tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68386155999244639002024-03-05T19:09:09.491-05:00The Great AdventureFollowing the Lord Jesus Christ has put me on a Great Adventure. Through this blog, I hope to share with you the places He has taken me and the things that I have learned.Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.comBlogger567125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-4793862292371341042023-06-02T15:01:00.003-04:002023-06-02T20:53:08.701-04:00How Will You Be Remembered?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSyfJdMBX-hJmq1vdH-jw8ON058D0Wl01TBs51TyLlYYoyv4XJsALYekgORFdTAVkvVypVBzmOCIcR2_TejIU5v6Lovu-wPvh6znRWIWqglxsRieEalT9j6qCPQjzg3h-1H3gpLlJiFQJZ9g2BSbMW3OibMWI2EZTlgDFt31tqqKdvY-Ocd-oafK2lg/s4032/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSyfJdMBX-hJmq1vdH-jw8ON058D0Wl01TBs51TyLlYYoyv4XJsALYekgORFdTAVkvVypVBzmOCIcR2_TejIU5v6Lovu-wPvh6znRWIWqglxsRieEalT9j6qCPQjzg3h-1H3gpLlJiFQJZ9g2BSbMW3OibMWI2EZTlgDFt31tqqKdvY-Ocd-oafK2lg/w400-h300/unnamed.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last Monday was Memorial Day, a day to stop and remember those who gave their lives so I could enjoy the freedoms that I have just by being an American citizen and living in the United States. These brave men and women fought in the armed services of our country and they will be remembered as giving the Ultimate Sacrifice-their lives.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the church I attended the day before, the sermon was titled, <i>How Will You be Remembered?</i> sed Hebrews 11 as his main text, which by the way, is an excellent portion of Scripture, citing so many people of Biblicl tmes being remembered for their great faith. Were they perfect people? No,t by any means, but that is a topic for another day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I sit here at my desk in Stuart, VA, I ask myself, "How will I be remembered?" Hmmm...Not an easy question to answer. I know how I will be remembered in Ghana because I was blessed to have had a Farewell Service during which all kinds of people said those things that you only hear people say at a funeral. Here, in Stuart, I'm "working on it."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But, seriously, I wonder how I will be remembered. What is my legacy? Before Ghana and after Ghana, what did people see in me that they would say, "I remember Sue, she...."? Not having children of my own and an extended family that gets smaller as the years go by, who is left to remember? I hope people will see Christ in me. I hope the will see the Fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) in me. You know, this is an every day hing. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's a battle. With God by my side and at the center of my life, He will take care of my legacy. He will be the reason people will say, "I remember Sue, she...."</div> <p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-72031952009006936292023-05-28T19:18:00.005-04:002023-05-29T11:45:32.688-04:00A Little Bit of “Home”<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBXKJ24e6kMFdDkkLY3jwWqZSHRp3kd93WC3h9SxJIzYu3rMENqKV6FutQKDuDBXpewEsAHh7XIPjaQYWAX2eNGDk4ZrZsIs3mH9XPnR68v9TiysostK4Tn-THEn0snfNGiYGthotxAH2U11S7pqtUUU6IHqEHyx2atinaShLP5icXX2DHcI85h4Okw/s1600/IMG_0561.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBXKJ24e6kMFdDkkLY3jwWqZSHRp3kd93WC3h9SxJIzYu3rMENqKV6FutQKDuDBXpewEsAHh7XIPjaQYWAX2eNGDk4ZrZsIs3mH9XPnR68v9TiysostK4Tn-THEn0snfNGiYGthotxAH2U11S7pqtUUU6IHqEHyx2atinaShLP5icXX2DHcI85h4Okw/w400-h300/IMG_0561.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This morning, it was tough to get out of bed. I had my windows open and it was a bit chilly in my apartment. I had hoped to go to Dominion Valley Park for the church service. Since it was the Gospel Music Festival, I knew the music and the preaching would be great. But, with the cooler temperatures and rain in the forecast for the day, I decided not to go. Now, what do I do? I really wanted to stay home and listen to a service online. Then, I realized that it was Pentecost Sunday. I had to go to church. So, I hurried and got ready to go to worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I decided to worship at a church that I had visited a couple of times before. This small congregation was very welcoming. And, as I sat there, listening to announcements and all the stuff that seemed to go on before the “official” start of the service, I realized something. My organized self wanted things to get moving, start on time, end on time, everything during the service should be orchestrated perfectly. It wasn’t. What I realized was that this was a community of believers, invested and truly interested in each other’s lives. They shared news of what was happenening and praised God for working in their lives and in the lives of others. They were invested more in relationships than in following the clock to the minute. It was obvious that they loved the Lord and each other and they shared that love with whoever walked through the church doors. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The service reminded me of church in Kalsagri, one of the small village churches that I served in Ghana. Powerful prayers. Lively music. Instead of ushers taking the offering, people walked up and gave it ( In Ghana, they danced up to give the offering), walking around and praying when the Spirit moved people to do so. Powerful preaching with an altar call and a specific challenge to live the week ahead for Christ, leaving a legacy that reflects Christ and Christ alone. This church was a glimpse into the services at Kalsagri. Those services were longer, louder, livelier. I know that you may think I am out of place in a church like I was in today. I’m quieter. I kinda stay in my pew and don’t move around much. It took me a long time to loosen up when in Kalsagri. But, just because I’m “just sitting there” doesn’t mean the Spirit isn’t working in me. I appreciate the church where I worshipped today. It was like being home. And, if God can do that for me, imagine what He can do for you!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Be blessed today. </div><p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-9352240333282256272023-05-23T16:24:00.009-04:002023-05-23T16:30:13.633-04:00A Cooking Adventure <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LCs43H5CnM0jJfebzmP9srw2kdjXDACvPGhCCltsK3-e-f7smCVNpbk3rSlEs9sqjyJln3Kg3-2l6aLe_kuJXsN_txzSnWwCmp6-OUhhQg5MVyg5h2OMV7YIldzrz5WLVljdr87RhrVXwA66rFOi5fovNLQtStjv2QoHQxRs_1358WMTSENIcwzmMg/s3256/IMG_1818.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3256" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LCs43H5CnM0jJfebzmP9srw2kdjXDACvPGhCCltsK3-e-f7smCVNpbk3rSlEs9sqjyJln3Kg3-2l6aLe_kuJXsN_txzSnWwCmp6-OUhhQg5MVyg5h2OMV7YIldzrz5WLVljdr87RhrVXwA66rFOi5fovNLQtStjv2QoHQxRs_1358WMTSENIcwzmMg/w371-h400/IMG_1818.jpeg" width="371" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I rarely cook “real food.” That’s the term I use when cooking something that has more ingredients than a grilled cheese sandwich or a meal that needs more than one piece of flatware to eat it. This week, I had a “hankering” for real food. I actually went grocery shopping and bought some things that I had never in my life bought….sesame seed oil and an avocado. No, they were not used in the same recipe. I can’t even imagine that! Sunday was my first meal I made using the sesame seed oil. I made chicken fried rice. I made fried rice all the time when I lived in Ghana, throwing whatever veggies I had into the pan. I never used a recipe. This time I used a recipe, thus, the sesame seed oil. I have to admit, it turned out pretty good. I will make it again, probably in the near future. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoACfZiOAVOjjBXFa4AAS_EH4oBFkKQsJDOqlYbUd-ai_qGuV_d-cYFM5CJ-_dPlUHebEg_XfnXe4j-XXp_fGxeiaZ37jvKG6PBrLK1NATMZgEYtiDEDLaoC4kGghWcWK2JKTnM71jTbNaWHueDXrNmR2cC9RkSpv3IGBlspAUjrgCW3qGoHo75zHvlA/s3005/IMG_1823.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2768" data-original-width="3005" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoACfZiOAVOjjBXFa4AAS_EH4oBFkKQsJDOqlYbUd-ai_qGuV_d-cYFM5CJ-_dPlUHebEg_XfnXe4j-XXp_fGxeiaZ37jvKG6PBrLK1NATMZgEYtiDEDLaoC4kGghWcWK2JKTnM71jTbNaWHueDXrNmR2cC9RkSpv3IGBlspAUjrgCW3qGoHo75zHvlA/w405-h374/IMG_1823.jpeg" width="405" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Today a friend was coming over to help me fix a wall and for lunch. I have been wanting to make a caprese salad for a couple of weeks now. So, this morning I got out my recipe and made the dressing first because I wanted to refrigerate it. I actually used fresh garlic and honey in it, along with other fresh ingredients. Then, it was time to chop up the lettuce, slice the tomatoes, cut fresh basil, and the avocado. I used a recipe and I went out of my comfort zone into my learning zone. Anyway, the last ingredient was the fresh mozzarella cheese. I put the dressing on it right before I served it. Oh, it was delicious. Tonight I will eat some leftovers with chicken in it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During my quiet time/coffee with God this morning, one of the things I thanked God for was the food choices that I have by living in the United States. In the area of Ghana where I lived, this salad would have been impossible to make because the ingredients were not available. I’m thinking that I might go out of my comfort zone and try a few more recipes sometime. Meanwhile, I’m going to enjoy my leftovers! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have a blessed day. </div><p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-31149460538928065892023-05-21T07:11:00.001-04:002023-05-21T07:32:59.664-04:00Morning Routine<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAHrfQPOUgjWPt-2oKBZ6T40H80HMltmtS1yfMzFGgP0fyOdWTkUDCBVCa9rUbpUwYuExYed6vot8jzNRLxPn0qGkrtwqGC2KafYYiRxQM-lKFEUrqV4DjuJvOa1QghXWAG6UU-F-xYO2jheJYtcIfpzgmbrJb0p3H623m1FTbfURPSk1Gu7k2mqTxA/s3149/IMG_1803.