Lessons Learned and Prayers Lifted

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Folk Lifestyle wants to know what thing(s) I’m looking forward to in the near future. Actually … they wanted to know this LAST week and I’m just now getting around to answering.

One of the harder lessons that I have learned over the past few years has been to not presume upon the future. God is in control. We are not. Each day is a gift to be lived to the fullest because we have no assurance of tomorrow. That isn’t a panicky thought for me. It used to be. I am a control addict and I like to have a disciplined plan for pretty much everything. I didn’t have plans for the pacemaker, stroke, cancer, bankruptcy, drug addiction, arrest, jail, etc. that have touched my family recently. (I also didn’t schedule all of the joy moments!) God provided what I needed in each moment and I have learned to trust Him in the even harder things!

So what am I looking forward to? Hmmmm … how about I share with you the things that I am praying for …

prayer hands gold 300x225 Lessons Learned and Prayers LiftedThat God would lead my husband and I back to a true, and selfless, love for each other!

That He would turn our marriage into a beautiful testimony of love and commitment!

That my family would be fully restored.

That He would heal Dirk’s heart and cause him to understand that we love him no matter what and he is always welcome here. And that God would give me unconditional love for this man-child who has known how to push my buttons from the time he was a toddler!

That God would remove Erica’s addictions, heal her brokenness, restore her life and allow her more access to her children!

That the mix-up with Josiah’s transcripts would be resolved so he can finish school and move on to Seminary and then wherever God might lead.

That in God’s perfect timing He would bring a loving life partner into Josiah’s world! (It breaks my mama-heart to think of him alone on the mission field. And I would really like to build a relationship with his wife before they “disappear” into the Middle East.)

That my 6 grandchildren, all of whom live in broken homes, would be reassured that they are loved! That they would be protected from the choices and lifestyles of their parents. That they would know peace and security.

That each of my children and grandchildren would, in God’s perfect timing, come to a saving knowledge of the Lord so that even if our family is broken on earth … we can be whole in Heaven!

That God would provide resolution to our debts and restoration to our finances! That He would lead us into a place of financial peace and wisdom!

That He would give me the strength and discipline that it is going to require to find restoration of health and physical fitness!

That we would, in spite of our health, find, obtain, and keep decent and affordable health insurance. That our necessary medications would be paid for. That I would be able to get off most of my meds as my health improves. That I would have wisdom with regard to medical decisions regarding knee replacement, back surgery, excess skin removal, etc. as the time arises to make those decisions.

That my husband would kiss me without prompting … and not only at bedtime! That he would walk up behind me in the kitchen, like he used to, and reach around to give me a squeeze. That he would reach across the bed and touch me … for more than a kiss goodnight. And that I would NEVER again take those things for granted!

That we would live lives that honor God and point people to Jesus!

Etc.

What are YOU praying for?

February 4, 2013

Unsolicited Advice

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Today’s prompt in the Boost Your Blog Challenge is “I like to give …” There are a variety of directions that  I can take this but I decided to go ahead and write about another area in which I need to make some personal improvement. I like to give …

Unsolicited Advice

Ban Unsolicited AdviceI don’t always like the results though and so I am working on biting my tongue, rethinking whether or not it’s truly the Holy Spirit speaking through me, and praying before I speak.

One arena in which my tendency to speak my mind, before considering the possible consequences, has been Facebook. I will see someone post something that I think is ill-advised or offensive and I reach out to them to suggest that they might want to rethink the posting. While I have tried various ways of phrasing such a suggestion … there really isn’t a good way to do it and I am learning to just look the other way unless I feel that the status or picture could truly hurt someone. I did learn that if I am going to confront someone about something that they posted publicly … I need to do so privately! So I inbox the unsolicited advice instead of putting it on their wall. (You’re welcome!)

Another area in which I have learned to step back and shut up … my kids lives! I know that y’all love me and some times I think it’s a good thing that you don’t know me in person because I would go tumbling off my pedestal in no time. Sigh … let me just confess … I am THAT mother!

