OK, that's 35 years since I was born of the Spirit. I had planned to write about this last night after Leelan went to sleep but had computer issues so I'm a day late...but in the scope of eternity, a few hours is less than a blink.
It was 35 years ago that a friend from high school and I sat in his car talking, and he told me that we aren't guaranteed even the next breath, and if I didn't have one, what my eternity would be like without Christ. This was the culmination of a lot of prayer and sharing by others, though. It didn't hit me that night. Others spent years prior telling me about Jesus and hearing me reject His message over and over again. Yet they persisted, gently at times, not-so-gently at others.
I know my sister dedicated her life to serving Christ several years before, and tried to tell me about Him, but I wouldn't listen. It had no meaning to me. And I'm sure she was praying for me during that time...
My friend Alona never gave up either. We'd hang out, play games, listen to music - CHRISTIAN music (remember the album Love Peace Joy? I knew every word to every song, I heard it so often at her house!) - and talk. And she patiently listened to every argument against Christianity that I could muster, and remained my friend, and didn't give up on me, and continued to share Him with me.
So my heart was ready that night that Jim forced me to make a choice. Forced is a strong word, but he told me I had to either accept the salvation that God was offering to me, or flat-out reject Him. And he informed me clearly what my eternity would be like if I rejected Him. So that night, Jim's Bible there between us and the Word that he and others had shared filling my heart, I prayed with him...
Then I went home, feeling so different, so light, so open, not hard anymore, thinking and seeing everything differently than I had just an hour earlier, I was a changed person, in those minutes my life was changed. Gwen came into my room and asked me what was wrong with me, it was so noticeable. I remember clearly, as if it were yesterday, I asked her, "Can you get saved in a CAR?"
God had called me. His Spirit was working in those around me, whom He'd put into my path. And in His timing and plan, He brought me Home.
I think of this a lot. I think of all the people - hopefully me included! - who make a difference in the lives and hearts of people around us when we're obedient to the Spirit. We may not see them make a choice to accept Christ's offer and live a life of joyful service to Him, we may not know where they will choose to spend their eternity, but we can know that - like Gwen and Alona - we are allowing the Spirit to reach them through us, and He will see it through.
Jesus tell us, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (Jn.14:1-3)
Where He is, there I may be also...that is what it is all about! Thank you Gwen, Alona, and Jim...thanks for making sure that we all will be where He is!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Thinking About The Future
Of course, none of us knows what the future holds, and nobody knows that better than a Christian! Personally I'm just waiting for the day of Christ's return, or for the day He takes me home...but in the meantime, I've got to do His work here wherever and whenever I can.
So we've been thinking about retirement. Pete doesn't retire for another 4 years (if there will be a retirement at all for those of us who will be depending on social security), but we've been talking about what we will do, where we will go, how we will minister after that. And until recently we had wanted to move to Marquette, Michigan for a variety of reasons. We both love Marquette, but are now thinking that maybe living there full-time may not be the best thing for us anymore.
Several months ago we started discussing the possibility of fulltime RVing. We had brought it up many times in conversation over the years, but never seriously considered it. Now, however, it really is seeming more like a calling than a dream. So I started researching it, and the more we learned and talked about it, the more it felt like the right fit in our hearts for our future.
We're not sure where all this is going, but we know we want to be free to go where we are called to go, we've learned how economical RV living can be, how many ways there are to do it, and most of all that it really IS feasible!
By the time Pete retires, the number of our pets will have naturally declined to a manageable quantity, and we will have this goal in mind as time goes on and we are tempted to rescue more, since there will be space and cost considerations as well as time (especially for the parrots) and energy to devote. We will also use these next few years to lighten our load. We don't have a LOT of "stuff", living in <1000 sq ft mobile home, but we have too much. We will need to pare that down to only enough for immediate needs, and nothing more. For example we won't need service for 16, a houseful of knick-knacks, tools for every possible situation, dozens of clothes for each and every season and situation, 7 rooms of furniture, etc.
