Moments with Marsha

Storms, Unpleasant Conversations and Blessings!

2012-01-13T15:19:00.003-05:00

To my surprise and utter delight, in the midst of storms and unpleasant conversations, there always seems to be a bright spot! I have found a new friend that sheds light on the bright spot. She has s similar job as me, house 'mom' to up to 6 boys. The difference is, I am old enough to be her mom! Hilarious, to me...and then I find myself asking the most daunting of questions. Questions like: Perhaps I really am too old to effectively parent teen-agers. She certainly seems to have it all together. Perhaps if I were younger, thinner, more beautiful in the morning, had longer or shorter hair...you know....all those questions we ask ourselves in the quiet moments...and then in my head I have to scream: JUST GO WITH IT...YOU ARE HERE FOR A REASON...NO MATTER YOUR AGE, JEAN SIZE, OR HAIR COLOR (which is, of course, up to one of my other new friends, Tania--the Master Stylist).

And, in the quiet of the morning, and in the intimate moments with my God, He assuringly tells me to trust only in Him and His timing and His provision. His word is clear, but the sweetness of His presence also assures me of His plans. It is truly amazing to watch as He places people in this ministry that can not only minister effectively to these young people, but also to the hearts of the staff, as well! I am in awe most of the time!

Just last night, our tutor, who comes three times per week, showed me some pictures on the Internet of his great uncle...who was sainted in Canada. A fascinating story, really, of a very frail man, who in the end of his life, had a chapel that was built to the side of the church. In this chapel, he would meet with people and pray for them, and they were healed...the fascinating part is that when my friend the tutor visited this place years later, there were crutches and other items the people who had been healed as a result of his prayers just left at the chapel. Why is it that we can become so excited that it happened 'back then', and discount such miracles from our God today.

Of course, I would say, because I get to write this, that if we believe that the same God that healed all those people so long ago isn't doing the same kinds of things today, we are deeply misled. God has provided miracle after miracle for me and my family and for those around me...It is truly inspiring to hear stories of God's move and purpose in people's lives.

My new friend that I first talked about, is such a blessing to me in this 'dry spell from real-life girl friends'...she speaks openly of scripture and God's move in their life as a couple! I love that about God's people...I can't wait to meet more and more of them, as time goes on, Lord willing!

Be blessed today. This, as you probably know, would be considered a 'hard day' for those who grieve loved ones who have gone on to Heaven. By God's grace and mercy, we are still breathing in and out, and praise His Name!

To bring you up to date...

2012-01-05T20:37:00.004-05:00

Here we go, again! The beginning of a New Year...the beginning of a second semester...the beginning of a new life..much to celebrate in 2012!

We were truly blessed on December 6, as a family to welcome our third grand baby in to the world..her name: Anna Grace...she's beautiful, as you would know, and she completes her family to five. Our daughter, who always and only wanted to be a mom and wife, is living her dream. Because God is anxious to bless, and He is faithful, as only He could orchestrate, I was able to spend twelve days with them, helping get Will to school, and play with Ally, and keep laundry caught up during those first few days of adjusting to a 'large' family!

And, again as only our Loving God could bless, we were able to be with our immediate family to celebrate Christmas. To continue our family tradition, we all went together to see 'ChipWrecked'...and I didn't even fall asleep!

We were able, then, to make it back home in time to be here in North Georgia for the actual Christmas holiday, celebrating with the boys in our home--and introducing them to the 'Bishop family traditions' that we enjoy together. Part of that tradition is to have our tree up for most of the month of December to enjoy. One day, early in the month, the boys came home from school and it was just 'there'...in the foyer, in all its holiday splendor! They seemed to love it! One of them would just go sit on the stairs, and look at it. Another tradition is that I wrap all the presents, but I 'code' them so that I know who they belong to, but the recipient won't know til Christmas Eve! That was fun! We did lots of finger foods for Christmas Eve, and then the more traditional ham/turkey on Christmas Day! Then Christmas night, we took them to the movie to see "We Bought a Zoo"...some how, that seemed to fit us exactly.

We attended church on Christmas Eve together, then came home to eat and open presents! The boys got so many really nice things. It was such a blessing to be here to see their expressions when they opened those things that they'd asked for, or dreamed about for this entire fall.

The Christmas break, winter break, what ever you call it, was quite a challenge in many respects. Everyone was home all the time, and there was no 'routine'...just a glimpse of summer time, perhaps I'll buy some chickens or rabbits to 'tend'...of course, I am kidding.

We were able to take most of our kids to an event called 'Winter Ramp 2011'. What an experience. 5,000 kids. Loud music. Challenging Messages. Lots of hugs. Many tears. Constant shouts of praise. Praised in the New Year. Not much sitting. After 2 full days of that, I felt every 'one' of my fifty years. But it was such an experience, that I would do it all again. Drawing near to the God of the Universe, watching our girls seek His face in prayer, and then encourage their friends in this ministry to do the same was an experience I won't soon forget, and neither will they! Each of the girls experienced God in a new and exciting way. Each was unique to them, and the circumstances they are in personally, but it was such a blessing for me to have been there to experience it with them. Truly special, these daughters of ours!

Which brings me to the next big event: the girl's 16th birthday is tomorrow! I have told their story so many times, they are sick of hearing it. But, let me just say one more time: these girls have been such a gift from God, their entire lives--even though there have been truly hard moments for us all, they are precious! They are so hilarious, and love to make each other crazy...but they are mostly tender hearted, and love to laugh...and that we are really good at doing! Just this week: Madison was helping the kitchen chore boys do dishes, she was wiping counters or something, they were about done, and the two boys picked her up, and sat her in the dish water...hilarious. Randy was washing the van, with some help, but before it was over, they were ALL wet...I'm considering a big floor drain in the kitchen, and installing a power washer in the wall in there, not sure that would meet state standards, but we could have some fun!

I'll write more later...the kids are back in school...the population of our home continues to change, and we all crave routine...Oh, and I am again being blessed to begin another semester at A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary, beginning tomorrow. Blessing to you for reading this, and remembering our family in prayer!

It's a Christmas Play...Lovin' it!!!

2011-12-04T20:34:00.006-05:00

You know they come every year, the annual Christmas play, concert or pageant. Each year, about this time, perhaps multiple performances or only one, at the director's discretion.

We attended a Christmas play/musical tonight called "Skipping Christmas." Tonight's version included the story of Jesus and how a baby can change your life...that baby, Baby Jesus, whom we cannot leave in the manger because He came to go to the Cross for us...to become Our Savior!

The first half was loosely based on a book written by John Grisham that later became a movie entitled "Christmas with the Krank's." That movie was released on Thanksgiving Day, 2004. I remember this because it was the first holiday season we were facing without Macy Jo and PaPa Bishop. We had purposed to have Thanksgiving be a simple affair, an "alike-but-different" approach. We had our 'non-traditional dinner' on Wednesday night. On the traditional day of Thanksgiving, we went to Carbondale, IL to Denny's, then to that movie with our entire family...just to laugh! And, laugh, we did--the whole day--from the comedy of the meal to the comedy of the movie...

That movie inspired me in many ways. First I was inspired to immediately form a plan for our family to host a Christmas Eve party that year. This plan would help me carry out the 'alike-but -different' approach I'd formulated as a constructive way to grieve through the holidays, yet stay involved and celebrate.

And, celebrate we did! We invited everyone we knew to stop by and visit throughout the evening on Christmas Eve that year...and many accepted our invitation! It was fun, and the planning and carrying out the party kept me very busy. Yet throughout the month of December, I still had quiet moments when the heaviness of grief would engulf me. I could weep alone or with my husband, or with our kids, but the dark clouds of grief never over took, they were kept at bay because we were intent on putting together a celebration.

Tonight, especially, I was reminded of one dear friend and her family that brought us a beautiful gift that night, from their hearts. They had worked together to make it. It was two pewter colored picture frames, a pewter ornament and a small name plate, all arranged on a red velvet-covered board. One of the frames had a poem entitled "Merry Christmas from Heaven"...the ornament had "I'm spending Christmas with Jesus this year" engraved on it...the other frame was a picture of Macy Jo in front of the Christmas tree the year before, dressed in her little red velvet dress with white trim, also wearing the matching red & white hat pulled down on her brow. And in exact Macy Jo fashion: looking very sassy! The name plate simply said 'Macy Jo Bishop'. It was lovely.

That first year was hard, yet the Joy of the Lord was our strength, having our friends around us helped underline the second thing I took from that movie: the idea of living in community with like minded Christians. We are not alone in this thing called life!

To this day, children's programs are especially hard for me to face, no matter the season. The word hard, as used there means that I cry during them and I worry whether I am being a distraction to those around me.

Like this evening, at Rock Bridge. I was fine watching "Skipping Christmas", laughing at the appropriate times, and enjoying the music...and then the little girls came out to dance. Little ones, like 3-6 year-olds each dressed in (you guessed it) red velvet dresses with white cuffs around their sleeves and hems. I cried and cried, and didn't care who I distracted...except, I looked at my dear, sweet husband, and he was crying with me...sometimes, you just have to give in and admit that you just miss 'em. You just do. And, it's OK to cry and it's OK to distract...it's OK.

Soon after those precious little ones exited the stage, it was time for what I would call the "tap-dancing grannies" to dance on to the stage. And, OH MY GOODNESS did that make my heart sing! They were so cute...lovely, each one, white haired, and tap dancing...most of them looked like my Grandma AnnaBelle, who just turned 89! So precious! And, I thought to myself, none of them are up there without having lived through some sort of pain in their lives, yet they are up there, living it up, enjoying the moment, enjoying the 'community' of dancing together and celebrating the season and dancing, truly, like 'no body's lookin'--except they were lookin' and lovin' it!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2011-12-04T20:21:00.003-05:00

Today is the anniversary of my mom's birth. She turned seventy today! How fun is that? I'm just thankful that this year, as she's in Florida, we are in the same time zone! My mom has loved me my whole life. I know this isn't unique for most of us, but for some of my 'new' acquiantences, that is a precious commoditity they know little about.

Mom prays for me and my family every single day, she encourages me when I'm down, or even when she thinks I might be 'down'...she's always insisted that I give it a try, or step out in faith, or trust in Jesus, no matter what. I've witnessed her strength over the years, her faith journey and her servant's heart. She serves and serves and serves, like there's no tomorrow...I am truly thankful for her example, and the way that she loves me and my family. Because she is sucha servant, she completely understands the role my family now plays in this ministry. She has taken on our boys in true prayer warrior fashion, keeping up with their names and unique details about them so that she can pray specifically for them each day!

She loves unconditionally, and trusts God with every fiber of her being. We've been through some really difficult days together, she, my sister and me...and we've remained very close, even though the miles seperate us, physically. I am proud to call her mom, and so truly blessed by her example! Thanks, mom, I love you so much.

Coming A--part...

2011-11-29T08:26:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, included in my "Mornings with Tozer" devotional," it says: Apart from the Scriptures we have no sure philosophy; apart from Jesus Christ we have no true knowledge of God; apart from the in-living Spirit we have no ability to live lives morally pleasing to God!--A.W. Tozer.

I was delighted last week, to find that there were a couple of 'new books' on the shelf of our local book store that were focused on Tozer, himself. That was fun to consider, as one was a compilation of his favorite writers that was supposed to have helped him in forming his theology, I think the words on the cover said something like "from his personal library." Those words made me smile--for many reasons.

This week has been a week of "growing" and "self-realizations" for me, as we came face to face with the reality of where we are--and the realization that the 'honey moon is over' so to speak. Holidays are a blessed time, surrounded with family, friends and food, and hopefully laughter.

The realization hit me during the moments before our meal on Thanksgiving Day. A meal that I had been planning for a month, and prepared for a couple of days. A meal that would include our five family members plus seven strangers... I use the term strangers loosely here because we know them, the know us, we are friends, but we are all unrelated to each other. I, of course, am talking about the boys that are in the care of this ministry, four of which live in our home.

The reality hit me right between the eyes when the 'newest' member of our home could not face the meal, choosing, instead to stay in his room, under the covers. The fact is: there have been holidays when the 'meal' was the most difficult part. Of course, these meals came during my adult years (the holidays after my parent's divorce, the Thanksgiving morning that my grandma Sisk died, the holidays after we lost Randy's parents and Macy, to name a few) and I did not stay in my bed..even though I wanted to. However, these boys faced this holiday with no one, except us--perhaps I was surprised more of them didn't want to take to their bed...

Because I've lived through painful holidays, I can relate. Not because I am super woman, but because the Scriptures (as Tozer reminds us above) are an important part of my life--a part that I cannot live without. You see, even in the most difficult places this life has takes us, because of who Jesus is to me, and because of the place scripture takes in my thought processes, I have peace that passes understanding, and the in-living Spirit is right there to guide and comfort me! I count this among one of the greatest gifts I have as a believer...

And, here I am, trying to encapsulate that knowledge, that peace, that path for the young men in our home that have little to no hope, little to no knowledge of God. How do I do that? How can I make them understand? How can I encourage them, and help them establish and come to a healthy hope and trust in an unseen God?

These are age old questions. These are age old problems. These are burning my thoughts and stirring the passion in me for the things of God. Like no other time in my life, I have to reconcile all this, and then formulate a plan...a new kind of normal. Why the urgency now, you may be asking, and what does this have to do with anything?

When we lost Macy, I had friends and family that were there to help in our darkest grief. Macy left because of an accident...no one had a choice in facing the reality of her going...it just happened. Our friends packed up and stored all her things within a few hours of her passing. I processed that grief and that loss in a way that surprised even me. But, I did not have to pack up her sippy cups, or her clothing, or her toys--someone else did that. I only had to face the rest of my life without her laughter and her smile and her gestures.

We find ourselves, again, experiencing the loss of a child, but in a different way. Two of the boys in our care chose to run away this past week end. I could write volumes about the event itself, but I will not share that here. What I will share is the great sadness that has washed over me...the feeling of complete and utter failure I have because they chose to leave our care. I cannot wrap my head around the fact that they chose to leave a warm home for a cold wet rainy night. Their choice has really nothing to do with me--I know this--but the loss is still the same. I was the one to pack all their belongings. It was me who prepared their room for the next boys that will be placed with us. I touched each of their earthly possessions and stored them away and wept for the loss.

In some strange way, I found myself comparing this present moment in time to that loss so long ago, and then to the loss of our nephew this past spring. Is that selfish? I do not know. Is that normal? I do not know. Is it real? YES. A resounding YES.

Coming apart, that is how I feel today. I know the One who can put me back together...the key, however, will be to allow Him to work in this situation and to watch as He unfolds His plan in each of these boy's lives. I am here to plant seeds, it is not up to me to reap the harvest, that will be for some one else, another time!

I take great comfort and feel encouraged concerning all this when I read John 18:1-11 and realize that Peter was not called to save& protect Jesus' life--he was called to spread God's word...perhaps that's my realization, as I come apart: I am not called to save the lives of these boys, just speak the word in to them! Pray that this will come about--with urgency! So that they, too, will be able to eventually live lives that are morally pleasing to God out of their own unique and sold-out love for Him. In the wait, I will probably weep more freely and openly...and constantly be 'ready-ing a room!'

A Glad and Thankful Heart

2011-11-21T07:14:00.002-05:00

Being thankful has usually come easy for me. I can be thankful in the most rediculous situations...usually looking for a bright spot, or a silver lining to the cloud...or making lemonade out of lemons. I've noticed a lot of posts on my social network of friends recounting each day the things they are thankful for, which is good to do. I remember singing, as a little girl in a small church in Broughton IL, the words 'count your many blessings, name them one by one.'

Once I heard a well known speaker say that our prayers express our spiritual maturity, as they move from 'requests of God' to 'expressing thankfulness to God'. That makes a lot of sense, when you think about it. How we think about God, the Creator of the Universe is the most important thing about us. Scripture teaches us to be thankful in all circumstances. Go ahead, be bold, try it for a day: Just say "Thank You" to God for anything your hand touches, or your eye sees--or your emotions 'feel'.

I added this 'feel' part because it seems we live in a culture where we have bought in to the lie of Satan that if what we are feeling is unpleasant, we need medication to get through. I'm not going on about medication...but what I will tell you is that God created our feelings/emotions. He is intimately familiar with you and your feelings, according to Psalm 139....nothing is a surprise to Him.

One thing I considered this morning, as I was reading is that it has become somewhat 'old fashioned' to be truly thankful. I was reminded in my 'Mornings with Tozer' devotional that we should not be anxious to put away things that are 'ordinary' or 'commonplace' in our practices concerning God. (Tozer goes on to express a concern that "this existing mania for glamour and contempt for the ordinary are signs and portents in American society. Even religion has gone glamorous!" And then he talks about glamour instead of glory.) The scripture used to tie these thoughts together is 2 Thessalonians 2:15, which says: So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

Embrace feelings, handle them appropriately according to God's word, embrace thankfulness, embrace this season. Sometimes it's the best holiday ever...sometimes, it's the worst...remember this place is not our home, and there will come glory that will outshine anything we experience here...anything...it's a promise we can live by!

Being thankful--it's the condition of your heart. Make certain that your heart has healthy attitudes and it is glad.

Be thankful!

Just this week...

2011-11-10T12:58:00.004-05:00

Trees, and trees and more trees! Gorgeous color, and endless views of mountains, and more mountains. I know, the term mountain is relative location, and here in North Georgia, the mountains are covered in trees.

In the distance, in any direction I look, I can see them. When time allows, we love going on an explore to the east, winding over unfamiliar (at this point) roads to places we've never heard of or seen before.

We began the week Sunday afternoon at a small town east of here. A group of people, about four couples and their teen age kids, were putting together a Christmas Light display, for underpriviledged kids to be able to come meet Santa. We helped string lights, and test light bulbs, and they were not finished when we left. I very much enjoyed sitting and talking and laughing with people that were obviously very close to each other, and very comfortable with what they were doing. Just sort of blending in to the community: country music, (yeah, I know, not my favorite) laughter, it was great--in another part of the park there was a huge neighborhood soccer game going on.

Monday night was drama night. With two girls and five boys in the house, the girls were ready to move to Fiji and the boys were offering to pack their bags. In the end, however, all was well...

Tuesday is our 'day off'...great stuff. The girls got their eletronic tablets that day. They are pretty excited about that--of course, they don't have to use them til next semester, but they have them now to get all their music downloaded--I suppose that's why they need them, because that's what they are doing with them.

Wednesday, we were going to grill BBQ chicken...of course it was pouring down rain, so we kept it and fried it instead. Never again. That was crazy!

Today one of our boys wasn't feeling good. They can't just 'stay home' when this happens, they either have to have visible signs of illness (I will not explain that one, use your imagination), a fever or something for a dr. to diagnose. And so, we went to the dr's office this morning...oh yeah: sinus infection...yielded two prescriptions. He's home, resting today, will go back to tomorrow to school.

Soon, they will all be home from school. We are going, as a group to one of the other houses tonight to hear a young man's story, my hope is that it will truly make an impact on the lives of all that hear.

Did I ever Mention...

2011-11-05T09:09:00.003-04:00

The fact that since we've lived here, Mallory has grown two inches? She especially loves this area because it's all about camouflage clothing and trucks and country music, some of her favorite things! And the fact that the girls, both of them, are now brunettes?

The fact that in this past month, since we settled here, we have gone to our high school just about every day, to either take some 'needed item', or to pick some one (all together we have four freshman, one sophomore and one junior, our eighth grader attends the middle school) up for an appointment. Because we are there so often and because the receptionist immediately 'took a liking' to us, Madison is an office aid this semester--which is great, because she is getting to know the administrators, and the kids and the building well! The most amazing thing about their high school is, first of all, that the building is brand new--it just opened in August. Driving up to it is pretty impressive, with the trees and mountains as a gorgeous back drop. But when you come out the front door, the view in that direction is breath-taking--literally!

The fact that I rave about how gorgeous North Georgia is all the time, because I love the hills, mountains, fall colors and weather...to the point that yesterday, one of our boys responded with "I am so sorry they didn't have trees where ya'all came from"...I probably shouldn't mention it again in their presence!--Hilarious!

The fact that I sat one entire day at a surgery center, while one of our boys had throat surgery. If you know me at all, you know that I 'do not do bodily fluids well'...(that's why God gave me Randy)...however, I even held his head and the bucket when the anesthesia was wearing off and the drink he'd been given needed to make an exit--and I didn't even flinch. Perhaps, I'm growing up. You may wonder, then, why didn't Randy just go with him, instead? Well, come to find out, this boy is really close to his momma...and she, for numerous reasons, was not present for this important event...he asked specifically if I could take him....how could I have said 'no'? He talked a lot about her, and his family, and we watched cooking shows while he was in recovery. Rand was there for a good portion of the day, and he's done a couple of the post op visits instead of me--we sort of trade off those kinds of appointments. On this same thought, one of the boys made a comment yesterday that made me stop in my tracks. We had a relief parent here, so we could have our time off and before we left she made a general comment to the boys about what a 'good momma' they have here now. This young man responded with 'yeah, she's the best mom I've ever had, and I've had four,' as he finished his peanut butter sandwich.

The fact that we are so busy most days, that we fall in to bed at night, exhausted. The other part of that is that we love love love what we are doing...and it shows up in the most unexpected places. While I loved being women's minister at our church, and still miss the interaction with the congregation and the staff terribly, I am certain that God has fashioned our lives to be exactly where we are right now. If I had not been 'there' I would not be nearly as equipped for the amount of pastoral care we do here.

The fact that pastoral care is a relative term...and I do not use it in reference only to the boys in our home...for, it seems, at every turn there is someone who tell me their story, and I find myself turning it back to scripture, or what God is doing in it or will do with it--what ever 'it' is!

The fact that our older girls miss us, and we miss them and the rest of our family terribly, but we get words and cards that say: "I love you both so much, but I know you are where you are supposed to be" is such a sign, not only of maturity, but also that they are supportive of this move in our lives. We are excited to contemplate seeing them in just a couple of short weeks...and my prayer remains that what my Grandma AnnaBelle said so many years ago still will ring true today: Absence makes the heart grow fonder! She, of course, was speaking of young loves that had to be separated by war, or work...but she lived it out in the lives of my sister and me, because she lived so far from us--and we knew she loved us--across the miles.

