Christmas thoughts

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS - A SILENT AND HOLY NIGHT
By Dan Bode
It was indeed a Silent and Holy night.
There was little left to do but watch. The animals had long since fallen asleep. The small town activities had for the most part ceased, and those who still escaped the realm of dreams were oblivious to the occasion to which they were not witness. Most were merely puzzled by the Star never seen before even though it seemed to hover right over this little town of Bethlehem, a town whose very existence was based on the industry of providing sacrificial lambs for the temple in Jerusalem.
The only sounds were the moans of a young, soon-to-be mother in the final hours of a labor that had begun in the Garden so long ago. The will of her body was overcome by the need of the moment as contraction after contraction contorted her features with pain. But she had known this was out of her control from the moment she became aware of His presence.
The only other person aware of the import of this moment is the man at her side. The one on whose shoulders fall the responsibility of helping to bring into this world He who will be the Flesh of God.
All the questions that race through their minds are pushed aside as the symphony of the birthing process reaches its crescendo, and suddenly the Life of Man is Present in this world.
I find myself envious of their perspective. They were there at the beginning, and all they knew of the child at that moment was the name of His Father and His role as Savior of the world. They could take joy in the grasping hands and the baby’s laughter.
I, on the other hand, have the historical perspective as well.
I can look back at His birth, and look back at His death as well.
And there lies the difference..
I cannot see the newborn babe without the grown man on the cross.
I cannot see the grasping hands without the nails piercing His flesh.
I cannot see the smooth brow without the thorns.
What I can see is the mercy of our maker.
Some would say we deserve only His pity for what we've done with what He's given us, but pity is merely mercy without action, and God can never be described as complacent.
He has always been active in His love for us, even undeserving as we are. And because of all this I will always see the whole life of Christ as the Great Substitution. Completely undeserved.
Undeserved by Christ for suffering penalties not meant for Him.
Undeserved by me for being unable to make the necessary sacrifice.
It took so long for me to discover that I truly needed a Savior.
And so I sit as the world goes by around me; almost everyone once again oblivious to the occasion to which they are not witness.
So, into this Silent and Holy Night I have these three things to say:
God have mercy.
Joy to the world when you recognize your Lord.
Happy Birthday Jesus!

Concert

Last evening we went to a Gaither homecoming concert "Lovin' Life" in Toledo. It was really awesome, We had never been to one before. First off it was 4 hours long!! There were several singers, I really enjoyed Gordan Mote their Blind piano player, as well as Mark Lawery, The Isaacs (they were awesome) Ernie Haase and Signature sound and also Lynda Tait Randle, and David Phelps. They sang gospel music as well as several Christmas tunes. When we went in they gave us each a blue light, it looked awesome to see all of them on and/or flickering when they sang--especially such songs as Oh Holy night and silent night. It was really cool.
We were in section 2 which was off to the left side of the stage as you were looking at it, we were 3 rows back, they had several monitors you could see too. We basically could see their profiles unless we watched the monitors. The man right in front of us won the giveaway they had of $200. of merchandise! My sister Nancy made the arrangements, we went with her and her husband Randy, my mom and my other sister Joyce. It was a lot of fun.

Tonight Dave, mom, Nancy, Rachel and I are going to the Croswell Theater to see A Christmas Carol. We are really getting a lot of "Culture" this week for a couple of old people!!

An investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The banker complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The fisherman replied, "Only a little while."

The banker then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish?

The fisherman said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.

The banker then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a nap with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I play guitar and sing with my friends. I have a full and busy life."

The banker scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to a big city where you will run your expanding enterprise."

The fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

To which the banker replied, "15-20 years."

"But what then?"

The banker laughed and said that's the best part. "When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions."

"Millions...Then what?"

The banker said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a nap with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could play your guitar and sing with your friends."

I am thankful and it is not even thanksgiving yet!

