Our new hobby combines two of my favorite things. Feeding folks and talking. All we have to do is look in the AT map book and find places where the trail crosses the road and wait for the magic to happen.
The last little girl that we met today a 24 year old girl from California and was all by herself. My prayer for her is that she will find a good group to connect with at the next shelter. She is lonely. So, we talked while she drank juice, ate snacks and charged up her phone so that she could call her Mom. I told her not to let anyone put her down for not doing the whole trail. This is not a contest. Hiking 288 trail miles through the Smokey mountains is a wonderful feat that most be will not accomplish in a life time. I encouraged her to go along as it filled a need and she enjoyed it. To not keep her focus on Maine, but to enjoy the journey- the beauty of nature and quiet time with God. When her journey was over, to go home with her head held high. Mama will be proud of you. Gave her a mama hug and sent her on her way.
Grizzly bear, from Maine,puts us to shame (62 and his second Hike through) . He was not interest in snack., but was very interested in the chicken and pork dinner that Mark grilled last night and our breakfast food.
Major Clean and Sweep were a couple from Washington State. They enjoyed the food and snacks; and sitting in our camp chairs. It was nice visiting with folks our age for a while. I sprayed all three of them down with bug spray before they left. Heading up the hill, Grizzly raised his hiking stick and hollered goodbye.
A little skinny man Connecticut wanted one apple and hurried on his way. Dr D and Bluebird from Joplin were craving juice and fruit. Healthy Red Robin from N.J. stopped on the road and asked for prayer. Not interested in our snacks
Probably, the most interested hiker today was a Russian Lady living in South Africa. She is a journalist for a local Russian newspaper who was behind schedule. So, we drove her 10-15 miles, so that she could get to where she could work online. She accepted snacks and a ride and we walked her to her trail head so that she would make it to the next shelter. Her name was Brave.
We are having so much fun. We just found an Amish store and Mark just when in to find food for tomorrow. It is beginning to rain again. Pray for our new friends as they continue their own adventure.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
Trail Angels
Mark and I have a new hobby. It is called trails angels. We got to Fontana Dam before our hikers. When we got to the welcome center, we checked to see if they had signed the check-in list. We had to admit that we did not know their trail name or even if they had one. Later we found out that they were little foot and Fifol. We also found out that they had named us Old Goat and Granny.
While we waited for them, Mark took a Guy named Guy to the Village. He told Mark that he was his first trail angel. We headed south and found our hikers, who needed a shower. We stopped by
the Fontana Hilton which was a one room shelter with big bunk beds that looked like shelves for a giants,
with nails to hang things.
We grilled veggie burgers and veggies and fried potatoes. Made snacks for our hikers and some for the shelter folks and sent them and cold drinks to the shelter. Daffodil ate our left over veggies and shared the Easter rabbit. We handed our last real hamburger to a man walking by. The were all so excited about so little that Mark and I could not resist asking what else we could do. We made a list to buy the next day.
This morning, we greeted the kids with a full breakfast. We walked over the dam with them and a little ways down the trail. We return to the welcome center where we ran into Black dog, a girl with a toothache, no way to get to her friend an hour away to find a dentist. So,off we went. We stopped by waffle house because that was her favorite place and stopped by grocery store where she helped us pick out stuff for a trail angel box. We dropped her off and headed for the next crossing and found seven hungry hikers. It was a delight see their excitement about a box full of goodies. You can be sure, no one took too much. You have to carry what you get for miles. They all signed my book which is becoming my trail prayer book.
While we waited for them, Mark took a Guy named Guy to the Village. He told Mark that he was his first trail angel. We headed south and found our hikers, who needed a shower. We stopped by
the Fontana Hilton which was a one room shelter with big bunk beds that looked like shelves for a giants,
with nails to hang things.
We grilled veggie burgers and veggies and fried potatoes. Made snacks for our hikers and some for the shelter folks and sent them and cold drinks to the shelter. Daffodil ate our left over veggies and shared the Easter rabbit. We handed our last real hamburger to a man walking by. The were all so excited about so little that Mark and I could not resist asking what else we could do. We made a list to buy the next day.
This morning, we greeted the kids with a full breakfast. We walked over the dam with them and a little ways down the trail. We return to the welcome center where we ran into Black dog, a girl with a toothache, no way to get to her friend an hour away to find a dentist. So,off we went. We stopped by waffle house because that was her favorite place and stopped by grocery store where she helped us pick out stuff for a trail angel box. We dropped her off and headed for the next crossing and found seven hungry hikers. It was a delight see their excitement about a box full of goodies. You can be sure, no one took too much. You have to carry what you get for miles. They all signed my book which is becoming my trail prayer book.
