Just Around the Corner

2010-01-03T17:48:00.000-08:00

I have fallen off the blogging wagon - totally!! But I do think that the Lord had me take a break for a reason and purpose. I don't know that I can fully articulate that now that I know that it was good and my focus shifted off of me and on to Him - a very good thing!!

Last night, Bethany spent some time reading through all of the old Christmas letters we have written over the past years. It was interesting to hear what I deemed was important to make it into the letter. Quite honestly, I was a bit embarrassed at some of the things I wrote about. Did I really send these to people?? Too much of self, accomplishments, etc. but there was a redeeming tone that permeated through the years. Honesty. When it was tough, challenging, exciting......we let others know. And I think that was okay.

Well, with a new year upon us, I pray that the Lord will continue His sanctifying work in my life and that I would keep my eyes and heart riveted on Him.

Something a little different............

2009-08-07T07:25:00.000-07:00

Just read my last blog from May and I must say that it has been completely different than I ever imagined. Time for rest and recuperation transpired into an eye exam, MRI's, dr. visits to Omaha, more tests and a plan for radiation treatments. And that is just on the surface. Spiritually, emotionally........the Lord turned my world upside and now my heart and eyes are riveted on Him, being sustained by His daily grace and being amazed at His character, His promises, His unbelievable faithfulness, strength and love.

And just today, Cathy and I studied about demonstrating humility as we go through trials. Oh my........to ponder what we have been saved from because of Christ's work on the cross does put my immediate circumstances into perspective. I have much to rejoice in, especially the salvation that was purchased for me on the cross!! What hope we have, too - eternity with our God!!

During part of this time, I was able to see the hand of God work in our church as He presented a new pastor to our congregation. I am very excited for the plans the Lord has for our church!!

I can't forget the blessings of being with family and friends throughout this cool, Nebraska summer. We have had some sweet times of fellowship, prayer and fun. Plus, the best news is having Allen and Bethany heading back to Nebraska with a new job awaiting Allen in Omaha! Another faithful answer to this mama's prayers.

Well, I must get some bills paid, spiff up the house and keep a move on with the work God has given me to do today.

Summer

2009-05-23T05:54:00.000-07:00

The beginning of summer........a different pace and different focus and prayerfully, some time for refreshment and renewal. I have felt that I have needed this all school year as the meetings stacked up and the mound of responsibility grew. And I don't want it to rush by at all! I want to savor it. So here I am. Maybe I will feel the inclination to write, too.

Our typical Memorial Day weekend has changed so much the past several years. I miss the gathering of our extended family, the BBQ and going to see Jeff's flag downtown. Jon and I hope to still do that. And I will gather a few iris and daisies for the cemetery. I am so not into that but I guess it is a small way to honor those we love.

Missing, as always, my Florida kids today. Wish all of us could hop on a plane and be there in minutes. We haven't all been together since Christmas. I pray that the Lord will open a job opportunity in Nebraska for Allen, soon and very soon.

Just got off the phone with Chase and heard part of his moving saga. JD and I are headed to Fremont today to see the Meyers and meet a new great nephew. Looking forward to that, for sure.

Off for some quiet time.

2009-04-19T06:08:00.000-07:00

Spring is inching its way to Nebraska. Went on a brisk walk this morning, Jersey in tow and was amazed at the transformation of the landscape. Yards freshly mowed, tulips and daffodils blooming, flowering trees trying desperately to put on a spring show but our late snows might have put a damper on that. Anyway, as much as some don't like spring, I love it! It gets me to thinking about flowers to plant, a garden to attend to and the end of school!! And this year, I will be ready for a different pace come the end of May!

Although I will not have a graduation or wedding to plan for, the Lord is keeping me busy with other things. Continued prayer and His wisdom is required for the work of the pastoral Search committee. Starting up a playgroup at school will be interesting. I do so want to spend some time with Bethany and Allen. Plus, getting to watch Harper grow and be a part of her summer sounds just plain fun!! And I want to experience some relaxed time, with sweet family and friends, just enjoying each other.

Now for some freshly brewed coffee..........fully loaded! Look out!

Good News!!

2009-04-12T05:54:00.000-07:00

The resurrection story is still the best news anyone can hear at anytime on any day. I was reminded last night at our Saturday night service that Christ took the "sting" of death for me. I instantly traveled back 12 years, hearing the words from my dying husband that he was "kinda excited" for heaven. And why wouldn't he be?! Death had no sting for him for Christ bore it for him on the cross. What an excellent reminder for me!

This past week has been one of reflection but not always on the balanced, healthy side. My ever-present battle is to keep my eyes on Christ and to seek and desire Him above everything else. So today, I will chose to do just that even though my girls and their families are not with me. There is so much to praise God for if I just take the time and look.

A blessed Resurrection Day to all.

2009-04-10T16:51:00.000-07:00

Age Old Question....

2009-04-05T06:28:00.000-07:00

I must be getting old. My children remind me of that quite often but I prefer to blame all my mental lapses or whacked out worries to menopause. (I guess menopause does arrive as you are getting older, right?) Yesterday, I felt the need to beat it home from my niece's baby shower because of the looming blizzard. Rebecca just shook her head. I left early and could have stayed longer.

