Barefeet for Thee

Wow! Week six already??

2012-02-06T12:26:00.000-08:00

Revelations to Resolutions

Paul writes, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Even in the midst of trial and suffering, Paul kept the faith and finished the race well. Even against what seemed like overwhelming odds, he still finished well. Paul had his eye on the eternal and his endurance came from a supernatural source. I would like to be able to say that one day. I would like to say that I moved around this world being about HIS business and finished the race well. Right now I will seek His face daily and see what happens.......

Can't believe how fast these weeks have flown by. I am having a blast with this journey. I was especially tired this week but I knew that I would be. I worked an extra shift at the hospital. My running continues and increases weekly. I barely finished my three chapters in time after many sleepy stops along the way. You know, sleepy stops are when you realize you fell asleep during the third paragraph and then had to start over and reread the first, 2nd, AND the third!?! The content was NOT boring, I was just THAT tired. But I'm still in the race......

I must confess that the "holding someone's hand" goal was an easy one for me. I am a nurse. A nurse who was called. I have held many hands over the years. Working on the stroke floor was probably the hardest for me, So much frustration and confusion. I work outpatient now and we move quickly. I still see a great deal of suffering and must often make myself slow down to be the hands and feet of Christ. I am very fortunate to work in an environment where slowing down to hold a hand and listen is not held against me.

Week Six

February 5th-11th

1. I will read one more chapter of my chosen book.

2. I will run at least 6 miles this week.

3. I will make contact with and pray for someone whom I have not talked to in awhile.

oh, and the weight thing worked out ok too, now if I could just stay away from those french fries.......

Blessed Journeys!!

An Update and On to Week Five

2012-01-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31 ESV

Update on week four. A very odd week. It started out badly, when I headed out to go to work on Monday and my car wouldn't start. It was also the morning that more tornadoes raged across our state. Because I believe there are reasons for all things, I am trusting that my car sat unmoving all day in the driveway for a very good reason, but I really did hate calling in to work. It turned out later to be a beautiful day and I set my mind to run again and drink in some good worship music. Fortunately the car turned out to just have a dead battery and not need some other more very expensive repair! However, other folks in nearby parts of the state did not remain untouched by the storms and for them I was heavy hearted.

I managed to run on 4 different days this week. This is huge for me. On my run days I have been coming straight home to tackle some general strengthening exercises. These help to prevent injury and to improve overall health and presence. To run and not be injured(most of the time) is to run in a strengthened or practiced state. To be strong or excellent in ANY endeavor requires practice. Do I practice holiness? Do I practice encouragement? Do I practice intimate communication with my creator? Do I put my faith into practice? Am I continually in pursuit of these things? These are questions that have rolled my way over the past year. Revelations into Resolutions! Yes, it really is connected.

The Other Goals:

So, I was dusting. And thinking. I stopped to take a picture of my plight. Stacks of stuff I want to or have started reading and have not finished. I love to read. But lately it seems that saving the time for reading just doesn't come as easily as it once did. I'm a mommy now. I also need sleep. (I LOVE sleep) I work. I have a home to run. We all have our obligations, so I know I'm not the only one to be frustrated by such a desire. Finding the time to read my three little chapters WAS tricky, but I managed. And it was GOOOOD! I'll share more later. :)

Oh, and I have lost my 4 pounds in 4 weeks. (Yay!)

Week Five
January 29th-Feb 4th
1. I will read 3 more chapters.
2. I will lose 1/2 a pound
3. I will hold hands with someone this week who needs encouragement.

Sweet Journeys!!

Week Four

2012-01-22T17:10:00.000-08:00

2012 A year for Revelations- 40 weeks & 40 days

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV

Someone might stumble upon my journey here and think I am crazy. It's way too simple. Why blog about something so basic? Maybe it is not really about the 3 resolutions per week. Maybe it is about what I am learning about myself in the process. Maybe it is about what is being revealed to me during my time in prayer and in the Word. Sometimes there is solace in the simple. Sometimes the Spirit speaks most loudly in the simple. I am a big fan of simple.

During week three I managed to take my apple cider vinegar on 6 out of 7 days. I did make the appt. and my total weight loss for the three weeks is now 3.4lbs, with a little extra to spare for next week's goal!! Yay!! My vitamins continue, my water intake continues and My foot is all better so I took the opportunity this week to start running again. Frankly I am enjoying the empowerment that comes from success in the Holy Spirit and the encouragement I have received from others, and I'm looking forward to making new goals for upcoming weeks. Stay with me won't you? you might find something along the way that you want to work on too!!

Week Four

January 22nd-28th

1. I will Read 3 chapters (outside of the scripture I am already reading).

2. I will go running on 2 different days this week.

3. I will lose 1 pound.

40 weeks and 40 days, Week Three

2012-01-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

Well week two has come and gone. It was another success. I have to admit that drinking lots of water was not a difficult challenge for me. I am a huge advocate for hydration of the human body. Often when I am working late hours I do however get behind or don't quite drink enough. It is hard to do this when you are busy in recovery, it's just not appropriate to drink in front of surgery patients! lol BUT I managed this week to drink 6 or more glasses on at least 5 days this week. The same for my vitamin goal. For whatever reason I get behind on my vitamins during the busy holiday season and that is when you need them the most!!! I did lose weight again, 0.4 lbs to be exact, but who can tell amongst the misery (aka bloating)!! Yeh, I know you understand. My goal was to lose 1 pound but I'm giving myself credit since I lost more than one during the first week. So..... water, vitamins, weight loss. Check, Check, and Check!!!! YAY!!!!! If you are reading this and wondering what you missed then go here to find out what my adventure is all about.

Week Three

Jan. 15th-21st

1. On at least 4 days this week, I will remember to take my apple cider vinegar.

2. I will lose one pound this week.

3. I promise to Just make the appointment!!! (i'll explain that one later)

During this past week I became fully introduced to Pinterest!! I must say it is quite fun and I can't wait to try out some new recipes. I noticed a toddler experiment that involves mini volcanos with baking soda and droppers of vinegar, and I was quite intrigued. Can't wait to try that with kiddo. Reminded me that I needed to be more diligent about taking my apple cider vinegar, a habit I would normally have down.

No deep spiritual insight here, just a verse to chew on......

Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,

and like vinegar on soda. Proverbs 25:20 ESV

hmmmm.....

40 weeks and 40 days-Week Two

2012-01-13T12:53:00.000-08:00

Want to know what in the world I am doing?? click here

Week Two

Jan. 8th-14th

Living Water

I find that when I bask in the LIVING water that comes only through Christ and his word that I do feel more alive. I feel healthier and more vibrant. Hopefully my countenance reflects this as well. Physically I can take steps to add to a healthier presence. AND since I have been lacking in this area over the last few weeks, I have chosen my goals for week two.

Remember. Small and reachable goals.

1. This week I am going to drink more water. (4or more glasses at least 3 days this week)

2. Remember to take my vitamins at least 3 days this week.

3. Lose one pound

Jesus to the Woman at the well,

"But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

Welcome 2012!!!

2012-01-13T10:11:00.000-08:00

2012 A year for Revelations- 40 weeks & 40 days

Wow, can't believe I only posted once for 2011! Really?? I must have been one busy mommy. Or was it that 2011 was just such a weird year? (Tornados, parents divorce, etc etc.....) I'm not sure. BUT, my creative juices are working again. I'm chewing on something that the Lord has given me and I feel led to share it with you. Not sure if it will encourage anyone but me, but I sure do feel empowered, inspired, refreshed etc......maybe you will find something you need here, but it's okay if you don't. This will be my journey through 2012. Changes and challenges. Turning Resolutions into Revelations OR vice versa.

Now I haven't visited any blogs in months so I have no idea at this point in my writing what all of my old bloggy friends are posting about New Year's resolutions. Hopefully I'm not stepping on anyones toes or blogs, but I would not be surprised at all that if God gave me this, then he has also spoken the same to others. As Women we struggle with the same stuff, just in different waves and at different times. Family, faith, our homes, and dare I say it, weight!! That's just to name a few. When you make your resolutions do you dread it? Do you feel passionate about it for a few days, months, hours?? Why should you make just one resolution? One resolution to torture yourself with all year long when you reach the point of defeat?? No. I do not wish to live that way, and I don't believe the Lord would want me to either. Why can't my resolutions be built around success? Why can't my resolutions be built around hope, joy, and anticipation?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV

We all have areas of our lives we wish to improve. We all have the tool or tools we need to accomplish these goals. I would like to run more this year, be healthier, reflect Jesus more, be more encouraging to others, be a better mom and wife etc etc. How could I possibly pick just one resolution.

Sooooo, my resolutions will change every week, for 40 weeks to be more exact. And yes, weight loss will be included in those but will not be the end all be all of my transformation. The 40 days is symbolic for many things that will be revealed in the end. :) But it will include the 40 days of planning and praying for each new week ahead.

There will seem to an outsider looking in that there is no rhyme or reason to my weekly resolutions, but I assure you there will be. Sometimes I will explain them, sometimes I won't. They will be personal and sometimes vague. My one rule for myself is that each goal (there will be three) will be a small reachable goal, thus the built in success and the avoidance of boredom. Boredom is the number one killer of New Year's resolutions!! I just made that fact up. :) But it sounds reasonably true doesn't it?

So, join me if you wish on my journey into 2012. 40 weeks and 40 days.....

Week One

Jan. 1st-7th

Baby steps and back to the Simple....

1. This week I am going to lose 1 pound

2. I am going to have a home cooked meal at least 2 nights this week.

3. This week I am going to spend less money.

My week one was very successful. I lost 2.2 pounds. I cooked at least three delicious meals for my family on my nights when I wasn't working late. I think my hubby appreciated that one especially. I spent less money by decreasing the eating out. No crazy online shopping this week. Again, beneficial to hubby also. Check, check and check!! Yaaaaaayyyyy!!

Thankful Thursday

2011-02-24T06:25:00.000-08:00

Hey!! it's Thursday!! I have the day off, so I might as well blog a bit. I really should be cleaning. You know how that goes sometimes.

It's Thankful Thursday and today I am thankful for good friends, for a job that I love, for a husband who loves the Lord, for pretty weather, for a screen porch and first haircuts. Simple really.

Most of all I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who would see fit to give me eyes and a heart to see through all the muck and be thankful for his simple gifts.

Toddler Jesus in the Christmas musical!

Insisted on having breakfast on the porch

We had our First Haircut yesterday!!

Celebrating a friend's birthday!!

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Merry Christmas and Happy 2011

2010-12-24T07:48:00.000-08:00

I know, I've been off blogging for a while. But it's Christmas!! So like a good scout, I'm recycling my post from last year! There is a new Christmas song being played on the christian radio station right now, an adaptation of this oldie. It brings me to tears when I hear it. I'm sorry that I don't know the name of the artist but if you happen to hear it, I know you will LOVE it as much as I do. AND if you happen to know the name, please feel free to help a sister out!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My beloved childhood piano teacher sent us a Christmas card with the following poem. I have always loved this particular carol and I would like to share it with you sweet friends.

