Monday, March 27, 2006

Forty-six and Full of Kicks...Happy Birthday!

Well...it's here...the year that begins the downhill journey...I'm way past 25 and holding. My husband put it this way..."Honey, there are as many years behind you as there are ahead of you"...I guess he thinks I'm going to peak around age 90...what an optimist!
It was a beautiful day...however, I'm still contemplating on how I break the news to my daughter that she missed it...no card, no phone call (yet)...she's a busy woman, between work and family, there is barely time to cook, clean and sleep...the joys of being young and worn out. No disappointment here...bless her heart...last December, she couldn't understand why our presents hadn't arrived in the mail...only to discover them in her hall closet in January...so, I'll be patiently waiting...she'll probably remember when Jon receives his birthday card next week...and we'll share a wonderful and hearty laugh together.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Snowy Springtime

This morning we awoke to snowfall...so as spring begins in the mountains the "white stuff" will continue to visit us into April. I'm praying for a snow free travel day on the 13th...we are to spend an extended weekend with my Dad, my daughter and my grandson...Meg is coming for a weeks vacation to Alabama, so we're heading south.

The past few days have been busy...a sweet lady from our congregation once again has been hospitalized unexpectedly and called for help...please pray for her and her husband as they deal with illness and the stress of learning to live with the limitations it imposes on their lives. Be thankful for health when you have it, for its value is not truly realized until you no longer possess it.
In light of the recent tragedy in Selmer, TN...please pray for the Winkler family and the members of the congregation there...our minister was acquainted with the grandfather of the young minister that was murdered.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Rev. 21:4

Monday, March 20, 2006

From Dark to Light

Life has fallen into the realm of 'extremes' for me these last three weeks. Much like the weather, going from frigid cold to warm breezes to down-right "need my short sleeves" kind of days only to be followed by cloudy skies sending down a wintery mix of rain, then sleet, then snow...
Sadness has touched the lives of two of our ladies in our congregation...their beloved physican was recently shot at his office, by a grief stricken father after the death of his son...tragedy for two families.
It seemed a cloud of "blue" covered the windows of my mind for a while and I just could not get myself up off that mental couch to open the curtains and let the much needed light stream in. My kind and loving husband, with his coaxing nature, pulled and tugged until the curtains were flung open and light poured in.
Now, the heart of the problem could be exposed and he could go to work leading me to the answer...because if there is an answer, he most certainly will remind you of who is in control...and that is our heavenly Father.
With great patience...my husband....reminds me often that only God can see around the corner in our lives, because only God, himself, knows for what purpose these ups and downs are meant to serve.
There is great joy when I am needed by a friend..I am happy to serve, but I experience great loss when after an immediate need is taken care of, that the same friend becomes suddenly silent and withdraws from worshipping God. I don't understand how you could say "I love being a Christian" and then show so little concern by choosing not to honor Him with your worship. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God"...are they not aware of the severity of God or are they too busy living life for themselves to be concerned?
With a gracious gesture, my sweet husband gave me a new book to read..."Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World"...I'm really enjoying getting back to my long lost habit of reading...and naturally, Dan will make sure he gives me something to contemplate.