Hmmmmmm.Did you have a Merry Christmas? It was wonderful here...quiet...a little slower paced than years past...but merry, indeed!
2010 will be here in a few short hours...I contemplate the New Year like a clean slate.--a fresh start, if you will, with a new journal and new pens (thanks, PC!) and a refreshed out look on life (thank You, Lord!)
Looking back over 2009, I can't believe all that has happened in our little 'corner of the world'! One of my goals for 2009 was to 'wait on the Lord'--to purpose not to become anxious. While I failed at this a lot of the time, it truly did make a difference as I look back because of the way things worked out. Waiting on Him, in His presence has made all the difference!--He is faithful!
January found the twins attending school in a 'temporary location' (at a local church) due to renovations for their middle school builidng. The girls became busy with gymnastics during this month. Holly started her 'last' semester at EIU. Randy & I began 'team meetings' for the Great Banquet.
By February, we were in 'full swing' with Bible studies and our second session of facilitating Grief Share. Randy & Holly began planning a vacation for us. Baby Ally, only two months old, got pneumonia and was in the hospital over Valentines' Day:( Madison & Mallory were by this time preparing for a recital, and loving it!
In March, Randy & I attended Great Banquet week ends, his for men, mine for women. What an experience! Mom & Jim got home from spending time in Florida for winter months! Holly began exploring options for post graduation ...and vacation plans were coming together for summer time!
In April, the Oil Belt Ladies' retreat, which was really a one day event happened. Lynn Reece from Louisville, KY spoke, and the day was just amazing. The team for this day was so fun to work with, and so faithful to honor God in their dealings! Randy & I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary, which doesn't seem possible, til we consider the fact that we are, indeed, grandparents!
May, 2009 found us at Holly's graduation ceremony. I only cried when she walked in with her golden 'honor cords' around her neck..a goal since she was much younger! The twins gymnastics recital happened a couple of weeks later, and Holly moved home from school to spend the summer with us...and work at a local gym. Madi & Mal were glad to be out of school, too...and loved the fact that they could start enjoying the local city pool each day for swimming and working on that tan!
In June, the twins went to their first Jr High church camp experienceand LOVED IT!!! And, I got to teach in VBS!!!--God gave me such a gift in helpers, and the kids were amazing...good times! Also in June, we packed our bags to head south for vacation!
The five of us spent the week of July 4 in a condo in Destin, FL where we just enjoyed the beach and the sun and quiet! Didn't do a lot of the 'touristy' stuff...just relaxed!
In August, Randy & I attended a picnic to mark my 30th class reunion...fun to reconnect with old friends! Shortly after that, Randy packed up my car and moved Holly to Disney World...which seems fitting now that I think about it, 'professional vacationer' would be her father's career of choice...so, she's in a great place to vacation AND work! Madison & Mallory got to start school in their newly remodeled Middle School, and it truly IS gorgeous.
September started off great as we joined many good friends for our annual 'reunion' in Missouri for Labor Day week end! Alayna & Wes even joined us this year! Madison & Mallory decided they would like to join the basketball team.
In October, our oldest daughter celebrated her 25th birthday (that doesn't make me feel old at all:D) and our grandson, Will turned 4 years old, complete with pirate costuming! He continues to be such a delight...actually, hilarious! For those who live in our home, though, October found us attending practices, games, Bible studies, Grief Share and again, Great Banquet team meetings...the men's week end was the last full week end in October. The women's week end was the first full week end in November. What a difference these week ends make...truly an amazing amazing experience!
November was a busy month, anticipating holidays, and moving Holly home, and then, that sort of changed a little, as Holly decided to stay in Florida for now. Things stayed 'up in the air' for a little bit of time. (and, I'm sorry to say, I became very sad to consider the season without all our kids here) But, November became such a precious month in the life of our whole family, as Ally turned one year old, and our nephew married the woman of his dreams! Gorgeous wedding...and so much fun!
And, then December came. And with it, the sadness continued. Randy & I shared an amazing trip to shop for Christmas presents, which got me in the mood to wrap presents. We purposed to put up decorations, silently I didn't want to at all, but did it. As it turns out, a truly amazing thing happened...
I had 'put away' all the sentimental decorations after we lost Macy Jo. So, this year, on purpose, I got out those 'old, put away' things. Ornaments that have all our girls' 'baby pictures' on them, and ornaments they made when they were pre-schoolers...a bouquet of flowers from Holly's first birthday cake...a doll my grandma gave Alayna for herbfirst Christmas...we kept things really simple...
and then it happened...I decided to get out the old Santas. I forgot how friendly the family room gets with these 40 or 50 likenesses sitting around appropriately. I KNOW Santa isn't the reason for the season. I know this, but something about the red fur and the white beard and rosy cheeks just make me smile!--And, feel like I'm finally 'home' in our own HOME!!!-- A really good 'new normal', and isn't that always the goal? Contentment in our 'new normal'?--Change is the only constant in this world... but, it truly was a Merry Christmas...indeed!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Journey Continues...and is almost Complete!
In more ways than one, the Journey is almost complete. This year, if you are a 'reader of this blog' this is NOT news, our church has taken the Journey through the New Testament as a congregation!
And, so, our 'reading together' time is almost finished. We are a little over 1/2 way finished with Revelation (the last book in the New Testament) and the year ends in roughly 11 days. And, so those are the 'more than one way' that the Journey is almost complete.
Of course, life's journey isn't over, and even when we pass to eternity, it's only begun! The journey through God's Word is a never-ending journey, as well. I firmly believe that it is impossible to 'love God with all your heart mind soul & strength' and ignore His word to us...it must be as life-blood to us, as believers!
As we've drawn closer to the end of the book this December, I've had a lot of questions. Mostly about my own ability to understand and apply what I'm reading in the book of Revelation. I would have to admit that I've often thought of that portion of scripture with an anxiousness....too complicated, too shrouded in imagery and numbers and signs, too lofty, too many details and too hard to understand are among the reasons I've quietly side-stepped the 'book' before now.
Along with choosing to take the Journey this year, I also have been teaching in our Sunday school class from the portion of scripture reading we do each week. To find myself approaching the Book of Revelation was no small matter for me. Only a LOT intimidating. I'm not going to offer some long theological explanation for what I've found there. However, I will share with you what I've discovered, and this with the help of a Faithful, Loving Heavenly Father!
The book of Revelation is a book about how to worship an eternal, Holy God! It is a glimpse of what the actual end will look like. It gives us not only hope, because we belong to God, but it also gives us the very reason that people shy away from it. (too hard to understand, too complicated, too many images, etc., etc., etc.) I honestly believe that Satan uses those excuses to keep us from reading it--to keep us from attaining the blessing that is promised to those who read the words contained there. He also knows that he will be defeated, and that truth is explicitly depicted there...we, who belong to Jesus, have absolutely nothing to fear. Fear, however, is one of Satan's greatest tools for tripping up those who proclaim Christ. If he can keep us from opening up God's Word, and in particular, the book of Revelation, that helps him succeed in seperating us from truth.
The book talks about 'those that overcome'...to be an 'overcomer' we must:
Accept the gift of salvation from the sacrifice that Christ made by dying on the cross
Live out the truth of God's Word (that means reading it and applying it to our lives!)
Daily sacrifice our own will for the Will of Christ...
Let's be found faithful! Faithful to God's word, all of it!
And, so, our 'reading together' time is almost finished. We are a little over 1/2 way finished with Revelation (the last book in the New Testament) and the year ends in roughly 11 days. And, so those are the 'more than one way' that the Journey is almost complete.
Of course, life's journey isn't over, and even when we pass to eternity, it's only begun! The journey through God's Word is a never-ending journey, as well. I firmly believe that it is impossible to 'love God with all your heart mind soul & strength' and ignore His word to us...it must be as life-blood to us, as believers!
As we've drawn closer to the end of the book this December, I've had a lot of questions. Mostly about my own ability to understand and apply what I'm reading in the book of Revelation. I would have to admit that I've often thought of that portion of scripture with an anxiousness....too complicated, too shrouded in imagery and numbers and signs, too lofty, too many details and too hard to understand are among the reasons I've quietly side-stepped the 'book' before now.
Along with choosing to take the Journey this year, I also have been teaching in our Sunday school class from the portion of scripture reading we do each week. To find myself approaching the Book of Revelation was no small matter for me. Only a LOT intimidating. I'm not going to offer some long theological explanation for what I've found there. However, I will share with you what I've discovered, and this with the help of a Faithful, Loving Heavenly Father!
The book of Revelation is a book about how to worship an eternal, Holy God! It is a glimpse of what the actual end will look like. It gives us not only hope, because we belong to God, but it also gives us the very reason that people shy away from it. (too hard to understand, too complicated, too many images, etc., etc., etc.) I honestly believe that Satan uses those excuses to keep us from reading it--to keep us from attaining the blessing that is promised to those who read the words contained there. He also knows that he will be defeated, and that truth is explicitly depicted there...we, who belong to Jesus, have absolutely nothing to fear. Fear, however, is one of Satan's greatest tools for tripping up those who proclaim Christ. If he can keep us from opening up God's Word, and in particular, the book of Revelation, that helps him succeed in seperating us from truth.
The book talks about 'those that overcome'...to be an 'overcomer' we must:
Accept the gift of salvation from the sacrifice that Christ made by dying on the cross
Live out the truth of God's Word (that means reading it and applying it to our lives!)
Daily sacrifice our own will for the Will of Christ...
Let's be found faithful! Faithful to God's word, all of it!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
It's Beginning to Look a LOT like Christmas!
Christmas season.
This one has been difficult for me...if you've had an 'in person' conversation with me, this isn't 'news'! It's true, I've been whining a lot during the past couple of weeks. For that, I'm really sorry. And, if you've listened to my lament, please accept my apologies!
As always, things are 'going to be OK'! And, I do mean OK!!
The tree is up, presents are bought & wrapped...decorations are 'up'...dining room table is 'set'! I decided at the last minute to put out the Santas we used to collect and display every Christmas. They came out and livened up the family room nicely. I've forgotten how much I love having them out! Each face is so different...jolly, happy, smiles! Some are old, to the point of being tacky our older girls say, but each one is special in some way!
The days leading up to December 25 hold a variety of activities, celebrations, moments for remembering, and moments to make new memories...as I think about these opportunities to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I get really excited.
Sure, this year is going to be different in many ways, the biggest is that our immediate family will not be all together on Christmas. This is hard to take, but in my heart of hearts, I know that it is 'as it should be'...
The bottom line is:
This one has been difficult for me...if you've had an 'in person' conversation with me, this isn't 'news'! It's true, I've been whining a lot during the past couple of weeks. For that, I'm really sorry. And, if you've listened to my lament, please accept my apologies!
As always, things are 'going to be OK'! And, I do mean OK!!
The tree is up, presents are bought & wrapped...decorations are 'up'...dining room table is 'set'! I decided at the last minute to put out the Santas we used to collect and display every Christmas. They came out and livened up the family room nicely. I've forgotten how much I love having them out! Each face is so different...jolly, happy, smiles! Some are old, to the point of being tacky our older girls say, but each one is special in some way!
The days leading up to December 25 hold a variety of activities, celebrations, moments for remembering, and moments to make new memories...as I think about these opportunities to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I get really excited.
Sure, this year is going to be different in many ways, the biggest is that our immediate family will not be all together on Christmas. This is hard to take, but in my heart of hearts, I know that it is 'as it should be'...
The bottom line is:
- we are parents of four living children
- this holiday season will eventually be our new normal
- our children will grow in to lives of their own & establish their own traditions
With these in mind, I've decided that I am responsible to make each Christmas a 'good memory' for me and those around me!
Soon enough, Christmas 2009, will be a memory! Lord willing, I want to remember it as a Holiday that God blessed our family with health, and a time that we were able to focus on truly celebrating Jesus --Our Savior!
--Salvation and the peace of God, what a gift!
Monday, December 7, 2009
An Early Christmas Season Perspective...
And SO...let the changes begin!
Now that Christmas shopping for me has officially begun and is about 98% complete, now it's time to work on my attitude about decorating! Randy & I have done a great job, over the years, perfecting our Christmas shopping routine. He's great to shop with! (a blessing I do NOT take lightly OR for granted!--most women I know prefer to shop with their friends not their husbands--YIKES!) He knows & accommodates my love for Christmas decorations, cheesecake and getting LOST in book stores...and at the end of the day, he's chosen a great place for us to stay!--I'm truly blessed!
Rand is great, he helps me not only decide what to purchase, but where, and in what sequence to get the best 'deals' and 'lightest crowd'...and we get to laugh at truly random things! He thinks of random questions that I don't consider, like: does this take batteries, and, if so, how many? And, an added bonus: he's not afraid to ask if a bigger discount is available--and sometimes has surprising results from asking! His motto: You never know, unless you ASK!
And, so, because we've shopped together, he also appreciates my 'rush' to get everything wrapped! This is truly the first year, ever, that on December 7, the shopping is pretty much done, pretty much wrapped, and not one ornament or one string of lights have been hung in our house...the tree is quietly still at rest in its beautiful green & red box in the storage room...
Tomorrow evening, the twins & I have planned our 'attack' on that! It'll take a while, but we're up for it, we've decided! The excitement is building...after the tree, I'll need to consider the Christmas cards...send? OR not send? The movie 'Christmas with the Krank's' was truly a pivotal movie for us to watch in 2004...the movie adaptation to John Grisham's 'Skipping Christmas'...hilarious! But, he makes a valid point in that book/movie about Christmas cards. Hmmmmm, we'll see, though, because we've already received several...and so, I better get busy if there are going to be some go 'out' from here!
Yesterday Randy, our oldest daughter & her husband and I toured local homes for the Christmas Tour of Homes in our town. It was a fund raiser for our local hospital foundation...it was also a very good way to start the month of December! The homes were decorated very beautifully, all within walking distance of the next...and down town businesses were open! I've always thought that our local coffee shop, Ophelia's Cup, should be open on Sunday afternoons for coffee treats & cake/pie or cookies...WHAT a great treat that they were open! Our family had a great time there--it's cozy and just a great place to 'be'!
There are a lot of things 'happening' around town that are Christmas Season related! I would like to continue to stay focused, though, on the real reason we have to celebrate: The God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, the God of the Universe, the Creator of the World...sent His One & Only Son, Jesus...a perfect gift...the ONLY gift we really need: A Savior...How precious! What an act of LOVE! Celebrate Him!
