Monday, March 23, 2009

Trying to Memorize Scripture

Memorizing scripture has been on my heart for a while. However, every time I consider trying to memorize scripture I told myself I just couldn't. It would be impossible. Yet this morning when I picked up my stack of index cards where I jot favorite scriptures, I realized today was the day to start. The one on top was a perfect one for my day today.

Above all, let me love others deeply, for love covers a multitude of sins. Let me use whatever gift I have received, faithfully administering your grace in its various forms. Let me serve with the strength that you provide, so in all things you, O Lord, receive the credit and the glory. 1 Peter 4:8-11

I even memorized where the scripture is found. Amazing.

I've also realized that I could. I just didn't want to put forth the effort. In that, I was disobedient to the urging of the Spirit. I also know that listening and following God's urging will bring His blessing to my life. This isn't a hard task to avoid; it's a celebration of God's living word in my life. Thank You, Lord!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Email - stink mail

I've had so many sweet, touching wonderful God print moments on my mind the last few days. Stories I haven't had the time to write about, even if I could decide how I wanted to tell them. However at this particular moment...

I'm just mad!

Mad at one of my children's teachers. Mad at the situation, how she handles teaching material, and most specifically how she replied to an email I sent asking for guidance and assistance for our child. I asked how we could help, explained how we had helped, and asked which assignment he had not turned in. She gave no direction. She gave a comment about not having homework because although he had his homework, she thought he wasn't prepared the morning after my husband had spent an hour going over the homework with said child.

I'm ticked!

Responding to the email again is useless. I would obviously make things worse in this state of mind. She gave no positive direction. She said the last unit was hard; the next should be easier.

Psthsthsthsthsth!!!! I raspberry this situation. I also pray, I will put it out of my mind.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Spring Weather Alert

Spring! Spring weather is here!

I've been busy planting new pansies, or better known as deer candy. I also had my first daffodil bloom today. It was one that I brought back from my family farm last spring. I love that the little daffodils I grew up with are now blooming for my kids here. I'm sure we have more cold weather to endure, but I was glad to have the chance to dig in the dirt a little. I also still have time I to draw out my plans for my summer garden. We've already decided to use netting over our hostas this year. Last year most of them were eaten before they had fully leafed.

I also stopped by the first lemonade stand of the season. It's so fun to see everyone excited about the warm weather and daylight savings time. It's amazing that a week ago we were celebrating a snow day!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Prayers for A

I awoke feeling guilty for complaining about my lovely old lady medicine. I am humbly grateful that there are wonderful medicines for me to take. I just pop two little pills and hopefully these signs of aging will magically disappear, or perhaps miraculously heal would be the better analogy.

There, that's off my chest.

I spoke with my oldest best friend last night. We grew up a few miles from each other. We rode the same bus for hours each day. Our grandparents went to high school together. Our ties and history go way back.

We don't get the chance to talk everyday, but we can dive right into the deep stuff and completely understand where the other one is coming from. K was trying to explain to a co-worker how she loves to hear the snow fall. Her co-worker thought she was crazy, but I understood immediately. I grieve for my children that they haven't had the chance to stand in the field on the farm where I grew up and listen to the snow fall. To watch the trees across the field glisten with ice and hear them creak and crack as the wind blows. It's hard to describe the wonder of feeling like the only one in a snow storm.

K's dear grandma A is on my heart. She's 94. She and my granddaddy were the leads in their high school senior play. Picturing that cracks me up. K's grandma is finally suffering from memory problems. And she realizes it. She's so frustrated. As Grandma A says, "This medicine is not fixing my brain!" (Her normal meds aren't supposed to, but she's forgotten what her medications treat.)

So today, I lift up prayers for a dear woman who loves the Lord with all her heart, yet fears the next step of her life's journey. I pray that God brings peace to the wonderful women in their family that will so deeply grieve her passing, someday, and at the same time celebrate her birth into eternal life with God. I pray they have the time together to say the deep feelings on their hearts and that God's fingerprints are all over this experience so that their faith grows exponentially. Amen.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Another Day Another Trip to the Doctor

Hello. My name is Katie. I am 39 years old. Not yet 40, just 39. Until a month ago, I was a pretty healthy 39 year young woman. My hip aches since the birth of our baby 10 years ago, but hey, we all have some aches. Right?

Today, I am headed out to pick up two old lady prescriptions. A month ago, my biggest worries about turning 40 was what kind of new wrinkle cream to try and should I cut my hair short again or would I look ridiculous trying to grow it long.

