All Aglow

The Berkshire hills are all aglow with the setting rays of an orange sunset.  The fingers of God spreading over the peaks, displaying His amazing glory.  Another day is drawing to a close and once again so much has happened.  A pancake breakfast and then a sweet morning drive over to the Norman Rockwell Museum.  He was such a humorous artist - I loved his detail and facial expressions.  A picnic lunch was shared before heading over to Chesterwood.  That's the homestead of the man who carved the Lincoln Memorial.  (I remember seeing the Licoln Memorial as a kid - when Mom and Dad dragged us through the streets of Washington DC in 110 degree weather.)  It was interesting to learn about the sculpting process - from plaster to wax to bronze. 

The later part of our day took an interesting twist.  Michelle wanted to find an ice-cream parlour, but the one that Rhoda (our GPS) brought us to no longer exists... and it was slightly out of the way.  So to continue on to a State park our local map got sucked out the window... all the windows were open and I was just wanting to move the map out of the dashboard when it decided to become one with the wind.  Oops... but we had to rely on Rhoda all the more.

As we were heading in the Bash Bish State park, the red engine light came on in the car... anxieties increased, but we parked the car and hiked 300 feet down to a precious waterfalls.  Water and fire - I could watch them forever!!  Hiking back up was a good cardio exercise, and then we prayed til we found a gas station.  Yeah... we found one in time. 

Buba Louie's Sour Dough pizza for supper and a stroll through Great Barrington ended our getaway before driving the 45 minutes back to Vacation Village.  I'm ready to crash.

Smokey Trails

  

Typical me - not changing out of my Sunday dress to continue on for the day's adventures.  After lunch, Michelle, Caroline, and I drove over to Mount Greylock - the highest peak in Massechusetts.  Winding roads and a visitor centre pointed the way to the peak where we found a tower to climb with 92 steps and great views of 5 states.  It was slightly cloudy today, but the view was still astounding. 

On the way down the North side of the mountain, the three of us were commenting on the lush greenery, searching for more black bears when we started to smell something fierce.  When we got to a spot where we could pull over (thankfully at the bottom) we noticed that smoke was pouring out of the front passenger tire.  We let Winnie, the car, rest while we walked up the road and found a farm house with children playing outside.  The pregnant mother didn't know where we were on the map and the young father didn't think any garages would be open on a Sunday.  They did say though that smoking down the mountain was kind of normal if you ride your breaks all the way down. 

Sitting on the side of the road, we lifted the hood to see if there were any good samaritans.  The next man to pass by was another local who said that smoking was normal, let it cool and continue on our way... so that's what we did.  We slowly took off from there, and much to my surprise we found a garage open (with two minutes to spare) and a mechanic took a look.  He also said it was no problem, the breaks just got hot.  Hmm, interesting.  But at least I feel more comfortable driving my car now.  We explored the town of North Adams before heading back to our residence for supper. 

I made Bahmi Goreng for dinner... yum yum.

Galavanting Gals

Two friends - one old, one brand new - join me on a journey through New York State just into Massachusetts. Together the three of us have come to relax and enjoy the Berkshire hills and so far it's spectacular. We have signed in to a Vacation Village time share just across from a winter ski hill resort and we are amazed at the simple beauty all around us. Rolling hills, green trees, blue skies, a black bear, guinea fowl, windmills, and curvy roads catch our eyes.

 Taking nine hours to travel from Toronto to Hancock, on Friday we started getting (re)aquainted and settled in to a great place. A king size bed fills the room, but there is still space for a jacuzzi. Yeah - so relaxing. Saturday was a day for exploring, grocery shopping, and a train ride through the hills to catch a bit of history.  The Berkshire Scenic Railway ride was 90 minutes in length and well worth the introduction to the area.

  

 "Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.
You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing."
Psalm 65:8-13


Those were precious words I read for devotions this morning before hopping in faithful Winnie (my Cavalier) and driving to church.  The three of us weren't sure what we were walking in to, besides a quaint wide-siding building with a large white steeple, as there were only three other cars in the parking lot.  When the service started there were only 17 people attending the "Church at the Crossroads" in Stephentown, NY, but the Spirit of God was definitely there.

