A little thought from J.R.R. Tolkien

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

I really like this. It can say so much sometimes.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!!

My last post was about the first hint of fall....it's just delicious how it's feeling more and more like fall! At least for me....I've worn my yummy old hoodie twice already! I love this time of year...the old summer is bowing out gracefully, autumn isn't coming to fast...just that fascinating time of year. Mmmm!

My family and I just got back from an eleven day trip through the old south....We started out by attending Polishing the Pulpit in Sevierville, TN. And I could stop right there and that would be enough. There is so much encouragement to be gained by attending such a powerful lectureship. Listening to the lessons, meeting new people, catching up with old friends....seeing 2000 Christians all in one place just lifts the soul! My life is incredible blessed by the time spent there. :)

And then we spend most of a day at the Chickamauga Civil War park in Chattanooga, TN. Now that was fun! Our family outings almost always include a picnic and this one was particularly nice! Picture all nine of us crammed around a picnic table...with lots of "pass the mustard please" and "Are there any more tomatoes?" "Please pass the pepper" etc. :D So then on to the park! We saw lots of neat sites, climbed a very tall tower, marched down to a bridge, took pictures and generally had a lovely time together!

We spent the weekend with the Madaris family and they're always a joy to be with! We worshipped with them Sunday morning and then drove up Mississippi and worshipped with the brethren at Second Street church of Christ near Red Bay, AL. What a wonderful day! Plus spending the evening with two more lovely families...what a refreshing time! But then it was time to say goodbye and drive home. I loved driving up from Fort Smith...that's always so beautiful, no matter the time of year! When we got in, my bed said quite distinctly, "I missed you!" ;) I'm kidding....

It's just good to be home. :) I'm thankful for the safe trip and all the good times we had.

"Oh look everyone!!......

The sumac is turning red!!"

I love the first splash of color.....

It's exciting to see the beginnings of a new season!!

And I love fall....:) (Shh...don't say anything, but I say that about every season!)

Summer isn't over, but the color in all the dry and brown is refreshing. Isn't God wonderful like that?

Children's Books for Grownups

You know, there is a lot grown up people can learn from children's books. Me, I love books. I especially love to re-read books. Even children's books. There are a few I go back to over and over again- they are favorites, plus they have a huge message.

All of these have very important life lessons. (Ok, the one about the strawberry is just fun, and I love it and I'm going to use it to teach my little ones adjectives!) But the other four have more of a message that can influence our way of thinking as adults. The main focus is perspective- how we look at life.

Have you ever read this book? It's by Marjorie Priceman.

It's really cute....it's about a little girl who is going to bake an apple pie, but the market is closed! Well, she certainly could just wait till the little market man get's back from fishing, but she has another option....she could just get her wheat from Italy, eggs from France, Cinnamon from Sri Lanka, milk from England, sugar from Jamaica, and apples from Vermont. So, she does!! And she's haunted me ever since....

The art work is very lovely- I'm not really very savvy on art stuff but, I like it! It's so neat and interesting to study! And the flow of the story is easy, and the whole thought behind it brilliant. But that's not the point.

The point that always gets me is that we can see the world everywhere we go. We don't have to go far away; it's neat, it's nice, it's an adventure when we do, but the real adventure is whatever we make it to be. It's about seizing those moments, make them teachable, whether it be to yourself or your children! Don't make life for yourself ho hum, be smart, be clever and see the beauty and sense of humor wherever you go.

So this book makes me think about how I'm seeing the world, if I'm actually seeing it or if I'm just kinda going along. You know, wishing I could see more, or complaining of my view when all I have to do is just live my life and SEE the world.

A brief thought...

This evening during our ladies class one of our elders wives was saying the closing prayer and in it she said something that really caught my attention.

Paraphrased it was: "God takes imperfect people and uses them to do His will. God takes imperfect people and provides the chance for them to grasp on to the way of seeking perfection in Him."

Think of the example of Alexander the Great. He was the last and ultimate conquerer and destroyer of Tyre and Sidon. Alexander falls under the first- God takes imperfect people to carry out his will.

Then there is the example of Rahab, she was an imperfect woman who chose to change and believe in God. There is a beautiful end to the story of Rahab; she chose to follow God, she married an Israelite and was part of the linage of our saviour, Jesus Christ.

We are all imperfect people. (Romans 3:23- For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.) Are we choosing to grasp the opportunity of seeking perfection in Christ? How strongly are we committed to that? What are we willing to do?

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Matt. 13:45-46

23 July, 2010

Sonnet 116

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixéd mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose Worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come;

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom:

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

~William Shakespeare~

"Wedded love is founded on esteem."
- Elijah Fenton

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Genesis 2:24

My dear friend Julia was married to a truly wonderful man last Friday evening. It was a beautiful wedding....I'm so thankful I know her...and Lee....They're the kind of people that make the world go 'round for me. Their example of true love, commitment and dedication to God encourages me every day. I love them both so much. :)

Hello it's me, may I come over....

You know how time does that funny thing of running away on you? Well, since it's been almost a month since I last posted I think I'll just sit down and write one!

Priorities are so important- It's why we do what we do. When we're busy and working on so many things, it's easy to be caught up and fail to do the important things. Like studying God's word. Praying. Spending quality time with family. Never be to busy for God.

A couple weeks ago we had a huge garage sale. It was really quite fun! I enjoyed seeing all the people go through and look at stuff, and talk among themselves....People are so interesting...why do we do the things we do? What are we telling the world every day by the way we talk, act, dress and places we go? It's incredible to me to think of how many people see us in public just going shopping, or to the grocery store, or even a garage sale!! It's thoughts to think, aright!

I know this is short and random.....I'm hoping to post more later! I hope you have a great weekend! Be safe and have fun! :)