The Rest of the Story...

The Rest of the Story -

            March 13, 2012

I have been trying to figure out how to enhance my blog - which is a work-in-progress.  I began it for several reasons and have been trying to figure out how to incorporate all of my ideas for my blog and blend them to make an interesting and worthwhile presentation.  I have been studying, listening, reading, researching, thinking, praying and trying to figure out how I can best do this.

This morning, I may have come up with another aspect to add to those I have recently included on my blog!  We’ll see how it all works out… 

While I was growing up, there was a famous news commentator, Paul Harvey, who had a daily radio program - Yes, back when we still got most of our information by radio!  Paul’s was my favorite program to listen to and he would end the News segment with a story of ‘personal interest,’ he’d break for a commercial and then come back with ‘the rest of the story.’  We’d wait with anticipation for that last little ‘twist’ of information to the story he’d presented.

I’ve decided to ‘borrow’ from that idea.  My entries to this point have been introduced by a Bible verse which I feel is appropriate to the post.  I’ve shown various Projects that I’ve created, a bit of an explanation as to what is involved with the making of them and perhaps a brief explanation as to for whom or for what the Project was made. 

I’ve also begun writing the ‘5 Minute Friday’ posts in relation to ‘the Gypsy Mama’ blog.  I plan to continue with these.

I’m thinking that because I’d like to incorporate more of ‘ME’ in my writings, I have added a section entitled, ‘The Rest of the Story,’ in which I’ll write more of the background of the Project, my thoughts on it or in relation to it, musings that might be appropriate in some way or ‘continuing thoughts’ on the ‘5 Minute Friday’ posts as I feel led. One of the many reasons for beginning my blog was to be able to get Out so much of what is In me on the many levels of creativity that bubble from my soul.  Hopefully, this will enable me that release… 

I am now also writing short pieces in conjunction with FaithFilledFiction.com - Kelly posts a photo and we write a short article about it -  I am unable to figure out how to make another Pages Tab here on my blog at this time - So - I will  post those articles here in this section until I figure out something else - I hope you enjoy these and those written by others on Kelly's blog!  Leave Comments at the very end of these post here, if you care to - or eMail me directly:  Ldb1408 at aol dot com -  ;-}

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 8/3/2012                                               It started with a TRAIN...            (for Faith-filled Fiction)

 

He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.

Joshua 24:17

It was a different time – a slower time – a time before the racing, constant push of technology and going to the moon…and to Mars…  Her world was very small then, limited to the ‘4 x 4 block’ area of her country neighborhood.  Thus, an invitation from her grandmother to go on a day-train-ride to a city in the middle of the state and back was momentous to a girl of 10!

All these many years later, she could still remember the excitement of that trip – the clanging of the bells at “All aboard!” – the wheels loudly pounding on the steel path it followed – the taste of the delicious lunch eaten while watching the world whiz by her intently gazing eyes – the wonder of it all!

It was only the beginning of the travel adventures she would have, yet she had no idea that day of the wondrous places God would allow her to visit in all the years to come.  It started with a TRAIN.

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7/27/12                                                Misty-blurred Medication…             (for Faith-filled Fiction)

 

Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure?

Jeremiah 30:15a

The memories are misty-blurred.  The time before was years of pain.  Physical pain.  Emotional pain.  Many kinds of pain.  So, because o the pain – and to stop the pain – and the ticking clock – she would come to use the rich, dark liquid in the lovely decanter.  To alleviate the pain. 

It would just be a place to wade – to cool her weary feet.  It then began to creep up and soothe her knees.  Later, it would be deep enough to submerge herself and to float in.  Ultimately, the rich, dark pool was so deep that she couldn’t ‘touch bottom.’  She became too weary to swim at all.  She could no longer stay afloat.  She was drowning and could do nothing about it.  She was as dried up as a withered rose, but she was drowning…

The Lord finally took pity on her and released her from this world of pain.  He lovingly carried her to His waiting shore.

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7/20/12                                                            LEMONS                           (for Faith-filledFiction)

The tongue can speak words that bring life or death.

Those who talk must be ready to accept what it brings.

Proverbs 18:21

Lemons are a bitter fruit, and tasted alone are quite unpleasant.  Yet when they are made into a cool, refreshing drink, added to brighten a salad or vegetable dish or incorporated into a sweet dessert they can be quite delightful.

We were taught as children to believe that ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt us’ as a response to the unkindness and taunts of other children.  She had learned and was quick to refute that belief.  She had been wounded more times than she could count by the words of those she loved.  Physical punishment might have hurt less.

She clung to the Words of God to comfort with their coolness, brightness and sweetness – to make the bitter lemons of hurtful words, meant to kill, into a soothing balm for her heart and soul, meant to give her life.

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 7/13/12                                            Praise You in this Storm…                        FaithFilledFiction

 

He stilled the storm to a whisper: the waves of the sea were hushed. 

They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. 

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

Psalm 107: 29-31

She walked barefoot through the now cooling sand to the very edge of the polished, wakeless, placid lake.  Looking up, she witnessed the steely indigo canopy that scudded closer and threatened to rage and assail the currently tranquil mirror.  Bitter, smoky, cruel winds might assault her, yet she knew the One – the infallible, inexhaustible One - Who would hold and give her quietude and serenity, dispelling her fears and pain through this violent storm…  She would ‘praise Him in this storm’…

(This song was my first thought upon seeing this week’s photo. 

