Pieces of the WHOLE

I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles.

I believe it started later in my life when in the summers I would visit my then retired Grandmother (she retired in her early 80's and lived to be 103), and she always had a puzzle going.  We would sit for hour after hour, day after day, side by side.

We would share a laugh, share a moment, and share the luxury and peace of being together.

My daughter's hand in my Grandmother's

She would separate the pieces into boxes:  sky, faces, flowers, etc., etc.  We would exchange boxes, exchange our smiles, and exchange our love.

The pieces would connect, and we could have a WHOLE.  The satisfaction complete.....my Grandmom and I.

WHOLLY loved, one by the other.

Join the fun:

 

Generations.... Past and Future

You've seen or heard about the scenario....a family Bible, perused many times, and all of a sudden ~ a letter, never seen before... appears.

I was always somewhat skeptical.  Come on, how could you miss it?

Well, skeptical, no more.  I found a letter.  I've looked through the Bible before searching for a hint of anything about my ancestors.  To no avail.  And then, it just appeared.

A letter addressed to my Great-Grandmother.  Dated July 10, 1896.  With an elaborate logo, "The World for God."

Curiously, anxiously, excitedly and cautiously....I opened it and read:

My dear Auntie,

Your letter was received some days ago.  I have delayed answering it for we have been so been so busy.  Have moved and all-together it makes us all torn up.  We are also in a tent.  It is a new one and I am trying my best to pay for it.  It is costing me $133.00 and our corps is allready much burdened.  It keep be very very anxious to know how to manage but we are getting along very nicely.  Our crowds are keeping up over 2000 people every week and souls are being saved.  Praise God.  

It was impossible Auntie to come on Decoration Day or on the 4th of July as both of them was very heavy days for the corps.  I often think of you and wonder how you are.  If you are alone ~ or not.  I am wanting to ~ if I can ~ to get a rest after the Summer is over as it will not be off much use to rest in winter-time, but at present could not leave the corps only be sickness or death.  

We are here in Frankford surrounded by very peculiar circumstances related to the work.  Dear Auntie, last week I was sent for to take a meeting over the other side of Phila. and Oh! how I felt when I got off the street car and found myself only about two blocks from the Hospital where mother died.  There it was standing in plain sight.  I did not know it was any ways near.  How I remembered that awfull Saturday when in the pouring rain I stood outside the great big doors without a friend near but Christ and they told me she was sent away.  But God helped me to bear it.  He only knows how and so Auntie, dear Jesus will help you.  When you are lonely and sad remember Jesus is very very very near.  That He is right in the room by your side.  Do not worry.  Jesus will grieve if you worry, but trust Him with all your heart and lean not unto thy own understanding.  He is so much to be trusted.  

Remember me to Uncle John.  I trust that he still is comforted by the peace that passeth all understanding.  Is Katie still in Bustleton?  If she is, she is only a few miles from where I am stationed.  If you would give her my address she could come and see me.  

Well Auntie, I must close this letter as it is getting on toward time to take the open air meeting we hold there every night-but-one on the public streets.  Well, hallelujah for the privilege.  I am so glad that Jesus saves me now, and that I am a Salvationist ~ fighting for God.

With love to all.

Yours Faithfully,

Eva Mace 

Capt.

I was amazed.  Had no idea.  I don't really know much of my family's spiritual heritage, strength of convictions, commitment level, service, etc..  So, this was very interesting piece of information.

It also aids with my theory ~ although I know it is God's SOVEREIGNTY that has brought me to Himself, and  He CHOSE me before time eternal to be His child.... I sense that the faithful that have gone before me in my earthly family, somehow in God's mysterious ways, helped to usher me in.

My parents were not church-goers.  They would drop us kids off at the church on Sunday morning sporadically.  I loved God, but there was a disconnect (ritual and not relational).  All those Friday afternoons (from 3:00 to 5:00) for three years in order to be confirmed were like a dull painting, cloudy and meaningless.

My grandparents on either side did not attend church, as well.  (My paternal Grandmother died when my father was seven.  My paternal Grandfather lived in an Old Soldier's Home in Washington, D.C.  My maternal Grandfather ~ no, and my maternal Grandmother worked nights.)

Hopefully they had come to the full knowledge of Him by believing that Jesus was the Son of God who died for their sins, but it wasn't discussed.  Those generations tended to be like that.  

So, somewhere in my past lineage, I feel like there were those who earnestly prayed for their family's future generations, who sought to live godly lives, and now we are reaping those benefits:

Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands.  ~  Deuteronomy 7:9

Capt. Eva Mace and all those gone before me with their LOVE for God, I THANK YOU and salute you...for I am eternally grateful.

May I love and obey Him as my forefathers and foremothers before me ~ for my future generations sake.

Photo credit:  Christopher Sleight

He Walked Across the Street....

For those of you not familiar with Atlanta geography and landmarks....the beautiful campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology is in downtown Atlanta.  Along with that, is the world headquarters for Coca-Cola.  Actually, they are right across the street from each other.  Literally. 

My husband graduated from Georgia Tech in December 1972 and after celebrating Christmas and New Year's with family and friends.....he walked across the street.  He started his new job January 2, 1973 with Coca-Cola.

