Each day we gather sorrow

It shows upon our brow;

The joys we have along the way

Don't show as much somehow.

Do you think if we could just take time

To relax along the way

And lay our sorrows at His feet...

Those lines would go away?

By Edna L. Ingram

He was about four years old and he grinned at me as he peeked around the rows of shirts hanging in the department store. I grinned back at him and he would go over to another position and part the things hanging there and grin again.

Much time went by and I was wondering where his mother was. I couldn't see anyone around that should be responsible for him and eventually I became worried.

After a few more minutes, I became more worried and knowing what can happen to little children, I discreetly moved along with him, pretending to shop. Anyone wanting to kidnap a little child would have had a perfect opportunity to do so. He didn't seem the least bit afraid of strangers. He seemed perfectly happy and contented to keep me entertained.  I didn't know how long I could keep this up, before I would need to report it to the management.

The little boy was evidently lost,but he didn't even realize it. I could go on and on about parental responsibility...but that's not my purpose here.

Finally a lady came and called his name and he ran over to her, grinning from ear to ear and waving goodbye to me.

And I thought..... There are so many people in the world who are lost spiritually and just like that precious little boy, they are not even aware of it. It's amazing that they can go to bed at night and sleep, not knowing what will be their destination eternally should they not wake up in the morning.

They don't read the Bible and learn that there is a way to be redeemed. The Bible convicts us of sin and then offers a way of escape. The book of Acts is a history of the Lord's church...and it is not a 'man made' church as many are today. Its beginning is in Acts, (Acts Chapter 2) and it tells of the responses from the people when they heard the apostles' preaching.

The rest of the book of Acts is about the church growing and becoming mature. The books of the Bible after Acts is more history of the people who became Christians and also some instructions for the church itself.

May we all come to realize that we are lost unless we respond to the One Who created us and wants us all to be redeemed unto Him. He wanted us redeemed so badly that He gave up something very, very, precious to Him in order that justice and mercy might meet together.

 -E. L. Ingram, Copied by permission, Written May 27, 2006

I miss our little hummingbirds. At times this summer, we had about twenty around our bird feeders. This was photographed on a sunny day but the shade on the porch created the shadow effect and the very blue sky. I love it! Notice the one coming in for a landing to your right. They will be back around the last of March.

(Boy I am really mouthy today!)

When our babies are small, we want to do everything for them, give them everything their little hearts could wish for, and that is only right, because their wants are very basic. All they want and all they need when they are babies are affection, love, food, sleep and to be kept dry. That's the sum of it.

But as they grow past toddler stage, they need to do some things on their own and they also need to learn the joy that comes from doing for others.

Doesn't it aggravate you when you see one in a store and the mother tries to talk him/her into being good? They buy them things to keep them quiet and it still doesn't work. They end up threatening them and then end up letting the child have its way.

Well, let me tell you, I didn't live _ _ years in a paper bag. These same little kids will grow up...and the ones who always got their way and everything they wanted...are the ones who will make you wait at a parking lot and let the cars stack up behind them while they wait on a parking place.

We were getting into our car one day and a car waiting on us to back out, had blocked 3 more cars, instead of going farther down and walking a few more steps. It is selfish and discourteous both and if there hadn't been those other people waiting, it would have been fun just to sit there and listen to the radio or read something for a while...

They will leave their shopping cart where they unloaded it even when the cart holder is right next to their car.

They are the ones who will pass you on the highway and cut across in front of you, just to be the front driver.

They are the ones who grow up to do worse things than those even...just to get what you have and/or to get what they want.

From the sound of the news the past couple of years, there are many of those 'former toddlers' out there.

These precious little ones need to be trained. They don't automatically grow up knowing what is the right thing to do. Parents have to teach them, and it is not easy...it is hard work, and there are many, many who have failed to do so. We can see the evidence of it, and it is not pretty!

Dear Father

 The children that you loaned to us

 And helped us raise so true

The ones we love and treasure so

Are faithful still to You.

The one You took away so young

At young age thirty-two;

We have her in our hearts today

Though she is now with You.

The one you've let us keep till now

You've blessed with many days;

He has three precious ones to love

And has trained them in Your ways.

No matter how long it is

Or short on earth we be;

We'll try to do Your will always

And live our lives for Thee.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Three Grandchildren and their All State Jackets.