“Many people ask me, ‘Why would God allow you to have cancer?’ My answer to them is, ‘Why not me?'”  Those are the words of a dear godly friend, Kathy Barker, who, as of Tuesday morning, is no longer dealing with cancer or the pain of it, because she has entered the presence of her Savior. 

People questioned her plight because Kathy was a rare breed.  She was one of the sweetest ladies I’ve known.  She was always gracious, giving other people the benefit of the doubt.  She had a contagious smile that was accompanied by the slight lift of her shoulders and a twinkle in her eye.  Kathy was always the same – at church, in the grocery store, or in the hospital.  She was always ready to ask about you when she was the one suffering. 

She never complained as she dealt with the “stuff” cancer brought to her body.  She’d simply say, “It’s going to be okay.  God is good.”  Yes, it is okay, and she’s experiencing God’s goodness face to face today. Kathy knew her God and it was obvious as she dealt with life…and death.   

She has left behind a legacy of her walk with God.  It is seen in her marriage to her husband, Gary.  They spent most of their time together.  They loved one another and it was obvious.  What a testimony that alone is.  They both worked at the VA hospital for many years, so they drove to work together, ate lunch together, came home together, and then spent the evening together.  You hardly saw one without the other.  She often wore his reading glasses when hers were left behind.  It was a bit comical looking, but proved the point that they “saw everything the same!”

Her godly legacy is also seen in her sons, who are godly young men with families of their own.  They are now teaching their children the faith that was passed down from their mother.  Isn’t that where we see if we’ve really made an impact on our children – when they pass it on to their own family?  She did.

Godliness was also evident in her encouragement of others.  She knew what to say to keep a person looking the right direction.  She often told me she was reading my blog and what she’d learned.  There have been many days when I sat wondering if I was doing any good in this particular ministry, that her words came to my heart and kept me writing. 

She wouldn’t want me to be writing this about her.  She would say something like, “I didn’t do anything.  It was all the Lord!  He is good!”  She may also point towards someone nearby and say, “That’s the person that needs to be remembered.  Aren’t they special?”

Kathy Barker, you are special.  We already miss your influence, your smile and your gracious spirit, but it won’t be long until we stand with you on heaven’s shore where we can say together, “Isn’t God good?”

Friend, whatever you are doing consistently is what others will call to mind about you when you’re gone – good or bad.  How will you be remembered?

With love,

I LOVE Mondays.  Mondays are my husband’s “day off” for the most part.  After a very busy weekend with making final preparations on Saturday and then a full day on Sunday, we try to plan something fun to do together on Monday. Monday to us is like most peoples’ Saturday. 

This past Monday we loaded up our bikes and went to a bike path in Kingsport so we could enjoy the beautiful day and some time together.  It was such a blessing. On our excursion, I made two simple observations.  The first came after we’d had quite a vigorous ride.  We sat on one of the benches on the path and talked, cuddled together and just enjoyed some alone time. It knit our hearts together.  It enabled us to connect with what’s going on in each of our lives.  It gave us time to talk without interruption.   Observation #1   Every couple needs times like this; has to have times like this.  For you, it might be fishing together, taking a walk, or going out for an ice cream cone after supper.  Do whatever you enjoy, just make sure that you do it, and that you do it regularly.  Without time together, Satan can put a wedge between you and your husband. It will happen slowly and creep up on you in such a way that you’ll wonder how it happened.   You must carve out time for one another.

As we were riding along we passed many walkers and other bikers.  We exchanged “hello’s” with most who passed by, but there was one man who came towards us who was jogging and looking extremely fatigued.  Seeing his efforts and his exhaustion, my husband, the ever-ready encourager, said to this stranger, “Keep at it Buddy.  It’s worth the effort!”  The man smiled and continued his jogging journey encouraged by my husband’s words, I’m sure. 

Observation #2 – It only takes a moment to encourage other people, and we make a choice as to whether we will just pass by them on our paths and say nothing, or whether we’ll take the time to do or say something that will encourage them on their journey.  My God chooses to encourage me every time I open His Word; can I not pass along the same kind of love and care to others?

Our Monday time together was valuable because it reminded me of those two truths –
1.  I need time to be with my husband doing things so that our marriage will be strengthened on a regular basis. 
2.  Encouragement takes only a moment and it is my choice. 

We had a wonderful afternoon together as we rode along enjoying God’s beautiful world, spending with each other as well as those that He placed along our path.  Have you spent time just recently with your mate?  If not, why not schedule something today?  If you have, what did you do?  Has God given you someone to encourage?  How did you do that, or how have you been encouraged by others?

From the bike path,

American children have so much today that gratitude is often sorely lacking.  Because many children live with more than everything they need, are able to eat out frequently, and have access to so much due to the Internet and technology, it is so important that parents train their children to be thankful.

A sweet, young mom asked me recently how she could instill gratitude in her child.  I sat for a long while thinking and praying before writing back a response to her, and I’m sure I left some things out, but here was my answer to her:

• Reading a missionary biography written for children – one like George Mueller. and how God provided what they needed and how thankful he was for the least little thing will impact a child’s heart to see that they are truly blessed. I’m sure some of the Trailblazer books would also cover gratitude.
• Our children have so much today, and it’s easy for them to adopt the attitude that parents owe them something. I recently saw a child demanding their parents’ Ipad so they could color. Wow. At one point, we took all the “extras” away from one of our daughters. They had food, clothes, and books, but all electronics and “toys” were off limits for a good loooong while. They learn to appreciate what they no longer have. 
  Perhaps rewarding with either earning back one thing the child has had taken away, (a sticker on a reward chart, or a special stay-up-late for games with Mom and Dad) after a certain amount of thank yous have been verbalized, would push them towards gratitude. You want to be careful and not reward “things” for gratitude – it would counteract what you’re trying to accomplish.

