Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Reflecting With Gratitude

It is New Year's Eve and I am watching the heavy snow pile up as the light begins to fade.  We are expecting 4-5 more inches before it stops.  The trees look beautiful, but the cold has made itself known as I sit covered with a quilt, my hood up on my sweatshirt to warm my neck.  Winter is definitely here to stay.

A new year is coming here to stay too, as we walk into 2014 in just a few hours.  I wonder what joys and sorrows it holds for us.  "Whatever comes to pass, Lord, let me be singing when the evening comes"......I love those words from Matt Redman's praise song, "Bless the Lord" .

As I look back on 2013, I rejoice at all the blessings that have come our way.  Traveling to see our children and their families, going to healing conferences, attending family gatherings and more.  We are so blessed!  Life is an adventure and we have certainly had a few in 2013~~ with many more to come.  We have also grieved the loss of our dear Levi after 14.5 years of faithful unconditional puppy love.  We have been saddened by the death of a friend, and embraced the birth of a baby that made my sister and her husband great-grandparents! 

And I would be remiss not to mention that healing is here.  I love that song too.  "Healing is here....healing is here....healing is here and I receive it."  I have received healing this year in my body, mind, and soul and I am embracing it all as I give God the glory.

Some memories we are reflecting on ~ watching our grandchildren in a musical, seeing our oldest granddaughter confirmed, falling under the power of God, saying goodbye to Levi, winning a bean bag toss trophy, watching my brother and SIL say "I do", dancing the macarena with our granddaughter, celebrating the life of a friend, praising God with our son and grandson, going antiquing and quilt shopping with family, talking on the phone with our oldest son and his son, traveling 3,000 miles in 10 states with Joel's hand in mind, laying hands on Gr. Jo in prayer, reading to our grandson, having advent devotions with three of our treasures, attending Christmas services with our youngest daughter and our youngest grandson, celebrating after Christmas with family, and spending New Year's Eve at home with the love of my life. 

The ordinary has been the extraordinary for us this year as I ventured back into the world I left behind so many years ago.  We have taken nothing for
granted....walking.......traveling...eating .........laughing.....celebrating.....praying.....praising.......riding trains, subways, and ferries.....sleeping.....hugging.....embracing....reading......dancing.....It has all be a glorious adventure and we are giving thanks with grateful hearts.

And tomorrow comes 2014 and all it holds.  May your New Year's Eve be joyous, and may the new Year bring you joy as we embrace another year in God's loving care. 

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Saturday's Scribbles

It is Saturday morning here in our corner of the world and we are having a heat wave!  Heading for 39 degrees today...before another cold front comes in. Oh, yay.

Speaking of yay, the family is home for our Christmas, minus our youngest daughter and youngest grandson who could not make it.  As the grandkids get bigger and older and as the kids and their spouses grow older and all are caught up in the busyness of life, we embrace these times together.  Our house also seems a bit smaller now, when our grandsons and granddaughters are growing taller than Grandma Na and Papa. 

We are busy fixing meals for 18, munching on cookies and bars, and playing games of cribbage, and card and  Wii games.  The grandkids are good about entertaining themselves and quickly moved past the awkward stage of getting to know each other again and into laughter and fun cousin times.  Nice.

We enjoyed a nice Christmas with our youngest and her son ~ Christmas Eve services, presents opened, too much food enjoyed.....especially pumpkin and sweet potato pies.  Our tree is starting to look a bit weary for wear and expect we are looking the same.

I am looking forward to reading two new books I received for Christmas  Liz Curtis Higgs latest, "The Women of Christmas" and Ann Voskamp's latest book, "The Greatest Gift". 

This early morning I am listening to a Christmas CD by Sara Renner, another gift..  The sun is rising, and our grand-dog is outside greeting the morning after a good night's rest on the bedroom rug.   Joel is in the kitchen putting things in order~ doing what brings him comfort.  Our son Mark is quietly reading his Bible as we wait for the family to come from the hotels for one more day of togetherness.  All is right with the world..............

Until next time............

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Two Babies: Long Ago And Here And Now

It seemed somehow appropriate that my sister's granddaughter gave birth to a baby boy on Christmas Day.  As we celebrated the birth of Jesus so long ago, we also celebrated the birth of a baby boy here in our corner of the world.  Little B. was born after a very long labor resulting in a C-section.  Mom-to-baby had some distress after the birth which created a great deal of stress as family waited for her to wake from the drug induced sleep.  With joy it was reported that both baby and mom are now doing well.  Good news! 

Thank you Jesus.

Yes, thank you Jesus.  For this healthy baby who has brought extra joy into the holiday season.  To Christmas.  Love came. 

 My sister and her family spent Christmas focusing on the coming of a baby.  The rest of the world spent Christmas focusing on another baby born so long ago.  A baby that changed the world. Thank you Jesus for coming to earth to save us all from our sins.........diseases.....brokenness.  Such good news!

Love came down.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Reflections On Christmas Eve

Last night's reflections on Christmas Eve
 
There is something so amazing and magical about Christmas Eve.  I love to sit in the quiet with the lights down low, a warm cuppa in my hand and soft music playing.  Tonight I am remembering years past.  This was our quiet time.....church services over, presents wrapped and ready, the aroma of cookies and pies filling the house.  And the children all tucked in their beds anticipating daylight and hoping to see under the tree what they had been wishing for.  Joel would be enjoying a piece of pumpkin pie with his own cuppa for a few quiet moments before the busyness of the season caught up to him and sleep began its task to erase his weariness. 

We still have the tradition of a quiet night after services end, pumpkin pie, and time together relaxing before we climb in under warm covers to sleep away the tiredness.  Christmas morning still brings a special joy even when children no longer join us to discover what is under the tree.  Good memories we hold close to our hearts.

