Tis very sweet to look into the fair
And open face of heaven---to breathe a prayer
Full in the smile of the blue firmament.
.... Keats

January 5, 2011

I’ve regretted several times during the past few weeks that I’m not “fully retired”. Today, as I returned to the BBBS office after a two week holiday, I realized just how isolating being retired right now would be. Being a part of the bustle and chatter in the office was not only refreshing, but energizing, as well.

I remember Jesus’s teaching “And which of you, if your child asked for bread, would you give him a stone. Your heavenly Father knows what you need before you even ask.”

I'm so thankful for my job at Big Brothers Big Sisters. God knew that I needed to be with people, even when I had little desire to be. He knew I needed the stimulation of work, when I thought I needed leisure.

I’m learning that my faith grows as I learn, not only to trust and obey, but when I learn to truly accept and embrace what He sends my way. God truly is my Provider, my Protector, and my Defender.

By the time I came home this afternoon, I was ready for quiet…..and reading…..and trying my hand at journaling once again.

Right now I’m sitting in front of our little fireplace with its flames flickering in the shadows of the room. It’s drizzling outside our windows. Sophie sits at my feet. Water is boiling in anticipation of becoming a cup of tea. My Jan Karon novel awaits me. Bliss….and gratitude.

These were the views out my back door this morning. I've been so busy with the business of getting on with my life as it has become, that I've neglected the long stretches of silent stillness that sustained me in my earlier days here. And even though I know that there has not been a day of living on my little mountain where the gift of such mornings has gone unnoticed, I know that 2010 was the a year of action more than of meditation. But now this is 2011. A new chapter of life is beginning. And I want to ponder my LORD's gifts from His creation and from His Word more intently again.
I've always believed that every event in nature speaks of God's character, tells of His grace, and sings of His glory. This morning His train literally filled the temple of my soul. The rising sun caused the remnants of past storm clouds to be colored by the reds, and purples, and golds of its dawning. And as the day began in earnest, the clouds became less and less the focus of the horizon. All nature basked in the glory of the sun itself. It's my prayer that my own life's focus will remain fixed upon Him from whom all blessings flow.

2011
Waiting for a new computer. Should be delivered tomorrow.
Can hardly wait to start taking pictures and blogging once more.

Thanking God for Groundhogs....

The grey and gloomy day gave way to gratiude and these snowy scenes by merely facing and then climbing the obstacles on the horizon. May I become a follower of Him who calls me to the heights instead of one who would sit and bemoan seeming obstacles in my path. May I not only learn to be grateful for every circumstance in my life, but also one who chooses to live and relish every moment.....

Springs of Ice

He "is the Monarch of the Mountains. They crowned him long ago. On a throne of rocks, in a robe of clouds, With a diadem of snow." Lord Byron's words from so long ago seemed so fitting for these scenes from the winding trails of the mountains. God indeed has treasures of the snow to share with any who would stop long enough and search His winter bounty. Living waters.....waiting for the coming of Spring....

Three Mornings from My Window

Snow Bound

God's blessings sometimes take the shape of snowflakes. What a blessed time being snowbound can become. The total quiet of my little hilltop home. Life's "usual" becomes instead a forced stillness. Such is God's gift of solitude..... a time for reflection and checking life's compass.

Hours of Gold...

It was as though the mountain wanted to hold on to the last rays of the sun this evening..... And what a difference those golden hues made to the icy blue of the landscape. Their light and warmth and color inspired me to cherish every moment that is given to me....

Ending Well

The gnarled oaks and the ice laden evergreens around the pond served served to remind me of the season of my life now. Winter can be such a barren time without Your touch and Your grace, Lord....but oh, it can be the most beautiful of times when enveloped in Your presence and Your purpose. May You cover my life with true meaning and grace from your Heaven as Your snow covers these scenes, Lord. May You enable me to end this race well.......

