Goodbye 2008

Hip Hip Hooray! Here's to 2008! May she rest in peace.

I've had so much fun this year getting to know so many new friends and keeping in touch with family members that I love but seldom see. Who'da thunk that telling the world all about private matters could become so addicting.

I love the way I've been able to connect with people from different countries without ever leaving my easy chair. My bucket list of the places I would love to visit just keeps getting longer.

Before the final hours of 2008 tick away, I want to take a minute and in front of the whole world of bloggers, say Thank You to God for a beautiul year.

Thank you Lord for the highs and lows that 2008 brought my way, for the feeling of being pushed beyond my comfort zone, and for the disappointment of lost love, etc. For it all I am grateful. Your goodness and kindness never cease to amaze me, and the way you make good out of bad is truly astounding.

Thank you for the gift of Family that are such an important part of my life. For my precious grands who add such joy to my world with their love and laughter. May 2009 find them loving you and realizing how much better life is with you than without.

Thank you also, for the gift of the people who have made me a part of their life. I am blessed by the way their helping hands have reached out to me. I am blessed for the times you have allowed me to help others in their own need. Bless all who have touched my heart this year with their laughter, tears, and friendship.

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to grow my faith and love you deeper and more complete than ever before.

I pray that 2009 will be a year of greater serving, greater love, and greater sacrifice.

Thank you for loving me and drawing near. I love you!
~~~~~

And now dear bloggy friends I bid you adieu until 2009. Have a safe NYE and a wonderful and blessed New Year.

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night.

Luanne

Be Careful What You Ask For

When I was finally getting around to begin my Christmas shopping a week ago, I asked the grands what they wanted for Christmas. "Ummmm let me think" was the reply. I wasn't in the mood to hear that. I wanted them to be able to spit it right out and not have to think about it.

Later that evening my phone rang and my grands were calling me from their moms cell phone. She had run into the grocery store and left her phone in the car. I could hear plenty of giggling in the background before AJ finally said in his pretend little girl voice. "Grandma, I want a dolly and a pony for Christmaaaaaas! More squeals of laughter and the phone went dead.


AJ wasn't laughing as hard; in fact he wasn't laughing at all when he opened his gift from me Christmas morning.







That'll teach him to not be a smart "alex" with me.

Baking Day

I should be wrapping presents, but I'm taking a break. I thought I'd tell you all about my yummy new treat I just took out of the oven.

Last year my sister made some candy out of Rollo's, a waffle type pretzel, and a pecan. They tasted just like bite size turtles. I tried some this morning and they turned out really good, so I thought I'd try something a little different with the left over pretzels.


First, I put the pretzels on a cookie sheet.

Next took Hershey Cherry Cordial Creme Kisses and put one on each pretzel.

Like this.



I put them in a 250 degree oven for two and a half minutes.

While they were cooking I cut marachino cherries in half.

Immediately after taking them from the oven, I took one of the cherries I had cut in half and pressed it down in the middle of the warm kiss.

Up close you can see how the creammy center of the kiss flows out. Ummm Ummm Good. And so easy even kids can do this.

I'm also posting here today.

Angels In Our Midst

I left my purse in the shopping cart at Walmart today. I didn't realize it until 4 hours later when I got ready to go back out shopping. I was shaking as I tried to look up the number of the store.

The phone rang for what seemed like 5 minutes before someone finally answered. I asked if anyone had turned in a purse. They transfered me to another line. After 3 more transfers and 3 more times repeating my question the woman asked me what my name was. After I gave her my name, she told me they had it.

I hung up and began singing "thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus until I realized maybe whoever turned it in found it laying on the ground after someone else had emptied the contents.

My mind was thinking negatively then I realized they wouldn't have known my name unless my wallet was still there. But......that didn't mean my credit cards would be there or my check book.

The five mile drive seemed to take forever, but finally I was inside the store. I didn't ask where I was supposed to go so I stopped a man who looked really official and asked him. When we got to customer service, the line was a mile long but the nice man took me over to an empty spot and unlocked a door and when he did I spotted my purse. After he handed it to me he wanted me to see if everything was in there. It was all safe and sound and turned in by some wonderful angel who was full of kindness and the Christmas spirit.

I don't know who that person is but I'm praying that God will bless them for their kindness. If you're reading this post please ask God to bless them too.

Our white Christmas has arrived. In fact it's so white I can't get out of my driveway to finish my Christmas shopping. Oh wait let me reprase that ....I can't get out of my driveway to begin my Christmas shopping.

Depression, Prayers and Meatballs

That last post was depressing. I need to snap out of this funk. Is it possible to be depressed without being sad? Cause thats the way I felt last week.

Sunday I learned my friends daughter lost her battle with Melanoma. She was diagnosed in May and she is already gone. Would you please pray for my friend Kathy and her family. Friday will be the funeral and Friday evening her grandchildren will be moving out of state to live with their father. I can't imagine burying my daughter and then feeling like my grandbablies are being ripped from my arms as well.

I don't have one single Christmas present purchased yet. I have no desire to shop for anyone either. I wish I could just write a check and send it to a charity. The grandkids have more than they can possibly wear or play with. I'm leaning towards a trip someplace when it gets warmer and I don't have to worry about driving in the snow or ice.

I'm paranoid about driving my van on icy roads. About 6 years ago I went to our office Christmas party. It was at our office managers home way out in the country on some rarely traveled road. About midnight I decided to head home. As I loaded the crockpot containing left over meatballs into the back of the van I almost slipped. We had recieved some freezing rain, which meant I was going to have to drive really slow.

About 5 miles down the road I hit a slick spot and the van started fish tailing. I couldn't get it under control and I spun in a complete circle and somehow the vans back tires slid off the road and the entire van landed upside down in a ditch.

As the van was spinning I did notice I was in front of a house. When the van finally came to a stop I took a breath and determined I was okay, and then tried to get out of my seat belt as I was hanging upside down. It would budge. Probably because all my weight was pulling on it. I reached around in the dark and managed to turn on the dome light.

I could see my cell phone laying out of my reach, but beside me was my purse with a long strap, so I began trying to lasso the phone. It worked and I pulled it to me.

I should have know it wouldn't work. Getting a signal when you are out in the middle of nowhere is difficult, but when you are upside down in a ditch its impossible.

I kept honking my horn hoping the homeowners would hear me. And I kept praying. I wasn't sure how much longer my coworkers would be staying. I was sure someone was getting their coat on as I was going out the door. Surely they would be coming down the road and see my lights.

I was starting to get cold. Then the thought hit me. What am I going to do if I have to go to the bathroom. Of course thinking about it makes you have to go, so I started praying harder and louder. I was even calling in all my favors from my dead ancestors.

40 minutes later I heard a car door and a voice holler "Is anyone in there"

"Yes, but I can't get out"

The next thing I knew a man had jumped into the ditch and was beside my window.

"Can you open the window?"

I had power windows and evidentally in my upside down cofusion instead of turning the engine off I turned it to accessories. The window opened.

The man laid on his back and was able to reach in and while I held myself up by pushing against the steering wheel, he was able to unlatch the belt, get out of the way, and then I dropped down.

My van was full of all my real estate files and when the tow truck pulled the van out of the ditch it looked as though I had wall papered the inside with my purchase agreements and other legal documents.

Durning the night we had a fresh snow. After church I went to the yard where they had towed the van so I could retrieve my belongings. A very nice man walked me out to the van.

The papers were still stuck to the windows and it looked like I had every paper ever written in there. It was a mess. As he opened the sliding door on the passenger side, something fell into the snow. It was big brown clump resembling a turd. The man looked down and when he lifted his head his eyes were about to pop out.

It's a meatball!" I said. "I was carrying a crockpot full of meatballs."

He started to laugh "Whew, For a minute I thought you had a dog in that mess to!"

The Gift

Yesterday on my First Tea blog I posted a story about a dream my husband had just weeks before he died; a dream that would later prove to be somewhat of a premonition.

This week end marks the 15 anniversary of the he last shopping excursion my husband and I shared. We had driven to Detroit to attend a family wedding and driving back home the following day we began discussing all the upcoming events on our busy social calendar.

“I think it’s time for me to finally buy a suit”, he said as I began naming everything we had coming up in December. Ed hadn’t owned a suit since high school.

“Let’s stop at the mall and see what they have, and maybe do a little Christmas shopping while we’re there,” he suggested.

I was shocked. Ed hated to shop and any shopping he needed to do usually took place on his last day of school before Christmas break, and usually after he’d stopped off to have a few beers with his fellow teachers. I guess the beer dulled the pain of shopping. Unfortunately many times it also dulled his fashion sense and the results were less than favorable. Needless to say I was jumping for joy that it was his idea to shop.

We pulled into a parking spot and headed into the first store. Ed was on a mission, and didn’t have the patience to browse and leisurely peruse the assortment of clothing. Instead he quickly picked out a Navy blue suit and held it up for my approval. I nodded. As he came out of the dressing room I noticed how the suit enhanced his body. His muscular physique was still quite evident despite the extra pounds he’d accumulated after his playing days. He could still make my heart race after all those years.

The tailor was on hand and the salesman promised to have the suit waiting for us in two hours. In the mean time, we could go off and finish our shopping.

Going through the aisles of the department store, I veered slightly off course as we passed a jewelry counter, and I paused to admire the necklaces in the case. I had never been one to wear any jewelry except my wedding ring, but lately, I had been admiring the gold herringbone necklaces many of my friends owned.

“Which one are you looking at?” Ed asked as he came up behind me and leaned over my right shoulder. I pointed into the case just as the sales woman turned over the price tag. I heard a slight whistle and Ed spoke up,
“Your taste is definitely improving!”

Ed proudly showed off his new suit at the REALTORS Christmas Ball the following week. It was a perfect fit. “If only I didn’t have to wear this stupid tie.” he muttered as he slid his finger in the 16 ½ inch collar of his dress shirt and tugged to try and make it loosen. “Life would be perfect if I never had to wear a tie!”

Who would have guessed that the next time he wore his new suit and tie he’d be laid out in a casket!
~~~~~~~~

