My Son, My Soldier

My heart is very heavy tonight. Our son left today for boot camp. He will have AIT training right afterward, so we will not see him again until July. I still remember the day that beautiful child was born. He always has, and always will, hold a special place in my heart.

LORD, please watch over our child over these next few months. Surround him with your guardian angels. Give him peace, courage and strength as he prepares to serve our country. Grant us, his wife and parents, peace as well - peace that passes all understanding. May we never forget that freedom is not free. Protect this country, even though we have drifted further and further away from You, Father. For the sake of Your children, keep us safe until You return to take us home. In Jesus holy name I pray, Amen.

Long Walks and Tokens of Remembrance and Affection

There's an old baptist church (est. 1875) in our little community with a church graveyard. There is a long paved path around this graveyard and I love to go walking there when it's pretty out. Today was a lovely, sunshiney day and I needed some fresh air and exercise. So off I went.

When walking, I love to imagine what each person was like when they were alive. After all, each gravestone represents a life lived, a person loved by someone - a mom, a dad, a son or daughter, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, friend, sister, brother... One can always tell where the older graves are located in a graveyard. There are rarely any tokens of affection or flowers left on these graves. Sad, really... but life goes on. To everything there is a season.

Here are 3 Christmas wreaths standing in a row at the gravesites of 3 family members.

A couples' wedding date etched in stone many years after they said their I Do's.

A lovely Christmas arrangement still adorns this gravesite, 2 months after Christmas day.

A Valentine arrangement sits atop this gravestone.

One of our beloved veterans is buried here.

This lovely angel figurine and glass rose sits in front of this gravestone. This lady passed not too long ago.

Here is the sweet Valentine arrangement left at this same lady's grave. So touching...

I always enjoy my walks here. Till next time....

I am so grateful to be a child of God, especially in these dreadful times. To my brothers and sisters in Christ: doesn't it sometimes make you want to run into the shadow of the Almighty? The unrest and upheaval in the Middle East has some gloating over revolutions of the people and sure democracy, but I do not believe this to be the case. Bible prophecy foretells 2 battles that may happen very soon - as outlined in Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38, 39. It is my belief that we're seeing the beginning of the alliances that will form to go against Israel. I view what's happening now in the M.E. with great interest. It's so exciting to be living in these times and to realize that we may very well be the generation that is alive when He returns to take His church home. The birth pains, as Jesus described it, are intensifying.

At the same time, my heart is heavy over those who do not now believe and who will have to go through the Tribulation. I am used to the scoffing; Jesus said this would happen too. It lightens my heart knowing that many will be saved during this time; but, the Bible says that many of the Tribulation saints will be executed for their faith.

We are so close to His return. It may be tonight, or it may be several years from now - but we are very close. For the born-again Christian, our redemption is drawing nigh.

I Thessalonians 4:16-18
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Our Vegetable Garden

Our border collie, Holly, looks on as my husband works on preparing the ground for planting.

Taking a break to give our granddaughter a tractor ride.

Son taking his daughter for a ride on the 4-wheeler.

Husband took advantage of the gorgeous weather we had yesterday to work on getting the garden ready for planting!

Homegrown tomatoes, corn on the cob, potatoes, cucumbers and maybe a few watermelons....in the words of Rachael Ray - "yumm-o"! :) There is NOTHING to compare to a homegrown tomato on a hot buttered biscuit.

I'll admit that I'm not very hands-on in the garden. It's pretty much my husband's "baby". He loves that garden. I love the fresh produce that the LORD rewards him for his diligent labor. We are so looking forward to the Spring this year. It's such a glorious season with green on the trees again, flowers blooming and birds singing. We have a dogwood tree right in front of our house. It's simply beautiful when the blossoms appear. There are also daffodils scattered throughout our property. I have several birdhouses I can't wait to fill and hang on the trees outside. :)

On a sadder note though, our son will be leaving for BMT next week. It's going to be a tough day. But I know that the LORD will watch over him.

