Here is that time of year again... The trees are showing their brighter colors. The nights are cooler. The daylight hours are becoming fewer. Change is in the works. I love this time of year. It is kind of a closure and a renewal at the same time. We know the cold of winter is coming, but there are still reminders of the wonderful summer just past. The swimming pool still looks wonderfully inviting, but the water is way to cold. The yummy summer fruits and vegetables are still around, but smaller quantity and larger prices. The stores are starting to put out some Christmas decorations and warmer clothing. The TV plays both baseball and football. A great time of year. And the focus on change and growth reminds me of how unchangeable God is. He orchestrates the seasons for our benefit and joy but remains unchangeable Himself for our security and peace. The days pass. The clocks tick. The fashions change. But our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hallelujah.

Brand New

There is a moment, here in my nearly-flat desert, when the sun is just at the horizon and the bright, clean light of a new day blasts squarely on the eastern side of everything. It is an amazing moment. Everything grabs that precious light, absorbs it and then reflects it back to the sun. The tired old buildings suddenly look proud and strong. The plants stand up a little straighter as they reach out to take on that life-giving light. Even the stones and boulders on the ground become more defined - sharper and more perfect. It is a magical and glorious reminder of the newness of this day with its limitless possibilities and potential. I love this moment. It reminds me that this brand new day is a precious gift from God and that He has given me the power to take it, absorb it and reflect it back to the Son. It is an awesome priviledge and a a powerful responsibility. I must not waste it - this gift of the Brand New.

Victorian Virtue?

I was recently doing a crossword puzzle and the clue to a 7-letter word was "Victorian virtue". The word ended up being "modesty". When I look up the word "Victorian" in my dictionary, I see this definition: "typical of the moral standards, attitudes or conduct of the age of Victoria esp. when considered stuffy or hypocritical." When I look up the definition of "modesty" I read: "propriety in dress, speech or conduct." So I have to ask the question, "What is stuffy or hypocritical about propiety in dress speech or conduct?" My humble opinion is that we need lots more "stuffiness and hypocracy" if that is the case. Women and little girls walking around in clothes that cover less than half of their bodies could use more of this virtue. Young men who are wearing pants that are way-too-tight and revealing or that are way-too-big and hanging too low showing off too much underneath could use a little more of this virtue. Recently there were a couple of big news items about women who were not allowed to fly on a certain airline because they were considered to be improperly dressed for flying. Good for that airline! When a woman who is not wearing underpants and is wearing a way-too-short skirt steps up on the seat to put her bag in the overhead compartment, thereby revealing way too much of her assets, something needs to be done. When a man walks into a courthouse wearing way-too-big pants that are riding just above the knees thereby revealing way too much of his assets, someone needs to intervene. Obviously modesty should be taught at home at a very early age. If it has not been so taught, society has a right to step up to the plate and encourage or enforce modest dress and behavior. Modesty is NOT "Victorian". It is not stuffy. It is not hypocritical. Modesty is considerate. It is prudent. It is appropriate. It is right.

Grateful

4 days ago we were reminded of how quickly life can take a turn and all that you hold dear can be put at risk. Our precious daugher-in-law, Stacy, was injured in a serious car accident. She was alone in the car. The rain was pouring down. She had exited the interstate to wait it out. When it let up, she got back on the interstate, was cut off by a big truck, hit a water pocket and hydroplaned into the center divider. At 7 1/2 months pregnant, all accidents are scary. At the county hospital they evaluated her and the baby. After a couple of CAT scans and some concern about possible internal bleeding from a seat-belt laceration, both of them were determined to be OK. Stacy has some pretty significant muscle spasms and will need physical therapy, but the baby is A-OK and Mommy will be 100% before long. Thank you God for seat belts, air bags and cars that are built to spread the impact around the passengers. Certainly Stacy's and baby Madison's guardian angels were double-teaming on this one.

