There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

MATTHEW 26:7



Wednesday, December 31, 2014

NEW YEAR'S EVE-A PAST, THE PRESENT

This morning my Alabaster Box is principally for "All Mine". This is to tell them about the most devastating day in my life. Next month I will have lived 3/4 of a century so that is a lot of days. 

It is New Year's Eve, 2014 and I really don't like New Year's Eve. I have been awake since before 3 this morning with another New Year's Eve on my mind but then that day has been much on my mind for a good bit of this year so this morning is not so different from the last several months.

It was December 31, 1959, I was 19 years old, one month shy of 20 and I was 9 months pregnant with my second child who was due at any time. There had been problems for most of my pregnancy with bleeding and labor pains, trips to the doctor only to be sent home when the labor stopped.

A couple of months before, my mother was in a wreck and was seriously injured. My tv hadn't been on so I had not seen the news, didn't know until my brother and sister knocked on my door. They sat me down before they told me Mom was in the hospital. She had told them she was afraid that I would lose the baby now. 

Back to New Year's Eve, I had stayed the night before at Mom's and Dad's so I wouldn't be alone in our apartment while Len worked on the 3rd shift. When he came in we went home but he had plans to go hunting at his Mom's and Dad's in Indiana and as he was wont to do, he would do as he planned no matter what. I told him today was the day I was going to have this baby. He was rather upset with me for having the audacity to upset his plans. 

There were no pains or other indications that today was the day but I just had that feeling. The baby was moving oddly. Not the gentle stretching and moving about but a wretching, flopping that I had never experienced before or since in my later pregnancies.

Len was like a cat on a hot tin roof. He said he had some things to do and would be back shortly but shortly didn't come. 

By late afternoon, I knew I had to call someone because labor had set in and I was at home by myself with 2 year old Jeff and had no car. It is a good thing Mom was able to drive after her wreck and had gotten another car. We took Jeff to their house to be taken care of by my Granny, called the doctor and went to the hospital in full blown labor. 

Labor stopped once again but it was decided that I should stay at least for the night and Mom went home. 

I could hear the girl in the next room having such a hard time. I found out later that she and I were the same age, she was the daughter of one of Len's coworkers and she had a breech birth. 

I drifted off to sleep when things quieted after she was taken to delivery but excruciating pain brought me out of that. The nurse couldn't believe the baby was already crowning because she had checked not long before. I was rushed into delivery but was told the doctor wasn't there so the baby couldn't be born right now. I was groggy but had the sensation of the baby moving out and being pushed back in several times then was given something to knock me on out. 

"Carolyn, Carolyn", the doctor was trying to get me awake. "The baby didn't make it". He had a permission for me to sign to allow an autopsy to be done on the baby. I was 19, I was alone, I was groggy, I was heart broken and I signed the paper. 

The baby was a boy. I named him Larry after my brother. He was born before midnight on December 31, 1959. He would be 55 years old today. He would be handsome like his older brother, Jeff. I know this because they tell me he looked just like Jeff had when he was born 2 years earlier. I never saw him or held him. He was named Larry because I had been so sure this baby was going to be a girl but Larry bet me if it was a boy he was to have his name and he won. Larry had been my rock through this pregnancy. He took photos of the baby for me but they were destroyed before I could see them. He and Len were the only ones at baby Larry's graveside as I lay in the hospital unable to be there or help with any arrangements.

This bothered me for many years that Larry didn't have a proper, respectful goodbye-that he was in a graveyard by himself till 1995 when I could have him moved to be with my Granny with his family in attendance. His two grandmothers [both of his grandfathers had passed a few years before], his brother, Jeff, his younger sisters-Kim, Donna, Melinda, his nieces and nephews, his aunts and uncles were there and I was there with his dad for a graveside service.

with my Granny

As I said before, this day, these months, have been on my mind almost constantly since August 4 when I got the call of another 19 year old who would be going through the same grief. In that case, there was no forewarning of anything wrong with the baby but there will always be that missing piece, that hole that can't be filled with anything for both those two young people. I think the room is the same as it was the day the door was shut after Isabella-cwainscott.blogspot.com/2014/10/isabella-in-gods-hands.

So, my children, my grandchildren-"All Mine": 
I've never gone into all this deeply before with any of you. This is why losing Isabella has been doubly hard, it has been being 19 again, it has been waking up in a delivery room again to be told "the baby didn't make it", it is seeing the grief and hurt Erin and Travis are going through and not being able to do or say anything that can lessen or take it all away.

