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.

Okay looks like I've been tagged by Dana over at Filled with Laughter. I'm thrilled that she tagged me but dread writing 6 random things about myself.



These are the rules:

1) Link to the person who tagged you

2) Post the rules on your blog (this is what you are now reading)

3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below)

4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them (This is only a game)

5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog

6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up



Here are the six random things about me:

1. I adore being a grandmother. It feels like a do over for my lack of parenting skills when I was raising my own kids. I thought they needed to be perfect to reflect how perfect I was. Now I just want to love my grandkids unconditionally and show them how imperfect I am but how special God still thinks I am.


2. I love walking on the beach. Its where I feel the very closest to God. When I lived in Florida I used to walk beside the gulf pretending it was the Sea of Galilee and Jesus was at my side. He's a pretty playful kind of guy. Every once in a while he'd dip his foot in the ocean and splash water at me. Can't you just picture him doing that to Peter every so often.


3. I have wanted to be an actress since I was 3 years old. I used to iceskate on a frozen pond (okay it was actually an oversized mud puddle where the flowing well drained out into the farm pasture). There I would make up plays and skits etc. My favorite enactment was pretending that the Blessed Virgin appeared to me like the 3 children in Fatima. I finally got my nerve up my senior year to try out for the high school play. I had to talk my best friend in to trying out with me. She got a part and I didn't. She felt so bad knowing how bad I wanted it, that she gave up her part thinking the director would give it to me. The director gave the part to someone else, and the worst part was that my boyfiend (future husband) didn't even try out for the play but the director gave him a part anyway. Duh....Do you think God was trying to tell me show biz wasn't what he was callin me to do?


4. I have an active imagination (see # 2 and #3)


5. I had my first baby induced so I could go to the Orange Bowl game with my husband. My husband was playing in the game, so the doctor agreed to induce labor a week before my due date so I could go. Football is a big deal in Nebraska!


6. If I could have one super power I would chose to fly. Seriously, I have dreams all the time that I fly. All I do in my dreams is start to lay back and suddenly I'm levitating and floating gently in the breeze of my dreams. See #4 above for further comment.

Thanks Dana. I was actually dreading doing this but I guess I did have lots of radom nothingness to write about.

Now for the people I'm tagging - I'm not sure I can do six people. Most of the blogs I frequent have already been tagged but here goes.

The first three people are widows like me and I consider them soul sisters.

The first is Janine. I happened to be sitting at her table at the She Speaks conference when we found out we had this unfortunate thing in common. In her 7th month of widowhood, I find her blog to be so down to earth and gut wrenching at times and I remember being right where she is. She's been gracious enough to let me follow along as she bears a pain none of us would wish on our worst enemy. You can find her at One Breath at a Time

Next is LeAnn from Proverbs 31 Ministries. She hasn't been blogging long, but she certainly writes like a pro. Read A Widows Might

Linds at Rocking Chair Reflections just found out she's going to be a Grandmother. I just found her blog a few days ago and haven't even left her a comment. Wont she be surprised to hear from me?

I'm tagging another woman I met at She Speaks her name is Dee Dee and we sat together often. You'll find DeeDee at No Greater Joy

I'm tagging Jenny over at Standing at the waters edge but it may take a while for her to post since she's in the middle of a move.

And finally my blog bible study, and fellow Husker wife Lelia at Write From the Heart. I'm usually hanging on every word she writes.

Hope those of you I have tagged won't be upset with me. I'm only following directions.

Crazy Days of Summer

Hi All,

Just checking in. Nothing tooexciting to write about but just trying to keep writing.



Yesterday was a full of unexpected happenings. Oldest grandson was scheduled to have an extended family birthday party. It couldn't be done last weekend because of baseball tournaments so yesterday was the scheduled shindig.



Thursday darling daughter got a call from the twins coach asking if they could play in yet another tournament. She agreed. And wouldn't you know it they ended up playing on Sunday for the championship.



So at the last minute the party got shifted to my house. All the party paraphernalia, food, plates, silverware, lawn chairs etc was delivered in shifts. A party that was supposed to start at 1:00 didn't truly get underway until 2:00. Darling daughter left to take the boys back for the last game, and then hurried back to continue hostessing the party.



I think the party may have gone on longer but I had told dd (darling daughter) to wrap things up because I had plans for the evening and I would be leaving at 6p.m.



