WELCOME ~
AUTUMN~ GLORIOUS AUTUMN IN ALL IT'S SPLENDOR AND MAJESTY!

My very favorite time of year...The leaves and such are dying, but for me personally,
I become completely alive this time of year, especially in the mountains!!
I just love everyone and every thing a bushel and a peck in the Fall!!!!

Come sit a spell, and enjoy some real life stories, recipes, poems, musings
and so much more for your pleasure.
I hope you will enjoy every second, and that you will be blessed here.

I WANT TO ADD THAT THIS WAS WRITTEN AS I REMEMBER IN 2007 WITH SOME OF THE POSTS WRITTEN BEFORE ... AT THE TIME I HAD LOST MY DARLING HUSBAND BART TO A BRAIN TUMOR IN 2004 .. WE WERE IN MINISTRY TOGETHER (HEART TO HEART CHRISTIAN CHURCH) AND WE HAD BEEN MARRIED ALMOST 35 WONDERFUL GOD FILLED YEARS ... I THEN WAS SO BLESSED TO MEET MY JOE IN A PRAYER ROOM IN CHRISTIAN MINGLE .... ALSO AN ORDAINED MINISTER.. WE MINISTERED MANY PLACES AND WE DID ART SHOWS WHERE WE SHOWED OUR JEWELRY CREATIONS AND JOE ALSO CREATED PERFUME THE WAS GOD BREATHED ... AND OTHER ITEMS SUCH AS LIGHTED ITEMS ETC.. JOE DIED IN 2013 FROM COMPLICATIONS OF A GALLBLADDER OPERATION. MY 19 YEAR OLD GRANDAUGHTER ALSO DIED IN THAT TIME PERIOD .. I AM NOT SHARING THIS TO COMPLAIN .. I AM SHARING THIS TO LET YOU KNOW THAT OUR GOD IS INCREDIBLE ... FAITHFUL AND HE CARES ABOUT US AND EVERY HAIR ON OUR HEADS ... I SO LOVE THE FALL .. I DO HOPE YOU ENJOY THESE BLOGS ... I HAVE 18 BLOGS IN ALL AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO READ ANY OR ALL ... I HOPE YOU ENJOY AND THAT YOUR AUTUMN IS TRULY GLORIOUS ..








"The tree on the mountain takes whatever the weather brings.
If it has any choice at all, it is in putting down roots as deeply as possible."---
Each New Day" — Corrie Ten Boom


Monday, July 7, 2014

THE DANBURY FAIR!!


One of my fondest memories ever was going to the Danbury Fair every Fall .. the awesome thing was that I was allowed to take the day off from school to go!  It was in the country and that is where I do believe I fell in love with fairs as a child .. I love them to this day!  They had a huge probably 20 foot tall statue of a Farmer at the entrance and when I saw that my heart began to jump, I could barely wait to get out of the car.. with my mother saying .. don't forget your jacket.. if we get lost we will meet right below the huge Farmer! We were there !!!!!! 
 Then they had a parade with the Budweiser wagon and the Clysdales .. always exciting for me to see .. and the milking of the cows .. the baby farm animals with an occasional thrill of seeing baby animals born ... and dwarf bunnies .. prize roosters and farm animals ... and the 4H projects .. and the gorgeous embroidered baby dresses and such and the exquisite handmade quilts..
The great array of food to include Fiske's French Fries, sausage, pepper and onion wedges,  and of course a red candy apple .. YUM still to this day love them ... and corn on the cob.
 And, of course the rides!! .. But, rides were always secondary to seeing the fruit and vege and the huge pumpkin blue ribbons, and the gorgeous prize flowers and roses .. I think this is where I fell in love with peach/apricot color roses and Lavender ..I never was one for just the ordinary .. I always liked the unusual... I was so amazed at them and the incredible fragrances even back then ... I can remember stepping in that room and having my senses explode!!.. Thinking now how God was planting in my heart a deep love for fragrances. 



Oh, and the people ..watching the people enjoying the fair/carnival outing in the crisp Autumn weather was enough to make my heart sing.. ... it was so much fun to be able to wear my Fall plaid shirts and my jeans, and sometimes even pigtails for the fair! Lol ...  What nostalgia to even think about it.!! Great memories!
  


