Today is Halloween.
So I've never been much of a fan of this so called "holiday".
Well, maybe when I was growing up, I liked it because going to a Catholic school, we always got the next day off for All Saints Day. So we could go out trick or treating and come home and not worry about having to get up for school. I vividly remember one year when I had my good friend Angela spend the night. We stayed up late and ate ALL of our candy that night. Funny, I don't remember getting sick, but the thought of it now, causes me to shudder.
I probably had an aversion to Halloween because I think I'm missing out on that "creative" gene that so many have. And when you have kids, they want you to be creative. Its a good thing I had a husband with a bit more of creative bent than me. Todd as Dracula was one of the best costumes ever!! No one, and I mean , no one knew it was him.
So now that I live in a place where there are hardly any neighbors around, I don't have the fun of watching kids come to the door trick or treating. THAT was my favorite part of Halloween: watching the kids and their costumes and seeing little ones try and say "trick or treat".
This year is the first year that I will not get to be with Kellen and Jax on Halloween. That makes me sad, but Jax had me close my eyes two weeks ago, while his Mom helped him put on his spider man costume so that I could see him and be surprised. I will miss them tonight.
But today I got the most wonderful treat.
I got to spend almost two hours with Bob and Claudia Mitchell.
Bob Mitchell was in the very first Young Life club. He has been around since the beginning.
He went on staff when he graduated from college and has been everything from an area director to being the third president of Young Life.
I was first privileged to meet Bob and Claudia in the fall of 1977 after he had become President.
It was at Woodleaf for our Bay Area regional meeting.
What's amazing to me is that I now live at Woodleaf. And Mitch is the one who found the property for Young Life to buy 48 years ago.
Mitch is one of the funniest people you will ever meet . And his gift of story telling is unmatchable.
But what has drawn me to this dear couple is their love for Jesus Christ.
So today, instead of having to sit thru a (boring for me) business meeting, I got to spend time with them all by myself. This is not the first time this has happend, and hopefully will not be the last, but oh how wonderful it was.
We shared stories of our family and our own physical battles.
The best part of our time was talking about Jesus and what He has done in our lives, what He means to us, and how that no matter how old we are, He can still use us.
I think Mitch just turned 84 in July, and although he can't see well-or hardly at all, and his short term memory is almost gone (both due to strokes he has had) and Claudia , who will turn 80 next February and has had 2 knee surgeries and a spinal fusion this past year, their passion and love for Jesus continues to grow and grow.
We laughed and we cried together as we shared life.
We talked about how getting old isn't fun, and yet that God keeps us alive to continue to allow us to know more of Him and then gives us the privilege of sharing that with others.
We marveled at how little we really know of Jesus and can't wait for eternity to know HIM fully.
We talked about being grateful and having joy in the midst of pain and suffering.
We just talked about Jesus and the richness of knowing Him.
The three of us agreed that we need to do everything we can to encourage those younger than us to spend time in God's Word. That somehow, the importance of the Bible is not what it used to be. That we need to keep telling the younger than us generations, how wonderful and amazing and NEW, God's Word is every single day.
Mitch has always been one of the godliest men I have ever met.
And I have always wanted to emulate Claudia for how well she serves and loves Jesus and her husband.
What an enormous privilege the LORD has given me to sit under their wisdom and their passion for Jesus the past 36 years. How they have spurred me on to be obedient to Jesus; to live for Him.
What a gift it was to be with them today. To share how real God is to us. To know we would be nothing without Him. To share joys and pain and know how to pray for each other. And for me, feeling somewhat discouraged that I am not as useful to the LORD in my 60's, being reprimanded by these two, that God will use us until He calls us home, was exactly what God wanted to tell me today.
So it might be Halloween to you, but I need no tricks tonight. I was given the best treat ever!!
Thank you Mitch and Claudia for loving Jesus, for loving so many of us, for serving until He calls you home.
Showing posts with label thankful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thankful. Show all posts
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
My friend Tom
Grateful.
Well that isn't enough.
Amazed.
Doesn't seem quite right either.
There just isn't really a word. Or a string of words I can put together that convey even a hint of how and what I am feeling.
It was just 5 weeks ago.
I got the call saying that the biopsy didn't look good.
That I needed to return home for another doctor appointment.
And so I did.
In the past 3 weeks, I have made a new friend.
His name is Tom Stewart.
Tom Stewart Jr.
Tom Stewart Jr, MD.
Tom is my ENT. (aka ears, nose and throat physician.)
Tom told me that I had a high likelihood of having thyroid cancer and that the best option would be to have my thyroid removed.
We set a date of September 10.
Really that was 10 days ago??
Tom removed my thyroid and told me to go home and rest. That I would be sore for at least a week, probably two. Anything is more restful than another night in the hospital.
I think Tom missed me. Because last Friday (oh that's just a week ago too?), he called me and said he wanted to see me that day. That we would do my post op appointment that day instead of Monday.
So I was a good if not a great nurse for over 31 years. I knew Tom didn't miss me that much. That there was more and it probably wasn't good news.
So we drove to Chico to see Tom.
And yes, it wasn't good news.
Turns out I had a very rare form of thyroid cancer called Meduallary Thyroid Cancer. Of all the thyroid cancers, this is the one least seen. Its the type that can metastify, or spread. And it likes to spread to all the lymph nodes on my neck.
Tom, in his sweet way, told me I needed another surgery, and that he had taken the liberty to book me for this Monday.
This time, it would be a bit more traumatic. That I would have two surgeries in six days time.
I would have a modified right radical neck dissection.
I'm not exactly sure what modified really means.
Because today, I have an incision and soon to be, a gnarly scar that reaches from the top of my earlobe on my right side to two thirds around my neck. I imagine that a full neck dissection would go from one ear lobe to the other.