Christmas Bells

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1863

at the height of the Civil War

(five verses)

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of Peace on Earth Good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent

The hearth-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn

The households born

Of peace on Earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

Through all the noise and uncertainty of your life, May the bells of hope ring loudly through for you this year!

God Bless and Merry CHRISTmas to you all!!

Meredith

Thankful Thursday

2010-07-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Thankful Thursday!!

Today I am thankful for this little guy. He reminds me that little eyes and ears are ALWAYS watching. His imagination and persistence remind me daily that I am to be an imitator. Scripture reminds us throughout that we are to be imitators of Christ during our daily walk.

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Eph.5:1-2

Found kiddo sitting on the porch alone and reading a book, just like his daddy.

Pretty heavy reading for a 2 year old!!

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Thankful Thursday

2010-05-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for simple. It is just one of those days when I can slow down. I wished they happend more often. A day when I remember to enjoy the simplest pleasures of life. There is beauty and grace in even these. I wish to share a bit from an author that I enjoy reading from time to time.

Life Itself Is Grace

I discovered that if you really keep your eye peeled to it and your ears open, if you really pay attention to it, even such a limited and limiting life as the one I was living on Rupert Mountain opened up onto extraordinary vistas. Taking your children to school and kissing your wife goodbye. Eating lunch with a friend. Trying to do a decent day's work. Hearing the rain patter against the window. There is no event so commonplace but that God is present within it, always hiddenly, always leaving you room to recognize him or not to recognize him, but all the more fascinatingly because of that, all the more compellingly and hauntingly......If I were called upon to state in a few words the essence of everything I was trying to say both as a novelist and as a preacher, it would be something like this: Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.

From Frederick Buechner's 'Listening to Your Life' and 'Now and Then'

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

Friday Funnies

2010-05-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

In honor of Friday funnies I am giving a shout out to a blog that I enjoy visiting whenever I get the chance. This weekend while baby and I were on our own (dada had drill), I had made my bed and was working on something in the kitchen. He decided to drag all his stuff into my room and pile it on the bed. He's been doing that a lot lately. ALL blankets and animals MUST leave the crib and wander around the house with kiddo!!:) He has learned how to climb up on our bed by himself, and although he has never slept in our bed, he enjoys "paying" there. Precious! I have learned that when things get quiet, I need to go and check on him pronto!! This is what I found this weekend when I rounded the corner. I grabbed my camera and tried my best to catch the hilarity of the moment, but I missed the really good shot!

Recognize that book?? That is Lynnette's book. He had it open and was pretending to read it like such a big boy!! I couldn't help but laugh, it was such a genuine moment. I encourage you to visit Lynnette Kraft at her blog. The desire to enjoy the richness and beauty of life in ALL ,and I do mean all:), matters is expressed daily here. Lynnette is no stranger to pain and loss. I am reading her book because not only has she been faithful to write it, but also because I am finding myself surrounded by people who have and still are experiencing loss. You can read about them here, and here and then there is my coworker who's husband committed suicide a year ago who I blogged about very briefly. I am good at praying for these people, but often find myself unable to find words when speaking to these folks. These friends understand this I know, and sometimes would just prefer my silent hugs, but sometimes I would much rather just cook an asparagus casserole. I'm sure you can relate.

When big boy and I are BOTH finished reading this book heehee, I plan on passing it along to our friend who lost their child from SMA (mentioned in the link above). I think about her on just about every page and I have cried on just about every page so far. I am just that way and No I don't think it's pms:). But first I have to figure out where the bookmark was before kiddo threw it across the room!!

ok, so laugh at the pics and the sheep feet!! Visit Lynnette and buy a book if you can!! Enoy your Friday and Have a great weekend! And if by chance I made you cry, I didn't mean to. Just scroll back up to the sheep feet and that infectious grin and that ought to cure you right up!! :)

Meredith

......Please Stand By........

2010-05-19T06:01:00.000-07:00

My husband is taking the computer with him when he goes out of town. :( I will miss it. I will miss you. I have a post scheduled for Friday but I will be unable to visit around and comment so please excuse me while I am absent. So, enjoy Tuesday's post and stop back by on Funny Friday if you are so inclined!! Hope you are having a fabulous week and I'll be back after the 24th to try and catch up with you all!!

Meredith

Tuesdays Together

2010-05-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I experienced a week of work that really tested my limits. I wound up working 5 days in a row! Now before you say "huh??" keep in mind that nurses do not generally work 5 days in a row, unless you work the 7 on 7 off kind of schedule, but those are usually 8 hour shifts. I should clarify, nurses who work the floor or 12 hour shifts in recovery do not usually work 5 days in a row. Well, I did. I found myself signed up for 2 days on the floor and 3 days on the outpatient surgical unit. These are the two units I work, but I usually do not work more than 3 days a week, and occasionally four. Not including the driving in and out, I worked 4 ten hour, and 1 nine hour shift. The week was sandwiched between two weekends packed full of activities. I was tired, I was weary weary weary!! I felt discouraged about half way through, thinking that I had lost my edge, feeling very old and wondering "why did I sign up for this again?". My housework suffered, my connections with my husband and child suffered. But I knew it was temporary and did my best to plow on through.

Getting up pretty early is part of this working routine. In order to be clocked in by 6,7, or 7:30 I often leave the house before any one else is up. I must hit hwy 280 before a certain time in order to catch the best traffic window. This sometimes puts me at work early. I have started bringing my bible with me in my car, so that I can have my quiet time in the parking deck. I like to read at night, but sometimes when you are soooo tired, it just doesn't happen. Anyway, during my week of 5's I found the Lord especially sweet to me. It put a little pep back into my spirit and my step. I happened to be reading in Thessalonians 1 and 2. I won't rewrite the whole 2 books but if you go there and read, you will most likely see what I saw--or maybe something entirely different--that IS the beauty of the Living Word of God. It was certainly timely.

Lord's words to me:

Hard work pays off.

Be gentle.

Be a model so that others might believe.

Thank God continually.

Endure, inspire hope.

Encourage one another, build up.

Respect those over you.

Live in peace with each other.

Be patient, joyful and thankful.

Pray continually.

Hold onto the good, avoid evil.

Relief is coming.

Do not be deceived.

Do not be a busybody.

Never tire of doing what is right.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thess. 2:16

I am called to be a nurse, and also a wife and mother. My callings affects lives. I work hard at these callings. Balancing those takes diligence. My husband and I have also felt led to become debt free. We are working diligently to accomplish this goal and have been for some time. For a time, I could pick up zero shifts, this really slowed us down. Now that I am being offered more than I can handle, we are finding our way to progress. Our Lord has always been faithful to us in dry and plentiful times, this does not change. He is faithful. He is always on time. His Sweet words do not change. His strength does not change. My parking deck time with the Lord was precious............ and did I mention timely? :)

May YOU find encouragement from the Lord's words today. Blessings!!

Thankful Thursday

2010-05-13T19:38:00.000-07:00

Kiddo is very excited about "Bifday cake"

Today was Thursday. It was also my Husband's birthday. I had the day off. I was very thankful to actually get up and NOT leave the house for work while everyone was still asleep. I was thankful for the opportunity to make pancakes for my child and my spouse. I was thankful for the opportunity to catch up on this very dirty house. I took our dog for a walk/run. Very simple pleasures, but ones that I really enjoy and have missed with all the working I've had to do lately.

I am especially thankful today for my husband. I know I've blogged about him before, but I can't say enough great things about him. He is a very busy man, but somehow manages to effectively work two jobs and make it look easy. It's really 3 jobs if you count the online course work he must complete for the Corps. He gets phone calls at all hours. Without knowing him personally, there is no real satisfactory way to convey to you what his job/life entails. My sister once laughed at him for reading the "7 habits" book by Covey. I'm sure you know the one. She thinks he should write it, not read it.

Besides being organized, he is kind, loves his family, and loves the Lord. He is funny. He loves Baseball and enjoys taking me to games when we get the chance. After he returned from his first deployment, I took him to Chicago to see the Cubs at Wrigley Field. That was before we had a child, we could do such things.:) It was one great vacation! I think I got the best present of the century award!! (family joke)

Anyway, Despite my ramblings I really do have a point. Birthdays are important. They are for celebrating. We are never promised another one. I am thankful for today, the man, and all his birthday represents. Happy Birthday my Love! I hope you had a very good day!

Oh and by the way, chocolate pound cake from the Piggly Wiggly totally rocks!!

Virginia, sweet Virginia!!

2010-04-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is a post I started back before Christmas but never had the time to finish. I'll share it now and you can all have fond memories of your near distant fall holidays.

Okay, so did I tell you that Virginia is my new favorite state? Besides the one I live in and the one I hail from? For Thanksgiving we drove to Massachusetts . Yes, you read that correctly. WE DROVE!! We went to visit Paw, my husband's grandfather and also my husband's uncle. Hubby, kiddo, and I packed up our car and on a Monday afternoon we left our home in central AL. We enjoyed a stop at Starbucks where I tried out the peppermint holiday drink. I don't drink coffee, so when I do try it out, it has to be fancified. I tried it again on the way home and I tried the carmel one as well on day 2 of our trip. We had a lovely trip until we hit Penn. and then later the New Jersey turnpike. These made hwy 280 look like child's play!! But we did see the night-time New York City skyline, something I have never seen before!!

We spent the night in Virginia. Where our near perfect room left us rested and well for our 2nd day of travels. I am easily amused by small things. The free cookie from the front counter and the rubber ducky left in our bathroom made my day (and kiddo's also). The scenery was wonderful. I kept saying, "these hills remind me of parts of Germany". Which explains why you find so many German influences in these parts. Mix in some Scottish highlander ancestry and I'm sure there are some fiery characters in the parts we passed through. I didn't sleep much, I was too busy being plastered to the window. It was a perfect beautiful sunny fall day!

In Massachusetts we stayed at a nursing home. No really, it was an assisted living home. We actually stayed in the room reserved for guests so it was much like a hotel but we had a good time making a joke out of the situation. We had a wonderful time. Paw of course, had to take us around and introduce us to the staff and residents. Hubby is his only grandson and kiddo is of course his only great grandchild. Not sure who had more fun, Paw or us. We arrived on a Tuesday and left on a Friday night. We ate well, enjoyed our wonderful Thanksgiving week, and our special time with Paw. Needless to say we were very thankful!!

We left in the snow flurries and drove all night and by Saturday, we were passing through Virginia again. Once again Virginia was our place of refuge and the Cracker Barrel did not disappoint. We were weary, and probably stinky, but our bellies were full and a nap through Knoxville came very easily for both kiddo and me.

