Donna's Gratitude Journal
• Apr. 14, 2006 - Spring Time and Picking Asparagus
We lived on a small farm. Dad had about 5000 chickens that we raised from chicks to laying hens.....One of our "cash crops" was asparagus.....we had 3 acres of it. Each Spring we would have a time to rise as the sun came up....neighbor kids and a few adults would help pick it....we would begin at the end toward the barn with a basket and carefully break off the tender stalks and lay them in the basket. Sometimes the basket was full before we topped the hill.....I remember the view that almost always was at that top of the Hill.....the sun was coming up and there was a wonderful line of trees it would top and beyond that a huge sand quarry.....You could see the raspberries blooming on the thick hedge by the trees and the mulberry tree was full of wonderful sweet berries. The birds would be singing and if we were quiet we may see the family of Red Fox playing by their den in a huge pile of rocks......
On Sat. we would pick the asparagus 2 times because my dad would not work on Sundays. Each time we picked the 3 acres we had to sort it into piles of firsts and seconds. The firsts were than bunched and rubber bands placed around them and sold to stores and fruit stands around the Elizabethtown area......The seconds were far more thin and were often sold by the pound for folks that froze it.
We are asparagus during this time at all 3 meals......creamed on toast for breakfast. Mom had several casserole dishes we made for lunch and often had it steamed or grilled for supper
After the asparagus I was sent to the acre of strawberries we raised and the process to sell them was much like the one for the asparagus. I really loved Spring....it was hard work but I loved being outside as opposed to being in the chicken houses. I hated getting the eggs, carrying 50 pounds of food and grading eggs. I will eat chicken but I hate chickens!
Yes, I wish I could be picking asparagus this morning!
As I was thinking about this all I realized I was taught many values.....having to do this work did not kill me. Now I admit when I was sent out after school to hoe out the thistles in the rows of asparagus I hated it! Or pull the chickweed from the strawberries. Picking the strawberries with the dew on them made you wet and nasty feeling but I never remember complaining too much. The reason is I knew that these "cash crops" bought much of the things we needed or a vacation. My parents believed in a week of vacation. We often camped but it was something I looked forward to. The cash crop also paid my week at a Mennonite Camp called Camp Hebron in Halifax, Pa. I was not paid and did not get a allowance but I knew if I did my work these special times awaited me.
Are you teaching your children the values of hard work and also the rewards of a job "well done". As homeschooling parents you can do this. It is a value that will create the wonderful memories in your children that I have today.......
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• Apr. 12, 2006 - A trip down memory lane and poetry
This morning I was watching GMA and Caroline Kennedy was on with her new book of poetry for children. They had a wonderful tradition.....the gift they were required to give at holidays was a poem to their parents and grandparents.....they could write it or chose one and illustrate it. Her mother kept them all in a scrapbook and she pulled from this the material for her book...
As I was making an order I have for 3-D cards....I was remembering.....and yes, a walk down memory lane is coming......Aunt Emily was a lover of poetry and had so many committed to memory. She would recite them with such expression.....
We often went out to see the stars and she would tell us the stories of the stars and each year she would take us to "The North Museum of Natural History & Science and Planetarium". How I loved those programs! One night we were looking at the stars when we were in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.......she loved to sit on the boardwalk bench and just gaze at the stars.......this poem was one she recited that night.....
Bright Star
- John Keats
Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art -
Not in lone spelndor hung aloft the night,
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors:
No - yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,
Pillowed upon my fair love's ripening breast
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake fo ever in a sweet unrest;
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever - or else swoon to death.
I did not understand the word.....Eremite and so she explained it to me.....to her it meant there was a star not named is in the sky like a hermit.....and is not part of any constellation.....My second request was what was a "Moor"......she recited this to me:
I never saw a Moor -
I never saw the Sea -
Yet know I how the Heather looks
And what a Billow be.
I never spoke with God
Nor visited in Heaven -
Yet certain am I of the spot
As if the Checks were given -
Emily Dickinson
Than she told me her secret dream was to go to Ireland and see the moors and the beautiful heather and again I had to ask what was heather.........and she quoted me a poem from Emily Bronte......Aunt Emily never traveled to Ireland but she visit there by poems and stories and her ability to see what she read......I have always admired that in her. I think her tranquility often came from her times with poetry......
She had a sill side and when Caroline Kennedy read this "Ode to Socks" this morning I just giggled.......you can read it here..
http://www.winsor.edu/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=1031
Why did I giggle.....Aunt Emily was kinda a C Mason type teacher and she illustrated almost all the poems she taught.....I remember the funny socks she drew and colored for this poem....like 2 two immense blackbirds, ,two cannons or Like explorers in the jungle ........I can close my eyes and see these.....what fun and what a memory....
One she recited that was fun and serious is one of Louisa May Allicot:
A Song from the Suds
Queen of my tub, I merrily sing,
While the white foam raises high,
And sturdily wash, and rinse, and wring,
And fasten the clothes to dry;
Then out in the free fresh air they swing,
Under the sunny sky.
I wish we could wash from our hearts and our souls
The stains of the week away,
And let water and air by their magic make
Ourselves as pure as they;
Then on the earth there would be indeed
A glorious washing day!
Along the path of a useful life
Will heart's-ease ever bloom;
The busy mind has no time to think
Of sorrow, or care, or gloom;
And anxious thoughts may be swept away
As we busily wield a broom.
I am glad a task to me is given
To labor at day by day;
For it brings me health, and strength, and hope,
And I cheerfully learn to say-
"Head, you may think; heart, you may feel;
But hand, you shall work always!"
We all had to make an illustrated book to hand out at a nursing home in Lancaster, Pa......It was on the poem or song....we could use "Old Geographic" magazines, old "Ideals" or draw scenes....She took us to give them out......that was another lesson in itself....
"All Things Bright and Beautiful"
~Cecil Frances Alexander
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
As a family we went to my Uncle's hunting camp in Bucks Country....we all Slept in this open loft and what fun we cousins had......One day by a stream....we were building a dam hoping we could make a pool deep enough to lay in and Aunt Emily and Aunt Fanny were helping is.....we rested and she shared this poem with us:
Answer to a Child's Question
~Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Do you ask what the birds say? The sparrow, the dove,
The linner and thrush say, "I love and I love!"
In the winter they're silent - the wind is so strong;
What is says, I don't know, but it sings a loud song.
But green leaves, and blossoms, and sunny warm weather,
And singing, and loving - all come back together.
But the lark is so brimful of gladness and love,
The green fields below him, the blue sky above,
That he sings, and he sings; and for ever sings he-
"I love my Love, and my Love loves me!"
We were on a Nature walk in a local woods and found a Caterpillar and she quoted this poem to us:
Caterpillar
~Christina Rossetti
Brown and furry
Caterpillar in a hurry,
Take your walk
To the shady leaf, or stalk,
Or what not,
Which may be the chosen spot.
No toad spy you,
Hovering bird of prey pass by you;
Spin and die,
To live again a butterfly.
In closing I want to share a less know one we were asked to memorize....I actually forgot it until this morning and I started to remember these poems. I am going to relearn it.....
The Exhortation of a Father to His Children
~Robert Smith
Ye are the temples of the Lord,
For ye are dearly bought;
And they that do defile the same,
Shall surely come to nought.
Possess not pride in any wise,
Build not your house too high;
But have always before your eyes,
That ye be born to die.
Defraud not him that hired is,
Your labour to sustain;
But give him always out of hand,
His penny for his pain.
And as you would that other men
Against you should proceed,
Do you the same to them again,
When they do stand in need.
And part your portion with the poor,
In money and in meat;
And feed the fainted feeble soul,
With that which ye should eat.
Ask counsel always at the wise,
Give ear unto the end;
Refuse not you the sweet rebuke
Of him that is your friend.
Be thankful always to the Lord,
With prayer and with praise,
Desiring Him in all your works
For to direct your ways.
What childhood poems do you remember?
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• Apr. 9, 2006 - Easter Sites
• Apr. 9, 2006 - Faces of Kindness
Today I reflected on kindness. The Lord took me down memory lane so to speak
on the "faces" of kindness.
My grandma's face came to me...oh that loving lady that so many times just
put down what she was doing to show kindness. Like the times she was told a
neighbor was sick and she went immediately to the kitchen and cooked a
wonderful meal to take and serve the family with love and laughter!
Or the times she knew how hurt I was when my mom was in one of her moods
and was hard on me because "she had to adopt me" and she would say hateful
things. My grandma lived about 15 miles away and when she would hear the
hurt in my voice she would drive up and take me home for the day or nite or
week-end. My Mennonite school was closer to her home and she would just take
me the next day. She would make me do "an act of kindness" when this
happened. She had me do a scrapbook page for a shut-in or write a letter to
a missionary or she would help me sew something for a child. Now I see the
wisdom...when you are hurting...do something kind for someone else and you
will feel better. I could go on and on about her.
