Just one more time

Printed photographs seem to make time stand still. Call me old school, but a printed photo is far more desirable than a digital photo. A photo on paper, to me, is more alive than a photo on a computer. Printed photographs are like holding a piece of history in your hand. Our history is but a fleeting moment in time. Photographs capture that moment. Mostly photos are only significant when we know someone in it, or have a personal experience related to the photo.

I had the privilege of packing away some old photos recently. Memories and emotions swirled around in my head, and in my heart. Some caused a tear. Some created a smile. Some caused reflection. Some made pride well up within me. I shared some of the photos as I came across them. Using my iPhone, I made digital copies, and sent the copies to various people via text message. The responses I received back were almost identical to my response when I picked up each photo. There were tears, smiles, reflection and pride from various people. Reflecting on the photos as they were packed, I couldn't help but wish for 'Just one more time'.

'One more time' to wash the mud off little hands.

'One more time' see my old horse 'Boss' sitting under my child.

'One more time' to see my grandparents pose for the camera.

'One more time' to see papaw grinning and singing.

'One more time' to appreciate the accomplishment of 25th anniversary.

'One more time' to wash away the war paint after a birthday party.

'One more time' to pet ol' Bear.

'One more time' to have my picture made with my hero 'mamaw'.

The time spent sitting in the floor packing the old photos was rewarding. There were so many 'Just one more time' moments I lost count. Don't you have some 'Just one more time' memories? If we could recapture and bottle them we would roll around in them everyday. Looking at my blessings packed into boxes, I felt rewarded. The journey's I'd been a part of was satisfying. There are many moments I could wish to have back, however the past is the past. I can only look forward to what lies ahead. Make today what I can. Make tomorrow what I can. Press forward and continue on. New memories are on the horizon. If my iPhone camera continues to work, and Wal-Mart will continue to develop, I'll have new photos to add to the thousands in my library.

Power

God is 

All Powerful, 

if there is a weakness in my relationship with Him, it is me. Sin makes me weak,  and can hinder God's blessing of power to me. When I remove my sin, God can bless me fully with His power.

Bro. Freddie Mark Wilcox - Lifesong Baptist Church, Greenbrier, AR

When I first posted this blog, below is how it was published. I had texted, and received confirmation what I had written was correct. A couple hours later I received another text, after I had published the blog. I found out Bro. Freddie Mark was at a graduation when he received my text, and answered too quickly. He sent me a corrected version, and it is written above. Wanting to make sure I'd quoted him correctly, I felt it necessary to correct the blog. My shorthand did not do so well, as you can see. I think I got the point, but wanted to be clear in presenting what he was saying. While he used the words we, us, and our, I felt it necessary to change it to me, my, and I. The need to apply this first to myself came as I sat on the pew. 

I'll leave both quotes (correct and incorrect). Sitting in church the point stirred me, and I wanted to share it. 

God is 

All Powerful, 

if there are hinderances 

that prevent Him 

from His work 

it is my weakness 

in my sins.

Paraphrase by: R Tyler

(I felt it necessary to include both versions for anyone who might revisit the sight and notice the change.)

Precepts

New York City was a place my mom, my sister, my daughter, and myself had never been. Selling a horse in the spring of 2015, I received part of the payment in airline points. There were enough points in the deal to purchase tickets for all four of us. We considered several options that were within our 'points' budget. After talking it over, we decided to visit New York City for the Christmas holiday season. As our time for departure drew near, several events occurred that made us delay our trip. We rescheduled the New York City trip for the following April.

At this time in our life it was hectic for all of us. We were being bombarded by a multitude of challenges. Just a couple days before we left, we had strong thoughts about cancelling the whole trip. However, things seemed to open up, and we proceeded with our travel plans. We left on an early morning flight, and arrived in New York City just before noon.  Coming into the city by plane we were able to see the skyline of this magnificent city first hand. We were awestruck by the towering buildings that seemed to stretch every direction into the horizon. Laguardia Airport was a small airport,  so finding our luggage and a taxi was a snap. After leaving the airport, it took about an hour to get to our hotel. Getting to the hotel, my daughter started talking about the long drive from the airport. She had followed our route on an app on her iPhone, and felt certain there were many routes that would have taken half the time. Considering taxis charge by the amount of time you occupy their car, we felt a little ripped off. To these country girls it felt like the Big Apple was saying 'Welcome, but beware'.

