I am sitting in the hospital in Albuquerque with my little "Christian." We came in today with complications from his port-a-cath. He is having surgery tomorrow to have it removed and a new one inserted.
Please keep him in your prayers. He's had a really traumatic day.
I'll be back with an update soon.
Blessings,
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Corners
I spent the morning cleaning house. My company had just left, and I needed to get things freshened up for the week.
My least favorite part of cleaning house, is cleaning floors. Yuck! Give me a toilet, or a stove no problem, but the floors? I just hate doing them.
I try the fastest approach...the Swiffer. I love my Swiffer simply because it is fast and no fuss. But, it doesn't do a fabulous job. The dirt gets pushed to the corners and after awhile, builds up.
I decided the floors needed extra attention, so I dragged the mop and bucket out. It does a better job than the Swiffer, but still, there is dirt in the corners.
What is the best way to clean a floor? On your hands and knees.
I equate it to studying God's word.
Its easy to find a great verse and say, "Oh, that is nice, it really speaks to me and fits my situation right now." You even go to the lengths of writing it on a card and memorizing it, but do you truly know what it means.
Do you let the scripture sink into you? Do you sit and marinate yourself with the word and let it transform you? Are you on your hands and knees?
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. a new blouse
2. new slippers
3. the swimming pool
4. fresh sheets
5. bathroom floors
My least favorite part of cleaning house, is cleaning floors. Yuck! Give me a toilet, or a stove no problem, but the floors? I just hate doing them.
I try the fastest approach...the Swiffer. I love my Swiffer simply because it is fast and no fuss. But, it doesn't do a fabulous job. The dirt gets pushed to the corners and after awhile, builds up.
I decided the floors needed extra attention, so I dragged the mop and bucket out. It does a better job than the Swiffer, but still, there is dirt in the corners.
What is the best way to clean a floor? On your hands and knees.
I equate it to studying God's word.
Its easy to find a great verse and say, "Oh, that is nice, it really speaks to me and fits my situation right now." You even go to the lengths of writing it on a card and memorizing it, but do you truly know what it means.
Do you let the scripture sink into you? Do you sit and marinate yourself with the word and let it transform you? Are you on your hands and knees?
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. a new blouse
2. new slippers
3. the swimming pool
4. fresh sheets
5. bathroom floors
Friday, June 26, 2009
He Never Leaves
One of my biggest fears came to pass yesterday. My vehicle died in rush hour traffic. Thankfully, one of the Courtesy Wreckers in Albuquerque (big yellow trucks that run around during rush hour) immediately pulled in behind me.
I turned the car off, restarted, and it was as if nothing was wrong. I called my husband (in Denver, like he could come rescue me....) and he was my GPS. He directed me to a local garage and the verdict...bad gas. Bad gas! I still had to drive the 3 1/2 hours home!
I managed to get to the scrapbook store and then my business dinner and hit the road at 8 pm. I've never driven as intently (and at the top of the speed limit) as I did last night.
You know what I learned last night? God never leaves me alone. He sent the wrecker to me, my husband was able to direct me to a garage open till 5:30 and not 5:00, and He stayed with me throughout my drive through rain and darkness all the way home, while my cell phone was in the red.
"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. great conversation
2. nice restaurants
3. grapefruit
4. fuel treatment
5. Chevron
I turned the car off, restarted, and it was as if nothing was wrong. I called my husband (in Denver, like he could come rescue me....) and he was my GPS. He directed me to a local garage and the verdict...bad gas. Bad gas! I still had to drive the 3 1/2 hours home!
I managed to get to the scrapbook store and then my business dinner and hit the road at 8 pm. I've never driven as intently (and at the top of the speed limit) as I did last night.
You know what I learned last night? God never leaves me alone. He sent the wrecker to me, my husband was able to direct me to a garage open till 5:30 and not 5:00, and He stayed with me throughout my drive through rain and darkness all the way home, while my cell phone was in the red.
"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. great conversation
2. nice restaurants
3. grapefruit
4. fuel treatment
5. Chevron
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Humidity
I lived in Houston for 30+ years, and humidity was something you lived with. Over 100%? No worries, it was the norm.
Now that I live in the desert where the humidity is in the single digits, Ah, Life is Good! No more bad hair days...that is...until the monsoon season strikes.
Our humidity is in the 60% range and I am suffocating! My hair! It's awful the minute I walk outside my house!
