Choose JOY

Real Love

2012-01-13T08:33:00.001-08:00

CAN NOT STAND this one! I am not sure why I do this, but I have been following the journey of a precious little boy and his wonderful, loving mama. She showers this little precious boy with REAL LOVE.

In his Mama Courtney's words:

"Tripp was born on May 14, 2009. He was diagnosed with a rare genetic skin disease called "EB." Any type of friction on his skin or mucous membranes causes blisters. They told us he would not live to be a year old. Every day he amazes us by his strength. He is a fighter and with all he has been through, he has never given up. He is the strongest person I know. Tripp wakes up each morning with a smile on his face. Every day spent with him is a blessing. God has a special plan for him. I'm just blessed to be able to witness that plan."
In another post, she writes:

"What gets me through each and every day is that one line from the poem "The Brave Little Soul": "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength." I have to trust that God is with him and that He is helping him bear this tremendous amount of pain, because I don't know how any child could possibly be this strong all alone. I talk with him every night... about God, about heaven, and about how Mommy will be okay (one day) if he is too tired and ready to go home to heaven.

But this kid is a fighter. Sometimes I just wish he wasn't so strong. My heart is aching for him to have some peace, however that my be."

and then, she shares this passage with us.....

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

-Revelation 21:4

I have followed his story and prayed for him and his mama and his grandparents as they struggle with his disease called Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa. He faces a life of painful blisters, hair, nail, and major teeth issues, as well as the possibility of respiratory involvement.

Junctional Herlitz EB is a very severe form of EB. These infants often die during infancy due to overwhelming infection (sepsis), malnutrition, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance or complications resulting from blistering in the respiratory, gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract. Blistering is usually present at birth, however, there have been instances of infants being discharged to home, with a small blister on the finger or lip. After they are home, the blistering becomes more apparent warranting a visit to the physician. Skin blistering and ulcerations can occur spontaneously on the arms, hands, finger tips, back of the head, neck, shoulders, trunk, buttocks, legs and feet and toes (generalized distribution). Nails may be ulcerated or dystrophic. Warmer climates can exacerbate blistering. Blistering is noted on perioral (around the mouth) and mucosal surfaces as well. Oral lesions may affect eating causing weight loss.

Generalized blistering and mucosal involvement may be evident at birth or soon after. Blistering may be mild to severe. Erosions on finger and toenails, nail dystrophy or absence of nails may be evident. Erosions and loss of hair (alopecia) upon the scalp may occur. Granulation tissue around mouth and nares may be seen. There may be some scarring and thinning of the skin on affected areas (atrophic scarring).

The Mama

2012-01-10T22:59:00.000-08:00

I recently began my practice schedule for an upcoming musical.....Fiddler on the Roof. I am proud to say, I am a Mama... If you know Fiddler and you know the song, "Tradition", I will proudly blast the fact that I am one of the Mamas over and over and over! While I am "practicing" to be a Mama on the stage, I am a true Mama in real life, loving my children AND my grandchildren more than I can possibly put into words. I also am in "the club" as my friend Suzie calls it....the club of those who have had to say "see ya' later" to our Moms and wait, not always so patiently, until the day when we will see them again. It is not a fun club to be in. It is not a club we enter by choice. If we had anything to say about it, we would like to stay OUT of the club for as long as possible. God knows a different plan, for me, for Suzie, for Mary, for Janet, for Connie, for my brothers, Nick, Mike, Pat and Tom, for my sisters, Linda, Susie, Ginny and Kristy, and for all of us who are here, just waiting....

This week, Julie and her 8 brothers and sisters joined our club. I traveled up the interstate to hug Julie, to cry with her and to help her through on this terrible journey. I have taken the liberty to pirate a few of the quotes written on Julie's facebook page. The FIRST one is actually written BY Julie. She is amazing! Also, today is her Birthday, and since it is blasted all over the internet, I will say, her 43rd birthday. She looks amazing, and IS amazing and I am SOOO blessed to call her my friend. I will help her though the club initiation, I will listen, I will talk, I will hug and I will cry with her, and help her ease into the journey as we make our way to the day when we will be together with our loved ones again. "I Can Only Imagine"......

At last, my Mom is HEALED... at home with Jesus, never to suffer cancer again... no more pain, no more walker, no more pain meds, no more glasses or magnifiers, no more suffering. Rejoicing for her, but missing her so already -Julie

The following were copied from facebook. Sorry to not give credit to who wrote them, but really, it does not matter. It is about Julie and her Mama..............

* I know your mom fought cancer for a long time and now she can live without pain with Jesus. I can't imagine your pain-praying for you and for all your family. I know it will be a tough birthday-but praise God you had 43 years with a wonderful mom!

*Your mother was a wonderful lady. So many laughs with her. We are thinking of you and your family during this time as we celebrate her life.

*Hope you feel my hugs surrounding you as you continue on your journey this week.

*Oh Julie...I agree with your words totally! Know that you and your family are on my prayer list...moms are pretty special people in our lives...here's a big hug!

*We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. What a beautiful tribute you wrote. Sending you Angels, love, and hugs!

*Watching someone fight the battle with Cancer is not easy but the end result is bittersweet as she is no longer suffering from that evil desease instead she is at home in peace and knowing that will help you find comfort when you find yourself missing her.. She was a wonderful person and will be missed.

*I know the day is bitter-sweet for you, missing have your mom here to give you good wishes face-to-face but also rejoicing that she is at peace & going to her eternal Home, she is present in your heart today, wishing you all the best for a great 43rd year of celebrating life!

*Julie your mother had a beautiful smile. Thanks for sharing her obituary with all of us. Can see her passion and love for life through you and her grandchildren. What a wonderful legacy she has left. Love you and praying for all of you. :):)

*A twinkle in her eye, and a smile on her face! What a great picture,.. and a very precious memory.

*Good night my friend. I am so glad you are in my life....love you! I don't know what I would do without you!!! So happy to have friends to lean on....I will think of you without ceasing tomorrow as you celebrate your mama!

It is me again, the Choose Joy girl, crying in my soup, missing my own mama. After I posted this, I looked at the blog and right below THIS post, Blogspot magically linked it to a post about my brothers and sisters AND my beautiful mama! Amazing how things work!!! And then, just to see if it worked every time so YOU could see it, I tried again, and POOF!!! The link is gone. No worries, I usually always have something sappy to link to if that is your wish. I really don't NEED a link to think of mom. I can come up with a thought, a quote, a laugh, a memory, a hug, a time with mom at any moment. That's the beauty....they are not gone, they are just away, waiting for us. Out of sight, but never, never, never out of mind. Love you forever Mama!!!

Lesson from Noah

2012-01-07T15:16:00.000-08:00

Things we learn from Noah's Ark:

One: Don't miss the boat.
Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six: Build your future on high ground.

Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were onboard with the cheetahs.

Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.
Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting

Sing and Rejoice!

2011-12-24T12:37:00.000-08:00

Sing and rejoice. A Child is born!

Last year, we had a very, very white Christmas. This year.....brown. It really does not matter. Our family is together, we are healthy and well, we have food on the table, cars to drive, a good job, beautiful children and grandchildren.....and Jesus was born JUST FOR ME!!! Wishing all of you the most wonderful Christmas and blessings in the new year!

Life in Vivid Color

2011-12-02T15:12:00.001-08:00

I found a wonderful visual picture of what my brain is doing-----somewhat looks like exploding in vivid color!!!

I want to paint on leaves......

I want to spend time and enjoy my grandbabies!

I really want to stop and smell the flowers.

I want to make this....oh, wait!! I did!

I also made this "pear" book!!!!

I want to make pictures out of tiny pictures!

I want to paint on stones!

I want to paint on old book pages!

I want to make these keychains!

I want to make a book like this!

I want to make a bowl like this-I tried but my fingers got tired!

I want to take pictures of everything. I want to enjoy my daughter's senior year and hold on to each memory of her at home. I want to scrapbook. I want to exercise. I want to do things for others. I want to sing in the choir and sing in a musical. I want to do a good job of teaching. I want all the students to behave. I want to be on time. I want to give. I want to help.

I want to........the list never stops!

I really, really want to get my life organized, but as soon as I begin, I get distracted by all the color and the creation and stuff! I begin the day with a list, but sometimes the list gets longer as the day progresses....is that how it is supposed to go? Other days, I simply lose my list in my piles!

I guess I really just want to accept this, and I want others to read my sign and realize....

"I'm not messy, I'm creative"!

I want more than anything to enjoy the Christmas season and remember the reason for it. I was able to play Mary in a skit and it was wonderful! What a joy!

At this busy time of year, I need to remember, "I can not do everything, but I can do something"!
Take it one day at a time, do what you can do and remember~The REASON FOR THE SEASON! Amazing!!!

Happy Birthday Mom

2011-11-15T12:07:00.001-08:00

As I was driving to school today, I heard it... THE song!! It was played as hundreds of friends, neighbors and family members stood in honor of our little bitty mama. She was tiny, but she held so much of the world in her hands. She was always there for me. She always loved me. She always supported me. She always lifted me up. "I Can Only Imagine" fills my car as images of that day surround me, well up inside me. All of these people standing in honor of one little lady who carried so much weight on her shoulders. 9 children at 30 years of age, without the support of her parents, without much money or food or supplies or time....but, oh, the love!!! It was her final celebration, our time to say not "goodbye", but "see you later", and we said it with words and songs and remembrances and honor.

Today would mark her birthday. I have been thinking "Happy Birthday Mom" all day. I have been telling my students about her. I have been remembering her. I have been honoring her. I have been wondering if birthdays are marked or remembered or celebrated in heaven. She had her 73rd birthday with us here. She was born in 1931, so today, she would have been 80. Today, we honor and celebrate her. There have been days I did not believe I could go on without her. There have been days I did not know how to trudge through this life without her love and her support, but here I am, still trudging, and now I am able to say, yes, I wish she were here, but how fortunate we were to have her as our mom and to have her for as long as we did. Cancer is so unfair. It takes the good ones. It takes the healthy ones. It takes the loved ones. It takes the needed ones.

Pastor Don had a message just for ME on Sunday. He talked about reading through his Dad's bible and his Mom's bible and reading the notes they left in the margins. He wondered if his Dad and his Mom knew that someday, their children would read these words and KNOW that they are true. After all, if his Dad and his Mom said it, it HAS to be true. He likened that to the words written in the Bible itself. If those words were written by our heavenly father....and we know that to be true, after all, if our heavenly father said it, it HAS to be true!

Our parents leave so much behind with their words and their actions, and they live on forever with us on this earth. I find snippets of information and words and things from my parents and I hold on to each of them. I have scrapbooked just about everything I can get my hands on. I believe it is my way of holding on to them....of keeping them close.

Today, parents, love your children, teach them, tell them things, keep them close. One day, they will call upon these words and these memories to keep you close forever!

Giving thanks for a wonderful mother and the promise of her eternal home in Glory. Psalm 16:9–11~ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Celebrating mama today. "I Can Only Imagine" what you are experiencing today! Save a place for me! Thank you for your words, your teaching, your love and your life. I love you forever!

Happy Birthday Ninja Boys

2011-11-07T14:06:00.000-08:00

I am not quite sure exactly what a Ninja is, but my grandsons sure were cute in their Halloween costumes. I spent quite a few hours in class this weekend, trying to learn a few things about Photoshop. Saturday happened to be the boys' birthday, and I was in class so, naturally, my subject matter was them!! I was able to crop out the tractor and the field and "place them" in a more Ninja like setting. I had a great deal of fun in the process and I love the results. The boys and their little sister Braylyn were overnight guests at Grandma's house Saturday night, and we had a wonderful time celebrating their lives! I am so blessed to have them so near and to have them such an amazing part of my life! Amazing!!!

In Love with a Boy

2011-10-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Giving thanks and choosing joy is quite easy when everything goes exactly as planned.

Baby boy Childress was prayed for and planned for and due on October 8.

Bentley David Childress was born exactly on October 8!

His mama was so tiny, it was hard to imagine a full size baby could be hiding in there, but he was born, all 6 lbs. 15 oz. of him and he is perfect!

Giving thanks for our 4th grandchild.

Thank you Tyler and Christi for giving him the gift of life and for giving him for me to love!

You know I do love my grandbabies!

Bentley spent most of his first day here "praying"!

