The Wedding Feast at the Circle J

We had a wonderful, wonderful time at a wedding yesterday. I had to think of Jesus at the Wedding Feast in Cana of Gallillee. This was not a Christian wedding that we went to and I figure the one Jesus, his mother and his disciples were attending wasn't a "pure Jewish" one either, seeing as the guests were drunk and still wanting more wine when Jesus performed his first miracle.

But, it was still a time of great rejoicing and an entering into the sacred contract of Matrimony.

We had a wonderful time. The wedding, set in that little white chapel, an old, old, OLD building (over 100 years old) and located at the Circle J ranch past Ten Sleep. We were seated hip to hip to fit everyone in. It had rained early in the morning and everything was fresh and smelled so sweet--as if God had washed it all clean just for this special event.

There was a little flower girl around five years old that never stopped talking--before the service and not even during her walk down the isle as she tossed the flower petals. She blabbed while standing up front during the vows and she blabbed as she walked back down the isle after the vows were over.

At the reception, the little fairy princess flower girl, continued to spill forth verbage, twirling and whirling between the tables and conversing with anyone who looked her way. Interestingly, she wasn't intrusive and she wasn't a nusiance.....a very interesting child :) She made Kevin and I giggle all through the evening:)

The buffet was fabulous... a white and dark chocolate fountains with strawberries, pineapples and marshmallows to dip, deliciously moist slices of beef with every imaginable fresh vegetable and sliced melons and grapes.

The gorgeous cake, four tiers high and graduating from largest to smallest and draped in white fondant with what looked like a sash on the side, with red roses here and there. Not only beautiful, but luscious to eat. There were layers of strawberry jam inside, that kept the cake super moist.

The bride, my friend, Jamie, who became my friend when she was my physical therapist after my hand surgeries this last year. Her dress was so perfect for her and I could hardly keep my eyes off of it. It was white, hour glass shaped, white with deep red embroidery across the corset area and trails of it here and there along the dress. It was beautiful, as was she.

Her entire family 'gave her away'...meeting her at the front of the tiny church and lined up for her to pass in front of. It reminded me of a wall of protection as she walked through it, giving kisses and hugs to her family that has stood by her through the years and were now turning her over to her new protector, Jim.

It was lovely.

Seek And You Will Find.....

Ah....Saturdays in the spring and summer and fall. Days of SEEKING and FINDING. It's garage sale season, don't you know?

Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

I have a strange way of shopping. I learned it from my little sister in the faith, Leslie Lazenby. When I enter a garage sale (or store), you might notice that I am talking to God. I often talk outloud, and forget I am doing so. This has brought raised eyebrows from the other shoppers. Oh, I don't really care...I'm on a mission.

Before each garage sale season, I make a list (which continues throughout the year) of items I ask the Lord to direct me to. I make a list because if I don't, I come home with items that I don't need and really don't want--they just look pretty :)

Here is a confession: I purchase alot of the gifts for family and friends at garage sales. Recently, I have purchased sixteen childrens videos for my grandchildren. My daughter, Jessica lives in Virginia and is expecting baby #4. Her other children are 3,2, and 1 years old. She has her hands nicely full. God gave me the most wonderful idea. What if I could send the Virginia grand kids one video a week until the baby is born, end of October? That would be something they could look forward to coming in the mail AND maybe it would help the little mama as it kept them occupied for awhile.

So, at each garage sale I ask the Lord to show me videos for sale that would fit my garage saling budget and be appropriate for my grandchildrens viewing pleasure. HE is so faithful! Why am I surprised. Well, I'm not really surprised....just in 'breath intaking' awe at God's provision in His creativity in this great idea He gave me and the wonder if it all.

Seek and YOU will find. Yes, today I sought. Today, I found!

The scripture that follows Matthew 7:7 tell the 'rest of the story'.....starting in verse 9...."Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or, if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children (and grand children), how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:9-11).

That's what I love about my Father, Papa God. God loves to give good gifts to us His children. I love to give good gifts to my children...and grandchildren. All I have to do is ASK and watch and listen.....and find.

