A WEEKEND OF STORIES

My last week was a bit hard.  I'm not gonna be fake or be untrue with you.  I had happily finished a big project for my mom which, though an easy process, was a bit hard for me as I've aged.  I've had some health flares during the past week.  I think anxiety about what could happen with these flares sometimes takes a bit out of me.  With all that said, I was anticipating the church deacon's meeting at our house on Friday night as there was a wedding reservation of the church for Friday and Saturday AND I was anticipating a "Nightcare" (yes, Nightcare not NightMare) of the children of The Son-In-Law's Sunday School class' parents as their "Christmas/Super Bowl Party" was to to be at The Girl and The Son-In-Law's house at 5:30 last night.  Kids were also invited but when their rsvp guest list got big (their class is REALLY growing), I asked The Poppa if maybe he and I could try to tend to the potty-trained kids during this time.  The Son-In-Law and The Girl were a bit concerned about The Poppa and me and our older lack of our past energy.  He said, "There could be 15-20 kids" to which I said "If there's 15-20 kids, we will deal and if there's 15-20 kids, you will have to move the venue....your house won't hold the parents".  So a deal was struck.  

On Friday morning, I received a call from an unidentified number.  The two voices were familiar but I couldn't for the life of me recall who they belonged to.  They questioned my identity then I finally realized that the voices belonged to one of my longest friends and her husband.  Quick backstory is that our families met when my dad went to serve as pastor of their church....back in 1958.  Uh huh.  I was very young  but the two of us girls became great friends as did my family with hers.  She was bridesmaid in my wedding, I was a bookkeeper in hers and we kept in touch somewhat through the years.  Her parents have long since gone to be with Jesus.  The Friend actually had a stroke about five years ago in surgery and was immediately transferred to a big city hospital where she spent three months.  The doctors said she needed a warm climate and a daily heated pool so her husband moved the two of them to sunny Florida.  They were actually on their way up from there to visit family here and she had a picture for me and wanted to stop by.  Oh my gosh!  What a delightful time, though short it was, just to see her and to see how far she had come!  She was always so full of life and while her ability to walk and speech have suffered, she still has that glorious smile and soft voice.  What a blessing it was for me to see her!  We did get a photo of the two of us but with respect to her dislike of her photos now, I'm not going to post it.  It's just for me and my memories.   Trust me, it was huge blessing for the both of us.  It made me realize yet again the importance of every single minute we are given.

Later that night, the deacons came and after the meeting enjoyed my cakes and coffee.  I had said it was not a food event but I could not have that many in my house and not feed them something.  It's just simply not in my Southern genetic build.  

Saturday morning saw The Poppa and me cheering on The Grandbaby cheerleader.   Yes, we have become "those" grandparents.

Yesterday saw a great time at Sunday School and church.  Love, love, love seemed to be the popular topic.  I had one of my favorite songs on my heart so I just led it.  It's "I Love to Tell the Story".  Every verse is my favorite.

1. I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
   Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
   I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true,
   It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
   • Refrain:
     I love to tell the story,
     ’Twill be my theme in glory,
     To tell the old, old story
     Of Jesus and His love.
2. I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems
   Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams;
   I love to tell the story, it did so much for me,
   And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
3. I love to tell the story, ’tis pleasant to repeat,
   What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;
   I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
   The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
4. I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
   Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
   And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
   ’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
5. That a brought us to the "Nightcare".  At church we lost two of the nine children attending from sickness but in the afternoon gained two more from a change in a mom's job scheduling so it was back to The Poppa and me and the nine. The ages were 3-9.   It went just fine.  Pizza and Poppables were the main food, a couple of popular group games and a movie helped the success.  The potential for "wild" was tamed by my strict rules which amazingly were followed beautifully.  When one mom asked her kids on the way home what was the best part, they replied, "All of it".  So I guess can't get much higher praise than that.  They were all picked up by 8:30 and The Grandbaby, who was spending the night, and I were in bed asleep at 9:30 and the floors were clean and the house was in order.  I know!  Miraculous!  One of the moms told me at pickup that The Son-in-Law had prayed for The Poppa and me in his blessing at their party.  :)  Prayers help for sure.  
6. Well, my apologies for such a long, probably uninteresting, post.  I just realize more and more that each of us have our "story".  Each one differs from the other but I think we can all find a commonality in feelings, in preparations, and in outcomes.  I know I again can only speak for myself, but I do know that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ helps me every single minute to make it through commitments and then shakes a bit of sprinkles on my ice cream of life with blessings such as the random visit of an old, very much loved friend.  And all of this in 3 days!  There's another sermon in that but I must carry on this day and prepare for my week.  Yes it involves a holiday but it also involves a special birthday.  Tune back in on Wednesday for that.  
7. I do love to tell the story of Jesus and his love AND what he does for me!
8. Consider....

SIGN OF SPRING AHEAD

February is a bit early for me to think of the season of Spring as technically the cold weather should still be ahead and I will say that I wouldn't mind seeing a nice sledding snow.   

However, when my yellow flowers are blooming, I have to admit that I love that!  I don't have many jonquils, but the ones I have are the ones that I cut and put in a vase to enjoy inside my house where I am most of the time....every single one except those behind the briars.  My ear and I had a close encounter with those briars last year and I still remember.  

In case you don't have jonquils and appreciate them as I do, here's a look at mine. 

Enjoy....

HUMBLED

Early yesterday morning brought me a text that made me feel so humble.

Long back story is that during the past six months, I have knocked my elbow at the same place on the same shower door rod three times.  The first two left me a bit sore, but the third that happened about a month ago has lingered and is different.  (And yes, now when I walk into my small bathroom, the first thing I do is shut the shower door if it's open.  The shower still feels new after almost two years and I do love it, I just don't love knocking my elbow constantly.)  

I finally decided to try to get in to see a doctor and got an appointment with my PCP for January 23 (which was yesterday).  I had gotten into a text conversation with a sweet friend a week and a half or so ago and we were catching up a bit.  We don't talk/text often but she's still one of my dearest friends and I think she feels the same about our friendship.  It's a friendship which happened in a very unlikely way.  That's another story for another post.  Anyways, I told her about the elbow and the appointment I finally got.

A week ago, the pain was just getting worse so I called my hip doctors for advice.  The advice was "we don't do elbows but the folks next door to us do" and I got the number to call.  I guess the Lord smiled and I was told I could be seen in two hours.  This was 7:30 a.m. but I managed to drive the 45 minutes in the fog to get seen.  It was not broken but bruised on bottom from the hit on the door.  The main problem was that the doctor was concerned about my lack of motion in my faulty wrist.  I told him that was normal for me with the long time autoimmune disorder and the wrist atrophy through the years.  He determined the swelling was from the tendon running from the elbow to the wrist.  So now I'm wearing an elbow strap and a wrist brace for support.  I had to buy the elbow strap....in my vast box of orthopedic gizmos, I had none of those.  :)  

So with that long dissertation, I will get to my point.  I'm betting all you blog readers love how I can drag out a story, huh?

Yesterday morning, I got a really early text from my friend saying she had been praying and hoped my doctor's appointment would merit a remedy for my faulty elbow.  I had to tell her that I had already seen one and cancelled the appointment with the PCP.  However, I also told her that getting that text from her made me feel very warm and fuzzy and very humbled that she would remember and pray for ME even though I didn't ask her to.  And that she prayed for ME, I'm certain, every day since she heard of my painful elbow.  And she was not even in my praying church family.  She is a non-church family friend.  I also got to hear good news from her that her two scans with her oncologist were clear and that her leg from a terrible motorcycle accident was almost healed.  These things gave me much joy and thankfulness but just that she would remember me, especially with all her "stuff" made me so so so very humbled.

I WANT TO BE LIKE THAT.

I want to be one who cares AND remembers.  So many days my mind is so full of things I have to deal with in life, that I forget to pray for the ones who might be counting on my prayers.  And I forget to talk to the one who hears my prayers.

Maybe the point of this sharing is that you want to be that way, too.  

Consider.....

HUMOR OF THE 100TH DAY

 The Grandbaby has been talking for a week about her class's celebration of the 100th day of school this Thursday.  While she was here today, she said to me, "Neema, I have to dress like an old woman on the 100th day of school.  Let's look in your closet."

Ahh...the humor and honestly of a child.  Makes me smile.  Makes The Husband LAUGH.  :)

PREPARATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS

There is the sound of thunder and the sight of a slight too-much-darkness-for-this-time-of-day feeling in my 'hood today.  There is a tornado watch in effect for the next few hours.  

I am reminded of many times in the past when these afternoon storms would come and send me and often The Girl to the hall for safety.  Those times, The Husband was at work so we were in the house alone just waiting and watching.  Today finds The Husband in the den so I am not physically alone.  

The Grandbaby was to come here after school while her parents went to school for a meeting but all the after school activities were canceled for today so that didn't happen.  We are all sorry about that as we would enjoyed having The Grandbaby visit us, even for a short time.  She's a joy and a mess all smushed up together in one little girl and I love it and her.  But you blog readers know that....I just had to repeat myself.

School buses came to school to head out early.

Tornado sirens have been going off to get our attention.

Flashlights are ready.

Prayers have been said.  

Supper is in the works.

The whole scenario has made me feel like I need a nap. 

We prepare for the unknown that is predicted even though it's unknown.  I wonder if it's because of the past things we have seen involving tornados and storms.  I have seen flooding, results and actions of big BIG winds, downed trees and power lines and so much more damaging effects.  That makes me want to prepare and be cautious.

I was thinking as I often do that my spiritual life is a lot like that when the "spiritual storms" come.  Storms of disappointments, fears, uncontrollable health issues, uncontrollable mental and emotion issues, sin, and that list and the damages left behind are so very great.  I think, speaking for myself, I tend to make less preparations and take fewer precautions when it comes to those storms.  Prayers have been said for the upcoming potential weather here but have prayers been said for those who suffer from these spiritual storms?  Do I prepare early by reading my Bible and finding what the Lord has for me to help me when those spiritual sirens go off?  Do I recognize the spiritual food that is available for me to eat should my "power" get knocked out?  Or do I just want to go to sleep and forget about it all?  

Those are good questions for me to consider, I will say.  Maybe they're good questions for you as well.  

Now I need to check the weather....outdoors and inside my heart.  

Consider.....

 

WELL SAID....

I found this the other day written by Mother Teresa and it says all it says very well and can be applied to all of us.

TO START THE NEW YEAR

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway. 

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies.  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.  Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight.  Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow.  Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.   Give the world the best you've got anyway

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

Consider....

A NEW YEAR

It seems that only a few short years ago 2023 seemed far, far away from me and now here I am.  I was recalling the 60 plus years of New Years' Eves and New Years and they all seemed to involve resolutions which could signal new beginnings.  This year I'm just looking at it all a bit differently.  I will admit that I wondered how I arrived here so swiftly but then I was filled with gratitude that I was simply "here".  So that's where I am on this third day of 2023.  Here.  No resolutions just a carrying on of "here".  

One of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies, Anne of Green Gables, was spoken by Anne's teacher one morning as school began.  She said to her students, "Today is a day with no mistakes in it."  That's kind of how I look at things a lot of days.  Mistakes come and go.  Sorrows come and go.  Inside me, though, the joy remains.

With all that dissertation, I will say that The Husband and I were invited to join The Girl, The Son-in-Law, and The Grandbaby on a short trip to the mountains.  We saw in the new year in the condo.  The next day we spent at Dollywood Amusement Park.  We arrived at 10:30.  As we were walking along bringing up the rear around 1:30, The Husband said, "Maybe we would do better at this if we spent only half a day."   I chuckled and replied, "Actually we've only been here three hours....that's not even half a day!"  We both laughed as we realized the reality of the whole conversation.  The old bodies are just not what they used to be.  In spite of that, we had a wonderful time and actually rode a few rides and enjoyed it.  Not many, but a few with The Grandbaby.  Here's a pictorial of course...

New Years' Eve....

"Wake me at the countdown, Dad"...."Okay, I will".....there was no waking to be had.  Dad tried.  So only four of us partiers watched the fireworks from our balcony.

A favorite ride...

A not so favorite ride but The Girl showed bravery...but only once.  No more. Bravery could be considered over-rated.

A good face painting...

Another favorite ride....The Poppa was a good sport.  "Put your hands up, Poppa!"  "No thanks."  (Neemas, Dads, and Moms can't watch.)

This is Us.

Happy New Year!

NOW ON TO ANOTHER SEASON....

 Christmas is past.  It was a good one yet again.  I've learned as I age that my anticipations change.  In the past I looked forward to the presents.  Now I just look forward to time spent in the joy of it all.  

As The Husband and I headed towards our Christmas-Eve-tradition-of-the-past-few years restaurant on Christmas Eve, we found ourselves recalling Christmases past.  Praise Jesus we still have some recalling minds.  We reflected on the saddest, yes there is one and then happier times.  I recalled childhood Christmas trees with those lights with the REALLY big bulbs as they shone brightly on our small live tree.  And who remembers the silver "icicles"?  Not the tinsel which draped around the tree but the silver slinky shiny "icicles" that hung one by one on the tree limbs.  I was guilty of tiring during this decorating process and would hang a glob of them on one tree limb just to get finished.  The ornaments were scarce but we had tinsel, "icicles", and the joy of Christmas.  Praise Jesus again that the joy doesn't ever change.

Christmas Day found us in church with THE day being on a Sunday.  It was a blessing to hear the children sing "Happy Birthday Jesus" in their sweet little voices.  It rivaled "Jesus Loves Me" as it made tears come into my eyes and run down my actual made-up Christmas cheeks and I didn't even care about the smears.  It wasn't the traditional "Happy Birthday to You" but "Happy Birthday Jesus!  I'm so glad it's Christmas....".  There was the beauty of "O Holy Night" then The Pastor called all the children to the front, sat criss-cross-applesauce in the altar and read them the Christmas story.  We came home to a meal of roast and potatoes, then The Grandbaby promptly fell asleep.  Did I say that she and I had been recovering from the dreaded stomach bug?  It's a doozy.  It was a bit later when she awoke that The Poppa read the Christmas Story again from the Bible and we opened presents and had dessert which involved a Happy Birthday Jesus mini cookie cake and then played a game.  It was a nice day.  Most of all, it was a day full of Jesus!

Thursday night we did a nice time with my extended family at my parents' house.  Laughter and joy was there as well.  

Seasons come and seasons go and now on to a new season....but before that, I will share a few photos....as many of you readers expect!  

I need to learn to smile correctly in my own photos.....

Unexpected nap in The Poppa's recliner...

Luke 2...

The Poppa and The Grandbaby enjoy watching Bluey together every Monday after school while snacking before homework.  This was a gift to The Grandbaby from The Poppa.  "Neema, I bet Poppa needed help with this wrapping."

Handmade "cards" all around...

....and matching hats.

A crafty personalized coffee cup...

... a handmade paper purse...

..and a handmade blanket in some favorite colors.

Happy New Year!

CHRISTMAS EVE

The dessert and croutons are made.  The roast is marinating.  The gifts are wrapped.  All the other things are either done or in the works.  Tomorrow is THE day.  Christmas.  The day we celebrate Jesus' birth.  All of you regular blog readers will know that Easter is my favorite "holiday" but what you might not know is that Christmas runs a close second to that.  Of course, my birthday is big to me, too, especially if I'm here to celebrate it!  :)

During the day today I have been thinking a lot of Mary, Jesus' mother.  I went to the scriptures a bit ago....to the wonderful book of Luke, and read a bit.  Sure I know the story.  It's one that is precious to me, but I never tire of reading it.  I encourage you to read it also.  Often.  I encourage you to begin in the beginning of Luke, not in the second chapter as most nativity readings occur.  

I read tonight where the angel visited Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of the Son of God.  I found two things that Mary responded.   "How?" was the first question.  Then after the explanation, she simply said, " ..be it unto me according to thy word."  Really?  That was it?  It is my understanding that Mary was very young.  After this revelation and acknowledgement, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth and they had one of those "girl" moments.  The scriptures say that Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months.  My question is, "Where was Mary's mama during all this?"

I encourage you to read these passages from Luke 1 and 2.  I was especially touched by Luke 1:46-55, subtitled in my Bible "The Song of Mary".  This young girl who was just told she would be the mother of the Son of God via an impossible sounding way was simply praising God.  

And Joseph.....he had a bunch of faith, too.  I see these two youngsters as they head to Bethlehem to be counted in the census, Mary so very pregnant and soon to deliver.  Then in Bethlehem the crowd was so big, all the motel rooms were taken.  It's a good thing that the Lord chose Mary instead of me.  I would have been fussing about all the rooms being taken.  

That Christmas night, Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable and she laid him in a manger.  I just can't fathom how she must have felt.  Then when the company started coming to visit....the smelly shepherds welcomed as much as the rich kings.  Isn't that how Jesus is?  His love is open to all who will receive.  

I love the prophetic scripture from Isaiah 9 and encourage you to read it as well.  Then follow up with the passages from Luke 1 and 2.  And that, blog readers, is what Christmas is ALL ABOUT!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Consider.....

GIVING

I had the experience this morning of observing The Grandbaby's program at her elementary school....officially called The Giving Tree Program.  Children had been asked a few weeks prior to bring in unused toys for a local organization that would disburse the gifts to those who were needy.  The representative who was at the program explained it to the children that the parents of the children these gifts would go to would be using their money to pay for housing, food, utilities and such, thus leaving little to no money for gifts for their children.  I was thinking how that might be hard for some children to grasp, not so hard for some others.

The program began with the children--in this program time space--the K-2 graders marching in to their places on the gym floor.  After that, the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth" began to play while gift bag carriers from each class marched in with their class's contribution.  As these little ones marched in....not carrying little pretty gift bags but barely lifting heavy trash bag type bags and some even pushing bicycles, water started coming from my eyes and I could not help it.  

The children, led by a fabulous music teacher, then gave some songs very mightily.  It was a beautiful sight to see and hear.  After many many many events in my own school past and then being a very active volunteer at all three of The Girl's schools through the years, I can truthfully say I had never seen an event like it.   Blessed.

As all were dismissed we were able to say hello to The Grandbaby who, happily, still loves to hug.  And yes, now The Grandbaby can sing that song, "All I Want For Christmas is my Two Front Teeth".  :)

The morning gave me thought of how blessed we are to be able to give, not only at Christmas but every single day.  Not only monetary store bought gifts but other gifts of the heart.  My goodness, I even realized how many opportunities I miss to give such to others simply by my busyness and my thoughts on other things.  

As I close this post on this blessed day, I wish you gifts both given by you and to you.  Gifts that matter.  Gifts of the heart.  

Consider....