😋 Happy Zucchini Bake

My husband and adult son loved this recipe! It's a great way to enjoy some of that summer zucchini.

Ingredients:

• 1 large zucchini cut in half or thirds depending on length, and then cut into medium thin slices. (I sliced around the center core to avoid the larger seeds. You will end up with some wide slices and some narrow slices.)
• 1 medium sweet onion sliced
• 1 pound browned ground beef (I used 85% lean.)
• 1 cup freshly shredded white sharp cheddar cheese. 
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 Tablespoons fresh basil chopped
• 2-3 Tablespoons fresh oregano chopped
• 1/2 a can or jar of prepared spaghetti sauce (I freeze the remaining sauce in a plastic container.)
• salt
• freshly ground pepper

Directions:

Begin by washing and cutting the zucchini. Lay it on paper towel to absorb some of its moisture. I layer my zucchini with the paper towel.

Brown the beef. Slice the onion. Finely grate the sharp cheddar cheese, Harvest and chop the herbs or you can substitute dried herbs, but reduce the amount by about half.

In a shallow 9 x 13 glass baking dish begin by laying out enough zucchini to completely cover the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, half of the Parmesan cheese, half of the herbs, about 1/3 of the browned ground beef, 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, and half of the sliced onion.

Place another layer of zucchini on top. Repeat, except this time you'll pretty much cover the top with the remaining browned ground beef. Top with onion and dollop with spoons of canned spaghetti sauce.

Bake in a preheated oven at 375 for about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining cheddar. Replace in the oven till the cheese is nicely melted. 

Remove from oven and allow it to set for at least 5 minutes. I served this with roasted new red potatoes and cooked peas. 

💗 Two Weeks

I ask can you give two weeks? I recently found out that I was potentially exposed to this COVID virus. My response? I let my friend with whom I visited and our daughter for whom I babysit our grandson know of this. It was agreed that the best, safest, and most caring course of action was for me to distance myself from them. These are people who I normally hold within my tightened circle, and with whom I interact  on a regular basis. 

    Some will ask why I am fearful. It's not fear; it's love, compassion, empathy, and trust. I love my family and friends enough to give up two weeks. Two weeks, fourteen days, 336 hours, 20,160 minutes, 1,209,600 seconds (lol ... if I did my math correctly). In the course of a lifetime, this is not much to ask. Over the course of eternity, it's a mere speck, maybe less.

    However, it could mean the health and livelihood of my family and friends and their extended family and friends. 

John 15:11-13 

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

I remember thinking as a young Christian that these words spoke only of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, but as I grew and matured, I realized that these words are for us in today's modern world as well. We show our love for others when we willingly set aside our lives for the good of others. We give our time, our talents, our service, and yes, in the midst of this pandemic, we give up what we most enjoy for the sake of those we love. 

    So, I ask you. Are you willing to give two weeks? 

    Please, if you've been hospitalized, give two weeks.

    If you've been to highly exposed areas for a prolonged amount of time, give two weeks.

    If you know you may have been exposed to the virus, give two weeks.

    It's a small thing to ask, really, but it could mean the very lives of those you love most.

😋 Scalloped Zucchini Bake

Ingredients:

2 medium sized zucchini 

1 - 1 1/4 cup shredded cheese - cooks choice - I used sharp white cheddar and co-jack (I use fresh grated cheese.)

Parmesan Cheese

2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

1 Tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped

Olive oil

Salt 

Freshly ground black pepper

Cut the ends off the zucchini and cut each one in half. Take each half and stand it up on its flat end so that you can easily cut medium thin slices.

I used a shallow 9x13 clear glass baking dish.

Drizzle a small amount of olive oil in the baking dish.

Use one piece of zucchini to spread the oil evenly over the bottom of the dish.

Lay in half of the zucchini. 

Sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese, a bit of salt and pepper and half of the grated cheese.

Lay the second half of the zucchini on top. 

Sprinkle with Parmesan, salt, pepper, herbs, and the rest of the grated cheese.

Drizzle with a bit of olive oil.

Bake in a preheated oven at 375 until the top is browned and the cheese looks a bit toasted.

Enjoy!