Than there was my sweet Aunt Emily...a wonderful little lady that was a
wonderful teacher and was used by the Lord in a mighty way...molding
children in Mennonite school. She never raised her voice and had a way that
made kids want to learn. She was loving and kind is a firm way. She could
see a student struggling and she would become a cheerleader for that
child....and she would use us nieces and nephews to do that. She would have
us make cards,small rewards, and gifts for her treasure box....that was what
she shared with her students but it did not stop there....she would
encourage kids to use it for other students or family members that were
down. We made things out of lifesaver packs and felt and so much. I will
have to dig that all out. her kindness went to her two sisters. they were
both older and the 3 never married....Aunt Emily could have but knew she
need to help with them and also felt the Lord wanted her to focus on
students. At her funeral so many missionaries spoke, saying it was her that
made they serve the Lord, many pastors that were her students said her life
and kindness is what the lord used to call them to preach. She was a face of
kindness
When I was involved in a serious accident and Crystal was a baby and
bleeding...people were rude and wanted to see but an older man walked over
and took me by the shoulder(I was holding her waiting for the ambulance) and
put me in his car. He gave me a drink and his shirt for Crystals head. he
called my dad to come down to help us. That was a face of kindness.
I remember a nurse that sat with me when Crystal was born....it was
Christmas and I could not go home...the flu was bad and we had relatives
there and they said I had to stay. She had her SS class come by with gifts
and a wonderful Christmas plate and Carolers that night....she was a face of
kindness.
Grandma had a heart attack and I traveled to Penna. that night to be with
her. I was scared for I was not ready to lose her. I walked into ICU late
one night with a nurse and my grandma said without opening her eyes, "Donna,
that is you. The Lord told me you would be here. We have time." The nurse
looked at me and said spend the night with her and she brought me a chair.
Grandma and I talked all night and she improved so much that week and they
let me stay with her. The nurse that looked at us and knew we needed
each other was a face of kindness. They told me later that they did not
expect her to live and just wanted to make her happy. But she lived 3 more
years and I got to spend one more week with her.
I could go on and on....but what I see is that when we let the Lord,
who is kindness, work in our lives and we in turn share kindness, that is
one of the things that shows the world we KNOW the author of kindness...our
Lord Jesus Christ. we need to be about teaching our kids that they need to
take time each day to show kindness to those at home, at play and in the
world.
Here is a song Grandma used to sing to me:
Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Just above are clouded skies you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Chorus:
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!
(Ina Duley Ogdon, Brighten the Corner Where You Are)
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• Apr. 8, 2006 - Ramblings on a rainy Sat. morning
Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.
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I love this prayer and almost have it committed to memory. When John and I were beginning to spend time together at the YWAM base in Salem, Oregon, he got the movie of Saint Francis for us to watch....it is a movie made in the 60's. It really impacted me......he was a playboy and went from that to a man that had a vow of poverty. I have read a lot about him and to me his life is a reminder to me that we can do without so much and need to help all those in need.......and how praying for this things is a life changing process.
John and I love John Micheal Talbot and his music....our dream of a lifetime would be to go to his retreat in Missouri. For 200.00 per person you can stay a week with all you need and a real time of worship....the lady that is doing Bible Study and her husband a minister, who went through a terrible time of rejection in the last year went here and they were so blessed and the forgiveness flowed for them...........
He started as a rock band/country (Mason Profit)...at one time they toured with the "Grateful Dead"......actually John went to one of his concerts back than with his older brother and had his before Christian albums.......and studied many religions.....Saint Francis so impacted his life...... and so maybe in my humble opinion he is a modern day Saint Francis.......I hope to get some of his Cd's again.....I used to listen to them all the time.....a real worship time for me.
I was really journaling on the first line.......Lord, Make me a instrument of your peace....My mind went to the scripture....."Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) "
What is a instrument to you......we have musical ones(we could be one as special as a violin made by a master or one made in the Ozarks called a Fiddle.) , doctors, as simple as a pen(some may want to be fountain pens, designer pens or just a Bic pen)
As I write this I looked at the work table in our room....it has my sewing machine set up and all my card making stuff.....all instruments I use to create. I see my paint brushes, my paints, finishes, scissors in all sizes, a small cabinet of threads and beads....all necessary for me to really create......but one thing sticks out to me.....my double sided tape. I use that for so many things.....and as I sat here I thought "that is what I want to be.....tape".....something the Lord can use for many purposes.... it is flexible but I also use it for stability.....I need to be far more flexible for the Lord.....I really want the Lord to be able to use me for many tasks.....I think we take the spiritual gifts tests, and they are helpful, but that gives us a comfort zone because we do not expand ourselves...we say,"I am a teacher so I need not have the gift of helps...let another do that" or "I have the gift of hospitality so I never need to be a teacher" and we limit ourselves and God......I want to be able to just be flexible and used.....My tape holds....I want to be able to hold up another when they are struggling and need my love and actions to really help them.....
I want to be a flexible instrument for the Lord.....I will be the tape if the Lord thinks that is what I need to be....sure not glamorous but needed.....some of you may be a polished musical instrument and that is great, some may be a peprecise instrument that is used one one purpose,,,,,,,the fact of the matter is that all I need to say is "whatever.... Lord make me an ininstrument you choose.... I long and want to be used by you" |
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• Mar. 12, 2006 - A Special Chocolate Cake
My friend brought me a recipe and stuff to make a gourmet chocolate cake and it was the best I ever made!
First let me say that if you have a friend stretched with finances like we are it is the most wonderful gift to give them if they like to cook. I was so happy to be making this for my family and they were thrilled because it reminded them of the times in the past I had whatever I needed to cook special at times and it was just fun!
Jane owned a restaurant here in town that was high dollar and this cake she made for that......You will find in the (....) the ingredients that she brought me to use that kicked it up a lot of notches!
I only made 1/2 of the frosting because it is way rich! In between the layers I put some good Raspberry jam and that made it so good. Black cherry jam would be good too.
The Ultimate Chocolate Birthday Cake
For frosting
18 ounces semisweet chocolate chips(she brought me 3 dark chocolate Lindt bars that I cut up)
3 cups whipping cream
2 to 5 teaspoons light corn syrup
For cake
1-3/4cup Swans Down Cake Flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)(she buys Valrohna Cocoa powder that costs 11.99 a pound at Whole Foods. It is worth it because you buy it bulk)
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup water
2-1/2teaspoons vanilla
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened..(European butter is what she bought at the discount grocery store when she saw it was so cheap and it is the best I ever tasted.....it is a richer tasting butter. it tastes super creamy and just *more* buttery. Jane uses it for baking.
1 1/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
Make frosting: In a heavy saucepan melt chocolate chips in cream over low heat, stirring constantly, until combined and thickened, 20 to 25 minutes.
Increase heat to medium low, and cook, stirring, 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in corn syrup. Transfer to a large metal bowl and chill, covered.
Stir frosting every 15 to 20 minutes until cool enough to spread, about 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line bottoms of two 9- by 2-inch buttered cake pans with parchment paper. Butter and flour pans, knocking out excess.
Place 1 cake layer on a cake plate and spread evenly with about 1 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer and spread remaining frosting evenly over
top and sides of cake. Make cake: In a bowl sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a small bowl whisk together
sour cream, water and vanilla. In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time,
beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture to butter mixture in batches alternately with sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture
and beating until batter is blended well. Divide batter between pans and smooth tops. Bake layers in middle of oven 25 to 30 minutes, or until a tester comes
out clean. Cool cake layers in pans on racks 10 minutes before turning out onto racks. Remove paper from cakes and cool completely.
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• Mar. 12, 2006 - Neat way to teach kids to study the Bible
I learned something special yesterday .....an exciting way to study the Bible. This may be old hat to many of you but to me it adds a new element to how I can journal scripture......
But first I want to tell you what we are looking at.......Val, our leader had us do this activity:
trace your hand on the page headed "SIX WAYS TO GET `GRASP' ON
YOUR BIBLE". Label these fingers.
On the little finger, write the word "HEAR". That's one way we can get God's word
in our lives.
The next finger, write the word "READ".
The third finger, your long finger, is the word "STUDY".
The index finger, is the word "MEMORIZE".
The thumb is the word "MEDITATE".
Down in the middle of your palm write the word "APPLY".
Last week we shared how we really " hear"and "read". This week it was "study" and "Meditate"...next week I will lead how to memorize......
We learned that to read and meditate we sometimes need help....and this one is called SPACEPETS! It is a way to read, study and get into your bible more.
SPACEPETS (Acrostic)
S-in to confess? Need to make any restitution? (or avoid)
P-romise to claim? And what we need to do to partake of the promise.
A-ttitude to change? or guard against or an Action I need to take?
C-ommand to obey? Am I willing to do it no matter how I feel?
E-xample to follow? Is it a positive example for me to copy of a negative one to avoid?
