This is an older post. The little Church on the side bar is the Little Lutheran Church! NEIGHBORLY LOVE What ever happened to the good old days when neighbors were truly neighbors? Really! Where did they go? Where are the days when a neighbor would just drop by for a cup of coffee and the fellowship that went with it? Today we can live by someone and about all we know is their name. No so in the good old days. I'm not what my grand children call antique yet. I do remember - yes - I remember and that is why, as my husband and I were in Ponchatoula a little over a week ago, we passed by what use to be The Lutheran Church. As we went by I snapped a picture of it. The church was on the corner about one block where I attended school for 12 years. Behind the church then was the parsonage. It is no longer there. Across the street from the parsonage, that is no longer there, was the place where our family lived. That house is gone, also. Nothing familiar but the Old Lutheran Church! I don't know how old I was, if I was in school or not, but memories came flooding back. Especially memories in the parsonage. It was far more than just a parsonage, a place where the the Reverend and his family lived. It seemed to me to be a special place. I guess first in my memory was a little girl that lived there whose name was Irene. You see, Irene and I were play-mates. She was the youngest of the family, probably a year or so older than I. She had older siblings but only one brother at home. Most of our play time was at her house. While her mother cooked and cleaned we would play real quietly in Irene's room. Sometimes we would go to the church through the back door into a storage room and play. We were always quiet as a mouse because we didn't want anyone to know we were in there. Especially her Dad! We found the communion cups and one day we had a tea party. Another day, in our imagination, we had a church full of people and served communion. We did not pass out the cups but just pretended to do so. What we used for the Bread I have no idea. But I'm sure we thought of something! I just know we were having fun. We never took the communion tray out, just the cups. When we were through we put the cups back and would sneak out the back door. Irene's Mother had lunch ready and she would invite me to stay. I felt special! We would all sit at the table ready to eat when Reverend Boriack would open the Bible and read, then he would pray what seem to be a long prayer. I'm sure it was not as long as I then thought. After prayer we ate lunch and was ready to play agian. But wait! The Reverend was reading from the Bible and then prayed again. That was at every meal. The Reverend was a German, if I remember corectly, very serious, very disciplined, and so smart. I found out very early in our friendship - If I wanted to eat with Irene that I would first hear the Word and Prayer before and after each meal. But I really did not mind. Let me say a little about Irene's Mother. She was a very sweet,affectionate person. I remember she would always tell me to come anytime "you sweet little thing", give me a hug and see me back across the street. I had many visits there and enjoyed them all. My Mother talks about Mother Boriack and what a good neighbor she was. We were not Lutheran but that did not matter. What are neighbors for? Let me tell you Mother Boriack's version! I had five siblings, so with Mother and Daddy that made eight of us. Mother was sick one time. I don't remember this - but as Mother told it she was not able to do anything. With six children, none of us old enough to do a whole lot- that meant things piled up. But we had a neighbor, Mother Boriack, who brought food over and got all the dirty laundry. She brought it home with her and did that dirty laundry. Laundry in those days was not a simple matter. She might have had a roller type washer. I don't remember. I'm sure she had no dryer. So that meant washing, rinsing, hanging on a clothes line outside and bringing them in when the sun had dried all the clothes. Not only that, but in those days starch for the clothes was made by hand. Then the dress clothes were dipped in the starch, rung out, hung out to dry and when they were stiff as a board they were brought in and sprinkled, rolled up real tight and left awhile. Later they were ironed and put on hangers if any were available. Oh yes, the sprinkler was made from a RC bottle with a cork sprinkler stuck in the top. (In case you don't know what RC is - it is abbreviation for Royal Crown Cola.) When those clothes were returned home they were washed, folded and ironed. Mother Boriak had even ironed the bedclothes. I'm sure she must have worked hours on that batch of laundry. I would call what she did a labor of love, wouldn't you? What neighbor would do that in this day and time? With all the modern conveniences that we have today - electric washer and dryer, spray starch (should some one need to iron), time saving gadgets and so much more - shouldn't we have more time? Which means we should have more time to be a good neighbor. Again, I ask- what ever happened to neighborly love? Can anyone tell me? It was once found in a Lutheran parsonage. Can you help me find it? That was the good old days. Do you think it will ever be revived in the day we live? Probably not, but I do have those precious memories of what a good neighbor was in the good old days.

