Where do babies come from?

 9/1/12 Keeping with the Saturday “questions to consider” theme, this question is one that often gives young parents pause for thought. Not having had to answer this in many years, I wanted to share an expert’s answer with you. So listen up, even you grandparents.This gal has the answer.

Mary Flo Ridley has the best info in 28 minutes that you will ever find. I’ve heard her in person and her “Focus on the Family” program last Monday was a synopsis of some of this. She helps you share basic facts along with family values. If you don’t set the values for your family, someone else will. (TV, maybe) Don’t let the world teach your child life values. Mary Flo’s emphasis is on the beauty and boundaries of sex and she recommends doing it a little at a time. It’s a great "inoculation/prevention" technique..

IT’S WORTH YOUR TIME SO CLICK HERE. SHE WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION.

This is a link to Mr. Rogers’ “Fancy Song” which she mentioned, if interested. some of you youngsters may not even know who Mr. Rogers is. 

If you listened to Mary Flo you now know how to answer that question. She also has a Simple Truths program that she uses in public schools. Her latest book, God’s Very Good Design”, helps parents create a godly message of sex for their children. It gives the biblical references to use in “the talk” type situations. “A simple book with a simple plan that gives you simple steps to follow.”

Info on all of this can be found on Mary Flo's homepage. 

My continuing blog readers know that Mary Flo is one of the BIGGEST blessings the Lord provided for me during my cancer surgeries and struggles. She did more than house me, a virtual unknown to her---she ministered to me daily! She's the real deal. You can trust Mary Flo's answers.

RAQUEL

8/31/12…..a woman after God’s own heart. Raquel. Not exactly the name I call her but a name that resonates throughout the Guerrero Mountains in the heart of the people of that land.

A young woman sensing the call of God to Mexico has become the beautiful feet of a messenger who brings good news to the hearts of the people. (Isaiah 52:7)  

One who takes risks to participate in medical caravans in order to heal physical ills alongside spiritual ones. One trained in mid-wifery, available in a place where there is need. A single woman who travels alone, when necessary, in a land where even our large group had been stopped by bandidos.

Having traveled with her once, I saw first hand her love for the people of Tlapa and El Llano and that reciprocal love. She travels with a full heart and it overflows to others.

Inglesia Cristiana Tlapaneco Church is on right at the top of the hill.

If I asked her ¿Hablas [tú] inglés? Her answer would probably be,  “Yes, but I rarely do.”  Speaking fluent Spanish endears her (in just one more way) to the people to whom she ministers. But she continues to learn the Me’phaa language---the language of the Tlapaneco Indians. A difficult language. A tonal language mainly of ideas rather than verbs, infinitives, etc. Only consonants in the words, as I recall.

Nák hí rí ginii ne’ne Ana’ló mikhu jmaá juba’. In the beginning God created heaven and earth. (Me’phaa translation) D

Sharing her midwife information with the women of El Lano

Since January I have received over 30 emails from this young woman. Most are full of praise or prayer requests for others. She has a heart for these people, her people. She has a heart for God. That heart extends God’s love to others that they, too, might come to know Him as Savior and Lord. So she goes.

Raquel. I’m sure her name resonates through God’s heart as well.

Raquel's feet are on the left as she stands with her Mexican sister in Christ.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! (Isaiah52:7)

Waxing Nostalgic

8/29/12 Heating up the lady peas. That’s all I was doing. Yet, looking at that little pot had all those summer memories flooding back. And just maybe favorably increasing in size because that’s often what happens when one has those "rear view mirror recollections" from childhood.

This, however, was not one of favorable distortion---it’s just favorable. A vivid memory of Mama Davenport sitting on her front porch cradling a white enamel pot with the red trim in her apron-covered lap. Shelling peas. Nowadays we give them all kinds of names from purple hulls and pink eyes to cream peas and zippers. To Mama they were ordinary peas. Field peas with snaps. She would include those snaps because those small underdeveloped ones added flavor to the pot. If she couldn’t shell them, she just threw those small pods right into her pot.

