Merry Christmas!!

My beloved childhood piano teacher sent us a Christmas card with the following poem. I have always loved this particular carol and I would like to share it with you sweet friends.

Christmas Bells

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1863

at the height of the Civil War

(five verses)

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of Peace on Earth Good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent

The hearth-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn

The households born

Of peace on Earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

Through all the noise and uncertainty of your life, May the bells of hope ring loudly through for you this year!

God Bless and Merry CHRISTmas to you all!!

Meredith

Just for Fun Friday

A week later.........Don't you love it when......

......Your mom goes to the grocery store and asks the staff where the "mad cow" cheese would be..........

Happy Friday!!:)

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

Just for Fun Friday

Don't you love it when......

....You've been working on the bank all day planting shrubbery and when you go to get in the shower, you notice a little spidery friend hanging from your elbow....HOW LONG has he been THERE???

.....You have just cleaned and vacuumed your carpet and your dog comes barreling through the door, only to leave dirty mud colored footprints?!!

....Your hosts graciously set out a vegetable and dip tray and before you can stop him your child bites his carrot and then plummets it back into the ranch dip.....(slo mo camera of mommy running across the room.....ooooohhhhh noooooooo......too late, no one SEEMS to mind)

.....Your 'hang around the house' pants don't fit very well due to weight loss:) and when you sit in the floor to clean out the bottom bookcases you feel a little hand pull back your underpants and a little child's voice say "teetee?".....(No honey, no teetee diaper on this mommy, but thanks for checking)

These funnies are a repeat of some others that I posted earlier this year. To read those funnies

click here.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Prov. 17:22

Thankful Thursday

In this season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for many things: My home, my husband, my two jobs, my church, my friends, my saviour. Soooo many things.

But when your baby boy, who came to you despite the diagnosis of infertility, collects these leaves just for you?........it is a teary eyed thankful heart that puts them in a vase and takes a picture.

Just thought I would share. :) Have a blessed day!

P.s. He collected this bouquet back in September, I am just late in finishing my draft.

Off to the Ball!!

I know I've already posted once today for the Tuesdays together, but I can't let today go by without wishing my Marine a happy Birthday!! Today is the 234th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Friday the 6th was my birthday, and saturday was the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my husband's homecoming from Iraq. And with veterans day fast approaching I'm feeling a bit patriotic. Fall is my favorite time of year, but now this time of year holds even more special meaning. Ironically the Birthday Ball holds an extra special meaning, as our very first extravagant date was to the Ball many many years ago. I will spare you the picture from THAT ball but you can imagine that we look the same if you want. Subtract 11 years, several dress sizes, and different ranking, and we look pretty much the same.

Some Marines celebrate their first birthday in the field with a piece of pound cake from an MRE (meals ready to eat) and others depending on where they are stationed, celebrate with much pomp and circumstance. By tradition, the cake is cut and pieces are presented to the guest speaker then to the oldest and then to the youngest marine. This is one of my favorite parts of the ceremony. The introduction of the youngest marine always, ALWAYS brings about a collective gasp amongst the guests attending the ceremony. This years marine was born in may of 1990. I was in college. He is just a kid and technically I am old enough to be his mother. He is somebody's baby. And always will be.

So, if you see any Marines this week be sure to wish them a Happy Birthday! Remember them in your prayers. I am so thankful for anyone who chooses to serve their country in our armed forces, but I am especially thankful for our marines of Mike Battery 3/14!!

Happy Birthday!!

Tuesdays Together

Welcome to Tuesdays Together in the Word. We are a group reading the bible together and sharing each week the nuggets that the Lord's Word has left with us. Join in with us, wherever you are. Please visit DeeDee for more Tuesday Together posts!!

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Have you ever watched a movie that did such a good job in taking you "with them" that it stayed with you for hours? days? weeks? You know those movies? The ones where the music, the scenery, the lighting,the acting, the characters, and story line are so woven together that you can't help but feel what the characters are feeling. The 'Lord of the Ring' movies are a good example. The overwhelming despair, the need for hope, the insurmountable task that lies ahead, the burden of being the chosen one, it is all there. Like a big thick heavy woven blanket.

Sometimes when I read scripture my imagination goes into overdrive. I can't help it. Like a movie running across the screen, I try to see and smell and wonder. Humor me and go with me to John 5 from our reading this week.

After this, a Jewish festival took place, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. By the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there is a pool, called Betheseda in Hebrew, which has five colonnades. Within these lay a multitude of the sick- blind, lame, and paralyzed waiting for the moving of the water, because an angel would go down into the pool from time to time and stir up the water. Then the first one who got in after the water was stirred up recovered from whatever ailment he had. One man was there who had been sick for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to get well?"

