Friday Foto Friends: Something Beautiful, Something Good...

Good Morning Friday Foto Friends.  It feels good to be sharing some beautiful pictures from nature and God's amazing creation today. It's been a difficult week in the world, and I've been taking things pretty seriously, so I needed to just stop and chill...and let the beauty of God's world around us give me peace and help me regain a sense of balance and perspective.  I promise not to visit anything negative here today.

We took a little ride the other morning down by Big Lake Kerr.  It was a gloriously clear, sunshiny, chilly, but beautiful day.  These two Sand Hill Cranes were out for their morning walk. What a thrill to be able to watch as they strolled along the shore:

Are they smooching here?  Could be...I like that thought, so yes, I'll say they are...

They were actually finding their morning treats in the shallows of the lakeshore...

 Soon they retreated to the protection of the reeds along the shoreline. Time for me to leave them to their foraging.

As we headed back up the road away from the lake, a deer bolted into the woods ahead of us. We slowed down and searched to see if we could still see her...and yes...she was there watching us from the protection of the woods. Can you see her?

Later that evening we took our weekly ride up the road a ways to the little town where we attend church so that we could attend choir practice. One of the perks of that ride is that we usually get to see some beautiful sunsets if we time it just right.  Almost missed it:

Lately the power company in our area has been exchanging power poles to larger, taller ones.  This was going on outside our house one morning this week.  My thanks to these brave men who work so diligently to keep us powered up. Without their dedicated service we would not be able to sit here in our comfortable warm, well-lit homes and write messages to each other on our computers or have lights to see what we are doing...or power to cook our food and keep our food cold in the refrigerators, power to wash and dry our clothes, and on and on and on.  Thank you, Clay Electric!

Today (Thursday) we took a ride with some dear friends to meet another dear friend for lunch. This was a place quite a little distance away, but it was well worth the trip.

 The restaurant where we met had this goldfish pond, and the fish enjoy being fed leftover bread crumbs from the customers. Not sure if that is all that healthy for the fish, but they sure seemed to enjoy it.

This was the view from our window seat inside "Red's" Restaurant, along the Withlacoochee River. I'm sure it is a much prettier view in spring and summer and fall, when the leaves are on the trees.

 And this was the view inside the restaurant, with this lovely old stone fireplace. It was a little too warm for a fire yesterday. But the Rooster looks pretty neat!

We had a very good visit with our friends, one of whom lost her husband last year after his battle with cancer.  She wanted to show us what she was making as memorial gifts for their grandchildren and family.  She used different shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, and neckties that belonged to her husband and created these wonderful teddy bears.  What a wonderful, touching gift for any who knew and loved her sweet husband.  And yes, my friend is a very talented and "crafty" lady. She creates so many beautiful things, and this was a kind of therapy for her.

Here's our whole gang...the other couple on the left are good friends of ours as well as we all used to belong to the same church in Ohio many years ago when my hubby was the pastor there. We have been friends for almost 40 years. What a blessing to still have such wonderful friends. We do miss our dear friend who passed away, however. He was a wonderful, godly Christian man. We know we'll see him again someday in heaven.

Here's we three "musketeers"

And now for a blast from the past, there is a picture of us three girls you need to see on the following link:  

Click HERE for another time when we all got together. many moons ago, in another time and another place! (be sure to scroll down in this post link so you can see the pictures I'm talking about. It will be worth the trip and give you a good laugh)

And now, for "Something Beautiful, Something Good"  Sing along with me:

Bill Gaither – Something Beautiful Lyrics

"Something beautiful, something good

All my confusion He understood

All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife

But He made something beautiful of my life

If there ever were dreams

That were lofty and noble

They were my dreams at the start

And hope for life's best were the hopes

That I harbor down deep in my heart

But my dreams turned to ashes

And my castles all crumbled, my fortune turned to loss

So I wrapped it all in the rags of life

And laid it at the cross.

