Moo Moo and Bear

These are much loved animals. I am surprised that Bear has managed to stay alive all these years...over 50 to be exact.  Just look at him.  His eye is missing and the other one looks out of whack...and where are his nose and mouth and hair?  Secrets impossible to discover, simply because I can't remember, except I think I loved the hair off.
What I do remember about him makes him very dear to me.  He was the perfect teddy bear.  His arms were made as if they were ready to hug you.  We hugged alot.  His legs folded easily so that he could sit beside me and be my friend.  Once, when I was little, I left him out in the rain and he got soaked.  My nurturing skills took over and I wrapped him in a towel and just held him like a mom would a child.  He did not have a name, just Teddy, I guess or "Bear" as he is called now.  You would think that my grandkids would be scared of him - he is kind of creepy looking.  But they love him as I did.  I tell them he is fragile and they must be gentle.
Moo Moo came late to the party.  I bought her years ago, when I used to keep my niece, Molly.  She absolutely loved this little cow.  We did not know if she was a girl or a boy, so I fixed that with a pink ribbon.  Molly is now over ten, but still comes to see Moo Moo often.  Of all the toys at my house to play with, they all want the bear and the cow...and I don't know HOW it happens, but that pink ribbon NEVER stays on Moo Moo very long.  I find it everywhere.  (Maybe she parties while I am asleep and removes it.)  That is what actually prompted this blog...finding that ribbon in the living room and tying it back around her neck.  Who knows what these animals do while I am not looking?

I salvaged Rabbit from a garage sale and saved her from a fate worse than death.  So here they live in one of my bedrooms resting on a twin bed.  They have bonded right there on that bed...and they are happiest when all of them are back together after a play day.  They mind their own business(es?) most of the time, but once in a while...I am sure of mischief.

Play Practice

We began practice for the Christmas play tonight at church.  It is always such fun as the kids gather to sing and get in the mood for the holidays.  They really love it.  They often move me to tears...which isn't hard to do.  I will be writing another post after the performance on December 9th.  We are not a large church, close to two hundred, eighty of which are munchkins.  Munchkins range in age from birth to eighteen.  The ones in the play are ages two to twelve.
In the past, we have had some mishaps and some funny moments.  We try to keep those from happening, but somehow.... One year, someone wanted to be the dinosaur in the play...must have been around the time Jurassic Park was released.  Didn't know there was a dinosaur in Bethlehem.  Another child...my grandson who will remain anonymous...wanted to be Woody.  Again, I blame Hollywood for these notions.
During our very first play twelve years ago, one of the shepherds got stage fright and sat in my lap through the whole play while I directed.  I think that was the year that one of the sheep decided to rock the cradle that baby Jesus was in.  During our last play, a crown fell down around the neck of one of the wise men.  You never know.
I always tell Mary and Joseph that no matter what goes on around them, they must remain silent and try not to respond to what anyone else is doing, even if they are misbehaving.  So far, each year Mary and Joseph have remained calm in the midst of chaos...and baby Jesus unscathed.

Rehearsal in 2010

So I look forward to these Wednesday nights.  They bless me.  I will get back to you on this.....