Jessica my oldest daughter was in a serious car accident Wednesday evening. She was hurt, -- minor injuries. She has a black eye, bruised neck, leg and hand and is sore all over. A car rear ended her, they tried to miss her, but caught her right rear, that sent her into oncoming traffic, where she was hit by a oncoming car in the passenger side. He husband said the door was pushed up to the center console, The policeman who witnessed the accident said if anyone would have been in the passenger seat, they would probably have been killed. I am thankful that Jessica was not hurt any worse, or killed.
She is very sore today and is missing work, which I understand the insurance of the person who hit her will pay her for missed work.
Every day I pray for a hedge of protection around my living children. (Physically as well as spiritually and emotionally,) I pray I will not have to bury another one of my children. Some may say that Wednesday God didn't answer my prayer because Jessica was in a car accident, I say it was answered because she is still with us and her injuries were minor. I do not expect my children to not have to survive tough times be they spiritual, physical, or emotional. We grow closer to God when life is tough. Life here on earth is tough, but God will help us through whatever we are going through if we let Him. I pray that I will never have to bury another one of my children, I ask that of Jesus every day. That is MY selfish prayer. I know that. If one of my 3 living children die before me. I will still trust in Jesus, Isaiah 55:9
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts"
God is in control, I am not. I never was, I never will be. But I love Jesus and know he will never leave me nor forsake me as the bible states several times. I chose to use this reference Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

I am thankful I will continue to be thankful. Thank you Jesus.

I am thankful, and it is not even thanksgiving yet!

Food for thought

A student walked into my office one day to tell me he no longer believed in God. How long had he been shacking up whit his girlfriend, I asked. Angry at first, he eventually admitted that, yes he was sleeping with his girlfriend, although he said he couldn't see what that had to do with his intellectual doubts about the existence of God. I pointed out that the God he believes in dosen't allow him to exploit women sexually; and because he enjoys that behavior, he is attempting to jettison the God who would condemn his behavior. This student's doubt is not the result of intellectual reflection, but of disobeying the norms of his beliefs.
-Tony Compolo
Exerpt from Adventures in missing the point pg 252

SURVIVOR

10 years ago today my oldest son Shaun went to see Jesus and stayed. Around 3:00 on a beautiful friday afternoon---Just like Jesus!

I too was changed forever on that day.

I am thankful that Jessica was allowed to stay here on earth for a while yet.

I am not the same person I was before he died,

I am different now, I no longer think everything will be OK.

I know that awful things happen to faithful Christian people.

I know that Jesus is real beyond any doubt

I know He held my broken heart in his nail scared hands until it was mended back together.. ..He has never let go of me!

I know there will always be a scar from that Broken heart, I will never be the same.

I know the power of others peoples prayers.

I know that my wonderful living children are partially who they are because of the death of their older brother.

I know who my real friends are.... the ones who are not afraid to mention Shauns name, or give me a hug when they don't know what else to do or say--even now 10 years after his death, they remember him. THANK YOU

I am thankful for my faithful friends who walked this awful path with me.

I am thankful for my husband and living children. They're all awesome.

I love them all, You have all helped me to become the new wife and mom I am today.

I had a hard time learning to like the new me.. I was ok with the before Shauns death mom/wife/Julie.. I didn't want to be who I am now.

I Thank you for supporting me and loving the new me.

I will never be satisfied with any reason that anyone gives for why Shaun died.... No reason is good enough for me

I will however love my living children in ways they would never be loved had Shaun not died.

I know that my children are a gift form God!

I know that they are not my children,

I now that they are on loan to me from God.

I will Love them while I can.

I know I will see Shaun when I too get to go to Heaven

I will trust Jesus EVEN when I don't understand.

I will never be the same again.

I am a survivor.

college class of 2012 mindset

Since my youngest is starting college I found this info interesting hope you do too..


BELOIT COLLEGE CLASS OF 2012 MINDSET LIST

This month, almost 2 million first-year students will head off to college campuses around the country. Most of them will be about 18 years old, born in 1990 when headlines sounded oddly familiar to those of today: Rising fuel costs were causing airlines to cut staff and flight schedules; Big Three car companies were facing declining sales and profits; and a president named Bush was increasing the number of troops in the Middle East in the hopes of securing peace. However, the mindset of this new generation of college students is quite different from that of the faculty about to prepare them to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Each August for the past 11 years, Beloit College in Beloit, Wis., has released the Beloit College Mindset List. It provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college. It is the creation of Beloit's Keefer Professor of the Humanities Tom McBride and Public Affairs Director Ron Nief. The List is shared with faculty and with thousands who request it each year as the school year begins, as a reminder of the rapidly changing frame of reference for this new generation.

The class of 2012 has grown up in an era where computers and rapid communication are the norm, and colleges no longer trumpet the fact that residence halls are "wired" and equipped with the latest hardware. These students will hardly recognize the availability of telephones in their rooms since they have seldom utilized landlines during their adolescence. They will continue to live on their cell phones and communicate via texting. Roommates, few of whom have ever shared a bedroom, have already checked out each other on Facebook where they have shared their most personal thoughts with the whole world.

