Pennsylvaniaisms

This has been a learning experience!!

Pennsylvanians love to blow their horns if you are turning anywhere---even if you have warned them with your turn signal....makes NO diff---just want to amke sure the horns still works, I guess!!

There are may ffod items you WILL NOT FIND int he grocery stores (which are few are far between!!)......Thus my need for care packages of food items such as bay leaf, cumin, chorizo, mexican cornbread (shock--I found jalapenos with the nacho stuff)....no ham seasoning or chunks---just scrapple (??) and smoked ham steaks!! A maid here said her husband is from Mexico and is opening a Mexican Food Market next month --I told my son this would be a good trip for the twenty minute ride!!(BTW, Eva, the maid is from El Salvador).

There is no local news/weather station.....we are an hour north of Philly and that is all you can get....geuss there is no local stories or weather that is newsworthy!!

People are friendly as a whole....some are like they swallowed a pickle!!WHOLE!! Their standards in restaurant cleanliness, etc. do not equl those of fine establishments in Tampa. Will discuss that at a later date!!
Also, Salmon grilled with mashed black beans is NOT appetizing!!

SMOKING is allowed alot of places! The girl at the bowling alley told me noone was allowe to smoke ther (all the while the shoe guy -about 60 years old--was chain smoking) and she acted like I was off my rocker b/c I requested lanes away from the smoke!! She said ther were no ashtrays, so noone would smoke (wonder where his leftovers and ashes went---in the shoes he was in charge of??).....I never realized how wonderful again that anti-smoking law is!! Many smokje, and congregate here at the enrty doors of the establishments!! UGHHHHHHHH!!! I gfeel my nose getting stuffy just thinking about it!!

History is alive and well here....our nation was born here and fought for here!! That is a positive that is thrilling....I will share some of our excursions later!

Thank God for computers that work in the hotle....mine at home is on the fritz, so I will have to fix it when I return!

Until then................

May the Lord fill your cups overflowing!!

Mall Fatigue

I am researching the King of Prussia....you see there is a town here that got it's name from just that..

The town is well known for only one thing...A MALL....Now not just any ordinary mall, the largest on the eastern seaboard and third largest in the USA....behind Mall of America and I do now know the other one....

So, we decided to visit there yesterday. f ive hours later, we had only covered half the mall. And, that was only taking mere minutes in each store we visited...(Except for the half hour massage chairs in Sharper Image!! (LOL) We did not get to the real Macy's or Bloomingdales or any of the larger stores in the next sector there...and I cannot say we missed them!! However, I did get a shirt for $8 in Lord and Taylor (would you believe purses are up to $ 500 there and the deeply discounted plus an additional 50% off were still 75 dollars !!!!!!!! I can buy alot for that!!LOL

The family did enjoy walking and observing and of course, Coldstone Creamery cheesecake ice cream with York peppermint patties ended the excursion with flair!!

I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YALL....YOU are ALL in my prayers and remembering your needs before the Throne of God.

Do yall know how hard it is to get a glass of sweet tea here????? We speak southern and it is inaudible at times!! (GIANT LOL)

We hope to see some Amish communities today and have not gone to NYC or DC yet......

God bless you immensely today!!

DIRTY STREETS!!

We spent yesterday In Philadelphia. What a city!! It is crowded and dirty (at least downtown looks that way!!)....Most streets are one way and people, cars, and everything else are in the way!! The good thing is that some of the motorists were actually kind there---you get NOWHERE if you are polite and wait your turn---you have to nose into traffic and GO!!
One street we had to take to get to "World Famous ---Pat's Philly Cheesesteak" (and BTW..... WHO ever said that Cheese whiz made a good sandwich ---or even qualified for cheese (I chose Provolone!!)....and I make a better cheesesteak!!)---anyway, there were street vendors ALL alongside the streets with only a small room for passage.....guess we could relate it to the old portion of Ybor City, however, Tampa is much cleaner and less crowded...One fascinating thing is that there are hospitals on street corners ....like department stores; I understand there are at least four of them downtown....AMAZING...Tampa General at least has its own island!! Anyway... you see patients unloaded from ambulances on the the sidewalks as you drive past!!
We went to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell....my husband and I were somber....we recognize that our children do not have the same appreciation for thes things , as they have not truly had to suffer as we have or do without and the significance of them!! Not that they were not reverential, just not the deep appreciation of just what it represented!
Oh, and for those of you who wondered, we had to put coats, purses, belts, and empty our pockets for xrays and walk through the sensors at each place....three of us set off the alarm with belt buckles or casually brushing the side of the machine......we did get searched several times at the airport also in the same manner, but shoes had to be removed and you got the wand passed over you at the exit fo the sensors.... Guess this does make us feel a little safer......however, the little news stand nearby these attractions/history wears a turban....hmmm.......Far be it from me to check passports and visas!!

