A PROJECT FINISHING EFFORT!

FOR WHICH OF YOU INTENDING TO BUILD A TOWER, DOES NOT SIT DOWN FIRST AND COUNT THE COST, WHETHER HE HAS ENOUGH TO FINISH IT--LEST AFTER HE HAS LAID THE FOUNDATION, AND IS NOT ABLE TO FINISH, ALL WHO SEE IT BEGIN TO MOCK HIM, SAYING, 'THIS MAN BEGAN TO BUILD AND WAS NOT ABLE TO FINISH.' Luke 13:28-30

I realize these verses apply to much more than my needlework projects, but I was reminded of them in thinking of the need to finish some stuff I've started!

I am trying to learn to finish the things I start. Enjoying all kinds of needlework so much, it's hard not to try some new pattern or project even before the old ones are finished. Over the holidays (so far) I've gotten a few things "wrapped up." I started the back of the white cardigan I have been making for far too long! Also got the first yarn I spun all plied and put in skeins. You see that in the picture. I tatted a few crosses for bookmarks as well. The one pictured is an original pattern-a little filigree from the fingers!

It's a good discipline to finish what you start. I am trying to discipline myself in this area. As well as the projects I just mentioned, I finished a western shirt and vest for Clint. That was a Christmas gift I finished at the last minute! Also I put together a floor book complete with buttons, zippers, and buckles for Emma to play with. So lots of projects got finished just recently and wow, am I glad! Time to look forward to a new year AND the new addition that is soon to arrive--our new granddaughter--due any day! Will keep you posted.

THE RUBY SLIPPER INCIDENT-CHAPTER 6

In the last chapter, I told you about the day I felt the Lord spoke to me, trying to comfort me about my time in Africa. You would think that should have been enough for anyone. Though it helped, I still felt a little "jittery," and homesick. I remember one day standing in our little hotel room, maybe the same morning, I can't remember, and clicking my heels together and saying to Clint, "I wish I had a pair of those ruby slippers." This smart aleck remark was to let him know I was ready and anxious to return home. We had just moved into our new house only a few months before our trip and my thoughts were distracted by wishing I was home unpacking the boxes, fixing things up, etc. Also I was concerned about the kids. I was just really longing for home in a lot of ways.

He just smiled at me knowing I was referring to the incident where Dorothy clicked her heels together in The Wizard of OZ and instantly returned home! That was a favorite movie for me as a child. As the week wore on and we continued to work and fellowship with the people. I think I began to relax a bit more while still thinking alot about the everything back home.....and then something very interesting happened....there's more to this story....stay tuned! Blessings, LORI

OUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION!
Pictures from our Christmas celebrations!

Emma and Elmo lounging her new chair!
























Next is Miss Emma in a Tigger hat and mittens from her Aunt Rhi!







The next picture is of me receiving a tatting book--a little filigree for the fingers! More pics on that tomorrow!





A picture is of Granny and Miss Emma enjoying a book. Emma was dressed so cute! She didn't feel well that day and wasn't quite herself, but we had a wonderful time anyway!










Here I am, eating again. This time it's a wonderful piece of creamy dark chocolate fudge!
I know these captions may appear out of order, have patience with me. I had a hard time making them line up. I know you can sort them out!
I hope you enjoyed our Christmas pictures.



Chapter 5--The Ruby slipper Incident--Last time I wrote a chapter in this story we were just landing in Nairobi, Kenya after quite an ordeal. When we finally got to our destination we were so thrilled. We were also very tired. It was morning in Africa. The lack of sleep, jet lag, and traveling had all taken a toll on us. I was so overwhelmed with the sights and sounds of a new culture that I could not take it all in at once. I tried to rest my eyes on the long trip to the village where we were going, but there was too much excitement!

After only a few days in Kenya, I began to feel a strange sort of homesickness set in. I was used to spending about an hour a day in Bible reading and prayer each morning at home. This was not possible in the mission setting. We were always needing to be on schedule to meet the vans that transported us to and fro. We were staying in a hotel on one side of town. Our host and hostess lived across town and the church site where we were to serve was in yet another part of town. To miss the vans or hold up the transportation process would have been bad for everyone. So we were on a bit of a schedule for breakfast, etc. Very quickly I began to lose my "bearings" in a sense with lack of Bible time, different food, lack of sleep, culture shock, etc.

One morning I sat in our little hotel room on the edge of the bed. Clint was in the shower and I found a few private moments to cry out to God and express my fear and the "creepy" feeling that was stealing over me. I remember having the strange sense that we'd never get home. I was very concerned and the enemy began to take advantage of my weakened condition (lack of devotion time and sleep) to prey upon me. I learned anew what the Israelites felt like when they expressed that they could not sing the songs of the Lord in a strange land (Babylon.) Though I was surrounded by lovely Christians, I was becoming depressed, longing for the familiar. I was majorly homesick and a bit scared.

As I cried out to God, there alone in this warm,
fourth floor hotel room so far from home, I suddenly heard the still, small, voice of the Holy Spirit speak to my being. It was one of the closest things to an audible voice from God that I've ever heard, yet it was not audible. It sounded very gentle and came to my spirit with these words, "Lori, I am as at-home in this culture as I am in yours...." I nearly fell backwards on the bed as I realized this was the voice of the saviour that had redeemed me, expressing that He was content with these lovely people and if he could be calm and happy here, so should I! MORE ON THAT TOMORROW...THE STORY CONTINUES! Blessings, LORI

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BIT MORE ON THE RUBY SLIPPER STORY!

We are busily readying for the holiday tomorrow! Today we celebrated Christmas at my mother-in-law's. We had a wonderful time! She always sets a beautiful table for us to enjoy!

I wanted to leave you with just a bit of the Ruby Slipper Story to think about over the holiday since this next "chapter" starts to show the amazing hand of God intervening in our lives. Isn't that what Christmas is all about? God reached down to correct the miserable condition that mankind was in by sending His son to earth with the mission of redeeming us through His death on the cross! All we have to do is accept Him, believe in Him, make Him our Lord. So much to be thankful for!

The Ruby Slipper Incident--Chapter 4

Last time I wrote I was telling you we had boarded the plane for Nairobi, Kenya. It was an 8-9 hour flight from Amsterdam. Some people were able to catch a few winks despite another crowded, noisy plane. Others were still wide awake! Thankfully I slept a bit.

When we began nearing Nairobi, the pilot informed us that we would not be able to land due to fog. We did not have enough fuel to circle the city waiting for the fog to lift either. This meant that we were going to Mombasa! This was certainly not in our plans! We had a group of people from the African church scheduled to meet us and haul us and all our equipment 70 miles to our destination from Nairobi.

Little did we know that during our flight, (middle of the night in America) our youth leader's wife, who did not make the trip with us, woke up with a very strong sense that we were in some kind of "situation" and she felt a great burden to pray. She prayed for about two hours starting around 2:30 am. She has testified that she did not feel the burden to pray lift for that long and then finally, she just felt peace and was able to go back to sleep! This occurred at the same time we were nearing Nairobi and/or being re-routed.

