tie it, tie it TIIIIIIIE IT!!!!

It is so funny to hear her wee little voice trill (no i didn't misspell thrill, her little tongue is trilling ~ it is the Latin in her veins) with a high fever pitch. "Side, side, swing, swing" "Tie It, Tie it" "chocah Milk, Shake it, SHAKE IT" (all while she SHOWS us with her body and hips rapidly moving from side to side and the most precious mischievous grin ever) Oh I could just go on forever with what she is so animated about but I'll just show you one of them depicted animated faces she gives us with all her exuberant annotations.

All I can say is . . . The female version of Dennis the Menus

with a twist of adorable and drama

Covered in warmth

Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" Colossians 3:12

Oh where am I this morning? Thinking about another special someone. Yes I know what is GOING ON? ;-)

Okay so this precious someone has been instrumental in my family's life since working together in ministry and coming to live with us at our first camp as staff together. Oh those where the days (and still are for me).

She and I were in the "old cabins" because we preferred living "out there" than inside the "retreat center" It was sweet. She had the most beautiful set up. Throw carpet on the cold cement floor, a Mobile hanging rack for the cabin girls, and the coolest towel rack to dry just outside our door! I LOVED being with her as one of the cabin moms. We stayed up late under flash light, choking from the fumes of deet filled bug spray, perfume of every array to the sent and towels hanging from the rafters. Curtains made of what ever we pulled together and FANS galore to take the edge off the heat. But what I remember so vividly where her QUILTS made with Love. The goal was to earn the Best CABIN and the Best Bunk for the day. That is when I really began to wonder who made "that quilt" on that bed when I first came in to a moved in cabin. It was a dear one that I have grown to LOVE through the years since 1988 also. But the reason I write is because I saw a quilt recently that made me smile; a love made quilt on Laurels' lap before the Lord took her home made by this beautiful woman.

Can you guess who she might be? I'll shout it out with GLEE . . . "CLAUDEEDEE". One day shortly after our first princess entered our home she was blessed with a hand made quilt from her beautiful hands. I cried (those of you who know understand these eyes tears). She pieced many squares and covered it with a rosette pattern on the other side. I didn't want to use it I wanted to do what everyone else was doing back in the day and just "display it" on a quilter rack for looks. That is when I discovered the greatest compliment is for the recipient to USE their quilt and allow it to be worn out; LITERALLY!!!!! I was Aghast to at first. "It's too beautiful to USE it." She and I giggled as we talked about quilts, Kent's gram' ma K making them like crazy, and on and on and on. Although she may not remember that, I do. So we brought Mya's quilt to camp for her bedding from then on (even in the summer camps Mya didn't come with us- which wasn't but maybe one).

Then again a couple of years later, another quilt arrived shortly after Tia's birth. Just as beautiful and again very special. I don't remember exactly when but I began asking Claudeedee (Claudia B.) about her quilts. Her time creating them, why she loved making them, along with many other questions. How many she had made and that is when I discovered she made them for her family: the boys, her nieces and nephews, siblings, parents, and Paul's' family (and Rogers are a large family). I went to bed that night with a soft tear rolling down my cheeks realizing that she made one for my girls with love like they were her family! Kent had a quilt for college and our quilt for our wedding from Gram'ma K, Mya and Tia had one now from Claudeedee (which by the way was what they named Claudia from then on that is how we know them). She loved my girls so tenderly. I knew their quilts were made with Love and it warmed my heart because she thought of them before I even realized the fullness of the gift of intent that took undivided time. Once again not once but twice Claudeedee made two other quilts: one for Faith and Emily. But the most precious quilt was the one Claudia made for me. I bawled like a baby when she brought it over. I knew I was going to use this baby for a VERY LONG TIME, and Ever year since the first quilt they have been going with us to many locations; and ALWAYS to camp at MLCC and now many others. We have loved those quilts and the hands that made them so long ago. They have been used in all four seasons, at sporting events and are worn like coats, they travels with us to many states and countries. They are used & been worn with a returned love just like one of my favorite stories: The Velveteen Rabbit.

I write about them because just two days ago I had Faith grab my quilt out from the back of the van because it was time to take it in to wash it clean. And as it was folded and I saw the iron burn, the wearing out spots and drew in a breath, I said a prayer over Claudia, her hands, her life at that very morning as Faith ran inside with it. Imploring the King for her life to be blessed and her family now grown with grandchildren of her own knowing I am unable to convey fully my love for her gifts made by her love. I know that each and every time one of us wraps up in her quilts made for us with thought, she is a servant who gave unselfishly. Now one of those precious quilts is at college with my precious princess number one. So Thank you Claudedee ~ For I Love You more than you'll ever know!!!

I'll upload a current picture of our quilts made from my special dearly loved "Claudeedee" with their owner. As well as other loved on quilts we use from other wonderful hands creations.

Princess One @ college

taken on photoshoot: copyrighted ~ BChambers Photography

Can you say . . . . "memory lane?"

O what a wonderful evening!

Have I ever said how much I LOVE PEOPLE? Or catching up in other's lives? Goodness me it was one of those nights and I LOVED every moment of this day! I met with two different couples and both are very precious to me. ;-) Awhhhhhhh sweet.

One I cannot disclose for professional reasons but it was sweet all the same. The other couple I met with were so indescribable and lovely to walk down memory lane. One goes back over twenty years plus and the other back to a very beautiful wedding in JoMo!

A text turned phone call then a very special hour made my heart strings sing with joy. My eyes lit up with expectation. My life became a reel of rewind, flash backs and making another piece sewn into the tapestry called my life of the past called a present of the moment. The lights were on, the cell phone hung up and the door opened with a very warm greeting of welcome. Their home so inviting. New to the physical body but warm as if returning to where I had always been. Why? Because the husband grew like family into our family through the years. His bride so vibrant with sweet aroma of hospitality, a hug and quick conversation as if we were walking down the recesses of memories we experienced together since we discovered how many things or inhibitions we have in common. ;-) I quickly laughed with them, toured through "home" with them and paused through every room with a story of the past, the now and the future of their lives. The common denominator: The man of their home.

Brent; who will always be "Brenters" to me, was so welcoming. Kelsey's' smile and hug brought the gift of relaxation and rest as they walked me through each room and our conversation led to events of awe & wonder as their home was toured. We talked about the wonderful ways of how the Lord's provisions has blessed in abundance through the love of others hands to make the house they reside in their "home." Kelsey's sweetly laced laughter from room to room made us feel like kindred spirits. Their pictures; delightful as their story filled with Love like the smell of a home made apple pie that comes out of the oven, wafting and filling every area with thick scents of refreshing causing the mouth watering anticipation to take the first bite, close ones eyes and slip back in time. That is what tonight was like. If we lived nearer it could have led to a game filled night of laughter, a good cup of Joe and maybe some cards.

Time slipped by so quickly like the sand that falls through the hour glass. Story after story, giggling, descriptions so clear it could actually be felt. "Lions and Tigers and Bears - OH MY!" really should be "doggies, tornado's and what not . . .oh dear!" :-) We have more in common than understood. ;-P Hahahahaha

Thank you for leaving the light on and then allow us to pray together IN YOUR HOME. I LOVED every moment of walking down memory lane with both of you and leaving it with a Blessing.

Until we meet again, can you say . . . "memory lane?"

Peace

There is someone I would like to talk about today. After reading this verse makes me smile, for the Lord knows i think of them often. As i read then when I think of this verse and others similar to it, "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:18, it brings me joy. Really the individuals are a sweet couple who took us in their care one summer. We came to know their hearts through their LOVE to a very young newly wed couple seeking to serve the Lord. During our interview we didn't originally get to meet them for they were gone on a company trip. We met them on our interview over the phone.

From the moment we met them that summer of our internship it was "like family." They took us into their home, were sponsors with us that summer and then they invested into our lives from the very first Sunday we arrived back in 1988. Their entire family were peacemakers, and STILL are. So Beck and Joan; aka Uncle Beck and Auntie Joan we love you immensely. Thank you for your hearts and investing into our lives.

WHO exactly?

I am so amazed at what the Lord is teaching me lately. YES TEACHING me as well as stretching me. I have been praying like a crazy mad woman for him to give me a love for others that not even I could or even can comprehend. Boy has that been eye awakening. Why? Because true love, REAL steadfast, bed rock foundational LOVE is not in our grain naturally. Oh sure we THINK we know about LOVE but that is so NOT TRUE!

Not true? Yes, not true. From the time of conception where my; really OUR, life began, I/we am/are sinners. We live in a fallen world. Face it. But love is possible in only ONE. I thought I knew what Love is or even about love "but NOOoooooo". The more I try to love the harder it really is. Let me "try" and articulate it from a simpleton kind of mind.

I love because I care. ok. I love because we all want to be loved. Right? ok. I love because my Marmie loved by example. Praise the Lord. ok. I love because I was shown love in a tender hug, (Thank You Marmie) even with those who are "uncomfortable" being hugged later discover they need love through a simple hug. ok. I love because I always wanted and desired Daddy to tell and encourage me with a simple "I LOVE YOU HITA." ok, Fine. I thought love was pretty simple when I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart and with my life and the new decisions. I thought I understood. But the greatest love??? "Whoa Nelly," it is just not really totally something to fathom. It is the hardest to really apply. That is where it all began, March 18, 1984 on a very cold Sunday night. I don't know how many times I have read these words and tried to apply them.

"But I tell you who hear me: LOVE your enemies, DO GOOD to those who hate you, BLESS those who curse you, PRAY FOR those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. GIVE TO everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO TO YOU!!! . . . But LOVE your enemies, DO GOOD to them, and LEND TO them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be SONS OF THE MOST HIGH, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. BE MERCIFUL, just as your Father IS MERCIFUL. . . . . FORGIVE, and you WILL BE FORGIVEN. GIVE, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to YOU." Luke 6:27-ff NIV

Awhhhh, The "golden rule" taught to me by my family and reinstated in Mr. Baloney's classroom. "Sure, no problem." I don't have any enemies. Right? You see, when I started living along side with the creator, I realized step by step through the years, Love can hurt. It is risky. It is captivating when it is outside the family inner circle, and interest of relations to be developed. It is a . . . um . . . lust (some may think I am just admiring or noticing). Because our 'feelers' peek in an interest of another individual, it's still lust that brought the attraction. Then it creates an attraction to show interest. You know gals a hot iron warming up to a "ZING" and guys a "LIGHT SWITCH" simply on/off attraction. Butterflies flying like mad. Best foot forward alerts. Instantaneously ~ this is love ~ feelings caught up in the emotion.

Exponentially, I knew what I DIDN'T WANT! Therefore when love came outside of family; that is when I started to realize that I don't really know anything about it. Don't misunderstand, please. I Love my family (Bloodline) and my In-Loves (marriage line) and my daughters. It is definitely through them that I am still to this very day being transformed daily with true love, sacrificial selfless expression. But LOVE, "TWUE WUVE" is an attachment through commitment. OUCH, is that hard for some to hear? I loved Beth Moores' quote (slight paraphrase), "No one will love Keith more than I have loved Keith. I will love him more than anyone will EVER love him. And no one will ever be more angry with Keith or he with me than . . . . . . (a pause with a tap on the table as the laughter of relational experiences rumbles in and throughout the arena) EVER, EVER, EVER." We are human. We love because we want to be loved back. We expect. Don't we? That is why the gospels are so amazing. It's easy to love when things are going "our way" or with or to others that we "want" to love and with those that are not difficult to love. But AGAPE attachment love is filled with no selfish ambition or vain conceit. It is laced and intertwined with forgiveness, not running away to get the "next feeling of Love" when trouble comes my way, or the first or only argument or the literal feelings diminish and seem to vanish. Girls/Guys are you glad that Jesus Christ doesn't love us on "mood swings" through the turn of the on/off light switch? No! We LOVE because HE FIRST LOVED US from the beginning of T-I- M-E; and quite frankly STILL DOES!!!!

My heart through love is growing still and does has joy, peace, wounds with hurts & scars from loving so deeply. My love for Parents, siblings, my lover, my children, friends, saints and those who scripture calls my enemies still remains. True Love is for the taking and it requires much effort that puts them before myself at all costs, I just need to remember to daily yield it with the King and His example to LOVE. Who knows maybe just maybe it will take me to my death when I finally Love like HIM as best possibly on this side of HEAVEN.

Love.

Who?

All mankind.

Especially when it isn't the easiest but is still called

LOVE.