Galatians

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Tuesday mornings is Ladies' prayer at church. We gather together to pray for various things including friends, family, our church members and pastors, and the nation. A few weeks ago I decided to get back into the habit of meeting with the women for prayer. This morning I arrived just in time for the closing prayer... The time had been changed to 9 am rather than 10, and I had missed the announcement in the bulletin. I was disappointed at being too late for prayer, but I was not too late for Bible study, which just started up again today. We are going through the book of Galatians.

Although time was short after the study, I was already in Webster and in need of groceries, so I decided to take a run through Wegmans. I had about fifteen minutes to rush through the store and fill my cart with necessary items. (Kind of like being on a game show...) By the time I reached the checkout, the clock read 11:40 am. YIKES! I had to be back in Williamson to get Troy from preschool by noon and I knew by looking at the lines that I'd never make it. By some stroke of luck (or the grace of God, see Galatians), a new register opened up and I was the first to go through. I had just the right amount of cash in hand when it came time to pay and afterward flew out the door to my van, raced down the highway, and arrived to get Troy before the teachers locked him in for the night. On the way home I asked him if he thought I had forgotten him, but he just smiled and said "no".

A Walk in the Park

The sunlight streammed through my windows this morning. It was too nice to stay inside. Cold enough for ice to be frozen and warm enough to enjoy the weather. I called my friend Sherri and we agreed to meet at the park for a walk. It didn't take long for Troy and Caleb, who know each other from church, to take off laughing and sliding across the frozen ground. It also didn't take long for them to find out that under the ice was a rather large puddle of water. No need to worry, it wasn't deep, just wet.

Issac came along on his sled. He seemed happy to slide along over the ice and snow and managed to stay in the sled in spite of Sherri's fear that he might flip homself out. He flashed plenty of smiles and didn't complain even when the snow, unbeknowst to us, began to collect on the seat behind him.

We couldn't go home without visiting the lake side of the park. There has been quite a melt off in the past few days but the shoreline still looks like a foreign land. If I was still a little girl I would imagine I was in Antarctica living on an iceflow by the edge of the sea. Troy and Caleb not only had fun sliding down the icy slopes but also found a snow cave to play in. By the time we left for home, they were both wet from tromping through puddles.

The seagulls were enjoying their ride on the floating ice paddies. We didn't feed any this trip and they never even acknowledged our presence.

It was a fun couple of hours and I think both boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I did too, even if I did have to wash Troys jacket and snowpants when we returned home.

Sunday Morning

Last Sunday I stayed home from church. My head was heavy and my eyes ached; instead of getting dressed and making my way out the door, I grabbed my pillow and headed for the couch. This Sunday my husband stayed home, drank a pot of tea and kept the box of Kleenex company.

Although my kids sat in our usual spot, I decided to do something different and sat next to my parents who go to the same church as us. The sermon had hardly begun when I had this longing to lean over and whisper in Mom's ear. "Do you have any Lifesavers?" Of course, I didn't really do it; it was just an old memory coming back to me in a moment of familiarity. I popped a stick of gum into my mouth instead. About five minutes later Mom leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Would you like a mint?" There it was, a Pep-O-Mint Lifesaver! It didn't pop out of a roll like they did when I was a little girl sitting in church on Sunday mornings, instead this was a giant sized mint wrapped in a little cellophane package. I felt a smile creep onto my face as I exchanged the stick of gum for a childhood memory. I have to wonder if God ever smiles at those little events, especially when He sees us smiling too.

I enjoyed this morning's message. I am always amazed that God knows just the issues I am dealing with and sends the words I need to learn and grow in Him.

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:11

Seagull

'Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You'

Jeremiah 32:17

The Land of Ice and Snow

I gave in; I took Hannah and Troy out for a ride along the lake. We stopped at Webster Park again but went as far as the Port of Rochester before turning around and heading back for home.

It was quiet and lonely at the park with lots of rabbit tracks in the snow, but no people.

We walked out on the pier which is covered with ice and feels rather treacherous. I found my snow boots to be as slippery on the ice as my sneakers. The light at the end of the pier was dressed for winter.

