"Sicily" - Lurray's new 8 week old nightmare! Having fun & losing sleep - just wanted you all to meet this little bundle of Great Dane & Shepherd combination.Let us introduce...
"Sicily" - Lurray's new 8 week old nightmare! Having fun & losing sleep - just wanted you all to meet this little bundle of Great Dane & Shepherd combination.
Nineteen Amazing Years
In celebration of nineteen years of marriage, of love and sharing life in covenant with each other, tonight Kevin and I... relaxed! Our daughters spent the night preparing a meal. Not a typically dinner-ish meal but it was so perfect and blessed - I can't think of anything else I would've rather experienced on our anniversary. Bananas foster croisant french toast. It was so great, even the orange juice was smiling! And this wasn't planned, but who can let a little left over fresh cream and strawberries sit around without a few dainty strawberry shortcakes? My kids laughed in the kitchen getting things together and perfecting their presentation. It brought a huge smile to my heart to hear them. Then they came to get us when everything was ready. I could tell that what they had done was from their heart. They were really honoring us and wanted us to enjoy! What an amazing journey these nineteen years have been. I'm so thankful for each year, each season, all we've shared, but tonight I was most thankful for NOW.
Let me tell you a little more with pictures.
Finding Our Way
3.23.09
This one family outing that I'm about to share was a hilarious, enlightening, embarrassing, bonding experience all at once! I signed our family up for a night orienteering course through Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation. We regularly look into community opportunities to find fun & inexpensive things to do together as a family. This course sounded interesting, but there wasn't a whole lot of information about what we'd be doing. I was assuming it would be "led" somewhat by an instructor. Let me explain a little more...
We went into the office at the park and found out that those who signed up, were getting some direction from the instructor (if they needed it) and being sent out and timed. We were given a map of the park and a compass, and shown how to navigate from one numbered marker to another. Each were accompanied by a special punch different from all the others and when you found one, you punched your paper for that specific marker.
In all fairness, let me back up here just a bit. The night before I had driven the kids to a lock-in at a University two hours away, stayed awake all night and drove home at 8:00 a.m. We did all take a nap, but this little excursion at the park took place the following night at 9:00 p.m. It was freezing cold and we were not well prepared. It was called "Night Orienteering" and apparently there are people that are very, very serious about this skill! I had honestly never heard of it! Teams came in wearing impressive gear, and as soon as the instructor wrote down their starting time, they darted out the door excitedly! We made our way to the table where we were taught about the map and compass use. We headed out into the darkness looking forward to the challenge.
It was pretty cool knowing we were headed in the right direction, remembering all of the instructions we were given. Then of course we didn't find our first marker right away. We realized what a tiny thing we were looking for in this big, dark area! We went back to our map to see if we could decipher from anything on it there if we'd gone too far since there was plenty of woods ahead of us; we figured it wouldn't be too wise to just keep walking in the same direction assuming we'd convenientlly trip over it! We had gone too far, so we began to backtrack and finally found it! It was so fun! Kind of like a treasure hunt - just no treasure!
So, on we went, as my fingers began to numb. It was evident that we couldn't just stay on the paved paths and still find the markers. The markers were in the woods, and not all the paths were on the map! If you wanted to find the markers, you had to go with the most solid information you had, and that was from one marker to the next, you used the compass and headed out in the direction you were supposed to go. That was the very best way. If you maneuvered through the brush and branches without depending on the paths, you were sure to find it faster without having to stop and figure out where you were all over again! This is when we started laughing at ourselves! We only brought three flashlights with us and one was dying as we walked. We made it to our second marker in about an hour.
I began wishing we had known a little more what we would be doing because we really were leaning and having fun - together - and THAT ... is a family favorite! We talked about the truth we were having a hands-on "lab" in! We were deep into the woods; or at least as far as we could tell! The absolute best decision was one of trusting that the compass was smarter than our judgment in the pitch dark and obeying the needle's direction; we started giggling & talking about what a great sermon it would make. I think as we talked it helped us forget how cold we were! Then it slowly began to dawn on us as we headed for our third marker (#13)... we HAD to go into the office so they knew we made it safely back and to return our borrowed compass! We were sure we were SO CLOSE...about 4 different times! 45 minutes later, we decided to give up on blasted number 13 and turn back! When we emerged from the woods, we weren't close at all to where we thought we'd come out! Again with the giggling!
We had such a great time. I went in to thank the instructor. She didn't even smirk when we told her we only found two! Just then two serious night orienteers arrived victoriously through the door - sweat dripping from their foreheads! They had found them all! I have no idea how many markers were even noted on the map! All we knew is the instructor had kindly highlighted all the easiest ones for us to focus on!
We were all very happy to get back to our warm home and crawl our sorry selves into cozy beds! And that day I gained a new perspective on direction - even though I fell asleep thinking about #13!
When I talk with God...
Talking with God is nothing complicated. It's probably the simplest thing we could think of doing! He made us, wants us to talk with Him, and is always there! We can come to Him just as we are, messy or otherwise; anytime, anywhere & with anything. I don't post what follows to say there's some formula to talking with God, but rather taking truth from the OT and asking God what it can show me about relating to Him.
I want to dig a little here into some thoughts about coming before God, for decisions to be made, to worship & to commune with Him. Care to join me?
Exodus 28:30 "Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord."
This breastpiece to be worn over the heart was certainly a literal "thing" to be done in the priesthood, but it's a type and a shadow and has truth for us today about going before the Lord. This element was to be worn into the presence of the Lord; a vital preparation.
How do I prepare my heart? This piece covered their heart. Think of a cover. It lays on the surface of something. What lays on the surface of my spirit as I talk with God?
