Weekend Lessons, Little Gift Ideas, an Old Movie Discovery, Recipe, Music, Today!

I learned some illustrated lessons this weekend, so yesterday, a most balmy Sunday, I thought I would write about them and share today.  I also have some token gift offerings that might put an ease in your Christmas, and a new old movie discovery I think you may enjoy!

Lesson 1.  Jem, Joycie and I were on our way to the city church in downtown and I realized in my hurry I had completely forgotten my already carefully packed socks, peanut butter-crackers, kleenex, toothbrushes etc. for the homeless we see on the streets.  Why?  Because I was not watching my time and rushed at the end of leaving time!  I told Jem, ...That is why being un-organized or in a big hurry is so bad!  Now I don't have my stuff for the homeless.  The last-minute thing just doesn't cut it.  How many times have we not done we should do for the Lord because of a lack of planning in simply getting ready?  Perhaps we take our time for granted thinking we have plenty of time and then, fly out the door half done. Aargh. 

Lesson 2.  We walked up the beautiful old hundred year old steps inside the old historical church to the balcony to see the violinists, the percussionists and choir sing and make Christmas music so lovely, so beautiful you become teary eyed.  In front of us though was the video guy who videos the service weekly for television.  He was blocking part of my view. Hm. Disconcerting I thought.  But ya know?  Before I knew it I looked straight ahead and there was that huge beautiful stained glass window, and oh it is a huge one!  One of the most huge if not the hugest I know of. The curve of the balcony made a way for me to face the Jesus window. There was Jesus standing in front of me head-on holding His hands out to me!   To the left  of the same window was Jesus again holding so sweetly, meekly his little lamb with two other of his little lambs at his feet in that huge stained glass window.  I could hardly keep my eyes off of Jesus with His little lambs.  It was right where Christ wanted me yesterday.  Facing Him.  If I would have spent time fretting over the videographer being in my way, I never would have *seen* Jesus right in front of me, my precious, sweet, loving Jesus who ministers to my soul!

Lesson 3.  Jem and I were very tickled the other day, we were on a daytrip and saw a couple with the cutest little white dog.  The very young lady and her "dad" were taking very good care of this little dog.  As we walked on, Jem noticed they were holding hands like husband and wife...It was the famous entertainer, Tony Bennett!  Right under our very noses.  (He was in that town for a concert).

I wonder who else we do not notice?!

This brings me again to Christ.  Are we missing Christ at times right under our very noses? : )

......................................................

And by the way on that city church, Pastor Wende, we will miss you greatly.  I wish you weren't retiring.  But if you see this, we will miss you.  Praying that there will be another godly pastor leading the flock this summer.

Pastor Wende just married Zuzu and Tommy, it it so evident he knows the Lord in such a personal way.  I try and look forward to watch and hear his sermons every week on television.   He's a very kind man from what we know and that is a blessing.  Very rare unfortunately. 


I remember when I was a little girl in the modern catholic church I attended.  There was a father Connally.  He loved our family, he was a friend of my cousin who was once a priest and father Conally seemed to have a special concern for my mother and I.  He would braid my long waist length hair outside on the sidewalk as I waited on my mother to pick me up after Wednesday evening catechism. Think Bing Crosby in The Bells of St. Mary's.  As a little girl, I could literally feel the Holy Spirit when around this man.  My mom and I would attend church frequently but infrequently, so inadvertantly we returned after a month one summer to find father Connally gone.  My little girl stomach was sick and that church was never the same.

So now, I have the same strange inkling.   So I pray.  I pray that the downtown church will not go the way of the world.  People don't seem to understand that families like ours do not want the cheap or  modernized.   We don't need "younger" ministers, just a minister with a timeless heart who knows Christ personally.  A simple sweet gospel with care.  We want the tried and true, the old fashioned which should be the all-the-time fashion in Christ.  

Some of these thoughts bring me to think about this blog at times and what it is for, I do pray it will be a gentle challenge of thoughts perhaps others are not willing to challenge on, but also a very honest account of life. I also like the everyday normalcy of life.  It's a Gift!  So have a cuppa with me won't you?  



Hey Gals!  Here are some Cute Gift Ideas You can Find at Your Local Grocery for Last Minute Gifts, Perhaps to Have On Hand: 

I think I will post some gift ideas since this is Christmas week and some are looking for easy-breezy ideas at their local grocery etc, here are some cute little token gift ideas that make life easy but thoughtful.



Most of these can be found at the grocery store so you won't have to fight crowds and go crazy.   Walmart has these to order as well although I know it's a little late now to order.

  One idea that I have is a box of tea.  I wrap a  Celestial Seasonings box or even a box of Rose brand tea, whatever suits your fancy, either wrapping alone, or placing a very pretty, carefully chosen dishtowel found at the $ stores around it and then wrapping.

Another gift suggestion from a blog is a boxed bar of pink Dove soap wrapped.  I think this is so cute and different with a pretty towel or washcloth wrapped around it as well.  I have some single soap boxes on hand wrapped in red and white candy-stripe wrapping paper, and the fragrance is so pretty.   I've tucked a wrapped bar in the box with my mother's blouse for Christmas, the entire box has a lovely fragrance now.   These also make cute wrapped gifts to leave for the homeless.

For a neighbor who always brings us homemade goodies, I put a wrapped soap bar, two dish towels, a hot pad and a small can of dipping cookies in a cute gift bag ready to go.

Eight O'Clock coffee makes a great gift as well either on it's own or paired with some store-bought cookies such as archway or european ones in the cookie section. Last year our girls did manage to make homemade candy cane cookies so that was nice.  This brand of coffee is already in a Christmas color and it's good coffee too!  The price is very reasonable for good and good-looking coffee. : )

 Perhaps this will help you with token or surprise gifts to have on hand.  We just don't make cookies like we used to, we don't eat much sugar in our home or wheat for the mostpart so tea, coffee and towels with a fragranced soap bar fits the bill for having on hand.

Come to the Stable (1949)  Anyone seen this movie?   We hadn't and are so very delighted with it!

Come to the Stable is a 1949 American film which tells the story of two French nuns who come to a small New England town and involve the townsfolk in helping them to build a children's hospital.

Nominated for 7 Oscars and other awards as well including the Writers Guild.

My husband and I were rolling, laughing while watching this one, and there are plenty of poignant parts as well.  Elements of Christmas are included.

One very poignant part is that of one of the nuns playing a rather strong tennis match in her habit to the shock of everyone.  When asked where she learned to play tennis she replies...She was the winner of a famous 1939 match.  The several around her gasp, and proclaim she is the famous player by name.  She walks away smiling and says No Mademoiselle... No longer.  She was obviously speaking of her new life in her way of walking with Christ. It's a very neat scene as well as other scenes in the movie. 

Where do we discover this movie greatness you may ask?  We subscribe to Turner Classic Movies on cable television.  Turner Classics plays no commercials so it is very nice indeed.  I love the 40s as many of you may know so this definitely sets a most wonderful theme in our home many a day or evening as we desire.   You cannot beat the later 30s or 40s movies.  These movies as I have written before are made in a time in our country when there was a healthy fear of God.   ...WWII.  I know so well from speaking to people in the nursing home and some of my older friends, the nation was a very different place then.

