What Surprises Lurk in Hidden Places!

Every once in a while (not very often), I try to get rid of some of my clutter. A lot of my clutter are treasures that I just can't let go of. To most people, they would be considered junk or trash. I have a few family members that tell me, "If it has no use, get rid of it."  I hope they never feel that way toward me as I get older.  Getting rid of things is easier said than done, especially since I'm the most nostalgic person in the world.

 

Well after over four years, I decided to go through my husband's brief cases. They were full of all of his favorite sermons that he had preached throughout the years. It was hard getting rid of them. They are all on CDs, but still the paper copies have all of his notes he wrote. I had to keep some of my favorites.

 

While going through his brief cases, I reached down into one of the pockets and to my surprise, I found a Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake. It was still wrapped. It had to be over five years old.

 

I think it was in the petrified state. What was so strange, there was not any mold on the cake at all. It made me wonder what kind of preservatives are in Little Debbie Cakes????

 

 

It is strange the things we hold on to and have a hard time letting go of. Especially things in the past.

We sometimes preserve them like the cake was and every once in a while we reach down into our hidden places and bring them back out. Sometimes it's a injustice someone has done to us or some bitterness we have toward another person. The past can never be changed. All a person can do is get rid of the bad things and only remember the good things.

 

I did decide to throw the cake away. I'm not that nostalgic!

Little Things that Bring Big Memories

The smell of coffee sometimes can stir my senses and bring back memories of another time. I'm usually reminded of being a little girl and being at my paternal Grandpa and Grandma's house. We called them Poppy and Mammy. They had an old percolator coffee pot. I can still remember how the coffee would smell in the morning. They always let me drink a little bit with cream (real cream). And then they would have toast. I remember it was one of those old shiny toasters with the old electrical cord. The toast would always blacken too much and they would have to scrape off the black. Then they would spread butter (real butter) all over it.

To me they were very happy times. Grandparents have this way about them. It is almost like their goal is to bring happiness into the life of their grandchildren. Maybe because around their grandchildren they can become kids once again.

 

My Poppy and Mammy when they lived on Florida Street. My brother is in the middle and front left to right are 3 of my cousins and I'm the little girl at the end in front of my Mammy.

 

 

My grandparents never had a lot. I remember their home on Florida Street in Evansville, Indiana. It still had an outhouse. This was in the early 1950's. But I still remember their home. I remember as a little girl having meals there and listening to the radio. I can still remember listening to "The Lone Ranger."

At the end of the broadcast, I can still hear the voice of the Lone Ranger riding off and yelling "Hi-yo Silver! Away!"

Such good times.

Later Poppy and Mammy moved into government housing. My Mammy would sew and make pillows and slipcovers and sell them to make a little money.

My Poppy taught me how to play cards. That probably wasn't a good thing to teach your granddaughter, but it sure was fun. I'd sit at the kitchen table with him and my uncles and play poker for hours. Also he taught me how to play solitaire.

It was only natural. My Poppy and his brothers had been riverboat gamblers and musicians on steamboats up and down the Ohio River. They could play any kind of instrument there was.

Unfortunately, the musical talent was never passed on to me. I'm sure it would have been more useful than playing cards.

They passed on several years ago. My Poppy going first and then Mammy years later. 

They were a great part of my life and I know their memory will always remain a part of me, especially when the smell of coffee fills the air.

 

I'm sure there are things in everyone's life that can spark a memory, a feeling of nostalgia, or maybe even a little sadness.

 

And Fall is always a special time. The chilly mornings with colored leaves bring back childhood memories that I always love. They are memories that always bring a good feeling inside.

 

I just want to wish everyone a Happy Fall

filled with wonderful days of making memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Election Year

I have never been much on politics.  I am a Republican, very conservative.

This election year amazes me. It has been a battle between two selfish children to see who is the best. There's been name calling, character assassination, bullying. I just want to hear what each candidate is going to do to bring back America to where she was when our founding fathers first signed the Declaration of Independence.

We were a united country with one goal in mind. To be the United States of America, one nation under God.

I have 12 grandchildren and I worry about the kind of country they are growing up in. The United States is not the United States I grew up in.

I was born in 1947. It was after World War II and the Korean War. We had been a country in battle, trying to keep the freedoms that we had fought for through the years. We had men and women give their lives for this country. Does that mean so little? Was their death in vain?

I would certainly hope not.

I grew up loving and respecting my country. As a little girl going to school, I learned the Star Spangled Banner, the Pledge of Allegiance to a wonderful flag that represents these United States. We prayed every morning. When I walked down the stairs of my school, there on the wall in huge letters was the Ten Commandments.

