I Heart You

My oldest son, Chris, came across this heart in a piece of lumber as he was working today. As I came out of my room after taking a nap, he said, "Mom, I have a present for you," and he proceeded to pull it out of his pocket.

Awww... wasn't it sweet of him to think of me?  I heart you, too, Chris.  :)

Christmas Symbolism

You know how some people try to find symbolism and meaning in everything? Well, while I may not do that exactly, I did wonder if the Christmas cactus actually had anything to do with Christmas and if it contained any symbolism in relation to Christ.   I don't want to be one of those people who try really hard to make something fit when it doesn't, but then I realized that if Christ is, indeed, the Creator... and I believe He is... then it stands to reason that His creation will reveal things about and have a connection with Him, right?



A Christmas cactus is also known as a holiday cactus, because it generally blooms around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.   It's scientific name is zygocactus, which is Greek meaning 'joined or yoked cactus', because of its segmented 'leaves'.  Whenever I think of words having a Greek name or origin, I always think of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  Anyway, if you're familiar with the teachings of Jesus, you might have been reminded of His invitation found in Matthew 11:28-30:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Who couldn't use a little rest, huh?

A Christmas cactus is an epiphyte, another Greek word meaning 'upon plant', because if a segment is broken off, it can grow on another plant, but is not parasitic.   Rather, it is a type of symbiotic relationship called commensalism in which one organism benefits while the other neither benefits, nor is harmed. Jesus invites us to abide in Him in a relationship that promises blessings.

While the Christmas cactus can be propagated through seeds, it is generally propagated using one or more of its segments.  If you know anything about Christianity, you know that it is propagated by spreading the 'seed' of the Good News, also known as the Gospel, but it is most effectively propagated through personal contact and discipleship.   It is only when we are willing to give of ourselves and love one another, as Christ commands, that others can know and come to understand the love of Christ.

So... how's that for symbolism? Do you think it's a stretch? Or could it be a small part of God's revelation to man through His creation?

Gracie: Baby Dedication

Today, Max and Emily presented Gracie, as well as themselves, to the Lord in a dedication ceremony.







Pastor took Gracie in his arms and explained that dedicating one's baby to the Lord does not secure eternal salvation and an entrance into heaven for her, but it is a public display of the parents' decision to raise her in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.   (Ephesians 6:4) Gracie will one day have to seek the Lord herself and choose to trust Him as her Savior.

He also encouraged church members to support Max and Emily in their endeavor, and promised that as a church, he and the teachers would strive to teach her about God and His Word.





After saying a prayer and handing Gracie back over to her parents, Pastor presented Max and Emily with a little New Testament for Gracie.  It warms my heart to see the love Max and Emily have for her and the Lord, and the dedication our pastor has to being a good under-shepherd.

Why Be Nice?

“Love is always bestowed as a gift—freely, willingly, and without expectation. We don’t love to be loved; we love to love.”  --Leo F. Buscaglia

Why be nice? Why do you do the things you do?  This is something that has been on my mind for a while now, but a Facebook friend’s status caused me to revisit it.

How would you feel if you knew someone did nice things for you in order to get something back in return?   I know we usually do things for people to make them happy, to meet a need, to let them know they are loved and valued, and when they’re happy, we’re happy.  So, it’s true that we usually gain at least the benefit of happiness ourselves, even if being made happy is not our motivation.   But what if you knew that the person’s primary reason for doing nice things for you was to make themselves likable and happy and even to get something in return?  Would you feel loved... or would you feel used?

I think it’s somewhat natural for us to subconsciously hope for something in return, even if only for a response in kind expressing an acceptance of the thoughtfulness or friendship. But have you ever done something nice for someone in secret... anonymously, simply because you knew it was something they needed?   Usually, in those instances, because the person doesn’t know who to thank, they end up thanking God, and He gets the glory.  On the flip side, have you ever done things to make someone happy and then become hurt or even upset when they seemed to ignore you or take you for granted?   I confess that I have felt that before... even recently.  Why do we sometimes feel that way? The Bible reveals that we get upset when we don’t get what we want or expect.   (James 4:1-3)  Sometimes our expectations are realistic.   The greater the level of intimacy or connection in a relationship, the greater and more realistic the expectation.   Just be sure the feelings of connection and intimacy are mutual lest you become disappointed when your expectations are not met.  Sometimes our responses reveal that our expectations and motivations are more self-focused.   If we are truly doing something for someone else, then we should do so with an attitude of not expecting anything in return, else we are in essence doing it primarily for ourselves.

