TOTEally Blessed!!

Toteing Encouragement to those who need it!

Mission trip to Tornado victims

Let me ask you a question. Who is more blessed when doing mission work, the receiver or the giver? Better stated maybe, can you give a blessing without receiving a blessing? I want to share a recent experience that answers those mind boggling questions.

The idea began as we saw Alabama & Tennessee (our sphere of influence) be totally blown away by fierce tornadoes late April. The news showed pictures of the swirling beasts that ravaged and tore through towns and countryside destroying everything in its pathway. With no respecter of persons, it left nothing unscathed. Everything it touched it blew apart. Every person it came in contact with-- changed forever. Some things will never be the same.

How do you help those who have lost everything? How do you comfort those whose loved ones where swirled up into the evil funnel monster never to breathe again? We have no words, as we sat back and helplessly watched on our TVs and listened on the radio to the destruction that transpired… just down the road.

I wanted to help, but seemed helpless in knowing how. I couldn’t offer a roof….I lived too far away for an everyday commute. There was no electricity to cook meals. Day after day, I watched helplessly as victim after victim sorted through their pile of belongings, many in which had to dig through their house pieces first. Wood beams strewn everywhere, from the camera it looked like a bunch of toothpicks! But that pile of toothpicks used to be someone’s house!

A month later…..with a plan in place, three ladies with three youth set off to TOTEally Bless those that God would show us as we headed toward the ravaged tornado eaten land. We had the idea that surely they needed totes to put their few gathered belongings in, and something to put everyday supplies in, as they sit under a tarp on a concrete pad, gone their houses. Or those in shelters would need something to tote around. Even those who had a relative or friend to stay with, as they went back to their forsaken plot, would need something to put any memorabilia they could find in. Though water soaked, perhaps torn and muddied, it still belonged to them. Broken it may be, but if they wanted to keep it, they needed a place. So the TOTE idea was born.

What we saw when we went to the first place, will forever be etched in my mind, leaving its scars on my heart forever….It was a one lane older trailer park. At the beginning you could see damaged trailers, many too unstable to be occupied. Then midway down we stopped and got out our totes. There were workers putting up electric lines. These people, that is, those who remained had been without electricity for a month. Imagine that….

The as I walked down, I saw a baby crib next to a tree near the road. Nailed to the tree were these words: LOT 8…… the lonely crib beneath the words. Can words express my heart, I think not. I went to it tears streaming down my cheeks…….a pile of trailer and contents shoved at the top of the lot, the trailer pad clear……no more home, no more family. I looked around through teary eyes there were more empty concrete pads. At the top was a pile of what someone had called home, a board over the pile with their house number on it. Probably 8-10 trailers, vanished like that….what happened to the people? A lone ball told me one empty pad belonged to a family with children.

I saw toilets tossed on the top of piles, my sense of privacy and indoor conveniences threaten to smother me. I saw a mangled bed frame and springs from another baby crib….where is the baby? Did he or she make it? I had to turn away from the piles of home, it seemed as though I was invading their privacy, though much of the pile was unrecognizable. Everywhere you turned; there was a pureed home site! But occasionally, when you zeroed in….I saw a teddy bear. At the far end pad, a bike…. will the owner ever ride again?

We gave totes to the few people who were in their unstable mobile homes. Some totes we left on door steps. We talked with the workers who were trying desperately to restore power to these trailers. Some of them were volunteers from a nearby church that we had passed. It was totally flattened. I was humbled at their hard work for others.

God had more for me to see….in the middle of the park there was a shack that looked like the middle of a trailer, like maybe the kitchen sitting in the middle of a concrete pad. What I would soon find out it that someone actually lived inside this pieced together hut!! His name was Louie. Louie had an unusual outlook on life, for you see, Louie was blind! He helped me see a lot of things. He did not have any electricity, yet he was happy! His entire square footage could be reached by leaning over, yet he was happy! He had no air conditioning (and it was a hot day!), yet he was happy! He had no refrigeration, no iced tea, or cold milk or ice cream, yet he was happy! He could not get around outside without help, yet he was happy! He was delighted at the simplest of things. He was overjoyed to have company! The tornado had taken his home, yet he was happy!

*God forbid I had a single complaint the rest of the day!*

*Thank you Louie for helping me see happiness is a choice!*

I didn’t think I could take anymore. But God had more for me to see…We went down the road and around the bend…..Nice fancy houses gone….just with a snap. One of the strange things was that you could tell you were entering a tornado area as you approached you could see the striped trees, the uprooted 150 year old oaks, the trees that had been twisted and snapped into. It looked like a war zone! What used to be a beautiful shaded countryside, now a barren wasteland. It was as though a logging company had blazed through cutting down everything in sight and then just left it there! Now again, I was seeing this one month later and still it was as though no time had passed. Huge piles of trees and branches lined the edges of the road.

I couldn’t control my thoughts as I passed the guard hut and gate that went into a gated upper class community. The hut now missing the entire front and part of the roof did a poor job of keeping this community safe. The thought came to me…..no matter how much you guard your belongings…. they can never be completely safe! Tornados are master thieves---nothing keeps them out! No code necessary….they come and go as they please, taking whatever they want!

Down another road we came to a couple of trailers. We parked and got out some totes and began to walk down the road. We stopped at a home where a young man name Juan was working. Again, I was about to be blessed. We gave him a couple of totes. He told us about his daughter and the terrible tornados that had damaged his trailer and roof. But as we inquired about his home, he pointed to across the street. ‘No I don’t live here, but over yonder. I am just here helping my neighbor.’ He said. He had put aside his own needs to help his neighbor who had extensive damage and no insurance. We prayed with him and encouraged him. He has no idea how his joy just to be alive went with me when I left him.

As we crossed the street, yet again, I was to be challenged. A young lady stopped and rolled down her window and asked if she could get us some ice cold water! Boy was I about to just fall apart at her love. Now, I of course, didn’t know her, didn’t even know if she was in a hurry, had an appointment, or was just wandering around helping how she could. But no matter the reason, her obedience touched the deepest rivers of my soul, reminding me of the living water that filled me and I need to be about sharing that living water with everyone I meet. She had to stop what she was doing, change her plans, and delete her agenda to minister to me! WOW!

How many more lessons Lord?….. We left there and went to another devastated subdivision where only two houses were left standing, one of which the roof was collapsed inside and parts of the sides were missing. Not inhabitable but the owners were there getting a few more things. They had the only running bathroom in the whole neighborhood. Though most were gone since their houses were either entirely obliterated or just a few rooms left. This woman was in an insurance battle so no settlement had been made and they were just trying to make it in a rented motel. There were some small children splashing in a kiddie pool in the front yard surrounded by insulation and other debris. They were happy, totally unconcerned about the world around them. That blessed my heart. We left the lady with as much toilet paper as possible and some encouragement as we listened to their story.

