This week has been a really tragic week for the people in Connecticut! My heart hurts for everyone in that community. Something like this affects the whole community.....brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, classmates, grandparents.....you name it someone in that community knew one of the victims. They loved them, maybe played with them on the playground, maybe ate lunch next to them, maybe they shared a room with them, huddled with them on the couch on movie night.....you get the picture.When tragedy hits like that everyone mourns the loss.
Those precious innocent children will be missed and the teachers will be missed. The parents of those precious children will forever have a hole in their hearts, the brothers and sisters of those lost will remember them always. My heart has been so heavy just thinking about what life would be like for one of my grand babies to lose their brother or sister.....their playmate.....best friend....you get the picture!! Everyone hurts and life as they once knew it will forever be changed!!
Just the thought of losing one of me grand babies brings tears to my eyes. As grandparents we have a very special love for our our grand babies. In fact when the grand kids start coming our own children take a back seat to the grand babies. I only go to my kids house because that is where my grand babies live!!! That's just the way it is and will always be!!! My kids just have to accept that about me.....Daniel, Caleb, Kamryn, Cooper and Addison are number one in my eyes and heart!!
Just the thought of them not being a part of my life.....well I can't even think in that direction. It would be heartbreaking. Because I am a Granny.....when I hear of things like the shooting that took place I think of the grandparents and the pain they are feeling. They will miss so many things of their lost grand child's life. They will miss seeing their grandson playing his first baseball game, miss buying all the candy that they have to sell for their scout troop so they can win a prize, miss getting the bear hug when you surprise them and take them for ice cream....just because. They will miss out on the cuddling that grand kids do so well with their grandparents, they will miss the privilege of getting to stay home with a sick kid just so they can be held all day and rocked by Granny!! They will miss the first dance recital or play that their grand child is in, they will miss making cookies for the first time with a grand daughter or taking their grand son fishing for the first time. You get the picture. It's just a loss of love on so many levels.
When I heard the news Friday about the shooting my first thought was of my grand kids. I wanted to go see them, hug them, give them kisses and just keep them close to me. I want to protect them from ever having to deal with the pain of losing a friend, teacher, family member, etc. But you know what, we can't keep them from pain, we can't protect them from the evil in the world. What we can do and I feel have an obligation to do is teach them that they are never alone, that God is always with them and that He can calm them when scared and protect them when in danger. I feel very strongly that as grandparents we have to constantly bring Jesus into our conversations, to make Jesus real to them, to teach them that Jesus is our source of strength, our comforter, and our Savior. I pray that as my grand kids grow that I will be able to develop the type of relationship with them that they will come and talk to me when they can't talk with their parents, they can share their fears, their secrets, their hopes with me and that I will use every opportunity I have to show them Jesus. I hope to be able to pray with them every chance I get.....even if it is just for the loss of a dog.....I want to install in them that we can take anything to Jesus and He will always be there for them!!!
To me one of my greatest duties as a Granny is to live as Jesus lived so that my grand babies will be able to see Him in me in all that I do. There can't be a greater joy than to see one of my grand babies naming Jesus as Lord of their life and putting Him on in Baptism!!! I pray that I will live long enough to witness that for each of my grand babies.
Our time here on this earth is limited, we don't know what tomorrow will bring for us or for those we love. We have to be purposeful with our children and grandchildren telling them of Jesus and His love. I pray that I can be the type of mother and Granny that will be able to help my kids and grand kids get to heaven and that we will walk this walk on earth together. I constantly pray that my family know that I love Jesus more than them and that Jesus is Lord of my live. I fall short a lot and make lots of mistakes but I so so so want my family to remember me as loving the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind before all others!!
People our time on this earth is short.....love your children, love your grandchildren and teach them to love the Lord Jesus!!
From my corner of the world.....loving my grand babies and spoiling them rotten!!!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Mom and Dad
It was 22 years ago December 2nd that I got a call from my sister letting me know that my mom and dad were gone. Called home to be with God.
That is a day I will never forget and one that I wished had never happened! I can remember almost every detail of that day and the days that followed. I remember the faces of the people that had gathered at my parents house waiting for me to arrive....there to offer love and support following the tragedy. You see, my parents were loved more than any one I know. They were the type of people that made everyone feel like family. I can't tell you how many people were there that night.....I just know that when I walked in their house there was love....love for my mom and dad.....and love for my sister, my brother and myself.
Mom and dad were very giving people. They were always helping people, having people into their home, going to visit someone that was sick. My dad especially was ALWAYS helping someone. I remember he would help people lay carpet in their house, fix a leaking pipe, work on a car....you name it he was willing to help. He could fix anything and people knew it....I can't tell you how many times people would say "Call Jack he'll know what to do", and if he couldn't fix something he would work at it until he got it figured out. Saddest part of dad's willingness to help people was that he sometimes got taken advantage of....that never stopped him. He never would take money as people would try to pay him and he always refused. He just did it out of the goodness of his heart.
Mom was the encourager. She would call to check on people. Send cards to those that were sick. She always had a good word to say about people and could always see the good in every situation. She loved to laugh and could talk your ear off.....that's where I get it from.....so don't complain!!! LOL She loved sports......loved the Texas Rangers......loved the Dallas Cowboys. She could watch a football game on TV, listen to a baseball game on the radio and crochet all at the same time and never miss a play or a stitch. Yes she could multi-task!! She also loved to entertain. Mom and Dad loved having people over, cooking outside, riding horses, they loved to open their home to people!!
There was never a time when I didn't feel loved by my parents. They were very involved in my life growing up as well as my brother's and sister's. They were so proud of all three of us. We were a really close family. I think it would be safe to say that my parents were the type of parents that all of our friends flocked to. Our door was always open for our friends to come hang out and they did.
