Old Fashioned Ways

image courtesy photobucket.com

When my husband and I were first married we lived in a house that had been converted into two apartments, ours was the downstairs.

Our dwelling was heated by a free standing heater that would get very hot in order to warm our living quarters.

Our daughter Becky was learning to walk and she would usually run instead of just walk. One winter day she tripped and fell against the heater, burning her arm quite badly just below her elbow. The skin was burnt leaving a large open wound.

I rushed her to our family doctor, and he dressed her arm, and told me how to continue taking care of her so that the skin would grow back.

In those days there were not the exotic methods of new skin treatments, so my old fashioned doctor told me how to do it his way.

He had been a Doctor in the army and when he was in the World War II, there were times they did the best they could under the circumstances with what was available.

Carefully he explained that I must use a clean gauze pad and using a sterile stick spread a thin layer of Vaseline over the pad. This pad was then applied directly to my daughter’s wound. Carefully we wrapped around the arm with a roll of gauze and held it in place with some adhesive tape...

Today, some would frown about using petroleum jelly on a wound, but I tell you truthfully that this worked, and today Becky has no noticeable scar.

There were other times that my doctor suggested some home remedies for treatment. One time when my husband had a terrible cough my doctor told me how to make a mustard plasterer and apply it to his chest making sure not to leave it on very long. That broke up the congestion and helped with the healing time.

My Doctor would not prescribe drugs unless it was necessary. He used to tell me that too much medicine for minor illnesses would cause a person not to respond well when they were really sick. Only use a little bit, as that is all that is needed. His favorite saying was, “Some think if a little bit does a little good, then a large amount will do a lot of good, but that is not true.”

Times have changed and today our Doctors, prescribe medicine as if they owned stock in the pharmaceutical companies.

I am glad that I live in this age of new technology, but I still like some old fashioned ways of doing things.

Music has also changed with the times. Thinking back, I enjoyed the songs of the 40’s and 50’s when you could understand the words.

In the Church there are many new worship choruses, but I still take pleasure in the old Hymns of yesterday.

Here is one that you may remember and please enjoy it on YouTune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeSjucb6Dbw&feature=related

This post has been Linked with Laura at: Faith Filled Friday
Also Linked with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

Apricot Bars

image courtesy photobucket.com

Every Friday there is a recipe sharing time at Ann Kroeker’s Food on Friday. One reason that I enjoy her site is the fact that she usually includes a story along with her recipe. Often I do the same, but this has been a crazy week for me. Tomorrow we say our formal Good Byes to my 100 year old mother as she is saying her joyful Hello’s to Jesus, and all those who went before her.

I am running out of my favorite recipes, so today I am sharing one from my daughter Nancy.

Apricot Bar Recipe

Chop in a food processor:

1 cup dried apricots
3/4 cup almonds
3/4 cup walnuts

Mix fruit and nuts with

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup wheat germ (or flax meal)
2/3 cup flour
2 tablespoons oil
Add enough juice (2 to 4 tablespoons) to make a thick batter.

Mix well and press into greased 8x8 square pan. Bake 30 minutes or until firm at 350 degrees. Cut into 12 bars, but leave in pan to cool. Later package the bars individually and store in freezer or keep in refrigerator.

Yields 12 bars at 220 calories per bar.


This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays at http://annkroeker.com/
Do hop on over to her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

If you have a True story please join with me on Tuesdays at:
“Tell Me A True Story”  http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

Lucky Guess - Not




The Check is in the Mail
Image Courtesy Photobucket.com

When we lived in the Bay Area, our Women’s Ministries from our surrounding churches would all cooperate in a monthly general meeting at one of the local churches.

It was always an exciting day, with a guest missionary speaker, and lunch served afterwards.

One such meeting, our President announced that one of the Young couples who were pastors of a new Home Missions church had just birthed their first child, and they could use some financial assistance. Those interested in helping the couple were to take a card with their address on it, from the lunch table.

Out of habit, I took one of the cards, and that evening I penned a note with a congratulation card for your new baby. Inside I slipped a check and noted: for: “where needed most.”

As I was making out the check, I viewed my bank balance, and made a decision to not just send the $25 that I first had in mind, but I would send $27.89 which would bring my balance in my register to a neat even 00.00 for at least the last four figures.

Off went my “Welcome to the New Baby,” card in the mail the next morning.

A few days later, I received a cheerful thank you note.

The Pastor’s wife was overjoyed to let me know that when she left the hospital there was a small balance due. Would you believe that the balance they needed to pay their bill was exactly $27.89 the amount of my gift?

God is so amazing, and I am a firm believer that things do NOT just happen. Even in the smallest details Our Lord works out His wonders to perform.

This post is linked with these great sites, Do visit them.

Tracy at Winsome Wednesday
Jennifer at: God-Bumps and God-Incidences

And with Tell Me a True Story at: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

Growing up in the Big City

Oakland, California
image courtesy photobucket

Most of my childhood was in the big city of Oakland, California, but the city was divided into smaller districts.

Each district had their own "coffee shop" with the regulars, a bank, a post office, a movie house, a drug store, a couple of named grocery stores, a bakery, a chiropractor, and some business shops such as an insurance agent, and a shoe repair shop.

These districts existed like a small town and were an island to many. Every thing near our home was in walking distance including two Mom and Pop small stores close by.