It is very sore. And swollen. And so is my neck.
But I am so thankful for my new friend Tom.
He spent alot of time researching my cancer and what needed to be done. He talked to his mentors from his fellowship days at Loma Linda, he read journals, he left nothing unturned. And he was thorough. He took all the lymph nodes around my neck and sent them to the lab.
This morning, we went to see Tom again. This time, it was a post op appointment and he took out my one remaining drain. Then he gave me a copy of my pathology report that said all the lymph nodes that were tested were clear and had no signs of cancer.
And I thanked God.
Again, words are just not there.
I will always now have this scar to remind me of my new friend Tom Stewart Jr, MD.
A vivid reminder everyday that God has given me more time.
Time not to be wasted.
And as grateful as I am, I am also a bit baffled and wondering.
Wondering why I am spared of more cancer right now and my friends Nancy and Payton still fight courageously their horrific battles? Life just isn't fair.
There's so much more I could say. And probably will, at some point. You just can't go through something like this and not be changed.
Today, I am grateful for my new friend Tom and thankful for how much he cared about me right from the start.
And thankful for how God used Tom Stewart in my life to show me more of Himself and His love for me and my family.
At sometime in our lives, or in the lives of those we love the most, we all will need a type of Tom Stewart. I hope and pray that yours is as wonderful as my friend Tom is.
Well that isn't enough.
Amazed.
Doesn't seem quite right either.
There just isn't really a word. Or a string of words I can put together that convey even a hint of how and what I am feeling.
It was just 5 weeks ago.
I got the call saying that the biopsy didn't look good.
That I needed to return home for another doctor appointment.
And so I did.
In the past 3 weeks, I have made a new friend.
His name is Tom Stewart.
Tom Stewart Jr.
Tom Stewart Jr, MD.
Tom is my ENT. (aka ears, nose and throat physician.)
Tom told me that I had a high likelihood of having thyroid cancer and that the best option would be to have my thyroid removed.
We set a date of September 10.
Really that was 10 days ago??
Tom removed my thyroid and told me to go home and rest. That I would be sore for at least a week, probably two. Anything is more restful than another night in the hospital.
I think Tom missed me. Because last Friday (oh that's just a week ago too?), he called me and said he wanted to see me that day. That we would do my post op appointment that day instead of Monday.
So I was a good if not a great nurse for over 31 years. I knew Tom didn't miss me that much. That there was more and it probably wasn't good news.
So we drove to Chico to see Tom.
And yes, it wasn't good news.
Turns out I had a very rare form of thyroid cancer called Meduallary Thyroid Cancer. Of all the thyroid cancers, this is the one least seen. Its the type that can metastify, or spread. And it likes to spread to all the lymph nodes on my neck.
Tom, in his sweet way, told me I needed another surgery, and that he had taken the liberty to book me for this Monday.
This time, it would be a bit more traumatic. That I would have two surgeries in six days time.
I would have a modified right radical neck dissection.
I'm not exactly sure what modified really means.
Because today, I have an incision and soon to be, a gnarly scar that reaches from the top of my earlobe on my right side to two thirds around my neck. I imagine that a full neck dissection would go from one ear lobe to the other.
It is very sore. And swollen. And so is my neck.
But I am so thankful for my new friend Tom.
He spent alot of time researching my cancer and what needed to be done. He talked to his mentors from his fellowship days at Loma Linda, he read journals, he left nothing unturned. And he was thorough. He took all the lymph nodes around my neck and sent them to the lab.
This morning, we went to see Tom again. This time, it was a post op appointment and he took out my one remaining drain. Then he gave me a copy of my pathology report that said all the lymph nodes that were tested were clear and had no signs of cancer.
And I thanked God.
Again, words are just not there.
I will always now have this scar to remind me of my new friend Tom Stewart Jr, MD.
A vivid reminder everyday that God has given me more time.
Time not to be wasted.
And as grateful as I am, I am also a bit baffled and wondering.
Wondering why I am spared of more cancer right now and my friends Nancy and Payton still fight courageously their horrific battles? Life just isn't fair.
There's so much more I could say. And probably will, at some point. You just can't go through something like this and not be changed.
Today, I am grateful for my new friend Tom and thankful for how much he cared about me right from the start.
And thankful for how God used Tom Stewart in my life to show me more of Himself and His love for me and my family.
At sometime in our lives, or in the lives of those we love the most, we all will need a type of Tom Stewart. I hope and pray that yours is as wonderful as my friend Tom is.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
AS YOU LIVE
I know its my age.
There's something about waking up in the middle of the night. If I wake up before 3:30 am, I can easily go back to sleep. Anything after that, most often results in insomnia.
This morning was no exception.
The clock said 3:45 and I've been awake ever since.
Stressing.
Stressing over logistics of people's upcoming visits.
Not having the time for each person that I would like.
Feeling like I am cheating them.
Presently, we have our daughter Katie visiting us for two weeks while her sweet Nate is in Israel on business. Last week, our other daughter Kristi said she wanted to bring her family up this weekend. Which is always great because I LOVE having my family visiting. It was afterwards, that I realized that this same weekend I have two of my southern belles coming for a visit too.
So I began to stress. How am I going to have time to make each person feel special? To feel loved and cared for? And how do I have the time to care, nourish and love on our Interns? And I have dear staff friends counseling this week at camp and I have not even seen them yet and today is day five.
So naturally, this would keep me awake and my mind would not stop .
I knew that I needed to get up and spend time with Jesus because hopefully that would calm my heart and mind.
As ususal, the WORD OF GOD did calm my anxious heart.
I finished reading in the book of Joshua this early morning.