We may not be able to control the nation but we can make our homes that peaceful place.  I was sharing with Jem that if every mom would tend to her home and make the most of it, making home a cheerful place with a nightly family supper, the country would be so much better!  Talk about true liberation! : )  I see it as an art and my first ministry.  It's for an Audience of One and that's all that counts.



What's for supper?
Vegan Zuppa Toscana Soup!   We love this stuff... Soooo good.  I am using frozen spinach instead of kale in mine this evening.  It's what I have on hand.  It works.

What are we listening to today?  

White Christmas, Bing Crosby.  Darling old fashioned music!  

 Well Loves, I better run, Have a sweet day,  Signing off for the day from The Forest Cathedral.  ~Amelia

 

A Must-See. Do we SEE? What do we Clamor After?

Do we see the beauty in others?  Do we feel overlooked at times?  This must be how Christ feels.  He is our precious Gift but yet many times ignored, especially this Christmas season.  I think this incredible video, below, my daughter, Marianna, sent of the famous violinist, Lindsey Stirling (incognito!) playing while being ignored in the subway as the manger scene is at her feet speaks so hugely.  The people around her indiscriminately are on phones, running to and fro in busyness, ignoring the beautiful gift...and The Gift...They walk on by. 


Let's see the Jesus in others, let's be Jesus to others.


It's amazing to me how so many, even church-goers (notice I do not call all church-goers, Christian.)  The fruits of so many who even attend various churches are the love of the world in so many cases.  We see and hear; envy, jealousy, name-dropping, comparisons, gossip, just wanting to fit in and bowing before being-part.  The pure and lovely are often overlooked when so many are looking for glitz, name recognition etc.  People sadly clamor for that plastic, position and glimmer so many times!  

Our daughter, Zuzu's wedding last fall was a very good example of a sweet wedding that glorified Christ, the wedding was held in a beautiful old church with stained glass windows of Christ with His lambs, a violinist played, organ music abounded. Even Zuzu's and Tommy's coworkers became tearie-eyed as Zuzu came down the aisle. The reception was lovely in the pretty, dimly lit lovely church hall, a male pianist playing instrumental music and lovely finger foods, tea, coffee with a vintage look wedding cake was presented, along with natural fresh flowers and berry decorations atop old Grace Livingston Hill books adorning tables with dark plum table cloths and tea lights. The aura was lovely and sweet.  Many who notice and appreciate the pure and lovely loved the godliness and purity of Zuzu and Tommy's wedding and have told us so, for they were encouraged.  But sadly, some of our even closest relatives and acquaintances chose to not only overlook this wedding, one older generation person has indiscriminately and heartlessly, purposely, bragged to my husband and Zuzu on others' weddings serving the world up with loud bands, huge food courses, and all that goes with that.  Someone who should have been so very proud, but who simply loves the world and sadly calls the things of the world, "beautiful" but also loves going to the modern churches, the person often dismissing sweet things.  The Bible talks about that sort of thing doesn't it.  Most of these are church-goers who will talk the talk of churchdom. Please know I'm not wanting to come across as woe-is-me, you see, true family was there as well as the precious friends who are like true family!  They were there!  They were beautiful Gifts!  The contrast in the two attitudes was remarkable in who disregarded the wedding and those who so sweetly attended and were blessed by it!  You could see so clearly who was attracted to what, no matter what talk they talk or what church they attend if any.

"A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it."   -C.K. Chesterton

What are we attracted to?  What and who do we disregard?  What and who do we embrace and tout?  Are we embarrassed by purity?  If we are, then something is very wrong. 

If we love the things of the world, the love of the Father is not in us. 


I think this young lady, this violinist in the video is beautiful in more ways then one.  Very, very neat indeed.

You will see she and the little manger scene at her feet being passed by as she being incognito is being ignored as well as the precious manger scene, people passing by  not *seeing* the Beauty. It's so wrong on so many accounts.  May I see the Beauty in the ordinary.  May I see Christ clearly as I go through life!



Please don't forget to see the video on the next oldest post.  God's Creatures are also overlooked many times. Check out Factory farming and the dairy industry and you will see...I hope.  It's not a liberal or conservative issue, but it is sadly and cruelly ignored by many.

Juris Naturalist

Good Afternoon Loves,  amelia in the Forest

"Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair."   -C.K. Chesterton

Think About It...I Dare You

Animals are sentient and do know they are going to die. You can see how this one cow just don't want to go in there because he knows death awaits him. How heartbreaking.



Please take just a few minutes to see this video.  There is no blood or slaughter shown.  ...But just see, hear and feel with your heart.

I am an ethical vegetarian-vegan and it breaks my heart what happens to His creatures and how many church-goers ignore this.

"You can bet your bag of beans Francis of Assisi would have been a vegetarian."
John Michael Talbot   (Christian singer and worship leader)

"Have you noticed most slaughterhouses don't have windows?"
Paul McCartney

How do we regard animals lives?

I hope to post some ethically vegetarian/vegan dishes in the future for you to try.  I cannot tell you how wonderful and FREEING it is to eat guilt-free and the perks in health are amazing.   God truly blesses. 

Genesis 1:29  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 

'Room for One More' (1952) ...A Most Poignant and PRECIOUS Movie with an Element of Christmas! My Homemade Dusting Powder Gift Idea You Can Easily Make!

Room For One More (1952) with Betsy Drake and Cary Grant.  Beautiful movie, poignant and touching with humor galore!  Adorable movie that brings us back to a time, perhaps a time before we were even born, but a time our hearts and souls long for once again.  We don't have to join in with culture do we.  Let's be brave and have courage to be different, to be sweet, to be able to laugh and not be stilted.

See the dog at the table with Betsy Drake looking on smiling? 


...A well made movie with a plot showing a whole family, where values were instilled in children and parents were in the home. Yes, please show it again, soon!  -Reviewer from TCM


Our family so enjoyed this most precious, precious movie.  Our entire family thoroughly enjoyed it, not once but several times including my husband!  The movie is a wonderful wholesome movie about a sweet family with a beautiful heart for foster children not to mention pets!  I so saw myself, in ways, of the part of the mother, played by Betsy Drake caring for not only little children but fur angels as well.. And what makes the movie enchanting is the fact that Cary Grant and Betsy Drake were married in real life.

I highly suggest this most wonderful movie for your family too!  We had never heard of this movie and are delighted with it.  It brings us back to a better time indeed.  The part of one of the foster children, a little boy with braces on his legs, the part was beautifully done, his painful emotions in one particular part as he wept and cried out in private pain had my husband and I closing our eyes in such our pain for the character of this little boy. 

One element of Christmas was so darling and exhibited such a simplicity that the world is waiting for and so hungry far I do believe.  You will see a simple Christmas around the tree.  Betsy Drake had cut her formal dress down for their little foster girl so the little girl could have a formal for a special event...and you will see what happens if you choose to see the movie.  (a clue is the generosity of her siblings when they see a slight problem with the dress).

A most lovely movie.

I hope you too will enjoy?

Well, Loves, just wanted to drop a tip for a new classic movie we have discovered.  



We are trying to keep Christmas sensible but most delightful and sweet focusing even more on others, poor in spirit and otherwise. How about you?  The car and jewelry store commercials make me want to upchuck I must say.  