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3149" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAHrfQPOUgjWPt-2oKBZ6T40H80HMltmtS1yfMzFGgP0fyOdWTkUDCBVCa9rUbpUwYuExYed6vot8jzNRLxPn0qGkrtwqGC2KafYYiRxQM-lKFEUrqV4DjuJvOa1QghXWAG6UU-F-xYO2jheJYtcIfpzgmbrJb0p3H623m1FTbfURPSk1Gu7k2mqTxA/w384-h400/IMG_1803.jpeg" width="384" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have a morning routine that I like to follow. Or, at least I like to think I do. I prefer to wake up by 6:00 each morning. Lately, that hasn’t been the case. I put on the coffee and and make my bed. When the coffee is ready, I’ll grab a cup, sit in my chair ( if it’s nice outside I will sweep the deck and sit out there) and ideally I will open my Bible to start my morning time with God. In my mind, that should be the first part of my day. Unfortunately, I have been lax about that. Somehow I managed to get out of the habit and I have reached for my iPad instead. I will go to my coloring app to start the pictures that I want to color sometime during the day. Then, I will pick up my Bible. My priorities have gotten messed up. I’m thinking it happened when I had COVID. That was months ago. I should be back on track by now. So, I am going to intentionally change my routine and get back to the Bible first thing in the morning…tomorrow. That’s because I already messed up today. I want to read Scripture, study, and talk with God when I first get up. It sets the tone for the day. Then, I need to do some type of exercise. My life involves too much sitting. I need to move around more for both my physical and my mental well being. This ideal morning routine of mine really works, when I let it. Most days the timing is flexible…I can start whenever I wake up. But, if I sleep in on a I work, that messes things up. I don’t get done what I want to do before I leave the house. I do set an alarm but some days it’s so hard to get out of bed. So, with God’s help and my determination, my routine will improve in the weeks to come. Stay tuned. I’ll let you know how it’s going. </div><p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-51915041081335350712023-05-14T21:18:00.000-04:002023-05-14T21:18:54.468-04:00A Mother’s Day Adventure <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6a936fpamwIWb1G7AqjQXH1Oofwj_ekNtDIv6zqIU8VqGXExXSlay9goD35456puGAE8PCaDIu88P3O-jH0pA5274KFTpJmZwEx-r81InB6vYtmYb5JP1EdW-O1ZSA72MH_QwxyCzSkkBJpAYC8kJmyoo4Q3GEVU0dt4h_wLfawd-uasS3CFRUx93g/s4032/IMG_1756.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6a936fpamwIWb1G7AqjQXH1Oofwj_ekNtDIv6zqIU8VqGXExXSlay9goD35456puGAE8PCaDIu88P3O-jH0pA5274KFTpJmZwEx-r81InB6vYtmYb5JP1EdW-O1ZSA72MH_QwxyCzSkkBJpAYC8kJmyoo4Q3GEVU0dt4h_wLfawd-uasS3CFRUx93g/s320/IMG_1756.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="text-align: left;">Mother’s Day has been bittersweet for me for quite sometime. I’m grateful for my mother and the the time I had with her. There are many good memories. But, my mother died in ‘86 and I have never had children, although that was the desire of my heart for years and years. God had other plans for my life. So, I decided to go on a Mother’s Day Adventure.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTsdzXEz0NVhxZfQFFUOqyihpCp0s7_95HkjrEJNq3ynaCm6-Iaymnb0CeIKqe2dpXDqgqmRbrspvwanRQjbvbJt061ZWiVHQHhzRPSrH9Bd-0dGrrhwmsqt4uLKBV8kFz5IAod72IZq7JzjBt81cHvAFi5evtjzuZK03DHBFqSyIMTUAiZpQOYxryg/s4032/IMG_1719.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTsdzXEz0NVhxZfQFFUOqyihpCp0s7_95HkjrEJNq3ynaCm6-Iaymnb0CeIKqe2dpXDqgqmRbrspvwanRQjbvbJt061ZWiVHQHhzRPSrH9Bd-0dGrrhwmsqt4uLKBV8kFz5IAod72IZq7JzjBt81cHvAFi5evtjzuZK03DHBFqSyIMTUAiZpQOYxryg/s320/IMG_1719.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I left my apartment before 9:00 this morning and headed west on Rt. 58. As I neared the top of the mountain, it got foggier and foggier. I wanted to stop at Lovers Leap. I began to question myself…did I already pass it? I couldn’t see a thing. Eventually, I found it and very cautiously, I pulled over. All I could see was the cloud that encompassed the area. It was kind of eerie. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYoLr3BW48oHLhci2J7RzHC3giQLI68Qh5xUpUPl8V_4c7icbf0rsYhhdsWvkIqH2iT9uqWia3Q9FSVdzINEh9PUetCtDwYe9qrmfFc2HrPjCqAcn6CQPECIIaPK1RfL9tYZtLGBgDsjUyVu3ZprTFlt3ciVxe7NCupj5JddQZFWdTW8qFqTbS99W5A/s4032/IMG_1727.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYoLr3BW48oHLhci2J7RzHC3giQLI68Qh5xUpUPl8V_4c7icbf0rsYhhdsWvkIqH2iT9uqWia3Q9FSVdzINEh9PUetCtDwYe9qrmfFc2HrPjCqAcn6CQPECIIaPK1RfL9tYZtLGBgDsjUyVu3ZprTFlt3ciVxe7NCupj5JddQZFWdTW8qFqTbS99W5A/s320/IMG_1727.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The next stop was to be Mabry Mill Restaurant for some of their famous pancakes. There was one small change of plans. Since I wouldn’t be seated for an hour, I walked over to Mabry Mill to take in the sights and listen to the babbling brook. Yes, several things there are in need of attention and fixing, but it was still beautiful. I did get seated not long after I returned to the restaurant and I was served two of the biggest, fluffiest pancakes that I have ever seen. When I was finished eating, my bill was presented with a flower and a Hershey kiss for Mother’s Day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1XVQ2uPs9EAMUiYGXQNenpOdLDM2z6dAtL-MWcuMLKLIMM8U8gbr3IqKRKIGdE0lgSjGXg3ofWNe8vduIM8aWuE2ULng-HPwylLIaD_mX3fMXMUoGucO9nle2XpQOS0MSW852BoXASfL-HmcTXl8AuWDpljsyj71bCcd19ads0PSge9fCbAHkAeY4A/s4032/IMG_1732.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1XVQ2uPs9EAMUiYGXQNenpOdLDM2z6dAtL-MWcuMLKLIMM8U8gbr3IqKRKIGdE0lgSjGXg3ofWNe8vduIM8aWuE2ULng-HPwylLIaD_mX3fMXMUoGucO9nle2XpQOS0MSW852BoXASfL-HmcTXl8AuWDpljsyj71bCcd19ads0PSge9fCbAHkAeY4A/s320/IMG_1732.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The adventure continued…next stop, The Mayberry Trading Post. This is a quaint little store just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. I had such a good time browsing and picking out some treasures. There is a good combination of old and new. And, a few items brought back memories from decades ago. I will definitely return to do some shopping here. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPYu7zHlZIqw1chCc7LwycZk4uTZOqrXwDaH5q9G9i5vTsvydKg8WunAN-I8QZEVVNpxrEtEpTrp_9qPZ4dvkBhAOEIfOZurmMt5d2ifUofR4pavR-t1UdsRCVQlqujC7jkrFby_7aven3FsX13vilOsKiL4FmZdCY_vdQGXU7b8gCHd5CsmRNZL6Jg/s4032/IMG_1760.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPYu7zHlZIqw1chCc7LwycZk4uTZOqrXwDaH5q9G9i5vTsvydKg8WunAN-I8QZEVVNpxrEtEpTrp_9qPZ4dvkBhAOEIfOZurmMt5d2ifUofR4pavR-t1UdsRCVQlqujC7jkrFby_7aven3FsX13vilOsKiL4FmZdCY_vdQGXU7b8gCHd5CsmRNZL6Jg/s320/IMG_1760.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Afterwords, I drove for a bit on the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped once in awhile to take pictures. The clouds had lifted and the sights were gorgeous.<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1paIbyA5B1LPw05fxjPU351ixNXMhFpDMHPaphmkXcs5fbbaocjnRtBUKNZn7HiWPpHOmY7yN2JapWBCfGnStrSSsiEvOX2d5JbBkQtTBwQMgLpRBYvQcUZuiBio-EyHNS_I3TQ3ujMnHzo9ZAxhW2Cxp9-DXrynBPz2xR0sw8NXz1decmITPTbNBQ/s4032/IMG_1757.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1paIbyA5B1LPw05fxjPU351ixNXMhFpDMHPaphmkXcs5fbbaocjnRtBUKNZn7HiWPpHOmY7yN2JapWBCfGnStrSSsiEvOX2d5JbBkQtTBwQMgLpRBYvQcUZuiBio-EyHNS_I3TQ3ujMnHzo9ZAxhW2Cxp9-DXrynBPz2xR0sw8NXz1decmITPTbNBQ/s320/IMG_1757.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hmmm…..what to do next? I drove over to Chateau Morrisette Winery. I found a place to sit in the courtyard, bringing with me my basket of books. I read, listened to the relaxing piano tunes that were being played and enjoyed a glass of wine. It was such a sweet time. I was wishing for a hammock and a nap. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QD2329Vp-12AmJUYRICvy690uzhFw2Fa5nb6e5evkS_j5uOoLz-QcaPFv7HfYIm4m6ywBS07YROyq593JeHQ4CpBVmkNJSm69DFFTrOGkl-UhnF1xQYtfA0_ttxSlT3YrdTN4Dz9O6NFkto9vUOHFlcr8axiIk598rZe_557TkBZlU9JfonMr6R42w/s4032/IMG_1768.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QD2329Vp-12AmJUYRICvy690uzhFw2Fa5nb6e5evkS_j5uOoLz-QcaPFv7HfYIm4m6ywBS07YROyq593JeHQ4CpBVmkNJSm69DFFTrOGkl-UhnF1xQYtfA0_ttxSlT3YrdTN4Dz9O6NFkto9vUOHFlcr8axiIk598rZe_557TkBZlU9JfonMr6R42w/s320/IMG_1768.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wasn’t ready to go home yet, so I decided to go to Goose Point Park. There is no “quick” way to drive from Chateau Morrisette to Goose Point Park. I drove through a LOT of Patrick County, which was filled with some amazing scenery. I arrived at the park, claimed my spot and read for a couple more hours. A family at the nearby picnic table invited me to eat with them. It was sweet of them to include me at their table. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I returned home, ten hours after I left. It was so unlike me. I’m usually such a homebody on Sundays. Today, I needed this and God knew. He’s the one that put me on this adventure to make sure my heart and mind were where they needed to be. I thank Him for that. </div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-28750377552886741282023-05-12T19:12:00.002-04:002023-05-12T19:28:02.159-04:00Learning to Trust in You <p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgwqM81MOrXCcHHDG32ig5VbQF1aQ848ob5WI6nMFerNQbKWIzIzdGx_svuJZxlJ3gKGLg_Th6edke2AXraftDvLW9i0esK5s_kFJRthB62xRXwGYMWWfgm9w4dP__oDHrREIagKtzv3TEZ_SnYYnEB6KXMqBCzuPu_ix7myMtfDIio0svQdEo7Zm9A/s4032/IMG_1410.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgwqM81MOrXCcHHDG32ig5VbQF1aQ848ob5WI6nMFerNQbKWIzIzdGx_svuJZxlJ3gKGLg_Th6edke2AXraftDvLW9i0esK5s_kFJRthB62xRXwGYMWWfgm9w4dP__oDHrREIagKtzv3TEZ_SnYYnEB6KXMqBCzuPu_ix7myMtfDIio0svQdEo7Zm9A/s320/IMG_1410.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Some life lessons seem to be just that…a life-long lesson. It’s something that you have to keep learning all of your life, always improving, but never “arriving.” In my life, one of those lessons is learning to trust God with my life. With ALL aspects of my life. Sometimes, more than I’d like to admit, I wonder about my place in this chapter of my life. What am I supposed to be doing? Am I making a difference in the lives of others? Why did God place me in a small town in SW Virginia? Why did I have to start all over again? And the questions continue on and on and on. There’s only one answer that comes to mind. I’m learning to trust in the Lord, even more than ten years ago, five years ago, a year ago, a month ago, a week ago, a day ago, and an hour ago.