Heart to Heart

   "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

                                                 Antoine De Saint-Exupery (1900-1944)

 My very own snow heart!

I looked back over my blog posts through the years in the month of February to see what I'd written for Valentine's week. I want to share some memories with you. Maybe you'll be inspired to do something different to encourage another this Valentine's week.

"I enjoy reading blogs others have created. I gravitate towards those who enjoy photography, and artists whose pictures and writings I enjoy. Susan Branch (www.susanbranch.com) and Karla Dornacher (www.karladornacher.com) are two artists who inspire me and encourage my heart.

"Last week I stopped at Susan's blog and found a simple recipe for chocolate eclairs. (Perfect chocolate eclairs in the picture below.) I'd never tried making these delights before, and since the recipe was simple I decided to give it a try. Saturday morning I went to work to make the best chocolate eclairs I could. "I'll take them to my Sunday School class in honor of Valentine's Day," I decided.

 "Suffice to say my first attempt was not successful. The little puffs of dough didn't rise, the cream filling turned out ok (much to my astonishment), but the chocolate didn't come out smooth for dripping over the dough. I couldn't help but laugh at my attempt. They certainly would not be going to my Sunday School class. (Pictured ... my first attempt.)

 

"Jerry tasted one and said they were good. Mom even liked them. I finally ate one and must confess it did taste good. Jerry said he'd take them to his Sunday School class. "Only if you tell them it's my first attempt and they don't look so good," I required.

"Sunday morning came. I walked in my Sunday School class and there were sweet donuts in the shape of hearts for us to enjoy. I began telling my friends about my ill-fated eclairs when in walked Jerry, Floyd, Steve, Talmadge, Dan, Tom and Barry, each holding one of my misshaped eclairs.

"Jerry said we had to tell you he told us this was your first attempt in making chocolate eclairs," Barry said. "Please bring us all other rejects! They are delicious!"

"It was so funny! They had me bending over with laughter. And my dear Sunday School friends were disappointed they weren't eating them!

"My friend, Janet told me: "There is no such thing as a bad eclair if there was something you could lick off your finger!"  I like that!

"Yes, I will try again. With a few pointers from my friends I will attempt a second time to make chocolate eclairs. The next time, though, I know I can still enjoy the delicious taste, even if they don't pass the "look" test! And Jerry's class too!"

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"For many years I've made a habit of sending out 30 to 40 Valentine cards to friends and family, widows, those hurting and those forgotten on Valentines Day. I was still in my single days, and had my share of broken hearts and decided maybe I could cheer other hearts on this special day. (Since retiring, I'm sending out a few less than those energetic days.)

"It has become an annual ritual I look forward to each February. You can imagine how many Valentine cards I've purchased and created. One that I still believe is my favorite was created from a graphic in my friend, Karla Dornacher's book: The Blessing of Friendship, A Gift from the Heart, published by Countryman in 2000. I got permission from Karla to create it with the names of my friends in the heart. It was a labor of love. I tried to find the one I created but haven't yet, so this is the one in her book.

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"The widest thing in the universe is not space; it is the potential capacity of the human heart. Being made in the image of God, it is capable of almost unlimited extension in all directions. And one of the world's greatest tragedies is that we allow our hearts to shrink until there is room in them for little beside ourselves." A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)

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I loved these stamps that came out in 2007 in time for Valentine's Day. What goes better with love than kisses!And I know a lot about kisses . . . the chocolate kind! One visit to Hershey brought home a  kiss chocolate dispenser. I kept it at work for all to enjoy. I was even named "Ministry of Chocolate" at the convention! I fulfilled my job well!

 Yes, Valentine's Day can be an enjoyable day whether you're experiencing sadness or joy. Think outside of yourself and think what you could do to bring a smile to someone else on Valentine's Day.

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I found this years ago on the internet. Don't know who created it, but it certainly is a true statement from the Bible, found in John 3:16.

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You have time to make a difference in someone's life this Valentine's Day. Just like an encouraging note, a Valentine's Day card cheers the heart and tells the receiver that they are loved. If cards aren't your thing, a call, a text, an email and any other new communication tool will serve the same purpose. What about it? Make a difference in someone's heart? You'll be surprised what it will do to your own heart!

