My Cousin

My cousin and I grew up less than a mile from each other. He's a bit younger and I don't remember doing much together when we were young except when we had family gatherings or such. We were often at one or the other's house with our parents and I do remember enjoying the big sliding board at his house with him and his brother.

We still don't do much together and we now live about 180 miles apart; however, he has been such a support to me since Mike's accident. He would text me or call me to let me know he was thinking of me and ask if he could help in any way, plus he did a run in Mike's honor. When Mike was in a facility near his home, he offered me a place to stay, but his girlfriend lived closer to the facility and she invited me, a total stranger, to stay with her. We quickly became friends and now this lovely lady is his wife. Todd & Silvia are indeed a precious couple. I had the privilege of sharing in their very special day and meeting Silvia's family and children for the first time. I fell in love with the whole bunch!

Todd & Silvia have invited me to come and visit on several occasions and not long ago they moved. A couple of weekends ago, my friend, Margaret, and I drove to a wedding together which was 30 minutes from their home, so I seized the opportunity to stay with them, see their new home and catch up on their lives. There's nothing better than a face to face visit.

As we approached the church for the wedding, my car started making a strange grinding noise every time I put on the brakes. Uh oh. Then a metal on metal screeching started. Double uh oh. Sounds like the brakes. After the wedding, Todd drove the car to the reception and tried to find a place open on Sunday to take a look. An appointment was made for 9 a.m. We had a good time catching up at the reception then Silvia and Margaret took Todd's  truck while Todd drove my car home. It didn't make a noise until we were almost at his house. 

Silvia had to work Sunday, but Todd fixed us a nice breakfast and then off to the shop we went only to find out their technician didn't come in. Todd didn't hesitate to offer his truck so we could be on our way and he would take my car to a shop he trusted on Monday.  Margaret and I packed up and headed out in his nice red truck. By Monday afternoon, I received a call that my car was fixed and on Thursday Todd's Dad picked up the truck and met him halfway to exchange vehicles. By Thursday night I was back on the road with good ole Hank, my Honda CR-V.

What a blessing Todd has been to me. He took right over and handled everything with my car and gave me great peace of mind. He and Silvia have a special way of making people feel at home, loved and cared for and never once have I felt like a burden to them, yet they have given over and over and over again to me. 

Todd and Silvia, y'all are bright spots wherever you go. I love you!

Philippians 1:3

I thank my God every time I remember you.

Sudden Disaster

I am not a farmer. Nor do I want to be. Every day I watch my farmer brother, farmer niece, farmer nephew and his farmer wife work long hard hours at a job they love, while losing money every single day. It has to be extremely frustrating and I see the weariness on their faces. I wonder how they keep going at the pace they do and I pray for them fervently.

Farmers get hit on every side. Equipment is quite expensive and it takes a lot of different and large machinery to do what they do. To pay someone else to make repairs is costly; therefore, they repair as much as they can themselves. When ordering parts or equipment they have to pay for shipping and handling, but they also have to pay shipping on the milk that is sold and hauled from the farm. They cannot set the price for their milk or grain, having to take whatever is the market value. They depend on the weather for the crops, asking for sun when it's too wet to plant and praying for rain when it's dry and the crops are burning up in the fields. They let go of farm employees and work more hours themselves to try to stay afloat. Farming is not for the faint of heart.

Yet, farming is in their blood and the call of the great outdoors, the baby calves, and the milk herd cannot be ignored. This love of the land and cattle, plus working side-by-side with family beckons them to continue to rise before the sun, put on their boots, hop on a tractor, plant & harvest, clean out the barns, bottle train a newborn, milk those cows and head home about dark - one more time. The alternative is unthinkable, yet many small farms just like ours have lost the battle.

Exciting day! First time bottling milk!

I am also not an entrepreneur, or risk taker, but my niece is. She dreams big and for years has wanted to build a creamery. As the farm began to struggle more and more, she saw it as a possibility to save the family farm even though it would require a huge financial risk. With the support of the rest of the family, she visited other creameries and spent a year researching and planning. 

