Sweet Memories, Oh These Precious Ones

September 19, 1996: Murray took the kids to the mall the other night. Caleb said, "I smell chocolate pretzels!" He was right; they were by a store selling chocolate pretzels.

The kids are going to have lunch at school today because they're having pizza. We were talking about that yesterday, and Sarah said she wanted pizza, too. Caleb said seriously, "I'll tell you all about it, Sarah."

Rebecca was riding with Murray in the car, and he said, "Hey, Rebecca..." and didn't finish his thought, listening to something on the radio instead. She said, "What?" and he said he didn't know. She whined again, "What did you want?" and Murray said, "I'm sorry, I forgot what I was going to say." Rebecca whined, "Make something up." Murray said, "Wow, that was a pretty airplane ... was that okay?" Rebecca shook her head no.

September 20, 1996: Sarah was in the bank with Murray, and he let her have one of their suckers. She was running, and Murray warned her that she could get hurt if she fell. The 2nd time she ran, he took the sucker out of her mouth and threw it in the trash. She was pouty, and after they left the bank, said, "When I'm a big woman, I'm going to make list-es (lists) every day that say you can't have suckers."

October 1, 1996: The other night we were trying to get Caleb to think of the word fat, because it's one of his spelling words. Murray said, "What do you get if you eat and eat and eat for two weeks, and never stop?" Caleb said, "A stomach ache."

At lunch on Sunday Caleb said, "Mommy, I just heard somebody sneeze in my stomach." "I'm sorry to hear that," I replied. "I just heard them do it again," he said calmly.

It turned cooler and windy as the day went on today. When Murray and Sarah went out to get the mail, Sarah said, "This is a nice winter day," then, "This is a horrible, biting WEE-yend. Wind," she corrected herself quickly. (Probably still trying to get rid of her southern accent, which, no doubt, Murray teased her about.)

Sarah is making a necklace for Grandma Brinkmann. She said, "She'll say thanks, and like it."

October 6, 1996: Sarah told Murray she wanted a "whole pop of a soda." (That must have been the age when they started learning “pop” from their neighbors, instead of listening to their parents call it soda.)

October 13, 1996: Murray asked Sarah how many biscuits she would eat for breakfast, and she answered, "As many as you will give me."

October 15, 1996: Sarah was showing me a picture of Jesus being crucified, and she took my hand and touched the places on the picture where there was blood. She said there was blood here and blood here and blood here and, "Here, blood just all over God."

October 16, 1996: I was just fixing some carrot sticks for supper. Sarah wanted to know why they had dirt on them, and I said because they grow in the ground. She asked, "Did rabbits bring them out?" 

We usually have salad dressing to dip our carrot sticks in. She asked if we were going to have carrot sauce tonight. We talked about the "sauce" being cold because it's in the refrigerator, but she asked, "Why is the sauce cold? Because it's got the bottle wrapped around it."

October 18, 1996: The other day Murray took the kids grocery shopping. When they ask for something that he doesn't want to buy, he always checks the list that I send with him, and tells them they can't get it because it's not on the list. So when they came home the other day, Caleb said, "We obeyed the list."

October 23, 1996: This morning Sarah asked, "When it's a new day, like Wednesday, what does Jesus do with all the other days?"

October 24, 1996: Yesterday at lunch Sarah told me that she likes to look up when she prays, because Jesus is up there. Yesterday afternoon we were praying, and I told her to pay attention; we were talking to Jesus. I was looking at Sarah while we prayed, but she tipped my face up and said, "Pay attention to Him."

I Can Trust in You

Isaiah 53:3-5,7-9,12:

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,

Yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;

The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away.

Yet who of his generation protested?

For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong,

Because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.

For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Matthew 28:5-6:

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

Like the cruelty that was laid on you, Lord,

The rejection, the loneliness.

Because of the love you had for me,

You were willing to suffer and take my punishment.

But death could not hold you, Lord.

The victory of resurrection, the glory of eternity is yours.

So, despite the ugliness of my life and sin,

Because of what you did for me,

I have this   promise of eternal hope.

I can trust in you.

1 Corinthians 15: 20, 55-57: 

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

 “Where, O death, is your victory?

    Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Longest Road Trip

We left Ohio early Friday morning for a ten-day road trip to visit my mom and both our daughters, surely the longest road trip Murray, Ping-Hwei and I have ever taken.

What was the most interesting place we saw on Friday as we passed through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and into Iowa where Rebecca lives? Somewhere in the midst of Iowa we stopped at The World’s Largest Truck Stop. I know it’s true, because when Murray smashed a penny for me, it had printed on it, “The World’s Largest Truck Stop.”

Murray had a hard time finding coffee there, which is really not surprising, since it was The World’s Largest . . . What we did find though was a pair of flip-flops, cushioned with Iowa grass. I told Rebecca I really wanted to buy her a pair, except they cost nineteen dollars. She said she could live without them, just knowing I’d really wanted to buy them for her.