At the coffee shop we could order a fountain coke and ask for vanilla or other flavors. Our fast food restaurant was a Casper’s Hot Dog place, and a public library was near by as well.

We also had a cow boy of sorts. He was a young man who always wore a cowboy hat while he rode his bicycle. I think he was what you might call a bit "slow." Not retarded, just a bit slow. Each neighbor hood had their characters too, and our cow boy was one of them.

Our city had an excellent bus system with a transfer method that allowed you to change to another bus without paying extra.

There is safety in numbers and I did all my early bus riding with my brother my sister and usually a couple of other friends.

As kids we learned to navigate through our metropolis to down town shopping, to Lake Merritt to the museum, to go ice skating, or go to the Hayward plunge swimming pool. The ride to the pool required an extra fare when we reached a point where different cities met.

The streets were laid out in neat blocks, and at times we just took long walks. Mother would go with us when we hiked to Mill’s College, and to the hills behind it.

Our earthly city was a wonderful place to grow up, and to later find work there. A place to attend church, meet friends, to eventually marry and raise our own family within its borders.

I was thinking about the lay out of heaven today, and remembering that the Bible tells us that the streets are of purest gold, and as you look through the gold you can see the foundation which is made of precious jewels. The gates are made of pearls, and there is a tree of life that all those in heaven may partake of.

The plain truth is that no city on earth regardless of its beauty or charm can compare with the magnificence of heaven.

I do hope you have made your reservation early, so that Heaven will be your final home.

You do understand that the decision must be made while here on earth, because if you wait too long, it will be too late.

This post has been linked to: Jen’s Soli Deo Gloria
And to “Tell Me a True Story” at: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

New Hearts for Old

image courtesy photobucket.net

Jeremiah 31:31-34 The Message Bible

31-32"That's right. The time is coming when I will make a brand-new covenant with Israel and Judah. It won't be a repeat of the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant even though I did my part as their Master." God's Decree.


33-34"This is the brand-new covenant that I will make with Israel when the time comes. I will put my law within them—write it on their hearts!—and be their God. And they will be my people. They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They'll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow. I'll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I'll forget they ever sinned!" God's Decree.

Sunday’s service was again ministered by our guest Pastor Jerry. I will give high lights from his message as he spoke about the Old and the New Covenants.

People use the expression, “Bless your heart,” and it means a term of endearment, and is not referring to the physical organ that beats in our chest.

In the Scriptures the word heart also refers to our Spirit. God writes his new covenant on our minds as well as our heart, but we do not know God with our mind. The personal experience of receiving a “New Heart,” is in our Spirit.

It is when we believe that Jesus died (as we will soon celebrate,) that he was buried and raised again that glad Easter Morning, and ask him to enter our life, and give us that new heart that we are converted.

The heart change happens immediately, but often our mind, will and emotions take a bit longer to catch up with what God has done for us inwardly.

The Bible tells us that the natural man’s “heart” is corrupt and full of foolishness. The people of old were not able to keep the Law, and they were often carried off into exile when they forgot to worship and serve the Lord God.

Being a good person by obeying the law is a problem and is difficult to do. There was no unction or inspiration in the old covenant to cause us to be a good person.

A change was needed, thus the New Covenant was written with the Blood of our Savior and was inscribed in our heart. The New Covenant comes with Power to be a Christian.

Our spirit is changed, and our thinking, must also be changed. That is why it is important to feed on God’s Word and communicate with him in prayer. Our mind, will, and emotions are in need of a change and the Word of God washes us.

One thing we know is that God will NEVER change, and He keeps on loving us and forgiving us and working with us to help us live according to His plan for our lives.

This post is Linked up with Michelle’s  Hear it on Sunday

You Let Her Go

Goodbye for now Ruth Stanton
 12-30-1911 /  03-24-2012

You let her go

But just for a little while

You let her go

But you will see her smile

And when you do

A vibrant Ruth she will be

And when you do

Restoration you will see

Her eyes closed here
As if in sleep she'd be
Her eyes closed here
To awake in Eternity!

 "We let her go

'Tween tears and a smile
We let her go
But just for a little while!

Nancy Kehr 03 25 2012

Family Secrets Are Not All Beautiful

Secrets
image courtesy photobucket.com

After that phone call from the Care Home yesterday afternoon, I decided I must make another attempt to encourage my sister to visit our mother. She received me with open arms, and was happy to be able to go with me for perhaps a final visit to our mother. 

I am glad we went, for a couple of days later Mother passed to the other side, at 10:30 PM, March 24, 2012

My younger sister is not homeless, but she does have an emotional problem, and she will not take the medicine prescribed for her. At times she has such weird thoughts, and believes others are spying on her or are out to harm her.

My brother took her into his home many years ago as earlier did my parents, but she created such havoc that they could not allow her to stay. She lived in her car for awhile, and then in a camping trailer in the woods, and other places where ever she could.

Finally our widowed Mother purchased a single wide used mobile home for her, and her Social Security pays for the rent in the trailer park leaving her with enough money for her drink and food.

As a child she was the most beautiful girl outwardly, but after she broke both wrists at once, she seemed to change. Mother waited on her daily and she enjoyed the attention.

Image courtesy Photobucket.com

There are days when I visit her, that I never know which girl she will be. At times she welcomes me, and we talk fairly normal and enjoy a visit time together.

On a recent visit I took her some groceries, which she shoved  back at me and told me to leave, and take my goods with me, along with a few other choice words.

