A World Full of Words

I like to think of myself as an encourager. The person behind someone whispering 'You can do it. Don't let doubt take over." Words can be beautiful. Words can be what a person needs. Words can also be was a person doesn't need.

Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, my tongue becomes very sharp and hurtful. It's like I'm having an out of body experience; I'm watching those words fly out of my mouth and I can't reign in the hurt. Am I the only one?

That sticks and stones rhyme? Yeah, big fat lie. I heard one speaker say, when talking about hurtful words and marriage, "Words are atomic bombs." Words can mushroom and get out of control hurting those in the path. 

But, that person deserved to be "told off". Or, I held it in so long I just sort of exploded. Poor excuses, I have don't I. I'm learning to be silent but oh how hard that is at times. Do I fail? You bet your boots! Oh, how I need Him. I'm so glad He doesn't give up on me like I deserve!

I was listening to Oh How I Need You by All Sons & Daughters. They are sort of indie/country. Yes, those who know me know I'm not fond of country music. There are some instruments that, frankly, get on my nerves in country songs. So, having said that I really love this song. Listen to the video and see if you agree. 

Let my life be for Your Glory

Woven in Your threads of grace...

Catchy little thing isn't it?! ;)

Beacons of Hope - Love Unexpected Review

All I ever wanted was a home. That's it. A home of my very own. A home to decorate. A home to invite others in and make them feel special. I just didn't know the emotionally exhausting wave I had to ride to get it.

I'm Emma. My story is a long one but full of hope, faith and forgiveness. However, it took me a long time to get to the point of having hope. You see, I'm not very sure of myself and I wondered how God could let so many things happen to me and my family. I gave up hope and faith for a very long time. But then, something happened and changed everything.

Patrick and his son, Josiah, entered my life in most unusual turn of events. My mind still reels as I think back on all that happened leading up to me becoming a wife and mother. Did you ever have a moment in your life when you made a life changing decision and five minutes later you wonder what did I just get myself into?! Yes, it was just like that.

When we, well Patrick, rowed the boat around the bend and I saw our lighthouse and house, I knew in my heart I would make the house my own and love the son who just became mine. We had many ups and downs as all married couple do. Except, we really only knew one another a few minutes before Holy Bill pronounced us husband and wife. I still get dizzy when I remember how our lives rolled through some huge waves in the beginning. 

I've changed since the turbulent beginning. Come join my story. Author, Jody Hedlund penned a book recording Patrick and my adventures. It's written beautifully, honestly and shows how hope, love, faith and forgiveness can turn many lives around. 

His humble servant,

Emma

Love Unexpected: Beacons of Hope Book 1

Also enjoy Jody's FREE ebook novella, Out of the Storm, to whet your appetite for this series. Plus it has the first five chapters of Love Unexpected neatly tucked away in the end of the novella. Win-win. What more could you want?! 

I really enjoyed both the novella and Love Unexpected. I would highly recommend any book written by the historic Christian fiction master, Jody Hedlund. Find a list of all of her books here. You won't be sorry....well, your shirk your responsibilities once you read the first page because you can't put it down but responsibilities are overrated anyway! 

While reading Love Unexpected, this song popped into my head. Enjoy!

Being Still in the Wake of Madness

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Deep silence and calm. Is that what you imagine or feel when you read that verse? A sense of peace enveloping your soul?

We live in a world full of sin. Eve tasted the forbidden fruit. Adam was right there going along with it. They sinned and ever since then the world has been in upheaval. Sexual sin, wars, gossip, slander, a whole host of sins related to greed, and disease.

Right now, panic seems to arise at the mention of Ebola. In my own little corner of the world it seems as though it would never effect me or the ones I love. Whether that bubble of denial pops either sooner or later, people around the world are suffering--those who have it and those who love them.

Today, at work, I was talking with someone many states away. He commented on all the diseases "foreigners" are bringing across the borders. I didn't say much as it is not my job to agree or disagree with customers.

But it got me thinking. If deadly diseases were in my back yard, would I be at peace and be still or would fear take over at the thought of losing someone I love?

And, the persecuted Christians around the world? Oh my. That one hits close to home when someone has a missionary in their family. In my corner of this big scary world, I cannot begin to imagine being told I can't gather with others to praise God. Or the fear of dying because I won't renounce God.

There are so many diseases in this world; disease of illness and the disease of sin. No matter how many vaccines smart people come out with, no one will ever be immune to sin. "For we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." 

There is a glorious hope. Jesus. Our Savior and Comforter. He went to that cross even when he was praying to his Father to "take this cup". He died for us. Let that soak in. All that pain, suffering and anguish, each slice of that whip was for each of our sins. Thank you, Jesus!

Psalm 91:1-2, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”

I want....A Buzz Saw Louie. Waaaahh.

Our children grew up watching Veggie Tales. Lots of Veggie Tales. And, sometimes in my mom-mind, I speak Veggie Tales. Hence the title.