We were almost home when we had a flat tire. We found ourselves in a church parking lot just off the interstate. We had to laugh a little. It was cold, but not snowing nor was it raining. We finally pulled in our driveway exactly 24hours from the time we left the nursing home in Mass. I went to bed that night thankful for a safe, full, and rich journey to the North. I couldn't help but think about, if only for a second, those wonderful buttermilk biscuits with bacon at the Cracker Barrel, in Virginia .......Sweet Virginia.

The pictures include "a walk with Paw", "a walk through the apple orchard", and "hotel fun". Those are situps we are doing with daddy, by the way, in case you couldn't tell.:)

Friday Funnies

2010-04-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

Shouldn't eating always be this much fun?

Ahemmm.......more on that topic some other day!:)

Today was Tuesday

2010-03-02T20:30:00.000-08:00

I got up early this morning in preparation for a 10 hour shift. There was a special treat awaiting me in blogland. I do not usually have time to look at blogs before driving in to work, but for some reason this morning I did. If you have never hopped over to visit myADHD me at Monkeys Are Funny, you really should go. There is always some fun going on over there. She's witty and kind and writes funny anecdotes about life and her son who I'm sure REALLY appreciates it, which makes it even more amusing. On Tuesdays, she always features "a special guest" and the wait to see where her mind will take her is never disappointed. Today she featured a special guest just for me. Truly a trip down memory lane. I am honored!!

Now there is no accounting for the tastes of a second grader, but I never missed an episode of 'The Hardy Boys', and Shaun Cassidy had a special place on my wall. I even had one of those little radios with the microphones, and my little record player played the fool out of a 45 or two. I also read the Nancy Drew books.

So, I played the clip this morning and all through the day while recovering my patients I was struck by random bursts of giggling. My poor patients. Fortunately they were all sedated and never noticed my easily tickled funny bone. How goofy the 70's were! Silk pants?? Da Do Run Run?? Such a hoot!! Go visit! AND thank you my funny monkey friend for truly making my day!!

Good Ol' Jeep

2010-02-19T09:29:00.000-08:00

In the previous post I blogged about perspective and some sadness. The day after posting, I attended the funeral for the sweet 8 month old mentioned, and my head just hasn't been right this week. Then yesterday, I learned about a tragic loss for our church family, a young wife and new mother. I just can't bear to write about it really. I am processing. I am praying.

I do not wish to seem insensitive. Trust me, I'm hurting. So, If you will bear with me, I will stop and post something funny. It's a little poem I just made up this week about my old jeep wrangler. Inspired by freezing cold temps here in ALABAMA!!

Good Ol' Jeepy,

She's quite a heapy.

It's cold outside.

She likes to freezey.

Had to climb right through the back,

And squeeze my rear between the crack.

Too old, too old

to be climbing seats.

My heapy jeep,

your frozen doors are

quite the treat.

Blessings!:)

Perspective

2010-02-14T18:37:00.000-08:00

LAST weekend when I had the stomach virus I was miserable, but I remember thinking how thankful I was to have a roof over my head. I was wishing it would all be over soon, but I was thankful that I had gingerale to drink. The drink was cold. When I was hugging the toilet I wanted to cry, but I remember being thankful that I had one. My floors are carpet, Not dirt. The house was warm, not a drafty tent. When my body was chilled, my childhood quilt made by my great grandmother gave me comfort and my family was just a room away.

THIS weekend a friend of ours prepares to bury her sweet baby girl. She passed away on Friday. She would have been one in May. She died from SMA. It is genetic and there is no cure. Not yet anyway. She lived far longer than originally expected. As her little body progressively grew weaker and her muscles degenerated she still smiled and blessed the fool out of everyone she came in contact with. She kept a grip on a feather in her little hand. It delighted her so to see it move. It delighted others. Even towards the end, she still kept a defiantly, joyful, reflexive little grip on that feather. I will not forget her.

There was no randomness to her purpose for being. No meaningless existence, or death for that matter. Her purpose was selfless. Purity. Joy. Innocence. To Just BE. To be a little sister, to be a twin, to be a beloved daughter. To glorify God. To smile so sweetly, and coo, to wave a big purple feather. To beat the odds. To touch hearts, to bring forth witness and to encourage testimony. To inspire. To come and join us for a bit, and then return home to her Lord. I can really only make guesses. Who am I to know such heavenly secrets??

My heart aches for all the reasons it should. Unimaginable loss. Prayers lifted up for a weary friend and her husband who must travel this road.

Puts things in perspective, Don't you think? I'm asking the Lord for forgiveness today. I am small and fleeting here on this earth. May I spend my time here wisely. May I walk this week a little more mindful of his blessings. May I be more sensitive to HIS plan in the lives of those around me. I don't live in Haiti, I have never suffered through an earthquake, and God Have Mercy I have never lost a child.

God's speed sweet Hannah. I count myself fortunate to have met you, to have held you just a bit, and to have seen you smile and wave your royal feather.

Meredith

Thankful Thursday

2010-01-14T19:19:00.000-08:00

I haven't had much time for blogging lately. Just thinking. Pondering. One day I will catch up with all the topics running around in my head. I WILL take a moment to comment on Today. It is Thankful Thursday after all, and I am certainly thankful for today. It was just a very good day. It went something like this....

My day began at 0430. There was scripture and song, and driving down 280(a crazy Highway that I spend way too much time on). Then I worked in recovery for 8 hours and a rep brought us chic-fil-a minis and fruit. Yummy!

I had the sweetest patients to minister to. No one threw up on me, no one had any crazy heart rhythms or uncontrollable pain. Everyone's blood sugar and blood pressure was stable. I clocked out on time. I hit the highway BEFORE the thickest part of rush hour. Very important!!

I managed to get home in time to get on that ellyptical and get a work out in before anyone else came home! I then cooked dinner!! I enjoyed a very pleasant meal at the table with my hubby and child who by the way said a very sweet blessing over his food. Didn't understand anything he said except for the AMEN at the end, but that's okay!! Does a mom's heart good!!

I then "shined my sink" and "blessed my home" just a bit. Kiddo read a book to me and talked nonstop from the time he came home till the time he went to bed. I love that Child! He'll be two in March.

So here I am, spending just a little time on the computer. Browsing blogs. Laughing. Crying. Enjoying the rich part of life that is there. I want to read a book, but my eyelids are heavy. I am VERY VERY thankful for today. Thankful for all the parts of my life that today represents.

Usually things DO NOT go this smoothly for me on a work day, so I am thankful for this as well. It was a VERY good day!!

I'm going to bed now. THANKFULLY, I get to do it all again tomorrow. Two shifts in a row. 0430 comes earlier on the second morning!! :)

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-24T13:06:00.000-08:00

My beloved childhood piano teacher sent us a Christmas card with the following poem. I have always loved this particular carol and I would like to share it with you sweet friends.

Christmas Bells

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1863

at the height of the Civil War

(five verses)

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of Peace on Earth Good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent

The hearth-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn

The households born

Of peace on Earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

Through all the noise and uncertainty of your life, May the bells of hope ring loudly through for you this year!

God Bless and Merry CHRISTmas to you all!!

Meredith

Just for Fun Friday

2009-12-18T18:14:00.000-08:00

A week later.........Don't you love it when......

......Your mom goes to the grocery store and asks the staff where the "mad cow" cheese would be..........

Happy Friday!!:)

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

Just for Fun Friday

2009-12-11T15:43:00.000-08:00

Don't you love it when......

....You've been working on the bank all day planting shrubbery and when you go to get in the shower, you notice a little spidery friend hanging from your elbow....HOW LONG has he been THERE???

.....You have just cleaned and vacuumed your carpet and your dog comes barreling through the door, only to leave dirty mud colored footprints?!!

....Your hosts graciously set out a vegetable and dip tray and before you can stop him your child bites his carrot and then plummets it back into the ranch dip.....(slo mo camera of mommy running across the room.....ooooohhhhh noooooooo......too late, no one SEEMS to mind)

.....Your 'hang around the house' pants don't fit very well due to weight loss:) and when you sit in the floor to clean out the bottom bookcases you feel a little hand pull back your underpants and a little child's voice say "teetee?".....(No honey, no teetee diaper on this mommy, but thanks for checking)

These funnies are a repeat of some others that I posted earlier this year. To read those funnies

click here.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Prov. 17:22

Thankful Thursday

2009-11-12T06:43:00.000-08:00

In this season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for many things: My home, my husband, my two jobs, my church, my friends, my saviour. Soooo many things.

But when your baby boy, who came to you despite the diagnosis of infertility, collects these leaves just for you?........it is a teary eyed thankful heart that puts them in a vase and takes a picture.

Just thought I would share. :) Have a blessed day!

P.s. He collected this bouquet back in September, I am just late in finishing my draft.

Off to the Ball!!

2009-11-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

I know I've already posted once today for the Tuesdays together, but I can't let today go by without wishing my Marine a happy Birthday!! Today is the 234th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Friday the 6th was my birthday, and saturday was the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my husband's homecoming from Iraq. And with veterans day fast approaching I'm feeling a bit patriotic. Fall is my favorite time of year, but now this time of year holds even more special meaning. Ironically the Birthday Ball holds an extra special meaning, as our very first extravagant date was to the Ball many many years ago. I will spare you the picture from THAT ball but you can imagine that we look the same if you want. Subtract 11 years, several dress sizes, and different ranking, and we look pretty much the same.

Some Marines celebrate their first birthday in the field with a piece of pound cake from an MRE (meals ready to eat) and others depending on where they are stationed, celebrate with much pomp and circumstance. By tradition, the cake is cut and pieces are presented to the guest speaker then to the oldest and then to the youngest marine. This is one of my favorite parts of the ceremony. The introduction of the youngest marine always, ALWAYS brings about a collective gasp amongst the guests attending the ceremony. This years marine was born in may of 1990. I was in college. He is just a kid and technically I am old enough to be his mother. He is somebody's baby. And always will be.

So, if you see any Marines this week be sure to wish them a Happy Birthday! Remember them in your prayers. I am so thankful for anyone who chooses to serve their country in our armed forces, but I am especially thankful for our marines of Mike Battery 3/14!!

Happy Birthday!!

Tuesdays Together

2009-11-10T07:54:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Tuesdays Together in the Word. We are a group reading the bible together and sharing each week the nuggets that the Lord's Word has left with us. Join in with us, wherever you are. Please visit DeeDee for more Tuesday Together posts!!

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Have you ever watched a movie that did such a good job in taking you "with them" that it stayed with you for hours? days? weeks? You know those movies? The ones where the music, the scenery, the lighting,the acting, the characters, and story line are so woven together that you can't help but feel what the characters are feeling. The 'Lord of the Ring' movies are a good example. The overwhelming despair, the need for hope, the insurmountable task that lies ahead, the burden of being the chosen one, it is all there. Like a big thick heavy woven blanket.

Sometimes when I read scripture my imagination goes into overdrive. I can't help it. Like a movie running across the screen, I try to see and smell and wonder. Humor me and go with me to John 5 from our reading this week.

