Livin' Life

Do It....Yourself.....

2012-01-27T02:02:00.001-05:00

I seem to be on a roll with "do it" ( Just Do It and Don't Do It ), so I will finish up with this. I have been thinking about this for awhile....and debating on the best way to write it. So I will make a humble attempt.

At first glance, telling someone to "do it yourself" can seem rude. Of course, there are circumstances when someone can't do it themselves. That's not the kind of do it yourself I'm talking about.

Love and Logic * has a parenting style referred to as a "helicopter". This parent hovers around waiting for their child to need something and rescues them when necessary. I hate to admit it, but I am usually a helicopter. As our kids get older, this is less and less "helpful" to them...and it has not been all that helpful for me either. There are times when I have made our kids feel like they can't do it on their own. There are times when I do something I know they should be doing themselves because, at the time, it seems easier. This will not help them as they venture daily out into the "real world". It has taken me TOO long to realize this.

One of the goals is to let them learn to have little failures when the price is still small. Our society in general, especially lately it seems, is to have as much as possible to be win/win. Unfortunately, in real life not everybody does win every time. If we constantly shield our kids from having to deal with the tough stuff, the world will beat them up when they're on their own with no buffer....or helicopter waiting to swoop in and fix it. The more I think about it the better it is to let them do it themselves while they are still in the boundaries of our homes.

One of my goals is to stop hovering and to step back and let our kids learn that they CAN do it themselves. If there is something they need to learn to be able to do it on their own, it is my responsibility to help them learn it so they are ready to do it themselves.

However, sometimes I wait around waiting for someone else to take care of something that I COULD easily do myself. Then I usually get a small (or not so small!) nudge to remind me I should do it myself and quit waiting!

There is a silver lining to this cloud of change for me. Even when I do it myself, I am not alone. God provides insight, information, other people and parents that cross my path to let me know that doing it yourself does not necessarily mean by yourself.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

*The Love and Logic website has a lot of good information and some free resources for parents and teachers. Love and Logic uses consequences of decisions as part of parenting. It is definitely worth checking out.

DON'T do it!

2012-01-10T09:04:00.000-05:00

Recently, I wrote about Just Do It!. It helped me put some perspective into what has been going on in my life and the lives of family members. However, as I wrote that and more recently, I have thought of the flip side of Just Do It, which is DON'T do it!

There are times in life when just do it is NOT the answer. For an extreme example, someone is standing on a ledge obviously thinking of jumping a great distance resulting (more than likely) in their death. In that situation, telling them to just do it would be very inappropriate.

There are times in life where someone else (or maybe even us) is not on an actual ledge but definitely heading in the wrong direction. We feel we should warn them, but many people when you tell them what to do...they want to do the opposite. Telling someone (or ourselves) don't do it, even if it is for safety reasons can backfire. That should not keep us from speaking up though when necessary. This is probably how interventions start!

Then there are the times we need to tell ourselves don't do it. Maybe it is something kind of easy like just not having a second handful of peanut m&ms (yummm, oh wait, I digress). The more we want it, the harder it is to not do it. It's called temptation.

Tempt: to entice to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain Temptation: the act of being tempted

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

It is difficult to watch someone, especially those close to us, do things that we know are not good for them. That is when we need to maybe tell them once (or 2x), then back off, pray and let God handle the rest. We need to realize most of the time don't do it is not to cramp anyone's style. It is to keep them from harming themselves or others.

The Bible is full of don'ts. We can take that one of 2 ways. God is being restrictive and doesn't want us to have ANY fun OR God is providing boundaries that will keep us safe and keep us from self-destructing. Honestly, when left to our own devices? Most of us would do it and forget the consequences.

Genesis 3:22-23 And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.

Do it! Don't do it! Choose wisely.

Playing with words.... Evolve? Adapt?

2012-01-04T02:10:00.000-05:00

“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.” Stuart Chase (Heard this on an episode of Criminal Minds...I rather like it)

One of the benefits(?) of a Yahoo homepage is that one can read all sorts of interesting "news" and stories. It is possible to become totally lost amongst clicks on different stories...and then realize an hour has passed. ugh.

One of the "headline" stories recently involved a "hybrid shark" (http://news.yahoo.com/world-first-hybrid-shark-found-off-australia-070347608.html) Not that I think it is worthy of reading, just listing my source and my thought process (always scary territory!)

This article used the words "adapt", "evolution in action", and "survival of the fittest". I have always struggled with the evolution theory. Mainly because it seems to contradict the Bible. When our son was younger, I was pleased that his teacher had evolution on her list of report topics. I was also pleased that he chose this topic to discuss. However, the further he dug into info, the more I could see how people might get confused when presented with all of these "facts".

I like to find out the meanings of words. I looked up "adaptation" and "evolution" at http://www.merriam-webster.com/ (A GREAT resource) Here's what I found:

Adaptation : adjustment to environmental conditions: as a :adjustment of a sense organ to the intensity or quality of stimulation b: modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit forexistence under the conditions of its environment

Evolution: a theory that the various typesof animals and plants have their origin in other preexisting types and that thedistinguishable differences are due to modifications in successive generations

a process in which the whole universe is aprogression of interrelated phenomena

I find it interesting that even the definition of evolution includes the phrase "preexisting types" and "interrelated phenomena". This would seem to indicate that there needs to be SOMETHING there to make another something. It seems that more can be explained by adaptation of species rather than evolution.

It seems like we play with words. I don't have all the answers. I do have a few questions though that have been brought up along life's journey that have at least made me pause and go hmmmmm. Here are a couple.

If humans "evolved" from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?

Who took care of the first human?

What came first the chicken or the egg?

If you can think of others, I would love to hear your thoughts/comments.

It seems that life started in motion. I do know that I can't explain many of the functions of the human body, but if we didn't have them, we wouldn't survive. I am amazed at the sheer number of species of many animals, insects, birds, fish, etc. I am in awe of the variety of personalities of people in general, let alone those in my own family. I am touched by the compassion that people can show to complete strangers. I am moved to tears sometimes by hearing what others have gone through.

I don't even pretend to have all the answers to the questions of life. So, in the meantime, I play with words and hopefully give you something to think about too. ;)

Genesis 2:1 (NIV) Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

Just Do It!

2012-01-01T03:08:00.001-05:00

More than an advertising slogan. The answer to procrastination. The fix for a messed up family. Just do it already. Find out what works and DO IT! The follow up? Stick with it. Easy to write. Hard to do.

I try not to make New Year resolutions. Deep down I know that I will not keep them anyway, so why bother? I think for most people? Kind of more like new year suggestions. (Kind of how some people want the 10 commandments....but that's a blog for another time)

I have some ideas in mind of things I would like to change in this new year. Ahhhh the new year. A time of reflection over the year(s) past and a hope for the year to come. However, it is so easy to get discouraged and overwhelmed when I realize some of the things I want to change are the same things I have wanted to change for years! Since I have way too many piles of paper, occasionally I run across my "to do" lists from days/weeks/years!?!?!? ago and there are things that should be on my current "to do" list....because it is STILL not done. Or I'll read through some old journal entries and realize that the things I wrote about that were not going well.....still are not going well.

I can't change time from zipping by. I can't change what other people do....or don't do. One of the only things I can work on? Is me. My reactions (or lack thereof) to things other people do.....or don't do.

It took me a LONG time to realize that done is better than perfect. Seeking perfection can keep us from finishing a project. It can actually even keep us from starting because it will never be done to the standard we set.

2012 my year of Just Do It. So when 2013 (yikes) comes, I can say I Did It! To the best of my ability and with God's help, I Did It!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

I pray that 2012 will find you able to accomplish your resolutions, goals, hopes, dreams....whatever you want to call them. When our paths cross another person's path, I pray that we take the time and the care to be involved. Just Do It!

Are You Lost?

2011-12-12T00:33:00.000-05:00

I've been putting off writing for awhile again. I have lots of thoughts (sometimes TOO many) that I would love to get down. I can take time...but I don't. I avoid it because when I write I need to pay attention to my feelings. I have to look inside myself....and I don't always like what I find there. It is so much easier for me to assist others in processing their stuff that a lot of times I neglect my own. I like to think I have it all together...and then we have a week like this last one.

I know when we stop doing what works (schedules, to-do lists, job charts, counseling, etc) that eventually WE stop working effectively as a family. There are days that I feel like I am the only thing holding us together. I am coming to realize though that I put myself in that position. It is a lesson I have learned before and I'm sure will need to relearn again....and again.

I went to church recently and we talked about Moses and the Israelites in the dessert. Wandering. For 40 years! All because they didn't listen to God. One thing I struggle with is that they had seen proof that God was taking care of them.

Exodus 13:21-22 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

The Red Sea had parted so they could cross on dry land. Why would they think that a God that could do that could not get them to where they needed to be without getting lost?

Is it possible to be lost and not even realize it? I think that it is. We can be convinced that we are heading in the right direction and then pass a sign that tells us we're wrong. I am directionally challenged. When someone asks me East or West, etc, I need to go by landmarks instead. (example: so if you are heading toward the lake is it on the right or left?)

What about today? Are we lost? We have signs that will point us in the right direction, but we don't always use them. Our Bible, church, other Christians, www.biblegateway.com, devotionals, etc. can all point us to where we need to go. However, just like a map or GPS, if we don't use it....we'll still get lost.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Are you lost? God is looking.

Do you want to be found?

A 4 letter word starting with "H"

2011-11-20T02:16:00.001-05:00

Got your attention, didn't I? This word is often called out in times of distress. Sometimes it is whispered in a prayer when we finally give up. Sometimes we give it. Sometimes we ask for it.
The word is..... HELP.

Per Webster:

1: to give assistance or support to

2: to make more pleasant or bearable

3: to be of use to

4: to change for the better

Frankly, I suck at asking for help. I can write about it. I can give help all day long. I will do things for other people that I won't/don't even do for myself. AND it's my fault! At some point, I will need to stop long enough to figure out what my real issue is. But in the meantime.....I know that when I don't ask for help I am depriving the other person and myself from the benefit of sharing life's journey. We don't have to go it alone. However, we can't expect others to just know what we need. We need to be willing to speak it, call it, pray it.

I was already thinking about writing this. I had just finished helping someone else. I went to the store. I came home. Why take the time to run in the house and ask one of the kids to help? I didn't want to make two trips. I could carry it all, right? ummm,not! My $2.38 lesson on asking for help?!?!?

I dropped the milk. The plastic container did not just softly land. It split open in two spots as you can see in the milk jug photo below. I ended up with spilled milk.

Can you see the splits? Big on bottom, also on side by handle.

I did not cry. ;) I ended up with about a quarter of the gallon still in the jug. It was a visual reminder of what can happen when I won't ask for help. Sometimes I feel as broken as the milk jug. I can't keep it all in without spilling out so why do I even try to do that? Maybe you do too?

My new/latest motto: Less hell when we ask for help, repeat. (Amazing what the change of one letter can do.)

Psalm 118:13-14 (NIV) I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my defense, he has become my salvation.

Psalm 121:1-3 (NIV) I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;

Bible Flipper

2011-11-12T01:10:00.001-05:00

I realize that there are reading plans to read through the Bible. Some are set up for a year and take a passage from the old and new testament along with something from the Psalms and/or Proverbs. By the end of the year? If you stay on track, you've read through the entire Bible.

Usually, these plans do not include just opening the Bible and reading whatever your eye lands on. I have to admit to being a Bible flipper. It does not ALWAYS seem applicable. However, there have been many times when I have done this and I am amazed how often it is something that applies to what I'm going through. Sometimes, when I remember, I prayerfully ask God before I flip to show me what I need to see.

Recently, on one of my nights/mornings? of getting in bed w....a....y too late.....again, I flipped open the Bible. My eye landed on Psalm 127 (NIV):

¹ Unless the LORD builds the house,
   the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
   the guards stand watch in vain.
² In vain you rise early
   and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
   for he grants sleep to those he loves.

The Journey Bible I read also had some additional information about these verses. It mentioned specifically starting a business and writing a book. I have considered both of these very recently. On times like this, I am reminded that the Bible is one of God's ways of communicating with us.

The Bible is a big book and it seems overwhelming. Sometimes we make excuses. "I don't have time to read the Bible", "I don't know where to start", "The Bible doesn't go in order and gets so confusing", etc.

Personally, I'm sure I've used one or more of those excuses. However, I've noticed I found time to read a novel (or 3 or 4!) by my favorite author. Some probably have more pages than the Bible....but I found time for those...

I'm not encouraging anyone to just flip open the Bible and start reading. I just want to remind you to open your Bible. Currently, we have the freedom and resources to own at least one Bible....maybe several. When was the last time you opened yours?

Loose Ends

2011-10-31T00:25:00.001-04:00

I like to read. I like TV mystery shows. I like movies. Part of the reason I like these things is that there is normally a beginning, middle and end. By the time the book is read, the show is over or the lights come on, I usually know how things turned out. Good or bad, at least I know.

I was having a conversation with my husband about some people we knew from work. We have not seen them in a long time. It seems odd that for so long you spend most of the days and weeks with these people. Then circumstances and jobs change. We move on. We lose touch and don't keep in contact as much as we'd like.

I think of workers/volunteers at a pregnancy resource center. A girl comes in, possibly considering abortion. She gets all the information and leaves without making a decision. She may or may not be back. The workers have to realize that they may not know how it turns out. Yet they come back the next day and do it all over again.

Recently, I have had some situations where I didn't get to hear the end of the story. It's frustrating! It seems so....unfinished. (And I'm a procrastinator princess so I am familiar with unfinished!) It is overwhelming to think that this is just ONE situation or ONE person...there could be many others with similar issues.

However, we can't let the frustration of not knowing how something will turn out keep us from getting involved. If you see something that doesn't look right, don't be afraid to get involved.

“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world."

Brandi Snyder/Heather Cortez (depending where you look!?!?!)

Sometimes we have to trust that God brought us across someone's life journey, we do what we can and trust the next person to complete the mission.

We may have many loose ends in this life. There will come a day though when all will be made clear. No more questions and we'll know how the story ends.

Revelation 1:1-3(NIV) The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Love....from a distance.....at least for now

2011-10-12T03:13:00.001-04:00

Have you ever been around someone that is hurting? You just want to offer a hug, a listening ear and ask what you can do to help soothe the hurt. Sometimes you do. Sometimes the person is receptive. Sometimes not. What if the person hurting is someone you love? It is difficult to watch someone we love hurt, especially when he/she does not want or is not ready for us to do what we can to heal the hurt...even if it is to just listen.

Why is it we usually end up hurting those we love the most? Those that are closest to us? It would be easy to say it's because our homes can be the safest place to vent.....especially if trying to hold it together all day in the "real world". That can be true...up to a point. However, it is also an excuse. It is an excuse because we can feel like our family should love us regardless of our attitude. Most of the time, they do.

There are days though when the last thing you want to do is have to make one more effort. So sometimes we don't. Sometimes we make more of an effort to pray over a struggling relationship. In the meantime, we wait and maintain our distance....for now. We look for opportunities to let them know we still care and are there for them no matter what even if they can't or won't see that right now.

Depression can be part of the equation. Depression puts blinders on us so we see only what is right in front of us and that looks overwhelming and huge and it will never end. Depression messes with and intensifies the negative emotions so much that it is difficult to reach out to anyone. It seems easier to retreat. For a little while, it might be. However, when it becomes weeks and months instead of just days...it is time to bridge the distance and get some help for yourself or the one that is so loved, but feels unlovable.

There is a lot of good info at this site about depression and other "health challenges". There is also an "emotional skills toolkit" that is worth checking out. HELPGUIDE.ORG

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” Elizabeth Stone

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

I believe that God loves us from a distance as well....at first. He watches as we struggle and try and do life on our own just muddling through. He looks for opportunities to let us know He still cares and is there for us no matter what even if we can't or won't see that right now. He waits until there comes a day when we are willing to bridge that distance that has come between Him and us. He offers to listen to us and welcome us back to the love that has always been there.

Teenage Butterfly

2011-10-04T01:55:00.000-04:00

Teenage Butterfly

Wrapped in acocoon of childhood

Life isabout to change

Parts beginto rearrange

Life isweird – all so strange

All thischanging seems so slow

One wingbreaks free

And thenthere’s two

Need tostay, but want to go

Beautyunfolds

And takes flight

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

(The Message) And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.

There's a song that says breaking up is hard to do.....growing up is hard too. I am coming to grips with the fact that I as a parent have to change along with my kids as they grow up. I thought I was done "growing up". However, the more I think about it....I'm not sure any of us is ever done. Different stages maybe, but each one involves growth and growing. I think that's why I started thinking about butterflies....and teenagers. Males and females go through SO many changes those teen years. It really is a metamorphosis.

As parents, we are blessed to be able to accompany our kids on this journey. As our kids strive for their independence there will be friction. There will be days you will wish they would stay in their cocoon - safe in your house where you feel you can protect them. There will be days you will watch them struggle to break free. There will be days when you will see those wings...knowing what is to come. There will be a day when you will see them soar.....there may be tears, but you will smile.

Water and Fire and Problems/Blessings

2011-09-15T02:19:00.000-04:00

We have had lots of issues lately and previously involving water. Rental house with leaky pipe, another where sump pump didn't function correctly = ugh. There has also been much flooding in many areas. Lots of photos of water much higher than it should be.

So I had started thinking about how some things, in moderation....or controlled, are good. However, left unchecked and too much? Bad, sometimes VERY bad.

Water and fire were two that immediately came to mind.

Water, controlled by the tides, controlled by a faucet, running through pipes and available on demand is an awesome thing. Water cools us off and hydrates us.
However, water not controlled means flooding, leaks, and ruined stuff. Things left wet get wrecked very quickly. No water is damaging as well (little pun, there). Sometimes the cost to get water is prohibitive.

