Oh My Stars . . . .!

. . . . and garters! As my grandmother used to say! How could I have left Callie Sue's wonderful sour cream coffee cake off the list of incredible desserts on the Thanksgiving table? It was moist and cinnamony and crumbly, just right. And Mary, who is quite a baker in her own right, was occupied with the fresh collard greens and Caesar salad, so this time she didn't contribute to the dessert table. All of the sweet granddaughters were involved in making our dinner special. I do not ever want to neglect the contributions these Proverbs 31 trainees make to our memorable times. The cleaning, the decorating, the special touches they are learning to place on our family memories -- this is my joy! Thank you, maidens of virtue!

Now, I can't let this post go without praising the young men who help make it happen -- Peter and his shadow CJ do the heavy lifting and toting and dirty work -- we truly appreciate your contribution, too! Thank you, Lord, for willing arrows into the future! God bless you, grandchildren.

Five Kernels of Corn . . .

Markie and Gracie over early to help get the feast prepared.

CJ and Rose sneak a seat at the grownups' table. How perfect it was to be able to have a fire in the fireplace!

Kitty setting up the serving tableGranddaddy read to us the story of the sacrifices the early Pilgrims made to bring forth a land founded on biblical principles and lay the foundation for generations to come. During the "starving time", there were days when the settlers had only 5 kernels of corn for their daily ration!

How special it is to share these times with the coming generations who will carry forth the torch into the future! Gracie the recited a poem by Hezekiah Butterworth, "Five Kernels of Corn" . . .

". . . O Bradford of Austerfield, daring the wave,

And safe through the sounding blasts leading the brave,

Of deeds such as thine was the free nation born,

And the festal world sings the "Five Kernels of Corn".

There was wonderful, natural turkey and Southern cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato cassarole (recipe provided by Aunt Katie in Arkansas), the always-requested green bean cassarole, home-made rolls, Caesar salad with wonderful Romaine lettuce fresh from the Stricklens' garden, and absolutely the best collards I have ever eaten, also fresh from the Stricklens' garden! (the joys of Thanksgiving in Florida!)

The dessert table was astoundingly abundant! Homemade from scratch cakes and pies and Mrs. Tanner's cherry trifle, oh my! Sarah made pecan and apple pies, Abby made an apple pie, Margaret Anne made an applesauce cake and blueberry cobbler, and Grandma Sue made a chocolate coconut cake. What a treat!

The glorious weather made walks and outdoor activities a pleasure, and the fellowship was sweet. Thank you, Lord, for another evidence of your providential care for Your people. "Lord of Harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be."

What in the World . . .?

From the window of the Silver Meteor, across the Florida plains . . . Miles and miles of citrus groves in the "real Florida"

Cattle country as far as the eye can see

Granddaddy says goodbye to Ashley, Jason, and Savannah

Savannah plays horsey at the pizza place in Davie

Granddaddy disembarks in Ft. Lauderdale. What a wonderful way to travel!

What in the world are Grandmama and Granddaddy Frodge doing on the train in the middle of nowhere?? This afternoon, we are heading down to S. Florida again – tomorrow, Danny is doing some engineering for the folks at son Jason’s work. So this gives us the opportunity to visit with Jason, Ashley, and Savannah.
Update: The above was written on the way down to Ft. Lauderdale. Now we are pleasantly returning to home in central FL on the Amtrak. We love this experience. My thoughtful husband reserved a little roomette for us, knowing how much it raises my blood pressure to ride in the coach – not that I think it is beneath me. No, I have ridden many times in the coach and have been grateful for the blessing. These days, though, untoward conversations at a high decibel level; uncontrolled children and parents who think screaming is the only way to discipline; eye-daggars aimed at anyone who asks that a noise machine’s volume be lowered -- all contribute to an unpleasant journey. Thank you, Lord, for the ability to travel pleasantly.