This has been a hard year with losing Rick, then Isabella and going through cancer surgery and radiation but I am looking forward to great things for the coming year.

I am going into 2015 knowing that I will see them all one day. We are going to have a great time together. 

May God bless and keep you
Carolyn Wainscott









Sunday, December 14, 2014

THE AFFECTS OF ADDICTIONS ON FAMILIES

On my way to lunch with "the gals" I was listening to Dr. Charles Stanley tell of a man who had owned a flourishing business, had had a wonderful family and had owned a large home but was now driving a taxi, living in a one room efficiency because he had lost everything. He had begun drinking, oh, just a social drink now and then at first but it didn't take long for alcohol to take over his life. Alcohol had become first in his life to the neglect of everything else-his business, his family, his home. How sad. 

I hope addictions have not impacted your family as it has mine. There have been several drug related deaths, loss of jobs-homes-self respect, loss of family, children uprooted and being raised by people other than their parents, distancing among family members, traffic violations, incarceration, loss of driving privileges, fines, fees-it goes on and on and the road out is a long hard one. 

5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. 
Isaiah 1:5-6 

Most tragic is the affect on the children involved-being raised by others than your parents, the embarrassment of everyone knowing what is going on. Not having nice things like your friends. The sad part is that so many of their friends are in the same condition with absentee parents. Absentee doesn't mean just physically gone, it also means spiritually and mentally. It means children having to fend for themselves. 

With all this, I have no sympathy with addictions after seeing the impact on those children and the rest of the family that has to pick up the pieces and keep things going. They don't have the luxury of copping out the way the addict has and it is a cop-out, a selfishness, a self centered mind set to get that next fix no matter what the cost to those around them. 

My take on addiction is that it is a choice, not a disease and not genetic. There may be a tendency in families towards weaknesses but in the long run it is a choice. God gave us a brain and a mind to choose how we will live our lives and everything we do affects everyone around us like a pebble thrown into a pond with radiating ripples. 

...

14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days
1 Kings 3:14 

The genetic argument was thrown at me over the phone by one of mine. It was what she was being taught at an alcohol half-way house after incarceration from DUIs. I told her if that was the case I was one of the biggest drug addict, alcoholics there is. Since she had never seen me take so much as a drink or smoke a cigarette, she was rather taken aback. I told her all 5 of my uncles were alcoholics and towards the end of Dad's life, he depended on alcohol to give him some relief, though temporary, from the emphysema that had him on oxygen 24/7. I had made the choice in my lifetime not to take my first drug or think that alcohol was a must for a good time. She told me I lived in denial [it is a good thing we were talking on the phone because if I could have gotten to her at that moment it might have been detrimental to her health]. 

I told her it wasn't denial if I chose every morning to get up and do the best I could without numbing myself to circumstances around me, and trust me there were circumstances, it was definitely a choice and not an excuse to excuse myself from life. Bad times may be a reason but it is no excuse. 

Yep, that's my story and I'm sticking to it so don't give me that genetic, disease, poor little ol' me tommy rot. God gave us our brain and our mind and the freedom of choice-you are what you make of it because when or if you come out of that stupor, life is still there, problems are still there but on the other side of addiction, now they are probably much worse. 

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 
2 Chron 7:14 

May God bless and keep you and all yours
Carolyn Wainscott


Saturday, December 13, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-THANKFUL FOR MY ROOM

There was no good news again this morning on tv either local or national with all the civil unrest and natural disasters.



All of this makes me doubly thankful for my nice cozy room in my nice home that houses 4 generations. Yes, it can get hectic, it isn't what a nice quiet retirement could be but as I sit here enjoying my little electric heater that looks like a fireplace, you won't hear me complain. I love my home and especially my room with its own bath where I can retreat for peace and quiet when I want. 

My yarn is waiting for my next project for Christmas, there is a stack already done and I have several more to do. Photos appear in my email and in messages on facebook from the girls hinting for different handmade things-hats, fingerless gloves, etc. that are too pricey for them to afford . I don't mind, actually I love doing it. They get to wear stuff no one else has and maybe a remembrance later on of the love that went into each piece and I get to pray for them as I work. It is a two-fold, two-way street, they love what I make for them and I love making it for them.  

This evening I will be working on snoods [those 40s looking hairpieces that hold long hair] for three of my granddaughters-Janna, Heather and Kaitlyn. I already have Erica's done. I found the pattern and decided to try it at some point but they saw it laying here and each wants one. 