We did land in Mombasa and refuel. The plane got very stuffy and warm as we stared out at the tropical sights. Palm trees swayed in the distance. We were not allowed to get off the plane. We just had to wait. Very uncomfortable. We finally were in the air again and got clearance to land in Nairobi a short time later. My daughter recently checked the distance from our destination to Mombasa and it is a about an 8 hour drive by car! If we had been unable for any reason to land in Nairobi, our hosts would have had that long trip to make to retrieve us. As well as all that, we learned later that they were not even able to arrive at the airport in Nairobi because of the fog, they were delayed as well!

It was amazing how God woke someone up in America to pray for us and help our trip to turn out for the best. We take great comfort in knowing that our God intervenes and prompts on our behalf. Wait til you hear the rest of the story....Blessings, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

THE RUBY SLIPPER INCIDENT-CHAPTER 3

HI, let's continue the Ruby Slipper story today with chapter three! I have no pics to post today since we are right down to the mundane work of preparing for the holidays--cleaning, wrapping, finishing projects that are giving us difficulties! No point in posting pictures of that! So I hope you enjoy this next chapter of a most amazing occurrence in my life.

THE RUBY SLIPPER INCIDENT

Chapter 3--We landed in Amsterdam, Holland in the morning. I was excited to see a windmill from the window of the plane as we descended. Why was this important to me? I remembered that as a little girl I used to have imaginary friends (like so many little kids do) and my imaginary family was from the "Netherlands." I constantly talked about going to the Netherlands to see a windmill! Well, I finally did! Never mind that it took about 35 years to get there!

Amsterdam was interesting. I was relieved to see that most of the signs in the airport were in English. I would have been totally lost though, if I had not been with a group. Looking back at the pictures, we all look so tired it's a wonder we didn't just camp out on a bench or chair in the airport and sleep. Instead we toured the city. We took a canal ride on which some of the people could hardly stay awake. We saw Anne Frank's house and other famous buildings.

The highlight for me was eating at a traditional restaurant. It was cozy and quaint. I noticed that the houses, stores, shops, etc were all sort of "skinny." Everything is crowded into small areas of land between the waters. This canal city is unique indeed. There were even actual houseboats where people live right on the water!

During our dinner we enjoyed traditional European food and what I ordered, though I can't spell it, was very hearty and warm, a combination of mashed potatoes, shredded carrots, cabbage, sausage and spices. It dispelled the chill of the damp day. We had been walking all around before this and the warm, cozy restaurant with baskets of fresh European bread was a treat indeed.

I made a quick trip to the flower market before we needed to get back to the airport. We rode on the public trains that day as well. This was a new thing for me and we never did completely understand the public transit system. We all ended up sitting where we were not supposed to and we got "escorted" in the Dutch language off that particular car. When we realized they wanted us to move we went on to another car, actually nicer than that one and rode on in style! We got back to the airport and prepared to board the plane to Africa. I think we were scheduled to leave around 9pm. for about an 8 hour flight to Nairobi. Or so we thought....

Stay tuned for chapter 4 of the Ruby Slipper Incident soon! It will amaze you in the end how God did all these wonderful things to give me a very incredible experience! Blessings, LORI

CHRISTMAS PICTURES

"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Matthew6:26em>

Just a few pre-Christmas pictures for you! The first on is of me making granola to give away. I love to do this. I've been making this wondeful homemade cereal for years.

With all the last minute holiday preparations going on, I finally began to feel a bit overwhelmed today. The verses that I posted reminds me that we are not to get anxious about stuff! I have had a hard time with that all of my life--being a type A personality. I recently learned alot on that subject in the last few years. Worry is a sin. Knowing that, I try to avoid it. It's a hard thing to conquer, but the Holy Spirit will help you! The Christmas season is certainly no time to agonize. The birth of the Christ child should draw us to peace, not frantic behavior!

Look at Emma in the second picture. She's so interested in the nativity scene! As she is doing, we should be focusing on the true story of Christmas! She has her priorities straight. We left the baby Jesus out of the manger for now. She will get to put the figurine in place on Christmas morning. Emma loves animals as well and the "camo" (camel) is a favorite. Last night we had an unfortunate incident where Granny's globe nativity scene got accidentally pulled down off its perch! Oops! Just a curious little girl that wanted to see the Christmas scene!

The last picture is our Christmas tree in the parlor. It is a "skinny tree because we have no room for a bigger one. Maybe we got burned out when we lived in the big Victorian house in Centreville and put up 5 trees for 10 years! Yes, that was a bit much, but oh, so pretty!

I hope you are not having trouble with last minute hurried preparations like I am! Let the Lord be your peace, after all, He is the Prince of Peace! Chapter 3 of "The Ruby Slipper Incident" will appear tomorrow on a blog near you! Blessings, LORI

THE RUBY SLIPPER INCIDENT-CHAPTER 2

I was all set to share some pictures of my parlor all decked out for Christmas, when my computer seems to refuse to work. Sorry! I wanted you all to see my tree and the loads of presents that are cluttering the whole area! When we built this house we failed to allow a good place to put a Christmas tree. Oh, well!

This morning I stirred up a quick batch of homemade bread dough to put in the freezer to add to the "food gifts" for my son and daughter-in-law. I put the bread in loaves and then froze them. She can get them out and let them raise, bake them and voila! I HOPE IT WORKS!

I wanted to keep writing a bit about homeschooling as well as finishing the Ruby Slipper Incident. Bear with me a bit!

As for homeschooling, I love to encourage families to give homeschooling a try. I never thought I would do that until it sort of became a necessity. Our kids were going to a nice Christian school that we were very happy with. One of the drawbacks was driving them to and from school. One year my husband took a job teaching high school Bible at the school but his class met midday. That meant that we were making three trips per day back and forth to the school. That factor alone was enough to make us consider our options. Money became a bit tight and that was another reason we began taking a second look at homeschooling. If money factors are a consideration and you're wanting a Christian education for your children, consider homeschool....more on that subject in the future!

THE RUBY SLIPPER INCIDENT-CHAPTER 2

In early 2004 I found myself readying for a trip to Africa. Actually I was really looking forward to the 12 hour layover we would spend in Amsterdam. I had always wanted to see Europe and I figured this was my one chance to at least set foot there and maybe shop for a few local products like chocolate, delftware, laces, etc. So I talked myself into the fact that the whole trip would be worth those 12 hours! Now how's that for a real dedicated missionary heart???