We had a lovely time visiting Rebecca, as always, and getting to know her boyfriend Steve better. I’m sure he’s getting to feel at home with us, since almost the first thing Murray said to him was, “You didn’t shave today, did you?”

Rebecca’s cat Millie and I have a new relationship. We made it through the whole weekend without her biting me.

Rebecca took me grocery and gift shopping, which is always a delight. I said we should get ice cream, and she said, “Okay, but I get to choose what kind.” Then she also picked up some Reese’s Cups and little chocolate doughnuts. I love that girl.

We appreciate Ping-Hwei so much, and this trip was no different. He told Murray when he was taking the wrong road. He reminded me of where I’d forgotten my watch and nail clippers. And, when Murray and I were grouching at each other as we got out at a Burger King, Ping-Hwei said, “The car is still on.”

In Missouri visiting my mom, we had lunch with my brother Rodney. I wore my bright orange shoes just for him, and he didn’t disappoint me. He said, “I’ll need to get shoes like those next time I go deer hunting.”

We joined Mom’s quilting group on Tuesday at the one room school house Mom attended through 8^th grade. It is now a community center.

Murray looked through some of the old books they had there and found one with Mom’s name in for checking it out 70 or more years ago. It was called THE LITTLE SWISS WOOD-CARVER, COPYRIGHT 1929.

Murray’s said for years he wants to get a doctorate, in anything, just so he can tell people to call him Dr. At the hotel in Wisconsin, he realized he could just forgo the trouble of education. When we needed covers for Ping-Hwei’s bed, Murray picked up the phone and called down to the desk. “This is Dr. McKinsey in room 206.” Then he happily told the person on the phone, “It’s just a joke; I’m not a doctor. But my wife just snorted really loud.”

Sarah had some shopping she needed to do while we were there, and a few things she wanted Murray to help her with around her apartment. At breakfast she said, “Eat up, finish up, we have a lot to do today.” She gave Murray some instructions in her kitchen, then said, “I like directing people.”

She is such a joy.

We came home Sunday evening. Stopping at many toll booths, we always meet interesting people minding the booths. Some are quick and polite. Some don’t say a word. Once, it was a computerized voice who spoke to us.

On the way home we met a gem. She was bright and cheerful, talkative. Seeing our lunch bags in the car she said, “Call ahead and tell me you’re coming next time. I’ll give you my McDonalds order.”

Oh, and did I mention my book was released on Tuesday, April 2? I’m still floating around a good bit about that.

https://www.amazon.com/All-My-Tears-Kathy-McKinsey-ebook/dp/B07P92QZPJ

Check out the links below for my guest appearances this week on blog posts for the following authors:

Karin Beery:  http://karinbeery.com/?p=4874

Joy Avery Melville: https://www.journeystojoy.net

Catherine Castle: https://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com/2019/04/10/wednesday-writers-all-my-tears-by-kathy-mckinsey/?fbclid=IwAR08XkhQU-aLompp6ewjP5z83A6oAYE1P87opwcQhCd0yTttIpxpcnHxUVU

A Lady I Look Forward To Meeting

Today I had the chance to have a guest post on the blog of my friend, Author Emily Conrad.

Read the article, and get to know Emily. I appreciate her books and her faith so much.

A Woman I Look Forward to Meeting

by Kathy McKinsey

The woman at the well from John chapter 4. I don’t just want to meet this lady. I want to sit down and have a conversation with her.

According to verse 39, she convinced many in the town to come out and meet Jesus. How did she do that? What made her want to? . . .

Read more at https://emilyconradauthor.blogspot.com/2019/04/a-lady-i-look-forward-to-meeting.html

Psalm 119:73-80 Yodh

י Yodh

Your hands made me and formed me;

    give me understanding to learn your commands.

May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,

    for I have put my hope in your word.

I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.

May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;

    but I will meditate on your precepts.

May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes.

May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.

What wonderful promises God gives us in these verses:

Just as we trust he formed us with his own hands, we can trust that he will teach us how to obey him. As we meditate on God’s word, we will find his comfort and compassion.

And if we follow his commandments, we will not be put to shame.

Father, thank you for your comfort. Help me know better how to share it with others.

Deep From The Heart by Mary Lou Cheatham

Mary was one of my first critique partners and has stuck with me for five years. She’s patiently given me many helpful suggestions about the writing craft, and she’s honest and gentle when telling me I need to add things which are missing from my stories.

Also, I love reading her work, from historical to contemporary. I appreciate Mary so much and highly recommend you check out all her books.

Here’s what she says about her newest book.

A Dangerous Love

DEEP FROM THE HEART, releasing March 25 by Mary Lou Cheatham, takes us on a journey of romance and suspense.