Among other symbolic significance, the piece had a pocket into which the Urim and Thummim were to be placed. The Hebrew meanings for these terms are: light, brilliant revelation; perfection, integrity, complete truth.
Jesus is OUR high priest. He is Light. (He is the reason we have revelation / knowledge of God and relationship with Him.) Matthew Henry said "There is no light, no wisdom, no perfection but from Him, no glory, no beauty but in being like unto Him." Jesus is our Righteousness, He is Perfection and Complete Truth.
Now, stay with me here! We are a royal priesthood, right? What does this all mean for me? How do I "prepare" as I go before my God? Remember the chestpiece worn as a type and a shadow for us to also learn from was adorned with a precious stone for each tribe of God's people. All of God's people. So, for me today, are all God's people equally precious in my eyes? Do I esteem any over others? Do I have God's view of His own? Do I go to God in prayer with a right perspective of myself? In humility with regard to who He is, but in full fresh revelation of who I am to Him?
This is so exciting to see hints tucked here and there into rituals and customs performed in Biblical times that can mold my mindset about entering into God's presence! The Urim & Thummim weren't permanently sewn into the piece or set in gold. For me, today, that is a great reminder how easy it can be to go into God's presence 'without' light. I need to talk with God always seeing Him and knowing Him as He is & not through my flesh or perceptions rooted in pains of my past. It also reminds me that I can go to God without integrity. I don't ever want to stand before God on my own merit. My righteousness is in Christ & all He provided to completely replace my filthy rags. Do I come before God always in complete truth in response to conviction? These elements that were tucked into a sort of pocket, were called "objects used to determine God's will". If I am seeking God's will, I want to let him examine my heart and show me any of these areas that need attention.
Earlier in the chapter it says that the chestpiece was to be made ('prepared') with the most careful workmanship. Deliberate. Focused. Concise. I know Him in whom I have believed - but I will know Him more and more and I will gain fresh knowledge of who He is and His will as I talk with Him.
I want to dig a little here into some thoughts about coming before God, for decisions to be made, to worship & to commune with Him. Care to join me?
Exodus 28:30 "Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord."
This breastpiece to be worn over the heart was certainly a literal "thing" to be done in the priesthood, but it's a type and a shadow and has truth for us today about going before the Lord. This element was to be worn into the presence of the Lord; a vital preparation.
How do I prepare my heart? This piece covered their heart. Think of a cover. It lays on the surface of something. What lays on the surface of my spirit as I talk with God?
Among other symbolic significance, the piece had a pocket into which the Urim and Thummim were to be placed. The Hebrew meanings for these terms are: light, brilliant revelation; perfection, integrity, complete truth.
Jesus is OUR high priest. He is Light. (He is the reason we have revelation / knowledge of God and relationship with Him.) Matthew Henry said "There is no light, no wisdom, no perfection but from Him, no glory, no beauty but in being like unto Him." Jesus is our Righteousness, He is Perfection and Complete Truth.
Now, stay with me here! We are a royal priesthood, right? What does this all mean for me? How do I "prepare" as I go before my God? Remember the chestpiece worn as a type and a shadow for us to also learn from was adorned with a precious stone for each tribe of God's people. All of God's people. So, for me today, are all God's people equally precious in my eyes? Do I esteem any over others? Do I have God's view of His own? Do I go to God in prayer with a right perspective of myself? In humility with regard to who He is, but in full fresh revelation of who I am to Him?
This is so exciting to see hints tucked here and there into rituals and customs performed in Biblical times that can mold my mindset about entering into God's presence! The Urim & Thummim weren't permanently sewn into the piece or set in gold. For me, today, that is a great reminder how easy it can be to go into God's presence 'without' light. I need to talk with God always seeing Him and knowing Him as He is & not through my flesh or perceptions rooted in pains of my past. It also reminds me that I can go to God without integrity. I don't ever want to stand before God on my own merit. My righteousness is in Christ & all He provided to completely replace my filthy rags. Do I come before God always in complete truth in response to conviction? These elements that were tucked into a sort of pocket, were called "objects used to determine God's will". If I am seeking God's will, I want to let him examine my heart and show me any of these areas that need attention.
Earlier in the chapter it says that the chestpiece was to be made ('prepared') with the most careful workmanship. Deliberate. Focused. Concise. I know Him in whom I have believed - but I will know Him more and more and I will gain fresh knowledge of who He is and His will as I talk with Him.
"Dependable"
Today we had an appointment at a nursing home & assisted living village. The activity coordinator for this establishment gave us an appointment over the phone for today; Kendall is now old enough to volunteer with several duties and patient transport to activities. We arrived 10 minutes before our appointment. Unfortunately, the activities coordinator had already left for the day - well, for the entire weekend actually. No one in that department was in; I will call back and reschedule.
I had several thoughts run through my head.
How rude.
She told me I had to make it by 4:30 and I rushed over here to be on time.
Maybe something happened and she had to go, but it seems she'd leave that information at the desk knowing we'd be in.
Then, slowly my thoughts started to shift gears.
How sad.
I wonder if this woman had the opportunity to leave, viewed "volunteer commitment" as undependable, and decided to take her chances and leave.
As a result, she displayed the very opposite characteristic she wanted to see in a volunteer.
Furthermore, she (knowingly or not) communicated an extreme double standard to a young adult that's spreading her wings to take on more responsibility in the community.
How many times, Lord, have I done a similar thing without knowing (sometimes with knowing but also with ignoring)? I'm sure I've been short with my husband when what I really want from him is incredibly loving and patient interaction! There have been several times I've modeled a lack of self discipline to my children, yet expecting it to be developed in their daily lives. I've judged when I want unconditional love.