LOVE YOU FOREVER! Gramma Carol

Sufficient Grace

2011-10-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. – Psalm 126: 2-5

How does one cope with the loss of not one child, but THREE?...Sufficient Grace

How does one wait and prepare for identical twin girls, only to have to say goodbye before she properly said hello?...Sufficient Grace

How does one prepare for a son, deemed "incompatable with life", carry him for the next four months, praying fervently for a miracle, to be able to spend only 6 hours with him? God did not work the kind of miracle that she had asked for, but she was able to see other miracles in that day. He was born. He was beautiful. He was perfect, and then Kelly, with her sufficient grace, was able to praise God for their time together and she called herself "blessed among women that day, blessed among Mothers" as she was chosen to sing to this beautiful baby as he left her arms and went into the arms of Jesus. That.....is Sufficient Grace. Amazing!!!

My friend Kelly, she has "Sufficient Grace". The following exerpt is taken from HER blog at http://sufficientgraceministries.org/ .

"In the autumn the leaves change colors. Often though it is so gradual, so subtle that we don’t realize it fully until one day the trees are orange, yellow, red and brown instead of green. In the same way as winter approaches, the leaves fall from the trees. One day, we notice that the leaves are gone. We know they must have been falling for some time, but it was so subtle and gradual that we hardly noticed until one day when they were all gone and the land was stark and bare. When spring comes, everything brings forth new life. What once was dead is alive again. And one day it happens. You wake up and the leaves have returned once more- green and shiny and new. You can’t point to a time when they began to bloom, exactly. You may have seen a bud or two. But it seems that it is sudden. Suddenly, the leaves have returned.

In reality it was happening all the time, subtle, gradual, unseen, changing and restoring life. That is the best illustration I have heard of the way the Holy Spirit works in us to heal and restore. How subtly God works in us to change and heal us until one day what once was, is no more. One day, we were no longer struggling. We have overcome what once held us captive, be it bitterness, pain, grief, or sin. God had been healing us all along, working while we struggled.

Where once there was sin, now there is forgiveness.

Where sorrow once lived, now joy dwells.

Where once there was death, now there is life.

Once the trees were barren. Now they spring forth green leaves and beautiful, life-giving fruit.

I don’t know exactly when or how He took the tattered ashes of our broken hearts and made them into something beautiful, but one day the pain was gone. (We still have tender moments when our memories take us back, and we may shed some tears. We will never forget!) In reality, though, it wasn’t one day. It had been happening all along. God had been using every tear, every moment of brokenness to make beauty from ashes, to turn our shame into a crown of glory, to heal our pain and restore us- turning even our deepest sorrow into our most exuberant joy.

We share our story with you because of the scripture in 2 Corinthians 1: 3 & 4 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received.

We feel blessed that we have been comforted through our loss by a loving God, and we would like to offer that same comfort to you. That is how our ministry began. My friend,Tracy lost her baby, Kelly on March 12, 2003. While searching for a memory book for her, I discovered that there were no memory books that allowed the mom to adequately honor the life of a precious baby…something lasting and beautiful that said a loved and wanted child was here. That’s how the Dreams of You Memory Book was born. Parts of the above story are written in the Dreams of You Book as well as places for grieving parents to journal there own journey of loss, hope and healing, record the dreams they had for baby, footprints, handprints, other memories and details of babies life, write letters to baby…in addition, the book is filled with inspirational poems and scripture reminding us of the hope of heaven.

We began Sufficient Grace Ministries – the legacy of Faith, Grace, Thomas and Tracy’s little Kelly – in 2004. Today, hundreds of lives have been touched because of the brief little lives of our little ones. They were here…they mattered…and God used them to fulfill a beautiful purpose…to offer comfort and hope to those whose hearts are broken."

For all the precious children whose footprints are forever ingrained in our hearts – We still dream our dreams of you… until we meet again.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Kelly's mom, Kathy Rutter began making these "comfort bears" in 2005 to provide something to hold to ease the ache of empty arms. My mama sewed too, you know. She created each one by hand with a "grandmother's love and prayers"..... I am a grandma too, you know.

Kelly's mom went home in heaven in October 2006 after a valiant battle with cancer. My mama went home to heaven after a valiant battle with cancer too, you know.

I fell in love with this beautiful bow and the heart on his chest that says "Comfort Bear" and bears the Sufficient Grace logo of one tiny footprint.

I wrote to Kelly. I told her about Cassie and about Tryston John. Cassie had to say goodbye to her son before she could properly say hello. A large box arrived at my home recently....I opened it and there......inside......was a Comfort Bear, a "Dreams of You" journal, a book, "I'll Hold You in Heaven". I gasped, I cried, I laughed, I celebrated! Kelly and her Sufficient Grace is REAL! She is not some strange blogster from Ohio who only talks a good talk, she Walks the Walk!!! She cares about a little mama in Rock Valley, Ia, and she cares about me!

Cassie can read, remember, journal, share, cry, and hold her Comfort Bear until the ache becomes a bit less. Tryston WAS, and he MATTERED. Sufficient Grace Ministries – the legacy of Faith, Grace, Thomas and little Kelly ...."They were here…they mattered…and God used them to fulfill a beautiful purpose…to offer comfort and hope to those whose hearts are broken."

I love you Kelly. I love what you do and for all the mamas out there that you help. You are leaving such a legacy of love and strength and support. Thanking God for his "sufficient grace"!

Laughing AT MYSELF!

2011-09-29T10:12:00.000-07:00

Today is the day.....I am so excited. I have been going through the process for 9 months. In all actuality, it began 35 years ago with an abcessed front tooth, a root canal, an ill fitting crown which did not match as well as it could have, and I knocked into it every time I bit into something. 25 years ago, that very tooth was knocked out when I was accidentally hit in the mouth. 25 years of bridges worked quite well, but have taken their fair share of abuse. When the bridges no longer worked, I chose dental implants.

I had two more front teeth removed for Christmas last year. The song, "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth" took on a whole new meaning for me last year! Since then, I have been pulled, cut, sewn, iced, medicated, scanned, drilled, grafted, implanted, prepped, AND shot MANY TIMES. I now own several titanium rods, AND have even had my papilla lasered!!! Who knew????

At the beginning, I hid my mouth, I tried not to smile so much, and had a hard time eating in front of anyone. As I got more used to this whole process, I began to not only laugh WITH myself, but to laugh AT myself. I believe all of my students have seen my videos, and they have been passed around to some of the teachers as well. My next plan to to post it on YouTube so my students from last year can have a laugh on me as a break from their college studies. I thought I may as well embrace it and enjoy the journey!!! Some of my senior art students thought it would be very funny if I would go into a store, without my teeth and ask an employee, "Could you tell me where the cereal isle is?" The S sound evidently was quite hysterical!!! I learned to make movies on Photo Booth and had a great time making fun of my situation. I have seen the videos over and over and over and can still laugh when I see them! Tara, thank you for always making me laugh! Love you! I will let you know when I have them posted to You Tube! You will most likely NOT want to miss seeing it!

Today I had 5 new shiny porcelain front teeth forever seated in place. I can no longer take out my teeth and cause uproarious laughter to come from all corners of my classroom. I have never been so excited to pick, to floss, to brush, to chew....giving thanks for my team today, all the doctors, nurses, AND all of my cheerleaders. For those of you who know me and see me often...can you imagine me now....talking more, laughing more, and singing more? Amazing!!!

In all things, give thanks! Who knew that included TEETH?
Thank you Dr. Lewison and Dr. Schulte for giving me back my smile!

Happy Birthday Tyler

2011-09-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

In 1986, we welcomed Tyler David to our family. Mom continued to be outnumbered... Boys, boys boys....but each one added great joy !

Happy Birthday to our second born, Tyler. You are so full of life and ideas and enthusiasm! I hope your day is filled with wonder and joy and that your year ahead offers even more happiness.
You will soon understand the love of a parent as you welcome your own son into the world.

Brandon first, Marissa nestled safely in the center, and Tyler on the outside.....Looking at the picture below, I would guess that things never change.

The love of family...God's Greatest Gift!

I am giving thanks for YOU today Tyler, and for our family. I have been so blessed! Love you Forever!

I Will Carry You

2011-09-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

Honored and humbled. I had the opportunity to photograph a beautiful baby boy.

I have these gifts I have been told....I can make, I can draw, I can paint, I can create, I can sing, I can take pictures...but this is a first for me. Something or someone told me, "take your camera along. (I did) You might need it. (I did) You might have the opportunity to use it tonight." (I did)

I asked as gently as I could if that would be something I could do to help this grieving family. They said, "oh, yes, please do", so I did. Honored....Humbled.....

But this photo session was unlike any other in my life ....

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of Heaven." ~Matthew 19:14

A stuffed animal here and there, a soft blue blanket, a blue toy, a gift from Grandma for her little grandbaby boy. I am a Grandma too, you know...

Tryston John, so very beautiful and so very loved... It was written on his little folder: "Even though Tryston was so little, he touched so many lives, with his dashing good looks (thanks to dad), the unconditional love he has from his bigger sisters, and from the kicks, punches, hugs, kisses, and the last raspberry blown on mommy's belly.

Triston, in the short time God blessed you to us, mommy and daddy will cherish those moments for the rest of our lives, until the good Lord brings us to you. Even though your sisters were already picking on you, they loved you from the first time they felt you kick. We love you forever..."

"I Will Carry You" ~Selah

There were photographs i wanted to take
Things i wanted to show you
Sing sweet lullabies wipe your teary eyes
Who could love you like this? People say that i am brave but i`m not
Truth is i`m barely hanging on
But there`s a greater story
Written long before me
Because he loves you like this

So i will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All my life
And i will praise the one who`s chosen me
To carry you

Such a short time
Such a long road
All this madness
But i know
That the silence
Has brought me to his voice
And he says

I`ve shown her photographs of time beginning
Walked her through the parted seas
Angel lullabies no more teary eyes
Who could love her like this?

I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All your life
And i will praise the one who`s chosen me
To carry you

No one knows why things like this happen.

No one can guess.

No one can understand.

We can only trust.

We can only wait until that day, our glorious day, when all the pain, all the tears, all the cries will be a thing of the past, and time will be no more.

Tryston John, loved so very, very much but too beautiful for this earth.

Pray with me for Cassie and Lance and Ady and Carsyn and Marissa and Grandma Lisa and all the other friends and relatives who had to say goodbye to this perfectly beautiful little boy far too soon.

Tryston will not walk side by side with his family.

Tryston will not walk hand in hand with his sisters and his parents.

But forever, for always, Tryston will be forever in their hearts.

Abundant Harvest

2011-09-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Dave has retired. He has earned his rest after many, many years in education. He now has more time for his newest love.....gardening. This is the first year he has had time to harvest his abundant crop and he is learning to preserve this abundance for our family to enjoy in the winter. He is learning from others, reading, taking classes on line and talking to lots of people who do this type of thing. We are very blessed with this harvest and the fact that we will have food and TIME to enjoy this bounty long after the summer sun has gone and winter winds replace the warm autumn days...
Thankful for a COLORFUL and abundant Harvest~

Potatoes~
carrots~

beans~

more beans~

broccoli~
corn~
pickles~
tomatoes~
tomato sauce
chili sauce ~
tomato juice~
onions~
beets~
peppers~

Do It Anyway

2011-08-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

Last first day of school-Seniors Marissa and Kendra

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one's who don't. Believe things happen for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

I wish all the students and teachers a wonderful school year, strength for the journey and as much happiness along the way as they can grab........

Kavian and Calvin~ready for the challenge of 1st grade!

Grandpa Dave~enjoying retirement~taking more time for what is important!

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway. ~Mother Teresa

Sister Linda

2011-08-11T16:55:00.001-07:00

This is Linda's home away from home this week. She has been in so much pain. She has tried the therapy, the exercises, the remedies prescribed, but this knee involved much more than any of those, and she has grown tired of the pain. This week, she got a new knee. I have heard it said that she must be "bionic" as she has had so many surgeries. I am not sure she is as much "bionic" as "rebuilt"!

I am asking for your prayers for Linda. She is an amazing woman and sister to me. She is the firstborn of 9 and, if you have been following my blog at all, you know growing up was not so easy at our house. 11 people in a 2 bedroom house with no furnace and no running water and no bathroom....and no money. Linda actually went to work in town and bought things for her brothers and sisters, helped Mom with expenses, cooked, cleaned, fed and bathed the little ones. I really remember Mom saying that Linda was like a "little mother". She made sure everyone else was taken care of and fed before she ate. She is still like that today. Caring for everyone else before herself...

