It's all about the berries

Henry David Thoreau once said "Heaven is under our feet as well as over our head."

That couldn't be more true of Persimmon Hill Farms. I had not intended my next blog entry to be about blueberries but I couldn't resist after a trip to Persimmon Hill Farms, in Lampe, MO. Lampe is a short thirty minute trip (depending upon how fast you drive) from Branson. Their cookbook says it is known for it's "acres of neat berry bushes and field-side farm kitchen." I would add a few other adjectives, delightful, peaceful, inspiring and thought provoking. You don't have to be a nature lover to enjoy picking berries with a bucket strapped to your waist. In fact, you can wear a skirt and heels and get the job done though a tad uncomfortable. (right Jen?) I had not planned on dinner at Persimmon Hills Farms but we had a wonderful dinner of shitake mushroom quesadillas, thunder blueberry muffins and cobbler. The owners Martha Hoy Bohner and her husband Earnie also gave us a personal tour of their shitake mushroom operation.

Walking back to the car, I asked Martha how she got started with her slice of paradise and she said simply "both my husband and I love to garden". It is a noble pursuit to share your passion with others. I'll be back.

Life is a Bowl of Cherries

I was reminded of my blessings yesterday while picking cherries with my parents. They have been divorced 30 years now but still have a strong bond. It's amazing really they can still pick cherries together after years of struggling while Dad pursued his career on the road and mom kept the home fires burning, raising five children by herself. So I marvel at grace and all that it represents amidst the cherry trees. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Is_Just_a_Bowl_of_Cherries

Father's Day

My husband celebrates his mom on Fathers Day because she was a Single Mom and says she was both father and mother. A fitting tribute I believe. She gets a card, a gift, dinner, the works. You see they take it seriously. All three of her sons understand what she took on. They recall their mom quietly doing her nails during their boy scout meetings. Yesterday, I learned on the radio listening to Carey Casey, CEO of the National Center for Fathering, that there over 45 million children in the world who go to bed each night with no father in the house. That's a larger number than I had previously heard. Working with Single Moms each day with the Caring People has brought an increasing awareness that this number is growing. Our goal, to reach as many moms as we can.

Children are a gift from God, blessed is the man whose quiver is full.

Ode to Lanson

Last week I attended a thought provoking conference on the science of fundraising development, etc. I was excited to be there and I knew it would be worth my time. I am a novice to the science of development. One of the most insightful men I have ever known hosts the event. However, it was one of his speakers that intrigued me the most and left me pondering his session days since. You see it was his candor that struck me. This man has served God all his life, through personal failures and countless "what if's" that apparently still weigh on his heart. ("the saddest word in the English language is IF") His session entitled "It's Easier To Be Something Than To Do Something" conjured up a few of my own regrets. His printed biography was short, unlike the other speakers, and spoke of his life aboard his sailboat and other hobbies ( he once built a new gym floor out of used tennis shoes!) I introduced myself and we struck up a conversation about sailing, Burl Ives, and Flicka's. If you don't know they are one of the strongest sailboats in the world, check out the link. http://home.att.net/~seagypsy/history.html I know this because my Dad is the proud owner of folk music icon Burl Ives Flicka that he willed my father when he passed away. That is another story I'll share sometime soon. Back to my point, my new friend shared with me his love for his Flicka (I have promised to send him a picture of Burl's cherished boat. Coincidentally, Lanson and Burl sailed the same waters) The photo pictured is Burl's boat The Sparrow, for Lanson. Your words inspired me. Perhaps I'll come sail with you one day on THE HOSPICE. The video is of Lanson on his boat.

God Is So Predictable

God is so predictable-

the constancy of God
his kindness, love, discipline
his eternal nature

Learning life’s lessons are harder still without the knowledge of Christ and a relationship firmly built upon his constancy. But knowing his constancy can sometimes be a stark revelation of our shortcomings. This past week, my daughter faced a dilemma of sorts. She knew she had to search her heart for the answer but recognized that seeking God’s approval took priority. We encouraged her to pray about it and she exclaimed in typical teen-age frustration that "God is so predictable!" In other words, she already knew what the answer would be and it would't be what she wanted to do. We laughed later at her description of God. She's right, God is predictable and I am thankful. I’ve pondered that topic for a week, basking in the truth of that and the beauty of her childlike description.

Reading through some of our Pulpit Commentaries I found this: "A faith strong enough to grasp this ( his constancy) will light up every forest, and overcome every foe." The fact that he can know all and be kind to us still is truly humbling. God is so predictable...aren't you glad?

Where are all the Grandmothers?

Kevin and I were talking last night about the next generation in our family, some of their strengths and weaknesses and reviewing our own lives. We concluded that for both of us, it was our grandmothers who held the family together. Both were sweet, God fearing women who didn't rule with a heavy hand but instead a soft heart and lots of knee time, praying for us all. Our moms haven't had much of a chance to be grandmothers...for one reason or another. Quite frankly, they both deserve the down time. They were both Single Moms and raised 8 kids between them. So, what does that say for this generation? My generation must raise up and when our time comes and become the Grandmother's of past. We have to lead by example and remind our grandchildren and children that serving the Lord is the single most important thing you will ever do in your life. Then we must pray that that message will stick with them when their time comes. I never thought I would look forward to those "golden years" but I am ready!

Moon River Dash

Moon River never sounded so good. This past Saturday I had hoped to sleep in after a busy week of work. A trip to St. Louis had left me tired and sleep deprived. Unfortunately, I found I couldn't sleep in and was up early afterall. My son, Tanner, woke up early as well and proceeded to tell me that he had a jazz competition that night at 6:30 PM. I was relieved that I would have the day to finish some chores around the house. Ten minutes later my son was screaming at the top of his lungs that he had mis-read the schedule and he was now 3 hours late. Seems he was to have been at the Jr. High at 6:30 am not pm. I frantically grabbed the schedule and realized we had 1 hour to cover a trip to the Jr. High for his bass trombone and a 45 minute drive to Springfield and Drury University. It seems they have a jazz competition each year for various ages. Somehow I managed to get dressed and in the car in record time. We were on our way. In retrospect, I think I handled it poorly as a mom, informing him that he would probably be kicked out of band and that everyone would think that his mom was a big fat loser. I think moms have a lot of those moments that they would like to do-over. However, somehow in the moment, and in between frantic cell phone calls to my husband for directions, Tanner and I began to laugh. Laughter always diffuses the worst of situations. Before long, we had a string of one-liners that had us gasping for air. I suspect we made a memory that day. I told Tanner jokingly that "he owed me big time, and would have to keep his room clean until he was 18." Minutes later, on time and seated on the front row this proud mom believed that Moon River never sounded so good. Tanner cleared his spit valve and winked my way.