Monthly Archives: May 2011

May 31, 2011 · 8:00 am

A Day in the Sun


Last Friday, the sun was finally shining after two solid weeks of rain.

It was glorious.

Julia and I decided to seize the day and fully experience the beauty of now.

We started our day by taking our dog Buddy to the town beach.

We dearly love Buddy…but he is the most neurotic dog we have ever known.

Shortly after I took this photo, before we even made it to the beach, Buddy got sick.

He doesn’t get out much.

The view from the beach is lovely:

Buddy eventually got into the swing of things:

However, when he began to frantically search for some grass to eat, we knew our time at the beach was done. (This is what Buddy does when his stomach is upset). The beach was just too much excitement in one day for him.

He collapsed on the back seat floor, totally wiped out and ready to go home and nap:

He barely moved the rest of the day.

Armed with cameras and a cooler, we headed back out to discover whatever beauty we could find…

After awhile, we decided to eat lunch on a picnic table by the lake…and it was a healthy lunch indeed… 🙂

Life is so precious.

You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy the day.

We simply walked out the front door in search of the beauty all around us..and we found it…along with laughter, sweet time spent together, and the sheer joy of being alive.

Wherever life finds you today, ask the Lord to open your eyes to the wonder that He has placed all around you.

It is there if you have eyes to see.

“There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.”—Alexander Woollcott

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May 30, 2011 · 2:55 pm

Memorial Day 2011: A Small Town Celebration


“Freedom is never free.” Author Unknown

A veteran watching the town parade

The beginning of the parade down Main St.

High school band

A veteran leading the memorial service

A soldier awaits his cue to place a wreath at the town memorial

This sweet lady is a WWII veteran; she served as a nurse and is 92

Our son Josh

Along Main St.

God bless them and their sacrifice

Lake-side service

Julia seeking shade along the parade route

Gun salute

Taps

high school band

This day in particular, I remember my father Ralph, who proudly served in the Korean War; my Uncle Ted, a WWII Navy veteran; my Uncle Duane, a WWII Army veteran;  our nephew Matt, National Guard,Iraq war; my childhood friends Mike (Navy) and Jim (Air Force), as well as Ben S. (Air Force) who was recently reunited with his family after being wounded in Afghanistan.

We hold you in highest honor and esteem. Thank you for your service to our great country.

God bless the USA.

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May 26, 2011 · 11:23 pm

Girlfriends


We all arrived at the parsonage at dusk.

As I walked toward the house, I could hear bursts of laughter through the open windows. A smile spread across my face and my spirit sang, anticipating a wonderful evening ahead with these dear ladies. We all have the immense joy of leading Bible studies each week at our church and our hearts have been knit together as a result of this ministry. We love the women we are privileged to serve and we love each other.

Tonight, we gathered to have dinner together, followed by some Bible study.

I walked in and hugged each one…and then proceeding to accidentally step on the tail of our pastor’s cat! The poor thing let out a loud screech, dashed across the room and cowered under a chair, shooting nasty looks in my direction.

It was certainly not an auspicious beginning to the evening. Fortunately, that did not set the tone for things to come. 🙂

We gathered around the dining room table that overlooks the most incredible view of the lakes and the mountains. A refreshing wind carried the  sweet smell of lilacs through the wide screen doors as we enjoyed a delicious meal.

Our time together ranged from raucous laughter  to celebrating good news, to heartfelt tears as painful trials were shared.

That is what is so precious about these friendships. We don’t wear masks. We are completely real…unafraid to share our joys and heartaches, as we encourage each other to hold on tight to Jesus through it all.

Jesus is the One who binds our hearts together. We are all wildly in love with Him. He has taken each of our broken lives and shown us the stunning beauty of  the  glorious redemption that only He can give. He is everything to us.

Their faith inspires me every day. They have all been through the fires of affliction; yet have emerged closer to their Savior than ever. I see His likeness in each one of them.

