Sunday, March 30, 2008

Grandpa's 80th birthday

Grandpa (or should I say, Geatgrandpa) celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday. He wanted to go to a little Latino restaurant. Grandpa teaches Spanish speaking people English. He loves this little restaurant and his request was to eat here. AND we were really surprised at how great the food was. Here is the cook and owner with Grandpa and the greatgrandkid ;-) They had this jute box that played Spanish music--the lady played a song that was about a birthday.
She made a special dish for Rhianwen--of rice and beans. She loves cukes and tomatoes too!


We had some tamales (spelling??) in corn husks--delicious. We also had some fresh guacamole dip. There were also different kinds of tacos and for dessert-flan!! It was wonderful (and gluten free---yes---a cake I can eat!)


Grandpa was very full, as were we all.


We also had a wonderful melon drink--it tasted like honeydew! So this little hole in the wall had some really neat food. Everyone spoke Spanish---since I didn't know any, I just listened and smiled! But now I know where I can get some gluten free food--I just will have to bring my hubby to place the order!!




Grandpa's 80th birday

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Granddaughter visit

Well --I haven't been visiting many blogs the past few days because we have been watching our granddaughter for 4 days (including today and tomorrow). Her parents are attending a wedding in FLa. So we have been busy at the park--enjoying tractors, dump trucks, cement mixers and boats.We have also been taking walks and throwing blossoms in the air!
Picking azalea blossoms and smelling wisteria.

Grooming boots (and the 4 fake cats also!)




Doing lots of sidewalk chalk drawings.


Visiting great gram in the nursing home




Rocking and rocking(didn't realize I have 9 rocking chairs!!! YES--nine if you include the ones outside!!!--Rhi has been sampling every one)


She loves ZITI!

AND more ZITI




She loves throwing rocks in things--she got a surprise!! Throwing rocks in the watering can and out jumped this honey of a tree frog:




So been busy!! Got to go cause she calleth me!









Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Beauty/prayer

I like pink and green together--these glasses below are depression period glasses I bought over 30 years ago when my girl friend and I were returning from a hike in the Delaware Water Gap area of Pa. They are very delicate and have little etchings on them. Their tops are pink and the bottom is green . I have always delighted in these--they bring a smile, both from the memories of where and when I got them and because of their oldness and the colors and textures. We used them for Easter dinner to go with my pink plates.
Now one thing more I felt like sharing. I love this book on Praying God's Word. We are in a battleground. And I find that if I am not careful I forget about the enemy!! But I love the wonderful gift and power of God's word and I love praying His words, both for myself and others. I have shared this before, but I am sharing it again because I ,myself, always need reminding.
Beth says, "God has handed us two sticks of dynamite with which to demolish our strongholds: His Word and prayer. What is more powerful than two sticks of dynamite placed in separate locations? Two strapped together. Now, that's what this book is all about: taking our two primary sticks of dynamite---prayer and the Word---strapping them together, and igniting them with faith in what God says He can do."

The way I do this is seen above---I have tried different methods, but the one I have found most helpful is to keep flip index cards. On them I write different verses I want to pray---sometimes I index them with the stick colored tabs you see to the right of the picture. Ones that are really appropriate for my children may be in one color etc.


The great thing I have found about this method---is it is great when you have time for short praying, or for hours of praying or for a day of prayer! I have many of these index card flip things---when I want to spend a lengthy time of prayer I flip through and pray the different scriptures for myself and others.

What is really neat too is that you add to it as you find appropriate verses in your devotional time. I sometimes will also write some favorite quotes from authors I like also--ones that are encouraging or that expound some verse.

I
have seen God work powerfully when I am faithful at praying His word. What a blessing!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Easter Sunday


Well it has been a beautiful week. I took off some time from posting and just enjoyed the week long celebration of the Easter events at church. What a blessing! Today we spent some time with Grandma at the nursing home. They have this gazebo place to sit outside and enjoy the weather and the quietness.Posted by Picasa

Sunday, March 16, 2008

30 days/ day 30!!! yes!!!