My life verse is in Joshua chapter 22 verse 5
"But be very careful to obey all the commands and instructions that Moses gave you .
Love the LORD your God.
Walk in all His ways.
Obey His commands.
Hold fast to Him and
Serve Him with all your heart and soul."
Also, in the last 4 chapters of Joshua we are told twice that not one of the LORD's promises to us has gone unfulfilled; not one of His promises has ever failed.
OK, that is a HUGE statement. None of His promises to us has ever failed.
Which immediately sent me to Philippians 4- a chapter that I go to frequently when I let the worries, struggles and stresses of my life get to me.
The New Living Translation has become my favorite version for verses 6-7
" Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.
Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
Then there's the often quoted Phil 4:13, " I can do all things thru Christ who gives me strength."
And my other "go to"- Phil 4:19, " And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus."
Yes, those 4 verses began to calm my anxious heart. I told God I needed His help. And I began to thank Him for these type of problems.
I'm worrying over things I cannot control.
I had no idea that all of these visits would coincide.
What kind of problem is it really to have so many people to love? How rich am I that I have so many people God has blessed my life with to love?
Yes, I may not have the time that I would want for each of my upcoming visitors. But I would hope that they leave Woodleaf knowing that I do love them, that they are special and that I wish I had more time with each of them.
It was that phrase, " His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" that got to me.
Life is all about living in Christ.
As you live in Christ Jesus. As I depend on Christ. As I go to Him with my concerns, anxieties and prayer requests. Living in Christ is showing me again that I was never, you were never meant to live life apart from Jesus. That we need Him desperately. Not all our times are desperate, but we need Him each and every moment of each and every day. Our hearts don't beat, our lungs don't breathe apart from His provision.
WE all need to learn what it means to live in Christ. It takes some of us a lifetime to learn that life really isn't life, apart from living in Jesus.
My stress is gone now.
I know that I will rely on Jesus to live purposely and love those that He brings into my life. I am so thankful for the unbelievable amount of friends that God has enriched my life with. I am indeed a very blessed woman.
AS
You
LIVE
in
CHRIST JESUS.
There's something about waking up in the middle of the night. If I wake up before 3:30 am, I can easily go back to sleep. Anything after that, most often results in insomnia.
This morning was no exception.
The clock said 3:45 and I've been awake ever since.
Stressing.
Stressing over logistics of people's upcoming visits.
Not having the time for each person that I would like.
Feeling like I am cheating them.
Presently, we have our daughter Katie visiting us for two weeks while her sweet Nate is in Israel on business. Last week, our other daughter Kristi said she wanted to bring her family up this weekend. Which is always great because I LOVE having my family visiting. It was afterwards, that I realized that this same weekend I have two of my southern belles coming for a visit too.
So I began to stress. How am I going to have time to make each person feel special? To feel loved and cared for? And how do I have the time to care, nourish and love on our Interns? And I have dear staff friends counseling this week at camp and I have not even seen them yet and today is day five.
So naturally, this would keep me awake and my mind would not stop .
I knew that I needed to get up and spend time with Jesus because hopefully that would calm my heart and mind.
As ususal, the WORD OF GOD did calm my anxious heart.
I finished reading in the book of Joshua this early morning.
My life verse is in Joshua chapter 22 verse 5
"But be very careful to obey all the commands and instructions that Moses gave you .
Love the LORD your God.
Walk in all His ways.
Obey His commands.
Hold fast to Him and
Serve Him with all your heart and soul."
Also, in the last 4 chapters of Joshua we are told twice that not one of the LORD's promises to us has gone unfulfilled; not one of His promises has ever failed.
OK, that is a HUGE statement. None of His promises to us has ever failed.
Which immediately sent me to Philippians 4- a chapter that I go to frequently when I let the worries, struggles and stresses of my life get to me.
The New Living Translation has become my favorite version for verses 6-7
" Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.
Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
Then there's the often quoted Phil 4:13, " I can do all things thru Christ who gives me strength."
And my other "go to"- Phil 4:19, " And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus."
Yes, those 4 verses began to calm my anxious heart. I told God I needed His help. And I began to thank Him for these type of problems.
I'm worrying over things I cannot control.
I had no idea that all of these visits would coincide.
What kind of problem is it really to have so many people to love? How rich am I that I have so many people God has blessed my life with to love?
Yes, I may not have the time that I would want for each of my upcoming visitors. But I would hope that they leave Woodleaf knowing that I do love them, that they are special and that I wish I had more time with each of them.
It was that phrase, " His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" that got to me.
Life is all about living in Christ.
As you live in Christ Jesus. As I depend on Christ. As I go to Him with my concerns, anxieties and prayer requests. Living in Christ is showing me again that I was never, you were never meant to live life apart from Jesus. That we need Him desperately. Not all our times are desperate, but we need Him each and every moment of each and every day. Our hearts don't beat, our lungs don't breathe apart from His provision.
WE all need to learn what it means to live in Christ. It takes some of us a lifetime to learn that life really isn't life, apart from living in Jesus.
My stress is gone now.
I know that I will rely on Jesus to live purposely and love those that He brings into my life. I am so thankful for the unbelievable amount of friends that God has enriched my life with. I am indeed a very blessed woman.
AS
You
LIVE
in
CHRIST JESUS.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Thankful Thursdays-the next go round
Summer at Woodleaf makes me lose track of the days of the week.
Today, for example is Day 6.
Someone asked me what day of the week it is today, and I had to stop and think.
I had wanted to have every Thursday be "THANKFUL THURSDAY", but it seems almost beyond my grasp in the summer.
What I do on "normal" as in "not summer" Thursdays is take 5 minutes and write what I am grateful for.
