For my Daddy

Thank you Daddy for fixing my bike chain for the 100th time, even though you were busy making extra money for our family, for stopping in the midst of plowing your garden, to give me a good-bye kiss as I left for church camp for the week and for taking me to church so that I could learn about God and be saved. Thank you Daddy for burying my cats, dogs, and for the little service you always gave them as I cried my eyes out. For showing Michael and I that we can raise our own meat and kill it, and no matter how much we cried about losing Osco the pig, we ate good that winter. Thank you Daddy for stopping the truck at the end of the driveway so Michael and I could hop on and catch a ride 2 car lengths to the house. Thank you Daddy for not yelling at me for screaming every time we have a big thunder. It takes a caring man to assure a child in the midst of a dangerous storm. Thank you Daddy for working long hours and coming home and working in the garden until dark so that we would have food for the winter. Thank you Daddy for teaching me how to fish and having patience with me as I learned to bait my own hook. Thank you Daddy for always getting the granddaddy's from over the door way. Thank you Daddy for teaching me how to change the oil in my car, how to use my pantyhose as a fan belt if necessary, so that mechanic’s would not take advantage of me in later years. For showing me that air goes in the tires and water in the radiator, and not the other way around. Thank you Daddy for being there when I graduated, when I married, when Brent, Brad and Jessica were born. For stepping in when their own father wouldn’t and teaching them all of the same things you taught me. I can never repay you for all that you have done. But I know that God can and will and I am satisfied that you know you always did your best and we know that too.

Serving Others

This past week I read a interesting story about a minister who served a church for many years, then one day the church asked him to leave. He confided to another preacher friend and said, “What they did to me was dirty. After all I did for them, and they treat me this way.” The preacher friend listening to him thought to himself, “It’s a shame he didn’t do it for God.” If you’re using God for the attention it brings to you, stop that today. You are supposed to serve God; the only attention it should bring to you is from a lost soul watching you who wants to know how to live the life you have. If you’re doing right, people may mistreat you, but what difference does it make if you are serving the Lord? God will prove Himself faithful and will reward you for your obedience. When our own faults are clearly before our eyes, we have no room left for criticizing others. We all get to heaven the same way, saved by Grace through Jesus Christ. When we, in genuine and personal humility, see others as we should, we will quit looking for ways to please ourselves and begin to look for ways to help others. Rather than using others to better ourselves, we will use ourselves to better others. What thoughts or plans have you made for this day? Are you planning the hours in such a way as to better your own situation or as to better the situation of others around you? Is your great concern the fulfillment of personal ambitions or is your ambition to lose yourself in the service and benefiting of God’s people around you? How we plan our day, how we use our time, how we spend our money — these are all measures of true humility. May your self-esteem be transformed today into service for others. May you find the great joy and satisfaction that only comes from giving up your own pleasure for the sake of others’.

All about Homecoming 2012

Homecoming services were held at Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church last Sunday May 6, 2012 and what a blessing we received! The church was full of current and former members and it was so good to see each one in service for our Lord! Bro. Robert Newton brought a wonderful message of hope for us and it was good to see Mrs. Joyce and some of Bro. Robert’s fellow church members in attendance as well. We enjoyed hearing that Mary Beth Glover Wilson has now been to 62 homecoming services at our church, and learned Mr. JL Wilson has been forced to come to 21 of those! Good for you Mary Beth! Many families were well represented by the number in attendance. Our church history is rich with good Christian men and women and sometimes we don’t take the time to appreciate what we have right before us. It is “easy” in today’s society to join the crowd instead of setting the example. Lunch was outstanding as usual, there was so much good food it was hard to pass anything up! I hope you all worked hard as I did to lose those extra pounds this past week! Mrs. Zelma, your rolls were perfect even though you felt they weren’t! Mrs. Lucille, and that prize winning coconut cake, you just can’t say enough about that! I don’t want to slight anyone, but if I keep going, we are all going to hungry and Bro. Jerry won’t have anyone left to preach too because we will be home eating! Our afternoon singing was amazing! It was loud and so good that Bro Jerry could not sleep at all for all the good blessings that kept flowing! There is nothing more refreshing than an afternoon of good old gospel singing! Bro. Red and his granddaughter Jenny sang Let the Lower Lights be Burning, it was just beautiful! I am so thankful to you Bro. Red for teaching us to shine our light! We had a male quartet that was mostly Hollinger’s but had a Winston in there, and those guys were good!! Bro Billy Van, Miss Emma Lee, Bro Leonard, I just can’t say enough about how good the singing was! Piano players, Evelyn, Donna, & Mrs. Frieda excellent musical talent that we appreciate so much! Lynn Kendalls husband sat behind me and beside Sis. Martha. He was classically trained in music and what showmanship and spirit he gave to each song, again, truly a blessing to have had him sing with us! We have it all, our blessings flow from God, there is nothing we need. My prayer is that we continue to set the example and reward each other with Christian love and praise because the journey is hard. These hardships are just a minor fraction of what Jesus endured. So I want to thank each of you for staying on your path with God. You might not realize the impact you are making, but I am sure there is someone watching you who does.