It is cold here tonight in our corner of the world.  Wind chills have been in the -30's for a couple of evenings, but we are heading into a warm spell tomorrow.  The quilt feels good over my legs as I ponder life with the baby in the manger......life with the love of my life.....our family.....the past, present, and future that God holds in His hands.  I am so grateful.  So very grateful Love came down.  So grateful for the blessings of family and friends like you who visit my cyber home.  Wishing you all a blessed Christmas filled to overflowing with the love of Jesus....family......and friends.


Monday, December 23, 2013

Advent Week 4: Love Came Down

Going along with Ann Voskamp's beautiful videos for Advent over at A Holy Experience, I am focusing on the fourth week of Advent and LOVE.   Hope, Peace, Joy, and now Love.  As Ann says, "love came down here".  Love in the form of a baby boy who was created to save the world.  Created by God who loves us so much He sent His only son to die on a cross.  Jesus carried and suffered for our sins, diseases, brokenness.  Love came down.


Can we comprehend this gift from our Creator?  Can we absorb how deep, how wide, how long and how high this LOVE  of Christ?

And what does God ask of us concerning this love He speaks of?

This is my commandment, to LOVE one another as I have loved you...............LOVE your neighbors as yourselves...........the greatest of these is LOVE..............LOVE your enemies.........LOVE is patient and kind.....Love is I Corinthians 13.......

Christmas is here.  Families and friends brought together by a time of celebrating baby Jesus birth.   Most will share their festive gatherings and times of worship with others.  Some will go it alone out of necessity, maybe a few out of choice.  It is easy to get focused on the presents, food, football, and electronics.  It is easy to focus on the differences we bring into a gathering.  It is easy to focus on loneliness.   Yet, for all of us LOVE came down.  This is our focus.  The baby.  The babe in the manger.

Jesus came to bring the love of His Heavenly Father to a hurting world.  We, too, are to bring love to a hurting world.  Those close to us, those who live in our community and across the ocean. 

Love came down in the form of a baby and the Bible tells us that same love now lives in us.  And that same love is to come through us in all we say and do.  LOVE came down to change the world, to change you, to change me.

Christmas is here and we worship a precious baby born in a lowly manger. 

LOVE came down.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday morning to you from snowy Iowa.  We are expecting 2 inches of snow over the next couple of days.  Yesterday we had freezing drizzle visit our area, so the coming snow does not seem so bad.  A white Christmas!  We will enjoy it.....at least for now.

Other things we enjoyed this past week?  Well, last Saturday we headed into "north country" to visit family.  We were blessed to take care of three of our treasures while the parents went out on the town.  It was great fun.  Sunday morning we watched their Christmas program with mom directing the pageant.  As usual the little ones made the audience chuckle, especially the wooly sheep who, according to precious #3,  were "dropping wool all over the place"!!  What fun!  Later in the day we visited Joel's family to help his Aunt celebrate her 107th birthday!  She is in a nursing home and wheelchair now, but her younger sister is still up and about, living on the farm with her son and getting around the place on her golf cart!   Harriet even donned Joel's cowboy hat during the event!  She is 101 years young!


We stopped and saw Gr. Jo on the way home.  She is doing great!  Amazing grace.....strong again and driving all over the place with no after effects from her mild stroke in November.

We also enjoyed receiving many photo cards this week along with updates on the family of course!  One friend I have not hugged for 37 years since saying goodbye at Clark Air Force Base, The Philippines. There are others too that stay in touch across the miles and the years.  So, we cherish old friends and the photos that show passing years but not forgotten friendships.

We have been on the go since getting home.  Shopping, wrapping, baking, and organizing for the family  who will be gathering after the holiday.  What did we ever do before the Internet where in a click we order and have things delivered to our homes.....ahhhhh YES!  I do remember years of shopping myself into exhaustion when we had 8 kids to buy for and little money to spend.  I would do it again just to have them home Christmas morning :).  Well, maybe just one time!  ha...

While shopping at Dayspring, one of my favorite places to go online, I found a great pillow cover on clearance 75% off.  It spoke to me when I saw the verse written in part on the linen.  "In quietness and trust is your strength."  God gave me that verse a year ago to meditate on from Isaiah 30:15

 
 
 
I am still challenged by back issues so between the trip and that I took a week off from walking my daily mile.  Started to walk again yesterday because in obedience I walk.  Speaking of that, the other day I was in a shoe store and was wearing my hot pink walking tennis.  The clerk chatted a bit and then said, "You know I just can't take my eyes off your pink tennis shoes!"  (giggle)
My shoes are often an opportunity to tell my story on walking my way to full healing.

Christmas will soon be upon us.  Our youngest daughter, Sarah, will be here with her son Jonas and then the rest of the family will come for that weekend.  We look forward to turkey with all the trimmings for Christmas and pork roast dinner plus more when the family arrives.  ChristmIas Eve services will be at the church Joel was filling in at.  This will be his last service there ~ the small church with a big heart.

I have been reading mostly Christmas newsletters, a few blogs, and a Guidepost story or two.  No time for books as I usually fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.  How has your week been?

Until next time............

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Advent Week Three: Joy!


It was time for the grandkids to go to bed and Papa and Grandma Na were blessed to be the official bed-tuckers while mom and dad were gone.  Treasure #3 mentioned that mommy always read him stories at night, so I asked him if he wanted me or Papa to read to him.  He thought about it awhile and said..."You". 

My heart leaped with joy. 

At his request I climbed up and lay on the bed next to him and read stories about Bolt and the rain that never ended.  I felt like I had died and gone to heaven~

Joy....joy.....joy. 

In another room two more treasures peppered their Papa with questions not unlike their mom so many years ago.  I could hear his response, his stories ~history coming alive once again~ and I smiled knowing he had their rapt attention.

Joy.....joy....joy.

Hugs, giggles, questions, baking, dancing, reading, talking, card playing and more.   Never taken for granted.  Always a gift, this time with treasures who's hearts beat along side ours. 

Joy.....joy....joy.