New York City was all we expected, and then some. The city is filled with magnificent structures, friendly people, historical sights, great food, street vendors enticing tourist to purchase their goods, a strong working class, massive shopping opportunities, a subway, security police, tourist, and an overwhelming sense of pride. What a great place to visit. The things we saw and experienced was like nothing I'd ever done before. I could tell you about the flood of emotions we felt as we visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum, about our early morning mile walk for my sister so we could eat a genuine NYC bagel, or our apprehension riding the subway for the first time, or about the view from the Empire State Building, or I could tell you about our pride when we saw the Statue of Liberty. It would be difficult to describe everything we did, and my words would somehow seem inadequate. I'd encourage anyone who gets the opportunity to go see this great city for themselves.

On the first night, we visited Times Square. It was there my eyes were opened, and my heart was broken. We were making our way through the crowds, all sticking very close together. The flow of people swerved to the side, and we followed. Getting a view of why the foot traffic veered, was an unexpected sight. Up against the wall of the building was a man doubled over on the sidewalk. There was no obvious movement. No one slowed down enough to notice if he needed help. Being from a small town, homeless people seemed to only exist in a different world. We know they exist, but mostly from what we hear in the news. Rarely do we have direct contact with the homeless. I feel the sheltered life I live, keeps me from acknowledging what life truly is for some people. What happened in this man's life to bring him to this? Where did things go wrong? Why did his hope fade? Does he have a family? Answers to these questions, for each person living on the streets, would generate a multitude of answers. I realize the homeless and poverty population in New York City exist not only here, but globally. It was this visit to NYC my heart was touched, and I was felt compelled to ask 'why'? Perhaps because of the grandness of the city, I wasn't expecting to be faced with vast differences of status all occupying the same sidewalk.

I have a warm, soft bed to sleep in every night. My pantry is full of a variety of food. I have plenty of ways to fix a hot meal. I turn my faucet on and receive an enormous amounts of hot water. I receive love and affection from my family. My closets contain summer and winter clothes, with a variety of shoes for each season. This description of my abundance applies to most all my neighbors, friends, and family. Walking down the sidewalk in NYC, I came face to face with the stark difference between my home life and his lack of. There was a need to do a heart check. Where was my heart in the feelings going on inside me? Why did my heart sink when I saw him? Why did I feel the need to reach out? He is someone's son. He could be my son. He is someone's friend. He could be my friend. He could be someone's husband. He could be my husband. He could be someone’s dad. He could be my dad. He could be someone’s brother. He could be my brother. 

My knowledge and experience with homelessness is minimal. My knowledge of government policy for the homeless is minimal as well. My knowledge of social organizations role in helping with the homeless is minimal. I mention these because, as some people read this they may wonder why I think I can approach a subject many thousands of people have already attempted to resolve. My thoughts about helping a person  in need is strictly an encouragement of very ancient precepts. I don't consider myself an expert or someone who will successfully apply the precepts every time. My heart jumped when I saw the homeless man, and my mind wondered 'why'. I couldn't answer the 'why' in my mind, but I knew 'what' I should do. 

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:11

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.  
Matthew 5:42

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' 
Matthew 25:35-40. 

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ. 
Galatians 6:2

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 
Romans 15:1

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 
Hebrews 13:16

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.  
Philippians 2:3-4

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. 
Proverbs 19:17

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 
Hebrews 13:2

The generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. 
Proverbs 11:25

While in NYC I gave to the homeless. I won't tell what I gave, but I gave. It wasn't enough to move anyone out of poverty, but it made a difference for a few people on that day. My encouragement is to anyone who reads this. This is not a policy written to which only lawyers can understand. An actuary is not needed to measure the impact it makes. This is only an encouragement  for us to make a difference where we are. That simple. If an opportunity presents itself, and you can, give. If you have an extra jacket at home, take the one off your back and give. If you've prepared an extra amount of food for dinner, give to the widow next door. If you know of a food pantry in your area, give. If you find an extra pair of shoes in your closet, give. If you're walking thru Time's Square and you have to veer to the side to keep from stepping on a homeless man, give. Give as you feel in your heart to give. Give with an open heart. The question of 'why' they are homeless probably will not be answered. If each of us give perhaps there will be fewer times we have to ask 'why'. 


per the: Coalitionforthehomeless.org

Can homelessness be solved?

It doesn’t have to be this way. With a few sensible policies, we can see an end to modern homelessness.

Policies by governments have their place. I do not dispute that. However, ancient precepts lead me to believe you and I have a personal calling to look out for the well being of our brother, father, child, mother, husband, wife, sister, friend, and neighbor. 