As I work on the pieces for my girls in front of my fireplace here in my cozy room, there will be much thankfulness for even though I am far, far from being rich, a widow on Social Security, I know that I am still among the top 10% of the richest in the world. 

May God bless and keep you and all yours
Carolyn Wainscott
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is one of my poems I wrote in 1998:

Things haven't changed much, have they? News is still the same. My circumstances are different, however. I was in a different home, I was a wife, My husband retired a couple of years after this was written. We sold that home and moved to what I thought would be my last move to Indiana but that changed also. My husband passed from cancer, that home was sold and here I am back in Ohio. Through all of this I know that God is caring for me.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-MY FOREVER HOME

My "I Wills" are way out the window for this week but what else is new? Tomorrow is our weekly Bible study and I got through three of five this morning and still have 2 more to finish. So much for my resolve of doing one a day that I was doing in the first weeks of the study and for a daily post of thanksgiving. If it doesn't get done before my day starts, it isn't going to get done with all the distractions that come in minute by minute-can you relate??

The study is a great one by Max Lucado called "Experiencing The Heart of Jesus" and this is the last week of a ten week study.  I love the way the author writes and brings things into my realm of everyday thinking and the new slant he gives on situations at times.

This week's study is Experiencing the Hope of Jesus. There is an excerpt from Max's book "A Gentle Thunder" -this isn't home-we don't always feel welcome here-we shouldn't-this isn't our home. Our home is where our Father is. 

Jesus said
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:1-3  

Jesus is coming back for me and you and the author went on to describe his thoughts on what it will be like when all eyes will be looking into the eastern sky to see angels, angels everywhere singing Holy, Holy, Holy

and then the heavens are quiet and there He is-Jesus riding a great white stallion saying "I am the Alpha and Omega."

AWESOME-I had to write in  the margin beside that passage and just think, it could be at any time, today, tonight, tomorrow. There is a good possibility I will see His return in my lifetime and I will be in my forever home @ Mansion of God, Street of Gold, Heaven 11111. 

One of my favorite Bible passages is:
 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True
Rev 19:11 

My forever home-that is what I am thankful for today. There have been many heartaches and heartbreaks in this lifetime but there won't be any in that beautiful place. I will get to rock those babies I didn't get to rock here and see all those I am missing. 

My Bible study was great this morning, 

Thank you, LORD, for everything and especially for my Saviour, Jesus Christ.

May God bless and keep you and all of yours today
Carolyn Wainscott




Monday, December 1, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-FOUR GENERATIONS



I have such grandiose intentions at times. I WILL study my Bible every day, I WILL keep the house in perfect order every day, I WILL keep the laundry all done and folded and put away and I WILL, I WILL, I WILL. 

Well, so much for all that most of the time. My "Attitude of Gratitude" was going to have a daily post-for crying out loud, I have enough to be thankful for to fill post after post after post but that hasn't been done and shame on me. 

Evidently the apostle, Paul, had much the same problem in Romans 7:15-what he wanted to do, he didn't and what he didn't want to do, he did. That doesn't excuse me in the least but makes me feel a little better anyway. 

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Romans 7:15 

I did accomplish a daily post of prayer for America for the challenge of 31 days of prayer so that makes me feel a little better. 

But here I am 4 days after Thanksgiving with not a word since that morning because-what I would, I don't.

There were four generations here on Thanksgiving day-wouldn't you think I would be shouting that from the rooftops-I had three generations to enjoy that I am responsible for-all of them beautiful, healthy, have roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food on their table. 

So, here is my shout!!!!!!!!

We had a great meal with turkey and all the fixin's


that had a wishbone for grandson, Rob to share with his son, Kendall

I didn't have to fix deviled eggs because our deviled egg guru, grandson, Dan, made them


My four children-Kim and Melinda [oh, that's me in center]on swing, Jeff and Donna in the back

grandchildren-Janna, Erica, David on swing, Robby, Dan, Travis, Robert [Heather & Kaitlyn weren't there nor my grandchildren and great, grandchildren who live in Indiana]


and then some of my great, grandchildren
Trinten, Kendall, Silas, Ashlynn on swing, Jenna and Breydon in back


For all of this I am truly grateful, 
Thank you, LORD. 

