Fall in the TX Hill Country...

Along the road from the Cody Center and Tennis Courts at Laity Lodge...

Japanese Maple at Laity Lodge

It's not just the northeast that has beautiful foliage in the fall.  The hill country of TX waits until Thanksgiving time to display its  glorious panoramas.  I have taken  photos of what we have in our hills right now.  I share these with you so you may see the way we experience God's creation each fall.

The Frio River at Echo Valley in the Canyon of the H.E.Butt Foundation property.

Another view along the Frio River...

Another view of the Japanese maple in the garden at Laity Lodge.

Welcoming guests to the rooms at Black Bluff at Laity Lodge.

 Psalm 19: 1-4

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

Along the drive approaching Laity Lodge...

Romans 1:20

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - 

his eternal power and divine nature - 

have been clearly seen, 

being understood from what has been made,

so that men are without excuse. 

Shining in a glorious, golden frock...

What joy is felt as I ponder the proclamation of God's hands through his handiwork that surrounds me - especially at this magnificent time of the year.  This is the "voice not heard" of a loving God who desires that all creation recognize and embrace his truth - revealed through what He has made.

We are "without excuse" - He has been revealing himself  

"since the creation of the world".

Along the road past the Hovde Houses...

Happy Thanksgiving!

I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
     I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love 

is as high as the heavens.
     Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
     May your glory shine over all the earth.

Psalm 57:9-11

Mark D. Roberts used these verses to share thoughts in the Daily Reflection on Wednesday, November 21st.  That Reflection is part of the ministry of The High Calling.

With this scripture, I share words which express my desire as well as that of the psalmist, David.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Please Vote" Post Update...

A wonderful comment was shared on my blog yesterday after I posted my thoughts about the importance of voting.

It seems the critical importance of voting is also shared by Billy Graham.

Because I am grateful for the comment that was shared by a reader who lives in my home state of Wisconsin, I decided to print it in the body of this blog.  Thanks, Marge B. for sharing your thoughts and the wise words of Billy Graham.

"Our Sunday paper yesterday, included a full page ad urging people to VOTE BIBLICAL VALUES on Nov 6. This ad was paid for by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. It had a huge picture of Billy Graham & a quote from him: "The legacy we leave behind for our children, grandchildren, and this great nation is crucial. As I approach my 94th birthday, I realize this election could be my last. I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Vote for biblical values this November 6, and pray with me that America will remain one nation under God." I was proud our paper submitted this ad. I pray that those who share this belief, will flood the polls tomorrow. Marge (Wisconsin)"

As I await the results of today's vote, I pray for our nation.  May many remember to be a voice who speaks for all - including those whose voice is silenced before they are born. 

Please Vote!!!

To have a voice in this great nation, all eligible voters need to get prepared and get to the polls.  It is easy to complain about elected leaders if they are not conducting themselves as you think best.  But there's a solution for that situation and it requires of us some initiative -

Get Prepared - know the candidates and the values from which they will operate

and

Go to the Polls to cast your vote.

 For people of faith, prayer is also a component for any and all elections but that must be practiced along with action in order for your voice to be heard.

Do not assume your voice won't make a difference - it will.

Jesus' earthly life was lived during trying political times but he still encouraged and instructed his followers to...

Matthew 22:21

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's,

and to God what is God's."

 Coins for paying taxes had Caesar's image on them.  

God's image is on humanity.  

We participate in the world as an informed, committed citizen.

We participate in God's kingdom as an informed, committed child of our heavenly Father 

whose image we bear.

Both are what God wants from us as he choses to be at work in the world.

Voting is our privilege and our responsibility.

 PriVilege

Of

    CiTizens

         PrEpared!!!

I have voted early and look forward to learning the outcome tomorrow of the voice of energized, faithful citizens.   Be certain that your voice is heard.  

VOTE!!!

Pumpkin Pie... Best recipe!!!

A scene I photographed on Nov. 14, 2009.  This is found along the Frio River in Echo Valley on the property of the Foundations for Laity Renewal near Leakey, TX.

The above photo has nothing to do with this post but it is 

my tribute to this time of year.  

Just want this beauty to be seen as each person reads this blog. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Recently, friends were invited so lunch would include pumpkin pie.  When fall is in the air, it just seems to be the most appropriate dessert for special friends as well as family.

So I decided to photograph and chronicle the process...

All items gathered to make our family's favorite pumpkin pie.

The recipe my family uses came from my mother.  I do not know where she got the recipe but when baked, it is by far the best pumpkin pie ever created!  Her theory was that the secret to great tasting pumpkin pie is to limit the amount of ginger in the mix.  Her recipe used 1/4 teaspoon of ginger.

Registered to Vote?

Fall (Nov. 2009) on the Frio River in the canyon of the Foundations for Laity Renewal...