Here’s a link to the lyrics and there are also videos on YouTube -)

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/castingcrowns/praiseyouinthisstorm.html

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7/6/12                                                  At the Waterfall...          (for FaithFilledFiction / Kelly Martin)

My tears have been my food day and night…Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;

all your waves and breakers have swept over me.  Psalm 42: 3,7

See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

 I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.  Isaiah 43:19

The view of the sunlit hills and valleys from the parking lot alone was breathtaking and her excitement grew with each step she took along the path that was to lead up - then down - then higher up - across the crest of one hill - then down further and further until she would reach the famous Paradise Waterfall.  She could hear the rushing waters as she neared the last curve in the path before reaching the spot where it could be viewed from high above.

The Falls, formed by stream erosion, with hard volcanic rock above and clay shale below was naturally fed by several springs.  It seemed to gush forth spontaneously from the huge rock walls and poured into the lake below spreading ripples outward to the distant shores.  Green trees and bushes surrounded the lake and reeds nestled in the water between large boulders blew gently in the breeze.  She made her way down the steep path until she stood at the water’s edge.  The only sound was of the crashing clear liquid and an occasional bird flying overhead.  No one else was in this part of the park and for that she was thankful.  She stood drinking in the sight of the majestic rock formations, the aroma of pine, wild sage and eucalyptus and the sounds of the luxurious waterfall as it fell into the lake.

Reluctantly, she finally turned to the left and followed the narrow footpath around the edge of the lake and toward the Falls.  Incredibly, she realized, the path wove in and out of the underbrush for a short distance and then went directly under the Falls and ultimately on to the other side of the lake!  She decided to remove her shoes and socks and then slowly worked her way along the dampened path.   Suddenly she was behind the curtain of fresh spring water, which blocked her from the view of anyone who might happen along the trail.  Enveloped by the waterfall – enveloped by God’s promise to turn her tears of late into waterfalls of healing…

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6/29/12                                                            Take-off!             (for:  FaithFilledFiction /Kelly Martin)

…Oh that I had wings like a dove!  for then would I fly away and be at rest…

 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

Psalm 55 6 & 8

There is that Moment…

The rude, middle-of-the-night-awakening of the alarm –

            The hurry to dress and double-check all aspects of the uniform and countenance –

                        The surety that all necessities are packed  -

                                    The long drive to the parking lot – the bus ride to the Terminal –

                                                The Crew check-in – the boarding and set-up –

The welcoming of ‘seasoned’ and ‘apprehensive’ –

            The safety announcements and checks –

                        The pulling away – the taxi to the end – the hesitation –

                                    The rumbling vibration – the forward thrust –

                                                Seeing the stationary buildings moving quickly past and behind –

There is that Moment…when all of the preparation and hassle is Worth it!

            The Moment that steals breath, pounds heart and takes the weight of the world –

Lifting it all up – mere inches – then feet – on to miles –

There is that Moment…when God’s hand upholds – tightens – keeps her – gives her another day –

            Another day to share with the hundreds to whom she is allowed to bear witness –

                        Witness of Him who holds them all in the palm of His hand –

                                    Who carries them safely to yet another destination –

There is that Moment…she remembers…that feeling of leaving Earth…

Taking flight - being one with the Bird -

                        There is that Moment…

Nothing has ever surpassed the rush of it - 

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3/23/12                                    The Rest of the Story… (BRAVE)

When I’d been close to graduating from Flight Attendant Training for United Airlines in the early ‘70s - just a short 3 months before the *Planned Emergency Landing - I’d been warned by my Supervisor that they didn’t think I had the ‘moxie’ to succeed as a Flight Attendant and conduct a successful Emergency Evacuation, should the need ever arise.  I was too quiet, lady-like, soft-spoken…  I assured him that I would be able to do whatever was necessary, should the need arise.  I just wasn’t an ‘out there’ person, but I could handle anything I needed to handle.  Many life experiences to that point in my life had ‘taught me’ how to handle emergencies and everything else calmly.

The day after the *PEL, I went to his office to tell him what had happened and how I’d handled it.  He’d already heard.  He was pleased, proud of me and was happy that they’d allowed me to graduate!  I continued to fly for a little more than 5 years - back when flying was a ‘classy’ thing to do -  I loved every minute of it and had many Interesting Experiences!

About 6 months after the *PEL, I was at a large church dinner.  A man at the table was regaling the group with a story of what had happened on a flight from Chicago to Grand Rapids the day that Gerald Ford was scheduled to be announced as taking over the Presidency from Richard Nixon.  The flight was full of News and Press people and they had a *PEL back in Chicago…  He was praising the First Flight Attendant and  how she and the others had handled the whole situation…  My husband asked me if the ‘story sounded familiar’ and then asked the man to describe the First Flight Attendant.  As he was describing ‘her,’ he and the others the table realized that ‘she’ was Me!

An interesting ‘connection’ in my life…

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