Mom and dad were hands on type of parents. They were youth sponsors during the years that I was in junior high and high school. They nearly always went on the retreats with us.....dad would drive the Church bus and mom would be one of the cooks. I have lots of fond memories of the whole family going on church retreats!! Praise God for their involvement in my life at such a critical stage. They loved being around the youth group and all the kids loved being around them. They were also at all of my sports games.....dad would either be coaching or helping mom keep the official score for the umpire. They were my biggest fans!!
One of the things that we enjoyed as a family was camping and boating. We had our own boat and would go to the lake every chance we got. We also went to a lake in East Texas every summer for years and stay up to two weeks.....camping out.....boating.....fishing......water skiing.....just being together. More times than I can count one or more of us kids would bring a friend along and they were always welcome and treated like family. I can't tell you how many of our friends learned to water ski behind my dad's boat. He was very patient and was a great teacher!! Such great memories.
I know I have said a lot about how wonderful mom and dad were and well they were pretty great.....but they weren't perfect. They messed up some but they were always the first to admit their mistakes and try to make things right. They had faults and we didn't always get along.....especially when I was in my teens. You see I was the "wild" child of the three kids....I know right....who would have guessed. I was always involved in something....playing softball......basketball.....volleyball.....or running up and down the drag!! Memories!! I'm not sure they knew what to do with me when I came along after my "first born" sister. She was pretty perfect in their eyes and was the type that would get up early just to make their coffee. We were and still are as different as night and day. Mom and dad's parenting skills were really tested on me and some of the stunts that I pulled. But no matter what I had going on....they were always waiting up for me when I got home to ask how I was doing and tell me they loved me and kiss me good night!!
I learned a lot from my parents....more than I can write in one post.....I'll save that for another time. In closing I think that the most important thing that I learned from Mom and Dad is that God is to be the center of my life.....to love Him and serve Him will my whole being. Mom and Dad loved God and lived as Jesus would have them live. We were a family that played together and prayed together. They never made big family decisions without having a family meeting for discussion and for some time of prayer. God was always in the middle of our family. For this I am truly blessed.
I plan to write more in the days to come about some of the things I have learned from Mom and Dad. I hope that you will check back in and enjoy some of my writing.
From my corner of the world.....thanking God for my Mom and Dad!!
That is a day I will never forget and one that I wished had never happened! I can remember almost every detail of that day and the days that followed. I remember the faces of the people that had gathered at my parents house waiting for me to arrive....there to offer love and support following the tragedy. You see, my parents were loved more than any one I know. They were the type of people that made everyone feel like family. I can't tell you how many people were there that night.....I just know that when I walked in their house there was love....love for my mom and dad.....and love for my sister, my brother and myself.
Mom and dad were very giving people. They were always helping people, having people into their home, going to visit someone that was sick. My dad especially was ALWAYS helping someone. I remember he would help people lay carpet in their house, fix a leaking pipe, work on a car....you name it he was willing to help. He could fix anything and people knew it....I can't tell you how many times people would say "Call Jack he'll know what to do", and if he couldn't fix something he would work at it until he got it figured out. Saddest part of dad's willingness to help people was that he sometimes got taken advantage of....that never stopped him. He never would take money as people would try to pay him and he always refused. He just did it out of the goodness of his heart.
Mom was the encourager. She would call to check on people. Send cards to those that were sick. She always had a good word to say about people and could always see the good in every situation. She loved to laugh and could talk your ear off.....that's where I get it from.....so don't complain!!! LOL She loved sports......loved the Texas Rangers......loved the Dallas Cowboys. She could watch a football game on TV, listen to a baseball game on the radio and crochet all at the same time and never miss a play or a stitch. Yes she could multi-task!! She also loved to entertain. Mom and Dad loved having people over, cooking outside, riding horses, they loved to open their home to people!!
There was never a time when I didn't feel loved by my parents. They were very involved in my life growing up as well as my brother's and sister's. They were so proud of all three of us. We were a really close family. I think it would be safe to say that my parents were the type of parents that all of our friends flocked to. Our door was always open for our friends to come hang out and they did.
Mom and dad were hands on type of parents. They were youth sponsors during the years that I was in junior high and high school. They nearly always went on the retreats with us.....dad would drive the Church bus and mom would be one of the cooks. I have lots of fond memories of the whole family going on church retreats!! Praise God for their involvement in my life at such a critical stage. They loved being around the youth group and all the kids loved being around them. They were also at all of my sports games.....dad would either be coaching or helping mom keep the official score for the umpire. They were my biggest fans!!
One of the things that we enjoyed as a family was camping and boating. We had our own boat and would go to the lake every chance we got. We also went to a lake in East Texas every summer for years and stay up to two weeks.....camping out.....boating.....fishing......water skiing.....just being together. More times than I can count one or more of us kids would bring a friend along and they were always welcome and treated like family. I can't tell you how many of our friends learned to water ski behind my dad's boat. He was very patient and was a great teacher!! Such great memories.
I know I have said a lot about how wonderful mom and dad were and well they were pretty great.....but they weren't perfect. They messed up some but they were always the first to admit their mistakes and try to make things right. They had faults and we didn't always get along.....especially when I was in my teens. You see I was the "wild" child of the three kids....I know right....who would have guessed. I was always involved in something....playing softball......basketball.....volleyball.....or running up and down the drag!! Memories!! I'm not sure they knew what to do with me when I came along after my "first born" sister. She was pretty perfect in their eyes and was the type that would get up early just to make their coffee. We were and still are as different as night and day. Mom and dad's parenting skills were really tested on me and some of the stunts that I pulled. But no matter what I had going on....they were always waiting up for me when I got home to ask how I was doing and tell me they loved me and kiss me good night!!