It is a multicultural, politically correct and “green” generation that has hardly noticed the threats to their privacy and has never feared the Russians and the Warsaw Pact.

Students entering college for the first time this fall were generally born in 1990.

For these students, Sammy Davis Jr., Jim Henson, Ryan White, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Freddy Krueger have always been dead.

1. Harry Potter could be a classmate, playing on their Quidditch team.
2. Since they were in diapers, karaoke machines have been annoying people at parties.
3. They have always been looking for Carmen Sandiego.
4. GPS satellite navigation systems have always been available.
5. Coke and Pepsi have always used recycled plastic bottles.
6. Shampoo and conditioner have always been available in the same bottle.
7. Gas stations have never fixed flats, but most serve cappuccino.
8. Their parents may have dropped them in shock when they heard George Bush announce "tax revenue increases."
9. Electronic filing of tax returns has always been an option.
10. Girls in head scarves have always been part of the school fashion scene.
11. All have had a relative--or known about a friend's relative--who died comfortably at home with Hospice.
12. As a precursor to "whatever," they have recognized that some people "just don’t get it."
13. Universal Studios has always offered an alternative to Mickey in Orlando.
14. Grandma has always had wheels on her walker.
15. Martha Stewart Living has always been setting the style.
16. Haagen-Dazs ice cream has always come in quarts.
17. Club Med resorts have always been places to take the whole family.
18. WWW has never stood for World Wide Wrestling.
19. Films have never been X rated, only NC-17.
20. The Warsaw Pact is as hazy for them as the League of Nations was for their parents.
21. Students have always been "Rocking the Vote.”
22. Clarence Thomas has always sat on the Supreme Court.
23. Schools have always been concerned about multiculturalism.
24. We have always known that "All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten."
25. There have always been gay rabbis.
26. Wayne Newton has never had a mustache.
27. College grads have always been able to Teach for America.
28. IBM has never made typewriters.
29. Roseanne Barr has never been invited to sing the National Anthem again.
30. McDonald's and Burger King have always used vegetable oil for cooking french fries.
31. They have never been able to color a tree using a raw umber Crayola.
32. There has always been Pearl Jam.
33. The "Tonight Show" has always been hosted by Jay Leno and started at 11:35 EST.
34. Pee-Wee has never been in his playhouse during the day.
35. They never tasted Benefit Cereal with psyllium.
36. They may have been given a Nintendo Game Boy to play with in the crib.
37. Authorities have always been building a wall across the Mexican border.
38. Lenin's name has never been on a major city in Russia.
39. Employers have always been able to do credit checks on employees.
40. Balsamic vinegar has always been available in the U.S.
41. Macaulay Culkin has always been "Home Alone."
42. Their parents may have watched "The American Gladiators" on TV the day they were born.
43. Personal privacy has always been threatened.
44. Caller ID has always been available on phones.
45. Living wills have always been asked for at hospital check-ins.
46. The Green Bay Packers (almost) always had the same starting quarterback.
47. They never heard an attendant ask "Want me to check under the hood?"
48. Iced tea has always come in cans and bottles.
49. Soft drink refills have always been free.
50. They have never known life without Seinfeld references from a show about "nothing."
51. Windows 3.0 operating system made IBM PCs user-friendly the year they were born.
52. Muscovites have always been able to buy Big Macs.
53. The Royal New Zealand Navy has never been permitted a daily ration of rum.
54. The Hubble Space Telescope has always been eavesdropping on the heavens.
55. 98.6 F or otherwise has always been confirmed in the ear.
56. Michael Milken has always been a philanthropist promoting prostate cancer research.
57. Off-shore oil drilling in the United States has always been prohibited.
58. Radio stations have never been required to present both sides of public issues.
59. There have always been charter schools.
60. Students always had "Goosebumps."

http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2012.php

Dogs letters to God

Brooke wanted me to update my blog, but I just don't have time right now, maybe next week in the meantime enjoy ---

DOGS' LETTERS TO GOD:

Dear God,
When we get to heaven can we sit on your couch? Or is it the same old story?

Dear God,
Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We dogs love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the Chrysler Eagle the Chrysler Beagle?

Dear God,
If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?

