tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45946809344963094412024-03-13T09:08:40.702-07:00"but Mary pondered them in her heart"....the ponderings and wanderings of a Marble pastor's wife.Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-2515446692200403212017-12-31T14:00:00.000-08:002018-01-04T18:07:39.748-08:00<div class="_5pbx userContent _22jv _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_1o">
After Christmas spiritual journey, lessons gleaned......<br />
Impressions: Light and shadow<br /> the effort to get to a place<br /> indescribable beauty along the way, <br /> the value of silence,<br /> revelations along the trek or hike<br />
Over the course of the five days, chapter one of the gospel of John as
well as a couple of other scriptures have been in my heart. With the
guidance of the Holy Spirit I have attempted to put my impressions
together. <br />
Light and shadow is a part of every hike with the sun
shining around mountains and through trees. The sunlight is a warmer
place in winter but the shadows are always a part of the hike. Every
journey or trek requires effort to get to a destination. A person simply
cannot wish themselves there. No, it is a one step at a time, one
decision at a time for one who journeys in the back country. Yet along
the way there is indescribable beauty that refreshes the soul and gives
strength and desire as well as determination to continue to the
destination. However, in particular for me the value of this journey
both physically and spiritually lies in the silence.<br />
In the
silence I am more keenly aware of His Love, the comfort and guidance of
the Holy Spirit, and the peace in the midst of both light and shadow,
both effort and refreshing beauty. Out of the silence this awareness
must accompany me back into my daily life.<br />
Through the
contemplation of John chapter one something that is probably obvious to
everyone else spoke itself, if you will into my being. Jesus speaks our
human language not just because He is all-knowing but because He came
and lived among us, Emanuel. He knows the language of our human tongues,
the language of our minds, and the language of our hearts because He
came and lived among us, Emanuel. I am sure He knew all of that as He
formed us in creation. But because He came and lived among us we can
know that He walked our paths and experienced our light and shadows, our
efforts and refreshing beauty. It comforts me to know that He speaks my
particular language and knows my trek to my final destination because
He is truly Emanuel, God with us, God with me.<br />
"In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was
with God in the beginning. vs 1....The word became flesh and made His
dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only
who came from the Father full of grace and truth. vs 14" John 1:1 and
14<br />
The reflections of a fellow pilgrim.</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-11194746073257572832017-03-28T10:33:00.002-07:002017-03-28T10:33:37.838-07:00<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_6">
Lent.....Throughout
this period I have been studying our Bible Study lessons and truly
contemplating what it must have been like for Jesus being God
incarnate, God with us, fully man and fully God. Now this concept alone
is beyond comprehension in my mere human mind. It is a quote from this
week's study that sums it up; "it takes ears of faith and eyes of
faith." And thus I pray, Lord give me ears that hear in faith and eyes
that see in faith.<br />
As I contemplated the account of Jesus raising
Lazareth from the dead which according to John would directly lead to
the cross, I asked again those questions: Jesus, as you were '"deeply
moved" as John says, you saw all didn't you? You saw the grief of your
friends didn't you? You saw the final hours before the cross didn't you?
Did you see those of us who would lack faith or misunderstand things
you so lovingly gave us? Yet you loved us anyway didn't you? You loved
us enough to keep walking walking walking walking........toward Calvary.
You were fully human and knew the cost, yet fully God and knew the cost!
I weep and am compelled to pray, forgive me Lord. <br />
Yet this
passage also gives us the glorious promise; "I am the resurrection and
the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and
whoever lives and believes in me will never die." Yes, as the song says,
Sunday's coming but first you walked, from the day you were born, toward
Calvary. The mother in me weeps for your precious drops of life-giving
flow. The human in me weeps for your labored breaths. The heart in me
takes comfort that, yes indeed, Sunday's coming and one day it will come
for all!<br />
Yes, sweet Jesus, give me ears of faith and eyes of faith as I daily walk this kingdom path on earth!</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-62434753032362310672017-03-04T13:32:00.000-08:002017-03-05T13:39:46.954-08:00It is the beginning of Lent, the 40 days before
Easter.......Starbuck, my faithful yellow lab and roaming companion were
taking our morning hike. It was an exquisite Colorado mountain day where
the sky was such a blue that it was difficult to find words to
adequately describe it. The fresh snow was bright white and Mt. Daly
was overwelmingly beautiful! I could not breathe in enough of the fresh
crisp air.<br />
We kept the upward tread and I began to comtemplate and reflect as we a<span class="text_exposed_show">re
called to do especially during this season of Lent. Rather than reflect
inward, I reflected on Jesus. The steps taken upward require a little
effort especially at our altitude. This led me to ask questions:
"Jesus, from the day you were born, you began the walk toward Calvary,
didn't you? Did you know even as a little boy, what you chose to do in
obedience to the Father's plan? As you grew older, did you see people
crucified by the Romans and did the man within you cringe at the
thought?</span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
As I asked these
questions, I became tearful. We continued our trek up to our goal. Upon
reaching the stopping point just outside a friend's house, there was a
tractor/ bobcat with a front-end loader. I sat on the front-end loader
and looked out at Purple Mountain with the sun in my face. I thought
about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. All around was silence -- that silence that can only exist in nature. Starbuck found a resting
place. My reflection wandered to the end of the tempting of Jesus when
the Word said that angels came and ministered to Him. Questions: Did you
feel as the angels fed you and tended you what you gave up as the God
part came to earth fully man/fully God? You knew didn't you that you
were on your final journey that would lead to Calvary? Just three years?