“It’s time for the final good-byes. Family please step up to the casket”, the funeral coordinator directed, and I stepped toward the casket for the last time. My left hand clenched my neck as I took the last few steps. My ring finger slid back and forth over the herringbone necklace I wore. Earlier that morning our son Danny had handed me a dented box.



“I thought you might like to wear this for Dad today, he’d said. Inside the box was the necklace Ed had seen me admiring in the department store. Danny and our friend George had gone to the salvage lot where Ed’s demolished Grand Am had been towed, and in the back seat, along with his real estate files they found a shopping bag containing the necklace as well as a beautiful sweater that was wrapped and waiting for me to open Christmas morning.

The sight of the necklace moved me, and for a minute I thought I was going to loose control, but I quickly regained my composure. There would be time for tears later, but today I needed to stay focused. I would be stepping to the podium soon to deliver Ed’s eulogy and I couldn’t afford the mental breakdown until after that was done. As I fingered the necklace I drew strength for the task ahead.

I gazed down at my always hyper husband’s lifeless body for the last time. I stared longingly at his precious face hoping that just maybe I would see his eyelid flutter and he’d sit up and this would all be a terrible mistake. With one deep breath I reached out I patted his hand for the last time. “I love you Eddie, I whispered. I love you.”

I turned to the funeral director standing at the side “Do whatever you have to do, but don’t bury him with his tie on!”

Counting Blessings

Like everyone else this week,I'm posting on Thankfulness. You can read what I had to say yesterday by going here.