I love Linda so much and if I can ask for your prayers and they can help her be free from pain and recover from this surgery quickly to get back at the business of life, that would be my request.

.

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost".

We found a few minutes in this busy life to join together to be with Linda at the hospital this week. Any time we are together, we have to make use of the photo opportunity. One sister was unable to be with us. We miss you Susie!

Praying for you Linda. Be happy. Be healthy. Be well. Love you forever!

Heaven Is For Real

2011-08-01T12:48:00.001-07:00

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a Nebraska pastor who, during emergency surgery, slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

The simple message is that heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, for a last battle is coming! This book is a fast and simple read, but thoroughly enjoyable and engaging.

I also had the opportunity to visit this most beautiful "Sunken Garden", right in the heart of Lincoln, Nebraska. Who knew???

I LOVED IT! IT IS BEAUTIFUL! IT IS AMAZING! It was a hidden secret. It was a total surprise to me to find this just in passing on the busy city streets.

I got to thinking about heaven and that it "is for real". Now, I have been told that heaven is probably going to be whatever we love most. If you love horses, I am sure God would not allow you all of eternity to live without them. If you love hunting, I am sure there are the most amazing animals there for your pleasure. If you love beaches and oceans, I like to think God will provide that for you.

If you love flowers, maybe this is a tiny speck of what you will see. I remember my mama saying in her last hours: "Oh, there are so many colors" and "It is so bright in here", and "It is so orange, and it is so pink"!!! I like to think she saw ahead to where she was going and found herself in a beautiful garden. I am sure there were pansies there, as she loved them so much.

She also talked and talked about babies in her last days. With her love of children, I also like to picture her with the job of rocking babies....in a flower garden! What a great vision for me to look forward to!

Please enjoy my photo album from the "Sunken Garden"....holding all kinds of beautiful surprises, and remember, this is nothing compared to the glories we will see one day!

I am not sure what God has planned for me, but in my mind, there HAS to be a sunken garden that I don't have to weed, and for sure, the humidity will be more than bearable. There HAS to be lots of babies, canvases to paint, songs to sing, lots of hugs, and photos to take. I have been given a considerable about of grief for taking so many pictures here on earth, but I want it said of me one day..."She was busy recording life"! I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my photos with you. Choose Joy with me today!

If a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.....

2011-07-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Marissa Rose

2011-06-29T09:33:00.001-07:00

"Hearts connected: We are connected in heart and spirit no matter the distance. As the threads of life weave a pattern of love between us, may we always be in each other's hearts."

So Blessed......

I had a few tears this morning as I read this book. One more year at home with us, and now we begin the years of "lasts". It will most likely find me in tears more often than not....my baby, my last, my girl...it has gone so quickly and I am so proud of the young woman you have become. Never change. Never lose your love, your passion, your intelligence, your zest for life, your love of the Lord. I love you forever Marissa Rose, the sweetest flower that grows!!!

Love...Heart...Soul...Strength

2011-06-13T21:04:00.001-07:00

My friend Marilyn asked me if I could work some magic with a wall, some bronze paint and a verse... "Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, with all your Soul and all your Strength."

I struggled with how to get this verse placed on the wall exactly where it needed to be to make it be somewhat centered. I printed out the verse and measured it. I found out that the exact center of that verse is the word "Heart". I began drawing the letters at the center.

I measured.

I marked.

I began with "Heart".

I spent hours in the quiet of the sanctuary, scrawling out the words to the verse, as straight and as perfectly as I could. I penciled the word at the center of it all:"heart", I penciled "soul" and I penciled"strength".

I felt ministered to as I recited the words over and over and over...each pencil mark, each stroke of the brush, over and over and over I said, "Heart", "Soul" and "Strength" and "Love the Lord your God".

After the words were sufficiently written, came the task of erasing mistakes. I kept thinking of how these actions were so representative of our lives and the workings of our church.

We have "Heart"....don't we?

We have Soul and Strength and...Love....don't we?

Last night and today, in the quiet of the sanctuary, scrawling, climbing up and down the ladder, drawing, painting, reciting....I am questioning...

Do we really DO those things God has asked us to do?

There are mistakes. There have been mistakes. Trying as hard as I could, I was unable to erase my mistakes. I erased and erased, but those mistakes still were there. I got out the soap and water and scrubbed....still not clean. I had to get out the original wall color and paint over the mistakes.....several coats sometimes to get them to go away, but I know, deep down under the layers, the mistakes remain.

I also had the opportunity, in the quiet of the sanctuary, to listen, to feel pain and sorrow and loss and grief and disappointment. What part did I play in this? Did I cause pain? Did you?

"Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, with all your Soul and with all your Strength."

"Whatever you have done unto the least of these...you have done unto Me".

Have you shown that love, have you shown that "HEART" that God has asked of you?

He showed me today in the quiet of the sanctuary...."HEART" is at the center of it all. We all make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes can not be taken away. Sometimes the hurt can not be erased. It takes His cleansing blood to wash us clean. I am praying that He will.

Pandamania

2011-06-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

What happens when a pack of fun-loving panda bears invades your community? PandaMania VBS, a wild celebration of God's unconditional love! At PandaMania, kids will discover that God has a purpose and a plan for everyone and that he crafted each of us with his own loving hands.

All systems are a go! Gearing up for summer means Vacation Bible School. This year, we are discovering "PandaMania, where God is WILD about YOU"! ... young or old, rich or poor, with each of our struggles, with each of our joys, God is WILD about each and every one of us!!! It is especially wonderful to be able to share this message with our children. Each year, we are able to share our stash with the churches in Inwood. I made my way over tonight to check it out.

I was not able to see them in action, but I may just make it over there another night so I can get in on some more of that joy!!! For now, check out some of the gear and decorations made to cause a stir and get the kids ready to ROAR!!! Through songs, theatre, treetop treats, Bamboo Blast Games,God Sightings, crafts, activities, and wild bible adventures, kids are reminded over and over and over again that God is Wild about each and every one of them!

Crews are like families-everyone has a job-
Bible Memory Buddies-
God Sightings-
Bible Point Crafts-

Cooperation, not competition-
Kids serving kids

"It's so amazing to read about God's love
The God of creation, He loves, us, He hears us, God is right here with us
and He's wild, He's wild....God is wild about us!"

Proud

2011-05-30T14:09:00.001-07:00

They gathered beneath a giant of a tree, not just swaying in the breeze, but rocking, whipping, towering over the guests who had gathered to pay tribute to those, gone before, who had provided great service to this country.

They came bearing humility, sadness, presenting gifts of flags once presented to them after their own losses.They came with pride in their lost loved ones who gave so much, and now, the flag will carry the name of that loved one, flying in the "Avenue of Flags" and his name will be uttered each year as we come together to remember. This is the least we can do.

They came with words, with flags, with gun salutes, with prayers, and with honor and pride.

They came with songs. I was honored to stand beside Uncle Harlan~He too gave so much.

"And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died and gave that right to me, and I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 'cause there ain't no doubt, I love this land! God Bless the USA"!

I realize that pride can be considered a bad thing. In fact, there are many bible references to tell us that pride is not desirable, but I believe that to mean when it totally takes over ones life, when it becomes all there is and all that is important. There is the kind of pride that "in his pride, the wicked does not seek him".

On the other hand, I am sure God believes in the kind of satisfaction in a job well done. When we are humble and realize that we need God and we could not have done it on our own, that is pride with the spirit of humility that I am sure sure God understands.

My Uncle Harlan, proud to be an American, and very deserving of that pride.

I am proud of you too! Thank you for MY freedom.

....lest we forget.....

Look up, there's our flag!
We can count every star,--
And the red, blue, and white,
How lovely they are!

Floating high, floating wide,--
We can see it from far,
Our flag, it's the flag,
We can count every star!

In the sun, in the wind,
Do its bright colors shine.
O look at the flag,
It is yours, it is mine!
~Nancy Byrd Turner

Happy Birthday Brandon

2011-05-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

28 years ago today, we had our first child and I fell in love with an 8 lb. boy. Well, actually, I fell in love with him long before that day. Having a child is a whole new kind of love and it is truly an amazing miracle from God....no other explanation!

He was born in a little bitty hospital and they didn't have the nice birthing rooms they do now. I layed there for so long, I asked if I could have a TV. They said they would see what they could do. No one had ever asked for a TV before. Dave asked if he could go downtown and get something to eat. I said, "Go ahead, I'm not going
anywhere". I remember the many, many, MANY trips back and forth of someone
in some very noisy, clicky shoes. I found out later that those noisy shoes
belonged to the hospital administrator, who just so happened to be my anesthetist
late in the evening. Being a little bitty hospital, there was no surgeon at
hand. I had to "wait" for him to be done with another surgery atanother hospital. I remember giggling on the operating table.

They said they had never heard that before. I was exhausted, nervous, scared, but so, so happy and grateful that they were going to deliver this baby one way or another.

Brandon was born, bearing a "cone head", with lots of dark hair, blue
eyes, and 8 lbs of flesh and bone and health. Those were also the days without
the good drugs and the pain pumps, but rather the hypo in the rear every 4
hours. How I dreaded that needle, but learned to take it or be sorry later when
the pain was almost unbearable. They would roll me to the side like a
"sack of potatoes" when I was still a bit numb from the spinal block.
The pain of childbirth, as my mother always said, is a pain you soon forget. It
is still there....some of the memory. But having kids is by far worth the pain.
You were full of questions....full of answers...full of it...you made
life VERY interesting , and I am so thankful for you

I was honored to bring you into the world, honored to watch you play soccer and football and basketball and run track, and play baseball, and make pinewood derby cars and be a boy scout, and be confirmed and graduate from high school, and wrestle and swim and play, and then get married and have children of your own.

You have grown into a good husband, Daddy, brother and son and I am so proud of you! If I haven't told you lately.....I thank you for my grandbabies. I love all of my children AND my grandbabies and I thank you for giving them to me to love!

Happy Birthday Son. I love you forever!

Held

2011-05-17T06:05:00.000-07:00

Recent mural for my sister, Kristy....I hope she reads this daily and believes...."Lo,I am with you always....." She is held.....always.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, or what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For your heavenly Father knows what you need. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:25-34

Pray with me for answers to problems.....God knows and He hears....We are "held"...always!

Happy Birthday Friend

2011-05-04T05:58:00.000-07:00

A friend is someone you respect and that respects you, not based upon worthiness but based upon a likeness of mind.

A friend is one whom you can be yourself with and never fear that he or she will judge you~

A friend is someone that you can confide in with complete trust.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:13-15).

A friend loves at all times....Proverbs 17:17

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3 KJV).

Friends are of like mind.

I learned the words to this song working with Sandy at the Good Samaritan Center many years ago. I believe it now to be very true:

Make new friends,but keep the old~
One is silver and the other gold !

Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Sandy, who always has a smile, a laugh and a big hug. I can always count on you, and although our paths do not meet as often as I would like, I KNOW you are there. You, my dear friend, are worth far more than GOLD!!! I am so glad to know, "A lifetime's not too long to live as friends"! I hope you are having the best day ever and enjoying your life, as you always do. The Son is shining today, JUST FOR YOU! Love you forever!

I Know my Redeemer Lives!

2011-04-23T21:46:00.000-07:00

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?

And who told the ocean, you can only come this far?

And who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening,

Who's words alone can catch a falling star?

Well, I KNOW my Redeemer lives,

I KNOW my Redeemer lives.

Let all nations testify

This life within me cries,

I KNOW my Redeemer lives.

I have a singing date in the morning. I am singing a song created by Nichole C. Mullen.

I have not exactly felt like singing lately, but I am excited and honored to tell the story. I have this soundman, Scott, who thoroughly enjoys working with sound, tweaking things here and there to make magic happen. I always say, if you have Scott at the soundboard, he MAKES you sound good! He can make anyone sound good! Thank you Scott for being at the wheel in the morning, to help me sing my praises, to help me tell the story of this man who was born, who suffered and died just for me. I have not sung in a while, and to tell the truth, I have missed it.

Thanking God for giving His son.

Thanking Jesus, for suffering and dying for my sin.

Thankful for my family, my friends, my church, my music and my joy! How wonderful it is just to know...............and I KNOW my Redeemer Lives!

