Get Ready, Get Set, THROW!

I suffered a little injury last night while running.

What, you didn't know I had taken up running?

Well yes. I took it up last evening.

The couch was my starting line.

I sprinted through the living room, down the hall (there suffering my injury when I stepped on that great hunk of green muscle himself, the Hulk), rounded into the 'gated community', and reached the finish line (aka, the bucket by my son's bed).

This was not a race for the faint of heart or those without endurance. The race lasted from 9:36 pm - 1:48 am. Sometimes the gun would go off without warning and the race was on! There were also side trips to the laundry room and bathroom along the way.

Husband was not into the race. No.. When asked to participate, the frustration that occurred was enough to make this sprinter decided she'd rather run this track alone and sought no further 'company' on the journey.

It certainly feels like we're running a race sometimes, doesn't it?

I'm just glad that this 'way past her prime' runner is blessed with healthy children (aside from the normal drippy nose and bug) and therefore doesn't get upset with these occasional races (although sad for the one waiting for my arrival at the finish line). I'm just thankful that this mornings sprint will be of a completely different nature (son is 100% better today!).

For Such A Time As This..?

Saturday, January 3rd was our Ladies Christmas Tea at church and proved to be a lovely day!


We started with a few glitches, no heat, frozen seafood and so forth. But God simply used these bumps to prove that He is in complete control and though these things were bothersome to us, He saw to it that the day went off beautifully.


As the ladies entered, they came to the check-in table with the above beautiful flower arrangement, program on display, and a basket of tea holders (so easy to make - but time consuming).

The tables were set with pale pink table clothes, pretty floral napkins and a teapots filled with pink tea roses. (so feminine - gotta have me some girlie time living in a house with males!)


The buffet was filled with finger sandwiches and dainty sweets on doilies.


During set up, it was lots of busy work. Wonderful time chatting with the ladies (some of my good friends from Heart2Heart). Many hands make light work and laughter makes everything more enjoyable!!


But once the busy work was complete and it was time to review the set up in the sanctuary, the nerves set it.


You see, I was the speaker for the event and it was my very first time doing anything of this sort. Sure, I've lead Bible studies and prayer circles - but that's very different from coming up with a whole talk and standing up before about 40 ladies.


I had started over a month ago planning the lesson. God put on my heart so clearly right from the get go exactly what He wanted this tea to be about. We were to learn about the Magi from the east and the gifts that they brought to Jesus at His birth. We originally were going to hold the tea prior to Christmas, but due to scheduling difficulties, we had to do it after. But the topic was to stay the same and on we proceeded.


It amazes me how much God teaches us when we are open and active in our studies! I didn't know where the lesson was going to go, but with each new discovery God enlightened me with, I was more and more excited to read on! I found myself sharing new insights at the dinner table with my husband that had me so excited, but although encouraging and interested, he didn't have the same excitement. I think this is just due to the fact that when I learned these new truths, it was through communion with God. Whereas John was hearing it second hand from me.

Once I had gathered all the verses and information I needed for the talk, I practiced, by myself down stairs talking to the tv (which kindly stood in as the female congregation). Even then, I felt nervous. I was in prayer constantly asking the Lord to prepare me for the event and that I would be a pliable vessel for Him. I prayed for the ladies who were to come and that the Lord would be preparing their hearts for what He had to say.

The preparation was over. There I was after the tea, sitting in the first pew waiting for all of the ladies to take their seats. My friend Debbie started the music that was to play as we all prepared ourselves for God's message. It was a song by Nichole C. Mullen (she's great!) called 'Call on Jesus'. My head was bowed and I was praying something like, "God, please help me not to mess this up. I pray your word would reach these ladies, help me not to get in the way. Please help me remember what You want me to say..." and on it went. My nerves were reaching a fever pitch, when suddenly the music got through to me. I heard the line 'when you call on Jesus all things are possible'. Suddenly, without any thought, my prayers changed to , "Thank you Jesus! I praise you Lord!" I felt a wash come over me, and I relaxed. Normal nervousness remained, but the panic was totally gone!

As I stood behind the podium, I felt God's presence so tangibly. I shared what He had given me. I believe the passion I have for Him and His word came forth - and my earnest prayer is that someone was touched by His message. That they look to strengthen their relationship with Christ. That if they had not yet taken the step to accept Him as savior and give their life to Him, that they would. It's easy to get caught up in church. And for some, that means they can miss the part that church doesn't save, only Jesus Christ can!!

The ladies were all so kind and supportive after the event. This has been the most humbling experience of my life!!! To think that God used me to speak to His daughters!!
I've felt led in Ladies Ministries for years, but it's been a very slow process. I've had many hardships and troubles over the years. Even earlier, I didn't have a smooth childhood - lots of hurts. But as I looked back up at the podium after the event I couldn't help think, all of the experiences I've had to make me grow and mature in my faith, may it not have been for such a time as this?

Lord, thank you for allowing me to serve you!! May my love and passion for you never lag! I praise you for your loving kindness and faithfulness!! I will seek you all of my days!

