Paw Paw Can Fix It!

When my great grandson was about two and a half years of age I picked him up from the daycare where he attended, and we started walking to the car. All of a sudden, he stopped, bent down and started picking up broken pieces of plastic from the ground. The plastic looked like a small Easter egg that had been stepped on. He carefully placed each piece in his little hand and looking up at me with such confidence on his face, said, "Paw Paw can fix it!"

Oh, how many times this scene has come back to me when I have looked at the pieces of brokenness in situations that have entered into my life and into the lives of my family. I can see that precious little boy and hear him saying, without any hesitation, "Paw Paw can fix it!"

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Is there something in your life that has been broken and shattered? Is the heartache almost more than you can bear? Place all of the pieces in the hand of your Heavenly Father and with a childlike faith and trust, believe that, "With God all things are possible." There is nothing too hard for Him. . . nothing!

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"Paw Paw can fix it!"

Endless Pattern

Visiting at my sister-in-laws house she took me to her back yard and said that she wanted to show me what "she and the Lord had done." Beautiful plants filled the yard and as we walked around she would point to different ones as she called each by name. She tenderly cares for these plants, and knows exactly what each one needs to flourish and bloom.

My mind took me to another sister-in-law that has devoted many, many hours creating and designing exquisite clothes for her dolls, dressing them with attire from the late 19th century and early 20th. The dolls and the plants are just two examples of how each one of us are being drawn to a particular interest and from this a unique and distinct pattern of creativity develops.

The achievements throughout the world that evolve from the human mind stagger the imagination. Yet God is the original creator of all things and the facets of creativity we see in human beings are sparks of energy from His Omnipotence.

We are "wonderfully and fearfully made" and God has placed within us creative desires and abilities that go beyond our scope of vision. May none of us feel that our "little design" is inferior to others but realize that we are a part of a larger design and pattern that God has conceived. Like a kaleidoscope, beautiful images continually emerge.

Thank you, Father, for allowing each of us to have a part in your workmanship. We stand in awe of its beauty. You are the one who created the heavens and the earth. You also formed each one of us, giving us different talents and gifts and wisdom to create and then to enjoy the fruit of our labor. And this creative process will continue throughout the eons of time. We give you praise, and honor and glory for everything that we behold. Marvelous are your works, oh, God.

A Miracle of Love

Christmas was on its way. The tree had been bought and readied for decorating. But the excitement of previous years was not there. I felt such grief thinking of our son Don, who had been killed in a car accident only six months before. Yet there were still reminders of our happy, laughing teen ager around the house, such as the little plastic labels with messages he'd punched out, stuck here and there.
With heavy heart, I went to the attic to get the decorations. I pulled the box to the door and, kneeling in front, removed the lid. Nostalgia hit me with such force! I just laid my head against that door and crying said, "Don, I love you, I love you, I love you."

Then to my amazement, I saw that right where my head had rested was one of those familiar plastic labels, and printed on it were the words, I LOVE YOU.

It was as if Don had broken the barrier of time and space to speak to us that day. I ran to get my husband to show him our son's message. Tears filled his eyes as we hugged, and the light and love of Christmas filled our hearts and soon was reflected on our tree and in our home, making this the most beautiful Christmas we have ever had.

We still live in the house where this incident happened and the little I LOVE YOU tape remains on the attic door.

The pictures below were taken of the door into the attic. The little plastic tape could have been there as long as two years prior to that day of discovery. My husband, Curtis, and I had been in and out of the attic, yet neither of us noticed the tape until the day my head rested on it. I love what Curtis said, "It was like God planted a seed, then hid it from view until time for it to bloom."

Love. . . has no limits. . . it transcends through time and space.

MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH LOVE!

Don

I could write a book about the antics of my youngest son, Don. I feel confident that he would have been diagnosed with ADD but I don't think Attention Deficit Disorder was even on the books fifty years ago. Not only was Don's attention span very short but he was perpetual motion. . .even before he was born I felt like I had butterflies in my stomach.