This is the end of my 30 days slices of life blogging. NICE--don't have to blog every day now--but it was an interesting experiment. I am cheating here--the above picture was created a while back on one of our exploring expeditions with my husband and two sons. We found this beautiful ruin in the woods. I love things that touch back in history---they always have a way of portraying to me the fact of the brevity and beauty of life and the glories of eternity to come.

I love this week we are entering--a focused time on Good Friday, Easter, and the meaning it has to us. I gave this quote yesterday and am giving it again today:

"The cross of Jesus Christ--this ugly thing stuck up like a scarecrow in the center of our religion--tells us of a love so fierce, so determined...that its bearer is willing to be humiliated and tortured and bewildered and, for a time, to be dead."

One preacher has said that we don't know how much God loves us until we know why Christ suffered on the cross. What did it cost God to love us? Those that say they don't believe in a God that has created a hell and that judges---those that say they only believe in a God of love ,don't understand this concept. The cross is that grand demonstration of a glorious love.

God has given man the freedom to chose hell. Those that go to heaven have said, "Thy will be done". Those that go to hell have made that choice----they didn't want "that" God. God says to them, Thy will be done. Pretty sobering really.

(ps. In answer to some questions--this was Prince Frederick's Episcopal church. It was founded in 1734, but the building was a gothic revival designed by louis J. Barbot and was completed in 1876 with a gift of $1711 by John Earle Allston. When rice planting declined, it fell into disrepair and was deemed unsafe. It was demolshished in 1966 leaving only the front wall and tower. It was put on the National Register of Historic places in 1974.)

Saturday, March 15, 2008

30 days/ day 29!! LIGHT


This is a picture of a fire we had last night (tonight, on the other hand, is stormy--windy, tornado watches, thunder). But this fire symbolises the day of reflection I have had and it is a good picture for some thoughts on Light from a book I've been reading.
" If God is the perfect light of the world, imperfection has placed a kind of veil upon how we see that light. The light still shines, despite the imperfections of our seeing."
"We know that it has been so since that first moment when humanity, through the tempter Satan, drew the veil of haze over God's brilliant perfection. We know this to be so."
"To restore the light, Jesus underwent the full anguish of darkness. None could know this more profoundly: to experience, as the perfect light, the perfect darkness; to know separation from God so thoroughly; to plumb the deepest sea of darkness so that he could build a bridge out of it for us."
"The cross of Jesus Christ--this ugly thing stuck up like a scarecrow in the center of our religion--tells us of a love so fierce, so determined...that its bearer is willing to be humiliated and tortured and bewildered and, for a time, to be dead."


Praise God for the Light of God; Praise him that though we see sometimes as through a veil, that we can know the Light---Praise him for the greatness of His love , that He ,the light, underwent the anguish, the separation for us. Praise him for salvation, for being born anew into that Light. to be temples of the Holy Spirit, to be sealed by Him, to walk in newness of life, to experience full and true life, and to know that it is never, never ending. AMEN



Friday, March 14, 2008

30 days/ day 28 show and tell

It is show and tell at Kelli's http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/ I thought I would show you that Spring has come!! The car below is supposed to be black--but it has pine pollen--very big yellow pollen gently covering it. (When it gets really bad, as it will, you get a very thick covering and have to wash the cars every day. This is why we can't hang clothes out for about a month (if we wanted to ;0)
Here are just a few more evidences of spring:








Blessings to you all ---have a wonderful Friday!




Thursday, March 13, 2008

30 days/ day 27 Blessings about Erin



I had to share this about this 14 year old (ERIN) who we've been praying for and who died this week. This was posted by her Dad at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/erinpage