May God bless and keep you and all of yours
Carolyn Wainscott

Thursday, November 27, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-THANKSGIVING

The house is still quiet, turkey has been in the large roaster for a couple hours now. I should  already be dressed according to times past-but it is different times now. This is my third Thanksgiving as a widow. My first Thanksgiving as a wife was in 1957, one day before my first child, Jeff, was born. I was 17. 

Most of my following 55 Thanksgivings were spent with my in-laws, it was traditional and I loved it. We had good times together. I loved my sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, all those nieces and nephews but I especially loved Noah and Willena-my mother and father-in-law. 

Noah was a sweet quiet man that enjoyed having all his family around and so did Willena-enjoy having her family around, that is. She was a go getter of a woman. She had worked hard all her life to have what she had-Noah had also. 

On Thanksgiving mornings we'd wake up to the smell of the turkey and dressing she had gotten up at 2 or 3 a.m. to put on. She would have cooked for days before and there was never a shortage of good food in her home. 

After eating breakfast she had cooked, the great, white hunters [Noah, Len, his brothers, nephews] headed out to do their great white hunting thing while us little ol' wifey poos stayed at home with the l'il chillens and finished fixing dinner.

How in the world we had so much fun in that little house with that many people is sometimes a mystery to me but we had great times. 

That was a sketch of Thankgivings past, today my family will be together in my home-my four children and hopefully all of their children. Some of the "greats" won't be here because of circumstances but Willena's and Mom's tradition of plenty of food will be carried on.

The last Thanksgiving in 2011 was bittersweet with all of Len's family. We kind of knew some wouldn't be with us the following year, and they weren't. On my bucket list is to gather photos and videos of our gatherings and put them all together so we can relive all those great memories.

Here is a collage of Len and me with our children:

and as adults-the center photo was taken on Mother's day in '03

I hope to get a photo today of all of us together. 

Have a great Thanksgiving. I am truly grateful for my many blessings. I have come through a  bout of cancer this year and we have lost 2 more of our family but God is always in control and He loves me and "All Mine".

God bless you and keep you and all of yours
Carolyn Wainscott

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATTITUDE-CREATION

Sometimes I wonder if anyone really reads my posts, maybe one or two here and there. A large readership wasn't the reason to begin with so I keep writing.

The goal for some posts in "The Alabaster Box" is to inform "All Mine" of thoughts, ideas and facts of things that come to mind, things that we don't have the time to talk about when we are together or on the phone-things I just want them to know. Our mother never got around to memorializing things that we would love to know now but she is no longer with us so we can't go to her to ask and there is no one else in that generation to go to.

Then there are the posts that I feel are God lead that He would have me write.

A message touched my heart a couple of days ago from nephew, Dan, with a suggestion for "The Alabaster Box." So there is was, at least one person reads my posts and even knows enough about them to suggest an idea.

Dan sent this video and I loved it, watched it a couple of times, it is awesome. I told him I don't like using other folks' property but this is online to share so here it is:
http://diply.com/omg-facts/a-man-filmed-heaven-one-week-what-he-saw/39873


I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and many thanks to Dan for thinking about me and "The Alabaster Box."

This shows such beauty my gratitude today is for God's beautiful creation.

This morning this refrain started running through my mind

"This The Day That The Lord Has Made"
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made
We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.

taken from
 24This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 

but I had to add the rest of the chapter 

25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. 27 God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. 28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. 29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalms 118:24-29 

May God bless and keep you and all yours
Carolyn Wainscott


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-FRIENDS

Is it really so that during your lifetime you will only have a handful of true friends? That's what I've heard. As I muse back over my lifetime, that sounds about right------------------------

Let's see:

There was Helen through middle and high school-we both married right out of school, her husband was in the service and they were stationed states away. I visited in their home once and she and her family in mine once. It has been almost 50 years since we have had contact. 

- feisty little Ruby who told you in a New York minute what she thought but she was as honest as the day is long. She raised 3 daughters on her own having sometimes 2 or 3 part time jobs along with a full time job. Our lives were as different as night and day but we encouraged  each other in the 30 some odd years we knew each other before she passed a few years ago. She was always a breath of fresh air. 

-Jan-another spunky little gal who had raised her 3 children on her own. She had been abused by her first husband but you wouldn't know it unless you were around her long enough to gain her confidence . She would do anything she could for you. Always fun to be with, always encouraging-she and Ruby were part of our close knit group before she died on the first day of 1992 of cancer. Jan, Ruby and I were the same age. 