P-rayer to pray? Is there anything I need to pray back to God?
E-rror to avoid? Is there any problem that I should be alert to, or beware of?
T-ruth to believe memorize and meditate upon ?
S-omething to praise God for? Is there something here I can be thankful for?
I have enjoyed using this SPACEPETS today and looking forward to it tomorrow....maybe it will help one of you...........
Here are a few quotes I have collected to remind me why I need to study the Word.....
John MacArthur says..."Bible study is not complete until we ask ourselves,
“What does this mean for my life and how can I practically apply it?”
Practice the "T & P" Approach:
In the margin of many pages in D. L. Moody's Bible, he wrote the letters T and P, meaning "Tried and Proved."
He had put into practice (applied) passages from God's Word, proving that they work which of course they always do!
You too can try and prove God's wonder-working precious and magnificent promises that provide everything needed for
life and godliness -- but only if you seek to apply them to your life
As D. L. Moody once quipped...
"The only Bible the world reads is the one bound in shoe leather: you and me!'
If a Christian is careless in Bible reading, he will care less about Christian living.
"Our Master’s field is full and rich.
The precious promises lie in front of you.
Gather them.
Make them your own.
Grasp these sweet promises.
Thresh them by meditation.
Feed on them with joy"
--C H Spurgeon
The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best.
One of the pastors startled the group with the declaration that "My grandmother's translation is the best I've ever read."
To which his colleagues exclaimed "What! Your grandmother translated the Bible?" To which he responded "Yes, she
translated the Bible into her life, and was the most powerful translation I've ever seen!" Needless to say, the group
of pastors got the point!
If a Christian is careless in Bible reading, he will care less about Christian living.
On memorizing scripture.....
Dr. Chuck Swindoll has written:
"I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing
Scripture...No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened.
Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change.
Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified."
(from Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life)
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• Mar. 6, 2006 - I am Thankful for the lesson from nature!
I am thankful for:
Spring and the flowers and beautiful fresh green colors!
A quiet week-end
Another lesson from nature........
That lesson really was a week-end lesson. John is working on a solid oak drafting table for a friend. Charles(the friend) has been over a lot over the week-end and together they are making this a perfect fit for Charles. He is a landscaper and does commercial properties and has needed a good table for years. So they want this to be perfect.
As they were working Sat. morning I had coffee out on the patio. I had just walked through the yard enjoying all the spring bulbs. I heard what I felt was a Hawk. I had wondered where the squirrels were because we have so many. They love the giant pecan trees. (we have 3 pecan trees)
As I looked up I saw 3 Red Tail Hawks soaring.......a beautiful sight to me! I sat and watched them and all the yards close by you saw no birds, no squirrels and Sparky(Our Jack Russell) seemed distressed by their sound. They landed on the pecan tree and what a wonderful sight! To me they are magnificent.........amazing......and well worth the time to sit and observe them. They stayed quiet watching and waiting for any prey.......Soon they soared away but I could hear them coming and going in the sky above. Soon I heard some awful noise....the crows were giving the hawks a fit! Now that is a site to watch. The Hawk would fly into the tree and the crow would swoop down at him just fussing something awful and than sit just above the hawk and it seemed like he was just mocking the hawk, This went on for minutes and than the other 2 hawks came in and the crow disappeared quick! The hawks came back Sunday and all was quiet again. Their presence sure chases all the critters away.
That took me to thinking about their sound and how that is a warning signal for the other critters. A smart critter listens and takes cover until the Hawks move on.......Than the thought came to me....do we really "hear " God and how do we hear Him.
In Bible study this week here at the house the leader shared this fact`t with us about hearing......."The problem with hearing is that we loose 95% of what we hear within 72 hours". That is a startling fact. We may hear wonderful sermons at church and really say so but here is a test....what was the text at the service yesterday and how did it apply to you personally? How about the last sermon you heard on TV, the radio or Bible study and how did you apply it to your life since you heard it?
We could look at a lot of "deep" reasons why we do not really hear......but we need to look at our attitudes when we go to church...we need to improve our hearing. The Bible says this: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (Luke 8:8) That really translates to me as this......I need to be eager and ready to hear.......that really puts it in my ballpark.....not the preachers or teachers.....but mine. You see if we look at it like that we will never tear apart the minister for a bad sermon but we will see what the text says to me and what I need to do with it in applying it to my life.
When we do this we can say the following words, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth." (Psalm 119:103) I just know when we can say these words the Lord is so pleased because we are trying to get what He says we are to do.
Here are a few attitudes I think keep us from hearing. Luke at Luke 8:18. ".........Take heed (Consider carefully) how you listen......"
To take heed is to be wakeful, attentive, to be very considerate. It implies that we seriously ponder the word of the Lord and consider attentively its meaning and its application to ourselves. So when I hear it is all up to me what I do with it....nobody else.
I think if we would go to the church with the attitude we are "eager" to "hear" what God has to say we would not have so much bad to say about a minster and the way he delivered a sermon......we would hear God's Word, the text for the morning and than go home and study it and pray for ways we need to apply it to our lives that week.
One attitude we often are quilt of is a closed mind. I dare say we hate it in others but fail to see it in our lives. Fear, pride and bitterness can keep us from opening our mind. I am guilty of this. Fear of what God may want me to do or say, fear of what others will say, fear of what is happening in our lives. We all have these fears but we must deal with fear in order to really hear!
Pride? How can the keep us from hearing? We may think we know it all because we have heard a sermon about that text before........We may just be too proud to make a change......what would so and so think if I really sell out to God and do as He asks me to do? Or maybe our pride tells us that sermon was for "so and so" and has nothing to do with us....maybe it is for our husbands and not us.......that is pride talking!
Bitterness? We have often talked about bitterness. Bitterness corrodes us from the inside out and just as we see a pipe being corroded, slowly it happens and makes that pipe so ugly....so it does to you and me.........it slowing makes us hard to be around and it steals our joy.......the upkeep of bitterness is so great!
Than I see the attitude of being superficial.....we go to be seen or because we are expected to but not because we want to hear what God has to say to us. I know each of us have been quilt of this. We have to "want" to walk in the truths of the Word of God and to do that we must when we listen! We cannot put up a front because others will quickly see through us and see us...not the Lord and how He wants us to listen.
You see we can only pass on what has become truth to us and we get that truth by "hearing" God. When we "hear" than we have to go and "do".
The last attitude I have been thinking about is how we go to church or have our time with God with a preoccupied mind. We get so worried about what we are wearing or a bad hair day or how our kids look, what is in the oven for dinner and will "he preach too long" this morning.....or someone that offended us the past week is sitting in our view and we dwell on that, our husband got us angry on the way to church.....maybe we are just too exhausted rushing that we cannot pay attention or we just do not want to. All these things keep us from "hearing" the Word. Than we leave empty and wonder why and may just say because "he was boring" or "just not deep enough" or too deep for us.......and the problem with hearing was the attitude of preoccupation......
Of course sin keeps us from hearing but hopefully we become so convicted we do something like confess that........so often it is our attitudes that are subtle.
I may mention taking notes will help you remember as will preparing before you go and with that go in and sit down and pray and meditate. That is what will help you receive from the Lord. I keep a spiritual notebook or journal so I can look back and study and rejoice over the growth I am making or repent for being lax and having bad attitudes.
Anyway you look at it hearing is up to me.....that takes me back to the hawks and critters. The hawks make that noise not to announce "I am here to eat you" but to alarm them so they scamper around and make themselves an easy target. When you and I "scamper" about to get to the places we hear God speaking we are just like that critter with no plan to escape the hawk....we are tired and have attitudes that make us an easy target for the devil to attack us. But when we are prepared we "HEAR the Word and than we ACT on it and GROW in Him." Aren't you grateful for what nature can teach us?
When we Hear we can sing this hymn with joy......
HOLY BIBLE, BOOK DIVINE
Holy Bible, Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.
Mine to chide me when I rove;
Mine to show a Savior’s love;
Mine thou art to guide and guard;
Mine to punish or reward.
Mine to comfort in distress;
Suffering in this wilderness;
Mine to show, by living faith,
Man can triumph over death.
Mine to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner’s doom;
O thou holy Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.
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• Feb. 7, 2006 - Coretta Scott King 's celebration (my ramblings as I watched the whole service)
I am sitting here watching Correta Scott King homecoming celebration and what a celebration it is! I have cried, praised the Lord, sand and listen with wonderment at the wonderful tributes given to this graceful woman.
Our channel 2 is carrying this without interruption. I am grateful for this. I only saw this woman from afar.....in a crowd in Atlanta some years back and as she walked through the CNN food court a hush fell on the crowd and than someone stood up and clapped and soon all of us were on our feet and she smiled and you saw the grace of a very wise and loving lady.........
Maya Angelou just said something that says what I saw....."she was born a cornflower to become a steel magnolia".. As she ended her tribute she just said she did not want this "to be just another footnote in the pages of our history" but we all must be about carrying on the work of peace, equality and justice.......we really must!
