And Now, August

quin·tes·sen·tial |  Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class: "Clint Eastwood is the quintessential tough guy".


I wanted to use the term on facebook this morning this way: Fountain Park is the quintessential Chautauqua, but seeing as there are only two functioning Chautauqua's in the US, I feel it would be better stated: A twilight golf cart ride circling the Fountain Park cottages captures the essence of a small town quintessential summer evening.


After a quick Tri-Kappa cheeseburger, the cottage residents spill out into the lawn and meander over to the tabernacle type auditorium.  Tonight's entertainment was the best of both worlds; local and flown-in talent. Country girl and singer-songwriter boy, belted out Baggage Claim, When God-fearin' Women Get The Blues, Break-a-way, spirited and inspirational self-written anthems, and closed with Sugarland's "Stand-Up" 


And speaking of locals, we have our Magnificent 7 support crew for 9.22.12.  Families helping families!  Sounds like a non-profit just waiting to be started. Thank-you Don, Denise, Barb, Spider, Susie, Dana, and Darcy!  We want you to sit for a spell at the ceremony and we're saving a spot on the dance floor, too.




I know, I know! Need to update about our Soul Sister and Wedding Family Work-weekend!  We've got our non-quintessential  bride, we got the groom and company, and now we have the gift and guest book table.  

All the lonely people crying

It could change if we just get started

Lift the darkness, light a fire

For the silent and the broken hearted

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?

Won't you stand up, you girls and boys?

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?

Won't you stand up and use your voice?

There's a comfort, there's a healing

High above the pain and sorrow

Change is coming, can you feel it

Calling us into a new tomorrow?

When the walls fall all around you

When your hope has turned to dust

Let the sound of love surround you

Beat like a heart in each of us

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?

Won't you stand up, you girls and boys?

Won't you stand up, stand up, stand up?

Won't you stand up and use your voice?

Shalom

I am intrigued by Hebrew words and their meanings. For instance, most would associate 'Shalom' with the word 'Peace' ...and yet Hebrew words convey so much more than one word. They convey feelings intent and emotions.  In the case of Shalom, Strong's concordance adds these words to the meaning: wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. 
So shalom is more then just simply peace; it is a complete peace. It is a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well being and harmony.
Proverbs 18:21 tells us there is life or death in the power of the tongue. So I speak and employ the word "shalom" into your (and my) life today, adding all the wonderful things that shalom means!
BibleGateway lists 249 verses (Old & New Testaments) which mention peace. Here are 7 ... read them with a fresh understanding of what it really means to be at peace.


You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9
My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 1 Cor 13:11
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philipians 4:7




Today I pause, 

Pause to speak over you the peace that only God can give

Pause to listen to the singing of the cicadas and the passing of summer 

Pause to pray covering and blessing over young people preparing to follow God in marriage

Pause to ponder the love and happiness two little grandchildren bring into my life

Pause to contemplate what's important and what is not, in life's daily plans and decisions

Pause to share shalom with you

Born To Mom

The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once ~ Albert Einstein

On 7.1.79 my life changed forever, as I became a mom for the first time.  Once again, on 7.1.03, my timeline states, 'began writing'.  


Of course, I'll always remain a mom, but as I sit and contemplate my life this morning, 7.1.12, I realize just how drastically my job descriptions have changed over the years.


The labor pains are long forgotten.  The babies have all been pushed from the nest. The prayers, concerns, hopes, dreams, and joy continue, as the blessings flow.


I wanted to insert here, the letter I wrote to Ben in 2003, but alas, as of June 30 most of my "online" journals have gone to the big mac graveyard in the sky, and I'm not talking about iCloud.


It's just as well, Ben's best work, wasn't even a twinkle in his eyes back then.  Husband and Dad are where you shine, son! Happy birthday and many many more.


Even though 'mobile me' is no longer...they can't touch my scrapbooking.