-Mary. We met at church when Len and I moved to Indiana in 2000. I made that little country church my home church from my first visit. We became hard and fast friends with so much in common-we sewed, we shopped, we sewed, we prayed, we sewed, we canned, did I mention we sewed. She learned and became as addicted as I am to quilting even through all her protests that she would never quilt.

-Jennifer. She also attended that little country church, sings so beautifully and took up sewing/quilting with Mary and me. We've taught Bible School together, attended quilt shows, Sunday church dinners and when a call goes out for Prayer, she is one to count on. Jennifer has been battling breast cancer for several years now also.

-Valarie. We met at a presentation Mary and I did to start a quilting class and she also became hooked on quilting and joined Jennifer, Mary and me in our quilting ventures. Valarie's standing order to me is: "if you need anything, call me, I will be there!" She and husband, Ken, have transferred to Texas but she has already sent a photo of her new home with an invite and I haven't seen Texas so who knows-I'll bet they have quilt shows and fabric shops down there.

-Doris. Again, another friend at church. She and her husband were part of my Sunday School class in our former church. She and I both became widows over 2 years ago. You can see some of the encouraging things that arrive so timely she has made and sent in my post: "Little Things Mean A Lot" cwainscott.blogspot.com/2014/10/little-things-mean-lot .  We attend Bible study together, lunch together and she is one of those prayer warriors I can count on, she is a true sister in Christ.

-Betty. The Energizer Bunny-that's our Betty. She has chronic lung disease but keeps on going and going and going. Has been on oxygen for years and she also became a widow several years ago but doesn't let any of that stop her from teaching Bible studies and sending encouraging emails that arrive at just the right time. Another long time church friend, another prayer partner, another encourager, another ray of sunshine.

Here is my handful of good friends-outside my family, that is and that is another post altogether. I've had few good friends outside my family because of such great friends in my family but that is another post.
------------------
Then there are these two precious people, Ralph and Mildred

They are 92 years old. Their 68th wedding anniversary is December 7. My sisters, Jackie and Shirley,  and I had the privilege of lunch with them yesterday in their home. We got to be with them last week for the first time since our mother died over 2 years ago. Mom, Mildred and Ralph grew up together and went to school together in Kentucky. They have remained in constant contact in all those years. They watched us grow up. Talk about lifetime, longtime friends-this is it-true friendship.
---------------------
What about your good friends? Think on them-not on those who have disappointed you or the times even your good friends may have come up short.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phil 4:8 

May God bless and keep you and all yours today
Carolyn Wainscott

Monday, November 17, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE- TODAY'S SUNDRY THINGS

This is the view of my backyard outside my bedroom window this morning. The snow is beautiful, is't it? The first snowfall of the season-early, mid November-schools are closed, roads are hazardous and electricity is out in spots. 


And I am thankful for this? Well, yes-the snow is beautiful and I get to enjoy it from my nice warm home and don't have to go out in it.  I don't need anything but if I did, there are others in the house that could/would handle it
 and 
if I really, really had to go out, my car, even though is nine years old is in good condition and runs great. It has a new set of tires and a full tank of gas that I put in yesterday because of the snow forecast. 

Even though the
 "weather outside is frightful
 but the fire is so delightful
 and since I've no place to go
let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"
I am thankful for my nice warm home, a good running car and those in my life who take care of things for this old lady that have become beyond my scope of doing and those that I am capable of but they do anyway. 

The view from my front porch. Beautiful. I love my yard, the trees. It is a quiet dead end street.




The light was turned off at the 20 items or less register as I stood in line with my treasure trove of sale yarns scavenged from the sale bin. It was aggravating to think I would have to get into another line behind others but the cashier waved me and the lady behind me on up. 

I had already seen that the cashier had an oxygen apparatus as she rang out the people in front of me so I wouldn't have complained to cause trouble for having to go to another line and as I got closer could tell that she was rather out of breath. She could have been my age, maybe younger or older and did her job cheerfully.

Seeing that cashier about my age reminded me how very blessed I am to be able to walk about breathing freely. Maybe she doesn't have to work because of necessity, maybe she just likes to work and Walmart is good enough to hire her even with her health condition. Whatever the reason, I am thankful that I don't have to work outside my home unless I want. 

My father passed away from emphysema, my brother is dealing with it right now and my friend,  Betty, has chronic lung disease. It is terrible and frightening not to be able to get that next deep breath and I need to be thankful for every breath I can take easily-THANK YOU, LORD!!

