A NOTE FROM THE FRIDGE

I got a note from Jenny, my older daughter. She apparently has heard from the old International Harvester refergerator now in Albuquerque. She has forwarded this note to be included in the blog. On the right are the famous refrigerator and Grandmother after a baking party with some of her granddaughters--Charlotte, Faith, Judy, Jenny and Sandy. Remember, click on the pictures, and maybe you can even see the pan of cookies--or what's in the refrigerator!

I sat in the corner of the old adobe kitchen. I sat under the Tupperware that held left over baked goods.
Other things too I forget now. I sat next to the stove; I can still smell the bacon. Just beyond was a stool that held the pale of fresh spring water. A pale just like the one Frank would bring in from milking the cow. I would store the milk and cream. From where I sat, I could see the kids in the next room churning the butter in the gallon glass butter churn. Oh they were having the time of their lives. Beyond the water pale just a bit was the counter where the kids would get up early to help Georgia make biscuits. Was it a coincidence that the kids got up late enough to miss devotions, but early enough to help with biscuits. I can’t say that I blame them. I think every citizen of the little town of Cuba that I spent so many of my 55 years in was prayed over during those daily devotions.
Though it was just the two of them living in that house, it seems more often than not
Georgia was feeding more than just the two of them. That I guess is why I felt so obliged to keep running. I was made by a hard working people, owned and used by hard working people. They simply deserved that I continue to help them in their service to others.
I must say one of my favorite times was when the grandkids would come for Christmas
Baking with Georgia. I saw many happy times.

The fridge

Harvester international

..........................................

Jesus fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,

to the hungry calleth now, come and dine.

Come and Dine, C.C. Widmeyer, 1935

Jesus saith unto them, Come and Dine.

John 21:12

THINGS AND THANKSGIVING

The pole I'm leaning on is what I fondly call our

Thanksgiving Maypole (See Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends in just a few weeks)

Hopefully if you click on the picture, it will enlarge. This pole used to be just utilitarian--to helped hold up the house. But then we added the sun porch. We had to do something to that unsightly skinny post. David wanted the room to look nautical, so we wrapped the pole with this rope. The timely process is revealed in the book.

The next picture--Mother next to our old International Harvester refrigerator. This is the first refrigerator I remember. It still works like a charm. It's in better shape than I am. I don't hum as quietly as it does. It kept food cool for many weary travelers and drop-in guests for over 55 years. Mother and I will probably cry a few tears as we load it up. We're trying to size down to be ready to move next spring. The refrigerator has a new home in Albuquerque with my niece, Charlotte. We have to keep it in the family.

Another story in my book, "Mr. Mulrooney's Auction" talks about more "things." We walk through my Uncle Jack's several-acre almond orchard and then through their old farm house. They had to get rid of everything so Uncle Jack and Aunt Alma could go into a rest home.

Things are just thing. But sometimes they are symbols. That old refrigerator reminds me of the mobile stability of my parents. We circled Albuquerque, but the family and the International Harvester stayed intact.

The Thanksgiving Maypole reminds me of a faithful husband of 40 years (nearly) with whom I still have fun wrapping a cord around a pole. One of us wrapped. The other made sure it was tight.

The auction reminds me of a time that was mostly good, but sometimes hard.

I want to enjoy the friend more than the thing. How good does a cup of coffee taste that we drink alone? How fun is it to laugh at a joke by ourselves? It certainly wouldn't be any fun to cover a pole by myself.

For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child;

friends on earth and friends above; For all gentle thoughts and mild.

For the Beauty of the Earth, FolliettS. Pierpoint

Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor...and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing

I Corinthians 13:3.

THE TUNDO KID

A few days ago Mother mailed one of my published articles to my nephew, Clay and Emily and their bright son, Evan. I thought a seven-year-old might be too busy to take note. Here's part of the reply I received:

"Evan and I just had a delightful little surprise. I had had the eveloped Abuelita sent packed away in my purse. I opened it tonight and to my delight it was the Tundo story. Evan and I finished dinner and I've read it to him at his insistence no fewer than 6 times. He's over at the table now reading it to himself. He came in just now and said 'Mom, I can't believe I'm in a magazine. Next thing you know I'll be on T.V. telling people to 'listen to the tundo!'"

By the way, you can click on the picture to enlarge it--if we trust a seven-year-old being enlarged!

Granted, Evan was the object of this true story about when he told his mom and other committee ladies, "Llisten to the tundo!"

