Just stopping by with a few obervations...

Oh, yes… we’re into the end-of-the-semester-preparing-for-Christmas-don’t-forget-the-next-event days. So, I’m just dropping into this blog o’mine to share a few observations I’ve made over the last few days.

• We’re receiving very few Christmas cards this year. So, I’m wondering… Is no one sending cards this year? Or, have we been marked off everyone’s list???
• We scaled back on the Christmas décor this year. Bud thinks it’s great and says we should scale back even more next year. My opinion? Big mistake. Huge mistake. It won’t happen again.
• My kids are having a hard time coming up with ideas of things they’d like to receive as Christmas gifts. I think Burrito summed it up pretty well when he said, “I think that might be a sign that we’re spoiled.” Hmmm… maybe? (Probably.)
• Speaking of Burrito, he’s halfway through his senior year. He’s been accepted to three universities so far and we’re waiting to hear from one more. We’re very proud of him! Nothing more to say about that lest the tears flow.
• Kat is halfway through her freshman year of high school. Is it just my imagination or is the transition to high school harder for girls than boys?
• You know how the police will tell you that there’s no such thing as ticket quotas… particularly at the end of a month? Well, I’ve been making my own observations of the situation over the last few months. My conclusion? I’m not buying that story. (And, no… I haven’t received a ticket.)
• Blogs are being neglected. And, it’s not just the season – it’s another trend I’ve notice over the last several months. You know who you are! (Of course, those bloggers probably aren’t reading my blog anymore either.) And yes, I realize this point is like the pot calling the kettle black.
• It doesn’t feel like December yet. It’s hard to feel Christmassy when the daily temperatures have been in the mid-60s to mid-70s lately. I still made Bud turn on the gas to our fireplace and we’ve used it on a few cooler evenings. I love it! Bud on the other hand, suggested I just burn a few $20s instead.
• This post is making Bud seem very cynical. He’s really not.
• Speaking of Christmas cards… mine are finished but I haven’t mailed them yet. Just in case you were thinking you’d been marked off my list.
• We scaled way back on Christmas gift-giving this year. It feels good. It feels right.
• I’m still in my jammies and need to leave the house in 20 minutes. Guess I’d better get moving.

What observations have you made lately?

Confessions: I need your opinion!

Well, hello! Yes, I do know it's been awhile since I've blogged.

What have I been up to during my blogging absence? Well, two things... One, Kat's freshman year. Two, Burrito's senior year. Enough said? I thought so.

Here's the problem. I really need a hair cut. And color. However, my stylist up and moved to a new town that is just a little too inconvenient of a distance to travel. So, during a ladies' Bible study luncheon yesterday, the topic of stylists came up in conversation.  I tried to make a mental note of the name of the salons that were mentioned by ladies who had cuts and styles that I liked.

You caught the key phrase in that last sentence, right?  Mental note. (Stop laughing!)

Not one to let a little thing like poor short term memory stop me, I just Googled the phrase "hair salons" with the name of my town.  I was certain the recommended salons would be obvious once I saw them. 

What popped up on my computer? The usual chain salons, of course, as well as all the ones named after their owners. The others? Well, they are the ones that scare me. And I promise you I did not make these up!

Milk and Honey Salon (Not sure if this is a Biblical reference or an indication of organic products.)

Trashy Roots Salon and Spa (The hair or the pedigree?)

Mecca Hair Salon (Will I need to convert first?)

All Cranial Needs (Think they can help with my memory issues?)

Too Hotties Hair Cuts (And humble, too!)

Island Salon and Spa (What island? We're pretty well land-locked in central Texas.)

Ooohweez Hair Salon (Ooohweez! Not what I want to hear after a hair cut.)

Smart Style Family Hair Salon (Better than dumb style, right?)

Sexy Scissors (Based on the address indicated, I'm not quite sure that a hair cut is all you'll get for the price of admission at this salon.)

Blondies (What?! No brunettes allowed?)

Klassy Kuts (The k's say it all.)

So, which one should I try?

Monday Musings (Except it's really Tuesday.)

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine (God's) power to demolish strongholds (things that trap us). We demolish arguments and every pretension (lies, false claims of ownership) that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

I Corinthians 10:3-5

 

Powerful. And I'm clinging to it.

Signs of the Season...

