Remember

Remember: your first time you were kissed, the first day of school, when your child was born, where you were September 11, 2001.

Remember. A God-given gift--memory. We can use it for the great times, but there are also those times which we would like to wipe off the slate. Remember. A gift given to us to recall who we once were, where we have been and what we are going to become.

But, I remember a day that I found so sad I can hardly find words. I remember that day 10 years ago when I rushed to the school and assisted parents to take their children home. Parents who only wanted to hug their kids and hold them as they saw fates of fellow Americans in NYC at the Towers and then in Pennsylvania. Remember the heroes who assisted hundreds from burning rubble and dust and from the heroes in the plane who saved hundreds of peole they never met. Other Americans.

Remember America. Not to be worshiped but to be honored. The God-given land for Christians to be able to worship in freedom. Remember HE was there. He was in the stairwell as the fireman went up as hundreds fled down to escape the fiery building. HE was there when a daddy chose to rush the evil barehanded and sacrifice his life for the lives of others. HE was there as families grieved and searched. HE is there as we continue to ask why, but in faith we KNOW HE has the future. HE IS there no, with all of those who loved HIM and HE called home. HE was there when the Constitution of this land was written, HE had a divine role. HE planned it. Remember?

Lest we forget. Did you forget that our land is the home of the free and the brave? Did you forget that In God We Trust is our motto? Did you forget that "We the people" means all of those devoted and willing to die for the cause of freedom? These words are not mere words. They are providential words that have been God-given. Remember?

It is hard, at times like these, to remember. Remember the pain in our hearts; remember the tears; remember the sounds, smells and noise; remember the lost.

Remember that the battle is in the spiritual realm...and if we did not see this 10 years ago then we are blind. So, remember.....

People!

Have you ever had one of 'those' people who just cannot get the hint to get out of your life? Arghhhhh. I get so frustrated some days with 'those' people. "Those" people are the ones who know the buttons to push to make your inner being explode; "those" people are the ones who whisper behind your back stating falsities about who or what you are; "those" people are the ones who have to place themselves center stage and EXPECT others to bow down to them; "Those" people!

Well, now you see my frustration. I have one or two of "them" in my life right now. I do pray for "them" and ask God to help them as He feels fit and to soften their hearts to listen to his Spirit. But in reality, I have come to pity "those" people. I look at them and see people who are trying to fill the need for Christ with things like lust, alcohol and empty words. So sad.

So today, I know I will have to deal with "those" people. Lord I ask that you help me to keep focused on YOU, no matter what is said or done. And Lord I ask that in my silence, YOU will be glorified.....

Beginnings

It has taken me a week to process all the changes our family has been through this year.

 My husband loosing his career job, my son going away for four weeks to a place none of us had been and my oldest daughter heading off into the big world to go to college. All these new beginnings....they are both scary and exciting, happy and sad, heart warming and heart breaking.

In tough times, I fall on my face and cry out to my Creator. This year has been one tough time.

I have been listening though and trying to stay positive. I rejoice in the small things these days. Days where there is quiet moments of family time and laughter filling the air. Times when a good meal and great company is all you need. Times when we can escape from this ugly present world and get lost in the hopes of heaven and what His Kingdom will be like. 

So, for now, I will continue to hold dear the promise that something better is coming. To hold onto the how proud I am as a mom of kids who are making great strides in not only their futures but the futures of others. That how proud I am of my husband as he continues to daily walk in faith and provide for his family. To remember that out of adversity comes strength......

Change

Change. The simple process of going from one thing to another. Well, sometimes it's just not that simple. Change is the one thing Christ promised us. Change can be exciting, unknown and just down right scary. Change.

For me change is everything. Change is going from the known to the unknown, from the good to the bad or from the old to the new. Change is hard. I enjoy my home, my space, my kids and my stuff just the way it is. I expect my friends to always be there and for my church to always be there and whatever I come in contact with to be there. But, then they change.

Friends move. Kids get older and go off to college. Stuff breaks and we have to get a new one or maybe not. Life is rearranged not by our own doing but by our society. Churches split. Pets die. It is all change. Daily: living: change.

But, Jesus promised change. Turn from your old self and turn towards the cross. Take up your cross and follow him. Count your trials (times of change) joy as they will make you stronger and you will learn to trust God with all your heart. Promises. All about change. Things to always remember.

There is now wrapping up here....it is ongoing. Change from what to wear today, to what does God want for me to do for Him today...where to go, who to chat with, what meeting to go to make a difference, how can I help God change this world for His purpose......it is ALL CHANGE...... luckily, we can all change together!

Origins

I honestly feel that most people are born 'good'. That children, although they are God-made, are innocent until a time of accountability and they are indwelled with a sense of good and bad. I believe that as we age, we also retain that same sense of good and bad, but sometimes we let it fall away and go with what 'feels' right. And we follow the trends of society and 'doing what is right in our own eyes'

I recently read a message that said in a round about way: All Christians are not good because they call themselves a Christian. I find it sad, but I have to agree.  Just as children have an age when they realize who they are and whose they are-- adults also forget this---yes, even in the church and in the Christian world.

