Merry Christmas from the IRS

On April 27, 2010 the Lord put the project of God's Cozy Acres a Christian Retreat for Widows on my heart. In April 2011 by the grace of God and with the help of Charles Christiansen at SCOPE the 501(c)(3) documents were completed and submitted to the IRS.  The challenge has been to keep everyone motivated believing that this event would take place and that with God all things are possible.  We all knew that fundraisers and grants must have the letter from the IRS giving us 501(c)(3) approval.

Merry Christmas from the IRS came today in the mail with the approval of our 501(c)(3) status. I shouted "Praise the Lord" and called my mom, daughter, best friend Marty (Board member), Diane (Board Member), Vivian (Board Member), Celest, Pastor Johnson and Pastor Mark.

Now comes more paperwork, more renovation, more talks and more challenges but each step adds excitement, blessings and joy in my life

I am so excited about 2012 and the beginnings for God's Cozy Acres Christian Retreat for Widows. I am so happy to be in the Lord's service, what a blessing and joy!

Have a great day in the Lord everyone everywhere!

Moving On or Holding On

The leaves have dropped from most of the trees in this area, giving the sign of the season coming to a close. I loved the farewell party at the end of October, all the bright red, orange and yellow color waving in celebration of another segment time coming to a close. A flashback of our child years raking piles of leaves and plowing into them with a gleeful “weeeeeeee”. There was no thought of any endings then.

The few leaves remaining hold fast now as the winds of change swirl around trying to play tug-o-war. Now comes a breeze and the tug ends. A vibrant green leaf- now brown and withered- glides back and forth like a see-saw until it is gently laid to rest with others.

Portions of my past life experiences have not been so easily released, they hold on as the winds of the present yank them to and fro. There is no timeframe for letting go. I gathered some of the celebration leaves in October and placed them in a special flower press Dennis made for me. They will wait for me to visit in the future.

My heart is the special memory press the Lord has given me. This is where so many of those memories will live on- fresh and vibrant- like the day they were made.

As the snow sneaks in, like a mother laying a blanket over a child and tucking them in, so comes sleep. This is easier now but not the same. A fresh day of opportunities appears as we move along our new life path- pulling behind us a wagon of memories that we enjoy holding, like our favorite teddy bear, from time to time.

May you all have sweet loving memories in your Christmas stockings as you celebrate the reason for the season “Jesus Christ”!

Expired, Expired, Expired

Proud of the new accomplishment but disheartened to find everything needed for more creations had expired two years ago.   It was actually two years ago that my sweet husband “the chef” drove his John Deere tractor to heaven. I’m an artist not a cook, was my excuse in the past as the smoke alarm sounded on a regular basis. I invented blackened and it’s just the way I like it, charred. Well, that’s not the truth at all; it was the inevitable outcome when the cook finds standing in front of the stove boring.

 My enjoyment could be found in table cloths, dollies, candles, flowers, dishes, silverware, stemware and the placement of the finished product on the plates. It was all about the look not the preparation.  So Dennis would cook and then step back from the stove and say, “it’s all yours” and that’s the part I loved.

 For the better part of the past two years I have defrosted my refrigerator freezer (an old refrigerator) weekly; as I make frequent visits; expecting the cooking ferry to leave something special some day, but no such luck.  I have this little snowman (Hallmark) that lives in the refrigerator and it has four sayings when the light comes on, “Is it cool in here or is it just me”;”Here in the frig where it is nice and cool there is one very simple  rule once you find what you’re looking for do me a favor and shut the door”,” Hey close the door your letting out all the cold”, and “ You again I’m going to have to get a lock for that door”.  But, then this to was another voice-- besides my own, in the cottage, perhaps I wanted to hear that voice more than find something new in the refrigerator, perhaps.

 I was proud of my most recent culinary triumph the “Swiss steak” ensemble now divided in four single serving containers, living in the freezer with the quiche quarters, prepared Monday. There is hope for me, actually; like the little red steam shovel with Mike Mulligan there is always hope! Not everything is expired around here; there are some interesting changes cooking in the mind of this artist, I’d call that inspired!

PROCRASTINATION PROTECTION

I had the task to complete, but knowing the heartache it would bring I protected myself by procrastination.   I locked the tool room door, the room was not in the order he would have kept it in, due to others searching out what they needed and not replacing it accordingly.  The tornado of nondiscrimination had turned tool boxes upside down, showering nails, screws, washers, nuts, bolts, drill bits, staples, razor blades and more over the bench top.   Add to the mix some type of liquid that must have been tipped leaving a brown pool of goo that looked like maple syrup, never tempted to take a taste I recalled the container of mustard I had found earlier.  This was his work room, the carpenter’s project room where skill from years of experience made light work of intricate plans or repairs. 

We had a small Mom & Pop Construction business for a number of years, something the entire family of three worked in.   What a team, he knew how to do anything almost, the unique things I would toss in an idea and together we would come up with some great answers to customer’s needs.   The mailbox that looked like the golf home, everyone wanted that because it was special, but how to get the terracotta tile roof look on the small (not so small) mailbox was my quick idea of cutting white plastic pipe to the size, glue and paint.  It was perfect and so our projects went.   My favorite was matching the wallpaper on the light switch covers so no one could find the switch, that was my job!   Final inspection was my job, now when I walk into a new home or business I can’t believe what other professionals call finished.   But, that was a life gone now and my construction talent could never hold a candle to his work, but it will get me by in a pinch.