There's this:

Oh, yes! *Starbucks* Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back! I received an email from them yesterday announcing the return of the pumpkin latte as well as their new Toffee Mocha Latte.  Naturally, I had to stop on my way home this morning to try one. Just to make sure they were as good as I remember.  I think they are but I might have to try another one or twenty just to make sure.

It's definitely the season for this:

The first day of school - one senior and one freshman! Don't worry - that's not a gang symbol they are flashing.  The name of their high school starts with the letter "R" - so the school spirit symbol is a combination of the American Sign Language symbols for "I love you" and the letter "R." 

Then there's the sounds of the season:

Drums beating... my center tenor playing his way through the fall of his senior year.

Wondering why Burrito has a buzz cut?

That's because the back of his head has his drumline logo shaved into it.  All the tenors decided to do this as a team bonding experience.  One mom was not as thrilled about it as I was.  (Did I mention it was my idea? Definitely earned me "cool mom" points.)  Hey, if that's the worst thing he does during his senior year, we're in good shape!

There's cheerleaders cheering.

Did I mention she was selected as captain of the Freshman squad? Oh, yes, she is! 

Now, if we could just convince this Texas weather that it's truly time for Autumn.

I still do...

I, Dawn, take you Bud, to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness.

Happy 20th Anniversary, Bud - I love you more today than I could have ever imagined twenty years ago. XO

Confessions: I was nearly mugged at Sam's Club!

My father always took great delight in scaring me, my sister and my younger cousins. 

Oh, I don't just mean the barely raising your voice "BOO!" kind of scare.  I mean the horrible, sudden and without warning, full-on, mask-wearing, jump from the shadows of a summer night, monster-growling "GRRRAAAA!!!" kind of scare.

He's famous for it. Neighborhood children feared him. Really.

And then there was the time he asked me to hold a picture against the wall for him so he could judge the placement.  As I turned my back to dutifully hold the frame in place, he poked me in my side with his finger while simultaneously pulling the trigger on his electric drill with his other hand. 

You should've seen me climb the wall. (For the record, I never dropped the picture!)

I take after my dad in the area of scaring people. My best friend, Stephanie, came by for a visit the evening of the "Drill Incident" (as I like to call it).  Prior to her arrival, I begged dad to do it to her, too. He did. She screamed and collapsed into a heap on the floor. (I'm so sorry, Steph - it truly is a wonder you still consider me your BFA&F!)

I learned well at the feet of the master and it didn't take long for the tradition to continue once I had children. I waited until they were old enough to truly appreciate the experience. You know, like two-years-old.

Oh, sure... it started out innocently enough with the smiley-faced "Boo's!" but quickly progressed to the jumping out from behind doors with a slightly louder, more emphatic "BOO!!!" - arm gestures and appropriate posturing included at no additional charge.

It was all fun and games until I saw a news report about a mother who had done the same thing to her son.  And it killed him. I kid you not. Turns out, the little guy had an undiagnosed heart condition and the shock literally stopped his heart.

Well, alrighty then. Who needs that kind of guilt? Not me! So I laid off the scaring of the children. For awhile. Months, I'm sure.  Addictions across generations are the hardest to break, you know.

I'm pleased to report that we've come full circle with this family addiction tradition.

I took the kiddos with me to Sam's Club last night for dinner and a little shopping. (Oh, come on... you know you eat at Sam's and Costco for dinner sometimes, too!)  They quickly tired of following me around and informed me that I could find them relaxing on the furniture display when I was finished walking the aisles. 

As I hurried down one of the aisles nearest the back corner of the store, I noticed that it was getting close to closing time and there weren't many shoppers left in the store.  I paused mid-aisle to mentally calculate the cost-per-jar of various spaghetti sauces when "The Near Mugging" happened. Two hands shoved me squarely in the back, throwing me into the handle bar of the shopping cart while a deep, growling voice yelled, "GGGRRRAAA!!!"  (Thank goodness for the shopping cart because my own two legs wouldn't have supported me.)  I turned to defend myself against the attacker while preparing to scream.  There stood my two offspring - both doubled over in laughter.

"We got you!"

"You should've seen your face!"

"You jumped so bad!"

So, if you hear a news report about a middle-aged woman dieing from a heart attack following a scare - please send flowers to the funeral. And get my kids some counseling before they harm another generation with this addiction tradition.

They look so innocent, don't they?

North Pole, Alaska - Recorded for Posterity

Thank you for those of you who followed along with Burrito's mission trip to North Pole, Alaska - especially if you prayed for him and the team.  It was a wonderful trip and we still have many stories and pictures to share with you.

