Our good friend Mike Davis went to be w/God in January and so we drove up to TN for the funeral. Mike was a great friend, always the first to pray for others, always the first to lend a helping hand. Mike met Jesus at our church in TN and was a real inspiration when he was in the midst of the throngs of cancer. Our pastor asked him one day, “Mike, do you ever get angry w/God for this cancer?” Mike said, “How can I when He is so good!” The funeral was a biker funeral b/c Mike loved his Harley! We so enjoyed meeting his buddies from Florida. One of my biggest memories of Mike was when he would ride his scooter in the heat of summer 10 minutes to come to church….now that is faithfulness. We were always so scared that he would have a seizer while put-putting back home by himself…but I guess our faith was not as strong as Mike’s….he knew God was right beside him. He never accepted our rides back home.
I also started teaching my upstairs neighbor to sew and quilt a baby blanket. (The novice I am) Kinnera is Hindu and spends most of her days in the house w/her new baby while her husband works 2 shifts at a convenient store he owns. She seems to be starved for female companionship so God gently nudged me and showed me how I can build a bridge w/her. We completed the project and now we are quilting at leisure. One afternoon after her 5 yr old got home from pre-K, she was explaining to her in Hindi that the sewing machine is not a play toy. As I held the little one sitting on my couch, I thought, wow! This is just what a missionary goes thru in another country…sharing life and Jesus w/the countrymen.
I have decided that I do not like India cuisine and finally told her that I can not get use to the curry and ginger she uses, BUT I have learned to make their flat bread and am going to start making it myself to help w/the calorie consumption in our home. She has another project in mind after this one is finished….I think she loves to sew!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Life Happens....Part 3
2008 has made me serious about loosing the weight I have gained since my back surgeries. So I have started walking 1+ miles per day, drinking more water, changing my portion sizes, drinking green tea and ‘standing on my head’ if that will help!
I was invited to participate in Grandparent Day at KK’s dance studio just 2 days before Valentines Day. The 12 little kindergartener’s were all lined up, w/KK at the #11th position. As they were all asked who their Valentine was, each girl gave a name, but only KK said “My Grandma!” Although she never calls me grandma, I was please she picked me! She knows her stuff and does it just like she was taught…of course being firstborn helps!
After practice, we took some pictures outside on some great tree climbing trees! Note, if Steve was there, he would have fussed at me for climbing the tree, so that is why you see me in it! It was so much fun, and the girls had a blast.
Make all our days’ productive ones, Lord. Show us what our ministry is. Open doors so that we might serve You in new ways. Look kindly on all our efforts so as to always glorify Your Name…..Amen
I was invited to participate in Grandparent Day at KK’s dance studio just 2 days before Valentines Day. The 12 little kindergartener’s were all lined up, w/KK at the #11th position. As they were all asked who their Valentine was, each girl gave a name, but only KK said “My Grandma!” Although she never calls me grandma, I was please she picked me! She knows her stuff and does it just like she was taught…of course being firstborn helps!
After practice, we took some pictures outside on some great tree climbing trees! Note, if Steve was there, he would have fussed at me for climbing the tree, so that is why you see me in it! It was so much fun, and the girls had a blast.
Make all our days’ productive ones, Lord. Show us what our ministry is. Open doors so that we might serve You in new ways. Look kindly on all our efforts so as to always glorify Your Name…..Amen
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Once Upon a Time.....
Once upon a time there were 3 little visitors….as you can see. There was a big visitor who loved watching Franklin the Turtle and kissing on Sir. There was a medium size visitor who came in with an upset stomach from her weary travels and there was a tiny visitor who danced in front of the TV and loved reading Christian nursery rhymes with me.
Now the first visitor is 6 and she has been transformed into quite a well manner girl always using polite words. She wears the prettiest pair of purple glasses and sits quietly unlike the girl she was at age 5. Something happened to her between 5 and 6 years of age, something called ‘growing up.’ She tells me that she loves going to church because “It’s a place where I learn about Jesus and that helps me to do what is right.”
Our second visitor must have eaten way too much for her morning meal b/c she usually bounces into any room! Today she was somber and quiet, not the twinkle toes I remembered from last week. This second visitor although medium in size has a heart as big as Texas. She absolutely loves nail polish, lip gloss and gum! Every time we are together we must do an art project b/c art is her passion but gymnastics is her calling.