This was even good the next day heated up in the microwave. :)

😋 Creative Cooking

I would like to believe that creativity is within me and one of my gifts. I often tell people that I'm an ideas person who does not always know how to turn the idea into a reality. But, when it comes to cooking.... that I can do. When you see the 😋 you'll know that I'm sharing a recipe that is my own. Well, at least I believe it's my own. 

I'm very good at deciding what herbs and spices will pair well and enhance the foods that I prepare. So, sometimes a recipe is completely my own and sometimes I find that what I know about say baking muffins has a basic recipe and I enhance it or change it up to fit my desires or needs. 

Anything I share you can feel confident that I've tried it, perhaps a few times to get it just right, before I share it here. Enjoy.

💗 Cloudy Skies

Cloudy days are my favorite days. A cloudy sky in an interesting sky, ever changing and moving in both shape and color. There’s such a variety of clouds, too. Puffy and white and unthreatening clouds, long and wispy, quiet and peaceful clouds, clouds layered with grays and whites providing each other dramatic back and foregrounds. Then there are the clouds that roll in quickly on the heels of the wind bringing with them rumbling thunder and crashing lightning, sometimes even turning the sky a sickly yellow-green before strong winds and tornados approach. 

In the morning clouds kiss the sunrise with bright yellows and whites and grays while in the evening they blush in their own beauty through oranges, pinks, purples, and reds. Through it all the clouds are the paintbrushes of the sky, surprising me with their natural wonder. 

I look at these cloudy skies and contemplate how they reflect on life. My joys and happy surprises behave in my life as those calm and quiet clouds. Sometimes there’s only one or two small happenings that capture my momentary attention, giving me life experiences that fall back into my distant memory, but memories non the less.

At  times I experience moments of deep passion whether in love, joy, and bliss or perhaps anger or rage. In these times my mind easily pulls the memories forward, and I may experience again the brilliance that floods my heart and mind much like those dramatic sunrises and sunsets. 

And then, I meet my own pop-up storms of life. Those times when great gains or losses cross my path and I may dance and frolic in celebration or roil about in grief, despair, rage or sorrow. I  reflect on these moments of my life and consider the lessons I’ve learned, the wisdom I’ve gained, and sometimes I even grieve my very lack thereof. Still, those cloudy days have painted my landscape. They’ve shown my own true colors, for better or worse. All in all, they’ve provided a palate full of intrigue, discovery and adventure that paint the beautiful pictures of my life. 

So, when I see the cloudy days on my horizon, I’m still wrestling with the idea and understanding that I’m growing a lovely portrait of my life that is intermingled with the lives of others. Paint on, dear cloudy skies above. May my heart, mind, soul and spirit be ready to receive the lessons and memories you brush across this life I call mine.

💗 Our Pets

Our pets are more than just animals to us; they are family, friends, companions who work their way into our human hearts and souls. People who have never had a pet don’t understand us pet owners. All they see is a hairy or dirty animal that lives in a human home sharing common space that they deem to be fit for only humans. We pet owners though see and feel so very much more. 

I’ll speak in regards to our dog Ruby. She came into our lives rather unexpectedly. Brad asked me to join him in just going to his brother’s house to look and admire the new puppies there. I did not want to go. I did not want to get a puppy. Brad said it was not with getting a puppy in mind, just to see the cute little things. I believe he thought it would cheer me up since our son had just recently left for the Army, and our daughter had just moved into her freshman college dorm. 

So, off we went to “look’ at the puppies. We arrived at his brother’s home and followed him out to the dog pen. I stood aloof and unengaging. I refused to pick up a puppy or even bend to pet any of them. I think I pretty much knew what would happen. Well, undeterred by my standoffish behavior, one little pup walked over and simply laid her head on my foot and looked up at me with the most solemn eyes. I still did not respond. I stood still and waited for it to get bored of me and leave. However, before that could happen, Brad stooped down, scooped up the pup and put her into my arms and said, “Look how this one likes you.” 

The puppy immediately snuggled her nose against my neck and burrowed into my curly hair snorting her happiness the entire time. She was giving me a real good sniff. Well, my cool heart melted immediately, and I looked at Brad and said, “I  guess this one’s ours.” I smiled broadly, while he stood there all befuddled. “What? I thought we were just looking!” Silly man, who ever heard of just looking at puppies. 

