The October winds have started to blow stripping some of our trees of their golden colors. I know that Winter is around the corner, but for now I am relishing the scents, feel and sight of Fall.
Years ago I wrote our family Christmas letter with a "season" theme. We experience each season in our own lives, even though they come at unexpected times, as opposed to the predictable seasons listed on our calendars hanging on our walls. Some Seasons are beautiful, much like Spring. There may be days or months full of hope, new growth and anticipation for the warmer times ahead. Yet we all must endure those cold, dark and long times that I associate with Winter. The death of a friend or family member, the trial of a relationship gone bad or watching helplessly as a child turns their back on God. Just like the ice that forms and the howling, cold winds that accompany it - it sometimes feels like it will never end. Summer is full of fresh produce, blooming flowers and herbs. We swim and play alot, getting up late and going to bed way past our normal bedtimes. The kids love to lay out on the trampoline and gaze at the stars, sometimes even staying most of the night out there. We can usually slip away for a short vacation on Dad's Lake, enjoying my parents and our friends up North. We begin to turn our attention toward the upcoming school year - planning ahead and feeling ever so hopeful that this year we may actually "get it done!" (My friends and I laugh that the home schooling motto should be: "Well...there's always NEXT year!")
Everyone has their favorite season of course, and mine happens to be Fall. It is almost like it happens overnight. Dan and I will comment on the sky looking like an "Autumn sky". Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it is, in my opinion! the best holiday. The temperatures are cooler in the morning and I find myself making more coffee and tea. The evenings close in quicker, lending themselves to more reading or watching movies. I enjoy going on walks and bike rides so we can enjoy the changing color of the leaves plus enjoy the cooler breeze. (and I've missed that greatly with this stupid sprained ankle of mine.) A couple times a week now there will be the smell of simmering soup and sometimes sour-dough bread. I have a few new recipes to add to our old favorites: Spicey Chicken Tortilla (thanks to Dennis Goodwin!) and Corn Chowder have joined the list of our "favorites" - Mixed Bean, Cream of Broccoli and Vegetable. We begin to get ready for the cold months ahead, trying to finish projects that we began in the spring and summer. For me, I enjoy this time of looking back and yet anticipating what is ahead.
I'm very much in a "Fall" mood today. I look around me and appreciate so much:
*The consistent checks from Dan's company that have enabled us to stay current on our bills.
*I am observing some "harvest" of sorts in the lives of our kids: (some of their "gifts" are emerging plus the "seed" we planted in them is helping some of them mature spiritually...I cling to the promise where God says "His Word shall not return void")
*My buddy and I are appreciating more of the simple things in life: A movie, dinner and walk together; a portrait of our family taken on the bridge he built; an evening of popcorn and a taped episode of "Planet Earth" together...
*Especially recently, I have appreciated the dedicated service of our men and women in the armed forces. (I should take the time to write them all an "open" letter. I know they are not forgotten, but they are often not thanked.) I look around at some of the destitute situations in other countries and I am humbled at the freedom we have here.
I'm looking back and yet anticipating what lies ahead.
Even appreciating these few things, I've decided that I take WAY too many things for granted. I expect that Dan will always be here and that we will continue to enjoy each other and our relatively good health. I expect that our home will continue to withstand the storms around here and not be damaged. That burst of wind left over from the Hurricane on Sept. 14th showed me how quickly things can be damaged or even ruined. I expect that I will continue to have my kids around us and that we will have great relationships among ourselves. I expect that our church family will continue to thrive and do well. I expect that our new President will work tirelessly to protect our borders and keep us safe. I expect that life, as I know it now, will continue.