I sit here and marvel at seeing 4 presidents up on that stage.....clapping, singing and really enjoying this celebration.....I heard Ted Kennedy speak, Rev. Joseph Lowery which had a LOT of humor and he said this: "Who else would have gotten this bunch together except Correta Scott King" and he looked back at the presidents and our Gov. and got such a laugh......because it is true....all walks of life are present and all are joined in in celebrating and for once they are not fussing at one another. This in itself is reason for celebration.......
I sit and marvel at how much her 4 kids are enjoying this time....thay are laughing, singing and wiping a tear now and than. She has taught them well. I see grace and compassion in their faces and know they too are carrying on the work of their Father and Mother.
I am listening to Jimmy Carter and he is so honest and quick to acknowledge that there is not equal opportunities for all people here in the USA much less the world.....He is full of compassion and wisdom because he serves a living God......
Now George Bush 1...he said to Bishop Eddie Long that he comes from a Parish Episcopal church that is very formal and never has he seen anything like this.....but than Coretta Scot King was not a member and he is loving it!!!!!! He is and he is funny too!
Bill and Hilary Clinton........President Clinton is speaking now and what fun! He called Pres. Bust the first one of the "frozen chosen" because of his reference to his Texas Parrish......... He wants us to remember that a persons body is in the coffin......She is a women and not just a symbol.....She had a choice April 5, 1968...a day after her husbands death...BUT she went to Memphis that day and lead a march for the workers......what are we going to do with the rest of our lives? That is the question she asked. We must pray for her children as they have the burden to keep the legacy alive that their parents began....and he asked us "What are we in Atlanta going to do now"....How they embraced causes that were almost lost with the same spirit they tackled causes that were almost won.......... I do believe he could be a preacher! Now Hilary......we are called and we must answer, Here am I send me....that is how Coretta lived her life.......Are you willing to say, "send me".
They are playing her speaking now and she is so convicting in what she believed.....to serve others with peace......When God calls you to do something he will give you the strength and wisdom to do it! I am reminded as I sit here that when we stand with our husbands we are doing what God asked us to do. Her kids said their dad could not have done what he did without her beside him and her prayers.........That is something I will take from today and I will strive to walk beside him and pray much for my precious husband, John....never in front of him.......
Malcom X's daughter is talking and I am so appreciating her........Mrs. King bridged the gap between Malcom X and Dr. King.....they did it different but they had the same message. She shares that when her mother died, Coretta became a mother to her.......That is a wonder.....If you are as old as me you will remember the differences but it had to be grace that brought these families together now in unity.......I sit here and wonder what have I done for unity.......I am now in the South and it is hard to live unity in some of these small towns......I need to do better......
Ladies, this celebration started at noon and it is now 3:30 and still going.....what a tribute. I see so many people being united in love and loss......in a cause and in carrying out the mandates of God to love one another and respect one another. That he created us equal and there are just a few human bridges on this earth between the division and I see 2 this day.....Former President Carter who is still with us and Coretta who I believe is with the Lord......But they are really nationally known and we need leaders there but we must be bridges in our communities, our churches and our families......
Now Stevie Wonder is here......What a song! Why should I feel discouraged and why should the shadows come and why should my heart be lonely.........I am sitting here and crying at this wonder.....His eye is on the sparrow and I KNOW he is watching over me.....what a blessing! What a promise......What a voice! I sure know He watches over me because He says he does....and with a voice like this you sure do not doubt it!
Now Micheal Bolton is singing the song he wrote for her..."The courage I see in your eyes". ....how beautiful!
"The Courage In Your Eyes"
(Tribute to Coretta Scott King)
(Martin Luther King, Jr. Speaks)
(Coretta Scott King Speaks)
Nobody ever warned you
Nobody could have ever known
The road that lay before you
The journey that would lead you home
How steep was the mountain
How long was the fight
In the face of something so wrong
Somebody had to make it right
(Chorus:)
The courage in your eyes
The wisdom in your smile
The strength within your heart
To walk the endless mile
The years have only shined upon your face
And showered you with dignity and grace
Like the way you live your life
And the light you've always shown
More than the world, more than the world
Has ever known
Through the night and the darkest hours
The promise and the faith you kept
Brought the fury and the danger
To your home where your children slept
You believed in a time for love
There'd never be a time for hate
What kind of woman keeps the dream alive
What kind of dream does a lifetime take
(Chorus:)
The courage in your eyes
The wisdom in your smile
The strength within your heart
To walk the endless mile
The years have only shined upon your face
Will shower you with dignity and grace
The way you've lived your life
And the light you've always shown
More than the world, more than this world
More than the world
Has ever known
***************************************
Now the precious song...This Little Light of Mine......what are you going to do? I am going to let it shine! One of her favorite songs...so simple and yet so profound...... I am sitting here and wondering how a family sits this ling when they have lost a mother.....but I think that is part of the burden and the joy of having a famous mother that so many loved and want to pay tribute to. But in some ways it must be hard....so many things went on here and they attended all of them.....
Now TD Jakes......He is paying tribute to those who had to fight for the civil rights in awful ways so he can be here to share....think of that...freedom has given us some wonderful speakers we all can enjoy! Can he ever quote scripture...another reason to memorize the precious Word of God!
I listen and listen and I become more aware of the fact each of us will die and we need to work for the Lord while we are here....we need do do what God called us to do....we all touch so many people and we never can leave this world with things undone because we gave up or struggled just to much and think we are exhausted and can not go on....we can not let hard feelings stand in the way of peace......we cannot gossip and tear down the Kingdom of God as others listen and wonder why they need to have Jesus if it does not make a difference in our lives....if we tear each other down why would they come to church? We need to do all to the Glory of the Lord....I hear all the sacrifices this lady made and I am ashamed of the times I held a "pity party" over small things......Lord help me!
How much more......BB Winans is singing..."After you have done all you can..."
"You just stand".........He sure has a voice and loves the one he is singing about.
He has me believing I can stand and never give up! I will stand.....I must stand....this brings God glory!......now CeCe Wianans sings...God is just a prayer away. That is indeed how we stand....it takes prayer...intercession.....love for the Lord. Courage and all those things come from spending time with Jesus!
I am in awe of knowing her daughter is about to speak.....She has the grace and dignity of her mother and father.....She just reminded us that the value of movements we have with our loved ones....God is good.....She preached a sermon and one thing I took from it was this......It is time for us to birth out righteousness, justice and true holiness. Holiness she reminded us is having our lives molded together with God and she finished it was her mothers choice to chose Holiness and that is why it was easy for her to give career in music to stand for God.
John was pulling in the drive at 5:50 and the celebration was just than over.....that many hours but I honestly felt I sat here in my room in the presence of God and rejoicing in all He does for each of us and how much work there is yet to be done and yes, we women can begin at home standing by our husbands and teaching our children and grand-kids to respect all people and to love the Lord with all their hearts and than they can go up to reach all people for Jesus. Let's reach out to our neighbors and church members and our friends on the net.....lets make a difference and may it begin with me........ |
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• Jan. 19, 2006 - Not another Trial
It seems like when we have survived one crisis we soon face another one. Life is that way. Some have suggested that when we have them coming that it is a lack of faith
But Jesus says:
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:6-7
Romans 5:3-4
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Do you see the progression in the spiritual growth of the believer that comes from tribulations?
Remember Paul endured to the end of his life in service to Jesus Christ. The trials and tribulations
that he faced in his ministry brought about a sense of contentment. Contentment is not happiness;
it is satisfaction and he learned to be satisfied no matter what the circumstances. What an example.
Look at this verse.....
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations,
there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest
I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart
from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me.Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions,
in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Cor 12:7-10
So I see I must learn to live a life full of Joy in the Lord despite the trials. That is what He
asks and He promises to be with me and teach me how to deal with the crisis and trials.
Some suggested it is strongholds in our lives. I believe there are strongholds and I deal with my weakness each day. We all do. As I see these things I have come to pray with scriptures. This verse tells me to ""Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).This will remedy the stronghold or temptation but it is no promise we will have no more hard times. It says to me there are no quick fixes but His power to live full of joy and security knowing He is with us each step of the way. My times of stree sometimes are because the ruts mof sin may run deep and may entail a lifelong process of working through specific issues.
There is no formula or quick fix but we have His strength to endure.
I am learning the best things of life come from the times of suffering and crisis. Trouble drives us to the heart of the Word and the Word into our heart. Adversity not only causes us to
learn God's Word, but also to keep it. "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word"
(Psa. 119:67).
It is one thing to have head knowledge the Bible and another thing to keep and obey it.
Suffering is the school of obedience.
"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered" (Heb. 5:8).
I think the Lord must permit us to get into trouble in order to draw us back to Himself.
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against
the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me" (Psa. 138:7).
