At the close of the Bible Study at the home of friends a couple of nights ago, my husband spoke up that he would like prayer. Howard had been to the doctor recently, and they were not pleased with his readings on his A-1C report, a review of his diabetes history for the last 3 months. It was concerning him, especially that his blood sugar was ranging too high, about 240.
All gathered around and prayed for him, and others asked for prayer, too, including myself! (I was having a painful stiffness in my neck and general malaise that was afflicting me.) We all felt the Lord's presence!
The next morning, Howard, having arisen early, called out to me: "Guess what my blood sugar was when I got up this morning!" I was shocked when he said it was 112! That was good news! We praised God for answered prayer!
Then today, his reading was down to 90! Even after the hearty supper I made last night! I had been talking with my daughter, Julie, and and she advised us to eat greens. She swears that they will fix what ails you. So I cooked a big mess of collard greens, cornbread, and even fried potatoes with a side of green onions! (Everything was delicious, if I do say so myself.)
I am feeling better, too, and my neck doesn't hurt anymore. Thank you, God, for your healing power, and for faith-filled friends!
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Dessert Course
I took a notion to make a lemon meringue pie yesterday, since I had lemons that needed to be used. I knew Howard was watching his diet, though, as per doctor's instructions. Maybe I could take it to church to go with the meal tonight, I thought.
Getting out the lemons and all the ingredients, I remembered to take the pie crust from the fridge, only to realize in consternation that my favorite glass pie pan was in the refrigerator holding a left-over apple pie. I would have to use the smaller one with straighter sides, I decided, doubting now the possibility of taking it to church.
Taking a peek into the oven to see how the pie crust was holding out, I was dismayed to see that the crust had largely crumpled down into the pan! Horrors! I pulled it out and straightened the sides the best I could, but I knew it was pretty hopeless. All that wasted time, and I might have to eat it myself!
Resignedly, I poured the filling into the crust and topped it with meringue. It came out looking okay, but I knew the filling had run to the side on part of it. Howard wanted a piece anyway, so I gave him a small sliver with one for me. It tasted good, but I couldn't keep it around the house, I realized.
Resolutely, I took it to church anyway, after cutting it into small slices. Once in a while, I glanced at the dessert table, but I couldn't tell anyone was taking any, except for one man who was determinedly scooping up a piece.
Later, I spotted a couple in pre-service, and went over to chat with them. I started to tell them about my pie disaster, when my friend exclaimed, "That was yours? That was delicious!" I was still deprecating it, but she shook her head and insisted it was yummy!
Then after church, I ran into the gentleman I'd noticed getting a slice, and I kidded him, saying, "So you liked my pie?" to which he replied emphatically, "Yes! That was good!"
So next time I will use the right pan, or maybe buy another, with the encouragement of bringing home an empty dish!
Getting out the lemons and all the ingredients, I remembered to take the pie crust from the fridge, only to realize in consternation that my favorite glass pie pan was in the refrigerator holding a left-over apple pie. I would have to use the smaller one with straighter sides, I decided, doubting now the possibility of taking it to church.
Taking a peek into the oven to see how the pie crust was holding out, I was dismayed to see that the crust had largely crumpled down into the pan! Horrors! I pulled it out and straightened the sides the best I could, but I knew it was pretty hopeless. All that wasted time, and I might have to eat it myself!
Resignedly, I poured the filling into the crust and topped it with meringue. It came out looking okay, but I knew the filling had run to the side on part of it. Howard wanted a piece anyway, so I gave him a small sliver with one for me. It tasted good, but I couldn't keep it around the house, I realized.
Resolutely, I took it to church anyway, after cutting it into small slices. Once in a while, I glanced at the dessert table, but I couldn't tell anyone was taking any, except for one man who was determinedly scooping up a piece.
Later, I spotted a couple in pre-service, and went over to chat with them. I started to tell them about my pie disaster, when my friend exclaimed, "That was yours? That was delicious!" I was still deprecating it, but she shook her head and insisted it was yummy!
