Liz's Front Porch

Yikes - Cleaning!

Please come back on Tuesday when we will chat for real !! 

Today is the day I promised myself I would clean the office. Oh dear. Oh me. Oh my.

                                                      

It won't get CLEAN, but I'm tearing through stuff, throwing out, shredding, and hopefully making progress.

I did note that the empty arms of the Willow tree outside my office window are lifted in prayer under a light blue sky. The tree and I are praying constantly for our Father's mercy  to send rain to our parched land.

I'm also praying - as I sort and clean - for the needs, concerns, and hearts of my friends!

Love and Blessings,

Liz

Shiver and Pray

It is 33 degrees on our back porch as I type. Believe me, in our part of Texas that is COLD. There is a slight drizzle and the bare limbs of the Willow tree are swaying back and forth as if urging the heavy, gray clouds to drop their moisture.

One of the real thrills on a cold day is clipping your own herbs for chicken stew. I went out half an hour ago, to grab some Thyme, Rosemary, and Marjoram for the stew we’ll have after awhile in front of our fire. As long as I was outside, I covered the Comfrey and one of the sage plants because they are in big pots and tend to fret when it freezes. I also covered the Geranium that still has brave red blooms. Bless its courage.

We are so desperate for water in central Texas that yes, we are praying that God in His mercy will send a lot of moisture tonight. Yes, I know that means icy roads. We are also praying that those who must be on the highways and byways will be cautions and stay safe and that those who are cold to find warmth.

Sometimes it is hard to pray. Praying God’s Will is not necessarily safe, but wise. He told us so.

Praying for mercy does not always bring our hoped-for answer, but as my friend Sally says, praying for mercy is the only truly safe prayer.

I refer you, again, to 1Thesolonians 5:16 & 17, and to James 5:13-18. Those words are still on my heart so they are words I am reading, studying, and praying.

Let's end on some fun news!!  Way back in November I wrote to you about the joy of enjoying adult grandchildren. Now, another grown-up and soon-to-be-official-grand is saving me from cyberspace.

I’ve had a bookkeeping program sitting on my desk for a year. Unopened. The intended granddaughter is going to install it for me! Hey, want me to count up the number of words I’ve written and submitted and that have been published under my names in this year????

I’m blessed and I know it to have someone in the young generation freeing ME to pursue my druthers!

Stay warm. I add all of you who leave notes to my prayer list. Please pray for me, too.

And, REJOICE!

Blessings,

Liz

Our Nation's Heart

Dear Friends,

My heart is heavy today.

 

I had planned to chat with you on the porch—it was 80 degrees in our part of Texas today—about kitchen gadgets I’ve discovered that make cooking so much fun!

That will have to wait.

 

I have deliberately avoided politics in our chats. Politics is not my call, my job, my expertise, nor my intent on Liz’s Front Porch.

 

Actually, my burden today is not political, though I fear some may think it is. I am simply deeply troubled for the heart of our nation.

 

Today the President of the United States officially made it legal, again, for our government to pay for abortions anywhere in the world.

 

I pray daily for President O’Bama and will continue to do so.

 

In fact, I urge you to read the Wednesday, January 21, 2009 post by Sylvia Gunter at www.thefathersbusiness.com for an excellent devotion, “Pray for the President and All in Authority.”

 

It is imperative that all believers join together to pray constantly, deeply, and devotedly for our nation and for all those in authority.

 

As I ponder the things of our nation, I am studying James 5:13-18. Your comments are most welcome. (At the end of this post, just click on the word: Comments and write your thoughts. You do not have to give your name and I will not publish anything you request to be private.)

 

Perhaps the Apostle Paul’s instructions to the church at Thessalonica are important for us right now in January, 2009:

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing.”

 

1 Thessalonians 5: 15, 17 NASV

Love and Blessings,

        Liz

 

Kitchen Blessings

I never liked to cook.