It is an incredible gift to have friends who accept me as I am, who will lend a listening ear, who aren’t afraid to be honest when need be…and who graciously put up with my many “blonde” moments without judgment. 🙂

I arrived at the house tonight extremely tired…but I left uplifted, refreshed, and filled with gratitude. That is the power and beauty of friendship.

My prayer for all of the precious friends God has given me echoes the apostle Paul, when he writes: “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy .”  (Philippians 1:3-4)

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May 26, 2011 · 4:58 am

Rainbows and New Beginnings


Two days ago, I wrote this post about seizing the day.

Little did I know that that truth would come to life the very next day.

It was Promotion Night at my daughter’s homeschooling co-op, which is always a very special night. The sanctuary is packed with family and friends as we all gather to celebrate the achievement of the kids as they are recognized for doing the hard work to advance to the next grade.

We were only one exit away from our destination. It had been raining quite hard and we were delighted to see a  beautiful rainbow, not only stretched across the sky but right in front our our vehicle! It seemed to rise from the wet road and shimmered right in front of us as we drove.

Suddenly…traffic that had been traveling 65 mph came to a screeching halt.

There had been an accident just ahead of us.

A tractor trailer truck had jackknifed across the highway, hitting two cars and slamming them into the guardrail. We narrowly missed hitting the car in front of us and having  the car behind us smash into our vehicle.

In the blink of an eye, life could have changed forever.

Watching the reaction of the man in front of us was interesting. He was highly irate. He got out of his car and paced all around, clearly frustrated that he was stuck in the middle of the highway. It was as if we could actually see his blood pressure rising.

That would have been me a few short years ago….but not that day.

Rather than fretting and fuming (which would have done no good anyway), I whispered a prayer of thanks for God’s protection. I prayed for the accident victims as we watched several ambulances arrive on the scene.

Forty-five minutes later, one of the lanes were cleared, allowing us to be on our way. (Later, we learned that no one was killed and injuries ended up being somewhat minor, fortunately).  It was a solemn reminder that every minute is precious.

When we finally arrived at the co-op, it was such a joy to enter into a celebration of life…milestones reached,  happy memories of years gone by burned into hearts and minds, fresh starts.

The night began by honoring the lady who has led the co-op for several years. Becky has served us tirelessly and passionately and this was her last year with us. One of the group’s quilters had the wonderful idea of making her a quilt as an expression of thanks for all she has done for us. Every family wrote a farewell message on one of the panels and then it was lovingly sewn together by the quilters. The end result was gorgeous:

The children in grades 6-11 were then called up to the stage by grade, one by one. They each received their promotion certificate and gathered for a group photo.

The seniors, clothed in cap and gown entered to “Pomp and Circumstance” and a standing ovation as they make their way onto the stage. Then everybody’s favorite part of the night began.

The parents of each senior previously record a 3 minute video montage of their graduate’s life. In the voice over, they share their favorite memories, their pride, and their hopes and dreams for their child as they prepare to take their journey out into the world. When the video ends, the senior comes forward and waits for his or her parents to ascend the stairs onto the stage. The parents then present their child with their diploma. After years of hard work, they all have made it. Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. It is a triumphant moment.

Even when I don’t personally know the student, tears fill my eyes. It is such a beautiful thing.

There is one moment I will never forget. When the video montage for a young man named David began, his parents explained that they were told by the “experts” that since their son had been born with certain issues, he would not have a normal life and would certainly never  graduate from high school.

So much for the “experts.”

As the montage ended, this young man stood up and walked to the center of the stage.  Tears were unashamedly streaming down his face. His parents made their way slowly up the stairs. David’s mother has been quite ill and has spent much of this year in the hospital enduring serious surgeries.

I could tell by one look at this woman’s face that she is someone who fully knows and appreciates the power of a moment. Not only was she living a moment that she was told would never happen, but she was well enough to experience it.

The entire room erupted in cheers and applause as we all gave this family a standing ovation. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.

I love moments like that.