Now that Christmas shopping for me has officially begun and is about 98% complete, now it's time to work on my attitude about decorating! Randy & I have done a great job, over the years, perfecting our Christmas shopping routine. He's great to shop with! (a blessing I do NOT take lightly OR for granted!--most women I know prefer to shop with their friends not their husbands--YIKES!) He knows & accommodates my love for Christmas decorations, cheesecake and getting LOST in book stores...and at the end of the day, he's chosen a great place for us to stay!--I'm truly blessed!
Rand is great, he helps me not only decide what to purchase, but where, and in what sequence to get the best 'deals' and 'lightest crowd'...and we get to laugh at truly random things! He thinks of random questions that I don't consider, like: does this take batteries, and, if so, how many? And, an added bonus: he's not afraid to ask if a bigger discount is available--and sometimes has surprising results from asking! His motto: You never know, unless you ASK!
And, so, because we've shopped together, he also appreciates my 'rush' to get everything wrapped! This is truly the first year, ever, that on December 7, the shopping is pretty much done, pretty much wrapped, and not one ornament or one string of lights have been hung in our house...the tree is quietly still at rest in its beautiful green & red box in the storage room...
Tomorrow evening, the twins & I have planned our 'attack' on that! It'll take a while, but we're up for it, we've decided! The excitement is building...after the tree, I'll need to consider the Christmas cards...send? OR not send? The movie 'Christmas with the Krank's' was truly a pivotal movie for us to watch in 2004...the movie adaptation to John Grisham's 'Skipping Christmas'...hilarious! But, he makes a valid point in that book/movie about Christmas cards. Hmmmmm, we'll see, though, because we've already received several...and so, I better get busy if there are going to be some go 'out' from here!
Yesterday Randy, our oldest daughter & her husband and I toured local homes for the Christmas Tour of Homes in our town. It was a fund raiser for our local hospital foundation...it was also a very good way to start the month of December! The homes were decorated very beautifully, all within walking distance of the next...and down town businesses were open! I've always thought that our local coffee shop, Ophelia's Cup, should be open on Sunday afternoons for coffee treats & cake/pie or cookies...WHAT a great treat that they were open! Our family had a great time there--it's cozy and just a great place to 'be'!
There are a lot of things 'happening' around town that are Christmas Season related! I would like to continue to stay focused, though, on the real reason we have to celebrate: The God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, the God of the Universe, the Creator of the World...sent His One & Only Son, Jesus...a perfect gift...the ONLY gift we really need: A Savior...How precious! What an act of LOVE! Celebrate Him!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Be about the business of change...
Sitting here, laughing our heads off watching a 20 year old Christmas movie...it's become a tradition...and we quote it throughout the year, because we think it's hysterical! Shallow? Yes. But, sometimes, it's important just to laugh! And, laugh a lot! It MUST be December!
I'm having a little trouble putting up our decorations this year. First time this has ever happened to me...time is sort of an issue, but desire is also playing a part in the 'delay'! I can't ever remember a year that I've had so little desire to decorate for Christmas. I love the holiday...but some how, it's lost it's sparkle for me.
Don't worry: I've been praying about this...AND, my husband & I are going to go shopping for presents tomorrow...that may just do it! --Ignite the spark that it'll take for me to come back home, decorate & wrap presents...I LOVE the wrapping...love it!--the wrapping builds anticipation!
Our nephew did get married last week end. Congratulations: Jean & Dane. They had a gorgeous wedding, and seemed to enjoy every moment! They'll be back from their Honeymoon soon! Then, they'll need to be about the business of building their lives together.! These are exciting days!
We have friends who, just yesterday, gave birth to their fourth child! Soon, the hospital stay will be finished, and they'll need to be about the business of building their new lives as a 'large' family together!
And, so, I'm thinking the lesson for me from both these situations is this: after the shopping excursion with my husband tomorrow, I'm going to come home, and be about the business of celebrating the Season...the traditional season when we celebrate the fact that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ in to the world...so that we could be reconciled to Him. Nothing like it!
I'm having a little trouble putting up our decorations this year. First time this has ever happened to me...time is sort of an issue, but desire is also playing a part in the 'delay'! I can't ever remember a year that I've had so little desire to decorate for Christmas. I love the holiday...but some how, it's lost it's sparkle for me.
Don't worry: I've been praying about this...AND, my husband & I are going to go shopping for presents tomorrow...that may just do it! --Ignite the spark that it'll take for me to come back home, decorate & wrap presents...I LOVE the wrapping...love it!--the wrapping builds anticipation!
Our nephew did get married last week end. Congratulations: Jean & Dane. They had a gorgeous wedding, and seemed to enjoy every moment! They'll be back from their Honeymoon soon! Then, they'll need to be about the business of building their lives together.! These are exciting days!
We have friends who, just yesterday, gave birth to their fourth child! Soon, the hospital stay will be finished, and they'll need to be about the business of building their new lives as a 'large' family together!
And, so, I'm thinking the lesson for me from both these situations is this: after the shopping excursion with my husband tomorrow, I'm going to come home, and be about the business of celebrating the Season...the traditional season when we celebrate the fact that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ in to the world...so that we could be reconciled to Him. Nothing like it!
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Life I had Planned!
Life changing week ahead...it's Thanksgiving week, our little grand daughter turns one year old, our second oldest daughter will turn 23 and our nephew is marrying the woman of his dreams! I'm already feeling it, and my emotions will be running just under the surface of my skin...and dripping out the corners of my eyes!
We truly have much to be thankful for, and much to celebrate!
Memories of 'Thanksgiving's past', life before we were grandparents...and Dane (our nephew) & Holly (our second-oldest) when they were little babies (or, better yet, when he was a little boy covered in mud most of the time & she was in her little tutu & rubber boots walking around the track in the back yard!!) I get very emotional when I consider these things...there could be happy tears, and/or sad tears...but somehow, they all mingle together to the point that the average on-looker wouldn't be able to tell the difference and I would like to keep it that way...
"I'm letting go of the life I planned for me and my dreams"...a line of lyrics to a song I've been listening to a lot recently...but this line is Oh, so true...my life looks nothing like what I had planned...and, in many ways, that is in and of itself something to be truly thankful for...
In the life I had planned, there was no pain, no suffering, no death, no harsh words...no sickness, no broken dishes, or shirts that bleach accidently gets splattered on...only smiles and balloons, and really happy times...
So, there you have it, how truly shallow I really am...and at the exact same moment, if you know anything at all about me, you realize, that in the pain and suffering and disappointment and death and sickness, sometimes even in the harsh words, and certainly in the incidental moments of dishes accidently crashing and bleach splattering...that's the stuff of life--it all happens, and it is never at the 'best moment'....it's messy and unpredictable...
But, in those times, I can truly see God's provision, mercy and grace intertwined in such a way that it just makes me long to worship Him more, and to be drawn closer to Him. For those moments when things go upside down, and they are NOT what we planned, we can truly experience Our Mighty God. The God of the Universe, the Creator of All things, the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob..the Ancient of Days...the God to whom no day is a surprise!
Life, as long as I'm trusting God to provide my next step, is truly a wild ride...And, so with this in mind, I'll let you know how the rest of the week turns out...exhausted, bruised, content and completely joyful...I'm not certain...just praying for wisdom, strength, courage and faith to make it through these next eight weeks...(and, I'll stay away from bleach during this time!)holidays, birthdays, a wedding and a little vacation...WOW!!!--so, sing with me:
"I'm letting go...
it feels like I'm falling
and that's what it's like to believe...!!!"
We truly have much to be thankful for, and much to celebrate!
Memories of 'Thanksgiving's past', life before we were grandparents...and Dane (our nephew) & Holly (our second-oldest) when they were little babies (or, better yet, when he was a little boy covered in mud most of the time & she was in her little tutu & rubber boots walking around the track in the back yard!!) I get very emotional when I consider these things...there could be happy tears, and/or sad tears...but somehow, they all mingle together to the point that the average on-looker wouldn't be able to tell the difference and I would like to keep it that way...
"I'm letting go of the life I planned for me and my dreams"...a line of lyrics to a song I've been listening to a lot recently...but this line is Oh, so true...my life looks nothing like what I had planned...and, in many ways, that is in and of itself something to be truly thankful for...
In the life I had planned, there was no pain, no suffering, no death, no harsh words...no sickness, no broken dishes, or shirts that bleach accidently gets splattered on...only smiles and balloons, and really happy times...
So, there you have it, how truly shallow I really am...and at the exact same moment, if you know anything at all about me, you realize, that in the pain and suffering and disappointment and death and sickness, sometimes even in the harsh words, and certainly in the incidental moments of dishes accidently crashing and bleach splattering...that's the stuff of life--it all happens, and it is never at the 'best moment'....it's messy and unpredictable...
But, in those times, I can truly see God's provision, mercy and grace intertwined in such a way that it just makes me long to worship Him more, and to be drawn closer to Him. For those moments when things go upside down, and they are NOT what we planned, we can truly experience Our Mighty God. The God of the Universe, the Creator of All things, the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob..the Ancient of Days...the God to whom no day is a surprise!
Life, as long as I'm trusting God to provide my next step, is truly a wild ride...And, so with this in mind, I'll let you know how the rest of the week turns out...exhausted, bruised, content and completely joyful...I'm not certain...just praying for wisdom, strength, courage and faith to make it through these next eight weeks...(and, I'll stay away from bleach during this time!)holidays, birthdays, a wedding and a little vacation...WOW!!!--so, sing with me:
"I'm letting go...
it feels like I'm falling
and that's what it's like to believe...!!!"
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
What Satisfies You?
Thanks for the comments from the last post that I did on this blog! I'm going to do some more research before I launch a blog about grief/grieving with hope...but, keep the comments coming.
I feel that God is very near. I feel that He gives me inspired ideas for things to write and say...I just have to listen and obey, and sometimes, I fail miserably at both!--His mercy is great, I am living proof!
This fall has been a busy, no, very busy season for me! This hit me just today...I had lunch with a couple of friends...they are a delight to 'lunch' with...but I started re-counting the things that have had my attention since August! Let me just say that it would certainly was easy for me to let some things slide. One example would be 'up-to-date' posts on this blog!
Women's ministry launched, at the beginning of September, the Beth Moore study of Daniel. WOW! What a study. What a challenge. A challenge to not only learn the material, but to keep up!
What a blessing it is to stretch out and grasp new concepts and challenges that God's Word presents! Daniel certainly was just that! God's word, though, as a whole is a fascinating book...and the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know! --Which means that studying it for me should be endless! And, God is faithful to help in the understanding and application, as long as we're willing to put in the time and resolve to 'just do it'! (study, that is!)
Our Monday afternoon group just moved from Exodus to Joshua...that is an exciting time! And our congregation is going through the New Testament together, one chapter each week day this year. Amazingly enough, all these have tied together somehow in my brain to where they each enhance the other! God's Word is like that, isn't it? --Holy, Timeless, Applicable--1,500 years ago, as well as today!, and above all: Living! God's word is like food for our soul...actually that's why we crave it, if we have the Holy Spirit living in us...because Holy Spirit craves God's Word! In our human-ness we try to thwart the craving with other 'stuff' but, nothing satisfies except the Word!--Not anything!
Happy Wednesday!--Thanks for reading!
I feel that God is very near. I feel that He gives me inspired ideas for things to write and say...I just have to listen and obey, and sometimes, I fail miserably at both!--His mercy is great, I am living proof!
This fall has been a busy, no, very busy season for me! This hit me just today...I had lunch with a couple of friends...they are a delight to 'lunch' with...but I started re-counting the things that have had my attention since August! Let me just say that it would certainly was easy for me to let some things slide. One example would be 'up-to-date' posts on this blog!
Women's ministry launched, at the beginning of September, the Beth Moore study of Daniel. WOW! What a study. What a challenge. A challenge to not only learn the material, but to keep up!
What a blessing it is to stretch out and grasp new concepts and challenges that God's Word presents! Daniel certainly was just that! God's word, though, as a whole is a fascinating book...and the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know! --Which means that studying it for me should be endless! And, God is faithful to help in the understanding and application, as long as we're willing to put in the time and resolve to 'just do it'! (study, that is!)
Our Monday afternoon group just moved from Exodus to Joshua...that is an exciting time! And our congregation is going through the New Testament together, one chapter each week day this year. Amazingly enough, all these have tied together somehow in my brain to where they each enhance the other! God's Word is like that, isn't it? --Holy, Timeless, Applicable--1,500 years ago, as well as today!, and above all: Living! God's word is like food for our soul...actually that's why we crave it, if we have the Holy Spirit living in us...because Holy Spirit craves God's Word! In our human-ness we try to thwart the craving with other 'stuff' but, nothing satisfies except the Word!--Not anything!
Happy Wednesday!--Thanks for reading!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Just a mist--appearing for a little while...
God is doing some amazing things. As an example, He gets my attention in ways that I would never dream, ask or imagine.
Life is short, we are a mist, only appearing for a short time, and then we're gone...but God's Word...lasts forever...because it is living. This is an amazing concept--one I don't completely understand, but I do completely believe!
Life is short. Live it on purpose. Do I do a good job at this? Probably, there is much room for improvement...I do enjoy life, most of the time. I look for the good.
I strive to be 'heavenly minded'...and think about God and heaven and obedience and mercy and His unending grace. His amazing grace.
His abundant blessing. His provision in my life. God's plan to use even me in the 'grand scheme of things' for this planet while my personal 'mist' is here.
In the past month, I've spoken twice publicly, and had many conversations privately about my personal relationship with Jesus...God's Son.
My choice to believe, His choosing me.
My choice to 'act on my faith'...His choice to bless that effort, and increase my faith.
Amazingly, these are things that speak to people who are searching for 'something' to fill that 'God-sized' blank space in their soul.
My story is really no different than anybody else's ...more tragic than some at this point, not as tragic as others. However, in spite of the tragedies, I find is rest. Rest in a faithful, loving God...and many never find that rest. They seek it other places...or perhaps they do not even know that's what they are looking for.
You see, I believe that true rest comes from knowing Jesus SO well that complete trust in Him and His faithfulness negates worry! Bad things happen here, this isn't heaven. But, if we're listening to the Holy Spirit's nudging us, we can witness some amazing things!--really!
In real life it looks like this:
There are so many new faces in the place I worship each week. This is great.! It is also a little overwhelming...the constant question becomes: where do I begin to try to connect?
I almost walked past a lady just this morning. 'Almost' is key to that sentence: but, I felt like, 'she's the one I'm supposed to connect with today'...so, I introduced myself, lent an ear for a few moments to get 'her story'...and, within the first few words of our conversation, I knew she was the 'God-appointed connection' for me at that moment!