During this third week of Advent, along with Ann Voskamp over at A Holy Experience, we focus on joy.  The angels rejoiced.  Mary rejoiced.  Joseph was in awe of the babe in the manger, the Babe that came to give us life eternal.  And the joy of the Lord was their strength.  Is our strength. 

Joy....joy....joy.

We find joy in the moments with loved ones.  The treasures that bless our lives.  We find great joy in the Savior who came to us in a manger and provided life, healing, redemption, forgiveness.  Powerful gifts.

Joy.....joy....joy.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

The Blessing of Freedom

As I pondered Linny's challenge to all of us over at A Place Called Simplicity ~ writing about a blessing God has brought into your life this year~ I thought back over the past twelve months and the many blessings God has sent into our lives.  How to pick one?  And have a photo to go with it?  Hmmmmm

 I could not help but pick the photo of Joel and me below.....It represents so much more than what you see with the naked eye.  



Eleven years ago Joel went to NYC six months after 9-11.  He went as a weekend relief pastor to support those pastors who were working round the clock to help their church members cope with the horrors of that day.  I could not go along, as I was too sick to travel.  I had been sick for many years by then, and it would still be another 9 years of being homebound as the "girl in the bubble" before I was set free by God's healing power. 

If you look in the left hand corner of the pictures you see the new Freedom Tower.  We never thought I would be traveling again, seeing the NYC skyline, going to Liberty Island, or walking through the 9-11 Memorial while looking up at Freedom Tower.  We never thought Joel and I would be going on any adventures away from our home where I was held captive by disease.  But God had other plans.

Joel and I have been on a healing journey for nearly two years.  We have walked out our healing literally and spiritually with God as our guide.  Early this fall he nudged us about attending a conference on healing at a Lutheran church in Westport CT.  Travel?  Stay in hotels?  Could I really do this?  Could we step out in faith and walk into the adventure God had waiting for us?  For a few weeks prior to even knowing about the conference, I kept getting the phrase "rivers of living water" over and over again.......in devotionals, scriptures, blog posts......and then while reading the book the conference pastor had written two years ago, I cam across the chapter entitled, "Rivers of Living Water".  Really???   God seemed to be sending us a strong message, so we prayed and prayed some more.  Then we received a newsletter in the mail that spoke about Elijah and how God directed him on where to go, and not to worry about provisions.  Not to worry!  God had sent the ravens ahead to be there and give him what he needed, but it would not be there UNTIL he stepped out in faith and moved forward.  After praying more and putting out a fleece or two that were quickly fulfilled,  we registered for the conference and began planning. 

Our first vacation since 1986.  Did God provide?  Oh yes!  More than we could ever have imagined.
We traveled 3,000 miles in 10 states for 2 weeks.  Only God.  The conference was life changing.  God blessed our obedience with more healing,  beautiful memories, and friendships.  We had many exciting adventures ~ the Appalachian Trail, Niagara Falls, Amish community, NYC, and Long Is. Sound to name a few.  He asked us to trust Him and in doing so, we were blessed beyond our imagination.  Every time I look at the picture above, I smile and give thanks to God for the miracles we have experienced in our lives.  We treasure this gift....this blessing as more precious than gold.  Only God.

This picture representing God's blessings, are a wonderful reminder of how God provides when we are open to His Word and obedient to Him.  We look forward to many more adventures with God as our guide. 

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday morning to you from what has been the arctic north!  Good grief it has been cold in our corner of the world.  We are hoping to warm up into the low 20's for a couple of days before plunging back into the miserable.  We have about 3 inches of snow on the ground so it will be a white Christmas. 

Speaking of snow, parts of New York and other places out East seem to be buried under it..  W.o.w.  It is going to be a looooong winter at this rate! 
 
It has been a quiet week here in Iowa's Lake Woebegone.  On Sunday Joel preached his last Sunday service for the church he has been filling in at.  He will preach Christmas Eve for them and I look forward to it ~ I found myself pretty emotional about leaving this congregation.  They have so much joy!  There are many bigger churches that could learn from this little church with a big heart!


We have our tree decorated and are enjoying it so much.  After so many years of having one on the deck outside it is fun to have one inside!  When or kids were growing up we would play the Alabama Christmas cassette tape while decorating, so we put in a CD of the same music while Joel and I placed ornaments on the tree.  It is the only time I play it during the season as it brings up so many emotions.   I do enjoy listening to Christmas music by James Taylor, Sarah McLachlan, Kenny G, and also Faith Hill's Christmas rendition of Joy to the World is great!   Who do you listen to at Christmas?

Speaking of joy, I finished our Christmas cards and got them off.  Our "theme" this year was.......wait for it.....JOY!  Looking back at ALL we have done and the places we have gone and the celebrations we have attended....it is all about joy and thankfulness.
ist
Speaking of joy and thankfulness, we are thrilled that Gr. Jo is doing so well after her mild stroke.  She is recovered.  Does not need physical therapy and can drive her car.  Amazing!!! The power of prayer and good genes. 

Do you like to do Christmas baking?  I do!  Hard not to dig out all the old recipes and bake bake bake!  Cookies are on the top of my list, but since I don't eat them that leaves only Joel and he can only eat so many :).  I added ribbon to the tree today......I love the country/natural look.  We did walk most days, but I did something foolish a few days ago that caused my lower back to complain, so my walking has been limited....for now.....

We have been busy shopping and it is just like I remember  ~ lots of time and energy to buy the right gift with a dose of frustration and many plan B's.  Are we having fun yet??  Mostly it has been fun, but there have been moments................
 
I have not been reading much, mostly Internet and store shopping to finish up.  I am still reading Chan's book, Crazy Love, and into a Smith Wigglesworth book on healing.  There have been a few Christmas specials and Hallmark movies on TV along with a great NCIS again this week.  I love the humor they bring into that show.  And of course a few "Gibb slaps" thrown in.

