Presenting "Mr. & Mrs. Daniel F. Moreland"

When last I posted on this blog, I suspected that a very special relationship was developing between our daughter, Paige Garner, and a young man she met at church, Daniel Moreland. I was correct and Paige accepted an engagement ring from Daniel on May 16th. The hectic process of planning a church wedding started and we didn't get many chances to slow down. As we planned, Paige and Daniel shared their stories on a wedding website and Paige also shared from time to time on her blog. Mom still didn't make it back to this blog to write. I think I may have been too busy making lists and running errands :)

Despite my inadequacies as a chronicler of our exciting times, God has richly blessed our family through Daniel and on August 9, 2008, we celebrated their marriage at First Baptist Church, San Antonio. We were so pleased that many of you could celebrate with us.

I understand that the newly married couple is currently attempting to fit their numerous belongings into an apartment in College Station before Daniel begins class next week. Paige will begin looking for a job soon. Mom, however, is coping with the changes in our lives by blogging about their wedding and move rather than trying to clean up what was left behind at our home :p

Perhaps, I'll be more regular with my blog entries in the coming months than I have been in the last year. Unless, I spend too much time looking at wedding pictures...

I Finally Established a Google Account...

Wow! It's been over a year since my last post. It is obvious that this blog has not been a priority in my life, although I have still enjoyed reading the blog posts of various friends and ministries.

I'm involved in a massive writing project for a special emphasis at our church and this seems like an appropriate time to return to this blog as well. Perhaps, I can "try out" bits of the project here...unless I get selected for a civil jury in our county which is expected to serve about SIX weeks beginning on March 24, 2008. The questionnaire I received with the Jury Summons is a writing project in itself. [Do everything without complaining...um, could have done without that verse popping into my mind at this moment *sheepish look*].

Just to catch up on some high points of the last year:

Our daughter graduated from LeTourneau University in early May of 2007 and we had a great time celebrating this event as a family.

Tom and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in late May and joked about Paige going to Hawaii instead of us (she could stay with my sisters in-laws which would not have been our choice for an anniversary trip so we used airline miles to send her while her cousins were also there). Is she spoiled or what?

Paige decided not to start graduate school immediately and began to work for the Boerne Public Library.

Tom and I spent a few days in Colorado after dropping Paige off at Glorieta Baptist Conference Center near Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she worked the previous summer.

Tom and I remain active in our church here in Boerne and Paige joined a church in San Antonio where she could make new friends as part of the Singles ministry.

Paige and I began attending BSF on Monday evenings here in Boerne.

Paige met Daniel at church in December and we are enjoying the excitement and challenges (long distance relationship with one in Texas and the other in an internship in Ohio) of this somewhat quirky but much loved couple :)

Paige celebrated her 21st birthday in January with a trip to New Orleans to visit a close friend and Valentine's Day with a trip to Ohio to see Daniel. Do I see a pattern here? Paige keeps taking trips while Mom and Dad remain at home :p Hopefully, this will not be the pattern for the rest of the year. I'm really in the mood to plan a trip.

God has blessed us in so many ways during this last year. I look forward to sharing through this blog from time to time. I hope you are having a great day!

Progression (Or Squish/Crunching About the Yard)

When I first began to take photographs the clouds mostly covered the sun but before I finished sunlight was sparkling on the melting ice.

On An Icy Note From Down South

I can't possibly keep up with Ma Hoyt when it comes to posting pictures of God's beautiful world or man's quirky products and pastimes, but having ventured outdoors and crunched my way about the yard with camera in hand, I feel compelled to share :) Apparently, I also felt compelled to write a very long run-on sentence...Hope that you enjoy them!

Only in Texas?

The roots of my raising run deep...into the whole realm of country music. Today was particularly fun while driving around San Antonio because a local radio station, KJ97, is playing only George Strait music all day and all night and giving away his new CD which will be available in stores tomorrow. Even in a part of the country where George has been known to renew his driver's license a few blocks from our home and people see him around the area on occasion wearing a ball cap, hearing his music played exclusively is not the norm.