Click on the link below to enjoy hearing Vanessa Redgrave sing "Take me to the Fair" from the movie Camelot .... one of my favorites !
Wishing you rides on the ferris wheel and the Merry Go Round !!!!
Donna Geertz  

I forgot to mention the Danbury Fair closed many years ago and there is a Mall on the fairgrounds now ...

Two of my friends posted such special thoughts ... I just had to include them in this blog:


From Lenore Hamilton...Oh Donna........this is so great......Our whole family went to the fair every autumn too and when I was really little until I was about 12, I thought the fair was there for my birthday....lol It was always the weekend of Sept. 30th............I'll never forget that big farmer right at the entrance and the year that my big sister mooed at a cow and when the cow mooed back and my sister was so surprised that she ran out of the barn and just kept running......we all laughed about that for a while. But my favorite show there was the Clydsdales and seeing them perform. Sorry, I didn't mean to go on and on, but thank you so much for the memories. I'm looking forward to seeing you in August.

From Dianna Lynn Carter Hazlewood ..     Donsie, Your Fall blog is beautifully Stated. ~ Us little Girls , with wings to fly , Up near the Birds and butter flies . Seems only yesterday my dear , I too was excited that time of year ! the Farris Wheel oh so Tall with magical lights in the night of Fall ~ ~ ~ Oh the smells of cotton candy, popcorn, friends and family ! ~ Us girls would scream at the thrill of rides . ~ At 60 I still vision my Childhood dreams / never a worry / never fear ~ It passed so fast year after year . ~ Our Father God has seen our hearts ~ He blesses us as we age with wisdom again with little girl souls … ~ May we use our knowledge and little girl hearts to reach those who may seek * Gods Peace * ~ ~ ~ ~ My Donsie ! you are special , one of Gods little Angels ~  ….. xoxo Lynn

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

A PERILOUS JOURNEY

 This was written November 20, 1997 by me to our church family... I share it with you now as the message is timeless, and wish for you a most wonderful and grateful Thanksgiving celebration.


  Dear Family in Christ:
 
I wonder what the first pilgrim’s where thinking as they crossed the vast ocean ...from a place that they knew and were familiar with, to a distant land of uncertainty.  As they looked out over the deck of the ship, it’s as if I can almost hear one of them speaking to God saying:


“Father, I’m a pilgrim far from the world I once knew. 
  One of coldness and oppression, which tried to keep me far from you.
  I have left that world behind to follow your command
  To venture out to a place unknown .. to reach the “Promised Land. 
  Father, you’re the one who holds the keys to life and liberty. 
  Please hold my hand as I press on, trusting your love as I cross this sea.”


What were they feeling... these pilgrims that left the old behind?  What were they thinking?  Were they like you and me?  What perils they had to endure and what challenges they were yet to encounter.  Leaving the old behind for a dream.. a vision of  liberty to worship their God openly and freely. 
 
As they looked out onto the endless ocean, did they ever think about the story of Peter.. and how you bid him out of the boat (the familiar place of comfort and safety) and called him to do the impossible.  Did they look at the waves of circumstances of what might be before them and feel like they could never walk on water with you, Jesus?  Or did they know that you would be there to constantly lift them up when they felt like they were going to drown?


When stormy waves lashed against the sides of their ship, where they comforted as they remembered the one who spoke to the storms and said “Peace, be still”.   Did you speak deeply into their hearts and encourage them that no matter what they would be going through, or whatever they would encounter... you would be there to hear their cry, and you would answer.

These men, women and children of destiny were very much like the Israelites that left Egypt weren’t they, Lord?  They were some of the original “BRAVEHEARTS”  blazing a trail for us.  Thank you Lord, for empowering them with boldness and assurance by your  Holy Spirit to defy the odds, and to endure difficulty.  Lord, make us like them.  Instill in our hearts such a thankfulness of the gift that you gave in your Son, Jesus... that we  would be willing to grapple with the unknown and overcome adversity.

After such a difficult first year in their new world, the pilgrims must have been over-whelmingly thankful just to be alive at that first Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving in America has always been about life, both spiritually and physically.

Let us give thanks this year for life.  LA CHAIM is a Hebrew word that means “To Life”.   The Jewish people click their glasses together as they say:  “La Chaim”, remembering, and praising  God’s goodness.

Thank you, Lord for life. Thank you most of all for our spiritual life, the greatest gift of all, our relationship with Jesus. We celebrate your grace upon our lives this Thanks-giving.  May we take that life and live it to the fullest, and help us to give our lives to others.  Help us to realize we are not an island, you created us to be community and family and to share whatever gifts and talents you have given to us with others.  

