Silent Sunday

On the Home Front

Refurbished Chiminea

I was inspired to recycle a broken chiminea this weekend. High winds last fall toppled it over and the top piece broke. Even though the Hubs discarded the broken chimney, I could not part with the base. This is what I ended up with:

Succulents in a terra cotta pot and a saucer on top with LED (flame-less) candles in the bottom. The flame-less candles were my daughter Shannon's suggestion! They have an auto timer and I think they look marvelous!

Since Husband is retired, he takes care of all things inside and outside the home, meaning specifically he cleans, does laundry, gardens, plants flowers. Suffice it to say he amazes me! Here are some pix of our raised bed garden. You can see a corner of it above along with the hose that leads to the drip hose in the raised bed.

The Lone Zucchini Plant

Only one of three zucchini plants lived. ALAS! Usually they are so prolific one will be enough!

The Brussels Sprouts

I've not tried Brussels Sprouts before, but have a renewed interest (read taste here) in them!

The Tomato Plants

Husband planted three tomato plants - two regular type and the largest, bushiest one is a cherry tomato plant. They are full of blossoms and green tomatoes! (I'm salivating as I write this!)

More of the Tomato Plants

We will plant more in July. If it is like last year, we will have fresh tomatoes into December!

Asparagus Plants

Do any of you know anything about raising asparagus? This is year two of setting them out and we are at a loss to know what to do with them or how to tend them. I understand we are to wait until next year to begin harvesting them. Just as plants, they are lovely and airy looking.




Next we move to the front yard: 

Artichoke to the left of the front window

Artichokes do quite well in Arid-zona! These were planted last fall and were so small! I was afraid they might not winter well.

Artichoke to the right of the window

Artichokes are a lot of work to prepare for eating, but are Oh So Lovely to look at!

Pomegranate

This is our pomegranate tree / bush - it will depend upon our care of it which direction it will go...  I have wanted a pomegranate since I learned they grow here in the SW!

The blossoms are as beautiful as the mature fruit! You can see the small, immature fruit already on the bush.

Front Yard

This is Husband's front yard endeavor. His plants in the flagpole area, then flower pots he set out along with the solar lighting. The spikey red yucca have been here since we planted them 16-yrs. ago. They get divided on a regular basis. To the left of the sidewalk to the door is where I plant basil.

Well, that about it for the tour of our Arid-zona gardening!

Have a lovely day,

Tamara

p.s.  Genesis 2:9

New King James Version 

⁹ And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Two trees... of which do you choose to eat?

The Winery

Coronado Winery, Willcox AZ

John 15: 1-8

New King James Version

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

This weekend was our 33rd Anniversary. To observe said occasion, we decided to travel to a nearby winery for tasting and dinner. Much to our dismay, the winery was operating on limited staff and didn't mention in their online brochure that dinner wasn't served on Sundays. There were kind enough to point us in the direction of the community for the Annual Wine Tasting Event. So we drove there and had a time seeing the various winery displays and wines. For $10.00 one received a wine glass and six tickets to 'taste' various wines.

It was fun and interesting. They had local groups playing music (jazz in particular and my favorite!). The weather was quite warm, so we didn't stay outside too long - mid to high 90's already.  Frankly, I wasn't aware there were to many winery's in the SE section of Arizona. It reminded me of the scripture from from John 15. 

Pardon me? Is my fruit showing? Or is it that time of year for pruning?

Have a wonderful week!

Tamara

Feed My Children

Being a small town girl, most communities we have lived in have not exceeded a census of 10,000. Personally, my hometown was probably a tenth of that. The comfort and familiarity of a small town is what I find appealing. You know people, you feel comfortable at church and in the community. If someone has an unspoken prayer request, chances are you’re going to know what it’s about… (really, you probably do!) 

There are drawbacks, of course. Not having specialized medical care, shopping malls or even a Target can have its moments. I loathe being tied to the apron strings of corporate Wal-Mart, no offense. It's not just about material goods. It is more about freedom, options, and power to have a large and positive impact on society through charity, education, and reform… but that’s another story for another time. 