For Me, He Died

Several years back, when my children were in their early teenage years, they had the opportunity to be part of an outdoor living drama about the life of Christ. My youngest son Brad was chosen to play Jesus in his younger years especially a scene of him preaching at the temple. My oldest son Brent was chosen to be one of the guards and my daughter Jessica one of the many who followed Jesus. It was a wonderful presentation and made to be as realistic as possible, but it was hard on my son being one of the guards.

On opening night my Brother and his family came to see the play. My nephew Colton, who was four at the time, quietly watched as each scene unfolded never saying a word. When it was time for the guards to beat Jesus, they loudly went through the motions and actions of the beating and then there was a moment of quiet, for all to absorb what had just taken place. It was then, in that stillness Colton said “Daddy why is Brent being mean to Jesus?” Everyone around us had tears streaming down their face. Even a four year old knew this was wrong.

Today, many would have you believe this is a fable, a story from years ago. I did not witness these horrible people and what they did. I wasn’t born; it was many years ago, even older than my grandparents. I didn’t hear the angry crowds curse and spit on him, but I know it is the truth of what happened and I believe He died for me. As a compassionate person, and a Mother I cannot bear this part of the story without my heart breaking even as I write this. How could they not see He was not guilty? This happened because of things we do, choices we make instead of following God’s word. It was God’s plan. He loves us enough to have His son die for our sake.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, today is the day you need to make the decision to change your life.

Richard Bates ~ Celebrate me home!

This past week we at Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church said goodbye to a beloved member of our church family, Richard Bates. One of the things that I loved most about Richard is that firm handshake he would always give. He was happy to see us come toward him, and he would put just that little bit of extra squeeze in his handshake and pull me all over the place! He volunteered to be a usher, even though he was handicapped, and I promise you if you knew him at all, if there was a will, he would find the way to take on a task. This little act of service was so simple yet so much like the person he was, a giving, kind and loving man. He had a faithful trust in the Lord and he served Him with joy. He worried about his children and their walks with God and prayed for them. He prayed for you and me, this was the type of man he was.

When Richard lost his arm years back, I thought surely his world would be over. He wouldn’t be able to function as he always had. He showed us what a true and trustworthy man he was though. He remained the strength Aunt Sandra needed, he continued to repair things at home and found ways to do so independently. He believed God had a purpose for his life, and he set the example for us all to see. He made jokes about his arm to put us all at ease, especially the kids. He knew it was difficult for them to understand and wanted them to see he was still, Daddy, Papaw and Uncle Richard. All of us stepped up to help him, and he stepped faster to help us. If anyone ever had an excuse to sit down and give up Richard had one with the loss of his arm. But he taught us to be strong in the Lord.

I know he is walking the streets of gold, and I celebrate his love of the Lord and that his trip is complete. I thank him for setting an example before us all, and showing even in times of trial, God will see you through.

Our Father who is in heaven is waiting for us at the end of our days to say “Well done good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt. 25:21)

Those are the words we would indeed love to hear from our God and Father on the day we stand before him after we have lived but a short time this side of heaven and eternity. May your heart find fulfillment in serving him. May God’s grace fall upon you. May you know the joy of the Lord in your life and in all your days. May you bring joy to the Lord with your service and love in the short time you have to do so.

The Path

When I walked the isle to be saved at this church it was like a burden was lifted from me. I was just a few months shy of being twelve years old. My cousins Martha Jo, Kathy and I had discussed in length that we were saved and would be walking the isle the next Sunday. I told Momma and Daddy, and they had Bro Noel Harris discuss salvation with me and he agreed I was ready. The invitation started, and right away Martha walked the isle, and I remember being nervous. Then Kathy went. It was me next in line and I moved to the end of the pew. I felt pressure, like something holding me back. After Bro Harris indicated for Kathy to stand by Martha Jo, he raised his arm and said “Are there others?” I stepped into the isle with feet of lead.