Dear God,
Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another? Where are their priorities?

Dear God,
More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

Dear God,
When we get to the Pearly Gates, do we have to shake hands to get in?

Dear God,
Are there dogs on other planets or are we alone? I have been howling at the moon and stars for a long time, but all I ever hear back is the Schnauzer across the street.

Dear God,
Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?

Dear God,
We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

Enjoying Life and adjusting to death

I remember that in my first post of the new year, I was writing about all that we are looking forward to this year. Many of those things have come to pass. This past weekend Brooke graduated from High school and had a wonderful celebration. She is loved by so many and it was obvious by the great turn out to her party. Because it was memorial weekend many family members from farther away were able to come, so we celebrated her graduation with a house full of people too!! During the ceremony a speaker was sharing about this class being a movie. She said Brooke and another classmate, would be the "good guys" always standing up for what they believe in. I think that is an awesome way for her classmates to see her. You do not know how people perceive you. Obviously Brooke's classmates see that she is genuine. What an honor. I am sure that they have observed her through her struggles and tough times. They were watching to see how she would respond, when life sucks. She passed that test too!
Because of the her graduation party we realized there is something wrong with the wiring in my moms shop where the party was held. Brooke wanted taco soup, so I put everything in the roasters, My nephews wife, Lisa and my nieces husband Ryan planned on staying at our house so the little ones could nap. Lisa was going to work on getting things ready while most of the rest of us went to the graduation, I went up to show her around, the roasters were cold! So I showed her where the pans and crock pots were, and headed off to graduation, came back to find that my crock pot had almost started a fire! It had melted the cord and the bottom was so hot that the plastic legs were melted and had melted the tablecloth is was on and the wood it was setting on was black! The Lord provided one of those staying back to walk outside the shop to smell it. The crock pot had only been on about 5 minutes He(Mike)smelled something hot and this is what he found. So things changed and they had to make even different arrangements but it all worked out. Lisa and Natasha did an excellent job serving the food, and keeping things running smooth so most of the guests had no idea of the problems! An electrician is coming to look at it tomorrow! I am just frustrated with myself for forgetting the shredded cheese to put on top of the soup, all 10 pounds were still in my fridge when the party was over!! :-(

Brooke is planning on leaving on Sunday evening (after her last piano recital) to begin her summer job at camp Luz. Because of some of what she will be doing she is going early for 2 weeks of training. She is so excited. She had such a good experience last year. I hope this year is even better for her.
Brooke and I went to register for college. She is so excited for that too, -- I am scared! Christian Colleges have messed up so many young people lately with their liberal off the wall theology and values. It seems to me they are becoming to secular and taking there focus off the Bible and on to other books and theory's One of the college staff their even said "we will change your values" --that scares me!!! College did change Calebs values, and not for the better! We parents put our lives. love and values into our children and the Christian colleges can screw them up in such a short time! Sometimes I wonder if a secular college would be a better choice for our young adults, they don't expect them to teach Christianity, so our christian youth don't have as hard of a time dealing with it, But on the other hand most secular colleges think Christianity is not real anyway. tough.. tough.. (Didn't know I was going to go there!)

Caleb is now in Diamond Louisiana with Mennonite disaster service-- until July 30. He was not excited to go since he had a poor experience with this organization last summer. My Prayer is that he will have a good experience this year and not loose his faith because of those that act unchristian who call themselves Christians!! (see previous post) He graduated from Hesston College May 4. We enjoyed having him home for a few weeks, although he did head west for a week to visit a special friend. He is hoping to find a job and live in Fort Wayne Indiana with a college friend in late summer. I hope that works out for him too. He needs some positive things to happen in his life, unfortunately he has had too many negatives the last couple years.

In my New years blog I also wondered who would have their lives forever changed by death... Our neighbor and her mother were killed in a car accident in Pa on there way home from a funeral on April 17. She was in her early 60s and her mom was 90, Her Husband has not been able to go back to their place and live yet, He is staying with their daughter. They were looking at a different house because theirs was in poor condition, now he has lost his desire to pursue that, and doesn't know what he is going to do. Dave said the house would not be livable another winter. On that same day (April 17) there was another car accident just a few miles from here. Charlies (My moms late husband) daughter-in-law was in, she also died a few days later. This is a difficult situation for my family because Charlies kids are not happy with his will and trust that he made before his death, and are suing my mom and our church (mom is to have the rights to his property until her death, then it is to go to the church.) Charlies kids had little to do with him when he was alive, his daughter didn't even want her name in the obituary! Anyway I keep praying for these men as they adjust to their wives living with Jesus.