And I am finding myself telling people the same story over again and again. People smile nicely then say, "yeah, you already told me that." How kind of them......I wonder just how many times I do that and nobody says anything.

Just yesterday, I was doing some typing.........OK, I fess up! I was playing Word Challenge and I was trying to type fast, not one of my better skills. I caught myself typing words completely backwards or with letters all turned around. The ticking of the stupid clock flustered me which caused the mental lapse with the brain and the fingers. Well, at least that is what I am going to tell people now.

Yes, the years have taken their toll in more than one way but don't get me started. I hope that as "my outer man is decaying, my inner man in being renewed day by day." I pray that I have grown in wisdom and am hopefully trusting God more as the years fly by. It is difficult to measure your own spiritual growth so I guess I will not attempt it. I am just thankful that God knows and understands me and is patient enough to continue to use me as He sees fit.

Well, better get ready for church. Trudging through the snow doesn't sound like fun but I want to be there. Oh, that reminds me..........Did I tell you about the baby shower that I went to on Saturday????????

Coming Home...........

2009-03-14T06:28:00.000-07:00

Yes............Bethany is coming home! I can't tell you how much that means to me. There has been a reason why I have been listening to that Michale Buble song "Coming Home" for months. All of us have missed that girl and her hubby but I don't think people can quite understand just how much the miles of separation have tightened our relationship as a family.

People have commented about the tight connection that my kids and I have. I know with certainty today that it has been forged by God through the fires of grief and loss. Remembering 12 years ago the immensity of our family circumstances, being sustained daily by the hand of God and the prayers and love of the Body of Christ wrenches my heart even today. As we watched a husband and dad prepare for eternity then leave this earth, God was tightening the cords of our love for one another. And as the years have marched by with school events and graduations and weddings and babies, each one of those milestones has been marked with a "stone of remembrance" - missing Dad or "Grandpa", remembering the impact his life has had upon ours and wondering what he would think of this family God has formed, Jersey included!

So as I think about Bethany coming home, I am thankful that I am giddy with excitement! This separation has never seemed "normal" although many have tried to tell me otherwise. Don't get me wrong. I do understand the "leaving and cleaving" but I will always miss having her within an hour or so from home. I know I am strange and most parents by this age are rejoicing that the kids are out of the house. But not his momma. God has given me much comfort, love and opportunities to serve through my family and I will always look forward to them coming home whether is has been only a few days since I had seen them last or months.

Coming home..........I am thankful that God has given us an earthly family to love and enjoy while we wait for our heavenly home.

Of the Ordinary....

2009-02-28T07:24:00.000-08:00

I was up at 6 something and decided to get the scooping done. Six inches of the powdery stuff. It was a perfect snow for the snow blower.........if only the electric start on the blower was working! I scooped and pushed and managed to complete the job in an hour. It was a workout that left me charged up for the work of the day - baking cookies, cleaning up and heading to Seward for a baby shower for Harper.

God has provided some good "think" time about parenting. I am preparing for a talk with another MOPS group in town. He is helping me pull from several different resources and I pray that what I prepare is what these young moms will need to hear. It has already taken a different spin that what I began with a week or so ago.

School has been busy, challenging with the sense of never being able to catch up! Ode to being an administrator. The work is never done. As we prepare for next year, God is continually increasing my dependence upon Him.

I love the opportunity to keep in touch with my kids daily. God is growing and stretching all of them and I appreciate the opportunity to pray for them. Prayer seems so much more productive than worry. I must avail myself to it more often.

Nothing profound here today but God has a way of making the ordinary experiences of our daily life extraordinary if we are quiet before Him, looking for Him in those simple things that make up our days.

Switching Places........

2009-02-22T06:05:00.000-08:00

Well, good-bye Xanga and hello Blogspot! I have missed blogging over the past 3 months but was probably too busy to sit down and put any connected thoughts together at that time anyway. And when Bethany made the switch and Bec & Ben already being here, it seemed the logical thing to do. Plus, I just challenged a group of preschool moms to journal, right? So the writing continues on.....

I heard the sound of spring this morning while my head was still buried in a pillow. Birds. Birds chirping and calling to one another. They used to drive Jeff crazy when they would wake him up at pre-dawn, but today I loved hearing their racket! My love of winter faded several years ago and spring couldn't come a day sooner.

Cathy, her crew and myself spent part of the weekend at Rebecca's and loved every moment we could spend with Harper Grace! The child is such a delight. God is so gracious is giving us Harper to love and is using her to teach not only Bec and Ben about Himself but me, too. After not seeing her for about 6 weeks during January, the past 2 weekends have been a blessing with more to come next weekend.

The more Harper changes and grows, the more I have missed Bethany. Phone calls and emails and blogs and pictures are wonderful but I just miss the physical presence of both she and Allen. She will flip when she sees how much her niece has changed! And I know God is at work in her life while they are in Orlando. That is a comfort but I still miss her. Hopefully they might try to make it home sometime in March.

Jon is home for the weekend but our paths haven't crossed much. I was gone and then he was helping a friend care for a family of 4 boys. Hopefully today we can hang out together. The boy has been such a delight lately and I continue to marvel at where God has him, not only location, school, housing and job but how God is growing him up! He is a responsible boy and his Dad would be proud of his boy.

Ok, enough for one post. Hopefully I will get some pictures up of the family and keep this updated.