Top 4

I've been waiting for a day such as this to sit down and write to all of you! Travis is flying his mother and Adela back to Minnesota and it's very quiet here today at the airport. Maybe I'll get this written without too many interruptions!

For the past month, my dear mother-in-law has been staying with us--as you know. There have been days when I felt stretched past my endurance, but other days have been wonderful!! I don't know what I would have done without our dear friend, Adela, being here! She carried the bulk of care during the days when I had to come to the airport and what a blessing she was! It really is important for more than one person to be caring for an elderly parent. Kind of like raising kids...you need a mom and a dad, as well as extended family and friends for support! My heart really goes out to single parents!

So, what have I learned from this experience of caring for a person of advanced age?
1. It's important to get some exercise! Adela would walk on the trail near our house as often as possible. I prefer a "Leslie Sansone" DVD for a walking workout! But, either way...exercise is a complete stress reliever!
2. A sense of humor is an absolute MUST! I don't think that I've laughed and giggled so much in ages! And getting up in the middle of the night--several times? Yep, a sense of humor!
3. A strong sense of urgency! Things need to be done NOW! Not just physical things...like walking someone into the bathroom--but addressing issues! Sometimes, hurtful things are said on both sides and it's important to take care of those things! More often than not, things from the past are rehearsed over and over again. When that happens, I've learned to stop the conversation and verbally explore the reasons behind it. Amazing results!
4. A constant connection to God! He is the source of love and understanding! He has turned irritating circumstances around time and again--filling me with peace and mercy!

I'm sure there's a great many other things that I could think of, but those are the top 4! By the way, getting old is not all it's cracked up to be! But, in God's wisdom, He allows all of us to grow through difficult circumstances!

I went home for lunch and walked into an empty house! Was it quiet? Yes, but pretty doggone lonely. No little old lady sitting in her chair to greet me and say, "Good morning!", when it was clearly the middle of the day! Sigh...

Ups and Downs

Good afternoon! Time to update you a bit!

First things first! Crispin is home from Iraq, safe and sound! He spent a week with us and just left this past Monday to drive back down to Orlando where he lives! We had lots of time to process through many of his experiences in a war zone. All I can say is that GOD was there! HE covered Crispin before and behind!

So, that's an "Up!"

We're taking care of my mother-in-law for awhile, as my sister-in-law needed a break! Evelyn is now 91 years old and we've seen a sharp decline since last year. She remembers less and less--even confuses stories from long ago--mixing in details from other people, etc. But, we've had some good conversations tucked in here and there! She is most alert in the morning at breakfast, but also in the evening about 6 pm. So, we have to take advantage of those moments by reading stories to her out of a marvelous book about animals. We read the Bible in the morning and sing hymns to start her day. Sometimes she's there and other times, she's not! Just the way it is! Not easy! Can't change a thing! Just love on her!

That's kind of a "down!" Not being able to change some things!

Now, for a very funny thing! A few days ago, she was in a huge pout all day! Nothing was right! Everything was wrong! Wrong food, grump, grump, grump! I have to help her to the bathroom, as she has little use of her eyes! So, we shuffled into the bathroom and I got her in position by the toilet. She can manage the rest of the way. As I headed out the door, I said (as always), "Now Evelyn, you take care of business and I'll be back in to check on you." She said, "Why do I have to do everything? I even have to pull down my own pants!!!"

Man oh man! That hit my funny bone. I still am chuckling to thing about how overworked she is! Even has to pull down her own pants! :-)

Another "up!"

She asked me, "Why am I still here? Why doesn't God take me home?" And I realized that she's in my life right at this time to help me grow in areas that I wouldn't otherwise! I'm being stretched to love when it might not be that easy to do, nor even remembered! I'm being asked to get up in the middle of the night for a bathroom run and be pleasant even when I just want to pull the covers over my eyes and ignore those calls for help coming through the baby monitor. God is asking me to rethink my meals that I prepare. I can't always make what suits my fancy. I have to think about another person that has very different tastes than Travis and I do!

So, that feels like a "down", but it's really an "up!" In the long run, I'll be a better person for having gone through this.

Our Bolivian friend, Adela, is here with us, as well! And she's a God-Send! She's visiting during the same time as Evelyn is with us and has been nothing but a huge HELP! She's very loving and kind to my mother-in-law and she's being stretched by having to practice English as well as step in for hours at a time when I come out to work at the airport, while Travis is giving lessons and flying!