I hope thanking God is the supreme joy of your life.  God is not only the object of our affection, but He is our source for everything. Psalm 16:11 says: "Thou dost show me the path of life, in thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures forevermore".  Thank you Lord, for showing us the path of life.  Our joy is in YOU.  Your gifts and love are forever.



 HAPPY THANKSGIVING DEAREST ONES

YOU ARE LOVED!

Pastor Donna 1997

Heart To Heart Christian Church

Sunday, October 23, 2011

PRAISE HIM FOR YOUR ROSES, THANK HIM FOR YOUR THORNS



I did not write thie one.. It was sent to me via email... It really touched my heart
and so I am now passing it on to you.. be blessed

Subject: A long one worth reading.

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her shoes as she pushed against a
November gust and the florist shop door. Her life had been easy, like a
spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor
automobile accident stole that from her. During this Thanksgiving week she
would have delivered a son. She grieved over her loss. As if that weren't
enough, her husband's company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose
holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not come for the
holiday. Then Sandra's friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a
God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others
who suffer. She has no idea what I'm feeling, thought Sandra with a
shudder. Thanksgiving? Thankful for what? She wondered. For a careless
driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an
airbag that saved her life but took that of her child?

"Good afternoon, can I help you?" The shop clerk's approach startled her.

"I....I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra.

"For Thanksgiving? Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to
challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving
"Special?" asked the shop clerk. "I'm convinced that flowers tell stories,"
she continued. "Are you looking for something that conveys 'gratitude' this
Thanksgiving?"

"Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months, everything
that could go wrong has gone wrong." Sandra regretted her outburst, and was
surprised when the shop clerk said, "I have the perfect arrangement for
you."

Just then the shop door's small bell rang, and the shop clerk said, "Hi,
Barbara...let me get your order." She politely excused herself and walked
toward a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement
of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Except the ends of the
rose stems were neatly snipped: there were no flowers. "Want this in a
box?" asked the clerk. Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this
a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers! She waited for laughter,
but neither woman laughed.

"Yes, please," Barbara replied with an appreciative smile. "You'd think
after three years of getting the special, I wouldn't be so moved by its
significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again," she said as
she gently tapped her chest. And she left with her order.

"Uh," stammered Sandra, "that lady just left with, uh....she just left with
no flowers!

"Right, said the clerk, "I cut off the flowers. That's the Special. I call
it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet."

"Oh, come on, you can't tell me someone is willing to pay for that!"
exclaimed Sandra.

"Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling much like you feel
today," explained the clerk. "She thought she had very little to be
thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was
failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery."

"That same year I had lost my husband," continued the clerk, "and for the
first time in my life, had just spent the holidays alone. I had no
children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any
travel."

"So what did you do?" asked Sandra.

"I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly. "I've
always thanked God for the good things in my life and never questioned the
good things that happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask
questions! It took time for me to learn that dark times are important. I
have always enjoyed the 'flowers' of life, but it took thorns to show me
the beauty of God's comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us
when we're afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others."

Sandra sucked in her breath as she thought about the very thing her friend
had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is I don't want comfort. I've
lost a baby and I'm angry with God."

Just then someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" shouted the clerk
to the balding, rotund man. "My wife sent me in to get our usual
Thanksgiving Special....12 thorny, long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the
clerk handed him a tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.

"Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind me
asking why she wants something that looks like that?"

"No...I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago my wife and I
nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the
Lord's grace and guidance, we slogged through problem after problem. He
rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of
rose stems to remind her of what she learned from "thorny" times, and that
was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I
decided to label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks for what
that problem taught us."

As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the
Special!"

"I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra said.
"It's all too...fresh."

"Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that
thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care more
during trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of thorns
that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent the thorns."

Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the accident,
she loosened her grip on resentment. "I'll take those twelve long-stemmed
thorns, please," she managed to choke out.

"I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a
minute."

"Thank you. What do I owe you?"

"Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The first
year's arrangement is always on me." The clerk smiled and handed a card to
Sandra. "I'll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would
like to read it first."

It read: "My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked
You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me
the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me
that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that
through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant."

Praise Him for your roses, thank Him for your thorns.


Thursday, July 7, 2011

AUTUMN INVIGORATING!