I chose not to invite her to our mother's 100th Birthday celebration, because I knew how she would cause a ruckus when she saw her two grown children there. She always yelled at them and accused them of not caring about her. Naturally her children did not want to be around such a livid display, and were terribly embarrassed. It was easier for them to just stay away and they did.

My husband also stays away from her as best he can and advises me not to “punish” myself, - - but after all she is my sister !!

Even when you have those in your family who may at times seem strange or difficult to get along with - - they are still your family.

Let’s face it – we probably seem odd at times to others and it is a wonder that our family and friends put up with us.

I am so very glad that we are not the final judge of who makes it to heaven.

God certainly understands our eccentricities. Perhaps that is why He made us all so different.


This post was Linked with
 Faith Filled Friday with Laura

And with Deidra’s Sunday Jump Tandem

Mother Ruth and the River

image courtesy photobucket.com

I picked up the telephone and a husky voice on the other end of the line identified himself as Kurt, the owner of the Care Home where my 100 year old mother resides in body. He continued, "Hazel, you need to come and visit your mother because she is soon ready to cross over that river." "Yes, I will be there shortly," I told him.

My husband Robert, offered to go with me, but I told him that I needed to go by my sister Zelma's place and see if she wanted a good bye visit with Mother. Robert begged off as he thought just the two of us girls going would be better.

Zelma and I arrived and the owner hugged me and said they were giving Mother something every 4 hours to make her comfortable, and that probably during the night she might slip away to be with Jesus.

We found Mother facing the wall, eyes closed and mouth open. As we spoke to her, she closed her mouth and moved her jaw but no other movements. I took her hand and told her who we were, and that I loved her. They I repeated the 23rd Psalm and sang “The Old Rugged Cross.

I asked Zelma to take her hand and tell Mother that she loved her and anything else she wanted to say. It was evident that Mother was comfortable, and I know in her spirit she was hearing us. We decided not to tire her and after half an hour or so we decided to leave.

As we left Kurt asked if I had a CD with Christian music, I told him I would look when I get home. As I drove Zelma back to her place, I knew I did not have anything that would be appropriate for Mom, so I stopped at Wal-Mart and purchased two CD's that contained some of the old hymns.

Then I returned to the care home and gave the CD's to the owner so they could be used now, not knowing how long Mother will stay with us.

I am not in shock, because this “passing on” process has been heading in this direction for several weeks now. Mother has not been eating much, loosing weight, and is very weak, along with some bad skin tears that are not healing.

Since I am the oldest of her three children I have been responsible for decisions that were not always easy to make.

I do not know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know who holds tomorrow.

Mother passed to the other side, at 10:30 PM, March 24, 2012 - She is safe in the arms of Jesus!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWKZVbG9egQ

Lazy Daisy Oatmeal Cake

Oatmeal Cake
image courtesy Food.com

As many churches will do, our ladies compiled a cook book that we could sell toward a missionary project. Several of the recipes became favorites in our family.

Mother’s OAT MEAL MACROONS with chocolate chips, raisins and nuts was always a treat we looked forward to. I think this cookie recipe was my first attempt at baking cookies for our school lunches.

Mother on occasion would bake a wonderful Oatmeal Cake, probably because it was another way to get oats into our systems. It is easy to make and it will be enjoyed by your family as well as mine.

LAZY DAISY OATMEAL CAKE

1 1/4 cups boiling water
1 cup quick oats uncooked
1 cube (1/2 cup) margarine or butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar packed
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

Pour boiling water over the oats in a large bowl. Cover and let set for 20 minutes.
Beat margarine, eggs and sugars, vanilla, and add the oats. Sift the dry ingredients and mix well. Bake in a 9 inch square pan, for 50 minutes at 350 degrees. Spread frosting over cake and broil until bubbly.
Frosting:

1/2 cube (1/4 cup) margarine melted
1/2 cup brown sugar packed
3 Tablespoon canned milk
1/3 cup chopped nuts
3/4 cup coconut

Serve warm or cold with some vanilla ice cream.


This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays
Do hop on over to her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.

If you have a true story about yours or your children’s childhood, please visit on new Tuesday hop “Tell me a True Story” at: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

Counterfeit Checks

image courtesy photobucket.com

In the early 1970’s when we were in the roofing business in Oakland, one day we received a package delivered by our UPS man.  He knew something was not on the up and up so he brought the parcel to us instead of to next door.

The package had our company name on the front, and also the name of our neighbor a known drug addict, old Freddie.

We had not ordered it, and were very surprised as we opened it. Inside was a check machine where you could adjust numbers that you wanted on a check and our name pretty as pink would also show up as the one writing the check; just pull the lever when ready!

We could only wondered how this would work for our neighbor to be able to forge checks that looked legitimate, and be able to cash them.

Naturally we never gave the machine to our neighbor and of course we did not tell him that we had it. He in turn never asked us about it either.

Our workmen, who had watched us open the box, probably got the word back to old Freddie, because we did not see him around for many weeks. Usually he was a regular visitor always wanting to borrow money which he always paid back – eventually.

Even a sinful drug addict can be ashamed of their behavior at times. They can also be honest at times, because when his welfare check arrived he always paid his drug bill first.

In another time, Freddie might have been good in business or a good worker, because that was pretty smart to try to counterfeit our checks. His efforts were misdirected and eventually Freddie died of an overdose.