The third little visitor, yet only 2.7 yrs on this planet, is still quite small, but you never miss the way she tilts her head and scrunches up her shoulder as she flashes a huge smile. Her smile is contagious and can captivate you in an instant. She loves to dance and play “Shadow” w/the other two visitors. Her passions are left to the unknown as yet, but just give her 2 yrs and she will dazzle you and me.
As they left my place today for their continued adventures, you would never know that they were even here. Well, I did put away the books we read, put the “Ogletine” (Ovaltine) healthy chocolate mix back into the cupboard, dust the cracker crumbs off of my bed. Other than that you would never have known they had been in my presence!
I did not run them off for you see, they were on an adventure which took them to Alabama to play with other visitors their exact same ages…..I prayed for them as they left, to have a safe trip, that no one would get sick and that when they got to their destination they would continue being good visitors.
Do I miss them? You better believe it! Will I get to be in their presence soon? I am quite sure of it. So for now, this story does not end like The Three Little Bears. My cereal was not eaten, my furniture is not broken and it did not scare me to see someone in my bed and no one ran off into the woods!
But I am grateful that I do not have to work and was given the privilege to play with them today. Thank you Jesus!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
It was purposed for this TIME....
This year was the quietest Christmas we have ever had! Our kids spent Christmas with their other families. Parents of married children must share these great holidays....Next year we will all be together in a special place already reserved for us. (it's a surprise) Steve and I watched movies all day and munched on Shrimp cocktail, crabmeat cheeseball and for dessert....the ever popular BUCKEYES! We opened up 2 small presents to each other and thanked God for all He has done in 2007.
This year the Christmas story brought a new (well, maybe not new) concept into my life.....TIME! Luke 2:1-7 starts the story of Jesus' birth and well...
V1 says that "there came about a decree" (a decree to be counted) For the first time ever, the King wanted a census to be taken, so off everyone goes back to their own towns to be counted. It was purposed for this TIME.
V4 states that Joseph and Mary had to go back to Bethlehem b/c he was of the lineage of David (it was fortold that the King of Glory would be from the line of David) It was purposed for this TIME.
V6 says that the days were completed for her to delivery her son. Imagine having to travel at such an important time as this. (my doctor would not allow me to travel long distance right before the birth of my daughters) It was purposed, proving once again that God is still in control, for this TIME.
V7 tells us that there was no room for them in the inn. Such a busy town, everyone was pre-occupied, to busy to notice this humble birth. It was purposed for this TIME.
This story this year reminds me of TIME...a precious valued commodity. I pray that you take TIME in 2008 to walk the walk, reach out of your comfort zone to someone that makes you uncomfortable. Do not just "go to church"....BE the church." I am building bridges w/the lady upstairs. I am uncomfortable w/the language barrier most of all...but prayfully thru crafts, quilting and with TIME I can earn the right to share Jesus with her.
This year the Christmas story brought a new (well, maybe not new) concept into my life.....TIME! Luke 2:1-7 starts the story of Jesus' birth and well...
V1 says that "there came about a decree" (a decree to be counted) For the first time ever, the King wanted a census to be taken, so off everyone goes back to their own towns to be counted. It was purposed for this TIME.
V4 states that Joseph and Mary had to go back to Bethlehem b/c he was of the lineage of David (it was fortold that the King of Glory would be from the line of David) It was purposed for this TIME.
V6 says that the days were completed for her to delivery her son. Imagine having to travel at such an important time as this. (my doctor would not allow me to travel long distance right before the birth of my daughters) It was purposed, proving once again that God is still in control, for this TIME.
V7 tells us that there was no room for them in the inn. Such a busy town, everyone was pre-occupied, to busy to notice this humble birth. It was purposed for this TIME.
This story this year reminds me of TIME...a precious valued commodity. I pray that you take TIME in 2008 to walk the walk, reach out of your comfort zone to someone that makes you uncomfortable. Do not just "go to church"....BE the church." I am building bridges w/the lady upstairs. I am uncomfortable w/the language barrier most of all...but prayfully thru crafts, quilting and with TIME I can earn the right to share Jesus with her.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
It just gets better w/age....
As I try to sleep, a reflux problem hit my throat, so I am up at 11pm drinking 7-up to try and get the last of a great dinner to stay down so I can sleep.
Today, we celebrated 31 years of marriage! I thought last year was a big one but as I ponder on 31, I find myself thinking that "IT JUST GETS BETTER WITH AGE."
