Finding Howe Cavern

One gloomy, cloudy day unsuitable for wonderful scenic photographs, Norm and I decided to visit Howe Cavern, actually it is called Howe Cave now. Since we hadn't been there for about 16 years with the kids, we got basic directions, take I-88, get off at exit 22 and then follow the signs.

We had no problem getting to the exit and we found the signs clearly marked. As we traveled we talked about the Schoharie Valley and how it might be nice to have a house on the ridge with a beautiful scenic view of the valley. We saw more signs, "Howe cave straight ahead".


At one intersection we noticed a particularly colorful sign for the Secret Caverns. We had tried to go to the Secret Caverns last year, unfortunately during their closed season.

We continued down the road, came to Howe Cavern Road, but saw no sign indicating which way to turn. We continued several more miles before Norm turned on his GPS which announced, "Find a place to make a legal u-turn." We had missed the turn 3 miles back. Norm thanked me profusely for his gift of a Blackberry phone.

On the way back, we talked about how well marked the road had been until the time we had to turn. Wouldn't that be the best time to have a sign?

We thoroughly enjoyed the cavern. I am amazed at the extent of God's creative power...above and below ground. Our guide, Ben did an excellent job pointing out unique formations and telling us the history of the cave. I can't imagine wading 8 hours in knee to waist deep water, a lantern in one hand and swatting away bats with the other hand as an enjoyable experience that I'd be willing to pay for. But now, with a bricked walkway and sturdy boats, it is a very nice time.

On our way out, heading back to I-88, Norm laughed and told me to look in my rear view mirror. I saw a huge...HUGE sign that said, "HOWE CAVE! TURN HERE!" With a big arrow pointing left. The sign was as wide as the road and about 10 feet high. How had we missed that sign? It was because of a smaller, colorful, glittering sign pointing to the Secret Cavern.

We are easily distracted by something that glitters and shines or makes noise. Mike Saccocio of Schenectady City Mission gave a sermon about the blinking red light on our phone that grabs our attention to let us know we have a call or message, or even more persistent, our ever present cell phones that ring or vibrate demanding we pay attention to them. Sometimes we go pretty far out of the way before we even notice we are off track.

But God is always faithful to get us going in the right direction again. He continually woos us to follow Him, wanting us to stop and listen for His direction, listening past those things that scream at us, demanding our attention.


"The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave." 1 Kings 19:11-13 "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21

Showers of Blessings

We have a tradition at our church called "Showers of Blessing". It is a time when the ladies of our church get together to celebrate the new moms, those ladies who have added to their family through natural childbirth or by adoption. We include any lady who has had a child since our last shower and any who are currently pregnant. It gives the new moms, especially the first time moms, a chance to get to know other women who have children the same age and also the older ladies who are there to support them.

We have a fun time preparing, all the ladies of the church give money to buy gifts and several of us go shopping. We buy diapers, baby food, blankets, towels, bibs, a list of babysitters, some toys and a colorful bin to put it all in. Adopted children usually are older and so get gifts appropriate for their age. We celebrate with food of course, cakes...one for the boys and one for the girls along with various party trays. We keep the program simple, introductions of the new moms, the reading of a children's book, perhaps a DVD or skit that either encourages the moms or makes them laugh. We play a fun game where each new mom brings her own baby picture, then the ladies figure our which mom goes with each baby picture.

Titus encourages older women to train the younger women how to be good wives and mothers and to treat those outside the family well. But our society which encourages independence and a do-it-yourself attitude undermines the fulfilling of that scripture.

I remember being an independent mom, I didn't ask for help unless I was desperate. I felt that asking for help meant I wasn't a good mom. I never thought another woman wasn't a good mom if she asked for help...so why did I feel that way about myself? Whatever my reasons, pride, self-approval, comparison or stupidity, I don't want other moms to go through the same thing. I want them to be free to ask for help, knowing they won't be judged for asking...just understanding that we care what happens to them and their children.

A mom who has been through the joys, trials and experience of raising a child to adulthood has a lot to offer a new mom. We can listen to their struggles, empathize with their frustration and give them a perspective outside their experience. We can offer help, babysitting for a date night, an adult to talk to, an afternoon of rest...

Beyond offering help to young moms, there is a blessing that comes when women of all ages come together when we decide to support one another instead of comparing and cutting one another down. We can laugh and cry together. We can share our joys and trials. We can offer help and support to one another. We can be the community that God had planned for us, sharing our hopes and dreams as well as our tears and frustrations, living a life that encourages one another and honors God, revealing the love of Christ that He has placed in our hearts.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5 NIV

Another blip in life

After my last blog, I was determined to get the house in order, exercise regularly and write each day...and then another blip of life. My son called with a problem, an infection seemed to have spread throughout his body. So I drove to Buffalo and took him to the doctor. Fortunately, it was just a rash.

The trip out was quite eventful. Just past Utica I hit a snowstorm, it started with just flurries, no problem, then all of a sudden I could not see through the blowing snowflakes surrounded by a cloud of snow. I slowed to 25 miles per hour like everyone else. Fortunately before me there was a truck, I could watch its lights and follow it, knowing where the lane was.

I watched the lights and thought about following Christ. There are lots of times that I don't understand what is going on, I can't see the way before me clearly and the way seems like a slippery slope. All I can do is keep my eyes on the light, Christ, the light and continue to move forward, trusting the light to lead me in the right way.

As I traveled with my eyes on the lights in front of me, keeping the car on the road and in the right lane, I didn't have the time to worry about Robert. The lights reminded me to trust in the Light, that he would take care of me and my son.

Well I got Robert all settled, okay, on with my plans then my husband came home with a pulled calf muscle...another blip in my plans.

But I've come to realize the blips are okay. My family is far more important than following my plans. And I can continue to move forward embracing the blips in life as a reminder that I am following the plan God has for my life.