Until the last couple of years! I’ve told you how old I am so never fear getting bored with life; there is always something to learn. Actually, cyberspace has done a number on me, and I've come to feel safer in my kitchen and I love my new-fangled kitchen gadgets.

In fact, my search for an inexpensive way to vacuum-seal leftover’s led me to the greatest shopping delight of my life! It started with my grandmother who loved to say, “A wife can throw away with a spoon more than a man can bring home with a shovel!” I hated hearing that, but it is as true now as it was then. Since I'm the chief cook, I’ve made a dedicated effort to be serious about waste.

I loved using the first device I found to suck air out of plastic bags. Dear Heart laughed as I pumped away. It actually worked and my upper arms got exercise. The little smokies seemed to be languishing happily in the freezer but within a few days, I noticed frost was frost inside the bag. Ah ha! Dead giveaway there was air in the bag, too. After a few more tests, I admitted defeat.

Even though I’m an easy target for kitchen toys, I almost did not buy the next gadget I found because it came encased in one of those horrid plastic containers. The kind of clear hard plastic that makes you run check your medical insurance before attempting to open it.

 

Applause and drum roll, please! I have no idea whether the gadget is worth its salt, but let me tell you: Reynolds ® is my new best manufacturing friend.

As I examined the container, praying for courage to open it, I noticed a small yellow tag that read: Pull Corner Tab To Open. Yeah, right! I laughed out loud. But…. well, you would try it, too! Lo and behold I pulled and the top lifted apart like magic. I didn’t even have to get out my pliers.

So, purchasers of the world unite. If Reynolds ® can do it, the rest of the manufacturers can too. The Handi-Vac ™ Vacuum Sealer is easy to operate, comes with batteries and a supply of bags, but you’ll have to check back next week to find out how my testing goes.

 

The vac may not work, but let me tell you: pulling that nifty tab was a thrill and a half!

 Of course, I don’t need the easy-open container to find joy in my kitchen, and I didn’t have to have the bouquet of yellow flowers Dear Heart brought me yesterday. The gadget was fun and flowers from a quiet man spoke volumes, turning a grey day to sunshine!

            I will never be the woman of Proverbs 31, but God patiently and lovingly teaches me a lot in my kitchen. And sometimes, as I stir soups, snip herbs, chop onions, and soak beans, I hum as I give Him thanks for blessings beyond measure.

Father, bless my friends, especially the ones walking through grey days.

Also, Father, we pray Your blessings on the new President of the United States.

Cleaning Up!

I've been thinking about a lot of things these last four days as I've cleaned out closets (had promised myself I would NOT do that), sorted clutter (the one thing that drives me to do things I promised I would not do), packed away Christmas (the thing that makes me sort of sad and nostalgic), and having major dental work done (no comment there!).

I've discovered things about time that have surprised me.

From my office window, I've watched the tree next to the barn. The barn is still red in places and looks pretty good considering Dear Heart’s Uncle Alfred built in 1913. The tree is one of those wonderful/dreaded Texas Mesquite trees. Mesquite wood is mandatory for Texas outdoor barbequing- it burns hotter than hot and too hot for most fireplaces and creates a flavor in steaks and barbeque that no machine can manufacture. Furniture, mantles, cabinets, and miscellaneous decorations made from Mesquite are the most exquisite in the world. There is even an annual Mesquite Wood Show here in Fredericksburg every fall.

BUT, for the farmer, the cattle baron, mesquite has thorns, can cover an entire pasture in a few short years, and is more difficult to eradicate than cedar and don't get me started on cedar!!

I named this particular, lone Mesquite tree "My Thinking Tree." I can no longer climb trees, but my mind does. Often. The Mesquite is beautiful in the spring and summer. It is a known fact among country people that when the Mesquite leafs out, there'll be no more freezes. Well---- we pretty much know that. And we definitely plan our lives around it.

