Mr. Greene's Mercantile

Last weekend my wife and I had the privilege of attending another Middle Georgia reenactment. Our role was to prepare and operate Greene's Mercantile.

Mr. Greene built his mercantile in 1816 in Clinton, Georgia. He had a tremendous store full of the latest in fashions for the women and sundry items for the home. Ladies from the frontier town of Macon would travel by wagon or beast to get to the mercantile for the opportunity of sampling his wares. They would traverse the Macon to Milledgeville road, dusty and winding to purchase the finest in underpinnings that could be had at a price.

Our representation was of the years of the War Between the States. It was early war and the shelves were properly filled with goods both foreign and domestic. Later in the war years, foodstuffs and general items were not easy to secure so locals would bring their eggs and produce from their farms to trade for other items.

The store pictured was built about 1890.

On Sunday morning, Mrs. Greene and I walked the short distance to a beautiful stand of Pecan trees in the shadow of the McCarthy-Pope homeplace. Many sat on the rails of the split fence but we secured two very wonderful seats on a granite outcrop. A kindly woman shared her song sheet with us and we soon began to sing "Brethren We Have Met to Worship". The sounds of the singing wafted on the Spring breeze of Middle Georgia and, I feel, right into the ears of God.

Parson Young read from 2 Samuel and inspired us to come out of the Valley of Sin and remember our past but look toward our future, as I recall. I always seem to get a different message out of the sermon outline.

He asked me to pray the closing prayer and I do think that the Spirit of God was standing right there with me. It is wonderful to just begin speaking and let God connect with your words and thoughts. Amen! What a blessing to be with the one you love most on Earth, amidst the beauty of creation and talking with the Creator.

We walked the short distance back to the Mercantile and proceeded to clean and straighten the shelves. It was a long three days but a comfort to step back in time to a place most can only imagine.

1864 Medical Reenactment

On March 27, 2010 there was a tremendous learning opportunity in Macon, Georgia at The Cannonball House, an 1850 city home. We transformed it (with approximately 30 reenactors)into an annex of the Floyd House Hospital of 1864. The following is an After Action Report for the day. Photos to be added.

27 March, 1864

The morning is bright and beautiful, right from the start. Just beyond the cast iron gate is a new ward tent being constructed. It, and others like it, will house the thousands of men, traumatized and diseased soldiers who are making their way from Atlanta hospitals. Some will arrive by train, others will come in by horseback, by cart and some will walk the distance if they are fit enough. General Sherman has invaded Georgia and the winds of war are blowing into Atlanta as we speak. An aroused guard snaps his gaze toward me at the sound of rust on rust but recognizes me as one of the staff.

Wisps of gray smoke, as gray as a well-worn sack coat, curl from the fire of the wash pot. Laundry maids are poking their warshin’ fork at bundles of white cotton in all shades from dingy to shade-your-eyes bright. The blood of brave men tinges the boiling pot but the lye in the soap will equalize the effect.

Inside the cookhouse I hear the hum of busy work, Mrs. Hallmark is busy setting about the foodstuffs that are provided by the dutiful women of Macon, Geo. There lay collard greens, baked sweet potatoes, butternut squash, biscuits, the last of the ham, condiments, green beans and other delights, a bounty from the Lord. Mrs. English, one of the hired-ons, is busily sewing a woven ticking into pillows and stuffing them with cotton donated by a broker over at Bainbridge Plantation.

In another room I hear the punching and groaning of wood on wood and I turn the corner to see a resident Apothecarian grinding herbs into healing. Thank God for the leaves for they will heal nations. How long must we wait before this nation is healed, Lord? Across the table from her a young volunteer works. Lint and charpie are being drawn from the linen and bandages are rolled on a clever device to the specifics of Floyd House Hospital.

Outside another maid is carrying water with the yoke but one of her dear buckets has a hole and she is getting as much on her feet as in her rinse pot. It reminds me of the life that is pouring out of many of our brave citizen-soldiers.

As I make my way up the back stair into the house I am reminded of the grisly war they call a ’civil’ war. Piles of legs and an arm peer from the edge of white linen gone red. A final resting place for appendages. Their owners must be inside.