The visit with Jason’s family was very sweet. Savannah is becoming more and more familiar with her grandparents. It was such a joy to sing little songs to her that the other grandchildren and I have sung. And she is becoming such a little conversationalist – even though quite a bit of it still needs a translator. This visit, she was continually fascinated with the choo-choo trains on the tickets Danny kept in his pocket. Ashley says she is beginning to ask questions about the real meaning of Christmas.

Well, the train has just picked up speed from the stop at the Okeechobee station -- won't be long before we are home! The scenery is beginning to be familiar. If people took the train from Disney to S. Florida, they would see that there is so much of Florida that is real, wild, and very, very rural. It is always good to travel this way. Coming from S. FL, there is wild scrub, then the edges of the sugar cane fields, then dairy country, then cattle and citrus land, where we live. We love it. God may call us someday to another region of the country, but we do love where we live. Hey, come see the real Florida!

Clearly Shameful!

Father and Daughter stroll: Danny and Beth walk the pasture of one of the farms in Missouri

By the time I remembered (ask the family -- I am not a natural photographer!) to take pictures of the wonderful foilage, it was almost gone!

Sarah Beth sings to Emma Jane in the RV. What a sweet pictures (however, please refer back to disclaimer above!)

Most of the gang in Arkansas. Matthew was finishing out his workday at a local feed store and missed this picture. In front, Emma Jane. From left first row, Benny (he and Andrew came home with us for a couple weeks) Markie, Andrew, Rachel, Rosie, Joey, and little Sam. Back row, Peter, Kitty, RG, Sarah, Gracie, and Daniel. What fun the cousins have when they get together! We missed the Stricklens, but maybe next time!

The Discher kids and Granddaddy at the Natural Bridge of Alabama. They were agog at the assertion of "millions of years" on this sign. They let the park operator know! Eleven-year-old Markie recently had a letter published to the editor of our local newspaper, showing her considerable ability to refute the folly of evolution!

Gracie returning from the Natural Bridge hike. Nothing like brisk air after hours in the RV!

It is clearly shameful that this blog has not been updated recently! Never mind excuses (on a trip to Arkansas; pictures not on other computer; election woes; etc., etc.) -- shameful indeed.

As mentioned parenthetically above, we just returned from visiting our daughter Katie and her family in the Ozarks of north Arkansas. While there, we looked at some farm land in both Arkansas and southern Missouri. It was a wonderful trip -- "leaf-peeping". The leaves were at their peak, and my eyes just soaked up the feast of color. I had not seen a beautiful fall tapestry of majesty in years and years, and the effect on my hungry soul was pure refreshment!

The Miller family was fine and dandy, aside from the all-too-common scrapes and bruises of life with the Millers. They are accomplishing much on their little homestead. New insulation before winter has been a major project, and new steps into the cabins have improved Grandmother's prospects for getting in and out without a major mishap. Two new wood stoves have provided them with a snug little home as winter approaches.

We were blessed to meet the new pastor of their church and his family, as well as to spend time with other of their friends we had previously met. Once again, the Country Cousins were requested to bless an informal supper/volleyball game with some good ole music. What a blessing to have them playing together again, even for just one evening! And how encouraging it was to see the local families there excited about the new Vision Forum catalog! The blessing this ministry has been to our family cannot be over-estimated. We trust those just being introduced to it will be as encouraged and nourished as we have been.

There are some beautiful properties in the area, and we were there at a good time. Grass was still somewhat green, the weather was warm and sunny, yet we had the enjoyment of the wonderful fall colors. The farms we looked at may be promising in the future -- we are praying about them. Danny feels it will be a while before we would actually move somewhere, if ever, but he does want to secure a place of retreat/refuge for our family and others who may need it in the future. So, we will see . . . !

We spent election night watching returns on the computer and praying for our nation. We could not help but remember Psalm 11:3, " If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Certainly, the righteous can pray and then work to rebuild the foundations -- godly families who believe the divine order clearly laid out in Scripture; churches that go back to the Word and its instruction for correct church life; biblically qualified magistrates following the only true foundation for the civil arena, the Word of God. (Don't talk to me about separation of church and state -- when the state stops dictating to the church, then we will tackle the issue of the church interfering with the state.)

