Give it Some Thought

“We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.”  

~Maya Angelou

*It is well

Difficulties will come, this is told to us by the Word of God, so this we know we cannot escape.  I bet you have had times that seem to knock you off your feet, shake your faith a bit, and then you settle down into His arms.  It is the only safe place, that you can find peace.  I encourage you today if your world have been rocked a bit, settle in with the True God, snuggle in and hold on. Even if things around you seem askew, and you don't have answers to some of the questions that are stampeding around in your precious head, it can be well with your soul.  It is a choice you have to make, an action has to take place regarding the happenings that has rocked you.   Because I know that God is not sleeping, He is not on vacation, He is alert and my troubles rest in His lap so it can be well with my soul.   It doesn't take the pain and hurt away, but God restores.

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   
   • It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   •  
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

Here is a link to a study of this Hymn if you are interested in further study of it.  Click Here!

*natural family

You start out with family, no one can escape it, it is how we come into existence. Family. Some find that family is perfect from the very beginning, but not the case with everyone.   I of course was not cut off from my natural family, but after Eric and I were married we moved hours away from all the many family members who were once just a stones throw away.  In those early years of our married life, trouble was abounding in the home that I once grew up in.  My youngest was sister still at home in the midst of all the that took place during that challenging time (to say the least).  My older sister and I had married and were beginning our new life with our husbands.

 My youngest sister, Bridgette.

 Me and Lori, my oldest sister.

 I only have two sisters, so this is the three of us and (my oldest sister, Lori's daughter) Kierstyn

I think we all developed friendships, relationships with our husbands and of course raising families which kept us involved on that level. We were investing in a different place at that time, than we had ever done before.  Never loosing love, never losing closeness with each other, but a passage of time came and went that did not allow us to go deeper, to a different level if you will. I think all three of us (my sisters and I) were doing this with dear friends in our lives, but not with each other.

Well as time would have it, we all still have some very special bonds with friends we call sisters that the Lord has allowed to develop over the years, but He has also brought us three back around full circle. We, my sweet sisters and I, count on each other. We call each other several times a week, text each other, skype each other.  We make visits to see each other when we are able.  We pray for each other and with each other. We encourage each other. We straighten each other up when needed. No matter what rises or falls in any given day, if any of us should need the other you can just know wholeheartedly that the need will be met.

 Me, Lori in the front of Lori's beach Jeep, Bridgette and Kierstyn in the back.  This was a sweet day.

 
I know that not all siblings or families experience this, but I am here to encourage you... it just might happen when you least expect it. Things could start to change. Slowly. The next thing you know, you are longing to develop a deeper level of love and relationship with those whom you came from.  I think often we see things through broken glasses which gives a distortion to the view we are seeing.  We are all broken people.  We have all been through something or another. And depending on our God given personality, we could all respond to it differently.  Same troubled house, three, four or five different siblings could all inwardly and outwardly respond differently.  Maybe today you will seek to forgive so your heart can be set free.  Maybe you will drop an offense and try to understand things that you never cared to understand before.  Maybe you will even look to see how much passed you by that you were never grateful for before because of the fragments of glass you were looking through did not allow you to see the whole picture.   I think it starts with forgiveness and gratefulness.

 

*all that remains

Yet more pictures from Camden County from my solo visit. When we were kids, my sisters and I would ride with my mother to take my Daddy some lunch.  I do have fond memories of running over to the edge of the fence at No.3 Shipping to hand my daddy a bag of hot lunch under the tall chain link fence that surrounded Gilman Paper Company. Then we three girls, would give daddy a kiss through the small openings in the chain links. You know, it is just one of those sweet memories.   

My dad did not attend college, much less finish high school but instead took a job in Camden County when I was just a few years old. He worked there without missing a day's work for years, he was very dedicated in his job. Even when he drank, he got up the next morning and went to work.  As it goes, the paper company opened in the 40's and ended up being sold somewhere in the time frame of 2000.  When it changed hands, Durango, the company buying stated they had no desires to lay people off and that it would be business as usual.  Unfortunately many things went in the opposite direction as was told. Sadly, my father, along with many, many other people in that local community lost their jobs. The company was closed, and to this day most of it has been demolished.

