Passing of Time

I've been gone a long time. So many things take place in your heart while you're living life. Sometimes it's too deep to share, there are no words.

I've come across a couple of blogs lately that I wonder how I got there and when I'll ever find the time but I want so badly to read every word. To rest and reflect. I can tell there's a part of me that still wants to be on the foreign mission field. I know I'm getting more used to being here but there's that feeling that something is missing...or that I'm someday going toward it.

We're starting a new ministry in a nearby town. It might as well be a foreign field for time has left it in the dark corners. We will minister practically and this is my field for now. I jokingly report that God has a building payment due on the 8th because we don't have a cent...we're just following what He tells us...though many would question our sanity.

As I met an aquaintance in the drugstore last week I saw a familiar gleam in his eyes as he spoke of going out on a limb and starting something that seemed illogical to thers. He had the fire of conviction as he told me of the plans for his ministry. I know it well and I think there aren't a lot of us who have been called out. There's an urgency in the air. Time flies by and eternity is knocking....who will be ready if we do not tell them? If we do not go?

My friend stopped by today to cry. Devastating news has befallen her. I can only listen and hold her as she weeps. I am touched that she feels comfortable enough to speak of such private things but God gave me the words to tenderly guide her toward the cross. It is there she falls to her knees and lays the broken soul before him. He is the Healer, the Resurrection, He is LIFE.

There will be another baby on the block in a few months. The neighbor is expecting number 4.

We have a new grandbaby coming in Aug. Tough times ahead for my dear ones in the west. It is difficult to find an apt., baby on the way, mother in law dying.

As I think of the term: One Thousand Gifts I am humbled. I want to grab a pen and begin writing; it's a Holy Experience to remember.

Fall

Ahh, the weather has cooled to the point of needing some heat in this old house. It's amazing how cool a 129 year old house can get. We have tried to take care of drafty areas...it's a never ending job as the place settles every few months. I'm finally beginning to feel more at home. It's about time...most would say...we've been here three years this Thanksgiving.

Many nights find us sitting by the fire pit with our neighbors. We enjoy our time together; our conversations always turn to the Lord and how He continues to supply our needs. It's a time of encouragement for us all...We feel like it's church!

As the days are nearing Christmas I find myself scanning Somedaycrafts.com for ideas. It connects me to such sights as seeitloveitwinit.blogspot.com, memakingdo.blogspot.com. There are great giveaways going on...so get on over and check them out!

Summer Nights

Our teen boys are out and about so after a long day we went walking with a young couple who is expecting their first child.
It's been a busy day with me helping out at church and my husband helping prepare for the Annual Father's Day Cookout for the men of the church and their children.
I grabbed my Reliv shake before heading out for the Trail de Paris and the 90 degree heat that would be our constant companion.
We were greated with hundreds of fireflies lighting the wooded area around the trail. As the evening skies grew darker you could see bats swooping for their next bite...of bugs...not us. LOL Great time but I am totally out of shape and now my body is letting me know what it thinks of me doing nothing for exercise. I really was waiting until we moved to Israel and I was going to walk and run daily along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, honest.
As the hour of the night grew later we found ourselves gathered on our neighbors porch; the guys admiring R's new "vintage" robin egg blue electric guitar. I couldn't argue with the purchase. He paid $30. and it is by far the most beautiful of all the intruments he has brought home. (But the others have to go!)
We sit and visit as S. picks on his guitar. He plays a worship song and I sing harmony. I love moments like these. After a bit he plays a country song, Garth Brooks, Friends in Low Places. That one brings back memories of 1991 when we lived in Bolivar, MO.
on Austin street next to the old college dorms. This dorm housed boys and they would come in from afternoon classes and you could hear this song blaring from their radio. I remember going out to hang the laundry on the line and wondering just which room that loud music was coming from. I think it was the only tape they had...yes, in those days it was tapes.
A wonderful summer night with neighbors in our life on Margaret....

Sons

My dear husband was up and out the door pretty early. He walked downtown to find a place to study. It makes him feel more at home to sit on the sidewalks of the city, sip coffee, talk to passersby and study. It's as close to life in Tel Aviv as he can get here.
We found him a new cell phone. He's been without since his return.
Tonight is the Father/Son cookout at the lake. We adopted an extra teen tonight. He's so excited. At 18 he hasn't had the kind of dad who would attend such activities. My boys don't know what they have. Lawn chairs, soda, boys and checkers all packed up as my husband is driving for the first time in 4 whole months.
I'm excited and blessed that a little church took up a collection and has $25.00 to send us for missions. God is faithful to turn that money into whatever he wants. The little congregation will be blessed by their obedience.
My neighbors left for vacation...what kind of neighbors hate to leave town because they will miss you while they are away from their house for a short week? We talked in my driveway today like we hadn't had a chance to talk in a long while. It was just last night. LOL Welcome to our life on Margaret....

Home Comings

Life on Margaret begins today. For the longest time I have wanted to write about the daily goings on of life on our little street.

Today I am busy cleaning house for Randy's homecoming. He arrives tomorrow from being in Israel for 4 long months. I made the "Welcome Home" banner and got it hung this morning. I hope he doesn't think I'm too dorky. LOL