Mon.~Busy day with Laura Q. in Appomattox. Shopped at little shops and had lunch at Granny B's and then brought her home to our farm. We drove to the river in the gator and visited on the porch on my cottage and then Susan and I took her back home to Farmville. We ran a few errands and went to ball practice where I handed out the first copies of pig roast invitations.
Tues.-Day in Farmville. Homeschool co-op. An hour at the DMV renewing my license. Judy fixing Susan's prom dress. Playing with Sammy Jo on the swingset and showing her what happens when you sit on wax paper while going down the slide. Buying some food at the closing April 14 Kroger store. Busy, full day. Susan challenged me to swallow 1/4 cup of castor oil with her. I paid for that all night long. She did not.
Wed.-Day at home. Washing, preparing, making muffins and egg muffin quiche. Wild windy day.
Thurs.-Drove up to Pa. Stopped at Valley Mall for an hour and half. Didn't mean for it to get that long. Walked in to Joe and Karen's house and Jonathan squealed and then sat on my lap and snuggled for a long time. He was very quiet. I told him that Mommy and Daddy weren't going anywhere and that I had to leave soon and he still seemed quiet and a little bit sad. Karen gave me some strawberry yogurt to take along to the shore. I begged her for some. She makes it and there is no yogurt out there in the market that tastes anything like it. Had supper with Mom and Dad. So nice. Chicken salad sandwiches with tomatoes and watercress and vegetable soup and cherry cobbler. We visited with Jim's in the eve. Spent the night at Naomi's.
Fri.-Up at 4 and left for the beach at 5. Rosa met us at Naomi's. Got to the beachhouse by 6:45. Naomi served us a breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt, homemade granola, and baked oatmeal. We sat around and talked and then took a nap until Bev got there and we talked and talked and I made taco salad and we ate it and talked some more. Exchanged gifts. We always get each other our birthday gifts for the year. Bev gave us a Bath and Body candle. Naomi gave us a huge mug with a bag of coffee, a chocolate bar, gel pens and a tablet. Rosa gave us a Willow Tree figurine of a woman holding a conch shell to her ear and a devotional book with a different woman from history/missions represented on each day's reading. I gave them a pink pearled silvery bracelet in honor of Bev's mother, who passed away with cancer, and a bath and body hand soap and a chocolate raspberry bar of soap. We walked on the boardwalk and sat on the beach. It was freezing. Wrapped up in blankets. Came home and showered. No hot water. We had forgotten to turn it on. Went to Nonni's Italian restaurant. Our Asbury Street stores had 4 feet of water this fall during Sandy. Every place smelled musty when we walked in. Some have never gotten back into business. We met the chef. He makes the world's greatest chicken cordon bleu.Watched a movie or two.The Count of Monte Cristo and The Vow. Walked on the boardwalk.
Sat.-Day at Atlantic City shopping at the Outlets. I got a 50% off coupon for Dress Barn in the mail before I left. They scratched it off while I was in line but I had held it up to the sun and knew it already. She hadn't rung up anyone who had that much off. Only 2 in 100 are issued. Shopped and went to our authentic Mexican Restaurant. More movies, popcorn, and boardwalk when we got home.Susan went to Homeschool Prom this eve. and spent the night at Julie's.
Sun.-Warmest Day. Slept in. Talked on balcony with coffee. Sat on beach for several hours. Burned my legs. Bev packed up and then we watched another movie before she left. She has to work tomorrow. Walked the boardwalk and caught up with Phil on the phone. Watched another movie. Getting more and more relaxed. Laughed so hard I cried so hard. Twice. Totally wiped out in a good way.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Solomon, a baby, and the Body of Christ
Solomon had a dream and in that dream God said, "Ask! What shall I give you?"
And Solomon asked God for an understanding heart
to judge His people,
that he would be able to discern between good and evil.
And God gave him his request and also gave him long life, riches, and honor.