We left Kalamazoo, Michigan on a small plane. Actually we had trouble even leaving. After sitting on the runway for a long time, the pilot came on declaring the plane was overweight and we couldn't take off. We 17 people knew it was our fault since we had keyboards, guitars, etc., with us. We had not packed light intending to give away several of these items once we got to the church in Africa. Finally after offering many incentives one tiny little lady who couldn't have weighed over 80 pounds offered to take the next flight. Everyone in the plane laughed knowing she couldn't possibly make much difference. Pretty soon someone else offered and off we went for Detroit! After a short layover there we headed for an overnight flight to Amsterdam. The plane was crowded, noisy, and tight. Some of our group didn't sleep at all. Some of us got a little sleep. About 8 hours later we landed in Amsterdam, Holland where the story continues.....

I hope you are seeking the Lord this Christmas season. I love the saying, WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM, Blessings, Lori

THE RUBY SLIPPER INCIDENT--CHAPTER ONE

As you probably have noticed--this picture has nothing to do with the title of the blog! I promised a long time ago to share the "Ruby Slipper Incident" with you. But it is a long story and so I will do it in chapters, starting today. It's a "miracle" story--the kind you hear about at Christmas time. It's the kind of heartwarming story that will increase your faith and hope in God! I trust He will minister to you as you read the chapters! As well, I will continue to post pics and daily events that are unrelated!

Now about the picture: yesterday we were making homemade noodles and that's what you see on my counter--the first stages of noodle dough! I cooked two chickens in the pressure cooker the day before and left the cooker out in the very cold garage to chill the birds. Yesterday we picked all the meat off the bone and started noodles. This is one of the "food projects" that we do as a gift to my son and daughter-in-law. (Hope they're not reading this today!) They love to receive ready-made frozen meals for a gift. Today we made burritos, and the day before yesterday it was lasagna. With a new baby coming, the pre-prepared food is a welcome gift!

I also wanted to mention homeschooling today. Rhiannon and I were talking about how we miss the old days of homeschooling. While we were out shopping we met up with a few of our old homeschool friends and caught up on all the news! I want to include on my blog a few "homeschool" tips for the next while. I hope you who are not homeschoolers will bear with me. But first, our homeschooling testimony:

We homeschooled for most of elementary and all of junior high and high school. I guess you could call us "career" homeschoolers. We started out of necessity when Clint and I pulled up stakes and moved to Ohio for a year of Bible school. We were making a 4-hour trip home every 3rd and 7th weekend and that necessitated leaving on Friday afternoons. He was preaching at our home congregation and we would often stay 10 days at the end of our six week school terms. There was no way we could keep the kids out of school for that long on a repeated basis. But what started as a necessity became a conviction. A wise friend warned me that that would happen and she was right! It did not happen right away, but there's something about having your children under your instruction that kind of grows on you. We put them back in school a year later when we moved back home and began pastoring, but other factors led us to homeschool only two years later as our hearts were drawn to home. I'll share more on that on the next post!

The Ruby Slipper Incident, Chapter One--I told this story on Sunday at our church and people were weeping and gasps were heard when the story ended with a huge surprise! I hope you will enjoy it too and that the Lord will minister to you by the experience I had. It all began in 2003 when our church decided to sponsor a trip to Africa to held build a church building for a local congregation we had been helping. Our relationship with the pastor there dated from our days at Bible school. A man in our church took an interest in the project and he and his wife organized a trip that ended up including 17 people from at least three congregations. We were dubbed, "The OPEX TEAM" by the Africans. That was short for "OPERATION EXODUS," meaning we were helping them make an exodus from their crowded downtown location to a new piece of land where an expanding church could grow.

At first, I did not want to go along and made no plans for doing so. Clint, being the pastor, was definitely planning to make the trip. He had been there once before with another pastor. I knew what conditions I would face there--or I thought I did--and I was not eager to make the trip. But the Lord began convicting me that I ought to go. I am even now, 5 years later, still seeing the fruits of that trip we made in February 2004. I realized that ladies from other churches were making the trek and it would be just a shame for me as pastor's wife not to go. So I began making preparations rather late in the game. I had to get a passport and several supplies around in order to go. MORE ON THE NEXT POST!Blessings, LORI

A LESSON IN CHRISTMAS BAKING!

Long time, no blog! Well, I've been busy! I hope you enjoy the picture of me and Emma baking Christmas cookies! She enjoyed cutting the shapes, though some animals ended up headless!

Today we went Christmas shopping. It was a perfect day atmosphere-wise,for that sort of pursuit here in west Michigan. Overcast, cold, slight wind and snow flurries. Just sort of made you want to prepare for Christmas.

When we arrived home after a pretty successful day of shopping, I decided to make an old recipe. Years ago I stumbled onto a recipe in one of my cookbooks for "Apricot-Walnut Steamed Pudding." This is the kind of old-fashioned "pudding" that is actually more like a fruitcake. It's delicious and one of those recipes that can be altered quite a bit and still turn out well. I've never done it the same way twice, today included. Long ago I learned to substitute and economize out of necessity. Instead of orange juice, I used some very old frozen orange/pineapple concentrate. I mixed it up and used that for part of the glaze as well as one of the liquid ingredients. It calls for chopped apricots and I had just barely enough, so I added dried cranberries as well. Long ago I discovered by accident that doubling the melted butter in the recipe doesn't hurt it a bit! I had made that note in my cookbook and so I just do it now as a regular part of the recipe and then add more graham flour.

Instead of baking one big "cake" I made them in 6 little bundt molds,(more efficient for gift-giving!) Turned out great and baked much faster. I made up a glaze for the cake including more of the orange/pineapple juice, powdered sugar, and butter. It was kind of runny so I dipped the cakes in it and then added more powdered sugar and glazed them. Dipping them really moistened them up since I'd overbaked them just slightly. It just seems that no matter what I do to this poor recipe, it still turns out ok! They can be garnished with apricot, orange peel, or I suppose cranberry sauce. Just lovely, elegant little Christmas desserts. I suppose they would freeze well too. Never tried that!

We are still adding decorations around the house daily. We are a little disorganized this year and behind schedule. Tonight we brought out the big nativity set and Emma helped set it up in the parlor. We left the baby Jesus out of the manger and will let Emma place the figurine in the manger on Christmas. She is very excited about babies this year since her momma is about to have another little girl any day. We almost thought the baby was arriving last weekend, but alas, it was a false alarm! Emma is also very interested in animals and reads her animal books over and over and over! So the manger scene is very intriguing to her.

Thanks for praying for me. The speaking last weekend went very well. I was able to speak without notes--a goal I've been wanting to reach. I felt that the Lord helped me tremendously. This weekend the kids and our church drummer and probably me, will do our rendition of a Christmas song during the offering. I can't wait! We are practicing and excited to try this! Blessings, LORI

PICTURES FROM OUR IOWA TRIP

The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She brings her food from afar. She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. Proverbs 31:11,14,and 21

Here are a few pics from our Iowa trip. I chose the verses from Proverbs because I felt they wrapped up some themes from the pictures. Picture number one is the "carrot canning operation" that my friend and I undertook! (She brings her food from afar!)These carrots came all the way from Michigan to Iowa! My friend is a true Proverbs 31 woman. She sees to it that nothing goes to waste around her household. She's very diligent to can and freeze lots of stuff for the winter and economize. It was a privilege to help her in this endeavor. We had a great time!