Our oldest son married badly. He was in love with the woman’s little girl and he wanted to be her daddy. We tried to talk him out of it. He wouldn’t listen. After he married her they were progressively unhappy and he joined the Army to get away from her. We knew that she was seeing other guys while he was gone. (And have since realized that he was seeing other women.) It was a mess. She got pregnant and the timing made us all wonder if was the father. We ALL wondered!  But the day Abby was born … I was the one who suggested that he have a paternity test done. As she has gotten older she has looked more and more like him. Even if she hadn’t … I was out of line!

Fast forward a few years and Dirk and Sarah had fallen completely apart. (I’ve heard rumors that they are discussing getting back together.) Sarah was still in Tulsa with the girls. Dirk was in the army, stationed in Texas, where he had met Rose and asked her to marry him. They came to Tulsa and we all sat around the dining room table talking. Rose had shown us her engagement ring and then got up to go to the bathroom. I turned to Dirk and asked if this meant he was getting divorced because I thought maybe he should handle that before getting married again! He was not amused! Honestly I’m not sure I was wrong that time but it was another nail in the coffin of our relationship.

Erica hasn’t seen the sharp side of my tongue as often as Dirk has but she has still been the recipient of unwelcome advice. It’s hard to sit back, silent, and watch your adult child throw her life away! I would offer her advice about her friends, her clothes, her kids, her choices. She heard every single word as judgment! Evidence that I didn’t trust her … that I thought she was stupid. That wasn’t how I meant it but that doesn’t really matter. There is a wall between us now and part of that wall was built with my words.

Josiah hasn’t been the recipient of so much unwanted advice. He is an awesome young man who makes very wise, responsible, mature choices. I don’t feel much need to offer course adjustments to his life plan. He does ask for advice from time to time and at those times I give it but for the most part … I trust him and leave him alone. Except for one area … this precious boy of mine is shy and uncomfortable around girls. (He’s getting better.) The girls have adored him since he was about 10 and he has never even noticed. Part of it is that he wants to wait for the Lord’s direction in this area. And I love that idea. I do. I’m just not above offering the Lord some help! Sigh …. There is one girl in particular, that we have known for years, that I think would be a great match for him but he just doesn’t see her that way. I went way out on a limb trying to drive the two of them together and wound up making BOTH of them annoyed. I had to apologize to her, back off entirely, and confess to him that I had been wrong and I would stop. But it isn’t easy!

Do you struggle with this? Tell me about it in comments.

January 16, 2013

Home … to the Sea

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There aren’t any weekend prompts, on the Boost Your Blog Challenge, so I’m going back to one of the ones I missed for today: January, 3 - When I look at the sea, I…

coastal maine01 300x200 Home ... to the SeaI grew up in Maine and moved to Oklahoma as an adult. I haven’t been “home” in over 22 years. My siblings both live in the southwest and my parents retired in Texas so the chances of me getting back to the Northeast are pretty slim. We’ve just never had the budget for a real vacation and a trip to Maine would require that. Besides … I just want to see the rocks, the trees, the ocean … there are few loose connections left to the people of that beautiful state. I have often commented, some times on my blog even, that my heart is homesick for the ocean.Today is one of those days that I wish life would take me back to the sea … although … given that it IS January … today I would prefer a tropical ocean!

two lights rocks 2 300x199 Home ... to the SeaWhen I look at the sea I am reminded of picnics on carefree, hot summer days, at Two Lights State Park. Gray, splintered, wood picnic table benches warmed by the sun. Sub Sandwiches and Pepsi Light packed in the Coleman Cooler. Mom’s whistle echoing across the rocks beckoning us to come eat. Sunlight reflecting off the blue framed glass on my pig-tailed little sister’s face. Younger brother saving bread crumbs to feed to Charlie (our favorite seagull). Scampering across the rocks, on the other side of the dirt path from our picnic, looking for treasures in sea puddles, being cautious to not cut my bare feet on the crusty barnacles or slip on the slimy green patches of moss. Cold sea mist falling against my sun warmed skin. Shivers. Another whistle. Time to go home. Begging for one last chance to climb the huge green hill. Permission granted. Legs burning as I climb the hill to look out over the vastness of the sea. Amazed by the sheer beauty of creation! God’s marvelous artistry. My father yelling, “Now! 1 … 2…” Knowing he means it and laying down at the top of the hill, pushing off and rolling to the bottom. Laughter ringing to the sky.