One fine day, while Solomon held court in his palace,
two women with questionable livelihoods stood before him.
With a broken heart, the first woman presented her case.
"This woman and I live in the same house.
I gave birth to a baby and a few days later,
she had a baby, too.
In the night, she accidentally laid on top of her baby
and he died.
So she got up, and took my baby from my side,
and put hers there,
and took my baby back to bed with her.
When I woke up to nurse him in the night,
I realized he was dead.
But when morning came,
I saw that indeed,
he was not my son.
She was holding my son!
And the dead baby in my bed was hers!"
The other woman interrupted and said,
"Not so! The living child is mine and the dead one is hers!"
And Solomon said something like,
"This is a case of she said she said.
You both say that the living baby is yours.
I know just what to do."
In a loud voice he bellowed,
"Bring me a sword!"
A sword was brought to Solomon.
"Divide the baby in two with the sword
and give half of the baby to each of the women,"
said he.
The baby's mother cried out with compassion,
"O King! Give her the baby!
Don't kill him!"
But the other woman said,
"Yes, let's divide him.
Then he won't be mine or yours!"
And Solomon lowered the sword.
He made his decree.
"Give the first woman her living baby,
and don't kill him,
for she is his mother."
And all of Israel heard about this story
and they had great respect for Solomon,
for they recognized God's wisdom at work in him
to be just and true.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus' prayer for the Body of Christ
is recorded in John 17.
He prayed,
"..that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me,
and I in You;
that they also may be one in Us,
that the world may believe that You sent Me..."
'Don't let them be divided!" was His hearts' cry.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes,
there are divisions in the Body of Christ.
Sometimes, we are too willing to 'divide the baby'
instead of humbling ourselves.
We are willing to destroy instead of having compassion on our 'child'
and allowing our 'baby' to flourish and grow.
But, I think, that if we are the real 'parent'
and we truly love our 'offspring',
we will relinquish our right to own what we birthed
in order that our 'baby' not be harmed
by the sword of division.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Hertzler Doings~April 15-21, 2013
Mon.~Highlights from today-going down to the creek and cutting watercress. Getting stuck in my camouflage knee-high boots and having a hard time getting out of the mire. Stayed on grass islands after that quick-sand experience. Bluebells still beautiful after last nights rain. Watched 'Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead' with Susan and was inspired to juice my fruits and vegetables more often. Took Lucy to vet and found the little growth on her leg was benign. Homeschool softball in eve. Love working the food stand and meeting people. Susan sold all ten pb eggs that she brought.
Tues.-Helen called. She posted a song for me to listen to on fb. 'O the thought that Jesus loves me...' Beautiful and healing balm. Saw on fb about the Boston bombings. Checked it out on on-line fox news. Again that sense that we are in the lower quarter of the spiral...things going faster and faster and out of control....that our present worries will seem small in comparison to our future ones. And that it all boils down to the important Thing-that we can hear God's voice and stay close to Him. To walk in trust and not be afraid. To be part of the answer...the hand lifting up. And to receive that hand and help given to us. The balance of walking in community and being somewhat self-sufficient. And to see these things and lift up our heads instead of burying them in the sand. To lift up our heads because our redemption draws nigh and we don't want to miss seeing any part of the twinkling of an eye. To stand guard at the gate and to be vigilant in guarding our families. To use the waking worrisome hours of sleepless night to pray and to worship. Worship is the antidote to worry. And even if I start worshipping to fulfill an equation, my heart does turn to true worship, as it hears my voice sing. And I stop worrying until the next time. What a battle. Do I really trust Him?
Out to Farmville for co-op and errands. Bought Susan some summer clothes.
Wed.-Transplanted violets from tea plot to lane. Susan mowed most of the day. To Julie's youth group this eve. Phil and I got bug spray for cottage at Lowe's. Came home and read about Waco TX. Fertilizer plant on fire and then explosion. Over a hundred injured and possibly 60 dead. 50 homes damaged or destroyed. Susan to Julie's overnight. Going on a field trip to Stanton tomorrow for Frontier Days.