So....that's life right now! Ups and downs! Maybe it's always like that for all of us! Some bad mixed in with the good...stretching and growing us, if we'll allow it!

The Cow Prayer!

On to the topic of the day! Down the street from the airport is a lovely old house that sits on 10 acres. It has historic value, has been completely remodeled and was recently (last summer) purchased by a family from ????

I met the wife who came through looking for one of her cats--and she told me that they love horses. Indeed they do! They fenced off a corral, promptly brought in 2 horses and a pony! It appeared an idyllic setting. Then, they brought in a dairy cow...then, winter set in.

Now, the whole area is one churning sea of mud. The grass is gone (eaten or trampled), the little shed that was built for perhaps two animals has to house four, and for most of the winter--cow was locked into this tiny cubicle--never let out into the main corral for exercise.

Well, I decided that God loved the animals way more than I did. I'm not a farmer, so know little about taking care of large farm animals, but seeing cow locked away like that just didn't set well with me.

My mom came to visit and since she was raised on a dairy farm, she threw a fit! (I guess I was right...cow did need to be let out.) So, guess what? I started praying! Every morning and evening as I drove by, I asked the Lord to help the new owners to receive some kind of instruction about letting cow "out of prison". And yep! You guessed it! Cow has been released!

The horses and cow go in and out of the little shed at leisure! Cow wanders over to the fence and stares longingly into the huge field where lots of beef cattle are grazing. Once in awhile, a few of them amble over to say "hello", but at least she's out and moving again!

And, I realized that instead of just driving by and griping about the treatment I felt was unjust, I needed to "get off my high horse" and start praying about it. I didn't have a clue as to why that was happening...probably lack of knowledge...so what good was I doing by criticizing? The Lord loves His Creation and has put us here to be good stewards!

I call my mom once in awhile and say, "Guess what?! Cow is OUT!"

God's Treasures & My Bathroom

Good morning! I must carry on this theme of "treasures" while it's still fresh on my mind! Maybe if I write about it...it will stick in my mind and heart!

We are ALL God's treasures! Does that mean that He loves what we do, what we think about, how we act--all of the time? I don't think so! Jesus would have not needed to come to earth if that were true! But, God really does look at each human being (no matter how broken, wicked, dirty, ugly, etc.) as His own personal jewel! How can He do that? Because His love knows no bounds!

The other night, we were watching Fox News and a little news flash popped up showing the most messed-up looking guy--the worst serial rapist (of children) that had ever been captured...yes, captured in Las Vegas. The first thing that popped into my mind was, "Look at him! He's My TREASURE!" And, I said (inside my head), "Yes, Lord, he is!" Period! Not...but look what he's done, look at the lives he's ruined, what about the children, what about their parents, what about, what about....Those "what about" questions came later in the evening as I mulled over what he represented and his horrible actions against humanity. And I'm convinced that he will go to prison and have to pay for his crimes in one way or another.

Last night, I met with a group of friends in Columbia at a Sushi restaurant to catch up with each other. One of them brought up the fact that her adopted daughter's real dad was named Billy ----. Coincidentally, 2 of my other friends had had direct dealings with this guy and he's not a blessing! In fact, he's a scum bag! Dirty (literally), mean, cruel, abusive, horrible to be around, etc., etc...and then? We started talking about God's treasures! And guess what? We came to the conclusion that he was one of those precious jewels in God's treasure house. But, did we automatically feel anything but repulsion? Nope, that was something that only God could do in our hearts! Any thoughts? I'll leave this theme for the moment--

My bathroom! Yahoo! I finally painted it! (I love color, in case I've never mentioned that). Our whole house was painted stark white when we moved in. I know, I know...all those pale colors are all the rage, but they don't speak to me! Color speaks to me!

I wanted a "camel" color for the bathroom, but this time I blew it! The color was way, way too pale for me! I painted on--because that's what I had to work with. At the end, I felt intense disappointment!

A brilliant thought popped into my brain...buy a new shower curtain, bathrug, and a few "sea worthy" decorations that had color in them. I have a lot of shells and things from the sea on display in that little room.

So, I made a run to Hobby Lobby and Walmart (my budget couldn't afford more) and Wa-La! A small photos of lighthouses resides above the mirrow now, along with a string of wooden fish. A shower curtain that takes you on a walk down the beach fills the room and perwinkle blue rugs draw your eyes to COLOR!