Our matriarch approves!

In March 2018, the ceremonial groundbreaking was held for Richlands Creamery. The dream was coming alive. It would be several months before the actual groundbreaking and after many delays, overages, permit waiting periods, problems, frustrations, phone calls, bills, bills, bills, loans, loans, loans, work, work, work, it's still not open. BUT, we're getting close. The first run of milk and ice cream for testing was May 28 and they each met with approval from the necessary government agencies. Praise God! Please pray that the remaining necessary permits come this week so that we can open.

Top photo was about a year ago. You can see the large white
pack barn on the right-hand side. Bottom photo after storm.

The day after the successful bottling run, May 29, the farm was dealt a devastating blow. A fast and furious storm passed through about 7:00 p.m. ripping off 2 roofs and destroying our largest pack barn. The pack barn was basically where the cows hung out, kept cool, ate and slept when it was too hot to be outside. It had a very high ceiling that was open in the top to allow heat to escape, had huge fans and sprinklers, plus comfy bedding which kept the cows cool and comfortable. A large part of a dairy farmers job is to keep the cows pampered and happy and we have some very contented cows around here. Cows don't like hot weather, so the destruction of the barn presents a dilemma and more work.

Top photo after storm passed through.
Bottom photo the following afternoon.

We are extremely grateful to God that no humans or animals were injured or killed during this serious storm. The cows that were in the barn were huddled in the one corner that did not fall. Thank you, God! Within a very short time, neighbors, farmers, and the veterinarian were here to see what they could do to help and assisted our farmers in moving the cows to safety and repairing fences.

Top photo shows missing roof.
Bottom photo 2 days later, under roof again.

The next day, two master carpenters who heard of the devastation came and had one roof replaced before lunchtime. The ladies from the Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study (TABS) that I attend, brought enough lunch for everyone for two days. Our cousin, who is also a dairy farmer, took time off from his farm and took over planting soybeans so that our farmers could concentrate on caring for the cows, repairs, and meeting with insurance representatives. A young lady employee and her mother brought a complete fried chicken dinner for everyone with enough that spilled over to the next day. On Friday, the crew that built the Creamery came and replaced the other roof. Lots of people wanted to help in any way they possibly could.

As I thought about the devastation, I also thought about how much worse it could have been and I praise God. All our homes and lives were spared. All that expensive machinery and milking parlor equipment was also spared. The dump trucks that were in the same path of the storm were not touched. The animals were all well. The brand new Creamery building was not damaged. Then you see the outpouring of support and physical help by our family and friends and it's easy to see the true beauty of this farming community, God's provision, and another reason why these farmers keep going.

My gardening supervisors.

I am a caregiver, a bit of a writer, and the Creamery bookkeeper. I want to help, can tell what I know of our farmers' story and I see the deep financial hole. I am here not to farm, but to take care of my mother and the flower gardens and yard. During a time like this, I want to help my farming family, but there is little I can do. Provide food, drinks, snacks, pick up the debris in the yard, make things look pretty where I can, and pray. I can help tell their story  knowing that the more it's shared, the further it can go and trusting the Lord to do with it what He desires. The disaster has already brought more media coverage to the farm and the Creamery; we simply never know how God will work in His mysterious ways.

My farming family is accustomed to pulling themselves up by their bootstraps and taking care of things themselves, but this pack barn is not something they can remove on their own. It will require big machinery, engineers and money. There was some insurance but not enough to replace what was lost. Everything has been put up as collateral for the building of the creamery, so there are no reserves to pull from in order to replace the barn. They are making phone calls, talking with the Governor, checking with the original builders of the barn, and going on with all the day to day chores, while feverishly gearing up for the Richlands Creamery opening.

