Piglet Returns!

For over 3 weeks our very own Piglet went on a long explore in a hundred acre wood behind a home on Lake Road. We praise our Sovereign God for protecting her during this time and bringing her safely home to us!

Mother's Day and Birthday 2012

When my mother died in January, I shared with everyone who would hear how we are rejoicing that her physical body may have died, but her soul was immediately with the Lord in heaven because Mother trusted in Christ for her life. (2 Corinthians 5: 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.) Since I'd never lost a parent before, I didn't know how many memories would come into my mind in the days and weeks and months after her death. But they have, and I praise God for how sweet they are, and for the continuing evidences I see in those memories of her walk with Christ and her life of love for her family and people and hundreds of children. (She taught kindergarten for more than 30 years.) The Holy Spirit's fruit was so absolutely on display in her life.

Mother's birthday is May 13--Mother's Day this year--and actually she was born on Mother's Day, May 13, 1928!! Mother delighted in telling about how she was born in the Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. Although her family lived on a ranch near Woodlake, her father's brother "Uncle Doctor Frank" was an obstetrician in Los Angeles, so the family traveled to Los Angeles--200 miles away--imagine what that trip was like in 1928!--for the births of my mother and her three older siblings. The fifth child was born in near-by Visalia since my grandmother had been counseled to not have any more children!

In honor of my mother, Carolyn Hope Ainley Burris, I'd like to share the story she submitted to a local newspaper for Father's Day 2007 in response to the question, "What's the best advice your father gave you?"

 

"My father, Ralph, died in 1973 and my mother, Jessie, in 1980. He was a cattleman. He also raised oranges, pigs, grapes, olives and five children on a very limited budget. My father's advice to me:

• Honor God.
• Go to church every Sunday.
• Respect and honor your mother.
• Get along with your siblings.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Drink the milk your brothers milked the cow for you to drink.
• Get a college education.
• Contribute to the community where you live.
• Don't drink or smoke.
• Eat natural foods like honey.
• Read to your children and tell them stories.
• Enjoy life and be happy you are alive."

This Sunday, Mother's Day and Mother's birthday, is an extra-special day for me. I rejoice in the love of my dear husband and four children and one son-in-law. I rejoice in the love of wonderful friends. I rejoice in the Lord and in His faithfulness and grace and mercy. And I pray that everyone who would hear will worship and praise and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ with me--and with my mother Hope-- for how God, "According to His great mercy....has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1: 3

Reflections on the 2011-2012 year

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." We spent the 2011-2012 class year studying the book of Genesis; "In Genesis, God declares His glory" was the central idea for the intro lecture. In God's providence, Nancy Guthrie's book The Promised One was published in the summer prior to the start of our year! Studying the Bible using this book became so valuable to me in seeing glimpses of Jesus throughout Genesis.

As I was just looking at some postcards and panoramic pictures taken during our Easter week visit to Brazil, I realized we had seen a beautiful illustration of the Lordship of Christ over His creation in Rio de Janeiro. Certainly Christ the Redeemer is a man-made statue atop Corcovado mountain, but the visual impact of the statue's out-stretched arms above the beautiful Guanabra Bay communicates a Biblical truth: "For by Him (Jesus) all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through Him and for Him." Colossians 1: 16

It's a glorious sight and an even more glorious truth.   

A Return

My apologies to those who may have checked my blog during the past year. There haven't been any posts here since January! For some reason, the "paralysis through analysis" curse took over and I did not post anything; I think I was trapped in the myth of perfectionism.
So, I hope to do better and share more thoughts.

Christmas 2009 and Winter Break

After a long absence, I am posting some pictures to the blog! We had wonderful visits through winter break starting with Ben and Hannah driving home on December 22 from Grove City. (After Willis's trip to Peru to meet up with Ben, their week in Peru and return home, and a week here, Ben had flown to Pennsylvania for time in Grove City and in Lititz.)

We made quite a few trips to the airport in the last 2 months!!! Bethany was in Massachusetts December 26-January 3. Laura was here in Tennessee December 30-January 3. Ben flew up to Pennsylvania January 3 for intersession. (Clearly, we did coordinate some of our air travel.:) Josh flew to Tennessee January 8 and then--to end the holiday season--Hannah and Josh drove to GCC January 17 to start spring semester.

Fall Break and Thanksgiving 2009

Fall Break: Friday afternoon before Bethany's fall break she found a cheap ticket to fly from Memphis to Akron Ohio on Saturday, after realizing it would be a great time to travel to Grove City again:) The three of us walked the 2-mile Mission March in the morning--all winning trophies in our age categories!--and then Bethany and I drove to Memphis. Since we already had an appointment there for a wedding gown-fitting, I took her to the airport to catch her flight after the fitting. Unfortunately she had to spend the night in Atlanta due to a late plane, but she did make it to Akron early Sunday morning! Josh picked her up at the airport and Bethany was able to spend the next 3 days visiting friends in Pittsburgh and Akron and Grove City. Then Bethany was able to drive on Wednesday with Hannah and Josh on the already-planned trip home for their Fall Break. Hannah and Josh returned to Grove City on Sunday.

Thanksgiving: Hannah flew from Pittsburgh to Memphis to spend Thanksgiving week here at home! On Saturday we all attended our sweet friend Claire's wedding to John--well, Bethany was a bridesmaid, so she did more than attend:)--and then Bethany drove to Nashville for the night. Early Sunday morning she flew to Hartford to spend Thanksgiving week with the Mayos in Massachusetts.

Casting Crowns and Matt Redman in Memphis

October 15, 2009, Memphis Tennessee, Willis and Melodee in front row seats on the right side of the stage. We very much enjoyed the concert and once again--see post from May 2008--the Lord is confirming the truth of His Word.

This time Melodee DeVevo read the scripture: Psalm 103: 1-5 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

I had read Psalm 103 that very morning! (I can't explain why, because since it was the 15th, I believe I also read Psalm 105; I rotate through all 150 Psalms over the course of several months.) And then, on Sunday October 18, Wally read Psalm 103: 1-5 in morning worship.