Meandering Moments by Elsi

I taught a workshop at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference today! We were learning about noticing what’s going on around us. This is what I wrote:

The clatter of rain on my roof—

faster, harder, louder …

then outshouted by the thunder’s crash.

“Hey, that’s not fair!

I planned to walk in the sunshine,

photograph mountains, elk, and flowers!

Why is it raining?”

God won’t answer that, of course.

He’s not accountable to me.

“We need the moisture,” I remind myself as I step out anyway,

spotting wriggling worms,

golden shades of sandy mud,

50 colors of rain gear on the field,

and one white peak glowing

in the light of the Son …

There’s empty space in my backyard;

The grass will green up in the rain;

It’s hard to see along the street:

The Moose is loose! It’s spring again!

I’ve loaded leashes, blankets, treats.

It’s several weeks now since it snowed.

My plans are made; my list’s complete;

The Moose is ready for the road!

I’ve marked the maps and travel guides;

Itinerary’s finally done.

The dog’s alert; the cat’s blasé;

The Meandering Moose is ready to run!

The flowers that bloom in the spring, WOOF! WOOF!

Bring promise of snow, ice, and sleet!

As we merrily say and we sing (AH WHOOOOOO!),

We welcome the joy that they bring (AH WHOOOO!).

Though dancing with snowflakes is neat,

I would rather have dog treats to eat!

So that’s what I mean when I say, bay, and sing,

“Yes, welcome the flowers that bloom in the spring!”

Ah-whoo, bark, bark, bay!  Ah-whoo, bark, bark, bay!

Welcome the flowers of spring!

Arf, bark, bark, ah-whoo! Arf, bark, bark, ah-whoo!

Dig up the flowers of spring! WOOF!

condemned to vile death,

lost within the crowd,

buried by my choices,

no parole allowed,

weeping without hope,

helpless and alone—

then He took my burden,

rolled away the stone,

gently wiped my tears,

held me lovingly …

His death and resurrection

love has ransomed me!

And someone has already started to fill Sallie’s stocking! Do you think she will be able to contain herself until Christmas morning? Stay tuned!

“Do not forget to entertain strangers,” the author of Hebrews tells us, “for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). Well, the Lord sent me some angels, but they entertained me! And I’m so grateful!

I spent a long day waiting at the under-construction Seattle train station Monday, waiting for my connecting train. Got a lot of work done, and had my own food, but it was chilly and lonely and stark. Eventually I went to a couple discussing shipping costs with an Amtrak guy and asked, “Would you mind watching my stuff while I go to the bathroom?”

Debbie and Paul Natelson were glad to, and we got to chatting about this and that. They offered to get me some food, and when they mentioned Chinese, it sure sounded good to me. So I handed them a twenty, and off they went. Time passed. My train came in. I was boarded early because of needing assistance with my suitcase. Figured I was out $20 and hoped they’d enjoy what they got for me.

So I’m on the train, settled into my room, marking my territory as it were, when I hear an announcement: “Will passenger Elsi Dodge please report to the dining car in the center of the train!” Huh? I grabbed my cane, asked for directions, and headed out. In the dining car I was handed a take-out bag, a handful of change, and the explanation that, “Some people said they’d gotten this for you and asked us to make sure you got it. We were kinda hoping you wouldn’t show up, because it sure looks good!”

Definitely good! But nowhere near as good as the knowledge that Paul and Debbie went way beyond any logical expectations to be kind to a total stranger in the Amtrak station! Angels for sure! Thanks, guys!

Was I losing my mind when I agreed to change trains in Sacramento, arriving at 2:15 and leaving at midnight? Must be true! Though it made better sense when I thought Sacramento was a big city with a real train station. This one has a beautiful, ancient mural, no air conditioning, a few vending machines, and port-a-potties across the parking lot and up a slope. Which, come to think of it, isn’t that much worse than Denver’s current station, but still … yawn!

Have you never questioned those who travel?
    Have you paid no regard to their accounts? (Job 21:29)

I head out tomorrow morning for Mission, in southwest British Columbia. Danielle, my friend and daughter of my friend Shannie van Roekel, is getting  married next Saturday to the love of her life! I’m taking the train, so I can rest on the way and get lots of writing done! Sallie is reveling in her daycamp at PetSmart, and Dolphin is staying home with a private servant. Oh, it’s going to be wonderful!

Diane Kanagy and I are headed for Estes Park this weekend to enjoy autumn, rivers, elk (we hope), and God’ s glorious creation! I’m currently pack; Sallie is waiting to be picked up at daycamp; Diane is waiting out a teacher inservice day; and Dolphin is overwhelmed with excitement at the thought …

The Lord moved a businessman to donate several thousand dollars to Truth Christian Academy for the purpose of updating technology. We promptly ordered two 10-packs of iPads for student use. When they came, Stan (Silverman, administrator) and I spent five+ hours setting them all up with the proper apps, bluetooth keyboards, covers, and so forth—I think the hardest part was figuring out how to plug the babies in! But boy, are we excited!