Soup’s On!

17 Nov

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Do you like soup?  As we’ve gotten older, I find that we enjoy a meal of soup and either crackers or fresh sourdough bread.  Yum!

A few years after we were married, my mother-in-law gave me a cookbook from military wives.

All kinds of recipes in that book.  I found a “vegetable-beef” soup recipe that I tried, and we both enjoyed.  However, I’ve not tried it in so long a time, that I’m not sure which recipe I followed.  Therefore…no vegetable-beef soup from my kitchen.

When we were in Germany the first time (1967-1970) I purchased a cookbook (in English) of good German recipes.

One of the recipes is of mushroom soup.  Now, I realize that not everyone likes mushrooms, so this one isn’t for you.  But Fred and I really enjoy mushrooms – especially fresh ones – so this soup just hit the spot.  I had to tone down the amount of salt in it, but it is wonderful!

Another soup I found that we enjoy, came from a small little booklet I picked up somewhere, with recipes that made good use of cider vinegar, olive oil, and beans.

The soup from that recipe book makes up a good, tasty, hearty soup.  It includes cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, chili peppers, potatoes, onions and garlic.  Wow is that good!!  And on a cold winter day it is especially good.  And yes, we DO have cold winter days here in Florida.  A bowl of that with crackers – just yummm!

If my readers remember, I mentioned that my Dad was an avid hunter, and we ate a lot of venison in my growing-up years.  One of the things that Mother made from some of that ground-up venison, was chili.  I know that doesn’t really qualify as “soup,” but then again, on a cold winter day, chili is really hard to beat.  I’ve tried many times to make Mother’s chili, even going by her recipe, and I just can’t duplicate the taste or texture.  I guess it just took Mother’s touch to make it just right.

However, I think our favorite soup came from a recipe from my wonderful sister-in-law, DiVoran.  Actually, my Mother gave me the recipe, stating it was from DiVoran.  After I had made it up one time, and told DiVoran about it, she said she didn’t remember making it, and would I share the recipe with her…which I did.  It is a potato and leek soup.  Chicken stock, celery, potatoes, onions, and leeks.  It doesn’t take too long to cook up, but with fresh sourdough bread….umm-mmm, is that GOOD!!

The only time I’ve ever had soup that I didn’t like was once when we were eating out at a restaurant.  This place is known for its breakfast, but the other two meals of the day aren’t their best efforts.  In any case, I ordered their vegetable soup – and it came with about ½ inch of oil on the top!!  Yuk!!  I’ve never had soup like that before – or since!

Any good soup recipes from your kitchen out there?

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Tags: ,

What to do when life is choking your happiness

16 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged November 16, 2019

“C’mon, girlfriend, we’re going to the mall.”

“Whoo hoo!” I hung up the phone with a huge smile. Any chance to hit stores and come home with bargains stirred girlish excitement. Since I lost my eyesight, these trips gave me a chance to get out, catch up, laugh and come home with crazy stories.

Anticipating a great time, my friend took me by the arm and we strolled through crowded store aisles headed to the petite department.

“I see a perfect outfit for you,” she said, “and I think it’s on sale!” Our steps quickened.

Once in the dressing room, she handed me the fitted top. “The colors are perfect. They’ll look great on you.”

I slipped my arms through. “Hmm… a little tight.” I tried to poke my head through, but got stuck midway. “I think I need a bigger size,” I muttered.

“No way. It’s your size,” she said. She tugged first one side then the other.

The top wouldn’t budge, on or off. My arms pressed against my ears, and my words of panic muffled by the blouse that smashed my face.

“No pain.” She said as she yanked with all her might. “No gain.”

My head poked through, jack-in-the-box style and while catching my breath, I stared in space.

My arms limp to the sides, and my mind imagining this garment never to come off again.

Moments later, my friend gasped as she ran her fingers to the side. “Oh, I can’t believe it…”

“What?”

“It has a zipper.”

A zipper? She’s got to be kidding.

“Sorry. I just didn’t see it.”

Another crazy story.

But this one mirrored a difficult dilemma in my own life. I battled, trying to decide whether I fit into the world’s pattern or fit into the mold tailored by God.

Initially, thinking it’d be a perfect match, I carefully chose goals, dreams, and expectations in line with the world’s standards. But when adversity swept through, the struggle began. I tugged, yanked, and pulled on various styles to find a way out of difficult situations. I became worn out by trying to make my own solutions fit my problems.