I learned a lot from my parents....more than I can write in one post.....I'll save that for another time. In closing I think that the most important thing that I learned from Mom and Dad is that God is to be the center of my life.....to love Him and serve Him will my whole being. Mom and Dad loved God and lived as Jesus would have them live. We were a family that played together and prayed together. They never made big family decisions without having a family meeting for discussion and for some time of prayer. God was always in the middle of our family. For this I am truly blessed.
I plan to write more in the days to come about some of the things I have learned from Mom and Dad. I hope that you will check back in and enjoy some of my writing.
From my corner of the world.....thanking God for my Mom and Dad!!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
David and Goliath
A week or so ago Phil, our preacher at Church, spoke on David and Goliath. I have been thinking about his lesson and have gone back and read I Samuel 17 several times. David had faced some "giants" in his life before coming face to face with Goliath. He had experienced God's presence when he was faced with a lion and a bear trying to steal his sheep. He acknowledges that God was with him and rescued him from these "giants".
We all have "giants" in our lives that we face....some we overcome and move on hopefully learning from our battles. Some of us will face the same "giants" every day of our lives.....alcoholism, pornography, gambling, overeating, over spending......any number of things that hold us captive and we struggle daily to face these things....our "giants".....and it's hard. God tells us that it is hard BUT that he will be with us as we face these "giants". WE ARE NOT ALONE IN OUR BATTLES!!
There are a couple of verses that have really been eating at me.....well really.....God trying to tell me something!! LOL In I Samuel 17: 38-39 Saul is preparing David to face Goliath. He dresses him in his own tunic, gives him a coat of armor, a helmet made of bronze and a sword. David tried walking around and it just didn't feel right....too much for him to carry.....David tells Saul that he cannot wear these things because he was not used to them.
In the battles David had faced with the lion and the bear he didn't have any special armor.....it was him and God against the lion and the bear. I have thought about this a lot......Isn't all we need when face our "giants" is God on our side? People give advice when we are struggling and and we can hear 50 different ways to handle a situation.....or be told how we should feel.....what direction or decision we should make.....all of the people that love us and care for us. Many times we listen to them and try to face our "giants" by taking the advice and it just doesn't work for us....we feel uncomfortable and insecure with no confidence.
I have thought a lot about the fact that all David knew was that God had been with him in the past as he faced the lion and the bear.....he states: "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of the Philistine." David didn't fear this "giant" because God had never let him down.
When we are fearful of the "giants" in our lives....it's not our friends and family we should go turn to for help.....the first place we should go to be equipped to face our "giants" is God.....His word....He will be the one to equip us for our battles. He alone is all we need to shed our fear and overcome the "giants" in our lives!!!
Friends, this has really hit me hard....I have a tendency to ask people's advice on things....not just one person but several.....all giving me different answers. When God and His word is the FIRST place I should go when I have "giants" in my life to face. I believe the more "giants" we overcome with God on our side.....the more confident and stronger we become to put the "giant's" behind us and go about doing God's will!
Now for a funny story about David and Goliath!!!
Last year I had the privilege of taking Cooper my then 3 year old grandson to his daycare every day. Brad would drop him off at my house on the Southside of town and we would travel the 15 to 20 minutes it takes to get across town. Cooper is very talkative.....I know.....can't imagine where he gets that!! He also has a wild imagination.....so you can imagine the conversations we had over the 9 months. I have written them down and saved them and I also shared them with his parents. I want to share one conversation we had and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I enjoy sharing it.....you will never be able to read about David and Goliath again without laughing.
We all have "giants" in our lives that we face....some we overcome and move on hopefully learning from our battles. Some of us will face the same "giants" every day of our lives.....alcoholism, pornography, gambling, overeating, over spending......any number of things that hold us captive and we struggle daily to face these things....our "giants".....and it's hard. God tells us that it is hard BUT that he will be with us as we face these "giants". WE ARE NOT ALONE IN OUR BATTLES!!
There are a couple of verses that have really been eating at me.....well really.....God trying to tell me something!! LOL In I Samuel 17: 38-39 Saul is preparing David to face Goliath. He dresses him in his own tunic, gives him a coat of armor, a helmet made of bronze and a sword. David tried walking around and it just didn't feel right....too much for him to carry.....David tells Saul that he cannot wear these things because he was not used to them.
In the battles David had faced with the lion and the bear he didn't have any special armor.....it was him and God against the lion and the bear. I have thought about this a lot......Isn't all we need when face our "giants" is God on our side? People give advice when we are struggling and and we can hear 50 different ways to handle a situation.....or be told how we should feel.....what direction or decision we should make.....all of the people that love us and care for us. Many times we listen to them and try to face our "giants" by taking the advice and it just doesn't work for us....we feel uncomfortable and insecure with no confidence.
I have thought a lot about the fact that all David knew was that God had been with him in the past as he faced the lion and the bear.....he states: "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of the Philistine." David didn't fear this "giant" because God had never let him down.
When we are fearful of the "giants" in our lives....it's not our friends and family we should go turn to for help.....the first place we should go to be equipped to face our "giants" is God.....His word....He will be the one to equip us for our battles. He alone is all we need to shed our fear and overcome the "giants" in our lives!!!
Friends, this has really hit me hard....I have a tendency to ask people's advice on things....not just one person but several.....all giving me different answers. When God and His word is the FIRST place I should go when I have "giants" in my life to face. I believe the more "giants" we overcome with God on our side.....the more confident and stronger we become to put the "giant's" behind us and go about doing God's will!
Now for a funny story about David and Goliath!!!
Last year I had the privilege of taking Cooper my then 3 year old grandson to his daycare every day. Brad would drop him off at my house on the Southside of town and we would travel the 15 to 20 minutes it takes to get across town. Cooper is very talkative.....I know.....can't imagine where he gets that!! He also has a wild imagination.....so you can imagine the conversations we had over the 9 months. I have written them down and saved them and I also shared them with his parents. I want to share one conversation we had and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I enjoy sharing it.....you will never be able to read about David and Goliath again without laughing.
