Waiting...

I find myself in a place of waiting on God. That doesn't mean that I sit twiddling my thumbs doing nothing, it just means that I'm waiting for answers...direction maybe...from God. I know He hears me. I know He answers. So is He saying something and I'm not hearing?

I've been seeking Him and searching His word. Sometimes I wonder how so much "stuff" could seem to come against me all at once. Other times I am just so thankful that God has blessed me so much. What I realize is that I am truly blessed--there is always someone struggling with far more.

It's a freezing cold morning today, literally. It gets light a bit later each day. The view from the chair where I love to drink my coffee and read my devotions and spend time in God's word is usually a window with blinds that are down, but open...waiting for the sun to arise, but still dark as night behind them.

Today I am home and the view is the sunrise. Not a full on view of the actual sun, but a view of what the sun is casting. A view of the product of that sun--the golden light over my frosted front lawn. And of a rosebush that is in front of my window. One last branch I didn't trim a while ago because it had buds on it.

Two days ago in the wind that branch seemed to screech across the window as the thorns made a noisy ride across the glass. I remember thinking I should just go out and trim that branch back. It was annoying to say the least.

But today I am so happy that I didn't! In the still of the morning there are rosebuds ready to burst forth. Beauty as everything else around it is dead. LIFE. HOPE. Flowers that are so close to the way they are supposed to be at their peak.

Today I thank God so much for knowing exactly what I needed and when I would need it. His timing is so perfect!

I leave you with some verses from Psalm 33:20-22

We wait in hope for the Lord;

he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,

even as we put our hope in you.

~

The Message Bible puts it this way:

We're depending on God;

he's everything we need.

What's more, our hearts brim with joy

since we've taken for our own his holy name.

Love us, God, with all you've got---

that's what we're depending on.

He is My Everything

I'm not one to really get 'down' so to speak. Even with life's struggles, God continually shows himself to me and blesses me in ways that I never could've scripted in my wildest dreams.

How would I have planned life if God had given me a blank book and asked me to write every dream, every desire that I have for myself or my family? Would I have been able to contain the words and pictures to a single volume? I think not.

And yet, God has to be looking at me sometimes and think, "My daughter, I have SO much more planned for you. And it's so much better than anything you could possibly think of." And He smiles. And He waits for my gaze to rest back on Him. And He takes my hand and we move forward once again.

To be honest, I'm in the middle of some struggles. I know God has a plan. I absolutely know it! And no matter the 'circumstances', I see God everywhere I look. In huge ways!

Being a Christian woman is the most interesting life possible. I have to say that I find JOY everyday. When life doesn't go according to my plan (which of course is always happy, pain free, conflict free, sickness free....you get the picture), I can honestly be filled with JOY.

And it isn't fake either. Most people in my life would have no idea that I struggle at times. But it isn't fake, it's because my eyes are set on Jesus and He's everything to me. He's so much more than Savior. He's my Peace, Joy & Righteousness here on earth! And I am so blessed! It's because of where I am focused and whom I am focused on.

Some people think Christians are fake and phony. That simply isn't true of a follower of Christ....one who is in relationship with Jesus and not just a part of 'religion'. It doesn't mean that my life is perfect or without struggles. But I have the perfect Father to see me through. Who allows me to find JOY amidst the difficult things of life. Who brings peace to the situation. It means I don't have all the answers....but I know who does.

I am not, but I know "I AM".....

Where are you looking today?

A song that's had a lot of Christian radio play is Matthew West's "You Are Everything," but it's more than a great song. It's really a great testimony. The words are:

I’m the one with two left feet
Standing on a lonely street I can’t even walk a straight line
And every time you look at me I’m spinning like an autumn leaf
Bound to hit bottom sometime
Where would I be without someone to save me
Someone who won’t let me fall

You are everything that I live for
Everything that I can’t believe is happening
You’re standing right in front of me
With arms wide open
All I know is
Every day is filled with hope
'Cause You are everything that I believe for
And I can’t help but breathe you in
Breathe again
Feeling all this life within
Every single beat of my heart