I remember thinking, why was that step so hard because the next step I took it was as if Angel wings lifted me and I floated on air right up to Bro. Harris. I made the decision to walk away from a life of sin and each step I took became easier as I walked with God. He lifted me, and the Angels carried me. The decision I made was based on the love my family had for me to see that I was taught about Jesus and could make the decision to accept His free pardon from sin. He loved me enough to inspire me to walk with Him.
I know many of you might not have been young when you were saved and walked the isle. In fact, some older people now think they are too old to walk the isle; “it’s something you do when you are a child”. I promise you, as you look into your heart, you are never too old to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. I also know, for those of you who were saved in later years of your life, you have a lesson to teach, a story to tell that could inspire someone to know it is never too late in life to repent of your sins and be saved.
Everyone did not have the happy family who goes to church together life and had to rise from family adversity to make the decision to follow Christ. Sis. Zula tells me she had to hide her salvation from her Mother, Sis. Laura says she never went to church until she moved to Arkansas and vaguely remembers her Grandmother attending church. Both of these women found it in their hearts to be saved and turn their family destiny in to one of teaching about the Lord.
It is never too late to turn your path in life around and be saved and to change your families walk in life. Jesus welcomes you with open arms. What are you waiting for?

Don't be Fooled!

Colossians 2:8-10 text based on

When I was growing up, a group of young people would stand and look up at the sky, one might point and the others nod in agreement, drawing an innocent person into their crowd to look and see what was worthy of their attention. They might spend seconds to minutes convincing you something was there, when in fact, it was a practical joke and nothing was there at all. They would bust out in laughter as you were labeled foolish by this group and felt foolish because you fell for their joke.

This is a good way to describe some of the religions here on earth today born from people not of God. Oh, they give you a good talk about faith, and they point you in a direction that leads absolutely no where. Foolish people continue to follow and worship this nothing of a religion and the leader who prides himself as being godly.

If we aren’t careful, we as Christians can be fooled into looking for something that isn’t there when we try to add various beliefs to our Christianity that God never intended to be part of our faith. We have all warned our children at some time or another to be careful, don’t believe everything you hear. Some of us continue to warn our kids today even though they are adults. Paul gives us a warning in Colossians 2 verse 8 and it begins with BEWARE. He was warning the Colossians because false teachings were in the area and he wanted them to take heed as they were in danger of being drawn away from the true faith.

We as Christians should understand the wisdom God gives us and recognize these false religions for what they are and warn others to not participate with their antics. Much like you would warn the next person who came along and began looking up to see what the group of youngsters were looking and pointing at. You don’t want someone else to be fooled, so warn them! Don’t be fooled by false teachers, false philosophy and false religion! Our God is good and His word is true!

Lukewarm or Fervent are You Fence Sitting?

While studying for this week’s bulletin story, I ran across a interesting topic discussing the Bible times and our consideration that those times were of greater faith and Christianity than what we have here today. It referenced Revelation 3:15-16. John the Apostle writes, Jesus saying to the church of Laodicea, “I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” Jesus tells the church of Laodicea this because they had lost their fervency for Him as their Savior. The world had crept in around them and they began to do some fence sitting.

Fence sitting? You mean like, not choosing sides, not stating what you believe in? Trying to stay in the middle and not make waves? Jesus called a church lukewarm because they allowed themselves to get to that point He could not tolerate them anymore. He couldn’t let them go on being called a church of His so He states clearly that He was going to spew them out for their lukewarmness.

Surely that speaks of today’s current society not from years ago in the Bible? The cares of the world, the desires of the flesh, the needs and the pressures of family, and the demands of society entice many to sit on the fence and not make a stance. It is obvious as it was back then, that we are in a time of compromise as well. The nature of man has not changed much over the years has it? Lukewarmness is all around us. Perhaps you see it in yourself, your children or co-workers who claim to be Christian. Maybe your spouse isn’t living up to the standard of God’s word, or maybe, it is you.

The real question here is not what others are doing for Christ, but instead what am I doing? What am I willing to do for my Savior? Am I lukewarm? Am I fence sitting? Am I stagnant in my faith? We are all called to carry our cross for Christ and to pick up where the previous generation of faithful Christians left off. We are to be fervent for Him.

Gestures of Love

Did you ever get the look from your Mother in church? More than likely it was during the preaching service and you were either, talking, swinging your legs to and fro or kicking the pew in front of you. Maybe you grabbed the song book or just kept wiggling around in your seat. The look settled you down immediately because it promised you were heading into a danger zone.

Perhaps you were sitting in front of Bro. Joe T Wilson and laughed out loud when he stuck his lower teeth out at you! Or you yelled at your brother for taking a color from you. If the preacher was yelling, why couldn’t you yell too? You never saw it coming! The pinch grabbed you by surprise on that soft spot at the back of your arm just above your elbow, or the side of your leg, maybe even an ear. Whatever was within reach, if you got the pinch, you had really messed up and the “look” told you so.

The snatch, grab and tuck, only occurs when the look and the pinch don’t work. For instance, during one of Bro. Conrad Glover’s long prayers you yelled AMEN four times before your mother could clamp her hand over your mouth, throw you under her arm, fly down that isle and take you outside. Professional football players have got nothing on your Mother when it comes to moves.

