Stacy

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:25–26

• I’m truly thankful for things I once took for granted such as having a large family. Their vibrant lives, as you’ll hear in their updates, focused me on living rather than fear.
• In January I began a read through the Bible chronologically in one year program. This has been an anchor for my soul. Clearly God reveals that He rules over plagues, pestilence, and panic that sweep entire nations. “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and evil come?” (Lamentations 3:38)
• “Momma, will I ever get to be a human again?” asked Chip, played by Verla in the musical Beauty and the Beast this July. Oh the irony as the few allowed audience members sat distanced and masked listening to the performers sing Human Again.
• Morally and philosophically, I struggle with policy mandates that take direct aim at God’s commands when healthy people are told: “stay alone, don’t work, don’t gather for worship, don’t sing, etc.” The Great Barrington Declaration addressed my concerns, so I signed it.
• Why such a polarization among our citizens? In "The Roots of the Present Crisis,” Os Guinness addresses the critical differences of the American and the French Revolutions and how the two distinct worldviews continue to shape our divided national understanding of humanity, constitutions, and response to cultural injustices.
• Reality clashed with expectations when I stood at the Grand Canyon North Rim tightening my hat and hearing roaring as if a jet were taking off! Doesn’t it appear silent and serene in photos? Warm air rises up one wall of the canyon and sweeps in cooler air from the valley below. Majestic ponderosa pines glorified God and captivated me with fragrant scents and whispering sounds.
• I dreaded the thought of open-heart surgery for my dad who needed a heart valve replaced. I had witnessed one of those decades ago in nursing school. To my delight, I learned that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive heart procedure now practiced with a high degree of success. On May 12 he was dropped off at the FL hospital, and on May 14 he was released feeling like nothing had happened! Two weeks later, he drove from Bradenton, FL, to Indianapolis for Ruth’s May 30 wedding!!!
• Curly Girl: The Handbook by Loraine Massey dramatically influenced my hair care. Who knew it was possible to have long hair without using a brush, comb, or pick! My curly girls wish I had known this a couple decades ago! I think they forgive me for what I put them through! Wavy, curly, and kinky hair are addressed in the book, and it’s not just for girls—contrary to the title. There’s a chapter for men as well.
• Elizabeth & Josh Morris have made their Canton, GA house a welcoming, comfortable home. Learning about an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and flowers and serving every variety of customer at Publix produce, Elizabeth has found her niche. She’s been working 32+ hours a week and is applying for a full-time position. At the same time she’s diligently taking classes like Physics 2 and Calculus with a plan to earn an associate’s degree in Applied Science after one more semester of 5 classes! Josh keeps in shape as a Cherokee County animal control officer. This summer he answered a call from a woman reporting a 12’ boa constrictor under her front porch. He should tell you the story of how he managed to remove the weighty 8’ red-tailed boa. Josh carries a lot of responsibility!