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Eph 5:20   

May God  bless and keep you and all yours today, may you stay warm
Carolyn Wainscott



Friday, November 14, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-FOR ALL GOD ALLOWS ME TO DO

Boredom-that is something completely foreign to me. When the kids tell me they are bored I tell them to do something-get unbored. 

I can sew, crochet, create, design clothing/quilts/crafts, compute, write, surf the internet to a degree- among other things. I feel very blessed to be able to do many things that I can go from one thing to another but with blessings comes responsibilities. I also feel that when God blesses much, He also expects much. Now, I am not bragging and I am surely not complaining.

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21  lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matt 25:20-21 

I am privileged to have been allowed to be part of creating praise banners for God's glory:


and to make comfort quilts for those in jeopardy. 

So, yes, I am thankful for being able to do what I can do, for being equipped with all I need and for being able and capable. 

It is Friday morning-Bible study morning-another thing I am thankful for being able to do so I need to finish getting ready.

May God bless and keep you and all yours today
Carolyn Wainscott

  

Thursday, November 13, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-JUST IN GENERAL

In the news this morning is the report of three of our young sailors being attacked by a mob while on shore leave. They were taunted, sprayed painted, plastic bags put over their heads then chased to their ship. Here we are a couple of days past Veterans Day and we are reminded again of the sacrifices the members of our Armed Forces make every day even while on leave. So again, I thank God for them and ask Him to shield and protect them and thank them for their service.

I thank God and our military, again, for being able to sit here with my coffee in front of the little heater that looks like a fireplace with rolling flames. I can sit here in safety and comfort. I can sit here in religious freedom with no fear of someone breaking in my door to take away my Bible. 

Sappy? I don't care-I need to be thankful-I am thankful. I know that I am extremely blessed even though I am a widow, I have adequate income for all my needs and more. I don't know the statistics but I kinda, sorta remember that even on Social Security, I am probably among the richest 10% of the world. 

A question posted in one of the blogs I read was "how does the computer and the internet affect your life?" My reply-I love having my computer and being on the internet. I am self taught on both-they didn't teach computer back in my day-shoot, we didn't even know what a computer was-at that point they were pretty much the figment of someone's imagination and what imagination it was. I can barely slog my way around this world of airwaves being able to send things instantly. My grandchildren think I rode in on a dinosaur. 

Because of all this technology I can design and market my designs, keep up with new products and ideas, meet other designers across the world that I would never have the opportunity-the list goes on and on-

So, yes, I am very thankful for my computer that has enabled me to share with you the love of God. 

As I watched the news this morning, this poem I wrote in 1998 came to mind so I drug out that big notebook with my writings and other saved  witicisms to find it. Maybe one of these days that big notebook can be eliminated  if I will take the time with all my tech knowledge to make a folder [yes, see, I can kind of talk computerese]  that can just be clicked through instead of dragging it out and flipping through page by page-trust me-it is a really big notebook that has  funny, sad, smart, dumb   things that would make you wonder about my intellect. 

-THOUGHTS, AS I PUT AWAY MY LAUNDRY-

I've got to build more closets and it has to be done soon
'cause the next time I go shopping, I won't have any room
 to put that Christmas outfit that will look so good on me 
or all the other things I'll get on that shopping spree.

I also need more cupboard space for all that extra food
 to make those special dishes that my family thinks I should.
The new place settings that were added will make everything so fab
but now I'll need more silverware, the stuff I have is drab.

There's a white jeep at church I wouldn't mind having.
My jeep's ok, but still, it's such a dark old thing.
But then I looked at the next spot and really started thinkin'
"what joy there'd be if I could have that great big, shiny Lincoln."

 Finally, clothes put away, I sat down for a spot o' tea
and trying to catch up on things, turned on the news to see.
Nothing good was told about-just rapes and wars and drugs
and adulteries and aids disease and roaming gangs of thugs.

Then I saw that mother staring with vacant, horrified eyes
at her child she held, having to hear his pitiful hungry cries,
she tried in vain, to cover him for a little dignity
and I thought, but for you, Lord, that poor soul could be me.

I should be thankful, Lord, for never seeing my child in starvation
but most of all for Your Son who came for my salvation. 
Please forgive me, Father, for my wantonness and greed
and help me to remember You are all I really need. 
© 1998-Carolyn Wainscott

May God bless and keep you and all yours today
Carolyn Wainscott


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-MY QUIET MORNING COFFEE

As I was doing my Bible study this morning, sipping my black cup o' joe, it came to me how I relish my quiet mornings

and

how I really love my coffee.