Eventually, all the seniors were officially graduated and turned loose on the world…but not before having a little fun with silly string. 🙂

A celebration commenced after the ceremony.

Julia and Doug

It was a lovely, if somewhat bittersweet evening… one that marked the end of  one season and the beginning of a new one. I am looking forward to the next chapter.

It’s a wonderful life.

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May 25, 2011 · 4:50 am

It’s A Big World Out There


My daughter Julia drew this picture recently.

I love it.

To me, it captures wistfulness,  some trepidation, and hope as this young girl considers the world before her.

She will have mountains to climb and rivers to cross.

How will she face those challenges?

What mark will she make on the world?

Right now, Julia stands on the threshold of big change. After being homeschooled all her life, she will begin public school in the fall. She is leaving behind the familiar to embrace the new.

That is life. Nothing stays the same for long and change is inevitable.

It’s my job to give her the tools she needs to be able to face this life head on…to not let fear hold her back…to celebrate her uniqueness and God-given gifts…to grow in her faith until it is completely her own.

It has been such a joy to see a young lady emerge from the tomboy we have known for so long.  Her tender heart holds a deep affection for any and all animals, as well as immense love for her family and  friends. Laughter comes easily and her eyes sparkle with joy. She enjoys reading the classics and poetry, is learning to frame the world around her through the eye of a camera lens, and has a wonderful sense of humor.

Julia is the artist of our family. She recently performed in “Little Women” and may have been bitten by the acting bug. She loves to draw and is learning to play the flute. She has a pure, clear soprano voice that has added a richness to not only the Christmas and Easter choirs at church, but also to a holiday concert with Peter Mayer and his band. I love that she fills our home with the gift of music every day.

She has her “blonde” moments, just like her mom, but she is smart as a whip. During the 2008 presidential election, she watched every debate with her father and me. She can name everyone from the Speaker of the House and the governor of our state. When I was 13 years old, I did not have a clue about those things.

On any given day, our conversation can range from her plans for the weekend to our president’s current decisions to her thoughts about the latest Jane Austen novel she is reading.

She is all at once complex, fun, sometimes silly, sweet, kind-hearted, creative, deeply contemplative, smart, and talented.

So, as you look to the future and that big world out there, my sweet girl, know this: you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  God has great plans to use your life  to display His glory to a broken world. Jesus is your everything. He is truly all you need. He holds your precious life in the palm of His hand. You have His light within you…don’t be afraid to let it blaze brightly, no matter the cost.  When hard times come–and they will— let them shape you into the mighty woman of faith you were meant to be. Don’t  you dare let fear have the final word. Fight for the Joy that is found in Christ alone.  Embrace the beauty of life and do not take even one moment for granted.  Always be grateful. Never stop praying.

You are deeply loved.

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May 24, 2011 · 4:46 am

Seize The Day


Last week, I saw an episode of Oprah that deeply touched me.

A woman named Erin Kramp was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago when her only daughter Peyton was six years old.

Even as she received treatment for the disease that sought to take her life, she went into action. Knowing that she might not be able to watch her beloved  daughter grow into adulthood, Erin began to make literally hundreds of videos for Peyton. Her advice covered everything from what to look for in a spouse to how to apply makeup. In addition, she wrote letters and wrapped presents for Peyton to open on each birthday and Christmas.

What. a. precious. gift.

The fierce, deep love of this mother took my breath away and I could not stop the tears.

I could not imagine looking into the faces of my children, knowing that I would not be there to share their lives with them.

After the show, I had to leave to pick up my son from track practice. On the drive there, I realized this great truth and wonderful joy: I get to do this!

I get to be a mom to these two wonderful redheads!

I get to enjoy their company as I drive them to their various activities.

I get to listen to their hopes, dreams, and struggles.

I get to share the years with them…offering guidance and a listening ear, celebrating milestones, and enjoying the people they are becoming.

It is such a wonderful, amazing privilege to be a mom.