Something beautiful, something good

All my confusion He understood

All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife

But He made something beautiful of my life"

Okay, friends...that's it for this week. I pray that your week has been filled with "something beautiful and something good".  Isn't it wonderful when God makes "something beautiful of (our) lives?"

Now let us head over to someplace beautiful...Deb's place at Breathing in Grace, and see what our other Friday Foto Friends have been doing this week. Have a blessed and glorious week my friends.

"Til The Storm Passes By"

"The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1

"For in the time of trouble 

He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle

He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock."

Psalm 27:5

"I would have lost heart, 

unless I had believed

that I would see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

Dear Friends...As I write this on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, we are anticipating and preparing for the possibility of a Category 5 Hurricane Irma to hit the southernmost part of our state (Florida) sometime on Friday of this week.  Even though we live in the upper central part of the state, some four or five hours north of the expected impact zone, this storm is so huge and so powerful...and so unpredictable, that we must be prepared for hurricane force winds and rains to possibly head in our direction.  We live about one hour east of the Gulf coast and one hour west of the Atlantic coast, so depending upon which way Irma travels either way we could experience her fury.

Therefore we are battening down the hatches, making sure we have plenty of emergency supplies on hand preparing for the worst.  All the while, we are praying for the best. We are beseeching the Lord to redirect Irma's path away from our state and back out to sea...but based on what we see now it is looking more and more certain that many people are going to be seriously impacted by this storm. Even now as I write there are many folks down in the islands south of Florida...in Puerto Rico and possibly Cuba...who are experiencing this storm's fury right now. I pray for them now.

Thank you for your prayers on our behalf. We have all been watching the horrific devastation that Hurricane Harvey just unleashed on our dear friends in Texas and Louisiana last week...and that certainly has heightened our awareness of the kinds of difficulty and heartache that such a storm can cause in the lives of so many people at once. At this point all we can do is prepare...and pray...and wait! 

Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage,

and He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

Psalm 27:13-14

I am not "afraid" in the true terror sort of way...but I am very concerned for the safety and welfare of so many in the path of this storm. But because I know that the Lord will be with us even in the midst of this storm, I will trust in Him to keep us safe..and to "hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle"...until the storm passes by.

"Til The Storm Passes By"

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face

While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place

'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Many times Satan whispered, "There is no need to try

For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by"

But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise

Where the storms never darken the skies

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

When the long night has ended and the storms come no more

Let me stand in Thy presence on the bright peaceful shore

In that land where the tempest, never comes, Lord, may I

Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Songwriters: Thomas Mosie Lister

‘Til the Storm Passes By lyrics © Music Services, Inc

Artist: Gaither Vocal Band

Album: Hymns

I pray that you and yours are also "safe" till whatever storms of your life pass by.  

We'll be kind of busy here in the next few days getting hunkered down, so if you don't hear from me regularly, don't panic.  "I'll be back!".... so please just PRAY!!!

The Greatest Gift of All - Updated again!

I just re-read this post that I had updated last year from the original post of 2014. Today is 12/21/2016...and I'm not much better off as far as the gift wrapping and shopping goes...been wrapping all day,

Yes, that is an ironing board, disguised as a gift-wrapping table
in my bedroom.  Once a year I pull it out of storage and put it
to a good use! The adjustable height makes it a good table to
do my wrapping!  I can iron out the wrinkles of the wrapping
paper and recycle the gift bags as I go...Ho! ho! ho!

and trying to be sure I don't need anything else while I still have a few days left before Christmas...I wish I could say that being retired for a whole year changed my habits regarding shopping, etc., but alas! Some habits are very hard to break. Next year is a new opportunity to try again...we'll see what happens.  Meanwhile, this message written originally in 2014 is still very poignant and meaningful today.  I hope you will take the time to read it and be blessed as I was in writing it.  Yes, I am blessed when I write, because the Holy Spirit seems to take over and minister to me as He directs my thoughts to write what He wants to share with you and me.  

