Sunday, December 20, 2009

Our Georgia Visit

 

Erin and Magnolia Jane. Our little southern bell.

I think Maggie has already been smiling. She seems like such a happy baby.





Meme had so much fun with all the grandkids. We cooked and cleaned and made felt birds together. 








 
On a quiet, rainy morning I read to Ethan and Aubrey. 




Here is a close up of our little cutie, I think she looks like her auntie Kim



Big brother Ethan

Monday, November 30, 2009

Jesus has a radical idea

Jesus gives a negative command:

"Do not work for food that perishes."

then positive a positive command:

"but (work) for food that last for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

The question my BSF lesson asks is "Where in your life should you cease spending effort, energy, drive and ambition for that which spoils, so as to have energy and time for the eternal satisfaction God want yo give you? Try to determine specific ways to alter your life toward an eternal perspective."

I am inspired by that question. I know as a young mom my primary objective was to love my husband and family but as often as I could, I would just put the kids in the car and off we would go - doing one thing or another. But now with my kids basically able to care for themselves I have more mental space to consider others. It's really fun and I love it. I thank Don that I am able to go. It's his faithfulness to providing for our family that makes me able to go. So when I go, I go in his name as well cause without him I wouldn't be available.

I'm really thankful that Shelly Hendry, she lives in Bedford now, showed us what it looks like to serve others. Her ideas where so old fashioned, I didn't know people actually really did stuff like that. But as the Lord took us day by day, He confirmed that indeed we are to be ministers. I remember that at my church I wanted to be this great Bible study teacher, have profound thoughts to give "unto"others and the Lord told me plainly, the most profound thing I could do would be to love and serve the women of the church and the church not being just Blanch but whom ever the Lord had put in my life. I have loved Isaiah 58


Particularly verses 6 and 7 but over all the whole chapter. It has shown me the heart of the Lord. I want to love what He loves and He loves the poor and the downcast. I know I don't have to go to another country to find folks that need love. They are right here. Even in my own family. I like the perspective about starting your ministry of love with our own families.
 I know we all have our own "burdens" God puts on our hearts. Remembering that we are a body of Christ and some are the hands, the feet, the mind ect ... But the really fun thing is, the "burden" is not heavy but joyful. It's with a heart of joy I GET to serve as I do. In contrast if I were in the place of administration the burden would be heavy indeed. I, of course may be used at some point for administration but the Lord will enable if He requires it. At this point He has not enabled me for admin. and the proof is in the pudding. Instead, He has put on my heart a soft spot for the downtrodden. I have to say - of course, that I am not all I should be. Many undone opportunities, but if I approach it with the fruit of the Spirit then I will continue to have hope that I will be able to - be about my Father's business.

*****************************************************

Jesus runs the journey for us ...

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Family time

 Mary, Auntie Phee and cousin Suzanne
 

 Auntie Phee going over an old family cookie recipe with me.
Cousin Suzanne said the cookies turned out just like she remembered them. The old original recipe.




Benjamin and a very happy Auntie Phee. 

Friday, November 20, 2009

Beware of the pleasant view of the Fatherhood of God.

God is so loving and kind that of course He will forgive us.

That sentiment has no place whatever in the New Testament. The only ground on which God can forgive us is the tremendous tragedy of the Cross of Christ;
Oswald Chambers.

The forgiveness we are so quick to talk about and receive was not easy to provide. Oh that I would care to forgive people to the extent that I pay the cost and not them. Amazing. How many times do I declare that circumstances are not fair, people treated me wrongly, I have been hurt. And within that experience what if, not only did I forgive them but I did it in a way that was a great cost to me, like Jesus did? And my only motive? Love.
Wow! Imagine that idea.


 Sometimes the cost is very hard.
But in my life, it's never been this hard.
It seems so trite to say but

Thank you Jesus

...

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Not that I don't have plenty to do, but tonight I am experimenting with my morning smoothie ingredients.

We had beets for dinner tonight. I steamed them till they were really soft, cause that's how we like them. I had sliced off the green tops and the ugly bottom part and as a result a lot of the beet juice leached from the beet into the water. We enjoyed our cooked soft beets. How much nutrition we got - I'm not sure. I figure minerals are not heat sensitive so there might have been some left in the beet and since I cooked them long enough to be soft I probably destroyed the heat sensitive vitamins. Which are most vitamins.
I decided to use the water from the beets in our morning smoothie. Although not full of the heat sensitive vitamins it's probably got a lot of minerals and that will be a good add. I had the greens of the beets left over. I did not cook those. These beet greens are not as tough as some greens such as chard greens, which are really tough, but I thought I would still experiment with beet greens to see what effect I would get and would we maybe get even more nutritional value from them then if we had digested them cold from the fridge. As a side note I like chard cause it's designed to be tough and as a result it lasts better in the fridge, it doesn't break down as fast because at the cellular level the cell walls are tougher. BUT - when we eat the chard we need that food to be broken down into at its cellular form so that our bodies can absorb the vitamins and minerals as well as -who knows what else- as it goes through the digestive tract.
Taking the principle of breaking down cell walls to be absorbed into our digestive systems I wondered, what if I put my beet greens in moderately warm water and soak them over night. Will that warm water break down the cellular walls hence making the nutrition more absorbable to our body? Unless I do a chemical analysis test I won't know for sure but I know the heat is not hot enough to kill the vitamins but the warm water might soften the cell walls so that in the morning they will be like a vitamin cocktail. I think I will also be able to tell by the color of the water. If there is a lot of color in the water then the plant itself has broken down at some level and is now in the water.
I did one more thing to my poor beet greens.
I put them into two different jars. In the one jar it's mostly the warm water and about an 1/8 cup of kefir and in the other jar it's just straight kefir. I know the kefir is full of enzymes which are designed to break food apart so tomorrow morning we will see what happens.
Ideally, I should keep all that on the counter to stay at room temperature. I think I might. The kefir does not need to be refrigerated and the greens will break down better in room temperature.
I need to put them into a dark location though. Cause those sensitive vitamins are destroyed by light too. Which btw is a good reason to never buy juice in clear container.
I have probably bored you to death, if you have even gotten this far. But that's what I think about in the poor old mind of mine.