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I would much rather stay in my safe place, at home, with the ringer shut off. Living life doesn’t allow that. So, I’m learning to trust in the Lord. A song keeps running through my head. It’s <i>Learning to Trust in You </i>by David Meece. Read his words:</p><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">There's a father in your sweetest dreams</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Who's always there to meet your needs</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">He never ever let you down</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">There's a mother in your heart of hearts</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Who always plays the perfect part</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">She never lets you hit the ground</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">This is the need of children</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">These are their tender dreams</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And oh, how it hurts when they don't come true</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">That's why I'm learning to trust in You</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">In everything I do</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'm learning to trust in You</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">'Cause I know in my heart that You're true</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'm learning to trust in You</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But sometimes it's so hard to do</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Father, little children must grow up</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And to grow we've got to learn to trust</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And to trust we've got to cling to You</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">And when You tell me You will hold me close</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">It's the very thing I need the most</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But it's the very hardest thing to do</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I've got this pain inside me</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">It speaks to me loud and clear</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When there's so much to gain there's always so much to lose</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">That's why I'm learning to trust in You</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">In everything I do</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'm learning to trust in You</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">'Cause I know in my heart that You're true</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'm learning to trust in You</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But sometimes it's so hard to do</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Keep calling me, drawing me closer</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Don't let me hold back</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Whatever it takes I must break through</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">The heart of a child is broken</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But his time has come</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Whatever he lost, I'll find in You</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">That's why I'm learning to trust in you</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">In everything I do</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'm learning to trust in You</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">'Cause I know in my heart that You're true</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'm learning to trust in You</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But sometimes it's so hard to do</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'm learning to trust in You</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">In everything I do</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'm learning to trust in You</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">'Cause I know in my heart that You're true</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'm learning to trust in You</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But sometimes it's so hard to do</span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Hard to do, learning to trust in You</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span jsname="YS01Ge">So hard to do, learning to trust, it's so hard to do</span></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-10459262173883442252021-09-06T15:46:00.000-04:002021-09-06T15:46:11.172-04:00A Sunday Adventure<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOm2CCGi-uxUX-aUUY3OwYGH-k5IydFuCLlz-kZaxGf-_9lBrcH46deL2P1M74WfDJ1IThfMwmouKLfsE9qmNrRy4sm8oxwl8KbiiSTRT1cIEAdJLYgCDDfhKIhl_3svyq-n_zYdkGCvRQ/s2048/unnamed+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOm2CCGi-uxUX-aUUY3OwYGH-k5IydFuCLlz-kZaxGf-_9lBrcH46deL2P1M74WfDJ1IThfMwmouKLfsE9qmNrRy4sm8oxwl8KbiiSTRT1cIEAdJLYgCDDfhKIhl_3svyq-n_zYdkGCvRQ/s320/unnamed+%252810%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I still consider myself to be a newbie of Patrick County. And, now that I'm working at the Patrick County Visitor's Center, I look for days that I can see the sights of the county. Yesterday was one of those days. I started my adventure by heading out to the southeast part of the county to Dominion Valley Park. Every Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend they host a Gospel Music Festival. When I arrived for church, I pulled my folding chair out of my car and headed over to the stage area where about 150 people had gathered to praise God and hear His Word preached. The music was presented by The Singing Cookes. I could really feel the Spirit of the Lord in the mist of this beautiful and peaceful place. Brother Ricky Rogers brought the message of the morning. Boy! Talk about preaching! He was excellent. The entire service was renewing to my soul. I'm glad I ventured out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKr1WoOAqFfM2Wq5b3rd02NKi5HKXdmOpfreBOyj2HphZTwkFHJBIWioWC8M3wyA6VOcT-SQfKl-TkDpyne5Rr5makYzwWxP65i9Mq365ZJvi_dhOvFrJfsSJsCHp-7aNv_5fuvkt7IzH/s2048/unnamed+%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKr1WoOAqFfM2Wq5b3rd02NKi5HKXdmOpfreBOyj2HphZTwkFHJBIWioWC8M3wyA6VOcT-SQfKl-TkDpyne5Rr5makYzwWxP65i9Mq365ZJvi_dhOvFrJfsSJsCHp-7aNv_5fuvkt7IzH/s320/unnamed+%252813%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My adventure continued over roads and places that I had never seen before. I drove in and out of Virginia and North Carolina for a few miles. The scenery was gorgeous! I eventually made it to my destination, Spirithaven Farm which was hosting Front Porch Fest. "What is Front Porch Fest?" you may ask. Well, this year it was a music festival with approximately 900 people in attendance who have a bit of "Woodstock" blood in them. There were sights to see, music to enjoy and activities for all ages.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPA0z8F3WA6kZ_GPgdzovR_fwQG1QMLv3g0nM-x7ObRaDy3k1RgtuurMhx5BoWatmZ7Mr83WVIFQGnkBOYq5oIkRgMdF-yWnaetgkrRAlHts0Zpt6_j1O3xjb9Fq6LVINWDSXO2vP0Dq6R/s2048/unnamed+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPA0z8F3WA6kZ_GPgdzovR_fwQG1QMLv3g0nM-x7ObRaDy3k1RgtuurMhx5BoWatmZ7Mr83WVIFQGnkBOYq5oIkRgMdF-yWnaetgkrRAlHts0Zpt6_j1O3xjb9Fq6LVINWDSXO2vP0Dq6R/s320/unnamed+%252812%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And, there was lots of good food and drink. If you like this sort of thing, it's great! It's a smaller version of Floyd Fest, held in July, that in past years had over 20,000 in attendance. I had lunch at Front Porch Fest, after getting recommendations from a guy names Crocket, and walked around, before I headed home. When I got back to my car, I saw that someone had parked six inches away from my driver's side door. I had to get in on the passenger side, crawl over the middle console and maneuver myself into the driver's seat. It was not a pretty sight! Thanks be to God, I made it into position and was able to enjoy the scenic trip home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I wonder what adventure awaits me this week!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-38298865616461325712021-09-04T14:06:00.004-04:002021-09-04T14:06:39.728-04:00A Gift from God<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWKcBY2UHMx_c_mw7aaYNNnQEefYBKJWgB0tNsV8O4Z9hGZCtdyzuUBE84k5_s4pEwpbJKw58QnT81a9i3LGztYA2XFvRgEYKJFy2ysM8pP-mowxkHRbUflFAbRua5aj_533JlmUOaDPq/s1280/unnamed+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWKcBY2UHMx_c_mw7aaYNNnQEefYBKJWgB0tNsV8O4Z9hGZCtdyzuUBE84k5_s4pEwpbJKw58QnT81a9i3LGztYA2XFvRgEYKJFy2ysM8pP-mowxkHRbUflFAbRua5aj_533JlmUOaDPq/s320/unnamed+%25289%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> When I retired, I wanted to sleep for six months. I was so tired and weary. Well, because of Covid, I slept for those six months and then more. As restrictions were lifted, I was looking for something to do, something outside of my house...yes, I wanted to see people and be among people. (I love being a part-time hermit, but the operative word here is PART-TIME.) So, I decided to volunteer at the Patrick County Visitor's Center. I had been in Patrick County for two years. I knew some stuff, and I could learn. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, I went to the Visitor's Center and gave them my information. A few weeks later, I received a phone call and was welcomed with open arms. The Visitor's Center is such a bright and cheerful place, packed with all kinds of information about Patrick County and surrounding areas. I learned "the ropes" and assisted people who came in to see what our beautiful county has to offer. Then...the question came...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Sue, would you like to be paid for the time you spend here?" Would I want to be paid? Well, of course I would! There's a program through Goodwill that offers part-time training programs for seniors. So, I am now enrolled in a "Training Program." I wasn't looking for a job, but I am so grateful for this program. It gives me that little bit of a cushion each month. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What do I do, you may wonder. I greet visitor's, helping them find information on places to see, to hike, to taste wine, to ride dirt bikes...you get the idea. I keep the brochure racks stocked and will be ordering more as needed. I drive all over the county, tidying up visitor information areas and restocking them. And, I will be learning some new computer skills! I check out places in the county that I haven't seen yet. I do a lot of odds and ends to prepare for special events. And, yes, I sweep the floors and take out garbage, too. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This "job" or "training program" has been a blessing. I work with the best people of the county. So, when you are in the area, "Come. Get Lost. And Find Yourself...In Patrick County."</div><p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-27575816038135151772021-08-31T09:36:00.001-04:002021-08-31T09:36:55.403-04:00Rediscovering Wonder<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CZ8-oB-c1-jvQ_Dlq9m3Sjw2qtnlid5ngFHvTpbaIh-bCrauNRvVXXj1-q_rUA8HhuILlAWr6-0m_eILIX6Jtrh-IT5eWKzwp2_F_MXKJea9me8gdkPcZja6y-IQaUh6sUaKa31O9SZX/s2048/191669866_591864105300585_9024356671900707059_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CZ8-oB-c1-jvQ_Dlq9m3Sjw2qtnlid5ngFHvTpbaIh-bCrauNRvVXXj1-q_rUA8HhuILlAWr6-0m_eILIX6Jtrh-IT5eWKzwp2_F_MXKJea9me8gdkPcZja6y-IQaUh6sUaKa31O9SZX/s320/191669866_591864105300585_9024356671900707059_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Recently, I realized that I lost the “wonder” in my life. I’m not sure how long it has been gone. What I do know is that I miss it. I thought back over the last few years to see if I could discern what caused this to happen. There are several things that led to my loss of wonder. I imagine some are yet to be discovered. I needed to learn to live life again, to see it as an adventure. I needed to "open my eyes," both literally and figuratively, and see the world around me. Sometimes I forget to see beyond the obvious. I forget to see and appreciate all the blessings that God has given me through the many circumstances of life that don't always come in the form of what I would typically call a blessing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I am retired. But, with being in a new town and "starting over," I needed something to do. So, I began volunteering at the Patrick County Visitor's Center. The people who work here are great! I have never had such an encouraging "boss." My volunteer work turned into a part time job. And, with that job came opportunities for personal growth. One week, I was warned that on Friday, I would take a County Car and drive to parts of the county to replenish tourism brochures, tidy up displays and pick up brochures that were needed in the main Visitor's Center. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Oh, my! This person who lived overseas, learned to drive a motorcycle at age 39, and had to borrow vehicles every time she was stateside, now was worried about driving a vehicle that wasn't mine. Sandra, The Director of the Visitor's Center kept reminding me to "breathe." And, she reminded me that "Life is an Adventure!" How could I forget this simple truth?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The car was packed. I set off. And, as I drove I saw some of the most amazing scenery. Wait! What was this alien feeling? I do believe I started to discover "wonder" again. I have a long way to go. But, I'm traveling in the right direction. I'm looking forward to my next County Road Trip. I know it will reinforce that "wonder" that I'm discovering anew.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0Stuart, VA 24171, USA36.6363992 -80.2693963000000118.3261653638211541 -115.42564630000001 64.946633036178838 -45.113146300000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-29829998433138372222019-10-09T08:14:00.000-04:002019-10-09T08:14:18.114-04:00Scripture Writing <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Scripture writing. What's that? That sounds a bit strange, doesn't it? No, I am not rewriting the Bible. I'm not even writing a new one. But, what I am doing, is following a plan to write down Scriptures on a daily basis. This website, www.swtblessings.com , publishes a monthly Scripture writing plan. Each month has a theme. This month the theme is "God is My Comfort."</div>
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When I first returned to the US, I needed something to help me keep focused during my prayer/quiet time with the Lord. I can always find a zillion other things to think about. But, this, this keeps me focused. Each morning, sometime during my prayer/quiet time with the Lord, along with drinking my morning coffee, I write down the Scripture for the day in a journal. Then, I reflect on it. I make it personal. I make it my prayer. I learn things from it. And, I write my prayers. It's amazing to look back to see where the Scripture for the day takes me. I seem to be able to be more honest with God, to go into the depths of my heart and soul when I journal as I meditate on God's word. There's a lot of "stuff" that comes out. A lot of heart prayers, not surface stuff. Prayers for myself and others. Praise to God my Lord and Savior and gratefulness for all He does.</div>
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There were a few months that life got busy or I was traveling or I was sick, whatever the excuse, I didn't write the Scriptures for the month. There was definitely something missing in my life. I needed to get back to it. Some days, it can be challenging. Yet, everyday it is life giving.</div>
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Do you need to "up" your quiet time? Try a Scripture writing plan. You will be glad you did!</div>
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-14515316754668204782019-10-01T17:18:00.000-04:002019-10-01T17:18:45.882-04:00What I Want<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some days are easier than others, aren't they? No matter what stage of life you are in, no matter what the circumstances, most people have good days and bad days. Even in the midst of crisis there can be a good day or maybe a good hour. And even on bad days, if we ask ourselves, "Where is God in this?" we can find an answer...eventually.</div>
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I have been in my new apartment for a month. It has been relaxing, at times and crazy at times. I am unpacked and have hung most of my pictures on the walls. I finally feel as if I have reached the place where I can work on renewal and refreshment and eventually a new start. Ghana took a lot out of me. I didn't realize that at first. During the last 14-18 months there, I was sick once a month. It was my new normal. I wasn't sick enough to be in bed, but, something wasn't quite right. Now I know most of my problems were sinus related. This past year, those issues have been addressed and hopefully resolved. </div>
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This past weekend, I drove to Carolina Beach to visit my niece and her husband. It was a GREAT visit, once I got there. Let's just say that Interstate 40 is not my favorite road. I haven't been up to Erie to visit family and friends since last November, although some have come to visit me. I feel that I should drive up to western PA before the snow falls and I feel guilty because I don't want to. I feel as if I should, but I don't want to. Why? That question is not real easy to answer. I'd love to see my family and friends before the snow comes. In the past year, I wanted to take care of myself. I wanted to develop some healthier habits, physically and spiritually. And, the emotional roller coaster of being back in the US after being in Ghana for so long. It is a HUGE drain on a person.</div>
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There are parts of life in general that I don't like. For example, driving all over God's creation. I like staying home. I don't like driving. I drove all over because I had to for my jobs. That trip to NC? I was almost a basket case when I arrived. I took the "Old Lady Going for a Sunday Afternoon Drive" route on the way back home. That was much more relaxing. I wanted to do something special for myself for my retirement. It didn't happen because the challenges of life happened instead. I wanted to go to The Martha Inn to celebrate my birthday and Christmas and to the Barter Theater to see all four of their Christmas plays. That didn't happen. The challenges of life got in the way again.Ghana took its toll on me. and I am finally in a place where I don'have to even think about moving. I can take time to recover. I loved it there. I love it here. I want to see my friends and family there. I want to see my friends and family here. But, I need to take care of myself first. I'm tired. I'm weary. </div>
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So, today starts a new month. I have a person who will "coach" me on my physical health and keep me accountable, too. I'm planning on going to The Martha Inn and the Barter Theater to celebrate my birthday and Christmas. It will be the farthest I will drive for months. I used to follow a daily Scripture writing plan but haven't done in for several months or more. I started back today. The theme for the month is, "God is My Comforter." There was only one verse to write today: 1 Peter 5:10. The second half of that verse says, "After you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation." THAT'S what I want!</div>
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-55168379983106794802019-09-23T19:31:00.001-04:002019-09-23T19:31:52.567-04:00Monday Musings - Water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the many things that I am grateful for is when I turn on the hot water faucet, hot water comes out. Imagine that! Something so simple is so amazing! In Ghana I had hot water during hot season or in the middle of the afternoon of a sunny day during the rest of the year. I was blessed. The house in which I lived had a poly tank in which to store water. Water from the local water company did not flow every day. So, if you didn’t have a poly tank, two or three days of the week you didn’t have running water in your house, you had to keep water in big barrels or in every bucket you owned. And, water pressure? I won’t even talk about that. I guess mine was better than most since Peace Corps volunteers always told me they loved my shower. Of course, they didn’t have running water where they were living. They had to get their water from the bore hole (pump it), carry it home and take a bucket bath. </div>
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Such a simple thing, water is. Most of Americans take water for granted. It’s as if we have a right to running water. But, if we want it, there’s a responsibility, too. That water bill always finds its way to you. A lot of communities have fluoride added to their water. And, the miracle is that the water that comes out of our faucets is safe to drink. Yes, I know there are exceptions to this, but for the most part, you can roll out of bed in the morning and stumble into the bathroom, turn on the water faucet and use that water to brush your teeth. You can actually drink the water that comes out of the water spout wherever you turn on the water in your home. And, it’s safe to drink! Yet, hundreds of thousands of people choose to buy bottled water. After living in Ghana, buying bottled water is no longer a choice for me. </div>
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In Ghana, I was very particular about my water. I bought a very good water filter. I filtered all the water I used for drinking, cooking and even brushing my teeth. Yes, it was annoying at times. But, I never had typhoid. And I didn't have water borne illnesses that others had. I sanitized my bottles in between uses and replaced them once in a while, probably not as often as I should have. None of my Ghanaian friends had water filters. They were either drinking the local water or buying water in 500 ml sachets. Few had the income to use on bottled water. The sachets were inexpensive. And, the water in them was not always safe to drink. So, I'm grateful for tap water, even though I don't drink just plain water as much as I should.</div>
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Jesus said He would give us living water. I imagine that living water as coming from Him, full of peace and amazing things, especially miracles of the heart. He said if we drank of this living water, we would never be thirsty again, it becomes a fresh bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life. I imagine if I had eternal life, I wouldn't get thirsty. I don't have eternal life yet, not in this world. I get thirsty both physically and spiritually. I know what and Who can quench my thirst. Do you?</div>
