Sunday, May 26, 2013

THOUGHTS OF CHANGE

    Thoughts of change have been tumbling around in my brain for many weeks, and I will share them with you today. I have been keeping this blog updated so that you could know what is happening in Lower Brule as we go over there. I have enjoyed keeping it up, but I have felt it to be a little restrictive in content: for instance, sometimes things happen in life during the week about which I would love to share my thoughts with you. As a result, I often feel that I have repeated myself or become unimaginative as I write the blog. That particular blog was created specifically to report on the work in Lower Brule.  Our going to the mission is a very important facet in our lives, and I will not neglect to report on the work that is done there. However, I plan to eventually delete and recreate a blog with another name, and possibly another format. I will definitely keep you informed, as I would love to have all of the readers of this blog follow our lives and thoughts. I do not intend to delete this blog immediately, and I will continue to write on the blog until I begin another one. I am not sure what timeline I will be working on, as I tend to work slowly when I make a change in life. :)
    Last Sunday was a surprise, as we had an almost unprecedented number of people in the morning worship service. The group was attentive and respectful. Today was part of Memorial Day weekend, and people were busy with their own lives; so we only had a few people, but we so appreciated those who came.
     One lady I talked with today shared that her grandson and some friends had been making a little homemade 'bomb,' and it exploded in his face. He is suffering lots of pain, and the doctors are struggling to save his eyes, though it does not look good at this time. She has been in his room praying with him as he has requested, and she is appreciating prayer from those of us who are willing to pray for the family. Please, pray for this young man as he comes to your mind. Thank you.
    I have included a few 'happy pictures,' as it feels like spring has been long in coming, and is so welcome!
    I wish a great week for you, and pray that God will bless you.




Sunday, May 12, 2013

MOTHERS' DAY, 2013

   Mothers' Day--the day to pour out your love and appreciation to your mother and grandmothers. It was a beautiful day here in South Dakota, as if the weather were in cahoots with the calendar. (Finally!). I have read nice and loving tributes to moms and grandmothers, and they are so deserving of praise. I am remembering many happy times with my mother that I now cherish as memories. I remember her gentle voice and her gentle ways, and I thought today of how she would sometimes laugh until the tears would stream down her cheeks. She was loving and kind.
   We had a nice Sunday morning service, and Sunday School was fun this afternoon. One of the little girls came running in the church with a little bouquet for me. :) :)
   Mothers' Day, however, has other facets to it. Sorrow, pain, discouragement, and emptiness can be felt by some women who have lost children to death or other means, some who have had children forced from their lives,and victims of broken homes. I have heard and read the virtues of mothers on Mother's Day when I had several small children, and I thought how far I fell short of the expectations of motherhood (it wasn't until years later that I realized how idealistic our memories can be when we are years removed from childhood). No, moms are not always patient; no, the work is not always done; no, moms do not always have a chance to sit down and spend time with each child every day; no, moms do not always keep babies and children clean. Mothers Are Not Perfect. I heard heartcries today from womanhood who would like to be mothers, but never had the opportunity; I heard a heartcry from one who lost a child to death in an auto accident, and others who lost babies to death; I heard pain from children who miss their mothers who are now in heaven. I suppose the most painful thing I heard today was a little girl whose mother left her and her siblings say, "My mother doesn't love me."   On the brighter side of the issue, I have seen mother love in a special and caring way today, also.
   It was special that all four of my children called to talk with me today, and it was a nice surprise that some of my 'adopted' children also contacted me. How special that makes me feel!! It was also nice that Ray gave me some beautiful roses. I loved talking to my sisters and seeing pictures of some of their children and grandchildren. What a NICE day!!
   I hope you have a wonderful week ahead. I am planning a change with the blog, and I hope to inform you of that change next time. Until then, God Bless You and Yours!!