You would have thought EF Hutton had just spoken because everyone turned an ear to find out what my plans were. I guess they all assumed that since I was going out at night that I must have a date.



Nope-no date. It was just the Sunday night outdoor concert and I'd made plans to go hear a tribute to the BeeGee's. Great show. Great music. Wonderful tribute from a band called "Stayin' Alive.



That was a fun way to end a crazy weekend.

Pictures of Ice Cream Crunch

For pictures of yesterday's award winning recipes, please hop over to First Tea.

What Is Your Quiet Time Routine

This is my "morning quiet time" material.

I usually start my time with God between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. In the winter I like to stay in my bedroom snuggled under my comforter, but in the summer I like to watch the sun come up from my living room chair.

I start with my prayer journal. Next I read the daily scriptures that my church outlines, followed by "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. After that I read the daily reading in "The Word for You Today" and I try and spend time meditating between each reading. It's one of the benefits of being single and retired.

With the remaining time I work on whatever bible study I'm doing. Right now I'm reading "The Cup of Our Life" by Joyce Rupp and "What Happens When Women Walk in Faith" by Lysa TerKeurst.

When I'm finished reading I try and journal something God has shown me through one of the readings. Sometimes, I find myself getting so excited over something God has shown me that I want to go right to my blog and start sharing it. But usually by the time I interrupt my thought process to turn on the computer and get a second cup of coffee, I loose the momentum. Usually, I've completely lost the awesome revelation by the time my fingers are ready to type.

I get so frustrated when I try and recall the way God spoke and the way the words came so eloquently into my mind. When I try to repeat them in writing or in speaking they are gone and just the concrete knowledge remains. My conversation with God will usually go something like this: "Okay God that was an astounding piece of information. How come you revealed this to me and now I can't even remember your words as I try to share with everyone else?

I can usually hear God whispering "That's because that piece of knowledge is for you alone. I will reveal it to others in my own time and way."

Does that ever happen to you?

The other morning as I was surfing the blogs I came across a post asking "What kind of a soil are you? I was excited because God had just shown me something on Sunday that surprised me and I'd been wondering whether or not to share it.

I mentioned above that one of the things I do each morning is read the daily scriptures my church has outlined. Each week they list those Scriptures in our church bulletin. It was only about a year ago I finally started adding these readings to my morning quiet time. There is an old testament reading, a Psalm reading, and a Gospel reading, and on Sunday there is an additional reading from one of the Epistles.

What I like about the Sundays readings is that they are the same readings that will be read in every Catholic church throughout the world that day. I like that so many people are being fed the exact words that day because it helps me feel even more a part of the "Body of Christ".

Last Sundays Gospel Reading was "The Parable of the Four Soils".

Whenever I have read that scripture in the past, I imagined each soil to represent a different kind of person, and I was always bothered hearing Jesus tells the disciples that anyone who hears the word and does not understand it will have it plucked away by the evil one, then Jesus talks in parables so only a few understand him?

That just didn't make a lot of sense to me because I believe God wants us all to be saved and how can we believe if we can't understand that we need to be saved in the first place.

Sunday, God gave me the revelation to begin looking at the soil differently.

Each soil doesn't represent a kind of person. Each soil is manifested in me.

"Some seed fell along the path": A path is where we walk as we journey to God. If we get off our path and take a different course thinking we know a better way, or by letting sin lure us away, then we leave the path where God sprinkled his Word, unprotected, and Satan is able to come and take away everything God has scattered for us.

"Some seed fell on rocky places": Jesus tells us this is the seed that we recieve eagerly but it can't take root and dies off.

How often do I get fired up to make a change in my life? Like losing weight. Every morning I get up and say "today's the day".

My body is a temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells, but I don't take care of it like I should. Why is that important? I learned a few years ago that when I exercise, my mind seems to have more of a capacity for clearer thinking. If I think more clearly, I am more likely to comprehend what God is saying to me. If you haven't reached age 50 yet that statement may not ring true. But those of you who have had brain cells go south will understand that statement much better.

Also, eating the wrong kind of food zaps the energy I should have to move around and to stay alert enough to hear and see God working in my life.

My rocky soil also consists of areas of unforgiveness or perhaps an area of greed. Sometimes all I need to do is toss out some of the rocks that are cluttering my soil. But other times a jack hammer is need to chop through the strongholds in order to find more soil that can be cultivated and prepared for planting.

