Have Crafts Will Travel

“The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well, and doing well whatever you do without thought of fame.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Grammie did you bring any crafts?” This is what I used to hear each time I visited a grandchild. I love to treat my grandchildren to a new craft or an idea to create something. We are all created in the image of God and since He is the creator we also are creative. I didn’t use to think that I was creative but I do have some creative genes in my system.

When my own children were young we were involved in 4-H and I do not know how this came about but I became the craft leader for the Saline Valley 4H club. I think it was because I couldn’t really fill any of the other leadership positions. As a young mother, I had tried my hand at a few things. I quilted a pillow top, made some ceramics, made some macramé flower pot hangers, and a few other things. Now that I was in leadership though I had to up my skills to lead a whole 4H group to success for the County Fair.

This experience led me to be the Grammie that always had crafts in her sack. I didn’t dare show up without an idea and a project. I also would have cousin camp every summer where the grands would make some great projects including tie dye, wood projects with grandpa and science experiments.

Now my grandchildren are in high school or college and Grammie’s stash of crafts are sitting idle. I have found a new avenue for my hidden talent (it’s really hidden!) and that is now I am teaching Kid Zone at church and I have a whole new group of children excited about my crafts. I think I will adopt some of them as grandchildren. Yes, I think that is my new plan.

“Crafting is the art of turning ordinary objects into extraordinary things.” Unknown

HAVE CRAFTS, WILL TRAVEL!

My Hiding Place

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun”. – Mary Lou Cook

An old threshing machine was a delightful plaything for my cousins and I. We made it to be everything we could possibility imagine. It was also a great place to hide in games of tag or hide and seek. It used to be very useful in agriculture but they had outlived their day and were just sitting in pastures and along roadways everywhere. Combines pulled by a tractor had made them obsolete. My Pap-paw and Granny were the most fortunate people that I knew with one in their pasture just past the old chicken house. When my cousins and I could gather at the old ranch and traverse through the old cotton field we found that old threshing machine. My, it turned into a spaceship, a battleship, a pirate ship, and anything else our imaginations could think of. We spent hours there just enjoying our own creativity and using our imaginations. We invented so many ways to use this equipment. We took tremendous risks and we broke some rules and we made mistakes and we had some fun.

The more we could stay away from the house the better. Back at the house our parents and grandparents probably had green beans for us to snap, or Pap-Paw had use take a sample of wheat and vetch and had the cousins and I count the quantity of each in that sample. (I think it was his way of keeping us busy!) Or maybe there was an ice cream freezer that needed cranking. We loved that ice cream but not the cranking part, although the end result was worth it.

Today my hiding place is any place I can get alone with the Word of God and allow Him some time to speak to me. He speaks to me much but I don’t always take the time to listen. How can I not take the time to listen?!? How can I not listen to the Almighty God! When I do listen, I am amazed at His goodness and His kindness to me. He is no respecter of persons and He will and does speak to you also. I am not special as He loves all His sons and daughters and His desire is for us to hear Him and follow His heart.

Psalms 119:114 TPT You’re my place of quiet retreat, and your wraparound presence becomes my shield as I wrap myself in your Word!

Psalms 119:114 ESV You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

Texas Time

The farmer and I attended a powerful, dynamic Cowboy Church, Sunday morning and Wednesday night. The pastor gave a powerful message at both services. That was what the farmer and I have been looking for. He didn’t mince words, but spoke powerful truths that are relevant to our situation in today’s world. The congregation was so friendly and welcoming. We could all learn much from them. The cowboy hats were prevalent and so were the cowboys and cowgirls. You could tell it is an active church with all of the children that were in attendance. We could sure attend here every Sunday.

That was a great way to start the week for sure. On Monday we were back to work at the camp. This camp was started in 1946. I love to think of the faith of the people back then who had insight and vision to donate land, provide funds and labor to provide a camp for their children and grandchildren to hear of Jesus. Since 1960, 452,904 have attended Heart of Texas camp and there have been 15,953 salvations since that time. That’s a lot of lives changed for the Kingdom of Jesus.

Remodel. Farmer is flat on the ground in the background.

The men are still remodeling the staff cabin for the male staff. The farmer is installing plumbing and doing some electrical work. This cabin has been empty for awhile so it is taking some time to make it usable. It is basically gutted and redoing all of the interior. I have helped the women some with cleaning air conditioner units in all of the cabins and motel rooms. Policy and Procedure manuals and other filing and organizing documents for storage from past years, have kept me busy in the front office. This work has been enjoyable to me as it reminds me of the days in the clinic office where I worked before retirement. I enjoy organizing things.

Tuesday night was game night. We played several hands of Sweep. This is a popular game among SOWERS. The rules seem to change with each SOWER. However, the official Sweep rules were recently posted online so all SOWERS can get on the same page before our 40th anniversary of SOWER’s ministry reunion in Big Sandy, TX at the end of March. Thursday night we taught a new couple how to play Marble Pursuit. I think they enjoyed the game. The farmer makes the boards for this game in his wood shop at home.

The director, Rhonda of the camp and all of the staff are the best. Rhonda has been here 23 or more years. The input she’s had in all of the camp staff and camper’s lives through the years is amazing. The Lord has used her mightily. She is so creative and has done chainsaw carving on the tree stumps around the camp with some unique works and also some precious scriptures. God said He made us in His image. He’s so creative and I know He put creativity in all of us. I just have trouble finding my creative talents. She also made this beautiful hymn and bird picture.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58

Week two has been busy and full. The farmer and I are going this weekend to see our son and family in Flower Mound, TX. See you next week.