Our Sweet Jesus was born on hay but the worship of culture pushes materialism.  No thanks pals. Ye ain't foolin' me chumps!   *big smile*

It's like the Emporor's new clothes isn't it?  I drive our paid-off reliable truck to smalltown and laugh the whole way!  Jingle Bells!  Jingle Bells!  Out of debt, Out of debt!  *huge smile*  There are those who strive for the "look" of accomplishment making their very lives a mess when they could be rich in spirit if they were wise and whole, not so sadly insecure.  It boggles the mind does it not?

The Father's yoke is easy and His burden is light.  Light.  Let's us take His simplicity and rest right?  Nothing wrong with a sweet well thought out gift(s) of course but things are soooo out of whack as I'm sure you would agree.

Joycie and I have had a wonderful time at Dollar General loading up on very pretty old fashioned baby dolls and stuffed animals to deliver to a church for their outreach to underprivileged children and parents.   If you have not been to a Dollar General dime store I highly recommend!  They are the only modern stores I know of except for Family Dollar that is close to the old fashioned five and dimes.  Yes, you will still find the old fashioned baby dolls there for reasonable prices.  Joycie found some baby dolls that sing 'Jesus Loves Me'.  How sweet is that for a little girl?

One particular gift I have made for our grown girls at home, something fun and well received is a dusting powder.  I use cornstarch, a couple of drops of lavender and patchoulli oils mixed.  I mixed them in an old fashioned plastic bag and then placed that carefully, closed with a wire twisty inside of a Dollar Tree mini metal lunch-kit type of container. The bag with the oils needs to sit, sealed for at least several days to obtain a good scent.  It's really cute little gift!  I ordered a three-pack of real powder puffs from Walter Drake, (the pretty kind with a satin ribbon) and placed it on top of each bag of fragranced frivolity before buckling down the metal lid of the 'case'.  Soooo cute!  

  Our tree is decorated much like this with old fashioned icicles.  It's a definite 40s tree!  It never grows out of style! 

We all need a portal through which we can find a quieter life, at least occasionally.  For too many of us, Christmas is a nightmarish revolving door in which we're spinning faster and faster.  But the wiser among us find it a sort of time-warp portal, rotating us from the hustle and bustle of twenty-first-century life to the sedate world of a quieter time.

So this year, slow down, look up, breathe deeply, spend less -- and simplify, simpllify!  The way of a calmed Christmas--simplicity.  

-David Jeremiah from the little book, The 12 Ways of Christmas



Hopefully I'll have more me-made gifts to share next time.

Have a sweet afternoon Loves,  Blessings to All,  Let's enter into the stable shall we?   Signing off from the Forest Cathedral.  -Amelia

Dear Al, You Would Have Been so Very Proud...So Very Proud...(Music, Photos, Thoughts, Tears, Thankfulness)

I posted this most beautiful music composition I've recently discovered, it invokes so many feelings, thoughts...memories.   Please enjoy while reading and browsing...


Al, you would have been so proud, so very proud.  She looked lovely.  Could you see?  I think you can sometimes because I can feel it (Hebrews 12:1).  

 Remember how you would hold baby Zuzu over your shoulder, singing with her little baby noises, Ahh, Ahh, Ahh and you would sing with her comforting her...You would walk tall and strong, a peaceful cadence with baby Zuzu, your sweet grandbaby you treated as your own.  She was, she was because you were like a real dad.  A real dad.  A real grandpa.

I remember craving time to spend with you, Al.  I wanted to sit and talk..talk and sit with you...It was very definite, and then I found out why...For you passed suddenly on to the other side with God soon after baby Zuzu's first birthday.  We miss you so, Al.  So.  Very.  Much.

Do you know that baby Zuzu would run up to silver haired men at the grocery store putting her little arms around their legs?  Thinking it was you?  It broke my heart.  It even broke our pediatrician's heart when I shared with him...It did.  I saw my pediatrician tear up too as he slowly backed out of the room.

You would hold Janie and Joycie's little hands and take them to the corner grocery in the inner city for treats... Little Joycie would later say in her five year old sweet little voice to another child at a birthday party, He was my best friend...

You should see Baby Grace too, Al.  She has light hair and grey-blue eyes...much like yours.  She's an artist like you, Al.  I wish she could have known you.


There are lots of thoughts whirring around, many things in the background.

And may I say that I am very blessed, I have the Gift of precious daughters, son-in-love and a wonderful husband who is a spiritual leader and protector.


Do you see her?  Do you see little Janie and Joycie?  Baby Grace?  Do you see them, Al?

















Do you know, Al, that the young man Zuzu married is strong, gentle, and kind like you?  You should see their new little home, it's lovely...

So many things to be thankful for...

I hope you enjoyed the photos and music, thanks for visiting with me this autumn eve...Jem found this special music on spotify on the Christian instrumental or either the Sunday genre.  Enjoy and be blessed.

This evening Jem and I, hand in hand took a walk through the woods, I wearing my plaid rubber boots, cotton skirt, old linen jacket, hair thrown up...I saw a mommy cow with her baby calf in the woods...So very precious, soooo very precious.   

Good Evening, Loves,   ~amelia

Here Ye Here Ye!!!!

Last week we were paralyzed with wedding planning, on an ongoing freight train so to speak!  Wowza.  One afternoon I lay on my bed in the sunlight cherishing the quiet and peace and I hear Zuzu laughing from the kitchen to her sis..."I heard Dad over the phone at the tux place..He was saying... 'This is RIDICULOUS!'"..  I lay there and smiled hugely.  Oh my.  Yeah...The tuxedo places just ain't what they used to be I tell you, they were overcharging my husband to the tune of $200.00 with no apologies...I think their attitude is what got his goat.  Understandably! 

We all got a real kick out of it, we immediately thought of this clip above!  I don't endorse this movie in entirety but this scene is hilarious to me...It's about how one feels as a wedding approaches.  Truly so. 

But Let me say...We are resting and re-cooping after a lovely wedding that glorified Christ. We are so happy with the wedding in this most beautiful cathedral (1910), it's the kind of church you walk in and your breath is taken away...One guest was heard saying in a hushed tone as the pipe organ played..and our precious friend played violin...This is incredible. 

May God be Glorified.

The freight train has abruptly stopped now.  My head is spinning and ya know?  I'm actually glad to see Christmas catalogs.  It's a sign of normalcy in a way.

Tonight I was able to see the clouds reflect in the pond at sunset, I was able to walk in the cool grass at dusk.  Beautiful. 

Here ye Here ye!  Tally-Ho and Away we Go! Zuzu and Tommy our precious new son in love.

We had so many life-friends there who we love so much like real family and so many distant relatives who behave as a sister and brother to me.  We are so blessed.

More pics to come!

Good eve Loves,  Amelia at the Forest Cathedral.

Do Any Human Beings Ever Realize Life While They Live it? Our Town (1940). Thoughts.

"It has been said that no great work of literature or science has ever been produced by someone who did not love solitude.  It is also a fundamental principle of faith that no tremendous growth in holiness has ever been achieved by anyone who has not taken the time frequently, and for long periods, to be alone with God.  from The Still Hour"    Excerpt from today, Sept. 29, Streams in the Desert  devotional.

This page has always resonated in my soul.

Today I was re-viewing this movie, it's from a famous classic play I had studied in highschool.  The name?   Our Town by Thornton Wilder.  I highly recommend.




