thankful thursday - peace in the midst of the storm

We live in a troubled world filled with trials and tribulations... joblessness, a health crisis, addictions, wayward children, the list is almost endless. For many, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Pretty soon panic and hopelessness takes up residence. 

Our family recently experienced a health crisis that could have easily sent us all spiraling downward out of control. But it didn't. Not because we hid our heads in the sand or have incredible "mind over matter" abilities. 

As believers of the atoning blood of the resurrected Christ, we have assurance of eternal life and a peace that passes all human understanding. It's not a "get out of jail free" card where trials and tribulations are concerned. Bad things still happen. But knowing the love of Christ and experiencing it through His people gives believers a different perspective, a more positive one.

No matter what happens, God loves us, is with us and arms us with strength to get through it until our days here are done. And then we get to live forevermore with Him. 

And that gives us great peace as we go through the storms of life. 

I am thankful for that peace, for the love of Christ, as our family walked through a stormy health crisis and came through stronger. 

(If you don't already but would like to have that peace and assurance, leave a comment and I'll send you my email address. Or read the book of John in the Bible.)

thankful thursday - imagination & ingenuity

On a recent trip to southern California I went to the Automotive Museum at Balboa Park with friends. We saw beautiful old cars, hot rods, motorcycles, roadsters and a Bond car. As we walked through the exhibit, I marveled at the creativity of car designers and engineers.

And then we saw this car and trailer.

The car, owned by Louie Mattar, is a beautiful 1947 Cadillac with a V-8 engine. The trailer is a one-of-a-kind design made by Louie. Not long after purchasing the car in 1947, Louie began modifying it to bring a dream to fruition.

The modifications took several years and in 1952, he and two buddies were ready to fulfill his dream: to drive from California to New York and back (6,320 miles) without stopping. At all. Ever.

How could they do that?

Three drivers took turns driving five-hour shifts.

The car holds 50 gallons of water (with an additional 30 gallons in the trailer). They refueled from a moving gas truck three times during their trek.  Amazingly, the car automatically refills the radiator and changes the oil while running! 

The trailer also holds 230 gallons of gas and 15 gallons of oil. At the rear of the trailer is a dining area with storage under the seats. And did you notice the nation-wide mobile telephone and electrical outlets?

Clear panels in the hood allow the car to be driven while the hood is open for adjustments or repairs. The axels are drilled which allows the tires to be inflated with turning. Hydraulic jacks allow the tires to be changed from a removable platform that attaches to the car. And notice the tiny tires? They move down while the flat tire is jacked up to be changed. The engine bearings, tires, breaks and hydraulics are automatically cooled.

In addition to the usual dials and knobs, the front seat area of the car has many comforts of home - a tape recorder, bar, public address system (with speakers on both the trailer and the hood of the car) and a Turkish water pipe.

But it was the back seat area that was most impressive to me. An electric stove, a refrigerator, a washing machine (very compact!), a chemical toilet, ironing board, medicine cabinet and a kitchen sink can be stored under the back seat cushions. On the right running board is a shower (swim trunks were not optional!) and at the rear taillight is a drinking fountain!

In 1954, he and his team made a goodwill tour driving nonstop from Anchorage, Alaska to Mexico City (7,482 miles).

So what would motivate a person to spend $75,000 of his own money (no sponsors!) to modify his car and then embark on such an adventure not once, but twice?

According to Louie, he wanted to see if he could figure out how to do it and he wanted to meet interesting people. He accomplished both. Although he had offers for his car, he never sold it and it is currently owned by a family member. 

I am thankful God gave us the ability to wonder, to be creative, to use our imaginations. Where would we be without those things?

thankful thursday - camp grandma with hannah

We have six grandchildren (aka "sweethearts") - three grandsons and three granddaughters - ranging in age from 12-years old (yikes!) to 15-months old. Five of them live on the east coast and one lives locally where we live.

Five years ago, while we were living in Maryland, each of the boys came up to visit us for several days. We called it Camp Grandma. It was just a fun way to spend time with each one individually. Unfortunately, Lexie was too young to go so far from home overnight and Ellie wasn't born yet so they missed Camp Grandma. Maybe we'll do a Girls' Weekend Away sometime when I'm out there.

Hannah lives here (literally here - as in in our house since she and her parents are waiting for their new house to be built) and stayed with us while her parents went out of town for several days. Camp Grandma was back in business!

Although we tried to keep Hannah's routine as much as possible, we managed to do some new things. One morning we went to the Phoenix Zoo. I thought Hannah would love the animals - she's quite enthralled with her Little People animals - but she was completely unimpressed with the real deal. Her favorite part seemed to be watching the birds at the lake and going to Taco Bell for lunch afterwards.

Hannah loves to sit at the kitchen counter in her chair and "talk" and watch what I'm doing. We had quite a few interesting conversations. One afternoon as I was doing dishes she started to get antsy. I did an Indian war whoop to distract her and she started laughing. And then tried to do it herself. After several attempts, she finally got it. And days later, she still thinks its hysterical. 

We played. A lot. Everything is an adventure. She discovered her shadow while we were playing outside and tried to get it. We discovered she could build a tower of four blocks by herself. We read books... over and over and over again.

Of course, there was some spoiling going on. She discovered Little Einsteins (okay, I put it on...)  and loved it! And we had cookies right before dinner. And she splashed in the tub as long as she wanted. We got her some "new" toys - empty toilet paper tubes make great horns!

We learned that Hannah has some very definite opinions about things - avocados are delicious, bananas are NOT! She likes to sit on your lap while you read to her. She's pretty easy going and likes interacting with people. And when she puts her thumb in her mouth and starts twirling her hair with the other hand, it's time for bed.

Sweethearts are a huge blessing. And I am thankful for each one.

thankful thursday - a garden in my house

Colorful flowers are abundant year round in Arizona. A few bloom all year long, but most are either winter varieties or summer ones. Either way, they are a sweet respite when I'm outside.

A couple of years ago I wondered if I could grow flowers inside my house. I knew it can be done but I don't have a particularly green thumb. Could I really do it?

Throwing caution to the wind, I bought a miniature rose bush, potted it in a medium-sized pot and placed it on my kitchen window sill. It thrived and bloomed! Over and over and over again. Two years later, it is still blooming like crazy. I think it likes the coffee grounds I put on it! ;-)

Feeling a little bolder, I bought a hyacinth bulb in a vase last year. It grows in water and requires very little care. And, lo and behold, it bloomed, too! The down-side to this plant, though, is that after it blooms, it's done. But I got another one this winter just because they are very pretty and smell soooo good!

Feeling my thumb becoming a tad greener, I bought a flowering bromeliad, potted it and placed it in my living room. It seems to be happy by the window and has a beautiful red bloom.

I am thankful for my inside garden - it brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart as it reminds me how creative our Creator is and that He blesses me with beautiful flowers every day.