Picture number two was taken during the big blizzard. The winds howled all day long!

Third picture was taken along the interstate the day we drove home. Either this one or the next one was taken near Colona, Illinois. We are from COLON, Michigan!

The last "snow" picture reminds me of "Fields and Fences" because that's just what it is. I was trying to capture the lovely look that the new snowfall gave to the fields in the area. "She is not afraid of the snow, for all her household is clothed with scarlet."

The last picture is of me in the green dress--finished! This picture is taken in my living room. We arrived home safely on Thursday evening after joining the chaplaincy board in Indiana for supper. We just stopped on our way home and ate a nice meal with our fellow board members and still got home and all unpacked before 10:30 pm. That was pretty good!

While in Iowa I finished lots of projects. One was the green dress. Also finished plying all my original handspun yarn from the brown Corriedale. I finished a sampler on the way home, but decided to remove a few stitches. A quick few minutes some time will complete that. I also finished three tatted cross bookmarks and one side of the lace panel cardigan I've been knitting. It was a very productive trip for me!

The Lord's been showing me some really neat things this week as I took time to read and meditate on scriptural truths. The extra quiet time away from the normal routine was conducive to receiving some spiritual insight, I believe. I have a speaking engagement on Sunday--at our church! Pray for me if you think of it. Thanks for sharing my trip pictures. Blessings, LORI

BLIZZARD!

"Everyone arrived home safely, but what had started as a picturesque snowfall turned into a raging winter storm that continued for almost twenty-four hours dumping several feet of snow on the countryside." from "The Fields of May"

Oh, how I wish I could post some pictures! We are in a blizzard here in Iowa!We went to town (about 1 mile away) for lunch and other than that, I knitted all day. Finished one front half of the lace cardigan I've been making for years! We didn't get too much snow here where we are, but enough and then winds that are unbelievable, relentlessly gusting all day around 50 mph or more. We are hoping they quit soon so we can have decent travel back to Michigan tomorrow. Maybe if they are still coming out of the west we will be blown all the way home! The weather conditions prevented us from accepting an invitation to our friends' home tonight (40 miles from here) for pork loin sandwiches and a visit to their Wednesday evening services. I was really sorry we couldn't go. Most schools and many businesses were closed here today.

I guess our power went out today back home (no storm there yet) according to my daughter's report. I think this is the third time that's happened while we were out of state. This time it was for some unknown reason. Last year at this time an accident caused a huge gas line fire just 3 tenths mile from our house shortly after we left for Iowa. Rhiannon says she is getting tired of this scenario, since she's left home to deal with it! Thankfully the power came back on. I think the power was out when we were on our way home from Tennessee last spring as well. We considered not going home that night because of it, then it came back on. I guess we know when to leave town!

Tomorrow on the way home we will attend the Christmas dinner (in Indiana) for the chaplaincy ministry. I am anxious for that although it will mean wearing dress clothes all the way home from Iowa, oh well! Will post pictures of the blizzard and more when I get home. Blessings, LORI

FILIGREE FROM THE FIELDS

The lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field...Proverbs 27:28

We are getting the first flakes and flurries of a winter storm here in Iowa! I headed out this morning to shop and meet a friend for lunch. I'm really glad I shopped first and not after lunch! It was really the safer option to head home after lunch!

I went to one of my favorite shops this morning. It is an antique shop that also has a yarn nook. I purchased a good amount of wonderful merino/silk wool to spin, (thus the title of this post--Filigree From the Fields--before wool becomes yarn it roams around in the field!) To think that something so beautiful as this merino was once in a "field" is interesting indeed! I intend to make a lace scarf or gloves knitted from this spun merino. That will be the "filigree from the field!" It is beautiful! I had a great conversation with the proprietresses too! What sweet ladies and such an enjoyable visit!

I hope you are having a wonderful day and will enjoy being home if you are getting caught in the snowstorm that is raging across the midwest today! Can't wait to publish pictures once again--pictures of our wonderful winter trip to Iowa!

VACATIONING PRODUCTIVELY

Hi, everyone! I hear we are in for a big storm here in southeast Iowa tomorrow afternoon/evening. I want to meet with another friend tomorrow and hope it holds off until we can have lunch together and do a little shopping.

We are still having such fun here! I wish I could share pictures. I will certainly try to post them as soon as I get home. My old high school friend came to see me today and we shopped for a long while in a thrift store. I got a nice sweater and she got a real bargain on jelly jars for Christmas gift giving. I was kind of aggravated after finding a sack of rubber stamps at the thrift store--one of which had hollyhocks on it. I looked diligently for a stamp with hollyhocks back home in one of the biggest stamp stores around for use in making cards, labels, etc. for "A Sturdy Fence," which has hollyhocks on the cover and hollyhocks figure into the story. Well, too bad the stamp had a saying on it that didn't match the book at all, rendering it useless to me! Oh, well, my friend and I visited the whole afternoon, taking the once/year opportunity to really catch up on news.

So nice to be able to relax and get away from the daily routine. I am getting lots of needlework done and that is a great feeling. Trying to spend time with the Lord as well. I got to listen to some great teaching tapes today while walking. So I'm using my vacation time productively!

SUNDAY ENCOURAGEMENTS

I sure wish I could show you the pictures of the lovely carrots I helped can yesterday! We did 21 quart and they looked so pretty in the jars! I drove all the way back from my friend's house alone, with no cell phone. I missed the exit I needed and had to turn around--a little scary out here where I don't really know my way around. But the Lord was with me and I got back just after dark. I really didn't want to be out several miles from where we're staying when I'm unfamiliar with the territory.

I am getting so much time to do projects while here--time I never seem to find at home! I spun last night and finished all the natural brown Corriedale roving that I had. Then I "plied" it, meaning that I twisted two strands together to make a 2-ply yarn. Got that all done with just a little brown left. I took the small bit of rose Corriedale I had spun and plied it to the rest of the brown making a bi-color that is lovely. Today I will start spinning more of the rose color. I may finish hemming the green dress as well.

It is "still" here today--very unusual. Hardly any wind. It will make my walking easier. I missed exercising yesterday and must get a walk in since we're eating too well!

Enjoyed visiting our friends' church this morning. We are getting to be "regulars" there from our many visits. I know so many now as friends and it's always good to greet the people. We went out to lunch with some dear friends from there after church and enjoyed a great time of fellowship over a very good meal.