Fire, when contained properly is good for heat and cooking. However, fire out of control burns buildings, fields, forests and pretty much anything it comes into contact with.

And then, I'm reading a book that refers to Isaiah 43 (NIV), hence my confirmation that now is the time to write.

¹ But now, this is what the LORD says—
   he who created you, Jacob,
   he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.

Problems can seem like water and fire. I guess if we could control our "problems", they wouldn't be a problem. Problems can be opportunities though. A chance to let God remind us that He is still in control even when we least feel like it.

Many times we feel overwhelmed when in the middle of our own flood, fire or problem. It is hard to see problems as blessings. It is hard to see through our own issues that there are people dealing with their own water and fires at the same time. Hopefully, though, the water recedes, the fire cools off and our problem is solved. Often, the solution will not be one we had thought of. Sometimes what we go through helps somebody else in ways we can't even imagine.

Control what we can and give the rest to God. He promises us that we are not alone and we are His.

The Flags - A 9/11 Memorial....10 years later

2011-09-11T00:59:00.000-04:00

“A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

I have a tendency to remove myself from things that make me uncomfortable. On September 11, 2001, I was at work. I heard some of the AM news. I called my husband and he watched on TV and later told me more. Co-workers went to watch the TV to see what was going on. I stayed at my desk. The events sounded bad, I couldn't make myself watch....and I worked. Even later on in the night, I only halfheartedly paid attention to what was going on. Even the little bit I saw overwhelmed me with sadness. I saw church attendance and blood donations go up. I saw people being more kind and considerate to each other. It did feel like the world was ending and where would we go from here?

Then....days, weeks, months and years passed. Every September 11, more flags would appear. Patriotism would surge and then, it seemed, back to normal.

Now...it's been 10 years. When all the attention came up for the 10th Anniversary, I was not sure what I would feel. I'm proud to be an American, I know that for sure. September 10, 2011: I heard about The Flags that would be at Canonsburg Ski Area over the 9/11/11 weekend. I was going to be out that way anyway so kind of as a last minute thing I stopped by there with my 3 nephews. I found out it was called "The Healing Field". There was a large flag on a crane at the entrance. Then we saw the hill and I heard gasps and "That's a lot of flags!" from the back seat.

We went to the hill and they took off racing up. I wanted to tell them to calm down because it was a memorial. However, they're young and they were excited. I admired the precision of the rows. There is a tag attached to each flag portraying the age, location where attacked and a brief story of each person that died that day on September 11, 2001. My nephews weren't even born then.

We walked up the hill, past the flags and looked back down. I took their picture in front of some of the flags. One nephew grabbed my hand as we walked back down. I showed him some of the tags. He started telling me some of the ages. I choked back a tear and said a prayer for the people and families represented by each flag. As we neared the bottom, he told me thank you for bringing him there and for spending the day with him....and "I love you".

It took a field of flags and a 7 year old to remind me that avoiding what is uncomfortable allows evil to win. Enjoying each moment we're given and saying I Love You is HOPE for a better tomorrow.

God bless America!

¤¨¨¤.¸¸ ...¸.¤\
\ 9/11 AMERICA \
.\¸.¤¨¨¤ .¸¸.¸.¤*
..\
☻/
/▌
/ \ UNITED WE STAND . . . NEVER FORGET ! (Not sure who made this, but quite awesome)

The flags come down Tuesday AM. There is no cost. Donations are accepted. If you have time, it is definitely worth going. Some more info from GR Press and MLive (their pics are better!) The Healing Field

We KNOW what we live.....

2011-09-09T00:34:00.000-04:00

I have had this thought in the past, but it was made glaringly clear again today. I am a parent representative for our district on a special ed parent advisory committee (PAC). We are a small group of parents that meets at our county ISD monthly and have a parent meeting one night a year. We are the voice of parents to the school district which trickles down into the individual school districts. We are there for emotional support....for each other....and for other parents that may not be as far down the road from diagnosis as we are and/or may be dealing with the special ed system for the first time.

There are varying degrees of issues that we have experience with: ADHD, Autism, Cognitive Impairment, Emotionally Impaired, Physically Impaired, Learning Disabilities or combinations of any of these. We were discussing the chance of reduced funding and what/how legislators are dealing with it OR not dealing with it.

The point that was made obvious today though is that we are informed and know about what we deal with or have learned about. "They" (legislators, school employees, other parents, other family members) don't always understand what we deal with because they don't live it every day. We expect "them" to know what our lives are like when there is no possible way they can understand unless they have something or someone similar in their life. I believe this is an unfair expectation of them....and us.

A meltdown to someone else looks like our kid is being rude to others and us. Sometimes it is, but often times it is because they feel safe with us and have had to be on high performance to function in the everyday world. Something I sometimes take for granted. My brain isn't going 160 all the time unless it has help to slow down and focus on one thing. Many times, my child's brain is. I can (pretty much) recognize facial/social cues to know what the other person is thinking. My child doesn't always....and will keep talking and talking (picture the Energizer bunny, smile).

Special ed and our kids/family life is just one small piece in the puzzle of life where this happens all the time. We expect someone to understand where we're coming from. However, we are looking at the situation with what we know and have learned by living it every day. Another person expects the same thing and may be frustrated when we can't understand why something is a big deal.

I knew very little about ADHD, medication, counseling, etc. until our family started to deal with it. I probably was one of those people that has babysat or looked at a kid and said why can't they just listen better, try harder, etc. For the fact that my eyes have been more opened to what is going on around me, ADHD and our family issues have been a blessing in disguise. I would like to think that I have become a better, less judgmental person for walking the road we've been given.

In an effort to help others know what we live, I hope that we are willing to learn and experience what others are living through. We will never truly experience what the person is dealing with, but maybe they can give us a piece of a puzzle that will fill in a big picture of working together to be more understanding.

Job 15:9 (NIV) What do you know that we do not know? What insights do you have that we do not have?

For the Love of.....Animals?!?!?!

2011-08-24T03:49:00.002-04:00

Recently, "we" acquired a horse. Well, my daughter and husband got the horse. I have been roped into helping occasionally (ex. picking up 50# bags of sweet feed grain). I had made it quite clear to both of them that I wanted little if nothing to do with the horse, clean up, etc. This is mainly my own selfishness. We already have too many cats. Did we really need one more thing to take care of and further drain our dwindling financial resources? Did we really need one more BIG thing that would dwindle financial stuff even further?

Now that the horse is a done deal and grazing happily in the back yard, I have had to reluctantly rethink a few of my previous thoughts. I have noticed a change not only in her, but in others that have come to visit. There is something very relaxing about petting animals. If they are fed and watered, animals are usually pretty content.

And our daughter, who sometimes has a very hard time dealing with life, is learning some great skills and opening up more. She has been learning more responsibility....with less complaining/whining. She has talked to others about her horse that she probably would not have spoken to otherwise or very little if she did talk. She gets outside and moving around. She has a new buddy that listens unconditionally when she's had one of her bad days.

She is like a butterfly emerging from the cocoon of teenager. It is exciting to watch.

Will my love of animals ever be as strong as our daughter's? More than likely not. Is the additional expense worth it? How do you put a price on something priceless like a smile and increased self confidence?

Genesis 1:24 (NIV) And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.

Snuggle Saturdays

2011-08-15T03:51:00.000-04:00

This Saturday, I stayed laying in bed for a few extra minutes. I usually do not have this luxury because I stay up too late and when I do wake up in the AM I need to rush around and get ready to do whatever it is I'm supposed to be doing for the day. It's worse in the summer because most of the time we don't "have" to be anywhere at a certain time.

So on Saturday, my mind drifted back to many years ago when our kids were little. We would have "snuggle Saturdays". They would come in our room when they woke up and all 4 of us would snuggle and talk and tickle and laugh. I REALLY miss that. I'm getting teary just remembering. Now, our kids are teens. They are getting to the point they talk to us if they have to (especially in public or in front of their friends).....or if they need something.

People - you know "older" people - like in their 40's (gasp!) when we were young parents would tell us that time goes by quickly. ENJOY time with our kids. They'll be out of the house before you know it. We listened....kind of....like in one ear and out the other. Those precious minutes became days and months and years of seemingly mundane everyday life.

You know what? Now that I am an "older" person, they were right. Some of those times were wasted because of frustration on our part....trying to make THEM "hurry up". We don't need to look at every bug, cloud, _____ fill in the blank when we're trying to get somewhere. BUT some of those minutes were Snuggle Saturdays. A time when we slowed down enough to realize how important those times are.

The other timely bonus of this past Saturday was getting to spend the day with our nephews and niece. I was there at nap time and bed time. I got the privilege of holding them as they drifted off to sleep. I held on a little longer realizing that time is already flying by with them.

It is a lot easier not to get frustrated when the kids are not your own. It is unfortunate that the time we usually have children is in the middle of our income earning potential. A time when we have places to go and people to see. Sometimes our kids seem like they are in the way during those times. A time that seems like they will never get out of diapers or sleep through the night or get up for school or come home on time from that date.

Even if your kids are grown or you have not been a parent, you are still important in the life of a child. Find a kid to snuggle....even if it is not literally snuggling. If you have the advantage of being at a different stage of life than an overwhelmed parent, offer to give them a break. A time to get away briefly to come back refreshed and ready for the next round of stopping to look at a bug when they need to get somewhere. Time to get a little of that wonder back for them....and you. It really does go by faster than we think.

Matthew 19:13-14 (NIV) The Little Children and Jesus 13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

The illusion of control

2011-08-10T13:06:00.000-04:00

JJ Heller - Control

(Click above for video) Waiting to start hearing this on the radio. Clicked on a side link on YouTube when looking at another song. Oh so glad I found this one. Needed to share. I only have a few minutes but wanted to put it on here before I forget....that seems to be happening more frequently lately!

I pray that you are having a blessed day where you can let go and see where grace takes you....and not stress. I needed a reminder that life is good. I always (well, almost always) know it in my heart.....when my head/logic doesn't try to get in the way!

Grateful for the "Reachers"

2011-08-06T02:24:00.000-04:00

A few months ago, I attended a day conference about teens and mental health. Both play a pivotal role in my life currently so I dragged myself out of bed and out the door to get there in a timely fashion. The plan was to go with someone else, but at the last minute it didn't work out.

There was a time in my life when I could not (would not?) do things by myself. I actually remember the first time I went to a movie (gasp) by myself! I'm pretty sure this must have been a pre-children issue because now I have reached the point of appreciating some "me" time.

Back to the conference. It got to be lunchtime. I had made my way around the vendor tables and was preparing to sit by myself and look through some of the materials. As I was looking down, I heard someone say, "I noticed you were sitting here by yourself. There are a couple of us at that table if you would like to join us." I was pleased that she asked. I was pleased that I didn't politely decline as I still have a tendency to do. We had a very nice lunch and a pleasant afternoon as we went to some of the same break-out sessions after lunch.

She was a "reacher". "Reachers" go out of their way to make someone feel included. Even if they are shunned....at least they made an effort. I wonder how many God-moment opportunities I have missed because I didn't reach or accept the reaching of another.

I am a great reacher to kids. I still have issues reaching out or making the first effort with adults. It is something I still struggle with. There are some days I do really well...probably too well if you ask my kids because they tend to get frustrated if I talk to strangers after telling them not to. Our kids are getting old enough to be able to tell when someone needs some extra care and concern.

Unfortunately, it has become a fine line in today's society. The line between reaching out or being considered the weird stranger that talks to people they don't know. Even if we can't make it all the way to asking someone to sit with us at lunch, we can offer a smile. Reaching out does not have to be some huge, planned undertaking. Making yourself available to reach or be reached out to could open the door to some wonderful opportunities to join God in His reaching out.....to us.....and others. It allows us to show Jesus' love to others. After all, He is the ultimate "reacher"!

Matthew 14:30-32 (NIV) 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

Acts 17:27-28 (NIV) 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.

The "eyes" have it

2011-07-28T03:03:00.000-04:00


Me-Crossed eyes...and all

While spending some time with my son tonight, we watched some items on "StumbleUpon"....an oh so dangerous site that I have stayed off of because I know I would lose myself in watching too many videos. One of the videos that came up was about a bionic eye. It took 3 PHDs 6 months to complete the plans. It has taken numerous years to build. As I watched it, all I could think was I was born with 2 somewhat damaged (crossed), but after some surgery, functioning eyes. Born with.....Created with.

I don't want to get all preachy, but I remain amazed that there are people who refuse to believe or see proof of a creator. We don't have one functioning highway system without a roomful of planners and blueprints. The system is not built without many construction workers.

This is "just" an eye. One eye. Our whole body is an amazing system of veins and arteries, our own internal highway system that circulates blood. Our necks hold up the equivalent of a bowling ball on a few bones, muscles and joints that allow us to turn the head that contains a brain. A brain that has functioned as communication central and a computer before the technology for computers was invented.

I mentioned the video to my husband and we googled "bionic eye". I didn't find the video, but I found this article and I like the way it is written. Bionic eye -Scientific American I especially like the beginning about Charles Darwin and that he considered the eye one of the biggest challenges to his evolution theory. The article has a great quote and a link to some video of one of the surgery recipients. An eye is even more complex than I had even considered.

I guess that's why I'm writing this. I would like you to consider the wonder of your body and the design. There are parts that we have tried to duplicate and re-create. How do you re-create something if it wasn't created in the first place? Just another one of those things that makes me go hmmmmm.

Deuteronomy 4:32 (NIV) Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created human beings on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of?

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) 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.

Sneaky?!?!?!

2011-07-27T05:31:00.002-04:00

Sneaky!?!? Maybe not so much....IF you know what to look for:

1 Peter 5:7-9 (NIV) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

It seems that it would be more than likely that if we saw or heard a roaring lion prowling around that we would pay attention. However, usually before the lion roars....he has been prowling around waiting for an opportune time to pounce.

I am finding in my own life that I blame an awful lot of stuff on myself, depression, family members and their attitudes and just life in general.

How many of our daily battles are actually spiritual? If even Jesus could be tempted in the wilderness by the devil, why would we think that it would be any different for us mere mortals? It seems that as we try to move closer to God the more the devil stirs things up. We have been trying to make more efforts at family time and making sure we get to church. At the same time, we have had more rental problems than ever.

Have you ever got in an argument over something (in hindsight) that is really dumb? However, no matter how much you want to you just don't give in. People joke around about the "devil made me do it". That may not be the reason WHY we do it. Sometimes, though, doesn't it seem that circumstances will try and hold you back the more you try to move forward and follow through on what God is trying to get our attention for?

James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Resist has a couple of different meanings, but in this case I like this: to withstand the force or effect of

The devil may be sneaky and can have some effect on us....or at least the circumstances. It is up to us to recognize the tricks for what they are and remember that ultimately God is in control, even when we feel like we're in control the least.

Excuse Me? Excuses, bleh.

2011-07-15T23:23:00.000-04:00

I wrote the following the beginning of May. I am beginning (takes me awhile, I'm slow that way) to piece together why.

EXCUSES (5/1/11 KL)
Excuses -- I make them, I take them

I have let excuses keep me from getting to where I need to be.

I have let excuses keep me from doing things I need to have done.

Excuses help me procrastinate.

Excuse me, but NO MORE excuses!

I have lots of cool ideas. I'm sure a lot of us do. I have not acted on many of them. Some of the ideas I have acted on, I have done halfheartedly and did not finish....yet. Through psycho babble and current catch phrases I have deemed myself co-dependent. I find it easier (for lack of a better word) to deal with other people's issues than my own. If I focus on THEM, I don't have to deal with what I'm doing....or not doing. I have made their problems/issues more important than things I know I am supposed to be doing. I have made their "stuff" an excuse to not deal with my own.

SO....now that I've become so self aware (HA!) what does this mean from here? Honestly, I don't know. I guess the first step of recognizing the problem is always the hardest part. Can I fix it? (Bob the Builder says we can) Some days I'm not so sure. I put it here to remind myself and whoever else that might need to hear it to start moving focus back up to God for help. I don't have to do it on my own. I don't have to make excuses for what I don't like about me. I can move on and up.....one step at a time. So can you. It's not only about the destination. We need to enjoy the journey too.

Exodus4:10-13 (NLT) 10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” 11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

Romans 3:19-22 (NLT) Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
Christ Took Our Punishment 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

CAUTION - Boundaries

2011-07-10T03:42:00.002-04:00

Summer's here....and it's time for.....asphalt! Not mine although it would be nice. Neighbor's driveways, parking lots, roads. Now is the time to put it down and mark it off. Yellow "caution" tape appears around the newly paved area(s) warning those who approach to not drive or walk on the area.

The caution tape clearly marks the boundaries that should not be crossed....at least for awhile. Oh, if life could only be that easy. That people could see from quite a distance away when it might not be the best idea to approach or cross over into the blocked off area we might not be ready to deal with.

There are days I have surrounded myself with invisible (to everyone else) CAUTION tape. Days I don't want to deal with anybody's "stuff". Days I can't even deal with my own "stuff" and just want to keep myself wrapped up and keep myself in....and everybody else out. Sometimes I need to remind myself that the boundaries are there for my protection as well as someone on the other side of the tape. Sometimes just a reminder that I need to slow down before I go out or let something in.

There are days I'm sure my family has their caution tape up....and I barge on in anyway.

At crime scenes, there is often "police line - do not cross" tape. Usually this is to keep the evidence uncontaminated and keep the clues in.