Erin Kramp didn’t have the luxury of watching her child grow up, but she left an incredible legacy. When Oprah asked her husband Doug what Erin would want to say if she was still on this earth, his answer was profound:

“Have a sense of urgency about your life. Live very moment to the fullest—you don’t know how long you will be here.”

I have known for many years now that I am not promised tomorrow. My family and I went out to dinner tonight and I fully entered into those moments. There was nothing monumental about the evening, but we were all together, sharing laughter and all that had happened to us that day.

I get to live this life…and I love it.

There are no ordinary days.

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May 23, 2011 · 5:39 am

All Creatures Great and Small


“Mom?”

Her voice was tremulous, as she tried to choke back the tears that were just beginning to fall.

“It’s Gladys…I think she’s dead.”

The tears came in earnest as she led me downstairs to her beloved chinchilla’s cage. I saw that her hands were shaking and my heart started pounding as I spotted Gladys lying limp and unmoving. Once I got close, I could see that she was breathing, but it was labored and shallow.

“She’s still breathing?” New hope entered Julia’s voice and she reached inside to gather Gladys against her chest. Gladys’ eyes opened slowly, as she responded to Julia’s familiar touch.  She tried to take a drink from her water bottle but the effort seemed to be too much for her.

Her eyes closed again, while my daughter’s locked onto mine, silently pleading for me to do something, anything to save the pet she loved so much.

Doug arrived home within minutes and we decided to take Gladys to our local vet. Julia spent the short ride holding Gladys, stroking her soft fur, relieved that she was still breathing.

However, the doctor refused to even see her, leaving the receptionist to explain that he does not deal with exotic pets. Regretfully, she gave us the name and address of a veterinarian who was 45 minutes away.

My husband immediately said that he would take Julia and Gladys while I went to pick up our son from track practice.

They headed south as soon as we got home.

Doug called with the sad news about an hour later. Gladys had stopped breathing just as they entered the vet’s office. There was nothing they could do, but they were very sweet to the devastated girl before them. They lovingly wrapped Gladys in a blue towel and placed her back in Julia’s arms for the drive back home.

“She had a good life,” she quietly told her daddy as they drove along the highway. He agreed and assured her he was proud of the way she had  taken such good care of Gladys for the past three years.

Once they got home, we walked around the yard in search of a good place for Gladys’ burial. Julia chose a spot on the side of the house, underneath a flowered bush. Then she went inside, unable to watch as Doug began the sad job of digging into the earth.

Once he was finished, we all walked outside with Gladys. With tears streaming down her face, Julia placed Gladys inside and gave her a final, loving pat. She stood, arms crossed, watching as Doug covered the hole. Later, she placed a memorial stone on top.

The tears streamed all that night. Julia did not want to go to bed, so we allowed her to stay in the living room, watching TV.

In the middle of the night, her daddy got up to be with her. They passed the rest of the long night together.  They didn’t talk much, but they didn’t need to. Sometimes, all you need is your daddy’s presence to know that even though you are sad, it’s going to be all right.

I thank God that Julia has a daddy who cares about all that concerns her…who  is always willing to go the extra mile on her behalf…who repeatedly demonstrates to his daughter the selfless, extravagant, protecting  love of  her Heavenly Father. His steady, strong, and calm presence is always a soothing balm in any stressful situation for all of us.

I am also thankful for a a wondrously creative God who made lions, tigers, giraffes, and turtles… and a furry, lovable little chinchilla named Gladys, who brought a world of joy to my sweet girl, who has always had such a tender heart for all animals.

The following day, Julia posted this quote on her Facebook page: “To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk disappointment. To try is to risk failure, but these risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.” 

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May 21, 2011 · 9:03 am

Weekend Moment: Friday Night Lights


 I live in a tourist town.

Every May, our little hamlet begins to come to life again as people from all over the world arrive to experience the beauty and charm of  this place that we are blessed to call home.

I snapped this photo on Friday night. We have had seven solid days of rain and it had finally slowed to a slight drizzle. These hearty folks decided that enough was enough and were determined to enjoy eating outside by the water. Even in the rain, the view of the lake and the mountains are lovely.