It is in the center of disaster that He revives us, not fails us. But so often I look at it as He has failed me....why
is my faith so weak so much? So often I would rather lie dormant and useless just because it takes suffering to
polish and reveal the victory that should be ours. We should praise God that He has blasted us with the Bible,
which is the" dynamite of God" and has begun the process of purification and refining so that we may come forth as pure gold?
In these battles we need a weapon and I know what that weapon is.....Rejoicing....
The joy of the LORD is your strength" (Neh. 8:10).
"We glory in tribulations .." (Rom. 5:3).
"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses
for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive
shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there
shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation"
(Hab. 3:17-18).
Another weapon we have is Prayer. Read this wonderfl quote by ....C.H. SPURGEON
"No doubt by praying we learn to pray, and the more we pray the oftener we can pray, and the better we can pray.
He who prays in fits and starts is never likely to attain to that effectual, fervent prayer which availeth much."
Prayer is the most important times in my day. The times I forget to pray, those times are the hardest and the times I ask God "Why" and dwell on the hard times......these times are not when I rejoice.......
I want to share a poem that has become so precious to me. I wish I knew who the author is.....
look not back--God knows the fruitless efforts,
The wasted hours, the sinning and regrets;
I leave them all with Him that blots the record,
And graciously forgives, and then forgets.
I look not forward--God sees all the future,
The road that's short or long, will lead me home;
And He will face with me its every trial,
And bear for me the burden that may come.
I look not around me--then would fears assail me,
So wild the tumult of life's restless sea;
So dark the world, so filled with war and evil,
So vain the hope of comfort and of ease.
I look not inward--that would make me wretched,
For I have naught on which to stay my trust;
Nothing I see but failures and shortcomings,
And weak endeavors crumbling into dust.
But I look up--up into the face of Jesus!
For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled;
And perfect peace, and every hope fulfilled,
And there is joy, and love, and light filled.
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• Jan. 1, 2006 - Happy New Year
I am thankful for:
the quiet
my family
nature
Prayer...precious prayer!
*******************
That sure is a mixed bag for being thankful but you all will understand.
I still cannot kick the symptoms of the flu.....I am exhausted, cough a lot and keep
a sore throat from draining sinus......so I have been thankful for the quiet the week gave me.
gave me. I really was not able to do a full clean like I do when I put away the Christmas
stuff....in fact that only got done yesterday with the help from John. Than he put me back
to laying down. I would ask you all pray for my health and if you all have any suggestions
pass them on please.....
Wednesday I did go out to get some errands run.......we were to have the family Christmas
with our kids Friday night. I thought I was well enough and so my friend took me.....it was rainy
and the clouds looked bad when we headed home. I was exhausted and so got on my "chair". I was
really in a lot of pain with my knees and knew I had not done too much and thought about the
weather. Sparky insisted on laying on the chair with me and he kept whimpering which is really
out of character for him.....all of a sudden I heard a awful sound outside and he hit the floor
and under the bed.....what was the train doing close to the house and than the winds came and
noise.......it was a awful hail storm.....pop went a window in the bedroom and I ran out here
hunting Ryan...he grabbed me and returned me to the bedroom....scared he was. It got quiet
and that it hit again and when we looked out the ground was covered by golf sized hail stones.
We had 2 broken windows, flower pots broken, cars dented, the neighbor lost 3 windows......
John rushed home and was amazed....we got the worst of the storm.....he got some good pictures
and I will see if I can get them ready to share......
After the storm we were outside and as the hail began to melt I noticed the yard was covered with pecans.
The winds had shaken the out! We have 3 huge trees in the backyard and I have shelled so many and
have several quarts of shelled pecans.....so I noticed the neighbor was picking up some from his one tree
and I took over the gallon I had picked up and invited him over to pick them up......he came and filled
a 5 gallon bucket in less than 1/2 hour. Since than I have sent several grocery bags full to mom and dad
and some to other neighbors....we sure had a crop of pecans and they are so good.....it sure will
make a lot of baklava.....John's favorite sweet!
Thursday I was back in bed with chills......but in the evening I felt better and Nicole called to say
she and Doug and my precious Zoe were almost in town at the motel.....her best friend here was in labor
and Nicole had to come. They took us to Ryan's steak house for supper......I must say I played and loved
on a grand baby more than I ate....she just loved me and talked and laughed.....what a tonic for this lady!
Friday they picked me up at eight and we went to breakfast at IHOP and than hut some stores....they brought
me home at lunch and I was exhausted but had to shake a leg and be ready for Crystal to come and get me
and take me to cook at her house......first we had to go to the grocery store and than out to her house.....
Nicole was there and needed me to watch Zoe so they could go to the hospital....a baby was close to being born...
I loved that time with Zoe and my almost 16 year old granddaughter was there too...the boys were hunting. So
we played and laughed and I got to rock that sweet smelling, precious baby singing God's praises and praying
for her.....I love being a grandma and know one of my privileges at this season in life is to spend much
time in prayer for these precious gifts.....grand-kids!
I may have shared this before but it is well worth repeating.....My grandma felt the ministry she had in the
years after grandpa died(he died at 52 when I was nine) was the ministry of prayer for her family. Yes, she
continued to sew and write letters for missionary children, yes, she continued to visit the widows and cook
for them and carry them for errands, yes, she was active in her Mennonite sewing circle but her prayer
ministry was her passion. I first knew about it maybe when I was about 11....I spent many a night with her
and always slept in her room in the other twin bed. I would watch her reach for a hankie from her drawer ( a clean
one) and put in on her head. Remember she was Mennonite and wore her hair up under the traditional hair
covering. She would never consider praying without covering for to her that showed respect her precious
Heavenly Father. I would go asleep wondering what she was doing but respected her enough to not ask......
finally one breakfast I did ask and she said I pray for each of my children and each of my grand kids and that is
the time I have set aside to do that. I was satisfied with her answer......As a teen I was a rebellious one to
say the least and it seemed when I was the worst I remembered that conversation and "knew" she was praying.
In my senior year I made a deep commitment to the Lord and worked on all that was making me rebellious...they
were strong strongholds and I still have to deal with them from time to time but now I miss one thing! Back to
a conversation with Grandma as graduation came....I was washing her windows and we had taken a break in her closed
\breezeway and were sitting on the porch swing......I told her I remembered her putting that hankie on her head
and her praying and would she tell me more about it......she was a very humble woman and said she would share since
I asked but it was not bragging......she said the Lord first called her to pray for each of us after grandpa's
death. She was feeling sorry for herself and she felt God clearly told her to do the following......
spend 1/2 of prayer for each of her 3 children each night and 15 minutes in praying for us 6 grandchildren. I
remember doing the math that meant this precious grandma spent 1 and 1/2 hours in prayer for the 3 children and
the same amount for us as grandchildren....3 hours and I wondered how one would ever do that.....what do you say to
the Lord.....she told me it was always praise for each of us affirming our good character traits and talents and
the rest praying for the changes she saw we needed to make and for our safety. That made a lasting impression
on me and from that time on any questions I had about prayer life...I went to her as a mentor and she in turn would
not answer until she showed me a passage from God's Word.....
Flash forward to the year she passed away.....Oct 19, 1987...What the nation calls "Black Monday"......I was at work
in Sarasota, Florida at The Christmas Shop.....a single mom working 2 jobs to get by.....Mom walks in5to the store and
blurts out...."your grandma is dead". and walks out of the store and my boss and I just stared....I was in shock
and Doddie helped me pull myself together and I insisted in driving home.....and I screamed at God.....Oh, how I hurt
and what thoughts tumbled through my mind........the hardest was I had killed her. It was just the day before that I
finally had to admit to this precious lady that I was separated and there was no hope......she was quiet awhile and said
You need to go back home.....she hated divorce and it would be the first in my family. She did talk to me
telling me she knew the marriage was in trouble and had been praying more than usual. She was heartbroken and
cried as did I but thank God she told me she loved me and always would......now I learn she is gone.....my rock on
earth.....and she died on her rocking chair with her hankie on her head and I knew she had been praying for me and
my children........and all of a sudden I was the most lonesome woman on the earth......who would pray for me as my
Grandma had......it hurt.
Crystal flew with me to Pa. and mom and dad drove......I faced the whole family and the absence of my husband told
them what really I was a soon to be divorced woman and many could not nor will they now accept it......My cousin closet
to me and I visited with Grandma ourselves the day I arrived and we shared many a happy memory. We both knew we
would miss this praying grandma......and so I was asked to share at her funeral what I just have here. I managed
to do it with all the love I felt for her through tears.....
I am telling you this because I still miss those prayers. When we commit to pray as God commands things happen. Maybe
some do not happen because of the prayers also. But we as women can have a praying ministry.....what higher call is
there than to be faithful in praying for our husbands and children and now like me, our grandchildren. I see so many
young moms reach for a how to book on raising children but the best answers come at the feet of Jesus when we
retreat and take the time to pray and for many that is at night......grandma said pray and wake up refreshed...
fret and worry and you wake up exhausted and you are not equipped to face the demands of life. She was so right.
