Two little girls, Maddy and Audrey, sunshine, a picnic lunch and a playground. Does it get any better than that? Not for them! And didn't I have the pure pleasure of having packed their favorite foods -- p b and j, yogurt, apple juice and freeze pops. For me, a bag of chips and a can of Pepsi. WHAT!? Hey, if they can have their favorites I can too.
I was supposed to be helping clean a dorm at our church camp. Things didn't work out quite as planned. Eight other women worked. They did a bang up job: swept and mopped floors, washed windows, wiped down walls and vacuumed mattresses. Our Bethlehem dorm smelled so clean and fresh. And it looked...well it looked like a camp dorm, so to say it sparkled would be an exaggeration. But it looked great, certainly better than before.
My contribution was that my bucket and mop got used. I also like to think the chatter, laughter and exuberant squeals from the play area was a delightful reminder to the willing workers of the importance of the task at hand. It's all about kids. It's all about the kids who will be served and ministered to through a happy camping experience this summer. God bless 'em -- and bless the counselors and workers too!
It may have made more sense for me to stay home with the children, but I'm glad I went. From watching the girls play like monkeys and being there to say, "Wow, look at you!" while they showed off, to sitting in the grass sharing sandwiches (yeah, I got the crusts -- knew that would happen, which is why I didn't go to the trouble of making my own) it was just plain fun. Part of what made it so enjoyable was that Maddy couldn't contain her gratitude for such a fine picnic. Meanwhile, little Audrey, who was equally happy and pleasant, declared every other minute, "I'n all done. Le's go back to da swings. I weawwy wike dis pwayground."
I hope everyone had a weawwy good time. It was a near perfect day.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord..."
Col. 3:23
We did. Thanks ladies, for letting me be part even though I didn't add any elbow grease!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Friday Nights
I've blogged before about "Steve&DeeNight". Our week goes like this Sunday night, Monday night, Tuesday night, Wednesday night, Thursday night, Steve&Dee night, Sat. and Sunday. For 28+ years we've been getting together with Steve and Dee for Bible Study/Accountability/Fun. I think it's always been on Friday night -- and yes, we have missed a night here and there. For instance, a few weeks ago Steve was in China and we missed two weeks in a row. He's back now, safe and sound, and we enjoyed looking at most of his pictures last Friday evening. Fabulous pix!
(These ones were "church" ready. Steve provides a welcome screen for Sunday mornings.)
Currently, the four of us are reading Philip Yancey's book The Jesus I Never Knew. I've dog-eared a bunch of pages because there are so many good things in this book. Today I was perusing the dog-eared pages and found a passage where Yancey says that Tolstoy raised his sights at a time when he was suffering the delayed effects of "biblical child abuse." (Isn't that an interesting turn of phrase!) About Tolstoy he says, "He was the first author who, for me, accomplished that most difficult of tasks, to make Good as believable and appealing as Evil."
Tolstoy, C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Madeleine L'Engle all have that magical gift of combining the supernatural with the divine. Giants of the faith, extraordinary authors, ordinary people. Need a good read? May I suggest The Hobbit by Tolstoy, The Great Divorce (for a quick read) or The Chronicles of Narnia by Lewis, The Baronet's Song by MacDonald, and A Wrinkle in Time by L'Engle. I've got all of those on my book shelf. You want to borrow one? Let me know.
(These ones were "church" ready. Steve provides a welcome screen for Sunday mornings.)
Currently, the four of us are reading Philip Yancey's book The Jesus I Never Knew. I've dog-eared a bunch of pages because there are so many good things in this book. Today I was perusing the dog-eared pages and found a passage where Yancey says that Tolstoy raised his sights at a time when he was suffering the delayed effects of "biblical child abuse." (Isn't that an interesting turn of phrase!) About Tolstoy he says, "He was the first author who, for me, accomplished that most difficult of tasks, to make Good as believable and appealing as Evil."