Just over a week ago our nephew Kyle who lives near Houston was in a motorcycle accident, he had road rash over most of his body, broke a toes and dislocated his shoulder. He is home but his mom went out to help him as he recuperates, He is in a wheelchair and sounds like the road rash is healing but he is very sore

This year is not even half over yet and there are good and bad things that have happened again I wonder what lies ahead for the rest of the year..
Dave is still planning on going to Mexico for a mission trip it will probably be in the fall, We have a niece getting married in Iowa October 18. We are excited for her. Dave and I will once again be great aunt and uncle. (We always new we were great:-))

I know we (Dave and I) will have some major adjustments to once again conquer. Even though the kids have been gone the last 2 summers, no one will be returning home in the fall. They are going to be moving ahead with their lives and needing their parents less and less.:-( Yes that is what we raise out kids to do, But I still love it when Jessica calls and asks me something:-). All of this is easier then burying them! I will adjust in a much shorter time. And I can still talk to them and visit them it will be great! The way life should be!! When Jessica moved out on her own she was so excited that it was hard not to be excited with her. I hope that is the way it is with the other 2 also.
Who would ever think we would pay $4.00 for gasoline? wonder what we will be paying by the end of the year?

We may not understand all His ways, but we can know Him whose ways are unfathomable! (Chuck Swindoll)

May the rest of your 2008 be great!

I am reading the book Unchristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. I bought the book for Brooke for valentines. She hasn't read it yet.. school will do that to you! We had heard about it from my brother. I challenge you to read it, and look at yourself to see how unchristian you may be coming across to those around you. I want to share just a bit from page 182/183.
"To be judgmental is to point out something that is wrong in someone else's life, making the person feel put down, excluded and marginalized. Some part of their potential to be Christ followers is snuffed out. Being judgmental is fueled by self righteousness, the misguided inner motivation to make our life look better by comparing it to the lives of others.
Unfortunately Christians in our culture have become identified with this perception. Nearly 9 out of 10 (87%) young outsiders said the term judgmental accurately describes present day Christianity. This was one of the big 3 --the most widely held negative perceptions of Christians (along with anti homosexual and hypocritical). Just to put this in practical terms, when you introduce yourself to a twentysomething neighbor, and you mention your faith, chances are he or she will think of you as judgmental.
We have also discovered that our better than thou attitudes are apparent to young church goers. Most Christian young people told our interviewers that our faith seems to focus on other peoples faults. More than half the young Christians ages 16-29 (53%) said they believe that the label judgmental accurately fits present-day Christianity" ----OUCH!!!

We are all just sinners saved by grace. Lets show grace and love to others so that they too may want to become Christ followers.
Dear Lord --may the reflection of Christ others see in me be full of grace and love-- not judgmental and hypocritical. AMEN

ponderings

Don't know if I have any readers other then Brooke or not. So for those who may read let me share a bit with you. Since December my job situation has changed. I am still employed by both of my employers, but my job where I used to have time to blog has changed locations most of the time and I simply do not have the time I used to to blog. The job change has been good, I have learned a lot of new stuff. A bit scary at first for an old lady!! I learned I do not want to be an office worker full time (I do this 1-2 days a week and that is plenty!) I should explain that a bit I guess because I am an office worker. I would prefer to take orders, write up orders then to file the endless stream of papers alphabetically, I enjoy interacting with the farmers and getting to know them a bit. I have learned a lot about raising (feeding) pigs and cattle, enough to know if I tried to raise a few for our meat it it would cost more then we could afford!!
So I am telling you all this hoping that you may enjoy the tidbits that I find to post here once in a while with out taking the time to make a personal blog.

I am looking forward to spring (wondering if it will ever get here, yet having the faith that it will!) I am planning on having a small garden this summer. I used to have large gardens before Shaun was killed then it was something that I had no desire to do, until this year, I do not have the time I used to for that and no kids will be home to help, so we are just going to plant a few things and see how it goes. Dave said he would help me!

