Gifts from Friends

August 4, Friday

Psalm 92:12,15
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree:
he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
To shew that the LORD is upright:
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

‘The righteous’ . . .very different from the wicked, Psalm 92:7 ‘When the wicked spring as the grass’, who are likened to grass. These shall have a short duration; but those shall have a long and useful life. They are compared also to the cedar of Lebanon, an incorruptible wood, and extremely long-lived.

Such persons (the righteous)show how faithful God is to his promises, how true to his word, how kind to them who trust in him. He is the Rock, the Fountain, whence all good comes.
There is no unrighteousness in him(God) – He does nothing evil, nothing unwise, nothing unkind. He is both just and merciful. Clarke’s Commentary
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At our arrival home waiting for us
were gifts from Merrill and Candy Nice,
friends in New York.
You see, Merrill is retired and has a Work Bench.

This game is for the Farmer.
Top player only leaves one peg.
the Farmer hasn’t made it . . . YET.

My recipe holder is unique.
I think my to-do list may find its home here.

Thank you both very much.
Fond memories return whenever I look at the gifts.

Uncle Gene stumbled on a thimble,
and he wasn’t even hunting.

Aunt Edith and Uncle Gene were at an antique store.
Uncle Gene found this thimble and thought we needed it.

I think so too, it is the perfect coming home thimble.
(we have almost 2 dozen chickens.)

It has taken me all week,
but the deck is finally cleared of all trip stuff.
That does not mean the stuff is neatly in its assigned place.
It just means it is not piled on the deck.
Something happened while we were gone.
I took stuff out of the shed and trailer
put in the tango to go on a journey.
NOW I can’t find spots to put the stuff away.
What happened to the space?

the Farmer has made good progress
on the weeds at Cozy Acres.
His list of things to do seems to be
growing faster than he can keep up.

The end of the first week home.

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July 30, The Story of the Six Bears.

July 30, Sunday

Proverbs 31:18
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.

She takes care to manufacture the best articles of the kind, and to lay on a reasonable price that she may secure a ready sale. Her goods are in high repute, and she knows she can sell as much as she can make. And she finds that while she pleases her customers, she increases her own profit Clarke’s Commentary
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I meet many quilter’s on our jorney.
I said I would send the story of the memory bears
I made for our daughter, Emily’s business,
Quilt’m by Sunflower Designs.
http://www.sunflowerdesigns.com

 

Tale of Six Bears

My name is Alvin.
I sing as good as the chipmunk.
I love to sing and play.
My special talents are keeping secrets and making memories.

My name is Bill.
I’m a hard worker and I enjoy working.
My special talent is seeing what could be and making that dream real.

My name is Curtis.
I am your first love.
I’ll give you your first kiss.
You’ll never forget me.
My special talent is being your LOVE memories’ cornerstone.

My name is ‘Big D’.
I climb the highest towers.
I drive the rockiest roads.
I know all about life’s potholes.
My special talent is proving true the saying
“When life gives you lemons make cold, refreshing lemonade. “.

My name is Everett, steadfast and faithful.
I always want the best for you
I only have eyes for you.
My special talent is keeping my vows for’ever’.

My name is Ferguson.
I am a gentle giant.
I care immensely for those I love,
so don’t touch my people.
My special talent is treating everyone with thoughtfulness and kindness.

 

I wrote this letter to the recipient’s of the bears.

Hi, I’m Leslie, Emily’s mom.
I was given your boxes of clothing
to help her with the Christmas projects.

Truthfully making quilts from clothing
is not easy or as much fun as working with new fabric.
And as the project nears completion,
it is not until the quilting is done before we see any beauty.

When you asked Emily to make bears,
she and I had never made a bear.
So it was with a little anxiety I started bear making.

12 of this piece,
24 of that piece,
be sure the Hawaiian swim trunks are in everything.

If I were to start over
there are many things I’d do a little differently,
because now I know what to do to make a more
professional looking bear.

But, we know the owner of the clothing wasn’t perfect either.
Loved, yes, treasured yes, missed – forever.

So I hope you over look the funny bumps and lumps of these bears.

