I had a sinking feeling as I digested my son's words. To my question as to whether he would meet us as planned at our 3-hour layover in Ft. Worth, he replied, "No, I can't do that. I have to work." Several times before when we had taken the Amtrak train to visit our youngest son's family in Houston, Trevor met us there and took us to lunch and a brief sight-seeing tour to pass the time.
I told him that was fine, since it would've meant a long drive for him anyway, but inside, I was panicking. How I dreaded us struggling with bulky luggage (I always pack too much), pulling it nearly half a block, over tracks, and finally to the train station to wait out the hours, then repeating the process and boarding again! We hadn't done that since Howard's heart surgery several months ago, and I was concerned.
That morning while we waited at the station to begin our trek homeward after an eventful week at son Jamie's house, we kept getting updates that the train was running late. Actually, we didn't mind, since that would reduce our waiting time at Ft. Worth, where we would board The Heartland Flyer for the remainder of our trip back to Oklahoma.
We settled in for the ride, going to the observation car for awhile, enjoying the scenic view of big sky, West-Texas hill country. Finally we decided to get something to eat, although the prices on trains are triple anywhere else. (We had brought food for the trip going down, but we soon tired of it and ate in the dining car as a splurge.) This time we visited the Cafe' and it helped pass the time.
As we were nearing our stop, I was surprised to hear Howard inquiring of an attendant if there was a porter or anyone who could help us with our bags. Incredibly, she said, "Yes, we have a "People Mover." I had seen luggage on carts on previous trips, but I always assumed they were for a long-distance baggage car! As soon as we got off the train, they sent the vehicle for us and our luggage, which they held for us. We couldn't believe it! They even came and got us when The Heartland Flyer arrived and took us and the luggage to the boarding area.
That was an answer to prayer! Howard told me that he had prayed earlier that we would get help! And to think it was available all along! I couldn't help but think about how Jesus wants us to call on Him, for he will bear our burdens. We go along struggling over heavy loads of worry, troubles, or anticipated problems, when if we will only ask, He will carry our baggage!
Despite the lost time due to heavy rail traffic, we made it to our destination right on the dot! We were met by our son Greg who saw us safely the rest of the way home. Jesus will do the same!
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Happy Birthday, Corrin!
I rocked her as a newborn, caring for her at only a few weeks old when my daughter, Amy, returned to her nursing job. How well I remember giving baby Corrin her two-ounce bottle, cradling the warm little bundle on one hand and patting her back with the other until I heard the requisite burp, then holding the second tiny bottle that would complete her feeding. She felt like my own baby! But when her parents came home from work, I readily relinquished the precious bundle and fell exhausted on the sofa. Who knew how hard it would be!
We had moved back from a couple years stint in Wichita, Kansas, where Howard was on staff at a large church, serving as Senior's Pastor. But we missed our Mississippi home, and our kids needed a baby-sitter. I loved it! It was a joy to watch little Corrin grow. I would put her down for a nap on our large bed, lying down beside her while she wriggled and blinked for a few minutes before those lashes over her beautiful brown eyes drooped in slumber.
It wasn't long before she was learning to crawl, imitating three-year-old big brother Reid, as he mimicked her on all fours, rocking back and forth. He would become her idol throughout her childhood, enduring his reckless foibles, such as the time the told her to turn around, then shot her in the back with his BB gun! No matter, she would put on his jeans and try to be just like him.
Corrin was quiet and shy in pre-school, but behind that furrowed brow, she was a thinker. When she was four, she and brother Reid attended a VBS at the church we were by then pastoring. On commencement night, she stood stolid and bored-looking on the platform, not singing or participating. I was convinced she hadn't gotten anything from the lessons, the theme of which was "Brave Believers," patterned after heroes of the Bible.
A couple of weeks later, Amy and I were in our pasture with Corrin and little sister Rachel, 2, when we heard the pounding thuds of the two resident horses galloping toward us at full speed. Amy grabbed Rachel, calling Corrin as we rushed for the gate. Abruptly, the horses came to a halt, and we looked back to see her raven-haired daughter holding up a stick in front of the steeds, manes still flowing from their sudden stop. She had stopped them in their tracks!
"How did you do that, Corrin?" I questioned in astonishment, to which she replied, "I'm a brave believer!"
When she was six, Corrin was reading from her children's Bible, and one day told me she was up to the story of the "Drinking Queen." I found the place and saw it was titled, "The Daring Queen," Esther.
From going on her first mission trip to an Indian reservation in New Mexico at age 10, to becoming a college junior at a Christian university, our granddaughter has been making us proud. Now she seems to have met "Mr. Right," so we can only imagine the next step in her future. Happy 20th birthday, little one!