However, this got me to thinking. Most of my writing is probably fifth-grade level at best (or highest). I think many of the stories in Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends could be read by grandmothers to grandchildren, or children to grandmothers who no longer have the sight to read.

Some of the kid-appropriate titles in Ebenezer:

Find Your Separator and Start Turning; Chocolate Chips, Raisins and the Word of God'; Cracker Box Decisions; Sweet Disneyland; Chicken Feathers; To Sweep or To Vacuum; Pizza on the Sea of Galilee; Pretzels; Three Writers and a Roomful of Librarians; Don't Jump off the Teeter-Totter.

Ebenezer is for sure a G-rated book. It's Great for Grandma and Grand for Goofy kids. Order a copy--or six! (I'm sure we could work out a deal for that many.) I'm hoping they'll be available the week after Thanksgiving.

I see the stars, I hear the rollilng thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed. Carl Boberg, 1886.

And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand his power?” Job 26:14

I think sometimes a child can understand this power more readily than we who have had our minds cluttered with busyness and committee meetings.

HOSPICE LIVING

HOSPICE LIVING


Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of his smile,
Seeking the lost ones he died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in him.
Living for Jesus, Thomas O. Chisholm, 1917


When we start living like we’re dying, then we can begin to live life to the fullest.

Above is the last line of "Hospice Living," appearing in Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends coming out in November.

...................................
My ineptness at the technical part of these blogs will assure I don't take myself too seriously. I knew my ineptness was good for something. The pictures are supposed to be reversed, but that will have to come in my next lesson.

My friend, Nancy, took all morning helping me get my computer cleaned up and organized. Next week, she'll vacuum my carpet--oh no, I mean show me how to put pictures correctly on my blog.

Today is my father, Carroll Evans' birthday. He would be 98. The picture above is David's Aunt Corky who died just a few weeks ago. Below are three of my grandchildren, just beginning their lives.

I guess the order of the pictures doesn't matter much with God, considering the fleetingness of life.

I'd like to dedicate today's blog to my pastor, Tim Rolen, and my former youth director, Waudell Maple--two men who deal almost daily with showing people how to live--and die--with dignity.

Death is the destiny of every man. The living should take this to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2

IMAGINE THE PICTURE

I can't seem to get a picture of my sister, Jo, on here, so you'll have to imagine it.
Here, I'll leave a space for it on our regular top right position. She's looks like me, or
I should say, I look like her, since she's bunches older. However, she is thinner.
That's why I didn't have to leave much space. Moving right along.

I want to introduce you to her blog,
www.jbandcompany.com

I think you'll find it interesting and easy to read, and it will make you want to live life on purpose.

By the way, watch for "Pizza on the Sea of Galilee" coming out in Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends about the end of October. Order from www.lighthouseebooks.com

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Blest Be the TieThat Binds, John Fawcett.

Jesus said to them, come and have breakfast.
John 21:12

IT'S NOT THE PLACE

I went to great lengths to sit sideways on the side of this hill. Click on picture to enlarge--and see me holding on for dear life.

Our trip to Colorado last week made me think of our land, which made me think of David's wise words:

IT’S NOT THE PLACE


There is a place of quiet rest
Near to the heart of God.
Near to the Heart of God
Cleland B. McAfee, 1866-1944


We’re sitting in the Granite Café. At the table across from us I see a group of earthy-looking people. On the far wall is a couple from Los Angles. Surrounded by the Colorado Rocky Mountains, we’re all trying to realize our dreams. David and I hope to locate the land his father gave him years ago. Though undeveloped and unfound, it belongs to us. Tomorrow may be the day we reach this our promised land.

We spent our first thirty-some years in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, but we had to see the other enchanting places out there. We raised our children in the Pacific Northwest, what many call “God’s Country.” We lived a while in the Mojave Desert. We’re now empty nesters in the San Joaquin Valley, abounding with its food from the earth. We admit we’d rather live in Colorado or Oregon than in the desert or even in California’s cornucopia.
As we drove the winding highway this afternoon, David broke the silence: “It’s not the place.”

David has taken vacation time to try to locate our little spot of wilderness. He has paid taxes to retain it. He has hired surveyors to determine the outline of the property.

Nevertheless, he knows where his joy comes from. We don’t trust in the streams and rivers, but in the Living Water. Our hope does not stand on the Rockies, but on the Rock of Ages. Our wisdom doesn’t come from the meadows, but from the Master.

