Been A While...

I just realized how long it's really been since I've updated my blog.  I stepped away for a time after a major life event:  I lost my father very suddenly in 2014.  So many times I started to post about those dyays, the funeral and some of the aftermath.  That just made it so much more "real" to put it out there.  Oh, I've had not problem talking about it...just didn't want to write of it.  

 After that all settled - life just went back to the daily ordinary- work, dogs, hubby and life.  I'll do better and get back to this.  

In a much different note - we've marked some fun milestones:  a 25th college reunion last year that ends with a road trip to visit my first "grownup" friend.  This year is my 30th😳!! high school reunion!  Robert and I are marking/celebrating our 25th Anniversary of all things. We met, had first date, got engaged and married all within one year.  The last three all within one calendar year.  Our wedding was 10 months to the day from that date night.  

We're Expanding the Family!!

No, it's not what you might think (hey, it IS April Fools:-).  After much thought, the Hubby and i have  decided to add a new lab puppy to our family.  We've gone and picked him put of the cutest (aren't they all) litter of 6.  The Mom & Dad Lab belong to friends of ours, so we know he comes from good stock and they're getting lots of TLC right now.  We still have to wait a few more weeks, until they're ready, so I thought we'd share a little about the pets we've had through the years.

Ginger was our first dog.  She joined us, right after we bought our first house (around 1995).  After all, if you've got a great fenced in corner yard, what better way to fill it up, than with a dog.  Ginger was a 2-3 year old beagle-lab mix.  Originally, Ginger was rescued by another couple, who then decided to place her in a new home, when they found out a baby was on the way.  Their loss was our hairy gain.  Other than shedding faster than a dandelion in a wind storm, Ginger was grant dog.  She had mothering instincts that served us ver well when our later puppies came along.  I nicknamed her "Velcro" as she walked in almost direct sidestep to one of us, usually Robert.  We had Ginger until 2009 - 14+ years.  She lived to the ripe old age of 16-17 before going to Rainbow bridge.

Jake was dog #2 and our first puppy.  He came along in 1998.  Hey, we had handled a full grown dog, so surely a 12-lb. puppy can't be THAT much trouble :-).  Jake was a close-to-full blooded Black Lab, and the largest in a litter of 9-10 boys.  Both his parents were of 100 lbs. and true to form...Jake would up around 125.  A ginormous, kingsize black lab with the soul of a couch potato and the heart of your best buddy.

Next edition...the Beagles :-)

We're Off to See the Wizard...

I've been looking forward to the new "OZ" movie that opened this weekend, soon. On a recent trip to Walt Disney World (who owns the film), promos for the movie were EVERYWHERE.  Print ads, commercials, you name it. There's even an Oz section that's been added to EPCOT, as part of this year's Flower & Garden show.  It includes a playground, glass flowers, places for picture taking, you name it.

Yep, I grew up watching  the classic "Wizard of Oz" movie annual airings on CBS.  This was back when there was such a thing as "appointment TV".  Have to admit, the winged monkeys always scared the pants off me, but I still loved the movie. My favorite bit of OZ trivia: Buddy Ebsen was the original Tin Woodman, but had to drop out after an allergic reaction to the makeup cause an almost-fatal allergic reaction.

I later read the "Wizard of Oz" book in elementary school and loved it...but have to admit at the time, I was slightly confused.  The book had LOTS more details and scenes not in the movie.  By my way of thinking it must have been there in the original (1930s) theater showing, and then cut out to make room for the commercials:-).  The new movie looks to have some of those plot elements and characters.  What it has done..is also made me want to go back and re-read "the Wonderful Wizard of Oz". Before Harry Potter...there was another wizard whose story charmed readers (and who also had a smart girl to help him out of a jam - even if the "jam" was getting back to Omaha.

Reminders of Grace

Last month, my childhood pediatrician (is that an oxymoron?) passed away.  Dr. Sizemore was one of those "old-school" doctors, who practiced medicne and was so much more than today's "health care provider".  Our families were members of the same church when I was growing up, so we got to know the Dr and his family as outside the confines of the office, as good, caring people with a love of family, faith and a calling to serve the children of our community.

Ironically, I  found out about his death, on the same day I learned two co-workers were facing the imminent loss of a child, both due to illnesses.  Almost 40 years ago, it was my parents who were in the same place as my CW's.  You see, I had to go through a serious illness, where the outcome wasn't a given.  And yes, it was Dr. Sizemore, who played a big role in my recovery and being a friend and comfort to Moms & Dad.

