Thanksgiving came and with turkey, rolls, desert, drink and family the house was warm and cozy and filled with voices and people that create more memories for me.
At this time, how can one not take stock of their life and be thankful? I'm a firm believer that no matter what you have or how little you think you have, someone is worse off.
As we go into our 7th month of unemployment, peace and joy fill not only our hearts but our home. No, a job is not in sight. But what we do have is each other, fairly good health, the love of each other, our God, and our children. These things are riches to us and to others that I know, only wishes that they could have.
We don't have a job but we have a roof over our heads, a car to get us places and two feet to assist in that venture.
We don't know how things will turn out, if staying in Minnesota is an option, but we know that we are not alone in our quest. So many Americans are unemployed at this time and we just joined another family to be with. We also know that we do not walk this path alone, that our Heavenly Father is walking with us, guiding us and giving us the peace and direction that we need.
We just welcomed our fifth grandson, Jacek into the world and family. What a cutie he is and rolling over at just 2 months. His smiles are like his mother's that light up a room, he looks like his father and is a joy to all.
December is a tough month for me. It is not only the month my mother was born in but the month she died in thereby tainting Christmas (which everyone who knows me, knows it's my favorite holiday). My son in law's birthday is also on the same day as my mothers. My fourth grandson went home to the Lord in December so it really is a busy month and one, that if you let it, will take you down into the pit. However, I continue to be thankful that my mother gave to so many thereby making her a blessing to others. My grandson showed me in 29 days the character he was made of and is now being caressed by his Heavenly Father, his great grandfather and other loved ones.
Life is difficult at this time, not because of being unemployed but it's that time of the year that with the holidays that really become a burden to people and they give in under the weight of it all.
So I choose to be thankful. I live with chronic pain and insomnia, I have bursitis, and a hip that will need to be replaced. Pain is very present in my life. But what is more present is the desire to live each day, smile, enjoy life and to be appreciative for whatever I have. And if I don't have something then God must not want me to have it.
So Lord, as we pass from Thanksgiving to Christmas and the birth of your son, I am thankful that you gave me another day to be a reflection of you, to see my girls, to see and take care of my grandsons, to return to the roots of parenting, to seeing my grandsons put tinsel on the tree, to answer many why? from Bennett, to hear Tucker say bless you papa as his grandfather sneezed, to hear Bennett ask Papa to make him a rocket, to walk with them and Mitzee and see them playing in the snow. To talk with a woman in Caribou and learn that her mother died of breast cancer at 56. To share a smile and receive a hug from her because I cared enough to stop and talk. To being able to support my friends in their present circumstances. To be able to take part in the day you have put before me never knowing what I will be called upon to do.
Thank you Lord Jesus for loving me.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
You Can't Make Me........continued
Well, isn't life grand. The Christmas tree is up and the new fangled LED lights have been wrapped this way and that. As in my previous post, I was hoping that with garland, beads, and bulbs that the tree with its new lights would come together.
So in anticipation and apprehension, I quickly made tracks to getting the bulbs and accessories on the tree. I waited patiently till evening came and turned on the tree. Where are my ornaments?!??!?! The LED lights totally wipe out the color of the bulbs!!!
So on a beautiful Sunday with the weather just as perfect as God could make it, I was stripping the tree of the LED lights and back to Target they went. No regrets. Someone else will have to support the economy. I can't do it all.
On Monday, I will be putting the old lights back on and redecorating the tree................I should be a happy camper.
So in anticipation and apprehension, I quickly made tracks to getting the bulbs and accessories on the tree. I waited patiently till evening came and turned on the tree. Where are my ornaments?!??!?! The LED lights totally wipe out the color of the bulbs!!!
So on a beautiful Sunday with the weather just as perfect as God could make it, I was stripping the tree of the LED lights and back to Target they went. No regrets. Someone else will have to support the economy. I can't do it all.
On Monday, I will be putting the old lights back on and redecorating the tree................I should be a happy camper.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Saturday's Prayer
Heavenly Father
I need your help and guidance. So much going on around me that I can't take care of and make right. Lord, I pray that you would place your hand of comfort and strength on my daughter as she makes her way through murky waters. Take her hand and guide her and let your will be done.
Father, I pray for protection over all 5 of my grandchildren and that you would walk closely with them showing your kindness and grace.
Lord, many relationships are struggling right now and I pray that you would open eyes and hearts and that as you have forgiven, so shall they. We so often quote "life is so short" upon the untimely or unexpected death of someone, but we never do anything about it!
Lord, let us remember that this is but a temporary stop and that our true home is heaven and being with you on the streets of gold and in your glorious presence. Show us how to be the person you want us to be and role model "love your neighbor as thyself."
