Jublilant and Loving Life (Repost)

Join the Air Force and see the World
image courtesy photobucket.com

Our youngest daughter’s automobile always seemed to need work! Fortunately, she had discovered a nice fellow who appeared happy to work on her car. He was also interested in her as a person. He was a bit older than she, but he was a very pleasant guy, and even agreed to go to church with her. To get better acquainted with our family he invited us to his apartment for a home-cooked meal. Obviously, he was looking for a wife!

One day, my daughter came to me with a question. She asked, “Mom should I marry this great man or should I join the Air Force?”

Knowing my daughter, I knew better than to come right out with it.  As-sure-as-shooting, the minute a parent gives a straight answer to a question like that, their child is bound to do exactly the opposite!

So I breathed a short prayer and made a reply. I said to her, “I am certainly NOT about to tell you what you should or should not do, but I will say this, the man is a wonderful person, but when he comes home from work, he will want to read the paper, watch TV and go to bed, while you want to go out roller skating. Also, you have always wanted to see the world and the military is a great opportunity to travel.”

My daughter responded, “Thanks Mom, I am going to join the Air Force.”

And that is exactly what she did.

Every so often, we would receive phone calls from this daughter. “Guess where I am?” She would ask. Sometimes it would be Hawaii. Other times it might be Spain or France. She was not assigned there, but she discovered that she could hop a military flight, and see the world, nearly free, when she had a few days off.

Beyond that, she was able to explore a variety of career choices. From a nurse, to cook, or even parking those huge airplanes with her small towing tractor; she would practice until she got it right. Her enthusiasm for life was unstoppable!

Soon she found that the military offered college courses! She began to study, and was eventually able to graduate and to receive her degree - - all paid for by Uncle Sam.

Things just kept moving along and through a dating service she met a nice man who was up for all she could think to do! Both seemed to be free spirits, and they each enjoyed having lots of good clean fun. Suddenly their separation seemed inevitable! My daughter had received orders to leave for Korea.

They had a very serious talk and a decision to marry ensued.  With a military flight to Hawaii, and then to Japan, the happy couple enjoyed a remarkable two-week honeymoon. How exciting! After that, it was back to work, she in Korea for a time, and he in the States.

With so much to do each day, our own excitement level stayed high.

Let’s think for a moment, what is the most jublilant and exciting thing that a person can do? Different people will come up with different answers.

Truthfully though, when all is said and done, the most jubilant and exciting thing anyone can do is to serve Jesus Christ! There is always something awe-inspiring about the life He has planned for us! One final day, we will be able to take the “grand tour!” For all of us who know Him, it will be the journey of a lifetime - - and that is when we shall see Jesus face to face, in glory!


This post has been shared at One Word Carnival The word is Jublilant.

Mama, I Can’t See

Sleepy Eyes
image courtesy photobucket.com

Carefully I managed to back down off the cot where I slept and from there cautiously feel my way to the wall. Then I inched along my pathway into the kitchen where my mother was preparing breakfast.

“Mama, I can’t see,” was my childish plea.

Immediately my mother understood my problem...

For days, I had been coughing and during that night the congestion had caused mucus to trickle from my eyes closing them as I slept.

Unable to open my eyes I was crying out for help. 

“Not to worry,” said my mother, as she reached for a wash cloth and soaked it with warm water.

Gently she applied the cloth to my face and eyes, and before long I was set free from my prison of blindness.

Thinking back this was the worse case scenario of what we called “sleepy” in our eyes.

In life there are times when our Spiritual eyes seem to be closed and we are not able to comprehend all the good things God has in store for us. We sleep our way through life, ignoring the gifts that He desires us to have and use.

Other times we turn our eyes away, not wanting to see the suffering of others around us.

The fact is that even here in America there are those who are cold and go hungry every night.

We prefer to shut our eyes and ears when we hear reports of Christians being killed because of their faith.

We think to ourselves, “It can’t happen here,” - - but the truth is that it can, even as various groups grow bolder in their hatred for Jesus and Christians.

May we cry out; “Oh Lord, open my eyes that I might see.”

And then open my ears so I can hear, “What is the next thing that you desire me to do?”

May we pray, “Here are my hands and feet - - where would you like me to go?”

This post was shared at Charlotte's Spiritual Sundays

with  Stacy’s Heartprints Hallelujah

And with Jennifer at:  God-Bumps and God-Incidences

Wheat Berries Casa Blanca

image courtesy photobucket.com

When I get to town - - without my husband, there is a small thrift mart grocery store that I like to check out.

I often discover coffee and juice at a great price, and products that most shoppers are at a loss as to what they are.

Recently I picked up a package of flax meal, bean soup mix, powdered milk, wheat flour, and would you know it a package of “Wheat Berries.”

