Author: Brenda

 
One of my dearest friends, Kathy, pictured here, is floating on a cloud. She is in a romance that she thought might never happen:)She’s been a widow for 4 years and recently began considering joining a Singles Group. Loneliness can be tough to deal with day in and day out after being with her husband Bruce for 25 years and losing him to cancer.
Kathy has done well since his death; she’s grieved–but she’s strong and independent, and, within the last year or so, was ready to find someone to with which to share her life again.

About 5 weeks ago, a dear gentleman from our church called to ask about Kathy. His former wife had passed away recently and, knowing the door had closed forever for reconciling with Bethany, he was eager to find that special someone to share his life as well. I knew Alex was a man of great integrity and above reproach (and Skye placed her stamp of approval on him immediately:)), but had no clue how well he and Kathy would mesh??

To make a sweet story sweeter, from their first date they have fallen “head over heels” for one another! They talk about everything, pray about everything, ask for advice from Godly people, and are ecstatic to have discovered each other:)
Our church family is tickled for both of them–we are all smiles every time we think of these two:)!

I must say it makes me weep with Kathy that she has such joy and feels so blessed in this relationship with such a Godly, precious, man:)
It gives joy to the heart to see two people fall in love, especially when one is such a close friend and I know how she’s soaking this in like a ‘balm of Gilead’:)
And to know that God intended this for both of them–a blessing beyond measure in their mid-life; a new beginning far better than either could imagine:)

PS. Will keep you posted on any ‘new’ developments:)
When you have a romance in your fifties, time is of the essence:)
Go for it, girlfriend!!

 
“In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

No guilt in life, no fear in death.
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
‘Til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!”

Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

This week:
(1)my favorite basketball team, UNC, won the NCAA Men’s Championship–whoo hoo!

(2)my favorite singer, Taylor Swift, won the American Country Music’s Album of the Year!

(3)one of my dearest friends has found romance & I’m so excited for her–whoo hoo!!

(4)Easter, last but not least, the most holy of Christian holidays, comes Sunday!!!

It is a ‘sweet’ time, and glorious!–from momentary Earthly victory to Eternal Victory:)

HALLELUJAH!

 
I’m sitting here on a bright sunny April Sunday afternoon, soaking in all the blooming azaleas & dogwoods & red bud trees within sight, & am feeling miserable:(

I spent a pleasant Saturday mowing the yard, blowing the driveway, picking up sticks, & washing down my front steps railing; all this making me feel good to see my “tidy up the neglected yard” mission accomplished—till the sinuses started attacking:(

That vague headache began yesterday, but by this morning I awoke with a full-blown jackhammer in my head & throbbing sinus pressure:(!!

Wonder why such a pretty time of the year comes at a cost?
NC shines in April & May & I love every part of the glorious spring!

SO, if I’m frowning more than usual, you’ll know why!!!
Just hand me a Kleenex when my eyes begin to water & my nose drips, & I growl–ugh:)

A footnote:
(I will have to mention one other downside to our glorious springtime—the green “plague”, pollen, blanketing everything within miles of the Raleigh area! No car washing, window washing, picnics, deck washing, etc., can be done for weeks! Well, maybe that’s a positive?)

One of my favorite TV shows is Medium, starring Patricia Arquette.

“From Emmy Award-winning executive producer, creator and director Glenn Gordon Caron (“Moonlighting”) comes “Medium,” a popular, chilling drama series inspired by the real-life story of research medium Allison DuBois. Emmy winner Patricia Arquette stars…as an extraordinary young wife and mother who, since childhood, has struggled to make sense of her dreams and visions of dead people.”

Why do I like this show?
I enjoy Patricia Arquette & Jake Weber for one:)

But I admit I was drawn to the storyline that someone could possess the ability to dream someone’s murder in order to prevent it or to redeem it in some way.
It’s the notion that we know so little about the spiritual world. Most of us are completely clueless to the invisible world swirling around us. As a Christian I believe in the spiritual realm. I believe there are angels watching over us. I believe good & evil spirits are engaged in warfare every day, every hour, every minute.

(BTW, there is a real Allison DuBois. If you Google her bio, let me say I do not advocate her beliefs)

But, I think Medium is done well, & it can make one ponder God’s Creation…especially the great mysterious unseen realm-

“For now we see through a
glass, darkly; but then face to face: now
I know in part; but then shall I know even
as also I am known.” 1 Cor.13:11

Last Thursday my friend & co-chair of Peace’s Comfort & Care Ministry, Lou, & I traveled to Chattanooga, Tenn., to attend the Presbyterian Church of America’s 2009 Mercy Conference.
We flew from RDU to Charlotte, & from there on to Tenn. The weather was overcast & drizzly & rainy–my kind of day:) I do believe we spent more time waiting to take off than actually in the air!

We found Chattanooga to be a friendly town. We stayed at the Choo Choo Inn pictured here. The Inn is the restored original train depot & is at least a hundred years old. Much revitalization is going on in the area, & I found downtown Chattanooga to be a charming place.

