"Do you know my Jesus?"

While recently in Arizona visiting my family, my father took a few minutes to do some story telling of days gone by.  Addie, in particular, is always asking, "What did you do when you were little."  I encouraged my Dad to share his story about his dear Aunt Fern.  It went something like this...

"My Aunt Fern and Uncle Clifford raised me and my three sisters because my mother was in the hospital when I was a young boy for many years.  They were my mother's brother and sister.   Aunt Fern was a strong Christian and spoke about Jesus the way you might speak about a book you loved. She was never ashamed to speak about Jesus and would talk to anyone about Him who would listen. 

There was not a day that went by, that I can remember, that the scriptures were not read in our home in at least the morning and often twice a day. After breakfast Aunt Fern would open her bible and read to us kids.  Then after she'd read we'd stand up, pull out our chairs and kneel in prayer.  Any child who met us at our home in the morning to walk to school with us would immediately be brought into our bible study and prayer time.

The story your Mom is referring to is this.  My Aunt Fern did not drive and so we had to depend upon someone else to get us anywhere we needed to go that required driving.   We'd be driving along the road and she'd see someone hitch-hiking.  Back then you wouldn't think twice about picking up a hitch-hiker but you wouldn't do that today.   She'd see someone coming down the road and she'd say to the driver, would you please pick up that guy and let him sit next to me.  Everyone would shift over and the unsuspecting traveler would get in the car and she'd make small talk with him.  'How are you?'  'Where ya' heading?"  And then she'd come out with, 'DO YOU KNOW MY JESUS?'  And she'd begin sharing Jesus with the person.

One other story, there used to be a man who came to our door that sold brushes.  Brushes of any kind - to clean with or whatever.  She'd always have enough money to buy at least one.  When the sale was over she would reach out her hand to him and she'd say, 'DO YOU KNOW MY JESUS?'"

Whether or not you believe this is the best way to reach folks for the Lord, the point I took away from my father's story, and that I hope my children took, was that Aunt Fern was not ashamed to speak of Jesus to whoever would listen.  This story has encouraged me through the years and so I pass it along to you. I'm grateful my father took the time to share this sweet family history with my kids and hope the heritage of those that have gone before them will inspire them in the future to not be ashamed of the gospel.  Below is a picture of my dear GREAT Aunt Fern with my Dad and two of his sisters and beneath that one is Aunt Fern and my Grandma King.

Musical Instrument Museum Arizona

While recently in Arizona, my father came up with the great idea of taking my girls to the Musical Instrument Museum.  It was absolutely amazing.  If you're ever in Arizona, I highly recommend it.  The museum was sectioned off into different regions of the world, as well as genres.   The had an Octa-bass which stood as tall as the room.  And, apparently, someone can actually play it.  There was a room in which the children could practice on the instruments and they had a Grand Steinway that both of the girls played on. The museum provides you with headphones so you can walk around and listen to everything that is viewed on the screens without disturbing all the other patrons. It was a fantastic field trip!

Above is a picture of Addie in a section where a piano was taken apart so you 

could see how one is constructed.  It was fascinating exhibit.

 The picture above and below is one of the Olympic drums that was used at the 

opening ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing.

 

Desert Foliage in Arizona

This past week my family had the opportunity to head out to Arizona and visit our family.  While there, my father patiently stopped about 10 times while traveling up the mountain to Payson through the Verde Valley which goes through Tonto Forest.  If you haven't ever had the opportunity to go through the desert, it has a beauty all its own.  I was amazed again at how beautiful and striking God's creation is in the desert.  The yellow cactus above reminded me of God's mercy to us if we only had the eyes to know what we were looking at.  The flowers on this cactus always point south.  Can you imagine if you were a traveler, back in the day when you had no compass, how helpful that would be?  God's mercies are everywhere!