Just like its easy to ask "why me?" when we face tough times, we sometimes ask the same thing when we've been given a blessing.  When we've done nothing to deserve that blessing, it's a reminder of grace.  The word "grace" has several definitions, but for believers, it's often thought of as 'unmerited favor'' aka something that God gives us or does for us that we didn't earn by our actions. 

There are times when good things happen because of something we've done: the promotion that's long overdue, the dream vacation we've long saved for.  Other times, theres no rhyme or reason for the good that comes our way.  In those times, we should simply just be thankful and not feel guilty for appreciating the blessings. "Grace" is also synonymous for Thanks (as in saying grace/blessings before a meal - even if it is the old standard "God is good, God is great, let us thank Him for this food")

In Ephesians 3, Paul says "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me...His intent was that now...the manifold wisdom of God should be made known...In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

I Know Whom I Have Believed (Daniel W. Whittle/Public Domain)

1. I know not why God’s wondrous grace To me He hath made known, Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love Redeemed me for His own.
2. 
   
3. Refrain:
4. But “I know Whom I have believed, And am persuaded that He is able; To keep that which I’ve committed, Unto Him against that day.”
5. I know not how this saving faith To me He did impart, Nor how believing in His Word, Wrought peace within my heart.
6. I know not what of good or ill May be reserved for me, Of weary ways or golden days, Before His face I see.
7. 
   

A Story to Tell...

"There are times I wish my story wasn't mine...but it is mine to tell" MaryBeth Chapman.  

I heard this tonight from MaryBeth Chapman, wife of Grammy & Dove award winning CCM singer, Steven Curtis Chapman.  The Chapmans were part of an event in Connecticut, along with other Christian singers/speakers to minister to folks in the Newtown area.  

For those not familiar with the Chapman's story: In May 2008, their youngest (5 yrs old) daughter was killed when she ran in front of a car driven by her then-teenaged brother.  The accident took place in the driveway of the family farm/home.  

Both MB and Stephen expressed with her words and his music that even with the passage of time, they would love more than anything if they & their family had not suffered the loss they did.  That this event, which will always be part of 'their story'  just simply had not occurred.  

The other part of their message is that  even when life gives us those trials that we cannot change or "make it all better", we can get through it.  Our faith is still there beside us, even when we wish things were different.  We may can, at some point in the future minister to someone who may be experiencing a similar loss/challenge.  

What I took from Marybeth's remarks were that it's absolutely normal and OK to wish our circumstances were different.  There are times where maybe we won't "count it all joy", but we can heal.   My 'story' is uniquely mine and and each chapter brings us  lessons we may not be aware we need.  Some lessons can be shared...others will be for our own "private tutoring" 

The song I was reminded of was "I Love to Tell the Story". I'm not into 'tract evangilism", I just hope simply to be a witness as I go about my daily activities.   If you want to hear more of my 'story'...all you have to do is ask.  

I love to tell the story of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.  I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true.  It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.

1. • Refrain:
     I love to tell the story,
     ’Twill be my theme in glory,
     To tell the old, old story
     Of Jesus and His love.
2. I love to tell the story, ’tis pleasant to repeat, What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet; I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
   The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.  Arabella Hankey/Public Domain
3. 
   

Decision 2012...

I posted a response about praying for the President on a friend's FB page that that I wanted to share and expand on a bit:

My maternal Grandmother kept a daily prayer journal she would use to jot down the things she prayed for during her daily quiet time.  I believe she updated it until not long before her final hospital stay.  When Grandmother Hackett passed away, we found entries in her daily prayer journal for "PC", along with listing out her children & spouses, her grandchildren and "her" pastors (from my parents and my Aunts' churches, who visited and checked on her) and other loved ones.

It took a little bit to figure it out: it wasn't 'Phenix City' (and yes, my Mom's family was living in Columbus during the height of the 'Sin City' era across the river in Phenix City).  We finally figured out that 'PC' was President Clinton. Grandmother prayed daily for him, along with her loved ones.  Grandmother didn't "like" him and hadn't voted for him.  So, she simply used his initials (instead of his name). She didn't let his not being 'her choice stop her from praying. 

We've become so focused on "winning" and what 'side' (left/right) or color (red/blue) we are affiliated with, that many no longer feel respect for the office holder.  When 'our' candidate loses, we immediately start looking ahead to the next election, and hoping the next time 'our' candidate will do better. It's the "wait til next year" attitude we use when our favorite sports team loses or their season ends, without the SuperBowl or World Series ring.  

