Billy, Did You Know?

This morning I read from Billy Graham's daily

devotional book called 

Wisdom For Each Day.

The book was published in 2008.

I thought to myself, "Oh dear Billy, you had

no idea how badly we would need this on

July 4th, 2020!"

Here it is: PRAYING FOR YOUR NATION

"A great crisis in American history came at the

Constitutional Convention called in Philadelphia

to ratify a constitution for the new country that

was being born. The delegates got angry with one

another, and because they couldn't resolve their

conflicts, they couldn't agree on a thing and picked  

up their hats and coats and started to leave."

{Sound familiar? L.S.}

"Suddenly Benjamin Franklin spoke up.

'Wait a minute, gentlemen,' he is reported to have said.

'This country was conceived in faith in God.

Many of us here believe in prayer.

Let us get upon our knees and pray to 

Almighty God and see whether God shall give

to us the answer to our dilemma.'"

{Again...deja vu? L.S.}

"Upon their knees those men went, and out of

that prayer meeting came the immortal 

Constitution of the United States of America.

What dilemma in your nation--or in your life--

is compelling you to get down on your knees

and seek God's answer?"

-----------------------

Don't you wonder how much more healing would

take place if we placed our energies in prayer

rather than arguing?

Because God says:

"If my people...pray and seek my face...

I will hear from heaven."

2 Chronicles 7:14

Covid Victims Close to my Heart

I feel sure the Covid victims to whom I am referring

would tell you that they are still among the blessed.

Many don't have the disease.

But they don't have jobs either.
They haven't had for a long time.
They may not have for a long time.

I follow Captain Kate McCue on Twitter.

She is the captain of the giant Celebrity Edge on 

which I took one of my last cruises.

Bummer that she was not captain at that time!

Captain Kate's tweets amuse me and 

at the same time break my heart.

One of her latest tells that there are still 200,000

sailors at sea who cannot get home because of

restrictions of one kind or another.

As I understand it, all but the necessary personnel

to keep the Edge operating have been

able to return to their homes--just recently.
But that is not the case with some (many?) 
of the other ships.



Here is a page from Captain Kate's Instagram.

I have no idea how that first picture was accomplished!

The second is of a bosun who has been onboard
the Edge for 12 consecutive months, along
with his son and his brother!
The third is Captain Kate with her ugly cat,
Bug Naked, whom I am trying to love!
The fifth is Kate with her father when the
Edge is in port to restock.
There are many videos of the Edge sounding
its horn to other lonely ships in signs of comraderie.
Again...I am so very sad for them.

I have had some of the best times of my life

onboard these fabulous vessels.

To see them floating empty makes me cry.

Of course, doubling, tripling down on my 

sadness is the fact that my precious Madeline 

should be in Europe right now, performing on the

fabulous Disney Magic.

What prompted my post today?

I think it is many things, but chief among them

is my realization of just how many people in the

entertainment industry have been affected

by this virus and the shutdown.

If I even tried to list, I know I would leave out

some huge group or section.

Just examples...Madeline's agent has a

brand new baby and clients without jobs.
There was a very talented tumbler on the 
Disney Wonder when Madeline was.
He is still stuck on the ship without pay,
because he is from Australia and they
will not allow him back in.

It was a very sad day when it was announced that
 Broadway would not open before January 3, 2021.

All of Madeline's showbiz friends have no 

income and haven't for months.

They would be willing to wait tables or work

retail in New York, but so would a jillion others.

These kids have worked so hard and sacrificed

so much and were just beginning to "make it."

They are Covid victims, too.


I can assure you that my Jesus loving Madeline is
still "giving thanks in all circumstances."
She is strong because her faith is in Him.
But this is still not easy.
She is returning to New York next week
to a very uncertain and unknown future.

Would you like to follow Captain Kate on Instagram?

captainkatemccue




Just for fun here is a rerun of my time on the
Celebrity Edge!
It is now 1:47 and this is all I've done today!
These links are really above my pay grade,
and I just hope they work!

CLICK HERE FOR PART 1

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2

CLICK HERE FOR PART 3

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5807560797538739049&useLegacyBlogger=true#editor/target=post;postID=3929872241864892579;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=4;src=postname

A Glimpse of My Pandemic Life

Since I know this won't last forever, I thought I'd

best record a few observations from the past 

73 weeks of isolation and social distancing.

Actually, it has only been 16 weeks for me.

Obviously I haven't blogged much.

Not much to blog about.

I must admit immediately that this has not been

a significant burden for me.

My heart breaks for those of you who are without

a job (my Maddie) or have lost businesses, 

those who are responsible for making

impossible decisions as to how our schools, 

churches, and businesses are to proceed,

those parents who became responsible for

the education of their children, the teachers 

and other educators, and those whose

health has been affected.

Also, those in facilities and hospitals who are

alone or unable to visit family who is alone.

Heart wrenching!

And those who don't have family and/or friends

to check on them and bring them supplies.

It just goes on and on.

I have it so easy. I have everything I need.

I have nothing about which to complain.

Many times through the years I have shared what I 

thought would be the idyllic time schedule for me.

I would stay up until midnight and sleep til 8:00 A.M.

Well, my wish has come true. I can now do this.

Howsomever, I don't really HAVE to get up at

8:00, so I do the "snooze button tango."

(Do you remember my observation about this?

The expression goes, "You snooze, you lose."

Therefore I end up losing multiple times in

15 minute intervals every morning!")

Let's just say...I have enjoyed adequate rest.

I wish I could say I have purged and straightened

my closets. But I haven't--yet.

I did clean out one drawer. Oh wait. That may

have been pre-pandemic.

I have managed to keep the house nice and {sorta}

 straight even though I know no one will be dropping by.

Which is surprising since

self motivation is not one of my spiritual gifts!

I spent hours and hours pouring over my

tax receipts and getting them to Susan Harris

last week, after she had gently called to prompt me!

HaHaHaHaHa!

I did have to make a phone call or two, but

I didn't even open most of the envelopes, and

my Susan made the delivery for me!

I have succeeded in learning to play at least a

medium difficult game of Sudoku!

I am a big believer in keeping my brain active

with games, but usually they are word games.

I was introduced to Sudoku in 2010 when I

visited with cousin Sarah and several of her

friends at her cabin in Alpine, Arizona.

I learned the basics, but in the intervening years

have not ever met with any success.

Until now! My phone has a great version, and

I am obsessed! 

Sudoku is a very slow and time consuming game, 

however. Probably wouldn't have happened

in normal circumstances!

And I am practicing my piano almost daily,

preparing a piece for y'all!

I doubt that I'll ever be ready, perfectionist that

I am, but I'm working on it.

Of course, the Sudoku and the piano both give me 

a headache, but I'm hangin' in there!!!

Yesterday I did something I don't ever remember

doing before in my long life.

I decided I needed some Krispy Kreme donuts.

(But that's not the part I'd never done, of course!)

I got in my car and pulled out of my driveway

in absolutelty no hurry!

(That's the "new.")

I ambled along, looking around and just observed.

I got behind someone going only 20 miles an hour.

 I didn't honk. I didn't pass. I just went 20 too!

I've been isolated, baby! It's time to smell the roses!

And eat my donuts.

I subscribed to Netflix.

I haven't found anything I like as much as

The Crown.

I've enjoyed some movies, but they are all

too raunchy IMHO for me to recommend to you.

Besides, I can't remember what they were

right now.

I did find some more Judge Judy's on Channel 27,

so now I have 2 hours (minus commercials) 

to watch on weekdays.

A lot of them are reruns, but I can't remember

how they turned out anyway so I watch them again!

There is one "worst" that happened to me 

because of Covid 19.

Those of you who know me might immediately think,

"She couldn't cruise!" That is bad, but...

by far worse is the fact that our group could not

go to Colombia with Compassion International

this summer. Our trip was scheduled for

June 16 through June 23.

There are so many children there who desperately

need our love and hugs. For me it is two little girls

who need mine and I theirs. So much.

Well, this may be about all the excitement you

can handle in one blog.

Besides, I've got to go and make a list of all the 

things I'm going to do tomorrow.

This looks pretty pitiful!

"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks

in all circumstances; for this is the

will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Maiden Voyage Back to Grocery Shopping

Last night I had about exhausted the food readily

available to eat in my house.
(Translation: anything that didn't have to be cooked.)

I did have a block of cheese that was slightly past 
its "Best By" date and some pimentos.

So I got out my ancient food processor, 

grated the cheese, and with high expectations
created my own

"Mimi's Homemade Pimento Cheese."

I had a sandwich for dinner.

It was not very impressive, especially considering

 all the mess it had created.

So...today I decided what my sandwiches  

needed was some good, fresh tomato slices.

Now I haven't been inside a grocery store

since March 12th, so I decided Green's Produce

would be the  best destination for my break-out.

Semi open air, easy in and out, best tomatoes.

Green's is trying really hard.

One way in, one way out. Sanitizer available at

entry, along with plastic gloves if you desire.
Wasn't overly crowded even on Saturday.

The young man putting out the (Florida?) tomatoes

was wearing serious gloves.

I know because I had to ask him to open my

plastic bag for me since I had on those non-serious ones.

I got my 2 tomatoes, along with a few other things

(of course!)

When I got to the check out stand, things took

a downhill turn!

The girl who was going to check me out was...

changing the plastic bag in the trash can 

without gloves. I had to wait while she finished!

And...one of my tomatoes had fallen out of its

plastic bag. I stood there stunned as hands went

from the trash can to my little naked tomato
to the scale.

When the girl brought out the bag with tomato, 

she didn't even bother to put little naked back in it.

Which is actually a good thing. I knew which

one to scrub the life out of when I got home.

I haven't tried my tomatoes, so I can't rate them yet.  

I still give Green's a high rating for effort in 
keeping their customers safe.
But I am in dry dock again, I guess.

I will willingly stay quarantined for

a while longer, since I can't disregard that I am
among the vulnerable. 

Maybe that was the purpose of my trip.

P. S.  Susan did offer to bring tomatoes to me more
than once, but I thought I was ready for this!

Prayer of Linda Jane Lynn Stovall

Is it an accident, a coincidence that a friend 
posted this on Facebook today?
I don't believe so.
I might have been able to tell you the gist of
St. Francis' prayer if you had mentioned
it to me...and again I might not have.
But as I saw and read it, I found it so perfect
for me today.
Every line...every word.

The Wedding Through Mimi's Eyes

Just a reminder...this is the wedding of my younger granddaughter, Susannah, to Nick McCaskill.

They got married on a Tuesday night...which just

happened to be New Year's Eve, 2019!

It was by far my most exciting New Year's Eve ever!


Every aspect of the wedding was perfect and 
perfectly recorded in pictures.
I went through and selected just a few of my favorites.
This was not an easy task.
There were 1500 pictures, not one of them bad!

 Watching from my little corner of the bride's room.

I am surrounded by beauty. I love every one of these girls.

A personal favorite.

The "reveal" to the bridesmaids. Most had not seen 

Susannah's dress!

What a love this is. With Madeline, her sister and

maid of honor (and soloist!)

And with her beautiful fam.

 The traveling grannies and the bride.

 Be still my heart.

Prayer over the groom.

Prayer over the bride.

It's almost time!

Darling Meg escorting us grandmothers over to the 

"assembly area" for more pictures.

So proud to have my handsome son Jay to walk me 

down the aisle.

And here comes the maid of honor, Madeline, with

the two best men, the groom's brothers

Chase and Reed McCaskill. What cuties!

This is Nick as he sees Susannah coming down the aisle.

Who could ask for anything more than the look

of adoration on his face.

And Nick, Pastor Kurt, Madeline, and Reed

So much joy on their faces.

 Here comes the bride!

I believe I was happy!
That's Russell and Karen McCaskill,
the groom's parents, I'm laughing with!

I loved the beverage donkey, of course!

The wedding party made a grand entrance
down the spectacular staircase!

A lovely treat!

THE UNFORGETTABLE BOUQUET TOSS!

Ready...(the girl has quite the arms!)...Wait for it...

Uh-Oh! Can you see it way up there in the light fixture?

All the hysterically funny expressions!

And the funniest of all!

Look what Nick's brother Chase captured on
his phone!

JUST MARRIED

AND

JUST PERFECT!!!!!!!

Politics and Religion: A Conundrum

Conundrum: An intricate and difficult problem;

a dilemma.

We've been taught that one does not discuss 

politics or religion in polite society.

However...

Jesus says: "But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will
be my witnesses to the ends of the earth."
Acts: 1:8


and, in our Great Commission:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."
Matthew 28:19


Since I am pretty much surrounded by Christian
friends here at home, this conundrum has most
often presented itself to me at dining tables
on the cruise ships I have been blessed to sail.
On one recent and memorable one, this is how it went.


There were just 5 of us at our table.
I bought these two "diamond" rings for myself
late in the voyage
with a plan in mind that one of them would be 
helpful in sharing my faith.

That night at dinner I showed my companions my
purchases and said that the anchor ring was especially
meaningful to me, as I was a Christian 
and my life is securely anchored to Jesus.
C.r.i.c.k.e.t.s.


Now later the husband of the couple at the table
started to share with me in private that they were
Christians, too, but his wife shushed him.
Evidently she ascribes to the theory stated above.
No talk of "religion."


I do not want to discuss religion.
My faith in Jesus is a relationship, not a religion.
I don't wish to force my beliefs on anyone.
I just want to tell the Good News that Jesus saves!
I want to share how one can have peace
 here on this earth and indescribable joy
in heaven with God forever, unendingly, eternally.



I always think of this analogy.
If I found out about a cure, a medication for a disease 
from which a person suffered, and I offered
to tell him or her about it, 
would any refuse and accuse me of "forcing" my idea?
And yet, I know the marvelous truth which is better
 than any cure, better than the "fountain of youth."
I want all to be able to sing...

"When we've been there 10,000 years,
bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun."



--------------------------------------------------

I had such a good time reminiscing about this 
cruise as I wrote this, that I thought you
might, too.

CLICK HERE FOR PART 1

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2




P. S. I have followed up with Paul.
I sent him a Bible and a book,
"More Than a Carpenter."
He thanked me, and we have continued to
correspond occasionally.
In fact, I need to write him now!