I am excited Dave and I will be celebrating our 28th anniversary on Saturday. I am so glad that God brought us together!! We were married Easter weekend and our anniversary hasn't came on Easter weekend since!! We have been through a lot together. We've been more poor than rich, but always had enough. Basically healthy other then Daves back and the surgery that went with that. We have had many joyous times together..... sharing the birth of our 4 children, giving us a new way to look at this world, and being able to really understand what a sacrifice God made for us when he GAVE his son to die. Being a parent changes how you view that, and so many other things. (we thank the lord for all of our children and would not have given up the 16 years we had Shaun here, no matter how hard it was to lose him!! That is what LOVE is all about.) We have shared the ultimate sorrow together when we buried our oldest son. We all grieve differtently and we were somehow able to survive this unthinkable trauma to our lives, I think through time and prayer we have adjusted to living here with Shaun living in heaven but it has been by far the hardest thing we have ever gone through. I think our living kids are doing OK too. Shaun's death is a part of each of our lives as much as we are a part of each others lives. We have experienced loss and what is involved with it. His death has been a factor in shaping all of us into who we are today, and how we deal with loss, joy, sorrow etc.. Life is full of joy and sorrow, rich and poor, healthy and sick. Thanks be to God for giving Dave and I each other to live and survive together through it all. We have been married longer that my mom has been married to one man. My father died when he was 39 after 17 years of marriage for them, my step-father and mom were married 23 years and mom and Charlie were married 17 years. None of us know when we will be called from this life to eternity. My dad and Shaun were suddenly taken from us. My dad was not a Christan, He will not be waiting for me when I get to heaven. But I know Shaun will (God has given us that peace) My step dad had much pain and suffering before he died and Charlie was ill off and on for a couple years, but was only ill a few days before he died. We saw him the night before he died and never dreamed that he would die the next day, he was setting on the edge of his bed talking to us. Daves mom died a year before we were married, she layed down to take a nap and didn't wake up!! Sooo... we never know when we are going to die, we only know that we are, as well as everyone we know. Have you told those you love that you love them?? Do you have a right relationship with GOD? Do you know Jesus as your personal savior? Believe in the LORD JESUS CHRIST as the son of the living God and you will be saved from eternity in hell where there is no love and no light. You can know you are going to heaven.

I will leave you with this
A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."
Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."
"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"
The doctor was holding the handle of the door. On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...I know my Master is there and that is enough."

aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.
'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.
'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life ! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.
But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!
So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.
You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!
You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'
Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

George Carlin's Views on Aging

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them , at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

signs signs everywhere are signs

Been busy and haven't ahd much tiem to think about this blog, so I thought I would share a few funny signs.....

Pizza shop slogan: "7 days without pizza makes one weak."

At a tire shop in Milwaukee: "Invite us to your next blowout."

Door of a plastic surgeon's office: "Hello. Can we pick your nose?"

At a drycleaners: "How about we refund your money, send you a new one at no charge, close the store and have the manager shot. Would that be satisfactory?"

a towing company: "We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."

On a maternity room door: "Push. Push. Push."

At an optometrist's office: "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

On a taxidermist's window: "We really know our stuff."

In a podiatrist's office: "Time wounds all heels."

On a house's fence: "Salespeople welcome! Dog food is expensive."

At a car dealership: "The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment."

Outside a muffler shop: "No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."

In a veterinarian's waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"

At the electric company: "We would be de-lighted if you pay your bill. However, if you don't, you will be."

In a restaurant window: "Don't stand there and be hungry. Come on in and get fed up."

In the front yard of a funeral home: "Drive carefully. We'll wait."

At a propane filling station: "Tank heaven for little grills."

ON QUEENS AND PRINCESSES ESPECIALLY FOR BROOKE

dictionary.com
QUEEN:
The wife or widow of a king.
as does my good old Websters here at work.
On the other hand,
my PRINCESS.
from dictionary.com, as well as my Webster...
PRINCESS:
a non reigning female member of a royal family, or a consort of a prince.

You my princess will only become queen when you are married and you must marry a prince. :-) (That last part is an order from your Queen-Mother, King Dad, as well as the King of Kings!!) Since you are a daughter of a king, you are a princess. I too am the daughter of the king. But I am married and your king "Dad" is the ruler of "our" kingdom. That makes me queen and you are a princess. (A fair maiden)
NOW if we are referring to the kingdom of God then I too am a princess, because my heavenly father is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!! And your dad he is a prince. :-)
I really hate to tell you.... but your sister is a Queen too. and your living brother is a prince!!

I love you my princess!!!