Blessings,

Lorrie

I've always loved these 2 verses. Unfortunately, I have a hard time not leaning on my own understanding. That's human nature, I suppose. No doubt, our adversary does his part in trying to dissuade the believer from trusting wholeheartedly in the Almighty. He knows we have limited knowledge of what we can see and a (sometimes shaky) faith in what we can't see. The evil in this world is becoming more and more pronounced with each passing day. At times, it's difficult to trust in a God who allows this evil to prevail. But God is sovereign, omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. That I believe, without a single doubt. We live in a fallen world; because of the sin of one man, sin entered into this world for all mankind, without exception. We have all sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23). Until that glorious day when believers are finally transformed into an incorruptible body, we will have to endure the wickedness, the sadness and the lack of understanding on our part. I trust Him because I believe He is who He says He is and He is in control.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine balloon...

Valentine gifts from my son and my hubby...

Valentine cupcakes my daughter and I made...

Valentine Peeps...

My valentine for 21 years...

Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day. ;)

Solitude

There are just some pictures that I look at and feel as if I can walk right into the picture. This one looks so inviting to me. I like the company of those I love. Sometimes, though, I just want to be alone. I've never been a social butterfly. Have always enjoyed solitude. I can envision myself walking down this little country road alone, with an occasional bird hovering in the sky above me and the whisp of a faint breeze gently touching my face. Inevitably, I'd end up conversing with God. The child of God is never really alone.

I'm sure most of my rambling to God would be words of praise as I am always so awe-struck by His creation. Truly, the heavens DO declare His glory. His handiwork is magnificent, mind-bending even. You won't find an evolution apologist on this blog. The proof of the existence of the Almighty is visible to every human eye. Our conversation would soon turn to my pleading with the LORD to protect and provide for my family. I'd then ask Him to calm my fears and ease the anxiety-ridden thoughts that occupy my mind so often these days.

Quiet times are vital to restoring our spirits and renewing our minds. The constant hustle and bustle is too much for me at times.

I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are, for the most part, more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers. -Henry David Thoreau

We live in a very tense society. We are pulled apart...and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together. I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude. -Helen Hayes

Solitude shows us what should be; society shows us what we are. -Robert Cecil

Loneliness can be conquered only by those who can bear solitude. -Paul Tillich

The Bible says that Jesus longed for solitude at times.

Luke 5:15-16 (KJV) ~But so much the more went there a fame abroad of Him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed of Him of their infirmities. And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness and prayed.

Matthew 14:13 (NIV) ~When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.

Mark 1:35 (NIV) ~Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place where He prayed.

Luke 4:42 (KJV) ~And when it was still day, He departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought Him and came unto Him, and stayed Him that He should not depart from them.

If Jesus needed this alone time, how much more should we need and desire it?

Candles

I don't know many ladies who don't like candles. I could peruse a Yankee candle store for an hour, much to the dismay of my daughter. LOL. She gets into it sometimes, though. Isn't it fun to smell all the different scents? I love it. I almost always have a candle burning in my house. My husband doesn't understand it, being the country boy he is. Why not save the candles until the electricity goes out? Haha. Yes, that's makes sense, I'll admit. But there's a warm feeling a lighted candle exudes. ;)

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. - Chinese Proverb

When was the last time you spent a quiet moment just doing nothing - just sitting and looking at the sea, or watching the wind blowing the tree limbs, or waves rippling on a pond, a flickering candle, or children playing in the park? -Richard Marston

You don't have to blow out my candle to make yours grow brighter. -Unknown

Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning. -William Arthur Ward

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. -Psalm 18:28

Warmly,

Lorrie

Valentine Cake

My daughter's school had a 2-hour delay this morning due to a snow dusting we got overnight. Haha. You've gotta love it. She was pleased. ;)

After she left, I got out a heart cake mold I bought a few weeks ago from my daughter-in-law, who sells Avon. Decided to make me a cake using the mold. I wasn't sure how to ice it though. I ended up icing only the hearts. It's our dessert after dinner tonight. :o)

Happy Thursday!