"Sir," the sick man answered, "I don't have a man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I'm coming someone goes down ahead of me." "Get up", Jesus told him, "pick up your bedroll and walk!" Instantly the man got well, picked up his bedroll, and started to walk. Now that day was the Sabbath, so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "this is the Sabbath! It's illegal for you to pick up your bedroll." (vs 1-10)

This story always stirs my imagination and my heart. Can you imagine? You are desperate. You have been waiting for 38 years. 38 years!!! Your companions are just as desperate as you are. Longing. Waiting. For waters to move. For an angel who comes time to time. You never make it in first because your ailment doesn't allow you to do so. Someone always moves in ahead of you. Such despair. Have you been there at the water the whole time? How long did it take you to get there? Did someone dump you off? What does it smell like there with all the other desperate people? Do the sounds and smells of the festival disturb you? Does ANYONE minister to you?

We are all spiritually desperate before accepting Christ. But have you ever met anyone who was as desperate as this man? In Christ, the man at the pool found mercy, hope, and a new beginning. He picked up his bedroll and walked. Imagine how his heart might have felt. A longing for help was answered. A miracle took place.

..... And all the hard hearted legalists could say was "it's the Sabbath, it's illegal".

My prayers today are for softer hearts, for longings, for miracles, and for Hope. Hope found only in Christ. May you, if you have not yet met Him, find Christ today and accept the miracle of His cross.

Tuesdays Together

I would love to tell you all that I got it right today. That I did everything just right. But I didn't. I can't tell you such a thing. I would love to say that I read my scripture FIRST thing this morning instead of noon, and that I woke up bright and perky this morning ready for the day! I didn't.

I would love to say that I have excercised already and had plenty of water to drink. That I didn't wait until 1030 to take a shower and only then because I needed to run a quick errand. I would love to tell you that my house is clean and my laundry finished and my to do list completed, but it isn't. That I have been productive and have accomplished great things today. I haven't.

I will tell you that I have been rebellious this morning. And frankly my spirit has been a bit contrary. I have said mean things to myself today. I am under attack. I have been inconsistent with most things important over the past 2-3 weeks and it is catching up with me.

I will tell you that I have enjoyed my screen porch today and the cool weather. AND the halloween candy on the top of the fridge has had a few visits today. I WILL tell you that the Lord has been faithful to me anyway. I went back to Psalm 111.

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.

He has caused his wonders to be remembered;(v2-4)

The Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him;

he remembers his covenant forever.(v5)

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.(v7-8)

Aren't you thankful that the Lord is not inconsistent? Did you catch all that? Great. Glorious. Steadfast. Trustworthy. Forever. Gracious. Compassionate. He has CAUSED his wonders to be remembered.

I asked the Lord to help me get my rear end out of the recliner. He did. I asked him to help me gather up some energy and get something accomplished. He did. I asked him to speak to me. He most certainly did. It was gracious and compassionate. His wonders were remembered. My spirit was renewed.

To Him belongs eternal praise.(v10)

To learn more about our group and Tuesdays Together please visit DeeDee.

I really didn't need the V8!!

In honor of Thankful Thursday I will post a few pics from our summer vacation.

The week before July 4th holiday, we had the opportunity to travel to Pensacola and Destin. This is the trip on which the computer got spilled upon, thus providing me with a month of no computer access. It is possible to survive without a computer and I was actually thankful for some "hideaway" time.

My husband decided ahead of time that while in Pensacola, we would stay at the Naval Air Station. Cheap! Cheap is Good! He used his military ID to call and get us a discounted room on base. He says, "I don't know why I never think of this, we could go and stay cheaply in just about any major city". I will make sure that this stays on his radar from now on!:) Our room was really nice and almost as big as our master suite at home. They left mints on our pillow people! Good Mints!

We visited with my uncle and cousins and we ate well and enjoyed time together. We traveled on to Destin where our luxurious resort room......well, it just made me happy! Marble, Crabtree and Evelyn, balcony, ocean view......you get the picture. Kiddo loved the phone in the bathroom!!

The baby traveled fabulously and the weather was great. The outlet mall showed no sign of a depressed economy and again we ate really well and genuinely enjoyed our time together. Kiddo enjoyed his FIRST trip to the beach and flirted shamelessly everywhere we went. No major meltdowns and he loved his bottom bunk!

I came home so refreshed and rested. AND thankful, soooo thankful!

Tuesday Mornings

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1John 1:5

This morning at breakfast my husband read this verse out loud to us. I found it to be a timely and sweet reminder of the Lord's Holiness and his presence with us always.

Last week my child, who will be 18 months old later this month, discovered his shadow for the first time. He has moved from just being bothered to being very agitated to being down right terrorized. He has fussed. He has shaken his finger. He screams and that shadow just will not leave him alone. Yesterday that mean old dark shadow stopped him right in his tracks, he screamed bloody murder and refused to move until I came back to get him. I gave him the usual speeches, "that's just your shadow baby, look mommy has one too" and "now don't be afraid, Jesus doesn't want you to be afraid". You get the picture. Imagine me standing on my front sidewalk, doing a little dance, showing how my shadow moves when I move etc etc.

He was unconvinced. We will continue to work on it.

Meanwhile, I will keep in mind this week that the AlMighty, Holy Creator is Ever present and the light He casts has no dark side.

Somehow....

