"Meadows in the Mountains" is a daily devotional program into which the Lord has led me. Its focus is: More of Jesus, less of me. I gained inspiration from Joan Cavanaugh’s book by that name. She writes, “The uphill road we travel is especially discouraging and tiring to the overweight — unless you catch a ride in a powerful car. The word of God is that power. Finding what we need and using it to overcome our very real problem is what this book is about. God helped me to find the special vehicle that helped me to the top, and He told me to share it with you. So hop in! Welcome to an adventure in overcoming!”

The details are on-line at www.spaciousskies.us/Meadows.html.

Focus on Today

2008

This year I'm concentrating on Matthew 6:34 in The Message version of the scriptures. (See http://www.biblegateway.com/)

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." -Jesus Christ

I so often find myself getting stressed out over things beyond my control and "awfulize" - sort of expecting the worst to happen. And of course it's a waste of my time and effort. So if I concentrate on what Jesus said, I'll feel better automatically.

Marge

Christmas 1952

Howard & I didn't spend our first Christmas together. I was in Lyons, Kansas and he was stationed aboard the USS Piedmont, AD-17. Here's an excerpt from the autobiography he's writing.

1952 - One of the more enjoyable responsibilities of my job as chaplain’s assistant was at Christmas time aboard the Piedmont, when we had a Christmas party for Japanese American orphans. We had 85 of the children, boys and girls. Our ship had appointed a "committee" to buy toys for these 85 children as well as new clothing for each. They had the sizes for the boys and girls and made purchases and brought them back to the ship. So, for a number of weeks before the party, it was my job to gift-wrap these toys and I believe the clothing marked for the age of the child and for either a boy or a girl.

Our chow hall was converted to a large party area with a Christmas tree and all the gifts under it. But... before the Christmas dinner, each child was taken to the "head" for a shower and their new clothes, then came dinner for everyone, followed by Santa Claus coming to present the gifts. It was an afternoon that was well spent and the children went back to the orphanage fed, newly dressed and happy with their new toys. I need to tell you about the 6 year old boy I had for the day. His name was Joey Chan and by the time we parted, I was ready to adopt him. He and I got along quite well. I ignited an almost-fire when I wrote home telling them I would like to adopt him! Marge and I had only been married 6 months and it just was not meant to be. There has never been a Christmas like that one in Sasebo Harbor, Sasebo, Japan.

Thanksgiving Day

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices; Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts and blessèd peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed; And free us from all ills, in this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given; The Son and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven; The one eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

To read about this hymn, and hear it, click this link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/o/nowthank.htm

"The First Thanksgiving", reproduction of an oil painting by J.L.G. Ferris, early 20th century. History tells us that the first Thanksgiving Day was in 1621 in Massachusetts.

Keeping Fit

Howard and I work at keeping fit by walking and exercising at our local YMCA, near 86th and Parallel Parkway. He rides the stationary recumbent bicycle and I do range-of-motion exercises in the swimming pool.

Peace on you

I learned an Arabic word this week: Salaam. It means "peace." In Islam, "Salaam alikoum" means "Peace on you." By saying "Salaam alikoum," a Muslim is offering peace and giving his word that he will never hurt you. My online friend Youcef Ouchaoua from Algeria taught me this. Thanks, ucif!

Romancing the Scone

Our daughter-in-law, Shannon Marshall, lived her dream! She and her partner, Carol Teague, opened Romancing the Scone Tea Room & Gift Shop in Alpine, Texas on Valentine's Day 2007. Now they have closed the Tea Room. There was just not sufficient business to sustain it. Shannon was the chef and she specialized in just about anything chocolate.

Shannon & David's daughter Halee enjoyed working in the tea room and is now training to be a pastry chef. Her delightful Napoleon is pictured above.

Edited 13Feb08