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|  Wish you could have met my Ma-maw. She's been gone for almost twelve years now, but there are a few things that keep her memory alive for me. When I look through her old hymnals I can hear her singing "I Am Bound For the Promised Land". Seeing her picture of "The Christian Graces" hanging on my wall I remember her telling the story of Faith, Hope, and Love (always reminding me that Love was the most important). But the thing that really makes me miss her is the Wisteria... It was the one thing I wanted from her house. One whisper of a breeze - the smell catches my nose and brings to life memories of Sunday afternoon family dinners, sitting on the porch trying to stay cool, listening to stories about growing up in a much simpler time. So many times I have wished that I could go back and record those times, watch them over again, never forget a single detail. But as wonderful as the memories are, what a sad life it would be to live only for what's in the past. That's another thing my Ma-maw taught me - every day brings a new opportunity to love God and to serve others. She never retired, never quit, until the day God called her home. So tomorrow, when I stand on my patio taking in that precious aroma, I won't waste time wishing I could go back. I'll look for a new opportunity to bring glory to my Father - and remember to thank him for creating wisteria! 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 14. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. | | |
|  ...To keep in touch with old friends  (Guess who stopped in Memphis on his way to Texarkana?!) | | |
| I would absolutely love to be getting on a plane headed to my favorite place in the world, but the job and bank balance dictate otherwise. What could be a very depressing state of affairs has been made bearable by that master of finding culinary needles in a haystack, Daniel. Much to my delight, I received a voice mail recorded in a very odd Ukra-Memphian accent, stating that he had discovered an International food market. This particular market is owned by a Russian and has within its tiny confines such happy treats as Ukrainian cakes (you can buy BIG slices), ketchup, instant borshch (sp?) and ...you guessed it - cranberry kvass. OH, YEAH. (Well, if you didn't guess it you should have. It's my favorite!) I'll share some pics, but you'll have to take my word that the cake was deelish. Justin and I finished that bad boy off before we even got home! Mmm, Eta fkoosna!  
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| Cloudy days used to depress me. There's nothing like having a gray blob hanging over your head to quench your joy for the day. Then I took my first flight and gained a new perspective. (Don't you just love that moment when the plane breaks through the clouds?) I found that the sun wasn't gone, there was just something blocking my view. Beyond that big dreary cloud was a bright, beautiful, sunny day. I've spent many hours over the last three days sitting beside my grandmother's bed - just praying and waiting, knowing that any minute she's going to break through those dark clouds called "Alzheimer's" and "cancer" and get her first glimpse of that beautiful place prepared for her. From my perspective there's still going to be a cloud, but she'll know the truth. God's word is our promise. I trust Him when He says that "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1Cor. 2:9) I can still praise Him during dark times, because I know from His perspective it really is a bright, beautiful, sunny day. 
Here is my favorite picture of Granny. She loved to laugh, and when I was little she would do things like put "Rockin' Robin" on the record player. We would jump around the living room and act silly. I have lots of memories that make me smile, but the one that brings true joy is the memory of Emily and Granny being baptized together. If you have older family members that have not put their faith in Jesus - don't stop praying and don't give up hope. Granny was 73! I've often wished that Granny had come to Christ earlier in her life, so that she could have experienced fully the life that God had for her here on this earth. But I'm reminded of the parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matthew 20. Jesus reminds us that even the workers hired at the 11th hour received the same wages from the Master - not because they earned it, or because they worked the longest - but because of the Master's generosity. I'm so glad she has that promise waiting for her. Well, the load feels a little lighter now. Thanks for listening! "For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." Ps. 100:5 | | |
| PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) -- Leading astronomers declared Thursday that Pluto is no longer a planet under historic new guidelines that downsize the solar system from nine planets to eight.
So what now? For all of us who need help memorizing those important facts like planets and the lines and spaces of a music staff, we are going to need to reprogram our brains. No longer can we rely on "My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas" The obvious revision would be "My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Nothing", but that's a little depressing to teach to second and third graders. We need a new and improved version for 2006 - so how about a few ideas? Help me add a little humor to those dry science textbooks.
On the serious side, even though scientists might be able to change the words they'll never be able to change the fact that it was created by the One True God. What a blessing - someone you can depend on to be the same yesterday, today, and forever. | | |
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