Prayers for Marissa

2011-04-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

I was filled with so much joy as I watched our "baby" girl, dressed in her Prom finery two weeks in a row. I watched her, head held high during not one, but two grand march events. I watched her laugh and smile and dance and just look so beautiful with her handsome boyfriend. They attended the "Mardi Gras"! She had a wonderful time at her "Hollywood" after prom! I watched her run like the wind at the track meet just Tuesday. WHAT Joy! By Tuesday night, she was very, very ill. Joy very quickly turned to concern. How could that beauty and finery fade so quickly? Your prayers are invaluable to us as we search for answers to her illness. Dizzy, lightheaded, unable to eat or drink or hold anything down, hour after hour, and I was up with her most of the night. She stayed home most of the day Wednesday alone, sick and scared, and I took her to the doctor Wednesday afternoon. This strong beautiful athlete could barely walk, and barely sit up to talk to the doctor. Many, many tests later, we are still unsure. God knows....we do not. An ultrasound today, we still do not know....but God knows. Tomorrow, more tests, more consults...perhaps we will know tomorrow. 1 Peter 5:7 "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you." Please pray for her strength and that she can eat and drink. Pray for her doctors and through all of the tests, that they will find the answer and the correct treatment. Pray that she will soon be up and running again! Oh, and her mama could use some prayers too, for rest and peace.... Matthew 6:27 "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" Matthew 6:30 "If God cares for the wildflowers, does he not care for you?" Phillipians 4:6-7 "Worry about nothing. Pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for what He has done." I love you Marissa Rose, the sweetest flower that grows! Update and Prayers of Thanksgiving: Back from more tests and praising God for His hand in this. The ultrasound of her kidneys came back normal!!!! Her white count and bacteria are better. Kidney function is still not normal, but a little better today than Wednesday. Protein in her blood could be from injury or stress to her muscles. Muscles get tired too and they start falling apart....sort of like stressed Mom's do. Protein from the muscles can spill into the bloodstream, not good or normal, but maybe nature's way of saying, "slow down, rest, drink, eat well, give us time to heal." All of this is such a guessing game. What I do know is that she got up and walked to the van, walked into the doctor's office and I saw a few smiles. Afterwards, she asked for a slushy!!! Do you know how excited I was? She had some beautiful blue lips from that Blueberry slushy! She also asked me to buy popscicles, and went on to ask for chicken noodle soup broth! She will be resting all weekend, try to go to school on Monday and will have to do no athletics or strenuous activty until her bloodwork comes back normal. We will take this day by day, week by week and get her well!!! Thanks for all of your prayers and concern. We can see the light today................

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

2011-04-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Braylyn Ray!

Love you forever, Grandma Carol

God's Masterpiece

From graceful lilies pure and white, God fashioned lovely skin,

Forget-me-nots he chose for eyes, Then formed your baby chin.

He took a tulip bright and red -- Twas one that did not fade;

A softer, sweeter little mouth Before was never made.

Another flower next He used - A rosebud, pink and fair;

Touched it to your dimpled cheeks And bade it blossom there.

Then with His magic fingers picked Two morning glories white;

Curled and shaped your little ears, Soon they were fastened tight.

That crowning bit of golden down will soon become your hair;

He gathered pollen from the flowers, And sprinkled it with care.

For dainty little fingers dear and precious, tiny toes,

He used slender daisy frills; A snowdrop made your nose.

This world and all within it He created here for man;

But Braylyn was "God's Masterpiece" Since time and life began! -author unknown

Pashmina

2011-03-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

My sister, Kristy, has gone to Isreal and we are praising God for her safe return. She is so loving and giving....her gifts to her sisters were these beautiful pashmina wraps,also called a pashmina stoles, shawls, or scarves. She thought of us as she traveled, wishing we too could be wrapped in this place....warm, cared for, loved.

Pashmina refers to a type of fine cashmere wool and the textiles made from it. The name comes from Pashmineh (پشمینه), made from Urdu and Persian pashm ("wool").The wool comes from changthangi or pashmina goat, which is a special breed of goat indigenous to high altitudes of the Himalayas in Nepal, Pakistan and northern India. Pashmina shawls are hand spun, woven and embroidered in Kashmir, and made from fine cashmere fibre.

Kristy came home bearing gifts for all. She came home with stories and love for people she met along her journey. She came home with Jesus, closer now to her heart. She talked of the Garden, of walking the streets Jesus walked carrying the cross. She talked of Calvary, and the tomb where he was laid. She was baptized in the Jordan River.

She saw remains of a prehistoric buildings that have been discovered in the modern city of Tel Aviv. The three room structure is about 8,000 years old and was built in the Neolithic period when most humans moved from a nomadic existence into permanent settlements. Years and years of erosion, earthquakes and abandonment deemed these structures lost and irretrievable, yet, now, she saw workers, painstakingly taking out bits of these structures, piece by piece, and reassembling them, again piece by piece, "like a puzzle", to recreate pieces of history...a newfound need and desire to see what Jesus saw.

"And leaving the city Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capharnaum on the sea coast …" (Matthew 4:13).

From Mount of Precipice on the southern outskirts of Nazareth to Capernaum, my sister visited the same places and saw the same landscapes that Jesus visited and saw.

It seems like a dream to me that she has been there. It probably seems like a dream to her as well, but she has gifts and trinkets and stories and pictures and memories. And now, more than before, she carries Jesus in her heart. She was able to walk where he walked. I am so proud of her and happy for her that she was able to make this journey. She now can be the vessel to share these stories with us.

Praise God with me for her safe return, and, while you are praying, please pray for her big beautiful family. They are having some major family concerns, and she covets your prayers to bring this family back together, whole, healthy and well. Join with me in praying that her newfound closeness to Jesus will be a step in the right direction! She has just returned from walking where Jesus walked and now, I know He is right beside her, holding her hand. How amazing is that?

Makayla

2011-03-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

There are things that we don't want to happen,

But we have to accept them;

Things we don't want to know,

But have to learn;

And people we don't want to live without,

But have to let them go. -Author unknown

This precious little girl, Makayla, has won the battle and earned her heavenly reward.

Prayers have been uttered around the nation for this little girl, for her pink, girly, "Makayla Miracle"! We can not understand why the answer to our prayers sometimes comes in death instead of renewed health.

Why can we not keep those we love with us on this earth?
Why does a family have to go through such suffering?

What lessons could possible be learned from this?

Her mama, Krista is a beautiful, loving young lady and she worked and worked, and tried everything to save her baby. When the answer became very evident to them, she shared with the world on Caring Bridge, how peaceful it was and how mom and dad told her how much they loved her and that if she was ready to go, it was ok.....They held her as she took her last breaths. They are teaching us....this is exactly the way to do things. They loved her enough to let her go.

Mama Krista, you are so beautiful. I have not seen you much over the past years, but I love you! Look at those smiles! Remember this picture when your heart becomes too heavy to bear.

I have learned so much from this young family...love, beauty, caring, giving, strength, courage...

In their loss, they are thanking us for our prayers for peace and comfort, and asking us to continue to pray for their 2 other children as they learn what life is like without their big sister.

Even now, they asked for no flowers, nothing for themselves. Instead, they ask us to use the donation for a toy for the Children's Care Hospital. They had donated many of their childrens' toys there at Christmas. Makayla said, "It's okay Mom, I have lots..." I know Makayla would love this, and it will help to pass on her smile to so many more kids."

They are teaching us to give. Tables and tables loaded with toys were collected at the celebration and will give so much joy and many, many smiles to children in honor of Makayla. Her smile will live on.

Makayla is still teaching me through her parents' selfless actions.... Give, share, love. A friend wrote that the celebration of life was fun and beautiful. How does one do that??? The saddest time of their lives I am sure, but they worked to make it a celebration geared towards happiness and fun. This friend said that usually funerals are so sad, but she left the celebration with smiles and remembrances of happy times. I was unable to be there that day, but I can not erase the vision of pink balloons from my mind.

I have NO IDEA how one survives the loss of a beautiful child, but I have been watching the story unfold, and I am sure I will continue to marvel at the strength of this family. Please continue to pray for this young family, that they can continue to remember happy times, times of love and sharing and laughter before Makayla became ill, that they know that they know that they know that they did everything humanly possible for this child, that the decision was in God's hand, and that they know that God holds their hands and walks this journey with them. Makayla no longer walks this earth beside you, but she will forever be in your heart.

-photo by Jaci Moser

Looking UP!

2011-03-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

I received this in an email from a friend, Mary Jane. I do not know who is responsible for writing it , so I can not give proper credit. I thought it was some pretty outstanding material for all of us to share, oh, and I decided to give you a beautiful taste of spring which is right around the corner. I took all of these pictures last spring, but can't wait to get out there and take some more....if spring would just hurry up!!! Things always seem to be "looking up" in the spring! Enjoy!!!

1. Wake Up !! Decide to have a good day.
"Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7

3 . Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen.. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!..... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as w e have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!... To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!... Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything;
Instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."
Philippians 4:6

Going to the Mardi Gras!

2011-03-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

Photo taken by Danielle Bolerjack, a student in my photography class.

A little glitter, a few feathers....

A little paint, some sequins, some trim...

Some harlequin wrapping paper...

Some cardboard....lots and lots of cardboard....

Some imagination....

Lots and lots of beads....and, of course, the fleur de li....

This is the Mardi Gras....

The terms "Mardi Gras" (pronounced /ˈmɑrdiɡrɑː/), "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Related popular practices are associated with celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the season of Lent. Popular practices include wearing masks and beads and costumes, many celebrations, dancing, sports competitions, parades, etc.

I guess you HAVE to have some jazz players!

Paint and feathers and glitter are a must!

Many hands make light work!!!

Again, the magic of cardboard...

Beginning stages of a black and white mural-

Somewhere in the middle-

Finished!!! This is supposed to be Bourbon Street!!!

Through researching to find some of the pictures and traditions I need to create my cardboard magic, I have been taking a little trip to the Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street and the French Quarter without ever leaving NW Iowa. Our Juniors and Seniors will enjoy "A Night at the French Quarter" during Prom this year. It involves so many students, teachers, business sponsors, fund raising, decorating, planning, committees of students, and committees of parents, shopping, shopping and more shopping! You have to have the right dress, jewelry, shoes for prom, after prom clothes and shoes, the right car, makeup and hair styles. This year, I have been made more aware than usual that the date HAS to match perfectly, right down to the vest, tie and flowers!!!

Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another. ~Author Unknown

More than anything, I hope the kids enjoy a night they will never forget, that they appreciate all the hard work and expense it took to get them to the "Mardi Gras", and that they are safe and sound, back in their beds in the morning!

Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. ~Dave Barry

Thanking God for Color

2011-02-28T08:08:00.000-08:00

This video was sent to me from a good friend, Beth.
Thanks for giving me such joy this morning Beth!

This is beautiful to watch and if you feel any stress with getting things done or not having enough time, this will make you appreciative of all we have!

Turn up your sound too! Enjoy!
I have turned off my blog music for a few days so that it can not be heard along with this video.

When you have a few minutes to view the video, click on the link below.

http://www.greatdanepro.com/Just%20Colors/index.htm

Free At Last

2011-02-23T08:44:00.000-08:00

My chains are gone, I've been set free.

I have been learning a lot about slavery and bondage and being set free in the musical I am now taking part in. It is the story of Huck Finn and his friend, Jim.

Jim is a man of color, and he runs from place to place trying to stay free. He is held in chains for part of the production. He is treated as a slave for part of the show, and, for a greater part, he is treated as a man, a simple, ordinary man, separated from his family, desperately trying to be reunited with them. Songs such as "Do Ya Wanna Go to Heaven?" and "How Blest We Are" and "Free at Last" are some of my favorites. "I wish by golly I could spread my wings and fly and let my grounded soul be free for just a little while. To be like eagles when they ride up on the wind and taste the sweetest taste of freedom for my soul. And be Free at last, free at last. Great God Almightly I'd be free at last".

Most Christians assume that freedom means freedom from obligation and the hard work of obedience. But freedom in Christ is not described that way in the Bible. We are not given a license to do whatever we wish. Christians are no longer held as slaves to sin. We are free to obey. We are enslaved to God to serve Him and love Him.

The problems arise when we replace our slavery to God with slavery to anything else. God wants us enslaved to nothing and no one besides Him.

Are you enslaved to something other than God?

Debt?

Food?

Drugs?

Alcohol?

Entertainment?

Spending?

Gambling?

“For whatever a person succumbs to, to that he is enslaved.” 2 Peter 2:19

I am so blessed to be a part of this musical production, "Big River" and I can certainly say how very fortunate I am to be free, free, free at last!