• Making sure that our kids SAY thank you is an important tool, too. “Thanks for supper, Mom.” “Thanks for playing ball with me, Dad.” Writing thank you notes to people for things they have done is also important in teaching them that we should be thankful for what others do. A thank you to their Sunday school teacher or children’s church worker would be a blessing to the recipient. They should write a note of thanks and not just expect relatives to send a gift on their birthday or Christmas.  Make sure they have a box of thank you cards for their own so they can write their notes.  Give them a special pen to use to write with.  If they’re too young to write, you have them dictate the note (write it just the way they send it – the recipient will love “their language,” then have them sign the note themselves. 

• Being responsible for chores at home for their age level will also help a child to be grateful for all that seems to magically get taken care of in a day. Supper preparation – making the salad, making iced tea, preparing a simple dessert, are all things primary age child could handle. Sorting laundry, ironing linen napkins, and folding laundry helps them appreciate clean clothes! This shouldn’t be seen as a punishment – but a part of family life. We all live here, so we all help.  (Money Saving Mom had some good suggestions for chores for 4 year-olds.)

• Of course, memorizing lots of Scripture about gratitude is crucial. What power the Word has! I’d make those the verses in school memorization, as well as Bible stories about those that were thankful.

• Also, if there was an opportunity for your family to help someone under-privileged, that would open up a window into their world and how blessed they are. Is there someone you could serve by taking them a meal, or doing an act of kindness? Everyone does a part of the serving – not just Mom and Dad.

• Demonstrate thankfulness in your own life as a parent.  Your children should hear you saying thank you to your husband for working and providing for your family.  They should see you writing thank you notes and hear you saying how grateful you are to the Lord for ….and …..

Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said, “When gratitude dies on the altar of a man’s heart, that man is while nigh hopeless.” Let’s not have hopelessly ungrateful children because we failed to teach them!

By the way, thanks for stopping by and reading today!  =)

With love,

My weekend get-away with my sisters was such a blessing!  Not only are we blood sisters, we are also sisters in Christ, so we had a wonderful time encouraging one another in this most important area of our lives.  Together we sang, prayed, cried, laughed, hiked, gave pedicures and manicures, and also ate some great Retreat Food!  Some may go to a cabin and roast hot dogs, but I have sisters who love to cook and are good at it, so we each prepared a meal or two for our weekend get away. 

Here we are on the porch of our cabin.

Savory Crescent Chicken Squares
1 3-oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
3 Tbs margarine, melted
2 cups cubed cooked chicken or two 5-oz cans boned chicken
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 Tbs milk
1 Tbs chopped onion
1 8 oz. can Pillsbury Refrigerated Crescent dinner rolls
3/4 cup seasoned croutons, crushed

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl,blend cream cheese and 2 Tbs of margarine until smooth.  Add next 6 ingredients; mix well.  Separate dough into 4 rectangles; firmly press perforations around edges together to seal.  Spoon 1/2 cup meat mixture onto center of each rectangle.  Pull 4 corners of dough to top center of chicken mixture, twist slightly and seal edges.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Brush tops with reserved 1 Tbs. margarine; sprinkle with crouton crumbs.  Bake 35 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  Serves 4.

My twin sister, Dianne, made our breakfast one morning.  It was a Pampered Chef recipe for a Quiche. Take a look at this yummy morning food…

Quiche Base
3 eggs
1/2 C half and half (you could use milk to cut back on fat)
2 T flour
1/2 t salt
dash pepper

Bacon, Tomato and Cheddar Quiche filling

3 bacon slices, crisply cooked, drained and c rumbled
1/3 C seeded, chopped plum tomato
2 T sliced green onions

Cheese
1/2 C shredded cheese

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray small oval baker with non-stick cooking spray.  Whisk together quiche’ base ingredients in bowl; set aside.
2.  Combine filling ingredients and cheese; spoon into bottom of baking dish.  Pour quiche’ base over filling ingredients.
3.  Bake 30-35 minutes or until center is set.  (A knife inserted in center will come out clean).  Let stand 5 minutes before serving.  Yield:  2-3 servings

Here was my sister, Sharee’s scrumptious supper meal: 

The Lord is so good to go before us and provide rest just when we need it.  A couple of months ago I suggested to my sisters that we get together for a “Sister’s Retreat.”  They agreed, so we made plans to get together at a place not far from here for a three day, two night get-away.  The time has arrived, and is tomorrow through Saturday, and the timing is perfect.  It’s coming when we all are weary.  We’re all involved in good things, but even good things can wear you down. 

I can’t wait to see my sisters, to have some “girl talk,” laugh together, cook for one another, spend time in the Word, maybe do a little crafting, hiking and Scrabble playing, and for sure get some needed rest. 

I will not have Internet service, so I won’t post again until Monday. I’m sure I’ll come back refreshed and ready to get back into my routines once again.  

Do you ever get together with your siblings or friends for a time of refreshment?  What do you do?

See you in church Sunday.

Be refreshed,