There is something very liberating even in the planning and working toward such a goal. And it is an exciting prospect to be knowing we'll have unencumbered ourselves to the point that "Where He leads me, I will follow" can be a reality!
So that's where we're headed now, with this goal in mind, to hopefully someday be our new lives!
So we've been thinking about retirement. Pete doesn't retire for another 4 years (if there will be a retirement at all for those of us who will be depending on social security), but we've been talking about what we will do, where we will go, how we will minister after that. And until recently we had wanted to move to Marquette, Michigan for a variety of reasons. We both love Marquette, but are now thinking that maybe living there full-time may not be the best thing for us anymore.
Several months ago we started discussing the possibility of fulltime RVing. We had brought it up many times in conversation over the years, but never seriously considered it. Now, however, it really is seeming more like a calling than a dream. So I started researching it, and the more we learned and talked about it, the more it felt like the right fit in our hearts for our future.
We're not sure where all this is going, but we know we want to be free to go where we are called to go, we've learned how economical RV living can be, how many ways there are to do it, and most of all that it really IS feasible!
By the time Pete retires, the number of our pets will have naturally declined to a manageable quantity, and we will have this goal in mind as time goes on and we are tempted to rescue more, since there will be space and cost considerations as well as time (especially for the parrots) and energy to devote. We will also use these next few years to lighten our load. We don't have a LOT of "stuff", living in <1000 sq ft mobile home, but we have too much. We will need to pare that down to only enough for immediate needs, and nothing more. For example we won't need service for 16, a houseful of knick-knacks, tools for every possible situation, dozens of clothes for each and every season and situation, 7 rooms of furniture, etc.
There is something very liberating even in the planning and working toward such a goal. And it is an exciting prospect to be knowing we'll have unencumbered ourselves to the point that "Where He leads me, I will follow" can be a reality!
So that's where we're headed now, with this goal in mind, to hopefully someday be our new lives!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas 2011
I know I haven't been blogging much lately...I have been busy living my life rather than blogging about it I guess :)...and happy about it!
Today was Christmas - at least as I write this, at 11:58 p.m. at the moment. And although I had no gifts to open, it was one of the best Christmases I can remember! My husband and I had bought a new TV as our Christmas gift to each other, we've had it for a couple of months, and are enjoying it a lot. My daughter and grandson are out of town, visiting relatives on her dad's side of the family - that has been the only damper on my day, but even so I have been blessed with joy!
Starting the day with church is always great, I wish I could start EVERY day with church! The song leader, Mary, and I sang a duet. It is the first time I have sung in church although I play the keyboard for every service, and I got off to a bit of a rough start vocally...but then was ok after that. Mary, of course, did a great job from start to finish, she's a real pro up there :). The message was excellent as it always is.
Afterward we picked my mom up from the nursing home. She is in a big of a cognitive slump today (Lewy Body Dementia involves lots of cognitive peaks and valleys - "fluctuating cognition" they call it.), but I was excited for her to open her Christmas gift from my sister and I and our husbands - a digital photo frame. I had loaded it with lots of family pictures from past and present, and she watched it for a couple of hours, really was thrilled with it!
I made our traditional Christmas dinner of homemade tomato soup (lots of ricotta and cream!) and very rich cheese sandwiches on English muffin bread with 5 kinds of cheeses, spread with real butter and fried on the skillet until crispy. This has been our Christmas dinner ever since my mom requested it when she was in the early stages of the disease. And I believe it always will be our Christmas dinner, even when...well, after...
My mom stayed and visited for about 3 hours total. As her disease progresses she wants to spend less and less time away from her nursing home - it is small, family-like, everybody knows everybody, she thrives on her friendships and the routine there. She likes it here at my home also, loves playing with my dogs especially, but starts getting anxious after a while...lately it's been about an hour, maybe 90 minutes, before she wants to go back. So today was wonderful, having her here for 3 hours!