Summer Daze

Here it is, early August and there are still 6 weeks of summer left. Of course, here in Arizona, there are about 6 MONTHS left of summer, but who's counting... My husband and I celebrated our 38th anniversary two days ago. 38 YEARS!!! How is it even possible that two such young people could be married so very many years? But we are blessed with a great marriage and have wonderful children and the very best grandchildren in the world. God has been so good to us. I feel so undeserving of all that I have when there are so very many people around me who are suffering in poverty, aloneness and pain. But I am very grateful and quite overwhelmed by what I have been given.

When I think about summer, so many memories come flooding in. Memories of camping trips with my parents and sisters and brother. Memories of mud pies and catching pollywogs in the squash field across the street. Memories of driving vacations with my husband and two little boys. Memories of babysitting and boyfriends and secrets shared and reading treasured books and sleeping until noon and helping my dad with his projects and church camp and choir tour and so very much more. Memories of weddings and babies and saying "good-byes". The one truly wonderful thing about growing older is the baskets full of treasured rememberings that are collected. I wish I had been a "journaler" all of my life. I would be able to enjoy even more remberings than I can now. If you are reading this and are young, start journaling. When you get to be my age, you will be so glad you did.

In the heat of the summer we are forced to slow down a little. That is a good thing. We all need a little idle time and summer is a great place to find that. Hope your summer is going great and that you are finding some time to "put it in neutral" and just idle a little bit.

Time passes

It has been a while since I last entered something here. Since then I have had a birthday so am now older than I have ever been but younger than I will ever be again. Hmmm. But it was a STUPENDOUS birthday. My family surprised me with the best of presents - their PRESENCE! It was a wonderful weekend. And there are no words to tell how much it meant to me that Matt and Jen and Esther made the long trek here. I was completely stunned and am still overwhelmwed. My husband was the instigator of the whole thing and did a great job of fooling me. Although, in retrospect, I should has suspected something big was up when he would quickly minimize email whenever I walked into the room, and when he put clean sheets on the bed in the guest room, and when he did many other little around-the-house things. But I love surprises and am glad that I didn't know anything. Made it all the more wonderful.

Today we find out if out third grandchild is a boy or a girl. Frankly, I could care less. I only pray for a safe and healthy pregnancy that brings us a healthy little one in November. Please Lord, let it be so.

It has been a good and full couple of weeks. Hope God has filled yours with amazing things too.

On love

When one is in love, the world is beautiful. Every day is bright. Every thought positive. Every outing is an adventure. Every person is a friend. And there is a center to the universe.

When one loves, the world is in need - whether the world is one person or many. Every day points to the deep, unmet needs of someone else. Every thought is of how to meet those needs. Every outing is a chance to find solutions to the needs. Every person is a potential helper in meeting the needs. And there is a center to the universe.

When one is loved, the world is completed. Every day is warm. Every thought is grateful. Every outing is a memory in the making. Every person is a bit of an outsider. And there is a center to the universe.

God is Love.

Love the Center of the Universe.

God is the Center of the Universe.

More vanity publishing

It has been a couple of weeks since I posted last, so here I am again with a "vanity" publication. I think these are just fun to read about other people and assume that my informatin is amusing to others.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, Great grandmother
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? A while
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING ? No
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Chicken salad
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 2 sons
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Who, me?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS No
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Nope
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Frosted mini wheats
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Emotionally, yes - physically, not as strong as I once was
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Baskin Robbin Baseball Nut
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Smile
15. RED OR PINK? Red
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Weight
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST My mom
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? yes
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? beige pants, blue flip-flops
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Greek Chicken salad
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? TV
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? blue
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? pizza baking
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my son
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Absolutely!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? football on TV, baseball live
27. HAIR COLOR? Nice & Easy #117
28. EYE COLOR? blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Italian
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Shreck 3
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? pastel Hawaiian print
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? lemon meringue or cherry pie
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Rod, Stacy
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND ????
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Rapture (Left Behind series prequel)
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Looney Tunes
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T. V. LAST NIGHT? a movie - Italian Job
42. FAVORITE SOUND? my granddaughter's newest words
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles - the original pre-drug stuff
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawaii
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? no
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Lubbock, Texas
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? everyone's

