I believe so strongly in the power of prayer...my belief is that God rejoices in a family of his coming together to lay their requests at his feet. In my heart I understand that in this life we are very limited in what we know and understand....we have just a droplet in the bucket of what our Lord knows and wills. Yet, without knowing even a reasonable part of the picture we are to walk throught each day with faith in our Father, that the things that befall us in this life have a purpose, meaning and are for our good and complete the "big" picture. The only problem is someone forgot to tell my emotions about all of this!
I have been struggling with a migraine since Sunday....I have taken all the medicine allowed, which also worries me since I am not one to take medicine. The last week has been an exhausting week...waiting on results of my brother-in-law's CAT scan, all the talk about our family friend Theresa and her death and to top it all off this nagging migraine that I can not seem to get rid of. I woke up the other morning and when I went into my bathroom and looked in the mirror, my right eye was droopy...it scared me! With these migraine it is a struggle to function...my head just pounds, I see spots, I stay sick to my stomach and my emotions and thoughts run wild. Trying to push through, my daughter left me the car one day this week so I decided that if I got out it might do me some good. I got dressed, hair, makeup and all, even though I had the feeling I was going to throw up at any moment and drove the car the 11 miles to Thomson. My visit to my little favorite store was short lived....my vision was blurry, my head was pounding, my stomach upset. Needless to say, I cried all the way home feeling very defeated, very tired and a little afraid.
I was able to get in to see a doctor I admire and trust very much. The appointment is for Monday afternoon and I am just counting the minutes. My life is usually a very simple, joyful life. I can see one leaf turning colors on one of my trees signaling fall and it will make my whole day. I can get the housework done and can hardly wait for my husband to come home and brag about how clean everything is....I love even the simplest things about my life. But, this make me feel so burdened, oppressed, empty. My time is spent trying to keep my mind from going where it should not instead of being free to feel the joy of my Lord and life. So, as my christian brothers and sisters I am asking you to take some of the burden from me and pray for me.....pray that my panic thoughts can be bound and that the doctor on Monday will have some very simple answers for me like changing my dosage of medicine or trying some other type of medication. Prayer that the peace of our Lord will engulf me this weekend and that I will be freed from the pain of this migraine. Prayer that I can come to the place where my emotions and thoughts don't override my faith. And lastly, if it is God's will pray that I will be healed from these migraines altogether. Thank you for being one in the faith of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
Friday, October 28, 2005
Monday, October 24, 2005
Questioning God...
There has been alot going on around here....happenings that cause you to stop dead in your tracks and reflect on your life, the life of others and ponder the question of God and his will. If any of you read my sister's posts over the weekend, you already aware that someone my family knows died in her sleep Saturday night. This woman, who was around the age of forty, left a husband, ten children (five months old to a senior in high school), family and lots of friends. This is just another happening that is hard to comprehend.
The list in the last six months is lengthy and unsettling....Katrina, the earthquake, my brother-in-law's cancer, and now this! Is there more death, despair, tragedy and death this year, the last five years, this last decade... or am I just getting older and more aware of man's mortality? Is it that, as a country, we have become so civilized, so sophisicated, so knowledgeable, so scientific, so confident that we have forgotten that we are not in control of this life? As christians, have we strayed a bit...have we been shy of speaking the truth, that we are just using this life to pass through to another life...the perfect life? I know I am guilty of this...my first thoughts when Katrina was churning in the gulf was to keep it tuned to the safety of the weather channel. My first thoughts of the massive deaths from the recent earthquake was that we should be lobbying for buildings to be built safer in California. When I was told of my brother-in-law's cancer, I wanted to rush my husband to the doctor so he could get checked so I could receive the okay! All these responses are quite normal and natural but it had me doing some hard thinking.
Do I think of all tragedy, despair, and death as distressing, a heavy blow, something that needs to be reasoned out? Yes, for the most part, I have been guilty. But recently, I have come, through God's help, to try to focus on the mystery of the bigger plan. God has shown me that there are things in this life that I will never be able to reason out, I will never come to understand, I may never even see the purpose in them. When my mind starts to go in the direction of trying to figure out God's purpose, I have to pause, remind myself of how minuscule my thoughts and knowledge of God are. My thoughts, for a moment, can be of sorrow, can be compassionate, can be caring, but then have to turn to rejoicing in the omniscience of our King. My words have to convey my trust in the unknown paths of a Father who made me for whatever time and purpose of his choosing. My mind has to wrap itself around the fact that I am just a vessel, He is the potter...some things in this life I just have to accept on faith that He knows what is best.
In this life, whether it is short or long, whether I have plenty or I am in want, whether things come easy or I have to work by the sweat of my brow, I want to be emptied unto Him...to have all parts of myself be one with Him. I want not to look inward but to look upward, to have a faith so strong that I choose to let the mysteries of this life be solved in knowning that my God has all the answers.
Not one sparrow will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-30
We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God. 2 Cor.1:8-9
The list in the last six months is lengthy and unsettling....Katrina, the earthquake, my brother-in-law's cancer, and now this! Is there more death, despair, tragedy and death this year, the last five years, this last decade... or am I just getting older and more aware of man's mortality? Is it that, as a country, we have become so civilized, so sophisicated, so knowledgeable, so scientific, so confident that we have forgotten that we are not in control of this life? As christians, have we strayed a bit...have we been shy of speaking the truth, that we are just using this life to pass through to another life...the perfect life? I know I am guilty of this...my first thoughts when Katrina was churning in the gulf was to keep it tuned to the safety of the weather channel. My first thoughts of the massive deaths from the recent earthquake was that we should be lobbying for buildings to be built safer in California. When I was told of my brother-in-law's cancer, I wanted to rush my husband to the doctor so he could get checked so I could receive the okay! All these responses are quite normal and natural but it had me doing some hard thinking.
Do I think of all tragedy, despair, and death as distressing, a heavy blow, something that needs to be reasoned out? Yes, for the most part, I have been guilty. But recently, I have come, through God's help, to try to focus on the mystery of the bigger plan. God has shown me that there are things in this life that I will never be able to reason out, I will never come to understand, I may never even see the purpose in them. When my mind starts to go in the direction of trying to figure out God's purpose, I have to pause, remind myself of how minuscule my thoughts and knowledge of God are. My thoughts, for a moment, can be of sorrow, can be compassionate, can be caring, but then have to turn to rejoicing in the omniscience of our King. My words have to convey my trust in the unknown paths of a Father who made me for whatever time and purpose of his choosing. My mind has to wrap itself around the fact that I am just a vessel, He is the potter...some things in this life I just have to accept on faith that He knows what is best.
In this life, whether it is short or long, whether I have plenty or I am in want, whether things come easy or I have to work by the sweat of my brow, I want to be emptied unto Him...to have all parts of myself be one with Him. I want not to look inward but to look upward, to have a faith so strong that I choose to let the mysteries of this life be solved in knowning that my God has all the answers.