Many of the young people who worked there went on to get some training and take other jobs, but for men like my father who had done nothing but this kind of work for 20+ to 30 years found themselves displaced. There was much pain and heartache involved not only on our my fathers part, but other families as well.  My father could have learned a different trade but was not willing as was the case with many other men.   It is said that many are still waiting on their last pay check, retirement benefits and separation pay.

*close to heart

Family is where we start, sometimes we really feel like we would like to part, but God has called us to keep each other close to heart! 

My favorite of all the pics we snapped! So cute!

There have been times in my life where I really didn't have the energy to work through certain situations with different family members, or should I say my heart wasn't willing, maybe even my head wasn't willing? You know what I mean? Have you too, found yourself there?  Don't stay there. Life is too short. Preaching to myself here!

*not your normal "farm" feel good post

Do you know some one who has an addiction to a substance that seemingly controls them? Such things as alcohol, nicotine, prescription drugs, food or even others? You know I think for many of us it is just sickening. We can't even understand why someone would get hooked on such things and just stay there, well it is likely that we will never understand it, the ones doing don't understand it either. I know personally I have lived years being angry at my own father for his choices in his alcoholism. (I have written two other post on my beloved father, and I wish you to read them before you get any further. Go HERE, and HERE. Then proceed) That will give you a little background on my father.



Somehow along the way my father got a kink in his hose. You know, things stopped flowing out properly, and I have to believe that even as a young person, long before he imagined he would have three girls, he tried to figure out where the kink was.  Seemingly, by looking back at his past he really never figured out where the kink was or even how to give the finding of it over the Jesus. Does that make sense?  I don't even pretend to know what happened, why it happened or why it is that he has not been set free up til this day.  I am not saying that my dad lives a "hum drum depressed all the time" life (if you read the other two post you would read of some good times). But the constant of joy in his life has not been present.  I have to believe that forgiveness has played a big part in his life, or the lack there in.  And in so, the things that entered his life have had power over him, and that of course is not God's will for any of us. That something in our lives have power over us.  Forgiveness is not for the one who hurts us, for they may never know, but it is for us. Don't let unforgiveness kink the hose of your life, the source of water is there.

My father I think has dealt with some things over the last few years, he has become more tender in his older age. He has a lot of time alone to think and work through some things. I have to believe that God speaks to his heart. I trust that with all I am, whether it be through a show he watches that gets him thinking, or a kind action someone shows him, undeserved love from one of his daughters even when he is unloving or unkind, or even in dreams.  My sisters and I (as well as others)  have been calling out his name to our Father in Heaven for years now for his salvation. I believe that on this side, he will come fully wholeheartedly to Christ.

He has recently, well 2+ months ago, stopped consuming the poison that has slowly deteriorated his body over the last 45 years.  It is an addiction. He has tried to quit before. Succeeded for a short while. Will I say to myself... oh, we have been here before? NO. No I will not, I will say, Lord even if he doesn't know it is you, will You strengthen him to make it through? I have to believe for him even if he can't believe for himself. He even spoke of DT's a few weeks ago and how he got past them.  If you have someone in your life that is dealing with a similar situation I think you have to make your self available to them in deed and in love. Yes, he had a choice to make years ago and chose poorly, so what? I choose poorly often, but God doesn't withhold His love from me. I am not saying be an enabler at all, I am just saying it might help that person if you offer unconditional love.

If you have read this far (I don't normally like reading long post about people's personal lives whom I do not know, nor do I write about them that often), would you say a heart felt prayer for my father? This place he finds himself really is a battle, perhaps an out and out war!  I want to see him win. I want to see him have clarity of mind, a restored life and that fullness of life that Christ speaks of. Thanks in advance for your labor in prayer for my father, and thanks for reading this through, I guess my  daddy is heavy on my heart today.