So here goes today's list -in 5 minutes
Scud-always the best choice I made-outside of my relationship with Jesus.
A surgery went well this week for my friend.
For RJ, I like him alot.
For our 14 Interns-they have incredible stories.
That we got to see one son and his gal last Saturday (along with her family).
Strawberries and Peaches. YUM
I am forgiven.
I know God's Grace.
For a brief few hours , I got to be a nurse again.
Time with my friend Becky and her sweet boys.
My times with Jesus.
My times praying for friends.
An internet that works today!!
Woodleaf.
That's my 5 minutes- I need to learn to type faster.
What are you thankful for this day?
Today, for example is Day 6.
Someone asked me what day of the week it is today, and I had to stop and think.
I had wanted to have every Thursday be "THANKFUL THURSDAY", but it seems almost beyond my grasp in the summer.
What I do on "normal" as in "not summer" Thursdays is take 5 minutes and write what I am grateful for.
So here goes today's list -in 5 minutes
Scud-always the best choice I made-outside of my relationship with Jesus.
A surgery went well this week for my friend.
For RJ, I like him alot.
For our 14 Interns-they have incredible stories.
That we got to see one son and his gal last Saturday (along with her family).
Strawberries and Peaches. YUM
I am forgiven.
I know God's Grace.
For a brief few hours , I got to be a nurse again.
Time with my friend Becky and her sweet boys.
My times with Jesus.
My times praying for friends.
An internet that works today!!
Woodleaf.
That's my 5 minutes- I need to learn to type faster.
What are you thankful for this day?
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Thankful Thursday #3
I love the idea of #tbt on Facebook.
Seeing pictures of people from recent or way in the past years is such a fun thing to view.
I'm thankful for my new habbit of writing about being thankful on Thursdays, because it reminds me-and hopefully any who read this- that we need to remember to cultivate gratitude in our lives.
Today I am thankful that a dear dear friends mom, no longer suffers and she is in heaven.
I am grateful that I know my God will comfort, uphold and support the Lai family thru this.
I am thankful for a year in YLC Chico of watching my girls -all 15 of them- seek to grow deeper with Jesus.
Thankful too that my 2-3 times/week drives are over for awhile.
Thankful for a visit from our daughter Katie this week.
Thankful for answers for the Hagenbuch's, and that Kaylee will hear again in the near future!!
Thankful for the early arrival of one of the Interns and anticipating the other 13 arriving by Sunday.
Thankful for a good phone call from a friend this morning and that we have been able to be real with each other for over 35 years now and thankful that I have the privilege of praying for her family.
So grateful today for God's redemptive plan in our lives-that He alone can taken the broken hurtful places and heal them.
Thankful that we were able to celebrate Scud's 30 years with Young Life last night.
Thankful that my life is not dictated by the outcome of my teams.
Thankful that God knows exactly what will happen next in my life and in yours.
Thankful that the Bible is available to read-that I never have to hide it.
So thankful for the women who mentored me in my life- who knows how I would have turned out without them.
That's my five minutes. Please share with me what you are thankful for.
Seeing pictures of people from recent or way in the past years is such a fun thing to view.
I'm thankful for my new habbit of writing about being thankful on Thursdays, because it reminds me-and hopefully any who read this- that we need to remember to cultivate gratitude in our lives.
Today I am thankful that a dear dear friends mom, no longer suffers and she is in heaven.
I am grateful that I know my God will comfort, uphold and support the Lai family thru this.
I am thankful for a year in YLC Chico of watching my girls -all 15 of them- seek to grow deeper with Jesus.
Thankful too that my 2-3 times/week drives are over for awhile.
Thankful for a visit from our daughter Katie this week.
Thankful for answers for the Hagenbuch's, and that Kaylee will hear again in the near future!!
Thankful for the early arrival of one of the Interns and anticipating the other 13 arriving by Sunday.
Thankful for a good phone call from a friend this morning and that we have been able to be real with each other for over 35 years now and thankful that I have the privilege of praying for her family.
So grateful today for God's redemptive plan in our lives-that He alone can taken the broken hurtful places and heal them.
Thankful that we were able to celebrate Scud's 30 years with Young Life last night.
Thankful that my life is not dictated by the outcome of my teams.
Thankful that God knows exactly what will happen next in my life and in yours.
Thankful that the Bible is available to read-that I never have to hide it.
So thankful for the women who mentored me in my life- who knows how I would have turned out without them.
That's my five minutes. Please share with me what you are thankful for.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Thankful Thursday #2
It is a wonderful thing to be thankful.
But so often we forget to be thankful. We think it in our heads, and sometimes for me and not often enough, I return and thank God for the answers He has given for the prayers I have prayed.
Two years ago I had the privilege for 3 weeks to be the summer staff boss of the most amazing group of college kids I had ever met. For 3 weeks, we worked hard, played just as hard, got real, cried, laughed and enjoyed each other's company. It was incredible the bonding that took place in just 3 short weeks. One of the girls who came was from the South, She had lost her mom over a year before but she had the MOST sweet spirit. Babs told me about the book "1000 gifts" and I quickly ordered it on my Kindle.
I got home and started to read it, but somehow it didn't "grab" me. Must have been what was happening in my life because for the life of me, I don't know why I didn't get it.
But this winter I picked up the book and WOW...I was blown away by this sweet midwestern farmer's wife who challenged me to become aware of all the blessings I have been given. Thank you Ann Voskamp for sharing Eucharisto with me.
So its Thursday again and I am glad to be share with you what i am thankful for at this given moment.
. Babs-for introducing me to this life changing book!!
. Scud-for loving me and knowing when I need that extra hug. for putting up with my tears.