The fact that one of my dearest friends had a suicide attempt and I am six hours away. This has broken my heart. However, this event is not about me. It is, however, completely about her, and her trust in a loving, graceful, merciful God....the God of Heaven and Earth. As I heard about this event, and then fell to my face to pray for her, and the situation, I remembered all the time we'd spent together. We laughed, cried, studied and discussed scripture, God, hopes and dreams. We talked about her past and her future, we discussed child-rearing and we laughed a lot. She has taught me so much about 'pre-judging' people...and 'pre-expecting' outcomes from people. Her faithfulness is amazing. Her love for the Lord is inspiring. The move of Him in her life has been one filled with grace and provision. These past weeks, life on this earth got on top of her. I have cried more this week than I have in a very long time...(remembering that tears are good for my soul). I have been on the verge of tears most of the time, and the kids, all of them, have been super sweet to check on me (in their own way--because most of them have dealt with pain so much deeper than anything I've ever experienced)...as I contemplated life, and my friend's decision, I was directed to a passage of scripture that seemed to minister to my soul in a way that made me weep as it delivered comfort and insight to me:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
These are words from the I Peter 1:3-9, NIV.

A Couple of Things We've Learned...

2011-10-22T19:26:00.004-04:00

What a start! We have been here for 17 days, today. This is our second week end off since we began. The first week end we were off, the relief parent had pneumonia, was hospitalized a few days after her shift...so, today I was a little aprehensive about leaving our boys again! However, we just got home, and this relief parent was raving about how good the boys were all day! They had all their chores done, and seemed pretty mellow!

Now, the girls are home, so that should add some drama! Actually, it has been good for the girls to have this experience of brothers. When the four of us go out, the girls always ask if we can get this one thing for the boys, or take home something special for them--just because! Today, we went to their favorite candy store at the mall, and the girls brought home jaw breakers & carmel/apple suckers for each of them.

Randy has great plans for them to become disc golf enthusiasts. We have located a course near here. While we were away today, he picked up some putters & drivers to share with them. (terms that I think are hilarious to describe a disc, similar to what we called 'frisbees' when I was growing up...Of course, I know 'frisbee' is a brand name...still funny to me) I'll keep you posted as to their progress in the sport!

We have learned many things since we have been here. Probably the most important lesson that we have faced together is that when one of the boys says "I don't want to do...or go... (fill in the blank)"--there's probably a bad memory attached to the blank...so, as usual, we have tried to remain flexible...and not force our agenda with them.

This week, I have had amazing teachable moments with each of the boys. From teaching one how to sew a button on his pants, to getting grass stains out of another's jeans (He swore when they came out of the dryer that I had just gone in to town and purchased him new jeans!!!), to real life issues that concern drugs, sex, relationships and Our God--Creator of the Universe! At least they are open, and they are opening up! Good thing, because the four of us have fallen completely in love with them, collectively as a group, and individually!

One of the high lights of our day is to sit on the front porch and watch as all 6 of our high schoolers stand at the end of our drive way and talk and gesture and wait for the bus...there's our pretty twins, the geek, the nerd, the prep and the jock--and not any one boy is one of those adjectives, they are all each one at different moments of the day--they keep us laughing and crying and praying--they keep us on our toes and on our knees and on our feet all at the same time--we must stay alert to their needs, their wants and desires and thier fears and pain.

This week, the boys were blessed to get new beds and new bedding. However, they did not get mattresses. I have made a couple of contacts with people I know in Illinois & Indiana...and I am praying that we will hear this week that soon our boys will have new mattresses, too! God's hand of provision is so clear!

To me, this is the most gorgeous place on earth. Randy & I are flourishing. The girls are growing up right before our eyes. Mallory has grown about an inch and a half taller--who knew she'd do that!?!!

I covet your prayers, as you think of us, pray for us and the boys and our girls... that God would be glorified and honored in what we do here!

Remember when?

2011-10-12T15:20:00.002-04:00

Remember when I dreamed of our 'new home'? ...it should have only two bedrooms...a living area...a good sized bath room...a place for me to study?

Well, we are still in a LOT of boxes, but that's about the size of our apartment...the rest of the house has everything we need! It's lovely...we just need to take care of it all, and make sure that the boys are taking care of it, and not destroying things!

Remember when I dreamed of our 'new location'? ...it needed to have plenty of room between us and the neighbors...not on gravel...and a gorgeous view?

We live in a rural area, that doesn't have a post office of it's own, so here we are...North Georgia...lots of hills/mountains and trees...gorgeous!!!! There are cows and a donkey right next door that we are having fun watching and a huge back yard that the boys can build a camp fire...they are loving it!--Of course, the girls are wanting four-wheelers, but I don't think that'll happen!

Remember when I dreamed of our 'new life'? That it would include lots of laughter, church that we love to attend & be involved in, and friends who truly honor and cherish each other?

Well, somethings never change. Like our friends, we still have so many sweet sweet friends who call, text, e-mail, or facebook to check on us...friends that we've had for years, just now we must be separated by such distance. However, the new friends we are making are such treasures, I could go on and on!

The "on staff "tutor for the kids stopped by last night and visited with Rand for a while. He's had a year similar to ours, in that change happened to them, through the loss of his job. They now live in 1/2 of a garage that they've converted in to an apartment for him and his wife. His spirit is so positive, and he speaks freely of his faith. He's an educated person with emphasis on special education...which happens to be exactly what the kids in our home need, and he's a person of faith...he & his wife are just trusting in God's provision for their lives! What an inspiration! And, a huge reason for me to, again, pause and praise an Amazing God!

We are taking the kids tonight to hear our founder's adoptive daughter's testimony in their church in Tennessee...that sounds far away, but we are only 20 minutes or so from TN! I'm excited to take the boys to church, this will be the first time, but I'm just as excited to hear this little girl talk!

Speaking of church, we think we've found the one we'd like to become involved in....not exactly like anything we've been to in the past....but the preaching was timely and good good good! We'll see! We'll keep praying about that!

We took everyone to a place called Fort Mountain State Park on this past Monday, it was a holiday from school. There was a beach at the top of this mountain! And, after a hike and a half, we found a huge waterfall! The hike reminded me so very much of my roots in the Shawnee Forest in Southern Illinois. And, it didn't hurt a bit that the leaves were changing colors almost before my eyes! After the hike some of them got in the water, the boys perfected their tumbling abilities...and just had fun being themselves--we laughed until our sides hurt!

The encounters I've been having have been so hysterical...today I went to a grocery/gas station/hardware store to get two things I needed...the only checker in the store went outside to mail something. Another woman was standing there looking at the newspaper...and they were having a conversation about the contestants on 'Dancing with the Stars' like they were all best friends--I think that's hysterical!--And, kinda homey in a weird kinda way!

Gotta go serve the afternoon snack now...then get dinner on the table while they do their home work...in time to leave for church!--It's a good good day!!!

Oooooops...I blinked...and now, it's October...

2011-10-05T20:58:00.004-04:00

In the blink of an eye, that's how quickly the past three weeks have gone for me! Two weeks of training, a whirlwind trip back to Southern Illinois to gather all our belongings, and here we are! North Georgia, beginning a new life...and new adventure...a new chapter...with a new address, and new responsibilities...

We are loving this so much. At every turn, it seems that our Heavenly Father is just waiting to show us His blessing. From the first morning of our training, to the young guy that sold us our cell service...to the sweet man that helped us with our local banking...to the young men that are now in our care...God is in it ALL!

We stopped for breakfast on our way to training that very first morning...at very popular fast food restaurant...there was Christian music playing through their sound system...and I could overhear the two young men (probably 20-30-somethings) holding each other accountable to their faith! One was saying something to the affect, as an encouragement to the other, "you just need to do the things today to make you a better man than you were yesterday!" While that is timely and true, I just took that as affirmation for being in the right place at the right time! It didn't hurt that they were sharing their thoughts about the previous day's sermon, either!

The cell phone guy, spoke very generally about his faith story, and then talked a lot about how blessed he was to have the wife he has, and how his work is prospering because he tries to live for Christ each day, how amazing is that?! He's only 27. We got to meet his wife, and I would agree with him, she's definitely a keeper! It took us three hours to purchase phones and a plan! But, we got so much more than phones! --Such a blessing!

Then, the next day, it took us another three hours to open savings and checking accounts! No, we aren't ' s l o w'...we are blessed! This guy could not stop talking about life, the Lord, the Lord's work, our work, and just the blessing of God on his life... And, again, we got so much more than a bank...we got to meet a brother in the Lord!

I do not think it is any accident that these encounters happened as they did...I believe it was God showing me exactly whom we could trust in a 'new community'...there were too many things that lined up with His word! Isn't God good!? Look for the blessing!

What an Amazing way to Begin a New Job--

2011-09-19T18:24:00.003-04:00

What an amazing God we serve! He knows us inside and out--and loves us in spite of our human-ness...ready to WOW us at every turn!

In a couple of weeks, our family will begin our new life adventure. We have accepted a position as houseparents in a group home atmosphere. We are so excited to begin...but we must be trained first. And so, we are in training for the next couple of weeks.

I am excited to report that in our training, we met the most loving people! We began the training with our director opening in prayer! and ended our day with one of the counselors singing praise songs...Now, who but God, could have designed a day like that?

Randy & I are so excited about this opportunity, not only to work with kids, but to continue to have a front row seat to watch God move and work in the lives of those around us! Each person we encountered today was so determined to give God praise & honor for the things He's done through this ministry! And, now to become a part of that is just thrilling!

If you read this, and you are a prayer warrior, which I hope you are, please lift us up and lift up this ministry. (I will not share the name of it until I have their permission, but God knows who they are and the amazing work they are doing!)

Continuing to praise Our Awesome, Mighty God--the Creator of the Universe!

In Everything! (just sayin')

2011-09-16T08:20:00.003-04:00

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle, spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts, and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Guard your heart. Guard your mind. Don't be anxious. In everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests to God. In another place, scripture teaches us to pray without ceasing. Pray. Just do it. The only way to get 'good at it'...is to do it!
And, keep on praying until there is peace that doesn't make any sense in your circumstance. Peace. We all want it, we all crave it...but only our God's presence can give it to us. But, we focus on our circumstance and many times cut off the possibility for peace. We get bogged down in details that we cannot control, or that do not matter.

I love the words 'do not be anxious' in the scripture above. You know what that feels like, anxious-ness or worry as we more commonly call it...somehow we think we must worry because we are parents, or because our job is difficult and high stress...or because our life isn't going as we'd planned.

The reality is that God created us to worship and rely on Him for everything. Everything. Everything we need. So, if we stay focused on being thankful in our circumstance, and focused on fact that 'this' might just be for our growing to spiritual maturity, we have a more Heavenly perspective, and a front row seat to watch God move actual mountains in front of our eyes.

I know, there are times when our lives come crashing in...and we don't see a glimmer of hope...or light. This recently happened to me. It didn't take long before I was listening as dear friends spoke scripture in to my ear, and the God of the Universe made His presence known to me. When we worship, we usher in God's presence, and so it makes sense on some level to worship in the midst of our darkest hour. I also know this, because I have lived it.

I'm 'just sayin' today...not much else. In everything. In everything, we will shout for His Glory! In everything, we will give Him all praise! Try it!

Beauty, Just think about it

2011-09-14T07:56:00.002-04:00

Do you ever think about beauty? What do you think is lovely or beautiful? From paintings to poetry, automobiles to furniture, from fabric and clothing to make up and nail color choices. Just think about it.

In the early 80's, when my friend gave birth to her boys, she told me how happy she was that Princess Diana had also given birth to boys. That seemed to bring back attractive baby clothes for boys.

A couple of years ago, I needed something dressy to wear to an event. I remember thinking, as I shopped: 'why do the sales people all wear varying forms of black?' They wore basic black clothing, to sell me, what I hoped would be lovely clothing. Of course, what the store had to offer wasn't much better than the garments they wore, and worse: they didn't seem to care!

What had happened to lovely color and added fabric texture for interest? This year, thankfully on the clothing front, there was yet another royal wedding this year, and this is reflected in our choices this season where we find and an air of romantic lace, and colors that are pleasing to the eye...much texture and more colors...prettier ...but not yet beautiful.

We experience bland costuming in movies and characters on TV. Go and visit an art museum...look for lovely and beautiful. Or, take a walk down any toy aisle...putting some of those toys in the hands of a little person...seems like it would be a truly terrifying image for them...faces of little dolls or stuffed animals/dolls are so scary--nothing on earth looks like that, why do their toys have to? (Now, I sound like my sweet grandma and showing my age, however, I do think I am justified in my concern)

What happened to valuing human dignity, and honoring one another as humans, created in the Image of God? What happened to striving to becoming the very best version of ourselves? Or encouraging and doing everything in our power to bring out the best in those around us?

Have we become so secularized, as Christians, that we've failed to recognize the truly ugly around us? Just wondering...here in this life, if we constantly allow ourselves to be bombarded with 'ugly images' will we, in the long run, diminish our ability to appreciate and imagine things that are lovely and beautiful? (if this is possible, what a wonderful weapon our enemy holds against us)

When I imagine the "Glory of the Lord filling the temple?" OR, "Heavenly Light?" to what are my earthly eyes comparing those to...the things that I have seen? OR worse, what will my grandchildren imagine when they hopefully contemplate these images?

Remember? We are told exactly how to handle this, what to do as we face the 'ugliness of images' placed before us, in stores, on TV or other media...notice I did not say in nature...for the things we think about, the things to dwell on are these:

..."Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8

Join me in writing out a list of the things we consider to be true, or honorable, or right, or pure or lovely, things of good repute, excellent and praise worthy. What a 'good gift' to give our children...something of true beauty for them to dwell on...but also of importance, this exercise will help each of us to think and consider the images around us, and what they do to our thought life, our attitude, and the value we place on the things of God. Just think about it.

Lesson #7...knowing when I'm 'done here'...

2011-09-11T18:29:00.008-04:00

This might be a phrase that only my three youngest children and my husband will appreciate...but "I think we're done here" was something we began saying to each other late last winter. And, it was all my fault, really.

We were considering changing cell phone service providers. The plan we were looking in to was exciting, with many bells and whistles, and was evoking many questions from Randy & the girls. But, from where I was standing, the 'benefits' didn't seem to be adding up to be better than the plan we already had in place with our current provider.

My husband and daughters were engrossed in the conversation with the sales person. But I stepped in to ask one simple question, about the part of this service that I was most interested in. It seemed that instead of all five of us having our own unique twenty 'free' numbers to call, the five of us would begin sharing ten between us. And, of course, our total bill would be higher. That seemed ludicrous to me, so I just said, "Well, I think we're done here..."

I mean, come on, why waste any more of this person's time, or our time, move on...find a different plan...I saw no reason to keep asking questions that were not going to help us, because the plan would not accommodate our needs. Of course, our girls were appalled that I would be so blunt...however, I was in sales long enough to know that if the product is not going to meet the need, we are all wasting our time...so move on, no harm, no foul...I honestly didn't think I was being rude, on the contrary, I thought I was helping the conversation come to a much needed end!

And, so, "I think we're done here" is something we all say to each other, sometimes under our breath, but it has become our own signal of boredom, or completeness or let's move on, please!

I said all that to say this: I think I'm done here naming my posts 'lesson # so and so...' At least, and until I finally have a real life in place.

I can only hope that within the next month, I can share with you what our new reality really looks like. We have been in transition for the whole summer...waiting on the Lord to open the path HE has intended for us to live and take. It has been a roller coaster ride and an amazing time of feeling God's presence and watching His provision, watching as doors close and open in His timing...and I can't help but feel that we are almost 'done here'...

The moral is: know when it's time for change. If I've 'learned' nothing else this year, this has been the 'lesson' that keeps coming back around. And, why shouldn't it?

It's scriptural, remember? For

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to live and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down, and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A mark of wisdom, and a mark of maturing in Christ is the ability to identify and live out the difference in each of these. Just think how simple our lives would be if we practiced the difference. Join me in at least giving it a try--just for today--but for this moment, I think I'm done here!

Lesson #6...we CAN get along wtihout TV

2011-09-08T20:46:00.000-04:00

I know, that's hard to believe, but it is true. Don't worry, there's still TVs in just about every room of this house, but they are not 'on' 24/7. We have a new reality to discover and develop and we are embracing it well.

In this new reality we have time, a lot of time, to concentrate on listening to each other, and as we practice, we seem to be getting better at it.

This evening, for example, no one was very hungry when it was time to start preparing dinner--Randy had taken a poll. The girls were taking a long walk with the dogs and I was skype-ing my mom, so we didn't cook. Of course, an hour and a half later, we all found ourselves in the kitchen, preparing, together, a smorgasbord of crazy things...then we took our concoctions out on the deck to enjoy the rest of the cool evening before the sun went down.

We were talking about all kinds of things, and even Mal made the comment that it was really fun, how much we're all talking more, and not watching TV as much as we used to--I loved this comment, and it really hit me between the eyes.

And so, there's the lesson and the goal: not as much...in small doses...that's good enough...for watching TV. Conversation, truly listening to each other instead, is so much healthier, and way more fun. Earlier in the evening, we listened as Madison's told a story about something that she'd seen at school and we laughed until we were wheezing--hilarious--she can't make this stuff up, which makes it even more hilarious.

And so, here I am: lovin' life, livin' the dream, with a LOT less TV, and still waitin' on the Lord...

...and by the way: Thanks for Listening!

Lesson #5...about contentment...

2011-09-06T07:57:00.000-04:00

This is a lesson I need re-taught over and over. I am content in most areas of my life. However, as I become content, the Lord reveals areas in my life that need work. If you have this thing of contentment mastered, you will not want to spend much time here today.

If you are like me--still learning and pushing through to contentment in the Lord--take a listen, make a comment and my prayer will remain that you would be blessed!

When we moved to east metro Atlanta (there is probably a more correct term for this area, I do not know it as yet) this spring, a couple of things became clear early on.

The first was that our circumstance, living arrangements and possibly location, were only temporary. Profound, as we have had many opportunities to know this for certain.

The second was that I had to focus on finding the blessing in each seemingly 'small' thing. This has been necessary in order to model our dependence on a faithful, loving, kind, merciful God to our children, all of them, because they are ever-watching. When I display doubt or fear, I single-handedly negate anything I've tried to teach about God's provision.

I beleive that if we do not strive to be content in the Lord's provision, He may not be inclined to bless our efforts with more, if we are not thankful for what He has given us.

From our home of twenty years, everything that had become familiar to us during our thirty years of marriage, we moved to a lovely house. There is a creek in the back (complete with a bench to sit and enjoy the view and the sound) and a hilly street/sub-division to walk each morning for our enjoyment and health. We have been comfortably cool this summer, even with high temperatures outside. I had a lovely desk, computer and book shleves to accomodate a summer of study and paper writing. After prayerful consideration, we found a church that we truly love. And, last but certainly not least, the girls love the school here. These are abundant blessings.

Hope. That's it. Hope in the resurrection of Christ...nothing can take that away. Nothing.

I Peter 1:3 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope though the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

We were blessed this past week end to spend time with dear friends and I've written about this annual gathering before, as to how much we love one another, and look forward to Labor Day each year. This year marked the ninth year we've gotten together, as not only friends, but family by choice...our love for Christ and His Body are what bind us together.

Contentment. Do I need more friends? Of course. However, it takes years to cultivate and celebrate the deep bonds we have with this group. Truly thankful for each one, that's the Bishops!

Two of these friends are on staff at the church we attended on Sunday morning, Kendall is the senior minister and the pastoral care minister is Kris. Another of the group, Trudy, is a creative arts/worship leader, at a different church four hours north. These times we spend together inlcude praise, worship, church services, eating and laughing...and laughing and eating and praying.

Kendall preached Sunday morning, about contentment. His Biblical text was Philippians 4:10-20...(you know the verses, and if you don't, turn to them, for they are spot on. I find it fascinating that Paul wrote these words from inside prison...where he had been for three years...yet his letter is full of words like joy, rejoice, praise, hope)...the verses say:

"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opporunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Kendall's points were to 1. rejoice in the Lord's provision, no matter how small the blessing; 2. to depend on the Lord for strength; and 3. to Trust in His promises to meet your needs. See what I mean? Exactly what we need when we need it, this is Our God!

Needs, not wants. For me, I need my children to be safe, and to enjoy their school experience. I need my husband to be constantly trusting the Lord for provision. I needed a place to study and learn all summer. We needed this time with our friends...all of them, from the oldest to the youngest!

One of the youngest children among these friends/family is a little boy named Joel. I call him a little boy, becasue I've known him since he was born, but he is growing up so fast. He is precious. Joel and our Macy were close in age. Because I got to see him, he helped me to be reminded of things she might have been doing at this point in her life. Of course, I do not dwell on her and the fact that she is not here, but sometimes it is sweet to be reminded of what true loss looks like and I am thankful for the conversation I got to have with Joel.

We were also very blessed to have been able to take our grandchildren with us for this gathering. Truly a blessing, as they are precious, and seemed to love being with us. Their laughter and little voices were music to my ears.

Randy and I have renewed hope, renewed goals, and a firm foundation in Christ, our King.

And so, while we are living in a temporary situation, we are content to seek God each day. I will continue to look for God's provision each day, esecially in the small things....depend on the Lord for my strength to face each day...strength to resist the temptation to doubt, or to put my trust in material possessions...to know and trust that God has this...

...He knew this day before I was born, and not only does He see me, He saw this day as it was formed, my circumstance is not a surprise to Him. He is more interested in my obedience to Him and His Word than 'fixing my circumstance to please me'. I am certain that blessings abound, I need to be very sensitive to them!

Lesson #4...always learning

2011-08-25T09:24:00.000-04:00

This has been a year for traveling for me and my family. We have always been travelers, so packing is sort of a passtime for me. Traveling by air, though, presents a few traveling challenges, or at the very least, procedures you need to be aware of before you arrive at the airport!

For various reasons, I have spent more time this year in air ports than in any other year of my life! I have had to learn about check in procedures, security procedures and air plane etiquette. Not to mention, flight delays and food choices! To travel by air there are things you must do, and procedures you must follow. These have to do with getting through the security check point, so it is important when planning your wardrobe and packing your travel.

For example, do not expect to wear a jacket through security, take it off before they have to threaten you with a 'pat down' search! (that was the choice I was given on my first morning out!!!--trust me, take off the jacket, voluntarily!)

You can do a 'self check-in' by swiping a credit card...for I.D. purposes only....to get your very important boarding pass. This piece of paper will get you through security, with your photo I.D. and it will get you on to the plane, without your photo I.D.

Before approaching the security gate, take a moment and get ready, I get this all ready as I pack for the flight:

Electronics: My computer, camera, G.P.S., and cell phone I locate these in my personal carry on , wither my purse, or in my computer tote.

