When I Was a Little Girl I Passed a House Every Day on My Way To School

When I was a little girl, everyday as I walked to school I wanted to go to the door of one of the houses I passed and knock on the door to see if I could come in.  The reason I always longed to do that was because the little white house had a little white sign in the window that read "doll hospital."  Year after year I walked past, wondering what wonderland lay in that little white house.  Then, and I can't even remember why, or what doll my dad decided he would take to the little doll hospital, but he announced on a Sunday afternoon we were going to the Doll Hospital.  Now I had never said a word about wanting to go there, but my dad has always been pretty observant, and very partial to little girls, and we always had everything my dad could afford to give us, and the most important and significant of those things was his time.  On Sunday afternoons, even though he didn't have many resources during my childhood, after church, after lunch, and then after his short nap, he nearly always took us on some little field trip.  We might go to the school grounds and fly kites, or little airplanes with red wind up propellers, or catch frogs or tadpoles and put then in a jar to take home, go for snow cones, or just a drive in the country.  My mom and dad were such sweet parents to us as we were growing up, and they still are.  On that one Sunday we took some doll and walked down the street to the house with the "doll hospital" sign.  I remember being terribly disappointed.  There were no rows of beds with little dolls lying in them, no nurses, and no "doll doctors."  It was just a perfectly ordinary living room.  The lady living there took the doll from my dad, made it little ticket out, and gave him a receipt.   As we walked down the steps my mother said in a cheerful voice to break my silent thoughts, "Well Sam, that was disappointing, let's go get a Dr. Pepper and a candy bar."  I have been consoling myself with a Dr. Pepper and candy bar ever since, and I must admit that technique has taken a toll.  

When Randy was last home on leave, despite my not wanting to go, (the being on crutches thing was really getting to me,) he insisted that he was taking me on a little get away.  We couldn't go far because we both had multiple doctor's appointments.  He had picked a little resort on Lake Conroe.  Now I am usually gun ho for every trip, but I wasn't feeling well, and I was a little blue.  When he started picking out my outfits and putting them in the suitcase, I realized I was going, and put what he had picked back, and got ready.  I had so much fun, and on a little trip into Old Spring Town, between Conroe and Houston, my disappointment from that Sunday afternoon so long ago, disappeared as he took me to The Doll Hospital in Old Spring Town.  It was everything I had dreamed it would be as a little girl.

 

Old Spring Town is full of wonderful little shops, bakeries, and restaurants, but of course my favorite was this little shop.  

 

The shop keeper was everything I had envisioned as a child, complete with a traditional lab coat, just like a "real doctor."


Since 1987, Mary Ann Pizzolato has been operating this little shop, and her background in chemical engineering was evident as she talked with a customer who had brought in some vintage dolls for restoration.  She had bought them for herself because her own collection had been stolen many years ago.  (I am convinced a little girl is in all of us women, and we love dolls until the day we die.)  The doll doctor was assuring her customer that she had chemicals to remove stains without damaging the beautiful dolls which were to be left in her care.  

 Mary Ann is no amateur either, and her reputation has landed the Doll Hospital a feature article in the December 1996 issue of "Good Housekeeping" magazine.  Then in 1999 of the November issue of "Parents Magazine, " the Doll Hospital was featured once again.  Both the Dallas Morning News, and the Houston Chronicle have done stories on the establishment, and of course little girls for years have made memories in the shop.  That isn't the end of their fame, with the Discovery Channel doing a feature piece, and on September 28th of 2000 "The Lynette Jennings Show" showcasing the shop, and the reputation of the business has been established literally around the world. Those of us who collect dolls, and manufacturers alike, share the story of the skills of the Doll Hospital to bring back a dear little friend.

 

There are white lace curtains, just as I expected, and row after row, and shelf after shelf of dolls.  It is too hard to decide which one is prettiest!  

Not only can you get your doll repaired, but you can buy 

beautiful new dolls, and all kinds of accessories!  