We had moved back from a couple years stint in Wichita, Kansas, where Howard was on staff at a large church, serving as Senior's Pastor. But we missed our Mississippi home, and our kids needed a baby-sitter. I loved it! It was a joy to watch little Corrin grow. I would put her down for a nap on our large bed, lying down beside her while she wriggled and blinked for a few minutes before those lashes over her beautiful brown eyes drooped in slumber.
It wasn't long before she was learning to crawl, imitating three-year-old big brother Reid, as he mimicked her on all fours, rocking back and forth. He would become her idol throughout her childhood, enduring his reckless foibles, such as the time the told her to turn around, then shot her in the back with his BB gun! No matter, she would put on his jeans and try to be just like him.
Corrin was quiet and shy in pre-school, but behind that furrowed brow, she was a thinker. When she was four, she and brother Reid attended a VBS at the church we were by then pastoring. On commencement night, she stood stolid and bored-looking on the platform, not singing or participating. I was convinced she hadn't gotten anything from the lessons, the theme of which was "Brave Believers," patterned after heroes of the Bible.
A couple of weeks later, Amy and I were in our pasture with Corrin and little sister Rachel, 2, when we heard the pounding thuds of the two resident horses galloping toward us at full speed. Amy grabbed Rachel, calling Corrin as we rushed for the gate. Abruptly, the horses came to a halt, and we looked back to see her raven-haired daughter holding up a stick in front of the steeds, manes still flowing from their sudden stop. She had stopped them in their tracks!
"How did you do that, Corrin?" I questioned in astonishment, to which she replied, "I'm a brave believer!"
When she was six, Corrin was reading from her children's Bible, and one day told me she was up to the story of the "Drinking Queen." I found the place and saw it was titled, "The Daring Queen," Esther.
From going on her first mission trip to an Indian reservation in New Mexico at age 10, to becoming a college junior at a Christian university, our granddaughter has been making us proud. Now she seems to have met "Mr. Right," so we can only imagine the next step in her future. Happy 20th birthday, little one!
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Musing Through Memories
My sister Pauline was a bit of a tomboy. The second oldest, of which both were girls, I think she was a sort of Daddy's 'boy,' until his sons came along, anyway. At any rate, she grew up brave and adventurous. Almost 9 years younger, I can still see her up in the top of a pecan tree shaking the branches so the rest of us kids could gather the treasured harvest.
Daddy had been away for a long trip to California, and she was the one who heralded his homecoming from the pecan tree-top. "I see Daddy!" she shouted, to our happy surprise. Later, she would accompany him there where both found work in Buena Park. I think that created a life-long fondness for going out west.
Pauline was widowed at the tender age of 25, when the father of her three young children died unexpectedly from a heart attack. Summoning all her strength and courage, she held her family together while restlessly seeking a new beginning. The spunky young mother, kids in tow, stoically drove several times to California where she had Christian friends and a warm welcome.
My dear sister took Jesus as her savior as a young teen, and was fervent for the Lord her entire life, becoming an ordained minister who even established churches. It was she who took me to church for the first time when I was about five years old, getting me there as often as she could.
It was at that small, country church that the impressionable youth learned the hymns and gospel songs that she loved to sing. Somewhere along the way Pauline picked up the guitar, which was the perfect accompaniment to her lovely, lilting voice. At some point, the talented young woman made professional recordings and CD's, a stash of which was found after her passing. I have been given one to treasure.
Pauline's entrepreneurial bent found her starting several businesses and enterprises, some of which were more successful than others. In later years, as my sister's load lightened, so did her mood and personality. She was funny! She loved to joke and make other people laugh. Her wonderful sense of humor endeared her to us all. Her songs in her own voice surrounded us in the prelude to her funeral. She was singing about heaven. I've no doubt that she is there, maybe even making the angels smile!
Daddy had been away for a long trip to California, and she was the one who heralded his homecoming from the pecan tree-top. "I see Daddy!" she shouted, to our happy surprise. Later, she would accompany him there where both found work in Buena Park. I think that created a life-long fondness for going out west.
Pauline was widowed at the tender age of 25, when the father of her three young children died unexpectedly from a heart attack. Summoning all her strength and courage, she held her family together while restlessly seeking a new beginning. The spunky young mother, kids in tow, stoically drove several times to California where she had Christian friends and a warm welcome.
My dear sister took Jesus as her savior as a young teen, and was fervent for the Lord her entire life, becoming an ordained minister who even established churches. It was she who took me to church for the first time when I was about five years old, getting me there as often as she could.