I hope you had a really good Sunday, worshiping the Lord! The sermon we heard this morning was all about praising the Lord. It was very encouraging. A verse, Psalm 27:13 has been running through my mind for days. It says, "I would have lost heart unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Let me make a few comments on this verse. David was a man of praise. I believe his practice of entering into frequent, heartfelt praise enabled him to look beyond his circumstances to hope and believe that he would see God's goodness in the midst of the earth. It's like he is saying that he will see God's power yet in this life, not only waiting for heaven or eternity to experience God's greatness.David was a man ahead of his time. He was an Old Covenant saint who often experienced the Spirit of the Lord "upon" him. It was so different for the believer back then. The presence of the Spirit of the Lord did not indwell every believer like He does now. The Spirit came "upon" people from time to time. But David had a hope and faith that was different. He was called a man after God's own heart. I am sure this verse that he penned could be an encouragement to us today. With all the negative things that are going on in our day and age, (challenged economy, governmental issues, etc., etc.,) we could get very depressed. We need to believe that we will yet see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. I believe we do see His goodness every day if we will only be aware of it! Yet, we have hope for more and better things or we would "lose heart" as David described. Be encouraged by believing in the God of the Bible who longs to show His power on earth! Blessings from Iowa, LORI

FILIGREE THOUGHTS FROM THE PLAINS OF IOWA!

We made it to our destination in Iowa yesterday afternoon! We had a great trip and I hope to post more pics of our time here in the next few days, however our friend here says it's hard to post pictures on his computer, so we'll see. The Lord blessed us with a really good and safe trip. I slept quite a lot and then finished a couple of tatted crosses for Bible bookmarks while we rode. They make up so quickly and then I can sell them. I sold two last week. As well as quick to make, they are cheap to make as well. Very good item to sell!


I was just thrilled to learn that I could still sew while out here. My friend set up a really nice sewing machine for me. I brought the "green dress" along just in case I would have a chance to finish it. I had longed to wear it to the only Christmas party we are invited to. Next Thursday when we head home, we'll be stopping for supper in Indiana and joining the rest of the chaplaincy board for our annual dinner. Since Clint is the president of the board, we will make every effort to attend. One year we missed it due to being in Iowa and totally forgetting that we needed to be there!

The sewing went well last evening and before you know it, I was done with all but finishing details. I tried the dress on and realized I had forgotton in my "desinging" to add extra fullness to follow the curved back bodice I had re-drawn. I think I can fix it to look right and if not, it's not so bad that I can't wear it. I'll adjust the pattern on the next try. Ahhh,sewing! Ahhh,designing!

Because of the emphasis on dress design for the last few days, let me share a few verses with you that are tucked away in the Old Testament, seldom read, yet so powerful. "All the women who were gifted artisans spun yarn with their hands and brought what they had spun, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And all the women whose hearts stirred with wisdom spun yarn of goats' hair." Exodus 35:25-26 I love these verses for the obvious reason! I spin! Well, there are more in the next few chapters that speak of "gifted artisans" enable by the wisdom and Spirit of God to do works of great beauty for the tabernacle of God. Often as women (or people, in general) we tend to discount our contributions--things like sewing or craft making, thinking it's not really useable in the church. We wish we could sing or preach or whatever, when all the time the gifts of a seamstress or crafter or artist are an extension of the wisdom of the Lord for His service! The next time you embark on a craft project or some art project ask yourself how you can do the best possible job to glorify the Lord, knowing He has gifted you with talent! As a church, we need to begin once again to recognize and use the talents of the artisans in our midst. The world certainly rewards the artists, swallowing up their offerings and often distorting them for wordly pursuits. Shall we not "reclaim" art for the church? Think about it!

The weather that met us here was very cold and windy. It's a dry type of cold that we're not used to in Michigan. I'll be piling on the chapstick and mositurizers as well as trying to condition and control my hair while here! I notice it every year and the dryness has to be combatted. I love the open fields here and how you can see for quite a distance. The farms are so neat and pretty. I hope you are having a lovely week and will enjoy a great weekend filled with friends, family, and a trip to church! Blessings, LORI

A LITTLE BIT OF FILIGREE FROM NATURE AND MY SEWING ROOM

HE HAS MADE EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME...Eccl. 3:11

I just wanted to share a few pictures with you.The first few are my sewing room from other angles. I promised to continue to share my sewing room with you! Sewing has been a Titus 2 endeavor for me for years. Once I learned to sew it helped me economize and clothe the family with unique things that would have been too expensive to seek out in the stores! The yellow heart-shaped chair was a garage sale find that I've treasured for years! The knitted lace throw on the chair was a gift from the lady that taught me to knit years ago. It was in blocks and I sewed it together. I called her Aunt Tessie and she's responsible for much of my interest in needlework. She also taught me to tat!

Above the yellow chair is a very old "waist." That is what ladie's blouses were first called at the turn of the century. This one is ornate indeed! Hanging next to it is a hat I decorated. The tall chest of drawers belonged to my dad as a boy. Sitting on it are several old needlework items, boxes of thread, patterns, and darning cotton in original boxes. The tall skinny cupboard with the yellow "yoke" hanging above it was a gift from my husband. We bought this unusual cupboard at a benefit auction. I use it to house my extensive collection of thread. Each drawer houses a particular color grouping

Another view shows my "second sewing machine," which is currently out of commission! Next to it is my fabric cupboard. The other low dresser you see was a gift from Clint's mom. My mom refinished it and it houses all my patterns. Sitting on top is a picture of my grandma at 16, a picture of her at 4 years old in 1904, and a couple of pictures of me. The black hats on the wall are antiques.

I hope you enjoyed sharing one of my favorite getaway rooms. No new green dress progress to report. We are busy getting ready to head out for our annual pilgrimage to Iowa tomorrow. Clint will plan to hunt with friends. It's a really special time for him. I'll visit friends while there and do some needlework and shopping. I have a friend I graduated with who lives only a few miles from where we stay. She and I plan to can carrots while I'm there. I am taking her a bag of "gleaned" carrots from the Michigan fields. Last year she canned several and thought they were wonderful!

The last picture is of our woods this morning as the moon drifted behind the trees. I love the way the "filigree" of the tree branches was highlighted by the moon's glow. It reminded me of the verse I posted. Even in the winter, the woods and all of nature have a certain beauty. Enjoy God's creation today! It is truly beautiful! Blessings, LORI

A NEW TITLE

Hi, everyone! Yes, you are on the blog that used to be "LORI'S BLOG!" I hope you noticed the new title today! For many days, I've been pondering changing the name of my blog. I wanted to include something unique and catchy since so many of the wonderful blogs I follow have cute, descriptive names.

I finally landed on "FILIGREE FROM FIELDS AND FENCES" in a moment of inspiration during one of my recent walks. Please let me explain. As you know, "FIELDS AND FENCES" will now be the title of my first book series with the addition of the sequels. Ok, you may say, but what about "Filigree?" I am a very complex person, enjoying a number of unusual artistic pursuits in needlework and etc. I have always loved filigree in jewelry. Filigree is an object of lacelike complexity. So much of my life is wrapped around the arts of lacemaking, needlework, design. I love intricate designs in clothing, furniture, dishes, and so forth. It seemed that "filigree" would describe my writing as well and therefore be appropriate to the many varied thoughts that intertwine on my blog posts. So, "FILIGREE FROM FIELDS AND FENCES" sort of describes the country thoughts that I post. I hope you like it!

