Christmas Memories

My favorite childhood memory of Christmas was going home to Denver to see ALL the family. Since we lived so far away that was the only time we could spend with all the cousins and my grandparents. They would set up long tables in the basement and we would all gather round and eat, talk, laugh and my uncles would always play tricks on all of us. Before that we would spend the days prior to Christmas at my grandparents ceramic shop, painting and helping grandpa pour slip into the molds. I guess that is where my love for arts & crafts began.

As an adult there are so many great memories with my children. . .but last year was the first with my grandson! He was not old enough to enjoy it, but we had alot of fun. It was a very simple Christmas, we scaled back and just enjoyed being together. This year we are headed to my husbands family in Mississippi! If it is one thing they know how to do there it is have huge family gatherings during Christmas. He comes from a very small town up there and so we will be very busy seeing everyone.

I love Christmas. . .it seems as though everything takes on a magical feeling with all of the christmas lights and music. What does it matter if they say in the stores "happy holidays" or "Festivus for the restofus" (sienfeld episode)- As long as we know and are passing on the real meaning with our children and friends. . .that is how it will stay the focus of the holidays. Protesting has never softened a heart. . .Christ love does that!

Coming home. . .

They say you can never go back. . .

I say it is wonderful to go back home. . .

Spent 2 days at 2 of our former churches this weekend. What a joy to be able to go back and see such special friends and basically family.

Was able to see one of "My Girls" get married to a wonderful young man and continue their road into ministry together.

Was able to spend time with one of my dearest friends, just picking up where we left off and seeming like we haven't been apart. Time flies so fast . . . her girls are growing like weeds, each with their own personalities. She is a true friend.

Witnessed my daughter join a church with her boyfriend & without me. That is hard and joyful all at the same time. Cool part is, it is at our first church we were on staff at. Felt like I was back at home with my family, visiting there. What wonderful people they are. Just a group of people who love God and are living life in community with each other. I am glad Linsey and Keith are going to be a part of that family. They all seem to be thrilled to have them there. What a genuine group of believers.

I am spending a few days with Linsey. I love how our relationship has grown and is becoming a friendship. She is so special to me and such a wonderful young woman. I will treasure this time for I know it will be changing soon. As hard as it is to see your kids grow up and move on, it is such a joy to see God working in their lives and see them become adults. It is different but fun.

I miss my son. I am so joyful knowing he is happy and learning to be a husband and father. But, I miss him coming and sitting down and just talking about life with me. I treasure those moments we had. . .I look forward to more down the road.

Coming home. . .around the holidays that is alot of fun to do. Get back in touch with family and friends and enjoy being together. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season!

I am Thankful!

I love the holidays! Everything seems to take on an excitement - the briskness in the air (Ah, yes even down here in S FL!). . . Poeple tend to be more joyful. . .families getting together. . .I am sitting here awaiting the arrival of my family, tomorrow night. It will be good to have them all pile in here and spend some time with us.

I love to cook and have all those smells roaming through the house. That is one of the joys I have - having my family looking forward to the meal. It's fun.

I am so thankful for so many things, but mostly for my wonderful husband, Jeff! Who thankfully isn't going anywhere, anytime soon. I love him so much! He is my best friend, my own personal comedian, my encourager, the one I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with, we have made it through almost 25 years and I am looking forward to the next 25.

Funny how when you get married you believe your life will be complete when you have your kids. . .and they are a wonderful part of marriage. But, I don't think we ever stop to consider that the time you spend raising them is not very long (looking back of course). That there is life after they are grown and living their own lives! We are coming out of that phase of 'wondering how we got here and what do we do now?"

I am so excited about the rest of our lives! We plan to enjoy ourselves, do things we have always wanted to do, go and see things and places of interest, play with our grandkids as much as we can, live life to the fullest. But most of all we plan to spend this time doing whatever it is God wants us to do. Not caring what anyone else thinks about how much we move or anything like that. Just wanting to please Him and make Him known.

What is down the road? we do not exactly know, but we are confident in Who is guiding us there. "We aint Skeered!" as Jeff would say!

Answered Prayer

I was told when my children were young to start praying for their future spouses. I have done that through the years and have actually looked forward to the day I would get to meet them.

There has been one answer to my prayers already - my daughter-in-law is a wonderful young woman who loves the Lord and is such a wonderful life-mate for my son! It has been a joy to watch them grow in their marriage and come together after being apart while TJ was in Iraq. What a blessing to see them start their family and begin the rearing of our precious grandson.