THIS WAS BACK IN 2006, BUT I JUST POSTED IT HERE
AS I THINK IT IS SUCH A BLESSING AND A NOW WORD
FOR US ALL TO RECEIVE...I SENT IT OUT AS AN EMAIL
WITH MY FRIENDS PERMISSION IN 2006!! She is also in 
ministry and we have such history together ... Thank the Lord for friends with history ... they are so comforting and they understand us .. we don't have to try to explain ourselves or clarify who we are because the KNOW us ... I so love the fact that my heavenly Father KNOWS me!

Hi My Friends!

I know that many of you have not heard from me in a long long time.. I am trying to play catch up with you!! But, also wanted to share my excitement of what I feel is happening this Fall!!

 AUTUMN INVIGORATING!


My favorite time of year is Autumn!! I just come alive during that time... I am so excited that Autumn is here.  At this time of the year my heart begins to long for the mountains.. the trees and foliage showing God in His Splendor just does something so invigorating in my spirit!!!  This year in particular our Father seems to be doing something particularly special in His children, and I pray precious ones, that you will capture the fresh wind of His Spirit this Fall too.

I was online the other night with a friend from Sri Lanka, and was trying to explain to her how I was feeling and wanted to share the im with you.  I have had some quality time to reflect recently. I love you all dearly and hope you will grab hold of the wonderful thing God is doing!  Also, below is an absolutely beautiful clip about autumn... just click on to the website for the show... it is really very beautiful... thinking of you and sending hugs and kisses my friends and family. May God bless you richly this season and always.




Donna (9/30/2006 2:24:44 AM):You know my friend, in my own life and the people i have been ministering to it is like there is a fresh wind of the spirit that is blowing i can't explain it

Donna (9/30/2006 2:26:44 AM): the only way i can explain it is like being on the top of a mountain in the fall seeing all the splendor of the leaves changing colors and they are dressed up in God's glory... orange, and gold and burgundy and shades of green and rust and amber etc.. and the smell of the crisp cold air and the wind is intoxicating..

Donna (9/30/2006 2:27:23 AM): and your heart wants to sing.. and you are feeling so close to God and His presence is so right there

Donna (9/30/2006 2:28:08 AM): and He is blowing away some stuff that we don't need in our lives and in our hearts and His breath is breathing in something new and fresh and awesome

Donna (9/30/2006 2:28:15 AM): like that

Donna (9/30/2006 2:29:12 AM): new hope .. new purpose... new anointing... new plans... new focus... the old is going and behold He is doing something new

Donna (9/30/2006 2:29:49 AM): new excitement ... new goals.. new vision.. new songs... we will be seeing new miracles

Friend (9/30/2006 2:29:59 AM): hmm yes I can picture that and I can also picture God blowing the unnessecery things away

Donna (9/30/2006 2:30:21 AM): yes honey.. how true .. God seems to blowing away the chaff!!!

Donna (9/30/2006 2:30:32 AM): you are an amazing woman

Friend (9/30/2006 2:30:35 AM): he blows old things away to give new things to us that are more needed and useful

Donna (9/30/2006 2:30:44 AM): i love you dearly sweet friend,

Donna (9/30/2006 2:31:08 AM): and yes, yes... thank you that was a word from the Lord for ME personally too “he blows old things away to give new things to us that are more needed and useful

Donna (9/30/2006 2:31:11 AM): ty

Friend (9/30/2006 2:31:15 AM): I love you too Dons ... and am blessed too


Praying for each one of you that this Autumn God will blow upon you the wind of His spirit and will bring new victory in every area of your lives, new hope, purpose and direction, creative ways to accomplish goals, new vision, new songs, new abundance, new relationships, prosperity, scrumptious color into your world ...blessings and miracles !!!!!


From my heart to yours,

Rev. Donna Trexler/Geertz

©Invigorating Autumn  October 2, 2006c
Please do not copy without permission

Oasis Ministries




Remember:  Winners make things happen, mediocre people let things happen, and losers say "What happened?"

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

I AM LIFTING YOU


I AM LIFTING YOU   
COME INTO MY PRESENCE
WHERE SIN CANNOT STAND
I am lifting you …
I am lifting you above you circumstances.
I am lifting you, Beloved … to HIGHER GROUND!
I am lifting your head that has been hung low,
your body that has been weary of well –doing,
and your heavy heart, awaiting the fulfillment of promises.
I am lifting you out of the muck, mire and slippery rocks,
and I am placing you upon
THE SOLID ROCK… (His name is Jesus)!