There are lots of prayers going to our all-powerful God and He may move in the hearts of other people that would like to be part of helping a farm to stay around that has been here since the mid 1700's and been dairying since the 1950's. My farming family only asks that you buy more dairy, check out the facts regarding real dairy versus alternative drinks marketed as "milk", and if you live locally buy Richlands Creamery products. If you aren't right here, but not far away, then ask your grocer to carry our products. 

I know God works all things for good and desires to shape us into the image of His son as it says in Romans 8:28 & 29. Often that comes through trials. He also tells us in Proverbs 3:25 & 26:

Have no fear of sudden disaster

    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

for the Lord will be at your side

    and will keep your foot from being snared.

Sudden disasters will come and the Lord promises He will be at our side when they do. I have certainly found that to be true and I am confident that as our farming family continues to honor God and look to the Lord for strength and wisdom, He will provide what is needed in His time and His way for...

Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17

  

Our farming family after the first successful run of bottling
Richlands Creamery, Inc. milk!!

-------------------------------------------------------

I've worked on this post for a week, but our farmers have been telling their farming stories for years. To really have a look into our farm, hear from the experts, and see updates on the creamery, please visit and follow: 

https://www.facebook.com/richlands.dairyfarm/

To see news coverage of the storm damage and a video from our farmers, follow the links below. All of these videos can be seen on the Richlands Dairy Farm Facebook page shared above.

https://wtvr.com/2019/05/30/richlands-dairy-farm-and-creamery-storm-damage-dinwiddie-county-may-29-storm/

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158493075773146&id=709128145&fbclid=IwAR0LOTgM9SixFmfY4uj43ASK2_MwC0LY5-IGS04re4PtohWuSBiJOezmN3g

People

People are so important. Moving from place to place can cause anxiety, but as soon as you get to know people any place can become home. I have moved several times in my adult life which has afforded me the pleasure of getting to know people from various places. As time has moved on, I have lost touch with former friends, neighbors, students, or co-workers. Within the last year or so, God has blessed me, by bringing some of these wonderful people back into my life. Some found me and others I found. Since I didn't ask permission, I'll leave off names.

My former boss, from my days in Richmond, has commented on posts which brought back memories of Mike and I taking care of his children one weekend so that he and his wife could get away. Young married days, carefree times.

Several are folks from our missionary days. One was going through a painful time of illness with a loved one and we shared the bond that pain brings. The other called, after we had reconnected, and hearing her voice and laugh brought back a flood of memories and much joy. A former student - one whom Mike worked closely with and enjoyed mentoring messaged me one night and then called later. It was precious to hear memories of Mike from his former student's perspective and meant a lot to me that he had taken the time to reach out and encourage me in that way. Another has emailed me and been my #1 encourager to get a book written about our TBI journey.

Recently I've talked with and visited friends in Ohio. G and I took a long walk and I was able to catch up on her life and see where she works. Then I spent an hour visiting with our former neighbor, J. How great it was to give them a hug and hear them laugh! I  had missed those laughs, walks, and talking about flowers. Another had moved out west, but thankfully she found my email address. Emails and phone calls bridge the space well.

I had lost touch with one of our sons' closest friends from NC and found him on FB. How glad I was to see he is well and happy. He was like one of my own!

Most recently, I was able to hug the folks that introduced me to R.C. Sproul and his ministry of strong Biblical teaching while we all attended the Ligonier Conference in Florida. These people are special to me in many ways. C was our Sunday school teacher and he and his wife housed many family members after Mike's accident for weeks and weeks. R gave me the book The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul and was the first one to arrive at the hospital on the night of Mike's accident. Not only that, but he stayed the entire time and followed me home at 1:00 AM to make sure I got in safely. He and Mike enjoyed getting lively conversations going in Sunday School which kept C on his toes!

As you can see, all of these people are wonderful gifts. They were when we lived near them and still are when we are far away. Genuine, caring, wonderful people to the core and I treasure their friendships. We may not message or talk or see each other very often, but that's OK, they are true friends nonetheless and the separation made the coming back together even sweeter.

