God Continues to Teach Me Archives - Page 9 of 15

Beginning 2018 with a Clean Heart

01/05/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

In 1995, Steve and I went to Kenya with a small team to do some discipleship and teaching among the Christians there. My assignment was to teach various groups of women several lessons about the biblical doctrine of SIN. While I was preparing for those lessons, I spent a lot of time pondering Psalm 51.

I discovered several words for sin in this passage and dug into the nuances of each one. SIN, TRANSGRESSION, INIQUITY, EVIL. I had been taught throughout my life in Sunday School and church that sin was “anything that separated me from God.” The dictionary describes it as: “breaking a divine law,” “a willful or deliberate violation of a religious or moral principle,” “any reprehensible or regrettable action.” The word “transgression” brings up similar phrases, but “iniquity” gets a little more forceful by using the phrase “gross injustice or wickedness.” And then “evil” is defined as “the force in nature that governs and gives rise to wickedness.”

We all know what these terms mean in our own lives. In our heart of hearts we know exactly which sins are causing our relationship with God to be damaged. We know which ones we need to get rid of, which ones are causing harm to ourselves and to others. That’s the bad news. The good news, however, is the wonderful focus Psalm 51 has on asking for forgiveness and how amazing it feels to experience spiritual cleansing.

V. 1 – Blot out transgressions.

V.2 – Wash me; cleanse me.

V.7 – Purify me; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

V.10 – Create in me a clean heart; renew a steadfast spirit with me.

V. 12 – Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation.

V. 14 – Deliver me from blood guiltiness.

Isn’t that the way we all want to end 2017 and begin 2018? Forgiven, cleansed, purified, delivered, restored.

Verses 16-17 remind us that God doesn’t want burnt offerings from us. He wants to see a “broken and contrite heart.” In other words, He’s looking to see if we are genuinely sorry for our sins.

I believe that will ultimately be a far superior way to begin a new year, better than resolutions. Don’t you think? Something to ponder in the next few days.

Here is Psalm 51 in the Living Bible paraphrase. Take time to study it in your own Bible.

51 Written after Nathan the prophet had come to inform David of God’s judgment against him because of his adultery with Bathsheba, and his murder of Uriah, her husband.

O loving and kind God, have mercy. Have pity upon me and take away the awful stain of my transgressions. ²Oh, wash me, cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. ³For I admit my shameful deed—it haunts me day and night. ⁴It is against you and you alone I sinned and did this terrible thing. You saw it all, and your sentence against me is just. ⁵But I was born a sinner, yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. ⁶You deserve honesty from the heart; yes, utter sincerity and truthfulness. Oh, give me this wisdom.

⁷Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood and I shall be clean again. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. ⁸And after you have punished me, give me back my joy again. ⁹Don’t keep looking at my sins—erase them from your sight. ¹⁰Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. ¹¹Don’t toss me aside, banished forever from your presence. Don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. ¹²Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. ¹³Then I will teach your ways to other sinners, and they—guilty like me—will repent and return to you. ^14-15Don’t sentence me to death. O my God, you alone can rescue me. Then I will sing of your forgiveness, for my lips will be unsealed—oh, how I will praise you.

¹⁶You don’t want penance; if you did, how gladly I would do it! You aren’t interested in offerings burned before you on the altar. ¹⁷It is a broken spirit you want—remorse and penitence. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not ignore.

¹⁸And Lord, don’t punish Israel for my sins—help your people and protect Jerusalem.

¹⁹And when my heart is right, then you will rejoice in the good that I do and in the bullocks I bring to sacrifice upon your altar.

When You Suddenly Find That You Are THAT Generation

12/29/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

“Generations pass like leaves fall from our family tree. Each season new life blossoms and grows benefiting from the strength and experience of those who went before.” Heidi Swapp.

You know the generation I’m talking about. The one you find yourself in when your parents are gone. When you are now the matriarch or patriarch of the family. If the natural order of life works out, you’ll be the next ones to go to heaven. It seems to have happened so quickly to Steve and me, and it’s been especially telling as this holiday season rolled around.