But in the winter. Oh dear. All the limbs and tiny branches that once were dressed in lacy, leaves-- in every shade of green ever created--just stands there naked. All its arms reach to heaven but it is empty, not growing, not even resting. Any breeze and all winds that come along whip the limbs and fragile branches every which way from Sunday, yanking, snapping, whipping, sapping their strength. The tree looks as if it will never again ever know life anymore. It stands there like a lifeless statue. No children-or old grannies- climb onto its nooks and crannies to tell secrets, to plan, to think, to dream.  The tree is not waving a cheery "Hello" these cold days. There is even no ice on its exposed limbs to give it a sparkle. It just stands there, a dead sentinel to winter.

Last week my soul felt the way my winter Mesquite tree looked.

But today, the branches are waving gently in a little breeze. The dull gray sky behind it brings out the brown of the bark. Perhaps.....dare I hope.... life IS inside those majestic arms? Perhaps... just maybe... my Thinking Tree is just thinking, waiting it’s time to bear life again, to write, to wave, to take on color, to open its arms in friendliness.

Perhaps all of us- trees and writers and grannies and daughters- need a time to curl up and rest.

I hope you are resting. Because - - - when all my cleaning out and packing away is done, I have some things to ask you!!!!!! Might even see you Monday!

Hugs and beautiful, restful winter blessings,    Liz

 

A Warm Fireplace and Good News

A loving husband can be defined in three little words: My Dear Heart!

We returned home late last evening from a visit with Dear Heart’s daughter and husband in Dallas where we enjoyed a wonderful time helping with her Second Annual January Party. We visited with some of our own long-time and faithful friends, the party was awesome, and we survived the thrill of fighting city hotels and traffic. Grrrr.

 Then, today happened early, stayed busy all day, and ended with a meeting I attended tonight. When I finally returned home—more tired and very tired—Dear Heart welcomed me back home with a roaring fire in our fireplace. Ahhhhhh.

But….. another bit of good news greeted at home me last night.

Last year, Dear Heart and I went to Dallas to help this same daughter prepare and give her First Annual January party. It was a huge success and when we returned home, I wrote a devotion about some of our experience that weekend and submitted it to one of the Cup of Comfort devotion volumes.

Dear Heart and I are painfully aware that the publishing business moves more slowly than the preverbal turtle, so we continued living while waiting for word about my submission. This past weekend—one year later—we returned to Dallas to help the same daughter with her second annual party which was equally successful as the first.

Sunday night we eased into our own quiet driveway, safe and sound. After a deep breath and a prayer of thanksgiving, we unpacked and I checked e-mail messages. One message announced that the devotion I wrote a year ago about Kathy’s party is a finalist for A Cup of Comfort Mothers and Daughters Devotions. WOW! Awesome news! We immediately called Daughter!

Only time will tell if it makes the final cut. I’ll keep you—and—Kathy posted!

Otherwise, our non-resolutions are progressing beautifully. Well…. I did sneak in one resolution having something to do with finishing a novel???? I’ll keep you posted on that, also.

And, please check in on Saturday. You’ll find some photographs of the first full moon of 2009. The one that happened on my son’s birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!

What about your first good news of 2009? I’d love to hear!

Blessings and Hugs,

            Liz

Happy Birthday, Son

xxxxxxx years ago this very day - (well about just before noon and on a Saturday), my second born child and my only son made his grand entrance into the world and attached himself to my heart forever.

To properly celebrate the birth of this very wonderful and awesome guy, the world is seeing the very first full moon of 2009 today, January 10, 2009.

I love you, Eddy. I'm proud of you. I'd be proud even if you weren't the fabulous U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant you are. I'd be proud even if you had not chosen the most perfect wife in the whole world to be my daughter-in-law. I'd love and be proud of you even if your weren't the father of the most precious granddaughter the world has ever seen.

Actually, I would not trade you for any other son in the whole wide world.

Be happy. I'll call you after a while. We traveling and I don't have any of your cute little boy pictures to post! forgive me!

Love,

your very proud Mother

FLASH! Liz's Story in New Anthology

Just received a plain white envelope in the mail.