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-6537735013929644502019-09-22T17:12:00.000-04:002019-09-22T17:17:39.049-04:00Back in the USA, a Year Later <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One year ago today, I returned to the USA after living in Lawra, Ghana for almost eight years. It's a day full of mixed emotions and memories. Sometimes I miss my Ghanaian family so much it hurts and brings tears to my eyes. I moved there, by myself, with God as my Guide. I was the only "white lady" in that area, at least the only white lady who stayed. There were others from NGOs or the Peace Corps but they did their time and left. I was the only one who stayed day in and day out for years and years, being there for American holidays, family special days, weddings of friends and loved ones and funerals for other friends and loved ones. Lawra was my home for the duration of time that God would have me there. I moved half way across the world knowing (as acquaintances) two people in that town. Yet God provided me with everything I needed and more. </div>
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So much has happened in the last twelve months - the good, the bad and the ugly. I MIGHT be at the place where I can start talking about things that have been buried in my heart for what seems like ages. I have been homeless, sleeping at the homes of friends and family who were very gracious to me. I have lived in the mountains, where I hoped to sleep for three months. I was really, really tired and not feeling well. It didn't happen. Now, I am in the foothills, in an apartment, which I consider a gift from God...and I didn't know anyone here except those I met at church. My family and close friends are still eight hours away in the same country where I am! The apartment is more than I hoped or dreamed for. (Yes, I actually allowed myself to dream.) Since I had no furniture and very little home items, I used money I have been saving for this time in my life. My home church in Pennsylvania and my new home church in Virginia along with some of my supporters, have blessed me so much that my apartment is fully furnished and I have everything I need and want. I even have money left for which to live, praise God! (Not many of my Ghanaian family could say that.) </div>
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I still hope to sleep for three months. I have taken a job as a part-time hermit, so I schedule my "at home, leave me alone" times. My three month sleep might happen during the winter months, I don't know. I do get out. God has placed me in a church that preaches His Word. When I'm around, I attend Bible Study and I actually joined a gym! So, a part-time hermit isn't a bad thing, for me it is wonderful, just what I need. And now, that I am in this place, you may actually hear from me more than once every six months! God bless you.</div>
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-19633174795807829542019-03-16T19:04:00.000-04:002019-03-16T19:04:05.217-04:00The Blessing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These boys - Godwin, Blaise and Wisdom - they are amazing young men. They have a hunger and thirst for God''s Word that I wish I had. For years, they have been at the Kalsagri church whenever something was happening. They were always there for Sunday worship, for Bible study on Wednesdays and Prayer meeting on Fridays. They are now leaders of their church, leading the children's service and also preach once in awhile. They also lead Bible studies. It has been a joy to watch these boys mature into young men. They even come to church with sport coats and ties! I am proud to be called their "Makum" (Grandmother).</div>
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The Sunday of my Farewell Service, after everything was over and done with, these three young men took me aside. Each of them had a Scriptural blessing to pray over me. I was honored. I don't think it gets any better than this!</div>
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<i>I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.</i></div>
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<i>Philippians 1:3-6</i></div>
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<i>I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.</i></div>
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<i>Ephesians 1:16-19a</i></div>
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<i>We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints - the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all it's truth.</i></div>
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<i>Colossians 1:3-6</i></div>
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-54531556591195587482019-03-15T13:09:00.000-04:002019-03-15T13:09:46.329-04:00A Fond Farewell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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August 19, 2018 is a day I will never forget. It was the day of my Farewell Service at Bethel Society in Lawra, Ghana.I had lived and worked with the people there for going on eight years and I ws leaving Ghana in a few weeks. This was the official time to say "Good Bye." The Service started early with a naming ceremony for the pastor's baby girl. Then, we moved onto the worship service. The Scripture passages for the day were perfect and my beloved friend and brother, Rev. Job, preached.</div>
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After communion, the "Farewell" part of the service began. I was amazed at all the people who came, young and old, Christian, Muslim and Traditional.</div>
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They all came, they all sat through the worship service. They came honor me, to show their love for me, to say, "Thank You."</div>
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It was overwhelming. I didn't do anything special while I was there. It didn't take people long to find out that I wasn't a source of large amounts of money. I didn't pay for new churches or schools. </div>
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But, I loved the children. I spoke with the brokenhearted. I took time to sit with those older than me, to talk with them. I welcomed the handicapped. And, I tried to live out my faith.</div>
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I wasn't perfect. There were many times I had to say, "I'm sorry." And move on. People were forgiving. They were happy to talk things out because most of the time, I just didn't understand.</div>
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I was so surprised to see so many people come. And, I thank God for each and every one of them.</div>
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These are my people. My family. What more can I say? They accepted me. I was the foreigner.<br />
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I was humbled by the outpouring of love. </div>
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Even my little buddy, Boniface came and sat through the almost seven hour service!</div>
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When I miss my Ghanaian family, I remember, they are here with me...when I sweep the porch with the brooms from Margaret, when I water my plant that is in the pot from Hagar, when I wear the beautiful clothing from Razak's family or Boniface or Pius or Kalsagri Church or....their clothing is like a big hug, reminding me of our times together. That because of Jesus Christ, we are family.</div>
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-51192774913966667972019-03-05T12:42:00.003-05:002019-03-05T12:42:41.014-05:00Saying "Good-Bye" is Hard to Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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September 16, 2018 is a day I won't soon forget, if ever. That is the day I said "Good-bye" to what was home for almost eight years. More importantly, that was where my Ghanaian family and friends lived. My "kids," who call me "Makum" or "Grandmother" wanted to be with me before I left. I was supposed to leave Lawra at 6:00 in the morning. But, this was Ghana. I was destined to leave a bit later. My small boys said they would be at my house at 5:00 in the morning. "Oh, no you aren't" I told them. They could come at 5:30. I totally expected Boniface to be camped on my doorstep as early as possible. But, it was Pius who came first! After we talked small and snapped some pictures, the rest came along...Reuben with his younger brother, Rudolph, Boniface and Barnabas. They all came to see me off. </div>
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What will I do without these sweet children in my life? It would be a lot quieter, that's for sure. I think I would rather see their smiling faces. Eventually, Razak and his wife, Dora and his daughter, Kataali came. When Anokye came, we loaded up the truck and said our last farewells. I don't think there was a dry eye to be found among us. I was leaving with my heart full of love for these people and yet, my heart was full of love for my friends and family in the US. It was time to travel back "home" to the US. A chapter of my life was closing, another would be opening.</div>
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On the way to Accra, I tried to be "brave." I tried not to cry. After all, there were two guys in the truck. I couldn't cry in front of them. Yet, even today, my eyes are moist because I miss my children/grandchildren in Ghana. Would I see them again? Maybe. Maybe not. Only God knows. I do know all of our lives will never be the same because of our love for each other.</div>
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-33738847900206792452019-03-01T18:17:00.001-05:002019-03-05T12:08:38.329-05:00Joyous News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>The following is an article written by Rev. Max Wilkins, President of TMS Global. It appeared in the January/February 2019 issue of </i><u><i>Good News Magazine</i>,</u><i> a United Methodist magazine. In it, Max uses a story from the village of Kalsagri, where I worked, to illustrate his point.</i></div>
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"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'" (Luke 2:11-12 NRSV)</div>
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"Please see me before you leave for the day."</div>
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The note was taped to my office door by a colleague at work. My heart sank a bit. We've been working through several challenging situations and my first thought was, "What now?" As I entered her office a short time later, however, she smiled broadly. "I've got good news!" Immediately my whole body relaxed.</div>
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"Good news." Those are two words we all enjoy hearing.They often precede a birth announcement and engagement notice. They are heard in connection with promotions at work, victories in sporting events, or positive results from medical tests. What follows them is almost always pleasant, and quite often joy producing. Rarely is anyone put off by a good news announcement.</div>