Hopefully by tomorrow, I'll have more interesting pictures to post of the "green dress" progress!

As Christians we can be so thankful that in Jesus our "title" has changed. Once sinners, we are now born again with a new identity! Isn't that wonderful?! Ponder this verse from 2 Corinthians 5:21..."For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Isn't that great news? My identity has totally changed since I became a Christian. Now I can be identified with the righteousness of God because of being "in Him," a follower of Jesus! Jesus is righteous and His sacrifice covers me! What a great transfer! So today to announce the new blog title, I wanted to encourage my friends to think about what Jesus will do for you--give you a new title! Blessings, LORI

THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

Lace on the line, linens on the lawn, our Thanksgiving celebration is history for another year! We all got together to celebrate Thanksgiving on Saturday. After dinner I washed the tablecloth and linen napkins. It was a really nice, sunny, breezy day for drying! As you know I love to dry white linen on the grass--a great natural whitening process!

Mark 9:3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.

Revelation 1:5"...to Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
Isn't it great to know that our sins can be forgiven and we can be washed as white as snow by the blood of Jesus?!

The center picture is our dining room table all set for dinner.

Do you like the looks of those pies? We are a pie-baking family. Clint's grandma was quite a pie baking lady and we love to still use her old recipes. The two cream pies, chocolate and butterscotch, were from her recipes! The chocolate is always the first to go! Blessings, LORI

WELCOME TO MY SEWING ROOM!

SHE IS NOT AFRAID OF SNOW FOR HER HOUSEHOLD, FOR ALL HER HOUSEHOLD IS CLOTHED WITH SCARLET. Proverbs 31:21

Carrie worked diligently for the rest of the afternoon putting the finishing touches on her new green velveteen dress she was making for winter. from "The Fields of May"


(Take a look at the pictures at the bottom of the page to see what I did on my Thanksgiving day!)


Welcome to my sewing room! Today I started a dress I've had in my 'design mind' for quite some time--ever since I wrote "The Fields of May," to be exact. I have wanted to make myself a dress similar to the one Carrie wore to the Christmas banquet in the book. Here is my attempt. This first picture is my dressmaker's dummy modeling the finished bodice over her "regular dress!"

The second picture is of the bodice back under construction. My main sewing machine sits by the window. It's great that I can look out while working. It keeps me from feeling closed in. Mom found this wonderful old machine for about $25 at Goodwill. It is green and matches the room!

In the third picture you can see the pattern laid out on the fabric waiting to be cut. I re-drew the pattern altering both the size and the style. Tricky, indeed. So far all is well. I cut the bodice pieces apart and added a "princess line" that the pattern didn't have plus a rounded hemline in the back bodice.

The final picture is the pattern that I made with muslin test pieces. Last summer I got a nice, large piece of muslin at a garage sale for 50cents. I knew right then that it would serve me well as a cheap piece of cloth for practice garmetns. The first muslin I made last night didn't fit right and so I had to re-draw the pattern today. Thankfully I have a huge roll of newsprint paper that I use for such things.

I hope you like my sewing room. It used to be JT's bedroom before he got married and moved out! As you can see, I turned it into what looks like a Victorian ladies' dress shop. He was horrified at first that I made it so feminine! I got very inexpensive wallpaper and border then added all the antiques. Notice the really ornate lamp behind the dummy? They were a gift that was given to me. I love them. There are two and they have dimmer switches. They are absolutely gorgeous when lit. The black chair by the sewing maching was a family heirloom brought from Pennsylvania with some of my family that first settled in Michigan. My grandma gave it to me when I was just a teen. The fan behind the dressmaker's dummy is from an auction as well as the antique wedding picture. Our old dining room table serves as my cutting table. Today being Thanksgiving, one thing I'm thankful for is my very adequate sewing room. It hasn't always been this way and I really appreciate a whole room for fabric pursuits!!!! Hope you had a great holiday, Blessings, LORI

BLESSED BREADMAKING!

BLESSED SHALL BE YOUR BASKET AND YOUR KNEADING BOWL Deuteronomy 28:5"She was putting the finishing touches on a green salad when the oven timer went off, alerting her that the dinner rolls were done. She opened the oven door and peered in at the pans of crusty, golden buns looking like amber bubbles, their beckoning aroma wafting through the cherry kitchen. She removed the pans from the oven and set them on the counter to cool. She rubbed a generous portion of butter over the tops and let its golden sweetness drip down over their sides." from "The Fields of May"

How are you doing today? I guess you can easily see how I spent my day! Of course, that wasn't all. The breadmaking occurred between laundry, interneting, and cleaning. These rolls are for our Thanksgiving celebration. I'll freeze them until our get-together on Saturday. I've used this recipe for years. We made probably about 500 of them for JT and Kori's wedding a few years ago. Talk about a job! They are made from oatmeal and are a family favorite. Today I accidentally doubled the batch and now we'll have plenty to spare! Oh, well!

Did you notice the verse I included at the top of today's post? I like this and the many other blessing verses listed in Deuteronomy. It reminds me that my homemaking is blessed by God. This week while you are cleaning, cooking, baking, and preparing for Thanksgiving, Christian ladies, remember that your efforts are blessed by God! Read the entire chapter I cited and learn all about the many blessings you can enjoy. Deuteronomy is full of little nuggets of exciting truth and wonderful gems for the Bible student. (I guess that's true of all scripture, right?)

I guess there's nothing more rewarding for a Titus 2 woman (I like to think I qualify!) than breadmaking! I used to do much more of it than I do now, but I still enjoy the results! We promptly used some of the rolls for our supper, knowing there were too many for the upcoming dinner! Awww!!!

As well as breadmaking, I prepared to enjoy another of my biblical-woman style hobbies today--sewing. I was thrilled to finally get a piece of pinwale corduroy in hunter green yesterday--at half price nonetheless! I've been wanting to design a dress that appeared in "The Fields of May." It is Carrie's Christmas dress that she wore to the Blooming Hills Christmas Banquet in an early chapter of the book. I will wear it when I do speaking engagements from now on as a further promotional for the book if it turns out well. Because I am doing some "design" work to make it unique, there is always the chance that it will flop! I sure hope not! I am trying to have it done to wear for an upcoming Christmas banquet I am invited to. Today I washed the fabric to prepare it for cutting. Will feature the results later--good or bad! Stay tuned, Blessings, LORI

EMMA'S SOCKS AND SCRIPTURAL ENCOURAGEMENTS

Matthew 11:2-6 (Please read this selection)

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. (Vs. 4-5)

Here's a picture of Emma's new socks! I just finished them last night. This picture is taken on my grandma's old ironing board. It sits up in what I call my "living room" in the upstairs dormer. I have little china doll dishes, a toy iron, Grandma's real old iron, lots of antique shirt collars and various other antique items displayed there. Do you like the little socks? I was really pleased with them. The pattern was from a really old book.