*reunited again!

This picture was taken the last time we were all together, just before he deployed.

Our oldest son who has been over seas for three months, is back! Our two boys are off together today! Can you imagine my joy?

We have been super busy around here, busy as bees (hint), post coming soon to update you!

Much love from Erilyn on the beautiful Emerald Coast!

*without ART earth would be EH!

I am an artist and currently my medium of choice is fabric. I have been working with fabric for the last few weeks, but I still have not touched one of my WIP's.  I do hope to get some backing fabric this week for one of my quilts so I can get it done!

 I am thrilled to have these blocks.  My dear mother-in-love gave these to me some years ago.  I love, LOVE the story these blocks hold. I may have even told the story here before, but I don't think I have. So, if you have heard this story in real life, forgive me while I tell it again.   I have 22 Sunbonnet Sue blocks that have been intricately hand appliqued, half of the blocks have Sunbonnet Sue facing right and the other half she is facing left.  The fabric you see here may look similar to some of the Aunt Gracie fabrics you have seen at quilt shops  in the last few years, but this my dear, is the real deal!

These blocks were started years ago when my dear mother-in-love was a little girl.  Her mother started piecing these in the mid 40's.  I am in love with the idea of the whole quilt. I love history. I love people and when the history of my family and a tangible object come together well, I get a bit excited.

One day this quilt will be lovingly pieced together with some reproduction prints as borders most likely.  This quilt will be one that will one day will bring comfort and warmth to one of, or maybe over a course of time, all of our granddaughters.  I will enjoy telling each one of them how this quilt was started in the mid 40's for their beloved great grandmother by their great great grandmother and ultimately finished by me; their Nana, Mamie, GranLynne, or whatever they refer to me as.  I will share many stories of their great grandmother as they grow in age over the years. To have a quilt to lay over their laps to tell those stories will be a very special thing.  I love my mother-in-love very much and I do thank my God upon every remembrance of her.

*eucharisteo

This, Eucharisteo, I have been learning to do more this year, has helped me realize that which has been given is enough.  I am so guilty of not giving thanks when I so often have the opportunity to do so.  I am beyond blessed in many facets of my life and I think I often take things for granted that I should otherwise be naming to our Lord, one by one and giving thanks.  After all, all GOOD things come from Him - right.  All things are allowed by His hands, so in all things we are to give thanks even those trying, heart breaking, difficult times. I have had much to write in my Eucharisteo Journal here of late.

I don't really like it when I realize I have been a bad student, and have to repent of my actions and turn away from a wrong attitude.  I want to be more mature than that, but I am human (not making excuses), I am just being real.  I have to look at the situation and CHOOSE to see the gift, so I can CHOOSE to say thanks.

So much to be thankful for. So much. I know your plate runneth over as well, if you are thinking no, you don't know my story - I would encourage you to stop where you are and SEEK out the gifts that were all along the way that your eyes did not see while in the midst of a difficult situation.  Sometimes our eyes are so set and focused on the difficulty that our vision is blurred to everything around the situation, therefore, we miss God's grace that is strewn along the way.

Most of our feast is shown in this picture except the cold dishes as well as the delicious desserts.

Turkey and Ham carving time!

Austin even got in on the merriment making and iced our 8 layer cake, it is a Smith Island Cake. DELISH!

From the oldest (Nama - My brotherinlaw's grandmother- 84) to my niece (Kierstyn, 10- Nama is her great grandmother) a delightful time was had by all. We had 20 total, 2 additional canines feasting with us on this great day!

This is our one year anniversary of living in our Florida home.  We are bursting with gratitude for this beautiful spot of Heaven on Earth.  Almost every day when Eric and I walk out to feed the animals in the evening, we give thanks. We are sometimes overwhelmed with the thought that it has been lent to us for a time by the Giver.  We are doing our best to be good stewards of this land in every way that we are able.

