lethal mail

 

My sister Teri was staying in the guest room.

The lady next door was moving.

 

One day

a large, flexible, green

trash bin appeared in her driveway.

It started out empty

and every morning

treasures would appear overnight.

 

Being naturally curious,

and having the mindset of finding

"something wonderful for nothing,"

early mornings

would find us examining the contents of said bin.

 

And yes....

there were treasures to be found.

 

Teri's long time heart's desire was right there in the bin....

An almost unused,

 very expensive set of bar-b-que utensils.

"I've never seen a set with such a sharp knife," she said.

 

The rest of the story ends yesterday.

It took Bubba a long time to find a box,

pack the treasures,

and send them on their way across the country

to the front porch of the Crosby home.

 

Teri and Anna drove up to their house.

They excitedly noted

a package on the front stoop.

Packages on the front stoop always elicit great joy.

The anticipation......

"what could it be?"

 

This one, however,

had an extremely large and menacing knife blade

 sticking out of the top.

 

Anna's first words were,

"Mom, it looks like a machete."

 

Bubba had mailed the package last week.

He told me to tell her it was on the way.

I forgot.

They had no idea that the long awaited utensils were on their way.

 

Questions....

At what point in the mail process did the knife break through the box?

Was it somewhere over Kansas maybe?

Did no one think

to gently push it back in

and close the hole with a piece of tape?

Really???

 

Always something to write about.

Life is funny and deserves to be told!

 

 

 

 

let's see if this works...

 

Yea....the blog is back working again!

Sadly,

I am too tired to write tonight.

but,

I will tell this little tidbit of news.

 

Lucy lost her other top front tooth today.

Granddaddy

had the honor of pulling it out this afternoon.

You know what that means....

the tooth fairy will be coming tonight.

Can't wait to see what she brings.

 

I will say this too...

I am so honored to be Lucy's grammy.

She is a very special little girl.

 

....at the ice cream shop

before

the Nutcracker on Saturday.

the problem is solved

After seven years and almost two thousand blogs and countless pictures
my blog filled completely up.

I used all of the gig that they had alloted me.
I had to purchase more gig which I just did.
Hopefully by tomorrow I can write again.
Thanks for waiting for me!
cathy

so...

I just went to write my blog for tonight.
It was going to be a good one too..ha ha.
A big blurb came on and said...
Oops, you are out of gig room.
My gig is full.

I have no idea what that means,
but my blog writing may be over.
Just thought I would let you know.

I will try to work through this with my computer man.
What I need is more gig...
just don't know how to get more gig.

"this one was born in zion"

 

A couple of days ago,

while reading Psalm eighty seven,

I came across the phrase

quoted above.

 

It sent me crashing back to the 1980's

when Wayne Watson

recorded a song with that title.

I loved that song

but I don't think I realized it's impact.

 

I searched for and found the song on the internet

and have listened to it over and over.

 

"This one was born in Zion

make no mistake,

this one is mine.

This one was born in Zion...

this one will never,

this one will never,

this one will never die."

 

Oh my, what a promise.

 

"Zion is the place of God's presence.

Zion is the place of God's power and blessing and protection.

Zion is the hope of God's future rule over the earth."

john piper

 

Born to never die.

Name written in the book of life.

 

"This one was born in Zion."

"Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me."

"This one will never die."

 

(thanks Sarah A for letting me use your picture)

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Let us reflect today and remember

who we are in Christ...

where we came from and where we are headed.

 

While we are on this journey of life

let us always remember to be

thankful

for what He has done,

that He made us and sustains us,

provided salvation,

and has prepared for us a home in heaven

with Him for eternity.

 

Not to take lightly this freedom we have....

for it may soon be gone.

 

Praying for all who read that you may know the joy of

life in Christ.

 

Love,

cathy

it's almost that time

 

Pumpkin pie and orange leaves

candleglow

a chilly breeze.

 

Old and young

we gather together

bundled up against the weather.

 

Turkey and dressing

butter crisp rolls

a fire in the fireplace

a smell to the nose.

 

Remember last year and all the years past

we come together and have a blast.

 

Men on the outside

gathered around

a large vat of grease in which turkeys abound.

 

Laughter and busyness

girls in the kitchen

Preparing the dishes

Who's saying the blessing?

 

Coffee and dessert

did you save any room?

Come on it's Thanksgiving I think I'll have two.

 

Clean up the kitchen?

I think that can wait.

Just want to sit on the sofa and satiate.

