Run Through the Rain!
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in
Target. She must have been 6 years old, this
beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of
innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain
that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in
a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down
the spout. We all stood there under the awning and
just inside the door of the Target.
We waited, some patiently, others irritated because
nature messed up their hurried day. I am always
mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and
sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust
of the world. Memories of running, splashing so
carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome
reprieve from the worries of my day. The little
voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance
we were all caught in "Mom, let's run through the
rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked. "Let's run
through the rain!" She repeated. "No, honey. We'll
wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied. This
young child waited about another minute and
repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain." "We'll
get soaked if we do," Mom said. "No, we won't, Mom.
That's not what you said this morning," the young
girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm. "This
morning? When did I say we could run through the
rain and not get wet?" "Don't you remember?"
"When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer,
you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can
get us through anything."
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you
couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood
silently. No one came or left in the next few
minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she
would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her
for being silly. Some might even ignore what was
said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a
young child's life. A time when innocent trust can
be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through
the rain. If GOD lets us get wet, well maybe we just
needed washing," Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling
and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes,
through the puddles. They held their shopping bags
over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But
they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed
like children all the way to their cars.
And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material
possessions, they can take away your money, and they
can take away your health. But no one can ever take
away your precious memories... So, don't forget to
make time and take the opportunities to make
memories everyday. To everything there is a season
and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE
RAIN.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Heather... Update.. this night...
Here are some pics from Ann and I taking Madison Ann into see her mom in the hospital this evening...
The Dr. came by while we were there. Heather is very low on blood and they are going to give her 3 units tonight. She has a really bad infection in her pelvic area, they are not sure where. She will have surgery tomorrow if all is going according to plans. The Dr. told her and Paul they would have 3 very long days after surgery, those will be the critical hours.. since she has so much infection in her, but they truly need to get it out along with whatever is causing the problems.... they are very concerned and welcome your prayers.. The Dr. was trying to find folks to assist him tonight. It is very serious, and needs to be dealt with quickly, before it spreads into other areas. She was very excited... and told me several times that "Aunt Freda" called her... She was so excited about her Aunt Freda calling... Thanks Aunt Freda.... YOU MADE HER DAY!!!!!
She mentioned Jon called and several others and that she was too sick to talk very long... and she was very sorry...
Anyway.. Mrs. Moffat's baby girl (Heather) is feeling tough, it's gonna get tougher, and she needs your prayers..... for her and the doctor and their family to get through these tough times ahead.
Jon thanks for all the web help... Phil was going to take pics of the last night of his pottery class tonight... Randi and Kaitlyn went with her mom to Falls Creek tonight... Andrew spent day in Ponca City with Paul's brother Chris and his wife and their daughter in the Water Park there.. he was super excited...!!!
The folks in the pics are Roy and Joan Blankinship, Heather's wonderful in laws. They are very dear friends too... and have been good friends of ours for a long time. They farm, and Roy has devoted his life to law enforcement, retiring from the Stillwater Police Dept and is now a Dep. Sheriff for Payne County. Joan has spent her life in the health field, being a nurse, she has seen it all around the hospital, so she helps out bunches.... and knows the ropes too, which is wonderful.
All I know for know.. Enjoy the day.. S
The Dr. came by while we were there. Heather is very low on blood and they are going to give her 3 units tonight. She has a really bad infection in her pelvic area, they are not sure where. She will have surgery tomorrow if all is going according to plans. The Dr. told her and Paul they would have 3 very long days after surgery, those will be the critical hours.. since she has so much infection in her, but they truly need to get it out along with whatever is causing the problems.... they are very concerned and welcome your prayers.. The Dr. was trying to find folks to assist him tonight. It is very serious, and needs to be dealt with quickly, before it spreads into other areas. She was very excited... and told me several times that "Aunt Freda" called her... She was so excited about her Aunt Freda calling... Thanks Aunt Freda.... YOU MADE HER DAY!!!!!
