Random Thoughts of a Great-Granny Grandma

8/16/10

THERE'S A BIGGER WORLD OUT THERE

Lured by the promise of an ice cream social to follow, I joined a pretty big crowd who showed up at church last night for an evening of testimonies by members of our short-term missions teams recently returned from Haiti, China, Kentucky, and Slovakia. These folks had given up vacation time and the comforts of home to minister to the needs of people living under very different circumstances--in some cases, devastation, poverty and squalor--and couldn't wait to do it again.

All the testimonies were awesome, but what touched me the most were the the teens who shared how they went expecting one thing, and came home with a whole different outlook on life. How their perspectives were transformed as the Lord opened up their eyes and hearts to see things in ways they had never considered before.

One of the teens who had gone to Haiti shared her amazement at how people who had nothing could still be happy and uncomplaining. It convicted her of the things she finds fault with back home and gave her an overwhelming gratitude for the blessings taken for granted. Another teen choked up as he shared some of the words in a song by Matthew West, entitled My Own Little World.

When I got home I looked up the song so I could hear the rest of the words. As I listened, I thought of the many things I too take for granted, and felt convicted by some of the stuff I tend to focus on or be offended by. In the face of the bigger picture, it all seems so petty. It really is not about me at all.

My Own Little World (Slideshow With Lyrics)

matthew west | MySpace Video

8/3/10

JAMES 3: A STORY

This is a video clip I took from Mrs. Parunak's blog -- Pursuing Titus 2. The message created an ouch moment for me too.
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7/18/10

TRIBUTE TO THE YOUNG AT HEART

If I make it to the ripe old age of 87, hope I'm as fit and spry as my good friend and neighbor, Gladys. Here's to an awesome lady!

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6/20/10

FLOSSIE

Thank you so much, Marie, for my Flossie. It was exciting to have been picked as the lucky winner in your One Heart One World giveaway.

As you can see, she arrived none the worse for wear--despite her long trip across the ocean.

These pictures were taken in her new home. Does she look like a happy camper or what? For sure she brings smiles to my face.

Your whimsical little card brought a smile to my face too, and I only wish the picture I took could have done it more justice. It fails to capture all those extra little details like the sparkles and raised border.

I hope you don't mind my adding the link to your etsy shop to this post so my bloggie friends can check it out.

5/23/10

SOMETIMES MY EYES DECEIVE ME

Every year when spring rolls around, I look forward to feasting my eyes on the beautiful purple blossoms of the Red Bud trees and wish they didn't have to turn green so fast.

I've also wondered why a tree with purple flowers would be called a Red bud. Well this year, as I roamed around with digital camera in hand, I discoverd some things I had never noticed before.

Before these trees start to bloom, they are covered with buds that are, indeed, red. And not all Red Bud leaves turn green.

The leaves of the Forest Pansy Redbud in my parking lot turn dark red.

And now I'm beginning to think my eyes have deceived me and those lovely flowers I always thought were purple are actually a shade of pink.

Who would have thought!

4/20/10

JUST CAN"T STOP POINTING AND CLICKING

Lord bless the person who invented digital cameras that enable me to take zillions of pictures without having to waste a ton of money on film in the process.