Monday, June 21, 2010

Buddies and Black-Eyed Peas . . .

They headed for the bunk beds with their music and DS's after playing outside with a remote-controlled car that ripped through the yard at an unbelievable speed. Two cousins . . . who have been separated all of their lives by many miles. But yesterday they, their dads, and their Poppa got to spend time together - a special gift for John David (and me).

I loved eavesdropping listening to the two of them talk and laugh - as music played in their ears and they clicked buttons all at the same time! I heard one ask the other about black-eyed peas. (Did you know . . . that black-eyed peas are not just a food anymore??) What Isaac really asked Aiden was: Do you like The Black-Eyed Peas? A few capital letters and "the" stuck in front changes things, doesn't it? Now for those of you who may not know, that's a singing group . . . whom I have never heard! I'm still wondering how they chose that name!

Ahhh . . . I have lots to learn!

And I can learn lots from my creative granddaughters, Emily and Abby, who know how to knit, crochet, and embroider. Or maybe Em can teach me how to play the piano . . . or Abby instruct me in the game of chess!

I do have lots to learn . . . in many areas! I'm thankful that we never get too old to learn - especially about living. . . and loving . . . and enjoying a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

I'm reminded of this line: and a little child shall lead them. (Isaiah 11:6)

And this: The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Mark 10:12-14 (The Message)

Yes, I have much to learn . . . but learning and growing are part of an exciting, satisfying lifestyle! One thing I have learned is this: Words may take on different meanings as culture dictates, but His Word never changes! And I'm learning to live by that Truth!

Learning to lean, learning to lean -
I'm learning to lean on Jesus.
Finding more power than I'd ever dreamed,
I'm learning to lean on Jesus.
~John Stallings - 1976~

13 comments:

S. Etole said...

My grandson is a continual source of enlightenment for me in many ways ... we're never too old to stop learning.

Southern Lady said...

I love the hymn! And yes, I do know The Black Eyed Peas. Having two teenagers teaches me a lot of things! LOL! So glad you enjoyed your time with family. Carla

Karin said...

Our minds go stale if we don't keep learning, even from our little grands, and renewing it with God's Word. One way to engage the young is to show them we can learn something from them, even as they are learning things from us. What a blessing!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Cute post, Glenda... We do learn ALOT from kids now, don't we? They are SO smart. Somehow though, I had heard of THE Black-Eyed Peas... Guess I heard of that group on TV...There's also a restaurant in Hendersonville named the Black Eyed Pea!!!!! ha

Sounds like you all had a wonderful Family weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a great "Boys Only" shot!! But you are very blessed to have two granddaughters, there's nothing sweeter! Do you get to see them very often? I've heard the sentance that when you stop learning you stop living. People who think they have nothing more to learn usually have lots to learn. And I find it is strange and kinda fun to learn from the young ones now. Love your bible parallels!!

Kathy said...

When I opened your post I tought we must have both been thinking about black-eyed peas at the same time! People out here in Arizona (and many other places outside of the South) think peas are those little ground green things. I did actually find one vendor who has black-eyed peas for about two weeks each summer. Last year his crop was practically nonexistent so I drove almost four hours deep into southern Arizona to a farm that raises them and picked my own. Their pea field was about a hundred rows as far as the eye could see. I brought them home, spent a good three days shelling them and put them up in my freezer. Would you believe that yesterday I cooked my last batch of black-eyed peas from last summer's crop and made a big cast iron skillet of Southern corn bread - um, um, um! Actually crowder peas are my absolute favorites. The past few years my mom has said fresh ones are difficult to find in East Texas but I'm hoping she will have some when I go for my visit in August. Do you have crowders where you live?

Glenda said...

Enjoyed your comments, Kathy! I love black-eyed peas, both fresh from the garden and dried ones. We do have crowders here, but I haven't seen any or heard of anyone planting them this year. There's a big produce market about 30 miles from here that probably has them, however. My daddy used to plant crowders; they were so good! Your peas and cornbread sound delicious, and I'm thinking I need to cook the same really soon. Growing up, when Mama cooked black-eyed peas, we usually had cole slaw (with apple and raisins) and baked sweet potatoes. Oh my, I'm getting hungry!!

Mrs. M said...

Oh, what fun for all of you!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Glenda,
What a lovely posting. The children are so sweet and it's so true that the Lord loved children. We can learn so much from children. What a wonderful savior He is!

What Karen Sees said...

There is no greater blessing in life than to have grandchildren and children who love and respect each other and enjoy being together.

Sharon Lynne said...

That's wonderful the cousins were able to meet. It is fun to have children in the house!

I'm glad you're enjoying God's blessings.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I loved it when my children were at home as they always kept me up to date on the latest, now I'm sorta behind. I never heard of Black eyed Peas...I too have much to learn. I know you must be enjoying those talented visitors

Rebecca said...

I'm learning, too! We're picking up two of our grandson tomorrow (brothers) and I'm making a list of possible activities for the three days they're with us - so much depends on the weather.

By the way, do you know THIS one?
Lyrics
Learning to live like a child of the King
Learning to lose just to find everything
Accepting His wealth though I have nothing to bring
Learning to live free and happy.

Learning to bathe in the warmth of His love
Spirit-filled calmness in a world I'm not of
I'm making down payments on my home up above
Learning to live free and happy.

Being an heir to all I do not deserve
Learning to master by the way that I serve
Being dependent on His blessing reserve
I gave Him my soul; He's got total control

I'm learning to be all He wants me to be
Learning to feel what it means to be free
I'm learning to live life with great certainty
Learning to live free and easy.

Learning to live life with great certainty
Learning to live free and happy.