I am a warm weather person. Anyone that knows me, knows I spend most of winter freezing with many layers of clothing on my body. I love the sun. I love spending time with the family during Summer break. I love to vacation and day trips with the family, things we don't normally have time to do when school is in. I like taking bike rides, fishing, swimming, outdoor BBQs, lazy days and trips to the zoo and Greenfield Village. All the fresh fruit and vegtables that are more available in the summer. I love Summer!
I also love the snow. We live in Michigan. It gets cold and snowy here. I love Christmas! I love getting ready for Christmas. All the planning, all the cookie baking, the present finding, the decorations and the family gatherings. I love fresh fallen snow. I don't even mind driving in it. I love unexpected snow days when life seems to come to a stop for a day amidst our normal busy schedule. I love the winter!
I also love the freshnest of spring. The flowers poking their heads through the hard ground. I love when the leaves just begin to come out on the trees. I love watching my rose bushes coming to life again. I mostly like rainy days during spring, because it makes everything so green. I love Easter! The promise of eternal life and the sacrifice that happened to make that possible. I love Spring!
I also love the fall! The beginning of a new school year with all the anticipated excitement that goes along with a new school year. I love getting back into a regular schedule. I love all the harvesting, canning and baking that I do in the fall. I love going to pick apples and pumpkins to make yummy things later. I love the changing leaves, the beautiful colors. I love fall!
I guess what I am trying to say is to embrace each season when it is here. I know we all long for days that are in the future, but may I suggest to live and appreciate the season that you are in currently and embrace the beauty of that time.
So for today, I love snow!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Time to do some dusting
I have been thinking about blogging again. I'm always impressed by the blogs I read. So many are great writers and deep thinkers. This has never been one of my strong suits. I am a very simple person. I believe things people tell me as true. I am very trusting. I am a no-nonsense person. So if your looking for deep thoughts, they probably won't be posted here. Just a simple woman who has a simple view on life. Time to blow off some dust and start again. Welcome back old friend.
Monday, March 2, 2009
March is Reading Month
If you have a child in the public schools, you are aware that March is Reading Month. I have never been a voracious reader. I like to read, but it really has to be something that interests me. I have always regretted this fact in my formidable years. I do read, but it is not at a very fast rate. I wanted desperately to make sure my children had a love for reading. Both daughters have been read to from birth. They both were read chapter books from the time they could understand a story line. Both daughters enjoy reading. My oldest will read on an average of 300-400 pages a day. We spend a lot of time at the library and going to bookstores. I have scoured garage sales to find appropriated reading material for both daughters. My youngest daughter is just beginning to to love to read. It is an exciting time for her.
Reading is such a fundamental element in your life. When you read, so many opportunities and knowledge are opened up to you. There is no end to the knowledge that you can acquire through reading.
So why would a pastor's wife write a post about reading? God has chosen to tell his story primarily through his written word. This isn't just any book, but it is the one book that gives us life. His word is alive and never changing. Let me encourage you to take time to read, not only the many books that talented and gifted writers have written, but read the work of the Ultimate Writer.
Reading is such a fundamental element in your life. When you read, so many opportunities and knowledge are opened up to you. There is no end to the knowledge that you can acquire through reading.
So why would a pastor's wife write a post about reading? God has chosen to tell his story primarily through his written word. This isn't just any book, but it is the one book that gives us life. His word is alive and never changing. Let me encourage you to take time to read, not only the many books that talented and gifted writers have written, but read the work of the Ultimate Writer.
Monday, October 20, 2008
A Passage to reflect on - Isaiah 43
But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine! 2"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. 3"For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your place. 4"Since you are precious in My sight,
Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life. 5"Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west. 6"I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'
And to the south, 'Do not hold them back ' Bring My sons from afar And My daughters from the ends of the earth, 7Everyone who is called by My name,
And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made."
8Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes,
And the deaf, even though they have ears. 9All the nations have gathered together
So that the peoples may be assembled Who among them can declare this
And proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses that they may be justified, Or let them hear and say, "It is true." 10"You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me
And understand that I am He Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. 11"I, even I, am the LORD, And there is no savior besides Me. 12"It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, And there was no strange god among you; So you are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And I am God. 13"Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?"
16Thus says the LORD, Who makes a way through the sea And a path through the mighty waters, 17Who brings forth the chariot and the horse, The army and the mighty man (They will lie down together and not rise again; They have been quenched and extinguished like a wick): 18"Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. 19"Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. 20"The beasts of the field will glorify Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My chosen people. 21"The people whom I formed for Myself Will declare My praise.
25"I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins. 26"Put Me in remembrance, let us argue our case together; State your cause, that you may be proved right.
I really love this passage. God has said this to you. Read it, meditate on it, absorb it. How deep the Father's love for us.
And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine! 2"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. 3"For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your place. 4"Since you are precious in My sight,
Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life. 5"Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west. 6"I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'
And to the south, 'Do not hold them back ' Bring My sons from afar And My daughters from the ends of the earth, 7Everyone who is called by My name,
And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made."
8Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes,
And the deaf, even though they have ears. 9All the nations have gathered together
So that the peoples may be assembled Who among them can declare this
And proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses that they may be justified, Or let them hear and say, "It is true." 10"You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me
And understand that I am He Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. 11"I, even I, am the LORD, And there is no savior besides Me. 12"It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, And there was no strange god among you; So you are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And I am God. 13"Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?"
16Thus says the LORD, Who makes a way through the sea And a path through the mighty waters, 17Who brings forth the chariot and the horse, The army and the mighty man (They will lie down together and not rise again; They have been quenched and extinguished like a wick): 18"Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. 19"Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. 20"The beasts of the field will glorify Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My chosen people. 21"The people whom I formed for Myself Will declare My praise.