God calls us to care for our families but even more important is to balance the books, our time and our running around
with the time we spend at the feet of our Lord and Master. We would be better wives, better homeschooling moms, better
neighbors and better grand-moms if we just learned what is most important to the Lord......spending time with Him
and asking Him what to do with a fussy child, the ADD child, a unhappy husband, a grandchild that needs love.....
we would indeed make the difference because He gives us the answers how to handle the unhappy husband, the child
that is out of control and when to say No to outside things and yes to the needs of our family...
So this year I will be praying more.....for my precious John, my 3 blessings, Crystal,Nicole, and Ryan....my 2 SI L's
and the 4 precious grandchildren we have...Skyler,Adam, Will and Zoe......How about each of you....together we can see
the changes we long to see in our families......but know this....you will be changed forever!
Happy New Year!
Sing with me:
SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER
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Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!” | |
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• Nov. 7, 2005 - Zoe with bonnet and her mom.....
• Nov. 7, 2005 - Great Grandparents and Zoe
• Nov. 7, 2005 - Dr. Ed Wadsworth and Zoe with the heirloom dress!
• Nov. 7, 2005 - Zoe's Christening
Yesterday was a very special day for us. My youngest daughter invited us to the Christening of my youngest grandchild.
My parents were here at 8AM and ready for their big trip. (Mom is 83 and dad is 86) As Great grandparents this was a special day for them and they so enjoyed the 2 hour trip North through Atlanta into the beautiful Georgia Mountains. The trees had much more color than here at home.
Zoe was born in May and had grown so much since I saw her a month ago.....but she was happy to allow me to take her from her mom...that sure makes a grandma happy! Talk about happy....she is just that!
Nicole had the dress ready to go.......I want to tell you about her Christening dress. It was made by John's mother whom we called Nana. She did heirloom sewing and sold her works of art to folks that did protrait pictures....knickers for the boys and beautiful creations for the girls. She too classes from Martha Pullen and so you that sew know she did fine work.
On a trip to Savahana, Ga. she was on the lookout for vintage buttons and laces for her clothing. She remarked to a dealer she needed some fine lace for Christening dresses. The lady asked her if imported antique curtins would work......and Nana says her heart skipped a beat because she knew she hit the jackpot! There were several boxes of them and Nana and the lady worked out a good deal for both of them.....Than the work began. We had to clean them and they seemed fragile and so we used plain water and sunshine to whiten and brighten them. Some needed lemon and salt to get out rust type stains. She made about 10 gowns and sold them but kept enough to do Nicole (my daughter) a wedding dress. But Nana began to become ill and soon we saw she had the dreaded "Big A" as we called the dementia when we talked with her. She had to move in with John, Ryan and myself along with her dying older brother. She saw she could not ever do a wedding dress for Nicole and so the last project she did was a Christening dress for Nicole to keep and cherish. Nicole treasued that dress and so putting it on her daughter was a very special time. I took some antique lace of Nana's and covered a small NT for Zoe and used the last Austrian Crystals as accents. Than I had the hankerchief that Nana's mother gave her for "something old" to carry when she married John's father and I made it into a bonnet to be worn now and carried at her own wedding.
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cda/article_print/0,1983,HGTV_3481_1396691_ARTICLE-DETAIL-PRINT,00.html
That was a special thing I knew Nicole would treasure.AndI wrote a not explaining the history behind both items and dates Zoe can have and treasure also.
We dressed Zoe at the church and my what a fuss that dress made on the precious child.....yards of flowing lace and she did not complain at all. I told Nicole "like mother like daughter" because as a child she loved filly clothing. My eyes filled with tears as I knew Nana would be so pleased to see Zoe in her last creation......and how she would have loved Zoe. Nicole hugged me and told me "Nana was with us" and she was. You see Nicole moved back home to help me care for Nana when there was nothing more than a shell of a person left for Nana remembered us no more. How that desease removes the dignity of those with it....a perfect Southern Belle and true lady was Nana.
The service was so meaningful and Dr. Ed Wadsworth was the most gentle and loving pastors I have seen for awhile. The love for his members and the church was so evident and when it came time for the service his committment to families was so heartwarming. He took Zoe and was so gentle and loving and than came into the auidence and introduced Zoe to the church as he went up and down the aisles. She smiled and the member loved it. You will see that photo......
The day was special in another way because Nicole and Doug became members of the church too. That is special to any mother! My oldest daughter and husband were there and 2 of their 3 kids and my parents. I knew these times need to be treasured because age is creeping up on my parents and their health if just not so good. They loved the service and having Communion was special to them too.....dad wiped some tears but I know they were tears of thankfulness.
The reception was so special at Doug's parents and we all relaxed and ate. I
felt the wonder of our families blending and saw we have many events to celebrate Zoe and her life...... a big birthday bash is being planned.....Zoe is their only grandchild. I thanked God that we all took time to visit and learn to know each other more. Extended family is so important. We may not all celebrate the same but times like this gives us the oppturnity to put aside what we may want and allow other members to shine and in doing that we see we have developed traditions that will be with the children forever and they will begin to learn how to get along with family members and share the traditions for years to come.
I reflected this special day way into the night last night and remembered when the
girls and Ryan were dedicated to the Lord. I remembered the times I had with each sharing with them about Jesus and the times I missed because I was just too busy. I want to pass on to the grandkids the goodness of the Lord and spend as much time with them as I can......what a blessing to be a grandparent!
Now on to embroidery work on the fine silk slip....with Zoe's name and date of Christening...a heirloom to be kept and passed on for years and yes, Nana is smiling down from Heaven saying "What a precious child...let's make a new dress of fine imported batiste and imported lace and will you please do the fancy embroidery work Donna........oh, how I miss her! But how her sewing talent stays with us!
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• Nov. 5, 2005 - 2 fun gardens and memories about Aunt Emily
I found these 2 things in Aunt Emily's School box. I remember both from
their house. The had this big window in their kitchen and across it was a
wide shelf with all kinds of beautiful plants. I remember it also had a
funnel hanging from a bracket. It was black and had Penna. Dutch designs
painted on it. There was always a ball of string in it and it would just
hand out of the skinny part of the funnel. My cousin Don who is a year older
than I am , and I would sure think of ways to use string so we could climb
up and reach into the funnel for the scissors that was always there and cut
a piece of string. You just better put the scissors back! But I remember
these being there and a coal garden too.
I can still see my Aunt Fannie, who was the oldest of the three,reaching up
and pulling out a bigger piece of string and showing us how to do a Cats
Cradle. That sure was fun!
Did you ever do these?
I also want to tell you about her manners poem. If we dared to use bad
manners she would quote this to us.
Please,thank-you and excuse me are the kindest words to say
To father and to mother for what they do for me each day.
Please, may I have a glass of milk, than thank-you I must say,
Now excuse me mother dear, for it is time to go and play.
That was always a gentle way of her telling us to be respectful.
I will share this yet. When Crystal was about 4 and we had made a trip form
Florida to Penna. and had gone to eat with the remaining two Aunties Aunt
Elizabeth was playing with her. They had brought the "hobby Horse" up that
their great grandfather had carved. It was an elegant one and the seat still
had lush velvet on it. We all had rocked on it and wanted our kids to do it
too. Anyway I think she asked Crystal if she wanted to get in again and
Crystal said "Yes mamn". Aunt Elizabeth had her "feathers" ruffled on this
and said,"well, I never was called that"! She looked at Aunt Emily like do
something...(Aunt Elizabeth was what she called simple. we would say she had
a handicap) Aunt Emily looked at Crystal and said I see your parents have
taught you some fine manners. Where you live that is very important and do
not forget them. I am honored you would use them in our home." Oh, Crystal
was so proud. Later that evening dear Aunt Elizabeth whispered something to
Crystal and they laughed and than loud Crystal said, "Yes Mamn, I do love
you" and she got a hug.
Later Aunt Emily wrote to me and told me that manners show the Character of
God and that respect,honor and holiness are some of the results of teaching
manners. She told me as a young lady and raised on a farm she wanted so much
to go to school and her father helped her enroll in what now is Millersville
State College. When she went for an interview he reminder her to use her
manners that he had taught her. She was unusual to go for two reasons...back
than Mennonite women did not go further than highschool if that high and
than women were still not a large number on the campus. Aunt Emily knew she
needed to learn more and so went to the library and took out and manners
book and read it several times. She told me in that letter she was
complimented so many times on her "proper" manners and the way she always
believed in herself. She said she would always say thanks but than say
manners have taught me confidence but I do not believe in myself. I believe
in my Jesus who can shine through me when I exercise manners.