I even battled with the correct order of priorities. In my role as a wife, mom, friend, or church member, I desired to please everyone. Often anxiety visited reminding me of my inability to please even myself.

But did I change? No. I stubbornly continued to use my values, beliefs, and choices to overcome and find satisfaction.

But when the effects of losing my sight crushed my world, it became real, painfully real that my own ways to solve my problems were not sufficient. My solutions were not a match for a tragedy of this magnitude. Nothing I tried brought comfort, reassurance, encouragement, or hope.

And empty of hope, I began shopping for a dose of comfort—through fortune tellers, psychics, New Age healers, etc. They successfully increased my frustration and decreased the balance of my checking account.

My whole life was off balance. And when almost ready to tumble in defeat, I found the zipper – the opening. It was the entrance designed in my heart for Jesus to come in.

Freedom

When He did, He provided freedom from the world’s deceptions.

Once I received Him into my life, I made Him my Lord, my God, my all.

His faithfulness, compassion, and guidance offered a perfect garment for my soul. The price tag read, “Free.”

This incredible gift, complete with the jewels of His trustworthy promises adorn my renewed life.

A new beginning, leaving behind unnecessary struggles when facing difficulties. A newfound reassurance knowing He created me and thus knows what will fit my soul. He knows the size of my needs, the color of my pain, the fabric of my fears, and the fashion of my insecurities.

Christ knows yours too. Trusting in the pattern He custom-designed for you, surrender happens. fear, anxiety, and doubt—no longer fit a new life in Christ.

All becomes new. Redirection begins. No more desperation to be free from setbacks big or small. Christ is the one who gives eyes to see a new world—one of renewed hope, confidence, and peace.

And it’s that profound peace that filters through when God turns blindness or any other setback, to joy. And with a new outlook, we can hold on to his healing Word as it dances in our soul, “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland.” (Isaiah 61:10 NIV).

Let’s Pray

Father, thank You for giving me the spiritual garment I can wear as I live the life, abundant and rich, You promised. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God has the perfect garment for your soul. Will you try it on?

Janet

______________________________________

Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.

Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

Sow Your Seeds

15 Nov

Coleus seeds are tiny! But when they are planted and nurtured they produce a beautiful and strong plant.

I purchased this coleus as a small plant. Someone else sowed the seed and the result is beautiful.

Mountain Days

14 Nov

It was a quiet week here in the mountains. The weather was been odd, not warm enough to open the windows, not cool enough to need heat. The weather service promised that colder temps were on the way, so when the high for the day pushed into the 60s I opened the windows to get my fresh air fix.

The cold air began pushing in on Tuesday and we were warned we might get snow. I was excited. I love snow. The day passed and the snow failed to put in its appearance. Newfound Gap in the GSMNP got around an inch and thanks to their webcam, I at least got to see snow.

The colder temperatures have my husband and I at odds. He is dressing in two long sleeve shirts and covering them with a flannel hoodie. I start out in a long sleeve shirt, jeans and a sweat jacket, then spend the rest of the day changing in and out of short sleeves, capris and shedding the jacket. Yesterday I decided it was easier to sit on the porch to cool off, than change clothes again. Fortunately we have an understanding…he dresses for his truth and I dress for mine.

Wednesday morning the temperature was in the teens when we headed out to breakfast with friends. I took my camera, in the hope that after breakfast we could visit a nearby waterfall. Only once in my life have I seen a frozen waterfall and it was so beautiful, I wanted to experience it again.

Alas, the waterfall was only wearing a few icicles but it was still beautiful and we snapped a few shots.

Back at home, we decided to drive to the end of our road to check out the new home construction going on. We were greeted by this beauty. For once I had a camera ready and she kindly posed for me.

I'm a winnerAfter my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  where we frequently host the best in up and coming authors.

My 2019 goal is to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media. You can visit Real Life Books and Media You Tube Channel if you would like to view some of the mini-videos I have created for our church, Gateway Community in Titusville, Fl.

Tags:

My 2019 Great Lakes Road Trip Part 7B

13 Nov

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Day 7 – Monday July 29 (Continued)

 Before leaving Baraboo I visited the Circus World Museum, located on the outskirts of town, adjacent to the Baraboo River.  The museum was founded in 1954 to preserve the history of the “Big Top” circus in America, and teach future generations about the traditions of this American art form of life.  I learned that this museum is situated on the original Ringling Bros. Circus Winter Quarters site.  The museum displays many original Ringling Bros. circus wagons, and other pieces of Ringling’s equipment, and includes a large variety of circus artifacts, and memorabilia.  The museum also offers many year-around special events and a business meeting center.