Missing God’s plan for one’s life can be sad.  Unwise choices we make can create havoc tomorrow.

Joshua admonished in the Scriptures: "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Choose and make quality decisions today to avoid the counterfeit and reach out for reality!

This post has been linked to the sites below please visit them!!

Joy’s, Flaws and Nakedness
Michelle’s Thought Provoking Thursday

and at:  Tell Me a true Story

Early Memories



image courtesy phtotobucket.com

My earliest recollections are measured by where I lived during different spans of time.

Ages three and four were when we lived in Exeter, California, prior to our move to Oakland. I remember Mother washing clothes in an old wash tub in the yard and hanging them out to dry on a line. She used one of those old fashioned wash rub boards to get out the spots and make sure everything was clean.

The outhouse was vivid in my memory, but I was very tiny, and a small potty chair graced the back porch just for me.

I had just turned three, and I remember banging on the bedroom door, and demanding to see my mother when my sister was born. My Aunt Edna told me that I could not see her because my mother was sick.  Refusing to be denied, I screamed and yelled, “I want my Mama,” until my aunt finally allowed me a short visit. Mother smiled at me, and reached out to give me a gentle hug, and then she asked me to please obey my aunt, so I did.

Even though my mother had two other babies, she found time to rock me, and sing to me for my nap. Although I was three years old, and closed my eyes, I remember thinking, “I will pretend that I am asleep and trick mama.” Mother thought I was asleep so she quietly carried me to my bed, except by the time she laid me down I was out like a light. 

The Scriptures tell us that "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child."  That certainly did apply to me at a very young age!!

Having just celebrated my fifth birthday, I watched as Mother Packed up an ironing board and two boxs of kettles and dishes. Then she took me with her to the train station to ship the boxes and ironing board off to Oakland where I would eventually grow up and attend school.

We crowded into Uncle Cliff's car for the long ride to our new city.  It seemed a long time, but perhaps it was only a few days, that I, my brother Allen, and my sister Zelma slept on the floor at Uncle Cliff and Aunt Beulah’s home while our parents searched out a rental house.

That year living in the rent house cemented age five in my memory. The move after that was to a home purchased by my parents and it held all my childhood memories until I married, and left home at age 18.

At the urging of our foster daughter Nancy, for the past two years, I have been documenting memories from my childhood, remembrances from my children growing up, and other memories as the stories are posted to my blog.

Nancy and a couple of other friends insist that it is now time to get those stories into a book, so we reached out for the next best step.

Moving my earliest stories to a Word document folder separated them from my other posts, and gave me many personal childhood stories.

That is probably enough for perhaps another book, and I haven’t even thought of the stories of our own children as yet.  That came later and again too many so there are now three books.

WOW – can I do this??

Time marches, on and today is the day to rescue the old memories, and not to allow them to fade into the distance.

Begin now to write your memoirs. Go ahead and post them.



 

 

Starting From Scratch

“Begin again from the beginning,” that was what my piano teacher often said to me. “Start over and this time with Feeling.”

Today’s guest minister, Pastor Jerry, asked us to recall the first boxed cake mix, where you just added water. It was too easy, and did not sell well.

Honestly if you are old enough to remember Cinch Cake Mix, you will remember that the taste was terrible!!

When a new brand came out that asked you to crack two eggs, add a bit of oil and water, it tasted almost like home made, and the sales flew off the charts. No more starting from scratch to bake a cake.

The minister’s scripture reading was from John 20:23-25 “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

The ministry of Jesus had been throughout his local community and although others came from afar to learn of him, his main ministry was to the Jews.  He had been trying to prepare his disciples for his death, burial and resurrection, but they did not understand.

Jesus knew that after his ascension, when the disciples were on their own, that the grains of wheat that had died would multiply and go forth unto all nations including the Gentiles.

To these followers of Christ, they would be “Starting from Scratch,” with a new beginning, because they had been Born Again from above, as newborns with a new direction. They were now a brand new creation.

For many of us, we do not always welcome change, but there are times, when a new beginning can be a time of adventure, with new objectives. We may face fresh paths and new worlds to conquer, and we can start from scratch, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We do not like to think of death, and its pain, but for the Christian, death is a new beginning, a starting from scratch. Our beloved departed ones are starting from scratch with a life that is pain free, and being welcomed by our loving Savior Jesus.

For those who have passed on, we sorrow because we are unhappy that they have left us, however we cannot call them back, for they would not want to leave the arms of Jesus.

So welcome change, welcome starting over from scratch. It is a fact of life!

This post has been linked with Saints and Scripture Sunday

Also Linked with
Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday

Cabin in the Mountains & Oat Bran Muffins

image courtesy photobucket.com

My folks had a cabin in the Stanislaus Forest near Coulterville. When there was a holiday giving us a long week end, we would take our children and head for the hills.

Dad and my Uncle had built a larger cabin, so the original one room cabin was being rented to an old miner who was retired. He was an interesting and eccentric old codger, with some strange ideas about diet and food.

He showed me a book on food that seemed to be his diet Bible. It gave all the reasons why almost any food was bad for you. It listed roughly every vegetable, meat and dairy product with rationale as to why you should not eat this or drink that.

I’m telling you I was almost afraid to eat or drink anything at all after speaking with him for half an hour and reading his strange book. I wondered if a “spirit guide” had written it.

Many books and articles can scare the living daylights out of you if you allow them to get the best of you. The Bible tells us to eat that which is set before you with thanksgiving, and that all food is good when you are willing to accept that Food is a gift from God.