410w 300x220 Home ... to the SeaWhen I look at the sea I am reminded of my grandfather. Weather worn face tilted into the ocean breeze against a bright blue sky. Aged fingers knitting rope into pieces for lobster traps. Allowing his 17 year old granddaughter to “park the boat.”

two lights rocks 300x199 Home ... to the SeaWhen I look at the sea I am reminded of long walks across the rocks dreaming of the future me … wondering who I would become.

When I look at the sea … my heart goes home …

January 5, 2013

I Wasn’t Always a Good Mother

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Photo Credit: Kerry's Kreations

I wasn’t always a good mother. It hurts to admit that. Especially now that those kids have grown up and made “bad” choices. Some nights, when I can’t sleep, I remember the things I did or said, the regrets that I can’t quite put to rest, and the little voices tell me that it’s my fault. All my fault that they are who they’ve grown up to be. I know that’s not true. We all get to choose our own path. Right or wrong. I didn’t choose theirs for them. But maybe I helped point them in the wrong direction. You know?

It’s funny. Well … definitely NOT funny ha ha … just funny interesting … that they remember our past so differently. He remembers the anger, the yelling, the harsh words. And he takes them out of context, twists, and embellishes them, decides he was an abused child. She remembers being protected and provided for, loved, and decides that she was too sheltered. Ill-prepared for the real world. Set up for failure.

I was 20 when we got married. We’d dated for 6 weeks. He had full custody of 2 of his 3 children so I knew he was a package deal. I didn’t know how hard that would be. To go from carefree teenager to wife and mom of two with two little words. “I do.”

And he and I? We came at marriage with different expectations. He had been divorced. I told him right off that divorce was not an option and that I meant “til death do us part.” He said, “We’ll see. Some times people change.” He didn’t mean to but man … that did a number on my insecurities. And then there was my belief that in a marriage … the husband and wife put each other first. Before the kids. That’s how it always was in my home. But I, still a child myself in so many ways, married this guy who already had 2 children. And I discovered really fast that if I made him choose between me and the kids … I would lose.  Another hit on my insecurities.

What kind of idiot wants to make her husband choose between her and the kids? A terribly insecure one. One who wants to know exactly where her place is in this new little world and can’t quite seem to settle into it comfortably. And then another reality strikes.

I told him that I wanted to adopt the kids. Make them really mine. He said no. It wasn’t important and he didn’t want to rock the boat with his ex. All I could see was that if he ever chose to leave, or Heaven forbid, died … I would lose everything. Everything that I loved … gone … in one fell swoop.

I didn’t really know and trust God in those days. I didn’t know He had a good plan for all of our lives. All I knew were fears, worries, insecurities. And then … infertility to top it off. I couldn’t have a child of my own. No one who wouldn’t abandon me. Looking back … it’s no wonder I was depressed and angry.

I suppose … even though I loved them, mothered them, took care of them when they were sick, calmed their fears, listened to their sorrows, etc. I suppose I kept some emotional distance between me and this little family of mine. Preparing myself for the day when they left me.

God grabbed my heart in 1989. Told me He would never leave or abandon me. That I was safe in His hand and there was nothing that I, or anyone else could do, to remove me. He adopted me. I was His child forever.

I know I changed as a parent then. Especially because the next year we had our miracle baby. But the kids were teenagers. One angry and resentful. The other a passive rebel. I was so enamored of our new child that I let too many things slide. I didn’t notice their insecurities. Our family had changed and suddenly they were the ones struggling to find their place. I didn’t know.

There were a lot of happy days over those years. Lots of love and joy. Lots of times when I did the RIGHT thing. But I look back and I regret my short temper, my angry words, my lack of compassion.

I wasn’t always a good mother. And I’m sorry about that. I wish I could redo it.