Jana

 I think it would be bold and braggish of me to write about my children as if they were geniuses, so just take it from me...that they are.  I can say that. It is my daughter that I would like to tell you about.  She is literally a gift from God that we never saw coming.  No one did, but God.  I did not give birth to her, though she came to us through much pain.
 Her father was Tommy's brother, Ricky.  Ricky was killed in 1993 by an angry employee.  He had been raising his two children, Jana (10) and Denny (9) on his own.  Almost immediately they became ours. Worlds changed forever.  Death does that.
 Though everyone went through a long adjustment period, God showed me His hand through it all. Jana, the daughter I never had, burst into our home bringing much joy with her.  She also brought the biggest change...tighter modesty rules, respect for bedroom privacy, and a willing helper in the household chores.  She was a rare blessing!  I would be working in the garden and she would rush out, eager to dig with me.  If I was cleaning in the kitchen, she took the dirtiest job.  Who was this person?  Believe me, the boys all had chores - including Denny - but no one took them on like she did.  My kindred spirit!
 I always thought that if I had a girl, she would have all these cute hairstyles.  When it came to actually doing it, I was all thumbs.  The basic-est of hairdos sufficed until she could do her own.  I found out quickly that my new daughter was bizarrely creative, to say the least.  She wanted to wear Doc Martin boots with her dresses.  She would stick her hair up with bobby pins into the messiest look possible.  I was undone.  Again, who was this person?
 She came to know the Lord in her teenage years - another life changing event.  Her desire to know Him and love Him grew.  Tommy and I always knew she had wings on her feet.  She asked us one day after high school graduation if she could go with Operation Mobilization for a two year commitment around the world on a ship that shared the gospel in many ports.  "Absolutely not" we said without hesitation. Period. The end...but it was not the end. She never asked again.  We taught our kids to make appeals to God to change our minds on any given issue.  She did, without telling us. And then He did...change our minds. How does God do that?
 Anyway, four months later, we decided to let her go.  Imagine, teenagers and twenty something year olds, boys and girls together on a ship for two years....WERE WE CRAZY?  Yes, but no.  They have the strictest of rules in regards to the boy/girl thing. For some reason, we trusted that.  It was during her second year of service that Matt asked permission to see Jana personally.  She had to be in agreement as well.  So Tommy and I went to England, flew to Ireland, and sailed with the ship to Scotland, in order to meet this Matt.  We liked him instantly. (We still do, by the way)  Have you ever been on a ship with 300+ young people?  It was wonderful...and probably needs its own post one day.

Did I mention that she is beautiful?
Mommy and TJ

Anyway, Jana and Matt now live in Chicago.  Matt is attending Moody Bible Institute, and Jana is raising their four children to love the Lord.  My blood may not flow through her veins, but His blood flows through us both, which is even better.  He takes the worst situations and makes them so very good, when they are given to Him.  We are living proof.

Ricky, Levi, and Addie

My Tree

My treeless backyard

 What I am about to share with you happened about five years ago.  Time flies and you would think I would have done something about it by now, but no.  (It will go on my list for the forty-second time.)  Ever since we moved into this house, we have had tree trouble.  We planted a silver maple in the middle of the front yard, and it got carpenter ants and died.  I decided to leave it bare as the kids would use our yard for a ball field.  Our house sits back on the lot, making the front yard bigger than the back.
I planted a small Texas Umbrella tree in the back yard.  It was only about two feet high.  These trees are supposed to grow quickly and it did.  In two years, it was about thirty feet high. I was thrilled.  I bought a baby swing to hang from a branch for my grandkids to swing in.  It shaded my house and I pictured many happy climbings for years to come in that tree.
The twins were little at the time, and I had gone with my daughter-in-law, Shannon to take them for a check-up.  We were on our way home when Tommy called me.  "Why is all this wood in front of our house?" He asked.  I told him I had no idea what he was talking about.
After a few minutes, he called back.  A man had stopped his truck, gotten out of it, and proceeded to apologize to Tommy.  It seems that his tree company had been hired to cut down the tree on North Park Ridge.  (We live on South Park Ridge)  Same kind of tree.  Tommy told him it was no problem, though the man offered to pay us back somehow.  Then he called me and told me the news.  Shannon thought someone had died.  I was so tearfully mad.  That was MY tree!!  How could he have let that happen!!
Fortunately for the man, we were miles away.  As I drove home - sobbing like a baby - God began to speak to my heart to forgive.  I did not want to.  
Tommy warned the man that there was a problem, after all.  (I am sure he was afraid of what a maniacal woman might say when she got home.)  I wanted him to pay us the 800 dollars he would have gotten for cutting down the right tree.  I wanted him to plant us a new tree.  I wanted SOMETHING.  But inside me, I could feel that I was to ask for no recompense.  Really, God?
When I got home, I called ___________ Tree Service ( as he had already escaped while he could) and talked to the man.  He wanted to do something for me.  He begged me...really, he did.  I told him there was a Crepe Myrtle running amuck at the other end of the yard and he could get rid of it for me.  He was happy to oblige.