An elderly pastor spoke from his heart and shared God's Word in regards to the call Abram received... to "leave".  We are all called to follow God and be blessed.  The pastor mentioned that being blessed means: God keeps working on you until you get it right.  A surrendered life isn't clinging to everything that is familiar, it is clinging to God alone.  His words were so encouraging for me as I strive to prepare for God's work in Uganda, but also continue serving Him at the group home and live in Ontario.

This church was a down-to-earth church... filled with friendly people who PRAYED!  God was there and I was blessed!  "Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11: 16)

Well, I'm back to the room to get ready for lunch.  I needed this getaway to get right with God.

Normalcy

The picnic table was lopsided, but that didn't seem to matter.  Janet and I were both eager to dig into our picnic lunches at Fairy Lake.  The sun was shining brightly as the wind delighted in blowing our wrappers everywhere.  We adjusted to the cooler temperatures as conversation warmed up.  More and more I am finding that I laugh a lot, and yes, if you have ever met me personally, you know I laugh out LOUD.  :)  Well, during one point of our luncheon, Janet was sharing stories that were making me chuckle and a lady walking on the path nearby veered off the trail and asked "is everything normal here?"  What a silly question... yes, everything is normal.  That's all she asked.  She walked away. 

Normal: (defined by Wikipedia) - in regards to behaviour, it "refers to a lack of significant deviation from the average".  Old English Dictionary describes normalcy as "conforming to a standard".

Now that I've looked up the definition of normal - NO, everything is not normal here... for a variety of reasons:
1. I love Jesus!!
2. I'm dwelling in a space between two lands - currently serving in Canada, and seeking funds to serve in Uganda.
3. I'm constantly living out of a suitcase as most of my stuff has been in storage for two years and I love to travel - to meet up with the amazing friends I have been blessed with around the world, or to explore God's creation.  (As a matter of fact, I am leaving in about an hour for a road trip to Massachusetts.)
4. I'm turning 35 in 3.5 weeks and still sleep with a teddy bear.  (ooo, and now I'm a woman who's not afraid to share her age.)
5. I will never have too many friends.
6. I appreciate life!

I wish I could find that lady again and tell her that my abnormal life IS completely normal for me.

While buying iron tablets at the drugstore the other day, the cashier looked at my sapphire ring and asked if that was my birthstone.  I said, "No".  She was curious as to why I wore the ring then, and I explained that I bought it off the discount rack at a gem store in Thailand.  She was not expecting that answer at all.  "Wow, do you travel much?"  I explained that "Yes, I do".  I've spent a year in the Netherlands, three years in the Philippines, a year in East Africa... and a few more places.  She just shook her head and squeaked out "May I ask?  How OLD are you?"  ... You're right... that doesn't sound like a normal life... But I sure thank God for every step of the journey He has taken me on.

Loving the Lilacs

On the kitchen table is a vase of purple lilacs and the aroma wafts through not only the dining area, but also the sitting room.  I love it... and normally I have allergies to smelly, perfumy flowers, cleaners, colognes, etc, but lilacs I love.  The lilacs remind me of a beautiful bush we used to have on the end of the driveway when I was a kid in Whitechurch.  It is also the season for lilacs in this neck of the woods.  I feel like I have been spending a lot of time in my car lately, but that's okay because I see God's glory shining all around - in the greenery, the farm land and animals, the spring flowers and the lilac bushes. 

 Lilacs are not the only sweet thing filling my days though. I am reminded lately of how blessed I am. First - with my own family. Jaxsen and Kylee were here for a sleep over on Saturday night and much to Mom's dismay, they stayed awake til I got home from work at 10:20 pm so we could play walkie talkie hide-and-seek and a short scavenger. Their hugs are the best!!

Sunday was another great service at church, where the youth led worship, testimonies were shared, and the sermon challenged us to love one another on a deeper level. To put the love into practise we broke up in to small group after church and shared soup and buns, conversation and prayer.

