Little One

Today is a day full of mixed feelings. Happy, sad, excited, anxious. And the obvious, tears.

It is time. Time for our little one to fly. Both literally and figuratively.
In a very short time she will board a plane and fly to places God has place in her heart.
Places she's never been. Places God has put a burning fire in her heart for His people.
God has provided.  It became crystal clear this is where she is to be in this moment in her life.

This momma's heart misses her little one already. At the same time, this momma's heart knows her little one is ready and a willing, obedient servant of the Most High. This momma's heart if full of mixed feelings.

Little ones won't stay little forever. It's a good thing. The next chapter of her life begins. It is exciting to see her grow physically, mentally, and Spiritually.

A part of me is remembering when she was perhaps 3 or 4 years old. I clearly see her standing on a chair decorating Christmas cookies with her big sister and me. Decorating our little hearts out, I finally looked up to see her so bravely trying not to take a bite of her just decorated cookie. She resisted but I could see the war within. I asked her if she'd like to eat one and with those huge, beautiful blue eyes and blond-hair bob nodding, I gave permission. Oh, the joy of that first bite of something she had waited so long to enjoy. I smile remember the scene unfold in my mind's eye.

This Little One has waited for God's directions. This Little One became obedient even though the thought of leaving home scared her. This Little One waited for permission to "go" from a God who loves her even more than I can imagine. She is taking her first "bite" enjoying every God-given taste of adventure in this season of her young life.

Even though I'll miss you, Dancer Daughter, with passion, I know you were born to fly. Go ahead. Take a bite. Fly as God planned and has given permission. Fly and enjoy the taste of obedience.

May Your Christmas

 

May your Christmas be filled with joy of knowing God sent His Son in human form for you.

May your heavy heart be lightened with peace only the Prince of Peace can bring.

May your faith be renewed as you reflect on Heavenly love.

May your sadness of missing loved ones who have passed be

lessened by imagining your loved ones celebrating

Jesus' birthday with the birthday man himself.

May you look heavenward and rejoice in all He has done

and will do in your life as well as all those around you.

May you ask Him to show you how to extend love and

service to those who enter your life.

May you always feel God's presence.

 

Merry Christmas.

Abnormal Giving

It is November 30th. Twenty-four days until Christmas.
Gift giving is just around the corner.
Inhale aaaaaannnnnddd release.

As I get older and I do every December, I realize how much materialism we tend to get sucked into.

Sure, I love a good gift as much as anyone. But, what I love more is a gift that gives. There are retailers who give a portion of what you paid for an item to a cause and/or charity. And, non-profits, some of whom may not be 'famous' as others doing their best to be the body of Christ all year long. What would be better than giving that hard-to-buy-for person in your life a nice card noting a donation was given in his/her honor.

Here are just a few:

Spoil the Kids Our Dancer Daughter is involved right now with this amazing program. Very soon she'll head overseas and bless children who are orphans. For those who have so little, one day of being spoiled means the world to them.

MCC (Mennonite Central Committee), a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches, shares God's love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice. There are many ways to give through providing items for kits such as
AIDS caregiver kits, Hygiene kits, Infant care kits, Relief kits, School kits, Sewing kits, Comforters and blankets, Soap, fabric, towels

Kits are something fun & easy to do as a group. Church, family, work, scouts, you name it. Or there is a way to give financially-click on the word MCC above to give financially.

TOMS For every pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS gives a pair of shoes to a child in need. "One for One" is their motto. Three of us in our family have a pair of TOMS. They are comfortable, stylish and you just feel good knowing your purchase is helping someone else.

Mudlove This is a little not-well-known company making a huge difference. Every $5 spent gives and African clean drinking water for one year. (see FAQ on their website for how only $5 does that!) They sell clay jewelry-bands, necklaces, magnets-and help others with fundraisers. And, if your item breaks, they will replace it. No questions asked. Details on on their site. It truly is a company who gives back. P.S. Everyone I've given a band truly loves it!

Pure Charity When you shop online...and admit it, you are doing more and more of that...a percentage of your purchase from participating retailers go to the charity of your choosing (as long as it is on their list of charities). You'll need to sign up on the Pure Charity webite, find a charity, give some other information and start shopping. For a much better explaination, click here.

There are many more to add to this list. Do you own little bit of research to find even more companies who give back. Better yet, leave a comment and share other companies/charities with us.

December 1st addition:
Twenties for Toby This morning I received a facebook invitation to this event. I do not know this family...only know friends of friends. While I was reading through the information it struck me how it went along so well with the theme of the video I posted below just yesterday.

Information on how you can help the Shaw family bring little Toby home: Donate Now, how Twenties for Toby got started, The Shaw's, and information taken from their blog and facebook invitation below...

