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I BelieveA Birth Certificate shows that we were born.
A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived
Have a seat . . . and enjoy the ride between
I Believe
I believe . . .that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I believe . . .that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I believe . . .that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while, and you must forgive them for that.
I believe . . .that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I believe . . .that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I believe . . .that it's has taken me a long time to become the person I have always wanted to be.
I believe . . .that you should always leave loved ones and friends with loving words. It may be the last time you see them
I believe . . .that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I believe . . .that we are responsible for our actions, no matter how we feel.
I believe . . .that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I believe . . .that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done . . .regardless of the consequences.
I believe . . .that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe . . .that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I believe . . .that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe . . .that sometimes when I'm angry, I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I believe . . .that maturity has more to do with what types of experience you've had and what you've learned from them . . .and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I believe . . .that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I believe . . .that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I believe . . .that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for whom we become.
I believe . . .that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I believe . . .two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I believe . . .that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I believe . . .that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I believe . . .that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I believe . . .that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I believe . . .that the happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
I Believe by
Dr. Angela Lumpkin
Dean of the School of Education
University of Kansas
Enjoy, my friends.
Luke (Lee) T H E J O U R N E YThe Journey
Author Unknown
At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I
did wrong so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He
was out there sort of like the president. I recognized His picture when I
saw it, but I didn't really know Him
But later on when I really knew Him, it seemed as though life was rather
like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was in
the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life
has not been the same since - life with God that is. He makes life exciting!
But when He took the lead, it was all I could do to hang on! He knew
delightful paths, up mountains and through rocky places - and at
breakneck speeds. Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal !"
I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He
smiled and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust.
I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. When I'd say, "I'm
scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance,
and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey.
God's and mine.
And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra
baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found
that in giving I received, and our burden became light.
At first I did not trust Him in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it,
but He knows bike secrets - knows how to make it lean to take sharp
corners, dodge large rocks, and speed through scary passages.
And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places. I'm
beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my
delightful Constant Companion.
And when I'm sure I just can't do any more, He just smiles and says,
"Pedal !"
"Be still, and know that I am God..."
The Overland Mail Service (and Stagecoach)After writing the blog just below this one about the Overland Mail Service, I began to find more and more research resources and, although I will continue researching, I have decided that at this point I have no reason to make any corrections to what I've already written. I'm going to stand by it. Yes, I'm aware that it may not have happened exactly as I describe, but for the lack of known facts, I see no reason to change it. It's as factual as I presently can get it.
I finally managed to get a copy of "The Overland Mail" book (from St. Louis to San Francisco) which was documented by a Waterman L. Ormsby. Mr Ormsby was the first passenger to ride the stagecoach from the beginning to the end (going from East to West). Mr Ormsby documented it for what was then the "New York Herald" back in mid 1858. The New York Herald published it over the months of September, October and November of 1858. His book is apparently the only documented source for this route from beginniing to end. This is not to say that there were not reports by individuals on portions of the mail route. It just means that there were not many reports that carried authenticity.
Some of the things that I have found amusing was the fact that there was no place to lie in even a semi prone position. Most trips from St. Louis to San Francisco took at least twenty three days. That would be days and nights. I cannot even imagine what it must have been like to sit there that long with only short breaks to change out a team of horses or mules as the route dictated. In one of the journals that I read the comment was made that "if a passenger drifted off to sleep - and happened to fall forward - he most probably lost his seat". I wonder how people actually travelled the entire route!
Back to my research.
Blessings, all.
Luke (Lee) (Rev. 03.11.09) The Overland Mail ServiceRecently I have been researching information of and about the Mail Service, and more specifically of the old 'stagecoaches' that used to run many years ago. Actually, what brought it about is that I live in an area of Texas that was once known as "Tate Springs". Tate Springs doesn't exist anymore........well, not by that name. Geographically, it is still in the same spot it's always been. It's just not called that anymore except to those who have lived in or near the area any length of time. It is now a part of Arlington, Texas.
Historically, it is described as having been a Baptist Encampment, and a school which dates back to somewhere in the middle 1800's. There is still a Baptist church at that spot. There is still a school there also. Both have gone through many changes over the years. The school is presently listed as the "oldest active school in the Arlington ISD". At one point it was in the Ft Worth ISD. However for many years it wasn't in either school district. Back in the middle 1800's Tate Springs was a stop on the Overland Mail Route. With natural springs in the area, there was always plenty of water and vegetation. It was an ideal place for to put in a "relay" station where stagcoaches could change out to a fresh team of horses, and the passengers could take a 'breather' and get a good meal before journeying on.
Living in this area, I have often wondered where this stagecoach came from or went to, and set about looking for more information. Getting the information was not that difficult. The "Handbook of Texas Online" has much information just at one's fingertips. I might add that the Handbook of Texas Online is a project of the Texas State Historical Association, so the information is authentic or as near authentic as they can get it. The good thing is the "Handbook" online is updated regularly as new information becomes available.
I have written an article on my research and have placed it at this link: http://leeaper.spaces.live.com/ and just scroll down as I add to this site frequently.
I didn't learn what I thought I would, but I so enjoyed my research and the discovery of a wealth of information from early Texas History that I will be a long time reading it.
I have located a couple of maps showing routes that was once in existence, and will insert them. There were freight roads as well as mail/stagecoach roads all over. It would probably be a major historical feat to recreate a drawing or map.
(Rev. 03.11.09)
Old Barns and PeopleA PERSPECTIVE ABOUT OLD BARNS AND PEOPLE
Only years of standing in the weather, bearing the storms and scorching sun, only that can produce beautiful barn wood.
A stranger came by the other day with an offer that set me to thinking. He wanted to buy the old barn that sits out by the highway. I told him right off he was crazy. He was a city type, you could tell by his clothes, his car, his hands, and the way he talked. He said he was driving by and saw that beautiful barn sitting out in the tall grass and wanted to know if it was for sale.
I told him he had a funny idea of beauty
.
Sure, it was a handsome building in its day. But then, there's been a lot of winters pass with their snow and ice and howling wind.
The summer sun's beat down on that old barn till all the paint's gone, and the wood has turned silver gray. Now the old building leans a good deal, looking kind of tired. Yet, that fellow called it beautiful.
That set me to thinking. I walked out to the field and just stood there, gazing at that old barn. The stranger said he planned to use the lumber to line the walls of his den in a new country home he's building down the road. He said you couldn't get paint that beautiful. Only years of standing in the weather, bearing the storms and scorching sun, only that can produce beautiful barn wood.
It came to me then. We're a lot like that, you and I. Only it's on the inside that the beauty grows with us. Sure we turn silver gray too.... and lean a bit more than we did when we were young and full of sap. But the Good Lord knows what He's doing. And as the years pass He's busy using the hard weather of our lives, the dry spells and the stormy seasons to do a job of beautifying our souls that nothing else can produce. And to think how often folks holler because they want life easy!
They took the old barn down today and hauled it away to beautify a rich man's house. And I reckon someday you and I'll be hauled off to Heaven to take on whatever chores the Good Lord has for us on the Great Sky Ranch.
And I suspect we'll be more beautiful then for the seasons we've been through here.... and just maybe even add a bit of beauty to our Father's house.
May there be peace within you today.
May you trust God that you are
exactly where you are meant to be.
And.....I do sincerely Thank God for all my wonderful friends and family
who love me even though I show signs of weathering.
Thank you, for visiting
Lee & Pat |
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