It was at that small, country church that the impressionable youth learned the hymns and gospel songs that she loved to sing. Somewhere along the way Pauline picked up the guitar, which was the perfect accompaniment to her lovely, lilting voice. At some point, the talented young woman made professional recordings and CD's, a stash of which was found after her passing. I have been given one to treasure.
Pauline's entrepreneurial bent found her starting several businesses and enterprises, some of which were more successful than others. In later years, as my sister's load lightened, so did her mood and personality. She was funny! She loved to joke and make other people laugh. Her wonderful sense of humor endeared her to us all. Her songs in her own voice surrounded us in the prelude to her funeral. She was singing about heaven. I've no doubt that she is there, maybe even making the angels smile!
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Lights Out!
The bulb in our refrigerator went out, and we kept forgetting to get one! Meanwhile, I had to use a flashlight or grope in the dark for whatever I needed from the mysterious contents inside. Finally Howard bought a bulb, but when he tried to put it in from the awkward angle, it didn't seem to fit. A few more days of darkness.
Intending to exchange the bulb for the right size, we found we had left it at home. The helpful sales associate showed us different sizes of appliance bulbs, but we couldn't be sure. Then saying that they didn't have the selection that an appliance store might have, he suggested we go to Lowe's. We didn't feel like navigating Lowe's, so we went home empty-handed.
That night, I asked our son and grandson over for supper, since Greg would be out of state for work the coming week. I mentioned the fridge, and Greg said, "Let me see that bulb," despite my telling him it wouldn't work. He came to the table a few minutes later, and said, "It's fixed!"
"You mean it works?" I crowed happily, then opened the door to welcome, streaming light!
How important light is! Jesus tells us in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Proverbs 4:18 says: "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
That makes me think of traveling, for in Psalm 119:105 we read, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." I have always compared this illustration to the headlights of an automobile. The upper beam lights the highway ahead (light unto my path), and the lower beam (lamp unto my feet), illuminates the road directly in front of us!
We may not have made it to Lowe's, but thankfully, we had the solution all the time! Jesus is always the answer, and He is there all the time!
Intending to exchange the bulb for the right size, we found we had left it at home. The helpful sales associate showed us different sizes of appliance bulbs, but we couldn't be sure. Then saying that they didn't have the selection that an appliance store might have, he suggested we go to Lowe's. We didn't feel like navigating Lowe's, so we went home empty-handed.
That night, I asked our son and grandson over for supper, since Greg would be out of state for work the coming week. I mentioned the fridge, and Greg said, "Let me see that bulb," despite my telling him it wouldn't work. He came to the table a few minutes later, and said, "It's fixed!"
"You mean it works?" I crowed happily, then opened the door to welcome, streaming light!
How important light is! Jesus tells us in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Proverbs 4:18 says: "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
That makes me think of traveling, for in Psalm 119:105 we read, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." I have always compared this illustration to the headlights of an automobile. The upper beam lights the highway ahead (light unto my path), and the lower beam (lamp unto my feet), illuminates the road directly in front of us!
We may not have made it to Lowe's, but thankfully, we had the solution all the time! Jesus is always the answer, and He is there all the time!
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Thermostat
"Howard, this fridge isn't cooling very well," I said as I got out our breakfast preparations.
"Well, turn it up!" was his reply.
Then I looked at the dial and found it was only set about halfway. I quickly turned it to the coldest setting. I know the shelves get too full, what with our many leftovers preventing proper air circulation, but I had nearly emptied it recently.
This got me thinking about the spiritual lives of believers. Often we get lukewarm, and our relationship with the Lord needs to be turned up to a higher level! Jesus said he would rather we be cold or hot. I hate lukewarm milk, and would spew it out of my mouth, just like Jesus said in Revelation 3:16, "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth."
Sometimes we get filled up with leftovers. Leftover grievances. Someone hurt our feelings, maybe years ago, and deep down, we have never gotten over it. Someone did us wrong, or someone else got the promotion or award that should have been ours. Leftovers stink after awhile! They get all moldy and dangerous. It's best to forgive and throw out those old hurts and disappointments.
Our granddaughter attends a week-night church program for teens. Every week for months she was the most attentive, knew all the memorization scriptures, was well-liked by all, and when it came time for the award at the end of the school year, all the kids assured her it would be hers. And she expected, it, too, but it went to the most unruly, uncooperative student in the class: the superintendent's son. She cried, but I think she has put it behind her now.
