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Even though many people enjoy flying, I am not one of them. But I won't argue that it's wonderful being able to travel hundreds (or even thousands) of miles so much quicker than if in a car. Still, if given a choice, I'll take a car--thank you very much!
On a recent airplane trip back from Kansas, we encountered a lot of turbulence. Now for folks who fly frequently, this is probably no big deal. But to someone who doesn't fly very often--and doesn't enjoy flying--it was rather unsettling. Actually I should say it was VERY unsettling. As we literally bounced up and down, I felt almost as if I was riding a roller coaster (which I haven't done in years). Glancing around at other passengers seated near me, a few appeared concerned. But for the most part, the majority of the travelers didn't seem to be bothered by the bouncing (or they were hiding their feelings well!). Being very honest, I have to admit: I was scared.
I took in some deep breaths, and I prayed. Earnestly prayed for the Lord to keep us safe, no matter how stormy the weather might be, or how strong the turbulence was. Then I began silently reciting some of my favorite Bible verses of comfort. Not only reciting them, but actually thinking about what the verses said: God is in control. He is ALWAYS with me--whether my feet are planted firmly on the ground, or I'm thousands of feet in the air as I travel in an airplane. ~ Then an amazing thing happened: A calming peace washed over me, and I knew that no matter how bumpy the flight, God held me securely in His hands. Thankfully the flight became calmer not too much later, and we landed safely in Atlanta. But that experience was another reminder for me that no matter what storms we go through, our Lord is with us--leading us, watching over us, and always there to calm our fears. What a comforting thought! ~ ~ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
Last weekend my husband and I flew to Kansas on a trip I'd been looking forward to for many months. We stayed at author Kim Vogel Sawyer's wonderful Bed & Breakfast, where she and husband Don made us feel right at home! One of the main reasons for the trip was to meet "in person" my friends from Australia, Rosie and Pete. Although Rosie and I had been corresponding for a while via e-mails and phone, we hadn't met face-to-face. So last year when she sent me an e-mail saying that she and her husband were planning a trip to the US and she wondered if I could come to Kansas to meet them, I was SO excited! The details were worked out and we began counting down the days. Author Judy Miller drove them from Topeka, and Author Carol Cox was able to join us on Saturday.
What a wonderful time we had---visiting, laughing, and eating (we ate so much yummy food!). Kim's kitties also made me feel at home, since I was away from mine for a few days. The time passed much too quickly, but I am so thankful and blessed to have spent a weekend with these precious Christian friends.
Even though Rosie and Pete live on the other side of the world, it was wonderful being with them and learning about their life in Australia. I especially enjoyed hearing them speak--with their British-sounding accents (although they said I was the one with the accent, haha).
I was reminded yet again of how much the Lord has blessed me--not only with my precious family, but also with special friends.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
Five years ago this past January, I rescued a stray Calico cat from my neighbor's crawl space. The cat then followed me across the street to my house and stayed. Apparently she figured since I'd rescued her, she was indebted to me! ~ My family and I called her Patches, since her Calico markings resembled a patchwork quilt. I really didn't think she'd stay but would return to her former home. Little did I realize Patches had no intentions of leaving, especially since she was already expecting kittens! So I continued feeding her on my front porch, and set out a large box with a soft towel inside. ~ On Leap Day (Feb. 29) as I left my house to pick up my son from tennis practice, I noticed a very plump Patches resting on the top step of my front porch. An hour later when my son and I returned home, we didn't see Patches anywhere. I peeked into the box and gasped--she'd given birth to four tiny, precious bundles of fur! The miracle of birth--even in animals--is absolutely amazing. I stood there crying as Patches looked up at me as if to say, "Look what I did while you were gone." ~ Several months later I was able to find a very good home for one of the kittens, but could not find anyone to provide loving homes for the other kittens. Now, five years later I have to say that Delilah, Levi, and Moses have been such blessings in my life. Yes, pet care does involve some work, Vet visits, and cleaning up spills, etc. - - but they are definitely worth it. These kitties have become like my "furry children" and have their own distinct personalities (or should that be PURR-sonalities?!). And like any good CatMom would do, to celebrate their birthday I've bought them some treats and ordered a birthday cake (however, I have a feeling I'll be the one enjoying the cake!).~ (Pictured above are Delilah, Levi and Moses, and Patches, the mama cat)
Just for fun, I've rounded up some more trivia in the subjects of: Bible, Geography, Sports, and Foods. Hope you'll enjoy these tidbits of information!
