A LITTLE SIGN OF SPRING, A BIGGER SIGN OF SPRING, CHURCHES, AND THE ALABAMA TORNADOES

Found this tiny little sign of spring while we were outside staring at the new tulips! This is a for-sure sign of spring in Michigan when the mushrooms start popping out. Rhiannon spotted it in the grass!

This makes us anxious to go hunt the woods on our newly acquired property to see if there are more over there!

The vase of flowers are some of my favorites from my garden. I sure wish Rhiannon would let me pick some of her tulips to help grace this bouquet!

--A few more thoughts about competitiveness between churches: I believe the situation does exist, though I was glad to hear that my readers had not noticed it all that much.

I talked to a pastor's wife recently (from a small church) who told me of a creative suggestion her church adopted long ago to keep from getting into a competitive spirit with other churches in their locale. They started posting the name of an area church in their bulletin each week so the congregation could pray for that specific church. I thought that was a lovely way to avoid exclusiveness and competition.



I do believe that competitiveness existst since I have sensed it myself and heard certain pastors refer to situations that reflect this could be going on--although it may be unintentional. Americans have a tendency to think materialistically about things, including church. This means that the "fast food," "supermarket," "shop 'til you drop," mentality we so often embrace can translate to our church selection and attendance. I heard one pastor say that he felt people use the question of "where can I get the best deal" when deciding where to go to church.

I appreciate the comments you posted on this matter. In the next post, I'll explore this a bit further and I hope you will have more thoughts to add.

PS: Dear Friends of mine live in the hardest hit towns of Alabama that were seriously affected during yesterday's tornadoes. We have visited them often in the last few years and it was very strange to watch the weatherman standing in front of stores where I've shopped--little out of the way places that are suddenly in the news--negatively. My friends are without power, have roofs blown off, windows out, and neighbors dead. I am praying for their recovery in this whole mess. I hope you'll think of them as you pray today as well. Blessings, LORI

I'M STILL HERE!

I've been too busy to post lately. That means spring is here for sure! Lots of interesting things going on, though. Will be back again soon! Hope you are all doing well!

I'd like to take a little poll among my readers (which I am suspecting are few :)) for a future post. The question came up the other day, "Do you sense a competitive spirit among churches in the US?" An interesting question to ponder. I'm curious what you think. I have some thoughts on the subject, some I got from unlikely sources. Comment if you can since I'm thinking of posting some thoughts on the subject in the near future.

Have a blessed spring! LORI

A GREAT BIG ANNIVERSARY BLESSING!

Sunday was our 29th anniversary! We celebrated by going to church and attending the Uganda fundraiser meal and auction afterward. Other than that there were no dinners out this year or anything like that.





BUT.....we had another big blessing occur just a few days later. We closed on a beautiful 15+acre piece of property! This was a big dream and blessing that has come about just in the last few weeks. Since we resigned the pastorate we had been praying about a possible move back to our old hometown and had a realtor looking for suitable building sites for us. They are few and far between in the area we were desiring (only a few miles away) and we thought this might take a while. Most of our area is flat land, but this piece of ground is different. The views on this property are gorgeous and no other houses close. When it came up for sale, we lost no time making an offer that was accepted in a short time. Now we own this lovely, largely wooded, rolling acreage with a pond at the back. Some of the pond is within our boundaries and some is on other land, but it's all very secluded--a hunter's dream with a lovely site for building a home with walkout basement. You see me in the picture walking down ONE of the steep hills leading to the pond. A good walk through this property gives a hearty workout!





We don't know if we'll be able to build or when, but now we are one step closer. I never thought we'd be able to build two new houses in one lifetime, but God really blessed us with this opportunity and so rebuilding now becomes a very strong possibility. When we built the house we live in 7 years ago, we never dreamed we'd ever move again, but needs change and that's what happened to us. With one of our kids now married and us not pastoring, the housing needs are different. (Did you know that pastoring creates special housing needs? If you never thought about it, consider your pastor and his family and how you could bless them with help since they often share their home with others). Our ideas to move again could all become a reality in God's timing.



This land would put us only a couple of miles from our new jobs and in this high-priced gas economy, that alone is a blessing! Rejoice with us as we thank God for this blessing! LORI

HOW YA GONNA' KEEP 'EM DOWN ON THE FARM?