She mentioned Jon called and several others and that she was too sick to talk very long... and she was very sorry...
Anyway.. Mrs. Moffat's baby girl (Heather) is feeling tough, it's gonna get tougher, and she needs your prayers..... for her and the doctor and their family to get through these tough times ahead.
Jon thanks for all the web help... Phil was going to take pics of the last night of his pottery class tonight... Randi and Kaitlyn went with her mom to Falls Creek tonight... Andrew spent day in Ponca City with Paul's brother Chris and his wife and their daughter in the Water Park there.. he was super excited...!!!
The folks in the pics are Roy and Joan Blankinship, Heather's wonderful in laws. They are very dear friends too... and have been good friends of ours for a long time. They farm, and Roy has devoted his life to law enforcement, retiring from the Stillwater Police Dept and is now a Dep. Sheriff for Payne County. Joan has spent her life in the health field, being a nurse, she has seen it all around the hospital, so she helps out bunches.... and knows the ropes too, which is wonderful.
All I know for know.. Enjoy the day.. S
Well, here we go again... haha.. lots of money in raising wheat, so we are adding acres to Grandma Moffat's wheat program. She is worried she is going to starve to death and we want to help see to it that she does not. Thought you might enjoy seeing this ground being turned this afternoon. Ken Judge is leasing it. We have added 60 acres to his 110 that he is leasing, so he now has a bit more to raise. They are thinking of stopping the wheat land and just running cattle... and this may happen to all of us... Anyway, this is the patch west of our home.. the tractor is headed west towards the highway along Mehan Road, 68th, Street. If you look real close you can see the diesel smoke bellowing out of the exhaust, and the dirt rising up behind the 30' offset disk. It has two drivers in it. One is Ken and Lesile's older son, opening up the field, then he will leave and go to working cattle, while the 11 year old son stays and finishes up the field. Have a great day... think what it cost per minute to operate this machine .... haha.. diesel along... 500 gallon's every 7 to 8 hours... times 2.37 a gallon... hummmmmm whew....
Can You Love Your Neighbor If You Hate Yourself?
Can You Love Your Neighbor If You Hate Yourself?
The ability to love ourselves is the foundation of loving others and God.
By Brennan Manning
Excerpted from 'The Importance of Being Foolish' with permission from HarperSanFrancisco.
Two curious phenomena dapple Christian life in America today. The first is our tendency to criticize more than compliment. Listen in on conversations in coffee shops, living rooms, and churches. Pay attention to the pundits and the newsmakers. We tend not only to begrudge the value of others but to appear downright sad when a person is praised. Many hypercritical Christians quickly deny the presence of any value anywhere and overemphasize the dark and ugly aspects of a person, situation, or institution at the expense of their noble and valuable facets. They delight in exposing the flaws and imperfections of others and glory in the absence of goodness. Senator William Fulbright of Arkansas once commented on this insidious tendency in the news media: "That Puritan self-righteousness which is never far below the surface of American life has broken through the frail barriers of civility and restraint, and the press has been in the vanguard of the new aggressiveness."
The target may be the national government, the local police force, or the coffee shop waitress. It matters little. The focus is on the limits of reality, on what a person or institution is not. Shortcomings and character defects are cause for celebration because they allow us to feel superior and even noble. On the day of my ordination my father said to me, "Remember that it's impossible to overestimate the worth of anyone." His words fly in the face of our tendency to underestimate the worth of everyone.
The second phenomenon is not unrelated to the first. It is what might be called the preponderance of the negative self-esteem. Self-esteem consists of how we see ourselves reflected in the eyes of others. This in turn conditions our perception of the world and our interaction with the community. As Christians, those of us with negative self-esteem see ourselves as basically unlovable. We negate our own worth, are haunted by feelings of inadequacy and inferiority, and close ourselves off from the value of others because they threaten our existence. The exaltation of another is experienced as a personal attack. When a colleague is appreciated, we become upset and irritable, belittle their motives as vainglorious, and decry the perniciousness of personality cults. We say to ourselves in effect: "I am a clod, a wrong person; I'm in the way, nobody cares." In group gatherings we feel like intruders. We sigh, "Nobody loves me."