We went to the other house on that street, a man Mr. Applebee answered and we were told he was the contact person for that subdivision as people came and went checking on their place and the cleanup crews and so forth. He had a lump in his throat as he shared that he had never seen such a display help and love. I told him that it was nice to put a face to our prayers and he mentioned that he indeed was a blessed man as he looked everyday at his neighborhood and he only had to have the outside of his house replaced and a new roof.

As we drove through the neighborhood, we were speechless. A sobering sight. House after house totally destroyed. There was no privacy as you could see right inside the center of the houses if even that much remained. A life once lived there….

We saw a closet with clothes still hanging on the rack. It was totally amazing with all the wind and destruction and obliteration. I wondered if the family had huddled in that closet and their lives spared??! I was struck dumb as I thought about the bed I had climbed out of and the coffee pot button I had pushed that morning---yes I kissed my coffee pot when I got home. My kitchen aid and dishes……….where were their dishes and appliances? Yes, I felt at that moment like the richest woman on earth, like a queen living in a royal palace compared to what was before my eyes.

*Lord, forgive me for my lack of appreciation and gratitude for conveniences!*

*Lord, forgive me for not valuing my neighbors!*

*Lord, forgive me for my apathy for life!*

*Lord, forgive me for my complaining tongue!*

We made two more stops. One was at a church around the area, in which we went in to see if they knew of other families that might need a tote. We talked with the pastor and he was so touched, he did have some of his own flock who had lost everything. We left him a few totes to bless them with and we left TOTEally Blessed.

We then went to another county and followed the devastation to another trailer park. Besides the dreadful look of trees snapped off everywhere and debris strewn, there was this strange, yet familiar sight. The whole front row of concrete pads were empty! I knew immediately why, it was not because they did not have customers, I wondered if those customers were alive. Indeed the landlord confirmed my suspicion that the whole front row was swiped away. She did not tell me if they had casualties, as that would breach confidence, but looking at the place, surely some of these occupants were in the death toll number. The woman went on to tell us where the storm shelter was and that they had over 270 people in it. When I went outside to get in the van, I looked to where the storm shelter was, the tornado literally went right over their heads straight to the front row!!

She was teary as she told us about that dreadful night. She was glad we brought totes with supplies for they were all still without electricity and just last week had run out of donations to give to their renters.

Hot, tired and thirsty, we climbed back into the church van, we had given away 46 totes that day in hopes to be a blessing to someone…

*But we were the ones TOTEally Blessed!*

I realized as I sat in my air-conditioned home, eating a warm,

home cooked meal, sitting in clean comfy clothes,

drinking a cold glass of iced tea this thought:

Contentment has a price!

Today, I got it for free… Someone else paid for it!

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

I Timothy 6:6-8

Who’s the Project Me or the Kids ? Boomerang Ministry

 

Have you ever been asked to join on a task, or a mission opportunity and think, “Sure I would be glad to help and minister in this way.” Thinking that your addition to the group of workers would benefit the goal of the ministry. Or perhaps maybe you agree because it is something you like to do or maybe it is something you are good at so a “yes” was easy to come by. Whatever the reason, even if you feel it is simply because God has asked you to be a part of this work.

Recently I had one of those “WOW” unexpected experiences. One where I thought I was going to do the ministering (that is what they asked me to do) but instead I was ministered to by the very people that was “the project”. Here is what happened………

A little back ground first………..I had been writing a book for over a year and it was near completion. Actually I was in the final editing stages. The final two weeks of editing the book that then would go out to the world…..scary to think about. Anyway, I had already had some other “assignments” for God that had hindered the completion of this deadline. Therefore, I had to extend it a week and felt like I could not ask for another extension. However, the task they wanted from me was not hard, and I didn’t need to do anything at home, but work hard the day of the event which was on a Sunday so I thought that was easy enough. I would be exhausted, but at least It would not take up my typing time with this deadline looming over me.

Now these people had no idea what my book was about, they did not even know I had written one! (But God did!) But the very event they wanted my help with was the heart of my book!! How could I deny doing this as I looked at the pages every day of my book, I could not turn my head away and say no………….

The event was a Valentine Banquet for the Bus Ministry kids and their families. The idea was for the kids to serve their parents. My job was simply to help them color place mats. That sounded easy enough. Now I love to do crafts, and most people know that, but doing crafts with little kids well, that is my least favorite group to work with……………………but, this was simple I thought……..

I asked some of my youth gals to join me in “serving”. So it was that after church that morning, I had brought lunch fixings and prepared lunch for my boys and the youth girls that were going with me. No need to go home as we live a good distance from the church and we needed to be at the community center by 12:30 or so. After downing our lunch, we left. The youth girls did a fabulous job organizing my job! They took over and were great with the kids. I helped decorate the tables that we had set up the day before. We put place cards at each place. There were balloons, candles, hearts, confetti, etc. It really was done up so nice for these kids and their families.

It was not long after putting the finishing touches on the tables that the kids began to arrive! What seemed like mass chaos was really very normal. But what I found was that my heart was having a hard time taking in the faces of these children. Looking into their eyes was my undoing. Just what did I see?

Oh such longing to be held, longing to be loved. Some eyes still haunt me today. Eyes that say does anybody care? Eyes of disappointment that their parents or guardians (many don’t have parents or one parent is missing) didn’t show up. I wanted to gather them up into my arms and make all their sadness go away. I wanted to tell them everything was going to be alright---but then that would make me God. For I can’t make any promises. I can’t tell the abused little girl that it will be alright. I can’t tell the little boy that his papa will get out of jail and all will be well once again. I couldn’t tell the angry filled eyes that would not look at me of an older kid whose dreams had been crashed asunder that tomorrow his dreams would come true. The eyes that just wanted a mamma to hold them.

BUT I could tell them about my Jesus Who can heal the broken hearted, and through trusting in Him, change their hearts. Maybe their situation would never change, but they would be changed from the inside out so that no matter what happened, they could walk through it with Jesus.

If paper had eyes, this paper, then it would not be able to contain the emotions that looked at me that day. It would be void of words to describe the eyes of the broken hearted, the broken lives and homes of these children.

Yet the most magnificent thing was that they were the most grateful kids. Even with many of them in situations beyond belief, they were smiling at me. It was really a mixture beyond description. A thankfulness and excitement for the party/dinner and the songs they were going to sing on stage later. Maybe it was the smile of a soon to be full belly of a kid that usually went to bed hungry. I don’t really know. But it was a tonic that left my head reeling!

The kids, though precariously, served their family the dinner one piece at a time, their faces beaming to serve. Then they got up and sang their hearts out about Jesus! It was so sweet, so precious to see.

Then while they were all eating 3 of my youth got up and impromptu sang. If I was not already undone, my tears fell overboard! I bawled. The praises they were singing seemed to open up the flood gates and I couldn’t contain the tears any longer.

Though physically my hips, knees, shoulders and back were killing me, I could not sit still. I just wanted to grab a hand, pat a head, hold a small one in my lap. I simply wanted to love them, the very thing they needed. The Valentine Banquet could not have been a more appropriate theme for ----Just lovin’ ‘em!