He Keeps the Key

Sometimes we don't always understand the things that come our way but we can know one thing. We have a Heavenly Father that knows all about us. Sometimes God closes a door which we knew was wide open for us. But we don't see as God sees! He knows the future. I was reminded this week as troubles and decisions surrounded me~ that I am not in control. I cannot bare the burdens that come my way. They are far to heavy. But I'm glad I know One that will take that burden and carry the heavy end. What ever He sends ~ is for my good. No! I still don't know what to do. My heart is heavy at times. Maybe this sounds like I'm looking on the dark side, but really ~ don't you feel over whelmed at times? I believe it in in those times that we draw nearer to Our Heavenly Father. So I really thank Him for what He has seen me through. After all, doesn't He hold The key to our life's? Is there some problem in your life to solve, Some passage seeming full of mystery? God knows, who brings the hidden things to light. He keeps the key. Is there some door closed by the Father's Hand Which widely opened you had hope to see? Trust God and wait! for when He shuts the door He keeps the Key. Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet Or answered NOT as you had thought "twould be? God will make clear His purposed by and by. He keeps the key. Have patience with your God, your patient God, All wise, all knowing, no longer tarrier He; And the door of all thy future life, He keeps the key. Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest, To know of EVERY door he keeps the key; That He at last when He sees 'tis best; Will give it to thee. Anonymous I think I had rather He hold the key. I might open the wrong door and where would I be. But thank God, He holds the key!

An Award from a Friend

Cathy @ melodiesandhymnsongs.blogspot.com sent me a sweet reward. Thanks Cathy for the Award and for your friendship and all the help you have given me with my blog. To accept this award, I must mention who I received the award from and link back to him or her. Then I am to write the following in my post: "This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are extremely charming. These kind blogs aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award." I am passing the award on to: 1. Karla ~ramblinroadstoeverywhere.blogspot.com 2. Hope ~ nogreaterjoy.blogspot.com 3. Thersa ~ theresamcentire.blogspot.com 4. Debra~ kemercury.blogspot.com 5. Connie ~ connies-thoughts.blogspot.com 6. Jennifer ~ ordinarychristianwomansheart.blogspot.com 7. Elaine ~ mineebenezer.blogspot.com 8. Rachel ~ rachelgoing.blogspot.com

He Loves Me!

I love Him because He first loved me! I cannot comprehend His Love but I am so glad He Loves Me! Jeremiah 31:3 "I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." This scripture means so much to me. Several years ago I was going through a trial and had no idea what to do. It seemed that I was weighed down and this trial was consuming me. I prayed and prayed and could get no peace. I read the Word but just could not latch on to anything. One morning in my devotion I was all alone. I took my Bible and went before the Lord. I remember praying outloud and saying "Lord, this is your Word and I know there is an answer for every situation found here. Please help me~give me an answer~I can't bare this without your help."

You know those dark days that come in a Christians life? We are all alone not knowing which way to go or what to do! Not wanting to do the wrong thing~we do nothing but carry on. That particular morning after praying for awhile I opened the Bible and was reading in Jeremiah. I guess that's where I was in my Bible Reading. I read down to about the 15th verse when suddenly I felt impressed to stop and go back. I realized that I did not know a word I read. I started Chapter 31 over and verse3 stood out like it was outlined. "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with tender mercies have I drawn thee." He loves me and there's more! His love is everlasting. I started dwelling on His Love and before I knew it I was weeping and thanking and praising Him for His love. I don't know how long I was in His presense~I just know His Sweet Presense was there. Suddenly I realized I had forgotten all about the heavy load~I was just bathing in His Presense. Did I get an answer to my problem? No~ but He loves me~Did I know what to do? No~but He loves me! I knew that He was all I needed. The load that I was carrying suddenly became lighter and I knew I could trust His Love. His Everlasting Love! Just to think that He loves even me. Nothing, nobody~I was reminded of this scripture Sunday Night in church as a couple was singing a song. "Nothing but a speck of dust, but He loves me." I had never heard that song before but it touched me.

I want to begin the New Year remembering some things. His Love, His Tender Mercies that are new every day, His way of answering prayer. I am amazed at how the Lord answers prayer. Sometimes we come to Him with a problem and go our way just knowing how He will have to work to solve this particular problem! May I say, He never works like I thought He would. He works in His time and in His way and I am always amazed. I want to remember that I can't even walk without Him holding my Hand.

I have no idea what 2009 may bring. It may bring heart ache, it may bring sorrow, it may bring sickness ~ But it may be this very year the Lord will come. Until then we must carry on and not give up the battle. Just remember He Loves you and me with an Everlasting Love, a Love that will not let go. Go in His Love and be a blessing to someone.

Have a blessed and Happy New Year! I will talk to you next year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas to all of you out there in blog land. It was indeed my privilege to get to know some of you. Your blogs have made me laugh and some have made me cry. You have help share some of my burdens and I have prayed for many of you.

