22 Dec

Praying

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

This week as I was busy going here and there….I stopped for some traffic to go past…it was then that I suddenly noticed a flag directly in front of me…. flying half mast.

Instantly, I knew why………..my heart sank.  I didn’t know it had much further to sink….

My heart has hurt and my stomach has been sick since the tragedy happened last week in Newtown.  It’s that looming gross feeling that you just can’t seem to shake.

I can’t get the families off my mind….so I pray… extra special prayers for them.

With Christmas just days away…. I ask you to please pray.

May God comfort them and wipe away their tears as only He can do.

 

 

11 Days before Christmas 2012
T’was  11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air,

They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say,

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

“This is heaven.” declared a small boy. “We’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same,

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

And in that moment was joy that only heaven can bring

Those children all flew into the arms of their King.

And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

One small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”

Then He looked down on earth, the world far below,

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.

Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”

“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools,”

“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”

Then He and the children stood up without a sound,

“Come now my children, let me show you around.”

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran,

All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

“In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

( shared from CBS Connecticut WTIC News Talk 1080 site)

20 Dec

Seeing stars…..

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: .

The other day I had heard that it was going to be a great time to see a beautiful display of stars.  I made a mental note to be sure to take a look that evening.  The day progressed and….well….”the ole brain ain’t what it used to be”…. I forgot.  Around 8:00 that night I was puttering around in the kitchen and Billy went to the car to get something.  He came rushing back into the house and said…grab some coveralls and come see this!

If he says coveralls…then he thinks its cold….if Billy thinks it is cold….then it IS cold.  It dawned on me what the excitement was all about….. the stars.  I turned the stove off, hurried to the closet for coveralls….rustled through the drawers to find gloves.  Oh…wait…maybe I should get an extra sweater to wear under the coveralls.  It was about that time that Billy came back in and said….what in the world is taking so long?  He quickly grabbed a hat for each of us and out the door we went.  We loaded up on the golf cart and took a ride to the lake.  It was dark there…we were away from the street lights and the glow of any city lights.  We were pretty sure we would have a good view.

We unloaded from the cart, tilted our heads to the great big sky, waited and watched.  The stars were numerous and bright.  In just a matter of minutes I saw a streak of light shoot across the sky.  It was so fast I couldn’t even point to it before it was gone.   This happened several more times.  We counted each one as we spotted them.  We never could tell the other one where to look, before it would disappear.  But inevitably…. we would try.   Funny….the cold wasn’t a problem…seems that paled in comparison to the event unfolding.

I had only seen one shooting star before this night.   Billy and I had gone out for a boat ride, a date, the second time we had ever gone out together.  Over 18 years ago. We went to a cave opening… by water… and watched the bats make their great exit at dusk.  As we were leaving we came up on someone who had engine trouble…so we towed their boat back.   It became very dark….there were no city lights, no other distractions.  All that to say that it was dark…..and we were going slow……..so we had a lot of time to talk and star gaze.  It was then….on that date….that I saw my very first shooting star.  I remember there seemed to be a million and one stars in the sky that night.  I thought it was amazing that I just so happened to be looking in the right direction… at the right time… to see it.

I wonder how many times there had been some, but I never, ever saw them…..in all those previous years of  my life.  I just never really looked for them.  Too busy with other things that surrounded me…..distractions….and no real desire to look.

I went to see our granddaughter Layla  in her Christmas program last week.  I didn’t know that she was a “star”….in more than one way that day.  Of course she in turn made me beam as she reached through the only opening she had…at her face…waved her little hand and said…..hey ME ME!!!…when she spotted me in the crowd.

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There she is…with the shepherds.

As I looked as those precious stars and adorable shepherds….I thought about ” that”  night.  The night that Jesus was born.  I am pretty sure the shepherds were used to seeing a million and one stars in the sky…night after night.  I wonder if they happened to be talking and actually star gazing…on that particular night.   Or was it only after an Angel of the Lord came to them …when the Glory of the Lord shone round about them…..that they really noticed all the stars that were in the sky.