I'm excited to share a few pictures of my grandparents during the WW1 years! My Grandpa was a soldier and Grandma was his faithful sweetheart back home on the farm helping her parents (they weren't married yet then)--just a couple miles from where I now live. The old WW1 song asks, "How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm, after they've seen Paris?" My Grandpa wanted to be sent to France, but he never made it there. Most of the time he was enlisted he spent cutting timber for the war effort out in Oregon and Washington. He and Grandma faithfully wrote back and forth for those years and our family is privileged to have stacks of letters--living history chronicles--to see how life was in those days! This is what scares me about email--do we take the time to save our mailings for the benefit of future generations??? Something to think about!

I adore the WW1 fashions and some of these pictures are of my Grandma in her wonderful WW1 era clothing. I would call the coat in the bottom picture a "duster." I once made one for myself and got umpteen compliments (used Folkwear's pattern) but now regret that I gave it away. I intend to make another one, this time for keeps! Notice the collar on Grandma's dress and her hats. I love the dress lengths and the shoes as well! I am currently sewing the "Armistice Blouse" by Folkwear and hope to picture it when it's finished. I trust you enjoyed these pictures and a glimpse into America's proud past. Blessings,

A SURE SIGN OF SPRING!

WHILE I WAS OUT FOR MY WALK YESTERDAY (TEMPS IN THE 80'S), I SPOTTED THESE FIRST DAFFODILS OF SPRING GROWING ALONG THE ROADSIDE. THEY APPEAR IN THE SAME SPOT EACH SPRING. IT'S A BIT OF A STRETCH TO PICK THEM SINCE THEY ARE ON A SLOPE LEADING DOWN TO A WET SPOT NEAR A ROADSIDE DITCH. BUT I MANAGED.

I FELT LIKE I WAS LONGING FOR SPRING AND JUST NEEDED TO BRING SOME OF THE SUNSHINE INTO THE HOUSE. I ASKED MY DAUGHTER TO PUT THEM IN A VASE. SHE CHOSE A CANNING JAR AND I THOUGHT THE EFFECT WAS WONDERFUL. PARKED HERE BY MY FAVORITE COOKBOOK HOLDER, I THOUGHT THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY SIMPLICITY!

Part 3 of how we're surviving the economic downturn--aka--job change!

We are doing well. I already spoke of "tithing," and "tightening our belts." We seem to see the Lord bringing jobs our way just when they are most needed. So far, the jobs Clint does, including the evangelistic preaching/pulpit supply appointments are all 'on call' or 'as needed' types of jobs. Still, just when it looks like we are going to have a slim week, a call comes in for him to assist somewhere.

Yesterday at church a gentleman got up and gave a wonderful testimony of how he had received a huge bonus and a raise this week. This came right on the heels of a guest speaker at the church the week before feeling led to pray for and bless the heads of homes in the church concerning better jobs and higher incomes. If you think this is unusual, remember we live in Michigan and the economy here suffered to a greater degree than the rest of the country. If you can't identify, try to imagine magnifying your situation or what the recession meant to your state and then understand how it felt to live in Michigan during the worst of the downturn. This man's testimony was an encouragement to us all.

As well as that our family has been blessed with wonderful extra blessings in the form of material items the last while, it seems. All we can say is, "Praise the Lord!" Blessings, LORI

FIVE GENERATION PICTORIAL

I thought you might like to see a pictorial family tree! Obviously, the first picture is me standing out in my English Garden a few years (and a few pounds) ago! The next two pictures are of my Grandma, Alma Gertrude Bartholomew Happel Moore. I was a Happel. The first picture of her is when she was about 16, I think. I still have the dress she wore. It is pink. Largely because of her pictures that she left me and the rich history in the stacks of letters she and my Grandpa sent back and forth while he was in WW1, the styles of that era are probably my favorite vintage looks of all! I included the next picture of her because the pose is similar to the one of me above.

The next few pictures are in order of newest to oldest. The last one is the lady we call "Massachusetts Grandma." Her name was Helen Stanhope Wheeler Liddle. Obviously the picture is of Civil War era. She was born in Massachusetts and through her line we were able to trace our New England ancestry to England in the 1100's.

The next photo is her daughter, Helen Juanita Wheeler Haywood. She is my great, great grandma.