This was my update LAST year, 12/23/2015:

So, this is where I was around this time last year...Last year (2014) WAS a difficult year, and Christmas was something that I wanted to avoid.  Be sure to read the links included in this post from last year.  Now today, one year later, I am doing much better.  Although here it is December 23rd (Christmas EVE EVE), and I just finished wrapping our gifts. Finished the shopping yesterday...and can you believe that I actually retired a month ago, so I really shouldn't be so far behind...but some habits are hard to break...procrastination..especially regarding Christmas...I am hoping to be much better by this time next year, since I am retired I have no good excuse!

Anyway, please read on to get the full impact of this message written one year ago.  The purpose and plan of Christmas has never changed.  Jesus is the Greatest Gift of All!

Original post from 12/21/2014:

This post is not what it appears on the surface...Please keep reading...

By now most of my friends and family know that we did not send out our annual Christmas letter...and only a very few cards to some who don't have email or do Facebook.  And many of you also know that I had a hard time getting myself into the proper spirit for Christmas shopping, etc.  (click on the blue words for a link to these posts).
But if you have been following along the past week or so, you also will know that God came through, and He met me in my deepest place of sorrow, and gave me the strength and courage to choose JOY!

I am happy to report that after two long, grueling days of shopping and gift wrapping...I am feeling much better prepared to face this week and truly enjoy Christmas!  Thank you all for your prayers and words of support and comfort. You have blessed me with your love and wisdom, and I thank God for you.

Today has been a wonderful day of Sabbath Rest.  We had our

morning worship service here in our home, and the lesson today was taken from Matthew 13:45-46, which says:

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,

who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

Not exactly an Advent or Christmas message for this fourth Sunday of Advent, the Sunday before Christmas.  At least not at first glance.  But as the message unfolded, we were asked to imagine ourselves as a person who had been captured and held prisoner, chained to others and forced to walk many days in the hot desert, back in the days of the Roman Government, which was in power at the time of Jesus' birth. Instead of food we were given very little water and a detestable watered down broth of some kind, just barely enough to keep us alive. As our horrendous journey continued, we were not permitted to speak or cry, and if one did, he would be severely punished by many lashes of the whip.  

After many days we finally arrived in a city, where the slave auction was held. One by one we watched our traveling companions be auctioned off to the highest bidder, to be purchased as a slave to cruel taskmasters who would make the previous journey seem like a vacation.

Suddenly it was my turn on the auction block. I was forced to stand before the bidders, my clothes were tattered and torn and filthy. I had not eaten or bathed in many days. My hair was matted and dirty, my body was bleeding from the many lashes I had endured. Weak, weary, and fearful, I tried to stay conscious as the bargaining and bidding began for my life. As I struggled to stand, listening to the jeers and jests of those around me shouting all manner of ugly and disgusting insults regarding my appearance, there was One bidder who stepped forward, and with a commanding voice He spoke His bid loud and clear above all the others.  The amount that He shouted out caused all the other slave traders to stop and turn around and look.  They began to question among themselves, "Who can this be? Why would He want this worthless prisoner...the one who looks completely beaten and defeated...the one who probably couldn't do a day's work no matter how hard she's whipped?  And what is that He said? He's giving all that He has to purchase this piece of human refuse! Who IS He?

And who can this person be who has such value in His eyes?"

Finally I heard the auctioneer shout, "Sold to the Highest Bidder! Take her away!"  I was expecting to be yanked up and rudely jerked off of the block and dragged along by my chains.  But instead, my Purchaser was kneeling before me, tenderly washing my wounds, removing the chains from my ankles and wrists, holding a cup of water to my lips, lifting me up and carrying me away in His arms. As He lifted me high above my previous tormentors, He gently whispered my name and called me His beloved child. I thought I must have died and gone to heaven, but He said, "You are my precious child...my chosen one...my "Pearl of Great Price!" 