It wasn’t until I put the eyes, nose and mouth on the first bear
that I fell in love.
My heart opened.
and spoke of those I love.

Alvin is my first son, Aaron.
He also sings.
Sometimes like a chipmunk,
often like an angel.
You can trust him with your secrets.
As a father of three sons,
he works hard for them to have good memories,

Bill is my father, William Lee, Bill.
He could look at bare land and see a garden,
a junk car and see the restored ’56 Buick Special
He saw my husband’s dream owning his own business
and made it come true.

Curtis is my first love, Curtis Ray Lee.
Third grade kisser running by fast and
caught me on the cheek, laughing all the time.
He gave me the cornerstone memory,
love is full of laughter.

Big D is my other son, Dan
A bright, intelligent boy who could look
at something and figure out how it worked.
April, 2000,at 20 He married a beautiful woman with a 4 year old daughter.
And life sent a pothole 9 months later
when his bride was stricken with a disease
and hasn’t had a pain free day since.
He knows all about lemonade

Everett is my husband, Elmer.
We married in June, 1967 at 25-him and 17-me
Ever word I wrote is true.

Ferguson is my son-in-law Travis
He loves guns just a very little bit less
than he loves my daughter and his children
He is a gentle giant
I wouldn’t want to change a thing about him.

My husband said
“put the names in the pockets”

That is your decision.

but maybe the new owners of the bears might need
just a little bit of hope.

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Close-ups of the bears

 

One of the three quilts that were part of this memory project.

December, 2015

July 28 – Day 78 – Friday

July 28 – Day 78 – Friday

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Let us deeply consider our own frailty, and the shortness and uncertainty of life, that we may live for eternity, acquaint ourselves with thee and be at peace; that we may die in thy favor and live and reign with thee eternally. Clarke’s Commentary
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We started our day at the Black Bear Diner
having breakfast with Matt and Jamie Topper,
my nephew and his wife. They have just moved to
Carson City from Las Vegas and they’re settling in well.
We’re glad they live closer and will be able to visit oftener.

Next a thimble hunt

We found a thimble hiding in the 1914 Sears & Roebuck kit house,
I wanted to take the house home with me.


Yes, a Christmas tree.
This trip has been a gift.
Our Fifty years have been a gift.
Each and every day we have left to be together will be a gift.

On the road again.

We didn’t see a sign like this anywhere but in Nevada.

Lake Tahoe

Back in California at Stateline, CA

Isn’t this a pretty sign.

At the California Agriculture Inspection station,
they ask to look in our fridge and at our firewood.
They took the Farmer’s limes;
not in a marked bag and no label.

On Wednesday, May 10, I filled the gas tank
at this gas station on San Juan and Madison.
24.02 gals. @ $247.9 per gallon, $59.95 odometer read 139026.

On Friday, July 28, the Farmer filled the gas tank
at the same gas station
25.01 gals’ @ $2.479 per gallon, $62.00 odometer 152367.

the Farmer’s first words as we entered the property
Look at the weeds!

One of his first actions after unhooking the Suburban from the trailer.

Stats:
In 79 days We drove 13,341 miles through 38 states.
After I get a thimble in Carmichael,
I’ll have 37 thimbles, 2 bobbins, and one mini bolt of woven cloth

We spent $11,155.= 0.87 cents per mile
52% went for gas and lodging.
1.7% went for thimbles, etc.

Sequence finally score the Farmer 40, the Grannie 41!

On July 14, i goofed on my day count,
today is really Day 79.

The Morning and and Evening of the seventy-ninth day.

Thursday and Friday written and posted on Sunday, July 30
because I had no internet when we arrived home
and I didn’t want to go to McDonald’s.
A few catch-up comments may appear in the near future.

I was asked today if I would do this again.
I answered ‘In a heart beat, but it wouldn’t be 79 days”
(these old bones, don’t like that much bouncing around
on the United States Highways and Byways,)

Thanks for jorneying with us,
praying for us,
sharing your homes with us,
feeding us,
letting us feed you
and for all the love we have received.

May God bless you all is our prayer.

July 26 – Day 76 – Wednesday

July 26 – Day 76 – Wednesday

Psalm 86:11
Teach me thy way, O LORD;
I will walk in thy truth:
unite my heart to fear thy name.