I came here to post a new something and I just sat here........staring.........There is so much but now it seems nothing will come. I have been poking around blogs this morning. Tricia already recapped the Beth Moore conference I attended this weekend. Monkeys are Funny featured a hilarious back to school commercial, and Kelly wants to know what makes you happy.

Somehow it all ties together......somehow.

Maybe it is just the simple sweetness of a life enjoyed. Jesus. Guffaws. New notebooks. Desires. Tears. Rollercoasters. Rain. Time alone. Doing Good. Being Thankful.

It all ties together........at least for me it does.

Morning by Morning

Yesterday during Sunday morning worship, our choir opened up with the most beautiful rendition of Mercy Me's song called God With Us. I was crying before they even got to the chorus. It is a favorite of mine. Then to top it all off, they followed with 'Great is Thy Faithfulness', my favorite hymn. They continued to move me to tears throughout the morning, and even this morning as I worship.......again.

The lyrics are so powerful. Good stuff. Hope you enjoy the version I found on youtube.

(link here)

....Still you show

a love we cannot afford......

Shwewww! Feel free to give Him some glory today!

Blessings!

Meredith

P.s. I tried to embed the video, but I obviously do not know what I am doing.:) It didn't work, so you will have to travel over to see the link.

For those with children.....

My mom sent me this link and I laughed all the way through. I think you will find it refreshing to know that even famous people have "those kind of moments". Precious!!

Enjoy!!

Click here

I'm Back!!

Thankfully, the new computer came yesterday evening. My beloved spilled his drink on our old one on the 30th, fried the board, and I have not had access since then.

I promise it is survivable!! I once went a whole year without internet access in my home, but that was a purposeful experiment.

Sooo, I will be going out of town today but over the next few weeks I hope to catch up on some of my favorite blogs.

God Bless!!

Because Kids Live Here and a Picture Challenge.....

I am participating today in a challenge hosted  by Lynette whose blog I visit often.   Stop on over to read a bit of her humor and view her awesome photography.  She also has a wonderful testimony and a book published!!

I chose to laugh at these minor irritations, even though I am growing weary of cleaning up toilet paper collections!!I managed to catch a few on film.  Kiddo is a very busy bee!!

In my pics you will see:

1. Mutiny--all Men overboard!!

2. Refrigerator raid--(that's Ketchup and we have not yet completed our Church ensemble-close call)

3. Toilet Paper on the Move

4.  TP Collector Extraordinaire

Major Dad

                




We had a good Father's Day.  We went to church,  ate ribs afterwards, took  naps, and played with the baby.  Hubby went running in the late afternoon.  I advised him to wait until after 6pm(heat index)  but it was what he wanted to do and afterall, it was his day.  Now that I have the house to myself, I'm going to brag on him a little, even if it is Monday.

Even though he is not perfect by any means, he is perfect for me. God really knew what he was doing.  He is decent, honorable, and hardworking.  He serves his country and the people of this state.  He could have gone to work somewhere for a lot more money, but he chose not to.  He's good at what he does and genuinely loves the people that he works with.  He loves the Lord and his family(photos).   If you knew half of what I do about what he grew up out of and overcame, you'd be in awe of him as well.  Especially when you see him at the table in the mornings drinking his coffee and reading his bible.

Last year on Father's Day my husband was serving in the "great hot sandbox".  (photos) It was his first Father's Day and his 2nd deployment.  He spent most of his time losing sleep.  He never slept more than 4 hours at a time for the whole 7 months he was there.  No one wanted to share a room with him for all the knocking on doors.  The constant "sir, there's a problem....." tended to cut sleep down to a minimum.  

 He briefed, he met, he ate foreign food, he socialized, he solved problems, he secured, he promoted, he was always a target,  etc etc......a long list of etc.  He even stood on a HumV and gave speeches to Iraqi's about not quitting just because they had not yet gotten paid.  He believed in what this village was trying to establish.   It worked. 

If you were to ask him out in public about some of these stories, he would probably play them down.  He wouldn't brag about how he got promoted or how he received the highest honor any artillery officer can receive.  He wouldn't brag about how ALL his men returned home safely from TWO deployments.   He probably wouldn't mention how the spiritual lives of his marines were affected while under his command.   He probably WOULD tell you about how doing the Experiencing God study while there in the desert affected him.  He probably would tell you how God honored his obedience in many matters.

Recently, on a Friday, my husband received a job offer.  He had to give an answer by Monday.  It was military related.  It was an artillery officer's dream job.  It was flattering to be asked.  Very Complementary to be considered for such a job as this.  He had to turn it down.  He could not leave his wife and child again.   For no amount of fame or history making, can he leave his civilian job again.  He would have to quit in order to volunteer.   The job would mean more money.  He sounded excited when he called to tell me about it.  I asked him if he was tempted.  He said he was, but only for a few.  I am so thankful!!

  Someday he might let me tell you the story of the bibles.   Just know that at the end of the chaos those bibles caused,  God's plan ruled and there are 100 arabic bibles that were not there before.  Will a remote western village be changed?  It already has been.  Only God knows the end of that long story.

