I WALK BY FAITH (video)

 

A-MA-ZING er OF A YEAR

 To a great season ahead, and to all of you who’ve supported me through year 71 or is it 72, thank you so much. It’s been an A-MA-ZINGer of a year.

CARPE DIEM !

"Variety is the

SPICE OF LIFE

but

SYRUP is the

SAUCE OF DREAMS."

My favorite server handed me a to-go bag with a mug to take home as a gift along with cheese cake and strawberries. What a special way to begin my day.

Drink coffee! Do Stupid Things Faster with More Energy.

— Unknow

Life has a funny way of giving you what you need, not what you want. And I guess life just realized that I needed a morning like this to start my day.

To-Go bags are basically gift wrap for THE PERFECT PRESENT.

"Life’s too  memorable to not "seize the day".

 Life journey, endure it we must, along with its bumps and learning we must.  Navigating those bumps are great learning lessons or bust."~rjs

We accumulate so much in so many years of living.

Make every moment count they say.

Life is speeding along.

 When you get older it seems like years have gone by in the time it takes you to blink your eye.

 Remember childhood? When time  seemed to last forever?

How much joy can you squeeze from   life?

Grab a hold of joy when you can because  

you never know what the next day brings.

Appreciate the journey, most of the time we don't end up where we expect.

Appreciating the now, for which I am constantly reminding myself, I will consider myself better off while keeping my eye on the goal.

There are several things I consider as goals for the coming year, to never stop learning, to stay curious, to view all things as temporary, and to prepare the mind for change.  

I don't ever want to forget 2020 or 2021, how my friends and neighborhood quietly blessed me.  Each year, on birthday day, is always an evaluation or state of my life in review. Click here PAST BIRTHDAY IN REVIEW

I am optimistic about my next year in life and look forward with anticipation as to what God has planned. 

 I'm ready for an epic adventure, the syrup of my dreams.  haha.

THE HOUSE BESIDE THE ROAD

"I WRITE TO REMEMBER"

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As the curtain opened to a new milestone, moving upstream, I found myself where memories were more rememberable.  The period in life that was impressionable to this toddler/pre-schooler.

THE HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

The House Beside The Road

Tucked to the side, a side yard, overgrown and barely visible from the road, was my play ground.  It was a well-preserved weathered adobe house.

One day an unspeakable small tragedy occurred.  In a rambunctious sort of way, I had lost my eye glasses in a bed of hay.  The call for reinforcements had everyone on their hands and knees, searching for the toddler size glasses of which I was not a help due to my lack of almost blindness without them.  In a three yr. old sort of way upon being asked where I thought they could be, I would say “here”, “no, over here”.  Relief was in sight when someone finally discovered them buried in the loose straw.

“Sometimes the finest adventures are the ones where you can simply slow down and appreciate the beauty which surrounds you.”

There's nothing like the discovery of a hidden memory jarred by some photo, something said, or mesmerized by something read or seen or heard.  

Once a month or so, I would accompany my father into the city to purchase supplies.  Although there was a physical closeness, I always felt that my fathers thoughts were far away perhaps armed with the list my mother had handed him and burdened by the thought of having forgotten something that we would then have to wait for a future trip the next month.  On occasion, he would be given the task to purchase something for others.  

Perhaps he carried the thoughts of the difficulties he had encountered on a previous trip into a remote village.

Stone bridge with impressive cobblestone that crossed a stream, in front of the house beside the road.

The general thinking in the early 50’s  was “spare the rod and spoil the child.”  I was expected to behave.  In those days I was allowed to explore with few restrictions.

 My mother was not one to spare.  One day she gave me a healthy dose of discipline to an offense I do not remember.  She inadvertently, gave me a hard swat on the keister which resulted in a broken blood vessel in her hand.

The next time, I was sent out to the wood pile in search of a switch, the thinner, the more painful, I learned.

My father on the other hand, never laid a hand on me, just the look or a spoken word was enough to show his disapproval and set me straight.

I am reminded of:

Proverbs 29:15 that, "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." 

And have on occasion thought that had I not been 

left to myself so many times that some of my independent and unsupervised wild escapades would have tamed and prepared me more for the spiritual disciplines of life.

We  lived in the house beside the road until I was around eight while our house on the mountain was being built.

Since the dawn of my existence, “There are some images so powerful they can never be forgotten.”

The reminders are there, that I am, have been securely nestled in God's presence and he remains the same when I am faced with struggles.

AN A-“MAZE”-ING JOURNEY

It’s an incredible time to be alive!

The days are running into each other and each day appears we are on the verge of some transition or another.

It’s the seasons of life that impact us the most.

A TODDLER IN THE COURTYARD.

In the large impressive courtyard among the sheltering plants an unsuspecting toddler explored among the foliage unaware of hidden dangers and gems in a small remote village in the South Eastern Mexico.  

It was the beginning of my own memorable timetable.

It was the beginning of many breathtaking and unforgettable adventures.

In the shadow of the Catholic Church bell tower, the bells constantly rang at all times of the day, a constant reminder of the dark shadows surrounding us, the courtyard enveloped us, giving a sense of secureness.  On Sundays while holding worship service, the nuns would march around our compound to disrupt worship.

 

We are on God’s timeline.

"OUR YESTERDAY'S PREPARE US FOR TODAY."

7/17/21. The other day as I was reading the account of Peter visiting Cornelius’s house, I was struck by the fact of the similarities between some of the events in my life.  (Acts 10:23 -26) “…had called together his relatives and close friends.” “Found a large gathering of people”, when Peter entered the house.

  On occasion, I would accompany my father on one of his visits to a remote village.  As we approached the village, a "runner", a young boy usually would sound the alarm that we would be at such and such's house.  The women would scurry around to prepare a large meal for us "travelers".  

After the meal would follow an impromptu church service, often times late into the night, long after my tired self was found dozing on one of the hard wooden benches.  The hunger for God's Word was evident.

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WE ARE ON GOD'S WATCH

 I often stop, turn to gaze on the path/sidewalk/boardwalk I had just followed and wondered at the view of the last few moments, and past 

 survival events on this journey called life.

Oh, yes, that walk has been sprinkled with the beauty of simple pleasures and simple strenuous, exhausting struggles that consumed that journey.

But eventually, stepping through each clearing, that often left me gasping and speechless, and wondering what in the heck is going on only to ponder later of the moments that God has, is, and carried me through many unspeakable, crushing moments of pain.

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GOD'S TIMELINE

My father's vision was to bring the gospel to the remote parts of Mexico.  He was persuaded by the guiding principles of the apostle Paul and hence I was placed into this timeline.

What emerged from this continuum were difficult seasons, and times where I had never been before.

I lived on borrowed time, defining my times regarded as temporary and very transient.

It's the seasons in God's timeline that impact the most.  The need to mentally and physically prepare for this daunting journey is tremendous.  I often find myself appallingly unprepared.

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THE NOSEY NEIGHBOR-Crepe Myrtle, Jacarandas

THE NOSEY NEIGHBOR , days of hit and miss. 8/4/21

Enjoying the Crepe Myrtles and passion fruit vines of the Neighborhood.

THE NOSEY NEIGHBOR

WHEN PURPLE REIGNS

The most defining moments these days have been my photo walks in the neighborhood.

This morning, as I was strolling through parts I usually try to avoid because of its ugliness, I got crazily aesthetic pleasure again over the long lasting magnificent violet Jacaranda trees that overshadowed trash and discards on Barbara Ann Street. 

These beautiful hot spots are punctuated throughout the neighborhood. Even the most run down spots can turn it into a somewhat splendid display. 

When the flowers drop, a carpet of joy hits the eye but then decomposes.

Legend has it if the flower falls on your head, it means good fortune for you.

Jacaranda represents wisdom, rebirth, wealth and good luck.

This year it appears, the blooms are extending their season just for me to enjoy.

So I look upwards into the trees, following the slow descent of its trumpet-shaped flowers back to the messy sidewalk in their wake with many more to replace them, relishing in their beauty, hoping that a flower will fall on me, Ha,Ha.


The longer, this chaotic yet magnificent season brings, the greater anticipation of what God might be doing throughout this season. The Jacaranda tree can not be quarantined. 

If the June Gloom is strong, the purple blooms will last long.

If June Gloom is long, regardless of the unrest, the wonderful display should lift our hearts and unveil the gentle reminder that this is God’s world too. He is in the mess with us.


Be steadfast in mind. (Isa. 3:4 "The steadfast of mind Thou will keep in perfect PEACE, because he trusts in Thee..."

I can’t help but be swept away by the glorious carpet of the blooms until it has to be cleaned up or you park underneath it. Ponder the beauty of that unexpected mess and surprise.
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)

"Many, O Lord my God,

are the wonders you have done.

The things you planned for us

no one can recount to you; were

I to speak and tell of them, they 

would be too many to declare." Ps.40:5 

— feeling alive.

PRONE TO WANDER~A new month in 2020

NOVEMBER 2020 NOTES

A NEW SUNDAY, A NEW MONTH

Sometimes, I think that the past 6 months has given me an excuse to live in a haphazard way. My spiritual habits have gone out the window. I keep telling myself, I’ll start over sometime soon. Soon comes along to soon and again just like our governor, I want to keep moving the goal.

I try to encourage myself to not wait, just start today.

Daylight Savings Time ended. Standard Time begins. I have a love/hate relationship to each.

Personally, I love to get up early but have found myself squandering those hours to watching Dr. Quinn, checking my e-mails, and scrolling through my Timeline. But what of the real life Timeline?

Sometimes I have difficulty getting out of bed now that cooler morning weather has set in. My body doth protest. Many times I get off track and have to adjust the line and start all over again, tomorrow. Each day is full of new God given mercies and his faithfulness remains the same.

AND TODAY, MONDAY, “PRONE TO WANDER” as strands of Come Though Fount Of Every Blessings wander through my mind.

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;”

~rjs

THE NOSEY NEIGHBOR~Hart to Hart

THE NOSEY NEIGHBOR~May 30, 2020

The Jacarandas, Jasmine, Palms, colorful array of flowers, and Bougainvillas keep following me around. The Catalpa tree has shed most of its blooms. The Mimosa tree is now in full bloom.

I wandered into the other half of the next neighborhood, finding new things that caught my eye. As a whole, it was soundless, except for an occasional dog, the birds and far away sound of the freeway that has appeared to pick up traffic as some of the restrictions have lifted.

Neighborhood means different things to different people. It is moderately diverse as seen by the architecture. I was attracted by the tree lined- streets and the great landscaping and outside living areas since the pandemic.

I detected the soothing sounds of flowing water in fountains here and there. From pompous to quaint and ornate, they have appeared to be popular over the last few months.

The early morning hours called, 2.8 miles logged into my activity app.

Spring continues to burst with changes.

Longer daylight hours are the biggest clues,

the sight of squirrels vivaciously chasing each other and the birds sound different, spreading the news of availability.

Individual birds are getting into the feathered dating scene.

Then I got caught up in an episode, old TV show, Hart To Hart while drinking my second cup of coffee.

What I liked most about the show was how close the Harts were and also how very happily married. They knew each other extremely well and respected each others opinion. That is what I remembered the most about the series. The people they fought every time were incidental to the show to me, but my favorite part was to see such a happy and nice looking couple. The series was very well done full of beautiful places and beautiful people. Their cute dog, Freeway, was adorable.

Max was a dream of a house caretaker, and a cook, a series featuring crime and mystery, suspense and adventure, but above all the constantly romantic relationship between the married couple, the Harts, around which this story revolves.

It's a wonderful series for both mystery and romance. Jennifer Hart depended on her husband a lot when she was in danger.

I'm into my seventies now and I love watching old movies and TV shows that were playing back when I had not time to watch them.

THE NOSEY NEIGHBOR~Porch sitting & more Mellenthin

MELLENTHIN HOMES

WHILE WE WAIT AND WAIT ~June 13,2020

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

— J.R.R. Tolkien

My muscles moaned audibly and exhaustion crept into my walk before I was ready. I forced my eyes open a bit wider and took a deep breath

The day stretched before me as I looked ahead with the rattling of chaotic thoughts.

Beauty is still there. Joy is still there. Love is still there.

I am encouraged by things I cherish. The magical power of a cup of coffee.

The crispness of the morning stared me in the face. What will I remember of the sparkling wonder of this crazy life?

I want to remember the boldness of the sun’s daily greeting unless June Gloom interferes. I want to remember how the trees sing and call out sending bird chirps and rejoicing, the call to wake a weary soul.

An occasional passerby lights their beaming eyes under the mask with a hand greeting.

The one thing I have cherished the most these days is that the most valuable thing in my life can not be taken away ever. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit and wisdom of God’s Word and His sustained strength.

We are more alive than ever!

“For I am convinced

that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither the present

nor the future,

nor any powers,

neither height nor depth,

nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38,39

God has touched everything. The breathtaking beauty and lusciousness of silence surround me. Photo walkings give me some sort of control. I can either focus on the circumstances or focus on words in Scripture and the unchanging nature of God.

In spite of all the chaotic events around, I find myself enchanted by the neighborhood around me. Within a six block radius, I came across several more Mellenthin homes. I find the frequently featured birdhouses detailing above the garages with dovecotes (holes for birds to nest in), and diamond pane windows very intriguing.

I prefer to go on my photo walks in the early morning when all the porch people are still sleeping.

Porch sitting is another social activity I enjoy.

It helps contribute to a lively atmosphere, for those sitting and also those passing by. This neighborhood phenomenon occurs during afternoon walks.

There has been a shift to porch sitting.

Lately, amid this global pandemic, front porches, balconies, and patios everywhere are being used again.

We are playing instruments and singing songs in the open air of our front stoops.

Car caravans are driving by with signs as we stand outside to let us know we’re not alone when we celebrate special occasions isolated from our friends and families.

The front porch used to be an iconic feature in American homes.

The most prominent feature of homes now is the garage. The front porch sitters have joined those who are garage sitters.

I have noticed also many used front spaces where people have started living there. Sofas out in the front gardens. People appear to be enjoying the outside of their homes.

I have good memories of sitting on the porch in Mexico, reading the latest book or embroidering. Mail and care packages were a big deal then. News traveled via mail as there were no phones.

Porches were a necessity before air conditioning.

Porches functioned as an important "transitional space between the private world of the family and the public realm of the street,"

Now that we have recovered the lost art of porch sitting, we need to recover the lost art of dressing up.

Important events happen on the porch. They connect us to others.

Who could predict that we would return to a habit of sitting outside.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Porch Sitters Union was formed to celebrate the fine art of Porch sitting.

The Porch is a magical place where you are transported to a better state of mind and memories are born.

As I walk, I contemplate on the origin of street names. The streets kind of serve as a map through the past.

Do you know the difference between and Avenue and a street, or loop or lane? Or a Way? A drive or a parkway?

Did you know that they are classified by width?

No, neither did I. I have been walking the Streets and Avenues.

GROUNDED AND GRATEFUL