Grandpa has started his grandson early!
P.S. We are still living with the kids, waiting on repairs for a "broken" motor home. I know friends and fish stink after three days but do parents???
Monday, September 29, 2008
John Deere fans only!
Grandpa has started his grandson early!
P.S. We are still living with the kids, waiting on repairs for a "broken" motor home. I know friends and fish stink after three days but do parents???
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Perseverance
Last Sunday the pastor of Manna Church,(where the kids attend),preached a sermon on the topic of perseverance. God gave him some great food for thought. His main two points were:
1. There is a place beyond what we feel.
2. There is a source beyond what we have.
He went on to state that most people are controlled by their feelings but that successful perseverance requires that we NOT be controlled by our feelings. It requires that we go deeper, looking through the shallowness of emotion and comfort into the realm where character and faith rule the roost. Quitting it not an option!
Another statement he made was that what you do in the face of "head wind" defines your race.
He used several scriptures (see below) to show that God wants us to persevere and is always there to take our hand and walk with us through the times of difficulty, in whatever form it takes.
Romans 5:3-5
2 Thess. 1:4
Hebrews 12:1-3
James 1:2-4
Proverbs 24:10
One of his final comments continues to play through my thoughts:
It is in the valley that you drink from his river of grace!
It is interesting to note that I realized these words were meant to encourage me concerning my health issue but little did I realize they'd return to "plague" me when we TRIED to "pick up" our motorhome this Friday, fully anticipating heading to Savanna for a brief vacation before our first scheduled MMAP project October 3rd in Florida. As we were driving out of the lot something broke and we were "dead in the water"! Once more we are living with the kids-this time with Rebecca and Steve-and will be contacting the "powers that be" to get parts and the proper maintenance accomplished. At this point we don't know if we will be able to make it to our MMAP project on time. That is in God's hands. He knows we want to be there. Through this, another difficulty with the motorhome, I have seen a spiritual depth in Hunter, obviously grown out of time spent in India, and an extra-ordinary ability to show Christian love under trying situations.
So we are continuing to take one day at a time in this retirement adventure and "enjoy" what God brings our way!
I pray you can successfully perseverance through whatever comes around your corner!
P.S. As a side-note, I even managed to "persevere" this week and complete a cross stitch project I have had under way for 13 years!!
1. There is a place beyond what we feel.
2. There is a source beyond what we have.
He went on to state that most people are controlled by their feelings but that successful perseverance requires that we NOT be controlled by our feelings. It requires that we go deeper, looking through the shallowness of emotion and comfort into the realm where character and faith rule the roost. Quitting it not an option!
Another statement he made was that what you do in the face of "head wind" defines your race.
He used several scriptures (see below) to show that God wants us to persevere and is always there to take our hand and walk with us through the times of difficulty, in whatever form it takes.
Romans 5:3-5
2 Thess. 1:4
Hebrews 12:1-3
James 1:2-4
Proverbs 24:10
One of his final comments continues to play through my thoughts:
It is in the valley that you drink from his river of grace!
It is interesting to note that I realized these words were meant to encourage me concerning my health issue but little did I realize they'd return to "plague" me when we TRIED to "pick up" our motorhome this Friday, fully anticipating heading to Savanna for a brief vacation before our first scheduled MMAP project October 3rd in Florida. As we were driving out of the lot something broke and we were "dead in the water"! Once more we are living with the kids-this time with Rebecca and Steve-and will be contacting the "powers that be" to get parts and the proper maintenance accomplished. At this point we don't know if we will be able to make it to our MMAP project on time. That is in God's hands. He knows we want to be there. Through this, another difficulty with the motorhome, I have seen a spiritual depth in Hunter, obviously grown out of time spent in India, and an extra-ordinary ability to show Christian love under trying situations.
So we are continuing to take one day at a time in this retirement adventure and "enjoy" what God brings our way!
I pray you can successfully perseverance through whatever comes around your corner!
P.S. As a side-note, I even managed to "persevere" this week and complete a cross stitch project I have had under way for 13 years!!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
a GREAT book!
I just finished reading this classic for the second time in my adult years. I have decided that every person; whether he/she is a Christian or non-Christian should be "required" to read this wonderful book at least once in their lifetime. This masterpiece provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith. Many portions of it spoke to me but especially the section below: "...we must not be surprised if we are in for a rough time. When a man turns to Christ and seems to be getting on pretty well he often feels that it would now be natural if things went fairly smoothly. When troubles come along-illnesses, money troubles, new kinds of temptation-he is disappointed. These things, he feels, might have been necessary to rouse him and make him repent in his bad old days; but why now? Because God is forcing him on, or up, to a higher level; putting him into situations where he will have to be very much braver, or more patient, or more loving, than he ever dreamed of being before. It seems to us all unnecessary; but that is because we have not yet had the slightest notion of the tremendous thing He means to make of us." Take Christian's example below and pick up a good cup of coffee and read this book! It's powerful!! Friday, September 12, 2008
Life's "irritants"!