With that being said, I am now making a conscious effort to return to the theme of my recent writings: Small Town America and life on the farm! I suppose the theme from the old television program Green Acres would be appropriate playing in the background, but I am resisting that temptation!

 Similar to my old stove!

When we first moved to the farm, we inherited a number of old antique pieces of furniture that just came with the house. We did purchase an old 1920s high legged gas cook stove. We got it for less than $50.00, had to move it downstairs from the apartment it was in and then used at least two cans of oven cleaner to be able to see its beautiful green and cream colors. It was worth all the elbow grease as it cleaned up quite well. 

There was a gas well on the property and free gas to the house. When trying to use the oven on the stove, since there wasn't a pilot light, I had to strike a wooden match, turn the gas on and pray! The first time I did this, the gas fumes “whooshed” out and singed off my eye lashes and eyebrows. I calmly looked at my then 16 year old daughter and simply said, “Shannon, this is why you never want to try this yourself!” Her wide eyes and expression were priceless AND to my knowledge she never did try it! 

The old gas stove was not well insulated, but that proved to be a blessing during the winter months. Living as remote as we did, we often lost power and the only way we could warm the house was with that old stove. We even took huge pots filled with snow and melted them on the stove to be able to flush the toilet! Yeah, it was that primitive. 

When the baby chicks had grown into young adolescent chickens, it was time to separate the sexes. Our son Nicholas was the “runner” who went into the hen house, found the young roosters, brought them to me, I tied them up by the feet and slit their little necks and let them bled out hanging from the clothes line. The next step was dipping them into the boiling water bath, plucking the feathers and next into an ice bath until time to cut them up. (Martha Stewart doesn't have anything up on me!) 

Fortunately, the family we bought the farm house from, Husband and Wife Bumpus, came to help me slice and dice the chickens. It was like watching a ballet of professional chefs with Ginsu knives! Slice – dice – chop – chop and there they were in lovely little piles of thighs, legs, breasts, backs and necks. Next was my turn. It wasn't pretty and there were no recognizable parts. After more iced baths for the chicken parts I next bagged and tagged and dated them. They were placed into the freezer. 

Growing up in an extended family with my mother and grandmother, I never had to cook. In fact, I was more of a nuisance in the kitchen and got underfoot. I was chased out of the kitchen. It was a well devised plan I learned to manipulate with ease. 

However, as an adult I learned to read and follow recipes. I learned to plant and grow vegetables and even how to can! The public library has a wealth of information all for the mere investment of a library card! 

It was even the public library where I learned how to care for the goats, how to milk them (with a friend also giving me some hands on practice, shall we say?). I learned to culture and make yogurt from goat’s milk and not in those cutesy little machines, either. I did it in gallon glass containers inside a Styrofoam cooler with the heating pad! Plain yogurt often was placed in cheese cloth and drained overnight to become ricotta cheese. Vanilla yogurt was flavored with vanilla bean and honey. Goat’s milk yogurt is a little thin so to thicken it up I used one cup of dry powered milk per gallon of yogurt. 

The fresh eggs were a delight, especially since they came from Rhode Island Reds and were contained in a warm brown colored shell. The egg shells were fed to the pigs to increase their calcium levels. 

We had wonderful flowers that grew on the farm as well as rhubarb and wild leeks and wild asparagus in the early spring. I grew herbs: peppermint, chamomile, chives, basil, oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. 

I ground wheat berries into whole wheat flour, made homemade breads and noodles. The whole wheat noodles were… well, pathetic. They became moldy before drying out! I don't miss Ohio humidity. The chickens and the pigs ate them. Nothing went to waste on the farm. Literally, we were "green" before it was vogue.

As we were trying to become missionaries, our home church often made visits with Care Packages of food. I learned a lot from these endeavors. That being: give of the first fruits, not the leftovers in your pantry. Sadly, a lot of the dry foods were infested with mealy bugs and packaged food was past expiration dates. But the critters didn't mind! To this day, when Husband and I give, we generally purchase it from the store for that singular purpose. I’m not bragging here, just stating a fact that was indelibly placed as a learning tool from God Almighty! 

