Thursday, August 6, 2009

Remembering

Posted by Noel at Thursday, August 06, 2009
Four matching picture frames hang in a straight vertical line on a narrow space on my living room wall.

That's my rotating exhibit of 8 x 10s from my most recent travels or special family event.

Right now the photos are keeping China in my mind. I couldn't choose just 4 from all my photos, so these are Chinese sights. Later will come Chinese people and Chinese places.



1 comments

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

"What can Brown do for you?"

Posted by Noel at Tuesday, August 04, 2009

At lunch time today, Talitha and I were in line at Subway 3 blocks from home, ordering sandwiches, when someone tapped me on the shoulder, "Is that package ready?"

Out of nowhere, our smiling UPS lady had appeared, asked about the package I'd mentioned to her at my backdoor yesterday, and just as quickly disappeared.

We still don't know where she came from or where she went--Superwoman?

Anyway, she's watching out for us. Makes this inner-city neighborhood feel like a small town.

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Monday, August 3, 2009

Thanks for vacation

Posted by Noel at Monday, August 03, 2009

Vacation took us to Georgia, South Carolina, southern Minnesota and northern Minnesota.

We had reunions with Johnny's family and with my extended family and with friends. One of those weeks, Barnabas and family were with us.

For most of a week, we were the substitute shopkeepers at Jumble Thrift Shop in Fulda, MN.

And then came some quiet days of sleeping when we wanted and reading when we wanted. Each day we three walked hard together for 1/2 hour and then Talitha and I would cool off in the water. One weekend Ben and his family joined us.

I am so aware that it is a privilege to have such weeks. Every good and perfect gift is from our father of heavenly lights. I'm pretty sure that some year his good and perfect gifts to us will not be so obviously sweet and pleasurable.

I pray I will receive those times with as much gratitude as I feel now for this summer.

1 comments

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Our wayward children

Posted by Noel at Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Extended is a good way to describe my family. So when we have a family reunion, we come from far and near and we fill all the table space while we fill ourselves with good food and conversational catching up.

Earlier this month, my husband spoke a few words to us all before we ate. He reminded us that all the families in the Bible are broken families, as are our own families. We are not alone in our suffering over a wandering husband, wife, child, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin or grandparent. Together, our only hope of healing and wholeness is through the Cross.  

As we wait and pray for that reconnecting and reconciliation, how do we act toward that one who is "away?" My son, Abraham, was away and now he is back. His advice comes from personal experience:

No strategy for reaching your son or daughter will have any lasting effect if the underlying goal isn’t to help them know Jesus.

Jesus.

It’s not so that they will be good kids again; it’s not so that they’ll get their hair cut and start taking showers; it’s not so that they’ll like classical music instead of deathcore; it’s not so that you can stop being embarrassed at your weekly Bible study; it’s not so that they’ll vote conservative again by the next election; it’s not even so that you can sleep at night, knowing they’re not going to hell. (Read the whole article)


1 comments

Happy birthday, monsieur

Posted by Noel at Wednesday, July 29, 2009


DeTocque.jpg

History buffs will recognize the name of Alexis de Tocqueville, who was born this day in 1805. He traveled around America in the early 1800s, and recorded his observations in Democracy in America. 

I haven't read the book, but he is quotable and still much quoted. Often he commented on our society:

Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude. 

But he also noticed the kind of people we were. And I have to say, I've run into a few of these people lately:

An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls into a dissertation. He speaks to you as if he was addressing a meeting; and if he should chance to become warm in the discussion, he will say "Gentlemen" to the person with whom he is conversing. 

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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Planning a wedding?

Posted by Noel at Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Hmm. Why didn't we think of doing our wedding processional like this Minnesota couple?

Oh, wait a minute. I just remembered. I don't know how to dance.

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Monday, July 27, 2009

The center of the universe

Posted by Noel at Monday, July 27, 2009

My friend Jo was a child when Apollo 11 landed on the moon: 

I was living with my family in Karachi, Pakistan.  We didn't have a television, but I still have vivid memories of huddling around the radio listening to the live broadcasts. A couple of weeks later we got to see films of the landing in school. . . .

