Midday Connection

I listened to a really good radio program Friday, Midday Connection. It comes on 88.9 FM at 1 PM weekdays in the Chattanooga, TN area. On this program, Jane Rubietta talked about going on a word fast. A word fast is fasting from so many words we listen to every day and trying to focus on hearing words from God. Fasting from reading blogs, Facebook, magazines, books, e-mails, tv, news, etc. and reading only God's word. Maybe just a few verses in a passage. Dwelling on it. Not moving on until you understand what God is trying to tell you. I started today. So far, I haven't read any blogs, books, magazines. I have read my Bible. 3 times today so far. I've got such a habit, though of sitting down with my husband and watching the news and veging out for several hours before heading to bed. I do enjoy spending time with Lewis, but I think sitting in front of the TV is a waste of time when there's so much more worthwhile to do. So, I'm going for it. We'll see how it goes.

Gratitude

Today, while eating my lunch, I read as I usually do if I'm home alone. The last two days I have spent most of the day alone so I've had lots of time to think. Mostly thinking a lot about my daddy. He died last Wednesday. I'm so grateful to God for giving me such a wonderful father who always treated my mom, my sisters and me so special.

I decided to pick up a book I hadn't read in about a week.A really thought provoking, inspiring book. God in the Yard by L.L. Barkat I've been reading her blog for several months and got her book. It's a different sort of Bible study with artistic people in mind.

This is a prayer she has at the end of the chapter on gratitude. "God of good gifts, please open me, to give and receive in gratitude, by helping me face my fears and struggles. Deepen my trust in You." Amen.

My Daddy

It's hard to believe how life can change in just a day or an hour. I saw my dad alive 3 and a half weeks ago. He was weaker than I'd ever seen him but still kickin' hard.
Then last Monday my sister, Laura called and said my dad was being taken to the hospital in an ambulance. He was dehydrated. He hadn't been to the table in 2 days for a meal. Just Ensure and yogurt. Hadn't been able to go to the bathroom himself.
The second day he was in the hospital we thought he was improving then came Wednesday and I guess God said his time was up on this earth. My mom called at 5:45 AM said he's gone. What a shock! He will be greatly missed by my mom, my 3 sisters, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, lots of other friends and family.

There was a visitation in Bainbridge, GA where he lived on Thursday evening then his body was brought to Chattanooga and there was a graveside service yesterday. Then friends and family came to our house and ate and visited and talked about my daddy, Billy Bramblett. He was such a fine man. A man of honor, great character, great daddy and father, gardener, hard working man, loving husband to my mom for 59 years. I am so looking forward to seeing him in heaven looking like he did in pictures I have of him when he was young and strong and healthy.

Please Lord, Come soon and I pray that we all stay close to You, trusting You, following the way You want us to go.

July

Can't believe I haven't written here in 2 months. Been busy. Gardening, working, cleaning out closets, canning... My dad has been sick. Yesterday he went to the hospital dehydrated. He was really weak. Hadn't ate at the table for 2 days. Just Ensure and yogurt. I talked to my mom this morning and she said the doctor said they think he can get better. Praise God.

Went to Harrison Bay St Park on Sabbath to visit my son Lewie and his wife, Bonnie at their campsite. We had a really nice visit and lunch. Brought back some nasty seed ticks. Still trying to get rid of them.

My youngest son, Matthew left this morning to go to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to work remodeling a house. He will fly back in 2 weeks for the weekend then fly back down for 2 more weeks. Lewis and I will have an empty nest again for a little while anyway.

Just came in from working for about an hour in our garden. Weeded and thinned beets. The song "I come to the garden alone" almost always comes to mind when I work in the garden, especially in the morning. It's so peaceful listening to the birds singing, knowing they have no worries and I would do good to copy them in that way. I know my Lord can and will take care of all my needs and I'm so very thankful for that.

I came inside for a water break and was reading a blog. Very interesting. Seedlings in stone by L.L.Barkat http://seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com/ From her site, I went to another one very worth checking out. Artist Andy Goldsworthy

Springtime

My favorite season of the year. I love Spring. So many beautiful flowers, trees budding, hummingbirds returning. I think of new life coming up from the ground like Jesus coming up with new life from the ground after His death, burial and resurrection. We can have that new life in us by spending time daily with God reading the Bible and praying and listening to Him.

Lewis and I went to see his brother in middle Tennessee a few weeks ago. A beautiful drive and a beautiful place to live. I think this picture of Guy's barn will be my next painting.

Happy Sabbath

Today, Matt and I went to church. Helped with refreshments then went to Sabbath School. Had a good discussion on self-control. I certainly need improvement on that fruit of the Spirit. Lewie and Bonnie came over for a little while. Lewis, Matt and me went fishing in the afternoon. Beautiful day. I didn't catch anything but had a lot of fun. Came home around 6 and fixed some pizza. Good day.