This is how our conversation went this morning particular morning:
Cooper: Granny, did you know there was a man as tall as a building?
Granny: There was?
Cooper: Yes and this little boy killed him with a rock!
Granny: Are you talking about David and Goliath?
Cooper: Yes, the little boy David threw a rock at the tall man and killed him! And the tall man had a sword!!!
Granny: David was a very brave boy!!
Cooper: Me and David were friends.
Granny: You were?
Cooper: Yes, I helped him kill the tall man!
Granny: You did?
Cooper: Yes, I put a rock in my slingshot and "slinged" it around
and around and hit the tall man with it. Then my friend David put a rock
in his slingshot and "slinged" it around and hit Goliath in the head
and killed him and fell right on his face!!!
Granny: Wow Cooper you are really brave!
Cooper: Yes but that was a long time ago!
Granny: It was?
Cooper: Yes a really long, long time ago!
Granny: How old were you when you were friends with David and shot your slingshot at the tall man?
Cooper: Oh probably about 5 years old.....it was a really long, long time ago!!!!
From my corner of the world.......facing my "giants" with God on my side!!!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Unanswered Prayers
Have you ever taken the time to think about all of the unanswered prayers that in your perspective God didn't answer? Maybe He didn't heal your loved one of the cancer.....Maybe He didn't save your marriage from ending......Maybe you didn't get the job promotion you wanted and deserved....Maybe He didn't save your teen from the life of drug and alcohol abuse. I have had some of my prayers not answered the way that I thought I wanted them answered. Leaving me questioning God and His will in my life and the lives of those that I love.
I have often thought about the unanswered prayers that I God has blessed me with.....yes blessed me with unanswered prayers. There have been times that I just knew that God had opened a door for me....it was so obvious to me. I prayed about the decision.....because that was what I was supposed to do....ask God for guidance.....only to find that the door slammed in my face!! Really God.....that door had my name on it. Then two months.....a year....maybe even 5 years down the road...I would look back and see that my prayer really had been answered.....by God not answering it!!! What I wanted to happen was not what God had in His plan for me.
Often we don't understand why God closes some door and opens others. We pray and pray asking for what we honestly believe to be the very thing that God is calling us to only to find out God had a completely different road for us to travel down. As I look back on some of the hardest trials and heartaches that God has brought me though.....they have been some of the greatest blessings in my life! Losing my parents....I thought that was probably the hardest thing I would ever have to endure. I often asked God "Why? Why my mom and dad and why now.....when they were so young?" I still needed them.....my kids were young and they needed their Granny and Papa!!!! As hard as that was to lose them at that time in my life.....I grew in faith more that I thought would be possible......I had to lean on God and not on my own understanding!! He carried me when I couldn't walk. When my marriage ended about 27 years I was devastated, heartbroken, lost and it almost destroyed me! Once again I asked God the why questions....."Why me....why now after all the years of loving him.....what am I going to do....how will I make it on my own?" So many questions. I prayed daily that God would restore my marriage bring my ex-husband back to me....didn't happen....unanswered prayers. Or so I thought!
I look back and realize that God was working the whole time in my life during the hardest of times. He was indeed answering my prayers. Sometimes it took a long time to see or feel the answers but God was working on me and with me to bring me to where I am today. I may not have been able to see Him working and sometimes I couldn't even feel Him working.....but He never stopped blessing me....loving me and working on my "unanswered prayers".
Because of some of the unanswered prayers in my life I have been given the greatest blessings and my life is overflowing with love and joy. I may not always understand the will of God or the paths that He leads me down or the doors He opens for me BUT what I do know is that God is in control and that He knows the master plan and He knows now what I will need in 1 year.....3 years....10 years from now. All of His answered prayers and unanswered prayers are Him working on me....molding me and nudging me to be all that He wants and needs me to be!! I love Him for loving me enough NOT to answer all of my prayers and to bless me with some "No" answers and closed doors!! I now understand when my prayers are not answered - it's for a reason only God knows!!
God is good!!
Garth Brooks......I know I'm dating myself now....he sang a song entitled Unanswered Prayers. Here are just a few lines:
I have often thought about the unanswered prayers that I God has blessed me with.....yes blessed me with unanswered prayers. There have been times that I just knew that God had opened a door for me....it was so obvious to me. I prayed about the decision.....because that was what I was supposed to do....ask God for guidance.....only to find that the door slammed in my face!! Really God.....that door had my name on it. Then two months.....a year....maybe even 5 years down the road...I would look back and see that my prayer really had been answered.....by God not answering it!!! What I wanted to happen was not what God had in His plan for me.
Often we don't understand why God closes some door and opens others. We pray and pray asking for what we honestly believe to be the very thing that God is calling us to only to find out God had a completely different road for us to travel down. As I look back on some of the hardest trials and heartaches that God has brought me though.....they have been some of the greatest blessings in my life! Losing my parents....I thought that was probably the hardest thing I would ever have to endure. I often asked God "Why? Why my mom and dad and why now.....when they were so young?" I still needed them.....my kids were young and they needed their Granny and Papa!!!! As hard as that was to lose them at that time in my life.....I grew in faith more that I thought would be possible......I had to lean on God and not on my own understanding!! He carried me when I couldn't walk. When my marriage ended about 27 years I was devastated, heartbroken, lost and it almost destroyed me! Once again I asked God the why questions....."Why me....why now after all the years of loving him.....what am I going to do....how will I make it on my own?" So many questions. I prayed daily that God would restore my marriage bring my ex-husband back to me....didn't happen....unanswered prayers. Or so I thought!