This movie has some huge glaring truths in it.  Live Life, appreciate it.  In the end all that is left is Eternal.

I highly recommend this beautiful piece, play for your family...this copy is not the greatest but I'm almost certain you can check a video out form your local library if you would like to see a more clear copy of the movie, even with the grain, it's worth it in my opinion. EDIT: 9.30.115 I have found the above second copy as well, you may see if the quality is  better on this one.


This morning my heart was struck when I heard a conversation about bottled water, needing it for a lunch at a sweet relative's home.  I suggest the dollar store, my suggestion is somewhat ignored and the amount of $5.00 for a bigger lot (not really needed in my opinion) was mentioned like it was nothing.  Nothing. It's not a big deal at all, just perception of an attitude(s).  I do wonder what my Italian immigrant grandparents would have even thought about bottled water?  Think about it.  What is our attitude on things.  The conversation I'm speaking of brought me to tears, the attitudes, etc.  No, I have nothing against bottled water, but I don't think it's a given or an entitlement, my issue was attitude.  I cried and shared that for me?  Five dollars means a lot.  This mommy once stood in a grocery line with my firstborn little girl having to choose between a banana she wanted and something else to put back because I did not have enough money.

Here is another excerpt from yesterday's Streams in the Desert:

"Dear tested and tried  believer, it is your mission to walk onto the stage of this world in order to reveal to all of heaven and earth that the music of life lies not in your circumstances or external things but in your own soul." Excerpt from Sept. 28, Streams in the Desert

I am thanking God for Life, and so many miracles God answers for this child.

I've been busy painting a porcelain blonde bride's hair brunette, washing tablecloths,and spending time with God.  Tonight for dinner?  I think I'll throw together a light pasta dish.

"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?—every, every minute?"  

"We all know that something is eternal. And it ain’t houses and it ain’t names, and it ain’t earth, and it ain’t even the stars . . . everybody knows in their bones that something is eternal, and that something has to do with human beings. All the greatest people ever lived have been telling us that for five thousand years and yet you’d be surprised how people are always losing hold of it. There’s something way down deep that’s eternal about every human being."

Excerpts from Our Town by Thornton Wilder (SparkNotes)

Have a sweet evening Loves,     Amelia in the Forest  

P.S.  Been having some wonderful ministry opportunities coming, going, receiving, giving at the little grocery store in smalltown. Real Church indeed!

 

To Tell the Truth

     "My mother, Vivian Baxter, warned me often not to believe that people really want the truth when they ask, 'How are you?'...No one really expects to be answered, or even wants to know 'Well my knees feel like they are broken, and my back hurts so bad I could fall down and cry.'  A response like that would  be a conversation stopper.  It would end before it could begin.  So, we all say, "Fine, thank you, and you?'
     I believe in that way we learn to give and receive social lies.  ...I wish we could stop the little lies.  I don't mean that one has to be brutally frank.  I don't believe that we should  be brutal aobut anything, however, it is wonderfully liberating to be honest.  One does not have to tell all that one knows, but we should be careful what we do say is the truth."

~Maya Angelou excerpts from Letter to my Daughter, Chapter 7, To Tell the Truth


Well friends, to tell the truth...I need to be bathed in prayers.  We have this wedding coming up you see.  My dad was not doing well healthwise last week at all to the tune of our oldest daughter, Lea crying Sunday morning talking with him over the phone, pleading with him to please hit the emergency button necklace if he needed it, trying to make sure he knew the Father in that personal way... Me sitting at the table with a twitch in one of my eyes,  as our thirdborn, Michelle shares her bride's photo shoot stills with me.  Oh dear ones!  What is a mother and daughter, only-child to do?!  A child at heart that thinks, feels and discerns on steroids. Not a bad thing most of the time when helping people or dealing with foes.  I know what's up before they do usually.  Comes in handy but tends to nerve a person like me up. The same thing that makes me feeling makes me feel.

There are soooo many facets to the story of my father.  I know that my saintly mother, the wife of his youth, whom he left when I was eighteen years old would still care for him...  But he is hours away and most of the time seems to like it like that...until something really horrible happens and usually not then.  Then it is only briefly considered.  Some justice-injustice questions prevail at this very time.  You know Sisters, Brothers?  Sometimes we are just not sure what is a Blessing and what is a curse!  So.  Please pray for me.  Pray for all involved.  This only child can only take so much.  This mama can only take so much.  It's hard, really hard.



Today was nursing home day and oh what a precious blessing that was!  Calvin the precious almost blind, almost deaf man was there and I gave him a handmade bracelet from wooden beads I made with his name:  c-a-l-v-i-n.  He shrieked with joy...Sooooo precious.  Marianna reminds me that this would also help him to tell people his name! 

Becs and I rode together and that was a sweet blessing. I would look up every now and then and see Becs standing sweetly with a resident, just listening patiently, smiling and sharing quietly.  Lunch together was such a sweet time and then back home to the Forest riding past fields and birds and crop dusters...Lovely drive. 

Lea our oldest came to the home too...Do you know what a blessing it is to hear my daughter giving a public message on salvation and encouraging the room full of elderly friends?  Oh may I never lose sight of what God has done!  How blessed I truly am!   GIFTS.



Lately I spend a lot of alone time talking to God, yesterday I sat on the side steps of our home and just kept quiet and looked up at the clouds, thanking the Father for the clouds and trying to remember that the Father created these clouds.  He can help me too.




I'll close with another excerpt from Letter to my Daughter by Maya Angelou.  The Chapter is entitled To Tell the Truth, Chapter 7.  


     "Let's tell the truth to the people.  When people ask, 'How are you,' have the nerve sometimes to answer truthfully.  You must know however, that people will start avoiding you because they have knees that pain them and heads which hurt and they don't want to know about yours.  But think of it this way, if people avoid you, you will have more time to meditate and do fine research on a cure for whatever truly afflicts you."

~Maya Angelou



I will go create in the kitchen now with Marianna...Enjoy our fur angels who minister to me daily.  ....I will also meditate, pray and yes.  I will research and pray in my Kerith Ravine.  Check out Sept. 16 reading of Streams in the Desert.

Wedding plans bubbling along on the surface. Prayers going forth internally...in the Forest deep in the Kerith Ravine...
Good Evening Loves,     ~amelia

 

Sisters, Brothers, are we Quenching the Spirit in our Homes?

The following message by this sweet sister in Christ has some very common sense points in it.  She also shares a most poignant story of Charlie, the little boy in the mountains of Virginia, the story touches my heart greatly.  You see, we all have "Charlies" perhaps that we failed to minister to when we were supposed to, maybe years ago.  If our hearts are tender...We wonder what we could have done differently and have used these failed situations to learn from and do better in the future for the next time.




I hope you enjoyed the lessons!  I did.  Great reminders!

My Charlie Lessons  (...just a couple for starters)

When I was a newly married young lady 35 years ago, I was at the grocery store and an elderly lady in the frozen vegetable department was on my heart...She had came up to me to tell me that a certain mixed veggie-mix "tasted real good".  She was soooooo precious, just so very, very precious.  She was with her adult son and my heart was so strong to go to her and speak to her and tell her that Jesus loved her...She needed to hear it so badly, just a little care is what she needed!  I saw her later as I stood in the check line and my heart beat rapidly.  Did I speak to her in the next line?  No.  My heart is still grieved over that disobedience.  Just think of the Hope and perhaps answer to a lonely heart I could have been an instrument of?! Oh God forgive us!  Forgive me!