Once in the opulent cocoon known as Cannonball House, I hear the sounds of the dying and the hopeful. The air is permeated with the smells of healing and the defeat of death. There lay a soldier whose battle wound is in the small intestine, he will not live another hour as his life‘s blood saturates a woolen pallet. Gentlewomen of Macon are responding to his every request for life. Another soldier, not much older than a boy sits in stunned silence as he picks up his trusted violin and begins to play a wistful Amazing Grace. How sweet the sound as the strains of the music waft through the open halls and corridors until it reaches a sick ward. This house has been commandeered as a healing post, an annex to Macon General Hospital. It houses but 5 of this wars soldiers but they are receiving the most excellent of care. One poor boy is wheezing communications of love,…and fear, to his mother. He has Diphtheria. Private John Folender, still a baby really, and he hasn’t been in the service long enough to receive government clothing. He dies and the wails of his mother are deadened by the wool of his trousers as the nurse gives his clothing to his mother. Next to him lay a man with golden hair, a vul sclopet in his lower leg but a successful surgery has removed the Minnie ball and his health is restored, yet his will is shattered. A few hours later in this rancid smelling lair and his compatriot succumbs to the dreaded scalds which have drained him of the fluid of his being. His Captain stands in a pitiful state, hat in hand, eyes bowed to bloodstained French carpets in a silent salute.

I am amazed and appalled when I see a mother bend over her son, 14 years old and dead at the hand of our northern brothers. An undertaker tries to draw her away toward the crepe covered mirrors but she recoils and falls onto her sons bloated and lifeless body. Pine and cedar smells scent the room but nothing can remove the odor of death, nor the pain of a mother‘s heart. Just beyond the doorway lay a cold black coffin, full of dashed dreams and youthful hopes for another man is called home to his reward. Wrapped in the comfort of a mother’s quilt his body awaits transport by rail to Augusta. Lucky man, he, for his family had the foresight to purchase the burial insurance when he signed up and thus received the proper and immediate embalming and travel homeward. Reverend Christian, how many more must die before this war will end? How many more can we reach for Jesus before they expire?

A guard watches me with his stone glare as I approach the dead and I hear the words next to me as a young woman writes,…

‘How long, O Lord! How long’; but we endeavor to possess our souls in patience. It is the baptism of blood, which we are undergoing, before the Confederacy can take a place in the community of nations.’

Happy New Year!

To all our friends and family, we wish a Happy and prosperous New Year.

You know, it isn't about what you can acquire or achieve, it is all in how you play the game of life. It is never good to smash someone's heart to make yours feel complete. Decide if that next acquisition is for need or greed and then act on it.

This year,... give more than you have ever given; use a soft word; exercise the ministry of touch to someone who is lonely; get on your knees and look into the eyes of a child when you greet them; tell your spouse that you care and that you will always be there; look to God our Father when your day is done and you don't know where you stand. Laugh louder, until you have to hold your side; open your arms and your home to those who need acceptance; forgive; hold on to what is good and throw away that which is bad for you.

A Joyous New Year to you from Pamela and Frank!

Mrs. G's Give-Away

A blog that we follow is Pastoral Symphony Farm where Mrs. G is giving away a beautiful handmade Spring/Summer dress for a child. We have asked to be considered and you might enjoy it, too. Look her up. We are blessed everytime we read about her family and her life (Which obviously is her family.)

Dear Friends and Family~

Forgive our negligence in not writing updates. There really is no excuse but we have been very busy since August. (But not too busy to reflect on your posts.)

We thank God for each of you whom we follow. Your words, wit and insight are special to us even though we don't make the connection all of the time.

Our prayer is for you to have the most blessed 2010 that you can obtain. We must depend on our Father Who provides for each of us in every way. Do not fear tomorrow for...the government shall be upon His shoulders...and He will provide.

This is a picture of our entire family, God's blessings and His great gift to us. Look what the Lord has done!

With love,

Pamela and Frank

Updates,...Way Late

Hello friends~

I know my face is red with embarrassment for not writing in so long, but I have been in a quandry. Lost 2/3rds of my employment and trying to make the 'buckle meet the notch' if you know what I mean.

