Sunsets On The Blue Ridge Mountains

These are all pictures I took of sunsets in the last month or so. Some of them are new, and some you may have seen before. Just one of the many reasons I love living in The Shenandoah Valley.

"Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean. Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty. The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?"

Job 37:21,24

Alphabet Soup

Carmi's new theme this week is letters/numbers, so I thought I'd give it a try. To check it out, you can go to Carmi's website HERE. One day little Ella came to me with pieces of her foam letter and number puzzle. But instead of trying to put it together, she had a bowl and spoon with her. She dumped the letters and numbers in the bowl and stirred. I couldn't figure out what she was doing. Then she told me to open wide, because she was feeding me alphabet soup!! Would you like to try a bite? I assure you, it was the best soup I have ever eaten, made with love by a four year old just for me! Here is what the Psalms have to say about numbers.

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

I think what this is basically saying is that we need to realize how short our time is, and make good use of it, before it's too late. What important thing have you been wanting to do that you've been putting off?

Come Fly With Me

Come, my followers, and fly with me

For it's mountains and valleys that you will see.

The wind is still, the air is clear

Come fly away with me, my dear

Come deep down into the Shennandoah Valley, surrounded on all sides by blue mountains. Come into this perfect field on this perfect day, and fly with Phil and I as he takes his remote controlled glider on it's first flight. Today the mountains sing for joy, and the butterflies shimmer as they dash through the sunlight. And just for today, we will release the cares of the world, lift up our eyes to the hills, and go soaring, lighter than air, no fears, only calm and beauty all around. Come...

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

Bob and Sandra, you were both there in my heart.

Shout To The Lord

Last night we went to the Trinity Episcopal Church to hear "Les Petits Chanteurs" Haitian men & boys choir. There were about 750 people there, they were even sitting on the steps and on the floor. The choir has toured the U.S. for over 10 years, singing at the Kennedy Center, The Lincoln Center, and with The Boston Symphony. Their music school on the grounds of The Episcopal Chapel in Port-Au-Prince, was flattened in the earthquake. They lost everything, including four students and two teachers, and have been living in tents. This tour is being sponsered by the Virginia Haiti Collaborative, and they are staying in the homes of church members. They are hoping to raise enough money to rebuild their school. They sing with joy. They sing for the six who they lost. They sing of their love for God. All the news and T.V. media were there filming it, so come along with me now. And if you close your eyes, perhaps you can even hear some very faint but beautiful voices as they float on the summer air, an audible message of love and hope through even the worst of times.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing

Power and majesty, praise to the King;

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of your name.

I sing for the joy at the work of your hands,

Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand,

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

My comfort, my shelter,tower of refuge and strength;

Let every breath, all that I am never cease to worship you.

A Tomato For Sammy

This is my husband's favorite breakfast restaraunt. Very tiny and drab, the style is pure diner. Their customers are mostly several locals who come on a regular basis, usually for breakfast. Many of them have gotten to know each other by sight. My husband has been going here one morning a week for many years. And so has a man in his golden years, Sammy. My husband would nod at him and they would speak a few words on occasion. Every Saturday, Sammy came in with his son, and he always brought a huge tomato with him. While he waited on his breakfast order, he would take his time and make a great fuss over cutting the tomato up. Almost everyone there knew Sammy, his son, and the tomato. Last Saturday, Sammy's son came in. No Sammy. Then his grandson came in. Still no Sammy. His son took out a huge tomato, put it on the table, and they sat down and cried. I need go no further, do I, gentle reader? On his way out, my husband stopped by their table, shook their hands and gave his condolences. This is a picture of the most perfect tomato I could find. Sammy, If you're looking down, this one's for you.

One of the first things that Jesus did after he rose was cook breakfast. The king of kings cooking breakfast for his friends! "When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread...Jesus said to them "Come and have breakfast"...Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish." John 21

The Eyes Have It

Behold the Buckeye butterfly. Such an unattractive name for this creature of beauty. He has many eye spots, and they're all looking at you. When his wings are closed, he is very drab and easily overlooked, and he blends right in with the dirt. You would never be able to guess his beauty. Don't discount the drab ones among us, they can have amazing beauty just waiting to unfold.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Cor. 4:7

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Sam. 16:7

A Small Town Remembers

This morning I woke up to the sound of sirens. They continued to wail at intervals all day. I get chills when I hear ambulance or fire engine sirens. I always wonder whose house is burning, or what poor person is in the back of the ambulance. I suppose I will read all about it in tomorrow's paper. I have riden in the back of an ambulance on more than one occasion. Sitting beside a loved one, and years later being the victim myself. I know about the rushed and swaying trip to the hospital, the loud siren wail just above your head, the flashing lights making strobe-like reflections on the road, the medics beside you radioing the hospital to get instructions on treatment. But this time I did not think just about the victim, I thought about the rescuers. The men driving, risking their lives to save a life. Running headfirst into buildings and not knowing what they will find. So here is what I found downtown today. This is how one small town remembers September 11. Main Street lined with flags. A wreath at the firehouse, and the fire trucks doors all open, waiting....all flags everywhere at half mast. The sun was still shining, God is still in control.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38