Being a Christian is not about reading the Bible, or knowing the verses, or wearing a bumper sticker on your car that says Jesus Saves. It is a lifestyle, a challenge and a blessing each day. The words from the Bible should penetrate your innermost soul, your Spirit, the thing that makes you who you are. Through your actions, through your words and through your thoughts. This is the challenge-- because as humans, we can all go to the place that is just not right. It can happen in seconds or years. It can be words, or thoughts or actions which lead to this place.... each day, each second, we are challenged to stay on the path of Godliness...to focus on the cross and try to not loose sight of who and whose we are. To remember we have been bought with a price---

So, for all of those out there who want to use the name of Christian and make derogatory remarks, that's OK. It shows that our culture and maybe your family has not shown God in their actions, thoughts and deeds. It does not show who Christians are and how they live. And it does prove that no Christian is perfect, but they are redeemed by the blood of Christ. We make mistakes, we make bad choices, but we change and turn from the wrong, daily and try to do better. "All have fallen short of the Glory of God." and some days we all have to remember this verse and cringe and then get up and get back on the path we are to be on.

I find it hard on many days not to lash out and be nasty to someone who I feel has harmed me. I find empathy for those who I feel have been treated unjust. I find that sometimes our laws and our society is so blatetly misguided it makes me sick. I try to be the best I can and to look for the Creator for the answers. He is there, if I wait and listen.  For the times I blurt out meaness, bad words and  wrong answers, or just ignore the obvious- I am shown mercy and understanding. Being able to show this same mercy to others is where I have to work.....

Fireworks

My oldest turns 18 tomorrow. I still remember her messy face as we first held her and her incestuous grin looking at us. She knew us from the time she came into this world. She turns 18!

Although in society we state 18 is an adult, I do not feel it is. I am a child. A child of the King. I take that heavily and with tremendous heart. I knwo my actions will reflect on His family. I know what I do coul dlead to the dicipline of my Heavenly Father. I am a child.

I pray for my daughter, as she goes into this world, that she realizes that she is still a child. Maybe not in the sense of what the world holds, but as a sense that she is loved by a God who is holding her in his arms and trying to show her the way He has planned. I pray that she humbles herself before Him and that she sees His way is the best and that submission is not weakness, but strength.

I still cannot believe it has been 18 years since we swaddled that little 'cheroke indian baby' in our arms. Josi had the wildest stick straight up hair and looked just like an indian baby. I cannot believe that it has been 18 years since I had the BEST peanut butter toast right after I delivered her. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this dear child of mine.....

Leaving.....

Our oldest son took off on a large jet plane this morning. We were at the airport before the sun was up. Anxious and excited, getting through the long lines in security and anticipating the moment we would hug and say good bye for a month.


Well, it all happened, and then I had to stop and remember the words of my Savior.... that these feeling shall pass and that there is a plan and purpose for those who love Him. I know my son is the hands of the Savior.

So, the phone rang and on the other end was my son. He landed safe and sound without a hitch. My faith reconfirmed and my heart pounding and leaping with joy! Enjoy my son and have a blessed time....becoming the young man our God has made you into.....

What to think about all of this...

I have been essentially challenged to blog. I have no idea how to blog, what to blog about or why anyone would even want to read my blog...and then I have to wonder what a 'blog' is in the first place.

My first impression about a blog: the name is just too weird and bulky. Blogging sounds like something you do when you are blown up like a balloon and bouncing around the countryside. It's not quite an onomatopoeia but it is close to it. So, initially my first impression is very deceiving on this issue and should I go through with this?!

So, I guess you could say, blogging is a lot like we are--deceiving. Our initial presentation to a new person could be that one of like or dislike, but initially, it is all deceiving. For, as we grow and learn about each other, new times and places or even blogging, we come to accept the differences and the impression we were first given. We now see that impressions are just that : an unreal idea or vision about a thing or person...therefore it is deceiving.

So, now you see why I might not be a good blogger. My thoughts can go way out there and then they might wander a bit.
It is a daily and moment by moment battle to hold the words I love so close and remember what they mean. The words form the book of Joshua which say:
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."

Memories and Beginning the 'New Season'

Looking over some old pictures and feeling a bit old today. Finding funny pictures and remembering the feelings and thoughts we had at the moment they were taken.....all of these things.... bringing back overwhelming emotions.

This summer is becoming one of change. A season I was never going to get to or think about. A season I never wanted or cared for, yet it did not wait. It is here--now.

Tomorrow we send our oldest son out on an adventure of a lifetime. He will travel 1000 miles away on his first solo airplane excursionand then remain in his destination for 4 weeks. It is the best opportunity he could possibly have, but I have to say that I am now having second thoughts. I will miss him so much.


In August we will be sending our oldest off to college 4 hours away. She will be chasing her rainbows and seeing the world as an adult. I still want to shelter her from this mean world, but know it is time for her to experience it all in her time. She will learn, love, fail and succeed....all tough lessons for such a young person.

When I was younger, I thought as 70 as an old person. Now, being in my late 40's I am seeing that 70 is a mere stone throw away. I pray for God to protect each member of families who are going into the 'next season' and that we hold onto HIM as we grow and flourish.....

Thoughts of Today vs. Thoughts of Yesterday

I am sitting here just watching the kids play a board game. Easy enough, and they are not arguing. But, just wondering how things will work out for each of them....the older two are off on an adventure with the church youth group and I envision how they will turn out.

Almost as I remember all of their earliest memories, I see them fleeting in a fog. I have been told to share all of these times with someone. My good friend Twanda has always said I should write a book :"The Lives and Times of Mary Jo"  Well, I guess this is going to be as close as it gets!

I don't really contemplate mush, but live in the present. I plan things and make sure there is a plan and it is followed through. I like to have a way to get to the end task. And most of all, to have fun as I do it...