"I heard some great news last night from Brian. There were 47 people saved and 43 rededications at the meeting held in Erin's honor at the Crossroads Youth at Higher Ground! To God be the Glory! I know Erin is so happy in Heaven this morning! To hear things like this lifts me from the valley of despair and sets me high on a mountain of Joy! I am so proud to say that I am Erin's dad! I have been blessed just to be able to call her daughter! Erin, I love you so much Honey! Jesus, thank you!! I Know God is still using Erin's sickness to touch people in this city and around the country! Please continue to pray for our family. I have been dreading the next few days knowing from the past experience of losing my Dad in 1992. I want this Friday to not be a sad funeral, instead I want it to be a celebration of Erin's Life! I had no idea of the impact that skinny little girl of mine could have on her friends and this community. I pray that God get's all the Glory! I hope everyone didn't think that Tuesday nights update would be the last. I'll continue to post to this site as long as the Lord lays it on my heart to do so! I am sure Kimberly and Brian feel the same. I couldn't sleep again this morning and I woke up with all these words going through my head. I want to again thank everyone for their Prayers and comments they leave here. It's like an ointment for my aching heart to read your lovely words of condolence. Thanks everyone! Thank you Lord!
Chris (an Angel's dad)"

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

30 days/ day 26 More on this book/ reflecting


Well I am on day 26 of the 30 days--so only 4 more days to go and I can take a break ;-). I am wondering if I counted correctly, but I am not going back to look.


I am reading (mainly in the bathroom!!!--been so busy this week) the puritan book "Keeping the Heart" by John Flavel. I think the thing that has always spoken to me about the puritans is how seriously they take their faith; how important the fear and awe of God was to them. How important holiness and dealing with sin were. They were very firm on the subject of salvation through faith through grace alone. They were also firm on seeking to live a holy life and examining the heart.
They took seriously the admonitions to pray "cleanse thou me from secret faults (Ps19:12) and "unite my heart to fear Thy name. (Psalm 86:11) . There was a view of God's great love, but it didn't lower God to a "buddy". I have wondered if they go overboard in their introspection; and yet we, in modern times tend to gloss over confession of sin --or we often do it in vague generalities when we are praying in our devotions. We don't always spend much time in examining our hearts and asking God to examine our hearts.
In the beginning of this book he says:
"By 'keeping the heart,' understand the diligent and constant use and improvement of all holy means and duties to preserve the soul from sin and maintain its sweet and free communion with God."
(he strikes a balance by saying the following)
"Whereas the expression ('keep the heart') seems to put it upon us as our work, yet it does not imply a sufficiency or ability in us to do it. We are as able to stop the sun in its course or make the rivers run backward as by our own skill and power to rule and order our hearts. We may as well be our own saviors as our own keepers. Yet Solomon speaks properly enough when he says 'keep thy heart' because the duty is ours though the power is God's. A natural man has no power. A gracious man has some, though not sufficient, and that power he has depends upon the exciting and assisting strength of Christ. Grace within us is beholden to grace outside us. John 15:5: 'Without Me ye can do nothing.'".........
I just wonder why we have become so lax---wondering if it is the things we stress--are we out of balance....or are we consumed by our culture. What do you all think?
ps. GreatGram is confused---hopefully this will straighten out in a while--thanks for the prayers; I think the surgery has helped with the pain .
pps. This 13 year old is missing in Southern Cal--more info at: http://mygreat8.blogspot.com/ Margarita "Magui" Martinez
DOB: 4-19-1994
MISSING: 3-10-2008

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

30 days/ day 25


Well I come with really mixed emotions. Erin--the 14 year old we had been praying for died tonight---her story is at:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/erinpage
Great grandma is having a hard time also. She was moved from the hospital to the nursing home for some extended care. It has been tough on her.


My husband performed in an awesome performance with 3 choirs, a symphony orchestra, and an organ---


So the combination of these three events has been very emotional. Life is so rich, so deep , so beautiful. I am so aware of the glory that awaits us.