************************
 Although I take vitamins here is why I make smoothies as well taking vitamins. 

Whole foods are your best sources of vitamins and minerals. They offer three main benefits over supplements;
1. They contain a variety of the micronutrients your body needs. An orange, for example, provides vitamin C but also beta carotene, calcium and other nutrients. A vitamin C supplement lacks these other micronutrients.
2. They provide dietary fiber, which is important for digestion and can help prevent certain diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Adequate fiber intake can also help prevent constipation.
3. They contain other substances such as antioxidants which slow down the natural process that leads to cell and tissue damage.
If you depend on supplements rather than eating a variety of whole foods, you miss the potential benefits of these substances.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Auntie Phee knew some things






Auntie Phee kept referring to scones as skons. I was a little embarrassed for her and correctly called them scones. BUT! Guess what I found out as I was looking for skon recipes. She was RIGHT! She told us they were from Scotland, I brushed it off. But, it has been so fun finding out the 85 year old grandma was right.


There are two ways to pronounce scone. "Skon" is generally used in Scotland and Northern England and "Skoan" is used in the South.
Scones are believed to have originated in Scotland and are closely related to the griddle baked flatbread, known as bannock. They were first made with oats, shaped into a large round, scored into four to six triangles, and cooked on a griddle either over an open fire or on top of the stove. 

Today if you hear His voice ..

I have a fern frond from our trip to New Bern, I think it was last fall. Could it have been just that short of a time ago? Golly, how life as changed. It was Don and I, Erin and Ethan, Benjamin and Elisa (and missing other folks the whole time) on that trip. Lovely time. Bittersweet now, but at the time I fully embraced it.
I kind of, stole, the frond from the beautiful garden we went to - it was my souvenir.
I had intentions of putting into my scrapbook. It's on my bulletin board now, waiting.
I look at it quite often cause 1. I love plants 2. it brings back a sweet memory.
The point of my post is that the frond is losing it's color. It's no longer the beautiful green it was when I picked it. It's fading. Just like the memory of our trip. A week after the trip I could have given you a lot of details but now, many of the details are gone and just images in my mind remain. I look at the pictures and am reminded of our warm, happy trip. I am sad the frond is fading, I wish I had stored it so it would still be nice but instead I have enjoyed it all these months. And as a result it is fading. Well, I'm sure you can all tell where I'm going with this. Our lives and our days are like the frond. Fading. I thought about that and I was sad. I felt such a loss. But being the daughter of the Creator of the universe I get to have eternal perspectives as well as practical ones for the here and now. So, my faded fern frond represents our days gone by but as I look at that frond on my bulleten board I only have to turn my head just a bit to see the beautiful leaves and garden the Lord is displaying today.
Today the Lord has made a whole new day to be enjoyed. I see the beautiful leaves on our trees. The colors are magnificent - just like their Creator. Every day, there is new life. Every day the Lord is here with us. Loving and leading us. Ever so patient with us redeemed sinners. Blessing us with answers to prayers and provisions. The manna the Lord provided only lasted one day.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

I guess that is where the Lord lives. This day.
I know He will be there for me tomorrow. And I know He was with me yesterday but it's in today that I experience His life changing grace.

Does that mean I'm not sad about my frond? No, I'm sad about it. I'm sad that happy time is gone. I wish I was there again I would freeze it and never let it end but it's not to be. That time has past - but outside ... there is new life today. New souls that need love. So today I will see what the Lord has done.  And only by His grace will I look and see His goodness and be blessed and fed - my daily manna.


“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts .... But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.
  Hebrews 3

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Is there any more felicity then to weed in the rain?

Today, after taking a nap I got up and went outside to tackle those weeds in the gardens that had been plaguing me for months - I know that's a long time. BUT, today I went out. The weather was overcast with a warm, moist breeze. The ground looked like it had rained so I put on my ole beat up rain boots and went outside. Lovely.
God's marvelous creation was stunning. The leaves on the trees were delightful. Just a bit of creativity from the mind of a magnificent Creator. I wonder how much of that He makes for our enjoyment. He puts in us a love for beauty then He makes beauty all around us. Thank YOU wonderful Creator!