My cousin Debby posted this morning about the colors of her world in Buttonwood Bay, Florida.



She took pictures of all the colorful flowers and the gorgeous Florida sky that I so love and miss. For a minute I gazed at the sky scape in her assortment of colorful pictures and imagined I was walking along the beach starring out into the ocean and I felt like that sky was actually above me.


This is the color of my world this morning as I stepped out my front door.




Stepping out on my patio it was this.




If you look hard you can find color mixed in with all the white.

I think that is what God is reminding me lately. The color is there if I look for it.

Last night I participated in the most wonderful prayer service. The local Presbyterian Church and my Catholic church united for a Thanksgiving service. The two churches are trying to combine resources to assist the people in need in our community.

Father John and Pastor Ted did a great job. It was held at the Catholic Church but each church was well represented and took turns with the readings and prayers. Pastor Ted gave a wonderful sermon/teaching on being thankful and how important it is to make sure we don't take our blessings for granted. He told a story of 2 next door neighbors.

One day a woman decided to make a pie for her elderly neighbor next door. When she took it to her the woman began Oohing and aahing. Come in please and Oh thank you so much, you have no idea how much this pie means to me. That you would think of me is such a blessing. Thank you so much I will always be grateful for your kindness. Thank you thank you.

The next week the woman decided to bring happiness to the woman once again and made another apple pie and took it to the woman. The woman opened her door Come in she said "How kind of you, thank you very much for your kindness.

The following week the neighbor made yet another apple pie and when she took it next door the woman stepped outside and simply said thank you and turned to walk back in. She turned at the last second and said to the other woman, "Perhaps next time you wouldn't mind putting a little more sugar in the mixture. Or better yet, perhaps you could make cherry.

The fourth week with a cherry pie in hand the woman went to her neighbor. Before she could even knock the woman opened the door a bit and held out her hand for the pie. After she received the pie she stopped her neighbor and said, "You're a day late you know."

The fifth week the woman found herself too busy to make a pie. As she walked past her neighbors house the window flew open and the lady leaned out and hollered "HEY WHERE'S MY PIE?

Isn't that what we do with our blessings from God sometimes. We begin to take them for granted. On days like today I can either holler up to heaven "Hey God where's my sun and my flowers?" Or instead I can look for his colorful blessings right in my back yard where my grand kids are busy building snowmen at recess.

Thanks God for all your blessings I forget to be grateful for.

Little Pitchers

My luck has been better than normal the last few weeks. Our Alter Society at church and the neighboring parish have each put on a card party within the last few weeks. I won a door prize at each party as well as having 2 of my raffle ticket numbers drawn.

I won two bags of sugar which will be great for holiday baking.

Some lovely scented candles which I can always use.

Four grape color drinking glasses.

And this fall foliage basket with a bear.

This will become a door prize for "the group" next week.

Lucky in the prize department-unlucky in love. Maybe that's not all bad!





Tuesday I had to take YT for a root canal he needed because of chipping his tooth playing backyard football without a mouthpiece. Daughter had a regional volleyball game and step dad faints at the sight of needles so Grandma got elected to take him for his appointment.

He was a pro. I didn't even have to go back with him and after he went to a two hour basketball practice. Later that night when I called to check on him I heard how horrible he was feeling. I couldn't figure out how everything had gone so wrong. Finally Daughter came to the phone and told me what the real problem was.

Last week the boys went trick or treating at the home of our local football coach. He told the boys he was getting ready to go to a Halloween party and when they asked him what he was going as, he told them John McCain. YT asked "What are you some kind of an idiot?"

Football Coach has a daughter who plays volleyball for my daughter. On the way to the game that night she told my daughter what YT had said. Volleyball girl laughed telling the story, but my daughter was appalled.

Needless to say that YT was told he had to make a phone call to the Coach to apologize for his rude behavior. Suddenly the tooth became excruciatingly painful. Go figure. Pain or not the call was made.

I was so happy daughter gave YT a consequence for his poor behavior.

Now if I could just get daughter to realize that his attitude didn't come watching TV, it came from hearing his step fathers commentary for the last 8 years on what he thinks of George Bush and his political views.

Little Pitchers have big ears.....and sometimes a big mouth follows.

Halloween 08

Happy Halloween

Here is my crew right after school today. First in the picture is neighbor kid dressed as a throw back from the 70's. Next is OT dressed as "The Biggest Loser" a.k.a. a Detroit Lion Football Player. 3rd is YT dressed as a baseball player, and finally OGS disguised as a nerd. These were the school costumes.



Next came their Trick or Treat costumes









It was so much more fun when they dressed like this:

Finally, this week was the big band concert. Here is OGS using all his wind to belt out a tune.

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom

This is my favorite picture of my mom. She had it taken as a surprise for my dad while he was off serving his country in WW2. I found it in a drawer one day and asked if I could have it.

She thought it was a silly picture and it looked strange because of the light shining in the background. "Who ever goes around with a light shining on them."

Today would have been her 94th birthday.

My mother loved to play cards. She had a group of women who played pinochle or poker together almost every week. She was a diehard when it came to cards. She was all business when she played. The grandkids laugh whenever they get together because if they were talking and fooling around instead of paying attention to whose turn it was she would walk away from the table and say "Let me know when you are ready to play."

One afternoon the card ladies were at mom's house and our chimney caught on fire. When the fire department got to the house, the ladies put down their cards and went outside. When the firemen told them the fire was out, they went in and resumed the hand. Our pastor loved that story and told it at mom's funeral.