I am lifting you into My presence where there is          
FULLNESS OF JOY…
into a NEW DEPTH and DIMENSION OF ME!
so lift ADAMENT PRAISES UNTO MY NAME
and no longer walk as MEN.

For, I am calling you to a higher place of understanding,          
past discernment, and beyond human reasoning.
I am bringing you out of doubt, disbelief,
and faithlessness … into MY fullness!
no longer will your past failures cause you to walk as
underachievers, My precious Ones …
for I am calling you to be victorious overcomers.           

The cycle is broken,
no longer will you be as a hamster on a wheel
climbing to the top, barely viewing the
Promised Land,                        
only to plummet back down to the valley again.

I desire to set you free …
yes, even from the wheels of your own making.
allow Me to break self- imposed limitations off of you,
and you will go forth into the Land I have for you …
seeing from My wider vision and perspective.

No longer will you walk in shame from previous
shunning, rejection and rebukes.
I AM the Glory and the LIFTER of YOUR HEAD!
I have placed within you, My incorruptible seed
my good seed which will multiply and bear MUCH FRUIT.

Come into My presence my child,
and allow Me to envelope you in My cloud of Glory …
I desire to wash you, and cleanse your heart from all iniquity.
let Me LIFT YOU and set you free …
IN THE GLORY OF MY PRESENCE!



HEART TO HEART CREATIONS
Word given by the Holy Spirit 4/17/96
to:  Rev. Donna Trexler Heart to Heart Christian Church
Summerville, SC


Donna/Donsie

Saturday, June 11, 2011

THANKSGIVING REFLECTIONS




REFLECTIONS
As I reflect upon past Thanksgivings during my youth, I would like to share with you some of my fondest memories.  I pray that it will cause us to become keenly aware of the importance of God and family.

The week prior to the "Big Day", my school was actively involved with paper cut-outs of leaves and Indian headdresses. The story of the Pilgrim's journey to a place of freedom resounded through the classrooms.  How the hallways rang with laughter and joy as school let out for the Holiday vacation.

Some years Thanksgiving was spent at my parents home, and others were spent at my Grandparents, so my memories are interspersed with both homes.

Days before "The Event", we were all abustle with activity! The registers at the grocery stores continued to ring up items such as cranberry sauce, squash, and corn.  My sister Gwen, and I helped in the preparation; doing such things as peeling the chestnuts for Mother's delicious Chestnut Stuffing.  All the ingredients for our famous family recipe of Potato Pudding were assembled, and the Pumpkin Chiffon, Chocolate Cream, and Lemon Chiffon pies were in the refrigerator awaiting heaps of fresh whipped cream.

Daddy was busy tying up loose ends with his business so he could spend this "Special Day" with his family.  Some years he was given turkeys from his customers, and I remember him giving them away to his workmen along with turkeys and items he donated himself so that they would be blessed with a Thanksgiving dinner.

Meanwhile, we were at home setting the dinner table with our finest china, silver, and crystal glassware.  The cornucopia centerpiece overflowed with fruit and nuts, and the candles were tall and stately, painting a picture of elegance and welcome.  The children even had their very own table which was completely set and arrayed with Autumn flowers paper turkeys with accordion feathers and candles that we could light ourselves at the appropriate time (with the help of Dad or Mom!), and  what a treat and special privilege it was to put out the candles at the end of dinner with our sterling candle snuffer which was a family heirloom!!!


Of course, Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without Communion Service at our church.  So, in the midst of preparing, we stopped and took time as a family to thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for His most bountiful blessings.  What a holy hush invaded the church building as the altar candles were lit and the choir began to sing.  Voices resounded in harmony as we lifted up our praises to God in songs of Thanksgiving.  Holy Communion was served and the reverence of the moment is a treasure in my heart.  Back in our pews, Mother would wipe her tearing eyes and take my hand in hers tenderly and squeeze it reassuringly as only a parent could do.  As we savored this moment together cherishing the significance of what true thanksgiving is, no words needed to be said.

The sermon message stirred our hearts to be more thankful, and our pastor greeted us after the service to wish us Godspeed.  The outside of the front of the church was the general meeting place to congregate.  My father, who was normally a quiet man, usually became engrossed in conversation with some of the men from our congregation, and we would lovingly tease him , telling him that he should run for politics!  Afterwards, we met in the Parish Hall where donuts, cider, and coffee were served, and lively conversation ensued.  We all went home feeling a warm afterglow from sharing and socializing.