                                        ". . . I have you in my heart . . ." Philippians 1:17

Great Big Arms

One of my favorite snow pictures!

"What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms. 

"Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms."

Many of us are familiar with the great hymn "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms." It's fun to sing and the words share how secure we are in God.

I recently read how the song came to be in "The One Year Book of Hymns" written by William J. Petersen and Randy Peterson, and want to share it here.

Long time friend, Peggy, painted this lovely snow scene.

A. J. Showalter, a teacher in Hartsville, Alabama in 1887, needed to write two letters of condolence and the Scripture verse that came to mind was Deuteronomy 33:26-27 which says: "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

After writing the letters he than wrote a third letter to Elisha Albright Hoffman, a hymnwriter in Pennsylvania, and suggested she write a hymn on that theme. He suggested the wording of the chorus. Hoffman responded quickly and the hymn was written.

The devotion said: "With God's arms beneath us, and His love surrounding us, we can find strength in even the most sorrowful situations . . . But we know that God is still in control--He has not abandoned us. And that keeps us going."

 Another lovely snow scene made out of cotton. Picked it up at a craft fair.

Sing along with me as Buddy Green plays harmonica and the Gaither Homecoming singers sing!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-yYXFPCjJw    Below are the words to the last verse.

"What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

Leaning on the everlasting arms?

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

Leaning on the everlasting arms." 

I've needed those everlasting arms. I've needed them to encircle me with all their strength and love. How wonderful to know God has provided strong arms to help us during low times in our life.

I'm so thankful for hymn writers, using the gift God has given them and providing us with so many inspiring hymns. I enjoy praise songs, but hymns usually carry a gospel message that can encourage your heart. That you have inside you and pull from your memory to help you through anything.

I read on Facebook that it was suggested to do away with the screens used during worship service and go back to the hymn books. I agree completely! If we lose the hymns, we lose the inspiration received from the words.

The Same Old Thing

My sister and I had a good laugh this morning. I called her to say hello and checkup on what's been happening. She lives in Oklahoma and I don't get to see her.

 My sister, Kathy

Towards the end of the conversation I said, "I'm not emailing much anymore so that's why I called." Kathy said, "I understand. There's not much to talk about when you do the same old thing all the time. I guess that's what happens when you get old."

We both laughed. Things definitely are different as you age. Everyone always says "there isn't enough time to do anything." But the real truth is, we can't do anything as fast as we use too, so there's no way to get very much done.

I saw a statement on Facebook recently that said something like: "Going out to do errands is becoming my going out." Everything is an effort. A friend said" "Even taking a shower is an effort!"

Of course, most of us slow down as we age. It's just not as easy as it use to be. I'm always saying, "Why is everything so hard!" Dropping, picking up, bending down. Even baking has become a project. I've overcooked more meals recently. You know how my heart hurt when I had to throw away a chocolate chip coffee cake because I cooked it too long!

One that made it!

Since retiring I've so enjoyed being home all the time. After 40+ years of leaving the house every morning and coming home every night, being home is wonderful! My favorite day of the week is Monday! I don't have to get up and go to work.

And since moving to PA, being a homebody is my calling. Yes, I do things. But I've had many years of going here and there and everywhere with my girlfriends. I'm content in not going out. Instead I push Jerry out!

He patiently lived with me when I was running around with this girlfriend or that girlfriend. Now he's meeting men and enjoying fellowship. He told me he now knows why I enjoyed meeting my girlfriends all the time.

Abby and Jo on the way to get their nails clipped.

I write. I take pictures (when I go out). I cook. I bake. I read. I sew. I cuddle with my girls. I'm not lazy. My reaching out is from home. (Except taking pictures. I have to go out and find those little fawn, although we do have fawn behind us.) Like these little ones.

A quiet life, but still being productive and serving God. Each of us have our own path to follow. Be sure it's the path that's right for you. 

 
Yes, I laughed with my sister. No, there's not a lot to talk about. But it was sure good to hear her voice.

Shuttering Away

"God gave us memories that we might have roses in December."

Sir James M. Barrie (1860-1937)

I've been shuttering away again. Since I discovered the Shutterfly website, I've created books from God's creation. What a joy it's been!