Liquid: While you need to stay hydrated when you travel, do not think you're going to carry a bottle of water through security! (I drink one on the way to the airport, and trow it away on my way in) Just purchase another one when you get on the other side, or pack, if you have room, an empty re-usable one. Also, your personal hygiene items. If you are checking a bag, you can pack them in there, I always use zip-lock bags for this in either bag, because I hate messes on my clothing during travel, and if your shampoo, or worse, nail polish removed spills you have a huge mess! SO, use small containers...(and instead of packing nail polish remover in liquid form, for travel, purchase the disposable remover pads--I also buy face-wash pads instead of packing my liquid face wash for trips!)

So, you have the small containers...You are allowed not more than 2oz. in each little bottle, so be judicious in your carry on items. If you are carrying on, put all liquid items, shampoo, contact solution, liquid makeup, what ever is liquid in ONE quart size zip-lock bag.

Put this bag with your electronic devices in your carry personal carry on.

Step up to the security check point. Hand the first person your photo I.D. and your boarding pass.

Next point, you are ready for the scanning machines (I'm certain there is another name for this part of the procedure, but I'm a novice!) As you approach, grab a couple of plastic bins. In one, put all your electronics that will fit, and if there's room your bag of liquids.

In the other, put your shoes, (and shoes, wear comfortable ones, never know how MUCH walking you're going to have to do--trust me, flights change all the time!). Your carry on can go through with your bag, just place them both on the rollers. Now, WAIT for the security guard to tell you when to go through the scanning part. Be respectful, and do not talk too much to them, they have a really important job to do...so you need to take it very seriously...

On the other side, your personal belongings will come through the x-ray type machine, you collect them and, unless they stop you for a random search, or take your bag for a deeper scan. Put your photo ID up, and put your boarding pass in a safe place. (I usually put it in the book I'm planning to read on the plane--just me!)

NOW: MOVE on through to the benches or chairs. This area, beyond security is provided for you to re-assemble your stuff do not hurry, do not be anxious...sit down, put your shoes back on. But the point is: MOVE out of the way, you are not the only person there--be conscious of the people around you and either move with or get out of the flow of traffic!

WOW...I wrote all that, because I have seen the most organized travelers, and the most disorganized travelers, and it always amazes me on both ends of the spectrum! I love watching people..hilarious. I suppose the moral of this story is pack wisely, think about each choice you are making for the items going in your bag...and strike up conversations with fellow travelers! You meet interesting people, and get interesting perspectives!-Not to mention, great stories to tell!!!

The lesson I have learned this year is to be always learning. A better way to pack a suitcase. A better way to read a book. A better way to write a research paper, a better way to study my Bible, OR a better way to pack liquids.

A better way to speak to my children, a better way to motivate those around me --or myself!

A new and exciting route to a place...or learning about a far away place. It is a wonder to me because the more I learn, the more I realize how little I truly know!

Learn about making friends, learn about truly being honest with yourself, and those you love. Learn how to color your own hair, or make bread.

Here's a verse I read this morning:

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:3-9

Always learning. These verses speak of godliness, and knowledge, and perseverance...brotherly kindness and love....self-control...faith...this qualities, building from the foundation of faith, will keep us from being unproductive and ineffective.

How effective is your faith? How effective is the knowledge you possess of our Lord?

We desire our lives, as Christians to be effective for the kingdom--don't we? We should. Be alert. Be learning...always!

Lesson #3...being thankful

2011-08-21T15:39:00.001-04:00

I have learned to be thankful for what I have and what I do not have.

That may sound strange because in our culture it is about getting/keeping more and more, faster and faster. Whether we are talking about shoes and purses, or appointments and meetings. We like to talk about how important we are by relating how busy we are on our calendar, and look good doing it. Do not miss understand, I do think we should strive to look our best, but I must continuously guard myself not to get carried away in to obsession with stuff. And, because there is an actual show on T.V. entitled 'Hoarders: Buried Alive'...I do not think it is wrong for me to assume that many in our culture struggle with accumulating too much.--just sayin'

When we were packing to move from our home of twenty years, we were facing a time crunch and limited places to 'put things' in the vehicles. We were not going back to the storage building, so it had to either fit or be left behind.

We had to prioritize during those last moments. Those moments were full of phrases like "yes" or "set aside, we'll see if we have room." I felt like such a pioneer--only it wasn't a covered wagon--it was an SUV and a convertible we were loading!

One funny story happened near the end of the packing. There were things like jigsaw puzzles. Lots of them. I sent Madison to ask Holly what to do with them, she came back and said, "Holly said give them to Jerry Patrick."

Who in the heck is Jerry Patrick? I've never heard of Jerry Patrick. Don't know who this person is...

What Holly had said was: "Tell mom to give them to the geriatrics."

I am thankful I do not have puzzles any more to keep track of, I am thankful for my kids who make me laugh and smile!

All my purses and bags got left behind at the last minute. My dear husband had told me that there was no more room, and so I sent them away with my son-in-law, quickly so I didn't have to think about it. Like ripping off a band-aid.

While I am thankful I do not have to store a lot of extras at this point. I am thankful for what I do have. Less to worry with, less to keep track of, and what I have, I use--I couldn't really say that before the move!

I am thankful for the very simple life we have right now. I am thankful we do not have a hectic crazy schedule to keep.

I am thankful for this time in our lives...to slow down and plan a little, or sing, draw, write, read or listen. For some, this would seem a dessert experience. For me, there are moments that seem like dessert, and there are moments that are mountain top experiences. However, at all times I feel that God is near.

I have never been away from my husband for two weeks straight. I am thankful for a husband that I love to be around. However, this summer, I spent two straight weeks at Tozer for intensive classes. While it was difficult to be away from my family, the two weeks the time spent there included learning to navigate dorm life again while forming new friendships. The times spent in worship during chapel, and the times spent in prayer with classmates are moments I will always cherish.

Upon the return home, we began The church we've been attending this summer has become one of those mountain tops for me. It is truly amazing to be a part of the worship each week, and listen as the truth of scripture is proclaimed. They are a church on the move, and the Word presented and the worship are served up fresh each week. Only to please our King. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Creator of the Universe.

And so, at this very personal growing time in my life, I am thankful to attend an amazing church, and I am thankful that I do not have a key role there. I do not intend for that circumstance to be permanent in my life, as I love to serve the Body of Christ. This is the first time in my adult life that I have ever been in this position and I can see things that I need to learn right now--for my good--that will better prepare me for future service--where ever that might be! In it all, though, I want to remain thankful. Thankful for what is and is not in my life!

Lesson #2 for this year...

2011-08-20T09:40:00.000-04:00

Becoming healthy spiritually, mentally, socially, emotionally and physically is important to me, as it should be to all of us. Remembering that we are image bearers of our Creator should be enough motivation for health in all areas of our lives. Health doesn't just happen, we must work at it. Remembering that when we bring health to one area of our lives, it positively affects the rest.

By the world's standards, many things have happened to our family this past year (actually within the past 7 months) that would put us in a position of having no hope, seeing no way for good. However, this is a perspective thing; it is a 'let's apply scripture to this' and see what happens thing. The happenings alone have set us up for a wild ride! The world just needs to know, though, who we are trusting through all of these events.

During this ride (because I think it is far from finished) I want to share with you the things that have struck me--seemingly secret things. These things, these secrets keep us going, and give us the ability to sleep at night when our world has been collapsing all around us.

For, if you know me, and my story, my world is in constant state of collapse...in order to always be finding, establishing and living with a 'new normal.'

From this side of things, normal is a relative term! However, I am speaking of the things, the perhaps mundane things that we do every single day and take for granted...from driving to the bank, to picking up our children at school. From shopping for groceries, to putting gasoline into our vehicle(s).

One of the last assignments I had for school was to write a Bible study, consisting of four sessions. This study was to be the result of a word study for the word grace. This is one of the things I love about God--the way He orchestrates the things in our lives to include truths about Him exactly when we need them the most! (of course, you need to be looking for this to happen to realize it)

(Side note: I read a book a few years ago called Grace Matters. Probably one of my most favorite books, as Chris Rice speaks about living in community, literally in the same household, with another family. The Rice family was/is white...the family they lived with, the Perkins family, was/is black. And, if it were not for grace, the grace they extended to one another, and the grace extended to them by a loving God...the end result would have been disaster, not a deeper love, respect and understanding between the families.)

Listen to the Hebrew writer, in chptr 12, verses 14-15 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

Wow! What a message--I could write on and on about those two verses. For the purpose of this post, however, my point is to remind us that we have a responsibility.

The words "make every effort"...those are a challenge, aren't they? In our culture, that is SO counter-culture. When most would just hide under the rug, or skirt around issues, we are to be openly concerned about living at peace, and being holy. ...and, as much as it depends on us, be concerned about our fellow human beings--that No One misses the grace of God!

We don't like to be concerned do we? We like things the way we like them, in our own little world...I don't know how many times I've heard, I don't like change. Please. It's the only constant in our human experience. Grow up and get used to it. However, you can fight this selfish impulse by remembering: (from Lesson #1) "the power of life and death is in our tongues"...so be careful!

Only give 'full vent' to God. He is always there to listen. ALWAYS! Be guarded about what you say about someone else when you are speaking to other people. But to God, you can tell Him just how you feel, and He cares, remember? And, remember? He sees us, El Roi, the God who saw Hagar. (Genesis 16) He knows exactly what has happened to us, and nothing is a surprise to Him, according to Psalm 139. He expects us to be obedient, even obedient in our times of great trial. Well, and of course, James 1:2 says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."

I think this is so that we can see the glory of God in our times of trial.

We are to pray for our enemies. That's right. If you know me, and have ever discussed this with me, you know it is true...scripture teaches us this. Putting it in to practice is a challenge, but Christ is right there to help us through that, as well.

Last winter, during a short Bible study, a verse was shared and it spoke directly to this issue: Job 42:10 "After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." And, remembering the story of Hagar, she and her son, Ishmael, were blessed, as well.

So, here's the lesson: If you want God's blessing, understand that it comes through obedience, only 'vent fully' to Him. Then, pray for those that have wronged you. Job's friends were anything but supportive of him in his "new normal" his diseased, pitiful state...but as soon as he prayed for them, God blessed Job's faithfulness.

I am not suggesting that we live like this in order to receive some material possession, we have enough. I am suggesting that we live like this, praying for enemies, only venting to God, as a means of true health...socially, emotionally, physically, mentally and especially spiritually. If we allow bitterness to take root, no matter the circumstance that brought the bitterness, then it will affect our entire person.

That bitter root also causes trouble and defiles many. Thank how much healthier the Body of Christ would be if these lessons were learned by all that identify themselves as Christians. What battles would be won, souls reached, lives restored--the possibilities are endless. Health. Over-all health. Begins and ends with prayer...and in the in between times--trusting in God's provision.

Lesson #1 for this year...

2011-08-19T09:06:00.000-04:00

I said yesterday that I have learned many things this year while on this journey. Today I wanted to post one of those lessons...

First a disclaimer: many of the lessons, I am still learning, so be patient with me, (and with yourself, if you decide to join me) if you're keeping track!

Lesson #1: Every choice I make will either bring life or death. The words I speak are powerful, because Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Each word we speak, either brings life or death to the situation or person we are addressing. This is a hard lesson to learn for those of us who like to talk a lot!

I also learned that each time I eat things that do not bring health to my body, or go without the rest my body needs, or worry about an insane situation to the point that I cannot sleep or eat, I am commiting what is known as an act of self-violence. In my mind, this self-violence also includes some of the things we put in to our mind, our intellect each day. We do this through the things we read, hear or look at on the TV or internet--the ability to think and reason is a gift from God...we need to be alert and informed to be able to to that to the best of our ability.

I had never considered this before as I would spend most of my time studying or researching or what ever...not taking time to think about what I was actually eating...or how inactive my body was becoming.

Maybe it is because I just celebrated a milestone birthday, but I think that it may be true what they say 'that life begins at 50'! Of course, from where I'm sitting/standing/walking/stretching, it's a little louder. The breathing, or creaking of the bones or the voice...

I remember when I turned 45, I thought then, "I've lived my whole life to be this age!" I loved that year...for what ever reason. But, like my grandma AnnaBelle always said (and she'll turn 89 this November, Lord willing), "Honey, You are only going to be (50) for ONE year...enjoy this age!" I love that about her, so practical...don't get too excited about an age in the future that you're going to become, or an age when you were at your best 'way back when'...enjoy this one...this is the only time you'll be here!

And so, the moral of this story is: what ever age you are: do not commit self-violence, instead do everything, as far as it depends on you to take good care of yourself. AND, while you're doing that: be aware of the way you speak...bringing life or death? Simple. Really.

Here is a list of a few of the books I have read this year that have given me insight and have helped me sort this out:
My Bible
Courage in the Call by Gordon T. Smith
Margin by Richard A. Swenson, M.D.
Rest in the Storm by Kirk Byron Jones
Clergy Self-Care by Roy M. Oswald

The Day I Could Not Find the Cross...

2011-08-18T09:20:00.000-04:00

My family and I began this year with a new adventure because I became a seminary student. Soon after I began my course work, I realized that I am part of a trend. In fact, many people--women especially--according to an article in TIME magazine, are enrolling in seminary! Pursuing something they have always had a passion for but never afforded themselves the time to pursue.

My school is A.W.Tozer Theological Seminary, on the campus of Simpson University, Redding, California. For my first intensive week of class, I arrived in the dark of night in February. Cold and tired, ready to rest from an extremly long day of traveling. I had never been to northern California, so I was looking forward to experiencing the beauty I'd always heard about!

After campus security met my cab and showed me to my dorm room, I quickly asked as many questions as I could think of that would be important for me to know before class the next morning...in my tired state, only two came to mind: which way to the dining hall? And, how do I lock these doors?

The next morning, overcast, grey skies met me with drizzly rain. With my black umbrella pulled close to my head, I walked to the dining hall to eat a quick breakfast. The Tozer students can sleep in the dorms, eat in the dining room, and use the library on campus. However, because Simpson undergrad students are there, class room space during the day is limited. The Tozer students are in class rooms throughout the city of Redding and must arrange their own transportation to and from classes for intensive weeks. (Now that I have been there, I have frineds there, because the Tozer students are amazing!!!, so rides are not that difficult to find!)

One of the local students had graciously offered to help me with a ride to class each day. This young woman had said she would meet me at the cross on campus. OK. I thought, no big deal. But, in the black of night, from the back seat of a cab, I saw no cross. From under my black umbrella, in the drizzly rain, the next morning: NO Cross. Where is it? I couldn't locate it. So, I call her, and ask if she could just pick me up outside the dining room, because I had not yet located the cross she had mentioned.

At the exact time we'd agreed on, I have my umbrella pulled close to my head, she pulls up to the curb and after a quick greeting I climb into her car and strap on my seat belt. We pull away from teh curb and drive the distance of what in my town would be a 1/2 block up the street. Yes, you know where this is going. There, to my astonishment, is this HUGE white cross...the centerpiece of the entire campus. You cannot, by the way, see it from under a black umbrella, or apparently from the back seat of a cab in the black of night.

I thought when I had told this sweet girl that I couldn't find the cross that her reaction was strange. At that point, though, I didn't think too much of her reaction. However, I'm sure she's probably thinking at this point, where in the world did THIS woman come from? Hilarious, that's what it is.

For the next 2-1/2 days rain, drizzly rain. On Wednesday afternoon, there was a break in the rain, to reveal the magnificent views from the campus. It is truly breath taking! There is a view of Mt. Shasta that can only be seen on clear days...and for the most part, the days there are clear...except this week I was there! Wednesday afternoon, even that view was clear! Gorgeous!

On that Thursday, is snowed! For one fellow student from the Philippines, this was his first experience with snow. I saw him on the patio during our lunch break skype-ing with his parents, so they could enjoy the snow experience together. How fun is that?

By Friday, more drizzly rain, and over cast and limited visibility of the beauty surrounding the campus!

This is how our life goes sometimes, isn't it? The cross has been the center piece of the campus for a long time...always right there...whether I could 'see' it or not! Mt. Shasta has been standing in the same place for longer than I've been alive...and just because I couldn't 'see' it for most of my visit to the campus, didn't mean it wasn't there...I just didn't realize it was there, or that I could see it and enjoy it's beauty!

This is how we view God...if I can't 'see' His work, or His way, or His provision it does not mean He isn't right there...He doesn't move. He's the same, yesterday, today and forever...providing for me...loving me...caring for me...and by His grace forgiving me over and over again!

I have learned many things by attending the four classes I have now completed at A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary. (the more I learn, the more I realize there is to learn--perhaps that's why Paul tells us to have a 'teachable spirit!') I have many more classes to complete before I receive that masters degree! However, some of the most important lessons I have learned have been just my day to day dependence on a holy, just, loving God! God is God! Praise Him for He is worthy!

I'm baaaaaaa-aaaack!!!

2011-08-17T13:48:00.000-04:00

Good morning! So many things have happened since I last posted--because almost every detail of my life has changed since then (February 2, 2011--date of last post), I thought a 'fresh look' might be exciting and fun. I struggled and thought yesterday about my focus...should this blog only have one theme/focus...or should I discuss the various family happenings...or should I discuss ministry...what in the world? For now, let's just stick with my perspective on random things that come up in my day(s)!

Did you know? Borders is going out of business. This saddens me, for it has always been a place I love to 'get lost in' (especially the one on Michigan Ave in Chicago--multiple floors of BOOKS). And, because we are currently far away from Chicago, we are frequenting the one that is about fifteen minutes from our home. I haven't met too many people here, yet. Mostly because the whole time we've lived here I have been either studying, traveling or writing (and re-writing!)

I find myself in random conversations with people, while we wait in line, or wait on a table at a restaurant, or in Borders! So while visiting our Borders yesterday, a lady asked me to help her find a book in the section we were browsing! Her daughter needed it for class. At first we were very guarded about our backgrounds, but then, when we talked about our daughters--we both just kept talking! She has four daughters, much closer in age to each other than ours are--but it was good to relate. We talked about many things...how religion is not as important as relationship with God...how being a parent is not for wimps...having so many children put us on the same page.

When she grew up, her religious practices kept her from being accepted in "the South", and now, it is hard for her to be accepted because she has four children. And, by accepted, I am talking about by other women. That's right, just admit it, as women, we look at each other and sum it up, don't we? This was the nicest lady, but most women at her daughter's school won't even talk to her. (I tried to explain this to my husband who was dumbfounded by the non-acceptance thing) But, if you are a woman, especially a woman with kids, you know what I am talking about.

In my experience, as a mom of five kids, women with fewer children (two or less) either admire you and want to know how you do it 'all'...or they have no time for you because they either think you're crazy OR they do not see the point of having more than two (or one, or none!)--most people don't want to 'do crazy,' so they just smile politely and ignore you! I turned 50 this year, and celebrated my 30th anniversary...by the world's standards, I am certifiable! But, I do have a brain, and a voice, and sometimes, I use both! I also love LOVE Love being a mom, and by this point in my life, I love being a grandma...'G-Mar'...the bigger the family the better!--because we are to model, in our families, what the church is supposed to be...

...It is so sad that we do not just press in to one another to find gifts and talents that we can't see on the surface! And, by the way, we never did find the book the lady was looking for...but it suddenly didn't matter, because we had a very real conversations and she was able to vent for awhile--priceless!

I"m baaaaaaaa-aack!

2011-08-17T11:06:00.000-04:00

Good morning!

Of course, by the time I get this posted, it'll be afternoon! Either way...here

go! I had the most gorgeous, charming post ready for you to read...and I hit publish, and nothing happened....so I explored again how to publish, and thought I was pushing the right button, and my gorgeous, charming post disappeared! I supposed that was not what I was supposed to say to you!

It has been a long time since I wrote on here. Almost every detail of our lives have changed since I last wrote. Including, but not limited to our location on the planet.

I began seminary this past January. I could write here about that experience, and fill many day's worth of posts! OR, I could write about what it's like to sell our home within two weeks of listing it. OR I could write about what it's like to dis-assemble our home of twenty years, sell a lot of our stuff, and move eight hours away from our precious older girls, and family--friends we've known for our entire married life, a ministry I loved, and a church that we all loved...what is that like? OR, I could write about moving to a new community where I know no one that isn't either kin to me, or kin to someone I'm kin to. OR I could write about being in transition, for all of it: new careers, new friends, new church, new everything! Who knows? You'll just have to tune in and see!

I know these things: God is God! God is Faithful and He is Mighty to Save! I know He is my strength in times of weakness, my refuge in uncertain times, and my God, the object of my worship. I love to serve Him, and talk about Him and His Word. I love His people, and the people that don't know Him yet, but desperately need the message of love and mercy and grace that the gospel offers. I am excited to see how God writes the next chapters of our life. So, stay tuned...it's better than reality TV, and better for your soul! Bless you for reading...and commenting!

Comedy of Study

2011-02-02T07:15:00.000-05:00

Ice. Snow. No School. That's the day ahead. What a gift it is for me. What a hardship it is for others. For some, it probably means overtime. For many, a chance to sit in by the fire and sip a warm drink.

That would be me: sit in, by the fire, or at my kitchen table, or at my basement table and study. This has become my new normal. Study. Read, write and study some more. Write and study and re-write some more.

I recently embarked a journey that will affect the rest of my life. Seminary. A.W Tozer Theological Seminary. I am a new student. Very new--new to the world of turning in papers and assignments on-line, and making plane and cab reservations as part of my educational experience!

The first week, as I discovered the actual process of things, I had to change my flights...that was an expensive ordeal. However, it could not be avoided, unless I wanted to catch a train in the middle of the night, ride two hours, then catch a bus for the next hour, and hope to make my out-going flight on time.--I was only a little stressed trying to work all that out.

God, in his wisdom, gave me a husband that plans trips in his sleep, so he was a huge blessing, and helped keep me calm and focused during that whole process!

Lesson learned: do not make travel arrangements too far in advance, I may NOT have all details.

I get to use something called a moodle. (Holly is emphatic that this is NOT real) This is a web-site that I get assignments, submit homework, post to something called forums, and I think I even get my grades there.

So, the first week: the first assignment is to take some surveys and assessments, then write 1000 words, and post on a forum. There will be several forum discussions throughout the semester, I am supposed to jump in and post when ever, with something intelligent to say.

So, I go try to get on the first forum. nothing. I go to a different place and try. nothing. Thank God that one of the students was very persistent, she couldn't get 'on' either! It was an I/T problem at the school...which is fine, but when we were expressing concern, they couldn't tell it from their end. This persistent student, took a picture of her screen, sent it to them, and they were able to fix the problem! Oh, technology, how wonderful and horrible you are!

