Throwback Thankful Thursday

Looking at old pictures can lift you up or bring you down. I meant to post this at Easter. This one brings a smile to me as I remember all the dresses my sweet Mom made for my sister and I up until we were 13 or so. These dresses were pale blue organdy, with net aprons over them and the cute little flowers at the neck. They were STARCHED UP pretty good, don't you think? My Mom loved sewing for us and my Dad worked hard to make those dresses possible.

And these dresses from an earlier Easter were white dotted Swiss with pink dots and buttons and ruffles.

Some things never change.

Kids don't always love having their pictures made.

I thank God for the parents He blessed me with.

Wednesday

Today has been a mixed-up, crazy kind of day filled with disappointment, anxiety, tension, embarrassment, frustration, anger, confusion, relief, sadness ... I will stop there.

Tonight as I look out my window and see the light in the sky as the sun goes down and casts a beauty upon the cattails that are still wearing their beige winter color, and that spring green on the trees and the grass and shrubs that shouts it's springtime, I have to marvel at how peaceful it all looks. A thunderstorm tried to come over us this evening, but faded away. I'm praying that the storm inside me will fade with a good night's sleep. I know that the problem is minuscule in comparison to the God I know who is watching over us.

The doves come every year to build their nest under our deck. I don't know whether the same doves or the babies from last year are coming or just how they know this is a very safe place. All I know is they are protected from the rain, the storms, and any predators. I know about that because there is a black cat who has stalked in the past, but I guess finally gave up. I love watching the whole process from the time they rebuild the nest until they teach their babies how to fly. So, that old familiar song comes to me now:

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart feel lonely?
And long for heaven and home.

When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is he
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches over me.

I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.

Hodgepodge ... No Foolin'

Here are this week's questions to the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then spring back over to Joyce tomorrow to share answers with the universe. See you there!

1. What are two or three expectations you have of yourself?

Be faithful to keep my commitments; to remain positive even with all the craziness going on in our world; to always be truthful. 

2. In what way does your outdoor space need sprucing up this spring?

I began yesterday cleaning out some of DH's vegetable beds which have some very rich soil and am going to plant wave petunias and sweet potato vines in them. My plan is to clean out the kids' sandbox, get rid of the old lawn furniture, new pads for patio chairs and a new table cover also. It may be that my rose bushes will have to be removed and new shrubs planted. All the pots on the patio need to be cleaned out and new plants put in. The front yard beds also need work. Whew! I am now tired just thinking about it all. 

3. According to this site (Roadtrippers), six of North America's most wondrous waterfalls are-Webster's Falls in Ontario, Upper Whitewater Falls in North Carolina,Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon, Multnomah Falls in Oregon, The Lower Yellowstone Falls, and Niagara. Have you seen any on the list? Which one on the list would you most like to visit? Prettiest waterfall not on the list that you've seen in person?

I've seen the Multnomah Falls, the Lower Yellowstone Falls, and Niagara Falls. I loved the falls we saw in Hawaii, Alaska and was surprised to find some waterfalls in New York at the Letchworth State park that were pretty cool. 

I had to look up the others on the list as I've never heard of them. I think maybe the Havasu Falls might be my choice since I've never seen the Grand Canyon, but then again, maybe the Upper Whitewater Falls because I love North Carolina. 

Along the fjords in Alaska

4. Looking back, what's something you wish you'd done as a teenager?

I'm sure I could have worked a little harder and made better grades. I wish I had been more active and could have attended more school events. Although I was friends with pretty much everybody, outside of school I stuck with friends from our church youth group. I think I missed out on making some really closer friendships. The good thing though is that because of Facebook, I have at least been able to reconnect with many of my high school classmates after all these years. 

5. Ham...yes please or no thank you? If you said yes please which of the following do you like best-baked ham with all the trimmings, a ham and cheese sandwich, prosciutto with melon, a ham biscuit, a bowl of split pea and ham soup, or a slice of pizza topped with ham and pineapple?

No, thank you. However, if it is being served, I will be polite and eat it. Best baked ham with sweet potatoes and butter beans. 

