Those Deserving of Admiration.

 Those Deserving of Admiration.

 

Reading about a woman who outranked every general in the Civil War, it seems she made it her calling to take care of the misery, the stupidity, and the necessities that came up in the true service for those men who fought, sickened, and died—or lived through those horrors. Her name was Mary Anne Bickerdyke. She thought that she was just going to deliver supplies to those men who were fighting in battles. Instead, she furnished cleanliness, food, shelter, and comfort to those who would otherwise have died in each camp. Sometimes our least expectations turn into something that only God can change to something that matters. But then, that was how it has always been when God puts forth His hand in the affairs of men and women.

 

It is not always an individual who makes a difference in lives, but for some of us, it is the single person’s example that change our viewpoints. Have you ever heard someone tell a story about something your parent or grandparent has done that mattered to that person? It may be something that your father taught some young man. Or it might have been the attitude that your mom helped some young woman deal with when life seemed all too much at a time. Or maybe it was just the cookies shared over the backyard fence with the kids next door. A child notices when an adult talks to them as if they matter. No one has to brag on a child to make a difference in attitude if an adult simply shows by word or deed that a child really does matter. Sometimes a word of admiration will make all the difference in how a person sees his or her own character. Let us keep looking for the best in those we see.

 

My friend Roger told me that his father-in-law has moved on from this world to the next. Know that Susan will miss her dad. Apparently, he was a very happy man—three good wives over a period of years. He must have been doing something right! Let’s pray for Roger and Susan’s safe return to Texas.

 

Trying to have a good attitude around here. Dr. Blackwell told me that preventing some of the pain will make a difference, so here’s to taking the pills she recommended. Guessing that Dr. Kern will need a box of galvanized baling wire to put things back together, but my daughter seems to think that some of the problems can be alleviated with exercises. After translating the MRI results into ChapGpt, the old woman only understands a few more words that describe strictures and narrowing of certain boney structures. Just need to work on having a sense of humor.

 

Cooked some chicken breasts, turnip, celery, and spices this evening. It smells so good. Just wish the number of turnips had been about four times as many! What is it about turnips that make them smell so very good? Oh! Please don’t tell me that you don’t like turnips!!! They are good raw or cooked! Bet the next order of groceries includes several turnips!!

 

We need rain around here. The grass is brown, naturally, but the ground itself is dry, dry, dry! Hoping that God blesses the land with some rain very soon. No, we don’t need the amounts seen in Washington state or Oregon, but even a few inches could certainly make a difference for the fields and crops. May God bless this land.

 

It’s hard to realize that we are just about into a new year. Somehow, and this happens every year, it does not really seem as if a new year is anywhere nearby. The trees have lost their leaves and the grasses have strown their seeds. Now if the Harvester ants can gather up the seeds, maybe we can grow some little horny toads around here. Wouldn’t that be wonderful! God makes things have their own cycles of life. Appreciating life includes loving God’s designs. May He show us His mighty ways every day!

 

Keep loving and learning more as the days go by. We are so very blessed.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.