Blessings I Delight In

I love my grandchildren. It's wonderful to be loved by children.
It touched my heart when Esther reached her hands out to me and
when Fischer said, "I've been missing you". Baby Garrison is so sweet
and precious.

I enjoy seeing their first smiles and how they are growing and
learning how to do new things.

What a joy to hold them and rock them. I think it's a reminder
of when my own babies were small and I could hold them.

I hope my own children know how much I still delight in watching
their progress in life. I share their joy in their graduations, weddings,
moving into their own homes, and having their own children.

It thrills me to see my sons with their own children and to see how
much they love them and want to be good daddies.

I'm glad that Libby shares about her joys of wanting to be a teacher.
She's grown so confident in her ability to speak. She's had lots of
accomplishments, attended conferences and presented papers.

What a blessing to be told that Franklin is doing a great job as a
youth minister. I'm proud of John and his accomplishments at his
job and his promotion that he received a while back.

It's a great joy to see Franklin's talents to write, John's talent of
playing the guitar, and Libby's talent of speaking and teaching.

I also take great delight in my daughters-in-love: Tracy and
Emily. I prayed for many years for christian wives for my sons
and God answered my prayers. It is a joy to see them taking care
of my sons and their children. I love seeing how they decorate
their homes.

I have many blessings. I just want to make sure my children
know how special they are. Love ya, Mom

Am I Following You?

God, am I following you

or doing what I want to do?

Do I pray to do your will each day

or am I living life my own way?

God, am I following you

and to your word being true?

Am I letting you change my heart

so from you I'll never depart?

Following you is what I want to do.

My life is changing. I'm brand new.

I can't be part of the crowd anymore,

Above the world I must soar.

Following you may involve a cost,

but I know my soul won't be lost.

Friends may forsake me and flee,

but you'll always be with me.

You gave me the gift of your only Son

so the victory over sin has been won.

With your help I'll conquer the unknown

and lay my life before your holy throne.

Life is like a Game

I've been thinking of the movie "Facing the Giants".
The man, a high school football coach,
had not had a winning season in 7 years. He was
discouraged. When he came home, his car died in
the driveway.

He sat down at the table and started to eat. It was
a sandwich. His wife said the stove doesn't work.
Not only that, the drier wasn't working either. As
he sat there, he put his hands through his hair and
said and I'm going bald.

Do you ever feel like that? Everything is going wrong.
It could be compared to a game of football. You get
tackled a lot before you reach the goal line. You
sometimes think you're not going to be able to get back
into the game.

Other times you feel like you have been penalized. The
flag's been thrown down. Go back 10 yards. You wonder
what you've done that you're having all these problems.

Then there are those wonderful days when you reach the
goal line and feel like everyone in the stands are cheering
for you.

Precious Gems

Precious gems so rare,

There's naught to compare.

Why did you choose upon me to shine

Your friendship so fine?

Your cheerleading style

Saw me through many a trial.

You led me to a higher plane

And helped me sing a lovely refrain.

Even a language barrier

Couldn't keep us from being together.

To another country we'd flown.

You made me part of your home.

You were like a gentle breeze,

Even getting down on your knees

Making pleas for me to the Father above

Showing me your loyalty and love.

Friends, old and new

How could I do without you?

You're love is a refreshing stream.

Our friendship, I highly esteem.

Copyright April 2007

Written by J.K. Wood

Neglecting my Blog

I've been having so much fun on Fanstory creating stories about Fischer and Two Bear. Then there's Esther Sue, Tessa Turtle and Pete, the guard dog and their adventures. What will they be doing next? It's such fun to work on these stories for my grandchildren. Next Fischer is going to be pretending to be a pirate and then one of the doodle boppers. I have a cute picture of Esther looking up heavenward. There may be a story of Esther praying.

It seems that some of my poems about God have been the best received. So, I hope to write
more. Fanstory is a great place to share stories about God and people read them and review them. Some even seem encouraged. There are some doubters, but they at least read and maybe
reflect some.

So, if you don't notice any poems or stories here, I'll be on Fanstory.

Have you ever Been Passionate about Something?

I have become passionate about writing. Maybe because it gives me a
voice and I never felt like I had one before. It's good to have some way
to express myself.

There's an online writing group that of which I have become addicted.
It's called fanstory. It's so exciting for me. I have gotten to review a
lot of poems and some short stories. It's exciting because I can
encourage others about their writing.