That is not unlike the Old Testament practice of tithing: the giving of the first ten percent, the best your crops produced. Can you envision this practice today? If that were happening in our churches, our states would not be suffering financially and there would be no need of social service! We would actually be God’s hands and be used to bless others less fortunate. 

One of the ladies in our Esther Group at the Emmaus weekend is a Community Activist and she shared a story with me about the wife of a friend of hers from Georgia. Her friend's wife was a teacher and one boy in her class was a “problem child” who acted out. When he did this, the other boys in the class followed suit and soon the whole class was in distress. 

In the particular school where she taught, the teachers were required to take their lunch with the children in the class. She heard a commotion and went to investigate and there he was: her problem child. He had dropped his tray of food and was screaming, screaming, screaming. As she listened, she suddenly realized why. This child, this problem child from the heart of mid-America had not eaten all weekend long and was afraid he was now not going to have any food at all this day. This dear woman, this teacher was touched in her heart. She quit her job and began a new one. Seeking funding and food so no child in that community would ever go hungry again. (Can I get an Amen?) 

Often, we need only to rise above the clamor and noise to listen, really listen and become the hands and heart of Christ. What good is my Christian witness if I only profess it inside the walls of the sanctuary? 

So this I pray: Abba, Father – fill me with your Spirit. Show me what you would have me do as ministry not only in my church but also in my community. 

I’ll be sharing bits and pieces of my Emmaus experience as we walk along this path.

Tamara

PS 

Ephesians 5:29

²⁹ No one ever hates his own body, but feeds it and takes care of it just like Christ does for the church

The Prayers of the Faithful

This will be a short post today and  I am asking for your prayers. Out grandson Zachary was struck by a car Sunday afternoon and transported by air to University Medical Center in Tucson. He has a broken leg. 

Late last evening he had surgery on his leg. The tibia and fibula – the word we were given is one is fractured through and the other fractured. (I don’t know what the difference would be.) The surgery was to relieve the swelling and to place rods and probably pins and plates, I would assume. 

Please remember he is an active four year old so this will complicate his and his mother’s life style for quite sometime. I’m sure that rehab will be a part of his healing process, too. This will assuredly set back his preschool for awhile. 

Dennis and I were planning on a trip to Tucson today for other reasons, so we will be stopping in to see Zachary. 

We are also in a quandary as to letting Zachary’s dad (our son) know about this due to his incarceration. It will frustrate him and there is nothing he can do about the situation. 

James 5:15
Common English Bible

Prayer that comes from faith will heal the sick, for the Lord will restore them to health.

 Tamara

Update: 02/20/2012 - 7:04 p.m.

I’m providing an update on Zachary as we were able to see him in the Pediatric ICU today.

He had the surgery last evening and the word is he had the best pediatric orthopedic surgeon at UMC – praise the Lord for that! The surgeon put another surgery on hold and bumped Zachary into that spot due to the internal swelling. He made incisions down each side of the leg to allow for drainage. One side responded well and the other now has a shunt (and a pump) that allows for the excess fluids to be draining off his leg. He also has a metal rod in his leg. I’m not sure about anything else.

He is being kept pain free with morphine and Tylenol with codeine. The morphine causes his face to itch and I told his Mom to watch that as it is the sign of an allergic reaction and could lead to more serious symptoms.

He is in pain with furrows on his forehead and grinding of his teeth. Yesterday when this all happened he told the EMT’s he only wanted Tylenol and a band-aid. He is ‘beat up’ on his right side with road rash and a good bump on his noggin. He has cleared all his neurological tests. He isn’t eating or drinking and has in IV for fluids and meds. He is running a fever and they are checking his blood for infections on a very regular basis – and he isn’t happy about that! Before we left for our two hour trek home, he ate a Popsicle!

After getting home, Dennis left for a visit with our son. They were most kind is allowing for a ‘late’ visit due to the nature of what will be shared and for allowing Dennis to be the one to share it.

