gas just before you get there after waiting in line for maybe an hour. I saw an interesting sight the other day. The poor "smuck" waited a little too long. He and a buddy had to push his vehicle through the line . At least he made it into line.
Bill's truck let him down. He got to work, but couldn't turn off the key. Since he just filled it up with gas, he really didn't want to leave it running until it got empty. So he drove another hour home, disconnected a wire, and then took the van to work.
Have a blessed day!!
Bill's truck let him down. He got to work, but couldn't turn off the key. Since he just filled it up with gas, he really didn't want to leave it running until it got empty. So he drove another hour home, disconnected a wire, and then took the van to work.
Have a blessed day!!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Gas Shortage
On Bill's way home from work, he noticed only a couple of gas stations with gas. Those stations had long lines of people waiting to fuel up. He didn't see any stations with gas in our town of Brevard. He told me not to go anywhere unless it is necessary. They hope the fuel shortage will be alleviated by the weekend. We need to save our gas so Bill has enough to get back and forth to work--a one hour drive each way.
I guess the pansies I was going to buy today and the gallon of milk we need can wait until we need to go out for something else. It feels kind of weird, this is the first I can remember a fuel shortage. I think it is good for us, but if it keeps up indefinitely, people won't be able to get to work, and transporting goods will come to a halt. I'm glad that God is ultimately in control!!
I guess the pansies I was going to buy today and the gallon of milk we need can wait until we need to go out for something else. It feels kind of weird, this is the first I can remember a fuel shortage. I think it is good for us, but if it keeps up indefinitely, people won't be able to get to work, and transporting goods will come to a halt. I'm glad that God is ultimately in control!!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Idyllic Camping
UCMC--the church we are attending, went camping this weekend. The weather could not have been more perfect. It was cool enough that you could enjoy sitting around the fire, but warm enough that a light jacket could keep you warm in the evening and early morning.
We stayed in a cute little cabin--basic but clean. Wonder of wonders--the showers were relatively clean and private.
Backs rubs and foot rubs by Ada, paddle boating, fishing, canoeing, wading in the creek, and just a lot of shooting the breeze took place. A talent show provided us with fun evening entertainment. A "gorilla" suddenly appeared--much to the terror of some of the children. Even when the head piece was removed, and they saw Paul's smiling face, it didn't calm them down much. They begged him not to put it on again. "Henrietta"--a very tall midwife showed up, with her medical bag under her arm, inquiring if Cindy was around. Cindy was there--that day was her due date. In "her" real life he goes by Henry--(also Cindy's father).
We came home by way of a folk art festival. It was fun to see folk artisans at work--carvers, weavers, spinners, etc.
The mess of getting ready to go and coming home and unpacking is always the least favorite part of the whole experience, but it too must be done. I spent most of the morning putting things away and doing laundry. It was, however, well worth the effort.
We stayed in a cute little cabin--basic but clean. Wonder of wonders--the showers were relatively clean and private.
Backs rubs and foot rubs by Ada, paddle boating, fishing, canoeing, wading in the creek, and just a lot of shooting the breeze took place. A talent show provided us with fun evening entertainment. A "gorilla" suddenly appeared--much to the terror of some of the children. Even when the head piece was removed, and they saw Paul's smiling face, it didn't calm them down much. They begged him not to put it on again. "Henrietta"--a very tall midwife showed up, with her medical bag under her arm, inquiring if Cindy was around. Cindy was there--that day was her due date. In "her" real life he goes by Henry--(also Cindy's father).
We came home by way of a folk art festival. It was fun to see folk artisans at work--carvers, weavers, spinners, etc.
The mess of getting ready to go and coming home and unpacking is always the least favorite part of the whole experience, but it too must be done. I spent most of the morning putting things away and doing laundry. It was, however, well worth the effort.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
THINGS THAT MADE ME SMILE
I haven't posted in awhile. Nothing weighty enough to post. Let me give you a few things that made me smile the last while.
I had to smile when I invited a 79 year old lady for brunch. She is no ordinary 79 nine year old. Last Sunday in church she taught a ladies' SS class and in the evening gave her life story. She decided she could come for brunch because it had rained and it was to wet to mow her yard. That made me smile.:)
I was not smiling this morning when I discovered that two credit card bills that I was waiting to pay until the due date, (I like to pay online) were due yesterday. After breathing a prayer for mercy (I knew I deserved judgement)--I called and very sweetly asked if they could ignore any finance charges or late fees. They both assured me that if I paid today, everything would be okay. That made me smile.:) Thank you, Lord!!
