Greater Works at GES

I'm trying unsuccessfully to upload pictures from the conference. It will probably have to wait til I return home on Thursday, though I will try again tomorrow.

Our contingent from San Antonio includes George and Viva Garza, Jo Schweizer and Kathy Crow, and Doug and Lois White. We are having a great time networking with other ministries and showing off our HGW shirt logos!

Yesterday we heard several good messages from Bob Wilkin, Steve Lewis and Jody Dillow. And this morning, another round of talks included memories of Zane Hodges, a paper by Lon Gregg and a wonderful message by Tony Evans. Graham gave his paper in a workshop this afternoon. So now we are more relaxed and ready to take in the rest of the conference.

The banquet tonight was top notch. A group from Communion Chapel were seated at the table next to us. Mike Pratt brought his elders, Pat Wilson, Ruben Gomez and Jim Voss. They have been enjoying all the teaching as well.

Hopefully I'll be able to get some pictures up soon. Time now to rest both body and brain.

Lessons from Esther

My ladies' Bible study group is studying the Book of Esther Beth Moore Bible study. (Ach! I used the word "study" three times in one sentence!) This is the ninth or tenth Bible study I have done in the Beth Moore series. I really love the methodology she uses and I particularly love the way God uses each subject to work into my certain set of circumstances.

Right now there are several events surrounding me that are seemingly too big to handle. I can bring forth all that I know about God, all that I know to pray, and yet, the circumstances are still beyond my control. Digging into the book of Esther has shown me some wonderful insights into God and His providence that speak profoundly to me in simple terms that I can understand.

Quoting from Beth, as we get to the end of chapter 3 in Esther: "I don't know exactly how God perfects plans that seem so bleak to us in process, but these two things I know: He never takes His eyes off of us or off the clock ticking over us." To say this caught my attention is an understatement!

A little further on, in examining Haman and his motives for destroying the Jews, Beth explains: "Satan's agenda is to kill and destroy anything dear to God... The beautifully frustrating part of Satan's insatiable bloodlust is that ultimately he cannot have what he wants... When all is said and done, Satan can't win and you can't lose." Friend, once we belong to Christ, our inner self is untouchable.

Looking at situations that happen to me, things not of my own doing, remind me of Proverbs 16:33: "The lot is cast into the lap but its every decision is from the Lord." Beth said something in the video this week that helped put things into perspective for me: "It is often crisis that God uses to pivot us in another direction. We have been left on this earth for a purpose."

And finally, as we came to verse 14 in chapter 4, this very familiar verse suddenly had more meaning: "Yet who knows whether you have come to this kingdom for such a time as this?" That kingdom, for me or for you, is anywhere that God has placed you, whether it be in your home, in your school or workplace, your community. God has ordained my circumstances for a purpose. "Who knows?" God knows! How comforting is that?

My response, then, is to pray - for my circumstance or situation, for my purpose to be revealed, for His will to be accomplished. That's a lot of good stuff coming from the little book of Esther!

A Dog Story

I may have mentioned this before, that I enjoy an ebay online community of dog-lovers. They are mostly women from all over the United States (and even Scandinavia). This "thread" started out as the home of a darling rescued Westie named Tess. Over the years Tess collected many friends with dogs of various breeds, and the core of the group has maintained the site even after our dear little Tess passed away over a year ago.

We enjoy sharing the exploits of our puppers - both the good and the bad - and I have obtained permission to reprint this vet story from our member from Arizona. This fine fella is named Biscotti and he apparently lists his vet appointments very low on his preferred activity list! He has a brother, a long-haired dachshound named Winslow. (She mentions Vixen, another Scottie who passed away last year.) Here, then, is Biscotti and his story:

Both boys were highly upset last night. Biscotti had a vet's appt.,

just his yearly check-up and distemper booster. It was also the first time Winslow

had to stay home alone...usually he had Vixen for company.

Well..the B Boy was not happy to be going to the vets in the first place.

After we got inside he would not settle down & behave...

I had to go back out to the jeep and get his crate!

We crated him where he continued to voice his displeasure at the whole experience.

It's around 5:30 pm, so the joint is hopping with people and pets (which just makes it worse)...wouldn't you know it? An older couple with a C-A-T in a see through carrier sat down next to us and plunks the carrier on the floor...right next to Biscotti!!

OH.MY.GOD>>>A CAT>>>>The commotion from inside the crate was truly deafening,

and probably frightening for people who do not know the terrier attitude

and determination and Biscotti's complete obsession and distrust of cats.

The crate fairly skipped across the floor closer to the cat...

the old couple were horrified and asked us what was in the crate.

I very calmly replied, "A Tasmanian Devil".

I thought Dale was going to choke, the old couple grabbed their cat

and moved across the room. Funny...no one else sat next to us..ha.

I finally asked the gal to put us in a room..for the love of God, please.

Biscotti was wound up tight enough to play tiddlywinks on, and naturally

the vet was running late. They got us in a room which only helped settle him down a bit,

as he was on high alert for another CAT.

Dr. Sherrill laughed at his antics and mentioned we could get Valium for his next appt....

I asked if I could take it too. Jeez...what an experience.