Monday, March 10, 2008

30 days/ day 24

This is Boots, the vomit culprit of yesterday's post. He loves being near me and you can see he has made himself at home on my Bible and notes!! Today the vet called me to remind me of the cat's appointment. They called when I was looking through old medical records of Cat scans, MRI's, and ultrasounds.
So when they said this is Dr. Strickland's office calling about your appointment for the cat, I thought they meant for the CAT SCAN!!! I said you must have the wrong number! Anyways it took quite a few minutes for me to realize it was the vets office!! lol


Got this book in the mail today--it was originally written in the 1600's. It is based on Proverbs 4:23--I like what it says in the intro (not written by the author)-

"The unseen is as real and as important as the seen world, but the physical world intrudes and often dominates our lives. We all struggle with busyness and feel the need to be productive. In today's society doing is valued and sitting and reflecting is not valued. Which is better? Scripture gives us Jesus' assessment in the example of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). The inner life must be looked after, and this requires time. It takes time to examine our hearts--to make judgments about ourselves, to examine our motives, to examine what we really love and to build a relationship with God."

The book should be interesting--I wonder how much we can really know our own motives---all I can say is , thank God for the Lord Jesus Christ!.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

30 days/ 21-23


Well--you can guess what this picture is --yup cat barf. Why am I showing this? That's what I had to deal with on Friday after driving through terrible storms to get my son home for spring break. ;-) ---I know I am suppose to post every day for 30 days--but for some reason I have had trouble with blogger. If this picture comes out, it is because I posted it from picassa--blogger would not post it. I couldn't visit the other bloggers for show and tell--which I planned to do Saturday--it let me through to 2. I gave up. I did finish the afghan!

The Wind was awesome on Saturday--40 mile gusts--really quite beautiful. Great gram is hanging in there---she has been very tired, but today she was not feeling the pain much when lying and sitting--trying to walk was another matter.

Church was blessed. Again and Again I am so thankful for worship, for fellowship, for the glory of God.
Posted by Picasa

30 days/ day 21-23 et hem

30 days/ day 21-23 et hem

Thursday, March 6, 2008

30 days/ day 20 Greatgram etc &show and Tell

(My show and tell is down lower. )

This morning was beautiful, however I think I took this picture yesterday--my days are running into each other!!!

Today was Great Grandma's surgery--she had her hip replaced. (she is my hubby's mom, but is a great gram to my grand-daughter--thus great gram)
So far she is doing well; but too soon to tell. She was awake and talking after being placed in her hospital room. Even in her pain, she was being nice to all who attended her! Thanks for those of you who prayed for her surgery.


On Friday's it is show and tell at kellis' --
http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/ --See this creature below--he is supposed to be a gray cement rabbit. Now look at him and tell me what you see?

Yup, that there rabbit (or wabbit) is green!!! That is how everything turns here in good ole SC. The green moldy stuff grows on houses, fences, etc. Now y'all know why there are lots of allergies here in the South. Below is a poor picture of the beginnings of a prayer shawl--it is draped over some spindles so not a good pic.



Here is a close up of it. I like this idea. You make prayer shawls to give to those who you are praying for --they can wrap it around them and know that someone loves them and is praying for them--it is like a warm, loving hug!! I decided to work on this at the hospital with great grandma.


I decided on the shawl for work because my afghan below was way too big to bring to the hospital. This is a close up of the afghan--it is thick like a rug because you use two threads at a time.




Here is a lousy distance view of it. I am still working on it---it needs about a foot more. It is prettier in color than this picture shows.



This is the end of the show and tell.
I am thankful for this day----it started off with these words"
Psalm 73:

23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;you hold my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel,and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you?And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

I thank him for the richness of life. The beauty of the sunrise, the colors of the mold (hey, a neat soft green) ,the colors of yarn, the infinite variety of human personalities, the glory of Christ reflecting in the faces of suffering Christians----whether they are weak or strong in Christ there is such a beauty. ....there is such a depth to life.....such a beauty in prayer......such a glory in this season of Easter.....such a wonder.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

30 days/ days 18 & 19

This is how I have been approaching each day--enjoy the moment in each moment! But because of it , I forgot to post yesterday!!! Ah well--I get a bit like the absent minded professor! I thought I had posted, but the 2 days had run together.

Greatgrandma is having hip replacement surgery on Thursday morning (tomorrow). And my youngest Son is coming home on Spring break for the weekend at least. So busy, busy.