Finally, "The Day" arrived --- Mom had set her alarm clock for a 5 AM wake-up call so she could stuff the turkey and put it in the oven, while Dad enjoyed a rare bit of extra sleep.

I was awakened early with the first faint aroma of turkey in the air, (if we were celebrating Thanksgiving at our home that particular year)  and the thoughts of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade were enough to catapult me from my bed!!!

Continental breakfast was served, orange juice, sticky buns from the bakery and coffee for Dad and Mom and I always had hot chocolate, something that has become a family tradition the entire time my own children grew up .. and it has now become the tradition for some of my children!!   I stayed glued to the television set, not wanting to miss one giant air balloon, or to miss any of the marching bands who had traveled from across the United States for this special occasion.  Decorated floats came by, each expressing a different theme and twirlers with batons were performing their much practiced routines.  People were clad in heavy winter coats, earmuffs and gloves while the television M.C.'s brazed the cold --- all rosy cheeked and exhaling what looked like clouds of smoke from their frozen breath.  It was such a good feeling to be in  a place of warmth and comfort, away from the brisk Fall elements, and still be able to enjoy all that was going on.

Traditional sticky buns

Some years Thanksgiving was spent at my family home and other years it was spent at Grandpa and Grandma's.  If we were travelling to our Grandparents, next on our agenda, was to dress in the clothes and shoes Mother had carefully washed, pressed and polished with her loving hands.  The crisp Fall air was invigorating as we assembled in the car for the ride to see our relations, and sometimes you could smell the aroma of leaf piles burning; which just added to the nostalgia of the day.

Going to Grandma's was always a treat.  I don't ever remember her doing anything but smiling, or whistling happily, in fact, I don't ever remember her ever complaining or ever asking for anything for herself.  Her apron was tied in a bow in the back and there she was...that precious "Little Irish Lassy" (as my Grandfather called her) busy in the kitchen basting the meat and making sure that no items were forgotten on the menu.  The aroma was mouthwatering, and one of my favorite parts was when Grandpa or Grandma would give me a preview sample of the turkey before it was served!!  It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without that!!!

Hugs and kisses abounded as cousins and favorite uncles and aunts arrived.  Hors d'oeuvres were then served to whet our appetities. While I was busy playing with my cousins, the football game could be heard in the background with the voices of the men yelling, "Go, Go, Go," or "Oh no, he fumbled the ball", as the women chattered and laughed and arranged the last minute items on the table.  Finally, everyone was there for the gathering, and the announcement was made that dinner was being served and we were called to the table.


Grandpa would clear his throat and there were tears brimming in his eyes and a catch in his voice as we all bowed our heads and thanked God for this day and His provision in our lives. When dinner was finished, we would sit around and sing Irish songs and I just loved sitting on Grandpa's lap (he called me his American Beauty Rose).  We went home from our traditional Thanksgiving family reunion feeling blessed and content.

Remembering such times is a happy recollection for me.  What a blessing to have such a rich heritage, and as I reflect with fondness upon my childhood this year, I am reminded of my earthly parents.  What undeserving grace I was given when the Lord chose for me to be born into my family.  I cherish their love, support and encouragement.  I also have been blessed with a husband who is a treasure beyond measure, a gift from the hand of God, who is the most Christ-like person I have ever met, my best earthly friend.  I have been given the gift of four beautiful children, and their many personalities are like a rainbow of color in my life, forever reminding me that God has given them to me to train ME up.  I have learned so much from them.  Our five grandchildren are opening new doors for us to see God's hand at work.  I have been graced with the blessing of good friends, and I find the work that God has given me to do challenging and rewarding.  My cup is full......I want for nothing...


But, most importantly, as I scan the years of Thanksgiving Days in my own life, --

I now can see more clearly, that the richest heritage of all that I have been given, is being an heir to salvation in Jesus Christ.  The privilege of being daughter to the King of Kings is what I am most grateful for.  I am reminded, that we are but pilgrims ourselves in this strange land -- looking for a city whose builder and maker is God.  This is not our destination, for we have another home that we look to, and how thankful we need to be that we do not walk this walk alone..for we have one who sticks closer than a brother.  Just as those first pilgrims looked for a land of freedom, we have found that land of milk and honey in Christ.