Got the weeds in the back garden. I had to wear long sleeves and long gloves because the weeds were so high. I know, terrible shame.
But, now it is weeded and I have a new plan. Don and I are low maintenance folks, involved in many things so our yard needs to be low maintenance to manage, so I am going to take the wood from around the garden that is right off of the back porch and just let the grass grow there. I will have two hydrangea bushes still and they will lend lovely color and form. I also weeded the other side garden - faithful garden. It lives even with much neglect. I am going to get garden cloth to put on it and then put mulch on top. That will keep all the weeds down. Love that garden cloth. Part of the reason I don't weed the gardens like I should is that I get such uncomfortable reactions to the bug bites. And like most of us I have this great vision of how my yard is supposed to look and when it doesn't then I get over whelmed and don't do anything at all. Now that is done next I have several bushes to transplant. Another project for another day.
Of course, as I was weeding I was reminded how our gracious God will pull sin out of our hearts. It gets all grown in there with all the other stuff. But, it's good to get it cleaned out. Unfortunately some roots are left in there and they rear their ugly weeds but with the help of the Lord we keep cleaning out the garden till one day that plant will no longer grow there. That is the same with the sin in our hearts. We keep getting renewed by the grace of God until that sin is no longer living in there.
Hallelujah what a Savior!

Although not a planting illustration Corrie Ten Boom had a great story she would tell. It was about a flashlight. Our life is the flashlight and we want to be a light for the world. Our first step is to ask Jesus into our hearts - he is the first battery. But, we are still not a light for the world, something is preventing us from being the light, we are missing the other battery. But the Lord is unable to put the battery in our flashlight (or our hearts) cause something is already in there taking up the space. As the Lord cleans out the debris in the battery compartment of the flashlight he is pulling out what is taking up the space. He pulls out things like pride, selfishness, bitterness, anger, hatred. When the Lord is able to get that out of the battery compartment it's then that He is able to put in His Spirit of love and power.
That's when we get to be a light to the world, when we are full of the love of Jesus. His love is wonderful.




Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Sunday, October 18, 2009

John 2

Here are some interesting bits of Bible history.

After Jesus talked to Nathanael in John 1 Jesus and His disciples WALKED about 60 miles north to the wedding at Cana - a little village high in the hills above Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee. This must have taken about three days walking time.

At the wedding the water jars were used to provide water for Jewish ceremonial cleansing. The water was to cleanse the feet of everyone who entered the house. The water was also used for hand washing before a meal. Not only did Jews wash their hands at the beginning of a meal but also between each course. If this was not done, the hands were technically "unclean". These very large jars each held 20 -30 gallons of water.

My personal favorite - When Jesus turned the water into wine not only did Jesus show He cares about the cultural traditions of every day life but when he made wine he made THE BEST wine, no second rate stuff from Him.
I guess that's what He will do with us as He transforms our lives from plain ole water to the best wine.





Thank you God for food



Beautiful Sunday morning smoothie
greens, homemade frozen jam, fresh cranberries, cranberry fruit cocktail,
strawberries and an orange.




 MMM ... it was good 
You can see all the good chunks of actual food in there.
 
 

strong and healthy  




As for the "pulse" or vegetables that Daniel asked for, pulse (from the Latin "puls") specifically refers to legumes such as lentils and beans, but in this instance may simply have been a generic term for vegetable foods of any sort. Babylon, situated on the fertile alluvial plain beside the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, was as agriculturally bountiful as Palestine was barren. The Babylonians used sophisticated irrigation systems to water their rich soil, and a variety of grains, legumes, and vegetables would have been grown by them. Lettuce was grown in the famous hanging gardens of Babylon as early as the 7th Century BC.
While Daniel's primary motivation for refusing Nebuchadnezzar's food was to remain ritualistically clean and undefiled, he seems to have been confident about the nutritional adequacy of his proposed vegetarian diet, and this certitude was verified by the results of his test.

http://barquentine.tripod.com/chap5.html

Friday, October 16, 2009

10 Reasons to Homeschool

10. Your kids never miss the bus
 9.  Reading the Bible and prayer are allowed in the classroom.
 8. You don't have to make up snow days. 
 7. You don't need a note from the teacher when you visit the doctor.
 6. You can wear pajamas all day long, if you like. 
 5. Recess can last two hours on a nice sunny day.
 4. Your children don't have to begin learning to read until they are actually ready.
 3. Playing with Lego's can count as learning.
 2. The principal and the teacher can kiss and hug in front of the students.
 1. You get to experience God's handiwork as your children develop and grow right before your eyes. 

www.nche.com

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. Daniel 1:15

This is the market in Hillsborough that I go to on Tuesdays after Auntie Phee's.

It's a small establishment but it is well stocked with lots of beautiful produce. Not all of it is organic or locally grown but there is a large selection of organic, modestly priced produce. Still more expensive then Walmart - but, please let me get away from Walmart.

This is an ad that explains about it....


Weaver Street Market is a natural foods cooperative focusing on providing you with a wide selection of organic, fair trade, and locally grown products. We work directly with local farmers to provide the freshest produce, milk and dairy products, and humanely raised meat at an affordable price. Our breads and pastries are baked fresh in our Hillsborough bakery every morning, and our hot bar, salad bar, and grab-and-go meals are served for you daily to take home or enjoy with us in our indoor café and outdoor patio. As a cooperative, all of our profits are returned to owners, donated to our community, or used to strengthen the cooperative for your benefit.

Open 7am-9pm seven days a week.

We currently have three recurring weekly events at the Hillsborough store.

Open Mic: Every Thursday from 6:30-8:30pm

Wine Tastings: Every Friday from 5:00-7:00pm

Food Sampling: Every Saturday from 3:00-5:30pm

Community Non-Profit Day: Every third Sunday from 11:00-1:00pm



Let's go - they have a wonderful food bar with hot and cold food.
The wine tasting might be fun too.
Today I got a beautiful bunch of greens for our smoothies. A huge pomegranate, an over priced wonderfully flavored brie. Since it's just Don and I this week I got some grass fed beef.
Loved it. It's flavor was good but I was more impressed knowing the purity
the product with out all the stuff added. I also found out a lot of their eggs are free range. Cool.
I am mostly staying on the outside isles. I am avoiding a lot of the prepackaged 'organic" stuff. The outside isles are full of great food, who even needs the packaged stuff. Although, I did get a non aluminum body deodorant which I am very happy with.
Am I to pathetic, so happy to be at a wholesome grocery store? I could SO live in Hillsborough.