Thinking back over many years, I was reminded when we hosted a motley group of people, all of us involved in a business project. One lady was a vegetarian who meditated daily at 3:00 PM, one couple were of the Mormon belief, but we all loved God, and over a 30 day period we worked together had fun and also ate very well.

Our Mormon friend had written a cook book using only grains of every variety. She often pleased us with one of her creations, one of which was a casserole of Wheat Berries

Last week, my husband found my package of wheat berries in the pantry and decided to cook up half of the package. What a delight it was to enjoy this dish and have some left over too.

I share the recipe with you here.

Wheat Berries Casa Blanca (Lorraine Tyler)

2 1/2 cups cooked Whole Wheat Berries
2 cups sour cream
1  7 oz can diced green chilies
1/2 pound Monterey Jack cheese shredded
1/4 pound Cheddar cheese shredded

The night before boil enough water to cover Wheat Berries, put lid on and turn the fire off. Let set over night. The wheat will about double, but fix plenty. (If you have too much wheat, use it in salads, as cereal, or add to a soup or meat dish.

Next day, drain the wheat, and combine the wheat, sour cream, chilies & its liquid into a 2 quart casserole dish. Stir in Cheddar and half of the Jack cheese. Sprinkle the rest of the Jack cheese on top and bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serves 6

Suggestion: Save this recipe for your next pot luck at church!

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.

Hydrangeas in Bloom



image courtesy photobucket.com

 Two of my gorgeous blue hydrangea plants are in full bloom, so on Sunday I decided to take a vase full of the blossoms to church with me. and set them on a table in the entry.

The service had not yet begun, and one of the ushers came to me mentioning that the member who had volunteered to bring flowers for that day, had forgot - - and would I mind if they placed my flowers on the alter table in front of the church.

Of course I was happy they could use my bouquet and it pleased me much.

When church was over, I asked one of the ladies if she would like to take my flowers home as I knew she enjoys drying flowers to make potpourri. As it turned out this was the lady who forgot her gift, and although she was embarrassed, she was happy to accept mine.

As is our custom after church we adjourn to the fellowship hall where we enjoy coffee or tea, treats and camaraderie. Another lady came to me and asked if she could please have the bouquet to take to one of our members who is in the hospital.

Now there was a conflict of sorts but I explained my promise to our other sister in Christ, but if she would agree to give up the flowers, then I would bring her more flowers next week

They were able to decide to take a vase of lilies that was beautifying the fellowship hall to the hospital instead, so everybody was happy.

It is amazing how a lovely handful of God’s beautiful posies can make the heart glad.

As soon as I arrived home from church, I made a visit to my garden, and picked another bouquet for our kitchen, and brought a ray of blue sunshine into our home.

Song of Solomon 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

This post has been shared at: Joy’s Wednesday; Flaws and Nakedness

This post is also linked with Jennifer at:  God-Bumps and God-Incidences

Newspaper Boxes

photo by Hazel

Crash - Bang, what was that awful noise?

 My husband looked up from watering the garden to view a white pickup crashing into the receptacles for the newspapers that had been standing next to the mail boxes for our neighborhood. The truck backed up and tried again, this time demolishing the entire stand and hitting the mail boxes to boot.

It had been several years back that some boxes to hold the newspapers had been strung in an ugly row in front of our home. Some mischievous neighborhood boys had taken a baseball bat to them as well as mail boxes down the road. At that time my sweet hubby spent money and time digging a hole and cementing in a wooden post and arranging the boxes in a neat display.

My husband wondered, “Are those teenagers back again?”

He came into the house very upset as he relayed to me his side of the story. After he calmed down, he was able to search in our storage shed and to find a metal pole and some cement.  This he took it out front for the first stage in repairing the damage; to dig a deep hole and cement in the pole.

The next day I printed up a note to attach to the pole requesting information as to who owned the white pickup truck that had been so destructive.

As I was taping the note to the pole, our neighbor from across the street came over and shared with me what had happened.  She and her husband had seen it all.

Mrs. X, an older woman, from up on the hill had come down to get her mail, and had lost control of her truck.

When she stepped out of the truck to view the damage, our neighbors came over to help Mrs. X who appeared to have had a mini stroke. She was sweating and not able to walk straight, so they helped drive her and her truck home to be sure she arrived safely. They also notified her son who lives near by.

I took the note down, and said, "So it was an accident and not malicious?" Our neighbor replied,  "Yes it was a bad accident."

To end this story my husband painted the new pole red, and with some screws attached the boxes neatly to the latest pole. Now it is looking Good!

A few days later, Mrs. X telephoned to apologize for the damage, and she offered to pay for the new pole. I told her that we forgave her, and it would not be necessary to repay us. We just wanted to be good neighbors. We also wanted the front of our home to look decent.

We can show Christian love by forgiving those who sin against us – or harm us intentionally or perhaps even hurt us by accident.