Thirteen years later our dog, our friend, our family member Ruby is snoring at my side. She’s been a faithful, loving, and fun companion. A friend indeed!

💭 The Year 2020 - January thru July

Friday, January 10, 2020

This is surely to be a year of journeys. Journeys planned and unplanned. Journeys that bring excitement and journeys that leave me quaking in my shoes. Some journeys I long to take and some I find myself fearful of. And all the while I’m wondering how to step forward without fear and trepidation, how do I keep my balance, my safety, my mind, and my life? 

Today’s Bible reading offered much in answer to these questions. The title itself is just perfect, “Here Be Dragons.” The assigned reading was 2 Timothy 1:6-14

Verse 7: God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

I must admit that my mind has been anything but sound. Fear and questions have taken precedence of late. Even on days when I feel happy with life, in the background there lies a nervous anxiety that causes me to hold my breath. 

Dear Lord, I claim Your power of love and a sound mind. Please, help me to lean into your power and strength and to KNOW Your love.

Verse 8: Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.

The testimony of the Lord is being lived out in me and other Christians all around the world. The Lord has been giving me a new story. But, of late, I’ve been ashamed of it. I’ve been trapped in the lies that I’m not good enough, I will be harshly judged for my depth of  fears and worry; that others will not understand me and the needs I have at this time of life. But, this is MY testimony GIVEN to me by God at this time of life. 

Lord, thank you for the work you are doing in me now. Thank you for the testimony you are giving me, and thank you for Your power of love and a sound mind for which to walk through this new testimony.

Verse 9: God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 

This is the main point here. This testimony that God is working out in my life is not for me; it’s for Him, for His purpose. 

Oh, Lord, I’ve been squandering this testimony. I’ve been running and hiding from it. Please forgive my lack of trust and faith. Please, keep this to the forefront of my mind and heart each and every day. My life testimony is not for me, but for You. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow, and please help me to be open and honest with all around me as I share this new testimony. I claim your power of love and a sound mind. And let me not be ashamed of Your work in my life. 

And so here is the testimony…..

My life has been turned upside down and sideways. I’ve been stretched and am in the process of being remolded. I’ve also been so very blessed through it all. So blessed. 

My husband Brad of 35 years was spared his life. I still have my beloved husband at my side. This is a blessing of great measure. 

That said, Brad, due to medical reasons, changed job positions within his company. I willingly left my teaching position after 18 years in the same district. I thought that would be easier than it actually has been. I do miss the teachers, the structure, the creativity teaching offers me, the feeling that I’m making a difference in my community. At the same time, I don’t miss the stress, the hours, the constant demands of the state and government, and responsibility for the learning and safety of so many children. 

In this transition, we moved 75 miles away from the area in which we had lived for thirty years. That, too, has been more difficult than I expected. I do miss knowing so many people. I miss the sense of belonging, my dear friend, and the family there. At the same time, I acknowledge the blessings that God has so graciously bestowed on me. We bought a lovely little home in the very same town where our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson live. I’m enjoying the opportunity to babysit our grandson one day a week on a regular basis, and this gives me so much joy.

Even though there are blessings, there has been difficulty. We’ve had family members seemingly disgruntled with our move. I have been feeling hurt by this. I find that I am feeling a deep sense of needing some protection. Someone to stand between me and the bullies of life. How is it that I can be of this age in life and still be bullied by others? I’ve been angry with Brad that he doesn’t stand up for me and protect me.  Is it wrong of me to want this? I don’t know, but I do know that it’s wrong of me to be angry with my husband.

These feelings of fear have been causing me to withdraw from life, to avoid those who may cause me harm. And I wonder, how many others are out there feeling the same way? 

Major life changes change our perspective on life, our direction in life, and our purpose in life. 

But this is not a mystery to You, Lord. For you have known all along that this is where I would be. You have designed all of this. 

So, Lord, I pray that You would stir up Your gift in me, and that You would help me in this renewing of mind in soundness and love. Please, help me to remember that I only operate in Your strength. Let me not be ashamed of the testimony You are growing in me and to remember that it’s not for me, but for You and Your purpose. And, please forgive my lack of trust that you are my protection.  May I walk in faith, trust, and the power of Your love. Amen.

