Surprise Visitor

Last night when we returned home from an evening with our small group Bible study, we were delighted to find an unexpected visitor waiting for us.  Apparently the visitor was just out for an evening jaunt and noticed that we had a pool. So, he proceeded to take a refreshing dip while waiting for us to return.

We really enjoyed his visit with us. Although we were strangers to each other, and he really didn't have much to say, I enjoyed his visit immensely and hope he will return. 

Did I mention his name? No? That's because I didn't actually catch his first name before he had to run--or should I say fly? I think his last name is Mallard, or O'Mallard--something like that. I called him Millard--Millard O'Mallard.

Return Guest

Our new friend came back tonight. I guess Millard really likes our place. In fact, he evidently thinks of our pool as his own private pond. A stranger came by to join him tonight and Millard was really mean to him. He immediately grabbed the visitor by the neck and hung on, biting him and trying to drown him! After a few moments of Millard's unacceptable behavior toward a friendly stranger, the new visitor quickly took off! I don't expect that he'll be back.

Last night Millard seemed nice enough, but I sure didn't expect that he would have such bad manners toward other visitors, in a home that wasn't his to start with! After just one visit he seems to think he owns the place!

Return Guest

Our new friend came back tonight. I guess Millard really likes our place. In fact, he evidently thinks of our pool as his own private pond. A stranger came by to join him tonight and Millard was really mean to him. He immediately grabbed the visitor by the neck and hung on, biting him and trying to drown him! After a few moments of Millard's unacceptable behavior toward a friendly stranger, the new visitor quickly took off! I don't expect that he'll be back.

Last night Millard seemed nice enough, but I sure didn't expect that he would have such bad manners toward other visitors, in a home that wasn't his to start with! After just one visit he seems to think he owns the place!

A Day of Rest

If today is your "Sabbath Day", may it be a day of rest for you.

You may feel like you're living in the middle of a "storm", but you can find rest for your soul when you give your life over to Jesus, and let Him be your "Haven of Rest" in the midst of the tempest that surrounds you.

Love Grows Here

It's off to DaySpring for me today--another day to love on, and be loved on by, a bunch of wonderful people, in a wonderful place!

DaySpring Assisted Living is the kind of place where I would want to live, if the day comes that I should need a place to live and be cared for, outside of my own home, or the homes of my own family.

Here's what today looks like:

Motherhood at It's Best!

The following was written by a friend of mine, and published on her blog, "Elizabeth Embracing God". It is one of the best of the very best pieces I have ever read on the "joys" of motherhood.

"The Mother of Sillies"

• "I will take all of these sillies [referring to her children] any day of the week. They are funny, they are smart, they ask more questions than I can answer.
• At least one is mad at me at all times for something I could not follow through on or do, yet they wrap their arms around me and tell me they love me.
• They are in my space all the time. 
• They use up all the shampoo and don't tell me.
• They wash their clothes and then leave them to sit in the laundry room.
• They call me late at night and want to go and have coffee.
• They thank me for making their lunch, even if it's not such a good one.
• They thank me for sitting and listening, even when my brain is half asleep. 
• They mess up my well-made bed to wrestle. 
• They push delete, and then ask what that button is for. 
• They don't remember to rinse the cereal out of the bowl, only to be discovered by me hours later. 
• They leave socks and undies behind the bathroom door. 
• My bathtub is a play yard of super heroes, boats, planes and trains. 
• My office, my desk, my personal space is covered with little notes saying "i love you momu" and precious little drawings on my important papers. 
• They whisper while I am sleeping..."can I get you anything mommy?" I pretend to stay asleep because I know that a sweet little hand will be tapping my shoulder with the loudest whisper you have ever heard.
• They eat my sandwich I made a head of time. 
• They bring their friends over and stay late, always asking if I will join them.  
• They tell me a friend has a problem and would love to talk with you. 
• They will use my office for their hard work, and ask if I can come back later to my own office. 
• They drink milk by the gallons, and eat cereal by the dozens of boxes. 
• They don't like sleeping with a pillowcase, so they remove it. 
• They prefer to wear the same socks every day, so I have to sneak in and trade them out for clean ones. He will wear the same jeans every day, they are his favorites so while he sleeps I wash them and hang them up just as they were. 
• They ask me to help build their lego sets, over and over and over. I think I can build them in my sleep. I find them in my bed at night. An elbow on a lego is the worst pain. 
• I watch YouTube video's with them and laugh over the corny clips.  
• I stand in the kitchen, while they sit and laugh at me. 
• They tell me not to sing, or not to dance, but I always do. I am awkward, I am learning when to fade in and out. Sometimes I get those mixed up so they tell me. 
• I can ask them questions about God and they open up their hearts to share their own story. Stories unfold around that kitchen counter. Stories unfold while sitting on the red sofa with just one lamp on. Stories unfold on the edge of my bed. Always I will listen and ask questions. I try not to be shocked when they ask me to be objective. I try not to laugh when I see something so hilarious and funny, and no one else sees the silliness of it all.  
• Today I sit back and watch as each one gathers for the afternoon dinner. Taking time to drive home for a meal with mom. Sitting before running off to work knowing that this moment may come and go quickly as the food is delicious, but they all came to say "thanks mom I love you".  