We are created for relationships and all that comes with them! At every turn our actions not only display our priorities, but much of the time also our motivations, beliefs, values & standards to those we interact with. Someone in the checkout line? A friend that needs encouragement? Every once in a while... it can be easy to neglect this "display" to those we live closest to (spouses / children). The person that cut me off in traffic? Relationship - regardless of how distant! The contact and exchange we have with others is ever-communicating to them whether we are conscientious of it or not; whether they take notice or not. There is a dynamic that's always at work!
We will return to the nursing home next week. I hope God uses this whole situation in all of our lives to teach us how strongly our actions can impact others. I didn't go through any huge inconvenience, but God has opened my eyes more through it. Relationship. Precious.
I had several thoughts run through my head.
How rude.
She told me I had to make it by 4:30 and I rushed over here to be on time.
Maybe something happened and she had to go, but it seems she'd leave that information at the desk knowing we'd be in.
Then, slowly my thoughts started to shift gears.
How sad.
I wonder if this woman had the opportunity to leave, viewed "volunteer commitment" as undependable, and decided to take her chances and leave.
As a result, she displayed the very opposite characteristic she wanted to see in a volunteer.
Furthermore, she (knowingly or not) communicated an extreme double standard to a young adult that's spreading her wings to take on more responsibility in the community.
How many times, Lord, have I done a similar thing without knowing (sometimes with knowing but also with ignoring)? I'm sure I've been short with my husband when what I really want from him is incredibly loving and patient interaction! There have been several times I've modeled a lack of self discipline to my children, yet expecting it to be developed in their daily lives. I've judged when I want unconditional love.
We are created for relationships and all that comes with them! At every turn our actions not only display our priorities, but much of the time also our motivations, beliefs, values & standards to those we interact with. Someone in the checkout line? A friend that needs encouragement? Every once in a while... it can be easy to neglect this "display" to those we live closest to (spouses / children). The person that cut me off in traffic? Relationship - regardless of how distant! The contact and exchange we have with others is ever-communicating to them whether we are conscientious of it or not; whether they take notice or not. There is a dynamic that's always at work!
We will return to the nursing home next week. I hope God uses this whole situation in all of our lives to teach us how strongly our actions can impact others. I didn't go through any huge inconvenience, but God has opened my eyes more through it. Relationship. Precious.
Where's your resting-place?
1.24.09And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever. My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places. Isaiah 32:17-18 amp.
Those are pretty desireable results! The righteousness that brings those results about, is His kind, though - not ours. Our right standing is in Him - and quietness comes. It settles our souls no matter what things look like. I'm so thankful God desires constant communion with me and keeps me in check when I'm tempted to stand in my own righteousness - when I get sidetracked from my quiet resting-place called trust.
It seems daily that I am in "brand new awe" of God's goodness! To always be there - always provide - always direct - always comfort - always refresh - always protect - always inspire - always forgive. For each new day and for each new circumstance I have His grace. I don't want to stand in any other provision I could try to come up with on my own!
Well ~ have you?
Have you been wondering what God is up to next in your life?
Have you ever tried so hard to remember something, that you begin to doubt there was anything there to begin with?
Have you ever had 'one of those days'?
Have you ever had nothing to say, and nothing really on your mind, but still wanted to sit with a friend?
I have. I know it'll be good; just the
assurance that His hand is in it and
He's on the throne gives me the
excitement to look ahead with
a smile in my heart.
Have you ever tried so hard to remember something, that you begin to doubt there was anything there to begin with?
I have. Semi-regularly. {grin}
Hey, they say this is a sign of
age so I'm not going fight it
too hard! Let's see, now what
was it that I was trying to
remember? I'm going to do
this gracefully, so I may as
well be the first in line to
laugh at myself!
Have you ever had 'one of those days'?
Um, yeah! The kind where things
go from dull to slammed in 2 seconds
flat! Things didn't necessarily go 'right'
but they did get done, and I feel like
I did them the way God wanted me to,
so for that I am thankful and will sleep peacefully!
Have you ever had nothing to say, and nothing really on your mind, but still wanted to sit with a friend?
Quite often.
What about you?
~Nice~
Now that's really good - lookin', huh? What a great cup of coffee! & from the mug Kevin made for me a few years ago at one of those paint-your-own-pottery places! Good stuff!
1.1.09The holiday season tends to be a little quiet at our house. It's nice in a way, we get a chance to focus on things we want to do or projects we might want to tackle. But this year we didn't want to let another New Year's Eve slip by without some sort of fun. We decided to get out and try a place called Comedy Sportz. We'd never heard of it other than the description online & we didn't know what to expect. It was so much fun! We laughed so hard together and had a 'twinkie toast' at the end of the show. It was kind of like a very clean live version of the show "Whose Line Is It Anyway", completely improv, and interactive with the audience. It's set up with two comedy teams and a referee that keeps the show moving with different games for them to compete for points. It was just what we needed! We spend a lot of quiet holidays at home just because of living so far from family; and while we miss our family and would've rather spent the evening with you all, it was great to ring in the new year together with laughs, noisemakers, hilarious sound bytes, watching side splitting "jibberish charades" and each other.