Now & Then

Last year at this time I had chosen a key word for myself for 2008. That word was "Simplify".

I was somewhat successful at this, but not the screaming success that I was hoping for. I discontinued my Hostess Club which relieved a lot of stress and follow-ups. I cut down to one blog, there's barely time to do one. And I have tried in an ongoing attempt to not put so much pressure on myself. This is a work in progress...

But not long after the year started, my mother became ill and died after being diagnosed with cancer for only 5 1/2 weeks. This as I'm sure you can imagine, made my plans and goals seem very unimportant.

The remainder of the year I can give you dates and occurrences, but really, the year for me can be summed up by simply saying "2008 is when I lost one of my best friends, the woman who would still call me 'baby', and the person who loved me so unconditionally." I've spent the rest of year keeping my head up, doing for my boys and husband and fulfilling obligations.

It's been a year of keeping my mouth shut when people have said things in an attempt to be.....'helpful'. A year of smiling and nodding. A year of waiting until everyone is in bed fast asleep before I can cry whole hearted in silent sobs.

But also, a year of appreciating just how blessed I had been!!! A year remembering my mother's kindness and compassion, affection and devotion, silliness and daffiness (I say with respect). So many live their lives at odds with their mothers. I was blessed to really love my mother - not just in retrospect, but while I had her!!

It's been a year of recognizing how good our God is! It's when we are at our lowest, that we can feel just how tangible Jesus is. When no one's words or hugs can really reach us, His peace and grace penetrate and touch deeper than someone 'with skin on' sitting right next to you.

For those who have asked/hinted/wondered... No, I am not depressed or in seclusion. If you have been concerned of this, it is simply because you do not see me enough to know that I have been going out, laughing and continuing on with life as one does. Although happiness was extinguished for some time, my joy never was (thanks be to God).

The loss will never go away, I think that's when I would worry. But I take my mother with me every day of my life. I get a chuckle when I do something stupid (as I do so often) and think how my mum would have loved to have heard about that. I get happy and sad at the same time when I fix a dish of hers that came out close enough to know it was her recipe. I remember learning to make those dishes with her. She will always be with me!!!!!!

Looking ahead to 2009, I considered many words that I thought should be my theme for the year. The word with which I have settled on is: "Order".

I want order in my life. I don't want to feel the strain of the 'captivity of activity'.

I will have order on my calendar so that I not only do what I must, but what I want to. I will schedule in family time, date nights with my husband and time with friends, and if someone calls with a task - we'll say "sorry, that day is booked" - no apologize and no guilt!

I will have order in my home. We have to be the record holders for 'piles'. Piles of school papers, mail, books, toys....ahhhh... We will apply the motto 'don't put it down, put it away'.

I will have order in my faith. I will create a 'devotions basket' complete with Bible, journal, note cards, pens, stamps, highlighters, sticky notes... I will schedule a time every day with the Lord. I will be a Christian with inertia (an object in motion stays in motion), and not grow weary on my journey with the Lord but cherish each step, and I pray, never take the gift of His grace for granted!

I will have order in regards to my well being. I will journal what I eat (even when I don't want to admit what I have eaten) so that I can keep track. Too easy to just take a bite of this and that - the journal will keep me accountable to myself. I will take my vitamins. I will take care of myself. No promises that I'll drop 5 clothing sizes - but I will take back control of my well being.

This is my goal for the year (keeping in mind I'm all too aware that life can throw us curve balls at any time). With God's help, I wont be chasing after my life, but live it the best way I can for His glory!!

Is it 2009 or 1980 something?..

Time for new music!

As we enter another year, I thought it would be fun to look back, musically.

I went to a site that listed the top 100 songs for each year in the 80's.

There were tons of great songs to choose from (yes great! I was a teen in the 80's, it will always be great stuff to me). I just picked what sounded like fun to listen to at the moment.

Hope you enjoy them - and I hope they bring a smile to your face as it did me!

Do you remember Adam Ant?!! How about Dexy's Midnight Runners and the Stray Cats?!! Fun stuff!!!

I have to admit, I was enjoying the "new wave / glam pop" music from the early 80's more so than the 'long haired' rock stuff at the end of the decade.

Any favs that you can recall from the 80's?

Truly Wonderful!!

Did you get to watch 'It's A Wonderful Life' this year?

I sometimes take for granted what a terrific movie this is! It is, in my opinion, one of the greatest movies ever with one of the greatest performances ever by Jimmy Stewart!!!!!

I know some years back it was played so frequently that the movie became sort of a holiday cliche. Thankfully, they have now cut back on it's airing (I only saw it listed twice).

(Now if only they'd do that for 'A Christmas Story'... enjoyable, but not nearly the same caliber of movie!)

Although I have seen this picture numerous times, this year the beginning touched me as if I had never seen it before.

Do you recall how it first begins?

It opens with the voices of people lifting up prayers of behalf of the beloved George.

"I owe everything to George Baily. Help him, dear Father."

"Dear God, please help Daddy, he's in trouble."

and so forth..

I have to admit, although I've been a Christian for about 16 years now, I don't think I've ever given any thought as to how our prayers must sound to God.