Friday, January 17, 2020

What difference a week can make. What is the difference between walking in the strength and power of the Lord. The Lord has answered the prayers of my heart. 

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to see your answers to my prayers. Thank you for new friends and acquaintances. 

The Lord laid it on my heart to invite ladies from the neighborhood over for tea on Tuesday. They were delighted to gather. We enjoyed some refreshments and kind conversation. 

Monday I signed up for the book club at our local library.

Thursday I babysat Jackson. We took a trip to our church to play at the indoor playground. The grandmother I met last week, Becky, greeted me by name! I so enjoyed playing with little Jack-Jack. I also met several other grandmothers who were caring for their grandchildren (Beth Ann). I also met a very sweet young mother (Faith).

Later that evening I went to the library’s Roaring 20’s party and played Bunko. I met several very nice ladies. And then, Brad picked me up for small group where we studied God’s Word, prayed, and fellowshipped. What a wonderful day!

Today, as I walked Ruby, I saw a neighbor behind us, Judy. I talked for a few moments with her. 

And just now, as I write this, my neighbor walked in and greeted me with a hearty, “Kari!” And proceeded to talk with me for a moment. 

God, you are so…. Good. You bless me beyond measure and beyond my imagination. Thank you ever, ever so much for Your goodness to me. 

Now, it’s time to go meet with Brad for a walk. 

Friday, January 24, 2020

Psalm 24:7-10

7 Lift up your head, Kari! And be lifted up, you everlasting soul!

And the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your head, O Kari! Lift up, you everlasting soul! And the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah

It’s fear and anxiety that I’ve been battling the past weeks and months. It feels good to finally put my finger on it. I kept thinking to myself that I’ve forgiven the wrongs and I’m not worried about apologies not said to me, so why am I so stressed out with the thought of seeing certain people. I’m fearful and anxious. When it comes to these individuals I become like a turtle and want to crawl into my shell and close it up tight. I don’t want to see them, be near them, I really don’t even want to talk to them. My anxiety and fear overwhelms me and prevents me from healing this relationship. But…. It’s an important relationship in the life of my family. 

So, I’m going to need Your help, Lord. I’m reminding myself that You are a God of love and not of fear. You are a God of love, and I’m to be anxious for nothing. I’m not to be anxious of people and the potential harm and hurtfulness they may bring. You are bigger than them. And I am made whole through You. Please, Lord, please heal this anxious heart and mind. For the sake of my family I ask this. Thank you.

2 Timothy 1:7

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Psalm 24:8-9

 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.

 Lift up your head, O Kari! Lift up, you everlasting soul! And the King of glory shall come in.

God is my strength and my might. With Him I can win this battle. 

You are mighty, Lord. And in You my soul is everlasting. Your glory is all that matters. You are all that matters. Your strength is from everlasting to everlasting. My soul, in You, is everlasting. Peace be mine in You, Lord. Please, set the evil one behind me. Set my mind and heart free, Lord. Please, I ask this of You today. Thank you. 

Friday, January 31, 2020

God is so good to answer my prayers. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for choosing to bless me with answered prayers. And thank you, that I was able to share those with others. 

I realize now that after everything slowed down from our move and adjustment time, I then have had time to actually respond physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to all the changes in our lives. Brad, too, was responding. He in anger; me in anxiety and fear. 

But, with acknowledgement has come the beginning of healing and the beginning of a new beginning. And now, I find myself in a period of nesting. This is where I’m making the house ours, putting our stamp on the home. The walls have been painted and now I’m working on all of the trim. Soon to follow will be the job of redoing the kitchen on a shoestring budget. But, it’s good. 

The Lord has covered my heart, mind and spirit in strength and peace. 

Praise to God in His Holiness and Majesty

A Psalm of David.

29 

Give[a] unto the Lord, O you mighty ones,

Give unto the Lord glory and strength.

2 

[b]Give unto the Lord the glory [c]due to His name;

Worship the Lord in the [d]beauty of holiness.

3 

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

The God of glory thunders;

The Lord is over many waters.