Jesus has forgiven me, so I ought to forgive others, so that my prayers will be answered.

Linked to Shanda’s On your Heart Tuesday

This post is also shared at: “Tell Me a True Story” http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
I do hope you will enjoy reading as many stories as you can and leaving your comments.

Who Cares?

image courtesy photobucket.com

On Sunday as I took notes  from Pastor Jerry’s sermon I share gleanings with you.

Pastor was reading from Mark, chapter four about Jesus and the disciples entering into a boat, and Jesus said, “Let us go over to the other side.” He then found a pillow and proceeded to go to sleep. Suddenly a tempest arose and the wind hurled waves of water into the boat.

The disciples were exerting all their energy rowing, while thinking, “Surely we will sink, we are going to die!”

Last week, Pastor reminded us that he had asked us to imagine, and this week he suggested that we pretend to be in the boat with Jesus and his friends.

As the boat bobs up and down, the disciples fear that they will go under and perish. Terror fills their hearts and they have forgotten the words of Jesus “Let us go over to the other side.”

They only know this moment of wind and water dashing upon them. There are no life preservers, no GPS, no buoys to direct them.

Does Jesus even care?  Look at him sleeping with not a concern or worry in the world. What did they expect from Jesus?

Was it fair for him to be resting while they toiled to save themselves and the boat? Finally they decided to wake him so he could help them row to shore.

In their desperation, Jesus appeared to be rude, as he criticized them for having such little faith. His next words were spoken direct to the storm, as he commanded it to be still – and it was.

The logo of the church is often a boat with a sail, and we can also consider that we are in the church as a body of believers. Our personal lives also touch our friends who are in the boat with us, and may be suffering their own private turmoil.

Faith and belief are two different components. Faith is deep seated confidence in God, while belief is often a matter of opinion and possible uncertainty.

Being God’s children does not always promise us sunshine, and the truth is that bad things happen to all people. We cannot transcend our human instinct to be afraid at times and to worry.


image courtesy photobucket.com


Jesus is inviting us to allow him to enter our storm and be a part of it with us. Jesus invited his friends to live on the other side of the tempest and to enjoy peace.

Many storms in life come at us, illness, accidents, abuse, betrayal, murder, divorce, loss of a job, or a home, death in the family or even a long time pet. All are real storms!

As we row our boat, we say to ourselves, “Am I going to make it to shore.”

It is good to be positive, but positive thinking is not magic. We don’t pretend that the storm is not there, but Jesus is in there with us, and he speaks calm words of tranquility and reassurance.

Does anyone care? Yes, Jesus does, and He offers words of comfort, “Peace be still.”

This post is linked with Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday Use it on Monday

And also Linked with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

Ten days Baby Sitting

Danny Ryan
Photo by Hazel

It is not what you think, because we have not had any tiny babies in our family for several years.

However I have been dog and cat sitting for our daughter Becky while her family is enjoying a cruise to Mexico. They were joined by our other granddaughter Ali, so the two teenagers will enjoy a few days in the sun.

Ashley and Ali have both just graduated from High School, and a lovely vacation seemed appropriate before life really gets into gear. Our youngest daughter Judie and her husband Chuck met them in San Diego to transfer their daughter Ali into their care.

Becky’s dog and cats have visited here before so they are comfortable at our place. Our three dogs were happy to see Becky’s Irish Setter again and there is no real problem caring for them. The cats have a special room they are assigned to, and I feed them twice a day and scoop the poop into a plastic bag.

Now when you go on a vacation, you hope your house and yard is safe, so we were asked to check the house and garden and pick the zucchini making sure everything was okay.

On Sunday, I took a big bag of zucchini to church and the members were happy to make good use of it.

On last Tuesday I made another trip to pick more squash and discovered water running over the driveway and into the back yard. A quick call to Robert brought him over in his pickup truck as he tried to repair the leak.

We didn’t have the proper tools and pipes at this time, but, we were able to find a shut off valve just for that area. After working on the pipe for a couple of days it continued to leak.

Finally Robert decided that the best thing was to cap it off for now and Becky’s husband can decide what else it might need when they arrive back from their trip.

They are due back in a day or two, and they will be happy that no permanent damage was done by the water leak.

Today we checked again and the cap is holding, so we picked vegetables and left a big bag of zucchini and cucumbers in their refrigerator.

Life is often full of surprises that we do not welcome. Using wisdom, God will help us through what ever it is that we need to face.

The Lord has promised to be our helper and guide, and we can safely place our trust in Him.

This post is shared at: Stacy’s Heartprints Hallelujah

Calcium Cookie Bars

image courtesy photobucket.com

When my children were young, our family was on a tight budget, and to save money, I would often use powdered milk when I baked.  It worked great for baking when the recipe called for milk.