And what about the special star that was set in the sky…to show the wise men where they could find Jesus.  It must have been remarkable…surely others saw it….wonder why others didn’t come.  Maybe they weren’t looking for anything special or were too busy with their surroundings to notice anything really different.  Or just didn’t care to look.

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It was pretty precious seeing all these little ones portraying the Christmas story.  These angels were sweetly singing.

Scriptures tell us….the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men”.   Now that is remarkable.  Can you even imagine.  It says that the shepherds were afraid.  I can certainly understand why.  Then they were told not to be afraid….that a Savior was born that day…and where they could find him.

I think that is pretty neat….because they didn’t let fear stop them.  Even the fear of what others would think of them….they just went….. they searched for Him.  Think about trying to explain all that to someone else.

Layla was one of the stars near the stable….but not the one directly behind it.

Before the children exited the stage…I noticed Layla quickly ran over to take a good look at baby Jesus….laying in the manger.

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I suppose curiosity got the best of her.

It reminded me of the first night I ever saw a shooting star.  I once again felt fortunate.  Fortunate that I just happened to be looking at the right time….to see this “precious star”….looking for Jesus.  It melted my heart that she just had to go see Him….for herself.

That is exactly what the shepherds did.  Scriptures tell us that …as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.  Just as they had been told.

A few weeks ago…I helped Layla hang a few ornaments on the tree at their house.  She could hardly wait until it was time to put on the star . Finally, it was time.  Her father lifted her up onto his shoulders… she eagerly… but carefully placed the star on the very top of their Christmas tree.

I helped secure it and took that time to explain what the star symbolized.  I couldn’t tell if she fully understood.

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So the other day when I saw her in her costume, I thought it was really neat that she was able to play the part of a star.  She was able to hear the good news of our Savior’s birth….and go check out for herself….what was in that manger.

I think telling others about Jesus is a lot like Billy and I trying to tell each other about the beauty of the shooting star.  It is impossible to fully explain.  I know I had to do like the shepherds did. I had to go….and see for myself what the Lord has made known to us…..through His Word.    I let curiosity get the best of me.

I started searching the scriptures..I saw things for the very first time….things that were remarkable.

Sometimes God shows me things when I’m not really even looking for them….but, I really see amazing things when I truly search… by studying His Word.  I have to focus on Him…and not let the distractions of things around me interfere.

God reveals himself to each of us even today…if we take time….. to look.

Just as He revealed Himself so many years ago.

Remarkable!

Jeremiah 29:13

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

13 Dec

Then there were six…..

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It seems as if there is always something going on since we moved to the land.  The other morning I went to the coop and let the girls out.  I counted as they waddled out of their little coop opening.  Softly cooing as they scampered down the walk board, they are just full of energy in the mornings. I counted only six….as I made my way into the coop I looked for the missing hen.  There she was….pretty as a picture…sitting in her little hen box.

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She was working real hard, trying to produce an egg.  I couldn’t leave….I just had to hang out for a little while…hoping to catch it in action.   Sure enough, after a few more minutes, she laid an egg…right there for me to see.  I tell you…..it is just a little miracle.  Every time I see that happen I stand in total amazement.

I notice that the hen tends to stand over the egg for just a minute while the shell dries….causing it to harden.  It is the neatest thing.  She took her foot and rolled it over a tad, then exited the hen box.  She scooted down the walk board and headed to the feed.  By this time several of the other girls had come back into the coop….cackleing….as hens do.  It is too cute.   They all have such personality.  One of them likes to stand at my feet while I scoop out the feed and put it into the container.  She likes for me to put some in my hand and offer it to her.  She gets all excited when I lower my hand and let her feed from it.  I was a little scared to do this the first time…..thinking… what is going to happen if she misses the food and gets my hand?  Well….I found out…because that does happen from time to time…but surprisingly enough…it feels like a tug…it doesn’t hurt.  So that has become a regular thing and it seems that we both enjoy that time together.

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This is a picture from a different day…but our routine is the same.

I love it when the girls stop and give me a photo opportunity….such as this one.