4 

The voice of the Lord is powerful;

The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5 

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,

Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon.

6 

He makes them also skip like a calf,

Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 

The voice of the Lord [e]divides the flames of fire.

8 

The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;

The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

9 

The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth,

And strips the forests bare;

And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!”

10 

The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood,

And the Lord sits as King forever.

11 

The Lord will give strength to His people;

The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Thank you, Lord, for the power of Your strength and peace over my heart, mind, body, and soul. Thank you for a beautiful time of healing. Please continue with me and in me. And please help me to always see Your mighty hand at work in my life. Amen.

 

 

Friday, February 7, 2020

It’s snowing today; our first real snow of the season. The whiteness covers the land and any winter imperfections, well, perceived imperfections. This causes me to reflect upon Your covering of my imperfections, or perceived imperfections. Are we imperfect? Our sins make us . . . me so. But you do say in Psalms that we are each perfectly and wonderfully made. So, does that mean my imperfections are perceived or real? This provides a bit of a conundrum; does it not? 

Then while the snow covers the imperfections of the land, any perceived ugliness will be revealed upon the melting away of the snow. So this is a temporal covering. Praise Your name that Your covering of my sin is forever. So, why do I take out a mirror and study my sin? Turn it this way and that, looking for or judging the imperfections that I see. Should I not look and take comfort, find joy, and feel exhilarated with Your covering over me? 

Hmmm. … Furthermore, I would do well to stop looking for imperfections in others; especially in those who have claimed Your holy covering over their sin. We are made new and whole. We/I will fall. But, I will get up again in Your strength and with the beauty of Your countenance upon and over me. Thank you, Lord. You are ever-good and faithful. Thank you. 

Snow, thank you for your lesson today. Thank you, Lord, for Your lesson today. May I hold this in my heart and mind and spirit as I travel through life each day. 

Friday, February 21, 2020

Ephesians 3:14-21 New International Version (NIV)

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a]in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! 

So, Brad and I have moved past my anxiety and his anger, and we have moved on to truly seeing the hand of God in all of this. … This move, this new town, this new job, this new home, this new church, and this new life. Brad looked at me last night and said, “We should not take all of this for granted.” He waved his hand all around the house and town and then he included the two of us. He went on to say that he does not take me for granted, and he hopes he never does take me for granted. It was a small, yet huge moment. A brief moment in time that was packed with enormous meaning for the two of us. 

Lord, thank You, ever so much for Your blessings. I often ask You to allow me to see the blessings within a day, and surely this was one of them. 

Lately, I’ve been praying for a woman to have the Lord’s peace and strength over her emotions. I realized the same prayer applies to me. And to us all. I do believe that my inner being is being strengthened in the power of the Holy Spirit. My heart and mind swell with love and gratitude for this. 

Thank you, Lord! Thank you!

I want to be rooted and established in His love, that I may show love. I want to embrace the power, along with other Christians to know the height and depth of God’s love for us. I want to be completely filled up with God. 

I also have been praying for a friends’ daughter who is caught up in an abusive relationship. The Lord spoke to me the prayer for her. 

Lord, A- has a heart to serve and care for others. She shows this in serving and caring for her abuser. I pray, Lord, that you would place before her an opportunity to serve You, Lord. And I pray that You would place before her an opportunity to care for those in Your family. I pray that A- would find a complete peace and satisfaction in serving You, dear Lord. 

I also pray for her abuser, Lord. I pray that he would seek and find You. I pray that You would fill the empty places in his heart with Your fullness of love, and that he would turn away from the drugs that are enslaving his life and mind. Amen.

And, so today, I’ve been handed the phone number of a woman who is writing a book. She’s interested in getting together to share writing and ideas. This town, Lord! Thank you for the connections you place before me on a daily and weekly basis. Thank You!

And, this evening we are meeting Brad’s parents in Wooster for dinner. It will be the first time in months that we’ve spent any time with them, just them. 

Lord, please grant me Your peace over this relationship. They are elderly, and I know they will only grow increasingly frail. So, I pray healing over us all. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Now, Lord, I believe I have heard you tell me to begin illustrating my story Superior Gulp. So, I will go try. I will try. Lord, please help me in this endeavor. 

