Getting to know you...

...getting to know all about you...♪♫

There is a game, if you will, on facebook where a person lists a number of things about oneself in the status box. If you like the person's status, he or she will assign you a number. Then you will need to write that many things about yourself.

While normally I skip through a person's status if it has a list, I really enjoy reading them these and learning more about that person. Guess what is on the agenda for today's blog post.

While you know a bit about me through the 'About' tab at the top of this page, here are a few fun facts for you to chew on.

1. Even though I'm the youngest, I don't consider myself spoiled. Seriously, I asked my dad and he said I wasn't spoiled so therefore it must be true. ;)
2. I'm a secret wannabe writer who would love to see her name on a cover of a novel. But it is so much work. It is hard than just sitting down and typing out a plot. There is research involved. Proper grammar. People to bring to life and perhaps kill off. 
3. I've started 3 novels and have yet to complete one. (hangs her head in shame)
4. I flew for the first time when I was 19. To California. Second flight was in 2009 to Floida. I've been grounded ever since. 
5. I'm an introvert who has learned to fake it in the world as an extrovert. Unless I don't know you very well then I'm totally an introvert. I want others to make the first 'move'. And, I hate crowds. 
6. I'm insecure. Truly.
7. I grew up in church. Got baptized in late elementary or jr high. Just went with the flow. It wasn't until we started having babies that my faith really grew and has been growing ever since.
8. I have self-diagnosed, unmedicated ADD...or it could just be mom-brain. I would truly love to focus but...squirrel! I work in an office where everyone is in the same small room without partitions. It's hard. Very hard. Sometimes I just plug my ears to try to remember what I was doing before that last call or what I was just typing before someone started talking. It actually works....most of the time.
9. When I was little I witnessed a tornado from a mile away. I'm not the biggest fan of tornadoes but have gotten better with not freaking out since having children.
10. I'm scared of birds. Yes, let the comments begin. Yes, I know how many times birds are mentioned in a 'good' way in the Bible. I do enjoy hearing their pretty songs but in flight or on the ground....let's just say I've been known to use our children as a human shield. 

What are some things you'd like to share about yourself?

Grounds In My Coffee

There are grounds in my coffee. I have no idea how those pesky little specks of ground coffee bean magically appeared in my coffee this morning.

The grounds looked like they were having a fine-ole time swimming around as I stirred my just-added-flavored-creamer-coffee. So began the processes of fishing. Fishing out those specks. 

As I 'fished', I began to think how something so little could almost ruin a full mug of morning deliciousness. It's like the little foxes. No, not that fox...I really don't care what the fox says.

We had a guest pastor at our church years ago who spoke on marriage. He used Song of Solomon 2:15: 

Catch for us the foxes,
    the little foxes
that ruin the vineyards,
    our vineyards that are in bloom.

A fox is a small animal. Yet, even small animals can ruin a garden. 

Little things in life can fester building into a huge mess if we don't take care of it. Something annoying your spouse, children, friend or co-worker does can build and build until it becomes a giant issue. Relationships can be damaged. 

It is so easy to ignore a problem. I know from experience. I let little things grow until it is an uncontrollable problem. Then, I tend to blow a gasket and everyone around me suffers. It's embarrassing really. 

If I would have ignored the coffee grounds in my coffee I would have swallowed the grounds. It probably would have gone down on the bitter side. Ick! What makes me think the little problems that I stuff down and try to ignore aren't going to end up being bitter...scratch that....make ME bitter?

So, question of the day.... How do you handle it when "little grounds get in your coffee"? 

Overwhelmed with Thanksgiving

Two posts in one day?! Whaaaat?! ☺

I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving. Do you ever experience that feeling?

To be perfectly honest, I've had some rough weeks. And, this week got rougher.

A friend, who's like a sister, had to experience a call no parent should have to experience. That dreaded call of your child in an accident. That dreaded vehicle accident. You see, her daughter lives three hours away. That seems like thousands of miles away when your child is in the ER and goes into a serious surgery before the parents can get there.

We are celebrating life this week. Her daughter cannot move her legs, but she has feeling in both. For that, we hold on to hope.

Please join me in prayer as she recovers. Also, if you wouldn't mind, pray for traveling safety.

On top of the accident, things just seemed to go downhill in other areas of life. And when I felt sad and blue, I thought about my friend and her family. My hurt feelings and insecurities as a result were small and insignificant when matters of life and death were in my friend's life. Perspective. Perspective.

Last week a family in our community had a child pass away from a farming accident. It was less than a week later when my friend's daughter had her accident. Both the same age. My friend knew the family and couldn't stop thinking about the family after his death. And, when my friend sent me a text telling me about her daughter's accident, I feel the same way. I haven't been able to stop thinking about them. That is community. That is loving the way God intended.

I'm also thankful for unexpected blessings. As I was taking food to my friend's family, someone stopped by our house. (Hubs was home) This person freely gave us a gallon of cider. Now, it may seem like a small gesture to you. But not to me. You see, this person has no idea what is happening in our lives. This person, I believe, was obedient to God as our name popped in his head as he was driving by our house. I don't believe this person really knows God used him as a vessel of love and kindness. But, when I see this person, I'll tell him.