Today’s assignment was to look at life from a bird’s-eye view. “A time when you looked back on your life and seen how the pieces fit together. “

betterwriter I Wasnt Always a Good Mother

I’m also linking this with Shell’s Pour Your Heart Out.

pouryourheart1 I Wasnt Always a Good Mother

March 14, 2012

Perspective

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God body slammed me with the topic of Perspective today. It was the title of today’s Better Writer assignment. It is the keyword in today’s Jesus Calling message. I was inspired to write a post on my other blog about the fact that writing from my perspective can some times hurt the feelings of others who are involved in my story. And then I received messages from 2 people who I love. Messages that left me feeling that perhaps my writing had caused hurt. That by looking at my story, from only my point of view, and calling it truth, I was missing the bigger story and causing pain.

I am reminded of a story that I read to Mallory from a library book she brought home. A story about an elephant and 6 blind men …

John Godfrey Saxe’s ( 1816-1887) version of the famous Indian legend,

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

The First approach’d the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
“God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!”

The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, -”Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me ’tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!”

The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
“I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant
Is very like a snake!”

The Fourth reached out his eager hand,
And felt about the knee.
“What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain,” quoth he,
“‘Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!”

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: “E’en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!”

The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Then, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
“I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant
Is very like a rope!”

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!

My story is just that. Mine. And my memories are all from my perspective. And God has given me a spirit of melancholy that remembers hurts with more clarity than joys. I will admit that this might also be a matter of habit in conjunction with nature. Either way the things that I remember … are just one side of the elephant. In part an accurate story of the past. In part not. I KNOW this even if I don’t acknowledge it every time I sit down to write!

It breaks my heart to know that my words, my stories,  my memories, have the power to cause grief to others.

I need to really seek God on this and soak in His perspective. Because right now fear and regret are urging me to cut and run. To stop writing. To refuse to risk further hurt.

As you sit quietly in My Presence, I shine Peace into your troubled mind and heart. Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances. You gain My perspective on your life, enabling you to distinguish between what is important and what is not.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

The Joy Dare – 3 Gifts Round

colorful balloons rising against a clear blue sky

chocolate chip cookies – warm from the oven

a fresh hot homemade yeast roll dripping with real butter

March 13, 2012

Finally Friday

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It has been a crazy couple of weeks where I work and the stress has invaded every portion of my life … BUT … we received the following e-mail from our boss this morning …

First let me say if what we did could be compared to winning the Superbowl, consider this office World Champs.  We asked everyone to come together this week to achieve stability relative to the flood of application activity and I am very proud to announce that your hard work has paid off in a profound way.

… and when the boss is happy … everyone is happy! And yes, my boss used to play professional football! LOL! I need to take some work home with me this weekend so that we can start the next week in a good place but at least the stress is lessened now that the pressure is off!

Bert went to Texas yesterday. Primarily to pick up the chair that my parents are giving me to facilitate my ability to get around on days when my knees are really bad. We were planning to meet in the middle but I just plain didn’t have time! And he enjoys having an excuse to visit friends, and his daughter and grand-kids, that the trip affords him.

Got some less than great *news* about our prodigal daughter this week. Bert was trying to find her to remind her of a legal appointment and he called the people that she was living with. They had finally set some rules because of her inappropriate choices and behaviors and she couldn’t live with those restrictions so she left. Not sure where she is, or what she is doing, now but we do know that when she cuts us off like this … it isn’t good! Please keep praying that she would hit bottom and find Jesus there. I just don’t think there is anything else that we CAN do at this point!

I’m getting excited about my trip to Tennessee for the Blissdom Conference next month! 26 days and counting! AND I decided to apply for a volunteer position at the Type A Conference in July. If I get the position I will work 8 hours (at a registration table or something) in exchange for a conference pass. If I get it we’ll go. If not … probably not.  It would be nice to go to that one because Bert has a sister in the area and Josiah would like to visit a nearby seminary.

Okay … my Joy Dare prompts:

25. One grace borrowed, one grace found, one grace inherited

We are all helping each other with our work tasks this week. Workflow is NOT following any of the charts or documented procedures. But … by sharing … we are getting it done!