In the mean time, I'm moving the updates I had posted on my sidebar to this post - for posterity.  And, because I can't archive the stuff on my sidebar like I can posts.

So, if you've already read them you can just skip the rest of this post!

*********************************************
Saturday, July 24, 2010
2:29 AM: Made it to the airport. Checking our bags now. Praise HIM for a safe drive!
5:04 AM: Good morning parents! We are boarding the (first) plane. Hoping for some sleep!
8:37 AM: Touch down in Seattle. 4 hour layover. Too tired to say something clever.
1:21 PM: Getting settled on our last flight! Looking forward to real beds and showers. Airport floors are not conducive for healthy sleep.

Friday, July 23, 2010
9:16 AM: Just a couple of hours of work then we begin the 24 hours of travel to home - beginning at 5 PM Texas time with a 7 hour drive to Anchorage.
4:34 PM: Beginning the 24 hour journey home right now. Pray. Hard. The first leg is the 7 hour drive to Anchorage.
11:58 PM: Food stop about 45 minuts outside of Anchorage. Almost done with the drive.

Thursday, July 22, 2010
12:46 PM: Dinner cruise on the river last night was great and the last full day of work is going very well. Pray that we finish strong!
7:39 PM: Finishing out the day by visiting Santa's house before worship. Even Mr. Story got to sit on his lap.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
11:18 AM: Day 2 of work is rolling! Pray that the rain doesn't interfere with work and community outreach.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010
9:45 AM: Done with a great breakfast and now we're getting ready to head out for our first work day. Pray for chances to share our faith!
7:35 PM: Getting reports of a great first day of work. Cleaning up for dinner and worship. Pray that God moves our hearts tonight.

Monday, July 19, 2010
10:08 AM: Rolling out to North Pole. Hope to see some mooses, er, meese... Hope we see a moose. 3:24 PM: Pit stop in the middle of Denali National Park. Most of us have never used the bathroom in a more beautiful place.
7:18 PM: Finally to North Pole. Talk about Christmas in July... Lots of Santa pics but no Jesus. Good thing we're here to be the image of Christ.
11:59 PM: Ate dinner, met our crews, and worshipped Jesus. Great first night at World Changers.

Sunday, July 18, 2010
11:04 AM: Up and eating breakfast. It's raining but we're still excited!
12:47 PM: Sunday funday in Alaska. First stop: Eskimo shopping.
4:56 PM: Hiking on a glacier. Awesome!
6:01 PM: Glacier cruise. A three hour cruise... Ok, it isn't really 3 hours but it is going to be sweet.
9:11 PM: Finishing off the day with a meal at Red Robin. Then devotion time, showers, and bed. By the way it's very cold.

Saturday, July 17, 2010
7:06 AM: Only issue through security was some suspicious hot wheels. Waiting to board!
7:39 AM: Everyone is boarded and phones are going off. Pray for a safe flight!
11:31 AM: Brief stop in San Jose, CA. On to Portland next. Only issue in flight was the flat Coke Zero. Lame.
2:04 PM: Layover in Portland begins right now. In the air again in 5 hours.
7:03 PM: We're all boarded. Waiting for take off. Alaska in 3'ish hours.
11:00 PM: Safely on the ground in Alaska and our bodies don't have a clue what time it is. It looks like 4 pm, feels like 11 pm. It's 8 pm.

Happy Birthday, BFA&F!

Remember her?

One year has passed and her day has arrived again...

Steph isn't blogging these days... but maybe she'll pick it up again if all of you stop by her blog and wish her a happy birthday!

Be blessed, my sweet, sweet friend!

HE'S HOME!!!

Details soon!

This Is It!

Today is the last day Burrito and the mission team will be in North Pole, Alaska.  They will continue working through this morning and wrap things up in time to have lunch before starting the 24 hour, long journey back to Texas.  They will retrace their steps with a seven hour drive back to Anchorage to catch the first of their flights.  They are scheduled to arrive back in Austin at 5 PM on Saturday evening.

We're anxious to hear about all the fun, adventures, and God stories that have to tell.  We already know that at least one 7-year-old girl accepted Christ while they were in North Pole! This alone made the week successful.