One day when Don was just a toddler I put him in his bed for a nap and later opened his bedroom door to check on him. The bed was empty and the window was open! Don was gone! I ran outside and found him rolling a garbage can several times larger than he was, right down the middle of the street!

At about the same age Don and I were in the front yard when my next door neighbor came out. I went over to talk with her for a few minutes and in the length of time my head was turned, Don had turned on the water hose and was filling the back seat of our car with water! He seemed to be having such a grand time. My neighbor commented on how much patience I had. I told her I had to or I would go crazy!

I had a gas stove in the kitchen and Don discovered that if he threw something up on the burner that it would catch on fire. One day he threw one of my good shoes on the flame so I had to watch closely when cooking. I don't think Don was intentionally being bad rather he was just curious and "inventive."

Our house was on an incline and one day I looked out the window and in horror watched my car backing down the drive way, then on across the street, and finally stopping within a few feet of smashing into the window of the neighbors house. Don was in the car! He had somehow dislodged the brake and the car took off!

This story now brings a smile. Our church was in a revival and had chosen our family to represent an "ideal" Christian family. There we were, husband and wife with our three little darlings standing on the platform. That was the same day that I received a phone call from my neighbor, "Mrs. McFatter, your house is on fire!" I ran out and sure enough I saw flames on the fence right next to the eaves of the roof. My husband and I picked up blankets and started beating the flames out and I was hollering the whole time at Don. But then at church that night there we stood smiling and looking like that "perfect" family.

The reason for the fire? Don said that he was killing mosquitoes!!

There are many more stories that I could tell but when Don was about sixteen he finally "grew out" of being so hyper. He grew up to have such a sweet and loving nature. I can't count the times that before going to bed he would say, "I love you, mom. I love you, dad." And when he was a little younger, he and Curtis had a routine that they went through just about every night. Curtis would start singing from his bed, "I love you a bushel and a peck" and from Don's bedroom he would answer with the next line, "A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." Then Curtis with, "A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap", and Don would complete with, "A barrel and a heap and I'm talking in my sleep about you. They would then go back and forth with, "About you", until Don would drift off to sleep.

This incident still touches my heart. When Don was a teen I had a serious burn and was in the hospital for five weeks. I had to have skin grafts and some days I was pretty sedated. I had asked Curtis to bring me a milk shake. Later I called the house and Don answered. I said, "Your dad was supposed to bring me a milk shake." Curtis was not home and it wasn't long until Don came running through my door. The hospital was about eight or ten blocks from our house and Don ran all the way after picking up the shake from McDonald's. He was panting and was

almost breathless.

Thank you, sweet Don, for the love you showed that day. It will live in my heart always.

In 1976 Don was killed instantly in a car accident. And the last thing that Curtis did was to sing the little song, in a whisper, "I love you a bushel and a peck" as we said our final "good bye" to our youngest son, the sunshine of our life!

On Don's birthday, each year, I write him a letter as this makes me feel closer to him. I would like to share the letter that I wrote March 20, 2000. And, incidentally, March 20th is the first day of Spring!

Dear Don,

The calendar says that you would have been forty-two years old today. But God has allowed us to keep you eighteen - always! After all these years, I can still see you sitting on the couch, putting your shoes on, flashing that beautiful smile and expressing your joy of having your own car, your own job to pay for it, and a CB with a handle of "Cracker Jack Kid."

School had been difficult in many ways and you were just weeks away from graduating and then suddenly you were gone! Everything was dark for a long time but day always follows the night. And, now, I find it so comforting to be able to keep you young, laughing, and happy!

The scripture on today's calendar is:

"Save your people and bless your inheritance

Be their shepherd and carry them forever."

Psalm 28:9

Don, if I could go back there are many things I would wish to do different but one thing I would never change - to teach you about Jesus the Good Shepherd. Each day brings me closer home where more and more of our loved ones have gone on before. When I finally make it home, I want to see Jesus - then you, precious Don - then mother and dad and then family and friends.