Every Memorial Day we would go to the cemetery to honor our dead loved ones and the soldiers who had fought for our freedoms.  On the fourth of July, it just wasn't a holiday. It meant something. It meant that we were a free nation, that we had freedoms that other countries didn't have. We were a prosperous nation, a strong nation.

We do have rights as an American. They are to see that our country remains the great nation that it was and that it can be again.

Please God, bless America again!!!

 

 

 

The Long Hot Summer

This summer seems like it is never going to end.  The weather has been unbearable some days. Remember I'm a cool weather person. I'm not sure what I'm doing living in North Carolina.

A lot has happened over the summer. I did my usual traveling to Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Texas.

I know I talk about God's timing. It was so apparent in my travels this summer.  Usually I always go to Indiana first on my trip. I decided to get out of my normal routine and go to Evansville at the end of my trip.

God was already in control of everything. I always look forward to seeing my dad when I go to Evansville, Indiana. He had been in a nursing home for almost three years. While I was there, he contacted a very severe infection and became very ill.  He passed away on August 2, 2016.

The Lord already knew the year, the month, the day, the hour, the minute that my dad would pass from this life into eternity. I'm thankful that my dad had given me testimony of when he had accepted Jesus as his savior.

I am going to miss my dad so much. I know he's in heaven with my mom and his parents and they are having a glorious reunion. And I know I'll get to see him again someday.

And I am so thankful that the Lord gave me two good days of visiting with my dad before he passed away.

Losing my dad is  part of the changing leaves of autumn. It's like a part of me is gone. Part of who made us who we are. The ones who molded and shaped your life.

I know as I'm in my autumn, there will be more changes. I pray that God will give me the grace I need to be strong and accept the changes.

My brother and I helping celebrate my Dad's 90th Birthday.

This Day Will Never Come Again

Today for some reason this thought entered my mind. I have thought about this a lot today.

Am I living my life to the fullest?  I don't think so.

Life is a gift. I know I don't appreciate that gift like I should.

I asked myself - Am I a blessing to people?  Have I encouraged anyone today? Have I thanked my God for all the wonderful blessings I receive each day?

Do I serve my God and worship Him the way I should.

I have freedom,  I have good health, I have a good church family,  I am saved and I know that Heaven is my eternal home, and I am blessed with the greatest family.

I have no complaints.

So every morning from now on, this will be the first thought that enters my mind. 

THIS DAY WILL NEVER COME AGAIN!!

 I pray that I can live each day with no regrets  and make good choices, because once this day is over it becomes yesterday and today is almost over and tomorrow is just a promise.

I'm Still Here

People that read my blog were probably wondering. I love writing, but I think I was going through a "BLAH" period. I don't like those times in my life.

Honestly, I never felt like this until after my husband passed away. It will soon be four years. Life is different. I enjoy all the wonderful things of life and all the wonderful blessings I have. I really have no complaints. But sometimes you miss someone to share it with.

I am looking forward to traveling again. That makes me feel good. I slowed down a little bit because my car is getting a little old. But she's been a good car and I want her to be around a while longer.

 

Last Sunday was Mother's Day. It was a great day.  I think it puts a lot of pressure on my sons figuring out how to make it a good day for me and their wives.

 

I am so thankful to be a Mother. That is my greatest fulfillment in life. I certainly made a lot of mistakes as a mother. It's not an easy job. You can read all the books in the world, but none of them really prepare you, because every one has their own unique personality.

 

Each one of my sons is different. I'm glad. It has kept life exciting. Each one of them have their own special talents and traits. But I love each one of them so very much and I'm so thankful that God blessed me with each one of them. Plus I get to enjoy the benefits of being a Mother -

 GRANDKIDS!!!!

 

Wanted!!! An American President!!

This is election year. I always vote, even if I'm not impressed with all the people that are nominated for office. I know presidents are just men who we choose because we think they will best serve us and our country.

The trouble is most of them do not believe that they are a servant of the United States. They want what they want and they almost become dictators. Instead of seeking the best for America and looking to God for wisdom and guidance, they think what will best serve them and their purpose.

 

I was reading about John Adams, the second president of the United States. He had 12 qualities that are almost impossible to find in the men that are in office today and that are seeking nomination.

 

 This article was written by Mike Myatt, a leadership adviser to Fortune 500.

 

The following list contains 12 qualities that make John Adams a great man, a great leader, and a great example we should all strive to emulate:

1. He valued education- Adams began his education at Harvard when he was fifteen. Here, he learned to learn and he never stopped learning. He stressed education to his children and played a large role in their learning.
2.  




