Monday, July 27, 2009

My Grandma's House

My Grandma loved her church.


She loved welcoming us into her home in the country, standing at her blue painted front door, graciously giving out hugs and "I wuv u's" to all of us grandkids. I haven't stepped inside her home for several years. When she moved into the nursing home, my mom and uncle were able to sell her house to eight members of my Grandma's church. They rented it to various tenants.

My Grandma's house was situated on acres of Oklahoma farmland. It was beautiful to this Oklahoma girl's eyes. There were chicken coops, hay barns, water troughs, a windmill, bird houses, red clay creekbeds winding for miles it seemed, leading to treasure troves of antique finds, acres of pastureland to explore. . . heaven on earth for this city girl and her little brother. Breakfasts of musk melon and toast with sorghum molasses, long summer walks with my Grandma through pastures to find treasures, old glass bottles or tools, we never knew what we might happen upon. Climbing down the steps into the damp basement to help with weighing eggs, or canning. Dinners of fried okra, sleeping upstairs with the windows open, watching and listening for the birds as the sun came up.

One of her bibles, with her name inscribed on the front, has been my treasure since she passed away several years ago. I'm always finding words she had written alongside and verses underlined. The embroidered birds I shared with you in a previous post were lovingly stitched by her hands.

We were in Oklahoma for a family reunion yesterday. On the way home, I decided to drive by my Grandma's house. I knew she gave some of her land to her church. I didn't realize they had already completed their new building across the pasture from her home. All of the creek beds were leveled and the trees were gone. The barns and windmill had disappeared as if some hand had brushed over the surface of the land. On a whim, I turned into her driveway. There was a man there removing the garage door. "They're tearing the house down tomorrow, so they wanted me to remove the door today", he says as we approach. Evidently black mold has made the home unlivable and so the church has decided to tear it down to build a parking lot.

It was like stepping into a moment in time that was meant to be. Walking into her home still filled with memories and love, tears filled my eyes as I ran my hand over the walls and doorways, remembering days and moments, sights and smells. I watched my own kids look around with awe, the realization of the history and meaning our memories held shining in their eyes. Members of the church had already removed all of the glass doorknobs. Dust and cobwebs filled the window sills and corners. Upstairs we found sloppily painted purple walls, and a poem painted into the closet where as children, we had played with the same antique toys enjoyed by my mom and uncle, left for a new generation of kids to discover.

Wanting to take something of these long lost memories with us to hold and keep, we were able to remove some handles from her cabinets, a window from the front door, and two beautiful solid wood doors. I know my Grandma would love the fact that people from miles around are worshiping God on her land. I know she isn't holding onto her home any longer. It's not needed where she is, but my heart still aches a little as I let go of it today.

My grandma loved her church. I hope the church treasures her gift for generations to come. (They'd better. I wonder how long this parking lot has been planned? Sorry, just the cynic coming out in me.)

p.s. Can you believe I forgot to take a picture? When I find an old one to scan I'll add it here!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Sunday Rain

We arrived home from church today just in time to enjoy a little rain and thunder. Very refreshing, perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

A Walk in July

The quiet morning drew me outside to spend some time walking and contemplating. There was enough of a breeze to breathe coolness into the start of the day!

Beautiful Texas Bluebonnets, right in my own flowerbed!
We bought the seeds as souvineers on a trip in the spring and they finally bloomed~



This little guy scampered along with me for awhile~
I was finally able to capture him with my close up setting. He's found a nut of some kind~


He scampered up a tree and is enjoying his find~



Bright eyed and bushy tailed~!



Beautiful Sunflowers this morning along the way!



And another. . .


Wow! What a Sunflower!


My huge Cottonwood tree towers over my rooftop. Even though some people think it doesn't count because it's just a Cottonwood, I love my tree!




Moss roses in my flower pot. I'm still enjoying this macro photography thing!
Have a wonderful Saturday!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Rest and Trust

I'll be heading off to work here in a little while. I've watered my flowers and enjoyed my coffee. Just wanted to wish you all a happy day and that God will be with you in all you do. I found myself caught up in striving and stressing over my job situation or lack of, yesterday, exhausted mentally and emotionally from looking for a second job. (I have a part time job this summer, and a job lined up for fall, but that's a month away). Until I saw myself and realized how silly I was being. God is in control, no matter what it looks like to us. Trust. That's my word for today. Rest and trust.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him

Psalm 37:7

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Shadows

Today is my son's 13th birthday! But, since he and his friends are still sleeping, I thought I'd sneak in a quick post. The Brenda Photo Challenge this time is on Shadows.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Watch for the Unexpected Miracles!

Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds' feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.
The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.
I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.
All day long he is gracious and lends,
And his descendants are a blessing.
These days have been filled with joys and blessings, God showing me His answers to my long sought after prayers, and moments of pure panic. When I'm reacting to a situation with worry and fear, then I'm not trusting in God's provision and presence. Regardless of how things may appear, I can know with confidence that God holds my hand. Even though there is no fruit on the vines, and no blossom on the fig tree, God will be my strength. He will give me the ability to walk and climb in the steep places.
God's answers are not always, or usually, what we expect. But they fit into God's picture He is creating in our lives. Sometimes I'm so busy looking for what I was expecting that I miss the miracles God is providing!
"The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The reason is these animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall. Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see". . .(God's Plan for My Life, Living by Faith by Cooper Abrams)
If I didnt' have times of need in my life, I wouldn't have moments of realization and reflection like this. God wants me to draw near to Him and when I do, He comforts me and gives me the strength and faith to take the next step (or leap!)