Valley Forge is closed for the winter, so. today, we must make history ourselves!! Yep, it's the Montgomery Mall....yep, I hear the family calling and preparing, so I must update later!!

Tonite we will attend church at the Leadership Conference with some 5-800 pastors/Bible students....will report in!!!

Blessings to you all!

White as Snow

Yes, things are different in the NORTH!!

While riding around (in a rented car), there is snow all about....all along the road it is dirty, but in the yards and rooftops, it is WHITE and beautiful. We took time to visit a golf course yesterday,and enjoy the downhill possibilities of a fun time!! The kids and Keenan went soo fast from large hill to large hill.....The reason the snow accommodated this fast action, was because it had rained and refrozen over the snow the day before we came. So, it is slippery, which adds to the need for downhill speed.

We first tried out Derek's backyard...he was in class. My first few careful steps were fine (I had on tennis shoes), but I took my eyes off the ground for a while to focus on the camera....bot for the girls who were swinging on a swing and then they took off for the woods behind the house and shed. At that moment, BAM...I was down. And, yes, I was laughing SOOO hard I could not get up! No, I was not hurt, but we had a blast running into the woods and exploring in the snow.

My first impression of the snow was correlating it as God seeing my sin as white as snow....then after treading on it, I am reminded that it's all iced over on the top, and I can slip at any time....alll the beauty that entice me also has its dangers..... May I seek to stay where the ice is solid enough that God's love and forgiveness will keep my eyes focused on where I am going.

Full of Life or Full of Self??

Running in from the car with groceries yesterday, the Lord stopped me dead in my tracks on the porch!! No, no snakes, but something that needed my attention!! Plants! Plants???you ask, yes ones with beautifl delicate flowers!! They are called Heather. You see, it has been three or more years since I planted heather in my front flowerbeds. They are not cold hardy, and despite my efforts, some of them died back. Well, when spring/summer came, I pulled them up and plated other flowers. Now, three years later, and in the middle of February in random places, these Heather plants are springing up----beautiful and green!!!

Now, the reason God stopped me is that He reminded me in that moment (and I was not dwelling on Him or the Holy Spirit---) that there are things in my life that seem so beautiful and full of life that in the wrong places, they are deadly!! They sap the life out of the grass (which a lawn is supposed to be)....and my heart must be filled with those profitable things for the Kingdom. You see, although they seem good and useful on the outside, I let them crwod in the areas they should not be and maybe God intends something else to be there!!

Yes, I did go to the confessional booth (obviously, not really) and purpose to refocus!!

As you walk today, may you be aware of the things growing in our hearts and lives that are bringing glory to our Saviour!!

May this be your song (time for Pat to have refocus therapy)

YOU ARE GOD

You are God, you are Holy, You are Saviour and King
My Redeemer who is faithful and true.
You're my source of joy and comfort, You're the song that I sing
Now I lift my voice in praise to you.
All I desire, all I ever need
You are life and breath to me.You are God.

You are God, the Almighty,
You're forever more the same
You're Creator of the the Heavens, yet you call me by name.
You're God, my Redeemer, You sent your Son to die for me
Jesus sacrificed His life to set me free.
Oh what mercy, what wondrous grace.You sent your Son to take my place.
You are love.

Beloved Lamb of God
Immanuel, God with us
Resurrection and the Life
Light of the world
Crown of Glory
Bright and Morning Star
Ruler of my heart

You are God
You are Worthy
and someday soon I'll see Your face
As I join the heavenly choir before your throne.

Holy, Holy Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
Now and forever you will reign.
You are God, The Almighty

You are God.

Changes

Alot has changed since my last post.

We are not taking that Europe trip. All cancelled ($$$, and we discussed how it probably was not the most prudent to do right now!!! Plus many more reasons!!) HOWEVER, we did make reservations to go see Derek next week for a week....and will explore the area and if we get time will go to NYC and to Washington D.C. (everywhere is about a 2 hr. trip or less!!) Anyway, we will love the time with him even though he has seminary classes and work!!

And, we get to know Sharon a little better and meet her parents (argh---I am somewhat excited , but intimadated at the same time!!! Does that make sense?) Those close to me know I felt as though Christmas flew and I barely go to enjoy Derek when he came home.

God has provided a great job and opportunity for him at a bank there in customer service and he will be making more than the last job and has benefits....thanks for your prayers!!

So, I am still packing warm clothes.....it was 13 at 9:00 tonite and Derek said it was 8 degrees when he went to class this morning!! Pray for Keenan--with his thyroid issues, he may freeze there!! WE are ll excited to go play in snow and to do the history exploration and to just enjoy some down time as a family!

Oh yes, my niece's birthday is Sat., Josh, my son on Sun., my mother's and son Aaron's on the 23rd...wow...better get Aaron a gift to pack!! And, I need to get Mother one in the mail!!