My Valentines

2011-02-14T10:15:00.000-08:00

You Just Keep On Loving Me No matter what I look like,
Whether pretty or plain you see,
When I’m all dressed up or in PJs,
You just keep on loving me. Sometimes I’m happy and cheerful;
Other times grumpy and sad;
Your absolute love never wavers,
Whether I’m grouchy or glad. Sometimes I try to change you;
And sometimes I criticize;
But I feel something melting within me,
When I see all the love in your eyes. Your tolerance is endless,
However I choose to be;
Having my love makes you happy,
So you just keep on loving me. And that is why, my darling,
Whatever else I do,
One thing is sure; no matter what,
I’ll just keep on loving you. By Joanna Fuchs

TRIPP

2011-02-09T08:21:00.001-08:00

http://www.wwltv.com/news/slideshows/Each-day-a-battle-and-a-gift-for-mother-of-sick-baby.html

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

My mind has been on Tripp lately. I have followed the stories of a couple of babies who have a condition called Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa.

I have followed his story and prayed for him and his parents as they struggle with his disease called Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa. He faces a life of painful blisters, hair, nail, and major teeth issues, as well as the possibility of respiratory involvement.

JEB is an autosomal recessive condition. This means both parents are healthy carriers. Healthy carriers are non-symptomatic and will never develop the illness. When each parent has a copy of the altered gene, there is a 25% or 1 in 4 chance the child will be affected by Junctional EB. Unfortunately, there is no test to detect carriers for JEB. We are made aware that the parents are carriers after the child is born.

The infant may suffer complications such as infection, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and/or genitourinary tract involvement. These complications may lead to death.

Pray for Tripp with me. Pray for his parents. I CAN NOT EVEN IMAGINE THEIR PAIN. THEIR BABY WAS BORN, SEEMINGLY PERFECT, AND IN 2 YEARS, THIS IS WHERE THEY ARE AT:

This is a part of statements written by his mama...

"Maybe by a thread... but still hanging. My little trooper is still fighting so hard. He's been having good days and bad days, very inconsistently. And a good day is defined by standing up in his little 5x5 area and playing with his toys for about 15 minutes at a time. The biggest issues right now would have to be his eyes, his mouth, and his trach/breathing. And bath... I won't even go there. Terrible.

His eyes are just beyond horrible... there are no words. And they are only getting worse by the day... literally. He's becoming a little more frustrated as it gets harder for him to see each day. You can tell by the way he reaches for things, and brings his toys all the way to the corner of his left eye to be able to see it. Like I said before, the eye doctor said that his right eye already has half the vision of his left... and both eyes (the left one worse) have granulation tissue growing over his eyeball. The right eye is more than half-way covered. I've put a call in the the eye doctor... not really even knowing what I'm going to ask, but just making sure with him one more time that we have no other options. For this poor child to lose his vision along with everything else going on, is just borderline cruel.

His mouth just kills me. He's had teeth since he was about 3 months old. Imgaine how it would feel if you had never brushed your teeth for almost 2 years. I really just can't imagine how his poor mouth feels. Then on top of just "feeling yucky," he's got sores covering his lips and tongue. Not to mention, that he must have cavities and rotting teeth in there that I'm sure is painful. I fully understand the dentisit's concerns about putting him out and trying to do something with his mouth. It's somewhat the same deal as the eyes... if you irritate any of the mucous membrane tissue, it becomes raw and can fuse to any other surface. There have been cases in other EB babies, where after dental work, their mouth has been fused together completely, with tissue sloughed off in places. I'm not thinking I want to go there. I just wish there was something we could do. I've been using Biotene spray- but you can imagine how he loves that."

"I worked as a nurse in geriatric/psychiatric. I loved and miss my job, but now that my precious boy is born, I am a 24/7 stay at home Mommy. I dedicate every second of my life to Tripp and I treasure every second that we have together. Though caring for him is a very tough job, I would not trade any of it for a second. Tripp has taught me true love, patience, respect and selflessness. Being a Mommy has changed my life, but being TRIPP'S Mommy has brought so much joy and happiness into my life. I am entrusting Tripp's life into God's hands. He knows best. May His will be done-not mine. "

A Special Child

You weren’t like otherchildren,
And God was well aware,
You’d need a caring family,
With love enough to share.
And so He sent you to us,
And much to our surprise,
You haven’t been a challenge,
But a blessing in disguise.
Your winning smiles and laughter,
The pleasures you impart,
Far outweigh your special needs,
And melt the coldest heart.
We’re proud that we’ve been chosen,
To help you learn and grow,
The job that you have brought us,
Is more than you can know.
A precious gift from Heaven,
A treasure from above,
A child who’s taught us many things,
But most of all- “Real Love”

Love You Forever

2011-02-02T19:12:00.000-08:00

How can the days get longer? How can the heart grow weaker? How can the missing grow greater? Don't they say, "Time heals"? But then, they also say, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder".

We could really use a good dose of our mama right now. Many issues are weighing heavy on my heart and mind and I am just sure things would look a whole lot better and brighter if she were here. 6 years ago she left us....I can not even believe I am saying that. I didn't think I could make it one day, but here I am 2,190 days later, still plugging away, putting one foot in front of the other, tripping quite a bit, but still here, going on without her.

Babies have been born without her, weddings have gone on without her, friends have moved and changed without her, medical tests and procedures have been done without her, seasons have come and gone, grandkids have graduated without her, tears have been shed, laughter has followed without her, but somehow....life has been forever changed. Mom, if you can hear us, if you can see us, if you can pray for us, please do. Funny how it is that you are gone, but as close to me as my very breath....

Marissa painted this for me. She printed words around the pansies:

I thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. I thought of you yesterday and the day before that too. I think of you in silence. I often speak your name. All I have left are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is my keepsake with which I'll never part. God has you in His keeping. I have you in my heart.

"Love You Forever."

I do, you know.

Prayers for Sister Linda

2011-01-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

So very blessed.........

Today, I ask for your prayers for my dear sister, Linda. She is having an emergency surgery today. She has not been feeling well for some time, and just yesterday, had a CT scan and found the answer to her pain. The doctors will attempt to remove several large kidney stones and hope to save her kidneys from impending failure. We are so very blessed to have 5 sisters and I love them all so dearly. Please ask that God guides the hand of the surgeon and sends her the best nurses to help her through this time. Give her peace and comfort and Your healing hand, Lord.

Linda, I do love you so dearly. I wish I could be with you right now to hold your hand for a little while, but I place my trust in God and in His amazing gift of medicine and talented surgeons. Feel my love across the miles, and know that your sisters love you so much and pray that you will soon be relieved from all this pain and you will be good as new. We will celebrate with you as you are recovering from this! Hugs and much, much love, Sister Carol

A Sister is...

A sister is your guardian angel if she's older,
and your constant shadow if she's younger.
Your confidant, protector of your heart,
and secret keeper. A sister can also be
your enemy; your best adversary at times
of fighting.

She keeps all of your secrets, even the tough
ones. She's the one to tell you constantly
how pretty you are, partly because you look
similar in some ways. Your sister is the one
to call when that one boy talks to you; especially
when he decides to break your heart.
Also she's the first one vowing to beat him up
if he breaks your heart.

Your sister is your mother at a younger age
and you are hers. Not only is she your savior
shall anything happen to you, she also knows
what to do to make you feel better and wipe
away the tears. A sister is your only friend
when all others have walked out, especially
when you need a friend the most. This is
the person you shared your bedroom, and
at any time when your body changes, the one
whom you share clothes with.

She knows what makes you laugh, cry, and
most times is the one to make you laugh
and cry. She gives you a firm grasp of life
and tells you how hard love is so you dont' go
in blind. She has the qualities of an angel and
will never leave your side. She's the one who
understands every personal event life throws
at you, for she lost the same loved one you did.

To me a sister is all of these qualities rolled into
one. For I am the lucky one to have a big
sister like you.

UPDATE: Linda has had her procedure, and has come though fine. I talked to her husband, and he said she is wincing a bit as she is waking up from surgery. They were able to "zap" or shock her one kidney about 2400 times!!!! The second kidney, a few times less than that, but those big old stones are nothing but SAND!!!! She will not have to have the more invasive surgery at this time, thank the Lord! Sounds like it could be pretty uncomfortable recovery, but worst case scenario was that they would have to cut her open from her belly button around to her back to get to her kidneys. This will be much better! She will be going home tonight, so probably won't have time for any visitors, but I am sure she would love some emails or calls in the next few days! You rest now Linda and take care of yourself. Others can wait for a while!!! Love you forever!

Happy Birthday Brittany

2011-01-16T20:54:00.000-08:00

Brittany's children made these paintings for their mama's birthday-
Kavian - Braylyn- Calvin say: Happy Birthday Mom!!! 1-17-11

Happy Birthday to our Daughter-In-Law, Brittany. She has been such a blessing to our family and she and Brandon have blessed us with 3 amazing grandbabies! Thank you for those gifts to

me!

Every year on your birthday,

I think how glad I am that you were born,

How thankful I am to have you in my life.

Every year is another year

Filled with the special joys you bring

Just by being yourself.

Every year when you open your gifts,

Realize what a gift YOU are

to everyone who knows you,

especially me!

Happy Birthday!

-Joanna Fuchs

-photos by Christi Childress

Where's the Line?

2011-01-11T19:44:00.000-08:00

My friend Lynda from Texas sent an email to me with a link to the most amazing song: "Where's the Line to see Jesus?" It is sung by Becky Kelley and is a relatively new song but is quickly becoming very popular. Check it out and you will be blessed!http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=OExXItDyWEY

The story was prompted by her nephew, who is 4 years old, asking her a question at the mall. If everyone is standing in a line to meet Santa, shouldn't there be a line to meet Jesus??? How amazing is that?

Kelley says, "I am blown away. DJ's are calling me and asking me, Who are you? Do you have anything else? What other records do you have?" I have to tell them, "This is it. I don't have anything else!"

Thanks to Lynda, I was able to go the Becky Kelley's website and order the demo, and the accompanyment track and I am going to sing it in church this Sunday. It may be considered a Christmas song, but I am not willing to wait until a year from now to tell this story through song!

"Where's the line to see Jesus? Is it here at the store? If Christmas time is His birthday, why don't we see him more? Where's the line to see Jesus? He was born for me. Santa Claus brought me presents, but Christ gave His life for me. In the blink of of an eye, at the sound of His trump, we'll all stand in line at His throne. Every knee shall bow down, every tongue shall confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD!"

This is a Christmas story worthy of being told all year long! AMEN!!!

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T06:39:00.000-08:00

What a difference a year makes. One year ago, Marissa called, completely engulfed in tears....

Thanking God, one year later, for her safety and for His healing.

As we welcome 2011, take this day to attend your church.
Take this day to thank God for His many, many blessings.
Take this day to hug your babies and thank Him for his safety.
Take this day to thank God for sending His Son for us.

Take this day to love.What makes love so amazing? Love is what motivated the Father to send His only Son to die for us. Without love, there would have been no redemption for mankind. Not only would we be without love, there would also be no faith, and no hope. You see, nothing else matters, without love. It is the foundation for every other good thing in our lives. Blessings to all of you as we enter a new year, even more blessed than the year before

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus

2010-12-23T22:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas season brings many joys as well as many sorrows.

There are those who can not afford to buy their children the things they would like to.

There are those who can not afford the beautiful decorations and lights that make Christmas so special. Some would love nothing more than to celebrate with a big Christmas meal....but they do not have the means to provide this.

There are those who would choose to celebrate with family....some sometimes family members live at a distance, sometimes family is separated by anger or misunderstanding....sometimes it is the financial aspect that keeps them apart.

Then there are those who have suffered great losses, loss of jobs, friends or family members. The beauty of the season seems to elevate those feeling of loss or sorrow.

On another note, Christmas can and should be the season of great joy! It is the time of year when, most visibly, we can see God's love for us. He sent his son into the world for us!

Christmas is also the season of great joy and rebirth. We celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. This was no ordinary child. His birth brought great joy to the world. The brightest star stopped just over Bethlehem to point the way for all who were looking for this special child.

"She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for Him in the inn"

There were shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel appeared to them and they were afraid. An angel of the Lord said, "Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. Today in the town of David, a savior has been born to you and He is Christ the Lord"

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all men"

Jesus....the reason for the season. Happy Birthday Baby Jesus. I am so very happy you have come!

Look For The Light

2010-12-17T10:58:00.001-08:00

"If it were not for the darkness, we would not see the light."