After this, a Jewish festival took place, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. By the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there is a pool, called Betheseda in Hebrew, which has five colonnades. Within these lay a multitude of the sick- blind, lame, and paralyzed waiting for the moving of the water, because an angel would go down into the pool from time to time and stir up the water. Then the first one who got in after the water was stirred up recovered from whatever ailment he had. One man was there who had been sick for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to get well?"

"Sir," the sick man answered, "I don't have a man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I'm coming someone goes down ahead of me." "Get up", Jesus told him, "pick up your bedroll and walk!" Instantly the man got well, picked up his bedroll, and started to walk. Now that day was the Sabbath, so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "this is the Sabbath! It's illegal for you to pick up your bedroll." (vs 1-10)

This story always stirs my imagination and my heart. Can you imagine? You are desperate. You have been waiting for 38 years. 38 years!!! Your companions are just as desperate as you are. Longing. Waiting. For waters to move. For an angel who comes time to time. You never make it in first because your ailment doesn't allow you to do so. Someone always moves in ahead of you. Such despair. Have you been there at the water the whole time? How long did it take you to get there? Did someone dump you off? What does it smell like there with all the other desperate people? Do the sounds and smells of the festival disturb you? Does ANYONE minister to you?

We are all spiritually desperate before accepting Christ. But have you ever met anyone who was as desperate as this man? In Christ, the man at the pool found mercy, hope, and a new beginning. He picked up his bedroll and walked. Imagine how his heart might have felt. A longing for help was answered. A miracle took place.

..... And all the hard hearted legalists could say was "it's the Sabbath, it's illegal".

My prayers today are for softer hearts, for longings, for miracles, and for Hope. Hope found only in Christ. May you, if you have not yet met Him, find Christ today and accept the miracle of His cross.

Tuesdays Together

2009-10-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

I would love to tell you all that I got it right today. That I did everything just right. But I didn't. I can't tell you such a thing. I would love to say that I read my scripture FIRST thing this morning instead of noon, and that I woke up bright and perky this morning ready for the day! I didn't.

I would love to say that I have excercised already and had plenty of water to drink. That I didn't wait until 1030 to take a shower and only then because I needed to run a quick errand. I would love to tell you that my house is clean and my laundry finished and my to do list completed, but it isn't. That I have been productive and have accomplished great things today. I haven't.

I will tell you that I have been rebellious this morning. And frankly my spirit has been a bit contrary. I have said mean things to myself today. I am under attack. I have been inconsistent with most things important over the past 2-3 weeks and it is catching up with me.

I will tell you that I have enjoyed my screen porch today and the cool weather. AND the halloween candy on the top of the fridge has had a few visits today. I WILL tell you that the Lord has been faithful to me anyway. I went back to Psalm 111.

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.

He has caused his wonders to be remembered;(v2-4)

The Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him;

he remembers his covenant forever.(v5)

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.(v7-8)

Aren't you thankful that the Lord is not inconsistent? Did you catch all that? Great. Glorious. Steadfast. Trustworthy. Forever. Gracious. Compassionate. He has CAUSED his wonders to be remembered.

I asked the Lord to help me get my rear end out of the recliner. He did. I asked him to help me gather up some energy and get something accomplished. He did. I asked him to speak to me. He most certainly did. It was gracious and compassionate. His wonders were remembered. My spirit was renewed.

To Him belongs eternal praise.(v10)

To learn more about our group and Tuesdays Together please visit DeeDee.

I really didn't need the V8!!

2009-09-10T06:33:00.000-07:00

In honor of Thankful Thursday I will post a few pics from our summer vacation.

The week before July 4th holiday, we had the opportunity to travel to Pensacola and Destin. This is the trip on which the computer got spilled upon, thus providing me with a month of no computer access. It is possible to survive without a computer and I was actually thankful for some "hideaway" time.

My husband decided ahead of time that while in Pensacola, we would stay at the Naval Air Station. Cheap! Cheap is Good! He used his military ID to call and get us a discounted room on base. He says, "I don't know why I never think of this, we could go and stay cheaply in just about any major city". I will make sure that this stays on his radar from now on!:) Our room was really nice and almost as big as our master suite at home. They left mints on our pillow people! Good Mints!

We visited with my uncle and cousins and we ate well and enjoyed time together. We traveled on to Destin where our luxurious resort room......well, it just made me happy! Marble, Crabtree and Evelyn, balcony, ocean view......you get the picture. Kiddo loved the phone in the bathroom!!

The baby traveled fabulously and the weather was great. The outlet mall showed no sign of a depressed economy and again we ate really well and genuinely enjoyed our time together. Kiddo enjoyed his FIRST trip to the beach and flirted shamelessly everywhere we went. No major meltdowns and he loved his bottom bunk!

I came home so refreshed and rested. AND thankful, soooo thankful!

Tuesday Mornings

2009-09-08T06:54:00.000-07:00

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1John 1:5

This morning at breakfast my husband read this verse out loud to us. I found it to be a timely and sweet reminder of the Lord's Holiness and his presence with us always.

Last week my child, who will be 18 months old later this month, discovered his shadow for the first time. He has moved from just being bothered to being very agitated to being down right terrorized. He has fussed. He has shaken his finger. He screams and that shadow just will not leave him alone. Yesterday that mean old dark shadow stopped him right in his tracks, he screamed bloody murder and refused to move until I came back to get him. I gave him the usual speeches, "that's just your shadow baby, look mommy has one too" and "now don't be afraid, Jesus doesn't want you to be afraid". You get the picture. Imagine me standing on my front sidewalk, doing a little dance, showing how my shadow moves when I move etc etc.

He was unconvinced. We will continue to work on it.

Meanwhile, I will keep in mind this week that the AlMighty, Holy Creator is Ever present and the light He casts has no dark side.

Somehow....

2009-09-01T06:48:00.000-07:00

I came here to post a new something and I just sat here........staring.........There is so much but now it seems nothing will come. I have been poking around blogs this morning. Tricia already recapped the Beth Moore conference I attended this weekend. Monkeys are Funny featured a hilarious back to school commercial, and Kelly wants to know what makes you happy.

Somehow it all ties together......somehow.

Maybe it is just the simple sweetness of a life enjoyed. Jesus. Guffaws. New notebooks. Desires. Tears. Rollercoasters. Rain. Time alone. Doing Good. Being Thankful.

It all ties together........at least for me it does.

Morning by Morning

2009-08-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday during Sunday morning worship, our choir opened up with the most beautiful rendition of Mercy Me's song called God With Us. I was crying before they even got to the chorus. It is a favorite of mine. Then to top it all off, they followed with 'Great is Thy Faithfulness', my favorite hymn. They continued to move me to tears throughout the morning, and even this morning as I worship.......again.

The lyrics are so powerful. Good stuff. Hope you enjoy the version I found on youtube.

(link here)

....Still you show

a love we cannot afford......

Shwewww! Feel free to give Him some glory today!

Blessings!

Meredith

P.s. I tried to embed the video, but I obviously do not know what I am doing.:) It didn't work, so you will have to travel over to see the link.

For those with children.....

2009-08-04T06:04:00.000-07:00

My mom sent me this link and I laughed all the way through. I think you will find it refreshing to know that even famous people have "those kind of moments". Precious!!

Enjoy!!

Click here

I'm Back!!

2009-07-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

Thankfully, the new computer came yesterday evening. My beloved spilled his drink on our old one on the 30th, fried the board, and I have not had access since then.

I promise it is survivable!! I once went a whole year without internet access in my home, but that was a purposeful experiment.

Sooo, I will be going out of town today but over the next few weeks I hope to catch up on some of my favorite blogs.

God Bless!!

Because Kids Live Here and a Picture Challenge.....

2009-06-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

I am participating today in a challenge hosted by Lynette whose blog I visit often. Stop on over to read a bit of her humor and view her awesome photography. She also has a wonderful testimony and a book published!!

I chose to laugh at these minor irritations, even though I am growing weary of cleaning up toilet paper collections!!I managed to catch a few on film. Kiddo is a very busy bee!!

In my pics you will see:

1. Mutiny--all Men overboard!!

2. Refrigerator raid--(that's Ketchup and we have not yet completed our Church ensemble-close call)

3. Toilet Paper on the Move

4. TP Collector Extraordinaire

Major Dad

2009-06-22T05:55:00.000-07:00

We had a good Father's Day. We went to church, ate ribs afterwards, took naps, and played with the baby. Hubby went running in the late afternoon. I advised him to wait until after 6pm(heat index) but it was what he wanted to do and afterall, it was his day. Now that I have the house to myself, I'm going to brag on him a little, even if it is Monday.

Even though he is not perfect by any means, he is perfect for me. God really knew what he was doing. He is decent, honorable, and hardworking. He serves his country and the people of this state. He could have gone to work somewhere for a lot more money, but he chose not to. He's good at what he does and genuinely loves the people that he works with. He loves the Lord and his family(photos). If you knew half of what I do about what he grew up out of and overcame, you'd be in awe of him as well. Especially when you see him at the table in the mornings drinking his coffee and reading his bible.

Last year on Father's Day my husband was serving in the "great hot sandbox". (photos) It was his first Father's Day and his 2nd deployment. He spent most of his time losing sleep. He never slept more than 4 hours at a time for the whole 7 months he was there. No one wanted to share a room with him for all the knocking on doors. The constant "sir, there's a problem....." tended to cut sleep down to a minimum.

He briefed, he met, he ate foreign food, he socialized, he solved problems, he secured, he promoted, he was always a target, etc etc......a long list of etc. He even stood on a HumV and gave speeches to Iraqi's about not quitting just because they had not yet gotten paid. He believed in what this village was trying to establish. It worked.

If you were to ask him out in public about some of these stories, he would probably play them down. He wouldn't brag about how he got promoted or how he received the highest honor any artillery officer can receive. He wouldn't brag about how ALL his men returned home safely from TWO deployments. He probably wouldn't mention how the spiritual lives of his marines were affected while under his command. He probably WOULD tell you about how doing the Experiencing God study while there in the desert affected him. He probably would tell you how God honored his obedience in many matters.

Recently, on a Friday, my husband received a job offer. He had to give an answer by Monday. It was military related. It was an artillery officer's dream job. It was flattering to be asked. Very Complementary to be considered for such a job as this. He had to turn it down. He could not leave his wife and child again. For no amount of fame or history making, can he leave his civilian job again. He would have to quit in order to volunteer. The job would mean more money. He sounded excited when he called to tell me about it. I asked him if he was tempted. He said he was, but only for a few. I am so thankful!!

Someday he might let me tell you the story of the bibles. Just know that at the end of the chaos those bibles caused, God's plan ruled and there are 100 arabic bibles that were not there before. Will a remote western village be changed? It already has been. Only God knows the end of that long story.

My husband probably worries about being a good father. When his own father died at a very young age, he was sent to live with an aunt and an uncle. At the funeral, with future unknown, a pastor put his hand on a very young man's burdened shoulder and told him, "son, you are embarking on a great adventure, your journey is just beginning". How prophetic were those words!!