So! How about New Years Resolutions? Anybody? What are your thoughts? I have to be honest. I've never made even one. Does that make me a loser? Unmotivated? Underachiever? I don't know. It's not that I am opposed to them; I guess I never felt the need when the calendar came to an end. I think it's more of a timing thing because I've made many changes in my life at many different times! Just never January 1st! Here's a transparent & vulnerable little tidbit: If I thought I'd actually follow through, I'd like to smile more come to think of it! Maybe I will have a resolution this year! I'll keep you all posted! It just so happens that I could be perfectly happy, and have a very somber look on my face unintentionally. It's come to my attention in recent years how noticeable it is to other people, and I never knew anyone was paying attention to 'how' I look at all. I don't know why, really, I've always had that demeanor... and I'm not so sure I want to stay that way! Is it something I could purposely inject into my natural mannerism? I'll give it a shot! So, here we go! (grinning) Life is good! (beaming) God is great. And I love you all. Happy New Year! (full blown smile)
Christmas Thoughts
12.18.08
This Christmas I hope all that God accomplished through sending his Son, and all Jesus accomplished through laying down his life for his Fathers' will would be more realized in my own life. It could never be a one time thing! It's an ongoing process - His work in my life. He's already made all the provision; I just have to let Him work it out. And when He gains the ground in me He's working on, or I receive the insight He has for me to do that thing, or my foot steps forward into that place of faith... whatever it might be, thankfully He won't leave me there! And thankfully He already knows what He has in store after that! There's so much God wants to change in me & do through me and it all begins and ends with that love he showed. No - "showed" is a weak word. Demonstrated. He demonstrated His love. The word demonstrated is one of my favorite sign language words. The left palm is held in front of the body facing outward. (go ahead, you know you want to!) Then the right index finger points into the left palm as together the hands are thrust forward. I don't know why I like it so much, other than it's very solid. It's a sure thing ~ even in the way it's signed.
It's a sure thing. God's love. Not only was it demonstrated through his Son, but it reaches into our every need for every single one of the days that lie ahead of us all! It's as solid as it was the day Jesus was born, and as sure as it was the day he died. I hope it's increasingly realized in my own life and in yours. He takes us from glory to glory ~ Merry Christmas.
This Christmas I hope all that God accomplished through sending his Son, and all Jesus accomplished through laying down his life for his Fathers' will would be more realized in my own life. It could never be a one time thing! It's an ongoing process - His work in my life. He's already made all the provision; I just have to let Him work it out. And when He gains the ground in me He's working on, or I receive the insight He has for me to do that thing, or my foot steps forward into that place of faith... whatever it might be, thankfully He won't leave me there! And thankfully He already knows what He has in store after that! There's so much God wants to change in me & do through me and it all begins and ends with that love he showed. No - "showed" is a weak word. Demonstrated. He demonstrated His love. The word demonstrated is one of my favorite sign language words. The left palm is held in front of the body facing outward. (go ahead, you know you want to!) Then the right index finger points into the left palm as together the hands are thrust forward. I don't know why I like it so much, other than it's very solid. It's a sure thing ~ even in the way it's signed.
It's a sure thing. God's love. Not only was it demonstrated through his Son, but it reaches into our every need for every single one of the days that lie ahead of us all! It's as solid as it was the day Jesus was born, and as sure as it was the day he died. I hope it's increasingly realized in my own life and in yours. He takes us from glory to glory ~ Merry Christmas.
An Amazing Young Woman
Please check out updates on Megan. This is an amazing young woman, daughter of our wonderful friends in Texas. These folks have played a huge part in our lives ever since we first were saved. They sowed many seeds of love into our walk, showed incredible patience as we grew, and have always been there for us. UPDATE: The Monday after surgery to remove a brain tumor on Thursday///Megan is home! Please click the link for more info, and keep her in prayer!
Blessings in Hindsight
There are really joyous blessings, very obvious as they come into our lives. They are things that warm us inside / bring a smile to our faces / they might even bring a sense of relief or even be the perfect cause for a party!
But God's been speaking to me about a different kind of goodness. Imagine a circumstance that makes its way into a person's life; it might not even seem like a 'thing' with any amount of goodness at all. Sometimes curcumstances of this sort can be accompanied by a feeling of the need to "endure" it, and then on the other side, reward awaits. The goodness of things may take some time before it can be perceived....through hindsight. Hindsight is the "understanding of the significance and nature of events after they've occurred". It is every bit as much - if not more - goodness from the heart of the One who created the universe translated into my life!
There are times I'd have to admit I would have NEVER chosen a certain experience. But, I turn back to look at where I've been through that experience or circumstance...and I see God's goodness scattered all along the path I had walked on. His caring touch on my life in & through that thing - and it is so very clear. That thing I might have avoided if I could've . . . was God. I am changed by it and know Him better through it! It drew me to His side - just to sit with him.
As I laid down my cares, my desires, even myself, I reluctantly abandoned logic & chose to believe that His hand held my life; with His other He held that circumstance. He is forever sovereign. He tells me in a whisper that it's OK that I didn't see how it could be good. It's a choice to trust through the unknown. He faithfully brings me to a place where I can see back through the aid of hindsight. And given what I understand through hindsight, would I now choose those very things I would have previously done all to avoid? Absolutely!
Ps 66:10, 12 Amp
For You, O God, have proved us; You have tried us as silver is tried, refined and purified. You caused men to ride over our heads [when we were prostrate]; we went through fire and through water, but You brought us out into a broad, moist place [to abundance and refreshment and the open air].
Always in your perfect timing, God, not our will but Yours. When we face being proven, help us to trust your hand & be content with you while we wait on your deliverance!
But God's been speaking to me about a different kind of goodness. Imagine a circumstance that makes its way into a person's life; it might not even seem like a 'thing' with any amount of goodness at all. Sometimes curcumstances of this sort can be accompanied by a feeling of the need to "endure" it, and then on the other side, reward awaits. The goodness of things may take some time before it can be perceived....through hindsight. Hindsight is the "understanding of the significance and nature of events after they've occurred". It is every bit as much - if not more - goodness from the heart of the One who created the universe translated into my life!