I did not quite understand then what He meant by that...but when the day came that I saw this One hanging on a cross, crucified and dying, I understood.  You see, He did give all that He had for me...He gave His life, so that I might live.  And before He died He told me all that I would need to know so that I could one day join Him.  He said,

"Let not your heart be troubled; 

you believe in God,

believe also in Me.

In My Father's house are many mansions,

if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again and receive you to Myself,

that where I am, there you may be also.

And where I go you know,

and the way you know...

I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me."

John 14: 1-6 

You may be asking yourself, "What does this story have to do with Christmas?"  Well, my friend, it has EVERYTHING to do with Christmas!

Why did Jesus come to earth in the first place?

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, 

but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Mark 10:45

And again:

This sign hangs in my living room...a very old heirloom from my husband's grandparents' home.  A powerful message there to remind us every single day that we were bought at a great price...the very life of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He gave His life a ransom for us all...(see I Timothy 2:5-6)

This Christmas song tells it clearly: (click below for the song)

"Redeeming Love"

Bill & Gloria Gaither,  copyright 1963

Sung by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound

"From God's heaven to a manger,

From great riches to the poor,

Came the Son of God, a little Child;

From the azure halls of heaven

To a lowly manger stall,

Jesus came, and here He gave His life for all.

From a loving heavenly Father

To a world that knew Him not,

Came a man of sorrows, 

Jesus Christ, the Lord;

In my wandering Jesus found me,

Touched my life with His great love,

And this Babe has grown to be my sovereign Lord.

Chorus:

Redeeming Love,

a love that knows no limit;

Redeeming love,

a love that never dies;

My soul shall sing 

throughout the endless ages

The adoration of this great love on high!"

My friend, I am that precious pearl...and so are YOU.  This same Jesus left the "azure halls of heaven...to a lowly manger stall...Jesus came, and here He gave His life for ALL!" ...and that includes YOU! YOU ARE ALSO THAT PRECIOUS PEARL!  JESUS CHRIST HAS PAID YOUR RANSOM WITH HIS LIFE.  Won't you accept this greatest gift of all this Christmas?  The gift of your redemption from sin and sorrow...from the slavery of this old world...freely given for you, so that you might live! Yes, that IS THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL!

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Update:  These pictures are from our front porch this year, 2015

Merry Christmas from our house to yours, 2015

This is the Greatest Gift of All! 

Don't Miss Out! An Advent Message

This morning as I was getting dressed to go somewhere, my adult son was calling to me from the front room saying, "Mom, come look at the deer!"  I was busy brushing my teeth or washing my face or some other "important" activity, and I didn't hear him.  Finally, he came to the door of my bathroom and said, "Mom, you missed it! There were five deer running across our lawn and walking down the road in front of the house!"  So I grabbed my camera and my shoes and my sweater and ran out the door to see if I could see them, but they were long gone by that time. All that I could see were their hoof tracks in the road, heading back into the woods.  Thankfully, my son was able to get a few pictures...not of all the deer at once, but enough to get the idea:

The more I thought about it, the more it seemed to be a good message for advent..."Don't Miss Out!"
Don't get so busy being busy...you know...shopping, decorating, baking, stressing over details...don't get so busy doing all the stuff, and miss out on the real purpose of Christmas!  Don't start fretting over this list and that list, and this event or that event, this gift or that gift...and totally overlook the beauty of the season...

• the Christ child in the manger...God in the flesh come down to earth...
• the innocence and beauty of His mother Mary...the virgin girl who trusted God even when she didn't totally understand how this could happen...
• the obedience and kindness of Joseph...who believed the angelic messenger and trusted God
• the shepherds watching their flocks and seeing the angelic choir announcing His birth
• the songs the angels sang..."Glory to God in the Highest!"
• the star that led the Wise Men
• the gifts the Wise Men brought from afar
• the prophets of old foretelling His birth in Bethlehem
• and on and on and on...