Ava Molino, a millennial, travels to places where she finds her mission of reaching the hurting and the dying—the troubled souls in a crumbling west Texas town. It’s a romantic thriller about a Methodist minister who leaves the security of pastoring churches near her friends and dear ones in Mississippi to revive a dying church. She also hopes to fall in love.

She rescues others. Who’ll rescue her?

DEEP FROM THE HEART can be pre-ordered in Kindle form now and delivered on March 25. Also close to that time, Southeast Media Productions will release the paperback form. A few days later the recorded version will be available on Amazon.com and Audible.com for purchase.

Mary Lou Cheatham’s heartfelt sympathy for the downtrodden has served as an inspiration for many of her novels, including The Dream Bucket.

Go to maryloucheatham.com to read more about DEEP FROM THE HEART.

To pre-order:

https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Heart-Mary-Lou-Cheatham-ebook/dp/B07NV3KJTK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=deep+from+the+heart&qid=1553028090&s=books&sr=1-1

Sweet Memories, Oh so Many Laughs

August 4, 1996: After dinner, Rebecca said, "Mommy, can I show Sarah what pork chops are? She doesn't know." We didn't realize REBECCA knew what pork chops were, but she went and got the "pork chops" --they were chopsticks.

August 9, 1996: Last night Sarah said to me, "Do you know how much I love you? As BIG as the back yard!"

I asked Rebecca to give me a book this morning, and when she handed it to me, she had the attached bookmark hanging out. She said, "Here's your doggy, and here's his chain."

August 12, 1996: A couple times recently Rebecca has admired some clothing of Sarah's. Sarah replies brightly, "When they are too big for me, you can have them, Rebecca."

This evening, Rebecca was trying to twist the stem off of an apple. She was working vigorously, turning again and again, and asked Murray, "Which way do you turn it?"

August 16, 1996: The kids went to VBS at a neighborhood church this week, and they were trying to tell me yesterday how loud the music was. Rebecca said, "Let's say that when a giant talks in a soft voice, it's as loud as when you scream. This music is as loud as the giant screaming."

August 17, 1996: I gave the kids an old mixing bowl to play with. Caleb and Rebecca were pretending they were making a cake. They put a bunch of toys in the bowl, then Rebecca said, "Now, my recipe says, pick it up and shake it!" So she did.

August 18, 1996: Sarah was yelling in the car and Murray was trying to listen to the radio. He finally turned the radio off and said,"Are you done?" Sarah said that she was. Murray asked how he could know she was done. She said, "I'm calming down."

Rebecca was telling on Sarah, and said that "She arched me to go to a place I didn't want to go to." ("urged me")

August 21, 1996: Murray fell off of a stepladder today and was pretty sure he had broken his ankle. As our neighbor took him to the hospital, Rebecca asked Kathy, "Do people die from broken bones?" Kathy assured her that they didn't die, that they might just get a cast. So Rebecca said, "I'm sorry Daddy hurt himself, but it will be very interesting having somebody in our family with a cast."

August 25, 1996: A Bible verse Sarah has memorized says that God saves the crushed in spirit. Last night she was sad and moaning around, and I said I was sorry she wasn't happy. She whispered to me, "I'm crushed in spirit."

When Sarah wants to refer to a little bit of something she says, "A beeney bit."

August 28, 1996: The other day Sarah asked very curiously, "Why doesn't Ping-Hwei like milk? I like milk better than water." We have told her that milk is good for her bones, and she wants to know how the milk gets into her bones. The other day she said she knew how it worked now. She said, "Jesus opens up the bones so the milk can go in, and then He puts them back together again."

September 4, 1996: Last night Rebecca was talking with me about what cats say and what they understand. She asked, "If cats are in China, do they understand what people say to them in Chinese?"

September 9, 1996: This afternoon it was 94 degrees, but this morning, it was 60. Caleb said this morning that he was cold. He said, "I want to wear my mittens."

Sarah knows how to tell if people love Jesus. After our neighbor Terri asked them over to swim in her pool, Sarah said she must love Jesus because she shared her pool with us. When a car stopped for us in a parking lot, she said that person must love Jesus because he didn't run into us.

September 11, 1996: The other day Rebecca asked me what I called the top of a house. I said roof, pronouncing it like boot. She said some people say roof, pronouncing it like book. Caleb said, "I say woof." (He's quite able to pronounce R)

When Sarah is excited about something, like if she finds out she's going to get a surprise, or if she has something she really likes to eat, she often says, "Praise the Lord!"

September 12, 1996: Murray and Sarah went to the Orthopedic Surgeon today, and Murray got a walking cast. Sarah asked him, "How come the doctor just looked and the nurse did all the work?"

Isabella, a little neighbor girl was over to play today. She asked Sarah to tie her shoe, but Sarah told her that she hadn't learned how yet. Sarah brought her in to have me tie her shoe, and Sarah told Isabella, "Blind people can tie shoes."