"Other seed fell among the thorns and choked the plants": Jesus tells us this is the seed fails to take root because of worry. The thorns grow up and choke the fruit in areas where I have failed to respond to God's leading. How many times have I failed to step out in faith because I was worried of looking like a fool. How many times have I missed an opportunity to minister to someone because I was too lazy or because it would take me out of my comfort zone. How many times have I robbed God with my tithes because of my own lack of trust.

Jesus tells us "Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him"

I don't want to sound greedy but I really don't have nearly enough knowledge of God and his plan for my life. I would certainly hate to have him take away what little amount I do have.

So I guess its up to me to start conserving my soil. I need to quite planting the soil of my mind with useless knowledge like, what happened on the latest episode of Desperate Housewives, so there will be more fertile ground for God to plant his wisdom.

I need to stay on the path and protect what God sows. I need to get rid of the rocks in my life so there is more area for God's word to take root. I need to fertilize, and water the seed that lands on my soil not just so it takes root but so it produces fruit. And I need to trust God more so weeds cannot grow up and choke to death the crop God is trying to produce through me.

So this is a sample of what God reveals to me in my quiet time. How about you? What's your quiet time routine and what has God shown you?

Happy Birthday To My Special Angel

Dear Oldest Grandson,




Twelve years ago a very special boy came into this world. He was born into a broken family still grieving from the loss of someone who was also very special, but his birth helped heal many hearts.





That special boy is you and today I celebrate your birth.




I remember rocking you the night you came home from the hospital, and holding you close I softly sang "You are my special angel" to you for the first time.









It wasn't long before you went from a baby to a big brother and you had to learn to share with your brothers.











Sometimes, you didn't like sharing me with your brothers, and you acted less than angelic.















And as the oldest you've always wanted to be Captain of the Ship.















You're a serious student, with just a minimal amount of clowning around.











You're willing to help me out, and you aren't afraid to be different from the crowd.







So Happy 12th Birthday Oldest Grandson.









You Rock!

Just me n' the boys

A Hundred years from now it will not matter, what my bank account was, what kind of house I lived in or what kind of car I drove....but the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a CHILD! Dr. Forest E Witcraft


This summer I'm spending time with my grandsons while their mom is at work.


Its not exactly where I thought the Lord was leading last year when he was told me it was time to leave my job.

I must admit, after having just returned from the 2007 She Speaks conference a few months before I was hoping it meant the publishers would love my proposal and want publish my book. Nope that wasn't what he had in mind.


So this year I signed up for the Speaker tract. Nope I don't feel the tug along those lines either.


But he's presented me with the opportunity to make a difference in 3 boys lives this summer. We're having fun and I hope were making memories that will last a lifetime.


We're going to parades







We're making Rainbow Jell-o



We have exercise toys-

Back yard games

Indoor games

Quiet activities


Rainy day fun

And even Wednesday morning Mass.
But today, instead of coming to my house to have fun, they were supposed to be staying home cleaning bedrooms for an upcoming birthday party.

After an appointment, I decided to surprise them and lend a helping hand. On my way over I stopped at Walmart and picked up some platic tubs so we could sort the clothes they'd outgrown.



They were surprised all right! Oh my, I thought a tornado had hit the house! I mean there wasn't a place to walk without stepping on something. I began folding clothes and they began picking up about a gazillion football and baseball cards that were laying on the ground.



One of the twins had to call his mom for something. "Don't tell her I'm here."


How come Grandma? Do you want her to think we cleanned this by ourselves?


No, I want her to be surprised that it looks nice, but if she knows I'm here helping, she might think it will look better than it does, and she'll be disappointed. (I don't have the cleanning capacity I used to have. )


Grandma, do we have to tell Mom you helped us?



Before I could say "would that be the honest thing to do?, oldest grandson said

"I don't think we should do that."


I was just about to go into an, aww I'm so proud of my grandson for being honest, mode, when he said, "If she thinks we got it this clean by ourselves, she'll expect us to always do this good of a job!"



4 hours later I bid the boys farewell and loaded a trunk full of clothes for the Rescue Mission.



I'm exhausted.

And oh by the way, dear daughter if your reading this, there was one little problem. Umm, You may want to stop and pick up a new vaccuum on your way home.