Don’t get me wrong, because I do believe that we should follow good health guidelines and partake of plenty of green vegetables, with legumes, and a temperate amount of red, and white meat that should include fish.

The best thing is NOT to go off on a tangent and follow some of the fads that are from cults and offbeat religious groups. It is easy to get side tracked when we want to eat right and provide a healthy diet for our family.

Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves!

If you need a good recipe for a healthy breakfast or snack, here is my favorite Muffin recipe.


Oat Bran Muffin with apple and carrots
courtesy photobucket.com

Basic Oat Bran Muffins

2 ¼ cups Oat Bran
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1 T baking power (not soda)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey or molasses
1 1/2 cups low fat milk
2 eggs
2 T Olive oil
1 cup chopped fruit (apple, carrots, zucchini)
(optional 1/2 cup plumped raisins)

Mix well and pour into greased muffin pans and bake at 425 degrees for 18 minutes.

This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays
Also linked with Laura at: Faith Filled Friday

Attention Bloggers, Join us on Tuesdays for the new Blog Party

“Tell Me a True Story” at  http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

THINGS CHANGE - Guest Post by Robert

image courtesy photobucket.com

Change can be painful especially if something has become a tradition!

A remark you may have heard before: “We have always done it this way! “

Today is a guest blog by my husband Robert. I hope you enjoy his musings! View him again at: http://www.musingsbyrobert.blogspot.com/

THINGS CHANGE
There is an old saying by Benjamin Franklin that says; the only thing certain is death and taxes.

Another thing that is close to being a certainty is change. Things change, and force us to change, or face some consequences. Not all of change is bad.

A good change was when they homogenized peanut butter. As a kid when we would buy peanut butter, we would have to stir up the oil that had risen to the top of the jar. You usually spilled some of the oil over the side, making a mess you had to clean up.

Here are a few quotes about change I like:

Change always comes bearing gifts. ~Price Pritchett (beware)

He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. ~Harold Wilson

It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. ~W. Edwards Deming

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Victor Frankl

Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine. ~Robert C. Gallagher

If you're in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change. If you're in a good situation, don't worry it'll change. ~John A. Simone, Sr.

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. ~Confucius

Just because everything is different doesn't mean anything has changed. ~Irene Peter

Stubbornness does have its helpful features. You always know what you are going to be thinking tomorrow. ~Glen Beaman

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies. ~Author Unknown

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, or the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. ~Author unknown

What you have become is the price you paid to get what you used to want. ~Mignon McLaughlin,

Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable, and free of conflict have not learned their history. ~Joan Wallach Scott

All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward. ~Ellen Glasgow

If you want to make enemies, try to change something. ~Woodrow Wilson

After you've done a thing the same way for two years, look it over carefully. After five years, look at it with suspicion. And after ten years, throw it away and start all over. ~Alfred Edward Perlman,

Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~Pauline R. Kezer

Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me. ~Author Unknown

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not - - -

My Cat Blackie

Image courtesy Photobucket.com

My dad found a beautiful black cat down at the railroad yard where he worked, and when he brought her home, he told me that she was mine. We named her Blackie to fit her color.

As an eight year old, I loved that sweet cat, and how she could purr and sing away the blues when I was sad.

One day my brother Allen was holding her, and she was purring very loudly. My Aunt asked Allen, what is she singing, and he answered, “She is singing, Yes Jesus Loves me.”

Eventually Blackie had a litter of kittens. Most of them were black and one was a grey and white stripped alley cat mixed color.

Because on Fridays, at my school, we had a time for “Show and Tell,” my mother helped me bring the kittens in a cardboard box to my class room. The kitten’s eyes were opened and they were so cute, that all the children wanted to hold one.

“Can I keep one?” several asked. My mother seemed very happy over those words. “Ask your parents, and let Hazel know, and we will see that you get a pretty one,” My mother told my classmates.

The details fade away, but every one of those kittens found a good home, and my parents were very pleased as well.

As it happens to animals, one day Blackie got very sick. My Dad told me that she had distemper, and she was not long for this world. He also told me that she was suffering, and that the kindest thing we could do for her would be to send her to cat heaven.

There was no pleading from me, because I could see her pain. Dad had already purchased a can of chloroform, and I watched as he poured it onto a towel and placed Blackie, and the soaked towel under an upside down galvanized wash tub.

Dad sat with me on the back porch steps and we both cried because we equally loved that black cat.

After enough time had passed, Dad began to dig a large and deep hole at the rear of our yard. Then he picked up my limp cat, wrapped her in the saturated towel and put her and everything into the hole and covered it over with dirt. On top he placed some big rocks and that was her grave.

It is a sad time when we loose a pet whether it is a cat, dog, rabbit, fish or maybe a bird.

Even sadder still is it when we have to say “Good Bye” to our loved ones.

If our loved ones have received Jesus, then we know we will miss them, but it is not, “Good Bye,” It is only “Fare Well, and See you Later.”


This post is Linking up with Tracy at Winsome Wednesday
And with Jennifer at: God-Bumps and God-Incidences

Join us on Tuesdays for the new Blog Party “Tell Me A True Story”
at:  http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

Potty Accidents Will Happen

First Grade Girl
image courtesy photobucket.com

I hadn’t thought of this event in my early life for years until a friend sent me an e-mail after she read my post on Potty Training with Success.   Here follows her e-mail to me.

