Stories by churchlady (3 matches)

A Prayer For Ella

Ella is my best friend and adopted sister. She was, at one time, a vibrant and active person. She taught school for a time, worked in local politics to change environmental policies in her area, and volunteering in many other places. I remember a time when Ella pulled out her wallet and wrote a check for a woman who had no rent money and was in danger of getting kicked out of her home. She never even stopped to think about it. Nor did she know the woman. When I was going through my most painful times, Ella was right there beside me. She was always on my side and on the side of "right". A while back, Ella had an accident that resulted in major brain injury. She lost her career, and most of her abilities to care for even herself. Between her sister, husband, some terrific public nurses and homemakers, ... Read Full Story >>

A Little Elbow Grease

A few weeks ago I went on a short vacation with my fiance to visit his older brother who lives about 300 miles from us. I'd never met the man before, so I was a bit anxious. I knew that the fellow had lost his wife several years ago, but what I didn't know was that he had nearly completely shut down. Although still able to work, he was completely unable to look after the house. Memories of his wife still haunt him today. It is my habit to try to pitch in wherever I visit. I was raised to help with dishes after a meal and to offer help whenever visiting anyone. Well, I had the opportunity to do just that! Likely because I was a stranger to him, this man opened up to me about his wife like he hadn't to his family. I offered to try to make ... Read Full Story >>

Putting Scraps of Wool to Good Use

I stopped smoking a few years ago and as a result, I found myself unable to sit still for any amount of time. I took up needlework as a hobby to work on as I watched a movie or TV show with my other half. Recently, my pastor's wife told me of a missionary friend of hers who happens to be home on furlow. This woman spoke of how in the country she was posted, there was a real shortage of blankets. She asked some of the ladies from her church to knit or crochet blankets out of scraps of wool that she could take back with her. It seems that although she is posted in a warm country, the sea brings in quite a breeze at night and the weather becomes quite chilly. My pastor's wife mentioned that she had been given a large box of wool and was working on ... Read Full Story >>

The Neighborhood Flower Lady

Seeing the Joy Spread