A couple weeks ago, I received a series of texts in the middle of the night from my credit union notifying me it appeared my credit card information had been stolen and was being used to charge items in the Pacific Northwest while I live near Tampa Florida.  I logged into my account and, sure enough, there were several unauthorized charges on my account. I contacted the credit card company as per the instructions in the texts and confirmed which of the recent charges were legitimate and which were fraudulent. 
 
Fast forward a few days and I began to receive notices from UPS informing me they would be delivering a package requiring signature from an industrial vendor the following Friday. I was confused as I couldn’t remember ordering anything and was sure I didn’t recall the vendor.  As promised, the package was delivered Friday albeit without my signature.  The package was a padded envelope used for shipping small items.  I noticed the shipped-from label was not the industrial vendor but a local well-known retailer.  And, one of the fraudulent charges was from this retailer.  Hoping I had not ordered something without remembering or our cat had helped me order a $33 item, I opened the envelope.  Inside I found a detailed order form and a manufacturer packaged item.  I logged into my online account and searched my email to verify I indeed had not ordered the 2mm high speed steel thingy.
Next, I called the vendor’s customer service to ask their advice for what to do with the thingy.  The agent and I had a long chat and determined scammers were not always smart – The order form in the package had several identifying numbers enabling the agent to identify the phone number, email @ress, and professional account number of the orderer.  Based on the information both the vendor and the credit card company have identifiers for any recourse. And I still have the thingy.
 
Hmmm – what is this thingy?  I don’t want to open the manufacturer’s package in case I am instructed to return the thingy to the local retailer.  It reminded me of other unknowns in my life:  my future; the stability of the stock market and my 401K; the possibility of hurricanes in western Florida; all sorts of things I cannot predict.  Paul preached to the Athenians the identity of the Unknown God . (Acts 17:22-23). 
 
I am thankful the ‘thingy’ in my life is not an Unknown God.  I am thankful the Unknown God has made Himself known to me through the scriptures, the wisdom of inspired preaching, the counsel of other Christians, His word into my life through prayer, and the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
 
I urge you to get to know the Unknown God – study the scripture; attend services preaching the gospel with clarity; join a small/study group with mature Christians; open yourself to the revelation of the Holy Spirit and meet with God in prayer.  And the ‘thingy’ will be revealed – the Unknown God will become known!  Praise be to God.  

I have been spending several lunchtimes a month volunteering at Anchor House, Inc., at Port Manatee. The port is a fascinating place with ships of all sorts docking to unload their cargo.  My favorite is what Alan calls bulk product.  Bulk products are things like sand, gravel, concrete, fly ash (black snow) and who knows what carried loose in the hold of the ship and unloaded onto the long conveyor or into hoppers to be dropped into dump trucks.  As best I can tell, most of these products are stored in piles on port property until the importer sends vehicles to carry it away.  The piles are several shades of gray or tan.  Some are flat topped and covered with huge tarps to protect the product from wind and rain.  My absolute favorite is the bright yellow pile of sulfur. Actually, the pile is more like a collection of yellow pyramids.  

Equally fascinating was when sulfur was removed the largest pyramid and the pile resembled a yellow El Capitan! 

How alike the piles of bulk product are on Port Manatee; and yet how unique each on is.  And how different they look after the work of their owner.  It reminds me of people – how alike we are and how we are uniquely made in the image of God (Gen 1:26) and how different we are when we have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Col. 3:10).
 
I pray daily I am open to the work of my owner in my life to transform me the image of His Son!

Update October 07.2021.  The pile of sulfur has been completely removed from the lot at Port Manatee.  The plot is so clean it might have been vacuumed!   

I am SOOOO glad to have my lappy back.  It looks fresh and clean. And in fact it is clean – too clean.  All the data, pictures, music, applications – every byte of it – is wiped away.  

Here is my confession:  the Wi-Fi had been acting up for several months, dropping the driver more and more frequently.  My google search netted me several possible causes and I completed the recommended corrections with no appreciable improvement.  Early in our vacation I was unable to connect to a motel Wi-Fi because of the security on my laptop.  I disabled all the security and windows reacted by not recognizing it even could connect with any Wi-Fi. 

Fast forward a few days, grandson and I tried installing the newest version of the window’s Wi-Fi driver to no avail.  And then we totally blew the laptop up by loading a LINUX operating system along with Windows 10.  In theory, the data on the hard drive should have been accessible by both Windows and LINUX.  In reality, Windows quit working and LINUX did not recognize the hard drive.  I won’t bore you with the details of all the various unsuccessful attempts I made to retrieve the data.

In desperation, I surrendered my lappy to a technician.  He worked his magic and several hours later returned lappy to me in pristine condition, working perfectly, all the offending software replaced with the most current versions and 412GB of available hard drive space.