Whether we are in the taped area or outside of it, there is a time for caution and boundaries that need to be marked off and made clear. Both for our safety and those we care about.

http://www.cloudtownsend.com/ (Info on Boundaries books)

So ever since we fist heard about you we have kept on praying and asking God to help you understand what He wants you to do; asking Him to make you wise about spiritual things; and asking that the way you live will always please the Lord and honor Him, so that you will always be doing good, kind things for others, while all the time you are learning to know God better and better, We are praying, too, that you will be filled with His mighty, glorious strength so that you can keep going no matter what happens -- always full of the joy of the Lord, and always thankful to the Father who has made us fit to share all the wonderful things that belong to those who live in the Kingdom of light. Colossians 1: 9-12TLB

Getting in the Ring

2011-07-06T02:08:00.001-04:00

Without trying to state the obvious....parenting is HARD WORK!!!! On the day we found out we would have a baby or adopt a child into our family, did we ever dream that our sweet little ones would EVER be anything other than angels? We never dreamed that there would be a day that we did not love them.

Even now as they grow up more than likely we give them the benefit of the doubt....at least at first. On those challenging days (or as we used to refer to them "oops, sorry!" days), we still LOVE them. However, if we are really honest, we may not like them at that moment. They probably feel the same about us!

Sometimes there are days - especially with strong-willed kids that seems like everything, every....little....thing is a battle that they think needs to be fought and won. A very wise person once said "pick your battles". Love and Logic teaches give a kid 2 choices that you can live with (ex. Do you want to wear or carry your coat?). Love and Logic is a great parenting tool....when I remember to use it!

On the days I am not at my parenting best, I feel like a boxer getting in the ring. One of us is going down for the count. However, the more I think about it....our kids and us parents are on the same team. We want the same thing: for them to grow up responsible and safe. We may have different ways to get to the same thing. We think we are showing them we care. They think we are overprotective. Different fighters may get in the ring with us and need to be fought: drugs, alcohol, disrespect, bad decisions, etc.

As the world and time seem to move faster and things increasingly change through technology, it seems the "ring" is ever widening. The world is out to get kids hooked earlier and earlier through advertising and TV. If we want it, buy it...on credit....and get reward points. That it truly doesn't matter what you listen to or watch or spend your time and money on. That God may (or may not) exist. That we don't need to worry about eternity. If it feels good, do it.

Whatever is in your ring today, keep fighting the good fight. Ding, ding. Go to your corner. Refresh, renew, know that you are not fighting alone and kick whatever you both are fighting out of the ring. Our kids are worth the battle(s)!

Psalm 18:32-40 (NIV) It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes.

Running on Empty

2011-07-05T01:35:00.001-04:00

Frequently (even more so lately) THIS is what my gas gauge looks like. Some/most is due to the fluctuating (mostly UP) gas prices. Some is just I haven't gotten around to making time to stop by the gas station. Either way, I am hedging my bets that I will have enough gas to get me where I need to go.

So the day I took this picture was one of those "I'll make it to the next gas station and then stop" kind of days. The thing is though I made it past numerous gas stations.....and didn't stop. I'd pass one and then think, "I'm fine I'll just make it to the next one". All that time though I was worrying that I would run out of gas and take even more time than just stopping and getting some.

I think the fact that the speedometer is right next to the gas gauge is interesting. It shows the van COULD go up to 100 miles/hr. However, if there is no gas in the tank, it doesn't matter how fast you COULD go. You will not be going anywhere.

Lately, I have felt like I'm not sure which end is up. Things stay busy and chaotic. This weekend we got a lot done, but we did much better at working together. When one of us was starting to run down, the other would remind us of the goal. We avoided empty.....this time.

I am blessed to live in an area that has numerous churches in each town. In some cases, probably more churches than gas stations. Similar to my gas gauge, there are days when I am closing in on the big E(mpty) yet I continue to keep pressing on seeing how far I can push it. In the meantime, my time with God has dwindled. My Bible stays closed on a shelf. I stay home on Sunday instead of pulling into church - my refueling station.

We all have a choice to make. We can continue through life constantly on empty and never being sure when we will totally run out and worrying about it the whole time. OR we can make an effort to know when and where to refuel and make sure we avoid running on empty.

11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)

Ripples - Circles of Influence

2011-06-14T02:07:00.000-04:00

Have you ever thrown a pebble in a still pond? The point of impact makes a small splash and then the ripples start. Small at first, but then larger and larger. I'm sure there is some scientific reason for why that happens. However, I just like the effect. :) I'm finally learning everything does NOT need to be explained. It's OK to admire or like something just because!

If you're bored (ha!), type "water ripples" in Google. There are some awesome pictures and YouTube vids. But I digress....

As I'm typing, I'm thinking of various ways this replicates in our lives. Some good...some not so good. Gossip would be one of those not so good. Maybe we make a comment or remark that is taken out of context or something we really didn't need to repeat. Splash! Then maybe that comment gets repeated. Ripple. And repeated again. BIGGER ripple.

In the movie, It's A Wonderful Life, George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) finds out what life would be like if he would have never been born. By the end of the movie, he realizes that by living his own life (SPLASH)
he has influenced many lives (RIPPLES).

You may be the pebble in someone's life. The pebble that makes a splash that will ripple outward to influence other people. What you do makes a difference to other people even when it seems like it is not very much. Maybe just a smile or a kind word. Throw the pebble. Set that splash effect in motion!

1 Thessalonians 3:11 (MSG) 11-13 May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

Summer - Full speed ahead

2011-06-11T02:55:00.000-04:00

School officially ended today for this year. Summer days will turn into summer weeks and months. So far, our calendar is mostly empty....which is not all bad. However, I have a habit of calendar creep....slowly filling in squares with things we need to do....or should be doing....or what has not gotten done yet. I watch the days slip away it seems slowly, hour by hour. But isn't that how the school year went by?

Since I unfortunately packrat too much stuff especially paper, I will sometimes find my "to do" lists of days gone by. What is most disheartening is when I find that weeks, months or even years have gone by...and the "to do" remains undone. sob.

How will this summer be any different than last summer....or the school year leading up until now? I don't know if I have an answer for that yet. I guess I'm putting it in writing to myself that if I don't change something time will fly by and another school year will be ready to start. I really do not want to find a "to do" list with a June 2011 date and find out that it is STILL not done.

I guess for now, I will take one day or even half day or hour at a time. I will make my list shorter so that I actually can feel like I accomplished something worthwhile. I will grab those minutes of time that I will never get back with our kids. If that means something won't get checked off the list that day? So be it.

Time marches on and sometimes I feel like I'm being trampled. I can try and control some of my time so I do not feel like my time (or lack of) is controlling me. A few minutes of planning goes a long way. In the meantime, I will remember the verse about not worrying about tomorrow. I will take care of what I can do today and be happy with what I have accomplished OR happy with what I got to do instead.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
A Time for Everything

¹ There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
   a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
   a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
   a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
   a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
   a time for war and a time for peace.

Take Time (THANKS mom and dad)

2011-06-03T00:43:00.000-04:00

Tonight I was reminded that I have known some people for 40+ years and I still learn interesting tidbits about their life.....when I take time to listen....and ask....and talk.

Tonight my dad went with me to a funeral home for a visitation for my cousin. He didn't have to go with me...or wait the extra hour it took for me to finish up some stuff before we went. He doesn't HAVE to do a lot of things. But he does. For me, my family now, my family growing up and a lot of other people. He and my mom have done a lot of "behind the scenes" work over the years. They have taught us well to help and volunteer whenever possible - even when it is inconvenient or time consuming or not noticed by most people.

Tonight we had at least 1/2 hour each way to drive (with him riding...usually he ALWAYS drives!) and talk. We got talking about Alaska and his time in the service. I thought he had been there only months. He was there 3 years. He was there when he got a call his mom had died. He went back there afterward. That all happened in his life before marriage and kids.

Sometimes we forget our parents had lives before us. Sometimes our kids forget we had lives before they came into the picture.

Driving home seeing the reflectors on the side of the road reminded me of the times my mom would come over in the dark early AM to watch our son when he was little. That time back at work went much easier knowing I had somebody I loved and trusted taking care of him if I couldn't be there.

Now that I've helped with my brother and sis-in-law's triplets (nephews and niece) I realize how much I missed. BUT now I get to take time with them and make new memories too.

I guess I just needed a reminder that I need to take time now to spend time with those I love. Honestly, is reality TV better than the people in your reality? (OK, maybe sometimes....at least you don't have to live with those people!) Everybody has a story. Take time to listen.

Ephesians 6:1 (NIV) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Luke 2:45-46 (NIV) 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

Hurting Hearts

2011-05-27T01:20:00.000-04:00

Oh, I so just want to turn off the TV, radio and internet and hide for awhile. The last few days have seemed overwhelming with bad weather, rising gas prices and depression rears it's ugly head. It seems like it would be easier to just go back to bed....and stay there for awhile. And the thing is? In the whole scheme of life, my overwhelmed feeling(s) and problems for the most part are fixable. My house hasn't blown away, I haven't lost someone close to me, I have a bed to crawl back into.

Honestly, that is why I have stopped watching scary movies. Real life is scary enough! But Hollywood keeps cranking them out so someone must be watching them. Video games keep looking more and more realistic. The blood splatters in the war ones? Too lifelike for my liking....even if it is "zombies". I purposely have to limit my exposure to bad news or I get sucked in and down. With most of the disasters, I have not watched more than a few minutes. I cannot watch someone else be sad without feeling their pain too deeply. I cry just from seeing someone else cry.

I am glad that there are people who can keep it in perspective. I admire emergency responders, nurses, drs, news reporters, etc. Not that they don't show or have feelings. I admire that they can do a job where they deal with this stuff everyday. I pray that they have people surrounding them that can help them decompress at the end of the day.

In a world of ever expanding social networks, I fear that we are losing our ability to see others hurting hearts. Or make ourselves too busy to deal with our own. We Facebook instead of getting together face to face. Let's be honest, a ((((you)))) cyberhug cannot beat the real thing of feeling another person's arms around you. In the effort to get a news story, reporters urge people to share their grief. They tread a fine line between actually helping and just exploiting someone's pain. And we watch it. And we shake our heads in sorrow. And maybe we say a prayer or two or three.

I think one of the many things I find amazing about God is that He doesn't compare our hurts. He doesn't tell us to suck it up because things that are bothering us or hurting our hearts are less than what someone else is going through. He offers to carry those burdens. ALL of them. Big or small. Then the issue becomes us. Are we willing to let them go....and not take them back? God sees the pain - even the pain we hide from others and sometimes ourselves. He wants to heal our hurts so we can see and help others with theirs.

Psalm 62:7-8 (NIV) My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV) Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

A Call to Persevere in Faith

Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV) Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hands On History

2011-05-23T00:56:00.000-04:00

Recently, I was given the opportunity to accompany our daughter and her classmates on a trip to Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. We have been there before as a family. It was definitely different attending with 4 busloads of kids, chaperones and teachers. We had pretty much the whole day until closing. We went to Greenfield Village first mainly due to weather and anticipating it getting warmer in the afternoon.

Greenfield Village is set up like a town with various stages of history. There are several cabins, Edison's laboratory and a working farm. Many of the cabins we looked in were very small. Many times during the day I overheard, "How did they live like that?"

The answer I usually gave was, "They didn't know any different." And they didn't at the time. When you think of how much things have changed even in the last hundred or so years, it is amazing. Each generation has made contributions to making life "better".

Many times at our house we have had the discussion (usually over something on TV) that if there was a way for someone from back then to somehow magically be able to come back in this present time they would be shocked. The way clothing (or lack of), transportation, electronics, technology, radio, television have impacted our world would frighten someone from back then. After a little while and the shock wore off, the amazement would kick in. I really wonder though if they would think it was "better" than what they had.

One of the things that saddened me was that the kids interest was not held for long. They are used to getting information instantly and, more than likely, on a screen. When given the chance to experience some history first hand, a lot of the kids were ready to keep moving barely looking at what was right in front of them. Of course, some of it might have been the excitement that they were heading to the Tiger game at the end of the day!

I am praying that our generations will take the time to really appreciate the history that has already happened so that we make our right now and our history to come.....better. Years from now when another class goes through things that are popular now they will probably also ask, "how did they live like that?"

Deuteronomy 4 (NLT)³² “Now search all of history, from the time God created people on the earth until now, and search from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything as great as this ever been seen or heard before?

Under His Umbrella

2011-05-07T23:35:00.000-04:00

I have thought about this for a few days and have still hesitated before actually writing this. Mainly because I don't want to come across as sounding all preachy. I fear that the recent storms in Alabama, rising gas prices, and other world events will make this seem hard to believe, but hang with me. I definitely do not want to diminish the fact that these events can rock someone's faith. I feel that we are living in interesting times and if not now, when? So....here goes.

One of the things I struggle with a lot is when bad things happen to "good people" and others wonder how can God "let" this happen. If God can control the weather, why doesn't He? What if it's not physical storms, but events that are happening in our lives that feel like storms?

Maybe we want protection....but not restraint. Boundaries but we don't want to feel caged in. What if sometimes we don't realize how bad things COULD have been?

I started to think about umbrellas. They help keep us dry. The wind may whip below the umbrella and even turn it inside out. We pull them out when we fear the weather will be bad. However when things are looking sunny we keep them put away somewhere....until the next time it rains. My prayer life is kind of like that. When things are going well, sentence prayers seem to fill the need. BUT when life gets stormy? Out come my umbrella prayers. My leave the radio off when I'm driving, really talk to God prayers.

I'm thinking that even though we have our little umbrella of protection God provides an even bigger umbrella over us. An umbrella of protection and boundaries. An umbrella that sometimes we think blocks the sun and we ask God to let us just step out from the umbrella for a little while. And He lets us. Because He loves us enough to still give us that choice. We wander out into the sun. We enjoy the warmth and the brightness. But then it gets TOO hot or the horizon starts looking a little dark. The storms are back and we rush back under His umbrella. It was never put away. It is there when we need it and there when we think we don't need it.

When we're under the umbrella, we don't always see what is going on overhead or around us. We may not even realize that we need protection every day in every weather because weather changes quickly. God loves us too much to leave us unprotected.

It's raining even if right now it's just a drizzle. There's room under His umbrella.

Psalm 140:4 Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7

A Royal Wedding

2011-05-02T09:43:00.000-04:00

The months of hype will begin to draw to a close. The "royal wedding" of Prince William to Kate Middleton has taken place. My guess is that unless you are a person of relatively high station, you...like myself, were not invited or included in the 1900 people in attendance. We were invited to watch it on TV...and millions (or more) did. The questions of who designed "the dress" and what it would look like have been answered. There will be magazine covers and special issues in the coming weeks to cover every intimate detail of this wedding.

Summer - the wedding season - approaches. You may have already received a save the date card or an invitation to join in the happy celebration as another couple becomes husband and wife.

I want to take this opportunity to remind you that there is another upcoming wedding celebration that you are invited to. You may not receive an engraved invitation. It may come as an invitation from a friend to learn more about the wedding. In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as a bridegroom numerous times. God is king. That's a Royal Wedding I want to attend. It's a party that will last for eternity. I hope you'll join me.

Isaiah61:9 (NIV) I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Revelation 19:9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

I Wish

2011-04-30T02:47:00.000-04:00

I wish that we didn’t live in a world where physical beauty is placed above inner beauty.

I wish that we could learn to love ourselves for who we are…not for who we think we should be or who we think someone else wants us to be.

I wish that we would understand that we don’t need to put up with being put down.

I wish that the feeling of being inferior would go away.

I wish that the carefree days of childhood would stay….at least a little longer.

I wish that we could learn to be satisfied with knowing that doing our best is good enough.

I wish that we would learn that perfection is an unworthy goal.

I wish that we would know that normal is an ever moving target and that “normal” is overrated.

I wish that we would see ourselves not as the world sees us, but as we are seen through the eyes of our creator.

I wish someone would have told me all of this so much sooner.

I wish I would have listened when they did.

2 Thessalonians 1 ¹¹ With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. ¹² We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Life's Better with......

2011-04-13T01:36:00.000-04:00

a friend, family and support.

I like watching people. Not in a creepy stalker kind of way. ;) Just how people interact with each other. I especially love when I'm in a crowd and I see somebody walk around kind of aimlessly, but you can tell he or she is looking for someone. Then the person looked for is spotted, a smile, a wave, maybe a hug....and life continues on.

Recently, I brought our daughter to school in the AM. Usually, she kind of drags herself out of the car. I rarely get a smile. However, on this particular morning the car that pulled in ahead of us was one of her friends. Her friend got out of the car and waited. Daughter got out of car much more energetically, with a huge smile and quickly they walked together up the sidewalk into school. Much better start to the day.

Monday, I met up with my sister and her boys at the mall. I was spotted by one of my nephews pretty quickly. I waved. He ran toward me with his arms outstretched like you see people running across a field toward each other. I smiled. I had to stop part of the way in because as he picked up speed he probably would have knocked me over! I got an awesome hug. Then her youngest came up and gave me a hug...and his hand to continue walking toward where my sister was. I even got a smaller hug from the oldest. I felt loved and I smile even as I write this. What a great way to start out the week!

We've had a lot going on lately. Not necessarily bad stuff, but stuff that has kept us busy, distracted, and unable to work toward the things we'd like to have had done awhile ago. Through medical tests, etc. I have discovered again the issues that stress can cause. It seems so simple to just try and say I'll have less stress or let if affect me less. ha. I don't even know if that is possible anymore in the world that we live in. Time seems to go by faster and faster. We have "time-saving" devices that do not always assist us in wisely using the time we've "saved".

One of the doctors I went to asked if I had a good "support network". And I do. I have friends and family that are willing to talk with me and walk with me through the good, bad, sad, happy....you name it, they are there. Reaching out and up are sometimes the last things I want to do. Relying on God and my support network do not make me stress less.....but they are what makes life better.