I know that many of you don't like country music and it is by no means the only type of music I enjoy, but I must admit to knowing most of the lyrics to anything by George Strait, and a large number of songs much older than his. I also must admit that Paige's ability to hear almost any song one time and then sing the song, inappropriate lyrics and all, resulted in some potentially embarrassing moments when she was younger. While I have been known to change the radio station when lyrics were less than wholesome, I've never totally eliminated country music from my life. My Daddy loved country music and Saturday night television was primarily country in our house. I can remember this being a point of contention at times since we wanted to watch "Flipper." But Daddy died in 1977 and sometimes nothing substitutes for singing along with a favorite country song. Excuse the reminiscing...

"No matter how long you've dated, everyone marries a stranger. "

The line quoted above is from a Boundless webzine article Stop Test-Driving Your Girlfriend. As someone who has been faithfully married to one man for over twenty-nine years, I can attest to the truth of that statement. I think the rest of the article makes some interesting points, also. I trust that you'll find it interesting or bring it to the attention of someone else that might.

I Wish I Could Claim Responsibility For These Pictures

I hope you enjoyed these pictures :) Sometimes we are just too "sleepy" to be productive. That's not my excuse for not writing a serious post. I'm just not properly motivated at present, I guess.

So Long Overdue With Posting That Probably Only My Family Will Look At This Post

I really can't believe that I haven't posted ANYTHING since April. I guess I read far more blog entries than I either write or comment on. This will not be a long post but perhaps this next week I'll write a serious post. For today, I'd like to share links to a few blog entries that caused me to smile a moment or laugh. I hope that if anyone is actually reading this blog, you'll find something you enjoy also.

From Girltalk: Friday Funnies

From Thinklings: I Have Girls
I Have Boys

While I only linked one entry from "Friday Funnies," the archives for that category contain more chuckle worthy material :)

Yet Another View

An Unusual Flower - Parrot Flower from Thailand

Texan, Southern, or a Strong Dose of Both?

I started the morning off with this test after noting Jonathan's results on the same. It provided a few minutes of fun.

Dixie Royal You are 89% true Southern!

You are pure belle or gentleman! You know your Jones Soda, Nehi and RC colas, your Moon Pies and sweet potato pie; you'd absolutely die without air conditioners in the summer, and you've seen Steel Magnolias and Fried Green Tomatoes (or read the book!). Your grandmother lives in an antebellum home and has a cook who makes the best fried chicken and asparagus casserole and summer squash and everything else in the world. And you know the taste of honeysuckle and the feel of grass between your toes. You are blessed.

My grandparents were born between 1890 and 1906 and never lived in anything approaching an antebellum home, although two of them hoed plenty of cotton and one grandmother built several homes herself and was quite accomplished with a shotgun.

Granny Little cooked her own fried chicken in an iron skillet in pure lard and I don't really remember Granny Boyd's fried chicken. She did, however, make 72 biscuits for breakfast in the days when she was cooking for her own children since she had 14 of them. She was in her 60's when I was born and was married to PaPa for 70 years before he died.

I definitely remember Nehi grape soda from the lift-top iced cooler at Aunt Francis' store, Royal Crown colas, moon pies, tasting honeysuckle blooms, and the feel of St. Augustine grass between my toes...also chasing lightening bugs, watching horned toads in the backyard, Sunday "singings" and dinner on the grounds (church grounds, that is). I have been truly blessed to grow up where I did with family and friends who loved me and let me know it and parents and grandparents who lived out committed marriages of the "until death do you part" type.

My Song

Music has always played a vital part in my life. Perhaps this partially explains why a passage I recently read in a novel by B. J. Hoff resonates with something within me. A school teacher was praying and reading scripture:

"And in his spirit, Truth whispered: The music of life is within you...not in the world, not in circumstances or external things...and not in an instrument. You are the instrument, and I am the music. Whatever road you walk in this life, it is because I have set your feet upon it. Whatever trials you encounter, whatever struggles you endure--your joys, your sorrows--these, too, are My will. I would have you, through the life you live with me, show these children....these people...that the music of life is within, not without...that it comes from Me. I am your hope...your strength...your song. I, the Lord, am your music."

"The Lord is my strength and song, And he has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him."
- Exodus 15:2

Spring Beauty

Definitely goofing around before the last symphony and "striking a pose" 

An Interesting Perspective

Our local paper wrote regarding the latest "ranking" involving the county where we live here in the hill country of Texas. Interesting...