60 miles northwest on I-90 I visited the Tomah Area Museum located in Tomah, WI.  Much of this small museum is noted for its displays of newspaper stories, artifacts, and memorabilia related to the comic strip “Gasoline Alley” and the Menomonee tribal chief Tomah.

Description: C:\Users\Bill Lites\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\WLMDSS.tmp\WLM970A.tmp\IMG_8044.JPG

The “Gasoline Alley” comic strip (for those of you who have never heard of it) was created by Frank King, who was a resident of Tomah.  First published in 1918, the cartoon went on to become one of America’s most popular comic strips of its day.  It is still found in newspapers across the nation today.  As it turns out, Tomah is also the boyhood home of John Sheridan, who became the illustrator for many of the Saturday Evening Post covers over the years.

Description: Image result for gasoline alley clipart

Chief Tomah was born in1752 and settled with his people in, what is now known as southern Wisconsin.  He is noted for declining to join the great native worrier, known as Tecumseh, in his battle against the early white settlers in this area.  He went on to befriend many of the early homesteaders, who named their settlement after Chief Tomah (1856) for his kindness to them over the years.  

Description: C:\Users\Bill Lites\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\WLMDSS.tmp\WLME1F9.tmp\IMG_8046.JPG

Today I drove thru some of the most beautiful rich, green, rolling hills and valleys, covered with corn crops, as far as the eye could see in every direction.  The temperature was a perfect 76 degrees, with blue skies dotted with puffy white clouds.  I could not have asked for a more perfect day to be on a road trip.  God filled my heart with His unspeakable joy today, and I reveled in it all day long.  By now however, it was time to call it a “Wonderful” day and get something to eat.

Description: C:\Users\Bill Lites\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\WLMDSS.tmp\WLM53F6.tmp\IMG_8059.JPG

I asked Greta to take me to the motel, there in Tomah, for the evening.  After this long travel day, I felt like rewarding myself with something special to eat tonight.  So, after checking in at the motel, I headed over to the BP Smokehouse BBQ Restaurant, there in town, for a full-rack of their delicious Baby Back Ribs, served with baked beans and cole slaw.  AHHH, how satisfying!  After this delightful meal, the only thing left for me to do, was to go back to the motel, record my day’s activities and get some sleep. 

Description: Image result for baby back ribs with baked beans and cole slaw

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 61 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

 

Bill

 

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

Tags: ,

Japanese Neighbors

11 Nov

My Take

DiVoran Lites

By Dora Bowers as told to DiVoran Lites

Crowley Colorado, 1942

Description: C:\Users\DiVoran\Pictures\Old Family Pictures\Bowers 3 (4).jpg

Circa early 40s Dora, DiVoran, Ivan, and David Bowers

In the time of writers like Lloyd C. Douglas who wrote The Robe, and C. S. Lewis…The Screwtape Letters. WW2 was heating up. Japan bombed Pearl Harbor triggering an outrage of fear so heavy that President Roosevelt decided to send families of over 117,000 Japanese Americans, many of them American citizens, to internment camps in order to pacify the millions of Americans who were afraid that if left free the Japanese would spy for the     enemy. 

Not long before the big, “Amache,” Internment camp was built near Crowley, Colorado where the Bowers family lived,         Japanese people arrived and were housed in section housing. One family moved in next door to the Bowers family on the outskirts of town.

The father was about the same size as Ivan, which was small for a man. He had dark shiny hair and a sweet smile. He always bowed low as he left to go to work (gratis) in the sugarcane field and returned in the evening. For this family bathing together was the highlight of their life. Their bathhouse was practically under our bedroom window. Night after night, I fell asleep to the sound of soft voices and laugher, a pleasant memory from our time in Crowley. 

On the few occasions when our Japanese neighbors visited us, they brought gifts of thoroughly cleaned vegetables from their garden. As they arrived, they removed their thong shoes by the front door. They were good, kind neighbors and in spite of the war between our two countries, we liked them and enjoyed getting to know a few of their traditions. 

If you are squeamish, please don’t read the next two paragraphs. 

Most regular folk in those days kept chickens for their eggs and for the pot. Being chicken people, we were interested in        Japanese methods of preparing them for supper. They selected a chicken, hung it upside down from a branch, and pierced the roof of its mouth so the blood could drain out. They could tell that the chicken’s insides were dry when its feathers turned down. 