How could it be?<br />
As I continued to sit in the silence, I felt
embraced by your love and my heart ached a little, maybe a lot. Oh what a
price! Oh what love! <br /> Father, forgive me for I know not what I do.</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-23147923260896437122017-03-01T14:02:00.002-08:002017-03-01T14:02:43.314-08:00The spiritual rejoicing of a Marble pastor and his wife......Our
church is a small historical church that is one of the first things you
see as you enter the isolated mountain town of Marble. There is a
picture of it on my cover photo. The church holds comfortably 80
people;so as Jon says we will never be a mega church. However small
churches hold an invaluable role in a community where community can be
experienced on a spiritual level.<br />
Sunday was a spiritual high light of ou<span class="text_exposed_show">r
5 plus years here. We have in Marble legendary mountain men. I call
them mountain men because they have lived in the back country in the
simplist of situations and have carved out a life in its harsh
conditions. They also look the part with their long beards and mountain
practical "wears."</span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
We have
worked to develop a meaningful relationship with them because they are
part of our community and because they have so many interesting stories
to tell. We have received invitations to their parties and have attended
them to enjoy much laghter and amazement. At one such party, a
particularly legendary Marble mountain man told us as he placed an arm
around Jon's shoulder, "as soon as I saw you, Jon and Peggoty coming, I
knew there was hope for the rest of us. This moved me deeply.<br />
SUNDAY, this legendary mountain man and a couple of his friends came to
church for the first time. My heart was filled beyond capacity. I could
tell as Jon welcomed them that he was fighting back tears. I cannot
express the spirtual fulness this gave the both of us! Paul, you and
your friends touched our souls in a way that can never be measured! As
you would say, "we love you, brother!"</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-61264375783856293702016-12-13T17:24:00.001-08:002016-12-13T17:24:38.455-08:00<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_b">
Candles,
lights and bits of sweet sadness......For me Christmas comes in many
shades of emotions, all of which are neither good nor bad but simply
what is part of where I've been and where I am. As I have aged I have
experienced more of life in all of its expressions; from loss to great
joy and all that lies in between.<br />
Every morning during this
Christmas or Advent season I have had "coffee with God" by the gas stove
with the light of the Christmas tree and soft quiet carols playing. I
have prayed and I have been quiet. In the quiet my heart fills with many
things. One of those things have been memories that hold bits of
sadness and bits of joy. The sadness comes as I remember and for lack of
better words, am visited by those who are no longer on this earth. <br />
Daddy comes.....he was never big on Christmas but he was there to make
sure we had coined ham ( I still am not sure what a coined ham is or
even if I have spelled it correctly but it was good) or pre-tasting the
food or just sitting at his place at the table. <br />
My grandparents
and special great aunts come. They loved so to laugh and loved to eat
and loved to tease and joke around but most of all they loved to be
together for Christmas.<br />
Megan, my niece comes most often. She is
the one that brings such a sweet sweet sadness. She was only 24 when she
passed from this world. The last Christmas I had with her Jon and I
surprised her with the pink sweater that she wanted. I had seen her look
at it in Wilmington when we visited her. She looked across at me with
acknowledgement and a smile that she knew that I had seen her with that
sweater. The sweetness with the visits of memory is that I was
privileged to know and love Megan. But the deep soul sadness is that I
no longer can buy her a present. Tears come. Jesus comes. And I know
within, that both Jesus and I share those same moments of love and
memories that I have of her. The difference is that He knows her still
and holds all that she was and is. I could never have that knowledge.
The difference is that He has always loved her and does still and as
much as I loved her, I could never love her like He does.<br />
Friend,
do not think that I write of a sadness that is despairing! No, I write of
sweet sadness. It is born of love and joy that I have had the wonderful
opportunity to know and love all of those who have left my life for but
a moment. I would never ever trade a single tear for the not-knowing
of all these who have come to me in silence along with the presence of
the Holy Spirit. I rejoice that I have been so blessed to know so many,
to love so many, to miss so many!<br />
"For behold I bring you news of
great joy which shall be for all the people. Today in the town of David
a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." the angel of the
Lord. So God bless you my friend, If you too know a little sweet
sadness. It is His coming that allows us to love deeply and to know the
great joy as well as the sweet sadness that accompanies such love.</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-69108679710934270512016-12-02T16:24:00.000-08:002016-12-02T16:29:05.794-08:00<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_8">
Christmas........I
have always said that for me Christmas comes in moments throughout the
Advent or Christmas season if you just keep your heart open to hear, to
see, to listen. Such a moment took hold of me, if you will, in exquisite
awareness just last evening.<br />
Jon, Joshua, and I were invited to a
movie and to dinner with dear friends and fellow sojourners for Christ.