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I hope you took time to read the entire Bible selection that I noted today. I was reading in Matthew this morning when this passage really struck me. I was contemplating and praying about some pretty big things this morning and asking for direction. In this passage I found some interesting encouragement. John was imprisoned and facing death for his righteous stance. I'm sure he was wanting to make sure that he had perceived and discerned the Lord's commission correctly. He sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the promised one. It is surprising that Jesus did not give him a direct "yes" or "no" answer. Did you notice that? Instead Jesus listed the things that were going on in His ministry. He told the disciples to report that back to John.

I understood this to be an encouragement for John to look at the evidence and not just a report of what someone answered. I wonder if we sometimes are waiting for God to give us a sign or a word when we really need to look at the circumstances surrounding a situation. I have studied for years in the Bible and love the topic of "hearing God." I once taught a very extensive series of Sunday school lessons on the subject. One of the ways we hear and discern God's will for decisions is by the circumstances. This is not the only way or always the case, but it is one way that often happens to move us in a certain direction. It's as if Jesus was urging John to see the evidences, the results and let them speak for themselves. Also John was very much in tune with the Holy Spirit in a way that most others of his day were not. His ministry was incredible and unusual for his time. (Matthew 11:11) Jesus knew that there was coming a time for His followers when being led by the Spirit and not His personal physical presence and voice would be the norm. I believe He knew that John could already be trusted to discern the signs of the times and the deity of Jesus by the evidences and the Holy Spirit's prompting. After all John would have known from what Jesus pointed to (healings, etc.,) that this lined up with prophetic scriptures. I am sure John was well-versed in the word.

These are great thoughts to ponder as you think about how you personally make decisions and how you hear from God.

Yesterday I took "A Sturdy Fence" to the publishers! This book is a bit different than the first. The theme is similar, but with much more conflict. It still has the country flavor and simple innocence of "The Fields of May," though. Hooray! In only a short bit of time we should have a finished book to make available to readers! I started the polishing on book 3 last evening. I am feeling really good about all that!

Today is a really pretty day here and I plan to go do some winterizing on my garden before we lose this sunshine. Have a great weekend, Blessings, LORI

MORE PICTURES OF TENNESSEE

Finally, here are the rest of the pictures we promised you from Tennessee! I am a fan of "sign pictures. And of course, these signs are advertising some of my favorite things---turnip greens! Only in the south!


Here's a picture of an old barn displaying the signs that I remember so well from my first few trips to the south. I love it!

Here I am with my new spinning wheel. This quaint old barn is on the property of the place where we stay in Tennessee. Isn't it lovely? We had just come home from church and decided to take a picture of the spinning wheel on this pretty day.

Doesn't this swing and pastoral setting seem to be inviting you to relax and enjoy the late fall day? This picture was taken out near the barn where I sat spinning. This pretty pond is full of giant catfish!

Here's a picture of the famous Carnton plantation near Franklin. The story of this home coincides with the story of the battle at the Carter House in town. I posted a picture a while ago of the Carter House cat, General Cheatham, remember? The stones you see in the picture are part of a large Confederate cemetery on the grounds. The house was used for a hopsital during the battle of Franklin. The wounded were brought here and they were put in every bed, chair, couch and all the floors throughout the house awaiting operations. The surgeons worked in front of windows using doors from the rooms placed upon barrels for operating tables. The surgeries went on non-stop for 2 days. The lady of the house graciously donated all but one room for the medical needs of the moment. Some bestselling books have recently been written about her and the dedication she had to keeping the graves and information about the men buried here. As I listened to her story, I wondered how many people nowadays would have the strength of character to allow their home to be completely taken over with bleeding bodies, ruining furniture and leaving permanent stained reminders of the carnage in the floors, then spend the rest of their lives caring for the memories of the victims. Surely these few hours of battle changed the lives of this particular family forever. You can't erase those kinds of scenes from memory. The bodies of four Confederate generals were placed on the front porch for the people to pay their respects as they passed by. Such tragedy. May we all learn lessons from those gone before us.

Just one of the very beautiful roadside scenes we photographed and enjoyed during our trip. The fall color was breathtaking.

Here is a sight we never see up north. This is a tobacco barn with the year's harvest drying inside.


BLESS THE LORD O MY SOUL, AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME BLESS HIS HOLY NAME! Psalm 103:1

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture--Psalm 103. It speaks of the complete redemption that was secured for me by Christ. I often pray these scriptures when sickness is threatening. I command my body to line up with the words of this scripture and "bless the Lord" by remaining healthy and operating properly, since "ALL that is within me," is supposed to be a blessing to His holy name!

I hope you're having a great week and enjoyed these pics. I have been quite busy with follow-up on my mom's surgery--dr.'s appointments and such. She had a little set-back and so I'd appreciate your continued prayers.

Just thought I'd share with you what I'm reading right now. In addition to the Bible, I am reading a history of the 19th Michigan Infantry to learn more about my Gr. Gr. Grandpa's unit in the Civil War. Still working on Emma's socks and finishing the final read-through of "A Sturdy Fence." Later this week, it will be out of my hands and into the realm of publishing! Hooray! Blessings, LORI

A MICHIGAN NOVEMBER

GIRLS DRESSED TO KILL (Deer, that is)!


Welcome to November in Michigan! The opening day of the deer hunting season (gun season) fell on a Sunday this year. Instead of having the annual deer camp yesterday, our cousins hosted the event today. This is a picture of my husband's cousin, Gloria, on the left, our daughter, Rhiannon in the middle, and Abby, another cousin on the right. Don't they look cute? I am the only girl in our immediate family that doesn't hunt. Even my daughter in law got a license last year. But since she's 8 months pregnant, she is not hunting this year. We all gathered for the Deer Camp festivities in Gloria and Charlie's very comfortable pole building, complete with woodstove and bulletin boards of former hunting successes. We had a huge carry-in meal of delicious foods and lots of fun and fellowship around the table. Someone brought a venison noodle casserole that was scrumptious! I am not a venison fan, but this was enough to make me want to can some if we get a deer. Venison will be welcome to many Michigan families, especially this year. Our state is hard hit with the economic downturn, more so than many other places and this year's hunt will help many families stretch an already strained food budget.

Instead of hunting, I prefer to stay home and knit the warm items that the hunters need. Clint talked me into knitting and felting a sweater for him a few years ago. It was designed specifically for hunting. I chose a green/black wool and made a huge oversized sweater. It has a front placket with antler horn buttons. I felted it to a perfect fit for him and am still amazed that it turned out right! Felted wool is virtually element-proof! He says it's one of his best hunting garments for the very cold days.