Thurs.-Phil here for awhile this morning. I sprayed my cottage for bugs of all kinds and sprinkled termite pellets around posts. Worked in front garden. Trying to catch up on blog. This beautiful weather makes it hard to write. It's the 18th. Beautiful Annie's birthday. Phil and I called and sang Happy Birthday to her. David said 'I love you' and threw kisses. I love being an aunt. A year ago, early in the morning, Rosalee called, and said that Mother had passed away. I still feel so relieved. I am so thankful that she is not here. But, oh, I do miss her.
Went to homeschool softball in eve. Met Susan there. She had been to Frontier Days with Kathy and Julie and Julie's sister and boys. Had a nice time visiting with 'old' friends while sitting on the bleachers at the ball field. Everyone is so kind to Susan. It's her first 'real' year of playing ball. Went to Hibbetts afterwards where she bought herself some cleats.
Fri.-Working on my little chapel today. Michael came home just after Freeman and Philip came home which was mid afternoon. All four of them played ball with Susan and taught her how to swing. It was so much fun. So much sweetness. Made me cry. Some of Mike's friends from last year's college experience are spending the weekend. Philip had Buck night. Susan went over to Hertzler's for pizza, shooting, video game playing, etc. Kate found a pit bull boxer puppy mix and brought him in. I stayed. The weather had been like a hurricane earlier and 4 trees were down across Holliday Lake. We had to turn around and go by Featherfin to Tom's. Called 911 once we got there and they sent firemen there to get the trees. There was no way around them and had to be chainsawed away. Lots of man power. Branches everywhere. Phil worked late. When we got home, Lucy had my yarn all over the floor. She was all over Susan, trying to hug her, and was whining and talking incessantly. I'm sure she smelled puppy all over her.
Sat.-Got so much done today. Ham, Matthew, and Brandon-Michael's friends from last years college experience, congregated here this weekend and hung out in our kitchen while Michael and Philip made a big breakfast of scrapple, sausage, bacon, and eggs. I finished cleaning up the chapel in the meadow, did some wash, vacuumed and washed the floor, cleaned porches, edged the flower garden, planted beet and cucumber seeds, and went to a party with Phil in the eve. to celebrate Steve's 60th birthday. He made us wait for an hour and a half. We completely surprised the dear man. Michael and friends from college, Sara, Julie, Susan, and Philip, and some others, had a hot dog roast down at the neighbor's pond. Freeman and Alli dug up the garden and planted potatoes, green beans, carrots, etc. Phil worked on the corn planter. Tom was over working on his corn planter too. It was a good day.
Sun-Today's church-Hearing from Malory about her work in Uganda. Went to Chinese with Laurell and Henry. That was a highlight too. Watched a Marx brother's movie with Michael and Philip. Susan with Julie for the afternoon. She went with Michael and Meredith to Warren's for the eve. Philip to Eriks. I painted 3 glasses when I was by myself today. Don't look at all like Charlotte's. Guess I'll need better paint and some lessons. It is a sweatshirt/sweatpant sort of day. Reading Isaiah 30 and the agony and ecstasy is heart-breaking.
Tues.-Helen called. She posted a song for me to listen to on fb. 'O the thought that Jesus loves me...' Beautiful and healing balm. Saw on fb about the Boston bombings. Checked it out on on-line fox news. Again that sense that we are in the lower quarter of the spiral...things going faster and faster and out of control....that our present worries will seem small in comparison to our future ones. And that it all boils down to the important Thing-that we can hear God's voice and stay close to Him. To walk in trust and not be afraid. To be part of the answer...the hand lifting up. And to receive that hand and help given to us. The balance of walking in community and being somewhat self-sufficient. And to see these things and lift up our heads instead of burying them in the sand. To lift up our heads because our redemption draws nigh and we don't want to miss seeing any part of the twinkling of an eye. To stand guard at the gate and to be vigilant in guarding our families. To use the waking worrisome hours of sleepless night to pray and to worship. Worship is the antidote to worry. And even if I start worshipping to fulfill an equation, my heart does turn to true worship, as it hears my voice sing. And I stop worrying until the next time. What a battle. Do I really trust Him?