Praying that you have friends, family and a support network. Praying that you realize sometimes you will be the support network for somebody else. Praying that your life will be better so you can help somebody else have a better life.

Psalm 94 17-19 Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

and the answer is....... What was the question?

2011-04-08T02:17:00.000-04:00

I loved teaching Sunday School....especially the younger kids. We would sometimes start out by asking questions. The kids got used to a lot of the answers being "Jesus". Eventually as the year went on, we would barely get the question started and the kids would start raising their hands and whispering and I could see their mouths saying "Jesus". Which is great except that wasn't the answer to the question we were asking. ex. Who was a little boy that wore a coat of many colors? (Joseph) JESUS Always made me smile....still does.

Jesus is the answer to a lot of life's issues. Sometimes we try every other answer we can think of first...and then turn to Jesus as a last resort. Sometimes we'll try an answer along with Jesus and question which one really worked. Sometimes we pray first, then act and we are sure the answer was Jesus.

I typed "Jesus answer" into Bible Gateway to find a verse or 2 to go along with this. I was surprised how many verses came up that started with "Jesus answered". In the NIV version, they are in the 4 gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Matthew 4 When the devil tempted Jesus after 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus answered by saying "it is written". This is a good reminder to us that when things get tough, looking into God's word and reminding ourselves of the promises there can help us through the questions we have.

Sometimes Jesus answered a question with a question as the religious rulers at the time were trying to trap him.

Matthew 21:23-24 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Sometimes Jesus stayed silent even when asked a question. Sometimes the best answer IS no answer.

Matthew 26:62-63 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent.

Many times Jesus is the answer, but people in His days on Earth and even now will not acknowledge Jesus as the answer.

Luke 22:66-68 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer.

What are some of the questions you're facing right now? Are you willing to seek out answers and accept the fact that in our lives the answer really is Jesus?

Dinged Up and Firey Darts

2011-04-03T01:59:00.001-04:00

AAAARRRRRWWWWW! Ok, now that the screaming is out of the way.....it's an internal scream....it is late at night/early in the AM and I have sleeping family members I don't want to scare!

This thought has been on my mind a lot lately. There is SO much going on in the world right now. Maybe there has always been a lot going on, but with almost instant access to any and every possible newsworthy (and some NOT so newsworthy) event it seems there is always something happening somewhere.

In my own little world things stay busy. I've been trying to do better at not filling all the squares on my calendar with something I have to or choose to do. Some days/weeks are better than others. I'm trying to get back to scheduling at least one day my "catch up" day so I don't start to feel so overwhelmed. However, there's a saying that we plan, God laughs.

Frequently that happens, at least the planning part. On the days I actually make it to do a list of what should get done that day, someone will end up sick and change the direction of the day. Or I get a call from school. Or, or, or. You get the picture. I recently talked to my husband that the more we try to get closer to God the more the devil tries to get in the way.

Sometimes though, I get so busy with the doing that God uses (even if it was intended for bad) whatever He can to get my attention. About a month ago, it was a car accident. That thing where insurance says a lot of accidents happen within 10 miles from home, yeah. I didn't even get all the way out of my driveway. I was in a hurry. Thought I'd get stuck at the end of my driveway. Looked before the tree, but not after. I'm still not really sure how it all worked out. However, another driver's car was damaged. My back end passenger side got dinged up pretty good.

A part of me wants to fix the worst part of the van, but leave some sort of reminder of the dinging up. More than likely, the main reason I had any issue is that I was in a hurry. The car is just a physical version of the dinging up I do to myself and have watched others do to themselves mentally and spiritually.

The Bible refers to the armor of God in Ephesians 6 (below). Honestly, I feel like my armor is getting dinged up, especially my shield and my helmet. However, the dings remind me of the reason I need the armor in the first place. Darts fly frequently and we live in a world with a lot going on.

The Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Lost...and Found

2011-03-24T09:30:00.000-04:00

Recently, our church started a study of Prodigal God. Whenever I have thought of Prodigal...it was always the Prodigal Son from Luke 15 in the Bible. I always thought it meant the youngest son took all his inheritance, left home, spent it unwisely and then returned home. I thought the Prodigal part was the boy returning home. As we're preparing for the study, I was thinking how is God a Prodigal then? I figured it is God welcoming us home after we have messed up. And it is. But, it is also so much more.

Prodigal (www.webster.com) characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure : lavish, recklessly spendthrift, yielding abundantly : luxuriant

Using the above definitions, I can see how we have a Prodigal God. God is willing to lavishly and abundantly expend time and energy in finding us and helping us find our way back to Him. I don't believe that He thinks it is wasteful because since we are made in His image, we are worth finding!

Luke 15 is about a lost animal, lost coin and a lost son. Luke 15 Bible Gateway
3 Parables (stories) The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and the Lost Son
Jesus was talking to "tax collectors and sinners", but there were also religious people there. Jesus talked about looking for the lost. In both the lost sheep and lost coin, only 1 was lost. The 99 sheep and the other 9 coins were accounted for. However, in both stories, Jesus said there was much rejoicing over finding what was lost. Many will find what God offers. Some He searches after relentlessly waiting for them to be found and then there is much rejoicing.

More than likely, the son had a good life with his father. However, he thought he knew better and there was more fun to be had off the farm. He wanted to experience life in the big city. He took what by custom would be his later and went on his merry way. After some hard living, partying and spending all his money, he realized he had been treated better at home. He makes the tough decision to leave his pride behind and go home.

Even when the son is far off, the father sees him and runs out to greet him. The son returns begging to be even a hired hand, but the father returns him to full son status. The older brother is none too happy and lets his dad know it. The father shares why he welcomes his young son home:

Luke 15:31-32 (NIV) “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

How about you? Do you feel lost and like life could be better elsewhere? Maybe you've been living in the big city and you're reaching rock bottom and realizing you should go home but you're worried about how you'll be received. God shows and tells us many ways in the Bible that He searches and longs for us to return to Him. He wants us to be found.

Praying today that any questions that are standing in your way will be answered. That you will know you are loved and have been searched for and bought at a great cost.

Bye, bye Bionicles......

2011-03-19T16:33:00.000-04:00

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11

I knew the day would come, but I wasn't ready for it to be now. I didn't know it would bother me so much. I've heard other mothers recall how they moved toward this period of time in their own child's life. I wasn't prepared to feel sad and happy all at the same time or for the same reason. Our kids are growing up....and eventually moving on.

The sign that I've noticed most recently is toys they used to LOVE to play with are starting to be stored or sold or given away. As video games became more popular, the toys our kids played with stayed put away longer and longer. Usually, however, their most favorite were left displayed somewhere in their room. The Bionicles (Lego robot looking things) our son wanted so badly and collected when he was younger were recently removed from his shelf and put in a box. I think what made me notice the most is he didn't seem sad about it....just another day. I don't know if he realized how symbolic it is.

For me, it symbolized him putting away the toys from his childhood to make room for the things that make him seem so much more grown up. Laptops, X-box, Wii, etc. Maybe I should have been more surprised that it took him this long to want to make more room for the things he now likes to do.

I think part of what I miss is the creative play. It seems the newest video games, TV shows, etc. don't encourage us to think on our own. The solution is usually presented within the time limit. It does not usually require our input. It just resolves itself between the commercials and by the end? The answer. Bionicles required plans and putting the pieces together in the right way...or ignoring the directions, putting a whole bunch of kits together and seeing what emerged. They were hands on like life should be.

I find it interesting that this verse is in the same chapter referred to as the "Love Chapter" and used in so many weddings. It makes sense that references to growing up should follow. Our son will continue to grow up whether I am ready for it or not. Guess I should prepare myself because I know more of these moments are to come. So for now, bye bye Bionicles.

As time continues to rocket forward at a speed I can no longer comprehend, I miss the little boy he was (and sometimes still is in my mind). I admire the young man he is becoming. I look forward to meeting the man he will be.

Say what you mean....ASK!

2011-03-15T02:24:00.000-04:00

Feeling kind of bummed. Watching a special on PBS - ADD and Loving It. It is about Adult ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). While I understand it, I don't always like it. I love people, don't get me wrong. It can just be frustrating to figure out where ADD (ADHD) starts.....and ends. My brain doesn't always (rarely) thinks outside the box. My family frequently lives outside the box. Our brains are different. Not better, not worse....just different. AND I've been dealing with it for so long that sometimes I forget to use what works.

I have been recently reminded to remember to probe around a situation that starts to get sticky. I need to remember to ask about the thought process....or end result. There is usually more to the story. Actually, this is not only good advice for ADD. It is great for kids (and some adults, smile) in general.

I think one of the best examples I can think of involves wings. Costume wings for Halloween to be exact. More years ago than I care to admit, my daughter asked me to make wings for a costume. She picked awesome shimmery material. I bent coat hangers. Hand stitched the material around the hangers. They turned out pretty awesome....if I do say so myself. She liked them very much. Costume party date for school approaches. I come to help for the party. She will NOT put on the wings.

I do the typical parent things. Put them on says I. No says she. Back and forth. This is really dumb as I look back on it, but I start to worry about the other kids will be wearing their costumes and she'll be walking around in her regular clothes. What will other parents think? Her mom is AT the party and her daughter's not wearing a costume, what's up with that?

Finally, we're in the bathroom where kids were changing. I ask WHY she doesn't want to wear them. She tells me she doesn't want to wear them.....because it had been raining and they might get wrecked.

She is very black and white. I have numerous shades of gray. This has caused many clashes in our family.
I need to start asking why or what the thoughts are BEFORE I think she is just being defiant. I need to realize that the extra time spent finding out more about the thought process actually saves time from frustration when we are both working toward different goals. Also there are many times I am more worried about what others will think than about how she feels.

Lots to work on, but even just writing this out helps me remember that the frustration passes. Sometimes we will be working toward the same thing, but there will be many times we will not. How I choose to handle is going to a big part of how she learns to deal with other people. Work in progress.....always. Keep learning. Remembering that at all times, love covers many family issues.....even ADD.

Different, not less

2011-03-14T01:45:00.001-04:00

The title is a quote from the made for TV movie, Temple Grandin. I picked it up at the library after seeing part of the Academy Awards. There was a woman hugging the star of the movie. Later, I found out that was the woman the movie was about. The woman wore a cowboy type shirt. The moment seemed a little different than what is normally shown on those award shows. The movie won quite a few awards.

My daughter watched it first and said it was good. I later watched it with her. I agree. Through the movie and some further looking around on her website, etc., I discovered Ms. Grandin is autistic. However, she is also a strong visual thinker and.....a PhD. She thinks in pictures. She was picked on mercilessly in school. One of the things she would tell people is she was different, not less. This is definitely true of Autism and other mental differences, but also for anyone. We are each different from each other, but no one should be made to feel any less worthy than someone else.

I have the pleasure of serving on the parent advisory committee (PAC) for special education from our school district. Many people don't even know there is such a thing. I didn't. I have learned a lot about special education....and the children they serve. There are many misconceptions regarding special education and the children it is meant to serve. Pictures of the short bus or seperate classrooms may have flashed across your mind just from the mention of special ed.

As a parent, it is intimidating to go to a meeting where there are many school people there that seem to know more about your child than you do because of tests they have done. Teachers and staff usually have numerous meetings in a day where it can be easy to forget that each parent needs to hear the same spiel they gave the last parents. There is almost always an attempt to "mainstream" the special ed student. This can be a good thing, however, it seems that we are trying to make that child conform to the "normal" way of thinking instead of learning more about how he/she learns best. Sometimes it is just realizing that they may need to have things slowed down some to keep up. It is difficult to watch children struggle or get picked on for something they cannot change.

I went to a conference that was aimed more at teachers, but also applied to parents. There is an incredible number of hoops and reporting requirements that special ed teachers have to jump through. I gained a whole new respect for the staff at our school and all schools.

If you have a special needs child or are a concerned parent, I urge you to remember that they may be different. However, they deserve no less than our best when we work things out with school, home or trying to hit the ever moving target of "normal". Normal is overrated.

1 Corinthians 12:14 (The Message) I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn't just a single part blown up into something huge. It's all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together.

Becoming Hardboiled

2011-03-08T01:34:00.000-05:00

I readily admit that I am not a good cook. Sure, I can make the general easy stuff (most days) and I LOVE the George Foreman grill.....but I digress. I love eggs by themselves or in other dishes. The following should be read like Bubba from Forest Gump when talking about shrimp.

poached, fried, scrambled, sunny side up, quiche, egg salad, deviled (could use a better name, but oh so tasty), boiled.....

Ahhh boiled. Not that long ago I wanted hard boiled eggs. Maybe it was awhile ago because I didn't "Google" it. I actually looked it up in Cooking For Dummies how long to boil. BUT there must be other people who don't know or why would they have it in there? (no need to answer, smile)

I started thinking about eggs because lately I've felt like one. Fragile on the outside and ready to crack anytime and who wants to deal with that oozy mess? However, I've come to realize though that not all eggs are as fragile as they appear.

** Eggs are usually sold in quantities. Not just one. They are usually nestled in their little egg carton cocoons with at least 11 other little eggs.
LESSON: Surround yourself with other good eggs.

** Eggs are adaptable. They can stand alone or easily blend into recipes (think cake, yum).
LESSON: Learn to adapt to the situation around you. It might not be pleasant, but it might help make you into something better than you are by yourself.

** Eggs are permeable. Things can pass through the egg shell. My daughter did a science experiment with an egg in vinegar (the shell came off, but yolk was still in the rubberized result) and then various substances. Food color changed the color of the egg!
LESSON: Even if your shell comes off, you can still hold it together if soaked in the right substance.

** Hard boiled eggs only become hard boiled after being placed in boiling hot water. When done, they look pretty much the same on the outside, but something has changed on the inside. The shell still may crack easily, but the oozy mess is gone. Instead is a firm egg ready for whatever comes next.
LESSON: The egg doesn't get to say what it wants to become or how it is going to be accomplished. It's up to the cook.

Do you feel like you are in hot water right now? The temperature steadily rising? You are stronger than you look. Even if your shell breaks or becomes slightly cracked, YOU may be on your way to being made into something you were not even aware was possible. Eggsactly my point.

John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Molehills and Mountains

2011-03-04T00:50:00.000-05:00

Soon and very soon....Spring will be here. Spring brings bright skies, leaves on the trees, green grass....and molehills. Little (or bigger) mounds of dirt that show the little buggers are underground digging their tunnels. The hills are the visual signs of the work beneath the surface. Per Wikipedia: They (molehills) are often the only sign to indicate the presence of the animal.

I find that interesting. We know moles are there. However we don't always think about them....until they get busy and we see the results of their work. Sounds like someone else I know! As SNL's Dana Carvey's church lady used to say, "Oh I don't know boys and girls....S A T A N?

Moles like the dark. The devil does his best work in the dark. Moles dig and dig and love the dirt. The devil digs up whatever he can use against us to try and get us to focus on the mess he's making. If we focus on the mess, we don't continue to move toward the mountain. We can stomp on molehills. We were given the authority to stomp on the devil. (Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”)

In our lives though? Molehills know no season. They will pop up at the most inopportune moments. Sometimes we can get so busy taking care of the molehills, we forget we were on our way to the mountain. Pray and stomp (think Whack-A-Mole!), but DON'T STOP!

Psalm 121:1-3 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? ² My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. ³ He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber

God /Jesus do a lot of work on mountains. God met with Moses on a mountain. (Exodus 19) He passed by Elijah on a mountain. (1st Kings 19) Jesus taught the people. He went up the mountain to rest and pray.

When you start heading to the mountain, you can be sure that the molehills will start to pop up. The molehills will attempt to keep you occupied and busy so you don't continue the journey. You might get weary trying to stomp the molehills and give up the journey.

However, PRESS ON and climb!!! God promises that when we seek....we find. (Matthew 7)

Micah 4:1 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills,and peoples will stream to it.

Moving in Another Direction....Opposite Way

2011-02-26T02:50:00.002-05:00

Does your life ever feel like the wheel in a hamster cage? Hop on in the AM, knock yourself out...running, running only to spin in circles. Busy, but not going anywhere. When finally getting out of the wheel - other than being dizzy....not much got accomplished. The focus was on the task at hand....not getting anywhere.

Gas prices, unrest in other nations, gay marriage, gays in the military, unions, politics, being asked to pay more for health insurance, abortion. None of these are small issues. Some are literally, life and death. These (and other) issues are consuming a lot of attention, time and money lately. It seems we fight little battles and ignore the war. Or maybe another visual, putting out small fires when there is a raging forest fire behind us.

credit to Africa: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1803

As the world continues to move faster and faster, people who seek absolute truth are going to become rarer. If you are one of those people, you may feel like this picture.

This does not mean you should give up. You have a choice to make. You either stand alone....or you work at being a light in a dark world, continue to pray for others to do the same and start moving in the opposite direction.

I heard a song recently on the radio. It was by Leeland. It is titled "The Opposite Way". The music is beautiful, but the words are even better. The video this girl (hannahsdreams) made is an awesome reminder that sometimes we need to be broken to move in the direction God wants us. We may run (or swim) in a different direction than today's world. We are never alone. There is One who has gone this opposite way before us.

Philippians 3:12-21 (NIV)
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Rebel Without a.....Clue

2011-02-22T03:36:00.000-05:00

Hubby and I picked up a VHS copy of Rebel Without A Cause recently. VHS because he was worried DVD would be wide-screen, which he is not particularly fond of. I just happened to read off the title because we were looking around in a store. Of course, he wanted to see it because there's a Mercury in it. We started watching it earlier this evening. I have seen bits and pieces of the movie over the years, but I don't recall ever seeing the whole movie. We didn't make it through the whole thing yet, but the parts I have watched have given me much to think about.