A good friend of mine has said that people, but especially children, want to know two basic things: 1) Who’s in charge? and 2) Am I loved?  We all want to be loved and valued.  John tells us that we love God, because He first loved us.  (1 John 4:19)  And Jesus said we are no different from others if we simply love those who love us.   So instead, we should be like God, our Father, and love and bless even those who hate us... and use us.   (Matthew 5:43-48)   So, why be nice even if it seems to get you no where?  Because it’s the right thing... the loving thing to do.

Grape Jam

The Lord has blessed us with a bountiful crop of grapes.  This morning, my daughter and I harvested a small batch to try our hand at making grape jam for the first time.







Even though my daughter is allergic to grapes... even handling them is very irritating to her skin... she wore rubber gloves and picked some with me after she captured a few images with her camera.



This shot of the grapes in a basket is my fave!   Isn't she a wonderful photographer?



I found a recipe for Concord Grape Jam on Epicurious.com.  I didn't follow the recipe exactly, because I wanted to use my Vitamix to pulverize the whole grapes, seeds and all, to get the most out of them.

Boiling the grapes made the house smell soooo good!

It seems to have turned out well, and it sure tastes good on buttered toast.  Yum!  :)

Rock Hopper and Beach Comber

A few days ago, my daughter and I took her puppy, Sally, to a park, situated next to a brook, and yesterday we took a trip out to the ocean. We've been experiencing some record high temperatures for this time of year, and I didn't want to let this summer pass by without going to the beach.



Because Sally is still in training, she was kept on a retractable leash and had to be untangled a few times.



She liked wading in the shallow parts, but seemed a bit timid about venturing into the deeper, moving water. She loved hopping on the rocks. She was so cute and quite adventurous, sometimes making leaps two or three times her body length!



While exploring the brook further downstream, we discovered this beautiful wildflower. It is Gentiana Andrewsii, also known as "Andrew's Gentian" or "Closed Bottle Gentian" because it never actually opens.



The beach was very crowded yesterday. We were surprised considering most of the schools in our area have begun. But it was a gorgeous day to be on the beach nonetheless.



Doesn't this grouping of rocks standing firmly in the receding waves give you a sense of... strength and tranquility? Our Creator is the Master Artist!



Instead of making our way down to the rock jetty as we usually do, we went in the opposite direction until we came to a 'wall' of rocks and boulders... the perfect place for a 'treasure' hunt.



We found bits of pretty drift wood and a couple of shells, and I came across a tiny red crab. My daughter was actually a little grossed out when I touched it, because... well, it was no longer among the living.



We also came across a sunglasses graveyard or a kind of lost and found. One had a stem missing and another had a bit of dried seaweed hanging on. I found it curious that one of them had an elastic band still attached. Perhaps the high tide absconded with them and then stashed them among the rocks. Speaking of tide, it was coming in fast, so we didn't tarry too long lest we find ourselves in a predicament.



The waves were beautiful but very powerful. Red flags, caution signs, and constant blows on whistles signaled the danger of riptides.



Several people had to be rescued by lifeguards. The woman on the left was rescued after being caught in a riptide. Another group of teenagers was also rescued after daring to go a bit too far despite the shrill warnings.



The 'big guns' were finally called in. Waverunners don't get tired. Wouldn't it be cool to have his job?



Some people were smart enough to heed the warnings and stay closer to shore. You can't see it in the photo, but three or four other people weren't as fortunate to catch the wave like this guy.

Despite the fact that my daughter was developing a sore throat and earache 1-1/2 hours into the trip, which was halfway there, we still had a wonderful time feeling the sand between our toes, cooling off in the salty ocean waves, shopping on the boardwalk, and eating junk food. Isak Dinesen, a Danish author, once said, "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." I would agree... almost. My daughter is still not feeling well today, so could you offer up a little prayer for her? Thanks...

What's On Your List?

Have you ever talked about doing something either over the summer or within the next year, but realized you had allowed time to pass and wished you’d done it? My daughter and I have mentioned a few things to do over the summer: We went blueberry picking at a pick-your-own farm for the first time... check... and we went to a few yard sales this past Saturday even though I am nursing a bad summer cold... *sniff cough cough* Summer is quickly coming to an end, and since most yard sales are only on the weekends, I didn’t want to put it off any longer.