Thank you all for your prayers. This could have had such a different outcome. I know it isn’t over yet. He will require physical therapy, plus his preschool will be set back for quite awhile.

Tamara

Zachary Recovering

Update: 02/21/2012:

He looks so much better than yesterday and according to his Mom, he is now eating. He has begun to play in the playroom. He will be in a wheelchair for about two weeks and he begins physical therapy today! He must still have the IV in as it appears he's using his right hand and he's left handed!

Zach  and Ziggy

Update: 02/22/2012:


Zachary's Mom posted this on FB yesterday. Child Life came into visit with Zachary yesterday and with his help they put a cast on Ziggy's right leg - just like Zachary's!


Zachary is having surgery today that will determine if he gets to go home today or not.


More update: Zachary did well with the surgery and he and Ziggy both have blue casts on their right legs. Zachary's IV is now out and his sucky thumb is now available.


Update: 02/23/2012:

Zachary will have another night in the hospital. They need to ween him from the pain meds. He had PT today and the assistant was Lily - a dog! Zach was very responsive. I'm sure he misses his dog Stormy and I am sure Stormy misses him. They are best buds and when Zach's Mommy tries to discipline him, Stormy gently takes her by the wrist and tries to lead her away! Here's a pix of the two of them from around Christmas time.

Best Buds - Zach and Stormy

Update: 02/24/12

Zachary went all day yesterday without morphine. They will find out today if he gets to go home. His Momma posted pix of him with his therapy dogs. He also got to go outside in his brand new wagon. He told his Mom he felt better outside. Instead of being in a wheelchair for two weeks, they said he could use a wagon, so his other Gram bought him a wagon and he's now using it in the hospital, too!

Zachary and Lily and the Sucky Thumb!

Zachary and Missie
She plays catch!

Happy Birthday Arizona!

Welcome to my Arizona!

Arizona is the 48th state and last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union, and it achieved statehood on February 14, 1912. Arizona is the sixth most extensive and the 16th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. The second largest city is Tucson.

Arizona is noted for its desert climate in its southern half, where there are very hot summers and quite mild winters. The northern half of Arizona also features forests of pine, Douglas fir, and spruce trees, a very large, high plateau (the Colorado Plateau) and some mountain ranges—such as the San Francisco Mountains—as well as large, deep canyons, where there is much more moderate weather for three seasons of the year, plus significant snowfalls. There are ski resorts in the areas of Flagstaff and Alpine. Arizona is one of the Four Corners states, meaning that we touch borders on our north eastern section with Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

Over one hundred years ago, the cream of the Arizona Territory's manhood gathered in Phoenix, writing a constitution they hoped would bring statehood.

Saguaro Sunset

Back in 1891, territorial residents had been so certain statehood was imminent, they'd actually written a constitution and took it on the train to Washington, where congressmen snubbed their noses at these upstarts from that arid wasteland out West known more for Geronimo and the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral than for the kind of folks you'd want in your union.

But things changed and Arizona had gained some respectability, some friends in Washington, and this time, Arizona wasn't jumping the gun. Congress had actually passed and President William Howard Taft had signed the Enabling Act that directed the Arizona Territory to write a state constitution - even allocating a princely $100,000 for that end.

Congress directed that the delegates meet in Phoenix - and that Phoenix be the capital of the new state at least until 1925. And so, on Oct. 10, 1910, 52 men from 13 counties came together for the first time. (Greenlee County couldn't send a delegate because it had just been created, and women didn't have a voice because they didn't yet have the right to vote.)

The most populous county had the most delegates, and in those days, that was Cochise County, where the mining interests of Bisbee and Tombstone were paramount. Agricultural Maricopa County had nine delegates. Families that would become legends in Arizona were represented: Goldwater, Orme, Tovrea. They were led by Globe's George W.P. Hunt, who would become the state's first governor and whose white-pyramid tomb in Papago Park still looks down on the Capitol City.

