Late again -- just heard the news come on! Oh well - I just got in from some more sluth work -- pricing groceries we will need for the reception next weekend. But a wonderful thing happened. I was going to need 24 Mangos and lately I have seen them priced from 1.89 to 1.09 a piece and I've been hoping to get them for no more than $1.00 each. Super One had beautiful ones - two for $1.00 - so I bought the 24 needed. THey will be perfect for the Strawberry Mango Salsa!! I was so excited!!! This week and next week is crammed with things I am obligated to do - but after that I hope to cruise through the week to the 4th and then on July 5, God Willing and mother well - we (my sister, Michelle, Maura and me) are headed to Galveston Island! I can hardly wait for some warm sun, ocean, seafood, and some peaceful time! Hotel St. Luis here we come!!!! Also I got an amazing email today. Someone in Galveston has taken all of the tree trunks of the destroyed trees by IKE and carved the most gorgeous carvings out of them -- birds, animals, statues, etc. I can't wait to drive through and take pictures!! That will be worth a trip.
Speaking of trees - here is a really neat story - sounds like a children's story I once read but children or not - I feel it is worth repeating. I hope you think so too!
Three Trees
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.
The first little tree looked at the stars and said: “I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I’ll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world.
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. “I want to be traveling mighty waters and carry a powerful king. I’ll be the strongest ship in the world!”
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where the busy men and women worked in a busy town. “I don’t want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they’ll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.”
Years passed, the rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain.
The first woodcutter looked and said, “This tree is beautiful. It’s perfect for me.” With the swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell.
“Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest. I shall hold wonderful treasure!” The tree said.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, “This tree is strong it is perfect for me. “With a swoop of his shinning axe, the second tree fell.
“Now I shall sail mighty waters!” Thought the second tree. “I shall be a strong ship for mighty Kings.”
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood strait and tall and pointed bravely to heaven.
But the wood woodcutter never even looked up, any kind of tree will do for me,” he muttered. With a swoop of his shinning axe, the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter’s shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her into a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead, the once tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail on the ocean, or even a river; instead, she was taken to a little lake.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into beams and left her in the lumber yard.
“What happened?” The once tall tree wondered. “All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God.”
Many, many Days and nights passed. Three trees nearly for their dreams.
But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox. “I wish I could make a cradle for him,” her husband whispered.
The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shown on the smooth and sturdy wood. “This manger is beautiful,” she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the great treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveled fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake.
Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many Passengers safely through with wind and rain.
The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said “Peace” The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun.
And suddenly the second knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when the soldiers nailed a man’s hands to her.
She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.
But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth tremble with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God’s love had changed everything.
It had made the third tree strong.
And every time people thought of the third tree. They would think of God.
That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
The next time you feel down because you didn’t get what you want, sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.
I am going to give you a quick snack or for me -- it was lunch!
I think I mentioned the Bagle Crisps that I bought out at Sams. I have found more uses for them but one is to top them with a small piece of ham, top that with a little slice of cheese - (Make several - and even put a little slice of jalapeno on top if desired) and pop into microwave for about 12 to 15 seconds. Very good with a little Greek Yogurt with little tomatoes cut up in it. Low fat, filling and healthy.
Have a great tomorrow - remember we are here to serve - not be served - so look for opportunities -- I promise they are there!!! God Bless each of you!!!
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