After I told her my name, she told me hers, and then she said: "You're the grief lady?"...
I suppose that's one way to describe me...but the amazing thing is, that's the second time this week that's happened to me...the other time I was in a local restaurant.
My point here is this: as much as we dread talking about death & dying...it happens...and because it happens, there will be those left behind to grieve the loss that that death caused.
If we love deeply, as we are told to do in scripture, then when we lose people that we love deeply, we are going to grieve. And, no, no matter what our culture says, we will not be 'over it' in the three days we might get for 'bereavement leave.' It takes time. It is intentional this journey of grief. We don't do it like those who have no hope, but there are still things we must deal with for good mental health and a good 'eternal perspective.'
I'm thinking I need to start just a 'grief blog'...Any thoughts? Should I? What do YOU think? Leave a comment...PLEASE!
Life is short, we are a mist, only appearing for a short time, and then we're gone...but God's Word...lasts forever...because it is living. This is an amazing concept--one I don't completely understand, but I do completely believe!
Life is short. Live it on purpose. Do I do a good job at this? Probably, there is much room for improvement...I do enjoy life, most of the time. I look for the good.
I strive to be 'heavenly minded'...and think about God and heaven and obedience and mercy and His unending grace. His amazing grace.
His abundant blessing. His provision in my life. God's plan to use even me in the 'grand scheme of things' for this planet while my personal 'mist' is here.
In the past month, I've spoken twice publicly, and had many conversations privately about my personal relationship with Jesus...God's Son.
My choice to believe, His choosing me.
My choice to 'act on my faith'...His choice to bless that effort, and increase my faith.
Amazingly, these are things that speak to people who are searching for 'something' to fill that 'God-sized' blank space in their soul.
My story is really no different than anybody else's ...more tragic than some at this point, not as tragic as others. However, in spite of the tragedies, I find is rest. Rest in a faithful, loving God...and many never find that rest. They seek it other places...or perhaps they do not even know that's what they are looking for.
You see, I believe that true rest comes from knowing Jesus SO well that complete trust in Him and His faithfulness negates worry! Bad things happen here, this isn't heaven. But, if we're listening to the Holy Spirit's nudging us, we can witness some amazing things!--really!
In real life it looks like this:
There are so many new faces in the place I worship each week. This is great.! It is also a little overwhelming...the constant question becomes: where do I begin to try to connect?
I almost walked past a lady just this morning. 'Almost' is key to that sentence: but, I felt like, 'she's the one I'm supposed to connect with today'...so, I introduced myself, lent an ear for a few moments to get 'her story'...and, within the first few words of our conversation, I knew she was the 'God-appointed connection' for me at that moment!
After I told her my name, she told me hers, and then she said: "You're the grief lady?"...
I suppose that's one way to describe me...but the amazing thing is, that's the second time this week that's happened to me...the other time I was in a local restaurant.
My point here is this: as much as we dread talking about death & dying...it happens...and because it happens, there will be those left behind to grieve the loss that that death caused.
If we love deeply, as we are told to do in scripture, then when we lose people that we love deeply, we are going to grieve. And, no, no matter what our culture says, we will not be 'over it' in the three days we might get for 'bereavement leave.' It takes time. It is intentional this journey of grief. We don't do it like those who have no hope, but there are still things we must deal with for good mental health and a good 'eternal perspective.'
I'm thinking I need to start just a 'grief blog'...Any thoughts? Should I? What do YOU think? Leave a comment...PLEASE!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Note: Today has been a day of Tears!
Days like this just help under-line God's provision in my life. His presence is everything to me, and precious, holy moments happen when I can feel Him near me. I get to speak soon about my relationship with God. It's very exciting to me to think about talking about it...what God means to me in every day life...and loving Him with all my heart! I also get a little scared that I'll leave something important 'out'...however, I know that the Holy Spirit IN me is wise counsel, and He will prompt me to what I need to say!
Today, my emotions are very close to the surface, as I've spent most of this day in one worship service, or another...I've felt God's presence close around me most of this day...so precious to me. Yet, as I type it, I'm not even certain that I'm writing it with the amount of 'holy awe' that a discussion of a Holy God deserves.
I know that God is sovereign, He's in His Heaven, yet He's in me, because of His Holy Spirit...He's worthy of all my praise, He's Holy, His Son died for me, that blood was the sacrifice I needed for my sins to be forgiven...God has a divine plan for my life...He's worthy of my praise...He's to be exalted High above all!
Worship Him, for He is Worthy!
Today, my emotions are very close to the surface, as I've spent most of this day in one worship service, or another...I've felt God's presence close around me most of this day...so precious to me. Yet, as I type it, I'm not even certain that I'm writing it with the amount of 'holy awe' that a discussion of a Holy God deserves.
I know that God is sovereign, He's in His Heaven, yet He's in me, because of His Holy Spirit...He's worthy of all my praise, He's Holy, His Son died for me, that blood was the sacrifice I needed for my sins to be forgiven...God has a divine plan for my life...He's worthy of my praise...He's to be exalted High above all!
Worship Him, for He is Worthy!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Speaking of Leaving a Well...
Leaving a Well...in the Valley you've been through! I was able to be a part of an event, last night, that had been planned specifically for women of the area, offered at the McLeansboro First General Baptist Church.
"Leave a Well in the Valley" was the theme for the evening. While we wait for the blessed hope...Titus 2:13a was the scripture basis they used.
Digging a well in our lives to leave for others to 'draw from' while we are living and watching and waiting for the Lord. The things He has planned for our lives...and the battles we face that the enemy uses to 'side track' us with along the way. Remembering that the 'well' needs to have the source of Living Water in Jesus and God's Word to be a healthy source...not contaminated by worldy thinking or actions...or reactions!
The evening was literally packed with opportunities for women to participate in worship, glorify God and just enjoy His presence! From songs to skits, dance to testimonies and then me, at the end!
I love any opportunity offered to talk about God and His word--and what He's done and IS doing in my life. I could feel God's presence from the time I got there!--Just calm, but building anticipation! The team had done an excellent job of bathing the evening in prayer. My hope & prayer is that all those who attended were blessed.
For me, personally, last night turned into a mini-family reunion and 'old home week' as two of my cousins drove over from the St. Louis area to share with those gathered, in song, (...thanks, Jill & Vicki, it sounded amazing!) and because they were there, my aunt got to attend! My sister came to be with us. (thanks, LaDonna, my 'book table' will never be the same:D) And, because this is the church where Mom & Jim attend, not only were they there, but Jim got to hear me talk--plus, mom and the planning team had been meeting for 8 weeks or so...they did a great job!
It was so much fun to worship together, and listen as many shared their stories...laughing and crying with them. It was also humbling, when it was over, for a few of those precious women to come up and tell me their 'stories'. I won't invade their privacy by sharing them here, or any place else.
But, it is a holy and sacred moment, when God binds us together as sisters because of similar 'valley experiences' in our lives. It is good to be able to openly, even for a few moments, encourage one another because 'we've been there'... Praising God for Who He is and What He's Done!
Praise be to the God and Gather of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.--2 Corinthians 1: 3 & 4
"Leave a Well in the Valley" was the theme for the evening. While we wait for the blessed hope...Titus 2:13a was the scripture basis they used.
Digging a well in our lives to leave for others to 'draw from' while we are living and watching and waiting for the Lord. The things He has planned for our lives...and the battles we face that the enemy uses to 'side track' us with along the way. Remembering that the 'well' needs to have the source of Living Water in Jesus and God's Word to be a healthy source...not contaminated by worldy thinking or actions...or reactions!
The evening was literally packed with opportunities for women to participate in worship, glorify God and just enjoy His presence! From songs to skits, dance to testimonies and then me, at the end!
I love any opportunity offered to talk about God and His word--and what He's done and IS doing in my life. I could feel God's presence from the time I got there!--Just calm, but building anticipation! The team had done an excellent job of bathing the evening in prayer. My hope & prayer is that all those who attended were blessed.
For me, personally, last night turned into a mini-family reunion and 'old home week' as two of my cousins drove over from the St. Louis area to share with those gathered, in song, (...thanks, Jill & Vicki, it sounded amazing!) and because they were there, my aunt got to attend! My sister came to be with us. (thanks, LaDonna, my 'book table' will never be the same:D) And, because this is the church where Mom & Jim attend, not only were they there, but Jim got to hear me talk--plus, mom and the planning team had been meeting for 8 weeks or so...they did a great job!
It was so much fun to worship together, and listen as many shared their stories...laughing and crying with them. It was also humbling, when it was over, for a few of those precious women to come up and tell me their 'stories'. I won't invade their privacy by sharing them here, or any place else.
But, it is a holy and sacred moment, when God binds us together as sisters because of similar 'valley experiences' in our lives. It is good to be able to openly, even for a few moments, encourage one another because 'we've been there'... Praising God for Who He is and What He's Done!
Praise be to the God and Gather of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.--2 Corinthians 1: 3 & 4
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Our Girls. There are SO many of them!
Our girls. There are so many of them...it's just easy to say 'our girls'...but because there truly are SO many of them, I always feel like I should take time to update on each one.
Our oldest is a stay at home mom. She and her husband of 5 years have Will, who is 4, and Ally who will turn 1 in a little over a month. She is a great mom, creative in her approach to parenting, and keeps her family at a high priority in her life. I'm very proud of her!--Alayna.
Our second oldest. Wow, she's a mold-breaker for the most part. Most of the women in our family, including grandmothers, aunts and many cousins were married before age 21. Not her. She's a college graduate, just this past spring, and eager to have a real job...she's busy with an internship right now...16 hours away from us. She's loving being away from our small town, making new friends, and enjoying 'not having home work' for the first time in about 15 years! Some day, her prince will come...or, NOT. Which ever, it's all good. She's an inspiration to me and a source of great laughter. I' very proud of her, as well!--Holly.
Our twins. I should not lump them together as a unit. And, so, forgive me...to separate them:
Our third oldest (by 15 minutes). She has strong convictions for friendships. She loves to laugh. She loves sports, running, swimming, biking, skating, walking and running. One of her most favorite possessions is her i-pod because she loves music. She also likes to watch music videos on YouTube. Did I already say she loves to laugh? She does not like to wear her rubber bands on her braces, as prescribed by her orthodontist! She wants to get a tattoo at some point in her life. She has a great idea for the design. I will not share it here, because, she may change her mind before she's 18, which is how old she'll have to be before she gets one! She's trying really hard in her classes, and has successfully brought her grades up this first nine weeks. I am very proud of the young woman she is becoming!--Madison.
Our fourth oldest (ha). Yes, she's the 'other twin'...Our youngest living child. Takes little seriously, except making lots of friends. She doesn't believe in making fun of people, which I admire. She has very strong convictions about being nice and fair. She's really tender hearted. This girl loves chocolate...and she loves ice cream. She, too loves sports, all of them that she knows about. Her immediate goal about her appearance is to have pink hair. Hilarious! She is trying really hard at school, too...and has brought her grades up significantly in the past 6 weeks, as well. I am very proud of how grown up she's becoming!--Mallory.
Our girls. My hope would be that as they grow up and settle down, they would continue to be close to each other. That their children (eventually, our 'other three girls' could have husbands & children of their own:D) would know each other as family.
So, the question in my mind is: Have we done everything we could have to encourage the girls to be close to each other? To respect & love each other? To listen and share with each other their lives? I guess, some of these questions, I'll never know the answer to..but God's word promises for those who believe, a blessing to the 1000th generation! I want that blessing for the generations that will follow, Lord willing!
Be blessed!
Our oldest is a stay at home mom. She and her husband of 5 years have Will, who is 4, and Ally who will turn 1 in a little over a month. She is a great mom, creative in her approach to parenting, and keeps her family at a high priority in her life. I'm very proud of her!--Alayna.
Our second oldest. Wow, she's a mold-breaker for the most part. Most of the women in our family, including grandmothers, aunts and many cousins were married before age 21. Not her. She's a college graduate, just this past spring, and eager to have a real job...she's busy with an internship right now...16 hours away from us. She's loving being away from our small town, making new friends, and enjoying 'not having home work' for the first time in about 15 years! Some day, her prince will come...or, NOT. Which ever, it's all good. She's an inspiration to me and a source of great laughter. I' very proud of her, as well!--Holly.
Our twins. I should not lump them together as a unit. And, so, forgive me...to separate them:
Our third oldest (by 15 minutes). She has strong convictions for friendships. She loves to laugh. She loves sports, running, swimming, biking, skating, walking and running. One of her most favorite possessions is her i-pod because she loves music. She also likes to watch music videos on YouTube. Did I already say she loves to laugh? She does not like to wear her rubber bands on her braces, as prescribed by her orthodontist! She wants to get a tattoo at some point in her life. She has a great idea for the design. I will not share it here, because, she may change her mind before she's 18, which is how old she'll have to be before she gets one! She's trying really hard in her classes, and has successfully brought her grades up this first nine weeks. I am very proud of the young woman she is becoming!--Madison.
Our fourth oldest (ha). Yes, she's the 'other twin'...Our youngest living child. Takes little seriously, except making lots of friends. She doesn't believe in making fun of people, which I admire. She has very strong convictions about being nice and fair. She's really tender hearted. This girl loves chocolate...and she loves ice cream. She, too loves sports, all of them that she knows about. Her immediate goal about her appearance is to have pink hair. Hilarious! She is trying really hard at school, too...and has brought her grades up significantly in the past 6 weeks, as well. I am very proud of how grown up she's becoming!--Mallory.
Our girls. My hope would be that as they grow up and settle down, they would continue to be close to each other. That their children (eventually, our 'other three girls' could have husbands & children of their own:D) would know each other as family.
So, the question in my mind is: Have we done everything we could have to encourage the girls to be close to each other? To respect & love each other? To listen and share with each other their lives? I guess, some of these questions, I'll never know the answer to..but God's word promises for those who believe, a blessing to the 1000th generation! I want that blessing for the generations that will follow, Lord willing!
Be blessed!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Ritz Crackers and Hello, Kitty!
Sometimes, I think : 'I should write a book'
Grief is not something we ever want to experience, but the reality is: if we 'love'...then we will grieve when we lose the one(s) we love. I don't want any one I know to belong to the 'club' that my husband & I belong to as 'those that have buried their children'.
Sadness. Loneliness.
--Waves of emotion can wash over us at the most unexpected times. And, unless we are prepared, we don't always link what we're feeling back to our loss. As with my good good friend, it's been so long ago that it was hard to put that together. If we don't identify what we're feeling and face it, working through it in a healthy way, we will 'stuff our emotions,' which is unhealthy, and leads to all kinds of really bad things.
