Garage Sales

I hate selling things. 

I mean it, I really do.  Everything I own is worth far more to me than the price I put on it with a little sticker for  someone else.  Take a garage sale, for instance.  I totally understand and really believe in their benefit.......get rid of stuff and junk and offer it up to be someone else's treasure.  But, I have so many emotions attached to my "things".  When someone comes and paws through my belongings I am confident that my "thing" won't be appreciated.  Just, how could it be?  After all, it has no sentimental value to that scavenger.

Before moving to Texas my sunflower friends helped put on a garage sale for me.  "Get rid of all that junk so you won't have to haul it 2500 miles."   So, I did!!!  And, oh, what a heartbreak!!!  One special sunflower LOVES hosting garage sales.  She loves the selling, the bartering, the setting up, the folding down......she loves the whole experience.  In fact she puts several on at her own home to raise money for different causes throughout the year.  She's good at it and she has no remorse when a sale is made.     Absolutely LOVES them.  Picture her after she's put the money in the little cash box, she flits about refolding clothes, up-righting picture frames, sorting the glassware, re shelving books while engaging each customer into conversation where they then become her best friend and because now they are her best friend..........they buy, buy, buy.   And, she experiences no anguish for what I've lost.  Instead, at the end of the day she thinks on the number of new friends she's gained.   I love her......everybody loves her.

Now, me, when it comes to selling my stuff, I should be a Pansy, instead of one of those bold stand up straight, taller than everyone else in the garden sunflowers.   Call me a wimp.  Every thing I put out to sell has a story in my heart.  Lots of items in this particular garage sale were unused wedding gifts from 17 years before.  Good things, that I just never used.  Some were gifts, for example,  from Mrs. So and So who painted the little what-not on the back and wrote a personal note.  Some even had cards still attached.  UGH!   I shed tears that day.  Call me a wimp, or Pansy!!

But, on the flip side, I LOVE garage saling.  Nothing is more fun than piling into a huge van with several friends and their kids and roaming the streets on an early Saturday morning, searching out "a good deal" or "a steal".  **(Because that is really what garage sales are, "Steals".  Another reason why I don't like anyone to get that kind of satisfaction from my personal things...........a steal!!!  call me Pansy!)

Then, because of peer pressure and wanting to have fun on a glorious Saturday morning with my friends, I got sucked into selling some more of my stuff.
One day last summer several of us put on a group garage sale.  Many were invited to contribute to the sale and many sold.   Reagan and I contributed a table worth of  things.  I left her to our table so I wouldn't have to watch the piranhas mull through our things that I was emotionally tied to.    I told Reagan to "make the deals".  It's good to toughen her up when she's young.    Meanwhile, I shopped..........and shopped.  Steals, for sure!!!

When a sale opens at 7, people usually start to arrive at 6:30..trying to get an edge on making their deals.    Then by 10:00 when it is getting hot (Remember, August in Texas), there's not much action.  So, to encourage buyers, or to just pass the time,  (Truly, I think the men started getting a little low blood sugar, or maybe they just had too much sugar and ..........

 They modeled their wares

Then, to pass the time, the ladies staged some of the wares into a "talk show" set.  They pretended to interview our gullible garage sale attendees, (does this make them want to never come back by here again?)  Some ran away from the stage for fear of being "on stage".

Then around 11:00, I noticed sleeping..........call it the sun, overwork, or let down from anxiety, or just call it a baby.  She has the right to sleep, anytime, anywhere...........

I looked over at our once piranhas infested table and noticed Reagan was GONE.  Had they eaten her alive?  I started feeling sorry for her.  What had I done as a Mom, leaving my precious, vulnerable daughter alone with the killers?  I ventured closer to the table thinking there would be carnage, no cash box, no daughter.  I was thinking back how I hate selling, oh why did we come to this, why did we bring our things to sell and why had I been such a Pansy and let my young sprouting vulnerable sunflower...............
Under the table:

 She was done, ALL DONE.  Then, I noticed there was no more bait on the table, the cash box was full.  She deserved a snow cone!!!!  Just so you know, snow cones are a BIG thing in Gatesville, TX.  There's no Baskin Robbins, or Jamba Juice............but there's "Snow Biz" and he sells any flavor, any size.  Perfect for an August, after garage sale treat!!

She's 80 today!!
My Mom!

 Winning a relay 2 years ago

 Competitive Trail Ride, last October on Annie

My Mom loves this life that God has given her.  She's so positive and always encourages everyone around her to love everyday right along with her. 
Naturally, she wants to have a good time

Christmas Talent Show

Halloween with her best friend, Jeannie

Even when work is HARD and dirty, she presses on with a smile and a purpose........she appreciates the earth..........and her tractor....

Tilling the Jump Pasture

She loves a good game and a good horse to practice on, .....even if her bandages don't match.......

