Cold Water

I got this in an email from some friends yesterday. Thought you'd appreciate it:

Can Cold Water Clean Dishes?
This is for all the germ conscious folks
that worry about using cold water to clean.

John went to visit his 90 year old grandfather
in a very secluded, rural area of Saskatchewan


After spending a great evening chatting the night away,
the next morning John's grandfather prepared
breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast.

However, John noticed a film like substance on his plate,
and questioned his grandfather asking,

'Are these plates clean?'

His grandfather replied,

'They're as clean as cold water can get em.
Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!'


For lunch the old man made hamburgers.


Again, John was concerned about the plates,
as his appeared to have tiny specks around
the edge that looked like dried egg and asked,

'Are you sure these plates are clean?'

Without looking up the old man said,

'I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as
clean as cold water can get them. Now don't you
fret, I don't want to hear another word about it!'

Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town
and as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog
started to growl, and wouldn't let him pass.

John yelled and said,
'Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to my car'.

Without diverting his attention from the football game
he was watching on TV, the old man shouted!

'Coldwater, go lay down now, yah hear me!

Wedding Blog Party

Today a blogger friend of mine had a very nice post about her wedding, with loads of lovely pictures, wherein she indicated she was taking part in a "Wedding Blog Party." I was immediately interested, partly because I'm a June bride and just had an anniversary, and also because our home business is diligently seeking to venture out and minister to brides with a new line of gifts and favors. So because of that, lately I've been particularly interested in all things wedding related.

After thinking about it and wanting to take part, I then wondered what in the world I would do, since I'm too short on time to copy a bunch of photos from our album, and since presumably we were to tell our stories, that might take me a while. Then I thought of a post I made in 2007 for our anniversary, and thought it would be fitting and proper to post it again for this occasion. Hope you like it!

Stephanie at Angelic Accents is the host of this little party, so if you like wedding stories and photos, you might want to visit there. Wow, you should see Stephanie's collection of wedding things and lots of other items as well! Now, here's a trip down memory lane from a thankful wife:

The Tale of an Arranged Marriage

Once upon a time there was a young lady who dwelt in a humble house in a humble little town in a nearby land. It came to pass that this young lady, who was an ardent baseball fan, became friends with a married couple who lived in a house which was on her selfsame block.

So it was that a few years before, in a faraway territory of the country, this married couple had met a nice young man who was on tour with a minor league baseball team. It later happened that at the time of our tale, the man of the married couple became employed by a local soft drink company. Lo and behold, he was amazed and delighted to find the same young man working there whom he had met some time before as a baseball player in that faraway territory.

The married couple thought that it would be a good idea if this young neighbor lady, who loved baseball, could meet this young co-worker man, who once played baseball. So they asked the young lady, who said “okay.” Then they asked the young man, who said “okay.” A phone number was given to the young man, whereupon a phone call was made to the young lady, and forthwith a first date took place—to where else? A baseball game

Time passed, and by and by, on the 12th day of June, in the year 1971, the young lady from the small town was taken as a bride by the young man who worked for the soft drink company. It was shortly thereafter that this young married couple officially began journeying together with the very One who had arranged and orchestrated all of the details of their lives in order that the aforementioned marriage might take place. This same kind Benefactor has kindly provided them with two daughters, a son-in-law, and a precious granddaughter. He also has bountifully supplied them with love, peace, and harmony.

The picture above is of the newly married couple as they were cutting their wedding cake. Thirty-six years have passed since the hot, humid day in June of that year; the couple is no longer considered young; they have continued to abide in humble dwelling places; and baseball is no longer an important factor in their lives. They are still together by the mercies of the same One who arranged the whole union in the first place. Even though they continue to be recipients of abundant blessings from His hand, it will not be until both of them reach their real home in a far better land, claiming their mansions there while living in the presence of their King, that this couple will live happily ever after.

From me, the once young lady, to my dear hubby, the once young man:

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Cleaning Away

Doing some much needed cleaning and organizing in the sun room, garage, and closets. You can just imagine. I'm in the right mood. You know--that "ditch it" mood. And the good thing is that I'm throwing out old paperbacks, files, and magazines on recycle day so that I don't get tempted to go and retrieve them. So, I'm dirty and dusty, but happy to be getting this done.

Hope you're all well. I'll check in with you folks when I get done.

The Tender Love a Father Has

I just looked at our church bulletin for tomorrow (it's usually posted online at our church website) and I see that we're singing this hymn tomorrow. I thought I'd post it in honor of Father's Day. I am thankful for the father of my children and recognize the importance of what a godly father means to a family. Our sermon tomorrow will be about the need for fathers to know the state of their flocks (from Prov. 27:23ff) and may we pray for our husbands, sons, and earthly fathers who take this task seriously. God bless them.

And remember, the love of our Father in heaven is the best!

The tender love a father has
For all his children dear,
Such love the Lord bestows on them
Who worship him in fear.

The Lord remembers we are dust,
And all our frailty knows;
Man's days are like the tender grass,
And as the flower he grows.

The flower is withered by the wind
That smites with blighting breath;
So man is quickly swept away
Before the blast of death.

Unchanging is the love of God,
From age to age the same,
Displayed to all who do his will
And reverence his Name.

Those who his gracious cov'nant keep
The Lord will ever bless;
Their children's children shall rejoice
To see his righteousness.

Some people may not be familiar with this hymn. It's tune is here.

What???

What will they do next?

A Golden Retriever, dyed to look like a tiger, plays with a Chow Chow, dyed to look like a panda, at the Dahe Pet Civilization Park in Zhengzhou, Henanprovince June 8, 2010. (Per Yahoo News.) You know, I think our world is slowly turning itself upside down and this is just another indication.

I love animals , particularly adorable ones, and these guys definitely are cute, but I'm not sure how I feel about this.

The Lord's Doing

This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23

Thirty-nine years ago today, I married a pretty nice guy. I think since it's been going along quite well that I'll keep him. Why has it been going along pretty well? The verse up above explains it. It's the verse I put on my anniversary card almost every year, because it's true. To God be the glory.

Light Moment

Junior: Mom, the new baby looks just like Rover.

Mom: Junior! Don't say such a thing.

Junior: It's okay, Mom. Rover can't hear me.

Jesus Calls Us

Lately I've been feeling sad about the state of Christianity today, especially in our country. I've been thinking about the call of the world and how often people who are considered Christians seem to be succumbing to that call.

But Jesus calls us. He beckons us to follow Him, and if we TRULY are following Him, much of what we see happening today would not be as evident as it is. Let's follow Him, shall we, and take heed to that blessed call. If we really do, maybe a lot of the things we see going wrong will begin to take a turnabout.

This hymn has been ringing in my ears all day. Do you know it? Mrs. Alexander is one of my favorite hymn writers, particularly wanting children to know the great truths of the Bible, but also writing songs which adults love. She once gave profits from a hymnbook to help support handicapped children in northern Ireland. Now that's my kind of hero in a world with so few of them.


Jesus calls us: o'er the tumult
Of our life's wild, restless sea,
Day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, "Christian, follow me."

As, of old, apostles heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for his dear sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world's golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, "Christian, love me more."

In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
"Christian, love me more than these."

Jesus calls us: by thy mercies,
Saviour, may we hear thy call,
Give our hearts to thine obedience,
Serve and love thee best of all.
~ Cecil Frances Alexander