Today........

Sometimes in the rush of things we forget the simple pleasures. Today, I am thankful for a God who loves me, the sunshine on my face, the love of a good man, a great place to work, great people to work with, and good friends. Ain't life grand................

Is It REALLY November?

I'm sure someone must be mistaken....the calendar must be wrong.....November 1st.....you must be kidding! My mother always told me that the older you get the faster the years go by. It seems she was correct. Only yesterday we were celebrating New Year's Eve. Only yesterday spring had arrived. Only yesterday summer was in full bloom and then another school year began. Where did all the days go? Was I napping? Not sure what happened but the end of this year is fast approaching.

Life List........

This has been an emotional week for me. I'm not sure why......... Perhaps the death of a relative has caused me to reflect on my own mortality or perhaps it's just me being female. However, I'm determined to be thankful for all things God has supplied.

A Savior

A loving husband (After 33 years, he's still my best friend)

Children and grandchildren

A loving family (blood relations and my adopted family: Adam Family - take note)

Special friends (especially Lisha, who keeps me sane and on track)

A wonderful work environment and great partners in ministry (who wouldn't love working at Mulder?)

Even though Bob will lose his job by year's end, we are trusting God to supply all we need. We can't let the uncertainty of tomorrow guide how we live our lives. I firmly believe God has His hand in all things that are affecting my family. I choose to celebrate all things...find joy in all things.....and praise Him always!

Wondering Why......

I'm always leary of conversations that begin, "Are you sitting down?". Those were the words my brother spoke to me on Wednesday morning. I had heard that before......Same question.....same tone of voice. I heard it when his 42 year old daughter had died suddenly in June 2007. I knew something bad had happened. Then he told me......His oldest son (who was my age) had been taken by ambulance to a local hospital and wasn't expected to live. He died around 4 pm that afternoon. While I haven't been close to Steve in a long time, we were close as children, so naturally I am saddened by his passing. I fondly recall long lazy summers, playing outside. I remember holidays with the house full of children and the aromas of good food to share. Those thoughts have been buried for a long time...Steve's death served to remind me of simpler times. Yes, I am sad, but even sadder is my brother and his ex-wife who have lost 2 children in 13 months. We are always deeply touched by parents who lose young children.....I'm convinced we should be touched as well by parents who lose adult children. How do you comfort parents who are in their 60s and 70s and wish it had been them? Tomorrow I will sing Amazing Grace as we gather to say goodbye to Steve. He lived a hard life, he lived a solitary life.......I'm not sure of his eternal destination.....I can hope he found salvation before the end. Life is short.....live it to the fullest for the glory of God.

Mere Musings

Lately, I've spent a lot of time traveling to my hometown. My mother has been ill and although she is a resident in a nursing home, she recently spent 10 days in the hospital. Today she had an outpatient procedure performed on her kidneys and once again, I was in my van riding. I was crossing Kowliga Bridge which is located over beautiful Lake Martin just as the sun began its descent to the west. The beauty of God's handiwork hit me squarely in the face as the sunshine shimmered on the peaceful waters. These words immediately came to mind: Our God is an awesome God, He reigns....................