Listening Ears

What a hoot! I love a 5 year's perspective! One of my grandgirls is pictured here. She and her family came to spend a couple of days with us after Christmas.

As in our tradition of motor vehicle records, Nani's car is the car to ride in when you are going places. Aside from the DVD, etc. conversation is important.

Such was the case on this day! EK asked if she could ride back to Nani's house in Nani's car. Her older sister wanted to ride with her parents because she had just spent over 3 hours in the car with her younger sibling. An older sibling truly needed her space!!!

EK and my conversation began with the usual Christmas conversation - how are you, did you have a good Christmas, etc. EK answered sadly, "Yes, I did have a good Christmas and no, I didn't get everything I wanted." To that, my ears perked up and I quizzed as to what present was missing from her list?

She said that she had ALWAYS wanted a Pillow Pet. Now mind you, I didn't even know what a Pillow Pet was until November of this year. However, this is something EK wanted - badly!!!! In fact, according to EK, she was even given the opportunity to earn a Pillow Pet. Now I am not talking about an average Pillow Pet. I am referring to a white unicorn with a pink horn or a blue dolphin Pillow Pet. Yes, they do make all kinds...apparently...

"Well, EK, what happened? Did you earn it?" I asked. She shook her head, "No, Nani, I didn't earn it, " she replied - now very, very sad. "What happened that you didn't earn your Pillow Pet, EK?" I asked. She began, "Well, Nani, I just couldn't keep me LISTENING EARS on. They kept going off and on...off and on. So, I didn't get to earn one." (Now lip is stuck out and face very, very sad.)

I have to say that it took all my restraint and strength not to swerve off the road from laughing so hard. Trying to mourn with EK over this loss, I replied, "Well, EK, you know, Nani has that same problem." She looked up with a smile and said, "Nani, how is it that you don't have your listening ears on?" "Well, EK," I answered, "sometimes Nani chooses not to listen. You know, EK, maybe you and I need to work on that." So, we agreed we would do just that!

Have to say when her mom snapped this picture, EK had had her listening ears on the whole time. We had just completed a test recipe in her Nani's Test Kitchen of Brownie Covered Oreos. Not only was EK a tremendous help with mixing the ingredients, she was more than willing to help clean up the utensils - licking them clean!

And, in case you were worried about the "missing" Pillow Pet - thankfully it was wrapped along with some ladybug slippers and awaiting EK when she arrived at her Nani and Saba's house.

Love the time with all my grandchildren. Wish there was a way to bottle the memories so that I could pull them out on rainy days - oh, wait, there is...my heart!

No Room In the Inn

It is now after midnight and I am sitting down for the umpteenth time at my computer. Whatever did we do before we were able to Google to find our answers? "Can you store baked potatoes in aluminum foil in the refrigerator?" No, you need to put them in a ziplock bag – fine! "How do you arrange 1 dozen roses in a rose bowl that was made for 2 dozen roses?" Go to Youtube and watch a video. Oh, wait they are using 2 dozen roses. Okay, plan “R” - You go outside to the holly bush (yes, it is after 10 p.m.) and pray that as you cut the stems off the holly bush you don’t cut the string beautiful blinking lights woven with great care – okay, check! Four pies made – check! Tablecloth on dining table – check! Napkins out and semi-folded – where are those blasted napkin rings? Great!! the dishes I wanted to use are in storage – possibly could use chargers and white plates instead – no wait, I’m serving soup in the small cups – never mind! All this drama over a luncheon tomorrow with friends!

Can you imagine what state I would be in if Mary and Joseph arrived at my house right about now? Or even better – what not tomorrow during the luncheon! Sure, let’s add a couple of chairs, no problem, oh, plenty of food, no problem. Oh, you are in labor??? Now that’s a problem!

We laugh at this scenario but is it so far from truth? What is all the hustle and bustle about anyway? Why have we allowed ourselves to be marginalized into thinking that immediate is better? That waiting is wrong – on so many levels!!! Feeling overwhelmed??? When does the tyranny of rushing about and non-stop planning end?

It seems that the Inn Keeper in Bethlehem was overwhelmed. Possibly, could it have been too many people in town for the holidays? By being so busy and overwhelmed with the circumstances, the Inn Keeper was not a participant in the birth of our Lord. He was simply a spectator.

What would happen if you and I stopped being a spectator in celebrating the Lord’s birth and became a participant? What would that look like to you? Somehow I don’t think it looks like standing in a flowerbed after 10 o’clock in the evening cutting holly stems from a blinking bush!

Let us make room in the Inn of our hearts – Come, Lord Jesus! Emmanuel – God is with us!

My Dad Has Cancer???

Who knew that Lainey would see the flyer in the school office and read the word that strikes fear in all our hearts – cancer. You see Lainey is quite the little prayer warrior. Her legend of her faith in prayer is stellar for a young lady of 6 years old.

You see Lainey knew her dad was sick. He had been in the hospital, had an operation on his head and had to go to the doctor a lot. So concerned was Lainey about her dad’s medical bills that she came in to her dad to share her money from the Tooth Fairy. The tooth fairy had been very generous this year leaving Lainey $3.00!!! So, Lainey brought the money to her dad with this explanation. “Daddy,” Lainey explained, “The Tooth Fairy left me $3.00 for my tooth! So, here is what I want to do. I want to give $1.00 to tithe, a $1.00 for me to spend at the Dollar Store because, Daddy, you can get a lot for a $1.00 at the Dollar Store. And the last dollar is help pay your medical bills.” See, she is quite the special little girl, isn’t she?

On this particular day, Lainey had been in her grandmother’s office at the school. Lainey’s grandmother is the school principal where Lainey goes to school. A meeting with a teacher sent Lainey out into the office area to wait so that her grandmother could talk privately with the teacher. Lainey saw her dad’s picture on a flyer. Thinking that her dad had won something, she went over to read what her daddy had won. But, instead, Lainey learned the terrible truth that the rest of us knew. As she sounded out the words on the flyer, she looked back at the school secretary and said, “My daddy has cancer?” My daddy has cancer? Does my daddy have cancer?”

The secretary quickly scooped Lainey in her arms while another office staff member called Lainey’s mother. The grandmother’s meeting ended shortly after that and the secretary told Lainey's grandmother what had happend. And God being so like God, had Lainey surrounded by a praying staff of people - her grandmother is one of the best prayer warriors I know!