In one particular video (didn't have DVDs back then), a veggie-child whines, "Jimmy has a Buzz Saw Louie. I want a Buzz Saw Louie!" and proceeds to cry/whine "Waaahhh" while bouncing outside. Surprise, surprise. That one little veggie-child produces discord when all the kids in the neighborhood  start whining for a Buzz Saw Louie.

Comparison, jealousy, envy, selfishness and discontentment can have us all bouncing around crying, "It's not fair. I want what she has. Why can't my life be as easy as hers. Waaaaah!" In fact, while we are having our pity party, those who have to hear us more than likely want to cover their ears and cry "Waaaahhhh!" as well.

Yes, I am a believer in venting. It makes me feel better, I'll admit it. But, think about it with me. Look how easy our discontent rubs off on those around us. The sun isn't shining. Waaahh. I'm having a bad hair day and feel the need to tell everyone around me. Waaaahh. I'm offended by what so-n-so said to me...can you believe it?! Waaaahhh. She is doing what I want to do but am too lazy to do it so you shouldn't like her either. Waaaaaahhhhhh!

I want to be happy for people. I really do. And 99.9% of the time I am truly happy when good happens for someone else. But, it is the little, itty, bitty percent that can turn my 'happy for you' into 'why doesn't anything like that happen to me'. Then I become and two year old and have a poor pitiful me party.

You know what? That isn't love. That isn't the kind of love Jesus showed us. He showed us love. Unconditional love.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 

Just remember:  Truth without love is harsh, love without truth is compromise. Jesus walked in truth AND love. 

Ode to September

Oh, September. Sweet, sweet September. School in full swing. Hot days and nights turning into nice cool days and very crisp nights. Bugs going crazy. People doing the crazy spiderweb dance (you know the one!). Ahhh.....

Dancer Daughter flew the coop; well, technically it was the last day of August but it seemed like September. It was a sad day for me but such an exciting day for her. A friend of mine had told me about her mission-daughter's departure. All of a sudden it hit my friend and the floor gates poured out in the middle of the airport. Now I understand my friend. The Thursday before our daughter left was a difficult [read weepy] day for me. So naturally I figured I'd be a rock at the airport. Oh, what  fool I was. Let me set the stage for you.

Upstage (inside the airport): Dancer Daughter is waiting in line to check her bags. In walk 50 or more very tall, very muscular men in casual sport team clothing forming a very long line behind her. (we found out they were a college football team from Baltimore)

Downstage: The rest of our family patiently waiting for her so we can give her one last hug goodbye. ONE.LAST.HUG. (do you see where this is going?) All the while trying to see past the very tall men to make sure she didn't have issues when she checked her bags.

Hubs: Where does she go when she is done here?
Me (since I flew from the airport before): She'll exit over there. (pointing) Then, she'll need to go through security next but we'll be able to say goodbye to her first because we can't go past security. SAY.GOODBYE. (insert panic and holding back the tears!)

Moral of this play? You're gonna cry. Just.deal.with.it.

She made it safely to her destination and has been extremely busy with staff training. Very.busy. (yes, today is the day for periods after each word. You.are.welcome.) I did have the pleasure of Skyping recently (what did people ever do without this useful tool?!). May I just say she is in her element? When she was in missions a few years ago, and now...she is just ebullient. It's like she is a different person. So confident. So happy. Okay, I'm not saying she wasn't confident and happy before. It's just different. In a this.makes.a.mom.happy.and.peace-filled.kind of way.

September 1st (day.after.her.leaving.) was deemed 'mental health day' by me. I napped. I read. I watched TV. I napped.

In other news: Firefighter boy had his wisdom teeth ripped yanked removed yesterday. Fun times. He did great. I did not, however. Do you know how much those four puppies cost?! They should have given me some laughing gas, too! Just kidding...not really.

After the surgery, we drove down the road to pick up his prescriptions. I was warned by the nurse that if the pharmacy tells me they do not have any meds for him to say, 'the nurse called in the scripts and had to leave a message...so check the voice mail.' Yup. That happened. I knew it would. It's.my.life. So instead of the simple 'go through the drive thru at the pharmacy and get home', it was more like, 'go through the drive thru and go park and wait 15-20 minutes'. In.the.rain. With.someone.who.has.gauze.in.his.mouth.and.wants.it.out.now. One for the scrapbook right there. Did I mention 'in.the.rain.' The kind of hard-driven pelting rain that makes a person, like me, need to use the "facilities"?! Welcome to my life, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Next week we start college visits with him. COLLEGE.VISITS.WITH.MY.BABY. Where did the time go? WHERE.DID.THE.TIME.GO. (hold on a minute...I need to go get a paper bag to breathe in to because I think I'm hyperventilating!)

Firefighter boy wants to be....are you sitting down for this? A.Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic. I know. I was just as surprised as I know you are to learn this. (insert lots of sarcasm) There is a school about four hours away that has a two to two and a half year program. Problem is...after I scheduled the visit I did a dumb thing. I looked online at reviews. The reviews are all over the board. Some scream to run away from this school as quick as you can. Others have nothing but high praise. So, I'm going to be taking along a blood-hound and my discerning magnifying glass on this tour! He is my baby, after all. I'm sure the blood sniffing dog will be a welcomed visitor, don't you?!