. Cody and Riley- ok you might think I am crazy for being thankful for my dogs-but I love them.
. For the rain we had the past few days-our grounds need it desperately and it kept the fires from going completely out of control.
. My Chico girls. Our year is at the end and I have learned so much from them and am thankful that God has allowed me glimpses into seeing the women they will become.
. My YL region of NorCal/Nevada and the generosity they showered on Woodleaf.
. My 2 staff friends who I mentor. Who knew how quickly I would love them and be changed by them.
. That I will get to be with one of my kids on mother's day. Hasn't happened in quite awhile but so looking forward to Katie's visit.
. That my 4 kids love JESUS. What more could a parent ask for? But I will still keep praying that each of them will go deeper.
. For my 2 son in laws who both love my daughters so well.
. For strawberry season!!! Need I say more.
. That I will get to have a vegetable garden again this year.
. For the amazing blue sky I am looking at right now and the sun that will warm the day.
. the elliptical machine-its keeping our hearts pumping.
. For an amazing visit with 2 friends last weekend-so great to grow still in our faith in our 60's.
. And looking forward to a wedding in 2 weeks where I will see so many of the NINTERNS again. Scud and I can't wait.
There is more, but I gave myself 5 minutes of typing.
I hope you can take at least 5 minutes and give thanks for the blessings in your life today.
But so often we forget to be thankful. We think it in our heads, and sometimes for me and not often enough, I return and thank God for the answers He has given for the prayers I have prayed.
Two years ago I had the privilege for 3 weeks to be the summer staff boss of the most amazing group of college kids I had ever met. For 3 weeks, we worked hard, played just as hard, got real, cried, laughed and enjoyed each other's company. It was incredible the bonding that took place in just 3 short weeks. One of the girls who came was from the South, She had lost her mom over a year before but she had the MOST sweet spirit. Babs told me about the book "1000 gifts" and I quickly ordered it on my Kindle.
I got home and started to read it, but somehow it didn't "grab" me. Must have been what was happening in my life because for the life of me, I don't know why I didn't get it.
But this winter I picked up the book and WOW...I was blown away by this sweet midwestern farmer's wife who challenged me to become aware of all the blessings I have been given. Thank you Ann Voskamp for sharing Eucharisto with me.
So its Thursday again and I am glad to be share with you what i am thankful for at this given moment.
. Babs-for introducing me to this life changing book!!
. Scud-for loving me and knowing when I need that extra hug. for putting up with my tears.
. Cody and Riley- ok you might think I am crazy for being thankful for my dogs-but I love them.
. For the rain we had the past few days-our grounds need it desperately and it kept the fires from going completely out of control.
. My Chico girls. Our year is at the end and I have learned so much from them and am thankful that God has allowed me glimpses into seeing the women they will become.
. My YL region of NorCal/Nevada and the generosity they showered on Woodleaf.
. My 2 staff friends who I mentor. Who knew how quickly I would love them and be changed by them.
. That I will get to be with one of my kids on mother's day. Hasn't happened in quite awhile but so looking forward to Katie's visit.
. That my 4 kids love JESUS. What more could a parent ask for? But I will still keep praying that each of them will go deeper.
. For my 2 son in laws who both love my daughters so well.
. For strawberry season!!! Need I say more.
. That I will get to have a vegetable garden again this year.
. For the amazing blue sky I am looking at right now and the sun that will warm the day.
. the elliptical machine-its keeping our hearts pumping.
. For an amazing visit with 2 friends last weekend-so great to grow still in our faith in our 60's.
. And looking forward to a wedding in 2 weeks where I will see so many of the NINTERNS again. Scud and I can't wait.
There is more, but I gave myself 5 minutes of typing.
I hope you can take at least 5 minutes and give thanks for the blessings in your life today.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Thankful Thursday
Are you at all like me and don't spend enough time giving thanks?
Just finished reading for the 2nd time, 1000 Gifts and have been contemplating so much that I have to be grateful for.
In No Particular Order:
My relationship with Jesus-without this, I am Nothing. Really.
Scud-the BEST man EVER
Kristi and Adam, Katie and Nate, Todd and Ryan...great kids...I mean GREAT kids.
Kellen and Jax. Those sweet boys who make me smile and bring me countless joy.
Sunshine
Time with 2 of my besties yesterday...laughing, crying (alot) and praying-along with a lunchtime margarita!!
MaryKay- the BEST friend who lets me crash at her house on a moment's notice.
LIFELONG FRIENDS....You know who you are!!
My first cup of coffee every morning.
Yummy food that's available to me most anytime.
Those YLC girls who have stolen my heart....Year after Year.
Vacations to Kauai.
The Woodleaf family-it changes often, but love the people and love their hearts and willlingnes to sacrifice for God's kingdom.
Those rainy and snowy days where I can sit and read by the woodburning stove.
Reading....LOVE to READ.
Gardening....pleasure to my soul.
The OCEAN...anywhere, anytime.
Memories...oh such memories.
Those very hard times....and how I grow during them.
My daily Prayer list-what a privilege to pray for People I love dearly.
Celebrating Kellen yesterday-the sweetest , kind hearted little boy.
Getting to read a newspaper while in San Jose...I miss that.
Those just were typed within 3 minutes. I have so many more. But I'm gonna make a habit of writing down things I am so thankful for on Thursdays and try and spend each day developing a grateful heart.
Encourage you to do the same.
Just finished reading for the 2nd time, 1000 Gifts and have been contemplating so much that I have to be grateful for.
In No Particular Order:
My relationship with Jesus-without this, I am Nothing. Really.
Scud-the BEST man EVER
Kristi and Adam, Katie and Nate, Todd and Ryan...great kids...I mean GREAT kids.