Thank you Papa, God for garage sales with SEEKING and FINDING.

Focussing on LIFE

Today was my appointment with Dr.Sarah who is doing acupuncture on me. I've read it is not supposed to be painful, but whoever wrote that has never had it done. I still don't know why I don't leak afterward.

The acupuncture leaves me exhausted and pained. I have slept most of the afternoon.

Kevin and I enjoyed spaghetti omelets this morning for breakfast. We had to think of Kevin's father who invented the first spaghetti omelets many years ago. They were delicious.

I did make it to the exercise Wellness Center and hurt through my exercises. It doesn't make me worse to go and I know it helps other things--cholesterol for example...so I try to go every day.

Sarah had a doctors appointment this afternoon. She is doing OK.

Kevin and I might be headed to Denver soon to finish having my MRI--this time in a sitting position. I hate driving seven hours one way to have it, but there isn't anything closer. Traveling is a challenge but this time, maybe it will be an opportunity for me.

It is Wednesday--church night and a video with discussion. I am going to move a different chair into the auditorium for me to sit on. Maybe that will feel better than a church pew. Those are torture devices for my back.

Does it sound like I am complaining in every sentence? I feel like that sometimes. God help me not feel like I want to complain. Life IS good. I want THAT to be my focus.

Pretty much an average day

Something different today, yes?
I love red. It is my favorite color. It is a happy color to me.
I got the results from my partial MRI today. Spinal stenosis is now in my neck along with pinched nerves and stiffness. I think my chiro, Dr. Sarah can work on the stiffness and the pinched nerves. I don't know how much she can do with the actual stenosis.

I had breakfast this morning with Judie and Larry down at Ranchitos. Kevin was exercising. I took along my current book, Get Out of that Pit, which I am loving. I love having breakfast with a book in my hands.

Its been a quiet day around the house. I did three loads of laundry, and along with that came some ironing. Not my favorite job.

Yesterday we went to visit Ruby at the nursing home. It has been awhile since I have seen her. I brought her some new body lotion. She liked that. I love seeing her eyes light up when we come into the home to see her.

We went to the hospital, too to visit, but the person was in a different hospital. We also took dinner to their home, but couldn't find anyone to give it to...so came home and enjoyed supper ourselves.

Kevin went to the Beet factory this morning for a meeting with the big Joe. Our friend is hoping to help them get out of debt and make profit once again. This is Rob Stapp. Wouldn't that be wonderful if he could do that?

Kevin worked at the church office....and has a meeting tonight with someone else. I cleaned our room (it has been awhile) and organized some of my sewing supplies.

I did some resting today. Physically, it is a difficult day for me.

Blessings
JOYce

Mothers Day 2008

It is said that besides Christmas, Mothers Day is the number one 'best seller' at stores. Mothers Day used to not mean a great deal to me, but as I get older 'times' have changed :)

Today is Mothers Day. For me, it has been Mothers Week :)

I got the cuckoo clock from Kevin (refer to previous blog) and he bought me a beautiful watch. The watch 'band' is more like a half inch wide bangel and the design is butterflies (one of my favorite things--thank you Sound of Music). He also bought me a big potted flowering plant--in a deep rose color. HE will take care of it because I want it to live. Plants and I do not get along well. This morning, I got a beautiful card from him, with a self written poem inside. Nice.

Sarah bought me a beautiful corsage and pinned it on me at church this morning (she also asked off work so she could be with me at church). Yesterday, while I was out garage saling (also called carport sale) the local florist delivery person came to our home, seeing we were not home, she walked into our house and left two vases of flowers on our kitchen bar :) We live in a small town :)

The vase that was for me was from Jessica and Rachel, way over in Virginia. The vase was filled with red tulips (my favorite flower) and purple irises (my second favorite flower). The other vase was for 'first time mother', Sarah, and was filled with yellow daisys--both very beautiful.

This morning at church (we have a table in the back of the auditorium for gifts for one another) was two cards and a small gift from friends.

