Turning the Page

How did it get to be November? Weren't we just welcoming in 2011 a few weeks ago? "Time waits for no man"; I read that somewhere and finally, I know what it means......

Today, the first Saturday of November 2011, has been a breathtaking day! One of those "Slow, Sigh Saturday's" that I dream about and only catch once in a while. This week has been one of those "stop the world and let me off" weeks, but if I can have a day like today waiting at the end of every week.....then bring it on! The reward is worth it!

As we approach the end of yet another year and I think back over the last 10 months, once again I count my blessings.....the blessings of a year of good health for me and my family, the news of an addition to our family, a precious grandson coming from the other side of the world, the birth of  a beautiful grandson right here at home, a grand son starting school for the first time, the joining of the military ranks of yet another grandson, five beautiful granddaughters all as teenagers, the high school graduation of a son and a grand daughter and watching them both go on to college, experiencing the empty nest for the first time in almost 40 years of raising children and having a first time ever High School Reunion in almost as many years ......

What will the next year bring?   I will start with an earlier posting in September 2010 titled "Down On the Farm".........

Early in 2004, we got restless to make a change in our lives.... as the kids grew, so did the need to find out what else was out there. Our daughter was graduating and our son was getting ready for middle school and work was becoming more stressful for me, so I knew the time had come.......

At the time of that posting in 2010, I went on to say, "Our daughter has married, our son is getting ready to graduate in the spring and that wander dust is starting to swirl......where will it take us? Only as we turn the page in our book of life will we find what God has in store for us..."

A year has come and gone, the pages have turned and a new chapter is being written.......

Fall 2011, My husband is preparing to return to Military Service, this time as a civilian in the faraway land of Kyrgyzstan. 

What does this mean for me? An empty nest? An empty house? Well, that wander dust has not settled yet......... 

Jeremiah 29:11  "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Update 4 months later: My husband's contract fell through..... was not in God's plan.....instead, He needed him to stay home and help our son get ready for Military Service.........

Autumn Holiday in Paris (Landing)

It was that time of year again; the leaves were turning brilliant colors of yellow, orange and red, the sky a breathtaking blue, and the ladies of the Branches Sunday School Class were hearing the gentle call of the Savior to come away and rest.
It was the 3rd annual Ladies Retreat at Paris Landing, where eight sisters came together to share a weekend filled with fun, fellowship, sharing in God's peace....... leaving behind the stress and tension of work and everyday responsibilities. As we arrived late in the afternoon, the sun glistening on the lake promised a glorious time as we unpacked our goodies for the evening meal of delicious homemade soup and sandwiches. A variety of delicacies was shared as we talked and laughed our way through an informal and relaxing dinner.

After dinner, the traditional game time began and so did the fun. This is always a time when the "sisters" take on the role of sibling rivals......sides are chosen and the competition begins! This year was no less competitive and the howls and sidesplitting laughter as these delicate ladies turned vicious in an updated version of Charades. We will never sing Happy Birthday again without remembering that night......and the smile or chuckle that escapes will leave people wondering!

 

Finally getting to bed around 1:00am, we awake to the most amazing day the Lord has prepared for us. After a wonderful breakfast of blueberry pancakes and fresh fruit, the walk begins. Drinking in the beauty of our surroundings, we walk though the park, enjoying  the gentle breeze off the soft blue ripples of the lake. We were exhausted by the time we arrived back at the chalet, ready for a light lunch and rest before shopping.....as usual, we shopped for shoes and  made a stop at the little Christian Book Store....our two favorite places on our retreat.

Dinner on Saturday evening was at the Paris Landing Inn, and what a treat! Good food, Good company and a beautiful view of the lake.....God is so good to us!