Technological advances then were outward focused . . . .

(read the rest)


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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Catchy and true

Posted by Noel at Sunday, July 26, 2009

We must be as courteous to a man 
as we are to a picture, 
which we are willing 
to give the advantage 
of a good light.

Ralph Waldo Emerson 
The Conduct of Life
1 comments

Friday, July 24, 2009

Shopping camouflage

Posted by Noel at Friday, July 24, 2009




Can you find Talitha amongst the Apple Jacks?

Hint: She's the one that makes you smile.








2 comments

Sunday, July 19, 2009

The blessings of being in Fulda

Posted by Noel at Sunday, July 19, 2009

(You can see some more photos of Fulda.)

God blessed me in many ways during our days in Fulda last week.
 
We woke in the mornings to quietness--just quietness.

The first morning, I opened the curtains and had a jolt of pleasure seeing a giant whimsical periwinkle-blue cup and saucer out in the flower border.

Shelly has created in their house a setting that ministers peace to my spirit--neat, uncluttered, mostly white with touches of color, especially blue.

The blue and white lamp that used to be in our living room makes me smile, because now it's in just the right setting in THEIR living room.

Talitha biked to and from the shop freely, without worrying about safety.

Talitha asked her daddy why he was driving so slowly. "I guess the town just makes you move more slowly."

Being in Fulda meant we were close enough to Dana and Christa's route to have a visit with them on their way to their new home in Sioux Falls.

I gained new appreciation for the Shelly's effort and energy to bring this dream to life and that she shaped this "outside-the-home" work to be oriented on her family.

I discovered some of the valuable facets of Jumble Thrift Shop:
 Community: Junior stopped by one day and Burt another, just to say hello.
 Service: A couple of people said how glad they were to have a place to bring their still-good items without having to drive 20 miles.
 Consolation: I met one of Karsten's colleagues from Minnesota West Community College, who was grateful for a place to donate household belongings of her parents-in-law who had passed away in the past year. 
 Convenience and price: One woman who spoke little English was able to afford lots of basic items, perhaps for a new dwelling. 
 Friendship: Friends know where to find Shelly Wed-Fri, 10-5. I was glad to meet some of them when they stopped it.
 Broad vision: One woman told me she liked bringing in donations and shopping where a 10% of the income is goes back into the community and another 10% helps women and children in other countries. 

In other words, we thank God for Karsten and Shelly who gave us a taste of their life, who trusted us with their house and dog and business, and who let us be free in their town among their friends.
1 comments

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Jumble's menswear

Posted by Noel at Saturday, July 18, 2009

The model you've been waiting for keeps warm 
in the cool breeze outside Jumble Thrift with a 
cozy fleece jacket his fashion consultant advises him to  keep.

2 comments

Shoes! Which shoes?

Posted by Noel at Saturday, July 18, 2009

So many wonderful shoes--how to choose the right pair for the right outfit? For Talitha, the outfit couldn't be temporary, just for a photo shoot. It had to be one she'd love to add to her own wardrobe (except for the shoes--"too high for you," according to her mother).

Here Talitha mixed brown tones for a dressy casual look--taupe khaki cargoes, brown cotton tee, darker brown wrap-look jersey long vest, with white sandals. Or would the like-new black and white checked open heels ($2) be better? Or maybe the brown gold-trimmed wedges ($2)?

Or maybe, best of all,
 the strappy black dressy sandals ($2).

Well anyway, here's an outfit to smile about--
and take home (except for the wonderul red high 
shoes, Mother says): Light orange denim jacket, over brown-and-orange print cool cotton top. (Jeans from Talitha's personal collection).

3 comments

Friday, July 17, 2009

Guest Models Visit Fulda

Posted by Noel at Friday, July 17, 2009

Joyce models cotton knit shirt that she liked so much she bought it and white leather slip-on sandals by Montego Bay ($1).

Lisa wears 2-piece vest-trousers outfit in delicate green by Jantzen ($3) and strappy white 2-inch-heel sandals ($1).

