ok I will

This Year I will step over the chicken line I will let go of normal and embrace the miraculous. I will honor my vows, love my position of influence- wherever that may be. I will stand up and share my giftings with the world.

Christmas means....

This time of year, newscasters love to do "man on the street' interviews and ask people what christmas means to them. I find it interesting. Some say it's family, some say tradition, or giving or charity...and certainly all those things surround Christmas...and we know, it's a celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. Now how we celebrate that varies, and in my life it has taken many turns and changes. When I was young it meant waking up to presents! Later it meant we gathered with family...grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins...Each year brings about more changes and some are hard to accept, while others are joyous! We rejoiced when our numbers grew to include spouses and children of our own- then our children's spouses and their kids...and we mourned the lost of loved ones lost, however temporary that is, whether it's this year only or till we meet again in Heaven. But this I know, that Christmas celebrates that Jesus came for me. He wants to be with me, to have fellowship with me, and to take me where he goes to prepare a place for me. He invites me to come and live with him forever. I am loved. That is what christmas means to me. I am loved.

A Wonderful DAY

Today we were blessed to have My Mom with us...we went to church (where she is somewhat of a celebrity..many people know her and miss her sweet smile, so they all come running to hug on her) then off to Breakfast at nonni's where we visited with the our favorite breakfast mates...Chuck & Debbie, After breakfast we made a pit stop at home to change clothes and off to our house....We gave Mom her choice...sit and rest, garden, paint with us...She quickly pulled weeds around the house and caught up to me at the fence, where she declared, "This is what I want to do!" So we painted the picked fence...white, of course. And then we had a pop , She sat down and said, "This is the best day i've had in a while!" After cleaning our brushes, we took her home, and she thanked me again for a "Wonderful Day" Don't you wish everybody was this easy? I So want to be her when I grow up! PS Of course the picture I took of her with a big smile didn't come out... but I hold it in my heart forever!

Gone Fishing....

We were blessed to have a couple days with our guys, and we took them up to "Uncle Jimmy's" for a day of fishing...and what day...they caught about 20 fish....and Jordan nearly got caught BY a FISH! This is extreme fishing- Aunt Deanna said she saw a bass come up out of the pond and grab a bird, and eat it!

The boys went to soccer camp this week, and Jordan asked me if i would come watch. Friday I went over and watched them practice and I got to pick them up- I am blessed to be able to see them and spend time with them... They are growing so fast, I cherish every moment.

"You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I tell you not to resist [retaliate against] an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." Matthew 5;38,39 Jesus is talking about those who insult and hurt you, not physical injury. It is our fallen nature to withhold love, attention, affection and kindness to those who repeatedly hurt us. It is a defensive posture- you won't hurt me again. I will avoid you. But Jesus calls his followers to a higher standard...HE says, do not avoid, and withdraw from them, but rather pursue them in Love. Treat them exactly how you would love to be treated by them... "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father…for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good…’” (Mt. 5:44-45) We are to love, bless, do good and pray for these who offend us. Can we do this without hypocrisy and discrimination? Jesus says we can. He says if we only love those who are easy to love, we are no different than those without Christ. Love on them, the way you do those who love you, Bless with your words,yes even your thoughts, do good...not good enough, and above all pray for them, fervently, effectually- for this avails much.