Friends

Friends.
We walked in the rain. Drenched. Laughing till we cried.
We ran through leaves in the park, and drove through the country
with the windows down, singing at the top of our lungs.
We sat in the quiet, feeling each other's pain at a friend's funeral.
We shared in the joy of each other's victories, and accomplishments.

You are my friend.
We probably don't see each other every day.
Some of us haven't seen each other in years.
But, the bond that brought us together years ago is just as strong.

Some of us made mudpies together, and played hide-n-seek in the dark.
Some of us played Barbies and roller skated together.
We may have ridden bikes, and spent nights giggling when we should have been sleeping.

There are memories only we share.
The time we drove out of town and your dad had to drive hours to come rescue us.
Or when you helped plan my sixteenth surprise birthday party - how hard you tried to get me there, and I wouldn't cooperate.
Remember how we would meet on the corner under the street light, to exchange clothes and notes?
Or when we watched The Way We Were, and then thought, "We drove out of town for that?!"

We may have danced together, and spent hours working on college publications, or going over lab notes.
Maybe we were the geeks who decided to study when our friends kept knocking on our door inviting us to join the dorm party right outside our room.
Or maybe you were the one who told me I didn't have the flu....it was the fruit wine.
(I said I'd never do that again!)
Friends,
We shared secrets, and knew they were safe.
Sure, we had our moments when we didn't see eye to eye.
But, we always got past those times.

Here we are.


It's been a lifetime now.
We moved on, and married, and worked, and had our separate lives.
We diapered our children, loved, and cheered them on in every endeavor they pursued.
We watched as they drove off to college, got married.
Some have children of their own.

We may have met later in life.
Maybe after a move.
In a new town, or a new direction.
Maybe we text, facebook, write, call, or sit and visit.
Maybe we have lunch every now and then.
Maybe we fly, and drive to see each other.
Or maybe we don't see each other at all.

But, you live in my heart forever,
because you are a part of my life.

Michael W. Smith writes, "A friend's a friend forever."
It's true.
A lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

To all my friends through all my life,
I thank God for every remembrance of you.

Happy Valentine's Day.

From The Inside/A Baby's Story

It was a whisper at first, soft and soothing.
It was beautiful.
I knew it was the sound of love.


When I heard her laughter.
It tickled, and I rolled and tumbled
with joy.

I know, I'm not supposed to know much.
But, I do.
Even before I was formed, Almighty knew me.
He has plans for me.
I can't wait!

Sometimes I hear a voice that makes her cry.
It makes me sad.
I wish there was something I could do to tell her
I love her.
I feel so bad when she cries.

She was somewhere today.
Voices were low, but firm.
She doesn't know I can hear them, but I can.
"Tissue...."
"Nothing..."
"Your choice...."
When the voices said, "It's your life, not a big deal, It'll be over in no time. "
I perked up.
Maybe the voice that made her cry will go away.
Then, I heard her say, "But, it's a baby. I know it is. How can I kill my baby?"
The voices piped in, laughing. "You've been deceived. There is no baby. It's just a mass of tissue.
No one will ever know. You'll walk out of here free to go on with your life." "The father won't support you, you said. How will you raise a child alone?" "You're young, successful. You don't need this burden right now."

I sank back the best I could.
Who would say such things to her?

She started crying. She had never cried so hard.
Then, I felt her hand on her tummy. How do I know a hand? I just do. I'm smarter than I look.
The pressure was so reassuring, so comforting to me.
I hated when she cried.
I just wanted her to be happy.
I wanted to make her happy, to see her smile, to be able to touch her, and see her face to face.

"What are you going to do?" The vocies sounded irritated. "We need to know." "We care about you. We're not trying to pressure you, but you do need to decide." "It's a simple procedure, Sweetie."

How could someone call her sweetie and make her cry?

"I don't know," she said through her tears. "I need time."

"Ok. You can come back anytime." The voices said.

"Any time? Won't it be too late, later?" She sobbed.

"Oh no. We can remove the tissue clear into the last trimester." "Any time is fine. You think about it, and come back."