Many baby-boomers have such memories. Mine go beyond the peas and to the small-framed woman, who was not only my grandmother but also my spiritual mentor---a word she probably never even heard. Scooping those peas from the bushel at her feet and shelling them was not easy for Mama D. because she had such crippling arthritis. It didn’t stop her. Perseverance. It permeated every facet of her life. Continuance in a marriage that was not always easy. Sitting alone in a pew, if children or grandchildren weren’t around to accompany her. If Dang-Dang wouldn’t drive us to church, she would take me by the hand and we’d walk. No complaint---just resolve. A woman who “kept the faith.” A role model for me.

In earlier years of marriage, I bought my ½ - 1 bushel of peas to shell, just like Mama did. Though many of hers came from a neighbor “down the road a piece.” Nowadays, mine come from the farmer’s market, already shelled, by those big commercial shelling machines, located right behind the vendors.

And no matter what I choose---white crowders or zippers, purple hulls or pink eyes, shirt and britches or lady peas, they all taste like home. A good reason to wax nostalgic.

CELEBRATE LIFE....a younger version

8/28/12 Last night’s celebration with a “younger” friend on her BIG 6-0 birthday was quite a contrast to Saturday’s "101 year" celebration. Both were fun---just different. Saturday’s decorations were elegant, floral and understated with no mention of years. Yesterday’s were full of color and “60” everywhere.

 The Saturday group most in their 9^thdecade, arrived dressed to the nines, with  no walkers, one hidden knee brace and only one cane, which was quickly put aside---with youthful hopefulness. Though aging was at the forefront of conversation for the Monday group the guests ranged in age from 30 something to 70+. That's  the generation span of friendships of the honoree, who said, “That way I make sure there is still someone around to attend my funeral!”

Walker’s adorned the entry at the more recent event and even offered valet parking for the elderly. Attire for the group, at the request of the honoree, was to be of an “elderly fashion.” Not to dress “old & frumpy” were the dictates of the hostesses. So, said honoree was the only one to arrive clad with her 96 yr old mom’s shoes with rolled down house, bed-head hair and tissues everywhere----you get the idea. At least, she left her mom’s hearing aids in her purse. (BTW, two of her “kind” friends tried to dress according to the birthday girl’s rules---that would be Shirley and Lou)

Song and dance captured the essence of Crickett.

Yet, the passing of 60 years of life was still celebrated with skits and pranks, both recent and past. Bugs and roaches in beds, short sheeting, crickets in curtains and inappropriate use of toilet paper. (LOL) That’s laugh out loud for you elderly readers. LOTS of laughter was definitely part of this life celebration. (Psalm 133:1)

It’s said that laughter is good for the soul---well, so is Crickett.

Birthday, dear friend “zee Crickeeet”---only 5 more years ‘til Medicare.  

Can't wait to see what your "innocent friends", Julie and Sandra cook up for that life celebration!

Musing Job 13:5

8/27/12 Sometimes I gain insight as I muse scripture interrogatively. 

A t-shirt worn by a friend had me asking myself several questions. What verse is that? What was happening in Job’s life to precipitate this question? Is this relevant today as seemingly“wise” counsel might only be someone’s opinion? Just their view and not God’s. How is this scripture, Job 13:5, speaking to me?

If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. (NIV)

If only you could be silent! That's the wisest thing you could do. (ESV)

O that you would be completely silent, And that it would become your wisdom! (NASB)

O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom. (KJV)

Regardless of the version, I see this as a truth, which I, more often than I like, don’t exercise in my life.

After musing interrogatively, with lots of different questions, I wrote out my own version.

You (Dotsy) would be wise to keep your mouth shut. (DAL)

It’s the gift that I need to give hubby more often than I do.

That’s my musing. What’s yours?

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: that make me smile

"Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers."
Proverbs 17:6

 8/26/12 Nothing brings a smile to a grandmother’s face much quicker than seeing her grands----and when they live faraway, a GOOD picture will have to suffice.

CELEBRATE LIFE!

8/25/12 Following my morning meditation, in Job 12:7-12, I “dressed” to go help friend, Peggy, who was hosting a birthday luncheon for “Miss Louise” and a bevy of her friends. Celebrating life. Many years of life.

Miss Louise and hostess, Peggy, who has honored her with birthday luncheons since 2006.

Job’s words flooded my mind because I knew the Lord had blessed her with this length of years. Truly, “in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:10) Few people ever realize that many years on earth. Shouldn't we be celebrating each breath with gratitude?