6. Are you typical of your generation? How so?

In some ways yes. I think my generation has been a more "hip" generation than my parents were because of all the changes in technology that we are keeping up with, and that the majority of us were two income families. In other ways, I don't think so. I was a child in the 50's, a teen in the 60's, but not part of the flower child generation. I have always been conservative and haven't been able to accept a lot of the changes that have come out of my generation. Most of them married, had kids, and now have lots of grandkids. Although that had been my plan, it didn't work out that way, so I ended up as a working girl, married with no kids and didn't "fit in" so much with my peers, such as sharing the sporting events, seeing kids grow up and be married, etc. After my husband passed away, I met and married again and have enjoyed the blessing of bonus kids and grandchildren and have had the joy of being part of that, but still ... not typical. So, in lots of ways, my life is typical, and in other ways, it isn't. 

7. April rolls in at the end of the week, and in keeping with that theme...'act the fool', 'nobody's fool' 'a fool's errand', 'could have fooled me'...which foolish idiom most recently applies to you?

You have fooled me with that question. Nothing comes to mind just now. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It was sad to read that Patty Duke, one of my generation passed away yesterday. I loved The Miracle Worker and liked her TV show, and thought how fun it would be to have a twin cousin come live with your family. From what I read about her over the years, it seems she didn't have a real fun childhood and I felt sorry for her for that. Here is a Facebook post from my former employer about Patty.

"If you grew up in the 60's and 70's ... Patty Duke was a household name. Patty made a great contribution to this world - not only as a gifted actress, but also as a staunch advocate for mental health, having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 35. Hope For the Heart and I were blessed to have been the recipient of the Lilly Reintegration Award, given by Dr. Ralph Aquila, M.D. and Patty in 2008, for our service to those dealing with mental health issues. Patty, you and your heart for others will be greatly missed." -June Hunt

I'm glad she had a happy marriage at the end and I saw that her last post on Twitter was that she and her husband had just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.

Monday

Monday was a productive day and ended with such a feeling of satisfaction in everything accomplished. After working on my Bible study and fixing breakfast for us, I went grocery shopping to try to bring our pantry and fridge back up to speed. It's always a good feeling to be stocked up on groceries.

With groceries put away, I was able to bake a cake for the Tuesday brunch. Yummy. My main purpose in posting is to share the recipe. 

CHERRY CHIP CAKE

Ingredients
2 Cups all -purpose flour
1 Tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 Cup white sugar
3/4 Cup vegetable oil
1/8 Tsp. salt
2 Eggs
2 Tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tsp. baking soda
1 21 oz. can cherry pie filling
6 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 Cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour, or spray with baking spray, a bundt pan or 10-inch tube pan.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well, about 2 minutes with electric mixer. Stir in the cherries with their liquid, the chocolate chips and nuts. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

3. Bake for about 50 to 60 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on rack 10 minutes and remove from the pan to cool completely.

Variation
Replace the vanilla, semisweet chocolate chips and walnuts with the same amounts of:
almond extract
white chocolate chips
sliced almonds

It was my first time to make this cake and it is extremely moist since it is filled with the cherry pie filling and all those chocolate chips! Dee-lish!!

After fixing lunch for DH, and getting the cake out of the oven, I grabbed my work gloves and went outside to pull as many of the weeds as I could. As I headed out, it occurred to me that DH might pry himself out of his chair and come pull some too. He agreed to and I really think it did him good to soak up the sunshine and get his hands in his little onion patch. Very good therapy for both of us and to get some of that vitamin D. Getting excited to go buy some plants and seeds and get some color going in the back yard. Little by little. Step by step. 

Look what else I accomplished! Labels for the Ladies of Grace!

I bought a really nice steak for us to share for dinner and I roasted zucchini, yellow squash, green and red peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Now there was a lot of yummy edible color to go along with that steak. 

What a great Monday!

And Tuesday! Another good day. Our Ladies of Grace brunch is now a memory. We were having such a wonderful time, I completely forgot to take pictures of the decorations, the ladies, and the wonderful food spread out on the table. Everybody loved the cake and the labels I made for us. And  I got to bring home this lovely lily!

DH and I got out in the yard again this afternoon to get some of the yard work done. As I said above, little by little, step by step. We will get it done!