Not one sparrow will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-30
We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God. 2 Cor.1:8-9
Friday, October 21, 2005
A Winner
Most of you have heard that a family in Oregon have a winning lottery ticket worth 340 million dollars!! My husband and I don't play the lottery....we don't have anything against it, we just have never gotten into that sort of thing. But we have had those discussions about what if..? Of course, our first thought is of our children....build them each a nice house out here on property ajacent to us...buy them the safest cars on the market....set them up in their own businesses...take a family vacation to somewhere they have always wanted to go. Then our thoughts and dreams have run down the list of family starting with my mom and dad.....hire them a full-time chaffeur so mom doesn't have to drive...move them out here to the country with us (this is where they were going to retire before daddy lost his eyesight).....provide the means for them to go on as many missions trips as they could possiblly fit into their lives. We have entertained ideas about what to do for our siblings on both sides of the family....setting up businesses for our brothers and sisters, paying back school loans they have acquired, paying off their houses so they could be debt free, buying everyone new cars that get excellent gas mileage. But, we have not only entertained dreams of material things for ourselves and our family, we have had dreams of what we could do for our friends, our church, our pastors, and a precious nun we have known for over 25 years....she is one of 12 children, she is from Ireland, and has very little money or material things. We have always said that if we came into money we would buy her a plane ticket so that every year, for the rest of her life, she could go back to Ireland to be with her family. And we have discussed dreams of being able to spend money to help those we don't know... using our money to help fund finding a cure for cancer, paying for kidney or heart transplants for those who can't afford it, setting up a children's orphanage....there is so much we would and could do if we hit the jackpot. The bottom line of our dreams are to help bring others to Christ, help to alleviate suffering and sickness, to help make this life a little more comfortable for our family and friend and help them accomplish what they think is God purpose in their lives.
Well, we haven't won 340 million, no chance since we don't even play the lottery. Our dreams are still the same...to help bring others to Christ, to help alleviate suffering and sickness, to help make this life a little more comfortable for family and friends, and to help them accomplish what they think is God purpose in their lives. This is what we attempt to do each and everyday with what God has chosen to give us in this life....truth that is illuminated through a relationship with a risen Saviour, a heart that is seeped in compassion, hands and feet carrying a servant's attitude and a soul that is lead down the path of His will. Oh, we have won the lottery, the prize of knowing and following a life in Christ Jesus and the prize of a life everlasting.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
Well, we haven't won 340 million, no chance since we don't even play the lottery. Our dreams are still the same...to help bring others to Christ, to help alleviate suffering and sickness, to help make this life a little more comfortable for family and friends, and to help them accomplish what they think is God purpose in their lives. This is what we attempt to do each and everyday with what God has chosen to give us in this life....truth that is illuminated through a relationship with a risen Saviour, a heart that is seeped in compassion, hands and feet carrying a servant's attitude and a soul that is lead down the path of His will. Oh, we have won the lottery, the prize of knowing and following a life in Christ Jesus and the prize of a life everlasting.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Plain Scary
Our family received some bad news last night. My brother-in-law Jonathan, my oldest sister's husband, has been diagnosted with prostate cancer. He is in his early 50's and in great shape...he is a southern Baptist preacher, a father of four...he is a husband, a son-in-law, brother and brother-in-law. The news came over the telephone, to him, and today they will be going to see the doctor to find out their options.
This news fills you up with every kind of emotion, fear, sadness, panic, loss....the word cancer is just plain scary! I talked with my sister last night in an attempt to "be there" for her. I was at a loss as to what to say to Jonathan. She has already has some panic and fear but seems to think that after they talk to the doctor they will all feel better. Having a plan of some sort is better that just trying to deal with the unknown. She will be calling today after the visit with the doctor to tell us more.
This is a family of deep and strong faith. They will trust in the greatest of all physicians. They will surrender to him and let His will be done. They will walk in the shadow of his wings and come to our Saviour for comfort. I am sure though, that this will be a hard path to walk, that in their humanness they will need each and every one of us to storm heaven with our prayers, to be there to encourage them, and to show our deep love for them. Jonathon has an amazingly intimate relationship with the Almighty...one that is deep, trusting, unquestioning, knowledgeable. His is a man who really dwells in and with Christ. This will be important in the days and months ahead. As my sister and I finished our conversation late last night she said that she has always, since she was a little girl, truly believed God can do anything! These are the kind of thoughts that will help carry them through this time that will bring many challenges.
Please pray for them and ask others to pray for them also....this time the announcement of the big "C" has hit home. I told my sister that we will storm heaven and that is what I intend to do. The news, yes, is plain scary, but Jonathan and Tenny have the greatest of all physicians, a father with the biggest arms of comfort, a heart for them that is bursting with mercy, ears that are ready and waiting to hear their fears and concerns.....a God that will overwhelm them with his love and strength.
This news fills you up with every kind of emotion, fear, sadness, panic, loss....the word cancer is just plain scary! I talked with my sister last night in an attempt to "be there" for her. I was at a loss as to what to say to Jonathan. She has already has some panic and fear but seems to think that after they talk to the doctor they will all feel better. Having a plan of some sort is better that just trying to deal with the unknown. She will be calling today after the visit with the doctor to tell us more.
This is a family of deep and strong faith. They will trust in the greatest of all physicians. They will surrender to him and let His will be done. They will walk in the shadow of his wings and come to our Saviour for comfort. I am sure though, that this will be a hard path to walk, that in their humanness they will need each and every one of us to storm heaven with our prayers, to be there to encourage them, and to show our deep love for them. Jonathon has an amazingly intimate relationship with the Almighty...one that is deep, trusting, unquestioning, knowledgeable. His is a man who really dwells in and with Christ. This will be important in the days and months ahead. As my sister and I finished our conversation late last night she said that she has always, since she was a little girl, truly believed God can do anything! These are the kind of thoughts that will help carry them through this time that will bring many challenges.
Please pray for them and ask others to pray for them also....this time the announcement of the big "C" has hit home. I told my sister that we will storm heaven and that is what I intend to do. The news, yes, is plain scary, but Jonathan and Tenny have the greatest of all physicians, a father with the biggest arms of comfort, a heart for them that is bursting with mercy, ears that are ready and waiting to hear their fears and concerns.....a God that will overwhelm them with his love and strength.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Fall is Here.... at Least in Dearing
The weather is changing. The temperature last night was in the low 40's out here in the country. That wasn't my only indictor though. My warm weather son, Russell, coming into my room this morning in his Northface long sleeved shirt, looking a little blue around the lips and asking if we could close all the windows was the best clue. Yes, it is fall and time for me to do my "seasonal thing". This week the house will be decorated with plump pumpkins, scarecrows, pots full of mums, and anything in the colors of red, yellow, orange, and brown. My fall quilts will be brought out, the summer dishes will be replaced with fall dishes, and my workcenter will be covered in stamps of acorns, leaves and sunflowers and papers of varying shades of browns, reds and golds.