And my life is much like lappy – I go along living life noticing a small sin or two. When those fail to cause me too much trouble, I move on to larger and larger sins.  Suddenly I am out of control. When I turn to my Heavenly Father for forgiveness, God is faithful and returns my life to me – cleaned with the Blood of the Lamb.  Mind you, just as I must work to recreate data previously stored on my lappy; I must clean up the consequences of my sin with God’s help with the guidance of the Holy Spirit .

My best advice:  1.  back up your data; 2. “and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col. 1:12 - 14                          
 

​Sunday I had a most unusual and delightful experience.  A bulk-carrier, Giorgos Dracopoulos, was docked at Port Manatee to discharge its load of ‘black sand’.  I don’t know the technical name for the sand.  The unloading process is for 3 cranes with clam-shell style buckets to dip into the hold, swing over the bulkhead to a hopper, open the clam shell to drop the sand into the hopper.  The sand funnels onto a conveyor belt and is carried to awaiting dump trucks.  The wind and the unloading process results in black sand in the air and around the dock near the ship. 
 
When it docked at Port Manatee, the captain of the ship contacted Anchor House requesting several kilos of lamb along with specific vegetables for Orthodox Easter Dinner.  Alan (dh) and others at Anchor House went out of their way to acquire the provisions requested.  Because of the ministry of Anchor House, dh and I were invited to celebrate Orthodox Easter on board the Giorgos Dracopoulos.
 
So, Sunday morning dh parked near the gangway to the ship.  The gangway for this ship is a ladder from the quarterdeck to the dock.  This ladder is essentially a rope ladder with a black sand covered steps and a cable stair rail.  To get from the parking lot to the gangway, we had to traverse the style over the conveyor belt.  Thankfully at least one of the crane operators noticed us and ceased unloading sand while we were boarding the ship.  I climbed the gangway with a plastic grocery bag containing a liter of wine and fifth of brandy in one hand holding the cable stair rail with the other.  I admit I was more frightened than tired as I finally reached the deck. Every surface I saw and stepped on was covered with several inches of black sand.
 
We were met on deck by the 3rd Mate who ushered us into the officers’ mess.  Shortly the Romanian captain and first mate joined us.  After several minutes of conversation, they led us to the smoking lounge where we were joined by many crew members for Holy Communion.  What a joyful communion with international Christians.
 
At dinner with the Captain and several officers, we learned about Romanian Easter customs.  The captain and first mate had cooked Easter Dinner for the entire crew.  We were treated with lamb soup, lamb sausage, roast leg of lamb, rice and many fruits.  What a gastronomic delight!  As the afternoon went on, we learned of other traditions, in particular each diner received a dark red painted hard-boiled egg; at a point in the celebration, each person lifted their egg declaring ‘Jesus is risen’ and striking another egg.  The winner is the person whose egg is not cracked. I never did figure out what the prize is!
 
After a few hours of getting to know you conversation, we left with several new friends, ‘left-over’ lamb and many dark red hard boiled eggs.  Today the Giorgos Dracopoulos is on its way to Houston, and I am making lamb filling for tacos.
 
Most importantly, I have two new Romanian friends.  Romania was never on my bucket list. Today, if I have a chance to visit Romania, I have new friends to visit!
 
Thank you God for new friends – especially new Romanian Orthodox friends – followers of your Son – people who rejoice you sent your Son, Jesus, who rose of a Sunday we call Easter!  

I was floating around the swimming pool last evening and noticed a crow with a twig in its beak flying overhead. The crow landed in the top of a palm tree and disappeared amongst the fronds.  Soon it was perched on the fronds minus the twig.  The bird flew back across the pool landing on the leaf-free branch of a shrub.  As I watched the crow gripped a twig from that branch and jerked its head back and forth, back and forth.  Finally, the twig broke from the bush.  The crow flew the short hop to the top of a pool light and rearranged his grip of the twig.  After a minute, off it flew and disappeared in the top of the palm tree.
 
There is nothing particularly profound about a bird building a nest.  And I did not think of a spiritual metaphor.  It was just one of those “ isn’t it fun to watch God’s crows do crow like activities” and to marvel at God’ handiwork.
 
Take some time and watch a little nature for a change of pace.  

​50 weeks ago, all services, buildings, and sports venues in our community shut down to slow the spread of covid-19.  For several months, the incidence of the disease was slowed in comparison with surrounding communities and states.  We snuck in a visit to New York between New York disallowing travel from Florida and Florida disallowing travel from New York.  Then Florida declared it was ‘open’ so each county must develop restrictions for their businesses and individuals. We continue to visit businesses in our county armed with face masks and hand sanitizer. Neighboring counties have had less strict regulations and we have encountered various indoor activities where we are the only ones wearing masks.  Friends, Covid-19 is not a joke or myth.  A co-worker was inconsistent with personal protection equipment (ie wearing a mask); she spent 10 days in the hospital and continues to struggle with breathing issues resulting from a covid-19 infection.
 
