Pray the Prayer That Cannot Fail

I have just finished reading the 9 books of

the Mitford series by Jan Karon.

If you have been around me recently you have

probably heard me refer to them and the

 profoundly inspiring effect they have had on my life.

I could write blog after blog about Father Tim

and the idyllic town of Mitford.

I am going to begin in this busy season, however,

by sharing one of my most unforgettable

take-aways from the series.

Because it is so appropriate and so vital for today

and every day of our lives.

And it is one I will never forget.

Early on in the series Father Tim recommended praying

"the prayer that cannot fail."

At first (and maybe second and third...) reference

he did not elaborate as to what that prayer was.

I thought I knew. Do you?

"Thy will be done."

Actually, in today's world this prayer takes

great pressure from me.

I don't feel responsible to fact check or

"Snopes" everything, knowing I can probably

never know the whole and complete truth.

I can trust Him.

"Thy will be done."

What about when it gets personal?

As humans we tend to think we know what is best

 for our lives and want to "make reommendations"

to God. That is not faith. That is not trust.

In my life, Father God,

"Thy will be done."

What about in our church?

Do we try to make worship too much about us?

Do we need to enter God's sanctuary with a

different attitude? An attitude of...

"Thy will be done."

I do.

 I'm so thankful for the unbelievable privilege

 of going to Almighty God, my Creator and yours

and the Creator of the universe, 

knowing that He holds me, you, and that universe

in His mighty hands.

And that I can trust that His will is the best 
for us all.

Fielder Serves the City, 2019

If you will click on this link you will see my post

about this event in 2018.

Exhaling the Gospel

Many details were the same this year, but a few
were different.


The first big difference was the weather.
Last year we were very cold.
Today began sunny, cool, and beautiful.
We started out wearing coats, but as the morning
went by there were coats hanging anywhere 
available, coats tied around waists, 
coats in piles around trees, etc.
And even a little persweating going on by the end!


Our church has grown since last year.
We still have the three campuses, but our initial,
which we now call the Pioneer Campus,
also has a service in Spanish.
So...more folks...more boxes packed!
This year we packed over 10,000 boxes!!!
That is a record--not just for us--for the
Feed the Children organization!


I didn't even hesitate about participating this year.
I knew I was not truly needed, but I truly
needed to help. It is a privilege granted to me
one more year by my gracious Heavenly Father.


I left my camera in the car since I
had taken pictures last year.
I was sorry I did, so I have borrowed a few
from my friends!

Set up and ready to go at the Pioneer Campus.

Worshiping and dedicating our efforts to God
before we begin.

Busy bees!

The Grand Prairie Campus!

The pastor of the South Oaks Campus,
Michael Wierick, filling a box.


I was strongly impressed by a particular aspect
of our effort this year.
That aspect was the participation of our children.
There were kids from about 4 years old up
enthusiastically helping with the passing out of
boxes, the handing out of the food items,
and the transportation of the filled boxes to be taped.
These children were everywhere and so enthusiastic.

This darling little helper is Alexis Boutwell, who
 carried every one of my filled boxes to the taping table.

And look at this cute guy who brought empty
boxes to us as we waited in line.


As I looked around at these precious children, I
couldn't help but think of all the children 
who were not in church this Sunday, or any Sunday.
If you are a parent reading this, I pray you will
seek a Bible teaching church where your family
may learn about Jesus,
The way, The truth, and The life.
I can highly recommend Fielder Church.
It's a happenin' place!
Then you can "Serve the City" with us next year.
No tellin' how many boxes we'll be able to fill then!

My Very First Ladies Retreat!

I guess you might say that "it's about time."

Most of the "ladies" at this retreat were nearer the

age of my granddaughters than my own age!

I only went because my dear friend Linda Gipson

invited me, and she's nearer my age, so I thought
she needed a buddy.

The retreat was an activity of iRefuse ministries.

iRefuse was started in 2011 by Michele Alverson.

(Michele gives much credit to my beloved daughter

in love, Terri Stovall, for help and encouragment!)

Michele states that she was at a place in her life

where she desperately needed fellowship 

with other women.

The song "I Refuse" by Josh Wilson was very

popular at the time.

This lyric spoke to Michele clearly:

I refuse to sit around and wait for someone

else to do what God has called me to do myself.

I had no idea what to expect!

I found there was much more reason for me to be

there than just to accompany Linda!

The retreat took place at Riverbend near Glen Rose.

It is a lovely, peaceful retreat center.

This is the entrance. The water tower says "Riverbend."
It is rather remote, and this is what the road signs
look like getting there!

There are lovely motel like cabins, plenty for the 
approximately 60 of us.
Lots of rocking chairs make it so warm and cozy!
In front of our room with Nita, Kathryn, and Ronna.

Behind our room.

Our beautiful view out our back door!

This event was beautifully organized and orchestrated.
We had laminated schedules.
We had great speakers.
We had a hilarious skit!
We had excellent food, to our order!
We had such meaningful music, provided by
Mitch and Becca Alverson and friends.
We even did a craft at which I, Linda Jane Lynn Stovall,
was successful. (Uncraftiest person ever.)

This was sooo fun!


For the more adventuresome, there is a zip line.
I heard lots of screamin'!
There is also archery.


We were placed in small groups.
This is mine as we met in the lovely rose garden.
In a very short time I grew to love these girls.

Here is our entire group:

We even had two girls, Michelle and Anne, come
from Colorado to be with us!

Now lest you think Linda G. and I were afforded

a place of honor as the matriarchs of this group,

I must share this.

The Saturday night of our trip was the night the

time changed and we gained an hour.

We had been warned our cabin walls were paper thin.

We were happily eating popcorn and candy and

laughing and talking in our room when Linda 

got a phone message. It was Melinda, her daughter.

(Michele, the founder, is also Linda's daughter.)

Anyhoo, Melinda said, "You ladies need to go to bed."

{Susan Metzger would have been proud.}

Linda texted back, "We are in bed!"

Melinda: "Well go to sleep!!!"

We don't get no r.e.s.p.e.c.t.  Even at Riverbend!

The theme of our weekend was
"Be Intentional."
Intentionality is something I must admit I had never
 given much thought to.
I have come home with a renewed determination to
be intentional (not just drift along) in my
relationships with my friends, my family, and 
most importantly with my God.


Remember how I said I didn't know a mission
trip could be such fun?
Now I feel the same way about a retreat.
So inspiring AND so joy filled.
I hope to be able to go back next year!
Not for Linda G. this time.
For Linda S.

Guess the Value of My Gene Allen's Gifts Bargains!

 Last Friday was Brown Bag Bargain Day

at the wonderful Gene Allen's Gifts,

and I was there right after the doors opened!
All items were consolidated at the Randol Mill store.

I didn't get to participate last year, so I'll review
the procedure for those of you who don't know!

The brown bags were $20--

that's for all the final sale items you can

"place" in one. 

("pack," "cram," or "stuff" might be more like it.)

I purchased and filled 3 bags VERY FULL--
for a total of $64.80.


I purchase these items primarily for
Mission Arlington 
and the Metroplex Women's Clinic.
**I will admit, however, that there are
several this year which fit into an
event scheduled for New Year's Eve!
I'll tell you when we get there!**



Your mission, should you choose to accept it,

is to guess the total ORIGINAL PRICE 

of this lovely assortment of merchandise,

including tax.

I will show you pictures, but your estimate

will of necessity be a WAG.

(That's wild a** guess in the vernacular of

Jack Stovall.)

The one who comes closest to the

ORIGINAL PRICE of all items totaled

will win a $50 Gene Allen's gift certificate from

yours truly, LJLS, Brown Bag Bargain queen.
Guesses should be submitted on Facebook.

Here we go.

There are 14 Itty Bittys, 7 Little Golden Books,
8 packs of  fancy bridge tallies, 8 packs 
r/w/b paper plates, 3 lovely Mary's 
Angels wood play sets for little ones, and
5 purse lights.

Here are the play sets up close.

There are nine beautifully gift boxed white
satin bibs, a cute zebra baby "thing," 
2 tall and 2 shorter metal candle stands,
7 packs of Hallmark envelopes and notes, 
and 2 packages of Aromatique potpourri.

One candle holder, one Precious Moments
figurine, 2 super hero books, and
7 Disney sticker books.