Don't take for granted those people in your life and if you have lost touch with someone, look them up. It's easier now than ever with the internet and social media. You won't regret it, I'm sure, and like me, will find that these reunions bring immense joy.

 Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two are better than one, because they have 

a good return for their work; If one falls down, 

his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls

and has no one to help him up!

Tip: Be a friend and treasure the friendships you have.

Roll Blind with Attitude

Last week I had the privilege of staying in my little place while my sister was here to care for our Mom. Each night when it's getting dark, I go around and close my blinds and curtains which makes me feel safe and cozy. I pulled down the roll blind over the kitchen sink, as usual, and started to fix my supper. CRASH! The entire roll blind had fallen out of the window knocking over my Willow Tree angel as it fell. What in the world?! Pulling out my step stool, I reattached it and all was well. The next morning, when I went to put it up, it would only go to a certain point and then stop, still covering half of the window. No matter what I tried, it stopped right there and would go no further. Where is Keegan when I need him? You see, my son, Keegan, is a genius. This summer while they were visiting, I had another roll-blind-with-attitude scenario which I wrote down, but never posted. I think now is the time...

There I was fighting with the crazy roll blind that obviously thought it was a gorgeous, sunny day and it needed to be rolled up tight to protect itself and let all the sun stream into the room. Meanwhile I wanted it down to conserve electricity and and keep the air-conditioner from coming on all the time. I tried the gentle tug, the quick wrist action, and the start over from the top approach, but the blind was very uncooperative.

"Mom, Mom", my son says placatingly, "here, let me." At first touch, ZING, the blind happily rolled all the way up with a little extra flip for effect. Laughingly I told Keegan, "I think the blind just blew you a raspberry or stuck its tongue out at you!" The blind was enjoying itself. Not to be dissuaded, my engineering son spent all of 2 seconds with the blind and it magically obeyed. Just like that!

"All you have to do," he demonstrated, "is pull the blind towards you a little and it will stop where you want it." Ha! Guess what? It works EVERY time! (Well...almost.) Who knew it was so simple? Obviously, not me. I guess I should feel stupid, but I don't. It's a good opportunity to laugh at myself and my silly blind, plus now every time I open or close that blind the memory of our little exchange makes me smile. When it works, I smile with satisfaction and the blind keeps a straight face.

There can be so many little annoyances in life and times when we feel silly or stupid. In this scenario, I was thankful for my son's presence and the fact that, in many ways, I've gotten over myself. If someone else thinks I'm silly or stupid, that's OK. I'm glad I could laugh at my ignorance of how these blinds work and rejoice over my son being the hero of the moment and conqueror of the blind.

These days people seem to have a need to prove something and be their own hero. A need to know and do everything on their own or even worse be smarter or better than someone else. "I don't need help. I don't need you or anyone." Why are we so bent on being independent? or smarter than those around us? or trying to prove our worth? or prove something, anything? What are we afraid of? And why so much anger along with it?

It is hard to ask for help sometimes and I'm as guilty of that as anyone. I don't want to bother others or use up their time. However, that thinking can rob others of the joy of lending a hand, or feeling useful and needed. Stepping aside and letting my son have a go at the blind allowed him to help his Mom and then turned my focus from frustration and myself to thanking him for helping me. We had a good laugh and we all felt good.

I know I need Jesus and I need other people in my life too. I am dependent on Jesus for my very life and daily well-being and in that is a lot of freedom. I don't have to prove my worth. He loved me way before I ever loved Him and He knows more about me than I do myself. As drawing the blind to me caused it to obey, the more I draw close to Jesus, the more I want to obey Him and the more I realize it's not about me anyway. Romans 12 gives great insight into these thoughts. Take a moment and read the entire chapter. I won't copy it all here, but will leave you with several verses to ponder.