Sharing time on Saturday night began with a reading of a short story novel written by one of our sweet sisters. As we listened intently though tears and smiles, our hearts strings were pulled and our  emotions were challenged. From the reading to roasting marshmellows around the campfire, the question was raised, " what do you want to do when you grow up"? This question brought to mind an array of dreams yet to fulfill and thoughts of what God might have in store for each of us filled the night air. From retiring to the mountains to building a church in Kenya to publishing a best seller to a simple dream of a job closer to home......each of us know that God is not finished with us yet. As I continue to ponder this question, I know that there is more for me to do, more to make a difference in the lives of others and more to bring Glory to God!

Sunday morning devotion on the deck in the mist of the rising sun......what a way to start the day and such a beautiful way to end our weekend. Glorifying the Lord surrounded by His handiwork will be enough to carry us until we meet here again next year.

College and Beyond

To my son,
As you begin a new phase of your life, remember to always trust in God to guide you, always ask Him for directions and listen to your heart where He whispers His love and answers to your prayers.
 

Live with intention
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard. Laugh. Play with abandon.
Practice wellness. continue to learn.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Lead or follow a leader.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.

*Mary Anne Radmacher

 

My Plate Runneth Over

Have you ever had your plate so full you couldn't eat it all?

Have you ever had your "to do" plate so full you couldn't do it all?

Well, I have had both and neither situation is comfortable. A choice has to be made in what to eat and what to leave behind or in the latter case, do what is most important at the time.

August and a few months forward is always the busiest time for me; the school doors open and so do the gates of responsibilities, adjustments to change, working endless hours on very little sleep begin and "we are off". My focus can no longer encompass the many tasks, projects, activities and desires of my heart on my 'to do' list.  

As women, we always think we can do it all. Wonder Women, Multi-tasker, Mega Mom.......but at some point, it catches up with you. I don't care who you are or how much you think you have it all together, when you try to juggle too many things at one time, you lose momentum, your energy level crashes and you can not give any one thing your "all". You have to decide what is most important at the time, what is most beneficial to you and your family and give it your focus. Does that mean you give up the rest? Absolutely not!

My dreams and goals are clear and steadfast, but for me, they have to be achieved one at a time. God has a plan for us all and the things He has planned for us happen in his time, not ours. When we try to rush ahead and take power into our own hands, we disrupt God's timeline. God wants us to trust Him with our dreams and desires of our heart and He also wants us to be thankful for the gifts He puts in our lives, like a good husband, healthy children, loving parents, good friends and a great job! He also wants us to use the talents He has given us to influence the people around us.....for me, I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 people I can influence or touch in some way on any given day while on my JOB. If I am not focused, many lives and livelihoods can be affected negatively.

I am not the kind of person who wants it all and wants it now. I want the simple things, the things that let me slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures in life, watching the sunrise on a crisp fall Saturday morning, seeing the wide toothless smile of my precious grandchild, watching my son experience college life and providing him the means to do it, sharing a cup of coffee with a fellow worker at the end of a long day and listening to the challenges they face, watching people become interested in taking their talents to the next level and helping them do just that in the workplace, coming home after a long hard day and being able to "just be".

My dreams and goals are clear and steadfast and based on faith....faith that God has a plan and through His plan my dreams and goals are possible. I know I do not have the power nor the lasting strength to make my dreams come true or to achieve my goals, the power comes from Him."There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends".

My dreams and goals are clear and steadfast....they are not about me...... they are about how I can serve others with my God-given talents "just where I am" at this time in my life.

My dreams and goals are clear and steadfast but, I have to put them in proper priority.

Psalm 121:1-3; I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help comes from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth. He will not let your foot slip, He who watches over you will not slumber.

Going Home Again

"We grow up planning how we are going to leave home and then spend the rest of our lives trying to get back".

This is a quote from a former high school class mate, posted on our facebook site where after almost 40 years, reconnection is finally being made. After graduation from high school, my friends, some who had been class mates since 1st grade, and I all went our separate ways to find what life had in store. Now seeing and hearing about what they have done with their lives, where life has taken them and sadly how life has been taken from so many, this little sentence has spoken volumes.