So, please pray:

• That much is accomplished this final day and that projects are successfully wrapped up by before the three teams leave North Pole.
• For the people of First Baptist Church in North Pole as they continue the ministry that was started this week.
• For safe travels for our team and the other two teams (from Alabama and North Carolina) as they travel to their homes.
• For the health of all the team members - it's been an exhausting week.
• That the spiritual growth the team members experienced will continue once they return to their everyday lives.

I will continue to post any Twitter updates I receive on the side bar.  Hopefully, Burrito took lots of pictures and we'll post these later this weekend.

Finally, here's a photo of the entire North Pole mission team (all three churches) that was made before their worship service last night:

Do you see Burrito? Look at the fourth row from the front (the first "long" row), fourth person from the right.

Weather: Texas vs. Alaska

Right now in central Texas, the sun is blazing and it feels like 100 degrees.

Right now in North Pole, AK, it's cloudy and feels like 59 degrees.

Where would you rather be???

News From The First Work Day in North Pole

From an updated received last night:

"The day started off bright and early, breakfast at 6am sharp! We sent the crews off to their work sites for the first time this morning, but first started off with The Great Send Off! All participants gathered in a large circle where we rallied and got pumped up for the work the rest of this week. We had a large group prayer and everyone all rushed off for their work sites.

Participants worked hard all day long.. roofing, painting, backyard bible clubs, give away, you name it, we did it!

Participants ended the night with the Concert of Prayer. This is a special time of worship where students spend one on one time with God praying and worshipping. Students were challenged to give up something this week that hindered their life from the Lord. Each student was given a rough rock that represented the distraction or sin that hindered them, when they were ready to give it up they placed it at the foot of the cross, and picked up a new smooth clean rock. This week should be good, we are excited, pumped and ready to serve the Lord!"

Please keep praying for the team members in North Pole.  They are working long hours at hard jobs they may have never performed before this week.  Pray that they will retain both their energy and enthusiasm and that they will be constantly aware of opportunities to share their faith in Christ. 

Oh, and that weather? It's still being a little pesky, too.

Pictures from North Pole

The team from our church. Burrito is in the second row from the bottom, fourth from the right.

This will be their "home base" while in North Pole.

They will eat, sleep and worship here.

Look at those heavy clouds in the sky. Keep praying the rain away!

E-Couragrams Are Now Open!

The team arrived safely in Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday with no reports of lost luggage or team members. They spent Sunday walking on glaciers and shopping at an Eskimo trading village in 50-degree, rainy weather. (That's winter weather to thin-blooded Texans!) And today they made the seven hour drive from Anchorage to North Pole with a pit stop in Denali National Park.

Tomorrow bright and early... the hard work begins!

E-Couragrams are now open. If you'd like to send a note of encouragement to Burrito while he's there, follow THIS LINK and fill in Burrito's name, our church's name and our home city.  If you're not sure about this info, e-mail me and I'll make sure you have the correct information.  E-Couragrams will be delivered to the mission team members each evening and will remain open through Thursday evening.

Hopefully, we'll begin receiving some pictures soon and I'll post them here as they become available.

The weather forecast is still predicting temps in the mid-50's to upper-60's and rain for the rest of the week.  Please pray that the rain will hold off or occur during times that the teams are indoors.

North Pole, Alaska Weather Forecast

Sunshine would be nice. Would you please add that to your prayer requests for Burrito and the mission team? Thanks!

Sabbath Blessings

Praying for Burrito and the mission team on their first day in Alaska.  Praying for the city of North Pole... may God touch hearts and lives.

North Pole in July

WORLD CHANGERS provides a dynamic week-long MISSION TRIP for students seeking to make a difference in the lives of those with SPIRITUAL and PHYSICAL needs.

Ever wonder what it would be like to go to the North Pole? In July??

Burrito is part of a team of students from our church's youth department and their sponsors who are headed to North Pole, Alaska, for their annual mission trip in coordination with World Changers.  Despite the name, the city of North Pole is about 1,700 miles south of the geographic North Pole. It is a small city of less than 2,000 residents and is located thirteen miles to the southeast of Fairbanks.

Red "pin" indicates the city of North Pole, Alaska.

(Last year they worked and ministered in Birmingham, AL. You can read about that trip here, here, here, here, here and here.)

This year's team is unique in two ways. First, it's the farthest they've traveled with World Changers. Second, it's the largest team they've ever taken - 47 individuals including 40 students and seven sponsors.

