~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
If the roots are deep and strong the tree needn't
worry about the wind. THIS WEEK: *
MOM = Carol Skipper shares her heart and thoughts
after the death of her Mom. (Don't let Mother's
Day pass without sharing your love with your
Mom.) * RECIPES - QUESTIONS - NUGGETS - LAUGHTER
- THOUGHTS = All from you!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MOM
My mother was born and raised in Sefrou,
Morocco....Her name was Esther. My dad met her
while he was in the Navy. He brought her to the
United States, and she faced a cold, hard
obstacle. It's name was prejudice. Mom was
considered a "foreigner" and was not
embraced by her new relatives. She so desperately
wanted to go back home....and be with her family
while my dad was on duty. She did, on
occasion...but for the most part...she was here.
She grew to adjust, and raised five children. She
had very little help, and endured many obstacles
because of the language barrier. In time, she
mastered English, but still had that thick,
beautiful accent that became her trademark. Over
the years, Mom was able to do a lot with very
little. I was in awe as I watched so few pork
chops go so far, or so very little money be
stretched to finally purchase a new freezer. The
Lord blessed her with a friend that would make my
dresses, for a small fee. I was the only girl,
and the youngest. Over the years, I saw Mom thru
the eyes of flesh. I was constantly
thinking...."Why does she do this, or why
doesn't she do that?" I saw faults and
treated her probably no better than she was
treated when she came here. It was only after her
death that I saw how things really were. After
her death, it was to be me that would take the
trip down memory lane, as I sorted thru her
things. I found pictures of her, taken over the
years, and for the first time, I truly looked at
them. I saw pain in her eyes. I couldn't find
many that showed her smiling. I found requests
from her, written for her by others, to go back
to Morocco. She endured so much, and the Lord
really allowed me to see the true harm in judging
others. I really knew about all those
things...but I didn't really see her thru the
blood until after her death. She asked Christ
into her heart about 2 years before she died.
I'll never forget that. We were on the telephone,
and she had just been thru a facial stroke. She
asked, "What do I do to be saved?" I
shared Jesus with her, and Salvation, and we
prayed over the telephone. It was truly joyous.
One mistake I made, however, was attempting to
change her, instead of allowing the Lord to, and
trusting Him. I've repented for that. I'm sharing
all of this because someone may see themselves
here, and I know that sometimes we have to go
thru our own "valleys" before we can
look up to the mountain. But if this helps
someone to even ponder, or consider, that they
may be in that horrendous place called
"judgementville," then I encourage you
to ask the Lord to guide in this. What we see as
faults, may be just a bigger need for Him.
Compassion and understanding are the key words
here....and yes I have forgiven myself. I'll
admit, it took some time. I do have a peace about
Mom, now because I do take comfort in the fact
that I will see her again. And I do know that all
things work together for good, to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to His
purpose...Romans 8:28...............Au Revoir my
sweet Esther...til we meet again....
I wrote this right after mom died...July 29,
1993
HE'LL GIVE IT TO US
A new day is dawning; if it's ours, He'll give
it to us.
A new sun approaching; if it's ours, He'll give
it to us.
A new void needs filling; if it's ours, He'll
give it to us.
Too many things we take for granted, too many
places we want to see. too many people we assume
we'll encounter.
If it's ours, He'll give it to us.
Time is not certain, Jesus is real.
He's drawing me closer, His presence I feel.
All things work together for good,
He said so in His Word.
The thought of losing Mom so soon, never
occurred.
I look into the eyes of my remaining family,
and only in this moment I can voice the words,
"I love you."
There's no time for hate, we must cast it aside.
and be there for each other, with arms opened
wide.
I find myself calling for Mama now, and Mama's
not here. Dear God, please strengthen me, she was
so dear. I took it for granted that, I would have
time to say things to her, to do things with her,
to introduce her to a new grandchild. I repent
for that. We assume we have time to mend broken
relationships, or to apologize for bitter words.
If it's ours, He'll give it to us...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
HUMOR FROM THE PULPIT
MESSY MINISTER
It happened when my father-in-law was a pastor
in Woodward , ILL . While out visiting members ,
he stopped near noon at a farm . The farmer's
wife, of course, invited him to stay for lunch .
Seated at the table , my father-in-law noticed he
was the only one with a napkin . Half in jest he
asked the farmer's wife , "How come I have a
napkin but not your husband ?" "Oh
," she replied quite seriously, "he
doesn't slobber ."
THE REV. EUGENE SMITH
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
More Humor From The Pulpit
A pastor joined a local civic organization
where some of his congregation were also members.
Assigned the task of making name tags for the
group, the members of his congregation decided to
play a practical joke on the pastor, and labeled
his name tag Hog Caller. When the pastor saw his
name tag, he laughed. "They usually call me
Shepherd of the Sheep," he quipped,
"but I suppose our members know themselves
better than I do."
~ Rev. Dennis R Fakes
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
POT LUCK !
Recipes
Creamy Lemon Pie
1 3/4 cups cold milk
2 pkg. (4-serving size) JELLO Vanilla Flavor
Instant pudding and pie filling
1 can (6 oz.) frozen lemonade concentrate,
thawed
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped topping
thawed
1 prepared graham cracker crumb crust (6 oz.)
Lemon slices (optional)
1. Pour milk into a large bowl. Add pudding
mixes. Beat with whisk 30 seconds. Add lemonade
concentrate...Beat with wire whisk 30 seconds.
(Mixture will be thick.) Immediately stir in
whipped topping. Spoon into crust.
2. Refrigerate 4 hours or until set. Garnish
with lemon slices, if desired. Store leftover pie
in refrigerator. Makes 8 servings.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Devoting a little of yourself to
everything means committing a great deal of
yourself to nothing.
* * * * *
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