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Trimming Bushes & Gospel Music

Memorial Day

In a continuation of working on our patio greenery, I purposed to attack the bushes.  Cerwin usually does this job each spring, but with his heavy schedule due to building a TFC chapel – attempting to have it finished by the Truck Rally on June 24, I thought this is one thing I can do to eliminate some yard work for him.

 As you can see, it was time to give these bushes a haircut!

When Cerwin came home from the TFC shop in the late afternoon, he was pleased with the finished look – as was I.

Though both of us were weary, we followed a strong desire to go to a nearby, private park to hear a concert by Simple Grace.

We arrived early, as did our friends Earl and Arlene.  Since it was a beautiful evening, she and I decided to walk around the grounds.  Arlene loves lighthouses and was pleased to pose next to this one.

A broader view of the same area.

The gazebo.

Looking toward the pavilion – building with brown roof to right of lighthouse – where the evening concert was being set up.

We were so blessed by this talented family from Nebraska.  One of the oldest of their eight children was not along on this tour, and the two youngest were not on stage when I took this photo.  They have a sound – folk/bluegrass gospel – that blesses my soul.  Plus they add humor and interesting family stories.

Sunset

Friends

Yesterday after church, my friend Joanne said, “We’ll see you at suppertime.”  I agreed, and mentioned that I was thinking about walking to Gene and Cookie’s.  She offered to join me for the three-and-a-half-mile walk.  Our husbands aren’t walkers, so Gerald brought her to our house at 4 PM, which is when we began our walk.  The men watched the end of the Indy 500.

It is amazing how fast time goes when walking with a friend.  It was a very warm day, so when our husbands came upon us shortly after 5 PM, we agreed to make the final half-mile in the car.

It would be difficult to find a more delightful evening.

L to R:  Cerwin, Mark, Marcy, Cookie, Gene, Gerald, Joanne

The weather was perfect for a picnic supper on Gene and Cookie’s deck – under their brand new canopy.  A few of us have been friends since childhood, others became friends during school and dating days, and we met Gene and Cookie when we all had small children.  The women each have birthdays in February, so we take turns hosting our once-a-year-get-together. 

Part of our discussion during the evening was that we are all blessed to have marriages of more than forty years. 

Gardening & A 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

I decided to go to the greenhouse early – and hopefully get ahead of the crowd.

It was a good idea, as the place was getting full of shoppers by the time I was paying for my purchases.

Have plants – fertilizer – shovel – tool bucket – decorative stones

Time to get started!

Our patio flowerbed – before.

No, the turtle in the birdbath is not real.

Lookin’ much better!

I had just cleaned up and put the gardening tools away – shortly after noon – when Cerwin came home from the TFC shop where he put clearance lights on the new chapel.  We quickly changed for the next event.  It was a glorious day for a seventy-five-minute drive to a 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration.

We were honored to be included in their list of friends and enjoyed meeting their children and grandchildren; had a delicious meal; and heard many memories.

Ivison and Virginia cutting their cake.

Now it’s dark outside and Cerwin and I are sitting in our double La-Z-Boy listening to bluegrass music on TV.  O Yeah!

Last Night We Enjoyed The Local Grade Schools’ Spring Concert

Applause for the Band

I am amazed at how well these young students play – especially due to the fact that they come from several schools in the district and only have one practice together.

Apparently our friend’s son, Reese, wasn’t so impressed!

We were most interested in the strings as we had a granddaughter, friend’s daughter, and niece in this section.

They closed with Boil the Cabbage Down – and did a great job!

Thus ended another day in our neighborhood.

 ~ ~ ~

The Last Trumpet

It will happen suddenly, quicker than the blink of an eye.  At the sound of the last trumpet the dead will be raised.  We will all be changed, so that we will never die again.  1 Corinthians 15:52  CEV

When Did God Become More Than a Word to You?

Hope is Not a Plan

Anderson Cooper, CNN News

Yesterday as I was listening to an interview with Anderson, he was asked about the quote, “Hope is Not a Plan”, in his new book. 

He replied that it was his conclusion after talking to the mayor of New Orleans about the city’s preparedness (or lack thereof) for a major hurricane.  Anderson said there seemed to be a lot of hopes, but very few solid plans.

It grabbed my attention.  I have been thinking about it all day.  Hope is not a plan. 

What if someone just hoped trains could travel across our country, but no one did anything about laying tracks or building trains?

“Hope is not a plan” can be applied to almost anything.  Hope is not a plan if you want to get out of debt.  Hope is not a plan if you want to lose weight.  Hope is not a plan if you want to drop a bad habit.

MOST IMPORTANTLY

Hope is not a plan if you want a relationship with God. 

Because God had a “plan” from the beginning of time to send His Son, Jesus, to redeem us unto Himself, we can walk with Him today and spend eternity in His presence.  

However, fellowship with God does not happen because we hope so.  It takes a “plan” (decision) on our part to accept, believe, and follow Jesus Christ. 

Never forget it!  Hope is not a plan if you want to spend forever in the presence of God.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Pray for Tim!

I just received a phone call from him – a truck driver, currently laying over in North Carolina.  He began the conversation by saying, “Is there someone I can talk to?  I am really hurting.”

“You may talk to me,” I responded.

A short version of his story:

He accepted the Lord as his Savior at the age of nineteen, but never developed a relationship with God – at least not enough to wait on Him and trust Him for wisdom. 

Now, at age fifty, his life is falling apart.  He said, “It feels like I never made a good decision.”   

A few minutes ago he asked God for help, and prayed to surrender his life to Him.

I gave him phone numbers of two chaplains in his traveling area.

Pray that he will come in contact with godly men and women who can help him grow and mature in the Lord.

After we hung up, I contacted our chaplain in North Carolina.  He is going to ask a local volunteer chaplain to go to the truck stop and attempt to locate him.  (Tim is out of driving time and and must stay there ten hours.)

No Matter What You Are Going Through

Make Sure You Are Standing Up On The Inside.

So put on the armor that God gives.

Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. 

And when the battle is over,

YOU WILL BE STANDING FIRM. 

Ephesians 6:13 CEV

Our Youngest Grandchild is Two Years Old 

He wasn’t sure how to blow out candles, but he was happy to be the center of attention.

Because we gave him a truck yesterday, we just took a balloon today.

He jumped on it…

…sat on it…

…and laid on it.  We couldn’t believe it didn’t break.

Then all four of Jere and Kristen’s children began a “Climb on Josh” game.

So ended a delightful Sunday. 

~ ~ ~

Another highlight was meeting two Xanga friends who were visiting our church this morning.  It was the first time we met each other face-to-face.

http://www.xanga.com/CKM_1985

http://www.xanga.com/camerawoman

Blessings to both of you.