After the movie we took the snowy wintery drive up to their house with
lighted trees along the way flocked by God's own doing. We were greeted
in their beautiful home with decorations, music, the smell of food and
the sounds of friends gathered.<br />
Then we came together at the
table to share the evening meal. Jon was asked to lead the blessing and
we all held hands around the table. But there was a wonderful miracle
among us already! Our host was and is by the hand of God a survivor of
leukemia and the accompaning stem cell transplant received from a 20
some year old who cared enough to be a donor. He has celebrated his one
year survivor and keeper of his new stem cells. As Jon prayed about
welcoming the Christ Child and about continued well being as well as
blessing the food and those less fortunate, I was filled with the
presence of the Holy Spirit speaking "Christmas" into my soul. In that
moment it was Christmas. We stood before our Lord around a table ever
mindful that life is a gift; life in Him is the greatest of all gifts.<br />
It was a quiet moment. It was a full moment. It was a moment of
Emanuel, God with us! Such moments once a part of us is always a part of
us enriching our hearts and turning us toward Him. So as the old hymn
prays forth, "O come, O come Emanuel," I pray let it be so in my life!
And may all of us have many "Christmas" moments during this holy season.</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-84388663421160361302016-10-15T09:45:00.001-07:002016-10-15T09:52:05.726-07:00<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_3">
Diversion......So
Starbuck and I were on our way to enjoy a bit of peace at Lizard Lake.
We began our hike at the hot laborious haul up Daniel's Hill. We only
include that climb for the added exercise. I was so looking forward to
sitting by Lizard Lake and just enjoying the quiet. Weelll, to my
surprise, (Starbuck really didn't care), there was a backhoe up on the 4-wheel drive only road doing work just before the lake! Believe me when I
say, it is a rare event to see work done on this treacherous Lead King
Loop!<br />
My first reaction was irritation. It was man-made noise
after all. I go into the back country to avoid such. Starbuck and I had
just paused by the river and I thought, why don't we go down there and
have our snack and a sort of peace; you could still hear the backhoe.
So we made our way down to a spot in which I had never been, found a
large rock shaped like a seat of sorts that hung a little over the
river, I secured Starbuck by me and sat down with my
snack.....diversion.<br />
The river was clear and running, making that
soothing noise that rivers have made through the ages; their own music
of the soul. It made the noise of the backhoe recede into the
background. From my perch on the rock while eating my yogurt, I was
watching this aspen tree with the few gold leaves remaining. They
actually reflected the light of the sun making them glow. The breeze had
each leaf quaking, shaking in a little dance individually of its own. A
few would let go of their tenuous hold to the tree and drift to earth
in their final stage of life, death, in a graceful and lovely
ballet!......diversion.<br />
I was still on the water. It was just
God, Starbuck, and me, backhoe long forgotten. I reflected on aging and
how that it is sometimes a very difficult process. I said a prayer
within my heart that I, like the aspens, could reflect the light of God
as they do the light of the sun. I said a prayer within my heart that
even if dying became a difficult process that it would in someway be
the final ballet for me.....diversion.<br />
Alas, Starbuck and I rose
to make our way up and out from the river. I continued to reflect on
what I saw and prayed, moved deeply by the Holy Spirit. I thought of all
those whose lives that were not, nor ever had been, easy. I thought of
all those living in the wretched conditions of war and disaster. And I
asked the question within my soul, can the end of life be beautiful like
the aspens for all? Can dying be a ballet for all? I heard an answer
in my soul, "For Me, child, it is." I began to weep.......diversion.<br />
We are so bound to earth as humanity that we forget that the eternal
plan is in the ballet of death where we then meet our maker. In the
meantime, perhaps it is simply our call to reflect the light of the Son
and dance in the breeze of the Holy Spirit as best we can, in whatever
our circumstance.<br />
So friend, you may set out on one trail, but
never forget, there are wonderful sights and lessons in the Diversions!
May we have "eyes to see and ears to hear."</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-88187743864601356652016-05-31T18:51:00.002-07:002016-05-31T18:51:18.852-07:00Power......Our spring has been cool this year yet the runoff of the
snow from the mountains was in full glory as we hiked back to the
Chrystal Mill and Chrystal City. We do it every year yet I am always
humbled by the power the water displays as it rushes over the rocks and
edges. With friends "in the know" we saw what I have fondly named, The
Secret Waterfall. <br />
Because of the force of the water of the fall it splashed out everywhere and could not be contained. It was wild a<span class="text_exposed_show">nd
touched everything around it creating wet places and slippery rocks.
One had to step with care knowing that to slip into the frigid rushing
water would not have a good outcome. Yet to stand in the presence of
this fall and feel the water hitting your face and body was nothing
short of Eden-like. I was filled with awe, a healthy dose of respect or
should I say fear, and heart felt wonder to stand so close to such
power!</span><br />
I sometimes wonder,
have we lost a little of what the Old Testament refers to as the "fear
of God." Due to the great love of Jesus in the New Testament, do we
forget, at times that, "In the beginning God created the Heavens and the
earth...." This God holds all power and this God cannot be contained!