I am not particularly interested in the ‘end times’ (heaven and hell).  But friends, make no mistake; our eternity is as sure as covid-19:  Jesus said to us, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) The Apostle John also insures us: (John 1:12-13)  But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.  

​I am amused by this week’s celebrity scandal alleging the wife of a star is of Spanish ethnicity rather than Bostonian. I guess she was born in Boston.  It made me wonder about my own forbearers and my mother’s search for them.  I remember her assertion when I was young, we were Scotch, Irish, and English.  Maybe Sir Frances Drake was in our line.  Then she was anxious to confirm some Swiss heritage on her father’s side. Sheltering-in-place for much of the past year gave my sister and I lots of time to search genealogy websites for our forebears.  I have enjoyed the research and putting the puzzle together; but ‘on a scale of 1 to 10’ the results have little effect on my life.
 
My description of myself: American with straight, mouse-brown-graying hair, very blue eyes, and skin with a tendency to freckle.  I will never be an exotic Spanish senorita!  I was born in a small hospital in western New York.  My parents are both from Western New York.  Their parents were from Western New York.  23 and Me has dubbed me as 53% British and Irish; 30% French and German; 6% Scandinavian and 11% anyone’s guess (or too close to call).  Hmmmmm I have never been to Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, or Scandinavia. I know nothing about Northern Europe I did not learn from high school world history.  I know all about being from western New York, the good and the bad.   
 
More important than all I inherited from my ancestors, I am a child of God, a fellow heir with Christ.  “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:14-17 (ESV)

​Last Thursday, I spent 8 hours with someone who tested positive for THE virus on Friday morning, after which I spent the past 4 days in quarantine.  Thankfully, I had a blank calendar.  This morning I, along with three friends, went to the portico of the local hospital to take a rapid antigen test.  I was one of the three who tested negative.  The fourth had experienced some very mild symptoms a couple days ago tested positive and will need to self-isolate for a few days.   
 
Now I have a clean bill of health, I can start baking Christmas cookies for the neighborhood; I can answer the door without a KN-95 mask; I can go to Detwiler’s Farm Market for groceries; and I can……  Fill in the blank with your favorite, normal activity. 
 
This Christmas I am thankful for all the people in the healthcare industry who encounter infectious diseases daily.  I am thankful for the scientist who develop rapid tests to relieve our anxiety.  I am thankful many people who test positive for COVID-19 have minimal symptoms and those who fall seriously ill can receive medical treatment.  I am thankful the vaccine is being distributed. I am thankful, although my local grocery store had no powdered sugar for Christmas cookie frosting, the store down the street sold it in 4-pound bags!
 
And, I am thankful our God so loved the world, He sent his only Son, Jesus the Christ, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, so everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
 
What a Christmas gift! Merry Christmas all!

​My family, especially husband Alan, can attest to my resolve birthday gifts and cards are to be opened on one’s official birthday not a day sooner.  The same applies to Christmas gifts – one gift can be opened on Christmas Eve, the stocking upon awakening Christmas morning, and all other gifts when as many people as are in the house are gathered around the tree.  And this year, everything has changed!  We are receiving boxes, padded packages and fancy cards envelopes directly from the sellers.  It is impossible to know from whom we received the gifts without opening the packages. Gifters, also new at the direct-from-seller methods of gifting, need to know the seller did as promised.  Case in point:  our daughter and son-in-law gifted us with a certificate sent to us by the seller.  Although we received the certificate early in December, I determined not to thoroughly investigate until Christmas Day.  Our daughter was understandably concerned we received their gift and since I had not let her know, checked in with us.  I was embarrassed for not letting her know as soon as we received the card.  Sigh….
 
Can I change with the times?  Is my expectation gifts must be opened only on THE DAY reasonable?  Yes, it is the way we have always done it, but is it the only way? 
 
This morning I realized – of course I can change!  Besides, what could be more exciting than nearly a month of receiving gifts of love from friends and family!  We can start today planning excursions to all the Florida State Parks!  And what new wines can we discover in the wine club?  And what do we think can in the Amazon package?  And who is it from? 
 
I sure miss gathering with friends and family for celebrations in this crazy year of 2020 – the hugs and laughter!  I can celebrate with them the gifts of love received throughout this entire season! 
 
Celebrate the greatest gift of all time, the gift of perfect love come in the package of a baby, the Gift from God to draw us to Himself.   Merry Christmas All!