Happy Valentine's Day

This is one card Hallmark won't ever sell...

I'm one of those people who choke a little on spending $5 or $6 on a card that will eventually end up in the trash. And it usually doesn't matter if it's Valentine's Day or birthdays or special holidays. I'm a cheapskate. Over the years I've tried to be creative and will actually make something special. But sometimes it's easier to pick one off the shelf. That's what I did this year.

The card above is one I found from Mr. Wonderful a couple of years ago on Valentine's Day. It was right there for everyone to see. Right smack dab in the middle of the kitchen table! I left it there all day long until eventually I had to scoop it up and well, you know. There was a little love note left beside this card on the table, but the truth is, I've never forgotten this creative I Love You from my husband.

I hope your Valentine's Day is filled with love and many wonderful things that hold lasting memories. Long after the roses have faded and the chocolate box contains only crumpled papers, it's all the little things, all wrapped-up together, that make life special. Those things remain.

Hugs and kisses,

My Times are in Your Hands

Looking out our back door last January

Today is December 1st. We woke-up to find a candy coating of snow on everything outside and, even now, it is snowing. It's pretty to watch snow as it slowly falls from the sky and changes the landscape. I knew it would arrive sometime...snow. I'll admit that I'm glad it has held off until now. With Christmas just around the corner, snow seems more appropriate some how. It didn't snow here in November. That's not normal for our neck of the woods. But then again, things haven't been normal around here for quite some time.

Mr. Wonderful has been without a paycheck for quite some time. He found himself receiving an unemployment check this past June for the very first time in his life. Like so many other small business owners, the family business that has employed most of his family and many others for the past twenty-five years has come to an end. It has been heartbreaking to watch the slow death of this once vibrant and growing company. I would liken it to the death of a close family member as you helplessly watch them suffer and slowly die. It's been horrible. And it's been extremely difficult knowing there's absolutely nothing anyone can do to stop it. So, a set of parents, their five sons and their families, along with almost a hundred other employees and their families have all had to say goodbye. Even as I write this, I still cannot believe it.

It has been so hard watching my husband spend 8 to 10 hours a day, just looking for work. In today's world, everything is done on-line. Resumes are submitted on-line. Extensive applications are entered on-line. Hour and a half long tests, countless times, are taken on-line. Interviews are given on-line. Psychological tests are given on-line. And my favorite, writing poetry in order to even enter into the on-line application process. I kid you not. Once when he tried to contact a company by phone, he was told that if they allowed applicants to call in to ask questions, they would have to hire two full-time people just to answer the phones. Brutal is an understatement. The reasons for what seemed like endless rejections were even harder to comprehend.

And so yesterday morning our family gathered around the kitchen table to pray. And once again, in thankfulness, we called upon the Lord to hear our prayers and answer them according to His will. He alone knows our future. Surely the Lord sees what we cannot. We have continually prayed we would "consider it all joy" and learn the many lessons He has for us. We prayed we would be found faithful and not falter through these difficult times. I am ashamed to admit that I have stumbled many times.

Yesterday we found ourselves, like so many others, receiving our last unemployment check. Twenty-six weeks goes by quickly when you're not working. It's not much, but it was enough for us to help keep our nose above water. When you read the statistics that most families are two paychecks away from homelessness, we recognized God's provisions for our family. While we have exhausted much of our resources over the past 18 months, we are thankful we had resources to draw from.

Have you ever heard that saying, God is NEVER late but seldom early? Last night Mr. Wonderful received an e-mail which contained the first of its kind. A job offer...a job offer that exceeded any expectations. And they wanted to know if he could start on Monday.

How do you respond to that? Is "thank you" really enough? We gathered again as a family and through many tears thanked God for His mercy. We prayed our memories would not be found on the short side, like the Israelites' when they left Egypt, but that we would remember this time, for all time.

I found myself early this morning pondering what had transpired over the past 24 hours. I want so much to remember that moment in time when we discovered God's hand in our lives. It felt like the last possible moment to us. I know it didn't seem that way to Him. He knows all things and sees all things. His timing is perfect.

From Babbie Mason's Trust His Heart...

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When don't see his plan
When you can't trace his hand
Trust His Heart

In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. ...I trust in you, LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hands. Psalm 31:1-2, 14-15

With a thankful heart and overwhelming joy,

Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

This no longer looks as appetizing as it did a few days ago...