Negative self-esteem would not be so damaging except for the fact that we interact with others in terms consistent with our own self-image. We select from reality only those aspects that confirm our own dim view of ourselves. We single out the dimension of a situation that points to rejection. In a simple conversation with someone close to us, their lack of enthusiasm confirms what we already suspect: "I am a bore." On the street we pass a person whom we value. He ignores us. That night when we go to bed we ignore the pleasant, even beautiful experiences of the day and instead go to sleep dwelling on the one incident that enhanced our negative self-portrait. Consequently, every such encounter becomes a total proof or disproof of our entire being. Every incident becomes a blanket condemnation of self and a reaffirmation of worthlessness.
In order to love our neighbors as ourselves we must come to recognize our intrinsic worth and dignity and to love ourselves in the wholesome, appreciative way that Jesus commanded when he said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." The tendency to continually berate ourselves for real or imaginary failures, to belittle ourselves and underestimate our worth, to dwell exclusively on our dishonesty, self-centeredness, and lack of personal discipline, is the influence of our negative self-esteem. Reinforced by the critical feedback of our peers and the reproofs and humiliations of our community, we seem radically incapable of accepting, forgiving, or loving ourselves. In his opening address at the regional charismatic conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Father Francis McNutt touched an exposed nerve when he said, "If Jesus Christ has forgiven you all your sins and washed you in his own blood, what right do you have not to forgive yourself?
The ability to love oneself is the root and foundation of our ability to love others and to love God. I can tolerate in others only what I can accept in myself. Van Kaam writes, "Gentleness toward my fragile precious self as called forth uniquely by God constitutes the core of gentleness with others and with the manifold created appearances of the Divine in my surroundings. It is also a main condition for my presence to God."
Ironically, our self-loathing too often leads us to damage the self-esteem of others. Andrew Greeley writes:
God's mission in the world and his mission in his relationship with the individual believer is essentially a mission of overcoming self-hatred. For self-hatred is a barrier to love. We hate other people not because we love ourselves too much but because we are not able to love ourselves enough. We fear and distrust them because we feel inadequate in our relationships to them; we hide behind anger and hatred because in some deep recess of our personality we do not think we are good enough for them.
The ability to love ourselves is the foundation of loving others and God.
By Brennan Manning
Excerpted from 'The Importance of Being Foolish' with permission from HarperSanFrancisco.
Two curious phenomena dapple Christian life in America today. The first is our tendency to criticize more than compliment. Listen in on conversations in coffee shops, living rooms, and churches. Pay attention to the pundits and the newsmakers. We tend not only to begrudge the value of others but to appear downright sad when a person is praised. Many hypercritical Christians quickly deny the presence of any value anywhere and overemphasize the dark and ugly aspects of a person, situation, or institution at the expense of their noble and valuable facets. They delight in exposing the flaws and imperfections of others and glory in the absence of goodness. Senator William Fulbright of Arkansas once commented on this insidious tendency in the news media: "That Puritan self-righteousness which is never far below the surface of American life has broken through the frail barriers of civility and restraint, and the press has been in the vanguard of the new aggressiveness."
The target may be the national government, the local police force, or the coffee shop waitress. It matters little. The focus is on the limits of reality, on what a person or institution is not. Shortcomings and character defects are cause for celebration because they allow us to feel superior and even noble. On the day of my ordination my father said to me, "Remember that it's impossible to overestimate the worth of anyone." His words fly in the face of our tendency to underestimate the worth of everyone.