This seasonal phenomenon has always puzzled my men..."So, honey..have you been shopping? Didn't know so much dinner could fit on a leaf shaped plate....what happened to my trout coffee mug?..no, oh no, I don't mind drinking out of a pumpkins mug..are these new? ...."Hey, honey...see you have started on a new quilt?! Is that the sun or sunflower? .....Acorns?..Well, looks to me like that color brown paper would do just fine..no, you think it is tooo brown...oh, yes that lighter brown looks better..oh, that color is not brown!?..that color is terra cotta..I would have never guessed!......Puzzled, oh yes, and they seem to stay that way!
The seasons for my men signal better fishing or less fishing, more yard work or less yard work, piling up loads of wood or not piling up loads of wood. For me, the change in seasons renew in me an appreciation for God our Creator, the Almighty One, who with one stroke of his hand covered the earth in colors of brilliant yellows, vibrant greens, shocking pinks, and soothing lavendars in spring and summer. Then with another stroke of His heavenly paint brush....shocking reds, deep oranges, bright yellows and strong browns dominate the landscape in the fall. Oh, and even here in the south, about once a year, he chooses to throw out the colors and whitewash the land making it, sometimes for more than a day or two, a white or iced wonderland.
The seasons, for me, also remind me of the love and caring of my Father. Just as the abundance of "babies" (birds, bunnies, squirrels) in the spring always amaze me so do the flocks of Canadian geese, flying in picture perfect formation overhead, knowing where they are going, and what they have to do. I can sit for hours watching the striped chipmunks scurrying around with their cheeks full of nuts, preparing automatically for the winter. Gone are the flutter of the hummingbirds, only to be replaced by an increasing of the sounds of our owl friends. On cool crisp evenings, the heavens are bursting with the twinkling of millions, upon millions of stars.The Almighty has taken such care with every single detail of heaven and earth....His way of reminding me of the care of every detail he knows and takes care of in my life!!
As much as I love the feel of the cool earth in my hands in the spring when planting starts, I also love and rejoice in the smell of holiday turkeys and pies baking, of the togetherness of cool nights spent under handmade quilts watching old movies by the flickering light of the fireplace. I can not help but praise His holy name as the leaves on the trees change colors and fall, leaving a carpet of red and yellow on the ground. A smile and "thank you Jesus", is on my lips as I place bold orange pumpkins and pots of red and yellow mums down the steps of the deck and by the door welcoming each and every vistor.
So, as I go about my "seasonal thing", part of which is reminding my husband that I have not been shopping...we have had those plates for years...it is not a new quilt, it is the one I have brought out every fall for the past four years...if you can make your son drink from the "pumpkin mug", then have at it, you will be off the hook(!), it is not about commerialism or secularism...it is about love, gratefulness, appreciation, joy. It is about being reminded to give my God, my Father, my Creator all the praise and honor and glory due to him. Let us all rejoice and be glad...Fall is here!!
...He will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 51:3
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, "fall on the earth", so that all men may know His work. Job 37: 5-7
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor. For everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom: You are exalted as head over all. Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name. I Chronicles 29: 11, 13
This seasonal phenomenon has always puzzled my men..."So, honey..have you been shopping? Didn't know so much dinner could fit on a leaf shaped plate....what happened to my trout coffee mug?..no, oh no, I don't mind drinking out of a pumpkins mug..are these new? ...."Hey, honey...see you have started on a new quilt?! Is that the sun or sunflower? .....Acorns?..Well, looks to me like that color brown paper would do just fine..no, you think it is tooo brown...oh, yes that lighter brown looks better..oh, that color is not brown!?..that color is terra cotta..I would have never guessed!......Puzzled, oh yes, and they seem to stay that way!
The seasons for my men signal better fishing or less fishing, more yard work or less yard work, piling up loads of wood or not piling up loads of wood. For me, the change in seasons renew in me an appreciation for God our Creator, the Almighty One, who with one stroke of his hand covered the earth in colors of brilliant yellows, vibrant greens, shocking pinks, and soothing lavendars in spring and summer. Then with another stroke of His heavenly paint brush....shocking reds, deep oranges, bright yellows and strong browns dominate the landscape in the fall. Oh, and even here in the south, about once a year, he chooses to throw out the colors and whitewash the land making it, sometimes for more than a day or two, a white or iced wonderland.
The seasons, for me, also remind me of the love and caring of my Father. Just as the abundance of "babies" (birds, bunnies, squirrels) in the spring always amaze me so do the flocks of Canadian geese, flying in picture perfect formation overhead, knowing where they are going, and what they have to do. I can sit for hours watching the striped chipmunks scurrying around with their cheeks full of nuts, preparing automatically for the winter. Gone are the flutter of the hummingbirds, only to be replaced by an increasing of the sounds of our owl friends. On cool crisp evenings, the heavens are bursting with the twinkling of millions, upon millions of stars.The Almighty has taken such care with every single detail of heaven and earth....His way of reminding me of the care of every detail he knows and takes care of in my life!!
As much as I love the feel of the cool earth in my hands in the spring when planting starts, I also love and rejoice in the smell of holiday turkeys and pies baking, of the togetherness of cool nights spent under handmade quilts watching old movies by the flickering light of the fireplace. I can not help but praise His holy name as the leaves on the trees change colors and fall, leaving a carpet of red and yellow on the ground. A smile and "thank you Jesus", is on my lips as I place bold orange pumpkins and pots of red and yellow mums down the steps of the deck and by the door welcoming each and every vistor.
So, as I go about my "seasonal thing", part of which is reminding my husband that I have not been shopping...we have had those plates for years...it is not a new quilt, it is the one I have brought out every fall for the past four years...if you can make your son drink from the "pumpkin mug", then have at it, you will be off the hook(!), it is not about commerialism or secularism...it is about love, gratefulness, appreciation, joy. It is about being reminded to give my God, my Father, my Creator all the praise and honor and glory due to him. Let us all rejoice and be glad...Fall is here!!
...He will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 51:3
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, "fall on the earth", so that all men may know His work. Job 37: 5-7
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor. For everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom: You are exalted as head over all. Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name. I Chronicles 29: 11, 13
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
It Sounds Like Him
Yesterday, while cleaning the house, I received a phone call. The voice on the other end identified himself as my husband and he sounded like my husband , but WAS it MY husband?! "Hey honey, a friend told me about a little place downtown. Every Tuesday night they have an Irish band that plays...how about the two of us going down there, having a good cold Irish beer and listening to the music for awhile...just the two of us?" My first thought was who was this person and what have they done with my husband? So, using the detective skills that I have honed while raising my family, I was going to get to the bottom of this..."Excuse me, what exactly did you say?" Okay, so I need some more honing on those detective skills....yes, it was my husband's voice but I was sure, like in one of those old 1970's scifi movies, that someone or something had overtaken him.