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The other night after work I went to check on May, our goat.  She is nice and round…I do not know exactly when she got pregnant…but I have a general idea.  You can’t go on the fact that they are just…. Round…but taking that and my calculations into consideration….hopefully…. I am at least close to predicting the date.  So…I opted to pin her up so I could help her IF she needs it in the near future.  Besides, being pinned up is like staying at a goat hotel.  She gets a lot of extra’s…..I am not seeing her complain about the accommodations….if you know what I mean.

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This picture was actually taken back at the end of November…..before I put her up.  She’s a cute little Mama to be.

It’s been about a week since she entered the goat hotel.   Thus far, when I go over to the farm to take a good look at her….she just looks right back at me.  Nothing happening…..yet.  However…..I am anxiously waiting.

It gets dark so early this time of year…it makes it hard to check on everyone in the evenings.  Billy and I decided to divide and conquer…the other night after work.  I was to check on May…and Billy said he would put the girls up.

May and I exchanged “LOOKS” once again and then I headed toward the house.

Billy was still at the chicken coop.  I slowed the car down and saw that he was in the adjoining woods with a flashlight.  I stopped and observed….. up and over came one of the girls….her feet hit the ground running as she scooted as fast as she could to the coop door.  He stayed in the woods for a few minutes longer.  I didn’t have a good feeling about what I was seeing.  Sure enough, a few minutes later he came to the car and said….and then there were six.

When you see this….it is NOT a good sign.

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It literally made me sick to my stomach.  Apparently something reached through the fence and attacked one of the girls.

I’m not sure why the other hen was on the outside of the fence when Billy arrived.  Possibly she got frightened when the other hen was attacked and flew over.  Billy said she was trying so hard to get back into the fence.  She ended up alright…but the other hen….not a good ending.

Possibly you remember that we lost our rooster and a hen while we were on our Mission trip a few weeks ago.  The hen disappeared, leaving nothing but a mound of feathers.   The rooster lost his head….and many feathers.   This latest attack was another one where the head was taken off…..but she was left….laying in a pile of feathers.  I spared you from having to see that part.  I buried her before taking this picture.  It is a very sad thing to have any of our critters die….especially like that.

I made the girls stay in the house the next day.  The coop is big enough for them to meander around….but they would rather be outside.  I just couldn’t think about having to bury another one.  I was also in hopes that whatever had been lurking around might go away if the hens weren’t out for a day or so.    Meanwhile, I have been thinking about how I can better secure their surroundings.  I know these things are going to happen from time to time…but I sure DON’T like it.

I suppose when you have animals…you have to take all the good excitement along with all the bad excitement.

Even though I never was able to name each hen….because I still can’t tell them apart….I find that I still get attached to them.

Hopefully, we will just have  good excitement for a while.

I am on a quest to find more girls to add to the coop…and another rooster.

And I will be busy…. securing their area….trying to make it as safe as I can.

Ah….the ups and downs of farm living.

All life is beautiful…..precious…..and fragile.

10 Dec

Thinking about Mary…..

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I went to a baby shower this weekend for our daughter Holly.  She is due in February.    Her body shape is showing that the time is drawing closer.  Hard to believe…. seems like she just shared the ultra sound picture with us the other day.   Amazing how early they can tell if it will be a girl or a boy.  You couldn’t really even tell she was expecting.  Now she is experiencing all the normal pregnancy issues, tiredness and trouble getting comfortable.

Everyone is different and every expectant mother will experience some things the same and some things differently.  But most mothers can recall many things that they went through….even many years after child birth.  I found it to be the most wonderful miracle I have ever been able to be a part of.  Amazing how you can fall in love with that little person…before you even lay eyes on them.  Before you have a personality to put with them.

With the Christmas season, I couldn’t help but think about Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I suppose too…. just coming back from a mission trip… made me think about possibly similar conditions in which she might have lived.  No running water, no electricity… she would have experienced those things for sure.  Many people even today all across the world still experience those conditions.

We gathered together Saturday with great excitement over our new little fellow that will be joining us soon.  There were gifts of cute clothes, towels and blankets just waiting for his arrival.  We had blue punch, cupcakes with blue icing, and lots of finger foods as family shared in the celebration.

I wonder if Mary had a baby shower?  Did her Mom, Aunts, cousins and nieces gather together for a celebration of Jesus’ arrival?