The second phenomenon is not unrelated to the first. It is what might be called the preponderance of the negative self-esteem. Self-esteem consists of how we see ourselves reflected in the eyes of others. This in turn conditions our perception of the world and our interaction with the community. As Christians, those of us with negative self-esteem see ourselves as basically unlovable. We negate our own worth, are haunted by feelings of inadequacy and inferiority, and close ourselves off from the value of others because they threaten our existence. The exaltation of another is experienced as a personal attack. When a colleague is appreciated, we become upset and irritable, belittle their motives as vainglorious, and decry the perniciousness of personality cults. We say to ourselves in effect: "I am a clod, a wrong person; I'm in the way, nobody cares." In group gatherings we feel like intruders. We sigh, "Nobody loves me."
Negative self-esteem would not be so damaging except for the fact that we interact with others in terms consistent with our own self-image. We select from reality only those aspects that confirm our own dim view of ourselves. We single out the dimension of a situation that points to rejection. In a simple conversation with someone close to us, their lack of enthusiasm confirms what we already suspect: "I am a bore." On the street we pass a person whom we value. He ignores us. That night when we go to bed we ignore the pleasant, even beautiful experiences of the day and instead go to sleep dwelling on the one incident that enhanced our negative self-portrait. Consequently, every such encounter becomes a total proof or disproof of our entire being. Every incident becomes a blanket condemnation of self and a reaffirmation of worthlessness.
In order to love our neighbors as ourselves we must come to recognize our intrinsic worth and dignity and to love ourselves in the wholesome, appreciative way that Jesus commanded when he said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." The tendency to continually berate ourselves for real or imaginary failures, to belittle ourselves and underestimate our worth, to dwell exclusively on our dishonesty, self-centeredness, and lack of personal discipline, is the influence of our negative self-esteem. Reinforced by the critical feedback of our peers and the reproofs and humiliations of our community, we seem radically incapable of accepting, forgiving, or loving ourselves. In his opening address at the regional charismatic conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Father Francis McNutt touched an exposed nerve when he said, "If Jesus Christ has forgiven you all your sins and washed you in his own blood, what right do you have not to forgive yourself?
The ability to love oneself is the root and foundation of our ability to love others and to love God. I can tolerate in others only what I can accept in myself. Van Kaam writes, "Gentleness toward my fragile precious self as called forth uniquely by God constitutes the core of gentleness with others and with the manifold created appearances of the Divine in my surroundings. It is also a main condition for my presence to God."
Ironically, our self-loathing too often leads us to damage the self-esteem of others. Andrew Greeley writes:
God's mission in the world and his mission in his relationship with the individual believer is essentially a mission of overcoming self-hatred. For self-hatred is a barrier to love. We hate other people not because we love ourselves too much but because we are not able to love ourselves enough. We fear and distrust them because we feel inadequate in our relationships to them; we hide behind anger and hatred because in some deep recess of our personality we do not think we are good enough for them.
Heather This AM....
Talked with Heather about an hour ago. She is up and running.. well sort of. She is in room 513 at SMC. 405 742 5513 is the number to her room direct.
She is feeling tough. They have had her up and walking this am, and have taken her cathater out.. however it is spelled... sorry, mom!!
Paul is tired. The chairs they put in the rooms can be used to sleep in if you want and from spending many nights with Dad I learned you could throw a sheet or towel on the floor next to the wall and it sleeps better than a chair that does not lay flat.. haha.. but anyway... She will be there for sure through today and maybe get to go home tomorrow... or Saturday. Ann took Madison to work her day care this am and by to see Heather... Madison slept most of the night. She might have done better if Grandpa and Grandma would have let her alone, but we kept getting up to check on her.. haha.. finally about 4:30am Grandma got up and she woke up... and it was ON from then on.... haha...
Andrew is off to OKC with Chris and Jen to water park there for the day....
Don't know what else.. but for now.. this is it.. haha... enjoy the day... s
She is feeling tough. They have had her up and walking this am, and have taken her cathater out.. however it is spelled... sorry, mom!!