Morrow sits among $.25-stuffed toys and other similarly-priced toys, wearing an outfit his daddy bought for him.

Orison puts a motorcycle ($.25) through its paces . . .

. . . and shows off his "new" inline skates. 
And last but not least . . . 

. . . Abraham sports an outfit you don't want to miss out on if you're a white belt, 
or want to look like one ($12).

2 comments

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Visitors from afar

Posted by Noel at Thursday, July 16, 2009
Joyce and Lisa came from Minneapolis and
brought lunch--good food, great company

And they shopped.

Orison and Morrow came to spend time with us

And they brought their daddy too.

Next post: Visiting models!

p. s. Yesterday's books tallied perfectly. Unfortunately, I can tell already today's going to be more of a challenge. Talitha left me running the cash register and somehow a purchase for 1.25 + tax turned into $3+, and with the customer watching me I couldn't remember how to cancel and start over. Good thing Talitha's usually here.


0 comments

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

What's hot in Fulda?

Posted by Noel at Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Who's hot?
Not the cool woman dressed in natural fibers chosen from
Jumble Thrift Shop!

100% cotton jumper by Erika -- $1.00
100% silk shirt -- $2.00
(Who says tops must be worn UNDER a jumper?)
Dress Sandals by Fioni -- $3.00

Don't worry, if you're dying for the sandals, it won't be ME -- I mean, our MODEL -- who buys them out from under you. She managed to stay balanced just long enough for the photo shoot.

The model chose jewelry for the shoot. But our fashion consultant, Miss Talitha, advised otherwise.
4 comments

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Cashier in training

Posted by Noel at Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Tomorrow we begin our new 4-day career, running Jumble Thrift while Karsten and Shelly and the kids to go to Sonshine Festival.  

This evening we got trained in. Tomorrow early they leave. At 10, we open the store. What have we gotten into? Or to say it more precisely, How in the world can they trust us with this?
(Obviously, Vanna is better at this than I am.)

Well this gives me something to add to my old-dog-new-tricks list. At least, I hope (for Karsten and Shelly's sake) I end up learning something. I believe God never wastes anything, so I'll be on the lookout for what he has for me here.

Tune in tomorrow for a first-day report and sometime soon a fashion blog or two.

4 comments

Sunday, July 12, 2009

What am I missing here?

Posted by Noel at Sunday, July 12, 2009
The cheerful cashier placed my cantaloupe in a bag. She rolled the plastic tight to the melon and dropped the bundle into another bag. 

"I always double-bag these things. They're so heavy, I want it to get home safe."

I hope it's the thought that counts.
1 comments

Friday, July 10, 2009

Más Que Todo Jesús Te Ama

Posted by Noel at Friday, July 10, 2009








Earlier this year, my 14-year-old niece, Somer, was in Guaimaca, Honduras, with a group from her church.

One resource was the Spanish edition of the tract, "Most of All, Jesus Loves You," adapted from my book of the same name. 

They were dispersed widely and received gladly by adults as well as children.
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Thursday, July 9, 2009

Lesley, this is for you.

Posted by Noel at Thursday, July 09, 2009
Lesley and Talitha yearned for chicken salad croissant sandwiches from the Red Rooster in Barnesville. But when they went last week, the chicken salad was all gone for the day, the ONLY day available to them together.

Now Lesley has returned home. But Talitha and I had a date today and Talitha's longings were fulfilled.

Sorry, Lesley. We thought of you.

P.S. Your candy is in the mail. Really, I mean it.

3 comments

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Southern Surrealism

Posted by Noel at Wednesday, July 08, 2009

sur·re·al·ism (sə-rē'ə-lĭz'əm)    
n.  
  1. A 20th-century literary and artistic movement that attempts to express the workings of the subconscious and is characterized by fantastic imagery and incongruous juxtaposition of subject matter.

Seen in central Georgia: 

A tree with its roots in a rainspout

Outlaw Josey Wales overseeing get well cards and glittery rag doll angels

What's your latest surrealism sighting?













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