Our way was to wring a chicken’s neck or cut its head off with an ax. If the headless chicken got loose, it ran around in circles until it dropped. From such necessities came sayings such as, “I’m so mad, I could wring his neck” and “running around like a chicken with its head cut off.”

Once the camps were finished the internees built model   communities with schools, health clinics, and, libraries. We were sorry to hear later that the Japanese families who had lived in camps for three years had been cheated out of their houses, cars, and businesses. Many suffered separation, poverty, and sometimes people just disappeared. It has been considered one of the most atrocious violations of American civil rights in the 20th century. 

The internment camps lasted from 1942-1945 when the   Japanese Americans were finally released to start all over again from scratch and the camps were eventually torn down. 

Dorothea Lange censored photographs.     

Author, Poet and Artist

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

Tags: , , ,

On the Street Where You Live…Part 15

10 Nov

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

I had thought the house in Kissimmee was going to be our “forever” house.  But since we were both working at our church (I was church secretary and Fred was the church administrator), we didn’t enjoy the drive to and from work.  So we started hunting for a house closer to the church.

While I told Fred we did NOT have to live in that housing development, it turned out that the house we found was, indeed in that housing subdivision.  We’ve been in this house now for 20 years.  I’ve told Fred that I am NOT leaving this house except in a body bag!!  That’s all the moving I care to do in this lifetime.  (Just so you know – Fred and I have moved 15 times.  Fred, with his family and ours, has moved 37 times!)

This house is about 300 square feet larger than the house in Kissimmee, and it feels like it.  While the Kissimmee house had cathedral ceilings, this one doesn’t.  But they are 9′ 4″ tall, and give it the feel of space.  

You enter the front door into the living room/dining room area.  A fairly large room, we have room for the piano, love seat and chair, as well as the sideboard with hutch, and table and chairs in the dining area.  Even when we expand the table, it is still a comfortable size.

I know it’s Christmas, but shows the entry and living room, with part of the dining room table and chairs.


The dining room

From the dining room into the kitchen/family room

That wall, on the kitchen side, includes cabinets and drawers, and the refrigerator.  After another doorway is more cabinets and the stove.

The kitchen

 Around the corner is more under-cabinets and drawers, and the sink, which looks into the family room.  The counter along that part of the kitchen is two-stepped, and is 15′ long.  Lots of space!  At the end of that is walking space and the pantry – which is quite large!

The Family room

Turn left past the pantry and you will see the second bathroom on your right, the laundry room/entry to the garage on your left, then the two remaining bedrooms.  We were pleased to find the builders had upgraded the bathroom by putting in two sinks in the long counter space.

  • The laundry room and door to the garage – “launching point” for anything going out with us

Down the hallway:  Right – bathroom; left – laundry room; the two remaining bedrooms

Then, if you head toward the back of the house, you will see, at the end of the family room, double French doors leading to the patio.  (We had the patio extended and screened in)  

 
2009 – My brother Bill Lites and son-in-law Ron on the patio

Turn left at the doorway and you will be in the Master suite. The bedroom is roughly 18′ x 15′, and has a large walk-in closet.  There are double French doors leading to the patio, as well. The bathroom has a glass-walled shower and a garden tub.  And the toilet is in its own little room, with a door to close.  Nice.  There are two sinks in the large area with a mirror covering the entire area.  There are glass bricks for a window over the tub, which I thoroughly enjoy!

  •  
    Glass bricks over the garden tub 

We have been quite comfortable in this house, seldom wishing for more space or more anything.

God has blest us with all the adventures we have been through, and we are grateful.

I hope you have enjoyed this journey with me, and have been able to visualize some of the houses I have described.  Perhaps some of the pictures have helped with that.

Thank you for your time and attention.  This has been a fun trip down memory lane for me, and perhaps so for the rest of my family as well.

