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For those that have resided in Oklahoma, you understand the lyrics of the song are accurate, “where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain, And the wavin’ wheat can sure smell sweet, When the wind comes right behind the rain. OOOOk-lahoma, Ev’ry night my honey lamb and I, Sit alone and talk and watch a hawk makin’ lazy circles in the sky.”

During my years of early marriage, we spent approximately five years in Enid, OK, surrounded by ranches and wheat farms. How greatly I enjoyed watching the wheat flourish as the beautiful, golden, stalks waved and glistened before the harvest. The wheat harvest was not beneficial for our asthmatic son whom endured the symptoms during his infancy and pre-school years. Nonetheless, I recall it as a vivid and picturesque memory.

Oklahoma doesn’t possess the same beauty as the states with mountains, rivers, streams and tall majestic trees, but how I cherish the splendor and magnificence of the wide-open spaces as the brilliant sun sets upon those plains. Recently, I viewed Ken Burns, documentary on the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s. As Ken noted, “this was one of the worst environmental disasters in the history of our country.”

Have you heard of the “next year” people? They are the optimistic people from the dark and incomprehensible days of the Dust Bowl which developed in the lower portion of the great plains.  When the “next year people” realized their current year was a “miss” with their crops and finances they said “there is always next year.”

The dirt below each of us is land, soil, dirt or dust depending upon its’ form. For them, their land; the soil which had provided their food and financial security became something to be despised; the soil became dirt and dust which decimated everything in its’ path.

As I viewed this poignant documentary, I thought of our current situation causing life altering changes. While many of us are now wearing masks as we go outside our homes, the people of the dust bowl wore masks or wet towels over their heads and faces day and night inside their homes, as well as outdoors.

It is beyond comprehension, that in addition to the hardship of the dust bowl, the country was experiencing the great depression. Tearfully, these survivors shared of the nightmares they all experienced during one of the gloomiest eras of our US history. People were contracting dust pneumonia as rapidly as the virus which is now spreading throughout our country and the world.

As the dust filled the nostrils and lungs of animals and mankind, it became mud, suffocating those it affected, causing countless fatalities.  Crops and livestock were annihilated as cattle died where they stood, unable to breathe. Crops were suffocated, buried under tons of dirt mounds.

Can we realize that even during these times of tremendous adversities, God is with us?  NIV, Job 1:21, “…The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

I will occasionally deviate from the journey of my life and the gifts of God’s love to share topics which may be an encouragement and/or inspiration to you; my readers.  Don McMinn shared a subject, which I also have strong opinions about; the last and enduring impression. As Don mentions and we all know, making a good first impression is important, but isn’t it often the last impression which remains with you?

I think of my own personal experiences and sometimes there is great joy, while at other times the last image or impression was one which leaves me with great sadness. Have you taken a trip where the last memory of the trip was a departure dinner or gala? As Don mentioned in his blog, it isn’t always about the weather or the “oops” moments on the trip, but the last event before people shared their hugs and good-byes.

What about the service person that enters your home? Do you offer a “thank you” as they depart?  How about offering them a bottle of water to continue on their journey? I’ve always desired to be the customer they recall that was kind to them.

My daughter and I went on a trip last year; our first together and one which has lingered in my heart and mind for these past nine months. Our last evening together was in Canada and I both cry and smile when I think of some of her departing words to me, “Mom, the smile has never left your face.” She is right. If I had died that night, I trust my smile and the love I have for her is what she would have remembered.

When I last saw my mother, the sadness still fills me with tears.  As I held her tiny, frail face in my hands, I told her I loved her and I would see her again. I told my mother often in her life that I loved her; always hoping to hear her words of love for me. It never happened.

I don’t know if my mother did love me, for she refused to articulate those words.  Yet, as I bid her farewell with a promise to see her the following month, that moment would be our last.  Days before her 89^th birthday, God called her home. My last image was that of my mother with stage 4 colon cancer, telling her I loved her and yearning to hear the same.

There are many sentiments I tried to instill in my children, but one which I spoke over and over is that we can “never travel this way again” and “what if”, that moment with someone was your last? The impression you leave may be a gift or an offense.  Don McMinn states, “think carefully about how you end all relational encounters…A well-orchestrated ending can make a significant difference.”

Do you want your last encounter with someone to be one they cherish or a memory which causes them to be sorrowful?

Luke 6:31 NIV, “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”

Have you ever had those times in your life when you think, “God, how did I miss this one?” Such is the case with this long and challenging journey which began last week. As I shared, I arrived at my original volunteer destination only to realize this was false advertising.  While heading back home, my daughter encouraged me to investigate if another resort or inn could utilize my time and talents. As I knocked on an innkeeper’s door in another village, I was informed “yes, indeed they could use me.” With much kindness and hospitality, they accepted me as a volunteer, but quickly realized this was not beneficial for them.

I’m returning home, but this time not stopping to smell roses along life’s path. I realize that with every event in life, there is a purpose and often a lesson. God is always in the details, even when it appears things went awry.  I know if God lays something on my heart again and I pray for Him to direct me, I will not back down from a challenge.  However, I will be more cautious and perhaps expend more exploration.  Even though I did my research this time, I “missed the mark.”