Winter Wonderland

White feathers on a lake of glass, frosty clouds from my own breath, the stinging cold of icy fingers and face, the crunching and sloshing of wet snow giving way under my feet into the carpet of fallen leaves underneath, the clean smells of mountain air laced with evergreen, the perfect lighting of a late winter afternoon......all heavenly gifts in a time of solitude. The stillness was broken only by the creaking and crashing of limbs baring themselves of their beautiful burdens of ice..... "Be still and know that I am God"

The Remedy for Cabin Fever

After being snowbound since Friday afternoon, I was so thankful to be out and about this afternoon. The roads had thawed so that we felt safe to drive down our little mountain once again. (It had taken Becca almost three hours to get home Friday afternoon because the roads were so icy. We had also cancelled our trip to Macon for Dad's birthday because it was just too dangerous to get out....) We noticed a dusting of snow still remaining on Fort Mountain, and it seemed to call us to explore it a little closer. This was the beginning of such a beautiful afternoon...... We had just started our drive to Ft. Mountain State Park.

Snowfall in the Foothills

View from my back window.....
We've snowbound for two days. Nothing better than to look out upon this view while sipping a cup of coffee and reading a good book ( in this case Chuck Colson's "The Good Life"....).
I'm realizing more and more that Dalton has become my home. What a gift from God Himself....

Winter Sunrise from My Terrace

How I look forward to the dawning of each new day. God's faithfulness surrounds me in this little corner of His world. Simple and uncluttered, the beauty of the place where I have been planted supplies a backdrop for humble worship and true appreciation of His creation.

Dear Old Friends

Time it was and what a time it was

A time of innocence, a time of confidences

Long ago it must be, I have a photograph

Preserve your memories. They're all that's left you

Old friends, old friends sat on the park bench like bookends

Old friends, winter companions

Can you imagine us years from today, sharing a park bench quietly

How terribly strange to be sixty......

(A loose adaption from two Simon and Garfunkle songs. Both kept ringing in my ears on my return trip from Atlanta, where I was blessed to spend the afternoon with college friends from long ago. Judy and Johnny now living almost half a world away.....And Lynn now living within driving distance from my new home.....)

Today was a priceless gift from my God..... Forty plus years have passed since I've been together with them.

Forty years of life-building for all of us. Lives filled with love, laughter, tears, hard work...and great pain. But, oh, the lessons God has been imparting to us all. And how priceless to share stories of His, oh so sufficient, grace.....

Lynn, Judy, and Johnny, how much I respect each of you. I come away a better person by simply being in your presence. It's always been this way. Your deep and unfaltering faith, your simple way of living, your steadfast character, and your true humility have not changed except to have grown even richer and deeper. Your lives speak so gently and clearly of God's love and acceptance and grace.

I love you all so very much.

Joy to the World!

Memories of Sugar Plums Dance in My Head

Our last guest drove off this afternoon. The house is quiet and still. The rooms seem so spacious.......and empty. But my heart is full, so very full...... of love, and memories, and gratitude. This Christmas will reside in my heart for the rest of my life. Neil's first. Neil, our own cherub who seemed to fly down from heaven on his God-given mission to bless us and to fill our home with laughter, and wonder, and abundant joy once again by his presence. The family was together for the first time in, oh, so many years. Little Neil was joined by Rebecca, Elizabeth and Paul, Anna and Philip, Dad and Bea.....and even Uncle Tim joined in via SKYPE. Father, thank You for graciously giving us Your Son....and all these many moments to enjoy. What a blessed Christmas indeed!

December Sunrises

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

Thirty-one years......It just doesn't seem possible that you came into my world that many years ago. In so many ways, it seems like only a short while ago, Elizabeth...
You have become such a lovely, gentle, and kind lady. I count myself so blessed to have you as my daughter! And what a beautiful young woman you have become! I am so very proud of you.......I know you make the Lord Himself smile.....
May you continue to seek our Lord and His righteousness above all else, Liz. He, indeed, is adding "all these things" to your life! I love you so very much!
mom

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