We had pumpkin pie for dinner tonight and it was fantastic!

I had a friend who used to order a piece of pumpkin pie when she ordered her meal. She had the pie brought to the table immediately and would enjoy it while the rest of us were starving (and envious!).

A family member tells me that pumpkin pie was a favorite breakfast item for her family.

What a great idea: pumpkin pie as an appetizer or breakfast food!

After my parents had moved into their retirement community, we joined them for a delightful lunch served in the community’s dining room. Poppa gave the server his order of salad, entree and dessert and then added “no vegetables, please.” I gasped and, between spasms of giggles, asked, “Wait, when was no vegetables an option??”

After I got calmed down from my laughter jag and Poppa explained that on that day, he didn’t want to eat those vegetables. He hadn’t given up vegetables forever.

So, we have great choices this holiday season.

• Perhaps we will have pumpkin pie for breakfast or not eat all of our vegetables.
• Maybe we will allow ourselves to enjoy a movie while resting on the couch.
• It might be that we stay in pj’s for a day or leave that troublesome set of Christmas lights in the attic and not fight them this year.
• Maybe we will buy the pies rather than making them “from scratch.”
• Shoot, we might even buy a box of stovetop stuffing.

Don’t make next week a battle of stress. Be thankful that God has never asked us to “do it all.”

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

P.s. I was just kidding about the stuffing. Ours will be the family recipe!!

We are blessed to get a job done that we have been planning for a couple of years. We finally found the “right guy.”

His team came on to our property and got to work. They pressure washed our two out buildings, replaced trim and caulked seams and then put a brand new coat of paint on it all. The buildings look great!

But high on the back wall, at the peak of the second story is a light fixture that quit working several years ago. We asked “the guy” if his team would put up a new fixture and he agreed. The fixture was installed, the power connected and night came. It didn’t work. The back of the workshop now looked darker than before.

John told our friend that there was a problem and asked him to look at it again.

And tonight, as the sky grew dark the light turned on, just as it was designed to do. It is so bright!! The darkness is gone in the presence of the light.

– Dark hides. Light reveals.

– Dark brings fear. Light ignites confidence.

– Dark confuses. Light shows truth.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

And He calls us to be light! “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” John 5:14-16

Friend, Let your light shine. This dark world needs to see His truth!

You were created to shine!.

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

I thought I would share a few Thanksgiving stories as we think about getting ready for the holiday. Here is one of my favorites.

I worked for a three-star admiral who was a kind and gentle soul. At the same time he was sharp as a knife and a deep thinker who ran circles around everyone else who was working on a problem. One of my favorite bosses.

This particular year, he and his wife welcomed their first grandchild into the family. Their daughter and son-in-law were struggling with some concerns about the new baby and grandma went to help out for about three weeks – three weeks that included the Thanksgiving holiday. His work kept him in the office and he, sadly, remained home alone.

There was a junior officer (0-2, I believe) with a wife and two small children living on the same base as the Admiral. And they happened to attend chapel at the same time. The junior officer was involved in some church activity and the young wife was sitting alone waiting for the service to begin. It was then that the Admiral slipped into the service, sitting on the same pew as the wife.

The two struck up a conversation and she learned that “Joe” (not his real name) would be alone on Thanksgiving. She invited him to the meal that the little family would be having in their apartment on Thanksgiving. Joe asked if he could bring something and she replied “pies,”

It was then that the husband returned to his wife’s side and, recognizing the Admiral, greeted him. His wife, smiling asked, “Oh, you already know Joe?” The husband blushed, the admiral smiled and the service began.

Between Sunday and Thanksgiving the husband made a few things known to his wife.

1. NEVER call the admiral Joe. Either call him admiral or sir, but not Joe. The wife’s explanation that Joe had asked her to call him by his first name was not appreciated by the husband.
2. The Thanksgiving menu, table arrangements, cleanliness of the apartment were all modified; and the husband grew more nervous by the day.
3. There was now a specific timeline for the event with details about appetizers and when the turkey should come out of the oven; and the husband grew more nervous by the day.

Then, in spite of their need for more time, Thanksgiving Day arrived.

The apartment was spotless, the table had been set and the turkey was roasting in the oven. The admiral arrived carrying two pies and a bouquet of flowers. The wife was careful to not call the admiral Joe and went into the kitchen to work on the dinner; the two men settled into comfortable chairs in the living room. The two little kids were in a back bedroom playing.