I wrote a life letter to my husband as a gift. It took me the better part of 2 wks to get it right. I am known to give every detail, so I shortened 31 yrs down to 3 pages (single space of course) We were so young then, and now after just celebrating 54 yrs of age and 31 yrs w/my best friend, life tends to make you stop and absorb it all. When you are in the midst of raising children, broken cars, finances, jobs, building homes, higher education, sicknesses in family...you do not take the time to 'drink it all in.' So I did that for a couple weeks. And here is my 2 cents on life.......IT'S GREAT, every bad day, every crying baby, every finance problem, every work solution, every troubled teen, everything! It's great because of ONE person-Jesus Christ!!!
I asked the young waitress at the steak house tonight to take our picture for our 31st anniversary, she obliged. She came back later and asked how we did it? She is a mother of 3. (7,4 & 4mos) Steve told her that our secret is keeping God in the middle of our relationship. I am so glad he gave her that piece of advise. He is so right!
I ended my letter to my husband with this: May we continue to climb this life together, getting stronger with each passing year. May we continue to lift each other up for God to use as a vessel for His honor, and may our children continue to grow in His grace and goodness. May our legacy to others be our love for each other and our love for our Savior.
Kenny Chesney's new song titled "Don't Blink" .....Don’t blink, just like that your 6 yrs old and you take a nap, wake up at 25 and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife, don’t blink you just might miss your babies growing up, mine did. Turning into mom’s and dad’s next thing you know your better have of 50 yrs is there in bed, you’re praying God takes you instead. Trust me friend a 100 yrs goes faster than you think…so don’t blink.
Well I am not at 100 yet but 31 years have gone faster than I ever thought.
For those of you in 'blogger-land' who are younger than 20 yrs of marriage, raising babies, etc....please don't blink. Try to absorb every detail of your life together. And if I may advise.....31 yrs down that road you do not remember the fancy cars, homes, clothes or all the high school accolades....you remember faces, smiles, sweet thoughts, actions of love toward yourself and others. You remember God, and verses that held you together when it seemed like nothing else would. You remember scarifices made out of love and the smallest of surprises that warmed you heart. You remember finger smudges on your glass coffee table of those grandchildren who just visited...and all the hugs and kisses you gave your kids. Believe me, it is not about status, it's about giving!
Joy!
Today, we celebrated 31 years of marriage! I thought last year was a big one but as I ponder on 31, I find myself thinking that "IT JUST GETS BETTER WITH AGE."
I wrote a life letter to my husband as a gift. It took me the better part of 2 wks to get it right. I am known to give every detail, so I shortened 31 yrs down to 3 pages (single space of course) We were so young then, and now after just celebrating 54 yrs of age and 31 yrs w/my best friend, life tends to make you stop and absorb it all. When you are in the midst of raising children, broken cars, finances, jobs, building homes, higher education, sicknesses in family...you do not take the time to 'drink it all in.' So I did that for a couple weeks. And here is my 2 cents on life.......IT'S GREAT, every bad day, every crying baby, every finance problem, every work solution, every troubled teen, everything! It's great because of ONE person-Jesus Christ!!!
I asked the young waitress at the steak house tonight to take our picture for our 31st anniversary, she obliged. She came back later and asked how we did it? She is a mother of 3. (7,4 & 4mos) Steve told her that our secret is keeping God in the middle of our relationship. I am so glad he gave her that piece of advise. He is so right!
I ended my letter to my husband with this: May we continue to climb this life together, getting stronger with each passing year. May we continue to lift each other up for God to use as a vessel for His honor, and may our children continue to grow in His grace and goodness. May our legacy to others be our love for each other and our love for our Savior.
Kenny Chesney's new song titled "Don't Blink" .....Don’t blink, just like that your 6 yrs old and you take a nap, wake up at 25 and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife, don’t blink you just might miss your babies growing up, mine did. Turning into mom’s and dad’s next thing you know your better have of 50 yrs is there in bed, you’re praying God takes you instead. Trust me friend a 100 yrs goes faster than you think…so don’t blink.
Well I am not at 100 yet but 31 years have gone faster than I ever thought.
For those of you in 'blogger-land' who are younger than 20 yrs of marriage, raising babies, etc....please don't blink. Try to absorb every detail of your life together. And if I may advise.....31 yrs down that road you do not remember the fancy cars, homes, clothes or all the high school accolades....you remember faces, smiles, sweet thoughts, actions of love toward yourself and others. You remember God, and verses that held you together when it seemed like nothing else would. You remember scarifices made out of love and the smallest of surprises that warmed you heart. You remember finger smudges on your glass coffee table of those grandchildren who just visited...and all the hugs and kisses you gave your kids. Believe me, it is not about status, it's about giving!
Joy!
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