That may not be the case. The only consistent thing that I have come to know about is Jesus Christ. He is the same "yesterday, today and forever." I'm glad that He doesn't change like the Seasons. I pray that we can all learn t0 not take HIM for granted, but that we will be ever mindful of His mercies that are "new, every morning". It doesn't matter what season of life we are going through: Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter. He is there with us He meets us each and every morning! I look forward to His coming...more so it seems each passing day. Even so come, Lord Jesus.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
"Life is a Chair of Bowlies"
Last night I had the opportunity to laugh so hard that my side hurt. literally! We were celebrating one of my girlfriends birthdays. (she introduced me to the artist that came up with the caption above - plus so many other funny ones.) Four of us women went out to dinner and what a time it was. We all come from different churches, are different ages, have very different circumstances, joys and trials. We have one Savior in common. In between the gut busting laughter, we all testified in our own ways how God has met us this year and given us all that we have needed.
It has been months since I have been back here to write. I hardly know where the past four months have gone. We've been trying to adapt to our new situation. I'll try to think back and write a very quick summary:
*Dan's two projects are going great! One is actually a little ahead of schedule. He has worked many long and hard hours on these jobs. His travels are also going well and he has actually been home working in his office more than traveling. We bought two honda Odyssey's at one time! One is for his company and he and I drove it down together. His engineer is doing an amazingly great job in his responsibilities with the projects - we're so grateful. He also has a part time secretary that is helping out a great deal.
*Dan's company received his first check on June 27th! We photocopied it. We showed it to the kids. We hugged and we thanked God for this miracle. The projects will provide work for Dan for two years. At this point we cannot pay back our huge debt, but we CAN pay for our monthly bills! It is so exciting to us. Bit by bit we are digging our way out of the pit we've been in. We've even been able support some missions again, enjoy some dinners out and start Michaela in her braces! For Christmas this year, our family is going on our very first snow vacation for 2 days!
Also noteworthy on that day:
*We celebrated our holiday anniversary: Married 27 years on June 27th! My buddy continues to be my best friend, my tireless encourager and the object of my affections.
*Our kids celebrated their anniversaries: Caleb and Amy (one year in May) and Funnel and Jen will celebrate their second one this week. We love having married kids! Such fun.
*Our three middle boys moved home for the summer. Zac found a new apartment in Sept., and Seth and Micah will leave for a few weeks for Vail, Colorado. They have secured a 6 mo. job at a beautiful ski resort. They have been guaranteed 40 hrs. work per week, plus meals and free snowboarding. A dream come true for them! (In their own words..they will be "joking with and pushing little rich kids down the tubing hill.") I'm really going to miss them. Even though I do tease about having a pair of "raccoons" living in our basement.
*All the kids are healthy, and the older ones have jobs. Something to be VERY grateful for.
Let's see, in numbers I've also experienced the following:
7 nights with my buddy in the Riviera in Mexico!
6 different job changes (with 5 of our kids...)
5 rooms in our house cleaned (well...sort of - we're still working on de-cluttering)
4 months of paying our monthly bills, on time!
3 kids now left to home school - (I'm working on it) Danielle will graduate on May 23, 2009!
2 months now of reduced days of work for me. (I'm down to one Sunday per month now)
AND
1 new job for me!(I'm working very part time for Dan. I hope I don't get fired...I'm WAY behind on some things. I can honestly, yet jokingly say that I am sleeping with my boss. : )
It is a wonderful, different, optomistic time for us. .. yet we still remain tired on many fronts and are still trying to "catch up" on all the things left undone for the past six years. We are slowly getting a "grip", I think. Dan surprised me with the trip to Mexico in Sept. It was a rare time for us to just lay on the beach, take long walks and do almost nothing. We arrived home on Sat., Sept. 13th. On Sunday, Dan flew out to Florida, the remains of Hurricane Ike blew threw central Ohio and we lost a lot of trees, plus our electricity for two days. On Wed., Yell and I were out for a walk on the bike path strew with the storm debris, and I slipped on a walnut, fell flat on my back and promptly sprained my weak ankle. (This is sprain No. 7, in addition to the fractured foot and tibia from years ago). I believe in the conspiracy theory...I think the squirrels put that walnut there purely for their entertainment of watching me fall. Basically, every bit of relaxation we experienced on that beach in Mexico flew right out the window when we returned! We still laugh about it though. We have so many great memories to reflect back on.