I looked at my doctor this morning and said, "What the ?????" I haven't been in here 4 times in the last 4 years. I've been to the doctor 5 times in 8 days, I have an irritated hiatal hernia that you keep reminding me happens with age, and now you're telling me I have to come back in two weeks to see if this blood pressure medicine you're prescribing works.

I'm really glad he didn't check my blood pressure right then.

The good news is that I can take both my old lady pills together. Then I can have a nice warm cup of tea. Not coffee, of course. Boy that sure does make me look forward to getting up each morning. Of course as my dear husband keeps reminding me aging is better than not aging. I personally think my genes have already signed me up for AARP.

This hernia better feel better soon, because if I get any other old lady news I'm going to need a drink.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Winter Basketball '09

We are a basketball family. My dear husband played quite a bit of basketball growing up and has passed that love on to our children. Now, our children are not super stars, except in my eyes, but I dearly love to watch them play. I love to see their enjoyment of the game and how they improve each season. I get so into the game that I never remember to take any pictures if I happen to take my camera.

This season was not a great one for the Dude and Hon's team. Hon coaches the Dude's team. In fact, they lost abysmally last weekend in their first game of the playoffs. I can't say anyone played near their normal level. There was no heart in the game. What I have loved about this season are those beautiful moments when the Dude pulls it all together. His long arms strongly snatch a rebound from the boards then gracefully arc as he throws up a shot that falls through the net. Those are the moments of this season that I'll remember, and how much he moves just like his dad in those seconds. He's still building his confidence. He probably took less than a quarter of the shots he could have, but all that will come in time. He loves playing, and he loves that his dad is coaching. I also want to remember that this is the season he finally dribbled down the court. The Dude is a defensive player. He's all about the rebound and passing the ball. It takes yelling from the sidelines for him to take the wide open shot. However, he stepped up a few times this season when his team needed him to and dribbled. Oh, the joy of seeing his self-confidence bloom.

Birdie's team had an even worse season than The Dude. Her team lost every game. It takes a strong will to keep fighting when you lose every game by double digits. The sad part was that her team had several good players. Every good player needs some kind of offense is the lesson learned this season. Yet, this was a great season for Birdie. She got the opportunity to play point guard and loved it. She still does not like to be pushed or bumped at all, but she will toughen up in time and hopefully the refs will call more fouls. She so loves every sport she plays. Last week the weather was spring like and she was outside shooting every afternoon. One afternoon I quietly watched Fred playing with her. I don't think I've ever seen him so encouraging and kind with her. He was teaching her how to stand tall to better block the shot. Another moment to remember.

One last bragging moment by a so proud mom. Both Birdie and The Dude made All-Stars for the first time. They are both thrilled. I'm glad there's more b-ball to watch.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Another Sign of Aging

Not too long ago I vainly prayed that God would help me realize when my stomach was full so I would stop over eating. Boy if the last month was God's answer, I beg forgiveness for my vanity.

I've been having a little tummy trouble lately. And no, I am not pregnant. Funny how the doctor never asked that question while I listed my complaints. I guess as the mother of three he figured I know the difference between morning sickness and this new pain and nausea.

One thing I've learned during this little episode is that everyone has their own tummy story. As a woman who until recently had a stomach of steel, I didn't realize that so many people go through some stomach/intestinal distress. I'm pretty sure this is one of the less publicized joys of aging. Everyone hears so much about gray hair, wrinkles, aching backs and joints, weight gain with age...however tummy troubles are pretty quiet.

Another lesson on life's journey. Sometimes your body changes unexpectedly. I'm very thankful for a little purple pill that's allowing me to eat again. Today the doctor will take a look inside and try to figure out what's going on. I'm feeling so much better with this new medicine I'm pretty sure all will be well soon.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Snow Day???

I love, love, love a snow day.

A couple of weeks ago beautiful big flakes came down just as Fred headed off for the bus. The weather report let me know that the suddenly white grass would soon be green again, but I just wanted to put on a heavier sweater and cuddle up on the couch for the day. Even though the roads only got wet we took today as a snow day. It looks like I might be getting a real one tomorrow.

There's something restorative about a snow day. (That is if your kids can put on their own snow clothes.) Our schedules are so busy, and we have so many MUST do's that I love the opportunity to be forced to stay home. The world is washed clean, and the noise of traffic muffled under the beauty of white. I really look forward to the chance to sit in silence and watch the snow fall for a day.

Enjoy! Of course, I need the roads to be clear by 1pm tomorrow. (More about that later.) Luckily Hon grew up in Rochester and loves to leave the first tire tracks anywhere. He might just get that chance.