We don’t know when or if we’ll develop this raw land and realize our dream. But we both are learning about the happiest place to be—It’s a secret place.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 (KJV)

The above article will appear in Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends, coming out sometime next month.

JASON

Jason followed our group at the Temple Mount. A little skeptical, Ido asked him to show his passport. Jason readily complied. He found Jason was Kosher--or at least had a legal passport. With the group's permission, Ido asked him to join us. We struck up a conversation and learned he was a Christian from Brisbane, Australia--where we'd visited our kids a couple years earlier.

One of these days, we'll be striking up all kinds of conversations with Jason and people from all over the globe in the New Jerusalem. There will be few similarities in all of us. But we'll all have our passports. We'll be accepted because at some point in each of our lives, we asked God to come into this empty temple.

Click on the picture and you'll see the handsome young man who was willing to get his picture with me. Sad thing, we didn't even get his address, but we'll find each other one day.

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem.
Revelation 21:2A

I saw the Holy City beside the tideless sea;
The light of God was on its streets,
the gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter and no one was denied...
It was then new Jerusalem that would not pass away.
Jerusalem

GOD BLESS OUR SOLDIERS

FAMILY LOSES SECOND SON IN IRAQ

The Hubbard family from Clovis lost a second son in Iraq yesterday. The third son is on his way home from Iraq for his brother's funeral.

Nathan Hubbard was killed in the crash of the Blackhawk helicopter. Nathan joined the army after his brother, Jared, was killed.

We have a family member (Kevin Bond--my sister's grandson) in Iraq. Our prayers are with him and the many others.

I appreciate these young people who are not ashamed or afraid to fight for what they believe. I'm trying to catch myself now when I begin to say... "these young people nowadays..." then some derogatory comment. We have so many good and godly youth.

I also have a second cousin (Robin Norris), who has gone to Albania to help with older orphans who have been put out in the streets. Judy Gail, correct me if I'm wrong on what Robin is doing.

I started out talking about patriotism, but I think the verse to close with would be:

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in lif, in love, in faith, in purity. I Timothy 4:12

So, youth--if you're setting the example, thanks, and keep it up. If not, do what you need to turn your life around. And that could go for us a little older, too.

The picture is one of David and a young Israeli soldier.

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life!

America! America! May God thy gold refine,

Till all success be nobleness, And every gain divine!

America, the Beautiful, Katharine Lee Bates

MT CARMEL

On the summit of Mt. Carmel, Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal.

Can't you see Elijah taunting those prophets whose god was spelled with a small g. Maybe your god didn't hear you. Maybe he's sleeping.

Our God with a capital G neither sleeps nor slumbers. He hears our thoughts. He loves to start our fires.

I sing the mighty power of God, That made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowing seas abroad, And built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command, And all the stars obey.
I Sing the Mighty Power of God, Isaac Watts

If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. I Kings 18:21B
It's fun to read I Kings 18:20-40 to see how Elijah's God came through.

TGIF

What are you thankful for today?





Here are four from me, then maybe Georgia Lou can think of a couple:


1. That nightmare I had last night was not real.


2. My kids arrived safely in Doha.


3. So many people are helping get the word out about Ebenezer.



4. Our peaceful trip across the Sea of Galilee, which I know is really just a lake. (See photo upper right)

From mother:


1. Marty got an e-mail from her publisher.


(She's probably thinking now I'll get off my bottom and get busy)


2. Southern New Mexico has lots of rain.





The following story isn't directly about Thanksgiving, but it's a fun one for the weekend, hope you enjoy it.





OUR THANKSGIVING MAYPOLE
(This, by the way, is one of the stories in my book, and Mother just informed me I shouldn't put too many--so enjoy)

Smile and give others your sunshine,
Smile as you meet with the throng,
Smile and the world will smile with you,
Greet you with gladness and song.
Smile, B.B. McKinney, 1924