Female Warrior

I'm jumping ahead. Tomorrow begins week 2 of the bible study Lelia Chealey is hosting on Lysa TerKeursts book "What Happens When Women Walk in Faith". But God has put something on my heart that just can't wait until tomorrow.



At the end of chapter two Lysa asks us to research the meaning of our names. I'd already done it a few years ago when I began reading The Yada Yada Prayer Group series. Jody Baxter the main character in the books researches the meaning of her students as well as her prayer group's name. It piqued an interest to find out the meaning of my name.



I discovered the name Luanne means "Female Warrior".(click here to find the meaning of your name)

I had to laugh when I read it because the name was so fitting to my character. I've been told more than once that I love playing the devil's advocate. I never consider it to be the devil I'm advocating for. I usually fight for the underdog.



Just last week on our "up north girls only vacation" we began a discussion on what clothes you should never wear without nylons. From there we began looking at pictures of years past and we were cracking up at outfits that we thought were so cool and now looked so dorky. We had teased one of our friends for years about the time she wore black nylons with white pants. She's taken it well all these years but I'm sure she gets sick of hearing about it.


A few months ago I was watching Good Morning America and noticed that Diane Sawyer was wearing black nylons with a white skirt. Even though it was only 7:30 in the morning, I called my friend to have her turn on the TV.



When the fashion topic came up this year she felt quite vindicated knowing she was in the company of Diane Sawyer. But the whole discussion has made me realize how hurtful our opinions on what should be socially acceptable can be. I couldn't help but think about Lysa's story of wearing white shoes out of season to a country club engagement.



I opened my big mouth and gave my opinion about giving our opinions, and one of my friends pointed out that sometimes voicing our opinion is necessary in order to create change. Her comment silenced me. I'd have to give it some thought.


Since then I've begun to wonder how many of our opinions that we give in the name of righteousness would probably be self righteous in the eyes of Jesus'. Ouch, Ouch and Ouch again.

The Pharisees and Sadducee's had the law correct and Jesus never condemed them for following the law. He condemed them for looking down their nose at someone who wasn't.


I want to share a story with you of something similar that happened to my grandson.

Several weeks ago, my oldest grandson came to my house after school. I overheard him talking to his mother on the phone. She was questioning him about something that had gone on at school the day before.

My grandson attends public school and over lunch one of his good friends stood up and announced that he was moving to a different table and he wanted everyone who loved Jesus to move to the table with him. My grandson stayed at the table where he was, along with twin brothers who were his good friends also.

Needless to say that for the next few days the talk of his peer group was that he (oldest grandson) doesn't love Jesus. My daughter had learned of this from the mother of one of the boys who had moved to the other table.



When oldest grandson told me the story my first reaction was to clutch my chest as I waited for the lightening to come down from above and strike him dead. But the Holy Spirit prompted me to use restraint and so I quietly I asked, "Why didn't you move to the other table?"

He answered "Grama, it just didn't feel like the right thing to do, because A and B would have been sitting there alone and I didn't want them to feel embarrased because their parents don't take them to church."

My heart wanted to burst with pride for his compassion.

I replied "I believe that is the way Jesus would have handled it too!

If that should ever happen again I hope you will remember and be brave enough to say "I love Jesus, but I prefer to stay right here.

Maybe that will show your friends who don't know about Jesus, that you are proud to love Jesus, but also that you aren't judging themI believe that is what living your faith means and it just may attract them to God more then seperating yourself from them will." I related it to Tom Sawyer having so much fun painting the fence that his friends wanted to paint too. Okay I know that you shouldn't pretend you love Jesus but in theory it's kind of the same idea. Lead by example.

My heart wanted to break that already at 11 years old he is having to make hard decisions. And yet how much I rejoiced for the reminder that God is already deeply involved in my grandsons life.

I would love it if you would help me pray for my grandson. Pray that he will never be afraid to admit his love for Jesus, and that his compassion would love others to Christ.

Now for the main thing: After being at the She Speaks conference and now going through this bible study, I've been getting a little antsy for God to hurry up and show me where exactly he is leading.

I have some ideas but I'm trying to be open and not rush ahead like I've done so many times in the past.

Today God prompted me take a baby step in the direction of something I feel passionate about. Since my name means female warrior I've decided to war against the sexual promiscuity that is causing an STD epidemic among our teenage population today. I've been up in arms ever since I heard pediatrician, Dr. Meg Meeker, on the radio. Please take the time to listen to this 3 part series .