Easter Weekend 2016

It is now Monday morning - the day after Easter. Each new day brings hope because of Resurrection Day. For me, Easter has been on my mind and heart for a few weeks. I have followed through the Scripture readings and devotion during the Lent Season. And, I was preparing for teaching on Communion for our Ladies of Grace Bible Study, which was very meaningful.

Friday evening our church held its first Good Friday service and DH and I were honored to be greeters. It was a very special evening for everyone as we worshiped and meditated on what Jesus did for us at the cross. We attended the Saturday evening services for Easter and it was an awesome time of celebration! 

Yesterday morning was gloomy, cold and windy. The weather for Friday and Saturday had been perfect - absolutely perfect days of sunshine, warmth and no wind, which is very rare for North Texas. So, after breakfast on Sunday, we decided to go see the movie Risen. It was a good movie and reminded me of a book I read many years ago called The Robe. There was also a movie made from that book, but it wasn't as good as Risen. I am usually skeptical of Hollywood's making of religious movies and I really don't care to see actors portraying Jesus, because I just don't think it is possible. One thing I always enjoyed about the movie Ben-Hur was that the the actor portraying Jesus wasn't really seen, as much as felt. And, speaking of Ben-Hur, we saw previews of a remake coming out later this year.

Sorry to ramble on. I look forward to seeing Ben-Hur, even though I've watched Charlton Heston in the movie so many times. I love the story.

We were surprised to see sunshine as we came out of the theater and happy that the day had turned out so pretty. Jason and Amy and the kids came over to hang out and hide Easter eggs. We played basketball, hunted for eggs, and then went out to eat at the new Hard Eight BBQ. Kate and Jack wanted to ride with us, and just as we were about to arrive at the restaurant, OH NO!!! Jack is throwing up all over the car! Bless his heart. Quick call to Mommy and Daddy to tell them we need to get back home. 

Grandpa and Daddy cleaned up the car and then went to bring BBQ back home, I got the laundry started to wash Jack's clothes, Mommy gave Jack a bath and we put pajamas on him until the clothes were done. What an exciting day! By the time we were finished with all that and dinner, Jack was good to go! All cleaned up, back to his normal self, and the day ended on a much better note. Thank You Lord!

And so, the sun set on another Resurrection Day! 

Because He lives, we can always face the next tomorrow.

Sharing is Caring and the Kindness Tree

Last Thursday Jack was honored at school by having his name placed on the Kindness Tree. This was a big deal and not something taken lightly or easily attained.

The children were hunting Easter eggs at school. A new classmate named Christine wasn't able to find any. She has Multiple Sclerosis. Jack shared some of his eggs with Christine. He knows that sharing is caring. 

With his sister! So sweet.

All of our grandkids are loving and caring for others.
All of them have been recognized by their teachers and
friends for their generous acts of love to others.


Noah receiving award for being caring

Brady and Noah

I am proud of each one of them.

Resurrection Sunday

He is not here; 

he has risen, just as he said. 

Matthew 28:6 NIV 

Be Ye Glad

In these days of confused situations

In these nights of a restless remorse

When the heart and the soul of a nation

Lay wounded and cold as a corpse

From the grave of the innocent Adam

Comes a song bringing joy to the sad

Oh, your cry has been heard and the ransom

Has been paid up in full

Be ye glad

Now from your dungeon, a rumor is stirring

And your eyes show the sorrow they've had

Ah, but this time the cell keys they're turning

He has opened the gates

Be ye glad

So be likes lights on the rim of the water

Giving hope in a storm sea of night

Be a refuge amidst the slaughter

Of these fugitives in their flight

For you are timeless and part of a puzzle

You are winsome and young as a lad

And there is no disease or no struggle

That can you pull you from God

Be ye glad

Oh be ye glad, oh be ye glad

Every debt that you ever had

Has been paid up in full

By the grace of the Lord

Be ye glad, be ye glad

Be ye glad*

Be Ye Glad

Debbie Boone

Jesus' sacrifice of Himself for my sins and His resurrection from the dead means I have new life, and I can live with hope and expectation that all God's promises in the Bible are true and that everything in my life on this earth is impacted by His love and grace for me. 