I told him we were Christians and that we have to forgive because of what Christ has done for us.  He said he knew it. The people on North Park Ridge had told him that Tommy was a pastor - (when he went to tell them why he didn't cut down their tree on that day)  WHEW!  Thank God I didn't rant and rave like an idiot.  How our neighbors on the other street knew we were Christians, I do not know, but I could have ruined our testimony with a single shot.
Okay, remember what I was supposed to do?  Nothing, but forgive.  Well, that Crepe Myrtle has grown back, rowdier than ever.  It is a gentle reminder of all that happened on that day. I have not replanted.  It is on my list....again.

My reminder...of - oh, so many things.

Whimsies

Something written in this font should be titled “Enchanted.”  Don’t you love this?  It is fun and playful.  So let’s talk about whimsy.  It is the playful part of us that makes little sense.  You are ageless when whimsical…from the 2 year old, wearing hats and playing dress-up, to the aged who…are wearing hats and playing dress-up.

Whimsy is dancing ballet with your children/grandchildren in the living room.  It is making robots out of playdough.  It is playing in the rain, singing off key on purpose, jumping into the swimming pool fully clothed.  Haven’t you ever had a whimsical moment?

Try it, once in a while.  Don’t stay there, though…they might lock you up with all the other 'enchanteds'...but it wouldn't be boring!

Funny how a font can inspire. Time for a chocolate. Whimsy.

Tea Party in pjs on Grammy's bed

For further assistance on spontaneous combustion - beg, borrow, or steal...a child.

Items from my printer's tray.

Job

 I have been reading Job lately.  Each time I read it, I see new truths. That's the amazing thing about God's word.  It is alive...always revealing inner man to outward man.  Only the Creator knows our hearts...the secret places that stay hidden from view...just not His view.  In the first chapter of Job, we learn how much he owned, that he was righteous, and that he was the greatest man in the east.  (I always thought he was just a farmer with many blessings.  That is putting it mildly.) The greatest man in the east.  Huge.
 So, God tells us right away that Job had it all...and he loved God to boot.  Enter Satan.  He goes before the LORD and the LORD asks him where he has been and he basically says he's been wandering the earth.  God asks him if he has considered Job - now isn't THAT like painting a big target on Job's back!?  He grants Satan permission to torment, and havoc ensues.  The verse - "to whom much was given, of him much will be required"  (Luke 12:48 - Even though this reference is in the New Testament, the principle applies to all) and the verse - "the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21) come to mind here.
 Job's friends are sympathetic at first.  They sit with him and are quiet for days, and then as if they are ready to be done with this, they begin to question Job.  Though what they say does not seem so 'out of order' in the beginning, it becomes as nails on a chalkboard after a while.  They are no longer of any comfort to him. Their words only pierce and accuse...without real answers, but with alot of suppositions.  Have I ever been that kind of friend? I fear so. God forgive me.  You forgive me too, please.
 Can you imagine?  The greatest man in the east, brought low in public humiliation.  Yes, every one of us would have an opinion as to the cause.  Remember, God has seen it all happen...allowed it all to happen.  So, it isn't a "curse", but more of a test.  How quick we are to judge things we do not understand.  Surely Job's pride - if he had any - is brought to nothing.  Still he does not reject his LORD. Job 13:15 "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him..."  (May my faith be so strong!)
 Job 23:8-14  8 "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him;  9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.  10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.  11 My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.  12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.  13 But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.  14 For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind. 
 See Job's declaration of God's sovereignty!  He yields all to Him in acknowledgement of His power to do as He pleases. It is always for our good if we love Him!  So be of good cheer and do not faint!
 Job responds to each accuser more than once.
 Job 21:3 - "Bear with me, and I will speak, and after I have spoken, mock on."  I cannot help but smile at this verse.  Can't you just see him?  As if he already knows that nothing he says is going to stop his friends from rebuking him.  "Mock on" just sounds so sarcastically funny to me.
 But wait, the best of Job is yet to come.
 Back and forth, back and forth Job debates them. So far, God has been silent.  Not absent, just silent. He is watching all of this...kind of like when your friends are talking about you and for you and they ignore the fact that you are standing right there. Finally we come to Chapters 38 - 41.  God speaks...BIG.  You MUST read those chapters.  Anyone who has ever asked God, "WHY?" needs to read those chapters.  I will not write the whole passage here, but only a few samples.