There are times I'd have to admit I would have NEVER chosen a certain experience. But, I turn back to look at where I've been through that experience or circumstance...and I see God's goodness scattered all along the path I had walked on. His caring touch on my life in & through that thing - and it is so very clear. That thing I might have avoided if I could've . . . was God. I am changed by it and know Him better through it! It drew me to His side - just to sit with him.
As I laid down my cares, my desires, even myself, I reluctantly abandoned logic & chose to believe that His hand held my life; with His other He held that circumstance. He is forever sovereign. He tells me in a whisper that it's OK that I didn't see how it could be good. It's a choice to trust through the unknown. He faithfully brings me to a place where I can see back through the aid of hindsight. And given what I understand through hindsight, would I now choose those very things I would have previously done all to avoid? Absolutely!
Ps 66:10, 12 Amp
For You, O God, have proved us; You have tried us as silver is tried, refined and purified. You caused men to ride over our heads [when we were prostrate]; we went through fire and through water, but You brought us out into a broad, moist place [to abundance and refreshment and the open air].
Always in your perfect timing, God, not our will but Yours. When we face being proven, help us to trust your hand & be content with you while we wait on your deliverance!
Gettin' Away For a Day!
10.24.08
We took off to VA Beach for a (very quick) little get away! Just a few photos - if you'd like to check 'em out, just click here! It was rainy and nasty Saturday night, but Sunday was so beautiful. Very refreshing!
We took off to VA Beach for a (very quick) little get away! Just a few photos - if you'd like to check 'em out, just click here! It was rainy and nasty Saturday night, but Sunday was so beautiful. Very refreshing!
All The Pieces Came Together
God is so very cool. He just has an amazing way of setting us up. He takes something in your heart and works a really beautiful design, bringing all the pieces together just right with a percision and excellence that makes you realize he just began with your small desire and poured His blessing all over it.
Kendall met a lady at our church yard sale and bought a small lap quilt from her. She then asked if I'd invite her over and ask her to show us a few pointers. I didn't move too quickly. I didn't know if the invitation would interest this woman. I knew she had a very sweet spirit, but I didn't know her well. Finally I stepped out. I sent an invitation and contacted her. Then today came and God showed his goodness through her.
She had prepared supplies for Kendall & Madison (needles, pins, fabric, thimbles) & material for us to read. She had prepared blocks with batting and began teaching us about measuring, cutting and stiching techniques. As she talked we found out she had owned a quilting shop and is not only an expert but also far too humble to call herself such. She truly wanted to share her joy in what she does so well! She had gathered up quilts and hangings she'd handcrafted through the years to show us examples of different combinations and patterns. She took something that to beginners' eyes looks very tedious and arduous and showed us the satisfaction and pleasure that is stitched & sewn, step by step, throughout the finished work. After all, the joy is in the journey, right? Today was a really good day.
An Odd Little Bit of Imagery!
10.13.08Yes, I took a picture of grass! I couldn't resist. Kendall brought this in to me (very excited with her find). She had picked it just as she found it. One blade of grass that had gracefully grown through a small hole in the leaf growing near it. I'm proud to have daughters with an attention to detail, because I believe we are made with a capacity to learn from small things that are easy to dismiss!
Have you ever read the poem "If" by Kipling? "If you can dream, and not make dreams your master; If you can think and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster, and treat these two imposters just the same ..."
Well, I look at that blade of grass and think about it. But those thoughts are not my aim. Something else behind it begins to resonate in my spirit loud and clear.
There are always things God is targeting in our lives. There is always development and growth He is aiming for in us. I don't think He sits around with general pie-in-the-sky thoughts at all; specific intentions for us are in His heart! Distinct and special improvements He wants to make! I want to position and posture myself with an attitude and a heart-response that's "in line" with what He's bringing forth. I welcome Him to expose anything in me that's standing in His way. Anything that's contrary to His intentions for me - He'll reveal it and be faithful to deal with it!
I'll take my chances on being called crazy; I think that's just the coolest thing I've seen in a long time! Thank you, Kendall.Well, this will be a long post! I have some catching up to do! I finally got my hands on the camera that had pictures of Rose & Dan's visit. These were two of my favorites! I had posted a few days prior to their visit in the summer - It was great! We all enjoyed each other so much.
Like I said before - we always seem to pick up just where we left off! Sarah didn't find our humor very amusing! Oh! I can't forget this one! The look on her face really says it all. She needed some veg time watching a movie- and by the looks of it, she got some! What a sweetie she was. She taught me Japanese, ya know!
Gosh, it seems like their visit was so long ago. Now here we are, knee-deep in fall! The weather is so nice. Since it's off season, we're thinking of going to VA Beach for a night. Just to get away and walk in the sand. We haven't been there since Joni & Doug's visit last year and it was a little too hot to enjoy the sand then.
Here's the latest cute pic of Lurray - quite the personality. She loves it when we let her off her leash. She thinks she's a great squirrel hunter. (She doesn't realize half the time they are right near her - laughing at her.) Clueless. ~ But cute.
This next one may have been taken the same day, I'm not sure. Kendall's singing "Help, I Have a Sucker Stuck In My Throat"
Anyways, Madison's birthday party went GREAT! What a wonderful bunch of girls! We're missing one, she had to leave before I took pictures. We had a lot of fun celebrating Madison's twelth.
Aren't they beautiful!?
It seems like just yesterday I was sitting on the floor with them playing with their toys! They've grown up so much. Yeah, I know! I'm watching my attitude, position & posture! God is so good!
They are godly young women, full of virtue & integrity. They are pursuing God with all their hearts with their own passion for him and I couldn't be more proud of who they are and how they have opened their hearts to knowing God more intimately.