I'm writing to let you know that we posted an article, "10 Ways to Cover Up When a Child Has a Potty Accident" .  (http://www.findababysitter.org/blog/10-ways-to-cover-up-when-a-child-has-a-potty-accident/). I just thought I'd share it with you in case you thought it would appeal to your readers.   

 Unplanned, and certainly unwanted, but potty accidents do happen. However if you have prepared items on hand they will come in very “handy.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Understand that as a first grader, I was very shy and always attempted to please my teachers. I took her words at face value and respected her authority.

One day, the teacher made an announcement; “No one else may be excused to go to the bathroom until the last person who was excused returns back to class.”

Now normally that would be a good rule - - but not that day. The person who had left to do their business was taking a very long time, and the clock was ticking slowly, and it was important for me that they hurry back soon - - and very soon.

Because I knew that one of my class mates was out there already; I did not believe that it was possible for me to request to be excused. I knew the rule and my thought was that it was unbending - - with no exceptions.

All of a sudden time was past waiting - - and wait was no longer an option - - and I could not help it - - but a very bad and messy accident occurred.

Almost in tears, I approached my teacher and said, “Please may I be excused to go to the bathroom?”

My teacher’s eyes opened wide as saucers, because she knew she had better let me go.

Arriving at the bath room, and as best I could for a six year old, I cleaned myself up, stuffed my panties with paper towels and returned to class.

Once back in class - - I declared to the teacher that I needed to go home. It was almost lunch time, and she remembered that I always walked home for lunch. Realizing the circumstances she allowed me to take off a few minutes early.

Quickly I left the school, and ran the entire way home - - to my mother.

My mother received me with sympathy, and comforted me as she cleaned me up. She lovingly helped me change my clothing, and soon I was once again presentable enough to return to class after the hour lunch was over. Nothing was ever said by my teacher because she knew how sensitive I was then, and still am about some things.

In life I am reminded that no matter how big a mess we have made of our selves, God is able to comfort us and to clean us up so that we become presentable again. God is ready to forgive, and actually forget about our past, and create in us a clean heart.

Aren’t you Glad that God is always there with open arms waiting for us to run home?

This true story is Linked to
Shanda’s On your Heart Tuesday
And also at Joyful Noise: Tell me a Story

FAITH A LEAPING

Leap of faith
image courtesy photobucket.com

Because our Pastor is still having physical problems, we are benefiting from guest ministers during his absence. Different church members are taking portions of the service that our pastor usually does.

Earlier in the week, I was asked to do the opening “Prayer and the “Call to worship.”  I had been given the title of Sunday’s sermon which was to be “Leaping Faith,” so I selected the verses from Mark 11 about Jesus cursing the fig tree and it withered overnight. When this was called to his attention, Jesus replied by saying if you have faith you can speak to “your” mountain and it will be cast into the deepest sea.

Our guest minister on Sunday was Rev. Steve Terry from our local Rescue Mission.  He read from the Faith Chapter Hebrews 11 mentioning the hero’s of faith who having not seen yet they believed.

Rev Steve mentioned that Faith is believing for something that we need but do not yet have. For the Christian, we usually think of the word Faith, as placing our trust in Jesus, and receiving the salvation that He offers.

Even an atheist has faith to believe beyond reason even if they deny the existence of God.

The Bible says that God has given to every man a measure of Faith. That faith will grow as we exercise it and use it. Without Faith it is impossible to please God.

Rev Steve told that as a boy there was an annual missionary convention at his church. Members were to write on a piece of paper their Faith pledge for their missionary giving for the next year.  He knew that as a young boy he could afford 50 cents a month, but he decided to act on faith and pledged a larger amount and trust God to bring it to him. God provided him with a part time job so that he was able to meet his faith pledge.

Recently he sat in a beautiful new car with programmed seats and all the lovely dashboard controls. How nice it would be to enjoy and drive such a luxury car, but God spoke to him and said, “You do not NEED such a fancy car.”

God has promised to supply our needs, and we might desire something better, and more impressive, but those things might be something beyond our faith, and outside of our need.

When Jesus walked on the water, Peter was the only one who had faith to get out of the boat. Once out there, he began to doubt and say to himself, “What am I doing out here? I can’t walk on water.” And his negative words became true.

Often we tell ourselves “I can’t do this,” as we take that leap of faith, then we cry out to Jesus for His help.

Peter knew he had nothing to give the lame man, but he reached out in Faith and proclaimed, “Such as I have I give unto you,” and the lame man jumped up leaping because of Peter’s leaping faith.

Rev Steve told us that he wished he could speak those words of faith to his 26 year old daughter who has been confined to a wheel chair since birth. He has not given up, and will continue to trust God, believing that she will walk either in this life or in the next.

"Why?" we ask, are there so many suffering and having such trials? We don’t know what the answer is, but the Bible tells us that the secret things belong to the Lord.

Sometimes we think we know better than God and if it were up to us, we would fix all those in need. We worry that if we took that leap of faith we might fail, but failure is only when we fail to get up and try again.

The chairman had asked me to also take the opening prayer time. Just so I would remember all I wanted to pray, I wrote it out.  I will close here with it’s adaptation that applies to you my dear readers - -

“Father I thank you for each person reading this post today, and I know that you are aware of every need, every care and every joy in their lives. 