How are your Christmas preparations going?  Don't forget to take time to put on a Christmas CD or the radio, light or turn on the fireplace, sit back with a good cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and just enjoy the tree and decorations.  A few moments of Christmas joy to revive a tired spirit!

Until next time.........

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Come To Me You Weary One

Sitting in her worn recliner with it's weakened frame, she found herself identifying.  Aging, broken, weakened and in need of repair just like the chair.  Her broken body, broken spirit, and broken thoughts burdened her with a sense of heaviness.  Weary.  She felt weary.  A cloud began to descend, making her movements slow and difficult.

He then began to whisper to her, the one that comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  Words of discouragement, words releasing fear, words and more words.  In a vulnerable state she took them in and sadly began to do his job for him, absorbing his whisperings as truth and speaking them as declaration.

His words now her words spread poison quickly, easily. Bringing others under the cloud.  Her words so powerful once with joy now a magnet of negativity releasing grief and anger in someone she loves.  Not only herself.

Accomplishing his goal, the enemy smiles and moves on, leaving behind division from flesh.  From sin manifest in words spreading pain and discouragement and unbelief.

SomeONE waits quietly.  The ONE, the I AM waits to hear from her.  Waits to hear words of repentance, and words of hope.  Waits patiently for belief and trust to return and the cloud to lift.  He knows healing is here. 

The ONE who heals, forgives, saves, redeems.  He gently holds the wounded and weary and from His Word, His words are sent to heal.......

"Come to Me,  all who are weary
and I will give you rest......"
Matthew 11:28
 
 

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Advent Week Two: Peace



I have been reading Ann Voskamp's posts on Advent, and this week she shared a video on Peace.  You can watch it here....please take the time.  It is so powerful.  I have decided to share my thoughts on Advent also, so I am writing my reflections on peace that came to the surface today from a place deep inside.
Peace

This week holds powerful memories for us.  It was both a long and a short nine years ago that we received a phone call in the middle of the night telling us our son Kevin was in the ER and had "coded" and could we get to the hospital right away.  The problem was, we lived in Iowa an he lived in Colorado.  The nurse told me the medical team was "working on him", so I asked her to please call us back when she knew more information.  Joel and I lay in bed, stunned, and as we held each other we tearfully prayed for our son's life to be spared.  But I knew....a mother knows.   An hour later they had a social worker call and inform us he had passed.  He was 25 years old and died after a virus attacked his heart and he went into congestive heart failure. 

Why does this memory bring to mind peace during this second week of Advent?  That is a story that would take a long time to share,  so I will attempt to speak of it briefly. 

We adopted our son Kevin when he was three years old.  He was a beautiful boy with brown skin, black hair, and huge brown eyes.  He was our 5th child and we welcomed him with open arms, but being in a family was difficult for him.  We discovered over time that not only had Kevin been physically and sexually abused in his birth home, but also in his foster family.  He knew only pain and he did not trust love. 

Many of the years with our son were challenging for him and for the whole family, but we did what we could for him and to keep the family in tact.  So when he moved to Colorado to be near a friend he met at Job Corps we hoped for the best for him.  Soon after moving he met and married a young girl and they had a son. He and his wife soon separated  and he met another woman with whom he had a daughter.  He was not on a good path and we worried about him a great deal.  Sometimes when he would call and talk to us, we would converse about God.  He had been baptized at age three, and years later confirmed at his own request.  He understood God and what Jesus had done for him, but walked away from church as an adult.  He struggled with God letting bad things happen to him as he saw it ~ like the virus that damaged his heart beyond repair.  He had the faith....maybe the faith of only a mustard seed...but he did have faith.  When he died we held on to that tightly.  He had faith.

So, when we grieved and at times still grieve the early death of our son, we grieve with hope.  The hope of believing God prepared a place for Kevin and he is for the first time pain free....he now understands real love. Our oldest daughter said Kevin died from not only a damaged heart, but a broken heart.  In Heaven we know his heart is whole.  He gets it now.....the love of a Father .....the joy of being whole.  And that gives us peace.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from our very cold corner of Iowa.  Yikes!  It is below zero in double digits with nasty wind chills  and snow forecast for the weekend.  I have pulled out the smart wool socks and am snuggled in under my Woolie (wool comforter) at night.  Just a few days ago it was 46?  What is up with the drastic weather changes lately!  Ugh..... We did miss the snow that buried northern Minnesota, this past week.

We managed to walk outside some earlier this week.  Two of the days we walked in fog, quite pretty actually, although we watched closely for cars on the river road and stuck to the paths among the houses one of the days.  The rest of the week we walked at the mall.  Starting January 2nd we can walk at the church where Joel will be Interim for another option.

Walking to river road


I love how the trees are
reflecting on the wet path


Speaking of Interims, Joel interviewed at two places and was asked by both churches to come serve and help them through the process of finding a new pastor. He chose the one that is closer to home after taking time to pray and fast about it. He is looking forward to working with a congregation again, and he knows some of the people in the church from years past.  I am happy for him, but admit to being sad at times for the fact that we will spend less time together.  I like our togetherness.

We went tree shopping this week and found a really nice Frasier Fir at Menard's here in town!  Joel had to huff and puff to get it in the house since the trunk was so heavy and the tree was so wide.  You can see here, it looks beautiful and it is not even decorated yet!  Yay!  A tree in the house again :).  Another blessing.

Tree with lights waiting to
be decorated!


This week we received a newsletter from Gracia Burnham and her foundation which was set up after her husband, Martin, was killed by terrorists in the Philippines.  They were missionaries in the P.I. and were taken captive and held for over a year.  During a rescue operation, Martin was killed.  It is not safe for her and her family to go back to the P.I but she still has a heart for the people there.   Once again her letter brought to mind the P.I.