 
If you are in the Houston area, you shouldn't miss the Doll Hospital in Old Spring Town.  They are located just about 20 miles from Houston, and less than an hour from our house, if you are staying with us.  In fact, there are so many things to do and see in our area, that this story, along with their web site information, will be permanently available on a new page of our site.  We will be doing stories on all the intriguing little shops and special places near Soldier's Heart Ranch.  There is always something special to do with-in an hour's drive.

 You will note the Wicked Witch of the West, but look closer, Glenda the Good Witch

 is nearby, no cause for alarm!

Every doll shop must have baby dolls, and of course my favorite one there in the center is the "Army" baby.  His shoes were untied, and the good doctor noted that, and stopped to tie them and pose again with the doll.

  

No doll shop is complete without bride dolls!

 

 

              

 Accessories for dressing your dolls are always needed.

There are so many more dolls to see, but you will just have to go and look at all Mary Ann's beautiful dolls, and talk to her of her craft.  It was everything I had hoped it would be when my father took me to the Doll Hospital  fifty years ago, and it was well worth the wait!  Here's where you find the Doll Hospital in Old Spring Town.

The Doll Hospital

419 Gentry @#102

Old Spring Town, Texas 77373

aaadolldoc@aol.com

(281-350-6722)

 www.aaadollhospital.com

Warning, This Video of the Young Journalist Missing in the Middle East is too Graphic for Some

 
































Please be cautious about watching this You Tube video.  You must be a strong person to watch.  I am posting this to ask for prayer for this young man, and for his family.  He is from the Houston area, and is  Austin Tice, and he is a a young journalist.  He has been missing for about six weeks, and now this video of him being lead up a hill by 10-12 Syrian freedom fighters has surface and in it he is calling upon God, calling out to Jesus, in great fear for his life.  The video does not show how it ends.  I have been praying for him since around the first of his disappearance, and I offer prayers for him specifically now.  I pray too for all who live in the Middle East and have lived so long with violence, danger, death, and bombs.  As Americans, I know we cannot understand or comprehend what life has been like constantly since their birth.  May God, in His mercy and love help us all.  In the name of the Prince of Peace I offer prayers to heaven for Austin Tice, and his family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIaio5hxSSE&feature=share

 I have been praying for this young man. He is calling the name of Jesus in this video which appears designed to indicate he is going to his execution.  There is all power in that name. Father God, again I come to you, confident of my favor with You because of Jesus, and what he has done for me. I am filled with compassion for this young man and his family. I see his fear, I see the disregard by his captors of the fact that he is created in Your image by You. As he called out in terror and dread the name of Jesus I thank You that You were in that desert. I thank You hat whatever he faced, whether he lives, or is in Your presence now, You were with him. You heard his cries, You reached out in Your  all powerful love and  compassion at his suffering. Father God, thank You that nothing in this world, not even cruel and deceived men, murderers all, can separate us from the love of God. If Austin Tice lives, make provision for his every need Father God, may he know Your presence, Your care, and Your protection.  Be with Him in the firey furnace of war in the Middle East.  Father God, we offers praise that before we came to You, You knew the needs of Austin, and You answered before we even knew what to pray, and as You watches the sparrows, Your help and comfort are with Austin.

In the Name of Our Lord and Savior,
Amen.

Message to the Extremists of the Middle East

One of the things I am so grateful to God for is the gift of friendship.  Those women in my life whom I can tell anything to, and not worry about whether they will judge me, spread what I have shared as gossip, or in other petty little ways do mean things to me and others.  The kind of women I am talking about are those "salt of the earth" women.  We all know some of them, and if we are lucky, live our lives in their warmth.  I was privileged to call such a woman Mother.   My mother and her sisters have exemplified all that a woman should be before me my whole life   My father, and his sisters too have been such an example before me.  I have a half a dozen of these same kind of remarkable women as friends and  in close proximity to me at present, and I am more aware of the value of their friendship and care everyday.