Eventually, she stopped crying.
I fell asleep...till  I felt her hand again.

This time there were familiar angry voices.
"What will people think?"
"It will ruin us."

"It's my life," she said, still rubbing her tummy.
"It's my choice. That's what they said.
I won't kill my baby."

"How many times do I have to tell you? It's NOT a baby!"

"I know that's what everybody is telling me. But, something inside is telling me it's wrong.
That's all I know."

"Then, I'll disown you," one voice said.
"Then, it's over, don't expect anything from me," another voice said.

Silence.
"Then, I guess you can walk away." She wasn't crying any more.

A different voice visited with her later.
"You have the right, you know. It is your body."

"I know," she said. "But having the right doesn't make it right."

Later, I felt her hand on her tummy.
"Hey Baby, I don't know if you can hear me," She said. "You and I are going to be all right.
I love you. I'm going to take care of you."

I sighed. I don't know if she felt it, but I was so glad to hear her voice, and to know she loved me,
I did somersaults, and backflips, kicking my feet as high as I could.

Then, I heard her laugh.
"I felt a kick! I did. My baby kicked!"

I'm so glad she's happy.
I can't wait to see her face.

To Lori/Cloud Baskets Will Carry Us

One of God's miracles for moms is His grace.
It has to be, otherwise how would we cope?

We carry little bundles of life for nine months,
and get to know them before the world ever sees them.
We are so overcome with love for them -
our lives change forever.
Life is not about us anymore.

It's no wonder when it's time for them to leave our nest, we struggle.
Our nature has been to care for, nurture, and be an integral part of their lives.
It seems unnatural, yet we know it's the way it's supposed to be.

I remember when each of my five got ready to leave, I had a hard time.
I knew life would change once again.
One time a person said to me, "Well, it's not so hard for you - you still have more at home."
Each one was hard because each child is a unique, individual miracle.

The hardest was when my son enlisted in the military during wartime.
I didn't know how moms coped with that.
It was way beyond me.
I couldn't be there for him, see, or talk to him.
He couldn't come home on weekends, or holdidyas, or anytime he wanted.
Whack - the mom heartstring was ripped, severed, shredded, just like that.

God did some awesome things before he left, but I'll leave that for another time.
I left him at the airport with his recruiter and a line of other recruits, and cried all the way home.
I told God I didn't know how I was going to do it.
It was like my heart had been ripped apart.

As I drove, there was a moment when sudden peace came over me.
It was like a big cloud surrounded me....
God assured me He would carry me through.
And He did.
A day at a time.

A sweet lady I know is sending her son off to college after spending the last six months caring and praying for his recovery from a bad accident.
Reading her post brought me to tears.
It is hard to let go.


I thought I'd given my children to God.
And I had.
But, the deeper giving came
when it was so hard not to worry......
when they're away from home, and you can't be there for them.

We can lean on God, and know that there is no distance between Him,
our children, and our prayers.
Whether they are close to home or half way around the world,
we can have comfort in knowing where they are, He is.

For us moms.
His grace is as big as we need it to be,
right when we need it.

To this sweet lady ~
I know this is not an easy time for you, because of all you've been through.
Isaiah 41:10 ~ Don't be afraid, for I am with you.
Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

For her and her son ~
Jeremiah 29:11 ~"I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.
They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."


Our love and prayers for both of you.

Back To The Future

Hang on! Wait just a minute!

Is it time already?

The time to let go of 2012 is at hand.

Remember Back To The Future in 1985 when 2012 seemed so far away?

 

Where were you in
1985?
It kind of makes me chuckle. I can see my long, spiral-permed big hair, leggings, big shoulder pad sweaters....my little daughter and I had matching outfits - pink, teal and yellow sweaters (hers didn't have the shoulder pads), yellow leggings, and pink high-top tennis shoes.
No laughing here - we were cool.

I lived in Walsenburg Colorado, had three small children (one born in Februray.) The Sangre De Cristo Mountains were beyond my front door, and our drinking water came from La Veta Pass.