Sunday, October 11, 2009

“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8



This is the first time in 30 YEARS Don and I have had a week without children. 30 years is a long time. I'm pretty excited to have this quiet week. Part of the fun is knowing that it's temporary - like a vacation.
We had a great visit with Benjamin this fall break weekend. Plenty to do this week. On Tuesday, I guess I will go to Auntie Phee's by myself. and then I will go to the Hillsborough market by myself too.

Thursday is a fellowship day with Bible Study Fellowship and it's at my house - who is going to help me clean to prepare? I need the windows in the dining room cleaned and who knows the last time it was dusted in there.
Not to mention vacuuming. We'll see how it goes. Hopefully, I will get the dining room shining but I have to do the bathroom too - of course in order to get to the bathroom you have to go through the kitchen. Oh my. That's just about the whole house!
I'm not really stressed, I'm mostly kidding. My joy will be to have the ladies over. I'm sure all will be just fine.
I hope to make some really fun cookies as a little gift for them to take home. I think I read it in my Southern Living magazine. Candy corn cookies - I will put them in a plastic bag with a ribbon that has a Bible verse attached to it. Something like sweetness of the Lord.

Another big event I have coming up is my Reformation Fellowship. It's not this Friday but I think the Friday after. At the fellowship we are all to have picked out a character in Reformation history and tell everyone about them and if they want to be really fun - dress like them. I'm thinking I am just going to make a big roast and serve it with vegetables. I will make it a simple meal. If others ask to bring anything I will ask them if they would like to bring something from their time period. Who knows, we'll see how interested people really are.

- We are homeschool parents with kids all grown up, still playing and having fun.

Next weekend has got a great conference - I have never been to it, I have seen pictures and I know about some of the speakers. Godly folks that love the Lord - can't wait.


http://www.simplydevoted.com/ctg/ctg.html


Tonight is apologetics - should be fun. We are supposed to bring our hard questions and hopefully get an answer. I'm thrilled with the number of young folks that are attending. Half of the reason they come is that they love the teacher - respect him and listen to every word he says, may not do it but they are listening.

The house is quiet, I think I will call and check on our poor Ben - pray for his recovery from his biking accident. I"m sure he will be fine but it's going to be a long 6 week recovery time.
I guess I should also think about dinner.

Friday, October 09, 2009

"If the Word of God forbids female ministry, we would ask how it happens that so many of the most devoted handmaidens of the Lord have felt constrained by the Holy Ghost to exercise it? … The Word and the Spirit cannot contradict each other."
Catherine Booth - Salvation Army

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

The Husband Of the Year Award

http://www.thatwasfunny.com/husband-of-the-year-awards/1492

Here

http://www.thatwasfunny.com/husband-of-the-year-awards/1492

Bible Study notes

Interesting thoughts from the notes given to me at my Thursday morning Bible study

Book of John written many years after the other gospels.

John was going against his current Jewish culture because the only people who were baptized were non-Jews who wished to become proselytes of the Jewish faith. Israelites were never baptized. They presumed they belonged to God already - they didn't need to be washed. John's words hit home, these people realized that to be an Israelite was not enough; they, too, needed cleansing from sin. One can imagine how water baptism offended the Pharisees.

Ezekiel 36:25"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean

" Zechariah 13:1 "On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David ... to cleanse them from sin and impurity. -- Thus the people were wondering if this John was the Messiah.

John the Baptist was the son of a priest so he too was considered a priest by descent.

When John said he was not worthy to untie the straps on Jesus' sandal, he gave himself a very low position because in that time era a disciple could serve his master in anyway but to untie his sandals - that was a slave's work, too demeaning for even a disciple to do.

Andrew and John's response to Jesus, which seemed to take place so quietly and simply- but was in fact, the first trickle of the little stream that grew to the mighty river of Christianity destined to fill the whole earth.

On every occasion when Andrew is singled out in the Gospels, he is always seen bringing someone to Christ - his brother Simon, the boy with the loaves or the Greeks

Jesus looked at Simon. In the original language, this word describes a special, very concentrated and penetrating gaze that would pierce the core of Simon's soul.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

I had a great day with Auntie Phee and Leesi - tea, scones, email and typing wore out Auntie Phee. We left her smiling and heading to lunch. Afterward we went to a really nice Good Will in Cary, NC. Some really nice stuff in there. One mans junk is another mans treasure. I got two red serving plates with hearts on them. (Valentines day of course, .89 cents)
Then as we were making our way home Leesi saw the sign for New York pizza and using her last one left at home face she talked me into going - I had veggie pizza, it was good. Elisa had peperoni and LOVED it cause she was STARVING - no drama queen there.
Two more stops - the market in Hilborough. Farm fresh produce, locally grown. Wonderful selection of beautiful breads. Local dairy and local meat. Wonderful salad bar. It's fun to go to as well as spend my money there. That is every retailers goal I'm sure.
Lastly, finally got to Home Depot and bought my fabric for my landscaping.
A wonderful chat with Zackary on the phone - a Bible study of the last chapter of Mark with him. God knew what a blessing Zackary was going to be.
Made really good chili, ate with Don before he was off to a men's prayer meeting. Now here I am. Still need to clean the kitchen and finish my homiletics for BSF then I should be done. I'll probably be done around 10:00. Busy day.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The Creator of Heaven and Earth


You know what is so simple yet so essential? PH balance. Without it the fluid and chemical changes would not happen in our body. One of the reasons vinegar works to kill the infection of a sore throat is that the vinegar changes the PH balance in the throat environment and hence the infection dies due to lack of suitable living conditions. I wonder if we could somehow find a way to adjust our bodily PH just enough to thwart cancer.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

One of my piles


Oh My ... what a mess. Here was one of my piles I had to get done the other day. It's full all kinds of little things I needed to decide about.









