They Cast Their Nets In Galilee

Sea BreezesThe above picture is the scene I see every morning on my way to school as I drive over the Darien River bridge. We hear a lot of fishing talk where we live. Our little town is on the Atlantic coast and a lot of folks make their living from the sea. Fish of all kinds, shrimp, crabs and oysters are really cheap here compared to other parts of the country. Our seafood is fresh and tastes wonderful. Every weekday morning, I drive over the Darien bridge and am always awed to see our fleet of shrimping boats docked and ready to go out to the open sea for a days' catch. Shrimping is hard and dangerous work, the weather can change violently for the boats and they have to seek safe port. Some seasons are better than others. Fishermen spend long weeks out at sea away from their families. It can be a dirty, nasty, long hour job. Those friends of our who fish our sea love their jobs. They recount the hours on the open sea as free and peaceful, in a sense.

This morning at church we sang a hymn which makes me sad; yet makes me think. Our Lord called those fishermen away from their peaceful lives to change them completely and make them fishers of men. Many died as martyrs for Our Lord. They suffered for His Sake. I think all our suffering as Christians is for His sake. If, in the middle of our sufferings in this life, we can take the hand of One who suffered for us because He loves us so, then our suffering takes on a new meaning. Our suffering comes in so many forms, financial, loss of loved ones, illness, injury,loss of jobs, failures, anger at friends or family members.
And yet, we are still offered a peace that the world understands not, a peace that passes all human understanding. I will see those fishing boats pictured here as I drive over the bridge in the morning and think of those first simple fishermen called by Our Lord. Here is the hymn. I hope it makes you appreciate Christ's Peace. Are we willing to suffer for Him? He suffered for us, and died that we might live.

They cast their nets in Galilee just off the hills of brown
such happy, simple fisher folk, before the Lord came down.

Contented, peaceful fishermen before they ever knew
the peace of God that filled their hearts brimful, and broke them too

Young John who trimmed the flapping sail, homeless in Patmos died
Peter, who hauled the teeming net, head down was crucified.

The peace of God, it is no peace, but strife closed in the sod,
Yet let us pray for but one thing-the marvelous peace of God.

Give Thanks

Sea BreezesIt is suddenly that season to give thanks. In this economy we are all giving thanks for our jobs and simple things such as food and shelter. In this age of divorce, I find myself giving thanks for my sweet husband and all the love he gives to me. Our marriage is something I treasure. I give thanks for my children, and spouses and my grandchildren, and my son's girlfriend. I give thanks for our church and our dear friends, old and new. I give thanks for our silly animals that keep us laughing and busy. I am thankful for my education and my students.

This year we are thankful dear Tonya is headed toward the end of her cancer treatment. It has been a rough year for her, her family and all of us. We all have learned a lot about love and hope and perseverance. I am thankful for those lessons.

I am thankful we serve a Lord who loves us beyond our understanding.

I am thankful for the problems this year has brought because they have made me stronger and wiser.

We are closer as a family because of joining together in Tonya's fight for her life. She is still fighting and we are still hoping and praying for complete healing.

In Thanksgiving for you all readers, Phyllis

Lewis and Miss Pippin and Sunday and Patrick's Birthday.

Sea Breezes I hope you are having a great Sunday. I know we are. Life is easy today for the English Cocker Spaniels. Pippin went to Savannah yesterday to get groomed and Lewis tagged along. The spaniels have had an easy day today running the yard and snoozing on the couch and the screened porch. Holly and Patrick are on their way over for dinner. Today is Patrick's 24th birthday.Happy Birthday Patrick! We love you! The weather today is lovely, sunny and warm and 82. Signs of fall are well, sort of hard to find, but they are there. The mornings are cool and perhaps a light jacket is needed....until the sun comes up! The ocean temp is still in the 80's and the beach weather is, well, fabulous. I went shopping with Holly and Katie yesterday at Hilton Head Island and we had a blast. Hope your day is restful and fun. We will continue to enjoy our fall days. We do have a pumpkin on the front porch. Sappy, the porch cat has taken to sleeping in a flower pot. Looking forward to starting another week. Remember to take time to praise the Lord each day and please continue to pray for precious Tonya as she battles cancer. She starts radiation soon and she continues to amaze us all. She is the bravest person I know. Enjoy your blessings and give thanks for children, and homes and jobs,grandchildren and pets and marriages and cars and all the little things we take for granted. "For the Lord God made them all."

Lewis, Our Newest Blessing

Sea BreezesLewis is here. In the picture of both dogs, Lewis is on the left. We are so glad he is here. Pippin is in heaven! They have played and played. Our family has grown now, two English Cocker Spaniels and a cat who sleeps in a flower pot on the front porch. Are we normal? Absolutely. We are smiling at the love that these creatures share with us and thanking God for His creatures, great and small. Welcome to insanity, Lewis. We promise to love and protect you, Sappy and Pippin promise to, well, annoy you on a daily basis. I am staying home today to bond with my new family! Enjoy your blessings.

Lewis Is Coming!

Sea BreezesHere is a picture of Lewis right after he finished his championship. He is so beautiful! We are going to be his forever home because his mommy show English Cockers and has had a bout with health problems, so needs to place a few of her dogs. We feel blessed to have him. I haven't met Lewis, but a friend has kept him a lot and his mommy also told me what a wonderful boy he is with a sweet personality and gentle ways. He plays with her puppy and of course, he will be wonderful playing with Pippin. He and Pip are both neutered so there will be no puppies produced. I will own a real show dog! Wow, but most of all I will be mommy to two lovely English Cocker Spaniels whose beauty and gentle ways stop people wherever we go. Tomorrow, my Lewis comes!

Pippin is getting a Big Brother

Sea BreezesThis is my Pippin, my beautiful English Cocker Spaniel puppy. O Sunday she will get a big brother. His name is Lewis. He is also an English Cocker Spaniel and is a blue roan, the same color as Pippin. Lewis just finished his championship. He is a beautiful boy, and we can't wait to meet him. This breed of dog is the sweetest breed I have ever known. We love the one we have so much, we are getting two. Stay tuned for pictures of Lewis.

The Annual Blessing of the Pets

Sea BreezesLast Sunday was The Annual Blessing of the Pets in honor of St. Francis. All of us community animal crazies got together to celebrate the creatures of God whom He has entrusted us with. I love people who love animals. Animal folks are down to earth, full of humor and compassion for all God's creation. We are a bit on the nutty side and share animal stories in abundance. This Saturday there was truly a menagerie of creatures from love birds to horses to dogs, mutts, cats of every color and rescues from the Humane shelters. Can you spot Pippin? She was sporting her pink bandana. I wanted to share with you some creatures great and small. Please remember that the Lord God made them all! We serve an amazing God who gave us dominion over all His creatures. May He guide us and remind us to take this responsibility seriously. Enjoy the pixs of some of my four legged and winged neighbors.