I've always taken pictures, and had many photo albums until I went digital. It is inspiring, encouraging and motivating to capture God's creation. It wasn't until I found my faith that I discovered the real joy in God's creation. I've created many books inspired by God's handiwork these last 10 years. I try to purchase them when they're on sale and enjoy giving them to others to encourage them.

I've also created books that held great meaning to me, gifts that God has given me to help me through life. Yes, that's my childhood teddy bear and other "friends" I had when I was a child on the middle book. The "real" friends are inside though.

I even did a book when we moved to PA three years ago. This was a gigantic change in my life, having been a Maryland resident up to that time. It definitely was a new frontier!

This past weekend I found another "free" coupon on Facebook for the type of book I use and was wondering what I could create. I was sitting at the computer and happened to look down and saw the index cards I used many years ago to create my "Melody of Hymns." I found them the other week as I continue to go through items downstairs to give away or throw away. What a smile the cards gave me!



I've written about my "Melody of Hymns" before so I'll briefly mention what they mean to me. It was a low time in my life when I cried all the way to work and all the way home. I needed something to cheer me up, and God planted the idea in my mind to write the first verse of hymns I enjoyed singing on index cards. I wrote about 40 cards and started singing them in the same order every day. After a few months I realized I had memorized them and didn't need the cards anymore. They became my "Melody of Hymns" and I still sing them today.
 
This would be my next Shutterfly book! And what fun it was typing the hymn verses on the pages and downloading some of my favorite pictures to go with them! I can hardly wait to get my printed copy!

"But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you."

1 Thessalonians 3:6

Even this blog is a journal of sorts, bringing to mind how I've spent my life through the years. It's been ten years now that I've been posting, hopefully encouraging and inspiring others.

Memories are good. When you reach my age, they become even better. The winter winds may blow, but the warmth of good and happy moments keep me warm.

"Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us."

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

I hope that you are keeping some kind of remembrance, whether taking pictures, writing in a journal, scrapbooks or keeping a treasure box or chest. We have no problem remembering the sad and broken things. Satan is sure to keep them in front of us. And I have plenty to bring me down. But having something to remember, memories that are good, will help keep us in good spirit and encourage us at all times. What are you shuttering?

Are You Looking?

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other."

Isaiah 45:22

Charles Haddon Spurgeon is well known to many of us because of his excellent study of God’s Word and the influence he’s made for Christ, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Peace."  In the Historical Devotion book I’m reading by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten, the January 6^th entry is about him. I enjoyed reading it and want to share part of the story.

"I count that part of my life lost which I spent not in communion with God, or in doing good."

John Donne, 1572-1631

“Fifteen year old Charles was headed to church during a snowstorm that Sunday morning when he ducked into a Primitive Methodist chapel to escape the snow. The congregation was sparse, and a lay preacher was filling in for the pastor. His text was “Look Unto Me,” and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Charles loved to tell the story:

“He did not even pronounce the words rightly, but that did not matter. There was, I thought, a glimmer of hope for me in that text. The preacher began thus: ‘This is a very simple text indeed. It says ‘Look. Now lookin’ don’t take a deal of pain. It ain’t liftin’ your foot or your finger; it is just ‘Look. Well, a man needn’t go to college to learn to look. You may be the biggest fool, and yet you can look’ . . . When he had managed to spin out about ten minutes or so, he was at the end of his tether. Then he looked at me under the gallery, and I daresay, with so few present, he knew me to be a stranger. ‘Just man, you look miserable.’ Well, I did, but I had not been accustomed to have remarks made from the pulpit on my personal appearance before. However, it was a good blow, struck right home. He continued: ‘And you will always be miserable—miserable in life and miserable in death—if you don’t obey my text; but if you obey now, this moment, you will be saved . . . Young man, look to Jesus Christ. Look! Look! Look! You have nothing to do but look and live.’”

You can’t really miss the boat on this one. If you really look at Jesus, you will know that He is the Son of God.

"NOW is the watchword of the wise."

Charles Spurgeonm 1834-1893

Charles Spurgeon titled his devotion book “Look Unto Me", very appropriate I thought. Don’t be left behind. Open your eyes and look. NOW!

It Is Good To Remember

This was me when my hair started growing out!