Now let me explain partly why I was so exhausted. The night before the Banquet, I had edited my fingers to the bone, but by 11:15 pm, I still had 11 pages to go. I set an alarm for 6:15 (the latest time possible! I leave for church at 7:15) for fear I would miss early service at church which starts at 8am. But for those of you who know me I am badly mechanically impaired.

So long before I was rested and ready to get up, I heard my alarm go off!! I groaned and got up to turn off my alarm. In the midst of doing so I moved one too many buttons. I was confused because now the clock said 4:05 am! Then it said 6:15am! I flipped all kinds of switches, by then I had no clue what time it really was. So to my dismay, I had to climb down stairs to see the clock on the stove. You guessed right, it was 4:05 am!! No wonder I was tired. I crawled back in bed refusing to get up.

I lay there ten minutes awake. I finally threw back the covers and went down stairs. On the way down I said, “I am not, I repeat, am not going to open my computer!!” I was so sick of editing, my mind was fried, my fingers twisted. The last thing I wanted to do was work on the document that early in the morning after not getting much sleep. I knew I would be gone all day, but still I just didn’t think I could do it.

I sat down in the recliner, the computer haunting me, laughing at me, mocking me that I would never be done. I closed my eyes against the onslaught of condemnation from my computer (the enemy). It just stared at me silently willing me to open it.

I opened it!! I finished the last words at exactly 6:15 am!! The time my alarm was SUPPOSED to go off. Now if that is not God’s favor shining upon me then I’m blind! So now you know just how epic the rest of the day, The Valentine Banquet for the bus kids, was to me. Over the past week as read and edited The Bus Ride, I read about the life of a bus kid. Her abuse, sadness, and loneliness leaving ugly scares on my own heart. To read about how unloved she felt was more than I could take.

So I saw that little girl I had written about in everyone one of those faces that day. Who could have planned an ending to my book like that but to visit the very hearts of this story that took place somewhere else, some other time with different lives. But the bus ministry is not held by time, it is needed as much today as it was then!

So I left there asking God: Who was the project? Me or the Kids!

Etches of February

 

Where does the time fly??!!  It certainly seems to take off with a roar and then is no more!  I wanted to write about what a Dazzling December we had.  But here it is March, soooo, let me share with you what a Fabulous February we had.  Take a peek.

• Feb 1:  received my manuscript back with a 2 week final deadline on editing the entire thing one last time! OOOO! that is scary!
• Feb 3:  my husband left for CA to board a ship for work.  What a bummer—a cruise without me—But at least i got some beautiful flowers out of the arrangement!
• Feb 2-5: cut 243 squares, embroidered them with the names of Jesus, sewed them together, then clipped all the rows, both ways.  Washed it!  It was an Alabama football rag quilt, a group gift for our Sunday School teacher.  Had fun making the matching bag and card for the gift as well.
• Feb 6: Hosted a Sunday School breakfast for Faithful teacher  Worked on D-Now stuff in the afternoon.  Went to Super Bowl party that night.
• Feb 8-9:  Worked on D-Now stuff.  Baked for Stellar Kart.  Got caught in a snow storm----got really flaked out!
• Feb 10: from 7pm until 11:30 pm helped set up light and sound, and worked on D-Now decorations
• Feb 11:  Worked all day on D-Now, it began at 6pm brought home 6 girls for a sleep over.  Was a fabulous night setting our hearts afire for God once again.
• Feb 12:  Youth D-Now continued 8 am thru 6pm.  Great to see youth’ hearts moved as well as my own.  Lots of tears, but for a good reason!
• Feb 13: RESTED
• Feb 19:  begged for an extension on my manuscript!  Even though my fingers were busy typing every spare moment, it wasn’t enough!
• Feb 20: worked at a Valentine Banquet for our bus kids and their families.  It was heart wrenching but you will understand why so if you read my book.  I will write an article about this particular day and event and post it later.  But just know it was a hard day not only on my body, but my heart more so.  Also had several of my youth girls join me.  It was awesome to see them minister in several different ways.  Up at 4 am i finished the last words of my book before working with the very heart of what my book is about.  A real face to face with my Abba that day!
• Feb 26: Husband came home!!  Hooray!  We had a party for him!

And with this kind of February, I am afraid March will March right on in!  Oooopppsss!  It already did!  I hope Marvelous March  has me obeying God to do whatever He has for me! 

A little bit of Heaven – December Living!

This December was special. For several different reasons, we have not been in a church that really had any Christmas activities for many years.  So we were about to have our socks blessed off!    Here is a sneak preview………….of our month long celebration of our Baby King Jesus!

Dec. 4:  We had company for the day, encouragement on the way (We were the cheering squad!  Keep running hard!)

Dec.5:  The children’s department put on a play/musical.  It was sweet!

Dec. 6:  Served lunch at Mottlow Com. College (Everyone still remembered my oldest son who attended there last year—makes you wonder why!!??)

Dec. 7-9: Served drinks and meals with the youth for the dinner theater each night!  Loved the show, music, food.  But my favorite was serving!

Dec. 9:  Sam home from college

Dec. 10: Sunday School Party!

Dec. 11:  Celebrated my oldest son’s belated birthday- bowling

Dec. 12:  We had company

Dec, 13:  A date with my Honey going to see Disney on Ice!

Dec. 16:  Home school co-op registration

Dec. 19:   Took kids to Disney on Ice in the afternoon  after church

Dec. 19:  Traditional Christmas story night and ornament gift

Dec. 22:  Grammy arrived, lots of cooking!!

Dec. 24:  Bible story  and caroling, Silent candle light communion at church

Dec. 25: The celebration of all celebrations

Dec. 28:  Youth Senior girls sleepover!!!  Some didn’t sleep at all!!

Dec. 29: Left for the Brown’s in Washing DC. until the New Year!

Did I mention hand making 150 Christmas cards in my sleep!

Sandwiched between 

Dazzling December

and

 fabulous February

was

Just January!

The Evil Blender

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

Who me?  My heart deceitful?  Really?