The picture is Pam and three of our seven GRANDkids! They are cooking up a pot of Goober Peas. "Mercy how delicious, eating Goober Peas!"

God has been so good to us and we are alive, we have our freedom in the Lord, our bills are paid, our debts are in line, there is food to eat, air to breathe, and water with which to drink and bathe. Our family is close and loving, they all serve the Lord and the love of my life stands beside me to hold my hand, to ease the furrows in my brow and to heal the hurt with a kiss. What did I ever do to deserve her?

Civil Folks group is coming along. We will be at the Cannonball House, an 1850 city home in Macon, Georgia on September 11th praising God with wonderful period hymns and enjoying English Country dance in the parlor. We love the acapella stylings and the fellowship of simple, pure dance!

In October the group will sing at the Historic Richland Baptist Church built in 1844 for the Homecoming service. Can hardly wait!

Well, enough drivel. Just wanted readers to know that we are still alive! Knocked down, but not knocked out! Praise the Lord!

I promise to write again soon.

By the way, our hens are doing well, except that Thaxine is a him and not a hen. We call him Thax now.

With love,

Frank and Pamela

Girls at the Chick Inn

Well, all you Civil Folks, we have been bitten by the chicken bug! Just last night I added the girls to the new run and coop and they seem very content.



Pam has named them already: Minnie Lee, Myrtle, Edna (Buff Orpingtons) and Susie (Rhode Island Red). These are our beloved grandmother's names. Rose Ella (hybrid) and Thaxine (Sumatra) are dear friends. We will borrow Bob The Rooster if we feel we need to have one hanging around for a while.



They are so fun and each has its own personality.



This picture is Thaxine, Minnie Lee and Rosella. Myrtle is in the foreground. We hope to keep you updated on their progress.



The Civil Folks Living History Group added two new members and we are excited about our July meeting. Great godly fun is had at each meeting.

Civil Folks Public Meeting

I know it's been a long time since my last post but thought you might like to read the After Action Report of our last meeting. I promise to write more in the future.

Civil Folks, June 1, 2009

Howdy Civil Folks,

Jest a quick note to tell you 'bout our secont meetin.

Jest afore our assigned meetin time, Miz Pam and me went to th cemetery fer a little ramble an to socialize with some of th residents there. By and by others come and joined in our ramblin. I thank we could all come together some time and work on cleanin the cemetery. Make it a 'decoration day' like the folks did in 1866. So much could be accomplished jest pullin' weeds, straightenin stones, placin' some flours.

We had a few images graven by th soul stealer and discussed th properties of a Mullein plant that is growing at the foundation of th church. I showed th folks th 'Shame Plant' and put one of them plants to sleep fer 'em!

One of th younguns rung th old church bell and announced time fer th singin' to start. It was mighty hot like a furnace in th church so we decided to sang on the doorsteps. Everbody fount em a seat on th steps and it was like a Roman amphitheater. I stood in th grass and led the songs. We sung some of the old hymns and got to singin on Hard Times. Hard times is comin' whether you like it or not! But,...God is faithful to th very end!

Atter awhile singin we got ta thirstin mighty bad so Miz Pam drug out her demijohn of sweet tea and poured us all a vessel of tea with a chunk of ice in it. My, it was wonderful after parchin' while sining'. Th sun was asettin' by now and we thought it was time to dance some so we cranked up th' band and Soldier's Joy went to playin'. Honey we couldn't keep them younguns on th porch! Law, they all jumped up and runned to th yard rat in front of th steps and went to bowin and swangin left and right hands, do-si-doin', promenadin'. then they built th bridge and sashayed rat back to the beginnin'. Hoops was abouncin and in th end one of th girls jest flopped down in th grass plum tuckered out! Th women was glistenin' in the moon and I was asweatin' but it was glorious.

We all smiled and laughed 'bout how much the simpler life was and how blessed we were to have fellership with one another in this fast-paced world.

We begun ta clean up everthang and a couple of th gals wount up in Old Richland and begun ta sing praise. We all jined 'em. Never turnt on a light but tha light from the old lamp post lit up most of th church. Praises flowed! When we was finally sung out we helt hands in a ring at th altar and praised God for what he had already done fer us and what He will do fer us and fer Richland Church in th future.