There were times when I cut back the regular milk for drinking, with some mixed up powdered milk.

The children did not mind this blend on their cereal, but to drink a glass of the powdered milk mixed with regular milk that was a different story.

My husband could always tell the difference and he let me know about it.

Each week I would bake a different cookie recipe for everyone’s lunches, and I discovered a cookie recipe that would give added calcium into our diets.

I share it here with you.

Calcium Cookie Bars

2 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
3 T molasses
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla or maple flavor
Mix above ingredients into a large bowl.

Next - - Place into your flour sifter

1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cups powdered milk
Sift and add to other ingredients and mix well

Add 2 cups chopped walnuts, and blend.

Bake in an oblong pan for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Cool and cut into bars.

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.

A Visit to Korea

Korean Symbal
image courtesy photobucket.com



image courtesy photobucket.com


Clop clop clop that was the sound heard on our back as my daughter and I received an official Korean massage. Having nothing to compare this to, it seemed like cupped hands going up and down our backs that sounded like galloping horses. 

My youngest daughter, Judie had met Becky and me at the airport and she knew we would be tired. The first thing she wanted us to do was relax with a nice massage. “Here is a towel, so take a shower first and report back here.” Those were our instructions.

The Korean Tourism and the Military were cooperating to give the military families an exciting ten day tour of Korea.  Hotels were giving special rates, and there were activities and shows available in the off time.

image courtesy photobucket.com

After we checked into the Harrison Hotel, Judie treated us to a wonderful Korean buffet which included music and dancers.

Kimchi was something Judie wanted us to try. It is a staple made from cabbage that has been fermented, seasoned and is a tad hot.  Not being used to hot seasoned food, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to try it, but surprising enough it was delicious.  Actually it is good for you health wise too.

Judie knew her way around Soule and she showed us how easy it was to hail a taxi. You wave as if you were waving good bye.  Most drivers speak a little English or at least the English name for the important visitation places.

We noticed many people were wearing gauze masks, and I asked Judie about it. She explained that most wear them because the air is bad, and they are afraid of germs.

The next day Judie returned from her Air Force base to take us shopping at the Korean outdoor Mall. “Better price,” is what you say even if you think the price is good. They love to bargain with you, so that is what we did.

When our arms were full, Judie took us to the Base Post Office and we shipped our purchases home using US mail service.

Chaple at Prayer Mountain
image courtesy photobucket.com

As we completed our visit, we attended the largest Christian Korean church. There was an area for foreigners to sit and select which language they would like as a translation.

After the service we stopped by to see the visitor’s center where an American Missionary gave us brochures about Prayer Mountain and the fasting and prayer that takes place there. The Missionary explained how the church has grown so large by utilizing home cell meetings.
http://www.davidcho.com/NewEng/PrayerMountain.asp

image courtesy photobucket.com

The Demarcation Zone was very interesting. We were asked not to speak to the soldiers, but some soldiers were looking through the windows, smiled and waved to us. We had been asked to ignore them and it was difficult not to wave back! :-).

We said a sad farewell to Judie as we boarded the airplane for home. She still had a few more months before she would be reassigned by the Air Force to return to California.

There is so much beauty here in this world, and each country has its own culture and loveliness. God has created a planet that causes me to wonder if there could be additional splendor elsewhere. If this earth is so wonderful, I pause to consider how magnificent and breathtaking heaven must be?

This post is shared at: “Tell Me a True Story” http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
I do hope you will enjoy reading as many stories as you can and leaving your comments.

Imagination

image courtesy photobucket.com

Our guest Pastor Jerry was reading from 2 Corinthians chapter five. Our earthly tent is fading away but we have confidence in God, for we walk by faith, and not by sight.

As I took notes, I am gleaning from his message on Sunday.

Pastor illustrated that as a child, he would attend the cowboy movie on Saturday and when he arrived home, he would imagine that he was Tom Mix or Roy Rogers. A stick became his horse and his imagination would provide everything else.

Children today have many gadgets and toys, but if you leave them alone in the yard they will play for hours and enjoy where ever their imagination takes them...

Pastor ended his Bible reading with verse 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

We have not seen Jesus with our physical eyes, but we can imagine him on the cross, raised from the dead and ascended into heaven.

Many times we study the scriptures, and we imagine the scene that we are reading about. We enter into God’s Word and imagine the writer speaking to us.

Paul reassured us that although our experience has its limitations, but we have confidence and a hope as we serve our God who calls those things which be not as though they are.

We can envision what can be, even though we do not see it yet. We have one foot on the old and the other foot on the new, but we must use our spiritual imagination to step forward leaving the old behind and facing the new.

In reality the Assyrians may be coming after us, but even if we are captured, God is able to gather us together again and return us to our home

There is a spiritual truth in looking ahead and using our imagination for what we cannot see at this present time. It may appear as silliness, but that is okay for it is a mental and spiritual exercise of faith.

