Off The Road & Back Home.......For a Little While

Seems like I've been gone for a long time and it's really only been a week. My clothes are still in my travel bag. I see no sense in taking them out when we are leaving again by the weekend. My dogs are not sure just where they are going to be from day to day! Each time we get the bags out, they stand with a look on their faces like "do we get to go this time?" When we get in the vehicle and leave, they do not relax until we pass the kennel where they stay while we are gone.

Our trip to Charleston was short but good. Hubby is working on some pictures I hope to post soon. We crammed alot into a short time, but we had fun and wished we had more time. We will be going back and hopefully in the near future. Son's truck is on it's way to Hawaii (after some quick information recovery, thanks to bethanne) and will be there, according to the company shipping it, by November 19th. Please continue to pray for Kenneth, his transition to Hawaii and then an almost immediate transfer to Iraq for 6 months. Kenneth flies on a P3 Orion which, for those of you who are like me and do not know what that is, basically is used to hunt enemy subs but while in Iraq will be looking for terrorists. He has only 2 years until retirement and I am praying that the six months he is deployed will be so busy that it will pass quickly so that he can enjoy his time in Hawaii.

When we got home, we immediately went to the campground for a cook out with the other 3 campground host couples. What a great time! T-bone steaks, baked potatoes, salad, banana pudding, and German chocolate upside-down cake. All cooked and eaten outside. The campfire was huge, and the fellowship sweet. This is the first year since we have been working at the park that all the couples are Christians and, believe you me, it shows in the way that the office is run. There is a spirit of love and concern, not just for each other, but for the people we meet who have come to camp. Each couple working has had or are facing different problems, whether it be health related or family related or something in their life beyond their control. We pray for one another, encourage one another and look forward to seeing how the Lord is going to answer prayers in each other's lives. The park is beautiful this time of the year. The color is deep and the deer are plentiful. They do not have any fear of people and walk right up into the camp sights. The mornings and nights are crisp (30's) so a campfire feels great. I must admit, I do not look forward to pulling our camper home. Guess that will make next spring even sweeter to think about when the snow blows this winter.

Today is getting away from me. I have a bed to make, bible study to do (really to catch up - this is our last night), clothes to wash, my part of a ladies event to get together, a wrinkled outfit to get ready for Sunday (thanks LuAnn!), and most important of all - a beautiful fall day to enjoy!
Actually, I think I might just surprise my dogs and take them for a walk. They would love it and I NEED it.

Critters and Other Stuff

Nothing much happening here in upper East Tennessee except beautiful fall weather and lots, and lots of LADY BUGS - yes, I said lady bugs and they are driving me CRAZY! In the early spring and in the fall we are overcome by lady bugs. Because we are adjacent to the Cherokee National Forest and because the hemlocks are endangered by a bug called the woolly adelgid (I think I spelled that right) and because the lady bug is the ONLY thing that eats the woolly adelgid, the National Forest Service releases millions and millions, did I say millions, I meant trillions of them from the air into our atmosphere. It would be no problem if they did the job they were released to do, but at this time of the year they seek warmth - that means the sun - the sun on my front porch each afternoon. If we did not have to open our doors now and again, I could see them from afar, but because we do ever so often have to go out, they fly in the door, thereby requiring me to suck them up in my vacuum. One other small bit of info - they STINK when they are challenged by man or vacuum and I have discovered, in a really big challenge, they bite! Now this little problem just began on last Friday and we probably are in for a couple of weeks of these pesky visitors. The only relief I can foresee is frost or rain. They do not like rain and the frost will kill them, but not before they have laid their eggs for next spring. It is a never ending battle. I think the Lord sent these pests so we will welcome winter instead of dread it. Oh yes, I failed to mention that I am not the only one that these little critters have chosen to visit. They are EVERYWHERE. There was even a segment on the news how this region is plagued by them - sort of like the locusts in the Bible. The only difference we don't have any people to let go!