Yesterday one of my neighbors came over and we had tea and a wonderful gab session. That made me smile.:)
My brother, Lowell, and his family came to visit us. Judy's parents--Sanford and Martha--were travelling with them. Other then that the visit was way too short, it was hard to improve on it. That made us all smile for a long time.:)
I had to smile when I invited a 79 year old lady for brunch. She is no ordinary 79 nine year old. Last Sunday in church she taught a ladies' SS class and in the evening gave her life story. She decided she could come for brunch because it had rained and it was to wet to mow her yard. That made me smile.:)
I was not smiling this morning when I discovered that two credit card bills that I was waiting to pay until the due date, (I like to pay online) were due yesterday. After breathing a prayer for mercy (I knew I deserved judgement)--I called and very sweetly asked if they could ignore any finance charges or late fees. They both assured me that if I paid today, everything would be okay. That made me smile.:) Thank you, Lord!!
Yesterday one of my neighbors came over and we had tea and a wonderful gab session. That made me smile.:)
My brother, Lowell, and his family came to visit us. Judy's parents--Sanford and Martha--were travelling with them. Other then that the visit was way too short, it was hard to improve on it. That made us all smile for a long time.:)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Things
Excuse me while I rant for a bit. I have said many times that things are to be our servants, not our masters. For the past several months, I feel like I am a servant to my things. Maybe, largely, because we moved this summer. This was our third move in three years. Two of those moves were from one state to another. You may think we enjoy I the process. I confess--I never do very well with this sort of thing.
We left a bunch of stuff in storage in SC three years ago. We were planning to be in VA only one year, so we decided not to move everything. Well, it ended up being three years. We finally traipsed down there last weekend with both our van and pickup to bring the stuff back. While it was wonderful to see all the folks, I am still dealing with the stuff we brought back. It had been in a storage shed. Anyone from the South knows those big roaches love boxes. So the boxes had to be emptied before being brought into the house. A lot of the stuff had to be cleaned up and packed back up in clean boxes until I get a china closet.
I get overwhelmed with lots of stuff. There are some things that just have to go. I came across this ugly green bowl someone gave me thirteen years ago. I felt obligated to keep it because it was a gift. We have moved eight times since I got it. I have not used it one time. Do I need to keep it? I have decided--quite awhile to late--that I do not keep it. I have seen the lady maybe two or three times since she gave it to me. I am sure she does not remember she gave it to me. There are too many things in my life like that.
How many times do you regret getting rid of stuff? Most times, I feel so great after dropping a box off at the thrift store. I do remember one baby dress of Maria's I regretted giving away. It was sooo cute. That is a pretty good track record--and worth taking the risk again.
You may think I am not sentimental. I am a paradox. Certain things are very difficult for me to part with. When I opened some of the boxes, the things inside made me smile--There was a box with some of the drawings and cards Maria made for me over the past number of years. I would have an awfully hard time pitching those. I found all my old report cards. I also found my grade school and high school diplomas. I was actually looking for my high school diploma. I need a copy of it to legally homeschool Maria. I also found a bunch of papers from my school days.
I guess I feel like I need balance--It would be so easy to get pitch happy because I am so tired of dealing with things. On the other hand, we aren't to be wasteful. I often think, however, of what God told us is going to happen to this stuff when He returns. So if we don't need it, we won't miss it, and it won't give me or anyone in my household pleasure, it needs to go to someone who will use it or enjoy it!!
We left a bunch of stuff in storage in SC three years ago. We were planning to be in VA only one year, so we decided not to move everything. Well, it ended up being three years. We finally traipsed down there last weekend with both our van and pickup to bring the stuff back. While it was wonderful to see all the folks, I am still dealing with the stuff we brought back. It had been in a storage shed. Anyone from the South knows those big roaches love boxes. So the boxes had to be emptied before being brought into the house. A lot of the stuff had to be cleaned up and packed back up in clean boxes until I get a china closet.
I get overwhelmed with lots of stuff. There are some things that just have to go. I came across this ugly green bowl someone gave me thirteen years ago. I felt obligated to keep it because it was a gift. We have moved eight times since I got it. I have not used it one time. Do I need to keep it? I have decided--quite awhile to late--that I do not keep it. I have seen the lady maybe two or three times since she gave it to me. I am sure she does not remember she gave it to me. There are too many things in my life like that.
How many times do you regret getting rid of stuff? Most times, I feel so great after dropping a box off at the thrift store. I do remember one baby dress of Maria's I regretted giving away. It was sooo cute. That is a pretty good track record--and worth taking the risk again.
You may think I am not sentimental. I am a paradox. Certain things are very difficult for me to part with. When I opened some of the boxes, the things inside made me smile--There was a box with some of the drawings and cards Maria made for me over the past number of years. I would have an awfully hard time pitching those. I found all my old report cards. I also found my grade school and high school diplomas. I was actually looking for my high school diploma. I need a copy of it to legally homeschool Maria. I also found a bunch of papers from my school days.
I guess I feel like I need balance--It would be so easy to get pitch happy because I am so tired of dealing with things. On the other hand, we aren't to be wasteful. I often think, however, of what God told us is going to happen to this stuff when He returns. So if we don't need it, we won't miss it, and it won't give me or anyone in my household pleasure, it needs to go to someone who will use it or enjoy it!!
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