Although we drove through Durand Eastman Park and as far as the Genesee River, we did not stop or get out of the van along the way. Instead, we turned back toward home and stopped by Irondiquoit Bay to feed the seagulls. As soon as they realized we had bread, we were surrounded.

The bread was gone all too soon and it was time to find some lunch. (Sherri, we need to make some plans.)

Letting in the "Giraffe"

It's cold outside and the house can be drafty. Not only does the glass door open directly to the outside, but the cat door is broken and has only one covering. Sometimes that cold "giraffe" sneaks right around the corner and into my living room. I always thought giraffes were warm weather animals but here they always show up in the winter.

I'm still thinking about making my way down to the lake at some point, but the gray skies and cold keep pushing me back inside. I do wish I was more of a winter person... Hannah says, "Let's go." Maybe I'll find that extra layer to put under my jeans and shake the dust off my boots. Now to figure out where to go...

PS. My dilapidated giraffe was a project I did in high school.

Grace

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

1 Timothy 1:12-15

The Pier at Webster Park

"Have you entered the treasury of snow,"

Job 38:22a

Although winter may be long and uncomfortable, God has given it a beauty all its own. I don't often get down to the lake, especially in the winter, but when I do, I find the ice sculptures enchanting. We are expecting some warmer temperatures this weekend, so if I am going to get some good icy photos, I will have to make a return trip in the very near future. Maybe tomorrow? Uh, maybe not tomorrow. Tomorrow is supposed to be very cold. Maybe I'll try it Friday instead.

Warm Woolen Mittens

My mittens have arrived. They are warm, cozy, soft aplaca yarn. I love them!

My friend Andrea called Saturday afternoon and said she would be able to deliver my mittens after supper. Around seven o'clock she and her husband arrived at the door. Years ago James worked with Lee at a cabinet shop in Rochester and Andrea homeschooled her children a few years back. We invited them in and had a very nice visit over tea and a cinnamon streusel loaf I had baked.

In the course of our visit Andrea asked if I had ever read "Hinds' Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard. I smiled and said, "Yes." It seems Andrea had wanted to read the book but couldn't find her copy. She had looked high and low throughout her house, but to no avail. Well, about twelve years ago, when I was facing an emotional struggle, one of the women I knew had given me this little book to read. It was tucked away in my upstairs closet. We went up to find it and I handed it to Andrea. Inside the front cover was Andrea's name. She had forgotten all about ever having given me the book. We laughed about it and she tucked it into her purse to take home. And, before they left, a couple jars of apple butter found their way out of the jelly cabinet and into Lee's possesion. It was a nice evening with friends.

Meet Me at the Lake

James and I went out for a drive this afternoon. The sun was shining and the lake looked so blue that we decided to drive along Lake Rd toward Webster. It was a gorgeous day to check out the snow and ice down at the beach; warm enough to be comfortable and cold enough to not be soggy.

On our way down Lake Road, I thought of my friend Sherri who has been loving the lake shore this winter. I was snapping a photo when I heard a familiar voice call out. It was Sherri and her son Caleb out to see the snow and ice too. What a fun meeting!

I found the gulls out on the ice interesting. They were quite content to sit or sleep on the balls of ice and snow on the water's edge. They were too far out for me to get a good close up. I must remember to save those old bread crusts so we can feed them if I should decide to go back to the lake.

A Different Angle

Troy is 4 1/2. This morning he asked me for a piece of paper, found himself a pencil, and settled in at the table to draw a picture. Several minutes later he came to me with his drawing. I have to admit I wasn't quite sure what to say. I don't ever want to make a budding artist feel foolish or let him know I have no clue as to what he has drawn. I saw some big googly eyes and smiling faces and so commented to him on that. He smiled and looked at the drawing. He hadn't been drawing faces at all. The problem was I had been looking at the picture from the wrong perspective. When I turned it over, I saw the drawing in a whole new way.