This is how my life looks daily and although there are times I want to wake up and start over I look at my life as a mother and know I would not trade for one moment one lego, or one late night, or one tear.

Thanks be to God for his wonderful gifts. All five and the others who show up in my home so I can love and mother them too."

Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth, and for allowing me to repost it on my blog.

Just a single yellow rose...

yet, it meant far more to me than just another lovely rose on Mothers Day.

The rose was given to me at church yesterday.  As I walked in I saw two young girls just ahead, ready to hand out fresh-cut, long-stemmed roses to the women as they entered.  The girl on my left had a red rose; the girl on my right had a yellow one.

I wondered which one would reach out to me first.  Of course, my first thought was, "Yellow is my favorite color, so I hope for that one, but I really like red roses just as well." At that same moment, the girl closest to me quickly stepped toward me and smiled sweetly as she handed me the yellow rose, and quietly said, "Happy Mothers Day."

I leaned down, flashed her my biggest smile, and exclaimed, "Oh, thank you--yellow is my favorite color." It was only as I stood back up and glanced beyond her, into the gymnasium that doubles as our sanctuary, that I noticed the table spread with roses--all of which were red.

While I was walking around, and again while seated during the service, looking around at other women holding roses, I never saw another yellow rose. My heart was fully aware of God's little nudge to remind me that He loves me. I frequently notice these little nudges from Him, and my heart responds, "Hi, Lord, I love you too."
I love it when He gives me little reminder nudges.

Today I'm basking in the glow of yesterday!

I think it just gets better every year!

The only thing I can think of that would
definitely make it better is to be surrounded by

all of my "kids and
"grandkids, including all those that we've adopted throughout the years. So, you're all invited for next year's Mothers Day celebration. Come one, come all!

My Mom

Mom went home to heaven on December 7, 2003. I still miss her. There are still times I long to pick up the phone and talk with her. Like today--how I long to tell her "Happy Mothers Day". How I long to tell her that I love her and miss her. Instead, I can only ask Jesus to relay that message to her. So, I did that.

I love you, Mom.
...
...
I miss you a lot.
...
This yellow rose is for you.

Beauty From Ashes

This phrase was impressed upon me this morning after reading another blogger's beautiful prose: "Partakers of Grace With Me", written by the wife of our former pastor in Oregon.

As I walked toward my bedroom to have my daily Bible-reading, those three words formed in my mind and took root in my heart.  Then, as I began to read chapter one in the Gospel of Luke, I asked God to show me "beauty from ashes".

Luke 1:8-15(a), 18, 24(a)-25:  "One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.  As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary and burn incense in the Lord's presence.  While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.  Zechariah was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared, standing to the right of the incense altar.  Zechariah was overwhelmed with fear.  But the angel said, 'Don't be afraid, Zechariah!  For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth will bear you a son!  And you are to name him John.  You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice with you at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. . . .  Zechariah said to the angel [in disbelief], 'How can I know this will happen?  I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.' . . . Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth became pregnant . . . 'How kind the Lord is! she exclaimed.  He has taken away my disgrace of having no children!' "
 
From the ashes of sadness and disgrace (in that culture), God brought a beloved son who would bring the beauty of joy and gladness into their lives and to those around them.

Luke 1:26-35, 38(a), 46-50
"In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary.  She was engaged to be married  . . . Gabriel appeared to her and said, 'Greetings, favored woman!  The Lord is with you!'  Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  'Don't be frightened, Mary,' the angel told her, 'for God has decided to bless you!  You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus.  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.  And He will reign over Israel forever; His kingdom will never end!'  Mary asked the angel, 'But how can I have a baby?  I am a virgin.'  The angel replied, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby born to you will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God.'  Mary responded, 'I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever He wants.'   [Elizabeth said to her] 'You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.'  Mary responded, 'Oh, how I praise the Lord.  How I rejoice in God my Savior!  For He took notice of His lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed.  For He, the Mighty One, is holy, and He has done great things for me.  His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear Him.' "

When Mary chose to accept God's plan for her life, God brought beauty from "ashes".  From a human viewpoint she would be disgraced as a pregnant and unwed mother, yet God turned her "shame and disgrace" (only as perceived by others) into incredible blessing--as the mother of the Son of God, who came to bless the whole world!

