Just recently, a book and a dvd from Gwen and her husband arrived via the USPS. It's called When Things Seem Impossible by Jean Dye Johnson. Another abduction story...those missionaries get kidnapped a lot it seems...and an exciting story, which I finished reading yesterday and will hand off to John. (Because Gwen is not supposed to be on the computer, I have yet to thank her. Thank you, Gwen and Mike! This is just in case she's sneaking a peek against doctor's orders.)
We both read the first gift In the Presence of Mine Enemies and, though the outcome was disheartening, we were blessed. I'm still thinking about it, especially so in light of the tenth anniversary of 9-11 on Sunday. Terrorists make me grit my teeth; these missionaries were genuinely concerned for their souls. I recently heard Gracia Burnham (author of In the Presence...) tell a story about the process she went through to ultimately arrive at forgiveness. (A You Tube video) She said that one day she was feeling so angry that she said to her husband, "One day that guy is going to rot in hell and I hope that I'm there to see it!" (That's the kind of thing that I might feel and say.) Her husband was shocked and replied, "Gracia, one day he will rot in hell if he doesn't ask the Lord to come into his life, but you do not want to be there. Imagine seeing the wrath of God poured out upon a person. You don't ever want to see that."
Then I received a win in the mail from Peggy at DayLily. I remember visiting and selecting this cheery painting if I should be so blessed to win. What a lovely surprise to discover that I had. This one makes me smile. The colors are so vivid and clear. Peggy is so talented! I'm always amazed at the talent in Blogdom. Thank you, Peggy!
Poppies by Peggy
A Glowing Egg
Thank you for your visit today. I'm still playing with a schedule or not a schedule or whatever I am going to do around here. Have a great weekend!
Sad about the postal service. We faced a similar thing here in Canada a few years back, postage rates went way way up, and more super (community) mailboxes and less home delivery.
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you :)
have a blessed weekend,
Niki
Well, I hadn't heard about it - that's horrible, how can that happen?
ReplyDeleteLove your photo of John and Molly on your side bar - cute!
Leann
Vee,
ReplyDeleteI love your win, it is so happy. You know last week I was stuck with so much sadness. I felt overwhelmed with so much grief. It seemed everywhere I turned and everything I heard was just too hopeless. I went to the library and took some old friends off the shelf. One of them is Bernie Siegel.
I was thinking that when God says He will never give us a burden that we cannot handle, I think He meant our own burdens. With this new world of CNN Twitter, Facebook and the like, we are knowing about everyone's burdens...and it is just too overwhelming.
I sat down yesterday and watched the news. OMG. Then I sat down and read my Bible and thought about how God tells us that He wants us wise about evil, yet He wants us to dwell on those things pure and good.
I then sat down and constructed a giveaway I call Inspired to Design.
My brain just won't handle any more grief for today.
Karen
Hello Dear Friend.
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to hear from you. We had a delightful week at the cabin and are home once again.
About the postal service. When I learned that the Head Postmaster makes more than the President I was so disgusted I decided that the post office should go private. Competition would make prices reasonable once again and our government could eliminate so much waste...in parties, bonuses and other ridiculous spending!!
Glowing egg, ROFL! Keep practicing and have fun with that new tripod! Here are a couple of tips. If you have a vibration reduction lens on your camera, turn off the VR feature if the camera is on a tripod. Also use a cable release to reduce vibrations.
ReplyDeleteI read that about the post office. Another example of how government has screwed things up. I don't know what some folks will do, like my Mom who doesn't use internet banking. How will folks pay their bills?
And congrats on the win! Cute painting!
We have been talking about the post office wondering if we should send out the wedding invitations before the end of October...
ReplyDeletefunny how things become "it's all about me" I really do hope they get their act together and work out a good profitable business. Seems like if they are going to cut one day of service it should be in the middle of the week instead of 2 days in a row...just saying. The painting is bright and cheerful. Have fun with that tri-pod!
I had heard about stopping Saturday mail delivery, but not that they are in such dire straits! The poppy painting is beautiful, love the color. I bought myself a small tripod on Ebay, haven't tried it out yet. I would like a telescope to look at the moon, the moon is so fascinating to me.
ReplyDeleteGlad for any post from you Vee! Our P.O. hours have been changing quite a bit it seems the last few years. They are closed from 11:00-12:00 I believe everyday for lunch. They don't open until 9:00 and they close at 4:30. Makes it difficult for the working folk who have to be to their jobs by 8 a.m. and don't out get until 5 p.m. And seriously why do they need an hour lunch? Sad these changes! Don't even get me started on those new light bulbs!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flower painting!
We are way ahead of you over here, Vee. Saturday mail delivery was stopped years ago...and services cut...and fewer rural deliveries. And then most of us shifted to e-mail anyhow. But we still like to get those packages!
ReplyDeleteAnd you got a few good ones...I see. Good book...'In the Prescence of Mine Enemies'. And a lovely painting.
Yay...for the tri-pod...and the moon shot!