From my experience: Months after losing Macy. In Wal-Mart...I lost it in front of the Ritz crackers. More than once in her life, I'd put box I was buying next to her on the seat of the cart and let her help herself, while we shopped.
...and then sometimes, I think:
'no, you don't have enough education or life experience or connections to actually write a book.'
Of course, I can write here, in this blog, over and over...and you can read it--or not! Enough of the 'random thoughts' for this evening.
This week we are beginning week 7 of GriefShare. This is a ministry group that my husband and I facilitate together. This fall, we began our third 13-week session. I've written specific details of how GriefShare works in previous posts to this blog. While it is underwritten by our church, it is open to the public, and you don't have to attend our church to participate.
My hope has always been, since moment one, that God would use our grief experience to further His Kingdom, and bring glory back to Himself. That Satan would not have any sort of victory because of this experience in our lives.
I was talking to a friend earlier today who had suffered the loss of a loved one over 6 years ago. My friend has repeatedly told me they grieved this loss 'back then'. and felt nothing now. Today, however, would have been this loved one's birthday, and my friend was surprised by feelings of overwhelming sorrow...to the point of asking me if this reaction to a birthday was 'normal.'
This week we are beginning week 7 of GriefShare. This is a ministry group that my husband and I facilitate together. This fall, we began our third 13-week session. I've written specific details of how GriefShare works in previous posts to this blog. While it is underwritten by our church, it is open to the public, and you don't have to attend our church to participate.
My hope has always been, since moment one, that God would use our grief experience to further His Kingdom, and bring glory back to Himself. That Satan would not have any sort of victory because of this experience in our lives.
I was talking to a friend earlier today who had suffered the loss of a loved one over 6 years ago. My friend has repeatedly told me they grieved this loss 'back then'. and felt nothing now. Today, however, would have been this loved one's birthday, and my friend was surprised by feelings of overwhelming sorrow...to the point of asking me if this reaction to a birthday was 'normal.'
The truth is: there's nothing 'normal' about grief. And, it's all normal...we all do it differently. There are healthy and unhealthy ways to cope while going through grief.
Grief is not something we ever want to experience, but the reality is: if we 'love'...then we will grieve when we lose the one(s) we love. I don't want any one I know to belong to the 'club' that my husband & I belong to as 'those that have buried their children'.
However, the reality is: it happens. I can remember in the deepest of our sorrow thinking, "I want to do this right; I want to learn what ever I'm supposed to from this." I wanted to learn all I could about God...and His provision and His comfort and strength and how to praise His Name in the midst of it all.
Actually, what I wanted to write here tonight isn't even coming out on these keys, because as I consider the words I'd have to use, I'm just not certain that I can even type them. So, stick with me, perhaps it'll come out in another 'post' in the near future...
And so, with that in mind, I'll just say this: Grief presents a mysterious and very unpredictable set of emotions.
Actually, what I wanted to write here tonight isn't even coming out on these keys, because as I consider the words I'd have to use, I'm just not certain that I can even type them. So, stick with me, perhaps it'll come out in another 'post' in the near future...
And so, with that in mind, I'll just say this: Grief presents a mysterious and very unpredictable set of emotions.
Anger. Bitterness. Guilt.
Sadness. Loneliness. Loss. Despair. Hopelessness. Emptiness.
Anxiousness.
All at the same time sometimes.
--Waves of emotion can wash over us at the most unexpected times. And, unless we are prepared, we don't always link what we're feeling back to our loss. As with my good good friend, it's been so long ago that it was hard to put that together. If we don't identify what we're feeling and face it, working through it in a healthy way, we will 'stuff our emotions,' which is unhealthy, and leads to all kinds of really bad things.
From my experience: Months after losing Macy. In Wal-Mart...I lost it in front of the Ritz crackers. More than once in her life, I'd put box I was buying next to her on the seat of the cart and let her help herself, while we shopped.
Hard moment.
I just cried. Smiled through the tears. Then...bought a box to honor her memory and walked on through the store.
Her birthday is the day I buy myself something 'Hello Kitty' each year. One time it was a journal...once it was toothpaste that tastes like bubble gum (she would've loved that!)...a dear friend once gave me a PEZ dispenser! These are things that make me smile...help me face the reality that she truly was here, and it's OK for me to miss her.
But, above all, to actually feel the emotions I'm feeling, and deal with them in positive, constructive ways. Catch that: not everything I feel in this part of my life is 'great and rosy' sometimes I'm sad and well, just sad. My friend, Do NOT be afraid to feel what you're feeling. Too many numb it. DON'T. There is life during and after our tears of sorrow.
And, thankfully, we live in an era where tissue is easy to come by...
of course, shirt sleeves work, too!--:D
Monday, October 12, 2009
Rainy Days and Mondays....
Mondays are great.! Love them...and all they hold in store!
I don't live where the singer Carole King lived, apparently, because when I was growing up, she was always on the radio singing her heart out, something about 'rainy days and Mondays always getting her down'...
I stand firm in believing that it's all in our attitude. How we greet and anticipate each day speaks volumes about whether we're 'down' or not!
For me, a typical Monday is spent like this: study in the morning, at the office, take a short break for lunch, go back, finish up anything left undone and by 2 I go to a local assisted living facility to have Bible study.
After that, it's time for the girls to be home, and so I get to listen to how their day went...
Today was a little different. You see, because it is Columbus Day, the girls didn't have school. They left late yesterday afternnon to go on an overnight trip with our youth group to the camp in Flora.
Because they weren't home, I took the opportunity to spend an uninterrupted morning studying at home. I had a blast. The girls made it back home around noon, and talked non-stop til I left for Bible study at 2. They are still talking...which is good, they had a great time.
This is what I wanted to write about, though...the last verse of our Bible study today. We are studying Exodus. Today we took a look at chapters 26-29 of this precious book... Lots of details there concerning color choices, wood choices, the exact measurements, and materials to be used to build the tabernacle, and the articles inside it. And, the garments the priests were to have worn. Then, the instructions for consecrating or 'setting apart' the items, the garments, and the priests, themselves. Sacrifices, lots of sacrifices...burnt ones...a pleasing aroma to our Lord it is written there.
After talking about so many details, one precious lady said, 'What does this mean to us today?'...I have to admit, while I was studying I was starting to think the same thing!--I mean really, she's 92...how can she apply this portion of scripture to her life? Here's where trust comes in, because all scripture is God-breathed Paul tells us in 2 Timothy, so we know it is useful for instructing and correcting and rebuking...but why do we need to know these details?
Here's what we found though: such detailed rituals were necessary for quality control. And, one central, standardized form of worship helped to prevent problems with people using their own ideas about 'how it was to be done'...it was all written down, in language they could understand, and came directly from when Moses met with God on the mountain!
Plus, these instructions, and the rituals, and forms they took would also help seperate the Hebrew people from other pagan cultures they would come in to contact with later. (think Canaanites here!)
And, especially the last few verses of chapter 29 spoke to my heart:
Verse 37 speaks to the holiness of God. and why everything about the sacrificial rites had to be holy, as well. For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.
The next verses go on to describe the sacrifices to be burned on the altar. The altar had been placed in the courtyard of the tabernacle...to be seen first by all who entered there, to remind them of the sacrifice that had to be made to reconcile them to Holy God.
The tabernacle, or 'Tent of Meeting' was set apart as holy. It was the place God designed, and had built, by specific instructions...and here's why:
Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They wil know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.verses 45 & 46.
I don't know about you, but that makes me shiver. The God of the Universe, the God that created the garden and Adam & Eve...wanted to be able to 'dwell among them'...His people, and He did, until they sinned.
He made it possible then, in the 'Tent of Meeting', and eventually in His Temple in Jerusalem. But the greatest sacrifice of all, which eliminated the ritual of animal sacrifice was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God's only Son, Jesus, came to 'dwell among them'...they killed Him, though...
But Jesus Christ conquered death. He rose from the dead...dwelling among them for another 40 days.
Then, on the Day of Pentecost, God sent His Holy Spirit, so that He might 'dwell among them'...His people, His chosen and dearly loved people. What more could we ask for? This, this is what all those details mean to us today.
It's God's story. It's His message of reconciling mankind to Himself...that He might live within us! The story of how so very much He loves His people that He desires and accomplished a way to dwell among us, even while we are still on earth!
Praise HIM, for HE is Holy & He is Worthy!
I don't live where the singer Carole King lived, apparently, because when I was growing up, she was always on the radio singing her heart out, something about 'rainy days and Mondays always getting her down'...
I stand firm in believing that it's all in our attitude. How we greet and anticipate each day speaks volumes about whether we're 'down' or not!
For me, a typical Monday is spent like this: study in the morning, at the office, take a short break for lunch, go back, finish up anything left undone and by 2 I go to a local assisted living facility to have Bible study.
After that, it's time for the girls to be home, and so I get to listen to how their day went...
Today was a little different. You see, because it is Columbus Day, the girls didn't have school. They left late yesterday afternnon to go on an overnight trip with our youth group to the camp in Flora.
Because they weren't home, I took the opportunity to spend an uninterrupted morning studying at home. I had a blast. The girls made it back home around noon, and talked non-stop til I left for Bible study at 2. They are still talking...which is good, they had a great time.
This is what I wanted to write about, though...the last verse of our Bible study today. We are studying Exodus. Today we took a look at chapters 26-29 of this precious book... Lots of details there concerning color choices, wood choices, the exact measurements, and materials to be used to build the tabernacle, and the articles inside it. And, the garments the priests were to have worn. Then, the instructions for consecrating or 'setting apart' the items, the garments, and the priests, themselves. Sacrifices, lots of sacrifices...burnt ones...a pleasing aroma to our Lord it is written there.
After talking about so many details, one precious lady said, 'What does this mean to us today?'...I have to admit, while I was studying I was starting to think the same thing!--I mean really, she's 92...how can she apply this portion of scripture to her life? Here's where trust comes in, because all scripture is God-breathed Paul tells us in 2 Timothy, so we know it is useful for instructing and correcting and rebuking...but why do we need to know these details?
Here's what we found though: such detailed rituals were necessary for quality control. And, one central, standardized form of worship helped to prevent problems with people using their own ideas about 'how it was to be done'...it was all written down, in language they could understand, and came directly from when Moses met with God on the mountain!
Plus, these instructions, and the rituals, and forms they took would also help seperate the Hebrew people from other pagan cultures they would come in to contact with later. (think Canaanites here!)
And, especially the last few verses of chapter 29 spoke to my heart:
Verse 37 speaks to the holiness of God. and why everything about the sacrificial rites had to be holy, as well. For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.
The next verses go on to describe the sacrifices to be burned on the altar. The altar had been placed in the courtyard of the tabernacle...to be seen first by all who entered there, to remind them of the sacrifice that had to be made to reconcile them to Holy God.
The tabernacle, or 'Tent of Meeting' was set apart as holy. It was the place God designed, and had built, by specific instructions...and here's why:
Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They wil know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.verses 45 & 46.
I don't know about you, but that makes me shiver. The God of the Universe, the God that created the garden and Adam & Eve...wanted to be able to 'dwell among them'...His people, and He did, until they sinned.
He made it possible then, in the 'Tent of Meeting', and eventually in His Temple in Jerusalem. But the greatest sacrifice of all, which eliminated the ritual of animal sacrifice was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God's only Son, Jesus, came to 'dwell among them'...they killed Him, though...
But Jesus Christ conquered death. He rose from the dead...dwelling among them for another 40 days.
Then, on the Day of Pentecost, God sent His Holy Spirit, so that He might 'dwell among them'...His people, His chosen and dearly loved people. What more could we ask for? This, this is what all those details mean to us today.
It's God's story. It's His message of reconciling mankind to Himself...that He might live within us! The story of how so very much He loves His people that He desires and accomplished a way to dwell among us, even while we are still on earth!
Praise HIM, for HE is Holy & He is Worthy!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Late Night TV...hmmm
'Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.' I Timothy 1:17
'The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teaching comes through..." I Timothy 4:1 & 2
I will not mis-represent this verse by filling in my own thoughts... the point, quickly made, is that the end is near...it has been for over 2,000 years. As Christians, though, we are to be expectant, even though we don't know the day or hour. We are to live lives worthy of the calling placed on us, as HIS! Quiet, holy, busy lives, lived for the Kingdom.
Lives that conform to sound doctrine, and truth. In these days, truth is valuable, but hard to find. It is a character trait in some, but a very foreign concept to others.
I was mortified this week as David Letterman made the statement on his late-night program that he had, in fact, had affairs with colleagues from his TV show. I wasn't so much mortified that he'd done it, or that he was talking about it on national TV. What mortified me was the reaction of his studio audience. It is sickening. Laughter fills the studio, and he's getting by with making a big joke out of his illicit behavior. He remains a hero to 1,000's of young men who champion such behavior. The guy who was trying to extort him loses his job. I know, I know, extortion is a really bad thing. But, do we see the double standard by this episode in the world in which we live? You can't hurt me, if I destroy you first...And, the really sickening thing is, in the enterainment business, it appears that it's expected and accepted.
(my stomach turns every time I go through a grocery store check out line and see another 'diva in detox' splashed across the page, compete with close ups of her emaciated little body--not a career path I would encourage for any one I know--looks fatal (think Marilyn Monroe/Michael Jackson, the list goes on and on).
Dear reader, as the Word of our God says: the end is coming soon. Our culture does nothing to prepare us for this truth, it's up to us. We are, if we choose to listen, led down a path that is pleasing to our enemy. And, our enemy is Satan, the one who hates us, the one who is out to seek, kill and destroy...using what ever means he can to lie to us...even about ourselves.
It might be because I'm in the midst of studying Daniel, but this keeps rolling through my mind: Babylon. We live in a place similar to Babylon. Items that God put in place for holy use are being used for unholy purposes.
As believers in the Lord Jesus, we house the mystery of God. We have the Holy Spirit in us. By this, we become the Temple of the God of the Universe.
'The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teaching comes through..." I Timothy 4:1 & 2
I will not mis-represent this verse by filling in my own thoughts... the point, quickly made, is that the end is near...it has been for over 2,000 years. As Christians, though, we are to be expectant, even though we don't know the day or hour. We are to live lives worthy of the calling placed on us, as HIS! Quiet, holy, busy lives, lived for the Kingdom.
Lives that conform to sound doctrine, and truth. In these days, truth is valuable, but hard to find. It is a character trait in some, but a very foreign concept to others.