After arriving at the hotel too early to check in, we grabbed some lunch & headed straight for the Tennessee Aquarium, the “crown jewel” of Chattanooga (that’s my opinion:)), right along the banks of the Tennessee River. The Aquarium is as interesting & beautiful as the first time I saw it more than 10 years ago! And recently they’ve added a penguin exhibit:)!
After enjoying the Aquarium we rushed back to the “Choo Choo” to check in, ordered a take-out supper, took our luggage to our room, then dashed to catch the church shuttle van to New City Presbyterian, our host for the Conference.

New City is such a unique church it requires it’s own blog, but suffice it to say, the people were warm, hospitable, & made us feel right at home the entire time. Throughout the two & 1/4 days we heard inspirational & uplifting words, powerful praise songs directed & led by James Ward, & attended workshops where we listened, took notes, & were encouraged & challenged.
After returning to the hotel Thursday evening we headed straight to bed, exhausted.
Friday the entire day was spent at New City listening & singing, praying, discussing, meeting people, plus eating lunch & supper together, from 9am to 9pm. Then Saturday morning we attended one last workshop & one more plenary session before it was time to say our thank you’s & goodbyes.

The flights back went smoothly, even with gloomy rainy weather following us from Tenn. to Charlotte & on to Raleigh, where we arrived home by 7:15 pm.

It was a whirlwind trip, our minds are full of mercy information, & we are feeling like we need another weekend before the normal routine resumes!!
The experience was exhilarating. It was also a treat for the two of us to go together to hear about mercy, our passion. On the way home Lou & I attempted to sort through our notes & thoughts to put it all in perspective.

The main questions are: what did God desire us to learn from our time spent at New City, & what information is most important to share with Peace Church??
We may not know right away…..

 

Here is the “Fam” after riding the American Tobacco Trail last Sunday afternoon, our first bike ride together here:)

Since last year Kelley has purchased a jell seat to make her Trek bike more comfy, & Seth bought himself a Trek bike for his birthday last November (plus we gave him/them a bike rack), so this was their first time on the ATT:)
Hurray!

Oh, what a fun trip on a warm breezy March day:)
We covered 6.6 miles–not bad for the first group bike ride of the season:)
Also Keith & I were excited to see work is progressing on the Chatham County section of the trail. Eventually the Wake County trail will connect to the Durham portion via Chatham County.

Afterward Seth, Kelley, Skye, Keith & I headed over to Baskin-Robbins to get ice cream:) Ah, what a nice way to end a Sunday outing:)

Keith wants us to try out a trail along the New River just over the NC border in Va., near Galax, soon. And our neighbor Christa has suggested biking the Potomac River Trail in DC:) Sounds like some neat biking ventures ahead:)

Hope to see many of you on the sweet & shady American Tobacco Trail soon!

Nothing like a prett snowfall on a Monday morning in March:)
Wyatt & I loved our mini walk along the Vineyard geenway around 6:30am….other than a slight breeze & a flurry now & then, all was calm, all was quiet:)

 
Here is a picture overlooking the lake from Lake Pine walking trail at sunrise this past week.
The following morning was even more spectacular; gorgeous pinks coloring the new day—just no camera that morning:)

As I’m walking I’m thinking & pondering:
I am discouraged about the ministry group my friend Lou & I co-facilitate. Our group members seem to be diminishing, church leadership doesn’t seem supportive, and Lou & I have been trying hard to convince one or two leadership folks to attend an inspirational mercy conference–no one yet is able or willing.

A friend has serious health problems & will begin treatment once again in April.

My father in law is slowing fading away with congestive heart failure. How is my mother in law dealing with this??

Skye is doing well with her App. studies, but hasn’t made girlfriends yet…..
Hurray that she’s coming home this weekend:)

A neighbor is having anxiety attacks, feels guilty she’s quitting her ‘mercy’ profession after 32 years, & doesn’t know what to do next….

Another neighbor is sad because her mom is so distant; it breaks her heart.

Would love to travel some place fun for our 40th anniversary, or my 60th birthday, in 2009.

I’ve asked my family to help me paint/put up crown molding in my bedroom as my Mother’s Day gift:) They’ve agreed; I’m thankful:)

My brother came to have lunch with me recently:) Made my day! And to top that off he wants to come again–made my day again:)

Will I ever learn not to judge others?

Could I ever stamp gluttony out of my life? Do I possess any discipline??

Finished “The Shack”. Still chewing on that one. God, what is Your take?

So many people losing jobs–it’s scary:(

LORD, I am so grateful you are Sovereign!!

We live in an art gallery of divine creativity and yet are content to gaze only at the carpet.
The next time you hear a baby laugh or see an ocean wave, take note. Pause and listen as His Majesty whispers ever so gently,
“I’m here.”

From: Everyday Blessings
Copyright (J. Countryman, 2004)
Max Lucado