YEP. THIS. IS. GOOD!

Asa

I guess I love windows!  Especially uniquely shaped ones or colored ones.  These are all photos taken in Potosi.  Some might recognize where they are.  I just like that craftsmen took the time for the detail.  It adds variety, character and pleasantries to life!

I'm glad God took the time to make each of us different!  Unique, colorful, and beautiful whether old or new, simple, or laced with varied character.

The Bible says we are made in His image, so that means none of us were mistakes!  We all reflect minute parts of His character.  

Some of my best photos are of the most simple subjects.  Some are eye-catching because they are colorful or different for various reasons.

Thankfully we come in all colors, shapes, sizes and personalities - just like windows - only more beautiful!  

Utilize the character that God created in you!  Take time to thank Him for the gifts and abilities you have!  Share them with God and with others!  

And if you have trouble knowing what those are, most of us do, in fact, have a mouth through which we can praise Him!  

Nothing brings Him more joy than our activity of loving and exalting Him! THAT is beauty at its best and truly a reflection of HIM!  

Like these windows, allow Him to enter your heart like the sun.   When 
He radiates through you, it is amazing how others are affected!  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are fruits of the Spirit.  Allow those attributes of the Father to enter the windows of your heart and your cup will overflow just as light passes through glass!  And sometimes it flows in a colorfully unexpected way!

"For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth."  Ephesians 5:8

"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."  Ephesians 4:32

Be a window through whom those around you can see the light of Jesus!  

Hi reunion friends!  Glad you made it over!  The photos of the reunion are indeed on this web site!  Check out the gallery and click on Potosi 1975 friends!  Thanks for letting me crash your party and have a great night of smiles and memories with you!!  

I am compelled to write about this subject.   Guy BollingerGuy Bollinger My patriotism to our country is not necessarily because I personally lost someone I love in combat, though I am sensitive and very honoring of those precious families of each who have defended us and lost their lives.  I don't even have many close family members who have served in the armed forces, with the exception of my father-in-law, who did not speak often of the subject.  He was in the air force and flew somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 missions in a bomber in WWII.  I know very little about these planes or exactly what his role was.  I do know it was a dangerous job and though he made it through the war, many of his comrades did not.  

My own father was never drafted.  He was more than willing to serve, but one of the "in-between" generation fortunate enough to not be called on.  My husband has not served, but his brother was in Vietnam and I am sure saw his share of heartache and sadness during his time there.  I have many friends who have fought and a few acquaintances or distant relatives who I vaguely remember even paid the ultimate price.  However, I have little experiences of hearing war stories or missing a loved one who was there to truly grasp or imagine its reality.

Yet, there is a very real heart swell within me about the love of our country.  Same call that patriotism.  I'm not even sure that is what it is.  Though I love my country and have been forever grateful for its freedoms, I am saddened about the compromises of its leadership and people, particularly in the more recent years.  It has broken my heart to see an "every man for himself" mentality and seemingly selfish motives and attitudes being modeled and taught to our children.  Many have forgotten, or never learned the reasons this nation came to enjoy the blessings it has.  Our history is not only fading in the minds of a new generation, but much is being left out of our educational systems and lives in general as it relates to morality and righteous standards upon which many of our forefathers came to establish and respect.

Many would disagree that Christianity was one of the foremost reasons for pioneers to venture to this "new" land they would call America.  I am sure there were other reasons, including exploration, curiosity, hopes for wealth, fear of tyranny, greed and more.  Righteousness will always be accompanied with humanity and subject to temptation and sin!  But I cannot help but believe that many who packed up their families to travel into unknown and unchartered areas across an enormous ocean had to have some convictions that went far beyond pure human motives.  I believe God inspired many of those men and women to make that very difficult decision to seek freedoms that we have continued to enjoy for over three centuries.

I also believe they were called to those freedoms within the canopy of His standards of righteousness.  I do not believe He called them to evolve back into the kind of man-controlled system from which they exited, but rather to honor His precepts and abide in Him as their only God.  Many of those early settlers were loyal to that God.  And though varying denominations and church theologies shot up, the loyalty to Him seemed to continue - the God who sent His precious Son, Jesus to die and the God who left us the presence of His power, comfort and peace in the Holy Spirit.  Documents were signed, treaties drawn, worship was encouraged, the Bible was included as children were taught, and men and women had conviction and some level of understanding that it was God to whom praise was due, even in the shadow of hardship and death.  God's name would remain on the papers, convenants, and lips of these people and communities in general, even though sin would continue to varying levels.  

Basic Biblical truths have remained foundational in this country for many years, even with growing resistance.  There have been human issues, disagreements and sin - so much so that wars have been fought and many, many people died.  Yet somehow God's mercy has brought this country general blessings, forgiveness and favor in still many aspects.  

As darkness continues to roll across our land and compromise and sin abounds, nothing is new to God - except that perhaps it has come to unprecidented numbers.  Just as the human tendency without God is to spiral to self destruction as was in the days of ancient Israel when Moses brought the people out of bondage as instructed by his God, so it continues in our lifetime.  In the face of God and of those who have sought to stand for righteousness and defend that standard, I watch as godlessness abounds.

I do not know how "Thou shall not kill" works when it comes to war.  It puzzles me how war has been a part of even Biblical mandate.  I suppose it is because we do in fact live in a fallen world and there is a much bigger picture than we can see as to how God cleanses nations and sin.  But I do believe nations are called by God to resist evil, and likewise I would resist if it were my children being sought after by an enemy.  