Grace

Surprises, and blessings, come in a multitude of packages. 

Early spring on the farm I went to feed our cows. I'd noticed one cow was getting close to calving. One morning she was not with the rest of the cows, as they came to eat. After pouring the feed in the troughs, I drove our kubota ATV through the pasture to look for her. Skimming the edges of the pasture, and the edges of the tree line, I came up empty. She must've gone into the woods. With my muck boots on I parked the kubota, and started making a path thru the woods. This part of the farm was low, and was still holding water from the previous rain. The area was sticky with brown mud. Another heavy rain was expected later that day, and would only worsen the wet ground. We had done some clearing in these woods a few years earlier. The result of the clearing was a lot of undergrowth, briers and bushes. The briers were thick. There was enough opening between each brier patch, and I was able to push on through. The long arms of the briers crossing each opening tore away at my clothes. I'd already dressed for bible study, but finding the cow was a priority. Time was short. I needed to leave the house in about 30 minutes. Changing clothes would need to be done after I had found the cow, and gone back to the house. I tried to zig-zag across the patch of trees, hoping not to miss the cow if she was lying down. Walking for a little bit I found her. She was about dead center of the woods on a little high spot. I could see after birth hanging out of her, and she was standing. Knowing the area around her was wet, muddy, and full of briers, I didn't want to disturb her. I got close enough to know she was ok, and left to let her tend to the newborn. My plans were to check on her later, when I got back from bible study. 

It rained like the weather man said. It rained hard. After bible study there were a few errands, and a grandson to pick up. Getting back to the farm, our grandson wanted to drive the kubota in the pouring rain. He drove the kubota splashing in the mud puddles for about an hour. I guess you could say I took my lazy pill that day, because going to check on the cow got put aside. The kubota had a hydrostatic transmission, and it's lack of power makes it frustrating to drive in mud. Our grandson didn't have any boots at our house. The thought of getting stuck, and carrying a 50 pound boy half a mile, didn't interest me. I put off checking on the cow. 

I fed the next morning. Driving around the woods, I looked for the cow with some feed for her. I called, but she didn't come out. I guess I took a lazy pill again today, because getting out in the muddier woods and briers didn't appeal to me. She looked ok when I last saw her, and felt she was still ok. The cow was one raised on the farm. Her dad was known for low birth weight calves, and I felt the trait had been passed down to his offspring. I didn't feel there was a need to worry about the cow or calf. There hadn't been any trouble calving with any of the cows. I left. 

The next morning I didn't make it out to feed, and never went to check on the cow. There seemed to be a trend in taking a lazy pills, because it seemed to happen again. It was spring, and grass was shooting up. The urgency to feed everyday wasn't as strong as it had been a month before. I got busy, and never made it out to the pasture. 

On the third morning I went to feed. Once again I brought some extra feed for the new mother. I was prepared if she hadn't come back to the other cows yet. After pouring the feed in the trough for the rest of the herd, I looked down toward the woods. I could see a black cow walking. It had to be her. I drove the kubota her way. Getting closer I was anxious about seeing the new baby. There's not much prettier than a newborn calf, except a newborn foal, and of course my newborn children. Looking toward the mother's feet I saw a little black baby. Driving a little closer, I noticed another little black baby. I had to do a double take. What? Is this right? Had the mother I'd neglected the past couple days given me twins? My eyes filled with tears. What an unexpected blessing. It was a double portion. Nine months ago these calves began to grow in their mother. Nine months ago, God started this blessing knowing I needed a reminder. Today I was reminded, God is at work even when we sometimes take a lazy pill. God is good. I felt unworthy to receive such a blessed day.

The cow seemed to be taking care of both calves. She kept running from one calf to the other calf nuzzling them. She was waiting on both calves, and looking after both of them. I was happy. It's best if a baby can stay with it's mother.  One calf was evidently smaller and weaker than the other, but still seemed to be keeping up. Later in the day I talked to a neighbor about one calf being weaker, and decided I'd better keep a close eye on it. Mid-afternoon I went to check on the calf. The mom was trying to keep an eye on both calves, but the smallest kept falling behind. I never saw it nurse, and the mother had walked away with the other calf. The smaller calf lay down in the grass to rest. 

