Our Bustrip to Cass Railroad

My dear husband and I enjoyed a bustrip to Cass Railroad last week.The steam locomotive was a rare treat. The day was gorgeous, the scenery unbelievable, and the fellowship was fantastic!These clickable thumbnails show just how fun the trip really was.

Show and Tell Friday

I'd love to Show and Tell my beautiful heirloom china I inherited from my Mother in Law, dear Pheroby. This is the inside of my corner cupboard- as you can see, I need to reorder it, but I never have enough space for everything. The bottom cabinets are full to the brim as well.


I also love to collect English tea cups. Here are just a few of my favorites including the Desert Rose and Lady Slipper patterns.



To see more Show and Tell collections go to http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/2008/05/show-and-tell-friday_22.html

Dreaming About Scotland

One of these days Lynn will be retired and then we will actually experience the joy of travelling to Scotland and seeing all the places I have heretofore only dreamed about. Each week I will add and tell about one place that is on my itinerary.This week;

Glasgow

We actually plan to fly into Glasgow International Airport,In 2007 the airport handled 8,795,727 passengers making it the second busiest in Scotland, and eighth busiest airport in the United Kingdom.

Planning to dine at The Bothy

http://www.bothyrestaurant.co.uk/

Accommodations at Belhaven hotel all located on Glasgow's West End : http://www.belhavenhotel.com/html/guesthouse.htm

Tea Time Musings

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and His paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33

As I have been studying Genesis and the call of Abram, I am astounded. God chose a man whose family was a long line of moon worshippers. There was very little to commend Abram , yet God chose him of all of mankind to be the father of His people. But God, because of His foreknowledge, knew Abram was a man of faith. Therein lies the key- To know and be known of God; spending time in studying His holy word, and talking to him in prayer. Praise the Lord we have access to his throne of grace because of Jesus' work on the cross!

What's for Supper

Milan Ciabatta Sandwiches
1loaf (1 pound) unsliced rustic ciabatta bread
1/2cup kalamata olive tapenade
2cups shredded romaine lettuce
1/4large sweet onion, sliced (1 cup)
8ounces sliced salami
8ounces sliced provolone cheese
2medium tomatoes, sliced
1.Cut bread horizontally in half. Spread tapenade over bottom half of bread; top with lettuce. Layer onion, salami, cheese and tomatoes on lettuce. Add top of loaf.
2.Cut sandwich into 16 pieces.

Poetry Corner

God sends us glimpses of his heaven here on earthA twinkling star on high,A birdsong lullaby,A blossom, oh, so fair,A butterfly's flutter on the air.A sunset dazzling with color bright,A moonrise shattering the darkest night,A sun-dappled forest gladeA cooling respite beneath the shade.All things bright and beautiful Sent to us from on high.God's glory revealed to you and I.

Bible Study

I am so excited that this summer the Women's Ministry team at my wonderful church is doing a Beth Moore study on The Patriarchs. This is what Beth, herself, has to say about this study:
What truth from The Patriarchs are you most excited about teaching?"I'd say the encounters that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had with God. The fact that God brought Himself into a visitation with these characters and the revelation of God Himself in Genesis.
"I'm also anxious for women to see how all of this fits together - how the genealogy of the patriarchs gives such insight into the present state of Israel. On top of that, to see that we are Abraham's seed, so this lineage and history are part of our connection, our spiritual heritage."
I am so excited because our church has never done a summer study before and there was a huge response to this yesterday. How wonderful that women are seeking to know more and more about the scriptures and the awesome God we serve!

Enjoying My Little Piece of the World

The cool, rainy weather we have been enjoying the past few weeks has really made things grow around here. My dear husband, Lynn, took advantage of his day off to do some much needed pruning along the fence row!

Musings Over Tea

I suppose this is the first Memorial Day to come and go without one utterance of pre-planning it's celebration. Traditionally, our family always got together for a picnic or a ride on the parkway. Now that my parents are unable to participate, and my daughter and son-in-law have such busy lives as they finish up their studies at University, it seems the cycle of life in this area has come full circle. I'm sitting here trying to digest exactly how I feel about this change. Now that I am retired, it's not like I need another holiday to celebrate, but it does almost seem like I'm grieving a loss of another staple in my life. One more tradition that just slips away into infinity. I wonder where they go- lost opportunities...