At the last amen, we all hugged and bade each other farewell until th next time.
I know a lot of you couldn't come. Well, you missed out! That's all I can say. Sometimes we get caught up in our busyness and cain't see th simple truth afore us. Y'all try to come on out th next time. God is in the midst, the fellership is sweet, the pace is slow and memories are made that will outlast th modern day goin and comin'.

Our next meetin' will be on July 10th at our home, a private affair. Git in touch with me if you want a invite, I will respond.

God bless you. Do consider attending these mettings on the first Monday each month so you can slow down, regroup and bless th Lord and yourself. Don't forget your period clothing and brang a teacup.

With love, Frank

Oh My, We've Been Tagged!

Sarah,
How sweet of you to tag us! Of course, you are our only follower, except for our daughter who periodically looks at our blog. The instructions are for us to write six random things about ourselves. I don't know how to link so I'll leave it here for future reference.

1-Frank-I had six bypasses after returning from Ecuador on a Mission trip. We climbed old volcanoes and hundreds of rickety steps to reach the native people there and minister the gospel of Jesus. Sort of out of breath on the equator, but so was everyone else.
Pamela-Had a massive brain aneurysm that resulted in surgery in 1997. Lost short-term memory but retained her love for her Lord. Sometimes she worries that I will leave her alone, but I assure her that she is 'stuck with me'.

2-Frank-Most content while working in the woodshop whittling or creating with wood.
Pamela-Happiest in the kitchen cooking a new 19th century receipt.

3-Frank & Pamela- Greatest accomplishment? Raising three beautiful children, loving three in-laws, nurturing 5 (soon to be 7) grandchildren, giving our hearts to 17 foster children and hundreds of kids in youth and children's ministries.

4-Frank & Pamela-We both sing in an acapella group, Civil Folks, and enjoy 19th century instruments and technique.

5-Frank-My specific hobby out of many interests is collecting 19th century hand glazed pottery.
Pamela-Creating dolls and collecting rare 18th & 19th century examples.

6-Frank-I love ministering to people with song. God's anointing is what makes the difference in every note I sing and I give Him the credit and the glory for all that I am.
Pamela-Is a gifted pianist. Her hands float ont he keyboard under God's anointing. There is not a song that she cannot play after she hears it once. Even after the aneurysm. This is one blessing God has given her that keeps her spirit going.

Okay, that's six, but there is so much left to write about us.

We have been blessed more than we deserve and God is not finished with us, yet.

Sarah, you've been re-tagged! (Can one do that? We love hearing about your beautiful family. Heck, I even wear your husband's pants from a CWR forum purchase!)
Hilary, you have been tagged! (Write a blog or at least reply in our comments section.)

With love,
Frank and Pamela

FALLing In Love!

Falling In Love, the perfect theme for the perfect wedding. On Saturday we had the honor of presiding over the wedding of two dear young friends. Pam and I inspired some of the decor for the event, mostly involved in making the florals.

It was held in a rural setting at the Bride's great-grandmothers farm. the barns were cleaned and freshened, months ago Cosmos flowers were planted in the fields, an arch was built over the altar area, but most importantly, God was especially invited and showed up as the guest of honor.

To me, it was the most spiritual wedding I have been involved with, and one of the most beautiful.

A harpist sat in the side cow shed of a barn and played I Exalt Thee as the bride entered on the carpet of grass, her bouquet a splash of orange and chocolate roses accented with Goldenrod that grew nearby. It was such a special moment. Pam joined me and we sang The King of Who I Am in acapella fashion. The rest of the ceremony was simple, but contained an element not found in most weddings, the visitation of the Holy Spirit.

Just thought this blog would like to know that there is some peace in this world of chaos in which we live. I just wish you could have experienced this peace.

Frank

My New Table Cloth

Well, you are looking at a project I have wanted to do for a couple of years now. I finally created what I call a 'table cloth'. It is a small version of a 'floor cloth' that was in fashion in the early 1800's up to about 1850 and then went completely out around the 1920's.