Okay, this is sounding pretty dogmatic! Anyone who knows me is not surprised -- my husband calls me a purist, an assignation which I proudly maintain! God is still on the throne. He was not taken by surprise by this election. He still has kingdom work for His people. He will take care of the "heathen" in His good time. What can the righteous do? Obey. Trust and obey. Fulfill my duty in my domain. He promises to "revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Cor. 10:6) Thank you, Lord, for your precious Word. May we live by it fully as we work for Your kingdom.

Arrows...Speaking in the Gates

Kitty and Abigail listen as Granddaddy speaks with one of our local candidates. They are wise young women with an understanding of the principles and the days in which we live.

Last Saturday, the grandchildren (Country Cousins) had a full schedule of performance. At 9 a.m., they were scheduled to play about an hour away, so we had some sleepovers and got everyone off to the Kathleen Fall Festival. It was early for banjo pickers, but the Lord blessed their presentation, and many people commented on the blessing they were.

As they made their way across the county (with a quick stop at Taco Bell for sustenance) they met up with most of the family at the Polk Community College Fall Festival at 1:00. This community get-together draws about 10,000 people throughout the day, and our group was the first bluegrass band they had ever had play for it. What a blessing they were! The Little Cousins sang, and the babies toddling about spread their sunshine everywhere!

As we regrouped at Olive Garden to "decompress" and enjoy pasta, it was a joy to relate to one another how the Lord had blessed the day and how His goodness was displayed when a faithful family shares with the culture around them.

Danny returned on Monday, and on Tuesday, he took 7 older grandchildren with him for a "Meet the Candidates" luncheon in a small town not far from here. At first, they were a little hesitant to press the candidates for "magistrate" about their stands and convictions (after all, they are well-mannered Southern children who respect elders!), but as they began to realize that the candidates were actually glad to see young people interested in the subject, they warmed up and began to question.

Danny had paired them up and assigned each pair a candidate to speak with, and there was no stopping them! They boldly (yet politely, of course!) asked "Do you fear God?" "What is your stand on the 2nd Amendment?" Danny came home bursting with thanksgiving for their faithful portrayal of godly young people with an "understanding of the times". And the children were excited to see that all they have been learning actually does make a difference in real life. I believe the girls were most excited about the forthright and unwavering way in which Peter proactively approached each candidate. He is becoming a real man of God.

I was so pleased to see that they are truly godly arrows, beginning to make their way forward and make a difference in the culture around them. It has always been our prayer that we would be able to "show the world what God can do through one family dedicated to His ways and to one another", and what a blessing for grandparents to begin seeing that fruit! There may be dark days ahead for America, and we pray that the Lord will continue to prepare these children to take their places, in their proper domains, as leaders for His kingdom. May the Lord make it so.

The Country Cousins playing early at Kathleen Fall Festival

At the Polk Community College Fall Festival, Markie waits (with Callie in the background). Markie has become quite a little yodeler, with her "Cowboy Sweetheart" melody!

Little Cousins Rosie and Margaret Anne discuss the events of the day before their turn to perform. Rosie is featured on "Faith, Hope and Charity", and Margaret Anne does "Oh Susannah!" as a solo. Abigail does such a beautiful job soloing on Gene Autry's "You're the Only Star in My Blue Heaven", which she sings for her daddy.

The Country Cousins fill the air with good Americana music and their sweet smiles!

Here six of the seven present their CD to Rep. Adam Putnam, the 3rd ranked Republican leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. He listened to their concerns and spoke candidly about his own, admitting that he faces difficult decisions in his capacity as a civil magistrate. We pray for him often, as well as the others who have rule over us. Left to right: Gracie, Peter, Callie, Rep. Putnam, Sarah, Kitty, Mary. Abby was the photographer.

"This is the Life!"