These are "Shred Lite" necklaces
made of remnants. 

**We're there!**

These things have a common theme...
The bag says "Cheers to the "Mr and Mrs,"
the wrapping paper "Happily Ever After,"
and the picture frame "Just Married."
Perfect for the Mimi of the bride!

There were several "one of a kind" things,
including this "Because I said so" bag.

I got 4 of these cranberry and citrus cider
drinks--even though the pic only shows 3.
I gave one to a friend when showing her 
"my loot."
(Can't wait for fall--I'm giving me at least
one of these!)




So that's it--93 items.
I meticulously added up the original
prices and added tax.
So...how much do you think I got?
Make your guess on Facebook.
I'll give everyone time to throw their
hat in the ring and won't announce
the winner of the gift certificate until
Monday evening.

A Week of Disney Wonder

I have to tell you--it was truly magical!

Shirley and I (the traveling grannies), Rob, and Susan

flew to Vancouver to meet the ship carrying our

Madeline around for the last few months.

All of us were missing our Susannah immensely,

needless to say.

Susan found us a lovely hotel in Vancouver from which

we could see the Disney Wonder cruising into

port very early on Monday morning!

Here she comes!!!

Maddie got off the ship to meet us!
First time Shirley and I have seen her in months!
Just to be sure you know...she is a mainstage
performer on this beautiful ship, for a period
of 9 months.

She had bought these shirts for us!
(Including one for Rob which you will see later.)
She also had a giant gift bag full of Disney goodies
in our cabin waiting for us!

And here we are shopping at Nordstrom in Vancouver!

And back on the ship...

One of my special hidden talents is...
making the tallest soft serve cone on the ship!

I know Shirley was probably jealous!


We sailed with confidence after our muster drill!
Had the cutest leader!

Then the best looking greeter for
The Golden Mickeys!
What a fabulous show it was!

Our first stop was Icy Strait Point, Alaska.

We went whale watching...

and saw lots of whales!

Didn't I get some good shots?

No--Rob did!

This happened almost every night.

Madeline would come to her Mom's and Dad's

cabin after the show and share with all of us!

A magical experience!

Next stop: Skagway

Breakfast (with a photo bomber!)

Traveling through beautiful Alaskan scenery to

see sled dogs.

Loaded up on the dry weather "sled"

being pulled by very excited, enthusiastic dogs! 

A professional shot of us making a corner
at very high speed!

Then we got to pet our dogs.

At a different location we got to hold

4 week old puppies!

This was the #1 excursion on my wish list,

and it exceeded my expectations!

Thanks, Madeline, for arranging it!

Unforgettable!

On our way to Dawes Glacier,

we saw these seals.

(Rob's picture.)

The beautiful Dawes Glacier.
(Photo Cred: Rob)

I thought this was an interesting picture with

the ship's shadow in the foreground of Dawes Glacier.

(Photo Cred: Me!)

We took one last fun excursion.

It was a duck tour--something I've always wanted to do.

This giant yellow vehicle toured us around Ketchikan,

then drove right into the water

 and toured us some more!

A highlight of the trip for us grannies was

being invited to the Royal Tea, 

presided over by the very entertaining 

Lady Chamomile and Chef Bruleé.

The tea provides an opportunity for the guests 

to meet 3 of the princesses up close and personal and

 receive a host of lovely gifts!

"Be Our Guest!"

Here are some shots with Mickey and pals!

On the final night we got to meet 

Fang and Hook Hand from Tangled

at TWMA ("Twama") or

Til We Meet Again.

(So you'll be in the know if you go!)

Those are lovely rats on Fang's shoulders.

The Disney Wonder is a wonder, as are all the

other Disney ships I am sure.

Elegant, luxurious, sophisticated.

The size of the Wonder was appealing to me.

I was surprised that there were many "unaccompanied

adults" - traveling without children!

I think the shows are top notch perfection,

although I acknowledge I was biased on this cruise.

The costumes and the wigs are exquisite.

The stories and music so beautiful.

The food was the best cruise fare I have had

in many years.

Can you tell I had a good time?

Thanks, precious Madeline, for allowing us to

live vicariously through you and your talent.