My husband probably worries about being a good father.  When his own father died at a very young age, he was sent to live with an aunt and an uncle.  At the funeral, with future unknown, a pastor put his hand on a very young man's burdened shoulder and told him, "son, you are embarking on a great adventure, your journey is just beginning".   How prophetic were those words!!  

As you can tell, I'm a big fan!  I respect and love my husband for all that he is and will be.  As for my own father?  I'm going fishing with him this week, I'll post about that later!!!

Happy Father's Day!!

Tuesdays Together

I have been absent from blogger world.  I'll explain later.  Tuesdays Together is as good a time as any to jump back in.  I'm sharing from 2 Corinthians today.  It's long, so bear with me.   If you are not familiar with Tuesdays Together, please visit DeeDee to check it out and to visit others who participate.  

Yesterday  while working in recovery, my patient looked up at me and said, "This won't keep me from going over seas will it?  cause I'm going in February and I don't want to miss it this time.....".  Patients rattle on about lots of things while they are waking up from their "twilight sleep" as we call it.  He went on to talk about his unit in the National Guard and his future deployment and about his herniated discs and how he just really did not want to miss going with his unit.  Men.  The voice in my head answered him,  "well, I hope it does keep you from going".  I of course could not say that out loud.   That was the answer of a mother and a wife.  Surely they feel differently about his enthusiasm to deploy.  Surely they do not want him to go overseas.   Driving home, I was thinking about his conversation and it dawned on me that today June 9th, 2009 is a type of anniversary for my family.  On Nov. 9th, 2008 just 7 months ago, my husband returned home from Iraq.  And so, in honor of this anniversary and in honor of Memorial Day ( albeit very late) I wanted to share an essay that I wrote back in November.  Keep in mind that I wrote this essay before I became a blogger.  I wrote it the week after my husband returned.  Also keep in mind that our group at church had just finished the bible study, 'What Happens When Women say Yes to God' by Lysa Terkeurst.   I never really imagined that I would be sharing this essay with others.  It was just my way of pouring my heart out on paper, and it is also  dedicated to my church family and others who know who they are....

______________________

2 Corinthians 5:14

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

Christ's love compels us.  COMPELS.  Because we are CONVINCED.  Powerful words.  Striking verse.  It is not difficult to imagine a love so convincing that it moves or COMPELS one into action.  Especially when you have witnessed it for yourself.

My most recent encounter with Christ's compelling love occurred during my husband's deployment to Iraq.  He left the house in Nov. 2007 and returned in Nov. 2008, just 1 week ago.  The last 7 months of this deployment were in Rutbah, Iraq,  A remote western city.

I am so moved by the expressions of love that were directed my way that I felt it necessary to write them out; chew on them a little and savor what inspiration might come from them.

Thanksgiving, Christmas--Love called and invited me to the family dinners even though it was suspected I would travel and join my own parents, you still called and invited me.... Each Sunday after church,  Love took turns inviting me to lunch  instead of allowing me to go home alone to eat.  Love visited me at the hospital.  Love sent emails and cards.  Love PRAYED for me.

When I was very largely pregnant, Love rolled my big trashcan down my steep driveway every Thursday.  And even when I protested, Love sometimes managed to get it back up the driveway--if I  let him.

The day my husband left again to return to his unit, my infant son was 6 days old.  I rounded the corner and witnessed my husband bent over the bassinet with large tears hanging from his eyes.  Don't see him cry very often,  But Love will do that to a person.

For weeks, I hurt from the stitches.  I didn't move very well.  Love organzied and sent food, for what seemed like a month!!

Love came and helped me clean.  And then there was a babysitting list that Love concocted so that I could leave the house for a few hours and Love signed up.  Week after week.  Then when the daycare spot we had prayed for opened up, some of you did not get the chance to babysit, but your names were there, on that list.  Written in love.

Love called to check on me.  Love PRAYED for me.  Love raced across the yard with the other neighbors to see who could cut my grass first.  Love returned week after week with the mower and the weed eater.

When my dog busted down a section of the fence, Love watched my newborn while I went out looking for my dog.... And then the next morning when I heard voices outside my window, I realized that neighbors  had joined together to shore up my fence, with a bag of quikcrete that came from a neighbor's garage.  Love did that....

When my 2 cats and my dog brought into the house such a fierce flea infestation that both tortured and embarrassed me, you sent your hubby over to spray my drought stricken back yard.

Love served in the church nursery and cared for my child.  During Wednesday night suppers, Love took my infant and allowed me to eat a normal meal....with grown ups.

Nursing and raising a newborn on your own brings great joy and weariness.  Some nights the darkness would come and the kind of weariness that seeps right down through to the very bone would set in.  On these nights, when all I could utter between the sobs were the words to 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' over and over, I know that Love was praying and intervening on my behalf.  I know that YOU were going deep into your prayer closets and praying for me.  Love does that.

I know these weary nights of weakness all to well.  Nights where Christ's LOVE and strength really were enough.  They really were.... They still are.  Not just enough, but abundantly so.