Happy Memorial Day,
May 26, 2008

But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired. Isaiah 40:31

Today I need that strength more than ever. My allergies have knocked me flat as a fritter, and I am not interested in anything that comes my way. I know that allergies are not of God, but are manifest as a sign of how sin is corrupting creation. I rebuke allergies in the name of Jesus and by His authority He reclaimed with his death and resurrection. I'm waiting on help from heaven and I know that I will rise up even better than before, because of the power of the Holy spirit that is at work in me now even as I type. My strength shall be renewed and I'll be made wholly brand new in Jesus. Praise the Lord, God is good!

Show and Tell Friday

This special post is a collaborative effort to join in with other bloggers in sharing and telling about our special treasures. I look forward to showing my favorites as time goes on. And thanks so much to Kelli, in Texas for allowing us to link together for this great blog sharing experience! By clicking onto her blog, you, too, can visit other Show and Tell sites or join into the fun!
http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/2008/05/show-and-tell-friday_22.html





This is my latest oil painting I finished this spring. This particular work was actually the result of a Bob Ross class, which I found immensely enjoyable, yet this work was hardly creative. Mainly, I enjoyed learning new techniques of shading and textures.




Another spring painting from the BR class was this May basket. This was my first real attempt at flowers. Now my interest in painting flowers is peaked and I definitely will be trying my hand at them in the coming weeks.



This work was done following my daughter's leaving home for college. In an effort to overcome the empty nest syndrome I resorted to making her my art subject which actually helped very much in passing those long empty hours.




This final composition was actually my first effort working with my dear teacher, Dorothy.

The Support of Godly Friends

I never even met them, not truly in the physical realm. I met them in the spirit, though. I am speaking of my Cyber Mitford neighbors. I lived in"Mitford" for four years- four years of sharing, fellowship, and growing in my spiritual testimony. The porch was a very cosy place to visit each morning, share a glass of sweet tea, and mingle with other sojourners who wished to pass some time. Of course, time there was so pleasant one could easily wile away a few hours over the course of a day. There one could find friendship, encouragement, prayer, and a friendly ear to speak of things beyond this world, speak of the treasures being stored in our heavenly home.
There I met Liz, and Julie, Juli, Gina, and a couple of Jans. There was also a very special Mary, a Laura, and a dear sweet Pamela. everyone of these precious women bless my life in ways beyond earthly understanding. Each one so different- some so domestic, motherly, others with the capacity to love with such huge hearts, others so demonstrative and bold in things of faith. One thing that particularly tickles me is that if we could all join hands we would span this whole great nation- we, each, live so far apart, yet we all hold one thing particularly in common. Our heavenly home awaits us, each one, and there we will definitely continue our favored pasttime of all- serving and worshipping our wonderful God and Savior. To you, my friends, your support and friendship mean more to me than you will ever know! God bless you, every one!

Cougar was King

Cougar Was King

As usual, Cougar was sprawled out, half in the window sill, half dangling off the ledge. As morning sun cast its brilliant beams upon his tawny coat, he actually lived up to his name. He was wildcat, lazing on the rocky outcrop. Even his mewling purr, so deep, so resonant, could send shivers down an unsuspecting wayfarer. Yes, Cougar had an aura of aloofness, a regal grandeur in his carriage. Every graceful sinew bore the expression of vigilance… the wary hunter, purposeful and proud. Anyone who might see him now, so relaxed, serene, would wonder what he might be thinking. What would have him purring so rapturously? Was he surveying his high domain, demonstrating his prowess o’er his entire kingdom?

‘Nibbles ‘n Bites, Nibbles ‘n Bites, makes a cat shiver with joy ‘n delight! Do I hear the box a- shakin’? Oh, my tum-tum is a- quakin’ for Nibbles ‘n Bites, Nibbles ‘n Bites!’

“Cougar, Cougar, here kitty, kitty, kitty.” Muffled thumps sounded as padded feet sprang down off the ledge and ample-bodied feline scurried across the room, out the door, and down the stairs.

‘My girl, I’m a-comin’, make way for me, I’m almost there! Is my bowl ready? Do I get to lap up some cream, today? Oh, pullleeeze, let there be cream!!’ There was my girl, standing in the kitchen with outstretched arms, smiling, so glad to see me. ‘Out of my way, out of my way!' But it was too late.