Have a glorious day! Look for those bright, sparkling jewels around you and enjoy some "color", as you gaze upon God's Treasures! And, if you're struggling with a bout of spring fever--paint a bathroom!

Mother Teresa

I have such good intentions...really I do! I intend to write something interesting and then I get busy and one day runs into another and pretty soon, it's been two or three weeks since I sat down to put my thoughts on this blog!

So, to begin...my mom, Travis and I have been on quite a journey lately. After the pastor of our church gave a talk on modern-day heroes, one of which was Mother Teresa, I bought a biography off of Amazon.com and we started reading it out-loud in the evenings. What an amazing story! She was quite a lady! I think what I've been most impressed with was her continual turning to God! She was not perfect--human just like the rest of us, but she remained true to her calling up until she passed away.

The other amazing thing was her real love for people. And, throughout the book, it was recorded again and again, that she had to talk to the Lord constantly to have HIS love in her heart. It was impossible for a human to carry their own love for people. We just don't have the capacity to do that! Even for those who are close to us...we get our feelings hurt, we judge others with a critical spirit, etc.

So, what does all of this mean? Hmmm...not sure! But, I've become more and more aware of how much I want to be in-tune with the One who has that love! And, as I run head on into all kinds of different people, I've been more aware of my inner motives. Sometimes, I don't feel one ounce of love--other times, I feel overwhelmed with love. But, God is ALWAYS full of love for everyone!

In the most recent "Discipleship Journal" magazine that I receive...there's a whole section about ministering to the poor and vulnerable. My mom and I have also been watching the made-for-TV series about "Christy"...the young girl who traveled up into the Appalachian Mountains right after the turn of the century to teach school in Cutter Gap--a place of great darkness.

And...another really cool thing happened to me in church the other evening. (We go on Saturday nights, as Travis has to open the airport on Sundays). There was a handicapped person sitting in front me (I won't tell you what...it might make you feel uncomfortable) and for the very first time, I was able to see her weakness--but then look right past it to see HER! And to remember--she is God's Treasure! God loves HER! It doesn't matter about her looks, etc. It doesn't matter about her past or what's going on in her heart in the present, etc., etc. That's what God's love is all about!

Gratefulness

I'm always thinking about writing in my blog, but I have a hard time with procrastinating. I think that maybe the things that I'm pondering aren't worth writing down, but I'm going to quit dwelling on that and just write....

I've been thinking about the word "gratitude" a lot! There is such a lack of it in the world today. I get very tired of all the complaining and moaning that goes on around me...then, when I stop to listen--it sounds an awful lot like MY voice, too.

So, I'm going to tell you about why I'm grateful tonight! God has given me such an amazing life! Everyday that I wake up...there are new things to see, hear, and experience! We have a bird feeder outside our dining room window and all kinds of birds come to visit. We recently changed from the run-of-the-mill birdseed and bought safflower seed instead. It's supposed to keep the squirrels from throwing everything all over the ground. They still come to check it out, but it's working! And for that...I'm truly grateful!

Then...there's the comfort that my bed is to me! Last year, I was able to buy one of those therma-peudic (?) mattress covers, 600 count cotton sheet sets and a new comforter. My back was always killing me on our old mattress and the cost of replacing it was astronomical. I found this whole "set"at Sam's Club and now it's with great pleasure that I crawl into bed at night (and in a few more minutes--since it's after midnight)

Ok...that's enough. Thank you for listening and maybe you can tell me about some things that you're grateful for, too! I think the world would be a better place if we stopped listening to the constant harangue of what's wrong! :-)

Short Thought

And...life moves on! It's a very warm day today--although we have snow in the forecast for Friday! But, that's Missouri weather for you!

My youngest daughter, Sara, and her boyfriend, Erich, bought us a year's subscription to NetFlix. Man oh man, we're having so much fun! We watched a really interesting movie yesterday (while the rain poured down) called, "Goodbye, Mister Tom". It was all about a little boy who had been sent out into the countryside of England during World War II (along with lots of other children) to escape the bombing that was going on. He was assigned to the home of Tom--a very cranky, bitter, old man who needed a little boy like William to keep him company!

Even though it's "make-believe" and a great story--I think God works that way in all of our lives! People and circumstances come along that we need! We all need to be stretched--not that it's pleasant when it's going on--but we are better off because of them/it!