“Toby is a 2 year old orphan in Guangdong, China. He was abandoned as a day old newborn because of his obvious special needs. Yes, boys are quite precious in China as the one child policy is still in place. Families want a son to carry on their family and to care for them in their old age. However this little boy was born with serious problems and his precious parents made a heart-wrenching decision. They left their tiny son for someone else to find.

 

Toby was taken at 1 day old to an orphanage to be raised. He has spent his entire life in that institution. He waited on a national orphan list for adoption for months and months. People advocated for his adoption and no  one chose him...then we saw him. God sealed this boy to our hearts and we knew we needed to bring him home.

 

Toby has AMC--arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. This means that his joints and muscles have been contracted and frozen before his birth. He is unable to bend his elbows (they are fixed straight) and his wrists are severely bent backwards and is unable to use his hands in the proper way. This is a permanent condition that does not progress. It was present at birth but CAN be helped with multiple surgeries. He is also missing toes. He is an overcomer though and has learned to walk! We cannot wait to bring him home and begin the therapy and medical intervention he needs.”

Watch the video below. Be prepared to move. We are all called to move in either prayer support, financial support or called to be the one to physically move for a season of life.

When the Angels Sing "Ode to Carbs"

"Thanksgiving is a holiday of sides and more sides. If there is no turkey, I can live with that."

I do not know who said that brilliant quote but I think I love him or her. Turkey is just a fixture. Give me dressing/stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls and pie...mmmmm...my dad's peanut butter pie...slurp! {cue angel music}

Although, I will say I did have a love-hate relationship with turkey this year. This was the very first year I roasted a turkey...ever. She turned out beautiful, moist and flavorful. I'm proud of myself as evident of me telling a male co-worker today how great my first turkey tasted. I think his eyes may have glazed over in the middle of my brining debacle though. He obviously does not realize the importance of this major feat in my life.

What did I do to deserve such a great first-time turkey? I think I read every recipe listed online. I may or may not have watched multiple videos on brining and roasting. Or it may be from the oven bag I used when the brine started to leak out of the bag and I gave up on the brine after 10 hours. I did a little of everything everyone suggested and it was delicious!

Where is the lovely picture to prove the beautiful-ness of the bird? Three states away in my daughter's camera. I forgot to ask her for the picture. Of course in the excitement carb-drunkenness of the day I forgot to have her take a picture of the turkey before we carved it. I may or may not be still a little carb-drunk still...there are leftovers, you know.

The "hate" part was handling the naked bird...ewww...hunting for the giblets bag...how was I to know there are two ends to look in for that bag?! It required a flashlight and lifting up a flap of skin to find that durn thing...ick! May I just say those manufacturers need to have directions on how to find that dumb bag of guts.

We had a lovely day. At noon we had my dad over for our Thanksgiving meal of carbs. After everyone was stuffed like a fat teddy bear, we watched Singing in the Rain. People, it's a comedy. Seriously, who knew?!

I found the DVD of Singing in the Rain at a box store for a decent prices. Since my Dancer Daughter was coming home for the holiday, I decided to treat her to this movie. I assume everyone has heard of Singing in the Rain but how many have watched it? All six of us sat in the living room laughing, smiling and a few of us were directing the music as well. It was great. Have I convinced you to find it and watch it yet?

After the movie, we went to hubs side of the family. They had eaten roughly the same time we did. There was much football watching in one room and talking in the other going on. Plus a few of us drooling over looking at Thirty One products and catalogs. Hubs got a little concerned until he found out I was "Christmas" shopping. [wink, wink]

Today. Well, today I realized maybe wearing my special stretchy pants most of the weekend was probably not the most well-thought-out plan. I think the dryer shrunk my jeans! That is my story and I'm stickin' with it.

I hope your holiday was excellent and many memories were made. Until next time!

Can it be?

Can it really be November 18? Really? And, can my last post be dated October 31? Can it?
Sadly, it is true. Time flies as we get old are busy.

What have I been doing the last few weeks? I'll say what I told my son as I was starring at the calendar as he happened by. "There's way too much written on this calendar!" To which he agreed.

How does that happen? I always think of a sermon years and years ago from a beloved pastor. We need margin. We need white space. We need to be able to say yes to the Lord and not have busyness hamper what God is really calling us to do.

[names have been blurred]

As I look at the calendar squares [yes, I have a real paper calendar on my fridge...non-electronic], I realize most of my busyness involves other people. Lunch or coffee with friends. Those times are filled with laughter but also filled with prayer requests and just crying on each another's shoulder. Doctor appointments fill other squares on my calendar. Not appointments for me, but appointments for loved ones.

As I look at my calendar and wonder where the time has gone, I wonder the reasons those squares are inked in. The white space is filled with names and times. A few margins filled with notes. And, I discover I really am saying yes to God because He has allowed me to minister to those in need. Can busyness be from God? In these situations, I have to believe He is saying 'yes'.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take some time to hang out with my family and rest. Have a wonderful Sunday.

