Blessed Be Your Name

I just returned from Oklahoma City, where my son lives. Many of you are already aware of some of the challenges I have faced with my son, Tim. I've written previous blogs about him here and here.

We had a really wonderful visit. Although I would hope my faith remains strong, sometimes I still tend to worry that Tim will fall back into his old ways or start associating with old friends. I am so grateful that his faith seems very strong, and he is very determined to stay on the right path and find God's purpose for his life. Because of his diabetes and his life style, he was near death several times; so he knows that God kept him alive for a reason.


I stayed in an extended stay hotel. They have a little kichenette, so I was able to have my own breakfast there in the room. I usually stay with a friend when I go to OKC, but I wanted to be able to come and go freely, and to spend the majority of my time with Tim and with his grandma, my mother-in-law, Gloria.

I haven't had a picture taken with Tim in a long time. He has put on some weight and says he's in the "worst shape of his life". That isn't really true, but he does want to start working out and try to get into better physical shape.

G-Ma Lavin is 85 years old. She is nearly blind and has a hearing aid. But she is a spunky, independent lady! Tim has been spending Sunday afternoons with her since he's been out of jail. They really are enjoying each other's company, and it's a win-win situation for both of them. We spent quite a bit of time with her while I was there, taking her out to eat, going to the grocery store, bank, etc. She still lives alone in her own home. Her favorite phrase is, "I'm waiting for Jesus".

On Saturday, Tim and I spent the whole day together. We ran a few errands in the morning, ate lunch, and then went to the Science Museum of Oklahoma. (It used to be called the Omniplex). It is actually more geared for kids, with hands on experiments, etc, but we enjoyed it. We also watched an IMAX movie on the Ocean. That was really interesting and I love the feeling that you are right there in the scene.

After eating dinner together, we went to a movie. It was at the dollar theatre (which is now $2.00). It would not have been my choice but Tim thought it was good.

On Sunday we had lunch with my cousin's family. Donnie is a wonderful pianist and Tim asked her to play a couple songs for him. ( Claire De Lune and some others). We had a good visit with them and their daughter and her family. They are really the only family we have in that area.

Tim and I had some wonderful spiritual discussions, and we talked about things he would like to do. He still has about another 6 months to a year of probation, but he is looking forward to what the Lord might have for him. He wants to learn spanish as he feels that there is a great opportunity for ministry to spanish-speaking people in our country.

While I was there, I heard this song on the radio. I just thought that it really described my feelings, with all that has gone on in Tim's life, and the path he is on now.

BLESSED BE YOUR NAME

Blessed be Your name, in the land that is plentiful,

where your streams of abundance flow,

Blessed be Your name.

Blessed be Your name, when I'm found in the desert place,

though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed be Your name.

Blessed be your name, when the sun's shining down on me

When the world's all as it should be,

Blessed be Your name.

Blessed be Your name, on the road marked with suffering,

though there's pain in the offering

Blessed be Your name.

Every blessing your pour out, I'll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say,

Blessed be the name of the Lord,

Blessed be Your glorious name!

Blessed Quietness!

(Disclaimer: This turned out to be longer than I thought it would be, so feel free to skip this one)

Last year I planned our Anniversary weekend. I thought it was wonderful--Bed & Breakfast, sight-seeing, etc. My hubby...not so much! The breakfast wasn't big enough, and he's really not into sight-seeing. So it was definitely less than exciting for him.

RIGHT then, I told him I would let him plan the 2009 anniversary trip. Let me just say, it can be dangerous when you let your hubby make the decisions! We booked a cabin at Chain of Lakes near Albion, Indiana. Originally, I thought to myself, OK, this will be good. A nice little cabin in the woods. Then reality set in. He said we needed to take all of our linens, dishes, and food, pretty much everything we would need. I told him it sounded like camping, and I'm really not into camping. (A nice hotel with a mint on the pillow is more my style!). And the fact that we would be doing the cooking didn't appeal for what was supposed to be a vacation. He insisted it wasn't camping (he said a tent and a sleeping bag is camping!). Being the positive person that I am, I decided this would be a great adventure.