My cup was near full the day they wed.

My daughter's future has been a praying challenge! She has her father's spirit and my heart. She is such a wonderful, independant (in her own way), young woman and I am so thankful for her. My heart always hurt for her, knowing she wanted someone to love and to love her (besides us), but not finding it. Until now. . . She is head over heels in love, with a wonderful young man. I have never seen her glow like she does now. The change in her is amazing and heart warming.

Her father is having trouble with this - (if you have ever watched "Father of the Bride" you know why) She is still 'his' little girl that climbs up in his lap and says "Oooh wee!" (her version of I love you!) She is not the beautiful young woman she has come to be, to him. He still sees her in her puppy dog tails and Osh-Kosh out fits, playing dress-up, singing & quoting verbatim the movie 'Cinderella'. The one who gave him a "sugar spot" in his beard from kissing him so often. It's amazing she still has eyelashes from all of the butterfly kisses she has given.

Change is hard. . .but change is good! God answers prayers in His timing and in His way! I am so glad He knows best!!!! He has blessed me with so much!

"My cup runneth over!"

Blessings and Best friends!

Sometimes we expect it all to be sunshine and roses. . .I like this little poem, it takes the not so good to appreciate the good. There are times in our lives we need to take a step back and see ALL that God has given to us and how blessed we are!

Coming up on 25 years of marriage, I look back and realize the bad times helped the good times seem that much better! I would not be who I am if I hadn't been through all that happened. . .

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Step back. . .open your heart and mind. . .and notice all the blessings along the way, give your appreciation to God for His wonderful care and faithfulness! Then share them with someone who needs encouragement!

As a friend of mine recalled about my husband and the extrodinary changes in his life in the past 25 years. . .it is truly amazing he is where he is today!

Thanks, Cheri for reminding me of one of the biggest blessings I have recieved! You are so special and one of my dearest friends! We have an enduring friendship . . .another of my wonderful blessing! I love you, my sister & friend!

How is this photo for a BLAST FROM THE PAST!!!!

Chili Cookoff!

A friend sent this to me - thought it was worth publishing!

Time for a good laugh...
Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better.
For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know how true this is. They actually have a chili cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the San Antonio city park.
The notes are from an inexperienced chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL.

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cooking contest. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the
other two judges (native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and,besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted."
Here are the scorecards from the event: (Frank is Judge #3)

Chili # 1 Eddie's Maniac Monster Chili...
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 -- (Frank) What the hell is this stuff?! You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put out the flames. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy!

Chili # 2 Austin's Afterburner Chili...
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor; needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when
they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3 Ronny's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili...
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans.
Judge # 2 -- A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is
in the front part of my chest. I'm getting pie-eyed from all of the beer...

Chili # 4 Dave's Black Magic...
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish, or other mild foods; not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-lb. woman is starting to look HOT...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5 Lisa's Legal Lip Remover...
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead, and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.

Chili # 6 Pam's Very Vegetarian Variety...
Judge # 1 -- Thin, yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. I pooped on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair! No one seems inclined to stand behind me anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snow cone.

Chili # 7 Carla's Screaming Sensation Chili...
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 -- Ho-hum; tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress, as he is cursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt.
At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop reathing; it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8 Karen's Toenail Curling Chili...
Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold, but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild,nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge # 3 farted, passed out, fell over, and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor fella, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?

Technology In our lifetime. . .

Heard a thought provoking question today:

What advancement in technology, world event or some other occurence has happened during your lifetime that you would have never imagined (.i.e Berlin Wall coming down, DVD's, podcasting, hand-held pda's, AIDS, two bushes in the whitehouse, etc.)

The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1987.
They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.
The CD was introduced the year they were born.
They have always had an answering machine.
They have always had cable.
They cannot fathom not having a remote control.
Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show.
Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.
They have never taken a swim and thought about Jaws.
They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are.
They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.
They never heard: "Where's the Beef?", "I'd walk a mile for a Camel", or "de plane, Boss, de plane".
They do not care who shot J. R., and have no idea even who J. R. is.
McDonald's never came in Styrofoam containers.
They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.