I look back and realize that God was working the whole time in my life during the hardest of times. He was indeed answering my prayers. Sometimes it took a long time to see or feel the answers but God was working on me and with me to bring me to where I am today. I may not have been able to see Him working and sometimes I couldn't even feel Him working.....but He never stopped blessing me....loving me and working on my "unanswered prayers".
Because of some of the unanswered prayers in my life I have been given the greatest blessings and my life is overflowing with love and joy. I may not always understand the will of God or the paths that He leads me down or the doors He opens for me BUT what I do know is that God is in control and that He knows the master plan and He knows now what I will need in 1 year.....3 years....10 years from now. All of His answered prayers and unanswered prayers are Him working on me....molding me and nudging me to be all that He wants and needs me to be!! I love Him for loving me enough NOT to answer all of my prayers and to bless me with some "No" answers and closed doors!! I now understand when my prayers are not answered - it's for a reason only God knows!!
God is good!!
Garth Brooks......I know I'm dating myself now....he sang a song entitled Unanswered Prayers. Here are just a few lines:
Sometimes I thank God, for unanswered prayers
Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care
Some of God’s greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers.
Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care
Some of God’s greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers.
Some of God’s greatest gifts…are unanswered,
Some of God’s greatest gifts…are all too often unanswered...
Some of God’s greatest gifts…are unanswered prayer
Some of God’s greatest gifts…are all too often unanswered...
Some of God’s greatest gifts…are unanswered prayer
From my corner of the world......thanking God for unanswered prayers!!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Empty Nesters
Having an empty nest is WONDERFUL!! Some of you may think that since Ken and I have only been married for a short time....4 1/2 years....that we can't appreciate the empty nest. Well in the 4 years that we have been married all four of you kids have lived with us at one time or another. There have been a couple of times when we had two of them living with us. So yes we may have been older and our kids grown when we got married but we still can appreciate the empty nest.
I know that I am not the only one that really likes and enjoys the empty nest. I have had several conversations with couples of our age and they too rave about the empty nest. I have compiled a list of 10 things I like about an empty nest. These are in no certain order and not listed of any order of significant....just random reasons why I love an empty nest:
From my corner of the world.....loving Ken and my empty nest!!
I know that I am not the only one that really likes and enjoys the empty nest. I have had several conversations with couples of our age and they too rave about the empty nest. I have compiled a list of 10 things I like about an empty nest. These are in no certain order and not listed of any order of significant....just random reasons why I love an empty nest:
- I DON'T HAVE TO COOK...Ken and I are good with eating popcorn, cereal and such for meals. I know it's great isn't it?. We got out to eat a lot....almost as cheap to eat out as it is to buy the food and cook....at least in my thinking. AND when I do cook....Ken is soooo happy he will eat whatever I put in front of him!!! LOL
- I can get the laundry done in 3 loads instead of 6 or 7 or even 12 loads. Yup....definitely not as much clothes to wash!!! Or to fold!!! On a side note the only clothes that I won't wash are Kens scrubs....not sure what might be on them and what they have been exposed to....he has to wash his scrubs!!! LOL
- It's QUIET.....the TV isn't on all the time....no loud music is coming from different rooms....different stations!! AHHHH we like quiet....not all the time but it is nice to sit and be quiet with each other!
- We each have our own bathrooms. I love this one!!! I don't have to wait to get into the (my) bathroom to get ready in the mornings. I have my stuff arranged how I like it and no body uses my stuff and doesn't put it back.....You all know what I am talking about!!! LOL
- We don't have to wear clothes if we don't want! I know that is too much information but all you empty nesters have to admit being able to walk out of your bedroom in your birthday suit is pretty good! Am I right?? YES....sorry kids I know that is putting bad images in your head but just wait until you have an empty nest!!! LOL
- Our grocery bill is incredibly low!! It's like having a pay raise!! Seriously!! We don't have to go to the grocery store as often and we don't spend as much....well except on all the snacks that the grand kids like that their mom and dad's won't let them have but Granny and Papa Ken will!!! LOL
- There is plenty of time to spend on our hobbies and favorite things to do. Ken LOVES his model railroads!! He spends hours out in his "train house" in the back yard....doesn't bother me....I know where he is and what he is doing!! I often go out there just to be with him!! I love to read.....can I say that again....I love to read!! I love to sew too...so while Ken is with his trains.....I am reading or sometimes sewing!! And sometimes I will read out in the "train house" while Ken is running his trains!! Perfect!! LOL
- I get to have Ken all to myself!! It's just him and me and we can sit and talk, watch a movie, go out with friends or stay home and snuggle on the couch. I can have his undivided attention and he has mine!! We can spend hours staring into each other's eyes....have I mentioned that he has the most beautiful blue eyes? LOL
- Travel.....we can get up and go anytime we want to....and we do!! We don't have to worry about school schedules, or ball games. We can just plan a trip, make the reservations and GO!! And there is plenty of room to put all the fun stuff we buy along the way!! LOL
- The house stays clean! I don't have to pick up all the time because most of the time Ken and I will pick up after ourselves. Yes I still hate to do the dishes BUT when I don't cook much there isn't many dishes to wash!!! The only time the house gets really messy is when the grand kids are at the house and that my friends is a great thing to have to clean up!! LOL
From my corner of the world.....loving Ken and my empty nest!!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Making Mistakes
I was at Trunk or Treat Sunday night at Brad and Whitney's church. I was visiting with an older woman who is the mother of one of their friends. She isn't much older than me....I don't think! She told me that her and her husband really think a lot of Brad. She said that they were very impressed with him and appreciated his up bringing. She said that she could tell that he was raised well. I thanked her and told her I appreciated her comments. I told her that I was pretty proud of him too and that he turned out good in spite of the mistakes we made.