Mom was a great cook, a terrible house keeper (even though she did that for a living before she had kids). Our home was cluttered not dirty. She loved to iron. One of my fondest memories as a small child, was putting up my little ironing board next to hers. She always gave me my dads handkerchieves to iron. I would put my toy iron up to her and say "More Hot Please" and we would touch our irons together and then I would press the handkerchief and fold it. The memory is vivid. Once I got in high school her ironing load doubled because of me . I would try something on and instead of hanging it up, it went on the bed and eventually into the dirty clothes pile. Finally my mother caught on and she began making me iron my own clothes. When I didn't get it done, she would bag up the clothes and put them in the freezer. When I wanted a blouse I would go out and get it. For you young uns, this was before the days of perma press and I'm pretty sure before the days of the steam iron. We had to sprinkle our clothes to get the wrinkles out. We had this little contraption that looked like a the thing with holes on a watering can. We would put the contraption on a bottle of water and sprinkle away. Wow does that age me!

When mom couldn't get around to go to the beauty shop anymore, I became her Saturday beautician. Some times I resented having to take the time out of my busy schedule. I'd give anything to be spending my Saturdays curling her hair now.

I miss you Mom. Happy Birthday.

On the Road Ramblings

This is the conversation I had with oldest grandson while driving him to the football game. Its so much easier to have meaningful conversations when they are captive in a moving vehicle.

Me: How was school today?

OGS: Good. We had a quiz in language arts. And in social studies, Mr. R said he was glad I come to school every day.

Me: Why did he say that?

OGS: Because I was the only one answering the questions. Actually he said "Duke I'm so glad you come to school and pay attention and understand the material, but let's see if some of these other yokels can raise their hand and answer something!

Me: Hmmm (silently wondering if that was a compliment or a put down for raising his hand too much).

OGS: Tomorrow we are going to start studying Egypt. It sounds like it will be a little bit interesting.

Me: Pay attention so maybe you can come home and teach me everything I didn't learn cuz I was too busy talking.

OGS: Grandma, what color do you think Jesus was?

Me: I guess brown. Why?

OGS: That's what Mr. R says too. He says that people in that region have that kind of skin. Not dark and not white but more brown.

Me: Hmmm Really? (I was thinking to myself- talking about Jesus in a public school-Oh my)

OGS: Yeah. He said one year when he asked that question to his class, one kid stood up and argued with him that Jesus was white. They argued back and forth and finally the kid said "Okay I believe you, but the next day he came back to school with a picture and said "My mom says you're wrong. Jesus is so white.Here look."

Me: Well Duke, I guess technically they may both be right. I don't know that we have any snapshots of Jesus to prove who is right. Its not just that he was a Jew and thats what Jews in that region looked like , but he also had Gods qualities in him, and we all envision God in our own way. Perhaps when people looked at him they saw different things.
But the important thing to think about isn't what he looked like but how he lived his life and how he changed and still is changing so many lives.

OGS: (looking a little board with my analogy) Okay Grandma, but I think Mr. R is right. I think Jesus was brown.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It really made me stop to wonder whether or not I want the public schools talking about God. What if they have a view of God that is different from my own. Impressionable minds are sometimes easier swayed by people other than their parents. Makes me question whether or not we have grounded them enough in the Truth to withstand the battering their little minds may go up against.

Proverbs 22:6 tells us to "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." I'm just wondering how much training it takes?

She Fought the Fight and Finished the Race

A few months ago I posted about a benefit dinner I was blessed to be a part of. The benefit was for Deb, a woman in our bible study group who had been battling cancer for over 6 years.

I learned this morning that Deb's battle has finally ended and she is at peace in the arms of God. She fought the good fight, she finished the race, and she kept the faith. Now it's time for her to recieve her crown of righteousness.

What a wonderful woman she was. Deb never married, and she had no children of her own to pass on her legacy, but she will live in the hearts of a many for a long time. Deb has given unselfishly for over 30 years to help the youth of our community.

I remember driving her for a chemo treatment last fall. After it was over and she struggled to lift her leg, terribly swollen with lymphedema, into the van, I asked if she would like me to stop for anything on the way home. She said she would like to go right home. I could understand why she was anxious to get home and rest.

But instead she told me she was anxious to get home to attend a board meeting for the youth group she was involved with.

Debs heart was always feeling for the needs of someone else. Her prayer requests were never for herself, but always for family members, especially her nephew and his young daughter. It was her most fervent prayer that they would both give their hearts to Jesus.

One night at bible study, as she again asked prayer for someone else, we asked if there was anything she needed. That's when she shared with us that her cancer had spread to her brain, and she would be happy for the prayers, if we wouldn't mind praying for her.

So dear blogging family, today I'm celebrating the life of my friend Deb and in her memory and in her style I will take on her prayer request. I'm asking you to help me pray for Debs family, that they may feel Christs loving presence as they grieve. And if you wouldn't mind, please help me pray that her nephew and her grand niece will draw near to Christ, and they will turn their hearts to Him.

Love You Deb, Rest In Peace.

Who's In Charge of Your Day Planner

This Lay Ministry class is more than I expected it to be. The reading material seems like its written for the intellectually elite, which will tell you why I can't seem to keep my head above water. I hope I survive.



In the midst of being up to my neck in paper work to learn to serve, I got a call from the pastoral associate of our church. Our priest had been called away and wouldn't be saying Mass on Wednesday. When that happens the pastoral associate will do a scripture service with a reflection, in place of the Mass. But she was scheduled for an MRI so she was calling to ask me to take over.



My mind immediately began thinking "God don't you know that tonight is my bible study night, and tomorrow night is my night to do the widow ministry, and don't you remember that Wednesday I have a dentist appointment. And that after that the grandsons are coming over for dinner for the twins birthday and I promised them my special mac and cheese. Don't you remember I promised to bake a birthday cake for it, and remember God, I haven't even had time to buy their birthday present yet. I'm just not sure how I'm going to get that all done and have time to write and practice a scripture reflection.


"Let me be in charge of your day planner," God replied.



So I did.



It seemed like it was all planned. I'd get up early, shower, pick up key for the hall, go grocery shopping, make dish to pass for widows group, go to group, come home and write the reflection before and after I watched debate.