We shouldn't just pray/wish/hope for our desired outcome, but remember the men/women who have been tasked with leadership roles.  We can disagree, debate, discuss and 'agree to disagree' in ways that don't add to the division.  

A Careful Outlook

Was heartbreaking a few weeks back to wake up on a bright Friday morning, to see reports of the Aurora, Colorado shooting filter in.  First via social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook  then confirmed on the morning news shows.  My thoughts & reaction were probably similar to most everyone else:  the more I heard, the more heartsick I felt.  A collection of everyday folks doing an everyday activity.

Later that morning, I happened to mentioned to group of CoWorkers that Hubby had plans to attend a matinee showing, as part of a team outing.  One said he's going...aren't you afraid.  I thought a second and said, no.  We can't  stop just going about our business and let fear of the unknown 'bad guy' keep us from living our lives.  Does it mean things will always be ok?  No, we know bad things can happen out of the blue

There's a difference between being carefree, careful and captive.  Carefree is riding down the highway with the convertible top down, careful is putting on the seatbelt.  Captive is not taking the car out of the garage.

Psalms 32:7-8 You are my hiding place; you protect me from distress.
You surround me with shouts of joy from those celebrating deliverance. (Selah)
I will instruct and teach you about how you should live.  I will advise you as I look you in the eye.

I love the phrase "protect me from distress" it doesn't mean the 'distress' is removed or never comes, instead I see it as we have the tools to get through the distress and that where the comfort comes in.  We don't have to live in fear when God will 'look us in the eye'.  

Tis So Sweet

I love the classic hymns and wanted to share some thoughts that tied into one such song (and one of my favorites):  Tis So sweet to Trust in Jesus.

Through our/my 15+year struggle with endo and infertility, one of the key lessons I was about trust.  I had to re-learn to TRUST that God does understand those moments when I questioned/bargained/argued/cried/yelled...you name it. TRUST that he has equipped us for this journey that we are traveling on and TRUST for the future.

For me...infertility was a type of  loss that shook my foundation, like an earthquake.  I had been blessed in the sense that I had never previously lost trust in the people most important (husband, parents, good friends).  Being in a place where I was asking "why" and "how come??" was uncharted territory for me.  And at the same time, felt guilty for asking why.

There wasn't one 'aha' moment, but as I simply gave myself time to work through this and accept that this was the path, that we've been chosen to walk down...the faith and the hope came back;  the joy came back, the laughter and music and love of life and all the normal ups and downs came back.   Infertility had broken my heart, but it didn't break my spirit.  That's the beauty of grace and faith...the Lord gives us time when we have to step aside to get our bearings..and he's simply standing there with open arms when we turn back to Him. And yes, it is something very 'precious'.

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word; Just to rest upon His promise, And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er; Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end. ~ Louisa M.R. Stead

19 and Counting...

Almost two (2) weeks ago, Robert & I celebrated our 19th anniversary on Halloween day. Yes, I was a Halloween bride! No, it had nothing to do with any 'connection' to the day or fondness for Halloween. It just so happened that it fell on A Saturday that year:-).

We 'celebrated' this week, with a date night in downtown Columbus at the RiverCenter to see John Tesh performing with his Big Band tour. Have to say it was a great evening! John was great in person (someone that I've always wanted to see), very personable and charming, as I hoped. A good time was had by all, even if we did have to miss our favorite show - The Big Bang Theory:-)

The King's Speech

Happy Birthday to my Dad, who is 74 years young today!  Love, Always :-)

I happened to watch "The King's Speech" today.  Didn't think about the timing until I was well into the movie, but it hits really close to home.  If you're not familiar with the movie, it tells the story of the current Queen Elizabeth's father, King George VI and his relationship with a speech therapist:

The current monarch and her father were not supposed to be on the throne.  The Queen's father, then Prince Albert, the Duke of York, was the second-born son.  The Duke only became king after his older brother abdicated the throne, to marry a woman deemed "unsuitable" to be Queen.  Can you imagine if that had been the outcome of the Charles-Diana-Camilla triangle?  At worst, he just has to deal with citizens who wish he'd voluntarily "step aside" in lieu of Prince William

The Duke also had a lifelong problem with stuttering.  At the time, it was considered to be a major "flaw" and something to be ashamed of.  It was something the Duke struggled with for most of his life.  The movie tells the story of how the King worked Lionel Logue to gain control over his "issue". 

The reason this resonates with me is that my wonderful Dad has also struggled with stuttering all of his life.  He worked with speech therapists and the public speaking group, Toastmasters International, and now is a very well respected speaker.  I'm so proud of how hard he's worked.