Something Old, Something New

I remember when my granddaughter would come stay on Tuesdays. I would sew her a little dress on those days. It taught her patience, I think. She sat on the guest bed and watched me sew. She got to give opinions about which fabric and pattern she wanted, and what buttons/lace to put on the dress. We would have a few fittings, and she would greet her mama in a new outfit to wear home. This grey tie-dyed dress with matching bandana made a hit, especially matched? with her choice of Gram's sandals and costume jewelry.
Example of the silly rhymes she will get in her yearbook/DVD...

She looked so cute in her tie-dyed bandana;
Now she is six and wears Hannah Montana.

This afternoon we are going to celebrate her 6th birthday, and bring something for her brother, too. It is amazing how fast they grow up. Each birthday I put together a birthday book of photos and poems that covered the year's activities. I think it is time to adjust the tradition to a DVD with music instead of a photo album. The grands are both more techno savvy than their Gram in many ways. Yep, the old and the new...

On that same vein, my husband and I are embarking on a new adventure tomorrow, visiting some places neither of us has been before, or at least not together. One of the things we look forward to that is old: my husband's father was a minister, and built a church in Tuscon, AZ. We are going to find it and see what has become of it. I am sure it will be very emotional.


We also will be attending a wedding of the daughter of some old friends. She is grown and becoming a wife. I think she was in junior high school when they moved. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Some things old mixed with some things new. Old friends, and an old church, connecting to the past. Newlyweds, a 6-yr. old birthday, new hiking trails and roads to discover...a goodly inheritance, pointing to the future.

Psalm 16:6
The boundaries have fallen for me in pleasant places. I have a goodly heritage.

Perfect Attendance

I remember all through school trying to get the the perfect attendance award. I know, I'm weird. But it was a way to get an attagirl when things at home were not so good. But, some years, some flu or other thing would sabotage getting the string of days broken during the school year. Some years I got the award; others I did not. In fact, some of those later years I actually missed on purpose, knowing I needed a mental health day.

I have always been fascinated by the heavens. I find myself being drawn to take a picture of the same element repeatedly of the moon in a day sky. Seeing the moon before the sun sets and the sky gets dark somehow intrigues me. I know it is always there, but you can't always see it. For that matter, there are days where we cannot see the sun, either.

I think that is why the words to Psalm 121:5-6 hit me so strongly:

The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side. The sun will not strike you by day, or the moon by night.
~~~~~

The Lord does not work a day shift, then let the other workers take the night hours. He never sleeps. He never closes his eyes. "The Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep!" He made heaven and earth, the moon and stars, and never skips a heartbeat of one of us. He has perfect attendance.

God dresses the flowers

God dresses the flowers of the field.
Matthew 6:3~~~~~~

Sometimes I can try on three or four outfits before I decide on one. I get sidetracked with what to wear, and not liking that anything fits the way I want. I leave my pile to rehang later, and get out the door to get about my list of to-do's. Flowers don't worry about what they are wearing, yet they are beautiful. He gives us such a variety because I think he knew they would give us joy.

On the roads in Arkansas the sumac bushes were so beautiful and abundant that it appeared at times like they were fields of wildflowers. When we came over a hill or around a turn to be greeted by a beautiful autumn swath of red, it was truly a delight to thank God for all the varieties of leaves and flowers.

Path of Life

When I am out on the road it is difficult to ignore the invitation to go down a beautiful path like these three. One ended in some swampy bottoms teeming with life. We were all alone in a beautiful garden. Another was in the middle of Maplewood Cemetery. Beautiful also. The third went high up to a hillside covered with deep pink leaves. Each invitation led to a hidden gift from the roads less traveled.
~~~~~~~

Through each perplexing path of life
our wand'ring footsteps guide;
Give us each day our daily bread,
And raiment fit provide.

from O God of Bethel,
by Philip Doddridge

Who givest all

Some of these berries were right outside the front door of our cabin at Mena. Others were along rugged, narrow roads to hidden lakes and parks. The beautyberry was indeed beautiful with the contrast of grape berries against the fall yellow leaves.

Any time I see grape-like berries I think about the season of harvest. God has given us such a beautiful world to enjoy. As we head toward Thanksgiving and the passing of one season to another, it is fitting to give thanks to the one who givest all.
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O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 107:1

from
O Lord of Heaven and Earth and Sea
by Christopher Wordsworth

The golden sunshine, vernal air,
Sweet flowers, and fruit Thy love declare;
When harvests ripen, Thou art there,
Who givest all.