So I got up early and showered and drove up to the hall where we hold our 1st Tea @ Five widows meeting, and picked up the key, but when I got in my car I couldn't get it started. Darn, why had I put off servicing the car when I began having trouble earlier.



I called the towing service and waited and waited. I called them back a half hour later. and they told me I could leave my keys over the visor instead of waiting for them.



I walked back home in 40 degree weather in my sandals and a sweatshirt. My cell phone rang on the walk home. It was the dentist calling to remind me of my appointment and thankfully they took the cancellation well and scheduled me for Monday.



Next I spent a half hour calling around to get a rental car and then waited some more for them to come and pick me up. Any other time I could walk to the grocery store or to church but I needed a vehicle transport things for the meeting and to buy mega groceries for all these parties. Plus the weather forecast for Wednesday was definitely rain. It's a little tough to ride a bike in the rain and then get up and preach.



Needless to say by the time Enterprise came to pick me up with a rental car and I drove them back to their office, it was too late to make a dish to pass for group. I figured no one would be able to tell that there was one less dish than there were people.

I was right.


The meeting ended up being one of our best; we learned how to line dance. Some were quick studies and some (who shall be nameless) seem to have developed two left feet as she aged. Everyone was having so much fun that they stayed longer. I was pooped by the time I walked in the door just in time to see the beginning question of the debate



WoW -Todd Smith from the music group "Selah" was sitting right there in the front row, and I watched intently just in case he got to ask his question.



I sure wasn't getting much done on my reflection for 9 am the following morning.



By the time I turned off the TV so I could concentrate on what I needed to say in the morning, I knew I wasn't able to think clear. Unless God breathed a teaching into my mind in my sleep, it was looking like I was going to have to wing it.

Instead of feeling worried it was like "Ho Hum I guess God has a plan".

About 5 minutes before the alarm was set to go off, I woke up feeling refreshed and after spending some quiet time with God I turned on my lap top and the words started flowing.



I don't like feeling unprepared. I don't want to wait til the last minute every time I need to do something for God, but it wasn't as though I didn't try to be prepared earlier.



No, it was more like God was keeping me from preparing.



When my car first broke down I was tempted to believe Satan was throwing a monkey wrench into the situation because I was going to be doing something for God, but again, it felt more like a God thing than a satanic attack.



The Gospel I was reflecting on was Luke 11 where Jesus teaches his apostles to pray. One of the things Jesus tells the apostles about praying is that they should ask God for their daily portion.



Just before going out the door to church, I realized that God had given me my daily portion.



I didn't need the words the day before because that wasn't what God wanted me to concentrate on. He wanted me to focus on caring about his widows that day. Had my car not broken I would have spent a great deal of time shopping and cooking for the evening.



But instead of feeling tired I had energy to put more of myself in to loving my friends.



He wanted me to learn to rely on him for the things he thinks are important, and not what I think. There wasn't a thing on my list that didn't get accomplished, they just got done in a different way. I saved both time and money doing it God's way. (Thank goodness I saved some money - car starters and a tire thats ready to blow are costly!)



And the birthday party...it was fantastic.

What Is Causing God Pain

“When the battle is raging ask God to search your heart for anything that is causing Him pain.”

I haven’t been posting for awhile; I’ve been busy with my class assignments. There is so much reading and writing still to be done so I won’t be posting regularly. But this morning as I was out walking and listening to my tapes from the She Speaks Conference, I listened to the tape “Preparing For The Battlefield Through Prayer” by Luann Prater. On the CD she made the above comment in reference to getting the splinters of sin out of our lives.

Her comment had nothing to do with the “Battle of the Bailout” that is brewing in congress, but when I heard her say those words I was reminded of something I had been tossing around in my head in regard to the Wall Street fiasco.

With this financial crisis looming I’m sure most of us are down on our knees asking for God’s help. This morning on one of the news shows I heard an analyst say how much this may affect people’s pensions. He said, “Retired or nearly retired people who haven’t done anything wrong, may be hard hit. In fact, he said, they have done every thing right by saving for retirement.

That’s people like me. I began to wonder what I would do if tomorrow I find that my pension is kaput and my savings gone? Could I find a job when Michigan’s economy is already in the dumpster? How many more people will be pounding the pavement looking for work if we bottom out?

As I thought of the possibility of pennilessness, God reminded me of the millions of people that have been living with that financial situation for a long time. People thru a series of hard luck have lost homes, and jobs. Peple who feed their families from what they find in the dumpster, who live in their car or cardboard box. What if instead of fighting for a job, people like me start fighting over the scraps of food others throw away? While I could probably live a long time on my stored up fat, the thought of it made me shiver.

When I heard Luann’s comment about asking God to show me what is hurting him, I couldn’t help but think about those people who aren’t worried about what happens on Wall Street because they have no credit to go bad, no house, no pension, and no savings to lose-no food. But us…we have much to lose, because we have so much!

I wondered how many of us "doing the right thing" Americans have hurt God by padding our savings to insure a cushy retirement instead of giving more to help the poor. Not just the millionaire/billionaires that Main Street keeps pointing fingers at, but each and everyone of us who has "stored treasures" things we are scared we may lose.

Does God’s heart hurt when so many of us keep running the tab up to keep buying newer and better for the sake of having something newer and better, instead of giving to someone who can’t afford anything? Does it break his heart when we don’t trust him enough to provide after we have shared all of what rightfully belongs to him?

I have always heard that God takes care of our needs not our greeds. Do God’s simple provisions seem meaningless to us because we already have way more than we need?

The lesson of what happened in the dessert when the Israelites stored up more manna then their daily allotment is a reminder to all of us about greed. It tends to stink after a while.

The financial analysts are warning that everyone is going to be hurt if this bailout fails and we need to act quickly. I so wish we would put that same urgency and passion into helping the poor. Maybe we wouldn't be in this mess!