Tolstoy, C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Madeleine L'Engle all have that magical gift of combining the supernatural with the divine. Giants of the faith, extraordinary authors, ordinary people. Need a good read? May I suggest The Hobbit by Tolstoy, The Great Divorce (for a quick read) or The Chronicles of Narnia by Lewis, The Baronet's Song by MacDonald, and A Wrinkle in Time by L'Engle. I've got all of those on my book shelf. You want to borrow one? Let me know.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Spring is a Schizophrenic Season
I love spring, but really! It comes late and it ends early. And in between the coming and going it's fickle as all get out. Every day it's a guessing game -- how to dress? Do I wear long sleeves or short sleeves, tank top or sweat shirt, jeans or shorts? The answer is, all of the above. And sometimes, all of the above on the very same day.
We opened the pool the first week of May, a bit later than usual, only to find the heater was kaput. Well you can't swim in an outdoor pool in these here parts without means to heat up the water. So,there was no swimming until the heating situation was remedied. Unfortunately, that wasn't accomplished in time for the grad party, which was a disappointment, but oh well. I think a good time was had in spite of it.
Early the next week we got the heater installed (and by we I mean Tom) and were thoroughly enjoying 86 degree water on 80 degree days. Then the outside temps dropped to the 50's. It wasn't so inviting to suit up, splash in, lap back and forth -- because -- you had to get out eventually. The getting out part is goosebumpily painful on cool windy days! But just wait a few days or even a few hours and who knows? It might be warm and sunny. Schizo season, schizo days.
Hmmm, that's like some people I know. No, that's like all of us. Schizoid. God's creatures given this wonderful gift of life. Some days we love it and we're all sunshine, smiles, and happiness. Other days gloom and doom dampens our spirits. But just wait a few days or even a few hours and who knows? Joy may chase away sadness.
"Weeping endures for the night, but joy comes in the morning." Ps. 30:5
Joy comes sooner when I cry out for help.
"I lift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth." Ps. 121:1
We opened the pool the first week of May, a bit later than usual, only to find the heater was kaput. Well you can't swim in an outdoor pool in these here parts without means to heat up the water. So,there was no swimming until the heating situation was remedied. Unfortunately, that wasn't accomplished in time for the grad party, which was a disappointment, but oh well. I think a good time was had in spite of it.
Early the next week we got the heater installed (and by we I mean Tom) and were thoroughly enjoying 86 degree water on 80 degree days. Then the outside temps dropped to the 50's. It wasn't so inviting to suit up, splash in, lap back and forth -- because -- you had to get out eventually. The getting out part is goosebumpily painful on cool windy days! But just wait a few days or even a few hours and who knows? It might be warm and sunny. Schizo season, schizo days.
Hmmm, that's like some people I know. No, that's like all of us. Schizoid. God's creatures given this wonderful gift of life. Some days we love it and we're all sunshine, smiles, and happiness. Other days gloom and doom dampens our spirits. But just wait a few days or even a few hours and who knows? Joy may chase away sadness.
"Weeping endures for the night, but joy comes in the morning." Ps. 30:5
Joy comes sooner when I cry out for help.
"I lift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth." Ps. 121:1
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Party Hearty!
We had a graduation party for David and his girlfried, Mel, on Saturday. They don't actually graduate until next week -- so the celebration was in good faith that neither of them will let us down! No problem, finals were completed on Friday. So college courses (an undergrad degree with dual majors for Dave, and an MBA for Mel) are completed, done, terminated, finished. Yippee. Hooray. Congratulations to the kids. And now Tom can take that bumper sticker off his car. The one that says, my kid and all my money goes to PENN STATE.
Some party scenes:
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
You Don't Know Jack
My kids used to play a trivia game by that title. I rarely played. I'm smart enough to know, I don't know squat. Proving it and calling it a game never really appealed to me. But I have been thinking how people make huge decisions and or pass judgments with out knowing enough. Here's an example. This idea was not original to me -- I just embellished it and made it into a story. It didn't happen to me, but it could. Most anyone of us could find ourselves here.
You’re driving down the highway, off to visit a friend who has just had a new baby. There is a bouquet of flowers and a brightly wrapped baby gift on the seat beside you.
