Life

I've been MIA as I took a whirlwind trip home.  You see, my dad is on hospice, and the nurses didn't think he was going to make it.  My siblings and I all went home (my sister lives there) to be with our dad.  As it turns out, he got over the pneumonia and pulled through. He has lung disease, so he struggles to breathe everyday.  Any little virus or bacteria make breathing nearly impossible for him.  I am so happy my friend, Naomi, used her airline benefits to fly me home in a flash.  What would we do without caring, helpful friends? I am grateful.  

It was hard to go home under these circumstances, but wonderful to be together as a family.  So many memories together.  And I pray God blesses my mother, who constantly and sacrificially cares for my ill father.  She won't even leave his side to go to the store.   She is a strong person, I've always thought so, but I still see it in action even now at her age of 77.  

Life is uncertain.  We never know when God will call us home.  We don't know why my dad is still living, when the nurses say all other patients they know in his condition, don't last.  I marvel when I look back at the changes he made upon becoming a Christian.  He gave up cursing, smoking and drinking cold turkey.  He faithfully attended all services of the church.  He worked as a greeter and organizer each service. He used his talents for the Lord.  He taught us to give. Even before we were taught the truth, dad led by example in praying at each meal, giving God thanks for our blessings, buying us Bibles and instilling in us a reverence and love for our Creator.  I always think that's why it was easy for our family to obey the Gospel once we were taught, because dad & mom taught us to respect God from an early age. 

Perhaps Dad still has more work to do on earth before he goes home to heaven.  That is our greatest comfort, knowing that we can all be together again in that Great Day. 

FAMILY

A Love Story

When is the last time you cried over something as small as having a hot dog for lunch?  I would guess you have probably NEVER cried over something like this.  I know I haven't.  Does it make you overjoyed to have the ability to take a bath?  Probably not. 

Well, this is what happened with my mother-in-law today. You see, she is a stroke survivor.  It's been 7 years since she had her stroke. After coming home to rehab in our home for a short while, she made a complete recovery, minus some of her peripheral vision. She returned to living in her own home and even cared for her dying husband.  Her recovery seemed nothing short of amazing! A few weeks ago, she had a heart episode. Her advanced age of 85 is now slowing her down and so she has come to live with us again.

Today she cried, not because she was having a hot dog, but because of what the hot dog represented- the happy times and memories in her life.  The happy times when there would be a picnic with loved ones, friends, brethren all around, laughing, joking, talking, encouraging. 

I can't imagine what it would feel like to have to give up your independence, to rely on someone else for everything, to give up living in your home.  I know she has gone through several emotions in the last few weeks.  Bless her heart, she is so thankful for the smallest things.  When I bring her food or help her put on her socks, she tells me over and over again thank you for caring enough about me to help me.  She has told me time and again if it wasn't for her son (my husband) she wouldn't even be alive.  Seeing this attitude on a daily basis really makes you think.......think about what is important in life.  Shopping and clothes are fun......but people are what make life worth living.....and people are what TEACH you what life is really about.
 

Right after the stroke with our boys.  The kids gave her a reason to live, to know who she was and her importance in their life.

During her 3 month rehab stay where we would visit each day.   These 3 kids were a huge part of her recovery.

A few years ago with our oldest.

Never underestimate your importance in the lives of others.  Your love and caring may be what makes all the difference.

The End of the Line......

for this hobo! VBS is over - another successful year full of good times, hard working people, happy kids and exhausted staff! OVCOC is awesome!

It's always bittersweet, I am sad to see VBS go, and at the same time feel a sigh of relief that it's over.

VBS Day 5
Lesson-Put Jesus First
Bible story- Mary & Martha
Memory Verse: Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Lady On A Train

My title is from the 1945 movie, Lady On a Train! Today I am a passenger! I am modeled after a 1930's passenger. I have my heeled oxfords, traveling case, vintage earrings, and FDR pin that says "For A New Deal"!

