Lighten Up

Friends, I have been a brunette for almost 4 years, and have decided to go back to blonde. Unfortunately, that will take quite some time....here is the beginning stages of the process!

Just one more time

A true story that needs some prayer:

Twelve years ago, a cute elderly couple said, 'I do'.  After years of the widowed life, God brought them together to spend their remaining days together.  Unfortunately, his children were not accepting of her.  Which is sadly the case with many step-children, and her existence was not acknowledged.  At least, not with kindness and love, but the couple's love grew.

As it is with the passing of time, their bodies began to fail them, and health issues have grown.  He has had several stints in his heart, but this time there is nothing more they can do.  His son is an MD, and whenever a heart issue has happened, he visited his son in Orlando.  This time his son said his Dad needs to move in with him, but there is no room for her.  She has the early onsets of Alzheimer's and will move in with her granddaughter.  So, at the age of 83, health and family are splitting this couple apart.  

Today was their last day at the Super Senior's Luncheon at church.  They had to say goodbye to their friends of 20+ years, and to each other.  My pastor walked them to the parking lot, and little did anyone know, the couple would be saying their final goodbye in the parking lot. Pastor Ron begged him to let them drive him to his son's, but he refused.  As Pastor Ron and his wife turned to walk back into the church, they over heard the couples last goodbye.  She said, 'Can we say goodbye just one more time?'

Pastor and his wife could not bear to hear the rest of the goodbye and his wife was barely holding it together at the thought of her friends having to say goodbye.  They hurried in to the church to give the couple some privacy.  A husband and wife, saying goodbye and possibly for the last time.

Please pray for God's peace to prevail as both draw near to the end of their earthly existence to pass on to the Glory of God's presence.

On Several Topics

For those that know the meaning: I met #2 last week...I definitely met #2. In other topics, this weekend involves: Pride and Prejudice (BBC version) watching Alex Parks Carousel Bearded Dragon babysitting Beginning the return to my roots...follicle roots Leading Life Group (topic yet to be determined) Engaging a group of young 2 year old children for 3 hours Book mark making Laundry Grocery shopping It's gonna be a busy one, folks.

I've also discovered my new favorite coffee drink recipe: In this order: 1/2 glass ice 1/2 glass milk 2 sweet-n-lows (or whatever you prefer) 1/2 glass coffee So yummy!

And, finally, it seems that a lot of people are in search of "wonder and awe in God's presence". According to sitemeter.com, many people from around the world have found my blog through a Google search of that phrase.  My blog is #3 on the results list of that Google search! Next post...Planning for the future with a forward focused mentality.

If I Were an Artist

There have been several points in my life that I have had the distinct desire to be an artist. I envy people that can actually express and share with the world the images they see in their imagination. I am artistic and creative, but I cannot draw or paint. That frustrates me to no end. Yes, I could take a drawing 1 course. However, it is not a natural gift and I would remain a frustrated artist. If I were an artist I would... ...draw prayer time images in coal. ...paint images from night-dreams in oil and day-dreams in acrylic. ...draw deep revelations in ink. ...paint hopes and desires in water colors. If I were an artist, I would bind all of my pages as a timeline of my walk with God. With words in place of images and pens in place of brushes, I will craft my story and bind my pages still.

Priceless

messages heard = 3
hours spent in the car = 4
women gathered together = 14,500
revelation from God @ Beth Moore live conference = PRICELESS

I had the privilege to see Beth Moore live on Friday night and this morning. I got to go at the last minute when a friend had extra tickets and offered me one (for free).

I am still thinking about all that she said and all that God spoke to me through her. So, for now, a picture will have to suffice until I have the words to express what happened this weekend.

The Greatest Commandment

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22: 34-40

In the last week I have devoted much time to thinking about the development of character. More specifically, the character I want to be known for among my colleagues and peers. What I have discovered is a desire to be known as a person that has no unkind word to speak to or about anyone. I imagine this is something many people aspire to, but not many attain. Perhaps this is a result of the ease and familiarity gossip and the old saying that 'misery loves company'. What then should I do when I'm upset with people? The men and women in the Bible first went to God, and then, if need be, spoke directly to the people causing the frustration. It's easier to talk to my friends about the people or situations that have upset me, but it is not right to gather people against one another. Jesus clearly states in Matthew 22:34-40 that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord God with all my heart, soul and mind. Believe me, I have not fully attained that, but am working on it. The second greatest commandment is to love my neighbor as myself. In light of the greatest commandment, the second commandment should easily flow out of it. Here's the kicker, people who don't love themselves in light of God's love, cannot love another person well. How am I loving someone by gathering people to see the bad in that person/situation? I'm not. So, how do I begin to build character? First, by loving God fully with my heart, soul and mind. Through that I will learn better how to love people how God loves people, and I will then be able to love my neighbor as myself. It will be a moment by moment choice to speak only encouraging words...God help me.

W/ Absolute Purity

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 1 Timothy 5:1-3

Recently, I was talking to a couple guy friends about male/female interaction and how our Christianity and relationship with God should alter those interactions. It was an open and candid conversation about frustrations, ideals, hopes, hurts and confusion. Without going into too much detail, both men and women have dropped the ball in friendship. How do we pick it back up? By treating each other in absolute purity. Purity of heart, purity of mind, and purity of intentions. This is even true for dating relationships. If we treat each other in the same manner that Christ treats us and filter every action and word through purity, then I think we will find much healthier guy/girl relationships. That short conversation made me examine my motives and actions in relating to men, and I found that I could make some adjustments. Hmm...still thinking, actually.

Promised Pictures

I spent this morning with my adorable nephew, Alex!

We went to the library, and practiced counting and addingNext, we were off to the park!

Beautiful boy on the jungle gym

so handsome...

He insisted on wearing his shoes on the wrong feet...4 year olds lol

I was taking so many pictures of him, that he wanted to take one of me!

Alex & Auntie Alison

He should be a child model...

seriously.

We couldn't leave without a turn on the carousel!

Alex and Auntie dates are about to become a regular fixture in my life...I LOVE that!

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow will consist of...

Adventure

The Toaster

Carousels

Playground fortresses

Slides

Swings

Laughter

Alex

Running

Skipping

Singing

Talking

Brilliance.

Pictures to come.

G...R...E...

The GRE appears to be a lot tougher than I first imagined. I took the diagnostic quiz to find out which areas I need to focus on, and lets just say that every area will be receiving mass amounts of my attention! Algebra and geometry are much more difficult after several years of no use in my daily, weekly or monthly life. Oh, and analogies...riiiiight. Pointers? Anyone?