There are 49 different foods mentioned in the Bible.
Gabriel, Michael, and Lucifer are the three angels mentioned by name in the Bible.
Mexico City is the oldest capital city in the Americas.
Lake Superior is the largest body of fresh water in the world.
The Atlantic Ocean is saltier than the Pacific Ocean.
The only continent without snakes or reptiles is Antarctica.
The first Kentucky Derby was run at Churchill Downs in 1875.
Until the 1870s, baseball was played without the use of gloves. (OUCH!)
A cucumber is 96% water.
The world's tallest grass is bamboo, which has sometimes grown to heights of 130 feet or more.
A pineapple is a berry.
One pound of tea can make 300 cups of the beverage.
Early this morning I put together a bag of clothes and books to give a women's shelter in my county. After I tied and labeled the bag, I placed it on my front porch for the shelter worker to pick up. As I stepped onto my porch, the February wind blew, rain was coming down, and the trees waved their bare branches. After I scurried back inside my warm cozy house, I thought about the women and children who might be staying at the shelter. No, I don't personally know anyone there, but my heart is burdened for those people. It's wonderful that there is a shelter where they can take refuge in crisis situations. However, I feel certain those folks must long for their own home. Having those thoughts made me feel extra-thankful for my many blessings today---although I am certainly not wealthy nor do I live in a mansion, I have all I need. A nice warm home, food, clothing, and the list goes on and on. As the rain has continued to pour down today, hearing the pitter-patter of the raindrops outside has reminded me that my blessings would exceed the number of raindrops coming down---WOW! What an amazing thought---but it's true. I could begin making a list of my many blessings, but I couldn't finish...because the list would go on and on. ~ So on this cold, rainy day I give the Lord thanks for my warm home, and ALL of my many, many "raindrop blessings" that I could never finish counting. ~ O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:1
I love sunflowers, and have for many years. Even though I have lots of sunflower decor in my kitchen, I haven't been able to grow real sunflowers (I suspect some woodland creatures enjoyed the seeds I planted a few years ago!). ~ This past week I had a delightful surprise---glancing out my largest kitchen window, I noticed some lovely tall flowers with cheerful yellow petals. For a second I thought some kind of weeds had sprouted; but after looking again I realized they were SUNFLOWERS! I was thrilled, because there are quite a few that are growing in the perfect spot for me to view them out of my window. I have decided that some of the sunflower seeds I've been feeding the birds and squirrels on my deck must have fallen and taken root, producing these lovely sunflowers for me to enjoy! (Or perhaps the squirrels that I feed so well decided to plant the seeds so I could enjoy the flowers...but I'm not too sure about that idea). ~ So however my sunflowers got their start, I am thanking the Lord everyday that these lovely blooms are in the perfect spot for me to enjoy. I also thank Him for these nice "surprises" He gives us---just when we need them! ~ The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork. Psalm 19:1
It's the middle of January, and although many Winter days are lovely here in Georgia, today is not. It is definitely the kind of day that could be called dreary. With a capital D! With an overcast sky, absolutely no sunshine, fog, damp chilly air (with light rain now and then) and bare trees, it's the kind of day that makes many folks long for Springtime. However, I keep reminding myself that days such as this one help us appreciate beautiful days even more. But still....if a person isn't feeling well, this is the kind of weather that seems to makes one feel worse. ~ Trying to stay positive, I stepped onto my front porch earlier to feed our "front porch kitty" and breathed in the fresh (although damp) air. Aware of how "bleak" everything looked today, I silently reminded myself of how these same trees would look this Spring, when those bare branches would have green leaves and the sun would be shining on them. As I stood there on my porch for a few minutes, I suddenly noticed a beautiful bright red cardinal perched on one of my Elm tree's bare branches. He sat there as if posing for me to enjoy his beauty. What a stark contrast! His gorgeous cherry-red feathers against a backdrop of forlorn-looking tree branches on a gray, dreary day. Then I was treated to a sweet chirping chorus of two birds calling to each other. Their chirps and tweets made a lovely melody on this dreary morning. ~ I'm thankful the Lord uses "little things" such as a beautiful bird or the cheerful chirps of birds to remind me that even in the midst of a dreary Winter day, we can find bits of beauty and cheer. ~ This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