A plate filled with food on Thanksgiving Day

Starting at noon on the plate above:

Old World Stuffing (my very own creation which includes Tuscany bread, bacon, walnuts and apples)
A tiny dollop of cranberry sauce
Yes, that is the very famous Carrot Souffle
Awesome Broccoli Cheese Casserole with both Ritz Crackers and French Fried Onions on top
Sweet Potato Casserole with roasted pecans in butter and brown sugar
A slice of ham and turkey
Your basic frozen shoe peg corn microwaved before serving...
and in the middle, roasted garlic mashed potatoes with turkey gravy (the gravy was from a jar this year and, well, it worked for me since no one else here likes gravy).

Rachel made four fabulous pies: two pumpkin, one peanut butter, and one coconut cream. Dear goodness, this girl can cook!

And, no, we did not eat four whole pies! We took them to a get together with family later in the day. Thank you, very much!

I've hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our home for the past thirteen years. In all those years, I've never taken a photo of a plate filled with food. I suppose it was because there was between 20 and 25 hungry people milling about as I finished mashing the potatoes (always the last thing I do before dinner is served) and as my dear aunts helped make the gravy and slice the turkey or rib roast or ham. I was always too busy to take pictures and by the time things had settled down, I wanted to sit down with everyone else.

This year was different. It was just us. Four people. We decided to do things quite differently. Rachel set a formal table using our wedding China, silver, and crystal. We decided against the white linen table cloth although we splurged and used the white linen napkins. She insisted on lighting long white taper candles. And so we ate our Thanksgiving dinner with the lights off and the candles flickering. It was a lovely atmosphere and I am thankful for the memory. This was the first year I slept in. And this was the first year I took a nap in the afternoon. I must say, I liked it!

Now, rewind to four days before Thanksgiving.

We went to church and came home knowing we had a short break before we had to leave for Rachel's piano recital. The moment I walked in the door from church, I knew something was wrong. The house was cold. I peeked at the thermostat and sure enough it was cold as it read 65 degrees (we keep the house at 68 during the day). Mr. Wonderful went downstairs and discovered that, once again, the ignitor on the furnace had died. I think this is the third or fourth time this has happened in 15 years. He called the heating and cooling company (remember, it's Sunday) and within a few minutes received a call from the repairman telling him he would arrive at 1 o'clock...exactly the same time we need to be at Rachel's recital. He explained our predicament to the guy, but realized heat in the house was more important than a recital. And so it was decided that Mr. Wonderful would stay home while the kids and I headed for the recital. Within about three minutes, the phone rang again. It was the repairman. He had received a repair call just a few minutes before ours. He called them, told them our situation, and asked if they would switch appointments. Amazingly, they agreed to switch. Even more, he was pulling into our driveway as he spoke!

And so what did Yours Truly do? Why she stood in the kitchen and started sobbing. Because she was thankful? No. Because she was not thankful. She was having a big fat pity party for herself. She could not find a moment of thankfulness in that situation even though it appeared to be a small miracle...a repairman at your house within five minutes, a problem fixed in an hour, and everyone able to go to the recital without delay. No, I wasn't thankful. I was angry.

A dear friend reminded me later that day of the song that ends with these words:

"You give and take away,
You give and take away,
my heart will choose to say,
Lord, blessed be your name."

Well, it's been feeling like a lot of take away for quite some time now and on this particular Sunday, I am sorry to say that I didn't respond with, "Lord, blessed be your name."

Fast forward to the morning after Thanksgiving.

We had made it a very late night on Thanksgiving after visiting with family until midnight. We came home and decided to watch a movie together and so we didn't crawl into bed until after 2:30 a.m. I can't even remember the last time we stayed up that late, or that early, I should say. Anyway, I was the first one up. Jesse puppy was eagerly waiting for me since it was past her regular breakfast time. As I walked into the kitchen and around the island, I stepped into puddle of water. Is it water? Hmmm. Yep, it's water. Actually, it's a huge puddle of water right in front of the refrigerator. So, I open the refrigerator and quickly discover that it had died. And it had been dead for a while because everything in the refrigerator door and freezer door was warm. A few things in the front of the freezer were also thawed, but for the most part, everything was still frozen since the items were stacked closely together.