When we got home little Win was soooo happy we were ALL back...

he yapped and whined and looked pathetic. You would think a simple trip to the vet's office would not be such high drama...wouldn't you??

After we got home Biscotti was his happy calm self again...

we could of strangled him..haha.

The postscript to her story...

When Biscotti gets stressed out he sheds really bad, like a dried up old Christmas tree shedding it's needles...Vixen did too. So, I was covered in Scottie fur to boot, luckily wasn't wearing a white top, but it was a light color..hehe.

I couldn't help but laugh and enjoy her recitation! Makes me realize what a jewel I have in Treasure, although if I'm foolish enough to wear a dark shirt, I will get white Westie hair all over it!

My Funny Treasure

We had Bible study today at Jo's house. Our gathering has become as much about our doggies as it is about us. We enjoy the humor and affection they give as it adds to our bonding as a group of women. Usually it's Treasure and Jefferson. Now we sometimes have Betty Lou, and when Jo is dog-sitting, we'll get Byron or Mollie.


Today, as Treasure ran to Jo's door, Mollie was standing behind the glass. When we walked in they took one sniff of each other and proceeded to totally ignore each other for the next two hours! It really was as if Mollie was invisible! And vice-versa! This was one of the quietest Bible studies we have had all year!




All I can think is that Treasure was disappointed that Jefferson was out of town. Jeffie and Mollie have very similar markings, but Mollie is larger, a Maltese, and Treasure wasn't going to be fooled by her disguise! She knows her boyfriend, and nobody else can take his place! Funny little Treasure.

Reprieve!

We have been blessed today with a good report on Treasure. Our weekend was filled with gloom and fear after Treasure began some serious bleeding Saturday night. My prayers consisted of pleadings that God would let her hold on throughout the weekend so we could get to Dr. Earl Monday morning. With a handful of prayer warriors alerted and ready to intercede, we watched Miss Treasure closely and tried to keep her quiet and comfortable. And with just one trip to the bathroom during the night, she and I both got the best sleep ever last night!

Dr. Earl checked her this afternoon, did another ultrasound, and found that nothing had changed in the two weeks since her last exam. He thinks some of the tumor might have sloughed off and caused the bleeding. And since it had almost stopped by this afternoon, that became a non-issue. I know that if it happens again what to look for before getting panicky.

So now we are down to finding a way to keep her meds down. We'll cut the dosage in half again and give her pepcid daily. And hopefully her little system will handle them. As we got into the car to go home, my mopey little dog had a great big Westie smile and now she's peacefully sleeping away near my feet. Can't ask for more than that!

Thanks to my prayer warriors, and especially to Doug, who met us at the vet's office and kept Graham company. You all are the best!

Now What?

I finished my Amish barn this week!

It was a lot of fun to stitch and see this picture come to life.

Once it was done I logged on to the Cross Country website to order a special frame.

This pattern is one of a series of patterns that Jeremiah Junction is known for.

They can carry a series for years and that's great for collectors who might be doing a

"four seasons" type grouping.

Here is the piece I did a few years ago. I love these because they are small,

easily stitched in a few weeks, and are so cute when hanging over a doorway.

This is the frame I wanted to purchase the other night from the website.

You can see that this pattern was designed specifically for this frame...

Or is the frame designed specifically for this pattern?

Either way, this is the frame I must have for this piece.

Alas, even though the frame was listed in the print catalog,

it was conspicuously missing online.

I emailed my question, "How can I purchase this frame?"

They answered, "We no longer carry this item. Sorry."

So, now what do I do?

Any suggestions? Ruthie????

Preparations

I wouldn't say that I am "riddled with A.D.D.", but I am a multi-tasker and really can't handle being totally idle. That's why cross-stitching is a good activity for me-- I can appear idle but my mind and my hands are moving and creating and producing something!

Anyway, after multi-tasking at a couple of churches for ten or so years, retirement just gave me another opportunity to be busy. Graham's ministry (writing and teaching Sunday school material) really picked up steam about four years ago. He is the thinker/writer/creator of a series of lessons and I get to do the fun part: formatting, editing, and illustrating the lessons.

Once a year we take our products to the Grace Evangelical Society conference held in the Dallas area. This year our Board has jumped "on board" to help us with a new display. My artistic partners, Doug and Lois White, designed the layout and coloring for the display, then gave me an extensive list of "homework" to accomplish. (Oh goodie!)

Once the homework was turned in, the creative team came back and set up the display board. This is what you see in the picture. We'll have ample table space to show our workbooks, tracts, and CD's. As of this date we have eight complete curricula available for sale to churches. Currently we are "class-testing" the study on Revelation and will make it available after we complete it in the Fall. (All of our material is "class-tested" by our Sunday school class at church.)

The White's also encouraged me to set up a powerpoint presentation. Over the years I have collected photos of various aspects of our ministry - Sunday school activities, Board meetings, and my Ladies' Bible studies. So I put them on slides and turned the presentation over to another creative and computer-savvy Board member, Charlene Webster, who looped music to the presentation so that it will play continuously at the display as people come to peruse our materials.