Remembering

I didn't have a chance to write this yesterday, on Memorial Day, but perhaps it is never too late to say "Thank You" to all of the men and women who are sacrificing daily to help keep me safe at night. And, even more, to express my deep appreciation for all those who have gone before in ultimate sacrifice so that I can enjoy the freedoms and lifestyle that I treasure today. There just are no words. My dad fought in World War II. My father-in-law served aboard the New Orleans when Pearl Harbor was attacked and fought throughout the war of the Pacific. The best man at my wedding served several tours in Vietnam. These people all willingly said "Yes" when asked to serve and I am so grateful to them. We are a spoiled, complacent and wickedly selfish generation in no small part because their sacrifices helped to create a prosperous society around us. Please join me in recognizing that all we have comes because others gave for us, protected us and helped create a safe environment in which we can work and learn and produce. And then join me in finding someone to you whom you can say "Thank You". It a priceless pearl, this freedom of ours, bought at GREAT price.

Don't miss it!

Yesterday was once a tomorrow. Did you miss the now?

It is the greatest gift we have - now. This moment. This breath. This gentle breeze of time in our grasp that disappears when we blink. Cherish it. Use it. And then remember it, for it will soon be gone. When we worry about tomorrow and regret yesterday, we are in danger of missing the fragile now. Don't miss it.

Being Pretty

When I was a little girl, my mom used to tell me and my sisters, "Pretty is as pretty does." I knew exactly what that meant. At the time I was completely focused on clothes and hair and looks. But, by repeating this to me time and time again, my mother helped me to see that beauty on the inside is so much more important than beauty on the outside. And, even deeper, that even the most physically beautiful people in the world can become very, very ugly by the way they act and the things they do and the words they say and the people they hurt.

Our society is becoming so increasingly focused on beauty. Retaining or regaining our youth seems to be the only worthwhile goal. We are willing to spend lots and lots of money on clothes, cosmetics, surgeries and anything else we think will acheive this goal. And yet we are completly ignoring that inner beauty that shines from within us and glows as beauty to those around us.

Our daily news is overflowing with stories about "beautiful people" who are on drugs, who have endagered others by driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, who are shouting ugly things to their beloved children, who are estranging themselves from others by their mean spirited and selfish behavior, etc., etc.

"Pretty is as pretty does." We need more of that.

Imagine if we were surrounded instead by people who love others unconditionally, who are always filled with joy, who seek to bring peace into hostile situations, who are patient while shopping and driving, who are always speaking and behaving kindly to everyone, who are good and honest in all of their dealings, who are gentle with the fragile souls around them, who show self-control in the things they say and do and in the way they act.

Imagine.

Would not these truly be the "beautiful people"? Would not all of us seek to spend as much time as possible with these people?

Hmmm - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23

Perhaps we need less cosmetics, surgery and clothes and just more "Fruit".

Me, A-Z

*A - Age: Almost 58

*B - Bed size: King

*C - Chore you hate: cleaning out the dishwasher

*D - Dessert you love: angel food cake, lemon meringue pie and that lemon cake at Olive Garden

*E - Essential start your day item: Potty trip

*F - Favorite actor(s): Gotta love Mel Gibson and Kevin Costner and Arnold S.

*G - Gold or Silver: both

*H - Height: 5' 4" (once, although I think I am shrinking)

*I - Instruments you play: piano (just a pinch)

*J - Job title: Charge Nurse, Dialysis Unit

*K - Kid(s): two sons

*L - Living arrangements: single story, 2 bedroom, retirement community (NOT an old-folks home)

*M - Mom's name: Marge

*N - Nicknames: Gramma, Sugarlumps, Mom

*O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: tonsillectomy, childbirth x2, hysterectomy

*P- Phobia or fear: being alone

*Q. Favorite quote: most recently heard - "There isn't much in life but love and hard work and that's about the size of it."

*R - Right or left handed: right

*S - Siblings: two sisters & one brother. I am the eldest.