Is Anything Too Hard For The Lord?

God blessed me so abundantly this weekend. He's always blessing my life but this was one of those time you don't want to end.

This weekend was the first session of my Lay Ministry program. It absolutely exceeded my expectations, and believe me, my expectations were high.

The people involved in the program have all experienced a call from God to some type of ministry. Some already know where God is directing and some of us only have an inkling. But all seem sure of the call.

The classes will lead us to a deeper understanding of Christs ministry as we study the scriptures. As we study, the Holy Spirit will show us how we are best equipped to answer our awesome call.

And speaking of the call..... I have to share a funny story.

Thursday evening was our Parish Council meeting. When the Director of Education gave her report she told everyone how badly catechists were needed. She mentioned it twice.

Next she commented on the success of Vacation Bible School and told everyone what a great job she thought I had done leading the Bible Blast Station. She seemed to draw the words out and I wondered if she was hinting for me to volunteer to teach one of the children's classes.

I kept my head down and avoided eye contact and rode out the silence. Thankfully, I had just listened to a teaching tape about women who volunteer because they can't stand to hear the silent pause when no one is stepping up to plate.

I was certain that God was directing me towards women's ministry and not towards children's liturgy, but nevertheless, all the way home from the meeting I felt this tugging at my spirit.

"Lord, I said, This is not where you have been leading me, I'm sure of it. After all , I've already put my time in teaching kids, I'm too old and they won't be able too relate. I want to lead their mom's not them!

Besides Lord, doesn't all the time I've been spending with my grandsons lately, count for anything? I think this must be Satan trying to keep me from the ministry you want for me."


God just let me keep talking - the poor guy probably couldn't get a word in edgewise. When it was time for bed I was still stressing over those guilt feelings for not volunteering.

Finally I said, "Okay I'll do it if you want, but, just so I know this is you and not Satan I need to hear Ginger ask me if I will specifically teach 4th grade. (I taught 4th grade 25 years ago)

I hated asking God for a sign but I really didn't want to volunteer to do this unless I knew it was God who was leading. I made my request specific, but to tell the truth I'm not sure if it was for discernment or because I hoped that it would be too specific for God to handle.

Duh..... did I really think that request would be too hard for God?


Friday morning I opened my email. You can imagine my shock when I found this waiting in my inbox:

Dear fellow parishioners,

Our parish of Sacred Heart is in need of catechists and adult
assistants for our Wednesday evening K-5 sessions. Specifically...we are
in need of two 2nd gr. catechists, one 3rd gr. catechist, and two 4th grade
catechists.

If you're thinking, "I'm not qualified, I've never been
a catechist before", don't worry! You will receive the help you need to
get started and the teacher/catechist lesson manual is extremely helpful as it
outlines the entire lesson for you, provides stimulating discussion questions,
gives you the evening's Scripture readings, real-life stories, prayers, and
suggests many other additional activities such as games and simple
crafts.

I ask that you think and pray about becoming a catechist or
assistant. Our children's faith formation and religious education is so
important - they need to learn about our Catholic heritage and faith so that
they can better understand the overwhelming love of our God and continue to
mature in their relationship with Him.

If you know of someone in
our parish who you think would be a great catechist, please share this
information with them, or contact me with their name.

I hope
to hear from you soon. Thank you for your prayerful
consideration.

Your friend in Christ,
Ginger

Okay, technically she didn't ask me, she emailed me. And, technically it was a group email, and not just to me personally, but did you catch how she used the word "specifically" in the first part of the email.

I gotta tell you that right now I'm feeling a little like Sarah must have after she laughed at the possibility of becomming pregnant in her old age and God answering "Is anything too hard for the LORD ?

I'll be meeting with Ginger sometime this week to see just what God has in mind.

A Missionary In Our Midst

Today was Missionary Sunday at our church. We had a visiting priest from the Divine Word Missionaries.

Divine Word is an international religious community of over 6,100 missionary priests and Brothers who serve in 70 countries.

The man was so young, he looked like he should be an altar boy and not a priest. I'm not used to priests young enough to be my son.

Father Michael was just ordained in the spring, but he did his seminary mission work in Mozambique, Africa. He is about to be sent to a new assignment in foreign missions and will be there for at least three years without coming home. His stories touched all of our hearts.

I have to admit, I had trouble understanding his English. Father Michael is Vietnamese but as a young boy he and his brothers escaped Vietnam and went to the Philippines. From there they made their way California where he received his calling for the priesthood.

Today's gospel reading was from Matthew 16, where Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to have to go to Jerusalem where he will suffer and be killed but that he will be raised on the third day.

Good old Peter tries to come to Christ's rescue and tells him No way Lord, "God forbid anything should happen to you."

I can just picture Peter waiting for that "attaboy" pat on the back from Jesus, but can you imagine how shocked Peter must have been when instead of a pat on the back Jesus scolds him and says "Get behind me Satan."

Next Jesus tells him " You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Father Michael told us about meeting with his family for the last time before heading back to his new foreign mission assignment. His brother couldn't understand why Michael would be willing to leave the United States and go live in a country that was much worse than the one they had escaped from. His brother urged him to reconsider. ? Hmmm who does that sound like?

But Father Michael has a heart for Jesus and he knows the things that must be done if he is going to carry out God's will for his life.

I was touched by his love for the people of Mozambique, Africa, and by all of the hardship stories he shared, but what really touched my heart was when he shared his sadness because he wouldn't be able to get back to Vietnam before he left on his mission.
He hasn't seen his parents since escaping, but the Vietnamese government doesn't take too kindly to Catholics and have denied his attempt.

I thought to myself "God why aren't you moving mountains to get this man home? After all he is doing your work!"

It just doesn't seem fair, and yet Jesus promises that whoever loses his life for his sake will find it.