May God bless YOU in your adventures in life.

~~~~~~~~~~THE END~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Consider these three steps before getting angry

9 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged November 9, 2019

Consider these three steps before getting angry.

Road rage is on the rise. It’s heating up. And it’s fanning the flame of stress. Even when car keys are put away, the tension remains.

This might be the reason. Studies show that irate drivers have a reason for that behavior. It has nothing to do with the highway, but everything to do with the heart.

Way before drivers sit behind the wheel, stress, tension, discouragement and fear have already settled way deep inside. And when someone cuts them off on the road, Look out! All those negative emotions come tumbling out. The result? Murmuring under the breath. Shooting such dirty looks so hard they cracked the windshield. And oops, our kids better not see that gesture. They’re learning first-hand how anger is displayed.

And what does anger do? It feeds ulcers and brings on headaches that ruin our day. The same thing happens when on the road of life. Glitches pushes us into the ditch of unhappiness and we’re stuck in the mud of discontentment.

Let’s start over. Before beginning the trip through the events of the day, consider these three stop signs:

Stop sign No. 1. Love the unlovable.

Huh? Lord, do you see those crazy drivers on the road? And those who wronged us so deeply? Love them? Don’t think so.

Hard? No, it’s not hard. It’s impossible to love those who cut you off, make illegal, dangerous turns and put you and your family in danger. And how about others who inflict emotional wounds? We want to hang them, not love them.

God hears that complaint. And with patience only He has, He still says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” (Matthew 5:44 and 46).

Recently, a man was interviewed after his imprisonment and torture because of His Christian beliefs. As he was beaten, he had a prayer, “Lord, I don’t want to be in two prisons—this one and the prison of anger and resentment. Help me to love those who are torturing me.”

Eventually, as he walked out of that prison, wounded and broken, he carried the power of forgiveness that restored him, healed his wounds and made him strong enough to carry on with his ministry.

Stop Sign No. 2. The power of our words.

Did you ever hear the boomerang power of our words? The curses we speak toward others come right back to us with tension into our own muscles. Ranting about other’s mistakes fuel our own stress. Rage toward others comes back to us with added negativity. And with an angry attitude out of control, we bring peace to a screeching halt.

“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control” (Proverbs 25:38).

“Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

In self-control, there’s power. In self-restraint, there’s strength and there’s health because… “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24).

Choosing to live healthier, we embrace a different approach. When others don’t deserve, we dish out kindness. When others don’t care, we still do. And when others bring us down, we stand on the power of God.

Stop sign No. 3. Humility brings freedom.

Blushing a bit, I confess. Foolishly thinking I possess more wisdom and have more experience; I’ve elbowed my way in the crowd and declared my thoughts. Happy the day when God spoke to me and said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

We want to do that, we really do. We desire to be humble, honorable. But how can someone who is so wrong, so foolish, so outrageous in their actions be better than ourselves?

Thinking they’re not, we prepare our attack, stand in position, make our point. Speak our mind and assert our position.

But that’s when God asserts His own position, calling us to have a gentle spirit, a humble attitude and loving in our response.

Considering others better than ourselves requires humility in our approach, wisdom for our thoughts, and obedience to God’s commandments. In Matthew 22 36, Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:36-39).

Loving others no matter what isn’t a sign of weakness. Rather, it’s a display of a valiant, courageous warrior holding the flag of triumphant victory.

Who has wronged you today and needs your loving attitude?

Let’s Pray

Father, thank You for showing me a way out of angry thoughts. I praise for the path you showed me to a calmer life and a loving approach to others. In Jesus name.

Who has wronged you today and needs your loving attitude?

Janet

______________________________________

Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.

Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

Tags: , ,

Fun With Family-Part 3

7 Nov

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

After our adventure with my aunt and cousin earlier in the week, we decided to set out on another one, but not so strenuous for my aunt. My husband loves driving Highway 441 through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Even with the twists and curves, it relaxes him and we are blessed to spend 6 months of the year less than an hour from the park.

During leaf season Highway 441 can become congested, especially on the weekend. We checked the weather forecast and decided that Thursday, October 23rd would be a perfect day. We packed some snacks and set out.

The park has frequent turnouts, or scenic overlooks and we stopped at a couple of our favorites.

Love my cousin!

The walkway in the picture above leads to an overlook and the colors were gorgeous.

The first time my children went sledding was in this park at one of the turnouts. Friends had invited us to visit them at their cabin in Franklin, NC and we were thrilled when we learned the park had snow. Good memories were made with our children and the grandchildren.

Sled hill in snow and foliage.

Our next stop was the Newfound Gap overlook. It sits astride the Tennessee and North Carolina border and is a popular stop. It took a while but my husband found a parking space.