Oh, Lord Jesus, how grateful I am that you saved a sinner such as me -- I am not worthy to so much as gather the crumbs under your table, but you, by your infinite grace, you shed your blood, and made it possible to come into intimate relationship with you so we are not separate anymore.  You prepare a banquet table for us with your own hands and bid us to come and partake of your goodness.  A table of Thanksgiving has been set each time we partake of Holy Communion, remembering all that you sacrificed for us so that we may sit at table with you .....a family joined together in love,  to worship and to praise you.

Use our hands, our voice, our whole being to bid others to come.  Let us not only acknowledge your gifts to us during this season, but daily may we walk in humble remembrance of your sacrifice.  Let us never forget from whence we came, and may we always be ready and willing to reach out to others, loving them with your touch, your provision, and your encouragement.  We want to be vessels of honor, willing to put feet to our faith so that we may serve you not only in word, but in deed also.  Oh, that we might be examples of your mercy, with the fruit of the Spirit evident in our lives.  Lord, no matter what earthly family we have come from, I thank you that you give us opportunity to experience what a real family is like.  Help us to be a true family in Christ Jesus, walking in oneness and unity, with ties of love binding us together.  How we desire to walk uprightly before you, laying down our lives so Your light might shine.  Let Your Kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven.  Thank you Lord, for your son, Jesus.

Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be with us, teaching, guiding, comforting and directing our steps..but most importantly, Thank you God for being you.

Thank you for allowing me to share my heart with you, and I pray that YOUR hearts will be overflowing this Thanksgiving with His love, and joy, acknowledging afresh and anew that all honor and power and glory be unto His Name for ever and ever.  Amen

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DEAREST ONES...


I LOVE YOU .....

GOD BLESS YOU.......                                                                             

                                                                                       
Pastor Donna

Sunday, June 5, 2011

LET'S FLY TOGETHER!





EAGLES SOAR!!

LET’S FLY TOGETHER

Note from Donsie…

I sent this out as a newsletter in 2003. This was written by Tommy Tenney and my side note years ago when my late husband and myself pastored a church, but I reread it today and it is so NOW .. especially for those who are feeling earthbound and in need of finding the way to SOAR through their circumstances in these days. If you have not read his book, I suggest you get it!! Hope this article blesses you just as it has blessed me again today that we are called to FlY!!…

Holy hugs from my heart to yours,

Donsie

donnatrex@yahoo.com 4/20/2011

Hi ya'll ... this was written by the author of the best selling book "The God Chasers" that I have told many of you about.. Tommy Tenney.  I have added my own notes in this post too. . hope it blesses you .. may we all mount up with wings as eagles, being renewed in strength to soar to new heights. something so precious the Lord showed me years ago is that if we are in His presence up and away from worldly things and situations.. as we look down ... everything is so small. in reality.. if we continue in HIM.. we will view things differently.... Lord give us eagle eyes to see God's reality. love to you all today.. xoxo donna

Learning to Soar

"They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles" (Isaiah 40:31)

Dear Friend and Fellow God Chaser,

Have you ever wished for wings? Have you ever longed to fly with the same freedom and grace as a bird?

Did you know that God wants you have that kind of freedom?

Children often pretend to be birds or airplanes, "soaring" on wings of imagination through backyards and bedrooms. As a child, can you remember feeling the wind against your face and flapping your arms, dreaming of a day when you'd catch a gust just right and find yourself in flight? I know I did. With eyes closed and arms extended, you could transport yourself (even if just for a moment) far from familiar surroundings.

It might seem like little more than a childish daydream, but I believe it is a divinely planted desire--one that only He can satisfy. We long to soar because even as children we understand that there is more to life than the limited reach of our experience, much more than we could ever grasp with our minds. God placed a longing inside of us, the "God-shaped vacuum" that cries out within us for freedom and fulfillment. Whether we're children flapping our arms at play or adults raising our hands in worship, we're really saying the same thing: There's got to be MORE!

In the Scriptures, God speaks to this longing. He whispers to that desire within us: Do you really want to fly? I can show you how "They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles." (Is 40:31) God wants us to fly, He wants us to soar like eagles.

Do you want to soar like an eagle in your relationship with God? Are you tired of making exhausting efforts to get into His presence, only to discover that you've never even left the ground?

