The Gift of the Magi

Magi......Wise Men....followers of our LORD....travelers from afar....bringing the first Christmas gifts. Gifts given from their hearts in God's perfect timing...... Gifts that would be God's provision for His Son and those called to care for Him as they traveled to safety far from their home.........

What a surprise on Thanksgiving morning to walk out my front door and find a package on the front porch. I had more than my share of bittersweet memories going on in my head as I walked out to get the morning paper. Such a quiet and beautiful morning....totally peaceful and still.....so very unlike Thanksivings of the past....

What perfect timing.....A gift from two of my own beloved magi....God's gracious provision.....
A reminder of God's entering the most humble of circumstances with His love and presence...and a call to keep following His Star.....

Thank you, Lynn and Aubria....
We will treasure your gift for many years (and generations) to come, if our LORD delays His coming....
I love you both!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas

Christmas is coming.....and so is NEIL!!!!! This granny is one excited lady! Becca and I have begun decorating our little home in anticipation! Being semi-retired is such a blessing.... I've already done most of my Christmas shopping, have been planning meals, and we're off to get a tree this afternoon!
By the way, daughters, sons, and Dad and Bea.....we're glad you are coming, as well:) Love you!

Porter Pickles

There are certain families who touch our lives forever. The Porters are one of those families for me. I remember well the first time I met them.....coming into the old Alamo Elementary School. Bradley, and Jennifer, and later their cousin Chase....and then along came Daniel. I smile upon each of these names. Each child was so full of life....and enough mischief to make that life very interesting indeed. David and Sabrina were the "parents in charge" of that lively brood...... and what precious parents they were....always involved, always fully immersed in "family"! I could count on them to be at every parent event, to volunteer their time and energy, and to be totally supportive of their children...and of Alamo School, as well! This was the kind of family that made teaching "worth it all"!

Well, one of my greatest joys of Christmas while living in Baytown was receiving my annual jar of "Porter Pickles" for my Christmas dinner. The Porters would actually raise these cucumbers in their backyard garden and then David would make them from his own secret recipe. I'm not kidding when I say that they were the best pickles I've ever tasted! They always had a place of honor on our Christmas table.

Today was one of those days when my heart was so homesick for Baytown friends that I found my eyes tearing up a bit.....
I decided to "cope" by going to check my mail. When I opened my box I found a key to the parcel post boxes. I could not believe my eyes.....There, sitting so proudly in my box, was a package. When I saw the return address, I started laughing out loud for pure joy! It was a package from the Porters!!!! Inside.....not only one....but THREE jars of delicious, crisp, homemade.....PORTER PICKLES!! My heart is so full right now....and so excited to know that these will, once again, have their place on my Christmas table! Thank you all for making this senior citizen from the Georgia Mountains so very happy.....happy to have a true taste of home....and so happy to remember with love one of the most beautiful families I've ever known! I love you guys!!!

Red Sky in the Morning...a Sign of a Coming Storm

Our morning news program just announced that Hurricane Ida will be headed here late tonight and will bring flooding to our area tomorrow. I never would have thought that I'd ever experience a hurricane again....much less in November....and on top of my little mountain.... Storms of life do surprise me, but I'm seeing that God does warn me many times of their coming...and calls me to rest in Him to fortify myself before their arrival.
God has sent such a breathtaking sunrise this morning in preparation for the coming storm.... How like Him..... filling our souls and eyes and minds with assurances of His presence before allowing tumultuous times into our lives....
May I take time to notice His cues and be strengthened by His presence before heading into any sort of hardship or battle.... This is a time of quiet peace before the storm... It is also a time of gaining strength and putting on the armor of faith and of sharpening the sword of His Word.

The Perfect Ending to a Beautiful Day

Thanks so much, guys, for an absolutely wonderful time! I'll cherish the memories of today for many years to come! I love you!

More Pictures of Little River Falls

Little River Canyon on a Sunday Afternoon

Thank you so much, Paul and Elizabeth! This was such a "glorious day"!
I feel so totally blessed to live so close to Paul and Liz. We are able to meet after church to hike at places like this! We all met "halfway" at Little River Canyon. Becca and I had never been there until today. Were we ever delighted! The scenes were just gorgeous! And then, to be able to share this with at least part of my family was such an added blessing! I realize that this is such a special place for you two, and your willingness to let us enjoy this with you will always mean so much to me......
Anna and Philip, I missed you both so much today....and I look forward to sharing my world with you some day, as well! Neil, your Granny Bishop is really looking forward to hiking with you, too! I love all of you so very much!

Life's Daily Splendor

May I never grow so accustomed to Your world's beauty, Lord, that I fail to stand in awe of Your creativity.... Each leaf that You create is in itself a work of art.... And then an entire tree..... And hills and mountains covered with these trees.....Oh Lord, you ARE so lavish in Your gifts, Your priceless treasures that You so freely share with us......

The Dawning of a Brand New Day

To be able to begin my day with the setting of the moon behind the mountains....and then have these gorgeous leaves to accompany me throughout the rest of the morning.... Lord, Your mercies are new every morning.....Great is Your Faithfulness and Loving Kindness

Memories

I tried to find a picture of my mother today. This would have been her 91st birthday. I did have the joy of talking to Mother's twin, Lila, though, this afternoon, and it was a delightful conversation. (Aunt Lila's mind is just as alert as ever, and she still has the Stokes wit and optimism:)! She was really enjoying her day, filled with family and love.....
How I would have loved to be able to peel back Heaven's cloak, just for a few minutes today, to be able to visit with Mother for a few minutes and to be able to give her a birthday hug!.....
Judi, my cousin, called this morning to say that she was in our family cemetery plot, and that she had placed autumn flowers on Mother's grave. It's odd, the only regret I really have about moving here is that I'm not there to do such things by way of respect and remembrance for my mom. Judi even took the time to walk around the landscape and relay her sights and sounds of the morning. It was the next best thing to being there. Thank you so much, Judi!
Today, especially, I miss Mother's voice and laugh; I miss her knarled but, oh so lady-like hands; I miss her wit and her dry humor; I miss her off-key, but from the heart singing in church; I miss our long talks about life, and the girls, and our Lord; I miss her clean fresh smells of hand lotion, and Estee Lauder, or White Shoulders; I miss her twinkly eyes and her ready smile for those of us who knew her best; I miss her steadfast prayers..... But Mother is remembered most by her family for her true unconditional love for each of us. How much she loved her husband, and children and grandchildren, and what a wonderful wife and mother she was! I cannot think of a better legacy for any woman..... She'll always be an inspiration to me!
Happy Birtday, Elaine! We all love you forever!