Romans 12

2 Do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 

that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, 

what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you 

not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, 

but to think with sober judgment, 

each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 

10 Love one another with brotherly affection. 

Outdo one another in showing honor. 

16 Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. 

Never be wise in your own sight. 

17 Repay no one evil for evil, 

but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

Failed-Fudge Cookies

Ever tried a new recipe and it didn't quite come out the way it was described or the way you thought it would? Or you remember something your Mom used to make and you search the internet to see if you can find it and you do, but something goes wrong in the making?

That's what happened with me recently. As Mom and I were looking toward the excitement of Christmas gatherings and having family here, I asked her if there was anything she'd like me to make. She mentioned that it had been a long time since we'd made fudge. I remember enjoying her slightly crumbly, not too creamy chocolate fudge with walnuts, as a child, and it really had been a long time. Let's do it! I immediately started scanning the internet for old-fashioned fudge and found one that sounded just like hers.

Within the hour, I was in the kitchen whipping up some yummy fudge. Or so I thought. I followed the directions, but by the time it came to stir in the walnuts, I could barely stir this glob of chocolate goo. There was no way to pour this glob into a pan. I dumped it in and mashed on it hoping it would press into the pan and act like fudge. It didn't. It was a VERY crumbly disaster; however, it did taste like Mom's!

For about a day, we picked out and ate the big crumbs or grabbed a spoon to eat it. I don't like to waste good stuff, so I decided to try to make something else using the failed-fudge. I pulled out a chocolate chip cookie recipe and substituted the crumbly fudge for the chips and nuts. The cookies were delicious and Mom really liked them!

Sometimes we feel like everything we touch is a failure or everything is going wrong. Yet when we stop and look at the broken pieces or crumbs, we often can see something beautiful or different from what we had originally planned. A few years ago I read an article about a company that takes broken glass and re-purposes the pieces into beautiful bowls and vases. It may take an attitude adjustment, change of thought, more work, or lots of perseverance on our part, but I believe we can always find something good or beautiful even in the failure or brokenness.

Jeremiah 18:1-4

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words.” 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.

God is the Master at looking at broken, misshapen lives and making something new and beautiful out of the pieces. He is the potter, we are the clay. He can break and He can restore. But His purposes are always for our good. If we've gone astray, it may be His way of calling us back. Or in the case of Job, He may have allowed the enemy to have his way with limits and for a time. How do we react or respond to being broken or failing or maybe even being caught in sin? Do we wish to cast away the broken pieces and turn away from God or turn towards Him and seek out how to become who He wants us to be? Will we allow Him to mold and shape us into a new vessel useful to the Master?

I will probably never be able to exactly replicate failed-fudge cookies again. That's OK. It was a unique recipe for a unique circumstance. Isn't it wonderful that God sees each of us as unique individuals? He will work with us right where we are and make something beautiful out of our lives no matter how broken or how much of a failure we think we are. No life is worth wasting. God has a purpose and plan specifically designed for each one of us and it is beautiful. 

Let's let the Master Potter rework our lives as it seems good to Him to do.

My Mom

An afternoon walk

My Mom is the personification of sweetness and selflessness. She has lived her life in service to others for the majority of her 89 years. My Dad depended on her and she was right there to help him for almost 70 years.  Now that he has preceded her into Jesus' presence, there is a gaping hole in her life.

Growing up, my Mom was the one who truly made our house a wonderful home. Everyone, I mean everyone, who ever put their feet under her table to eat one of her from-scratch meals wanted to come back again. Everyday she could be found making homemade yeast dough so that we could enjoy hot rolls for supper - either to eat with the meal or to save and eat with Grandma's Molasses, a family favorite. Often when we returned home from school, there would be fresh cinnamon bow knots or coffee cake or jumbo raisin, butterscotch, or chocolate chip cookies waiting for us with a glass of milk. Of course her open arms were waiting with a warm embrace also.

Puzzle time!