I have recently been discussing some Bible issues with a friend. We both agree that only one of us can be right and therefore have also agreed, once again, not to discuss the issues. I must admit, it is a hard thing to avoid, but I will do my best because I really do love her and I value the friendship we have built through the years. I know she will likely read this, I post it here only because it is one of the many thoughts I have had swirling through my mind this past weekend and this is where I often post my ponderings. The discussion has sent me back to the pages of scripture, back to prayer, and back to checking my motives for sharing my faith.

Funny thing about Troy's drawing, the first time I looked at it I didn't see cars at all, just circles and lines. Right side up the cars are obvious, but now, even when it's turned upside down, I still see cars. I guess the Bible can be that way too. No matter which way I turn it, I still see Jesus, God come in the form of a man.

An Old Fashioned Snow Storm

I love family history, especially when stories accompany the pictures! This is borrowed from a family member. Her grandmother painted the picture and this is the story that inspired this painting, in Aunt Harriet's own words:

"I remember a snow storm that caused the one room school house to be closed early. School had been in session only two hours when the skies darkened. The snow was coming thick and fast, which made outside visibility almost nil. Our teacher asked us to close our books as there wasn't enough light by which to read comfortably. There was an urgent knock on the door, and Arthur John Weir burst into the room. He had come on horseback to warn us of the fierce storm that was already upon us. All parents had been warned and were on their way to pick up their children. Dad arrived last as he had the farthest to come. He waited until all the rest were in their sleighs. Then the teacher locked up the school house and rode with us to her boarding place a half-mile away.

The storm was relentless. It was a lark for we children as we snuggled into the soft, sweet smelling straw, with plenty of blankets to keep us warm. We were unaware of Dad's concern. The snow was up to the horses bellies before we got home, a condition that was dangerous to the horses. Going was slow. We finally drove onto our barn floor. Full of energy, we struggled through the heavy wet snow but took time to pelt each other with soft snowballs. When Mother opened the door, warm steam poured out from the kitchen along with the tantalizing odor of freshly made fried cakes. Quickly hanging our wet coats and hats on our own special pegs, we were allowed to enjoy the delicious fried cakes along with the dinner pail lunch.

Dad brushed snow from the horses and put a blanket on each one before coming in. Mother waited to have her lunch of sandwiches, fragrant hot coffee, and warm fried cakes with Dad. As they ate, I heard him tell Mother that he was relieved that the horses were unharmed by the experience. Sometimes in deep snow they will cork their legs, being injured by their own shoes scraping their legs."

Another Post #2

It's been a snowy kind of day. Nate left for work this morning but didn't arrive before sliding off the road and into the ditch. He called his dad who decided they needed a tow truck to pull the car out. Everything looked okay and once the car was free Nate conitnued on his way. Sliding into the snowbank can be a good way to learn some lessons about driving in the snow. I've been there and done that several times. Sometimes it is funny and other times it's downright frustrating.

The mid-week church service has been cancelled and so we will be staying in tonight. My trip out today was to pick Troy up from preschool. I passed a pickup truck with its front wheels stuck in the side of a driveway. I felt bad driving past without helping, but not knowing how to drive a standard there was little I could do.


My mittens did not arrive today as my friend Andrea was not keen on the idea of driving in this kind of snow. I think she was wise to stay home. The mittens will arrive another day.

A Bit Puzzled

The "dead of winter" has arrived; it is cold, it is snowy, it is time to do great inside projects. Last week I started to make a puzzle. The first one is being completed as a trial. I'm not sure whether I should paint first and cut later, or cut first and paint later. It's quite obvious that I did not use an original drawing and so selling this one is pretty much out of the question, but I do love coloring books when it comes to pictures for children. I don't know that I will ever sell toys anyway so I suppose coloring book pictures are fine to use. (If anyone out there loves to draw and has any kid pictures I can use, send them this way. I have a whole stack of boards to paint.)

Post #2- Cold Winds

We woke up to a very cold morning but as the day progressed the temperatures warmed a bit. My house even got so warm inside that taking the trash out to the toter was a welcomed job.