I can remember when my brother, sister and I were the ones waking up before daylight on Christmas morning, clamoring to see what Santa brought. One that stands out in my mind is the time when Santa left me a small record player and included only ONE record. I wonder just how many times the group heard “Johnny Had an Apple on a Stick” that morning. 🙂 And it seemed we always had sacks full of tangerines, nuts and orange slice candies – a tradition my mother (a.k.a. Santa) perpetuated. Then, there was the year I got my bicycle. Unforgettable times, full of wonder and presents galore. From my earliest memories, Christmas night was spent gathered with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents — what we referred to as Rose Christmas because my mother’s maiden name was Rose. My Grandmother Rose’s dressing and her coconut cakes were eagerly anticipated, and I loved getting a bright shiny silver dollar from my Granddaddy Rose. It was a musical bunch of people, and once I became proficient enough at the piano, I was the one who played the carols while everyone sang.

“In every conceivable manner, family is the link to our past, bridge to our future.” Alex Haley

Then in the blink of an eye Steve and I were the parents making Christmas magic for our own three children. He often hid their presents at his veterinary clinic and made the trip to retrieve them after they went to bed on Christmas Eve night. We’d get busy assembling, wrapping, arranging under the tree and barely be able to grab a few hours of sleep before we heard the “pitter-patter of little feet” whispering excitedly and making enough noise to arouse anyone who was still napping. We had our own family rituals: we all went into the den to see the Christmas tree together and opened the presents in an order — some years youngest to oldest, other years oldest to youngest. And, since we wanted to include the grandparents in the merriment, we started the habit of Christmas morning brunch, complete with recipes we came to enjoy and expect. Still, we gathered for Rose Christmas on Christmas night as the group grew larger and larger, and our kids had a passel of their own cousins with whom to play and exchange gifts.

The Original Pearson 5

Now, with the passage of time that still leaves me mystified and almost unbelieving, our CHILDREN are the ones creating the Christmas atmosphere for their own children, and we are the ones invited in for a peek at presents and a chance to share a meal with the giddy grands. At this stage of our lives, we generally have a relaxed, restful Christmas Eve getting plenty of sleep — something that makes me happy and sad simultaneously. The Roses continue to gather on Christmas Night where I have uncles still living who are 85 and 82, and I retain my status as oldest grandchild, although I am also a grandmother to 13 little people. Ebb and flow. The Cycle of Life. Generation to Generation.

All but one of us gathered for Steve’s 70th birthday.

Do I wish I could go back to my childhood? No. Do I wish my three children were still living at home under my roof? No. But, do I wish I had relished each stage more completely? Absolutely yes. As I find myself in the matriarch position of the Steve Pearson Family, I believe my job is to pass on the important lessons of my life to this present generation. And, just maybe, they will take the best of those lessons to pass on down the line. I hope you hear both my sigh, my feeling of responsibility and my sense of gratitude.

Steve and his beloved host of grandchildren.

Deuteronomy 4:9 “Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your children’s children.”

Deuteronomy 32:7 “Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Merry Christmas, Neighbors!

12/22/2017 By: CCPearson3 Comments

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”

And Gilbert Chesterton was quoted as saying, “We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next door neighbor.”

As of five months ago, we have new neighbors. Already they are having to endure us and hopefully forgive us as we get a new house built — construction noise, a muddy road from trucks going in and out, traffic slowed down often to allow big trucks to back in and out of the driveway, etc. They have been gracious and friendly. The ones in front of us and beside us have introduced themselves and invited us to church. Great folks. Since we hope to stay in this location for a LONG time to come, we feel it is important to start building good relationships with them and hope they feel the same about us.

Truthfully, Steve and I have learned from our daughters as we’ve watched them be good neighbors. Firstborn Laura and her husband David moved 13 times in the first 15 years of their marriage. They figured out that taking the initiative was the best way to get started. Brownies became their special calling cards. Nothing fancy, even a box mix, but it has served them well. Who’s going to turn down a plate of fresh brownies delivered on their front doorstep by smiling people? And, our younger daughter Julie has hosted open house gatherings and chili suppers for her neighbors and recently went around with her husband Brian and their seven children caroling and delivering loaves of homemade pumpkin bread. They’ve set the bar high.