*U - Unique habit: I can fall asleep in about a split second.

*V - Vegetable you hate: none that I've met so far

*W - Worst habit: snacking

*X - X-rays you've had: teeth, lungs, hips, neck, upper back

*Y - Yummy food you make: Apple pie and cinnamon rolls

*Z - Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Texas

Am in Texas this week, visiting my dad. Right now the thermometer says it is 58.8 degrees and is raining. Heard some thunder a while ago, but that seems to have passed. A noted difference to the 105 degrees we had at home on Saturday.

Texans are interesting people. Had occasion yesterday to do some serious people watching over a long period of time in a small waiting room. You can almost pick out those who were born and raised here over those who migrated from somewhere else. But everyone is pretty polite ("thank you", "please", "how sweet of you", "yes ma'am, no sir", etc.), considerate (opening doors, "excuse me - entirely my fault", "no, no - you go first"). There was one crusty old codger who was completly the antithesis of "Texan" as far as politeness goes, but who had obviously been here all of his life (accent, ten-gallon hat, etc.) and he just made me laugh even in his rudeness with his Texas-style phrases. My favorite was "Well, if you throw me out of the bar, of COURSE I'll bruise!"

I have lived in many places in my lifetime, but truly, Texas is a nation unto itself.

Saying "Good-bye"

A precious friend of mine died today. Charlie was an amazing person and I will miss him terribly. We met him when they moved from Pennsylvania and joined out church. He and Jane stood out as amazing examples of Loving God and Trusting Him in all things. He had this most amazing laugh. And HUG? You haven't ever been really hugged if you didn't get to have a Charlie hug. He fought cancer several years ago and won. For a time. And then it came back - stronger, more invasive and dreadfully malicious. But Charlie's philosophy was always, "When God brings you to it, He gives you the strength you need to go through it." And strength, and grace and dignity were Charlie. Never a harsh word. The tenderest of hearts. The gentlest guidance. The powerful teaching. Oh Charlie. I will miss you so. I am so glad that one day I will see you again and get one of your huge hugs. Thank you for touching my life. And Thank You God for letting me know Charlie Henry.

What is Real News?

This article was published in our paper this week. VERY thought provoking to me. Please let me know what you think of it.


http://victorhanson.com/articles/hanson050707.html

Thought for Today

Thought for Today:

It seems that when Mt. Saint Helens blew its top in 1980,
a marvelous laboratory was instantly created to study the
rapid formation of geologic changes. The mountain's
glacier-covered summit was turned into a torrent of water
and mud that produced a micro-catastrophe of Biblical
proportions.

One observation is very encouraging to those who take the
straight-forward Biblical account of Creation seriously. Quoting
Dr. John D. Morris:
"Many features which geologists are taught take long ages
to form, were seen to happen rapidly. Igneous rocks which
formed since 1980 yield radioisotope dates of millions of
years, but are obviously much younger in age. A catchy
slogan helps illustrate this. To form geologic features, it
either takes a little bit of water and a long time, or a lot of
water and a short time...Biblically compatible time scale,
such as a Flood can account for the features we see on
earth, features which many geologists mistake for evidence
of great age. Earth doesn't really look old, it looks flooded."

Romans 3:4 comes to mind: "Let God be true, but every man a
liar." As Dr. Morris observes: "We don't try to prove the Bible.
It doesn't need our help. The Bible just needs to be believed
and obeyed. Yet the more we learn, the more we see just how
accurate it is."