Many authors, who write books, imagine characters and plots that they have never known or participated in. They daydream a story into a reality.

The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote that there was nothing new under the sun, but that was not true.  Had he used his imagination he would have gazed into the future at the marvelous manmade inventions and the many miracles of God today.

Paul was certain that we would be changed from an old person into a new creation by accepting Jesus.

Today we only have a glimpse as to what is involved in us becoming a new creature. 

We may not understand all that is IN Christ for us, but we can use our spiritual eyes, ears and mind to imagine all the glories that God has for us now, and in the future.

Can you imagine that?


This post is Linked with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

Also shared with Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday

DELETE ALL THREADS Guest Post by Jerri Tuck



Jerri Tuck's Daddy - Happy Father's Day all you Dads!

 DELETE ALL THREADS  Guest Post by Jerri Tuck

“No one should have to bury their child,” said our friend, Chief Johnny Texas Barton. Johnny had suffered a heart attack and was in the hospital waiting his turn for a bypass operation when Charlie and I went to visit. These heart-wrenching words were the first out of his mouth when he saw us.

Johnny had called us the afternoon he learned of his daughter’s untimely passing. Cindi Rusk had a myriad of physical problems. She left behind two grieving children, two grandchildren, two sisters and a father who is still trying to comprehend the magnitude of losing his middle child.

So much left unsaid. Words of affirmation, reconciliation and appreciation are still lingering in the air. Words that should have been said or left unspoken, can never be uttered or retracted. Death brings everything to a brutally abrupt halt.

All of us have lost loved ones; who among us has not lamented that we could have done more, said more or loved more? Petty things are blown up into family crises: hurt feelings have built barriers that even an atomic bomb couldn’t penetrate; and harmful things real or perceived as real, have laid the groundwork for feuds that would rival the Hatfields and McCoys battle over a stolen pig!

Some time ago I was falling into that trap and didn’t even realize it. Someone had left me text messages over a period of a year that, as far as I was concerned, justified me and condemned them. That’s correct. I was right. They were wrong. It was as simple as that.

Every once in awhile I would receive a text accusing me of something and then I would go back over all the previous texts, just to prove to myself that the accusation was false. I had the proof!

Then one day I was headed to teach a Bible study at the detention center. After parking the car I realized I had a few minutes before going inside so I decided to check my text messages.

The Holy Spirit hollered in my ear, “You need to DELETE all your texts.” What? If I did that I wouldn’t have proof that I was innocent. Surely, God didn’t say what I thought He said.

I couldn’t escape. I was on the outside of the prison facility, but I had put myself into my own little prison of resentment and unforgiveness by holding on to those text messages.

Breathing a sigh of surrender, I began the process. As I pushed certain buttons a message came up in the form of a question, “DELETE ALL THREADS?” There it was. If I hit OK, it was over. No more hanging on to my own self-righteousness.

Several weeks later I was having trouble with my ‘smart’ phone. I called Verizon and one of the first questions the technician asked me was, “Have you deleted all your text threads?” I was so glad I could answer in the affirmative with a yes.

As he led me through the lengthy process that resulted in my phone working at peak performance, I again realized that I was free; not only because I had deleted all the threads, but because I had truly given that particular situation over to the Lord to work out.

I don’t have to justify everything I do to everyone. Thank God! I am required by the higher law of love to walk in forgiveness, whether the hurts thrown my way are real or just perceived real by me.

Recently someone posted on Facebook to forgive the unthinkable in others, because God has forgiven the unthinkable in us. That really sums it up. It’s so easy to look at ourselves and think we are perfect…that is until we compare ourselves with Jesus, our great example.

And when someone we love passes on, we can go to their funeral or memorial service with a clear conscience, that we have loved with everything within our power to do so.

After traveling life’s road these many years, I finally get it! I can’t fix everyone. I can’t make everyone do right. I can’t even fix myself or make myself do right! I just have to throw myself on the mercy of the Lord and daily DELETE ALL THREADS!!

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

Find Jerri Tuck at: http://jerrituck.blogspot.com/

Meringue Spice Cake

image courtesy photobucket.com

There are times you want a cake, but you are out of a cake mix.

Mother always had some favorite recipes for home made cakes.

This one is simple and the frosting is different and very good.

Meringue Spice Cake

2 cups flour

1 1/3 cup sugar

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/3 tsp soda

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp cloves

Sift dry ingredients together

In large bowl mix:

1/2 cup shortening

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs (plus 2 egg yolks) Save whites for the topping.)

Add dry ingredients and mix well. Bake in oblong pan 35 to 40 minutes

350 degrees if glass pan, or 375 degrees for metal pan.