I often wondered if my Mother stood at the mirror and practiced the look until she perfected it. Did she warm her fingers up before the pinch? How many times did she have to practice grabbing me, pulling me up and over a pew and throwing me under her arm without knocking down a single person? Surely they must have training classes for perfecting such moves!

As I grew up I came to understand you naturally inherit those skills from your Mother. I knew how the pinch felt, therefore I decided I would not use that on my kids unless absolutely necessary. Many a times though I would snap my fingers and point at my children giving them the “look”. I watched as they recognized the trouble that was brewing.

God knows us, yet He loves us. Mothers are gifted with these talents from God and He expects her to use them as often as necessary and He blesses her for it. Somehow, years later, the memory lingers but the pain of the pinch has faded and love takes its place.

Keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Proverbs 6:20

Life Lessons

For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:11

I have often said, if I have a guardian angel, I am sure by now it has two broken wings, is in a wheel chair and being treated for post traumatic stress syndrome and telling God….she’s alive and that’s good.

The things we put ourselves through in life! If my friend was going to jump off a bridge, would I do it too? No! Well, first of all, I’m scared of heights-you won’t get me near the edge; second that’s dangerous! As my angel breathes a sigh of relief, I turn around and spend money on frivolous things instead of paying a debt I owe. I make bad choices and my angel is shaking her head in despair.

This is what happens when we make the choices instead of following God as we are instructed. I have made many wrong turns in life, and there was a time I felt God’s plan for me was to struggle. But, I began to look at each of my struggles as life lessons and learned from them. With God, I turned a life of turmoil into blessings and I saw God work through me to reach others. I often wonder if my guardian angel will ever forgive me. I thank God every day that He loves us enough to have patience with us and desires to guide our troubled lives, even when we get on the wrong path in life.

OUR BEST

“Hear ye, the Master’s call, give me thy best” So how does your worship stack up? Does it reflect an enthusiastic delight in God? Is your singing, praising and praying, listening and attending to the preaching of the Word of God where it should be? What about your attendance and involvement in the church’s worship and ministries, does it measure up or is it substandard?

A story comes to mind I once read, where during a soloist’s number at church, a young grandson tugged on his grandmother’s sleeve and whispered, "She can’t sing very well, can she?" Knowing the woman had a deep love for the Lord, the grandmother said, "She sings from her heart. That’s what makes it good." He nodded thoughtfully. Several days later as he and his grandmother were singing along with the car radio, he stopped and said, "Granny, you sing from your heart, don’t you?"

Is your heart giving it’s best? God does not expect perfection from us. What He does expect is our best. “For, be it great or small, that is His test. Do then the best you can, not for reward, not for the praise of man, but for the Lord."

Colossians 3:23 (KJV) "And whatsoever you do, do it heartily (with enthusiasm), as to the Lord, and not unto men"

ARE YOU A HONKER OR HELPER?

I read a story last week about a woman whose car stalled in traffic. The gentlemen in the car behind her expressed his impatience by honking his horn every few seconds. Frustrated that her car wouldn’t start and at his insistent honking, she stepped from her car and walked back to his. Sticking her face right into his open window she said, “My car won’t start, as you can see. I wonder if you will go see if you can start it, and I will sit here in your car and honk your horn for you!”

In 1 Corinthians 10:10 we are warned honking just for the sake of honking is not only unhelpful but also unholy and spiritually very unhealthy. We are told not to complain as some did in the Old Testament — "some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer." No talent is required to sit behind a stalled car (or a stalled church) and honk. What the church desperately needs is not more honkers but more helpers.

Get real now — are you helping the church, or just honking?

For Momma

So much has happened since I last wrote on here. I have a new grandson! His name is Blake Austin, and he's so precious. He was born on May 13, 2011, a Friday at that! We brought him home on Sunday, May 15, 2011, and that was the day he met Mamaw and Papaw. When we arrived at the nursing home, all the aides were so happy to see us and they ran down to Mom's room, they wanted to see her face as she saw the baby for the first time. He was her third great grand child and first great grand son. Those girls were sitting her up in the bed getting her ready to hold the baby and Momma was all smiles, you should have heard her excited chatter! She couldn't wait to hold him. Of course she had to hug Brad first and congratulate him, but once she held Blake, she began talking to him and cried. I think we all cried at that point her aides included. We took pictures of course! How could we not! Mom and Dad with Brad and Blake, such a wonderful memory to hold forever.