I’m the one with big mistakes
Big regrets and bigger breaks
Than I'd ever care to confess
Oh but, You’re the one who looks at me
And sees what I was meant to be
More than just a beautiful mess

Where would I be without someone to save me
Someone who won’t let me fall

You are everything that I live for
Everything that I can’t believe is happening
You’re standing right in front of me
With arms wide open
All I know is
Every day is filled with hope
'Cause You are everything that I believe for
And I can’t help but breathe you in
Breathe again
Feeling all this life within
Every single beat of my heart

You’re everything good in my life
Everything honest and true
And all of those stars hanging up in the sky
Could never shine brighter than You

You are everything that I live for
Everything that I can’t believe is happening
You’re standing right in front of me
With arms wide open
All I know is
Every day is filled with hope
'Cause You are everything that I believe for
And I can’t help but breathe you in
Breathe again
Feeling all this life within
Every single beat of my heart
You are
Oh You are
Jesus, You are
You are everything

You can listen to it on his myspace: http://www.myspace.com/matthewwest

Soccer

It's that time of the year again.......I time I absolutely love! We have cool nights and warm days........just perfect for soccer games. I must admit that next year at this time I will probably be a bit depressed. This is the beginning of my 'lasts' for me. It's Wes' last year of soccer. *sigh* He's a senior. *sigh* We still haven't taken senior photos. *sigh* I love that he's growing up.........and I hate it at the same time.

So I am just going to enjoy this soccer season to it's fullest! It hasn't been a stellar year for the team, but Wes has done well! So far only one other kid has scored this season, but Wes has done pretty well. His best game so far was last friday night (Dave's birthday too, so it was a great little present). He had 3 goals in the first 20 minutes (if you aren't a soccer fan.....gasp!!!, there are two 40 minute halves), then followed up with 2 later in the game. So out of 6 goals, he had 5 of them! Way to go WES! :)

I had the camera and got quite a few shots, but nothing really great...until my friend asked to take a couple photos of her son as goalie. "I don't care if he's just standing there, I'd just like a picture of him in the goal." I wandered down the field, the action came to that end, I snapped 4 photos and two absolutely captured the moment! Too bad I couldn't get great shots of my son. Oh well, we have lots of season left. :)

Ch-ch-ch-changes........

Now I have to admit, these changes have happened over the course of a couple weeks, but since I haven't updated in a while I thought I'd just give you the Reader's Digest version. Nice, eh?

Here's our walkout basement. Doesn't look like much yet, but they are forming the poured cement walls.

Now it's starting to take a nice turn..........look at that smoooooooth cement floor! It's really not wet, although it looks like it. But it's sealed, so it's kinda shiny.

Just another view...........don't you *love* that big tree to the left? I do too!!!

Here's the approach to our garage. Don't worry...the excavator comes tomorrow to move the dirt around.

Here I am in my scrap room. You are going to have to work with me on this one. Picture it now....the Pink Flip Flop girls around the large table/desk in the center of the room (with great lighting above it, of course), two 6 foot closets at one end, counter top along one wall with cupboards above, and my two large cabinet/hutches. I hope I have enough storage! *wink*

A view from the back..........with stud walls.

Another view from the back.......this is the walk out.

And lastly, this will be my main floor. I know, not terribly exciting, but it will be shaping up soon!

Thanks for sharing my excitement with me! The last few were taken at dusk....but we had a soccer game and it got late. ;)

First Day of School

Okay, so it's been a while since "I've" had a first day of school...but I was talking about this the other day with friends. One of my favorite days of the year was the first day of school when I was growing up. I did also love the LAST day of school, but there was something tremendously exciting thinking about the first day of school.

Maybe it was the fresh start. Every year you had another chance to do your very best, starting right at equal ground with everyone.

Maybe it was the new outfit! I didn't get a lot of new things growing up, but a new school outfit was always in order. Sometimes even two! I remember vividly laying it out the night before and being so excited to wear it the next day.

Maybe it was the new school supplies. Oh I still love the office supply aisle! I remember always getting a new pencil box for my desk. The old cardboard ones that were printed on the outside. Does anyone else remember those? If you were lucky, you'd find a really cool themed one!