A Day Late

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted and this isn't a "real" post of my own thoughts either. I didn't read these blogs on or before Valentine's Day but I think they are still worth passing along, hopefully, for your reading enjoyment. Check out "Countdown to National Single Awareness Day" and "A VD Prophylactic: How to Write a Love Letter (and Salvage Valentine's Day)" by Carolyn McCulley and Joe Carter.

Improving Your People Skills

I need to post something where I've actually written thoughtfully soon (lest I forget how) but in the meantime, I ran across this article I had bookmarked some time ago and thought it was worth sharing. Now, I need to practice what I've read...

On the Reading of Books

I can't claim responsibility for the content of this blog entry, but I can certainly relate. Reading has always been one of the great joys of my life. When I taught first and second grade, a major goal was to excite children about reading--even material that challenged their skill level. Consequently, I own enough children's books that I've started giving some away since I'm no longer teaching. The house is certainly littered (term pictures the arrangement of volumes of books rather than their value) with adult books but budgetary constraints have encouraged avid utilization of public and church libraries. I particularly enjoyed these comments by the blog's author, "C.J., I took books to high school athletic events when I played in the band. [Heap coals of scorn and nerdliness here.] I remember the books -- do you remember the games?" When Paige played in the band, I observed some reading going on in the saxophone section, although, believe it or not, she wasn't the guilty party :)

The blog's author, by the way, is Al Mohler as part of a group blog site.

Just In Case...

Just in case you sometimes read "Pyromaniac" as I do, Phil has determined that this blog could consume his life and has made some changes. The new "Pyromaniac" emerges as a group blog found here.

Word Play

Choices made by one person often have repercussions that impact others in their family or circle of friends. My daughter's choice of college is one such instance. Paige has expanded her circle of "unique" friends and extended Mom's world, as well. Her willingness to share many of her experiences with dear old Mom has resulted in numerous chuckles and exposure to a wide variety of writing, both in the blogosphere and elsewhere. Not particularly viewing myself as a gifted writer, I won't try to emulate stories told in limerick, satirical pieces, political analysis, or weighty literary criticism. I would like, however, to share an interesting blog I sometimes skim. Unable to link the specific entry only, I must ask that you go here and then scroll down to January 19th - " JC: It Was A Dark and Stormy Blog" for some fun "word play" among authors initiated by author Jack Cavanaugh.

Equal Time

My last post linked articles for men. While continuing to catch up on blog reading after my trip over the weekend, I ran across some comments related to a topic of relevance to godly women- "Modesty." Just last week I listened to several audio files online dealing with this issue in the church (including the C. J. Mahaney audio message referenced in this blog). I think that it is an issue which needs to be seriously addressed if we really care about the men in our life. So ladies, this one is for you...

Show Yourself a Man

While catching up on blog reading this morning, I ran across a link to several articles clustered around the topic "Show Yourself a Man." As a wife and mother, these articles have limited application to my own life but I wanted to point them out for consideration by the guys in my life or group of acquaintances. Maybe you'll find something of relevance to your growth as godly men.

An Opportunity to Share Your Concerns and Opinions

Dan Edelin, through his website "Cerulean Sanctum," is eliciting comments this weekend regarding "how the Church in America can better live out the faith." I'm interested in seeing the type of feedback he receives. Perhaps I'll even get brave and submit a comment of my own. I have been accused of having a few opinions of my own, after all. :-)

"Finding Out the Greatness Of Thy Loving Heart"

An old hymn (sung to a much newer tune) was shared as special music this morning in church and it especially resonated with me today. I had been praying for rest, peace, and God's strength for a friend last night and this song seemed especially "timely." As I pondered the words of the song, one thought kept coming to mind-- that "finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart" encompasses a vast range of experiences. Sometimes we experience God's love in joyful circumstances and moments. At other times, however, he walks with us through deep sorrow and uncertainty. Much happens in my life that I cannot understand this side of heaven, but, looking back I can see that I have a richer walk with Christ having experienced his presence in both joyful times and difficult times. I firmly believe that scripture places great value upon suffering but none of us wants to sign up for these lessons and we hurt when our friends experience them, also. So, to those in my circle who are currently hurting and looking to the day when they rejoice again, I offer these lyrics to ponder. May I also be faithful to uphold you guys in prayer.

Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting

Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art,
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.
Thou has bid me gaze upon Thee, and Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy tranforming power, Thou hast made me whole.

Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art,
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

Oh, how great Thy loving kindness--vaster, broader than the sea.
Oh, how marvelous Thy goodness lavished all on me.
Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved, 'know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of pomise, and have made it mine.

Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art.
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love--so pure, so changless--satisfies my heart,
Satisfies its deepest longing, meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me 'round with blessings; Thine is love, indeed.

Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art.
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

Ever lift Thy face upon me as I work and wait for Thee.
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus, earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory, Sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting; fill me with Thy grace.

Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art.
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

After the worship service, I sat near the piano as Amy, Andrea, and David worked on this song some more before the second service. This lilting arrangement was played by guitar, violin, and piano. It was a blessing to hear David sing these words so sincerely because we have grieved much over the death of his son last July. I listened, prayed, and cried (I find I do well these days with weeping "with those who weep." Romans 12:15). It was a good experience in a messy, painful sort of way.

Researching this old hymn on the Internet, I found the words attributed to Jean S. Pigott (1845-1882) and the common tune in hymnals is identified as "Tranquility" and attributed to James Mountain. The arrangement I heard today was by David Hampton (copyright 1998 New Spring ASCAP). This hymn was also identified by one individual as a hymn China missionary Hudson Taylor would sing to himself when he couldn't sleep at night, although I cannot attest to the veracity of this assertion.

For Purposes of Comparison

I guess it is only fair to post a more current picture of my husband, Tom, after the pictures posted by both Paige and I at our blogs in the last few days. So, for purposes of comparison, here it is...

Tom, last July at his Dad's wedding

A moment from Paige's "tutu phase" 

At Paige's request we spent much of Sunday afternoon looking through old family pictures. This turned out to be quite entertaining since Paige had not really looked at pictures of her Mom and Dad and their other family members from the "old days" since she was too small to remember much about them. To her amazement she discovered documented evidence that we had once been young.

Last night, Paige and I scanned a number of old family pictures and laughed a lot. While she is still sleeping this morning, I'll post some of them for any entertainment value they might hold to blog readers. Most were selected for this post by the beloved daughter but I may have to throw in one or two unexpected ones (since I know which other pictures she hopes to post on her own blog). Mom must be allowed some fun on occasion, after all!

Amazingly young looking first year teacher 

Wedding shower - Spring 1977 

Tom in suit received for Christmas 1976 

Rhonda outside the college apartment 

Tom - A few days after our first date 

Tom (Dad) - Age 2 

Rhonda (Mom) - Age 2 

Regarding Sons and Christmas...

I promised a serious post soon and have already stretched the definition of "soon" a bit. Before beginning our round of holiday travel, I am finally posting something new, at least. I trust that you will have a blessed Christmas with family and friends. It has been a hard season for us as we grieve with dear friends whose 20- year- old son died this year but God is gracious and brings joy amidst the sadness as we worship Him.

Our pastor made a comment last week regarding the commonly heard phrase, "Jesus is the reason for the season." Though not original with him, the point made was that it would be more accurate to say "I am the reason for the season." This doesn't seem quite right to many people when they first hear it, but ultimately, I believe it is accurate. After all, the incarnation of Christ was a portion of God's provision for my inability to do anything on my own to overcome my sin and depravity. If I were not a sinner, there would have been no need for Jesus to be born to a virgin in Bethlehem and, ultimately, no biblical reason for a season of remembrance and celebration of this great gift.

As I contemplate our celebration of Christmas, a very different portion of scripture came to mind than is typical. I tend to spend time during this season reading the gospel accounts of the life of Christ or Old Testament prophecies of his birth . However, I’d like to share a passage from Zechariah today. The ESV is packed already since we travel tomorrow so it will be shared from my NASB.