Ten years ago or so I was at our local grocery behind a poor young black woman... She did not have money for her baby formula.  She was trying to use food stamps to pay for it.  As she walked off the checker looked at me and shared that she did not understand why the government did not pay for these mother's baby's milk.  Did I offer to pay for the baby formula?  No.  My heart still aches over that one and in the future that will not happen again!  Oh God forgive us!  Forgive me!

In my home...  I have consciously made an effort to watch my mouth.  When I speak in the car or at the dinner table I ask myself... Is this going to make the atmosphere in our home more beautiful?   If it's not a necessary thing to bring up I do not.  Does that mean we walk around like a bunch of goodie-two-shoes never correcting or bringing up any controversy at all?   No, but some things are better left alone.   We must pray for discernment.  God help us.

I do have lessons where I have obeyed that Still Small Voice of the Holy Spirit and oh what a Blessing!  ...Once my husband and I were at a coffee shop when we were newly married and I saw a depressed-hopeless-looking young man sitting at the table by himself and God impressed on me to tell him Jesus loved him...   As we left I walked by his table and told him...  I feel like I need to tell you that Jesus loves you.  The young man smiled hugely at me as if his prayer was miraculously answered.  It is so worth it to take that chance...

Sometimes I am on the receiving end.  The other day at the little town store the checker asked how we were; it was slow with no other customers, our conversation went deeper and I was sharing with the precious checker on the various spirit of various towns and she was so-getting me on the shocking prejudice of what others perceive to be outsiders in one particular town.  She fingered her cross necklace and shared how the manager of the store from uso-town also has the same-thing happen to him.  She was so precious, her caring words were...If there is anything we can do to let us know.  Her care was so precious.  She attends a liturgical church many would scoff at but her heart was the real deal.

As I left the store that day a black lady who also checks, who I always tell that she looks like Diana Ross walks up, I say... Hey!  There's my mo-town girl!  I hug her quickly.  Yep, Church can be everywhere.  Let me be that smile and giggle.  Let me share encouragements and be willing to be encouraged too.  As Mo-town girl said when we got on the church-subject...  It's right here right now.  

Now before you read the next paragraph, please know I am not anti-Gifts, I have attended many spirit-filled churches, I am not against conservatives either if it's from a personal relationship with Christ, I like to align myself with a true Heart of Christ which may appear ultra conservative to some.  I will say though lately I've heard some things from both camps that seem to be a bit on the crusty side to put it lightly and the only thing I can think of is that these folks from town or city must be big fish in their small ponds so to speak that have become very comfortable in their set.

It was rather interesting that very day...Just an hour before I had talked with a charismatic lady, she said the right thing but seemed overly confident...  neither my daughter Delle nor myself felt comfortable with her attitude, we felt an arrogance.  It grieved me personally, I left her presence with a heavy heart.   Also, earlier at Walmart a religious woman behind us, no makeup, a bun on the back-top of her noggin.  The male checker had joked with her good-heartedly about her "ponytail".  She dryly replies, "It's a bun".   I looked back at her and smiled hugely, a toothie grin. ... I couldnt' resist... * big smile*   

I bet you have a ponytail under that bun!

I'm still finding myself laughing to myself over the off-the-wall comment I found myself making.

Well, that is life in smalltown.  The Forest is a beautiful place of solace with my Father, my Creator.

I'm just typing my thoughts here, very little editing, please oblige.

Have a good day Loves, let's think of our Charlies, let's think of and pray for ways to keep that Fire Lit!

Please Father help us to have Your Heart.  Help us to be broken-hearted over the things that break Your Heart.

~Amelia

Do We Have a Beautiful Mind? Let's Find Out...

I so enjoyed this; this man is precious.  What a great message to get us through the week!


Enjoy.



...And me being the music lover I am...I have been once again so encouraged, just so feeling His Love by this song and music.  Such a rush.  Such encouragement to keep things in perspective.



Oh may we pray for this country.   Does it amaze you what people claim is simply politically incorrect when it is simply grievous to the Father?

Stay good Loves.  Let's keep a Beautiful Mind...You and I...A Beautiful Mind...Heart...Soul...Mind

Have a sweet day....   amelia in the Forest

Let’s not pit the Senseless Death of Cecil the Lion Against the Slaughter of the Unborn. Not an Either/Or

"As God’s image-bearers and as caretakers of His creation, we must not choose between Cecil the lion or Planned Parenthood.

...So let’s not fall into the trap of pitting the senseless death of Cecil the Lion against the wanton slaughter of the unborn. They are not the same, but they both speak powerfully about human dignity—our dignity as God’s image-bearers and as caretakers of His creation."   Eric Metaxas

I've prayed and prayed that the churches would wake up on this issue.  This is a MUST READ ARTICLE in my opinion, Eric Metaxas states my sentiments exactly.




Article in entirety, highly recommended!  Click this link-title:

Cecil the Lion and Planned Parenthood

NOT AN EITHER/OR

Excerpt:

Wilberforce, of course, fought the British slave trade for many years because, as a Christian, he could not allow that brutal institution to continue undercutting human dignity. But the outworking of Wilberforce’s Christian worldview didn’t stop there. The great member of Parliament also fought for a “reformation of manners” in England, seeking to preserve an otherwise decaying society by reintroducing people to God’s standards in numerous areas of life.

And did you know that one of his passions was getting people to treat animals humanely? In 1824 Wilberforce actually founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, saying that the ugly contemporary practice of bull-baiting was evidence of a “degraded human nature.”

So let’s not fall into the trap of pitting the senseless death of Cecil the Lion against the wanton slaughter of the unborn. They are not the same, but they both speak powerfully about human dignity—our dignity as God’s image-bearers and as caretakers of His creation.

I hope you too are encouraged as I was on this article by Mr. Metaxas.  My daughter, Marianna sent it to me knowing this has been a matter of prayer.  

THANK YOU ERIC METAXAS


Once in a while someone will ask how we taught our children, now adults a true love for the Lord.   The main way we taught our children is by our lives.  They see us in quiet time, they see us feed the homeless when we run into them instead of making a sarcastic remark.  They see us care for homeless animals...not making hard calloused remarks on tofu, cats, lions etc.  (My heart weeps at times)   They see us live out that Bible we read...and yes we teach the Bible I hope in a gentle, loving way.   Jesus Christ is a living thing, not a dry crusty doctrine.   If we are busy loving the Father, living that lifestyle out in our lives...repentant hearts, not perfect, but perfectly repentant...Then our children will see the real Christ-Life.   It's not going to be ridiculous comments on someone reading the King James-version-only of the Bible or if Ann Voskamp is a pantheist because she loves the beauty of God's creation. (ridiculous accusation by the way).  It sure will not be from those who hatefully call the Duggar family - names, those who despise goodness.   I'm sure you too could add to my sentiments of hurtful and most ignorant comments coming from those in their robes so to speak whether the robe be of silk embroidery or denim grunge.

Marianna and Lea were eating lunch with a homeschooled friend, now married with a beautiful baby girl.  They were discussing how some of the homeschooled adults now have turned from the Father.  The young women agreed it was because many of those who have turned, ...they saw compromise in the home. 