But you know what the truth is? What is on the outside does not always reflect what is on the inside. God knows our insides. He doesn't worry about what our outsides are doing as much as what is going on in our hearts.
I struggle with my outward appearance. I need to lose weight, my hair is having a bad day, I could use a few new pieces of clothing. What I need to spend my energy on is the inside of myself. The words I use to talk to myself.
I am reading a great book, "Self Talk, Soul Talk" by Jennifer Rothschild and I am also working her bible study "Me, Myself and Lies" with Beth Moore at the LPM Blog.
We can dress ourselves up, have perfect hair and makeup, but if the words we speak to ourselves are ugly and not of God, the outside is just for show.
I need to work harder at getting my insides to match what the Lord wants for me.
What about you?
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. my weekly menu
2. webcams
3. socks
4. my corner rounder
5. UPS
Now that I live in the desert where the humidity is in the single digits, Ah, Life is Good! No more bad hair days...that is...until the monsoon season strikes.
Our humidity is in the 60% range and I am suffocating! My hair! It's awful the minute I walk outside my house!
But you know what the truth is? What is on the outside does not always reflect what is on the inside. God knows our insides. He doesn't worry about what our outsides are doing as much as what is going on in our hearts.
I struggle with my outward appearance. I need to lose weight, my hair is having a bad day, I could use a few new pieces of clothing. What I need to spend my energy on is the inside of myself. The words I use to talk to myself.
I am reading a great book, "Self Talk, Soul Talk" by Jennifer Rothschild and I am also working her bible study "Me, Myself and Lies" with Beth Moore at the LPM Blog.
We can dress ourselves up, have perfect hair and makeup, but if the words we speak to ourselves are ugly and not of God, the outside is just for show.
I need to work harder at getting my insides to match what the Lord wants for me.
What about you?
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. my weekly menu
2. webcams
3. socks
4. my corner rounder
5. UPS
Monday, June 22, 2009
A Great (Exhausting) Weekend
What a weekend!
We threw a birthday party for my teenager to be (June 23rd) at the local gaming place. It's a place where they have flat screen tv's and game systems. We were there for SIX HOURS! Lance and his friends had a fantastic time!
Oh, but the day was not over yet. Our church held a Performing Arts Camp and the kids presented the musical HONK! What a precious retelling of the Ugly Duckling story. My Lance was "Ugly" and my husband was "The Cat!" It was wonderful!
And to top off our crazy busy weekend, we have relatives in for the week and my husband left for Denver (seminary) for the week.
Am I blessed, or what?!
I thank God for the people in my life. For my sons and their hemophilia, my husband and him following God's call on his life, for a family that has taken me in and always made me feel as their own.
It doesn't get much better.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. family
2. talent
3. half popped popcorn kernels (the best part!)
4. ice chests that leak
5. selfless gestures by sweet people
We threw a birthday party for my teenager to be (June 23rd) at the local gaming place. It's a place where they have flat screen tv's and game systems. We were there for SIX HOURS! Lance and his friends had a fantastic time!
Oh, but the day was not over yet. Our church held a Performing Arts Camp and the kids presented the musical HONK! What a precious retelling of the Ugly Duckling story. My Lance was "Ugly" and my husband was "The Cat!" It was wonderful!
And to top off our crazy busy weekend, we have relatives in for the week and my husband left for Denver (seminary) for the week.
Am I blessed, or what?!
I thank God for the people in my life. For my sons and their hemophilia, my husband and him following God's call on his life, for a family that has taken me in and always made me feel as their own.
It doesn't get much better.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. family
2. talent
3. half popped popcorn kernels (the best part!)
4. ice chests that leak
5. selfless gestures by sweet people
Friday, June 19, 2009
Intuition
Intuition - quick and ready insight; knowledge or conviction
"Mother's Intuition" - 98% on the money!
I think the moment I gave birth to my first child the "motherly intuition" gene was activated. It's that intuition that tells you when something bad is about to happen, when to turn and look right at the moment your toddler is climbing up the bookshelf, the sickening turn of your stomach when a doctor walks in your room and you know the news will be grim.
My motherly intuition is kicking into high gear today as my youngest son, "Christian", is having issues with his hemophilia. He is in pain when we infuse through his port and I just know something is wrong.
I am waiting for Christian to wake up from his nap so that we can (he's had a pretty bad shin bleed so we're infusing every three hours)see how he handles his infusion. If it doesn't go well, we're off to the emergency room for an x-ray. A great way to start the weekend.
