Saturday, December 29, 2012

One last blog...2012...

For quite awhile, I have given serious thought to putting my blog on the shelf, at least for now...

I never dreamed when I accidentally wrote my first blog, that it would continue for 3 years. It has, and I have been so blessed to share my own life and heart, and even more... yours.

I sense that there are new things ahead in this chapter called 2013.  I'm not even sure exactly what that means yet, but I know that God is walking ahead of me, and that where He leads will be good.

I don't plan to let you all go... so I will be checking in and keeping up from time to time, on what your lives are doing. There are so many of you that I feel such a heart connection with, so I will send an email once in awhile, just to stay in touch. You know who you are.

Some of you are serious writers, and your words are amazing. Some just share their lives, much as I have done, and there's real value in that as well. I've loved the whole basketful!

I never aspired to write... but what has been written during these 3 years, has been a 'working out' of many things in my heart after my parents went to heaven. I'm not sure that I won't ever write again, I've learned not to make 'black and white' statements, but for now... this stepping away is clear to me,and I will leave the words to the rest of you.

Thank you every single one who has read and commented. You have lifted my heart, encouraged me, and challenged my own faith to be more. I have grown to love so many of you and consider you to be true friends, not just cyber buddies, but genuine heart connected friends.

I will leave this page up, so I can visit all of you and keep in touch, and maybe even post a hello occasionally.

Love and God's VERY best to each of you in this New Year! I am excited and ready for His new challenges in my life, and I pray the same for you.

THANK YOU ALL!




P.S....In trying to correct something on the blog set up page, I accidentally have erased the comments on this and the last few blogs. Thank you for the kind words...

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Merry Christmas!...


MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!...






SEE YOU IN JANUARY...


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

'Twas 11 days before Christmas'...


"Twas’ 11 Days before Christmas around 9:38
When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“This is Heaven” declared a small boy. “We’re spending Christmas at God’s house."
When what did their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name,
and in that moment was joy, that only Heaven can bring,
Those children all flew into the arms of their king.
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had,
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
Then he looked down on earth, the world far below,
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow and woe.
Then He closed his eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back My nation. I’m taking back my schools!”
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“Come now My children, let Me show you around.”
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”


(One of the parents shared this poem written by Cameo Smith from Mt. Wolf, PA regarding the CT School.)

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Busy and...???...

"Busy and barren"...

My sister read me those words recently as she browsed through one of our dad's old books, a wealth in itself. He was a book lover, and he feasted on books written by the early saints of our faith, so he left a library of rich treasures, some of which we have, many went to a seminary.

Both of us kind of groaned at those words. Right off the bat I recognize that I fall into that description many times. It doesn't start that way, it may even start with the noblest of intent, but... in the DOING of good, I can get overly involved and fill every empty space with  good things, and pretty soon... I feel barren.

See, it's not the good things in and of themselves, it's me.

I am energetic by nature, and I love a good worthy project, love the involvement and the giving and sharing end of it. I sometimes forget the initial plan, and get too carried away with making all the details happen. I even stumble across  other 'good' things along the way, and add those to what I'm already doing. I'm not talking about multi-tasking, something we all do. I mean when we are on a mission to do something we know God has dropped into our lap, and we do our own version, in our own way. 

How careful Jesus was as He walked among us during those days on earth. He ALWAYS spent time with the Father, time alone and apart, in the midst of a busy 33 years. He also never lost His focus. He was NEVER 'busy and barren'.

When 3 small words can make me say WHOA... there is a message for me, and I am listening.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Kitchens in December...

I was half listening to Paula Deen this afternoon as I wrapped some Christmas gifts. I've always said I'd like to have our whole family shipped over to Paula's kitchen for a special weekend in December... all of us together, with PAULA cooking and baking! That girl L.O.V.E.S her kitchen! She just makes me smile.

It made me think of my own kitchen, especially in December. I love my kitchen, and I love to be in it, but I don't always love to cook. I don't always even LIKE to cook. But in December... that's a whole other story.


Out come the recipes that my mother baked and cooked all through my life, and some favorites gathered along the way from others' kitchens. When December comes, there is real JOY in my kitchen! I'm not thinking about calories or even good health, I'm just filled with memories of Christmases past, and the fun & excitement that all of these recipes have given. Now they  are little cards in a big bowl, some of them spotted with the 'baking and making' drips from other Decembers.

The most fun of all is what I make and bake for others, my family, friends and some who don't even know who I am. That's what makes my kitchen so happy in December, and probably yours too.


So as I begin my sugared pecans, pumpkins breads, and Norwegian cookies, my step is light and my heart is full of joy. My kitchen will be a mess, and that's the way it should be. I'm pretty sure there will also be Norwegian pancakes and riisengrut somewhere during the month, as well as grandchildren baking and decorating their favorite cookies.


So, although it would be great to be in Paula's kitchen... in December there is really no place like home, in my own kitchen!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Christmases past...

Many years ago when our 3 kids were beginning to drive their own cars, and pay for their insurance and upkeep, etc., the memories of one particular Christmas are still strong.

Our youngest needed 4 new tires... badly! The tread was wearing thin and we knew he had to have them. We were also working on a pretty tight budget that year, actually a VERY tight budget.

He would already be getting much more than the others if we gave him the tires, and it was for sure he didn't have the money for them. 

So I went to Michael's and bought a pack of 4 rubber tires for a car kit. I threaded them down in a row with a fancy gold cord and bow. 

When Christmas Eve came, this was Tommy's gift... his ONLY gift! I sat on the floor with him behind me on the couch. This is a kid who doesn't just SIT and be quiet, even to this day. That night he was quiet, too quiet!

He opened his box, and got his 4 new tires. I have no idea what was under the tree for me or for the rest of us that night. I was fighting tears, I think we all were. 

4 tires was a wonderful gift, but it sure wasn't the same as watching him tear open the wrapping paper and look with excitement at each new gift. There is nothing more wonderful than a parent sharing their children's joy.

I wonder how often Jesus is quiet as He watches us receive a gift directly from His heart into our lives, knowing it's the best thing for us at that time, yet feeling our pain when it hurts.

Tires may be a poor illustration, but that's what I'm thinking about on this December day. 

Monday, December 3, 2012

Thanksgiving pics from East Texas...

 We spent a few wonderful days with our families in East Texas over Thanksgiving. Here they are at a park, right in the middle of downtown Tyler. It was designed and built by families who have lost their own children. Names of each child were engraved on the cobblestones, bronze statues of teddy bears and kids... it was an amazing place. Full of the sadness of their loss, but also a sense of the joy that children bring.

Now tell me, is this the cutest bunch of kids around, or what!! I know... I mean OTHER than yours! :)