Taste And See

Last night we celebrated Thanksgiving with our church, together with the Chinese church who also worship in our building. The evening began with a service in the sanctuary with praise songs, hymns, Scripture readings, and reflections on thankfulness from our Pastor. The floor was then opened to anyone who wanted to share.

And here is where I always encounter a struggle.

See, so often I find myself feeling as if I have monopolized the talking in Sunday School class, Bible study, or small group. (Even when I'm not teaching, as I am now.) Surely others have something to say. There are always, within any given group, certain people who can be counted upon to stand up and share. Perhaps if I'd sit quietly this time, others would also have an opportunity to do so. Everyone knows what I'd say anyway, right? After all, I've said it in Bible study, small group, and Sunday school class on many occasions.

And yet I found myself pulling the pew Bible from the rack to begin with a verse.

The pages were pristine. I had forgotten my own Bible at home in the rush to get out the door with the food I'd prepared for the meal after the service. My Bible has become a comfort to me in so many ways, partly because I've learned where to find certain verses simply according to which side of the page they're on, and how they are underlined. I'm not very good with remembering the "addresses", so to speak, so I rely on visual clues, of which the pew Bible was bereft.

This actually added to what I was going to say so I began with my gratitude to the Lord for my Bible. The pages of my Bible are not only familiar for the underlinings, but also for the various sermon notes which I've jotted down over the years. From authors, to theologians, to the pastors of churches to which we've belonged, I have written various comments which have impressed upon me the meaning of the texts being expounded. Some of them are attributed with the name of who said it, even a date here and there; others are anonymous. Most come from hearing a sermon live, some on cd, and even some from books I've read. I often refer to it as the "Barbaranne Kelly Study Bible", since I have collected so many notes over the years. R.C. Sproul is in there, as are Sinclair Ferguson, John MacArthur, Steve Larson, and Robert Godfrey. Our former pastor Rick Phillips graces much of the books of Zechariah and John and the letters to the Ephesians and the Hebrews. My beloved study leader and mentor in faith, Toni Barnhill is quoted on many a page. More recently my Pastor Wendell and our new assistant pastor Ross have found their way onto the pages as well.

As I reflected on this, I realized how rich and full is the teaching that I have been blessed to receive over the years. An understanding of doctrine and theology did not bring about my salvation. And yet what I have learned over the years has taught me so very much about our Saviour- the tip of the iceberg really- such a breadth and depth of mercy, love, wisdom and grace, the knowing of which serves to increase my love for and my wonder at such a God.

I am, therefore, so very thankful for the faithful preaching and teaching of God's Word under which I have been privileged to sit and learn. From those whom I've heard while at conferences packed with thousands of believers, to the Pastors who have not only preached to us from the pulpit, but have also prayed with us and walked alongside us through the various trials to which we have been called, God has graciously put us in the way of the truth, and we are so very, very blessed.

As I shared last night, I was not able to say quite as much as this which I've written. The inevitable happened- I began to blubber a bit. This would be another reason why I hesitate to stand up and share in gatherings such as that.

I wasn't yet finished; I still had a verse to share-

Oh, taste and see that the Lord

is good!

Blessed is the man who takes

refuge in Him!

Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints.

for those who fear Him have no lack!

The young lions suffer want

and hunger;

but those who seek the Lord

lack no good thing.

-Psalm 34: 8-10

(The note next to this in my Bible says, "Look back and see the goodness of the Lord through hard times. Toni B. 2-20-02")

My point in coming to this particular verse was to share how thankful I am that, though we are going through a trial which is weekly becoming more and more severe, our church has stood by us and supported us in prayer, as well as financially, through it all. Though we are suffering, we are experiencing no lack of what we actually need, and we are comforted by the love and the fellowship with which the Lord has surrounded us. Our church has become family to us in this trial, and we are so very, very grateful.

I did manage to choke out most of this before I sat down, and was unable to sing most of the next hymn. Gradually composing myself, I listened with a grateful heart to the rest of those who shared and then prayed. As with every Thanksgiving service, there would be a basket in the back for offerings for the Deacon's Fund, with which others in need would be helped- and which has helped us.