Love,

Mother

Don's memory is like a beautiful flower in my heart with a sweet, sweet fragrance. On the next post I will share a remarkable story of love concerning Don.

The picture above was one of our favorite pictures of Don.

Look Up!

I will love the light for it shows me the way,

Yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.

Og Mandena

A Singing Brook

A brook would lose its song

if God removed the rocks.

author unknown

Headed For The Beach!

I'm excited because Curtis and I are headed for the beach at Galveston, TX where we will spend a couple of days. Darlene, loved the beach and the ocean. This is where she would go when life seemed to be pressing in and she needed an escape. She would stroll up and down the shore looking for sand dollars, as she listened to the roar of the mighty ocean waves.

The sand dollar is an ocean animal related to the starfish and sea urchin and are washed ashore when the tide comes in. Darlene had a large container of sand dollars that she found over a period of many years. I was told by a friend that she said a prayer each time she found one. This makes the collection even more precious now that she is gone.

Curtis and I plan to walk along the shore also and I would be so delighted if we should find a sand dollar. But even if this does not happen just walking on the beach will make us feel closer to our daughter and we will give thanks to God that we still have each other and will give praise for each new sunrise that He allows us to have.

The Legend of the Sand Dollar

There's a pretty little legend

That I would like to tell

Of the birth and death of Jesus

Found in this lowly shell

If you examine closely,

You'll see that you find here

Four nail holes and a fifth one

Made by a Roman's Spear.

On one side the Easter Lily,

Its center is the star

That appeared unto the shepherds

And led them from afar.

The Christmas poinsettia

Etched on the other side

Reminds us of His birthday

Our Happy Christmastide.

Now break the centre open

And here you will release

The five white doves awaiting

to spread Good Will and Peace.

This simple little symbol,

Christ left for you and me

To help us spread His Gospel

Through all eternity.

Anonymous

It's Me Again, God

Remember me, God?

I come every day

Just to talk with You, Lord,

and to learn how to pray.

You make me feel welcome,

You reach out Your hand.

I need never explain,

for you understand.

I come to You frightened

and burdened with care,

So lonely and lost

and so filled with despair,

And suddenly, Lord,

I'm no longer afraid - -

My burden is lighter

and the dark shadows fade.

Oh God, what a comfort

to know that You care

And to know when I seek You,

You will always be there.

Helen Stiner Rice

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For My Yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Matthew 11: 28-30

A Morning At The Park

One morning I was sitting on a bench at the park while I watched my grandson playing on the swings. A young mother was there with her little girl. The toddler was laughing and running all around and ran right over an ant bed. At this point, the mother, raising her voice, said, "Stay away from that!" The child seem oblivious to the ant bed and continued to play close by and several minutes later, almost stepped in the ant bed again. Her mother said, "I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM THERE!" She looked like she was about to give the little one a spat.

I turned around and said, "You, know, I don't think she has seen the ants. Maybe you could show her and explain that they sting. So then, the mother, got on her knees, pointed to the ants and explained to the child how these ants could hurt her. It was then the little girl seemed to see them for the first time, although it was apparent that she didn't understand the danger as she reached out to them with her tiny little hands.

As I thought about this, I wondered, how often do we as mature Christians react very much like this mother? Do we simply say to a young Christian, "Stay away from that" and expect them to know the harm of certain sins? When in reality they don't see nor understand!

"Lord,help me to realize that young Christians may not see some things as sin nor understand the danger of the sting and hurt that they can bring. Help me to have patience and a willingness to get on my knees and then in love help to guide and direct. . . and to be there with a soothing ointment when they are stung!"

Opppps!

One night our ladies group at church had a slumber party! That's right. . .a slumber party! Regardless of your age, you can always be "young at heart" and that's exactly what our ladies did. One of the things we did that night was to share an embarrassing moment in our life. There was much laughter as one woman after another shared. Time takes care of many awkward situations where they are no longer so humiliating.

Here is one of mine!