You see, in the here, dates were putting the children to bed and watching a good movie on cable while eating a homemade pizza. it is not that my husband doesn't desire to spend time alone with me, it is that we put evenings away from home on hold while we were raising our family. First, my husband was a fireman and spent every other 24 hours away from home...ate, slept, and resided at the firehouse. Four out of every seven days were already spent away from his home and his children so we where not going to spend one of those precious three evenings out somewhere. Also, I was schooling my children through elementary, then middle and finally high school. I was the teacher, by our choosing, but it was a weighty responsibility. I needed every evening to prepare myself for the studies of the next day...doing algebra problems, reading literature books, studying their biology, learning their goverment and world history. You see, if I didn't know the material, if I didn't do the problem sets, if I didn't read the books, how in the world could I teach, little less answer their questions. We developed our bedroom as our meeting place. Instead of hiring a babysitter or leaving the kids at home, driving somewhere, spending time and money we did not have, and then arriving home past our bedtime, only to be not at our best the next day, we would put the kids to bed, and go to our room. There we would have a picinic or a movie. I would make special iced-coffees, and desserts. We would talk about hiking trails and camping..books and movie ratings...my cares and his concerns. But, go out on a grown-up date...drinks and music..traveling there and back..I haven't been asked to do that since.......
So again, using those honed detective skills and also using my femine protective skills (wanting expectations to be the same), I asked, "Russell?, are you asking me to go out at 8 pm tonight with you to listen to some music and have cold beer or an Irish coffee? Is that what you said?" The "Russell" part was to trip him up in case it was an imposter! Clever don't you think? What came out of his mouth next really left me dumbfounded..."Yes, that is what I was asking you, I thought it might be alot of fun for us. It's time we started getting out a little and doing something just for us!" Has some romantic, grown-up man taken over my home-body, no crowd, ruled husband? Seems like it!! After some discussion, we decided that since he had been at work since 4:00 am, we would go for our date next Tuesday. He would go in at a resonable time and come home early....he said we might even let the kids take care of themselves and grab a bite to eat. So next Tuesday night I have a date...i'm still not sure that something or someone hasn't overtaken my husband but it did sound like him...and this morning when he kissed me goodbye and reminded me that Tuesday we had a date, it looked like him. It appears that all of us in this family, in the after, are going to be doing a little growing up and spreading our wings a little. Here's to next Tuesday and the luck of the Irish!!!
Go, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, because it is now that God favors your works. ...Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of the fleeting life that is granted you under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9: 7,9
You see, in the here, dates were putting the children to bed and watching a good movie on cable while eating a homemade pizza. it is not that my husband doesn't desire to spend time alone with me, it is that we put evenings away from home on hold while we were raising our family. First, my husband was a fireman and spent every other 24 hours away from home...ate, slept, and resided at the firehouse. Four out of every seven days were already spent away from his home and his children so we where not going to spend one of those precious three evenings out somewhere. Also, I was schooling my children through elementary, then middle and finally high school. I was the teacher, by our choosing, but it was a weighty responsibility. I needed every evening to prepare myself for the studies of the next day...doing algebra problems, reading literature books, studying their biology, learning their goverment and world history. You see, if I didn't know the material, if I didn't do the problem sets, if I didn't read the books, how in the world could I teach, little less answer their questions. We developed our bedroom as our meeting place. Instead of hiring a babysitter or leaving the kids at home, driving somewhere, spending time and money we did not have, and then arriving home past our bedtime, only to be not at our best the next day, we would put the kids to bed, and go to our room. There we would have a picinic or a movie. I would make special iced-coffees, and desserts. We would talk about hiking trails and camping..books and movie ratings...my cares and his concerns. But, go out on a grown-up date...drinks and music..traveling there and back..I haven't been asked to do that since.......
So again, using those honed detective skills and also using my femine protective skills (wanting expectations to be the same), I asked, "Russell?, are you asking me to go out at 8 pm tonight with you to listen to some music and have cold beer or an Irish coffee? Is that what you said?" The "Russell" part was to trip him up in case it was an imposter! Clever don't you think? What came out of his mouth next really left me dumbfounded..."Yes, that is what I was asking you, I thought it might be alot of fun for us. It's time we started getting out a little and doing something just for us!" Has some romantic, grown-up man taken over my home-body, no crowd, ruled husband? Seems like it!! After some discussion, we decided that since he had been at work since 4:00 am, we would go for our date next Tuesday. He would go in at a resonable time and come home early....he said we might even let the kids take care of themselves and grab a bite to eat. So next Tuesday night I have a date...i'm still not sure that something or someone hasn't overtaken my husband but it did sound like him...and this morning when he kissed me goodbye and reminded me that Tuesday we had a date, it looked like him. It appears that all of us in this family, in the after, are going to be doing a little growing up and spreading our wings a little. Here's to next Tuesday and the luck of the Irish!!!
Go, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, because it is now that God favors your works. ...Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of the fleeting life that is granted you under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9: 7,9
Friday, October 07, 2005
The Sun, My Son
This weekend, as we were driving home from our camping trip, my son and I were discussing what he did not like about the mountains. He loves the fishing, the camping, the changing leaves but he does not like that the sun is not bright and visible. That is the problem with the "Smokey Mountains". There is always a haze, a greyness, filtered light...not the bright shinning sun like at the beach and he loves the beach especially the bright sunlight. I could not help, as he talked, of listing in my mind some of the adjectives used in conjuntion with the "sun" and how these describe my "son".
The first one that comes to mind is "bright"...my son is very smart and not only is he smart but he picks up on things very quickly. He pays attention and listens, files it away, and brings it back when needed. He is able to teach himself, he, if interested, and is eager to learn. Put these together and I think that qualifies him as "bright".
As the "sun" is ever-moving so is my son. He wants to participate in it all, is ready to try new things, puts himself out there to be and take part of whatever is going on. He enjoys new experiences and can do things with one person, a group of people, young people or the elderly, boys or girls...which helps keeps him ever-moving!
The sun is "holy". There are multiudes of scripture which relate to the sun and light and is used in the context of holy. My son is like this....he is not a saint, no perfect by any means but has a holiness about him... a deep sense of right and wrong, of godliness and ungodliness, of God's presence in his life. He really attempts to make "holy" choices and knowing his heart as only a mother can...he's "holy" in my book.
I looked up "sun" in an old 1940's book of adjectives that I have. One that jumped out at me was "joyous". That is really my son. He always shows joy, passes it on with his attitude, spends each day joyous for whatever is coming his way. Being joyous is a choice, for some coming easier for others, and he definetly chooses sees the joy in life.