Your son's birthday is around the corner and I'm anxious for it. You have blessed me with beautiful children and sons-in-laws I could not have done a better job of picking. Bless their marriages and mine as we move into another year.
I pray for employment for those who need it, restoration of health and healing for emotional and physical wounds.
I pray for our President and the next few years. I pray that your hand would be on every decision made and that we can reclaim our country again.
Lord, as the days go by, we get closer to events that are hard on us. First the birth of Garrett and then the death of not only my mom but then Garrett and then the birthdays of both my mom and Chris. This is a difficult time Lord and I pray that you would have your hand of comfort and healing on us.
I humble myself before you Lord, knowing that you gave your only child for me and my sins. I do not feel worthy but then again, as most parents do, you also make the sacrifice of yourself for us. Thank you Jesus, for being my comforter, leader, rock, ear, confidante, Father and most of all my friend that I can come to any time or day. I love you.
Barbara
p.s. Say hi to Mom and Dad and Garrett and Harry and Betty and John.
I need your help and guidance. So much going on around me that I can't take care of and make right. Lord, I pray that you would place your hand of comfort and strength on my daughter as she makes her way through murky waters. Take her hand and guide her and let your will be done.
Father, I pray for protection over all 5 of my grandchildren and that you would walk closely with them showing your kindness and grace.
Lord, many relationships are struggling right now and I pray that you would open eyes and hearts and that as you have forgiven, so shall they. We so often quote "life is so short" upon the untimely or unexpected death of someone, but we never do anything about it!
Lord, let us remember that this is but a temporary stop and that our true home is heaven and being with you on the streets of gold and in your glorious presence. Show us how to be the person you want us to be and role model "love your neighbor as thyself."
Your son's birthday is around the corner and I'm anxious for it. You have blessed me with beautiful children and sons-in-laws I could not have done a better job of picking. Bless their marriages and mine as we move into another year.
I pray for employment for those who need it, restoration of health and healing for emotional and physical wounds.
I pray for our President and the next few years. I pray that your hand would be on every decision made and that we can reclaim our country again.
Lord, as the days go by, we get closer to events that are hard on us. First the birth of Garrett and then the death of not only my mom but then Garrett and then the birthdays of both my mom and Chris. This is a difficult time Lord and I pray that you would have your hand of comfort and healing on us.
I humble myself before you Lord, knowing that you gave your only child for me and my sins. I do not feel worthy but then again, as most parents do, you also make the sacrifice of yourself for us. Thank you Jesus, for being my comforter, leader, rock, ear, confidante, Father and most of all my friend that I can come to any time or day. I love you.
Barbara
p.s. Say hi to Mom and Dad and Garrett and Harry and Betty and John.
Changing Another Person's Mind
My relationship with my sister, Elizabeth, has been a strange one but in the past years with hard work on both our parts, I have come to enjoy the quirky person she is and abound in love and joy that she is my sister and who she is.
One thing that I thought very strange about her, however, was that even though she was a dedicated christian, she never decorated for Christmas. I'd tell her about the weeks of decorating and she'd just say "it's no big deal, why do so much?" I kept to my course as I have always been comitted to it.
It wasn't until about 4 years ago, she couldn't stand it. What is it about Christmas that you love so much and decorate your heart out for? Well, let's see.....where to start....
1. I always use WHITE lights because to me it stands for pureness, love, hope, peace and the light of God.
2. I use red bulbs because red is my favorite color, looks good with the white lights and represents the blood of Jesus.
3. I decorate because Christmas is the birth of Christ and that to me is a very good reason. To show him he is not forgotten and to celebrate and to show respect. Also, to celebrate the sacrifice his birth was to us. When we celebrate a child's birthday, we get a cake, decorations and gifts, why not this?
She remained quiet for a long time. She said she loved me and would call later. Later was about 10 days. She called crying because she said she had never thought of it that way and what an injustice she had been doing all these years.
Changing someone's view on something can be done when it is spoken with the heart, with honesty and love. God must have shown her I was right and therefore she realized she may have made a mistake. It's ok to make mistakes, it's that we realize that and take appropriate action.
Elizabeth: Thank you for being my sister. How I love how we have come together as sisters, each enjoying our own quirkiness and still being able to share and love each other.
Merry Christmas
One thing that I thought very strange about her, however, was that even though she was a dedicated christian, she never decorated for Christmas. I'd tell her about the weeks of decorating and she'd just say "it's no big deal, why do so much?" I kept to my course as I have always been comitted to it.
It wasn't until about 4 years ago, she couldn't stand it. What is it about Christmas that you love so much and decorate your heart out for? Well, let's see.....where to start....
