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.

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.