So, Lainey and her grandmother went into the grandmother’s office to talk about the flyer. They both cried and then Lainey suddenly took charge. She said to her grandmother, “Nanna, we have to tell everyone about my daddy. We need to tell them that he has cancer so that they will know how to pray for my daddy.” Her grandmother told Lainey that people already knew but they would make sure that everyone knew about Lainey’s daddy and would know how to pray for him.

That night, Lainey and her older sister, Morgan, sat down with their parents and were told as much as you can tell a 10 year old and 6 year old. As, being the family of faith that they are, Morgan took little Adam Michael (8 months old), propped him up on the sofa then they stood up as a family, held hands and prayed for healing for this young father of three. I would love to have had Heaven's prospective of that sight - a mom, a dad, two little girls leading the prayers and a baby named after Adam - the first man made by God and Michael - after the archangel Michael - and also named Michael after his dad.

Lainey’s dad’s brain tumors are inoperable due to the location and depth of the tumors. His doctors have told Lainey’s mom that he has less than a year.

Lainey raised as a prayer warrior knew just what everyone must do – pray! So, I ask you, “Will you join me in praying for Lainey and her family and that God will heal her daddy?”

The Road Less Traveled

The last day of our stay at the cabin was a sad one. Neither

Steve nor I were ready to head back to the city. The quiet which we had readily embraced in the cabin was ending sooner than we desired. There has been a holy safety into this place of respite. No cell phone signals made their way to this remote area. We were surrounded only by the dense woods, deer, rabbits, and birds of all sorts. During our stay at the cabin, when we went out onto the front porch, we were greeted by the steady and gusty wind and leaves blowing in all directions. It was strange as we watched this daily waltz of the wind and the leaves. Always taking the lead, the wind would gently move the leaves from their branches with a sweet release. Then, the waltz began. What a site this was to us.

My departure from the cabin for the last time was often interrupted because I would stop my vehicle to watch the leaves dance in a circle as the wind directed them this way and then that way. It was like watching a waltz in nature. They did not need music. The wind knew the way.

Slowly I drove toward the highway. Could I make this stay last any longer? Each time I paused I would listen to the woods and attempt to capture what I saw on film. Yes, I am one of those who still uses film.

Was sure that I had seen the last of what God wanted me to see when in the bend of the road I saw it...this road less traveled. I literally stopped in the middle of the road (you can do that in these piney woods). Quietly I sat in my car with the window down and just looked at this road. I have no idea where this road ended. What I knew for sure was that this road had not been traveled in a while. There were no tire tracks, no dust from a recent vehicle. The pine straw and leaves lay quietly in place waiting to greet the next traveler.

Why would God show me this road this day? Was God preparing me to again take a road "less traveled?" Did God want to show me this road so that I would remember the feeling of peace and holiness of this road?

Where are you leading me, Lord? No, I am not afraid to go. I have seen the road and know that it is safe because God have met me there and again He will lead me.

Have you been asked to travel a road "less traveled?" If not, ask God to take you on that adventure. Don't be afraid. God is with you!

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I...

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

By Robert Frost

Love, God

Saw this on a walk through the woods last week. Felt God's message strong and clear...

I Love you,

Love, God

A Leaf - A Cross - A Sign

Last week, Steve and I were given the opportunity to stay in a remote cabin. This cabin seemed to be held in the midst of a stand of trees. It had been a very hectic week and we both were worn passed exhaustion.

Many times God shows me His presence through the lens of my camera. This afternoon, I really needed to see God. I really needed to feel His presence. So I grabbed my camera and struck out on the path. It was as though I was standing in a waterfall of leaves. Every where I turned, the trees were surrender their leaves. The
leaves, in turn, cascaded down ever so lightly as the wind moved them on their way.

I remember thinking how much I really needed to feel God's presence. My head was
turned down and I was near tears. My heart had been broken and the pain that
filled my heart was the pain that I knew only God could heal. Just as I lifted my foot
to take another step, there in front of me was a leaf in the shape of a cross. I stopped in mid-step and just stood looking at the ground beneath me. I lifted my camera and took this picture.

Isn't God amazing? The scripture that even the rocks will cry out to praise God immediately came to mind. Seeing this cross brought me to my knees. God was present. There in midst of falling leaves, I found God waiting for me. His imprint so clear that I couldn't miss it.

When you feel discouraged, or your heart is heavy with pain, look down, look around from side to side, and look up. God is there...all around you! The God who watches over you and me never sleeps nor does He slumber.

A-C-T-S Prayer

This morning was a special walk. Thanks to a dear and precious friend, I was reminded of a form of prayer that I used a long time ago. My friend is also a prayer walker and uses this same form of prayer. My heart was thrilled at the thought of renewing this style of prayer. While this form of prayer is directive in nature and keeps the prayer focused, it also invites an opportunity to “freeform” words from your heart. So, as my feet hit the pavement, I began..

A (Adoration)

The “A” prayers are comprised of praise and worship. “I love you, Lord!” “You are a mighty God!” “There is no one like you, Lord!” “You alone, I worship, God!” This time is focused totally on worship and praise of our God. If you have having difficulty getting started with praise and worship, you can play praise music and allow the music to lead you into worship and praise.

C (Confession)

The Bible tells us that God will forgive our sins, and will remember them no more. This is a time to ask God to forgive you. You must tell God the specific things that you have done wrong and you feel sorry about. Once you confess, your sins will be forgiven, and you can be assured that God has forgiven and forgotten. You can know without a doubt that your sins are erased and never to be remembered again. “Lord, I confess that I have been fearful and not trusting you in this situation.” “Lord, I confess I am angry and hurt about this…” “Lord, I confess that I allowed hurt to keep me from moving toward your perfect will for my life.” This time if focused on being transparent and truly bare before the Lord. He knows already what is there and His desire is that we recognize the darkness and stumbling blocks and bring it to His light for healing and restoration.

T (Thanksgiving)

The “T” prayers are comprised of thanksgiving. Those probably come the easiest as they spring forth without being beckoned. “Lord, thank you for my husband who is such a godly man.” “Thank you, Lord, for my family who is a family of faith.” “Thank you, Lord, that our grandchildren know You personally and believe in Your salvation.” “Thank you for the wind at my back that is gently nudging me forward to Your perfect will.”