As you can tell, I'm a big fan! I respect and love my husband for all that he is and will be. As for my own father? I'm going fishing with him this week, I'll post about that later!!!

Happy Father's Day!!

Tuesdays Together

2009-06-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

I have been absent from blogger world. I'll explain later. Tuesdays Together is as good a time as any to jump back in. I'm sharing from 2 Corinthians today. It's long, so bear with me. If you are not familiar with Tuesdays Together, please visit DeeDee to check it out and to visit others who participate.

Yesterday while working in recovery, my patient looked up at me and said, "This won't keep me from going over seas will it? cause I'm going in February and I don't want to miss it this time.....". Patients rattle on about lots of things while they are waking up from their "twilight sleep" as we call it. He went on to talk about his unit in the National Guard and his future deployment and about his herniated discs and how he just really did not want to miss going with his unit. Men. The voice in my head answered him, "well, I hope it does keep you from going". I of course could not say that out loud. That was the answer of a mother and a wife. Surely they feel differently about his enthusiasm to deploy. Surely they do not want him to go overseas. Driving home, I was thinking about his conversation and it dawned on me that today June 9th, 2009 is a type of anniversary for my family. On Nov. 9th, 2008 just 7 months ago, my husband returned home from Iraq. And so, in honor of this anniversary and in honor of Memorial Day ( albeit very late) I wanted to share an essay that I wrote back in November. Keep in mind that I wrote this essay before I became a blogger. I wrote it the week after my husband returned. Also keep in mind that our group at church had just finished the bible study, 'What Happens When Women say Yes to God' by Lysa Terkeurst. I never really imagined that I would be sharing this essay with others. It was just my way of pouring my heart out on paper, and it is also dedicated to my church family and others who know who they are....

______________________

2 Corinthians 5:14

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

Christ's love compels us. COMPELS. Because we are CONVINCED. Powerful words. Striking verse. It is not difficult to imagine a love so convincing that it moves or COMPELS one into action. Especially when you have witnessed it for yourself.

My most recent encounter with Christ's compelling love occurred during my husband's deployment to Iraq. He left the house in Nov. 2007 and returned in Nov. 2008, just 1 week ago. The last 7 months of this deployment were in Rutbah, Iraq, A remote western city.

I am so moved by the expressions of love that were directed my way that I felt it necessary to write them out; chew on them a little and savor what inspiration might come from them.

Thanksgiving, Christmas--Love called and invited me to the family dinners even though it was suspected I would travel and join my own parents, you still called and invited me.... Each Sunday after church, Love took turns inviting me to lunch instead of allowing me to go home alone to eat. Love visited me at the hospital. Love sent emails and cards. Love PRAYED for me.

When I was very largely pregnant, Love rolled my big trashcan down my steep driveway every Thursday. And even when I protested, Love sometimes managed to get it back up the driveway--if I let him.

The day my husband left again to return to his unit, my infant son was 6 days old. I rounded the corner and witnessed my husband bent over the bassinet with large tears hanging from his eyes. Don't see him cry very often, But Love will do that to a person.

For weeks, I hurt from the stitches. I didn't move very well. Love organzied and sent food, for what seemed like a month!!

Love came and helped me clean. And then there was a babysitting list that Love concocted so that I could leave the house for a few hours and Love signed up. Week after week. Then when the daycare spot we had prayed for opened up, some of you did not get the chance to babysit, but your names were there, on that list. Written in love.

Love called to check on me. Love PRAYED for me. Love raced across the yard with the other neighbors to see who could cut my grass first. Love returned week after week with the mower and the weed eater.

When my dog busted down a section of the fence, Love watched my newborn while I went out looking for my dog.... And then the next morning when I heard voices outside my window, I realized that neighbors had joined together to shore up my fence, with a bag of quikcrete that came from a neighbor's garage. Love did that....

When my 2 cats and my dog brought into the house such a fierce flea infestation that both tortured and embarrassed me, you sent your hubby over to spray my drought stricken back yard.

Love served in the church nursery and cared for my child. During Wednesday night suppers, Love took my infant and allowed me to eat a normal meal....with grown ups.

Nursing and raising a newborn on your own brings great joy and weariness. Some nights the darkness would come and the kind of weariness that seeps right down through to the very bone would set in. On these nights, when all I could utter between the sobs were the words to 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' over and over, I know that Love was praying and intervening on my behalf. I know that YOU were going deep into your prayer closets and praying for me. Love does that.

I know these weary nights of weakness all to well. Nights where Christ's LOVE and strength really were enough. They really were.... They still are. Not just enough, but abundantly so.

'Crazy Love'. Haven't had the chance to read the book yet. But I'm guessing it's there. On the pages, between the pages. This Love that I've mentioned. Compelling. Convincing. Amazing. Crazy. What happens when Love says yes? Well, I hope I've given you a glimpse. The folks of CBChurch said yes, and I will never be able to repay them; except to stop and give Glory to the God who has given that COMPELLING Love for us all.

______________________

I realize now how late and out of date these words might seem and I probably should have shared these thank yous and sentiments earlier, but the leading didn't come until today. Maybe someone just needed this today. I hope so.

Tuesdays Together

2009-05-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

In my reading this week, I wanted to linger a bit in Psalms and Proverbs. In Psalm 39,40, and 41 I could really sense David's despair and his frustration. His awareness of his own inadequacy is overwhelming here. There are scourges and weeping, wicked enemies, and slimy muddy pits. There is shame and foolishness. There is slander and betrayal. Then, Here comes the best part. David exalts the Lord.

2) He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

3) He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

4) Many, O lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

In Proverbs 10 there is reassurance for those who trust in the Lord.

24)What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.

25)When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

All through the reading I imagined David and his despair and then his freedom. I was reminded of a scene in a movie that so impressed me that I openly wept in the theater. The scene is from a Lord of The Ring's movie. I went to see all three in the theaters when they were released. The scene I thought of this week involved the great trees with their strong roots. A flood of rushing water comes to "wash away" the underworld that has been created and where an oppressive evil army is born and prepares for battle. The waters rush over the land and over the edge into the pit and you see the trees clinging to stand firm. All around them is destruction. The trees do stand, because they are the only ones with roots deep and strong enough to withstand such a destructive force. My emotions at this point in the movie just overwhelmed me and I cried. As the great rushing waters leveled the playing field, I could not help but get emotional. The symbolism was not lost on me.

Are you planted firmly on the right foundation? If you are, do you strengthen your roots through His word? Do you trust in the ONE whose wonders are "too many to declare"? I surely hope so. When Christ died for us, he secured our place in eternity. Once we belong to Him, we cannot be pulled from him.

Prov 10:30 The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

2Tim.2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his...

Psalm41:13 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

A Funny Thing happened....

2009-05-03T20:46:00.001-07:00

A funny thing happened to me last week. I was on my way to church last Sunday morning and I had to stop at the store to pick up some nursery supplies. My husband drove and chose to wait out in the car with the baby. It took me a few minutes to locate what I needed. I am not familiar with this particular store. I paid the cashier and with my mind on other things I headed back out to the car.

Some of you will relate to what happened next. You know those moments of split second registration? Those moments when you realize that you have made a big mistake?

I opened the car door and with my bags in the air ready to put in the floorboard, I registered that this was not my seat and that was not my catfood, and more importantly the man smoking the cigarette behind the wheel was not my husband!!!! He was looking at me rather funny.......I was looking at him rather surprised, and just as quickly as I had opened the door, I said "OH, I'm so sorry" and I shut the door.

I was laughing so hard by the time I crossed the parking lot and got into the IDENTICAL car that really was mine, I was unable to tell my husband what had happened. I heard the stranger man laughing and he waved as he drove off. I waved back. We are bonded now you know! I'm sure he had a good story to tell to folks the rest of the day!!

I quit laughing and crying long enough to explain why that stranger man was laughing and waving at us. Husband and I, we laughed all the way to church and my mascara was completely gone by the time we arrived.

So many times this week I have thought about the looks on our faces as we realized what was happening. It has brought me many a merry moment! I hope we both learned something from the whole experience........ he might lock his car door next time, and I might pay more attention to the direction in which I am parked!! Note to self.......

I just thought I would share. I hope this brought you a bit of laughter in your day.......even if it is at my expense!!

I was running.....

2009-04-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are. Sweaty and red faced. I posted previously that I was in training for my first ever 5k, and although our time was not exactly stellar, it was pretty good for first timers. We finished together at exactly 0:47:06. Keep in mind that my training never went past 2 miles and most of my training in the last 3 weeks had been railroaded.

I am sure that the temperature was the highest we have experienced so far this year. We were told to expect the 80's, but out on that pavement, it surely felt like the 90's. The course was a nice, relatively flat course, not many slopes. At mile 2 and 3 there were large signs marking our progress and from the 3rd mile marker, you could see the finish line!! I was ever so happy to see marker #2 and even more overjoyed when I could see the finish line in the distance!!

My friend Kelly made the run more worthwhile, and frankly If she had not been there I probably would have just walked the whole last mile. If I had run the race alone with just me and my ipod, I am confident that the end result would have been different. There is spiritual significance here.

Although, we have divinely been given a race to run, there always is and was someone else who is running a similar race. There will always be someone else who "understands" your circumstance. There is a reason that scripture supports fellowship, both fellowship with other believers and with Christ. During the 5k, there was certainly some pain, but there was more importantly sweet fellowship and support........it was a good run.

Please be watching for a post from Kelly. She has a great blog with lots of insight and some funny stories. You can find her on my sidebar at 'Where's the Beef?'.

Walk, run, walk, run.......

2009-04-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

I have been on a short computer break. Except for basic emails, I have avoided all things computer. For the past three weeks, my household has been plagued by illness. Rhinovirus, sinus infections, DOUBLE ear infections, bronchitis, fevers, fatigue etc. We are all three now on antibiotics.

I feel better. The baby is better. Now my hubby is sick. He went off to drill this past weekend, and of course came home ill.

As I reflect on the last few weeks, I feel rather manic. I have roller coasted all over the spectrum. I have been distracted, flaky, dazed, irritable, even dizzy. I have been chilled and sweaty. I have been nauseated(antibiotic) and starving. My recliner is worn where I feel like I atrophied away. I did lose a few pounds. Chores were skipped. Naps were plentiful. Yesterday, I was finally energized enough to clean. And clean I did! Furiously! I'm still cleaning today. Like I said, very manic.

I even went running today, sorta......My first 5k is coming up this Saturday. FIRST ever. I have been training for this run since January. Obviously I haven't been running in three weeks. I have started over on the training at least three times. Illness, travel, weather.....those are all my excuses. While sitting in my recliner with my big blanket watching my muscles disappear , it was easy to be discouraged by the turn of events. So easy in fact, that I briefly entertained the idea to skip the run and just waste my $25 that I already paid. What?!! I couldn't do that!! Could I? Of course not!!