I was young then, and naive.

2012
I live in a rural community on the Colorado plains...no mountains in view.
My five children are grown up now. My youngest just graduated from college.
I'm married to a rancher...we have fresh well water to drink at the ranch.

I'm not as naive as I was in '85...well in some ways I'm not.
It's hard to imagine that it's been twenty-seven years.

I'd like to go back to 1985 and visit that young girl, enlighten her a little, change some things, like Marty McFly did in Back To The Future,  but then again - I guess I had to go through the stuff I went through to get where I am now.

Looking back, there have been
tears, and laughter,
joy and sorrow,
endings and new beginnings,
valleys and mountaintops,
celebrations, and solemnity.
It is the way of life.

At a time when there is so much changing in our world,
there is One who changes not.
I made a list while I was thinking about the past twenty-seven years of my life.

This is what I came up with....
~No matter how dark things get, God is deeper still (Corrie TenBoom said that.)
~God loves me unconditionally - even when I don't think I deserve it
~God is truly Jerhovah Jireh, my provider
~He makes a way where there doesn't seem to be a way
~God never fails, and is always right on time
~He takes care of His children, always
~God's grace is as big as we need it to be when we need it to be
~God is still in the healing business
~God takes broken people/hearts and makes them new
~God is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow (important)
~He can be trusted

At the end of every year I am thankful for the opportunity to welcome in a new year.
Another chance to begin again,
to embrace life,
to dream and follow those dreams.

In this new year, may His peace fill our hearts, and minds in accordance to His Word - no matter what goes on around us.

I like what Eccliastes 3:1-15 says. It is one of my favorite songs
by The Byrds.
To everything there is a season.

Ok, back to the future -

 

 

 

 

 

May 2013 be a blessed year! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 “I have given Him my faith, and sworn my allegiance to Him; how, then, can I go back from this, and not be hanged as a traitor?” (The Pilgrim's Progress) 

The Arrival

Today is the first Sunday of Advent.
Advent meaning the arrival of something important or awaited.
The four Sundays before Christmas.
Waiting for Jesus.

I remember when I was younger ~

There was a huge wreath that hung in the middle of church, with four candles. One was lit the first Sunday of Advent. Another was lit every Sunday, until all four were lit.
In my heart there was silent celebration as I anticipated every lit candle.
One more candle closer to Christmas!
One more day closer to the celebration of Jesus' birth!

Today I read

Isaiah 9:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

In this season we are
waiting for that same Jesus.
The One called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty, God!
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!
He came as a baby, and will come again in splendor and glory.
It is good to remember how Jesus came - as a baby in  a manger, and that He will come again.
But today, right now, He is with us.
He wants to be  Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Father, Prince of Peace in our
lives.

He meets us right where we are.
Whether we are filled with laughter or tears during this season,
He desires to be our Lord, to be with us.

Advent.
Arrival of something important.
Jesus arrives in our hearts when we turn to Him and invite Him in to be our Savior, our Lord.
We don't have to wait. We can do it wherever we are.

This one thing I know.
He is faithful.
Whether we are on the mountaintop or going through a valley -
He is there for us.
The arrival of His peace is ours if we ask for it.
He will be our Counselor if we turn to Him for wisdom
He will be Mighty in our midst if we trust in Him.
His peace is ours if we rely on Him.
He will be our loving Father of comfort and encouragement, of blessing, and assurance.


Father, I thank you for the arrival of Your Son in the world over two thousand years ago. I thank You that Jesus came to give us life, and save us from our sins. I thank You that He is coming again.
Today I thank You that as I wait in Your presence, Your peace and assurance fill my heart, and soul.
Your joy, and love permeate my being as I anticipate the arrival of the people You send into my daily life.
Oh, that I would share Your light, and love to those around me this Christmas season.
In Jesus name.
Amen.


Anticipate the arrival.

Foiled Turkey

I enjoy Thanksgiving.
I get up early that day, and start....rather, continue cooking.
It's a fun, quiet time for me.

We had a small gathering this year.
One son had to leave shortly after lunch to travel, and be at work Thanksgiving night.