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From the very beginning, the announcement of the birth of our Savior, Jesus, God's incarnational presence in our world, has been called, "good news." According to the angels this joy producing news was for "all the people!" That includes everyone. God has entered our broken and problem plagued world with the promise of salvation, abundant life, and purpose. What is there not to like in that message? But lately, it seems, especially in the western world, many have lost confidence in the goodness and joy producing power of this message.</div>
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Much has been written about the tragic death of John Allen Chau, the young man who was killed while attempting to share the gospel with an unreached group of islanders off the coast of India. There is, undeniably, a need for conversation about Chau's missiology and methodology, and even whether he should ever have attempted to go to this island.</div>
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There is one aspect of the conversation which followed his martyrdom, however, that has given me great concern. Many people, a number of them self-professing Christians, have decried attempts to take the good news to people who haven't heard as culturally abusive and an unwanted intrusion into the lives of others. For these people, the idea that the gospel could be welcomed as good news and received with great joy by people hearing it for the first time is not only unbelievable, but dangerous and wrong. Rather than good news, these voices see the gospel as intrusive, manipulative, and unwelcomed. Yet there is much evidence that when the gospel is shared, even cross-culturally, in culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate ways, it is still an announcement of good news that is received with great joy.</div>
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Several years ago, Sue Kolljeski, one of TMS Global's cross-cultural witnesses, moved to West Africa to work in partnership with the Methodist Church of Ghana. She settled in a remote town on the border of Burkina Faso and began to learn the culture, language and traditions of the people there. Sometime later, she discovered a very remote village where there was no active church presence, and where the good news was not known. With loving care, Sue formed relationships with the people there, ministering to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the community, and sharing the good news of Jesus with them.</div>
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Over the coming months and years, scores of people from this village, both young and old, received the message openly became followers of Jesus and were baptized. Among them were three young boys who heard the message with gladness and responded with great joy. Intelligent and deeply desiring to know more about this good news, the boys longed to have the scriptures in their own language. Sue worked to make that happen. </div>
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On the day she arrived in the village with the Bibles, the three early adolescent boys excitedly raced off with their copies of the Word, each to his own tree, where they sat for hours devouring the scriptures. These young men became so enthusiastic about the life transformative power of the gospel message that they committed to sharing it with others. Indeed, they began to refer to each other as Prophet, Evangelist and Pastor. And the people in the village began to refer to them in the same way! Today the lives of an entire village are being transformed in positive ways as a result of their embrace of this message. No wonder this good news produces great joy!</div>
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Sue retired a couple of months ago after many years of faithful service. She has returned to the United States, but not before having a wonderful farewell service in Ghana. I was blessed to be present for the almost 7 hour long affair, and witnessed multitudes of people celebrating with glad hearts and bearing witness to the life transforming power of the gospel among them. At the conclusion of the service, Prophet, Evangelist and Pastor - the three young men - came forward to read a scriptural blessing over Sue, each testifying to their gratitude for Sue's willingness to share with them that a Savior, Christ the Lord, has been born - for them!</div>
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Stories such as Sue's are being repeated around the world and here at home on a regular basis by those who not only believe the angelic message, but are willing to embrace it as their own. Taking this good news to "all the people," especially those for whom it is truly news, they are discovering that this message is not only welcomed, but life changing. And that, I would contend, is good news indeed!</div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-36234643278945065942019-02-28T07:35:00.000-05:002019-02-28T07:35:33.649-05:00The First Three Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You would think that returning to the United States to live would be a joy-filled occasion. And, it was, to an extent. I was now in the land of my American family and friends. I spoke the same language that others spoke. There were proper grocery stores. And, there were doctors close by! Clothing could be bought at a store. Worship was in English! (Although I didn't recognize the songs at the contemporary service.) I could drive long distances without coming to even one police check point! Temperatures were in Fahrenheit and not Celsius. And, my electrical cords could plug into wall sockets without adapters! </div>
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On the other hand, returning to the United States has been stressful. I lived out of suitcases for two months, sleeping at the homes of family and friends, sometimes five different places in a week. I had to buy a car, car insurance and make sure everything for that was in order. I signed up for Medicare and the Supplemental Insurance needed to go with it. I had oral surgery. I spoke with supporters, both individuals and churches 11 times before moving from NW Pennsylvania to SW Virginia. I had sinus surgery to correct a variety of problems. I didn't have a church home in Virginia. I missed my Ghanaian family and friends so much! And the list goes on. Moving back to the US after eight years in Ghana is not for those who are weak-hearted. </div>
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Yes, those first three months were really difficult. Yet, there were many blessings, too. The love of family and friends for one. (It's a blessing to be able to see those that I have missed for so long.) It's good to be in the same country as my sister and brothers. And, I have friends and family that made sure I had a car to drive before I bought one. I even had "family" visit me for Christmas week. (Imagine a couple of twenty somethings wanting to spend Christmas with me! I was blessed.) I had friends who would listen to me when I needed to whine about my future...where do I go from here?</div>
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I still wasn't feeling well. Taking care of my sinuses post-op seemed like a never ending affair. And, things still weren't 100%. I know things take time to heal, but I wanted to be all the way better right away! I took advantage of being around stores and bought dishes and sheets and coffee and some household stuff. I was moving into a fully furnished cabin, but I also wanted it to be my "home" with some of my touches in it. (I sold all my furniture before I moved to Ghana.)</div>
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The desire of my heart was to sleep for three months. Well, that hasn't happened yet. But, an occasional nap does take place. </div>
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The truth of it all is God is still God. He knows how I feel. And, He is with me when I allow myself to feel the emotions of an ever changing life. The storms may seem overpowering. He is my Anchor in the midst of it all. And for that, I am grateful.</div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-65060694349588307872019-02-27T10:59:00.001-05:002019-02-27T10:59:10.863-05:00Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ever since I returned to the US at the end of September, I have heard, "Welcome home!" and, "Aren't you glad to be home?" in a million different ways by well-meaning people. But, you know, I still can't answer that question without hurting someone's feelings. I am living in a beautiful cabin in the Blue Ridge mountains. But, it is a temporary place, not my permanent dwelling place. I know that in a year or so I will be moving. While I am here, I am going to enjoy every minute of it. I love the peace and quiet, the beauty of it all. But, is it home?</div>
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The saying goes, "Home is where the heart is." My heart has dual citizenship. When I am in Ghana, living life with my Ghanaian family and friends, I miss my American family and friends. My heart yearns for them. And now that I am in the United States, close to my American family and friends, my heart hurts to see my Ghanaian family and friends.</div>
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When I returned to Ghana last month, it was like going home. I saw and lived with those I left behind in September. I missed my American family, although not as much as my American doctor since I was sick. And, when I got on the bus to take the 15+ hour trip to Accra, the capital city of Ghana, I had to say, "Good-bye." again. I traveled alone this time, giving me plenty of time to think, to be grateful that God didn't give me just one family, but two. And, two homes.</div>
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Will I ever completely feel at home in the US? Maybe. Maybe not. I know that in my heart there lives a gigantic family of brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, aunts and uncles whose skin is a lot darker than mine. But, that doesn't seem to matter, for we all love each other. And, thanks to the internet, we can keep in touch.</div>
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So, home in America has a Ghanaian influence in it, from the lion on the porch to the wall hangings to the Ghanaian clothing I wear. No matter where my "home" is, someone will be missing. My prayer is that we will all meet again someday in our forever Home, where the streets are paved with gold, where hearts won't be broken and we'<span style="text-align: center;">ll all worship at the feet of Jesus. Then, I will truly be "Home."</span></div>
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-58216832738762866622018-08-28T08:58:00.002-04:002021-09-06T14:07:33.493-04:00To My Ghanaian Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Leviticus
19:33-34 says, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not ill
treat them. The foreigner must be treated as your native born. Love them as
yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
is how you have treated me all of these years…and even before I moved to Ghana.
