Conquering Fear--Bears, Pigs and Killer Bees

     This morning I said "good-bye" to Mozart who was busy at his keyboard composing.
    "I have a doctor appointment, I'll be back before lunch."

      Then I headed into town for the appointment. I was done at the doctor much quicker than I thought, so it seemed a good idea to do something fun before going back home to the daily grind of duties. After all—it's SPRING!

       So I took a quick  5 mile detour through a rocky pine forest to Granite Basin Lake, a small lake nestled in the foothills of Granite Mountain. Normally there are fishermen at this lake, but when I got there, no one was there. It was a little scary because I forgot my cell phone at home, and what if I met a bear? or a wild pig—(they have those here)—or what if I sprained my ankle and had to spend the night out here—Mozart would never know where I was and —have I ever told you I have a problem with anxiety?

Photo of Granite Basin Lake by Allen A

      I decided to shake off the worries and head down to the lake. But after two steps I heard something that made me freeze. Between me and the lake stood a grove of tall trees with tiny blooming flowers, and I could hear a choir of bees. Make that 100 choirs of bees. I stopped and surveyed the situation. There was no way to get to the lake without passing the trees. They probably would be much more attracted to the flowers, then me. But I was wearing a red blouse and I had heard that the color red causes bees to become more aggressive.

     I wondered if Prescott had killer bees.

     In an emergency, I could jump into the lake. But the thought didn't console me.

     Sigh. I had this lake all to myself, and I couldn't even enjoy it.

     So I stood there and tried to enjoy the lake at a distance. But it wasn't very fun.

     Then I wondered how many things in life I don't do because of fear.

     That thought made me mad. 

     HECK -- JUST WALK TO THE LAKE!

     So walked to the lake, talking to God, all the way down--telling him to keep me safe.

     The bees stayed on the blossoms and I didn't see any bears or hear snorting pigs. The only sound was the "quack" of a lone duck on the lake. My gaze was immediately drawn to Granite Mountain rising up behind the lake.  It was beautiful and I could see its rocky reflection in the glassy water. As I stood there, a strong breeze whipped through my hair and blew across the water making a pathway of ripples. Then it changed directions several times and ripples were going every which way.

     It reminded me about what Jesus said about God's Spirit. It's like the wind, "...it blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going." (John 3:8)

Photo of Granite Basin Lake by Allen A

     I stood for few minutes enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature and thanked God for this ruggedly beautiful place.

     A few minutes later I headed back to the truck, and was home in time for lunch. Mozart was still composing music.

     "How was the doctor appointment?"

     "Oh fine. Just fine."

Deeply Thinking

I'm deeply thinking tonight. And need to write things down. I've always been one that needs to write. And tonight it seems like this blog is a safe place. It's quiet here. Facebook is noisy.

 

This is a borrowed picture--Diary of Henry Hale Graham Sharpless June 26, 1868

If someone does meander by my blog, I hope these thoughts will impart some wisdom for the road. The road...yes I have a book called "A Travelers Diary".  Inside I've written words to help me on life's journey. I hope they help you too.

Goal: Live that my life produces a yearning for God in others, not admiration for myself.
--from Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) notes

When I feel wronged: God is tender and compassionate. God cares if we are offended or if there are offenses against us. Let Him take care of it. (Don't try to "get back at" people)

On weakness: Our personal weaknesses can be our greatest strength in God's sight (because we relinquish control to God in those areas)—it's very hard to relinquish our strong areas.
--from BSF notes 

On Manipulation: When we force people to change, we are literally demanding control of their lives. 
It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict people.
Manipulation is a faithless way of doing things.
--from BSF notes

On Failure:  Don't expect to never fail—or go to great lengths to avoid falling. We will fall at times, but the Lord is still with us and is working continually to turn things around for the good.
Based on:
Psalm 37 23-24 "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong
Because the Lord is the one who holds his hand."