How cool is it to think that as God sits on His throne, He may be hearing dozens of prayers on your behalf!! Of course, at any given moment, I'm sure He's hearing millions of prayers - but He hears each and every one and gives each His utmost attention (He's so amazing, isn't He?!!!)

It gives new meaning to me when people tell me they'll pray for me. But even more so, it makes me realize just how important it is when I tell someone I will pray for them!!!

I think we can often just sort of say off the cuff 'oh, I'll pray for you." Sometimes I believe it's said because it is the thing to say. When you've heard someone has suffered a tragedy (a death in the family, loss of job etc...) it seems to be the automatic response. I don't think anyone means to not be genuine, but I think sometimes our best wishes can fall short.

But when you stop to think of how it must sound to God when dozens of people are lifting the same person up for the same purpose... WOW!!!

God tells us in Jer. 29:12 - 'You will pray to me and I will hear you.' How cool is that promise?!?!!!

I don't know about you, but in my life there have been many a time in my life when it's been dang near impossible to get a man to hear what I have to say!! But the creator of the world, the one whom holds the whole world in His hand, who knows all, sees all, hears everything I have to say!! He doesn't just hear us (you know how we moms can multi task and hear what one kid is asking while making dinner and fixing the other child's action figure that's lost it's head ..), He gives us His full attention!! He's not distracted as we can be.

I love how Beth Moore words it - ' He treats each of us like His favorite child'

Listen to the beginning part of the Jimmy Stewart classic and see how it affects you.

Have you been on the receiving end of lost of prayers? I know I was earlier this year! How amazing now to think of how that must have sounded to God.

If you have had someone pray for you - drink in just how blessed you are to have had someone go to our heavenly father on your behalf!!!

Just amazing!!!....

"Baby" Jesus

"For unto you this day, in the city of David is born a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord."

People just love babies, don't they? For the most part I mean.

Sure, many a folk would rather not be sitting next to a family with an infant on a flight from Boston to Paris; but to walk by a stroller in the mall and see a tiny little bundled form brings a smile to just about anyone with a heart.

What a wonderful holiday Christmas is. It's easy to celebrate the birth of a baby. This baby happens to be the child of God, born of a virgin and is the savior of the world, but a baby.

Each year, we can look to 'baby Jesus'. It's wonderful and warms the heart.

This is all very good, no GREAT stuff!!!

What boggles my mind, is how we can look to this baby at this time each year, and enjoy him but once this baby becomes a man, we have a hard time hearing about him or talking about him. As long as we keep the word 'baby' before the name of Jesus, people aren't intimidated by him. Do you know what I mean?

Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not shaking my finger at anyone or looking down my nose in a condescending/self righteous manner. I've been on this side before. I get the feeling!

But why is it?

I remember someone saying to me once that talking about Jesus for a lot of people is like entering that room in a distant relatives home that no one is allowed to go in. It's only for the 'adults'. If you go in, you're terrified you'll touch something. It's awkward. Uncomfortable...

Jesus, whether you like to think of him with the word 'baby' before or not, was born with an amazing purpose!!

Yes, He was God incarnate. Emanuel, 'God with us'. But He came to share God's love, show us how to live according to God's plan and to create a path to heaven for us. Hey, He was born and died that we might live! Eternally!!! (John 3:16)

To only worship Him and focus on Him as a baby misses so much!

My friends, please don't miss all that He did for you!!

Let the celebration of Christmas be that of the beginning of your journey with Christ, and not the only part.

Be like the Wise Men of the East, and let this season of Christ's birth start your journey.

THE WISE STILL SEEK HIM!!

God bless you my friends - and I pray that you will have a beautiful Christmas and that your hearts will fill to overflowing with the love and hope of Jesus Christ!!

"What do people notice about you?"

This is the question asked in the new Miracle Ear commercial.

The responses from the various actors go something like this:

"My devotion to my family."

"My love for animals."

"My smile."

"My zest for life."

"That I'm a good friend and a good listener."

And on it goes.

Great commercial, isn't it? How nice that what each person (although I do realize these are actors paid to give these up beat responses) when asked to give one thing people notice about them, all give very positive answers. What great self-esteem!

What was the first thought that went through my head before I even heard the first answer from the people in the commercial? "That I'm fat."

That was the first thing that came to mind. You know, like when you do word association. "Cat... dog" "Up.... down" "Fall... Fruity Pebbles" (I think a sea of fall foliage looks like a bowl of Fruity Pebbles... you may see a problem developing..)

After sticking with the commercial after my initial reaction, I felt a little ashamed of myself that my first thought was so negative. After all, if these paid, scripted actors can come up with positive answers, why can't I?

Here's the question - can I think of positive things about myself that others may notice? Yes.

The Bible tells us: Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philipians 4:8

So in an effort to think of the positive, here are some things I think others may notice about me.

I'm a good mother & wife.

I love God.

I am loyal.

I have a good sense of humor.

I'm a pretty good cook/baker.

Ok, now it's your turn. What do people notice about you? Keep it positive!!