I thought the silver spoons, as well as the unique forks, would make a nice addition to our culinary supplies and photo props, since my daughter loves to cook and bake and practice food designing. Not bad for a dollar, huh? I also paid a dollar for the pretty dragonfly pin, and I couldn’t pass up the coffee mug. After all, not only was it free, but it has my new granddaughter’s name on it.

So, what else is on our list for this summer? We’d like to go kayaking, and I’d like to go to the ocean, walk on the beach, feel the sand between my toes, hear the waves crash and the seagulls call, and eat junk food from the boardwalk. What’s on your list?

Keeping a Distance

'Leslie' looks on wistfully from a distance, longing to join in the fun.  My daughter adopted a puppy last week... a Sheltie Beagle Pug mix. Although her kitty, Leslie, is beginning to venture closer, she still hisses to warn 'Sally' to keep her distance.

Photo Safari

My daughter and I went on a photo safari after hearing from our neighbor that a fawn was recently born nearby. We didn't see any deer, but we had a nice time together walking gingerly through the field and forest.

Eight Months and Counting

My first official maternity photo session with my son and daughter-in-law, Max and Emily.  I am so looking forward to being a grandmother!  (^_^)

 

My daughter, Tiffany, suggested this idea after she'd seen a similar image online.

Baby Gracie can enjoy her musical giraffe even before she's born.

Knowing his brother, my oldest son, Chris, gave me the idea of having Max listen for Baby Grace while expressing a look of delightful surprise.

FAIL'd... But Lesson Learned

 “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”  --Deuteronomy 15:11

Have you ever thought you’d learned something through reading or hearing, but when put to the test, you weren’t ready and wished God would give you another chance?  While in the area for a friend’s wedding, my family and I took a trip into Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall and possibly a museum or two.  We were ill-prepared in more ways than one.  Using our GPS, we tried to locate a parking garage close by, but we ended up parking ten blocks away.  Since it was such a beautiful day and we wanted to take some pictures of the amazing architecture we’d passed, we decided to walk.  Although ten city blocks was a greater distance than we’d anticipated in the hot blazing sun, I’m really glad we walked, because I learned a valuable lesson that day.

I had just finished the two books about homelessness by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, but it hadn’t even occurred to me that we might see homeless people on the streets of downtown Philadelphia.  Having been to Boston several times, despite seeing street musicians playing for money, I don’t remember seeing homeless people nor experiencing the pungent smells of urine and filth.  As we walked around the gorgeous City Hall building in Centre Square, I noticed a man several yards away sleeping atop cardboard on one of the benches under the shade of some trees.  We came to the corner of the building and saw a very thin, ragged-looking woman with hollow eyes sitting on some steps.  I wondered if she was homeless and wanted to give her some money or ask if she needed anything, but I didn’t quite know how to go about it, so we just passed by.  At the back of the building heading toward Market Street sat an older black woman asking for a match.  We apologized for not having a match to give her.  I wondered if I could perhaps buy some matches for her, but since I was with my family and didn’t know where to purchase any, I didn’t say anything.  As we kept walking, a young, strong-looking black man had just shoved a lighter into his pocket after lighting his cigarette.  I wanted to stop and ask him if he could offer the woman a light, but I was out of my element, and I was sure she’d ask him anyway when he passed by.  I turned to look and wish I’d turned sooner, prepared to capture the moment with my camera, but it blessed me to see a young man being kind to an old woman.

As we walked down Market Street, I saw another thin man sleeping on a covered bus bench with a shirt over his face, a young man sitting on the sidewalk against a brick wall with an open suitcase and a cardboard sign, and an overweight woman asking passersby to buy her something to eat.  We walked a little further, and I finally stopped, took out my wallet and shoved a bill into my pocket to be easily accessible.  “What is that for?” my daughter asked.

“For a homeless person,” I replied.

As we drew closer to Independence Park, we didn’t seem to encounter another homeless person.  After seeing the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, we decided to utilize the transportation system so that we might have more time to visit a museum or the zoo.  But first, we stopped at a nearby Dairy Queen to use their facilities and get something cold to drink.  As we sat for a moment and I drank my ice cold raspberry lemonade, I thought about the homeless who must be hot and thirsty, so I bought a bottled water to go along with the money I had shoved in my pocket.  I prayed God would give me another chance... but... He didn’t.  As we walked the block toward a shuttle bus stop, I purposefully looked for a homeless person to bless.  I wish I had asked my family if we could have kept walking, but I thought surely, we could ride the bus to City Hall and encounter someone there.  We didn’t.  Why, I wondered, wasn’t God giving me another chance?