'Crazy Love'.  Haven't had the chance to read the book yet.  But I'm guessing it's there.  On the pages, between the pages.  This Love that I've mentioned.  Compelling. Convincing.  Amazing. Crazy.  What happens when Love says yes?  Well,  I hope I've given you a glimpse.   The folks of CBChurch said yes, and I will never be able to repay them; except to stop and give Glory to the God who has given that COMPELLING Love for us all.

______________________

I realize now  how late and out of date these words might seem and I probably should have shared these thank yous and  sentiments earlier, but the leading didn't come until today.  Maybe someone just needed this today.  I hope so.  

Tuesdays Together

Welcome to Tuesdays Together in the Word.  We are a group reading the bible together and sharing each week the nuggets that the Lord's Word has left with us.  Join in with us, wherever you are.  Please  visit DeeDee for more Tuesday Together posts.

In my reading this week,  I wanted to linger a bit in Psalms and Proverbs.  In Psalm 39,40, and 41  I  could really sense David's despair and his frustration.  His awareness of his own inadequacy  is overwhelming here.  There are scourges and weeping, wicked enemies, and slimy muddy pits.  There is shame and foolishness.  There is slander and betrayal.   Then, Here comes the best part.  David exalts the Lord. 

2) He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;  he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

3) He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

4) Many, O lord my God, are the wonders you have done.  The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

In Proverbs 10 there is reassurance for those who trust in the Lord.

24)What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.

25)When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

All through the reading I imagined David and his despair and then his freedom.  I was reminded of a scene in a movie that so impressed me that I openly wept in the theater.  The scene is from a Lord of The Ring's movie.  I went to see all three in the theaters when they were released.  The scene I thought of this week involved the great trees with their strong roots.  A  flood of rushing water comes to "wash away" the underworld that has been created and where an oppressive evil army is born and prepares for battle.   The waters rush over the land and over the edge into the pit and you see the trees clinging to stand firm.  All around them is destruction.   The trees do stand, because they are the only ones with roots deep and strong enough to withstand such a destructive force.  My emotions at this point in the movie just overwhelmed me and I cried.  As the great rushing waters leveled the playing field, I could not help but get emotional.  The symbolism was not lost on me. 

Are you planted firmly on the right foundation?  If you are, do you strengthen your roots through His word? Do you trust in the ONE whose wonders are "too many to declare"?  I surely hope so.  When Christ died for us, he secured our place in eternity.  Once we belong to Him, we cannot be pulled from him.  

Prov 10:30 The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

2Tim.2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his...

Psalm41:13  Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

A Funny Thing happened....

A funny thing happened to me last week.  I was on my way to church last Sunday morning and I had to stop at the store to pick up some nursery supplies.  My husband drove and chose to wait out in the car with the baby.  It took me a few minutes to locate what I needed.  I am not familiar with this particular store.  I paid the cashier and with my mind on other things I headed back out to the car.

Some of you will relate to what happened next.  You know those moments of split second registration?  Those moments when you realize that you have made a big mistake?

I opened the car door and with my bags in the air ready to put in the floorboard, I registered that this was not my seat and that was not my catfood, and more importantly the man smoking the cigarette behind the wheel was not my husband!!!!  He was looking at me rather funny.......I was looking at him rather surprised,   and just as quickly as I had opened the door, I said "OH, I'm so sorry" and I shut the door.  

I was laughing so hard by the time I crossed the parking lot and got into the IDENTICAL car that really was mine, I was unable to tell my husband what had happened.  I heard the stranger man laughing and he waved as he drove off.  I waved back.  We are bonded now you know!  I'm sure he had a good story to tell to folks the rest of the day!!

I quit laughing and crying long enough to explain why that stranger man was laughing and waving at us.  Husband and I, we laughed all the way to church and my mascara was completely gone by the time we arrived.   

 So many times this week I have thought about the looks on our faces as we realized  what was happening.  It has brought me many a merry moment!   I hope we both learned something from the whole experience........ he might lock his car door next time, and I might pay more attention to the direction in which I am parked!!  Note to self.......

I just thought I would share.  I hope this brought you a bit of laughter in your day.......even if it is at my expense!!  

I was running.....

Well, here we are.  Sweaty and red faced.  I posted previously that I was in training for my first ever 5k, and although our time was not exactly stellar, it was pretty good for first timers.  We finished together at exactly 0:47:06. Keep in mind that my training never went past 2 miles and most of my training in the last 3 weeks had been railroaded. 

 I am sure that the temperature was the highest we have experienced so far this year.  We were told to expect the 80's, but out on that pavement, it surely felt like the 90's.  The course was a nice, relatively flat course, not many slopes.  At mile 2 and 3 there were large signs marking our progress and from the 3rd mile marker, you could see the finish line!!  I was ever so happy to see marker #2 and even more overjoyed when I could see the finish line in the distance!!

My friend Kelly made the run more worthwhile, and frankly If she had not been there I probably would have just walked the whole last mile.  If I had run the race alone with just me and my ipod, I am confident that the end result would have been different.  There is spiritual significance here. 