Ten days later, we found we were saying goodbye to Mom. Apparently she was waiting on Blake to be born before she left for Heaven. Every day after the 15th she just continued to decline. It was hard, still is for that matter. She had a couple more visits with Blake, and we have our pictures to treasure. I knew this day was coming, and we had previously prepared for it. But she got better once she came "home" or as close as we could get her when she was transferred here in February. In February I was resigned to this end, but by May, I was adjusted to her being with us every day, even though she couldn't walk, she could still talk and visit with us. She rarely sat up in the chair, only had about 2-3 weeks of that with maybe 3-4 times actually getting out of the bed in the lift to the chair. She would tell me, I don't feel good. I'm not eating right, nothing taste good, but her spirits were good, and she loved seeing all her kids and her grand kids too. We had a wonderful Mother's day morning with her - such good pictures with Jessica, Kameran and Makenlie; Jess brought her little white fluff of a dog Lillie to see Mom and she loved on Mom, lay in the bed with her. So did Kameran, and we have a great picture of them together. I miss her, terribly already but I know she is in a wonderful place, and she is breathing free of struggles, she has no more pain, she's walking, talking with loved ones who have gone on before. Most of all, she is with God, and there is no better place to be. I love you Momma, and I will miss you everyday until we meet again.

Spring Cleaning

My goodness how time has just flown by! It's been weeks since I've been here, after meaning to at least update weekly! Spring is in full force now here in our beautiful state. Little chilly in the mornings but warms up to fantastic afternoons so full of color! I love this time of year!!

I spent some of my morning at the nursing home with Mom and Dad. Each Sunday morning there is a Sunday school lesson that begins with a song service. I joined Daddy for the song service this morning. I love to sing praises to our Lord! I really enjoyed the time singing with my Daddy. Most of my life he has been the constant that kept us in church. He enjoys singing, teaching about the Lord. I couldnt ask for a better legacy to pass on to my kids. I pray for the Harrington's and associates who conduct this service for our nursing home bound; the residents present really enjoyed the singing!

Mom is insisting she try to stand, but her therapist wasn't comfortable doing it alone with just her and the lift, so tomorrow (Monday) they will try her legs out to see if they can support her at all. She is determined she is going to walk again and that will be good. Gives her something to work toward. I just don't encourage it because I don't want to give her false hope. Her body limits her ability to sit on the side of the bed and just do leg exercises to about 10-15 minutes maximum. Then her hip hurts and she has to lay down. The right leg she can't lift as high as the left. But, God works in mysterious ways and HIS will be done. That is where I have left it, in HIS hands! None better.

We (Michael, my husband and I with Daddy) spent yesterday afternoon working at Daddy's house. We trimmed all the trees up to where we can mow without dodging limbs. Removed "sprouts" that my Dad was letting grow that were only creating havoc for Sadie as she would just wind herself up in the young sapling trees. Helped Dad with his garden. He is insisting on a full garden, so my brother plows and I just visit with Daddy as we watch him. Daddy just can't function in the capacity he once could. His mind says you have to do this and that, but his body restricts him. And while we were all witnessing he fell, got his foot tangled in Sadie's cord as he was walking to feed Charlie. It breaks our hearts, but he keeps on going, and we are going to let him. Because Daddy has always felt if you just sit down and do nothing, you are useless and become so. What a lesson in strength and love he shows us daily. No matter the trial, keep on your path.

Baby Blake will soon be making an appearance in our world. I can't wait to get my hands on him and show him how much we all love him! We are all ready for the joys a baby brings into a family. Kameran and Jarah will have a new lil cousin to love on, and we will all grow in our shared family!

Knowing What I Know About Heaven

I came across a very beautiful song after the untimely death of my niece. It's called Knowing What I Know About Heaven and Sarah Darling is one of the talented people who have a version of it. Guy Penrod is another. Both are equally touching, amazing songs, that almost celebrate the joy of arriving in heaven.

When you really think about the song, the words touch you in a most powerful way. Why on earth would I want you back? Imagine if you will, and I'm sure you all can relate to the pain and suffering of this world. Disease, emotional, physical abuse abounds. If you had the chance to walk away from all of this, have peace and comfort in your life, wouldn't you want to chose that path? I would and I would want to take all of my family and friends with me. Because who doesn't want the best for those you love the most? Can you imagine sharing this wonderful place with each other?

Of course it is heartbreaking and sad to have someone we love so much taken from us and this earth. Our hearts break for days to years after their gone. Time makes the pain lesson in severity, and God comforts us to know they are safe. It's still a void in our lives, one we can't imagine filling, and honestly never do. But then we realize how honored we are to have had them in our lives and knowing they are resting without stress and strife just makes the journey all the more special.

Why on earth would I want you back, when you are somewhere that love never ends? Knowing what I know about Heaven....puts a smile on my face and assurance in my heart, all is well. Tell those you love, that you do love them, every single day. Share the goodness of our God, who is peaceful, loving and kind. Show your friends and family all is in His will, His way, His time.

Healthcare, Pay attention!! This is my RANT!!!