My friend (who drove me home from work yesterday) found my cell phone in her car and returned it to me.

My tendency towards obesity and my allergies I could live without quite happily but there are also blessings in my genes. I’m taller than average. My hair is naturally curly. My eyes are my best feature … a gorgeous green-gray hazel.

26. a gift before 9:00am, a gift before noon, a gift after dark

a cold Atkins Vanilla Shake (and an even colder Coke Zero)

hard-boiled eggs, ready in the refrigerator, proof that my husband has been thinking about, and preparing for, the needs of my low carb diet

a cat fighting for lap space with my laptop when I sit in my recliner

27. 3 gifts that might never have been

This prompt confuses me a little. Everything that is … might never have been. Yes? Oh well …

My marriage! 32 years and counting! We had only been dating 6 weeks when we decided to get married. By the grace of God we have stood the tests of time including better and worse!

My miracle boy! Infertility retreated for a moment and I was granted an unexpected gift in the form of pregnancy and a healthy baby boy! We gave him back to the Lord and the Lord is doing amazing things in and through this amazing young man!

My grandchildren. None of them live with both biological parents because those relationships have not lasted. icon sad Finally Friday But … while they WERE together … God used them to create some wonderful children!

January 27, 2012

Blessed by Family

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Work is driving me NUTS! Decided to work on a blog post while I’m waiting on the little green circle. The little green circle is supposed to mean that the software (database) is working or thinking or loading or something. I expect to start having nightmares about the circle and SQL errors any day now! It’s seriously bad! Anyway …

I meant to give recognition to some special days as they come across my calendar. So let me begin with those …

January 5 was my brother’s birthday.  3 Reasons I am thankful for my brother …

He is funny. This hasn’t always been a blessing but I have grown to appreciate it more as an adult than I did as a child.

He is a compassionate caring person. He works in a home for troubled youth (boys) and I have seen evidence of his loving heart extend far beyond  his career. I have benefited often from his compassion, prayers, and love!

He’s industrious. In addition to working full-time … he operates a printing (signs and clothing) company that he uses to employ local youth, and he is opening another store. I feel kind of lazy when I compare my life to his but then again we are different people with different callings.

And … I love him!

January 10th was Josiah’s birthday. 3 Reasons I am thankful for my son …

Josiah loves the Lord with his whole heart and his greatest desire is to live a life that pleases and gives glory to God!

He has a gentle spirit and a loving heart! He is truly a kind and compassionate young man (in a big package)!

He is forgiving. He lets offenses go easily and refuses to allow bitterness to take root in his heart.

And … I love him!

January 25th will be my parents 54th anniversary. 3 Reasons I am thankful for my parents …

They are supportive. They may not always understand my choices but they accept and support them. They step up, when they are able, to support some of our overwhelming legal costs, and they are always praying for us.

They love me just as I am and encourage me to believe in myself! They remind me of the truth when I start believing the *voices* that tell me that I am a complete failure as a person/mother.

They have always been willing to let me “come home” when I have needed an escape. No questions. No demands. Just a warm loving welcome and a place to be at peace.

And I love them.

And the Joy Dare prompt for today: 3 Gifts found in Christ:

Grace and Mercy

New Beginnings (over and over)

Light (in the darkness), Calm (in the storm), Hope (in the valley)

and I love Him!

January 23, 2012

Happy Birthday, Josiah!

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Today is my Josiah’s 22nd birthday. That fact stuns me. When I read of someone else struggling with the pain, emptiness, and loneliness of infertility … I remember. And in so many ways it seems like such a short time ago that I sat on the edge of an exam table, swinging my legs back and forth, waiting for the doctor to come give me the prescription for hormones to jump-start my system … again. So sad. Trying not to cry. And then she came in and said, “Beth, you’re pregnant!” 10 years of grief were gone replaced in that moment with so much joy. I walked around for most of the next 9 months with a smile on my face, a song in my heart, and my hand on my tummy … so delighted by this tiny miracle!

