Tuesday, August 30, 2011

ANOTHER STORM


 
An anxious dog is an early sign of another storm. The low distant rumble requires a hike to the ridge for a view of the horizon. Dark ominous clouds hover over the hills and the essence of light appears like a flash light under a blanket, going off and on. It’s time to secure the outside furniture, close windows in the cottage and the truck, find the calming pills for the anxious dog and try to get the weather update on the computer.  A glance at the phone jack brings memories of two previous lightning strikes that drove a charge down the underground phone line like a speeding train heading for a cottage wall. A loud bang rang inside when the charge hit the line going into the cottage; sparks flew from the wall leaving a burn stain on the cord, a destroyed modem and a fried phone. I will pull the phone cord from the jack before nature can destroy again, lesson learned.

The cooling breeze is a welcome sign the storm is now closer so I gather my book, water and treats and snuggle into my papasan chair to read as an anxious dog tries to join me. Dennis would say be still and observe nature, it’s so wonderful.  I feel a bit of a chill as the winds move with more gusto and the tree branches turn into big fans waving like a church bulletin on a hot day.  Light tapping noises begin, slow but steady and I glance at the phone cord now removed from the wall, we are ready for the storm. Winds increase a bit, the tapping gets louder on the metal roof and the dog is considering my lap as her new destination. The sound increases, this is not dancing squirrels dropping a few nuts; or June bugs hopping on the roof; this is a loud drum beat picking up speed along with the panting of my dog.  Water cascades off the metal roof like Niagara Falls and the noise level picks up like the drums of the marching bands or a machine gun; we now have hale.  Oh my no birds or squirrels can be safe; hale is shooting off the roof with such force and bouncing a number of times when it hits the ground.  I expect to see birds and squirrels lying on the ground, shot by projectiles of hale, but only the hale gathers on the ground now. I don’t have any reason to step out in this weather, God watered the garden today.

I have the urge to crawl into bed, pull up a soft blanket, close my eyes and listen to the hypnotic tapping on the roof, yep that sounds good! Dennis loved the metal roof too! This is just another storm and it will pass.

I thank God for answering our prayers again; sending the rain we needed and cooling everything for a little while.  

Monday, August 8, 2011

THE BEST DAY I'VE HAD IN A LONG TIME


We pray for guidance, faith and wisdom as progress is made on the buildings and grounds at God's Cozy Acres and we look to the Lord for a response to let us know we are on the right track.

My mentor said use what you have until you raise the funds to complete what else you need. Sounds like a plan, the small cottage is renamed "the caretakers cottage" and since it now has a porch that is covered and screened widows meet on the porch with fans blowing every Saturday 9 to 12. Our present goal is to meet the needs as they are presented and this we prayerfully accomplish with the help of the Lord. The first group of women were so inspired by the beauty only God could provide they said, "This was the best day I've had in a long time". One wanted to just stay.

We prayed a prayer to live life more fully in July and shared a portion of Joyce Rupp's book "May I have this dance". Some widows would like to see more of the beauty God has given to us in Tennessee, but feel it is to much to accomplish alone. On the 9th of July we collected our selves along with picnic goodies and drove a small caravan to Cades Cove. As a driver of one vehicle I smiled and praised the Lord for the joy expressed all the way out and all the way back.  Oooo look at that... Oh my how wonderful... look there I think I saw a deer...Oh isn’t this great! We did walk hand in hand lovingly supporting each other, thanking the Lord all the way all the day long. At the end of the day  we went our separate ways and the voices raised again saying, "This was the best day I've had in a long time"!

We missed two from our group due to serious health issues and used our Saturday gathering to lift our sisters up for healing. We each made a get well card to lift  spirits and show the love of Christ for these women. In this project we felt the joy of accomplishment for a task some had not done before and our hearts were lifted once again as we gathered together.  Plans were made for another trip.

August 6 the carpool left early in the morning for Clingmans Dome, with a quick stop at McDonald's for the breakfast of champions. Janette was so glad to be well again (she thought she was going to die in the hospital a number of days ago) and she was popping around like a teenager, not bad for someone well into her years. The overall sounds were of excitement and joy which were carried the entire 11 hours that day. We all praised the Lord for the beauty we saw, the protection from the sun by an overcast day and the absence of the predicted rainfall. We enjoyed a lunch in a picnic area in the mountains by a rushing stream, headed back towards Gatlinburg. We did stop at the moonshine sample counter, and laughed like kids out without adult supervision. We walked hand in hand sometimes blocking the sidewalks and laughing all the way. One more request was met when we stopped for ice cream, yum lots of smiles here. The last quick stop, my request; was a lovely store with table cloths and lace (all about ladies here). I remembered the gatherings we had in our Florida home with friends and family. Dennis cooked a great meal, I decorated everything with lace table cloths and wonderful china, the atmosphere was full of joy and laughter---what a great memory. The day ended with the same words as before "This was the best day I've had in a long time".

I thank the Lord for allowing me to be a small part of these women's lives as we walk on our new paths and I certainly thank God for Ava's driving on this last trip.