That's my heart for this morning. 

So thanking God for the article above.  God truly hears our hearts and does answer prayers.  There is truly a Remnant of Followers of Christ in the World.  

Good afternoon Loves,    amelia

God is With Me...God is With Me...God is With Me...

God puts each fresh morning, each new chance of life, into our hands as a gift to see what we will do with it.



I walked the other evening solitaire...the moon was gorgeous...I could hear Janie talking with my dad (85) over the phone... I love you...as she hangs up her cell...We had been passing each other up on the long driveway, she talking to Daddy, me walking and contemplating, thanking God...and thinking...Praying...    God is with me, God is with me, God is with me...Just like a heart beat.

Ever since I read Ann Voskamp's blog entitled, something like...We Hear You.  I have remembered...  God is with me...God is with me... God is with me...

When my dad is not doing well...When my heart breaks because I see him, hear him sometimes ask the same question he just asked...I see his eyes not focusing...asking which grand-daughter is which because he can't see with those once beautiful blue crystal starry eyes, that Tony Curtis-look he had..my heart breaks.  I just don't know what to do.   So I pray and say in my heart... God is with me, God is with me, God is with me.   It all frightens me soooo much.   But.  God is with me. 

Daddy is a stubborn one.  He is still insisting on living 3 hours away.  There is only so much we can do but pray for angels to help him (edit 8.1...And that justice will be served.

It still unnerves me to hear the phone ring.  I'm unnerved extremely easy these days.  But I also know...God is with me, God is with me, God is with me...

I tell my husband, I just can't take this world sometimes, that world out there.   Bad things happen too much.  Animals being mistreated, unborn babies being murdered...the abused children, the girls in other lands.  Too horrible to think of.  I tell him this as we are eating at the cool Greek restaurant in midtown amongst the trees and the joggers and all the other "cool" people.  Heh.  He tells me I know...I know...I know...I feel the same way many times.

I tell Jem about a little bird in the grocery store...it was trapped in a high window and crying out loudly...frantically trying to get out, the shoppers were like the walking dead...They kept shopping as if they did not hear the little bird nor did they seem to notice.  I stood getting my cellophane bag and observed.  My youngest tells me the store management is trying to do something for the little bird...But the people ...No concern, no care, no ears to hear...like the walking dead.  I walked in the produce department just watching what seemed indifferent, insensitive people ignoring this poor little frantic bird, it made me sad.  

One of the most attractive things I think in a man is when they are tender towards living things...I love to see the nightly scene of our blind dog as I place him next to Jem on the couch and Jem takes care of him...It is so sweet.  I see Jem shake his head and make a clicking noise with his mouth as it hurts his heart...in his heart he is saying it's a shame.. this precious little creature, not seeing, knowing we are his little world...  I love to see Jem as we take our evening walk in the Forest here and we run across a small turtle, ants are all over the poor thing.  Jem thinks to pick it up and put it in the pond to try to save it and remove the ants.   That is so attractive to me.

I've been reading, 'To Kill a Mockingbird', but especially the biography of Harper Lee.  'I am Scout'.  Fascinating.   In the car on our dates, I tell Jem about Harper Lee and all of the stories of she and Truman Capote, and Gregory Peck and how neato Gregory dressed like a bum to see the flavor of the little town...incognito.  It's funny, around one small town in particular, (one we now know to stay away from) you don't have to dress like a bum.  You wear matching clothing, it can be walmart clothes, it's just a look so to speak that I didn't even realize until told ... and if you have a european face, perhaps pointed features, perhaps you dare to wear faux pearls.  We are labeled.  Outsiders they say.  Prejudice is an ugly thing.  Many church-goers don't see it do they?   It's so bad I think when we can't be safe in church.  I do thank God we are seeing some nice churches in some of the other nice small towns that seem to have sweet spirits.  What is really funny and interesting is that it may be liturgical type churches that others may judge.  Ha.  

I tell Jem about 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and I play the soundtrack in our bathroom... Jem tells me about the old 'Yes' group concert (I remember hearing about 'Yes' in my art class, I was a nice kid, the clean cut artist so I had no idea who Yes was) : P... he found and 'The Wrecking Crew' band and how they did themes for the old shows and groups...we both love music but he had more of a hippy background although he is a loafer wearing broker now...and I am more of a geek of sorts with artistic inclinations.  We are so silly but we compliment each other.  

How do our children, now adults learn about Christ?  We taught them, we teach them by our lives, what they see, what they have learned from short family devotions...May they see me feeding a poor person instead of making a sarcastic remark.   Hopefully they see Christ, though not perfect but hopefully perfect repentant hearts?  They know the American church is not the answer but the real Church is in our hearts.  Sometimes community is found in a church, sometimes not.  Lately not and that's just the state of things.  God is God and doesn't change though.  : )  He lives in our hearts and lives.  ...Let's not forget about kindness right?  The other week our oldest told us she was so thankful that she had kind parents, she is running into young adults at church who didn't have kind parents.  

The other week we were in a bay town at a lovely old family Italian restaurant with seaside view...a youth group was there from a smalltown up north.   Jem had tears in his eyes because he could tell these youth had had it rough.  After our lunch we were sitting quietly on their outdoor patio under the Francis of Assisi fountain, love those gentle Francis of Assisi statues don't you?  Especially the ones with the birds...    Two of the girls from the youth group came out, one passed us up sizing us up.  One sits on the edge of the fountain looking at us but not.  The chill or perhaps rejection was apparent.  My husband asks where they are from, if they are a youth group, the girl answers 'yes' shortly looking away not making eye contact.  Jem gets it.  He quietly asks if I want to go...he walks, as I get up and throw my purse over my shoulder, I tell the girl as I motion to Jem,   

He used to play with a group called Dark Terror. 

She looks me in the eye shocked and murmurs Really?    

Yeah...He did...  I left her with a smile, with much to think about.  I hope Christ was glorified in it all.  

It's funny isn't it?  All those prejudices, but it shouldn't matter if a person played with Dark Terror and if that gives a testimony "clout".  ..Although we know Christ uses those things.  Many things are dark, many things we are saved from when we turn our hearts to Christ entirely we see were very dark.

It's almost supper time, it's just Jem and I this eve, our girls are having a girl-sister time, wedding plans are revving up by George!   Our prayer is that this upcoming fall wedding will glorify the Father.  I pray the people who are kind enough to attend will be blessed and this will be a way of saying quietly....nicely.... Please stop the insanity of keeping up with the Jones's.  Zuzu and Tommy are keeping things traditional and I think it will be a breath of fresh air...  May God be glorified.

I've really been enjoying evenings here in the Forest...I say to myself... Thank you Father.  I must never, take this for granted.  A Gift.

I don't have a camera yet...Bandwidth here has been troublesome.

I do hope to post pics one day again.  Please oblige.

Goodnight Loves,  amelia    God is with me, God is with me, God is with me.......................
  

Up on the Roof at the Forest Cathedral...Yeah...

I love this song by James Taylor, James Taylor is my INFP "brother". ; )

When Jem and I ride down the country roads, sometimes city streets...we listen to this song.  We are up on the roof so to speak.


When this old world starts to getting me down....and people are just too much... for me to face... ....On the roof it's Peaceful as can be...and there the world down below don't bother me....