For what we call copy work...she had her students always write out George
Washington's "Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior In Company and
Conversation ". I wish I had the poster boards that she illustrated each
behavior on. They had to do a page for each rule and have it in a book. It
had to be illustrated and a Bible verse went with each rule. I need to see
if anyone has those verses.If you want to see it go to this site.
http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/manners/rules2.cfm
Here is a quote from her letter to me. "As parents you are responsible to
teach your children the things that will carry them all the way through
life. One main thing is respect. You must first respect yourself and then
others. We must go back to the old time way of teaching. If we respect
others we will show good manners, be kind and considerate of others, show
love and care for the elderly and those widows, and orphans. Than wee will
be concerned about our neighbors and if there should be a need we would
automatically chip in and help to see that need is met. If we have read the
Bible at all we should understand that everywhere Jesus went he was doing
good. He is our example and we are demanded by God to follow him. Donna if
you teach respect to your daughter than she will have manners. But do not
neglect to teach them to her. ..."
Hanging Carrot Garden
Large carrot
Knife
Absorbent cotton
Water
Dish
Wooden skewer
Potato peeler
Thread
Cut a section about 2 inches from the top of the carrot. Leave any leaves or
stalks attached. Stand the cut end in a dish of water on top of the
absorbent cotton.
Once shoots have sprouted, remove and scoop a hollow bowl into the end of he
carrot using a potato peeler. Push the wooden skewer through the top half of
the carrot. Tie the same size length of thread for each side of the skewer.
Hang the carrot up in a sunny window and fill the inside "bowl" with water.
The shoots will grow up to the light, and you will soon have a hanging
garden!
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Root-Top Garden
Any raw root vegetable (carrot, turnip, parsnip, beet)
Knife
Large dish or shallow platter
Clean pebbles
If the vegetable has leaves trim them. Lave about 1/4 inch stem. Slice off
about 1 inch from the base of the stem. Put root tops in platter with enough
water to just cover the bottom, not over the top. Fill the spaces with clean
pebbles. Put in a sunny windowsill. In two or three weeks you should have a
leafy garden. Keep it well watered.
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• Nov. 4, 2005 - Story of my daughters names
The Lord has laid a story on my heart about sharing.
It is a lesson the Lord taught me a long time ago...almost 30 years
ago....Crystal was born on the 23 of December...My very best Christmas Gift!
We were in Missionary work under the Mennonite Church. It was called
Voluntary Service. Crystals dad and I were married young...right out of
highschool and we went to South Florida under the church to work with
migrant children. My Uncle started that work. This was a farming town and
the population would double during the season.
We had a childcare center. The kids were 2-school age. There were no
government programs at that point and so took care of many of there needs.
We had a used clothing building,worked with the heath department on the food
comedies that they were given, a guilt room where we had many sized quilts
that the Mennonite ladies made in Penna. A Toy room for the Christmas
project.
Seven of us lived in this big house and worked together. The childcare
center was open from 5AM until 7PM and during the big season it was open all
night. I was in charge of the house. I cooked for the staff and up to 100
kids a day...all 3 meals and 3 snack times. I taught a 5 year old school
class and did the laundry and kept the house. It was a lot of work but
rewarding! We were paid $10.00 a month the first year and $20.00 the second
year. Now we had food lodging and travel....We could go home 1 week a year.
We worked with mainly Mexican American Children, some Seminole Indian
Children and a few white Migrant Children. Add a few Puerto Rican and Cuban
and you see we had a wonderful mix! The families were hard to get to know
and we were each given 10 families we had to take care of and see they were
getting what they needed away form the center. We gave a lot of Spiritual
help to them.
I was given a Posada family and we grew very close. They had 2 precious
children...girls Chris and Lori. I spent probably 2 hours a week with them.
The dad was nice when I visited the home but distant. He had some church peo
ple help them in SC and they hurt him very bad. You see our families were
very clean and took pride in that. They mad have had mended clothes but
always clean ones and they came with their hair clean and fixed. Anyway this
church wanted to do a home mission movie about how they helped people and
asked him to make the kids dirty so they looked poor. What a mistake!
Anyway at the end of the 2 years I became pregnant and we were so excited
and Chris and Lori were told. Chris was 5 at the time and asked to be the
"godmother" and asked would we name the baby after her. Her full name was
Crysalada. I told her if it was a girl we would name her Crystal after her
and she said good and could I add Dawn because she always came to the center
at dawn. I liked that.
Now I want to tell you about where they lived so you will fully see the
sacrifice of giving...A 1 bedroom trailer. The landlords there were awful
and they paid $100.00 a week back than. There were holes in the floor and
we helped them fix it. The girls slept on a couch and the parents in a
almost double bed. They were hard working but rarely had groceries...no food
stamps than. Chis and Lori were dressed neatly and when they got used
clothing they needed it and instead of a handout she would come and help me
cook if it rained and they could not go to the fields to work. The year I
met them they lived in a tent camp and that was rough so they were so
thankful for this trailer. Angie, the mom miscarried 2 times that year while
she was picking tomatoes.
One day Chris said they were going to get me a crib. I thought that was "kid
talk". We did not have much there but had decided to stay and so he went
North and got our wedding gifts and nice furniture from both of our
families. We rented a small apartment next to my Uncle and family and
settled in. The Posada family visited when they could. Crystal was born
December 23 , a month early. I had to stay in the hospital a week because of
the awful flu going around and I had a tough time. The day we went home we
passed the Posada family heading for the big city. It was an hours drive. We
settled in and about 4 hours later there was a knock at the door. Now I was
using a bassinet but had the money for a crib. My now ex was working and we
were doing fine. Mr. Posada came to the door...now he had never come inside
our house...he asked my husband to come and help him...there was a brand new
crib. They all came in and Chris was thrilled I named her Crystal Dawn and
held her. They made us supper and the men put up the crib...Me Posada said
he was no longer a Mr. to us but a brother and we were to call him Jesse.
Why am I telling you this? Those 2 precious children chose to have no
Christmas toys so that Crystal could have a new crib. NO toys. They loved to
give. Now I made sure that they were included in the Christmas toy/clothing
give away from the church and they cried at the little they got and than
shared that with their cousins! Another thing I learned was that the family
ate beans and rice for 3 months to save for that gift. No meat just that and
fresh tomatoes.That is a lot for kids to do without!
My point to you all is this. We had so much more than they did...but they
wanted to give to us. Ladies that was a very humbling experience for us! You
see people need to give and they were not Christians but they showed me that
they saw a need...and they did not care if we had more than they did...they
wanted to share. They wanted to show their love and boy did they!
we remained close friend to them and I will share just one more thing....we
moved away but when we went back we always stopped by and they always
cooked...they had rented a small house...most of us would not live in it but
they were happy. I had helped Angie get a federal job at the school as a
aide and he started to work at driving some trucks to the field but he was
in a terrible accident and had to quit working. She carried the family....By
than I had lead her and the girls to the Lord. Anyway we were back and one
thing you could not do to that culture was remark about how pretty something
was or you would be given it. We only remarked about pictures because they
sure were proud of their kids! Anyway, we had told Crystal this and she was
now 5. They had 3 toys in the house and one was a large stuffed lion their
Uncle had won at a fair. Crystal said as we were leaving that she wanted her
daddy to get her one of these...and I cringed because as we goy into the
car there came Lori with tears going down her face and handing my daughter
that Lion. I tried to say no but Jesse walked over to me and asked if I was
too proud to take it and I needed to remember he was bringing up his family
to give not get as his parents had done with him. What do you say to that?
The Lion is falling apart and I think in a bag at Crystals but she sure has
treasured that!
By the way Nicole Angela was named 6 years later after the mother of these 2
girls...Angela.
Love,
Donna Godfrey who is crying as she writes this and who knows how blessed we
all are!
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• Nov. 4, 2005 - Make A Blessing Box...another Advent celebration
These are the direction for the blessing box,it
goes from Thanksgiving to
Christmas...You can also use any type of box
Make a small gold box or decorate an empty box to be used as a bank...Place
it in the middle of your kitchen
table and once a day for the next 38 days, you will be placing love
offerings in it....Decide with the Children who
you will donate the love gift...
Day 1...Friday after Thanksgiving....One out of 5 children live in poverty
lacking adequate clothing...Give 2 cents
for each pair of socks, tights, or pantyhose each child has
Day 2...Are you thankful for the gift of electricity? Give 2 cents for each
lightbulb in your house.
Day 3...Would you rather live in the dim light of candles? Give 2 cents for
each candle in your house.
Day 4...Most of the world's population lives beyond the rech of medical
care...Give 10 cents for each box of
bandaids in your house...An extra dime if they are not flesh colored.
Day 5...Are you thankful you have a rood and doors to keep out the wind and
rain? Give 10 cents for each
exterior door your house has.
Day 6...Are you thankful for all your clothes? Give a nickel for each closet
in your house.
Day 7...Are you glad you have indoor plumbling? Give 5 cents for every roll
of TP in your house, counting all the
stored away rolls.