Mainly, how does a movie from over 50 years ago (1955) capture many of the same things I dealt with (sometimes still do!) in the 80's and teens still deal with in 2011? The feelings of trying to make friends and fit in, getting their minds to catch up with their bodies, parents, bullies, etc. There was one comment by James Dean's character about fitting in and making friends and I said I thought only girls felt that way. Hubby said oh no, guys go through that too...and there's usually a fight involved in it somewhere along the way.

I would think as each generation moves from teen to adult that we would have eased some of these by now. Maybe as adults we're just so glad to have made it through the teen years that we forget what it's like by the time our kids become teens. We were told to pretty much suck it up and trudge on through and maybe we expect the same from our kids. It seems like it ends up being "us" against "them". Aren't we on the same side? If not, shouldn't we be?

I do not know how the title was intended. I would like to find out more about that sometime. However, I looked up rebel just to see what the dictionary stated:

1:opposing or taking arms against a government or ruler 2:disobedient, rebellious

Society kind of puts parents opposing teens or teens opposing adults and that, generally, teens are disobedient and rebellious.

In the movie, it seems outside influences and internal conflicts are making the main characters "rebels".

I look forward to watching the rest of the movie to see how it plays out. In the meantime, I would urge parents and teens to watch this movie together. Stop it as necessary or discuss afterward. Yes, some of the acting is a little over dramatic, the students dress up (gasp) for school and the hairstyles and clothes are dated. However, the themes throughout the movie show that we're all kind of moving through life finding our own causes when sometimes they are right in front of us...or even living in our own house.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Breadstick Tuesday, Someone Else's Mother and Mentoring

2011-02-18T02:33:00.000-05:00

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:4 (NLT)

Seriously, I should buy stock in Little Caesar's. Bless them for having $1/bag (8 sticks) crazy bread on Tuesdays in our area. Tuesday (most weeks) has become the day I bring lunch to my daughter (and her friends) in middle school. It has become known as "Bread stick Tuesday". I try to bring a few extra bags and the kids I give them to are supposed to share with others at their table. At least once while I am there, someone other than my daughter calls me mom. All this only takes about 15 minutes of prep time and approx. 45 minutes for lunch. For this investment, I am granted insight into my daughter's world and get to see who she hangs out with. On Tuesdays, she is a popular girl.

I have lunch with another girl and other kids who decide to come with us that day. There have been as few as one to a whole roomful of between 10 - 15. We leave the lunchroom and go to a conference room in the office. There is no planned discussion (except for a few times when we've had some issues we needed to take care of). We talk about anything they want to talk about. I try to mention at least once during lunch about being a friend and keeping the friends they have. Every once in awhile, I get to interject something of importance that, hopefully, their parents approve of.

I wonder how long they will let me continue to be a part of their world? I suppose as long as I bring food...at least for awhile longer.

With my son, there were a few times into 9th grade and then it was kind of awkward as he and his friends had different lunchtimes. For them it wasn't bread sticks. There was one boy who liked chocolate milk, another liked apples. One boy's mom had passed away during the year. I always made sure he got a cookie. One time when I was in his class, he shared with me about his mom. I was honored that he trusted me enough to share.

Without realizing it or intending to, I have become a mentor (per Webster: a trusted counselor or guide). The kids I have lunch with have become mentors to me also. I give them a view of the world outside school. They give me a view of inside school and the pre-teen mind....scary, I know! ;)

Do I always feel like going when Tuesday rolls around? That would be no. Are there other things that I could/should be doing for that hour on Tuesday? Sure. However, for these moments in time while I am welcomed into their world, I cherish being called mom by someone other than my own kids.

Bread sticks are a small investment for making a kid feel noticed and important. At least for 1/2 hour lunch on Tuesday.

In a world where we continue to connect more and more through cyberspace, we need human interaction. I urge you to find a place that has a space that only you can fill.....as a volunteer or mentor....or another kid's extra mom or dad. We can never have too many people care for us. Share your knowledge. Share your love. Share your time....it's the best investment you will ever make.

Just Right....Parenting

2011-02-08T01:11:00.000-05:00

^{Proverbs 22:6} Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

In the story The Three Bears, Goldilocks finds porridge, chairs and beds....too hot, too cold, too big, too soft, too hard....or just right.

Oh, life would be SO much easier if we could skip the too _____ (fill in the blank) and just stay just right! That would work in fantasy land, but in real life? Not so much. How boring life would be if we were that predictable! ha. Life is messy. However, we muddle through and we get to our next "just right".

Parenting is hard work...and it is never really over. I've heard parenting referred to as being pecked to death...by ducks. We get the highs....but there are a lot of lows. Times we pray we would have made a better decision on how to handle something as a parent. Times we pray our kid(s) would make a better choice, but they didn't.

We may grow up and move on, but there is a part of us...small as it may be...that still longs for the love, attention and even approval of our parents. As we grow up and become parents ourselves, hopefully, we develop a greater appreciation for our parents and their assistance through some of the times we could have made better/different choices while growing up.

For better or worse does not just apply to marriage vows. For better or worse, we learned to parent from our own parents. We may have sworn we would do things differently, but I'm guessing there have been times when you've heard your mom or dad's words.....come out of your mouth. Some parents are too hard. Some are too soft. Finding a balance of just right in parenting is harder than it sounds.

My 3 lessons from the 3 bears:

1. Goldilocks entered the bears' house uninvited. I'm finding that as our kids become teenagers that we as parents can feel uninvited....but it is worth it to stick it out and get an invitation into their lives as they learn to move on with their own lives. Being available when they are ready to talk and have us listen...not come up with all the answers, just listen...helps them be willing to invite us into the next issue they deal with.

2. Goldilocks tried each of the bear's things....porridge, chairs and beds. As parents, we need to assist our kids along the way as they try new things and find out if they are just right for them. This may not be the same just right we had as a kid....or even now. Bear family or human family what works for one might not work for another.

3. The bears return home to find missing porridge, broken chairs and Goldilocks sleeping in baby bear's bed. They went out as a family, they came back as a family and dealt with the issues before them. As a family, there will always be some unexpected thing we weren't counting on. We learn from it and keep moving on.

Praying that we can find a balance and reach just right as parents. Never perfect, always learning. Putting our kids in the arms of the ultimate parent. Realizing we sometimes still need parents too.

Ephesians 6:1-3 ¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Spiritual Thermostat

2011-02-01T13:57:00.001-05:00

Not sure about where you live, but our furnace is sure getting a work out. Thankfully, we have a programmable thermostat that has helped reduce costs by automatically dialing back at night when we're all in blankets.

Winter always brings up numerous emotional issues around our house. Lack of sunlight, Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.)....call it whatever you like, but it is not fun. I've seriously considered purchasing light boxes (happy lights).

I ran across this recently after I read a blog post: 12 Ways to Help Kids Manage Anger

This is good for anybody, not just kids. I especially noticed #12 guarding the "emotional setting of your home" I never really thought of it that way and the phrasing really hit me. There are days I'm not so great at my own emotional setting let alone the rest of my home. It really is something that needs to be protected. However, I have noticed that on the days I can stay relatively calm through the storm? The issues do not seem as bad.

Per Webster: Thermostat: an automatic device for regulating temperature; also : a similar device for actuating fire alarms or for controlling automatic sprinklers

The "emotional setting" made me think of a thermostat. Oh if it were only that easy to just program/regulate "easy going, laid-back, cool" into all of us. But we're family. We each have our own thermostat...and it is not usually on the same setting as the other family member. The days one of us starts heading into the red heated or fire alarm zone? If we don't watch it, we all end up there.

Part of the battle is catching what forms in our mind...and not letting it pour out of our mouth. Our internal thermostats might not be automatic, but with Spiritual help we can program them to run more efficiently and keep the emotional costs to ourselves and others more reasonable.

Romans 8:5-6 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. ⁶ So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Well Placed Stones

2011-01-20T01:48:00.000-05:00

Ok, stick (and stones, groan) with me for a little bit. I know my thought process on this is a little weird...and could be taken more than one way (got your attention, didn't it?)....but I'll 'splain.

I was listening to the radio and the song "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns was playing. This song has gotten me through many a rough spot and always seems to play at the right time. There is a verse that talks about David and the giant. David stands before the giant with his shepherd's sling and a few stones.

The Israelites had been frightened by the Philistines and their prize fighter, Goliath. For 40 days the giant had taunted them. David, the young brother, comes to check on his brothers on the front lines for the Israelites. He overhears the giant taunting their army. He wonders why "the armies of the living God" huddle in fear every time the giant appears. David had experience as a shepherd scaring off bears and lions and killing them if necessary. David tells the king he will take on Goliath. The king protests...at first, but he's really out of options. The king tells David to take his battle gear. David tries on the king's gear, but it's too big and he's not used to it so he leaves it behind. David approaches the front line where Goliath continues his ranting and raving about why they would send a boy to fight him.

1 Samuel 17:45-50 (NIV) ⁴⁵ David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶ This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. ⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

⁴⁸ As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. ⁴⁹ Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

⁵⁰ So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

David had grabbed 5 stones. It only took one stone in the right place and David to remind the Israelites that the battle was the Lord's to topple the giant. Couple of other things I notice while reading the verses above? David talks out loud to the giant. David runs to the front line instead of waiting for the giant to attack him first.

Sometimes I need a reminder too when in the midst of fighting the daily smaller battles that amount to feeling like a war for my attitude, attention and mood. The battles are God's. We have to trust that He will give us the equipment we need to fight the giant(s) we face. The world will laugh. Who fights a giant with a sling and a stone? David did. We can too.

I think when the snow melts I will find a smooth stone. I'm going to set it somewhere where it will remind me when I see it that it only took one well placed stone to take down a giant. I think this will keep my battles in better perspective.

Separation Anxiety

2011-01-17T01:24:00.000-05:00

Romans 8:³⁵ (NLT) Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

^{I am not writing this to list off all our troubles and calamities. In the whole scheme of life and all that COULD happen, this week's issues are minor speed bumps. Placed in the way to slow us down. To pay more attention? To distract us from where we need to get to? I'm not quite sure at this point. I am writing this so that in a few weeks when we have made it through this, I will be reminded (yet again) of where my real help comes from.}

^{So, in no particular order: broken toe (seems like no big deal until you realize how much weight is placed on this toe and the balancing it assists with); unexpected job change; rentals, renters and ongoing financial stuff; a broken down van - tow truck and the unexpected time it took up; school/kid issues...and the list could probably go on, but these are the biggies.}

^{I was doing pretty well (or so I thought) until said van incident made me slow down (as if the toe wasn't enough, H.E.L.L.O!) and realize my anxiety has been rising. I have let other stuff get in the way of taking time to read the Bible and pray and praise and worship....and, and, and. I have separated myself from my main source of help in times of trouble and distress!}

^{When those troubles come, I have a choice to make. I can move closer to....or further from....God.}

^{Psalm 107:6 (NLT)} “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. (4 times in Psalm 107)

Rescue can come in all forms. The bedspread I had in the van to take to a commercial laundry kept me warm while I waited for the tow truck. Time to sing praise songs as I waited. The cane my son had bought as a joke quite awhile ago has been handy for keeping balance through the snow and ice.

Psalm 107:⁴³ (NLT) Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.

God's love is faithful. I'm the one who moves further away and separation anxiety kicks in. Sometimes those speed bumps help us get turned around to where we need to be. Victory is ours. Claim it. Own it. Feel the love. Kick anxiety to the curb.

^{Romans 8:37 (NLT)} No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

What if to What is

2010-12-31T23:43:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year (well almost) I don't really do resolutions so much. I just get frustrated when I don't live up to them. I have heard numerous times though that things are more likely to be followed through if they are in writing. So, I'll consider this my in writing.

This is not a goal necessarily. More a way of reminding myself to change where I place my focus. So often I get caught up in "what if" this or that happens. You know what? Most of the what ifs I worry about? Don't happen. Think of the time I can gain (?!?!?) by only dealing with what is and what I would like to see happen. If I add to that speaking out loud positive words instead of whining about the negative, I will also be better off.

Life seems to continue to go faster and faster. Wasting time on what if isn't going to slow it down any. Live in the moment. Enjoy time with family and friends. Be grateful for what is.

James 4:13-15 (NIV) Boasting About Tomorrow ¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV) ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Contest Rules - Bible style

2010-12-27T23:13:00.001-05:00

I just read contest rules that once again state: Many will enter, few will win. I always thought that was kind of humorous. Of course, only a few will win...unless there were unlimited prizes. I started thinking that I had heard a Bible verse that went like that. There was something about a gate and many entering. So I checked www.biblegateway.com (WONDERFUL resource. Type in a few key words or read through chapters and books) and found:

Matthew 7 (NIV) ¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Unfortunately, reading this? Many enter the easier, more accessible gate. The narrower gate leads to LIFE, but few find it.

Praying that we can bring a light to the gateway and usher others through that narrow gate to life. Then all who will enter.....will win.

The Way Home (a review)

2010-12-27T03:47:00.003-05:00

The movie (rated PG only for thematic elements and some tobacco use) is based on a true story of the day a 2 year old went missing and how the family handled it. A dad, busy providing for his family, is supposed to be leaving for vacation that day. A mom, stressed out from getting everything ready for vacation….and finding out her husband, supposed to be helping, is still at work….providing. When he finally makes it home, they are scheduled to pick up their other 2 boys from school. Their 2 year old son plays in the driveway. The difference just a few minutes and decisions can make. The dad runs inside for a few minutes that turned into a few more minutes. When he returns to the driveway, their son’s tricycle is in the driveway and the son is nowhere in sight.

After briefly looking for him themselves, it becomes obvious they are going to need help. A 911 call is made. A great part of the movie is how the community comes together to aid in the search. There are many scenes sharing how the word spread and churches all over were praying for them that day. I don’t want to give too much of the story away. Let’s leave it at the movie cover states “based on the inspirational true story”.

The movie did a good job portraying a view of an everyday family and the stresses and joys. As a parent, it is an excellent reminder that time with our children goes by faster than we realize and we need to be in the moment with them as much as we can.

The movie dad is played by Dean Cain from, among other things, Louis and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Cain proves that dads ARE Superman to their kids. However, if a dad isn’t careful, their child gets used to their dad not paying attention or spending time with them. Overall, this was an underlying theme of the movie. I was unfamiliar with many of the other actors, but the performances were well done. The music during the movie and the credits is definitely worth a listen.

I applaud the family for sharing their story and the moviemakers for making it. It takes a lot of courage to share our struggles as families. Even though it would be easy to place blame, the message comes across of love, forgiveness and the fact that sometimes things just happen. Even then God can turn them into life lessons. The special features are also worth a watch the real family tells their story. Note: Don’t watch until AFTER you’ve watched the movie!

I received a copy of this DVD to review and the opinions are my own. I was not told I had to like it, just share my opinion. Honestly, I put off watching this movie because of the content and the guilt I feel for the times that I have made the same mistake the father in the movie made. There were times as our kids were growing up that I did not pay attention enough or got busy doing something else.

The only downside of this movie I can see is that people will make the same mistake I made. I urge you to support filmmakers that are making films with an actual message worth watching and learning from. This movie would also be a good discussion starter for a small group.

The Gift.......Unopened?

2010-12-25T22:22:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas! I hope and pray that your day has been blessed with times spent with family and friends....and rejoicing in the real reason we need to celebrate. Christmas serves as a reminder that the world does not revolve around "me" or "us", but about sharing joy and love to others.

I started thinking of all the gifts that were bought for today. Some with a lot of thought....some just to say it was done or the "perfect" gift could not be found. Tomorrow the lines will start with the return of the gifts that might not be the right size.....or right color.....or just not what we wanted.

We were given a gift for Christmas, but it may not always look like what we wanted....or needed. Sometimes we get so busy thinking about what we want we forget about sharing what we have already received. A gift unopened is a gift not enjoyed by the receiver.......or the giver.

The Unopened Gift by KL

Amongst all the wrappings and tossed off bows

Shining brightly in the Christmas light glow

Sits an unopened gift with a tag marked “To: You”

We all start to question, this gift is for who?

The gift has obviously been there awhile

We overlooked it while we all talked and smiled

The wrapping is beat up and covered with dust

The bow askew and slightly mussed

Upon looking closer I notice the “From:”

I start to cry softly as the others come

It was a gift to be shared

To show that Someone cared

I show the rest of the card

To: You …… From, God

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6

Romans 6 (NIV) ²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life inChrist Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 9 (NIV) ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Revelation 22:17 (NIV) The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

Praying for us that when we are aware of someone that has not opened the gift of eternal life that we will not be afraid to let them know what happened when we unwrapped that gift. Go tell it on the mountain and everywhere!

Do you have room?

2010-12-18T16:04:00.000-05:00

A week before Christmas. The tree is up. The lights are on. A gentle snow is falling. The presents are wrapped. The sound of Christmas music lingers in the air. Family traditions. Cookie making.

Everything is right with the world. Or is it?

The tree was knocked over by the pets. Some lights are out. More snow. Another gift to buy? The hustle and bustle of overfilled parking lots and long lines at stores. Hark the Herald Angels....AGAIN? Who's coming over? Burned batches of Christmas cookies. Stomach ache from eating too many cookies. Who cares if they're slightly crispy?

Try and make it to church to hear the Christmas story and be reminded of why we really celebrate.

I heard a song on the radio today: While You Were Sleeping by Casting Crowns. Maybe I've heard it before, but today it sunk in. The song talks about Bethlehem and the city not realizing who they did not make room for. The city of Jerusalem not realizing the fact that they killed the Savior. The United States of America - will we be ready when we get another chance to make room for Jesus when He returns?