My blender was on the fritz and I just happed to see an advertisement for the most magnificent Blender ever on TV one morning while was working out at the gym.  Hmmmm…..that blender does everything but the dishes!  So I began my devious plan…..
I had convinced myself that I could make the fabulous “power” drinks with this awesome blender. It would be so healthy and maybe it would help me to loose a few pounds I thought to myself.  Why you could even make fresh soup with it and it would be heated to boot! 
Just watching all those veggies and fruits going and whalla a delicious drink. So I was sold. But the price was ridiculous, something like over $200!  So I still needed a blender but I could not bring myself to consider one that expensive.  BUT then there is always eBay………….
So, my wonderful husband found me a blender exactly like that one for a fraction of the cost.  Actually it cost me no more than getting a replacement average blender like the one I had.  So I was so excited.  When it arrived…………..
Did I immediately shove spinach leaves, tomatoes, apples and carrots down it’s throat?  Why no………..immediately my heart began to convince me with this powerful machine I could make the most awesome blueberry shakes with the blueberries we had picked in the summer and the fresh cream from the cow.  In just a push of the button it was a dream come true.  I have never seen it work like that and it was so frosty like………….hummm……..
I wonder if i could make my own Java Chiller/frappe?  I made the coffee and put some creamer, caramel, and chocolate syrup, so ice cubes and put it in the freezer to chill.  I got out the ice cream, the ice, the chilled coffee.  Got all the yummy ingredients into the blender hit the on button and in less than an nano instant java “killer” was ALL over the place……..
Something had gone wrong and it had leaked all out the bottom and was melting fast.  I lifted the container only to have more pour out.  What a mess, I duped it in to the sink.  Humph!  I was not chilled nor thrilled with this turn of events!  I cleaned up the offensive container and examined it over.  I could not figure out the problem so I put every thing back together best I could and tried again.  Same thing…………….! UHG! What is the deal!  This is such a sticky mess!  So finally hand stirred the contents left and drank it.  It was delicious, I drank it all the while  this “possessed” machine stared at me.  I turned my back to it, not even wanting to look at it while I sucked down the last bit.  later………
I went to clean up the kitchen and clear the counters.  I picked up my fabulous blender and in the process I leaned it forward and sweet coffee pour out all over me, the counter, down into the cabinets, between my toes.  It was like the flood gates had been released and the yummy liquid came rushing at me.  I was so shocked I could barely move…………..
I put the offensive blender base, vent side down in the sink just incase there was any more liquid in the thing.  I wanted out of there.  After soaking several towels and heading to the shower myself………
What a blunder of a day…….did I ever use it for the “reason” my heart said to buy it?  Have I yet made a power drink??  No……….but it is interesting that I immediately thought of two shakes that my heart would love to have and managed to try both back to back…………interesting………..

The things our hearts deceive us about are limitless.

  So lesson learned:

Never Trust my Heart!

(I was going to put a picture---but it was a mess!)

Riptide Christians

Allow God to take you wherever He wishes!

I was leaning over the railing at Monterey Bay watching the sea otters and harbor seals play. They are so cute as they splashed at each other, dive under the water, come up laughing (barking). They seem to have this serenity about them that just amazed me. It did appear that life was all about fun and games. I watched mesmerized by their carefree nature. I knew God had a lesson for me….

I want to be like the animals of the ocean, the sea otters, sea lions, dolphins and seals; allowing God to take me wherever the current flows for His glory and His “porpoise”! I don’t want to be held back by worry or fear nor shackled by bitterness and hate. I want to be free to go with the flow! Now, the sea animals do swim and go where they want to in a general sense, but the current tides do take them in and out.

I want to be like the dolphins when the tide takes me out into the depths of the seas making me rely on God in a BIG OCEAN (world). Boy that can mean an ocean full of things from moving across country to a new community, going to a new church, getting a new job, giving a speech in front of hundreds of people, getting married, having children, etc…..

I want to be like the seals when the tide crashes me on the rocks of life, causing me to cling to God for every breath. This may be a loss of a job, a loss of health, a divorce, cancer, death of a loved one, depression, etc.

Go with the flow and let God grow you whether you are in the depths of the sea with darkness surrounding you or the searing pain you experience as you are dashed against the rocks. Cling desperately to Him; allow Him to have His way in your life.

My prayer for you and me:

That we go freely and joyfully wherever He takes me!

A song comes to mind that expresses this thought

Wherever He leads I’ll go B.B.McKinney

“Take up thy cross and follow Me” I heard my Master say; “I gave My life to ransom thee surrender your all today!”

He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know; And in that will I now abide—wherever He leads I’ll go.

It may be thru the shadows dim or o’er the stormy sea; I take my cross and follow Him—Wherever He leadeth me.

My heart, my life, my all I bring to Christ who loves me so; He is my Master, Lord and King—wherever He leads I’ll go!

Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go

I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so—wherever He leads I’ll go!

L i v e L i f e on “P o r p o i s e”!

And then He said to them all: “If anyone would come after Me,

he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me!”

Luke 9:23

 

Heaven’s Ashes


As I gaze out the window and watch the snowflakes swirl around the house, I am amazed at the look. It is so beautiful to see the snow falling. Absolutely breath taking the view before my eyes. The snowflakes quickly band together forming solid covers on everything outside. I have watched with fascination, the farm yard, the out buildings and vehicles slowly turn white. This so completely draws my eyes and my heart to think of God.

So I look up to where all this glorious white wonder is coming from and I am shocked! For as much beauty as the snow possesses, the sky is frightfully dark. Can this be? That something so beautiful can come from such and ugly sky? How can something so pure and so white come from something so angry and black?

I couldn’t help but think about the passage in Isaiah 61:3 where it talks about God making beauty from ashes. He does that in our lives today! He takes our failures & weaknesses and turns them in to something beautiful and useful for His glory and His purpose.

We are like the snowflakes from our individuality, there are no two alike, to our sinful heritage, the black in our lives, to the pure snow white heart God gives us through His salvation.

An extra special lesson for me today is Christmas! So I can’t help but think about Baby Jesus coming into the dark world, He being the pure, sinless, snow, covering us with His Salvation. Making something beautiful out of the ashes!

So when you see snowflakes, look at the sky and praise God for the beauty He has made out of your dark messed up life!

↜S u r f ’s U p↝


California Vacation 2010

Waves of Grace Journaled



Saturday 10/30/10

After two hours sleep, we got up and hit the road. I must say it is not a pleasant task preparing for vacation! It seems that in the days prior to a vacation, it is so hectic, that I need a vacation!! SOOOOOO…………animals butchered, food canned, food canned, animals secure, house cleaned, laundry done, dog kenneled, food prepared, clothes packed, bikes fixed, hitch mounted, surf boards dug out, boggie boards glued, ahhhhhhhhhhh….. lets get in the car and sit for three days! Drove from 3 am to 6 pm arriving in Armadillo (kids nic name for city) TX (Amarillo).

Sunday 10/31/10

Can you say BORING!! After catching up on sleep the day before, now I am ready for sightseeing! All there is to see is BROWN! And BROWN! Though occassionaly the “contour” of the brown changes (there are A LOT of mountains on this drive—they just all look brown!!) Opps! There goes a tumble weed! I wonder about the churches here because they would sure be “blown by every WIND of doctrine!! It is sure windy here, don’t know why I bothered to fix my hair it is now in my face!! Arrived at Penguin (Kids nic name for city) Kingman, AZ. Finally ready to stretch my legs. The boys ride skate boards in parking lot, nice evening, hit the hay…………Realized as we unpacked that night that we had brought along an uninvited guest---a nasty cold!