Eventually the wife needed help and asked her husband to join her in the kitchen. After working for quite a while, the husband realized that he was away from their guest much longer than was polite. So husband and wife ran to the living room to find the older man gone.

A few seconds later, they heard giggling from the kids’ room. There they found the two children and admiral sitting together on the floor playing. The husband began to apologize and the admiral explained that they were having a great time. He would bring the kiddos in when dinner was ready. Later, the young couple would realize that most of Joe’s visit to their home that day was spent on their children’s’ bedroom floor.

Eventually the dinner was ready, the little group gathered around the table and, like most family meals, there was laughter and a few tears (when the kids got tired) and lots of fun.

As he left the apartment later that day, Joe explained that he was so very thankful to spend the day with the family as work and distance had kept him away from his grandchild, wife, daughter and son-in-law. A quick hug of the wife and a gentlemanly handshake with the husband and Joe headed home.

Why does this story bless me so much? It reminds me that the simple love of others that makes me happy.

So before you start researching recipe books, before you think about being alone or with others on Thanksgiving, before you buy the pumpkin pie, please do one thing. Would you bless someone with a simple, loving action? It can be a kind word, an invitation to coffee or a homemade pie. Just do something simple.

All of us are a little like Joe: we hunger to see the love of Christ in this complicated, chaotic, world.

Let’s make that happen for someone this week.

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be innocent and pure as God’s perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, as you offer them the message of life. (Philippians 2:14-16a)

We like to watch The Amazing Race. It has teams complete challenges which involve a variety of skills while traveling across the globe into places they have never been.

It seems that every participant has watched the tv show multiple times. In fact they applied to be on the show.

John and I always laugh when the show has a commercial advertising for future contestants. The moderator asks “Do you have what it takes to run the amazing race?” We always reply in unison, “NO!”

But the contestants we watched this evening volunteered. And they knew the types of challenges ahead. They also knew that lack of sleep, physical labor, and emotional and intellectual stress are all part of the race.

So why does every season, nearly every episode, involve bickering, angry words and ugly comments between team members? It is true that they didn’t know every challenge that would confront them before signing the tv contract but they knew what was likely to happen. And they know their partner well, most often a family member or close friend. But they act out, on a television show that will live forever, available to watch again and again and again by themselves, family members including children, close and distant friends, their co-workers and employers!!

So why do I mention this tv show before the ever more busy days of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years? Let me draw some comparisons.

1. They know their partners. We know the family, friends and co-workers that will likely be with us during holiday celebrations. We already know many of their biases and weaknesses. We cannot pretend to be surprised; we have history.
2. The contestants on The Amazing Race know, generally, the activities that will come at them. We also know what we will be doing. Maybe we don’t know now, but we will probably have hours or days of notice regarding holiday activities.
3. They know that the schedule is tight and that it will be physical and taxing. We know that the “relaxing” plan for the holidays can be changed in a moment. The holidays can be rough. If you are going to be alone this year, I believe that you might have the toughest challenge of us all. I remember those days.

Jesus knew that His days on earth would be long and stressful so He made time, He took time, to pray and to rest. One of my favorite lessons during my last couple years of study was that Jesus, God on earth, took special time with ONLY His closest friends and time with ONLY His Father. Jesus didn’t make Himself available to the crowds or religious and political officials at every moment. Jesus guarded His schedule by staying ahead of it with rest and prayer. We need to do the same.

We need to plan now about our holiday celebrations. Here are some things you may want to consider.

• Although you might be tempted, don’t ever write/record any angry or ugly words – EVER. When frustrated do not text, post on social media, write an email, or leave a voice mail. Instead, remember what the Psalmst wrote that God knows “how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust.” (Psalm 103:14)
• Remember that those around you are people you love, or at least need to be around. BE KIND – always. We are not perfect and neither are they. Let kindness, generous and love reign in our hearts, deeds and words.
• When we should not respond – don’t. A moment of silence is almost always the better choice.
• GET PLENTY OF REST!! Go to bed early even if you will spend some of that time playing sodoku on your phone. Jesus rested; we should too.
• DON’T just eat “bad” food and drink over the holidays. Put down the eggnog and drink water. Eat protein. Eat a salad.
• MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL – Talk to God. Let Him know of your concerns. If you walk with Him, He will direct your path and calm your heart and mind.