"Trusted Recipes"
I have this great recipe for chocolate chip pumpkin muffins. I have many really good recipes. They will never be featured on Iron Chef. You'll never hear Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray talking about them or see them in their cookbooks! But they are recipes of our family, of our home. I don't cook as often as I used to, due partially to having less time and partially to my scale screaming at me when I do! But when I can I love to fill the apartment with smells that just cannot be mistaken for anything but homemade goodness. I turn to my cupboard of trusted recipes. Of course this time of year is perfect for this recipe. Pumpkin, cocoa, cinnamon, and chocolate brought more smiles today than I could have found on their faces at the fair. My collection of recipes are ones that not only taste good, but are forgiving. By this I mean, they are flexible to my whims! Sometimes I substitute certain ingredients, and sometimes I measure only by how much it looks like I'm pouring into the mixture. But the general idea is still there - written plain as day on the recipe to guide me when I need it (or when I can't remember what it said!) Now, you can't do that with just any recipe. No; recipes that work for me need to be understanding and not touchy in the least!
One of these days I will get all of my recipes organized. I will put them all in a format allowing me to hand them down to Kendall and Madison as they have asked. Until then, my recipes are there, just as I left them. They are tucked away, some printed, some written, some stained & wrinkled. They aren't filed in any sort of way, I find them more by familiarity than anything else! They are really GOOD recipes that my family loves.
I love ordinary things. On the heels of my last post, I thought I'd share this. We ended up at a favorite Chinese restaurant that we haven't been to for probably over a year. Of course we were given 4 fortune cookies. We open them and usually laugh at them. I don't take any counsel from them nor do I gain anything from fortune cookies. I know my life is in God's hand as well as my future and any direction I would need to remain in his will for it! God alone is our source for life, provision, joy & peace. But, I have to say, this one (more of a common sense suggestion than anything) made me smile.
It really is an ability. I guess I never thought of it that way. I have the ability to do a lot of things and those abilities can be lost. I can touch my toes . . . all it would take is a bit of neglect and I'd lose that ability. Well, you get my point.
Simple Isn't Always Easy!
Simple never used to mean very much to me, but I've recently grown to love this word! Just look at some of the definitions {common, ordinary, not grand or sophisticated, unpretentious, free of deceit or guile, sincere, unconditional, not complicated or complex,not elaborate or artificial, not ornate or luxurious, easy to understand and deal with}. It has recently crept into my concept of living a good life! I believe it's still in the process of becoming an approach to life and it actually sounds soothing to me. Of course the logistics of countless ways this concept can be applied in daily life are unending ... and just as numerous are the various ways "simple" is translated in the lives of different people.
Have you ever heard of anyone riding their bicycle somewhere instead of driving their car? Do you know of anyone that tends a garden (and their harvest from it)? Does anyone come to your mind that is really good at slowing down, making eye contact along with speaking a warm, sincere greeting clearly & then actually listening to the others' response? Going without a certain thing for the sole purpose of carving out more peace in a day is an uncommon aspiration...and I'd venture to say it's slightly controversial in today's culture; there's always a phone call or email to answer, a tv show or movie to see, a new toy or technology gadget to buy, shopping to be done or some sort of busyness to get on with. I don't think any of those things, among others, are bad things. But neither are the things that are free...or the things that take more time and effort...or that settle our thoughts and quiet our hearts - and I will always welcome more of that!
Here's the latest Lloyd household experiment: instead of loading the dishwasher, each person in our family washes the dishes they eat on & puts them away. At first it seemed like it would be a lot of time and work to accomplish the same thing the dishwasher does for us. But, it's not only much quicker than we thought it would be...then there came the unexpected bonus - it slowed me down...and I enjoy how it feels to do the work with my hands! I'm not at all declaring the evils of modern appliances - I am wondering however what other things I might enjoy but seldom consider the possibility of them bringing me more than an inconvenience as I continue on with the "quickest" way to get from point A to point B - all in the name of gaining more time in order to do more. (wow - that was a terrible run-on sentence!)
Right now, I'm listening to a beautiful breeze blow through the trees outside the open window. I could have easily ignored it. It took more effort to stop myself, enjoy it & be refreshed by it but I'm undoubtedly better off.
Sometimes, simple can mean for me - not just doing the things that come at me. Anyone that's driven in snowfall in the dark of night can picture with me the hypnotic torrent of flakes coming toward the windshield. It dawned on me that for me I gain great satisfaction from stopping (when MY speed slows, the snowflakes definitely resemble something more scerene; drifting & floating as opposed to hurtling) - and listen for God to show me what He has in store for me to focus on.
Rosa-Maria-Albergetti
6.12.08
She's comin' to town! You don't understand... this is my cousin! I haven't seen her in so long. I have no idea why, but when we were kids, I somehow came up with this nickname for her. I'm not sure if I read it somewhere or we were being silly and it stuck. Who knows! Rose and her husband Dan have 5 beautiful kids and they're coming to see us tomorrow night!
We've been great friends since we were little ones! For quite a long time, my mom dropped me off at her house before school, and then picked me up on her way home from work in the city in the evening. For many years, my siblings had been gone from home while I was still in school and Rose became much like a sister to me.
Anyhow, I've been enjoying so many memories in the last few days as I get ready for their visit. I remember big bowls of pop corn over games of "Life", lots of pretend mysteries, outdoor 'adventures' that amounted to a lot of nothing but were exciting nonetheless, ginger ale & french vanilla ice cream, and of course petty arguments and tattling on each other! There were the many "concerts" we gave too...our greatest hits were "Amazing Grace" & "Greater Is He That Is In Me". We never went very far, though; our only pieces of sound equipment, I'm sure, were a few hairbrushes.