S (Supplication)

The “S” prayers are those comprised of asking God for what is in your heart. “Lord, please bring me to Your perfect will.” “Lord, now that I am walking into this mighty wind, please use Your Spirit to blow away anything in me that is not of You.” “Lord, please heal our church and our members. There are some who are very sick.” “Lord, help my husband and I to be like trees planted by the water. That we will grow stronger in You. Please use Your Spirit to give us nutriments so that we will bend and not break.”

Today the wind was blowing so strong that when I faced it head-on, it literally blew my earbuds of my Ipod out of my ears. It had been a holy walk. I was sad when I made the last corner and walked up the driveway to stretch from walking. Once the stretching was done, Maggie (our little schnauzer) and I sat on the front porch and listened to praise music and just praised and worship.

My cell phone ran bringing me back into the day of activities ahead. Until tomorrow…Lord, my soul pants for you like a deer pants for the water. Please give me hind feet for high places.

Prayer Walking

Years ago (probably close to 6 or so) I was reading a Christian fiction by Ted Dekker. I believe the name of the book is called, “Heaven’s Wager.” Won’t spoil the plot, but the book validated something that the Lord had been pressing upon my heart for some time. And, as only God can do, He confirmed His leading through Joyce Meyers! I mean really, okay, got the point already.

That is where the prayer walking began. Each morning I would pull on my tennis shoes and head out the door to pray and walk our neighborhood. It did not take long for the people living in the houses on my prayer walk began to take on special prayer requests.

A back injury interrupted the prayer walking followed by a move to a different neighborhood. Back surgery followed the move and then knee-replacement. At the end of last year, I left my employment to pursue a new future…one that only God knew.

For the past couple of weeks, the call to prayer walk began anew. It was time. So, this morning as I walked in the early morning, it was glorious. Although the sun stayed behind the clouds, it didn’t matter. The clouds were showing off with a huge display of colors. The sun added to the panorama and I felt God was very near.

House after house I passed and God pressed for me to pray…yes, please give peace to this neighbor. She just lost her husband last month. Oh, and yes, please be with us young mother who has miscarried and wants desperately to have another baby. And…the list went on.

Prayer walking is holy. It is a time that a prayer warrior can storm the Heavens with his/her prayers.

On my last loop it began to sprinkle light drops of rain. Couldn’t help but smile as we need rain and spiritually our hearts are dry. So, as I watched the raindrops hit the pavement in front of me, I prayed, “Lord, reign in me.”

I will be ready to meet God on the street and share the morning with Him. Prayer walking is good! Can’t wait until tomorrow!

Fishing Buddies Reunited

This photograph includes: Back row: Aunt Faye (Pappa's youngest sister); me; Uncle Garland (Aunt Dene's husband); Aunt Dene (Papa's sister -Front Row: Carol (my sister); Papa, Mama Terri and Peppy

What a great day that was! Carol was visiting from Kansas, I had come in from Texas. Papa was more than thrilled to have both his girls there at one time.

Papa and Uncle Garland were the best fishing buddies ever!!! Papa and Mama Terri had a camp directly across the street from Aunt Dene and Uncle Garland. There is no telling how many fishing trips these two men made before Papa died. Papa died on Uncle Garland's birthday.

Uncle Garland has long suffered from Parkinson's disease and this year passed away from lung cancer. Uncle Garland died the night before Papa's birthday.

What gave me more comfort than I can explain is that these fishing buddies were reunited. During my prayer time, I saw my Papa welcoming Uncle Garland and Papa had his arm around Uncle Garland and they were laughing about some fishing experience they had once had together. Then I saw Jesus walk up behind them and stepped in with his arms on their shoulders and said, "If you think that was a great fish story, wait until you hear this one!" They all laughed and walked away together - arm and arm.

As children of the Most High God, we can trust that those of our family and friends who have gone on ahead of us are waiting for us to join them. They are no long in pain, no more suffering. Cancer, leukemia, Parkinson's disease have lost their hold on them!!! They are whole and perfect and most of all, happier than we could believe possible.

For those of us who are on this side of Heaven, take heart! God is with us! His love and comfort give us strength as we go through the motions of this life until one day, He calls us by Name - for we are His and takes us to Heaven. What a day that will be!

It seems the older I get, the better Heaven looks. Not to say that my life is not filled with joys and happiness - because it is that and more! What I am saying is that my spirit longs for its eternal home and maybe, just today as I looked at that picture, I found myself homesick and missing friends and family who are no longer on this side of Heaven.

Seeing God - Two Old Friends United

Although there are many things that draw my heart, spirit and eyes to God, two of my favorites and old friends are my prayer candle and my digital camera.

Since my retirement, I’ve returned to an old habit and an old friend. That habit is burning a prayer candle each day. As in the past, my faithful prayer candle is placed in a prominent place and draws my attention each time I enter the room. It’s location (in our new house) in on the mantle in the den. Each time I enter the room, my eyes are drawn to the flickering flame and to God. It is such a holy connection because just as my eyes see the flame, so sees my heart and an open door to prayer happens. Sometimes I pause in mid-step to pray and then other times I continue walking praying as I step away from the prayer candle and its call to prayer. It has been one of my most treasured calls to prayers each day. There is no way to tell on this side of Heaven the number of petitions, prayers of thanksgiving and pleas for others’ needs have been spoken sharing my prayer time with this prayer candle…a faithful friend indeed.

Another thing to draw me to God is my digital camera. That might sound strange, but as I look into the lens of the camera and see a sunset, a flower, a grandchild smiling, my heart is drawn to God and to His creation. It captures the essence of the moment and reveals things that my human eye missed. It might have captured a butterfly in flight as I was taking a picture of a flower in bloom. One of my favorite times with this old friend was right after we moved to the country. Our subdivision was new and we were one of the few houses on this side of the lake. It was early in the morning and I grabbed my camera and keys (yes, still in my nightgown, robe and slippers) and ran to my car. I raced (literally) to the back of the subdivision to beat the rising sun. The plan was to capture the sunrise on my camera. It was one of the most dramatic times with God. At one point I had to put my camera down and just marvel at the magnitude of God! This faithful friend has captures many such times as: sunsets across the water in Florida, grandchildren’s birthdays and visits here with us, special events with family and friends, family gatherings, flowers, water birds, events at church, and pictures of people who are now Heavenside. It has been a good and faithful friend. Then, while in Galveston last year, the camera began to malfunction. I tried everything to restore it, but sadly it was wearing out and finally my digital camera died.

