The Cruise of a Lifetime Part 3

1 Jun

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Reblog

Our second morning began again with breakfast.   We shared our table with Tina and Bob.

We had sailed overnight to Cologne, Germany, and arrived about 10:30 a.m. Shortly thereafter, we began the walking tour of the historical center of the city.  Our guide told us that Cologne is the oldest city in Germany.  It dates back to around AD 50, when the Romans established a major settlement.   We had a really interesting guide.  He told us how the Romans conquered one side of the river – the side we were on – but couldn’t get across to the other side.  They called the people on the other side “barbarians.”  Now, the politically correct people call them the “cross-eyed” people instead.

In 1709, Italian expat and Cologne resident Giovani Farina created a citrus-scented toiletry he dubbed “Eau de Cologne” in honor of his adopted city.  Other perfumeries followed, especially Wilhelm Meulhens, who founded the famous “4711″ brand (named after the address of his manufacturing building).  There are several museums in the area, as well as a Chocolate Museum – which we didn’t get to!

Because it was Sunday we could not get into the cathedral until after services, so we walked around the outside of it and the square.  Our guide told us about the cathedral, how long it took to build which part, which was the oldest, etc.  He gave us other information about Cologne.  He was a very interesting man.

Many years ago, while we were living in Germany and took our own tours of the country, we visited Cologne, and found a fountain that depicted an interesting and funny story about German workers. 

Judy in front of the fountain – 1969 
The fountain in 1983 

 While on our tour, we walked right up to the fountain – called the Elves of Cologne.  We were so excited!  We thought we would have to find it on our own, and there it was!  

Wikipedia says:  The Heinzelmännchen are a race of creatures appearing in a tale connected with the city of Cologne in Germany.  The little house gnomes are said to have done all the work of the citizens of Cologne during the night, so that the inhabitants of Cologne could be very lazy during the day.  According to the legend, this went on until a tailor’s wife got so curious to see the gnomes that she scattered peas onto the floor of the workshop to make the gnomes slip and fall.  The gnomes, being infuriated, disappeared and never returned. From that time on, the citizens of Cologne had to do all their work by themselves.

After lunch and naps on the ship, Fred and I went back out into Cologne to find a book on the Elves of Cologne, which we found in the “information” building.  The story is essentially what I remember about it.

Our dinner companions that night were an Australian couple, Velma and Jeff.

We also had Jill and Roy from Albuquerque, New Mexico (actually Belen).  He is a retired veterinarian, and she is a retired nurse.  We had a most interesting talk about Albuquerque    We also had dinner with Rich and Mary from Pennsylvania who we ate with the first night on board.  

Back to the room and relatively early to bed.  These are long days, and we still aren’t over our jetlag.

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

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 and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Living Water for a Weary Soul: Finding Strength in God Through Life’s Troubles.

24 May

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged from JanetPerezEckles.com

A bit embarrassed to admit this, but I’m hoping you did the same at one time. After I washed my hands in the small but luxurious bathroom in the cruise ship, I was super impressed with the soap that left my hands incredibly soft and smooth.

So, like any silly Chica would do, as we packed to leave the ship, I wrapped the left-over piece of soap and stuck it in my bag. Why let that great soap go to waste, right?

Got home, washed my hands with that amazing soap. But to my disappointment my hands weren’t soft, but dry as they are when using any cheap soap. Hate to admit my silliness—my hands were soft on the ship, not because of the soap, but because of the soft water that flowed through the ship’s pipes.

That mistake was way too familiar.

Before I surrendered my life to Christ Jesus, I used the soap of deception—believing that the religious rituals I followed would gain me God’s approval. What I accomplished would please Him, and I believed my own desires were His too.

None of the above softened the blow when heartache, hardship, and devastation crashed into my life. After a sea of tears, Jesus became the captain of my life. The relationship with Him became my anchor. The gentle fountain of living water softened my heart and washed my pain away.

In the pain of your own life, His living water will quench the aching of your soul. His guidance will help you sail through the storms, and the power of these truths will keep your life hydrated with comfort and reassurance:

  • You’ll know where your help comes from. “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
  • When trouble strikes, count on his help. “God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
  • Similar to Paul, in your weakness, He’s working. And in Your insecurities, His power is active. “‘…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (Philippians 4:19)
  • Those around you may fail you and the world disappoint you, “…but God is the strength of your heart and your portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)

Jesus said he’s the living water. If you drink of it, you’ll never thirst. You’ll never hunger for fulfillment, for joy, security, or hope. Go ahead, toss out that soap of deception and allow the freshness of His living water to revive your soul.

Let’s Pray

Father, how often I had given credit to things of this world. But it’s You, Your grace, love, and faithfulness that washes the effects of adversity.

In Jesus name, Amen!

How will you allow God’s living water wash away your troubles?

Bonus article on today’s topic.

Janet

Would you like to invite Janet to speak at your next event? Contact her here.

To view Janet’s speaking demo video, watch here.

Check out Janet on the cover of the 2025 February issue of Woman of Faith Magazine! To read the full issue, visit their site here.

Read Janet’s latest award-winning book, Now I See: How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms the Deepest Pain to Shining Joy. Your copy waits for you here.

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

Previous Posts

Living Water for a Weary Soul: Finding Strength in God Through Life’s Troubles.
Janet Perez Eckles
5/23/2025

In My Darkness, I Saw Love.
Janet Perez Eckles
5/9/2025

Empowered to Overcome: Three steps to Stand Strong Against the Forces of Evil.
Janet Perez Eckles
4/25/2025

Two ways to overcome your fears.
Janet Perez Eckles
4/11/2025

How to Bounce Back Stronger: Overcoming Setbacks and Adversity.
Janet Perez Eckles
3/28/2025

When you possess this, miracles are in the making.
Janet Perez Eckles
3/14/2025

Hope always arrives.
Janet Perez Eckles
2/28/2025

Finding true love to ease the loneliness.
Janet Perez Eckles
2/14/2025

What to do when feeling overwhelmed.
Janet Perez Eckles
1/31/2025

How to see God’s way out of our troubles.
Janet Perez Eckles
1/17/2025

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Mother/Daughter Adventure Part 2

22 May

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Last week I wrote about our stop at Helen, Georgia on our way to visit Dahlonega, Georgia.

We visited Dahlonega briefly last winter and our daughter wanted to spend some time there exploring the shops and explore we did! I think we went into almost everyone. Sadly, I didn’t snap any photos.

After walking all over the downtown area we began looking for a place to get a bite to eat. I had spotted a British pub earlier and suggested we try it. Then my daughter opened the door and revealed a straight up long staircase. That was a hard no.

We walked on and came upon a cafe/diner. For the life of me I can’t remember the name. We both ordered the tomato basil soup combo. The soup was delicious. My daughter’s combo included a salad with fruit. I chose a bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwich with their homemade pimento cheese. I am a sucker for pimento cheese.

We had one more destination. A practical one. I needed a new pair of glasses and after using Grok to compare price and quality I chose Costco Warehouse. The down side was that the closest one was two hours from our home. But…it was only about 30 minutes from Dahlonega.

I needed new glasses for a couple of reasons. They were about three years old and pretty well worn out. They frames were constantly needing to be adjusted so that the progressive lens were in the right place. The other reason is a good one. At my last ophthalmologist visit the doctor casually mentioned as he walked out of the exam room that my vision seemed to have approved.

I set up an appointment with my favorite optometrist for an exam. To his surprise my vision truly was improved.

We retrieved our car from the pay by the hour parking lot and navigated to Cumming, Georgia and Costco.

I should mention that Costco Warehouse operates on a membership basis. We have a membership which is why I included the warehouse in my search criteria.

We were blessed to secure a good parking space. Parking can be a major pain there. To my delight, the optical department was located almost directly inside the warehouse.

I totally dislike choosing new eyeglass frames. I put myself in my daughters hands and said “choose a frame.” And she did. Since I already had a vision prescription we found a sales associate, paid and was told the glasses would be ready in a week. Easy-peasy. Or as I like to say, Bob’s your uncle.

The drive home wasn’t nearly as pleasant with rush hour traffic but it didn’t matter. I was with our girl and that is always a good day.

I'm a winner

After 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’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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A Mother/Daughter Adventure Part 1

15 May

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

As usual, I am blown away by how quickly days and weeks fly by. My last blog was written in early April when we returned to the North Carolina mountains for the summer.

For years we rented a duplex cabin owned by our Florida neighbor. We usually were the first renters of the season and my husband would mow a path from the car to the house for us to unload. While our home doesn’t require mowing to unload the car, mowing the grass first thing has become my husband’s ritual. This year several days of rain delayed him and the yard was sporting the shaggy look.

My husband started the Japanese Maple as a small twig.

Aside from de-winterizing the house we began the carousel of doctor visits, round and round from one doctor to another.

Just as we were finishing the doctor rounds, our daughter arrived for a week’s visit. On her last trip to the mountains, we celebrated her birthday with a day trip to Dahlonega, Georgia. It’s claim to fame is the site of the first major US Gold Rush. People to this day go there to pan for gold. I think it might be more of a lark than real expectations.

On her birthday trip, the weather alternated between mist and rain. We enjoyed a meal at Smith House, but chose not to slog through rain to check out the rest of the town.

She was eager to visit Dahlonega again to explore the town and its quaint shops. Her dad didn’t feel up to the amount of walking that exploring would require, so we declared it a mother/daughter adventure.

As we were looking at the map app to decide on the best route for a two hour drive, we were delighted to realize that Helen, Georgia, was in the same area. We added it to our trip.

It has been years since we spent time there. Then the town was styled as a small Alpine village.The small village has grown tremendously. The original area is still there but now it has sprouted, with hotels everywhere. Unfortunately it didn’t expand public parking. We drove slowly looking for a parking place, and finally found several spaces at the Helen General Store.

I’m so glad we ended up at the general store. It had everything one could want except clothes including an impressive grocery section, a butcher case, a mini kitchen that serves breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Their selection of cake slices and muffins was enticing. We chose to share a Hummingbird cupcake and one of their enormous peanut butter cookies. The cookie was the perfect texture for dunking into the excellent self serve one dollar a cup coffee.

When we went to the front check out counter to pay for our purchases, I was fascinated with this wheel of cheese sitting on a cutting board.

I’ve run out of time to write about our time in Dahlonega. Until next time….

I'm a winner

After 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’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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The Cruise of a Lifetime Part 2 Reblog

4 May

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

The first real day of our cruise started with breakfast.  There is a “buffet” breakfast in the restaurant, with a chef making omelets – made to order. 

Our ship, the Gefjon (gef’- ee – on) is named after a Norwegian goddess.   Interesting. 

Our first excursion took us to Kinderdijk (kinder-dike), Holland (the Netherlands). 

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  We saw a building with three huge Archimedes screws.  

From the original 150 windmills in the area, only 28 are left, and Kinderdijk has the largest collection of working windmills in that small area – 19 in all. 

We saw the windmills – went into one – and saw the polders the windmills gather water from.  The windmills are used to pump water from the polders using internal or external scoops into reservoirs on two levels.   We were amazed at the size of the mills, and sails that are placed on the blades – it is all mechanical.  We were also amazed to see that the caretakers actually lived within the windmill.  Small spaces, and usually when the father died, the son took over.

The one we went in was old – made entirely from bricks.  The newer ones looked like they were made from “shingles.”  Most of these windmills date from 1738 through 1740.

The ship supplied us with “receivers” and ear pieces that we plugged into the receivers that hung from lanyards around our necks.  Each tour guide had a “channel” that we tuned into.  That way they could talk normally and we couldn’t hear what the other guides were saying (different channel).  It was a very convenient way to do the tours.  We had them with us at all times on our excursions.  The ship also supplied us each with bottled water on each excursion.

Back on board, we began our sail to Cologne, Germany.  Still being rather tired, we both took a nap, until it was time for the mandatory safety drill – including wearing our life jackets.  We have to get over that jet lag!

We had a light lunch in the Aquavit Lounge.  Usually set up as a buffet on the Terrace – much quicker and as good as in the restaurant.

After lunch we checked on our e-mail.  Fred got one of the hostesses to set up our phones to receive e-mail. 

We took in a Dutch teatime in the Aquavit Lounge.  They served lots of goodies, and flavorful, interesting hot tea.

Nearing dinnertime, there was a “Toast to Our Guests” by Captain Marcel Stephan and Hotel Manager Harald Halswanter in the Aquavit Lounge. 

It was a welcome time for the guests of the ship.  That room was used for many things, including the daily briefing about the next day’s excursions by Program Director, Carl West.  Carl followed the tours on each excursion, taking pictures.  Each evening, those pictures would scroll through the two monitors set up in the lounge.  It was fun to find pictures of yourselves on those monitors.

Dinner in the restaurant.  Everyone at the table had the Chateaubriand, and it was  wonderful! 

Our table mates were Steve and Jane from Colorado, and Lola and Judy from Minnesota.  Jane had recently had back surgery, and while in physical therapy, fell onto her back and re-injured herself.  She was moving rather gingerly and always used a cane when she walked.

Another long, busy day, and the bed felt really good!!

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

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 and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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The Cruise of a Lifetime

27 Apr

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

PART 1 – GETTING THERE– Reblogged.

We had been investigating a Viking River Cruise in Europe for a while, but decided they were just too expensive.  However, Fred was able to find a really….REALLY….good deal, and we snatched it up.  We were scheduled for November 5 – November 20, 2015.

Our flight was scheduled for departure on Thursday, November 5, at 4:20 p.m., but it was delayed until 5:06 p.m. with mechanical problems.  We finally boarded the plane hoping to leave soon.  The plane started to back out but the pilot said the engines were doing the same thing they were doing before, so he took it back to the terminal.  Fred checked with the Delta people, and they said our connection in Detroit would wait for us.  

We were delayed again when we entered the plane and then deplaned a third time.   Fred then checked with the international Delta people and they got us on a Lufthansa leaving for Frankfurt, Germany at about 8:20 p.m. – about 20 minutes from then!  That was four hours after we were originally scheduled to leave.  They said our flight from Detroit would NOT have waited that long for us.  We had been given some really bad information.  We were also quite glad we had carried all our luggage with us!

After arriving in Frankfurt on Friday morning, we boarded another Lufthansa to Amsterdam.  We finally arrived in Amsterdam about 2:30 p.m.  Fortunately, the Viking people were there picking up other late-arriving guests.  They thought we had decided to cancel, and just not come.  We took a Viking bus to the ship, the Viking Gefjon (pronounced gef’- ee-on)

and found our state room, number 325.

These ships are called “long ships” for a good reason!

After a late lunch buffet in the Aquavit Lounge Terrace, 

we rested some, then tried to email but had no success with that.  They had a computer station, but the laptops were “International” versions, with some of the keys rearranged, and with international symbols that we weren’t accustomed to.  It was a bit nerve-wracking to try to type any kind of message!

We had no time to take in anything in Amsterdam, much to our regret.  However, we have been to Amsterdam many times during our times living in Germany, so we didn’t feel too cheated.

The Chef’s Dinner was in the restaurant.  There is only one restaurant on board, and all meals are eaten there, and together.  Most tables are set for six people, with a few large enough for eight or 10.  Our table mates that evening were from Tucson, Arizona, and from Pennsylvania.  There was no assigned seating, and we were able to meet quite a few of our fellow shipmates during the cruise.  After we had ordered our meal, Fred left the ship and quickly went to a corner store to get some items we couldn’t carry on the airplane. 

We went to bed early, as it had been a long day.

Oh and by the way, as I was getting off the last flight in Amsterdam, overloaded with bags, overbalanced and fell getting off the airplane and into the jetway.  So far, no lingering effects from that.  

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 and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Blessings and Strength

21 Apr

My Take

DiVoran Lites

1 Chronicles 4:10

Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and You would keep me from evil so it might not hurt me! And God granted his request. 

Phil 4:13

I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me.

I am ready for anything and equal to anything through him who infused inner strength into me,   

Sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency. 

Matthew 17:20

If you have faith (that is living) like a grain of mustard seed. You can say to this mountain. Move from this place, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible to you.

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.”

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Indeed

20 Apr

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. 

Photo credit: Word Press

 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.

Photo Credit: Grok A.I.

  And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.  The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men.

 And the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.

 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. 

He is risen indeed

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Fear

13 Apr

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Re-blog

I would like to preface this re-blog for those who read my posts.  

My beloved, wonderful husband Fred, suffered a stroke mid-March 2025. 

 Because of that, I feel that I  need to concentrate on him and his care.  Consequently, I will be doing a series of re-blogs of previous postings.  Perhaps most of them have been read, but sometimes it’s nice to re-read something we enjoy.

But before I start with the “series” I would like to present this particular one.  It was written during the Covid lockdown, but in re-reading it, I realized that it fits my/our situation today just as much as it did then.

  I fear for my husband’s recovery…I fear for our new life – it will never be as it was, and I shall miss it.  

HOWEVER….I will NOT allow Satan to make me live in that FEAR!!  I serve and love and honor a loving, living God who only has good for me and my Fred, and we are willing to plant our feet, dig in, and conquer this stroke!!  Praise be to His Holy Name!

And so….

QUARANTINE TIME – TAKE 3 Reblog

I’m sincerely hoping that this will be the final “Quarantine Time” post I will make.  I hope that for the most part, it will be over by next week, and the country will be up and running as it should be.

However, along that line, there was something on facebook recently that really caught my eye.  I would like to present it to you here.

Each one of these has predicted the same thing – we’re ALL going to die!  Well, yes, we are – eventually.  As my beloved father-in-law said, “100% of us die.”  But we do NOT have to live in fear.

And that brings me to something else I saw on facebook:   

Fear does not stop death.  It stops life.  And worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles.  It takes away today’s peace.

And yet again:   I never thought I would see a time that so many people were so afraid of dying that they were willing to stop living.

I mentioned to someone recently that my step-father was the stereotypical pessimist.  For instance, as we were about to go to Germany in 1980 for our three year tour in Heidelberg, my step-father said to me, “well, I hope to see you again!”

Almost in a fury, I turned to him and said: “Sid, if the balloon goes up (world war 3) while we are overseas, one of two things will happen – I’ll either live or I’ll die.  If it is God’s timing for me to die, then NOTHING in this world can keep me here.  If I am to live, then NOTHING in this world can take me out.  I REFUSE TO LIVE IN FEAR!”

And that has pretty much been my mantra ever since.  My life is in God’s hands, and I trust Him completely.  And if it is, indeed, time for me to die, then I know I will be instantly in the presence of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!  Nothing is better than that.  

The peace of mind that brings to me is far beyond anything I could imagine.  And as I said before, I REFUSE TO LIVE IN FEAR!’

Jesus promised:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Do not live in fear!  God has your back!

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 and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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My Two Minute Drill

10 Apr

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

We spent last week packing up for our return to the mountains. Our winter in Florida sped by and we enjoyed catching up with long time friends. There is something comfortable and warm being able to pick up the threads of friendship. Of course, we keep it touch over the summer but in person complete with hugs is priceless.

The Florida winter weather was delightful with cool nights and mild days. We savored it. The last two weeks we were there, warmer weather moved in and we knew it was time to return to the mountains. The day we left, it was a beautiful . The sky so blue and clear.

I am continually amazed that a mere 600 miles can make such a difference in the seasons. Florida was wrapped in full green when we left.

Spring is my favorite season in the mountains. I marvel each year at the appearance of tender green leaves on the trees. Our hydrangea bushes are sporting green shoots and I am joyfully awaiting the blooms.

Our front yard.

Our grass (weeds) is in need of a good mowing but we’ve had several rainstorms this week and the clay soil is mucky.

We made a grocery run into town and signs of spring were everywhere.

After the warm Florida temperatures, the cold mornings in the mountains are making me reluctant to leave the warmth of my comfy bedclothes. I am becoming a big fan of the snooze button on my phone.

To justify my snoozing, I whisper prayers for the day. Always I pray for Israel and the surrounding countries. It is such a mess and beyond my understanding. Then other concerns float into my consciousness.

This morning I snoozed until I only had two minutes before I needed to move it. This particular morning, I wanted to pray differently. I felt a prompt in my spirit, “pray for the lost.” Not for a specific person, but for those who need Jesus across the globe.

The times we are living through are chaotic and even frantic. I have watched a lot of football in the past. and as I prayed this morning, I felt as if I was in a two minute drill. No time outs, just execute what has been practiced.

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I'm a winner

After 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.

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