Meteor Crater

The Rev. Seaborn Crutchfield of Tempe gave the opening prayer as the convention began: "As King Solomon prayed for guidance to wisely rule a great people, so we ask Thee to direct us in the adoption of a wise and just constitution."

And they were off: a motley crew far that was more indebted to labor unions and the working man than to the businesses and mines that thought they ran things in Arizona. The Arizona Democrat, a Phoenix paper that wouldn't last beyond 1913, reported: "A count of noses shows that about 40 percent of the delegates are men worth $30,000 or more. Better crowd than we thought they were at first."

A vast majority, 41 to be exact, were Democrats who looked toward "progressive" legislation - a word more "sane conservatives" saw as "reckless." They debated, but rejected, women suffrage; debated, but rejected, segregated schools; debated, but passed, three citizen-empowerment measures that were seen as radical: the right of people to petition their government, called an initiative; the right of the government to refer an item directly to voters, called a referendum, and the most startling of all - what opponents called "ultra-radicalism" - the right of voters to recall judges they saw as unfit.

With the constitution now meeting Taft's approval, he signed Arizona's statehood bill the morning of Feb. 14, 1912 - ushering in the best party ever held in these parts.

And, oh yes, at its first election after statehood in the fall of 1912, Arizona voters reinstated the recall of judges into the state Constitution. They also, by a healthy margin, gave Arizona women the right to vote - eight years before national suffrage.

It would be the first time, but certainly not the last, that Arizona showed its independence!

For all of the landmass of the state of Arizona, we have merely fifteen counties: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, and Yuma.

Yuma County was the site of the original Yuma Territorial Prison. When teaching a class in Florence for the Department of Corrections, I visited the Warden and saw pictures of original inmates from the Yuma Territorial Prison. Every one of the women’s pictures listed their crime as adultery. I asked the Warden, “Where are the men’s pictures? It takes two!” He had no answer for me.

This weekend we begin our celebration of Arizona’s Centennial with a parade. Our local Grand Marshal is Lavona Evans who is also one hundred years old. Her father named gave her this name by reversing the first three letters of Valentine’s Day and then adding ‘ona’ for Arizona’s statehood. Ms. Evans was actually our first landlord when we moved to Arizona. She was spry twenty one years ago and remains so to this day! The same can be said for our state.

Happy One Hundredth Birthday Arizona! I am delighted to be part of your community.

An Arizona Recipe!

Goldwater Beans (from my Mom - Dolores Repp)

2 lbs. pinto beans
1 can (24 oz) tomatoes
1 lg. onions, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, chopped 

1 can (4 oz) El Pato jalapeño tomato sauce

1 can (4 oz) diced, roasted, green chilies
2 tsp. salt
black pepper to taste
½ tsp. ground cumin
Optional: 2 lbs. ground beef, browned  

Soak the beans in cold water overnight. Wash. Cover with cold water to 2 inches over the top of the beans and boil for one hour. Add the other ingredients. Reduce the heat and cook 4-6 hours more. If desired, add the browned ground beef.  NOTE: If I use the ground beef, I brown the onion and garlic with it.

This is a good recipe for the Crockpot and yields about 24 servings.

Isaiah 43:19

New King James Version

Behold, I will do a new thing, 

Now it shall spring forth; 

Shall you not know it? 

I will even make a road in the wilderness 

And rivers in the desert.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Tamara

THE BIG 6-0

¸.•°˚ˆ*♥∗¸¸.• N::I::F::T::Y •♥• N::I::F::T::Y •♥•  A::L::M::O::S::T •♥•  S::I::X::T::Y •¸¸.∗♥*ˆ˚°•.¸

I recall the funk and depression I went through on my 30th birthday. I don’t know why. Some preconceived and misguided conception on my part, I’m sure. Recently I began feeling that way again on this, the advent of my 60th birthday.

So, I started thinking, “What do I want to do, specifically, to herald this milestone?”

1. Go on a cruise?
2. Rent a Limo and take friends on a tour of the local vineyards?
3. Shop until I drop?
4. Make reservations at a fine restaurant?
5. Make a trip to Ohio to visit my beautiful daughter?

All of the above (with exception to visiting my daughter) left me rather… well, unsettled.

Although I’d love to visit my daughter - not Ohio in the dead of winter! Sorry, Baby Cakes, I just can’t do the extreme winters anymore!

So again the question – what to do? How do I want to celebrate my BIG 6-0? I began to think about mortality and how would I like to be eventually be remembered. That’s when the idea began to form. Who says birthdays have to be about us?

I recalled reading a story about a little boy’s birthday party that was a bit different. He asked all his invited guests to bring items to fill a shoebox for the Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan’s Purse. He provided plastic containers for all the guests and the party goers assembled the shoe boxes. Then he and his family delivered the items to a local distribution center.

“…and a child shall lead them”

So, for my birthday week, I created a public event on Facebook asking persons to honor my 60th birthday by donating a canned good (or similar item) to be delivered to My Neighbor’s Panty (my church’s food bank). It can be dropped off at my house or take it yourself. If you are not from the area, then your local food bank would be wonderful. Truly, I believe no child in this country should go to bed hungry.

A number of friends from Ohio are donating to their local food banks. One dear friend told me of her church’s daycare where a single mom and her daughter are just barely making it. Every Thursday she anonymously provides her with enough groceries and snacks for them for over the weekend. You know who you are, and you have touched my heart so deeply!

A former classmate and dear friend who resides in Pennsylvania is donating food to a central food bank where her son serves in their day program. Hugs to you, my friend!

So very many comments and a number have said they will be doing something similar for their birthday! How wonderful is that?

I think there maybe the potential for this type of event to catch on for others. Even those of you reading this blog, if you’re so inclined – donate to a local food bank. It is after the holidays and this is a difficult time for them after having provided for so many during the holiday season.

Again I say, no child in this country should ever have to go to bed hungry.

Matthew 25:35-40

New American Standard Bible

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;  naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

Tamara

Viva la Memories!

I grew up in an extended family. My mother’s mother (my Nanny) lived with us.  That was a common occurrence back then, but no longer is the norm in our society.   

I also remember older women as friends of the family.  Often they were widows.  One woman in particular that I remember was Viva (pronounced VI – va).  Viva LaRue Schott.  She was a woman of strength and dignity. 

Cha-cha-cha-changes!

Have you noticed how often I change the backgrounds to this blog?  I get it to a point then think perhaps I'll tweak it a bit, then end up scrapping the whole thing for something new.  I suppose it is a lot like dressing each day.  A different day, a different outfit.  For now, for this moment in time - I have selected Black & White!

In my line of work (state service) we have a number of policies and procedures.  They are to help guide us and to keep us from doing something that would cause embarrassment or even criminal charges.  There are a number of them and if placed end to end with the Bible, I'm sure it would exceed the number of words in the Word of God.  

Some people find the policies and procedures restrictive and consider them to be "suggestions" rather than what they were intended for.  I happen to like policy and procedure - everything in 'black & white' - no grey areas.  And it is available to all employees.

Like the Word of God, however, you have to read them to know them.  That is time consuming.  All too often we hear, "But I didn't know that was in policy!"  Does that excuse the infraction?  By no means.  Sometimes employees have even been dismissed due to the severity of their actions. 

The wonderful part of God's Word and work is Grace.  The marvelous Grace that that attends our soul.  That is not to say that we do not have to suffer the consequences of our actions or our non action.  It merely means that we can be forgiven and then covered with a mantel of Grace.  Grace, however, is no license for continued defiance against the Word of God.  This makes me think of the old hymn "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" which is now swirling about my head in four-part harmony!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,

Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost,
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God’s dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven,
For all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

This hymn was written by Haldor Lillenas in 1918.

So there it is the reason I am in Black & White today.  And maybe for tomorrow, and the next day...

May your day be blessed,

Tamara

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Reign on Me

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 

John 14:26 (NIV)

What is the most important thing about the Holy Spirit?