So here we are at the last weekend of this year’s Christmas season. Steve requested that I make goodies to share with all the neighbors within sight of our front porch. I made four different ones — Chocolate Chip Cloud Cookies, Fruitcake Bar Cookies, Easiest Red Velvet Cookies all found on one of my favorite websites www.SouthernPlate.com hosted by Christy Jordan from Alabama and Holiday Crack Candy found on Pinterest from www.delish.com. Feel free to follow the links and use any of them that sound good to you. We noticed the construction workers on our house taking a lunch break and shared some with them. We’re going around later to deliver tins to our neighbors, and Steve’ll take a big plate for the employees where he works tomorrow. Hopefully, these sweets will brighten days and deepen relationships.

Christmas goodies for neighbors.

You are likely WAY ahead of me on your holiday baking and sharing. Bravo!! If not, there’s still time. Go be a good neighbor. I believe it’s a very biblical endeavor.

Galatians 5:14 “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Romans 15:2 “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”

Romans 13:10 “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Children. Music. Christmas.

12/15/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

If ever three words were intertwined, then children, music and Christmas are certainly joined. Look no further than Luke chapter 2.

Verse 7 – “And she (Mary) brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Verses 13-14 – “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ ” In my mind, praising and singing go hand in hand. That’s why I include music in my three words.

If you haven’t had a chance to attend a musical program this holiday season, I hope you will find one before Christmas is over. For as long as I can remember, I have been immersed in rehearsing, performing, leading and listening to secular and sacred music with a Christmas theme. I love all the songs! As soon as radio stations start their 24-hour-a-day Christmas playlist, I’m a happy girl. Watching grandchildren sing their little hearts out during this season puts me over the top with contentment.

In the past week, I hit the Christmas Music Jackpot. On Saturday night, Steve and I went to “An Athens Christmas” at First Baptist Church, Athens, AL. In spite of the director and many of the choir and orchestra members having flu symptoms, they led all of us in a magnificent evening of worship.

On Sunday night, we got to watch four of our grandchildren sing in a Christmas cantata at Decatur Presbyterian Church. Perfectly angelic in my opinion.

Maggie (long dark hair) and Penelope (2nd row blonde hair).

Rosemary (middle row, 2nd from left) and Sam (bottom row far right)

Two nights later I was in Lagrange, Georgia with a group of travel writers, and we attended a performance by the Lagrange Symphony Orchestra featuring the grandson of Floyd Cramer on the piano and the great-niece of Chet Atkins on the guitar. The program also included a choir of elementary and middle school-age children and an audience-participation carol sing. I loved every minute!

As you read this on Friday, December 15, Steve and I will be on a plane to “do Christmas” in New York City. Soon after we check-in to our hotel, we plan to take the subway to Brooklyn for the Christmas Celebration of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. I am SO excited! I KNOW it will be a God-honoring, Jesus-focused event.

I realize I may be a tad over-the-top about this, but I think music has such power to uplift spirits. It speaks to me in ways mere words fall short. Even if you can’t carry a tune or play an instrument, let me urge you to sing along with the radio, go to a school or church music program, or, better yet, make your way to a worship service this coming Sunday. I can almost guarantee that carols will be sung.

Verses 10-11 – “And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’ “

P.S. Well, the Friday night event in New York City didn’t happen. Flights were canceled, much to our dismay. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Christmas event will have to be moved to a future Bucket List. As it turns out, this means that we can attend “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” presented by the Central Baptist Choir and Orchestra at the Princess Theater in Decatur, AL. AND hear the cantata to be sung by First Baptist Hartselle choir. A silver lining, for sure. Merry Christmas, everybody!

Are We Good Waiters?

12/08/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

In the context of this post, a waiter = “one who waits.”

“YOU USUALLY HAVE TO WAIT FOR THAT WHICH IS WORTH WAITING FOR.” Craig Bruce

Most of the time, I consider myself pretty good at waiting. And, I’ve often said to Steve that the ANTICIPATION (and planning) of a trip is almost as good as the actual trip itself. I waited through my three pregnancies, and I waited for the births of 13 grandchildren. I am waiting, waiting, waiting for our new house to be completed. (Okay, so maybe that’s not a good example because my patience has worn pretty thin lately).

I’ve waited for health to return after sickness or surgery (for myself or a loved one), and I’ve waited for letters, checks or emails. I’ve waited on many phone calls through the years — boyfriends who promised to call, doctors with medical results, news that Steve or the kids had arrived safely to their destinations or were on their way home. During college, I waited for grades to be posted or the results of various auditions to appear.

I will confess that I waited anxiously for Christmas Day to arrive when I was a child, I waited anxiously for times when we’d fly to the States and hug on our family members when we lived in Ecuador, and I’ll admit that I had a prominently-visible count-down calendar on my desk as I awaited the day of my retirement.

But, my periods of waiting pale in comparison to those of two people in the Bible who are mentioned in Luke 2:25-38 — Simeon and Anna. I must stop here and give full credit to a blog post written by my cousin’s husband who stimulated my thinking today. His name is Danny Franks, and you can read some of his remarkable posts at dfranks.com. Danny is the Connections Pastor for Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

Simeon and Anna had both waited a long time for a Savior to rescue them. Decades of watching and waiting. Here are their stories from The Living Bible translation:

Luke 2:25-33 “That day a man named Simeon, a Jerusalem resident, was in the Temple. He was a good man, very devout, filled with the Holy Spirit and constantly expecting the Messiah to come soon. ²⁶For the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen him—God’s anointed King. ²⁷The Holy Spirit had impelled him to go to the Temple that day; and so, when Mary and Joseph arrived to present the baby Jesus to the Lord in obedience to the law, ²⁸Simeon was there and took the child in his arms, praising God.

^29-31“Lord,” he said, “now I can die content! For I have seen him as you promised me I would. I have seen the Savior you have given to the world. ³²He is the Light that will shine upon the nations, and he will be the glory of your people Israel!”

³³Joseph and Mary just stood there, marveling at what was being said about Jesus.”

Luke 2:36-38 “Anna, a prophetess, was also there in the Temple that day. She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the Jewish tribe of Asher, and was very old, for she had been a widow for eighty-four years following seven years of marriage. She never left the Temple but stayed there night and day, worshiping God by praying and often fasting. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she also began thanking God and telling everyone in Jerusalem who had been awaiting the coming of the Savior that the Messiah had finally arrived.

I have a lot to learn about waiting. What about you? As we eagerly await Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, maybe we should think about things in our lives that are worth praying for, anticipating, and yes, waiting for in the future. Naturally, I hope to live long enough to watch my grandchildren grow into strong, accomplished Followers of Christ. I want to see the impact they can make on the world. But, the older I get, the more I anticipate heaven. God promised Simeon that he wouldn’t die before he saw the Messiah. God has promised ME that when I die, I will see Him in all His glory. Hallelujah!! I know it will be worth the wait.

Photo credit: https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-bored-people-waiting-image27934571

Lottie Moon: Inspiration for Baptist Missionaries

12/01/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

We often referred to her affectionately as “Aunt Lottie.” None of us had ever met her, but we were indebted to her just the same.

“We” consisted of all the Southern Baptist Ecuador missionaries assembled together in Salinas, on the coast of Ecuador, for our annual meeting. We were there thanks to the offering named for Lottie Moon which is received in thousands of Southern Baptist churches every year during the Christmas season. We who were on the field even gave to the offering ourselves. One way was during a Lottie Moon auction made possible by a visiting volunteer team. Not only did this team provide Vacation Bible School classes and activities for missionary children while we had our meetings. They also brought in coveted items that were relatively inexpensive in the States but either exorbitantly-priced or unavailable in Ecuador. For our fundraiser, these items were auctioned off to the hungry/greedy missionaries. I remember a jar of peanut butter going for $25 and a gallon-size jar of dill pickles bringing in $100, for example.

We were some of the very blessed ones among missionaries. We didn’t have to spend 70% of our time raising and keeping support from individual churches. No, we could concentrate 100% on the task at hand while our basic needs were provided through this offering — housing, a vehicle, insurance, gas, language classes, telephone, doctors and pharmacy, supplies for ministry and a small stipend for groceries and clothes.

But, why, you may be wondering, is the offering named the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, and why is it taken at Christmastime?

Charlotte Diggs Moon (nicknamed Lottie) was a tiny woman from Virginia — 4 feet, 3 inches tall. She lived in relative luxury during her early years and was one of the first women in the South to earn a master’s degree. Her uncle once owned Monticello, after Thomas Jefferson, of course. She didn’t become a dedicated follower of Christ until she was in college. Her sister Edmonia was one of the first two single female missionaries appointed by the Baptist missionary board in 1872. Lottie followed her to China a year later. Edmonia stayed sick a lot and returned to the States for good in 1876, but Lottie worked among the Chinese people for 39 years, concentrating her efforts on education for the girls and sharing the gospel with the women and girls in the Shantung province. During those years, she endured wars, famines and plagues. She had to close her school twice for Bubonic plague outbreaks, then opened it again when the disease was contained.

Photo of Lottie Moon.

In her early years, she built relationships by baking cookies to give to the children. The children would eat the cookies and then take Lottie to meet their mothers. That gave Lottie a chance to share the gospel. She became known as “The Cookie Lady.” Here is one of the recipes thought to have been used by Lottie Moon.

Plain Tea Cake
(As made by Lottie Moon)
3 teacups of sugar
1 teacup of butter
1 teacup of sour milk
4 pints of flour
3 eggs, well beaten
1/2 teaspoon of soda
Flavor to taste. Roll thin.
Bake in a quick oven.

In the end, it was a famine that forced her to leave. She had starved over a period of time because she kept giving her food to the Chinese people. Some friends saw how bad her health was and put her on a ship headed to Japan and then to the States. She died in the Japanese harbor of Kobe on Christmas Eve in 1912 at the age of 72. The ship’s captain feared that if her body was embalmed it wouldn’t be allowed into the States, so she was cremated.

Lottie was my missionary heroine then, and she continues to be. Compared to her, my time on the field was much easier. The war in Iraq escalated in the first year we were there, but I didn’t starve, and there were certainly no famines or plagues in Ecuador while I was there. She wrote letters that took months to arrive and even more time lapsed before an answer came. I was able to use my computer to keep up with loved ones quickly. Somewhat similarly to Lottie, I worked primarily with women and children, but I certainly wouldn’t have been punished for speaking to men. And, most of all, I was not alone. Steve and I worked not only alongside each other but with a team of other dedicated missionaries.

I remain grateful for the example she set and will continue to support the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering every December.

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

My Silver Fox is 70!!!

11/24/2017 By: CCPearson10 Comments

Yesterday, on Thanksgiving Day, Steve — my beloved Silver Fox — had his 70th birthday. That boggles my mind, and his, too, I’m sure. I didn’t meet him until he was already in veterinary school at Auburn and 21 years old. We married when he was 23. Even though I never knew him as a child or a teenager, I’ve seen the photos and heard the stories enough to know there has been a blessed consistency running throughout his seven decades. As a birthday tribute, I’d like to share “Ten Things Steve Loves”, so you can know him better, too.

Steve loves Jesus. He is a committed follower of Christ who spends time reading the Bible and praying every single day. Much of the rest of what I’ll type actually stems from this very first aspect of his life.
Steve loves his children and believes that they are the reason God put him on earth.
Steve with his 3 on his 70th birthday.
Steve loves his grandchildren. They are dear treasures to him, and he is committed to being a positive role model for them in everything he does or says.
Steve and Maggie on the last night of Cousins Camp.

Steve with Enoch, grandchild #13.
Steve loves nature, being outdoors, doing yard work, spending time on the river (specifically the Tennessee River) and fishing. His own dad passed along these particular traits through passion and much practice as Steve watched and practiced beside him. He’d rather not be cold, but he’ll brave the elements to be outside. He is also committed to staying active and healthy.
Steve loves Auburn — another passion shared by his father. About the only time you are liable to hear him yell is when Auburn is playing football.
Steve and me before an Auburn game.
Steve loves veterinary medicine — the profession God led him to pursue. Yes, he enjoys the animals and the skill he has to improve their lives, but he also loves the people he has met through that journey — the clients, employees and colleagues. He has written a book on this very subject that will be published soon. In my unbiased opinion, he is a very good veterinarian.
Steve pointing to his photo at the 45th anniversary of graduating from veterinary school at Auburn.
Steve loves the part of North Alabama where he grew up and claims to “speak Morgan County” fluently. He had an idyllic childhood in Decatur. His parents are deceased, but he and his brother David are still close and have a shared love and respect for each other. Steve is a proud Class of ’66 graduate of Decatur High School.
Steve and Birti sharing a piece of coconut pie from Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur.
Steve loves, or should I say he values, wisdom and integrity. He is a man of few words who is also slow to speak. He keeps up with every penny he earns and spends, and being honest is worth more to him than any amount of money. In the areas of money and speaking few words, God must have had a great sense of humor to make ME his wife.
Steve loves good food and is the least picky person I know. Truly, he’ll eat anything. If he has a choice, he’ll stay away from fried foods and pork for health reasons, and he’d prefer not having cilantro or peppermint ice cream. But, in terms of what I’ve observed in most of the men in the world, I’d say he has a mighty short list of items he’d rather not eat.
Steve loves me, and I am oh, so glad he does. There hasn’t been a single second of our almost 47-year marriage that I have doubted that fact or had any reason to question his fidelity. I treasure every day we have together and love him with all my heart. Happy Birthday, Hon.
Steve and me on our cruise to Alaska.

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; ²But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. ³He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

“Twas the Week Before Thanksgiving”

11/17/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.
~William Arthur Ward

Less than a week from today, after watching Macy’s Parade on TV, Americans will gather around groaning tables full of their family’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes, enjoy a bountiful meal together, hopefully get along with relatives and friends gathered for a few hours in the same place, say an extra-long prayer giving thanks to God, then get up and go on about the business of normal life. The hostess and her helpers will start cleaning up and putting away the massive amounts of leftover food, the men will begin to watch the day’s football games before falling into a tryptophan-induced coma, and the kids will head outside if the weather is nice or completely dismantle a cousin’s room if they are confined to the indoors. If the frenzied plans, decorating and shopping for Christmas haven’t already commenced, they now have permission to crank up to full volume.

Or, is that just what happens in MY family?

The bottom line is that far too often the giving thanks portion of Thanksgiving is pitifully short, almost an afterthought. As I reflect on everything that has happened in my life since LAST Thanksgiving, I feel compelled to spend time today telling you what I want to thank God for during this season.

I thank God for the healthy arrival of Grandchild #13, Enoch Jonathan Rodgers. God continues to bless all of the grandchildren with good health. They are learning and growing. They have good friends, loving parents, and they are all in church every Sunday morning. (And, oh, how very thankful I am for those churches!) Eight of them have accepted Christ as Savior, and the other five are in homes and environments where they are learning about God and His Son. We believe that they, too, will accept Christ when the Holy Spirit leads them.
I thank God for giving me another year with Steve. As each anniversary goes by, I realize what a special treasure our long marriage truly is, and I don’t want to take a single day for granted.
I thank God that our children are happy and healthy. They are in jobs/professions/life circumstances that are fulfilling, and they are able to pay their bills and provide for their children. They and their spouses are constantly seeking to know God’s will and put that into action in their lives.
I thank God for this FOURTH career path that is allowing Steve and me to see and experience so many wonderful places and meet such interesting people. Blogging and travel writing give me a great “excuse” to do what I already wanted to do. God granted us safety as we traveled this past year to Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina, Washington State, North Carolina and Alaska, as well as the Alabama Gulf Coast. Blogging and travel writing also give me an opportunity to share my faith with people I might never have crossed paths with otherwise.
I thank God for friends who support me, cheer me on, challenge me and accept me. We moved farther away from some of those friends this year, but in the process they probably became even MORE dear to me. Some I see only on Facebook. Others I text with often. Still others I get to have lunch with occasionally. In each case, I know they are “out there,” and I feel their love and interest.
I thank God for the improvement in my health. This time last year I was 70 pounds heavier. Those extra 70 pounds were doing a number on my joints, my blood pressure and my lab results. I still have a few more pounds to shed, but I feel so much better and have more energy to enjoy all of these great blessings.

I could make a much longer list, but these are the ones that came quickly to my thoughts. I have no idea what the days between now and next Thanksgiving will hold, but I am certain that whatever happens will come as no surprise to God. He has ordered each of my days, and He’ll be with me through every one.

Psalms 107:1 – “O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.”

Colossians 3:15 – “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.“

Colossians 3:17 – “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

People You Meet Along the Way – Maggie Valley and Waynesville, NC.

11/10/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

Travel writing has some terrific perks. “All in a day’s work” you are likely to sleep in deluxe accommodations and eat unbelievably delicious chef-prepared meals. You are treated to tours of amazing attractions when the crowds aren’t around, and you can ask all the questions and make all of the photographs your heart desires. But, inevitably, when I drive back into my driveway at home and start unpacking my bags, it’s not the luxurious pillows and sheets or the designer toiletries in the bathrooms, it’s not the crunchy burnt sugar on the creme brulee or the tenderness of the steak that lingers in my mind. Most of the time, the personalities and stories of people I’ve met in a place end up being the most memorable parts of a trip. That was true again in Maggie Valley.

I’m sure the fact that Steve owned his own business for thirty years has a lot to do with it, but I am particularly drawn to people who are passionate and are working long hours to make their businesses succeed. I met several who made special impressions on me that I want to mention.

The first was a lady known to her friends as “JuJu.” From all I can find out, her actual name is Judy Alexander Coker, and she’s the daughter of Tom and Judy Alexander, who first came to the area in 1938 and started carving out a heritage at Cataloochee Guest Ranch that is now being lovingly maintained by the second and third generations of Alexanders. JuJu and her sister Alice Aumen remember every step of the development of the property when they were growing up. They left for a time after getting college degrees but were both lured back by the idea of developing the Cataloochee Ski Area. That project flourished and has since been sold, so now they continue traditions at the lodge. JuJu prefers to work outdoors, especially with the horses and hiking trails. As a matter of fact, her daughter is also on the scene serving as the ranch’s veterinarian.

JuJu graciously posed by a photograph of her mother and allowed us to see a room in the lodge and also one of the cabins. She is obviously very proud of the work her parents started and is committed to seeing their vision planted firmly into the next generation.

Judy Alexander Coker beside a photograph of her mother.

JuJu talking about the history of Cataloochee Ranch.

Portrait of Tom Alexander.

Another impressive person I met was the Manager/Owner of Frogs Leap Public House in Waynesville, N.C., Tonia Raymond, affectionately known in the dining room as “Toni.” She co-owns this upscale, farm-to-fork restaurant with Chef/Owner Kaighn B. Raymond. My friends and I were there for Sunday brunch. Toni was accessible and visible to all the diners present, going from table to table making sure everyone was pleased with the food and the service. My food was late being served, and she was quick to explain and apologize. (Apparently, my breakfast flatbread had slipped off the plate on the way to the table, so a new one was being prepared from scratch. A fact which suited me just fine).

Toni is strongly committed to maintaining a close relationship with area farmers to serve the freshest ingredients from growers very near to Waynesville. Frogs Leap serves an uncommon menu with a great deal of creative flair. I predict that the owners’ hard work will reap good benefits.

Tonia Raymond, owner of Frogs Leap Public House in Waynesville, NC

In the heart of Apple Country, we made a visit to Barber Orchards Fruitstand which has been going strong since 1932. There was a long line of customers waiting for bags of fresh apples, ciders, baked goods and one of the most delicious apple slushes I have ever tasted. As a matter of fact, it was the ONLY apple slush I’ve ever had. In the middle of the bustling activity were 4th generation apple growers, Benny and Jane Arrington. Jane was busy cutting samples of apple varieties for customers to taste, and Benny looked like he was fresh from the orchards. Jane proudly shared that their son is working alongside them now as a 5th generation apple grower. Remarkable!! We all can appreciate what hard work farming of any kind is. I was very impressed with their commitment and success.

Benny and Jane Arrington, 4th generation apple growers.

Jane Arrington cutting samples of apple varieties.