Then after church, I ran into the gentleman I'd noticed getting a slice, and I kidded him, saying, "So you liked my pie?" to which he replied emphatically, "Yes! That was good!"
So next time I will use the right pan, or maybe buy another, with the encouragement of bringing home an empty dish!
Saturday, April 13, 2019
The Glory is in the Giving
"Your husband just paid for our lunch," the girl standing there with her mother said to me as I was waiting at our table for Howard to bring our food.
"What did you say?" I asked, not being sure I heard her right.
"Your husband paid for our lunch,' this time spoken from the mother.
"Oh, he just heard a sermon on generosity," I laughed.
After they left and we were eating, I remarked, "So you bought their lunch?" to which Howard explained, "They didn't have enough money on their card."
Oh, no wonder, then. But it was remarkable that we had just heard a sermon on giving from our son who was preaching last Sunday! The title of his message was, "The Glory is in the Giving." In speaking of salvation, Jamie, as we call him, quoted Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."
God is a giver. Our speaker suggested inserting the word, "giving" for "grace," since Jesus gave His all for us.
It really made me think, for I have always been the frugal one (as a result of wife training in the early, skimping days of our marriage). Now that all our six kids are grown and settled, I find myself still in that pattern, while my husband has switched roles to be just the opposite!
Watching Jamie's message again on YouTube has reminded me of how joyful it is to give, so thank you, son! Your father thanks you, too!
"What did you say?" I asked, not being sure I heard her right.
"Your husband paid for our lunch,' this time spoken from the mother.
"Oh, he just heard a sermon on generosity," I laughed.
After they left and we were eating, I remarked, "So you bought their lunch?" to which Howard explained, "They didn't have enough money on their card."
Oh, no wonder, then. But it was remarkable that we had just heard a sermon on giving from our son who was preaching last Sunday! The title of his message was, "The Glory is in the Giving." In speaking of salvation, Jamie, as we call him, quoted Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."
God is a giver. Our speaker suggested inserting the word, "giving" for "grace," since Jesus gave His all for us.
It really made me think, for I have always been the frugal one (as a result of wife training in the early, skimping days of our marriage). Now that all our six kids are grown and settled, I find myself still in that pattern, while my husband has switched roles to be just the opposite!
Watching Jamie's message again on YouTube has reminded me of how joyful it is to give, so thank you, son! Your father thanks you, too!
Friday, April 12, 2019
The Get-Away
"We are about to cross the Brazos River," came the voice of the train's conductor as we traveled to Texas last week. "Brazos is Spanish for "arms," short for "Los Brazos de Dois" or "the arms of God." Legend has it that when early explorers were about to die of thirst, they were pointed to this river from which water saved their lives.
A few years ago, we were in North Carolina on vacation where we visited a picturesque, small hamlet called Valle Crucis. The area was named by a priest in the 1800s when he noticed two streams that crossed in a valley, forming a cross. Thus the name, Valle Crucis, the valley of the cross.
I love the place names and learning their history, as I loved most everything about this trip, especially seeing Tammy and Benjamin's family. The kids were so sweet and thoughtful, including studious, 10-year-old Maddie, of the glorious red hair, who always gave us a hug before and after school, and sweet, helpful, Anne-Marie!
I had collected small gifts to bring to them, and after they opened and admired them, Isaac, 5, disappeared. Shortly he came in with an assortment of odd-shaped containers, from decorative wooden boxes to tiny paper packets. Concealed in each of them was a miniature candy cane for all of us!
I miss them already, from their father's gourmet cooking on his Spring break, to going to church, and the happy conversation and laughter at the table. Thank you, Jamie and Tammy for a wonderful week! Our safe, enjoyable trip home felt definitely from the arms of God!