Last week I began going through things downstairs in the hopes of finding lots to give away, some to throw away and rediscover items I hadn't thought about in years. And that's just what happened.

I found the journal I kept when I found out I had cervical cancer. I brought it upstairs and read through it.

It's been five years since I started treatment. I remember this often. I celebrate as each year goes by, and I'm still cancer free. In December I wrote a note to my oncology doctor thanking him for his many years of study and effort to help people like me. I am very grateful for his knowledge and ability that prescribed the correct treatment for my situation.

It was sobering to read through the journal entries.  I read the word "surreal" often. "I don't want to remember this week" was written a few times.

I took the time to write down every name that offered me prayer, visits, gifts and food. I loved reading through the encouraging words I received, and remembering all those who were there to lift me up in prayer and give from their heart to help me.

In April I'll have my last six month checkup with my oncologist. I can return to a normal yearly visit. Jerry and I laughed about that when we were last there because there is a Chick-Fil-A next to the building, and I love their milkshakes! But it's 2 hours away! Up in NW PA, around the small town of Brookville, there are no Chick-Fil-A's. It treat each time we had to go.

I had my own Hope pillow to carry, just like the ones I give to those in need. It took on a different meaning, a more personal meaning, than when I give one.
 

My friend, Paula, gave me some encouraging words at the beginning. "I know you believe God gives you the words to write in the encouraging notes you send. I believe that too. I also know you keep copies of all the notes you write. God is bringing those words back to you to encourage your heart. Read the notes and let Him bring refreshment to your soul." Thank you, Paula.


Take a moment and consider the gift(s) God          
has given to you in which to serve Him. Could
your heart be encouraged by those gifts when
you go through difficult situations?




Me writing in the early days of my note writing ministry. I'm so thankful for this gift God gave me to serve Him. Proverbs 11:25 was proved to me over and over, "he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."




 I bought myself a lovely mug and called it my "Happy Mug!" I   
smiled every time I picked it up. I still use it today!


Our friend, Diana, gave us a welcome laugh just when we needed one! "Abby and Jo were just a little over one year old at that time, and acted like it! We were trying to find a way to keep them from jumping on me and thought about putting a walker around the ottoman and some plywood on three sides. Diana said, "I know we put our pets in cages, but I haven't heard of putting an adult in a cage! "We decided against the cage for me. The picture below shows them still taking care of me sometime after treatments stopped.

I'm so glad I found this journal. I will now keep it in a special place to remind me of a time when I needed God's Hand upon me and He provided multiple hands to help me. My friend, Carol, said: "His grace has been sufficient for you." Yes! Thank you, Father.

"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."

Psalm 71:14

Fill the New Year With Praise!

"Praise is more than singing, it's the saint reflecting the life of Christ."

Unknown

Let's begin the new year right! I praise His name! Nothing says it better than Psalm 148 and 150!

In his Prayer, Praise and Promises devotion book, Warren Wiersbe says this about Psalm 148 : "All of Psalm 148 tells us that the Word of God is in control. When He speaks in heaven, things happen on earth . . . the heavens praise the Lord . . . the earth praises the Lord . . . all people, young and old, praise the Lord, including kings, princes, judges, and ordinary people. Why? Because His Word is creative . . . God does not run this world by consensus but by degree. His Word is sufficient to guide our lives."

Psalm 148
"Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.

Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created,

and he established them for ever and ever -- he issued a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you great seat creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rules on earth,

young men and women, old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants,

of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord."

 I wish I had ears to hear praise from the snow and clouds, from mountains and all hills, from animals and birds. One day I will, and what a glorious day that will be.

"When all thy mercies, O my God!

My rising soul surveys,

Transported with the view, I'm lost

In wonder, love and praise."

Joseph Addison (1672-1719)

Wiersbe says this about Psalm 150: "The hymnbook of the Bible is the book of Psalms, and the last psalm summarizes what God wants us to know about praise and worship. The Christian faith is a singing and praising faith. No one religion has praise and singing such as we have, because we have the song of the Lord in our hearts."

Psalm 150
"Praise the Lord, Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord."

A new year; a new decade. Let keep praise in our hearts every day of this new year. He is worthy. Praise to the living God!