Francy's New Morning

Something changed the day our son blew out his thirteen candles. He accidentally blew away every ounce of energy he had stored in his growing body.   Come with me and we’ll follow my son throughout his day. I’m sure he’d love to show us one day in the life of a teenage boy.   Knock. Knock. “AJ, are you awake?”    No answer.   Of course, it’s Saturday, pre-baseball season. Therefore, he has no reason to wake before midafternoon. Mornings are often skipped altogether. We’ll have to wait a few hours.   1:00 PM   Knock. Knock. “AJ, are you awake?”   No answer.   “Are you alive?”   “Uhh. Mmmmh.”   Good. That low, rumbling sound means he’s alive and might wake in an hour. We’ll try back at two.   2:00 PM   Knock. Knock.   “AJ, are you awake yet? You missed breakfast, and you’re late for lunch.”   “Yeah. I’m getting up.”   ...

  Jordan builds a fort to prepare for snowball fight with brothers.     Last weekend my family and I traveled from our home in Long Beach, the flattest part of Long Island, to a spot in the Poconos Mountains. Not only the terrain was opposite, but this part of the world sounded nothing like home.    While the kids slept late, I bundled up in as many layers as I could tolerate, squeezed into my boots with double socks and went for a walk up the quiet road. And I mean up. The roads in the Poconos go either uphill or downhill and rarely anything in between. I got to work muscles usually neglected in Long Beach.   After a few minutes passed, I noticed the silence. Only my boots crunched in the icy snow. Unlike home, there were no motors running, no dogs barking, no planes roaring overhead, no cars or trucks or buses zooming by, no taxis honking. I could hear myself breathe. I could hear myself think and pray. Quiet melodies played in m...

            BENEATH THE STAR By Frances Judge   I wasn’t there beneath the star to see Messiah’s birth, And hear the hallelujahs angels sang above the earth.   I didn’t walk the dusty roads and see the lepers healed, Or hear God’s voice from heaven as His love was now revealed.   I never watched Him love the world that pierced His outstretched hands, Creator of the universe, the Son who understands.   But I have seen the Son of God each hour of every day As seeds of sprinkled kindness bloom in fields so far away.   He stirs the minds and willing hearts—His feet still walk this world To help the hopeless, sick and frail; salvation’s plan unfurled.   A man who shares a home cooked meal to bless the weak and poor, And tells them they are not alone; Christ opened Heaven’s door. Sons and daughters hear the calling to leave their comfort zone And travel where the...

 A JOURNAL OF STORIES AFTER THE STORM   One Time Five Kids and a Flood Good Morning; It's a New Year   A New Kitchen After Hurricane Sandy A Bathroom for Valentine's Day Remembering Before A Change of Plans Times Five Added Treasure Surprising Jordan Country Blessings Almost There--A House Update Final Touches...Latest House Update Celebration Time A JOURNAL IN PICTURES (some of the over-hundred volunteers who helped)