Not only do I go up on the roof with Jem at times, but I go up on the roof with God and trade anxiety for His Peace and Company...

When people turn into this:    

(To God's Creatures:  I hate to insult you in this manner, perhaps you could teach some humans some manners so they will not be called such slang)

To make a long story short...we can go up on the Roof with God when people get to us.

Love this song, it makes me smile: Up on the Roof by James Taylor


We can go up on the Roof!  : )

......

Projects



My creative projects have been a lot of sewing lately....I sew for fun, designing as I go.  Sewing is so important I think, we can create what we may not see in the stores.  Also we can add to length, necklines etc. We can use a dressy material on a simple pattern if needed.  We can re-fashion a top from a skirt etc.  We can use un-used clothing, table cloths or sheets for that matter!  I really enjoy beating the system myself.  So, sew fun!
 

Creating is something we should do every day, even if only 10 minutes.  (I wish I could remember where I read that!)  ...God Creates and He likes us to Create too!  : )  

Four Favorites:

*  See & Sew B4957:  I only need 2 yards for this!  I use either bias tape or facings, I don't line.  I also have enough to add length!  It's a wowee pattern and flattering.   I do take in some of the ease under the armhole grading out to waist seam ever so gradually.  I also add 1/2 to 1 inch to the v-neck so no cami is needed.


Here are others you may want to check into:

* A great little top; you may sew a shorter (one yard!) 40s version (fitted at waist) or even longer tunic length:  Simplicity 8523  To make a fitted waist I take a seam down the back and go in at waist. 

* Another tunic top or dress, this is a nice one too, flattering, I sew this up in sleeveless with a modern black background 'city scene'.  Very cute top. :  Simplicity 4220

* Great pair of palazzo capris:    Simplicity It's so Easy 1186:

My favorite pair of palazoos so far are out of a Walmart twin SHEET in white!  BEAUTIFUL DRAPE.  For around $4!  You need a good drape for these palazzos to work properly I have discovered.  (I do take the middles of the legs in, every so slightly and add an inch to the top of the rear, the height being at the middle seam and grading back down to meet the side seam of the front).

 ...........

God's Quickening

The other night I was getting ready for a night's rest when God spoke to my heart...He spoke to me while I was thinking of my old ob/gyn...The quiet, polite disagreements we would have on nutrition and estrogen and all the things we herbalists do and what we study...  But I was also thinking of this man's most kind heart, his godly pro-life conviction, he was like a brother at times.  He delivered Michelle, he would tell me to be careful driving home that one rainy day, he told me not to be so hard on myself when he saw me make a yuck-face because he caught me with no makeup on in the hospital one morning.  He had a settling effect on his patients.  He was just a kind person. Charity was number one.

...One of the last times I saw him in his family practice, it was that rainy day.  His son who helped in the office was in the drivers seat of their generic looking gold-colored suburban...Doc crawled in the backseat and laid down with his chisel faced handsome son at the wheel...The silhouette image of the large German man who once lettered in baseball, tiredly crawling in the backseat had stayed with me.

The other night God spoke to my heart and quickened me, strongly quickened me, specifically quickened me to look my doc friend up online and see what was up.  I did just that within minutes.

I saw his obituary...63 years old, he passed over to the other side; he has been gone for a couple of years now... I had thought of he and his wife many times, their four young men...Many grandchildren he spent time with....   I often wondered how they were doing..  His educational accolades were great but never a name dropped by this humble man.

God's quickenings are urgent, we pray immediately which I normally do, but this time it struck me in such clarity... it was just so living color to me to go see... to go check.

I don't know why the urgency was two years later...  Perhaps it was in part-answer to some things of late...I don't know...  Perhaps God was trying to show me things...

In most cases use words if necessary to get in touch with the person.

I thought of this old fashioned doctor, his old fashioned bedside manner and his sweet voice ...I had always known I could call him if I needed him.

 

.......

Life is strange like that.  It amazes me the people that can hop along, and not think much of any of it...  They treat someone passing on like they dropped their bag of chips or many times even less importantly.   Oh.  ...It's very strange to me.

My doc-friend would tell me when I was three weeks overdue...

Amelia, you may want to talk with the Man Upstairs about this...

This man has gone to be with God, I think that's a pretty big thing.   ...Don't you?

........

One way I can create Peace in our World, Christ's simple way is ministering to my family, not with a museum-house but with a loving home, a warm meal on the dinner table my family can count on!  Stability.  Peace.  The Love of Christ.  The real deal.   The real deal.  Let my family see me serving Christ in small ways from within.   May my home be that sweet place where the Holy Spirit will not be quenched.

Creating in the Kitchen:  Cooking
  Here is a recipe for a crockpot recipe of beans...this is so easy to throw together, and it makes quite a bit of leftovers!

Really.   You can make an enchilada casserole with veggie cheese and beans, green salsa etc.  You can make a bowl of beans over rice with avocado toppings etc.   Why I even made some delicious bean, quinoa, gluten free breadcrumb Italian veggie-balls yesterday!  Garlic powder and basil serve as a wonderful Italian seasoning.

Crockpot Beans.  Makes 16 cups

2 pounds raw pinto beans. (I used half red and half black-eye pea this week)

1 large onion chopped.  (I do big pieces, cut it ugly and throw it in!)

4 T. jarred minced garlic

1 T. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

2 tsp. cumin

10 c. hot water

1-2 T. olive oil

Cook til done.

You can add chili powder, paprika or whatever if you like. But the original recipe stands on it's own.

Enjoy!

..............................


My dad is doing better thank God, he is home with a walker.  We are visiting churches in uso town, the people have a very sweet spirit there, so common sense tells us to go there for checking out churches.  Please pray for us concerning.  At our age, empty nesting in our faces, we need the Body out there.  We need sweet friends ...But not until God gives the okay.


On the Roof is the only Place I know.   Signing off from The Forest Cathedral...Let's be fearlessly authentic.     : )  amelia

The World Needs Better Friends and What's Up Short and Sweet. Also a word on the Duggars.

Ann Voskamp has done it again!  : )

"It was after Mare Griebe said she was done with me, that I knew."

No matter which end you are on this, this is a great article, it touched me greatly.  So glad to see some 'Mare-human-like' feelings honestly written.

I won't add to the blog,  I sure don't want to get in the way.  I do hope you too will enjoy this blog as I did.

...........



As my dear old dad has always said...   The more people I meet the more I love my dogs.   Ain't it the truth!  Ha!

I'm doing a little better this week, so thanking God for my blessings and praying through anxieties.  (Trying to!)  : )

So thankful Michelle is fine, I didn't write about it last week but she had a strange lump on her arm and we have found that it is fine, a great doc said so.  (A Gift).   ...Why mother's get grey though in the meantime?   Is it any wonder why the emotions of this gal were flying last week?

I have a feeling as I look back on this season of my life, an only child, two parents, divorced, both 85 years of age, four sweet daughters and hubs living in this crazed age we are in...   We also see and are discouraged by but not destroyed by nutty people full of the false kind of churchdom, or without.   You get the picture. ....I will see how the Father carried me. ...Because He is.

........