Friday, April 25, 2014
More on Prayer
I found this list in Granddaddy Ezra's bible that Mom was using.
Pitfalls of prayer
Entering God's presence without proper respect
Confessing sin in generalities
Failing to act on what God says
Insisting on knowing the outcome
Offering more praise to people than to God
Praising God for answers to prayer only when it goes our way
This week's devotion book continues to be on prayer
Lord give me a heart for prayer that reaches well beyond my wants and wishes.
Jesus (our example) often withdrew to quiet secluded areas to pray.
That is what I plan to do as we head north
I need His strength now as reality begins to hit.
Teach me to follow your example of prayer faithfulness through the Bible and prayer.
Teach me to pray for other more than I pray for myself.
Bring to mind those who need the ministry of prayer.
Prayer is more than mentioning a need to God.
It is connecting with God intimately and interceding for others faithfully.
The greatest thing we can do for God and Man is pray
Not talking about prayer but Praying.
Prayer works
Pitfalls of prayer
Entering God's presence without proper respect
Confessing sin in generalities
Failing to act on what God says
Insisting on knowing the outcome
Offering more praise to people than to God
Praising God for answers to prayer only when it goes our way
This week's devotion book continues to be on prayer
Lord give me a heart for prayer that reaches well beyond my wants and wishes.
Jesus (our example) often withdrew to quiet secluded areas to pray.
That is what I plan to do as we head north
I need His strength now as reality begins to hit.
Teach me to follow your example of prayer faithfulness through the Bible and prayer.
Teach me to pray for other more than I pray for myself.
Bring to mind those who need the ministry of prayer.
Prayer is more than mentioning a need to God.
It is connecting with God intimately and interceding for others faithfully.
The greatest thing we can do for God and Man is pray
Not talking about prayer but Praying.
Prayer works
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Staying busy
Staying busy is a good thing. Last night we had pizza and cake with the kids and Bethe and Lisa. Stayed up late talking. You always said that it is okay to cry and then laugh...both are healing.
This morning I started the day by playing tennis for the league. I lost, but the exercise was great. I just did not let anyone talk to me or hug me until after I played or I would cry. I did not even let the opponents know.
Got home and went to the square with Bethe and Lisa for lunch and then out to Clint's to visit the grands and see the changes that he has made at our old home. The place looks great with goats and chickens and gardens.
Back home to write thank you notes. Got dressed and headed back to the Square for supper. Then to the art center for Cinderella with Riley on stage and Becca as stage manager.
Back to the Square for desserts until closing time. Siblings and cousins filled the same table that we had your birthday party at last month.
In the morning, Mark and I are heading north to catch up with the kids on the Appalachian trail and will keep heading North until............ Good night, love you
This morning I started the day by playing tennis for the league. I lost, but the exercise was great. I just did not let anyone talk to me or hug me until after I played or I would cry. I did not even let the opponents know.
Got home and went to the square with Bethe and Lisa for lunch and then out to Clint's to visit the grands and see the changes that he has made at our old home. The place looks great with goats and chickens and gardens.
Back home to write thank you notes. Got dressed and headed back to the Square for supper. Then to the art center for Cinderella with Riley on stage and Becca as stage manager.
Back to the Square for desserts until closing time. Siblings and cousins filled the same table that we had your birthday party at last month.
In the morning, Mark and I are heading north to catch up with the kids on the Appalachian trail and will keep heading North until............ Good night, love you
long day
Mom,
Yesterday was a long day. After saying goodbye to you, we went back to the house. We hope that we made you proud, all working together to do what needed to be done. We want to keep your legacy of love and service alive by following your example of unconditional love.
Love you Mom
Yesterday was a long day. After saying goodbye to you, we went back to the house. We hope that we made you proud, all working together to do what needed to be done. We want to keep your legacy of love and service alive by following your example of unconditional love.
Love you Mom
Good morning Mom
My break down moment will be when I will reach for the phone and Mom will not be there to answer. Anyone who knows me knows that I did most of the talking and mom would listen and congratulate me or console me. With that in mind I need to talk to Mom for a while.