I am going to a one-day Beth Moore seminar with a friend this month. Don't shoot me or send me a nasty email but I just think she is ok. I've participated Bible Study classes using her books. I'm just saying I'm not all "ooo I'm going to swoon" over her. I'm going with an open mind. I'm sure I will learn many, many things. I'm just saying if it were not for my friend asking me and me getting to spend the day with this dear friend, I wouldn't have gone. But, I am saying that I will learn something. I promise.

Writer Daughter and I attended a lovely wedding last weekend. (sorry, I'm jumping around... welcome to the depths of my mind) The decorations were minimal but just enough. The bride's dress was beautiful, with a vintage look. Bouquets were modest and charming. It was laid-back yet classy. It really felt like you were participating in the wedding. And, best of all....it was 20-25 minutes top! The pastor delivered a simple yet meaningful message. It was realistic, to the point and personal to the bride and groom. He didn't drone on as some are prone to do. It wasn't a flashy wedding. It was simple and beautiful.

And, finally, we took our cheap, blue swimming pool down. FOREVER.down. Yep. Yet another sign of me getting old. Our children grow up, get jobs and the pool gets neglected. She lived a happy life with us for a time. Sure, hubs and I got into yelling matches when we tried to fix something on her but other than that....we had fun. Many happy memories. Lots of pictures of the kids enjoying her warm, but mostly cold, water. The pool is going to a good family. Maybe that family won't have yelling matches when the pool isn't "feeling well". Their neighbors can only hope.

If you have made it to the end of this droning post, congratulations. You need a reward. Have a cookie, cupcake or a cup of your favorite tea/coffee and high-five yourself. If you hear of someone needing help falling asleep, be sure to send them a link to this post!

Good-bye, See ya, Later...Alligator

Saying good-byes are hard. Especially for those of us who hate to cry yet it is something we can't control. And, if you are an ugly crier like me...well, I feel for ya. I really do.

Tomorrow morning we'll say "see ya" to Dancer Daughter. Yes, she has flown the coop before but this time it is farther away and longer time spans between hugs. As I've been telling friends when they ask, "I'm sad for me but happy for her." I really am excited for her. Really. Not just mere words.

This Dancer of mine is in step with God. Their dances are beautiful. He leads in His magnificent ways as she follows Him step by step. Has it been easy to discern His steps for her in life? No. Not at all. There are questions but faith is never lost. As a My Utmost For His Highest devotion said,

To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. ...it should be an expression of breathless expectation... As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in - but you can be certain that he will come. 

When our children are babies we just can't imagine a day when they'll be independent and on their own...away from us. The day does come, sooner than later...to our disbelief. But, God prepares us...He doesn't take the emotion away from it (which is a good thing).

He has prepared her. She is so ready for tomorrow to start a new chapter in her life. A chapter He is writing for her. I can't wait to read it!

Love you, my Dancer-girl. I will miss you...terribly. But, I am so proud of you and happy for you. Now, be careful. Watch out for idiots and don't be one (my famous line when they are walking out the door and getting in a car). Text me! Call me! Skype me! And, have fun. Encourage the young people you'll encounter in their walk. And, be you...the you God made you. Let others "in" to see the beautiful, funny you. God puts people in your path for short times, for longer periods of times, and sometimes forever. Be in the moment and enjoy every moment with those who God puts in front of you. And, "no matter where you are I will keep you in my heart..." (video below)

A Bride In Store

Eliza Cantrell is not the most patient person on the planet earth. Raise your hand if you can relate. She's a feisty thing. So much so, it gets her in trouble. Raise your hand if you've ever done anything foolish. You had no idea there would be group participation when you innocently began to read this post, did you?! ;) She knows what she wants and will jump in without checking to see if the water is clear. Sound familiar anyone? Eliza is laser focused on her dreams...and a little too much on herself.

Eliza arrives in a western town as a mail-order bride. Except her groom is missing. In steps William (Will) Stanton - only to help, of course.

Will. Oh, the good wanna-be-doctor-but-have-no-funds-for-college-Will. He is a good man. But, Eliza seems to think others take advantage of him. Wave your hand wildly if you've ever had to remember to set boundaries. Will is so kindhearted and seems to have a knack at putting others above himself even if it leads to his unhappiness.

Troubles come along. Doesn't that sound familiar in our own lives. One thing after another after another. Their faith, at times, is shaky at best. Will their faith stand these testing times? Relying fully on God looks good on paper but when lives are full of turmoil, will they rely on Him?

Author Melissa Jagears is a terrific author. A Bride in Store is her third book. Her writing will make you feel as if you're there in the dusty Kansas town in the 1880s. I recommend her books to anyone who wants to read Christian Fiction. She has a way of pointing the readers to Christ without hammering the reader over the head.

I received this book from the author. In no way was I forced or asked to write a review.