"When the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7 NET

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold—gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away—and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, because you are attaining the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:3-9

Be blessed today in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and the gift He has given to us of Himself.

*Lyrics: Michael Kelly Blanchard

I Don't Know How to Love Him

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: I Don't Know How to Love Him (1971)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

I remember this song well because I thought it was a beautiful song, sang very well by Helen Reddy. So thankful that Jesus Himself has shown us how to love Him: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). "And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us." (1 John 3:23)

1) This song is from Jesus Christ, Superstar. Though now a beloved classic, the play was controversial when it first premiered. Can you think of something else that originally made people uncomfortable, but went on to be accepted?

A lot of language that used to be attributed to sailors, for one example, and much more in the way society looks at things that once were not acceptable.

2) Jesus Christ, Superstar was originally developed as a "concept album," a collection of songs written to sequentially tell the story of The Crucifixion and Resurrection. Do you remember the first album you bought? Did you download it, listen to it on a CD player, your cassette deck, or record player?

The first record album I bought with my own money was Pet Sounds, by the Beach Boys and I played it on a record player. 

3) When the album's songs were performed live in concert at the Pennsylvania Civic Arena, producers decided to stage it as a play and the rest, as they say, is history. Tell us about a really good idea you've had recently.

To replace our hot water tank in the attic with a tankless water heater.

4) Jesus Christ, Superstar is a truly international phenomenon. During a revival tour that began in 2011, it's been a hit with audiences in the United States, Canada, Britain, Ireland, Brazil, Hungary, India, New Zealand, Italy, France, Mexico, Chile, Bulgaria, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, Australia, The Philippines, South Africa, Panama, Colombia, Croatia, Bolivia, The Netherlands and Portugal. Besides the United States, which of those countries have you visited?

United States, of course, Canada, Britain, Italy, Mexico, France, Greece. 

5) Peeps are big sellers every Easter. Would you rather have yellow chicks or pink bunnies?

Yellow chicks are what I buy. I don't know why. I think they're nasty. But the kids like them. 

6) Jelly beans are also popular this time of year. One theory says they were introduced in Boston during the 19th century. What else comes to mind when you think of Boston?

Boston baked beans. Tea party.

7) We've been talking a lot about sweets this morning. The only holiday that generates more candy sales is Halloween. When do you eat more candy: Easter or Halloween?

Actually at Christmas. Fudge. 

8) Easter lilies will adorn many churches this Sunday. What's your favorite flower? 

Peonies in my front yard

A beautiful sign of Spring

The fragrance is delicious

9) Easter is considered the season of rebirth. What makes you feel refreshed or rejuvenated?

A good night's sleep, followed by a cup of coffee while reading my Bible, followed by a hot shower.

Another Blustery, but Blessed Day

I mentioned the Texas winds yesterday in the spring hodgepodge. This is what I'm talking about!!!

Last night North Texas had some serious storms with lots of wind, rain and large hail that knocked out car windshields and windows of people's homes.

Today I had the privilege to visit another nursing home. What a great day for us and them. Or them and us!? It was a good day for everyone.

We sang.

Read the Easter story.

Passed out candy

and had drawings for nice door prizes.

Festive balloons.

We prayed for the residents and the staff who take care of them.

What a blessing these people are and how sweetly they responded to the attention, the story, the songs and our prayers. They all wanted to be prayed for individually.

It was a somewhat bittersweet time to visit this particular nursing home as I recalled my mother-in-law having been a resident there for several years. DH was there every day that he didn't have to work a 24 hour shift and I made up the difference on the days he worked. Our presence there ensured that she would be well taken care of.

My car has been giving me fits the last couple of weeks and today on my way home:

Check engine light

The car is in the shop now and you know, of course, what that means.

A spring hodgepodge

Spring is now officially here according to our calendars and we are therefore joining up with Joyce at From This Side of the Pond for a Spring Hodgepodge. Join in the fun, answer the questions, and link up with her right here!

1. Has spring sprung in your little corner of the world? Other than the calendar how would I know? What's your favorite thing about spring?

In Texas! Bluebonnets!