After church I joined the Dekkema family for a birthday celebration. I am amazed some days at how they have become like family to me. They really ARE an extended family to me and I thank the Lord for the friends who have become great brothers and sisters in the Lord.

 Yesterday I raced from work to Cookstown KOA to spend a lovely evening with my dear friends and former landlords. Wow, they went out of their way to prepare porkchops, baked potatoes, veggies, and salads. Their friendship has always been so encouraging to me and they are great role-models of God's love and wisdom. Together we read Psalm 103 and delighted in God's goodness. As I drove home during sunset, those purple lilacs popped out once again and made me finish the day saying: "Praise the Lord, O my Soul, Praise the Lord!"

Planned and Unplanned Encouragement

The day is only half over and already I have been so blessed.  Early this morning I noticed a memo stuck to the kitchen cupboards that I was to call my doctor.  The lab reports had come back and he wanted me to come in and see him - I found out that my iron is really low.  Finally, I might have some answers as to why I've been exhausted lately.  That's only step one though - GI Track test and EENT visit are still coming up.  Pray that they happen soon!

At 10 am I drove over to Coffee Culture to meet with a wonderful couple who serve with Global Recordings and I was super excited about the children's ministry material they have to use in Africa.  I am able to share Bible stories with the Ugandan children in their own languages and that is awesome.  Simple pictures, well laid out plans, and a clear Gospel presentation.  It was a blessing to meeting with others who have been raising support and serving God overseas for over 30 years.

From the coffee shop I drove over to the medical clinic to meet up with my doctor once again.  While sitting in the waiting room, there was only one other lady biding her time as well.  We started chit chatting about the plants in the room and talking about American Idol (due to CNN).  It didn't take long to realize that this wonderful grandmother was a woman of strong faith.  We had twenty minutes to talk and I watched her pray for other patients as they walked out of the doctors office.  She took my prayer card and promised to pray for my time in Uganda and she would send a donation.  Wow, I am so encouraged!!

O, another sweet encouragement this week came from an old friend in the Philippines.  One of the youth I met with often during my time in Cagayan de Oro emailed and said that even though her and her husband can barely get by with the few pesos they have, they want to be a part of the ministry in Soroti.  They are speaking to their church and hope to sell extra crops at the market so they can help support missions in Africa.  Wow, again, I am encouraged to see God's people pull together around the world to spread the Gospel. 

Just for fun, I want to share my favourite song from the Idol finale... it has a theme of how I want to live my life.  We can not plan for the rapture... I want to live each day serving God to my best abilities.

"I do Believe in Miracles"

This evening I was reminding myself that "I do believe in miracles, I do!  I do!"  I am trusting God to guide my path and open financial doors for me to go to Uganda.  I asked Dad who originally said that line and he thought Dorothy was asking the wizard in the Wizard of Oz.  An interesting discussion came up on Facebook - as people guessed from Miracle on 34th Street, Annie, Peter Pan, Sister Act and Oz.  Until I see the scene, I won't know who to believe.

In trying to find the clue online though, I have found a few good quotes though that I would like to take to heart:

"Don't believe in miracles - depend on them." - Laurence J. Peter

"How quickly we forget God's great deliverances in our lives. How easily we take for granted the miracles he performed in our past." - David Wilkerson

"I am not embarrassed to tell you that I believe in miracles." - Corazon Aquino

"Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see." - C. S. Lewis

"We must not sit still and look for miracles; up and doing, and the Lord will be with thee. Prayer and pains, through faith in Christ Jesus, will do anything." - George Eliot

"We must remember that Satan has his miracles, too." - John Calvin (Hmm, that's an interesting one to think about!!)

I do believe in miracles. I have seen God work in my life through amazing ways - whether it's providing a tube of toothpaste when I didn't even have two pennies to rub together - or new tires for my car - or gas that remained in the tank like oil in the widow's jar - or a letter in the mail - or a sunny day. 

How have you seen the miracles of God around you?