Have you ever felt like this?
Or maybe this?
Or possibly even this??
If you have, you are in good company. That's the way I've been feeling the last two days. If one more irritant pops "his" ugly head into my face I think I'll blow! Well, maybe it's not THAT bad but I'm not a happy blogger today.
Let me try to explain. Sometimes just sharing the misery makes it less miserable.
If you read my last post you know that during the month of September Hunter and I were orginally, before hurricanes and RV breakdowns, to spend a month laying on the beach sipping rootbeer floats while reacquainting ourselves with each other after a year's separation. Those plans flew away in the hurricanes and were replaced with a week enjoying the company of the kids while the RV was to be repaired. OK, I can deal with that slight wrinkle in the fabric. So we "house sat" the dog while Rebecca and Steve spent a week in Colorado and I cleaned kitchen cupboards and filled the freezer with baked goods. A week has passed, the kids have returned from vacation, and the RV is no closer to being fixed than it was 7 days ago! This was irritating enough when I discovered I had developed a case of shingles. "You've got to be kidding!!" On top of this I continue to deal with a chronic stomach ache. My daily intake of prescription pills now numbers 7!
Where do I go with all of this? To God-just like Job did. I realize He is in the business of humbling me and teaching me that in life there will always be "irritants"-some worse than others. Job says in Job 23:13-14 "Whatever he wants to do, he does. So he will do for me all he has planned." I need to remember the truth on this poster:
Let's ask God to help us in dealing with all of life's irritants!!
Or maybe this?
Or possibly even this??
If you have, you are in good company. That's the way I've been feeling the last two days. If one more irritant pops "his" ugly head into my face I think I'll blow! Well, maybe it's not THAT bad but I'm not a happy blogger today.
Let me try to explain. Sometimes just sharing the misery makes it less miserable.
If you read my last post you know that during the month of September Hunter and I were orginally, before hurricanes and RV breakdowns, to spend a month laying on the beach sipping rootbeer floats while reacquainting ourselves with each other after a year's separation. Those plans flew away in the hurricanes and were replaced with a week enjoying the company of the kids while the RV was to be repaired. OK, I can deal with that slight wrinkle in the fabric. So we "house sat" the dog while Rebecca and Steve spent a week in Colorado and I cleaned kitchen cupboards and filled the freezer with baked goods. A week has passed, the kids have returned from vacation, and the RV is no closer to being fixed than it was 7 days ago! This was irritating enough when I discovered I had developed a case of shingles. "You've got to be kidding!!" On top of this I continue to deal with a chronic stomach ache. My daily intake of prescription pills now numbers 7!
Where do I go with all of this? To God-just like Job did. I realize He is in the business of humbling me and teaching me that in life there will always be "irritants"-some worse than others. Job says in Job 23:13-14 "Whatever he wants to do, he does. So he will do for me all he has planned." I need to remember the truth on this poster:
Let's ask God to help us in dealing with all of life's irritants!!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Birthday, Beaches, and Beyond
Do we really have a one year old grandson? Wow-time continues to march on! Friends and family all had a grand time celebrating with Christian his first birthday, complete with Curious George decorations and a huge balloon loved by Christian!
Grandma and Grandpa's gift was a hit except he found eating the sand as much fun as playing in it!
Two days following the birthday event the family headed for the beaches of the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Sun and ocean breezes kept us outside and in the water. What fun it was to share Christian's very first experience with salt water and waves.
Over the week-end we introduced everyone to a Milk Can Supper. This Morgan family tradition was very important to my Dad, so much so, that he located three milk cans to pass on to his daughters so we could "carry the meal forward" to the next generations. Check out the photos and you will get a better understanding of what is involved. Originating in Wyoming, the "supper" is their answer to the New England Fish Boil.
On September 1st everyone left the Outer Banks except Hunter and I. We spent the next day climbing one of the five lighthouses, visiting a quaint book store, riding the tandem, and finally enjoying cold root beers. Yum! Our original idea was to spend the remaining month on the Banks-fishing, biking,hiking, etc. But two things caused us to take an early leave. The first one was three incoming hurricanes which, at this writing, threaten high winds and ocean swells. These could have played havoc with our motor home. The second reason we left was another needed maintenance issue on the motor home. We located a reputable service dealer on our way back to Fayetteville which is where we left the RV. Once more Branden and Brooke have us "under their table". What fun to have open doors to our kid's homes. Right now Hunter is helping Branden clean out his garage and I am getting ready to attend a Women's Conference with Rebecca. Life is good and full of unexpected surprises.
Hopefully, in another week or so, we will be heading to the coast again, possibly to the Georgia area. I'll keep you posted as we travel along.
Grandma and Grandpa's gift was a hit except he found eating the sand as much fun as playing in it!