Kellen and Jax. Those sweet boys who make me smile and bring me countless joy.
Sunshine
Time with 2 of my besties yesterday...laughing, crying (alot) and praying-along with a lunchtime margarita!!
MaryKay- the BEST friend who lets me crash at her house on a moment's notice.
LIFELONG FRIENDS....You know who you are!!
My first cup of coffee every morning.
Yummy food that's available to me most anytime.
Those YLC girls who have stolen my heart....Year after Year.
Vacations to Kauai.
The Woodleaf family-it changes often, but love the people and love their hearts and willlingnes to sacrifice for God's kingdom.
Those rainy and snowy days where I can sit and read by the woodburning stove.
Reading....LOVE to READ.
Gardening....pleasure to my soul.
The OCEAN...anywhere, anytime.
Memories...oh such memories.
Those very hard times....and how I grow during them.
My daily Prayer list-what a privilege to pray for People I love dearly.
Celebrating Kellen yesterday-the sweetest , kind hearted little boy.
Getting to read a newspaper while in San Jose...I miss that.
Those just were typed within 3 minutes. I have so many more. But I'm gonna make a habit of writing down things I am so thankful for on Thursdays and try and spend each day developing a grateful heart.
Encourage you to do the same.
Friday, January 18, 2013
When you least expect it
Gosh, it has been a LONG time since I have written anything.
It isn't because nothing has happened. It is just that sometimes life is busy; sometimes I think no one would be interested in what I have to say.
Writing to me can be such a release and also a motivator.
In my journals, I write and contemplate things I am learning-that are not necessarily for anyone but me.
Other times I write because I feel the LORD has taught me something that I want to share to see if will help, inspire, encourage others.
And sometimes I write just to process my thoughts and feelings.
This week I have been in San Jose. I spent three days watching Kellen and Jax while Kristi was at a leadership retreat with her church staff. I always have fun with these little boys and am so grateful that I am close enough to be able to do this. Not only did I have the privilege of being with my grandsons, I had some great times with some great people.
Spent the morning with one of my original Chico gals, Sam Stone, who now lives in San Jose.
Had korean chicken tacos made by Todd.
Shared that meal with my family, the 'girlfriends" and Mary Kay-doesn't get much better than that!
Spent an afternoon with my friend Elaine and the next day we (along with her husband Keith) took our
grandsons (four of them , all 2 and 4 yrs) to the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose.
Had breakfast and caught up with my friend Ruth.
Had lunch with my dear June-my spiritual mentor of 34+ years.
Bought a new 49ers shirt.
And tomorrow will attend the memorial service of a dear man who was on the Young Life Committee in
San Jose for almost 30 years
God has abundantly blessed me and I wasn't even thinking that anything would happen this week.
How often do we miss the things God has blessed us with because we are too busy to notice?
Maybe I was intentionally looking. Maybe I was inspired by my small group on Sunday night and the amazing conversation we had. I was blessed then too as I watched "my girls" care, support and encourage one another.
Maybe it was because on my ride down to San Jose, I was challenged to be thankful and look for the daily blessings.
Whatever it was, right now I sit and marvel of how much God has blessed me this week.
And that's not all. In my quiet times, I began reading Genesis last week. Although I haven't gotten very far, God has blessed me again and again by reminding me of truths I often overlook, shown me new ways to think about things, allowed me to see how far He has taken me and cause me once again to be amazed at how His Word never gets old, and that He wants to reveal more and more of Himself to me on a daily basis.
Its been a fabulous week. Thank you Lord God for showering me with blessings.
What about you?? Stop and just think of how God has blessed you these past 5 days.
It isn't because nothing has happened. It is just that sometimes life is busy; sometimes I think no one would be interested in what I have to say.
Writing to me can be such a release and also a motivator.
In my journals, I write and contemplate things I am learning-that are not necessarily for anyone but me.
Other times I write because I feel the LORD has taught me something that I want to share to see if will help, inspire, encourage others.
And sometimes I write just to process my thoughts and feelings.
This week I have been in San Jose. I spent three days watching Kellen and Jax while Kristi was at a leadership retreat with her church staff. I always have fun with these little boys and am so grateful that I am close enough to be able to do this. Not only did I have the privilege of being with my grandsons, I had some great times with some great people.
Spent the morning with one of my original Chico gals, Sam Stone, who now lives in San Jose.
Had korean chicken tacos made by Todd.
Shared that meal with my family, the 'girlfriends" and Mary Kay-doesn't get much better than that!
Spent an afternoon with my friend Elaine and the next day we (along with her husband Keith) took our
grandsons (four of them , all 2 and 4 yrs) to the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose.
Had breakfast and caught up with my friend Ruth.
Had lunch with my dear June-my spiritual mentor of 34+ years.
Bought a new 49ers shirt.
And tomorrow will attend the memorial service of a dear man who was on the Young Life Committee in
San Jose for almost 30 years
God has abundantly blessed me and I wasn't even thinking that anything would happen this week.
How often do we miss the things God has blessed us with because we are too busy to notice?
Maybe I was intentionally looking. Maybe I was inspired by my small group on Sunday night and the amazing conversation we had. I was blessed then too as I watched "my girls" care, support and encourage one another.
Maybe it was because on my ride down to San Jose, I was challenged to be thankful and look for the daily blessings.
Whatever it was, right now I sit and marvel of how much God has blessed me this week.
And that's not all. In my quiet times, I began reading Genesis last week. Although I haven't gotten very far, God has blessed me again and again by reminding me of truths I often overlook, shown me new ways to think about things, allowed me to see how far He has taken me and cause me once again to be amazed at how His Word never gets old, and that He wants to reveal more and more of Himself to me on a daily basis.