Meringue Topping: Beat 2 egg whites until stiff and slowly add 1 cup brown sugar.

Carefully spread on top of warm cake and sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped walnuts on top.
Return to oven and bake additional 10 minutes.

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.

Whoopee Day and Justice for All! (Repost)

image courtesy photobucket.com

The Fourth of July usually meant a family reunion at our cabin in the Stanislaus Forest!

It was here that we would gather to celebrate our Freedom and Justice for all in the United States of America.

My dad allowed us kids to invite our friends and, in later years, we also followed suit, allowing our children to bring their friends.

Old Aunt Emma came at the invitation of my mother’s sister. She was a child at heart and enjoyed the festivities right along side all the young people. The campfire, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, singing and lighting sparklers for the holiday thrilled everyone!

Aunt Emma loved the excitement! As each sparkler was lit, she loudly exclaimed, “Whoopee Day!”

Her enthusiasm spilled over to our teenagers who echoed her gleeful cry as each sparkler was lifted in the air. Soon we all joined in with the phrase, “Whoopee Day!” It became our “happy” word for the next year. Aunt Emma’s youth was spent, but she enjoyed herself with child-like abandon!

Tom, one of our youth group teens, seemed to get a kick out of Aunt Emma! Perhaps she reminded him of his own grandmother.

Tom demonstrated his own free-spirit and his attentions soon centered on one of my daughter’s friends. The next day, we spied her friend up a tree with Tom climbing up after her, throwing leaves and pine cones. She yelled at him, “You are crazy,” and he returned the compliment with like words. His playfulness soon compelled her.

Youthful exuberance! Whoopee Day! That was the way they met! Their friendship continued with church as their base for building their relationship. That friendship led to marriage, and decades later they are proud grandparents, enjoying their retirement.

Now some might say that this was an extraordinary way to meet someone and find a mate! Perhaps it was!

If you are single and desire to find a loving, faithful and trustworthy companion with marriage in mind, do consider attending a good church that has other single persons who love God, and want to follow Jesus.

If you are widowed or divorced, join a church singles group. Small groups are where you meet people.

If you don’t put limits on God, He can meet this need and help you enjoy life right where you are. Trust Him, in whatever situation you find yourself, don’t be afraid to be happy and to exclaim, “Whoopee Day”

Psalms 118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.


This post is linked to Peter Pollock’s One Word Carnival - The word is Justice
Also shared at Hazel's Tell me a Story at: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

Just As I Am

Jesus Will Help You!
image courtesy photobucket.com

If you ever attended one of the Billy Graham Crusades, you will remember the hymn that they always sang at the end of the service. “Just As I Am I Come to Thee.” 

Those present who desired to surrender their life to Jesus would come forward where workers would meet with them and show the Salvation scriptures and pray with each one.

Sunday, our Pastor Jerry’s Title of his message was “Just As I Am.” I share gleanings from my notes of his sermon.

He read from 2 Corinthians 4:13 through chapter 5:1 where Paul was addressing a Greek Christian congregation. 

Times were difficult and many were suffering persecution, but Paul tried to encourage them by saying that this is only for a season and better days are ahead. We look not at that which we now see but at the things that are unseen.

Pastor Jerry illustrated by saying when we go camping we put up a tent, but the wind shakes it, and if it is not properly installed, it can topple over. The best thing about camping is when you pack up and head for home.

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

It is usually the youth who take terrible daring risks thinking that they are invincible and accidents only happen to the other person, not to me. They buckle a rubber band around their ankle and jump off a bridge. They ride their motorcycles and do dangerous stunts thinking they are indestructible.

As we grow older we are reminded of our vulnerability and our inability to do many things as we once were able to do.

Life happens and we discover we are clay vessels and our tent is fragile. However we have hope here and beyond.

Although our outer man is wasting away, we realize that our inward man is renewed daily. We have assurance of resilience in the Spirit.

In Bible times, no one was allowed to enter the temple if they would not walk or if they were blind or if they had an impediment.

Building codes today require buildings to be assessable to persons with disabilities. No one is denied entrance into churches and most churches have made provision for wheel chairs, walkers and those using a cane to walk.

There are barriers in life that endeavor to prevent us from going forward. How quickly life can crumble around us. No matter how “together” a person appears on the outside, they may be weeping on the inside.

We need the community of others, our family and friends. May we step out of our comfort zone and into the zone of others who need someone to listen and pray with them. Allow God to use you “Just as you are.”

As we come to Jesus “Just as we are,” may we allow Him to renew our broken Spirit and to heal us inside and out.

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

Graduation Week




Two beautiful Granddaughters Class of 2012 - Ali and Ashley

This week was a busy week with graduations from Pre-school through University. 

We were pleased that two of our lovely granddaughters were graduating each from their own High schools this week.  Alexandra in Southern California and Ashley here in our town near us.