Here it is after I went through all that stuff.
One of the good things about waiting to go through your stuff is that a lot of it is out of date and you don't have to deal with it. :)

Monday, September 28, 2009

Pictures by Leesi





I am starting this new week. A lot of things to do and I have thanked God because I really do like being busy and working. It's unfortunate that most of my work is volunteer so there is no monetary reward BUT, God has given me a wonderful husband that is the one responsible for allowing me to do all the my volunteer work. Don and I are thankful that there is a steady stream of survey work, and that there are young men to help him - which by the way ... I don't know if those young men realize how blessed they are - not only do they get training at a marketable skill but they get paid too. Last week I got a lot done and this week doesn't look like it's going to be any different.

The weekend was a little more packed with activities then I hoped but I'm glad I did them all. On Friday night Don took me and Leesi (Elisa's new name, given to her by Auntie Phee) to the movies. Super fun being together. Went to a dumb movie, it's called 9. Wait till it comes out to the library. I loved the animation. That part was pretty cool. What folks can do with computers now. But, I can hardly even remember the point to the story. *yawn* I did get some good gardening planning going while I was sitting in the theater though.

The next morning, Saturday morning at around 5:30 AM Leesi and I were up and getting ready to head out the door at 6:00 AM to go to a women's conference. We met several ladies in Danville then headed to Roanoke, VA. I love driving with ladies. No one is surprised or aggravated when they hear ... "Can we stop soon? Bathroom break"

We had a lovely day. We had seats in the nose bleed section. The music was good and a few speakers stood out, like Stormie O'Martin - wow, she has an incredible testimony. She talked about prayer and forgiveness. We can all use more encouragement on that.
Amy Grant was a bit of a disappointment. I'm not sure but she seemed like she was on some kind of medication. She was making lots of mistakes and used foul language on stage.

The trip home was fun. We stopped at Pizza Hut - tortured the young male waiter. He was a good sport and seemed to enjoy the ride we took him on. It didn't hurt that we had 3 very pretty young women with us. Finally, a stop to Starbucks and back on our way home again - hard rain, dangerous roads, thank you Lord for taking us home.

Next day, Sunday morning. We got up early, we were going to meet Benjamin for breakfast and give him his IPOD touch before we went to church. That young man had his phone on vibrate and as we tried to call him - TO AWAKEN him he didn't hear a thing. So, we went to breakfast without him. I, not being shy, found a young man in his dorm that went and woke up Benjamin. Finally, just like Elisa said he would do, he came through the doors to the restaurant smiled at me, gave me a hug and I forgot all about the trouble he had caused. I couldn't help it, I am a sucker for a sweet smile.

Campus church was great. Good music, Colosseum style seating. Great message. It was about healing the body of Christ. If we would take the time to love on another the body would be SO strong. Plus, he talked about church history. It was a great church.

We went home, I worked on my BSF and then at 6:00 pm we were at the church with several other folks learning about apologetics. It was a basic 101 for the first night, but I got a page of notes and I am hoping we will learn more as the time goes on.

Finally, home - went to bed to late. Up this morning, late. And now I"m fooling around on the computer. I do have the laundry going though.

This week, Monday, housework call Ethan in the afternoon Tuesday, Auntie Phees then call Zackary, Wednesday BSF leadership, Thursday, BSF with Leesi and fun coffee shop time with the other ladies, then Friday - I think I'm off Friday. Which of course does not mean off, just means we'll see what happens.

Saturday, there is an old movie theater that is going to be showing several old timey movies. I can't wait to go to that.


Proverbs 14:1

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

It's 9:24 pm and I'm writing on my blog. Glass of wine, listening to the Beatles.

I have spent about an hour fooling around with a widget to add a playlist to my blog. I put some songs on it, it worked but ... it was from songs on YouTube and they would pause to cue and I was not interested in that so now I'm trying to delete it. There now it is deleted.

We have had a heck of a busy week. One of the highlights was going to Auntie Phee's place.
Was that only last Tuesday? Elisa and I spent the afternoon with her. So fun. We got her set up on her own email acct. You'd a thought she had just won a million dollars, she was so happy.
It was like she felt she had something new to think about. She is determined to learn to type. So, on Tuesday morning we are going to go down to Apex and let her play on the laptop. Practice typing ect.
When we show up her face goes from dull and sullen to bright and happy. I don't think she is happy there but is trying to make the best of it. She says she has been put there till she dies. She is there cause she's really not able to be by herself. She thinks she can do everything - funny. It reminds me of a friend, her elderly mom is experiencing dementia - tough on the family but they are doing what they need to do to take care of her but the funny part is, as the elderly mom asks the same question for the 3rd or 4th time she also comments how some folks her age are experiencing memory problems and aren't they all glad she doesn't have that problem.
When we went to Auntie Phees we filled a basket, mom's Easter basket from Marianna, with tea bags, milk, sugar and mugs. I had made some biscuits so we took them too. She loved all that. Elisa used a Marianna towel to set the table and she set it out and it looked lovely. I think next time I'm going to bring a tea pot so we can have more then one cup.
I need to send out an email and ask folks to write an email to Auntie Phee. She has only received one email this week, mostly cause I haven't communicated with folks to let them know her address.