It's Fall... Be Prepared to Vote...

 

If you live in Texas, the last day to register in order to vote on November 6th is October 9th.  Both my husband and I have taken the training, been sworn in and have the materials needed to register anyone in this state.  Let me know if you need to register before the deadline and I can help you.

You must vote in the precinct in which you live.  You cannot show up at another polling place and get permission to vote there.  You cannot go to your former place of residence and vote there.

We have materials to register a change of address if you have moved since you last voted.

The system is designed to allow all eligible voters to have a voice but you must be registered in a timely manner in order to exercise this awesome privilege.

All citizens who prepare and vote have a voice in the future of our country.  This is freedom in action.  It is a responsibility and privilege not to be taken lightly.

See you at the polls!!! 

In Memory of Betty N...

Within the past few weeks, I was reminded of someone I met nearly 4 years ago and with whom I  had only one conversation.  The remembrance of this person came as my eyes caught a name one morning in the obituaries published in our local newspaper.  The name was Betty N.  I wrote about our meeting and its spiritual significance on December 10th, 2008 in this blog.

Since Betty has recently left this world for her eternal home, I will share again the story I wrote following that one conversation we had.  The story was a portion of my blog post that day.

Before Marriage Begins...

I recently posted the 10 BEST DECISIONS OF OUR MARRIED LIFE.  This is a 10 post series.

Today I read an article which I saw linked on Facebook.  Steven Crowder shares his opinion about the best way to prepare for the wedding night.  He got married recently.

I recommend his blog post, "Waiting till the wedding night - getting married the right way."
You'll find the article on September 14, 2012 by Steven Crowder.  Apparently I can't include the link with the title of this article but you can find it at www.foxnews.com/opinion/.

This article is a wonderful predecessor to the 10 Best Decisions... which I have shared in the past few weeks.

Some may call Steven Crowder old-fashioned, crazy, unrealistic but I call him godly, wise and a man worthy of an awesome woman who shares his values.  I think you'll enjoy his report.

10 Best Decisions of our Married Life... #10 Remain Committed in Adversity

Recently I began to share something I composed some years ago to be part of a document for a niece as she got married in June 2004.  That document was created as a compilation of entries under the title:  

THE TEN BEST... or 

The Wisdom of the most important women in your life.  

Each woman who submitted an entry chose her own subject matter.  I promised to post my entry on this blog.  This is the Tenth of our top decisions in the list of:

The Top Ten Decisions Guiding Our Married Life

By Uncle John and Aunt Linda Worden

10.  We will remain committed to God even in adversity.

I Peter 1: 5b-7 THE MESSAGE The day is coming when you’ll have it all - life healed and whole.  I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime.  Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine.

Philippians 1:29 THE MESSAGE There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ.  There’s also suffering for him.   And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting.

Life is a combination of good times and bad times.  When there are difficulties, some people chose to blame God for their problems and turn away from following him.  We have had some times of adversity.  We have chosen to continue trusting God’s leadership in our lives even through the pain and disappointment.  Doing this has strengthened both our individual and our joint faith relationships.  Besides our personal faith, we have been supported and sustained by family and friends who have given us much encouragement.  Some hardships have happy endings but some don’t.  We’ve had a great place to work and serve following the congregation’s decision for John not to continue pastoring the church in Delafield.  And we trust God’s leadership but still pray for healing of Uncle John’s left eye though it remains legally blinded due to retina trouble.  But suffering is not grounds for desertion of the path on which the savior leads us.  We have absolutely no regrets for having followed this decision throughout our lives.  And the path of life is much easier when a couple shares the same goals and philosophies.

10 Best Decisions of our Married Life... #9 Weekly Church Participation

Recently I began to share something I composed some years ago to be part of a document for a niece as she got married in June 2004.  That document was created as a compilation of entries under the title:  

THE TEN BEST... or 

The Wisdom of the most important women in your life.  

Each woman who submitted an entry chose her own subject matter.  I promised to post my entry on this blog.  This is the ninth of our top decisions in the list of:

The Top Ten Decisions Guiding Our Married Life

By Uncle John and Aunt Linda Worden

9.Weekly church attendance and regular participation in church leadership opportunities for the whole family according to our spiritual gifts is a given.

Hebrews 10: 25 THE MESSAGE Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on,

            I Peter 4:10a Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,

We have not struggled with this decision and fortunately, our children grew to understand that our family participated regularly with attendance and involvement.  There was never an argument from any of them about attending church.  We think it is because it was a “given” - not negotiable.  Our participation was their example and they followed willingly.  We have absolutely no regrets for having followed this decision throughout our lives.  Of course church attendance does not ensure adherence to Biblical teaching but it is more likely that your faith commitment will be embraced by the next generation if there is involvement in a local body of believers.