Every Sunday at our church there is a time for “Joys and Concerns.”
- - Praise reports and prayer requests.

Usually once a month I share one of my stories briefly during this time.

Today I shared my story about Kindergarten graduations and how our teacher made a fun game out of learning to write our name, to recognizing colors and shapes and numbers.   

In life as we grow up, we realize that not always is everying as pink as it was in those happy Kindergarten days gone by.

During the fellowship time at church, several came to me and mentioned memories of their young school days.

One gentleman remembered that he had brought a bag of candy to share with all the children in his first grade class. His teacher did not appreciate it and asked him sit in the “Bad thinking chair” with a dunce hat on.

I agreed with him, that he was trying to do something nice but instead he was punished for it. There must have been a lack of communication there.

Perhaps there was a rule that he was not aware of and that hurt even more.

In life, we try our best not to break rules, but there are times we discover a new rule that we were not

conscious of earlier..

Some sets of laws are difficult to follow such as “Love your enemies and do good to them who persecute you.”

As our graduates embark on new adventures in life, our prayer is that they will enjoy the steps they choose, and follow Jesus as he leads them forward.

Maya we as well move forward in Christ and enjoy each day that he allots to us.

Holley - Heart to Heart Guest

Things Our Hearts Forget

Hello, You...

The one beginning your week,

maybe thinking about your hurts,

hoping no one wil notice until you are better.

Lean in close,

You are already good enough.

You don't have to be better.

Not because you're perfect

(because none of us are)

but because you're loved

by a God who is committed to

"completing the good work He started in you."

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6

Words of encouragement by Holley Gerth. For more hope and encouragement, visit her blog Heart to Heart with Holley. And to receive Free Devotionals from Holley, , Click Here to subscribe by e-mail.

Your Heart Should Remember

You have grace enough for this day.

You have something to give.

You are created with care

and placed in this world with a plan,

His plan.

No one can take your place.

Whatever this week will hold for you,

let Him be the One to hold your heart,

the One who will never stop telling you

all the ways you're loved.

- Holley Gerth

For more hope and encouragement, visit Holley's blog Heart to Heart with Holley. And to receive Free Devotionals from Holley, , Click Here to subscribe by e-mail.

All Bran Muffins

image courtesy Kelloggs site

The day promised to be a very long day!

"This will be the last time," I told myself, "that I will ever sign up to volunteer for the election board."

My job would be simple, and we did enjoy the voters as they came in to cast their ballots, but my body is not as young as it used to be.  I am not complaining, just stating facts!

The week prior, I had baked a large lasagna and steamed a box of frozen chopped spinach mixed with an egg and lined it as one of the layers. The two of us enjoyed the lasagna along with an ear of corn, and I divided up the left over into serving portions and wrapped each of them in Handi-Wrap and then into freezer bags.

What was I missing that I could add to my vote day lunch bag? It was going to serve as breakfast lunch and dinner for the day.  I threw in a small bag of fresh cherries to munch on.

I decided to bake some muffins. I have several favorites but I selected my All Bran Muffins.

I am sharing my version of healthy Bran muffins, good for breakfast or a snack. Mine ended up as my late dinner along with a yogurt cup and a handful of almonds.

Breakfast was a boiled egg, a small V8 Juice with a mug of coffee.

Around noon, I enjoyed the lasagna and a small apple sauce cup.

Mid afternoon I had brought along an energy drink, so was doing quite well.

The muffin for the dinner half hour along with the Yogurt gave me fiber and satisfaction enough not to be hungry.

Yes, the day was long. Checking in at 6:00 AM, we all worked together as a team.

Finally we were able to close the polls, to complete our counts, gather everything up to carry to the county headquarters, and we were able to leave our precinct at 9:00 PM. 

What we will do for God and Country?

Bran Muffins

1 cup quick oats
1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar (you might reduce to 1/3 cup as they are sweet)  Mix dry ingredients

1 1/2 cups Kellogg’s All-Bran Cereal (Not flakes)

In a large bowl place the All Bran cereal, add to it and let set two minutes

1 cup milk
1 egg
1/3 cup oil - - Mix well and add

1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries,
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 ripe banana mashed or other fruit you have on hand as a chopped apple.

Fill 12 greased muffin tins and bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.

This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays   

Milestones (repost)

image courtesy photobucket.com

We check the milestones usually at each decade; some are more difficult to embrace than others.

image courtesy photobucket.com

At ten years old we believe we are big stuff! We have the world by its tail!

Twenty takes us out of the teen age years. Time for serious thought.

Thirty is usually a tough and thorny mile stone and often a depressing Birthday to celebrate! We are expected to act more matured now!!

At age forty we can be 39 for the next ten years!

Fifty is the time AARP invites us to become a “Senior Citizen,” and often there are discounts allowed for certain pleasures.

