"Things" That Make Me Happy

"Things" aren't what make life. After all, it's just stuff.
But I believe the Lord gives us little yapas (pronounced "joppa" - Paraguayan Spanish for 'bonus') sometimes, just to make us smile, to make the way a little easier, to provide a little shower during a drought, or even just to help teach us to appreciate the little things.

I've been wanting to do a picture post for a while, listing a few of the "things" in my life that make me smile. Some are big, some are small, but all have been given by the Lord, and each one makes me happy.

1. The Lighthouse



This is actually a microwave tower or something, in a bend of the little highway a few miles from our house, and you can see the top of it above the trees, from our property. Trissy and I call it "The Lighthouse" because of the blinking light at the top.
I don't know why this tower has meant so much to me, but a couple of years ago when I was particularly burdened and discouraged about something, I was outside and I looked up and across, and saw it's light blinking steadily, reassuringly, and I felt comforted. The Lord has used it as a reminder of Himself - the ultimate saving Lighthouse - and that He has the Power to accomplish whatsoever He will. All is in His hands.

2. "Shirley"



Jaylyn (the older of Uncle Alvin's two daughters that I mention here from time to time) brought this yawning little hippo back to me from Africa where her family are missionaries. Since I was a child, I have loved horses with a passion. Jaylyn said in Africa, the name for hippo means "River Horse". She couldn't resist bringing me this soapstone one when they came back to visit a year ago :) !
So now "Shirley" (yes, I still name things) sits happily on the top of my chest-of-drawers, reminding me of merry times with cousins, and a testimony to lives lived for the glory of God.

4. Bolacha Marias



This is a wafer-like cookie similar to a graham cracker, found in Portuguese-speaking countries, like Brazil, South America, and Mozambique, Africa. Some missionary friends brought some to The Grandparents a few weeks ago, and they shared them with their neighbors up the road (us ;) !). I love everything about this little cookie! Lovely stamped design (even with it's name!), light honey-sweet taste, thin delicate texture - mmm! A delightful experience!

5. My cross keychain



This keychain was given to me by a friend years and years ago for my birthday. My thirteenth or fourteenth, I think. I'm not even in contact really with that friend anymore, but I treasure her gift. I carry it with me basically all the time, and I've handled it so much, that it is polished and worn in certain places. Aside from my Bible, this little keychain is probably my most cherished possession. Not of course for it's monetary value, for it has basically none - but for it's reminder of this most tremendous promise. SO many times, I have been held up, only by the knowledge and assurance of this fact:

"With God, all things are possible"
You would need to know more about me than anyone on earth does, to understand all the reasons and stories behind why this keychain, and this promise, mean so much to me. But for the sake and purpose of the here and now, lets just say... It means alot!

6. These jeans



Recently one Wednesday night before church started, some of us friends were standing around talking, and I happened to notice one of the young men had a hole in the knee of his jeans. Well, there was a lull in the conversation, and me being the random, free-advice-giving person that I am, I piped up and said, somewhat jokingly, somewhat seriously, "Boy, you need to get someone to mend your jeans for you!"
Now, whether he detected the kidding aspect of my remark or not, he reacted as if it was a serious problem he'd given alot of thought to, saying despairingly, 'I know! But I don't know anyone that has the time and knows how!'
Well, I might not have the time, but I know how, and knowing this friend did not have much to call in the way of family besides his Christian family, I eagerly volunteered. He seemed appreciative, and evidently that hole had been bothering him, 'cause he began describing the way he wanted it to look when it was done, and that he had a patterned scrap of fabric he'd been saving, that he wanted used to patch it :) !
So a couple of Sunday nights ago, he approached me after church, and asked if I remembered the conversation, and if I really meant it. I answered of course, and he said he had the jeans and the scrap in his truck, if I wouldn't mind patching it for him.
He said he knew I was busy with school and all, but just whenever I could get them back to him it would be great - he had another pair he could wear in the meantime! Poor guy! If he was relying on them that much, I felt like I had to get them back to him as soon as possible! So that next Tuesday night, I had a few minutes, and put the patch in. It was a little bit of a sewing challenge, because I wanted to use the machine, but the hole was way down in the knee, and I didn't want to have to take out a leg seam to get to it, then sew that back too! Anyway, I got it done (he'd asked if I could put a bit of denim behind the cotton scrap so it wouldn't bust out, and I thought that was pretty observant of him to realize it needed a reinforcement), and gave them back that Wednesday night after church. You'd have thought I'd given him a hundred dollar bill he was so thrilled with that little plaid patch!
Anyway, the ending moral of this long-winded story is that the Lord can use you to bless someone's life in little ways that seem small to you, but it may mean alot to a struggling brother or sister. Remember to be open to opportunities He sends your way - and don't forget to realize you are receiving a blessing as well.

7. "Lost Or Found"



I hope no one takes this the wrong way, but "Lost Or Found" makes me happy. I have such great memories of that stressful, hectic, pressured, fun, creative, challenging, fellowship-with-friends, time in my life. The Lord used this school assignment as a teaching tool to teach me more of patience, trust, prayer, and reliance on His sovereignty. I hope it is still blessing and witnessing to people where it is on YouTube.
For those of you who don't know what "Lost Or Found" is, read the posts here, here, and here (in that order) to get the story.
I've also made a button for my sidebar. I made this little 4:44 movie to bring glory to the Lord, and hopefully to lead people to Him. If you see it, and then feel led to share it with others in your life, please share the stories with me!

8. My bug bracelet



This past Saturday we had our annual 'town celebration' or whatever you'd call it, celebrating the historical side/history of our town. It takes place mostly on the oldest street in town, that (until recently) was still paved with it's original bricks! About a year ago, they re-did the street, and I believe replaced the old bricks with new ones, which made me sad.
But anyway, this street and a couple other near ones are lined with booths selling arts and crafts, food, and giving out information about different organizations and things. I think there is usually an antique car show and a pet show also.
This year, Trissy and I went in with a lady from church to rent and share a booth selling funnel cakes. Trissy also baked cookies and muffins, and I had a bunch of my hand-made items. We also sold bottled water, which went over pretty well.
We're trying to raise money to go on one of the church mission trips, and this seemed like a good opportunity (I don't know if I've told about the mission trip plans here yet or not. I'll try to do that soon).
Anyway, we ran into some dear old friends from our 4-H days (the S family, Jaylyn and Jewel), and had a WONDERFUL time fellowshipping and catching up with them. The two oldest girls both had these neat bracelets that caught my attention. They said they'd gotten them from a booth on another street. I was fascinated with the beautiful beetles! I've always loved nature, and what a wonderful display of God's creative genius!
The picture doesn't do the shininess of the beetle justice - it's green, green-yellow, blue, and purple, with copper-colored antenas! I'll try to take a better picture sometime.
Before the day was over, I went and got one too.

9. Real mint tea



I love mint tea! I've drunk the store-bought tea bags of it for several years, but recently Mrs. H shared with me a few plants from her Chocolate Mint! I have most of them in a pot on our back steps, and they really seem to like it there! It's done really well, and a few days ago I decided it was plentiful enough to warrant picking a tiny handful of leaves for my first cup of real mint tea - and from my own patch too!
It was so good, with a cool, soothing, wonderful minty flavor, and so naturally pleasant that I didn't even feel the need to put honey in it, like I do with the store-bought kind.

This is just a sample of some of the "things" that the Lord has blessed me with, that cheer my spirit. The Bible tells us to count our blessings, and this is one way I'm trying to fulfill that.
I plan to add items along. For now, these are a start.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!