Part 1

Part 2 (be patient, this one skips at the beginning)

Part 3

I get so frustrated when I listen to Dr Meeker talk about young teens having sex because they feel it will make them more cool, it will help them fit in, or because they are trying to fix a bigger problem , a need to feel loved.

I just wantted to shake every teenager I knew into right thinking but then I remember all of the mistakes that I, as a woman of 50, made for one of the same reasons.

If you've been following my blog First Tea you've been reading about some of those mistakes. I've been posting them so maybe just one person will read it and identify and let God change their thinking as he did for me.

After listening to Dr Meeker I hope you will join me in fighting the war that Satan is waging against our children and be a voice that can point them to the One that thinks they are way cooler than they could ever imagine.

God Bless The USA

Happy 4th of July Everyone

This week I've been posting over at my other blog. Please hop over and check it out.

I hope today will be more than just a day to picnic and watch parades. I hope you will remember what this day is all about and take time to praise God for our freedom. A freedom that came with a price and an obligation.

No matter what state we hail from or what political party we prefer we are ONE NATION UNDER GOD.
GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

Back to Reality

I'm home from a fabulous vacation at the lake. We had a great time doing

Lots of relaxing

A little fashion

And phone calls to those who couldn't make the trip.

Before packing up and heading back home to reality,we boarded the boat for a cruise

Up the lazy river

With the captain of our ship, our friend Gary.

I hope you'll click here to read my actual post for today.

Toodle-loo

I have barely unpacked my suitcase and it's time to fill it back up again.

This weekend will be the 21st anniversary of TDC.

In the early 1980's one of my high school friends moved to Colorado. When she came home to visit her parent's the next summer a few friends got together and went out to dinner with her. This continued for a few years. We always had so much fun and it seemed as though we never had enough time to catch up on everyone's lives. So in 1986 we made a pact that the following year we would go somewhere and spend a weekend together.

We made our reservations and then found out the the friend from Colorado would not be able to make it that year. Another friend Berta sent us all a note that said:

Since Cathy can't come and since we would like a foursome to play golf, do we
A. Invite someone in her place
B. Play golf with a threesome
C. Skip golf and just shop
D. You're making this way too darn complicated.

Of course we all chose D. since the object of the weekend was no kids, no husbands and NO decisions other than where do we want to go for dinner.

We joked all weekend and if something started getting too complicated we'd holler out TDC.
When the weekend was over we decided that it should become an annual affair.

The second year as a joke, Berta had T-shirts printed that said 2nd Annual TDC Weekend. The name stuck and we have since referred to it that way.

We've stepped it up a notch also. Instead of just a weekend we also do a week in Florida in the winter, and now refer to the gatherings as TDC North and TDC South.

Only 5 of the 8 will be gathering this weekend. The out of state friends couldn't work it into their schedules, even though we promised to never let anything get in our way.

After the non stop, mind fillin', God praisin' weekend I had in NC, I'm looking forward to kickin' back and relaxin'. So toodle-loo for now.

Drawl Envy

Last week a friend and I sat discussing the new guidelines for high school graduation in Michigan. When I heard that one of the new requirements will be 2 years of a world language (a.k.a. foreign language) I started sweating.

I barely made it through one semester of Spanish. I signed up for the class thinking I was going to learn how to actually say words, not conjugate verbs!

So I dropped out and took a speech class. To be honest, I did learn one phrase after hearing the teacher repeat it to me over and over.

"Luanna usted boca es grande."

(Translation...Luanne you have a big mouth!)

I kind of wish I would have stayed in that class; especially after taking part in my Speaker Evaluation Group at She Speaks Conference last weekend in NC.

Judith, one of the women in my group gave her speeches in both English and in Spanish. Was I impressed!

So impressed that I'm thinking of going back to college and taking a world language.

Yep, as soon as someone teaches a class in "Southern Drawl" I'll be the first in line.

I'm not kidding y'all. Things just come out sounding cuter and more friendly in Southern.

And I'm not alone in my thinking. At the "Blogging Q&A session, one woman said that the blogs from the South are funnier than those in the North. Another woman stood and agreed. She said that Northerner's humor comes off as sarcasm not humor. That got a big laugh.