As we enjoy the day with love ones and friends ~ let's don't forget the true meaning of Christmas. Share the message if opportunity affords.

I came across this poem: It is not original~ but the author is unknown.

THAT NIGHT

That night when in the Judean skies

The mystic star dispensed it's light

A blind man moved in his sleep ~

And dreamed that he had sight.

That night when shepherds heard the song

Of hosts angelic choiring near,

A deaf man stirred in slumber's spell ~

And dreamed that he could hear.

That night when o'er the newborn Babe,

The tender Mary rose to lean,

A loathsome leper smiled in sleep ~

And dreamed that he was clean.

That night when in the cattle stall

Slept Child and mother cheek by jowl,

A cripple turned his twisted limbs ~

And dreamed that he was whole.

That night when to the mother's breast

The little King was held secure,

A harlot slept a happy sleep~

And dreamed that she was pure!

That night when in the manger lay

The Sanctified who came to save,

A man moved in the sleep of death ~

And dreamed there was no grave.

We don't really know all that went on in that Bethlehem's manger that night ~ but I am so glad that I know Jesus. King of King and Lord of Lords! I ask myself what I could give Him this Christmas. A gift that would make a difference. What can you give One Who touched blinded eyes and made them see, touched the deaf ears and made them hear, touched lepers and made them clean, touch cripple limbs and made them whole, touched the heart of a harlot and made her pure, touched the dead and they were alive again. Such a Great God!

My prayer has been: "Lord let me touch one soul and lead them to Bethlehems manger where the Christ Child was, and lead them on to Calvary where that same Jesus shed His Blood that we might be saved."

That Blood was Precious Blood! I'm so thankful that it has been applied to my heart. I just feel like breaking out into song:

Oh, come let us adore Him

Oh, come let us adore Him,

Oh come let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord!

HAVE A BLESSED AND JOYOUS CHRISTMAS

FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!

MY DAD

It has been 20 years ago today that the Lord saw fit to call Dad home. The day started out like any other for him. Or so we thought! Dad always got up around 2:30 am. As far back as I can remember. He made coffee and would sit and read his Bible. Then he would go to the car wash that was owned by my brother. He had retired but had to do something. His job was to check the car wash and make sure everything was in order for the day.

We lived across town. About 3 am we received a call from my brother telling me to get to Mother. Dad had been shot. We rushed and got dressed and could be there in 10 minutes but for some reason we were held up by a train. We got there and my brother was already there. I knew then that Dad was gone. My heart felt like a heavy weight. We made phone calls to the other members of the family. Seems like I was in a dream or I suppose more like a nightmare and I would soon awake and find it was not true. But in reality it was true. As we were with Mother we noticed that he had not made coffee that morning. No coffee? He always made coffee. Mother did not get up that early and she did not hear him leave.

Some how I feel that Dad might have had a preminition that it was his time to go. We got all the plans made on the 24th and on Christmas Day 1988 we said our goodbyes at the cemetery. I still could not cry. Of course this made headlines, front page. We got through that because we were in shock. The suspect was picked up after a chase down the interstate. He took Dad's car and left after he dragged Dad back into the canes by a little creek. The trial would come up and was put off. This went on for almost seven years. Finally in 1995

the man was sentenced.

We don't know the reason why and may never know while we are on this earth but some day in the near future we may ask the reason why or we may not. I can't imagine what heaven is going to be like. I just know that we will see our love ones again.

It took me a long time to be able to give vent to any feeling. I could not cry for weeks. I was hurting inside. Every time I went to town I would not look at the car wash. Finally about six months afterwards~with the Lord's help I went to the canes and walked down by the little creek where Dad was found. While there the Lord gave me peace that I needed and I started healing. It was a slow process because of the circumstances. But one day I realized that when I thought about Dad it was a pleasant memory.

We all deal with grief in different ways and I had to find the way that was best for me. With the Lord's help ~ we got through.

I have a lot of good memories that had been stored in my mind.

Why am I writing this at this particular time? I don't really know except I just felt something tugging inside. Maybe some will be grieving this Christmas. If so, I just want to tell you God's grace is sufficient. I have been ask how I handle Christmas? Well, Dad may not be here physically but he is in our hearts. I have written several things about Dad so I won't go into more right now. But I will tell you that I don't grieve for him. But my heart does grieve for those that have no hope. My heart aches for my children that are not minding God, my heart aches for those that don't know the Savior who was born on this particular day to fulfill His mission on earth and make it possible for us to be forgiven and go to heaven. Someday we will know all the answers~ but until then the memories linger and are precious.