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park now has webcams and I am thrilled. The mountains are always showing a different look. Here is the LINK if you would like to check it out.

Back on the road, we headed down into Tennessee. We planned to shop in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for Christmas gifts but stopped at Chimney Top Picnic ground to enjoy our snacks. There are several popular trails off the road and their parking areas were full beyond capacity. We were concerned there would not be any free tables at the picnic area, but the concerns were unfounded. I can’t believe I didn’t take pictures of our picnic, but I did take pictures of the boulders along the stream.

I found the tree roots fascinating.

When we arrived in Pigeon Forge, we only visited one shop, a ladies clothing store-of course. We scored some bargains then my husband drove us to his favorite shop…Krispy Kreme doughnuts! Since we don’t usually eat carbs this was a serious treat but we each only ate one and a half of the lusciousness!

My husband was tiring and since he was the driver, we decided to retrace our route to return home. The park reintroduced elk a few years back and the herd has prospered. We were hoping our family would see them when we reached the Oconaluftee Visitor Center area. And they did!

We weren’t the only ones gawking, I mean enjoying them! The park service had made one of the road lanes a viewing lane and helped keep visitors safe.

This is the end of my Fun With Family series. We enjoyed the time we spent with them. Time with family and friends is truly a gift.

The delayed colder temperatures have arrived and the beautiful colors are losing their luster. Even once the color is gone, the mountains still call to me and I love the time I am blessed to spend among them.

I'm a winnerAfter my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  where we frequently host the best in up and coming authors.

My 2019 goal is to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media. You can visit Real Life Books and Media You Tube Channel if you would like to view some of the mini-videos I have created for our church, Gateway Community in Titusville, Fl.

Tags: , , , , ,

My 2019 Great Lakes Road Trip Part 7A

6 Nov

Day 7 – Monday July 29

I had planned to head southwest on I-43 this morning to visit the Brodhead Depot Museum located in Brodhead, WI.  But Greta (my Garmin) was unable to find the address I gave her.  So, I decided to pass up that museum, since it was going to cause me to drive an extra 40 miles out of my way, and I discovered the museum was also not open on Mondays.  This allowed me to head west on US-12/I-30 to visit the Wisconsin Veterans Museum located in Madison, WI. This museum has two large galleries that display personal items and rare photos as well as exhibits, artifacts, and memorabilia honoring the Wisconsin men and women who have served in the US Military Services dating from the Civil War to the present.

Just on the other side of the Capital Square, I located the Wisconsin Historical Museum, there in Madison.  This large multi-story museum contains information related to the history of the state of Wisconsin, and the city of Madison.  Displays include rare photographs, artifacts, full-scale dioramas & interactive multimedia programs.  The museum’s local Native American history is recorded, in part, by Charles Van Schaick’s photos of the Ho-Chuck people who inhabited this area in the early to mid-1800’s.  I also learned that Wisconsin is known as the birthplace of the “Malted Milk Shake” and the museum tells that story with a separate exhibit.

 As I headed for my next stop, I passed the Wisconsin State Capital there in Madison, and stopped long enough to take a photo of that beautiful structure.  Wikipedia tells me that this Wisconsin Capital Building is the 5th and largest Capital Building to be built and used by the Wisconsin State Government since the first Territorial Legislature convened in Belmont,  Wisconsin Territory in 1836.

Some 12 miles northeast of Madison, on US-151, I tried to visit the Angell Park Speedway located in Sun Prairie, WI but it was closed.  I was not so much interested in seeing their 1/3rd mile dirt track, that has been holding races since 1903, as I was in visiting the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame pavilion that is located on the racetrack property.  

Description: C:\Users\Bill Lites\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\WLMDSS.tmp\WLM82E7.tmp\IMG_8034.JPG

Now I headed north about 40 miles on I-39 to visit the World War II History Museum in Portage, WI.  This small store-front museum displays souvenirs, artifacts, and memorability honoring the brave men and women who served in all of the US Military Services during WWII.  There is also information related to such heroes as the Sullivan Brothers, Audie Murphy,and many others.  The museum also honors American movie stars, war correspondents, and foreign dignitaries who contributed to the war effort.

Description: C:\Users\Bill Lites\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\WLMDSS.tmp\WLMCBD3.tmp\IMG_8038.JPG

Next I headed west 15 miles on US-33 to visit the International Clown Hall of Fame Museum located in Baraboo, WI.  This was an even smaller museum than the WWII Museum and is located on the ground floor of The Business Center building in downtown Baraboo.  The museum preserves and displays clown art, artifacts, and memorabilia to help keep the history of clown performers (past and present) alive for future generations.  To date some 67+ famous clowns (past & present), from all over the world, have been inducted into the museum’s growing list of entertainers and laugh makers.

—–This day’s activities will be continued next week—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 61 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing.  He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville.  Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.

 

Bill

 

One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is:  John 10:10

Tags: , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →