50th Anniversary Part 4

21 May

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Monday April 12, 2021 Cade’s Cove

Planning this day of our trip was frustrating. Our original reason for choosing Pigeon Forge for our celebration was to visit Dollywood. From their website:

Spanning 160 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood offers more than 50 world class rides, high-energy entertainment, award-winning dining and the friendliest park atmosphere in the world! We even received an award for being so friendly!

40 years of visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and we hadn’t made it to the theme park. The call of the outdoors and nature had always been more powerful. Credit card in hand, I read online the requirements for visiting the park, make a reservation, wear a mask, purchase tickets ahead of time and reserve a scooter for my husband. With my husbands unpredictable health, it felt impossible. I slipped the credit card back in my wallet. We would see how the elements came together.

Sunday night we decided to once more pass on visiting Dollywood. Instead we chose to visit one of our favorite places in the park, Cade’s Cove.

The valley has a rich history. For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove but archeologists have found no evidence of major settlements. The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821. By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271. Cades Cove offers the widest variety of historic buildings of any area in the national park. 

Scattered along the loop road are three churches, a working grist mill, barns, log houses, and many other faithfully restored eighteenth and nineteenth century structures. Pick up the self-guiding tour booklet available at the entrance to the loop road for information about the buildings you’ll see in the cove and the people who lived here.

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm

Years ago when our children were small we enjoyed an evening hay ride along the loop road. It appeared the hay ride was not being offered when we would be there but a carriage ride was. The carriages were booked on a first come basis. We needed to get moving early! And we did. We were the first ride of the day. Unlike the hay ride, the carriage ride was through the woods.

Our driver was a “talker” and shared funny and interesting stories. At one point he stopped on the hewn path and explained we were riding on the equivalent of an 1800s interstate. I have a new appreciation for earlier generations who rode in carriages and wagons. I understand why they are shown traveling slowly. It was bumpy!

After the ride, we circled back to the loop road. We hoped to see deer and maybe even a bear. We didn’t see a single one even though we drove slowly and peered into the woods. I guess they had retired for the day. We did see some of the beautiful horses and spring fresh trees.

Our last visit to the cove, I saw a family picnicking in the field next to the cabin above. I had my heart set on picnicking there this trip. My husband being more forward thinking than I, wasn’t excited about the idea, but he went along with it. As he was taking a picture of my daughter and I, a woman in a truck on the loop road called out and offered to take a family picture. Wasn’t that awesome?

I soon discovered my husband’s forward thinking. I easily sat on the blanket, but getting up with nothing to hold on to was tricky and embarrassing. Notice he didn’t sit, merely knelt.

We were pleased to learn that one of the lesser known roads out of the cove, Rich Mountain Road was once again open after being closed due to the previous year’s pandemic. It is an unpaved one lane road that was used by the early settlers. In the past we have seen wildlife and even a bear on it, but not this year! From an overlook into the valley there is a beautiful view of one of the churches. It was a gorgeous day.

After leaving Cade’s Cove we headed back to the time share for a little R&R. While my husband rested, my daughter and I went to the swimming pool area. She was anxious to spend some time in the hot tub, loosening her tight muscles. I totally forgot to pack my swim suit but I enjoyed sitting under the shade of an umbrella and enjoying the view.

We weren’t in the mood for dinner out, so I made a run to a nearby Publix grocery to get my husband’s favorite meal, Publix fried chicken.

At the end of the day, I was completely happy to have spent the day in the cove, rather than in Dollywood. Maybe after Covid has passed and we can make a spontaneous decision, we’ll try again.

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  

My 2021 goal is continue touse 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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Fishing With Ivan Part 8

19 May

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

I believe it was somewhere around 1995 that I had another business trip to Edwards AFB to support a Space Shuttle recovery operation.  DiVoran flew out with me a nd stayed with Ivan and Dora in Vista, CA for the week I was at Edwards.  After the recovery operations were complete, I took a week of vacation to visit with Ivan and Dora.  In addition to the local fishing that Ivan usually did, he had obtained a commercial license, to take lobsters from the waters off the coast of southern California and sell them locally.  I went out in the boat with him one day, while we were there in Vista, to help him with the boat while he pulled in his lobster traps.  He showed me how to inspect the lobsters for gender and how to measure them for legal size.

Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/lobster-trap-wooden-lobster-fishing-4346279/

Ivan regaled us with his frustrations about some people who were stealing his lobster catches.  It had been going on for a while before we got there for our visit.  He had called the local Sherriff for help about the problem, but they were never able to catch the poachers in the act.  That didn’t stop us from having plenty of fresh lobsters from Ivan’s traps, to eat while we were there.  They were plentiful and they were delicious!  Every dinner with Ivan and Dora on that trip was an ‘All You Can Eat’ lobster feast.   

Photo by DiVoran Lites

DiVoran’s brother, David, and his wife, Susan, lived just a mile or two from Ivan and Dora, there in Vista, so they would join us occasionally for a lobster dinner at Ivan and Dora’s.  David is an avid hunter and he invited us all to his house for dinner one evening.  He had just returned from a bird hunting trip to the interior of Mexico.  He told us many of the local farmers there, were being inundated by doves, and that the Mexican government had requested hunters to come help reduce the threat to the crops.  After the hunt, the hunters were allowed to freeze and bring back as many of the birds as they wanted to into the U.S.

Photo: https://www.getducks.com/hunts/mexico-white-wingeddove-hunting/

These were fairly large White-winged doves and we all enjoyed that tasty meal (except for DiVoran who never eats any kind of wildlife). After that interesting meal (being careful not to bite down on a lead pellet), the six of us continued a wonderful evening together with a walk down memory lane. 

Photo by Bill Lites

If I remember right, I don’t’ believe Ivan’s commercial lobster business lasted very long after our visit that year.  With the high price of fuel, the cost of commercial licenses, and the fact that the Sherriff was never able to catch Ivan’s lobster thieves, he just didn’t think it was worth the effort.  That was a shame because I believe he enjoyed the work and, if it hadn’t been for the poachers, it could have helped with his retirement income.

Photo by Dora Bowers

Ivan was good at, and had always liked, tinkering with mechanical things, and as it turned out, he bought a vacuum cleaner repair shop, there in Vista, and worked at that job for several years (between fishing trips).  But that’s another story for another time, and doesn’t involve fishing.  This concludes the series of memories we have of ‘Fishing with Ivan‘ and I hope you have enjoyed our memories of the times we have spent with Ivan and Dora as much as I have enjoyed writing about them.  Join me next week for a surprise blog that I hope you will also enjoy.

—–The End—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 63 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.

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

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From His Heart 3

17 May

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Photo credit Pixabay

I waited and waited and waited some more, 

Patiently knowing God would come through for me.

Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry.

He stooped down to lift me out of danger from the desolate pit I was in, 

Out of the muddy mess I had fallen into.

Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place.

And steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.

A new song for a new day rises in me.

Every time I think about how he breaks through for me!

Photo credit Pixabay

Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until 

Everyone hears how God has set me free.

Many will see his miracles,

They’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him!

Blessing after blessing comes to 

love and trust the Lord.

They will not fall away.

For they refuse to listen to the lies of the proud.

O Lord, our God, no one can compare with you.

Such wonderful works and miracles are all found with you! 

And you think of us all the time.

With your countless expressions of love-far exceeding our expectations!

It’s not sacrifices that move your heart.

Burnt offerings, sin offerings–that’s not what brings you joy.

Photo credit Pixabay

But when you open my ears and speak deeply to me,

I become your willing servant, your 

Prisoner of love for life.”

So, I said, “Here I am! I’m coming to you as a sacrifice.”

For in the prophetic scrolls of your book

You have written about me.

I delight to fulfill your will, my God, 

For your living words are written upon the pages of my heart.”

Psalms of David 40:1-8

The Passion Translation

“His Banner over Me is Love”

You Tube

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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Music and Me-Part 7

16 May

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

When we lived in San Antonio, Texas for those three years,

The Alamo-San Antonio, Texas

we joined the First Baptist Church, downtown.

FBC San Antonio, Texas – credit Google Search and FBC website

It was – and is – a very large church.  We were part of a Sunday School department of members essentially our own age.  While the Sunday School department in our Fort Worth church was mainly made up of Seminary students, I don’t remember the Sunday School in San Antonio being a “military” members group, even though there were several military people in that class.

One “funny” event that happened while we were in that group: Karen was old enough to sit in the worship service (Janet was in the nursery), and she sat with an older couple during the service, since Fred and I were in the choir.  To keep her occupied, I had a coloring book for her to take to the service with her.  One Sunday morning, before the class started, I was sitting next to a woman I didn’t know.  She tapped the coloring book on my lap and said, “I know how you stay awake in the service!”  I laughed and told her why I had it.  I found out later that she was the Senior Pastor’s wife!!  Oh no!!  She and I became good friends following that.

And, of course, we joined the choir early on.  It was quite a large choir – probably close to 100 members.  Again, we had a few professionally trained voices, and that just added to our sound.

Sanctuary Choir – FBC San Antonio – Credit Google Search and FBC website

The choir director that we had the entire three years there was Lanny Allen – no relation to our Senior Pastor, Jimmy Allen.  As a matter of fact, I remember one Sunday evening that Lanny was standing at the pulpit, announcing the next song, and Jimmy came up beside him, as if to sing into the microphone.  Lanny, startled, looked at Jimmy and literally pushed him out of the way with a “oh no you don’t!”  Jimmy couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket!  We were all laughing at this point!

I remember one choir retreat/camp we went to in Kerrville, Texas, the “Hill Country” of Texas.  It was just a short weekend camp, but we all connected in a wonderful way, and learned some music along with it…probably learning the music for our Christmas program to come in another few months.

Music Camp in Kerrville, Texas

After we rotated stateside from Heidelberg in 1983, we joined a small church in the housing area we lived in. 

Seaford Baptist Church, Seaford, Virginia

But in spite of it being a “neighborhood” church, it had a good number of members attending.  And it did have a choir, which we joined, of course.  We stayed in that church – and choir – for the entire nearly-13 years we lived in Virginia.  

We had several Ministers of Music at that church, and we performed some amazing musicals – both Christmas and Easter.  I remember one Christmas musical that had acting along with it.  The choir was set up to the side of the sanctuary, so all the acting could be on the stage.  At one point, one of the songs told about the crucifixion of Christ, and I thought it was a strange place to be in a Christmas musical.  But then I realized that – that was the entire purpose of Christ being born as a human – to come and die for our sins, and by being raised from the dead, He gave us eternal life!  Amazing!!  And thank you, God, for making that way for all the world to live with you in eternity, if we just accept your gift!

~~~~~~~~~~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. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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50th Anniversary-Part 3

13 May

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

April 11, 2021 Day 3 Pigeon Forge, NC

We woke up this morning to sunshine and cool temperatures. A perfect day for the short hike we had planned, the Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail located in the Chimney Tops Picnic area, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Here is a description. You can read more HERE

Short but very sweet, the Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail is a self-guided interpretive footpath that serves as the perfect introduction to one of North America’s richest ecosystems: the Southern Appalachian cove hardwood forest. In spring, the woods here serve up a truly spectacular wildflower display: one of the most lavish and accessible in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

There were two signs at the start, one describing the wildflowers we would see, the other a warning. The man(teen) caused 2016 fires were devastating to the forest as well as humans.The fires ripped through mountain homes forcing fleeing residents to endure harrowing drives through the fires. We drove through one of the affected neighborhoods and were horrified at what the people must have experienced. In broad daylight the steep narrow road set my nerves on edge.

Link to NPS about fire https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/chimney-tops-2-fire.htm

The loop trail was.9 of a mile with some up and downs, but overall was a fine trail.

It was good to see families on the walk. Watching the young ones scamper up the path brought to mind hikes with our children. So much energy! I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything. We did see flowers too.

After our walk we ventured into the picnic area. We were surprised to discover the Park service had closed a whole section. We were even more surprised to discover they had also closed ALL of the restrooms. There was only a two door portable toilet! But when one is desperate, you do what you have to do. Fortunately the line was not too long and thanks to Covid, I had plenty of hand sanitizer. After lunch we decided to try another nearby short hike, The Sugarlands Valley Trail.

This trail is more of a stroll than a hike and the cool thing is that it is 100% handicap assesible. This is the description from Alltrails.com

Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is a 0.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round.

I am a history fan and my imagination kicked into high gear as we walked past river stone chimneys and old foundations. The settlers were forced to leave their land to make way for the National Park. I can imagine their sorrow leaving the beautiful community.

There was a couple power walking and I wondered if they were “locals” who walked there frequently, They passed by us several times as we strolled, but we were content and thankful to be able to enjoy it at our own pace.

Back at the time share, we began to think about supper. Fresh air does that! My plan was to dine at family owned restaurants but the ones we saw,for the most part, only served breakfast and lunch. The main road, known as The Parkway was lined with restaurants but we weren’t excited about endless traffic lights and bumper to bumper vehicles. When my daughter and I had been shopping previously we discovered a road parallel to the parkway with less traffic. Surely there would be restaurants there too. And there was! We chose Texas Roadhouse. The meal was delicious and no cooking and washing up for me! When we returned to the time share, the temperature had dropped. We turned on the gas logs fireplace and settled in to watch a television program before turning in for the night. Tomorrow we would be visiting one of our favorite places, Cades Cove.

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  

My 2021 goal is continue touse 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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Fishing With Ivan Part 7B

12 May

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

I remember one morning, there in Sapinero, as we were launching Ivan’s boat at the boat ramp, the front mooring line slipped away from us as the boat came off the trailer.  Yep! The boat kept moving out into the lake.  Luckily the mooring line was made of hemp and was floating, trailing after the boat.  Ivan had to wade out to catch the line before it was out of reach.  Whew!  If the mooring line had not been floating, the boat would have glided out into the open lake and someone would have had to swim out to retrieve it.  That would not have been fun, as the water was really cold!  Burrrrr!  Or, we would have had to get one of Ivan’s friends to launch his boat and take us out to get Ivan’s boat.  That would have been very embarrassing, and Ivan would not have been able to live that one down.  I guess he figured it would be better if he got a little wet than the alternatives.

Photo: https://www.trustedchoice.com/l/utah/trailer-insurance/

The Trout and Kokanee Salmon in the Blue Mesa Reservoir were good size and gave us a good fight.  However, the fight was worth the effort when Ivan cooked them up for us for our evening meals.  Ivan and Dora were good friends with the owners of the Sapinero Trading Post and had become a part of the ‘family’ there at the RV Park.  Ivan helped with RV Park repairs and Dora helped in their “Ley-Z-B” Restaurant.  On the weekends, they both helped cook and serve the restaurant’s outdoor Bar-B-Q dinner that drew folks from near and far.  It was an “Old Home Town Event” every Saturday night.

Photo: https://www.mantitlement.com/bbq-party-ribs/

In addition to the RV Park repairs and helping with the Saturday night BBQ, Ivan spent much of his non-fishing time entertaining the young children who seemed to always be running around the RV Park.  They thought it was magic that ‘Uncle Ivan’ had an endless supply of rock candy in his pocket to hand out to them.

Photo by DiVoran Lites

Note: The town of Sapinero has an interesting story.  It goes that the original town was founded somewhere around 1882, and was named for the famous Ute Indian Chief ’Sapawanro’ (it is believed to have been changed to ‘Sapinero’ by the railroad).  It was located on the banks of the Gunnison River about halfway between Gunnison and Montrose, CO.    About that same time the D&RG Railroad pushed its tracks thru the area, and Sapinero became a railway stop on their Denver to Salt Lake City route (see Wikipedia for the detailed history of Sapinero and the influence of the D&RG Railroad on the area).  In 1962 the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation was given the responsibility for the design and construction of the Blue Mesa Dam across the Gunnison River.  When finished, the dam forming the largest artificial reservoir in the state of Colorado.  It also covered the homes, businesses, schools and churches of the town’s 500 residents with over 300’ of water.  The residents of Sapinero had to relocate just as the Ute Indians had to do in 1864 when they were forced to relocate from these same Colorado lands, by the U.S. Government, with the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851.

 Photo: https://coyotegulch.blog/2018/09/09/forecast-for-blue-mesa-reservoir-record-low-territory-coloradoriver-coriver-aridification/

—–To Be Continued—–

Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 63 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.

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

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He Just Wouldn’t Quit

11 May

The Storyteller Almanac

This week’s podcast episode in my ongoing series, “The Storyteller Almanac” is about a famous individual in U.S. History who, no matter what the odds became stacked up against him, just would not quit. It’s presented in the “Rest Of The Story:” format. In other words, you gotta stay with me until the end of the story to figure out who or what the heck we’re talking about :).

Click HERE to listen now.

You can find the episode at www.StorytellerAlmanac.com or on any of the major podcast platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts etc… If you feel so inclined, please subscribe to the podcast when you navigate to whatever respective platform that you choose to listen. No obligation. No Charge. No salesperson will call :). 

Thanks for droppin’ by, neighbor!

I’ve been ‘clickin’ the shutter since I was about 16. I morphed into video production when I went to work for The Walt Disney Company many years ago. Currently, I still work for Disney. But my real passion and path is utilizing my photography and multimedia skill sets for the greater good. Translated, anything or anybody that deserves recognition, appreciation or documenting for future history, I’m all over it. Too many important things just slip away in a fast moving, fast paced world / society. ‘If ya’ wanna know where you’re going, ya’ gotta know where ya’ come from’ (Sir Lawrence Olivier – The Jazz Singer 1980). 

If you feel so inclined, I’d sure appreciate you subscribing to Storyteller Almanac on any of the major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and more. Really helps me grow the po

To contact me for any reason, please click or copy & paste: 

MikeThomasImagery@gmail.com

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From His Heart

10 May

My Take

DiVoran Lites

My dear Daughter,

Your grandchildren are fully capable of walking in a suitable and holy manner for the high rank given to them in their divine callings. Each was given a path to follow, which unfolds as they mature.  With tender humility and quiet patience, they demonstrate love toward each other and toward others they know and people they meet. I guard them and keep them whole.

Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness with longsuffering, bearing with each other in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3

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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Mother’s Day 2021

9 May

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Credit ChurchArt

Here we are, another Mother’s Day.  It seems I’ve told you about all I can or know about my mother and my mother-in-law.  And so, I may share some snippets from other posts I’ve done about them…and then add some new thoughts.

My mother was unique

in that she met and married a man 20 years her senior.  And yet, that marriage was rock solid, and one I looked to imitate in my own marriage.  I like to think Fred and I have achieved that.  

She loved to sing and to play the piano.  She had a good ear and would just go and sit down at the piano and begin playing. 

She was a great cook!  I’m sorry to say I didn’t let her teach me much about cooking.  Most of what I did/do I more-or-less learned on my own.  I also can’t duplicate much of what she cooked.

Her work ethic was one to be admired.  While I am a good “starter” I’m not necessarily a good “finisher.”  Mother was good at both – if she started a project, she didn’t stop until it was finished.

I loved her dearly, and miss her terribly.

Fred’s mother 

was a joy to be around.  Her love was her husband and her children – all four of them!  And after Fred (her first born) and I married, she treated me like one of her daughters!  She was, truly, a second mother to me.

She was also a great cook, and she taught me several of her recipes that her family loved.  And I still use some of them to this day.

To know my husband as I do, I can see her hand in his up-bringing.  She was a gentle soul, but must have had a firm hand in child-rearing.  

She loved to have fun, and was a bit of a cut-up.  I will always remember her with me on the beach in northern California, dancing barefoot through the wet sand and kelp.

She was funny, cute, elegant, classy, down-to-earth, loved to laugh….

She left us far too early with Alzheimer’s Disease, and I miss her terribly.

Both mothers – above all else – taught their families to love and honor Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

And I like to think we have passed that along to our daughters, as well.  Both of our girls are God-fearing and God-loving women.  They have taught their children about Jesus Christ, and I’m pleased to say that Jesus is the guiding light in their families.

We are so proud of both our daughters.

Our Karen

has loved libraries and books as long as we can remember.  And so, her chosen field is to work in a library.  She started out as a “page” in her high school years, and is now a “researcher” in her local library.  She’s the expert!

Our Janet

is the Human Resources Director for a county.  I was always amused to hear her say that she didn’t need to take a typing class in high school, as she would have a secretary to do all her typing!   Didn’t quite work out that way, hmm, Janet?

They are both professional women, and yet love and care for their families.  

We thank God for our Mothers and the lineage they have passed down through us to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Credit ChurchArt

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY 2021

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.

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This is the greatest need for a Mom

8 May

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

May 7, 2021

Reblogged May 8, 2021

While I folded laundry, Joe, my four-year-old son, and his friend played with Lego’s on the family room floor.

“My mom has eyes at the ends of her fingertips,” Joe said to his friend.

I chuckled at first, but then marveled at his insight. He was absolutely right. After losing my sight, I used my hands to feel my surroundings, find items in the kitchen, sort the family’s clothing and pick up toys from the floor.

Seeing the world through my fingertips.

In reality, my whole world became “seen” by my fingertips. When I touched something, the image was immediately transmitted to my brain, allowing me to see with my mind. Eventually, I learned to use my other senses so I could still be a mommy to my little ones.

