Judy – Page 2

Whirl Wind Month

December 2023 has been one of those for me. It started off great with a girls week end at the mountain with 2 great friends. We relaxed as well as made new friends at Rachel Jefferies’ Widows with a Purpose Christmas Party. What a fun group of ladies that know how to have fun as well as do good in the community.

Then half of the cook shack crew went to Israel on a solidarity tour to help out our friends in that country. I stayed here to keep the home fires burning and cook for Wednesday Prayer Meeting and 3rd Saturday outreach to feed those in the community who could use a bit of help. It was my first time getting everything done pretty much alone. Thanks to Benny for helping with the heavy lifting and transporting food from the cook shack to the admin building.

Cooking for a large group of people (over 60) can be quite a task. For one you aren’t sure how many will show up, anywhere from 60 to a 100, so you over cook to have enough. Then what to do with the leftovers, if there are any. Then getting everything cleaned up for the next week can leave you exhausted. But at the end of the day you do what you can and give the day to the Lord. He seems to tie up all the loose ends.

Then these last 2 weeks we have had the pleasure of watching my great-grandson while his older brother and mother went on a cruise to celebrate his brother’s birthday which falls on Christmas Day. The younger one that stayed with us had no desire to go on a ship in the ocean. Maybe when he gets older; but having an 8 years old around for 2 weeks has been fun. The hardest part is keeping him occupied. I never watched so much UTUBE in my whole life. It was fun making cookies for his friends that live across the hall and making a Christmas box he could take over to them when he went to play. He is going with my daughter to pickup his mom and brother at the airport on Sunday. He is so excited to have his family back together; this has been a growing experience for him to learn you have to stand with the decisions that you make. Which can be hard sometimes even at 8 years old.

The most traumatic event of the month for me was having to purchase a different car when mine could not be fixed. It was not a planned event; the timing chain jumped and went through the engine causing irreparable damage. The only alternative was to but something else. Since I still owed half what I owed on the other car adding that amount to this one raised the payment double. Thank the Lord I had some money in savings to help a little. He sees ahead and provides. This different car is smaller but has updated features and half the mileage that the other one didn’t have.

In 2 days starts a new month and a new year old things are gone new things begin. But as long as you allow the Lord to be in control of your life you can be assured that all will be for your good. His blessings are new every morning and he only says yes and amen.

HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR

Remember: Giving Thanks

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November is the time of year we in America give thanks to the creator of the universe for all we have been given. In my generation giving thanks was more prevalent than it is now. We were thought that all the good we had was given to us by God. That it was His hand that gave us the ability to work and get wealth. That nothing was handed to us on a platter and if times were sparse we should give thanks anyway and believe that times would get better. As they teach today about the first thanksgiving and the pilgrims coming over on the mayflower; we were taught the same and that if it weren’t for the native people our ancestors might not have survived those first years.

It seems that today that part is not talked about so much. Emphasis is given more to a turkey dinner, a parade and football games than to thanking the Lord that we can have these things. This year turned out different for me than what I anticipated. With dealing with our first year without my oldest daughter to family members traveling out of town and to a different state, traditions were up in the air. I was asked to come to my grand-daughter’s house and help fix dinner as I was going to be alone. I agreed and asked if I should bring my roster for the turkey, to free up the oven for the sides. I was told sure and could you make your sweet potato casserole? Then my great-grandson asked if I could make him an apple pie.

The day before Thanksgiving came and my daughter said that they were not leaving town as my son-in-law had Covid and was quarantined for a week. I had not been around him so we felt it would be all right for me to go to my grand-daughter’s house as planned. I packed up the pie, casserole and roster and headed out. My grand-daughter works nights and is usually pretty tired during the day so I figured the boys and I could fix a passable dinner for her. They are of the age that they like to help.

I got there around 9:30 in the morning and was met at the door with you should have called before you left the house. We don’t need the roster the turkey is almost done. What a surprise I didn’t have to do much of anything, she had everything well in hand. So while she took care of the cooking I spent time with the boys. Then they set the table and after a few delays getting the turkey to cook to the proper internal temperature dinner was served. My daughter came over as she did not test positive and had no symptoms and we had a nice time as a family. The younger ones even indulged us older ones by going around the table and saying what they were thankful for.