Today after church I needed to go to Walmart to pick up a few groceries. But since I was by myself and not needing to rush, I began to wander the aisles. The air had a bit of 'fall weather' today and so I found myself picking up a cute tunic top and leggings, just for fun. And before I knew it, I had some of my favorite pens in the cart too! It was just like school shopping all over again! :)

Off to brew a fresh pot of coffee.....hope you are having a great day!

LIFE

It's been a while since I have posted. Some of it was due to the busyness of life. I was able to travel out to see Andrew in Iowa with my parents (kind of unexpectedly).....which was really nice! And then my Grandpa took a turn health wise.

The past couple of weeks he struggled with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. He was in ICU for 4 days, then put in Hospice care. Last Friday he went to be with the Lord. And while it's very sad, as they said at the funeral: He's been promoted to Glory! It really is a huge step up for him. I vividly remember Mom telling Grandma that he's now dancing and has both legs back. Then on Sunday our first two worship songs were about dancing before the Lord....it was awesome!

As I surveyed the room at his service, I realized how many lives Grandpa had affected. All the stories people told me about how he helped with this and that, both in the community and with individuals. And how tenacious he was and that he didn't take "no" for an answer. He had vision and he was a leader! But things were never about him. He wasn't one to take glory or bask in recognition. He simply moved on to the next thing he saw that needed done.

The visitation and service were really nice, with full changing of the guard by his casket. The Pastor and my mom gave great messages about how Grandpa had gone to church when he was younger, but didn't really accept Jesus into his heart until he was 89 years old. Praise God he was given a long life! We don't all get that long to decide. The service ended with a Fireman's 3 bells over the city radio system. And the processional to the cemetery was led by firetrucks draped with black and several police cars in front, beside us and behind us.

It was so interesting as we drove to the cemetery, people came running from houses and businesses to check it out..........as though it were a parade they hadn't heard was coming. One boy about 12 years old didn't even take the time to get both shoes on. I chuckled at that.

All traffic stopped. All intersections blocked. And then as we passed one intersection I noticed a lady at a car wash alongside the street. She had one of those giant hoses to vacuum her car and was wrestling it to her car...........and she didn't even glance up. Life truly goes on all around us. People glance for a moment, and then they move on.

And we all should move on. Even with our sadness of missing one we love, it's really all about LIFE. What it should make us do, is make sure every single moment of our lives counts.

What are you doing today that makes life better for someone? Did you invite your friend, neighbor or waitress to church? Did you offer someone a ride to the store? Did you send a handwritten note card reminding someone how much you care and are thankful for them? Did you call someone you haven't seen in forever, just to say hello? Did you clean your closet and take the excess to charity so that someone in need can also have something nice and affordable?

Change a LIFE around you today! :) And please leave me a comment on what you did. Or are planning to do.

this and that

Today was an amazing message at church! Worship was incredible and then Pastor Chris knocked it out of the park again. It was a tough message, but oh so good!!

Well the chipper finally showed up yesterday and the down trees are now gone. Yay! Tomorrow the cement guys are coming, so the basement should be done in the next day or so. I know sometimes it will seem like things are happening very fast and the changes will be obvious, and other times it will seem like things don't change for weeks. I'm trying to get my head around those thoughts so that I'm not anxious.

I've been really good about not buying things for the house. I'll see things and think "oh that would be so cute", but the reality is that I think people tend to end up with a hodge podge of things that don't really go together, nor do they need in the end. BUT.......and you knew there was a BUT coming...........I did pick a print for my livingroom! I'm using my existing furniture, plus a piece or two, so I know the colors will work. And I *LOVE, LOVE, LOVE* it! :) It was hard to photograph because of the reflections on the glass, but here's the best shot I have.

Time Flies

It's been busy the past few weeks! First of all let me report:

The tree guy showed up.

So it started out looking like this:

And all we took were the scraggly pine trees...and one tree that needed to be removed so that we could dig the basement. The ferns will become lawn. And from where I am taking this photo there is a stream behind me. It's a little ways behind me, but there none the less.