No problem!
I was up at four thirty, and put Mr. Turkey in my faithful roaster.
I like using the roaster -
the ovens are then free for pies and other things.

I was so pleased.
I was ahead of schedule.
Everything would be ready before twelve.
We would be able eat right on time, so my son could enjoy the meal before he had to run.

I got dinner rolls ready, and left them to rise. Then I went to work on sweet potatoes.
I set the table, and did a few other things.

Seven o'clock, I thought I'd baste Mr. Turkey again.

Something appeared to be terribly wrong.
My featherless bird looked the same as it did when I first put it in the roaster.

No way.
Yes way.

My roaster, my faithful roaster had died.
That roaster had seen many football banquets through the years, and graduations, and holidays.

No matter what I tried, I couldn't revive it.
Time was ticking away, and Mr. Turkey had a time limit.
He had to be ready by noon.

Since I used my roaster all the time, I had no deep pans big enough for my huge bird.
I had no cooking bags.
There was no time to run to the store, not with the time limit.
Besides, it was too early for stores to be open in our little town.

So, I scrounged through pans from every cupboard.
I found a big sheetcake pan...long time in storage.
I pulled out the Reynolds Wrap.

It was going to have to do.
I plopped Mr. Turkey in the shallow cake pan, wrapped it up the best I could,
and placed it in the oven.

I didn't open the oven but once - to be sure it was working (you know how it is - I call it appliance conspiracy.)

Everything was ready.
I asked my dear husband to check the turkey.
Good news - it was browned, and looked done.
Bad news, the timer button on the turkey hadn't poked out yet.

We waited a little longer, and tested it again.

I didn't meet the twelve o'clock deadline with the turkey, so we began feasting on all the other food.
Twenty minutes later, the timer popped.
So, we got to enjoy turkey together as family.

When my son left, I sent him off with containers of food.
Since we had turkey at the end of the meal,
I also sent a pumpkin roll for dessert.

That evening I reflected on the day.
You know,
Foiled turkey wasn't bad at all.

Sometimes we have to detour from our plans, but it's all right.
Things work out.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Now it's onward to Christmas adventures!

Relax my friends.
Enjoy the heart of the season.

Proclamation of Thanksgiving 1777~In God We Trust

In one week, we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving, gathering with family, feasting on turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie.

This year the holiday takes on a meaning that reaches deep in my heart, to the beginning...
In these troubled times, let's look back two hundred thirty-five years ago, to our young nation.

These are our roots.
This is our history.


The First National Proclamation of Thanksgiving was given by the Continental Congress in 1777 from its temporary location in York, Pennsylvania, while the British occupied the national capital at Philadelphia. Delegate Samuel Adams created the first draft. Congress then adapted the final version:

FOR AS MUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for Benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of: And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence; but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defense and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased, in so great a Measure, to prosper the Means used for the Support of our Troops, and to crown our Arms with most signal success:
It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive Powers of these UNITED STATES to set apart THURSDAY, the eighteenth Day of December next, for SOLEMN THANKSGIVING and PRAISE: That at one Time and with one Voice, the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that, together with their sincere Acknowledgments and Offerings, they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD through the Merits of JESUS CHRIST, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; That it may please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, and prosper the public Council of the whole: To inspire our Commanders, both by Land and Sea, and all under them, with that Wisdom and Fortitude which may render them fit Instruments, under the Providence of Almighty GOD, to secure for these United States, the greatest of all human Blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE: That it may please him, to prosper the Trade and Manufactures of the People, and the Labor of the Husbandman, that our Land may yield its Increase: To take Schools and Seminaries of Education, so necessary for cultivating the Principles of true Liberty, Virtue and Piety, under his nurturing Hand; and to prosper the Means of Religion, for the promotion and enlargement of that Kingdom, which consisteth "in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.
And it is further recommended, That servile Labor, and such Recreation, as, though at other Times innocent, may be unbecoming the Purpose of this Appointment, be omitted on so solemn an Occasion.