"Ministering" is something related often to the sun...the effects of the sunlight on our mental health, ect.. Russell also has this quality. He is the source of help that everyone comes to. It happens often that someone comes to him, telling him about a problem and asking his advice on what to do. He listens attentively, always seems to be able to come up with something quite logical, simple and sound. Back during the summer months, he was headed home one evening when he called us on his cell. He told us that he would be late picking up his sister due to a friend needing to see him right then. When questioned further, it was one of his male friends who was having some sort of girl crisis and needed to talk it over with Russ. My husband remarked how different times have changed...he thought that was a girl kinda thing..crisises in your love life and needing a friend. It was then, in talking over other instance that came to mind that we realized...boys, girls..they need him to minister to them.
Have you noticed how the sun is "never-hurried". It comes up when it is suppose to, makes it way across the sky, taking all day then slowly sets. My son, even though he is busy, he projects a relaxed style...he seems "never-hurried". He is orderly and stays on schedule which keeps him from seeming hurried, flustered, in a rush. He makes the most of his time so he is able to fit in all that he wants or needs to do with being hurried. Yes, I would vote for "never-hurried".
Russell has a great smile, he is a handsome guy, and always connsiderate, and kind...a very "pleasant" person on the inside and out. I looked up the definition and it read, "pleasing to the mind, feelings, or senses." There is no need to say more...he encompassses this.
One thing all my family can agree on is that Russ is steady....steady as the "sun" is. He has an even temper, he is loyal to all his friends, he always works hard on whatever he is doing. He is a man of a few words, speaking when he has something to say but mostly listens. He is steady...he can be relied on and his actions, for the most part, can be banked on.
When Russ was about three we made a conscious decision that when his daddy was at the firehouse, he should sit in daddy's chair at the dinner table. This was not to put undue pressure on him but to start modeling him into a strong, responsible, protective man. One day, we knew he would have a family to care for and he would be the "strengthening" force in his family. Little by little we wanted to train him to be strong without taking away any of the God given gentleness that was within him. He has a strongness, a strength that others draw from. Strong in his convictions, strong in his relationships, strong in his determination, strong in his faith....strong and strengthening everyday just like the strengthening of the "sun".
As a young man, he probably would not like to hear me say this but he is "tender". Tender like the sun's rays on a spring morning...tender like the early morning sun...tender like the last glimpse of the sun settting on the horizon. When he was born, God gave us a gift of the tenderness in him. I had a girl first, and was very happy to have this one and then more..plenty of girls...I came from a family of girls. The last thing I could imagine was having a loud, harsh, hard son. I knew a tenderness in his father, thought at times thought that men made like that were miracles... that didn't or wouldn't happen often, but knew in that respect I wanted him to be like his dad. I prayed and prayed and prayed and God answered that prayer...He gave me a son with a tender heart, a softness ....just like his daddy. One day, there will be a girl in his life that will be greatly blessed, like the girls in our family are, because of this tender heart in a man's body.
And lastly, an adjective that the "sun" and my "son" share is warmth. He has a warm spirit, a warm heart, and a warmth in the way he deals with people. Have you experienced sitting in the sun on a spring day and being so cozy that you drift off into a nap? The warmth of the sun as made you relaxed, calm, serene. The warmth bring a tranquility to you...just like my "son". The adjectives here...relaxed, calm, serene, cozy, tranquility, warmth, they all describe my "son". He treats other in a relaxed, calmand warm manner. He makes them feel serene and cozy around them. When you are with him you feel tranquill....just like the warmth of the "sun".
Thank you for listening...I know all of you feel the same about your children! As parents we love our children with full hearts and of course see the very best in them. Thank you for allowing me to boast for a little while...it is not something I try to do often. God has blessed me with two wonderful gifts...my children. It is through His blessings, His grace, His guidance that I have been given these precious gifts of life. He has given me a "son" to love, train, nuture, and raise to walk the path of a righteous man of God and I am doing the best I know how. It is only with my Lord and Saviour at my side guiding me in every minute of every day that I can attempt to do the job he has graciously given to me. And thank you, son, for giving me, your daddy, and your sister such joy, love, trust, and pride in the child of God you are. I love you beyond words.....Mom.
The first one that comes to mind is "bright"...my son is very smart and not only is he smart but he picks up on things very quickly. He pays attention and listens, files it away, and brings it back when needed. He is able to teach himself, he, if interested, and is eager to learn. Put these together and I think that qualifies him as "bright".
As the "sun" is ever-moving so is my son. He wants to participate in it all, is ready to try new things, puts himself out there to be and take part of whatever is going on. He enjoys new experiences and can do things with one person, a group of people, young people or the elderly, boys or girls...which helps keeps him ever-moving!
The sun is "holy". There are multiudes of scripture which relate to the sun and light and is used in the context of holy. My son is like this....he is not a saint, no perfect by any means but has a holiness about him... a deep sense of right and wrong, of godliness and ungodliness, of God's presence in his life. He really attempts to make "holy" choices and knowing his heart as only a mother can...he's "holy" in my book.
I looked up "sun" in an old 1940's book of adjectives that I have. One that jumped out at me was "joyous". That is really my son. He always shows joy, passes it on with his attitude, spends each day joyous for whatever is coming his way. Being joyous is a choice, for some coming easier for others, and he definetly chooses sees the joy in life.
"Ministering" is something related often to the sun...the effects of the sunlight on our mental health, ect.. Russell also has this quality. He is the source of help that everyone comes to. It happens often that someone comes to him, telling him about a problem and asking his advice on what to do. He listens attentively, always seems to be able to come up with something quite logical, simple and sound. Back during the summer months, he was headed home one evening when he called us on his cell. He told us that he would be late picking up his sister due to a friend needing to see him right then. When questioned further, it was one of his male friends who was having some sort of girl crisis and needed to talk it over with Russ. My husband remarked how different times have changed...he thought that was a girl kinda thing..crisises in your love life and needing a friend. It was then, in talking over other instance that came to mind that we realized...boys, girls..they need him to minister to them.
Have you noticed how the sun is "never-hurried". It comes up when it is suppose to, makes it way across the sky, taking all day then slowly sets. My son, even though he is busy, he projects a relaxed style...he seems "never-hurried". He is orderly and stays on schedule which keeps him from seeming hurried, flustered, in a rush. He makes the most of his time so he is able to fit in all that he wants or needs to do with being hurried. Yes, I would vote for "never-hurried".
Russell has a great smile, he is a handsome guy, and always connsiderate, and kind...a very "pleasant" person on the inside and out. I looked up the definition and it read, "pleasing to the mind, feelings, or senses." There is no need to say more...he encompassses this.
One thing all my family can agree on is that Russ is steady....steady as the "sun" is. He has an even temper, he is loyal to all his friends, he always works hard on whatever he is doing. He is a man of a few words, speaking when he has something to say but mostly listens. He is steady...he can be relied on and his actions, for the most part, can be banked on.