I was mortified this week as David Letterman made the statement on his late-night program that he had, in fact, had affairs with colleagues from his TV show. I wasn't so much mortified that he'd done it, or that he was talking about it on national TV. What mortified me was the reaction of his studio audience. It is sickening. Laughter fills the studio, and he's getting by with making a big joke out of his illicit behavior. He remains a hero to 1,000's of young men who champion such behavior. The guy who was trying to extort him loses his job. I know, I know, extortion is a really bad thing. But, do we see the double standard by this episode in the world in which we live? You can't hurt me, if I destroy you first...And, the really sickening thing is, in the enterainment business, it appears that it's expected and accepted.
(my stomach turns every time I go through a grocery store check out line and see another 'diva in detox' splashed across the page, compete with close ups of her emaciated little body--not a career path I would encourage for any one I know--looks fatal (think Marilyn Monroe/Michael Jackson, the list goes on and on).
Dear reader, as the Word of our God says: the end is coming soon. Our culture does nothing to prepare us for this truth, it's up to us. We are, if we choose to listen, led down a path that is pleasing to our enemy. And, our enemy is Satan, the one who hates us, the one who is out to seek, kill and destroy...using what ever means he can to lie to us...even about ourselves.
It might be because I'm in the midst of studying Daniel, but this keeps rolling through my mind: Babylon. We live in a place similar to Babylon. Items that God put in place for holy use are being used for unholy purposes.
As believers in the Lord Jesus, we house the mystery of God. We have the Holy Spirit in us. By this, we become the Temple of the God of the Universe.
Precious in His sight. Holy.
Consecrated. Set apart.
We are Not to bow down to the god(s) of this world.
(Mark this: Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord...
every one--even the pop-icons of our culture)
Holy and set apart.
Holy and set apart.
As Children of God Most High. As Dearly LOVED.
As the Apple of His Eye!
Live like it: You are a Child of the King.
He knows everything about you...and loves you (and me) anyway.
He knows your fingerprints, and how many hairs are on your head.
He has a plan for YOU.
He wants to reveal that to you. Draw near to Him.
Delight yourself in Him, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Give Him honor and glory. He is worthy!
Worthy of All Our Praise.
Praise HIS HOLY NAME!
Friday, October 2, 2009
WOW! Where did September GO?
Ok, I know, it's October already. I'm not even sure any one is 'reading' this any more...sorry if you 'gave up on me'! September was a busy month in a lot of ways!
We started a new GriefShare cycle. That's always bitter sweet. I'm so sorry for the reason we gather, but I'm so delighted to hear other's insight and wisdom in to the things of grief. It always amazes me how each handle different events and emotions along this path we have not chosen for ourselves, but found ourselves traveling any way!
We're off to a new start for our fall women's Bible study, as well! We are studying Daniel. It's Beth Moore's video and work book series...so it is full of challenges and different angles...All I can say is: holy vessels being used for unholy things...truly an eye-opening lesson. (more about that later!)
Holly is having a great time working for 'a mouse', as she says. Thinking she might not come home at all...just stay. So, I'm adjusting. And realizing how truly blessed I am to have such bright and talented daughters--All of them are so precious to us!
And, so, because it was the first day of October yesterday, I took a little road trip to So. IL not only to help a friend but to re-visit some of the places of my childhood.
I got to have lunch with my lovely sister...see mom for just a minute. And, then a surprise visit with one of my cousins, Nadine. Her mom, my Aunt Mary, who just turned 85, reminds me so much of my great-grandpa when he was that age! I always looked forward to going to their house when I was growing up, Aunt Mary made the best sweet tea in the county! Nadine is so patient with her, and helps take really good care of her.
Driving around my home town before returning home was enlightening and a little disappointing!--I never in my life remember thinking 'it shrunk, it used to be SO big!'--However, yesterday, I kept having that thought over and over! Every house I thought was 'huge' when I was growing up looked so small! --My great-grandparents house was always small, and it still looks small...their yard somehow shrunk, though! --and her flowers are gone...so sad, she loved those flowers...She would say things like, 'Well, I'll swan'...I have no idea what that meant, but she said it anyway! --I heard Aunt Mary say 'Well, I'll Swan'...more than once yesterday during our little visit...hilarious!--
I hope when I'm 85, if the Lord tarries, and I'm still alive that I'll say things like:
We started a new GriefShare cycle. That's always bitter sweet. I'm so sorry for the reason we gather, but I'm so delighted to hear other's insight and wisdom in to the things of grief. It always amazes me how each handle different events and emotions along this path we have not chosen for ourselves, but found ourselves traveling any way!
We're off to a new start for our fall women's Bible study, as well! We are studying Daniel. It's Beth Moore's video and work book series...so it is full of challenges and different angles...All I can say is: holy vessels being used for unholy things...truly an eye-opening lesson. (more about that later!)
Holly is having a great time working for 'a mouse', as she says. Thinking she might not come home at all...just stay. So, I'm adjusting. And realizing how truly blessed I am to have such bright and talented daughters--All of them are so precious to us!
And, so, because it was the first day of October yesterday, I took a little road trip to So. IL not only to help a friend but to re-visit some of the places of my childhood.
I got to have lunch with my lovely sister...see mom for just a minute. And, then a surprise visit with one of my cousins, Nadine. Her mom, my Aunt Mary, who just turned 85, reminds me so much of my great-grandpa when he was that age! I always looked forward to going to their house when I was growing up, Aunt Mary made the best sweet tea in the county! Nadine is so patient with her, and helps take really good care of her.
Driving around my home town before returning home was enlightening and a little disappointing!--I never in my life remember thinking 'it shrunk, it used to be SO big!'--However, yesterday, I kept having that thought over and over! Every house I thought was 'huge' when I was growing up looked so small! --My great-grandparents house was always small, and it still looks small...their yard somehow shrunk, though! --and her flowers are gone...so sad, she loved those flowers...She would say things like, 'Well, I'll swan'...I have no idea what that meant, but she said it anyway! --I heard Aunt Mary say 'Well, I'll Swan'...more than once yesterday during our little visit...hilarious!--
I hope when I'm 85, if the Lord tarries, and I'm still alive that I'll say things like:
"What was his name, again?"
---and'Well, I'll Swan'!!!
--and
'It's really cold in here!'
---and
'Oh, the golden years!'
And, I hope, that as soon as I say them, I just laugh and remember some great family members--remaining thankful that I got a chance to know them, and laugh with them.
Monday, September 7, 2009
What Labor Day Means to ME!!!
Labor Day week end. It means different things to different people.
For my family, this is a week end we look forward to the whole year. Labor Day for us means getting together with dear friends--all together in one place to laugh, visit, pray, laugh and eat together for as long as we can, from Friday evening to Sunday evening...sometimes lingering even to Monday. (not this year, though, we're getting older and we need a day to rest up before returning to real life!)
We started this tradition in 2003. We've moved the destination around a couple of times, bur for the most part, and as with this year, around 40 of us gathered at the Bopp's home in Wentzville, MO, to celebrate our friendship. At one point all of us had lived in the same town, and served at the same church, where some were in paid positions of ministry, and others were in volunteer positions in the same body.
Through a 'blessed tragedy' many had to move away and find positions in ministry in other places...far away places. It was truly one of those things that Satan had meant for bad, but God used for GOOD!!! And, as a way to fulfill His purpose, more than likely, in all our lives!
When this happened, we committed to get together 'officially' each year, and see each other through out the rest of the year as often as possible. Our 'official' time together would be Labor Day Week end. Through e-mails and phone calls, week ends here and there, we've remained close through the years, even though we're separated by miles, and all of us have busy lives with kids and jobs and ministry responsibilities...but there remains this commitment to our friendship, and an unexplainable love we have for each other. Picking up conversations where we left off.
We've celebrated birthdays together, weddings, funerals, and church services together. These friends were among the first to arrive when we lost our Macy and then also among the first to arrive as we celebrated our oldest daughter's wedding a few months later.
This group of friends is founded on our mutual love for God, and a desire to serve Him well, and finish our lives strong in His strength. We've cried, prayed, studied, laughed and talked our way through personal crisis, natural disasters, political and economic mysteries, difficult passages of scripture, reasoning it all in light of God's Word. All of these are either in paid positions of ministry, or serve in their churches faithfully in some capacity. Their personal relationship with Jesus is evident in the way they live and relate to others. These are people that I truly look forward to spending eternity with in Heaven in the presence of our Savior.
We used to weep every time we'd leave each other, as if it would be the last time we'd see or speak to each other. Now, because our friendship has stood this test of time, we no longer weep. I think it's because we remain, thanks in part to the electronic age...but also, because we know that our future is secure. Here or There...we're good!
God is so good to me, to give me friends like these!
- Celebrate the workers of our great country.
- Traditionally the last official 'week end' to wear white (although I think this one is kind of a 'passed' tradition, many wear white year 'round')!
- The first three-day week end of the school year...
- The beginning of the school year for some.
For my family, this is a week end we look forward to the whole year. Labor Day for us means getting together with dear friends--all together in one place to laugh, visit, pray, laugh and eat together for as long as we can, from Friday evening to Sunday evening...sometimes lingering even to Monday. (not this year, though, we're getting older and we need a day to rest up before returning to real life!)
We started this tradition in 2003. We've moved the destination around a couple of times, bur for the most part, and as with this year, around 40 of us gathered at the Bopp's home in Wentzville, MO, to celebrate our friendship. At one point all of us had lived in the same town, and served at the same church, where some were in paid positions of ministry, and others were in volunteer positions in the same body.
Through a 'blessed tragedy' many had to move away and find positions in ministry in other places...far away places. It was truly one of those things that Satan had meant for bad, but God used for GOOD!!! And, as a way to fulfill His purpose, more than likely, in all our lives!
When this happened, we committed to get together 'officially' each year, and see each other through out the rest of the year as often as possible. Our 'official' time together would be Labor Day Week end. Through e-mails and phone calls, week ends here and there, we've remained close through the years, even though we're separated by miles, and all of us have busy lives with kids and jobs and ministry responsibilities...but there remains this commitment to our friendship, and an unexplainable love we have for each other. Picking up conversations where we left off.
We have raised our kids together and, they range in age from 8 to 25. (Now, Randy & I have grand kids and so, we're on to the 'next generation' of our gathering!) Four of us have had babies 'later in life'! --my husband & I have had three such babies as we 'stopped' having children twice but then, in God's timing, adopted twins, then had a very blessed pregnancy! (oh, what great memories we share--like when we 'first found out we were pregnant'...or 'told each other' we were expecting yet another child!) We've been such an encouragement to each other to depend on God for health and wisdom throughout this journey of parenthood.
These families were great support as we were going through the adoption process for our twins. And then we were able to rally again as one of the other families went through the adoption process for two little girls from Russia about four years ago. Such a bond we've formed throughout the years!
We've celebrated birthdays together, weddings, funerals, and church services together. These friends were among the first to arrive when we lost our Macy and then also among the first to arrive as we celebrated our oldest daughter's wedding a few months later.
This group of friends is founded on our mutual love for God, and a desire to serve Him well, and finish our lives strong in His strength. We've cried, prayed, studied, laughed and talked our way through personal crisis, natural disasters, political and economic mysteries, difficult passages of scripture, reasoning it all in light of God's Word. All of these are either in paid positions of ministry, or serve in their churches faithfully in some capacity. Their personal relationship with Jesus is evident in the way they live and relate to others. These are people that I truly look forward to spending eternity with in Heaven in the presence of our Savior.
We used to weep every time we'd leave each other, as if it would be the last time we'd see or speak to each other. Now, because our friendship has stood this test of time, we no longer weep. I think it's because we remain, thanks in part to the electronic age...but also, because we know that our future is secure. Here or There...we're good!
God is so good to me, to give me friends like these!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Our days...
Stay with me here, I've not been very faithful in writing to you...so...bear with me and take a listen to a short 'twin' story...and then I promise, we'll get down to business!!!
Official Twin story: We are officially in our second full week of school. It seems like things are extremely calm here...perhaps I don't know 'everything that's going on' but the girls are loving it! They laugh a lot, and play crazy music...and talk about clothes and make up and hair length and piercings...part of being 13...I suppose. I sometimes forget how OLD I am compared to how YOUNG they are!
I was abruptly reminded of the 'gap' this past week end when the girls were singing along to a popular song on the radio...lyrics went something like "swish, girl...do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips..."--they were just singing along...and I said..."Do you even know who Helen Keller is/was?"
"No," they said.
So, being the great and profound mother that I am, I proceeded to explain to them about her, and her life, and about how she couldn't hear, see or speak...and, of course, you are WAY ahead of me because one of the girls said, "Well, that can't be right, she had to be able to talk, because otherwise, who sang the song?"Oh, my. OH MY!
The reason I blog: My husband and I attended a couple of different celebrations last week end. One was an anniversary party, celebrating 50 years of marriage by some friends of ours from church. It was great to see them laughing and having fun with friends and family. 50 years is a long time to be married. But, at the same time, when I congratulated them, the wife said, it just doesn't seem like 'that long ago'...and I think she's right...time flies--doesn't it?
The next day, we were privileged to attend a wedding celebration for another couple that attends our church--just starting their journey together. Quite a contrast, but that's the way life is, isn't it?
I have friends who are celebrating new life with babies, and marriages, and I also have friends who have just lost loved ones and still others' whose marriages seem to be crumbling around them. That's the way this life on earth seems, isn't is...good/bad...hope/joy...highs/lows...we can learn from each moment, each experience...each celebration: Life is precious. It is a Gift. Celebrate it because NONE of these moments is a surprise to Our Great God...
I not only take great comfort in the following, I glean from it great hope about the character of a Holy, Great, Mighty God....take a listen...
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid you hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wins of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," event he darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.--Psalm 139:1-16
You can get the idea here...I read this and it brings me to tears...to think that in the very next verse, it says that the number of thoughts that God has concerning my life would outnumber the grains of sand...and HE is still with me...
I sit and think and
just in the quiet think about that...just quietly...without words...think...about...HIM...and HIS thoughts...and HIS Holiness...OK, now without words...you ... do..... the..... same...
Official Twin story: We are officially in our second full week of school. It seems like things are extremely calm here...perhaps I don't know 'everything that's going on' but the girls are loving it! They laugh a lot, and play crazy music...and talk about clothes and make up and hair length and piercings...part of being 13...I suppose. I sometimes forget how OLD I am compared to how YOUNG they are!
I was abruptly reminded of the 'gap' this past week end when the girls were singing along to a popular song on the radio...lyrics went something like "swish, girl...do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips..."--they were just singing along...and I said..."Do you even know who Helen Keller is/was?"
"No," they said.