So, as strange as it may seem to anyone else, I am very thankful for that black brew.  I got to sit with my sisters and 2 friends yesterday at Bob Evans around lunch and  a pot of coffee so coffee is associated with good times, friendships, and lots more.

And this morning God and I had coffee together as we do most mornings. 

Then my mind rolled on to being able to go to Bible study on Friday mornings
 to
the bookshelf in the corner with several Bibles? [sometimes I jump from one thing to another]
and to one special Bible that is over 100 years old that was my Granny's
.
 With the prayer she wrote on February 26, 1943 for the safe return of her son, George, as he shipped out for WW11. Her spelling was atrocious but God understood every word she wrote and her prayer was answered with his safe return, 


With this prayer written almost 72 years ago, yesterday being Veterans' Day comes to mind and the sacrifice the men and women in our Armed Forces make and how very thankful we need to be to all of them. 

Yesterday we had the privilege of having lunch with a WW11 veteran, he is 92 years old. It is because of him and his compatriots that I can enjoy my quiet morning coffee. 

So thank you, LORD, for my quiet morning coffee.

 Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
Psalms 75:1 

May God bless and keep you and all yours today
Carolyn Wainscott

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-MY FAMILY

When it comes to family, I am very blessed. I am the oldest of 5 with 2 sisters and 2 brothers and we all enjoy being together and having our families together. No one can poke fun at each other any better than we can-our gatherings are usually laugh sessions except those times we are together in prayer for each other. There have been times we have come together just for that in in heartbreaking circumstances so, no, our lives have not been all a bed of roses.
 We are all grandparents now and great, grandparents. Our Granny lived with us and took care of us while Mom and Dad worked. We always had a roof over our heads and food on the table. My favorite meal to this day is pinto beans, cornbread and fried taters because it seems we had that a lot. Granny had supper ready when Mom and Dad came in from work. You can read about my Granny in my post:
MY HERO

Then when I got married at barely 17, I gained 3 more brothers, a sister-in-law and 3 more sisters and I have loved them as my own brothers and sisters. We have had good times and and bad times, also. My father-in-law, Noah, and mother-in-law, Willena, were super, family centered folks as my own parents and I have always enjoyed being with all of them in these many years since 1957.

Between our families there are beaucoup nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great, grandnieces and nephews. If we all got together, we would have to rent a stadium.

Then there is the center of my world- "All Mine".

All Mine includes the three sons Len had before we were married, the son we have, Jeff,  our three daughters, Kim, Donna, Melinda, and their families [yep, this is a lot]. Circumstances didn't allow me to be much a part of Len's first three sons until we moved to Indiana in 2000 when he retired but they are part of "All Mine" anyway and since that retirement, we have lost all three of them.

Though we don't have Jerry Lee, Rick and Bill any longer, I still have my  daughters-in-law, Pam, Sherry and Helen and they are like my own daughters. Their children and grandchildren are part of "All Mine".

When an edict goes out from The Queen Mamaw, they all get it.

No, this almost 75 years I have been allowed on this earth haven't been a smooth, sunshiny path-there has been much heartache but I am so very, very blessed to have had my family.  I have watched my own in sports and activities, then my grandchildren and now my great, grandchildren.

Here are some of the great, grandchildren 3 years ago. I was in crochet mode and had made each of them an outfit.


Thank you, LORD, for All Mine, for keeping them in safety and health.

May God bless and  keep you and all yours
Carolyn Wainscott









Monday, November 10, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-CANCER FREE

My aspirations for a daily "Attitude of Gratitude" post are already out the window. I missed the second and third days-so much for that. That's my life, too many distractions to be thankful for what I have but it seems there is always time to grumble and complain-well, that may not be yours but it is mine.
Forgive me, LORD.

Today, November 10, 2014, let me tell you about more of my "Biggies" that I am so grateful for:
my health and well being.

I will be 75 years old in a couple of months. I don't take any medications except for an occasional Aleve or aspirin for a headache or discomfort from arthritis in my hip but that is very occasional.

Oh, there have been some illnesses in that over 74 years and in September, 2004 I was involved in a wreck that could have put me in a wheelchair for life. If you saw the car you would think I shouldn't be able to walk but I am walking. If the car had jumped into reverse instead of lurching forward, my grandson, Travis, would have been injured seriously or killed. Instead, the car took itself 94' into a tree and totaled itself. My leg was broken and that has led to arthritis over the years and worked itself into my hip but I am thankful to be able to walk. The discomfort is a reminder of how blessed I am that Travis wasn't hurt and I am still on my feet.