I don't know if she knows about mine and Sonny's marriage (my ex-husband). I know that they know we are divorced though. After we finished talking, I began to think about Brad and how things were when he was growing up. I made a lot of mistakes that I can't go back and change. In spite of the mistakes, Brad must have listened more to the good parts than to the bad. HAHAHA!!
This is sort of weird for me to write but part of having a blog is to be able to express myself and my feelings....so here goes. I was married to Brad's dad for 27 years. Some good years and some not good years.....as with all marriages. Bad choices were made and our marriage ended. Looking back I have realized.....through lots of counseling......that I made mistakes and that things change. Not going to get into that...life goes on and I am head over heels in love with Ken....a blessing from God. (That story is for another blog entry.....stay tuned)
I am thankful to Sonny for the 27 years of marriage....I am the woman I am today because of my life with him. Out of our marriage came Brad and Tara. True blessings from God and I love them so much. Not only did I receive great kids but I have three of the most wonderful "Angel Babies" that this Granny could ask for!! God blesses even when we make mistakes!!
After my conversation the other night, I have realized that Sonny and I must have done somethings right. We have two of the most wonderful children!! EVER!!! They are strong, sensitive, loyal, honest, hard-working, loving, responsible, God fearing people. Yes I am a little prejudice!! Well they are seriously the best!! I thank God for them daily and for the opportunity to be their mom!
Yes people make mistakes, bad choices. Part of being human and part of God's plan in giving us free-wills to make those choices and to discern right from wrong. God's people have been making mistakes for years. I think of David in the Bible. He made plenty of mistakes and bad choices but God forgave him. He learned from his mistakes and he grew in his faith. He will forever be know as a "man after God's own heart,".
I can only hope that I have learned from my mistakes.....sought God's forgiveness.....and have become a better person, stronger in faith because of these mistakes. One of my greatest blessings is to have the love of God and His continual forgiveness.
I am positive that I will continue making mistakes.....learning from these mistakes.....and growing into the faithful woman that God wants me to be. I am thankful that God loves me and gives me plenty of "do-overs".
From my corner of the world......thanking God for his unending grace and mercy!
I don't know if she knows about mine and Sonny's marriage (my ex-husband). I know that they know we are divorced though. After we finished talking, I began to think about Brad and how things were when he was growing up. I made a lot of mistakes that I can't go back and change. In spite of the mistakes, Brad must have listened more to the good parts than to the bad. HAHAHA!!
This is sort of weird for me to write but part of having a blog is to be able to express myself and my feelings....so here goes. I was married to Brad's dad for 27 years. Some good years and some not good years.....as with all marriages. Bad choices were made and our marriage ended. Looking back I have realized.....through lots of counseling......that I made mistakes and that things change. Not going to get into that...life goes on and I am head over heels in love with Ken....a blessing from God. (That story is for another blog entry.....stay tuned)
I am thankful to Sonny for the 27 years of marriage....I am the woman I am today because of my life with him. Out of our marriage came Brad and Tara. True blessings from God and I love them so much. Not only did I receive great kids but I have three of the most wonderful "Angel Babies" that this Granny could ask for!! God blesses even when we make mistakes!!
After my conversation the other night, I have realized that Sonny and I must have done somethings right. We have two of the most wonderful children!! EVER!!! They are strong, sensitive, loyal, honest, hard-working, loving, responsible, God fearing people. Yes I am a little prejudice!! Well they are seriously the best!! I thank God for them daily and for the opportunity to be their mom!
Yes people make mistakes, bad choices. Part of being human and part of God's plan in giving us free-wills to make those choices and to discern right from wrong. God's people have been making mistakes for years. I think of David in the Bible. He made plenty of mistakes and bad choices but God forgave him. He learned from his mistakes and he grew in his faith. He will forever be know as a "man after God's own heart,".
I can only hope that I have learned from my mistakes.....sought God's forgiveness.....and have become a better person, stronger in faith because of these mistakes. One of my greatest blessings is to have the love of God and His continual forgiveness.
I am positive that I will continue making mistakes.....learning from these mistakes.....and growing into the faithful woman that God wants me to be. I am thankful that God loves me and gives me plenty of "do-overs".
From my corner of the world......thanking God for his unending grace and mercy!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Blind Faith
When I was a little girl we lived in California, I think I was in 6th grade maybe....too long ago. My older sister was in 9th grade which was in high school in California. My little brother was maybe in Kindergarten or 1st grade. Dad was really leery about my sister being in high school in our school district....it was a huge high school and he just didn't like the way things were headed and was concerned about our education and the influences it world would have on us.
Mom and Dad made the decision to leave California and move to Texas....where we were from originally. They put our house on the market thinking that it would take a while to sale....first person that looked at it bought it. So we were moving to Texas.
Dad didn't have a job, Mom didn't work outside the home, we had no house to move into....We were just moving to Texas.
I remember my Dad bought a large flatbed truck.....built side walls on it....and that is what we moved in!! Talk about the Beverly Hill Billy's....LOL.....we had that thing loaded and both of our cars loaded!!
I remember one of my older cousins, Frank, drove one of our cars, Mom drove one of our cars, and Dad drove the big truck. Texas here we come!!!!!!!!
I look back at that now and cannot imagine doing that. Those of you that know me know that I have to have everything planned out, I make reservations any time I am staying at a hotel....print out maps anytime I am going someplace....Yes I am type A personality!!
My parents had prayed about this move and they knew that God would provide.....Blind Faith!! Within 3 days my Dad had a job.....within a month we had bought a house and were moved in!! God provides when we follow His call!!
You have heard the saying "the faith of a child" describing the innocence of children's faith in God. Both of our daughters have taught me the kind of faith that children have....the kind of faith that God calls us to have in Him.