A young couple in the church that I attended presented a little skit each Sunday where they dressed in "tacky" country clothing. One Sunday the young man was standing at the door when I came in. He had on a plaid shirt with a tie that was covered with small "candy" hearts. I said, "Good Morning" and made mention of his "funny clothes." He bowed his head and looking a little uncomfortable said, "These are my Sunday clothes." His wife was standing a few feet away and said that she had matched his outfit - wanted him to look younger. I said, "Well, I guess I'm just too old to know what's cool!" Hopefully they agreed.

Forgiveness

He that cannot forgive others

breaks the bridge over which he

must pass himself; for every man

has a need to be forgiven.

Thomas Fuller

The Torch Of Faith

The "Torch of Faith" has been passed down for several generations on my mother's side. And I pray that the light will continue to shine in each generation until the coming of the Lord.

I heard my mother and also her sisters tell many stories of their ancesters. They are all gone now and the only stories that can be passed to the next generation are those that were heard by my generation and possible some of our children. Here are a couple of the stories.

My great grandmother was a very Godly woman from all accounts and a woman of prayer and great devotion. One day the weather was stormy and there was danger of a tornado. My great grandmother gathered the children for a place of safety in the house and one of the children asked, "Mamma, aren't you going to pray?" And with calmness she answered, "No, now is the time to trust."

When my great grandmother was on her dying bed she was overheard to say,

"There he is!"

"Who, mamma, is it Pappa?

"No, Jesus."

Isn't that a beautiful way to live. . . . and die?

The Torch of Faith. . . Continued

Yesterday I wrote about my great grandmother and before going to another subject I would like to share a few more thoughts about my heritage.

My grandmother was also a very Godly woman. At one time my grandfather felt he was called to preach and my grandmother said to him, "Van, if you feel that God has called you to preach, I'll live on bread and water." My grandmother died when my mother was about three years of age, the youngest of five girls.

My grandfather never remarried and although he did not become a formal preacher he "preached" to anyone that would listen. In my mind I can see him now, talking with much emotion and wiping away tears with a handkerchief that he would pull out of his pocket as he expounded on the love of Jesus.

For a period of time my mother lived with different relatives after her mother died. She said that her grandmother had the most influence on her life. And, truly, my mother has had the greatest impact on my life.

I am very thankful for my Christian heritage from both sides of my family. 
More stories could be added but these are the ones that came to mind for now.

With This Ring. . .

Do you remember the day that your husband placed a ring on your finger and you heard the words, "With this ring I do thee wed.."? The wedding ring is something we hold dear. I thought my ring was incredibly beautiful even though it was just a small gold band. It had little orange blossoms and was hand carved with a silver inlay. Most of the delicate design was worn off but to me the ring had lost none of its beauty.

I lost my cherished wedding ring! Even though I know where and when I lost it, a careful search brought no results. I know that it is gone and it feels strange not to be able to touch or see a ring that has been on my finger fifty-eight years in June. I wore it all the time but somehow it slipped off my finger when getting out of the car.

Sunday morning I was sitting in church and felt such a great loss and sadness. But then the following thoughts began to fill my mind and heart:

What you have lost is a symbol. No one can take away the years of your happy marriage. All that you have shared with your husband, the good days, the storms, the victories, the failures, all that make up a life; none of this is lost.

My spirit was lifted! I am so thankful for those things that cannot be taken away. It is also a reminder that anything that I can see or touch is temporal and all of this will pass away. I want to take inventory of my life. How much time do I invest in those things that have eternal value? Something to think about!

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Matthew 6: 19,20

Transformed

What the caterpillar calls the end, God calls the butterfly.

Author Unknown

Betty Crocker's Cook Book

The "Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book" was issued in 1950. In 1961 a "Betty Crocker's New Picture Cook Book" was printed and Curtis bought me one of these newest additions of Betty Crocker cook books. I understand this particular addition is a real collector's item.