A few years ago, we were in North Carolina on vacation where we visited a picturesque, small hamlet called Valle Crucis. The area was named by a priest in the 1800s when he noticed two streams that crossed in a valley, forming a cross. Thus the name, Valle Crucis, the valley of the cross.
I love the place names and learning their history, as I loved most everything about this trip, especially seeing Tammy and Benjamin's family. The kids were so sweet and thoughtful, including studious, 10-year-old Maddie, of the glorious red hair, who always gave us a hug before and after school, and sweet, helpful, Anne-Marie!
I had collected small gifts to bring to them, and after they opened and admired them, Isaac, 5, disappeared. Shortly he came in with an assortment of odd-shaped containers, from decorative wooden boxes to tiny paper packets. Concealed in each of them was a miniature candy cane for all of us!
I miss them already, from their father's gourmet cooking on his Spring break, to going to church, and the happy conversation and laughter at the table. Thank you, Jamie and Tammy for a wonderful week! Our safe, enjoyable trip home felt definitely from the arms of God!
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Journey
What is that ethereal music I hear? I asked myself, as I lay on the sofa at our son's house where we are visiting. Over the chatter of the program our 5-year-old grandson, Isaac, had on his ipad, and the noise of the TV from the bedroom where my husband was watching the inspirational channel came indefinable strains of sweet-sounding harmony that drifted into my half-asleep nap.
When I asked the source of the delightful sound, our son and host, Benjamin, replied nonchalantly, "That's Anne-Marie practicing her cello."
What? I knew our 12-year-old granddaughter had signed up for a cello in school last fall, but then it was little more than squeaks and squawks! I hurried up to her room and found the little future maestro expertly drawing the bow across the strings as she studied the sheet in front of her. (She also played a ditty on the keyboard for me.)
How fast kids grow up! She has turned from a quiet, somewhat introverted child into a smiling, confident young lady, all willowy and graceful with long blonde locks shimmering around her shoulders. She was our guide at their church Sunday, ushering us into the right class and activity while the first service was under way.
It has been such a rewarding week, the highlight of which was hearing Benjamin's (Jamie's) sermon on Sunday. He had kept it a secret that he was going to speak, and we were so proud and touched by the message he brought forth. Every day has been full, from outings, shopping, and keeping Isaac entertained.
A surprise picnic yesterday pulled out of bags at a lovely park where we fed the friendly squirrels was such a pleasant time, followed by a train ride filled with young and old. All this was preceded by a morning at Houston's Museum of Fine Arts where we were treated to a travel display of the works of Vincent van Gogh. It was so fascinating I bought a book of his history and art.
We go home tomorrow, on a real train, luggage full and full of happy memories of this amazing week!
When I asked the source of the delightful sound, our son and host, Benjamin, replied nonchalantly, "That's Anne-Marie practicing her cello."
What? I knew our 12-year-old granddaughter had signed up for a cello in school last fall, but then it was little more than squeaks and squawks! I hurried up to her room and found the little future maestro expertly drawing the bow across the strings as she studied the sheet in front of her. (She also played a ditty on the keyboard for me.)
How fast kids grow up! She has turned from a quiet, somewhat introverted child into a smiling, confident young lady, all willowy and graceful with long blonde locks shimmering around her shoulders. She was our guide at their church Sunday, ushering us into the right class and activity while the first service was under way.
It has been such a rewarding week, the highlight of which was hearing Benjamin's (Jamie's) sermon on Sunday. He had kept it a secret that he was going to speak, and we were so proud and touched by the message he brought forth. Every day has been full, from outings, shopping, and keeping Isaac entertained.
A surprise picnic yesterday pulled out of bags at a lovely park where we fed the friendly squirrels was such a pleasant time, followed by a train ride filled with young and old. All this was preceded by a morning at Houston's Museum of Fine Arts where we were treated to a travel display of the works of Vincent van Gogh. It was so fascinating I bought a book of his history and art.
We go home tomorrow, on a real train, luggage full and full of happy memories of this amazing week!
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