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!