When we arrived at the cabin, about 4 pm on Thursday, I wasn't so much impressed. In fact my first thought was 'you've got to be kidding!' But I was also thinking how lovely it might have been had we gone a week or so earlier; at that time the trees would have been beautiful. When I went inside it was quite cold, and I realized the only source of heat was a wood-burning stove. Every once in a while my husband can be a real comedian; he said, "Do they teach girl scouts to make fires?" I replied they probably did. He said "were you a girl scout?" I said "NO! Building the fire is definitely your department!

They have 18 family cabins there; they also have camp grounds for people with campers. Even though it was cold and rainy, the camping areas were packed with campers! I was surprised, but then realized this was the last weekend it would be open until Spring.

This picture sort of got out of order--which happens sometimes, even when I'm trying to be organized. There was a screened-in porch that had this swing; hubby and I sat out there on Friday and had coffee, even though it rained that entire day! We used it again a couple of times during the weekend.

This is the wood-burning stove, which we kept going the entire weekend. A couple of times it got a little TOO warm, so we would open a door or a window. I really do enjoy a fireplace, and haven't had one since I left Oklahoma; so I began to "warm up" to our little cabin in the woods and enjoy the time away with Lynn and just relaxing by the fire, reading etc. Even though it's hard for me to be away from my computer for 3 days, it was a good time of rest and relaxation. (Also, our cell phones didn't work at the cabin.)

We went out to the big town of Albion on Thursday evening to eat supper, after we got settled and got a fire going. We ate at the Kountry Kitchen, a little family-type restaurant. The food was really good--we had some great fish and home fries.

Lynn did take some work along to do; he has a label maker and made labels for these little drawers in these cabinets--probably 30 small drawers in each one and he had 4 of these little cabinets. He also spent time organizing his thoughts about what all he still needs to buy and pack for his Haiti trip. However, he really was able to relax, and rest, taking several naps. It's good for him to get away as he doesn't relax much at home.

I should have cleaned up a little before I took this picture of our kitchen. We also did have what they called a modern bathroom. It was VERY small but had the essentials--a commode, a sink and a hot shower.

For lunch Friday we went to the Quiet Corner Tea Room. I had been here a couple of times before and love this little place. It was only about 15 minutes from our cabin. The atmosphere is quiet and cozy, and the food was delicious! I had an egg salad sandwich, 9-bean soup and bread pudding--yum! Lynn had chicken salad sandwich with the soup and pumpkin pie. I of course also had the Chai tea, which is their specialty.

A sweet couple, don't ya think?

They have these cute little teapots at various places around the restaurant; I thought this one was worthy of a pic!

This is the lake at Chain of Lakes. It actually had been sunny a little before I took this, but as you can see, it was a bit cloudy. There is just something about water that is always peaceful and relaxing for me.

Lynn and I took a couple walks on Saturday, and I also did a more aerobic walk--about 3 miles. You can just picture how beautiful this might have been a week earlier. As it was, there were lots of fallen leaves to shuffle through.

One thing that we did, both evenings, was look through some old hymn books and sing some of the old hymns. He enjoyed looking at the names of the people who had written them and the copyright dates. We sang several Fanny Crosby songs. That was a really special time of worship and praise for us.

Even though, initially I had my doubts about this weekend, it turned out to be lovely, relaxing, restful, peaceful, and a time when we could just spend time together. My thanks to my hubby for planning a wonderful anniversary

get-away.

Unconditional Love

I am always amazed and encouraged when I see examples of unconditional love in action. I am reading the book "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. It has been sort of a hard book for me to read. But then I realized that there really are children/adults who are horribly abused by family or other people. It is hard for me to imagine, coming from such a wonderful family where love abounded. And it is difficult for me to think about.

That being said, I was so very impressed by a post I read on Cindy's blog, about an amish couple. The wife has multiple sclerosis, and the husband is devoted to her and lovingly meets all of her needs. I wanted to include a link to her post here, as I think it is good for all of us to see this kind of love in action, and in turn show more love to those around us in our every day lives.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth. it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. I Corinthians 13: 4-8.

He sends the Sunshine and the Rain

I so much enjoy a beautiful, sunny day! I'm afraid our beautiful Fall days are about over for this year. It just seemed like the colors were so bright and vivid; or maybe I just appreciated it more this year for some reason. Yesterday was a pretty fall day, in the mid 50's with sunshine. I took a walk in the afternoon and enjoyed the sun (and a little bit of wind).

