Ice Cream

Just thinking about ice cream.

Cold, tasty, melting on your tongue...(not eating it too fast so as to prevent the ice cream headache).

My favorite is Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate.

With pecans.

Ah, life is good.

What's your favorite? Do you mess with it by adding stuff?

Do you like two flavors together?

What time of day is best for ice cream?

Where do you like to eat it?

Alone or with somebody? Who?

Whatever, whomever, wherever, whenever, ice cream is good for your mental health.

Reminiscing

It's Dave. He started it. Browsing through the tons of old photos we have in boxes and files and albums. Nothing like an old picture to bring back old memories.

We have ooooed and awwwwwed and laughed and wept at the great experiences we have been allowed in our nearly 50 years of marriage.

Here is one of those moments...

Background is that daughter Susan was born in the Philippines during our first term as missionaries there. We were nearing the time for our first furlough when I took this series of shots of her and made appropriate captions for our newsletter to supporters.


"Only a short time till we go to the States."


"I haven't got a thing to wear!"


"I'll have to get busy and make something new on Mom's sewing machine."


"Then I'll be pretty to meet everyone!"

It's Only a Quarter...

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston , Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.

When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it."

Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as 'a gift from God' and just keep quiet."

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change."

The driver, with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I have been thinking a lot lately about going to church. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at there on Sunday."

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, "Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter."

Beautiful Christian

Following is a poem my good pal, Angie, sent me today.
I thought my readers would enjoy reading it, too.

Beautiful Christian
By Maya Angelou

When I say...'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean living''
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Aw...

I think they were engaged at this photo event...circa 1993.

Susan had the big bow syndrome.   (I loved 'em on her.)

Ben had a birthday last Sunday.   I love you, Ben.

A FAVORITE PHOTO

The Rodgers family, Ben, Susan, Kayla, Levi, Trinity.

Great Children's Cup missionaries to Africa.  Great kids.  Mine.

Pray

Coming soon!  Get ready!  August 1 to September 9, 2008.  Children's Cup's Forty days of Prayer for the Children.

If you will be praying with us, please send your name to us (pray@childrenscup.org) and we'll put you on the list.

The prayer guides are at the printer.  If you are on 'Cup's mailing list you will receive yours in your snailmail box about 10-14 days from now.  If you are NOT on the list, say so (pray@childrenscup.org) .  We'll send you one.  If you need more than one, let us know that, too.

And you can also participate by going to our 40 Days of Prayer site.  You can even type in your own prayer if you want to.  Check it out at www.childrenscup.org/v2/fortydays

"Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and [a]everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven,"  (Matthew 18:19 Amplified Bible).

It's true:  Prayer changes things.