I'm thankful for all the people praying for this family. And, who will continue to lift them up in prayer to the feet of Jesus.

No one knows what the future will hold. Squeeze you loved ones a bit tighter and longer tonight.

Today is....

NaNoWriMo or NaNo for short. 

Have you heard of it? It is National Novel Writing Month. From November 1-30, writers are encouraged to write. Write long. Write hard. Write terrible. Write fast. Write slow. Just.Write.

Are you in? I was hoping to participate this year just for fun but life has a way of happening. Yes, I could make up my own NaNo month but I need accountability and discipline.

If you know of a young person who loves to write, there is a young person version called Camp NaNoWriMo.  It looks like it would be a really fun site to get the young excited about writing. 

In other news:

Thanksgiving is 26 days away. Last year I made my first-ever-full-size turkey. You can read of my adventures here. Last year our young said we (insert I) need to make the turkey again. Why is it the young don't realize how much work is involved. I think the young shall help this year! 

A baby shower is 37 days away!!! One of our nieces and her husband is having a baby. You know, a little human. That same little human who turns your life upside-down, inside-out and ruins you in a good way. I can't wait meet this younin' in person in February.  

Christmas is only 53 days away. 53 days, People! I know. Right?! I vote for making Christmas a simple day. A meaningful yet simple day. We get so busy running here, running there we lose focus on what the day truly represents. Christ's birth. Noel! Noel! But, instead it becomes running to this house and that and making sure we have all the presents. Nothing wrong with seeing our loved ones and giving a gift. Don't get me wrong. But, sometimes it overtakes what is really the meaning. Drops mic and walks away...

And, you're welcome for all this informative (read...boring) information. It's a good thing I am not participating in NaNo this year...as you can see, "I got nothin'"!

Do Not Lose Heart

Yes, there are many video clips in this post. But, so worth your time.

The first video, Though You Slay Me by Shane & Shane is new to me. I heard it last night at an area praise and worship time. It's not your typical praise and worship song. Last night before the band played their version of the song, a bit of this video starting at 3:24 was played. It is an audio clip of John Piper preaching. By hearing the audio clip before the song made the song so much more moving and meaningful to me. Take a listen...



To be honest, I've had this questioning in my mind. I know people in the Christian circle talk about God's plan and His directing history. I do understand and believe. But, when I hear people talk about it without acknowledging the sickening things going on in this world, the death of spouses and/or children, and many other hurts I just want to shout out "Where is God when a little girl is raped or when a child is killed by a mad-person?" I feel like we, Christians, are giving a pat answer without acknowledging the hurt.

I have faith. I do. And I soon come to my 'senses' after my 'mind outburst' (above). I know this world is not my home. I know pain and suffering are just part of this earth. And, last night, through the audio of the song (John Piper's at 3:24) my soul began to understand.

(This morning, in my quest to find the above video, I came across the story behind Though You Slay Me which is equally moving) 




And then I found this lovely song. I thought it went quite beautifully with the other videos....

Where [My] Feet May Fail

Have you heard this song yet? No? You NEED to hear it. You can thank me later. :)

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
[x6]

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Road Closed To Thru Traffic

I knew I would see a sign. My dad had warned me of the railroad crossing closure by his home.

Turning from one country road onto another, I noticed the sign. Cool! I can drive down the middle of the road and back into dad's driveway without worrying about another car.

Wrong. Lo and behold, a car came toward me. I started to question if the crossing was really closed. To make matters worse I had to wait on it before backing into the drive. Bummer. As I sort-of-patiently awaited the car to pass, I looked again at the railroad crossing. Indeed it was closed and there was no way to get past the mound of dirt in front of the crossing.

Well, now. Doesn't that driver feel a bit embarrassed. I felt smug in my summation.

As I was pulling out of the drive after a nice visit with my dad, I notice another car and then another not heeding the warning sign. Because of their failure to obey the sign without question, time and gasoline was wasted.

Road Closed To Thru Traffic. It should be ones first clue.

Driving past the road closed sign again, I began to wonder how many God-signs I ignore in this thing called life. It interferes with my plans, my ways and, sadly, my selfishness.

Road Closed to Thru Traffic.

God's plans. God's ways. His plans and ways are so much better than mine. I can't even comprehend His awesomeness. He wants the best for His people.

Last spring I witnessed woman struggling to get all of her groceries in the van while keeping track of her small children in the rain. I felt that nudge (sign) to help her but at the same time the voice in my head said the woman would think I'm strange or perhaps trying to 'steal' her kids. I sadly listened to the voice in my head.

I kept walking. Walking into the store like I had never saw that sign. I can only imagine how it might have blessed her. I know it would have blessed me when our children were younger. Yet, I kept walking.

A missed opportunity because I didn't heed the sign.

Road Closed to Thru Traffic.

Note to self: pay attention to the signs.