I had never met Rev. Lawrence, but he welcomed me into the Beka family almost
two years before I arrived here. Little did I know just how big my Ghanaian
family would be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
came to work with the Children’s Centre-the OVC. And, during my first year,
Rev. Dery was my Dagaare teacher…he wasn’t a Rev. yet. Learning a foreign
language is not one of my God given gifts and I would often fear my next assignment.
Dery would come to my house and he would say, “Today you will pray in Dagaare.”
Oh, I sounded like a three year old praying! Once, when he asked me to describe
a picture, I THOUGHT I said, “Jesus is eating with the children.” What I
actually said was, “Jesus ATE the children.” Dery pushed me out of my comfort
zone and into my learning zone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">God
did the same thing. I was comfortable being with the children at the OVC. God
had other plans. I became a Caretaker at Kalsagri and was put on the preaching
plan. This forced me to spend plenty of time in the Word of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
have been Caretaker at Kalsagri and Kunyukuo and have preached at most of the
Societies in the Circuit. I have seen people take off their juju and place
their trust in Jesus Christ. I have seen people come running to the Lord
because of a dream they have had in which He called to them. I have seen people
so excited to read the Word of God in their own language for the very first
time. And, I have seen people rise up out of the congregation and become
leaders of their church. And, it’s not because of anything I have done. It’s
because of the Lord, drawing people to Himself. In all of this, my Ghanaian
family expanded, having brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers and aunts and
uncles in so many villages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
will always consider Kalsagri my home village even though it is not the home
village of the Beka clan. Kalsagri was where I was first a Caretaker. People
there welcomed me with open arms. They had a strong love of the Lord. I have always
said, “If I die in Ghana, I want to be buried in Kalsagri.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
have always wanted children and grandchildren of my own. I have never birthed
any children. Yet, God has given me plenty of them here within the churches and
in the community. The calls of “Makum, Makum” is music to my ears – most of the
time. Boniface, Pius, Hassan, Rueben …just to name a few. I have seen my
grandchildren of all ages learn to read, become nurses and teachers and most
importantly, I have watched them become men and women of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Deciding
to return to America was not an easy decision. But, one thing I know is I that I won’t be going alone. My Ghanaian
family will be going with me – in my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
longer I lived here, the greater my desire grew to just walk around, greet
people, enter their homes, sit on their veranda, play ball, throw water and be
known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the
time and freedom to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not
as <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">simple
as it seems. When someone comes into a community as a missionary, it is human
nature to want to do something big…build a school, build a hospital or a
library, start a big programme. But when that happens, life gets filled with
meetings, with looking for cement or zinc for the roof or wondering when the
electrician will come. All those things take away from the time I am able to
spend with people. They prevent me from walking the streets and greeting
others. It is difficult, not to have plans, especially for an American. We want
to know when, where, why, how do I get there, where will I sleep, how long will
it last. We want all of the very specific information. It is hard to let that
go. It is hard not to be working towards some urgent cause, working for social
progress and development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But,
I wonder more and more if the one thing, the more important thing shouldn’t be
to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories
and tell them your own. And to let them know with words, handshakes and hugs
that you do not simply like them. But you truly love them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And
yes, I truly love you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-14488238214803907112018-07-27T10:17:00.001-04:002018-07-27T10:17:14.111-04:00Seeking God's Direction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfkndhxoG0ENAMQjp7V-DQ45XaGp-oKjdi8MW12Sjzmp7jXYVRj0sQxqXzO2r1dkMhwxmY_WthU4ioAL_hnHYGvM18HG6qYMuigBpCJDsTmgTi_qK2OctaxVpvKJv2WV6xpVT7fzMQgto/s1600/IMG_0746+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="823" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfkndhxoG0ENAMQjp7V-DQ45XaGp-oKjdi8MW12Sjzmp7jXYVRj0sQxqXzO2r1dkMhwxmY_WthU4ioAL_hnHYGvM18HG6qYMuigBpCJDsTmgTi_qK2OctaxVpvKJv2WV6xpVT7fzMQgto/s320/IMG_0746+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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For six weeks this summer, I had the privilege of hosting an intern from TMS Global, Alex Ledford. Alex is entering her fourth year at University and is seeking God's direction for her life. She has a passion for the Lord and a deep desire to help physically handicapped children to overcome their disability, changing it to an ability. Alex visited Lawra last year with TMS Global's Greenlight Program. She fell in love with Lawra...and that is not a very easy thing for an American to do. Life in Lawra can be very challenging!</div>
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Alex arrived in Ghana on 1 June. We traveled north to Lawra a couple days later. We were met by Razak, a dear Ghanaian friend of mine. Then, we planned schedules. Alex would work in the Methodist clinic four mornings a week and work one one one with four different children, one each day, four days a week. Wednesdays would be "field trip" days - a day to visit clinics/schools/programs that worked with special needs clients. The schedule seemed to work well, so well that Alex wants to return for two weeks next summer to show at least one of her parents Lawra and introduce them to the work needed here.</div>
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Alex will continue to seek God's direction for her life as she continues her education. And, only God knows for sure if she will return here to work on a long term, full time basis. I know plenty of people are hoping for that! </div>
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Alex, I pray you will seek, hear and follow God's direction for your life. Godspeed, my friend.</div>
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-77925978997784234812018-06-29T03:09:00.000-04:002018-06-29T03:09:42.901-04:00To Everything There is a Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iWt2io623LL1P1Uz6vI6GW_XuTBOmScZgYQS-CAY6lFK8B7b2jaFLCU6kQTwcT6UMthtopRWTG8G231thraxmddSg07KWcWc62cyxAeHYLs0ryahO8HWwq5c6e5WfNSKRZ8_YWYLYxYL/s1600/IMG_6554+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1062" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iWt2io623LL1P1Uz6vI6GW_XuTBOmScZgYQS-CAY6lFK8B7b2jaFLCU6kQTwcT6UMthtopRWTG8G231thraxmddSg07KWcWc62cyxAeHYLs0ryahO8HWwq5c6e5WfNSKRZ8_YWYLYxYL/s320/IMG_6554+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For everything there is a season and a
time for everything under Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ecclesiastes 3:1<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For
going on eight years, I have lived among the Dagaaba people of Lawra in the
Upper West Region of Ghana. I have worked in the surrounding villages and even
call one of them, Kalsagri, my “home village.” People have invited me into
their homes and into their lives. They have become family to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So,
it is with mixed emotions that I am writing to say that September 21, 2018, I
will be leaving Ghana and moving into a new chapter of life. I will have a six
month long final Home Assignment. During this time I will visit my partnering
churches, connect with the TMS Global Office and debrief. I will also look
forward to starting over again and “nesting” in my new to me place of
residence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">These
past years have been amazing. God has allowed me to be His hands and feet and
voice in so many places. I have seen “my boys” grow up and become teachers and nurses
while the younger ones have learned to read and write. I have seen churches
grow, thrive and stand on their own two feet. I have seen leaders rise up out
of congregations and take their place in their church. I have seen people,
young and old, profess faith in Jesus Christ for the first time. I have seen
young guys get excited about reading the words of Jesus for the first time in
their own language! Oh, my! It has been an amazing time here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But,
my work is done here. Ghanaians can do and should be doing what I am doing now.
It is time to return to the US. It is time to reunite with blood family, and be
reunited with friends, and be in the land of good medical care. And, it is time
for me to enjoy my days and years of retirement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
want to thank you for your support during my time in Ghana. Many of you have
supported me even before I moved here. Please, please continue to pray for me.