I had always wanted a girl but somehow I knew this was a boy and I was totally okay with that! We wanted him to be a man after God’s heart so we went searching for a special name and chose Josiah based on 2 Kings 22:2 He (Josiah) did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. What more could any parent ask for their child? We wanted him to be a man of wisdom so every night I would lie down and his daddy (Bert, not David) would read a chapter of Proverbs over him. We prayed daily that he would be “a mighty man of God.” My mom said she was convicted to pray that he would be given a gentle spirit. God has answered all of those prayers and so many more!

I was convicted by Hannah’s prayer and knew that I, too, needed to offer my child back to the Lord for His will and His way. Not in quite the same way that Hannah did (I didn’t take him to the temple at 3 years old.) but with the same heart. And before he was a week old we took him to church and dedicated him to God’s service.

When Josiah was little, I used to ask him how he thought he would serve the Lord … never any doubt in either of our minds that he would. He would tell me that he wasn’t cut out for ministry so he would be an ordinary guy who taught Sunday School. I’ll admit … there was part of me that hoped that would be the case but a bigger part knew that it was not!

Josiah’s first mission trip, when he was about 14, was to Guatemala. He didn’t like it so much! Not Guatemala or the people there … evidently there were some members on the mission team who he didn’t enjoy extended periods of time with and he thought that might be his one and only trip. Besides which there was the Raisin Bran incident where he, my picky eater with a serious gag reflex, was required to sit at the table until he finished a soggy bowl of Raisin Bran.

A year or so later his Karate Demo Team (a group of martial artists who uses their karate to share the gospel) went to Brazil. He went too and came home in love with missions. He also went on several mission trips inside the US with World Changers putting new roofs on the home of people who couldn’t afford that and sharing the love of Jesus with them. When he was about 16 he officially *surrendered* to full-time missions while at Bible Camp.

Now my little boy who wanted to be an ordinary guy teaching Sunday School wants to be a man working in areas where many will not go because of the danger. He doesn’t believe he could ever be content with less! And as hard as it is … I, like Hannah, will let him go! I have given him to the Lord!

And the Lord has done amazing things!

Happy Birthday, Josiah! I am so proud of you!

January 10, 2012

My Christmas Wishes

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Suppose that you could get hold of Santa’s magic sack this Christmas and give awe-inspiring gifts to family and friends. The bill is on Mr. Claus so let those imaginations soar! And clue us in … what would be under YOUR tree this year?

dear santa e1322695438913 My Christmas Wishes
 

dear santa e1322695438913 My Christmas Wishes

You know the drill … list ‘em and link ‘em …

 

Next week – Top 10 Christmas Traditions

As for me … I could use one of those magic sacks this year. I’m usually among the over-doers at Christmas. I make dozens upon dozens of cookies and pounds of fudge! And presents …. good heavens … they nearly overwhelm the living room … never mind staying neatly under the tree. This year we are on a severely limited budget. And I am sad, tired, and broken. The only reason I will even put up a tree is that Drake (grandson) insists. And I’m hoping the smallest of our Christmas tree collection is the closest to the shed door.  More on that later. This Christmas I know, more than ever, that the best gifts are beyond my (or Santa’s) power to give. The gifts I would wish cannot be bought. Nor can they be bestowed by a simple wish. They cannot be wrapped in paper or stuffed under a tree. They are priceless. And they can be bestowed only by the hand of God. And only when He says it’s time …

1. I wish Erica peace, sobriety, wisdom and a fresh start!

2. I wish Dirk truth, clarity, a forgiving spirit, and love!

3. I wish ALL of my grandchildren healthy relationships with their parents, step-parents, siblings, and crazy mixed up extended families!

4. I wish Naomi peace, love, and contentment! I wish that she would KNOW how precious she truly is and that she is of great worth and worthy of love!

5. I wish for Josiah the freedom and ability to follow his heart … for his heart is following hard after the heart of Jesus! And I wish for him a partner who shares his heart, his passion, his desire to GO, because it hurts my heart to think of him going alone!