I was really cracking up too, because I had just come from my room where I had been practicing my speech. I had heard so much southern drawl the last few days that half way through I realized I'd been practicing it using a southern accent. It is quite contagious ya know. Take this video for example.

The conference was phenomenal. This year was my second time at She Speaks, and I am really hoping to be able to do a 3rd and 4th etc.

Lysa TerKeurst and the rest of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Team did an excellent job of providing top notch programs that filled our minds with new ideas and techniques, and left our hearts overflowing with a greater love for God and also for our new Sisters in Christ. Let me show you some awesome women.

In the thirty fifth chapter of his book "The Purpose Driven Life", Rick Warren talks about Ministry. He says that “Ministry begins with vulnerability. The more you let down your guard, take off your mask, and share your struggles, the more God will be able to use you in serving others.”

Friday evening, eleven anxious women gathered together in our leader Van Waltons hotel suite and showed just how vulnerable we are by sharing Our Story/Testimony. We had 3 minutes to try and convey all of the wondrous mercies that God has so lavishly poured out to us. The presence of God's Holy Spirit was so evident in the room that night.

We walked into the room as total strangers but we walked out transformed and holding a piece of each women's heart to treasure deep in our own.

Thank you God and Proverbs 31 Ministries for such an educational, Spirit filled weekend.

Ya All invite me back next year, ya hear!

I'm Pooped

What a week this has been.


I volunteered to help with vacation bible school thinking that I could be one of the helpers who walked the kids from station to station, or maybe one of the ladies who fixed the cute snacks that coordinate with the bible story of the day.


But oh no. In a moment of weakness I said I would go where ever I was needed. They assigned to be the leader for the "Bible Blast station. Oh my!

At the Bible Blast station, kids hear the Bible story and engage in activities that help them experience what the Bible characters experienced. I realized, as I read through a week of scripts, that this station would be better served with a much younger leader. But it was too late to get a replacement. I prayed that my enthusiasm would make up for all my inadequacies.


I loved watching the dynamics of the different groups each day. VBS was open to kids from 4 years old to 5th grade. The preschoolers were full of fear the first day, but by the end of the week they were so eager to participate that they would raise their hand even if they didn't have an answer.

The ages of the "kid helpers" ranged from 6th grade to high school seniors.


The 6th grade helpers were close enough in age that they still wanted to participate and several times the adults had to remind them they were supposed to be helping.


The Juniors and Seniors were more interested in hanging out with each other and getting community service credits than they were in helping the kids. Often they too had to be reminded that they were there to help.


But from 7th -10th grade, the kids were genuinely interested in helping.

Oh, if we could only have collected all of their enthusiasm and given it to the rest of the world to share, we could have changed the world. And I hope we did.


The first day of VBS we learned that Jesus gives us the power to be thankful, and not ungrateful like nine out of the ten healed lepers in the Bible story. The kids pretended to be lepers, going around the outside of the village...(made with decorated cardboard boxes) and calling out "Unclean Unclean".

We quarantined the entire crew with caution tape, and when we cut them loose it signified that they had been healed. My question to them just before we cut the tape was - "What is the first thing you would do if you had just been healed by Jesus? When I cut you loose I want you to show me what you would do."

Like the nine lepers, they all ran off to reconnect with friends instead of remembering to stop and give thanks. After reading the conclusion of the story about the nine that didn't return and the one who did, many did come back and hug me and thank me for being healed.

One little girl I call "Little T" latched on to me the very first day for some reason. I must have remided her of her grandma. Whenever she saw me she'd come for a hug. At the end of the first day Little T was pretty tired and when all the other kids were up dancing and singing to the music CD, Little T came and knelt on the seat next to me and put her head on my shoulder and took the cross I was wearing in her hand to look closer. When she did her hand brushed the bare skin above my V-neck T-shirt. "You're Squishy right there" she announced loud enough to make all around me begin to chuckle.
Boy was I thankful I had remembered to turn off my cordless microphone so more people didn't get in on the laugh.


Tuesday the kids were blindfolded and lead into church and there learned how it must have felt to be blind like the man sitting outside the gate the day Jesus came to town. They were healed after they had a special mud mixture (baby oatmeal) placed over their eyes, and then washed off, and we learned that "Jesus gives us the power to help others".