One reason I am so excited is that there are a lot of poems about
God. A lot of the authors are sharing their faith by their poems. I'm
so excited to review those poems and get to know the authors. They
are becoming like friends.

Of course, I know that God should be what I am most passionate about.
That's why I think about the Psalm and song of thirsting for God like
in a dry land where there is no water. So this is what I need to pray for,
passion for God. I hope you are becoming passionate about Him.

This is a Poem About

This is a poem about a family.
This is a poem about traveling on a bumpy potholed road.
This is a poem about eating nsema and chicken and visiting.
This is a poem about hospitality.
This is a poem about friendship.
This is a poem about love.
This is a poem about the Sianjinas.

This is a poem about a teacher.
This is a poem about attending chapel.
This is a poem about a little girl searching for the teacher
in chapel.
This is a poem about Rayton and Libby.

This is a poem about a student.
This is a poem about a soccer player.
This is a poem about a friend with a dream.
This is a poem about the student, friend, soccer player,
who left Zambia and went to the States.
This is a poem about my Zambian son.
This is a poem about Bornwell.

This is a poem about a wedding.
This is a poem about customs.
This is a poem about laughter and
this is a poem about the friend who
got married.
This is a poem about Justin.

This is a poem about pillow fights.
This is a poem about baking cake for a friend.
This is a poem about a storyteller.
This is a poem about Ray.

This is a poem about the Sianjinas.

Marvelous Day

I had a marvelous day today. You might ask, what did you do
that was so marvelous. I had a day at home alone. It was so
exciting. I cleaned sinks, mopped floors, cleaned toilets, and
washed laundry. I even had time to watch one of my all-time
favorite movies (again) Facing the Giants. I also talked to my
mother, my mother-in-law and my son, Franklin, on the phone.

Even though I worked around the house I also had time just to
be alone and relax. If I don't have days to just relax and be
alone I really get stressed out.

I'm going to be teaching at the prison in about 3 weeks so I
worked on my lesson.

I think God knew I needed one of these stay at home and relax
kind of days. So thank you Father. You always provide what I
need.

Friends-Thank God for Them

Think back to the friends who have made a difference in your life.
If you're like me there are plenty, but one such friend is Carol.

Carol really worked at pulling me out of my shell, making me do
things that were out of my comfort zone. She encouraged me to
be a cub scout den leader. I still can't believe that I did that.
Of course, I also had another friend, Margaret, who helped me
with the boys or I'm sure I'd never been able to do it.

Fred and I were also in the brothers' keeper group with Carol
and her husband, Bob. Carol asked me to call people in the group
each month and invite them to the meeting. This was also
something difficult for me. It was like pulling teeth. I am not a
phone person and still have to rehearse what I say when I call
someone to ask a question.

Friends, like Carol and Margaret, have made a great difference
in my life. They helped me grow. They encouraged and inspired
me to try new things. They believed in me. Have you ever had
friends like that or have you ever been a friend like that? I'd
like your comments.

Let's all try to be the kind of friends we really need to be. Friends
who make a difference; who inspire, encourage, and want the
very best for our friends. Friends - BE ONE!

Spiritual Blahs

Do you ever feel like you are spinning your wheels spiritually?
Not going forward in your faith or growing. Do you feel like
your prayers are just bouncing off the ceiling?

I guess it's like the winter season. You can see no growth.
Everything looks dead, but there's hope because it really isn't.
The green grass will come out, the trees bud and bring forth
leaves, and the flowers will once more come forth in an array
of colors.

I know God is listening and waiting for just the right moment
to answer my prayers. Everything has to be just right. I
have been studying Joseph and think about all those years it
took before his dreams came true. All the suffering and how
God was shaping him.

I look around at others who are suffering and feel my trials
are so insignificant up to theirs. God has a plan for each
one of us and a time for it to be fulfilled.

So, dear one, there is hope. Keep believing, keep praying
and be assured God loves you and is working mightily in
your behalf.

Fears about Job Search

Has anyone else experience fear related to trying to find a job?
I remember when Fred and I returned from Africa and I hadn't
worked outside our home in 17 years. All the job listings made
the jobs sound like something I couldn't possibly do.

I hadn't answered a phone in the 5 years we had lived in Africa.
We didn't have a phone. Secretarial work had changed so much
because there were computers.

So if you haven't worked for awhile like a stay at home Mom or
if you've had the same job for quite some time it's a frightening
experience looking for a job. Can anyone relate? If so, please
comment.

Wash the Gray Away or Where's My Miss Clairol When I Need It!

There are certain disadvantages of being short on cash. I had begun
to enjoy an occasional trip to the beauty salon to get my hair cut and
that's no longer possible. Also, my hair has to go back to its original
color, drab gray and brown. My hair looks like it has been powdered
next to my scalp.

I guess this is the end of a beautiful friendship with Miss Clairol or
Revlon or whatever color I could find.

I just had another birthday so I guess I will just have to look my age!

What is a Friend?

It's difficult being a friend at times; especially if the friend
doesn't act like a friend. This was brought home to me last
week when my Step-Dad and Mom tried to help a friend.
They had a car wreck and now the "friend" is suing them.
They were just trying to help her during a difficult time.

She even spent the night of the accident with them; then
was quick to leave the next morning to see her lawyer.
She had already been complaining of back pain, but said
her back was lots worse now.

Still you don't want an experience like this to change you.
You still want to be someone willing to reach out and
help someone.

I think of a friend like Jonathan was to David. He knew
David would be king and even though as Saul's son he
could have claimed the kingship, he didn't want to do
that. He wanted to protect his friend, even if it meant
being at odds with his own father.

To have friends, a person must show themselves friendly.
We also should live by the golden rule to treat others as
we want to be treated. Friends do things for each other.
It's not a one way street. You don't do things for a friend
so your friend will do things for you, but real friends seek
to help and encourage one another.

Let's remember to treat our friends with kindness.

Presumed Murdered

My sister brought two notebooks full of work she had done on
our family genealogy. One was about my mother's family and
the other about my father's family. There were so many of the
people that I didn't know, even those who lived in my lifetime.

As I was looking through the book about my father's family I
discovered an entry about a woman relative. It said she was
presumed murdered. Presumed murdered! I can't get that
out of my mind. Why was it that she was presumed murdered?
What had happened? What were the circumstances? Where
was she found? Did they have any idea as to who might have
murdered her?

Did she have a happy life up until that fateful day? Or was her
life full of sadness. What was her marriage like? Did anyone
consider if her husband might have killed her? Was there any
possibility of suicide?

It happened in about 1846. I can't remember exactly what the
notebook said about how old she was. I suppose no one will ever
know what really happened. Presumed murdered!

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake I pray the Lord
my soul to take.

I remember thinking of this prayer often as a child. Then I was
fearful that something would happen to me. Now as I get older,
I know it's very possible that something could happen to me at
any time.

I treasure each moment I have with my children and my two
precious grandchildren. Oh, how I hope I have lots of time with
them. I didn't know my own grandparents much. I guess that's
why being an available grandparent is important to me.

Now I lay me down to sleep
If I die before I wake

I hope my children and grandchildren will know how important
they are in my life. Time with them is precious. Time is something
there's never quite enough of. Not enough to say everything we
want to, to do everything we want to, to be with all the people we
love as much as we want.

I hope my children also treasure their moments with family and
friends. Don't forget what's important. I love you!!

I'm Overwhelmed

God has blessed me abundantly. He's answered my prayers for
Tracy and Franklin. He's blessing them with another child.

I've been thinking about prayers for my children. I know God
has been with them and blessed them.

He blessed Franklin and John with wonderful wives. They each
have a beautiful child. They have good jobs.

I know God answered prayers about Franklin getting the right
place to work and the right place to live.

Now I'm excited as John and Emily and trying to find a new home.
I'm excited to see how God will answer.

I believe He has blessed all my children with talents. I've seen them
grow in those. They amaze me. I've watched them all go through
college and now Libby is even a graduate student. I know God has
helped them all and I know He continues to have great plans for them
and for my grandchildren.

At times we pray, but we forget God is working. We get used to
praying and sometimes we forget to praise Him when He answers.
Thank you God for continuiing to answer even when I'm not worthy
of your wonderful gifts. Thank you also for my wonderful church
family who's praying for me.

Those We Miss

My sister has done a lot of work on our family genealogy. I hadn't
thought of some of my relatives in ages. It's strange how hearing a
name can bring a picture into your mind.

I long to go on a day trip with my sister and see some of the old
homes that I visited as a child. I want to look at family tombstones
and reflect on the lives of those with whom I can no longer laugh or
cry.

My brother's best friend, Tommy, died in the Vietnam War. He was
much too young. He was over at our house a lot since his own mother
had died and he lived with his grandmother.

I had a crush on Tommy for a while. He thought of me as a little
sister. At Tommy's funeral I couldn't bear to look at his face. It was
difficult to come to terms with the fact that he was dead. Somehow it
seemed as if I could keep him alive if I didn't see him lying in that
casket. But memories don't die!

Sharing Tag

I was tagged by Franklin.

The Rules: Link to the person that tagged yuo and post the rules on
your blog.
Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog,
or
Share the 5 top places on your "want to see or want to see again"
list, or
Share 5 things you never pictured being in your future when you
were 25 years old.

Tag a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 random people at the end of
your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know
that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
The tagees have a choice of which they want to do.

I'm doing 5 random facts about myself.

1. In high school I hated giving book reports, but later joined
Toastmasters and enjoyed giving speeches. I was still nervous
but it was fun.

2. When I got married I was working in the Dept. of Anesthesiology
at University Hospital in Oklahoma City. The other women in
the office couldn't believe I would be willing to move away from
my parents to Memphis, Tenn. Because of a recommendation
letter sent from one of my bosses I was able to work at the
University Hospital in Memphis also in the Dept. of
Anesthesiology.

3. I hate change, but moved to Africa for 5 years. Only with God's
was I able to do this.

4. Another thing about myself it that I am involved in prison
ministry which has also been something which stretched my
faith.

5. My latest passion is writing; although I have lots and lots of stuff
I've written not much is really worthy of reading.

tag: Esther, Tracy

Amazing Grace - the movie

Have you watched the movie, Amazing Grace? What's it
like to be so appalled by something that you spend 15
years of your life fighting against it? Fighting a battle
that seems hopeless. Everyone seems to be against you.
Your health suffers. You are tired, disheartened, frustrated
and yet you must continue. You cannot let the other side
win this battle.

Is there some battle cry that I must take up; what about you?

Ain't No Sunshine When Esther's Gone

Tessa Turtle sat shivering in the cold, dark house. Never had
she felt so alone. It wasn't just the absence of electricity that
made the house dreary; it was the fact the little girl was gone.
She felt as if she were alone on a boat far from the shore.

Tessa could still hear the ice pelting the roof. The trees were
bending over from the weight of ice. Occasionally, she heard a
loud crack which reminded her of a gunshot.

When the electricity had gone off, the little girl's parents had
gathered up some clothes and whisked her off to her grand-
parent's house. They had even taken the fish and Tessa's friend
and confidant, Pete, the guard dog. None of the other stuffed
animals in the house could speak, so Tessa had no one with whom
she could talk.

Tessa tried to forget her own loneliness and remember that the
little girl had to be protected at all costs. She already had the
sniffles and no one wanted the little girl to be sick.

Tessa heard a clicking sound and the creaking of the front door
as it opened. Who was there? Soon she saw the little girl's daddy.
He was gathering up more clothes; then he went into the garage
and tossed food into the ice chest. Oh my, thought Tessa, it
looked like it might be a while before the little girl could come
home.

Tessa loved living with the little girl and her parents. She
thought of the day the little girl came home from the hospital.
What an exciting day it was! The little girl's parents were
overjoyed. Finally, she had arrived. Even Pete, the guard dog
was excited.

Tessa had watched as the little girl grew. She learned to do
new things. She smiled and cooed. Then she began to laugh.
She started trying to talk, making different sounds. The little
girl's parents could not understand her, but Pete and Tessa
had learned the little girl's language. They all enjoyed
watching her develop new skills.

It was another long lonely night. Tessa was trying to keep
her courage up by thinking about all the happy memories she
shared with the little girl.

The next morning Tessa heard the sound of truck down the
street. She hoped it was someone working on the electricity.

About noon, Tessa heard the key turning inthe front door.
Surely it wasn't the little girl's daddy. He was supposed to
be at work. The door groaned as it opened. Tessa heard
the little girl's mother and grandpa. Her heart filled with
anticipation. There was the little girl, but only for a moment.
Then the little girl vanished from Tessa's sight. That brief
time was enough to encourage Tessa.

After the little girl had been gone several hours, Tessa
heard a humming noise and saw a bright flash of light.
Yea, the electricity was on again. Now she knew that the
little girl, her parents, the fish and Pete would be home
again soon.

She was thinking of all she was going to talk to Pete and
the little girl about when they arrived home. Tessa felt
all warm inside. Surely, there must be more inside Tessa
than stuffing. Tessa knew that the little girl with her
giggles and laughter brought happiness into this home.
She waiting excitedly for the return of "little miss sunshine".