The Bible has a lot to say about the value and the rewards of hard work. All of these people I mentioned today are positive examples.

Proverbs 12:11 – “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”

Proverbs 14:23 – “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

Genesis 2:15 – “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

Proverbs 6:10-11 – “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”

Now, back to work, everybody!!

A Striking Example of the Gift of Hospitality

11/03/2017 By: CCPearson1 Comment

Romans 12:13 – “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”

1 Peter 4:8-10 – “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Six days before we arrived, Kay Thagard was in the emergency room with pneumonia and pleurisy, yet we were completely unaware and had no hint of it when we were greeted with open arms as she welcomed us to her picturesque cabin in the woods and mountains of Maggie Valley, N.C. Kay had a delicious hot appetizer waiting as we watched the sun set on the beautiful fall scene outside her screened porch.

The scene from Kay and Bill’s screened in back porch. Camera doesn’t do this view justice.

Since we had been driving all day, she had a great-smelling stew simmering in the crockpot for dinner to keep us from having to get back in the car and go out somewhere. And, the accommodations for guests were comfortable and so homey. I was in awe of the setting and the feeling I had to be invited to enjoy it.

I first met Kay in late summer of 1992 when our daughters (both named Laura) were randomly assigned to room together at The Commons in Auburn for the fall quarter. We both thought it would be a great idea to meet ahead of time, so we found a day, and the four of us had lunch in Birmingham. My Laura remembers that she and her roommate-to-be barely got in a word edge-wise, because Kay and I hit it off immediately and chatted incessantly. I don’t doubt her recollection one bit. 🙂 The girls ended up rooming together for three years and were bridesmaids in each other’s weddings, but after that, we pretty much lost touch until Facebook reunited us. Hurray for Facebook when it comes to things like that!

Besides both of us having multiple grandchildren (she has 8, and I have 13), Kay and I also shared the fact that we both lost a parent to mylodysplastic syndrome, and we both love to plan trips. Kay had all kinds of great info to share before Steve and I headed to Maine in the fall of 2016. We kept planning visits, but life kept interrupting until last week.

This particular visit turned out to be perfectly timed for Steve and me. We had been pretty discouraged over the slow progress on our new house and desperately needed a change of scenery. And, oh, what amazing scenery we got!! Even though the leaves were about a week from being at their peak, we had plenty of great color in those mountains and alongside the gurgling Jonathan Creek.

Fall tree is colorful splendor.

Kay took into account my travel writing interest and planned two full days of restaurants, shops and attractions for us to visit. And, as luck would have it, the annual Apple Festival was on that same weekend, making everything even more festive. It also helped that Auburn was playing on Saturday night — such fun to share with fellow Auburn graduates! War Eagle! The TV was right beside this blissful, cozy fireplace. Perfect for watching the Tigers.

Cozy fireplace in the Thagard’s cabin. Photo above was made by Bill.

I can’t leave out Kay’s husband Bill. Although Kay extends a lot of hospitality when he’s away on business, he was there for our visit and did two full days of chauffeuring. I especially appreciated the fact that he accommodated my desire to make lots of photographs and gave me tips on where to stand to get the best views. He stopped the car numerous times just for picture-taking purposes. 🙂

The four of us having Sunday brunch at Frogs Leap Public House in Waynesville, N.C.

Two outstanding traits of great hospitality stood out to me during our time with Kay and Bill:

They were both completely unselfish. They shared their home, their food, their very entertaining stories, their knowledge of the area, and their time. And we were the fortunate beneficiaries.
Kay made a priority of my needs and interests. She truly wanted me to get a thorough overview of Maggie Valley and the surrounding area, in order to write about it and share it with my readers. She’d seen all the places dozens of times, but she graciously visited them again BECAUSE SHE KNEW WE’D ENJOY THEM.

Entertaining and extending hospitality are two very different activities. Entertaining often focuses on material possessions and striving for perfection. Hospitality, on the other hand, seeks to meet the needs of the guests in your home. Kay Thagard has the gift of hospitality, and I am so grateful I got to be a recipient of it. She has inspired me to refocus my efforts in the days ahead.

Kay often hides from the camera, but I caught her in one of our favorite shops.

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