I say all this (whine and cheese), in order to say, that while I was sick, I was thinking. I'm always thinking. I was thinking about Paul in prison, about the disciples in the days after Jesus was crucified, about the conditions they must have lived in. I was thinking about their "races". I was thinking about Moses. I was thinking about perseverance even when you know how the race is going to end. I was thinking about my running water and my fridge and my modern day conveniences. I was even thinking about the miracle of antibiotics. Does any of this make any sense? I don't know, But I will finish the race. I will find joy in the running. I will be thankful for my circumstances. I will walk a little, run a little, walk, run, walk, run........all the way to the end. I will finish and when my race is completed, I will be different.

Easter thoughts...

2009-04-13T06:28:00.000-07:00

This perhaps was one of the oddest Easter Weekends. Saturday felt like Sunday. We went to church for a youth pancake breakfast (fundraiser) and an egg hunt. The rest of the day I was plagued with the urgent need to take a nap (or naps), which I usually reserve for Sunday afternoon. The cubs have started their baseball season, so you can guess what channel our tv stayed on all weekend!! I love to watch Cubs baseball, but the drone of the crowd puts me out! Perfect napping conditions....

On Sunday, the baby had a fever that I thought we were finished with!! It is not wise to close up a child in a nursery with a fever and lots of other little children, so I left my husband at home with the baby and attended Sunday Easter service on my own. I also had some nursery duties to take care of. During my 30 minute drive, I listened to worship music and praised the Lord for what Easter really means. I enjoyed my ride alone in the car, and the springtime scenery along the way. I thought about the cross, and about my savior and what must His scenery have looked like. This is all in sharp contrast to the phone calls my husband was getting all weekend. I don't like it when he is on call. There is "lostness" behind these calls. The phone rings at strange hours and it is usually not good. There is sleep lost and then usually a discussion about people who can't be nice to one another. About the evil that exists just over the hill so to speak, and about how law enforcement and others who work the long night hours even on Easter weekend. My husband appreciates these guys on the frontline. They usually go without thanks and they miss out on time with their families. I mean really, is it wise to commit crimes on a holiday?

Lostness.....it is the reason Jesus came afterall. It is the reason for the cross. Do the prayers I utter for the families behind these phone calls really help? Although at times the task at hand seems despairingly without hope, I know different. I know that lostness is conquered one heart at a time. I know Jesus came for all of us and I know that I have a job to do.

So, I enjoyed my drive home alone and I thought about all the folks at church honoring the Lord with their Easter finery and the beautiful music and about the folks who went down front after the sermon for a profession of faith and baptism! I thought about how the Holy Spirit stirs around the room in ways I can't even imagine, amongst hearts and heads, and how even my few tired thoughts of despair for the lost cannot stop His power. I know that there were distracted hearts there yesterday who most likely did not hear anything, but I also know that there were a few, including my own, who sat humbled at the foot of the cross, even for just a moment.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Tuesdays Together

2009-04-06T18:17:00.000-07:00

I felt as if I was visiting with an old familiar friend while reading the Psalms from our reading list. It has only been a month since I posted about a heartfelt step into Psalm 34. A few of you have read it, but if you have not and wish to take a quick peek, please visit here.

Recycling is always good, but I wanted to share something new from this week as well. It is from Mark chapter 3.

Verses 1-6

Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? But they remained silent.

He (Jesus) looked around at them in anger and , deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

We don't pay much attention to this man mentioned here. This man with the shriveled hand. Who was he? He braved the crowds and went to the synagogue. Did he go there to wait on Jesus? Scripture just says he was just "there". Had he heard all the stories about this man called Jesus? What must it have been like to witness Jesus, the SON of God looking around in "anger" and "distress"? And then to have him tell YOU to "stand up" and make a point to the stubborn Pharisees using your ailment? Whoa!! When angry Jesus tells you to "stretch out your hand" you had better stretch out your hand!! But then there IS an implied faith here. He stretched out his hand on the Sabbath because there was authority in the voice that told him to do so, the voice that heals. He stretched out his hand because he was incomplete. He stretched out his hand because he BELIEVED that Jesus could help him, even if it meant being on the Pharisees list. He stretched out his hand in obedience and HOPE. It was HIS moment, and in that moment, that singular moment, there can be found a life-changing obedience, hope, and restoration! As far as I know, we don't hear anything else about this man with the shriveled up hand. Did he take his restored hand out into the world and proclaim the good news? I hope so. He really makes me think...... Did you notice that the scripture never even mentions Jesus physically touching the man? We assume that he did, but could it have been even simpler than that? When was the last time you stood up, stretched out, obeyed and experienced life changing Jesus? .........just something to chew on......I know I need to......

Thankful Thursday

2009-04-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

I'm not feeling well. I thought I was fighting off a sinus infection, but when I woke up this morning at 3 am with a fever of 103, I was convinced I had the flu. I haven't had the flu in a decade or so. I'm a nurse, so my immune system is rock solid!! :) Anyway, now that my eyes are uncrossing (from the headache) and I'm feeling some better, I thought I would post a little thankfulness. I'm still not sure if it's the flu or not, might be a rhinovirus, but it definitely seems to be viral--you know how we nurses are about diagnosing ourselves!lol

I am thankful for....

...being forced to slow down a bit. I really needed it.

...managers who care about me and understand when I call in sick, which I rarely ever do.

...the small burst of "feel better" that allowed me to get a load in the washer and the bed made.

...a sweet hubby who took care of the baby all by himself this morning.

...for simple things like naps, tylenol, zyrtecD, sprite, gatorade, a big blanket, and Cosby Show reruns!!

...for my Lord and Savior, who heals the sick (Mark 2- my scripture reading for today)

...for the GOOD news we received while having our taxes done this week. Amazing!

...for answers to prayers!!

AMEN

May you find yourself thankful for the simple things, and the amazing ones as well!!

For more TT posts, visit Laurie

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

Tuesdays Together

2009-03-31T07:08:00.000-07:00

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Before I share my thoughts on our reading, I first must apoplogize to the Tuesday crew if I have misled you in any way. From your sweet comments last week I realized that some of you might be under the impression that my husband is STILL deployed. He's not, he is safely home. Praise the Lord!! I am just slow in the sharing. I have blogged some about the homecoming in a previous post. He came home in November and things are finally getting back to normal around here (sorta). "This time last year" is my favorite phrase right now. I'm still standing in awe of the enormous journey that I traveled. Yesterday marked a painful one year anniversary- My husband left on March 30th after spending only 6 days with his newborn son. But, like I pointed out, he's home now and I am different. And I will continue to share bits of this journey as the Lord leads. OK, now on to Tuesday.....

______________

Although I enjoyed reading Philemon and Titus, I need to go the Psalms again. It's just that kind of season, for lack of a better explanation....

Psalm 32

8-I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you.

9-Do not be like the horse or the mule,

which have no understanding but must be controlled

by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

I laughed when I read that, Did God's word just tell me..."Don't be a dumb stubborn mule" ? Yes!! I think HE did! I guess we all have seasons of stubborness and "lack of understanding". This world really wants to lead us mindlessly around by a bit and bridle so to speak, when all along there is a book lying on our tables that gives us the PROPER counsel and instruction, and I do mean God's Word. There is freedom in THAT instruction. No bits, No bridles.

Then we move on to the next verses:

10-Many are the woes of the wicked,

but the LORD'S unfailing love surrounds

the man who trusts in him.

11-Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;

sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Isn't it comforting to know that when you are surrounded by a wicked, bit, and bridled kind of world, that you who trust in HIM are SURROUNDED by UNFAILING love? Did you catch that? Unfailing. and Surrounded. Our world will fail us. Job's world failed him. He came out okay in the end, I'm sure he was different on the inside, but the Lord was not. Unfailing, steadfast, unchanged. We know this. Now that IS something to sing about!! And the watching over you part in verse 8? Can't let that be missed either.

I can't tell you how many times over the past year, when I really wanted to rejoice. I wanted to sing (vs11) I did, but friend I was weary. I'm being honest. Singing did not happen every day, let me tell you. Wasn't it enough just to trust and be carried by his unfailing love? Wasn't it enough to just put on my big girl undies every livin' day, work hard, and just trust? Your heart knows what it knows but somedays the singing just did not want to come despite itself. Despite it's stubborn mule self................

Glad that is soooo last year....(insert chuckle here).

Tuesdays Together

2009-03-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Tuesdays Together in the Word. We are a group reading the bible together and sharing each week, what the Lord's Word has left with us. Join in with us, wherever you are.

Scroll down for the Link!!

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I cannot let this Tuesday Together pass by without sharing some thoughts from the Psalms. As I have mentioned before in a previous post, I promised to share some about this past year. I cannot read these Psalms from our list without thinking about my journey through new motherhood and deployment. Psalms like these carried me through. I cannot read these Psalms without my heart being stirred.

Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation,

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life,

of whom shall I be afraid?

3Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

even then will I be confident.

5 For in the day of trouble

he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle

and set me high upon a rock.

13 I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

There are more than a few folks out there in this world who know what it is like to go to bed at night wondering if they will wake up a widow. Knowing that you very well could and trusting that you won't....... This is the war of the spouse left behind during a deployment, during a time of war. It is a battle on the insides of her head and heart. I don't pretend to think that I am the only person to ever have their Marine go off into harms way. Many wives have done this before me and more still will travel this journey in the years to come. Often it was the knowing that got me through an hour- knowing that someone always has it worse and knowing that my blessings are plentiful. Knowing that God and I were okay before my husband came along and would be still even if.........

Often, in the late hours, when the baby was down for the night, the pumping was still to be done, the bottles and accessories still to be washed, and all the other "stills" that occur when you are running a household by yourself.......I would talk out my cries of the heart and my Psalms would frequently sound a bit like this:

The Lord is my light, is my strength, is my salvation.

Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear?

Of Whom shall I be afraid?

Not these thoughts, certainly not tomorrow.

If HE is for me, Who then can be against me?

Though my aloneness bears down upon me,

He shelters me

I am confident in the Lord's tomorrow,

This too shall pass, This too shall pass!!

Although my weariness is heavy,

I SEE the Lord's goodness and I am strengthened.

I count my blessings and am uplifted.

Take heart, have courage, wait upon the Lord!

have courage, have courage!

Of Whom shall I be afraid?

Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear?

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!!

Amen

May my mutterings bring you encouragement, wherever your journey may be taking you today!!

For more Tuesdays Together in the Word, visit DeeDee.

Manic Monday?

2009-03-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

Whew! I am so overwhelmed! I've been packing and traveling and repacking and coming home and now that I have my house to myself, I am catching up on some bloggy stuff. I missed the block party on Friday, I can't believe I did that!! Okay, yes I can, the way my brain has been working lately, I'm not surprised that I missed it! And then there is the Getting to know you deal and I just spent 30 minutes looking at some blogs that are new to me! Such fun!