I spent two days this week making little gifts for our mothers at church. I took a metal whisk, filled it with Hersheys chocolate Hugs and Kisses, wrapped the whisk in tissue paper and tied it with a silver ribbon. On the card, which I attatched with hand made pretties, read, "Whisking you a Happy Mothers Day filled with Hugs and Kisses". It was fun to hand them out to each mother as they entered the building and wish them a Happy Mothers Day. From two of the men I heard, "I can't wait for Fathers Day", so I will begin researching NOW a craft I can do for the men next month:)

I also got two phone calls. One from Jessica and one from Israel. Jessica was first--early this morning before we headed to the church building. She and Jason were 'out' celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary for the weekend. I've enjoyed thinking of them both, knowing they were focusing on each other and getting a rest from my three wonderful (and perfect;) Virginia grandchildren.

Israel called this afternoon. We talked for over an hour. We don't usually talk on the phone, so this was a really nice treat. We talked about so many things going on in our lives. Brought back alot of old memories of years gone by when he was a little boy, living at home and long talks we had 'way back when'.

Kevin took Sarah and I out to a Chinese Restaurant for lunch today. Another treat. No cooking and no cleaning. Nice!

We came home and I took a long, restful nap. That's the way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It should be mandatory. It's especially appropriate for Mothers Day.

In a little while we will return to the church building to meet once again with our fellow believers. Kevin is preaching tonight--I don't know what about, but I KNOW it will be good and something I can 'chew on' the rest of the week.

It's been a good Mothers Day. Time for reflection of the many blessings being a mother. No higher calling and just the career I wanted. I live in a good season now. The stresses of being responsible for little ones has past. Grandmotherhood is fabulous! I can go to the bathroom without little hands poking out from under the door and hearing repeated "mama's" until I am finished.

I am fifty two years old. In July I turn 53. I am over half done with my life on this earth. For me, I feel relief in that. Tho I have been abundantly blessed and am enjoying the trip......my heart longs for 'home'. I will walk out each day that the Lord has planned for me......running the race set before me........but don't be fooled......I won't be sad to sit down at the end of my earth journey and receive my Sabbath rest. When that day comes...don't grieve for ME! I won't be hurting any more. I, my dear ones, will be dancing without pain on those heavenly streets. I will never get tired....I shall laugh loudly and not get belly cramps :)

You can be sad for yourselves. I know you will miss me :)

Have your grieving. It's a good gift from God. But don't linger there too long. Get on with life. It is meant to be lived and lived in abundance--whatever way the Lord leads you. Listen to His voice and go HIS path. It's the best way there is.

Happy Mothers Day to me.

Enchiladas and Spanish Rice :)

Sundays are a good day to have company after meeting with the church. We did just that today. The food was WELL received, so I thought that today I would do something different and share the recipes I used. Enjoy.

Easy and Delicious Enchiladas

Brown 2 # ground hamburger, crumbling well
Drain and rinse
Pour into a large bowl
Add a large can of refried beans (Fat Free is fine, too)
Add 1 T of chili powder,
1 t. salt and pepper
1T of powdered garlic
Add one can of enchilada sauce (green or red)
Thoroughly mix together.

I used two, 12 per package, small corn tortillas. Microwaving each package for 1 1/2 minutes or until softened.

Spray a 13 X 9 X 2 pan with Pam spray.


Fill each tortilla with filling, roll it up and place it seam side down in the pan. Each package or tortillas makes one layer in the baking pan. When you have them all rolled up, pour another can of enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle with shredded cheese of your choice. Bake 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until bubbly and cheese has melted.

I served this with Sour Cream and Salsa.

As a side dish I made some Spanish Rice. Delicious. Here is that recipe.

Ingredients
2 Sweet Green Peppers, chopped
1 Lg. Onion, chopped
1 c. of chopped celery
2 can tomato sauce
1 can of stewed tomatoes
3 cups of instant brown rice

Cook green peppers, onion and celery in a skillet until very tender. Pour tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes into large pot. Add vegetables and bring to a boil. Add rice, cover and remove from the heat. Let it sit for five minutes. Serve.