When I was in second or third grade we would go into the elementary school early with Aunt Betty and hurl a beloved turtle bean bag at maximum speed down the slick hallways...over, and over and over again. You've heard the phrase "hours of fun"? No one else was there and I'm sure we were thrilled to be getting away with it! Later on there was the hunt for cow skulls over the vast acreage @ Grampa's farm. (Don't ask why.) That was terribly fun! I vaguely remember getting caught in the rain on that one.
I called her when we got back from putting our dog to sleep. I was a mess and she was so patient and listened while I cried. I remember her first car & how sad I was when she went on to college; we seemed to lose touch.
Rose has always been an example to me of a gentle and quiet spirit. I've always known her to have kindness & perspective. Brash & impetuous would have been words to describe me during those years; Rose was cool & collected. We have always had a wonderful relationship through the seasons of life...picking up where we left off...always with a warmth that comforted and encouraged us both.
In less than two days' time, I will attempt to get to know her 5 kids. Sounds impossible, but I'm determined to make every minute count. They don't have a clue who I am, but if they let me, I'm going to line them up and hug them like Gramma Hampton always hugged us. Too many years - too many miles. I've missed her and I'm so glad they're coming!
She's comin' to town! You don't understand... this is my cousin! I haven't seen her in so long. I have no idea why, but when we were kids, I somehow came up with this nickname for her. I'm not sure if I read it somewhere or we were being silly and it stuck. Who knows! Rose and her husband Dan have 5 beautiful kids and they're coming to see us tomorrow night!
We've been great friends since we were little ones! For quite a long time, my mom dropped me off at her house before school, and then picked me up on her way home from work in the city in the evening. For many years, my siblings had been gone from home while I was still in school and Rose became much like a sister to me.
Anyhow, I've been enjoying so many memories in the last few days as I get ready for their visit. I remember big bowls of pop corn over games of "Life", lots of pretend mysteries, outdoor 'adventures' that amounted to a lot of nothing but were exciting nonetheless, ginger ale & french vanilla ice cream, and of course petty arguments and tattling on each other! There were the many "concerts" we gave too...our greatest hits were "Amazing Grace" & "Greater Is He That Is In Me". We never went very far, though; our only pieces of sound equipment, I'm sure, were a few hairbrushes.
When I was in second or third grade we would go into the elementary school early with Aunt Betty and hurl a beloved turtle bean bag at maximum speed down the slick hallways...over, and over and over again. You've heard the phrase "hours of fun"? No one else was there and I'm sure we were thrilled to be getting away with it! Later on there was the hunt for cow skulls over the vast acreage @ Grampa's farm. (Don't ask why.) That was terribly fun! I vaguely remember getting caught in the rain on that one.
I called her when we got back from putting our dog to sleep. I was a mess and she was so patient and listened while I cried. I remember her first car & how sad I was when she went on to college; we seemed to lose touch.
Rose has always been an example to me of a gentle and quiet spirit. I've always known her to have kindness & perspective. Brash & impetuous would have been words to describe me during those years; Rose was cool & collected. We have always had a wonderful relationship through the seasons of life...picking up where we left off...always with a warmth that comforted and encouraged us both.
In less than two days' time, I will attempt to get to know her 5 kids. Sounds impossible, but I'm determined to make every minute count. They don't have a clue who I am, but if they let me, I'm going to line them up and hug them like Gramma Hampton always hugged us. Too many years - too many miles. I've missed her and I'm so glad they're coming!
Why do I have to remind myself?
Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.
~Roy Goodman
6.5.08
Well, for those of you who care to know, the symphony at Pocohontas Park was so so good! It is so amazing that they play live - and sound as good, if not better - than a cd! It was not a long concert but we were so glad we went. The words short and sweet come to mind!
In July I'm giving the kids the California Achievement Test, so we are getting ready for that. (Sounds invigorating, I know.) They are starting their year the beginning of August. They are wonderful students, and they really do great with a well structured environment and curriculum.
My cilantro has finally taken off! I made a black bean, corn, green chili salsa today with fresh cilantro and it was incredible. Quick and easy lunches are a necessity right now in life!
Friday night is "date night"! (not every Friday night, just this one). I'm sure I'll be swept off my feet! Really, having an uninterrupted conversation is very romantic and quite refreshing. Anyhow, the kids have a babysitting job so we're grabbing the time alone and we'll probably do something simple. (Please Lord, let it include some Chili's chips and salsa!)
Undetectable....
5.20.08
I wonder how often I've been guilty of missing important things…really great things … that had the potential to speak to me, teach me, inspire & change me… but I missed them.
I'm convinced our culture is so wrapped up in the big…the exciting …the busy …that we have lost much of our ability to sense the undetectable. I guess by this I mean "the little things" which until they're viewed through an eternal perspective might seem smaller than so many of the other things that take our attention. When those who quietly and with no need to be noticed or followed by any sort of fanfare lay their lives down, peace flavors their lives because their ears are tuned to what they need to tend to in a day, or a week, or even a year. They sense the pleasure God takes in them doing the simple tasks in their day with excellence and infused with divine purpose, and the delight he has in His voice being heard and obeyed to do something even though it may seem very ordinary.
Sometimes without warning if I'm not listening to undetectable whispers, I may miss an opportunity.
TO THE LADY ON MY FLIGHT TO FLORIDA: I'm so sorry that you were bumped from your seat. My youngest daughter needed to sit by a parent and I had just purchased tickets the night before because my dad passed away. I would never have inconvenienced anyone on purpose and I'm sorry the whole thing made you so upset.
TO THE CASHIER AT THE GROCERY STORE IN GEORGIA: When I asked you how you were, you were real with me! Thank you for sharing that you unfortunately missed a call from your son in Iraq. I didn't tell you then, but I was hoping you'd hear from him soon…and I'm thankful for the men and women that serve our country.