Beauty from ashes . . .  Jesus came to bring beauty from the ashes of human mistakes and failure, from shame and disgrace, from our mess-ups and foolishness.  We have all failed in various ways.  We have all made mistakes and messed up what God originally intended for the people He created.  However, we can all be changed into something beautiful, just as the lowly catepillar is transformed into a lovely butterfly.  But, it must humbly cocoon itself before the transformation will take place.  The result will be a beautiful, brand new existance of freedom and grace.  That's what God wants to do in our lives.  That's why He sent Jesus to earth--to save us from ourselves--our natural state of flawed humanity.  When we invite Him to be in control of our lives, He will bring beauty from ashes. 

Attention: Women

Do you ever get fed up with hubby and the kids? Here's an idea for you:

I saw this on a store window yesterday.

I wonder who will snatch up this bargain.

Happy May Day!

I guess there won't be any dancin' around the may pole today -- it's pouring rain outside and very windy!

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

I'm sure there are many in the state of Texas who are very thankful for this rain.  Me?  I much prefer sunshine, but I guess all sunshine and no rain would not be good for any of us.

"Into every life a little rain must fall."   Some are very thankful for it, and some wish it would go away.  Some need it badly, and some have had far too much of it.  How's it going with the rain in your life?  Are you "dancin' around a maypole" in your heart today, or are you "sitting quietly under an umbrella", wishing the rain in your heart would go away?

"Take your burden to the Lord, and leave it there."

"Come unto me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (says the Lord).

Lady Hazel Topper-Naylor

I just saw this and can't resist joining in the fun!

"In honor of William and Kate's Big Royal Wedding on Friday, use your Royal wedding guest name! Start with either Lord or Lady. Your first name is one of your grandparents' names. Your surname is the name of your first pet, then followed by with the name of the street you lived on growing up."

How will you be addressed on your invitation to the royal wedding this Friday? Post your royal wedding guest name in the comments section.

You may call me Lady Hazel Topper-Naylor.

Home Sweet Home!

Wow!  It is so GOOD to be home!  You really don't get the full depth of that phrase, "Home Sweet Home" until you've been gone for a long time.  This morning I walked through my quiet house and marveled at the delicious sweetness of being in my own home.  I stepped outside in my bathrobe and gazed for a long time at my surroundings (especially the pool in my backyard) while enjoying the mild temperature--compared to the coldness of Montana.  When I stepped back inside, there was a smile on my face and in my heart as I breathed aloud,
"Home Sweet Home".

Sitting here typing these thoughts, I realize anew how much I long for my ultimate home in Heaven.  What will it be like?  We can only imagine.  How much sweeter will that be than our home on earth?  It's unfathonamable.  "Even so, come Lord Jesus."

He is Risen Indeed!

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb.  Suddenly there was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it.  His face shone like lightning and his clothing was as white as snow.  The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Then the angel spoke to the women, "Don't be afraid!" he said.  "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He isn't here!  He has been raised from the dead, just as He said would happen.  Come, see where His body was lying.  And now, go quickly and tell His disciples He has been raised from the dead, and He is going ahead of you to Galilee.  You will see Him there.  Remember, I have told you." 

The women ran quickly from the tomb.  They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to find the disciples to give them the angel's message.  And as they went, Jesus met hem. "Greetings!" He said.  And they ran to Him, held His feet, and worshipped Him.  Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid!  Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there." 

As the women were on their way into the city, some of the men who had been guarding the tomb went to the leading priests and told them what had happened.  A meeting of all the religious leaders was called, and they decided to bribe the soldiers.  They told the soldiers, "You must say, 'Jesus disciples came during the night while we were sleeping and they stole His body.'  If the governor hears about it, we'll stand up for you and everything will be right."  So, the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say.  Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw Him, they worshipped Him--but some of them still doubted!  Jesus came and told His disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirt.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew, chapter 28

Finally Home!

Today is my first day at home since March 23rd.  I spent a whole month in Montana, spending time with my dad (due to health situations) and with his wonderful, "committed companion" Marilyn; also with my daughter's family--my grandchildren!  An added bonus was a visit with long-time family friends, Cary and Louis, plus some other friends of my dad, whom I've known for many years.

I chose not to take my computer with me since I would have no easy access to the internet.  So, this morning I have spent the last two hours catching up on my stuff on the computer, including emails and this blog.  Wow!  What a massive amount of stuff piled up while I was gone! 

It's so good to be back at home!  What a treat to sleep in my own bed last night!

I'll have a bit of catch-up to do for awhile, but will also welcome the return to my "normal" life.  I'm especially thankful to be at home, and in my own church, for Easter Sunday.

The Lord is Risen!  Blessings be upon all who know and love our Savior Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God!