FAVORITE ROOM

 

Davy and Wayne baking cookies

My Girl Scout leader must have made this for me

Years ago, while attending a women's retreat, we were asked to tell about our favorite room in our house --  and why.  Of course mine was my office.  I like to read and write.  For me writing a letter or e-mail is enjoyable.  But the kitchen means work! When I was given a recipe book at 12 years old by my Girl Scout leader I was appalled. Why would I ever need such a thing?  Many years later, after trials and tribulations,  acceptance that good food is necessary for good health, I bowed to the necessity of spending time in the kitchen. It turns out that I can follow a recipe and make descent food. My mom made a terrific lemon meringue pie. My sister could turn out a meal for 6 or 8 easily.  My younger brothers enjoyed baking cookies.  My dad was a good cookie baker and could also make a mean fake Swiss steak with onion soup and hamburger.  Unfortunately my older brother was not good at putting a meal together until he discovered Jimmy Dean sausage egg and cheese microwave  breakfast biscuits. So ability in the kitchen is not available to everyone but most people need to cook at some point.

God gives everyone talents and abilities but He expects us to develop aptitudes in other non natural abilities. Some in our family are not naturally hospitable -- especially me. One book which helped me to become a little more hospitable, and at least offer a drink of water, was Karen Mains book- "Open Heart Open Home"- 

Some are not natural teachers-- but we are instructed in God's word to train up a child and to teach each other.  One book which helped me learn how to deal with some children was "Help! I'm a Parent." Now if I really wanted to become an excellent writer I would intensely study writing. Instead, I just like to "wing it."  It's much more fun!

Philippians 2:4  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Exodus 35:35 He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work ... 

GENEALOGY AND FREE WILL

 

Our niece, Jennifer, is an excellent genealogist.  She has researched and put the stories together for many of our relatives.  Personally, researching genealogy gives me a headache.  When I read through the Bible I find the parts about all the begets boring.  But I recently heard a sermon by Isaac Adams entitled "What does God do." He tied together 2 lines in a family descendancy.  He also mentioned why at the beginning of Genesis people were living into their 900's. Soon humanity was only living to 120.   Then later we now can only expect to live until 70 or 80. There is no video available but if you would like to listen click on the link for access to the mp3 recording-- https://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/sermon/god-spares/ 

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

DEAR JESUS PLEASE HELP THEM

 

My dad, a meterologist, and a believer in Jesus and prayer,  would have liked this guy.  Matt Laubhan,  prays on TV during his weather forecast for the people facing a tornado in Mississippi.  He is the Emmy® winning Chief Meteorologist for the WTVA Weather Authority and Northeast Mississippi's first Certified Broadcast Meteorologist™.

Originally from the small Kansas town of Russell, Matt graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science.After college, Matt spent seven years forecasting for TV stations in Lubbock, Texas, before moving to Tupelo in 2011.Matt and the WTVA Weather Authority Team have received numerous awards and distinctions over the years, even being formally recognized by the Mississippi State Senate for their life-saving severe weather coverage.Among their accolades, they have been recognized with 8 Emmy® Awards and 15 Emmy® nominations for their weather coverage.Matt is blessed to work alongside his beautiful bride, Emily Leonard, who is the evening anchor at WTVA.

Isaiah 25:4 For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;

I STILL MISS MY TV BUT MY AIM IS GETTING BETTER

 

Evy, Wayne, and Jay watching the 7" TV -- 1957

My family owned a 7" TV in 1949 or 1950.  TV shows were broadcast starting about then in California. Burbank, where we were living at the time, emerged as center of the entertainment and aircraft industries in the 1940s and the prototypical suburb of the 1950s and 60s. TV shows filmed in Burbank, especially Laugh-In and The Tonight Show liked to ridicule their sleepy hometown. My Brownie Scout troop received tickets to attend the live "Howdy Doody Show." So of course we ended up with a TV in order to watch the show on which our troop appeared.   

Shortly after this we moved to Fairbanks, Alaska.  There was no TV station in Fairbanks. At that time we listened to the radio-- "The Lone Ranger"show was my favorite.

Then in 1952 we moved to Alexandria, VA. We were once again able to receive a TV station.  My favorite show was "Captain Video." My brother, Jay, liked the black and white cartoons. 

My dad, sister, brothers, and I enjoyed watching TV.  My mom preferred reading newspapers and National Geographic magazines.  We think that some of this is genetic.  Before TV my dad's parents would meet in downtown Spokane after work and take in 2 to 3 movies a week. But with the TV program productions they began watching TV at home.  My mother's great aunt and uncle refused to watch TV.  My mother's mother would watch "Lawrence Welk" on Sunday nights.  So some loved TV others avoided it.

But now there are very few TV shows that are decent.  The times and morals have changed.  "Ozzie and Harriet" and "Leave it to Beaver" were wholesome shows.  Now we have had shows like"The Sopranos"which  spawned a hunger for antiheroes: "The Shield," "Damages," "Dexter," "Rescue Me," "Mad Men," "Breaking Bad," "Sons of Anarchy," "The Walking Dead," "Homeland," "House of Cards," portray negative views of life and morals.  It makes me want to remove the TV from the house.  Some families have done so.  Selected videos can be watched on DVD's and uncouth shows can be eliminated.

Each season I watch the new shows and hope there will be something decent to watch.  Unfortunately little by little I make the decision to not watch more and more every year.  So my discernment is getting better.  

Galatians 5:17  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

DADDY MULLY

A college classmate sent me this touching movie posted on You Tube two years ago.  It is the story of a young boy in Kenya who was abandoned by his family.  He spend 10 years begging.  He happened across a church service where the people were encouraged to get jobs and to work for a living.  He took the advice and traveled to Nairobi.  It turned out that he was a big thinker and had a knack for business. He started businesses and grew in wealth and power.  He had a beautiful wife and nine children.  But God touched him when his car was stolen by street boys.  He decided to save orphans.  The movie tells the rest of the story.  It is about an hour and 20 minutes long. 

Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,and he will repay him for his deed.