Sixty is the time we approach retirement and (hopefully) expect to slow down a bit. 

However, I sought a new career at age 60 and embarked back into the world of business to work another 12 years.

Seventy is very close to the allotted time that God says he has given to us for our days.

Eighty is a rather large number. However in my spirit I am still young although my body does not always agree.

Last year in May, I did hit the big milestone of Eighty years young. I have joked that possibly at this age, I may be officially considered an “old lady. ” NO," said one of my friends at church, "80 is still young."

The Bible tells us that as our days, so shall our strength be, and I am claiming that scripture for myself.

image courtesy photobucket.com

Long life to you all, and may you enjoy good health, happiness and the treasures of many friends and loved ones all of your Birthday celebrations. 

 This post has been linked to Michelle’s Thought Provoking Thursday

Doing the Dishes and Other Chores

image courtesy photobucket.com

As children quite young I can remember the three of us taking turns washing and drying the dishes.

We were the automatic washers and driers in those days. Can't say that we turned out to be a diplomat but we did learn that we needed to work in this life to get by.

Because doing the dishes was a daily task, we were not paid except for special Saturday assignments.

Each Saturday morning Mother would assign us a special task. She could have done it faster and better than we did, but that was not the question.

When we had completed our job well, we would each receive a nickel. In those days five cents would buy a large candy bar or you could save it for something else you wanted later.

Sweeping the front walk, the porch, all the stairs and the back cement area under the clothes lines was one of the first jobs I had. Later I advanced to dusting furniture and then learning to apply polish to the chair rungs and table legs. Vacuuming our front room rug was another learned chore.

My younger sister made a dancing game out of using the dust mop on the linoleum floors.

My brother Allen was excused from the Saturday house work, because he was being trained by Dad to butcher our rabbits and chickens, and that job was something I wanted no part of.

Dad taught him how to stretch the rabbit hides on a special wire and hang it in a room in our basement. We kept that room closed to prevent flies from ruining our hides. Later Dad would ship the hides away and hope for a good price.

In the summer many times I would help mother put the clothes through the old wringer washer, and also hang towels and some of the small pieces on the line. Later she taught me to iron handkerchiefs and pillow cases before I advanced to other items.

We weren’t allowed to say, “I am bored,” because sure enough Mother would find us a job to do.

Mother saw to it that our days were not all work and no play. Each week she would walk with us to our local library and we would select three books each to bring home. Some were craft books and how to do this or that.

I remember one idea was how to make necklaces out of wallpaper. We would use a cardboard pattern and cut the paper into thin triangles. Next we rolled and glued so that we ended up with a nice bead. We sewed these beads together and made our selves lovely necklaces.

I am thankful that Mother taught us to work and not to always expect a big pay check.

We were contributing to the family and work does have its rewards!

This post has been linked with Joan Davis  Sharing His Beauty
And Tell Me a Story: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

Two Birthdays

image courtesy photobucket.com

Our Guest Pastor Jerry was reading from John’s Gospel chapter three about the visit to Jesus by the Pharisee Nicodemus.

image courtesy photobucket.com

Nicodemus is a Pharisee who is at the top of his field. Not only is he a member of the Sanhedrin, he is the most renowned Bible teacher of his day and he comes at night to inquire of Jesus with his questions.

The Pharisees in general were out to “get” Jesus and to trip him up if at all possible. To visit Jesus was a risk and a danger if he was caught by his friends,

Nicodemus tried to control the conversation by acknowledging Jesus as a teacher sent from God for no man can do the miracles he was doing unless he was sent.

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see The Kingdom of God unless he is born again."

“How can this be?” asked Nicodemus, because he was thinking of the natural birth and the impossibility of returning to the womb to be born a second time.

Jesus explained that one must be born of water and of the Spirit to inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus offered him hope and Nicodemus left with wonder in his heart, but secretly he believed Jesus to be the Messiah.

The Mystery and wonder of the trinity has us all at times confused and trying to explain how God is one God in essence yet is in three persons. One God our Father, One Lord Jesus, One Holy Spirit who proceeds from both to comfort and guide us and indwell us.

Pastor Jerry said, don’t ask me to explain any further, because that is all I know. (Everyone laughed.)

One important event that we must consider is to experience a second birth. To be born again.

It is good to remind ourselves when this happened to us. When did we realize that Jesus had come into our heart and that we became a Christian?

Are we certain that we have made our New Birth Decision? If not we can choose to follow Jesus today.

Our first Birthday we have no control. We do not select our parents, our place of birth and all that comes with it.

Our Second Birthday is a decision, to believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, and promised to return for us some day soon.

Consider that all who receive Jesus, to them gave He the Power to become the Children of God.

If you have done this and you have been Born Again – May I say, Happy Birthday !!

Linked up today with Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday