Friday, May 28, 2010

The Secret

My great-grandfather Alex was a student of the scriptures. I'm fortunate to have inherited his Bible.

I decided to do something I've never done before. I posted on a geneology forum. I typed my great-grandfather's name, and birth date into a forum in Scotland and asked how to go about researching my Scottish roots. Great-grandfather brought his wife and four daughters to America from Scotland when my grandmother was 12.


Left to right...Gertrude, Jean, Lilias, Rene
(My grandmother, Lilias, is in the back on the right.)

The next day I had 2 emails in my box. One person had sent me a document from the Ellis Island archives which listed my g-grandfather, g-grandmother arriving in 1910 along with their daughters. The document included the names and ages of the daughters. I also had an email that said, "The research has already been done." Included was a link to his family tree. I found out that my g-grandfather was a twin. (which is true...but I had forgotten.) I still need to correspond with the person behind "The research has already been done." This story is still unfolding.

But as intriguing as it is to stumble upon some family history, the most important information about g-grandfather is already in my possession. His Bible. And in it, I found a little brochure called "The Morning Watch" which displayed this poem.

The Secret

I met God in the morning,
When my day was at its best
And His presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.

All day long The Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we stayed in perfect calmness
O'er a very troubled sea

Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to us a perfect rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I, too, had loosed the moorings,
With The Presence left behind.

So I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way;
You should seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!

--H.S.C.


G-Grandfather Alex and his four daughters. (My grandmother is standing.)

P.S. Happy Memorial Day...and pray for our country and our troops!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Canyons

I heard this conversation behind me, as I flew from Colorado to California.
"What is that noise?"
"Someone is taking pictures."
"From the plane?"

Yes...from the plane. How can people NOT look out the window and NOT take pictures.

Check this out. It's so other-worldly. (click on picture to make larger) I think this is Monument Valley (everything is prefaced "I think" when one is on a plane.)


Notice the shadows stretching over the desert from the "monuments".


I think this is the Grand Canyon.

The waning sunlight catches the tops of the canyons.
What a privilege to have an aerial view of God's designs.



Speaking of cool canyons, my husband and his friend Craig drove through Red Rock Canyon recently.
Craig took some amazing pictures.
The canyons are about a two and a half hour drive from our home.
The fluted folds are a result of wind and rain erosion.


"Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert."
Nehemiah 9:19

It's comforting to know that when we are traveling through the desert, God does not abandon us. Although it's hot, dry and tough-going...there is beauty.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Colorado (Part Three)

We are driving to "Garden of the Gods." There's Pikes Peak in the background.



This is an amazing place where ancient sedimentary beds of colorful sandstones and limestones stretch toward the sky.






Ashlee and Hollee squeeze into the crevices of "The Three Graces."


They climb the rocks.

He lifted me...out of the mud and mire and set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth. Psalm 40:2

A closer view of Pikes Peak.



We arrive back at the ranch near the end of the day.



The hens are snacking.



The dogs want to play ball.



The horses watch and wait to be fed.

Phyllis Diller cackles, "Where have you been all day!"

The view from the house is breathtaking. I see Pikes Peak in the background and it reminds me of our fun filled day!


View from my brothers ranch.


Back in California, I stopped by a lovely rose garden on my way home from busy errands. I just wanted to share the pictures with you!








The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
Psalm 145:8


Saturday, May 8, 2010

Colorado (Part Two)


I went to Writers Critique group yesterday and was inspired to write more. Yet I hold back if I don't have something to say...or if I get busy. So my blog sits idle. I'm going to try to post once a week, as a discipline. But I may not have any earth-shattering stories, or deep profound thoughts.

I want to write about my life, but not all things can be said. And writing about one's life is not always interesting to others. When I have been published, it has been with "Personal Experience" stories. That is my best area. However, I'd like to do a few devotions too.

But this is supposed to be about COLORADO and I don't have time to write today, because I have things I must tend to.

Yet I have not forgotten about Colorado and the wonderful time I had there. My mind reflects back...and smiles.

I got to know my nieces a little bit better and that was a joy.

In Colorado, if you're 16 years old...this is what your chores are: "Feed the chickens" and "Hollee---Jose needs to be ridden!"

You can't just run and jump on a horse. Hollee took Jose out, hooked him up, brushed him, then put on his bridle and saddle.




Then she jumped on. Without her boots. So mom patiently went in the house to get them and put them on her feet. BY THE WAY...Happy Mother's day to all!


Hollee and her sister, Ashlee have spent their growing up years showing horses in horse shows. They have won many awards.



Home Sweet Home


We were able to visit "Garden of the Gods" and my brother took me mountain biking! More on Colorado coming soon...(hopefully I'll be back no later than 7 days!)

Monday, May 3, 2010

Colorado (Part One)

Can you believe this? I met a blogging friend in Colorado!



Dawn and I met a couple of years ago during a stormy time in our lives. We were going through similar situations. Little did I know I would have a chance to see her on my trip to Colorado!

On the way to Dawn's house.



There it is! I've seen that house on my computer!



Initially we weren't going to meet because I would have to drive 85 miles out of the way to see her. I was staying at my brother and sister-in-law's ranch.

But my niece said, "I love to drive! I'll take you there." My younger niece said, "I want to go too!"


My brother, my nieces and me. (2 days ago)


So I met Dawn and her wonderful singing husband! He gave me his latest Gospel Quartet CD "Child of the King".



And these are her sweet granddaughters, Care Bear and Fiesty. We also met her twin granddaughters, who are inside getting ready for bed. I had fun reading a stories to Care Bear and Fiesty. (...and playing "Simon Says")You can visit Dawn and her granddaughters at "Call Me Grandma Dawn."



More about the Colorado trip is coming soon along with pictures of horses and chickens.