So the tree guy shows up........sort of. The trees are down....but not chipped and removed. "He'll be here soon." Well we aren't holding our breath. The excavator just moved the trees aside so he could dig.

And here's the basement:

Pine trees are piled up at the end.......and also over to your left from this view.

Here's a view where you can see all the nice trees and lush surroundings:

They are pouring cement walls on monday for our basement. It doesnt' look very deep from that photo, but it's a walkout basement, so we aren't completely underground.

Lots to report........Missaukee County Agricultural Youth Show, picnic at Green Acres with Grandpa & Grandma, etc....but I'll leave that for next time.

Have a great weekend everyone! :)

Chatting with God this morning........

Where are we going and what does it mean?
It's a new part of the journey.
Your path is always so much more than I imagined...
What causes my hesitation?
You've always proved yourself faithful.
To equip.
To uphold.
To always see your plan through.
I'm yours.
I'm in.
Whatever you ask----yes, Lord!

The journey continues---
it's so easy to look back and realize the plan.
But every day is a new opportunity to go where you are going
and be a part of your plan.

Patience.......

So I know you are wondering "have you started building your house yet"? That's a great question! :)

It's been planned, details have changed many times, but we are getting so many decisions made. However, we are STILL waiting for our 'tree removal man'. We have a few acres of spindly, ugly pine trees that need to be gone before we can dig a basement. A few too many to do ourselves.

Unfortunately Mr. "Hacker", whom I now refer to as Mr. "Slacker" is apparently still unavailable. Three weeks ago I was patient. Now............well not so much. I feel like we are dealing with Larry......and his brother Daryl............and his other brother Daryl.

He was supposed to be here last wednesday. Then he was supposed to be here today. Ugh! I suppose in a very weird way he is saving us money..........because we sure aren't spending money building our house yet! :) I know that someday we will be laughing about this. *wink*

Blessings

So.............what do you get a lady who is turning 90? We've done so many photo's framed over the years there isn't room for one more. She's pretty comfy in the clothes she already has (and more than a little fussy). She doesn't need jewelry. She can't really see to read or do crafts. It's amazingly hard to find something. But in all honesty, the only thing she wants is spending time with us.

So Happy Birthday to my Grandma Helen who turned 90 this week! She really is a card! She cracks them all up at the assisted living center. I teasingly told them her middle name was "Trouble" and it is. She jokes and kids around all the time. And by the way..........she's 10 this year she says. She got to 40, went backward for the next 40 and then started on her way again......which would make her 10. You just never know!

I got to spend time this past weekend visiting a local art fair with friends and today was able to take a quick trip to Houghton Lake to visit Arnie's Arts and Crafts. I realized how nice it is to have friends to just do spur of the moment stuff with and feel so relaxed and comfortable! :) God has really blessed me.

Tagged............and tagged again! :)

I've been tagged for the first time and tagged for a second time before I even responded to the first one. LOL :)





I'm such an awful person who tends to kill recipe trees and I've never done a chain letter. Oh I take that back. I vaguely remember doing one in 3rd grade or so. (They probably told me I'd get cooties if I didn't send it on. ) I think everyone I know has just gotten tagged, so I will be killing yet another chain. However, I think they are fun and interesting and will gladly answer them. :)


Here's one from my sweet friend Carin. I'm pretty sure I have well over 7 weird/random things about me.

1. I don't like my food to touch. I'm so much better at this than I used to be! If I had more than one cold salad...it could touch. But never a hot veggie and a cold salad, etc.

2. Totally random and not weird..........I'm adopted. Twice actually! Once by my parents...and then by God. Okay, so 'technically' he didn't adopt me, but I love being part of his family! :)

3. If I had to choose between chocolate or fresh salsa and chips..........it would be fresh salsa and chips EVERY TIME. yum

4. I love to cook! I love to bake. I love having people at my house. Sometimes I complain that I can't keep up with all the meals around here when everyone is home all summer, but I do love it!

5. I'm married to the most awesome man in the world, who just happens to be a dairy farmer! Ironically I teased a friend in high school who dated a kid who worked at a farm....and never in a million years believed I'd ever marry one.