Chickens and dogs in tow, we watch bass jump and turtles find shelter. (Once again, I had only my cell phone camera, but wanted to catch these fuzzy memories.)
CJ, King of the ATV. He loved that "I can see everything from here" perch!
Minnows always fascinate. Markie, Margaret Anne, Abby, Rosie and CJ

Danny has been in Indiana for the wedding of a niece the last few days (coming home tomorrow, praise the Lord!), so each night I have had a team of sleepover buddies! The first night, a couple of Stricklens and Peter, shotgun man. Last night, all the big girls were here for a rowdy sleepover -- we had had two Country Cousins performances, and everyone was exhausted, but they managed to stay up through 3 of 4 "Mothers and Daughters" episodes! (I have been discreetly called aside and whispered to: "Umm . . . Grandmama, it's 'Wives and Daughters'. Thank you, Granddaughter.) Things got so rowdy, they fell right to sleep after devotions!

Tonight, it's the Little Cousins -- Abby, Markie, Margaret Anne, Rosie and CJ. (Peter is back again to keep the shotgun handy -- Grandmother would have a hard time sleeping without a weapon-savvy buddy.) Just before dark, I sent the children out one more time for some fresh air before settling in. Then I decided how good it would feel to go out with them and take in some nature.

We hopped on the Polaris Ranger (some nature, huh?) and went out into the pasture with the pond. It was the evening hour coming on -- that cherished time just before night. All of nature is settling in and preparing for good rest.

The pastured chickens were making their way unbidden to their roost. The crickets were just barely beginning their serenade. A bass was taking a last leap from the water, and turtles were heading for the reeds. The children watched minnows a few minutes, talked about water snakes, and then the last sliver of sun went down in the west. It was time to go inside.

As we climbed back into the Ranger and headed homeward, the wind blowing in our faces and dogs trotting along cheerfully, CJ proclaimed with exuberant satisfaction, "This is the LIFE!" I agree CJ. A grandmother couldn't ask for a more blessed end to a wonderful Lord's Day.

Trusting your Lord's Day was as blessed -- this is truly "the LIFE!"

Once Again, Fall . . .Some Heart-felt Thoughts

FALL COLORS IN FLORIDA: (These pictures were taken on my phone, so they aren't the best!!) We do have changing colors for Fall in Florida! This beautiful Golden Raintree starts with bright yellow blossoms, then progresses to pink/peach little papery "Japanese lantern-ish" blooms. The tree in the picture is magnificent -- part yellow, part pink. There are quite a few in our area and make a wonderful Fall picture!
I believe this is a butterfly bush (Molly is going to confirm!) It is brilliant red, and there are also quite a few of these in our neighborhood.
Even though my phone camera didn't do them justice, these grapefruits from our grove are actually bright yellow. We have a few still on from last year's harvest, and the new harvest has a few beginning to ripen, although most are still pretty green. Just a few of the colors of Fall in central Florida!

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22

I do love fall. Or autumn, whichever you prefer. I love this time of year, especially in the regions of the country where it is so noticeable. Changing leaves, cooling temperatures . . . Harvest Home. I love autumn, not only because it evokes a feeling of crisp yet cozy security, but because of the Clearly Seen biblical principle it so vibrantly portrays.

As cliché as it sounds, there are truly seasons of life. Fresh, dewy Spring, when anything seems possible and all things seem poised to encourage blossoming life. Summer, when growth and fruitfulness are at their delightful peak. Then Fall . . . the time, not only of Harvest but of preparation for the corn of wheat to fall into the ground and die, to rest through the Winter. A season to lay a foundation for a new generation when Spring once more returns.

I am in the Fall of my life. What beautiful memories I have of my Springtime and Summer! How affirming it is to look back at the awesome Providence of God in my life – preparing me for the fruitfulness He called me to, and then providing and guiding through those years of growth unto Harvest.

Now the Fall is here, and the Lord seems to be pressing into my heart a sense of urgency, not only to rejoice in the bountiful Harvest He has blessed my life with, but also to prepare for the Winter, the coming night, when man’s work is done.