I lay on the cold tile, holding my head up slightly with my hands clenched together behind my neck while David circled around me.
Our new sun porch was gorgeous, but in the middle of the room was an unsightly metal post helping to hold up the house. We didn’t notice it when it was considered outside. But now we needed to camouflage it before Thanksgiving. David decided to wrap it with rope to give the room a nautical look.
We marched to the hardware store with a cross-section of friends. Everyone had a say in the color, texture and thickness of the cord we’d use to cover the pole.
Where did the friends go? My job was to tighten the cord as David wrapped it around. He went a few rungs. I moved in to tighten the job. For several hours, he wrapped, I tightened.
During one of our breaks, David commented, “I wish this pole weren’t here, but it is.”
I wish my front teeth didn’t stick out when I smile, but they do. I wish my nice dark brown hair hadn’t turned gray, but it did. I wish my thin figure weren’t gone, but it is.
My mother recently broke her dental bridge, making her toothless in front until the dentist could fit her in. We were out of town when it happened.
“Tell David all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.”
It didn’t bother her to go to church this way. She laughed before anyone had a chance to simply smile politely. Then they felt comfortable to laugh with her. The pastor even called her “toothless,” to her delight.
Often God gives us important lessons to support our spiritual house. Maybe other times he gives us a good laugh so we won’t take ourselves too seriously.
We could have just slapped some paint on that cold gray pipe, but we didn’t.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful. Proverbs 15:13A

Now, let me hear from you. What are you thankful for? Remember, I get self-consciuos talking to myself.

By the way, if anyone has friends, relatives (or enemies) in the New England states, let me know. I need all those states except Maine and Delarawe. I'm trying to get a contact in every state.





Have a good weekend.

MEDITERRANEAN

First, I'll answer a question or two:

From my sister-in-law, Connie: Who are the people behind me?

I think they're spies. Although they looked exactly like people from our group, you can't be too careful these days.

Also, from Connie. I had a typo giving my website. You've probably figured it out by now--or have gone on to someone else's website. It's www.martymagee.com

Please pardon the white ugly satchel-looking thing on my front. Though I like the Mediterranean, I didn't want to lose my passport and stay there until Jesus comes--

Though it was tempting. I loved the Mediterranean. I'd like to go back and sit and put my feet in the warm water and feel the sand between my toes. Of course, I'd have to be always watching over my shoulder for those spies. I'm almost willing to take the chance.

Just a parenthetical thought: If I did stay, I'd be that much closer to the New Jerusalem!

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. Psalm 77:19

Abide with me. Fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
Henry F. Lyte, 1847

Wow, Henry was talking about God's abiding with him 100 years before I was born.

Tomorrow is Friday (duh). I think Friday will be thanksgiving day on my blog. That's not an original idea. One of my sister, Jodie's talk radio people does that. So, be thinking up your thankful stuff. I don't want to be talking to myself (anymore than I already do).

G'nite from the beautiful Mediterranean.

TEL AVIV

Here we are in Tel Aviv. By the way, if you'll click on the pictures, they will enlarge.

We'll tie up our camel, eat some falafals, hummus, and a slew of other good Kosher food.

We'll wade in the Mediterranean's warm water, then get a good night's rest. But don't get too comfortable. This is where Jonah ran from God.

When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word

What a glory he sheds on our way! Let us do his good will;

He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and Obey, John H. Sammis, 1887

A ROUGH START

We're getting off to a rough start, but I think we can still be able to travel:

From Tel Aviv to Tiberius
To Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee
From the Golan Heights to the Jordan River
The borders of Syria and Lebanon
From Lower Galilee to Jerusalem
To the Dead Sea
To Jerusalem
And more.

If you can see my face, I was mildly frightened, but think of the view from up there when you get accustomed to it.

If you're having a rough start today, remember God's faithfulness. When Jeremiah wrote, "Yet, Great is Thy Faithfulness," his people were in the depth of despair.

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
From Great is Thy Faithfulness, Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923

FINDING CAMEL

Dear Friends,

When I find my camel, we will get started. Then I hope you will ride with me through Isreal and the hymnal.

I'm sorry to postpone this trip, but my camel has been misplaced somewhere in my shutterfly account. I think my friend Dan can help me find him tonight.

Meanwhile, I hope you'll look at my nearly finished website at www.mrtymagee.com

Each entry, I will try to include a hymn.

For the beginning of our camel trip, I think this one might be approprite:

Lead on, O King Eternal,
We follow, not with fears.
Lead On, O King Eternal
Ernest W. Shurtleff

Look forward to traveling with you.

God's best to you.

Marty

WELCOME

Marty, Ebenezer and Willie welcome you.

We'll talk about ourselves, Ebenezer, Willie and I. But we're only tools for talking about more important matters. We'll talk about you, our friends.

I should be adding more posts in a few days and including pictures of Israel and even maybe my grandkids (I know you can't wait for that).

Please also see my webpage at www.martymagee.com