Its been a fabulous week. Thank you Lord God for showering me with blessings.
What about you?? Stop and just think of how God has blessed you these past 5 days.
Monday, June 18, 2012
S.T.O.P.
It has been WAY TOO LONG since I have written anything. I went from ending the year in Young Life College at Chico to sprinting and trying to catch up with our Woodleaf summer. Our 17 amazing interns-that I have the immense privilege and blessing of being involved with-arrived before the school year ended in Chico. No time to catch my breath. No time to relax and take it easy. TIME to GET GOING. Time to get Woodleaf ready for the thousands of campers who will be here. Hundreds of kids each week visiting and hearing the powerful words of how Jesus Christ loves them and desires to be in a relationship with each one of them.
I made countless trips to the airport to pick up people. My latest trip was Saturday and I got to pick up our daughter Katie, who will be with us for 12 days while her Nate is in Israel for business. Its my habit to pray while I drive; whether its to Chico or the airport. It gives me time to really think and pray for what is on my heart. This last trip I was praying and began to realize that I have been so busy that I have forgotten to stop and thank God for the prayers and blessings and people that He has brought into my life. So as i drove , I began to compose this list of what I had forgotten to give thanks for:
. The wonderful girls I had the privilege to meet with weekly this year and the tremendous blessings I was allowed to have watching them pursue after their Savior and Lord.
. The wonderful celebrations I was able to attend as three of my college friends graduated and I have had the privilege of walking with them all 4 or 5 years of their college career!! CONGRATS TO ROBBY, ROBIN AND CARLIE!!
. YLC in Chico is growing and its all because of GOD.
. I love my job.
. I love watching who my adult kids have become. Scud and I treasure any time we get with them.
. I love Kellen and Jax and the joy of being their Grammy. . The sweet lifelong friends I have been given. I can't imagine my life without them.
. Woodleaf...that this property belongs to God, and we are just His tools.
. The Gresham family and how much we will miss them and their faithfulness in serving Christ.
. Our bosses; Scud and I are blessed by these men who love and long to serve and lead as Christ did.
. For our interns this summer!! What a lively group of exuberant, fun-loving, thoughtful , Christ serving kids!!
. For Scud...always thankful for how this man loves Christ, me and others and for his life of integrity.
. For God's continual GRACE, MERCY and FORGIVENESS to me. Everyday I am reminded of what an amazing, awesome GOD HE is.
These were just a few of my WOW moments that I was reminded of. I need to stop and be mindful everyday of how much GOD has done. For how much He has blessed my life. Challenging and encouraging all of us to take the time. To STOP AND GIVE THANKS!!
Give THANKS to THE LORD, His LOVE endures forever!!
I made countless trips to the airport to pick up people. My latest trip was Saturday and I got to pick up our daughter Katie, who will be with us for 12 days while her Nate is in Israel for business. Its my habit to pray while I drive; whether its to Chico or the airport. It gives me time to really think and pray for what is on my heart. This last trip I was praying and began to realize that I have been so busy that I have forgotten to stop and thank God for the prayers and blessings and people that He has brought into my life. So as i drove , I began to compose this list of what I had forgotten to give thanks for:
. The wonderful girls I had the privilege to meet with weekly this year and the tremendous blessings I was allowed to have watching them pursue after their Savior and Lord.
. The wonderful celebrations I was able to attend as three of my college friends graduated and I have had the privilege of walking with them all 4 or 5 years of their college career!! CONGRATS TO ROBBY, ROBIN AND CARLIE!!
. YLC in Chico is growing and its all because of GOD.
. I love my job.
. I love watching who my adult kids have become. Scud and I treasure any time we get with them.
. I love Kellen and Jax and the joy of being their Grammy. . The sweet lifelong friends I have been given. I can't imagine my life without them.
. Woodleaf...that this property belongs to God, and we are just His tools.
. The Gresham family and how much we will miss them and their faithfulness in serving Christ.
. Our bosses; Scud and I are blessed by these men who love and long to serve and lead as Christ did.
. For our interns this summer!! What a lively group of exuberant, fun-loving, thoughtful , Christ serving kids!!
. For Scud...always thankful for how this man loves Christ, me and others and for his life of integrity.
. For God's continual GRACE, MERCY and FORGIVENESS to me. Everyday I am reminded of what an amazing, awesome GOD HE is.
These were just a few of my WOW moments that I was reminded of. I need to stop and be mindful everyday of how much GOD has done. For how much He has blessed my life. Challenging and encouraging all of us to take the time. To STOP AND GIVE THANKS!!
Give THANKS to THE LORD, His LOVE endures forever!!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
GRATEFUL
I have a young friend named Kyle.
He is someone I admire and respect deeply. And I'm in awe of him. I guess you could say he is one of my real life heroes.
I have known Kyle since he was born. His parents are some of our oldest and very dearest friends.
As a young boy, Kyle was all about playing army. He could sit for hours and play with his green plastic army guys with pretend rifles, guns , tanks etc.
As he grew older, he had a maturity about him that was unusual for boys his age. He never really knew his paternal grandfather but he admired him tremendously. You see, his grandpa was a retired colonel in the US Army-as was his oldest uncle.
Can you see where this is going? Kyle wanted to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. I think it was after his sophmore year of high school that he went to a camp at West Point in New York and then he was absolutely convinced that this is where he wanted to go , what he wanted to do.
So it was no surprise to any of us, during his senior year, that he applied and was accepted into the Military Academy at West Point. All of us were completely thrilled for Kyle. And so in the late summer of 2007, Kyle headed off to West Point.
It was at that time, they I made a commmittment to pray for Kyle thruout his stay at West Point. I confessed to him this March when he was home for spring break that I think I have missed 2-3 days of praying for him during his stay at West Point.