Next problem - field mice. Thankfully, I have a courageous husband who does not mind emptying traps when they catch the mice that seek warmth in our garage. We not only live on mountain, we are surrounded by woods - thus field mice. Since I have no resident cat, they prefer my house to my neighbors who has 4 resident cats. My two dogs, yorkies (whose heritage is to seek out and kill rodents), are of no help. They have risen above working in this life, and would not know what to do with a mouse if they caught it.

Next problem - raccoons - big, fat raccoons that gorge on my sunflower seeds and suet. I love to feed the birds. We have a multitude of different birds that live in our woods - doves, cardinals, nuthatches, titmice, blue jays,wrens, finches and more. The raccoons and opossums raid the feeders at night. I put out new suet yesterday because it attracts woodpeckers and I love to watch them. This morning - suet all gone. No bird ate all that suet from late yesterday afternoon till this morning. Besides, my suet feeders were open and that is a sure sign that the culprit was bigger than a bird. No wonder the raccoons that I see when I take my dogs out before bed are fat - I'm feeding them lard!

After five years of living here on the mountain I guess I should be accustomed to sharing space with wildlife and bugs. The joys far outweigh the nuances. We are beginning to see, with the shedding of the leaves, the view of the mountains toward North Carolina and evening sunsets. Yesterday afternoon's sky was breathtaking with the pinks and reds. A good way to close out the day remembering that there is with the bad (bugs) also good. God is good! Thank you Lord Jesus for the privilege of living in this world you made.

I almost forgot - no more blogging for a few days. Hubby and I are off on a little adventure. His son, who is in the Navy has been in Japan for three years and is being stationed in Hawaii. We have his truck and are taking it to Charleston SC to be shipped by the Navy so he will have a vehicle when he arrives in Hawaii in December. He will leave for the middle east in January and will be there for six months. Please pray for our safety in travel goin to SC and Kenneth's safety in this transition and in his deployment. All this moving is a big deal - lots of paper work and planning. Believe me, he really needs your prayers at this time in his life.

Unbelievable.........

It's absolutely unbelievable that I would post two days in a row! Something MUST be wrong with me! Actually, I have no great people to quote today and no real words of wisdom to utter; I am just so thankful for my life and my situation. This morning in the paper there was no encouraging words to be had. All doom and gloom. A killer convicted, landslide in Yosemite, corrupt executives, a child abandoned at medical facilities, economy still not even starting to recover, candidates at one another's throats, loss of benefits for workers, loss of jobs - all of these are a sign of the times. My situation is so good compared to many. My hope is not in this world or in our leaders. My hope is in Jesus and the anticipation of seeing Him one day.


This morning in my bible study, which this week is on gentleness, some of the scripture was in Acts and some in John. The lesson title is Gentle Giants - about Paul and Peter. As I read scripture that I have read hundreds of time before, I began to question whether I exhibit any gentleness in my life. Gentleness - a life surrendered to real power (Beth Moore's definition). I had never thought about gentleness being submission. I think I had always coupled gentleness with timidity. So gentleness means not being stubborn or pig-headed - not fighting God's will in my life - a life surrendered to the Highest Power. For me, stubborn as I am, pig-headed as I am, that is a tall order. I am so glad that God never, ever gives up on us. That means there is still hope for me!


While reading scripture about Paul, the lesson had us list some of the ways Paul had suffered for Christ's sake - beatings, jail, angry mobs, exhaustion, hunger, sleeplessness, stoning, pain, cold, thirst. I have suffered nothing for Christ. I have, we all have, real cushy lives compared to the Saints of the Bible. They did not live in fear of what was coming, they lived in anticipation. They wanted to suffer for Christ. Paul said, and I am paraphrasing, his suffering meant he was a partner in Christ's suffering all the way to death itself. Wow! I don't have a clue what real suffering is! Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not into wanting to suffer, but what will Christ be able to thank me for when I stand before Him. Since we live in a different time and age, I suppose the up-side-down crucifixion, stoning, and beatings don't apply, but the anticipation
of what is coming does. We never know when circumstances in our lives are going to change and we may be required to take a stand. If the wrong people (liberals) get elected to high positions, we may, as Christians, find ourselves persecuted even to the point Paul and Peter were for their beliefs. Will I meet the test? Will we as Christ's body meet the test? I pray that I will. I pray that we will. I pray that in our weakness we would find strength to be a partner in Christ's suffering all the way to death itself like Paul.