Two days following the birthday event the family headed for the beaches of the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Sun and ocean breezes kept us outside and in the water. What fun it was to share Christian's very first experience with salt water and waves.
Over the week-end we introduced everyone to a Milk Can Supper. This Morgan family tradition was very important to my Dad, so much so, that he located three milk cans to pass on to his daughters so we could "carry the meal forward" to the next generations. Check out the photos and you will get a better understanding of what is involved. Originating in Wyoming, the "supper" is their answer to the New England Fish Boil.
On September 1st everyone left the Outer Banks except Hunter and I. We spent the next day climbing one of the five lighthouses, visiting a quaint book store, riding the tandem, and finally enjoying cold root beers. Yum! Our original idea was to spend the remaining month on the Banks-fishing, biking,hiking, etc. But two things caused us to take an early leave. The first one was three incoming hurricanes which, at this writing, threaten high winds and ocean swells. These could have played havoc with our motor home. The second reason we left was another needed maintenance issue on the motor home. We located a reputable service dealer on our way back to Fayetteville which is where we left the RV. Once more Branden and Brooke have us "under their table". What fun to have open doors to our kid's homes. Right now Hunter is helping Branden clean out his garage and I am getting ready to attend a Women's Conference with Rebecca. Life is good and full of unexpected surprises.
Hopefully, in another week or so, we will be heading to the coast again, possibly to the Georgia area. I'll keep you posted as we travel along.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
"He's NOT just sitting around!"
Some of you may be wondering what Hunter has been doing since retiring from Deere. If you know him at all you realize he can't sit too long without some activity. He is NOT a TV "watcher" or golfer. A good game of tennis is of interest to him but he's not had one since leaving the Quad Cities. Part of what he has been doing, though, is certainly building muscle and producing a beautiful golden tan. As you can see from the photo below he is power washing; two houses and now two decks. Next he'll stain the two decks. In his "spare time" he has fixed electrical outlets, plumbing problems, lawn mower issues, and mowed and trimmed several lawns.
Retirement has not slowed him down! But he does take a few breaks for chocolate chip cookies and archery.
I don't mean to brag BUT my husband is very good with the bow! I might even trust him to shoot an apple off my head-just kidding!!
Retirement has not slowed him down! But he does take a few breaks for chocolate chip cookies and archery.
I don't mean to brag BUT my husband is very good with the bow! I might even trust him to shoot an apple off my head-just kidding!!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sweet Corn
Oh, the joy, of biting into a hot, buttered and salted ear of summer sweet corn, one that was picked earlier that same day so its sugar content was still at its highest, is beyond proper words! How well I remember early August days on the farm when my Dad would walk his rows of corn discarding all but the biggest and blemish-free ears to bring in for lunch and then again for supper. I am not exaggerating when I say that Dad's ears of corn were so long one ear would extend beyond the edges of a dinner plate and so round that when you grasped one your fingers and thumb would not touch! Dad grew a large patch of corn for three reasons. The first and most logical reason was to have LOTS of corn for his family to eat and can, not one of my favorite chores growing up. How well I remember waking up on a summer morning smelling corn being blanched and knowing that day would be preoccupied with husking, blanching, cutting and canning corn. As a teenager this activity was low on my summer fun list.
The second reason Dad grew an abundance of corn was because his sweet corn "fame" was well known in the area so he provided many friends with bags of corn to eat and fill their cellars for winter. Finally, Dad knew he had to have many rows of this delicious vegetable because he would be sharing it with the "bandits"! Raccoons love sweet corn, as much or more than we do. For years Dad tried to battle with them using barbed wire, radio noise, flash lights, even late night stalking with BB guns. Nothing could deter these persistent pests. So in time he just gave up and planted more corn. From then on there was always enough to go around. Ha!
Each summer I continue to look for and purchase sweet corn wherever we are during the months of July and August. This year we bought and ate North Carolina corn. It does not measure up to Iowa corn and definitely does not meet my Dad's standards but its sweet corn. We ate it and enjoyed, remembering my Dad and a time when his corn was "King"!
Christian enjoying his first ear of sweet corn.
The second reason Dad grew an abundance of corn was because his sweet corn "fame" was well known in the area so he provided many friends with bags of corn to eat and fill their cellars for winter. Finally, Dad knew he had to have many rows of this delicious vegetable because he would be sharing it with the "bandits"! Raccoons love sweet corn, as much or more than we do. For years Dad tried to battle with them using barbed wire, radio noise, flash lights, even late night stalking with BB guns. Nothing could deter these persistent pests. So in time he just gave up and planted more corn. From then on there was always enough to go around. Ha!
Each summer I continue to look for and purchase sweet corn wherever we are during the months of July and August. This year we bought and ate North Carolina corn. It does not measure up to Iowa corn and definitely does not meet my Dad's standards but its sweet corn. We ate it and enjoyed, remembering my Dad and a time when his corn was "King"!
Christian enjoying his first ear of sweet corn.
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