"In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity. 2 "And it will come about in that day," declares the Lord of hosts, "that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land. 3 "And it will come about that if anyone still prophesies, then this father and mother who gave birth to him will say to him, ' You shall not live, for you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD' and his father and mother who gave birth to him will pierce him through when he prophesies. 4 "Also it will come about in that day that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies, and they will not put on a hairy robe in order to deceive; 5 but he will say, 'I am not a prophet; I am a tiller of the ground, for a man sold me as a slave in my youth.' 6 "And one will say to him, 'What are these wounds between your arms?' Then he will say, "Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.' 7 "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, And against the man, My Associate,' Declares the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones. 8 "And it will come about in all the land,' Declares the LORD. "That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left in it. 9 "And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' And they will say, "The LORD is my God.' " - Zechariah 13

I am thankful this Christmas season that I can say "The LORD is my God" because of the gift of the son whose birth we remember and whose death and resurrection give us life and hope.

My Cheatin' Post

It has been pointed out recently that I do not post frequently enough. Considering the date of the last post, I can hardly argue this point. I'll try to do a thoughtful, serious post soon. In the meantime, I'd like to share a sentimental Christmas story I received in an e-mail recently.

Pa and The Rifle

Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible.

After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside.

I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.

Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this.

But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load.

Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood---the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight.

Sure, I'd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "Why?" "I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."

That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait.

When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked. "Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy?

Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it.

She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children---sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too.

In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before, filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.

Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, "'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough.

Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

For the rest of my life, Whenever I saw any of the Jensen's, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.


~by Rian B. Anderson~

Favorite Hymns

A recent survey of BBC radio listeners has identified ten top hymns as follows:

1. And Can It Be?
2. Great is Thy Faithfulness
3. Amazing Grace
4. Love Divine
5. O For a Thousand Tongues
6. How Great Thou Art
7. Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
8. One More Step
9. Be Thou My Vision
10. To God be The Glory

A blog that I read regularly, The Thinklings, has included a post referencing the BBC poll and listing the favorite hymns of one of their members. I enjoyed the comments and lists being generated as a result enough to want to bring it to your attention, also. I attempted to narrow my own favorite hymns down to just ten and decided that it was impossible. Listed in no particular order are 13 hymns that I love to sing and play:

Holy, Holy, Holy
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
There Is A Fountain
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
How Firm a Foundation
To God Be the Glory
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (tune, Nettleton)
Redeemed”(tune, Ada)
Be Thou My Vision
My Jesus, I Love Thee”
Worthy of Worship (from the newer ones)
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
I Surrender All.

I'd love to learn what some of your favorite hymns are. It might also be interesting to know the approximate age (or age range) of anyone who responds. In my case the age is under 50, at least for a few more months. :)

An approaching storm cloud 

An Approaching Storm and Autumn Color

I am way overdue with a serious post but I'm not in the mood to think of one today. I did snap a few pictures yesterday when I glanced out the front window of the house and noticed a massive storm cloud looming above the neighbor's house. I've posted one of the series. I couldn't resist also taking a few plant pictures while I was out and about with the camera. The wind made it a bit difficult to capture pictures that weren't blurry (as it was blowing over garbage cans at one point) but I think the ones I posted caught something of the rich, autumn colors.

Yaupon holly and lantana 

The last blooms of the autumn asters 

Crape myrtle 

Lantana 

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy Jig

It is good to be out of the car after a long drive on this nice autumn day. I really enjoyed my visit with Paige and many of her university friends during a portion of their Fall Break. About 27 friends were successfully fed last night, with my primary contribution being baked beans and mashed potatoes of the non-instant type (and financial provision for substantial amounts of groceries to share). Paige did a great job with all the other food which was served, including the 13 dozen fresh rolls. A small number of rolls did get burned at the last minute, but Paige was not responsible for that incident. When I left today, there were actually some rolls remaining. Of course, Moore was taking his GRE today...

Observed On My Niece’s Blog

My fifteen-year-old niece, Mandy, recently posted the following quotes and I thought I’d pass them along:

"No one will ever win the battle of the sexes...there's too much fraternizing with the enemy."

"Laughing at someone will make you feel better for a minute, but helping someone that's laughed at will make you feel better forever."

I enjoy insights into her interests and thoughts.

A recent picture of Mandy 

Rambling Thoughts

October days have passed in numerous ways but it is evident that whatever pursuits have been occupying my time; writing and reflecting through this blog have not been among them. I would like to pause briefly and share a quotation I ran across that was attributed to C. S. Lewis:

”It is the immemorial privilege of letter-writers to commit to paper things they would not say; to write in a more grandiose manner than that in which they speak; and to enlarge upon feelings which would be passed by unnoticed in conversation.”