Our lawn has turned green, dandelions everywhere, Carolina jasmine bloomed and faded, peonies popping up, redbuds budding, blooming Bartlett pear trees, dazzling daffodils, and the feeling that I need to get busy with spring cleaning. 

My favorite thing about spring is seeing the plants and trees and flowers coming back to life and the way it feels when you step outside. The atmosphere just seems to kind of caress you with its gentleness. I love it. 

Reality check here: when you step outside, you are whipped about by the Texas wind which is not much on caressing!!! 

One of my younger friends just posted on Facebook: "Whew! Nothing like a run after your stroller going clear across the parking lot due to the wind to get your heart racing. It also blew two of my kids over at recess."


2. Besides the weather, what's put a spring in your step recently?

Being thankful I still have a spring in my step. No kidding. Walking about the mall or in the grocery store, going up and down stairs, I just feel this joy inside me of being happy and thankful. Makes me want to dance.

3. How does Easter impact you?

With joy and thanksgiving. The cross changed everything. Jesus' sacrifice of Himself for my sins means I have new life, and I can live with hope and expectation that all God's promises in the Bible are true and that everything in my life on this earth is impacted by His love and grace for me. 

and an empty tomb!

4. I saw this somewhere on Facebook and thought it would make a fun Hodgepodge question. Which of the following would you find most disappointing...

a just stuffed taco shell breaking open and spilling out before you take the first bite? dropping a just-purchased Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts coffee? opening the peanut butter jar and finding it empty? upending onto the sidewalk a just-purchased ice cream cone? a burnt bagel popping up in your toaster when you're rushing breakfast? or cutting into an avocado and finding out it's rotten? 

Toss-up:

If I sprung for a Starbucks, that must mean I really, really wanted that cup of coffee and I would be very disappointed. But I think cutting an avocado and finding it rotten disappoints because number one, I chose the avocado over the other stuff because it's good for me and two, I love a good avocado.  The price of an avocado is dear. 

5. What's something held together with tape at your house? Or a paper clip? Or a wing and a prayer?

The back of a picture frame. 

6. Do you feel under appreciated? In what way? 

I don't think my dog appreciates how I anticipate all her needs and carry her outside, no matter the weather, watch her to protect her, and then go back out, pick her up and bring her inside. When she circles round and round, I pick her up and place her in her bed and rub her ears to calm and soothe her. Her food and water bowls are always full. I think she knows I love her. Just can't say she appreciates me.  Bless her heart. I'm glad to do it.

7. What's something you'd build if you knew how?

Bookcases for my sitting/reading room.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I want to see some of this.

I want to see loads of colorful flowers in my back yard this summer as we did last year. I would like to see the weeds magically disappear. Someone is going to have to pry me out of my comfortable chair to make that happen. 

Jack! Pure Delight.

I love this boy! He is truly a joy!

He is the air hockey champ at our house. 

Always making funny faces in the car. 

The one in the right corner is his "bored" face. 

Mastering the hang of the Hula Hoop

He stayed with us yesterday and spent the night. It was too cold to play in the park or our back yard because of the wind. However, the front of our house was sunny and the wind was blocked somewhat, so we shot a few baskets before getting ready for church. He really worked Grandpa and me. He has some smooth moves in passing the basketball and he is quite the natural athlete even if he's not yet tall enough to hit the hoops. He will be one day. His dad is 6'7".

We talked a lot about summer and when will it ever get here. I reminded him that it would be spring the next day.

After church, as we came in from the driveway, he spotted a box in the garage containing a large plastic swimming pool. His eyes lit up with such excitement! 

"Nonnie! We can swim tomorrow!"

"Are you kidding me? No way, Jose. It's going to be 39 degrees tomorrow. We can't go swimming."

"But you said it will be Spring?"

Oh, the faith of a child.

On Sunday morning as we were getting ready to take him home to go to church with his family, we talked about this being Palm Sunday and how the people cried Hosanna to the Lord as Jesus came into town riding on the donkey. We cried Hosanna, Hosanna!! Save us! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.

photo source

Tiptoeing through Texas Tulips

I've been trying to come up with ways to get DH out of the house at least once a day. Some days all that means is walking to the mailbox, driving me to the grocery store, going to the drugstore to pick up meds, or just out for lunch or dinner. Yesterday my plan was to go to the post office to mail some cards, then to "Jacque" Penney to see about replacing a lamp that was broken and after that, a nice lunch.