And, if I don't post again until after Thanksgiving, Happy Thanksgiving and have a wonderful day! And, in the busyness of that day, don't forget to thank God for the blessings--no matter how big or small.

Awakening

Do  you ever wake up from a good nights sleep and find a song floating through your mind?
For me, it's songs of worship. Some, myself included, often wonder how we know if we are hearing from God or if it is us hearing what we want to hear. But, when I awaken to quiet with only a song's melody and beautiful words, I know I've heard from God. I know.

The song this morning is Holy (Wedding Day) by The City Harmonic (featuring JJ Heller). Enjoy the video with lyrics below.

This is the story of the Son of God

 Hanging on the cross for me

 But it ends with a bride and groom

 And a wedding by a glassy sea

 O death where is your sting

 Cause I'll be there singing

 Holy Holy Holy

 Is the Lord

 

This is the story of a bride in white

 Waiting on her wedding day

 Anticipation welling up inside

 While the groom is crowned as king

 O death where is your sting

 Cause we'll be there singing

 Holy Holy Holy is the Lord

Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy

 Is the Lord Almighty

 Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy

 Is the Lord Almighty

 Who was and is and is to come

 Who was and is and is to come

This is the story of the Son of God

 Hanging on the cross for me

 And it ends with a bride and groom

 And a wedding by a glassy sea

This is the story of the a bride in white

 Singing on her wedding day

 Of the God who was and is to stand before a bride who sings

 Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty

The Older Man

Eyes in the crowded waiting room fell upon us as we stepped in the room. Oh great. Dad will certainly win our bet.

This particular doctor's appointment most certainly ends up with an extreme wait time. As we were pulling out of my dad's driveway a half an hour earlier, I threw down the gauntlet and made my best guess on how long we were going to have to wait. I wagered forty-five minutes. My more optimistic dad laughed and countered by waging an hour and a half.

 

While we were waiting [and waiting some more] I noticed a woman helping her mother with her jacket and telling an older man it was nice to meet him. I soon discovered this older man was waiting on his wife, she is 85 years old, she's an artist, she is beautiful and how long they've been married. I smiled to myself as I continued to read my book.

 

Soon another person came in the door and he started an interrogation process. I was ever so glad I wasn't the object of his interrogation. "Where are you from" "Why are you here" "Who are you picking up" "What are you having done" and on and on. Phew, I was glad I had my nose in a book and he wasn't talking to me.

 

It wasn't long until I felt eyes upon me. I looked up and this older gentleman and a few others were looking my way. Apparently I was supposed to be paying attention to their conversation??? This is where it got a little weird. He soon turned his attention to my dad. He asks my dad if I was with him. As in if I was his wife or girlfriend. Ick. My dad doesn't like to give out personal information, especially about his health. Nor does he like it when someone asks way too many personal questions. I just kept reading my book and let the two older men talk. Well, it was more like the older man doing all the questioning and my dad giving one word answers. Awkward.

 

Soon I heard him commenting that I must be rude and find the book more interesting than him. Excuse me? I looked up to see him leaning across my dad staring at me. I smiled and mentioned I thought he was having a nice conversation with my dad and didn't want to intrude. Well played, Deanna, well played.

 

He soon turned his attention to another person who was reading a book. I began to wonder what this man had against reading. I honestly wasn't paying attention to their conversation until I heard him say, "That is not what God's Word says." I tuned in at that statement.

 

Apparently he found out this woman used to work in the school system and thus began children’s' behavior 'now-a-days' conversation. Soon the woman said she can't talk much about that because her daughter had a baby when she was twenty-one and she wasn't married. Oh boy here we go. However, soon his wife's appointment was finished and she was at the receptionist area making another appointment and his attention turned to her and proceeded to tell my dad how beautiful she is and she's an artist, she is beautiful, she is eighty-five...

 

To be brutally honest, I was glad he was leaving. Although he seemed to be a delightful man, I wondered about his tactics. He told everyone around him, "God bless you." as he finished his conversation with them. Even grabbed a nurse’s hand and told her. But, I wondered if his approach was a turn off to some.

 

If you are representing God, do you tell a stranger that having a baby out of wedlock is not God's plan when you don't know her daughter is that "sinner"? Are you representing God when you ask 101 questions? I'm not sure. I just know it was a turn off to me. Yes, I was polite when he talked to me but one must remember we are all created differently. He, obviously, an extrovert. Others in the waiting room, introverts.

 

I'm a representative of God. How do I represent Him in the waiting room? I don't have the answers. I do know God made us all different. What a boring world it would be if we were all the same.

 

I have nothing against this older man. He seemed sweet. Others may love his approach. Perhaps God used him so I could think and search how I represent Him.