Father Michael is a living example of today's Gospel. This man, young enough to be my son, is someone I want to pattern my life after. I want to love God so much, that I get to that place in my life where I will be willing to forgo my desires for Gods desires. I'm not talking about little desires, but desires we take for granted like safety, and family and comfort.

The great commission is more important to Father Michael than all the comforts we can imagine, because he has found the secret to pure joy. He willing loses his life daily only to find it through the joy he recieves from serving God.

Would you please join me in praying for the safety and health of Father Michael as he travels to his new mission field. Pray that God will do amazing and abundant things through him as he brings Christ to the people he has been called to serve. And pray that one day soon God will make a way for him to be able to see his mom and dad again.

We're On The Map

My home town is in the news these days.

When I was little, the town I lived in was so small that if you blinked when you drove by, you would have missed it.

But Hollywood has come to our neck of the woods and they are shooting a film just a mile or two from where I grew up. Maybe I'll have to take a drive and see if they are looking for any unknowns to fill some special roles.....

In her directing debut, Drew Barrymore is shooting a film called "Whip It" a story of beauty pageant contestant who becomes part of the roller derby circuit. From what I understand some of the stars will be Jimmy Fallon from SNL, Ellen Page who starred in Juno, Marcia Gay Harden and Juliette Lewis.

Today on her blog Lysa Terkeurst talks about her redneck family. Perhaps she would consider moving her family up north so we could class them up a bit. We could do that because our little town, which has been extremely deficient in the arts, can now boast of a giant foam pink pig a top a refurbished restaurant called "The Oink Joint". Thank you Hollywood for your wonderful contribution of this amazing piece of art.

The Assumption

Today is the day the Catholic church celebrates Mary's bodily Assumption into heaven.

I know there is nothing in the bible that says Mary's body was assumed into heaven but I don't have a problem believing that God would choose something special for the womb that carried His precious son. The Arc of the Covenant carried God's Word, and Mary' s womb carried God himself. Would God really want scientists desecrating her holy body checking DNA in the years to come?

I have many questions that I am searching answers for regarding Mary, but this certainly isn't one of them.

Humbling Experience

WHICH DO YOU SEE-YOUNG OR OLD?

I loved Psycology 101. This was one of the pictures that helped teach us about perceptual illusions. I could wile away the hours starring at the different pictures and go back and forth between two illusions.

Yesterday was a day to see how my mind has other kinds of perceptions.



My summer has been busy babysitting the grandboys. Not babysitting like keeping my eye on them every second; but more like keeping them occupied so they stay out of trouble while mom is at work -kind of babysitting.

Occassionaly when the boys come over they play with a little girl named DD. DD stays with her grandma during the week. I've told the boys they aren't allowed inside her apartment since I've never met the grandmother, but that it is okay to all play outside in the community area.

Several times the boys have come home with something DD's grandma has given them. Once it was a miniature American flag, another time it was a can of soda and once on a very hot day, a popsicle.

Finally I asked them to politely say no thank you when offered something.
"I don't imagine DD's grandma has that much money that she can afford to be buying treats for the neighborhood kids. Sometimes older people only have a little money for food and necessities, I told them."

My boys nodded acknowledging they understood what I was saying, but had a questioning look that I dismissed because I was busy doing something else.

This weekend our church sponsored an oldies car fest. One of the activities surrounding the car show was a pancake breakfast that I helped with.

As I served eggs and sausage, a friend I knew many years ago came through the line. I'd never met his second wife but I knew she was the sister of one of the women in my widows group.

After saying hi to my friend I turned to his wife and introduced myself and told her I was a friend of her sisters and I was happy to meet her.

"I see your three grandsons occassionaly" she told me as I scooped a spoonfull of eggs on her plate. As she continued down the line she finished saying "They play with my granddaughter DD."

After trying for a few minutes to remember who DD was, I started to laugh when I finally remembered.

I'd been picturing DD's grandma to be an 80 year old, stooped over woman, raising a granddaughter on a fixed income. This woman was atleast 10 years younger then me, fit and trim and certainly not appearing to be short of money.

It made me think of all the people out in blogland. Some of us have never met in person and yet I have a percieved visual of every person whose blog I read? And even what we read isn't always what the blogger is trying to say. And yet our minds can paint such a vivid picture.

Just make me kind of wonder how many times people have imagined me to be a stooped over woman with one foot in the grave.

Unexpected Blessings

Today I'm posting the continuation of a post I began yesterday over at my other blog . You might want to go back and read it first.


This post is about responding in obedience when we hear God call us to a task.

I'd been in Michigan for the kick off of a newly formed group for widowed women, and while back home God had asked me to do something that I failed to do.

I was on my way back to Florida trying hard to stay in step with God this time. My year in Florida was quickly coming to a close. I just wasn't sure if God wanted me to remain in Florida or return home.......


The trip back homefor the kick off of First Tea @ Five had been filled with wonderful blessings. Unfortunately it was also filled with the tumultuous uncertainty of where I wanted to be when my year with God was over, or rather where HE wanted me to be!.

The first leg of the flight back to Naples left right on time. Thank goodness, because my head and neck were really aching. I found my seat and stored my bag and just as I’d settled in, a tall man stopped in front of me. He smiled. “That’s my seat” he said pointing toward the window.
“Oh, Sorry” I said giving him a half smile half grimace look.

"I hope he doesn’t try to strike up a conversation”, I complained to myself.

Just to make sure, I picked up my book and stuck my nose in it for the entire flight. I didn’t set it down until the plane had nearly touched down.

As we began taxiing toward the terminal the Holy Spirit got my attention. “You’re not being very friendly,” he said convicting me. “Speak to him.” I pursed my lips together as my mind argued, “I don’t have anything to say to him”

“Try” the pesky little voice said authoritatively.


I supposed He was right. Hadn’t I just heard on Sunday that we were sent thru the doors of the church to go preach the gospel to all? I was pretty sure this included me, and I knew it was hard to do if I didn’t open my mouth or acted unfriendly.

