The Value of Family

For those of you who don't know him, this is Dr. Voddie Baucham, a pastor, writer, and leader in many issues that affect the family. He is a refreshing voice for many issues I hold dear. This is one of those issues. If our nation is to survive, more folks will need to be sounding this same message.

Flowers and Fro

I am so sorry that I didn't keep my promise to come back the next day with another picture taken with my new camera! Actually, I wanted to leave Lena at the top for a few days, anyway.

Would you believe that I hadn't planted any flowers until today? The reason for this is a long story which would bore you so I won't bother to explain. Finally, the other day I got a flat of impatiens, but didn't have any potting soil until yesterday so that was today's project. Here's a picture of one of the hanging plants which doesn't look the greatest yet; however, I thought maybe in a few weeks I'll take a picture of the same planter and let you see how it's progressing. Now, our flowers will be nothing like my bloggy friend Cathy's, but at least we're trying. My hubby usually cares for the flowers after they're planted, because I have a bad habit of forgetting about them. Obviously, gardening is not one of my strengths.

Well, today's other project was taking Fro to the vet for his yearly shots and checkup. He always is a charmer when he goes and gets lots of attention. They say he's doing well and that his weight and size are great. Now he's thinking he's a pretty big deal after all the good things that were said about him. So here he is posing for the world to see how wonderful he is.



I'll close with this:

A bus driver is going up a one-way street the wrong way. Halfway down the street he gets spotted by a police officer, and waves hello to him. If the bus driver is going down a one-way street the wrong way, why does the police officer not pull him over and give him a ticket?

Little Musician

I got a digital camera a couple of days ago-finally! So you folks may have to be subjected to my photo taking experiments for a few days. You know that Lena has to be one of the first pictures I'd put on this blog and here she is singing and playing the piano at our house yesterday. You should have heard her--she's quite musical! I don't think I took this particular picture, but it is one of the first with my new camera and I learned how to transfer them to the computer and all that good stuff. Now I figured out how to work the flash which would have helped on this shot. I'm quite pleased with myself as I've never been anything remotely resembling a photographer. I'll be back tomorrow with another picture if I get a chance!

I'm hoping that maybe I'll be a more normal grandmother now since I can get prints of photos like these. Most of the time when people ask to see a picture of my granddaughter I only have one from long time ago. Now maybe I can do the usual grandparent thing and whip out a bunch of pictures when I run into folks who ask about grandkids.I do have this little digital keychain thing, but I want real pictures!

Come, ye Sinners

Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity joined with pow'r:
He is able,
He is able,
He is able,
He is willing; doubt no more.

Come, ye needy, come and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Ev'ry grace that brings you nigh,
Without money,
Without money,
Without money,
Come to Jesus Christ and buy.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Bruised and broken by the fall;
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all:
Not the righteous,
Not the righteous,
Not the righteous,
Sinners Jesus came to call.

Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness he requireth
Is to feel your need of him;
This he gives you,
This he gives you,
This he gives you;
'Tis the Spirit's rising beam.

Lo! th'incarnate God, ascended,
Pleads the merit of his blood;
Venture on him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude:
None but Jesus,
None but Jesus,
None but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good.

~ Joseph Hart

Anniversary No. 37

In the months of May through July we find out the news of our last post, we each have another birthday, enjoy Mother's Day and Father's Day, see our oldest gain another year, and today, CELEBRATE ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY!

Today marks thirty-seven years of our journey together as husband and wife, and we are thankful to the Lord, who ordained marriage to be the wonderful institution that it is. I am thankful for my hubby and for God's mercies to us. We have much to celebrate!

I won't write our story out again, but if you'd like to read it you can read last year's anniversary post.

Granddaughter No.2!

My hubby and I, who have been blessed with two daughters, are expecting in October to have TWO granddaughters! Read about it at Bev's blog. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

At the Crack of Dawn

I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psalm 104:33

For a couple of weeks or so they've been waking me every day at about five in the morning. It's what is sometimes called "at the crack of dawn." One day it was 4:52 a.m. when I looked at the clock, and it was still pretty dark out, with just a hint of the promised daylight. When they awake me, it's to a magnificently beautiful chorus. For the most part, it's the robins who are taking the lead with hymns which are loud and crystal clear as they pour through my open window. Sometimes the cardinals join in to add variety and harmony; perhaps a sparrow or two, as well. The titmice, who are not around right now due to breeding in the deep woods, were taking the lead earlier in the spring and that, of course, was at a bit of a later hour. No matter which and who and when, though I may be lifted from a deep sleep, I usually smile in grateful acknowledgment of their concert offered freely to all who will listen. After all, there is little on this side of heaven that matches the splendor of this early serenade.