Paul is tired. The chairs they put in the rooms can be used to sleep in if you want and from spending many nights with Dad I learned you could throw a sheet or towel on the floor next to the wall and it sleeps better than a chair that does not lay flat.. haha.. but anyway... She will be there for sure through today and maybe get to go home tomorrow... or Saturday. Ann took Madison to work her day care this am and by to see Heather... Madison slept most of the night. She might have done better if Grandpa and Grandma would have let her alone, but we kept getting up to check on her.. haha.. finally about 4:30am Grandma got up and she woke up... and it was ON from then on.... haha...
Andrew is off to OKC with Chris and Jen to water park there for the day....
Don't know what else.. but for now.. this is it.. haha... enjoy the day... s
Today's Quote - Welcome
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
-Edith Wharton
-Edith Wharton
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Heather.. is out of surgery...
Ann just called. Heather is out of surgery and in intensive care.. she is doing ok.. they did not find much other than a lot of infection.. dah.....
Will up date later.. madison is crying.. haha..
Will up date later.. madison is crying.. haha..
Heather..
Just wanted to ask everyone to remember Heather in your prayers. The doctors are very concerned, finally, about her health. She has not been feeling well, calling the drs and they not calling her back. Finally today, she and Paul went in to see another Dr. who sent her straight to hospital before noon. they have been running test, etc. She has a very high blood count.. so is very infected and has had this for sometime they decided. The Dr. was planning emergency surgery this evening if he could find a surgeon to help ... Ann is up there with her, and along with Paul and I don't know who else. I am keeping Madison Ann. She is sleeping on the couch right now, so snuck in here to write this note to everyone. The Drs are not sure what they will find, but they know something is not right, so please remember her and the Doctors in your prayers this evening... and in the days ahead. I spoke with her about 4pm and she was in tears, scared, and wanting to feel better...
She is in room 317 at Stillwater Medical Center, 405 372 1480.. her room direct is 405 372 7317. All I know for now. love to all.. S
She is in room 317 at Stillwater Medical Center, 405 372 1480.. her room direct is 405 372 7317. All I know for now. love to all.. S
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
OH MY GOD!!!
The world is on fire! Hell has froze over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH, MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
all my kiddos updated their blogs........ oh my God........
How very very cool......... thanks.. kiddos...
haha.. love you all....
See I would not be able to wish Grandpa Roy Blankinship a Happy Belated Birthday, if Heather had not posted.... So HAPPY BIRTHDAY... Grandpa Roy!!!! Sorry to be late......
And Poor Randi, She must be in really bad shape today and in need of rest... after working so hard all weekend... hehe and then Phil, and his friend Randy... Those two can think up more ways to skin a cat, than anyone I know.. ... smiling...
And you know what, Andrew is not only growing like a weed, he is cool and super smart... He knows Madison doesn't need her ears pierced ... too! Andrew, you da man!! haha.....
Love you all.... enjoy the day! We are richly blessed!
all my kiddos updated their blogs........ oh my God........
How very very cool......... thanks.. kiddos...
haha.. love you all....
See I would not be able to wish Grandpa Roy Blankinship a Happy Belated Birthday, if Heather had not posted.... So HAPPY BIRTHDAY... Grandpa Roy!!!! Sorry to be late......
And Poor Randi, She must be in really bad shape today and in need of rest... after working so hard all weekend... hehe and then Phil, and his friend Randy... Those two can think up more ways to skin a cat, than anyone I know.. ... smiling...
And you know what, Andrew is not only growing like a weed, he is cool and super smart... He knows Madison doesn't need her ears pierced ... too! Andrew, you da man!! haha.....
Love you all.... enjoy the day! We are richly blessed!
Grandpa's Hands, from Randi Moffat
Grandpa's Hands
Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.
He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands.
When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and
the longer I sat I wondered if he was OK.
Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check
on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK. He raised
his head and looked at me and smiled. Yes, I'm fine, thank you
for asking, he said in a clear strong voice.
I didn't mean to disturb you, grandpa, but you were just sitting
here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK
I explained to him.
Have you ever looked at your hands he asked? I mean really
looked at your hands?
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them
over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never
really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he
was making.
Grandpa smiled and related this story:
Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they
have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though
wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all
my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.