Oh, how I loved that book! I'm sure I spent hours just looking at the pictures of all the luscious things to eat. And I used many of the recipes. When Darlene was a young teen she wanted to make a chocolate cake and used the Betty Crocker cook book. The cake fell and was a real disappointment. Time passed and again she wanted to make a chocolate cake,as she loved anything chocolate! She made the cake and another disappointment. She had used the same recipe! I told her to make a notation not to use that recipe again. To my dismay, I found she had taken a black broad point marker and across the entire page wrote "Pooh Pooh Cake." I couldn't believe that she would write something so crude in my cook book. Not just any cook book but my beloved "Betty Crocker's New Picture Cook Book!"

This happened over thirty years ago. The pages are now aged and worn but the most cherished page of all is the one that Darlene marked on! It represents so much - a fun loving teen that certainly did not intend to do something that resulted in so much reaction from me. We lost our only daughter about four years ago and anything that she touched is now so precious. This is also a reminder that time changes so many things in life. Something we all need to remember. Time and years have brought a completely different perspective to me.

Caramel Apples

Curtis and family moved to Port Arthur where I lived when we were both very young teenagers. We attended the same church and I didn't like him at all when we first met. I drew his name for a Christmas exchange and told the girls if I had to buy that boy a gift I just wouldn't go to the party! My best girlfriend shrugged and said, "I'll take his name." Later I realized that he was just shy and not a "snob."

Before we married Curtis moved to Houston to look for a job. He would come to Port Arthur on week-ends and I still feel a flutter in my heart when I think about seeing him on those special days. He told me about a young married couple in the church and said the girl looked so much like me that he would get jealous when her husband put his arm around her.

After we were married and attended the church in Houston I looked around the congregation to find that girl. I did see one I thought favored me and pointed her out to Curtis. He said, "That's her!" We became best friends with Anna Rhea and Ronale and had many good times together until they moved to Ohio.

One of the times that Anna Rhea and Ronale were visiting I made Caramel Apples and they were a real hit! A recipe from the 1950 Betty Crocker Cook Book. I loved that cook book!

I have made this caramel sauce many many times and I think it makes the best Caramel Apples ever!

Caramel Apples

2 cups sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup white corn syrup

2/3 cup butter

1 cup cream ( can use whole milk)

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoon vanilla

Cook 'til little dropped into cold water forms a firm ball, stirring constantly towards end of cooking period to prevent scorching. Remove from heat. Cool until mixture thickens slightly. Quickly dip each apple into the caramel mixture and twist until evenly and completely covered. Drain on waxed paper.

I cut the apples into slices and pour the sauce over the apples. But children would probably rather have the apple whole.

I Believe In Angels

 Yes I believe in angels. . .

I would like to tell you about two angels that knocked on my door! My mother had suffered a stroke and my husband and I were pretty well confined to the home. During this time I had a birthday and on "my" day the door bell rang. I went to the door and there they were - two angels, arms laden with food, gifts and flowers! Two very dear friends had on full angel robes with angel wings and halo. They both knew that I collected angels. They had picked up angel hair pasta at Olive Garden with a salad, and angel food cake for dessert. Angel Judy with a slightly crooked halo went to the kitchen to dish up the food while the other angel, Becky, prepared the table. My husband, Curtis and I went to the table where we celebrated my birthday with two beautiful angels!

This happened in 1996 and it remains in my mind and heart as one of the special days of my life. Do you know of a person that you could be an "angel" to? There are people all around that the touch of your life could make such a difference. Let God dream in you a creative way to reach out to someone that needs you right now!

I believe also in God's heavenly angels. I read that angels are mentioned over 300 times in the Bible. Angel means messenger. We do not pray to angels but we can pray that God will send an angel to help or minister to someone. This knowledge should give us comfort and encouragement. God has countless ways to help us and sometimes it's through an angel.

Now Is My Time!

Do you ever do anything on impulse?

I ask the question not knowing if anyone is reading this! I might be talking to myself but I guess I'm used to that because I have been keeping a personal journal for over twenty years. But in journal writing I don't usually ask myself questions.