Thanks for listening--thanks for caring....

Birthday, Baked, Bite, Boy, Bid, Blessings(all for Rita!!)LOL,Blogging

Today was my hubby's birthday.....he says we are getting old, but I told him I have to stay young to keep up witht he kids!! LOL

Baked potatoes , shrimp (fried and scampi), mandarin cole slaw....tha t and sweet tea were the request of his highness (yes he enjoyed it!)

Bite....yep, that became plural once we indulged in one bite of tripe chocolate Cheesecake Factory cheesecake......did I say how wonderful it was (but a little sliver does one good!!)

Boy did we have fun today and tonite!! Of course, the cards were funny (mine hinted that we still looked 21...from a distance and if we squinted!!....the kids were hilarious---Dad loved them!!)

Bid---that is what I must do...bid you adieu and get to the shower...

May your heart be full tomorrow as you hear the Word and enjoy the assembling of yourselves together!

Blessings to you and your family!

Blogging - it does a body good!

(the lol's are for you know who!!)

tugging at your heartstrings

They don't walk in your shoes... Click, Click, Click!

We ducked into the dimly lit thrift shop to get out of the rain. Like so many things since our daughter's birth, I hadn't planned on a trip to this place. But I figured we'd see what they had since we were there.
"Hi, today is stuff a bag day. Would you like one?" The clerk asked.
"What is stuff a bag day?"
"You take a bag and stuff it with what ever you want and it's only $3. Best deal in town."
"Okay, sounds great," I said, despite the fact I hadn't planned on buying anything.
I took my six-year-old daughter's hand and we started to wander around. Suddenly there was a tug on my hand and my attention was being directed to the shoe section. She shares my weakness for shoes, so we stopped for a minute to look. I let go of her hand and she reached out to touch a pair of shiny black shoes with a strap and silver buckle.
"Buy me?" She inquires.
"Oh, Sweetie, they are tap shoes. You aren't taking tap."
"Buy me?" She repeats.
"Well, let's try them on."
She sits on the floor and removes her bright pink rain boots, with Barbie on the sides, and easily slides the new shoes on. A perfect fit. When she stands up she hears 'click.' She takes a step. Click, Click. Slowly recognition dawns, as she makes the connection between the shoes and her moving feet. Click, Click, Click.
"Buy me?" With a hopeful look in her eyes. Again, "Buy me, peas?"
"Okay Sweetie, take them off and put them in the bag."
We look around some more and get a few t-shirts, pants, books and games and a naked baby doll.
Well, it's stuff a bag day - might as well get my money's worth, I think to myself.
The sun has come back out as we emerge from our little side trip and we continue on our way. As we near the car, Amara reaches for the bag. As she climbs into the back seat, I give her the bag wondering what treasure she is looking for. The shoes, of course. She is my daughter after all.
"My wear."
It's not a question, so I took the tag off and helped her with the buckle. Our next stop was the grocery store and these shoes were made to make noise, especially on my little girl's feet. This could be interesting...
Click, Click, Click - people turn to look as we enter the store.
Click, Click, Click. I can feel the disapproving stares of the proper people. People who would never allow their daughter to wear tap shoes to the grocery store. I hold my head up with pride. The click, click, click is music to my ears.
"Excuse me dear. Is your daughter in tap this year?"
"No." I replied.
"Well why on earth would you allow her to wear tap shoes, here, of all places? They make such a noise."
"Yes, isn't it wonderful?"
"Wonderful? My dear, this is not the place to wear those shoes."
"Oh, I think this is the perfect place to wear them. You see she asked for them."
"Just because she asked for them, doesn't mean you have to get them for her."
"You don't understand," I said.
"When she was a baby, we were told she would never walk or talk. It has taken a lot of hard work and patience but she asked for the shoes and the click, click, click says that she can walk."
My daughter, who is always on the move, is 18 now and will graduate from grade 12 in June. It has not always been easy, but it has all been worthwhile. She has taught me that it doesn't matter what others think. They don't walk in your shoes.
And just like the ladies in the purple hats*, sometimes you simply have to wear tap shoes to the grocery store - if for nothing else, just the sheer joy of hearing the click, click, click.
* Ladies in purple hats are groups of women who have reached a certain age and now can allow themselves to enjoy life without fear of what others think.
Pauline Fraser
Pauline was born and raised in Nova Scotia and now calls British Columbia home. She is married and has three children, including a daughter with autism. Raising a special needs child was not how she had planned to spend her life, but now that she has, she wouldn't change a thing. Her daughter has taught her so much about life and living that she can't imagine how empty life would be without her. You can email Pauline at: pfraser@shaw.ca

Renew

Create in me a clean heart, O Saviour, renew a right spirit in me...

Return to me the JOY of my salvation

May Christ be seen in me.





Christ, the giver of joy overflowing!!