Seaside Escape, Part 2

Since my ride had not picked me up in time to have dinner as planned at Sandy Cove, we had to stop along the way. It just so happened that there was a flower show close to our destination. Think "flower fair with food."  Linda and Sharon each grabbed a turkey panini, I got a crab cake, and we all avoided the temptation of buying beautiful blooms in that veritable Garden of Eden.  Actually, it's not hard to scurry when someone is announcing ( loudly) that our car is blocking a delivery truck and we need to move it. 

Once checked in, we headed to the meeting room and found seats easily. We joined our voices with other sisters in Christ praising Him.  The theme of the retreat was "Be still and know that I AM God."    It's exactly what God has been speaking to me in this past year of wondering "where to from here?"' in many areas of my life.  Where will we go to church? Where will I work and where will I volunteer that's both meaningful and doable with the school schedule? Where are we headed as a couple in midlife? Where will we live when we sell this house that's getting too big as our three older kids take flight to their own nests?   Where will  we get healthcare if our country keeps going downhill like this? 

Those questions and others like them can swirl and swirl until they become like tornadoes inside my head. They have caused anything from nervousness to panic attacks to depression. Why? Because I tend to wallow in the past, thinking my glory days are over. 

No more babies to nurse.
No more children sitting in my lap, curling my hair with their fingers as I read.
No more sound of drums coming from the basement.  
Homeschooling was wonderful way back when.  
Our church family was the best around way back when.  
Being a teacher and getting paid for it was the best of both worlds, once upon a time.   
Oh, the teen years really weren't so bad. 
Family vacations will never be the same as they used to be

On and on would my thoughts go sometimes, until I was either sniffling, crying, having a panic attack, or sinking into depression.  The future was looking dark and gloomy. I was full of fear with every thought of what lay ahead. 

I started the year 2013 hearing the word "peace," and we all know that entertaining tornadic thoughts will rob peace in a minute.  This retreat would prove to be a part of my transformation, and it would start by being still before God. 

(to be continued)

Gadgets, Games, and Gorgeous Trees in HP 124

Jumping in late to the Wednesday Hodgepodge, but I missed last week's and I do enjoy this meme.
Thanks, Joyce.  For anyone new to this, read my answers and then click on the cute button above and see how others answered the same questions. And then copy the questions to your blog and answer the questions YOUR way. Fun, easy, hard-to-beat inspiration.

1. When the children of today grow up, what do you think they'll say about this period in time? What do you most hope they remember?

I think they'll remember always having some sort of gadget in their hand, and that they rarely used a cell phone to actually CALL someone, especially their folks.  Sadly, I think many of them will remember that very few of them came from intact families--more from divorced parents than covenant-for-a-lifetime parents. They'll probably also say the hairstyles were dorky and how on earth did we think these clothes were fit to be seen in public?

I hope they remember that this nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, not Islamic ones.


2. National Teacher's Day is celebrated in the US of A on the first Tuesday in May, this year May 7th...share how a particular teacher positively impacted you.

My third grade teacher, Mrs. Grose.  I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt she loved me. That made me want to go to school and be near her and learn from her. She also taught me that teachers are real people because she cried real tears when reading Old Yeller to us. She protected  me from a bad boy on the playground who wanted to kiss me when I sought refuge in a tractor tire. And she told lots of stories about her identical twin daughters, Nellene and Marlene.   Mrs. Grose and I have stayed in touched through the years and I last saw her a few years ago. She is still "tarp as a shack," as she likes to say.

3. What's a dish your mama made, that if set in front of you today would whisk you right back to childhood?

Grilled cheese sandwiches. They were a Sunday staple for us. I still remember how patient Mama was to stand there and make five of them, burning none, and each one came out gooey and yummy in the middle, golden-brown on the outside.  I really don't remember a time when my mom was anything but patient while cooking.  Let's just say, I am not her daughter in that regard!

4. Mother May I was a game we played when I was growing up...no pieces, parts, or plugs required. What games from childhood do you remember loving that were also pieces, parts, and plug-free?

Freeze tag, hide-and-seek, and Kick the Can (although that technically has one piece--the can--
but still, can't get any cheaper than a can from the trash for a piece-free game).


5. Besides your own mother, tell us about a woman who influenced you as a child?

A next door neighbor named Lois Long when I was in 3rd/4th grade.

6. Mamma Mia! What's the best play or musical you've ever seen?

I've never seen Mamma Mia, but it sounds like I've really missed out.   Best play I've ever seen?   Can I break it down by my age? Earliest/best ever: Sound of Music. Best in high school: Our Town.  Best
in college: Antigone.  Best in adult years: My Fair Lady .