Pray for a healthy “Good Bye.” I want to finish well. Pray for a smooth
transition. Pray, too, for the people here, who will stay as I leave. I have
been a part of them for years and they, too, will feel the pain of separation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If
you support me financially, please continue to do so through my time of Home
Assignment – March 2019. I will be “on the road” a lot of that time. And, if
the weather doesn’t allow it (Erie, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas tend to
get a LOT of snow), I will continue with visiting supporting churches after the
spring thaw. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It has been a
privilege to be your representative in Lawra, Ghana. God bless you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-33500715703519947622018-06-06T02:01:00.000-04:002018-06-06T02:01:02.911-04:00Water Problems<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFyA-B6HQggLZpXdLJt2ZwY0fvtwFCyBkbccnTpp2dAIhwoNQDWFbIV6Sz2gmTG4lWQFQ8laJscaAgaezU9MtjH_QpqKJhb4uvs_IMI9OX0ZOALPotKoyc2PmknXxYfjMfagfhTxSA8pS/s1600/IMG_0689+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFyA-B6HQggLZpXdLJt2ZwY0fvtwFCyBkbccnTpp2dAIhwoNQDWFbIV6Sz2gmTG4lWQFQ8laJscaAgaezU9MtjH_QpqKJhb4uvs_IMI9OX0ZOALPotKoyc2PmknXxYfjMfagfhTxSA8pS/s320/IMG_0689+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I turned on the tap to fill a glass with water...and there was none. For me, this was not too much of a problem.I have plenty of drinking water in the house. But, do you realize all that you do with water?</div>
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Think about it...how do you use water during the day other than for drinking? First, there's brushing your teeth. Then, making coffee. You might rinse out your cup or put it in the dishwasher. And, there's that<span style="text-align: center;"> load of clothes that you were going to wash yesterday, but never did. How about a morning shower? And, washing off the jelly from the children's fingers? Oh, don't forget to wash your face and behind your ears! You might need water for cooking, or for wiping off the kitchen table plus other types of cleaning. How would you water your lawn or wash your car without water? how about washing the dog? Or, how would your goldfish swim without water?</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">While I was away, someone shut off the main valve to my water tank, hence it didn't fill when the water was flowing. Then, I found out that the water company was in the midst of doing repair work on the water lines, so the water wouldn't flow on it's regular schedule until after June 9. So, I had to quickly call my dear friend, Razak, who saved the day. He went to the borehole enough times to fill plenty of buckets and other containers so I would have water. Later in the day, the water did flow into the tank for a short time.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I don't know if we will run out of water again before the water company finishes it's repairs. But, I'm not worried. This has given me, once more, a greater appreciation of those women and girls who carry water on their heads every single day of their lives so they can drink, cook, and wash.</span></div>
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Please, don't take water for granted.</div>
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-1984716889520959912018-01-10T05:21:00.000-05:002018-01-10T05:21:25.963-05:00A Grandmother? How?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPg6LaBEjF2GK8OAXaseT1yjYyegJd8WX6nwLfG4GFpsWvtUwtiGLyWTPs0xyZzITwAdlhPwWWye0Zn5OO_ktQIu0YFHQ2bJ0ZKh3st7lem22xNXxjSGfGe6i96cpFCNXiKwE5t07NOSMq/s1600/IMG_E6554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPg6LaBEjF2GK8OAXaseT1yjYyegJd8WX6nwLfG4GFpsWvtUwtiGLyWTPs0xyZzITwAdlhPwWWye0Zn5OO_ktQIu0YFHQ2bJ0ZKh3st7lem22xNXxjSGfGe6i96cpFCNXiKwE5t07NOSMq/s320/IMG_E6554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Growing up, my dreams were to be a teacher, a wife and a mother.And, with becoming a mother, eventually, you become a grandmother. That's how it usually works. My dreams didn't turn out the way I imagined. I'm not a wife. I'm not a mother. I'm not a grandmother...at least not in the usual way. I am "Makum." That is "Grandmother" in Dagaare. God has given me PLENTY of grandchildren of various ages. The boys pictured here are Reuben, Boniface and Hassan. I'm "Grandma" to only one...one Ghanaian man who works at Ghana Post. During the last year, he was moved to another town, but we still keep in touch. </div>
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These "Grandchildren" of mine make me smile. Yesterday, ten of them were playing on my veranda. What I like the most is when I talk with them one on one. I had traveled to spend New Year's with American friends from TMS Global. When I came home, one of these sweet boys (Boniface) said, "Makum, I missed you. Where did you go?" "I went to Bolgatanga. Where did you go?" He replied, "I went to Nandom." (Nandom is his home village about an hour away from Lawra.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6VoT90DOHdeWyY332qb4RAV9NsZi5WfU_2EjShFK53Kr4Endn73uWaRH-JDsfyMQg9j7F4igMSVDxtWfRXOkG68bh9yInwxfo4U8tBoLhK_lxPO87vTzYMA866QODpUXBStbE6T2P1lx/s1600/IMG_0672+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6VoT90DOHdeWyY332qb4RAV9NsZi5WfU_2EjShFK53Kr4Endn73uWaRH-JDsfyMQg9j7F4igMSVDxtWfRXOkG68bh9yInwxfo4U8tBoLhK_lxPO87vTzYMA866QODpUXBStbE6T2P1lx/s320/IMG_0672+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This same boy comes over frequently to talk, to read, even to help out. He's a good student and placed first in his class last term. Monday was the last day of vacation before school resumed for 2018. So, Boniface came over to spend time with me. The problem was I had plenty to do. But first,breakfast. Boniface knows that it is a VERY good possibility that I will feed him. Tea and spaghetti. What more could a small boy want? Then, I I did my work, he did puzzles-for hours! He was in no hurry to leave. After four or five hours, I told him he had to put away all of his puzzles and go home. No problem. He cleaned up and went to play with friends. He knew that Tuesday was coming and that is the scheduled play day for everybody.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxGhcfStBt29turhBDyg7qbeTOIwSIm2DdSsmkUU8aEFwGj36AydjMR2Z2dA5RoM0AShq625NSG2YaVTellFAVyJXoNv81M7ooxJTDESBYCGWzfvb8NTX33xKKBS3r0MZE1iz-2bU7igt/s1600/IMG_5035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxGhcfStBt29turhBDyg7qbeTOIwSIm2DdSsmkUU8aEFwGj36AydjMR2Z2dA5RoM0AShq625NSG2YaVTellFAVyJXoNv81M7ooxJTDESBYCGWzfvb8NTX33xKKBS3r0MZE1iz-2bU7igt/s320/IMG_5035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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So, am I a grandmother? Absolutely. By natural/normal means? No. Definitely not. It is by the power of God. And we, all of us, will give Him the glory.</div>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838615599924463900.post-40327136166206123782018-01-05T14:05:00.001-05:002018-01-05T14:07:38.634-05:00Cultural Differences<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe6Y7RkF5Rgi4M377PqSV6Em9G952ci95HOh_k45esmH2ALHGxQlCrU0mTVAozDWKXemcmc4MUXcxrbWZVJOO3yQ__CwZnpoTlsSiqQ1kbn12cSVxblb46yURnh1LTay7yP1D0cDIX60H/s1600/IMG_9457+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="608" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe6Y7RkF5Rgi4M377PqSV6Em9G952ci95HOh_k45esmH2ALHGxQlCrU0mTVAozDWKXemcmc4MUXcxrbWZVJOO3yQ__CwZnpoTlsSiqQ1kbn12cSVxblb46yURnh1LTay7yP1D0cDIX60H/s320/IMG_9457+-+Copy.JPG" width="242" /></a></div>
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I feel as if th<span style="text-align: center;">ere is one aspect of living in Ghana that I will never understand fully. An</span><span style="text-align: center;">d, I doubt if I will ever fully embrace it. I tried and I keep trying and I will continue to try, but....</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">What is this cultural difference th</span><span style="text-align: center;">at is so hard to embrace? Is it eating dog meat? Nope. Is it urinating wherever you can possibly imagine to relieve your bladder? Nope. Is it malaria? No. Is it 15 hour bus trips to get anywhere? No, not at all! "Then, what is it?" you may ask. I will tell you. It is WAITING, constantly waiting. There is no such thing as people sh</span><span style="text-align: center;">owing up on time for a meeting. Meetings have to be scheduled early so people will arrive by the correct starting time. When the plumber says, "I am on my way coming." he may show up four hours later. I will take my motorcycle to get serviced at 8:00 am and go to pick it up at 5:00 and it hasn't been touched yet. Ugh! It's not just Lawra, it's everywhere! On Christmas Day, worship was at 9:30 in the morning. How many people were in church at 9:30? One. Me. I'm so passionate about this today because I was to meet with someone at 5:00 this evening. And an hour later, this person had yet to show up. I did manage to speak to them on the phone once. "I am still at the workplace." was the response I received. No further call. No suggestion to reschedule. This person knew I was waiting and yet....WAWA (West Africa Wins Again)</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Now, this person may have been in a meeting. They may have gotten an assignment close to the end of the day. But, in this culture, no phone call is necessary to say a person will be late, maybe we should have our meeting tomorrow. When </span><span style="text-align: center;">I am in the villages, I try to remember a lot of people don't have cell phones, clocks or watches. An</span>d, if they do, the battery probably is spoiled. As a Westerner, it is difficult to keep am open mind. During rainy season, it is easier because so much depends on the weather. I always thought that being on time showed respect to the person/persons you are meeting. Here, if a person has to depend on public transportation, time is not anything they can control. The vehicle leaves when it is full there is no schedule. </div>
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I pray that the Lord will give me the insight and wisdom in these situations. That I would experience His peace. After all, when I get upset at someone for being late, am I forcing my culture on them? It's something to think about.</div>
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By the way, the person I was to meet with tonight never did show up. Never called.</div>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873867890110772421noreply@blogger.com0