Power of prayer

Praying for someone and not telling them is like clapping with one hand. I used to have that saying on our refrigerator. I really do not know what happened to it. But I do agree with it.

I remember when Shaun was killed and I was not capable of praying (I know that sounds strange to some of you and I hope you never have to go through a time like that) many people shared that they were praying for us. I knew that, I could feel it, that is why we survived that awful experience, because of the prayers of others... thank you. I remember a women telling me I would know when people stopped praying. (she has 2 children awaiting her arrival in heaven) I don't remember when that happened but I do know it did. Even thought I know people pray for me now I do not feel it like I did then

I have just finished reading the book 90 minutes in heaven by Don Piper. WOW what an amazing life he has had. Not an easy life, by any means though. He was dead for 90 minutes after a car accident, a preacher was stopped in the traffic from the accident and was lead by God to pray for Don even though he was already dead-- The preacher even felt for a pulse and there was none. But he obeyed Gods prompting and spent time praying like never before, singing and praying. Then it happened as Don was about to walk through the gates of heaven, he was a part of the singing in heaven and the next thing he knew he was singing what a Friend we have in Jesus with the pastor who had been praying for him.. WOW, I had to reread that part of the book a couple times because it is so awesome. You should at least try to read the first 50 or so pages of that book. I was imagining Shauns (and mine) welcome to that HOLY place.

I know that I tell people that I pray for them a lot. Because I know what it means to me to KNOW people are praying for me. SO when I tell you that I am praying for you. KNOW that it it happening!!

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Jo­seph M. Scriv­en, 1855. Scriv­en wrote this hymn to com­fort his mo­ther, who was across the sea from him in Ire­land. It was orig­in­al­ly pub­lished anon­y­mous­ly, and Scriv­en did not re­ceive full cred­it for al­most 30 years

Clap with both hand

To make you laugh and to make you think

Brooke thought my last blog was really lame-- so I will try this to see if it is better-- I love you Brooke (note end of my blog)

Did I read that sign right?
TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW

In a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT

In a London department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS

In an office:
WILL THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP-LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE RETURN IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN

In an office:
AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD

Notice in health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS

Spotted in a safari park (I sure hope so)
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR

Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN’T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAYCARE ON THE FIRST FLOOR

Notice in a farmers field:
THE FARMERS ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES

Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS

On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING (please knock hard on the door - -the bell doesn’t work)


A group of children, aged four through eight, were asked to answer the question: "What does love mean?" Some of the answers are amusing. Some are rather earthy. Others show a wisdom far beyond their years. Some of the answers were:

When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toe nails any more. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth. (is that awesome or what!)

Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and
they go out and smell each other. :-)

Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your french fries without making them give you any of theirs.

Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don't yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings.

Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.

Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay.

Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My mommy and daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss.

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.
(WOW I like that one)

When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared they won't love you any more. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you, they love you even more. (So True)

There are two kinds of love: Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them.

Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.

Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.. (Ahhhh)

Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.

Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.

Valentine's cards say stuff on them that we'd like to say ourselves, but we wouldn't be caught dead saying.

When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.

Love is when mommy sees daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.

You really shouldn't say I love you unless you mean it. But if you mean
it, you should say it a lot. People forget. ( I LOVE YOU!!)

For GOD so LOVED the world that he GAVE his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Washers, microwaves, TVs and toster ovens OH MY!!

So the last couple weeks Dave has been having trouble turning on the TV, It just won't turn on, but when it finally does it seems to work OK. Then on Monday morning I was in the kitchen, Brooke was in her room, the dog was even in our room -- The TV turned itself on in the living room--I kid you not this really happened. Hasn't happened since-but it did. It reminded me of a couple years back, our microwave would turn itself on when ever-- I woke up once in the middle of the night and the microwave was running. So we bought a new microwave, the old one was only about 20 years old. That is about how old the TV is, we really don't remember where or when we got it-- But it is a GE and the salesman (SHAUN, LOVE THE SPELLING) said they (GE) haven't made TVs for about 18 years. So we did it, we bought a new TV.