I have long treasured letters from a friend or loved one that can be re-read and contemplated long months or years after they were first penned. I also treasure memories of moments of quiet conversation together with special people. Like many people these days, I have expanded my communications menu to include e-mail, instant messenger dialogue, and, most recently, web logs. I wonder, however, if we lose something in the realm of written communication compared to the “letter-writer” referenced by Lewis. I don’t have any astute observations to pass along but some questions come to mind. Would I communicate in a thoughtful letter that which I might state in an IM conversation? Should I reflect longer before sending out an “instant” reaction to some assertion or feeling expressed through electronic communication? Is it conceivable that we might sometimes “protect” ourselves from some level of personal interaction inherent in “face to face” communication through using modern technology?

Again, I don’t have answers, although some opinions are “in process.” I see much of benefit in expanded means of communication (especially as a mother with a daughter living at college) but hope that we don’t reap an unexpected harvest in the area in interpersonal relationships through our reliance upon electronic communication. Relationships involve sharing of ourselves on many levels. Close relationships involve exposing our true person to another as we remove the masks behind which we have hovered for protection. Is this process facilitated or hindered by computerized messages? Do descriptions of our facial and bodily expression substitute effectively for actual observation of the person with whom we are conversing? While some such descriptions I’ve read have been quite humorous, I don’t really know whether they provide sufficient clues to all that may have been intended in the communication.

Not Exactly a "Real" Post

Just sharing a quote that I ran across today -

"For when there is a question as to whether a man is good, one does not ask what he believes, or what he hopes, but what he loves. For the man who loves aright no doubt believes and hopes aright...."

-St. Augustine, The Enchiridion §117

A Look Back in Time

I returned home from several days of travel yesterday. Hopefully, I'll add a "serious" post in the next day or two. In the meantime, perhaps you’ll indulge me as I post a few more pictures. Stories of Paige's childhood were requested last night so I'm posting pictures of her instead of the scenery shots I generally share. I did not ask her permission but I am not sharing embarrassing video clips, just snapshots, so hopefully I won’t alienate my daughter. :-)

Paige at the Fort Worth zoo at about 18 months 

Family picture when Paige was about one year old 

Paige at about 9 months - already "on the go" 

I can only wish that the approach to my front door looked this good this year... 

Diverse Quotations from a Novel I'm Reading

I'm reading a novel with quotations at the beginning of each chapter. Some seemed worth sharing.

"Friendship is a very taxing and arduous form of leisure activity." -Mortimer Adler

"A woman is like a tea bag--you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water." - Nancy Reagan

"The best way to know a man is to watch him when he is angry." -Hebrew Proverb

"It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of truth." - John Locke

Another tranquil view 

A Bit of Information I Missed Out On

There has been much talk in recent weeks about Hurricane Katrina. It has been quite heart warming to both respond to the needs of hurricane victims and observe the widespread, compassionate efforts of diverse groups to reach out to U. S. residents so horribly affected by the storm.

I was unaware until today, however, of the efforts of the National Abortion Federation. According to their website:

"In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina>

Hurricane Katrina victims can call the NAF toll-free hotline to speak with professional hotline operators who can help with options counseling and with referrals to providers of quality reproductive health care services. On a limited basis, hotline staff also may be able to help raise the funds necessary to help cover the cost of quality abortion care. Many NAF member clinics throughout the country are offering free services or significantly reduced fees for services for women from the disaster regions.

Donations to our Hotline Assistance Fund will allow us to provide the financial assistance desperately needed by women affected by Hurricane Katrina."

While millions rally to donate and assist with life, this group instead chooses to use their platform to further their agenda of death under the guise of "hurricane assistance." I guess the amazing thing is that I can still be "surprised" by such efforts.

Another favorite picture...Paige is responsible for this one 

A Timely Message?