Another highlight although not a delightful one was my first week as a BSF discussion leader. I'm telling you that stupid reoccurring dream I have about trying to find my class but not being prepared came true - again. It's enough to aggravate a person. There were a series of mishaps, of course we worked through them all but not without frustration. I have had my first class - survived it and now we are on to this week.

Last week had a multitude of different things happen. Another thing is that Elisa did her tea party class with Keepers. I was very blessed by that. I got a lot of credit for her being so wonderful.
I have also been working on my Sunday school room. I got some things on the wall. I kind of like it. It's not perfect, not super cute. So, I'm not happy with it. It's good but not good enough. I have decided on how to make my pictorial time line. I am going to have the little kids color pictures of certain events, like creation, Noah, Moses Joshua and the wall then birth of Jesus, his death and Resurrection then a couple pictures of the New Testament church.
Today was my first day with the kids in the newly painted and pictured walls. Little Luke was the only little one in there he totally missed the whole change. New color on the walls? New pictures? After we pointed it out he had a sweet little face of interest. "oohh" Finally Joe showed up, he noticed it all right away. He was such a cutie, he came in late, had an impish grin and gave me a hug hello. I of course was totally charmed by his smile and just glad to see him.
Sunday school was just about a wash today. I didn't get to our lesson at all. I did go over the maps in on the wall. I showed them from the round globe to the flat wall map to the middle east map to the map of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.
another Beatles song
I got about 1 min of Luke's attention. Then he was done. About the same for Joe. I could coral them and make them listen and I do sometimes but I watch their responses to see when I lose them. After that, I'm not sure how much I'm getting through to them.

On Thursday, after BSF - which by the way was so fun having Elisa there, we went to a new coffee place, of which I'm not a fan but we got a huge brownie for Lorie that has had horrible back problems. We went to her house and visited for a little while, I showed her the books I got from "the book store" that I want to cut pictures out of. (I got a wonderful book for Aubrey at the "book store")

Then on Saturday we went to a Christian camp and helped them build a dam in their beautiful creek so they could have baptisms. I helped fill sandbags, Don was the engineer offering sound advice for the building of the dam. I recognized all those years of dam building as a kid really paid off. My grandkids would have LOVED helping. but it was not to be.

Then on Saturday night we had a big treat, Benjamin came home for the weekend. Gosh, golly I loved it. We also had Hannah Gibson spending the night. Elisa and Hannah made Fajitas and we watched movies until ... I'm afraid to tell you ... 2:30 in the morning. Oh my. With church the next day too. It was a lovely weekend. After church today we had a group of young folks come over and eat hot dogs before they all headed off to the fair. It was our delight to have them. I think the fair was a grand success.

Now, for this next week coming up. Hmm. Monday- laundry, I think I call Ethan on Mondays.
Tuesday - Auntie Phee's in the morning and call Zackary in the afternoon (it's in my PDA) Wednesday - BSF leadership, Thursday - BSF then Elisa helps Lorie decorate the mantle at the coffee shop. Friday, mm ?? Saturday- church clean up and then Sunday - Stuart Graydon is starting his apologetics class, YAY!
That is the plan anyway. We will see how it plays out.

Keep Christina Mulner in your prayers - she is struggling with the results of having a non Christian biological father for her oldest daughter. She is having to deal with visitation ect. It's sad and I'm really praying about how the Lord can work this out.

Keep Benjamin and his math in your prayers. He is also asking for prayer regarding his scheduling of his time to be the most effective.

Beatles song

Benjamin's description of Analog vs digital

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Monday, September 14, 2009

you will find rest for your souls


I had a wonderful time in Washington DC with Don, Benjamin and Elisa. We walked and walked. Whew! We were part of a culture changing march. Many, many people stood outside the capital and called to those inside to hear what we, the no longer silent, majority has to say. We do not want to enslave ourselves or our children and their children to social programs that will result in massive taxes. No thank you, we pay a lot now, what would it be if we had to pay that much more?

But, now I want to rest.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Job 40:12 Look at every proud man and humble him, crush the wicked where they stand.



I went to BSF today and I did a good job. I took Benjamin's advice, had all my stuff ready the night before. I got there on time - thank you God, had all the stuff I needed, thank you God.

I did have two embarrassing situations.

First, I forgot to turn off my phone - all of a sudden in the quiet room you hear Stevie Wonder singing "Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful?" Instead of digging all in my purse cause who knows how long that would take I picked up my singing purse made a b-line to the door disturbing the whole class, and me saying "sorry oops I forgot" Of course after that I turned it off. The teaching leader was very kind and didn't glare at me.

About an hour later, my PDA goes off ... plan for dinner it beeps.
Oh my goodness!! I saw that sitting right in my purse so I was able to pull it right out and you know everyone was watching the new lady shut off her PDA and guess what was stuck to the PDA?? A pad and I don't mean a note pad. Oh my goodness!!!
I tried to handle it as tactfully as possible, acting as if I had everything under control but - come on - it was terrible.

I think they are short on discussion leaders so they will probably still keep me even though I had such a rough start.

Don't you feel sorry for me? I feel sorry for myself. Next time, phone and PDA silenced, pads tucked away in a zippered pouch.

Do you like the picture of the bluebells? Their flower symbolizes humility. (click for flower information)

Sunday, September 06, 2009

love ... believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.


I'm not complaining just trying to sort out my life. I'm 50 years old, my constant occupation of child care is winding down quite quickly and I'm trying to adjust to the new normal. I'm so thankful that God gave us Elisa so that as we go through this transition we still have her bit of sunshine every day. I know that she too will be called to a life separate from Don and I but for now I really enjoy her company.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you

The past couple days have been busy. Why am I always so busy? I know why, it's Don's fault. Who else could be to blame for my troubles? Have I told you lately how wonderful Don is? He is my steady rock. I should call him Petra cause that means rock.

Went to a Bible study with Elisa tonight, not sure what I thought. The young couple were very friendly but I'm not sure of their Biblical mindset. The wife lead the Bible study while the husband was there. I kinda had a problem with that but I tried to keep an open mind cause women did all kinds of things in the New Testament. The genuine love of the Lord was evident in her words and in her actions. But then she referred to the big bang as how the creation was started. I first asked myself, she doesn't really mean that does she? As the evening went on I think she did. On the other hand I recognized her as a sister in Christ with a different belief then I do. I talked to Elisa about it and, of course, she had some really wise things to say. She wondered how a person could worship a god that did not create him or her. What authority would that god have in your life? He just, what? Made the big bang and let all the pieces come together. Randomly? Elisa said one of the things she loves most of about God is His magnificent creation. I second her remark. I love what God has done. I love that God is sovereign that He is bigger then the earth (earf) and all the parts of it. I love the detail He put into so many things, even the small cell and even smaller stuff. God is.
I think, if the Lord will direct this, that I would love to become friends with this young women. Maybe she and I can go over some scriptures together. You know, I didn't understand God's creation until some one showed me. So, maybe God will use me to tell her.

Other stuff I have been doing. I got a lot of my Sunday school stuff organized for this qtr. I went and visited my BSF leader. I had a great chat with her. She was very kind to this easily distracted sister and seemed to see success in me where as I don't really see it in myself.
I have the names of my ladies and they are old - like 50. I thought as I read through the list "man, my group is full of grandmas" then I realized AAHH!! they are my age. So, here I go with the grandmas again. I guess grandmas are people too.

The weather has been lovely even a bit chilly. I wore a jacket on my morning walk. That's why I changed my post.
Elisa made the BEST peanut butter cookies with a dollop of chocolate in the middle. It's a tough battle and I'm kind of losing.
I still have not figured out the camera batteries yet so when I do I will post pictures.


Colossians 1:15-17
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

It's cold today so I'm thinking about fall. When I considered what blog html to use I asked myself which one will take me the farthest. And, although not a very creative method I felt this one will be the most useful. So, until December I will have this blog design. Now you know, I'm sure you are so glad to come here to read that. BTW, I love my family SO much

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Our hope and our joy are in Christ


1 Peter 1

Because of his great mercy

he has given us a new birth to an ever-living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

and to an inheritance kept in heaven for you

that can't be destroyed, corrupted, or changed.

****************************************************

Thank you Lord.



Saturday, August 29, 2009

Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Cor. 3:17


This is the DeMoss center. It's big, beautiful and fully loaded with libraries, quiet learning centers, row after row of computers. It is fresh and new. It's as big as it looks and a person can get easily turned around in there. There is room after room for classes and Benjamin says that place is hopping with students during the week. He has a computer class in that building and a General Ed class, which is basically apologetics ect.. The building is right next to his dorm. He is in the residence hall number 22. He has classes in the Shilling Center (math) and he has a class across from the Demoss center in the B.R. Lakin religion building, he is studying O.T.
Diagonally across from Benjamin's dorm is the new Barnes and Noble that has the coffee shop where he drinks Starbucks and plays cards.

A map to show you the campus

We visited Benjamin today. He has his hair cut shorter. I will have pictures later when my batteries are charged. We had lunch in the Reber-Thomas dining hall (building number 63).
It's clean with a great variety of food. Lots of fresh vegetables available at the salad bar. All kinds of food, from Chinese to Italian to Mexican. There are hamburgers and ff. Just lots of choices. Sweets of all kinds. It's a happy place. The students seem happy. The workers were happy as well.

Overall I would say that it is a great place to learn. Of course ... and here it comes ... you have to choose to work cause there is a lot of fun going on. That might be a little tough for some souls that thrive on activity and people. But the opportunity for great success is there.

It was good to get a Benjamin hug and look at him. He looks good. He was warm and a great tour guide. We gave some homemade rice krispy treats to the R.A. (residence assistance) guys. They are the ones that are available to help the students with college life.

Finally, Don, Benjamin and I had some coffee together at the on campus Starbucks. It was a very pleasant afternoon. We gave Benj one final hug and then dropped him off at his dorm.