A glance in the rear view mirror warns that a car approaching from behind is coming up way too fast. Shaking your head, and muttering something about that idiot who is in so much of a hurry, you ease off the gas a bit to slow him down. He flashes his headlights at you to show his impatience and you chuckle thinking, "yeah, yeah, just cool your jets fella." It happens to be a no passing zone, so you slow down even more to teach him a lesson. He beeps his horn and flashes his lights again. You dub him a maniac and check to make sure you’re holding steady -- a good 10 miles below the speed limit. "That'll show him," you think.
Then, still in a no passing zone, that idiot pulls out around you and speeds off down the road. As he passes you get a glimpse at his longish shaggy hair. He’s a fairly young man, but old enough to know better than to drive like a hot-shot hot rodder. You offer a few choice words and voice some notion like, "It’d serve him right if he wrecks." You could care less if he kills himself, but he’s endangering other drivers in the process. Jerk.
As you approach the hospital and pull into the visitor’s entrance there sits the maniac driver’s car parked at the emergency entrance. The driver’s side door is hanging open. Medical personnel are rushing toward the car. The young man with the long shaggy hair lifts a limp child out of the back seat and runs toward the white coat people. They motion to the father who is cradling a seemingly lifeless little body. “This way," they shout, "Hurry!”
Go ahead, say it with me..."Oh dear. Poor man. I hope his child will be okay." The speeding driver wasn’t an idiot, a maniac, a hot-rodder, or a jerk. He’s a desperate parent trying to help his child.
But there is a jerk in the story. Someone who jumped to conclusions. Someone who didn't know jack. It could have been me. You?
"...take every thought captive to obey Christ." "In your anger do not sin."
"Judge not, lest you be judged."
"And finally...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Phil.4:8
You’re driving down the highway, off to visit a friend who has just had a new baby. There is a bouquet of flowers and a brightly wrapped baby gift on the seat beside you.
A glance in the rear view mirror warns that a car approaching from behind is coming up way too fast. Shaking your head, and muttering something about that idiot who is in so much of a hurry, you ease off the gas a bit to slow him down. He flashes his headlights at you to show his impatience and you chuckle thinking, "yeah, yeah, just cool your jets fella." It happens to be a no passing zone, so you slow down even more to teach him a lesson. He beeps his horn and flashes his lights again. You dub him a maniac and check to make sure you’re holding steady -- a good 10 miles below the speed limit. "That'll show him," you think.
Then, still in a no passing zone, that idiot pulls out around you and speeds off down the road. As he passes you get a glimpse at his longish shaggy hair. He’s a fairly young man, but old enough to know better than to drive like a hot-shot hot rodder. You offer a few choice words and voice some notion like, "It’d serve him right if he wrecks." You could care less if he kills himself, but he’s endangering other drivers in the process. Jerk.
As you approach the hospital and pull into the visitor’s entrance there sits the maniac driver’s car parked at the emergency entrance. The driver’s side door is hanging open. Medical personnel are rushing toward the car. The young man with the long shaggy hair lifts a limp child out of the back seat and runs toward the white coat people. They motion to the father who is cradling a seemingly lifeless little body. “This way," they shout, "Hurry!”
Go ahead, say it with me..."Oh dear. Poor man. I hope his child will be okay." The speeding driver wasn’t an idiot, a maniac, a hot-rodder, or a jerk. He’s a desperate parent trying to help his child.
But there is a jerk in the story. Someone who jumped to conclusions. Someone who didn't know jack. It could have been me. You?
"...take every thought captive to obey Christ." "In your anger do not sin."
"Judge not, lest you be judged."
"And finally...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Phil.4:8
Sunday, May 3, 2009
May Day! May Day!
This blog appears to be in trouble. The posts are fewer and fewer. My enthusiasm for writing is faltering even while my enthusiasm for life in general is going strong. Just thought I'd let someone out there know that I'm fine. I like to run a tight ship. Unfortunately I'm not all that good at it. So maybe the ship is leaking...sinking?...May Day, May Day!