Later in the afternoon, Tim and our son went with me to check on the calf. I was a little encouraged knowing we found the calf with the herd. However, The calf was unattended, and by itself. We have a friend whose son milks cows and sells fresh milk. We had some fresh cows milk in our refrigerator, and carried it with us to give the calf a little more nourishment. She was a tiny thing, maybe 30 pounds. She wouldn't suck, so we slowly poured about a pint of milk into her mouth making sure she was swallowing. Telling Tim about the mother walking away earlier, he thought it would be best to bring the baby to the barn. He didn't think she was strong enough to keep up with her mother. Her mom was watching us, but stayed a good distance away with her other calf. We loaded the calf into the back of the kubota, and headed for the barn. The mother never tried to follow us.

Getting her to the barn we settled her into a stall. The barn was designed for horses, but this little girl fit right in. She became our bottle fed orphan. Our grandson usually gets the privilege of naming our animals, however this time I decided to choose the name. She would be called 'Grace'. Sometimes blessings from God come in unexpected packages. 

Have you taken a lazy pill, and received a blessing anyway? Isn't God good?

Grace is on the left in this picture, following her mother and twin.

Grace in the stall

Onions

We were driving past our neighbors last week, and Tim said 'Our neighbors haven't mowed their onions yet' (he called them by name, but they would probably rather be left anonymous due to the scandalous act of not having their onions mowed). I let the remark pass without commenting, for I knew we also had not 'mowed our onions yet'. The thought of it meant we were heading into spring. Longer days of spring means grass is popping up. The weekly task of mowing has begun. For me it is usually therapeutic with the hum of the mowing deck, and the smell of fresh cut onions.

We live out in the country. God generously put a carpet of various grasses, including onions, on the face of our lawn to prevent erosion. The thought of killing some of the grasses to allow more desirable grasses to grow doesn't interest me, even if it contains onions. I appreciate the carpet God made. At this point in my life, I have no desire to try and edit what God created. When we built our house, we went to the trouble of planting beautiful zoysia grass. Tim thought he would spray the yard with fertilizer to help the zoysia establish itself, and grow faster. We wanted to pamper our yard like our neighbors. When he finished spraying, he realized he had made a mistake. Instead of spraying it with fertilizer, he had sprayed it with weed killer. The weed killer considered our beautiful, landscaping quality zoysia grass a weed. It just about made him sick when he figured out what he had done. As a result, our yard is now a mixture of bermudagrass, onions, and other weeds. It seems some people are suppose to have onions in their yard to mow.

Early in spring, all around our house, wild onions pop up everywhere. They are some of the first green growth to come out of the brown earth. Living in the country, wild onions are as plentiful as sweet gum balls. Both sweet gum balls and onions can leave undesirable results when using a lawn mower. Sweet gum balls can be more dangerous than firecrackers, and an aggravation to dogs roaming the yard. Mowing onions, to some people, are an unpleasant aroma as the blades chop off the top of the onion plant. For me, the smell of fresh mowed onions is an inviting and invigorating smell. Fresh mowed onions means spring is here. Fresh mowed onions means new life is coming. Fresh mowed onions means a new beginning. Fresh mowed onions means a fresh look to a scraggly yard. Fresh mowed onions means tan lines are coming soon. Fresh mowed onions means it is time to start hoping for an abundant garden season. Fresh mowed onions, what a welcome smell. Come on spring!

Life has it's own seasons, but no season of life is as wonderful as a good spring season. Spring is a time of renewal, and new growth. I've seen spring come to visit my family. We've had family members leave our lives for a variety of reasons, and suddenly come back. We've had marriages almost destroyed, and by God's grace the commitment renewed and strengthened. We've buried family members young and old, and we've rejoiced in the birth of many babies. We've all made bad decisions, and yet God restores our fellowship with him, if we seek his forgiveness.  We've taken our focus off Christ, and had an intercessor pray and point us back to Him. We've seen sick family members healed. We've experienced career disappointments, only to be blessed by an unexpected job opportunity. While we sometimes find ourselves in a winter season of life, we often forget spring follows winter. If you find yourself in the dark dreary days of winter, hang on. I am here to testify spring can, and will come. I cannot say when or how, but it will come. It may seem like the winter days drag on forever. I have felt the long never-ending days of winter in my life. The warmth, and renewal, of a spring season didn't seem to exist. My winter season rut seemed to extend into the foreseeable future. There seemed no end to the painful, cold, brutal, frustrating, bitter, lonely, and harsh winter season. All I can say is hold on for a little longer, and you can rejoice when you smell the fresh mowed onions. The first hint of spring. The time of renewal you've been waiting for will greet you.