 

 

 

Friday, March 6, 2020

It’s been a busy and full two weeks. I babysat Jackson one extra day, completed the painting of the trim and built-ins in the house, worked on the illustrations, visited with new friends, and just general day to day activities. Oh, and I also worked one half day at the cabinet shop. All the while listening and talking with the Lord as I go. 

I was especially impressed with last Sunday’s message on the Holy Spirit. I’m so thankful to be reminded that the Holy Spirit lives and breathes within me and with me. He gives me my gifts and talents. He gives and supports within me this creative mind and soul. A soul that looks up at the sky and a soul that asks every morning to have open eyes to the blessings around me. 

And I see that God is everywhere around me. And in me. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with a creative mind and soul. Thank you also for instilling within me a keen appreciation of nature. I feast daily, hourly, upon the glories of Your creation. Thank You! Thank You!

Yesterday I took Jackson for a walk through the neighborhood. Seeing the world through his eyes is such a treat! How precious to see the world from his viewpoint. He was intrigued with his shadow, stopped in his tracks by the whispering sound of leaves blowing about on a tree, filled with laughter at the feel of tree bark, and happy to just lay down in the middle of the sidewalk and feel the concrete beneath him. Lord, thank You for the eyes of our youth and their sense of adventure. May Jackson always enjoy the wonders that surround him. And may he, at a young age, claim You, Lord as his friend and savior. Amen.

 

Saturday, March 28, 2020

It’s been three weeks since I last sat down to write anything at all. Three weeks of our lives, yet again, being turned completely upside down. This time; however, the entire world is traveling this journey with us in the form of COVID-19. Brad and I acknowledged last spring that the Lord was giving us a new story - a new testimony. All along I would pause and remind myself that this new story was surely not only about us, but that the new paths in life would certainly branch out into the lives of others. I thought to myself, “God has a plan for us in our new home, new job, new neighborhood, new church. This is not just about us.” Now, here we are passing through this journey with Emily and her family (and, I’m so glad that Josh and Alecia at the other end have Alecia’s family and the rest of our family nearby). In our neighborhood, we have been able to bond over this virus that has become a common denominator across the entire world. Though we cannot visit each others’ homes and share meals, we’ve texted, FaceBooked, Instagrammed, called, and even stood or sat at safe distances in a yard and had a visit. We are “street family.” 

At our new church we joined a small group. Now, we are traveling this path with them as well. Prayers, e-mails, phone calls have been exchanged. And, my heart and mind is on them continually. Then, I realize this virus is not winning. We are stronger together. The cords of caring, praying, sharing, encouraging is stronger than any virus. We will get through this…. Together. 

Dear Lord, please keep us strong and healthy. Please let us be a shining star pushing back the darkness of despair and illness and fear and exhausted people. Let us care more, love deeper, appreciate fully the blessings of humanity and human spirits around us. Please fill us with Your Holy Spirit and give us strength to face each moment as we walk through this shadow of the valley of death. And, may we emerge on the other side well, healed, and praising You. May we continue to love and care for our families, our friends, our communities, and our world. 

I find myself smiling, even now, as I think of friends and family far away and with whom new bonds of family are tying stronger. And, I realize I love them. Our differences of lifestyles, thinking, and worldviews are pushed aside and the pure beauty of their humanness is all that remains. I see the love within the human spirit that rises above all else. This causes me to simply say, “I love you. Please be well. Please be safe. Please follow all health guidelines given in your area. And, yes, please stay home when instructed to do so.”

 

Sunday, May 10, 2020

It’s Mother’s Day, and I realize I have not taken a moment of time to write in almost a full month. My days have been gobbled up in kitchen remodel and Netflix.

A new friend said to me today, “Happy Mother’s Day! Write something beautiful.”

Something beautiful in the midst of this pandemic. I don’t know….

