Beyond Measure!

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....

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!

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!

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!

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...

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!!!

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!!!!