My desire, and your desire, for we all possess this trait inherited from our Creator, is to know and be known, loved, and accepted.  That is how we are made in His image. No person can escape the fact that they are stamped in God's image.  That doesn't mean that my eyes get their hazel color from the color God's are.  Nor does it mean if we were standing side by side, you would observe that our smiles are just alike.  When God tells us we are made in His image, He is referring to the longing in God that caused Him to create all that He has, to allow our existence and tthe direction of our own lives to us, and to prove to each of us, our greatest need is to love and be loved by God.

That principle of being created in His image is the most profound truth of our existence, in fact of all of creation.  God longed to love and be loved by beings who could choose not to, if they so desired.  God wants to be chosen, He desiredsto be observed, and judged by us as the One and Only God worthy of love and total devotion, Ephesians the third chapter beautifully describes how He desires for us to know Him completely, the height, the width, the breath, and the mystery of all He  is.  It is sometimes difficult for me to think or ponder on that.  I begin to feel and know just a glimmer of what that truth means personally to me, and I feel overwhelmed, and love for My God fills all of me, and I know He is mine, and I am His, and when it comes right down to it, that is all that is needed. 

This concept was accidentally proven in a "scientific" experiment on human beings conducted at the order of King Frederick II of Germany, that went horribly wrong.  The king wanted to determine what language a child would develop in order to communicate with the world, if they never heard the spoken word.  Being that it was the thirteenth century,  and he was king, he, in his wisdom had 50 babies at their births collected and placed them in his experiment.  He assigned foster mothers to meet the physical needs of the babies.  They were to feed them, keep them clean, and keep them from harm, but never to speak to them, not to hold them  for any other thing other than necessity.  No cuddling, and no soft sounds that we mothers mummer instinctively to our babies.  No "This little piggy went to market," no Twinkle, twinkle little star," and certainly no "patty cake," was heard.   There was no rocking, no cuddling, no intentional touch from another that was made out of love.  He never determined the answer to his hypothesis, for all fifty of the babies died.  Medicine now has a name for this phenomenon of human beings, it is called failure to thrive, and the results are always the same when the same kind of conditions that the king ordered are present.   Human beings, like their Creator must have love.  That beautiful simple statement from the Bible contains the mystery and message of the Universe at its core, "God is love."











Going back to the attributes of God, He is all knowing, and that is a concept that is so profound to us in our limitations, and that is the reason people often question God's love.  Usually there is loss and suffering of some kind associated with this questioning of God's love.  Hurricanes, deadly diseases like cancer, and things like acts of terrorism against your own countrymen are thrown up at God and the question asked, how could a loving God allow such a thing?  There is truth in the question, for nothing happens that God does not allow, but He sees through to eternity, and proclaims to all beings of free will, one day His demonstration of the love will be complete, and all things which bring pain or disappointment, or rob us from our joy will be done away with.  We will no longer bear the separation  pain of death, and we will live forever in His presence and in His love, and with complete and pure love for one another.  Think about what that will solve. 

So many people have the idea that God is trying to fix a mistake He made.  That once Satan decided, "I will make myself like the Most High," and ditched God, convincing one third of the angels to go with him, He had to come up with a plan.  They think God had to figure out how to redeem all those who would choose to love and serve Him.  What God has done in creation is much more filled with amazing love than that!  God knew before He ever put together two molecules of anything exactly what would happen.   For the attributes of God include being all knowing.  He knows what your day is going to be like today, he knows where all the suicide bombers are, and who they will kill today.  He knows every sparrow that will fall and die today.  He knew of course. that Satan would rebel, and consider himself above God.  He knew too that when He put Adam and Eve in the garden and admonished them that they could eat from all the other trees, but not from this one special tree, that they were destined for failure.  However, He also can see out into eternity, what His plan will ultimately bring, and He has declared, you are worth the sacrifice.  As C.S, Lewis said, "You are a soul, you have a body."   Each of us will exist somewhere forever.  For as surely as there is a home waiting for the faithful sons and daughters of God, and the faithful angels of heaven, there is the place of ultimate and forever separation from God, for the only way to rid the Universe of sin, which is denying God's leadership, is to separate those who will not accept that leadership to the "blackness of darkness, forever."