I'm still in some pain from my back and ankle, but can't complain. It is healing slowly. I'm discouraged because I had just started losing a few pounds and I remain in a state of lacking self control. I need to figure out some new exercise options for myself as well as quit consoling myself with all sorts of chocolate. I'm learning to operate withing the "new normal". Life never seems to stay the same for any length of time...which is good I suppose.
My check book hasn't been the same - which is GREAT! The first morning we had sufficient money in our account to pay our monthly bills, I was beyond excited. I got up extra early, brewed my favorite coffee, put in my favorite CD, and had a GRAND time paying those bills! I still look forward to it every month now. Yet I know, that we can always go back to where we were. We learned so much about God's provision and how He can use our dear friends and family - even strangers! to show us that He has not abandoned us.
Just a few weeks ago, Dan came home with what he called another "Aldi Moment". Do any of you shop at Aldi's? I relied heavily on it to make our monthly food budget for years. I actually still do, but now I can afford Trader Joe's and some other great food spots inbetween my Aldi runs. Recently as Dan was going through the check-out there, he felt heavily convicted to help someone out. Not really knowing what to do...he started toward the car, and then returned. Because no one was around, he asked the cashier if she knew of anyone that could really use an Aldi gift card at this time. At first, she said that she didn't trust herself to send the funds in the right direction. But as she thought about it, she changed her mind and said that she actually did know two families in great need. Dan went ahead and purchased the gift cards and started out the door. She called to him...."Can I give you a hug?" By now a few people had formed a line to check out, and Dan was sure they were thinking..."WHAT on earth?" But it was a great encouragement to Dan. Such a SMALL gesture, but one that we both knew personally, from experience, could mean the world to someone that needed items they could not afford to buy.
I remember lining my items up at Aldi in order of need: and often I had to put the items at the back aside. I know what it is like to spend a great deal of time evaluating whether to buy this, or that. Can we do without it this week? It wasn't that long ago. This spring I had looked forward to having some friends of ours over for dinner. For several nights, I planned inexpensive meals (eggs, beans and rice, etc.) so I could "save" our meat for the week and prepare a great meal for our guests. (as I remember, it was really enjoyable too! The fellowship was sweet, and we all enjoyed the grilled chicken taco's with plenty of salsa and chips to go around.)
These memories are really sweet to me because I have learned to identify with those that are going through hard times. Sometimes when we drive up next to a smoking, old, noisy car - we say they are "kindred spirits". We know many "kindred spirits" - those with beat up cars, lack of funds and dire situations. As my wise friend once said: "I have learned to pray: Lord- please don't waste these trials. May they serve to benefit me and someone else in my path."
Our Bible study these past two weeks have been focusing on God' s "surrounding us" (we're going through Beth Moore's study: "The Psalms of Ascent"). Oh my, I can't even write what these passages have meant to me. Psalm 120 - 134 chronicle David's intimate walk with God. They resound with emotion, truth and God's ever failing love. As Beth writes:
"There is no literature in all the world that is more true to life and more honest than the Psalms, for here we have warts-and-all religion. Every skeptical thought, every disappointing venture, every pain, every despair that we can face is lived through and integrated into a personal, saving relationship with God - a relationship that also has in it acts of praise, blessing, peace, security, trust and love." p. 5 - introduction. Amen Beth.
On a personal note: I am spending more time praying for my kids these days. I am praying that they all truly make Jesus the Lord of their lives. I know that it is HIM doing the work in their lives and I struggle at times to get out of the way and let Him work. I am thankful for each area of growth that I see in any of their lives. I am asking the Lord to draw the ones that especially need Him back to Him, whatever it takes. If you ever think of us, that is our most urgent prayer for now. Thanks for all your prayers for Dan's job! God showed up in a big way for us!!!!