I know you are technically supposed to write daily on your blog, but my life these past weeks have not given me much time to do that.  You see, my elderly Mother has been in and out of the hospital.  Mom suffers from a variety of illnesses which combined have worn her body down.  These past days have been very frustrating in determining what is going on, believe me, healthcare has lost some of it's compassion over the years.  I feel my mother would have been swept under the carpet and just sent home to die if I didn't have some form of medical knowledge.  Many of you know I have been in the medical field since 1979, even though I am not a nurse, I have functioned as one more times than not in my career, trained on the job by some of the best physicians I have been honored to work with.  For the record, I am a manager who specializes in medical billing. 

All of that aside, I feel if I hadn't started questioning, insisting at each admission, my mom would not be here today.  I do on the other hand understand the severity of her disease and appreciate that she is with us, by the grace of God still today.  Without going into all of her medical issues, I can see where many medical malpractice cases are formed.  Several things were against her at admission.  One, shortness of breath, elderly female with chronic illness, over abundance of medication, all of which could and probably did contribute to putting her in the ER. 

Am I saying you get less care if you are elderly?  I'm afraid that is what I'm thinking.  But I happen to know different as my late 40's cousin who did not have diabetes was sent home from one of our local ER's with a blood sugar in the 400's, and she didn't have a diagnosis of diabetes.  She complained of nausea and vomiting, that is all the ER doctor treated her for, her complaint.   Completely overlooked the fact that the 400 range glucose was abnormal, didn't consider treating her for it, nor did he consult anyone else about it.  She was given medication for nausea and vomiting and sent home.  He totally missed what brought her to the ER with nausea and vomiting, assuming it was the current stomach virus going around. So age doesn't seem to be the culprit with today's physicians just missing the whole picture.  I can't caution you enough, learn about your illness, your parent's, sister, brothers illnesses.  Care about those you love, because I promise you no one else will.

I also want to tell you our local ambulance service and rescue persons are quick and well trained.  However, in the area we are in, they urged us because Mom had shortness of breath and the roads were icy, to go to the nearest hospital.  The nearest hospital is inadequately staffed to care for a chronically ill person such as my mother.  This paramedic again assured me the roads were too terrible to travel to Little Rock and we needed to go to the nearest ER which was Malvern.  If she needed stitches, then Malvern was okay, but she needed more. Malvern could not help her.  He assured me if we get her to the ER and they can't care for her they will send us on to the hospital in Little Rock.  Okay, most folks around here might buy that story, but I know that doesn't work.  He even assured me all ER's were connected electronically and they could just pull her records up on the computer and she would get the same care.  (The latter of that statement was probably the only thing he got right.)

I know they are trying to get that trauma center stuff going in Arkansas, so I gave his comment the benefit of 5 minutes consideration and said No.  He knew I understood Malvern could not help her. Then he tried to convince me to travel with her to Benton, because the roads were too bad to go to Little Rock.  I motioned for my brother to join me, because this irritating paramedic was about to lose this battle quickly and I wanted a witness.

I felt really bad for this gentleman, because he didn't know me at all.  I explained to my brother they wanted to take her to the nearest ER, because of the icy roads and wanted to travel on a icy, tree shaded, curvey highway less traveled than the one to Little Rock, how once at the ER they would admit her and we would be stuck with physicians who knew nothing about mom and certainly didn't have access to her medical records at all which would delay her treatment.  Not to mention that I threw in, I think we need to take her to Little Rock ourselves since they are refusing to do so.  The paramedic listened to how I presented it and responded they weren't refusing to take her to Little Rock, but said he would go talk to the driver and we would go to Little Rock.  I might not be the smartest cookie in the package but I know how to stay out of the milk to keep from getting soggy.

While each time the care and concern our paramedics have shown my mother has been the utmost highest regard, and I totally respect them and their duties, I'm really sorry fella.  I wanted to take her on to a hospital that had immediate access and could screw her care up just a little, rather than a lot.

Until next time my friends...may God keep you all safe!

I love YOU best....

Erma Bombeck once said a family is a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. 

I never knew she was looking into our windows on a daily basis!  Had I known, I am sure she would have never seen any of us act this way.  It is so great to know others in our world react the same as we do.  I never met Erma, but have read and savored each of her quotes and stories.  In my twenties, I thought she was so funny and had a quick saying for everything.  By my thirties I knew she was telling the truth with all her quotes.   Her wit is where I find some of my best encouragement.

In 1979 she wrote, “If I had my life to live over” and I found it inspiring.  I check it frequently to see how many of the changes she felt she missed, I had taken the time to achieve. 

My children even assumed unknowingly the “mom loves you best” roles she writes about.  My oldest son and youngest daughter are always calling my middle son Mom’s favorite.  At first it really bothered me because I love each of them equally, with every ounce of my being!  Why couldn't they see that?  Then I researched Erma and found her I love you best tribute to her children. 