Jesus came as that one little light in the world that was so very dark. It was filled with our mistakes, our failures, our dark hearts, and it was longing for a Savior.

Jesus is the reason. He is the light. He has come and He has changed mankind forever.

5 years ago, we were so very sad. It was to be our last Christmas with Mom. She came from the hospital that day, to be with her family. She sat in her recliner and just observed.....kids, grandkids, great grandkids, eating, singing, talking, laughing...Imagine all that she had begun. She gave birth to 9 of the most amazing people I know. I love my brothers and sisters so much. We all have such busy lives and it is so difficult to all be at the same place at the same time. It was a tradition forever that we all met on Christmas Eve. After Mom left, it stopped feeling like Christmas. Dad had passed away many years earlier and Mom kept the tradition alive. We knew we would be together on Christmas Eve, and most of us made that happen. As our families have grown and kids have gotten married and have their own extended families, the tradition became more difficult to uphold. We have tried to have "Christmas" at New Years, sometime earlier than December 24th, sometime later, but we kept trying. It really has been a tragic loss of tradition.

My sister, Ginny, "the peacemaker", and I were in discussion one night and we both talked about how we have been"missing Christmas". It has not been the same without our parents, but at least we had our tradition. She said the most amazing thing......."Mom died, Christmas did not"!

We love this picture of Mom. It was taken the year before she passed away. At school the other day, one of my students asked about this picture. "Who is that?"

My reply was, "OH, you don't know about my mom?" I thought I had talked about her so much that EVERYONE should know her. This new group of students did not know the Mom stories. That made me sad.

I told them how she was an artist, like me, and that when she was very ill, she began giving her things away. She would tell me to take her blue jeans to a woman who made quilts and rugs from denim. She told me to take her fleece to another woman who made blankets for babies in other countries. She told me to take her clothes to the women's and children's shelter in Sioux Falls. She knew about mothers with children and how hard times made it difficult to clothe them, and she knew, sorry to say, about women who did not have the financial support they needed to survive. She gave her shoes to the children in other countries through a shoe drive at the school. She had seen children on TV without shoes! She had me "regift" all of her unopened gifts to friends and family. She was so giving!

In her legal will, it was stated, "give all of my art and craft materials to Carol and her students at West Lyon School". I hauled boxes and boxes of craft materials. It has been 5 years, and many students have benefited from these supplies, and many more people have been the recipient of handmade gifts made with her supplies.

For these new students, who did not know my Mom stories, I took out what is left of the wooden cutouts and we had a painting party today! It made me so incredibly happy to share this with them! They loved it and so did I!!!

Mom died, Christmas did not!

Mom loved these little country cut outs! She had samples and pattern pieces neatly packed in separate shoe boxes. We are down to the last 3 boxes now, and still enjoying her gift.

Students painting up some JOY!!!!

Each students chose several cut outs to paint!

Painting made them so happy!

Nikki was serious about her work!

I know I deviated from the original idea for this post, but I have been know to do that, OFTEN!
The real reason for this is "The Light" See it! Live it! Enjoy it! Know the reason for it!

Christmas lives on....Thanking God for His Light!!

'Snow Place Like Home

2010-12-13T20:36:00.000-08:00

Snowed in at Grandma and Grandpas.... coloring, baking, fighting, pretending, cuddling, games, eating, playing "cars", making ramps, making cards for Grandma Elaine, looking at the blizzard through the windows, snuggling, taking pictures, more eating, playing "babies", staying warm and dry, cheering for the plow, then scooping, sledding, laughing, and having hot cocoa.

Thankful all are safe and warm and there were memories to make....

The Snow Man

-Wallace Stevens

One must have a mind of winter

to regard the frost and the boughs

of the pine trees crusted with snow

and have been cold a long time

to behold the junipers shagged with ice

The spruces rough in the distant glitter

of the December sun; and not to think

of any misery in the sound of the wind

in the sound of a few leaves

which is the sound of the land

full of the same wind

that is blowing in the same bare place
for the listener who listens in the snow

and nothing himself beholds

nothing that is not there and nothing that is-

I am in Love with a Boy

2010-12-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

a warm winter coat...
a brown one please.

Oh, and a little something to play with would be nice.

I do not know your name.
I don't know anything about you.
I do not know where you live, but I love you.

This giving tree thing really got to me this year. My daughter and I chose 2 tags from the tree. We did not try or realize it, but as I shopped, I realized that the two tags we chose just happened to be for the same child. Our little sweetie is 3 years old, he needs a warm brown coat, size 4 and a little toy. I shopped with love for this little boy whose parents can not afford these things we take for granted. I am so blessed by him. The hat and mittens were not part of the request, but this Grandma wants to make sure you are warm. How blessed it is to give...

I love you and I don't even know who you are.
Have a warm and wonderful Christmas.
Enjoy your family and your gifts.
Love you, Grandma Carol

He Knows Your Name

2010-11-30T13:51:00.000-08:00

Baptism- An outward and visible sign of what we believe God is doing in our hearts-a washing with water to demonstrate cleansing from sin-

And of children-"To such belong the kingdom of God. He calls us as brothers and sisters in Christ and today, we have gained a new brother and he became part of our church family."

I believe that actually happened the moment we learned of this child.

He isn't old enough to know what is happening. He isn't old enough to make this decision on his own, but he is a part of our church family and has been since we learned about him. We have waited for him, we have welcomed him, we have surrounded him with our love and support. He is ours and the love we feel for this little boy goes deep.

What can this church family do? We can bring him as completely as we can into the family of Christ. We can help him and nurture him and teach him and welcome him and love him.

Now imagine that much acceptance, excitement and love multiplied beyond our imagination! That is how much his heavenly Father loves him. God knew about him before any of us did. God loved him before we could have. God saw him being formed in his Mother's body. He knew Joshua before he was!

"...You saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16

I had the honor of singing for Joshua's baptism and the words to the song are so amazing! It was chosen especially for this day by Joshua's mama. I was unable to retrieve the song to add it to my playlist, but check it out if you wish on YouTube. It is called "A Mother's Prayer" by Rachel Aldous. You will be blessed.

My sweet baby, on loan from above

No greater treasure could I more love....

God's richest blessings to you, Joshua and to your Mom and Dad. They love you so much. They have prayed for you. They have waited for you, and now, they welcome you with love.

Our church has been going through some major growing pains, lots of changes, and some concerns come with that. Who would have thought that this one tiny baby would bring us together like he did?

Sunday morning, there was so much love in that room, hugs and tears and smiles and laughter and song, all combined...just as it should be. Joy came down in the form of a baby all of those years ago. Maybe baby Joshua has a job to do here, even at his young age.

Thanking God for new life, for love and for this tiny little baby, Joshua Jeffrey Nelson......welcomed with love!

FAITH

2010-11-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

I have told you stories about the Cell Phone Guy before. He graduated from college with a student loan in tow, marched himself right to the bank, wearing his business best suit and tie, presented his business plan, and was granted a business loan.

In June 0f 2009, he opened The Cell Phone Guy in Sioux Falls

Above his office door, perfectly cut by his wife Christi, is one simple word, but that one word says it all...."FAITH" . It takes faith to put yourself out on a financial limb with nothing to back you up but your desire, your degree, your intelligence, your stubborn will, your loans, your family and friends and your FAITH!

Faith is now leading Tyler to another store, another financial limb, another challenge and he is carrying his faith with him. He has moved only 1 block to the West but it is a big jump for a young entrepreneur! God has smiled on this young man. He has found a beautiful wife and has a beautiful home and growing business. He thinks about his wife and his family and his future, he thinks about his employees, he thinks about traffic, he thinks about location, he thinks about his business neighbors, and he thinks about providing the best service he can. He keeps his stubborn eyes on his dreams, but does not lose sight of the ONE who has brought him this far and the ONE who walks this journey with him.

This is our Cell Phone Guy, with a little creative editing from PicJoke.com, with that smile that lights up the room. I am so proud of you Tyler and I wish you all of God's richest blessings! Love you Forever!!!!

"Joy Cometh"

2010-11-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

I am in a women's bible study with Beth Moore, called "Living Beyond Yourself".

"The fruit of the spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, patience, goodness, gentleness, and self control." Galatians 5:22

Joy is the second characteristic of the fruits of the spirit....second only to love.

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."John 15:22

"Weeping lasts for the night but Joy comes in the morning."

But Lord, how long is the night? How long must we suffer? God does not mean that our weeping or sorrow or suffering will actually last 8 hours.....He tells us to endure because He assures us that after the sorrow comes the most amazing indescribable joy. The suffering and sorrow will seem like nothing compared this this joy that will last forever!!!

Our promised home in heaven is a pretty good reason to rejoice, but while on earth, there will be tribulation in our lives. Perhaps God allows these trials to make sure we have to work, to seek Him and seek that Joy. "though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you. "Psalm 71:20,23

What kind of struggles are you facing? Are you looking for Him in the midst of your struggles?

Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
"For behold,darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the LORD will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you.
Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Lift up your eyes round about and see;
They all gather together, they come to you
Your sons will come from afar,
And your daughters will be carried in the arms.
"Then you will see and be radiant,
And your heart will thrill and rejoice. Isaiah 60

Beth asked us "When was the last time your heart swelled with joy?" Psalm 30:5

I thought immediately that the last time for me was when I painted with the children. I painted for the children. They wanted to participate. They wanted to know. They wanted to share. They wanted to KNOW that God has HIS name on their hearts. They are HIS MASTERPIECES! Each and every one of those little people are HIS!!! What joy in each little face and what incredible blessings each of them are to me!!!!

Find YOUR JOY!

You just have to make it through the night.
The fullness of JOY will be yours.

"YOU WILL BE RADIANT!
YOUR HEART WILL Throb and Swell with JOY!!!" -Moore

Amazing!

Capturing Life

2010-11-11T18:32:00.000-08:00

Our Uncle Gene passed away last week. It was sad to see the end of life. It is sad to see his wife go on without her life partner. It is sad to see his daughter go on without her father, his grandchildren go on without their grandpa. Now, two little sisters, daughters, grown ups, wives, mothers, grandmothers....both have buried their husbands on separate windy days, side by side on the hill, now alone as two sisters again. Although painful, it was also very, very evident that he knew and they know where he is going.

While on earth, Gene was busy "planting seeds"....literally. When I heard this verse read at his celebration of life, I had to smile at the memory of Gene, handing out his little cards to anyone....to everyone...planting this seed of remembrance.

If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley-but be
The best little scrub by the side of the hill;
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.

We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew,
There's something for all of us here.
There's big work to do and there's lesser to do.
And the task we must do is the near.

If you can't be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can't be the sun be a star;
It isn't in size that you win or you fail-
Be the best of whatever you are.
-Author Unknown

Gene lived by this verse and he died by this verse....giving his life for his country, his family, his city, his church and his God....until his last breath, he was anxious and willing to serve his God. Gene took his very last breath in his church.

Even in death, there were lessons. The minister said most people would probably say they would like to pass in their sleep, but, Gene, being the best he could be, passed away in the house of the Lord!!! They were an elderly couple with only one daughter who lived at a distance, but they were never alone in life and even in death. Their church family rallied around Gene, and in their haste and support of him, his wife was not forgotten or left alone. There were those there to support her. She was so touched by this, even exclaiming that some had come to the hospital to be with her that day and even more had come to her home to be with her in her grief. The minister said, (no I can not stop quoting him. He was amazing!), all of those who came to the aid of Gene and Melva...that was God working through those people!!! It was God reaching out and touching them, and through them, Gene and Melva!

I did realize one thing....I have something very much in common with Gene. The minister said of his love of phototaking...."Gene was always busy capturing life". His family have all of their memories in their heart and mind, but in case any memories are forgotten, I am sure Gene has them neatly ordered in a box, many in the form of slides for years and years and years of memories. Again, I had to smile as I remembered Christmas after Christmas after Christmas in Grandma Kroger's living room, lining up first by individual family, just the family, then the inlaws and then maybe the "outlaws" as we liked to jokingly call the date, significant other, or fiance, who wasn't really legally part of the family. Then came the entire bunch, and Gene, having the high tech camera of those times, could actually set the camera on a timer, which gave him JUST enough time to run into the picture frame to join the whole crew. We all held our smile and counted through our teeth, one, two,three, four.......and so on. If my memory is accurate, I believe Gene had until the count of 10 to get into place before....."FLASH"!!!