To stand in His presence puts us on ground that is HOLY. To stand in His
presence we cannot leave without some of Him splashing in our faces and
upon our bodies! This can be a fearsome thing as we are made aware
that this is an all powerful, all consuming God. May I not forget to
know just a little of the Old Testament fear surrounded by "For God so
loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." The force of the water splashed out everywhere and could not be contained.......Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-53238410438405044042015-10-30T13:28:00.002-07:002015-10-30T13:28:58.258-07:00Sanctuary.....Starbuck and I started out up the infamous Daniel's
Hill to go toward the Crystal Mill. I told Jon that we were just going
to hike down to some spot on the Crystal River and just sit and enjoy.
However, as sometimes I tend to do, another direction "called my name." Or
maybe it was just plain old curiosity. So Starbuck and I took off
climbing and scrambling through a little brush. I saw a rock that was
actually part of a cliff face that looked stable. So I decided to see if
indeed it was stable. Stable is important when at the edge of the
cliff.<br />
Just behind the rock ledge almost growing out of it was a
scrubby Colorado juniper. I thought it best to tie Starbuck there so
that in her excitement she would not decide to pull us both over the
ledge. I carefully found a place to sit on this rock. Starbuck was
sitting behind me. The small branches of the juniper were framing me as
if they were embracing me. The sun was warm on my face. The mountains
across from my perch were covered in fresh snow. The river was traveling
its path through the bend and into the gorge below, singing that
soothing song that moving water sings. I could smell the evergreen of
the juniper and I was at peace. <br />
The moment became holy. I
believe that in that moment a bit of the veil between me and eternity
was lifted. I felt at one with my surroundings and more importantly, at
one with my Creator. I could not utter words even in prayer that would
break the sacredness of that moment. I just breathed and I just sat. I
felt a very gentle breeze stir and in that moment, I felt as if the breeze was the finger of God caressing my face. On that rock, over a
cliff, embraced by evergreen branches, I found sanctuary and discovered
His Holiness in a moment in which I was still and I was quiet. "Be still and know that I am God." the PsalmistPeggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-69431903063375832912015-08-01T14:00:00.000-07:002015-08-01T14:00:00.292-07:00<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
Extravagant
pain........I have a friend here in Marble. I love her and I cannot
comprehend just how deep that love goes. I told her that I loved her and
did not know why it was such a thorough love! She told me in a
whispered voice that sort of love comes from God. She is right.<br />
She is sick, very sick. I was at her home working and visiting. I
crawled into bed with her and she held my hand. We said little. Later
while others were with her I decided to mop her kitchen. She has a mop
but I chose to do it on my hands and knees. As I did so this ordinary
act became a holy act. As I went through the motions on my knees I was
aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit and I was aware of extravagant
pain because of her sickness and because that pain flowed from love. I
still call it extravagant pain because this sort of love was bought with
an extravagant price; "For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten son......" Jesus experienced great suffering so that His grace
and love could be ours. So to love with this kind of Godly love that
comes from the very soul itself is sometimes filled with pain. Yes it is
in my words, in my heart, extravagant pain because its very roots come
from the extravagant love of God. the sacrifice of Jesus, and the ever
"presence" of the Holy Spirit.<br />
I have a friend here in Marble. I
love her. I cannot comprehend just how deep that love goes. She told me
in a whispered voice that sort of love comes from God. She is right.</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-51348208678733932172015-06-05T17:14:00.000-07:002015-06-05T17:14:00.419-07:00The Sound of Music Trail 2015......There have been a lot of critter
sightings around Marble recently. My friend has spotted three different moose. Jon saw a small bear cub which means Mama was close by. There
have been lots of garbage can attacks from bears and of course there are
always the usual mule deer, foxes, elk, etc.<br />
<br />
So Jon, Starbuck and
I took our annual Sound of Music Trail yesterday. We were going along
when I acknowledged bear scat (poop for those not familiar with scat).
It was relatively fresh but as we say not steaming which is always a
relief if you know what I mean. We continued along and spotted moose
scat which appeared quite old, a good sign seeing as how moose do not
like dogs provoking them and can be quite mean to dog and owner. As we
continued just a little further we heard a rather loud snort! All of us
stopped dead in our tracks! I asked Jon if he heard the snort as well,
since Starbuck and I were ahead of him. He assured us he did and he was
scanning below us to see if he could see the critter making the noise.
Then there was the second snort! Seeing as how I was warned by a
thrashing, running, snorting black bear a couple of summers ago, I was a
little concerned. So I stood a little taller and calmly spoke in the
general direction of the snort and said, "We are humans and we mean you
know harm. We will not bother you, please do not bother us." Thankfully,
Starbuck was oblivious to all of this and did not provoke Snorter!<br />
<br />
We continued to a spot in which we took a break and I asked Jon what
did he think our snorter was: bear, moose, or elk? He said he did not
know and that the snort was more or less a warning that the animal was
there and for us not to invade its territory. No problem there. I asked
him what would our game plan be if Snorter got irritated. He reviewed
the "proper" responses: elk, hide behind a couple of trees to avoid
being charged; bear, stand tall and do not run and make lots of noise;
moose, get behind a clump of trees that you can circle around because
moose are fast and not very nice with their hooves and of course, praying
could help. Well, that was certainly comforting.....I voted bear since
the bear scat was relatively fresh and it seemed as if our chance of
surviving a bear over an angry moose might be 1/1000th of a chance
better. Thankfully, Snorter stayed in his or her place and we made a
wonderful hike and safe return home.<br />
<br />
Life is often like a hike.
