We have arrived!

November 6, 2021

We’ve Arrived in Tennessee!

This blog is a little late. Since arriving over a week ago, we’ve been sick or busy settling in. Every time I would sit down to write this, something else would come up!!! Ever have that happen to you?

So, what has been happening?

Last you heard from us, we were in Warrenton, MO at the CEF Headquarters serving where needed for a week. Our plan was to then join mom and dad Dekle in Branson, MO for a week of vacation. That all changed when mom had an accident which prevented her from making the trip. As a result, we decided to spend a few extra days at CEF before heading here to Tennessee earlier than planned. The Branson trip was postponed for another time. In Warrington we visited supporters, served in the CEF kitchen, in customer service and maintenance, plus spent time with friends. We were encouraged by our time there and pray we were an encouragement to those we came in contact with.

Tim and I are getting to know our surroundings by riding our bikes more. We are helping here with projects whether they are for mom and dad Dekle or for CEF of NCWA. Though we are not in Washington for the next half year, there is still much Tim can do to help them from a distance; he sits in virtually on committee meetings where he offers input, compiles reports for them, assists Good News Club teachers over the phone as they have questions, is currently narrating several CD’s for a Christmas event being put together by Starlene (our former CEF director) and making himself available to help the new teacher trainers prepare for their training classes. I have several projects to accomplish this winter for the Story Barn ministry.

Meanwhile mom is trying to improve my sewing by giving me a greater challenge. She is making a Thanksgiving lap quilt with lots of applique and helping me to make one at the same time. The key word here is “helping”. I am not ready to make one all by myself, as it would take me all winter.

We have a fantastic view of mom and dad’s back yard. In the mornings I marvel at the beauty around me as I have my devotions. The Fall colors are still so incredibly vibrant. As I sat in my chair, the day after our arrival, quite immersed in my Bible reading, the sudden singing of a bird very close by demanded my attention. I looked up and became mesmerized by this beautiful little brown critter I had never seen before who stood on our huge mirror singing with all his might. It was fascinating. He would sing this lovely song loud and strong, rotating around the mirror slowly several times as he did so. The whole production was over 5 minutes long then he was gone. Would you believe he repeated the performance the very next day, only this time it became a duet. Macska, my cat, was sitting in my seat and she, who is normally very quiet, came up with a unique sound I had never heard come from her before. I have heard Tigger talk to the birds, but nothing like this. She kept it up the whole time that little Carolina Wren sang as if she were singing along with it. It was amazing. Even now, as I write this days later, I can’t help but be in incredible awe of our Creator as I write this. Words don’t even begin to describe the praise that mounts up inside me.

Psalm 66:4 declares, “All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name” ESV. Psalm 96:11-13 says, “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord” NIV. And Revelation 4:11 exclaims, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” ESV.

There are so many passages which ascribe praise and worship to our Creator God for His creation. When you experience the beauty of God’s creation, what is your immediate reaction? Spend extra time this week out in nature, praising God for such a precious gift.

Blessings,
Mari