And,so, after a week delay, the whole class was able to receive the forum prompt and have a discussion. Plus, we also received an extension on the first assignment due date. Not certain I added anything intelligent, but I did post...to make certain that I could.

I did get somewhat stressed when I was not able to get to the right discussion...it was good to know that I was doing it right, the problem was on the other end. And I'm so thankful for Ms. Persistent.

This week, I had my first 1000 words ready, and wanted to be able to send it. The paper was written with front matter (title page and table of contents) and body. Ok, no problem. I read the over 300 page book, to know how to site sources and present the paper in acceptable form.

The problem about this paper: I kept re-writing it, for one thing...which is not a big deal...that's what writers do. The problem was numbering the pages, in Microsoft word. OH yeah, can't be done, unless you know the 'secret'...(or, perhaps took the time to actually read the 900 page book about how to use their programs--I'm just kidding, I don't even know if a book exists) this program is not user friendly for old women like me.

I had my computer savvy friend, my daughter with the comm. degree (who has written a zillion research papers in recent years) and our church's administrator ALL take look. No one knew the secret, apparently. My desire for the paper was NO page number on title page. ii on the Table of Contents. Begin body with page 1. Easy on a typewriter. OR, if I was turning in hard copy, I could just make two documents...NOT, this paper is ONE document, uploaded to moodle. (love that--)

So, remember the Ms. persistent student I mentioned--the one that helped fix the forum problem? Well, she is, of course in this class with me, pursuing this master's program while pursuing another masters at the same time. She finished her two undergrad degrees last spring. And, did I mention that she's one year younger than me, climbs mountains, on foot and on her bike...and loves to sit in her back yard with her chickens..I do not know. But, I think I really like her--funny and smart.

I was stressing about those page numbers, and thought, well, she said she'd help me along, maybe she knows how to number pages. (I mean, logic tells me, if she did two degrees at once, and she's pursuing two master's at once, she probably knows how to number pages)...and, of course, she did.

Graciously she sent me to a blog--something about turtlemeat....and there it was: the secret. The secret, I will share with you, (the website is detailed so if you really need this info, go there) is to divide the paper in to sections...numbering each section.

Who knew? Well, Ms. Persistent did. And, probably the writer of the program, to that person, this is very logical. To me, very complicated! Oh, horrible, wonderful technology.

And, so, yes, I am a student. Loving it. And, the things I've share above have been my biggest challenges so far!

Here's something pretty cool...one of those 'inside jokes' between me and God. I teach Sunday school and a Bible study at the assisted living facility. I had the inspired idea to keep those two lessons to the same general place in scripture. That way, I'm preparing once, but the lessons can take different 'slants'. This past week end, I got the scripture reading and research done and was ready. I am taking a theology course, and started reading for it. To my delight, the theologian spoke directly to the material I had just prepared. How cool is that? I LOVE that about God--giving me just what I need, when I need it.

And, so, the ice and the weather are hardships for many, but for me: there's food in the house, it's warm in here, and I need to study. I consider the ice and the weather a gift from a loving Father. The fact that I have a gorgeous view of gently falling snow outside, and bright red geraniums blooming inside is another gift.

And, today I know, as always: God is Good!

2011-01-13T13:54:00.000-05:00

God is good! This is the theme of one of the classes I'm taking. It is the first line in a favorite childhood prayer I used to say at bedtime. These three words are quickly becoming where my mind goes, as I get older and find more and more things that are wearing out on this body of mine.

God is good! This is a basic truth. If we would stay mindful of these words, of this truth, our lives would be transformed.

We had a children's minister at our church that thankfully had been a cheerleader in her younger years. She would literally lead the congregation in a sort of sing song cheer. She would say: God is Good! Our response was: All the Time! And she would repeat: God is Good!

Yes, God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good. This makes my day. Especially on days when bad news just doesn't stop coming, or there's not quite enough in the bank to cover the bills, or there just isn't enough to go around...OR, when the kids are home from school sick, and there's a gazillion things to catch up on....you see, these are all short term. Good news does come, kids get well, finances can change with the wind...and well...the to do list will get shorter...stop adding to it!

God is good. His word says it, and He's proven Himself faithful over and over.

I am now officially a seminary student. My first 'assignment', due the first official day of class is complete. My next assignment due 2 weeks: 1000 words. If you know me, you know that I can speak 1000 words in about 5 minutes, so you say, this should NOT be a problem. However, keep in mind, writing is hard work. There is a lot to consider, rhythm, use of certain words and the direction things should go--many choices to make. And so, while 1000 words sounds like a little thing, (and, according to what I wrote in the previous paragraph it really is a little thing) it will take some time to put all my thoughts together and edit them down, so that they won't be difficult to follow! (and, if you know me, you know that sometimes talking with me is like following a bouncing ball--according to a dear friend!)

As a new student, I have much reading to do. MUCH. The topics I am reading about are God, and the calling He has on my life. Since these are both important to me, I will step up and read and write what ever I'm assigned. I'm eager to learn! This experience has taught me a lot already about waiting on God. And, as this week has proven, He can work anything out (like travel/accommodations details, and, did I mention that my computer was continually 'blue screening') God is good. He has brought me this far, these details and this day are no surprise to Him...and if He cares about the number of hairs on my head, then I think He's got the whole travel/computer things that concern me taken care of, as well. Truly blessed: that's me!

Double blessing...

2011-01-03T00:07:00.000-05:00

On this date fifteen years ago, we were anticipating the New Year, not having a clue how much our lives were getting ready for a huge change over the next few days. Our home was completely decorated, down to the kitchen rugs, for Christmas. Each room had it's own themed Christmas tree, 8 in all. It wasn't time to face taking everything 'down' yet...so we were enjoying the holiday season, and completely enjoying the atmosphere for a few more days.

Back then, the days immediately following Christmas were for nesting, de-cluttering, setting goals for the year, reviewing our household budget and getting tax information in order before officially heading back to work and school after the holidays.

Our girls, now 11 and 9,could do things for themselves--they were definitely out of the constant care phase of their lives. Which is why the events of the next few days would be especially fun, an shocking at the same time.

By the 8th of January that year, 1996, I had a few decorations put away, but there had been a lot of snow, the girls had been home, and I was just hanging out with them.
The 8th day of January, 1996 changed our lives forever! The girls and I were organizing things in our family room in our basement, when the phone rang. We had gone through pre-adoption classes a year before. We had planned to adopt a three year old potty-trained child, who ever this child was, we didn't know! But, we knew that God did, and He was planning and orchestrating exactly the child that would become ours!

So, imagine my surprise when I answered the phone to hear the news that available to our family were newborn twin baby girls. They had been born two days previous, and I would be able to pick them up at the hospital on the 1oth. I was amazed.

First of all, newborns are rare for adoption. Second of all, they were girls, a perfect fit for the older girls who were quickly outgrowing the doll baby stage. My husband and I prayed and were completely at peace with saying absolutely YES!!! We would be happy to step through this door of opportunity.

And so, that year, the 9th of January was spent packing up 8 Christmas trees and tons of decorations. The 10th was spent driving to get these two precious baby girls, that have grown in to beautiful young girls! We were so blessed back then, and feel doubly blessed today!

Only in God's economy can I explain how we could have been praying for a 3-year old potty trained child that would be a right fit for our family, and received TWO beautiful, perfectly healthy, baby girls instead. It doesn't mean we had to have specifically the three year old...it does mean that "If you delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart."--Psalm 37 tells us.

Yes, Lord, the desire of our hearts was for You to be honored and glorified in our lives...our prayer continues to be for your blessing on our family, but make us a blessing to others.

"Sew"--A Needle Pulling Thread

2010-12-29T18:59:00.000-05:00

Needles and thread. Fabric, tape measures and patterns. Buttons, zippers and snaps. Scissors, pins and seam guides. Shiny, sharp, dangerous, fun, these tools have always been a source of great fascination for me. By being familiar with them and their uses, I learned, at an early age about making clothes, for myself and for others.

My grandma, AnnaBelle, taught me everything I knew about sewing. I remember being 4 or 5, sitting next to her while she used her sewing machine. Fascinated by the whirring sound it made, only when she pressed her foot on the pedal that was on the floor. Watching as the thread mysteriously disappeared through the fabric, only to come up and make a real stitch because there was thread underneath the surface as well, from something called a bobbin. Fun to say and fun to consider, sometimes a challenge to fill: the bobbin!

When fabric shopping, she and I would begin looking at the fabric immediately to the left as we walked in to a fabric store, and gradually make our way through the entire store. This could take hours. Neither of us wanting to miss anything, and neither of us in much of a hurry, as we were completely enjoying this escape to our own dream world!

Touching, each bolt of fabric, and discussing how we would use it, what it could become, whether we actually ever did it or not wasn't important, we were discussing dreams and ideas and things that 'could be'--or no, this would not work at all! There was comfort in knowing that there was no one that cared but us.

On these shopping excursions, textures were always important to consider. Corduroy, or sear-sucker, it didn't matter, except we should consider the season for which we'd be using the garment, corduroy does not work in summer, nor sear-sucker in winter. No visit to a fabric store would be complete, however, without another hour or so with the stacks of pattern books. This was the place I learned about lines of the garment the difference is that there are classic lines and lines that 'date' the garment, and when you are sewing within a budget, you must know and consider the difference.

We share a love for beautiful fabric, and a unique conversational trait with each other--describing in detail color and texture and designs because we know it will interest the other. She's described everything from her friend's wall paper to the floral pattern of her new love seat, to the color and fabric of her new blouse. And, if we re-do a room in our home, she wants to hear every detail, colors we've used, or even thought about, types of curtains, and the upholstery fabric choices--down to the last tassel on a pillow.

AnnaBelle could construct clothing items without use of a paper pattern. She probably used a pattern for this, but I remember a medium blue velvet swing coat she made herself in the late 60's that was exquisite...it had large self-fabric covered buttons and was lined with soft shiny same-color satin. I loved sitting in her dining room watching her create as much as I loved nosing through the fabric stores with her. I can still smell her perfume and the steam from the iron she used to make the seams perfectly crisp...hearing the ice in her lemon tea clink as she'd take a drink...and hearing her laugh when it looked good and came together well, or stand at the ironing board and almost whine I could just cry when it didn't turn out so good.

Of course, she made most of my clothes, beautiful things, until about the time I began Jr. High. By the time I started High school, she had moved over 1,000 miles away. I began sewing for myself, a little before she moved. But I kept sewing more and more until, I loved it so much that, sewing was all I wanted to do (ask my sister!).

Finally, I'm certain as a peace-keeping measure for our household, I was only allowed to sew during the summer. If I sewed during school months, I'm pretty sure I would not have done any home work, or perhaps felt it necessary to attend school at all. I enjoyed it so much, and found such satisfaction in the process that I would dream of designing and making clothing of all kinds, evening gowns, to skirts and blouses, purses to suits, I loved all things fabric.

Probably so I wouldn't stayed holed up in our home my entire high school years, I was encouraged to get a part time job. So my first job was a checker at a grocery store, forcing me to become face to face with complete strangers and their daily food choices. (hmmmm....I see another topic to write about in that sentence!)

This job was good for me and my love for all things fabric because soon I had saved up enough money to purchase a really good sewing machine. A Kenmore, my very own, and it cost just over $700, a lot of money in 1978. Grandma coached me through that purchase through many phone conversations and continued to talk me through difficult projects and garments that I made over the next many years.

By sewing I learned valuable life lessons, grandma taught me: if the seam isn't straight, then rip it out--don't be afraid of this--always take your time, and make it right. Another lesson was about being as conservative as possible when planning and laying out the pattern pieces on the uncut fabric--measure and re-pin as many times as needed.

Both valuable lessons: one having to do with the overall appearance of the garment, the other having to do with keeping the costs low.

Lessons or not, I still have such an appreciation for beautiful fabrics and textures! I am so thankful that I was greatly loved and wonderfully influenced by such an accomplished seamstress!--AnnaBelle!

Eleven NOT Seven

2010-12-25T22:03:00.000-05:00

Cooking a new recipe may not be a great thing to try on Christmas day, but the risk was worth the outcome. It turned out delicious even considering that I am such an novice cook. Due to my cooking experiment, I needed to wake up and get busy at 5am. Yes, on Christmas morning.

It's a good thing I love to get up early each day. On this Christmas morning gave me much time to read the Christmas story (go ahead, read it--Luke 1-2--I love Mary's prayer in Luke 1) and pray over the day. There was also time for me to think and plan all the details for the day.

A Merry Little Christmas--our family around the dining room table and a snow covered neighborhood in view through our windows. The Lord has greatly blessed our family and He blessed our table this Christmas, as well--that we were able to have all our kids and grand kids around it together...never to be taken for granted again, ever.

Laughter is a gift we enjoy when we are all together. Before one bite of food had been eaten, we laughed until we cried. On holidays, we 'toast' the occasion with sparkling grape juice. Today, I asked my husband if he was ready to toast...and he told me to go ahead and say it for Christmas. This surprised me but I raised my glass for the occasion, and encouraged everyone else to do the same. As I raised my glass, I said these words: "This Christmas as we think about 2007, we should look forward to all the..." and, that is as far as I got. My daughters were, by this time looking at me like I had said something they did not understand, and so I stopped talking. The kids started laughing, then I started laughing...then we cried because we were laughing so hard. We decided I had had enough Christmas banana punch. (and not one drop of alcohol was involved) Why I said 2007, and NOT 2011 is beyond me. I can only say that they do rhyme...perhaps that is why the word seven came out of my mouth instead of eleven. At any rate, and for what ever reason to give us laughter. Much laughter--the best gift of all!

Board games this evening, and now Christmas movies. Only the movies we haven't seen this season.

Truly, a Merry Little Christmas. During this time of year, we hear a song that has a lyric that goes something like: 'Why can't every day be like Christmas?' Good question.

I'm looking forward to putting away all the decorations and preparing for the new experiences 2011 holds. I don't know what they are and yet I'm certain I will not be disappointed. I never am. There is always something new to think about, consider, experience, or plan!

I hope you had a Merry Little Christmas, yourself--I also hope that YOU will embrace the fact that the God of the universe has had this year of your life in mind before you were born, every detail, and you can rest knowing that nothing that is happening to you, or will happen to you is a surprise to Him. He loves you, unconditionally, and He's excited to see how you will bring glory and honor back to His name through each new experience, while you wait for His return!

And, while "2007" for me must have been a really good year, my hope is that you will be blessed beyond measure in 2011!

Over Forty Years of Slumber Parties...hmmmmm...

2010-12-21T18:38:00.001-05:00

An oxymoron, I love that word. Oxymoron: slumber party. I have always loved slumber parties. I was allowed to host my first slumber party when I was 8 or 9. This party was the beginning of my love for gathering friends together in order to celebrate. Today, I love women's retreats, attending, planning and packing for them, but most of all creating an environment to celebrate friendships--a time to let your hair down.

As I think back to that very first slumber party, I'm amazed that my mom took the risk. I remember who was there, and I remember LOTS of running--all night long--all over our house,. We did not run in or to my parent's room--it was strictly off limits--not to mention the fact that my mom was probably in there, praying for quiet and repenting for allowing such an event to even take place.

The next slumber party was much more drama-filled. This is what happens when 8-10 thirteen year olds, overloaded on sugar and sleep deprived try to make sense of their lives. My birthday is in the summer, and so, my party was always in the summer. All of us were sitting n the front porch of my house in the dark...trying to scare each other. My Grandma Sisk was sitting inside our living room with my mom. They could hear us through the screen, and my sweet innocent Grandma made a noise that made all of us scream and run in to the house in lightening speed! This was the year my friends got on the roof of our house, and I thought my mom was going to have a stroke as she prepared breakfast, thinking that this would cause our roof to leak.

When I was in eighth grade, I got to have a slumber party with only two friends. One of the girls was from out of town, and the three of us had become close the previous summer at church camp. On the first night, peanut butter and jelly became smeared all over everything in our living room, including our hair and sleeping bags. The next day my dad almost had a stroke because the three of us took a very long walk and we hadn't told anyone where we were going. Consider, this was before cell phones and beepers. My parents spent 2-3 hours looking for us. Oh my, when they did find us, glass packs on my dad's pick up were revved up. This sound was always in proportion with how agitated he might be over a certain event. This event registered: off the charts.

Through the years, slumber parties were always here. The year our oldest hosted 18 of her closest friends, also measured: off the charts! This party proved to be fun for everyone--except the parents, this party also was the time when our precious family vacation videos were 'taped' over to make way for pre-teen girls to be silly and take videos of their own made up game shows...hilarity rules, and has for many years. I remember thinking, as I was shaking from lack of sleep while preparing breakfast, I am too old for this! But, truth be told, the twins have also hosted slumber parties. I figured at some point, I have been hosting slumber parties for 40 years.

Why am I writing about slumber parties? I don't know, except I'm contemplating one coming up. Tonight, three of our girls are having a sleep over, at our oldest daughter's home. Next week, I get to meet a good friend from out of town. We haven't seen each other in a couple of years. We have much talking and laughing to do! We won't be climbing on to the roof, or running all night long, or smearing pbj all over the place, or trying to scare each other. But we will laugh and talk MUCH. And, this time: truly slumber.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2010-12-16T10:21:00.000-05:00

Reason for Wonderful #1: The mail box is a happy place to go. Yes, they are arriving. Those cards that people send during this time of year: The Christmas Card. Not too many traditional ones any more. Many are pictures of the sender with their families, smiling from various points of interest. I love opening each one, sometimes a hand-written note is included, sometimes just the sender's name is written. I love the variety in people and the variety in the way the send their seasonal greetings. My mom--even though she isn't Martha Stewart--has started making her greeting cards. She works with card stock, a hole punched design and metallic thread. Her creations are truly gorgeous. I love receiving them, not just a Christmas, but through out the whole year.

Reason for Wonderful #2: Wrapping paper and ribbon are everywhere. Scissors, tape and a pen are all necessary tools for this time consuming but fun task. And, the mystery of what's inside becomes an added bonus to torment the girls. Helpful hint jsut for you: after Christmas sales are a great place to stock up on wired ribbon...in various colors and varieties, and it is very forgiving for package wrapping, if the present gets stacked and the bow gets smashed, the wire is easily re-shaped in to a gorgeous bow with little trouble.

Reason for Wonderful #3: Music--the music of the season, is amazing. Randy and I sat in wonder last night as we waited for his show to come on. On the PBS station, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was singing in front of 21,000 people. That choir, including children, an orchestra and dancers had around 600 members. I can only imagine what that would have been like in person. Truly beautiful. We will soon be traveling to hear the choir that a dear friend in Northern IL directs, we will, I'm certain, sit in wonder as we listen to this choir, as well.

Reason for Wonderful #4: Food and Family and Friends. I can't think of any of these without thinking of them all. All at once. Our kids are truly blessings to us, and we look forward to enjoying Christmas dinner with them. Connecting with friends during this season is sometimes hard to coordinate, but so worth it. And, food. It's fudge season, enough said.

Reason for Wonderful #5: It might snow. There could be snow days, that will help slow things down to an enjoyable level, away from the rush of our lives. Actually enjoying one of these days: today.

Reason for Wonderful, for me, #6: Books. I will begin seminary in January, so I have begun to order the books I'll need---and they are starting to arrive, one package at a time. Each one becoming a new, sweet friend to get to know. I just love paper and ink.

Six reasons. I could go on and on, siting reason after reason. Instead, I urge you to write out your own reasons for wonder during this Most Wonderful Time of Year.

Yes, Curb-Side Pick UP--Oh, MY!

2010-12-15T08:24:00.000-05:00

No, we've had curb-side pick up for trash collection for a long time. I'm talking about curb-side pick up for our things that can be recycled. Of course, if we were living in our grandparent's time, there would be no need for this procedure, as they could find a use for just about everything!

This 'new' procedure is one more added responsibility for Mallory on the evening before 'trash day'!

Last week, Randy & I pulled up to our home just in time to see a white haired man running from our front porch to a pick up truck idling in the street! Hilarious! Small town or not, it was funny! Being Christmas season and all, I thought he was leaving us a beautiful present! Oh, no! He was leaving us a beautiful blue colored tub, a laminated calendar and instructions about the things we can and cannot include in this endeavor! Ya gotta love it!

And so, knowing myself as I do, I know that I will put things 'in the tub' if I can 'see the tub'...so it has taken a great spot in our kitchen right next to the refrigerator!

My dilemma today is: it's icy and wet outside. If I put that tub outside, it will get cold and possibly crack plus the fact that someone's jam hands from emptying it will make it grimy! Then I have to put the thing back in the kitchen so I will remember to use it...I am not too excited about the possibility of having a yukky plastic tub in sight all the time. As you can tell, I'm having some anxiety about this crazy new routine called recycling! And, it was extremely hard for me to leave our precious, shiny, clean tub by the curb.

In the spirit of helping our environment, though, it is now outside, in the cold, in the snow...waiting to be emptied by a different white haired man (who hopefully does not possess jam hands) at some point during the day!

Just pick it up, I'll dry it off! I don't like thinking that I will have to repair the inevitable cracks made from extreme out door temperatures we will encounter this winter! Can you say: duct tape comes in all colors!!!

Twelve Days 'til Christmas!--Yipee!!!

2010-12-14T19:14:00.000-05:00

Here we are, twelve days before Christmas. Anticipation rising. So many things to do 'before Christmas.' Where to begin is always a question!

Instead of beginning, though, I just want to sit by the fire and knit or read and sip a hot beverage! A snow-covered neighborhood always helps me align my priorities!--Just give me a good book, The Good Book, a cozy afghan, a warm fire, a mug of coffee or hot tea and I'm satisfied until the next thaw!

As Christmas quickly approaches, it feels good to think that our family will be together! The laughter, the tears (there's always tears with a two year old in the mix), the hilarious and serious conversations that will inevitably fill our home--the food and the presents, the lights and the music--there will be music and dancing! It's going to be so much fun! I can get so caught up in all the preparations, though, and lose sight of why we celebrate... Why are we doing all this?

Somehow, I do not think this is what God had in mind when He sent His only Son, Jesus! I think it makes God smile, however, when families enjoy being together! It is hard to think of Jesus in everything we DO to celebrate His birth... all the traditions, all the demands on our time, all the preparations. Is HE really in all that?

Of course, my hope would be that He permeates every 'little' thing we do... but I do not want to kid myself. The truth is, we DO a lot of those things to please others, or some crazy expectation we've placed on ourselves to have the 'perfect holiday'! (my mom has a sign in her kitchen that I LOVE--it says: "OK, So, I'm not Martha Stewart--Adjust!" Go mom...I'm NOT EITHER!!!) Over the years, I've cut out considerably the things I just "HAD" to do! And, I'm thankful to continue to 'do' other things forever!