She wrote to three children, which is what I have.  My oldest is our tower of strength.  He’s so loving, dependable and supportive.  He gives his time to others, loves children deeply and has laughter sealed in his heart.  My middle son is very laid back.  He enjoys a good laugh and is okay for someone else to take charge.  He is a hard worker, devoted to family, and giving to those less fortunate.  My daughter, the baby, is a whirlwind of emotions, extremely outspoken and fights for every ounce of footing having two older brothers.  She loves and respects, works hard, cares for those less fortunate, shares her joys or sorrows and treats others with respect and encouragement.

Somewhere buried deep inside their elementary school papers they will find my I love you best letter to them.  I’ve written them several times over the years, to capture why I loved them at different life stages.  Maybe then it will settle this age old battle they so joyfully engage in.  It’s quite fun to watch actually.  Their eyes all light up with mischief as they start, makes my heart swell with laughter and pride that they have a connection they all agree on, that Mom loves them best.

So, with this said, I will now close and I thank my children, who I love with all my heart.  For without them, I would not be who I am today.  I love you, Mom.

Lord, open my eyes to the love around me, and help me see how much You love me through others.

Have you ever heard of a June Bug?   Well I have, but I couldn’t recall what type of bug it was, only that we caught them by flower bush Grandma Gilbert had near the corner of her house. They were hard shelled, good flyers with sturdy, prickly legs and came out at dusk.

     We would catch these bugs and tie a long piece of thread to one of its back legs.  Once released the June bug would fly but was limited to the string leash we held.  We would play for hours with these bugs.  Grandma always had a spool of thread we could use because there were a lot of us Gilbert grand kids.  It was entertainment at its best, or so we thought.

     I decided I needed to know more facts about this wonderful toy so I did some research and found it is common in late spring and summer months. It is a nocturnal insect and active at night, feeding mainly on favored plants, such as buds and flowers of shrubs and fleshy garden vegetables.

     The June bug begins as a fat white grub.  In the larval stage the June bug lives in rich humus and leaf litter. Hatching from deeply buried eggs, the grub worm feeds mainly on roots, moldy leaves, and other plant matter. It lives underground until it molts into the adult stage.

     I wasn’t surprised to learn the grub-worm is a favorite live-bait among fishermen, because I’ve used them.  I was surprised to learn it grows up to be my favored June bug. Very few fish will refuse the chance to take a grub and I suspected there was a deeper reason for my husband’s sudden interest in my flower garden.  Birds and other wild animals like them too, feeding avidly on the fat worm.

     The adult June bug is a robust insect, reaching up to two inches in length. A true beetle, it has a set of powerful wings protected by a wing case. Exterior color can vary from pale tan to dark brown or almost black.

     A chemical analysis of the June bug revealed its hidden secrets as full of edible fats and proteins.  Toasted June bugs have a surprisingly sweet delightful taste. The flavor closely resembles thick raw molasses or crudely made ribbon cane syrup.

     They say it is difficult to eat just one.  I say give me a cane pole and a bucket of grubs.  You can find me on the river bank flying my June bug while I catch a more favorable dinner.

Growing Up In Arkansas

Growing up in Arkansas

1. You've never met any celebrities.

2. Everyone you know has been on a "Float Trip".

3. "Vacation" means driving to Hot Springs or maybe even Branson...

4. You've seen all the biggest bands ten years AFTER they were popular.

5. You measure distance in minutes rather than miles. For example, “Well, Conway's only 20 minutes away."

6. Up North to you means Missouri.

7. The phrase "I'm going to the Lake this weekend" only means one thing.

8. You know several people who have hit a deer.

9. You think Arkansas is spelled with an "ah" at the end.

10. Your school classes were canceled because of cold.

11. You consider riding a mechanical bull true entertainment!

12. Your school classes were canceled because of heat.

13. You instinctively ask someone you've just met, "What High School did you go to?"

14. You've had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

15. You think ethanol makes your truck "run a lot better."

16. You know what's knee-high by the Fourth of July.

17. You see people wear bib overalls at funerals.

18. You see a car running in the parking lot at the store with no one in it, no matter what time of the year.

19. You know in your heart that Arkansas can beat Texas in football.

20. You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example: “Where's my coat at?"

21. All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, or grain.

22. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.