After we took my mom back, I had a rare Christmas treat: a nap with my husband! Usually our sleeping schedules are so different, and many Sundays my 31MO grandson is here, so a Sunday afternoon nap isn't possible, but today it was just us, and I slept like a rock for 2 hours, at the same time as hubby! That was a real Christmas gift right there!
After I got up, as he continued to sleep, I took care of my birds and made his lunch and had a couple of hours to myself which is always nice.
This year I have had great peace and joy about Christmas that I haven't experienced in a long time. Part of it are the blessings I receive from twitter, believe it or not - so many lovely Christians, it is like a worship celebration whenever I log on! Part of it is that Jesus has been drawing me so much closer this year, and His Word has been really in my heart. He's been giving me a thirst for it, and even though I don't remember what I've read afterward, the feeling is there, and I know that it is in my heart - the Holy Spirit will be - has been, and is! - able to bring it to my mind as needed, even if my mind doesn't recall it all the time. And the Word has been working in my heart, which sets my mind on things above rather than loving the world...how uplifting is that!
So this year I have had joy and peace in spite of circumstances, my eyes on Jesus and my heart centered on His Word and His promises. What a perfect day!
Today was Christmas - at least as I write this, at 11:58 p.m. at the moment. And although I had no gifts to open, it was one of the best Christmases I can remember! My husband and I had bought a new TV as our Christmas gift to each other, we've had it for a couple of months, and are enjoying it a lot. My daughter and grandson are out of town, visiting relatives on her dad's side of the family - that has been the only damper on my day, but even so I have been blessed with joy!
Starting the day with church is always great, I wish I could start EVERY day with church! The song leader, Mary, and I sang a duet. It is the first time I have sung in church although I play the keyboard for every service, and I got off to a bit of a rough start vocally...but then was ok after that. Mary, of course, did a great job from start to finish, she's a real pro up there :). The message was excellent as it always is.
Afterward we picked my mom up from the nursing home. She is in a big of a cognitive slump today (Lewy Body Dementia involves lots of cognitive peaks and valleys - "fluctuating cognition" they call it.), but I was excited for her to open her Christmas gift from my sister and I and our husbands - a digital photo frame. I had loaded it with lots of family pictures from past and present, and she watched it for a couple of hours, really was thrilled with it!
I made our traditional Christmas dinner of homemade tomato soup (lots of ricotta and cream!) and very rich cheese sandwiches on English muffin bread with 5 kinds of cheeses, spread with real butter and fried on the skillet until crispy. This has been our Christmas dinner ever since my mom requested it when she was in the early stages of the disease. And I believe it always will be our Christmas dinner, even when...well, after...
My mom stayed and visited for about 3 hours total. As her disease progresses she wants to spend less and less time away from her nursing home - it is small, family-like, everybody knows everybody, she thrives on her friendships and the routine there. She likes it here at my home also, loves playing with my dogs especially, but starts getting anxious after a while...lately it's been about an hour, maybe 90 minutes, before she wants to go back. So today was wonderful, having her here for 3 hours!
After we took my mom back, I had a rare Christmas treat: a nap with my husband! Usually our sleeping schedules are so different, and many Sundays my 31MO grandson is here, so a Sunday afternoon nap isn't possible, but today it was just us, and I slept like a rock for 2 hours, at the same time as hubby! That was a real Christmas gift right there!
After I got up, as he continued to sleep, I took care of my birds and made his lunch and had a couple of hours to myself which is always nice.
This year I have had great peace and joy about Christmas that I haven't experienced in a long time. Part of it are the blessings I receive from twitter, believe it or not - so many lovely Christians, it is like a worship celebration whenever I log on! Part of it is that Jesus has been drawing me so much closer this year, and His Word has been really in my heart. He's been giving me a thirst for it, and even though I don't remember what I've read afterward, the feeling is there, and I know that it is in my heart - the Holy Spirit will be - has been, and is! - able to bring it to my mind as needed, even if my mind doesn't recall it all the time. And the Word has been working in my heart, which sets my mind on things above rather than loving the world...how uplifting is that!