On the Duggars.   I miss their program greatly.  Our entire family does!  I cannot tell you the encouragment we receive from the Duggar family.  Is it because we idolize them?  No.  Do I think the Duggars are perfect?  No, of course not. Are we a.t.i.?  No, never have been, we have always believed we have the same Bible.  ...But in this day and age it is difficult to find fellowship, in this day and age of the drop of the name, Duggar even some pastors and their wives say suspiciously... "The Duggars..."  ...As they intentionally say no more.  I want to say... "Okay.  I get it."  I get it in more ways then one. ...At least I think I do.

Many people really don't like goodness do they.



As my husband so wisely said the other night...

If the Duggars were lukewarm this would not be an issue now.

...........

Signing off from the Forest Cathedral...

This morning I saw two doe and a little spotted fawn.  It was the picture of God's Perfect Handiwork, Sweetness, and Innocence.   It was so, so precious, the mommy was galloping around in the back property near my back door... She was having the greatest time ever!   She was showing her baby how to play. A Gift to see.


Oh God help us to know and learn to play even more so...   Please help us to depend on You as You provide for us, emotionally and physically.


Good Evening Loves,   amelia from the Forest

A Bunch of Boogers and a Few Good Ones

On the Pringle family from the book, Anne of Avonlea:

...they either accept someone, and that someone is automatically integrated into the town's activities, or do not and that person is completely ignored.



Yes, they are amongst us,  it is very difficult to focus on the precious saints when the Pringle is wishing us to be gone and showing it clearly.  Green is one of my favorite colors, but not envy.

...We think to ourselves as I do at times...  If only they knew what was going on in the theatre of my life now...  Would they behave differently?   Perhaps not, the coldness is chilling.   It is the very gall they gave to Jesus on the cross.  


You see, I've been concerned about my dad, trying so desperately to give it to the Father and leave it there.   My dad has taken another fall in the rehab center...   The entire situation has driven me to tears.  


I read in my Streams in the Desert devotional this morning...

An excerpt:

We were under great pressure, .... so that we despaired even of life ...  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.   2 Cor. 1: 8-9.

Pressed beyond measure; yes, pressed to great length;
Pressed so intensely, beyond my own strength;
Pressed in my body and pressed in my soul,
Pressed in my mind till the dark surges roll.
Pressure rom foes, and pressure from dear friends.
Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.

Pressed into knowing no helper but God,
Pressed into loving His staff and His rod.
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
Pressed int o faith for impossible things.
Pressed into living my life for the Lord,
Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured.



It's a good devotional this morning if you read that particular devotional.  You can receive them by email as well.  The emailed ones seem a bit more contemporary then my hardcopy, so I prefer my hardcopy, but some may enjoy the convenience online.    Streams in the Desert.



I hear such a sweet song this morning...  Listen to the words and enjoy, I heard this yesterday after arriving home...It made me smile.


Yeah... It made me smile yesterday, only God knew how I needed to smile!


It seems sometimes when we do visit a church no matter how great the sermon and how kind the pastor is, there are always those boogers.   My daughters arriving from a burb-church, and I were discussing in the kitchen a most unfortunate, immature person in a church.  A Pringle.  

She's a booger!  I said, a bad one!  She looked at me with such anger as if she just wanted me gone!  She was so angry that she was oblivious or didn't even care that I was smiling at her!    But then there are those sweet ones...those good ones... 

 Janie thoughtfully says...Yea, it's kind of like human kind in general...A bunch of boogers and a few good ones. 

Joycie:  It's everywhere we go isn't it?  Even in so many churches... A bunch of boogers and a few good ones.  

Pringles.  Forward snobbery, reverse snobbery.  Insecurities that equal hurt to others.  Pringles.  .... And it sure isn't Christ.

So correct.   So correct.

Yesterday hubs and I went to Patriot-Town after I dried my tears of concern over my dad coupled with a misunderstanding in the car...Coupled with the boogers, coupled with mixed feelings because after all... There are a few good ones there.   I had stood in church as it closed watching my tears plop down...hoping it wouldn't be noticeable, hoping my mascara would behave.  I felt like someone had taken their finger out of the dike and the water works were not going to stop.  It was a culmination of everything.  Just everything!



After the service as we drive I sense the change of atmosphere in townships as I silently watch out the car window..

We are upon Patriot-Town.  They even have a charming buff-colored period old 40's brick activity building for the WWII servicemen.  A long lost cousin of my mine has a pharmacy there, a friendly man with striking blue eyes.  He knows all the elderly by name as they come into the pharmacy.

Hubs and I adore this town.



Now you must know...Patriot-Town is one of the most polite if not *the* most polite towns I have ever seen.    It's very interesting the various spiritual entities over various towns and areas.   This is a *good* one.

We arrive at the restaurant greatness and see an old friend exiting the restaurant and he tells us..."Did you know?

I have cancer.  ...The people at my church are really nice, y'all need to come visit.  They've already made a list of people to take me to M.D. Anderson for treatments.   They'are really nice..."  

So precious.  Les is form the burbs where we are from, it seems both our families landed out this way to live a simple life... We taught the Sunday school class he and his wife attended back in the burbs...

I've always noticed Les's humility, the son of an elderly Assembly of God pastor.  Les and his wife adopted a precious little boy after they raised kids of their own, I remember just as it was yesterday, the sweet chubby fists of that baby-boy who grabbed my pearl necklace, breaking it as beads bounced over the gym flooor, seeing Les's wife's horrified face...I yell!  Don't worry it's dollar store!  (It was funny)  The good thing about cheap jewelry, even if you really like it and in my case had taken good care of that cheap necklace for years... it looked good by George...Hey.  It's (say it with me)  Dollar Store!  *big smile*

This precious baby has grown into Les's running buddy.

Perhaps it is Les who should have taught the Sunday school class?   Yes Les, we just may take you up on your invite dear one.


We see our precious chinese friend, she and her sweet husband own the restaurant.  They are a darling young couple.   We've befriended them and enjoy their friendship of sorts although brief in conversations.   We've taken a liking to each other.  I had noticed she was not herself yesterday...    She tells me through tears of her own, "My mother called from China, she has a tumor in her pancreas, I'll be gone for a month to visit her..."

I tell her Jesus is already there with her.  We will pray, I touch her arm, I think touch is important.  This woman is so precious, she nods through tears.  I'm thinking..

We all have problems don't we?  Some are much, much more severe then others.  Oh God help us to support one another!   And the support comes in strange places at times doesn't it?   The Church is everywhere.



...And I have to remind myself of what I told Jessie, the precious young chinese woman...  Jesus is already with me too!

That is what Elisabeth Elliot wrote me once when I was expecting our youngest, Grace and on bedrest with some complications.   I still have that little postcard she wrote, I have several from her.

I wonder if Elisabeth Elliot's daughter feels as I do sometimes now that her mother is growing older and ill?



This is a photo of of several of our daughters; Grace, Janie and Joycie with Elisabeth Elliot and her precious, precious husband, Lars this photo is from a couple of years ago.  I think Zuzu must have taken this particular pic.

I will close now, just wanted to share some thoughts and food for more thoughts here this morning.


I do hope you are having a sweet morning Loves,  we must be the *Good Ones*.  We might have to stand alone (kneel alone) in order to do so.  I hope this blog will be a place to come and be encouraged and share.   You are not alone.   Our reward may be in Heaven.  God sees all and knows all. That goes as a double reminder for me.   ~amelia, the last child in the woods...