Our parish is in the middle of a diocesan wide drive to gather food, clothing and personal care products for the migrant workers. We printed a letter asking the kids to bring in a personal care item and we pinned the letter on their back to remind them that we are all supposed to be carrying our brothers on our back. The kids answered the call in a big way and their generous donations will help many of our brothers.

Wednesdays lesson that "Jesus gives us the power to be brave" was the favorite . A midnight boat cruise with the disciples turned into a powerful storm where the kids got sprayed with water and all got wet.

We used brown tarps for the boat and draped blue table covering on the seats of the chairs to look like waves. We had storm music playing in the background. When one little girl hid under the chair when she heard the thunder and felt the rain and I couldn't help but think how many times in my life I have done the same. When the storms in my life arrive, I bury my head in my hands and call out to God to take the storm away. Instead of keeping my focus on Jesus and believing that though the storm rages he is right beside me and eventually he will quiet the wind and when he does I will be a stronger person for having weathered it.

When the boat ride ended, each child got a chance to experience the feeling of walking on water. The church carpeting was a mess with the gooey mixture of cornstarch and water, despite the huge mats we put down



Our VBS is only 4 days long, and on the last day the kids learned that Jesus gives us the power to tell others about him." The bible story was about receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

I enlisted the help of my oldest grandson Andrew to explain the miracle of Pentecost. He was a foreign guest who was trying to tell me something in a foreign language that I couldn't understand. He was so funny making up words. Most came out like a grunt. The kids had to make up their own language and go around to the other groups and speak the new language and listen to the others.

The little kids were wide eyed as the story played out. They couldn't take their eyes off Andrew, and I think they were a little afraid of is guttural samurai warrior sounds.

There were giggles and many groans of embarrassment as the crews made up and spoke their language of gibberish.

The lesson ends by telling the kids that they can tell others about Jesus by letting others see Jesus in them. They each made a Thank you card for someone who helped them learn about Jesus this week. Lots of them made cards to take home to mom and dad. But it was craft station lady who had the biggest fan club.

Yes, this past week has exhausted me, but it was worth it. I'm praying for each little head that entered my station and heard God's word proclaimed. I'm praying that every day they will start and end their day with a thankful heart. I'm praying that their eyes may always be open to the injustices that surrond them. I'm praying that when the are afraid they will turn to God for their strength and protection. And last of all I'm praying that their lives may always

God Has Spoken

The Lord has been waiting for me to ask for his help. And yesterday I began hearing him loud and clear!

I had been on such a high from all the time I spent working on the benefit dinner http://lpgodspots.blogspot.com/2008/05/saying-yes-to-god.html
that coming back down got me a little depressed. I know we can’t stay on the mountain with God all the time, but I wish when I came down I didn’t always feel like I crashed and burned. But Saturday night after I got into bed I told God I needed his help, because my life was out of control.

One of my jobs for the benefit was to be in charge of anything that needed writing or printing.

I love to design stuff, but I am an absolutely terrible proof reader. I am posting a picture of my office to help you get a sense of what I am about to say. The papers on the floor, on the desk, on top of the bookcase, and printer are all goofs. I must admit they weren’t all my goofs. Lots of things that I had printed for our silent auction had to be renumbered and reprinted when last minute donations arrived. But somehow the goofs never get in the trash. I give you exhibit #1



I said I loved to design; however what comes to my head sometimes takes a lot of time to get right, since I am self taught. Notice the watermelon paper. I spent most of Friday night making this border just to jazz up a plain piece of white paper. The women in the group have no idea they are so special to me that I want to give them special paper. Sometimes I think God just shakes his head at the amount of time I spend on things that aren't necessarily of his kingdom. Even when it is for his precious widows. Here is Exhibit #2

Our “Survivors” (other widows) Get Together in June is going to be a picnic, so I wanted to fancy up the newsletter by using that theme. The watermelon frame looked too plain so I needed to add a border and for the life of me I couldn’t seem to figure out where on earth to find the program I had used to do it before. Finally at midnight on Friday, I finished printing the letters.

My dining room table turned into this mess on Saturday morning. See Exhibit #3


The short envelope is a stack of thank you notes for the benefit that I had just finished stamping. The newspaper is there because I kept fielding calls asking if I remembered to include so and so in the newspaper thank-you! There is a pile of mail that I can no longer leave unattended, and my computer to google addresses for my sister to put on her stack of thank you notes.