As I save for a new digital camera, plans are to use my still camera instead. Last night as I pulled it from it’s case and attempted to turn it on, the battery was gone. Luckily there was a package of new batteries and I loaded the film (you remember film??). As I pulled the camera up to take a picture, my heart soared! An old friend indeed had returned and it felt so good to hold it in my hands and see God’s creation through the lens! I snapped a picture of my cherisher and it made me smile.

This weekend my cherisher and I will be at Laity Lodge in the Hill Country. My heart is literally racing at the thought of the pictures that will not be missed. My old friend will be with me capturing the sights of God’s creations. And long after this weekend with God has passed, there will be memories in print to remind us how faithful God is to our every need. Oh, how we needed this time away. Oh, how we needed to sit and be restored, replenished and renewed.

Oh that we would see God in the ordinary…you know, the day-to-day things God shows us that we miss because we are just too busy to stop and celebrate His glory. Oh, how He wants us to pause and notice!

Can you do that today? Can you think of something – anything– that you can do to pause from your labors of the day and spend with God? Can you just stop to see His Glory? Can you not stop and see His presence? God dances all around each and every one of us! Most times we are simply too busy to notice.

My friend, can you not stop today – even if it is only for a moment – look around you and see God? Utter those words God longs to hear, “Thank you! I love you!” God is presence! He is amazing! Today why not allow God to take your breath away and draw you to His heart! Can you hear Him singing? God does sing over you, you know!!! Bask in His love and His presence with you today!

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love;he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

Inside Out

It seems that ever so often God allows a situation in your life that turns you inside out. You never see it coming so you are not really prepared when it happens. The shock of the whole thing just truly sets your heart racing and you wonder, "Why did I not see this before?" Or..."When did will I learn?"

All good questions about a broken trust, a person that you thought was honorable turned out not so honorable. What to do with dilemma? Where do you go? What can be said? Is this a relationship that is something to fight for? Again, good questions...

First thing that happens for me is that I go inside to that secret place where Jesus resides. I bring the broken pieces of the relationship to Him. There we examine each piece and see where truth is...because with Jesus, there is always truth.

Second thing is you listen to Jesus. This is hard because right now, all you are looking to find is a tender and healing heart to hold you...pieces and all. But Jesus wants so much more...He wants us whole.

Third you obey Jesus. This is probably the hardest one to do...because it requires action. Action from me and I might not be at a place I want to move from his feet. Yet, the time comes when He gently lifts me to my feet and sends me out to do...whatever it is that Jesus feels is right. Because with Jesus, it is always truth!

So, here I stand at the doorway of my heart ready to step outside and do what Jesus has asked me to do. Yes, the trust has been broken. Yes, Jesus will give me the strength to love that person. Yes, trust will need to be rebuilt...that is if that person is interested at all. In this case, I don't believe the person is...so what do you do with that? You love anyway. And, you pray for that person that she/her will be guided to Jesus and His truth.

After all, each of us have our own version of truth but Jesus' truth is always right, always healing and always loving.

I am sad that for now, this relationship which I hoped would be salvageable, for the moment is not. So I will wait on Jesus, listen to His promptings and love. It is my only option.

So, when you are feeling turned inside out by a violation of trust from someone you thought was a friend...someone you cared deeply for...go to Jesus...not only to feel His healing love but to learn how to love!

"For God so loved this world that He gave His One and Only Son

so that those that believe in His will not perish but will live forever with Him." John 3:16

Faith Is Like A Canoe

Have been going through a time of concern…not calling it depression...just traveling through some troubled waters. Have gone before my Heavenly Father, seeking the answers to questions in His Word and through my prayers. I know I don’t have the answers but I also know God does! It seemed like the longest time before an answer came back…stranglely it came in the form of a memory.

Was on Facebook this afternoon and looking at some pictures of some old friends we left behind in Louisiana. Their grown daughter was visiting with her parents and her grown brother and his family. The pictures were taken somewhere in Tennessee and were far beyond any postcard photographs I’ve seen.

As I scrolled through the photos enjoying the sights and seeing their family enjoy the outdoors, one shot in particular caught my eye. It was a photograph of the grandfather (our friend) at the back of the canoe holding a paddle and his grandson sitting proudly in the front of the canoe. The grandson was enjoying the canoe trip immensely.

This particular picture sparked a memory of a trip our Sunday School Class took to Buffalo River in Arkansas. It was a large group that included many children and a lot of canoes. On one particular outing, I was placed in a canoe with one of our Sunday School members. He, being an experienced outdoorsman and also a seasoned canoeist, I found myself lulled into the deepest sense of calm. The water was like glass. Just days before the very same river (due to heavy rains) had been deemed a Class 4 River…meaning only experienced canoeists were allowed on the river. But today the river moved us along and I watched with the utmost care every sight I could take into my mind. It was more than beautiful…it was holy! After a while I lay back in the canoe, so I could listen to the canoe move through the water and see the eagles soar over the sides of the canyons. Never was I afraid…never was I concerned about where we were going because I knew, John, our guide, had our canoe and our group well in hand. Just thinking about that trip floods my mind with snapshots of memories of that time on the river and riding unafraid in the canoe. And, when our canoe approached an eddy or some white water, John remained calm and navigated us through the troubled water. Never did he panic nor did he lose his grip on the paddle…sometime during the journey, John was so captivated with the sites, he lay the paddle across his knees as he allowed the current of the river to move us along.

Faith is like riding in a canoe. You need to have an experienced person, like John, to help navigate you through the troubled water and eddies. And, when you are about to miss a scene of a lifetime, your navigator points it out to you. “You won’t want to miss this one,” he would say. How effortless it seems for him to keep the canoe moving through the waters.