I was thinking today about November as I took my walk. I used to really love this time of year, but for the past couple of years we have had kind of "trying" Novembers. There's been sickness and other things to deal with. I began to dread the early darkness of the time change and the increased indoor time that I used to love so much. I was reminded to try to enjoy the particular beauty of the season for what it is instead of complaining and dreading the soon-coming winter.

November in Michigan is pretty in a unique way. The sight of a faded red barn against the deep blue-gray, cloudy skies is like something from a painting. Scenes like that are abundant in my home area. Rustling cornfields and brown leaves add to the picture. The colors of nature this time of year always remind me of hand-dyed wool! The whole landscape reminds me of my favorite hobbies! It makes me want to knit. By the way, I started a pair of self-striping socks for Emma last night and they are going together rapidly. So cute and so tiny!

I got the privilege of hanging out a freshly washed load of sheets today. The cold air and stiff breeze will make them smell wonderful! This is a blessing of country life.

I received a phone call today from a friend who just finished reading "The Fields of May." She was urging me to let her know as soon as "A Sturdy Fence," and it's sequel are out. Another cousin mentioned to me today that she finished the book as well and loved it. I was thrilled. Especially since I plan to get the manuscript for "A Sturdy Fence" over to the publishers before this week is out! That was a real boost!

Today I am thanking God for the little November blessings that we enjoy. More spiritual insights and thoughts coming soon! Blessings, LORI

THOUGHTS FROM EXODUS

And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever."

Exodus 14:13

I wanted to write a few lines since I haven't posted anything for most of the week! Isn't this a great verse? I have this one underlined in my Bible for encouragement. The Israelites were just beginning to learn about the character of the God to whom they were trusting their lives! Their backs were against the wall, so to speak. There they stood, finally out of the slavery of their former home and yet pursued by their taskmasters. The Red Sea was on one side and the pursuing Egyptian army on the other. (I encourage you to read several chapters both before and after this verse to get the whole story!)

Moses assures them to avoid fear, stand still, and watch what God will do. Moses puts all the burden of their "salvation" on God, encouraging them that they just have to rest in His provision. How often do we try to take on the roles that only God can occupy in our lives? We try to run ahead and see to all the details when in reality we are just supposed to stand still and see God accomplish our deliverance. I am so guilty of that so often. Learning to rest in the wonderful character and power of our God is a lifelong endeavor. With each new day, each new trial, each new circumstance, we have an opportunity to cast our cares on God and watch Him deliver us.

Of course, in saying that, we must also realize there is a time for us to act on His word and do the things He asks. We don't always just sit back and assume God will do everything. This is part of discerning what to do, and when to do it. There is a learning process where we discover how to rest in what He will do. The wonderful promise at the end of the verse is that they would see their enemies no more forever! It is truly a victorious occasion when we know that the various things in life that are "Red Seas" to us are once and for all behind us. Gaining victory over the things that plague us or challenge us is sweet indeed!

I hope this encourages you. Thanks for praying for our family this week. Mom got through surgery fine and we brought her home today. We are believing for a quick recovery that will see her up to her usual energetic self in record time. She had wonderful care and was attended by at least one very nice Christian nurse. It is always comforting to meet other believers when you are in challenging situations.

I tried to get a picture on here today, but the computer woudln't cooperate. I have one from the August trip to Tennessee that I want to post but will try again tomorrow. The busy week accounts for us not being able to get to a different computer to post the rest of the vacation pictures. Blessings, LORI

AN ENCOURAGING SCRIPTURE VERSE

HE BRINGS OUT THOSE WHO ARE BOUND INTO PROSPERITY; BUT THE REBELLIOUS DWELL IN A DRY LAND. PSALM 68:6
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We are having a busy week here at the Zehr house. I so much wanted to post the rest of my Tennessee pictures for you to see, but we had trouble yesterday with getting the rest on the computer. Today my daughter woke up feeling under the weather and was not able to go to the library with me to try posting them again. She is fighting a sore throat and chills. I also ended up taking my mom to visit a surgeon on the spur of the moment when I discovered she was feeling sick again this morning. This resulted in us getting a surgery scheduled for her some days before we anticipated. Later this week she is scheduled for surgery and that means that the picutres may be a few days later than I intended with all that's going on.

But in the meantime, I was reading my Bible, going through several of the scriptures that I had underlined, when I happened upon several that were specifically encouraging along the lines of economic prosperity. They are certainly timely words for this day and age and the current economic conditions that threaten folks.

Notice in the verse above, Psalm 68:6, that the Bible declares that the Lord brings out those who are bound or trapped by something. Sometimes when economic adversity threatens, you can feel like you have no way out. Maybe you have a house that you need to sell, but it remains unsold. If you could you would move where there are better jobs, but you don't have the money to make a move. Maybe you have a job, but conditions in the job are not as good as you'd like but lack of education or whatever prevents you from moving forward. Possibly you are in debt and feel "bound" by the feeling that it is overwhelming. Maybe like so many right now, you simply need a job and there are none to be found. Whatever it is, these kinds of things make a person feel hopeless. The scripture declares good news to us that the Lord brings His people out of this condition of hopelessness and into PROSPERITY!! Isn't that a great promise to stand on? He is working for my prosperity even if it looks impossible and hopeless on the "earth-end" of things.

Take heart in this scripture today. Let is minister hope and courage to you. Believe for better days. Until I can post more trip details, Blessings, LORI

Here are a few pictures from our Tennessee trip. This first one is "General Cheatham." He is the resident cat at the Carter House in Franklin. A major battle of the Civil War took place in the backyard of this home. Bullet holes are still abundant and visible in the wood siding on the backporch--right above the 'General!' Dr. Dobson had the story of this battle on his radio program some time ago. The place was fascinating. Our tour guide was a Christian and he was very knowledgeable.
This is a really "scary" picture" of me having a bad hair day! I was posing by the old fashioned soda fountain at an old drugstore in Cross Plains, TN. We had a Coke made the old way. The girl pumped the syrup into a cup, added carbonated water and stirred! Wow! What a wonderful old fashioned experience.

See me on the porch above? don't I look short? What a beautiful old mansion. This is Rippavilla. We had toured the home on our last trip. Several Confederate generals met there to strategize before the battle. This historic home is just outside Spring Hill. There is a family cemetery and beautiful gardens on the grounds. The next picture is me eating traditional southern food at the Loveless Cafe near Nashville. It is an old motel that was turned into a restaurant and gift shops. They serve wonderful food. I was eating sweet potato fries and you can see I had okra and turnip greens still on my plate!

This last picture is of my Great, Great Grandfather's grave in the New Albany national cemetery, New Albany, Indiana. This town is on the Ohio river just over into Indiana. My grandfather enlisted in January 1864 and died July 2, 1864 while walking home from the war. We don't know many more details, except that a son was born into the family after he left for war and he never saw the boy. We have my grandpa's picture in uniform and are trying diligently to locate more information about him. We suspect he died of disease because grandparents always said he had been a prisoner of war. We are unsure.

More pics hopefully on the next post. Have a blessed day! LORI