As we were preparing to leave for the meal Wendell made one final announcement. There was to be an addition to the collection of offerings. A second basket would be placed next to the first, for offerings for Jim and Barbaranne. Oh, the flood of emotion! There was no stopping the tears now. Gratitude, relief, overwhelming love for these dear people and our Lord! Jim grasped my trembling hand in his as we joined in the closing prayer.

And still, my gratitude for the funds which will help to meet our needs being as genuine as can be, I recognize that money comes to an end. According to our worldly needs, they are being met, piece by piece, step by step, moment, by moment. The bills are being paid, only just; the wolf, as Dave Ramsey says, is being kept from the door, only just.

More deeply realized is my gratitude for our most desperate need, met and accomplished once and for all on a cross outside the walls of Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. This need could only be fulfilled by Jesus, who took my place before the bar of God's justice and paid- in full- for my every heinous sin, that I might stand with Him in Glory when my life is over and my joy in eternity begins. Paid in full.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ my dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ( personal cross-reference, John 17:17)

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

-Ephesians 3:14-21

And yes, it's underlined.

Rick and Sharon and Kiddos

To continue our Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday morning we prepared for our friends, the Phillips, to arrive for what we hope will become an annual tradition. Sharon's family lives near Philadelphia, so one day of their Thanksgiving vacation spent with us is absolutely reasonable and such fun!

Rebekah helped me transform our leftovers into two soups for lunch, turkey noodle (of course) and potato soup. We still had generous helpings of pie and were counting on getting most of them finished this day!

While Bekah and I cooked, Erin and Isaac raked leaves. A neighbor had hired Erin and Erin to rake leaves across the street from us and Isaac took care of our own yard. Fortunately it was sunny and not terribly cold- once they got their blood pumping!



The Phillips arrived before noon and Isaac quickly whisked Matthew and Jonathon away to see the tree fort in the back yard. (in fact, it was another hour before I saw either of their boys...) Rick, Sharon and the girls joined us inside for visiting, and talking, and reminiscing, and talking, and laughing.

I can't get over how very big the girls are growing. All of the blonde hair has darkened to brown on the girls' heads now that they aren't swimming under the Florida sun every day. Sharon is just as beautiful as ever I remember her. Seeing them once a year now we are still able to pick up right where we left off. Sharing what is going on with our families and churches and those friends with whom we are each still in touch occupied much of our conversation and our time flew.


After lunch we took everyone down to the back yard and brought out the potato gun. It's been a few years since Rick has fired ordinance of any sort from the gun of a U.S. Army tank, but I think it is safe to assume this was the first root vegetable he'd ever aimed at a target. Everyone who wanted to have a turn got one, and a good time was had by all!

Thanksgiving- Better Late Than Never!

We have had such a neat few weeks with family from Texas and friends from South Carolina coming to visit! Hectic and crazy, perhaps, yet fun and overflowing with blessings too.


For Thanksgiving Dad drove up from Wichita Falls to join us for our feast. Though we have seen a lot of Dad in the last many years, it is never enough. Dad arrived on Tuesday before the kids got home from school. Milo adopted him right away. Unfortunately, with the culinary focus being Thursday's feast, I didn't cook a single meal except for Thanksgiving Dinner! That always seems weird to me, but there you go. Tuesday we ordered pizza.

Wednesday I had to work in the morning, so Dad went to the house where the kids were working on a list of chores, bringing along his laptop. While Bekah baked pies, Erin helped Dad set up a facebook account and Isaac taught him a thing or two about using the internet as well. Bekah did a lovely job with her pies: pecan, pumpkin, cranberry walnut streusel, apple, chocolate chess, and lemon chess- yum. (Erin and I assisted) That night we ordered Chinese take-out.


Thursday arrived at last and we cooked, roasted and baked until it all came together around 2 pm, whereupon we set to feasting- gratefully, of course. The star of the show was the turkey, surrounded by a supporting cast of cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, brulee'd sweet potatoes, corn, brussel sprouts, (overcooked- gack), green beans with artichoke hearts, homemade dinner rolls, from-scratch cranberry sauce and some pickled beets that should have been left in the fridge, (wrong recipe- yuck). Not everything was perfect, but having the family- those who were in-country- gathered around the table, was a blessing.