This may seem as though I am doom and gloom like the newspaper today, but the good news is that no matter how bad things seem or even get - we who know Christ and have Him living in us are going to be okay - in fact - better than okay. Nothing can destroy us. No one can destroy us. We have the hope of eternity in heaven with Jesus. We have anticipation of worshipping at His feet forever and I can't wait! Come quickly Lord Jesus!

Scriptural Answers To The "Whys" In Our Lives

I know ..... it's been awhile. I could use the excuse that I have been away which I was last week. I could use the excuse that I have been really busy and I have - but not that busy. I could use the excuse that I have not been motivated and probably that excuse is the best one of all. Do you ever get in the mode of simply not knowing or wanting to blog? Some of us are not given to great randomness like bethanne, and when I don't know what to write, I don't write!

Last month an article was sent to me by email. I read it and copied it because I really didn't have my mind fully on it at the time. I thought I would come back to it and study it a little more and search out the scripture references when I was a little more with it! I laid it on my desk and this week I found it again. As I have studied it more the past couple of days, I realized how true the article is and how I needed to read this and keep it near for future reading. I want to share this with you. It may be a little lengthy, but maybe it will be thoughts that you need in your life at this particular time - much like I did at the time I refound (not sure that is a real word) it.

Scripture References:

Romans 8:17

2 Corinthians 12:9

1 Peter 4:12-13

Job 16

Romans 5:3-4

John 14:31

Colossians 1:24

Isaiah 45:9-11

Author: Elisabeth Elliot

Source: Keep A Quiet Heart

Ever Been Bitter?

Sometimes I've said, "O Lord, you wouldn't do this to me, would you? How could you, Lord?" I can recall such times later on and realize that my perspective was skewed. One scripture passage which helps me rectify it is Isaiah 45:9-11 (NEB): "Will the pot contend with the potter, or the earthenware with the hand that shapes it? Will the clay ask the potter what he is making? .... Thus says the Lord, would you dare question me concerning my children, or instruct me in my handiwork? I alone, I made the earth and created man upon it." He knows exactly what He is doing. I am the clay.

The word "humble" comes for the root word "humus, earth, clay." Let me remember that when I question God's dealings. I don't understand Him, but then I'M NOT ASKED TO UNDERSTAND, ONLY TO TRUST.

Bitterness dissolves when I remember the kind of love with which He has loved me--He gave Himself for me. He gave Himself for me. He gave Himself for me. He gave Himself for me. Whatever He is doing now, therefore, is NOT cause for bitterness. It has to be designed for good, because He loved me and gave Himself for me.

Is it a sin to ask God why?

It is always best to go first for answers to Jesus Himself. He cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" It was a human cry, a cry of desperation, springing from His heart's agony at the prospect of being put into the hands of wicked men and actually becoming sin for you and me. We can never suffer anything like that, yet we at times feel forsaken and cry, Why, Lord?

The psalmist asked why. Job, a blameless man, suffering horrible torments on an ash heap, asked why. It does not seem to me to be sinful to ask the question.

What IS sinful is resentment against God and His dealings with us.

When we begin to doubt His love and imagine that He is cheating us of something we have a right to, we are guilty as Adam and Eve were guilty. They took the snake at his word rather than God. The same snake comes to us repeatedly with the same suggestions: Does God love you? Does He really want the best for you? Is His word trustworthy? Isn't He cheating you? Forget His promises. You'd be better off if you do it your way. Etc.

I have often asked why. Many things have happened which I didn't plan on and which human rationality could not explain. In the darkness of my perplexity and sorrow I have heard Him say quietly, Trust Me.