6. I wish for Bert financial stability and freedom. I wish he could walk away from a job he hates that pays the bills and find satisfaction, and financial reward, in a career that feeds his spirit!

7. I wish for the young people who fill my world to be granted the wisdom to know that life itself is a gift, every moment is precious, and the heart to celebrate the little things! I wish them grace, mercy, and contentment!

8. I wish for certain young ladies to KNOW that they are daughters of the KING! Princesses! And they should NEVER settle for a guy (temporary or permanent) who treats them as anything less!

9. I wish for certain young men the will to stand firm on the solid rock and never be shaken! I wish for them the strength to stand alone … and to know that even in that place … Jesus is standing with them!

10. I wish for you, my precious friends … friends, followers, fame … but more than that … I wish you love! I wish the comforts of family, friends, home! I wish you faith! I wish that each of you would be touched by a special measure of grace this Christmas. Healing for those who are hurting. Peace for those who are sad. Calm for those in the storms of life. I wish you a touch of the Master’s hand. I wish you Jesus!

Beth

December 7, 2011

Little Bit Snarky

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letterbutton3 1 Little Bit Snarky

Are the holidays sneaking up on you and you’re starting to panic? Are your kids making their lists and checking them twice a million times to make sure they’re just right? Is someone demanding money from you every time you turn around and you’re not sure how you will manage to put presents under the tree? Did you buy presents in Game Stop while your kids were browsing the games and tell the guy at the register to hurry up so you could stuff them in your purse before one of your boys walked up and saw what you were buying? Or maybe you just won the lottery and Christmas is going to be the.best.one.ever. this year! Write the who, what, when, where, and why of the happenings of the week (in letter form of course) grab the button from Julie‘s sidebar, and link up at the bottom. We look forward to your Letters of Intent!

Dear Readers,

Letters of Intent tend, by nature, to be a bit snarky. I usually try to temper mine but tonight I am giving the snark free reign. Please read with tongue firmly in cheek! These letters were written in an attempt to find some humor in what could have been a REALLY bad week! Thanks!

Beth

3 Little Bit Snarky

Dear Google,

These random, and unpopular, changes are making you look even MORE like Facebook and I must say … I am NOT impressed! And hearing that you will be doing away with Google Friend Connect for all non-Blogger blogs would have been the low point of my week were it not for the fact that it has been a REALLY bad week! And hearing that your proposed solution is for me to create a Google+ Page for my blog? Really? Do I look like I need something else to stress over? And how many people are ON Google+ anyway? So far I only know one (ONE!) person who really likes it! So … once we stress and fuss and finally get Google+ where we want it … will you shut it down too? Did I mention that I am NOT happy about this?

Signed with GREAT irritation,
A WORDPRESS Blogger

3 Little Bit Snarky

Dear Readers,

PLEASE please please do not lose me when Google Friend Connect disappears! You can subscribe via Feedburner (another Google product … sigh), by e-mail, follow on Facebook, etc. Just … please …. don’t abandon me just because Google does! That would make me really sad!

Beth

3 Little Bit Snarky

Dear Gossipers,

You got me in trouble with your wagging (and exaggerating) tongues and I am NOT happy! In the meantime if you are reading this and wonder if it’s about you … the answer is yes!

Hoping You’re Happy Now

3 Little Bit Snarky

Dear Family,

There is not a contest to see whose life can most closely resemble a soap opera! Or to see who can drive me crazy first. You can stop now! Really!

Mom

3 Little Bit Snarky

I really want to write a letter to my employer but I’m choosing my wording with great care, and will probably NOT publish it, so you might want to pray for me. I need to remain employed and don’t really want to change jobs but there has been some recent friction and misunderstandings. If I could quit, and be a stay at home mom again, I would do it in a heartbeat. I can’t. So I either need to change jobs …. or make some changes that will make this one more pleasant. I can’t be specific. I can ask those of you who pray to please pray that God will provide me wisdom and tact! Don’t ask for patience! I can’t handle the usual answer to that prayer request!