However! Thursday and Friday were not sunny! It rained and rained! Now, I know there are times, living in farm country, when we desperately need the rain. But right now the farmers are trying to harvest beans, and corn, and the rain has been a hindrance.

My husband is an engineer with a full time job, but is a farmer at heart. We have 80 acres that someone farms for us. He also tends to fret and worry about the crops, the rain, etc. I try to gently remind him that none of this weather is a surprise to the Lord. He brings the sunshine and the rain according to His time table.

I was looking up a verse after reading Brenda's blog, regarding the trees clapping their hands. But I also saw these verses and they struck a chord in my heart.

Isaiah 55:9-11 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways highter than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Thank you, Lord, that you know what we need and you send the sunshine and the rain, and we reap the benefits. Help me also to recognize that as we are faithful in sharing your Word, it will accomplish the purpose for which you intended it. Help me just to be faithful in sharing your love with those I meet every day, and be sensitive to needs all around me.

Of Brooms and Blogs

By now, most of you who have read Rebecca's blog have probably tried this, or just taken her word for it. I hadn't read my blogs since Thursday and I could not believe how far behind I was! It seems all of the blogs I read had at least one new post. It's amazing that I could get that far behind that fast. But I digress!

I just had to try the "broom phenomenom for myself. Thus the above photo! I am quite sure that this little broom trick has entertained many of us over the past couple of days.

I went to a Sunday School Class luncheon today, and took my broom picture. It was a huge hit, and I'm sure some of them are going to try it when they get home. At first they thought I had used some sort of trick photography. I assured them I was definitely not that talented.

I guess I have a strange imagination, but as it is so close to halloween, I could just picture about 50 brooms, all standing on their own in some parking lot. People would probably think there was some sort of witch's convention going on! LOL!

Thanks Rebecca, for your very informative and entertaining blog. Any more tricks up your sleeve? (That was a phrase I got from my 5th grade teacher; she would slide her hand slowly up under the sleeve on her dress, and then whoever noticed her do this would say, "Mrs. Kohli's got a trick up her sleeve!") Oops! It seems like I have now sauntered down memory lane. Maybe it's the cold, wintry, rainy day that's affecting my mind!

Have a blessed weekend!

Old Story--New Lessons

In Sunday School this quarter we are studying Joshua. Today it was about the very familiar story of the Battle of Jericho. This is one that we have heard from the time we could walk. Even people without a church background usually know about the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho, and how the 'walls came a tumblin' down'.

However, today I gained some new insights from this very wonderful story. It's amazing how something you've heard so often can have new significance in your life. These are some of the truths I learned today:

1. Just like the Joshua and the people of Israel, we face enemies (walls) in our lives.
2. God wants us to be obedient. ( Even though the instructions seemed strange, they marched with Joshua around the walls once a day for 6 days. They did not see the victory until the 7th day.)
3. God will not compromise with sin in our lives. (There were very specific instructions they had to follow once the walls came down).
4. It is always God who gives the victory. Any success or accomplishment we have in our lives is because He has worked in us through His love, grace and mercy.
5. Nothing is impossible for God! (I'm sure the people of Israel had no idea how they were going to penetrate the high, thick walls of Jericho). God performed a miracle in their lives.

I have seen some miraculous things happen in my life and the lives of friends and family, most recently in the life of my son. My heart is full of gratitude for the way He has worked in my son's life, and also for the way He has blessed me in so many ways.

I am so thankful for the Word of God which is "God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man (or woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3: 16,17

He Changes the Times and the Seasons

Have I mentioned--I really love Fall! I have been so much enjoying the changing colors, the Fall scenes with pumpkins, and pretty leaves, etc.

I was out the other day, and wanted to take some pictures of some of the beauty around me, but it was cloudy, and misting on and off and not a good day for pics. So I settled for these that I have.

Daniel 2:21 says "He changes the times and the seasons" I actually enjoy all of the changes, from Fall, through Winter, Spring and Summer--even a little snow! It's wonderful to know that it is not something man-made, but His creation, placed here for our enjoyment.

Daniel 2:21 also says, "He sets up kings and deposes of them". In light of our current political climate, that truth is also re-assuring to me. (But I digress, and that's probably a topic for another time.)

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of god; the skies proclaim the work of His hands

Psalm 8:1,3,4 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him...?


Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:...He has made everything beautiful in its time.