TO THE COUNTLESS CLERKS, WAITRESSES, SECRETARIES & CASHIERS STRUGGLING AS WE HAPPENED TO ENCOUNTER EACH OTHER: If I showed you kindness and patience, I hope it made a difference. If I didn't, I apologize because you deserved kindness and patience. We all have a bad day.
TO MY FAMILY & FRIENDS: In all those moments that you needed a listening ear, but I spoke too quickly // the moments I had words you needed, but I didn't speak them // the moments a smile from me would have brought you comfort or joy, but I didn't give it // the moments I just wasn't paying attention & I didn't slow down enough to show I cared // please forgive me.
This doesn't seem to flow well in the current of today's stream. It seems like the more notable something is – the more numbers – the more results – the bigger the bang – the louder the noise - the better it must be…and all the while the small things could very well be suffering. When I see our culture doing more, bigger, faster; I think of Jesus talking about the food he had to "that you know nothing about". I think about how he described how it sustained him to do God's will. He said that God's will was that he "lose none of all that He has given him but raise them up at the last day." That speaks to me about stewarding well over what God places in our lives and following through. It convicts me to look to what He's given me. Who do I influence? Do I take time to sense God's direction in the quiet, "unnoticed" things of my day? I want to! Whose life does mine touch? What work has He given me to do?
I certainly want to be open to new opportunities – new things He wants to develop and new places He wants to take me, but just as important to me is to be faithful to those already right here where I find myself – in the small things today instead of overlooking them, dismissing them as less important if they are neglected, or being inconvenienced by them on my way to something more exciting.
There's an incredible grace and provision that settles on a life that God has called to do anything – whether it's grand & will result in notoriety, or if it's quiet and simple. His signature on it is undeniable. It looks and feels a lot different than doing things and calling it God. I guess more than ever in my life I just want His signature on what I do because it really is coming from who I am.
I will encourage my children to esteem people that not only keep their word, but those who weigh their words before they give them! I will do my best to model to them a heart that's pleased and contented with God's goodness in whatever form it takes during the seasons of my life. I want to tune my ears to God's voice. I want to welcome what he leads me to do; even if it doesn't at all fit neatly into my plan >> even if it looks strangely enough just like the day before >> even if to others it seems almost undetectable. I know it won't be to Him.
One Day At A Time
5.8.08One day at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain and its burden of care;
One day at a time we must meet and must bear.
One day at a time to be patient and strong,
To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;
Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;
It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.
One day at a time - but the day is so long,
And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,
O Thou compassionate Christ, be Thou near all the way;
Give courage and patience and strength for the day.
Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;
"Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;
I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;
I will not forsake thee; I never will leave."
Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear,
Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care;
Why should we look forward or back with dismay?
Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.
One day at a time, and the day is His day;
He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.
His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.
~By Annie Johnson Flint~
Turning 39 wasn't so bad! We went out and had a nice lunch and enjoyed a quiet day together!
Bless you, dear lady!
5.2.08
I answer the phone an awful lot! But yesterday, I had the most pleasant surprise! The woman on the line was talking about a limited edition plate she had that was dated, and she mentioned she thought I was probably born in 1975! I said, "Oh bless you, but no!". That was pretty nice! I asked her if she was overdue for an eye exam by any chance and she said she didn't think so....
Just the other day, a very sweet couple bought us 4 tickets to see Carman at a nearby church! We saw him probably 7-8 years ago and he really does a great concert. Anyhow, it's amazing how God is finding ways to bless us. I really think He's honoring our efforts lately to save money! We're so thankful & the kids are really looking forward to that. That won't be for another couple of weeks.
We never did get the hammocks out last weekend. It seems like there's always too much to do! (That might be because there always is!!!) There's a community-wide garage sale tomorrow that I'd like to go to. We went to one recently and it was good, but we had so much fun, and haven't gone to one in YEARS...that we all want to go again! >>too much of a good thing??? We'll see!
The kids end their school year next Friday so I'm sure next week will be a big one for them with all of their 9 wk exams. Their grades are all good, and I think they might be considering flag football! We have a program starting here - so that really couldn't be any more convenient! The schedule isn't too bad at all. One hour of evening practice a week and one hour on Saturdays until the season starts; and then all games are on Saturdays. I think it will be good for them, but we still have a few things to figure out.
I answer the phone an awful lot! But yesterday, I had the most pleasant surprise! The woman on the line was talking about a limited edition plate she had that was dated, and she mentioned she thought I was probably born in 1975! I said, "Oh bless you, but no!". That was pretty nice! I asked her if she was overdue for an eye exam by any chance and she said she didn't think so....
Just the other day, a very sweet couple bought us 4 tickets to see Carman at a nearby church! We saw him probably 7-8 years ago and he really does a great concert. Anyhow, it's amazing how God is finding ways to bless us. I really think He's honoring our efforts lately to save money! We're so thankful & the kids are really looking forward to that. That won't be for another couple of weeks.
We never did get the hammocks out last weekend. It seems like there's always too much to do! (That might be because there always is!!!) There's a community-wide garage sale tomorrow that I'd like to go to. We went to one recently and it was good, but we had so much fun, and haven't gone to one in YEARS...that we all want to go again! >>too much of a good thing??? We'll see!
The kids end their school year next Friday so I'm sure next week will be a big one for them with all of their 9 wk exams. Their grades are all good, and I think they might be considering flag football! We have a program starting here - so that really couldn't be any more convenient! The schedule isn't too bad at all. One hour of evening practice a week and one hour on Saturdays until the season starts; and then all games are on Saturdays. I think it will be good for them, but we still have a few things to figure out.
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