CHRISTMAS SALAD

I thought I would give you this recipe that Mom made for years at Christmas. It was a tradition that was passed down.

I really wish I had a bowl to show you but I won't make it until Christmas Eve.

You use a clear bowl so the red, white and green will show through.

Three Layer Jello Salad

1st Layer (Green)

1 box Lime Jello ~Mix with 1 cup hot water.

Drain #2 can crushed pineapple (Save Juice)

Mix pineapple and 1 cup pineapple juice into Jello.

Let sit in Fridge until jelled

Middle layer is White

1 pk. Lemon Jello mixed with 1 cup hot water

Soften 8oz. cream cheese and put in hot jello mixture

Add 2 cups Cool Whip , add to jello and mix.

Pour on top of 1st layer and put in Fridge until jelled

Top layer is RED

2 Boxes Cherry jello

Follow directions on box

Pour on top of 2nd layer and let it jell

Put 1/2 finally chopped nuts on top

It is really festive and pretty and good. Don't just serve from top. Get all three layers in one serving.

LIGHT HOUSE

Okay, you ask for more! That lighthouse is sitting on land and the ship is on water. So you figure it out. It looks like a Barber Sign to me, but never the lessI told you painting was not my thing. That little bow at the end of the sail boat is rope. Must have had a wreck! This is for your imagination! What ever you see is what it is. Let me know what you come up with. At least the birds are cute. Didn't see them? Look up! Happy Figuring Out!

Bistro Shop

Now, isn't that a beautiful piece of art? I know - you are thinking -What child did that? Don't you dare laugh! It's 2 am and I could not sleep. That, my friend, is my bistro shop! The chairs may be wobbly and the table crooked - but it is mine! The table is in need of repair but that's okay. If I want to eat on a table, even though it might fall, well, it's my table! At least I tried! Painting is not my thing but it looks as good as some of the modern art. Have you ever just look at a picture in a doctor's ofice or somewhere else and wondered what in the world it was? I looked at one the other day. It looked like a fish just outlined way down in the bottom corner.. Maybe! There were blue splashes and yellow splashes! Somewhere in there bound to have been something that would catch your eye. But I never did find it. I came home and said I can splash paint and dab little white specks in it and maybe put a little black silholette in it and make a fortune. But I just haven't had the time to make my fortune. I really would like to know, though, what the artist was painting. I look at my little bistro shop and thought - if it was all straight and perfect it would not be me. Definitely not! Try figuring out some of this modern art and when you have it figured out please let me know! What is it and what does it mean? Maybe I just don't have appreciation for all the modern stuff! If I wasn't so tired You would not have seen my little bistro shop. I don't usually show anything that I painted. In case you are wondering - the picture is sitting in a rocking chair! It does not hang in my living room. Right now I could not tell you where it is. But the more I look at my little bistro shop - the cuter it is. Maybe it is because of the imperfections. Now that I think of it - maybe that painting in the doctor's shop was called Imperfection. That way you can do any thing on canvas and sell it for a fortune. Wanna try it? You might get rich!

Snow Day

I know I am late with a post, but we really had a busy week. We also had snow on the ground for three days. It was called Sneaux Day! (Snow Day). It was really beautiful for us to see, but oh, the aftermath. We have never seem so much snow. You that have a lot of snow will probably think we southerners are nuts, but snow is a very rare occassion in south Louisiana. Me thinks me would rather have rain. It drains off and is gone in a day, but snow lingers. We drove the second day after the big sneax. It was all over. The roadways were opened, but we were without electricity for a day. Some areas are still out. Good thing we had a fireplace to keep us warm. There is always something to be thankful for even when storms come. Whether hurricane or snow. We thought it was nice for the kids and my big kid (hubby) got out in it but I stayed in. Just looked out the door and took pictures from the back porch.

Well, life goes on now that we had our our lifetime snow! It is back in the 70's today. I see the pictures of some of the blizzards up north and all they have to face. For them we need to pray. I don't really have a lot of time, need to get ready for church. I'll get going again on my post just in case you passed by.

We had our two grandaughters over yesterday and they were in a candy making mood. Two grandaughters, three kids and two men. Flour, powered sugar, recipes, chocolate chips, kids licking spoons. Quite an affair! A messy kitchen and we were all a sight. I need to downlaod those pictures. This is the first time we had ever gotten to do this together. I enjoyed it - but this Grandma was plenty tired when they left. I took a break ever so often and tried to read to the kids. Wasn't really in the mood for reading, but there is more than one way to skin a cat. whatever that is suppose to mean! I think it meant I was tired and needed a rest - so it was convienent to read to the kids.