****
For dessert I served a great old standby that everyone loves--Rice Krispy Treats.

This lunch went over so well. Everyone ate lots and there was enough leftover to send a good portion home with the guests that came to visit AND enough for Sarah a meal when she got home from work.

I hope you will try these very easy and tasteful recipes. "Mexican" hugs from Wyoming.....The Handmaiden, Joyce

Cuckoo Clocks and Baby Clothes

Yesterday, my precious husband searched high and low to find me a gift. He and Sarah drove over 150 miles to find it. Finally, grinning shyly he presented me with a German Cuckoo Clock.

I am touched. Everytime the little birdie comes out and heralds the hour, I smile and remember....Kevin loves me! :)

When we first married, my parents gave us their cuckoo clock. I grew up listening to it and enjoyed it being on the wall in my parents home. Now, it was on the wall in MY home.

When our oldest son was five, he loved throwing a football around. I had told him repeatedly not to throw the football in the house. Being a five year old boy, he 'forgot' and tossed the football in the living room, hitting the clock and breaking it.

We had it repaired.

Another day and another toss of the football sent the clock crashing to the floor in dozens of pieces. So much so that it was impossible to put it back together again.

I was so upset that I sat down on the floor and wept. Five year old Israel stood beside me, tears streaming down his little boy face while watching his mama coming apart at the seams over a cuckoo clock. When I saw Israel standing there, I pulled myself together and gathered him in my arms. I cradled his head in my hands and said, "Mama is wrong to be so upset over this clock. It is just a THING. YOU are important. I'm so sorry to have reacted wrongly."

We both dried our tears and I swept up the clock pieces and put them in a box. We have moved many times since then, and somewhere along the line, the broken pieces were tossed.

I have thought back over this incident many times, remembering that anything I own on this earth IS just a THING. All of the THINGS someday will be burned up. The clock became just a nastalgic memory of the past.

When Kevin came carrying in that beautiful German cuckoo clock, my heart overflowed with joy AND another remembrance....from the Scripture....

Isiah 61:3....'beauty for ashes'.

I reviewed the context in which this phrase resides. God, speaking to Isaiah said, "The Spirit of the Lord, God is upon me, because the Lord has annointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, To GIVE THEM BEAUTY FOR ASHES, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Ahhhh.... God has also annointed Kevin and I to preach good tidings.....and to GIVE beauty for ashes.

In giving me the cuckoo clock, I felt like God had given me beauty for ashes (a new clock to replace the old one).....but really, what I am to get from this teaching is that I AM TO GIVE beauty for ashes. Oh--an, ah-ha moment for the Handmaiden of God.

Now, each time hear the cuckoo announce the hour I am reminded of the Lords' command, "Give beauty for ashes".........yes, behold I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be so to me, even as you have said!
***************

This being Saturday, Kevin, Sarah and I ventured forth to the local garage sales. Our very first one had gobs of baby clothes. Our daughter, Sarah is six months pregnant. She is having a boy in August. His name is Emmanuel. Today, God blessed us with a large carton full of baby boy clothes, blankets, socks, caps and undershirt onesies. The clothes are beautiful, hardly worn and clean. We also got a Fisher Price portable baby bed for me to use in the living room when Sarah is resting in the bedroom, where the larger crib is.

We feel rich. We ARE rich. God has so richly blessed us.

Sarah and I pulled each little garment out of the box and lovingly examined it, oohing and aahing, rejoicing in the bounty. Sarah sat back in the chair and sighing said, "I was so worried that Emmanuel would have nothing to wear.....now look!".

I was reminded of Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gatherin into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"

God believes I am valuable. He takes care of the birds and He will take care of Emmanuel, too.

I am surrounded every day with these valuable reminders from my Father in Heaven. Dear God, let me hear You EACH time you speak to me through cuckoo clocks and baby clothes....or any other thing.......let me be one that has ears to hear and eyes to see.