1. I always use WHITE lights because to me it stands for pureness, love, hope, peace and the light of God.
2. I use red bulbs because red is my favorite color, looks good with the white lights and represents the blood of Jesus.
3. I decorate because Christmas is the birth of Christ and that to me is a very good reason. To show him he is not forgotten and to celebrate and to show respect. Also, to celebrate the sacrifice his birth was to us. When we celebrate a child's birthday, we get a cake, decorations and gifts, why not this?
She remained quiet for a long time. She said she loved me and would call later. Later was about 10 days. She called crying because she said she had never thought of it that way and what an injustice she had been doing all these years.
Changing someone's view on something can be done when it is spoken with the heart, with honesty and love. God must have shown her I was right and therefore she realized she may have made a mistake. It's ok to make mistakes, it's that we realize that and take appropriate action.
Elizabeth: Thank you for being my sister. How I love how we have come together as sisters, each enjoying our own quirkiness and still being able to share and love each other.
Merry Christmas
YOU Can't Make Me....................well..........maybe
I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of the year. I would spend weeks just putting up the tree because there are so many branches!!! I would painstakingly put the lights on making sure every nook and cranny had a light. When it was turned on and it shone the brightness and glory of God, I knew it was right. The lights had a soft, white look to them and every time I looked at the tree I was infused with something, joy, gladness, peace.
Last year, LED christmas lights came out. I'd see them on the houses in the icles and think, "that's just wrong." I can't do those.
So several days ago, I got the tree up and started on the light experience. Plugging in each strand to make sure they worked BEFORE putting them on the tree. Now, these were my favorite lights because all I had to do was walk around the tree and lay them gently on the branches and wha la, within 5 minutes I'm done and the tree is looking good.
So, I realized that I only had half a tree of lights. Yuk. What to do. So I went to Menards, Lowes and Joanns looking for lights. The section dedicated to my lights was about 6 feet. The section dedicated to LED was 300 feet. Wow....tells you where retailers are going and that they're cutting back this year.
When Candice came I dragged her to Wal-Mart, nothing and then Target as frustration kicked in. While we examined the selection of LED (white) lights, we decided that the warm white was what we wanted. So reluctantly, Candice and I stocked up on LED lights.
Friday they went up on the tree. As I started putting them on, I remembered the days past of wrapping each branch to fullness and making sure it was done right. As I remembered I grumbled a bit but I kept wrapping, wrapping, wrapping around the tree I was wrapping, wrapping, wrapping.
Upon getting finished, I invited the neighbor, Jimmy, to come and turn them on. His Mom had told me that he looks for my tree and knew Christmas was around the corner. He also warned me each and every time there was a woodpecker on the house, returned Mitzee many times and is the designated food messenger between his house and mine. So with a gift and a card, I asked him to come and do the honors.
They went on and my mouth went down. They look nothing like the warm white lights in the store. So to look to the bright side (no pun intended), I am hoping that with bulbs, garland, and LOTS of tinsel, I can get the warm and cozy look I know and love.
But I've joined the boat on the LED front, supported the economy and made an 8 year old boy very happy. Isn't that what it's all about?
Merry Christmas.........it's only 48 days away!!!
Last year, LED christmas lights came out. I'd see them on the houses in the icles and think, "that's just wrong." I can't do those.
So several days ago, I got the tree up and started on the light experience. Plugging in each strand to make sure they worked BEFORE putting them on the tree. Now, these were my favorite lights because all I had to do was walk around the tree and lay them gently on the branches and wha la, within 5 minutes I'm done and the tree is looking good.
So, I realized that I only had half a tree of lights. Yuk. What to do. So I went to Menards, Lowes and Joanns looking for lights. The section dedicated to my lights was about 6 feet. The section dedicated to LED was 300 feet. Wow....tells you where retailers are going and that they're cutting back this year.
When Candice came I dragged her to Wal-Mart, nothing and then Target as frustration kicked in. While we examined the selection of LED (white) lights, we decided that the warm white was what we wanted. So reluctantly, Candice and I stocked up on LED lights.
Friday they went up on the tree. As I started putting them on, I remembered the days past of wrapping each branch to fullness and making sure it was done right. As I remembered I grumbled a bit but I kept wrapping, wrapping, wrapping around the tree I was wrapping, wrapping, wrapping.
Upon getting finished, I invited the neighbor, Jimmy, to come and turn them on. His Mom had told me that he looks for my tree and knew Christmas was around the corner. He also warned me each and every time there was a woodpecker on the house, returned Mitzee many times and is the designated food messenger between his house and mine. So with a gift and a card, I asked him to come and do the honors.
They went on and my mouth went down. They look nothing like the warm white lights in the store. So to look to the bright side (no pun intended), I am hoping that with bulbs, garland, and LOTS of tinsel, I can get the warm and cozy look I know and love.
But I've joined the boat on the LED front, supported the economy and made an 8 year old boy very happy. Isn't that what it's all about?
Merry Christmas.........it's only 48 days away!!!
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