Remember the young man with the open suitcase?  I had wanted to take his picture, as well as others, and capture the plight of the homeless, but I also try to consider a person’s privacy and dignity.  I could’ve asked for permission or simply taken a picture of his suitcase and cardboard sign.  Did you wonder what the sign said?  It said something like, “Today is my 22nd birthday, and I have nothing...”  Despite what I thought I’d learned from Denver Moore’s admonition to not judge a person, I had judged the young man.  Although my heart went out to him, I had judged his sign to be merely a way of tugging at heartstrings to gain more sympathy and money.  Maybe it really was his 22nd birthday, but even if it wasn’t, he was obviously in some kind of need... and he was someone’s son.  If God had allowed me to give that bottle of water and money to someone else, it’s likely I would’ve felt good about myself and neglected to reflect on my failure to try to get to know a person, ask his name, and show the unconditional love of Christ.  I failed, but I truly hope the lesson was learned.

Book Review: What Difference Do It Make?

Cover image used by permission

What Difference Do It Make? is the second book featuring Ron Hall and Denver Moore, two unlikely friends brought together by a very special, yet ordinary woman.  The book also contains anecdotes from others around the world affected and inspired by the first book Same Kind of Difference As Me, a story of how one woman's faith brought the two men together and led to the transformation of many.  Although you don't need to read the first book to get a sense of the background and overall story, I think you will be the richer for it.

I was again moved by Denver's faith and wisdom despite the unbelievable life he experienced prior to his encounter with 'Miss Debbie'.  And I was touched and convicted by Ron's ability to forgive and demonstrate unconditional love to his 'ornery' father.  I also found it surprising and quite curious that his father regarded one particular gift above any other he'd received.  Not only that, but the fact Ron had learned so much from Denver and as a result of ministering to the homeless, he previously would never have even considered giving his father the gift.  Getting to know a person truly does make a real and abiding difference in how effectively we are able to love them.  What difference do it make?  It can make a huge difference.

After writing a review for Same Kind of Difference As Me, I was contacted by Thomas Nelson Publishing and asked if I would like to receive a complimentary copy of the second book with no obligation to write another review.  Thank you, Thomas Nelson Publishing, for giving me the privilege and opportunity.  (^_^)

A Family Is Like a Ship

Yesterday was Memorial Day.  For some it was merely the beginning of summer celebrated with a BBQ, a trip to the beach, or a ride on a boat.  For others it was a day to remember those who have served our country in the armed forces and have given their very lives for our freedom.  And for others still, it was just another day like any other.

This weekend brought to mind an article I'd read several years ago.  Although I don't agree with everything he teaches, I found the article Jumping Ship (Part 2):  Stagnant and Unpromising  by Michael Pearl very intriguing.  He likens the family to a ship with a captain and a crew.  Each ship may be different, but in order to keep its crew, it needs to have a clear purpose with each member involved in fulfilling its mission and reaching its destination.  And it must provide some source of entertainment along with rewarding labor.  If the crew sees other ships passing by that appear to be going somewhere while they just float along or remain stagnant... or if they notice the crews on other ships having fun while they seem to just work or have nothing to do, the captain risks having them jump overboard to join other ships that actually appear to be enjoyably going somewhere.

How's your crew?  Are they looking to book passage on a different ship, or do they have the confidence to believe their ship is going somewhere and doing something worthwhile?

Loves Babies

"A baby is born with a need to be loved... and never outgrows it."  —Frank A. Clark

I took this shot of Riley and Isabella at my future sister-in-law's bridal shower.  Isabella is the daughter of a friend of the bride.  She is the most contented and happy baby I've ever seen.  Riley is the bride's oldest daughter and soon to be my niece.  She is a sweet, thoughtful, mature young lady who loves babies.  Y'know, there's something about a person who loves babies... well, except those who love babies like they love puppies and kittens, which is only as long as they're small, cute, and cuddly.  But children, teenagers, and even adults need to be loved and sometimes babied, too, right?