They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon
the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As
a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my
shoes and pulled on my boots.
They dried the tears of my children and caressed the love of my
life.
They held my rifle and wiped my tears when I went off to war.
They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.
They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.
Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was
married and loved someone special. They wrote the letters home
and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and
walked my daughter down the aisle.
Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my buddy out of a
foxhole and lifted a plow off of my best friend's foot. They
have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of
anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face,
combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body.
They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.
And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real
well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to
old in prayer. These hands are the mark of where I've been and
the ruggedness of my life.
But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach
out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will
lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the
face of Christ.
I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God
reached out and took my grandpa's hands and led him home. When
my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my
children and wife I thank grandpa. I know he has been stroked
and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch
the face of God and feel his hands upon my face.
Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.
He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands.
When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and
the longer I sat I wondered if he was OK.
Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check
on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK. He raised
his head and looked at me and smiled. Yes, I'm fine, thank you
for asking, he said in a clear strong voice.
I didn't mean to disturb you, grandpa, but you were just sitting
here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK
I explained to him.
Have you ever looked at your hands he asked? I mean really
looked at your hands?
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them
over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never
really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he
was making.
Grandpa smiled and related this story:
Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they
have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though
wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all
my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.
They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon
the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As
a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my
shoes and pulled on my boots.
They dried the tears of my children and caressed the love of my
life.
They held my rifle and wiped my tears when I went off to war.
They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.
They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.
Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was
married and loved someone special. They wrote the letters home
and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and
walked my daughter down the aisle.
Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my buddy out of a
foxhole and lifted a plow off of my best friend's foot. They
have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of
anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face,
combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body.
They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.
And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real
well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to
old in prayer. These hands are the mark of where I've been and
the ruggedness of my life.
But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach
out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will
lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the
face of Christ.
I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God
reached out and took my grandpa's hands and led him home. When
my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my
children and wife I thank grandpa. I know he has been stroked
and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch
the face of God and feel his hands upon my face.
Monday, July 11, 2005
From Joanna and Clinton.......
1. There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old
family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.
"Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk.*
"Only the Ten Commandments." answered the lady.*
========
2. "Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in
the world.
There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good
morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning
and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."*
========
3. A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large
city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space
with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper
that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park
here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."*
When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer
along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If
I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into
temptation."*
========
4. There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and
announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news.
The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new
building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in
your pockets."*
========
5. While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an
Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a
sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage
was a hand printed sign... *
"Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution:
Do not step in exhaust."*
========
6. A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question,
Boys and girls, what do we know about God?" *
A hand shot up in the air. "He is an artist!" said the
kindergarten boy.*
"Really? How do you know?" the teacher asked.*
"You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven... "*
========
7. A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas
just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked
quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the
attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. *
"Reverend," said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the
delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to
get ready for a long trip.*
The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same
in my business."
========
8. People want the front of the bus,*
the back of the church, *
and the center of attention.*
========
9. A father was approached by his small son who told him
proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" *
His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know'
what the Bible means?" *
The son replied, "I do know!"*
"Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?"*
"That's easy, Daddy." the young boy replied excite dly, *"It
stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'"
========
10. Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter
what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be
scared, you'll get your quilt."*
Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the
pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that
morning's Sunday school lesson was about. *
He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
========
11. The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was
going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than
they were expecting for repairs to the church building.*
Therefore, he was annoyed to find that t he regular organist
was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last
minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play.*
"Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But,
you'll have to think of something to play after I make the
announcement about the finances."*
During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers
and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost
twice as much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of
you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."*
At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star
Spangled Banner."*
And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!*
________
Give me a sense of humor,
Lord, Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life
family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.
"Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk.*
"Only the Ten Commandments." answered the lady.*
========
2. "Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in
the world.
There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good
morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning
and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."*
========
3. A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large
city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space
with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper
that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park
here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."*
When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer
along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If
I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into
temptation."*
========
4. There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and
announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news.