In Philippians 4:6-7 we read: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

One of my life’s joys is working with some amazing women in our church kitchen to provide meals for kiddos, our homebound, folks who just like yummy (and want to support our ministry), attendees at baby and wedding showers and for families during times of stress, loss and need. It is fun and fulfilling.

(Yep, I did notice the double meaning of “fulfilling”; I said what I said. 😀 And, yes, we do sample our creations!!)

I was making spaghetti the other night and went to the pantry – no garlic!! No garlic powder, garlic salt no mined garlic. Thank goodness a dear friend was able to make a garlic run for me. (You CANNOT make spaghetti and meatballs without garlic!)

Last night, we used the last gallon-sized ziplock bag. There were no stand-by boxes to be found!

My point? Hmmmm. I will be putting up a “if you used the last ___, please add it to the shopping list on the bulletin board” sign. And, I will create a shopping list form.

But that isn’t my point for telling you of my garlic and ziplock bag dilemma. No those things are just part of working in a kitchen. I am more interested in the things that are done around and for us that we rarely notice.

A few years ago, I listened to the recording of our wedding. For the first time I heard the entire organ prelude that welcomed our guests and set the tone for the ceremony. It was amazing. I had thanked the musician but I had never listened to all that she did to make our day very special. I sent her a FB message and our resulting conversation ended up with tears for both of us. She had paid a price to make that happen.

Someone is always paying a price for our benefit. There are no mythical elves.

Ever grab a cookie at a club meeting or reception? Most likely several someone’s paid a price for you to have that cookie. Even the plate and napkin were the result of labor and time.

My story about the garlic and zip lock bag sounded like I was doing something. Not really!! The spaghetti noodles were already in the pantry. Someone else put them there. The tableware was there because someone had made sure that there is plenty. There are a thousand things in that kitchen. We are a team and we all help out. I was just doing my part.

Everything we use everyday has cost someone something that we (or at least I) have ignored.

• I couldn’t find something at the Walmart and a clerk, who was shopping for others, helped me. One might say “That is their job.” But I know that those store shoppers are evaluated on speed and accuracy. I cost that woman time. Maybe I should be more patient with the store app.

• As I walked through the TSA lines seeing workers who showed up and were diligently doing their job without a pay check, I thanked them. But, maybe I should have picked up a case of Dinty Moore stew for their break room.
• My Mom and I usually talk twice a day. Friends have said that it is so nice that I call her. They have no idea how much I love and learn from those calls. I really need to thank Mom more!!!

As we start this holiday season, let’s recognize the sacrifices that so many people make to help us. Let’s not only say thank you, but recognize, engage and bless them.

And, I need to start with you. People listen to (or read) my silly stories. And I know that that costs time and kindness. I know that I could never say “thank you” to really pay you back, but thank you!!

Just a thought…

Love,

Jill (just one if God’s kids)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:18

The other day I shared a lesson from my cheap, but tough, purse. I thought I would tell the story of one of my other wardrobe malfunctions. (Don’t ask!)

I was traveling to Quantico, Virginia, to attend a ceremony on the drill field of the Marine Corps base. My activities there included meeting with staff members, speaking to midshipmen and, most exciting of all, meeting the general who had just been announced to be the next Commandant of the Marine Corps. (I was blessed with amazing opportunities during my career. I cherish them all.)

This important event needed a new outfit and, because of the type of activities involved, it had to be a pants suit. I found a lovely one with trousers that had a side zipper. (Men, some women’s trousers have flies, others have elastic waist bands, a few have back zippers, and others have side zippers which are always on the left side. ALWAYS on the left side!!). I added a new hat (it would be a sunny day), purse and shoes to my purchases and I was set. 

The day arrived and I drove my generic, white rental car into the huge, open air parking garage, immediately forgetting what floor I had parked on. 

I was early (I usually am) and did a quick navigation of the places I needed to be. Now it was time for a quick stop at the bank of port-a potties. 

It was then that the zipper on the side of my trousers broke. I checked my “new purse.”  Most purses have “stuff” at the bottom: paper clips, safety pins, alligator clamps. No, I had a NEW purse. The lining was lint and “stuff” free. Thank goodness that the trousers had a hook and eye closure at the waistband. I hooked it and plastered my arm to my side where it would stay for the next 5 hours with my purse, hanging from my shoulder, tucked under it. 

That arm never left its post. It stayed glued to the side of my body – hiding the broken zipper, securing that worthless purse, and making sure that nothing, absolutely nothing, showed. It stayed that way on the drill field. It stayed that way when I was at the podium speaking. It stayed that way when I shook hands with the Marine General and walked with him. Nothing moved that arm.