Why wouldn't I pray for him? Kyle is going to spend the next years of his life fighting for my freedoms. He is willing to do whatever it takes . This summer he will be in Alabama in some type of flight school. His years in the military are just beginning and I am so grateful for the men and women who fight for our freedoms.
I must admit that my mother's heart is scared for him. I don't want him to go to Afghanistan. I want him to be safe here. And I can't imagine what he must feel. He is willing to give his life for any of us if needed. Just like the thousands who have since our country began.
Kyle and the rest of all the military in the world have jets, submarines,aircraft carriers, fighter planes, and so much more than I can even begin to comprehend at their disposal to try and fight for ours and many others safety and freedom. I don't even understand it, can't fathom why we get into wars and why we win some and lose others.
But there are many Kyle's out there doing this for us.
So as Kyle waits for another month to graduate from the US Military Academy at West Point, I want to thank him for his selflessness, for his willingness to fight if need be, for all of us. He is worthy of the admiration,and respect I have for him. And although, I would LOVE to be at his graduation..to be a beaming proud friend, (money and a commitment to be at my job in AZ days later prevent this), I will celebrate him from a distance. Congratulate him and give him my gratitude, and yours too.
This morning I was reminded of Kyle while I was reading the book of Jeremiah.I read that :
But the ONE who redeems them is strong. His name is the LORD of Heaven's Armies. He will defend them" (see Jeremiah 50)
God who is the Head and LORD of Heaven's Armies, will defend them.
My God will fight for me, will do whatever it takes to redeem me. Afterall, His Son died for me in order to redeem me-to get me out of the clutches of the one who wants to destroy me, to keep me from knowing God's love, mercy and forgiveness.
I have been contemplating this phrase the LORD of Heaven's Armies off and on for about a year now. And I am not sure of what it really means. But what I do know is that the Army in heaven is massive. And God, being God has ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING at His disposal. Everything He needs to enable me to keep going. Everything I need to keep me from losing hope. He is the real COMMANDER IN CHIEF and HE has EVERYTHING we need to win the battles, to win the war for our souls.
So I have even more gratitude, respect and awe of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.He has truly given His Life for mine.
Thank you Kyle.
Thank you God. YOU are truly the LORD OF HEAVEN'S ARMIES!!!
He is someone I admire and respect deeply. And I'm in awe of him. I guess you could say he is one of my real life heroes.
I have known Kyle since he was born. His parents are some of our oldest and very dearest friends.
As a young boy, Kyle was all about playing army. He could sit for hours and play with his green plastic army guys with pretend rifles, guns , tanks etc.
As he grew older, he had a maturity about him that was unusual for boys his age. He never really knew his paternal grandfather but he admired him tremendously. You see, his grandpa was a retired colonel in the US Army-as was his oldest uncle.
Can you see where this is going? Kyle wanted to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. I think it was after his sophmore year of high school that he went to a camp at West Point in New York and then he was absolutely convinced that this is where he wanted to go , what he wanted to do.
So it was no surprise to any of us, during his senior year, that he applied and was accepted into the Military Academy at West Point. All of us were completely thrilled for Kyle. And so in the late summer of 2007, Kyle headed off to West Point.
It was at that time, they I made a commmittment to pray for Kyle thruout his stay at West Point. I confessed to him this March when he was home for spring break that I think I have missed 2-3 days of praying for him during his stay at West Point.
Why wouldn't I pray for him? Kyle is going to spend the next years of his life fighting for my freedoms. He is willing to do whatever it takes . This summer he will be in Alabama in some type of flight school. His years in the military are just beginning and I am so grateful for the men and women who fight for our freedoms.
I must admit that my mother's heart is scared for him. I don't want him to go to Afghanistan. I want him to be safe here. And I can't imagine what he must feel. He is willing to give his life for any of us if needed. Just like the thousands who have since our country began.
Kyle and the rest of all the military in the world have jets, submarines,aircraft carriers, fighter planes, and so much more than I can even begin to comprehend at their disposal to try and fight for ours and many others safety and freedom. I don't even understand it, can't fathom why we get into wars and why we win some and lose others.
But there are many Kyle's out there doing this for us.
So as Kyle waits for another month to graduate from the US Military Academy at West Point, I want to thank him for his selflessness, for his willingness to fight if need be, for all of us. He is worthy of the admiration,and respect I have for him. And although, I would LOVE to be at his graduation..to be a beaming proud friend, (money and a commitment to be at my job in AZ days later prevent this), I will celebrate him from a distance. Congratulate him and give him my gratitude, and yours too.
This morning I was reminded of Kyle while I was reading the book of Jeremiah.I read that :
But the ONE who redeems them is strong. His name is the LORD of Heaven's Armies. He will defend them" (see Jeremiah 50)
God who is the Head and LORD of Heaven's Armies, will defend them.
My God will fight for me, will do whatever it takes to redeem me. Afterall, His Son died for me in order to redeem me-to get me out of the clutches of the one who wants to destroy me, to keep me from knowing God's love, mercy and forgiveness.
I have been contemplating this phrase the LORD of Heaven's Armies off and on for about a year now. And I am not sure of what it really means. But what I do know is that the Army in heaven is massive. And God, being God has ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING at His disposal. Everything He needs to enable me to keep going. Everything I need to keep me from losing hope. He is the real COMMANDER IN CHIEF and HE has EVERYTHING we need to win the battles, to win the war for our souls.
So I have even more gratitude, respect and awe of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.He has truly given His Life for mine.
Thank you Kyle.
Thank you God. YOU are truly the LORD OF HEAVEN'S ARMIES!!!
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