When Russ was about three we made a conscious decision that when his daddy was at the firehouse, he should sit in daddy's chair at the dinner table. This was not to put undue pressure on him but to start modeling him into a strong, responsible, protective man. One day, we knew he would have a family to care for and he would be the "strengthening" force in his family. Little by little we wanted to train him to be strong without taking away any of the God given gentleness that was within him. He has a strongness, a strength that others draw from. Strong in his convictions, strong in his relationships, strong in his determination, strong in his faith....strong and strengthening everyday just like the strengthening of the "sun".
As a young man, he probably would not like to hear me say this but he is "tender". Tender like the sun's rays on a spring morning...tender like the early morning sun...tender like the last glimpse of the sun settting on the horizon. When he was born, God gave us a gift of the tenderness in him. I had a girl first, and was very happy to have this one and then more..plenty of girls...I came from a family of girls. The last thing I could imagine was having a loud, harsh, hard son. I knew a tenderness in his father, thought at times thought that men made like that were miracles... that didn't or wouldn't happen often, but knew in that respect I wanted him to be like his dad. I prayed and prayed and prayed and God answered that prayer...He gave me a son with a tender heart, a softness ....just like his daddy. One day, there will be a girl in his life that will be greatly blessed, like the girls in our family are, because of this tender heart in a man's body.
And lastly, an adjective that the "sun" and my "son" share is warmth. He has a warm spirit, a warm heart, and a warmth in the way he deals with people. Have you experienced sitting in the sun on a spring day and being so cozy that you drift off into a nap? The warmth of the sun as made you relaxed, calm, serene. The warmth bring a tranquility to you...just like my "son". The adjectives here...relaxed, calm, serene, cozy, tranquility, warmth, they all describe my "son". He treats other in a relaxed, calmand warm manner. He makes them feel serene and cozy around them. When you are with him you feel tranquill....just like the warmth of the "sun".
Thank you for listening...I know all of you feel the same about your children! As parents we love our children with full hearts and of course see the very best in them. Thank you for allowing me to boast for a little while...it is not something I try to do often. God has blessed me with two wonderful gifts...my children. It is through His blessings, His grace, His guidance that I have been given these precious gifts of life. He has given me a "son" to love, train, nuture, and raise to walk the path of a righteous man of God and I am doing the best I know how. It is only with my Lord and Saviour at my side guiding me in every minute of every day that I can attempt to do the job he has graciously given to me. And thank you, son, for giving me, your daddy, and your sister such joy, love, trust, and pride in the child of God you are. I love you beyond words.....Mom.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Today is my mother-in-law's birthday..........Happy Birthday Mom!!!
We love you and miss you so very much.
"...They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple;and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their sheperd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:15-17
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Encourage One Another
Here lately I have been very convicted about how "blessed" I am! God loves me and I feel that love...I really feel it. There are alot of reasons, but one is that I have people in my life that have been encouraging me. Not a lot of people...but people I value, people of like-mindedness, people who care about me, people that have been chosen by God to do His work. "Let us hold unswerving to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25.
In life, for most of us, it is hard to be unswerving. We have a process, we have to grow in our faith. For some it comes easier than others, some aren't called on as often as others...I have never lost a child or been abused or had an unfaithful husband. But, even though I have never been through really hard times, I still have had times that I have questioned God's faithfulness. It is by His grace and His choosing to reveal "why" after I have walked through something hard that has helped me grow, that keeps me hanging in there when I start to doubt. I believe we are to encourage others with our experiences of His faithfulness so here is one....
We lived in Augusta, just blocks from my mom, dad, and sister. We also lived just one mile from my in-laws. We loved where we lived and we were atttached to the house (we brought our newborn son home here).But because of our homeschooling and distractions (the city) we wanted to move...move to the country. So we put the house on the market. Everything that we could have done to sell it we did. A friend, that was a realtor, even came in and told us what furniture we should put in storage so the house would look bigger. We did not live in a fancy neighborhood or have a very big house..no big selling points. It almost killed me trying to keep it clean and organized (remember I was homeschooling two children so there where at least three people in the house 24/7). The realtor would call at the worst moments and we would have to leave so the house could be shown. This was our life for about two years, but we where encouraged by others, spurred on to keep it on the market, but even then we often faltered..swerved...asked God if we were hearing him correctly how come he didn't just bring someone to buy our house?
Then in May of 1994 our lives took an unexpected turn...my mother-in-law got sick and was taken to the hospital. During the next six-weeks we spent each and every minute in the hospital. My mother-in-law had surgery, made it out of intensive care, was moved to a regular floor, but then took a bad turn. During this six week period the house was the last thing on our minds. My family stepped in and showed the house when needed but it was at it's worst. It was dirty, messy and definetly not straightened. It was a stop off for us...a place to grab a sandwhich, check in with whomever had the children and change our clothes. Then, one Monday in June our house sold!! Dirty, unorganized, cluttered...a mess...and it sold. But, our joy was short lived...that same week, on Thursday, my mother-in-law died. We were devastated, we were unprepared, we were hardly able to function. And we had to vacate by the end of the month. We buried my mother-in-law and had thirteen days to be out. My parents stepped in and told us to put our belongs in storage and move the seventy miles..come live with them for awhile..give ourselves some time. And we did.
This was all part of God's plan...you see my dad was losing his eyesight...he was in what they call the denial stage. He was really struggling and so was my mom. When we moved in all of this became apparent and my husband "took the bull by the horns" so to say...he stepped in to help. He helped get my dad to Emory, a hospital in Atlanta. As I looked back God had the perfect plan for us and I see it now even though then I didn't understand...1) we were with my dad at a very hard time and hopefully helped him in his time of need, giving back to him a little of what he has given so humbly to us 2) my husband was commuting 80 miles one way to work which gave him time and space alone to grieve without any distractions 3)I needed my mom, I need her to answer hard questions for me, I need her strength for me and for my children, I needed her as a soft place for me 4) my children had just lost one grandmother, they needed their other grandmother, the security she provided 5) we needed the love that ministered to us that we could have only received by living with them 6) we needed the comfort of knowing that the Monday before my mother-in-law died, that we were able to give the good news of our move to the country, a place she knew her son and grandchildren desired to me. It made her very happy.
We stayed with them a year, then moved to the country on a piece of property my daddy had. Living with my parents was the best of times and the worst of times and I see now that it was God's perfect plan for us. He has a plan, his plan is perfect, he wants us to not be anixous, to trust in him and wait on his timing. My Lord and Saviour has given me a gift...the gift of a lesson learned. He chose to walk me through a hard time, a time of doubt, a time of sadness and then revealed his plan to us...only after we had walked the whole path. He gave me a lesson to be used to spur on others, to encourage others, to hold close to my heart and when I swerve bring back to memory HIS everfaithfulness, HIS perfection, HIS timing and also HIS abundant blessing on me. So here is my story...I pray that it will spur you to stand on our Father's faithfulness. I pray that it will encourage you to wait on our Father's perfect plan...whatever you are dealing with that is causing you to swerve. I pray that we can keep on meeting in the hope of encouraging one another in this life and for the life here after.