Miss Louise not only celebrates age in years but her mind, still very sharp, allows those of us around her to celebrate too, as she shares a wealth of wisdom and stories. What fun to listen as she reminisced about the “ last” time she was at Mackinac Island and the governor's wedding was taking place there. Though not “officially” at the wedding, island guests were able to view it on a large screen in the lobby of The Grand, where she was staying. She concluded her view was probably better than those of the guests in attendance. She also recalled all the geraniums and the “tea” available each day.

Job 12:12 provides today’s questions. “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” It certainly has for “Miss Louise.”

So here’s a “cuppa” to "Miss Louise" on her 101^st Birthday! What a privilege to serve her during this year's celebration!

CELL-LESS, no more

8/24/12 Most folks know that I don’t have a cell.  Make that past tense, now I do. There are a few concerns on my part. Keeping up with it. Knowing the number. I have never “done” numbers well and that malady has just worsened with age. The pre-fix, I knew I could get---but those last four digits could be troublesome. 

 But God…..in His goodness and mercy gave me great last 4 digits. Those who read my blog regularly will understand. Watch carefully for the date to come across the screen.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfyFI-4ZsaE

Maybe I should use it as my ring-tone.

For sure, it should be played at my funeral,** when being cell-less won’t matter.

** ‘Cause if I’m NOT truly dead, I’ll rise up and dance or I'll at least be toe-tapping in heaven!

INTERRUPTIONS.....

8/23/12…..by any other name is still disruptive.                                                  Consequences can follow.

Grandson Owen has been having a few transition difficulties into his kindergarten world---of listening, in particular. A very verbal, only child. A child in a world of adults who listen to him. A wonderful creative wordsmith, if you ask me.

 

A few weeks ago he explained the works of a volcano “erumption” to his mother. It included the description of the hot lava overflow that exploded and streamed forth after said “erumption.”

Earlier this week, Owen’s response to his mom’s, “How was your day?” was “I pulled three clips (warnings) and THEN I lost my Bumblebee from the hive.” (separation from the group is the consequence)

“What did you do to lose your clips?” Mom asked.

“I “erumpted” 3 times---2 times during circle time and  1 time during story. Then I had to sit out during recess."

Separated & only "watching" friends play

What life lessons can be learned in a kindergarten class. 

 This week’s interruptions were "erumptions" in Owen’s words---phonetically interruptions and eruptions all run together for him. And yet it was his inability to hold back that caused him to explode (erumpt) with his “important to him words”----thus interrupting (erumpting) the group, who did not see his words or excuses as more important than the teaching. Result separation from the group. 

Quiet time this morning had me “erumpting” God by rationalizing a truth about myself that I really did not want to face.

That, my friends, is an “erumption” of the highest order.

Separation from God can be the result---until it is confessed and dealt with---thus this blog.

Erumpting no more.

"MY" Buddys

8/21/12 Everybody needs a buddy in life. Sometimes a buddy’s physical presence is desired, especially during times of both celebration and mourning. Many buddies can come and go during different seasons in life. Certainly God has provided many buddies for me along my spiritual journey. But God….has also given me two REAL Buddys in both my physical family and my spiritual family. This past week, both offered counsel as I was once again struggling with “ranking” my priorities in life. 

Older brother, Buddy, had a succinct, but pointed, list for my consideration. He’s known me for 65 years, so he has the “right”. Plus, he does it in love and kindness and I know he has my best interest at heart when he reminds me to “let God lead…where He wants…” Prioritizing starts with Him. 

But God….didn’t stop there. He had me catching up on son, Buddy’s, on-line sermon, “Traps and Tugs”.  The first part dealt with the misconception of “trying” to prioritize life with a sequential/rank list in order to follow Christ with His priorities. We tend toward rules and ranking but the Lord wants us to go beyond our “list” mentality into relationship with responsibility. He will help us navigate that life which is in alignment with Him.

Only one thing is needful. (Luke 10: 41:42) I read that in the Upper Room entry (8/15/12) the morning after I blogged of my priorities’ struggle.

But God….gave me 2 Buddys to remind me of that.

Everybody needs a Buddy---how grateful I am to have two.

“My” Buddys

Older Brother Buddy

Older Son Buddy