What a difference five days can make. And knowing dear friends are praying for you. Thank you, dear friends! Instead of standing there and sobbing into the big puddle of water on the floor as I held a bag of warm soggy strawberries, I thanked God the refrigerator didn't die on the morning of Thanksgiving. It could have, but it didn't. It died after Thanksgiving. And, thankfully, we have a smaller refrigerator in the basement where we carried the frozen food and the food that could be salvaged from the refrigerator. I am so thankful!

Oh, that God would find me faithful to be thankful no matter the circumstances. He gives and takes away. He gives and takes away.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

A God Day

A gentle reminder that spring wasn't too long ago


UPDATE ON CARLEE

I woke up early this morning to find an e-mail from Carlee's mama. In a matter of seconds, I went from rubbing my eyes awake to instantly crying. And crying.

Here's part of what Carlee's mama said:

Dear friends,

Today I was reminded of a Bible verse I had been praying for Carlee last spring; it's from Dueteronomy 33:26-27:

There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!'

I again started praying that verse and asking God to destroy any cancer in Carlee and to be her refuge; to hold her up with His everlasting arms. Yesterday they repeated the CT scan, and this time were able to inject the high pressure dye. This afternoon she met with her oncologist, and I just received a call from her and she said her doctor can find NO SIGN OF CANCER IN HER BONES OR IN HER BRAIN!!! Thank you LORD!! We just cried and laughed together, praising our Creator for His mercy and love. And I thank Him for all of you who have been praying and encouraging us. She still has a lot of tests and appointments in the next couple of days, one being a liver MRI, trying to figure out why she's having these strange symptoms. But her doctor said he's not expecting to find anything on it, and as far as he's concerned, she's cancer free! What wonderful words to hear!!

Isn't that the most wonderful news? We are giving thanks and praising the Lord!

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. Psalm 31:19

Carlee's sister, Dani, has a beautiful blog we love reading. It's called The Invisible Realities and it's over there on the right margin too. She has a wonderful update on Carlee today as well. You can read her words here. If you are reading this after today, Dani's post is dated September 30th.

My dear Aunt Elle greeted me yesterday with a post which read, "A God morning to you too!" Later when she re-read it, she thought it was a mistake. I personally thought it was a wonderful greeting and it gave me something to ponder upon.

And this morning, well, it was a God morning too!

A God day to all of my friends,

Today is a Great Day!

Let me introduce you to the Waldorf

It's important to have a good sense of humor, don't you think? Yes, this is the Waldorf. The Waldorf is the latrine used by all the campers. Instead of being scented with the classic Blenheim Bouquet fragrance (a subtle, gender-free melange of citrus, musk and pine...taken right from the Waldorf Astoria's website), I suppose its fragrance was more reminiscent of, well, a great big outhouse. What exactly would you expect in the middle of the nowhere?

I guess I was expecting a little bit more.

Because of the very long drive, we made reservations to stay over one night in the area. I quickly discovered that most places were filled with guests. I did find a nearby establishment and when I called to make reservations they told me their facilities were just like a hotel. "Oh, I can handle that," said I. I didn't need anything fancy, but I really had no desire to sleep in a tent nor a tipi for that matter. Imagine our surprise to walk into our hotel room and discover the following amenities missing:

- air conditioning
- television
- radio
- telephone
- coffee machine
- shampoo and blow dryer
- ice bucket

Mr. Wonderful walked down to the lobby to inquire about the air conditioning. The older gentleman working behind the counter half-smiled and snickered at the same time and said, "Sir, you're in the middle of the mountains. There's no air conditioning here." Oh. Thank the Lord, our room did have a bathroom. We did not have to use a latrine! Or should I say, the Waldorf!

Insert drastic subject change here...

Rachel and I went to the post office this morning before heading out to have the kids' school portfolios reviewed. When Rachel walked out smiling and waving an envelope, I knew what she had in her hand. It was a letter from Caleb! We were not expecting to receive anything until at least tomorrow, maybe Friday. What a wonderful surprise! I promised Mr. Wonderful that when the time came and the first letter arrived, I would call him so we could read Caleb's letter together. And so that's exactly what I did.

I'm going to share it here because the letter contained more than two words!