Jesus is our experienced navigator. When we "faith" a circumstance, we make the choice to climb into the canoe and sit down…allowing Jesus to steer with His paddle…trusting Him to guide you through the troubled waters…listening to His voice and seeing things He doesn’t want you to miss. And sometimes, you can even see Him when the waters are calm around us, sit with the paddle across His knees. Those are the moments He basks in creation and He sings! (Zephaniah 3:17)

Are you finding yourself still on the shoreline and not sure about getting in the boat? Climb aboard and sit down! Trust Jesus! It is a ride that takes a lifetime! And, oh, what a ride indeed it is...and then one day, when the river brings us back ashore, we gently step out of the boat and into Heaven. Amazing!!!!!

“If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”

Making New Memories

Here she is...my sister, Carol. Isn't she beautiful!!!!

It is hard to believe that 15 months has passed since Carol first became ill. Wow! Time has passed quickly for sure. For the most part, she has recovered...but not completely. The part of her recovery that continues to lag behind is her memory.

On some days her memories are clearer than on other days. Just last week I called her to remind her that she would be heading to our home state to visit with our family. She had it written down, so she remembered it. Yet, as we talked, she was unable to give the name of her daughter-in-law whom she absolutely dearly loves! Nor could she retrieve the names of her grandchildren. Each time we visit by phone she sounds so happy and she longs to see her family.

When Carol awakened, she had no memory at all. So, we made her a photo album that had her family members and their names and how they were related to her. She got pretty go at that book. Then, her husband bought her a digital frame and she liked that as well and watched it a lot.

As I type this, she is making her way home to our family. I'll join her on Monday at our parent's home. Can't wait to see her. Am hopeful that she will feel safe and comfortable as she has not seen our family since she was ill.

Have made another photo album that she will take back with her with pictures of family that visited her while she was in town. It will have their names and also notes that they wrote to her during their visit with her.

My prayer request for this time with my sister and our family is that God will give her new memories that will hold fast. She is an incredible lady and loves God so much! Would you join me in that prayer? Will let you know...

Letting Go of Our Prayers

A while back I read an allegory about a little girl whose favorite doll was broken. She was so shattered and hurt that she ran immediately to her daddy and pleaded with him to please, please, please repair her precious doll. After all, she slept with this doll, she ate with this doll. This doll was her constant companion. The thought of the doll being broken broke her heart and made her cry. So, her daddy attempts to examine the doll and see what damage was done and what he might do to repair his little girl’s doll. Examining the doll proved to be quite difficult as his little girl would not totally release her doll to the hands of her daddy. He would ask her to release the doll’s foot, which she did, but then she held onto the doll’s arm. The little girl simply could not let go of her doll and hand her completely to her daddy. Her daddy gently hugged his daughter and spoke tenderly to her and explained that unless she released the doll to his care, he would not be able to repair the doll. Reluctantly, the daughter released the doll to her daddy’s care so that he could repair her doll.

Did you ever consider that we are very much like the little girl and that our prayers and concerns are very much like her doll? How often do we hold onto our prayers and concerns and not fully release them to our Heavenly Father who waits patiently for us to release them to Him?

What freedom would we experience if we would only let go and let God have our prayers and concerns. It is when we fully release them that we are fully open to what God can and will do. Abba is Hebrew for “Daddy.” So, when you cry, “Abba God, please answer my prayer,” you are saying, “Daddy!!! Please answer my prayer!”

You, my dear friend, are God’s great delight! He is crazy about you! Did you know that God delights in you so much that He sings over you? Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that, “The LORD your God is in your midst,) a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (ESV)

A Jewel in the midst of Bluebonnets

Having taken time away from the office, my honey swept me away for a ride into the country. He was on a mission and he was not to be deterred. We rode for quite a while before we found these beautiful bluebonnets. He knew that I was missing having seen them this year.

We spent the afternoon riding the roads, listening to tunes, laughing and enjoying God's creation. It was a day to remember and to store away on rainy days when life seems overwhelming. We can simply look at our pictures or...pull from our storehouse of precious treasured memories and live it over again and again!

Here it is - a work of confection...

Please note the craters already peeking through the icing. Would like to say that this was the end of the story...

My honey calls me this morning as he is leaving an early meeting. He tells me that he took the cake and hope that was the right thing to do. I said, "It was okay and that I hoped Cheryl knew that a whole lot of love went into making that cake. The appearance pales to my affection and appreciation for all she does." He went on to say, "Well, the cake kind of slid in the car when I made a turn." To that information I responded rather dryly, "Well, did it improve the appearance?" He laughed and said that he didn't know but would be sure to let Cheryl read my blog.

I am thinking of changing churches!!!

Seriously, Cheryl, if you are reading this, you must know by now how precious and dear you are to our family and our church. Hoping the cake taste MUCH better than the appearance! You are loved and we give thanks for you being in our lives!

Let 'em Eat Cake!

Okay, tomorrow is Administrative Assistance Day and we love our Cheryl. She is the best thing that has happened to us in a long time. Making sure that I remembered that Cheryl LOVES carrot cake with Cream Cheese Icing, months ago I noted in my calendar to make her a carrot cake for Admin. Asst. Day. Plan A -good, until...

The timer chimed and I checked the cake. Perfect! Cake was ready to come out of the oven and to be turned onto the cooling rack. I was in the process of doing just that when the cooling rack caught on my blouse. I was literally hung between the cake pan, the cooling rack and the cabinet.

Calling for help over my shoulder to my honey to no avail as he is watching television. The struggle between me, the cooling rack and the steaming cake pan is growing with great intensity with every passing minute. In a final yelp for help, my honey finally hears me...only...it was too late. As we watch in horror (kind of like watching a train wreck), the cake slides seamlessly out of the pan but breaks apart (in multiple pieces) onto the cabinet. Does "never mind" come to mind? I'm just asking...

My honey, now on point, has made an assessment of the situation and suggests that we put toothpicks in the cake to hold it together. After all, once it is iced, who would know...I'm thinking toothpicks sticking out an inch from the iced cake is very telling, but what do I know? Or better still, hey, why not use that toothpicks to get that last bit of carrots out of your teeth once your through with the cake! Where is that bottle of wine?????

After icing the cake, the toothpicks firmly in place, I stand back to see how this episode will unfold. Not good! Toothpicks now make the cake look like a melting sputnik... “Could it get any worse?", you ask yourself!

I now take OUT the toothpicks and stand back to assess the damage. Hmmmmm...after allowing the cake to "rest" on the decorative and colorful plate that I had selected as part of her gift, the cake now looks like a lava cake...not good!

