Addy’s first lemonade stand in August of 2020.
It’s time again for Wednesday Hodgepodge with thanks to Jo From This Side of the Pond.
1.What was the best (or one of the best) summers of your life? Tell us why.
The best summer of my life was in 1963. The summer of that year I responded to God’s call on my life. I repented of my sins and believed and put my faith on the Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for my sins and began following my LORD and Savior. Why is this the best? Jesus is my guarantor of a future with the Triune God in heaven. I have been saved from the wrath of God, saved from Hell. Now I am a child of God and His love is over me. I was given eternal life and everything I need on this earth to grow in obedience and the knowledge of the one who saved me. Jesus is way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Him.
Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin and pursue Christ and obedience to Him. It isn’t enough to believe facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God, but they don’t love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience.
2. When you have a trip coming up do you make a list and check it twice to ensure you don’t forget anything? Or are you a ‘throw whatever you can think of into the suitcase at the last minute’ kind of packer?nd
Lists, lists, and more lists. Sometimes I do throw in some last minute items!
When returning from a trip do you unpack immediately or leave the suitcase right where it lands?
It depends. If I’m suffering from jet-lag it could take a day or two for the unpacking and laundering.
3. What’s your favorite food or beverage made with lemons? Is that a flavor you enjoy?
Lemon curd is a favorite on a scone or in a pastry.
A Kensington Dream for a drink. It has a half a lemon squeezed in it.
I do enjoy lemon flavor.
4. When was the last time you had to make lemonade out of lemons, figuratively speaking I mean?
This was a tough one for my memory bank. When we were in the condo for a couple years in Southern California, I wanted to make a calzone for the first time. I did not have a rolling pin as they were both back in our home in Washington State. We did have a muddler and I ended up being able to use that to roll out the dough!
5. Did you like school growing up? Why or why not?
I did like school growing up. I remember that ‘feeling’ in September when school was just about to start. I can remember holding a book early on and loving the fact that I could read the words on the page. I had some wonderful teachers who encouraged me in their kindness to enjoy school. Mrs. Nicklaus, Mr. Demar, Mrs. Sawyer, My senior American Government teachers, Henke, Simon and Sciandra. Mr. Sciandra signed my annual with this sentiment; “I certainly have enjoyed having a swell Christian in class. Best wishes for your future. “
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I captured a few shots of the northern light show on Monday night but it wasn’t nearly as dramatic as this one I captured back in May of 2024. The cool thing I saw on Monday night was a shooting star! It’s been ages since I’ve seen one of those.
Have a good end of the week everyone!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Great pictures of the night sky! That is neat what your teacher wrote to you about being a Christian! Our pastor had been a teacher before he went to seminary to become a pastor. He has told stories about praying over his classroom and for the other teachers and students. I have often thought how great it would have been to be in his school! Enjoyed your answers. Have a great day!
…I seem to sleep through night light shows.
Beautiful capture of the Northern Lights. I like lemon curd, yum!
Cute photos of Addy! Take care, enjoy your day!
What a beautiful picture of the night sky and the northern lights. I wanted to see the meteor shower this week but they are always way past my bedtime : ) I love lemon curd too. Enjoy your day!
I picked lemon curd too! Your night sky photo is so beautiful. It’s pretty neat how the northern lights converged with the Perseid meteor shower. I’ve seen some amazing photos on blogs and Instagram, but we weren’t awake to see either phenomenon in person.
Loved that you shared your testimony. That summer certainly changed everything, didn’t it? Praise the Lord. And lemon curd….yet one more thing that I forgot about. I think I like more lemon things than I actually remembered! Thanks for sharing those cool night photos!
Great that you caught the beautiful sky on camera. Awesome.
I hated school. I was one of the ones who got picked on!!
I do like all things lemon!!
Amen! I loved how you shared about your summer of 1963 and how accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior would be the best summer ever!
Just as your teacher signed your annual saying it was a pleasure to have a Christian in his class – I will add, it’s a breath of fresh air to have Christians share their Faith on the Hodgepodge, which is what I also try to do. What an opportunity!
I love lemon curd, too! I don’t eat the sugar anymore, but if I did, I could eat it with a spoon!!
Those are nice pictures you captured.
A special summer memory for sure!
I love your first answer, as that is the most important decision! Thank you for sharing that! Those night sky pictures are so incredible too!
Dear Ellen , thank you for sharing your coming to Christ and what all it entails. What a special summer.
I really enjoy a good lemon curd. We enjoy all things lemony.
Choosing to follow Jesus would make for a very memorable and “best” summer! Your night sky photos are fantastic – I so miss seeing the northern lights, and we’re so close to the city we don’t get to do much stargazing here either. Maybe this coming week when we’re at the vacation house? Hopefully! Have a wonderful week!
Great pictures of the lights. And I love that you have a Tiptree jar of Lemon Curd – we often have their marmalade or jam.
That’s a sweet photo. That is beautiful about your summer that you put your faith in God. Yep, I agree with you making lists. That lemon curd sounds good. I’ve never heard of a muddler. Glad you enjoyed school. How awesome to see the northern lights and a shooting star!