Last week when I was computerless, I spent a lot of time thinking about God's plan or "destinies". It is a topic that has come up often over the last 6 months. That is not an accident. Now, we (ladies at church) are doing Beth Moore's Study on Esther. Destiny is all over that study!! ANd I have cried every week so far. I highly recommend this study if you ever have the opportunity to participate!!

Sometimes the enormity of it all just brings me to my knees!! "It" being God's plan, or moment, or grace, or trial, or fill in the blank with anything that pertains to that which we do not know or understand just yet.

This time last year, I was preparing for the birth of my son. I was picking up my husband from the airport for a long Easter Weekend. He was in California, getting ready to deploy to Iraq, trying to get a plane out the Friday before Easter. ( Why was Easter in March last year?) I had Braxton Hicks contractions all the way out to the Birmingham airport. If not for the other officers, my husband would have been on the advanced party and would have missed the birth entirely. Tomorrow on the 24th, our son turns one. I can't help but wonder what destiny holds in store for this precious child. What does the story God's written for him look like?

For more about the ironies of God's plan, you can visit Melanie as she studies the book of Ruth. Her post for today really stirred my heart. I wonder if King David ever really read their story?

Just for Fun Friday

2009-03-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share a blog that some of you out there might like to look into. My friend Jason and his precious wife Terri are very experienced at adoption and now.....deployments! Two huge subjects!

Please remember them all in prayer when you can, as Jason has deployed (again)!!

I recently learned that Terri is a talented seamstress!! If any of you should have a notion to see some of her goods, you can visit their blog and scroll down to see some of the bags and such that she creates. Have fun! Oh, and she did give me permission to blog and link....

Technical Difficulties

2009-03-18T19:04:00.000-07:00

My apologies to anyone who might have been looking for a new post!! I have been computerless since the weekend. I finally got the chance to open my email and I had 95 new emails in my inbox!!

Don't you love it when your hard drive crashes and your mom starts to worry cause you are not answering your emails or your phone? ( I was talking on the other line... helloooo?)

Anyway, I'm back online and I will try to do some catching up tomorrow. I know that there is some super stuff out there in the great wide bloggy world that I need to read.

Just for Fun Friday

2009-03-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Don't you just LOVE it when........

...you realize that the tuna concoction and the cantaloupe you ate for lunch wasn't very satisfying but the Thin Mints were? (please tell me you know what a Thin Mint is)

...you have been running on the treadmill for what seems like ages, and the display shows 0.35miles? What? seriously? are you kidding me?

...you find out the next day, that NOW the display doesn't work at all?

...you realize that the load you put in the washer 2 days ago, .... is still in there? bleh!

...you have recently discovered the wonderfulness of oreo cakesters and then find that the 100 calorie packs have been picked clean at the grocery store (just like the commercial said they would)?

...you have a broken refrigerator and it takes a week and a half for the guys to get it fixed?

...you think your broken scale is a good thing, until you realize the new one is worse?...ha!

...you take the time to make a wonderful batch of muffins for your sunday school class, you try one, and then your dog tries the other 11 while you are fixin' your face in the bathroom?

These make me laugh. I'm having so much fun with this, that I might have to make these appear on a regular basis. Have a great weekend!

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Prov. 17:22

Wordless Wednesdays

2009-03-11T06:42:00.000-07:00

Homecoming

2009-03-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

The picture below was drawn by my mom's good friend Joan Jolley. If you would like to see the original photo you can visit Michelle's blog. This was taken before I became a blogger:)!

Yesterday was 3-9-09. I thought about it all day. 4 months ago on this day, my husband returned home from his deployment. I thought about how God was merciful and brought my husband home to his little family. And about how God's strength got me through this very long year. And I thought about how I should be sharing testimony and the enemy whispers...."it's old news, nobody wants to hear about your drama" and "move on cause they are tired of hearing about it" etc etc A different kind of war, but a war indeed!

How is it that ONE year can shape destinies? shape friendships?stories? hearts? Deserts? Villages? eternity?

Burning Bushes people, Burning Bushes!!!! (from a previous post)

I haven't really blogged much about it yet, and those that know me best know parts of this testimony already. So today I will just keep it simple, but I promise to share some more about the journey of this past year and give God the glory. There is a lot in my tender heart and to share those parts will take time.

I sought the Lord and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those

who fear him, and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34:4-8

Thankful Thursday

2009-03-05T11:19:00.000-08:00

(I tried to put the button here, but it didn't work):)

Today, I am especially thankful for:

the bracelet that arrived today in the mail. I won a blog giveaway and received a beautiful bracelet!
the other surprises that came in the package. Melanie sent me a book that I haven't read yet and a pretty plaque.
the 4 inches of snow that we had on Sunday! Haven't seen good snow in a long while.
the chance to run in the sunshine today while wearing shortsleeves!
the whole day to myself.
the privilege of coming before my heavenly Father in prayer and lifting up those who I know are experiencing difficult or scary times.
the opportunity to be openly involved in two bible studies with other ladies at my church. I live in a country where I can do that.....
my new blogger friends who keep taking me back to the Word and who will never truly know what their sharing has done for me.....

Blessed Day!!

For more Thankful Thursdays please go to Grace Alone.

About an Exodus

2009-02-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

My favorite class my senior year was AP literature, and my favorite college courses included literature.... and archery. Go figure. Sometime during these early young adult years I came across a poem that so moved me, .... I cross-stitched it for a friend!! I just knew she would like it also. Otherwise, I kept it sacredly hidden. It became my "life poem" if there could be such a thing. The poem is below, as best as I can remember it:

All the Earth is crammed with heaven

and every common bush aflame with God

but only those who see take off their shoes.

The rest sit around picking blackberries

daubing their faces unaware....

E.B. Browning

As a Christian, I was of course instantly drawn to Exodus and the story of the burning bush. Thus the title of my blog. I wondered at first if she meant to paint such a spiritual picture, but later learned that Mrs. Browning was passionate about her faith. She taught herself Hebrew so that she could read the Old Testament text. Imagine such a task! This must have been quite an accomplishment for a woman in her day.

If you really stop and look at this story in Exodus, you will see that Moses had to first stop and then go over and check it out. He went to take a look.......Implies action.

I can distinctly remember those many nights staring at the ceiling with tears rolling down my cheeks, crying out to God as only a teen can do........I so desperately did not want to be one of those people who missed the chance to stop and go look. I didn't want to miss it......anything.. ...the instructions, the moments, the taking off the shoes. I wanted the great wide unknown future to be filled with shoeless moments. What an odd thing for a young person to be thinking about. Or is it? I don't know.

Those were desperate, desperate heart cries. Cries that only the heart utters and only the Lord understands. That was so long ago, but I still get teary eyed when I think of some of those ceiling staring moments. They were Holy moments......when the ancient story of an exodus and a burning bush collides with the heart of a poet, who then slips off her shoes...... and puts pen to paper. Enter stage left, the tender heart of a Georgia teenager and well.........the story is not yet finished!!

I'm Not a teenager anymore. Have I missed any of those "burning bushes" that the Lord wanted to share with me during my own Exodus? I'm positive that I have, but hopefully not many. My trip is not yet over. I'm still actively seeking, stopping, and looking, and trying not to be distracted by all the "berry picking" that goes on all around.

I like symbolism--can you tell?:)

Have a blessed, shoeless, holy moment kind of week!!

The kid in the Oven

2009-02-23T17:04:00.000-08:00

I was watching my child today and considering how tomorrow he will be 11 months old and how quickly time flies. Over the past two weeks he has perfected his clap, his backwards wave, and his use of the sippy cup. No more bottle!?! He tries to sing the Elmo song. He has experimented with the crab walk, as he is getting ready to walk any day now. Today he decided that he did not like hot dog bites. This is the first food that he has shown an aversion to, as he is normally a big pig. He is transforming into a little person! Today his daily chats with the kid in the oven (his reflection) changed from just chatter to purposeful activity. I watched him as he intently studied this kid. When he waved, the kid waved. When he laughed and clapped, the kid laughed and clapped back. Then he held both arms way up over his head and laughed and laughed at how the kid in the oven did that as well. It was quite a show. The kid did whatever he told him to do, in perfect step, a perfect reflection.

I watched him for some time, all the while wondering about my own reflection. Or to be more exact, the Lord's reflection. Do I reflect the Lord's glory on a daily basis? Is my transformation into his likeness pleasing to the Lord? or do I stall more often than I should? Is that reflection perfectly in sync? Do I allow the Spirit to saturate every part of my being? My journey to that perfect reflection is just that, a journey. Long and slow and steady. Sometimes stalled and stubborn. Prayerfully Seeking.......and only to be finally perfected when my journey is over. Do you imagine an artist who lovingly adds the very last perfect brush stroke on that glorious day?!! (I do) A perfect picture that can only give all the Glory to the Father!!

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2Cor 3:18)

Amen!

Wordless Wednesdays

2009-02-18T13:35:00.001-08:00

Tuesdays Together

2009-02-17T11:42:00.000-08:00

This week I was reading some more of the parables in Luke. The parable of the Lost Coin stands out to me. Jesus is speaking...

"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 15:8-10

It is the rejoicing that AWES me so. Have you ever lost anything so valuable to you that there was such great rejoicing when you recovered it? I try to imagine what the rejoicing must be like, must sound like, in the presence of God's angels. I can only tear up at the mere thought of it. Strangely enough, It is my pastor's Sunday sermon that I'm thinking of while reading this parable. He is speaking on the beatitudes. Sunday he covered the second one..."blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

Imagine the very moment, this precious moment in time, when the "light" of conviction breaks through and a heart is broken. MOURNING is found there and repentance and then, Mercy here it comes,...... "great rejoicing" in the heavens!!! I am so not worthy, and well,.....I get a song anyway!!!

Today I pray for a strong lamplight, for a good sweepin', for eyes to see, and a heart that's willing to break over my own sin. May my repentance be found worthy of a good singin'!!

Please visit DeeDee for more Tuesdays Together in the Word

Just for Fun Friday

2009-02-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

Today is as good a time as any to talk about my water bottle that I mentioned in a previous post. I know you might be thinking ,"what could be so blogworthy about a water bottle?"--Well, I'll tell you...

If you are like me, you like to keep lists and cross things out and check boxes and such. If you like to keep track of your water intake because you know you should drink more water, then you probably like to make tic marks somewhere. But if you are like me, you lose track of which tic mark was made last.....the glass you last finished or the glass you are drinking now? and at the end of the day you are left wondering......did I drink 40 ounces or 60 ounces? lol:) Now, here's the good part. My sister got this great water bottle for Christmas, and I just HAD to have one!! It has a dial on it that allows you to keep track of your intake. Everytime I refill the bottle I move the dial. It holds 20 oz and since using it, I am consistently drinking about 50 ounces or more a day. Somehow, I'm okay with NOT knowing the exacts? go figure......:) I leave it on my counter and take a drink whenever I pass by. Today I am still on fill-up #1. But it is early!