He knew that my question was not the challenge of unbelief or resentment. I have never doubted that He loves me, but I have sometimes felt like St. Teresa of Avila who, when she was dumped out of a carriage into a ditch said, "If this is the way You treat your friends, no wonder You have so few!" :-)

Job was not, it seems to me, a very patient man. But he never gave up his conviction that he was in God's hands. God was big enough to take whatever Job dished out (see Job 16 for a sample). Do not be afraid to tell Him exactly how you feel. (He already read your thoughts anyway). Don't tell the whole world. God can take it--others can't. (AMEN!!!)

Then listen for His answer. Six scriptural answers to the question WHY come from the scriptures listed above. There is mystery, but it is not all mystery. Here are clear reasons.

I hope that the above article spoke to someone's heart. I have been a fan of Elisabeth Elliott for many years and knowing the things that she has been through in her life make this article even more dear to me. As the person who sent this to me said, "if you have not been to this point in your life, you will. Save it. If you are there, this will encourage you".

A Psalm That Blesses

I have been pondering over lots and lots of things recently, some I can share, some I can not and some I will share in later posts. As I told you in an earlier post, I am in a Beth Moore Bible study on Wednesday nights about the fruits of the spirit. So far I have learned that I have not been taking advantage of these fruits in my life - rather, I have not been allowing the Holy Spirit to work through me to use the gifts that the Father has given me - love, patience, joy, peace, kindness,etc. Well, I am working on that, but this morning I was reading in Psalms as I do each morning and I wanted to share with you Psalm 103 out of the Message which is the Bible in contemporary language. I know - some think that reading a version written in our everyday language is cheating, but I found this morning that the words I read were very uplifting and easy to apply to my every day life. Let David's words minister to you.

A David Psalm

O my soul, bless God,

From head to toe I'll bless his holy name!

O my soul, bless God,

don't forget a single blessing!

He forgives your sins - every one.

He heals your diseases - every one.

He redeems you from hell - saves your life!

He crowns you with love and mercy - a paradise crown.

He wraps you in goodness - beauty eternal.

He renews your youth - you're always young in his presence.

God makes everything come out right;

he puts victims back on their feet.

He showed Moses how he went about his work,

opened up his plans to all Israel.

God is sheer mercy and grace;

not easily angered, he's rich in love.

He doesn't endlessly nag and scold,

nor hold grudges forever.

He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve,

nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.

As high as heaven is over the earth,

so strong is his love to those who fear him.

And as far as sunrise is from sunset,

he has separated us from our sins.

As parents feel for their children,

God feels for those who fear him.

He know us inside and out,

keeps in mind that we are made of mud.

Men and women don't live very long;

like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,

But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,

leaving nothing to show they were here.

God's love, though, is ever and always,

eternally present to all who fear him.

Making everything right for them and their children

as they follow his Covenant ways

and remember to do whatever he said.

God has set his throne in heaven;

he rules over us all. He's the King!

So bless God, you angels,

ready and able to fly at his bidding,

quick to hear and do what he says.

Bless God, all you armies of angels

alert to respond to whatever he wills.

Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are-

everything and everyone made by God.

And you, O my soul, bless God!

Promises Are Made To Be Broken?

When I began this blog I promised myself that I would not neglect to post on it or I would not begin. Well, guess I have already blown that promise! This week has been one that I can not account for my time - other than the fact it has flown by in a hurry. I have been praying that the Lord would give me a hunger for His Word. I have found myself spending more and more time on the screened porch with coffee and His Word and with Him. I don't want to get going and do anything else. Each day I do my Beth Moore Bible study that I am doing on Wednesday nights and one scripture leads to another and before I know it, it's 11:00. Seeing how I was on the porch between 7:30 and 8:00, that is a pretty long time to put off other chores. So this afternoon I, patting myself on the back, did yard work with hubby and boy do I feel it now! I, because of my bicycle accident and the dizziness, had let some parts of the yard go. My job is to keep weeds pulled, spread mulch, feed birds (including hummingbirds), and hubbys job is to mow and weed eat. He has kept up his part, but mine has gone astray. Since it's fall and time for fall decorating, it's also time for weed cutting, hosta cutting back, pulling up and throwing away old flowers, spreading new mulch, fall flag hanging, and the planting of mums and pansies. Today was mulch and cutting back flowers and weed pulling day. I CAN'T MOVE! Unfortunately, I have to cook supper, but I wish I didn't! A little popcorn would do fine.