In the spring of 1990,  I was diagnosed with breast cancer in its early stages. You can read more about my recovery and the way God helped me work through those months in my post,
MY THERAPY-MY QUILTS~EL TIGRE



Then a few months ago during a pre physical for cataract surgery, breast cancer was found again and again it was in its early stages. The cancer was very small-able to be removed in a lumpectomy. My lymph nodes were all clear and radiation treatments were done for good measure. Even though it was highly recommended by doctors, I have opted not to take a follow up drug for 5 years that is supposed to decrease the chances of cancer returning in the next 10 years. It has side effects I don't want to deal with including ovarian cancer, aches and pains, headaches-I have no aches and pains-why would I want to disturb that? I am trusting God for my future.

If not for having to have the physical, I probably wouldn't have had the mammogram, just didn't want to take the time right then but I did want to see and the cataract had to be removed. God has a way to direct our paths and this was His way for the cancer to be found before it progressed any further. 

So here I am near the end of 2014, with successful cataract surgery-able to see without glasses [which is wonderful by the way] and cancer free after my second bout in almost 25 years. 

I am so very thankful for my health and well being.

May God bless and keep you and all yours.
Carolyn Wainscott



Friday, November 7, 2014

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Yesterday was the 31st day of my posts in prayers for America-others started October 1 but as a lot of times, I am a day late and a $ short but when I got the little Prayer Atlas in my hand at Bible study a few days after they had been handed out it instigated me to use the guide here and it warmed my heart to know that some were reading my posts.

Now I am on a campaign for gratitude, for myself, for All Mine, and if you want to come along please join me. I try to keep an "Attitude of Gratitude" because there is so much for me to be thankful for, so much to be told that I want to share with those near and dear to my heart.

First, let me illuminate you on "All Mine"-they are many, they are the three current generations directly under me [subject to change at any given time with marriages, births, deaths], the ones God has put in my direct line of care. I keep a list with each name by family in my Bible-some days their names are called out to God individually, some days by family and other times simply as All Mine.
They are my sons and their families and my daughters and their families. Four of my boys are gone but my daughters-in-law are just like my own. 

Today, I'll start with my biggies:

GOD
yep, that's as big as it gets, isn't it? He is always there with me and for me, I couldn't get through a day without Him. 
Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
Psalms 75:1 

JESUS
My Saviour

I am thankful for living here in America. There is no other country with as much freedom and abundance. 
and
I am very thankful for my wonderful new home here in Ohio.

  
I'll stop there for today. I could go on til the day God takes me out of here and still not have listed all my blessings. 

May God bless and keep you and all yours today
Carolyn Wainscott
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
just one more thing-let me share one of my poems:

THE LILY OF THE VALLEYS

Though you walk through the valleys of The Shadow And Despair
and believe the life you've led is far beyond repair,
though your enemy awaits you in his dark, craggy lair
and in the past you've been unable to escape his snare,
though the burden that you carry is more than you can bare
and hopelessness engulfs you and keeps you so aware
that you feel so all alone and will no longer dare
to lift your eyes to meet another cold dark stare,
though your valleys seem impassable there in One who cares.
Just go to Him on bended knee in prayer
and The LILY OF THE VALLEYS will go with you there.
© 2001-Carolyn Wainscott 

Thursday, November 6, 2014

31 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR AMERICA-DAY 31

Thursday, November 6, Day 31

And here it is: the 31st day of prayer for our nation. We have prayed for our leaders, our Armed Forces, churches, Christians, spiritual renewal, candidates for office-
and does prayer make a difference?

We have seen a lot happen- school shootings, riots, an election.

Do you think our petitions to God had anything to do with the outcome of the election?

or

Former Marine Andrew Tahmooressi Held In Mexico To Be Released

ANDREW TAHMOORESSI

after almost 300 days being held captive? Is it just a coincidence that he was released in this 31 day time period?

So let's continue praying for our America-

for a great outpouring of God's Spirit on our country

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions
Joel 2:28 
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams
Acts 2:17 

for the admonition of 2 Chronicles 7:14-15  to become a reality in our nation:
 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Eph 3:20-21 

May God bless and keep you and all yours today and thank you for joining me in this 31 days
Carolyn Wainscott