Luke 2:6-7 (NIV) ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

It was not only the innkeeper or the town of Bethlehem that did not make room. It was not only the city of Jerusalem that crucified their Savior. It is not only the nation of the USA that is not making room or spreading the news of His coming again. It is me.....and maybe you....getting to caught up in the season and all its busy-ness that we have forgotten.....Jesus needs room.....still.

Will you be sleeping? Will you recognize Him? Will you make room?

John 1: 9-13 (NIV)

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

What kind of loving God?

2010-12-14T03:19:00.000-05:00

Occasionally, we have on Family Guy for a few minutes.....that's about how long it takes for something said to make me say, "Ugh! Change the channel!" One of the most recent occasions appeared to be for Christmas. I should say "holiday" (which I am normally against), but in this case would fit better. "Santa" took somebody through the workshop filled with deformed elves....and eventually said, "What kind of loving God would allow this to happen?"

That was my UGH moment. Channel changed. The thought and question lingered...and still does. I know it does for a lot of people - and not about elves. When things go badly in our own lives or the world, we are quick to question God...even if He was not a consideration before. It becomes a convenient way of dodging the possibility of God. A loving God would be more in control. He would not let these things happen. People get caught up in "religion" and the actions of people that may not be the best example of a believer.

Relationship is what God wants with us....not religion. Often, God is referred to as a heavenly father. This is hard for someone to picture if their earthly father is not a great example of love and kindness. They let this taint their relationship with God. The teenager/parents relationship remind me of this. We want to do our own thing, but we want mom and dad there to clean up the messes we get in along the way. We don't always want to be responsible for the choices we make.

We don't always consider seeking Him BEFORE we make a decision that could end up badly, but we are quick to place blame when it doesn't turn out as we'd hoped.

I think the "loving God" comments come from things we feel like we can't control and we feel that SOMEBODY should. However, is that really true? Did God decide to "genetically enhance" our foods and products? Did God decide that women really don't need to be inconvenienced with a monthly period....so we'll just take some meds and skip it? Did God decide to put up huge cell towers and create technology that can pull us further away or push us closer (depending on how it is used)?

I could argue myself right into a corner. I guess my point is that sometimes as humans, WE have DECIDED to "improve" upon God's plan. Some of the improvements can prove hazardous to our health. Is that God's fault or ours? Does that mean He is not loving?

When you need to fight a battle, do you need Mr. Nice Guy OR do you need a knight in shining armor willing to lay down His life for yours? When you screw up, do you need somebody that constantly reminds you of your mistake OR somebody that forgives you and loves you anyway?

We can be LOVED through anything that this life throws at us. God promises us everlasting love. Love that we don't have to earn. We just have to be. What kind of loving God does that?

Jeremiah 31:3 (Message)

God told them, "I've never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love!

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts

Sticks and Stones....Watch Your Mouth

2010-12-02T02:23:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, the mouth. Such a small part of our body, but oh the damage it can do when we let it get out of control.

As the old saying goes: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. That is SO far from the truth. Anybody who has been attacked by words will tell you differently. Even those who try to be careful of what is said may occasionally suffer from word vomit. Word vomit is when what you think comes out of your mouth so fast, there is no stopping it and if anybody is in your way, they better move!

One of the bad things about words is that they can't be taken back. Once you've said something, it's out there, probably gets repeated to others and then all that's left is damage control and hopefully asking for forgiveness.

It only takes a few seconds if our guard is down. I think I usually keep my words to others pretty positive. However, a few days ago I was stopped at a red light. I could turn left if it was clear. I was busy talking to our daughter and didn't turn when I possibly had a chance too. The person behind me honked once and maybe even twice. I am embarrassed to admit this, but I flew a bird and dropped a bomb quicker than I thought possible. I apologized to my daughter, but I couldn't take back what I did and said.

I used an example in youth group one time with blocks. It took awhile to build a good sized tower. I gave the kids other blocks and told them to let some mean words fly when they threw their block at the tower. The tower was quickly destroyed. We talked about how much longer it takes to build it up then tear it down.

The same is true with people. When we don't pay close attention to what we say to others, we can tear them down. This can cause negative thoughts to flow through their mind and they may get stuck in a loop of repeating it to themselves. This can cause them to say hurtful things to someone else....and it ripples outward from there.

Words may not cause visible bruises, but they can easily cause as much, if not more pain than a physical blow. Physical blows (sticks and stones) heal, emotional verbal blows take longer to recover from.

Try and remember the power of words. Sometimes silence really is golden.

Matthew 12:33-35 (The Message)

³³"If you grow a healthy tree, you'll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you'll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree.

^34-37"You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation."

The Fate of Baby "Wiggles"

2010-11-29T23:08:00.002-05:00

“For the first time, your vote on the topic of abortion can make a difference.” This is the statement at the top of a website: www.birthornot.com . It seemed a horrifying joke that parents-to-be would put the fate of their baby in the hands of the internet public. However it appears to be for real. A couple from Minnesota put up the site for their fourth pregnancy. It appears that there were two prior miscarriages recently and three pregnancies total. The website allowed a vote on whether to abort or give birth to the baby the couple named “Wiggles”. The vote was to stay open until December 7, two days before the December 9^th deadline when an abortion could still be legally obtained in that state.

Over 2 million “votes” were cast. The poll closed as of November 28. This seems largely due to a website inundating the birthornot site with an abortion vote. As of the close of the vote, approximately 78% of the vote was for abortion with a mere 22% for birth. It seems many did not take it seriously or thought that a couple that would willingly ask the public to decide should not have a child. The results are supposedly being sent to a third party to verify and remove double and suspected fake votes. The site still promises that the results will be public.

Originally, there was an “out” clause listed on the site. However, since many people are questioning the legitimacy of the poll, it seems to have been removed. The husband’s mother was quoted as saying they would have the right to veto it, just like the president. There has been much web discussion on the real intention of the site. Many refer to the fact that the father has been on other websites appearing to be conservative and right-wing.

The site follows a “He Said”/”She Said” format in a sort of online journal describing the pregnancy. If read from the beginning (oldest posts), the fear of continuing the pregnancy is evident. The last miscarriage was fairly recent. The miscarriages showed genetic issues. Some of the posts sound selfish and probably should have been considered before getting pregnant. Many of the posts contain facts about Baby Wiggles size or ultrasound pictures.

The couple has received numerous comments on each post. Several seem very negative and hateful. The couple refers to receiving personal e-mail through the site that has been more positive. They have had several offers to adopt if the poll ends up abortion. There has been lots of media regarding the site. It appears the wife lost her job, mainly due to the controversy of the site. This is probably an unexpected casualty in a war already appearing winless.

While the method may be completely unorthodox, it does seem to get people conversing about pro-life/pro-choice. A pro-choice person who would not think of purposely looking at an ultrasound has received exposure to the fact that Baby Wiggles LOOKS like a baby. This is a poll that if this child is brought to term, will eventually recognize the uproar regarding his/her life. While the fate of Baby Wiggles is being decided somewhere in a statistical formula, we can pray for that little life and the thousands of other little lives that are not even being polled.

Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV) ¹³ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. ¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Give Thanks...His love endures forever

2010-11-29T00:36:00.000-05:00

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” - Psalm 136:1,26

I have put off writing. I don't really even know why. Well, I guess I kind of do. When I write, I need to come down from my little mountaintop of believing everything is good and I'm handling life just fine. If I help everybody else, I can ignore my own "issues" or whatever the new buzzword is.

Then I looked at my blog because I wanted to put something on it (coupon database from Consumer Queen - scroll WAAAAYYY down). I realized how long it has been since I wrote on here. Sometimes the "Verse of the Day" gives me a good starting point. It WAS something about telling people what God has done for you. Good thought and I don't do near enough....or I don't give credit where credit is due. By the time I finished what I wanted to do, the verse changed to the one above. Also timely, especially with Thanksgiving this past week.

Sometimes I give "thanks" too much. I have a habit of saying thanks for everything even before I fully complete what I'm doing or another person is doing for me. So I GIVE thanks, but am I really thankful? Have I taken time to be thankful FOR His love that endures forever? The verse was a good reminder to me that God's love will help me no matter what....even on my way down from the mountaintop. Mainly because I don't have to do it myself. God is at the top, He's at the bottom...and He's in the struggles and battles in the middle.

Because these verses mentioned 1 and 26, I went and read the whole Psalm. It really is beautiful. It tells the story of creation, the struggles that He helped the Israelites through, and at the end talks about us. Each line ends with "His love endures forever". If you would like to look it up:

( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20136&version=NIV )

The Message version refers to that line as "His love never quits". Both are good....and true. His love doesn't give up....even when I feel like it.

Finding Your Strong Tower

2010-10-29T01:16:00.000-04:00

Today, I was physically reminded of the protection provided by buildings. It has been extremely windy in our area the past few days. The last couple were windy, but warm. When I headed out the door today, I didn't grab my coat...figuring the day would be similar to the last couple. WRONG! Today was windy, cold AND blowing rain.

I got out of my car and ran toward the door. There is a small stream area to run over on a bridge. NO protection from the blowing wind. I could feel the wind blowing roughly on my face and right through my sweat shirt. As I neared the door, the building juts out and offers some protection. Instantly warmer and dryer thanks to the roof overhead.

I thought about the verse regarding a strong tower. I was grateful for the protection provided by the walls of the building. I looked up some info on towers and was further reminded of the protection and advantages they serve.

Towers are tall which provides a good overview of an area. Towers offer protection from weather and enemies. Towers are strong and a good place of shelter during battles.

There are times in life when we feel unprotected and beat up by the battles that surround us. It is good to know that there is a tower waiting to provide protection, safety and a place of calm in the storm. The tower also offers the opportunity to look at the big picture and not just the little piece right in front of us.

Proverbs 18:10 (NIV) The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Praying that you find a strong tower in the name of the Lord. Do not be afraid to run there often....and be safe. We'll still have battles, but we will not fight alone.

EneME

2010-10-23T01:52:00.002-04:00

Enemy: one that is antagonistic to another; especially : one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent (Merriam-Webster)

"We have met the enemy and he is us" Walt Kelly

I'm thinking lately of all the things and excuses that I have let stand in my way of getting to where I want to be....or better yet, where God wants me to be. The dictionary definition refers to being antagonistic to another. However, I am coming to the conclusion that sometimes I become overly disappointed with myself. I am my own worst enemy...hence the eneME.

Eventually (I would like to say that it is taking less and less time, but still a work in progress), I start to realize that I am not as content. My feelings start to rule, and I start to believe that it's easier to give up then continue to fight. It takes courage to face our discouragement.

I have definitely noticed though that what I focus on can be used against me. When I get too busy to take time for devotions or I listen too much to music that doesn't lift me up, I start feeling like I'm losing the battle. The enemy starts to win and gains ground. Thankfully, God loves me (and you) too much to leave us alone to fight this battle.

^{Psalm 31:8 (NIV)} You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.

The battle for our mind is ongoing. We need to remember and keep reminding ourselves that we already have an enemy pursuing us. Resist and stand firm. Realize that God helps us fight ALL enemies....even the one within ourselves.

^{1 Peter 5:7-9 (NIV) 7}Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

The Slipping of the Mask

2010-10-13T09:34:00.000-04:00

We all wear a mask you know
it covers the feelings we don't think we should show.

We may feel sad or bad inside
or those feelings of anger we think we can hide.

But, we cover them up with the mask we wear.
Sometimes other people we're trying to spare
from the feelings of pain that don't go away.
We struggle and make it through one more day

Why does life sometimes seem so tough?
That no matter what we do it just isn't enough?

We try so hard to be what we think others want us to be
and in the process, we lose our me.

We might be an adult, but still feel like a child
inside where we hide our inside wild with our mask of mild.

The mask shows a smile when we'd rather cry.
Friends and family might try
to help us see......
it's enough "just" being me.

We hang around people with a smile on their face.
Our mask quickly slips back into place.

But what if their smile is also their mask?
We'll never know if we don't take time to ask.

When we stop being what we think people want or need us to be,
we find the mask can come off. It's enough to be me.

Feel your pain

2010-10-01T02:52:00.000-04:00

PAIN: localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder (as a disease or an injury); also : a basic bodily sensation induced by a noxious stimulus, received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical discomfort and typically leading to evasive action

Pain: physical, mental, emotional. Pain can have a good result as in the birth of a baby. That pain is sometimes quickly forgotten when we see that little one we have been waiting for. Pain can keep us from further hurting ourselves as in feeling a hot stove and knowing we need to keep our hand away....or get burned.

"I feel your pain" Bill Clinton

Pain is unique to the person. What brings pain to one of us might not cause someone else to even think twice about it. While we can empathize with someone else going through a painful situation, it is impossible for us to know exactly what that person feels. Some people refer to themselves as having a high pain tolerance.

However, it seems we have become a people eager to dull or remove our pain....or find evasive action as listed in the dictionary. There is a pill for everything that ails you. We can get so busy running around and keeping busy that the only way we slow down is when something starts to hurt. Pain can serve a greater purpose by letting us know there's something wrong. We need to feel our own individual pains before we can reach out to others and help them through their pain.

We are promised a coming day though when there will be no more pain. Until then, may our pain never be wasted. May we learn and grow through it and bring it to the ultimate healer.

^{Revelation 21:4 (NIV)}He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Can!....Can't?.....Will!...Won't?...Do!...Don't?

2010-09-24T02:08:00.001-04:00

Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right.
Henry Ford

I have watched an eagle glide gracefully across the sky in a lazy looking circle. I noticed that eagles do not do a lot of flapping. They seem to instinctively know that they can ride the wind and not waste a lot of energy.

Lately, I have not been very eagle-like. I feel like I'm flapping for all it's worth. I start the day out pretty positive that I can accomplish much. Then I watch the hours slip away and become easily overwhelmed as I realize how much "stuff" I have piled into one day. AND I can't get it all done so why start? "It" will still be there tomorrow waiting to get done. Unless I stop my flapping long enough and change my thinking, the can'ts will win tomorrow too. As soon as we put not on the end, the gliding ends and the flapping begins.

When I get in moods like that, I need to be careful not to push my can't, won't or don't on other people. Most have enough of their own flapping going on.

I was reminded in a song:

¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

May we all be blessed with strength today and remind ourselves that we are not flying alone....flapping or gliding.

Handicap....judging :(

2010-09-16T01:03:00.000-04:00

A thought hit me this AM. The last 2 days my right ear was REALLY plugged up. I could barely hear out of it. The left one was pretty bad too. I was at the grocery store buying a mylar balloon (grocery store because my local $ store closed :( and balloon....because I am the balloon buying, hair bang aunt to the triplets!). So, I find a balloon that still has some helium in it (AND it says I LOVE YOU). I go to pay and I kind of hear the cashier tell me the other lane can help me. Both cashiers looked kind of annoyed as it took a few moments for my recognition as they gestured and started to talk louder. I had not realized how bad my hearing had become. A trip to the dr later in the day fixed the problem. However, I have a deeper issue that needs some attention.

I thought back to a time many years ago when we had parked in a handicap space at a store. My mom had a hurt leg, but wore a brace so it was not visible. As we walked into the store, a "gentleman" (using the term generously) said "I was waiting to see which one of you was handicapped."

There are many handicaps that are not visible to the casual observer. There are people that do not limit themselves by what others would consider a handicap. I so admire those people! Where it would be easy to make excuses, they go above and beyond expectations. There are casual observers who judge those seen as being handicapped. Sadly, I have done that more than I would like to admit. I have put limits on myself and others based on what I think they can and/or should do.

We truly never know what someone else is going through if we have already judged them and think we know. Unless we take the time and effort to get to know someone better and truly listen to their story, we may miss out on the perseverance it takes to make it through the day. Things we take for granted. We need to see our way past the disability to the ability.

I wasn't sure if I would find a verse to tie this together. I typed "handicap" in www.biblegateway.com and in the NIV version nothing came up. The Message version though had this:

2 Corinthians12 ^7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

The Night Before School Starts

2010-09-06T23:50:00.000-04:00

By KL

Based on The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before school starts, when all through the house

All the children were sleeping, even the spouse;

The backpacks were hung by the front door with care,

In hopes the kids would be ready when the bus would be there;

The children were rushing to get into their beds,

Soon visions of seeing friends danced in their heads;

While mom put back on the toothpaste cap,

Busy, busy no time for a nap,

From one of the bedrooms arose such a clatter,

Mom rushed right in there to see what was the matter.

Up to the bedside she flew like a flash,

Stepping on toys, she heard something smash.

Here was her child

Sometimes shy, sometimes wild

What to her wondering eyes should appear,

that the child had eyes of a headlight struck deer,

With all the mom know-how, so lively and quick,

She knew in a moment the child wanted to be sick

More rapid than eagles her excuses they came,

And she shared all her worries and called them by name;

What if I can’t find all my classes?

What if they don’t like my new glasses?

What of those bullies who teased me last year?

And what if I try out, but don’t get to cheer?

So out of mom’s mouth encouragement flew,

A smile, a hug, and a prayer too.

And then, in a twinkling, the morning was here

The beginning of another school year.

She came down the stairs in her new skinny jeans,

The mom shook her head and looked at her teen.

Mom started to think about all those years back,

When the only worry was what was for snack.

They heard the squeal from the brakes of the bus

Quick out the door, no more time to fuss.

She ran to the bus with just a quick wave

One more memory for mom to save.

As the bus drove on, out of her sight,

Mom quietly whispered “We’ll be all right”.

The Genesis Code - my opinion.....GO SEE IT!