As I read the comments and remarks of my long ago friends, it seems like we have been transported back to that little country high school where we had no idea what life was like beyond it's walls, we just knew we could not wait to go out and grab on to whatever was out there and let it take us to new places and new adventures. It seems that no matter how far away the tides of time have shifted us and the adventures we have experienced, the common thread I see running though the conversations, the pictures and mementos shared....we are all excited to be back "home''.

Hillsboro High was a small K-12 school in a rural community of Western Williamson County Tennessee. The kids attending this unique and last of it's kind educational institution were raised on country sunshine and a love for friends and family. In my mind's eye, we are still the same as we were in the early to middle 1970's, still sharing laughter at each others antics and jokes, teasing each other like brothers and sisters, sharing happiness for each others accomplishments and shedding tears for the lose of those who were taken from us way too early.

As we get re-acquainted and plan our get together, it seems this will be more than a class or school reunion.......a home coming is what families do...welcome home Hillsboro High School Family and thank you Debbie Sue for bringing the family back together.

If I Had My Children to Raise Over Again

Alex will start college this week. Where has the time gone? It seems like we just celebrated his 4th birthday. Now as he starts a new phase in his life,  mom and dad will mark another milestone in theirs.....children born, children loved, children guided , children raised to be adults, children ready to make their way in life.....God's purpose for parents.
As I pondered the fast approaching empty nest, I found this little poem that pulled at my heart strings.


If I had my children to raise all over again
I'd finger paint more and point the finger less
I'd do less correcting and more connecting
I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes
I would care to know less and know to care more
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites
I'd stop playing serious and seriously play
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars
I'd do more hugging and less tugging
I would be firm less and affirm much more
I'd build self-esteem first and the house later
I'd teach less about the love of power and more about the power of love

*Diane Loomans, from Full Esteem Ahead

I thank God for a wonderful son who has grown into a great young man. We are so proud of him as he goes forward into a new world. We are proud of all our wonderful children and their beautiful families.

The prize God has waiting for parents at this time in their lives when they face the empty nest.....
Grandchildren!

God Sings

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Imagine hearing God sing....does it sound like the mighty roar of thunder or is it like a soft gentle whisper?

During my quiet time this morning, imagine that, I had some quiet time today! It seems like it has been forever since I had time to sit, enjoy the peace and tranquilly of no activity, no place to be, no clock staring at me, no one pulling me in different directions, no one demanding my attention...... and time to study God's word.

My life once again has gotten off track and I feel like I am being propelled though time at an accelerated speed, but today, on this beautiful Saturday morning, I find myself sitting on my porch, the sun peeking out through the full foliage of the summer trees, the house is quiet and I have nothing on my agenda today, so here I am God...fill me with your comfort, your wisdom and your love.

As I flipped through my study Bible, reviewing some notes and passages, I came across a study section in Zephaniah that tells me God will sing to me to quiet me when I am feeling overwhelmed, rejected, unworthy and fearful. It is not His power or His majesty that quiets me, it is His unfailing love (Psm.36:7-8; Isa.54:10). God's singing is powerful and strong, yet unimaginably beautiful, pure and sweet, but why would he sing over me?

Because He delights in me and I make His heart sing with joy! Wow....what a concept! But after all, He is our Father and as a parent, don't we do the same with our children? When our children face obstacles and their lives get turned upside down, don't we long to comfort them with soft words, warm hugs and sometimes a sweet song to quiet their fears. When our children overcome obstacles and joy is restored in their hearts, our very own hearts sing with joy. It just makes sense that God would feel the same way about His children.

Oh Lord, when I am overwhelmed and life swallows me up, keeping me from seeing the plans you have for me, please let me remember that You are there to sing a sweet song to calm and quiet me. Let my frustrated spirit be transformed, for I know my transformation brings you glory. Let me be an example of your grace, mercy, love and power. Let me take that step of faith, to grow and mature and to know that as my Father, your heart is bursting with pride and joy.