So, being the great and profound mother that I am, I proceeded to explain to them about her, and her life, and about how she couldn't hear, see or speak...and, of course, you are WAY ahead of me because one of the girls said, "Well, that can't be right, she had to be able to talk, because otherwise, who sang the song?"Oh, my. OH MY!
The reason I blog: My husband and I attended a couple of different celebrations last week end. One was an anniversary party, celebrating 50 years of marriage by some friends of ours from church. It was great to see them laughing and having fun with friends and family. 50 years is a long time to be married. But, at the same time, when I congratulated them, the wife said, it just doesn't seem like 'that long ago'...and I think she's right...time flies--doesn't it?
The next day, we were privileged to attend a wedding celebration for another couple that attends our church--just starting their journey together. Quite a contrast, but that's the way life is, isn't it?
I have friends who are celebrating new life with babies, and marriages, and I also have friends who have just lost loved ones and still others' whose marriages seem to be crumbling around them. That's the way this life on earth seems, isn't is...good/bad...hope/joy...highs/lows...we can learn from each moment, each experience...each celebration: Life is precious. It is a Gift. Celebrate it because NONE of these moments is a surprise to Our Great God...
I not only take great comfort in the following, I glean from it great hope about the character of a Holy, Great, Mighty God....take a listen...
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid you hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wins of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," event he darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.--Psalm 139:1-16
You can get the idea here...I read this and it brings me to tears...to think that in the very next verse, it says that the number of thoughts that God has concerning my life would outnumber the grains of sand...and HE is still with me...
I sit and think and
just in the quiet think about that...just quietly...without words...think...about...HIM...and HIS thoughts...and HIS Holiness...OK, now without words...you ... do..... the..... same...
Friday, August 28, 2009
We are God's Workmanship...
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions
--it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us
with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith
--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God
--not by works; so that no one can boast.
For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
--Ephesians 2:4-10
I find that I miss the mark in much of my life...wife, mom, sister, friend...but if I catch this right, God is rich in mercy...He made me alive...ALIVE...in Christ while I was dead in my own mess. He's saved me by His grace...so that I can be raised up with Christ...to show the coming age the incomparable (and incomprehensible for me) riches of His Grace...by saving even ME...even me in all my 'mark-missing'...in all my 'human-ness'...
As Christians we know that our 'works' don't save us...we say that out loud...but do we live like it? We look at this verse and get the sinking feeling that God does have a 'to do' list out there with our name on it. So we spend much time, on top of everything else we 'do' looking for our 'niche' in ministry...or questioning constanly our Great God about 'what to do next'...don't gem me wrong...much much time spent in prayer is a Good thing...Seeking God's face on all matters is foundational for our lives...but I seem to get bogged down in the 'day to day' things or the 'service-type things' that I feel compelled to do...
He does have a plan for our lives...He does love us...He does use us to further His kingdom. Our own 'To Do List' , I'm thinking, looks a lot different than God's 'To Do List' for us, remember: He prepared in advance for us to do.
Because we live in this era of history...our list gets long and cumbersome because we want to do it all, get it all done...and while there is nothing wrong with doing our part...we get those priorities SO out of whack sometimes that that list becomes our driving force for the day. We wake up, focused on the task at hand, and we're off to the races...not giving our King a thought...or a glance...or even an acknowledgement that He's still on His throne...whether we're too busy to talk to Him or not.
We are God's workmanship...
He's crafted us to do exactly what He intended us to do with our time. And, according to the writer of Psalm 139, none of our days is a surprise to Him, He thought of each day before one of them came to be! I am convinced that much of our stress in life comes from not living there...from living to please everyone, including ourselves, else but our God.
...created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Catch that 'to do'. Here's the to do: Bring Glory & Honor to His Name...in everything you do...attempt, feel, say and DO. Slow down...pray that He order your day first...to take away things that you've put there that don't need to be there...to put in things that He intends to use to 'Bring Glory & Honor to His Name'...
And, for those of us who like to write on our post-it notes exactly what we have "to do" today: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humble with your God.--Micah 6:8
It all ties together to make our days honoring to our Father with our interactions with others, both those in the body of Christ and those that are not yet a part of that body. We do fall down...but sometimes, it's from exhaustion from trying to 'do enough' or 'be good enough'...remember the grace...remember the mercy...and remember that God loves you no matter what...He created you...and He has the plan to transform your life to transform YOU to His likeness...just slow down so you can hear Him...We are God's Workmanship...
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Delight...got it?
Wow, did you hear me say in my last post: 'Busy August, So Far, But School is COMING?'...well, it did!
School started this week in our town. Our twins, 7th graders, are now attending a beautiful, newly remodeled building. 'Gorgeous' and 'Awesome' are the words I've heard all week to describe the space. Will they learn anything because the building has been completely remodeled? I don't know. Do Middle schoolers actually 'learn'!??!--We'll know in a few years! But, the girls are happy with the routine, and they are happy to be connected to their friends face to face every day...so: "It's gonna be the BEST year ever!"
Our oldest daughter is planning her little one's birthday parties...already...Will will turn 4 in October...Pirates...that's his chosen 'theme'! And, he'll be decked out in a Pirate costume, complete (which makes me laugh!) with a parrot on his shoulder, an eye patch and a hook for one of his hands!
Baby Ally, as Will calls her, "CoCo" to the rest of the family, will turn 1 in November!!! Pink with polka-dots is all I know, but I'm certain it will be cute, complete with a PINK Velcro-crown and she'll have fun eating cake!
Our second oldest daughter has, just this week, moved in to her 'dorm' at Disney World, where she'll be working until January as an intern. She already loves it. She assured me before she left that, although when she was younger she thought Goofy was 'real'...she knows they are just people dressed up as characters, playing a part now! What can I say? She's always loved the 'magic' there! And, so, probably upon arrival she loved it, even though she didn't really feel like she knew what to expect...she'll catch on quick, though! She'll be working at HollyWood Studios, in merchandise. She has three room mates, all from the north east, and all very fun. --wouldn't that sort of be a pre-requisite for working in a place like Disney World...a 'fun' personality? No worries, Holly certainly has that one!
Earlier this month Randy went with me to my 30th class reunion picnic. It was fun to see some of the people I hadn't see in such a long time! Great stories, and a little time to 'catch up' with different ones. Of course, Face Book helps with that, as well...it's amazing how much some have changed...and others look much the same as when we were in school together (this would NOT be me!--I look nothing like I did way back in the day!)
The women's ministry that I do at our church is 'gearing up' for some changes in approach, this is an exciting time. God is at work in the lives of the people...I'm eagerly waiting to see what happens 'next'! And, because He knows me best, all my failures, weaknesses, He really knows who He's working with in me, God continues to WOW me with His patience, grace and love for even me! And, I continue to trust His hand in these things, even though I may not see Him!
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Isn't that what we want? A Mighty God...one that delights in us...One that quiets us with His love...and Sings over us!?!??!--What a Mighty God we serve. How much He delights in us, and cares for us, quiets our fears, and calms our souls...even in the midst of a 'busy month' and starting of a new school year...time goes by so very fast...but Our God never changes...His Love is always there...
Go have a DElighTFUl week end!
School started this week in our town. Our twins, 7th graders, are now attending a beautiful, newly remodeled building. 'Gorgeous' and 'Awesome' are the words I've heard all week to describe the space. Will they learn anything because the building has been completely remodeled? I don't know. Do Middle schoolers actually 'learn'!??!--We'll know in a few years! But, the girls are happy with the routine, and they are happy to be connected to their friends face to face every day...so: "It's gonna be the BEST year ever!"
Our oldest daughter is planning her little one's birthday parties...already...Will will turn 4 in October...Pirates...that's his chosen 'theme'! And, he'll be decked out in a Pirate costume, complete (which makes me laugh!) with a parrot on his shoulder, an eye patch and a hook for one of his hands!
Baby Ally, as Will calls her, "CoCo" to the rest of the family, will turn 1 in November!!! Pink with polka-dots is all I know, but I'm certain it will be cute, complete with a PINK Velcro-crown and she'll have fun eating cake!
Our second oldest daughter has, just this week, moved in to her 'dorm' at Disney World, where she'll be working until January as an intern. She already loves it. She assured me before she left that, although when she was younger she thought Goofy was 'real'...she knows they are just people dressed up as characters, playing a part now! What can I say? She's always loved the 'magic' there! And, so, probably upon arrival she loved it, even though she didn't really feel like she knew what to expect...she'll catch on quick, though! She'll be working at HollyWood Studios, in merchandise. She has three room mates, all from the north east, and all very fun. --wouldn't that sort of be a pre-requisite for working in a place like Disney World...a 'fun' personality? No worries, Holly certainly has that one!
Earlier this month Randy went with me to my 30th class reunion picnic. It was fun to see some of the people I hadn't see in such a long time! Great stories, and a little time to 'catch up' with different ones. Of course, Face Book helps with that, as well...it's amazing how much some have changed...and others look much the same as when we were in school together (this would NOT be me!--I look nothing like I did way back in the day!)
The women's ministry that I do at our church is 'gearing up' for some changes in approach, this is an exciting time. God is at work in the lives of the people...I'm eagerly waiting to see what happens 'next'! And, because He knows me best, all my failures, weaknesses, He really knows who He's working with in me, God continues to WOW me with His patience, grace and love for even me! And, I continue to trust His hand in these things, even though I may not see Him!
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Isn't that what we want? A Mighty God...one that delights in us...One that quiets us with His love...and Sings over us!?!??!--What a Mighty God we serve. How much He delights in us, and cares for us, quiets our fears, and calms our souls...even in the midst of a 'busy month' and starting of a new school year...time goes by so very fast...but Our God never changes...His Love is always there...
Go have a DElighTFUl week end!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Busy August so far, but, School is COMING!!!
August came in with a great celebration...it always does at our house...my birthday is the first day! And, the celebration continues! Amazingly, I don't feel today, some 10 days later, like I've rested up from that week end! Even more amazingly, it's FINE with me! Good things just keep coming!
My mom came to celebrate my birthday! Lots of fresh veggies and such...and, of course, birthday cake...then our neighbors, sweet ones they are, brought another birthday cake--and a gallon of milk--lots of insight these neighbors!
This past Friday and Saturday, was time spent in the presence of a few ladies from our church that are inspirational to me in ministry. It was time well spent, as we learned more about each other, and how to use our gifts in furthering the gospel to women in our area, and beyond. I'm very excited about the possibilities! But, mostly, I'm in awe and praying about 'the next step'!
Also this past week end was my class reunion. It was great fun...reconnecting with some of those that I hadn't seen since high school. We laughed a lot!
Then, as the Journey continues...I wanted to share this section of scripture and a one-liner from our Sunday school class:
II Corinthians 4:5-7
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
--emphasis added by me.
But, one of the girls in my class read this and then said, "Isn't that pretty?"
I love it when people not only 'get the Word of God'...but also SEE the Beauty contained IN it!!!
Praising Our Glorious God because of His Mighty Power!!!
My mom came to celebrate my birthday! Lots of fresh veggies and such...and, of course, birthday cake...then our neighbors, sweet ones they are, brought another birthday cake--and a gallon of milk--lots of insight these neighbors!
This past Friday and Saturday, was time spent in the presence of a few ladies from our church that are inspirational to me in ministry. It was time well spent, as we learned more about each other, and how to use our gifts in furthering the gospel to women in our area, and beyond. I'm very excited about the possibilities! But, mostly, I'm in awe and praying about 'the next step'!
Also this past week end was my class reunion. It was great fun...reconnecting with some of those that I hadn't seen since high school. We laughed a lot!
Then, as the Journey continues...I wanted to share this section of scripture and a one-liner from our Sunday school class:
II Corinthians 4:5-7
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
--emphasis added by me.
But, one of the girls in my class read this and then said, "Isn't that pretty?"
I love it when people not only 'get the Word of God'...but also SEE the Beauty contained IN it!!!
Praising Our Glorious God because of His Mighty Power!!!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Antiques--to appreciate OR not?
There are just certain things I like to do. I love a really HOT cup of coffee, hot tea or Orka chi...and a good book, or my Bible. I love slow mornings. I love to 'create' something from bits of nothing (don't have as much time to do this as I'd like). I love to write stuff down. Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes it doesn't. Like right now, I don't really know where this is going, but I feel compelled to keep typing! (like the kitchen scene in Nanny McPhee!)
Holly will be leaving in about 19 days. Nineteen days. That's ok. I'm good with my kids moving to the next phase of their lives. It's exciting to watch her tie up loose ends, so to speak. But, her 'project' this summer has been our basement. It's always a project at our house (a very long story that I will not bore you with here!) But, our basement has had several evolutions in the past 18 years. (translate: accumulation of much/many things!)
And so, this summer we were to re-claim it as living space, make it beautiful, relaxing and appealing for family time. And, bless her heart, in spite of our differences in color scheme choices, and decorating techniques, it's pulling together quite nicely.
But, because I like to spend time doing lots of different kinds of things...I see beauty, or purpose in lots of 'bits of nothing' to any one else. We have heir looms in storage boxes, because this grandma, or this aunt, thought enough of future generations to preserve, and protect pretty things for 'some day'...And so, as she and I went through a few of those storage boxes last night, I was able to give her the back story on a few pieces.
Some were a wedding gift to this 'great grandma'...some were just always at MaMa's house. I went through a short phase when the older girls were 'big enough' that I would actually buy a few antiques, if I liked them. (that was short-lived because we quickly had two more babies and the 'pretties' got replaced by soft edges and plastic again!)
It was during this short time, though, that I found one particular treasure. It was a beautiful little glass piece. I had a short article that came with it, explaining its history and what it was used for--I loved it because of an old picture I have of one of the women in our family from generations past!
I had seen the paper work over the years through one of my storage containers...but I couldn't find the actual glass piece. It's only about 4" tall...so it could have been wrapped up in paper, and I just couldn't see it. But, as we pulled out boxes last night, I again, saw through the storage container the paper work--and, my heart sank again for the 3rd or 4th time, I'd been through that particular box, and knew that my treasure was NOT in there. At our house, sometimes things get broken, and just thrown away...I feared that that had happened in this case, and after searching decided not to think about it again!
Holly, after pulling many boxes out of our storage room, started opening them, and unwrapping a few things to explore just what kinds of things her mother had been 'hording' all these years. To her delight (and, mine, too!) she thought many of these things were beautiful, and she even seemed to appreciate the back story to many of the things she held up for me to see!
Then, it happened...she unwrapped my little glass piece...the one with the paper work, the one I enjoy so very much. I was so excited, I ran over and grabbed it from her. It looks like lace work all around the top...like you could weave ribbon through it! She asked what in the world 'it' is!?! I had her guess...it just looks like a wide-mouthed short vase. But, it's far more interesting than that!!!