As in all situations there are positive elements if we choose to seek the optimistic and not the pessimistic. I spent some loving and memorable time with my brother, sister-in-law, niece and her family.  I also learned things are not always as they appear. Although, laughingly I acquired that lesson many years ago. Additionally, I was blessed to be a part of the Sunday morning worship service at the church where my brother is interim pastor, interacting with many caring individuals. This was a time to be reminded of I Thess. 5:18 KJV “In everything give thanks…”

As I had shared, I was heading north to WI for a month-long volunteer stint. After two days of driving over 1,150 miles, I arrived at my destination. Shock and disbelief were the first words which came to mind upon  arrival.  After telephone calls and e-mails to the owners for over two months, I was astounded to see the accommodations were unfit for even my little dog. The room smaller than my closets contained not a bed, but a cot without a full set of linens or even a pillow. There was not a closet nor a rod for hanging my clothes. They knew I was coming with my bicycle and sewing machine as this had been discussed “at length.” The filth and stench of the room allowed me to realize most probably non-human residents would have been bunking with me.

I wondered how anyone would be willing to allow someone to volunteer for them 40 hours per wk. for a full month and then provide accommodations inferior to shelters? As I drove away, the numbness was so enormous I could not even cry. I telephoned my daughter informing her I had no option, but to return back to OK. Not dealing with the situation as I was, she was wise in her counsel. “Mom, there has to be someone else in the area that can use your time and talent.” I said, “you are right.” I will see if I can locate someone. If not, I’m heading back home.”

As I pulled over to the side of the road, I continued the prayer I had begun when viewing the appalling living arrangements at the resort, “God I prayed about this before I began this adventure, so please show me now what you would have for me to do.” I researched resorts and inns in the area. God is always in the details, so He led me to an inn where the owner/innkeeper was present. I inquired about anyone whom could use a retired volunteer for a month. God led and God intervened. Yes, the new inn could use me. So now on day 2 of this adventurous, journey, I’m awaiting what will be in store for me. Psalm 37:23 NKJ “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in his way.”

How could anyone desire more? Hearing, inspirational words from Chuck Swindoll and his team on cherishing our family, meeting dozens of other Christians and hopefully making friendships to last a lifetime, viewing God’s majestic handiwork, but most of all making beautiful and treasured memories with my daughter have filled my blessing basket to abundance and overflowing.

I had never been on a cruise, but chose to go on this one, as it was Chuck’s 40^th anniversary of Insight For Living and having been a member of his church on two separate occasions, I knew this would be an opportunity I didn’t desire to miss. I also knew there was no one I would rather share these memories with than my beautiful daughter. Words are inadequate to describe all which transpired over the 10 days I was gone. I can only say “thank you God.”  Andrea and I had never been on a trip together and this was also a “first” for each of us with the cruise. It was far more than either of us expected, so that too was a joy immeasurable.

As Andrea and I shared often during the trip, it would not have been as memorable had we not shared it with the other 848+ travelers whom were there for Chuck’s tour. As with many things in life, there was a week of “emotional and inspirational highs”, but reality returned.  As Chuck shared on our last night of the trip, we can’t spend our lives being waited on as we were for the week aboard the cruise. Nonetheless, what an elation to return home, knowing that all the words we heard and hymns we sung are reminders that God is with us for our every need in every situation.

I depart in the morning for a month-long volunteer commitment. I will share as much of my voyage with you as possible; not disclosing my locale until the conclusion of my journey. Years ago, I promised God for as long as He gives me the stamina and abilities to do His work, I will. No matter what we do or where we go, we are always witnesses for Him. When others know we are God’s children, we can choose to be shining lights or impediments.  Matt. 5:16 (NKJ), “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good words and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Would you love to turn back the clock to where your life was before “whatever”; before your children left home, before you lost that job, before you lost your parents or other loved ones, before your mate left you for someone else, or countless other things in our lives which we don’t want to live? As pastors say often, if we knew what the future held for us, would we do what God desires of us or go where He leads us? However, none of us are given that opportunity. As we all know, today is tomorrow’s past. As we go to bed tonight, today will be history. It will merely be a memory. If we are God’s children, do we allow our todays to count for Him, or do we wish we could “turn back the clock” to another time? We can’t change what others say and do to us. However, we can all make our days and memories count for something, for someone and always for a purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

I know some of you received the sentiments one year ago, “2018 will be your year.” As we close out this year and begin anew, I know for many of us it was not what we could have called “our year”. As I learned the reality of the abandonment of my ex-husband of 44 years, it brought more sorrow than I believed I could endure; infidelity. I was betrayed a second time; the first when he left me 6 years ago and the second when I learned of his long-term affair, which began while married and hidden from me.

With knowledge of his infidelity he was most happy to tout of his love for her, the trips and times together they share. I have shed more tears these past 8 months than I have shed in my entire life. How grateful I am for God’s promise in Psa. 30:5”…weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. May each of you have joy for all of 2019.