I was thinking this morning on being a mother. One must understand so much when it comes to mothering. When to hold on, and when to let go. When to instruct and when to allow the child to struggle through on his/her own. A mother must hold memories in her heart. As moments are passing before her eyes, she must enjoy them in the moment while at the same time embracing them as memories in the making. Mothers must be ready to work, to play, to rest, to serve, to pray, to listen, to heal, to give of herself without asking or expecting anything in return. A mother must give her love unconditionally and without strings attached. Her heart must focus on what is best for her children and not herself. A mother becomes a gift, that of which her children must choose on their own to open and keep for themselves. A mother will always wait and never turn away. A mother will one day be forced to accept that she cannot fix everything, though her heart will long to do just that. This is because a mother will realize that her children must understand that she is not God, she is not a savior. She is merely human. A mother understands that her children will need to find their own way spiritually and physically. And yet, a mother will always be ready with hugs and help and love without measure. A mother is simply put, well, a mother. 

 

Monday, June 29, 2020

It’s been so long since I sat at the computer to write…. Anything at all. I feel rusty and unprepared to put words to the page, yet I know I’m perfectly capable. My time has been spent in the refurbishing of our house. Kitchen remodel, painting just about every surface in the house. Thank goodness the house has a brick exterior… No need to paint that! Brad was working from home during the first blight of the Corona Virus. Today is his first day back to a regular work schedule and on site. And, me? I’m trying to redefine my place here at home. My mind says, “Get busy with your writing and artwork!” But my body is sluggish and my creative thoughts seem to be pressed down and covered in the cobwebs of a lethargic brain. I’m slow to start anything. And that novel that is actually quite good is so very difficult to recapture as I’ve allowed it to sit and linger for literally years. I need to allow myself time to get reacquainted with the characters. So, I believe I’ll have to reread it several times just to recapture their personalities and figure out where the story is going. 

As I sit at my computer here at home, I look out the window and see the house behind us. The elderly couple who live there are bonafide recluses or hermits. The only time we see any sign of them is when the man is mowing, as he is now, or we see their lights on in the middle of the night. They seem to be up at all hours. The other day as I babysat our grandson Jackson, I was watching over him as he played in the makeshift sandbox. I saw the woman over there pull back the drapes that cover their sliding glass door. She stood in her floor length, turquoise colored bathrobe and watched for a few moments Jackson at play. I couldn’t help but wonder about this. Did this bring her joy or deep sorrow at loss of some sort? I also wondered about gruesome things like is she being held against her will? Who might be imprisoned in the basement? What’s really going on in that house?

………. And with this…. I’m done. See I’m rusty and unmotivated. But, I’ll get there. I have made a deal with myself. I’m not allowed to do any further home remodel or painting of walls until I make some real progress here. 

Day one… Out.

 

Friday, July 10, 2020

Time slips past so quietly and quickly, I barely take note of its passage. Now, on top of the Corona Virus we add the insufferable heat wave. Days one end topping out in the mid nineties is not typical for our region in July. This heat has forced people inside. First the COVID19 did so, now the weather has added its hand in keeping us in. Even our dog Ruby has no desire to remain outdoors longer than it takes her to relieve herself. She does her business and makes it known that she’s going back into the air conditioning. Praise the Lord for air conditioning! 

The only time of day that is suitable for outdoor activities is early in the morning or late into the evening. And still the hot and humid air feels thick and seems to cling to my skin, hair, and clothing.

I’ve been enjoying morning devotions, prayer and meditation on our little side porch. It’s peaceful and allows me some time out of the central air. My heart is very much at peace during this time of day. It seems as though the earth and her creatures are waking up with me, or I suppose it’s more correctly said that I’m waking up with the earth and her creatures. I am one of those creatures. 

During our small group meeting via Zoom last night, the question was posed, “When do you, or have you felt content?” I realize that I feel ever so content during those early morning moments spent in Bible reading, prayer and meditation. I pray for the needs of others and for the health of our family, friends, and community. But, also I feast my eyes on the beauty that surrounds me and give praise with a thankful heart for all that the Lord has set before us. 

Isn’t it interesting that even in the midst of this pandemic and heat wave that our hearts can still be lifted in praise? We can still find things in life for which we are grateful. All is not lost; we are a resilient people; we will, with determined hearts and minds persevere, and even thrive. 

Thank you, Lord, for giving me/us the ability to walk through these trying times. Thank you for Your care and love, your mercy, your healing hand, your guidance, and your grace. Thank you for supplying our needs and even our wants. Thank you for family, friends, neighbors, and even our pets. Thank you.