Thankfully, my honey has passed through the kitchen disaster area and is now ready to make another assessment by saying, "Why not put sprinkles on it. No one will notice." Doubting that even a novice baker would miss the growing craters forming in the cake, I retrieve "Spring Design" sprinkles from the pantry. I "generously" sprinkle the cake with tiny multi-color butterfly sprinkles...

Hmmmm...now the cake looks like it has been attacked by psychedelic gnats and has imploded from the weight of the swarm! Not pretty!!!

Not to be without a good idea nor does he seem to fear the deranged woman standing at the kitchen counter armed with a spoon and a spreader, my honey again makes another pass through the kitchen epicenter and adds this comment, "Who knew that cream cheese frosting could double as glue?" After that he left the kitchen...

The imploded psychedelic gnat covered cake is now covered with a Tupperware lid. You remember those from the olden days - those puppies could take a nuclear blast? Determination as to the fate of the cake is yet to be determined. However, my honey has offered to eat the evidence and buy her a store bought cake. Now that is plan I can work with...

Hair Coloring At Home is NOT for Sissies!!!

Again, another money saving opportunity is questionable! I don’t know about you, but my grey hair is gaining on me. It seems that the roots have been touched up and before I am out the door, they are growing out again!! One would think that the salons use Miracle Grow my hair to make it grown faster so I can return sooner.

So, I began the quest of taking on my OWN hair coloring. Some of you may be very good at this, but let me tell you this job is NOT for sissies!

To reaffirm my stance that one needs the right tools for the right job (please see below for blog on that subject) the truth could never be…well…more true!

In an effort to saving $$ by coloring my own hair at home, Steve and I purchased a “boxed” hair color. It looked good. The girl on the box looked great and man, her hair!!!

I remember vaguely Steve inquiring about the color and if the color was correct and I vaguely remember assuring him that it was indeed correct. He went so far as to ask me if I had the correct number. Being more confident that I should have, I assured him that yes that was indeed the right color.

If ever there were more proof that Murphy’s Law coincides with the importance of an event, let me just tell you that it does! Steve serves on a board of directors for a non-profit organization. Last night was the “gala” (in other words – high dollar and no, your flip flops won’t be working for you that night) event.

The question begged itself, “Why not color it this afternoon so that it will be fresh and at least come close to the girl on the box?” So, with no anticipation at all in my heart, I grabbed the box and headed into our bath area to commence the ordeal.

Again, one would think that the color coming out of the bottle would be the color of what your hair will resemble. ..Oh, not so, my little pretty! Thinking that it might be a good idea to “do” my eyebrows as well, fails me now, but at the time, it did seem like a good idea!

Momentarily the color began to appear in my hair. I had not looked in the mirror but had moved on to more important work while the color was correctly timed to perfection. Once the timer went off, I breezed by Steve’s office to let him know that I was almost ready to go.

There are looks on one’s face that allows the other person to sense many emotions: danger, fear, humor and quite possibly confusion. You might be thinking to yourself that one could not possibly express all these emotions at one time, but by some miracle, my husband did. Oh, and I forgot to mention he said, “Honey, you kind of look like Groucho Marx!”

Feeling a severe sense of foreboding, I quickly go to our bathroom mirror and look. Oh, my Lord! I did look like Groucho Marx!!!! Steve followed me in to the bathroom and asked, “That is coming off your face, right? “ Face, what do you mean it’s on my face??? Oh Lord, it’s on my face!

Shampoo has no fury like a woman who has applied the wrong hair color. After washing it in the kitchen sink, I quickly wrapped my head in a towel and went back into the bathroom where the lighting was better. Steve waiting there (safe move on his part) stood patiently while I unwrapped the towel.

All of a sudden he began to speak Spanish to me. I look into the mirror and this fair skinned, freckled child of God looked like Maria Gonzales or a very old Cher with short hair).

Well, what is a girl to do but “go on to the show!” I dried my hair, rolled it and applied make up. Steve was awesome and I fretted over what to wear that would make me look to gothic!!! We settled on an outfit and I sprayed the disaster and out the door we went.

There were many heads that turned as we entered the room. I would like to think that it was the beautiful silver heart filled with rhinestones hanging from my neck that caught the attention, but somehow I’m not so sure.

After the evening finally ended, Steve brought me a glass of wine as I sat at my computer submitting a business transaction.

Let us just say, this man of mine is the love of my life. Not once did he make me feel (after the Spanish speaking thing) out of the ordinary. You would have thought he had escorted the most famous movie star ever! He held my hand and introduced me to all his friends on the board.

I’m thinking two things: First, I am keeping this man of mine! He is such an incredible man of God and I couldn’t love any man more (than Jesus). And two, hair coloring at home is not for sissies!!! I’m thinking that maybe it is worth the $$$.

Important Tip! - The Right Tool for the Job

Have you ever thought something was a good idea only to find that it wasn’t? Such was the case for my impromptu ice breaker.

Since I have my own home-based business now, I am constantly trying to think of innovative ways to save money. One such brilliant idea came out of sheer necessity! You see there is nothing like a Sonic Cherry Coke… and, more importantly…nothing better than Sonic ice.

So, in order to save $$$ for the past few months, I have purchased the ice by the bag at Sonic. This is truly an economical tip, by the way! However!!!! When in the freezer, the bag of ice tends to bunch up and harden. It merely needs a gentle tap to break the cubes apart and they fall wonderfully am effortlessly into your waiting cup right before your eager eyes.

Yesterday I came home from a doctor’s appointment with some not so great news. I needed a pick-me up. Satan was really playing some mind games with me and I kept telling him that I was not about to play with him. What I really needed was a Cherry Coke with Sonic ice to tip the scales on my mental game and get me sharp and at attention!

The plan to get sharp was a good one! I grabbed my cup and headed to the freezer in our garage to retrieve the medicinal ice. My spirit was high and my plan in place! All was going great until my impromptu ice breaker broke! I mean it literally broke in half and what appeared as sawdust flew everywhere!!! It was in my hair, in the door of the freezer, on my face and clothes. Miraculously, it missed my cup!!!

