INFINITE HOPE

Sitting in the examining room waiting on the pulmonary specialist, I was re-reading my most recent letter from dear, dear, friend Ashley Bryan.
He was welcoming our #9 grandchild, girl #2! "I know you are all having a GRAND TIME Loving her as she Loves you! (Ashley's words)

Between his plan to travel to visit family in Texas and return to "his" island and resuming his painting in his neighbors gardens, he was awaiting his WWII story, Infinite Hope! --mid October '19. He and I have both been so excited to see beyond the F & Gs.

Before the doc entered, Hubby sent me a text . "Today" show Favorite FALL BOOKS w/ Savannah & a team of readers announced their fave books by categories.

Ashley's newest book, Infinite Hope, was chosen as the best in Love & Romance category by one of the panelist.

The panelist explained that this book needed to win awards and he thought "love" was an appropriate category as Ashley, who is 96 years old, shares how his love for art sustained him as a 19 year old draftee during WWII.

One reviewer stated that Infinite Hope is "both a lesson in history and a testament to hope." (S & S)
Having talked with Ashley through the years, even about his time during the war and seeing some of his sketches I knew that it had been a difficult time for him. Needless to say, I'm anxious to  receive my copy!

He has chosen to share his love for the stories of his people and his desire to preserve Black American Spiritual as his life's work. "The spirituals touch me deeply and inspire my heart's soulwork." (Ashley Bryan, I'm Going to Sing -Black American Spirituals vol. 2)

His art, which has its own "voice" and his words, have spread hope to many.

Ashley is one of the kindest people I have ever known.

A man of faith. An encourager. My friend.
A man of "infinite hope" himself who pours out love & hope to others.

How a treasure this picture with him at his home on Isleford/Little Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine. He was sharing his F & Gs (folded and gathered pages) of his book, Infinite Hope. 

A man who signed and gave me the book & a bit of his heart and hopes as we talked.

WITH GOD

With---a four letter preposition "with" a BIG life in scripture. A "function" word. Accompanied by. Possessing as a feature of accompaniment. On the side of. 

Together comes to my mind.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, emphasis mine)

With-ness is key---if that's even a word. Lately, I have been "with God" early in my day praying from Psalm 143:8. Setting my agenda before Him asking his direction in the way I should go. You see, I want to go with Him. I want Him with me as I face the "tyranny" of the urgent along with fears that haunt me and minutiae that distracts me.

I need to quit "straining at a gnat." (Matthew 23:24) My focus is on the small things, which blind me from seeing the big picture of God's faithfulness. His word reminds me, "it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6, emphasis mine)

I need Emmanuel---"God with us", with me all the time.

QUOTES AND QUIPS

Addictions come in all sizes. One of my al anon prayer partners confesses she is addicted to quotes.

Comparatively speaking, that's not a bad addiction.

Yesterday, alongside my collection of her quotes, "Suggestions are control coming through the back door", I added her latest one, "Expectations are pre-meditated resentments."

Seriously. Those are worth pondering, for many of us, I'd say.

At church Sunday, teacher, Rad, who is full of quips, shared two quips---"lunch on the grounds" in the south is *deviled eggs up to your eyeballs" (Mother called them dressed eggs. Maybe, she felt the devil's name should have no access to a church event.) His second quip reminded us that too often folks go home,

after church, to feast on "roast preacher." 

Son, Buddy, recently quipped, with serious undertones of truth, that parenting is difficult in this generation of "eye rolls and earbuds." He also quipped that he too often had "IDS"--irritable dad syndrome.

Humor's purpose in the midst of a sermon is often a way of facing the realities of our day to day lives in an accepting way. 

Together. Fellowship on the same side of "suffering" whether it's addiction or parenting difficulties. Knowing earth is not our final home does in no way negate that it is our home today. Humor can help make the best of what life offers us in the moment.

The quotes are helping remind me to leave my "control" tendencies in God's hands and the quips are helping to lighten my load/burden with humor as I stumble.

Quips that bring laughter can be therapeutic.

According to scripture, "He who has a merry heart has a continual feast," (Proverbs 15:15) even when one, with an egg allergy, attends his church's fall dinner on the grounds".

GAL PAL GETAWAYS!

What does a "Gal Pal Getaway" look like......

I already know that a sweet friendship refreshes the soul. (Proverbs 27:9)
For T-cups--it's a mystery trip known only to one who plans the trip. Destination usually revealed at start of trip but not this time. New jaunts were explained upon arrival. Those in back seat felt as if we were somewhere beyond our state---California, maybe.

A Full Circle of "Tennessee Treks, Trail and Back Roads"included.............Walking Tall Trail, Civil War Trail, w/ catfish at Hagy's, Amish wagon rides,

RR crossings,

Hoopee Rides....

and lots of cuisine from old timey boardinghouse to mealhouse....

.....dips from Capt'n Rodneys (REAL Capt'n Rodney joined our Pic.)

not to mention fried pie sundies at Soda Pop Junction

and hominy casserole & collards-- plus baked apples with a little of the Lynchburg"product" stirred in and a touch of the "product was tasted in the REAL whipped cream on the buttermilk pie at Miss Mary BoBo's......

to RH Cafe with lobster  rolls. Champagne was also available.

.....Even met Bubba at 9 Back St. (backroad address) Mulberry, TN lavender farm.

Banana pudding for the Banana Pudding festival.

BREAKFAST! BREAKFAST! BREAKFAST!

1 Banana w/ 1 Egg--Delish! we had to try it to believe it.

Feasting and feeding on God's Word after breakfast!

"New" Long Island friends at Marcy Jo's Mealhouse community table

So grateful we ended each day for Triple R---Rest & Relaxation at the Ranch--filled with cows, horses, chickens + 1 rooster, a baby doll sheep, a mini horse, a mule named Duke, bee hives,

an amazing "she shed" 

& LOTS OF PORCHES.

"Full Circle" Ranch, no less.......

...a place to refresh one's soul! **

**Trip Addendum---A few hours after we returned Saturday one of the gals had a stroke. Tuesday another gal had gallbladder surgery. Life Lesson learned----enjoy  the  moments God gives---because our days are gifts from the hand of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)
We could be of good cheer knowing that God was in the plan (Mattie Dear) Even in those scares & struggles, there was fullness of joy in His presence as we prayed together for each other! (Psalm 16:11)