You see, this little glass piece was actually used in parlors by ladies as a personal 'spittoon'!!! I love that! It makes me laugh! It makes me smile...it also humanizes people from the past! A lot of times, because it was so long ago, people from history become almost fictional characters in a story line. Of course ladies in the late 1800's and early 1900's would have to spit...and if they chewed tobacco (which I'm uncertain of that!) all the better to have a place to spit! Of course, my grandma would tell me it was probably for cherry pits, or small bones...who knows...the point is this: they spit...which means they were human!
That's what I want, I want to remain human in the eyes of those who come after me...I don't mean I want to live as a human forever...I just want the stories about me to my children's children to be real...someone they can relate to, just someone older than them, that lived in a different era!
I'm so excited that my little spittoon has been found. It just stands as a small symbol for me that stories I read or stories I hear about women from long ago in my family (or not) were real, with real feelings, emotions, goals, hurts, and habits...much like me...
Remember the Ecclesiastical writer tells us: There's nothing new under the sun!--how true!
Holly will be leaving in about 19 days. Nineteen days. That's ok. I'm good with my kids moving to the next phase of their lives. It's exciting to watch her tie up loose ends, so to speak. But, her 'project' this summer has been our basement. It's always a project at our house (a very long story that I will not bore you with here!) But, our basement has had several evolutions in the past 18 years. (translate: accumulation of much/many things!)
And so, this summer we were to re-claim it as living space, make it beautiful, relaxing and appealing for family time. And, bless her heart, in spite of our differences in color scheme choices, and decorating techniques, it's pulling together quite nicely.
But, because I like to spend time doing lots of different kinds of things...I see beauty, or purpose in lots of 'bits of nothing' to any one else. We have heir looms in storage boxes, because this grandma, or this aunt, thought enough of future generations to preserve, and protect pretty things for 'some day'...And so, as she and I went through a few of those storage boxes last night, I was able to give her the back story on a few pieces.
Some were a wedding gift to this 'great grandma'...some were just always at MaMa's house. I went through a short phase when the older girls were 'big enough' that I would actually buy a few antiques, if I liked them. (that was short-lived because we quickly had two more babies and the 'pretties' got replaced by soft edges and plastic again!)
It was during this short time, though, that I found one particular treasure. It was a beautiful little glass piece. I had a short article that came with it, explaining its history and what it was used for--I loved it because of an old picture I have of one of the women in our family from generations past!
I had seen the paper work over the years through one of my storage containers...but I couldn't find the actual glass piece. It's only about 4" tall...so it could have been wrapped up in paper, and I just couldn't see it. But, as we pulled out boxes last night, I again, saw through the storage container the paper work--and, my heart sank again for the 3rd or 4th time, I'd been through that particular box, and knew that my treasure was NOT in there. At our house, sometimes things get broken, and just thrown away...I feared that that had happened in this case, and after searching decided not to think about it again!
Holly, after pulling many boxes out of our storage room, started opening them, and unwrapping a few things to explore just what kinds of things her mother had been 'hording' all these years. To her delight (and, mine, too!) she thought many of these things were beautiful, and she even seemed to appreciate the back story to many of the things she held up for me to see!
Then, it happened...she unwrapped my little glass piece...the one with the paper work, the one I enjoy so very much. I was so excited, I ran over and grabbed it from her. It looks like lace work all around the top...like you could weave ribbon through it! She asked what in the world 'it' is!?! I had her guess...it just looks like a wide-mouthed short vase. But, it's far more interesting than that!!!
You see, this little glass piece was actually used in parlors by ladies as a personal 'spittoon'!!! I love that! It makes me laugh! It makes me smile...it also humanizes people from the past! A lot of times, because it was so long ago, people from history become almost fictional characters in a story line. Of course ladies in the late 1800's and early 1900's would have to spit...and if they chewed tobacco (which I'm uncertain of that!) all the better to have a place to spit! Of course, my grandma would tell me it was probably for cherry pits, or small bones...who knows...the point is this: they spit...which means they were human!
That's what I want, I want to remain human in the eyes of those who come after me...I don't mean I want to live as a human forever...I just want the stories about me to my children's children to be real...someone they can relate to, just someone older than them, that lived in a different era!
I'm so excited that my little spittoon has been found. It just stands as a small symbol for me that stories I read or stories I hear about women from long ago in my family (or not) were real, with real feelings, emotions, goals, hurts, and habits...much like me...
Remember the Ecclesiastical writer tells us: There's nothing new under the sun!--how true!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
From the Journey...
I Corinthians 15:58 says:
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
There is truth in that! There's comfort in that for ministry work. There's a promise in there, too!
God is SO good. We must stand firm in our belief in Him, in our faith in Him...
I will not be moved...except to do MORE in ministry.
The work of the Lord, if I give myself fully to it, I can KNOW that it is not in vain. There is a purpose for it all. And, so the word, 'give' speaks to my heart of hearts. Giving to Our God, fully of myself. It looks a lot like an act of worship. Everything I do, because I was created to worship the God of the Universe, the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, should be done in a spirit of worship. Even writing in this blog.
Speaking to a lonely woman. Cleaning out my basement. Doing menial tasks.
Laughing. Crying. Studying. Knitting.
Driving my car. Singing. Typing. Listening. Praying.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
There is truth in that! There's comfort in that for ministry work. There's a promise in there, too!
God is SO good. We must stand firm in our belief in Him, in our faith in Him...
I will not be moved...except to do MORE in ministry.
The work of the Lord, if I give myself fully to it, I can KNOW that it is not in vain. There is a purpose for it all. And, so the word, 'give' speaks to my heart of hearts. Giving to Our God, fully of myself. It looks a lot like an act of worship. Everything I do, because I was created to worship the God of the Universe, the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, should be done in a spirit of worship. Even writing in this blog.
Speaking to a lonely woman. Cleaning out my basement. Doing menial tasks.
Laughing. Crying. Studying. Knitting.
Driving my car. Singing. Typing. Listening. Praying.
Friday, July 24, 2009
So thankful I have a Sister!
From the title you can tell, I'm going to write about this visit I'm having with my sister, LaDonna. She writes a blog, too, Random Thoughts from Raleigh...she's a techy person...she calls herself a geek...I call her smart and funny and hilarious!
Right now, there is so very much I want to write about ...and yet, I'm just not certain that this is the place in which I should share everything I'm thinking! I know, I know, freedom of speech and all that! I have to keep in mind: people read this that don't actually know me well...and so , perspective is important.
This is intended to be a place of encouragement. A bright spot for the day, or maybe a place to find a smile you didn't know you had in ya! :)
During this time with my sister and her family, I've literally traveled down a lot of paths and roads, and streets leading to 'memory lane'...which, for me, isn't always rosy, or should I say it more plainly: pleasant.
I brought my girls, Madison & Mallory with me. With the understanding that they were to act thier age (they haven't disappointed me in that!) My nephew is getting married in a little over 100 days from now. This home is bubbling with excitement--everything is about the wedding...which is completely normal and totally expected!--Go Dane & Jean! (they even have their own wedding web-site--oh how the times have changed!)
Yesterday, LaDonna and I took our daughters to lunch and met one of our cousins. The restaurant actually has fried dill pickles on the menu...and our twins love them! --So, we had to have an order of them!
I had not seen this cousin, Nadine, for about 2 years. As kids we were best friends, together almost all the time! And so, just like when we were kids, we laughed until our stomachs hurt...from the moment we all got out our 'reading glasses' to take a closer look at the menus, to sharing memories about different family members, We were still laughing as we walked to the parking lot to say good bye!
Last night we went to the county fair. I haven't been to this fair since I was about 8...so, it looked a lot different than I remembered! It turned out to be a great place to watch people!
Today, we shopped for LaDonna's wedding outfit, mother of the groom! We drove to Paducah, KY.
In order to give you a glimpse of understanding here, you need to know that my sister and I love each other dearly. But, our personalities are, as most sisters, completely different! The past couple of days, she's called my AnnaBelle, and I've called her Virginia more than a few times!
And, that's pretty much it...these are our grandma's names, and they were two of the funnest women I've ever had the privilege of knowing!
Virginia was our mom's mom. She loved to shop, and she loved people...and, she loved to laugh! AnnaBelle, or in recent years, AB, is our dad's mom. She's still living, but 1,500 miles away from us. She's SO hilarious--loves to laugh!
Anyway, I'm more 'formal thinking' and my sister is more 'casual thinking'...and so, the shopping trip was both challenging and fun! What we found, though, was completely and utterly LaDonna...beautiful...she's going to look fabulous! It's perfect, the color, the style, and the 'flow'!
We ate cat fish at a local BBQ place for dinner, which was completely packed with people! We got back and the girls went fishing...Madison even caught a large fish--and threw it back...the point is, though, she baited the hook, and caught the thing herself!!!--she's a better woman than me!
Tomorrow, we head home. It's been good. LaDonna and I have had some really candid conversations...which lends itself well to my sanity! We shopped, we ate, we talked some more, and we laughed a LOT!
Right now, there is so very much I want to write about ...and yet, I'm just not certain that this is the place in which I should share everything I'm thinking! I know, I know, freedom of speech and all that! I have to keep in mind: people read this that don't actually know me well...and so , perspective is important.
This is intended to be a place of encouragement. A bright spot for the day, or maybe a place to find a smile you didn't know you had in ya! :)
During this time with my sister and her family, I've literally traveled down a lot of paths and roads, and streets leading to 'memory lane'...which, for me, isn't always rosy, or should I say it more plainly: pleasant.
I brought my girls, Madison & Mallory with me. With the understanding that they were to act thier age (they haven't disappointed me in that!) My nephew is getting married in a little over 100 days from now. This home is bubbling with excitement--everything is about the wedding...which is completely normal and totally expected!--Go Dane & Jean! (they even have their own wedding web-site--oh how the times have changed!)
Yesterday, LaDonna and I took our daughters to lunch and met one of our cousins. The restaurant actually has fried dill pickles on the menu...and our twins love them! --So, we had to have an order of them!
I had not seen this cousin, Nadine, for about 2 years. As kids we were best friends, together almost all the time! And so, just like when we were kids, we laughed until our stomachs hurt...from the moment we all got out our 'reading glasses' to take a closer look at the menus, to sharing memories about different family members, We were still laughing as we walked to the parking lot to say good bye!
Last night we went to the county fair. I haven't been to this fair since I was about 8...so, it looked a lot different than I remembered! It turned out to be a great place to watch people!
Today, we shopped for LaDonna's wedding outfit, mother of the groom! We drove to Paducah, KY.
In order to give you a glimpse of understanding here, you need to know that my sister and I love each other dearly. But, our personalities are, as most sisters, completely different! The past couple of days, she's called my AnnaBelle, and I've called her Virginia more than a few times!
And, that's pretty much it...these are our grandma's names, and they were two of the funnest women I've ever had the privilege of knowing!
Virginia was our mom's mom. She loved to shop, and she loved people...and, she loved to laugh! AnnaBelle, or in recent years, AB, is our dad's mom. She's still living, but 1,500 miles away from us. She's SO hilarious--loves to laugh!
Anyway, I'm more 'formal thinking' and my sister is more 'casual thinking'...and so, the shopping trip was both challenging and fun! What we found, though, was completely and utterly LaDonna...beautiful...she's going to look fabulous! It's perfect, the color, the style, and the 'flow'!
We ate cat fish at a local BBQ place for dinner, which was completely packed with people! We got back and the girls went fishing...Madison even caught a large fish--and threw it back...the point is, though, she baited the hook, and caught the thing herself!!!--she's a better woman than me!
Tomorrow, we head home. It's been good. LaDonna and I have had some really candid conversations...which lends itself well to my sanity! We shopped, we ate, we talked some more, and we laughed a LOT!
Sisters, I don't know what people do that don't have sisters.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Still feeling Sentimental...
Here we are, 2009. This means different things to different people. A year of wonderful surprises for some, a year of devastating loss for others...that's what this world is made up of, isn't it? Great tragedy and great joy all rolled in to one experience after another!
It's also been 10 years since I 'retired' and came home to raise our kids. That lasted 5 years(!) some of them have grown up and are pretty much on their own now!
It's been 31 years since my last 'first date' and 28 years since I got married...
My brother in law, he's such a philosopher, recently told me: "Life is like toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes!" --not sure that was original...but I think there's an element of truth in there some where! Of course, the longer we live, the more opportunities we have to draw from experiences and hopefully, enjoy sweet memories from the past!
I'm becoming very sentimental these days--remembering 'this person' or 'event' from my high school, my school days...not certain why, except that, as I pointed out earlier this week...the Internet is an amazing tool. Because of it, I've been able to re-connecting with many from those days--and there's always a common thread: see you at the reunion!
Sure, it'll be fun to see every one...but I must admit, I'm a little apprehensive. What if I've already talked to them about everything I would've said at the reunion? What if I have nothing to say?
...I know, (if you know me, that would be hard to imagine)...words are what I 'do'! But, it's worth considering...hmmmmm.....Perhaps I should buy one of those little books...you know the one: "a personal guide to small talk" or some such! How lame would that be?
...I know, I'll wear a funny hat, crazy shoes and carry a bouquet of flowers...that'll be a conversation starter! OR, at least give every one else something to talk about!
And, SO: I'm not going to worry about that today...
All in all, that's my life...fun, and very blessed...a lot of good memories, tons of really good friends, and a great family!
Most of all though, I give praise to the God of the Universe for taking such good care of us! I can feel His hand on us...His divine Will in things...His provision in times of uncertainty, and above all His comfort in the hurting times...because yes, we've had those.
God is good all the time!
It's been 2 days since some dear friends had a newborn infant placed in their care...And, because this pulls directly at the cords of my heart, this reminds me that it's been 10 years since we celebrated the adoption of our twins!!!
It's also been 10 years since I 'retired' and came home to raise our kids. That lasted 5 years(!) some of them have grown up and are pretty much on their own now!
It's been 31 years since my last 'first date' and 28 years since I got married...
My brother in law, he's such a philosopher, recently told me: "Life is like toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes!" --not sure that was original...but I think there's an element of truth in there some where! Of course, the longer we live, the more opportunities we have to draw from experiences and hopefully, enjoy sweet memories from the past!
It's been 30 years since I graduated high school. Yikes!
I'm becoming very sentimental these days--remembering 'this person' or 'event' from my high school, my school days...not certain why, except that, as I pointed out earlier this week...the Internet is an amazing tool. Because of it, I've been able to re-connecting with many from those days--and there's always a common thread: see you at the reunion!