Don't be like the Jewish religious leaders who doubted that this could be the Messiah, because He didn't come to earth like they thought a king should come...and they missed it...they missed the beauty of God's wonderful gift to them...they overlooked this little babe in the manger because they were expecting something else...or they were just too busy at the time to care...

So, if there is any message in these deer running across my lawn this morning...it would be..."don't miss out!"  Pay attention to the things that are really happening around you. Listen to the messages that God is giving you.  Don't miss the significance of Christmas and what it really means to you personally...Jesus came to earth seeking for you!

"From God's heaven to a manger,

from great riches to the poor,

Came the holy Son of God, a little Child;

From the azure hall of heaven

to a lowly manger stall,

Jesus came, and here He gave His life for all.

Chorus:

Redeeming love, a love that knows no limit;

Redeeming love, a love that never dies;

My soul shall sing throughout the endless ages

The adoration of this great love on high.

From a loving heavenly Father,

to a world that knew Him not,

Came a man of sorrows, 

Jesus Christ, the Lord;

In my wandering Jesus found me,

Touched my life with His great love,

And this Babe has grown to be my sovereign Lord.

Chorus:

Redeeming love, a love that knows no limit;

Redeeming love, a love that never dies;

My soul shall sing throughout the endless ages

The adoration of this great love on high."

Redeeming Love, written by Gloria Gaither/William Gaither

So...as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ anew, think about those deer running across my lawn... and "don't miss out!"

An "EnDEERing Moment"

An EnDeering Moment

This morning I witnessed a most "enDEERing" moment.  I hope you can click on the above video to see the touching moment between the mama deer and her fawn.  The little fawn had strayed away from the rest of the herd and was wandering dangerously near to the strange woman with the camera.  Little Fawn was very curious and did not realize her danger...(even though the strange woman with the camera - me - would NEVER harm such a dear little deer.)

Soon Mama Deer came looking for her baby, and recognizing the peril she was in, Mama deer stared severely at the strange woman with the camera for quite a spell while waiting for Little Fawn to come running back to her.  When little fawn ran up to her mama, there was a tender moment of nuzzling and kissing, and then it appeared that Mama Deer admonished her Little Fawn with a few words of reprimand.  Suddenly Little Fawn leaped away to join her siblings and the rest of the herd, and Mama quickly took off after her.  They joined the rest of the group and headed off to graze in safer pastures away from the strange woman with the camera.

Well! It was definitely a touching moment and I feel so privileged to have witnessed this today. I couldn't help but think about one of the parables that Jesus taught His disciples about another herd or flock of animals...the sheep.  Let me share it with you and then see if you can see the similarities:

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep,

if he loses one of them,

does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, 

and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

And when he has found it, 

he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing!

And when he comes home, 

he calls together his friends and neighbors, 

saying to them,

'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven 

over one sinner who repents 

than over ninety-nine just persons

who need no repentance."

Luke 15:4-7

How often have we been like that little deer...or that lost sheep...wandering away from the fold, perhaps not evening realizing the danger that was lurking around us? Sometimes the danger may be more insidious than something physical...it could be a peril to our minds or spirit...a false teaching or a temptation to explore areas of thought that could lead us away from sound doctrine and the safe harbor of our faith in Christ.  

It could be the liberal philosophy of "political correctness" that is nothing more than a smokescreen for the unholy teachings of the enemy of our souls...much like that cunning old serpent in the garden when he tempted Eve with the apple, saying "Has God indeed said, "You shall not eat of every tree of the garden..."

Well, anyway...not wanting to venture into that arena right now...but the main point of this post is that when we do go astray, we can expect our "Mama Deer" (Heavenly Father)  to come searching for us immediately.  God will not allow His precious children to wander so far away that they cannot be retrieved.

 We may get ourselves into mischief, yes, even into deep, dark waters of sin and despair...but when you belong to Jesus...He will not stop searching until He has found you and gathered you up into His loving arms, placed you on His shoulders and carried you home...REJOICING!!!

