Healing in the Hodgepodge

1. What's your favorite time of day? Why?

I have two favorites:  from about 9 am till noon  because I  feel most alert (after my yummy cup of coffee), the  most productive physically, and the day is fresh.   I also enjoy from about 7 till bedtime when we sit and veg, watch TV, play on our screens, relax (unless there's homework that the boy needs help with). Sometimes I go to my sewing room or sit in the family room doing some hand sewing.

2. Waffle iron, toaster, coffee maker, mixer, blender...which small appliance would you say most needs replacing in your house? 

The blender is missing a small part (just the gasket, I think) that would be a cheap, easy fix, but since I hate to clean a blender (all those parts plus a sharp blade) I hardly used it after a slew of smoothies a couple summers ago. No appliance needs replacing right now, thankfully.

3. It's National Grouch Day (October 15)...what's something that makes you feel grouchy?

Honestly,   chitchat ad nauseum while waiting for a meeting to get started is something that makes me grumpy. The older I get, the more I appreciate when leaders "rein in" the talkers and get down to business.

4. Ever been to Canada? Is that a country you'd like to visit? According to Trip Advisor, the top ten best destinations in Canada are-Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Niagara on the Lake, Niagara Falls, Whistler, and Halifax. Which city would you most like to see?

One time I went to Toronto with a college friend and her mom and another lady to visit my friend's aunt.    We drove through the night so completely missed Niagara Falls except in the dark fog.  We stayed with the aunt who lived in an apartment above an electronics store on a busy city street.  Just as we were about to fall asleep,  we heard a loud crash and glass breaking, then a security alarm.  Burglars had broken the storefront window and grabbed stuff. And by "stuff" in the early 80's, I mean probably a Walkman or boom box.  Scared me to death. Not sure I slept in Toronto, but I've spent the night there!

I would like to revisit Canada, sans burglary, and see Niagara Falls in all its glory.

5. What was your favorite food (or one of your favorites) when you were a child? Is that still a favorite?

Grilled cheese sandwiches. 

Yes. 

6. Do you cry easily?  

I used to. I've toughened up with age. In fact, I am moved more toward irritation than compassion when anyone cries with very little provocation.   I just wanna say, "C'mon, get a grip."

Gosh, as I write this, it sounds like I've become quite the curmudgeon in middle age, huh? I used to cry over the littlest thing, but not any more. I may get choked up, but tears? Not so much.

Two things that get me every time though? Seeing a baby being born (even on TV) or watching  the baptism of a new believer.  I am undone.

7. Have you started your (gasp!) Christmas shopping? If so when, and how much? If not, when will you even begin thinking about it?

Yes.  I've made doll quilts all year to send in shoeboxes along with other little things for Operation Christmas Child.  I have also bought something for my daughter-in-law. I never really get into the whole swing of things until after Thanksgiving, though. I like to take one holiday at a time, thank you.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

A friend of mine gave a testimony in Bible study this morning. She has suffered chronic back and knee pain for many years, and yet perseveres to care for her disabled veteran husband.  And there's always a big smile on her face. (She's the friend who made the blue dress for me for my son's wedding--free of charge!) 

This past weekend Bonnie attended  a special service at her church, expecting something from God, but not sure what. 

Soon after sitting down (in great pain), she noticed a man near the front get up out of his seat--someone she'd never seen--and he came and sat down in an empty seat right beside her.  Bonnie said nothing, just observed. The man was shuffling some cards that said "hope" on each one, but was intently listening to the speaker as well. When the offering basket was passed, Bonnie noticed in his wallet a 50 and a 10. He put the 50 in.  At the break, she finally introduced herself. 

"Hi, I'm Bonnie." 

"Hello,"  he said, reaching to shake hands. "My name is Gabriel." 

That was all he said. He was friendly but quiet, and went back to shuffling the hope cards.  Bonnie turned to say something to her friend, Joan, on her left, and  then looked back to say more to Gabriel. But he was gone. It was seconds, literally, that she had looked away. 

Fast forward to after the meeting. She went to the car. Her friend Joan found her crying in extreme pain. Joan asked if she could pray for her. 

"Sure." 

Well, Joan did, and then said, "I want you to get out of the car and walk around it. "

Bonnie balked. "Get out and walk around the car? But--"

She did, and as she walked, the pain was gone! No pain in her back. No pain in her knees.  

She went home and looked up Gabriel in the Bible. He's a messenger angel.  The hope cards were the message God had for her. Hope in God. Trust and obey. If she hadn't had hope, she wouldn't have gone to the meeting expectant. If she hadn't gotten out and walked around the car, she would not have experienced the instant healing that just took place. 

Is that amazing or what?? We serve a great and powerful God!