 Although, we have divinely been given a race to run, there always is and was someone else who is running a similar race.  There will always be someone else who "understands" your circumstance.    There is a reason that scripture supports fellowship, both fellowship with other believers and with Christ.  During the 5k, there was certainly some pain, but there was more importantly sweet fellowship and support........it was a good run.

Please be watching for a post from Kelly.  She has a great blog with lots of insight and some funny stories.   You can find her on my sidebar at 'Where's the Beef?'.

Walk, run, walk, run.......

I have been on a short  computer break.  Except for basic emails, I have avoided all things computer.  For the past three weeks, my household has been plagued by illness.  Rhinovirus, sinus infections, DOUBLE ear infections, bronchitis,  fevers, fatigue etc.  We are all three now on antibiotics. 

I feel better.  The baby is better.  Now my hubby is sick.  He went off to drill this past weekend, and of course came home ill.  

As I reflect on the last few weeks, I feel rather manic. I have roller coasted all over the spectrum.   I have been distracted,  flaky, dazed, irritable, even dizzy.  I have been chilled and sweaty.  I have been nauseated(antibiotic) and starving.   My recliner is worn where I feel like I atrophied away. I did lose a few pounds.  Chores were skipped.  Naps were plentiful.  Yesterday, I was finally energized enough to clean.  And clean I did!  Furiously! I'm still cleaning today.  Like I said, very manic.  

I even went running today, sorta......My first 5k is coming up this Saturday.  FIRST ever.  I have been training for this run since January. Obviously I haven't been running in three weeks.   I have started over on the training at least three times.  Illness, travel, weather.....those are all my excuses.  While sitting in my recliner with my big blanket watching my muscles disappear , it was easy to be discouraged by the turn of events.  So easy in fact, that I briefly entertained the idea to skip the run and just waste my $25 that I already paid.  What?!!  I couldn't do that!!   Could I? Of course not!!

I say all this (whine and cheese), in order to say, that while I was sick, I was thinking.  I'm always thinking.  I was thinking about Paul in prison, about the disciples in the days after Jesus was crucified, about the conditions they must have lived in.  I was thinking about their "races". I was thinking about Moses.  I was thinking about perseverance even when you know how the race is going to end.  I was thinking about my running water and my fridge and  my modern day conveniences.  I was even thinking about the miracle of antibiotics.  Does any of this make any sense?  I don't know, But I will finish the race.  I will find joy in the running.  I will be thankful for my circumstances.  I will walk a little, run a little, walk, run, walk, run........all the way to the end.  I will finish and when my race is completed, I will be different.  

Easter thoughts...

This perhaps was one of the oddest Easter Weekends.  Saturday felt like Sunday.  We went to church for a youth pancake breakfast (fundraiser) and an egg hunt.  The rest of the day I was plagued with the urgent need to take a nap (or naps), which I usually reserve for Sunday afternoon.  The cubs have started their baseball season, so you can guess what channel our tv stayed on all weekend!!  I love to watch Cubs baseball, but the drone of the crowd puts me out! Perfect napping conditions....

On Sunday, the baby had a fever that I thought we were finished with!!  It is not wise to close up a child in a nursery with a fever and lots of other little children, so I left my husband at home with the baby  and attended Sunday Easter service  on my own.  I also had some nursery duties to take care of.  During my 30 minute drive, I listened to worship music and praised the Lord for what Easter really means.  I enjoyed my ride alone in the car, and the springtime scenery along the way.  I thought about the cross, and about my savior and what must His scenery have looked like.  This is all in sharp contrast to the phone calls my husband was getting all weekend.  I don't like it when he is on call.  There is "lostness"  behind these calls.  The phone rings at  strange hours and it is usually not good.  There is sleep lost and then usually a discussion about people who can't be nice to one another.  About the evil that exists just over the hill so to speak, and about how law enforcement and others who work the long night hours even on Easter weekend.  My husband appreciates these guys on the frontline.  They usually go without thanks and they miss out on time with their families.   I mean really, is it wise to commit crimes on a holiday? 

 

 Lostness.....it is the reason Jesus came afterall.  It is the reason for the cross.  Do the prayers I utter for the families behind these phone calls really help?  Although at times the task at hand seems despairingly without hope,  I know different.  I know that lostness is conquered one heart at a time.  I know Jesus came for all of us and I know that I  have a job to do.  

So, I enjoyed my drive home alone and I thought about all the folks at church honoring the Lord with their Easter finery and the beautiful music and about the folks who went down front after the sermon for a profession of faith and baptism!  I thought about how the Holy Spirit stirs around the room in ways I can't even imagine, amongst hearts and heads, and how even my few tired thoughts of despair for the lost cannot stop His power.  I know that there were distracted hearts there yesterday who most likely did not hear anything, but I also know that there were a few, including my own, who sat humbled at the foot of the cross, even for just a moment. 

He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

Tuesdays Together

Welcome to Tuesdays Together in the Word.  We are a group reading the bible together and sharing each week the nuggets that the Lord's Word has left with us.  Join in with us, wherever you are.  Please  visit DeeDee for more Tuesday Together posts!!