Small beginnings........

May 2nd, 2008
This is a new venture for me. I have resisted it, but here I am :)
I feel God has called me at this time to write and this is the means I am to take.
I'm a bit nervous....this 52 year old adventuress is a bit rusty in the technology arena.
Today is Friday. I love Fridays. It's the end of the work week and the beginning of the weekend race. Only if you are a ministers wife will you fully understand the meaning of that.
It's been a good week, just intense.
This morning I have been to the Wellness Center and completed my 45 minute exercise routine. Kevin is trying a new exercise venture at the Health Club instead of at the Wellness Center. So, I am going it alone. I don't mind. I am comfortable where I am. Kevin is more the exerciser adventure seeker of the two of us.
I grabbed breakfast at McDonalds while waiting for Kevin to get out of the Health Club. We are a one van family. Isn't it just 'reality' that McDonalds is located right BESIDE the Health Club. Uh huh, I think so, too.
I had the newspaper with me and checked for garage sales. Hoping.....
There was only one listed for today and it wasn't what I was looking for. I do have my standards ;)
So, homeward we came and I sent out Snacking On The Word, read letters in my email box and also did some internet shopping for me some new tennis shoes.
This is always an adventure. Buying tennis shoes that look OK and feel real good, now that is a challenge. I have wide feet and I have feet that hurt often. My current pair of tennis shoes look like I picked them off a trash heap. I thought they would last me another month or so as I continued on looking for just the right pair of new tennis shoes. Well, that worked fine until the dog had an upset stomach and barfed on my shoes. I tried wiping them off, but when barf seeps in, wiping off just isn't workable. So, into the washing machine they went.
I tumbled them through the dryer and at least they came out in one piece. They are tattered and the sponge (did YOU know sponge was inside your tennis shoe fabric????) is showing through on both of them now. Sad.
I have other shoes. I am not destitute. But these are my prime pair.
So, into the internet catalog of Woman Within I went and ordered me a pair of tennis shoes, White, Wide, Size 9. Big RED letters pop up....." BACK ORDER" :(
So, with Kevins' urgings, I ordered a second pair in a Blue color. Those are 'in stock'. Good. Now the wait until UPS brings them to my door. Until then, the ratty tatty ones will have to do. A lesson in humility and patience.
We have a bunch of church folks who are sick or injured right now. Yesterday I cooked the biggest bowl of goulash I have ever made. One of our little mama's fell down some stairs yesterday and hurt her foot. She has six children. I am a mother of five (often adding in foster children) and tho' it has been a few years since our house held them all, I do vividly remember how it was when the mama of our house went down.
With Sarahs' help, I fixed this huge bowl of goulash, bought some potato rolls and made a big pan of brownies to give to this family.
Another of our little church mamas broke her toe this past Wednesday. Her family consists of just her and her husband and her little guy, so I scooped some of the goulash into a small container for her and sent a few of the rolls and some jello salad that I had made for us, to them.
I like cooking and I really like baking and since none in our house should eat the baking, I like to give it away.
I am still reminissing over our ladies retreat of last weekend. THAT was great! The speaker from Nebraska, Neva Cooper gave me such insight on Matthew 5-7. I have felt like a cow chewing and re chewing her cud. Nice.
I also enjoyed the video we watched this past Wednesday. It was called: DUST. Took me awhile to get the point of the video. The end of the matter was this, If I FOLLOW the Rabbi (Jesus), then HIS dust (from following him) will be all over me. The blessing at the end of the video was, "May the Rabbi's dust be upon you".
I like that. I want to be covered in my Rabbi's dust. I want to follow him so closely that I am baptized in it. Being menopausal, I will end up being a mud puddle (tears plus dust equal mud)....emotions create tears very often these days.
I don't mind. Those tears along with the hot flashes let me know that I am beginning yet another season of life. It's good.
As long as I can live, walking behind my Rabbi, my Master and being His Dust (mud) Bunny...I am content.