I remember our first Christmas there....we had a large star piñata on the porch of our house and a very dry tree inside the house.  Christmas trees were actually shipped in from the states for military families, but they were sooooooooo dry you could not put lights on them.  Still, we stood in line for a very long time to purchase a tree so we could keep a tradition from home in our living rooms.  We called home to the states that first year too, and when we did we talked for like 3-5 minutes saying words like "roger" and "over" when we talked!  That short conversation cost us $60 way back in the 70's.  Cell phones were still a futuristic dream! 

I almost have my cards finished and ready to go out.  It was fun to pick out pictures from our trip to put on cardstock.  I wrote a newsletter as usual, and we purchased 125 stamps for mailing.  I forgot to order more address labels though, so I have had to write out our return address for most of them.  That won't happen next year!  This time of year I find myself waiting for the mailman to arrive so I can catch up on all the news and see the latest photos.  Fun!

Friday we went shopping as I was on a quest to find a cardinal for a friend.  Not a real cardinal of course, just a little ceramic or resin cardinal...We went to one store......then another....then another...we ended up looking in seven stores.  Seven!  N.o.t.h.i.n.g.  One woman at our local Hobby Lobby told us that is was a "cardinal" year...they sold out of what they had very quickly!  I have forgotten how long it can be to find that one gift you have your mind set on. Maybe shopping online is not so bad after all.  :)

I have the book, "Crazy Love" by Frances Chan on my nightstand along with a few Guideposts and Angels on Earth magazines, but mostly I am spending my spare time preparing for Christmas.  What have you been doing to prepare for Christmas this week?

Friday, December 6, 2013

Releasing Hope

 
HOPE
 
"I have pitched my tent in the land of hope"
Acts 2:25-28


HOPE

Last Sunday was the beginning of Advent, a time of waiting and preparation.  So this week those who practice Advent have focused on~

HOPE

A sweet friend sent me an encouraging email last night and she mentioned reading Ann Voskamp's
latest post on HOPE. Going to Ann's cyber home is nourishment for my soul most days, so I knocked on her cyber door and was welcomed.    I was only a few words in.........and the tears started to flow.

 HOPE.

What would our lives be like without HOPE?  God certainly knew what He was doing when He declared HOPE..........when He released HOPE.......when He sent us HOPE in the form of a baby boy.  His Son.

Advent can bring forth the child like joy in us.  Advent can bring forth the brokenness in us.  Advent can bring forth the Christ is us.

HOPE

Yesterday we spoke with yet another person who is in a battle for her life.  Lyme Disease has her beaten down, confused, and scared.  Echoes of our past.  We carefully spoke words of encouragement to her.  Lord, speak through us.  Give her hope........As we hung up the phone she said, "Thank you so much.  It is so nice to talk to someone who understands."  Thank you Jesus.

HOPE

As I struggled this past week with old wounds and lies from the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, I sent my heart requests to my sweet prayer warrior friends.  In brokenness and self-focus I reached out, and in kindness and love they reached back to give me a better focus ~ Christ ~ and they dosed me with hope.  They released HOPE in me across the miles.  Thank you Jesus.

HOPE
 
"Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness"

This is where we find our HOPE.  In Jesus.  His sacrifice.  His righteousness making it possible for our righteousness.  It is fitting that we begin Advent with HOPE.  As we focus on the birth of a Savior, our Savior, we are filled with HOPE.  HOPE for the brokenhearated.........HOPE for the suffering.........HOPE for the grieving.........HOPE for the hungry of body an soul.......HOPE for the saved..........HOPE for the HOPE-full...........HOPE for you and me.  Thank you Jesus.

HOPE

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Memorial Box Monday: Hot Pink Tennies!

I am linking up at Linny's cyber home, A Place Called Simplicity to share a Memorial Box Monday story of God's provision and faithfulness.  Stop over there and read more inspirational stories of God's goodness!  My story is more recent and continues to bring encouragement on a daily basis in our home.
My walking shoes

On an early fall day last year the UPS man came to the door and delivered a package into my hands.  I had been waiting with anticipation for it to arrive and unwrapped the package quickly.  Out of the box came a pair of hot pink Reebok princess classic tennis shoes!  Hot pink!  Yes!!

Just a couple weeks earlier I had been  looking for tennies and came across these.  I knew they were the right choice for me to walk out my healing as soon as I laid eyes on them.  You see, just 2 years ago I could not have imagined going walking.  I could hardly walk around my home most days as I struggled with Lyme Disease and several co-infections.  It had gone undiagnosed for 23 years and five years of treatment had kept it from sending me to an early grave, but it had not put the disease into "remission".  And then God revealed to us a new plan.

In January of 2011 my husband Joel was healed of Lyme Disease and other conditions overnight.  This put us on a quest for what the Bible says about healing and as we studied and prayed, I too, was healed from the bacteria that had invaded every part of my body.  Doctors confirmed what we knew, that the Lyme was dead and gone by the power of prayer.  God began healing me on the inside, too, from childhood trauma...in my heart and soul.  During this time of healing I continued to struggle in some areas, but God impressed on me over and over again to walk out my healing.  Literally and spiritually. 

Thanks to friends like Linny, Katherine, Kim and Kerin, and my wonderful husband, I had the support and insights needed to keep going.  There were times I would end up back in my recliner wondering if I would ever get out and walk again.....during those times I would put my shoes on as I sat in my chair, or put them next to me to as a constant reminder of God's deep love and faithfulness, and His promise for healing.

Eighteen months ago I could walk 3 minutes. Period.  Now I walk 1 to 1.5 miles every day, and on a recent trip to the east coast I walked over 5 miles in one day in NYC.   We made a point to walk every day we could ~ in hotel or church parking lots, at Niagara Falls, on the Appalacian Trail, the streets of the cities we stayed in. 

 It is not just the physical walking that we are rejoicing over.  I was homebound, unable to be exposed to normal every days smells, fragrances, etc.  I had not ever been to my childrens homes, and I was unable to go to church, a store, and more.  I was held captive in my own home.  And then God opened our eyes...spoke His Word to us....and told me to "go out into the world and fear nothing."  W.a.l.k. 