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." - Aristotle

I Peter 4:8 - Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Valentines

I fondly remember giving and receiving valentines as a youngster. I wish I had saved my valentines as I would love to look through those 70's and 80's classics - Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, Holly Hobbie and, of course, the Disney valentines. I recall making a special pouch or box each year to put the valentines in. We would cut hearts out of pink, red and white construction paper and strategically glue them where we thought they looked best. :)

I saved both of my childrens' valentines and placed them in their memory boxes each year. They're both now too old for valentine-giving (though one would hope that they remember their mother on Valentine's Day *smile*), but I still love to stop on those aisles in the stores each February to browse through the new cards.

I love the Suzy's Zoo characters and think they have some of the cuter valentines. Pictured are a few that I've purchased just because...:o)

Wholesome Television Shows

I'm not much of a television watcher. When I do watch TV, it's usually the news channels or shows such as "Untold Stories of the ER", "Forensic Files", "48 Hours" etc. Most of what's on TV these days, however, exhibit America's moral decline and how utterly spiritually destitute she is. It makes me sad, really. I have a 13-year-old daughter and, between the peer pressure (which I believe is much worse than when I was a teen and I'm just shy of 40), the raunchy music and television shows, and rampant secularism that's invaded our society, I feel she has it so very hard.

I miss wholesome television shows. My favorites are The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie. I still enjoy watching these fantastic family-oriented shows. They've been replaced by so-called "reality" shows and programs that promote an anti-Christian agenda and glorify ungodly behavior.

Christian parents must be vigilant. I am convinced that Satan is using this medium to his advantage.

Sermon on Jonah

Jonah 1:1-4 ~ Now the word of he LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

Arise, go to Ninevah, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.



This morning, our pastor gave his message on Jonah. This story resonates with me and should with most Christians, if they were honest. Notice the word I put in bold above in the text, "but". My pastor emphasized this word as well. We're often led by the Holy Spirit to do something, say something, go somewhere etc, BUT.... our own desires, wants or fears take over and we end up disobeying. We rationalize with God, as if we know better. Notice, in the text, however, that there is another "but". This time, it's the LORD's response to Jonah's disobience. You see, God loved the people of Ninevah, despite their wickedness. His desire then, as it is today, is that all come to repentence.

You know how the rest of the story goes...the mariners he boarded with on the ship headed towards Tarshish became very afraid and cast lots, which fell upon Jonah. Jonah admitted his disobedience to God and they ended up throwing him overboard. The LORD sent a "big fish" (we assume it was a whale, but we don't know for sure) to swallow Jonah up and he was in the belly of this fish for 3 days. He repented and the Bible says that the LORD spoke to the fish and the fish vomited him up on dry land. Jonah then proceeded to head towards Ninevah, preached there, and the city repented of its wickedness and the LORD spared Ninevah.

Imagine, as my pastor suggested, how many souls may have died and perished in Hell in the days that Jonah was contemplating and ended up disobeying the LORD. What, then, about us? This is a lesson we can take to heart even now. We must obey.

A Towel Cake

So my sweet niece recently got married and I wanted to do something creative for her gift. I made her a "towel cake". :o)

I thought it turned out pretty cool-looking. Love the color she picked out for the towels.

Praising the Lord for bringing me through another week and thanking Him for the weekend!

John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes unto the Father but by me.

Interfaith pluralism and ecumenism are such dangerous movements in today's church. The idea that many roads lead to God is not a new idea, but certainly, in these last days of apostacy, it's much more prevalent. Sadly, the "I'm okay, you're okay, God will save us all in the end regardless" mentality has mushroomed into a doctrine widely accepted by those who profess themselves to be Christians. But Jesus Himself said that He is the ONLY way to the Father. You either believe Him or you don't. The gift of salvation is free. Heed His call while you have the opportunity. No one is promised tomorrow. God bless.