What a Harvest our children have been – all living for the Lord and raising godly seed. And what a blessing that our grandchildren are such a beautiful picture of God’s laws of sowing and reaping being lived out in real life. One of those laws is “you always reap MORE than you sow!” The grandchildren have a much clearer biblical worldview than we did at their age. They do not struggle with many of the world’s tugs and pulls that we did at their age. Seeing this outworking of His laws during this lifetime is a reward of coming to the season of Autumn.

Now it is time to press in before the Winter sets in – not only to enjoy the Harvest, but to help prepare the next generation for the new Springtime. God’s people must be diligent to protect their seed corn. And it is not enough to merely shield, but we must prepare them and lay down what foundation we are able. Psalm 78 is instructive for older generations. It is a duty as well as a joy to rehearse the faithfulness of God to our grandchildren. Proverbs 13:22 give us admonition to prepare our grandchildren physically as we are able, also.

As my years fly by, I begin to understand in a personal way how important it is that “the memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” (Prov. 10:7) When the next Springtime rolls around, the memory of the just and godly grandparent is blessed, as the coming generations look back in gratitude and honor for the wisdom and principles carefully sown into their hearts.

What a sad, sad state “grandparent-hood” is in today, when so many do not even know their grandchildren, let alone place precious treasure into their hearts day by day!! It is easy to see how true this proverb can be – there is nothing for the following generations to call blessed, and the name of the grandparents just rots in the ground, never bringing forth fruit in a multi-generational way!

Well, as usual, these thoughts just kept coming and overflowed! May the Lord encourage us to “work for the night is coming, when man’s work is done!”

“All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.”
-- Henry Alford

Oh, Goodness! Tagged!

My precious, adorable, loving oldest daughter, Beth (http://www.thedischerfamily.blogspot.com/) has tagged me -- I do not know what she is talking about, but her daughter, Sarah Beth, is graciously walking me through it. Are we having fun yet, boys and girls??

As I understand it, I have been ordered to say six things entertaining, clever, life-changing about me and my family (hmmm . . . maybe it would actually be fun to tell all these little secrets about Beth, herself!!).

Here are the rules for those who are tagged:

Check the list after my 6 THINGS to see if you’re it.THEN...
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
Write six random things about yourself.
Tag sixish people at the end of your post.
Let each person know he or she has been tagged.
Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Now I guess the next step is to write the 6 things:

1. My husband Danny and I married after knowing each other less than 4 months. We were 18, fresh out of high school, from different worlds, BUT . . . we were committed to the Lord and to marriage, and we knew this was it. There would be no turning back. And we have been happily married for 43 years!

2. I have visited 45 of the 50 United States and both of its neighbors.

3. I fear flying and anything over about 10 feet -- but not speaking or singing in front of thousands.

4. Decorating and home magazines grow like weeds in my home, and my husband's feeble cry is "DECLUTTER!!!"

5. I love doing many things that are lost on many women these days -- canning, preserving, dehydrating, crocheting, sewing, upholstering, cooking and baking from scratch, painting (artistic) -- oh, there are more -- and I love teaching them to my grandchildren!

6. If there was a second Mayflower to a new, fresh continent to form a new, God-honoring society, I would be the first on the boat! (But I would prefer they build a bridge over, since I don't like deep water much, either!)

Now, I am tagging these people. Please don't be mad at me!! Pleeze??

YOU'RE IT!!
Darling daughter-in-law Ashley
Darling daughter Molly
Darling daughter Katie
Darling niece Amy (poor thing! She just started her blog!)
Darling Amanda Sunshine Amanda
Well, that's all I can think of for now!

Part 2, Finally!

Margaret and CJ enjoying our "make-do" lunch at the beach
Ashley and Savannah enjoying our "gourmet cafe"!
Daddy/Jason made it out to the beach for a while after work. Adventurous Margaret Anne enjoying the ride.

Three little monkeys with a big ship in the background -- they were impressed.
More Margaret Anne art.
A beautiful day with cousins
Our little S. Florida sweetie! We miss you, Savannah!