As most of you know, after my accident I had much dizziness. I had prayed about the healing of this most aggravating problem, but thinking back to what the Dr had told me, it was not uncommon that it may never be completely over. One day at church, a friend who works with these types of problems told bethanne that she thought she might be able to help me. Come to find out after testing I have Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - BPPV for short. The most common cause of BPPV in people under 50 is head injury (like bicycle wreck, hit the grill with your head injury). After my friend had me do some physical maneuvers and determined that I did indeed have BPPV, she had me do some exercises. She told me a few things to do for the next 48 hours and I did everything I could to follow her instructions - not look up, sleep on two pillows or in a recliner, try to keep my head vertical and try to do no exercise that requires head movement. IT WORKED at least for now. I have had no dizziness for the past week. That is not to say that it won't come back, but for now I'm encouraged. When I hit my head, it sent debris into my ear canal - thus the vertigo. God is sooooooooo good. I have known this friend for several years, but God knew that she would be able to help me with my dizziness before the beginning of time. Wow!

Next time I post maybe I'll have more interesting info. Mean time, I'm going to limp on in the kitchen and put supper on the table.

It's Time...............

Herman & June Henson at Herman's Retirement Party On September 10. 2008.

I know! It's time I settled down and blogged a little. Last week I had a good excuse - working at the park. This week - no excuse except that catching up is hard to get done! We did not come home from the campground until Monday afternoon. It is very relaxing to sleep late after getting up early for seven days and sitting in your pj's and drink coffee. Last week was the most peaceful week we have spent this summer so far. The days were warm and the nights crisp. We had to run our heater almost every night (in the high 40's) b1ut it warmed up to the mid 70's during the day. Fall is definately in the air! My time of year!



On Wednesday of this week we went back to the park for a retirement lunch for Herman Henson. Hermon retired after 26 years of faithful service to the State of Tennessee. His main job was to collect the garbage in each campsite, at the picnic shelters, at the conference center, at the office, and anywhere along the way. Over the past four years working in the campground office, I have learned alot about dedication and responsibility from Hermon. I also learned that a conversation between friends did not necessarily have to be said with alot of words or any words at all. Herman does not get in a hurry nor does he waste words. In fact, Herman is a man of few words, but when he does talk, what he says means something. One morning when he came by the office, I told him good morning and asked him how he was. Maybe, two minutes passed and he told me he was just tickled to death to be here. Then two more minutes passed and he told me that when he stepped out on his porch that morning, he looked up in the sky and it looked like a morning that the Lord might come back and that he was ready! He finished that statement with a big smile. Herman witnessed that morning to me and anyone else that was standing or sitting on the office porch. I've had many conversations with Herman like that. Short and sweet - very sweet. Any time we can testify for the Lord it is sweet and the Lord honors that. I believe that Herman honored the Lord every day in his work and because of his dedication, the Lord has honored Herman. Never have I seen Herman that he did not take pride in his job. He never broke the speed limit, never missed a trash can, never failed to tie a knot in the trash bag, never failed to fit the lid on the can securely, and always took pride in what he did - to the point of cleaning up trash when people missed the can or the racoons had gotten in the cans at night. Herman does not have a Phd, is not wealthy, does not drive a BMW, doesn't know how to blog and probably is not known outside of Roan Mountain, Tennessee, but he is a man of honor and conviction and most importantly he knows the Lord and is waiting for His return. I am going to miss Herman. One day last week he came back and sat on the porch with me. He didn't say much and neither did I. We just hung out and rocked awhile. He didn't stay long - but long enough to let me know that old habits are hard to break and coming to the park was a part of his life for 26 years.