Terrie's Tender Touch

            "I, Terrie, take you, David, for my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward until death do us part. I hereby promise to love, honor, and obey you all the days of my life. With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, till death do us part." On the eve of my 21 st birthday I quoted those very words before God, our family, and friends to you.   On that day, the ceremony was a means to an end…I got to be your wife.   I was very serious about being a good wife to you and loving you with all that was in me – but I can’t say that I was exactly “serious” as I said them. Now that we’ve been married just about 36 years – I understand these vows from the experiences we’ve lived.   If we were to “renew” our vows – this is how I would say them today. I, Terrie, have had th

" So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.   He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.   He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.   Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.   This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this,

You may ask, why in the world would I want to be a battle axe?  I know the term “battle axe” is used negatively towards the wife. It indicates that the woman is fierce with strong opinions.  This morning in my Bible reading, as I read Jeremiah 51, I decided that I want to be a battle axe! “ Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name. Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war : for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;   And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;   With thee also will I break in pieces m

Last night I was at the grocery store with my daughter picking up dessert.  We had been to the Homecoming where one of my granddaughters, Miss Jaclynn, was one of the princesses; she represented the kindergarten class.  We enjoyed the evening and had promised the kids that we would get a treat after the ceremony – so we were at Safeway picking up good old-fashioned apple pie and of course vanilla ice cream :) As we were shopping, I received a phone call from one of my sons.  When I answered the phone all I could hear was crying, inconsolable crying.  At first I thought that it was a “pocket dialed” call, but then I realized that the crying voice was trying to say something.  I continued to say, “Hello” louder, and louder!  I couldn't discern if the crying voice was one of the grand kids or my daughter-in-law…so panic set in!  I immediately feared that something so terrible had happened to one of the kids or my son – so I began to grow more and more concerned…and it w

This year we planted our largest garden ever in the 35 years we've been married.  In the past we've grown a couple tomato plants, or a few zucchini plants.  One year we even tried growing lettuce – but it has always been in just a small patch in our yard.  Our current garden is pretty good sized compared to anything we've done in the past – it is our whole side yard, which is nearly the size of an average backyard! It has been fun to see all of the plants grow from seedlings and you just can’t beat the flavor of vine ripened tomatoes!  I am sure our garden has saved us quite a bit as we haven’t had to purchase vegetables and herbs every week!  I have discovered and invented so many new recipes for zucchini – if you’re interested in any of our favorites, let me know and I’ll give you the recipes. Fresh from our garden In addition to the wonderful vegetables, I've also gained some first-hand experience and life lessons from my garden.  Some of the obvious le