Sure, it'll be fun to see every one...but I must admit, I'm a little apprehensive. What if I've already talked to them about everything I would've said at the reunion? What if I have nothing to say?
...I know, (if you know me, that would be hard to imagine)...words are what I 'do'! But, it's worth considering...hmmmmm.....Perhaps I should buy one of those little books...you know the one: "a personal guide to small talk" or some such! How lame would that be?
...I know, I'll wear a funny hat, crazy shoes and carry a bouquet of flowers...that'll be a conversation starter! OR, at least give every one else something to talk about!
And, SO: I'm not going to worry about that today...
I'm having too much fun checking my 'in box'!
All in all, that's my life...fun, and very blessed...a lot of good memories, tons of really good friends, and a great family!
Most of all though, I give praise to the God of the Universe for taking such good care of us! I can feel His hand on us...His divine Will in things...His provision in times of uncertainty, and above all His comfort in the hurting times...because yes, we've had those.
God is good all the time!
And, All the Time, GOD IS GOOD!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Wedding Plans...Searching for Truth!
Weddings. Marriages. Romance.
Commitment. Love.
Passion. Husband & Wife.
Happily Ever After...
My nephew is getting married in November. My wonderful sister is going to be an awesome mother-in-law. When our oldest daughter got married, this same wonderful sister was head of my 'team' that helped put the whole day together. She worked for a solid week, she did everything from making sure the wedding party walked down the 'aisle' at the right cue to re-filling endless bowls of punch!! She's awesome!
So, this week, I get to go to her house, and talk about wedding plans for her son! My sweet nephew, I cannot believe he's old enough to get married, but he is. He's such a gentleman, very honorable, and I think he must be quite a romantic! The proposal, apparently was quite an event! Sweet! I'm very proud of him...He loves the Lord, and I feel certain has prayed about this decision. His future bride also loves Jesus, and seeks His face! This is going to be fun, and so exciting to watch God work through it all, and be honored in their relationship!
I love the way the Journey, what ever place we are in the New Testament, seems to go with what ever is going on in life!!! Today, the sermon was on the chapters from last week that we read on Wed-Friday...which happened to be I Cor. 5, 6 & 7!!!
Which, has everything to do with sexual immorality and marriage. And, so, here's all these great lessons that we're learning from this portion of scripture...and while I'm at my sister's these lessons will be fresh in my mind...for encouragement and imparting wisdom...or a place to go with questions.
Which also brings me to talk about one of the saddest thing I've done in a long time.
I recently watched a secular movie with our second oldest daughter. She and I watched a movie called He's Just Not That Into You.
If you haven't seen it, don't or do...which ever is fine with me (heads up on language and mature situations)...
--What makes me sad is that there is a certain amount of truth about our culture presented in that movie. Men and women who use each other, they keep looking for the right 'fit' and can never quite find it. They are taking advice from each other and acting on their 'urges'...using all the great 'lines' on each other. So, these people walk around being very lonely, afraid of commitment, and totally frustrated with the prospect of relationship.
Just sad--breaks my heart for the generation 'coming up'...
And so, sadness must be replaced with hope. HOPE. And, the best source of HOPE I know is found in the One who invented sex and marriage...
The God of the Universe...the God of Heaven and Earth!
Do not listen to the 'world' about marriage...go directly to the One with answers based on truth!
Commitment. Love.
Passion. Husband & Wife.
Happily Ever After...
My nephew is getting married in November. My wonderful sister is going to be an awesome mother-in-law. When our oldest daughter got married, this same wonderful sister was head of my 'team' that helped put the whole day together. She worked for a solid week, she did everything from making sure the wedding party walked down the 'aisle' at the right cue to re-filling endless bowls of punch!! She's awesome!
So, this week, I get to go to her house, and talk about wedding plans for her son! My sweet nephew, I cannot believe he's old enough to get married, but he is. He's such a gentleman, very honorable, and I think he must be quite a romantic! The proposal, apparently was quite an event! Sweet! I'm very proud of him...He loves the Lord, and I feel certain has prayed about this decision. His future bride also loves Jesus, and seeks His face! This is going to be fun, and so exciting to watch God work through it all, and be honored in their relationship!
I love the way the Journey, what ever place we are in the New Testament, seems to go with what ever is going on in life!!! Today, the sermon was on the chapters from last week that we read on Wed-Friday...which happened to be I Cor. 5, 6 & 7!!!
Which, has everything to do with sexual immorality and marriage. And, so, here's all these great lessons that we're learning from this portion of scripture...and while I'm at my sister's these lessons will be fresh in my mind...for encouragement and imparting wisdom...or a place to go with questions.
Which also brings me to talk about one of the saddest thing I've done in a long time.
I recently watched a secular movie with our second oldest daughter. She and I watched a movie called He's Just Not That Into You.
If you haven't seen it, don't or do...which ever is fine with me (heads up on language and mature situations)...
--What makes me sad is that there is a certain amount of truth about our culture presented in that movie. Men and women who use each other, they keep looking for the right 'fit' and can never quite find it. They are taking advice from each other and acting on their 'urges'...using all the great 'lines' on each other. So, these people walk around being very lonely, afraid of commitment, and totally frustrated with the prospect of relationship.
Just sad--breaks my heart for the generation 'coming up'...
And so, sadness must be replaced with hope. HOPE. And, the best source of HOPE I know is found in the One who invented sex and marriage...
The God of the Universe...the God of Heaven and Earth!
Do not listen to the 'world' about marriage...go directly to the One with answers based on truth!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Sentimental triggers...
Oh my, I just read the sweetest post on a blog that I follow. The Internet is a wonderful tool to get to know someone 'better' and blogging seems to be the avenue, in which she and I have been able to do just that!
Emily is a woman that I've always known 'about', but because of time & distance, we couldn't get to know each other 'well'... Recent events in her life have helped us be able to truly identify with each other! Her fresh perspective, energy and love for her family encourage me...my hope is that I would be an encouragement to her, to some extent, as well!
She turned 40 earlier this year, and found out 20 weeks ago that she is going to have a baby! Yes, apparently this happens a lot...I know from personal experience!
Their family has 2 boys, and a little girl...so, the new one, she says will also be a girl. Their little girl is named after our oldest daughter, Alayna...I love that!
This brings back many memories for me. All sorts of emotions I hadn't felt in 9 years! I remember feeling amazed that my body was still 'good enough' (on the other side of 39) to have a baby grow inside me...and, that God would give me that honor at such an age was another source of great amazement. A lot of days, as I pondered this place in my life, it took my breath away!--Marveling at that miracle...the one that is so rich and quiet...and unobtrusive! Sort of a big secret that the outside world doesn't even have time to acknowledge, because it's too busy and loud!
We had been told by our then-13 year old, Holly, that we were "not to bring another 'girl baby' in to our home...we were full up on girls, so only new born boys were welcome." I just always felt like God, in His wisdom knew exactly which was best for our family...my husband and I had never had a 'preference' on the sex of our children, boy or girl it just didn't matter to us! I believe with my whole heart Psalm 139...He formed this person inside me and had each of his/her days planned before one of them came to be!
And, so of course, as soon as our older daughter had the honor of holding her new-born baby sister, like the rest of us, she fell completely in love with her! (That is not the end of the story, if you're interested, you can read it in the April 25 post on this blog.)
Today, though, I'm just feeling a little sentimental because Emily's post just hit home, and left me with a lot of special memories.
My husband & I have brought five baby girls home from the hospital together! There is nothing like it!!!--All that pink--just special!
My husband is a great 'dad' for girls! Of course, that's easy for me to say since God had 5 girls in mind for this man to be a 'daddy' to! He's a precious man, and dearly loved by all of us, and has made a great impact on our girls--He's truly a gift directly from God's hand!
Oh yeah, here's how good God is: Grandchildren! Grand SON and Grand Daughter!!! How wonderful THEY are!!!
Emily is a woman that I've always known 'about', but because of time & distance, we couldn't get to know each other 'well'... Recent events in her life have helped us be able to truly identify with each other! Her fresh perspective, energy and love for her family encourage me...my hope is that I would be an encouragement to her, to some extent, as well!
She turned 40 earlier this year, and found out 20 weeks ago that she is going to have a baby! Yes, apparently this happens a lot...I know from personal experience!
Their family has 2 boys, and a little girl...so, the new one, she says will also be a girl. Their little girl is named after our oldest daughter, Alayna...I love that!
This brings back many memories for me. All sorts of emotions I hadn't felt in 9 years! I remember feeling amazed that my body was still 'good enough' (on the other side of 39) to have a baby grow inside me...and, that God would give me that honor at such an age was another source of great amazement. A lot of days, as I pondered this place in my life, it took my breath away!--Marveling at that miracle...the one that is so rich and quiet...and unobtrusive! Sort of a big secret that the outside world doesn't even have time to acknowledge, because it's too busy and loud!
We had been told by our then-13 year old, Holly, that we were "not to bring another 'girl baby' in to our home...we were full up on girls, so only new born boys were welcome." I just always felt like God, in His wisdom knew exactly which was best for our family...my husband and I had never had a 'preference' on the sex of our children, boy or girl it just didn't matter to us! I believe with my whole heart Psalm 139...He formed this person inside me and had each of his/her days planned before one of them came to be!
And, so of course, as soon as our older daughter had the honor of holding her new-born baby sister, like the rest of us, she fell completely in love with her! (That is not the end of the story, if you're interested, you can read it in the April 25 post on this blog.)
Today, though, I'm just feeling a little sentimental because Emily's post just hit home, and left me with a lot of special memories.
My husband & I have brought five baby girls home from the hospital together! There is nothing like it!!!--All that pink--just special!
My husband is a great 'dad' for girls! Of course, that's easy for me to say since God had 5 girls in mind for this man to be a 'daddy' to! He's a precious man, and dearly loved by all of us, and has made a great impact on our girls--He's truly a gift directly from God's hand!
Oh yeah, here's how good God is: Grandchildren! Grand SON and Grand Daughter!!! How wonderful THEY are!!!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
pondering...just pondering, all day!
Madison had to have a tooth filled this morning. We've known it was coming, but today was the day! And, because I'm her mom, I took her there, and waited in the waiting room while that happened...
...2 hours later, we left. Her face numb! And, she was laughing about how 'funny' her mouth felt! I was wondering if she'd feel like eating lunch...
Usually, for an appointment like this I bring what ever I'm currently reading with me, but I failed to slip it into my bag. Needless to say, I was at the 'waiting room's mercy' for reading material!
I read through quite a variety of magazines during my wait. Because I don't read many magazines faithfully, I exposed my brain to many different items to ponder! I was challenged to ponder money issues, decorating schemes, RE-decorating schemes, deck and back yard designs, a few fashion things, party planning, diet tips and exercise plans among many other things.
One thing I'm still pondering that I gleaned from this mag time: 'Your most valuable asset in these economic times is your job (if you have one!)'. I left that statement feeling very blessed!
I also learned that a new trend in these economic times is not to flaunt wealth...that's certainly good news...not sure the whole population has heard and grasped that one, but it was good to know that it's a 'trend' at least! (here in the mid-west we haven't ever seemed to be that 'trendy'!)
Oh, something else I read and pondered was about real estate! I used to be a broker...so I sometimes like to read about different aspects of that business. Today, though, I don't miss the stress, or the craziness...but I really loved putting together 'the deal' and keeping up on all the aspects of those transactions. We were pretty strict with photos that we used to promote our listings, and we were pretty strict about the form of communicating details about those listings, everything was pretty uniform. In one article I read about how best to promote your home, or what NOT to do, a web-site was touted as having remarkable 'bloopers' of 'bad' real estate pictures...so, I visited it tonight, and sure enough, got quite a few laughs...it's actually a blog.
lovelylisting.com
Just go there...if you like that sort of thing!
Sometimes, I think we just need a diversion from our regular 'day to day'...and apparently, I needed new fodder for my brain!--It was fun...although, after those two hours, I felt a little like I'd just visited a very intense museum of some sort...I was on information overload!
Pondering is almost a lost art--it takes time--something our culture doesn't like to stop for...just hurry through life...I think it's better to sometimes, just take your time, ponder options, or new ways of approaching the day to day thing we call life. To pondering our thoughts gives them depth...gives them more meaning and purpose...so learn to take time to ponder!
It's good to ponder so pick your topics wisely!
...2 hours later, we left. Her face numb! And, she was laughing about how 'funny' her mouth felt! I was wondering if she'd feel like eating lunch...
Usually, for an appointment like this I bring what ever I'm currently reading with me, but I failed to slip it into my bag. Needless to say, I was at the 'waiting room's mercy' for reading material!
I read through quite a variety of magazines during my wait. Because I don't read many magazines faithfully, I exposed my brain to many different items to ponder! I was challenged to ponder money issues, decorating schemes, RE-decorating schemes, deck and back yard designs, a few fashion things, party planning, diet tips and exercise plans among many other things.
One thing I'm still pondering that I gleaned from this mag time: 'Your most valuable asset in these economic times is your job (if you have one!)'. I left that statement feeling very blessed!
I also learned that a new trend in these economic times is not to flaunt wealth...that's certainly good news...not sure the whole population has heard and grasped that one, but it was good to know that it's a 'trend' at least! (here in the mid-west we haven't ever seemed to be that 'trendy'!)
Oh, something else I read and pondered was about real estate! I used to be a broker...so I sometimes like to read about different aspects of that business. Today, though, I don't miss the stress, or the craziness...but I really loved putting together 'the deal' and keeping up on all the aspects of those transactions. We were pretty strict with photos that we used to promote our listings, and we were pretty strict about the form of communicating details about those listings, everything was pretty uniform. In one article I read about how best to promote your home, or what NOT to do, a web-site was touted as having remarkable 'bloopers' of 'bad' real estate pictures...so, I visited it tonight, and sure enough, got quite a few laughs...it's actually a blog.
lovelylisting.com
Just go there...if you like that sort of thing!
Sometimes, I think we just need a diversion from our regular 'day to day'...and apparently, I needed new fodder for my brain!--It was fun...although, after those two hours, I felt a little like I'd just visited a very intense museum of some sort...I was on information overload!
Pondering is almost a lost art--it takes time--something our culture doesn't like to stop for...just hurry through life...I think it's better to sometimes, just take your time, ponder options, or new ways of approaching the day to day thing we call life. To pondering our thoughts gives them depth...gives them more meaning and purpose...so learn to take time to ponder!
It's good to ponder so pick your topics wisely!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)