So this year I have had joy and peace in spite of circumstances, my eyes on Jesus and my heart centered on His Word and His promises. What a perfect day!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
New SmartTV and Stuff
So in the wintertime when I'm not working (this year I'm working a little bit on an as-needed basis, which I enjoy but it doesn't pay many bills) and we're living on one income we suspend our DirecTv service. We love DirecTv but with all the content on the internet we really don't find it all that painful to leave it off for a few months - typically Nov-March - and it saves us a significant amount each year.
Meanwhile, my husband's eyesight is getting ever-worse. And our old TV - a 100# (or seems that way) monster doesn't have the crisp picture that newer television sets have even though the picture was still good, and the stereo sound was GREAT... but Pete has had to get up and walk up close to the TV to read text, such as the program guide, for months. So we saved up for a newer TV set that would work better for us. We knew we couldn't afford a really top-of-the-line model, but determined that 32" would be big enough for our small living room. We also wanted to make sure that the screen was as clear and crisp as possible, so we wanted 1080p resolution. We knew that internet apps would be fun, and could be useful as we made our way through the winter without satellite; wifi would be a must though, with a toddler and critters running around we didn't want more cords and cables. And that was about the extent of our wish list.
Anyway, I've been studying what's out there for a few months, and getting ahead on our bills so we could dedicate part of a paycheck to the purchase. (Easier to do it this way than "saving up" even though it amounts to the same thing...we don't use credit for anything but that's a topic for another post.) We'd been planning to wait until Christmas sales, but still looked at TV sets every time we were out shopping. And last week when we had to make a trip to Saginaw for an appointment, it was a good time to visit some of the larger stores like we don't have here, and do some more homework "in person".
I knew that our budget would be about $400, and I knew that we could get something that all of the attributes we wanted, but in that price range it wouldn't be easy...but could be done especially during the Christmas sales. Then on our day in Saginaw we saw this TV - a Vizio that got 4.5 stars out of 5 on amazon.com, was selling for over $600 there and for $550 at the Vizio website - for $440! Not remanufactured, not in any way used, but brand new. AND it not only had our "must-haves" but also had 3D, a USB port, PC connectors, surround sound, 3 HDMI ports (most in our price range only had 2), remote with a qwerty keyboard, and other goodies! It definitely was not just a basic model!
We saw this early in the day, then continued on shopping at quite a few places there, but couldn't find anything that had everything this TV had, not for the price...and of course, we went a little over our budget (we're eating a lot of chicken until the next paycheck - lol) to get it but in the long run we are very very happy with our purchase!
This TV was really an excellent buy and a lot of fun. Each TV manufacturer has their own group of apps, and Vizio's selection is probably no better or worse than any others, although I don't understand why they don't have YouTube. But as Amazon Prime members (that was also essential, that the apps package of any TV we got had Amazon Prime in it) there is certainly plenty to see. There are TV shows that I've never heard of or seen before that look pretty good, and I look forward to watching those as well as the familiar ones that I like to watch anyway. (Frazier comes to mind.)
Just really happy with this TV!
Meanwhile, my husband's eyesight is getting ever-worse. And our old TV - a 100# (or seems that way) monster doesn't have the crisp picture that newer television sets have even though the picture was still good, and the stereo sound was GREAT... but Pete has had to get up and walk up close to the TV to read text, such as the program guide, for months. So we saved up for a newer TV set that would work better for us. We knew we couldn't afford a really top-of-the-line model, but determined that 32" would be big enough for our small living room. We also wanted to make sure that the screen was as clear and crisp as possible, so we wanted 1080p resolution. We knew that internet apps would be fun, and could be useful as we made our way through the winter without satellite; wifi would be a must though, with a toddler and critters running around we didn't want more cords and cables. And that was about the extent of our wish list.