Scooping him up into her arms, she started for the basement door. Speaking soothing words, she wrapped him in a large towel, hugging him like a new born babe. Lovingly nuzzling him to her breast, she called his name in sweet tones, as she nonchalantly carried him down the basement stairs. He returned his own heart felt gestures rubbing his furry face against her cheek. Then they were there… the laundry room. Before Cougar quite knew what to expect, he saw that the woman and man were standing there, too. ‘Uh, oh’! Not quite so happy memories suddenly started to rain upon him. ‘Gotta git away, gotta git awaaaay!’ as he tried to scramble out of the entrapping encumbrance. ‘Blast, this heavy towel!’

The towel was firmly affixed about him; he could get no leverage, his plight was futile. He was trapped! No escape was offered. He was doomed, and he knew it. Yes, he’d been here before; he knew what to expect.

The water was warm, invasive, overpowering him? ‘Never! I could make one last scramble and make a dash for the stairs, but, no, too many hands!’ Trapped like a rat, he succumbed. ‘No!... Not the white bottle!.... Pphhbbbteh!’

The dreaded, medicinal fluid seeped down over his sopping head, while so many hands were rubbing, and scrubbing, and working it in. He knew it was time to submit, just get it over with and sooner or later it would be all behind him. And then the water was flooding over him again. His eyes closed tight while those hands rubbed briskly, scrubbing his fur this way and that... finally it was over. ‘Whew’ time to breathe and then, oh yes, here came the towel. ‘Blessed towel.’

Now his girl was bundling him back up the stairs all snug and warm, right into her room, all the while rubbing him vigorously. There were the soothing tones again...soothing tones, brisk rubbing…somehow the two just never seemed to go together in Cougar’s way of thinking. And then he was free.
“There you go, kitty, all clean, no more fleas, pretty kitty.”

‘Purty, kitty,…humph,’ without a backward glance the once proud feline who’d ruled the ledge with royal demeanor slunk across the room. All wet, his fur matted together in small clumps as water trickled down his legs into the spaces between his toes, he’d shake one foot and then the other, as he made his way with uncertainty to a place of obscurity under the bedside night table. So undone was he, that he trembled, not from the cold, but from the indignity of it all. With a miserable scowl of disdain he settled down for a good licking. He knew it would take at least an hour of determined preening to begin to resemble the once proud creature that was Cougar, King of all he surveyed!

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Mother's Day

This Mother's Day was a quiet affair, spending time with dearest Lynn, and enjoying a simple luncheon with Mom and Dad. Then Mother and I enjoyed a special time with Amanda on Tuesday when she took us to lunch at Red Robin. Mother adores a great hamburger, and she had never been to a RR before. None of us could believe that we were able to devour the whole thing- they are so huge and delicious! It was a lovely day, yet rather bitter sweet, as this may very well be the last Mother's Day we will all be able to spend together, since Amanda may very well be far away next year. God has indeed blessed us with 22 years of Mother's day memories- the three of us together. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to honor our mothers, and to be able to tell them exactly what they have meant to us over the years.

Through the Open Door

New life is opened unto me. New purpose emersed in a new resolve to serve God in new dimensions. His light has revealed to me my position in His kingdom as one who carries Christ's authority into the world. Beyond the door lies opportunity to move into His Kingdom work. The harvest is ripe to overflowing! The need is screaming for relief! My hands are outstretched in supplication and intercession. My voice cries aloud to God for His mercy, His healing power, His provision, his wisdom, His love to flow through me to sow to a dying world. Empower me, Lord with your grace, your Holy Spirit. Keep me ever closer in true worship and intimacy, that I may be your useful receptacle. I pray for more of You, Lord! More of You! It is all You! Lord, All You, and for YOU! Praise your holy name, To you be all praise and Glory, AMEN!

My Life Verse

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

I stand at the door with upraised hand: The question is where does the door lead me? I know who stands on the other side of the door- patiently waiting for me to rap upon its solid face.What holds me back....courage? commitment?...I know that that door offers opportunity...to serve, to find fulfillment, to create within me a new dimension of being. Therein lies the dilemma. Am I ready? The spirit is willing, but oh, the flesh rebels. His spirit desires me to rise up in my spirit, trust, and obey. Why does my flesh scream lies to me, telling me "you're not capable, you're not ready? Leave it to someone more worthy!"
Why am I so tempted to believe the lies and choose defeat instead of pressing on...taking the baton... joining the race. "Rap, rap, rap!"