Floor cloths are made of thick cotton canvas that is cut to size (this one is 14" by 27") and primed twice. Then I add two coats of the gold background color (gold was the color most frequently used), several layers of stencils, two protective varnish coats and two coats of handrubbed Carnuba and beeswax that gives it a brown antique glazed appearance. Next I polish it to a beautiful sheen.

The one pictured is made for the center of the dining table, at the back door, or as a wall hanging. Many have been in use for years without dulling the sheen. It will be making its way to our website in the next few days.

It is so relaxing to make them. Each one will be different because in addition to stencils I use a lot of handpainting to make each unique. We've already been asked to do a Living History demonstration at the Cannonball House in Macon, Georgia.

My next project will be a 5x7 foot floor cloth for our Grand Hallway. I'll be using documented historic stencils for that one. Will take about two weeks to complete, but my bride is worth the effort.

Fall and Winter Means,...Soup!

I just posted this on a recipe forum and thought I would add it here, too.

Well, in the Fall and Winter we eat soups frequently. My faves are Cream of Potato and Vegetable Beef.

Cream of Potato
Peel white potatos and onions in equal amounts and dice. Boil them in chicken broth that comes up nearly halfway of the vegetables. Season with sea salt and cracked pepper. When done, leave broth in the pot and mash with a potato masher (I like ours chunky) and add about 1/2 to a pint of whipping cream.Your family will beg for more!

Vegetable Beef
Cut stew beef meat into spoon size chunks and brown in your pot with a little olive oil.
Add the cut up veggies of your choice. I use:potatos, tomatos, carrots, celery, onion, 2-3 ears of corn from the cob or 1 can of cream corn

The following are MUST HAVES to make the soup extra delicious:
2 cups of okra (A southern staple. If you don't have okra use File'. This is dried and powdered Sasafrass leaves.)
brown field peas (The little brown ones thicken the soup and give it a rich flavor and color.)minced garlic (About a heaping tablespoon.)Italian spices (I like the flavor that these herbs impart.)
fresh nutmeg (I grate about 1/2 teaspoon.)
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook the whole pot on slow heat. Several hours on a woodburning stovetop.
Serve with Southern Style Cornbread.
Don't worry about leftovers, there won't be any!

Pamela

Prescribed by the Great Physician

You know, just when you begin to feel sorry for yourself, God will send someone your way to brighten your day. A friend sent me this last year and I kept it in my archives, perhaps it will help you, too.

Frank

*****************************

The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer..AND
Lazarus was dead!

Now! No more excuses! God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger. In the Circle of God's love, God's waiting to use your full potential.

1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
2. Dear God, I have a problem, it's Me.
3. Growing old is inevitable ... growing UP is optional.
4. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
5. Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.
6. Do the math .. count your blessings.
7. Faith is the ability to not panic.
8. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.
9. If you worry, you didn't pray . If you pray, don't worry.
10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday.
11. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.
12. The most important things in your house are the people.
13 When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15 He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

Be blessed on this beautiful day,
Frank

Nearly Useless Things In Life

Working on my sermon and got to thinking about things that were useless or nearly so in life and wife and I came up with this list in short order. It's a shame that there are so many useless things, but, you know not one person is useless. Everyone is of great value and God cares for each one of us even as He does the sparrows of the air.

~A necktie
~Salt in a sweet recipe
~A fruit tree that doesn’t bear fruit
~A left shoe for a man with just a right foot
~11 ½ inches when you need 12
~Page numbers in a Bible
~Paint on a rotten barn
~A fence that doesn’t connect at the sides
~Unopened letters
~Wind chimes in a hurricane
~A truck with no tires
~A donkey that won’t move
~Faith without works
~Open toed shoes
~Holey underwear
~A wet match
~A burned out light bulb
~A rusty razor blade
~A thong swimsuit on a fat man
~A toad stool, toads don’t sit!
~The Russian alphabet to a Redneck
~A lawnmower on an iceberg
~A bull fighter at a sheep show
~One knitting needle
~Salt that loses its flavor
~An overeducated student
~One drop of gas when your tank is full
~A dusty Bible

What a pity to see an old dusty Bible. That means the possessor has not been intimate with the truth of God's Word in a while. The Bible and its message is still worthwhile, but a dusty Bible is a sad scenario for its owner. Read it while you can, absorb it for your future. I do hope some of this means something to someone, it did to us...
Blessings,
Frank

AAR Letter From The Cannonball House

Macon, Georgia

July 30, 1864

Dear Aunt Civility,

It has been too long since my last post and I felt the urgency to right and tell you of the happenings here in town.

