Stones of Remberance

I did not get my blog posted this Sunday because the WiFi in the park was down. It was working last night, but is not working again today, so hopefully I will be able to post this sometime soon.

Chaplain Bill’s sermon this last Sunday was centered on the stones of remembrance that the Israelites were told by Joshua to pick up from the middle of the Jordan as they crossed over into the Promised Land. These stones were placed as a remembrance of how the Lord allowed them to the cross the raging River Jordan by stopping the water, just as He did when He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. He reminded everyone to “tell them” (their descendants) the story.  “For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over.  The Lord your God did to the Jordan what He had done to the Red Sea when He dried it up before us until we had had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” Joshua 4:23-24.

How many times a day do we hear a song, or see a face in the crowd that brings back memories – either happy or even in some cases, sad memories. Every time we do this, whatever it was that triggered that memory is in effect a stone of remembrance. This is especially true now during the holidays, when every sound or smell seems to bring back memories. My very fondest and most loved memory is a Christmastime one, when all of our 4 daughters had already left home, some were married, and some were not.  About a week or so before Christmas, on a Saturday, all the girls would come home for a day of Christmas baking. Neither men nor children were allowed – just the five of us in the kitchen (I had a big kitchen back then) baking and decorating and chatting away – almost sounded like a sorority house!!! I remember one time when our youngest daughter was in an accident on the way to our house – her car was totaled but she was not injured, thank the Lord!!! She was late, but she still got there!!! We would mix and stir and bake all day, washing dishes, tasting, decorating, and laughing about the past.  We would then divide up all the finished goodies, amazed at all we had done.  When evening came, the men and children were invited to a supper of homemade pizza and a huge plate of Christmas treats. The sound of Christmas music brings back those happy times to me, wanting to tell my grandchildren about all that Christmas fun.

The weather has been really strange – but it seems it has been that way all over the world. Some days it was cold enough to wear something warm in the morning, but then in the afternoon it would be 80 degrees!!! Living in South Texas is a far cry from North Central Wisconsin or even Arkansas, but we love the warm temperatures, the ever blooming flowers and shrubs, as well as the huge variety of fruits and vegetables. We were given a new type of cucumber the other day – small and round like a lemon, full of tiny seeds and tasting sort of like a lemon cucumber. It was really very good but certainly different.

Our days are very full now – between duties here at the park, our volunteer work at CHI resale shop where we get to meet so many people and actually pray with them sometimes. Great Oaks Food and Clothing ministry is thriving as God just seems to heap blessings on top of blessings,  bringing more food and clothing each week for those less fortunate that we. As we enter the holiday season, let us remember those who need our help, doing anything we can for them, but also remembering the amazing blessing that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has bestowed on us.