Nola’s Musings

I’m not sure I will be able to finish my column in time to get it in the Newsletter for August, but not to worry! God told me to not sweat the small stuff and it is all small stuff. I want to mention about last month’s column

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My musings are just that; my thoughts and my feelings. I write these words to express my feelings and my faith and if you enjoy reading what I write then that is a bonus. I don’t mean to put my feelings onto anybody else and I don’t want to explain the feelings & thoughts that I write about. Feelings are neither right nor wrong, they are like brown eyes, they just are. You can’t change someone else’s feelings by explaining what should have been felt. Lee and Betty Collins have helped me with ideas for this column many times. They are good people and very good friends. So I hope I can put the story they told me in “ interesting” words that you will enjoy. Here goes! John, The Friendly Tow Truck Driver, is a giving Christian and passes out pennies with a cross

cut into the middle to many people, whether they need it or not. Over the years he occasionally had to get a new supple of these coins. He would put a penny in your hand if he knew you were hurting or were sad or just because he had one in his pocket. A member of his church passed away and John just happened to be out of pennies. But God does provide. A miracle happened to this church because UPS delivered a box of pennies to John, The Friendly Tow Truck Driver’s door step. He had not ordered the new pennies because he hadn’t realized he was out of pennies. The church knew the member who had died was in heaven and was helping John get pennies with crosses cut in them to pass out. Miracles take place all the time but most of us do not recognize the awesome event and just let it pass. Once in October, while visiting my sister, Alberta, God sent her three rainbows. Alberta and I had been to her Doctor’s office. She needed knee surgery and wanted it done before leaving North Carolina to have Thanksgiving in Florida with her family. Lance and I were planning to leave for home on Friday (this was Tuesday). The Dr. said, “I can do it on Thursday”, and gave the date. Alberta said, “Great, I can get it all over before Thanksgiving.” She took a script for blood work and we left the office. In the parking lot, I said, “Do you realize that is day after tomorrow, Alberta.” She panicked, backing out of the parking spot, she put on the brakes and said, “What am I doing, where am I going. I have to call David & Sue etc. etc.” I asked her if she wanted us to stay until after the surgery and she threw her cell phone at me and said, “Yes, call Lansing!!” She always calls him Lansing when it is serious. In comes the first rainbow. A perfect one over the building where she had to get her blood work done ASAP for Thursday. I called Lance on MY cell and he said, “Sure we can stay!” The rainbow had made me feel calmer but Alberta was still in a panic. Another rainbow appeared over her condo. I kept telling Alberta that everything was going to be alright. The third rainbow was on the way to Ashville for the day of her surgery. Truly God was trying to tell Alberta that He was with her no matter what. The music that Bethel has had over the years is another miracle from God. The choir under Ralph Mueller and David Fockler and later Marge Seavey is where I learned so much about people and life. The choir in those days was where I became a dedicated member of Bethel. And now the music and choir with Teri Barnaby is wonderful. Each of the organists and directors were different and brought their own style to the church. They all worked so hard to make the worship at Bethel meaningful and spiritual. I think it is because we (Bethel) have passion for our little church and for music and we want what is God’s will for us. Passion is something you have deep down inside of you. And if you have passion there isn’t anything you can’t do.

Nola (The Apple of God’s Eye)

Youseetimmy: Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Berthold Auerbach

God does not give us what we deserve. He gives us what we need!

Preach the gospel and when necessary use words!

St Frances of Assisi

I am not as good as I should be, I am not as good as I could be but THANK GOD I am better

than I used to be!