Anyway, I've been studying what's out there for a few months, and getting ahead on our bills so we could dedicate part of a paycheck to the purchase. (Easier to do it this way than "saving up" even though it amounts to the same thing...we don't use credit for anything but that's a topic for another post.) We'd been planning to wait until Christmas sales, but still looked at TV sets every time we were out shopping. And last week when we had to make a trip to Saginaw for an appointment, it was a good time to visit some of the larger stores like we don't have here, and do some more homework "in person".
I knew that our budget would be about $400, and I knew that we could get something that all of the attributes we wanted, but in that price range it wouldn't be easy...but could be done especially during the Christmas sales. Then on our day in Saginaw we saw this TV - a Vizio that got 4.5 stars out of 5 on amazon.com, was selling for over $600 there and for $550 at the Vizio website - for $440! Not remanufactured, not in any way used, but brand new. AND it not only had our "must-haves" but also had 3D, a USB port, PC connectors, surround sound, 3 HDMI ports (most in our price range only had 2), remote with a qwerty keyboard, and other goodies! It definitely was not just a basic model!
We saw this early in the day, then continued on shopping at quite a few places there, but couldn't find anything that had everything this TV had, not for the price...and of course, we went a little over our budget (we're eating a lot of chicken until the next paycheck - lol) to get it but in the long run we are very very happy with our purchase!
This TV was really an excellent buy and a lot of fun. Each TV manufacturer has their own group of apps, and Vizio's selection is probably no better or worse than any others, although I don't understand why they don't have YouTube. But as Amazon Prime members (that was also essential, that the apps package of any TV we got had Amazon Prime in it) there is certainly plenty to see. There are TV shows that I've never heard of or seen before that look pretty good, and I look forward to watching those as well as the familiar ones that I like to watch anyway. (Frazier comes to mind.)
Just really happy with this TV!
Monday, November 14, 2011
"The State governments possess inherent advantages, which will ever give them an influence and ascendancy over the National Government, and will for ever preclude the possibility of federal encroachments. That their liberties, indeed, can be subverted by the federal head, is repugnant to every rule of political calculation." --Alexander Hamilton, speech to the New York Ratifying Convention, 1788
http://amplify.com/u/a1i08s
http://amplify.com/u/a1i08s
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Today Is GONNA Get Better, I Claim It In The Name of #Jesus!
My day started out an hour too early with my 31MO grandson retching in bed next to me. (Since hubby works nights, often I will waken to find little Leelan in Pete's spot, where he climbs in while I'm sleeping.) Thankfully, at some point during the night he had "that" cough, with a bit of a gag to it, so I got up and brought a towel to bed...just in case. At that time my lower back was sore but I thought with more rest it would be ok by morning. (I probably didn't blog this, but I spent half the night in the ER, unable to move due to EXTREME pain and spasms in my lower back from arthritis a couple of weeks ago. I was sent home with strong drugs, and still have a few left...)
An hour before my alarm went off, I woke again to "Ugma, HELP ME!" "UGMAAAA!" I grabbed the towel and rolled over in the nick of time to catch it - an entire, unchewed and undigested, 6" long string bean from dinner last night. Thankful that problem was solved, I tried to get out of bed...Let's just say I was also thankful that the closet is about 2' from the side of my bed - able to grab the wall to pull myself painfully up...unfortunately my walker is in the car since I don't usually need it so much in the house (there's something within reach almost everywhere)...but standing from the toilet there's nothing to grab. Still, I made it up, painfully, and even managed the 4 steps to the back door to let the dogs out.