I believe in intuition. Actually, I believe it's God speaking to you. That whisper, that nudge on your heart to call that long, lost friend. The desire to write a letter or send a special something to a relative who recently lost their spouse. That word of encouragement you are impressed to share with a dear friend. Those are the times God is speaking to us. To do His work. To show His love.
Has He nudged you lately? Did you dismiss that moment or act on it?
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. lunch with a friend
2. feathers
3. a freshly baked cake that popped out of the pan
4. our new Wii
5. birthday parties
"Mother's Intuition" - 98% on the money!
I think the moment I gave birth to my first child the "motherly intuition" gene was activated. It's that intuition that tells you when something bad is about to happen, when to turn and look right at the moment your toddler is climbing up the bookshelf, the sickening turn of your stomach when a doctor walks in your room and you know the news will be grim.
My motherly intuition is kicking into high gear today as my youngest son, "Christian", is having issues with his hemophilia. He is in pain when we infuse through his port and I just know something is wrong.
I am waiting for Christian to wake up from his nap so that we can (he's had a pretty bad shin bleed so we're infusing every three hours)see how he handles his infusion. If it doesn't go well, we're off to the emergency room for an x-ray. A great way to start the weekend.
I believe in intuition. Actually, I believe it's God speaking to you. That whisper, that nudge on your heart to call that long, lost friend. The desire to write a letter or send a special something to a relative who recently lost their spouse. That word of encouragement you are impressed to share with a dear friend. Those are the times God is speaking to us. To do His work. To show His love.
Has He nudged you lately? Did you dismiss that moment or act on it?
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. lunch with a friend
2. feathers
3. a freshly baked cake that popped out of the pan
4. our new Wii
5. birthday parties
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A Legacy
I have found a great freedom in writing. To put down the thoughts and feelings you have in your heart on paper is a release.
My sweet friend, Barbara, taught a creative writing class at our church last year. I took it not knowing what to expect and the first thing I wrote about was my brother. I never knew him. He was born before me and died at only five days old.
He was always a mystery. My mother and father never talked about him and when we went to visit his grave (in my Dad's hometown), my Mom never got out of the car. It had to have been too painful. I wish she would have talked about him and how she felt.
Years later, when my oldest son was diagnosed with Severe Hemophilia A, she was totally shaken and did not want me to tell anyone about it. I never understood her words that day in the hospital and she died five weeks later.
When my surprise baby came along, TEN YEARS LATER, and he also had Severe Hemophilia A we knew I carried the gene.
We put the pieces of the puzzle together. My brother did not die of "jaundice" as I was told, but his jaundice was the result of a head bleed. He was very brusied when he was born, so he went through a great deal of trauma.
Some people would rather not know the details of a persons past if there was something not "perfect". But some of us need to know details. It's the details that shape a person's legacy.
My brother had a short time here in this world. He left a legacy to my sons. Some may think that remembering something as painful would not be worth dwelling on, but I am glad that my boys will know that they were not the only ones in our family with hemophilia.
My brother was a blessing in the lives of my parents, even if he lived only a few short days. The legacy he passs on to my sons has been a tremendous blessing in too many ways to count.
All these years later, my brother urged me to write. To remember him. To ignite a passion I have within me. His legacy continues.
"I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus."
1 Corinthians 1:4
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. my first story being publishe(about my brother in a Bleeding Disorder Publication)
2. legal pads
3. a green thumb
4. my son's love of music
5. Play Dough
My sweet friend, Barbara, taught a creative writing class at our church last year. I took it not knowing what to expect and the first thing I wrote about was my brother. I never knew him. He was born before me and died at only five days old.
He was always a mystery. My mother and father never talked about him and when we went to visit his grave (in my Dad's hometown), my Mom never got out of the car. It had to have been too painful. I wish she would have talked about him and how she felt.
Years later, when my oldest son was diagnosed with Severe Hemophilia A, she was totally shaken and did not want me to tell anyone about it. I never understood her words that day in the hospital and she died five weeks later.
When my surprise baby came along, TEN YEARS LATER, and he also had Severe Hemophilia A we knew I carried the gene.
We put the pieces of the puzzle together. My brother did not die of "jaundice" as I was told, but his jaundice was the result of a head bleed. He was very brusied when he was born, so he went through a great deal of trauma.
Some people would rather not know the details of a persons past if there was something not "perfect". But some of us need to know details. It's the details that shape a person's legacy.