In creating choice, for that is the only love that is satisfying to God or man.   Just ask anyone trapped in a marriage where the couple stays together for the children, or the mate of a cheating spouse, or a child who disrespects the direction of their earthly father, or the celebrity surrounded by people paying them homepage, for what is really loved is their fame, their  talent, and not the person.  There is only one love that is satisfying.  That is the love that is given freely and unconditionally,  for love cannot be forced, only won as we come to know  God fully.  We have to come, as described in Ephesians, into a personal relationship with Him.  That is the desired relationship that compelled God to create all  He did, in the complete knowledge of all that Satan, the fallen angels, and mankind would bring upon His Creation.

God is Holy and Just, He doesn't cheat or play favorites, and He will not look upon sin, or fail to act in complete justice.  The plan that God devised to redeem all who would choose love Him, and make Him King of their lives, was to offer His Perfect Son, to take the punishment due to each sinner.  As the Bible says, we are all sinners, born in sin, with the instinct present at birth.  The gift of salvation and redemption, was paid by God Himself, and because I personally have accepted that gift, and struggle daily to follow where He leads, I am His Forever Daughter. I attempt everyday to demonstrate the love of God, and I still fail, but as a Sunday School teacher taught me, it is an accident born of my human beingness, not a way of life.  By His love and grace, I who am so unworthy, I who fail so much, am pure and holy before my God, for the blood of Jesus Christ has washed me whiter than snow.


This I know of God, He is mighty in power and glory, no individual, no army,  nor any idea can prevail against Him.  Nothing, no video, no weapon, no blasphemy against Him. can overcome Him.  I see His glory and power all the time, and give testimony to what I have seen God do.  Nothing is out of His power, and He needs no man to defend Him.  He breathed the entire Universe into existence, and continues still today to create.  He can take out anyone or anything which stands against Him with that same breath.  He never loses a battle.  He has instructed us how we are to promote Him in this world before non-believers.  The instructions do not tell us to make war, to murder, or to torture.   We are not to brow beat either.  His directions are so simple, so concise, and understandable by all.  "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind."  That is the desire of God from His children, and He follows that with the second requirement, "and to love our neighbors as ourselves."  God says, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me."  We are to share the truth of His love, tell who He is, and He will draw hearts to  Himself.  He will not do it by force, it will be by His love, and by the convert's free will and choice.

God further clarifies that love we are to have,  by describing who our neighbor is.  Tomorrow I will tell you who my neighbors are, but now I have to get busy and go about lifting Him up, and loving my neighbors.  This post is part of my fulfillment to God's command, and if you find your way to this post here today, it is at God's personal invitation, sent to your heart by His Holy Spirit, speaking in the Still, Small, Voice, and He is calling directly to you in His love.

A New Song That I Think Will Become a Part of the Fiber of Our Country

Found something on facebook this morning that calls to my heart, it is testimony to the God I serve, and a tribute to the country I love.  It is powerful, brought me to tears as it's message hit my heart, and is something everyone should share with everyone.  Our nation is filled with artists who honor our country with their expressions of art.  Their artistry contributes to the good of mankind mankind.

Beautiful music in praise of God and our country is what you will hear at this site.  God bless the America cannot be spoken in prayer enough.    In times when there is so much out there which tears our country down, patriotic music continues to be written which is uplifting and filled with truth.  