6. I *love* flannel pj's and wear them 9 months of the year (but I DO live in Michigan!!!). In the winter I always sleep with footie socks on too.

7. The first album I ever bought my dad thought was too 'worldly'....it was Barry Manilow!!! LOL He took it and got rid of it. But I got to keep The Carpenters. ;)

Okay and now to Linda's tag (who is also a sweet friend!):

What was I doing Ten Years Ago?
Working....I think I was at The IceHouse Quilt Shop in Grayling. That was the year we were in a magazine about the top 10 quilt shops in the United States (I think I have that right).


Five Things On Today's "To Do" List
Wow! Um, laundry (what day is that NOT on my 'to do' list???), make dinner, wash dishes, make some cards, have coffee on the deck with friends who are staying with us. Actually a very fun day!!!


I'm addicted to...
coffee...or is it diet pepsi? I dunno. Either way it's decaf, so it's not the caffeine I like. :)


Things I Would Do If I Were a Millionaire...
Probably not a lot different than now in all honesty. I'm pretty satisfied with life. But I would 'give' more because I'd have more to give. I'd like to do it in secret though, but I'd love to just bless others.


Places I have Lived...
Lincoln, NE; Kearney, NE; St. Louis, MO; Chicago, IL; Chicago Heights, IL; Port Huron, MI; Cadillac, MI; Omaha, NE; back to Cadillac, MI; Falmouth, MI

That's all folks! Happy friday!

Weekend Fun

We spend saturday with good friends at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Sooooooo very relaxing! A leisurely drive up there, then we found a great spot for a picnic. :) Our salads almost blew away, but it was a fun adventure!

I just love the dunes. I love looking at them and I love climbing them. We took a scenic drive to an area that we didn't 'have' to climb to get a great view and that was fun too. But I just couldn't resist a 'little' climb down and back. Not too far.......just a bit.

We also hit Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor.........and they had cherry everything! Cherry salsa, cherry trail mix (dried), chocolate covered cherries, cherry chocolate chip cookies, cherry wine, cherry soda, cherry jam, cherry ice cream topping........well you get the picture. They also had a little ice cream shop that had lots of flavors........all (or at least most) had cherry in them. YUM! My treat for the day was Cherry Ginger Ale.......and it was super. That was after sampling most of the above cherry treat samples. *wink*

Thanks Luke and Carin for spending the day with us!

And Lyn....don't faint! I know, I know.........two days in a row. :)

THIS Is What 70 Years Looks Like

of Marriage! :)

My Grandpa Del and Grandma Helen have celebrated 70 years of marriage. He's 90 years young and she's 89.

Think of the changes they have seen. From the depression years...working for 17 cents (yes, cents) a day to today's $4.50 per gallon gas (they can't believe that one). When Grandpa was young he was a baseball player and local factories would come to the door of his home and offer him jobs with great wages if he would please play ball for their company team. :)

About the time I remember them, they were middle class yuppies. Well I suppose that was before 'yuppie' was a word, but they were. Two professionals, two incomes. A cabin 'up north' that they spent weekends at. I remember Grandma doing her nails a lot. :) And they had cable tv! They lived 4 hours away, but I remember going to spend a week in the summer and had so much fun. Even if we had to watch Hee Haw. ;)

They've been fiercely independent. Right up until they could no longer be. The last two years have been hard. Diabetes has taken both of Grandpa's legs in the last year. A bad fall has done irreversible damage to Grandma's neck. And they no longer can live alone and care for themselves. Most of the friends and colleagues are gone.

And so with a sigh of resignation they agreed to move to my family's home town. 4 hours from their place. And live in an assisted living center. It's really quite nice. A little apartment with privacy, but help whenever they need it. Meals prepared. The apartment cleaned for them. Someone to make sure they are always taking the right medicines (how many times did we hear "I don't know if I took my medicine today").

It's been a change. After 90 years, change is hard. But it was good to hear them say, "I think I can be happy here." And we can visit them every day, which certainly could never happen any other way.

Two days after arriving at the new place (which is really cute, each apartment having it's own house front and a main corridor that has street lamps and flowers and reminds me of Mackinac Island).......they celebrated their 70th Anniversay. We had a little party and had a few friends and family come. It was so sweet.