2010-09-01T05:14:00.000-04:00

I saw The Genesis Code movie. When I was invited to see it, I didn't even know what it was about...other than a lot of it was filmed in Grand Rapids. I quickly checked before I went and found out it had something to do with spirituality and science.

I was pleasantly surprised and hope that this movie makes its way into more theaters in the country. Many times, movies that make you think don't tend to do that great in theaters. It seems people want to sit and be entertained or horrified by what takes place on the screen.

This movie has a little bit of everything: sports (hockey), college life, guy and a girl, believers and non-believers/questioning faith, science, gun shots, life support and the whole realm of questions that brings up.....

The movie seeks to answer the often asked question of how Genesis states the earth was created in 6 days, yet science can "prove" that the earth is indeed billions of years old....and what about dinosaurs?

The movie has some "stars". A lot of the people I did not recognize, but still good acting. It was a well produced movie....and if you live around Grand Rapids, it is interesting to try and recognize where they filmed.

This would be a great movie for middle school/high school age as well. It deals with the pressure of being a believer among very politically correct friends, teachers and family. It seems like the characters are supposed to be tolerant of everything and everyone (EXCEPT for Christians) as each person finds their own version of right and wrong. Her "academic adviser" advises her that there is no absolute truth. The adviser's viewpoint will give you much to think about what you believe and why. Later, the adviser meets with the reverend and that is a great conversation as well.

Overall, it is a movie that will get you thinking and hopefully discussing with fellow viewers. I usually have a hard time justifying the cost of seeing a movie in the theater. However, if we want more movies that do more than just entertain and horrify, we need to support the film makers. If you can't get to the theater, it will definitely be a great movie to watch as a church group, small study group, etc.

The Vine(s)....and the wrestling

2010-08-30T02:39:00.002-04:00

John 15:5-6 (NIV)⁵"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

We worked in our yard recently. This is somewhat unusual as our yard is big and lots of things grow and live in it. Unless our yard has been mowed recently, it is probably the yard that bugs neighbors and people who really love yard work. I rarely appreciate more than the entrance way to our front door. I get busy, have to much to do....the yard just doesn't always seem at the top of the list. I guess it would be safe to say that I always wanted a garden....until I got one....and realized how much work it is.

When I actually took a walk around the yard with trimmers to cut down the plants that threaten to take over more than their fair share of space, I really looked. I don't know why, but I always feel bad cutting stuff off. Even if it is weeds. Some weeds really are quite pretty. Some are horribly ugly with some nice features like the prickly plant that gets bigger and bigger, but has some neat purple flowers that open eventually.

My goal for this yard excursion was to trim the vines that grow up through the cracks of the deck. They are actually rather nice looking, but they grow out of control. They grab onto the rails of the deck and work their way up. This time I caught them early enough that their grip had not tightened to much.

Upon further inspection of some of the trees at the backside of the house, I noticed that there were similar vines in the tree. I started pulling. Many of the vines required me pulling back with all my weight....and I still could barely move them. I looked closer and was amazed to see the detail of curves and grip and the toughness of the vine. One vine would have many offshoots and had wound itself around the branches of the tree.

I was reminded of the verse of the vine and the branches in the Bible. I debated how I was going to write this so it tied together because I was focusing on the vine being in the tree...instead of the vine. I started reading up some on vines. Most don't like shade, they want the sun. They grow upward and outward. Some spread very quickly. They are STRONG! (as I found out when I wrestled).

Jesus wants to be our vine, our support in our faith. We doesn't want us to stay in the shadows and darkness. He wants us to keep growing toward the light of the Son. As branches and offshoots, we are supposed to stay connected to the vine to keep growing. We need to be careful what we're clinging to and wrapping ourselves around.

Tonight, was the rest of my lesson. I had successfully wrestled and cut vines. I left them laying in the yard and the hot sun. They were removed from the source. Instead of being green and leafy, they had dried and died.

As an offshoot of the vine, I've removed myself many times. I've loosened my grip. I don't pray as much. I don't read the Bible as much. I don't take time for devotions/quiet time. I start to wither. If anyone wrestled with me, I'd pull away easily.

How about you? Are you a strong and healthy offshoot branch? or Are you feeling a little withered and in need of some help from THE Master Gardener?

Use What You Have

2010-08-03T04:28:00.000-04:00

2 Kings 4 (NIV)

The Widow's Oil

¹ The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves."

² Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?"
"Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil."

³ Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. ⁴ Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."

⁵ She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. ⁶ When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.

⁷ She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."

I am not writing about oil because of spills ( BP or Kalamazoo), however it is pretty timely!

I am thinking of this story because of the message of using what you have. When asked what she had, the widow responded she had nothing except some oil. From the response, it's easy to see she is focusing on the nothing....not the except or focusing on what she does have. When she uses what she has, she is given more. The limit becomes one of how many jars she has to fill up. Elisha even told her to plan big and not just ask for a few.

During these tough economic times, it is easy to look around and say we have little or nothing. What we do have is not always monetary. We may have family and friends that are willing to stand with us through the feelings of fear and frustration of not being able to provide for our family the way we would like to.

We live in a time of bigger, better, more. We need to realize that sometimes we need to use what we have to get to where God wants us to be.

God deals in exceptions. Even if we have nothing, EXCEPT God....that can be enough. Time to change our focus from what we do not have to what we do have. Even when it seems we have little or nothing, that exception is something when it is in the right hands.

Father in heaven: So many times we limit you on what you can do and want to accomplish in our lives and through us to bless others. Help us to realize that you are not a God of limits, you are a God of more than enough. Help us know that often we don't need more, we need to use what we have and are already blessed with.

Set A Spell

2010-07-27T03:50:00.000-04:00

Luke 2:46 (NIV)⁴⁶After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

The phrase "set a spell" has been running through my mind lately. Probably because of family visits lately to the hospital and rehab, etc. I also thought it was at the end of the Beverly Hillbillies TV show too. It was (I had to check the lyrics...and now THAT'S running through my head....it's a busy place up there!).

I think with technology and social sites spreading as fast as they are, we as a society and families are losing the fine art of setting a spell...taking time to slow down and listen to people....face to face....not Facebook or MySpace.

When my mom was in the hospital in Utah years ago, a local church sent a lady through one of their ministries to come visit with us. I was kind of worried about what we would find to talk about to a complete stranger. We ended up having a very nice conversation.

When we would visit our grandma at the nursing home, she and the others at the home were full of stories. They appreciated having someone listen....and most of the time, we got a living history story.

Sometimes we don't even need to fill the space with conversation, just having someone near us is enough.

Talking, writing, a status update or a tweet can all equate to setting a spell. However, I urge you to take the time this week to sit down (without the TV and computer or other distractions) and truly have a conversation with the people in your house, someone you work with who needs a friend, or even just taking a quiet time to listen to the small voice you only hear when you get quiet.

And just in case you would like the theme song running through your head also: Sung at the end of the show:

Well now its time to say good-bye to Jed and all his kin.
And they would like to thank you folks fer kindly droppin in.
You're all invited back again to this locality
To have a heapin helpin of their hospitality

Hillbilly that is. Set a spell. Take your shoes off. Y'all come back now, y'hear?

We Are Family.....

2010-07-13T01:24:00.003-04:00

Our family has had a lot of stuff going on lately. Our extended family (aunts, cousins, etc) have been going through stuff as well. Probably not any more than most people, but it just seems to be sinking in more as I think about it.

When bad health or trouble comes our way, we have two choices. It makes us closer....or pulls us further apart. Even in the same family, we all handle stress differently. Sometimes it's birth order or personality that dictates our handling. Sometimes it's our faith in God. Sometimes we just each do our part to muddle through.

Our families can be small....or large....birth....or adopted....or friends that feel like family.

When our daughter was baptized, I did the message for children at church that day. There was a little boy baptized as well. I started with, "Congratulations! You have a new brother and sister. To the relief of your parents, they will not be going home with you." I went on to explain that when we are believers, we gain brothers and sisters in Christ. We become a bigger family.

Bigger families can mean bigger problems. However, it can also mean a stronger base of assistance when stuff gets tough.

Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV) 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

So start looking around, your family doesn’t stop at your front door.

Letting Go......

2010-06-18T01:40:00.005-04:00

I've been thinking lately about letting go and how hard that is. Especially when we are not ready, willing or able to let go of whatever it is we are holding on to so tightly. Sometimes we want to let go....but on our time line and expanding our comfort zone ever so slowly (or so it seems!). Sometimes it becomes obvious that it is time (or past time) to let go.

What makes it so difficult to let go? Many times it is fear. We become familiar with a situation and the people in it and sometimes it seems easier to stay...even if it is not working out for anyone.

When it became very obvious that I was supposed to leave my job and be at home, I dealt with fear of the unknown. The job was a good-paying one with good benefits. Without knowing the situation, it would be easy to say just stay and make it work. It got to the point of realizing no matter how hard I tried, it was time to let go and move on. For the most part, that decision has been the right one.

Part of the fear issue is not always seeing the whole picture and how it will turn out. Almost like putting a really hard puzzle together....without the benefit of the picture on the box.

Letting go can be as easy as having someone else be in charge of the remote control when they really want it. Letting go might not be your decision as layoffs happen at your job. Letting go can be as difficult as helping someone make a decision to no longer receive treatment that will ultimately end a life.

When we finally do let go though? God is there waiting to help move us on to where He wants us to go next. He has the full picture on the box of the puzzle of our lives. Letting go requires trust that we are always in God's view and His plan is to help us find the purpose we're here for.

Is there something or someone you've been holding on a little too tightly? Are you willing to let go and not take it back to worry about? If it's partly your decision, start with the small stuff and work your way up to truly letting go once and for all. Because when we let go? God promises, He won't.

Hebrews6 ^18-20 (The Message) We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us.

Ecclesiastes 3 (NLT) A Time for Everything
¹ For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
² A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
³ A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
⁴ A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
⁵ A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
⁶ A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
⁷ A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
⁸ A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.

⁹ What do people really get for all their hard work? ¹⁰ I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. ¹¹ Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. ¹² So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. ¹³ And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. .....²² So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why we are here! No one will bring us back from death to enjoy life after we die.

This song really explains a lot of what I've been feeling about letting go. (Britt Nicole: Walk On the Water) This girl did a great job on her video of it.

Free Donut Day – Freedom, a free gift?

2010-06-07T19:51:00.002-04:00

Recently it was “Free Donut Day”. You could go to your local donut shop and get a free donut…sometimes with a drink purchase, but still a good deal. Facebook and the internet were abuzz with the declaration of said donut day. We do like our freebie deals, don’t we? Sometimes companies have to shut down their offers when the word gets spread around almost instantly in cyberspace and they are inundated with freebie seekers.

Fast forward to Sunday. I’m sitting in church and we’re singing and praising God. The free gift of salvation is mentioned. I get rather sad quickly, because I realize that there are people missing out. I am very quick to share freebies or good deals I find online and in the store. I am rather disappointed with myself as I realize I am much more willing to pass on info regarding temporary good deals instead of the most freeing gift I’ve found.

I was raised going to church – sometimes twice on Sunday. (THANKS mom and dad!) I’ve known God loves me from little on. I know where I’ll go when I die. It is not based on how good I am…..or not. There is great freedom in that. I have great respect for people who become Christians as an adult. By then, we are jaded. We’ve been hurt. We’ve hurt others. I have a lot of respect for those who are good at helping people find their way to God and helping God find them by praying for family and friends.

Why am I not more willing/able to pass on the good news that knowing Jesus can bring?

Maybe a donut is a good example of salvation. There’s a hole in most donuts. There’s a hole in us God wants to fill. If you are not a Christian, are you willing to take that first step in asking God to reveal Himself to you? Are you willing to talk to a trusted friend about your questions? Are you willing to get a Bible and not be afraid to open it and read some? Are you willing to seek freedom?

Isaiah 61 The Year of the LORD's Favor

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

² to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Pentecost Sunday - Holy Spirit

2010-05-23T09:34:00.003-04:00

Act 2 (NIV) ¹When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ²Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them...........¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" ¹³Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."

Reminded that today was Pentecost Sunday (7th Sunday after Easter - had to look it up). I read through the above verses...and the rest of chapter. LOVE www.biblegateway.com I find it interesting that some were amazed...and perplexed.....some questioned....and some made fun.

Personally? I think I'm in the amazed and perplexed and the questioning groups. Even as I gain a better understanding of God's plan by reading the Bible, I still frequently question how it is all going to work out. However, I frequently find that when I honestly question and wait for an answer. I do get one. I have to be willing to have my logical (smile?!?!?) thinking shook up. Does this mean all my questions are answered? Hardly!

I love mysteries anyway. It seems like I get clues revealed as I need them to continue on my journey. I get just enough info to move to the next place God wants me.

The people's reactions sound similar to today. It is really easy to feel safe, secure and blessed....in our homes, churches and with fellow believers. However, are you prepared for the people who question and/or make fun of you for being a Christian....or maybe even "un-friend" you from Facebook because of what you believe?

Praying for a revival of the Holy Spirit. Even if it makes people around us think we're a little weird.

Focus on the but?

2010-05-20T02:55:00.005-04:00

Read carefully: Focus on the but (yes, only one "t"). As a woman, I need no help on focusing on the other spelling!

I have been thinking on this for awhile and at the time I didn't have a good example of my thought. I do now thanks to the Miss USA pageant (scholarship opportunity....sorry, a little sarcasm). I didn't watch it....totally forgot about it truthfully. I did hear/see Miss Michigan won! Followed up by and shown numerous times, she tripped. She's beautiful, she won, but the media seem to focus on the stumble!

Oh, we can be so critical....especially if it helps keep the attention off of us. BUT can be so negative. "You did good, BUT you could have done better" "I like this about myself, BUT I could/should still ___________ fill in the blank.

Many times it seems we put the positive 1st and then follow it with how it could be better. Sometimes maybe we need to stop ourselves before we get to BUT. "You did good." "I like this about myself" I've heard that for every negative, it can take up to 5 positives to counteract.

I'm going to start paying more attention to where I'm putting my attention when I think about others....and try to take it easier on myself as well. People really don't need our assistance in finding faults. It seems everybody has something about themselves they would change if they could.

I tried looking up "but" in the Bible...numerous versions even at www.biblegateway.com. I didn't find any. There were quite a few for "however".

Interesting that this is under the heading: Unity in the Body
Ephesians 4:2-7
² Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ³ Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. ⁴ For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. ⁷ However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

Look for the gift in each person......Even if you have to get past a lot of buts.

Turn Around

2010-05-07T00:43:00.003-04:00

The other night I walked into a beautiful sunset. I realized that had I been walking the other way I would have totally missed the beauty. Only due to other circumstances was I even walking....I would normally have been driving and not paying as much attention to the sky.

I was reminded of a time I was looking for a restaurant with a friend. We kept driving around the block looking on one side of the road. When we FINALLY found it, it was because we looked on the other side of the road.

I went on a bus trip with my 6th grader to Chicago. I told the kids I was sitting by they would know we were in Gary, Indiana when they saw lots of factories. One girl was facing me and she said she didn't see any factories. Another kid (facing the other way) told her it was because they were behind her. She needed to turn around to see them.

When my nephew was younger, I took him to a fast food place and he was in a big hurry to get to the play land. We had not even ordered yet! I told him to turn around. He stopped, did a complete circle....and kept going. A lady watching remarked, "He did what you asked him!" Yes, he did. ;)
^{Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)} Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

I have been thinking about this for awhile and then today I read the above verse and it clicked. So many times I am too busy looking for what I think I need to see that I forget that it may be on another side....or right in front of me. I need to turn around if necessary and definitely look up.

The verse above is under the heading "Woe to the Obstinate Nation". While this was written for the nation in its time, it also applies today to our nation. The chapter discusses doing things on their own and looking for help in the wrong places.

May we always be willing to turn around if necessary and rely on the voice behind us instead of our own.

Worrier......to Warrior

2010-04-22T00:23:00.007-04:00

Luke 21:13-15 (NIV) 13 This will result in your being witnesses to them. ¹⁴But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
^{The Bible mentions many times that we are not to worry. I hate to admit it, but I still do. Maybe not as much as I used to, but still more than I'd like. It is a constant struggle as negative thoughts try to crowd in. I have wasted LOTS of time and energy on worries that usually have not happened. The media is set up to help us worry so I have tried to limit my exposure. I'm aware of where the world is eventually heading.

I had a thought recently. It is time to fight back against the worries. Become a warrior using prayer as our weapon. There have been times I have felt like giving up. I always remind other people to keep fighting the good fight. Time to take my own advice!}^{1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV) 11}But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

John Bunyan by Kevin Belmonte Book Review

2010-04-13T02:33:00.002-04:00

I recently finished reading John Bunyan by Kevin Belmonte from the Christian Encounters series published by Thomas Nelson. John Bunyan is most well-known as the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, which I did not realize was written in the 1600s. I found it interesting that he was also a son, Tinker (occupation), soldier, husband, father, preacher, and a prisoner of conscience due to standing up for the right to preach. Mr. Bunyan’s background greatly influenced his writing and the lives of others even well after his death. The book also mentions other works by John Bunyan that I was not aware of, including Grace Abounding, an autobiography. The main point of the book is to answer how such a great work as Pilgrim’s Progress was written by a man of very modest beginnings.

This biography covers a lot of period history which I found very interesting. The author quotes numerous sources from previously written biographies, which at times can be a little distracting. There are numerous resources listed in the back of the book. A timeline of Bunyan’s life and historical events in the Appendix is very informative. Biographies are not usually my first choice for reading material. However, I found this book to be an interesting look at a writer I was not very familiar with. This book also made me want to read some of Mr. Bunyan's other works.