7. What are three smells that make you feel nostalgic?

horse sweat,  honeysuckle, and Old Spice


8. Insert your own random thought here.

I took my art students on a field trip to local state park last week. They had two hours and fifteen minutes to paint or draw whatever inspired them. We sat on picnic benches in front of lake that
was surrounded by gorgeous old oaks. One student produced this. It takes my breath away.

Seaside Escape, Part 1

This past weekend I was privileged and blessed to attend a women’s retreat  with the theme of Seaside Escape.

Doesn’t that name instantly bring calming pictures of gentle blue-green water lapping gently on the shore under sunny skies?   

Aah.  Picture this.  Some of you may recognize it. It's called Sandy Cove and it's on the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay .

 

 

 

 

While I was looking forward to getting away for spiritual refreshment, for some girl time--and, yes for  sand, sun, and sea--I was apprehensive.  On Friday, before leaving the house, I had some time to kill while waiting for my ride. I decided to write for five minutes on the topic that "just so happened" to be "BRAVE".  Coincidence? I think not. I truly believe God had ordained for me to see that meme, and He gave me time to consider it,  just enough time to quickly do some five-minute spiritual warfare in the process of writing.

 

Why? Because Satan, every Christian's enemy, was  trying to scare me.  His tactic? Lies. As always.

His biggest lie was that, since I am new to this church,  I’m odd and I don’t fit in. He whispered things like, “They’ve got their cliques already. You might as well not try.  It will be just like junior high with all the pretense and drama. They’ll be polite to your face but gossip behind your back. You’ll come home and won’t want to  admit it was a big waste of time because you’ll  feel guilty.  Guilty for leaving your family for a whole weekend, ”  blah, blah, blah.

Seriously! Those thoughts, like flaming arrows in my mind, threatened to choke out my desire to go at all.

Good thing I decided to obey God and put on His whole armor so that I could stand against those fiery darts.    Nothing in the above paragraph proved true.  Nothing.

 

Instead,  I replaced those thoughts with these…

Chesapeake Bay, here I come!  New friends, I am ready to meet you!  Father in Heaven and Lover of My Soul, I need to draw near to You, away from the busyness of everyday life.  I need to hear from You.

I set my bags on the front porch, sat on the swing, and waited with joy for my ride.   Overpacked, but biblically--I was like Noah, took two of everything. Two warm outfits, two cool outfits,two necklaces,  two sets of pajamas, two pairs of shoes in addition to the ones on my feet. You get the idea. The brown bag is a consignment shop bag I nabbed that has lots of pockets and a big zipper compartment. Great for toiletries to keep hairspray upright, and toothpaste far from the shampoo. Oh, how I love luggage,

 

 

but I digress....

 

My ride.  It was going to be two women. One woman, Linda, I already knew. She had hosted a small group Bible study that my  husband and I attended for a few weeks.  She invited me to room with her on this retreat.   She was really the only person I knew other than in passing.  And that was because she was extending hospitality to strangers. The thing we’re all supposed to do.  That’s all it takes, people, one friendly person being selfless, saying hello, taking a genuine interest in another person and putting them at ease.

The other person was Sharon. We rode off together...

 

(to be continued)

Five-Minute Friday : Brave

 Five Minute Friday, the meme, is a great way to write for five minutes. No editing, one topic. That's all I've got right now. I'm waiting for two women from our new church to pick me up for a ladies' retreat.

Okay ,why do I think "brave" fits with this? Well, I have been a social person and naturally engage in conversation. Usually.

But then there are times I don't feel like engaging, or I'm afraid, oeyr I'm not sure they care. You see , I was at a church for 17 years up until 17 months ago. Then I left after a two-year struggle and not growing. We have been looking for a new church home for a long time. Since Christmas we've been at this one. They're having a ladies' retreat at one of my favorite spots on the Chesapeake Bay. I need no bravery to go to that place, but to feel like I fit in requires a leap of faith. Or baby steps.

Powderroom politics, I've heard it called. Women who are put together or appear to be.

I overpack for lack of bravery.

All day I've been talking to the Lord and letting him talk back. Fear not, he says, for I am with you.
Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. That means listen to them. Talk less, listen more. Feel prompted to pray for them? Do it.   Let God increase while I decrease.  Encourage one another while is called Today. Be filled with the Spirit, singing to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Put on the whole armor of God, but against SATAN, not armor againtst people. We don't fight against flesh and blood.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might.