She is a beautiful soul inside and out. Her patience in teaching us how to do things amazes me when I think of it today. In the kitchen, I remember pulling out the bottom drawer and standing on it to "help" her bake or cook. I'm sure we probably all did this at some point in our growing up years and she has 5 children! (Well, maybe not Hugh, he was usually outside helping Dad.) Just imagine how much faster she could have done her work without her helpers. However, she knew the importance of passing on the lessons of cooking, baking, handling yeast, how to roll out a pie crust, shape rolls, measure dry and wet ingredients, sift, cut-in, etc. and so she patiently worked with us while she accomplished her daily chores. I learned so much from her gentle instruction and ways.

Our Mom made sure that each of us, as well as, our home was clean and neat. She worked right beside us showing and teaching us how to make a bed with crisp corners, how to set a proper table, how to iron our clothes, dust, vacuum, clean a bathroom and be organized. We made our beds every day, we hung clothes on the line to dry, we helped clear the table and wash the dishes. There is a great feeling of teamwork and accomplishment when everyone is working together and it is so pleasant to live in an organized and clean environment. I loved inviting my friends to come over to play or spend the weekend. I was proud of my parents, siblings, and home. Mom welcomed whomever we brought through the door. (having asked permission, of course.)

Mom has 21 great-grands

Her 22nd great is due November 7
to my son and his wife 👶

In the summer, we would help pick the garden harvest and then sit side-by-side snapping green beans, shelling butter beans, peeling scalded tomatoes, cutting corn off the cob, cutting cucumbers or watermelon rind. All the preparation that goes into getting things ready to be canned, frozen or pickled. Mom did it all. The house and food were her responsibility. Dad took care of the farming and gardening. They both raised us. They worked well together and my brother and sisters and I had the blessing of growing up with love and responsibility entwined in a beautiful way. 

My brother played softball and Mom loved to cheer him on. We also had a co-ed church league and Mom rarely missed a game when we were playing. Mom was on hand to help with homework, bandage a skinned knee, or to soothe a broken heart. I don't seem to have very many memories of when I was really young, but I do remember Mom reading to us and tucking us in at night. Those fresh line-dried sheets smelled so good as I snuggled under the covers and received a good night kiss.

Mom's famous rolls ready for the
first Dinner on the Dairy

Still to this day, Mom remembers our likes and dislikes, as well as, those of our spouses, children and probably many others. Hugh doesn't like nuts in his strawberry jello salad and likes the inside rolls, Jennifer doesn't like raw onions, Carol doesn't like chocolate and likes the crusty rolls, Gayle loves bread pudding, Vivian drinks diet Coke, not Pepsi. (I may not be remembering all of this correctly, but Mom would! LOL!)

Mom and her daughters enjoying
 a week at the beach this summer.

Mom is a quiet, gentle woman. Someone who was in a Bible Study or some organization with her once told me that Mom didn't say much, but when she did it was well worth hearing. She doesn't waste words, she doesn't gossip, she doesn't speak ill of anyone. She is quick to listen, slow to speak as the Bible instructs us. She has a deep love of the Lord Jesus and desires to please Him in all she says and does. She has been an example of that to us throughout our lives.

Morning stretches.

As I write, Mom is spending time with one of her other daughters. I have the privilege of being with her most of the time in her home and it is a privilege. We enjoy quiet, slow mornings. Spending time with the Lord before we do a few bedside stretches and get breakfast. Sometimes we have breakfast or supper in the living room by the fire, we may watch a movie in the evening or work a jigsaw puzzle. We often take afternoon walks when the weather is mild. We sit and talk or she reclines and reads or naps. Life has definitely slowed down for Mom and that is not easy to adjust to after a life of so much activity and recent years of caring for her lifetime partner. She is at a loss. So much has changed since July.

Mom loves holding
a baby. This is Hugh's
daughter and grand-daughter.