Thank you heavenly Father for having perfect plans for me. Thank you, no matter how hard I push against you that you are everfaithful to fulfill your work in me. Thank you for your abundant blessing and give me the opportunity to spur others on in their faithfulness to you, my God and my King, forever. Amen
In life, for most of us, it is hard to be unswerving. We have a process, we have to grow in our faith. For some it comes easier than others, some aren't called on as often as others...I have never lost a child or been abused or had an unfaithful husband. But, even though I have never been through really hard times, I still have had times that I have questioned God's faithfulness. It is by His grace and His choosing to reveal "why" after I have walked through something hard that has helped me grow, that keeps me hanging in there when I start to doubt. I believe we are to encourage others with our experiences of His faithfulness so here is one....
We lived in Augusta, just blocks from my mom, dad, and sister. We also lived just one mile from my in-laws. We loved where we lived and we were atttached to the house (we brought our newborn son home here).But because of our homeschooling and distractions (the city) we wanted to move...move to the country. So we put the house on the market. Everything that we could have done to sell it we did. A friend, that was a realtor, even came in and told us what furniture we should put in storage so the house would look bigger. We did not live in a fancy neighborhood or have a very big house..no big selling points. It almost killed me trying to keep it clean and organized (remember I was homeschooling two children so there where at least three people in the house 24/7). The realtor would call at the worst moments and we would have to leave so the house could be shown. This was our life for about two years, but we where encouraged by others, spurred on to keep it on the market, but even then we often faltered..swerved...asked God if we were hearing him correctly how come he didn't just bring someone to buy our house?
Then in May of 1994 our lives took an unexpected turn...my mother-in-law got sick and was taken to the hospital. During the next six-weeks we spent each and every minute in the hospital. My mother-in-law had surgery, made it out of intensive care, was moved to a regular floor, but then took a bad turn. During this six week period the house was the last thing on our minds. My family stepped in and showed the house when needed but it was at it's worst. It was dirty, messy and definetly not straightened. It was a stop off for us...a place to grab a sandwhich, check in with whomever had the children and change our clothes. Then, one Monday in June our house sold!! Dirty, unorganized, cluttered...a mess...and it sold. But, our joy was short lived...that same week, on Thursday, my mother-in-law died. We were devastated, we were unprepared, we were hardly able to function. And we had to vacate by the end of the month. We buried my mother-in-law and had thirteen days to be out. My parents stepped in and told us to put our belongs in storage and move the seventy miles..come live with them for awhile..give ourselves some time. And we did.
This was all part of God's plan...you see my dad was losing his eyesight...he was in what they call the denial stage. He was really struggling and so was my mom. When we moved in all of this became apparent and my husband "took the bull by the horns" so to say...he stepped in to help. He helped get my dad to Emory, a hospital in Atlanta. As I looked back God had the perfect plan for us and I see it now even though then I didn't understand...1) we were with my dad at a very hard time and hopefully helped him in his time of need, giving back to him a little of what he has given so humbly to us 2) my husband was commuting 80 miles one way to work which gave him time and space alone to grieve without any distractions 3)I needed my mom, I need her to answer hard questions for me, I need her strength for me and for my children, I needed her as a soft place for me 4) my children had just lost one grandmother, they needed their other grandmother, the security she provided 5) we needed the love that ministered to us that we could have only received by living with them 6) we needed the comfort of knowing that the Monday before my mother-in-law died, that we were able to give the good news of our move to the country, a place she knew her son and grandchildren desired to me. It made her very happy.
We stayed with them a year, then moved to the country on a piece of property my daddy had. Living with my parents was the best of times and the worst of times and I see now that it was God's perfect plan for us. He has a plan, his plan is perfect, he wants us to not be anixous, to trust in him and wait on his timing. My Lord and Saviour has given me a gift...the gift of a lesson learned. He chose to walk me through a hard time, a time of doubt, a time of sadness and then revealed his plan to us...only after we had walked the whole path. He gave me a lesson to be used to spur on others, to encourage others, to hold close to my heart and when I swerve bring back to memory HIS everfaithfulness, HIS perfection, HIS timing and also HIS abundant blessing on me. So here is my story...I pray that it will spur you to stand on our Father's faithfulness. I pray that it will encourage you to wait on our Father's perfect plan...whatever you are dealing with that is causing you to swerve. I pray that we can keep on meeting in the hope of encouraging one another in this life and for the life here after.
Thank you heavenly Father for having perfect plans for me. Thank you, no matter how hard I push against you that you are everfaithful to fulfill your work in me. Thank you for your abundant blessing and give me the opportunity to spur others on in their faithfulness to you, my God and my King, forever. Amen
Monday, October 03, 2005
A Trip We Will Remember
We are back and it was a great trip! We pulled out of home pretty much on schedule, my son driving and my husband riding shotgun, with the back of the van loaded with all the essentials...and the back seat..where I sat loaded with all the necessary traveling paraphernalia. You know.."Irish Cream" flavored coffee, gourmet trail mix, a comfortable quilt, a good book, and my pillow. I am always the navigator (do they really think I do a good job or do they just feel sorry for me in the back?), so I have to keep my mind on the trip and pay attention to road signs. We decided to go all state highways versus the interstate and it was a wonderful drive. The scenery was great, always something to look at, and a lot of little towns along the way which are always interesting to me. About halfway, my husband changed seats with me, and thanks to my pillow he had a good nap, while mother and son successfully made our way to the Davidson River.