Day 8...To people in refugee camps, even a thin sliver of soap is
precious...Give 5 cetns for each bar your family
has...A dime for each sopa pump.
Day 9...Think of something nice you can do for a poor family in your
community and do it today. Maybe give
them some homemade bread or make something special to brighten their day. If
you can't, put a dollar in the box
and be exceedingly grateful for all your own blessings.
Day 10...Do you walk to town to get a bucket of water for washing, drinking,
bathing or cooking? Or are you
blessed with faucets that bring precious water to you? Give 10 cents for
each faucet you have and dont forget the
outside ones.
Day 11...Still thinking of water, how did you get clean today? Give 10 cents
if you took a bath, 25 cents fpor a
shower.
Day 12...Most of the people in this workd are starving while Americans
biggest concern is being overweight. Put
in a penny for each pound your mother and father think they are overweight.
Day 13...What a blessing to be able to see and have eye doctors to help us.
Give 10 cents for each pair of glasses
your family members wear...And a quarter for each pair of sunglasses.
Day 14...Most people in the world are blind and do not have eye doctors to
help them. Give a quarter for each
person in your house that wears contact lenses.
Day 15...Jesus love the little children. Give thanks and a dollar for every
child in your family and do a secret good
deed for them today.
Day 16...How would you like to live in your car as some families do? Give a
dime for every vehicle in your family.
Day 17...What if you lived on the streets like so many in south America do?
Give thanks for your home and gove
5 cents for every pillow in your home...Dont forget the decorative ones
also.
Day 18...Epidemics often follow natural disasters. Give thanks if no one in
your house has been too sick this
month to go to work or school and donate 50 cents.
Day 19...The comfort of a clean bed in an undreamed of luxury for millions
in of the worlds poor people. Give 5
cemts fpr each bed in your house.
Day 20...Did a cozy blanket cover you last night? Give ap enny for every
blanket in your house.
Day 21...Was it cold enough to wear a coat today? Were you thankful for your
coat? Give a penny for every
coat, jacket or raincoat in your house.
Day 22...In some countries of the world, most people cant read. Are you
thankful you can read? Put in a penny
for every book in your home....(Yes, for most of us this is an expensive on)
Day 23...By now you have received may Christmas cards from many loving
friends and family members. Give a
penny for each card and be thankful for God's love.
Day 24...Most of the world's population has never seen a supermarket.
Instead of they scratch out their
sustenance with primitive tools. Give 5 cents for every garden tool in your
garage.
Day 25...Most people in the world cook over an open fire. Aren't you glad
your parents did not send your out to
chop wood this morning? Give 5 cents for every burner on your stove and a
nickel for every oven.
Day 26...Aren't you glad that you have people that love and think about you?
Put in 10 cents for each gift undser
the tree that us fir youy.
Day 27...Jesus was born and dies for you!!!!! Put ina dollar for every
peorson that has been baptized ad belives in
Christ!!!!!
Day 28...Unfortunate;y this is the time fo year in thich many people suffer
loss in house fires. Give 10 cents for
every phone in your house in which you can dial 911 in case of emergency.
Day 29...Many people in the world suffer excruciating pain from the lack of
dental care. Have you ever been
grateful for toothbrushes? Give 5 cents for every toothbrush in your house.
Day 30..Do yoy own a pet? Give a quater for each pet and say a prayer for
all the children in the work who cant
afford to feed themsleves let a lone a pet.
Day 31...Many children in the worlkd barely get one meal a day. How many did
you have. give thanks and five
cents for each meal and 10 cents for each snack today.
Day 32...Would you like ti have to walk to school, to church or the store?
Most eople in the world walk every
where they go...Give 10 cents for each bike, pair of skates, skateborad or
anything else that has wheels.
Day 33..."Give us this day our daily bread". Thanks God for feeding you
today and give one penny fir every slice
of bread in your house.
Day 34...Count all the can's in your cupboard or pantry. Give a penny for
each one of them as yout thank God for
the technology to can foods.
Day 35...Count all the packages of frozen foods and meat in your freezer,
Thank God for refridgeration and give a
penny for each you counted.
Day 36...Make al ist of all the fruits and vegetable God created that you
cna name, Put in a penny for each one of
the list.
Day 37. Many children in the world do not have a school to go to and barely
learn to read or write. Give a penny
for every pencil in your house.
Day 38...Most people in the world have never touched a computer. If there is
one in your home, put in 50 cents,
and extra for a scanner, 50 cents for the printer and and if you spend more
than an a hour each day on line...Give
an extra dollar!!
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• Nov. 4, 2005 - Advent Idea I used when Ryan was homeschooled
Today I want to share the project that Ryan and I have done for 5 years. If you choose to do it make the assignments what they can do.John and I will doing this year with some changes.
I write 25 projects on half of a index card. Than I wrap them in colorful
wrapping paper and put the day on the outside. (like Dec.7) I punch a whole
in the corner and attach a piece of colored curly ribbon. I curl the ends
and attach them to my decorated light above the dinningroom table. Each
morning at breakfast he pulls one down and does what it says. If you have
younger kids you can do other things. In years past we have made
a picnic basket lunch for the pastor and wife and delivered it. we would
write a note ahead and tell them we were giving them a gift of time...time
to spend with each other and tell them their lunch would be delivered. we
would do this on the day off and they always loved it!
*********************
Dec. 1
Choose 2 people you want to do secret things for.
Make a card and give it to one
(In the past I would chose a neighbor or 2 and we would drop things off on
their porch, ring the doorbell and run)
Dec. 2
Write a letter to someone and thank them for something.
You make sure you get it to the mailbox
Dec. 3
Today I made muffins for breakfast. I want you to wrap a few in plastic wrap and top with a bow and put a thank-you note to it and put it out for the mailman.
Dec.4
Today we will go and pick up and drop off a plant to the police or fire department
Dec. 5
Write a thank you note to a person from your past who has made a difference in your life.(like a coach,friend,Aunt,Uncle or teacher)
Dec. 6
We have made ice cube candles and today we will frost and decorate them.
Tonight when you go to work I want you to share one with a neighbor or mother of one of your friends. Have fun
and just let it on her desk wrapped and sign the card from someone that is
thankful for you.
Dec.7
All year we have collected and freshened up Teddy Bears. Today we will take
them to the police department for them to give to traumatized children.
Dec. 8
This is my birthday.....My gift from you is I do not have to ask you to do
anything twice and no attitudes.Do an act of kindness for someone.
Dec. 9
Put a gift in a neighbor's mail box.
Dec. 10
We have selected some gifts for the people you are going to surprise and
today you will slip one to each of them.
Dec. 11
Send a Christmas card to a relative. Write a letter with it.
Dec. 12
We have made angles as ornaments and today you will find a way to slip them to your secret friends.
This is our anniversary and so tonight we would like you to join us in our"fondue by the fireplace" and a movie. that will be your gift to us.
Dec.13
We have made cookies and today you will make 3 platters and we will take
them to 3 business places. One will be the drug store one will go to tthe break room at the local grocery store. You pick the 3rd.
Dec. 14
Today we will do something special for your grandparents by taking them lunch and spending the day with them.
Dec.15
Today we visit a retirement or nursing home and spend the afternoon talking
and visiting residents. We will take the 6 candy wreaths we have made and
give them.
Dec. 16
Today is shopping day and you will help people load their groceries into
their cars at the grocery store, or if it's raining, hold an umbrella for
them.
Dec.17
Buy a gift for a someone that needs some cheering up.
The money is in the jar marked for you to use on these projects.
Dec. 18
Today is Sat. and you and I will fix breakfast in bed for dad. Than you
spend a hour with him.
Dec. 19
This is Sunday.
Take a gift for the church secretary and put it on her desk.
Dec. 20
Take a small gift to each of you secret friends.
Dec. 21
Help pick up the trash along the road in our neighborhood. Than do something
special for someone along the way.
Dec. 22
Today we will take small arrangements we have made to go on meal trays to
"Meals on Wheels" that delivers meals to shut-ins.
December 23
Take the special gifts we bought to the special friends. This time you will
ring the doorbell and stay so you can visit with them.
Dec. 24
Today you will write a thank-you notes to go on the plate of all that will
have Christmas here. Make it attractive. You might want to use the place
cards I have printed off the computer.
Dec. 25
Be loving and kind today for it is the Jesus birthday.
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• Nov. 4, 2005 - Prayer Clock for the Nation
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We need to teach our kids this too and this prints off good!
I know that for me I had to ask the Lord to forgive me for not praying more
in earnest for each person in our govenment. I know the president is important
but sisters we need good men and women to back this man up....and when we do
not know the people at the local level we are letting the president get by
with whoever....does that make sense?
Anyway let's pray....for revival for each of us, our churches and community
and than the nation.
Love,
Donna Godfrey
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About Me
Life has had many hard places for me but through it all I have come to see I must be thankful for all the Lord has done for me.
This blog will share my daily journey.
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