Monday 11/1/10

Surf boards, boggie boards, ahhhhhhhhhhh….. lets get in the car and sit for three days! With anticipation of catching some waves we rise early and hit the road. Rolling in to CA we stuff ourselves with fruit and only have to give the border patrol one apple that was left. I forgot they take your fruit!! Oh well! Now if you think that CA is Beaches, Blondes, Bikinis and plush golf courses--------WRONG! It’s still BROWN! The whole state seems to be one big Sand Dune!! Only closer to the coast they are watered and manicured where the upper class folks live and movie stars roam! But for a large protion of CA, it is desert, dry, hot, windy and sandy.

Several hours later….we rolled into the south side outskirts of Los Angeles, went down to Oceanside, to Camp Pendleton where we were to stay for a few days. DIVERSE is the word for this vacation. You go from nothing but tumble weeds to 8 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic, me thinking they were smoking weeds! Even the GPS diddn’t like to travel in the Big City—kept getting us lost!! Okay, maybe not…………



We arrive shortly after noon, get our first glimps of the magnificent ocean, though calling our names we turn to visit with some old friends………………..the ocean to will have to wait. We have a bible study in the park, great weather missed that about CA. Walk home in the dark. Go back to base, open the back door and stare at the moonlit ocean waves as they crash on the shore. My lawn chair taken with a quilt, time to be with my Maker……………..



Tuesday 11/2/10

I tiptoe out the back door, around sleeping boys, get snuggled in my lawn chair and anticipate the sunrise----I was not disappointed! After the sun made it’s appearance I was joined by my lovely husband, we had coffee right on the beach with our feet in the sand! And yes I was in my PJ’s!

After breakfast we put on our wetsuits (can you say beached whale!!) Whale anyway, I looked let’s say interesting, overweight in an all black rubber suit does make a startling resemblance to the large sea creatures called whales. But I did not let that detor me, I just joined them for a swim! Only thing though rolled and plummitted by wave after wave, I did not enjoy that as much as my whaling friends! I drank so much salt water I am surprised their was a drop left in the sea! But when I actually got it ride and rode on TOP of the waves with my boogie board---it was great!!! Had friends over to splash with us! FUN FUN! That night we sat around the fire ring and had s’mores and hot chocolate while the waves crashed on the beach infront of us! We sang and fellowshipped……..We excahanged “gifts” their cold for ours!! They had a real nasty cold bug, as we did, we exchanged and we all remained sick for half the vacation, Sherman remained sick the entire time, poor guy, but he still made the best of it!



Wednesday 11/3/10

The last full day at this beach, we spent the morning with coffee and a quilt looking out at the ocean before us, there is not a better way to wake up unless it would be to wake up in the arms of Jesus! Watched some dolphins play in their morning “run” along the beach!! And through out the day we even saw “spouts” from whales. This was tops! More surfing, boggie boarding, eating with friends, walking on the beach, walking out on the jetty. Gettiung dunked by the power of confined water! Watched the sunset as it dipped into the ocean and disappeared……………I love to listen to the sound of the waves in the dark……..The waves are “glow in the dark” and it’s really cool to see.

Thursday 11/4/10

We packed up and headed north a bit to Los Angeles, stayed at San Pedro a military fort. We went to the famous Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park. Yes, it is the jelly people. We have many many sweet memories from this place from when out boys were little. We rode the log ride several times along with the Jaguar roller coaster, the river rampage (I got soaked!!) It was not busy at all, but it was very hot so after about four hours of “frying” we decided to stroll through “Snoopy Land” which is the coolest kid part of the park for memory sake. Then rested on a bench to do a favorite past time, “people watching” then we left---early can you believe it!!

Up to this point we had not eaten out one time, so it was time to find our favorite place, In and Out Burger, and we enjoyed sinking our teeth into the first of several visits to the fabulous burger joint!





Friday 11/5/10

Surf’s up dude!! We hopped in the car and headed up to the famous Malibu shores to catch some waves. This was the first time we had to “get in our seal skins” in public. Well, let’s say that was interesting!! Then we walk a long ways carrying all our boards and stuff. Finally after passing a few “cool dudes” we get there. Josh jumps in right away, we tiptoe our way in as it is all rocks and filled with seaweed!! YUCK! But if you don’t get in you fry in your wet suit. Soooooooo, I gave it a try, OUCH! Those rocks hurt. We never really got to boogie board as the waves were so gentle and far out, the rocks too sharp, the seaweed too nasty and thick…….just “bobbed” there until Josh was done. Ate at In & Out Burger again…. Later the boys worked out at the base gym and i (Laura) got some much needed time in prayer and reading God’s Word, quiet mediation was sweet!



Saturday 11/6/10

Early we pack up and head north, and I mean way north! Through the sand mountains, to near the beginning of the California aqueduct water system. A loooooong drive. We went to Redding CA to visit some friends we used to camp with and play with. Irene taught me a lot about cooking and sewing, she was a great friend as was her husband and her two girls adorable. It had not seen them in 8 years. We got there in time to go to a community auction school fund raiser that evening.



Sunday 11/7/10

We went to church with them, it reminded me of what a California church would be like, though it was at the foothills of Mt. Shasta, which is absolutely breathtaking! After a wonderful lunch, we went to see a Salmon spawning river nestled against the mountains. It took my breath away! WOW! It is so beautiful up there, I can see why our fridns moved there! We also went to see the Sun Dial Bridge over the Sacramento River. It was cool to walk across it! Neat concept! We walked along the river and chatted about old times. Another late night jammin’ chattin’ and munchin’!



Monday 11/8/10

Time to say good bye and move back south to Monterey Bay! I love this place. We got there checked into the Presidio overlooking the Bay—totally cool view! After getting unloaded, we headed down to cannery row (they canned sardines in the birth of the town)now a big tourist spot. They have a fabulous trail that goes through all of town next to the ocean. It is great for walking, biking and skateboarding. However, I forgot that after noon it is windy and considerably colder, so, we drove through several times. Just past cannery row is the cool Monterey Bay Aquarium, then on to city park & beaches, all having a continues trail. The water is so gorgeous here. It is most all rocky shoreline so the waves splashes are magnificent. There are a few beach areas but the surf was too dangerous, the waves too big to get out into—Josh was disappointed, but that is life by the sea! We walked down the wharf, looking at all the interesting shops and people. Then we ate overlooking the marina and the seals. Everyone loves the clam chowder in the bread bowl, me (laura), I just ate fish! We watched the sunset from one of the many pullouts along the coast there in the bay.

Tuesday 11/9/10

The next morning I got up early before the sunrise and opened the door, I laughed at the sound. I heard the waves crashing yes, but I also heard the harbor seals all the way up on the base. It was like listening to the coyotes back home!! I did not know they barked all night, but sure seemed like it. Got out early to the seaside trial and road bikes. This was probably my (Laura) favorite thing. It was great! Riding with the ocean crashing right next to you with the salty mist hitting your face! We went quite a ways down then turned and came back. After putting away our bikes we walked a bit and watched some surfers. Then we ate at a fish place over the ocean watching the harbor seals dance! Then we parked over looking to rocks got out and sat on a bench, snuggled in a quilt with a cup of coffee to watch a fabulous sunset.



Wednesday 11/10/10

At first dawn sad to say but we have to leave, though I would love another wonderful bike ride, there is not enough time. So we just drive by one more time the streets adjacent to the trail and ocean, I hope I can keep all this in my memory!! We stop at another pull out over the crashing waves. I (laura) get out and jot down some inspirations that had just overwhelmed me as I watched God’s magnificent creation. Articles soon to come…………

Another one of our favorite memories is the awesome drive down HWY 1 from Monterey to Santa Maria (or vice versa). It is one of the most scenic highways ever. We took our time and took lots of pictures, yes it was just as we remembered it, some things don’t change, just like our God! If you ever get the chance to make it to the coast of CA, this drive is a must. We stopped at the elephant seals, they are so cool, very unusual creatures!! Hundreeds of them cononize right there off the hwy on the beaches. Also, went near Hearst castle, on down to Moonstone, another favorite spot we used to go. Zech feed the ground squirrel right out of his hands on the boardwalk!



Finally landed at Vandenburg, where we used to be stantioned. We refueled both the gas tank and the cooler, checked in, unloaded, and headed to see a really cool family, The Tuckers. We ate a great meal, fellowshipped, shared funny stories and what God had been doing in our lives. Hated to leave, but with eyelids drooping, we left around 11 pm……but by whose watch??? CA is two hours behind us, plus we had the time change in there!!

Thursday 11/11/10

Everyone loves the clam chowder in the bread bowl, me (laura), I just ate fish!

Off to see a sweet family of ten, two parents and 8 blessings ten and under! They just moved and have a great place, more space and a few acres to play with! It was a beautufl day. The Kerley family are ddear to our hearts, they always try to serve and love the Lord. They went way out of the way and cooked a traditional Santa Maria BBQ---tritip, baked potaoes with all the toppings, salad, corn on the cob and dessert. WOW! What sweet memories. The kids are all adorable! Even the newest addition Moriah, who was not feeling well, though she still let me rock her, which was a delight. Time was short, it never is enough it seems, then we had to go…………..say goodbye until next time……….



A quick stop at Smart and Final, then on to visit with another dear family The Buttrams. We have known them for almost 13 years, kids have grown up on us! Shannon has battled cancer for several years and currently winning!! We never have enough time to catch up—but we wag our tongues as fast as they can go until we depart! This time I got to see their daughter Hannah do some gymnastics---totally cool!! Shannon and I (laura) went out to eat and guess where we went??? You got it—In and Out Burger!! Funny! I see Shannon laughing! I love to hear what all is goin on in their lives as God continues to mold them into His image. Goodbyes are hard!



Friday 11/12/10

This is our last day, one we actually added at the last minute as we realized there were still a few more favorite spots we wanted to visit. We headed up to Morro Bay, but stopped by See Canyon on the way! The apples are still as crisp and yummy as I remembered them! That was a treat! Ate two apples right away, no caramel sauce but then they didn’t need them! It was tempting to ride bike down the trail that runs through there to the beach, but no time for peddling today! We skipped the Monarch Butterflies due to time, went to Avila barn, I asked the boys if they wanted to feed the goats like the olden days, they groaned, “No mom, we are too old for that, besides we do that everyday now, it isn’t any fun!” But we watched a few other little tykes feed the few farm animals they have there and it brought back some precious memories.

On to Morro bay, we went to the shell shop, then to the ocean and watched the surfers for a bit buy the big rock, feed the squirrel beggars, then went to eat at our favorit fish place over the water. A lot of memories.



Then we took our fat selves to Pismo beach to surf one last time!! The water was significantly colder that Pendleton, brrrrrr! Can you say pretzel??!! That was what it was like for me to get into my wet suit in the car!! After getting over the SHOKE of the cold water, we did have a lot of fun boogie boarding there, though Sherman who was still very sick got out early. Joshua became a sail boat and was tossed significantly by the waves he was trying to surf, shook him up a bit, but all in all, we had a great time. Zech did some great photos of the sunset that night as we watched it as it sank down in the ocean!



Pismo is a busy place as is the hwy along that part of CA. We left our make before coming home…… we were not on the hwy two minutes when a loud noise was heard and in the mirror a boogie board was seen airborne then landed on the side of the road! Totally gnarly!! Sorry dude!



Saturday 11/13/10

It is always hard to pack up and leave after a vacation is over, but then it wouldn’t be a vacation would it! Well today is the day we head back home! We took in everything as we left Vandenberg our old base where we lived over 5 years ago as we headed out. We drove through Lompoc, then on to the ocean where I rolled down my window to get one last smell of the salt air. I kept my eyes peeled around me and I was rewarded with some dolphins playing in the early morning sunshine, as well as seeing a few surfers braving the chilly waters. Santa Barbara mountains on the left……..soon to be gone. We pointed out every In and Out Burger place we passed. In short order we were in the brown dunes of Bakersfield, on into Barstow where we ate at the last In and Out Burger place. Lots of memories.…there was several hours of silence as each one reflected on the two weeks of reliving our favorite places and visiting lovely faces!

Sunday 11/14/10

Brrrrrrr! Can you say FREEZIN’!! We left in shorts and t-shirts, along with a balmy 70 degrees to waking up to 19 degrees and snow on the ground!! Brrrr! Dig out the jackets boys, your gonna need em! We stayed in Flagstaff AZ. Beautiful! But Josh and I suffered greatly to the altitude (7,000 ft). We were totally out of breath and nauseated when we tried to work out at the hotel gym that night! Ugggg! We panted through breakfast the next morning. So I did not do much looking around!! By noon or so we were back down in elevation some and we were much better. The colors through the painted dessert are gorgeous, as are the many rock formations, mesas and volcanoes. So there is something to look at, just a long amount of asphalt in between!



Monday 11/14/10

We stayed in Clinton OK the last night and we got in late 9:30 or so, so we did not get as eagerly of a start as we liked, but that is life! We have driven all day, we stopped in on Samuel and had dinner with him, showing him our pictures on the camera, he was jealous! Left there and got in bed long after dark! The house was cold as we had not fired up the heater yet.



Well, I guess since our vacation is OVER, the first thing we better do is CHOP WOOD!!

WELCOME HOME!

O n D i s p l a y

Sunday I listened to a sermon by a former pastor in Louisiana. It really hit me where I needed it. So much so, I listened to it twice in a row. Trying to make sure I “got it”. Though filled to overflowing with “nutrients” for my “hungry” soul, more than I could consume at one time, I did come away with a “snack”. I wanted to share it with you. It has been on my heart for several days.
The sermon text was about Job. And the focus was about Job being on “DISPLAY” for all the world to see God’s Glory displayed in the hardest of circumstances. To his family, friends, his heigbors, to other fellow citizens near and far, to the angels, even to us today. He did not need this major trial in his life to determine his Spiritual Condition, but it revealed it.
Display…….Have you ever been on display for all the world to see how you would respond when things didn’t “pan out right”. When it seems everyone has deserted you. OR maybe when tragedy strikes, and a dear loved one dies suddenly. Perhaps, it is loosing a job. Or it may be the misery of staying in a situation that is very painful. It could be divorce, abuse, infidelity.
You fill in the “blank”, whatever trial you are in………….
Job lost everything, his animals, treasures, even his children. He landed with a nagging wife, traitor friends, and horrendous heath issues. What? All in a VERY short amount of time. If anybody had the “right” by “circumstances” to curse God and die, it was Job!
I will tell you the reason he didn’t! Because he was on “Display” for God! Job’s love and devotion to God was not based on “returned blessings”. But on Faith in the Faithfulness of God! That is what got Job through the hard times of this “Display”! He praised God not matter what the day brought before this horrific trial, he praised God through it and in the end ~ praised God!

In this sermon the picture was presented about “waves crashing” over you, and you may think you are going to “drown” (not get through this trial), but even though the strength of the wave may overpower you, and send you crashing down, it ALSO pushes you further to the shore!! So the preacher passionately described that in the mist of all this that the “Job’s” don’t cry to be taken from the trial, but to be pushed closer and closer to the “shore” God!! It forces us to cling harder, and seek His face more deeply than ever. Job said, “I will praise you in this storm!” As it pushes me with great force to my knees!
I listened to a song this morning that again emphasized what I had been meditating on: Being on Display for the Lord’s Glory. I guess it was heavy on my heart as I and my family had been and still are in a “difficult storm”. It has had much suffering and pain. But as I was walking this song came on, “I will Praise You in this Storm” It spoke about not being taken out of it, but God sustaining you while in the “storm”. A few lines: I will praise You in this storm, I will lift my hands for You are who You are, no matter where I am………though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm” It talked about several times of just about giving up but then God was there to help you carry on.
I was encouraged again, that God is always near to me, and He has a plan for this “____” in my life for His “Display of Glory”. It is not in the good times that the “world” will recognize a “displayed” Christian so much as in the trials of life!
Every situation puts us on “Display”
The question is, for Whose glory will it be?
In our most grievous times, the “waves” of grief wash us closer to our God!

Snow Covered Hearts

As I rose this morning and looked out the living room window I was delighted to see, a snow covered world! This was the best snow we have had yet since moving back to Tennessee almost 4 years ago. There is just something so beautiful about seeing a world blanketed in the sparkling fresh white powder!

Not seeing snow often makes for a special sense of wonderment to steal over me at the sight that I beheld. My thoughts immediately went to My Creator. WOW! What beauty He commands, then spreads it out for all His children to enjoy! I noticed that if you were not under a “roof” of some sort, that you got covered! That is what is so magnificent about the sight of snow. It has no respecter of persons so to speak. Whatever it is will get covered if outside, thoroughly and completely, by the white stuff!

Wouldn’t that be neat if we would allow God to so completely and thoroughly cover us in His Will, His Presence, His Ways, His Spirit as I saw the snow cover the earth this morning! I was convicted that I wish I could say I would look like the front yard I was staring out the window at!
Completely covered, every area, sparkling, fresh, brilliant, ready and willing to “reflect” the “Son”!

I noticed that when the sun came out that the snow dazzled so much in it’s reflection of the “Son” (sun), that it blinded my eyes!

Likewise, may God cover us in His blanket of grace, that we will so reflect The “Son,” that all the “icy” hearts around us will know the beauty of a “Snow Covered Heart”!

May I “Winter” these thoughts in my heart all year long!

laura

Winter Gear
What to wear out in the cold world

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14

We recently returned to an old familiar passage to remind us how we are to dress this winter. All of us, some maybe more than others, forget a “piece of clothing” here and there. Dropping off what we don’t want to wear, leaving it where it lay, walking over it, passing over it, but never giving it a second thought. In Christ, we are not given the choice as to what to “wear” nor are we to take what He wants us to wear off.

First Garment Compassion: Gloves Eph. 4:32

Compassion comes in many different forms. Many times our compassion leads us to acts of kindness and service and it should whenever possible. However, not always can we “do” something for someone. Especially if they are a victim of their own sin, but we can still have compassion. Compassion is born in the heart with a love for others. I chose the gloves because of the hands that can PRAY for those people. If there is nothing else, you can do, pray for them! Do not underestimate the power of prayer.

CLOTHE YOURSELF IN “GLOVES” OF PRAYER!

Second Garment Kindness: Boots 1 Thess. 5:15

Kindness is often a “tangible act.” Or it can be a word of kindness, kindness expressed only by our words. But often it is by a meal, a gift, a service, etc. So I chose boots for this “winter gear.” For you have to have good heavy boots to walk a life time of kindness to others!

CLOTHE YOURSELF IN “BOOTS” TO WALK IN KINDNESS!

Third Garment Humility: Socks Phil. 2:3

Humility is an attribute of Christ that is hard to wrap our minds & hearts around. When we look at Christ, He is the perfect picture of humility from His birth through His life, to His death. Socks came instantly to my mind in that it covers the most “offensive” part of our body (stinky and dirty). I was reminded of one of the most humbling acts of service Jesus did in His ministry was to wash His disciples feet! That was an awesome example of humility. He humbled Himself on His knees and cleaned the dirtiest part of the disciples. We need to do likewise. Not just washing of the feet, but humble yourself to your friends, your children, your husband, your neighbors, the lost. Put others first and yourself last in acts of service, conversations, and your heart.

CLOTHE YOURSELF WITH “SOCKS” OF HUMILITY!

Fourth Garment Gentleness: Pants/dress Phil. 4:5

Gentleness is often a hard one to recognize the “lack of” and often hard to change. God has to do this work in you! I thought of the pants or dress that covers the legs because it reminds me of the part that rushes through, not taking the time to SIT and listen to others, or Sit & take the time to speak kindly, admonish & correct others gently, and to gently discipline our children! Ask God to show you & change you & He will!

SLOW DOWN & CLOTHE YOURSELF WITH PANTS/DRESS OF GENTLESNESS!

Fifth Garment Patience: Scarf Col. 1:11

Have you ever crocheted a scarf? I did that very thing when I first learned to crochet. As a matter of fact, I got so excited I bought enough yarn to make everyone in the family one. Such zeal for my new learned art. However, I did not bargain on how loooooooong it would take to crochet the length of a good, heavy, long wrap around scarf! This was a good lesson for me in patience!! As well, this is how we are to be with others. Patient and long suffering with the lost, with babe Christians, with our spouses mistakes, our kids mess-ups, our neighbors, the person in line in front of you who needs a price check!! Patience is another of the attributes that “autographs” us as genuine Christians!

CLOTHE YOURSELF WITH A SCARF OF PATIENCE SO YOU CAN KEEP A WARM YOUR THOUGHTS!

Sixth Garment Forgiveness: Long Sleeve Shirt Prov. 4:23

If you are going outdoors, you definitely need a warm think long sleeve. Flannels, wool, & corduroys are good for this. Why the shirt for forgiveness? I thought of Jesus on the cross, His hands stretched out, nailed to the cross, representing the ultimate forgiveness. Our Scripture text tells us to bear with one another and to forgive as Christ forgave. It is not a “Choice piece of clothing” but a command. And yes, this is for our own good!

CLOTHE YOURSELF WITH LONG SLEEVES AS YOU STRETCH OUT YOUR ARMS IN FORGIVENESS.

Seventh Garment Love: Coat 1john 3:10-11

I find it interesting that the end of this thought is that LOVE binds all this together. Thus the coat that covers most all the body and has the most warmth, is the coat! Even the above things mean nothing without love! (1 Cor. 13:1-3) To me, love means laying aside all my desires for someone else. Sounds kinda like Jesus when He died for you and me. Not that I am at all even a fraction close to understanding that and obeying like I would like. But I am realizing more and more, it is not about what I do but how I love!

CLOTH YOURSELF IN THE COAT OF LOVE, SO THAT YOU CAN SHARE IT”S WARMTH WITH ALL YOU MEET!

Whatever the reason for discarding the “clothing piece” whether it be itchy, too tight, too loose, not the right color, wanting change etc.

DON”T TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES

OR YOU WILL GET COLD!

Praise without ceasing

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

That boy praises without ceasing

Most recently, I was humbly rebuked by a tiny little 4 year old. I share my shame in that maybe you too will find a much needed rebuke as well. We should never think there is nothing to learn from these little ones. For most often if we will simply take the time to watch them, we can understand more what Jesus meant when He said: Mark 10:15 "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Forget about what you thought religion was all about and come to Jesus and find out what following and living in to kingdom of the King of Kings is all about!

I do not want to go into a complete & comprehensive explanation of this verse, but an observation of an application. Many times, we make things more complicated than they need to be. So I don’t want to do that, or you will miss the simpleness of the Truth.

In December, we had some very dear close friends come for a visit. They have 3 boys all bundles of joy. The oldest kindergarten age, then the 4 year old and a 10 month old were a delight to have in our home. And we love the parents too. But as the children played, I noticed their carefree hearts. The oldest was not feeling well so he was quieter than normal. But the middle child is the one who had the rebuke for me.

He played for hours upon hours. From the time he got up until he crashed at night, he toddled around and played, making all sorts of things with his imagination. That doesn’t seem so abnormal. But what was different is that he sang the whole time. He never ceased to sing. He was not doing it for attention, for many of the times he played by himself. But he sang the entire day. I asked his father, “Does he ever stop?” He just laughed. I said “that boy Praise (prays) without ceasing” and I thought, if we could only “Praise without ceasing” like Scripture says to “Pray without ceasing”.

The context of that Scripture actually is both:
Rejoicing/thanksgiving
&
Praying

All rolled up into continues “Prayzing”

May we be like this little boy, and not let the cares of this world steal our joy!
May we praise God without ceasing!

laura

Saved by the Storm
A story of what seemed a bad thing turn to a blessing!

Have you ever grumbled about rain, better yet a thunderstorm “raining out” your plans??!! Recently I got a glimpse of a new view of that thought. It made me really think about how often I am “saved by the storms” of life. I thought about how many times God has put a “storm” in my pathway in order to save me much sorrow, anguish & possible destruction.
This is how this reality came about. We had a friend who just had a baby and I was going to take a meal to her in the evening. But feeling like I did not have the ingredients for a really nice meal, I decided to go to the store to get some special things. However, right after lunch I decided to take a quick nap before heading to the store. That’s when it happened………..

I opened my eyes to a very dark living room. I awakened to the deafening sound of booming thunder and blazing lightening in the sky! Angry clouds swirling around in the sky above the house. “Oh brother, I don’t want to get out in all that mess to go to the store (some distance away).” It was really nasty outside. Even as all those thoughts were swirling through my mind my oldest son was telling me, that we needed to head down to the basement right now. As it ended up we were down in the basement under a tornado warning for over an hour. Sitting listening to the crashing wind & the storm smashing against the basement walls and watching the bolts of lightening through the tiny windows was a bit scary.

When all was “blown over” there was no time to go to the store before preparing the meal for this family. So I had to change my meal plans to a more simpler meal of roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, peaches, biscuits & blueberry cobbler. My husband had asked that I have it ready when he got home from work so that he could drive me and the kids over (the family lived and hour away from us). So I was ready when he came home. The skies had calmed down and it was just cloudy with a sprinkle here and there.

Off we went to our friends house, meal in the back of the car. We were not 15 minutes down the road, when spssssssssss was heard in our ears. Yes, you got it right, we had a flat tire! Well on these country roads there is not always a place to pull over. We found a house driveway soon and pulled into it. We had to unload all the food. My husband said well what a good time to teach our teen boys how to change a tire. So he went through the procedure all the while the rain began again. When they were done, they dirty and wet. My husband being unsure of the spare tire traveling as far as we needed to go said we needed to head home and change vehicles. Happy groans from everyone!

So needless to say we were very late getting the meal to the family waiting on us. And we ourselves got home at 9 pm and skipped our own meal for a good nights rest.
In the morning as I reflected on the storm & how I thought is messed up my plans, I realized it really saved me!! For I would have been the one out in the NASTY storm flagging down help to change a flat tire in the pouring down rain, severe thunder and lighting. That is if the flat tire had not caused me to get into a wreck. Had I persisted to head to the store against common sense, ignoring the bad storm, it would have been a disaster. Praise God He saved me by the storm!
How many times do I grumble against a “storm” of the Spiritual realm, that “blows” into my life and “messes up” my plans?? How often I do not see the “thunder & lightening” as blessings in disguise. I only see perhaps the pain or turmoil of the situation. How could God want this for me? How could He think this was a “good” idea? Doesn’t He know what He is doing? Doesn’t He care what suffering this is???

The Answer to those questions is an undoubtable YES! Yes God does care and YES He does know what He is doing! It is only when I get down in the “basement”, down on my knees in desparate prayer of surrender, and pour out my heart in His Word, are the eyes able to see. Through the tiny “window” you may get a glimpse of what you are being saved from. But many times we are not given that much sight. We just have to trust!!

We have to trust that God is Wise, Right & Good! All He has planned for us will turn out for His glory. The question is………….will we miss it??

Both Job and Joseph come to mind. Neither knew what the future was going to be. And not only that, but things in their lives kept getting worse. Did that mean God had “messed up” or made a mistake. We can see the end of the stories, and know of course that God had a purpose. So it is with our lives too…….

Don’t resist the “storms” God brings in your life. They are there to make you stronger in your trust in God. They make you certainly more faithful in your Faith. And make for a more easy and complete surrender to the Will and Purposes God has you here for!
So prepare for the “Storm”, it’s a comin’! Get water (The prayer life line) & food (God’s Word) and go down to the basement! You will sure to be safe!

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.
Psalm 33:11

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9