As you know, Judge Holt and Miz Mary invited us to stay a spell with them. We were able to bunk with Cora and staff in the kitchen. It was warm and inviting, cool because of the hand cast brick right out of the Georgia clay. The judge has appropriated a new wood cookstove, the most modern available kitchen item, no more bending our backs over the open hearth. He said it come from over at Rome and since they are not making as many cannons now as they did in the early war I suppose they will go to making kitchen contrivances.

Goodwife Pamela did her womanly duty and near 'bouts wore that stove out! She was cooking cabbage with sweet apple slices throwed in for flavor and a bit of pork rinds she had rendered last Fall. Cora had some wonderful salt that they said come all the way from the Meditatin Ocean, wherever that is over in the Far East I believe. Anyhow it would crunch in your front teeth like that salt up north. We are starving for some salt, Henry dug up the smokehouse floor and Cora and Goodwife biled it down and strained it and dried it to get a little bit of flavor. It was mostly grit but the gray substitute was fine season for our food.

She cooked Johnny cakes on the top and Cherry Tarts in the oven part. Took nearly a cord of wood for the three days we stayed. Of course, there was mint tea, you know it grows wild right out side the door, and Cora had a bit of English tea that she had horded away. It was so special. I felt like a king! Goodwife made a Apple cake that just dripped off your lips when you tried to eat it. Boiled eggs, good ripe tomatoes, Pear Chutney from last Fall's tree and coffee rounded out the meals. I don't know what kind ofcoffee it was, good though. I think I heerd somebody say it was parched cornmeal since the Blockade want allow anything to come through. Judge has give Cora some new pewter plates and they come in handy to feed us all on.

A sweet new girl with bright, glowing eyes give us some chewy jellies that tasted like peach drops we used to get in Charleston! Her name was Dorene. I think she is Italian or injun or somethin. She stays here at the Holt's all the time, but she ate with us in the kitchen! As a matter of fact, the hole clan ate with us one meal! It was divine, a pure celebration. Today, them Northern Aggressors fired a cannonball from acrrost the river and it hit a column on the front porch, come through the winder and rolled to a stop on the grand foyer floor! Nobody was hurt but I hear Moris had to go change his britches! They talkin' 'bout calling the place The Cannonball House now. Well, annyways, I was telling you ‘bout the Yanks. After awhile two of them boys showed up at the door. The biggun was hurt bad so Goodwife bandaged him up, we was scared if we didn't help, they would kill us. You know they say that the Yankees kills folks and eats 'em, don't you? Why, I got a scar above my waste and in the middle of my belly where a Yankee shot me while I ’uz a baby boy! Least, that’s what Mawmaw tolt me. Well, they just barged on into the kitchen and saw that she was cookin' so they demanded some food. She was cooking the last of the vinegared beef into a stew with taters and two poor old carrots. One helt out a half of a canteen and the othern a tin mug that was filthy. No Sothron boy would eat out of a dish not fit fer the dawgs!

Well they was eatin' and all of a sudden like, four of our boys showed up at the door! Goodwife didn't know what to do cause she sure didn't want no war right here in the kitchen so she prayed to the Good Lord for guidance. You know what she said to me later? She said she heerd a voice that said "Feed my sheep." So, she gave them all the rest of the stew and the soppin's and sent em to the dining room. You should have seed there eyes when they seed them Yanks. Funny thing is, that prayer must have worked, because all them fellers just sit down with each other and acted like they was brothers or sumthin. All except one, I swear I think he was a girl. His hips was too wide, smelt too clean! Said he was George, though! I think they all about tired of the war.