My brother had a short time here in this world. He left a legacy to my sons. Some may think that remembering something as painful would not be worth dwelling on, but I am glad that my boys will know that they were not the only ones in our family with hemophilia.
My brother was a blessing in the lives of my parents, even if he lived only a few short days. The legacy he passs on to my sons has been a tremendous blessing in too many ways to count.
All these years later, my brother urged me to write. To remember him. To ignite a passion I have within me. His legacy continues.
"I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus."
1 Corinthians 1:4
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. my first story being publishe(about my brother in a Bleeding Disorder Publication)
2. legal pads
3. a green thumb
4. my son's love of music
5. Play Dough
Monday, June 15, 2009
Passion
As I am trying to find my direction in life, I have been asking myself, "What is my passion?" When you are so busy with daily life, sometimes it is hard to remember what you are passionate about.
I am passionate about speaking and preaching. I recently shared a message with our congregation and I felt so empowered by the words that God gave me that day.
I am passionate about scrapbooking. I love to create books which share the stories of my family. That they will always have those memories after I am long gone is a joy I cannot begin to express. I want them to remember our lives together.
I am passionate about music. There is nothing like sitting in an orchestra/band and playing music. I have lost this quite a bit since I've moved to a small town, but am dedicating myself to preparing a piece on the oboe/English horn to play at church at least once a month.
I know I have more passion in me, but these are my top three. What are yours? What are you passionate about?
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. freshly, sharpened pencils
2. my old desklamp
3. friends who help out at the last minute
4. index cards
5. colored papers
I am passionate about speaking and preaching. I recently shared a message with our congregation and I felt so empowered by the words that God gave me that day.
I am passionate about scrapbooking. I love to create books which share the stories of my family. That they will always have those memories after I am long gone is a joy I cannot begin to express. I want them to remember our lives together.
I am passionate about music. There is nothing like sitting in an orchestra/band and playing music. I have lost this quite a bit since I've moved to a small town, but am dedicating myself to preparing a piece on the oboe/English horn to play at church at least once a month.
I know I have more passion in me, but these are my top three. What are yours? What are you passionate about?
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. freshly, sharpened pencils
2. my old desklamp
3. friends who help out at the last minute
4. index cards
5. colored papers
Friday, June 12, 2009
Direction
Direction. Leading to a place or point.
Do you have direction in your life?
Right now I don't have a sense of direction. I think it's because I feel as if I don't have anything that is "my own" right now. When you have a spouse in seminary, it is pretty hard. (Especially if they travel out of town once a week to school.)
I just have to keep the prize in mind that this time next year he will be finished with school!
I am so busy keeping up with my job, the house and the kids that I am a little lost. Have you ever felt that way? What has helped you come out and find your direction? I would love to hear from you.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. Mickey Mouse
2. ice water
3. encouragement on a work project
4. performing arts camp
5. grapes
Do you have direction in your life?
Right now I don't have a sense of direction. I think it's because I feel as if I don't have anything that is "my own" right now. When you have a spouse in seminary, it is pretty hard. (Especially if they travel out of town once a week to school.)
I just have to keep the prize in mind that this time next year he will be finished with school!
I am so busy keeping up with my job, the house and the kids that I am a little lost. Have you ever felt that way? What has helped you come out and find your direction? I would love to hear from you.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. Mickey Mouse
2. ice water
3. encouragement on a work project
4. performing arts camp
5. grapes
Monday, June 08, 2009
Creating
I have a passion for scrapbooking.
A friend invited me to a class in January of 2007 and I've been hooked ever since. I love creating pages. My mind gets to travel places where I never dreamed when I look at a picture of my family. I think the details and colors that are in a photograph become more obvious to the scrapbooker.
But the joy is creating a beautiful page out of a blank page. A blank page where there are no mistakes, just your creation.
I love that there are no rules in scrapbooking. There is not a right or wrong way to present the memories of your family. It's exciting to know that these scrapbooks will be around for years after we are gone. They are a legacy.
You know, I think it's what God may have been thinking when he created the world.
There were no mistakes.
Everything was made out of love.
Remember, Beloved, you are not a mistake! God created you for this time, right now, the way you are!
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. the new store I found
2. small backpacks
3. planning a birthday party
4. the opportunity to preach yesterday
5. tablecloths
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Our Motto
On our refrigerator is our family motto:
"Live Simply, Love Generously, Speak Kindly, Leave the Rest to God."