 

Thanksgiving I love you!

 

Ha ha...my feeble attempt at a Thanksgiving poem!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"this one was born there'

 

"I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon

to those who know Me:

Behold, O Philistra and Tyre,

with Ethiopia: 

This one was born there."

Psalm 87: 4

 

O the things I find in the Bible.

 

Taking it out of context, I know,

but God knew Gus would be born in Ethiopia

and if he is called

and our prayers are answered,

 He will draw this little fella to Himself

 and give him the faith to believe.

 

Children are not born innocent...

they are conceived in sin

 and need a Savior.

Thank you David for your insights on this today in your sermon.

 

Pray for your children and

 teach them diligently from His word.

 

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul,

 and with all your might.

And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your children,

and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,

and when you walk by the way,

 when you lie down

and when you rise up."

Deuteronomy 6: 5-7

 

When we invest this command into our children's lives,

there is great reward.

some things i read...

about our God just now.....

 

He inclines His ear to hear my prayer 

He answers me.

He preserves my soul

He saves His servant who trusts in Him.

 

God is gracious to me

He makes my soul glad.

 

God is good,

ready to forgive,

abundant in lovingkindness

to all who call upon His name.

 

God is great

God does wondrous deeds.

God is truth

His lovingkindness toward me is great.

 

God is

merciful and gracious

slow to anger

abundant in lovingkindness and truth.

God gives me strength.

 

Thou, O Lord, has helped me and comforted me.

 

Yes, I read these verses this morning

and they made my heart glad.

I thought I would share them with you as a blessing.

Will think on these things all day

and be blessed.

 

Psalm 85 if you care to read from His word.

Cornerstone Church of Savannah.....

 

...has been going strong now for a year.

These were some random photos I took on

that very first Sunday.

 

We were few,

but we were committed

to this tiny little church meeting in the YMCA.

 

We had coffee and doughnuts

and David. our pastor,

began preaching in the book of I Timothy.

 

To God be the Glory Great things He has Done!

 

He has been faithful to provide all of our needs in abundance.

Tonight we meet for Bible study and prayer.

We are still going strong....

looking to Him to provide

 the rest of our arms and legs and hands and feet....

a permanent place to meet,

and extra helpers for all of our little ones.

 

Actually,

We need you!

Please come give us a try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the last thing i want to do....

 

...is pray for this president

that was elected for four more years.

Everything he stands for

is against the very core of my being.

For a little bit

 I could let myself be engulfed with fear 

of what lies ahead for all of us....

not just believers,

 but everyone

who will eventually suffer under his leadership.

 

But...

I refuse to live in fear,

because fear is worse than death.

 

Here is what the Bible commands that we do...

word for word...

for those in authority over us.

I choose to obey these words & trust in God for what lies ahead.

 

"Therefore

I exhort first of all

that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks

 be made for all men,

for kings,

 and all who are in authority,

that we may lead a quiet and peaceaable life

in all godliness and reverence. 

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

who desires all men to be saved

 and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 

 I Timothy 2: 1~4

 

Tonight I commit to pray

for our president and the leaders of this country

for the next four years.

Not because I want to,

 but because it is what God tells me to do.

Will you join me?

 

to God be the Glory....

 

 

 

 

getaways

 

First of all....

I don't have my camera.

It was sent away to the repair shop.

I think I have just about worn out another one.

Filled with sand and skipping around,

 it was time for it to go.

but,

I am absolutely lost without it.

 

That's Bub and me up there.

I think all couples everywhere need to get away occasionally.

We have always liked road trips...

Short trips in the car

to nearby places that we love.

All of them have to involve a beach somewhere....

he knows how to make me happy.

 

It's a time to talk...

not that we don't talk,

but on trips we talk endlessly...

nothing to interrupt.

He explains all things political where I can understand them

and then I give my take.

Most of the time I am reading a book

and he lets me read something interesting I've found.

This time

 it was the testing of the first atomic bomb

 out in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

 

Best of all we talk about the Lord and what we read in the Bible.....

always thinking about how we can

put what we learn to practive in our lives.

 

We choose new & different places to eat

and look in antique shops

for things like police badges and pieces of pottery.

 

We look at beach property....always dreaming.

just dreaming, but always dreaming.

 

God's blessings flow ceaselessly...

always mindful that everything comes from Him.

 

 

so we didn't win...now what

 

This is what I read first thing this morning....

 

"Arise, O God, judge the earth!