And so, without sounding cynical or condescending, I would urge you to slow down, enjoy the moment and praise God. The GOD of the Universe, who knew us in our greatest need, and met us there.

Remember, we needed a Saviour, and that's exactly what He sent us so many many years ago in His perfect Son, Jesus Christ.

Praise His Name Forever! Emmanuel, God with Us!

Here we GO!!!!

2010-12-04T07:29:00.000-05:00

"Oh, oh, ooo-oh!" (You can't hear me singing, but try!) "Here we GO!"

That's the way "Today is the Day" starts out on the cd I have...and that's the way I'm feeling this morning!

Christmas season is HERE...ready or not...so HERE WE GO! Years ago, when we only had two kids and zero dollars, Randy and I would Christmas shop..He wearing his 'Christmas tree' denim shirt and me in my Christmas sweater and crazy ear rings. (OK, I've repented, so forgiveness, please, fashion police!)

Now, we don't plan the wardrobe so much as the list, the coupons, and the comfortable shoes and a power nap in the middle of the afternoon! (made possible with the seat of the vehicle in the reclining position!) Can you say: getting older is hilarious!

And so, it has truly begun! Christmas shopping is almost done. The children's Christmas program is tomorrow evening, and the tree is up! I have a list of zillion things to do before Tuesday evening, as that's when some holiday company will arrive for a few days. And so, why am I sitting here typing? It's early morning, the house it quiet and I can--again: getting older is hilarious!!! And, I love it, because you can, within reason, do what you want when you want!!!

I can enjoy the sunrise without interruption from children (teenagers only see these hours on rare occasion). I can brew coffee, because my husband has resigned himself to the fact that I just enjoy it! I can do Bible study, because I live in a place that is free enough that owning a Bible is not prohibited--Praise God for that! And, I can do all this while a load of laundry or dishes is being finished up by "my servant girls" named "dishwasher & clothes washer/dryer". Blessings, each one!

I'm feeling truly blessed. God has blessed us with hmmmmm--family! And, we are not always perfect and all smiles...we are humans--but we really love each other--A LOT! And, this hmmmmm family is a direct result of the families my husband & I came from! In fact, today is my mom's birthday: Happy Birthday, MOM!!! I love you. Thank you for always being faithful to lift our family in prayer. It means so much, and it is certainly one of the main factors in our sustenance in this crazy world in which we live. You have always sacrificed so much for me, probably more than I will ever know or realize, for that I am truly grateful. I'm praying a huge blessing for you today and always!! Enjoy this day!

Because today is my mom's birthday, I can always tell that Christmas will be here, before we know it! That isn't the real reason I'm feeling blessed. I'm feeling blessed because the God of the Universe chooses to love me, in spite of the fact that I'm imperfect and getting older and need a nap in the afternoon. He loves me and blesses me and sent His Son to secure my salvation--and YOURS!
He is a GOOD God! Of this, I always want to be mindful!

What in the World?

2010-11-30T20:43:00.000-05:00

With my fingers locked on the key board...my mind is completely blank. What does that mean? I always have something to say! Of course, whether or not it is of interest remains to be seen!

My mom likes to read what I write...my sister will read what I write, and laugh at the appropriate times. But will 'others' read and understand, or be challenged to 'do' something because I've written?

Christmas will be here in 25 days. Our grand kids are so excited. They see Santa everywhere, and become even more excited explaining all about whether or not 'this one' is the 'REAL Santa'!!! I remember thinking along the same lines when I was a little girl.

And, the question is still the same today...only not about the 'real' Santa...but about people I encounter, the question in my mind resounds and remains: "Is this one the real deal, or not?" Good question, in these days where nothing is as it seems.

How much do we really know? How much are we supposed to know? Is it really important that we 'know' what to expect. We are creatures of habit, and we want to know if our habits are going to be disturbed. Many details of life I can just look over, not give a lot of thought to, but when I consider that God is a God of details, then perhaps they are more important than I want to consider.

I, of course, am rambling. When I first started this blog, I couldn't wait to post. Now, it seems, I'm a little bit shy. I want to keep scope and perspective in mind. And, I would never choose, on purpose, to bore any one! I'll do my best...keep checking back...I'll write something brilliant, perhaps!

babies..."you're better off raisin' tomatoes"!!!

2010-10-29T11:11:00.000-04:00

I'm not serious with that one...it's just a quote I hear from the older girls a lot. When they were growing up "Matilda" was a really popular movie/book choice for them! That is a line from it, Rhea Perlman plays the mom, and she's always too busy to see how truly gifted and special her baby daughter Matilda is! To the point that when Matilda really wanted to go to school, because she'd turned 6-1/2, her mom argued that she couldn't go to school because she was only 4!

I don't feel like I'm that disconnected from my kids...I do know how old they are, and if applicable, what year of school they are 'in'! But, with two of our kids living on their own, and the two at home are teen-agers...well, it would be really easy to be disconnected from all of them!

Not that I'm one of those mom's that thinks she has to know every detail of my kid's lives...but I love them enough that I want to be connected to them in such a way that I can laugh with them, celebrate with them, or cry with them at the appropriate times!

Alayna and her family got a puppy Collie this past summer, Max. I'm not a pet person, but their kids love this dog! So, it's the right thing for them! They do things I don't understand...but it is really OK. I do not have to understand...and I'm not even complaining because I don't understand! Actually, I'm thankful, because I think that's a sign they are building their own family, and don't 'need' me! They are independent adults!!! Praise God! They made it!!!
Understanding my role as 'mom' of a grown up daughter with a husband and two children, is key! I can operate out of my love for all them, and not know every detail of their lives...IT'S A GOOD THING!!! Trusting God to be faithful to them, just as He has been to Randy and me is an amazing, wild, funny (at times) and sad (at times) ride!!!

Holly, career girl, on her own...definitely an exercise in Trusting my King with the details of her life...I know He's faithful! And, she is doing a really good job of 'figuring it all out'!!! We are 'sounding boards' only, sometimes she takes the advice, other times, she doesn't...but key to my role with her is for her to know that I love her no matter what! My hope is that she knows this...I think she does, or she probably wouldn't call or text or come home as often as she does!

Madison & Mallory...well, my role with them is to offer privacy when they need it...alone, away from each other...and not question them to death. I've learned a package of McDonald's french fries goes a long way in opening up communication between them and me!!! (side note: The other thing I've learned about the fries is that they are the only ones that can eat them, as they make my 'maturing' stomach hurt!!! --Good lesson to learn now!)

I am not naive enough to imagine that I know everything about their lives...but from little conversations I over-hear, and things they write, they have a good foundation! One thing I'm truly thankful for for them is that the love all the girls have for each other is truly a gift. Not only are they all enjoying this freedom that their ages is allowing for them, but they truly listen to each other. The older girls are speaking wisdom to Madison & Mallory that the younger girls truly respect!

Again, my ultimate role with them is that they know that I love them no matter what! Some days I must work harder for them to realize it, but I think they know it!!!--Otherwise, they might not even 'go get fries' with me!!!

Today is the DAY!!!

2010-10-28T16:51:00.000-04:00

Yep, this is the day...for cleaning the house, for doing laundry, for the phone to ring a lot (which was a great distraction from the cleaning & laundry--love it!) and for a visit to my favorite knitting store!

All these things today were like gifts to me! Each one really good for my soul! Even though I got out of bed at 2:30am to actually 'write' instead of laying there and 'writing in my imagination' all night long! --Don't worry, mom, I only wrote for a couple of hours, then took a nap before 7am...I'm good for a couple more hours!

Cleaning our home was actually good for me...it's almost a treat!!! Since I last wrote, our second oldest is officially 'moved out' of our home. That event put everything else in chaos around here til we found 'places for everything' and repainted the twins' rooms! The twins are doing a fabulous job of keeping things picked up, and laundry out of the way!!!

I consider sometimes: Randy & I have never had 14 year old children in the house with out toddlers/ or babies to care for, as well...so this is a new adventure for us! The freedom we have is amazing to just say 'ok, we're leaving in a few minutes' and everyone just shows up at the car, with their own 'stuff' and fastens themselves in to the car--quite a treat! And, so, I'm thankful we have laundry TO DO and a house TO CLEAN!

The phone ringing, well, it was my mom...loved talking to her...she prompted me to write here! We got caught up on what's been going on! Then Phyllis from the church called...apparently Bible study last night was awesome for more than just 'me'...because she was relating how one woman had already called in this morning--still excited that she'd attended last night! Then, another lady from Bible study called just to say how much she loved being 'stretched out of her comfort zone'!!!! That's fun! And, then my sweet husband called just to check on me!

My friend and I took a drive to our favorite knitting store, Atkinson Farms Yarn, I think is the official name for this place. My friend and I have recently learned to 'build shoes' by knitting them and then doing a process called 'felting'...so much fun! It is a place that is just good for my soul! 'Where everyone knows your name'...and if they don't, it's really ok, because they are so friendly, and super glad you're there!

The Hickory Grove Great Banquet is next week...women's week end! This is going to be a busy week til then...but it is going to be amazing!!! I cannot wait to see what God does with it!!!--Our theme song is 'Today is the Day'...I will rejoice and be glad in it, I won't worry about tomorrow, giving YOU my fears and sorrows...where you lead me, I will follow...I'm trusting in what YOU say, Today is the DAY!!!!

Hoping YOUR Today is fabulous!

Silly Bands...Nothing Boring Here!!!

2010-08-23T17:22:00.000-04:00

Silly bands...what is it about these things that have kids going banannas over them? Actually, I should say kids of all ages...because not only Will, 4yrs, but Ally, 1yr and the girls, 14 yrs...and on and on...is it the shapes? Is it the colors? Is it the fact that they are cheap and fun? I love the fact that when you slip them off your wrist, they once again 'become' the object they were before they went on your wrist! Like, a crinkly bracelet...then it becomes, in the case of the bright blue on laying on my computer, a pig. The girls have roses, vampire teeth, a car, musical instruemnts, people dancing, shoes, various alphabet letters...what a fad. And the proverbial question: 'Why didn't I think of that?'

Hilarious!--But, enough about that!

As I sit and write this, we are in a place called National Harbor, MD. No, do not put it in your nuvi and expect to arrive here...it doesn't exist, I think!... But, someone wisely purchased 300 acres of trees, in/near Oxen Hills, MD. This place is one of the Gaylord Hotels...the Gaylord National. And, like the others that we've visited in Orlando (Gaylord Palms) and Nashville (OpryLand Hotel), gorgeous doesn't even begin to describe the place. An atrium that overlooks the harbor, with an enormous American Flag as the center piece. Lush gardens and walkways, places to eat and shop...lots of music being played in different spots throughout. There is an indoor pool, and a sun deck. A short walk, actually across the street, there are many more hotels, and shops. Live entertainment, and 'movie nights'! When we arrived, they were in the midst of a fireworks display, over the water, breath-taking!

My husband is here for an x-ray conference...so the girls and I get to hang out and be here with him! We enjoyed the sites in Washington DC yesterday, and we have a couple of more things we want to see in the city before heading home.

We are trying to enjoy this a moment at a time, and not get overwhelmed with details! The girls have tons of homework to do, so they won't be behind when we get back home! I always have a 'to do' or a 'to read' list...so we won't be bored at all!!!

Here we Go, Again!!!!

2010-08-15T21:05:00.000-04:00

Another August, another school year begins. School supplies are in the new 'bags', schedules are somewhat memorized, and we know where our new lockers are located! The girls, Madison & Mallory, will begin their last year of middle school tomorrow! I'm eagerly anticipating it for them...they are not so excited., did I mention they are 14, and all that that means?!

Because our girls are 11 years apart in age (from our oldest to the twins), we have had a child/children attending this school district for 20 continuous years. We've seen lots of changes over the years. The buildings have all changed, the staff and teachers have come and gone, and stayed or retired. Life happens. Kids grow up! This is really good thing!

I was talking to a 'mom of twins' a couple of weeks ago, and she was apprehensive because they will be entering first grade. She seemed saddened at the prospect of them actually growing up; however, I know that the alternative is not so pleasant, so I tried to encourage her to enjoy the transitions of life with her kids. She told me that she was really trying to do that, it just goes b so quickly!

Speaking of transitions...there's nothing sweeter than watching them grow up, become young adults, then become productive citizens with kids of their own! Our second oldest, Holly, is on the brink of launching in to her life. I'm super excited for her! And, yes, when she moves in to that cute little first apartment that we're all dreaming of, I'll miss her face! She's a constant source of laughter for all of us. And, the younger girls love having her around, and she loves the support of her older sister, bother in law and niece & nephew!

Today's 'Sunday dinner' was pretty typical...but for just a moment, before mashing the potatoes to go with Randy's grilled chicken, I stopped, stood back, just to listen. I love hearing their voices, all talking and laughing at once. Nothing sweeter, or louder or more entertaining than when they are all here, enjoying each other and catching up on details of the week, or week end at hand!

Plus the fact that there's so many of them! Randy & I began , obviously, with just the two of us, and now, we're at 9! So very much fun, each one of them, in their own unique way. I eagerly anticipate them continuing to 'grow up' and season in their lives...eventually to bring home spouses, and kids of their own...it's fun to dream about...but, as I've told you before, I must keep the perspective: 'IF the Lord Wills' for every detail of our lives! And, remember to be thankful in all things!

Legitimacy and Heritage

2010-08-06T10:13:00.000-04:00

August is a crazy-busy month--always. That is not new information to anyone. I'm just agreeing with a general consensus and observing the way things are. Moving kids to school...registering kids for school..perhaps a week of camp squeezed in before schools starts...school starts...teachers must get their rooms ready...kids have to buy school supplies...last minute physicals to play sports...and band camp...and the heat (because where we are situated on the planet: we 'wear the heat' because of the humidity!)...finishing touches on fall programming...winding up 'summer projects'...

As I think about this, though, this has become our life, no matter what month it is--because we jam each day full of stuff!

August has always been a significant month for me. I celebrate my birthday, and the birthdays of several family members! This particular day, the 6th, has significance in my life--because I'm quirky like that!

Today would have been my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. No, they only made it to '24' years. The date, though August 6, 1960, has always been significant to me, especially during the 'questioning years', as I'll affectionately refer to them... Questions like:

Why am I here? Why was I born? Was there a reason? Was I planned, or an accident? Was I the reason that my parents married, or not?--

These were the questions I had throughout my pre-teen and teenage years--and strains of them even followed me in to my 20's...Secretly, I would look at the 'marriage date' and my 'birth date' and reason, it takes nine months to have a baby, and I was born 5 days after my parents first anniversary...so at least I know I wasn't the 'reason' for the marriage!

I know, that SO doesn't matter in 2010...often, there's a child or two born to the union before the 'wedding' has ever been considered...but for some reason it mattered to me, for my identity.
As I approach 50, some things mean more to me than ever before, and other things that used to be important, have little significance in what I consider to be the 'big' picture of my life! Funny how that works out! My mother in law always told me that, but it took til now for me to realize and appreciate those words of wisdom!

Just this week, I was able to spend a few hours with my mom and Jim...my sister and her husband and daughter. It was good.

It was a good visit. Visiting there always stirs up lots of memories, which is normal...ad, it always stirs up a lot of questions, as well!

You see, as a pre-teen and teenager, I needed to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that I belonged here...it wasn't an accident...but I was looking for 'legitimacy' from an earthly stand point. The bigger picture truly is:

I wasn't an accident--even if I had been born, and my parents had never married...I know this to be true because, I can trace my spiritual heritage to the God of the Universe, the Creator of all things! Also significant to me is the fact that God has a plan for my life!

As I approach another year of life, my question to my mom during this visit was, "Why did grandma (mom's mom) get the 'family Bible'? (She was the 'middle child'...and the family Bible had been given to her father in the late 1800's before my grandma was born in 1904.)

Which led to the next question: "How did Grandma come to her faith in Jesus?" (this now has more significance to me than the date of my parent's wedding, because her faith was taught to my mom...which in turn was taught to me and our children--see the legacy--the legitimacy of generational faith, passed down?) I wanted to know how it all began.

Here's the amazing answer I got; I love this story!

In the middle 1940's the little country school (called Hickory Hill) my mom attended for first and second grades, consolidated with the grade school in town. At this point, the little country school stood empty. Sunday school missionaries from Moody Bible Institute, came and started a Sunday school each week at Hickory Hill. Johnson was their last name, a faithful couple, who taught kids that lived in the country about Jesus each Sunday morning. Mr. Johnson had a different preacher from churches throughout their community come each week to conduct church services, after Sunday school. (all different denominational preachers would take turns and preach at this little country school house--what a concept!) Then, they'd all eat lunch together. Children and entire families attended, as well.

My mom and her parents, Jack & Virginia, (my grandparents) learned to love Jesus by attending these weekly opportunities for learning!

A few years passed, and the school district decided to sell the Hickory Hill building. The Johnson's wanted desperately to purchase that building. Let me remind you to consider the fact that my mom was in grade-school during this time! She remembers how fervently the Sunday school times of prayer were for the Lord to provide the funds for the purchase of this little school building. Mrs. Johnson's faith became very evident to my mom as she watched and listened to this woman pray for God's blessing and provision.

The building sold, but not to this Sunday school effort, to someone else. I don't know what happened next, except my mom did say that a little time passed, and they were told that the transaction to purchase the building fell through and the Johnson's were offered the school building at a much-reduced price, one that they could afford.

My mom attended there, and even helped with Bible school in to her high school years. But the impression that Mrs. Johnson's faith concerning God's provision of the building made an impact on moms' faith and understanding that 'ripples' even to this day!

And, for me, even to this day--I'm thankful for the Johnson's, that stepped out in faith to be missionaries! And for the fact that they were not ashamed to pray fervently for God's will and provision in front of impressionable children... experience disappointment and remain faithful when the building 'sold' to someone else...and rejoice when they were offered the building...all because the 'waited on the Lord'!!!

The following passage of scripture has two little hands outlined on it in my Bible, one for Will who was 3 at the time, and one for Ally who was 1!
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. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. ... Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:13-18 & 23-24

My assurance comes from this passage that each of my days is NO surprise to my God! And, He already knew them before I was born! My hope is that I can somehow leave that impression on my children and my children's children!

Go Ahead: Spoil 'em!!!!!!

2010-08-02T22:57:00.001-04:00

Mondays. I love Mondays. Of course, I try really hard not to dread any day at all..they are all good! It's sort of like weather. I try really hard not to let my mood be affected by the weather...it's just well, weather. It changes all the time, usually quickly, so I figure, why waste time being upset by it. Plus, it's a great way to observe colors and textures of the clouds...or the colors cast on buildings, or rocks, or streets. Great opportunities to appreciate a different palette of colors and unusual sounds. It is a lie that Satan uses much of the time for us to believe that we have to always have 'sunny days' to be 'happy'--so, don't 'fall for that one, again'!

OK, back to today! As I've shared before, one of the things I get to do on Monday's is visit with a few ladies at a local assisted living place and talk about a book of the Bible. Right now, we're looking at the book of Revelation! (these are women that love God's word, and they love to talk about Him!)

When I arrived today, two of the ladies were updating each other on the general health condition of their mutual friends; some recovering from this 'fall' or others facing uncertain days with a new 'diagnosis'...both of them genuinely concerned over their friends' well-being.

One lady is probably around 90 was sharing about checking in on this one, or calling that one. It was inspiring, really...because she actually looks for ways to stay busy and help those around her that she can help! She also related that she sometimes gets scolded for 'helping too much'.

Then, she said something so great, she said: "I don't believe that you can spoil babies OR old people! You need to take care of both of them, so they know you love them. Because a baby is just sweet, but an old person will soon die."

Profound, isn't it? Just think what a different place our world would be, if people would just practice the things that matter most. Sharing love with those around us, by listening to them, or just being there.

And so, it was with this in mind, that I returned my grandma's phone call this evening...thinking that I'd talk to her for a few minutes, til she started repeating herself (!)...but then, I remembered what my friend had said, and just stayed on the line...and listened and talked for another 40 minutes--and laughed and laughed and laughed...Such a blessing. Such a blessing, indeed!

And, tomorrow, because of this profound advice, I'm planning to take some chocolate to my friend who fell a few days ago and broke her hip...
just because girls of all ages LOVE chocolate: it's good for the soul!

It's a Mystery, Really!

2010-07-30T22:47:00.000-04:00

There's something mysterious going on in our house. I'm relatively calm about it; hoever, on the inside: I'm screaming in excitement and anticipation! On the outside: I try to smile, take it all in, and enjoy the moment!

I almost hesitate to write this all down, because, as quickly as its begun, it could well, just end.

A phenomenon, really, I can't explain. In all the years we've been married (over 29) and in all the years we've had children (almost 26) I've never experienced anything quite like this! This past week has been memorable. Not because anything spectacular happened, but because of the manner in which the people in this house have interacted with each other, the girls, in particular.

A few times one or all of them have actually approached me to see if I needed any help with what ever the day's 'chores' were! I do not remember that ever happening--ever!! Laundry, cooking, packing up stuff, cleaning up their rooms, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, what ever it was, there were willing hands, and pretty decent attitudes!!!!

Maybe, just maybe they are growing up! Sweet.

In order to identify why I'm so thrilled, please consider: when the older girls were in Middle school, we had toddlers! When the older girls were in high school, there were toddlers & a newborn! Now, though, we have middle school-ers and grand kids that come & visit. Which translates as, the house can stay relatively picked up...this is a new concept for me!

Oh my, perhaps we've finally arrived at a 'new normal'!!!! Over the years, though, our lives have changed so rapidly, we always had a difficult time defining 'normal' or 'routine' for our family! So, this could, in reality, based on past experience, prove to be a just a phase! I sincerely hope not, though, because I'm really loving the maturity that the girls are displaying these days--it's really fun! And, well, just plain good!

My hope is that this is permanent, not just a phase or a phenomenon!!! I'm eager to see how the next few years unfold, as we boldly approach adulthood for the 'second go-around' with our children. I eagerly anticipate really good things!!!

Funny thing happened on the way to work today...

2010-07-26T23:45:00.000-04:00

Funny things happen, they just do! Sometimes I get funny e-mails from people. Sometimes, I get comic pages through e-mail. Sometimes, I just think funny things! I sometimes see funny things on TV! And, sometimes funny things happen to me, or people around me.

This morning, I left our home at 8am. As I backed out of the garage, I noticed that Holly's car was not in our driveway. I instantly became indignant, thinking, "where is her car?, why, I bet she didn't come home last night.." Then, I remembered, Holly had left our house 10 minutes before me...to go to work...it gets better: I had watched her eat her breakfast, and had a conversation with her before she walked out the door!