While we are glad to be able to serve her and care for her, it is hard for her since she has been the one who has spent her life caring for her household. Suddenly she finds herself with so much time on her hands, low energy, and an aging body. It is understandable that she's finding it hard to adjust. I know she pushed herself to care for Dad at the end, even when she didn't feel well, but that's who she is. She loves serving people and has worked hard her entire life. She is a giver, that's what has always brought her joy. While a lot of it came from her labor in the kitchen, mostly it was from her heart and everyone felt that.

Just writing this has brought me to tears. Mom is not able to do as much of what she wants to do and spends more time sitting and reading. I think it is wonderful for her to have the time to do something else that she loves, but rarely had the time to do, yet I understand in a small way that this is frustrating to her. She is not able to give as much anymore and is learning to be on the receiving side. That's a big adjustment late in life. I do wish that she felt better and was able to do a bit more, but all of us are so glad to do whatever we can for her, giving back in small measure what she has given to us. Please remember her in your prayers.

I know my Mom is not perfect, but she is the perfect Mom for me and I am quite sure my siblings would say the same. I feel most blessed to have been raised by her and now I am doubly blessed that, in God's mysterious ways, I can be with her in her home. We are a help and comfort to each other and I look forward to the days, months, or years that God gives us with our dear, sweet Momma.

I love you, Mom!

Lunch at King's Bar-B-Q
after a doctor's appointment

Magnets on the Fridge

When I recently moved into my own little space for the first time in 5 years, I couldn't find my refrigerator magnets. I knew I had kept a few tucked away somewhere, but that somewhere was not to be found.

This past Saturday I had time to organize a bit more and came across Christmas cards and photos of family and friends sent during the Christmas season. Again I tried to locate the missing magnets so that I could attach these photos to my fridge as prayer reminders. After wracking my brain and looking in the same places a second or third time, I gave up and ordered these really fun little magnetic balls, like I had seen at my son's house in Arizona.

Yesterday as I was helping my Mom put away her winter clothes, I walked into the back bedroom closet and saw a small blanket and a poncho of mine. Oh yeah! I do still have a few things over here. I think there's a box or two under the bed. Down on my belly with my head under the bed,  I spied a small box with "Kindle" on it and a memory was stirred....magnets! Sure enough, there they were. I was so excited!

It may seem strange that I would be so excited about magnets, but most of these were handmade by a very dear elderly friend of mine who has since gone on to be with Jesus. I had even forgotten all about them, but evidently in the back of my mind I knew they were there and that's why I wanted to find them so badly. Memories of Don handing me a pile of different magnets flooded my mind and heart. "These are my uglies," he said as he handed me the little lady faces with kerchiefs on their corncob heads. He had also made owls from pine cones & twigs, a lady bug, a pipe-cleaner insect, and a cotton-ball chicken. They make me smile and bring back fond memories of my good friend.

Then there is the pair of dugongs. A momento that Mike and I purchased after going with his father to a dugong farm in Florida during our boys spring break one year. I was fascinated by these large, gentle creatures and this magnet reminds me of a fun time with my family on a rare vacation, seeing something new.

Another favorite is the one sent from missionary friends of ours that's sort of like a snow globe only it holds black sand and tiny sea shells from the Tasman Sea in New Zealand. There are magnets from a Vacation Bible School our boys attended, "got milk?" from my parent's farm, a cute stick figure girl that was attached to a card years ago, and one that shows an adult hand and the very tiny hand of an unborn child reminding me that all life is precious from the moment of conception whether we can see it or not.

The new magnetic balls arrived and I had fun playing with them while trying to put them to use. They are strong and were rather attached to each other! With 50 balls, I was able to attach all the photos to the refrigerator and scattered my treasured magnets on various surfaces throughout the kitchen. Now my place really feels like home with my refrigerator and other surfaces covered with old friends (magnets & photos!) It's like receiving good news from far away places.

Proverbs 25:25

"Like cold water to a weary soul

is good news from a distant land."