Power?
Tongues?
Gifts?

I think it is Fellowship. Communing with the Saints.

In my humble opinion, fellowship is the deepest work of God’s Spirit. It is the Spirit of God drawing all of us all of the time into a common life with one another.

The central work of God’s Spirit is that of creating community.

It is also the first thing that I run from when I am ‘out of sorts,’ falling into depression, separated from God because of my willful and stubborn heart.

At times, my life feels so disorganized. It seems as if everything around me is piling up. It’s not just the drawers that need reorganizing, the kitchen or my desk that needs cleaning, or the heap of stuff in the garage that needs sorting—it’s everything: my daily schedule crammed full of tasks, my house crying out for a major cleaning, my office with the overflowing in box and stack of items for filing— even my relationships are disorganized. I feel disjointed, out of control, out of touch, separated from God and those whom I love and fellowship with.

Abba, Father – bring order into my chaos. Help me sort through all the things around me.

Help me see what needs to be kept,
what needs to be thrown away,
and what needs to be changed. . . .

O Holy Spirit, even as I say this, I feel fear. I know that things need to change. I know, deep in my heart, that my life’s disorganization is symptomatic of a deeper disorganization.

I need your gentle breath to blow through my spiritual life. I need your strong wind to sort through the stacks of issues I don’t want to face. I need your quiet presence as I deal with the unspoken prayers, the unfulfilled desires, the unrecognized emotions I have hidden away.

Holy Spirit come now, in this moment, and in the recesses of my heart, begin the process of organization. Begin to sweep out the dark corners, sift through the crammed closets, and blow through all my dark places of my spirit. May You blow through my life every day. Through Your power, bring order into all the chaos around me. ~Amen.

because we’re His,

Stones of Remembrance - redoux!

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

I think perhaps this title should have been reserved for my husband's bout with kidney stones!  I'm sure he'd rather forget than to remember all the pain and discomfort he's been experiencing.

On Wednesday, he had a procedure where one of the stones was manually extracted / crushed and a stent was placed.  He experienced a lot of pain and couldn't or wouldn't be released from the out patient clinic until he had been able to 'go potty.'  This process began at 5:30 a.m. and we were there until 3:00 p.m.

The doctor came to the surgical waiting room and spoke with me after the procedure. Basically he told me he had crushed and removed most of the 7 mm kidney stone. Then a stent was placed from his kidney to his bladder. The doctor told me how to remove the stent on Friday.  WHAT??? YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT???  YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT???

In the mean time, Dennis was taking his pain medication every six hours.  We stayed in Tucson an extra day, just in case we needed to return to the hospital, then returned home Thursday afternoon / early evening.  Early on Friday morning, I called our local family doctor and scheduled an appointment. The soonest one could be had was at 3:50 p.m.  By noon, Dennis asked me to try and remove the stent as he was having such discomfort.  PANIC!!!   I am not a medical professional and I believe some things should not be tried at home! 

I washed my hands as if preparing for a surgical theater, then removed the tape holding the surgical thread in place, wrapped the thread around my first three fingers and did exactly as the doctor had described - pulled firmly out.  VIOLA!   Just a smooth as could be the stent came out and Dennis experienced immediate relief.  Short lived, but relief for the moment!

Just so you know, I have no illusions or delusions of entering the medical field - it is a wise person who knows their limitations!

When we were married 33 years ago and we wrote our own vows, but incorporated the 'for better / for worse' portion of the traditional marriage ceremony.  Thus far we've seen:

for better for worse

for richer for poorer

in sickness and in health

And he's seen me through 'thick and thin' too!  Yes, it's true... I've expanded my horizons.

Marriage, it's not for sissies or the self absorbed.  In all honesty, there have been times I've wanted to 'opt out', walk away, sometimes run and never return.  But the truth of the matter is this:  Love is not a feeling.  It is an act of volition.  I can think of no one else I would want to be there with me at the end of my life. To hold my hand, to utter prayers on my behalf or vice versa.