Finally I was done with the activities of the day and it was time to return to my car. Let’s just say that that was another adventure. 

The point of my story is not that life can throw us some curveballs from time to time but that even that person in that beautiful, new suit with hat and purse and shoes may be struggling. 

• That “perfect” home may have drawers and closets overflowing filled with laundry baskets of dirty clothes and tubs of unopened mail. 
• The speaker who seems so very calm may be anxious about the teenager in their home who is growing more angry and distant. 
• The politician who is addressing public issues on the television may be struggling with life-threatening health issues. 
• That pastor may be smiling and laughing but carrying the heavy burdens and secrets of their congregation knowing that “only God knows.”

The Creator of Heaven and earth knew that we would struggle through the challenges of life. He said in Isaiah 54:10 “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

We should, in the same way, be compassionate with one another. The world wants us to mock others. It encourages us to be greedy, suspicious and envious. God asks us to be generous, kind and loving. 

I Peter 3:8 directs us to have “unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

As we prepare to celebrate the season, let’s treat others as God teaches us. Let’s promise to let our love be unfailing and our decision to share peace steadfast.

Just a thought…

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

Yesterday was Veterans Day. Today is the day after.

• Today I plan to take down the flags that run across our fence line.
• Today Applebees and other restaurants won’t be offering amazing deals and greetings to veterans, active duty personnel and their families.
• Today the city streets will be open to traffic because no parade is scheduled.

It is the day after.

Sometimes the day after is amazing!

• The day after John and I were married we knew that the adventure was just beginning.
• The day after I met each granddaughter for the first time I was even more thrilled to hold her and to count fingers and toes.
• The day after we moved into our new house, I walked through the rooms wondering how memories would be formed.

Other “day afters” bring a let down that can color our memories. In those times, the day after can never live up to the “day of.”

In spite of the calendar reminders and parades, it is too often that the “day of” passes by before we get involved intellectually, mentally, physically or emotionally and think hard on the matter. And perhaps that is what happened to you on this Veterans Day. You knew that the holiday was taking place but you didn’t really focus any energy in being thankful and humbled by the cost American veterans paid to give us the gifts of freedom, security and peace. At the end of this blog I’m providing a video of a reading by Johnny Cash that might cause you to reflect on the gifts given to protect our America represented by our American flag.

But on this day, November 12th, and on every day after, we should continue to remember, to honor, to be on the lookout for those who deserve our thanks, our patience, our reverence. On this day after, let us decide to make every day Veterans Day.

Just a thought…

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

https://youtu.be/ufAxovpOUHI?si=5mtMzwKgrgFkTGY2

The last 12 months have brought such diverse things into our lives. And I think the story of a purse that I had might illustrate how we got to today.

I am not a “purse person.” To me a purse is just a nicer grocery bag; it holds stuff. I have friends for whom a purse is part of their attire; and for other friends a purse is almost a financial investment. To me, a purse is just a more stable plastic bag.

The purse I was using a year ago was black, made of some kind of polyester fabric and had a sturdy, very sturdy, webbed strap. This purse held lots of stuff. And it worked. It wasn’t fashionable and not pretty to look at but it worked.

I was out of town last fall, attending meetings of an organization that was new to me. After making my flight arrangements I failed to schedule ground transportation, incorrectly assuming that the organization was providing it. When I realized my error, I contacted the coordinator and she arranged rides for me. All good (and very much appreciated).

It was raining as the event started and I had my purse, computer bag and coat with me. At the end of the evening, I found myself, having completed my sub-committee discussions, alone in a building lobby awaiting my ride. What I didn’t know was that the car which was nearly empty at the beginning of the day now had several other riders.

The stillness of the lobby ended as someone came running in from the rain to tell me that my ride was outside. I hurried to take the last open place in the backseat of the car.

Some context might be helpful – I have lost a great deal of flexibility through the years and my feet and knees do not bend well. I tried and tried to get my right foot into that backseat and it just wouldn’t bend. I was embarrassed in front of my new colleagues and I struggled to get my foot into the car. Lots of suggestions were shouted out (elevating my level of embarrassment) but eventually my foot was inside and the door was shut.