I felt as if I was visiting with an old familiar friend while reading the Psalms from our reading list.   It has only been a month since I posted about a heartfelt step into Psalm 34.  A few of you have read it, but if you have not and wish to take a quick peek, please visit here.

Recycling is always good, but I wanted to share something new from this week as well. It is from Mark chapter 3.

Verses 1-6

 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.  Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.  Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."  Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?  But they remained silent.  

He (Jesus) looked around at them in anger and , deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."  He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.  

Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

We don't pay much attention to this man mentioned here.  This man with the shriveled hand.  Who was he?  He braved the crowds and went to the synagogue.  Did he go there to wait on Jesus?  Scripture just says he was just "there".  Had he heard all the stories about this man called Jesus?   What must it have been like to witness Jesus, the SON of God looking around in "anger" and "distress"?  And then to have him tell YOU to "stand up" and make a point to the stubborn Pharisees using your ailment?  Whoa!!  When angry Jesus tells you to "stretch out your hand" you had better stretch out your hand!!  But then there IS an implied faith here.  He stretched out his hand on the Sabbath because there was authority in the voice that told him to do so, the voice that heals.  He stretched out his hand because he was incomplete.  He stretched out his hand because he BELIEVED that Jesus could help him, even if it meant being on the Pharisees list.  He stretched out his hand in obedience and HOPE.  It was HIS moment, and in that moment, that singular moment,  there can be found a life-changing obedience, hope, and restoration!  As far as I know, we don't hear anything else about this man with the shriveled up hand.  Did he take his restored hand out into the world and proclaim the good news?  I hope so.  He really makes me think......  Did you notice that the scripture never even mentions Jesus physically touching the man? We assume that he did, but could it have been even simpler than that?   When was the last time you stood up, stretched out, obeyed and experienced life changing Jesus?  .........just something to chew on......I know I need to......

Thankful Thursday

I'm not feeling well.  I thought I was fighting off a sinus infection, but when I woke up this morning at 3 am with a fever of 103, I was convinced I had the flu.  I haven't had the flu in a decade or so.  I'm a nurse, so my immune system is rock solid!! :)  Anyway, now that my eyes are uncrossing (from the headache) and I'm feeling some better, I thought I would post a little thankfulness.  I'm still not sure if it's the flu or not, might be a rhinovirus, but it definitely seems to be viral--you know how we nurses are about diagnosing ourselves!lol

I am thankful for....

...being forced to slow down a bit.  I really needed it.

...managers who care about me and understand when I call in sick, which I rarely ever do.

...the small burst of "feel better" that allowed me to get a load in the washer and the bed made.

...a sweet hubby who took care of the baby all by himself this morning.

...for simple things like naps, tylenol, zyrtecD, sprite, gatorade, a big blanket, and  Cosby Show reruns!!

...for my Lord and Savior, who heals the sick (Mark 2- my scripture reading for today)

...for the GOOD news we received while having our taxes done this week.  Amazing!

...for answers to prayers!!

AMEN

May you find yourself thankful for the simple things, and the amazing ones as well!!

For more TT posts, visit Laurie

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesdays Together

Welcome to Tuesdays Together in the Word.  We are a group reading the bible together and sharing each week the nuggets that the Lord's Word has left with us.  Join in with us, wherever you are.  And visit DeeDee for more Tuesdays Together!!

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Before I share my thoughts on our reading, I first must apoplogize to the Tuesday crew if I have misled you in any way.  From your sweet comments last week I realized that some of you might be under the impression that my husband is STILL deployed.  He's not, he is safely home.  Praise the Lord!!  I am just slow in the sharing.  I have blogged some about the homecoming in a previous post.  He came home in November and things are finally getting back to normal around here (sorta).  "This time last year" is my favorite phrase right now.  I'm still standing in awe of the enormous journey that I traveled.  Yesterday marked a painful one year anniversary- My husband left on March 30th after spending only 6 days with his newborn son.  But, like I pointed out, he's home now and I am different.  And I will continue to share bits of this journey as the Lord leads.  OK, now on to Tuesday.....

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Although I enjoyed reading Philemon and Titus, I need to go the Psalms again.  It's just that kind of season, for lack of a better explanation....

Psalm 32

8-I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you.

9-Do not be like the horse or the mule, 

which have no understanding but must be controlled 

by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

I laughed when I read that,  Did God's word just tell me..."Don't be a dumb stubborn mule" ?  Yes!! I think HE did!  I guess we all have seasons of stubborness and "lack of understanding".  This world really wants to lead us mindlessly around by a bit and bridle so to speak, when all along there is a book lying on our tables that gives us the PROPER  counsel  and instruction, and I do mean God's Word.   There is freedom in THAT instruction.  No bits, No bridles. 

Then we move on to the next verses:

10-Many are the woes of the wicked,

 but the LORD'S unfailing love surrounds

the man who trusts in him.

11-Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;

sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Isn't it comforting to know that when you are surrounded by a wicked, bit, and bridled kind of world, that you who trust in HIM are  SURROUNDED by UNFAILING love?  Did you catch that?  Unfailing.  and Surrounded.  Our world will fail us.  Job's world failed him.  He came out okay in the end, I'm sure he was different on the inside,  but the Lord was not.  Unfailing, steadfast, unchanged.  We know this.  Now that IS something to sing about!!  And the watching over you part in verse 8?  Can't let that be missed either.