On the front of the card he wrote:

Hi! Boss

Flipping it open, this is what he wrote:

Hi, M and D and R

I'm having a lot of fun, taking pics, and making friends, 5 of um. I'm sleeping well, and the food is amazing. Oh, and Boss at camp means awesome, beak means lame, etc.

Love u guys,
Caleb

And there you have it. Receiving this letter made my day...maybe even my week! Those three words "fun" and "sleeping well" did this mother's heart much good. Mr. Wonderful's heart was filled too.

Then, this afternoon, I received an e-mail from the camp director (all the camper families receive this). Here's part of what it said:

This session we are studying King David. David is 'da man', but not only for what he did (slaying giants and enemies), but more for who he was. We'll emphasize the importance of being God's man as a pre-requisite to doing God's work. We're memorizing Psalm 119:9-20 for 3000-12. Pray for hearts of campers and staff that they might know Jesus more fully and follow Him without reserve.

I looked up the Bible verses and here's what they're memorizing:

Psalm 119:9-20 (ESV)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.

Our prayers for our son have been that Caleb:

• Grow in wisdom (with God and men)
• Strength of character
• Protection (physically and spiritually)
• Develop lifelong friendships
• God’s calling upon his life
• Patient and attentive spirit
• Portrays honor, honesty and humility
• Leadership and courage

Once again, I have freshly discovered that the Lord goes before us and prepares the way of our journey long before we even take that very first step. He sets everything in motion at that perfect moment in time.

Today is a great day and I am so very thankful!

P.S. I think the reference to 3000-12 means 3000 push-ups while memorizing 12 verses!

Unexpected Blessings

Last week held a few wonderful little surprises for me. One of them was a last minute get together with my sister-in-love, Julie, and her two younglings, Evan and Allison (aka Ally-Bug). We all witnessed with our very own eyes little Ally-Bug crawl for the first time. And if that wasn't enough, this little six-month old mozied on over to the step which goes from our great room to the kitchen. She had her eyes on Jesse puppy who was asleep under the kitchen table. That little stinker went from crawling to climbing in a matter of minutes! Of course we couldn't help ourselves and cheered her on, giving her a wild round of applause. I'm afraid for you, my dear sister-in-love!

After spending the afternoon together, we hopped into our cars and headed over to a nearby DQ for a cold treat on such a hot and humid day. So imagine my surprise when we arrived home to hear Caleb say, "Mama, have you been in the bathroom?" Drawing out my answer in a very concerned way, I say, "Noooooo." "Well, I think you need to go into the bathroom." My mind is imagining something terrible like an overflowing toilet or a creepy creature of some sort. But he quickly added, "Don't worry, everything's OK." So picture this--the entire family walks together and slowly enters the bathroom. And this is what we find...


Do you see it?


Oh, look! It's a present for Yours Truly! My sister-in-love, as sweet as anyone could ever be, left behind this beautiful card and precious angel. Honestly, it made my day. No, it made my week.

So, my friends, here's a wonderful idea for you to encourage someone special. Be sure to leave your little blessing in an unexpected place.

Last Monday night I called my dear friend, Mrs. Nagy, and invited her to join Rachel and me for an impromptu trip to Amish Country. Tuesday morning we headed out with something very specific in mind. I was on a quest, you know. I think I might have mentioned it a few posts back. I want to make a quilt just for me.

Here's what I came home with...


Beautiful, don't you think? Yes, I know it will be a very long time before this quilt is finished, but I just couldn't wait to show off the gorgeous fabric we found. It was so much fun shopping for fabric. Who knew? The colors will look beautiful with the furniture in our great room. Oh, I cannot wait! Can you even believe it? I can't.

And here's one last little tidbit, completely unrelated except by the title of this post, I thought I'd share with you. I was reminded of it last night while we were at church. I heard this many, many years ago and included it in a Bible study Rachel and I went through together. Post it on your refrigerator. Teach it to your children. Have them memorize it.

Sow a thought, reap an act.

Sow an act, reap a habit.

Sow a habit, reap a character.

Sow a character, reap a destiny.

We were reminded once again last evening that following Jesus is very serious business. Watch your life and your doctrine carefully.

Your friend,

Determined and Devoted

Once upon a time...


Mama Robin builds a beautiful nest and lays four perfect blue eggs. The four eggs hatch, but the very next day a predator comes along and decides to (gulp) eat those little hatchlings for lunch.