Some traditions need to be kept alive to pass on to the younger generation why we celebrate the freedom and bounty we have here. Thanks to phones we were able to contact those that do not live close. And even though it was bitter sweet not being able to talk to my oldest daughter we had a blessed day. My grand-daughter did a wonderful job of fixing the dinner, even though she was tired. The boys came over to our house afterwards to help put up Christmas decorations up so their mom could take a nap.

How did you spend Thanksgiving this year? However you spent the day; did you take time to thank your creator for the privilege and freedom even if you had to be alone. Time marches on, the world keeps turning; what are you thankful for this year.

GOD BLESS

APPLES GALORE

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Late September is apple picking time around here. My brother has a small orchard that he is very generous to share with family and friends. When the call came that fruit was ready to pick, I loaded up the car with boxes and headed to his house. He has several different verities of apples. And said to help myself to whatever I wanted as he had picked all he wanted and so had the other family members.

The day was beautiful not to hot and a nice breeze blowing. We took buckets to haul them in and then transferred the apples to the boxes in the back of my car. He has a vehicle that he drives out to the orchard so we didn’t have to carry the buckets by hand back to the car. Between my brother, sister-in-law and myself we soon had all the boxes filled up.

We had a wonderful visit before I said I needed to head home. I wanted to stop in to see my other brother who lives close by. I don’t get to see them very often as I live over an hour away. My other brother gave me a huge tub of squash, which I greatly appreciated as I don’t have room at my apartment to have a garden.

On the way home I kept thinking about all the ways I was going to process the many boxes of apples. I knew I wanted to make applesauce and apple butter. The sauce I use to make cakes that I give away for Christmas as well as jars of apple butter. We were taught that gifts you made yourself were much better than those you bought. I try to make as many gifts as I can during the holidays.

All in all it was a stellar and productive day. Family is the best. There can be no one else who loves you like your siblings. If you haven’t contacted them lately do it ASAP. Make amends, whatever you need to do to keep in touch. Our heavenly father put us together for a reason. If there is strife in your family ask Him to help you to come to terms with the other, it will benefit you both more than you will ever know.

REMEMBER:

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A QUITE PLACE

Do you have place where you can shut out the rest of the world. Where the distractions can be minimized and you can think. It could be a room in your house or a spot in your yard; a country road or a place in a park no one else goes. Somewhere you can be alone with your thoughts or get lost in a favorite book. When you can be still and connect with your creator. To tell Him how and what you are feeling. Everyone needs to just be still sometime. I know it can be almost impossible with all we are expected to do, people we need to deal with, deadlines we have to meet, a job we have to go, to the list can seem endless.

That is why we need to find somewhere we can be alone. Even when we are exhausted at the end of the day and all we want to do is crawl in bed and sleep; take a few minutes to calm your mind, listen to the one who chose you as His own. You would not be here otherwise. Put down the phone, turn off the TV, close the book, whatever is your distraction at the moment and reach out to the one who has you in the palm of His hand. He is always waiting for those moments to be acknowledged by His children.

The Psalmist David said it best “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD”. When you are still and listening He will speak to your heart and tell you wondrous things or just give you a peaceful hug to let you know that he hears your cry. Even if you do not think of him often or are too busy to think of Him, He thinks of you. The older I get the more I think of or try to find places where I can be still. I long for a quite county road where I can slow down and look at the scenery that has been made available to all who will look at it. I enjoy finding a spot at the lake where the only other inhabitants are the birds, animals and maybe a fish jumping.

It is as easy as slowing down during your day to remember a time or place that you could be alone with your thoughts and talk to the one who made you. You were put on this earth at this time for a reason. You are not here by chance; you have a purpose for being here, find it and do all you can to fulfill it. There is never a perfect time to commit to that purpose, ask and He will give you the strength and courage to see it through. If you don’t know Him ask someone, you will be surprised at the number of people who would love to tell you about Him and tell you His story.

Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all nations, and exalted throughout the whole earth. Psalms 45:10. (The Passion Translation)

REMEMBER

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BERRY PICK’EN TIME

When the dog days of summer (as the end of August used to be called) rolls around; we knew it was berry picking time. Back before paved roads and government road crews that spray to kill vegetation, the ditches were filled with berry bushes. There were blackberries, elderberries, and gooseberries, free for the picking. Mom would load tubs into the back of her pickup and all us kids. Our pants bottoms stuffed into our soaks and dabbed with kerosene to keep chiggers and mosquitoes from biting us.

Then off we would go after morning chores were done to pick as marry berries as we could before it got to hot. We would fill as many tubs as we could with each type of berry we came across. Then we would take our find home and make jam, jellies or can some to save for pies in the winter. When mom got a home freezer it made preserving the berries faster and easier.

We were new to farming so when we got to know other farm families in the area the women would get together and share produce and recipes. If one had an extra large patch of berries on her place the other would come help harvest then all would share in the bounty. That is the way things were done back then.

Elder berries grow on shrubs that can get as tall as houses and trees. This is when agile youngsters were sent up into the bushes were pruning shares to cut the fruit and drop it down for others to catch. Bigger kids were able to reach into the blackberry bushes to get the biggest and sweetest berries.

Gooseberries can be picked in all stages of growth. Some people like them when they are green and still hard, others to the point when they are purple and soft. Mom had us pick any we found, she liked them anyway they grew.

It was hard, hot, and dirty work but in those days we didn’t have what mom called store bought. You used was God provided no matter the effort it took to get it. We got to be with our friends in the area and our mothers got to socializes with neighbors. Friends helping friends, we would be better off today if things were done the way they used to be. If this brought back memories of your childhood my job is complete.

GOD BLESS

REMEMBER: SUMMER 2023

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WHIRLWIND YEAR

What can I say about 2023 so far, it has been hectic to say the least. The year started off with work issues; not enough people to fill the needed positions causing those of us who only work part time to step up into fulltime, having to rearrange schedules to accommodate the added hours, trying to juggle work with classes, dealing with a compromised immune system, bronchitis, double pneumonia, still grieving over the loss of my daughter from a supposedly simple medical procedure. By the end of the school year I was on my last leg, as the saying goes, could bearly breath, couldn’t sleep laying down, had to set in a recliner and only able to sleep when I would finnaly clasp. When my allotted part time hours were used up I quite work, the class I was taking was over for the summer; which gave me time to concentrate on my health. When you are not in good health it affects every area of your life.

A friend recommended a getaway. To accompany her and another friend on a job; cooking for a week long class at a retreat center. We would be provided a place to stay and a wage for the week. Our accommodations would be a beautiful rustic log cabin in the woods, the perfect place to recuperate. The three of us have been friends for over 20 years and work well together. It was hard work cooking and serving over 100 people, but at the end of the day we had the beautiful Ozark Mountains to relax in. our cabin was far enough in the woods we couldn’t hear any road traffic and setting on the porch watching the birds and squirrels was just what was needed to get my body and mind back in order. By the end of the week I was off all medication and able to sleep.

Then summer started, 2 weddings, an internment service for my daughters ashes in the family cemetery, a trip to another state of one of the weddings, then 2 eye surgeries, and a summer job working at the retreat center 2 days a week. What was I thinking? I have never been this busy in years during the summer. But as, mom always said don’t look at all there is to do just take it one day at a time. August is almost over, I am at the bottom of the list and all came out well.

The only glitch was a fall that caused a bone bruise and blood clot on the right side of my face. It is getting better and was a lesson in overcoming vanity and the use of heavy makeup. People are genuinely concerned but it does get old explaining what happened. A fall can happen to anyone no matter your age, it is best to take it in stride and deal with the comments. The class I am taking starts in a couple of weeks, which means that I will have to get back into study mode. It also means fall is just around the corner. The heat has been extreme this year and the storms huge. We need the rain but when it comes down hard and fast it doesn’t have a chance to soak in the ground, it just runs off into the ditches. It helps the streams, lakes, and rivers but not much good for yards and fields.

I have decided to quit working at school; last year took a tole mentally as well as physically. Have worked there over 20 years, it is time to let the younger people have a chance. Besides my part time job at the retreat center is very satisfying and much less stressful. We all have to take stock of our lives every now and then to keep on the path the Lord has for you. To recess what is really important and what we need to let go of. Put your life in the hands of the one who created you, He knows what is best and will make the way straight. My interpretation of Proverbs 16:1.

I am looking forward to a slower pace for the rest of the year.