So many of us feel that the future is uncertain. (It has been a long, political election season, hasn't it? I'm greatly looking forward to having Nov. 4 behind us! ) We are still in great need of God. A pay check is a poor substitute for utter dependence on Him for our every need. It has been a long, painful, utterly wonderful seven years.
It has been months since I have been back here to write. I hardly know where the past four months have gone. We've been trying to adapt to our new situation. I'll try to think back and write a very quick summary:
*Dan's two projects are going great! One is actually a little ahead of schedule. He has worked many long and hard hours on these jobs. His travels are also going well and he has actually been home working in his office more than traveling. We bought two honda Odyssey's at one time! One is for his company and he and I drove it down together. His engineer is doing an amazingly great job in his responsibilities with the projects - we're so grateful. He also has a part time secretary that is helping out a great deal.
*Dan's company received his first check on June 27th! We photocopied it. We showed it to the kids. We hugged and we thanked God for this miracle. The projects will provide work for Dan for two years. At this point we cannot pay back our huge debt, but we CAN pay for our monthly bills! It is so exciting to us. Bit by bit we are digging our way out of the pit we've been in. We've even been able support some missions again, enjoy some dinners out and start Michaela in her braces! For Christmas this year, our family is going on our very first snow vacation for 2 days!
Also noteworthy on that day:
*We celebrated our holiday anniversary: Married 27 years on June 27th! My buddy continues to be my best friend, my tireless encourager and the object of my affections.
*Our kids celebrated their anniversaries: Caleb and Amy (one year in May) and Funnel and Jen will celebrate their second one this week. We love having married kids! Such fun.
*Our three middle boys moved home for the summer. Zac found a new apartment in Sept., and Seth and Micah will leave for a few weeks for Vail, Colorado. They have secured a 6 mo. job at a beautiful ski resort. They have been guaranteed 40 hrs. work per week, plus meals and free snowboarding. A dream come true for them! (In their own words..they will be "joking with and pushing little rich kids down the tubing hill.") I'm really going to miss them. Even though I do tease about having a pair of "raccoons" living in our basement.
*All the kids are healthy, and the older ones have jobs. Something to be VERY grateful for.
Let's see, in numbers I've also experienced the following:
7 nights with my buddy in the Riviera in Mexico!
6 different job changes (with 5 of our kids...)
5 rooms in our house cleaned (well...sort of - we're still working on de-cluttering)
4 months of paying our monthly bills, on time!
3 kids now left to home school - (I'm working on it) Danielle will graduate on May 23, 2009!
2 months now of reduced days of work for me. (I'm down to one Sunday per month now)
AND
1 new job for me!(I'm working very part time for Dan. I hope I don't get fired...I'm WAY behind on some things. I can honestly, yet jokingly say that I am sleeping with my boss. : )
It is a wonderful, different, optomistic time for us. .. yet we still remain tired on many fronts and are still trying to "catch up" on all the things left undone for the past six years. We are slowly getting a "grip", I think. Dan surprised me with the trip to Mexico in Sept. It was a rare time for us to just lay on the beach, take long walks and do almost nothing. We arrived home on Sat., Sept. 13th. On Sunday, Dan flew out to Florida, the remains of Hurricane Ike blew threw central Ohio and we lost a lot of trees, plus our electricity for two days. On Wed., Yell and I were out for a walk on the bike path strew with the storm debris, and I slipped on a walnut, fell flat on my back and promptly sprained my weak ankle. (This is sprain No. 7, in addition to the fractured foot and tibia from years ago). I believe in the conspiracy theory...I think the squirrels put that walnut there purely for their entertainment of watching me fall. Basically, every bit of relaxation we experienced on that beach in Mexico flew right out the window when we returned! We still laugh about it though. We have so many great memories to reflect back on.