Early start 7:30 AM at my church- setting up for coffee hour between services, than the service 8:30 to 9:30AM, coffee 9:30 to 10:00 AM Bible study 10:00 to 11:00 am.   Make one stop on the way home to pick up last minute soda, arrive at home and make a snack for myself, check on everything being ready for volunteers.   The volunteer youth group from the Lenoir City Church had arrived, with energy only the young can claim which was evident as the line formed and boxes flowed from the work room on to tables set up in the front room.   Well there was some laughing and a few, ”woops sorry” comments, only one light finger tip cut , singing with the radio (station of their choice) and no problems.  They made short work of clearing the entire room making tool identification much easier.   With some hot dogs, chips and soda the job was done, to that degree.   They took a great amount of unused energy back with them, wow I don’t remember but I can only guess we were like that at 11, 15, and 17 too.

With that job done to a degree, I did a quick change to meet friends at a concert that would bring me home after 10:00 PM much too late to do any more work on the tools.  I pushed the reality out of my mind and had a great time with other widow friends.  As I drove up the driveway I saw the retreats center (a large monitor barn) and knew that I would have to start the rest of the job Monday.  I went in the cottage, was greeted by Tiger, Jazzy and Cuddles (two cats and a dog) everyone had a treat and a movie was slipped into the DVD player for noise as I prepared for bed.  My prayers included a plea that I may have the strength to do the job that needed to be done, I knew it would hurt, I pulled up the covers, felt a heavy pounce on the end of the bed where Tiger would spend the night and went to sleep.

I knew the task may cause heartache and tears, but I  had courage once again to move forward in my life- with God at my side!

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.  

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.  

IF AN OLD WOMAN FALLS IN THE WOODS DOES ANYONE HEAR?

If an old woman falls in the woods does anyone here? God hears and knows because He is always with us.  Enthusiasm can be good in moderation however common sense needs to be engaged before your run into a brick wall or as in my case one step.  That one step was perhaps an answer to a prayer, not at all the expected reply but a reply that worked quite well, I’m afraid. Perhaps jumping out of bed at 5AM was not a bad start, adding glasses was a good move too, grabbing the cell  phone still no problem, now wait here comes the good part. If you were following the last sentence you would have seen the part they call “foreshadowing” in the movies, that was the “jumping out of bed” ever done that and stayed upright? Still not quite awake, heading out side to the porch, down two stairs, stager up into the driveway, (the only place you get a signal in the country), I focused on calling mother. So far so good, however the brain was not ready for more than the normal morning walk to the bathroom. Trying to meet the 5am calling deadline the normal activities were missed, the plot thickens.   What a good daughter-- I made the requested call at the right time on the cell phone –since we have the same cell phone company it’s FREE.  Oops, my normal schedule was being overlooked and there was a need to end the call and rush back into the cottage. 

Imagine a moderately old woman moving at a good clip with a serious goal in mind, focused on the door not the stairs, we have gone up them hundreds of times, lift the foot and oh my gosh you missed, are you kidding me?  The foot, or the big toe nail to be exact didn’t make the follow through and gravity pulled me down like a ball player sliding into home plate. Since speaking to myself is normal for me I stated the obvious, “this is not good” and started a full system diagnose. Glasses did not break, check, cell phone still in hand, check, can move extremities, check, and red leakage yep --from that one irresponsible toe that caused this entire problem, I get to my feet and realize there was another challenge which required a change of clothes. Perhaps it’s a good thing there was no one to hear or see me fall on the cottage porch in the middle of the woods.

God has given us free will to do smart things and not so smart things as learning tools to accomplish the bigger program in our life. I had prayed for help to accomplish the paperwork stacking on my desk, which I keep putting off in exchange for more exciting things like pulling weeds or running the mower or sorting through things to give away or a little construction work, or reading a book.  Well, my attention was focused on my paperwork now.  I did finally realize that I could have used the house phone to call my mother and not go outside at all since it was before 6AM. Have you ever done something without thinking it out all the way?  I have slowed up on that kind of thinking, at least for now. 

Did I get the paperwork done you ask, well of course I did and from sitting for a couple weeks I managed to eat everything in the refrigerator and cupboards, or so it seemed.  This entire scenario also brought a more serious thought to mind, what of other widows who may not be a tower of strength, what if? My conversation with other widows did find the story I knew I would hear and it wasn’t good. A fall, is never good for any one of any age but a frail senior, alone could lose her life.  I’m sure you know of or you have been told of a senior who fell and suffered injuries.  I know my heart reached out to my husband at that moment, he was always there for me, and then I reached out to God and said thank you for the blessings of being able to move, get up and care for myself. Friends should call in the morning and night just checking on each other, just in case!

I was inspired to write this prayer:

As we walk with you today Lord help us keep our eyes on the cross, knowing we are never alone. You are at our side and have a plan for our future. In the same way we ask for wisdom and faith as we lovingly support our sisters, walking hand in hand on our new life path. We lift each other up to you Lord thanking you for your blessings today and always. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen

If an old woman falls in the woods God knows and hears.

Thank you Jesus!