Okay Mom, you win. This morning for breakfast I made cheese and eggs with round ham on hamburger bun. The only disagreement we had was when I started breakfast and you said that you were going to make breakfast because you needed to use up the round ham. Then you said to put the boiled eggs up for later, I told you that you did not need to cook me breakfast. You responded that you were NOT an invalid. There is no middle grown with you. You are either serving someone or an invalid. Mark told me to choose my battles. What made me think I could change an 83 year Mom who has take care of her kids decades. Who knew that was the last breakfast that you would cook for me.....
Okay Mom, you win. This morning for breakfast I made cheese and eggs with round ham on hamburger bun. The only disagreement we had was when I started breakfast and you said that you were going to make breakfast because you needed to use up the round ham. Then you said to put the boiled eggs up for later, I told you that you did not need to cook me breakfast. You responded that you were NOT an invalid. There is no middle grown with you. You are either serving someone or an invalid. Mark told me to choose my battles. What made me think I could change an 83 year Mom who has take care of her kids decades. Who knew that was the last breakfast that you would cook for me.....
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
The power of prayer
The last month of Mom's life, my bible studies kept landing on the power of prayer. This week I felt the power of power with a calmness that defied the situation that I was going through. So, I would like to thank all of you who have been praying for us and ask that you continue during these next two days....maybe longer.
The Bible says to "continue earnestly in prayer, being vigil in it with thanksgiving. The day that I took Mom to the Doctor that began this Journey, I read in Philippians, "Be anxious for nothing, but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving , let you request be know and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your heart and minds".
I don't think that I ever got the part about praying in thanksgiving when things are going bad . But I now realize that I have a lot to be thankful for and need to thank Him.
We spend a lot of time with Mom this last Month
From birthday at The Square to the last day, we were there.
Mom did not suffer.
Her mind was strong to the last minute.
She died on her own term
She did not want her kids to have to make that decision for her
She amazed her Doctors and Nurses
She was surrounded by family
She gave us the time that we needed.
She is in Heaven
I thank God for the people that God has placed in my life.
My family, friends, neighbors, preachers, church, FB friends and especially the nurses.
My daughter- in- law that understood medical terms
The night nurse that was so strong and compassionate
The day nurse that lost her 83 year old mother last month and used her experience to help us
My (ex) sister in-law that we have not seen since he died, who happens to be a hospice nurse.
What a blessing she was. One of the last things mom said was she is NOT my EX-daughter- in- law.
Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things."
Psalms 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.
James 5:16b " Pray for one another and you will be healed."
1 Thessalonian 5 "Rejoice without ceasing in everything and give thanks, for this is the will of God"
We can pray anytime, anywhere about anything. I am thankful, God still answers prayers. Mom is healed.
This weekends devotion started with this. "Even in the midst of uncertainty and anxiety, I will look to you and depend on your strength. I am thankful for both the good and the tough moments. I am thankful for what you taught me about the power of prayer. Count on God to get you through the coming week and trust Him with what you are presently facing .....
The Bible says to "continue earnestly in prayer, being vigil in it with thanksgiving. The day that I took Mom to the Doctor that began this Journey, I read in Philippians, "Be anxious for nothing, but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving , let you request be know and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your heart and minds".
I don't think that I ever got the part about praying in thanksgiving when things are going bad . But I now realize that I have a lot to be thankful for and need to thank Him.
We spend a lot of time with Mom this last Month
From birthday at The Square to the last day, we were there.
Mom did not suffer.
Her mind was strong to the last minute.
She died on her own term
She did not want her kids to have to make that decision for her
She amazed her Doctors and Nurses
She was surrounded by family
She gave us the time that we needed.
She is in Heaven
I thank God for the people that God has placed in my life.
My family, friends, neighbors, preachers, church, FB friends and especially the nurses.
My daughter- in- law that understood medical terms
The night nurse that was so strong and compassionate
The day nurse that lost her 83 year old mother last month and used her experience to help us
My (ex) sister in-law that we have not seen since he died, who happens to be a hospice nurse.
What a blessing she was. One of the last things mom said was she is NOT my EX-daughter- in- law.
Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things."
Psalms 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.
James 5:16b " Pray for one another and you will be healed."
1 Thessalonian 5 "Rejoice without ceasing in everything and give thanks, for this is the will of God"
We can pray anytime, anywhere about anything. I am thankful, God still answers prayers. Mom is healed.
This weekends devotion started with this. "Even in the midst of uncertainty and anxiety, I will look to you and depend on your strength. I am thankful for both the good and the tough moments. I am thankful for what you taught me about the power of prayer. Count on God to get you through the coming week and trust Him with what you are presently facing .....
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