The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new
building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in
your pockets."*
========
5. While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an
Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a
sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage
was a hand printed sign... *
"Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution:
Do not step in exhaust."*
========
6. A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question,
Boys and girls, what do we know about God?" *
A hand shot up in the air. "He is an artist!" said the
kindergarten boy.*
"Really? How do you know?" the teacher asked.*
"You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven... "*
========
7. A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas
just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked
quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the
attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. *
"Reverend," said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the
delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to
get ready for a long trip.*
The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same
in my business."
========
8. People want the front of the bus,*
the back of the church, *
and the center of attention.*
========
9. A father was approached by his small son who told him
proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" *
His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know'
what the Bible means?" *
The son replied, "I do know!"*
"Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?"*
"That's easy, Daddy." the young boy replied excite dly, *"It
stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'"
========
10. Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter
what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be
scared, you'll get your quilt."*
Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the
pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that
morning's Sunday school lesson was about. *
He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
========
11. The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was
going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than
they were expecting for repairs to the church building.*
Therefore, he was annoyed to find that t he regular organist
was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last
minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play.*
"Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But,
you'll have to think of something to play after I make the
announcement about the finances."*
During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers
and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost
twice as much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of
you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."*
At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star
Spangled Banner."*
And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!*
________
Give me a sense of humor,
Lord, Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life
had no takers on the Sunday adventure and lunch at county line... so...
We stayed home. felt good to relax... tooo good.. haha...
Phil came by and visited for about an hour. Great to see him. He has some great photos online of a old fashioned way of doing pottery... using a pit and wood... instead of the gas fired klein.. really cool. Ann started mowing the yard... and I worked on the perkins livestock new website. sure miss seeing Kaitlyn... but Jon called and said we might get to see him this weekend, and that will be cool!!
Well, got to get back to it, just in case the equipment gets repaired that is broke.. the baler is at John Deere being worked on, and Vince took the radiator out of the John Deere tractor to be repaired... I will be back in the hay again. We have three auctions in town this weekend... if you need tools, one on Saturday is the one, and if you know a collector of MG cars.. it also has several in various state of repair...
All I know for now.. have a great day, and ENJOY! D
Phil came by and visited for about an hour. Great to see him. He has some great photos online of a old fashioned way of doing pottery... using a pit and wood... instead of the gas fired klein.. really cool. Ann started mowing the yard... and I worked on the perkins livestock new website. sure miss seeing Kaitlyn... but Jon called and said we might get to see him this weekend, and that will be cool!!
Well, got to get back to it, just in case the equipment gets repaired that is broke.. the baler is at John Deere being worked on, and Vince took the radiator out of the John Deere tractor to be repaired... I will be back in the hay again. We have three auctions in town this weekend... if you need tools, one on Saturday is the one, and if you know a collector of MG cars.. it also has several in various state of repair...
All I know for now.. have a great day, and ENJOY! D
Saturday, July 09, 2005
SO LUCKY TO BE AMERICAN
SO LUCKY TO BE AMERICAN
by: Baxter Black
DVM
I am writing this column on my veranda. The heat of the day is dissipating. Shadows are growing longer in the canyon to the south. The bottoms of the clouds are turning pink and the mountains to the east of the valley are glowing purple. Cindy is bustling in the kitchen. I think I smell Teriyaki sauce. My 12-year old is being mauled by 5 little cow dog puppies. The horses are fed. The cows are fat. The quail are chuckling and dusk is waiting in the wings.
As I take a sip of my icy beverage and relax I remind myself of my New Year's resolution; to stop once a day and remind myself that this is as good as it gets. But as that thought sinks in, I become fully aware of how many have given so much so I could be right here. “Right here” for me is to be an American.
Lucky enough to be born in a country where I am free to worship God, free to better myself as best I'm able. Lucky enough to born in a time when the knowledge of human kind is expanding exponentially, in medicine, physics, transportation, chemistry, extending and improving all our lives.