Don't worry, there is a Heavenly Father who knows all about it. He'll breathe new life into these oldish, dryish bones. He's in the business of regenerating.
Ezekiel 37
The Valley of Dry Bones
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"
I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."
4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "
Regeneration -- watch for it...wait for it!
Don't worry, there is a Heavenly Father who knows all about it. He'll breathe new life into these oldish, dryish bones. He's in the business of regenerating.
Ezekiel 37
The Valley of Dry Bones
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"
I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."
4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "
Regeneration -- watch for it...wait for it!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Swinging into Spring
This was Thursday. Friday was even warmer and sunnier. Saturday was unbelievably gorgeous. So, if rain is on the way (and the weatherman says it is) oh well, the sun will come out...again...one of these tomorrows.
A miracle happens every year. These daffodils come up, then they turn into tulips, then the tulips become dahlias.
I know -- it astounds me too!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Rise and Shine
Tom and I went for a sunrise walk on Easter morning. Here's proof...well okay, the sun was already up pretty much before we got going. That's simply because one of us isn't an early riser!
It was a gorgeous morning. Church was fabulous. We only had the company of one of our sons, but hey, we had the company of one of our sons. (Adam gets extra points in the quest toward the favorite son award. I find pitting the boys against each other works nicely for me. Kidding. I'm just kidding. I AM NOT THAT KIND OF MOTHER. Am I? Oooh, I hope not!)
Later in the day we took a walk to the daffodil field with Adam and Alicia and Alicia's mom, Wendie, who we met for the first time. It was a nice walk with good company, but alas, no daffodils. It's alright though, we have plenty in the yard. Beautiful, lovely gifts, each and everyone.
"Every good and perfect gift is from the Father above." James 1:17
Friday, April 10, 2009
Sorrow and Love
Tom sang a hymn called "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" by Isaac Watts at the Good Friday Service at church today. He did a beautiful job, and I was deeply touched by these words.
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
AMEN.
Never did such love and sorrow meet... We (everyone of us who accepts the gift of salvation) were bought with a price. I'm ashamed to say I rarely think about that price; it's much too sad. The cost of my salvation, free to me, was pain and shame for God's son. A good and righteous God/Man endured suffering and laid down His life for my sin. That's an amazing kind of love. Thank you Jesus.
Love, Betsy
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
AMEN.
Never did such love and sorrow meet... We (everyone of us who accepts the gift of salvation) were bought with a price. I'm ashamed to say I rarely think about that price; it's much too sad. The cost of my salvation, free to me, was pain and shame for God's son. A good and righteous God/Man endured suffering and laid down His life for my sin. That's an amazing kind of love. Thank you Jesus.
Love, Betsy
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
April Fool
Five inches of snow, that was the prediction, but I hoped they were wrong. Yesterday's newspaper said, "Big Storm Coming? Say it Ain't Snow!" But yes indeed, it is snow. I'm comforted by the Bible verse that says to everything there is a season. That assures me that this season will pass. But, hey, wait a minute, it's spring. I'm supposed to be seeing daffodils and green grass. Mother nature has her seasons all mixed up, or perhaps this is just an April Fool's joke.
My friend Beth said they have snow in North Carolina. And Tom's sister said they were expecting snow in Georgia. What's going on? I think it's a part of global warming that is beyond my comprehension.
In an effort to give thanks in all circumstances I'll say this about the snow: it's white, it's bright, it's pure, it's pretty. And best of all, this is probably the absolute, positive, last snow of all. I mean, the last snow before October or November. My forecast is, it'll be warmer by June.
My friend Beth said they have snow in North Carolina. And Tom's sister said they were expecting snow in Georgia. What's going on? I think it's a part of global warming that is beyond my comprehension.
In an effort to give thanks in all circumstances I'll say this about the snow: it's white, it's bright, it's pure, it's pretty. And best of all, this is probably the absolute, positive, last snow of all. I mean, the last snow before October or November. My forecast is, it'll be warmer by June.
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