I don't think young persons today understand that there are seasons to marriage, such as there are seasons to life.  It starts out with all the passion and emotions of new love, but eventually that takes a step back and the season of nurturing children and making a living comes to the forefront. Oh, there's still the flicker of the flame of passion, but not like in the beginning.  Seasons change.  Priorities change. And the love that began seems so superficial now in comparison to the deeper, richer relationship that has grown over the course of years.

Forgiveness, respect and a good sense of humor are a big part of the marriage relationship, too.  We've learned to not use each other as the brunt of jokes for others amusement.  We each have our own set of emotions the other cannot experience or fathom. We are different - male and female and we feel things differently. That does not mean that one is more superior than another, merely different.

And so it goes... the good, the bad, and the ugly!  For better, for worse... for richer, for poorer... in sickness and in health... until death do we part!  Oh yes, thick and thin, too.

Memorial Day 2011

Luke 7:1-10 (NRSV)

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us."

And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it."

When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

In Jesus' day, Jews did not enter into the homes of Gentiles. The centurion knew this, so he was being considerate of Jesus in saying, "I do not deserve to have you come under my roof . . . just say the word, and my servant will be healed." Isn't it amazing that this Roman had such faith in Jesus?

Further, when Jesus "healed the sick", it no where mentions that He healed 'some of the sick' or only those who had 'enough faith'. Not the 'righteous'. Not the 'deserving' among the sick.  But "the sick."

Each time Jesus healed, knowing the person's heart and mind, He had to forgive not only the past sins but those in the future too. 

I find this comforting. He heals me, too. Of my past sins and of my future sins.  May I live in accordance with what it is I believe!

Now, back to our Centurion - and to our soldiers of today: to those who are under the 'authority' of a commander and carry out the orders they are given.  Bless you! And may you be reunited with your loved ones soon.

My prayer:

Abba, Father~ hear my prayer! Help us to watch over your children near and far.  Help us to work for a world where wars end and soldiers fight no more. ~Amen.

Yours, because we're His,

I Lift Up My Eyes...

Psalm 121 (New International Version, ©2011)

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.


3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.


5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.


7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

The commute with my new position is quite substantial now. Sometimes there is a group of us who carpool together and then there are other times when I make the trek alone. It is a beautiful drive into the mountains and when I am alone the first two verses of Psalm 121 are what come to mind.

Living in the valley as we do, we are surrounded by mountains. If I’ve been away for awhile, I always feel comforted when I return and see the mountains; it is as if God is surrounding me with His love and protection.

There have been times when I’ve been at the community medical center for some rather unpleasant medical tests. During those times I look out the window and focus on the mountain and those verses that have given me so much comfort. Some of those tests have been a spinal tap and the most recent a physical cardio stress test. Not fun, but necessary at the time. Even now when I think I am facing something unbearable, I recall the spinal tap and remind myself – if I got through that, I can get through anything with God’s help!

When I am depressed and cannot pray I sometimes read the Psalms as prayers. Other times I write them out in my journal in my own words and offer them to the Lord as a sacrifice of praise.

What is it you find yourself doing when the times get rough?  Do you have a favorite scripture you cling to?  A special prayer you resort to or perhaps a devotional or meditation?

My Prayer:

Abba, Father, hear my prayer this day. Thank you for the beauty of the mountains and the comfort I feel in them. Thank you for the opportunity in this new position and for the chance to ‘stretch and grow’. Guide and direct my steps this day and may I be a blessing to those around me. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we're His,

Just a Note

Yesterday I received the Warm Hearts Award from Jackie (at Jackie-teacherspet). This award is very special and an honor because it's an award created by Sandy (at Beachgirl77) in memory of her son Jonny. This award is passed on to those who are bolstering, uplifting, reassuring, soothing, calming, cheering, consoling, and encouraging. Thank you Jackie, for sharing this award with me.

This is a picture of Becky, the young mother of two beautiful little girls and wife of Martin. She was "re-called" to active duty. I would appreciate your prayers for her and I'm sure she would too! Also pray for her daughters and husband.

I remain,

Tamara