Well, 2 of the dogs at least... Little chi-mix Curly, Pete's precious pet who has no use for me, wouldn't come. After letting the other 2 out the back door, I hobbled back up and to the living room to call Curly again, and this time he followed me. I gingerly got back down the steps, opened the door for him - and Pharaoh and Bing ran back in...followed by Curly! Fed the cat (he eats in the music room, which doubles as his room), and when Curly went into the sunroom I blocked him in there so he wouldn't potty in the house (which he probably already has during the night somewhere, I just haven't found it yet, and couldn't manage it right now anyway).
Meanwhile precious grandson is crying to be picked up (no can do baby, sorry :(...) so I got him cozy in Umpa's recliner (Umpa Pete is still at work, with our only vehicle which also has my walker in it, and is sick and miserable with a respiratory bug, my sweet Petey for whom I would do anything in the world!)...his favorite Booples video playing, and I've got a percocet and half a valium on board, hoping that will nip this back thing in the bud! Now that everyone else is settled - such as it is - I will put an ice pack on my back and wait for the blessed relief that I have faith is soon coming! Lots to do today, got a little boy to play with and dress and feed and do his ABCMouse "lessons" (to him it's all play and he LOVES it!), a sick hubby who will be getting his much-needed rest since he works all night and needs to get better - and who will have a 12-hour shift tonight - dishes to do, food to prepare...at the minimum. Today was going to be laundry day and am hoping I can still do it before we run out of undies - lol - but if not there is always tomorrow!
(Did I mention that during the night I developed a fever and a sore throat and a cough? Looks like I'm catching what Pete has...)
So...just waiting now, but thankful Leelan is happy with his video and it will keep him occupied for a while, my Petey - and my walker - will be home soon, the drugs will do what they're supposed to do without knocking me for a loop (I'll also be taking bug calls today), and all will be well in my world :). I'm everso thankful that Jesus is next to me, with His Spirit within me and enabling me...even though I'm here in the world and afflicted with the world's issues in this temporary flawed body, I can't even imagine getting through it all without Him and His strength!
An hour before my alarm went off, I woke again to "Ugma, HELP ME!"
Well, 2 of the dogs at least... Little chi-mix Curly, Pete's precious pet who has no use for me, wouldn't come. After letting the other 2 out the back door, I hobbled back up and to the living room to call Curly again, and this time he followed me. I gingerly got back down the steps, opened the door for him - and Pharaoh and Bing ran back in...followed by Curly! Fed the cat (he eats in the music room, which doubles as his room), and when Curly went into the sunroom I blocked him in there so he wouldn't potty in the house (which he probably already has during the night somewhere, I just haven't found it yet, and couldn't manage it right now anyway).
Meanwhile precious grandson is crying to be picked up (no can do baby, sorry :(...) so I got him cozy in Umpa's recliner (Umpa Pete is still at work, with our only vehicle which also has my walker in it, and is sick and miserable with a respiratory bug, my sweet Petey for whom I would do anything in the world!)...his favorite Booples video playing, and I've got a percocet and half a valium on board, hoping that will nip this back thing in the bud! Now that everyone else is settled - such as it is - I will put an ice pack on my back and wait for the blessed relief that I have faith is soon coming! Lots to do today, got a little boy to play with and dress and feed and do his ABCMouse "lessons" (to him it's all play and he LOVES it!), a sick hubby who will be getting his much-needed rest since he works all night and needs to get better - and who will have a 12-hour shift tonight - dishes to do, food to prepare...at the minimum. Today was going to be laundry day and am hoping I can still do it before we run out of undies - lol - but if not there is always tomorrow!
(Did I mention that during the night I developed a fever and a sore throat and a cough? Looks like I'm catching what Pete has...)
So...just waiting now, but thankful Leelan is happy with his video and it will keep him occupied for a while, my Petey - and my walker - will be home soon, the drugs will do what they're supposed to do without knocking me for a loop (I'll also be taking bug calls today), and all will be well in my world :). I'm everso thankful that Jesus is next to me, with His Spirit within me and enabling me...even though I'm here in the world and afflicted with the world's issues in this temporary flawed body, I can't even imagine getting through it all without Him and His strength!
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