You go along about your business enjoying the day when God allows a
Snorter into your adventure. It is comforting to know with whom your
faith lies. For if your faith is in God, no matter what confronts you,
we know that the Heavenly view at the end of life's trail is breathtaking and worth the journey!!!!<br />
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-45198974393177120222015-05-24T18:39:00.000-07:002015-05-24T18:40:45.575-07:00Back in Marble........this morning I sat in the sanctuary of our church
praying for the service that started later. I also took time to
contemplate the recent loss of my father. I spoke quietly about that
loss in the sacredness of the moment and in the sacredness of the place:
I am less. And that is true. I am more. And that too is true. I am
complete in Jesus. And that is absolutely true!Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-11557627558124429582015-05-03T17:30:00.000-07:002015-05-03T17:30:00.145-07:00Tribute to Mother........ My Mother had the challenging task of being
a caregiver. She has taken care of my Daddy who just passed away. She
watched the deterioration that accompanies Alzheimer's on a daily basis.
She and Daddy became inseparable as he became more and more dependent
on her to hold on to his memory and his ability to do day to day
activities. He would ask her if he looked good as he put on the clothes
that she picked out for him the night before. He took joy from being
dressed in the "pretty" things that she provided for him. He would wake
up and ask, "what are we going to do today?" As long as he was able, he
would help her drive verbally telling her where he saw a park or if the
way was clear. But he could not remember how to get to wherever they
were going.<br />
He held his own for about three years. Then suddenly,
he declined into that other world of Alzheimer's. He kept her up night
and day. She tried to be as patient as possible with him. She stood her
ground that she would not put him in a nursing home if there was a way
around it. She was loyal to those vows, "in sickness and in health".
Then he declined so rapidly that he was hospitalized. She stayed day and
night by his side except when someone else could give her a break.<br />
I arrived on a Saturday evening. In a moment of rare clarity, he
recognized me. I stayed overnight with Daddy to give Mother a break.
When she told him goodnight, he made a kissing motion with his lips and
reached for her. She leaned down to hug him and kiss him and told him
over and over that she loved him. By Monday night, he breathed his last
breath upon this earth. She had stood by him. Even though her health was
compromised, she was there for Daddy. She was truly in every possible
meaning of the word a caregiver! She was a trooper! She showed us all
true love!<br />
So Happy Mother's Day does not seem enough! Mother, I
am proud of you and I love you! So even though it seems inadequate, I
wish you a very Blessed and Happy Mother's Day!<br />
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-75663720860806743762015-04-27T23:00:00.000-07:002015-04-28T16:39:05.702-07:00<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
Tonight
we sat with my Daddy as he breathed his last breath. Sitting with
someone you love as they die is a sacred thing. It is a sad thing and a
glad thing. Daddy suffered from Alzheimer's and it was a glad thing that
he went to his heavenly home but a sad thing to say farewell to your
father. <br />
Alzheimer's is a terrible disease. But not long before
he died, he told me on the phone that I was his daughter and that he
loved me and that I would always be in his heart. I held that close to
my heart realizing that he was sharing some insight and wisdom about
the disease itself. Maybe God holds those lost things in the heart of
the sufferer to be a part of the Eternal. <br />
I am grateful that he
did not have to go to an Alzheimer's care facility and that in my heart,
God showed mercy by taking him Home. But it is a thing of sorrow to
lose a parent no matter how old you are. So farewell for now, Daddy,
because I know that one day we will be together again. And in our
heavenly home nothing will be lost, but through the grace of God
everything will be gained.</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-90230835350951661282015-04-23T11:45:00.000-07:002015-04-25T12:12:01.603-07:00They are here!.......one thing about living in Marble, a remote
mountain place, that I have not shared is the importance of the arrival
of the hummingbirds. They arrive sometime in April. This is a huge
event for us because we consider it the heralding of Spring. We often
hear the humming of their wings before we can see them. We get two
varieties up here, the Broad Tailed and the Rufus. Everyone puts out
feeders and they literally take over Marble in the summer. They will sw<span class="text_exposed_show">arm
right over your head and by your face to get to their food source. If
you hold a feeder really still, they will eat out of your hand. They
fight each other to protect their perceived feeder and will sit guard
over it. We absolutely adore our hummingbirds in Marble!!</span><br />
<br />
Today as my friend and I were wandering about, we discussed how they
should be arriving at anytime! Low and behold, at the end of the walk, we
heard the unmistakeable sound of the humming of wings! We stopped, we
listened, we high-fived each other and let out a wooooohooooo! The
official heralding of Spring had arrived!<br />
<br />
My family is going through a difficult time right now with my daddy's
battle with Alzheimer's. It is painful to see someone slip into that
unknown territory of the brain as it deteriorates. There are really no
words to describe it. But hearing that hummingbird today reminded me
that the wonders of God are all around us even in our troubled times.