When a "film," produced in this country, has brought so much destruction, violence, and death, I would point to the true nature of the artistic efforts of the people of our country.  Every country has citizens it is ashamed of, and every nation has citizens that bring it honor.  This citizen, Taunia L. Henry, has once again reminded me how  proud I am to be an American, despite there being citizens who bring dishonor to our country.  I find there are far more people who quietly go about their lives and live honorably in America, than those who shame us.  Again, God bless America, and her patriots! Taunia L. Henry is one of them!  I wonder if she is kin to Patrick Henry?

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4nUXhEOiwY

A Cry for Freedom
 
In the air there is "A Cry For Freedom"
From a nation born in Liberty
For there's A Battle that is waging for her children
That can only be won upon her knees.

CHORUS
America, envy of the nations
For long ago, you answered freedom's call!
If in God we trust, we shall stand in victory.
America, America, stay free!
(Last time: For this battle that is waging is only won upon our knees. America, America, stay free!)

In the heart there is a beat for freedom
From a soldier on that lonely distant shore.
He is willing to give his life in honor.
We must pray like we've never prayed before!

In the soul there is a shout for freedom
From a nation being burdened from within.
If we seek the Lord and follow, he will heal us.
And our country can be blessed once again!



(A Cry For Freedom written by Taunia L. Henry. ASCAP.
Copyright 2009 by Taunia L. Henry. All rights reserved.
This recording of A Cry For Freedom is sung by Heartland Quartet on the album, "Liberty" available at www.forhisglorypublishing.com. This album was produced for charity fundraising for various charity organizations such as Apostolic Christian World Relief, Christian Aid Ministries, Lifesong for Orphans and Shared Hope International.)

Ninja Rooster

I saw the cutest picture on facebook of a rooster, it reminds me of my own rooster... sort of.  Mine is not so well behaved...  Every single day when I go to gather eggs, I have to fight this rooster, as soon as I turn my back he is flogging me.  He will even attack the egg gathering basket if I put it down...

I Volunteer to Ask Questions at the Presidential Debates

I would like to be one of those citizens who asks questions at the Presidential debates... and mine would not be about the economy.  First things first, if our country is not secure... the economy won't matter at all until it is. I have noted that the good guys in Iraq, those who are attempting to hold the liberty gained at such a great cost, are falling daily.  There isAobviously a concerted effort to bring down the good guys.  See this link for the latest murders today:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501713_162-57520423/officials-4-policemen-killed-in-attacks-in-iraq/

In light of what has gone wrong in Iraq and why,  (see this link:)

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/09/24/the_iraq_red_team

we need to look closely at each of these crimes, and make sure our intelligence sources know exactly who is perpetrating them.

The possibilities that I am aware of are:

1.  Sectarian insurgents

2.  Syrians

3.  Iranians

4.  Al Qaeda, ( who has bragged they are going on the offensive.)

5. All of the above

Then the question is how does that intel affect the following:

1. How does it impact the citizens of Iraq, whose country twice now we have invaded in my lifetime.  Moral courage is needed here.

2. How does it impact the rest of the Middle East.

3.  How does it impact the average American citizen.

4.  How does it affect the citizens of those countries who joined us in the Coalition Forces?

5.  I believed in the stated reason we went to Iraq.  We went to crush Al Qaeda operations in Iraq and secure weapons of mass destruction, which I firmly believe were there, and are now in Syria.  We do not seem to have taken care of business, as Al Qaeda is now bragging we "ain't seen nothing yet."

  

6.  How does it affect our sons and daughters, who in good faith left their blood in the soil of Iraq?

7.  How does it affects the families of those who never came home?

Reckon they will let me be one of your average Americans asking the candidates probing questions?

It is my theory that just picking up your toys and going home exacts a new and higher price every time.

New Afghan Parents for Pola Rose!

The news on Pola Rose is very good.  She has new Afghan parents.  This is the best of news.  The parents are shop keepers who have been wanting to have a child for the last four years!  One little sparrow picked up from the ground...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/26/pola-newborn-abandoned_n_1914182.html