So I pray for our soldiers.  I pray that we might remain a country favored by God.  I am afraid God's patience is running thin. His word tells us that judgement comes to nations who do not turn from wickedness.  I don't even pretend to know at what point God's hand is raised in that kind of declaration.  But I pray for this America that I live in.   I pray for people's hearts to turn and re-turn to the God who gave us all we have to this point.  I pray for radical decisions on the part of each individual as we are faced with the question today of choosing who we will serve.  I pray for our leaders who are making decisions that will affect every one of ours and our children's lives.  I pray for those and their families who have faithfully sought to please God by standing against evil, some to the point of losing their lives in battle for it's sake, and for those who even as I write, are putting their lives at risk defending us.  I too have sung this country's popular hymn, "God Bless America", but I must say today, "May America bless God".

A peony pause!  A whole lot of Potosi is going on in my writing these days as I am finishing up a writing project on my life growing up there.  It is hard to not be very consumed when so much time and effort has gone into its compilation!  

However, I pause just now and contemplate something else that is all the more consuming! Just wanted to say that we have an awesome God, who specializes in some very beautiful creations - you and I being a recipient of that artistry!  This flower is but one of billions of specialties for us to enjoy - just because He enjoys our smiles and pleasure!  Appreciate a person today - or perhaps a peony!  They are all a part of His handiwork and delight!

This bright photo is yet another colorful creation (just behind the pipe organ) in the Presbyterian Church in Potosi.  Can't get enough of these stained glass master-pieces!  Some of them will be featured in the new book, "Potosi, That's Where I'm From!"  Stay tuned for the announce-ment of the release on Amazon.  It should only be a couple of weeks from now!   

It has been such a fun journey collecting photos and digging into the story of not only my up-bringing, but also the general history of Potosi.  There are wonderful legends, amazing people, and even unbelievable tales that have roots in this little town.  My writings only begin to outline the happenings of the many years of Potosi's chronicles!

The church alone has it's own stories that echo inside its sturdy stone walls splashed with brilliant stained glass, light and color.  I particularly remember a time in the early 1970's when a very supernatural happening at the high school spilled over into evening meetings at this special place.  At that time, the church's beauty only served to house the beauty that was taking place in the hearts of young people all over Potosi.  It was an awakening point of mine and several other friend's lives that will ever be remembered into eternity.  

I believe there were many more who could relate to this event.  In the book, you will read several personal accounts of this wonderful "sweep" of heaven and see how it stayed with them through today.

Another Minor's memory.  A visit to the Austin-Milam-Lucas Store/House on Jefferson Street brought me face-to-face with some memorabilia from mining days gone by.  Such interesting history and artifacts.  I am far from being an expert on how barite (tiff) was mined, but a good look at this display began to give me quite an appreciation for what these early folks went through to make a living in the Potosi area.  Though original hopes were that silver was the prevalent mineral here, tiff became the focus - and the rest is history!  :)

Old Potosi!  Gracefully aging, standing strong amidst weather and years.  Still stunning.  Still warm.  Still respectable in charm and character!

With some love and up-keep, these "ladies" have watched at least a century come and go, sheltering families and welcoming friends. They continue to welcome our eyes and smiles as they are both the foundation and decoration of this quaint town.

A word comes to mind:  Integrity.  Aging can bring battle scars, a few wrinkles, repairs and needed re-do's, but integrity continues to be ageless!  Doing the best with what we have been given is always something that turns heads and demands a nod from all who recognize it.

These homes have been lovingly cared for throughout the years.  Perhaps some better than others, but the maintenance has certainly been there for them to stand so stately under the shadow of the trees that shelter them.  Each one's caretaker has well provided for their honor.  

We too have an incredible Caretaker.  Though we age and carry the marks of life and its challenges, when sheltered beneath the care of our God, our integrity remains.  When we allow Him to work in and through us, He makes us more beautiful as the years go by.

Of course there is the need for restoration and rehab from time to time.  Life's battles and storms tend to weather us.  We simply cannot stand against the heaviness of the years beating against us without God's loving hand that buffs off the tarnish, re-sands and refinishes both our exterior and our interior!  He sweeps our houses, shines our windows and makes sure our roofs are repaired when the rain sneaks in!

​Sometimes He even adds extra color and decor that bring added attention and admiration!  There are certain gifts and talents that stand out for whatever reason, and serve as compliments, but also as blessings to many.  There are the subtle, quiet beautiful gifts that ooze of warmth, kindness and strength.  

Carry what you have, realizing that is but by our Master's strength and care that we are able to represent and reflect the beauty that He alone gives and maintains.  

Thank Him often for the treasures He allows in our lives.  Thank Him also for the storms, though they beat hard on us from time to time, we learn to respect and respond in a way that pleases Him.  Thank Him for the gold that comes from the fires of life and for the promise of the sun in the midst of the thunder and downpours.

Integrity.  Let Him be the maintenance Man and Keeper of the doors and windows of our "house".  Agree with the still small voice that tells us how to listen and obey.  Let wisdom and patience be what we favor as God does the needed washings and cleanings of our structures and heart.  Do not resist His voice, His tender touch or His desire to remodel us when necessary.  

May we, like these homes remain steadfast and under the shelter of His very capable wings!  May we take the love we are given and wrap it around all who grace our porches and hallways.  May our faces be aglow with His wisdom and glorious radiance.  And may our lives leave a legacy of what belonging to Him produces in the long haul of the journey of life!