Click on this LINK for a video of the Gaither Homecoming family singing "The Ninety and Nine". Be ready to be blessed.

An "EnDEERing Moment"

This morning I witnessed a most "enDEERing" moment.  I hope you can click on the above video to see the touching moment between the mama deer and her fawn.  The little fawn had strayed away from the rest of the herd and was wandering dangerously near to the strange woman with the camera.  Little Fawn was very curious and did not realize her danger...(even though the strange woman with the camera - me - would NEVER harm such a dear little deer.)

Soon Mama Deer came looking for her baby, and recognizing the peril she was in, Mama deer stared severely at the strange woman with the camera for quite a spell while waiting for Little Fawn to come running back to her.  When little fawn ran up to her mama, there was a tender moment of nuzzling and kissing, and then it appeared that Mama Deer admonished her Little Fawn with a few words of reprimand.  Suddenly Little Fawn leaped away to join her siblings and the rest of the herd, and Mama quickly took off after her.  They joined the rest of the group and headed off to graze in safer pastures away from the strange woman with the camera.

Well! It was definitely a touching moment and I feel so privileged to have witnessed this today. I couldn't help but think about one of the parables that Jesus taught His disciples about another herd or flock of animals...the sheep.  Let me share it with you and then see if you can see the similarities:

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep,

if he loses one of them,

does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, 

and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

And when he has found it, 

he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing!

And when he comes home, 

he calls together his friends and neighbors, 

saying to them,

'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven 

over one sinner who repents 

than over ninety-nine just persons

who need no repentance."

Luke 15:4-7

How often have we been like that little deer...or that lost sheep...wandering away from the fold, perhaps not evening realizing the danger that was lurking around us? Sometimes the danger may be more insidious than something physical...it could be a peril to our minds or spirit...a false teaching or a temptation to explore areas of thought that could lead us away from sound doctrine and the safe harbor of our faith in Christ.  

It could be the liberal philosophy of "political correctness" that is nothing more than a smokescreen for the unholy teachings of the enemy of our souls...much like that cunning old serpent in the garden when he tempted Eve with the apple, saying "Has God indeed said, "You shall not eat of every tree of the garden..."

Well, anyway...not wanting to venture into that arena right now...but the main point of this post is that when we do go astray, we can expect our "Mama Deer" (Heavenly Father)  to come searching for us immediately.  God will not allow His precious children to wander so far away that they cannot be retrieved.

 We may get ourselves into mischief, yes, even into deep, dark waters of sin and despair...but when you belong to Jesus...He will not stop searching until He has found you and gathered you up into His loving arms, placed you on His shoulders and carried you home...REJOICING!!!

Click on this LINK for a video of the Gaither Homecoming family singing "The Ninety and Nine". Be ready to be blessed.

Trying to Stay on Track...

I keep coming back to this blank page...and then I get distracted.  There really isn't anything in particular on my mind tonight, but it seems as though I am supposed to be writing something!  So, I sit here and wait on an inspiration to come.  I go back and forth, look at Facebook, look at other things, finish my last library book (why didn't I bring home another???) take a walk, take some pictures...eat a brownie with whipped cream and wish that I didn't...listen to the chatter in the background of my family, the TV, the wind chimes chiming in the back yard as the breeze blows.

Now my almost 92 year old mother in law is asking anyone who is listening if Gene Autrey used to sing a certain song, but what was it? (We need some clues here before we can figure out which song she is thinking about).   And he had a horse named, oh it was a beautiful horse...and Roy Rogers and Dale Evans sang "Back in the Saddle Again" and what was his horse's name? I said "Trigger".  And did we know that Gene Autrey owned the Angels and, so on and so on.  This is the way it goes...conversations go off on different tangents here frequently.  She may start talking about one thing and that leads to another and another and off we go again around the mulberry bush. Such are the ramblings of someone who has mild dementia...(sometimes not as mild as other times) and one can feel like he is watching a ping pong match trying to keep up with the train of thought.