Suddenly I realized I’d had my bible study book in hand the whole way and at the same time displaying body language that screamed “don’t even think about talking to me!” I decided I’d better act quickly so as not to leave him with a bad impression if he had noticed my book.

So I began by asking him if Atlanta was his final destination and we chatted for just a few minutes, not a meaningful conversation but hopefully enough that helped redeem any non Christian attitude I may have represented earlier.

I had a short layover and soon I boarded the plane for the final leg of the trip. My head still hurt. My aisle seat was near the front of the plane and my row was one of the last to be called. I wondered if there would be any space available overhead when I finally got to my seat.


I was in luck; not only was there enough room for both my coat and bag, but the Seat A passenger next to me was already seated and I wouldn’t have to get up again to let him in.

I sat down and spent the next few minutes getting situated, putting my seatbelt on, taking out my book and glasses, and stuffing my oversized purse under the seat in front of me. Sitting back, I took a deep breath and watched the remaining passenger’s board. I had to remember to act friendlier to my seat mate this time.

I didn’t want another reprimand from the Holy Spirit. So I commented to Seat A how impressed I was that for the second time that day the flight was on time. Without looking up he nodded in agreement and went back to reading his book.

“Okay Lord, is this supposed to be a pay back?” I asked silently.

My words to the man had no sooner left my mouth than the pilot came on the radio to announce that there was a line up waiting to take off and we would most likely have about half an hour wait.
“I should have kept my big mouth shut” I muttered under my breath yet loud enough for Seat A to hear.

Seat A chuckled quietly.

Finally our plane began moving and as it did Seat A closed his book and looked out the window. I glanced over at the book on his lap and tried to read the title. I couldn't, and a few minutes later I looked again. I was amused at myself and wondered why I cared what he was reading but I kept glancing over hoping he would move his hand so I could read the title.


It seemed like every time I glanced out the window my eyes would stray to that book, searching for some clue and then during one of my glances I noticed his book was open and I looked down and read the word “believer”. The game continued for almost 15 minutes until finally the curiosity got the better of me and I sighed and said, “Would you mind if I asked you what you are reading?

He turned the book over and showed me the cover and told me it was a bible study of Ephesians . All at once he sat a little taller in his seat and leaned forward and then he asked if I knew about the bible.

The way his body moved I could tell he was thinking “Oh Boy. Here’s my chance to witness!”


When I told him yes I knew about the bible, he sat back in his seat and almost as an after thought he leaned forward again and asked me how familiar I was with Ephesians.

“More familiar than I was a year ago,” I told him, But not as much as I’d like to be.”

From there an insightful conversation ensued.

I told him all about coming to Florida to discover my purpose and how I was returning from seeing one of those purposes to fruition. I told him how I was having trouble knowing where God wanted me to be. How I felt I needed to be home near my aging father who was in ill health, and also how I was feeling led to be around acting as a spiritual role model for my kids and grandkids.

Next, I told him how I had been searching for Gods answer to my predicament and had opened the bible and read in the notes a question that said “if I only had 6 months to live where would it be,”

I blurted out how God had given me this absolutely wonderful, fall in the lap job, and couldn't understand why he would have done that if he did want me to stay and work. If I move back home I may not even have a job!

He opened his bible to Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. "

“I think that scripture will help you decide”, he told me.

He continued “Luanne ask yourself this question; “when I die. for which will God be most pleased? That I had a wonderful job and I worked it well and supported myself, or that Ibecame a living example of Christ to my grandchildren? I answered his question saying the latter. He smiled and nodded affirming my answer. Then he continued questioning me.


“Suppose God asked you to come home right now, would you go?” "Hmmm", I paused a moment before answering, "I guess I would but I certainly hope He won’t ask me to do that.”

It was funny because I had just recently heard my bible study teacher YF mention something along that line. She told us that when we hear God’s voice we need to respond. We may not sin by not following his calling ,but we may miss out on a big blessing.

He continued talking and this time gave me some insight on RJ saying that if he was in God’s will for my life right now all the pieces would be falling into place. He said “I’m not saying that won’t happen but it doesn’t sound like it is God’s will right now.” Then he reminded me about Satan and what a masterful deceiver he is. “Make sure you know who’s talking to you.”

Next we talked about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and he encouraged me to take the test that would help hone in on my own spiritual gift. He mentioned that he wouldn’t be surprised after listening to me talk if my gift wasn’t that of an “encourager”, I smiled and told him about how I had already been shown something along those lines'



I found out he attended one of the churches in the vicinity, and he was teaching a bible study on... yep you got it, Ephesians!

I discovered he was a medical doctor with a private practice, but previously he had been a trauma physician until the hospital officials asked him to stop witnessing to the dying patients.

The whole way there we talked and he taught me things I'd never heard before, and when we touched down and were taxiing to the gate, he took hold of my hand and said “I’d like to pray for you if you wouldn’t mind” and he began to pray the most beautiful prayer that touched me to the core of my being. Oh my goodness, I felt blessed.

I didn’t realize until after he had walked away that I had never asked him his name.

How silly I was. I would have loved to have sent a note to let him know what a blessing he had been to me that day.


The whole experience seemed so surreal that I could just imagine the conversation now. Walking to the airline counter I’d smile and say. “Excuse me, but could you please give me the name of the passenger who was seated next to me on the plane today, Seat 11A?"

“I’m sorry ma'am, you must be mistaken, the seat next to you was vacant!”

No, it wasn’t the luck of the draw as to who would occupy the seat next to me that day, it was divine intervention, and as I drove home all the pieces seemed to fall into place, just why I had been convicted of my unfriendliness on the first flight, and why I had strained so hard to read a book title. In his infinite wisdom God needed to make sure I wasn’t going to miss out on another one of his very special blessings.