Out to Farmville for co-op and errands. Bought Susan some summer clothes.
Wed.-Transplanted violets from tea plot to lane. Susan mowed most of the day. To Julie's youth group this eve. Phil and I got bug spray for cottage at Lowe's. Came home and read about Waco TX. Fertilizer plant on fire and then explosion. Over a hundred injured and possibly 60 dead. 50 homes damaged or destroyed. Susan to Julie's overnight. Going on a field trip to Stanton tomorrow for Frontier Days.
Thurs.-Phil here for awhile this morning. I sprayed my cottage for bugs of all kinds and sprinkled termite pellets around posts. Worked in front garden. Trying to catch up on blog. This beautiful weather makes it hard to write. It's the 18th. Beautiful Annie's birthday. Phil and I called and sang Happy Birthday to her. David said 'I love you' and threw kisses. I love being an aunt. A year ago, early in the morning, Rosalee called, and said that Mother had passed away. I still feel so relieved. I am so thankful that she is not here. But, oh, I do miss her.
Went to homeschool softball in eve. Met Susan there. She had been to Frontier Days with Kathy and Julie and Julie's sister and boys. Had a nice time visiting with 'old' friends while sitting on the bleachers at the ball field. Everyone is so kind to Susan. It's her first 'real' year of playing ball. Went to Hibbetts afterwards where she bought herself some cleats.
Fri.-Working on my little chapel today. Michael came home just after Freeman and Philip came home which was mid afternoon. All four of them played ball with Susan and taught her how to swing. It was so much fun. So much sweetness. Made me cry. Some of Mike's friends from last year's college experience are spending the weekend. Philip had Buck night. Susan went over to Hertzler's for pizza, shooting, video game playing, etc. Kate found a pit bull boxer puppy mix and brought him in. I stayed. The weather had been like a hurricane earlier and 4 trees were down across Holliday Lake. We had to turn around and go by Featherfin to Tom's. Called 911 once we got there and they sent firemen there to get the trees. There was no way around them and had to be chainsawed away. Lots of man power. Branches everywhere. Phil worked late. When we got home, Lucy had my yarn all over the floor. She was all over Susan, trying to hug her, and was whining and talking incessantly. I'm sure she smelled puppy all over her.
Sat.-Got so much done today. Ham, Matthew, and Brandon-Michael's friends from last years college experience, congregated here this weekend and hung out in our kitchen while Michael and Philip made a big breakfast of scrapple, sausage, bacon, and eggs. I finished cleaning up the chapel in the meadow, did some wash, vacuumed and washed the floor, cleaned porches, edged the flower garden, planted beet and cucumber seeds, and went to a party with Phil in the eve. to celebrate Steve's 60th birthday. He made us wait for an hour and a half. We completely surprised the dear man. Michael and friends from college, Sara, Julie, Susan, and Philip, and some others, had a hot dog roast down at the neighbor's pond. Freeman and Alli dug up the garden and planted potatoes, green beans, carrots, etc. Phil worked on the corn planter. Tom was over working on his corn planter too. It was a good day.
Sun-Today's church-Hearing from Malory about her work in Uganda. Went to Chinese with Laurell and Henry. That was a highlight too. Watched a Marx brother's movie with Michael and Philip. Susan with Julie for the afternoon. She went with Michael and Meredith to Warren's for the eve. Philip to Eriks. I painted 3 glasses when I was by myself today. Don't look at all like Charlotte's. Guess I'll need better paint and some lessons. It is a sweatshirt/sweatpant sort of day. Reading Isaiah 30 and the agony and ecstasy is heart-breaking.
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