The long envelopes are newsletters to be sent to the widows of my “Survivors” group. As I finished sealing the last self sticking envelope I remembered I hadn’t included the birthday list. So instead of reprinting the letter I decided to just enclose a 2x3 card inside. So I had to unstick 45 envelopes and insert this little ditty.Exhibit #4


By the time I was finished stuffing and drove to the post office for stamps it was closed and so I had to resort to using some old stamps and I do mean old. I'll show you what I mean. Exhibit #5




Saturday evening (or for that matter the whole last two weeks) I didn’t have the energy or desire to lift one finger to clean the mess.

That’s why I was on my knees calling out to God for help Saturday night.

I am absolutely positive that God allowed me to feel that depression so I would draw closer to him. As much as I understand, and never failed to mention, that all the credit belonged to God for every positive thing that the benefit produced, it was really hard work not letting all the accolades go to my head. While the depression was keeping me humble, it was creating havoc with my home. I needed to de-clutter.

When I took it to God he simply said “Fast.” Like an obedient daughter, I said okay, and fell sound asleep.

Well needless to say I forgot about the fast until I was getting ready for church. My Raisin Bran was already digesting, but even so I decided to begin right that second.

When I got home from church my stomach was calling out for something sweet. Instead of feeding the urge I filled a 3 cup glass full of water and began sipping.

The fasting was Gods way of helping me get started, by de-cluttering my life, by first stopping my food addictions.

I am a stress eater. During the benefit preparations I found myself being calmed by anything sweet and gooey, and at the most stressful times I wanted something I could crunch.

When I failed to eat the sugar that spiked my blood sugar and then zapped my energy, I got something accomplished. Ex#6


and Ehhibit #7





And I had enough energy left to walk to the post office and mail my letters.

And since 6 a.m. this morning I have spent an hour in prayer, eaten a half a cup of oatmeal and I’m ready to face day 2 of cereal, and water.

P.S. In His discussion with me God has convinced me he wants me to send to Goodwill the rubber tubs of clothing I have been waiting to fit back into. (Obviously my fasting isn’t going to produce all the effects I hoped it would)

The Newest Angel

"A penny for your thoughts" seems like all I've been saying to God lately. What with the earthquake in China, the cyclone in Burma, the devestating tornado's here in America, and the devasting loss of three precious children of Christan Singers Todd Smith, Nicole Sponberg and Stephen Curtis Chapman, I just have to stop and wonder what God is thinking.

He's certainly got my attention. What are you trying to tell me thru these tragedies, Lord?
How can I make a difference in the lives of these hurting people?

My prayers, even if I prayed all day long, seem so insignificant in the midst of so much suffering. Sometimes words even if they are prayers don't feel powerful enough and I just have to get my hands on something before I can feel that I've helped in any way.

While I'm in waiting for my next "hands on project" I will just have to be satisfied letting my fingers do the work here on the keyboard. My hands are yours Lord. Use them however you wish.

I have been reminded the last few weeks of a poem I memorized as a teenager. My mother who belonged to the "Book of the Month Club" got a poem book one day entitled The Best Loved Poems of The American People. I was so into poetry and I kept the book in my bed stand and read it over and over. My favorite section was the Memory and Grief Section. Morbid? You bet. But after all I was a teenage girl and we all know how much they like drama!

The poem I memorized was called PRAYER FOR A VERY NEW ANGEL, by Violet Alleyn Storey. I would read the poem out loud and break into a wail of tears. As I have been feeling the pain of the Smiths, Sponbergs and Chapmans this week I decided to post the poem as my prayer for all the new little angels in Gods kingdom.

God, God, be lenient her first night there.
The crib she slept in was so near my bed;
Her blue and white blanket was so soft,
Her pillow hollowed so to fit her head.

Teach me that she'll not want small rooms or me
When she has You and Heavens's immensity!

I always left a light out in the hall.
I hoped to make her fearless in the dark;
And yet, she was so small-one little light,
Not in the room, it scarcely mattered. Hark!

No,no; she seldom cried! Please God, not too far,
For her to see, this first night, light a star!

And in the morning, when she first woke up,
I always kissed her on her left cheek where
The dimple was. And, oh, I wet the brush.
It makes it easier to curl her hair.

Just, just tomorrow morning, God, I pray,
When she wakes up, could you do things for her my way!

Violet Alleyn Storey