Did she have someone make her some cute little boy clothes…or a handmade baby blanket?   We don’t know for sure…scriptures do not say…and where scripture is silent we need not add words.  It does make one think though.  There are some things that scripture does tell us.  When Mary was first told that she would carry Jesus…she was told about her relative Elizabeth.  Elizabeth had not been able to have any children.  The angel informed Mary that Elizabeth was expecting.  Mary went to see Elizabeth and found that she was six months along with John (the Baptist) just as the angel had said.  Scripture tells that when Elizabeth was greeted by Mary…..John the Baptist gave a leap for joy inside her womb!   How exciting!!!

The circumstances of an angel coming to a virgin girl and declaring her to be the chosen one to carry the Christ Child was probably not celebrated outwardly from the village people.  Maybe there were many days when Mary felt excluded or slighted by her friends and possibly even family members.  Not to mention Joseph.  Scripture tells us that Joseph wasn’t too sure about all of this news either.  Then it goes on to tell us that an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream.  The angel explained the details and told him that it was alright to take Mary as his wife, then he understood.  Still….there were probably whispers and smirks that both had to endure.

Holly is entering the last stages of her pregnancy…they are already preparing to stay home and have a quiet Christmas.  No traveling…the doctor would rather her not.  Now…I think about Mary…she had to travel by animal or foot no less…right at the time of her due date.  WOW.  I cannot imagine how she must have felt.

One of the things I vividly remember about my pregnancy was how swollen my feet would get.  I was a cosmetologist and stood up all day on concrete floors, I continued to work up to a week after my due date.  At the end of the day I would go home and elevate my feet on pillows, trying to get the swelling to subside.  It wasn’t terrible…it just wasn’t comfortable.  The very thought of having to walk miles and miles or ride on an animals back for hours upon hours is just mind boggling to me.  Mary must have been a very strong woman….physically.  She must have also been very strong emotionally.  She had left her home…and her family.  That meant that she would have this baby….her first child on top of that….without the moral support of her family being by her side.  Yes, she had Joseph…..and I can only imagine that he must have been really nervous.  No cell phones…to call a doctor…or her Mom for advice or just to hear some words of comfort from someone with experience.  She must have been a very strong woman Spiritually too.  She had trusted the Lord thus far, surely she felt the presence of the Lord with her at that very difficult time.

An Angel appeared to some shepherds tending some sheep…..we know that they believed what they were told…because they hurried to the stable.  They found baby Jesus lying in the manger.

However, we really don’t know who was there to help Mary or Joseph with the delivery…the very moment he drew his first breath.  Possibly it was just the two of them….experiencing this miracle that they were told would come to pass.  They knew even without the technology of an ultrasound ….that they would be having a son.

I remember the moment I had my son…instantly the pain was gone….and the sound of his cry was the most wonderful sound I had ever heard.  I couldn’t wait to see the face of this one that I had been carrying inside.  Like most mothers, I thought my baby was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen, from head to toe.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Mary immediately smiled and anxiously awaited a peek at Jesus as soon as she heard his cry too.  It must have been a very special moment for her and Joseph as they thought about all that had transpired over the past few months.  And all that was still to come.

Most mothers think their babies are perfect….the difference with Him was that  He truly was perfect…..He was God’s One and only Son.

Have you ever noticed when mothers all gather together to talk, they often share special memories about their children.

Perhaps that is why this Scripture verse is one of my very favorites……………Luke 2:19 …But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

In a lot of ways she was a normal mother…but in other ways she was not.  She was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus  Obviously a very special person to have been entrusted with God’s only Son.  Mary and Joseph were blessed…. for they were chosen to be the earthly parents of Jesus Christ.  What a huge responsibility.

God gave the world the most perfect gift ever given.  Given not only to Mary and Joseph…but to all of mankind.

But….as with any gift given to us… we first have to accept it.

4 Dec

Time Together…..

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

We headed to the beach this past weekend and asked Billy’s parents to go with us.  It was beautiful weather and we really enjoyed the time together.

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There was some R and R ….(rest and relaxation)….

Also some sight seeing….