He worked HARD.  VERY hard.  VERY, VERY HARD.  He made his way through the ranks.

He has many-a-story to tell....like when his territory, as a young buck, was Plains, GA when Jimmy Carter was President.

The little boy from Panthersville, GA with determination, perseverance, and smarts, carved out a career that not many nowadays can experience ~ almost forty years with the same company.

This little girl from Birdsboro, PA is grateful.  Very grateful.

We were blessed to be afforded some terrific perks and opportunities all along the way, almost too many to recount.  We did some fabulous travelling ~ with two of my favorites being the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway (magical), and fun trips to such enchanting places as England, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, France, Monte Carlo, Italy, Israel, Egypt, and Hong Kong.

JT (as his Coke family calls him) had a stellar career ~ brightly shining.  And now it dims.  His choice.  It is time.

Words can not really express how PROUD we are of him.  Our family is thankful for this man and his career.

And now.....BLESSINGS and LOVE, as he comes full circle.  As, once again ~ he walks across the street. 

He will be working with GA TECH.

 

"Twenty-One"

We mark time...it is the rhythm of how we live here, and milestones of time are noted.

So, Corinne would have been "twenty-one" today and she may not be here physically, but none the less ~ the day is just as worthy for honoring her and celebrating her.

1.  Treasured daughter, big sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend.



2.  She loved to read ~ teaching herself at age four, and a book was never far from her face.

3.  She loved to dance ~ and dance she did!!!

4.  She loved to ski, and was good at it.

5.  She loved to learn, and was a brilliant student.

6.  She loved to play games and was always up for the competition.

7.  She was a Texting Queen.

8.  She loved shoes.

9.  She loved music and loved to sing.

10.  She would have LOVED "Glee!"

11.  She loved being outdoors and alstroemerias her favorite flower.

12.  She loved being with her friends.

13.  She never complained or fell into a pit of self-pity.

14.  She lived her life to the fullest.

15.  She loved math (although as she got older, would not admit to it).

16.  Her determination ~ an inspiration.

17.  She had a quick wit and great sense of humor.

18.  Her legacy lives on.

19.  She is loved.

20.  She is missed.

21.  Her day of birth a time of THANKSGIVING for having her in our lives for seventeen years.

Corinne's friends with a sculpture of her representing her Scholarship Program.

  First year's recipient above center, family and artist, Jeff Wolf - far left,

Oh you got to you got to remember the love,
You know that love is a gift from up above
Share love, give love, spread love
Measure, measure your life in love.
~ Seasons of Love (one of Corinne's favorite songs)

TWO PEAS.....

Always together.....hand in hand

Always have each other's back

All night and all day

Time and space have separated them, but after several months and 12,000 miles......back in the SAME POD
~ in East Asia!!!! 
(at least for a week)

Strength for the "Do-Not-Die" Program

Strength.

That is a word that epitomizes my Grandmother. She needed it. Little did she know the amount of strength she would need to run her race.

Physically ~

She almost died at childbirth with my mother at age 20.
She had three more children.
She raised her children during the Great Depression.
She sold candy door to door when she became a single mom at a time when they were virtually non-existent.
She took care of her bedridden sister for many years.
She helped raise her granddaughter so her son and daughter-in-law could establish their business.
She worked in her son's restaurant until she was in her 80's.
And I'm sure there's a lot more of which I am not aware.

Emotionally ~

She lost one of her daughters at age four tragically to electrocution.
Her house burned.
Her husband left her for another woman.
And I'm sure there's a lot more of which I am not aware.

Spiritually ~

Her body ravaged with age from decades of living, I "yelled" in her ear, "Life is hard, but God is good."

Without skipping a beat, and an instant nodding of her head, she replied with much conviction, "Yes, He is merciful."


Anna Virginia Yocum Moore's endurance is extraordinary.

Her spirit and humor still intact, seemingly indomitable.

Easter Sunday, as I talked to my mother,

"How's Grandmom?"

"She's good."

"Does she know it's Easter?"

"I told her. She wanted to sing "In Your Easter Bonnet." So, we did."

One day not too long ago, she told my sister that she thought the nursing home was trying to get rid of her. Kathy reassured her that they are not.

"Well," she said, "you better bring me the Vermont Country Store catalog so I can order some new nighties."

One day, as my Aunt Ruthie was wheeling her down the hall of the nursing home, she laughingly said, "Pull in to one of these closets, so I can 'kick the bucket.' "

Although she did not "sign up" and is more than ready to go be with the Lord, she has declared:

"I must be on the 'DO NOT DIE' program."

I can understand why she thinks that.

She will be 104 on her next birthday in August.


Dear Grandmom,

You don't need new nighties from the Vermont Country Store.
You are clothed with strength and dignity.
Your fortitude and gracious demeanor with which you lived all of your 37,595 + days, without complaint or self-pity, is more beautiful than the most dazzling gown ever made.
You can rejoice at the days to come knowing you have left me with that legacy which I hope to exemplify as well, pass on to my children, and then to their children.

Thank you for all you've done for me and all you've been to me.

Happy Mother's Day....for the 83rd time!!!!

I love you more than words can express,

Becky


Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. Proverbs 31:25