They all et and talked awhile, shared pipe terbacky and one wrote a letter to his girl back home with my turkey quill. Then they left as peaceable as they come. I reckon they killed each other when they got to the road.After awhile a big old wagon unloaded and it was a bunch of old people from the Home in town. They stumbled and creaked in and ate ever last drop of that Apple cake. Twadn't a crumb left for me! But they were much obliged. One woman had been to California for the Gold Rush but she hightailed it back to Georgia just in time to see the Cherry Blossoms this Spring.

Well, Aunt Cil, it is getting hot today. Hot Georgia sun is bout to burn me up and I smell hog lard bubbling, it might be me. Think I'll warsh in the new tin tub and dry off with some Rosemary from the herb garden. I got me some new drawers and one dollar and twenty-two cents. We are going to Sunday meetin' tomorrow out at Richland Church, they say people's getting saved left and right. Lord knows, they's a lot of younguns needs to get saved right now.

With love and devotion, I remain your obedient servant,

Eugene

Three Most Important Things In My Life

I've been thinking a lot lately about things in a different light. What I'd do differently, where I'd go, how I'd react...

I got to thinking of the three things that are most important to me.

1-God. Without Him I could do nothing and I would be nothing. If I had not known Him how sad my life would have been. Depressed and angst, unfulfilled. With Him I have all the things that I need, everything that I need! I can die a complete man now, because I am completed by knowing the Father, not just knowing about Him.

2-My wife. Your mother is a breath of fresh air. I know you don't see her the way I do, never have, never will. She is the sun and the moon for me. I would be a dead chump today if it had not been for her love and care. She lost so much in 1997, but she has gained so much, too. I cannot even imagine life without her, ever, because she has been a part of my life for nearly 40 years. That's a long time, but just a skip in time.

3-My children. What if I had never met any of my three children? I have been completed by them. They are all good people, good humans and they come from a good place in my heart. I know I don't appreciate them as much as I should, I don't tell them how proud I am of their accomplishments like I should, I know I've failed them miserably many times, but,...hello kids, it's me, just plain old me. I know that knowing you has made my world round and has given me the greater purpose of my earthly life, to raise God's children so that they can keep on keeping on.

Oh, I could list in-laws, grandchildren, parents, sisters, brothers, other kin, but without you, Pam, Hilary, Nathan and Dennis, I would live in a dismal world in a small place in my own mind. You have freed me to be me. And, thanks God for Your hand in my life.

The road's been rough, with many a winding path that leads to only Who knows where...God knows where...

Frank/Daddy

Friend In Need

Today I got an e-mail, sort of like a devotional, but definitely a plea for help from a dear friend. All I could respond to him was found in Jeremiah 29:11..."For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

You know, it really isn't important if we know the plan as long as God has it all under control. He knows the plan for our lives and we need to let Him have His way. That doesn't mean that we don't try to live good, be honest and work to show ourselves approved. It means, we can lay back in His arms like we were laying on a smooth running current of water. Then, bask in His love and let His grace and strength float us above each day. Lord, I do want to see you.

It has been a beautiful day to live.

Frank

Great News From Baltimore!

Our only daughter had her sonogram today and they discovered no problems with our new grandbaby! Praise God! We have been so worried since they found a cyst on its brain. We know that nothing is impossible with God!

We are so thankful for our three children, our 17 foster kids and the hundreds of kids who have come through our doors through ministry.

Next time you see your son or daughter, look at them in a different way. Give them an unexpected hug and a kiss. After they recover,...just enjoy the moment. There aren't many more times that we can show unconditional love to our children.

Peace be with you,
Frank

A New Day

Well, today we were honored for 33 years of active ministry. Along with Pamela and myself was our youngest son, his wife, our grandson and Papa, Pam's father.

The pastor roasted me a little, very many kind words were spoken, a few 'jabs' were slung at me (in jest) and love filled our hearts. Thanks to all of you for your kindness.

You know, ministry is not a job, it is an opportunity. I would never have chosen this as a career, but I'm so glad I didn't have a choice, God made it for me.

I sang a song today, God Leads Us Along.

Some through the water, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood.
Some through great sorrow but God gives the song;
In the night season and all the day long.

God surely has seen us through each day and every 15 minutes of time.

More to blog later.

Frank