We had a lovely time with the S. Florida Frodges -- a day at the beach was just what Granddaddy had been hoping for. Of course, Grandmother was content to stay in the pleasant RV air conditioning in a shady parking lot! When we realized there was no place to buy a bite for lunch without leaving the beach area, Grandmother did as she has done many times in a pinch -- make a lunch out of what's available. So, in the RV stash was found: bread, peanut butter, bacon, tomatoes, grapes and some cookies. Our main course was BT (minus the L) sandwiches and peanut butter and crackers. We survived just fine!

Jason was home for our favorite supper in S. FL -- Pollo Tropical! The best grilled chicken and black beans and rice anywhere! And Danny always loves to get their sweet plantains when we are in the area. The next morning, we met the S. Florida Frodges for breakfast at Cracker Barrel before heading back home in Central FL . God bless you, Jason and Ashley and Savannah! We miss you and love you! )Hmmm . . . does it seem like most of this trip revolved around food?? Oh, well . . . it is what is was!) Thank you, Lord, for the ability to visit with loved ones far away!

South Florida Visit

Margaret Anne's idea of "Art"

MY idea of Art!!

On Thursday, we packed up the RV and packed up grandbabies CJ and Margaret Anne, and off we went to Davie to visit Uncle Jay and Aunt Ashley and little "B'Zanna" (well, that's what 2 -1/2 year old Savannah is calling herself these days!) We came down the "back way" -- down old Highway 27 through citrus country, cattle country, and into sugar cane country. What a pleasant, "old Florida" trip!

CJ and Margaret Anne outside of the lovely Clewiston Inn in -- where else?? Clewiston FL. It was a beautiful sunny south Florida day!

Although Jason had warned us about getting to the mega-populated area known as Southeast Florida after about 3:00 p.m., we decided to stop for lunch in Clewiston anyway. There they have the Clewiston Inn, an old antebellum style restaurant and inn. It is always worth the time to stop for a lovely buffet of Southern cooking and hospitality. It was built by U.S. Sugar Corp. in a time when everyone in the area worked for the sugar companies or worked to supply them.

Now, foreign companies produce sugar more cheaply, and US sugar cannot compete. The company is going out of business, and the US government is buying up much of their huge land holdings to return the Kissimmee River and the Everglades back to their original condition -- thousands of acres back in government hands, and American sugar consumers at the whim of other nations. It was a little sad, wondering what will happen to this wonderful place after "sugar" is gone. But the visit was, as expected, pleasant.

On we went through miles and miles of cane fields, sharing about the production of sugar with CJ and Margaret Anne. The population per square mile is much like our home community in Central FL, but that was all to change!! Once we hit "Alligator Alley", which crosses the state of FL on the southern tip, there they were! Rows and rows of condos, houses, apartment complexes . . . where did these spring up from?? And the roads were commensurate with the houses. Zoom!! Zip!! I always forget what driving down here is like!

Well, we got connected and set up in a lovely urban park in Hollywood and then met up with the "other Frodges" for dinner together at the Buca di Beppo Italian Family Restaurant. I had not heard of this chain before Jason and Ashley took us there once before, and then I requested dinner there last night! It is wonderful food! Danny is the Olive Garden enthusiast in our family, but I am sold on Buca!

Hmmm, I am beginning to think this post needs to be put on pause for Part 2!

So Worth It . . .

Savannah, her mommy's assistant chef! Whatcha making for me, Savannah? When her daddy calls us, she chatters and chatters in her own special way, and we don't mind -- we could listen for hours!

Joey, Grandmother's heart . . . Oh, what I would give to have Joey down the road again!

Precious little angel babies . . .
. . . or monkeys!! They are together so rarely anymore that this has to be one of my favorites!
Sparkly little Emma Jane! God is bringing her through the healing process from a very severe respiratory problem right now. Thank you, Lord! Ask her, "Emma, how much do you love me?" and she will spread her arms wide, put on a sweet smile, and say "Dis much!!"
William, the youngest grandchild. Don't you just love those pudgy little leggies sticking out there! He's getting his "all boy" personality!
Little Sam. Grandmother's eyes well up remembering the days he spent in ICU after he was born. His faithful mama sat with her newborn in the emergency room and in his ICU room for nine days -- all she could do was pump nourishment for him, and sit with her hand on his heart as he lay in that little box of a bed. She would not be deterred, and I think the hospital staff saw a true mother's devotion.