Is it a sign of stress Or age, that I didn't remember all that instantly? OR, does our mind do things like that to keep us humble? OR do things like that happen to us in order to give our day some laughter?

I'm discounting the age & the humility reasons, and going with the laughter reason! I'm sure there's some deeper truth that I'm supposed to 'get' at this point! But, truth be told, a lot of really funny things happen, every day!

It really is true? Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and you cry alone!

Lisa. And, Don't forget to Mark the Day!!!!

2010-07-25T19:21:00.000-04:00

I'm itching to write. My fingers are literally shaking in anticipation of touching the keys of my keyboard with purpose and speed. They try really hard to keep up with what pops in to my brain...sometimes, it's really hard to keep up! (Of course, you know this, if you've ever had a conversation with me--like following a bouncing ball, they tell me!!!!)

I'm ready to write something, though! Something funny, or bright, or encouraging, or truly profound. Because there are so many things I could write about, I've started this post about 5 times.

Yesterday was one of those 'mark the day' days in our family. There wasn't anything special about the date, July 24...or the day of the week, a Saturday.

But, for us, a part of our past met our present, and we eagerly anticipate the future!

Flashback: 1983.

Randy and I had only been married a little over two years. We had bought a house, anticipating the family that God would eventually bless us with! We were youth group sponsors at our church. He also taught the high school Sunday school class. There were 'youth group' kids at our house much of the time. Good times. We were very young, and were able to devote time to listening or encouraging, or just hanging out with our youth group kids.

One day early that summer, I was home for lunch and one of the girls came walking up our drive way. She had found herself with no place to live, and didn't know where to go, or what to do next. Long story short, she stayed with us for the next few months.

Lisa. She was a lot of fun...of course, most high school girls are fun, and funny. I remember a lot of laughter! She worked hard, and tried to obey the zillion rules we placed on her. (remember, I said we were young)

Eventually, she moved out of our home, on with her life, and away from our town.

Fast forward 26 years, to yesterday!

Now we have available to us a social network with 500 million people in it called Face Book. Lisa 'found' me on face book, and over the past couple of months, we've re-established our friendship! And, eventually, we made a plan to 'mark the day'...and have a meal together!

Yesterday, Lisa brought one of her daughters and came to our home for dinner. It was fun to visit and hear about her life. We got to talk about things life has brought to each of us, through the years. She's become a very sweet lady, a lover of kids and a confessed chocoholic...She's happy in her life, and loves her family very much. Our kids thought she was great, and loved meeting her & her daughter.

Before she left our home, she shared that she especially remembers the holidays that she spent with us. Thanksgiving & Christmas in the 80's were crazy times for Randy & me, we'd go to all parents, and grandparents...and she made all those trips with us! I think we even spent Thanksgiving in TX that year!

And, so, I"m feeling very sentimental...sort of 'old'...and VERY thankful! I know it is true: you can't separate your past from your future. I don't know what that means to this situation, but I can see us becoming good friends.

And, for that, and the chance to get to know her better now that we're older, is something I didn't expect, so I'm truly thankful! And, so, I'm looking forward with great anticipation!

Mr. Griswold, It's Your Birthday!

2010-07-22T20:53:00.000-04:00

July 22. That's today.
This would have been the day my dad turned 70.
It is hard to imagine him at 70. He died 17 years ago, at almost 53.

I could say many things about my dad. His name was Fred Griswold. Yep, Griswold.

He drove a truck (usually a conventional cab, Peterbuilt, or International or some other huge variety) for his entire life...(actually from the time he could stand on the floor-board, on the driver's side of a truck and work the pedals, he would 'drive' the trucks in the fields, at harvest times)

When I was really young, he hauled grain & phosphate...as I got older the freight changed to what ever could be hauled on a flat bed trailer. Then, eventually, he drove a refrigerated unit across the country. Actually, I've forgotten more than I knew about the details of keeping a truck on the road.

I do, however, remember all the trucks he drove. Lots of chrome. Always an attached sleeper with a closet. An Air-Horn. A cb radio. Lots of lights. Lots of miles. He wasn't home much, and when he was home, there was always chrome to polish, oil to change, tires to change or repair...and other responsibilities to keep the truck, both 'drive-able and live-able'...remember: he was on the road more than he was at our home!

Before e-mail, text messaging, cell phones...before answering machines and DVD players. When phones had rotary dials, and you actually spoke to a real-live operator on the line when you dialed long-distance...my dad would talk to people all over the country...I cannot even imagine how much that cost way back then, but, if he did nothing else, he stayed in close contact with friends and family by phone! That, for some reason, is amazing for me to consider!

It would also have been a really good trait for me to have inherited from him. Instead, I got the not-so-great-traits from him, which I will not enumerate here...

...One thing, though, he did have a way about him; he made friends easily, and he loved to laugh.
I'll focus on that ONE: laughter. I love it. It's good for your soul, and it makes great lines on my face...but when laughter fills the room, it puts people at ease....so laugh. Laugh!

Laugh out LOUD!!!--

Til YOUR Sides HUrt!

And, if your birthday is today: Happy Birthday!!!

Church camp...hmmmmmmm.....

2010-07-17T18:55:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, the younger girls leave for church camp, they'll attend almost a week with my sister's church group! They are so excited. They will be completely in their element, meeting new friends, lots of kids, singing, laughing, and all the great things that happen at camp! They would probably stay away all summer, if it meant camp!

I'm excited for them! They've been packed for almost a week! And, now, they are counting down the hours!

Also, it's exciting for me to contemplate a few days in a quiet house. I don't desire 'quiet' all the time...but once in a while...complete quiet is just good for your soul!

There are a lot of things that are good for your soul...quiet times, times with friends, times with family...time spent reading a good book, or just time to think.

So, I'm looking forward to this week being great for all of us! We have a fabulous week end planned for next week end, I'll fill you in on those details, later!

Don't Waste Time

2010-07-12T23:00:00.000-04:00

Taking time. Spending time. Saving time. Keeping time. Summer time. School time.

Yep, it's almost school time. Summer time is almost over, and it feels like it's only just begun. Time happens...it marches on, it never 'stands still'...and we can't ever 'make more'!

All we've got is right now, this minute in time.

This summer I've become very aware of time. Goals contemplated, goals set, goals met, goals re-thought, and goals re-set!

Real time, right now: I've been 'fighting' a head ache for two days. This afternoon, I came home and needed to just rest. During this 'rest time', I became very sentimental...so, I went to the quiet place in our home, where I keep lots of treasures.

And, this is what I discovered: during seemingly 'searching' times in my life, I've done a really good job of documenting feelings and events in journals. Which is a really good thing, in case I ever want to 'write' something truly meaningful!

Seriously, though, I mustered the courage to read some! A lot of priceless things about parenting are contained in one journal in particular...the first many pages of that book are tied with a gorgeous white ribbon...none of my children should read that portion til they are about 25...they may not even 'get it' til their children are 17-20! It was written at a time when we were celebrating potty-training successes and an engagement ring in the same week with our children! This journal was the one I wrote in 2003. The summer after Randy's mom died, the summer PaPa moved in with us, and the summer I became women's ministry director at our church! Busy times! (...and if you're counting, it was the summer before we lost Macy Jo.)

One morning, in that summer of 2003, I was writing and studying, while the house was quiet, Macy quietly came down the stairs...there was nothing like cuddling her when she'd first wake up. And so this particular morning, she sat on my lap while I finished studying and writing in my journal. But then I did this magical thing...I traced her tiny hands on facing pages in my journal, and then had her sign her name, with her 3 year old scribbles, and then I wrote what we were talking about as we drew and laughed! Such a precious memory and now what a precious treasure for me to keep and 'remember' while I'm still here!

That, my friend, is why I think every moment is important. Time is precious, and, as I found out soon after the hand tracing morning, sometimes moments like that are the 'only' chance we ever get to just enjoy each other!
...so whether we're keeping time,
spending time,
making time
or saving time...
we never, ever should waste it--it won't come back!

Max! What a Cute Puppy!

2010-07-08T21:53:00.000-04:00

Our very sweet grandkids, Will and Ally, got a new puppy today! That's the big news in our family for a summer day! He is the cutest, 9 week old, collie puppy! Will is trying his best to do it all right...treats, food, water, throwing the random tennis ball and playing with the puppy. Max is the puppy's name! (During our recent visit to Randy's brother's, Will fell in love with Uncle Rod's dogs--one was named Max--he came home and talked his mom and dad in to a puppy--so he borrowed the name from Uncle Rod's dog!)

Ally, of course, is scared to death of the puppy. She'll call his name randomly, smile about him, and look at him from afar...but she really doesn't want to touch him, or pat him, or really even be near him! I do think that after she gets used to him, it'll be fine.

It was so sweet today watching Will try to encourage Ally to pat Max. She just wasn't interested, but Will kept trying. I get so much pleasure watching Alayna & Wes parent. I think that's one of the most fun things about getting old...watching our child's family do life! Sometimes: Hilarious!

They will, as a family, figure this puppy thing out, I have no doubts. They will also figure out lots of things together, that's what families do! Change. It's the only constant! And, in families it's all about adapting to the changes of our lives. A puppy certainly adds responsibility, work, clean ups and random 'chewing challenges'...but also, a lot of companionship for little kids, loyal friendship for the family...and hours of entertainment for the ones who care to observe!

Randy & I have been through many 'changes' in our lives. In fact, we've spent more time adapting to the 'new experiences' than we have ever had things remain the same! And, as we get older and older, we find ourselves adapting to all kinds of changes! The most recent challenge for me, (aside from the physical growing old stuff, which I refuse to discuss here) has been learning how to actually use the remote control to the TV in the family room. It is really intimidating, and does things that no other remote in our house does, plays, records, flashes the TV guide up on the screen, and changes channels...I missed the official tutorial, so I only use the bare essentials of this device.

Back to the puppy...not much has changed in the ways of adapting to a puppy in the house. One major reason that Randy & I do not intend to have one live with us! I've said it before, and I'll say it again: We don't do livestock. Any kind...not even fish!

However, I have great appreciation for people who actually enjoy their animals...and take good care of them... Go Rykers! They will always have our blessing...but I will enjoy the 'crazy moments' the challenges of kids/and a puppy present in a household...even if I have to come home and 'laugh' in private!!! Hilarious. Just Hilarious!!!

And, by the way: I eagerly anticipate the next 'change' in life!!! The unknown can be so exciting to contemplate!

Family; Chicago and the Fourth of July!

2010-07-07T22:27:00.000-04:00

Fireworks!

I love fireworks...Hope your Fourth of July was fabulous, as you celebrated Independence Day!

This year, Randy planned for our family to spend a few days in Chicago together, so we arrived there on the 4th! And, so to sit in Millennium Park, with our kids and grand kids and watch fireworks being displayed over Lake Michigan was amazing! (and, of course, a little hot!)

The Palmer House was our hotel destination that evening, as always, we were not disappointed!
The next morning, we took an 'architecture tour' on the Chicago River...in a speed boat... Hilarious!

All I can say is: hilarious!!! Randy booked this tour thinking the kids would love 'going fast'...not taking in to consideration how potentially 'wet' we'd get!!! We were on Lake Michigan for approximately 5.7 seconds when the entire population of our vessel got drenched! I was on an aisle seat, smugly thinking I might get a little 'over spray'...and Whooosh....the water just rushed over the edge of the boat, the entire upper half of my body looked like I'd just gotten out of the shower!...hilarious!!

All I could do was scream and laugh...the kids in front of me were as wet as me, and laughing just as much...Randy looked hilarious with water just dripping off his glasses!! The girls were sitting on the outside...so they were completely soaked, as well!

While I was laughing and considering how ridiculous we all looked, I heard screaming...

Can you say: Terrified?

Ally, poor little thing, was terrified...they were directly behind us, and when the water & laughing & screaming began, she was so scared, all she could do was scream and cry:(

Alayna got her some what calmed down...but we continued to 'get wet' until we entered the locks that connect Lake Michigan & the Chicago River! From that point on, we learned a lot and were in the sun, so we dried out! And, little Ally fell asleep, which was a good thing:)

We enjoyed Navy Pier the rest of the afternoon, rode the giant ferris wheel and Alayna & Wes took Will & Ally to the Children's Museum, which they loved! In the evening, we took a short walk to Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) and took the SkyDeck tour. We ended this day at the 'Bean' and the 'fountains with the random faces', again at Millennium Park...the kids had so much fun playing in the water!

On Tuesday, we enjoyed the Lincoln Park Zoo--the flowers, the trees, and water elements there, with the city sky line as a back drop are, for me, breath taking!

On this day, we changed hotels (don't ask--it's a Randy thing) on purpose, moving to The Drake. After a quick check in and a dinner reservation secured, we walked the short block and a half to the Cheesecake Factory for a light lunch and cheesecake. We ended this day at the huge Borders book store just across the street from Water Tower Place. I love getting lost in there! And, I wasn't disappointed! I found a fabulous book! (I'll share more about that later!)

Today, we slept in a little and had a late breakfast in our hotel. SO much fun! Two times per year, the Drake has an emergency evacuation for their employees. Two times per year. As we were being seated for breakfast, it was ONE of those two times...and so, emergency speakers and alarms were going off for 10 straight minutes. Employees had to evacuate the building, so we got to sit under the alarm while we 'waited for their return'...I'm telling you hilarious!
The view from that dining room was fun, it over looks the walk way and beach area of Lake Michigan.

One of my favorite buildings to look at and ponder is the water tower. I think it is gorgeous....I think I love it so much because it was one of the few buildings that survived the famous Chicago fire. Longevity!

Which makes me remember something my brilliant grandson asked me this morningwhile we waited for our breakfast to arrive. Will says, "G-mar, I was looking at your wedding pictures and you and Grandpa don't have the same faces, where did those faces go?" Longevity! I tried to explain that his face looks 'different' from when he was a baby...I don't think he was impressed!!! I also tried to explain that I was old...still unimpressed...then his eggs came, and it didn't really matter any more! Hilarious! Just hilarious!

Fun times. Great memories! And, of course, Randy's already planning the next place to go!

I Praise God for One Way Streets

2010-06-25T08:44:00.000-04:00

On my recent vacation, or road trip adventure with my sister, there were many experiences, sights and sounds that not only took my breath away, but helped me to see this world in a little different light and perspective.

I usually try to 'find the lesson' during unplanned experiences. This adventure was no different, in that respect.

First of all, you must know, LaDonna is a fabulous navigator...she got us where we needed to be, with the help of 'Gert', our trusty GPS, and her atlas! (As much of a techno-geek as she is, LaDonna didn't 'just trust' Gert's micro-brain, so we had to stop and purchase an atlas--of course, at this stop we also purchased a dictionary, for her to use while she quizzed my on GRE vocabulary words...that's how much of nerd I AM!)

But, that isn't what THIS is about!

I don't really have LaDonna's permission to share the entire story here, but let me just say that I think she'll understand, after she reads this entry and why I felt compelled to 'share'!

I recently met a woman that was on the wrong path. By wrong path, I simply mean that she may have never been taught anything about the living God of Heaven and Earth, or if she has been taught truth from holy scripture, she's chosen not to believe it, or live it. I know this because she is pursuing and listening to whom the Bible would call false prophets. People who would take a portion of the truth of scripture and corrupt with their own ideas and purposes. This encounter broke my heart on many different levels. Intelligent people and not so intelligent people are pursuing truth, and trying to make sense of life. The Father of Lies is right there, enticing and telling them things that 'tickle their ears'. Beware.

That's the way of life, isn't it? choices...

My 'new friend' has a choice to believe what she's being taught as truth, or to drop it, and pursue God. Unfortunately, the enemy is sly, and he preys on those that are seeking but are not seeking in holy realms. The 'filter' my friend is using is not scripture, which makes distinguishing between truth and untruth impossible.

Life choices...Sometimes we choose to follow and live by God's precepts, we fall down, we get back up, repentance & healing happen, we're restored.

And, others choose to reject holy scripture completely...all the choices we make culminate with whether or not we are 'lost' in the end.

One evening, while on a walking explore, LaDonna and I found ourselves 'far from our destination'. We thought we were prepared enough: comfy shoes, we'd lighten our bags and had our bottles of water in hand.

We'd taken a map of the area...we'd listened to wise counsel (a local person gave us instructions)...yet our first turn should have been RIGHT, and it was LEFT.
Here's the thing:

this happened EVEN with a map in our hands, it wasn't a great map, but it was a map.
this happened after we'd received verbal instructions from someone we could trust, a 'local' who knew the area well. After careful consideration, and recollection of the conversation, she could have actually been telling us exactly what we needed to 'do and when to turn and which way to turn' but her verbal instructions were not 'in order'...they were random ...'you could turn here, you could go here, OR you could turn this way, and go there...OR you could make this turn, turn again and find yourself over HERE'...confusing, at best.

And so, my lesson from this experience: Even with the word of God in my hand, as my road map, looking at it on my own, with the enemy lurking, I can 'figure it out on my own', and make a mistake...unless I seek Holy Spirit counsel (we serve a Mighty, Wise, Good God that is ready and available to help us see truth IN His word, no matter how 'lost' we might be on our own!)

Also, we can be confusing in the way we talk to people about God's word. We sometimes can give them too much information (like our local guide) and do more harm than good, for the kingdom!--If LaDonna & I had stayed on our 'path', we'd have eventually wound up in some random person's living room begging for dinner...for the gorgeous things we had set out to see and experience were completely in the opposite direction of the one we were headed.

That's the way it is with the life God has chosen & planned for each of us...sometimes the beauty He has in store for us requires us to completely TURN AROUND from the things we are pursuing, and SEEK HIM instead!

He is faithful...He LOVES you...If you are seeking Him, He may let you wander for a little bit, but if you're truly seeking HIM, He knows it and He will draw you back to Himself, a place of beauty and peace and rest!

There was a man of 'truth' on the path my sister & I were on! I knew immediately we could trust him as someone that would possess the truth we needed, and he would give us sound advice, because: he drove a white van with red & blue stripes on it, carried a cloth bag, talked constantly on his cell phone, and was very busy doing his job...but he took the time to talk with us, direct us and encourage us!

And so, with great arm gestures, this man of truth (we now refer to as our version of Brad Pitt) said to us, "Turn around, go back the way you came, See?--It's ONE WAY, the cars are going DOWN town... go that WAY!!!!!"

You gotta love that, I know I'll think of it and laugh for years to come!

Because here's the hilarious thing: Our choice at the beginning of our walk was SO wrong, it should have been obvious to us: we were walking the 'wrong' way down a ONE WAY street!!!--This bit of information should have been a clue when we turned left instead of right...but we were too busy pursuing our confusing instructions!

On vacations, we take incorrect turns, follow incorrect instructions, and listen to Gert (or what ever you've affectionately named your own GPS), but the fun part can be finding the lesson. You can usually recover from wrong turns in traffic, part of our adventure was the fun in watching Gert's head spin around...and the 'pink line' where the car should be, turn in to a round coil! Hilarious. Just Hilarious.

That's a great thing about our God, as well. He's there, waiting for us to hear the call of His voice on our lives. He's there, with truth! Remember this, though, there's only One Way to God...and that is through Jesus Christ!

I don't know about you, but LaDonna & I are so thankful for One Way streets! God, in His infinite wisdom knew our greatest need was a Saviour!...and, that's what He gave us out of His love for us.

Take a listen:

"It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone the builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:10b-12NIV

Home...Oh, But it is GOOD to be Home, Again!

2010-06-20T18:39:00.000-04:00

My own bed, my 'stuff' put away (not in a suitcase) and Internet access!
Just a few of the things I appreciate about being back home from my road trip with my sister!
Oh yeah, and it's been really good to see Randy...my awesome husband, and father of our children...and the kids...all of them, including grand kids! They are all so much fun! All talking at once, all telling me about their week 'at once'! Holly, Madison & Mallory were at church camp all week. Mallory had done a pretty good job at a softball game that she came over to play in because the team was going to be 'short' a member. And, a tree actually fell on a house in front of our hospital...and it looks to me like the house is a loss...but I'm not an adjuster. Will & Ally are getting their first puppy next month, and Will had gone to 'visit & name it' yesterday afternoon. These were BIG news items last night & today! It was fun to hear all their stories from the week!
But, I wanted to write about finishing up my trip:

LaDonna & I had such a good time together! She's a great trip navigator & planner. She always has a plan, and she's easy going enough that if the 'plan' changes, she's OK with that, too! So, to say we had an 'easy trip' is a huge understatement! I drove most of the miles, but we spread it over all 9 days, so that was a good thing!
We both really enjoyed Graceland, much to our surprise! Well done, and well thought out displays. I could go on and on, but as I said earlier, there are web-sites devoted to Elvis & Graceland!
And, we, of course enjoyed our visit with family in Odessa. Grandma not only looked great, but she seems busy in her life, making friends, encouraging those around her and still laughing a lot! Our aunt & uncle were awesome hosts, making sure we were comfortable, feeding us, laughing with us, telling us great stories, and encouraging us on the next portion of our journey! I'll write more about that visit in another blog, as I'm still contemplating much of this journey in my brain!
We both really enjoyed the drive between Odessa, TX & Sante Fe, NM. There was actually a stretch of road, (90 miles or so) that we only met 10-12 cars. nothing else was around. I mean nothing. just land, and in the distance striated hills that turned quickly in to mountains! Speed limit through much of that portion of the journey was 75-80mph. I love driving my car...and I love driving it fast...so this was a perfect day for me! During this portion of the trip, we stopped in Roswell, NM, just for fun! Remember? The claim to fame for this town is that a UFO landed there in 1947. The girl at the gift store told us that a person 'through' there recently, told her that he was one of the ones the space ship left. She congratulated him, and went on...she shared with us that 'she meets all kinds of people' in her job...let me just say this: I'll bet she does!
Sante Fe was everything we'd hoped for--and more! The people were so friendly, and helpful. We kept our visit, because it was 'short', to the historical/downtown attractions. We stayed in the 'Pueblo Bonito Bed & Breakfast', down town: highly recommended! The inn keepers were there to make sure our questions were answered, that our room was satisfactory and that our visit was great!
Among the attractions we enjoyed the most were the Loretto Chapel, and the Bell Tower at the LaFonda Hotel.
The chapel, was breath taking. This chapel is famous because of the story of it's winding staircase. Two complete 360 degree turns in it, and it was built only using the wood, a little water for the curves, and three tools...almost 400 years ago! This was a school for women, so a staircase was necessary for them to have access to the choir loft. It was only accessible by ladder before, and women didn't climb ladders back then, apparently.
The tower,because of the view! They don't even open til late afternoon, and it's a fabulous place to watch the sunset. LaDonna loves to take pictures...lots of pictures...and so this was a fabulous opportunity for that!