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving vacation with family in Texas! It was exactly the rest, calm, love, etc. that we needed for a few days. And then we came home and were hit from all angles. I’m about ready to throw my Jesus Calling Calendar across the room!  (Not really.) It has been exactly what I have needed to see as I faced each day! I’m looking forward to getting back  to it in depth when I have more time!  (I do that over on Journey if you’re interested in checking it out.) I’m thinking about doing a book club “Grace for the Good Girl” either here or on Faith Walk, after the first of the year. Please let me know if you would be interested. I’ve heard a LOT of good things about this book and would enjoy digging in together. More details to follow.

Took my bedtime meds before I started this post. They have now kicked in! icon smile Little Bit Snarky

J will be home 2 weeks from tonight! My mama heart is so ready to have my boy home …. for as long as God loans him to me!

Guess I ought to go to bed …

3 Little Bit Snarky

For the sake of my self-appointed supervisors … let me assure you that I wrote this Thursday evening … at home! I am SCHEDULING it to post tomorrow at 8:00. Just because a blog is posted at a certain time does not mean it was just written! In fact … with a little luck … I could have a post scheduled to publish after I’m dead! Bet that would really shake you up, huh!

December 2, 2011

Friday Fragmenting

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scan00022 Friday Fragmenting

Time to deposit a few of the blogging fragments that have been rolling around in my brain for the past week (or longer). Got some fragments of your own to dump? Go see the lovely Mrs. 4444, by clicking the button above, and link up. It’s fun!

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In addition to the faith-based sessions at the Relevant Conference there were a number of “savvy blogging and social media” type sessions of which I took advantage. One of the speakers was talking about blog design, page layout, etc, and she expressed the opinion that our headers should be 120 pixels or less. The purpose for this is to make sure that you have content (and paid ads if you have any) above the fold. In other words you shouldn’t have to scroll down to find the beginning of the blog content. I made a slimmer header but I just don’t like it! Maybe it would be okay if I could figure out how to use one of those carousel things beneath it to feature recent, or popular, posts. But sitting all alone and skinny … it just looks wrong to me. What do you think?

I would still like to hire a professional blog designer to see what they could do with my little corner of the internet. Maybe one of these days!

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I realized yesterday that J will be home in 5 weeks! I can hardly wait to see him and get wrapped up in one of his huge hugs! The countdown has begun!

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We will be going to Branson for a few days (after Christmas) with the family of J’s co-traveler. Looking forward to some time away and some time with them! I was thinking that I would not go to Silver Dollar City at all (because of my legs) but then I realized that I could rent a cart (limited number available for mobility impaired folks). Plus my knees are feeling a LOT better just one day post steroids. Maybe it will last? We will see! I did talk Bert into staying one day longer than the others just to get more vacation time. I shall relish every moment!

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My Christmas shopping will be minimal this year … more by necessity than by choice. We decided that we would do the Branson trip as our Christmas gift to ourselves. Each of the grandkids will get a little something. But other than that … I’m just too broke!

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I’m counting the days (12) until we are done with work and get our 5 day Thanksgiving weekend! If we can get out of here early enough Bert and I will drive to Texas Tuesday night, leaving us Wednesday through Saturday to enjoy family, festivity, food, and fun, and then drive home on Sunday. What are your Thanksgiving plans?

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Speaking of Thanksgiving … be sure to check out my Top 10 List next Thursday! We are listing 10 favorite holiday foods … with recipes! It should be a good one!

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I began cleaning out the room and 2 closets, that Erica had overtaken, the weekend before Relevant. Gave away a few clothes and toys. Threw away some trash. Bagged up some stuff for Goodwill and shoved it back in the closet.  I think I might go home at lunch to get the Goodwill stuff and take it to the drop-off. That will make it easier to finish the job this weekend! Which I really want to do so I can finish moving back into my office and move my office OUT of my dining room! Wish I could afford to hire moving and cleaning crews!

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My cats seem to have finally stopped pooping outside the litter box (knock wood) except when we are gone for more than an acceptable few hours and they need to punish us. I am grateful. Bert, however, still hates my cats!

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Hoping you all have an awesome weekend!

Beth

November 11, 2011
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