While the team is in Alaska, they will combine their efforts with groups from two other churches to do community service within North Pole as well as providing construction crews at homes to do roofing and painting.  Burrito has been assigned to one of the construction crews.  (This training could come in handy when our home needs a new roof some day! Ha!)  These are practical projects to serve the people of North Pole while also providing our youth with opportunities to meet and interact with individuals and allowing them to share Christ with them.

Our youth pastor will use Twitter keep us informed of their travels and adventures while they are in Alaska.  Like last year, I'll post these updates on my sidebar so you can follow along with them if you'd like.  I'll also be posting their activities each day and will include a link that will allow you to send "encourage-grams" to Burrito or other team members.  Check back tomorrow for that link.

Would you join me in praying for Burrito, the team, their projects, and the people they encounter?

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."

Tick. Tick. Tick...

(Photo Credit: ToniVC on Flickr)

Time - it is a-ticking.  Don't believe me? Look at the date on my last post.

I. know. 

I thought I'd written one just last week. Possibly two weeks ago. At the most.

Spring flew by and now summer is, too. Lots has happened. Lots is getting ready to happen.

I wonder if anyone is even still checking my blog these days?

Hello???

Anyway.  I'm back!  I've got so much to say. (What's new, right?)

This fall I'll have a high school senior and a high school freshman.  If that simple fact doesn't kick the mama emotions into high gear, I don't know what will!  And, surely that ought to produce some good blog fodder.

Tick. Tick. Tick...

Maybe that isn't time a-tickin' by.

It could be the metronome ticking in the background as the tenor drum section of our high school band practices in our game room. 

Seriously? Can't I have just a little more summer before band practice starts again???

Tick. Tick. Tick...

So, tell me - what events have been tick, tick, ticking by in your world?

National Day of Prayer

No ocean can hold it back.
No river can overtake it.
No whirlwind can go faster.
No army can defeat it.
No law can stop it.
No distance can slow it.
No disease can cripple it.
No force on earth is more powerful or effective than the power of prayer.
(Linn Carlson)

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 

(James 5:16b, NLT)

Happy Birthday, Bud!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Prince Charming! Wishing you at least 43 more happy, healthy years! I love you!!!

(Yes, an apple spice cake will be baked for your celebration this Sunday.)

Do you know what month it is?

If you answered March, you'd be wrong. Because this was a trick question, of course!

It is National Peanut Month.

Not this kind of Peanuts...

This kind...

Seriously!

You can verify my facts on the Peanut Butter Lovers website. (Who knew, right?) Still doubting? It's even been announced on the National Peanut Board's website. It's a great site with lots of info, recipes, fun facts, tips on growing peanuts, a children's page and even lesson plans for those of you who need them.

Did you know that Americans eat more than 600 million pounds of peanuts and 700 million pounds of peanut butter each year? (That little tidbit of info ought to come in handy during your next game of Trivial Pursuit!)

There's no shortage of peanut and peanut butter lovers in our household. So, in honor of this special month, I'm baking one our favorite peanut butter treats this afternoon. And, I'm going to share my recipe!

Peanut Bars

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter

1 egg

1 teaspoon real vanilla flavoring

1 cup self-rising flour

1 cup regular oats

2 cups chocolate chips (milk chocolate or semi-sweet)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugars, butter, peanut butter, egg and vanilla flavoring. Stir in flour and oats. Spread in greased 13x9x2 baking pan. Bake until golden brown, approximately 20 minutes.

Immediately upon removing from oven, sprinkle chocolate chips over the baked bars. Let stand 5 minutes and then use a spatula to smooth melted chips over the bars. Let bars cool completely before slicing.

In a hurry? Stir the chocolate chips into the dough before spreading in baking pan and bake as directed.

We interrupt your regular programming for this announcement...

It is SNOWING in central Texas!

Pictures to come...

Blessed, blessed and blessed!

I am rejoicing with my family in the blessing of a good report on my grandfather. Today, he was (finally!) able to undergo surgery for lung cancer. Although the pathology did confirm lung cancer, it was confined to one, very tiny spot. So, the doctors were able to handle the surgery with just a few small incisions and only removed a little portion of that one lobe rather than the entire lobe. Grandad tolerated the surgery so well that he will not need to be in ICU but will be taken directly to a regular room. The doctors are considering him "cured" and he will not require any additional treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy! Thank you to all of you who covered Grandad and his medical staff in your prayers. God is good, and He is faithful!!!