23. You think of the major four food groups as beef, pork, beer, and Jell-O salad with marshmallows.

24. You carry jumper cables in your car and know that everyone else should.

25. You went to skating parties as a kid.

26. You only own three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.

27. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

28. You think sexy lingerie is tube socks and a flannel nightie.

29. The local paper covers national and international headlines on one page, but requires six pages for sports.

30. You think I-40 is spelled and pronounced "farty."

31. You'll pay for your kids to go to college unless they want to go to UT.

32. You think that "deer season" is a National Holiday.

33. You know that you can't get anywhere without going through Little Rock first

34. You can't think of anything better than sitting on the porch in the middle of the summer during a thunderstorm.

35. You know which leaves make good toilet paper.

36. You've said, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity."

37. You know all four seasons: Almost Summer, summer, Still summer and football.

38. You know if another Arkansan is from the Ozarks, Northern, Central, or Southern part of AR soon as they open their mouth.

39.You know that Bill Clinton, Ted Danson's wife, and John Grisham are all from Arkansas.

40. You failed World Geography in school because you thought Paris, London, Bismarck, Nashville, Lincoln, were cities in Arkansas (And they are!)

 41.You think a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor.

42. You know what "WOO PIG SOOIE" means and how to call the HOGS.

New Year Food Superstitions

Luck & Prosperity or not?  Folk Lore continues….

According to Folk Lore, the first food eaten on New Year’s Day for luck and prosperity throughout the year ahead is Black-eyed Pea.  In Folk lore I found a couple variations on when we should eat these peas.  One legend states folks must all retire to bed one and half hour before the clock strikes mid-night, failure to do so brings bad luck.  Then they must rise as soon as the day rolls over at 12:01 a.m. and eat a bowl of black-eyed peas and continue eating them throughout the day to ensure luck and prosperity. 

The Southern practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is believed to date back to the Civil War. These peas were planted as food for livestock therefore the fields of black-eyed peas were ignored as Sherman's troops destroyed or stole other crops.  The humble, but nourishing, black-eyed pea took on an important role as a major food source for surviving Confederates.  For the best chance of luck every day in the year ahead, one must eat at least 365 black-eyed peas on New Year's Day.

As the years have gone by the tradition of eating black-eyed peas for the New Year has evolved into a number of variations and embellishments of the luck and prosperity theme.  They must be served with greens (collards, mustard or turnip greens, which varies regionally), the peas represent coins and the greens represent paper money. In some areas cabbage is used in place of the greens, which is my family’s tradition.  Cornbread, often served with black-eyed peas and greens, represents gold.  Black-eyed peas eaten with stewed tomatoes represent wealth and health. 

In some areas, actual values are assigned with the black-eyed peas representing pennies or up to a dollar each and the greens representing anywhere from one to a thousand dollars.  Had I known this as a child, I surely would have eaten more of them.  Adding a shiny penny or dime to the pot just before serving is another tradition practiced by some. When served, the person whose bowl contains the penny or dime receives the best luck for the New Year, unless of course, the recipient swallows the coin, which would be a rather unlucky way to start off the year.

There is no way to enjoy luck and prosperity if you avoid black-eyed peas!  The catch to all of these superstitious traditions is that the black-eyed peas are the essential element and eating only the greens without the peas, for example, will not do the trick.

Personally, I only eat them about once a year, but even most avid fans of black-eyed peas will concede that enjoying the flavor, frequently described as nutty, earthy and buttery, is an acquired taste. Whether to enhance or disguise the flavor, depending on your point of view, there are several popular ways to serve black-eyed peas, other than as a simple side dish. 

My family prefers rice with the beans, as I research this is often called Hoppin’ John.  You can find it served throughout the year, but Hoppin' John is one of the most traditional New Year's Eve and New Year's Day dishes in the South. Black-eyed peas are cooked with rice, pork (such as chopped pork or ham, hog jowls or hambones, fatback or bacon) and seasonings. Sometimes chopped onions and hot sauce are added.

So, whether you choose to follow the Southern New Year's tradition or not, black-eyed peas are a good source of nutrition. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, black-eyed peas are low in fat, contain no cholesterol, and are low in sodium. They are high in potassium, iron, and fiber and a one-half cup serving of cooked black-eyed peas counts as one ounce of lean meat from the Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs and Nuts Group of the Food Guide Pyramid.

This information led me to discover black-eyed peas are actually not peas at all, but rather a variety of bean related to the cowpea and categorized as legumes, having both edible seeds and pods. According to the Library of Congress, they have been cultivated in China and India since pre-historic times and were eaten by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Early records from 1674 indicate that black-eyed peas were transported from West Africa to the West Indies by slaves. Subsequently, they reached the Low country coastal regions of the Carolinas and Georgia, also via the slave trade, more than 300 years ago.

So, there you have it.  Black-eyed peas are legend, depending on your own personal taste buds.  I certainly hope if you avoid them, you still have luck and prosperity in the coming New Year.  Oh by the way, let me know if you have other traditions as well; and definitely if they don’t work!!

Happy New Year to All!

Tracy Gilbert Brown