When we pulled into the guard hut the campground was almost full but as always God is good! We got the best campsite out of the 170 or so sites...site 136. It was secluded from the neghbors, had a hill and walking trail right behind us and was close to the water supply and more importantly close to the bathrooms. I discovered, even before camp was set up, that if I scaled the hill and followed the walking trails, that there was alot of wood to be had for our campfire. So, I became the offical wood gatherer(?). We unanimously decided to go back into the town of Brevard, eat some lunch, buy a few flies from the flyfishing store, call my nephew and niece-to-be, and then come back and set up camp. We did exactly that...ate a great hot lunch at the "Pisgah Fish Camp", stopped by the local grocery store, then the flyfishing store, called the kids to let them know which site we were at and then back to set up camp. The boys set up the tent, then the awning over the picinic table, then suited up in their waders, grabbed their fly rods and head for the uncharted waters and unsuspecting trout in the Davidson River. I got to work..had plenty to keep me busy...setting up camp, gathering fire wood, getting a fire started and thinking about dinner. I decided to focus on the tent first...laid out the air mattresses, unrolled my son's sleeping bag, laid out my blankets for my husband and I, threw in pillows, and placed our duffle bags at each spot designating where each person would sleep, making sure I was in between the two strong guys! Then I moved on to the table/food set-up. Russell had bought me a plastic fall table cloth with a flannel backing. We also had matching plates and napkins, of course, all in the fall theme. I covered the picnic table, set the cookstove at one end and set up plates, napkins, silverware, cups, drinks, and snacks at the other end. Even though we had an awning over the table, the breeze ushered in a few BIG, colorful leaves to the table as if it adding a few finishing touches. Very, very fallish!! My attention then went to the hill and gathering wood to start the fire..."the hill" ended up being my challenge of the weekend. The ground up the hill was damp which made it slippery and it was a little steep for me, balance not being one of my better skills. I would scale the hill then walk the trails collecting wood. Coming down the hill was a little more challenging especially with an armload of wood. Okay, okay...it wasn't only coming down the hill..I had a little trouble getting up the hill also! So I spent the weekend tumbling down the hill ( but never dropping my armload of wood), tumbling backwards as I tried to get up the hill (but alway succeeded in getting up no matter how many tries), and walking like I was a few decades older than I am.. the result of the tumblings and using muscles I didn't know I had. Hey, I did provide entertainment for all though. All that aside, I got our fire started (it was cool enough we had to have it day and night), the kids arrived, Chad and Meagan, and with perfect timing the boys returned about the same time from their adventures to the river. We grilled chicken breasts, cooked garlic green beans and had fudge, walnut brownies with fudge icing for dessert. The boys went back to the river, and that evening we played cards, visited, talked about fishing lessons and made plans for tomorrow and yes, of course, there was me as the entertainment (had to keep that fire going)!
That is how the weekend went...visiting with each other, walks, fly fishing and lessons (Chad and Meagan hadn't flyfished before), good food and lots of it...just an all around peaceful, memorable, relaxed weekend. It was a heart-warming sight...my son, Russell, tall, lean, a very good fly fisherman, one who makes the sport look so easy, taught by his dad...Chad, eager, persistent, ready to try it all, being taught by Uncle Russell...Meagan, sweet, quiet, has a love for nature and a very gentle spirit, out there talking instruction from Uncle Russell. All five of us together, encouraging each other, trying something new together, family...dad,mom, son, uncle, aunt, cousins..family making memories. God gave us the best of the best, God gave us nature...the change of seasons, clear, cool , crisp rivers, fresh mountain air.. love..Chad's for Meagan, a son's love for his Father, a mother's love for her son, the love of husband and wife, a aunt and uncle's love for nephew and niece.. play..fishing, walking, card playing.. work...cooking, gathering wood, keeping order.. humor...jokes, stories, and a middle aged woman tumbling down a hill...a weekend surrounded by plenty of what is good and simply, a weekend to be remembered.
For you shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out it's roots by the river.
Jeremiah 17:8
When we pulled into the guard hut the campground was almost full but as always God is good! We got the best campsite out of the 170 or so sites...site 136. It was secluded from the neghbors, had a hill and walking trail right behind us and was close to the water supply and more importantly close to the bathrooms. I discovered, even before camp was set up, that if I scaled the hill and followed the walking trails, that there was alot of wood to be had for our campfire. So, I became the offical wood gatherer(?). We unanimously decided to go back into the town of Brevard, eat some lunch, buy a few flies from the flyfishing store, call my nephew and niece-to-be, and then come back and set up camp. We did exactly that...ate a great hot lunch at the "Pisgah Fish Camp", stopped by the local grocery store, then the flyfishing store, called the kids to let them know which site we were at and then back to set up camp. The boys set up the tent, then the awning over the picinic table, then suited up in their waders, grabbed their fly rods and head for the uncharted waters and unsuspecting trout in the Davidson River. I got to work..had plenty to keep me busy...setting up camp, gathering fire wood, getting a fire started and thinking about dinner. I decided to focus on the tent first...laid out the air mattresses, unrolled my son's sleeping bag, laid out my blankets for my husband and I, threw in pillows, and placed our duffle bags at each spot designating where each person would sleep, making sure I was in between the two strong guys! Then I moved on to the table/food set-up. Russell had bought me a plastic fall table cloth with a flannel backing. We also had matching plates and napkins, of course, all in the fall theme. I covered the picnic table, set the cookstove at one end and set up plates, napkins, silverware, cups, drinks, and snacks at the other end. Even though we had an awning over the table, the breeze ushered in a few BIG, colorful leaves to the table as if it adding a few finishing touches. Very, very fallish!! My attention then went to the hill and gathering wood to start the fire..."the hill" ended up being my challenge of the weekend. The ground up the hill was damp which made it slippery and it was a little steep for me, balance not being one of my better skills. I would scale the hill then walk the trails collecting wood. Coming down the hill was a little more challenging especially with an armload of wood. Okay, okay...it wasn't only coming down the hill..I had a little trouble getting up the hill also! So I spent the weekend tumbling down the hill ( but never dropping my armload of wood), tumbling backwards as I tried to get up the hill (but alway succeeded in getting up no matter how many tries), and walking like I was a few decades older than I am.. the result of the tumblings and using muscles I didn't know I had. Hey, I did provide entertainment for all though. All that aside, I got our fire started (it was cool enough we had to have it day and night), the kids arrived, Chad and Meagan, and with perfect timing the boys returned about the same time from their adventures to the river. We grilled chicken breasts, cooked garlic green beans and had fudge, walnut brownies with fudge icing for dessert. The boys went back to the river, and that evening we played cards, visited, talked about fishing lessons and made plans for tomorrow and yes, of course, there was me as the entertainment (had to keep that fire going)!
That is how the weekend went...visiting with each other, walks, fly fishing and lessons (Chad and Meagan hadn't flyfished before), good food and lots of it...just an all around peaceful, memorable, relaxed weekend. It was a heart-warming sight...my son, Russell, tall, lean, a very good fly fisherman, one who makes the sport look so easy, taught by his dad...Chad, eager, persistent, ready to try it all, being taught by Uncle Russell...Meagan, sweet, quiet, has a love for nature and a very gentle spirit, out there talking instruction from Uncle Russell. All five of us together, encouraging each other, trying something new together, family...dad,mom, son, uncle, aunt, cousins..family making memories. God gave us the best of the best, God gave us nature...the change of seasons, clear, cool , crisp rivers, fresh mountain air.. love..Chad's for Meagan, a son's love for his Father, a mother's love for her son, the love of husband and wife, a aunt and uncle's love for nephew and niece.. play..fishing, walking, card playing.. work...cooking, gathering wood, keeping order.. humor...jokes, stories, and a middle aged woman tumbling down a hill...a weekend surrounded by plenty of what is good and simply, a weekend to be remembered.
For you shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out it's roots by the river.
Jeremiah 17:8
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)