Well, I don't have any deep thoughts today, just blessings for the little ones. Oh, the older ones are mighty important -- not only are they adorable but they are accomplishing and doing and growing and making us all so proud of them. But today, I was just thinking of the little ones. Thank you, Lord.

Much to think about . . .

This may be hard reading, but I surely hope you will bless me by digging in and seeing what my heart is trying to say . . .

This week has brought about much to think about. First, the religious fervor and dog-and-pony show that was the Democrat National Convention. The "smartest woman in the world" upstaging the "finally-proud-of-her-country" future First Lady. Or was it the other way around?? The triumphal entry into god-like surroundings by the "next" President.

That triumph was short-lived. On the other side of the aisle, the trump hand was about to be played!! The scene was breath-taking -- clean, confident, accomplished, Super-Mom, with the darling family behind her all the way -- the "next" Vice-President of the United States! How could conservative Christians possibly resist coming back into the fold??

Oh, my heart! If we did not trust in a sovereign, providential heavenly Father, we could despair of ever seeing the culture changed, of ever seeing the family restored to its Biblical, God-ordained rightness. When those who proclaim to fully believe the Word find a ray of hope, nay, a blazing sunshine of hope, in a new face and her family on the national scene, the only recourse for the heart is to truly rest on the unchanging Word of God.

He is not taken by surprise. He has His plan. He wishes for His children to keep focus on our generational vision and the task at hand. I was encouraged to read today a wonderful "Clearly Seen" illustration of God's plan for families. See if it doesn't encourage your heart that you are taking the right path:

"Open an acorn: in it we find the oak in all its parts, -- root, trunk, branches. Look into the home: in it we shall find the state, the church, the army, the industrial organization. As the oak is germinant in the acorn, so society is germinant in the family. Historically, the family is the first organization; biologically it is the origin of all other organizations.

Abraham builds an altar, and his wife and children and servants gather about it for the evening sacrifice: the family is the first church.

The herds and flocks are driven daily to their feeding grounds by his sons and servants: the family is the first labor organization.

He counsels, guides, directs, controls the children and servants; the power of life and death is in his hands: the family is the first government.

The brother is carried off in a raid by robber bands. Abraham arms and organizes his servants, pursues the robber bands, conquers and disperses them, and recovers the captive: the family is the first army.

Moreover, it is out of the family that society grows. As the cell duplicates itself, and by reduplication the living organism grows, so the family duplicates itself, and by the reduplication of the family the social organism grows. The children of the family come to manhood, and marry the children of other families. Blood unites them; the necessities of warfare, offensive and defensive, unite them; and so the tribe comes into existence. For the united action of this tribe some rule, some authority is necessary; thus tribal, state, national government comes into existence.

These families find it for their mutual advantage to engage in separate industries, and exchange the product of their labor: thus barter end trade and the whole industrial organization come into existence. These families thus united by marriage into one tribe, cemented by war in one army, bound together by the necessity of united action in one government, cooperating in one varied industry, find in themselves a common faith and common aspirations, in a word, a common religion, and so the church comes into existence.

Such, very briefly stated, is the development of society as we read it in the complicated history of the past. Historically the family is the first social organization. Organically it contains within itself all the elements of all future organization. Biologically, all future organization has grown out of it, by a process of duplication and interrelationship.

In the family, therefore, we find all the elements of a later and more complicated social organization; in the family we may discover written legibly the laws which should determine the structure of society and should regulate its action; the family, rightly understood, will answer our often perplexing questions concerning social organization -- whether it is military, political, industrial, or religious."

This is from an article, "Why Women Do Not Wish the Suffrage", written in 1903. The entire article can be read at http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/03sep/0309suffrage.htm . It was a link from an excellent article at www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com . There are several good articles there along the same lines. Ladies, it behooves us to be vigilant, faithful stewards of the domain we have been called to, true "keepers", guards of our homes. God bless you as you take your precious children on into a time I won't see. May He prepare you for all that is ahead. I am praying for you.