For it is You

who does possess all the nations."

Psalm 82: 8

 

God is still in control.

This election and these times are in His hands.

Nothing can thwart the plans of God.

Nothing is amiss.

 

One day....

"every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that

Jesus Christ is Lord."

Until that day we watch and wait.....

Trusting in His good and true word and the promises it contains.

 

Believers,

this is not our home,

we are only passing through.

We are safe in Christ...

under the shadow of His wings.

 

My heart is full of joy tonight because of these truths.

 

Sea Pines ~ Harbor Town

 

the craziest voting saga in the state.....

 

The phone rang early this morning.

It was Bubba.

He went down to the beach to vote and the polling ladies wouldn't let him.

"We are registered to vote at the Coastal Cathedral," he said,

you need to go there."

The Coastal Cathedral is right down the road.

 

I arrived at 8:30,

waited in a mile and a half long line and

exited at 10:30 without voting.

I read almost three chapters in

"The Treasure Principal" by Randy Alcorn

and made lifelong friends

with the stranger in line in front of me.

He even gave me

a wonderful compliment

without ever knowing how much it meant to me.

He said..."My mom was a small woman like you."

He may have been blind.

Because of these two activities

the two hours went fairly swiftly.

 

While waiting to get my little yellow card,

I was informed that.

I was not registered at the Coastal Cathedral after all

but at the beach.

"You cannot vote here!"

 

God is so good to me.

Because I had just read "The Treasure Principal,"

I took it very well.

 

I left.

I picked up Daddy.

He voted ~ no line.

We drove to the beach.

I voted ~ no line.

 

I am a Georgia voter and proud of it!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

why is this so hard for me?

Bear with me tonight.

I have to get this out of the inner reaches of my soul.

 

With Moma it was easier.

She got sick...

she got progressively worse.

Her normal thoughts and senses left her.

She went to the nursing home

and died peacefully after a few months.

So sad,

but God's mercy toward her in the end was welcomed.

She didn't have to suffer anymore.

Still miss her terribly,

but now with fond memories and loving thoughts.

 

Daddy, on the other hand,

is still in full control.

He suffered a small pin stroke a couple of weeks ago,

spent a few nights in the hospital

and was sent to short term rehabilitation.

He cannot wait to get home and get back to his life there.

He looks great and is doing so well, but,

there was damage,

to his balance,

his eyesight,

his cognitive abilites.

 

I talked to the therapist today.

He doesn't think that he is able to live alone anymore.

My heart breaks for him.

 

I just can't help being sad...

And Dad is not going to let go easily.

I am praying for widom because I don't have any on this.

 

Or,

Maybe I do

and just don't want to face it.

 

"Do not cast me off in the time of old age;

do not forsake me when my strength fails."

Psalm 71:9

 

 

first leaf pile joy

 

This is Eli.

These are the first leaves that were raked up this year.

He couldn't wait to jump in the pile

and scatter them all around.

Notice that the grass is still green

and the sun is glowing.

 

Tonight we fall back.

I don't like it at all.

At six o'clock tomorrow night

we will be plunged into darkness.

 

Time to put up the Christmas lights and let them shine!

 

Struggling with "things" tonight.

Praying for wisdom.

Thanking God for His grace and forgiveness.

 

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,

 but also for the interests of others."

Philippians 2:4

 

so...this is halloween

 

This family

thinks that we should throw a party

for everything.

Last night we celebrated Halloween out at

the O'Quinn's home on

Skidaway Island.

 

Walking in and seeing the bowl full of fingers,

I knew we were in for a good time.

We had Bubba's Chili

and Sally's amazing salad.

There were homemade pumpkin sugar cookies

and the amazingly good

"finger" cookies

 that you see in the bowl above.

I made a pecan pie,

and by the end of the meal,

when coffee was served,

we were all stuffed to the absolute gills.

 

Next came the frenzy of getting into costumes

 and the real fun began.

The kids piled on the golf cart

and the adults piled into our van

 and we headed for the most

glorified trick or treating

I have ever been a part of.

 

As you can see by gazing into the pink pumpkin,

we did not come away disappointed.

By 8:30

we were headed for home,

drowsy from full stomachs and hiking from house to house.

 

So yes...this was our Halloween.

Welcome November!

Let the holidays begin!

Time to start planning for Thanksgiving.

 

"Every good and every perfect gift 

is from above, 

 and comes down from the Father of lights,

with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." 

 James 1:17