Today's Thoughts

If all that I've been given fades away -

The gifts and graces, some unrecognized,

The friends of yesteryear, now cherished memories

Places I have known and loved, forever gone from view.....

If all that I've been given fades away -

Familiar beauty of the rendezvous we kept

Fragrances adored as seasons came and went

The quiet moments when Our spirits met....

If all that I've been given fades away -

Then what should I do today?

The mundane calls - but help me see beyond

To the eternal fields where I will reap the harvest I have sown.

dbk

(Yes, I'm feeling melancholy today!)

Yesterday's Sunday

A couple of weeks ago I was able to do something I had wanted to do for a long time. I sat down at the church piano early Sunday morning and played hymns as they came to mind.....for a little over an hour. Hymns such as, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "All the Way My Saviour Leads Me", and "Sweeter Than All".

Mark recorded the hour of music and entitled the CD "Yesterday's Sunday". These hymns were not "arranged" but are simply played without interruption going from one hymn to the next in an easy listening format.

Some of my friends wanted a copy of "Yesterday's Sunday". If any of you would like a copy, just email me at folwinhim@yahoo.com and I will send it to you. (I am not making a charge for the CD, but if you wish to make a donation it would be greatly appreciated.)

(By the way, does anyone recognize the church in the photo? Looks a bit different now than it did then!)

Great Cup of Tea!

I have discovered the most delicious tea. It is called "Breathe Easy"...promotes Respiratory Health by Traditional Medicinals. I bought a box at Ingles Grocery because I've been having problems with asthma. The directions said to drink three cups a day.

I thought it might taste like medicine, especially because the directions said to steep the tea 10 - 15 minutes. I gave it 10 minutes and added a few drops of Stevia (a natural sweetener). DELICIOUS!!! And after two days I do believe I'm breathing easier!!!

If you have any breathing problems or if you just want a cup of good tea, I highly recommend it.

Our "famous" friends

Don Quales and family are now "famous" gospel singers. But years (and years) ago

he was my very first piano student!!!!

Kim and Phil Collingsworth at our house after their inspirational concert. (Their music is simply amazing!!!) When I was packing to move, I found a couple letters Kim wrote me when she was about ten years old!!!!

Our very dear friend, Mayor Cornelia Olive, at the National Day of Prayer event. Mark organized prayer times at her office with local ministers every Tuesday morning when we lived in Sanford, NC.

My friendship with Ann and Frank Baldwin goes way back......I have always loved them dearly. We met them in Indiana last year as we traveled home from a FLAME event in Frankfort, IN.

This is our friend, Alvin Conyers, who is a missionary to Siberia.

He and Mark went to High School together in Atlanta!!!!

Do you have any "famous" friends?

The Best Brothers

This is my brother, David. He is the world's best gardener!!!! He grows the most beautiful vegetables I've ever seen. When he does a job, he does it right!!!! Everyone loves David.

Dean is my youngest brother. He can fix anything and is always there to help if you need him. He is one terrific brother!!! He and his wife, Valerie, have five beautiful, smart, talented, children!!!

Charlie, Darlene's husband, is a faithful worker for the Lord. He is a pastor, father of six, grandfather of three, and has a great sense of humor. Charlie is a hard worker and gets the job done FAST!!

Bob is married to my sister Donna. He is one of the most generous people you will find anywhere. He is a very hard worker. Bob has won a lot of trophies in motorcycle racing.
Richie is one tough brother-in-law. He is married to Diane and is a great christian example. Richie makes the best grilled steak I've ever eaten!!! He is ready to help anyone, anywhere and has many opportunities to do that as he is a State Trooper!

Matt is Mark's brother. You will always laugh a lot when Matt is around because he is the life of the party. Matt is an amazing salesman, and makes the best blueberry pancakes!! (This photo was take at the 80th birthday party for Mom Klass.)

Chris is Melissa's husband (Mark's sister). He is a terrific cook and can make a great meal out of left overs. He used to play for the Minnesota Vikings so he has a lot of interesting stories to tell. (Chris is standing behind Mom Klass.)

Dad's Typewriters

When we moved I had to get rid of Dad's old typewriters. I told my sister, Darlene, it was hard to part with them because they represented hours of thought and labor as he wrote over four thousand sermons for two radio preachers, and also wrote the Sunday School lesson books for Back to the Old Paths for thirty some years. They were a part of Dad I didn't want to give up. Dar gave me wise advise. She said, "You have to get rid of things sometime. If you feel emotionally attached to the typewriters, take a picture of them."

So that's what I did!!! I will always remember the sound of Dad pecking out the many sermons and articles on these two typewriters. But Mark will never have to move them again!! (He was happy about that as the old IBM was terribly heavy!) Thanks, Dar, for helping me through this dilemma!

Life's Transitions

Transitions are usually difficult.

Change, although sometimes exciting, is never easy.

We will be moving next week and experiencing some changes.

(So I most likely will be unable to post for several days.)

God is faithful and true to His Word and He can be depended on!

Nothing can separate me from His love!

Several years ago a friend gave me a sheet of paper with the following inscribed:

Dorothy...

Trust Me.

I have everything under control.

Jesus

This has been a blessing and a help through many bumps in the road!

How thankful I am to know that it is absolutely true!!!

A Quiet Place

T

Lord, I have shut the door, speak now the word

Which in the din and throng could not be heard;

Hushed now my inner heart, whisper Thy will.

While I have come apart, while all is still.

In this blest quietness clamerings cease,

Here in Thy presence dwells infinite peace;

Yonder, the strife and cry, yonder, the sin:

Lord, I have shut the door, Thou art within!

Lord, I have shut the door, strengthen my heart;

Yonder awaits the task -- I share a part.

Only through grace bestowed may I be true

Here, while alone with Thee, my strength renew.

-Runyan

Sunday Sermon

Living Like Jesus

Jesus
"I crave no human honor"
The Carnal Christian
"I am content to receive praise from others" John 5:55

Jesus
"I look for no mortal fame" John 5:41
The Carnal Christian
"I value credit with men more than credit with God"

Jesus
"I am able to do nothing from myself"
The Carnal Christian
"I can do it by myself"

Jesus
"As the Voice comes to Me, I give a decision"
The Carnal Christian
"I make decisions based on my desires"

Jesus
"I do not seek my own will"
The Carnal Christian
"I do it my way"

Jesus
"I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself"
The Carnal Christian
"I want to do only what is pleasing to myself"
-unknown author

The Blessing of Sisters

I'm the oldest; then Darlene. She is one special lady!!!

She's extremely talented in sewing, cooking, crafts, and writing.

She is very dear to all of us.

Here she is with her oldest son, Daniel.

This is Deborah; she's the third born.

She's always working to keep everything running smoothly.

She's also talented in cooking and is just the person to call on

if you need something done in a hurry!!

Deb is always there if you need her!

This is Donna, next in line! She is a very, very dear sister who is a great baker.

She is sweet, kind, and always cheerful. (Makes the best Cranberry Salad ever.)

We could not get along without our Donna!!

This is Diane, my youngest sister. She is a nurse and quite a good one!!!

She has worked in the E.R. for years and if I ever have to go I hope she's there!!!

She has a great sense of humor and is always helping people.

In this photo, she is giving my father-in-law, Kit, a hug.

This is Valerie who is married to my brother Dean. That makes her a sis, right? She is a terrific mom and has brought much joy to our family with the gift of five beautiful children. Here she is being hugged (tortured) by her oldest son and my nephew, Brent. (Look at his eyes....you can tell.)

Melissa, Mark's sister, is loads of fun. We always have a great time shopping together. She gives me "make-overs" and makes me laugh!!! Here she's getting ready to show off her biscuit making skills!!

Linda is married to Mark's brother, Matt. That's him in the picture with her. (By the way, Matt is the one who coined the phrase, "I love my neices to pieces." He's brilliant!!) Linda is fun to be with, a great walking partner, and a good friend!

I have quite a few "adopted" sisters, also.....too many to name! Do you have any sisters? (birth or otherwise) I'd like to hear about them!

I Love My Nieces to Pieces!

Some cute stories about my nieces. (I definitely can't mention any names!)

I don't remember what she was crying about but I do remember trying to comfort her. "Honey, you know I love you and your Mommy and Daddy love you." I tried to sooth her sobs with a calm voice. "I know you love me and I know Mommy and Daddy love me," she wailed louder, "BUT I'M CRYIN'!"

=====

One niece spent the night with me. She was 5 or 6 years old. We were laying there trying to go to sleep when she asked quietly, "Aunt Dorothy will you hold my hand?" "Why sure honey." Thinking maybe she was afraid I asked, "Why do you want me to hold your hand, honey?" Her answer came through the darkness matter-of-factly. "Because it stinks!"

Remembering Tasha Tudor

Every year at Christmas I get out my "Christmas Books". One of my favorites is a book I acquired years ago (don't remember where) entitled TAKE JOY! by Tasha Tudor. I enjoyed reading about the Tudor Christmas traditions and loved the quaint, whimsical, illustrations by Tasha Tudor.

Most of all I enjoyed baking the Christmas Cookies, which she included in the recipe section of the book. (The recipe makes a gigantic number of cookies so you have to allow at least four or five hours if you are going to make them.) The dough is rolled very thin, dusted with sugar and nutmeg, and then cut into shapes. These cookies became a tradition for many years in the Bowen household.

I was sad to hear that Tasha Tudor passed away June 18th at age 92. She was a unique, amazing lady and you can read about her at hhtp://www.tashatudorfamily.com
dbk