On Worry:  While we are worrying about what might happen tomorrow or picturing the future in our mind, we forget that God is in our future. He promises to never leave us or forsake us, so he will be there with us. --inspired by Sarah Young in "Jesus Calling" book.

It's such a comfort to put Him into the picture.

That's it for tonight---









 

Meet the New Neieieigh--bor

A Horse is a horse....  Of course?  OF COURSE!!!

I never expected a horse to be staring at us over the back fence. Where did it come from? The property behind us doesn't have a barn.

"I hope he doesn't make noise," said Mozart, who is always concerned about anything that might bring odd sounds into his compositions.

"He looks like a quiet horse." I said gathering a couple of small carrots.

Sensi, our dog is enclosed in a smaller yard, and I swung open the gate and we walked (Sensi ran) down to see "Mr. Ed". That's his name until I find out otherwise.

  Mr. Ed was curious about Sensi and they touched noses. Suddenly Sensi wanted to play and jumped up on the fence, then she ran down the length of the fence. Mr. Ed caught the spirit and ran the fence with Sensi.

When things calmed down, I gave the horse the carrots. He took them gingerly off my hands with his lips. (Yes, I know to be careful about teeth).

Then we went back up to the house. Mr. Ed stood and watched us until we disappeared into the house. Mozart appeared. "How did it go?"

"Real well. He's a very polite horse."

Suddenly we heard a large screeching "NEEEEIIIIIGH!!"  And the another "NEEEIIGH!!"  Mr. Ed stood facing our house. "NEEEEIIIIIGH!"

Mozart rolled his eyes, and walked back into his office.

All I can say is...A horse is a horse of course!

Let there be Light

 

 A pink December sunset floated above our truck as we headed downtown to see the 60th annual lighting ceremony of the courthouse.

Light warmed the shop windows on Whiskey Row.  But across the street the courthouse was dark, and hundreds of people stood on the grass, along the sidewalk and in the street whispering and waiting.

Then a loud voice said, "Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus.... "

"And Joseph went up from Galilee...."

the voice continued to read through the scriptures, stopping every so often for a choir of all ages to sing a carol "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem..."

When the voice said  "And there appeared a multitude of angels singing 'Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth goodwill to men.'" 

SUDDENLY the lights went on!

Then everyone broke into a rousing chorus of Jingle Bells. Larry and Julie, and other friends joined us for the evening.









Afterwards Julie borrowed our camera and we followed her to the foot of the courthouse steps where she took this picture. Many families climbed the steps and took their annual Christmas portraits.

The evening ended...but the story continues...
"And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

God has made himself known to us, through sending his Son Jesus, to tell us about his love for us. And Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him, will have eternal life."

What good news this is to all who put there faith in him!

Biking the Neighborhood

The phone rang at 6:42 in the morning. A call from South Carolina--from someone thinking it was 9:42.   After the call, I thought I might as well get up and do something constructive.  I had never seen the neighborhood in the early morning light, so I ventured out on my bike.

The streets were quiet.

It was fun sailing through the crisp air.

That's Granite Mountain. It's 7600 feet, but you would never know it. Our neighborhood is at about 5400 feet.

A little fall color.

Ooops a little blurry. These hills rise up north west of us. I like their shape.

Over to the top right is Sedona...you can't quite see it. It's about 50 minutes away.


 Back home again. Hope you enjoyed the ride!

Mom's Induction into the Tennis Hall of Fame

Mom asked my brother and I to introduce her at the awards luncheon.

She has been ranked nationally and internationally in Senior Women's Tennis.

Her father bought her a racket when she was a little girl, and taught her to play. She is now 83.

Relaxing afterwards.

Mozart was our photographer. He finally got in a picture.

Putting my feet in the Pacific before returning to Arizona.

Mozart and my brother enjoying Corona Del Mar.

About the Neighbors...

About 60 "hot rods" are making a trip from Texas to California, and decided to stop off in Prescott to visit a very good friend, Jack, who lives next door to us.  Jack and Sandy had the travelers over for a Mexican dinner, and invited us too.  (They had no choice---as we would be buried in cars.)