Three years ago Tara was working at a great job in South Texas. She calls me one day and says that she quit her job and was coming back to Abilene....she wasn't happy being that far away from family. I sort of freaked out....asking her where are you going to work, where are you going to live, how are you going to pay your school loans....etc. She said I don't know but I know I need to come back to Abilene....Blind Faith!!!
Looking back this was all part of God's plan....little did I know that God had plans for Tara and a certain young man by the name of David!! What a blessing Tara's faith in God has been....I now have a wonderful son-in-law and a precious angel baby named Addison!! All part of God's plan for Tara....thankful that she listened to His call.
Yesterday, our youngest daughter, Linley, came over and visited with Ken while he was home on vacation. She told him that she had quit her part-time job....not having a clue about another job......Blind Faith!!
She has been volunteering at a Texas Tech Lab here in Abilene that is doing cancer research. She deals with human blood, tissue.....I'm not sure what all because it grosses me out and I don't really listen whens he talks to her Dad about what all she does! LOL She works at Michael's in the mornings from 5:30 to 10:30 unloading trucks and the such....then she goes to the lab at 1:00 and works there until sometimes 6 or 7 at night. She was feeling the stress and felt that she had to quit the part-time job at Michael's!!!
I talked to her last night......well we texted (learned a long time ago that in order to communicate with my kids I had to learn to text)....so proud of Linley....she told me that she didn't have a clue what she was going to do but she felt a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She said that she knew this was what she need to do.....her exact words... "I have complete peace about it, I know it was the right decision, and right time to move on."
Folks that peace is God's assurance that He has plans for Linley....God called Linley to His plan and she obeyed!! Blind Faith!!!
God often calls us to come to the cliff....asks us to keep our eyes on Him....and jump!! Jump knowing that God will catch us, provide a safety net. He doesn't ask us to put on a parachute...He just asks us to jump!! Blind faith!!
This is one of the hardest things for me to do....trust God with the little things....safety net, parachutes....and jump off the cliff!!
From my corner of the world.....Blind Faith as God calls me to his will!!!
Mom and Dad made the decision to leave California and move to Texas....where we were from originally. They put our house on the market thinking that it would take a while to sale....first person that looked at it bought it. So we were moving to Texas.
Dad didn't have a job, Mom didn't work outside the home, we had no house to move into....We were just moving to Texas.
I remember my Dad bought a large flatbed truck.....built side walls on it....and that is what we moved in!! Talk about the Beverly Hill Billy's....LOL.....we had that thing loaded and both of our cars loaded!!
I remember one of my older cousins, Frank, drove one of our cars, Mom drove one of our cars, and Dad drove the big truck. Texas here we come!!!!!!!!
I look back at that now and cannot imagine doing that. Those of you that know me know that I have to have everything planned out, I make reservations any time I am staying at a hotel....print out maps anytime I am going someplace....Yes I am type A personality!!
My parents had prayed about this move and they knew that God would provide.....Blind Faith!! Within 3 days my Dad had a job.....within a month we had bought a house and were moved in!! God provides when we follow His call!!
You have heard the saying "the faith of a child" describing the innocence of children's faith in God. Both of our daughters have taught me the kind of faith that children have....the kind of faith that God calls us to have in Him.
Three years ago Tara was working at a great job in South Texas. She calls me one day and says that she quit her job and was coming back to Abilene....she wasn't happy being that far away from family. I sort of freaked out....asking her where are you going to work, where are you going to live, how are you going to pay your school loans....etc. She said I don't know but I know I need to come back to Abilene....Blind Faith!!!
Looking back this was all part of God's plan....little did I know that God had plans for Tara and a certain young man by the name of David!! What a blessing Tara's faith in God has been....I now have a wonderful son-in-law and a precious angel baby named Addison!! All part of God's plan for Tara....thankful that she listened to His call.
Yesterday, our youngest daughter, Linley, came over and visited with Ken while he was home on vacation. She told him that she had quit her part-time job....not having a clue about another job......Blind Faith!!
She has been volunteering at a Texas Tech Lab here in Abilene that is doing cancer research. She deals with human blood, tissue.....I'm not sure what all because it grosses me out and I don't really listen whens he talks to her Dad about what all she does! LOL She works at Michael's in the mornings from 5:30 to 10:30 unloading trucks and the such....then she goes to the lab at 1:00 and works there until sometimes 6 or 7 at night. She was feeling the stress and felt that she had to quit the part-time job at Michael's!!!
I talked to her last night......well we texted (learned a long time ago that in order to communicate with my kids I had to learn to text)....so proud of Linley....she told me that she didn't have a clue what she was going to do but she felt a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She said that she knew this was what she need to do.....her exact words... "I have complete peace about it, I know it was the right decision, and right time to move on."
Folks that peace is God's assurance that He has plans for Linley....God called Linley to His plan and she obeyed!! Blind Faith!!!
God often calls us to come to the cliff....asks us to keep our eyes on Him....and jump!! Jump knowing that God will catch us, provide a safety net. He doesn't ask us to put on a parachute...He just asks us to jump!! Blind faith!!
This is one of the hardest things for me to do....trust God with the little things....safety net, parachutes....and jump off the cliff!!
From my corner of the world.....Blind Faith as God calls me to his will!!!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
I don't understand.....But I know!!
There are many things in this life that I don't understand.....BUT......there are many things in this life that I know.....
I don't understand how a loving husband and dad can leave work one morning and by the end of the day end up in Parkland Hospital......burned over 80% of his body......fighting for his life.....BUT.....I know that God is sitting in the lobby holding his wife's hand and guiding the doctors that take care of him!!
I don't understand why a 10 year old little boy has a cancerous tumor growing in his head.....the doctors saying they have done everything they can....sent him home with his parents and tell them to call in Hospice......BUT I know that God is preparing a very special room in His mansion for this precious boy and that He is carrying this family through the sand until they can walk on their own!!