A Time for Everything 

1There is a time for everything, 

and a season for every activity under the heavens: 

2a time to be born and a time to die, 

a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

3a time to kill and a time to heal, 

a time to tear down and a time to build, 

4a time to weep and a time to laugh, 

a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 

6a time to search and a time to give up, 

a time to keep and a time to throw away, 

7a time to tear and a time to mend, 

a time to be silent and a time to speak, 

8a time to love and a time to hate, 

a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Quirky

 We come into this world with empty hands, and we will leave this world with empty hands. Some of us capitalize on every opportunity that comes their way, and some of us stumble past opportunities only to look back and see opportunities missed. Some opportunities might allow us to express our carefree spirit, and other opportunities might allow us to put another notch in our belt. Every day new opportunities show up unannounced. We can seize the moment and take the opportunity, or we can sit by, and watch  someone else run with it. It appears we become a product of our choices and decisions as opportunities present themselves. Take this blog of mine, it was suggested to me by a quilting teacher. While this blog began as an opportunity to share quilting ideas, techniques, and accomplishments, the blog took off in a direction I did not plan. I leaned into the tugging in my heart, allowed it to evolve, and ended up with the blog being what it is. The opportunity appealed to me, so I guess you could say 'I took the opportunity'.

Where do our opportunities take us? Why do we pursue some opportunities, but dismiss others? What type of opportunities appeal us? When I was a child there were a couple quotes I kept taped to my dresser. One of them said,  'Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be', Abraham Lincoln. The other one said 'Love all, Trust a few, and do wrong to no one', William Shakespeare. Both written by historical men, whose opportunities taken have had an impact on many. I'm wanting to focus on the first one mentioned, 'Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be'. It has been this quote, written on a simple piece of paper, which occasionally helped me pick up my drooping chin, kick up my heels, and decide this day I'm gonna choose 'happy'. Happy is an opportunity to choose a better outcome for current situations. By choosing happy I alter how I respond to what comes into my life. By choosing happy I am rewriting my future. The choice of happy isn't always the road I take, but the opportunity to choose is always there.

The outcome of any situation has always been better when I have taken the opportunity, and chose happy. Take for example a horse I have. His name is Bronco Billy. He has been, and still is, an exceptional cutting  (www.nchacutting.com) horse. He has all the traits to make a great cutting horse. He's smart, cowy, athletic, and quirky. Probably every horse that is worth anything has their own quirks. Billy has his quirks, that for any other rider, would make them spitting mad. Billy has the talent of stopping so hard, and sudden, he can bury his butt in the ground in a split second. Myself or anyone else can be riding Billy, and if he gets ready to stop he gives no clues about it. He stops so hard, and so abruptly, it is totally unexpected. It can cause any rider to almost go over his head. If you've ever seen the movie Dances with Wolves, and you saw the scene where the indians try to steal Captain John Dunbar's horse. They are quickly running away with the horse when the he throws on his brakes, and the rider is pulled to the ground by the sudden stopping of the horse. Well, Billy's stopping ability has a similar effect to any rider. When he stops, if the rider is not ready, it will almost throw the rider over his head. I've had Billy for 13 years, and while his stopping ability turns heads in the arena, it can also be frustrating.
Billy has shown off his stopping abilities in the following ways:
-Riding in a pen full of horses and riders I've had a girl riding closely behind me while we loped around in circles. Billy could feel her presence, and I could feel his agitation of her riding so close. In a split second he put on his brakes, and stopped suddenly. The girl had no place to go, but to run into his rear end. There was nothing to do, but apologize over and over. Billy felt her presence, and didn't like it. From that day forward, if anyone tried to ride too close behind us I made a point to ride over to the side and pull him to a quiet stop.
-My children have ridden Billy on occasion. It never failed when they got going good, he would plant his butt in the ground in a sudden stop. Abruptly stopping they were surprised, and a little frustrated. Something about the feeling of being slung around by a large horse is kind of unsettling.
-My brother, who is a very accomplished and rugged cowboy, has ridden Billy. Loping around the round pen Billy, without hesitation, planted his rear end and almost threw my brother out of the saddle. Kicking him back into a lope, my brother was able to go a little further before Billy did the same thing. For me, it was humorous seeing my brothers surprised expression when he came to a jolting stop.
-Being a show horse, it is important that a good cutting horse can stop quickly to control the cow. Billy's athleticism, and stopping ability, far exceeded anything I'd ever ridden before. His quick stops enabled him to stop and turn a cow with ease. He was a superior horse to have residency in central Arkansas. Twice he qualified to go to the World Finals in Amarillo, TX. He had more potential than my ability could handle. He wasn't given an opportunity to fully use all his talent, because he belonged to an amateur rider. He gave his whole heart in the arena. What more could you ask for?
-When I first started riding Billy, and was warming him up at a show, he kept planting his rear end in the dirt. It caught me by surprise. He kept doing it over and over and over again. I was wearing my legs out trying to keep him going. Being a new-by on this horse I didn't know what to think, so I just kinda smiled and went on. After a while of loping and stopping, loping and stopping, I rode up to the edge of the show pen. Billy's trainer was sitting on the other side of the fence. He looked at me with a big grin on his face and said 'He sure does like to stop'. I'm sure it was humorous to him watching as I tried to keep Billy going.