My Dad spending some time with his granddog, Frayja. He was in love!

Our awesome young men, minus one  :(  But we know he had a great time with his other family members.

Thanksgiving was largely celebrated at our homestead this year by many and I couldn't have been happier to have my sisters and parents all here as well as many others.  My youngest sisters' husband, Doug, is a Firefighter and he was unable to be with us due to the call of duty on this holiday weekend.   Of our other immediate family members, Skyler my nephew was missed too, while he spent the holiday with his Dad and family.

My  husband said he does not know me.... Why ever not?

Make every day a day of giving thanks - remember there are gifts lying all around!
~Lynnie

*scenic Sunday

This past week I received one of the best gifts one could get, a week long visit from their best friend!  We had a great time "just livin" while she was here.  I asked her what she wanted to do and she said,  "just live".  So we did just that. No pressure.   I have been cleaning, organizing and arranging since she hit the road to travel back to the foothills of North Carolina.  We will soon be opening our home to our family for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

I am super excited about having my mother, sisters and their families; our oldest son, his girlfriend, her parents, and her sister; our youngest son's girlfriend; and one of my sisters father in law and his mother here in our home on Thanksgiving.  I love having people in our home. I love doting on people, doing things for them to make them feel a bit spoiled while they are here. I have a lot to get accomplished before Tuesday evening, which is when my family will start arriving.

Even though it is several days before Thanksgiving, setting the table is one easy thing I can take care of in advance.  We just need to add glasses, plates overflowing with traditional dishes to sit on top of the chargers  and lovely family members sitting in each chair (and at other tables).

I cleaned off the side board to make room all the deserts that we will be having on Thanksgiving day.

This weekend I have decluttered our dining room area  bit. Isn't it funny how things can get cluttered in just ONE year?  Yes, it has been one year this Thanksgiving that we have been  here in our rural Florida home.  Hardly seems so.   Have a great week!

*scenic Sunday smiley reason...

Scenic Sunday hosted a picture of a big smiley face, grinning from ear to ear.  Sunday night I got a call from my best friend, Franziska.  She had some news that would make me smile from ear to ear... she and Mary were leaving Monday morning to tackle the long drawn out 9 hour drive to Florida for a short stay!  Best day ever! (are you a Sponge Bob watcher?)

This is what we will be doing all week, laughing, having a good time, basking in each others presence, for it has been more than a year since we had the opportunity to do this.  So thankful, such a gift (missing you Sarah!).

*fragile and limited

life, fragile and limited

Just this past week I have had presented to me, opportunity to reflect on life. Not that I can't reflect on it as often as I wish, however we lost two dear family members this past week.  It makes you survey their lives, count the blessings again, remember the good times and realize how much you will miss them when they are gone.  Losing a family member or close friend makes you stop and survey what you are doing with yours. Are you making it count? Are you touching and changing lives for the Kingdom? Are you doing things daily for God and country (the country men you live around)? 

Due to some medical reasons I was not able to travel to Georgia for my Uncle's funeral, nor my Great Aunts.  I was torn, ripped, troubled by not being able to jump in the car and drive over to be with my Aunt and cousins. I know that they will probably never read this post, but I am posting this in honor of my dear Uncle Junior. 

Uncle Junior was one of those Uncles that you knew you were going to have a great time around. He was loving, fun, compassionate and FUNNY as well as silly. He was one of those dads that was nurturing with his young well into adulthood.  He was firm when needed but always kind and loving - He will be dearly missed.   We grew up just a few short miles from each other and I always felt welcome at their home.  I know that he will be greatly missed and I am thankful for the place he played in my life.   Uncle Junior, we will miss you.

Aunt Becky, Uncle Jr, Chris and William (other son Terry is not pictured)

Uncle Jr, Daddy, Aunt Mary and Granny (their mother)

My dad, William and his dad- Uncle Jr

Rest in Peace! So grateful to know that you are now dancing in His presence!