I don't know if bloggers paragraphs are back to working--that is why I am doing the different colors. I love praying this verse for others:

2 Thessalonians 1:11- To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Last of all erin is showing signs of improving--keep praying--updates at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/erinpage

Monday, March 3, 2008

30 days/ day 17





Ok--love this--my son sent me this--my whole family loves cookie monster--But don't let your kids watch this one!! I am allowed to post this since I watched it today ;-)

ps. keep Erin in your prayers--updates at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/erinpage

Sunday, March 2, 2008

30 days/ day 16--golden moments

Ok--I hate this --Google is not letting me do paragraphs so the writing below is one big mess--hey, my day was golden until now ;-)
Well today is what I call a golden day. Delightfully warm weather, a walk to church, beautiful time there, time afterwords to sit and reflect outside with the wind chimes,birds, fountain, and squirrels, cats and dogs. Time for talking to Grandma and Grandpa, and the kids. Just a wonderful day of rest and worship.
I like some of the thoughts I read today in Yancey's book on pain.
"The fact that Jesus came to earth where he suffered and died does not remove pain from our lives. But it does show that God did not sit idly by and watch us suffer in isolation. He became one of us. Thus, in Jesus, God gives us an up-close and personal look at his response to human suffering. All our questions about God and suffering should, in fact, be filtered through what we know about Jesus."...........................
"....How does God feel about our pain? In reply, God did not give us words or theories on the problem of pain. He gave us himself.".......................
"The cross, the most universal image in the Christian religion, offers proof that God cares about our suffering and pain. He died of it. That symbol stands unique among religions of the world. Many of them have gods, but only one has a God who cared enough to become a man and to die."
"...God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. ....If Jesus was a mere man, his death would prove God's cruelty; the fact that he was God's Son proves instead that God fully identifies with suffering humanity. On the cross, God himself absorbed the awful pain of this world.'
"To some, the image of a pale body glimmering on a dark night whispers of defeat. What good is a God who does not control his Son's suffering? But another sound can be heard: the shout of a God crying out to human beings, 'I LOVE YOU.' Love was compressed for all history in that lonely figure on the cross, who said that he could call down angels at any moment on a rescue mission, but chose not to---because of us. At Calvary, God accepted his own unbreakable terms of justice."
"And thus the cross, a stumbling block to some, became the cornerstone of Christian faith. Any discussion of how pain and suffering fit unto God's scheme ultimately leads back to the cross."..................
"It is a good thing to remember, when we encounter dark disturbing times, that we live our days on Easter Saturday. As the apostle Paul expressed it, 'I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us' (Romans 8:18)."
"By taking it on himself, Jesus dignified pain, showing us how it can be transformed. He gave us a pattern he wants to reproduce in us.........................Jesus, who did not sin, also felt pain.........We are not exempt from the tragedies of this world just as God himself was not exempt............
"According to Paul, at the cross Christ triumphed over the cosmic powers---defeating them not with power but with self-giving love. The cross of Christ may have assured the final outcome, but battles remain for us to fight. Significantly, Paul prayed 'to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings'---embracing both the agony and the ecstasy of Christ's life on earth (Philippians 3:10)."
We have a great high priest who can sympathize "with our weaknesses"...because he has "been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of Grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. [heb4:15-16] "Because of Jesus, God understands, truly understands, our pain."
"The surgery of life hurts. It helps me, though, to know that the surgeon himself, the Wounded Surgeon, has felt every stab of pain and every sorrow."
I have left so much out---taken a lot out of its context--so better to read the whole book. He talks about the hope we have before us --of an afterlife without pain and that "The Bible stakes God's reputation on his ability to restore creation to its original state of perfection."
Great thoughts as I look forward to the celebration of Easter.


keep praying for Erin --updates at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/erinpage

Saturday, March 1, 2008

30 days/ day 15/ doing better

Doing much better with the ole back. Was able to do some shopping with hubby and get some work done around the house. A spring wreath (at last) too. Hopefully my back will continue to improve--the muscle that was pulled on the right feels fine, but the si joint on the left is still giving problems. However I can now move around!!
Pray for Erin--she only has a 10% chance to live as of today--14 year old -updates can be found at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/erinpage