Kat and her cheer squad competed at a national cheer competition this past weekend and placed third overall in their division. This third place win also gave them a bid to the international competitions in April. Kat's team is smaller in number than a lot of the teams but they haven't allowed that to intimidate them. In fact, they use it to their advantage by showing off just how "clean" their performance and skills can be! They will be traveling to Dallas in April to compete at the international competition. Way to go, Kat - I am so very proud of you!

Guess what? I've been blessed, too. The "other" Dawn recently hosted a giveaway in honor of her 100th post and I won! The prize for this giveaway was an super-cute pendant created by artist Cathy Walters. You can see Cathy's gorgeous work in her etsy shop. Thank you, Dawn, for hosting this giveaway - I love your heart and your blog and I'm looking forward to reading hundreds more posts!

Finally, if you notice on my left sidebar, I have a Scripture verse that updates daily. Did you notice today's verse?

He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing. (Job 8:21)

How appropriate!

Confessions: How to end your week with a bang.

We have a cat. Max was a rescue and came with a few phobias (tv remotes) and several odd issues (eating fuzz). But, mostly he's a sweet, loving kitty.

However, one of Max's annoying habits is that he never yacks up fur balls during daylight hours. Never. Never ever. No, I'm always awakened at some awful hour to the sound of a cat strangling. Or, awakened by Larry shaking me while yelling, "Get up! Max is about to puke!"

Nice, huh?

Apparently, I am the only one in this house who can clean up cat puke. I've got skillz, I tell ya!

So, this past Friday at 3:15 in the morning, I was awakened to that sound. I threw back the blankets and my feet hit the floor in one smooth motion. I willed my eyes to adjust to the pitch black. Using my cat-finding-sonar, I ascertained that Max was hunkered down near the door to our bedroom.

Now, one thing you have to know about Max is that he gives me about 4.2 seconds between the first warning "cough" and the point where he actually explodes. There's no time to turn on a light or to put on my slippers. If I'm lucky, there's just enough time to grab him and move him to a surface other than my bedroom carpet.

So, I scooped up Max and made aim for the hardwood floor in the hallway just outside our bedroom. I didn't even take the time to stand. I tucked Max into a football hold in the crook of my right arm and ran for the doorway like a linebacker.

Did I mention that we always sleep with our bedroom door open? Always. Except that night, when we had pushed the door mostly closed to block the light from Burrito's late night television viewing in the family room just down the hall.

In two running steps, I pile drived my head into the bedroom door, nearly slamming it through the frame. At the same instant, Max's 4.2 seconds of warning came to an end.

Surprisingly, Larry woke up right about then and sat up long enough to ask (none too pleasantly, I might add), "What is going on???"

Poor Max! He wouldn't let me pick him up for the remainder of that day. As much as my head hurt, I kept wondering about how badly he'd have been hurt if I'd have stood up and carried him out in front of me like I often do in those situations.

So, how do you end your week with a bang???

Sorry, ladies... he's all mine!

Even after all these years... Bud will surprise me with a random, romantic act.

I finally booted the PC this afternoon to find this "sticky note" on the desktop.

I love you, too, Larry!

Sabbath Blessings

Confessions: God is not finished with me yet!

It's nearly the end of January. The year is still young.

Yet...

In many aspects of my life, I feel I've experienced a full year's worth of living already. And, I have a feeling that God is not finished with me yet. (Not that I expect to reach the "finished" stage here on this earth.) I'm still pondering how to put this experience, this learning, this awareness into words.

I heard a quote last week that really struck a chord with me:

"God's love is not a pampering love - it is a perfecting love." (James MacDonald)

Hmmm...

Am I guilty of associating a comfortable life (pampering?) with being loved by God?

Do I recognize God's perfecting in my life? Even when it means discomfort?

(Ouch.) If I'm honest, I know the answers to those questions.

I'll be pondering this awhile longer.

So, what about you? What are you pondering these days???

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. (I John 4:16-18, NLT)

The Gift of Words

A message from my dad on my Facebook page:

Hi, Dawn. Wish we could be there with you today. 45 years ago today, Mom was in Ohio having you. As usual, I wasn't home. I was in Colorado Springs flying the Air Force Academy Cadets to Washington D.C. for LBJ's inauguration. I took emergency leave and was home the next day. What a darling, beautiful surprise when I got there. Happy Birthday. Hope you're having a special day.....Love You, Dad and Mom

I've always known my dad was away with the Air Force when I was born and that he had to get emergency leave to come home. But, I'd never known what he was doing at that point in his military career.