Putting my ice breaker on Steve’s workbench (where it originally was discovered), I quickly grabbed a microfiber towel (Tim the tool-man lives at my house!) and quickly cleaned “what appeared to be sawdust” off the freezer and me. What a mess!!! A little stressed because the ice was waiting for the rest of the ingredients, my plan for alertness was somewhat stalled. Not completely without a workable plan, I found one of his hammers. That would make the job quick, easy and in short order.

After filling my cup with the delicious ice and retrieving a cold Cherry Coke from the refrigerator, I put the cup filled with my mental repairing nectar down to check the damage suffered to Steve's stick - my ice breaker. It was very old and weathered and it has a really old label on it. Funny, I had never noticed that before.

As I read the label my heart stopped! Then, I began to laugh out loud! Seriously, I laughed until I cried because I knew at that moment that God surely had a super-duper guardian angel covering me and keeping me safe. Why should I worry about the silly thing satan was trying to convince me buy into when it was obvious that God was in the house and on the job! The label on my impromptu ice breaker read, “Highway Flare!” Who knew????

I called Steve at the church and, as best I could say calmly to keep him from total worry and shock, I simply and calmly explained what happened and oh by the way, this is what it was…is that okay..I mean…can I just leave the stick in the garage with this powder all over the bench…or do I need to put in the yard…what do you think I should do?? After a moment of silence Steve told me to just leave it there and he would handle it after we got home from church.

Maybe that explains the Mucho Grande margarita he had for dinner….

I’ve asked for an ice pick for Mother’s Day.

R-E-M-E-M-B-E R

One of the most precious gifts of my being home is having the "God time" in the morning before heading into my day. For so many years, I rose with so much whirling in my mind and trying to anticipate what needed to be at the office. However, now, I am able to crawl into my Heavenly Father's lap and let Him not only speak into my heart but sing over me. (Zephaniah 3:17).

On Monday, God gave me a word to mediate and in the word was a hidden meaning. God wanted me to mediate on the word and see if I would discover His hidden treasure tucked lovingly in my heart. So, I began to pray that God would give me His insight into the word and it's hidden meaning.

One by one the letters fell onto the page. Quickly going to my dressing area where my pen and paper lay waiting, the letters formed onto the page. Some of the letters came quickly while others waited to be discovered.

Continuing to pray, the words came and the direction for each letter was made known. On the paper it read as follows:

R - rid myself of unnecessary baggage.
E - emulate Christ to others.
M - mention Christ to others - tell my story.
E - enemies - pray for them daily.
M - miracles still happen - look for them.
B - believe - all things are possible with God.
E - expect God to move when I pray.
R - read my Bible daily and commit what I read to my heart and spirit.

Later I shared the results of this holy treasure hunt with Steve. He was so affirming and said that it sounded so right! In fact, he said, "Wow!"

Thank you, Father, that you are who you say you are; you can do what you say you can do; we are who you say we are; Your Word is alive and active in us; we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us - We choose to Believe God - and Remember!!!

Living Out Our Faith - Out Loud!!!!!

Thought you would enjoy Sandyism that happened this afternoon. It is sooooo me and what can I say??? It becomes more clearer as days go by that God keeps me on the earth to crack people up and prove to them that something truly wonderfully big and creative created this silly loosey goosey child of God and set her feet upon this planet for His delight! Sadly, you who know me get to live it out - out loud with me!

Here is the story - truly this is how it happened!

Our church was are having the Seder meal tonight and Steve and I were hosting overnight the representative from Jews for Jesus. I was not expecting him until this evening after the service or at the earliest late this afternoon. Imagine my surprise when Steve and I returned from lunch and there he was wanting to go home and take a nap...at our house!

Not a problem...I can be a willow. (you know...bend...bend...) As we were in front of Cheryl's office (parish secretary) to leave our new friend from JFJ asked me if I had cereal. I thought that to be a strange question but said answered, "yes, we do. " He said he had not had lunch and was hungry. I felt so badly for him that I quickly responded, "Oh, no worries, I'll make you a sandwich" which he jumped at with both Jewish feet!

So...I am in my car with him in my rear view mirror and I am thinking, "Oh, Lord!" We had not planned food for this meal and all I have is ham leftover from the Friday night "wine and cheese." "Oh Lord, will and can he eat ham????" I grumbled, well, probably not, dang!!! So, I stepped my prayer up a level and said, "Oh, Lord, can we please have turkey at home???"

We arrived home and I showed him upstairs so he could get settled in and as it was to be...hunger overrode tiredness! Dang!!!! Dang!!! Dang!!! He found me in the kitchen (thankfully I was praying silently - "Lord, please, please, please let there be turkey." He asked if we had wheat bread, excited to have a yes, praise the Lord, I proudly said, "We do!!!!!! "

Did I mention that I was fussing at myself on the way home in the car because I was being cranky about the sandwich meat?? I had to remind myself, "Self - shame, shame on you! Okay, time out! Go sit in a corner because you are acting like Martha! You know, Sandy Ferguson (now I'm mad at myself) when you entertain him you are entertaining Jesus." To that the Sandy Ferguson who has been sent to the corner responded, "Well, does Jesus eat ham? I'm just asking!!!"

So I open the refrigerator and found a miracle!!! We had turkey and it was still in date!!!! So, he had turkey and cheese and mustard...are they supposed to eat meat and dairy together??? I'm confused about that...but he loved the sandwich, freshly washed grapes and pretzel chips. Life is good...or so I thought!

When our guest woke up from his nap he came downstairs and asked if we had an exercise equipment he could use. I said that we had a treadmill upstairs and he was welcome to use that. He said that he had put on a lot of weight with all the Mexican food since he had been in TX. So I hear the treadmill going and honestly it sounded like he was struggling with every step and every breath. He was on his cell phone and was having difficulty breathing and talking. Thankfully the treadmill event ended.

It was eerily quiet upstairs when Steve said that it was time for he and I to head back to the church. I asked Steve if he would go upstairs to let our guest know that we were leaving and if he knew the way back to the church. Steve said no problem and went upstairs. I hear Steve call, our guest's name? No answer. Steve calls out again his name...Still no answer. By now I am in full panic mode. "Oh Lord, please don't let us have killed our Jews for Jesus on our treadmill!Thankfully he finally answered. No wonder Martha was so cranky! Entertaining Jesus is stressful business!!!!!

