hospitality

this past week, we had the privilege of showing hospitality to my father-in-law. he was in need of a mini-vacation of sorts; for some time to relax in a peaceful setting.

i must admit i was hesitant at extending an invitation, especially an open one. our cottage is so very small, with only one bedroom and one bathroom. it can also be very cold in the winter in the rooms furthest from the heater, with ice forming on the inside of the windows over night despite our best attempts to insulate them. also, my FIL brought his young boxer and we have two dog-phobic cats. so perhaps one can imagine what a slight panic i felt at this visit, even while knowing in my heart and soul that showing hospitality is a calling of the Christian life.

so what did we do? we opened our home, small and chilly as it is, up to my dear FIL (and his boxer!). the cats stayed in the bedroom, door shut and small ceramic heater running, for the visit's duration. dear FIL slept on our guest futon in front of the monitor heater, with his boxer curled next to him on an old(er) blanket. we ate simple meals, at the table, and gave thanks for the what the LORD had provided. we spent time talking about all manner of things. i learned that upkeep of even a small house takes a large amount of energy when company is staying over. most evenings after cleaning the kitchen, i was so tired that i didn't have the energy to worry about the next day's activities, cleaning jobs, or meals. and all-in-all, i found that the LORD blessed me greatly by allowing me to be a blessing.

even in the midst of our little, the LORD can use it to accomplish much.

Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?"
And they said, "Seven, and a few fish."
So He commanded the mulitude to sit down on the ground.
So they all ate, and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left.
Matthew 15:34-35, 37 NKJV

Thanksgiving

I want to share a prayer and a poem, both realated to Thanksgiving.

Most Richly Blest
I asked You, GOD, for strength that I might achieve,
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey;
I asked for health that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity that I might do better things;
I asked for riches that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise;
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of GOD;
I got nothing that I asked for,
But everything I hoped for;
I am among all men most ricly blest.
*found in the pocket of an unknown Confederate soldier after the battle of Gettysburg, from The Crossings Treasury of American Prayers

The New England Boy's Thanksgiving Song
Over the river, and through the wood,
To grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way,
To carry the sleigh,
Through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood--
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes,
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river, and through the wood,
To have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring,
"Ting-a-ling-ding!"
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river and through the wood
Trot fast, my dapple-gray!
Spring over the ground
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river and through the wood,
And straight through the barn-yard gate.
We seem to go
Extremely slow--
It is so hard to wait!

Over the river and through the wood--
Now grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun!
Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880)

veteran's day

let us all remember to pray for those men and women who have given their lives in service for our country, served our country in the past and are presently serving our country.

a good book

the last few days i've spent re-reading a very good book, one that my mother had in the house when i was a child. it's the story of corrie ten boom and it's called the hiding place by corrie ten boom with john and elizabeth sherrill. i was pleasantly surprised several years ago to discover she had written other books and devotionals, as i really enjoy all of ms. ten boom's writings. a passage from the preface especially resonnated with me during this reading:

"already we found ourselves actually putting into practice how-to's we learned from about her:
*handling separation
*getting along with less
*security in the midst of insecurity
*forgiveness
*how God can use weakness
*facing death
*dealing with difficult people
*how to love your enemies
*what to do when evil wins
we commented to her about the practicalness of everything she recalled, how her memories seemed to throw a spotlight on problems and decisions we faced here and now. 'but,' she said, 'this is what the past is for! every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.'" (p viii)

i, too, am enjoying learning from the wisdom of this godly woman (who is now gone to be with the LORD) and from her family memories and life experiences. i highly recommend this book, although parents will want to pre-read it for suitability for their children first.

snowfall

we got around one and a half inches of snow from last night around midnight through this afternoon around one o'clock. most of it is gone now, due to rising temperatures and the sun coming out for brief periods of time. it was lovely to spend the morning watching the snow fall, taking pictures of it, drinking hot tea/hot chocolate/hot cider and knitting/reading. very cozy!

winter weather

this evening, we are expecting (and in some parts of the county already experiencing) the first snowfall of the season! not much of it is going to hang around very long, but still the temperatures are dipping down, even if we don't get but a dusting.

i would like to remind any who read this post that not all are as fortunate or blessed as we are. there are, no doubt, families still cold in their houses/apartments right now. let us all pray for those who are struggling to keep warm this cold time of year as well as put our faith in action by doing what we can to help, whether that be make a donation to a charity providing heating assistance, donating quilts/blankets/sweaters/warm slippers, etc. or helping a neighbor directly to pay for heating fuel.

LORD, hear our prayer!

i hope everyone has had a blessed LORD's day and are looking forward to another week of blessings from His hands.

this past week at the cottage, i've been busy trying to do above and beyond normal cleaning and maintenance cleaning. i've found that if i do the bigger tasks in smaller chunks that i don't get as overwhelmed with them or discouraged at the list of them. so cleaning out the fridge for a good scrub turns into several sessions of cleaning and scrubbing the various levels. some tasks may not be suitable to being broken down into smaller ones to be done over a series of days, so reserving one day as a day to do thus-and-so is also more pleasant than fretting over the list of ones not tackled just yet. it was very refreshing to rest today and see how much i've accomplished.

another task i've been busy at is weaving. the next project i'll warp the loom for is a Harvest Home tablerunner for my sister, as she is hosting her first family Thanksgiving this year. she has recently expressed an interest in and discovered a talent for baking, so i think she's looking forward to cooking a meal for us all. i'm also trying to make as many Christmas gifts as possible this year and am trying to outdo my previous handmade gift tallies.

the garden is still giving veggies, mainly yellow squash. there are some pumpkins still growing and i discovered several cantalope as well. the dahlias are still blooming, as are the zinnias. the leaf color is deepening and spreading, making every day a pallete of brilliant golds, reds and greens. how blessed i truly am!