Stove Up

One of the first new terms I learned here in the Northwest was “stove up”. I soon realized folks weren’t talking about heat or cooking. They referred to feeling puny or broken.

Like me much of last winter for example. God kept me safe from hurt and harm this fall. But by this time last year I’d injured my right arm chopping wood. Soon I’d fallen and broken my tail bone and many mornings I woke with my bones aching over the exceptionally long, remarkably cold, and unusually wet winter. A few times I’d felt beyond stove up, I felt ’bout stove in.

As I light the first fire of the year in the wood stove I reflect on the past year fondly. I thank God for my rustic life (a dream come true), for my dear Brother Cole and friends and all I’ve learned from them.  Celebrating this life, reciting the lessons from the past year helps ease the longing for hugs, humor and hanging out with Seagh, my offspring, my darling Opal and my long-distance siblings.

What do you celebrate this week?

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.”

Phil 4:19, 20 (NLT)

  

Header, fire and candle images courtesy of Pixabay.com

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Celebrate!

In case I haven’t mentioned it lately, I love Independence Day. It has been my favorite holiday as long as I’ve been considered an adult. In my corner of the world it’s all about family then too.

While my guys were growing up it never mattered what was happening within our family, in the country, the world, or whose team is winning (go Cubs, GO!). We always gathered together to celebrate the Fourth of July in grand style every year. Regardless of who was promoted since last year, inducted, retired or who died we celebrate America with unbridled exuberance.

And my family has always done it with food, music, a bang, and especially with fireworks, usually on our property – and high above it. It’s another time it’s good to have firefighters and law enforcement officers in the family 😉

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Even as the boys spread out across the country, sometimes the world, we managed to draw together – at least by Skyping sometimes.

My favorite tradition is, before dusk we all share at least one thing we enjoy or appreciate as Americans – this can go on and on… Granted, some of us call some things people enjoy all over the globe, but with a year to work on it the guys are usually creative.

This year with extra shifts, day camp, my move and the ongoing organization project here, the best we could do was to gather together and cut up in a private Facebook chat. I don’t mind too awfully much; airfare is too costly this time of year and the face time filled up my family love tank.

While browsing around I found a video link that inspired me. You’re welcome:

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Cor 10:31 (NLT)

Images courtesy ABSFreePic, * Image by Audrey Larin, courtesy Unsplash

Bert’s Birthday!

 

Long ago and far away
In the driest desert
Broken and abandoned
Wearing pain and regret
A clown touched my heart
And gave me a golden rose

Hands always busy
Making treasure from rubble
Spinning joy from sorrow
Loving great and small
Footed and winged,
Such virtue lights the world.

E.V.A. Lambert (c) 2015 Rapture Practice! Publications All rights reserved

“Charm can be deceptive and physical beauty will not last, but a woman who reveres the Eternal should be praised above all others.”

Proverbs 31:30

 

Scripture taken from The Voice™. Copyright © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.