In Sunday school Sunday we were talking about needs and wants we shared about looking at TVs (we actually were going to get one for each other for Christmas-- but then the washer broke and we bought a new washer, this one had only lasted 6 years the washer before we had for 20!) We even had a toaster oven that we had received for a wedding gift that lasted us for 25 years, we bought a new one that lasted 14 months.-- Anyway we had been looking at TVs for a while knowing that we would soon be in the market for one. We know that having a TV is not a need, but we have been praying about it. (I wonder what God thinks when we pray for stuff?? but we feel he provided us with this one!) We wanted a TV and now we have one--It is crazy we set up housekeeping almost 28 years ago when we got married, Now slowly appliance by appliance we are getting new things, (that we know will not last like the old stuff!) not because we just want new stuff, but because we have worn the old out. (I never did figure out how to turn the old TV on properly through the VCR). It just amazes me the different things that we have purchased. When we first got married very few people had microwaves, I thought we would never get one because we had both lived without one all our lives and it was not a necessity (of course as young married people we didn't have much extra money either. ) We didn't get a microwave until several years in to our marriage--actually we had moved to Ohio and bought it with a Christmas gift certificate probably about in 1987--then there was the computer, we had gotten a few used ones and used them until they were unusable, then we even got the internet. When I think about all the technology we have purchased since Shaun died I am amazed. We thought new microwaves, computers, the internet and big screen TVs were nothing we would ever have. --Now we don't have a toaster oven--But I miss it, we will probably get another one one of these days. But for now I will enjoy our new TV. Thank you Jesus!!

GOLD

There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him.
An angel hears his plea and appears to him, "Sorry, but you can't take your wealth with you."
The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules.
The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed.
Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St. Peter. Seeing the suitcase Peter says, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!"
But the man explains to him that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough,. Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."
Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, "You brought pavement?!?!" (Revelation 21:21)

Happy New year Have a BLESSED 2008

Well here it is 2008, As I look to the year ahead I wonder what will happen. We have a few things that our family is looking forward to doing/celebrating, Things we hope will come to pass. Dave is hoping to go to Mexico on a mission trip. Caleb is planning on graduating from Hesston College in May, and working someplace for 10 weeks this summer helping people somewhere. Brooke is planning on graduating form High School May 25, working at camp Luz this summer and attending Bluffton in the fall. I plan to support my wonderful family on all of the exciting things they have going on in there lives. WOW 2008. The year my baby girl will graduate. Time just seems to march on. We are as the song says a flower quickly fading, a vapor in the wind, But we who love Jesus belong to him, he will see us through all that lies ahead in 2008.
Who will have their life changed by death, cancer, an accident, or other illness, Who will be left behind as loved ones move on to heaven. The pain of being left behind when your child dies in immense.

On Christmas eve a senior at one of our local High schools was killed in a car accident. It really bothers me how many people came up to me and said something about how hard this must be on me (and my family) to hear and have a slight connection to this young persons death. We just celebrated our 10th Christmas with Shaun in heaven...10! (It is not any harder on us today than any other day, we think about Shaun all the time, we do not need to hear of another tragedy to rememebr Shaun.)This family survived their first Christmas with their daughter in heaven. No, time does not heal the wounded heart, but you do learn to live with it. When I learn that a young person is killed in a car accident It does bring up hurt that we have learned to live with. Our hearts are so heavy for this family. The pain is so intense. They wonder if they will survive the day, they cannot even look to the future at this point. They are in indescribable pain. Emotional pain I pray I will never have to go through again. Please pray for them. If they are like we were, they are not capable of praying so we need to intercede for them. Pray that they will recognize the Holy Spirit and that he will comfort them as they need comforted. You see we have survived several years with out Shaun, I finally felt like celebrating Christmas this year, not just surviving. Learning to adjust to someone you love living with Jesus is VERY HARD. You are not sad for them because you know they are with Jesus, you are sad for you because they have left a huge gaping hole in your heart and life.

I wish people wouldn't only remember Shaun when someone else has a tragedy in their lives. I also wish people would ask us what can they do to help this family. I wish that when people saw our family they would see a family who survived a terrible tragedy, and are now living again. (There is a big difference between survivng and living) A family that has grown closer to Jesus, and let Him hold them when they needed to be held. Please don't feel sorry for us any more, use us and our experience to find out ways you could possibly help someone suffering. I could go on... maybe someday I will write a book about this, But most Christians failed at supporting us. Or they just didn't care.

I didn't intend to got there with this blog, I was just going to look ahead and wonder what will happen this year that we plan, and what will happen that we do not plan. No matter what remember, Jesus loves you He will never let you go. So don't let go of Him in 2008.

A special thank you to Brooke for posting a more current picture of me. She chose one of me and my Mom. My mom is great, I hope I am like her when I am 80, or I am in heaven!!