The next photo is Nellie Maranda Haywood Bartholomew. My daughter got part of her name from this Grandma. Nellie is my Great Grandma who died many years before I was ever born. Even my father never knew her. She died around 1916. Isn't it amazing how much all these women look alike? I guess I was thinking a lot about history this week since I spent quite a bit of time at my job engaged in the duties of sorting files in the history room. I helped a few people who inquired at the library for county and family history. I like nothing better! Rhiannon took time to write 10 pages of memoirs of my father (Grandma Alma's son) and it seemed appropriate to share some of this with all of you! I hope to expand on the importance of preserving history in some of the next few posts. I had a hard time getting this post to separate properly, Hope you can still read and enjoy it But for now, Blessings, LORI (See following pics) Alma Gertrude (Bartholomew) Happel

Nellie Maranda (Haywood) Bartholomew

Helen J. (Wheeler) Haywood

Helen L. (Stanhope) Wheeler Liddle (Massachusetts Grandma)

ON MY PET SHELTER SOAPBOX!

It has been on my heart to do a post like this for a long, time. The other day I saw some billboards by a local animal shelter/society that touched me so I couldn't get them out of my heart. Therefore, I'll get on my soapbox for a few moments!

First, I want to say I'm not an animal rights activist. I believe we have dominion over the animals, (Genesis 1:26-28) but that does not include mistreating them or making unwise choices with their lives. Yes, my husband, son, daughter, and even daughter in law hunt, and no, I don't have a problem with that. Taking an animal for food by a quick, humane kill is biblical.

The heart of the matter to me is the attitude many folks have about pets. I have noticed an increased number of discussions, advertisements, and so on about the popularity of what I call "designer animals." I hear a lot of folks even down here in "rural-ville" talking about getting puppies or kittens that were specially bred and paying big bucks for them.

Instead of purchasing an expensive pet why not adopt an animal from a shelter? Is there anything wrong with loving a pet that is not "designed" to your specifications? Would we do the same to our children when they are not perfect? (Scary thoughts). Most of the animals, cats and dogs, that we've ever had were adopted from our local animal shelter. Two of them were puppies bred for sale and then relegated to an uncertain destiny because of defects or lack of "market." They have all been wonderful, loving additions to our family and we didn't regret the decision at all. Why should we be creating more pets when there are already so many that are unwanted--born into the world usually through the laxity of owners who refuse to have their pets spayed and neutered.

I remember watching the movie, "Amazing Grace" that came out a few years ago about the life of William Wilberforce. He was the English statesman that campaigned tirelessly for the abolition of the slave trade. I was thrilled and surprised to learn that he was also instrumental in seeing attitudes about animal cruelty change in his land. I felt such a kinship with him on all his efforts, but concerning the animal cruelty work that he campaigned about, I realized that what I always thought of as a "secular" concern really is near to the heart of God. After all, the animals are part of His creation too. Originally we were designed to live in complete harmony, sharing the world with them and managing them with God's ways in mind.

I think it is high time Christians took a look at this "small" concern that is not usually thought of as a spiritual focus and led the world in reform. Let's do our part to help steward this part of our creation. The loving rewards are endless when those beady little eyes look up into yours, depending on you for care and companionship, completely loyal and ready to be your best friend!

A HOPE AND A FUTURE--part 2

THE SIGNS OF SPRING IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN--AND HOPE AND A FUTURE! Just a little update...I want to continue the story of how we're surviving against all odds with the sudden reduction in income! I hope this post encourages you. Here's part two of "A HOPE AND A FUTURE" Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small."

I often remember that one in difficult times! Our past experiences of life prepared us for this step of leaving a secure pastorate with no plans for the future. Years ago when our children were small and we were attending Bible school, I learned how to economize in drastically reduced circumstances. We put some of these principles back into practice in the last few months. I didn't use my dryer at all this winter except for a quick "fluff up" of clothes that had been dried on clothes bars in the house or on the clothesline. Yes, it's possible!

We ate very inexpensively. It's like the Lord prepared us a few months ago when Rhiannon and I were shopping one day and got some incredible deals on meat--enough to last us most of the winter. It all went in the freezer. I also raised meat chickens last spring not knowing what was coming--which meant I didn't have to buy chicken. All of last year's canning was on the shelf as well. This enabled us to buy only the temporary type groceries that I can't make myself--staple type foods.

In addition to those things, I got a job that I'd been desiring for years. This was a move of God that came at the perfect time--something I couldn't have predicted. Clint has also been working part time jobs and just when we need more money, he gets a call, it seems. God has been very good to us and come through for us in amazing ways. But part of that is also that He has taught us principles in His word that make it possible to live frugally and wisely. We still give of the money we do have to His work. This is like a seed and He returns us a harvest in various forms. Long ago we learned to tithe and I'd recommend it to any believer! I believe that the principles of giving have helped to see us through. More updates later....lots of exciting things going on in our lives....Blessings to you! LORI