I think that is what I am doing. I never called it that before, but I like it!!! When I am scolded for spending so much time taking pictures, when my family says, "not the camera again!", when my grandkids say, "Grandma always has her camera".....I will remember to say, "I am busy capturing life". They really do enjoy looking at my scrapbooks, and I believe it will be quite a legacy once I leave this earth! Maybe they will say the same of me......."oh mom, she was always so busy capturing life!" I love that!!!

Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. How do you know the way? I am the way, the truth and the life. Because I live, you will live also. -John 14:2-6, 19

Because of this promise, we know where Gene is today. Gene is most certainly celebrating and being the very best he can be. He will be remembered as a man who knew "we can't all be captains, we've got to be crew", the man who gave his all, the man who handed out little white cards with this little poem on it, and the man who spent his time, "capturing life".

Birthday Boys

2010-11-04T05:43:00.000-07:00

Kavian David

So, what were you doing 6 years ago? I hope you don't tire of my grandbaby stories, but seriously, the miracles that they are continue to amaze me. That was the year Dave had a heart attack,I fell and broke my finger and injured my shoulder. I got bursitis and tendonitis and could barely use my arm, and Brandon and Brittany were breaking the news to me about being a Grandma. It really wasn't the plan. It really wasn't the best of times, but it simply was!

When they told me, one lone tear found its way down my right cheek. I always tease my kids that something was wrong with that right eye. It was always the one that "leaked"!!!

I read something later that I regret NOT buying, and I can not quote it exactly or give credit to who wrote it, but it went something like: "When I heard about you, I shed a tear, not because I was upset or mad about it, but because at that moment, I fell in love with you".

A very short time later, I learned that my dear mom had stage 4, inoperable, untreatable, a doctor's worst nightmare cancer. I went about trying to cope with that without falling down each time I put one foot in front of the other.

We soon learned that the one expected baby was actually TWO babies!

I kept going to school, going to soccer games, going to football games, washing clothes sometimes, buying groceries sometimes, cooking sometimes, teaching school some, caring for mom some, and sleeping very little.

We had a wedding. I made and glued and decorated and cut and pasted and hauled and decorated some more for that wedding. That is what I do best. I kept caring for mom and my son and daughter in law and my kids and my classes, and slept even less.

Brittany went into labor at 25 weeks. She stayed in bed in the hospital for 2 weeks. I kept going to school, going to soccer games, going to football games, washing clothes sometimes, buying groceries sometimes, teaching school some, caring for mom more and sleeping even less. I cried out to God for help and relied on my friends for love and support. My church surrounded us with love and support.

Kavian David and Calvin Lee-Prayers were answered!

The boys were born on November 5, 13 weeks early, each a bit over 2 lbs. They were strong. They were fighters. They did have their problems. Calvin was in cardiac arrest several times, Kavian puffed up like a balloon with blood transfusions, and then shrunk down to nothing with lasix. I was there every chance I could get, still trying to handle the load I was already carrying. I became ill. I did not sleep. I did not exercise. I did not eat well. I tried to cope and tried not to cry. I had headaches that were unbearable. I had high blood pressure and I gained 40 lbs. I am 5 ft 2in. tall. That amount of weight is not a good thing on that frame! I didn't care. I didn't notice. I just put something on, never looked in the mirror and tried to get through my life.

Praise God for my healing!

A vivid memory from that time was the day we traveled to the Dome to watch Tyler play in the state football playoffs. It was November 15. Tyler was injured, wrapped up and still in the game. Victory was not in the plan for the game or for my son who was a senior, Brandon was calling me to tell me Calvin was in cardiac arrest, and I was on the phone to my mom. I had missed her last birthday on this earth. She knew I loved her and she knew I could not fit another thing into my schedule. I am sure everyone thought I was taking the loss of a football game pretty seriously to see all the tears. I was very certain that I would not survive losing my mom AND my grandbabies at the same time.

The twins stayed in the hospital for 13 weeks. Mom celebrated each ounce and milestone with me. I showed her all the pictures I was taking. She marveled at their strength and their gains. They came home on January 29. She smiled and held them, talked about babies for the next two days and she went to meet Jesus on Feburary 3. I praise God for her complete healing, not by my choice, but HIS! I like to think she has the job of rocking all kinds of babies....forever...no potatoes to peel, no diapers to wash, no water to pump, no fires to make, no scraping for each dime to take care of her family, no pain. She can now just relax and rock babies!!!

What a glorious job that is and wonderful vision for me!

Mom got up from her chair, said, "Where do you want me?" She sat down and held out both arms for the babies. She was beaming!

JOY x 2!

JOY, JOY, JOY!

One thing I can sum up about Life.........................It does go on!

God is Good....all the time. All the time....God is Good!

I made it through the fire! I am not sure what I did to make God smile on me THIS MUCH, but "when it comes to blessings, I'm richer than most"!

Birthday Blessings to these two boys who have brought me so much JOY!

Happy Birthday Calvin and Kavian. Love you forever, Grandma Carol

Tickled Pink

2010-10-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

We met some old friends,

and made some new ones.

We heard from artists and TV personalities.

We ate and drank together while immersing ourselves in art,

We saw paintings, drawings, pottery, sculpture, photography and jewelry....

we shared stories, with a few hugs and tears,

and we saw some new fashions.

We watched a parade of pink, knowing that these lovely ladies were not only modeling some very interesting styles, they were also modeling their struggles, their journey, their strength and their survival. We took part in a celebration of life, dressed in pink, sporting new and different confidences, perhaps with new and different body parts, new and different clothing styles, but we celebrated together in grand style at "Paint The Night Pink".

It was an amazing night of art and fashion to support local cancer patients and their families. All funds raised are use to support services and programs offered through Avera Cancer Institute.

2010 Paint the Night Pink Art Showcase & Fashion Show featured:

Works of art from regional artists, designers, sculptors & photographers
The latest fashions from Hip Chic
Cuisine from Chef Dominique's Catering & Banquet Facility
Beverages provided by Republic National Distributing Company

I am honored to have been chosen to enter a few of my pieces in this event. There were approximately 100 pieces of art on display and the goal for attendance was about 300 guests. It was a wonderful night for fund raising for such a worthy cause. I am so blessed at what I was able to witness. I have some plans in mind for what I would like to work on for next year as I definitely plan to attend again.

.

The following is my artistic statement:

It is my belief that artwork can help the journey to healing. The artist cannot know who he will reach with his work. The artist cannot know what his work may mean to those awaiting treatment, those who are being treated, cured, healed, renewed, and those who are suffering fear, loss or sorrow. The artist can only create, offering what they can to the journey. We can each walk through life without seeing, without looking at the details, the words, the colors, the pictures….or we can stop a while and look, listen, reflect and enjoy. I believe that through my paintings and photos, one can travel more easily through “life’s transformations” with grace. One can use art images to express their own thoughts, observations, and emotions through a visual language of color, texture, form and light. Pictures touch human behavior, physical needs, sociological dynamics….how we make ourselves comfortable and can be comforted.

New Beginning

2010-10-20T09:57:00.001-07:00

Goodbye Preschool!

Hello Kindergarten!

The prompt this week over at 3 from here and there is "Storytelling". Select the #3 above to see what is going on over there!
Today, I am simply sharing my wonderful story with you! These boys....born at 2 lbs. 3 oz. and 2 lbs. 14 oz. are reading!!! How amazing!

Lessons Learned

2010-10-12T08:49:00.001-07:00

The time has come. I am ready to tell you about Lucy.

Have you ever had a time in your life when you realized your faults, your failures, your inability to make the right choices?

Have you ever thought about the consequences for these faults and failures?

Those faults and failures came to a boiling point in August. For many weeks following this failure, it boiled and boiled and finally burst, sending my entire world into a tailspin!

Lucy came to live with us last winter. A friend gave her to us so that she would be free to run on the farm. She was a purebred black lab. She had been been restrained to a house in town and a very small yard.

Lucy took that freedom to run.......she ran and ran and ran. She was full of energy, full of life and full of trouble. She dug holes, she chewed garden hoses and rake handles, toys, shoes, whatever she could get ahold of. It was an ordeal for me to bring home groceries because she was at the car door trying to get some before I could get out. She actually forced her way INTO the van and licked up any and all morsels of anything on the floor. She ate paper cups and napkins if they smelled of food, and maybe even if they didn't. She just liked to eat. I fed her every morning, noon, evening and maybe again at night. She ate every bite of food she could get, plus every table scrap, leftover from every meal and anything I would decide should be discarded, she usually ate it! I did not worry about her going hungry, just how I was going to keep up with her appetite.

Yes, this is Lucy, eating an onion! We would play fetch with just about anything, and hey, it was chewable!

During the summer she got into the habit of bringing home dead animals. These animals were very "ripe", which probably led her to them. She would have made a great hunting dog one day. She would proudly bring her "road kill" up to the deck, and wait at the door until we came out to see what she had. As much as I disliked the odor and the remains that were left around, I did not worry about this habit.

I did not worry about her running freely in and out of the barns and sheds.
I did not worry about her running away.
She ran up to greet me every time I came home...sort of like my own personal "welcome wagon". She watched me leave every day and never went past the end of the lane. Our last dog was hit by a pickup. I did not worry about Lucy going onto the road.
Friday, I began inservice at school, and Lucy stopped eating. She began to hang her tongue. Her eyes were red. Her mouth and tongue were so dry, but she would drink from my hands. She would eat from my hands. not the usual amount, but some. She would stand at the door and wait for me, as usual, but her eyes were so red, and she was not eating. I became her caregiver. I still did not worry. She was just sick. I would get her well.

The weekend brought all of our kids and daughter in laws and grandkids to our house. We were cleaning sheds and they were all helping. Lucy was around, running, not quite as robustly as usual, but right in there with us. We were eating and drinking. The boys were playing fetch with her squeaky toy. They would throw it, she would go get it and bring it back to them. They would take it from her, slobber and all, and throw it again. Lucy was thirsty. Our water bottles looked inviting to her. She began to lick. We are not sure what she licked, but we just wiped them off and kept working and drinking and playing with her. I usually chained her up when the grandkids came over. She played with too much enthusiasm, expecially for a 2 year old. Lucy hated that. That day, she was not running and jumping quite so much so I let her run free.

Monday, she was slobbering and hanging her head. I took her to the vet. I had to carry her into my van, she was so weak. She vomited. The vet and I discussed some things, beginning to get a little worried. She gave her a shot of antibiotic and a shot to counteract any poison or chemical she had maybe injested. I took home 5 antibiotic pills. I was told to give one to her each day. She was unable to eat, was not drinking much except maybe to wet her tongue if I offered it in my hands. I pushed the pill in her mouth. It fell out and I tried again. I am not sure if she got it down, but I most definitely was covered with her slobber.

Tuesday, she was worse. She was what I call "drunk walking". She was unable to climb the stairs, she walked sideways. She fell down the steps. I was still thinking I could get her well. I was offering her food and water. She actually ate that day. Her last meal was leftover spaghetti.

I took her to the vet and she was put to sleep. I knealt down and looked at her face and said, "I am so sorry Lucy. Be a good girl. Say hi to Grandma Nichols. With a hug and a few tears with the vet, I left her there.

It took several days. I was sick to my stomach. I was worrying. I lived in fear.

"I am sorry to inform you, but your Dog, Lucy was positive for rabies"

My mind raced. I had killed my entire family. Too many days have passed since we were all around her and her saliva. Who touched her? Did someone drink out of the bottle she had licked? Did Braylyn touch her saliva and then touch her mouth? Who was in danger? How painful would it be? How would I explain all this pain to my grandbabies? Would the kids at school torment my daughter as she feared....She could hear it...."Rabies Girl". "Look out, here comes "Rabies Girl"! "Oh no, we drank out of her water bottle!" What would this cost? How will I ever pay for it? I am so stupid. Why didn't I get her rabies shot? How did she get it anyway? Was she bitten or scratched? Could she have eaten an animal with rabies and injested the virus that way? Did we have rabid animals around our farm? I have to contact the neighbors. Is it too late for shots? What is it like to have rabies? Are those pictures on the internet real? How could she be so big and strong and go downhill so quickly? Am I dizzy? My tongue is so dry. I am so stupid! She was such a pretty dog! I was so neglectful! I am so sorry Lucy....