If you've ever watched an eagle in flight, you'll notice something. They don't seem to put a lot of effort into their flying. They don't flap their wings that much. They spend most of their time soaring. Yet somehow, even without the excruciating effort, they attain amazing heights. Eagles know instinctively that the real strength is in the winds, not in their wings.
They find an updraft, spread their wings, and stay there until they've reached their desired altitude. To the casual observer, it might appear as if they're going nowhere and doing nothing, circling pointlessly over insignificant territory. But they are going somewhere: up!


If you want to reach new heights in God, why not follow the example of the
eagle?

1. Find an updraft
2. Spread your wings
3. Stay there

Find an Updraft

No eagle has the ability to create an updraft, but all eagles have the ability to find one. Updrafts often occur in predictable places. Mountain ranges can force the air passing over them to rise. Weather patterns can cause them. Some updrafts (called "thermals") are just columns of ordinary air that have been heated and drawn heavenward.

We can't create our own "spiritual updrafts," but we can learn where to find them. Circumstances in our lives might feel like mountains sometimes. Perhaps you've dreamed of having enough faith to move those mountains. But God is really more interested in moving us beyond the mountains: He wants us to reach the place where He can lift us above those seemingly insurmountable circumstances. What seems impossible to us is always possible with God. He can take a roadblock and turn it into a runway if we'll just let Him.

"Spiritual updrafts" also occur wherever the atmosphere of worship is heated by the fire of God's presence. Times of corporate praise and worship are powerful, and they're precious opportunities to "catch an updraft" and climb to new heights. As we lift Jesus up, He lifts us up, and He draws people to Himself. The lost are often attracted to worship. They can't see the wind, they don't know where it's coming from or where it's going, but they can feel it stirring something deep within their soul.


Spread Your Wings

Finding an updraft is only part of the equation. When an eagle finds an updraft, it doesn't sit down, content that it has found what it was after. The updraft isn't the ultimate goal: it's the means to the goal. Christians often spend a lot of time looking for "good worship," but when they find it, they're content to be passive observers. When we do that, we've missed the
purpose of worship. If we don't "spread our wings," the gentle wind of the Spirit might ruffle our feathers, but it won't take us anywhere! The Spirit's wind on our face might feel good, but it's the wind on our faith that does good.

We open our wings when we open our hearts in worship. It isn't enough to merely be a spectator, a witness to the worship of others. Observers can sense the power of praise, but only participants truly benefit from it. We must be participants, responding to the current of the Spirit by spreading our wings in faith.

Stay There

Once you've entered into God's presence, don't be in any hurry to leave. Eagles will wait patiently for the updraft to take them to their desired altitude. When we learn to wait on God and stay in His presence, our literal physical altitude might not change, but our attitude will! The higher we climb in Him, the smaller our problems and distractions will seem.The noises of earth fade and the whispers of heaven fill our ears.

You can learn to fly-but the only difference between flying and falling is the position of your wings. God promises that we will mount up on wings as eagles, but only when we wait on Him!

DONSIE’S NOTES:

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I so love what Tommy Tenney just wrote about waiting patiently, and not being in a hurry to leave His presence or in a hurry to feel we need to DO SOMETHING to help matters out. I think that is one of the greatest problems we have today, taking things into our own hands and trying to fix it instead of taking time to just get away with the Lord to bask in His presence and to truly enjoy Him and to be quiet and wait to hear what He says to us.! I think we will be surprised one day in heaven when we see how God would have worked things out if we would have but waited on Him.. and let Him work things out instead of us (working) things out ourselves!

A neat revelation the Lord showed me years ago really helped me. While we are in that time period of waiting upon the Lord in a place of just resting (hopefully) and believing for the promises to come to pass without any human effort on our part of trying to make things happen.. for let’s say answers, or instruction, guidance.. anything we are waiting for, there is also another kind of waiting… the wonderful time of ministering to Him (waiting on Him as his beloved bride, basking at His feet and speaking words of praise and adoration to our King)

There is also the waiting that we at times forget and that is the waiting of (serving) those He calls us to minister to while we are waiting. There is a dynamic here that is so wonderful.. As we wait (serve) and wait (come into His presence worshipping Him and resting in Him while waiting for the answers) something happens. He causes us to mount up with wings as Eagles, and He renews our strength, so we can run and not become weary and will not faint in our walk!!!!!! So, there is waiting and then there is waiting. 


Donna/Donsie 4/20/11


Soar With Us