Today, fittingly, is Father's Day. God blessed my children with the most amazing 'daddy'...now known as 'dad'...but he's so good to all of us...If he weren't, I would not have been able to share the above story. He cherishes each of us, and we feel loved by him...so thankful that God blessed me with him as my husband!

Reminds me of that song, you know the one: "Oh God, You've been SO good to me!"

Day 7...Sante Fe

2010-06-17T11:04:00.000-04:00

Sante Fe. Wow. We have had such a good time exploring and experiencing 'the west'! Last night we had a wonderful dinner at an outside bistro, complete with live music! Then we just walked around and window shopped!

So far on this adventure, we've learned a few vocabulary words (!), visited with each other, visited with Grandma & our aunt & uncle. Explored 'old family pictures' with the family, and heard all kinds of great 'old' stories from grandma. Lots of memories, lots of laughter and a few tears.

With mixed emotions I pulled away from Odessa yesterday. Excited to explore New Mexico with my sister, and experience the wind in our hair on the open high way while we took in all the dessert scenery; yet, sad, because the reality remains, this could be the last visit with Grandma.

The amazing thing about our relationship has always been the closeness, even across the miles. I can always hear her voice, and see her hands move as she tells a story. I can always picture the way she puts on her makeup and does her hair--even at 87 years old--and nothing is 'out of place', on her person, or in the place where she lives.

We arrived to say our good byes early yesterday, she wasn't completely 'ready' for the day, yet, so we talked while she finished up her makeup & hair. LaDonna even took a few pictures of her doing this! Those are the pictures I will probably cherish the most. Those moments 'before' pictures growing up, and there were many!

We must move, because it's still 'cool' outside...must explore!!!

I'll write more later!

Day 2...Graceland & Texas!

2010-06-12T22:16:00.000-04:00

We made it to Texas...we're about 7-1/2 hours from Grandma; we'll finish that leg of the trip in the morning! Today we started with an early tour of Graceland & the museums they offer in their Platinum package! This is a picture of LaDonna & I in front of the outdoor pool at the mansion.

We loved the tour. It was an amazing display of a 'larger-than-life' life.

When I was a little girl, I was a huge Elvis fan. I loved his music and his movies! As I got older, I had an appreciation for his talent, but wouldn't say I was a huge fan. For today, I was a fan, again--and thoroughly enjoyed the moment!

I could go on and on about this, but I feel certain that there are web-sites dedicated to JUST Elvis details...so I won't bore you here with those! I would recommend this experience to anyone going to Memphis (or, as in our case, anywhere NEAR there--hilarious!)!

I'm trying to multi-task on this 'vacation'...hours driving in the car lends itself well to sing alongs, lots of conversation & laughter...but also, LaDonna has been quizzing me on GRE vocabulary words...we even stopped today (very quickly) to purchase a small dictionary so she could tell me the derivative & pronunciation of each word...I know, I know: we are such geeks...but, at this point in time, that's a really good thing.

Seriously, as we drove in to Texas, the temperature rose about 6 degrees! It is really hot where we're headed...so, we'll have the top down in the morning, early, as we travel through Dallas! By the time we hit the dessert in the afternoon: not so much! I'm pretty sure we'll want the a/c on HIGH!!!

We ate dinner with an old friend from high school tonight. That was fun, he'd moved to a town in Texas in the middle 80's ...so it was good to re-connect with him. (this 'reunion' was made possible thanks to facebook!)

Other-ness for today: In the Great Adventure reading this morning, from I Kings: the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon, and 'the 1/2 had not been told' to her concerning his vast wealth. No other king lived like him, neither 'before or since.'

...I can't even imagine that kind of wealth. Especially, considering the display of wealth that I witnessed where I started my day today!

What a display!

What a perspective!

What an era!

Road Trip to TX--Day 1...

2010-06-11T21:00:00.000-04:00

Funny. Too funny--for my sister and I to travel by ourselves is just too funny! We've never done this before, so everything is a 'new experience'!!! Of course, we've traveled together, our whole lives...lots of times...this time; however, we've left our families, our husbands and our 'other responsibilities' behind and are focused on the 'day ahead', and our eventual destination: Grandma's place!

Our first stop was to get 'art & craft' supplies so that we could take 'fun' pictures...like someone named Flat Stanley, and a few other, more familiar faces!

Then we drove...listened to Elvis...of course, because we're cool like that...and sang along.

We did an overview of the trip...made plans for along the way...and LaDonna 'quizzed me' on vocabulary words...that was fun--NOT!

We had a great time in the traffic...not a lot of rain...and made it safe & sound!

We did a walk-around the neighborhood...got a recommendation for a good place for dinner. We knew we were in the 'right place' when we walked in and there was a huge poster of the 'Drive-In's, Diners & Dives' guy had been there! Great food, great service and SO much fun. There was a guy singing Elvis tunes in the corner, and one of the patrons actually was dressed like 'The King of Rock & Roll'...and was standing up leading his family in the sing-along...it looked just like a movie set...HILARIOUS!!! It was fun...lots of laughs!

It's kind of hard to be away from everyone...but it will be so good to see Grandma. She's really looking forward to the visit! My husband, bless him, was almost as excited about this trip as I am! He's just really so supportive, and he loves to travel, so the planning of this trip was almost as fun for him as for us!

There are so many things I want to 'do' this week. And so, I must get busy!

This morning, as I read in I Kings 8....the verse there, verse 11 says: And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple. ...it just took my breath away... What a picture, the Lord's glory, filling the temple!!! What a Mighty God we serve, to give us such blessings: Beyond Measure...Filled and Overflowing.

Truly Blessed, that's me! Praise God!

AnnaBelle.

2010-06-04T09:41:00.000-04:00

I just spoke with my grandma. She's my hero. If you know me, you probably already know that.

AnnaBelle. Named after both her grandmothers. She has a way of laughing through tears. She also has a way of telling a story through the laughter. I've heard her do this my entire life, so I understand everything she says. To the untrained ear, which is most of my family, they just hear laughter!

(Unfortunately for them, I do the same thing...laugh & talk at the same time...which makes the 'story not so funny'...sorry!)

Grandma & I always have so much fun, whether we're together physically, on the phone, or through our letters (snail mail; I don't think she's ever been around a computer!) She doesn't write much any more....I only write a 'real pen & ink letter' once in a while, to accompany the occasional card to her.

She moved almost 2,000 miles away from me when I was in 8th grade. She & I were close before she left, so the 'move' was especially hard for both of us. She also moved away from her parents, and her siblings (she is the oldest of 6).

But, it had to 'be'. Jobs. Health. The other 1/2 of their family lived 'there', as well, so she & my grandpa could be closer to them. While I understood all these things...I just missed her.

She was very creative. She kept up with my sister & I even over the miles, before cell phones, skype and internet...and did a great job of remaining close to all of us!

I would consider her a master seamstress. She instilled & encouraged a love for fabric in me at a very young age...that carries through to this day! She & I could spend hours looking at pattern books, and 'lines', of garments, and then spend even more hours touching & imagining & planning fabric. Her love for fabric & thread & texture are amazing gifts for her imagination. She taught me a lot before she left, but even through the miles, she continued to teach me what she could. Even now, when I talk to her by phone, she'll give me little 'garment tips'. Now, the only sewing she does, is to occasionally hem a pair of pants for a friend.

The thing I love the most about her is her attitude. She's trusted God through everything she's faced.

Devastating health issues with my grandpa, left them forced to move from our area; but, looking back, the move was a complete blessing for their lives.

She lost both of her parents, and grieved for them 'far' away from home & her siblings. She trusted God.

She grieved the end of my parent's marriage...and eventually the death of my dad, her son. Later on, she & grandpa came to my house, spent an entire month to help us through the loss of our little daughter.

A couple of years later, I watched, as she cared for my grandpa to the end of his life on this earth. His death was so hard, they'd been married for about 68 years, her entire adult life. A little later, when the grief was so overwhelming, she moved to assisted living, leaving everything behind that had been her 'life' for about 30 years.

Never, never did her faith wane. Never, never did she allow the circumstances of this life to make her question God's faithfulness to her and to her family. She always looked for the good, the blessing, and because of her faith, she found it! We would cry together, and then in a few minutes, we'd be laughing at the memories. She would end the conversation with a 'good memory' of the person or time, that we were mourning.

Yes, she's taught me a lot about life, living well, and trusting an almighty, faithful God! I'm thankful to have had her as a part of my life this long...

This probably would have been more appropriate for Mother's Day, or Grandparent's Day...but today seemed to fit for me...she was just on the phone with me. She was excited because they are remodeling the dining room where she lives, and they were going to get to eat lunch in there for the first time today.

My sister and I are driving my car out to see her. We leave in 7 days. She's so excited. There's a lilt in her voice I haven't heard for a while...she told me, "I haven't felt this good in a long time." The truth is, she has something to look forward to: our visit! She's always loved having her 'bunch' around! Each one is so precious to her. Even now, she can't always remember 'all their names'...but she loves them just the same.

I'm afraid I haven't done her 'justice' in writing such a short entry about her. I haven't even talked about her marriage to my grandpa. Or the way she is with her friends. Or the way she can rebuke in love, without being harsh (this one I have not mastered, yet, unfortunately)

I could write a book about the things she's taught me. Once, I wrote down one words of wisdom she's given me over the years. Some are so practical, some are hilarious...but most line up with Proverbs...amazing how that works!

What are YOU doing This Week End?

2010-05-28T07:04:00.001-04:00

"Memorial Day" week end. It means lots of different things...

One thing it IS: a time to honor soldiers that have fallen while serving our country.

There are moments that take my breath away...watching a waving flag as our National Anthem is played is one of those. Regardless of whether the President is in attendance at Arlington, or not (apparently he's leaving on vacation?)--the fact remains...people throughout the life of this country have indeed, bled and died in order for me to be able to write this blog, and attend the church of my choice, and, and ,and...I could go on and on!

Freedom. I'm not certain that we take our 'freedom' as seriously as we should.
THAT really isn't what THIS is about, though!

My husband's dad, affectionately and forever is known here as PaPa...(he served in the US Navy during WWII)...to him, it didn't matter what 'week end' of May, Memorial Day fell on, it was always 'the 30th of May!'--and that's when he celebrated it!

He was quirky like that! Hilarious stories would just come out of him, we would laugh til we ached...and when our family is together, remembering him, we still laugh!

But, to PaPa, 'the 30th of May' was a day to 'remember' all that had passed, a day to put flowers on each grave, and to sit at the cemetery in Raleigh, and visit with people that 'came home' to do the same! I don't know if it still happens, but they used to have a community celebration on this week end called 'Raleigh Days', complete with a parade, food, and entertainment. He & Nita loved that time of year, people they'd grown up with would travel just to be there for the week end, to visit! Do people do that any more? That may be a real thing of the past! Papa's biggest fear before he died was: 'no one' will remember to put flowers on mine & Nita's grave'... he could see that 'remembering' might not be as important to those coming after him!

At our house, it's the first official week end of summer--phrases I hear a lot are things like: 'YES, the pool opens' and 'when do I get my new swim suit'.
...these are of little concern to me...but with two 14 year old girls, these are important!!

There are Memorial Day Sales and Parades and Picnics...losing sight of the reason we are to 'remember' is easy in our busy, 'fun-filled' , action-packed lives...even as I write this, I'm thinking of all I must do to get things ready for all we have planned for the week end.

Let's see: a wedding (Congratulations: Ben & Jessica!), church, a baptism service (Go, Clint!), a cook out, PaPa's 'branch of the Bishop's will be together and lots of laughter...yep that about covers it!

I think just 'because'...I'll stop by MaMa & Papa Bishop's graves in the morning early, and yes--I'll most likely take flowers--Just Because!

Just What I Promised...

2010-05-24T20:12:00.000-04:00

Week end is complete: Holly's 'Welcome Home' lunch with family was really nice. Everyone got to eat, visit, laugh and talk. We talked about hopes & dreams...end times and of course, the road trip my sister & I are taking in June, to see our Grandma!!!

Sunday afternoon, even afforded a nap for me! Can you say: unbelievable? I, personally, think that one of the 'holiest' things you can do is take a nap and really rest on Sunday afternoon!

I did a little bit of research on 'Sitting Shivah' like I promised...I want to learn more about this Jewish custom, it is very intriguing...and I think there are many truths to be learned about the character of Our God interwoven in this tradition. The period of shivah is the first 7 days following the loss of someone you love. Sitting Shivah, is when those close to the bereaved go and literally sit with the grieving person. They are there to cry, pray, talk, listen, just to 'be there', in this person's, darkest hours.

In the hours/days/weeks and even months after my family's darkest hours, (following our little girl's accident) there were many people who unknowingly,'Sat Shivah' with our family...precious people...that God sent directly to our door step or used our mailbox...to remember, laugh, cry, pray, listen or talk to us...nothing was stronger, though, than the assurance of God's sweet presence.

I feel that one of the greatest lessons to learn in this process is:

The fact that if we are a child of God, then He, Himself, 'Sits Shivah' with us in our darkest hour.

Whether any one else 'with skin on' is there, or NOT! And, He, He, my dear friend, is the ultimate provider for comfort, hope and peace....no matter what we're facing. (It sort of gives a new meaning, and perspective to 'What a friend we have in Jesus?...doesn't it?)

May you realize that God the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus--God's Son are all with us in our deepest need...Sitting Shivah!

But You Thought My Sister was the Random One!!!

2010-05-18T20:36:00.000-04:00

There are just some random things I wanted to write tonight...feeling sort of 'full' at the moment, and need to just 'write it out'...

Bear with me, while I write out things that are just on my mind...

May....it is so cold here, I can't believe that it is really May...and the middle, at that. I don't think I can remember a year that we have waited this long to turn on our air conditioner. I'm thankful for the respite in electric bills, though.

Holly is home. She finally made it tonight. And, of course, now the drama begins. Not that she's dramatic, but the whole dynamic of watching her try to juggle time between all her sisters evenly, and find time to see her friends, and Will and Ally will be a challenge that I don't envy.
Tomorrow, she's already booked to leave with the twins and I to go to Vincennes to witness the moment we've been waiting for these past 23 months: Madison's braces are coming OFF!!! She's pretty excited that this is happening...and equally excited that Holly will be there, too.

Mallory has a few more months to wear hers. Twins, but they have totally different things going on inside their mouths! Mallory had 'bite issues' that had to be fixed, which takes a little longer.

A short update on what I've been up to: recently, I started preparing for the GRE exam. This means that I am studying vocabulary words like a mad woman. Notice, I'm not trying any of them out for you here! --No kidding, though, there are about 500 that I need to learn. So, I'm in process of making, (this will not surprise you, if you know me) 'color-coded' flash cards...pink for a positive term...orange for a neutral term...and grey/blue for a negative term. My goal is to apply and be accepted to seminary in 2011. The GRE is one of the requirements for that entrance. We'll see how this goes, this has always been a dream of mine...(NOT the GRE, but) furthering my education. And so, Lord willing, this will happen.

"Lord willing." I've recently found myself using this expressing more and more over the past few days. Life is just so unpredictable. And so, 'if the Lord wills' this or that to happen, then so be it'!

Our church showed the new movie 'To Save a Life' last Sunday evening. I highly recommend this movie because it hits home with most people. We all know kids or parents of kids that are faced with many of the situations addressed in this movie. One of the major events in the movie was a teenager that commits suicide. Suicide, though not a popular topic to discuss, is very real in the lives of many people that I know. Either they have attempted it, or been in a position to consider it strongly...or they've lost someone they know to it...

Tomorrow night, our church is going to offer a QPR training session (think CPR for the suicidal person) to equip people to be able to help those they may come in contact with that might be contemplating suicide.

Q, stands for question.
P stands fro persuade.
And, R stands for refer.

I think it is very pro-active to have this training available, and I'm so glad that we're offering it to anyone that would like it!

I watched a video today from Nooma. Rob Bell did an outstanding job talking quite frankly about grieving the loss of someone you love. He talked in it about 'Sitting Shivah'.it is very profound Jewish tradition when someone dies..I found myself loving this concept...I'll research it more, and get back to you!

Hello, again, Friend, it's been a while!!!

2010-05-11T22:32:00.000-04:00

And, here we are! I think this is the longest I've gone without a new 'post' to this blog...

SO sorry...

I'm not even sure you're reading any more!

The Ladies' Day at Oil Belt was a great success!!
Linda Mirante, Jackina Stark, Deanne Mott all did a great job of making us laugh, cry, and think! They also challenged us to draw near to the heart of God and live a life in pursuit of JOY!

Dee Ann Schnautz...let me just say, amazing job leading us in worship!

The team (they are the DIVAS) I get to work with to plan and carry out this event is so special to me...each time I think of them, as a group, or individually, I get 'weepy' considering how truly blessed I am to know them!!!

Another Great Banquet week end impacted me in SO many different ways...those 72 hours are truly amazing...every time I get to be involved, I stand amazed at the things that God does in those short hours!!

We finished our Monday night Bible study for ladies at the end of April...we will start again, in some form, in September. There was a great group of women to study with! And, I feel that I am truly blessed to work with this team, as well!

God is SO good to me!

Another cycle of GriefShare came to a close at the end of April, as well. This cycle was unique, as we were small in number...but together, made great strides toward turning 'mourning to joy.'

I get to do a Bible study each week at our local 'assisted living facility'. This year, two of our number have already 'graduated' to heaven...

Coral went on New Year's Eve...Miss Edna left this life last Thursday morning. Both were blessed in that they just went to sleep...no illness, no 'bad thing'...peacefully, and undisturbed, dignity in tact...

Both loved the Lord so very much...I'm thankful God gave me the opportunity to get to know these ladies! What a blessing they each have been to me!

The ones that are still here...well...we laugh and study and cry together, and sometimes we have coffee, or ice water...or even chocolate!

Sometimes, we talk about heaven, sometimes we remember the ones that have gone on, but, mostly, we just have a good time looking at scripture together and try to encourage each other!

Here's what these 'girls' have taught me:
1. Do not ask them 'how they like it there'...the question is of no use...none of them 'like it there'...it's the place that they've come 'to' in their lives...and so, they accept it and move on.
2. They all believe in the Sovereignty of God....it's this basis of their belief in Him that helps them get through the day!
3. They love to laugh...which says to me, laughter is truly good for the bones...and brings health!
4. You are NEVER too old for chocolate, if you're a girl or a woman...it is always yummy!
5. It's really a good idea to keep 'short accounts', so we express how much we appreciate each other 'in the moment'...keeping in mind that the time is 'short'...
Which brings me to:
6. When leaving, it's a good idea to remember to say 'See you next week, Lord willing!'!!!

That pretty much says it all, doesn't it? Don't take tomorrow for granted, or next week, or next month!!! All we have is NOW!
And, so, I'll be writing again 'soon'...Lord willing!

Please, Fasten YOUR Seat Belts...

2010-03-27T17:51:00.000-04:00

This has been a really good week. We kicked off another 6 week study for our women last Monday night. Living an Abundant Life in Christ. I'm excited about the prospects of this study, and the impact it could have on our lives, if we allow Christ to work in and among us!

Our staff left after Wednesday evening programming to head to Chicago/Willow Creek for the Catalyst One Day Event. Andy Stanley and Craig Groeshcel. (I may have spelled his name wrong, but he's the lifechurch.tv guy) One of our staff members was unable to attend, due to some health issues, but we were able to get it all on cd/books for him as a resource. My hope is that we can carry the 'buzz' through til Monday when we're all together to 'down load' some more! Over dinner, on the drive home, we had a lot of good discussion. To say the least, the whole day was designed to be thought AND question provoking for those of us that serve in public ministry. And, as always, I come away asking deep, probing questions about my own motivations, and asking God to continually search my heart to make certain that that motivation is because of what HE wants, not what I'd like to see happen! Huge challenge!

I'm looking forward to really good things. As I've shared before, this spring is one of great anticipation for me...on many many fronts!

Personally, Randy & I are great. He's such a great husband, and he takes such good care of us. He is a constant encouragement to me and our girls. It amazes me how very much he loves each of them. And, because we pray over them each day, we're always amazed at God's answers to those prayers! Unexpected things just happen to us! And, the only thing we can say is: that is so like our God! Praise HIM!

The younger girls recently had an 'experimental evening' with hair color. Let me just say the results were unexpected to say the least...but because it was Madison & Mallory, nothing ever is the 'expected result'...I was quickly reminded 'the morning after' of the time they cut each other's hair when they were about 2.

1/2" hair is cute on a 2 year old!--SORT OF! As is magenta hair on Madison and white/blonde on Mallory with pink stripes! --They constantly tell me 'it's just hair mom!'.

Our oldest daughter and her husband have started a home-based business that seems to be doing really well...I think that's a blessing from God. The babies are beautiful (You would think I was crazy if I didn't say that, but it IS true!)

And, then there's our second oldest. Holly. Oh, Holly. (And, btw, welcome to blogspot, Holly, if you actually chose to read your mom's blog!) We are in process of gearing up for her to re-join our family after being away for 8-1/2 months. Disney World. YIKES. But, she loves it. She's learned many things she would not have learned here, like actually cooking food, and managing her own money...and navigating city traffic to get to work on time....and making friends from scratch. She recently went to a church service. She related later that she was the youngest person in the building, and she didn't even care...she was, I think, because I'm her mom, and I know her pretty well, HUNGRY. Your soul just gets hungry for truth...And, living in a place where 'nothing is as it seems'...truth is hard to find. She's made a lot of friends...some she'll more than likely keep the rest of her life. She's like her dad in that realm. A really Good friend! This does not surprise me. She's hilarious. As are all our girls. Hilarity Rules. Is our motto around here!

Anyway, back to HUNGRY--God's word is the only thing that can satisfy that HUNGER deep in our soul. But, if we are not aware of this, we 'stuff the HUNGER with other stuff'...looking for rest and peace. Mostly, thought, for her, I'm just thankful that she calls/texts me and says things to me other than 'can you send me money?'

We are on our way to a fund raiser dinner for the youth of our church. Different couples are hosting it in their homes. The home we are going to is serving 'tacos'...It'll be fun, we'll get to connect with three other couples from church...eat and laugh...and give them some $$ that will help fund summer youth trips.