I was on the phone all day....do you know you have to talk to the all of your kids, to Jennifer, to GOD, the vet, the county health department, the state health department, the state vet, the hospital, the clinic, the doctor, the health insurance, the farm liability adjustor, the doctor again, the nurses at least 10 times? Do you know you need birthdates and current weights on all 10 people involved so they can prepare the dosages? Do you know that if you call the school nurse, she will weigh your grandbabies? Do you know of a principal who will allow you to cry and talk and cry some more, allow you to go home and then call later on to check if you are OK?

I took the grandbabies for their first shots. 3 kids, 3 shots each. I explained the best I could but had to hold them down and watch them scream in pain, not once, not twice, but 3 times? In Sioux Falls, one of my kids had to have 8 shots the first day. Then it was week after week after week, trying to explain, trying to get the grandkids into the clinic without them crumbling in fear. We all made it though the shots. No one seems to have gotten sick. No one has died.

No one except Lucy.

I am so sorry for the pain and suffering caused by all of this. If I can be of any help in all this, I would have to say that I am the new self proclaimed spokeswoman for having your pet vaccinations up to date. I can also be an educator through this. Did you know that the "Old Yeller" dog behaviors are not always the norm? Lucy never got mean or vicious. She never bared her teeth. She never tried to bite anyone. Did you know that you don't need to be bitten by a rabid animal? Do you know that contact with their saliva is enough to cause death. If the saliva of a rabid animal gets into the body through a cut, hangnail, scratch, or any mucus membrane, it is most certain death. There are no known cases of humans having contracted the disease and then being cured. Did you know that the vet, most likely a lover of animals, has to remove the head of the animal to prepare it for testing? Did you know that after she was sent to SDSU for testing and it came back, "inconclusive", she had to be sent to Atlanta Georgia to the Contageous Disease Center? Did you know the series of shots costs each person $4-5,000. We treated all 10 in our family. I could not take any chance. As much as I fretted and feared and cried over losing this dog, do you think I would survive if I killed any one in my family? The thing is: You get rabies, you die.

I am so sorry Lucy. You were such a beautiful strong animal and I failed you.
I failed to take care of you.
I miss you bounding up to greet me.
I miss your little habit of waiting at the door each day, knowing I was the one who faithfully gave you food and water each morning.

Do you believe pets go to heaven?

I had not thought about it before, but I now know that to be true.

Now you will never be chained up and you will never again be hungry and never again thirst.

How amazing that we have the assurance of heaven.

How amazing that there is always more to learn.

Thanking God for the gifts of medicine, kind doctors and nurses, friends, wonderful co-workers, caring bosses, for faith, prayers, lots of shared hugs and tears, and for family. I will not forget this Lesson Learned......

Street Life

2010-10-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

The prompt this week at:

http://threefromhereandthere.blogspot.com/

asks us to look at and share STREET LIFE!

I live in NW Iowa in the middle of nowhere and the street is actually a highway that passes by the school where I teach.

Our "Streets" may take us to abandoned bridges.

Our roads may take us to bus stops in the middle of the country,

next to parking lots used to play games,

down paths on golf carts,

near beautiful buildings one can see from the street,

through neighborhood parks,

and near photo opportunities when we arrive and use our eyes to see!

Make a joyful noise to the Lord
All the earth
Make a joyful noise to the Lord
All the earth

The flowers of the field
Are cry'n to be heard

The trees of the forest
Are singing

And all of the mountains
With one voice
Are joining the chorus of this world

And I will not be silent
I will not be quiet anymore

I am most in love with this family of musicians making a "joyful noise" I found as I was pounding the pavement at Drake University.

I am so excited for the day when all will join in and sing!
These words come from Make a Joyful Noise/I will not be Silent by the David Crowder Band.

Running through the forest
Dive into the lake
Bare feet on beaches white
Standing in the canyon
Painted hills around
The wind against my skin
Every ocean
Every sea
Every river
Every stream
Every mountain
Every tree
Every blade of grass will sing

We are so very blessed!

Make a joyful noise!

He Knows My Name

2010-09-27T22:45:00.000-07:00

We were there to be His hands and His feet.

I met a woman with 8 children and 18 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren, yet she came for a meal and perhaps some company as she was all alone.

I met a man who walked 40 minutes for this hot meal. His only form of transportation is a bicycle, but he lives on an upper floor and his bike is too heavy to carry up and down, so he walks.

I met a man who had been badly injured in a motorcycle accident but just kept on keeping on.

I met a family, new to town, with 5 precious babies, the smallest just 8 days old, no home, no food, but big smiles and excitement at starting school soon, and hope with a new job.

I met a volunteer who called each of the "regulars" by name, down on their luck, but most with big smiles for the greeters.

I met so many people tonight. I didn't get to know all their names, but He knows.

He knows each and every one of them. He knows that they can come here to be fed.

We wore name tags so the guests could call us by name. Some really searched out that name tag and would carefully say....."Thank You, Carol"! I collected the names at the end of the night to write them on my heart. What a wonderful group of Christian friends I have! I know their names, and name tag or not, He knows my name.

He said, "Carol, I need you to help tonight"

He knows my heart.

He knew it would be a blessing for me.

He knows my every thought.

He knew I was not busy tonight

He hears me when I call.

He heard our prayers to allow us to be of service.

He calls me His own.

He said, "You are mine"

He'll never leave me, no matter where I go.

He called me to be His hands and feet, He gently nudged me, I answered, and I am the one who was fed tonight! Amazing!

New Friends

2010-09-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.blogger.com/profile/07291628430833626275 said...

Hi Carol,
So nice to meet you at my blog. My husband is from the midwest--Minnesota. I know you may have a lot of blue out there but you also have abundant green--which we lack in the desert. God paints different colors in different places. Unique just like you.
The Lord is gracious and He offers us many opportunities to be thoughtful. Praise God that He is reaching out to encourage us, not to condemn us. Only the enemy does that--and we get fooled into playing his ugly game.

Know that the Lord delights in you Psalm 37:23&24

Blessings,

Janis

http://threefromhereandthere.blogspot.com/

Kelly said...: Carol, the Holy Spirit does not convict to shame you.

Take heart, friend. God knows what He intends you to do. He is not a demanding Master... Rest in Him now, on His grace.

http://sufficientgrace-kelly.blogspot.com/ Another Kelly walks beside me on this journey always, sharing the promise that "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of Joy" from Psalm 126:5

http://gettingdownwithjesus.blogspot.com/ Jennifer is there encouraging me and 'praying me through" She tells us in her stories that "He took me as I was, but promised He’d never leave me that way. I am an imperfect pilgrim, clinging to a perfect God who loves me anyway."

Janelle said:
http://ihavebeenchanged.blogspot.com/ "It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

I agree with Kelly; our God is not a God of shame ~ and you Carol, are a kind, beautiful, thoughtful and caring person!

How very wonderful to have new friends, as well as old friends telling me that I have not messed up so much that God is going to give up on me.

The Holy Spirit does not wish to convict me or shame me.
God is not a demanding Master.
The Lord is gracious.
God gives me rest when needed.
God is reaching out to encourage me, not condemn me.
The Lord delights in me!!!!!

I am having a much better week, thanks to lots of prayers, a restful weekend and God's amazing wonderful grace which allows me mistakes, forgiveness and the strength to begin again with a new attitude and a reminder of that joy I search for!

I found something about joy in one of my blog searchings and I can't remember who I got it from. If it is YOU, please let me know in a comment so I can give you the credit! I added, subtracted and changed it up, but it tells my story.

Sometimes joy makes a wet trail down my cheek. Sometimes it curls upward in a grin or bursts into a giggle. Sometimes it fills my heart making me feel blessed inside, and sometimes my heart is filled to overflowing and it comes out in a song.

Check out "God gave the song" sung by Sandi Patty on YouTube! It is quite amazing!

Opportunities Missed

2010-09-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

Sunday School hit me pretty hard today.

Dan was moved to tears.

I was moved to shame.

I had a particularly rough week and I failed in this commandment.

"Be devoted to one another.

Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

"Never miss the opportunity to be kind."

"That day never comes again."

"That opportunity never comes again."

"As you go through life, look out not always in."

I have this stack of unsent cards.

I failed to bring a gift to a friend.

I have not visited the sick.

I planned to bring a meal.

All the good intentions did not always get done.

This week, I have gotten angry instead of showing kindness.

All I can do now is ask for fogiveness and ask for strength to begin again.

Do not let these "opportunities missed" weigh on your heart and mind.

Pick up the phone, send a note or email, give a smile, give a hug...

Take the opportunity to be kind.

Try kindness and you will see...eventually it comes back to you!

Finding some joy today at http://threefromhereandthere.blogspot.com/

Gifts

2010-09-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

Meet my friend Cheryl-
I am sure you can just about guess what has gone on in her life...but there she is, being a wife, a mother, a helper, and a good friend to others.

I received a gift from Cheryl yesterday.
It is a very, very special gift to me.
Cheryl knows my heart and my mission.
It tells me that I am making a difference.
If I can make a difference to someone, I am successful.
If I can help someone, I am successful.
If I can provide JOY to someone, I am successful.
Using my gifts, providing JOY....it is what I am called to do

All I did was snap a few pictures.....

record a few moments......

give Cheryl the photos she wished for...

help record the memories....

allow her to enjoy being a mom, to enjoy the moments, while I snapped.

The picture of usually quiet, usually reserved father and husband engaged in full toothed smile....priceless.

Providing JOY, one day at a time-

Nehemiah 8:10 - Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the JOY of the LORD is your strength.

No Sweeter Name

2010-09-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

I have been in tears and in prayer and in song for weeks. When in despair, the tears come, and the songs come. My friend Shelly introduced me to Kari Jobe. Listen to "Revelation Song", listen to "The More I Seek You", listen to "Take My Life", listen to "You are Good", listen to "We Cry Out", listen to "No Sweeter Name"...she is annointed, gifted and giving her gift to God!

Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you do I pray.
Psalm 5:2

Singing and praying, singing and praying, singing and praying without ceasing!!

Pray with me and for me! Jennifer prayed to God over the cell phone. Jenn prayed right there through FaceBook. Janet and Trish provided much needed hugs. Suzi cries when I cry. Beth prays that she will be right there in the path of someone who needs her. I did. She was. Doctors hug me and say we will be fine. Nurses tell me not to worry. Melissa, the vet, felt my pain at saying goodbye. Pam provides ears and more prayers. I ran to my friend Sandy, to share my fears, and talked without taking a breath to Elaine. Lindsey and Amy and Penny tell me I am an awesome mom and grandma. Doug and Kent listen. Kim offers many prayers. Mary and Jodi share my tears. My church prays on behalf of our whole family.

Still...fear creeps in....but there is No Sweeter Name when we cry out!

No Sweeter Name...sung by Kari Jobe

No sweeter name than the name of Jesus
No sweet name have I ever known
No sweeter name than the name of Jesus

No sweeter name than the name of Jesus
No sweet name have I ever known
No sweeter name than the name of Jesus

You are the light to my heart and soul
You are the light to the darkness around me
You are the hope to the hopeless and broken
You are the only truth and the way.

No sweeter name than the name of Jesus
No sweet name have I ever known
No sweeter name than the name of Jesus

-I am so sorry, LUCY

My Sisters, My Friends

2010-09-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

l to r- Ginny, Kristy, Mom, Linda, Carol, Susan

"Good friends are we, my sisters and me!"

Linda- helper, healer, "little mother", friend-

Susie- long distance companion, FB lifeline, beauty consultant, friend-

Ginny - helper, healer, peace maker, host, friend-

Kristy - joy, voice of youth, eternal optimist, friend

There's my Linda, always looking after the little ones!

l to r-Susan,Ginny, Carol, Linda, Kristy

20 years ago-

l to r-Carol, Linda, Kristy, Susan, Ginny

I have an enormous circle of friends and I am so very blessed!

I have my school friends, my church friends, my high school friends, my college friends, my neighbor friends, my community friends, my email and facebook friends, and I even have my blogger friends!

While I do not wish to diminish the importance of all of these friends, I do have this amazing, incredible circle of lifelong friends.

We grew up together, we ate together, we slept together, we wept together, we went to school and church together, we sang together, we played together, we prayed together, we stayed together in plenty and in want. We are together still, and although miles may separate us, and the busyness of our lives keeps us going in all directions, we are always together in heart, mind and strength. We are so blessed to come together as often as we can and have the special times we call our "sisters parties". We always included Mom as one of the sisters, and there is a great void when we come together, but we always remember to give thanks to Mom for giving us this incredible blessing and teaching us about love and family and forever.

My Sisters.....My Friends-

I am blessed to call you mine.

I love you forever!