Instruct me in the steps I should take; for without thy teaching I must go astray.
Clarke’s Commentary

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Once more I’m missing dear ones in Phoenix before I even leave.

We’re on the road again
after a break from getting up every day
and getting in the sub to be bounced and jostled
beyond our control.

Yes, that part is getting old.

Ahhhhh, California

all the way to Lancaster, CA

My view

And open windows and door, comfortable wind
airing and drying our little home.

The Morning and Evening of the seventy-sixth day.

July 25 – Day 75 – Tuesday

July 25 – Day 75 – Tuesday

Psalm 85:10
Mercy and truth are met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Mercy and peace are on one side; truth and righteousness on the other. Truth requires righteousness; mercy calls for peace.
They meet together on the way; one going to make inquisition for sin, the other to plead for reconciliation. Having met, their differences on certain considerations, not here particularly mentioned are adjusted; and their mutual claims are blended together in one common interest; on which peace and righteousness immediately embrace. Thus, righteousness is given to truth, and peace is given to mercy.
Now, Where did these meet? In Christ Jesus.
When were they reconciled? When he poured out his life on Calvary.
Clarke’s Commentary
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I enjoyed being back in Phoenix,
a city I’m somewhat familiar with the streets and
how to get around without depending completely on Google.

Tuesday no rain, but humid.

the Farmer did more yard work in the morning.
Brother Klemstein came to the church and
they had a good visit, or so I’m told.

I got a girl’s day out again.
Sister Cindy Klemstein invited me to lunch.
We had a lot of catching up to do.
How the Lord had blessed both of us
since we last were together!

A short visit at Sister Bonnie’s,
Sister Cindy is the Grandma to Sawyer.
So some spoiling needed to be done.

Brother Klemstein and the Farmer met
Sister Cindy, Sister Donna and I
for a Mexican dinner. Yum
Then all, but sis Donna,
went to the Klemstein’s for ice cream and visiting.

The rear acres of the property is planted
in alfalfa, I think, It’s just coming up.
It looks so nice.

If you come to visit,
you may see many varieties of birds, including doves,
a brown horse, a big black cow, little cotton tail rabbits,
a kind of ground squirrel that looks like a gopher,
lizards galore and red ants.
I like watching the cotton tails.

The Morning and the Evening of the seventy-fifth day.

July 23 – Day 73 – Sunday

July 23 – Day 73 – Sunday

Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Being able to attend services regularly
is a blessing I’ve really learned to cherish.
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I love this Phoenix valley,
surrounded my mountains and on this west side
green fields of cotton and alfalfa.

Sunday Morning Worship Service
with the Church of God, on Jackrabbit Trail in Goodyear, AZ
We have come to love and appreciate these dear Saints.

Bro James from Long Beach, CA brought the lesson

Proverbs 12:1-5
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge:
but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD:
but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
A man shall not be established by wickedness:
but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:
but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
The thoughts of the righteous are right:
but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

‘hateth reproof’ – secretly despises God’s law

There are some who on the surface seem to love God’s way
but inwardly despise the teaching of God,
picking and choosing to obey what they want.
What a dangerous place to be found despising God’s law.

Proverbs 15:10
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way:
and he that hateth reproof shall die.

What a sobering thought!

We had lunch with Bro Bihn and Sis Bonnie’s family and
Saints. Sharing fellowship and burdens.

Later in the afternoon, we attended the Rest Home Service
held where Bro Jerry Albert is staying.
Those seniors seemed to really enjoy singing
the gospel songs they have known for so long.

the Farmer and I went to Sprouts for groceries,
the to Safeway to use the internet.
I posted four days of our journey.

Our spot

The Morning and Evening of the seventy-third day.

July 22 – Day 72 – Saturday

July 22 – Day 72 – Saturday

Psalm 81:10
I am the LORD thy God,
which brought thee out of the land of Egypt:
open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Let thy desires be ever so extensive, I will gratify them if thou wilt be faithful to me. Thou shalt lack no manner of thing that is good. Clarke’s Commentary
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Good-by, Dear Friends
It is so hard to say good-by.