My experience with Billy showed me something. You know what I was saying about choosing the opportunity to be happy? Riding Billy was a challenge. His quirky, unexpected, athletic, frustrating stops, could have been a problem. His quirkiness was such an unexpected thing. There were times I really wanted to lose my cool, but I chose happy. No matter how bad my day was going, Billy's stops brought a smile to my face. I could have let it upset me.  I could have let it make me mad. I could have let my Martin temper get the better of me. I could have spurred him more, and tried to break him of the habit. I could have sold him, and considered his quirky stops a flaw. All the things I could have done.......

All the things I could have done, I am convinced, would have altered the success we had in the arena. Looking back in hindsight, had I chosen one of the other actions, I believe it would have hurt our relationship. As it was, I found myself with a lighthearted chuckle, or a full blown outright loud belly laugh each time he caught me by surprise, and planted himself in the dirt. I've heard it said, and I believe, you have to work 'with' a horse not against it. I believe Billy would not have worked so hard for me, if I had tried to force my will upon him and tried to make him stop his stopping. I'm glad I accepted him as he was. It would have been a missed opportunity not to enjoy this exceptional animal with all his quirkiness. Do you, as I have, sometimes try to alter someone's quirkiness. Perhaps we try to change them into what people around us would consider more acceptable. If we instead would accept them for all their frustrating, repetitive, unexpected, talented habits, we would have the opportunity see them rise to the exceptional person God meant them to be. God is not an amateur. He is God. He can take people to their full potential. Giving our whole heart to God in the arena of life, He can use our quirky talents to achieve great things we cannot imagine.

Take the opportunity to choose happy. People around you will appreciate being accepted for their quirky ways.

Showing Billy was exhilarating joy.

Cutting at the Summer Spectacular in 2006

A birds eye view of Billy at a cutting show

Precious Memories

Growing up in small town america, it seemed like we were related to everybody.  As a child, the small town had a population of less than 200. My mother was one of four children in a very close knit family. Where one sibling was, you usually would find another sibling, their spouse, and all their kids. Evenings, weekends, and every holiday was spent with family. It wasn't a planned, forced or deliberate attempt to build strong family ties, it just happened naturally. The family genuinely loved and enjoyed being around each other. We were family, and wanted to be family. Our story began March 4, 1937. On this day my grandpa and grandma were married. It was a small ceremony with only 2 witnesses. While not an elaborate ceremony, the lasting significance of the event remains even today.
 
Papaw was a mechanic. My favorite memories of papaw were of him spending hours and hours in his shop. There was an unending amount of repairs for steady customers, not to mention repairs for family. I'm sure all our families vehicles kept him scratching his head because of all the troubled cars that were pulled, drug, pushed, or driven up to the front of his shop. Grease and oil on my papaw's hands, and under his fingernails, was part of his normal attire. Mammaw was a homemaker. Her duties were never-ending from before dawn until after sunset. Her main job was to do whatever it took to keep papaw happy. She told me of a time when papaw had been working on a car. She was in the middle of cooking lunch with fried potatoes cooking in the pan. Papaw came in, said he had to run to the parts store, and for her to 'come on'. She promptly turned off the stove, with potatoes still in the pan, and left with him to go to the parts store. Perhaps mammaw was to give her expertise advice when they got to the parts store, I'm not sure. However, I think it was a rare occasion for her to actually go into the parts store. It's been rumored, her reason for going to the parts store was to be with papaw. I've heard it said from several ladies in the family, mammaw told them 'You better go with your husband when he wants you to go, or there will be someone else who will'. Mammaw was an expert at keeping papaw happy.