Just a month ago we went on our first vacation since 1986, traveling 3,000 miles into 10 states., spending 14 nights in hotels.  Me.  The girl in the bubble.  As I said before in NYC we walked over 5 miles, rode three subways, two commuter trains, and a ferry.  ONLY GOD!

Ready for NYC!

My pink tennies are a constant reminder of God providing strength and healing in our lives.  When God gives you a promise He really means it!  When people comment on my hot pink tennies........and believe me they do, I have a story to tell.  A story of God's healing power, His faithfulness, His provision.  In fact I just told our story to my eye doctor today when he mentioned my tennies! 

My tennies won't fit into my Memorial Box and I am certainly not ready to put them on a shelf, because every time I put them on I cannot help but smile and praise God for what He is doing in my life!

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday morning to you from or corner of the world.  We are having great walking weather today and managed 1.5 miles this morning.  The high is going to be 41 degrees...Yay!  Snow forecast for Monday, but today we are basking in sunshine, calm winds and warmer temps.

Speaking of walking we have managed to go a mile nearly every day, we even walked some on Thanksgiving Day although that was more out of necessity.  We were at my sister Janelle's for the day and offered to take her wild little dog, Scout, out for a walk.  We miss our Levi!  He picked up a chicken bone in the neighbor's driveway and while Joel was trying to get it out of his mouth, he slipped his leash and took off running.  This dog can run!  We took chase, with me yelling, "Stop him Joel!"  Joel kept telling me not to worry, but I was not about to let their dog get hit by a car on our watch, so kept saying "Run, Joel, run! Catch him!!!"  Our son Mark and grandson Noah were with us, laughing at mom's antics.  Come to think of it, they should have been running too!  Anyway Joel grabbed him once but he got away so the next time Joel was able to get in front of him and when he came around a bush he grabbed  a big handful of fir!  Whew.  Disaster averted!  And we got our exercise too :)...........

Grandpa and Grandma with Noah
 
Joel and our son Mark
 
Speaking of Thanksgiving, my sister Kay and BIL Dan rode with us up to the Twin Cities and we spent the day with Gr. Jo who had the stroke 12 days ago....along with some of Janelle's family.
Gr. Jo is out of the rehab center and back home!  Amazing recovery.....wow....The doctors are in awe.  Thank you Lord!  We drove back home the same night and then the next morning drove the two hours back up their to meet with three of our children and their families for lunch at Whole Foods,  shopping at a Barnes and Noble we used to frequent years ago, and then a stop at Gr Jo's apartment near by to give hugs and visit for a little over an hour.  Joel and I then headed back home stopping at McDonalds on the way so Joel could get some protein.  We were happy to be back home safe and sound.

Around eight last night we settled into our chairs with pie and Garth Brook.  He had his Vegas show on for two hours live on CBS.  Interesting.  I used to listen to his music in the 90's and then he sort of disappeared......His one man one guitar show was good, but he had to be bleeped in a few spots for language which is just another reasons going to Vegas is last on my bucket list. 

We came back from our walk today to a flooded laundry room...ugh......something plugged in the sewer.  Needless to say it was not in Joel's plan to be sucking up gallons of water in the basement and from the carpet.  Not cool.  Instead of relaxing after two days of traveling, and working to prepare his sermon for tomorrow, he is working to get our sewer system working.  Oh boy.

Speaking of sermons, this past week Joel had two interviews for interim positions, but we have not heard from either yet.  We are truly okay with what comes or doesn't come....it is in God's hands! 

Hard to believe we came back from our trip a month ago today.  Amazing!  We met so many interesting people, I may have to blog about them.  Don't you find people fascinating? 

I have been reading a book, "A More Excellent Way" by Pastor Henry Wright.  Also watched a few Hallmark Christmas movies while working on the Christmas newsletter, etc.  Plan on getting decorations out tomorrow to start making the house "festive".  How was your Thanksgiving?  Do you have your tree up yet?

Until next time..............





Thursday, November 28, 2013

Giving Thanks

 
Welcome!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Welcome to our home!  We are linking up to Linny's over at A Place Called Simplicity to share how we spend our Thanksgiving. 

Usually we are home, with our children, in-loves, and grandchildren coming every other year.  We have turkey with all the trimmings, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, plus a family specialty ~~Lime Pear Salad which is not really a salad at all, but has cream cheese, whipping cream, lime jello, pears, and pecans for ingredients!  We enjoy another family staple, lefse ~~a Norwegian potato flatbread, plus pumpkin, apple, pecan, and chocolate pies.  We set two tables to make it possible for 20 of us to gather.  We pray together, eat together, laugh together, and of course add in a little football on TV and games for everything to play.  There is an annual family touch football game outside too.  We also celebrate Christmas the day after Thanksgiving the years the family is home,  so it is a double holiday for us. 

We love Thanksgiving for many reasons....less pressure than Christmas.....focus on giving thanks.....and now as empty nesters it is the only actual holiday our children are here for.  But this is not their year to be home, so normally we would be here as a twosome.......and yet this year things have changed!  We will not be here for Thanksgiving, as we are traveling two hours north to Minnesota  to spend it with some of my family.  This includes my sister, Jo who helped raised me..  She suffered a mild stroke just 12 days ago and is already home, so we are giving thanks!
Sisters Jo and Jan
 
Family Football
 
Cribbage, and cards games here with the older grandkids
 

Our hearts are filled with so much joy this year because of how things have changed for us in past 18 months.  My health has improved to the point that for the first time in 10 years we are able to go together to church, to the store, to visit our children and their families in their homes, to family gatherings, and even to a conference on healing in CT which turned into a vacation traveling over 3,000 miles into 10 states.  ( I wrote all about it here)


We have so much to be thankful for.  And today I am giving thanks for Linny and all of you friends who visit our cyber homes.  God bless you!

Happy Thanksgiving!