On down the mountain to hot Phoenix.

We meet with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Bev Topper for lunch
at Black Bear Diner in Tempe.
We got caught up on the news
and shared experiences of our trip.
We so enjoyed our too short time together.

West of downtown Phoenix, isn’t she pretty.

Always good to see a flag flying,
even if not on a pole.

We arrived at the Church of God property in Goodyear, AZ
safe and sound, then set up in the place we call ours.

Dinner invitation was waiting at
Bro. Bihn and Sis Bonnie Nguyen’s family
and Saints.
A perfect end to our day.

The Morning and Evening of the seventy-second day.

July 21 – Day 71 – Friday

July 21 – Day 71 – Friday

Psalm 80:17-18
Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand,
upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
So will not we go back from thee:
quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.

The only person who can be said to be at the right hand of God as intercessor, is Jesus the Messiah. Let him become our Deliverer: appoint him for this purpose, and let his strength be manifested In our weakness! Clarke’s Commentary
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We helped Margaret and Chuck with some yard work
the Farmer mowed,
hit a sprinkler head,
replaced the sprinkler head,
and weed-eated ( that sounds strange).
nd put together and hung their new porch swing,
i did some sweeping, raking and cleanup,

The porch is a nice place to visit.

Elk travel through their yard,

looking for snacks, They ate all the apples on this tree they could reach,

Weather was comfortable,
in the high 70’s and humidity in 70’s
not at unbearable.

Good ol’ thunder storm in the afternoon,
after our work was done.

Dinner and a delightful evening,
again of laughter, stories, and bonding friendship.

The Morning and Evening of the seventy-first day.

July 17 – Day 67 – Monday

July 17 – Day 67 – Monday

Psalm 76:11
Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God:
let all that be round about him bring presents
unto him that ought to be feared

Bind yourselves to him, and forget not your obligations. Clarke’s Commentary

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Sis Connie Chancellor and Sis Rosalie, daughters, Megan and Lily
took me throughout Oklahoma City, thimble hunting.
We went to 4-5 stores before we finally found

Owl, a wise owl

 

1 Corinthians 1:25
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men;
and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Proverbs 2:1-6
My son, if thou wilt receive my words,
and hide my commandments with thee;
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom,
and apply thine heart to understanding;
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge,
and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
If thou seekest her as silver,
and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD,
and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD giveth wisdom:
out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Last stop, the Savage Quilter,
A fat-quarter sale!
nuff said.

As we drove around sis Connie and I became friends
sharing burdens and being encouraged that God is still in control with wisdom.

Brother David Chancellor and the Farmer spent the day together.
I asked them if they had solved all the world’s problems.
Bro. David said ‘they hadn’t caused any.’

The Morning and Evening of the sixty-seventh day.

July 16 – Day 66 – Sunday

July 16 – Day 66 – Sunday

Church of God, Moore. Oklahoma

Brother David Chancellor spoke:
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

from my notes:
. . .the wages of sin IS death,
present tense – separation from God here and now

. . . the gift of God IS eternal life,
present tense – the ability to enjoy God’s presence here and now

The Gift is God.

Think about this:
The price God paid to give us Himself.

410 in the Evening Light Songbook

Have you any time for Jesus?

Have you any time for Jesus?
Can it be, life’s journey through,
that you have no time to serve Him
Who has spent His life for you?

Soon the summons form the portals
of the mansions in the sky
May be sounding your departure
You must them take time to die.

Chancellor’s home

We were invited to dinner at the chancellor’s.
If you get an invite, don’t pass it up.

Sunday noon is Family dinner, 20+ and us.
Made me remember fixing Sunday dinner before church
and the aroma that greeted us when we got home.
Precious memories seem to overlook the work.
I’m trying to figure out how to do it again.

We spent the afternoon with Bro David and Sis Connie
enjoying with them the quiet when everyone had gone.
For us oldies, that is part of the good times, too.

We attended evening service also.

Reacquainting ourselves with Saints who had stayed in our home
whether for a few days or just an afternoon and a meal.

A day like this, for me, is a very good day.

The view out the left rear window at night

The Morning and Evening of the sixty-sixth day.