Days as a mechanic, and days cooking fried potatoes went on and on. It was their routine. It gave the family stability. On any given day a child or grandchild would stop by. We could always count on there being enough food to feed whoever came by hungry. Just pull another plate out of the cabinet, and have a seat. Sweet tea was the only option to wash it down with. It was usually papaw at the head of the table, and mammaw running around the table tending to whoever had dropped by. Sitting around the table whether it was lunch, dinner, or just to have a cup of coffee, a conversation would usually be going. The talk would be about things like cars, church, politics, or the bible. I didn't know much about cars or politics to engage in those conversations. Church was church, and most all the family attended the same one, so we all knew what was happening. Everybody had their opinion about the last sermon. The greatest, and most engaging, conversations I remember around my grandparents table was about the bible. Papaw seemed to live and breath the bible. The pages of his bible were well worn. His bible was usually on the kitchen table open, sitting on the telephone shelf, or sitting beside his recliner. It was always in view. It was always being talked about. It was always referenced in a discussion. It was always read. It was always studied. It was always a part of our family. It provided the roots from which our family grew.

A while back I was doing my bible study, and a picture I keep in my bible kept falling out. Looking at it, I decided to text my cousin. I took a picture, of the picture, and sent him a text saying 'I carry this pic in my bible and it makes me appreciate my christian heritage'.

My Papaw standing beside the well at their house.

My cousin replied back, 'That's funny I have the same picture in my bible along with papaw with his mandolin with him in a picture behind him holding one also. Plus an anniversary clipping from paper of both of them.' He sent me this picture. After a couple more text, we finished our conversation.

Picture my cousin took of his bible

A few minutes later I walked into our kitchen to get some water, and there on my refrigerator was an identical copy of the picture my cousin had in his bible.

Pictures on my refrigerator of mammaw and papaw.

After sending a picture of the picture on my refrigerator, my cousin text back 'That is some good stuff there'.

Precious memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul.

Does knowing God end with their memories? Are they the end of the story? Relationships with God continue today. It can be passed on from generation to generation. It can be started in a new generation. It can be just one person who chooses the Lord, and stands alone even if their family does not believe. It can be me. It can be you. Getting to know God is a personal decision. It's a choice. Mammaw and Papaw made it their choice. Oh how those memories make a difference in my life.

Sharing three quilts

Blogs are written for a variety of reasons. In the fall of 2014 I was bitten by the quilting bug. While attending Long Arm University in Seattle it was recommended we do a blog to promote our quilting, and so my blog began.  I wanted to use the blog to share my journey quilting, however the blog evolved into something totally different. It seems to share a journey, but it's a journey about piecing my life together. In trying to use the blog as it was originally intended, I'll periodically share some of my quilting journey. Below are three quilts I have made in the last 6 months. 

This quilt was made for my daughter for Christmas 2015. I used 2 jelly rolls, and chose white as the background fabric.

This quilt was started at a retreat at Mt. Eagle, north of Clinton, AR, in the fall of 2015. It was finished and given to my son for Christmas 2015. The pattern is called 'spinning stars'. I picked up the pattern in Mountain View at the Ozark Folk Center a couple years ago. I'd hung onto the pattern, and finally got the opportunity to do something with it. 

My grandson loves dinosaurs, so I made this for him. I found the dinosaur print at a garage sale, and couldn't pass it up. In December, at the Arkansas Quilters Guild meeting in Little Rock, Donna Robertson with 'Fabric Cafe' was the speaker. She had a pattern book with 3 yard economy quilts for kids. This pattern was in the book. I modified her pattern a little to get the most use out of my size of dinosaur print.

Stronger

Do you ever read something, consider it, pass it by, look at it later, contemplate it more, and then finally apply it? Are you sometimes slow to pick up on an important point? Do you sometimes have to reread something to get the point? Do you sometimes have to ask someone to repeat what they said so you understand it? Many of these situations can make us feel inadequate or inferior. 

One day I found myself laying on my bed in a sad state of mind. Life's negative pressures were a little strong that day. As I lay on my bed, I looked at the wall opposite the foot of our bed. There was a picture Tim had gotten for me. The wall was empty when he came home with the picture, so we hung it there. I'd often read the verse on the picture, but didn't give it much thought. We have several pieces of wall art that have a verse of scripture, and this was one of them. As I lay there, my eyes kept being drawn to the verse. I read it over, and over, and over again (remember the question earlier about having to reread something?). I'd read this verse many times since we first hung it on the wall. Today it took on new meaning. My eyes seemed glued. Our room has 'stuff' in it, so there was plenty of other things that could have gotten my attention. This picture, on this day, at this moment was what my soul was needing. It's what my soul was hungry to hear. It had hung on our wall for a couple years, and here on this day was when it finally sunk in. It's simple. It's life changing. It's encouraging. It's an attitude changer. 