This post is sounding a lot like that. That's what happens after a weekend of trying to keep up with the train and keep it on the track and not allow it to go into dangerous territory...i.e.; some subjects are better left alone. When the "train" starts venturing into that region it is my responsibility to pull it back on the track and keep it going in the right direction...the "safe zones" of pleasant conversation and not areas of anxieties, fears, frustrations, anger and "I want to go back to my own home,"  and "If I still had my car I could still live at home."

Anyone who has been a caregiver for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's can relate. Things can go from pleasant to anger in a flash. I have to remember to not try to correct anything that she might say that I know is wrong, because then I am the one who is wrong and judgmental. And don't dare let things get out of order...everything needs to be in the right place at the right time...and meals and pills must stay on schedule.  I tend to do this almost to a fault, because I understand the consequences if I don't keep a tight schedule.  There isn't a lot of room for flexibility in this arena.

We share this responsibility of care with my husband's brother and family.  Thank goodness we are still able to do that, even though it means that we are giving up our weekends...but they have her during the week.

The weekends have turned out to be really nice for my mother in law because she truly enjoys our little Home Bible Fellowship every Sunday morning,

and also looks forward to monthly gatherings with a Ladies' Prayer Group.  These ladies have become special friends to her...and every week she asks me if we are going to see "the ladies" again...especially the one who can play the accordion or the organ and sing.

 Music is the highlight of her life right now.  I understand that is rather typical for elderly people, especially with dementia.  The memory of music seems to be one of the last "senses", if you want to call it that, to go.

There are many golden moments, such as when she started telling the ladies this weekend about the song, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, There's just something about that name..." (by Bill and Gloria Gaither) and this gracious group of women just picked right up on that and started singing the song with her.  What a perfect way to start our prayer gathering!  That was totally unplanned...but God knew exactly how to use her "story" to put us in the right frame of mind. It's those kinds of moments that make me pause and smile and say, "That was YOU, Lord, wasn't it? Thank you for living in this precious woman."

My Beautiful 92 yr. old Mother in Law is the lovely lady
 in the center with the white hair!

I am thankful to be a part of her life...(she's been my mother in law for almost 46 years!)...and to help her ease into this last stage of life here on earth as we know it.


"Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you!"  Isaiah 46:4

I sometimes wonder if my own sons will be able to care for me when I reach that stage of life...or if anyone will have the patience to deal with my anxieties and feebleness.  What a comfort it is to know that even to our own old age, God promises to carry us. He knows our needs and will provide whatever we need when the time comes.  I want to be faithful to do my part now for as long as I am able...and trust that when the time comes, God will send the necessary help.

If you are going through similar trials in your family right now, my word of encouragement would be to trust God to see you through. Let Him guide you as you make decisions for your loved one's care, whether it be at home or in a place of professional long term care.  Be sensitive to your family member's needs, but be realistic and reasonable about what you can and cannot do.  We are blessed that our dear one is still physically in pretty good shape, and that we have the support and cooperation of other family members.  It may not always be so.

There are many challenges ahead, but in the meantime we will make the most of the good times and give God praise for her good health, wisdom, and Christian faith. The future rests in God's capable hands. I know He knows what is best for ALL concerned.   And you can rely on that as well in your situation.

Well, I must get to bed. It's been a long weekend, and tomorrow morning I head back to work at my "real job".

BY THE WAY, WHAT WAS THE NAME OF GENE AUTREY'S HORSE? DO YOU KNOW? YOU GET A GOLD STAR FOR THE CORRECT ANSWER!

"There Is Something About That Name"  by Bill and Gloria Gaither

Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.

There is something about that name.

Master. Savior. Jesus.

Like the Fragrance after the rain.

Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Let all heaven and earth proclaim.

That kings and kingdoms will pass away.

But there is something about that name.

For some other posts on this subject you might like THIS. (Click Here),  and HERE, and HERE.