A Little Bit of “Home”

 

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. 

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. 

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!

Be blessed today. 

A Cooking Adventure

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. 

 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. 

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! 

Have a blessed day. 

Morning Routine

 

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. 

A Mother’s Day Adventure

 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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Learning to Trust in You

 

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.

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 Learning to Trust in You by David Meece. Read his words:

There's a father in your sweetest dreams
Who's always there to meet your needs
He never ever let you down

There's a mother in your heart of hearts
Who always plays the perfect part
She never lets you hit the ground

This is the need of children
These are their tender dreams
And oh, how it hurts when they don't come true

That's why I'm learning to trust in You
In everything I do
I'm learning to trust in You

'Cause I know in my heart that You're true
I'm learning to trust in You
But sometimes it's so hard to do

Father, little children must grow up
And to grow we've got to learn to trust
And to trust we've got to cling to You

And when You tell me You will hold me close
It's the very thing I need the most
But it's the very hardest thing to do

I've got this pain inside me
It speaks to me loud and clear
When there's so much to gain there's always so much to lose

That's why I'm learning to trust in You
In everything I do
I'm learning to trust in You

'Cause I know in my heart that You're true
I'm learning to trust in You
But sometimes it's so hard to do

Keep calling me, drawing me closer
Don't let me hold back
Whatever it takes I must break through

The heart of a child is broken
But his time has come
Whatever he lost, I'll find in You

That's why I'm learning to trust in you
In everything I do
I'm learning to trust in You

'Cause I know in my heart that You're true
I'm learning to trust in You
But sometimes it's so hard to do

I'm learning to trust in You
In everything I do
I'm learning to trust in You

'Cause I know in my heart that You're true
I'm learning to trust in You
But sometimes it's so hard to do

Hard to do, learning to trust in You
So hard to do, learning to trust, it's so hard to do