 Job 38:4-11  4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.  5 Who determined its measurements- surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,  7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?  8 "Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb,  9 when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band,  10 and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors,  11 and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed'? 
Job 39:26-29  26 "Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south?  27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high?  28 On the rock he dwells and makes his home, on the rocky crag and stronghold.  29 From there he spies out the prey; his eyes behold it afar off. 

 Job feebly speaks.  Job 40:4-5  4 "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.  5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further." There are times when we should just "Be still and know that He is God."  This is one of those times. I am going to practice putting my hand over my mouth more.

 Job 41:10-11  Who then is he who can stand before me?  11 Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.

 And in Chapter 42, Job humbly answers and repents.  Verses 1 - 6.  Then Job answered the LORD and said:  2 "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.  3 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.  4 'Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.'  5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;  6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." 

 God then addresses his friends and restores Job's fortunes...double what he had before.
 I know this is a long post...but Job is worth reading.  There are so many lessons and if you look closely, you will find yourself on every page.  Read Job.  Some argue about its time of origin.  Some say it is the oldest book written and some say it was written right after Genesis and some say after David was King of Israel.  I personally, have no idea...I'm just glad it is there for me to read.  (Sorry, I did not have a picture of Job to add to this post:)
Key verse..Job 28:28 "And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"

Harvesting

Pumpkin Land in Orange City, IA

It's a farmer's word....a farmer's life.  From the time seeds are planted, the farmer prepares for harvest.  He cares for his fields as best he can and prays that the Lord provides the weather necessary for an abundant crop.  It is out of his control as far as the sun, rain, and the elements.  He is at God's mercy.
We all are, aren't we?  We are at God's mercy in our everyday tasks.  If you believe in a sovereign God - as I do - then you know that He sees it all and nothing slips by without His knowing it.  Otherwise, He would not be God. He is holy and He is good.
Think about the farmer for a moment.  He toils like little of us do.  His job is enormous.  Try buying groceries without him.  We are so dependent on this man we most likely will never know.  We cannot live without his work...unless we grow our own.  (We did that for a few years..it is a tedious task that cannot be neglected....so we quit.)  We love farmers who work hard for us.
How 'taken for granted' he must feel.  Travelling up through Kansas and Iowa, there are farms galore.  What is really amazing to me is how neat they are....blocked off in acres of different crops, and with lines so straight.  Okay, I know they have machines that do those things, but those machines do not run by themselves.  Kudos to the pioneer farmer who had nothing but a mule and a sack full of seeds.  What a rough, unappreciated, and often underpaid job he has chosen.
Still he waits - on our behalf - for his crop to produce and be ready to harvest...and we benefit.  I know we pay a pretty penny sometimes and we have the option of ignoring the higher priced items, but we would have no choice at all without the farmer.
There is another type of harvesting as well...a spiritual harvest.  We can be a part of that.  We share the gospel...the good news that God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will never perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16  Then God does the harvesting.  We plant the seeds of truth and God does the rest.  It isn't up to us to save souls.  That is His job and He does it like we never could.  So let's be farmers...planting seeds of truth found in God's word...and see what our Father, the Farmer, the Great Harvester will do.

Luke 10:2   And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."