My Response to this is:
Wireless technology! That is still amazing to me. Getting better all the time.
I remember when we first heard about fax machines in '79-'80. . . We were in awe of that technology and that is nearly obsolete!
Remember when push button (corded) phones were new? I saw an old TV show where they were using the 'dial'. . .that would drive me crazy today!
My Dad worked for IBM & he was on the design team of the first ATM Machine so we got to play with the first ATM prototype, when I was, I guess, in Elem. school.

Now if we could just come up with a way to magically get laundry done!

How about you???

Life Change

Just spent the weekend with my daughter @ college. I sure have missed her! Met the new guy in her life. Coming into that was rather strange. . .someone my daughter cares for that I don't know. Poor guy was so nervous. He is a real nice guy. . .I love seeing her happy. She has friends to hang out with now and people that are CRAZY to keep her laughing! I enjoyed meeting all of them and seeing some I haven't seen in awhile.

It was a good visit, not long enough, but the drive was!!

It's good to be back home. Home to me is wherever my husband is. He is my best friend and my own personal comedian! He makes me laugh. . .along with him and sometimes at myself. . .I need that. I believe laughter is what keeps a marriage together. If you can't laugh, that is a very sad existence. We could be in a huge fight and he will say or do something to make us both laugh and not blow it out fo proportion.

Life is good. Even when it changes. the adjustment is hard, but you find your way. We are going to enjoy this change of life and do what we should have done when we were first married. REALLY LIVE!

Hurricane Katrina

Our prayers are with those up in the area Katrina is heading. How ominous this storm seems. My heart is heavy knowing what hurricanes can do. We have loved ones in the path and just out of range of the path. Worse yet, would be facing that storm without the hope of Jesus Christ! The promise of His presence and love in the midst of the storms of life.

I pray that through the hard times of your life you would seek the only One who can bring you peace and help. Jesus. . .He is not Who the religious nuts of our day or days past say He is. He is not aloof to those in trouble or pious in the face of someone who has messed up. He was, and is, the One that hung out with the poor, hurting and greiving. . .the tax collector, the prostitute, the homosexual, heterosexual, drug addict, depressed and lonely. . . and He comforted them gave them hope and the "Living Water" that quenches the thirst that you can find no relief from any place else! He is unconditional Love!

Actually the people He became most angry with were the Pharisees. . . the religious people of that day that only cared about how they looked and what people thought of them and obeying the rules. . .Jesus says in the Bible. . You can know all sorts of information and obey all kinds of rules, but if you don't show love to others, it is worthless. . .(my translation).

So, may you find the love of the One who created you, that loves you just as you are right now! He is a whisper away if you truely seek Him!

Hebrews 11:6 says "Without faith it is impossible to please Him; For those who come to Him must believe that He exists and He is a rewarder of those who truely seek Him."

The Twilight Zone

Time is one of those things you really never pay attention to until you are older. I never thought of time as a teenager or young adult. Now at 40+ and a grandmother of the greatest grandson EVER! ;o) I feel like we are in fast-forward mode.

My daughter is back in college, my son is in Iraq, my daughter-in-law & grandson move back home next week to await the arrival of TJ home! That will be a wonderful day. How we all have missed him, but none more than Tara. She is a strong and wonderful young woman. I am so glad God gave us such a wonderful addition to our family. I miss them already.

We are empty nesting now, again!

It is true what they say "they always come back home!". . . Our daughter has come back & left 3 times! She is going to become a teacher. She will be a great one. She loves kids and spending time with them. I am so proud of her. I miss her.

I have been in the twilight zone as of late. It's strange how you can be right in the midst of this close, intimate relationship with Christ and then you wake up and find it has been 6 months since your last encounter with Him! I am unsure of what happened. But here I am at the threshold of beginning again. . .turning around and finding Him there patiently waiting. . . crazy thing is I haven't been doing anything bad. . .just haven't been doing anything!

So today starts another trail back to where I should have always been. I would hate to see my journey as a topical map. I think you would get very dizzy tracing all of the rabbit trails I have taken as I jump off the straight and narrow to the woods of complacency. Normally that is where I jump to. Not jumping headlong into sin. . .just not desiring time with the Father or study time. Just Not. . .

We attended Life Groups and Church Services yesterday and it felt so good to talk about serving and ministering to others. It was great to see poeple excited about God and being there together. I miss spending time with the youth girls we used to have in our home for Bible studies and gatherings. That was when I was most fulfilled, being able to share in the lives of others and learn and grow together.

Here we come out of the twilight zone, into a place where people matter. Not just "Christian people" but all people.