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

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!

Ritz Crackers and Hello, Kitty!

Sometimes, I think : 'I should write a book'

...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.'

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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!

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:

"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.