I see you have some of the beautiful artwork by Peggy, too! I have poppies on white! And several of the things in my cubbies were gifts from blog friends! They are always my favorite things to have on display! It's like surrounding yourself with joy! Enjoy your day! I'm 'Fall' cleaning! ♥
ReplyDeleteNo more job losses...please, lets start to hire people back, I am for full service more and not self-serve...maybe that can create some jobs
ReplyDeleteGreat treasure you have...how pretty
Well, as to the Postal Service being broke... One person we can thank is my BIL. Great wage. Works a few hours a day. Many benefits. Union rep. Saves dishonest people from getting fired and brags about it.
ReplyDeleteAfter that bitter rant, your gifts are lovely. And, that gift you sent me is still being used. Love it.
I've been feeling sad this week because of the impending anniversary of 9-11. Ten years later and I still feel the pain of thta day as sharply as if it happened yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThe postal system will never die but it certainly has to reinvent itself to keep up with the increased use of technology and independent mail and package delivery services. I miss getting fun mail in my mailbox :(
Congrats on your winning that pretty painting, Vee!
A $5 tripod is a woanderful bargian! I never remember to bring my tripod with me so 99% of my photos are taken without one.
Hope your weather is sunny today!
Vee,
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding about the Post Office????? Unbelievable.
Beautiful painting. Loving the glowing egg caught in the tree!
I am mad about all the government agencies that can't seem to spend our money wisely or live within a budget! Argggg.
ReplyDeleteOn a happier not, I love your gifts, and I love your glowing egg....the moon is a favorite of mine!
Deanna
Also heard about the Postal Services, so called situation, and heaven help us if they go through with these plans.
ReplyDeleteLoved your print, so pretty.
Very thoughtful of John to get the tripod, I have been wanting one, I looked at the moon last night and was so wanting to be able to photograph it.Great shot!!
I will check these sites out, thanks for sharing.
You are so missed when not here in blogland, but I am thinking of you.
Sue
Yay for the tripod! I love "glowing" eggs in trees! Just think how glowing that big old chickie will be :-)
ReplyDeleteI have a sick feeling with the impending anniversary and the fear of the newest threat - with Ella and her Mommy & Daddy so close to NYC..but we can't live in fear..just in caution, I guess.
Have a safe and restful week-end, my friend!
WELLL...To much government if you ask me, since you didn't, lol, I will refrain from inserting foot.
ReplyDeleteNice painting, nice tripod. I think the pic you took looks nice. My mil a few yrs ago bought the boy this huge telescope from a yard sale and I have to tell you, that prob was/is the niftiest gift she has ever bought. ANYWAYS, since I lost my train of thought, I will stop there, lolol. Blessings
How sweet of John to surprise you with the tripod! You will get great use from it. Love the Peggy Poppy picture. Great job Peggy, congrats Vee for winning it! I know how the rural folks depend on the mail. Unfortunately, in larger urban areas like mine, waste by the Postal Service is abundant. I can't tell you what a stamp costs. I buy the "Forever" stamp because the rates keep going up so fast, I can't keep up. The Postal Service are a victim of their own demise. I too will insert my foot now and shut up. Have a great weekend, Vee!
ReplyDeleteVee.
ReplyDeleteYour gift is lovely. The orange poppies looks great for fall.
We don't have Sat. delivery here and I don't miss it. Maybe if the PO was privatised it could finally show a profit, instead of a loss!
And that moon photo looks great-you should see mine. They are definitely too bad to even post!
Enjoy your weekend!
I hate it for the postal employees, too. Tony's dad retired from the PO after 35 years of loyal service. We are hoping his pension doesn't run out while Tony's mom is still alive! I hate to see the old ways go by the wayside, the mom/pop businesses, the farms AND even the Post Office!
ReplyDeleteI'm back from my vacation and will post about it soon!
Neat gifts for you,Vee! 'Specially that 3-legged tri-pod! Whoever heard of a 3-legged tri-pod??? ;)
That's a beautiful painting. She is very talented. I do believe your win is a "God-smile". Knowing that painting makes you smile, He wanted to give you a reason to smile even more! And then John brings home the perfect tripod - better buy a lottery ticket!!
ReplyDeleteI can't agree with you on losing the Post Office. I think they are losing because they run like most branches of the government. With high cost and little care for service. And I apologize to those who work there who truly care. Unfortunately my last two experiences with shipping across the country with the PO ended in disappointment and taking of my money under false pretenses. I'm thankful for UPS and other private companies who charge less and survive because they meet the standard of keeping their service promises. I'll continue to use them.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I enjoyed your post. :D
I enjoy the variety of topics in your posts...sweet things and also a bit of mental grit to engage the brain muscle too.
ReplyDeleteThe glowing egg was quite artistic. You might notice your camera focused on the foreground, that is the pine branches and blurred the distant element, the moon.
If your camera has an infinity option, usually a setting that has an icon that looks like mountains, then the distant and close elements will both be in focus. It is the setting I mostly use outside for scenery.