I'm still in some pain from my back and ankle, but can't complain. It is healing slowly. I'm discouraged because I had just started losing a few pounds and I remain in a state of lacking self control. I need to figure out some new exercise options for myself as well as quit consoling myself with all sorts of chocolate. I'm learning to operate withing the "new normal". Life never seems to stay the same for any length of time...which is good I suppose.
My check book hasn't been the same - which is GREAT! The first morning we had sufficient money in our account to pay our monthly bills, I was beyond excited. I got up extra early, brewed my favorite coffee, put in my favorite CD, and had a GRAND time paying those bills! I still look forward to it every month now. Yet I know, that we can always go back to where we were. We learned so much about God's provision and how He can use our dear friends and family - even strangers! to show us that He has not abandoned us.
Just a few weeks ago, Dan came home with what he called another "Aldi Moment". Do any of you shop at Aldi's? I relied heavily on it to make our monthly food budget for years. I actually still do, but now I can afford Trader Joe's and some other great food spots inbetween my Aldi runs. Recently as Dan was going through the check-out there, he felt heavily convicted to help someone out. Not really knowing what to do...he started toward the car, and then returned. Because no one was around, he asked the cashier if she knew of anyone that could really use an Aldi gift card at this time. At first, she said that she didn't trust herself to send the funds in the right direction. But as she thought about it, she changed her mind and said that she actually did know two families in great need. Dan went ahead and purchased the gift cards and started out the door. She called to him...."Can I give you a hug?" By now a few people had formed a line to check out, and Dan was sure they were thinking..."WHAT on earth?" But it was a great encouragement to Dan. Such a SMALL gesture, but one that we both knew personally, from experience, could mean the world to someone that needed items they could not afford to buy.
I remember lining my items up at Aldi in order of need: and often I had to put the items at the back aside. I know what it is like to spend a great deal of time evaluating whether to buy this, or that. Can we do without it this week? It wasn't that long ago. This spring I had looked forward to having some friends of ours over for dinner. For several nights, I planned inexpensive meals (eggs, beans and rice, etc.) so I could "save" our meat for the week and prepare a great meal for our guests. (as I remember, it was really enjoyable too! The fellowship was sweet, and we all enjoyed the grilled chicken taco's with plenty of salsa and chips to go around.)
These memories are really sweet to me because I have learned to identify with those that are going through hard times. Sometimes when we drive up next to a smoking, old, noisy car - we say they are "kindred spirits". We know many "kindred spirits" - those with beat up cars, lack of funds and dire situations. As my wise friend once said: "I have learned to pray: Lord- please don't waste these trials. May they serve to benefit me and someone else in my path."
Our Bible study these past two weeks have been focusing on God' s "surrounding us" (we're going through Beth Moore's study: "The Psalms of Ascent"). Oh my, I can't even write what these passages have meant to me. Psalm 120 - 134 chronicle David's intimate walk with God. They resound with emotion, truth and God's ever failing love. As Beth writes:
"There is no literature in all the world that is more true to life and more honest than the Psalms, for here we have warts-and-all religion. Every skeptical thought, every disappointing venture, every pain, every despair that we can face is lived through and integrated into a personal, saving relationship with God - a relationship that also has in it acts of praise, blessing, peace, security, trust and love." p. 5 - introduction. Amen Beth.
On a personal note: I am spending more time praying for my kids these days. I am praying that they all truly make Jesus the Lord of their lives. I know that it is HIM doing the work in their lives and I struggle at times to get out of the way and let Him work. I am thankful for each area of growth that I see in any of their lives. I am asking the Lord to draw the ones that especially need Him back to Him, whatever it takes. If you ever think of us, that is our most urgent prayer for now. Thanks for all your prayers for Dan's job! God showed up in a big way for us!!!!
So many of us feel that the future is uncertain. (It has been a long, political election season, hasn't it? I'm greatly looking forward to having Nov. 4 behind us! ) We are still in great need of God. A pay check is a poor substitute for utter dependence on Him for our every need. It has been a long, painful, utterly wonderful seven years.
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