I can't tell you how many times over the past year, when I really wanted to rejoice.  I wanted to sing (vs11) I did,  but friend I was weary. I'm being honest.  Singing did not happen every day, let me tell you.  Wasn't it enough just to trust and be carried by his unfailing love?  Wasn't it enough to just put on my big girl undies every livin' day, work hard,  and just trust?  Your heart knows what it knows but somedays the singing just did not want to come despite itself.  Despite it's stubborn mule self................

 Glad that is soooo last year....(insert chuckle here).

Tuesdays Together

Welcome to Tuesdays Together in the Word.  We are a group reading the bible together and sharing each week, what the Lord's Word has left with us.   Join in with us, wherever you are.

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I cannot let this Tuesday Together pass by without sharing some thoughts from the Psalms.  As I have mentioned before in a previous post, I promised to share some about this past year.  I cannot read these Psalms from our list without thinking about my journey through new motherhood and deployment. Psalms like these carried me through.  I cannot read these Psalms without my heart being stirred.

Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation,

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life,

of whom shall I be afraid?

3Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me, 

even then will I be confident.

5 For in the day of trouble 

he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle

and set me high upon a rock.

13 I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

There are more than a few folks out there in this world who know what it is like to go to bed at night wondering if they will wake up a widow.  Knowing that you very well could and trusting that you won't....... This is the war of the spouse left behind during  a deployment, during a time of war.  It is a battle on the insides of her head and heart.  I don't pretend to think that I am the only person to ever have their Marine go off into harms way.  Many wives have done this before me and more still will travel this journey in the years to come.  Often it was the knowing that got me through an hour- knowing that someone always has it worse and knowing that my blessings are plentiful.  Knowing that God and I were okay before my husband came along and would be still even if.........

Often, in the late hours, when the baby was down for the night, the pumping was still to be done, the bottles and accessories still to be washed, and all the other "stills" that occur when you are running a household by yourself.......I would talk out my cries of the heart and my Psalms would frequently sound a  bit like this:

The Lord is my light, is my strength, is my salvation.

Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear?

Of Whom shall I be afraid?

Not these thoughts, certainly not tomorrow.

If HE is for me, Who then can be against me?

Though my aloneness bears down upon me,

He shelters me

I am confident in the Lord's tomorrow,

This too shall pass, This too shall pass!!

Although my weariness is heavy,

I SEE the Lord's goodness and I am strengthened.

I count my blessings and am uplifted.

Take heart, have courage, wait upon the Lord!

have courage, have courage!

Of Whom shall I be afraid?

Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear?

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!!

Amen

May my mutterings bring you encouragement, wherever your journey may be taking you today!!  

For more Tuesdays Together in the Word, visit DeeDee.

Manic Monday?

Whew!  I am so overwhelmed!  I've been packing and traveling and repacking and coming home and now that I have my house to myself,  I am catching up on some bloggy stuff.  I missed the block party on Friday, I can't believe I did that!!  Okay, yes I can, the way my brain has been working lately, I'm not surprised that I missed it!   And then there is the Getting to know you deal and I just spent 30 minutes looking at some blogs that are new to me!  Such fun!

Last week when I was computerless, I spent a lot of time thinking about God's plan or "destinies".  It is a topic that has come up often over the last 6 months. That is not an accident. Now, we (ladies at church) are doing Beth Moore's Study on Esther.  Destiny is all over that study!!  ANd I have cried every week so far.  I highly recommend this study if you ever have the opportunity to participate!!   

Sometimes the enormity of it all just brings me to my knees!!  "It" being God's plan, or moment, or  grace, or trial, or fill in the blank with anything that pertains to that which we do not know or understand just yet.

This time last year, I was preparing for the birth of my son.  I was picking up my husband from the airport for a long Easter Weekend.  He was in California, getting ready to deploy to Iraq, trying to get a plane out the Friday before Easter. ( Why was Easter in March last year?)  I had Braxton Hicks contractions all the way out to the Birmingham airport.  If not for the other officers, my husband would have been on the advanced party and would have missed the birth entirely.  Tomorrow on the 24th, our son turns one.  I can't help but wonder what destiny holds in store for this precious child.  What does the story God's written  for him look like?

For more about the ironies of God's plan, you can visit Melanie as she studies the book of Ruth.  Her post for today really stirred my heart.  I wonder if King David ever really read their story?

Just for Fun Friday

I just wanted to share a blog that some of you out there might like to look into.  My friend Jason and his precious wife Terri are very experienced at adoption and now.....deployments!  Two huge subjects!

Please remember them all in prayer when you can,  as Jason has deployed (again)!!

I recently learned that Terri is a talented seamstress!!   If any of you should have a notion to see some of her goods, you can visit their blog and scroll down to see some of the bags and such that she creates.   Have fun!  Oh, and she did give me permission to blog and link....