VBS Day 4
Lesson-Make Good Friends
Bible Story-Men who took their paralyzed friend to see Jesus to be healed
Memory Verse: He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20

Waiting for the train!


Thanks to all of you for being my blog friends! I learn so much from all of you!

All Aboard!!!

Today I am the train conductor!!
VBS Day 3!
Lesson- Think less of self and more of others!
Character-Esther
Memory Verse: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3

Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all lived by the words of this scripture.

OOTD-Engine Train Mechanic

Day 2 VBS!

Lesson theme - Make Good Choices!

Bible character- Daniel!

Memory Verse:
Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

I've been working on the railroad....all the live long day!

OOTD-I Hear the Train Acomin......

Day one of VBS - All Aboard the Kingdom Express! I am teaching 5th and 6th grade and I'm so excited! I love VBS! This is my first year teaching - in the past I have been in charge of decorating and snacks - so this will be a new adventure!

Bible story: Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-nego, Daniel 3.

Today's lesson is Stand Up, Stand Out, Be Different!

Making a hemline more modest - By Maggie, 12 years old

My daughter found this dress at Gap on markdown - we loved the silhouette, the vintage-y vibe, but it needed to be just a touch longer. Her friend, Monique had added trim to one of her recent dress purchases and she told us how to do it.

BEFORE

WORK IN PROGRESS

AFTER

Daughters are so precious - and we want to teach them to honor God in every way, including their dress. We are so thankful for the good examples we have of young Christian girls/women all around us choosing to live for God and truly put Him first in their lives. It does a mother's heart good to have her daughter ask her to help her make her clothing modest.

We always want to remember this verse:
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
(1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV)

Beautiful Friends!

Today we attended a wedding reception for one of our dearest friend's daughters. She eloped in Tennessee, and came back this weekend for a reception with her church family - romantic!

It was such a fun party, seeing all of our church friends from near and far. I feel exceptionally blessed by all the wonderful people in our own congregation, and then we got to see other dear friends that go back as far as college! It was a happy day. I think you can tell by the photos we were happy to be together. That's how the Christian life is!

Me and my BEAUTIFUL friend, Naomi! I think she should be a model! She gets me when it comes to "fashion" talk! I have taught her in Bible class since she was a cute little girl with ponytails! What a wonderful young lady she has become! Her Mom is my bosom friend (think Anne of Green Gables - Anne & Diana Berry).

Girlfriend shot! Deanne is always keeping me laughing, this girl is so funny- she is also my esthetician and keeps me looking good! Over the years D has become one of my closest friends. She has helped me in my Christian walk - such a great worker for the Lord- and mama to 4 children!

Beautiful ladies all - and what makes them beautiful - THEY LOVE GOD!

Words of Wisdom from Mary

In my recent daily Bible reading via You Version I was reading in Luke chapter 1 where Mary, the mother of Jesus, finds out she will be having a baby. She goes to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John at the time. In talking with her cousin, Mary expresses this thought in verses 46-47.....And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior".

I started thinking about myself - and my innermost thoughts and workings. Does MY soul magnify the Lord? Does MY spirit rejoice in God my Savior? In theory, I would say yes, but practically speaking, many times I am overcome with worldly cares and shove MY Savior to the background.

I think one of the hardest things about putting spiritual matters first is we don't feel it is a pressing issue. I feel the pressure to get the bills paid on time, get the lessons taught for homeschool before the charter teacher arrives in 20 days, get the groceries bought so meals can be made for hungry people. But when it comes to the spiritual, it feels like we have all the time in the world. I'm young, I'm healthy, I have time......................the truth is written in James chapter 4:

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15 ESV)

The truth is we are not promised tomorrow and life is short. During our time here, how very important it is that we TAKE the time, MAKE the time for our soul to magnify the Lord and for our spirit to rejoice in God. Staying in the Word will make these things a reality in our lives.