"This [Sermon on the Mount] is not just a description of what a man does; the real point is this difference between the Christian and the non-Christian. The New Testament regards that as something absolutely basic and fundamental; and, as I see things at the present time, the first need in the Church is a clear understanding of this essential difference. It has become blurred; the world has come into the Church and the Church has become worldly. The line is not as distinct as it was. There were times when the distinction was clear cut, and those have always been the greatest eras in the history of the Church. We know, however, the arguments that have been put forward. We have been told that we have to make the Church attractive to the man outside, and the idea is to become as much like him as we can. There were certain popular padres during the First World War who mixed with their men, and smoked with them and did this, that, and the other with them, in order to encourage them. Some people thought that, as a result, when the war was over, the ex-service men would be crowding into the churches. Yet it did not happen and it never has happened that way. The glory of the gospel is that when the Church is absolutely different from the world, she invariably attracts it. It is then that the world is made to listen to her message, though it may hate it at first. This is how revival comes. That must also be true of us as individuals. It should not be our ambition to be as much like everybody else as we can, though we happen to be Christian, but rather to be as different from everybody who is not a Christian as we can possibly be. Our ambition should be to be like Christ, the more like Him, the better, and the more like Him we become, the more we shall be unlike everybody who is not a Christian."

-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (italics mine) - From a sermon first delivered sometime prior to 1959 at Westminster Chapel, London

Busy Reading

I'm busy reading on this hot afternoon and ran across a quote regarding one of my favorite places that caused me to grin:

"People can lose their lives in Libraries. They ought to be warned." -Saul Bellow

As Promised...

I'm practicing with pictures as I indicated would be necessary. This time I thought I'd play with the settings. I rather like the larger pictures but realize it could take longer for the blog to load. We have only recently acquired DSL and it is easy to forget how slowly everything loaded...Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pictures. I made Tom stop frequently for me to take more.

Another view in the same general area 

Along the road in British Columbia, Canada, not far from Skagway, Alaska 

On the Posting of Pictures....

Since I know absolutely no HTML and have never attempted blogging prior to yesterday, humorous moments abound for Paige and Tom as I try to figure this out for myself. Paige is of this current generation and, consequently, fairly computer savvy, while Tom is a computer specialist with the U. S. Courts. They have always done computer tasks beyond word processing or e-mail for me (easier than teaching me) and find my sense of accomplishment in a small thing like publishing pictures on this blog amusing. While I learn many things visually and auditorily, for computer skills I must resort to kinesthetic means and "do it for myself." This leads to opportunities for increasing "patience" and/or having a "screaming hissy fit." Today is patience....last night was more like a "fit." At my age, such a fit is even less becoming than with a determined two-year-old.

So it is with some sense of pride that I offer a few favorite pictures ("favorite" with pictures is relative for me, like with songs and books....many favorites) as Hurricane Rita approaches Texas and Louisiana. If there seems to be a theme of cool colors, cool climes, and water of non-hurricane proportions, perhaps it is a reaction to what is to come and a reminder of the immense God who created and controls it all.

I best remember computer skills through repetition so don't be surprised if other "favorite pictures" are regularly posted. Hopefully, you'll enjoy the scene and I'll enjoy the overall aesthetics of this blog more.

A walk on the Olympic Peninsula 

But a glimpse of God's awesome power and creativity
- Athabasca Falls, Alberta, Canada

A favorite place...
Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park

An Accurate View

While I've only read excerpts of the writings of John Calvin, I ran across a quote credited to him recently that speaks to me.

"Man never achieves a clear knowledge of himself unless he has first looked upon God's face, and then descends from contemplating Him to scrutinize himself."

I have been reading D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Studies in the Sermon on the Mount recently and was reminded of part of his teaching on what it means to be "poor in spirit." His comments seemed closely related to the quote mentioned above.

"That, then, is what is meant by being 'poor in spirit'. It means a complete absence of pride, a complete absence of self-assurance and of self-reliance. It means a consciousness that we are nothing in the presence of God. It is nothing, then that we can produce; it is nothing that we can do in ourselves. It is just this tremendous awareness of our utter nothingness as we come face to face with God....The way to become poor in spirit is to look at God....He is the all-sufficient One."

Why does it matter so much that I be 'poor in spirit'? I am then in a position to comprehend more fully what Christ accomplished for me on the Cross and through the Resurrection and to see in Him a Savior sufficient to transform lives. Such love constrains me to serve him more faithfully.

A New Venture

After a year of perusing the blogs of others, perhaps it is time to venture into this world of thoughts, words, and images for myself. It will be interesting to see what transpires...