The greatest lesson I learned from reading this book is that the written word outlives the writer and the effort can affect people through several generations and hundreds of years later.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Value of Empty

2010-04-04T01:12:00.004-04:00

Usually, if something is empty, it is not worth much. In the age of foreclosures due to the economy, mortgage companies move pretty quickly if the house becomes vacant because of the inevitable loss of value as upkeep is not being provided. The more you use of something, the less there is until eventually, the package is empty and discarded or recycled. Once a package becomes empty, the value is gone.

After Jesus was crucified, he was taken from the cross and brought to a tomb. A large stone was rolled in front of it. Guards were sent to watch so that the disciples would not be able to take the body and claim that Jesus was no longer dead.

The Guard at the Tomb
Matthew 27:62-66 ⁶²The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. ⁶³"Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' ⁶⁴ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."

⁶⁵"Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." ⁶⁶ So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Per Websters: Empty - not occupied or inhabited

Thankfully for us, what Jesus said was true. He did rise on the 3rd day. The tomb that was prepared for him could not hold him captive. Death's grip and sin in the human race could not keep him there. He died and rose to break those bonds once and for all.

Matthew 28:2-6 ²There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵ The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay^{.

The tomb is EMPTY. The King is risen! Time to adjust our view from where God isn't to where He is. Because the tomb is empty, WE don't have to be. God will fill us with His holy spirit. All we have to do is ask.

Thomas did not accept the fact that the tomb was empty....until he actually saw and felt the scars on Jesus. May you be blessed and recognize the value of an empty tomb as we celebrate Easter and a risen King!

John 20:29} (NIV) Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Do you know how much?

2010-03-30T02:04:00.006-04:00

Even though I love a good bargain, I'm not thinking how much as in dollars and cents. Maybe sense.... How much do you sense God around you, in you, through you? Honestly, I have to admit lately, not as much as I'd like....but I've been trying to handle everything on my own again. Usually, when Easter is coming up, I can feel God pretty strongly. This year just seems to be zipping by though and it seemed to sneak up.

Sometimes the true message of Easter can get to caught up in the egg hunts, baskets and the elusive Easter bunny.

The true message of Easter is that Jesus came to prove to us HOW MUCH we are loved! Even when the world tells us we are politically incorrect or a day when we are feeling unlovable, it does not change the fact that we were worth Jesus dying on a cross for us. Jesus didn't come to be an earthly ruler or a political activist. He came to spread His arms across the expanse of that cross and say, "THIS is how much I love you!"

Romans 5:16-18 (NIV)

¹⁶Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. ¹⁷For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

¹⁸Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.

I used to have a song I'd sing to our kids when they were little and we'd joke about how much do you love me.

I love you up to the sky and back....and around the world and back again.... I love (kid's name).

I picked up the CD "Freedom" by Mandisa at the library recently. I had heard a few of her songs on the radio. I had not heard the one entitled "How Much" (song below). When I heard it the first time, it was at one of those down moments where I needed a reminder and I SO needed to hear it right then. I got that tingly feeling that shivered through me as I let the words soak in. Hope it does that for you too.

Mandisa's How Much:

Life and Death....and don't miss out on sharing the ride....

2010-03-04T02:49:00.005-05:00

I really should be in bed (what else in new?). But there are times when I realize why I'm up. This is one of them. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. We found out earlier tonight that our Grandma's boyfriend died. Grandma died a few years ago. Both of them had memory issues as they aged. When we would visit, we would have the same conversation about 3 times in the time we were there....and usually in the same order. It would be kind of frustrating, in a lovable sort of way. They could remember things that happened YEARS ago, but not things that happened just a few hours....or minutes before.

I always thought it was kind of cool that they found love again at their age. Both of them had been married before. It really said something about grandma because men were pretty much a high commodity where she lived. Men could take their pick. (lock that in memory for future reference, boys....hee hee!)

I would sometimes have to guilt our kids into going to visit on Sunday afternoons when there was usually something else they would rather be doing. Sometimes there was other stuff I would rather be doing too. However, when we would get there and the residents would be so excited to see the kids, it was all worth it. We still remember some of the residents and being counted by one lady as we walked by.

I would remind us that the time would come that they would not be here anymore for us to visit....and we would miss that. It did and we do.

After Grandma died, we would still visit him occasionally. He was worried we would forget him. He would tell us stories of the things he'd done. He was in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and the war. He showed us pictures of himself as a young man. Later, he moved. We went to his birthday party. We told him we would get back to see him. We didn't.

Our older generations are a treasure of history and information. Sometimes we get so busy with today that we forget about yesterday. ^{Hebrews 6:10-12 (NLT) 10} For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. ¹¹ Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. ¹² Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

I received the following link in an e-mail from my sister (very timely)....and part of the reason I started out in tears. It reminded me of those times I took the time to spend with my grandma that lived with us for years, Jeff's grandma, her boyfriend, etc. It reminds me that the day will come when my ride is nearing the end....and I may be the one wishing someone would come visit.

http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/

Life seems long, love while you can....even if it's while you're forgetting. Our Sundays are not the same. One day they really are gone.

Are you B.A.D.?

2010-02-23T13:42:00.003-05:00

This will not be news to some of you, but I REALLY struggled in Jr. High and high school. I felt like I didn't fit in. I didn't feel accepted except for my small group of friends and even some of those depended on the day. In today's current language, I had "low self esteem". Still do some days. I try to rah rah girls with encouragement now as they tread those same waters. I try to remind them that this is a blip in time in the whole scheme of things....but it sure doesn't seem like it when you're going/growing through it. Looking back I have since learned that lots of us felt that way. Some just covered it up better than others. Maybe some of us still do.

Fast forward to yesterday and I'm at McDonald's with my daughter. I go to pay for my order with my trusty debit card and the word quickly flashes across the screen: ACCEPTED. There are days I don't feel like I accept myself.....and I'm accepted by my bank and McDonald's?

How have I forgotten? Yikes. I let today's worries and concerns move me far from the truth. I am accepted every day, every way by God. Through that acceptance, I am to accept others. Release them from my expectations.

^{Romans 15: 7} (NIV) Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Then I get home and check Facebook for a few minutes (ha!). A friend's status shuffle refers to B.A.D. : Blessed and Delivered. I made it: God's B.A.D. girl - Blessed, Accepted, Delivered. In this case, bad can be good. So, are you? B.A.D. I mean.

Do not fall for the doubts that can easily plague us. Move beyond self esteem. Remember you're already accepted. Get it past your head and emotions and into your heart and soul. God's already there just waiting for you to show up!

1Peter 2:^{9-10 (The Message)}But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

Whatever?!?!?

2010-02-18T01:29:00.003-05:00

Seems like almost everywhere you go (but ESPECIALLY in houses with teens), you hear "whatever!" as a response. Often it is stated with an eye roll or 2 when someone asks him/her a question and they get frustrated or don't seem to care about the issue.

I thought about this just a couple of days ago as I read through Philippians and ran across the verse with whatever and a nice list of things to think about....and I was going to write about it. However, sometimes procrastination has a purpose as explained below the verse.

Philippians 4:7-9 (NIV)⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Tonight while watching TV a blurb came on about Sarah Palin, Down's Syndrome and the show Family Guy. Hmmmm. Interesting combination. Apparently, the show Family Guy recently showed an episode of a Downs girl with Palin-ish glasses that stated her mom was the former governor of Alaska. Later there was a song and dance about Downs Syndrome.

I am not a fan of Family Guy anyway, but this was sinking to a new low....even for them. However, star fans of the show stated there is such a thing as "First Amendment Rights" and "free speech". The show creator, Seth Mac Farlane stated that the show is "an equal opportunity offender". I'm sure there are some people who will just say "whatever!??!?".

To me, and I hope to others also, this is a wake up call to the verses above. The peace of God will guard our hearts and minds, but we are responsible for what we fill our hearts and minds with. Sometimes that means walking out of a theater or turning off the TV or reading something else. So start looking for whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable.

Are you in the ARK ?......or the Dinghy?

2010-02-10T01:42:00.005-05:00

Ever feel like one of those punching bag toys with the weighted bottom? You get punched by whatever circumstance is going against you, and that silly faced thing pops back up. Then you get smacked a few more times and the air goes out a little....and you don't pop back up as quickly. You're proud of yourself for making it back up, but life stands there and down you go again. You whine a little, but make it back up. Then you look around and see what other people are going through and you figure out you need to quit whining.

I have figured out that when I feel like this the most, it is the times I am counting on me to pull me back up instead of depending on God to protect me from life's blows.

I have not been very successful at balancing my life and responsibilities. I read a book that freed up my thinking by suggesting we seek buoyancy instead of balance.

A definition of buoyancy: the ability to recover quickly from depression or discouragement

There are 2 ways to stay buoyant and float above the turmoil.

One is the ark where we are promised and provided safety by God. It's a large, stable vessel that will help keep us from tumbling through the choppy life waters that we face. It's roomy so we can invite others to ride along with us.

The other is the dinghy that follows behind the ark. It is still attached to the larger, safer boat, however it does not provide much protection from the wind and waves or whatever else comes along. It's smaller and there is not enough room for others to join you...so you go it mainly alone.

Where are YOU riding these days? I know where I WANT to be, but I know I've been trying to do it on my own. Riding in the ark is a privilege, but there is always an open invitation to get back on board.

Genesis 7:1 (NIV) The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

Praying that you find your ark, get in, realize you are not alone and prepare to float. Ahhhhh.......

The Spectrum of Concern

2010-01-28T09:21:00.005-05:00

per webster: Concern:

to have an influence on (obsolete : to be of importance)

I usually try to avoid the news. I get frustrated when I see things I can't fix. Just makes me feel overwhelmed. If I don't look, I don't have to become involved or be concerned with other issues...besides I already have enough issues of my own (in my not so humble opinion). However, I listen to the radio and browse the internet quite a bit so I hear news stories....good, bad and ridiculous, which can be hard to ignore.

Of course, there has been the ongoing reports of the earthquake in Haiti. I believe this to be a major concern. Amazingly, there have still been a few survivors rescued even after a week. The pictures are devastating, however, in many, the people still smile.

And then there's the groundhog thing by PETA. Seriously? That is the best thing they can come up with to spend their time and efforts on? They feel the groundhog should be replaced by a robotic groundhog because of being in captivity and all the bright lights, crowds, etc. on Groundhog Day.

There are many other examples of issues people are concerned about. Abortion, school funding, lack of jobs, health care, etc. The list is long. It seems people mainly become involved or concerned when it is something that directly affects them. Otherwise, oh well, that's someone else's battle.

I find it interesting that the definition of concern meaning "to be of importance" is marked as obsolete. It seems to have been replaced by "to have an influence on". What concerns us helps us make decisions on where/what to spend our money and time. I think I want to merge the two definitions. I want to be concerned about being an influence on things of importance.

I guess the point of this is I don't want to preach about what to be concerned about. Just think about where you fall along the spectrum of concern. Depending on the issue you might be from I don't care to this matters a great deal to me or somewhere in the middle. I think my goal for today is to find out what really matters to me and put my efforts, time and money there.

Blessedly, we are never far from God's concern for us. We are "of importance" and God can have an "influence on" us. Keep your eyes open for where your concerns lie and watch for how God's concern for you shows up in your life. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being most important, we are 10s on God's concern spectrum.

Psalm 91:10-12 (NIV) ¹⁰then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. ¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; ¹² they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Malachi 3:16-17 (NIV) ¹⁶ Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. ¹⁷ "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.

Switch View

2010-01-11T00:07:00.005-05:00

I have a confession to make. I like online games. A LOT. I have wasted too much time playing. I can tell myself it is to help me relax, which is true....but it also keeps me from dealing with "stuff" I need to deal with. One game site even lets you earn play "$" so that you can donate it to help causes. Makes me feel not quite so guilty. Problem? You have to play awhile to make it worthwhile.

However, one never knows when a spiritual lesson is lurking amongst the seemingly pointless things in life. There's a game I like called Mah Jongg Toy Chest. Maj Jongg in general is a game where you match tiles to make them go away and clear the board. Trick is you can only click on tiles that are not surrounded by other tiles. Eventually, I run out of matches I can see. However, the game creators provided a help. There's text at the top that says "Switch View". When that is pressed, the board switches and the tiles are at a different angle which usually reveals more matches....and play continues until there are no more available matches....or time runs out.

When the view is switched, the perspective changes. I looked up perspective: the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance (urge you to maintain your perspective and to view your own task in a larger framework — W. J. Cohen)

I read a story/e-mail one time about people who could not agree. So the teacher put a person on each side of a ball where each person could only see their side. They had to convince the other person they were right. One side was black, one was white. There was no way they could agree....until they switched sides and saw it from the other person's view.

Life is a lot like that. However, I am reminded often that I am not seeing the whole picture. God has left just enough of the details out that I have to trust and have faith that His perspective is enough. Once in awhile, I get a small glimpse of changes I need to make to keep moving forward. A reminder that I need to switch views.

Philippians 3:14-16 (NIV)¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

PS The prize on Maj Jongg Toy Chest if you get all the matches? A big penguin waddles out and you get extra points for the remaining time. I know....God's plan is MUCH better!

Father, Thank you so much for the ability to sometimes catch a view of the vision you have for us and others you bring into our lives. May we keep pressing toward the real prize. We seek your wisdom and your viewpoint to keep us moving onward and upward.

Frustration due to Expectations

2009-12-25T01:17:00.003-05:00

Christmas Eve, I heard a more detailed telling of the Biblical Christmas story. It gave me a different perspective to be reminded that Mary traveled more than likely in labor - at least part of the way. She was on a donkey and going a long distance. She didn't know what to expect when she got there. When she arrived, the town was very busy and she needed to have a place to have the baby boy she was promised.

What kind of expectations affected Mary and Joseph's relationship? Mary didn't expect to be visited by an angel. Joseph expected a virgin. Mary expected to be married awhile before having a baby. Mary didn't expect to have to have people judge her for being pregnant before she was married. Mary didn't expect to have a baby in a barn (with all THAT entails!). She had been promised a King. What kind of King is born in a barn?

Luke 2:4-7 (NIV) ⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

If she had time, it would have been easy for Mary to be frustrated during this whole process. Her life as she knew it was turned upside down.

I was reminded about how many times my frustration level is extremely low. Somebody going to slow in front of me? I have to wait? I was here first, why is that person going before me? You want me to do what?

How many times are we frustrated due to our expectations of what we want to happen? Mary changed and/or rearranged her expectations. This is a good reminder for us as well.

Romans 8:18-21 ^{(NIV) 18}I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Merry Christmas! Maybe lowering our expectations of ourselves and others will help us lower our frustration and be a gift in itself!

Livin' Life

Do It....Yourself.....

DON'T do it!

Playing with words.... Evolve? Adapt?

“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.” Stuart Chase (Heard this on an episode of Criminal Minds...I rather like it)

Just Do It!

Are You Lost?

A 4 letter word starting with "H"

Bible Flipper

Loose Ends

Love....from a distance.....at least for now

Teenage Butterfly

Water and Fire and Problems/Blessings

The Flags - A 9/11 Memorial....10 years later

¤*¨¨*¤.¸¸ ...¸.¤\ \ 9/11 AMERICA \ .\¸.¤*¨¨*¤ .¸¸.¸.¤* ..\ ☻/ /▌ / \ UNITED WE STAND . . . NEVER FORGET ! (Not sure who made this, but quite awesome)

The flags come down Tuesday AM. There is no cost. Donations are accepted. If you have time, it is definitely worth going. Some more info from GR Press and MLive (their pics are better!) The Healing Field

We KNOW what we live.....

For the Love of.....Animals?!?!?!

Snuggle Saturdays

The illusion of control

Grateful for the "Reachers"

The "eyes" have it

Sneaky?!?!?!

Excuse Me? Excuses, bleh.

CAUTION - Boundaries

Getting in the Ring

Running on Empty

Ripples - Circles of Influence

Summer - Full speed ahead

Take Time (THANKS mom and dad)

Hurting Hearts

Hands On History

Under His Umbrella

A Royal Wedding

I Wish

Life's Better with......

and the answer is....... What was the question?

Dinged Up and Firey Darts

Lost...and Found

Bye, bye Bionicles......

Say what you mean....ASK!

Different, not less

Becoming Hardboiled

Molehills and Mountains

Moving in Another Direction....Opposite Way

Rebel Without a.....Clue

Breadstick Tuesday, Someone Else's Mother and Mentoring

Just Right....Parenting

Spiritual Thermostat

Well Placed Stones

Separation Anxiety

What if to What is

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV) 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Contest Rules - Bible style

The Way Home (a review)

The Gift.......Unopened?

Do you have room?

What kind of loving God?

Sticks and Stones....Watch Your Mouth

Matthew 12:33-35 (The Message)

33"If you grow a healthy tree, you'll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you'll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree.

The Fate of Baby "Wiggles"

Give Thanks...His love endures forever

Finding Your Strong Tower

EneME

The Slipping of the Mask

Feel your pain

Can!....Can't?.....Will!...Won't?...Do!...Don't?

13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

May we all be blessed with strength today and remind ourselves that we are not flying alone....flapping or gliding.

Handicap....judging :(

The Night Before School Starts

The Genesis Code - my opinion.....GO SEE IT!

The Vine(s)....and the wrestling

Use What You Have

2 Kings 4 (NIV)

The Widow's Oil

Set A Spell

We Are Family.....

Letting Go......

¤¨¨¤.¸¸ ...¸.¤\
\ 9/11 AMERICA \
.\¸.¤¨¨¤ .¸¸.¸.¤*
..\
☻/
/▌
/ \ UNITED WE STAND . . . NEVER FORGET ! (Not sure who made this, but quite awesome)

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV) ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

³³"If you grow a healthy tree, you'll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you'll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree.

¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NLT)