I don't understand how a nation that was founded on God and His principles can re-elect a leader that leads us so far away from God.....BUT.....I know that the one and only law I am to obey is God's law...."Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind".....and...."Love your neighbor as yourself".
I don't understand how I can be sooooo blessed when I am weak and sinful....disappointing God daily in my bad choices and weak moments.....BUT.....I know that God loves me soooo much that He sent His son to die for me.....I know that God is a forgiving God and is all about giving me "start-overs"!!
From my corner of the world there are a lot of things that I don't understand....BUT....I know that God is in control and that He he tells me...."I will never leave you nor forsake you".
I don't understand how a loving husband and dad can leave work one morning and by the end of the day end up in Parkland Hospital......burned over 80% of his body......fighting for his life.....BUT.....I know that God is sitting in the lobby holding his wife's hand and guiding the doctors that take care of him!!
I don't understand why a 10 year old little boy has a cancerous tumor growing in his head.....the doctors saying they have done everything they can....sent him home with his parents and tell them to call in Hospice......BUT I know that God is preparing a very special room in His mansion for this precious boy and that He is carrying this family through the sand until they can walk on their own!!
I don't understand how a nation that was founded on God and His principles can re-elect a leader that leads us so far away from God.....BUT.....I know that the one and only law I am to obey is God's law...."Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind".....and...."Love your neighbor as yourself".
I don't understand how I can be sooooo blessed when I am weak and sinful....disappointing God daily in my bad choices and weak moments.....BUT.....I know that God loves me soooo much that He sent His son to die for me.....I know that God is a forgiving God and is all about giving me "start-overs"!!
From my corner of the world there are a lot of things that I don't understand....BUT....I know that God is in control and that He he tells me...."I will never leave you nor forsake you".
Monday, October 22, 2012
Who Woulda Thunk???
I have had problems with my stomach and with my colon for years.....been to several different doctors....all saying the same thing:
"EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES"
UGH!!!!! Those of you that know me.....I don't eat fruits and vegetables, well not many, and just a select few.
Well at the age of 54 I began to have more and more bouts with my stomach and they were getting worse. I was missing work.....hurting more....and just miserable. So once again I go to my "stomach" (can't spell his professional name). Well the first thing he wants to do is run the ever loving COLONOSCOPY....Yup on of my favorite tests!!
After have that done and several other tests I was diagnosed with having Irratible Bowel Disease....specifically Ulcerative Colitis!
And once again I was told: "EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES". Well I was so sick and tired of having to stay close the bathroom and hurting like I was I decided to do what the doctor told me!
I STARTED EATING MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES!!!
That was about 10 weeks ago and it has made a huge difference in how I feel.
I sleep better, feel better, no stomach problems, no hurting and I have more energy!! I went back to the doctor about 2 weeks ago and he askd how I was doing to which I said I was doing great. I told him that I had always blown off the doctors orders of "eating more fruits and vegetables" for years but that this time I really took it to heart and have stuck with it. He asked how did that make me feel. I told him as much I hate to admit it....I felt great and that I wish I had listened to him years ago. I told him that I told me husband that I was really surprised that the doctors really knew what they were talking about....my doctor replied by saying "Yes, I only had to get 4 degrees and years of schooling to tell you to eat more fruits and vegetables".
Something so simple to change and it was one of the hardest for me to do OR should I say one change that I just didn't want to do...I liked the food that I ate....my comfort food. Having made the change now to mostly fruits and veggies with some chicken and beef I have to admit that I feel great and it wasn't as hard as I had thought it would be.
You know if you think about it, Adam and Eve lived off fruits and some veggies in the Garden of Eden. That was God's plan for us and that is the way that God made our bodies to be.....by eating things that HE created.....not processed foods or man made food!!
Thank you God for making eating right part of your plan for me!!
From my corner of the world.....I am never too old to learn something new and make changes to my life!
"EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES"
UGH!!!!! Those of you that know me.....I don't eat fruits and vegetables, well not many, and just a select few.
Well at the age of 54 I began to have more and more bouts with my stomach and they were getting worse. I was missing work.....hurting more....and just miserable. So once again I go to my "stomach" (can't spell his professional name). Well the first thing he wants to do is run the ever loving COLONOSCOPY....Yup on of my favorite tests!!
After have that done and several other tests I was diagnosed with having Irratible Bowel Disease....specifically Ulcerative Colitis!
And once again I was told: "EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES". Well I was so sick and tired of having to stay close the bathroom and hurting like I was I decided to do what the doctor told me!
I STARTED EATING MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES!!!
That was about 10 weeks ago and it has made a huge difference in how I feel.
I sleep better, feel better, no stomach problems, no hurting and I have more energy!! I went back to the doctor about 2 weeks ago and he askd how I was doing to which I said I was doing great. I told him that I had always blown off the doctors orders of "eating more fruits and vegetables" for years but that this time I really took it to heart and have stuck with it. He asked how did that make me feel. I told him as much I hate to admit it....I felt great and that I wish I had listened to him years ago. I told him that I told me husband that I was really surprised that the doctors really knew what they were talking about....my doctor replied by saying "Yes, I only had to get 4 degrees and years of schooling to tell you to eat more fruits and vegetables".
Something so simple to change and it was one of the hardest for me to do OR should I say one change that I just didn't want to do...I liked the food that I ate....my comfort food. Having made the change now to mostly fruits and veggies with some chicken and beef I have to admit that I feel great and it wasn't as hard as I had thought it would be.
You know if you think about it, Adam and Eve lived off fruits and some veggies in the Garden of Eden. That was God's plan for us and that is the way that God made our bodies to be.....by eating things that HE created.....not processed foods or man made food!!
Thank you God for making eating right part of your plan for me!!
From my corner of the world.....I am never too old to learn something new and make changes to my life!
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