He strove for a good reputation- As a young lawyer, Adams knew he would get nowhere without a good reputation. He therefore set out to become known in Boston for all the right reasons. He became well known in Boston as a good lawyer, but as you’ll see later, he wasn’t ready to compromise his principles in the name of maintaining a good reputation.
3. He loved his wife- There is perhaps no greater love story than that of John and Abigail Adams. Abigail was his love, his mentor, his confidant, and he shared everything with her. His marriage with Abigail is perhaps the single greatest factor in his success as a leader. He, as every leader should do, always sought council from others. But his most valued counsel just happened to be his best friend and spouse. Adams never operated in a bubble and neither should you.
4. He fought for what was right- Adams, always mindful of his reputation, knew that when he agreed to defend the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre, his reputation would be ruined, as the British were hated in Boston. But he knew it was the right thing to do. It was during the trial that Adams famously said, “Facts are stubborn things.” What I admire about Adams is that he, more than anyone, feared having his reputation tarnished, but he did not flinch when he was stuck between doing the right thing and maintaining his reputation.
5. He was a great communicator- It’s simply impossible to be a great leader without being a great communicator. Like his father, John Adams originally wanted to be a farmer. But when he saw the power of communication, he set out to become a great writer and speaker. He read books, essays, and poetry and worked his whole life to become an orator of the same magnitude as Cicero or Demosthenes.
6. He saw his shortcomings and recruited others to fill in the gaps- Nobody is perfect, nor is anyone the perfect person for every situation. John Adams had no qualms admitting he was not the right person for a job. And when he found himself in a situation where he felt inadequate, he did one of two things: recommend someone else, and if that was impossible, he’d buckle down, learn what he had to, and then work diligently to achieve the desired outcome.
7. He recognized talent- The ability to see ability in others is absolutely essential to a leader. This is perhaps where Adams shined the brightest. He was the first to submit George Washington’s name for general of the Continental Army, a post being clamored for by many. And as if that were not enough, he recruited the pen of Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence and the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin to help edit it.
8. He was brave in the face of physical danger- I debated whether or not to include this as many will never face a situation of great physical danger, but I decided to as many recent news stories revolve around violence, disasters, and bullying. These stories are full of people who risked their safety to save others, as well as those who stood idly by doing nothing. Leaders should always stand up for others and exhibit courage in the face of danger. Adams was no stranger to danger. On one of his voyages across the Atlantic, a British warship attacked his vessel, and Adams didn’t hesitate to grab a rifle to do his part in defending it. The ship’s captain had to order Adams below decks to get him out of the fray.
9. He had unwavering integrity- Adams unwavering integrity stands apart when contrasted to the very publicly documented failings of so many of our leaders today. There is no evidence of Adams ever being unfaithful to Abigail while spending years in Europe away from her. He was also known for keeping detailed reports of all his expenditures while overseas on congressional money when many of his contemporaries did not. Many people disliked Adams for his political views, but they never could say that he was not a man of integrity.
10. He had perseverance- As mentioned before, Adams readily admitted when he was unfit for a job. This was especially true while in France and Holland, serving as an emissary. He was staunchly patriotic and unashamed of his New England ways, which ruffled more than a few French and Dutch feathers. He was new to being a diplomat and found it tiring and ill suited for him. But he pressed on. He pressed on for America and after securing a substantial loan from the Dutch government he commented to Abigail that he’d accomplished this, not out of skill that others did not possess, but out of shear perseverance.
11. He could see the big picture- Many of the Founders commented on John Adams visionary leadership. He never seems to have had tunnel vision during the fight for independence. Adams warned of becoming too dependent on France while fighting for freedom from the British, during the same time many Americans were ready to essentially trade George III for Louis the XVI as their ruler. Adams saw what France was trying to do with America and always kept America’s interests first. Seeing the bigger picture is a trait that leaders must possess if they are going to be successful in the long-run.
12. He was a true servant- The public career of John Adams can be described as nothing other than service beyond self. He and Abigail spent much of their marriage apart from each other because they both recognized the part that he was to play in the formation of the United States. He gave his time, his education, and his health to the cause of liberty. He never sought power, once writing in his diary that he was no Caesar. He would have much preferred to be a Boston Lawyer and then settle down as a farmer in his hometown of Braintree. But Adams believed in something bigger – he literally gave his life so that every American might have the freedom and liberty to live the life we choose.

If only we could find leaders like John Adams today. Men of integrity, good reputations, and who love the United States.

 

"GOD BLESS AMERICA"