Respit

Island neighbors posed for an portrait class

Saturday morning drawing class

I decided to take a portrait class this month from Matt Miller, an artist in our community. I was sort of intimidated by the artists in attendance, but Matt's encouragement and instruction relaxed my self criticisms . I really enjoyed the change of mind.


There is something refreshing about studying someone's face, someone who is paid to stay still for that purpose. How often can you stare at someone else's face other than your mates or children's for hours without embarrasment? I was glad to have a plan and method set before me to follow the basics, a hand width on my paper to cover the skin on the face, the space betweent he first and second knuckle on the index finger the eye width on the paper and comparative measurements from there with the held out pencil measuring eye width comparisons. WIth the lack of order in my life, it was just what I needed.

Stuff

New orchid bud reaching for the sun

Hope in the one cleared space, an orchid in bloom

I’ve been trying to clear everything around me to no avail, even the desk on which to write. As soon as I get it cleared, more stuff stumbles in from the car. We’re clearing out personal stuff from the condo so we can rent it; bringing boxes to our place in the islands. The boxes of stuff form more obstacles to hurdle. Then in the attempt to find more places to put stuff, an old school cabinet stands inside the door awaiting refinishing, drawers and structure competing for what little space there is left.
I can’t get to my computer. The three printers that we own are all in the room as well, hoping that one of them will finally behave itself and scan or print on demand. But no, everything seems to have a life of its own and not helping me one bit.
I saw some progress last Sunday when someone came and took the bed out of the loft so I could make room for filing cabinets and a clothes rack. But with the bed gone, I see the rug needs stretching before I organize the room. Perhaps I just rip it out and have bare floor or just ignore the bump in the rug if I can. Everything is in disarray, not just little bumps in the rug. See why I haven’t written the blog in a bit, no place to write and brain too scattered like the room. Sometimes I think I just need everything cleaned out and start over.

“In the quietness of prayer, let me believe that a simple and determined surrender of my will to Him (Jesus) will bring the heart cleansing (and house order) that I need.” Andrew Murray

Provision

Wool sock reminding me of God's provision

I have often need a reminder of God's provision. The living room functions as a music room and a tv room depending on the array of furniture. God's provision of flexible space. Friday was the jam session with the area by the piano opened up; and yesterday, Super Bowl Sunday, tables pushed back and room for 18 or more people. I had not much time to plan or cook food and the freezer's seal broke and I could not get into the freezer. Neil crowbarred his way into the freezer for me, so I could empty it and transfer to the freezers attached to the refrigerators. I wondered what to do with the rest and realized it was God's provision. The chickens from the monastery were roasted, the meatballs and hordouvres found their special occasion they were waiting for. On top of that someone at church asked what I was having for the party and judging by my response that I needed more help, offered lettuce and ceasar salad makings, even though they were going to a different party. I found fall stored apples for a cobbler dessert in the garage as well. It was a feast. I've decided not to replace the freezer. I'm going to trust God and be more generous to others.

I've been cleaning out more than the freezer. Came upon a pair of wool socks that I bought with meagre summer earnings, when I was in jr college, first time away from home. Yes, they lasted this long! That in itself was a miracle with no visable moth holes until I took them out from the back of the drawer this week. Never lost in the dryer because I never put them in. I kept them as a reminder of God's provision. Now I need no reminder.

Last week I put them outside for some animal to keep warm, provision for them. One is gone already.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not detroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Happy Robert Burns' Day

Morning Snowdrops in January

Back again to the islands after continual cleanup of clutter from three or four places. We took a day off to rest today. Doning tartan vest and scarf along with other warm clothes in the 32 degree day I met two friends to walk by the water and drink a wee dram of single malt scotch in celebration of bonnie bard of Scotland, Robert Burns' 250th birthday. The scotch was to keep us warm. ;-)
I read a few of his poems:
To A Louse -on seeing one on a lady's bonnet at church (remembering one long ago Sunday we sat behind a lady with lice crawling in her hair.)

"Oh wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us! And foolish notion:
What airs in dress and gait wad lea'e us, and even devotion! " (sic)

Also appropriatly humbling, seeing that I got up in church today to lead some singing (since the pianist was not there) and I couldn't follow the tune!

The First Six Verses of the Ninetieth Psalm
O Thou, the first, the greatest friend
of all the human race!
Whose strong right hand has ever been
their stay and dwelling-place.

Before the mountains heaved their heads
Beneath Thy forming hand,
Before this ponderous globe itself,
Arose at Thy command;

That Power which raised and still upholds
This universal frame,
From countless, unbeginning time
Was ever still the same.

Those mighty periods of years
Which seem to us so vast,
Appear no more before Thy sight
Than yesterday that's past.

Thou givest the word: Thy creature, man,
Is to existence brought;
Again Thou say'st, "Ye sons of men,
Return ye into nought!"

Thou layest them with all their cares,
In everlasting sleep;
As with a flood Thou takest them off
With overwhelming sweep.

They flourish like the morning flower,
In beauty's pride array'd;
But long ere night cut down, it lies
All wither'd and decay'd.

We are still grieving the losses of mother-in-law, brother, cousins and all that have gone before. Did Robert Burns know the hope given by the one who set us free from our past? To those of us who choose to take Jesus, God incarnate, into our hearts, His gift work on the cross setting us free, there is victory not  "nought".

Romans 5:12; I Corinthians 15:51-57

A new generation

Dylan leaving Nan's apartment with his choice:

Minimuffin tins, measuring cup and containers to keep muffins fresh

I didn't have a camera when we left Nan's apartment after clearing it out, but this image kept returning to my brain, so I drew it from memory. Dylan helped me clear out the kitchen cabinets, choosing only to take the things that had meaning to him, putting them in a basket he also chose.

Nan, a great cook, inspired Dylan's Dad, a present corporate chef. She left him her bean pot which we also found in her apartment with the recipe in her handwriting with ingredients, sans measurements, inside the pot. So Saturday night after her memorial service, continuing her memory, we ate Boston baked beans in her old bean pot, the New England Saturday night tradition. Instead of hot dogs, we had breaded pork chops with rice, rolls, salad and apple pie and ice cream. She will be missed very much; but one thing we know, her cooking will go on. Dylan's Dad took his bean pot home to be the next keeper of the generational tradition. Maybe Dylan next?

(see August 25, 2007 blog Saturday night beans)

Press on

Race Horse Refreshment

Race horses' refreshment (click on blue  link for video)
Heading back to Garrison Savannah

When we were in the Barbados, early every morning the trainers brought their thoroughbred race horses from the barns at Garrison Savannah past our hotel for cleaning and refreshment in the warm Carlisle Bay of the Caribbean. There they exercised their legs and welcomed the salt water over their bodies before the heat and business of the day. This early morning refreshment kept them going throughout the day so they could press on and win the race set before them.


We've had too much racing and not enough refreshing upon return from summer weather in West Indies. We arrived home during a snow blizzard in Seattle and Neil's mom not doing well. She died Monday this week, January 5 the day after we prayed with her, and read her scripture. assuring her of her salvation. She had run the race well, praying every morning for refreshment and in the end surrendered herself to her Lord, arms out, palms up.

Oh Lord help us surrender to your will. Help us to increase our time of refreshment with you. I know we have too much stuff, grief included, dragging us down, holding us back, like weights entangling and causing us to trip not run. Yet here we acquire even more as we clean out Mom's apartment. Set us free from the burdens and material goods pulling us down. Free us from our hold on this life on earth.

"Bretheren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."(NKJV) Philippians 3:13-14
"Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

Happy New Year!

Our hopes and wishes for a Very Happy New Year to you all!