The evening was perfect. He did an awesome job presenting the Gospel and explaining to each one of us with holy and anointed words from Jesus as to how we could see Jesus in the Passover. It was moving evening and there was many moments that we knew that God was present and we felt His Holy Spirit speaking through this sweet and tender man.

Would like to say that the drama had ended at lunch/treadmill event...but ohhhhh....noooooo. We finally get to bed after much visiting and sharing after 11 p.m This part could be borrowed from "Twas the night before Christmas"...because there suddenly in the night arose such a clatter!!!" At 4:00ish a.m. Maggie (our dog) and I were awakened by a crash! My first thoughts were, "Oh Lord, now we really killed the Jews for Jesus man! He has fallen down our stairs!"

I sent Steve into the front to see if there was indeed a body at the foot of the stairs. Thankfully there wasn't. Steve looked around (inside) and pronounced the, "All"s clear" announcement and went soundly back to bed and sleep.

Now, Maggie and I are not in full agreement with the "All's clear" announcement as both of us clearly heard SOMETHING! So, Maggie and I emerge carefully from the bedroom to face whatever calamity has befallen us inside the house. We looked carefully through the front of the house and found nothing. No sounds from upstairs and the front lawn was fine.

At that point Maggie determines that she needs to potty in the back yard so I flip on the light on the back porch and open the backdoor. Strangely there was no back yard in sight. In fact, there was nothing insight but the our awning which was precariously draped and wrapped hap-hazard on the patio. Maggie took one look at that and you could almost hear her saying, "Uh, no! not doing it there!" So, we retreated to the clear and safe front yard.

Returning to the bedroom, I awoke a soundly sleeping husband to inform him that "Houston does have a problem." He quickly arose (just like in the "Night before Christmas") and saw what was the matter!

The picture above reflects the awning in the daylight hours. Thankfully our overnight guest slept through the rainstorm and the awning and...does this have a familiar ring like sleeping through a storm in a boat...just asking...

There is always a chance to see Jesus in our circumstances if we stop panicking and be still. The trouble with us is that we are so busy being "Henny Penny" that we don't stop. Would that we like our soundly sleeping overnight guest and sleep through the storm or better yet stand up and say, "Peace, be still!"

It is a choice we make to live our faith out loud. What do we say when we are shouting when calamity crashes in uninvited into our world? "Woe is us??" Are do we loudly proclaim, "Our God Reigns!" Let us be still and know that He is God! His peace is like no other.

Live your faith - but live it out loud - so the world will see...Our God truly reigns!!!

Celebrating Five Years!

To say the day began and progressed as a hectic one would have been a major understatement. That evening my husband and I were to host one of our diocesan bishops overnight in our home. He had graciously agreed to be one of the speakers of a series of talks in our church. Hoping to put finishing touches on obligations at work, my day came to an abrupt and heart-stopping halt. Our expectant daughter who was not due for a couple of months telephoned me to say that she was on her way to the hospital. She had just been diagnosed with preeclampsia. With this life-threatening development for both her and her baby, her doctor immediately admitted her to the hospital for an emergency c-section delivery.

It is amazing what adrenaline can do to help in packing. Within (what seemed minutes) I was packed, car filled with gas and headed westward for the long drive to the hospital and our daughter, in hopes of arriving before she was taken into surgery.

Have you ever noticed that things move quickly in a hospital when a life is threatened? Everything around our daughter appeared to move at “warp speed.” It seemed that our daughter’s hospital room filled and emptied in a matter of seconds. What suddenly appeared in her room, abruptly departed at one time. All of a sudden I found myself seated in the one and only piece of furniture left in the room – a straight back chair.

Seated for the first time since I arrived, the weight of the day's events seem to push me further into the chair. Minutes moved to hours. The room, like me, was silent except for the prayers being offered with every breath I drew. What had once been a room filled with a frantic pace, now moved in slow motion.

Voices in the hallway drew my attention upward to the sound of two nurses talking at the nurses’ station located just outside our daughter’s room. “She didn’t make it,” came from one of the nurses. What was spoken after that, I do not know. I only know that my world suddenly appeared terribly wrong. My first response was, “Please Lord, let this cup pass by me, I beg you.” Then, settling into the peace that is my mainstay, I released my daughter and her new baby girl to the hands that created them both. My prayer then moved to, “Peace, Lord, give us all peace but please let them both be okay.”

The movement of a body rushing into the room brought my face up and to the eyes of my son-in-law. He was dressed in scrubs. He had come down to the room to tell me, “She is okay, but the baby is not doing well. They need me to stay with the baby and accompany her to NICU.” I hugged and kissed him hello and goodbye and sent him on his way.

Soon after my son-in-law’s departure, my daughter returned to her room to find waiting a very thankful mother. Sometime later my son-in-law returned to the room spent. Since the hospital was filled to capacity, it had no other accommodations available, so the nurse offered our son-in-law a mattress on which he could sleep. Our son-in-law gratefully accepted the mattress, and was soon sleeping soundly on the floor in the corner of the room.

For the remainder of the night, I sat or stood next to our daughter’s bed, feeding her ice chips, speaking peace, love and thankfulness for her and our new granddaughter’s safe delivery.

The morning dawn slipped silently into a new day. Seeing the time for me to go, I reach down to retrieve my purse to do a quick touch up of my makeup and hair before leaving the hospital. My services were now required to take the older sibling to preschool. And as you would expect, that day was the school’s class pictures, and a picnic complete with a pony ride! My hands were needed to transform a sleepy little princess into a budding southern belle with pigtails and a bandana. As I bent over to gather my things to leave, my son-in-law stirred on his pallet. Pulling himself to a sitting position he appeared visibly surprised. He wiped his eyes with both hands, looked straight at me and said, “Wow, Nani, you look great! You don’t look like you have been awake all night.” To that pronouncement of a “touch-up” of hair and make-up gone well, I replied with a smile and a wink, “Well, Angel Man, that’s what a Steel Magnolia looks like!”

I know that it is not by my own strength that I have survived the night’s events seemingly unruffled. I know without a doubt that it is solely due to a strong faith that was taught at the knee and on the knee. And that this faith is in a God who not only guides and protects me through the storm but has taught me to dance in the rain.

Now, five years later, the same bishop visited our church on the anniversary of the night this budding Steel Magnolia arrived. Thought it fitting to write this as testimony to God's faithfulness in our lives. Sorry I missed you again, Rayford!