May you reveal to each one of us - - the bridge that is under the water just below our feet.


Teach us to step out with that Leap of Faith that is resident in each of us, but is crying out to be used more often.


Instruct us how to exercise our faith for our daily bread, and for our health. Oil our aching joints and all the torn areas of our lives that need healing.

Thank you Father that you have given to us the Holy Spirit to be our guide and may we ever listen carefully as He shows us what to do for the next step in using our faith.
Help us to take courage, to be brave and to step out in Faith for what you will show us today. Amen”


This post is linked with Michelle’s  Hear it on Sunday
Also linked with Joan Davis Sharing His Beauty on Monday 

Last Day at Choir Practice

Many years ago, singing in the choir was a ministry to me. We would pray before we sang on Sunday that the Lord would sing through us.

There was one requirement for choir members and that was we had to show up at practice.

Our first baby had just been born, and this would be the first time I left him with my husband alone. I had just fed him, so I assumed that he would be quiet and not a problem while I went to Choir practice.

Maybe ten minutes into practice, and the church telephone rang. “Hazel, it is for you.” said the Pastor. I knew who it must be - - and was not too anxious to answer, but I did.

The voice on the other end was commanding, “Come home right now, the baby needs his diaper changed.” “Can’t you change it?” I asked.

“Not on your life, and you know why, so please come home at once.”

That was my last choir practice for many years until all our children were older.

I remember one Easter when we sang a special Cantata that included the song “Oh the Blood that Jesus shed for me will never loose its power.” We had prayed all holding hands prior to going into the sanctuary and asked God to speak to our audience as we sang...

When we sang that special song there were tears in the eyes of many and we were thankful for the blood that will never loose its power.

The blood that Jesus shed for me Way back on Calvary
The blood that gives me strength from day to day It will never lose its power
Oh it reaches to the highest mountains And it flows to the lowest valleys
Oh the blood that gives me strength from day to day It will never lose its power
It's soothes my doubts and calms all my fears And it dries all my tears
Oh the blood that gives me strength from day to day It will never lose its power
Oh it reaches to the highest mountains And it flows to the lowest valleys
Oh the blood that gives me strength from day to day It will never lose its power

As we approach the Easter season, there will be songs we sing and listen to and we must include “He Lives, Christ Jesus lives today, and how do I know He lives, because He lives within my heart.”

For Easter is about resurrection.  He did not stay in the tomb!!

Jesus died so that our sins could be forgiven, but He lives and we can ask Him to live His life through us by inviting Him to come into our heart.

Even if you are not a choir member, you can join with the choir and sing, Amazing Grace How Sweet the Sound that sent my savior to die for me.

This post has been linked

With Laura at Faith Filled Friday
With Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

Dog Treats Home Made

Photo by Robert

Our three dogs love these homemade treats that are also healthy for them.

I shop at least once a week at a small discount grocery store near us, and was able to pick up a good supply of canned pumpkin at half price. Another day they had a five pound bag of whole wheat flour that I needed for these great treats.

Like I usually do, I tweaked the recipe and added a couple things that I knew my doggies would like such as a large tablespoon of creamy peanut butter. The dough was thin, so I also added one half cup of quick oats.

It is almost like having six dogs when I take these treats to the cyclone fence between our neighbors and us. All six of them line up for their turn. One of our puppies Old Smokey can hardly wait and almost wants to bite my fingers. Luke our youngest Black Lab is a dainty pup and I break his treat in two. Old Buck shakes with delight as he waits his turn.

If you have dogs, do try this recipe and your animals will rise up and call you blessed.

Doggie Pumpkin cookie treats

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons applesauce or shredded apple
2 eggs
1 small can pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 tablespoon molasses
1/4 cup hot water
1 heaping tablespoon creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and grease cookie sheets. In a large bowl mix the peanut butter with the hot water, add the oats and mix well. Combine all the other ingredients adding the flour last and mix until thoroughly incorporated. If you don’t want to bake them all now, roll half the dough into a log shape and wrap with handy wrap and refrigerate.

Drop the dough onto a greased cookie sheet using a teaspoon, or small scoop, approximately 1 inch apart. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cookies are firm. Move to wire rack to cool.
Recipe should make two or three dozen, depending on the size of your scoop.

Originally I got this recipe from Ann Kroeker’s Food on Friday site, and I apologize that I did not save the ladies name who originally supplied this.

This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays Blog Hop
Do hop on over to her site and gather up some delicious recipes.

Oh Yes, you are also invited to join with others on Tuesday at “Tell Me a True Story” at my new Blog Party: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/   I was inspired by Ann Kroeker to “Rescue The Stories” To view Ann’s post about her dream CLICK HERE.

Were you born in a barn?

Old Fashioned Barn
courtesy photobucket.com

“Close the door please,” yelled my Dad, “Do you think you were born in a barn?”

Did you ever hear those words when you were a kid? I did many a time, but I never associated the words with a real barn.

My mother was born in a genuine barn. Yes, one end was the living quarters and the other end was where the animals were kept at night.

My Grandparents were keepers of a cow, a horse, and some chickens, and the animals were happy to be close to people. Grandpa was a share cropper and worked for a man who allowed them to live on the premises and to use the horse to plow the fields. The cow provided them with milk while the chickens contributed both eggs and meat.

Some years later, my grandfather moved his family to a ranch that God enabled him to purchase. There he raised oranges and olives for his livelihood, and a garden that produced vegetables a plenty.