I could hear bursts of laughter mixed with the sound of the Beach Boys music that the restaurant was playing and it made me happy.

The tourists are here. Let the summer begin!

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May 20, 2011 · 4:59 am

Rollercoaster or Merry-Go-Round?


The status of one of my Facebook friends this morning got me thinking.

She wrote: “I hate rollercoasters. I’m more of a merry-go-round kind of girl.”

In contrast to my friend, I LOVE rollercoasters!

Before I had back surgery in 2005 that made it impossible for me to ever ride one again, I took every opportunity to do so. I loved the slow climb to the top that heightened the anticipation, the sudden, heart-stopping drop, the twists and turns, the feeling of flying through the air. The faster and steeper the rollercoaster was, the more I loved it.

My absolute favorite was Space Mountain at Disney World. I loved that it is completely dark inside except for flashing lights so that when the ride begins, you cannot see where you are going. All you can do is surrender to wherever the ride takes you and try to catch your breath as you enjoy the wild ride.

I find it interesting that while I like the rollercoaster ride at an amusement park, it’s easy to prefer the tame merry-go-round in real life.

It’s predictable. There are no surprises, no sudden jolts or twists.

However…it’s also boring. The scenery never changes. There is no challenge, no thrill, no rush. It is stagnant. It requires no courage.

I have found that a life lived with Jesus is anything but a tame merry-go-round ride.

He is always calling us up higher, inviting us to go deeper, encouraging us to bolder faith.

He said as much when He uttered these transforming, life altering words: “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it in abundance…to the full, til it overflows.” –John 10:10

Right now, I am in a season where I feel like I am riding a rollercoaster in the dark. Everyday is an adventure. I have no idea where the track will take me. There have been many times when I’ve  been scared to death, as well as moments that  have literally taken my breath away.

Yet…I have never been more alive. My senses are heightened. I take nothing for granted. My faith in a fearless, fiery, and joy-filled Savior has been proven genuine and strong. I have never been closer to Him…and like it or not, that kind of intimacy never comes during the easy times.

I have surrendered to the ride, wherever it takes me…because I ultimately know that He is leading me deeper into His heart.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways…body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, “WOO-HOO! What a ride!”

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May 19, 2011 · 5:07 am

The Beautiful in the Ugly


The other day, a dear friend and I were having a heart-to-heart talk.

We are both wrestling with the “whys?” as we each endure a long season that can sometimes sap a soul of strength.  Even when one is surrendered to the sometimes- mysterious- but- always- faithful ways of Jesus, there are still times of weariness.

Prior to our conversation, I had been re-reading One Thousand Gifts  by Ann Voskamp. In chapter 7, Ann recounts a day that was marred by anger, sin, and ugliness. She asks, “How do I  fix this?  Them?  Me?”  

In the messy, Jesus whispers, “What do you want?” and in the ugly, I cry, ‘I want to see YOU…

He speaks soft, “Seek My face.”  

So, Ann begins to count her blessings: “Thank You for here and now. Thank You that You don’t leave us in this mess.” 

Then she writes, ” I look for the ugly-beautiful,  count it as grace, transfigure the mess into joy with thanks.” (pp. 125-127).

And a day is transformed as His grace and love liberated a soul from the suffocating shackles of self.

My mind turned to this passage and I felt as if I was being issued a divine invitation. So I suggested that the two of us make that day a quest to find the beautiful in the midst of the ugly.

The risen Jesus is indescribably beautiful (Revelation 1:10-16). Since He is always present, beauty can always be found.

As soon as I hung up the phone, I prayed, “Lord, open my eyes to see the beautiful in this ugly.”

Almost immediately, the  title of an Anne Graham Lotz book popped into my mind: Pursuing More of Jesus.  I found it easily and began to read.

When I got to chapter 3, I knew I had found the main answer to my prayer, as Anne poured out thunderous praise from a heart full of passionate love for her Savior. Here is what she wrote about Jesus:

He is enduringly strong. He is entirely sincere. He is eternally steadfast.

He is immortally gracious. He is imperially powerful. HE is impartially merciful.

He is the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizons of the globe.

He is God’s Son. He is the sinner’s Savior. He is the captive’s ransom.

He is the breath of life. He is the centerpiece of civilization. He stands in the solitude of Himself.

He is august and He is unique. He is unparalleled and He is unprecedented. 

He is undisputed and He is undefiled. He is unsurpassed and He is unshakeable.

He is the lofty idea in philosophy. He is the highest personality in psychology.

He is the supreme subject in literature. He is the unavoidable problem in higher criticism.

He is the fundamental doctrine of theology.

He is the cornerstone, the capstone, and the stumbling stone of all religion.

He is the miracle of the ages.

He is the key to knowledge. He is wellspring of wisdom. He is the foundation of faith.

He is the doorway of deliverance. He is the pathway to peace. He is the roadway of righteousness.

He is the gateway to glory. He is the highway to happiness. His office is manifold and His promise is sure.

His life is matchless and His goodness is limitless. His mercy is enough and His grace is sufficient.

His reign is righteous, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

He is indestructible. He is indescribable. He is incomprehensible. 

He is invincible. He is irresistible. He is irrefutable.

I can’t get Him out of my mind and I can’t get Him out of my heart.

I can’t outlive Him and I can’t live without Him.

The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him but found they couldn’t stop Him.

Satan tried to tempt Him but found He couldn’t trip Him.

Pilate placed Him on trial but found no fault in Him.

The  Romans crucified Him but  couldn’t take His life. 

Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him.

He is the Lion and He is the Lamb. He is God and He is Man.

He’s the seven-way King:

He is the King of the Jews…that’s a racial King.

He is the King of Israel…That’s a national King.

He is the King of righteousness…that’s a moral King.

He is the King of the ages…That’s an eternal King.

He is the King of heaven…that’s a universal King.

He is the King of glory…that’s a celestial King.

No means of measure can define His limitless love.

No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore-less supply.

No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings…

He forgives and He forgets. He creates and He cleanses. He restores and He rebuilds.

He heals and He helps. He reconciles and He redeems. He comforts and He carries. He lifts and He loves.

He is the God of the second chance, the fat chance, the slim chance, the no-chance.

He discharges debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young.

He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent. He beautifies the meek.

He guards the young. He seeks the stray. He finds the lost. He guides the faithful. He rights the wronged.

He avenges the abused. He defends the weak. He comforts the oppressed. He welcomes the prodigal.

He heals the sick. He cleanses the dirty. He beautifies the barren. He restores the failure. He mends the broken.

He blesses the poor. He fills the empty. He clothes the naked. He satisfies the hungry.

He elevates the humble. He forgives the sinner. He raises the dead!

He supplies strength to the weary. He increases power to the faint. He offers escape to the tempted.

He sympathizes with the hurting. He saves the hopeless. He shields the helpless. He sustains the homeless.

He gives purpose to the aimless., reason to the meaningless, fulfillment to the emptiness, light in the darkness, comfort in the loneliness, fruit in the barrenness, future to the hopeless. life to the lifeless! –(pp. 43-50)

When I finished reading that, I felt like time had stopped as I just sat in the glorious Presence of Jesus, soaking in all of His beauty and magnificence.

He is everything.  

He makes all things beautiful and because He lives, He will always transform the ugly into the beautiful if we invite Him into those places.

That moment opened up the floodgates. Everywhere I looked, I saw the gifts Jesus had lovingly placed along my path…right there in the midst of the ugly. Nothing had necessarily changed in my situation, but my perspective had shifted entirely.

Please don’t be afraid to ask Him to do the same for you today. He will be faithful to do it.

By the way, Anne adapted those words from S. M. Lockridge, who originally shared it. Here’s a video of “That’s My King” with the original words spoken by Lockridge. Enjoy and be blessed.

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