We just have to be open to hear, open to see, open to the simple joy of
one single moment that reminds us that Jesus promised to never forsake
us.........Yes, Marble, they are here! Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-21813999114831969032015-04-04T15:00:00.000-07:002015-04-04T15:00:05.057-07:00<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
Good
Friday......last night was our Good Friday service here in our
beautiful Marble Community Church. There is a woman of God in our
community who is suffering with some serious health issues. On a day in
which we remember the passion of Christ, she epitomized the way of the
cross. God has given her the voice of an angel and she was fortunate
enough to be well-trained with her voice as well. Our small choir sang
"Lamb of God" by Twila Paris. It was an arrangement that included
phrases from "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord." My friend, my
God sister sang the verses as a solo. <br />
She was in much pain
during the service but when she sang, the church was filled with her
voice which could have only originated from Heaven. Her pain was
Christ's pain in that from the cross, He knew that this day would come
for her. His grace filled her being, allowing her to sing through her
pain. And as a result Heaven came down and met us as a congregation at
the foot of the cross. As a result there was not a person without tears
in the entire church!<br />
There are moments in our lives when we are
aware that eternity coexists with our humanity, where the suffering of
the cross coexist with grace. Last night was one of those moments for me
and I cannot help but be forever humbly grateful that my Lord, Jesus
Christ allowed me to share that awareness with my beloved friend and God
sister as well as our beloved congregation!</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-39178173675397335642015-03-28T17:50:00.000-07:002015-03-28T17:50:00.038-07:00<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
Celebration
of a life......I was so very proud of our small historical church here
in the midst of the mountains surrounding Marble, CO. We celebrated the
life of a long time community member today. She went to her Heavenly
home a couple of weeks ago. Our church is small but it was packed with
people remembering a wife, a mother, a sister, and a friend. <br />
A
church celebrates the cycles of life. It dedicates babies, marries
couples, and commemorates lives that have moved into eternity. So it was
today that we as a congregation hosted a family as they remembered
their loved one. We cleaned, we set up the fellowship hall, we worked
with the family, the florist, and talked with friends of the family. Our
little congregation prepared the snacks for after the memorial service.
The table was full of food for the large crowd that came for the
celebration. I was so proud of our folks. They came through and many
worked very hard. The thing that truly blessed me was that everyone
lingered and visited for a long time. It was a sign that told me they
felt welcome. One guest told me that, "this little church just feels
holy."<br />
So yes, as a pastor's wife of a small church nestled
between two wilderness areas, I felt a little pride in our folks and a
lot of praise for God allowing me to share in the "heartbeats" of a
community.</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-27817883212152632342015-02-25T18:30:00.000-08:002015-02-25T18:30:00.966-08:00<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/p180x540/10830791_785418884868716_1865507458350837386_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="spotlight hidden_elem" height="150" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/p180x540/10830791_785418884868716_1865507458350837386_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>Lady.......My
newer jeep, I named Lady. She is a 2008 vs the 1995 manly jeep that I
had named the Bob Marly. I had trouble letting go of the Bob Marly. I
had formed a certain bond with it and just wasn't sure I wanted to part
with it. However after jeeping with Lady in Moab, Utah I have thoroughly
embraced Lady!!! She performed marvelously on one lane dirt and rock
roads! She crawled over rocks, rode into the bottom of Canyon Lands
National Park and climbed out of the canyon on a one lane, dirt and rock
road through a series of switchbacks that was awesome and a little
intimidating! I even drove her on some of these back roads over rocks in
four wheel low and I have to tell you I was absolutely stoked!!! What a
blast! Of course while I was driving I glanced over at Jon and saw that
he was holding onto the handles over the roll bar with both hands. He
said that it was just for support but I think he may have been just a
little nervous. When I stopped driving, I made the comment that I didn't
do too badly for a person totally blind in one eye......perhaps that
was the reason for gripping so tightly to the handholds.<br />
So I
have totally let go of the Bob Marly. After all he has a good home with
Jon's sister, Jonalyn. I think she renamed him Raven or something like
that. So farewell Bob Marly or Raven and HELLO LADY!<br />
</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-13964579403541318222015-02-13T15:30:00.000-08:002015-02-13T17:43:27.492-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10959582_778427345567870_3543881076117316907_n.jpg?oh=eac8e0f8f64b8dcabc21e9687235810e&oe=5559193D&__gda__=1432111749_75000f23412d76d8553ce2de28b14c81" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="spotlight" height="150" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10959582_778427345567870_3543881076117316907_n.jpg?oh=eac8e0f8f64b8dcabc21e9687235810e&oe=5559193D&__gda__=1432111749_75000f23412d76d8553ce2de28b14c81" width="200" /></a></div>
I stood at the top of the hill after hiking back from the Crystal
Mill looking below me at our beloved Crystal River and resting due to
the climb in the soft snow. The soft snow added to the cardiovascular
work load. So as I stood there, I could literally feel my heart pounding
hard and a little elevated in my chest. I liked this pounding! I could
actually feel the strength of my heart responding to my body's extra
need for oxygen. Alive, alive, alive, that is what each beat said to me.