Grandpa would drive his old truck to town, and sell his produce and eggs. Maneuvering his truck down the narrow alley, he would knock on his customer’s back door and call out, “Egg man, egg man.” After several hours he was able to return home with coins for his trouble.

Years later, my Mother tried to find that old barn again so she could snap a photo, but it was not to be. She did try to paint a picture from memory, and it hangs on one of my bedroom walls.

Both my parents come from humble beginnings, and work was always a part of their lives. The Bible tells us that, he who does not work, shall not eat. Oh how we need to train that concept into our young people today.

Even as young children they can perform work.

Teach your children to sort their clothes by colors, and how to do their own laundry. Include showing them how to change the sheets off their bed, and wash and dry them, and remake their bed. Teach them to dig in the yard and plant a garden, and take care of it. They can learn to use a needle, and mend their shirt where it is coming apart at the seams. Show them how to prepare a simple meal. You will be surprised how quickly children can learn to become self sufficient.

No, I was not born in a barn, but it was my grandparent’s old farm house. My dwellings have been shacks, shanties, nice apartments and grand houses, but what does it matter if I gained the whole world and lost my own soul?

Finding Jesus and inviting Him into my heart was my wisest decision, and that also means that Jesus is busy at work building me a mansion that will be mine some day.

So the question is not “Were you born in a Barn?” but the important question is:

“Have you been Born – Again?”

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

This post has been Linked to the Mama Zone at Friends Day Wednesday
 http://www.themamazone.com/2012/03/friends-day-wednesday-37.html

also is linked to Bonnie's  Faith Barista Jam  

and also linked to "Tell Me a True Story" at: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/ 

How to create an Acceptable Address Title for a Blog Hop

image courtesy Photobucket

How to create an acceptable address Title for entry to a Blog Hop

If you are new to blogging or perhaps you have never entered a Blog Hop, let me tell you it is fun, but here are some simple hints to help make your post entry smooth.

Oh yes, copy and paste this post to a word document for future reference.

What you do to enter a Blog Hop.

On the time of your new entry - - -

1. Post your blog and give it a title. Now you are ready for step two
2. Your blog post needs an address link that will always go to this particular blog.

On your blog home page where you have your new post, left click on the title of your post.

3. In the top of your page notice the address box, you will see an address that currently adds more to your original blog address and it is now a direction to THIS particular post.
Go to this new address in the address box, Right click and copy it.

It will look something like this: Your.blog.spot.com/2012/03/title-my-new-post-for-the-day

4. Step four is to go to the Blog Hop site:  (I use my new Blog Party for an example:   http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

5. Scroll down to where you enter your post.
6. Put in the title of your post in the proper box.
7. Paste your address that is still saved into the URL box.

Now anyone can come to the Blog Party site and view your post, no matter what else you post to your blog.

This address you copied is unique to only this post. Your viewers can also see your menu and any message about joining your blog.

By the way, when you are in the Blog Party site, go to favorites and create a folder and make it say “Blogs to follow” and save this site for future reference.

Doing this will give you more exposure and will bless many people.

Potty Training with Success

image courtesy photobucket.com

I remember those Potty training days, and I started out early.

When my little ones woke from their nap, and if my babies were dry, I removed their clean diaper, and held them over the toilet with their back resting on me, and the sink faucet slowly running.

Just like you train an animal (smile) when they did their duty, I happily announced, “Good girl,” or “Good boy.”

When they were able to walk and talk a bit, they were given home made trousers with an elastic waist that could easily be pulled down and kicked off. I taught them to crawl up on the toilet, and straddle it facing the back of the commode, because they were too little to back up or stand as they later would do.

My children learned to call me for help if they needed a wipe, or other help getting dressed again.

Cloth diapers were the only available item, and if I had it to do over again, I would not use the new paper disposable ones, except perhaps on occasion such as when traveling.

Mother’s today are brainwashed by the advertisements and articles written by pull ups, and large size paper diapers, telling them that babies should not be potty trained until they are ready!

Understand that the diaper industry is a multibillion dollar business.

Just let them mess and potty in their diapers until they are over two years old even longer some of the baby experts tell our mothers!

Naturally these manufacturers are out to get the hard earned dollars with the many repeat purchases for as long as you believe them. The experts may even have an investment in the Stock market of some of these companies!! I wouldn’t doubt it.

Our children were proud to wear “big girl panties or big boy briefs.”

They never had a bed wetting problem, and it may have been because every night before bed I gave each child a teaspoon of molasses. Why? It might be because it was very close to the formula of an expensive children’s liquid vitamin that I could not afford to purchase. Remember that molasses is full of iron and also helps regularity.

It took a lot of observation and attention by me to catch all this so early but it was successful. Some will say, “That I as the mother was the one trained, and it all just happened, and I was lucky.” Well I must answer, “Who is kidding who about now?”

I understand that this scripture actually does not apply here, but it is a good one!

“Train up a child in the way that he should go and later he will not depart from it.”


This post is a true story when my children were small and is being entered at the New Blog Party, Tell Me a True Story linked at: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Also Linked to Shanda’s On your Heart Tuesday  

Please check this post out by "Find a Baby Sitter Blog" She writes a post on 10 ways to cover up when your child has an unexpected accident.  Direct link is below - - -
 http://www.findababysitter.org/blog/10-ways-to-cover-up-when-a-child-has-a-potty-accident/