We drove for about 15 minutes in hard rain before arriving at the hotel. What my foot had finally done 15 minutes ago, it was not about to do again. A man appeared and offered his help. I told him that I was sorry but that I needed him to force my foot to flex. He need not worry about injuring me, I would be fine. He did the job with such kindness and grace and I got out of the vehicle, thanking him profusely. (I never did figure how who he was. He wasn’t part of our group nor the hotel staff. Perhaps an Angel unaware?)

I started my journey into the lobby when I noticed my purse. Water was pouring out of the bottom of the bag. It hit me – although I (with my foot) had ridden inside the car, my bag had not. It had spent the 15 minute drive on city streets in heavy rain, over railroad tracks and potholes, outside of the vehicle.

I nervously headed to the elevator, holding the bag close to my leg, trying to look like the water was pouring off of my coat.

When I arrived at my hotel room, I was able to pour water out of the bag into the bathroom sink. My paper cards inside of my closed wallet were soaked. I carefully separated identification and insurance cards, paper bills and receipts and lined them up on the room’s furniture tops. I used the room’s hair dryer to do what I could.

It was then that I realized that had that woven strap broken on the ride, I would have lost so much that would likely have never been found. No doubt the cash would be gone, but my identity was at risk like never before.

That black bag, quilted and ugly, had done a job that most bags would not attempt. That bag protected me when I had no idea I needed its help.

This past year, I have found that the dependable is much more valuable to me than anything this world deems as “precious” or “beautiful.”

– This year I have held the hands, those dependable hands, of my 97 year old mother and marveled at their beauty and strength.

– This year I have seen family members survive when the world would say “give up.”

– This year our church said congratulations to our retiring pastor and wife and welcomed a new pastor and family. And all are still part of our loving congregation.

– This year John and I watched God lead and bless and bring joy unspeakable while the world watched in disbelief.

So as we begin this holiday season, let’s not forget the “dependable” gifts from our Heavenly Father.

Joshua 21:45 states that “not one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the house of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true.” I can state, without question, that the dependability of God’s promises has gotten me through dark times when the world would say that hope was unreasonable and that it was time to accept the loss. He protects us even when we do not know that we need protecting.

Just a thought…

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

This is crazy! It is almost midnight on New Year’s Eve and I am still awake! I realized I need to share one more thing before this year is over.

Last night we watched “The Man Who Invented Christmas.” It is a movie about Charles Dickens writing his amazing story, “A Christmas Carol.” You know – the story about Scrooge and the ghosts and Tiny Tim. As the movie started I realized that we had seen this movie several years ago, but we let it run.

It was then that I heard a section from the book that I had never really paid attention to before. Marley, Scrooge’s dead partner, comes in, bound up in heavy chains, and says something that is so important, so profound, so relevant to every generation. As he tries to walk, barely able to move for the massive chain that surrounds his frame, he says:

“I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the Ghost. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it.”

I know someone who freed me of the chains that I forged. Here is a song that reminds me of His chain-breaking power. Listen, and if you have questions, just give me a shout. My plans for 2025 can be made flexible.

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

It has been my joy to share with you this year through my silly holiday blog posts. So, unless something inspires me, this will be the end of the 2024 series.

Tomorrow, New Year’s Day, John and I will spend a quiet time at home, resting, watching college football and enjoying the day. We do have a tradition handed down by his parents.

Every year, on January 1, we light bayberry candles and burn them to “the socket.” Mom and Pop Stein started this tradition for us by saying:

“Bayberry candles burned to the socket bring health to the home and wealth to the pocket.”

So our home will have the sweet aroma of bayberry.

I have to be careful about aromas. I used to have a favorite perfume but stopped wearing it when I saw someone react badly to it. I don’t want the “aroma” around me to be perceived as something that I don’t want to be.

Bayberry means new year to me.

The aroma of baby powder means sweet little ones are near.

The smell of worn leather brings a baseball glove to mind.

And, one of my favorites, bug spray and damp canvass brings memories of family camping trips.

But, what aroma does God enjoy? I love the words of the Bible in Revelation 5:8 –

“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

Friend, God not only hears and answers your prayers but your prayers carry a sweet aroma and the Lord has saved them all. Yes, just like our earthly parents saved our “stuff” we thought meant nothing, our Heavenly Father has saved our prayers, keeping them safe in Heaven.

He hears your prayers.

If bayberry is sweet to me, I cannot imagine the sweet aroma of your prayers.

As we begin 2025, let us spend time praying and talking with our Heavenly Father, praising, seeking, LISTENING, and obeying.

Our Heavenly Father longs to hear from you.

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)