Undoubtedly, they are speaking to one another in a language that only they understand. But they're speaking to me as well, you know. During the course of the day I'll be hearing many news items that could bring discouragement and sadness. I'll be hearing what's going on in the political arena; I'll be getting reports from the courts in California and other places; I'll be receiving more updates about the latest disasters in this place and the other; I'll be weeping over sorrows of families who have lost precious ones or are encountering severe illnesses; and on and on. Sometimes, I'll be dealing with worries and concerns within my own family. I often take these burdens to bed with me at the end of the day.

So what is the message of these sweet melodies that rouse me to another day's journey on my pilgrimage? As I progress from one sunrise to the next they remind me that the One who created the singers and the hearer is still clothed with honor and majesty. They are saying that He who laid the foundations of the earth governs the course of all things pertaining to it and all of His creation. Yes, they point me to Psalm 104 where I'm reminded of these truths and more.

No matter what's going on around us, dear precious ones, let's listen to what these lowly creatures are proclaiming about their Creator and ours. He still reigns. He's still in control of His universe. He has not left us nor forsaken us. Let's hang in there and listen--every day at the crack of dawn.

Funny Foto #1

Since I often don't have as much time to post as before and want to keep things moving, I thought maybe an occasional funny photo from the news would be a welcome distraction for you folks. Here's my first. Can you figure out what's going on here or do you have a funny title for it? This is not a contest nor are there any prizes, I just thought you might find it amusing. I did. I would appreciate it if there would be no mean comments about our President (which I would promptly delete).

I Love You This Much!

Theresa, a younger blogging friend, has been kind enough to give this sweet award to me. I like going to Theresa's blog, called "A Note From Theresa,", because she is a woman who loves God, her family, her country, and her church. I like reading her heartfelt posts on these issues. But she likes to have fun too, as I do, and she even loves the hymns, as I do. We both like sports, but on that we separate--we don't like the same teams!

Anyway, in receiving this award and passing it on to others, I was impressed by a little extra benefit from reading Theresa's words: I was impressed by the humility she displayed in confessing her shortcomings. All of us would do well to follow her example when we come face to face with our failings. And believe me, our sins WILL confront us. If they don't, then something's wrong. So reading her post was a special blessing for me as is always the case when I see this grace (a humble spirit) manifested in the life of a child of God.

My favorite commentator, J.C. Ryle, often speaks of humility. In his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, he said this of John the Baptist:

A frame of mind like this is the highest degree of grace to which mortal man can attain. The greatest saint in the sight of God is the man who is most thoroughly "clothed with humility." (1 Peter 5:5) . . . Let us covet earnestly the best gifts; but above all, let us covet humility. The way to true honour is to be humble. No man ever was so praised by Christ as the very man who says here, "I must decrease,"--the humble John the Baptist. ~ John C. Ryle

So I thank Theresa for the award, but also for the opportunity to post this quote. And insofar as passing the award on, you know that I shrink from naming names. Those of you who are special to me know who you are. There are some of you whom I wish I could meet face to face. But, of course, in glory we'll meet someday. Thanks for being faithful to me, my bloggy friends; it's been a special part of my life. I'm thankful I started blogging two years ago, all because of each of you. You're special and I love you this much!

Memorial Day 2008

Beautiful America. We love her so dearly and we pray for her today, not just for Memorial Day, but each and every day. She is so needy at this time. While this holiday weekend we remember those who have given their life for her, let's lift her up in our prayers that she'll continue to know the Lord's mercies and that she will return to Him.

Sad News

Please read this so you can pray. Our family has always followed the adoption stories of this family.

Postscript

The family site of the Chapmans: http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 8-9

Be Back Soon!

Sneaky Nutrition - Strawberries

Pretty in color, juicy, and sweet. And most kids like them. The latest Sneaky Nutrition star ingredient is a cinch. Three cheers for strawberries! There are so many ways to serve them and now we have come into their time of year to shine. So step up to the podium strawberries and take a bow! We applaud you! Thank you for your richness in Vitamin C--you even contain more than any of our friendly citrus fruits. Also, thank you for providing fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, folate, and antioxidants for our needy bodies. And I hear that you are packed with two flavonoids that help fight off the bad (LDL) cholesterol. Is that true? And is there anything to the claims that you contain an acid that makes certain cancer causing chemicals inactive? Wow. If all these reports are accurate, you should indeed be presented with an award for your dutiful service to the human race! No wonder you're so popular--even though most folks enjoy you simply because you're so tasty. So for people like me (and other mothers) who don't like to be up front with the good-for-you thing, you are a great ally. Thanks again for being there!

I'm sure there are others out there who will join me in giving plaudits to this well known and extremely popular fruit. How can it be served? Let me count the ways. Well, you do that. Tell me your favorite way to serve strawberries. I'll tell you just one of my mine: In a bowl with a little sweetener sprinkled on and a tablespoon or two of vanilla ice cream. And since I always have to give a recipe on a Sneaky Nutrition post, I'll choose this one from my weight watcher days, which incidentally, I need to bring back. I enjoyed this for breakfast during strawberry season:

FRUIT SHORTCAKE

1 3/4 cup Bisquick Reduced-Fat Baking Mix (make your own--see below*)
1/3 cup sugar or Splenda
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp orange rind
2 large eggs
2 Tbsp butter
1/3 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1 cup sliced strawberries (You can use blueberries, apples, chopped pineapple, peaches)

Melt the butter. Mix everything together except fruit. After well mixed, fold in fruit. Bake at 375 deg. for about 30 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

________________________________

*Think about making your own baking mix and use instead of the Bisquick. There are several different recipes; this one was the one I used most when I used to do it . It has to be stored in the refrigerator, so if you have the room, it's a worthwhile investment of time. There are so many Bisquick recipes, but you may hesitate to use them because you don't want to use processed foods too much. This solves the problem:


BAKING MIX (Bisquick Substitute)

8 cups flour (part or all whole wheat)
1/4 cup + 2 teaspoon baking powder (alum. free)
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup shortening (try to find one with good oils)
2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup wheat germ

1. Sift together dry ingredients. 2. Cut in shortening. 3. Mix in dry milk and wheat germ.

Use to make biscuits, pancakes and waffles; use in Bisquick recipes.





Strawberries trivia: The United States honored the strawberry with a 33-cent stamp first issued on April 10, 1999. BTW, I hope you remembered that first class stamps went up again, this time a penny. So you'll need 42 cents to mail your letters and cards.

Blessed Assurance Again

I made this post a year ago on Mother's Day. I spoke about my mom and her love for this hymn. Unfortunately, I didn't get to the grave today as I typically do. I wanted to go, but just couldn't make it this time. She not there, anyway. I'm pretty sure about the truth of the words written on her tombstone: "Absent from the body, Present with the Lord." So the tears I've shed through the years are for myself, not her. This year, I won't just talk about her favorite hymn, I'll post it.

And may I wish all of you dear friends a Happy Mother's Day? Many of you are mothers, for which you can be most thankful. And many of you have your mothers, of which you may be most thankful. May you have the blessed assurance that Jesus is yours and you are His. That's best of all.

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.


Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Myanmar Disaster

In the midst of the tussling of candidates for position to the high office here, a major disaster once again strikes in our world, this time in Myanmar, formerly Burma. It's hard to even imagine the devastation in the form of thousands of lost lives and the loss of homes. Sometimes as we read and hear of these desparate situations in other places we feel helpless. What can we do? Is there any way we can help?

Of course, we can always pray. And we can give if it's at all possible. We always like to give through World Vision for tragedies of this magnitude, but there are other agencies through which you can give. World Vision is a solid and trusthworthy organization that's been around for quite a while, so we always recommend them. We've been sponsoring several children in Africa through them (one child at a time for us), and believe me, it's an experience we'd recommend to any family who can find the means to do it. I thought I'd throw this out in case there's anyone out there who could manage to give in this blessed way: sponsor a child or family in Myanmar. I know that's a tough call for many folks, so let's all please see if we could do a little something, and maybe all together it will help.


The U.S. has offered financial aid to help the people there; hopefully, it will be accepted. It was nice to see Laura Bush speaking on this issue today. Even though she was speaking on such a tragic matter, it was a welcome break from all the political rhetoric that we've been subjected to of late. For some reason she seemed a breathe of fresh air to me. I wonder why?


I felt constrained to to talk about this tonight and solicit whatever help anyone can give, especially the prayers of all of us. May the picture of this little cutie pie be a reminder to us.