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

There's No Place Like Home

After spending the morning at Niagara Falls viewing God's masterpiece, we headed down through Buffalo NY, then Cleveland Ohio where construction had us there for 1 and 1/2 hours, before we drove through rain into Indiana.  We went back to our favorite hotel and resting spot~ Shipshewana.  We arrived there Halloween night, which was a good place to be ~ in Amish country!  We decided to stay there two nights, spending time relaxing, eating out, shopping, walking, vegging in front of the TV, and going to a natural spring. 

Saturday morning we packed up our bags and headed home.  Thinking we were being smart, we decided to stop at the last travel plaza on the Tollway to get gas and take a break.  As I wrote before, we somehow got on I-90 heading straight into Chicago when we left that plaza.  We were upset and stressed at first, so I texted Bethany for the easiest and fastest route through the third largest city in the country!  It was really pretty easy since Saturday traffic was so light.  Once we had an affirmation from daughter dear to stay on I-90 until we got to Rockford, the rest went fine.  We did enjoy a different view on the way home.  It is very hilly and beautiful in NW Illinois ~especially the Galena area.

 
 
 
I had to laugh when we got close to home, though.  The land became more and more level.  Flat
prairie land with wind turbines that go on forever.  What a change after two weeks in rugged mountains, hills, valleys, and forested areas.  Joel often says he misses the rolling landscape where he grew up in Minnesota.  The difference was quite evident to me when we came back home to northern Iowa's corn country.   Not all of Iowa is flat, especially on the east or west borders, but where we are is definitely one of those areas where the roads are as straight as the rows of corn stalks in summer! 

Wind turbines
 
 
 
We enjoyed a beautiful sunset 
welcoming us home 
 
It was good to get home.  Sitting in our comfy chairs that evening, we felt relief and gratitude for all the hours and miles we had traveled safely.  We still are giving thanks and praise for being able to go and experience so much.  Coming home to such a beautiful sunset, we could not help but say, "there's no place like home."  What an adventure!  Only God.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Come Rain Or Come Wind!

We woke up to heavy rain and high winds the morning of our trip to the Falls.  After fortifying ourselves with a hot breakfast and then packing up the car, we headed out to our next adventure!  We knew this would be the only time we would see this amazing water show, so we were determined to go come rain or wind!  Oh, yeah, that was the forecast....rain and sustained winds at 40 mph!  It was supposed to reach 66 degrees though, so we were not too worried about being cold......just wet.
View walking down to river and falls
 
When we arrived at the park to view Horseshoe Falls on the American side, there was only one other car in the parking lot!  Seems we had the place to ourselves, which was not all bad.  We put on hats and hoods and headed out.  We could definitely hear the falls before we could see them.  The sound was so loud it heightened all our senses.  It felt like it was vibrating in our ears and chests.  And just like God, by the time we walked down into the area, the rain had stopped.  Yay!  Thank you, Lord!  I confess the names of the Falls, the American side......the Canadian side....kept me confused, but there was no missing their power!  To me it did not really matter what we had named them, I was more thankful for Who had created them.  Only God.  Only God.

Looking at Horseshoe Falls below
 



We were so impressed with the power this water held.  Joel had been there before many years ago, and tried to describe it to me, but until I saw, felt, smelled, and heard it for myself, it was hard to imagine. Scary and exciting at the same time.  We did run into one other couple there and we asked them to take pictures of us and we would do the same for them....worked out well! My pink tennies went with me here too!

 
This couple from Louisiana told us to be sure to go down in the Cave of the Winds, so after viewing Horseshoe Falls from every angle we could we headed up the many stairs back to the park area and over to the building where we purchased tickets and were given yellow plastic ponchos to wear.  We waited briefly for a tour guide and then headed off.  Things were winding down and workers were actually starting to take apart some of the walkway, but we were able to take the elevator 175 feet down through rock (which was dug out by hand) and then we walked through a tunnel to come out by the Niagara River and not far from Bridal Veil Falls.  We were amazed once again at the sounds we heard and the power of the water.  The guide offered to take pictures of us together.

The long tunnel we walked down from the elevator
 

Bridal Veil Falls
 
 
Us!
 
We were so glad we went down into the Cave of the Winds.  It was another great adventure.  After heading back to our van, we drove over to the other park so we could go up on the Observation Deck and view the falls from that vantage point. There were a few more people here.  The winds were so powerful!  Every time I lifted my arms to take a picture with the camera I would go back a few steps from its force.  Amazing!
 
 

 
Observation Bridge in background
 
View of the Falls from the Observation Bridge
 
It was a great adventure for the two of us.  Seeing this powerful source of nature was humbling.  To see what our Creator has done was truly amazing and we could not help but praise God for it all. 


Saturday, November 23, 2013

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday morning to you from our corner of Iowa where winter is making itself known with wind, snow, and temperatures dipping into the low teens.  The high today is 13 degrees with a low of -3 for tonight.  Yikes!

Speaking of cold weather, we have been walking in the Mall this week due to wind chills. I think after 5 days of walking past stores decorated with sale signs and snowflakes, we are now officially Mall Walkers joining our tennies with the over 60 crowd!  We are missing the fresh air of the river road and walking paths, but grateful we have somewhere to put in our 35 to 40 minutes of daily exercise. We recognize the faces of other regulars now, and I try not to feel like a turtle when the hares pass me at record speeds.  Our destination is the same, right?  We did walk down the river road yesterday....wind chill was 20 so not too bad, but the mile and a half seemed longer with the cold making itself known.

Speaking more about weather, what about all those tornadoes in the Midwest last Sunday?  Wow.  It truly seems like the weather is getting more unpredictable than ever with bigger storms.....bigger tornadoes....bigger typhoons.....My once upon a time meteorologist now cowboy preacher husband has some thoughts on all of it!