Mama Robin flies away very sad, but remembers her beautiful nest. A few weeks later, she comes back to her nest and lays two perfect blue eggs.

Mama Michelle tries to keep predators away by opening a huge patio umbrella so the hungry predators can't find this little Robin family. Mama Robin is happy. Mama Michelle is happy.



Baby Robin can't see anything at all, but knows his loving Mama Robin will be there to protect and feed him. Baby Robin is waiting for his little sister to hatch. And she does the very next day.

Just after hatching, big storms come to town. It rains and rains and rains.

The rains finally stop so Mama Michelle can peek in on Mama Robin's babies. My goodness, they have grown so much!



The baby Robins don't move while their picture is taken. They don't want anyone to know they are there. Shhhhh. We won't tell anyone, will we?



If you listen very carefully, you will hear Bold Baby Robin say, "Hey! My Mama's gonna get you if you don't leave us alone. You hear me? I'm serious!"

Baby Robin doesn't realize that Mama Robin loves Mama Michelle. Really.



The very next day, Bold Baby Robin jumps out of the nest, onto a patio chair, and listens to his mama coaxing him to a nearby tree. His little sister soon follows. Mama Robin is seen carrying worms back and forth to her little fledglings who are now learning to fly.

Just yesterday Mama Michelle saw Bold Baby Robin. He looked at her very sweetly as if to say, "Hello! I know you! Mama says to tell you, 'Thanks so much!'"

And that, my friends, is the story of a determined and devoted Mama Robin and her little family.

The End.

Random Beauty

One of seven vases filled to overflowing


I wish you could smell the fragrance

It seems my mind has been unable to join more than a couple of sentences together of late. Too much going on, I suppose. Here's a few rambling thoughts that have been stirring around in my brain...

Is it possible that all of my peonies have bloomed, been picked, arranged in seven vases, and placed in rooms throughout the house. The beautiful fragrance of peonies has been everywhere. After almost two weeks, sad as it made my heart, they were gathered together and thrown away. But not until my face was buried in the depths of the soft pillowy petals and I took one last very long and deep breath as a way to remember their fragrance until next year.

Isaac Shaw, a pastor from North India, spoke at our church a few weeks ago. I have not been able to shake from my mind his words that day. I hope to write about it soon (although you can hear it here... www.parksidechurch.com/learn/sermons, May 16, 2010, archive). If they had failed in Chapter 1, they would have failed in Chapter 3. A compromised lifestyle eliminates the possibility of standing for Jesus. Referring to Daniel Chapter 1 and Daniel Chapter 3.

This is one of the first hymns I taught my children many years ago. This verse in particular has been on my heart.

This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.

Maltbie D. Babcock
1858-1901

Every year I plant annuals. A lot of annuals...7 to 10 flats worth. I used to plant them in the ground. Then I moved to pots and in the ground. Last year was the first time I planted all the flowers in pots, all 20 pots worth. I found pots were a little more difficult for the chipmunks to destroy the flowers when they burrowed under them. That is, until this year. My biggest pot, filled with beautiful impatiens, has been destroyed. One. flower. at. a. time. I have no idea how (it's not slugs), but every flower has been clipped off at the base. So far, none of the other pots have been attacked. Just this one. The really big pot. The one with a zillion flowers. One. flower. at. a. time. I guess this is payback for not planting any in the ground. Nice.

I was reminded last night as I stood at my counter making a coconut cream pie (to take to my dear friend, Teri's, this afternoon) that it wasn't too long ago that the thought of making a pie made me sweat. Honestly, I would never have even given it a thought...making a pie. As I stood there rolling out the pie crust, I found myself so thankful for the opportunity to make something and give it to someone else. It's always good to give. A smile. A hug. A tissue. A pie. Time.

The sun is shining. The sky is blue. The grass is green. The roses are red. The lavender is purple. The day lillies are yellow. The hydrangeas are just starting to bloom and they are blue and pink. It's a rainbow of random beauty just for today.

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

Allan Pinkerton of the secret service, President Lincoln, and Major General John McClernand, 1862


Abraham Lincoln
The Gettysburg Address
November 19, 1863

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met here on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But in a larger sense we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled, here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but can never forget what they did here.

It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

God Bless our Troops and God Bless America.

I am thankful to be an American today and always,