This bottle is made by Thermos and I bought mine at Target for 9.99 plus tax. It might be on sale by now!! It comes in many colors. It is easy to clean and has a nice hinged lid that locks and seals. It hasn't spilled in my bag or purse at all. As a bonus, it is free of those chemicals that everyone is making such a fuss about.

As a nurse, I of course endorse the drinking of good ol' water. Your body needs it. So go forth and be healthy.......and go buy a cool water bottle if you so desire. Mine is pink!!

Have a blessed weekend and a Happy Valentine's Day!!

Wordless Wednesdays

2009-02-11T18:42:00.001-08:00

Is it Friday? or Tuesday?

2009-02-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

This is the post that I tried to put up on Friday. I don't know what I did wrong, but it looked like a crazy person typed it. The more I tried to fix it, the worse it became. So, I'll try again. I was gonna just let it go, but my Heart Friends informed me that I couldn't. Keep in mind that this was Friday. So here goes......

OK, so I was feeling a bit like a slacker this morning. at 10am-still in my pajamas-haven't exercised -feeling gross- busting out a diet coke for breakfast with my 2 big zits on my face.....(what's up with that?)....We all overslept this morning. I've been cooped up (except for venturing out to the doctor) in the house since monday night with my sick 10 month old. You would think I could get a LOT of things done during such a hideaway as this, but not so....(sigh), did I mention the sick 10 month old?....

Then I open my bible and read this.......Luke 8

Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women he had healed....Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager, Susanna; and many others who were contributing their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. (vs1-3)

It just jumped out at me. If I have ever noticed this before, I had forgotten it. Jesus was touring about and ministering alongside women. Not just any women. It is clear from this passage that these women were not ordinary for their day. They had resources. They had Goods!! They were contributing their "own resources to support Jesus and his disciples". Dude--they had stuff!! And what about Joanna? Ever wonder what Herod and Chuza thought about her hanging around Jesus?

The enemy would love for me to sit around and compare myself to others, to doubt myself, to REALLY consider myself a slacker about the Lord's work, but the voice in my head :) says "NOT today!! Rise up (off that couch) and resist!!" (that's God's way of saying --my creation shall not call thyself a slacker--get up and get moving)

Hey!! I've got goods!! I've got resources!! I've got talents and gifts and stuff!! I know, cause the Lord gave them to me... (I really feel the need to stick out my tongue, but I won't) I need to be using those gifts as HE guides.

Sounds sassy.....

Sounds like boasting, but it's not meant that way....

We are His, we know this. We might be lowly sinners but We are NOT slackers!! We are precious to Him. He paid the price already. He equips us for the "tour" to be about His work with our own individual goods and resources. We ALL have stuff.

Sounds like........a Victory!!

as a Tuesday afterthought, I am thinking of the contrast between these women and the women in scripture who had little to give.....a touch of the hem, or some oil, or some savings.......

They still offered these, and Jesus accepted them wholeheartedly. They gave these in faith. They took action. ....and the result was Victory.

Have a victorious Jesus Filled day!!!

please stand by....

2009-02-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

I am having trouble getting my post for Friday to post correctly.

Come back later for a check up....:)

Wordless Wednesdays

2009-02-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's Tuesday....

2009-02-03T06:55:00.001-08:00

I've been checking in with my blogger friends who participate in Tuesdays Together in the Word. I enjoy reading their thoughts and insights. If you go to Tricia's or DeeDee's blog you can learn more about it, and visit others who participate. I started out the year skipping around some, so I'm not exactly on schedule with these guys but it really does encourage me.

Yesterday, I worked a 6-3 shift, which means I left the house at 0455. I've been working mostly 11am-7pm shifts, so this abrupt change might have been a bit ambitious for one my age, but I got over it. Once I got there I learned that a friend was dealing with the death of her husband. He committed suicide. For the sake of her privacy, I dare not write more, but it was not a quiet passing. My heart is breaking to know she is in pain.......

Luke 22 describes the "sifting like wheat" that Satan relishes in, even "demands". I know I've experienced bad that God uses for good, and I pray that my faith "did not fail"........but what about when you are watching it happen to someone else??

In college, one of my favorite conference speakers was Esther Burroughs. (sp?) Because I was in college for such a long time,:) I heard her speak at more than one BSU conference. Now that I think about it, I even had to speak BEFORE her during one of those conferences. (Weird?) Her words on "living water" stick with me even now, 13+ years later:). Do I overflow with the living water of the Spirit on a daily basis? Am I filled up enough to actually overflow? Will MY feeble attempts at comfort irritate or soothe my hurting friend? Will I listen to God's voice for appropiate timing and divine appointments? I'm still chewing on it......

I really did not FEEL like blogging about this stuff today. I really wanted to blog ( for days now) about my cool new water bottle that I bought and how it might encourage you all in your 2009 health and wellness efforts. I guess I will have to share that on a later date, cause this other stuff just came on out........I guess the subjects are related.?....sorta...........if you dug really deep and had the energy to go there............living water..............whew, my brain is tired........

You just gotta go....

2009-01-31T17:37:00.000-08:00

Well, I had to go to Wal-Mart today. I really hate WM. Maybe hate is not the right word. Maybe despise, or dislike? Maybe it depends on the day you ask me. I do not judge other people who do like to shop there and I won't go into all the reasons why I do not like the place.........but I do try to avoid the place whenever humanly possible. My previous boycotts included about a 3 year span with only one visit.....and that was only because our visitors from out of town really needed to go. Today it was my husband who needed to go. He was looking for something that he only found online at WM. Whenever I go to the WM, I see STUFF. Stuff I do not need paid for by money I don't have, and Made by people who don't care. So.....I just don't go. It's a personal problem......I know.

I agreed to go today however, And in a good natured fashion I might add. Hubby even threw in a "Hey, can we go eat at the Whataburger?" It was an outing!! Together!! No way was I passing up this opportunity for quality time!! So I tried to take off my negativities for a while and we took the baby and enjoyed ourselves. It was his first trip into a WM. I enjoyed watching his reactions to "all that glitters".....he's 10 months old. AND my bacon cheeseburger was really good!!

Still don't care much for the place, but I guess my point to this blog is ......sometimes, you just gotta go to Wal-Mart. And sometimes ........my husband just has to go to the mall, or the shoe store.........(insert really big grin here).

Random thoughts...

2009-01-29T13:36:00.000-08:00

There is a house in my neighborhood on a corner that catches my attention. I noticed it again today. On many an unusual spring-like day, the wife and mother who lives there opens up all her blinds and even sometimes her windows. She lets the light in. She lets the breeze flow through. It is as if she is asking for refreshment and renewal. Welcome spring! Welcome light! Refresh my home and my soul!

Whenever I drive by her house I often think, "I like her. Look what she does, she's not afraid to open up her home to the world", It always makes me smile. I love to open my windows and french doors. I bet if I had the chance to know her we would get along well. I've only met her once, while walking with our children.

I feel the same way about 2009, as she must feel about those open windows. I am thankful for a new year, despite it's unknowns. I am thankful for a renewal. My husband is safely home from his deployment. My time and my home have been restored. Time to run, time to excercise, time to slow down, time to do everything. (and nothing if I choose:)) I am thankful for a God who will refresh and renew my spirit with his Word, a God who is faithful. ALWAYS. A God who delights in our praise as we lift our faces into the breezy sunlight to worship Him with our whole hearts. Welcome Lord!! Won't you just go there with me?.......

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the

Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those

who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Psalm 34:1-5

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away,

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ... 2 Cor. 4:16

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but

those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on

wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and

not be faint.

Isaiah 40:30,31

Wordless Wednesdays

2009-01-21T13:08:00.000-08:00

Broken bowls and Half-eaten cornbread

2009-01-17T11:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was rushing around with my to do list organized in my head. I was entertaining my little one and preparing to take him to his 9 month check-up; I had an appointment with a neighbor to get some "feed the fish" instructions as she was preparing to travel out of town; and I was making cornbread so that I could take some food to a sweet friend on my way to the Doctor's office. All of this of course had to be worked in around baby feeding and naps and baths and such. Certainly a manageable list, but I was becoming more and more harried as my "must depart by this time" was quickly approaching. (Type A-just a little)

The first batch of cornbread was finished, Nicely and warmly wrapped in foil and sitting on the very back of my kitchen counter. The second batch was almost done. (is batch the right word?) I turned the oven off, bundled up the baby before he could fall asleep, and headed to my neighbors for the instructions. I knew that even if the bread in the oven got just a little crispy, it would be ok. This was the batch I was keeping for my hubby and myself and there were only 9 minutes left on the timer.

I returned home less than 15 minutes later to find my dog looking for a way to escape and a nicely wrapped foil full of cornbread ripped open and half eaten. My favorite batter bowl was also lying shattered in the floor!! I was stunned. My bowl!! I let out a long drawn out whiney cry (you know the ones?) "Wriiggggleeeeeyyy" along with a big sigh. Wrigley just dropped his head. I wanted to just sit down in the floor. Broken bowls and half eaten cornbread........ever feel like that? ever just have one of those days? I know I've had worse than this but Now I would need to give my friend the less than perfect:) cornbread from the oven and hope that one day I could replace my batter bowl with another art festival find.

While cleaning the mess I considered my daily bible reading. Luke 12 has a lot of good stuff in it!!! There is the part about not being anxious, and the part about how we are not about our possessions. And how God even provides for the sparrow etc etc. LOTS and LOTS of good stuff!! My favorite batter bowl does not really mean that much in eternity and the stuff that does matter doesn't ever shatter. I truly hope on some other day, when I feel a bit broken or half eaten, that I will remember that big bowl of God's good unbreakable stuff he has waiting for us. It's way more filling than cornbread!!

As an added note. I made hubby some biscuits instead, lest anyone was thinking he suffered.:)

A NEW HOBBY

2009-01-14T09:18:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was watching an episode of Sesame Street. My 9 month old of course was not. Everyone on the show had a case of "mineitis" and no one was sharing, not even Big Bird!! It had spread from person to person like some terrible virus. Needless to say it was a brutal world, this world where no one was sharing. I have thought about that episode for weeks now, while considering to do this blogging thing. I have been prayerfully considering this "new hobby" for several months now and shame on me for taking so long. Usually when God has given you a "nugget" it is meant for you.....but ONLY you?? I know the answer...

My friend recently and lovingly called me "a mystery". What she meant and what I heard were probably very different. I am introverted and a few would call me quiet:)lol, but I would hate to think that I went through this life as a complete mystery to people. Christians are not mysteries. At least, they shouldn't be.

I am reminded that even Christians are also vulnerable to this "mineitis". 2009 belongs to the Lord, just as 2008 and 2007 and so forth. We forget that EVERYTHING belongs to God, and God SHARED his Son with us out of Love.......

and so I'm putting my self "out there" and I pray that in the sharing, the One who created me is glorified. The One who knows me better than anyone else, not as a mystery, but as HIS child.