The next morning the kids- Isaac even- insisted on some Black Friday shopping. Too weak to resist, I took the girls, with friends, to hunt for clothing, while Dad and Jim took Isaac for a more manly outing to Cabela's. Home again for turkey sandwiches, then out for a drive through neighboring Lancaster County. We completed our Black Friday shopping at Brecknock Orchards with veggies and various jams and jellies. Further exploration found a covered bridge and a park along a lovely creek where we walked about and took some fun photos.




Dad set out for home early Saturday morning, probably still experiencing a turkey buzz, and fortified with more knowledge of his laptop and the internet than when he arrived.

Meanwhile, Bekah helped me convert most of the leftovers into a pair of sumptuous soups for our friends the Phillips, who were to arrive later that morning, and will be the subject of my next post!

Thanksgiving part 3

On Saturday we had our friends Rick and Sharon Phillips and their family come visit for a too-short few hours. Rick was our Pastor in Florida, Sharon my dear friend, and our kids were all friends and/or babysitters! This past year they moved from Florida to South Carolina, so we suddenly have even more in common! Sharon's family isn't far from us, so they were able to stop by after their family Thanksgiving. What a blessing to share an afternoon together.

After lunch and playing with the bunnies indoors we all went outside to explore and play!

Getting this bunch to hold still for a photo is a challenge!

47 attempts later...

Sharing stories of the Army and missions...

This has convinced us to step up our work on the basement and the guest room we have planned. Having this much company come in one and a half weeks was exhausting but a blessing. Once we have a better space to offer we hope to do a lot more of this!

Thanksgiving part 2

Okay, on with the next phase!

Mom, Fred and Caroline left on Tuesday morning and our good friend Ernie Gibson arrived! Ernie drove up from Coral Springs to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. Ernie belonged to our Bible Study small group, taught Isaac's class on Wednesday nights at church and went to West Virginia with us on a Mission trip in 2005. Getting to see him here was such a treat.

Ernie helped Isaac rake up leaves in the lower yard. Weird,... raking leaves a week after shoveling snow...

Ernie was also a huge help getting our new tabletop ready for the feast! Finally, we can have everyone at one table!

One with Ernie...

...and one with me!

For "Black Friday" we didn't head for any old mall, we did it up right! We went shopping at the Green Dragon Flea Market!
Ernie found just what his freezing Florida ears needed!
Having Ernie visit was a real treat and he has an open invitation to return. I'm sure he'll wait until it's warmer though!

Thanksgiving part 1

What an eventful few weeks! Skipping to the best part, we have Nathaniel and Kate home with us now, safe and sound. Between the spectacular beauty of the Autumn woods, to the fuzzy cuteness of our baby bunnies; from the joy of having our kids home to the revolving door of family and friends coming to visit, it's been a great time.

Our bunnies, now three weeks old, are old enough to come out and play. The kids bring them in daily for cuddle sessions- are these little guys ever going to be hand tame! They are adorable!

Nathaniel arrived home on Friday the 16th, ... (wearing the t-shirt I got for his birthday)

(Haikus are easy
But sometimes they don't make sense
Refrigerator)

... and was followed closely by the arrival of my Mom, her husband Fred and his granddaughter Caroline who drove them all this way from Texas. Family reunion time!

Kate flew home on Saturday the 17th and we all greeted her at the airport with hugs, kisses and flowers. She is so glad to be home!
Sunday night it actually began to snow! By Monday morning there was enough snow that the kids had a two hour delay for school. Did they stay snuggled warm in their beds? No! At 6:30 they were begging to go outside with their sleds! Good grief!


We did more cooking and eating out with company here than is probably wise to do so close to Thanksgiving- but it's just a whole week of Thanksgiving as far as we're concerned! We had to make Kate and Nathaniel's favorite dish, Chicken Scarpariello. I'd never had a chance to make it for Mom so the timing was perfect!
We had a terrific visit with Mom, Fred and Caroline. Monday night we said goodbye since they'd be leaving in the morning. There never seems to be enough time for these visits, but we sure packed a lot into this one!