I am so grateful for creative people, and doubly grateful to have them on our Board. And the best thing is that they keep me busy multi-tasking!

Adrian and Uncle Murphy

Who knew that plastic cups could be so much fun?

Take-out barbeque sauce comes in great little cups that are just the right size for little hands.

And what could make it even more fun?

Why, getting Uncle Murphy to play with them too!

First we learn how to put the lid on and take it back off.

Then we go on to greater things, like Ziploc cups from Ludee's cabinet.
There are too many "no-no's" in a boy's life, so it helps to have at least one cabinet
at Ludee's that contains all sorts of fun playthings.

Someone is learning how to make funny sounds with a stack of lids...
And how to stack and unstack the cups...
It's so much fun to play on the floor with your uncle!

Yep! I did it all by myself!

Cups and spoons and lids and more cups! Playing in Ludee's cabinet,

with Uncle Murphy, is so much fun!

Catching Up

In all my frustration over my dear relations not posting new messages on their blogs, I realized that I, too, have been delinquent in posting this week! "Be careful pointing a finger of blame, Ludee, because three fingers are pointing back at you!" So here I am, looking back at my week, and giving highlights in pictures where possible.

Our little mister is mastering the stairs. He is simply fascinated by his ability to climb them and keeps his mommy or his daddy busy following him up and down several times per visit.

After he checks to see that someone is watching and is duly impressed with his new skill...

.. off he goes to check out the rooms upstairs. I know my children both mastered these same stairs years ago. I just don't remember having to follow them up and down all the time. I do have vivid memories of hearing Murphy bumping down the stairs in the middle of the night and climbing in bed with us. I could occasionally intercept him at the bottom and walk him back up to his bed! The stairs contain lots of memories!

Poor little Treasure. She developed another infection in her eye last week. Probably it was due to some pollen that the wind blew in. Nevertheless, we had to see Dr. Bonney to get new meds and start her on antibiotics - fortunately this coincided with her scheduled use of the antibiotics for the TCC. At her follow-up appointment yesterday she checked out a-okay! Dr. Bonney, however, was still feeling the effects of intestinal flu that hit him Tuesday night. It's been a wicked winter for flu. I'm sure my flu shot prevented something!

Remember the zucchini from co-op day? Well, I did saute some of it with carrots and it was actually very tasty. But, with three more squashes still in the refrigerator drawer, I decided to look for a recipe for zucchini bread and see what I could come up with. There is a weblog called "What Would Martha Cook?" that has lots of really great recipes and that's where I found this one. (Look at the list of favorite links and click on "Great Recipes".)

Not only was this very easy, it is also very good! It's like a sweet bread, only it has lots of little green pieces of squash in it! I recommend it for any occasion.

The rest of my week went as planned. Our Esther Bible study is turning out to be one of the best I've done. And I have the sweetest group of women this time. I'm always amazed when God brings a new face into our group and see how well everyone fits together.

Next week is Spring Break here in San Antonio. The trees already know it's spring, and now we are having to move the clocks ahead an hour. No choir rehearsal next week... Graham's Greek class is off too.

My mother's birthday is Thursday. She would be 93 years old this year. My brother's birthday is Friday.. the 13th! He's still three and a half years older than me!

Happy Birthday, Bill.

We may have to take a drive up into the Hill Country to celebrate spring.

Today's Appointment

Treasure's appointment with Dr. Earl went very well today. I have to confess that I had been preparing myself to hear bad news. Treasure had a pretty bad weekend, but then, she also has an infection in her eye and that has made her pretty uncomfortable.

After he did her ultrasound, Dr. Earl explained to me that, though the mass has grown this time, the growth is very minimal. He thinks there is a little inflammation going on, so he gave her a lower dose anti-inflammatory drug to take for ten days. All in all he was very encouraging. He thinks she is faring well - no weight loss or loss of appetite. She still loves her walks and is very vigorous and energetic with them.

Here's my sweet little dog. You can see that she is favoring her right eye. Her eye doctor (yes, she has her own eye doctor!) said the pollen might have something to do with it. She is taking her antibiotic plus an ointment four times a day. Needless to say, she doesn't really appreciate me coming after her so much these days. But she is still the sweetest dog in the whole world. She has blessed my life and our house for five years.

Co-op Day Again

Saturday was "Co-op day" again! This is one of my perks from Meredith's neighborhood community. Every two weeks a designated person goes to a market and purchases fruit and vegetables for the participants from the neighborhood. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this activity because, well, just look at the beautiful produce!

This week we got broccoli and zucchini, sweet potatoes and onions, tomatoes, apples and grapefruit. What a bounty! It sure is a motivation for me to do more cooking at home, and in this economy, that can be a big help. It also pushes me to cook with food that I wouldn't ordinarily choose for myself, like, for instance, zucchini. Not my favorite. But I hear that zucchini bread is pretty tasty. I'm sure I can find a recipe somewhere.

Another reason I love Co-op day is that I can photograph this lovely still life and let it remind me of some Jacquie Lawson e-card where she "paints" a turkey using all sorts of

fruits and veggies - so creative and original.

I'll have to work on the "turkey" part next Co-op day!