Driving home in our new car was very comfortable and delightful. We met Elisa in Danville, cause she was between engagements. We went to Wendy's for dinner. Then she went to her party and Don and I came home. It's been a lovely, calm evening. Right now, Don is watching some kind of "action flick" while I type away on my blog. Church tomorrow and a baptism at the Dan River. Can't wait for that, sound like it's going to be great.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Psalms 62:10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. - (KJV)

Don and I had a wonderful night tonight. It was just the two of us - at home. Lovely.
Yesterday at Sam's I got some T bone steak, mmm We fried it with onions, olive oil. We had good bread and then, my favorite part ... we just opened a can of green beans and bought already made by Bob Evans, mash potatoes. Had it all very simple.
We listened to Glenn Beck talk about current events while we cooked. I don't know what tomorrow brings but I do know that I'm glad Don and I are trying to speak out and make an effect. Imagine telling our grand kids that we just sat by and let it all just happen, without us standing for what was right. I think of Henry (Prince Henry, more precisely) and what kind of tax structure is he going to have to deal with? Will the adults of his childhood stand for him or will we just be to busy or to ... whatever. I know Don and I have been "to busy" in the past and things have been able to get this far. So, I'm glad we are, although not enough I'm sure, trying to stand for what is right. I want to educate people on what socialism is. I don't think people realize what they are bargaining for when they get all this govt. intervention. Can't wait till we go to DC to stand with a bunch of folks and be part of history!!

Tomorrow we go to visit Benjamin. We are going to have lunch with him. We will take the new car- Yay!!

Busy weekend. I was supposed to have a quiet week but it didn't turn out that way. Oh well, maybe next week.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

1 John 3:1, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God..."

Benjamin and me



Benjamin took me out to a wonderful afternoon lunch . We had such a lovely time,
just being together. He spoiled me and I loved it.







You know who bugging me while I try to do my work.


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!

Yesterday was a good day. Don and I and Elisa were trying different cars at the lot. It took most of the day. I made some banana bread, Elisa made her terrific donuts mmm, and in the evening we drove over to the Austen's to give then the banana bread and the cookies Elisa made. Carol Austin's mom is dying. It's kind of a long process and it's tough to walk through but Carol and her family are amazing in their support and care of her mom. We brought treats over so she could put them in the freezer to serve when she gets visitors. We had a great time visiting. I think we all enjoy each others company. Carol and I have so much in common, Elisa and Alex do as well. We finally made it home and I fell into bed - headache had already started earlier in the day.

Today (Wednesday) has had it's ups and downs. It started with a terrible headache. I took to much medicine to solve the problem and then - naturally, I was nauseated from all the medicine and STILL had a headache. I found an interesting observation, I haven't really had headaches in a while but now, all of a sudden BAM! Pain shooting through my eye. I have noticed I have quit taking my new vitamins cause I was almost out of them (I have ordered more) I would take them sometimes trying to meter them - but I think that was a bad idea. I am going to try to be more faithful in my vitamin taking, maybe that will help.
My wonderful daughter, Kimberly ordered something for my headaches. I thought that was the most thoughtful thing. I didn't ask her to do it, she thought of me and my need and is blessing me by trying to help. I think she hit my love language, it's not exactly an act of service, and it's not the gift it's the fact that she thought of me. (And this is not any kind of message to anyone else and what I think they should do, it's just me enjoying my blessing and commenting on it.)

After I took to much medicine I went with Don to his BNI meeting. I would usually enjoy a social event geared to success and achievement but they had a wall mounted air conditioner and it was BLOWING COLD air on my head. And for some reason I felt the need to be a martyr and sit and suffer through it. Cold, hurting, nauseated and grumpy. Not very smart.

After the meeting Don dropped me off at my gynecologist office where I had my infrequent pap smear etc.. You know that was a good time. (I did enjoy reading the Birds and Blooms magazine while I waited.) Don drove the perspective new car to a mechanic to take a look at the engine. He gave Don a good report, which was encouraging. So, when I was done Don picked me up in the Taurus and we drove together to the lot. Don went in and with a wad of cash talked the price down several hundred dollars. Don was able to leave the bargaining table content that he was paying a fair price. Thanking God for His provision.

I was so glad Don decided we would get it. I really like the car. It's all the things we prayed for (except one) We prayed for good gas mileage, got that - lasting quality, all the indicators tell us it's so (you never really know), and I asked God if He would indulge my vanity and make it cute - but not silver or white. On this last point, this is where I conceded, I accepted a white car for two reasons. One, it's a car, get over it. And two, it's cute and sporty. Don looks really good driving in it. Kimberly said white is easy to take care of, being low maintenance that's always a plus. And I just didn't care that much any more, white just wasn't an issue. So, we are happily situated with a new car. It has cool things like 3 seat belts up front and 3 in the back. The back seat folds down so the trunk can extend into the car section. It has good speakers and it is clean. It's a 2002 which is really kind of old but it still looks amazingly good. Plus, it was in Don's price range, in fact below it. So we are happy campers.

I took the new car to Danville to get my prescription headache medicine. The cure all was going to be ... for 9 tablets ... $225. I did not get it. I did get the $11 prescription which is supposed to make you drowsy but I'm still waiting. It said alcohol will enhance effects ... oh yeah, you know what that means.

Now, I wish that supposed groggy medicine would take effect and knock me off my feet so I will sleep until my headache goes away. I found out from my Dr today that the headaches are a result in dramatic drops or sharp increases in hormone levels during my cycle. It can happen at any point of the month, it's just the extent of the drop that causes the imbalance. I guess as I get older and my body adjusts to shutting down the reproduction stage the levels can be erratic and extreme. yay.

Tomorrow is a busy day (no way). I'm getting my hair cut, BSF is coming up and then I'm going to meet Lori at the coffee shop, now that I have transportation - Yahoo!!
I see from a human stand point