25"I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins. 26"Put Me in remembrance, let us argue our case together; State your cause, that you may be proved right.
I really love this passage. God has said this to you. Read it, meditate on it, absorb it. How deep the Father's love for us.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Sign Saga
I finally put my McCain sign out in the front yard on Tuesday. This is the first time I have ever placed a sign in my yard, so I think it is a big deal. Wednesday morning while taking the girls to school, I notice that the sign is now in the side yard. I think, ah someone was messing around with my sign. After I return from taking the girls to school, I go over a pick it up. Lo and behold, the sign had been set on fire. SET ON FIRE!!!!!!!!!! Now this freaks me out. Someone took it upon themselves to light a fire in my front yard. I called the police and they wrote up a report. This whole situation then makes me a little irritated. I'll show the people who burned my sign, I'll just go get another one or two. When I show up at the McCain office, there is a sign that says you should remove your lawn signs at night. I'm thinking, "Are you kidding me? What is this world coming to?" I am happy to report, that the new sign has lasted through one night.
My little saga just proves to me the need that people have in their lives. They need Jesus. No matter who wins the election in November, God is still in control and people need Him. No matter who burns my sign, God is in control and people need Him. We need to get this right. No matter what is going on financially in our country, God is still on the throne and He still is in control. When life gets crazy, God is in control and people need Him. He is still on His throne whether we acknowledge it or not. Let's keep God in His rightful place. He is in control.
My little saga just proves to me the need that people have in their lives. They need Jesus. No matter who wins the election in November, God is still in control and people need Him. No matter who burns my sign, God is in control and people need Him. We need to get this right. No matter what is going on financially in our country, God is still on the throne and He still is in control. When life gets crazy, God is in control and people need Him. He is still on His throne whether we acknowledge it or not. Let's keep God in His rightful place. He is in control.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Vacation
We were down in the Smokey Mountains for 8 days a few weeks ago. Great vacation. We did a lot of hiking, went to a water park, saw a lot of beautiful sites and spent some good family time together. Even though we were very active during the vacation, there was something to be said about the slower pace of life that we enjoyed during that time. We even went and picked almost 7 pounds of blackberries, most of which I have frozen in my freezer. It was a great reminder to me that sometimes I am just in too big of a hurry to just soak in the moment. I really want to try to soak up every moment. Again the verse that comes to mind is, "Be still and know that I am God."
I was lamenting the fact the girls were going back to school for a couple different reasons. This summer was really a very slow summer schedule for us. Probably not as fun for the girls, but I really enjoyed the non-planned and restful summer. I will admit though, that I do look forward to the fall because of the discipline I tend to throw out the window during the summer months.
Every day I have a reminder that life is short. I know we all know this, but somehow we seem to forget it as we get caught up in our business. The scar on my body reminds me life is not certain and it can change in an instant. I am renewing my commitment to acknowledge and seek after God every day. I know there have been days that God has been an after-thought. Oh yeah, I need to talk to God today! But I want Him to continue to be ever in the foremost part of my heart and brain. Maybe you need to reorder your priorities. One of the things that I love about God is that He is the God of second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and infinite chances. His mercies are new every morning.
I was lamenting the fact the girls were going back to school for a couple different reasons. This summer was really a very slow summer schedule for us. Probably not as fun for the girls, but I really enjoyed the non-planned and restful summer. I will admit though, that I do look forward to the fall because of the discipline I tend to throw out the window during the summer months.
Every day I have a reminder that life is short. I know we all know this, but somehow we seem to forget it as we get caught up in our business. The scar on my body reminds me life is not certain and it can change in an instant. I am renewing my commitment to acknowledge and seek after God every day. I know there have been days that God has been an after-thought. Oh yeah, I need to talk to God today! But I want Him to continue to be ever in the foremost part of my heart and brain. Maybe you need to reorder your priorities. One of the things that I love about God is that He is the God of second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and infinite chances. His mercies are new every morning.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Queasy feelings in the hospital
During my surgery, they had to place a drainage tube in my stomach to take out the additional fluids that my body was producing after surgery. Now anyone who knows me, knows I do not have a strong stomach for that type of thing. (I passed out watching a movie about giving blood when I was a senior in High School.) So everyday I would ask the surgeon when she would come in and check up on me, "When can we take this thing that is hanging out of stomach out?" To which she would reply, "After you have tolerated solid food and had a bowel movement." Okay, something to work toward. I am a goal oriented person. I can do this. So we started down that long road. I'm thinking, "how long should this take? I should be able to breeze through this process one to two days tops. Besides, I have been the model patient, doing what they tell me to do." Yeah. Well, it takes a llllllllllloooooooooooooooottttttttttt longer that I think it should and my patience with this thing hanging out by stomach is really starting to bother me. Then it occurs to me. Heah, I wonder how they get this thing out. I promptly ask the surgeon the next morning to which she replies, "Oh, we distract you." This gets me to thinking, I wonder how they distact me. I'm thinking I would notice my mid-drift laying bare and someone towering over my body to pull a tube out. Maybe they say, look at the little birdie with their hand up in the air mimicking a bird. Maybe they tackle you in the middle of the hallway and yank it out as you stroll by. Maybe they hit you somewhere else so as to not notice the pain coming from the abdomen. Well when all was said and done. The pain was short lived and I didn't faint. This is a plus for me. Of course Andy had promptly left the room when this little procedure was going on. I am just thankful and happy to not have to deal with the tube anymore.
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