Cozy Day...??

(Actually, this picture isn't showing much of the storm, even though it was taken mere moments ago! But it is a good picture of our faithful old tree that is still hanging on by a few roots after Hurricane Charley, 2004. It has releafed in some strange places! Hurricane-harrassed trees always look a little spooky!)

Well, it has been an interesting day! TS Fay came by for a visit, and that always makes it a cozy day for me. Tropical storms/hurricanes are the closest we get to "hunker down" weather here, and it seems that life goes into slow motion -- very few clients coming into Danny's office; visitors and phone calls at a minimum; we surely aren't going out!! TS Fay is only slightly reminiscent of Charley, 2004 -- basically the same path, although Charley's eye passed directly over us, and Fay is to the east.

But the feeling is there -- get prepared: fill up all vehicles with gas (the lines were outrageous); be sure there are supplies for a while if needed (I am a storer, so we are ready anytime); check out the battery on the house generator (Danny's office is here, and he needs power!). Then sit back and feel cozy! Well, that's me, anyway. I haven't talked to the girls recently, so maybe they find it a good time to bake . . . or declutter . . . or get extra schooling done! (There's probably too much excitement for that!)

We are pleasantly surprised that the computer satellite is still up, so I thought I would get this posted while there was still a link to the outside world. Hmmm . . . not much else of interest! How about you S. Florida folks? Did you have a rough time? Our rain has been pretty steady, but the winds have not been bad at all. Our last big old tree near the house (see picture) is still standing, and we are thankful for that!

A few minutes ago, Danny and I were talking, and I said how comforting it is to know the Master of the winds and waves -- Danny said, even better -- that He knows us! Thank you, Lord, for showing your sovereign power through nature.

Better Pictures . . .??

Katie was not happy with the pictures I last posted of her children. Seems they were too "in the moment" -- you know, a little grimy from honest labor; dusty from playing, like normal children waiting for their cousins, outside in the summer; etc. Here are some other ones -- sorry there are no Olan Mills portraits!! (Y'all, hopefully, she is taking this in the same tongue-in-cheek spirit in which it is offered!) Granddaddy with precious little Millers right before they were wrenched from our very bosoms and spirited away. Benny, Joey, Rachel, and Andrew (l to r)

At the conference in Branson: friend Gabriel, Katie's 2nd boy Matthew, cousin Peter, and oldest R.G. What did the Millers ever do before pinky-loops??
Andrew in the RV with us. Clean, tidy Andrew.
This one was taken a year ago on our front porch. But I thought it was so precious, I would include it. Unfortunately, Rachel's hair ribbon is untied. But we don't care!

Margaret Anne with Rachel and Rachel's puppy. Hey, even the puppy is clean and neat!
Matthew playing that big bass. I was so pleased that, not only was Matthew able to pick right up with the bass, after not having it in Arkansas to practice, but he actually seemed to have advanced!! Good work, Matthew!
Benny (right) with his friend Thomas. Although not in his Sunday best, I promise Benny is clean. I love Benny, whatever his cleanliness portion. I love to hug him when he is hot and sweaty or dressed to the nines!
Precious Daniel with his little cousin Emma Jane. These big boys love little ones!

Though I would add this one of my girls singing together -- not much opportunity for that anymore. The grandchildren love to play for them to sing. And hey, there is that cute little Samuel!

This is a precious picture -- cousins Rosie, Rachel, and Margaret Anne, together for a few days.
R.G., in a clean white t-shirt, challenging Kitty on the "Orange Blossom Special". We love it. Robert, in the background, doesn't get many opportunities to watch the children play together. So glad you were there, Robert.

Katie, please know I am just having fun. I truly did not think about the children not looking their best in the last pictures -- I only knew that was how they looked when we came to their home in Arkansas and my heart's holes were healed for a little while. Please forgive your mother.