Although I managed the chores, the idea of living the rest of my life without sight kept me awake at night. And during the day, my muscles tensed each time I tested and noticed my diminishing side vision. At first, it narrowed to the size of a keyhole. I pleaded and begged God to allow that vision, though small, to remain so I could still see their smiles.

Some afternoons, while my youngest son napped, I’d stare at his features, attempting to memorize every detail—his long eyelashes against his chubby olive cheeks. His curly hair that framed his round face.

With tears blurring my diminishing vision, I engraved those images in my aching heart. Uncertain of the length of time I’d have that tiny amount of sight, the rope of anxiety and worry choked me.

There was no hope.

And ophthalmologists dug more anxiety as they offered no hope. One told us to wait for the inevitable. And he was right. A few months later, my retina stopped working and my vision closed in completely.

I was horrified.

The gray nothing before my eyes shoved me into a dark prison. “Why me, Lord!” I cried out.

After weeks and weeks of sobbing and asking and begging, God wasn’t silent like I imagined. His answers came gently tucked in verses of the Bible.

I listened to them with my heart. After I put my three sons to bed, I put on my headphones. My heart delighted in God’s promises. My soul drank His comfort. And my mind embraced His teachings.

He taught me the correct order of priorities. I realized my sons needed me more than I needed my sight.

What I really needed…

That’s when I recognized what I desperately needed was to trust not in my own abilities, but in God’s ability to provide the guidance and help I needed.

And one by one He did just that. Armed with a new attitude, a greater trust in Him, and a deeper faith, I rolled up my sleeves and took on the task to care for my 4-, 6- and 8-year-old sons.

And that care took energy as they were healthy and active. With each of their moves, my ears became tuned to their every sound, alerting me to their constant antics or whimpers of pain.

Within that busy schedule, learning Braille dropped to the bottom of my list of priorities. Unable to see, the daily tasks of running the house took twice as long to finish and left me drained.

Although exhausted, I still found creative ways to get things done. I swept and mopped the kitchen floor barefoot. This way, my feet picked up any crumbs or sticky spots I’d missed.

My memory also developed. I memorized lists of phone numbers. I needed them so I could call other moms for rides, for updates in school activities.

That sharper memory also helped me to find the location of items in the pantry. When hubby brought groceries home, I wrapped rubber bands around certain cans. I placed boxes of cereal, cake mix, etc. in specific places on the shelves.

My taste buds and sense of smell also became more acute as I invented my own recipes.

One day, as I stirred spaghetti sauce on the stove, I sensed a chocolate aroma near me. “Come here young man,” I ordered my six-year-old. “What are you eating?”

“Nothing,” he said, his voice muffled, no doubt trying to hide something.

I drew closer as the smell of chocolate wafted even stronger. I held out my hand. “Give me those M&Ms. It’s dinner time.”

They soon learned Mom was still in control. Often, I wondered if they truly knew I saw nothing. But I knew what my heart saw—a lesson my sons would learn from their mom who couldn’t see. I’d teach them with my attitude, a sense of humor and most of all, trust, complete trust in God to show me what to do.

With your permission, I will now switch from my story to you. 

You may not be encountering physical blindness, but you may possibly be blinded by the world’s standards. Or by the culture’s message that repeat we need to be great moms, cool in every way, strive for perfection and do anything so our kids lack nothing. Lies, all lies from the enemy. He wants to steal your peace and pour anxiety into your days.

On the other hand, God longs to pour reassurance and confidence. They arrive when, in the midst of the turmoil, we invite God to be our divine partner.

We don’t need more pressure or more posts on social media. A Mom’s greatest need is to partner with God. Through the eyes of His love, He watches our every move, He knows our deepest secrets. He’s familiar with our ways. He sees the guilt that nags, the flaws we try to hide, the mistakes that steal our joy. He even knows the insecurities that echo in the silence of night.

He knows it all, Yet, when morning comes, we pour a cup of stress and head on our way. That’s when fear visits. We fear we don’t measure up. We fear we’re not doing enough. And sometimes, we fear we’re inadequate moms.

But God, our Divine Partner says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

We don’t have to fear. He’s with us when we doubt. He lifts us when we fall. And He holds us when we fail.

Let’s Pray

Father, Thank You for granting me the confidence I need to be a Mom, secure because You are with me. In Jesus’ name I thank you.

What is your greatest need as a Mom?

Janet

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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.

If you enjoyed these moments of inspiration, consider supporting JC Empowerment Ministries. We keep going, keep inspiring and keep bringing Jesus light into the darkness only through your cheerful tax-deductible giving. It’s simple. Just hop over to this LINK. https://janetperezeckles.com/about/non-profit-tax-exempt-authorization-letter

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

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