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We took a drive to look at some of the Christmas decorations.  This tree was HUGE.

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And so were these ornaments.  I thought they were so neat looking and although the Palm trees are not what one usually thinks about when thinking Christmas….. I absolutely love them…….all year long.

I like to take pictures all the time.  I try to always have something to blog about.  I am sure that it gets a little old to Billy.  I suppose that is why it occurred to me while I was going through our pictures of this trip that I am a very fortunate woman.

I especially thought it was sweet that my husband stopped the car and let me take a few pictures for the blog voluntarily.  As we drove around we happened up on this chess set.

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Pretty cool huh?  It was at this stop…that I realized just how considerate of a husband I have.  He not only stopped and let me take some more pictures…but he immediately got out of the car with me so you would be able to see just how big this set was by having a  person to show the scale of the object.  Then he proceeded to move to this big checker board.

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My mind quickly flashed to a couple of trips ago when he also gave me this nice photo opportunity of this big fish

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And this one

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of him riding a sea turtle….

It is the little things that we do for one another that mean so much.  I was able to get my pictures, but more importantly he does those things because he wants to make me happy.  And it does…it always makes me smile.

Billy’s parents have been married for 65 1/2 years.

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They do most everything together.  Scrabble is one of their favorite past times….and they are GOOD.  Man… they put me and Billy to shame.  But we still enjoy taking the challenge.

I have seen through the years how they both give and take to make the other one happy.  I hope Billy and I will remember to always be willing to give a little as we go through our marriage.

On our way home we stopped at a restaurant to eat.  The waitress asked his parents how long they had been married.  She said I just thought you both looked so happy.

I laughed and told Billy that she didn’t ask how long the two of us had been married….maybe we didn’t look happy.  We laughed.

She is probably like us…. thinking that it is very rare that a couple gets to celebrate this many years together.  One can’t help but notice.

I am so glad that we had this weekend with one another….and I am glad they wanted to spend that time with us.

29 Nov

Party at the Pasture….

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: .

We were honored recently with a family that wanted to have their little girls first birthday party at the farm.

There were lots of cute ideas used that day.

The animals were interested in what was going on as well.

Snacks were in this suitcase to feed the ponies, with a note of caution…..

Along with the traditional birthday cake, cute little desserts for big and little people were also found!

This was a s’more on a stick…..

Pictures of the birthday girl were displayed…..

A beautiful pink chandelier…..

hung above this cute little pink high chair….

complete with a pink cake…..of course.

Even after the snacks were all gone…pokey was still enjoying the party.

She is all girl…through and through….but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy the outdoors too….this baby girl really liked her little four wheeler.

I caught Zippy being a precious Mama…..watching the party with her baby….Jack.

Even the cows were interested in what was going on.

I just hope they aren’t getting any great ideas about future parties for their girl Calves!

 

24 Nov

And so it has begun….

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The week that we were to leave for our mission trip…..I found this….

I was sooooo excited!!!!!!

But when I looked closer ….I noticed it had a hole in it.     BUMMER

However most everyday since then we have gotten at least one egg and sometimes two a day.  That is cool.

Chickens tend to slow down and some even stop laying in the winter time…from what I have read.  I think I probably just have one or two chicks laying.  I’m not sure…but one or two of them seem to be matured a little more than the others.  I say that because of their combs.

We have a friend who watches after the dogs and the chickens while we are gone.  I told her to keep whatever eggs she gathered….she said she got about 10 while we were gone.

Sadly enough we had some bad news awaiting us when we returned from our trip though.

One of the hens….and our rooster died while we were away.

I do not know for sure what happened to them….I have looked in my little chicken book to see if it could tell me for sure.

The hen…well… she only had a pile of feathers where she had been.  The rooster….much grosser.  My neighbor said his head was gone….and he left behind a pile of feathers…she gave him a proper burial.  I really appreciate her doing that, I was just sorry that it all happened on her watch.

A hawk was seen around for a day or so after we returned…and a fox could have been a culprit too…it could have been several different things.  It’s just sad….but it is also  bound to happen every once in a while.

I haven’t had any other trouble since I have been home…but one never knows…there are predators everywhere.

I still am a little anxious when I go to close them up for the night.  I count them to make sure the others are still there.  I have seven hens now….I took a picture of them roosting for the night.  It looks like a day time picture…because my flash is so good on my camera.

Here they are settled in for the night

They squawked a little when the flash went off…..the other two were sleeping on the shelf above the nesting boxes.

I saved my egg cartons all summer in hopes of filling them with my own eggs one day….

I finally filled the first carton. WOO HOO!!!!!  Aren’t they just beautiful.  I love the color variations.

This particular egg carton had a scripture inside….

I like that….

22 Nov

A truly “Thankful” heart….

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

MMMMMMM….I smell the coffee brewing….and the turkey cooking in the oven.  I hear the slight clink and clanks of movement in the kitchen.

I put on my robe and move that direction.  I can see cornbread in the skillet cooling ….ready to be put into the dressing.

Ohhhhhh….a slice has been cut and set aside just for ME…..because I love cornbread.  Yummy…there are the pumpkin pies, with the knife slit in the center,  just waiting for the cool whip .  Yep the Iced Tea is in the Fridge….hopefully it will last until meal time.

In just a little while the Macy’s Day Parade will be on the t.v., commentators will be describing each float with excitement.  We all love to see the massive balloon characters move along the route, watch the floats pass by ….while  imitating the famous parade waves by the beautiful girls on board and hearing the bands play.

Oh….I can hear that some of the other family members are up.  Each one starts “fixing” a different breakfast.  Cereal, toast, pop tarts…but for me…that nice slice of warm cornbread with butter is mighty fine.  Wow… it hits the spot……nothing quite like it.

The phone begins to ring…. it’s loved ones…. calling to wish us a Happy Thanksgiving.  It’s always nice to hear from the ones you won’t be with during the holidays.

Excitement is in the air…..

The kitchen is getting busier….Potatoes are about to be mashed…celery is being stuffed with cream cheese…giblets are being boiled for the gravy.  The broccoli and rice casserole is looking good….as well as the sweet potato casserole.   The fruit salad sure looks pretty with all the colors in that glass dish.   And of course the cranberry sauce is chilled and ready.  Wonder why we only eat that at Thanksgiving…..

YES!!!!….the dressing is ready now….

The table looks like something out of a magazine, not necessarily with real fancy dishes….but with lots of  love and creativity.

Everyone has had their showers and have cleaned up nicely…..I might add.

We tend to not eat until about 4:00 p.m. or so.  It won’t be considered lunchtime or dinner time.  But it is how we have always done it…..the turkey and all the fixings just seem to fall into place around that time.   And so it has become tradition….and we all tend to like it that way.

The Woo call is made for those who are still upstairs, the signal to come on….dinner is ready.

The television is turned off.

We gather around the table hold hands and pray.  Somehow there is always a quiver in the voice and lumps in the throat as we thank God for all His blessings.  It isn’t just because the  table is full of food, or because the house is warm and comfortable, but most of all we are thankful for God.  Without Him…we wouldn’t know what true LOVE is all about.  We are also thankful that God gave us one another…. to call family….to always be together.

IN REALITY…..I have just had my coffee….

I am fondly remembering Thanksgiving’s past….We may not be together today in person…..but we will always be together in spirit.

For some reason today I woke up feeling a little sentimental.

It isn’t a bad thing…it’s a good thing.   Alright…so I have had to brush away a tear or two…but they aren’t sad tears….they are tears of love and thanksgiving.

I can’t go through any holiday…… that I don’t miss my Mama.  Cooking together was always fun.  I loved to watch her bustle around the kitchen.  She liked to make everyone’s favorite food.  All of us girls loved spending the day with her in the kitchen.

Strange as it is….I really can see those sights, smell and hear the things I described, with my my minds eye.  I LOVE IT….and I hope I will always remember with such clarity.

And yet….I also love making new memories too.  Memories that include even more loved ones that have been added into my life through the years.

Matter of fact….in just a little while….we will gather at my in laws house, with our children and grandchildren.  There, the tradition of Thanksgiving continues as it has for many years.

I will take my hot corn, Billy will arrange it in such a way …so we won’t spill it in the car.  Along with it…. will be a gallon of homemade sweet tea….deviled eggs and a new recipe of cranberry salad.  A cake, with neat decorations in hand….in hopes that the grand kids will have fun decorating it…while we visit with one another.

Once we arrive, we will be greeted with hugs and kisses.   Happy Thanksgiving will roll off every ones lips.   Direct eye contact will be made…. as we all smile, knowing how truly blessed we are to celebrate yet another year together.

The house will smell heavenly, as we all get busy in the kitchen as we help with last minute preparations.   My sweet mother- in- law will hug me and her eyes will show me that she knows I miss my Mom…without even having to say a word.   And yes, the television in the background will be on the Macy Day parade…or a football game.  The grandchildren will be scooting here and there giggling….filled with excitement to see one another.

The table will be lovely as usual….once again prepared with love.

Finally the T.V. will be turned off….the circle formed…. consisting of four generations of family.  Hands of every age and size will be held as we bow our heads in prayer.  Grandpa will once again come to God on behalf of us all….. as we thank GOD for all that He has so richly blessed us with.

The Blessing of being able to know HIM personally and feel His presence with us everyday.  Also the blessing of knowing our loved ones who have already passed away….are with Him….and one day….we will all be together again.  The circle of generations of loved ones….once again together…..giving thanks to GOD forever and ever.

I am Thankful…..I am Blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving

21 Nov

The People

Posted by ivegonecountry in Missions, Uncategorized.

When we go on mission trips we get to see lots of things while we are there.

Like the ” Bread Man”….he rides a bike that has a huge basket on the front.  He has all kinds of breads and rolls for sale.

Our group always gathers around quickly when they see him coming.  He always greets us with a smile and is excited to help us.

We get to visit our Amigos that we have come to love from previous trips…..this is Albino (pronounced Al-beeno).

This is his old house…he now uses it for his kitchen.  We built him a house a year or so ago….that was the first home he ever owned.  He is so proud of it.  He takes off his shoes before he enters his new home.  A lady knew of our trip and sent some donations with me.   One of the things was a pair of men’s house shoes.  I gave a pair to Albino….he was very excited.  He immediately put them into his home…before dirt could get on them.  I am always touched by people who want to help and send something to the people….everyone gets blessed .

I watched as this man put a small amount of water into his son’s water jug.  Then he filled his own buckets…..

That daddy knew just the right amount of water that his son could carry.   And they headed to their home.   He was teaching his son to help.

Absolutely precious…..

beautiful people…

with huge hearts…..

This family welcomed our whole team into their home for a surprise birthday party.  The girl who heads up the mission trips, Kerrie, has been loving and building a relationship with this family for several years.  Kerrie told us, that the first time she met this family, they both were experiencing the language barrier, and was only able to tell each other their birthdays.  She has never mentioned it to them again….but they remembered…all these years later.  Her birthday happened to fall around the same time of the trip.  The teenagers of that family put money together to throw this party for her.

She was surprised…..

especially when she saw every nook and cranny was filled with those that love her and appreciate all that she does.

We got to see how they celebrate…each member of the family took turns speaking birthday wishes to her….through the interpreter.  The language thing is still hard for both sides…but the language of LOVE speaks loud and clear.

The next day….We visited another area…

This place is struggling as well…..

The land here is just so dry and barren.

Occasionally though….. you will see beauty pop up out of nowhere.

I suppose that is why it draws me in like a magnet…to get a closer look.

And possibly why it makes me stop and stare….when I see something actually thriving under these conditions.

Billy and I inquired about this woman’s tree…using Spanglish….and lots of hand motions…

She was eager to communicate, quickly showing us that it was a papaya tree….then she graciously gave one to us.  Humbling…. as this is a great source of food for her and her family.

In this little community…there is electricity….unlike the other area we have been working.   However, material comforts or what we would consider necessities are just not found.

Back in our grandparents time….they used their resources…. like this.  It seems to me that I have lost the ability to think outside the box a lot of the time.  Thinking I have to run to the store to find that certain something that will take care of my need.

I love how they make the things they have…work for them.

I am always amazed at the smiles I see.

Even when they have it so hard…..

I love the art work that went into this designer chair.

As we moved throughout the community I noticed men helping one another….using bits and pieces of scrap wood.  They were laughing and singing as they worked.

At this house they were playing what Billy and I call “happy” music on the radio.  I couldn’t understand a word of it….but the music sounds upbeat and happy.  We started dancing to the music as we moved past the house, they clapped and laughed , saying it was perfecto!!!!….

I’m sure these Gringos amused them…..because we cannot dance.

It seems that no matter who you approach…they all welcome you.

I wonder if I come across like that…here at home….or there?

The inner strength of these people amaze me.

Every time we go on one of these trips we take a piece of their hearts back home with us.  I suppose the one thing that always humbles me the most….is when they tell me that they will be praying for me.

Wow…                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             I hope I will learn…what they have learned.

To be thankful and content in whatever situation I am in.

Philippians 4:11-13 New King James Version

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

19 Nov

Building a house….so it can become a home.

Posted by ivegonecountry in Missions, Uncategorized.

We were scheduled to go to Mexico for a Mission trip this past week.  One glitch after another kept coming up….so I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to go.  I had Billy all packed and ready….and I was bummed out.  I had already missed the trip in July and had been looking forward to this one.

The night before the trip, I finally knew that I was indeed suppose to go, regardless of the obstacles.  I had really been praying about it…as I laid down for the night…I stared at the ceiling…praying…Lord…what should I do?  I closed my eyes and tried to rest…. it was then, that all the beautiful faces of the people I had seen on the previous trips started flooding my mind.   A great peace came over me as I thought of each one.  My eyes flung wide open, filled with tears….and a huge smile was on my face.  The peace I felt about going was warm and real, I had no doubt that I was to go….and God would take care of the details.  I can’t explain how you know…you just do…it’s the peace that passes understanding.  You know that you know.

Sooooo,  that is why I didn’t give anyone a heads up that I wouldn’t be writing for a week.  The next morning was spent packing quickly so I would be ready to leave at the end of the day.

The group we go with has been doing this trip for years.  There are different ones that go each time, but the same system is used.  They leave around 7:00 or so at night, drive all the way through until we arrive about 21 hours later.  Traffic is usually good and we make good time.  It is a loooooooong trip, but it is worth every mile of it.

We had a great trip and as usual…we always feel as if we are the ones who come away blessed.

We built a home for a beautiful family.  Gustavo, Elena, Pedro and Bryan.

This home was actually built on a concrete slab…something they are trying to do more of…in the past we have built wood floor systems.

The first full day after we arrive, we visit the work site, mingle with the people and prepare for the next days work.

Early the next morning everyone is ready to get things started.

Walls were painted…. (Thanks to Sheri for letting me share a few of these great shots she took of the paint process!)

Gustavo, was away at work  but Elena and her two sons helped paint the walls.  I loved that they were willing and able to help in the construction of their new home.

The trim boards were also painted and set aside to dry…. you have to love those colors!

In no time..the walls were up….

The roof…..

the windows…..

and the trim.

Railing for the upstairs loft was constructed.

The front door was installed….by my esposo.    (I’m new at this… hopefully I got that right)

Ladder steps were assembled for the loft.

Meanwhile, Elena was busy…preparing a hot drink for the group….at the house she has been renting next door.

Remember… there is no running water..and no electricity.  So she was using her ration of water that she receives for the week  for our team.   She boiled her water on a open fire.  Needless to say…it is a lot more work than what I have to do when I offer someone a drink in our home.

This is Billy and Roy…the missionary who lives on the canal…. enjoying their drink.

Elena was so hospitable, she served cookies as well…

She cooked lunch too…truly a gift of love…especially when you have so little to give.

This is Pedro…enjoying some one on one time ….while his house was being built.

And this is his little brother Bryan….they didn’t just get loved on…they gave a lot of love back.

Last but not least the touch up paint was applied….with a SMILE!

The house was finished within two days.

We held a dedication service for this precious family.

Keys were given to their new home as we prayed that they would always remember that GOD gave them this house.

Joshua 24:15   But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

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