I was surrounded by heavenly beauty, the air was crisp but not cold and
with each deep cleansing breath and each pounding heart beat I felt
alive.<br />
By the grace of God and the prayers of His people I have
thus far survived six brain tumors, all thankfully benign. I have one
itsy bitsy, tiny iny, brain tumor left. I have named it Seven. And yes,
you guessed correctly, it is because it is the seventh. We are not going
to treat Seven at this point. It is so small we may never have to treat
it. But one thing I have learned through the journey that I did not
choose to make, life is simply as the scriptures teach, "like a
vapor." Yet it is precious beyond measure! God made mankind from the
earth and breathed life into him, into her!<br />
So yes I may seem a little crazy on a hiking trail. I sometimes
shout out YooWoo for no other reason than I am overwhelmed by God's
creation. Yes I may sing the "Sound of Music" slightly off key at the
top of my lungs. And yes I may push a hike a little further than
intended just because I want to see what is just around the next corner
or just because I have made some internal destination as my goal, but I
love to feel that pounding of my heart that says you are alive! You are
alive! <br />
God saw me in my mother's womb so says the Psalmist. God
knew my journey and has walked with me in the "valley of the shadow of
death." And when I feel my heart pounding in the midst of His world, I
know that I too am a part of His marvelous creation and that I am His
beloved! My friend, so are you!<br />
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-14971482888152101902015-02-11T16:30:00.000-08:002015-02-11T17:19:31.820-08:00You're the hiker......I was volunteering at the Marble Charter School
yesterday when a local gentleman came in. I reintroduced myself to him
and he said, "Oh, you're the hiker." That sort of surprised me that he
knew me as the hiker. We have really only met a couple of times. I
responded after a minute of pause that I was more of a wanderer....<br />
So today I took Starbuck on a short wandering walk in the Old Mill Park
which was the site of the mill that carved the marble from our quarry
and shipped it out by train in the early 1900s. We went there to avoid
the mud from all the melting snow. We were on a hard-packed trail that I
knew exactly where it led. I discovered another trail that led toward
the river and we, being wanderers, decided to take it. After all, there
was no chance of getting lost. The problem was that the snow-packed
trail dead-ended.<br />
Not wanting to backtrack, I saw that the trail
back to the main mill site was just up a small hill and all we had to do
was get past a little "unpacked snow." I looked at Starbuck and
thought, how deep could it be? So off we went. Oh well, it was a little
deeper than I expected. We were postholing (a term I have learned since
moving here) up to my knees. So the little trek was slightly more
involved for the both of us than I meant it to be. Not only were we knee
deep in snow but underneath were baby trees and fallen buried logs.
Once I fell in the soft snow and sank to my elbows. Now try getting up
with all your shoes and mittens still in place. I started laughing and
Starbuck looked at me as if I had lost my mind and had dragged her where
she did not want to be!<br />
The adventure was relatively short and I consoled myself by thinking
that I would not need to get on the treadmill because my heart rate had
been significantly raised with the new sport of postholing! However,
once I was on the road with a much relieved Starbuck, I thought about our
little wandering. How many times had God provided the nice snow-packed
trail to lead me home only for me to wander off on some other trail just
because it was shorter in distance and I did not want to backtrack? I
pray that I will seek His path. But it was a comfort to know that I
learned a little lesson about errant paths and that God often sees us
through those choices as well.<br />
"Trust in the Lord with all your
heart and lean not on your own understanding but acknowledge Him in all
your ways and He will make straight your path..." the writer of Proverbs<br />
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-63792074809942201042015-01-31T16:30:00.000-08:002015-01-31T18:25:21.210-08:00Meet Lady.......So before Christmas Jon sold the Bob Marly (my black
1995 Jeep) to his sister. I loved the Bob Marly. He had such character
and Starbuck and I could just jump in and go without worry of dog hair
or dirt. We would head off to the trail, go on an adventure and return
home in the faithful black Bob Marly. <br />
Jon had seen a jeep that a
parishioner was selling and briefly asked me if I liked it back in the
summer. I did like said jeep. Then close to Christmas he sell<span class="text_exposed_show">s
the Bob Marly so I was pretty sure the other jeep was going to show up.