This morning I headed out to Ladies' prayer at church. A few years ago it was a regular practice but since watching Troy, I have kind of fallen out of the habit. I thought it a good time to go back. I have plenty to pray about and I could use the company in the process.

I decided to stop by the boatlaunch on my way to the church. The lake was looking cold and icy, not quite the kind of beach for dipping one's toes in the water. There were a couple of brave fishermen with their poles in the water and several ducks who didn't mind getting their toes wet. I didn't even get out of the van, I didn't have time, and besides I wasn't feeling very brave. My new mittens are coming tomorrow, maybe after that I will be bold enough to brave the bitter winds...

The Salt Mine

One weekend in July of 1975 a 25 year old ex-marine attended a gospel meeting in an old barn in rural western NY. The speaker that evening shared a salvation message and the young man went away touched by the Lord. He couldn't shake the conviction deep in his heart and the following Monday at work he surrendered his life to Jesus.

As the years passed and the Holy Spirit worked in the man's heart, he grew. In 1977 he and his wife opened their home to a Bible study led by a man named Bil. This group grew to become a small church fellowship and later was forced to move from their small meeting place due to large numbers. By the mid-90's the young man was given responsibility for the pastorate at a small church upstate NY.

Although the "The Salt Mine" and its founders appear to be gone, its memory and ministry are still affecting lives not far from where it once operated. Occasionally the Pastor will mention how God used a little place called "The Salt Mine" to touch his heart and lead him to the cross. There, surrounded by people who maybe never knew, are a few of us who remember an old barn on the end of State Rd and the family who ministered there.

(The founder's, by the way, are not gone although the ministry closed it's doors years ago. It was a labor of love that is still producing results today.)

Matchless

The Matchless Name

Oh, the matchless name of Jesus

Great Redeemer, Savior, Friend,

Humble Servant, Lord of Glory

He who died and rose again.

Oh, the matchless name of Jesus

Name above all other names.

Oh, the matchless name of Jesus,

Yesterday, today the same,

Yesterday, today the same.

Sometimes it is the simplest of songs that touch my heart. It is nearly six o'clock, almost time to go back to church for the evening service. Nathan and his friends usually lead worship on Sunday nights. Although part of me would like to stay home and in out of the cold, another part longs to be at church. Kind of hard to explain...

Standing for Something

I wanted to post the video but the embedding is disabled. Here is the link. I'm not certain everyone knows what they stand for but before trouble comes along, we all need to make some decisions. Our children's future depends on it.

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

1 Corinthians 13:16

Change...

I'm not quite sure what I want to write today, so many thoughts are swirling through my mind. We are barely three days into the new administration and already the pot is being stirred in a way I had not anticipated. Along with questions come answers people don't want to hear. Why am I not excited and optimistic over the coming change? Well, for one I'm not sure the change promised is the change I am looking for. All my anxieties, arguments and answers matter little to most who ask. What they see they like, and they are astonished that my perspective could be anything other than their own.

Last night my Bible reading was 2 Chronicles 29-30. Hezekiah became king of Judah, cleansed the temple and re instituted the Passover. When all was ready he sent out a proclamation and invited all of Israel to return to the Lord and this was the response, "So the runners passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulon; but they laughed at them and mocked them," vs 10. Sad...

On a side note, each of the little ones pictured in yesterday's post has a black grandfather and a biracial parent.

A Not So Black and White World

There has been much talk of race this past year
and while I am thrilled that legislated racism has been drastically reduced in the past 40 years, I am still a bit confused as to what is black and what is white. Is black the color of one's own skin or the color of his/ her grandparent's skin? What makes one black and another white or Asian?
I could almost forget that President Obama was black if I wasn't constantly reminded. Forgetting doesn't mean I don't know, it simply means it doesn't matter... or does it? If it does matter, why? If our great country is coming to terms with racism and everyone is on equal ground then why are we constantly reminded of what race someone is or isn't? Or is it only when a particular point of view is being advocated that color becomes important? I'm really curious.
All the children pictured here are beautiful. (Please forgive me for borrowing...). Can you tell which are black and which are white? Or are you a little colorblind like me?