About three or four weeks ago I didn't even know what a blog was. I feel a little bit like the writer and speaker, Patsy Clairmont, who recently started blogging. She said, "At my age I thought blogging meant I had a blockage or it was a description of that band of jello slosing around my middle. ." My niece sent me a devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministry and this is where I first noticed the word "blog." I clicked it on and soon found myself in a brand new world! One blog led to another and another and I found myself reading for hours. I am not as disciplined as I would like to be and I became almost obsessed with blogging. Then I realized that I could start a blog! I then spent more time reading how to set up a blog, etc. And I was really excited when I posted my own first blog! Several days later it occurred to me that I would run out of stuff to write in a very short time. I didn't think it through for my age limits much of my former activities.

I first named my blog "Pass the Torch" because I thought that sounded neat to pass the thoughts I would write with others. Then I decided to change it to "Let Your Light Shine."

That seemed a good thing to do but now with a little more thought "Looking Back" seems a better name because most of what I write will be things that have already happened. This blog might be like a meteor - it's there and it's gone! But even a meteor has its moment of glory and people somewhere in the world will see it. So, I'll enjoy my moment. . . for now is my time!

I sure feel better now that I have all this before you! Tomorrow my subject title will be, "I Believe in Angels." Do you?

Celebrate...while it's still dark!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   

 Easter Sunday!  Curt and I were in one of those "dark times" of life and I felt a real need for  the beautiful music on this special day. Actually, there was very little music as they had communion and that was time consuming. But the message was, "Celebrate! While It's Still Dark"  and I wondered just what that could mean! The scripture was from John 20 1-18.  The pastor read where Mary Magdalene on the first day of the week, while it was still dark went to the tomb.  She found the stone had  been removed and Jesus had already  been resurrected.  The pastor said that God did His most amazing work while it was still dark. 

 Such a message of hope when things are dark all around!

Hold to Faith!

A Season

What a beautiful morning! I love to sit on the deck in my back yard and drink in the sights and sounds of spring! Looking up at the new green leaves I thought about the brevity of their life. One season of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and the leaves began to fall and soon new ones take their place. Yet each leaf has its place and purpose.

Each of us have a place and purpose and a work to do while on this earth and not unlike the leaves, our "season" is very short and soon others take our place. But this is not the end. As the leaves fall from the tree, they simply take on another form and become part of mother earth. We, too, at the end of this life will take on another form as we enter into eternal life.

Father, how beautiful and wonderful are your ways! Nothing wasted - nothing gone - simply changed.

Noah and the Fish

Teaching a class of young children I told them the story of Noah and the Ark and how everything was destroyed by water except the people, animals, etc. that were in the ark. After completing the story, I asked each child to draw a picture of the ark. I couldn't help but smile when I was handed the above picture with little fish swimming under the ark.

Well, did the fish perish? What do you think?

Everything Changed

This is a quote that my sister-in-law, Joy sent to me. And incidentally, she truly is a JOY and is an inspiration to me in so many ways. I hope you enjoy the quote and at the end of the day may you feel a satisfaction that you have indeed found enough time for the things that really matter.

First Day of April

Here is another beautiful bloom from the angel trumpet plant that I can see when looking out the kitchen window. Oh, give praise for the wonderful handiwork of our amazing God!

Today is traditionally known as April Fool's day but no one seems to know for certain how it got started. Here is one explanation from Dictionary.com:

There are several explanations for the origin of April Fools' Day, but here is the most plausible one. April 1st was once New Year's Day in France. In 1582, Pope Gregory declared the adoption of his Gregorian calendar to replace the Julian calendar and New Year's Day was officially changed to January lst. It took awhile for everyone in France to hear the news of this major change and others obstinately reused to accept the new calendar, so a lot of people continued to celebrate New Year's Day on the first of April - earning them the name April fools. The April fools were subjected to ridicule and practical jokes and the tradition was born. The butts of these pranks were first called poisson d'avril or April Fish because a young naive fish is easily caught. A common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke. This evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continues on the first day of April.

I would like to leave this quote with you:

"He is NO FOOL to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."