A couple of days before Christmas no new jeep. Christmas Eve night no
new jeep. So......what was I going to drive with the Bob Marly gone? But
alas one light weight present I opened contained a key with the word
jeep on it. After a search I saw the new jeep parked in the church
parking lot from our back deck.</span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
So meet Lady, 2008 Wrangler 2 door, X
edition trail rated jeep! She is green and has cloth seats instead of
the plastic that the Bob Marly had. She is a 6th speed and shifts into
all 6 gears smoothly. So compared to the Bob Marly she is somewhat
genteel! Thus the name Lady. Sometimes I even call her the Green Lady.<br />
<a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10959307_772110229532915_5143970160050048308_n.jpg?oh=8b8649b013adaa4f4485ee487a27bf36&oe=55612156" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="spotlight" height="150" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10959307_772110229532915_5143970160050048308_n.jpg?oh=8b8649b013adaa4f4485ee487a27bf36&oe=55612156" width="200" /></a>
Just one issue to straighten out with Jon. Number one, Lady is suppose
to be mine and secondly, we live in Marble, a deep mountain location and
Lady IS A JEEP. So I take her out for the first adventure. I put up the
back seats to make room for Starbuck in the back and off we go to park
below Daniel's Hill. Starbuck and I make a beautiful hike to Lizard
Lake and back. I load her up and we return home. Jon was coming in from
the church and I excitedly told him what we had done! He responded, "You
took the Jeep and you took Starbuck?" Well yeah I did. He then
responded, "You'll get the jeep dirty and get dog hair everywhere." I
simply looked at him and said, "Well, Lady is a jeep and you said she was
mine and SHE IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAN UP around here!</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-606859341948291602015-01-17T08:40:00.000-08:002015-01-17T08:40:00.515-08:00Jon, a friend and I saw American Sniper yesterday. I am not one to
recommend movies but in this case I break that rule. If you want to
remember what our troops have to endure and what their families suffer,
then this very intense and sad film is a great reminder. It is not for
children and it is difficult to watch but there are troops and families
still out there who need our support and prayers! There is a world out
there that needs our prayers!Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-56099055865190453632015-01-13T15:15:00.000-08:002015-01-13T18:21:05.404-08:00<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
Okay,
so I live in a sort of "isolated" place in between two mountain
wilderness areas........ when our monthly paper came out this month,
there was an article by our very own mobile local vet who lives in
Marble explaining that a couple of local dogs had an animal encounter!
So yeah, that got my attention having a local dog myself. Her best guess
was that they had been mauled by a mountain lion! Okay........<br />
On
Tuesdays I volunteer at our local Marble Charter school. I sub there as
well. So during recess a Marbleite dropped by to warn the school that a
mountain lion was in a tree by his gallery. So the teachers let the kids
know and just pulled them a little closer in and avoided the trees
around the school. Two things crossed my mind: one, I wanted to leave the
school and try to get a picture of such an elusive animal and secondly, I
truly do live in the heart of of a magnificent mountain location. Do
not get me wrong, I would have tried to stay in the jeep to get my
photo!!!<br />
I walked home from school with snowflakes falling,
mountains shrouded in clouds thinking what a wondrous world that the
Almighty has placed me to live.... And I should say, I did keep glancing
up in the trees just in case........</div>
Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-70508204663995260512015-01-11T19:00:00.000-08:002015-01-11T20:26:31.039-08:00After church during our fellowship time God blessed me with a very
special gift! I have a friend, a sister here in Marble who has been and
continues to be on a difficult journey. She is battling ovarian cancer.
She continues this journey with such courage and grace! She leans on God
and shares the things that He is teaching her freely, blessing all
those around her. <br />
Today she was sharing with me about the songs
she has been singing; she has a God-given angel's voice! She has been
singing blues song and laughs as she completes them. She has been
reading dramatically some things at the table in English or Southern
accents and again laughing. She shared that this week she asked her
husband to dance with her and they had no dance music so they started
out slow dancing. Then she decided to sing Davidic songs and they did
Davidic dances. She laughed and I laughed with her, picturing the dance
and hearing the music. We were laughing like two young girls right
there in the fellowship room right in the middle of her difficult
journey!! I sense God is giving her freedom in the midst of her
struggle; freedom to continue to sing, freedom to dance with her husband
and freedom to laugh! <br />
This sharing she did with me, this
laughter she shared with me was a gift from Heaven itself. Perhaps we
will all sing in Heaven. Perhaps we will all dance in Heaven. Perhaps we
will all laugh in Godly joy in Heaven.<br />
Praise to God and thanks to my friend, my sister for sharing with me today.......Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594680934496309441.post-33958850486181972312014-11-23T16:00:00.001-08:002014-11-23T16:04:00.466-08:00Advent......Next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is the
four Sundays before Christmas. It celebrates the anticipation and the
waiting over the centuries in the past for the coming of the Christ
child to save our world. It also celebrates the waiting and anticipation
of the second coming of our Savior. I love Advent in the church.<br />
So today our church was busy decorating, getting some of the Christmas
decorations up in the sanctuary and the fellowship hall in anticipation
of the season. We were working together on several projects; everyone
running around getting their part done. It was snowing out. Jon walked
through the front door of the church. He and two other men had been
decorating the huge outside Engelmann Spruce with lights. He had on his
stocking cap and his heavy winter coat. He was covered in snow! I just
had to laugh! <br />
"Did you get the lights on!?" I was just like a
little child! He told me that they had accomplished the task. So of
course I ran out the door to see. When I opened the doors of the church
it was a snowy, Christmassy wonderland. Snow was swirling and flying
about. It was cold and the world seemed transformed in its new snow. Jon
plugged in the lights so that I could see the tree. Of course the tree
had snow on the branches enhancing the lights. I was filled with joy and
I felt Advent stirring in my heart!<br />
"Rejoice, rejoice Emanuel,
shall come to thee O Israel!" My prayer is that I always watch and wait
with anticipation like a child for the coming of our Messiah in my heart and in our world!Peggoty Stovallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14418608001585153828noreply@blogger.com0