Be Strong in the Lord. Ephesians 6:10

There it is. That's all. Five little words. Powerful. 

To my feelings of inadequacy.....'Be Strong in the Lord'
To my feelings of inferiority......'Be Strong in the Lord'
In my stress......'Be Strong in the Lord'
In my doubt......'Be Strong in the Lord'
When I'm sad......'Be Strong in the Lord'
When misunderstood.......'Be Strong in the Lord'
When standing for what is right......'Be Strong in the Lord'
Praying for a sick loved one......'Be Strong in the Lord'
When my attitude stinks......'Be Strong in the Lord'

On that day, Jesus and I had a 'come to Jesus' meeting, right there on the bed. I finally took time to slow down and see what I'd been missing for a couple years. I reread it over and over again. I felt God was repeating himself over and over, each time I read it. Scripture has been around for thousands of years. The bible has been written in many translations. The words are ancient, but each time I read them they come to life. Each time I read, they take on new meaning for me depending upon my life's circumstances. God's word is alive, changing and evolving, yet remaining the same. Days like this day, when a verse that has been hanging on my wall for a couple years suddenly comes alive for me, it's like I've seen it for the first time. It's just what I needed, this day. 

After a little while, I picked myself up off the bed. My path in life doesn't always go where I want it to, or how I want it to. God met me right where I was on this day, and gave this to me......'Be Strong in the Lord'. 

My Man's Hands

Often I get on 'kicks'. Finding something new that interest me, running with it a while until it fizzles out, and then moving on.  This cycle has created regret sometimes because of not following thru with some of the better ideas. Usually it's something like a new technique, a new craft, a new healthy habit, a new skill, a new hobby, a new attempt at a stay at home job, or even a new social media kick like a blog. About 10 years ago I was on a kick where writing a book sounded like a good idea. I had heard 'everyone has at least one book in them'. The Chicken Soup series of books interested me, and I had a book idea I felt had potential to generate a following as well. My book idea consisted of the title 'My Man's Hands'. Interested people could submit a photo of their man at work, play, or whatever the submitter enjoyed the most about their man. They would submit a story with the photo explaining why they enjoyed their man doing that particular thing. The submitted photo would need to have an emphasis on the hands. The photos and the stories would be compiled into a book, and submitted for publication.

A man uses his hands in a multitude of ways, and I find it romantic. Tim is a good sport, and so he posed his hands for a photo intended for my book. The photo is stuck in an external back up hard drive from an old computer, and so far I've been unable to get it out. If I am successful at retrieving the picture in the near future, I will definitely share it. It is not anything earth shattering. He was a great sport posing for my 'kick' that year, and it definitely deserves a spot in this blog. A couple weeks ago I came across a printed copy of a draft of the intended website. It had been sent to me by the web designer I used to create the website where people could submit their stories. The draft reminded me of my book intentions. It prompted me to track down photos of Tim doing some of the things he does best. I was happy to find my man's hands working, playing, flying, socializing, volunteering, and a multitude of other tasks. I wanted to share the photos because the heart of this man is multi-faceted, and has been a joy to watch over the years.

I know it seems strange to crop the heads off of these photos. I want the focus to be on the hands. The hands of a man are a marvelous thing.

Precise hands at a drafting table completing land surveys.

Passionate hands on 'Ole N5272U'.

Tender hands cut the cake in unison.

Energetic and careful hands make a safe ride for neighborhood kids.

Steadying hands prevent a fall.

Working hands complete many jobs.

Helping hands used at many church functions.

Farming hands for a multitude of tasks. 

Loving hands give Granny a hug.

Compassionate and respectful hands read scripture at Grandpa's funeral.

Guiding hands maneuver a sawmill to precisely cut lumber.

Nurturing hands teach a grandson how to work.

Farming hands plant sorghum for molasses.

Pumping hands provide much needed water for residents of Ghana, West Africa.

Educating hands teach a grandson how to use big boy toys.

Nurturing hands teach a grandson how to be self sufficient.

Volunteering hands share a passion with a grandson.

Mission hands fulfill a desire to serve, by drilling water wells.

Inspecting hands learn about the soil of Africa.

Giving hands take time to provide for some in need.

Cautious hands take mammaw for a ride on a Harley.

Piggy Back hands take his kids for a ride.

The hands of 'my' man are a marvelous thing!

Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Romans 12:11-12 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.