Glory to the Lord Jesus, Creator & Sustainer of all (Col 1:16-17).

glass trick

OK - somebody tell me how this works!
http://www.aolvideoblog.com/2007/05/04/glass-illusion/

Fear

It occurs to me that fear is a tyrannical master. I have known fear in my life. And everyone I know has known fear. It is universal. It is all-consuming of time, thought, emotion, actions. It may be the most common of human reactions. And so very many times the Bible says "Do not be afraid." If it is so commonly mentioned in the Bible - the book for ALL people - it must be a very common feeling indeed. When fear is in control, it rules every other thing in my world. The only thing bigger is the God who says, "Do not be afraid, I have overcome the world." But it is hard to do, isn't it? What is it I fear most? Why am I so afraid of _ _ _ _? Don't be afraid - it is only_ _ _ _. But sometimes it isn't even a definable thing of which I am afraid. Roosevelt said, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." GREAT words - because fear immobilizes me, causes me to hide in the shadows of life and tremble. Someone once said that "courage is fear with its legs on." I like that too. Even in terrible fear, maybe I can still find some legs and move forward - or even backward -ANY way is movement and can then perhaps I can overcome my fear.

Health Care

It occurs to me that the true crisis in health care today has little to do with money and even less to do with access as it does to education. People are just unaware of what is available to them in health care. We need to help them learn what can be available to them. People are also unaware of who the important players are in health care. The most important decision-making person on the health care team is the patient. No one can do for or to them anything that they did not give consent for unless in a life threatening situation. People need to educate themselves about their own health conditions, about their insurance coverage, about the health care available to them, about who everyone is that takes care of them (what they are supposed to do, what they cannot do, etc.). We have gone way too long just depending on health care providers to take care of them. Because of shortages (of funds and nurses and medications and doctors and time and whatever else is in short supply), we have to take charge of our own wellness and health care. I remember a time when, if the doctor said we needed to have this surgery or that procedure, the first question the patient would ask was, "How much will that cost?" That question almost never even comes up these days. The physician says, instead, "We will submit this to your insurance for approval and let you know when we can schedule it." Patients used to ask, "Do I really need to have that done? Is there something else that we could do?" Instead, we now say, "Whatever you say Doctor." And patients used to be actively involved in the plan of care. Now we are passive about what is done to us. Again, education is what is needed. People need to be empowered to become actively involved in all of the diagnostics, treatments, interventions and planning for their health care. Want a good example? Look at the parents of a young child with a terminal of life-threatening illness. It isn't long before that parent has an enviable knowledge base about the disease process, prognosis, treatment options, treatment reactions, experimental treatments available, etc. We should ALL be so involved in our own healthcare. Education - that's what we need to start demanding from the health care industry. Ask a nurse - they are GREAT educators!

First Thoughts

OK, so this is my first blogging attempt. We'll see how it goes and how long I am able to continue it. I titled it "Thought Process" because I find that my thoughts roam and ramble along at times and decided I would impose them on anyone who is interested. I live in the desert so perhaps there is a little brain dessication happening which might affect some of my thoughts, but it will be a fun adventure nonetheless.

First thought - I heard a line on an old episode of "The Waltons" that struck me. "There isn't much in this life but love and hard work, and that's about the size of it." I like that. I think it kind of summarizes a lot of what the Bible tells us. The wickedness we humans brought into this perfectly created world has caused us nothing but pain and hard work. But the God who created us loves us deeply and has sprinkled our lives with precious moments of love - the laughter of a child, the song of the bird, the amazing and fragile and short-lived beauty of a cactus flower, the warmth of a hug - and it gives us the strength to move on through the rough stuff. Go find someone to hug today. It will heal you both.

Also - It occurs to me that there is so much unreported goodness in our days. One of the things that seems to happen to us as we age is that we develop an addiction to the news. We read the paper. We watch the 24 hour news programs. We check the news online. News, news, news. And none of it is new. And none of it is good. And all is does is anger, depress and annoy us. But there we are, ready at our posts every day to catch every bit of it. And we miss all of the goodness around us. How I wish the news could focus on more of the good. The tireless volunteers that help my granddaughter learn to play softball deserve recognition. A focus on the people who prepare and deliver Meals-on-Wheels and those who are the recipients of this goodness could be a wonderful balance to the dreadful, hateful things that we see every day. Balance - I guess that is what I would like to see. And by the way, what is it in us that makes us so hungry for the badness that the media moguls recognize and seek to satisfy that unquenchable thirst? A bit sad. Balance. Let's vote for balance.