Lucky to be born while prejudices are fading, poverty is constantly having to be redefined, and America's light continues to shine as a ray of hope for the less fortunate worldwide. But the reality of the debt I owe comes home to roost every day in the papers when I read the names of those soldiers killed in the war on terror.
Every one of them is directly responsible for the freedom I enjoy. They are each one part of a long line of Americans from all walks of life; soldiers, civilians, policemen, firemen, CIA, research scientists, inventors, ministers, teachers, legislators and parents who have sacrificed, toiled, sweated and believed in what America stands for and put their money where their mouth is. Whether it's carrying a gun, a stethoscope or flowers to the nursing home.
I owe George Washington, Bill Gates, Grandpa Tommy, Lewis & Clark, Cochise, Federico Peña, Thomas Edison, Uncle Paul, Madeline Albright, Donald Rumsfeld and Pastor Blair.
Two hundred and twenty-some odd years ago a group of citizens as different as Jefferson and Adams or Bush and Gore, conspired to declare our independence and invent a country.
They did just that, like none other on Earth. And that I got so lucky to be blessed to be born here is a miracle I do not take for granted.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Emma Kincade's auction tomorrow....
Some of you may remember the lady who helped Grandpa Shaklee when he managed Vincent Chevolet in Stillwater??? Anyway, her name was Emma Kincade in those days.. then she married Petty. They lived south on Western Street about a half mile south of 28th street on West side. They had horses, etc. Andy Kincade is their son. Perrin died some years back and Jake took feed to her for several years, till we quit.
Here is a link to the auction she is having tomorrow afternoon... saw the coach and thought of Phil and his horse Dan....
just wanted you to know.. a bit of history is in the making mode. End of an era...
Here is a link to the auction she is having tomorrow afternoon... saw the coach and thought of Phil and his horse Dan....
just wanted you to know.. a bit of history is in the making mode. End of an era...
This weekend...
Don't have a lot planned... have to go to Sooner Lake and east a bit on highway 15 to take pics of the auction there this morning. Then, work them this afternoon. I think we might keep Andrew and Madison tonight for Paul and Heather. They have baseball practice this evening.... and then tomorrow..
was wondering if anyone would want to meet us in OKC at either the Zoo or the Cowboy Hall of Fame at 9am, go through it, and then to the County Line for lunch and then home.... not a long deal, but something different... guess we could change that to the Kirkpatrick Planterium too if that was a better choice. Jake and Ann want to go to the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa sometime too ... so might have to plan that another time.. ahah..
If you are up to tomorrow and want to .. thats cool, and if not.. that's ok too... we could all use a day of rest....
oh .. i guess we could also meet at Jon and Randi's too....???? hahaha.... surprise them???? hehehehe.......
later all.. have a great day...
was wondering if anyone would want to meet us in OKC at either the Zoo or the Cowboy Hall of Fame at 9am, go through it, and then to the County Line for lunch and then home.... not a long deal, but something different... guess we could change that to the Kirkpatrick Planterium too if that was a better choice. Jake and Ann want to go to the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa sometime too ... so might have to plan that another time.. ahah..
If you are up to tomorrow and want to .. thats cool, and if not.. that's ok too... we could all use a day of rest....
oh .. i guess we could also meet at Jon and Randi's too....???? hahaha.... surprise them???? hehehehe.......
later all.. have a great day...
Friday, July 08, 2005
From Uncle Ivan... how cool
Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead tell your storm how big your GOD is!
In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible..
The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?" Mommy, "I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."
Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on ll the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us! his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat-not a toy one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van, and even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.
The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time.
And will you open the window to his room? About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window 16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room.
With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?"
"Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," the chief said. With those words, Billy smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing.." He closed his eyes one last time.
Instead tell your storm how big your GOD is!
In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible..
The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?" Mommy, "I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."
Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on ll the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us! his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat-not a toy one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van, and even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.
The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time.
And will you open the window to his room? About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window 16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room.
With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?"
"Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," the chief said. With those words, Billy smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing.." He closed his eyes one last time.
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