Tomorrow is a busy day. Great Banquet Team meeting in the afternoon. Last one til April 18. I could say that I'm super excited about the Banquet...but I'm super excited about April 17, Oil Belt Ladies Day...

but the truth is: I lSUPER EXCITABLE and, I LOVE this life that God seems to be unfolding right before my eyes!

He's blessing the effort, and He's putting things for us to either experience, or try. There are many things 'out there' that I will do, but only because of His power, provision and timing...can't wait to see what that looks like...what a ride! Whew!

...anger does not bring about...James 1:20

2010-03-04T16:17:00.000-05:00

James 1:19-20
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

Anger issues. Do we all have them, or is it just me? Sadly, I can get angry pretty quick. Even MORE sad is the fact that I don't usually take the time to 'count to 10' as we were always taught to do when we were younger--which leads to many apologies later when my 'quick assessment' turns out to be wrong...For me, this is the place where God's mercy is just for me!--He loves me even though I 'lose it sometimes'...

Just this week, I've had to learn from my mistakes, yet again...

Today is a day that I'm thankful for, because I found some 'notes' I'd written a while back! And, because I like you, I wanted to share it here, so that maybe someone else besides me will benefit from the lesson in this little portion of the book of James, chapter 1, verses 19-27...are written at the top of my paper...the rest reads:

"We're to take note that we are to be teachable--having a teachable spirit...if we are proud or arrogant we aren't going to listen.
But, these verses say we're to be 'quick to listen... slow to speak... and s l o w to become angry.
Our human anger does not bring about a righteous life that God desires for us. Moral filth and evil that is prevalent in our culture DO NOTHING to bring about this righteous life, either...so we're to get rid of it AND humbly accept the WORD planted in us.'
Not just listening to the word, but actually absorbing it, like food to our blood stream, doing what it says! If you listen & don't do what it says, it has no long term affect!
To me, this says that we were created by our God to be receptive to His Word. It's like the 'one thing' we search for our whole life that can truly satisfy our soul.

Praise God!--not only does it (the Word) satisfy our soul...it also has the power to transform our lives...the secret things of God are contained there...rich treasures...assurance and hope...it's completely fascinating! --Gotta go read now!!!
More later!

What ever happened to Real Conversations?

2010-02-20T21:18:00.001-05:00

Technology is an amazing ever-changing thing! It intrigues me: the fact that I can type on my computer, in the warmth of my own kitchen, and chat with someone on the other side of the planet!

With my phone, I can send and receive text messages from my kids, both the ones in town, and the one far away in Florida.

We recently changed our TV from cable to dish...what ever that is and how ever that works!

Thankfully, I know very little about it! In fact, one recent night, I ventured over, and took possession of the tv remote! Yes, the really bulky one with all the colorful buttons on it!--The new one!

My generous husband had showed me just enough of the 'navigation buttons' to get me to the channels that I most generally watch.

I didn't feel good about venturing too far away from those...and then it happened: my finger slipped, and I found myself discovering all kinds of different channels, and options! I was feeling pretty good about this until:

It REALLY happened: snow. --You know, black & white dots all over the screen and NO sound except static?

I haven't seen 'snow' on a tv screen since, when we were kids--my little sister & I, would get up before tv programming started on Saturday mornings and watch the 'test patterns' until the cartoons would come on. I have NOT a clue what I did...but even the twins couldn't 'fix' it!

Of course, Randy fixed it when he got home...so it was all ok...I still don't know how to 'work it all'...but it is really ok with me!

And, so, technology, for the most part remains a mystery to me...and I'm good with that! I love the option of texting, or talking on my cell phone. I love working on my computer at home, and sending it in cyberspace to the printer at the office! Our girls 'blue tooth' a lot of things...I know this is probably a great tool for certain aspects of life, I just haven't found the aspect of MY life that blue tooth 'fits' in to, yet!

Today, though, I was reminded of how dangerous technology can be to us. We are humans. As humans we have needs to connect with each other. That's one of the reasons we get married and have kids. Communicating, relaxing together, sharing life, laughing together...encouraging each other!

I happen to think married couples should talk to each other. In person or on the phone, but with real words and expressions. I am in danger here of getting on a soap box about the frustrations of dating in the 2000's with all the technology available...so I will stop this now!

Lack of communication is one of the leading causes for the break down of relationships....(insert teen agers with ear buds in and parents absorbed in what ever and you have a recipe for kids not getting along with their parents!)

Anyway, back to my thought for today...I recently saw a married couple sitting across from each other in a nice restaurant waiting for their meal to arrive...each with cell phone in hand, completely absorbed in what ever was on their screen. Were they texting each other? Or, were they playing video games? Or, were they checking messages? I just wanted to stop by the table and say: no cell phones at meal time...talk --TALK--SPEAK WITH WORDS--to EACH OTHER....

And, yet, here I sit typing away in to this machine...and my husband is sitting right beside me...I'm going to stop typing now, and talk to him! I love him too much to ignore the fact that real-LIVE conversation time is precious!

I'll write more later!

Beyond Measure!

2010-02-16T21:46:00.000-05:00

Snow today: Beyond Measuring!

Snow Days. You have GOT to love them!

Yesterday was actually a scheduled day off from school for the girls. I had intended to be at the office, but I was able to do a lot of my 'work' here at the house before the girls even woke up! The girls and I did a lot of things around the house, cooked some, sang some, played some and talked a lot!

As things look right now in my world, the next eight weeks, or so are going to be packed with all kinds of opportunities for me to completely lean on God's strength for the day. And, many opportunities to listen as He places in my day the things that HE intends me to do!

For most people, the tendency is to just pack 'one more thing' in to the day...but I'm trying really hard just to do the 'next thing'...there's a difference. The next 'things' on my 'Spring 2010 List' includes, to name a few:

Teaching a Bible Study on Monday afternoons from the book of Hebrews
Participating in and sometimes speaking for our Ladies' Monday Night Bible Study at ESCC (we're talking about steps for Spiritual Growth on Monday nights--I can talk more about that later!)
Mentoring a 5th grade girl at our local elementary school on Tuesdays
Leading Wednesday morning Bible study for a delightful group of ladies (8-10) that cannot make it on Monday nights--they pre-view the Monday night study...sweet for everyone concerned, actually!
A new session of GriefShare started 2 weeks ago...this session is a smaller group...so the conversations are good
Sundays will find me attending worship at our church...teaching the women's Sunday school class, Daughter's of the King...and then pretty quick after lunch, heading to a 'Great Banquet' Team meeting.
The Great Banquet team is such a blessing to me...those women are truly amazing...16 different denominations are represented on that team...amazing things happen in that arena, that are indescribable...
Peppered throughout the week, e-mails, and 'writings' and phone calls that involve the other 'project' for spring: Oil Belt Ladies' Day! The team has affectionately named themselves the DIVAS (Divinely Inspired Volunteers And Servants) and this group represent 10 different churches in an 85 mile radius. The 'Day' this spring is April 17. God's hand is on that group, and the plans they make...the DIVAS range in age from 28-around 60. single, young married, professional, stay at home mom, retired, grandmas...quite a variety of women, those DIVAS...but such hearts to serve and serve well!

I cannot wait to see what God does with this spring. Not only in the lives of the women I will meet at these events and gatherings...but just the things His Word will teach me as I study and prepare for each one.

The women that I am SO very blessed to work with: whether I'm thinking of PC & Phyllis at the church, or the Great Banquet team, or the DIVAS...or the girls who attend Monday nights, or the girls who attend Sunday mornings...or the group I get to visit with on Mondays...they each, individually, and collectively, bless and challenge me on so many levels. There's always questions, or comments that challenge me to think 'higher' or trust 'more'...great insights are usually shared that I can glean from women that have walked the path I'm on!

Life is GOOD. And, here's the reason: What I just wrote looks like 'so much'...when in reality, there's still time for me to enjoy baking brownies with Will, and watch Ally do the 'chicken dance'...cook with Madison & Mallory and talk--or listen to Holly when she calls me from Florida. And, Randy & I have time for each other...because we purpose to do just that. The 'team meetings' on Sundays are sort of 'date time' for us!

Each day is really pretty laid back...of course there are things 'to do'...but they remain 'just things'...they are prayed over, and if they are on the list because God put them there, then they get done...there's always enough time to do those things!

You see, the God of the universe knows everything about me

...how many hairs are on my head, how many things I need to do today

...what I am capable of 'recalling on my own'...and what I need prompted to remember

...He gives me strength for the day...peace for the night's rest...and JOY in the Journey!

And, above all: I praise HIM for it!

I am blessed: Beyond Measure!

Really Good Week, Even If....

2010-02-03T21:27:00.000-05:00

Fabulous week, so far! And, just like most weeks, there's been really good things, and really sad things happen. That is the stuff that life is made of, isn't it? Good and bad...mixed together...can't really have one without the other...strangely enough.

A week ago, my good friends called me to say that one of their father's was having a really serious health issue...I found out at the beginning of this week that he did pass away. So so sad that he is gone...he'll be missed by many...however, what a reward he's experiencing now! He loved the Lord, and he's now seeing the object of his faith, face to face!

This past Monday night, we began a ladies Bible study...large group, then moving to smaller groups for discussion and prayer time together! This format gives the ladies really good opportunities to get to know each other! Several of them have expressed that they actually felt "energized" when they got home!

That's the work of our Great & Mighty God, isn't it? Giving us energy--JOY--when we work to be obedient to His call on our lives!

Today was a good day. I've made several friends, just today! We are in process of starting another session of GriefShare. This will be our 4th cycle...grief is real...and we learn it is like a really 'unwelcome house guest.' It is really important to 'feel' when you are grieving and not stuff emotions, or numb your pain. Those are just a couple of things we learn in the first session. It takes courage to grieve. There's a lot of 'unknowns' and anxious moments....where fears can creep in, and stay if you aren't guarding against them, and seeking truth. Seek truth. And, you know what I'm going to say next: Scripture is that source of truth...Your efforts in seeking truth in scripture will be blessed--richly blessed!

The twins have had a good week...they are funny. They are also doing a really good job in school this year, according to their teachers! And, because the girls are 'the girls', their school secretary and their school nurse are becoming my new best friends!--As, I talk to them pretty frequently--so funny!

See what I mean: life...good with the bad...good with the sad...In this world, you will have trouble...but take heart, I have overcome the world!--Jesus said these words, accroding to John 16:33. There will be trouble here because this is NOT Heaven.

Never too Old to Learn Something New!

2010-01-30T19:28:00.000-05:00

One of my most favorite things in life is when I can walk in to our local 'discount store', (you know the one) when they are offering cut flowers (also one of my favorite things) on 'clearance' --marked 1/2 price!

It has been SO 'grey' outside this week, either raining, or looking like it's going to rain any minute, all week...I have the most gorgeous bouquet of pink tulips on my kitchen table. They make me smile! It makes me feel sort of smug: having that cheerful greeting sitting there, with the view of 'grey', just beyond, outside our kitchen window!

Tulips are just sort of wispy to me, not so formal as the other favorite flower of mine: roses...of course, that's about the extent of my 'flower' knowledge...pretty limited, I know!

At present, my wonderful husband is playing "Mr. Fix-It" for the second Saturday night in a row! Hilarious, to me, because he would be the first to admit that just isn't his 'thing'...what can I say?

Last Saturday, we took a quick trip to get a front-porch light fixture, and came home with 7 (yes, seven)...of which, he installed 3 before bed time that night! Front porch light--looks fabulous...of course, you can see all the way down the block now!!!

Today, we just stopped in the place where we purchased our kitchen sink, and asked about a problem we were having...they told us we could pay someone about $80 or they could sell us a few tools and the part we needed to fix it ourselves (and suggested a web-site to answer questions!--ya gotta love technology!). The first 'phase of that project is already finished. I'm so proud of him! Trying new things...learning new things...hilarious!

Speaking of learning new things. I was challenged last summer to learn to knit...One of my friends at a local assisted living facility told me to buy and read a 'how to knit book' and she would encourage me and answer questions as I learned...

So, I purchased a book called, I thought, appropriately: The Cool Girls Guide to Knitting, (because I'm just so cool!)...it is a great book, my friend did exactly what she promised...answered my questions, and encouraged me!!!

It's official: I have a lot of fun knitting! And, I'm learning new things with each 'project'. My friend, my encourager, recently passed away. I miss her. I just miss her...this happens...but she helped me a lot!

And, yesterday, I met a new friend. This lady owns a yarn store! A good friend of mine recently took up knitting as well. So, we can share this hobby together--shopping for yarn, and listening to 'knitting jokes'--hilarious to me! But oh, so much fun... and oh, a sort of stress-release with benefits! I look forward to the places this new found source of fun will take me! New projects to consider, new friends to make, new colors and textures and patterns to experiment with...I think it's time for me to stop typing and go, pick up my knitting needles!!!

Till next time--I'll put out a challenge to you, my friend, learn something new...and have FUN learning!!!

Hilarity Rules!

2010-01-19T22:58:00.000-05:00

I want to write about our recent trip to visit our daughter in Florida, but I can't seem to get the images to upload...I had a short conversation with her tonight. I feel relatively safe writing about her, because she doesn't read this blog:D She knows me pretty well, though, and she's a lot like me!

We did have a really good visit with her during the time we were in Orlando. It was really cold though, so we got to purchase really good looking gear to walk around the parks in!

The first day, we rode roller coasters and 'fun' rides all day. A band that plays in the 'back lot' of studios helped the twins celebrate their birthday by calling them up front and then they sang to them...only a little embarrassing when you're 14! We stopped by Magic Kingdom in the evening to see the castle (my husband's favorite view is from Main St. looking toward the castle!). It was decorated for Christmas with a gazillion little tiny lights all over it...and the lights shining 'on it' changed from all colors of icy blue to lavender to purple...GORGEOUS! And, because it was Madi & Mal's 14th birthday, we ended the day at their favorite place to eat: Olive Garden. funny!

The next day, not so cold, we went to EPCOT...had lunch in Mexico, a mid-afternoon snack in France and supper right before the fireworks in England. You've got to love going to each of those country's displays...it's all so so so so, well, Disney!

Our last day together, we got to see her apartment, shop for groceries for her and a few other things...ate some more, too!

Mostly what we did the whole time we were together was laugh our heads off! We took her her car...and then flew home, so before we got there, she asked if we'd bought her a gps. Her brilliant father told her 'yes'...and so, his gift to her was a 2010 Wal Mart edition of a Rand McNally road atlas and some high lighters! She was less than thrilled! Until later that evening when she actually opened her Christmas presents and there was a really gps...nuvi ( I think)...now she can get where she needs to be, and someone is telling her when to turn!

She really loves living there. Meeting lots of people. Weather is nice. It's a city, so there's lots of things to do...not to mention she can come and go in the parks on her days off, if she chooses! So, moving back home is not something she really wants to think about right now...but in my heart, I know she misses our family.

Our girls are pretty close, even though there's an age difference...(the older girls were 9 & 11 when the babies were born) they are becoming really good friends. They are also 'growing up' and 'maturing'...but together, the four of them have been through a LOT of things--hilarious things (I always say: Hilarity Rules!), some ordinary things (day to day) and really tough, emotional things (like the population of our household shrink by 1/2 in about 6 months time).

They've shared experiences that only they can talk about, that's true of most families, I know...I just feel like I've got a front row seat to watch their lives unfold! To watch them become really good friends, to depend on each other and do life together! How exciting!

Truly, truly blessed!

A Day in the Life....During Our 'Day Off' from School!

2010-01-18T17:55:00.000-05:00

No school today. That means: sleeping in, eating out with dad...and hanging out...because we stayed home, I got help with laundry! Help, that is, getting the laundry 'down the chute'!

It may take a couple of days to catch up!--I don't mind though...laundry is my life. Of course, that's what I jokingly say, but the truth is, laundry is just a fact of life, and it is always there...always. Sometimes, there's only a very 'small' pile left at the end of the day...but it's always there!

Pioneers had the right idea: not so many clothes, you don't have so much laundry. hmmmm...something to consider, but I don't think that would happen in 2010, not in this culture, anyway!

Oh, well, on to more important things!

One of the girls had an unexpected 'visitor' today. The door bell rang and a boy of about 14 or so was standing outside! I had to admire his courage, he introduced himself, asked if Mallory could play basketball...and came in to wait for her to appear from upstairs.

Sweet.

Since this had never happened before, (not since puberty set in and 'boyfriends' are discussed) I was caught a little off guard. I left this boy in the foyer, waiting for Mal...and a few minutes later, went back to check on him...No boy. No Mal.

He'd gone upstairs. I was so proud of myself, I was actually nice, because it dawned on me (small miracle!) I had never had the need to explain 'this set of house rules' to the twins before!

And so, I called them down, and explained that he could make himself at home on this first floor, BUT, the upstairs is like a girls' dorm, and strictly OFF limits...they both apologized and sat in the family room to talk!

All the time this is going on, I'm giving Holly a play-by-play via text-ing...she's laughing her head off, and I'm trying to be the 'mom'...it all worked out well--I think!

The kids played basket ball, Holly got to taste the fact that she's 'getting old'...and the whole episode opened up a much needed dialogue between the twins and me about the fact that decisions they make now could affect the rest of their lives!

As I write this, I'm reminded of my Sunday school lesson text this past Sunday. We talked about Jacob & Leah's daughter, Dinah, 'who went out to visit the women of the land'...this one breaks my heart, because I believe it speaks volumes to our culture today and the things we allow, and sometimes even encourage our kids to get involved in. For Dinah, it didn't turn out very well ...and it turned out even worse for the man that took advantage of her, and actually all the men in their town... Great & Inspiring reading, if you're up to it: Genesis 34.

Happy Birthday...

2010-01-13T16:42:00.000-05:00

Nine years ago today, we quietly welcomed our fifth daughter in to the world!

She only celebrated 3 birthdays on this earth before going to Heaven. So, her birthday parties were always filled with family and cake and icing and presents...and usually ended in a sleepy, sticky mess...sweet mess, though!

I've known for a few weeks that there was no way I would be in any shape to 'start' the new session of Grief Share tonight with the rest of our church's Wednesday evening programming, so we will start it in two weeks. I'm so thankful today for that decision.

I woke up thinking it's gonna be a good day. And, over all it IS. But, tears are just under the surface, and I've felt this 'yuk' in the pit of my stomach all day. Just sad. I'm just sad. But, because I've been here (remembering my baby on her birthday without her here to kiss and hug and talk with...) before--6 times now--I know the sadness only lasts a little while longer.

Soon, the girls will start laughing and memories will flood in on the emotions of it all, good memories...

God is still in His Heaven, and He is faithful and just and My Comfort and My Refuge and My Strength and My JOY!

For what ever reason, I'm to go on living, and I'm to go on spreading the Word!--Giving the 'reason' for the hope that I have!

The reason: Jesus. There's power in that Name!--And, I praise HIM for it!

So, this day's gonna get better...and Heaven is that much sweeter because of HOPE I have in Jesus!

It's January 10...It's January 10, 2010!!!

2010-01-10T18:05:00.001-05:00

I know you already know what day it is...But January 10 is a significant day to me. Only me, really, but in the life of our family, it was pivotal 14 years ago!

On this day, 14 years ago, our family went from being the "All American Family: dad, mom, 2 kids and a dog" to a LARGE family of 6 and a dog. It was on this day, 14 years ago that I got to go to the hospital to pick up our new born baby twin girls. What a day that was! There was SO much snow on the drive to the hospital. The babies were so sweet, I fell instantly in love with them. And, brought them home in their little car/punkin' seats! The older girls were thrilled! They were 9 & 11 at the time, so the each had a new, real live, baby doll!!! It was a perfect set up actually, because I didn't have to recover from the birthing process, I felt great, and the girls were a huge help. Randy & I would get up for feedings, he'd do the bottles while I changed diapers and then we'd rock and sing to the babies til they were back to sleep. What an adventure!!!! What a blessing!!! What a change in our lives, forever.

I'm pretty sure my mom & sister thought we'd lost our minds! It didn't take long before they were just as much in love with the girls as we were! And, Randy's folks just loved babies, so that was not a problem for them, ever! Our church family went crazy at the time...we just showed up with these little babies! And, today they are still so very much fun! Hilarious, actually!

Because of the way the 'circle of life' goes in our family, they are aunts at this time in their lives, which is such a plus! They both love little kids, to a point, then they want to do their own stuff...but they do know a lot about little kids, and they do know how to laugh!

I'm excited about 2010. There's a lot to do this year, a lot to experience and a lot to accomplish for the kingdom of our God! Just as it was 14 years ago, I'm excited about the prospect of what God has in store for this time in my life! Just as I said back then, and it just keeps echoing through my days: Fasten Your Seat Belt, Marsh, it's the time of yOUR life!!! Enjoy, this great Adventure called LIFE!!!!

Looking forward, glancing back for just a moment...

2009-12-29T21:56:00.000-05:00

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!

The Journey Continues...and is almost Complete!

2009-12-20T17:33:00.000-05:00

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!

It's Beginning to Look a LOT like Christmas!

2009-12-13T21:47:00.000-05:00

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:

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!

An Early Christmas Season Perspective...

2009-12-07T20:40:00.001-05:00

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!

Be about the business of change...

2009-12-02T22:03:00.000-05:00

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!

The Life I had Planned!

2009-11-23T21:40:00.000-05:00

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...!!!"

What Satisfies You?

2009-11-18T16:24:00.000-05:00

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!

Just a mist--appearing for a little while...

2009-11-15T18:01:00.000-05:00

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!

Note: Today has been a day of Tears!

2009-11-01T21:23:00.000-05:00

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!

Speaking of Leaving a Well...

2009-10-31T17:01:00.000-04:00

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!

2009-10-21T22:31:00.000-04:00

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!

2009-10-14T22:56:00.000-04:00

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....

2009-10-12T17:29:00.000-04:00

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

2009-10-04T07:17:00.000-04:00

'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?

2009-10-02T10:08:00.000-04:00

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.

What Labor Day Means to ME!!!

2009-09-07T13:17:00.000-04:00

Labor Day week end. It means different things to different people.

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!

Our days...

2009-09-01T17:46:00.000-04:00

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...

We are God's Workmanship...

2009-08-28T08:25:00.000-04:00

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...

Delight...got it?

2009-08-22T08:47:00.001-04:00

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!

Busy August so far, but, School is COMING!!!

2009-08-10T20:10:00.000-04:00

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!!!

Antiques--to appreciate OR not?

2009-07-31T10:50:00.000-04:00

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!

From the Journey...

2009-07-29T10:41:00.000-04:00

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.

So thankful I have a Sister!

2009-07-24T22:53:00.000-04:00

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!

Sisters, I don't know what people do that don't have sisters.