Grandma's Choice is out!

Choice Publishing Group has released their newest anthology

Patchwork Path: Grandma's Choice

 

Included in this book is a true story about Liz's Grandmother Alice,

"Things of the Heart."

 

Check out Liz Writes from Texas for ordering information!

Ah-Ha Day

 I think I was 30 years old when I first met the word Epiphany. The very sound of the word immediately hooked me and I’ve pondered epiphanies ever since.

Most Christian churches celebrate Epiphany on January 6, the day the Maggi found the Christ Child. Discovered Jesus. Ah ha!

The first definition in the on-line Encarta Dictionary is: Epiphany: (Noun) Christian festival celebrating Jesus Christ’s divinity.

Isn’t it a thrill (an epiphany?) when a secular dictionary gives a Christian definition—first—to any word?

Encarta goes on to define the second meaning: epiphanhy (noun) a sudden intuitive leap of understanding, especially through an ordinary but striking occurrence. I’ve experienced a bunch of those leaps of sudden break-throughs! Bet you have, too.

I love the one our pastor suggested Sunday: After a long journey searching for a king, the Maggi returned home—not just via a different route, but as different people. They had encountered The King.

Dear Heart and I attended the annual Epiphany Dinner of our adult Sunday school class tonight. There are over a hundred members in our class so social gatherings provide the opportunity to get to know new people. A lot of information is provided very quickly as the who/what/when/where/why and how-did-you-get-from-Dallas-to-Fredericksburg questions fly. I’ve learned to listen fast when others share their stories because I love epiphany moments.

Sure enough, I had a couple of them tonight.

I had another one last night when a grandsons who lives nearby and his beloved came for a visit.

This morning I experienced a huge leap when I encountered The King in a sweet new way.

My specific “ah-ha’s” would be meaningless to others but, every time I actually stop talking and listen—to ordinary people or in deep prayer—God always presents me with a gift. Sometimes the gift is a jump-for-joy new insight. Other times it is disguised in a brown paper sack.

I’m praying for discipline in a lot of areas but I especially want to learn to be still more often. I would love to have epiphanies all year long.

I pray you’ll get your share, too!

First Things First

Good morning on the first Saturday of the first week in the first month of a bright new year.

“First things” are always good. Remember our old friend, Erma Bombeck? She said it was a good thing to celebrate the first week of the month—I think she baked a cake and she changed sheet on the first day of the workweek. I don’t know when I baked a cake and sheet-changing-day depends on a lot of circumstances, but appreciating things that provide a fresh new start are good and this month we can celebrate a lot!

I wrote a letter to my first granddaughter last night. She is eight years old now and probably doesn’t remember the first time I held her in my arms when she was four weeks old. But I remember—vividly—and I wrote a song for her that day. It was the first (and the last!) song I ever wrote.

I remember the first time I walked along the North Carolina beach with the Atlantic splashing my knees. That was when my knees were younger, agile, and healthy! A cherished memory.

I also remember the first time I- - - -

·        walked in the rain and got kissed

·        stood in deep snow on Christmas Day

·        saw my to-be husband standing at the altar…. waiting for me

·        held a real book containing a story I wrote

·        saw every member of our huge combined family together on our lawn

 

Yeah, those are sweet memories of “first times,” but counting off new “firsts” is a depression dissolver and might put a fresh slant on otherwise mundane things. It can be as simple as the first hug from a grandchild in 2009 or as spectacular as holding your baby—for the first time ever.

Some “first” aren’t much fun. I HAVE to clean off my dining room table and my friend is having her very first ever colonoscopy next week. That’s a smart first but not a fun one so we figured a way to have a fun first. She and I set January 29^th as the day we have our first lunch together in 2009. And we’re going to a new restaurant! We’ve been friends for over 35 years so doing new first things together is a cherished gift.

Recognizing new first things really can put dull days into perspective. So on those dark, dreary winter days when you should change sheets, call up a friend and go to lunch!