A couple of days ago, I noticed a pot of flowers I have hanging on my porch. Unfortunately, all the pretty blooms were facing outside, so I turned the basket of flowers around so I could enjoy the blossoms. The next time I looked, all the flowers were turned backwards on their stems facing the sun!
Not that they were hot or cold, but their DNA was to face the sun! To be hot with the joy of His presence, we must face the Son!
Today while we were in town I noticed a temperature reading on a lit-up sign that said 78 degrees. "Well, it will sure be hotter than that this afternoon," I remarked, "It's supposed to get to 102." When I got out of the car, it felt that hot already. The gauge was wrong! Sometimes we have to check our spiritual gauge. Are we negligent in church attendance? Slack in supporting the work of God? Not keeping a close relationship with Him? Face the Son! Where the temperature is just right!
"Well, turn it up!" was his reply.
Then I looked at the dial and found it was only set about halfway. I quickly turned it to the coldest setting. I know the shelves get too full, what with our many leftovers preventing proper air circulation, but I had nearly emptied it recently.
This got me thinking about the spiritual lives of believers. Often we get lukewarm, and our relationship with the Lord needs to be turned up to a higher level! Jesus said he would rather we be cold or hot. I hate lukewarm milk, and would spew it out of my mouth, just like Jesus said in Revelation 3:16, "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth."
Sometimes we get filled up with leftovers. Leftover grievances. Someone hurt our feelings, maybe years ago, and deep down, we have never gotten over it. Someone did us wrong, or someone else got the promotion or award that should have been ours. Leftovers stink after awhile! They get all moldy and dangerous. It's best to forgive and throw out those old hurts and disappointments.
Our granddaughter attends a week-night church program for teens. Every week for months she was the most attentive, knew all the memorization scriptures, was well-liked by all, and when it came time for the award at the end of the school year, all the kids assured her it would be hers. And she expected, it, too, but it went to the most unruly, uncooperative student in the class: the superintendent's son. She cried, but I think she has put it behind her now.
A couple of days ago, I noticed a pot of flowers I have hanging on my porch. Unfortunately, all the pretty blooms were facing outside, so I turned the basket of flowers around so I could enjoy the blossoms. The next time I looked, all the flowers were turned backwards on their stems facing the sun!
Not that they were hot or cold, but their DNA was to face the sun! To be hot with the joy of His presence, we must face the Son!
Today while we were in town I noticed a temperature reading on a lit-up sign that said 78 degrees. "Well, it will sure be hotter than that this afternoon," I remarked, "It's supposed to get to 102." When I got out of the car, it felt that hot already. The gauge was wrong! Sometimes we have to check our spiritual gauge. Are we negligent in church attendance? Slack in supporting the work of God? Not keeping a close relationship with Him? Face the Son! Where the temperature is just right!
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Seeing is Believing?
Browsing Youtube the other day, I came across an old movie I love, "Sarah, Plain and Tall." Oh, good! I thought, and couldn't wait to click on it. Rats! It was a video with a huge, oval, white spot in the middle of the screen! I wanted to see it so bad that I continued to watch anyway, putting up with the blurry, faded picture, which was only clear around the edges.
Since I knew the story so well, I followed along okay, catching a little of it over several days. I finally finished all three series of the videos. Then another showing of the movie came on. This time perfectly clear and in vibrant color! And to think if I'd scrolled further, I could have watched it comfortably all along!
How many times have we stopped short of something or of some goal that we wanted to achieve only to settle for whatever popped up in our path? We often give up too soon, then in retrospect we realize that if we had only held on a little longer, success would be ours. This may be true of education, relationships, or even pursuing in prayer!
Later, I thought of the scripture that says, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known," I Corinthians 13:12. Of course, it is speaking of our limited understanding and knowledge here, but in Heaven we will have clear vision and recognition, as we will be recognized as well!
Here things are not always what they seem. Not long ago I bought a purse that I really liked. I had carried it to church on Sunday, after which I had visiting family over for a big Sunday dinner. As we all chatted later, I noticed my new handbag lying on a bench in the living room where I had obviously dropped it coming in, in my hurry to serve the meal.
I picked it up and showed it to my grown granddaughter, pointing out features that it had, and closing a zipper pocket I had left open. I went on and on, getting no response, when finally she laughed and said, "Mimi, that is my purse!" I gasped and laughed at my mistake, and went to the bedroom to get my almost identical purse! The joke was on me, as I was zipping and fooling around with her pocketbook!