This has been a challenging and busy week.  On Sunday morning we drove 35 minutes to the church Joel is filling in at.  It is a beautiful church with great people, making it a fun job for Joel.  He will spend three more Sundays there.  When church was over we stayed for coffee and were visiting with someone when I felt the need to check my phone.  In my head I thought, "No, it would be rude to check for messages when this man is talking to Joel and me", but the urge came back so I checked.  I had 4 phone calls and one text!  Turns out my sister Joanne, who helped raised me had suffered a stroke and was being taken by ambulance to a local hospital in the Twin Cities.  We headed home to eat and change and then drove two hours to the hospital.  The bad news is that she had a small stroke in the cerebellum so her balance and coordination were affected.  The good news is that it was small, and she is already doing so well she will be home by Thanksgiving!  Lots of prayer and good strong genes have her heading for a full recovery.  We drove back home the same night so felt a bit tired on Monday.

Tuesday we had a phone call from Joel's brother that he and his wife were only 30 minutes away and wanted to stop by.  We ended up having a great day visiting and eating out before shopping at the antique stores in a nearby town and then heading to a large country quilt shop a few more miles away.  It was a nice day and we explored places we had not seen before.  I would love to quilt, but after seeing what it costs to purchase kits, patterns, etc. I think I better find a less expensive hobby.

Thursday was Joel's monthly Pastor's conference and I went along this time.  We rode with another couple to the church 30 minutes away.  It was great fun to be able to attend and share about our trip and our healing journey once again.  Yesterday I made homemade soup and caught up on placing orders for things we needed and for Christmas.  I had hoped to get the Christmas newsletter written but time got away from me! 

Joel is going to be interviewing in the coming days for two Interim positions.  Things seem to be falling into place for one that is close to home.  That would be nice, but it is all in God's hands.  He knows what is best.  I don't look forward to him being gone again, but I do know how much he loves his calling.

I talked and texted with my sister Jan a few times this week about our sister Jo and also about coming down to see her and her hubby in Arizona in the coming year.  I also chatted with a high school friend who moved there this past June.  Looks like our next adventure will be to the southwest!

Speaking of adventures, I am nearly finished sharing our two weeks of traveling here.  It has been fun to recap everything and we are still smiling from the great time we had.  Hard to believe we left a month ago tomorrow!

I have not been reading much this week.  We did enjoy our usual TV shows and a Hallmark movie last weekend.  Our Thanksgiving will be a quiet one, but we may go see my sister Jo for a few hours.   What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

Until next time............


Thursday, November 21, 2013

Winding Roads, Moose Sighting, Unfriendly People, and Apple Cider Donuts!

The day after our marathon in New York City we packed up and prepared to head north, through NW Connecticut, western Massachusetts, and into the southwest corner of Vermont.  We decided to stop at the Whole Foods in Westport to pick up food and eat lunch before heading out. 

We put the address in Joel's phone so "lady long way" could get us there.  Wishful thinking!  We followed her directions exactly and ended up in a beautiful area of Westport  looking at a mulit-million dollar home.  Alrighty then.  We put the address in again, thinking we had typed it in wrong.........same destination.  So we finally drove to a business area, and pulled into a parking lot.  I saw a woman walking across the lot so Joel got out and asked her if she knew where Whole Foods was.  She stayed her distance until she saw our Iowa plates and me in the car.  She replied, "Oh no wonder you can't find it, you are from Iowa! Let me tell you how to get there."  She asked us why we were in Westport which led to the conference on healing which led to our day in New York City, which led to the 9-11 Memorial.  She shared with deep emotion how some of their friends had died in the towers and that she and her husband, who was retired, were unable to go see the memorial.  She said it was just too painful.  So sad.

With her instructions, we found the store right away.  I really like Whole Foods and what they offer at their deli.  I found some very tasty veggies which I had been craving and steamed brown rice.  We picked up more roasted chicken and other supplies and headed off leaving Westport behind.  I confess, doing so brought tears.

Roasted Sweet Potato wedges,
steamed beans, broccoli, and brown rice.  Delish!

NW CT is very rugged and the highway we took was a back road,  so it was winding and slow...but with beautiful views.  I am not so sure Joel enjoyed it as much as I did from the driver's seat!  Massachusetts had it's own beauty to display.  Then  we went into Vermont....where we noticed the trees were mostly bare already.  We stayed in the small town of Bennington VT. with plans to look around the next day before heading to Niagara Falls. 

Massachsetts covered bridge
 
We were so fascinated with this bridge we just had to
go through it!
 
Northwestern Connecticut  

We found Bennington VT a bit unfriendly. Maybe it was the end of the season for tourists, maybe it was a bad hair day, but all the people we encountered were aloof and unfriendly.   No biggy.  We still had fun checking out a few stores and picking up some apple cider donuts, blueberry jelly, etc. at one called the Apple Barn.  They had a special place for Joel to park up front!!
"Cowboy Parking Only"
All others will be branded!

Everything seemed to be decorated with moose, but when we asked if they had a lot of moose in the area we were told no. We did spot one moose we wanted to share with all of you.  It was the only one we saw the whole trip.  :)

 
This moose was sculpted half in and half out of
 the window of the store.  So funky!

We headed out of Vermont and into New York later in the morning with the hope of getting to Niagara Falls in time to see the Falls before dark and after, when it was all lit up.  It turned out to be a challenging day, though, and we struggled with staying positive.  We eventually got to Niagara Falls but missed the exit to the Park to view the falls.  Ugh.  Then we backtracked, etc. and ended up stopping for directions which took us through a very scary part of town.  I must say, we were very surprised that the city was not only unattractive, but rundown. Discouraged and tired, we decided to just go check in at the hotel, which was easier to find.   The desk clerk had maps she marked for us and told us exactly how to get to the Falls in the morning.  While she was showing us where to go we realized we had been in the area of NF that she now told us to avoid.  Of course!   

We knew that high winds and rain were forecast for the next day but we went to sleep that night thinking positive and believing tomorrow would be a better day!  Like "Annie" says, "tomorrow, tomorrow, there's always tomorrow....it's only a day away."