2008 stick-n-ball at Pinto Ranch

My Mom loves her husband, my Dad of 58 years.

Mom and Dad, a good-looking couple

Oh, I love this engagement picture in 1953.  What a party, I mean a white tux!!!

  

And here's their wedding picture later that same year.  What style!!!

I could go on and on and I would really want to right now.  But, this is a sneak preview of a slide show coming later on sometime this year.  Oh, the pictures!!!  Oh, the model. 

I LOVE my Mom.  God blessed me with her.  She was chosen to do the job she did.........raising the 3 of us.

 

We never gave her any trouble, though, so you know her job was easy ;)  (Well, I didn't anyway)  Just don't tell the other two I said that.  It might start one of those family arguments (for no apparent reason at all) that will go on and on, laughing and laughing until our faces ache, bringing up all the dead worms from the garden.  We love retracing old steps that when taken were rough and frightening, or alarming anyway....   but now are hilarious, especially when my Dad starts telling the stories........

This is one of my favorite recent photos with the whole family.   This blog won't let me enlarge it without taking 5 members off of the page.     Mom is in the middle on an 'ole paint'.  A Thanksgiving to remember, Viejo Springs Ranch, 2009.

 We are thankful for your positive influence,  and your zest for life........and for many great stories to tell....... 
Happy Birthday, Mom!!!  We love you!!!

...........Arise..........

'"Talitha, cumi,"......."immediately the girl arose and walked'"
I have to tell of this precious memory in the Dyer family's lives.  It is a memory for us of hope and honor to our Creator.   
 

 A few weeks ago, Alma Mae Shannon, 7 months in utero, was delivered.  5 days prior, John and Pauli learned that she went to be with our precious Shepherd and Guardian, Jesus.  Our family has had the privilege to know and love the Shannons' as they have walked through this difficult season that God purposed in their lives.  They have amassed strength, peace and joy from our God that has indeed surpassed all understanding.  Through this couple, God has evidenced to untold many of His provision, love and tender mercies.
     In January, some church ladies held a prayer meeting for Pauli.  At that time, it was hopeful that Alma would be able to be born fully formed and alive.  Pauli explained to us how Alma Mae had some serious mental and physical abnormalities and that her life would be at best only hours long.   Pauli was single minded, functioning for our Lord, bearing the weight and life of a precious child.  Pauli served our Lord as she sweetly obeyed His purpose for John and her over these 7 months.  That morning as the ladies chatted, Pauli shared the Gospel of Christ as it related to Alma Mae.  Most of us were in tears, amazed at Pauli's strength and the peace she conveyed.  All of us were imprinted with God that morning.
      Upon hearing of Alma's death, Jody and I spent a couple of sweet, loving hours with the Shannons'.  While, their toddler, Moses mastered his trucks and drawings we were able to draw upon the Lord, not for understanding, but for complete submission to His Sovereignty and Love.  John shared how Alma Mae had served her Creator even in-utero.  They had been able to share the Gospel of Hope and Deliverance to many people as they trusted in God, even when this life hurt.

        On February 8th, a rainy Monday morning, in a large, warm, "living-room style" delivery room at the hospital Pauli delivered little Alma Mae.  The attentive, caring hospital staff swaddled Alma Mae in blankets and put her in a basket.  Pauli welcomed visitors and enjoyed sharing her precious baby.  John was tender, mindful of everyone in the room at all times, caring for Moses, and loving his adorable wife.  What a Christ-centered couple.    God chose them to fulfill this particular detail for Him and they shared both the joy and the suffering of Alma's journey with their friends and loved ones.
        Friday of that same week, our Church family and friends joined together on a cold overcast  morning at the Osage Cemetery for a service to honor God with Thanksgiving for Alma Mae's short life.  Yes, there was heartfelt sorrow, but that was understated by the joy in knowing Alma is with our Savior, Jesus.  Our pastor Perry comforted all of us by reminding us of David's son who died, 2 Sam 12:23.  David exclaimed to his servants "......I shall go to him...." meaning when he himself dies, he will be united with his son in heaven. 
This was followed by John giving a personal note of encouragement to the crowd and to Pauli.  John shared how Alma Mae although only in the womb, honored her creator.  He ended with reading from the gospel of Mark 5.  Jesus calls all of His beloved to "Arise" and we will walk into His embrace. 

But this is not the end.  Alma Mae will continue to serve her Creator as John and Pauli relate her story down the years.  The story of Our God doing only that which is Good, Good according to His Will for those who know Him, who love Him, who trust Him with their lives, who serve Him, our Savior, Our Redeemer.  What a precious memory and message of Hope.

We love you Alma Mae.  To John and Pauli we dedicate this song, Glory Baby by Selah.  (See playlist on the right)