And it really was a celebration! Grandpa's sharp as a tack...........Grandma not so much LOL, but boy did we have fun!

Happy Anniversary to the best Grandparents in the world!

It's a Big 'Un

What could be exciting enough for a 17 year old to call his Momma after dark when he is just minutes from home? Catching a whopping bass! This is Wes' prize fish that he caught last night. He's getting it mounted even (secretly hoping he keeps that in his room). :)

It's not very often the boys WANT their photos taken any more, but we both had fun with these photos!

Growing, Changing, Yet Staying the Same

Wow! As of last week I only have one teenager left. *sigh*

I had a moment one day that was kind of surreal. As though everything else in life were moving very fast, but I was looking, watching, and observing life is slow motion. I began to watch my boys very carefully and just wondered where time had gone and when these "men" showed up. When I look in their eyes and see their smiles, I see my little boys. When I take a glance at them as a whole.......they are fully grown.

I love that even during their busy, grown up lives they still love the things that brought them joy in their childhood. I often wonder when we still stop hiding Easter eggs for them (I thought I'd give that up a couple years ago but they wouldn't hear of it). Or stop doing the special birthday day where they choose all the meals for the day.

And then I realized......people never stop wanting to feel special. Life can be hard. Decisions weigh heavy sometimes and people at college or at work just don't affirm you any longer. But home is where you can always be special. Where someone can say that they love you and that you did great! Where love can be shown in the big and little ways. Where you can still make green eggs & ham for your 20 year old son on his birthday because that is what he asks for. :)

The man you've become is so amazing. The son you've always been is so loved.

**photo circa 2007 because I didn't get a pic this year*

Just Checking........

I thought I deleted my blog by accident. I guess that's what happens when you don't post often enough. ;)

Be Still and Know......

Wow. I can't believe my last entry was November 19. I've had a lot to say. I've 'thought' about posting. I'm not even sure why I haven't.

Christmas was crazy working a couple different jobs and volunteering at church. Then after the first of the year I took a step of faith and took on a larger commitment to Women's Ministry at church. All in all life has been full. Not busy in the sense of crazy or out of control, but full. There is a difference. :) And to be honest I continue striving for balance in my life daily.

One of the most wonderful things was a trip to the Philippines that I took at the end of February. Our church sent a team of 19 people on a mission trip. It wasn't the typical mission trip where you drill a well or build a school or church (although those are AMAZING things), but it was to be whatever the growing Philippine Christians needed. There is a huge move of God happening in the Philippines as the Christian church is emerging. They face tons of opposition...and yet they persevere. They are evangelizing their own country and we went to assist them. To help them hold crusades where people could come and hear about Jesus for perhaps the very first time. To present the gift of God's salvation to them. It was so amazing and so humbling to see their eagerness for God's most wonderful gift! Well over 6,000 people came to know the Lord. They also were offered the opportunity for prayers for God's healing. It's amazing to think of how willingly they believed what God had for them. And God did so many marvelous things there!!!

One of the things I really loved was that they didn't offer the gift of salvation and leave people hanging with salvation, but no direction. Now please understand that the gift of eternal life is incredible and I am not downplaying that at all. But so often people make that decision and no one follows through with discipling a new believer. They were given a small Bible study pamphlet that really took them scripture by scripture on what the decision they made really was...to make sure they understood. The next day a Bible study was held at the same location as the crusade and the pastor with the closest proximity to that baranguay (village) would ask people to host a Bible study in their home. Those Bible studies will turn into local churches. Praise God that over 70 Bible studies were started!!! And not only that, but there will be follow up for that as well. Within 3 months Philippine church leaders will go back to that area and check with each and every pastor, and each and every Bible study.

I saw so many amazing things while I was there. Sometimes I'm still overwhelmed by it all. In such a good way.

I want to leave you with.........God is doing amazing things! He's doing amazing things in the Philippine people and he's doing amazing things in me. I hope you are letting Him do amazing things in you as well. He wants too and is waiting for you to surrender your 'stuff' to Him.