Words to treasure!

Belated Birthday Gifts

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we have to wait for and I suppose that's the way it will be for me this birthday.

Grandad's surgery has been postponed... again. His kidney function is better but still not where the surgeon wants it to be and his potassium levels are still elevated. So, the doctor has ordered some changes to his medicine along with dietary changes and encouragement to drink more water.

That just gives us more time to pray for him!

A Call From Grandad and My Birthday Request

Grandad called me tonight! On his cell phone, no less. That's only the second time in my life that he has ever called me. Granny was always the one to call or I would call them. I guess with her gone, he just assumes (correctly!) that I'll continue to call him. Anyway, his call made me smile from ear to ear!

Good news and good news!

He is back at home now and the situation with his kidneys appears to be correcting itself after getting him hydrated. So, they will continue to monitor him for two weeks. If everything continues to look good, they will do the surgery on his lung on January 20th.

January 20th - my birthday!

Guess what I want for my birthday this year?

"And we are confident that [God] hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for." (I John 5:14-15)

Prayer Request: Update On Grandad (10:30 AM)

I just spoke to my parents and they said that Grandad's final blood work done in pre-op revealed that his potassium levels were elevated indicating that his kidneys are only functioning at half capacity. So, the cancer surgery has been postponed.

The surgeon has admitted Grandad to the Cleveland Clinic and plans to have a specialist evaluate what is going on with his kidneys. Grandad has had some issues before that were resolved through giving him intravenous fluids and required Grandad to be more aware of keeping himself hydrated. It is hoped that this is the situation and that his surgery on his lung can be rescheduled in a few weeks.

We believe the postponement of today's surgery was an answer to our prayers for wisdom for the physicians. So, thank you for all of you who were praying!

Please continue to pray for Grandad (Charles) with this new turn of events...

• That the situation with his kidneys will be minor and quickly resolved.
  
  
• For his peace of mind as he once again "plays the waiting game." And, for my parents who are now waiting with him.
  
  
• Compassion from the medical personnel who are in contact with Grandad.
  
  
• Continued wisdom for the physicians and medical staff who are on Grandad's team.
  
  
• Rescheduling of the lung surgery... at the right time.
  
  
• Healing.

I'll let you know as soon as I have another update.

Urgent Prayer Requests

It's been a hard year for my grandfather. We lost Granny last January. It was profoundly hard for Grandad - in one devastating event he lost his love, his partner in life and his "job" as he had cared for her during her several years of illness.

Despite the loss, Grandad has done remarkably well this past year. So much so that we were even able to convince him to allow us to purchase a plane ticket for him so that he could spend Christmas here in Texas with my family, my parents, my sister and nephew. We anticipated this holiday together for many months.

Right before Thanksgiving Grandad had some medical tests completed by his doctor and again with some outstanding physicians at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. The diagnosis was both good and bad. The bad? Lung cancer. The dreaded "C" word. The good? It was caught very early and despite years of smoking when he was younger (no longer, thankfully!) and his age (85 years in December!), he is expected to make a full recovery following the removal of one lobe of his lung and shouldn't need any follow up treatments like chemo or radiation!

The doctors gave him the "all clear" to travel to Texas for Christmas. We enjoyed his time with us so much and are already talking about a return trip. Soon, we hope.

His surgery scheduled for Tuesday, January 5, 2010. Tomorrow.

Grandad caught a respiratory virus while traveling so we won't know for sure that the surgery will really happen until a final check in the morning. As of right now, though, it appears that it is a go. The surgery will take place sometime in the morning and is anticipated to last about four hours.

Unfortunately, my mom also caught the same bug. She needs to be well to help care for Grandad when he's released from the hospital.

So, here are my prayer requests:

• Wisdom for the doctors and medical staff attending Grandad. Especially for discernment regarding whether or not to proceed tomorrow.
  
  
• Concentration, knowledge and skill as the surgery is performed. Supernatural concentration, knowledge and skill!
  
  
• Compassion toward my grandfather and my family members as they are in the hospital.
  
  
• Healing for Mom before Grandad is released to her care.
  
  
• And, Lord willing, for a complete recovery and healing for Grandad following the surgery.

I'll keep you posted so that you can rejoice in the answers to our prayers.

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. (John 14:13)

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

For 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. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

I believe!!!

Happy New Year!

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

(An Irish Blessing)