As I readied for the car, DH walked over to the mailbox and dropped the cards in. What????!!! One of the main purposes of our trip was all about taking those to the post office to hopefully get them delivered sooner. Oh well.

How about this for plan B?

"It's been in the back of my mind all week to drive up and see the Texas tulip patch I've heard so much about. How about it? Are you game?"

from the web

"O-kay. If you want to." (I heard the tone in that agreement, but pretended he really thought it was a great idea.) So we headed north to take a look. As we drove along, I could see today wasn't the best day to visit a tulip patch. Dark clouds were gathering, raindrops were beginning to fall, and the road was getting a little slick. All of a sudden, the trip seemed unwise and too far from home. It made me apprehensive, but we forged on.

We finally arrived and after driving over a muddy pasture for parking, hopped out of the car, took a few pics, and headed back home. I felt sorry for all the people arriving who had children dressed up for photo opportunities. Not a great day for that.

 Hiding his umbrella.

One of the nicest families I know tiptoeing
through the tulips earlier this week.

I think next year we need to get there before most of the 

tulips are picked.

It's not exactly Holland, but it is a lovely sight to see rows

and rows of tulips in a pasture somewhere in North Texas.
Texas is known for its bluebonnets which are now
beginning to pop up, especially south of us.

You could grab a basket and pick tulips at $2.50 each.

No thanks. I'm happy just looking.

As we drove home, things seemed much better and the way seemed much shorter (it really wasn't that far). My anxieties about the road and the rain dissipated. I thought about that. In my life right now, it's kind of like that. I'm traveling an unfamiliar path and the road seems a little scary. I'm not sure what lies ahead, but there is something about knowing I am not traveling on the road alone that brings comfort to me. I'm on a journey now that holds many uncertainties, but I know the Lord is guiding and He will lead me home.

It's Saturday and although the temperatures have dropped down to the 40's with wind chill of 32, it is a bright sunny day and I'm feeling sunny. Thank the Lord His mercies are new every morning. We will be going to pick up Jack shortly and bring him over for the night. It should be a great day!

Seniors

Remember the days of being a teen and looking forward to that year of finally making it? It meant so much to us to be a senior! 

Now, I see life through different eyes as a senior. A senior! That is someone described as being of a "more advanced age." Many years ago, I remember when my Grandma was in a nursing home and how sweet it was that when my Grandpa McCoy would go visit her, he referred to the residents there as the old folks. He didn't consider himself as one of them, even though he was definitely in their age group. It's true that you're as young as you feel.

And yesterday, I chuckled to myself remembering him as I went to visit the "old folks" at the nursing home. The fact is that many of them are my age and I am considered by society to be a senior citizen. But I think I'll stick with my Grandpa McCoy's attitude and just continue to be a visitor!

On Wednesday, I joined up with the Chicken Lady and a couple others of our church's senior outreach ministries to visit two of the local nursing homes.

My long time friend Marie loves chickens and over the years she has managed to collect every kind of chicken you can imagine and has over 1,000 in her collection. She uses them all in some way or fashion to minister the Gospel and she is so creative and fun. Yesterday, she told the complete story of Easter and, at the end, told the "Gospel in an eggshell!"

Cock a doodle doo!

Black - the rooster with sin

who would end up as stew!

Red - the blood of Jesus to cover our sin

White - our purity and how God sees us when Jesus is in our hearts

Green - we are always growing in the grace and knowledge of God

Golden Rooster - our lives are golden and

one day we will live in our heavenly home where gold is in abundance.
Just think! In a land where we'll never grow old.

This little rooster is called Rez and

he walks along like a real chicken as Marie works the strings.

They love hearing the story of Jesus over and over

and they sing the old songs with great joy. 

I was blessed to sing songs of His Amazing Grace, along

with Sherry (who plays piano) and Jackie, one of the most

talented singers ever! Really! 

It was a great St. Patrick's Day.