The other night I got ready for bed after taking my allergy pill and setting a bottle of water on the night stand for when I would get thirsty. In the middle of the night, I got up in the dark, heard something hit the floor and almost simultaneously felt a spurt of cold water under my feet. I had knocked off and stepped on the plastic water bottle! Seeing through a glass darkly? Up there, everything will be crystal clear!
Since I knew the story so well, I followed along okay, catching a little of it over several days. I finally finished all three series of the videos. Then another showing of the movie came on. This time perfectly clear and in vibrant color! And to think if I'd scrolled further, I could have watched it comfortably all along!
How many times have we stopped short of something or of some goal that we wanted to achieve only to settle for whatever popped up in our path? We often give up too soon, then in retrospect we realize that if we had only held on a little longer, success would be ours. This may be true of education, relationships, or even pursuing in prayer!
Later, I thought of the scripture that says, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known," I Corinthians 13:12. Of course, it is speaking of our limited understanding and knowledge here, but in Heaven we will have clear vision and recognition, as we will be recognized as well!
Here things are not always what they seem. Not long ago I bought a purse that I really liked. I had carried it to church on Sunday, after which I had visiting family over for a big Sunday dinner. As we all chatted later, I noticed my new handbag lying on a bench in the living room where I had obviously dropped it coming in, in my hurry to serve the meal.
I picked it up and showed it to my grown granddaughter, pointing out features that it had, and closing a zipper pocket I had left open. I went on and on, getting no response, when finally she laughed and said, "Mimi, that is my purse!" I gasped and laughed at my mistake, and went to the bedroom to get my almost identical purse! The joke was on me, as I was zipping and fooling around with her pocketbook!
The other night I got ready for bed after taking my allergy pill and setting a bottle of water on the night stand for when I would get thirsty. In the middle of the night, I got up in the dark, heard something hit the floor and almost simultaneously felt a spurt of cold water under my feet. I had knocked off and stepped on the plastic water bottle! Seeing through a glass darkly? Up there, everything will be crystal clear!
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Chicken!
"They won't go outside!" I exclaimed to my husband. He had recently transferred some nearly grown chickens from their protective cage to wider spaces, which included a safe, fenced area outside. Howard came into the shed and began to nudge one through the opening to the outdoors. The chicken immediately ran back inside to the gloom and semi-darkness of the hen house. It had been almost a week, and the good-sized birds refused to budge!
Of course, I knew their trepidation was partly because of the roosters, which had been known to initially pick on a newcomer until they got used to its presence. But the young flock was missing so much! Fresh air, sunshine, discoveries in the grass--even the table tidbits I tossed in almost daily! It reminded me of how kids used to yell, "Chicken!" to a pal who refused to take a dare or do some weird feat.
Sometimes I think Christians are held back from some goal or accomplishment in work for the Lord because we are too "chicken!" We don't want our comfort zone to become uncomfortable! We wouldn't have the stories of the mighty heroes of the Bible if they had stayed in their comfort zones.
David stepped forth to kill Goliath. "Then David said to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield, but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied."!
The disciples risked and even lost their lives to spread the gospel. In Judges 4:21 a woman named Jael drove a tent peg through an enemy's head and delivered Israel from the Canaanites. A teen-ager named Mary suffered scorn and gossip to carry the Savior of the world in her womb.
We are not usually called to such mighty endeavors. But it's easy to let the smallest obstacle stand in our way...too busy, don't feel up to it, uninterested, inconvenient--when we are asked or invited to do something for the Lord. Or if it is something that involves a risk, we may be too "Chicken!"
Of course, I knew their trepidation was partly because of the roosters, which had been known to initially pick on a newcomer until they got used to its presence. But the young flock was missing so much! Fresh air, sunshine, discoveries in the grass--even the table tidbits I tossed in almost daily! It reminded me of how kids used to yell, "Chicken!" to a pal who refused to take a dare or do some weird feat.
Sometimes I think Christians are held back from some goal or accomplishment in work for the Lord because we are too "chicken!" We don't want our comfort zone to become uncomfortable! We wouldn't have the stories of the mighty heroes of the Bible if they had stayed in their comfort zones.
David stepped forth to kill Goliath. "Then David said to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield, but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied."!
The disciples risked and even lost their lives to spread the gospel. In Judges 4:21 a woman named Jael drove a tent peg through an enemy's head and delivered Israel from the Canaanites. A teen-ager named Mary suffered scorn and gossip to carry the Savior of the world in her womb.
We are not usually called to such mighty endeavors. But it's easy to let the smallest obstacle stand in our way...too busy, don't feel up to it, uninterested, inconvenient--when we are asked or invited to do something for the Lord. Or if it is something that involves a risk, we may be too "Chicken!"
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