I stopped and read it the other day and really started to think about each statement.
"Live Simply"
That's a hard one. We are always striving for more/better. More things, the newest model of game or iPod. Things do not make us who we are. I've been keeping the "Live Simply" idea at the front of my mind. Stuff is stuff. To live simply, we need less stuff, that's why I've been decluttering like a madwoman. My garage looks great!
"Love Generously"
When it comes to my children this is a no brainer. But what about a member at church who has been rude to your child? That's a hard one. But I have realized that to love doesn't mean hugging and showing affection, but it also means to earnestly pray for someone, while you are working on forgivenss. I pray daily for others and some people are on my list that are not necessarily my closest of friends.
"Speak Kindly"
I really do take Ephesians 4:29 to heart: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Words can hurt worse than any pain inflicted on a person. I've used words in the past that still haunt me.
"Leave the Rest to God"
This is not as easy as it sounds. We have to surrender our lives to God daily. There are only so many things that are truly in our control. Everything else, we must leave in the hands of the Almighty.
Do you have a family motto? I'd love to hear it!
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. the opportunity to preach this Sunday
2. "hearing" my son sleep
3. late night grocery shopping
4. old cards
5. planning a day off
"Live Simply, Love Generously, Speak Kindly, Leave the Rest to God."
I stopped and read it the other day and really started to think about each statement.
"Live Simply"
That's a hard one. We are always striving for more/better. More things, the newest model of game or iPod. Things do not make us who we are. I've been keeping the "Live Simply" idea at the front of my mind. Stuff is stuff. To live simply, we need less stuff, that's why I've been decluttering like a madwoman. My garage looks great!
"Love Generously"
When it comes to my children this is a no brainer. But what about a member at church who has been rude to your child? That's a hard one. But I have realized that to love doesn't mean hugging and showing affection, but it also means to earnestly pray for someone, while you are working on forgivenss. I pray daily for others and some people are on my list that are not necessarily my closest of friends.
"Speak Kindly"
I really do take Ephesians 4:29 to heart: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Words can hurt worse than any pain inflicted on a person. I've used words in the past that still haunt me.
"Leave the Rest to God"
This is not as easy as it sounds. We have to surrender our lives to God daily. There are only so many things that are truly in our control. Everything else, we must leave in the hands of the Almighty.
Do you have a family motto? I'd love to hear it!
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. the opportunity to preach this Sunday
2. "hearing" my son sleep
3. late night grocery shopping
4. old cards
5. planning a day off
Monday, June 01, 2009
The Gospel According to...
I've joined a new Sunday School class at church. Bible 101. It's great because we break everything down and our teacher (my hubby) gives us some great back ground information (seminary is paying off).
See, I don't have the Sunday School background that many people have. I never went to Sunday School classes. It all came to me late in life, so all of the basics I can put my hands around I truly soak up.
We were talking about why certain books of the Bible were included and others not (i.e. the Apocrypha). Why are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John the only Gospels included in the canon of the New Testament?
This is interesting stuff.
Why don't we write our own Gospel? Gospel means "Good News." Aren't we all living out our own Gospel story?
I found this to be an interesting thought that was brought up this morning. We all have a story. We all have a story of how Christ has changed our life. We all have incidents where the Holy Spirit has moved and directed us in ways we never dreamed. Why not write them down? Why not share our Gospel story with our future generations?
I challenge you to write your story. No one else can write it with the passion and truth that you can.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. Going to "lunch with the ladies"
2. phone appointments
3. eyeglass cases
4. angels
5. pinecones
See, I don't have the Sunday School background that many people have. I never went to Sunday School classes. It all came to me late in life, so all of the basics I can put my hands around I truly soak up.
We were talking about why certain books of the Bible were included and others not (i.e. the Apocrypha). Why are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John the only Gospels included in the canon of the New Testament?
This is interesting stuff.
Why don't we write our own Gospel? Gospel means "Good News." Aren't we all living out our own Gospel story?
I found this to be an interesting thought that was brought up this morning. We all have a story. We all have a story of how Christ has changed our life. We all have incidents where the Holy Spirit has moved and directed us in ways we never dreamed. Why not write them down? Why not share our Gospel story with our future generations?
I challenge you to write your story. No one else can write it with the passion and truth that you can.
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. Going to "lunch with the ladies"
2. phone appointments
3. eyeglass cases
4. angels
5. pinecones
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