Tragedy happens way too often. Our response to it is paramount in our future. Not just our physical and worldly future, but our spiritual future as well.
This past weekend four young adults were taken from their families through a horrendous car accident. One young man, Louis, was a week away from his wedding. He left behind a fiancé with two young children. My husband was to perform the marriage ceremony. It is truly a heart-wrenching story.
As we waited at the Funeral Home to pay our respects to the family, I was amazed at the number of 20-somethings who were drawn together looking for comfort, for answers, for strength to face each new day – not knowing or understanding why.
This is a tragic story. But it is a story not without hope…
As part the wedding process for each couple that he marries, my husband Paul requires that he counsels with them 3 or 4 times. These sessions are sometimes fun, informative, and important. He gives procedural as well as spiritual counsel. About two weeks ago in a session with Louis and his fiancé, Meghan, Paul shared with them an invitation to receive Christ as their personal Savior. Both understood and accepted Him into their hearts and lives. What a joyous day!
At the Funeral Home, as we approached a broken Meghan, she began to cry out, “Because you talked with us, because you prayed with us, I know where Louis is. He is in Heaven!”
Please pray for Meghan and her two children as they continue to deal with the grief and as she grows in her relationship with Her Savior.
HOPE IN THE MIDST OF TRAGEDY
October 29, 2009 at 11:18 am (Focus, Lessons Learned, Love)
IT CHANGED ME….
September 27, 2009 at 7:42 pm (Attitudes, Family, Just Emotions, Lessons Learned, Love, Reality)
Two years ago today, I was sitting in a Doctor’s Office when I heard those dreaded words, “You have breast cancer.” I know that she continued to talk, but I honestly could not process what she was saying. I felt as though a train had hit me. I do remember she repeated to me that I was not going to die from this.
Two years later, I marvel at what all has happened and how I have changed. Yes, I have changed quite a bit. Initially I vowed that cancer would not change me. I fought hard to remain exactly the same. I wanted to be who I always was. But the cancer won and I began to change.
The most obvious changes were physical. I now have a 7½ inch scar. I felt as though my body had played a cruel joke on me. I never saw it coming and I was the object of a nightmarish prank.
I was very fortunate and only required two surgeries for the cancer to be gone. After that, four more for reconstruction and I am pronounced “Finished!”
But I definitely have changed.
Over these twenty-four months I have begun to see the value of family, of friends, of church, of ministry, of life. I realize my own mortality. I know that I cannot “do it all”. I have fought hard not to learn these things, but the cancer taught them to me.
Along with the cancer came some unwanted “friends”. Depression, loneliness, pain, confusion and anger. And each of them, in their own way and time changed me also.
As I look back today, I can honestly say that the cancer changed me and I would not have it any other way. I have more compassion for the hurting, more understanding for the depressed. I know that my own life is not as important as I once thought. There are too many ways I have changed for the better to even list. But I thank God that He allowed me to go down this path. I thank Him for a loving, caring, compassionate husband who was with me each step of the way. I thank Him for children who bring me joy. And I pray that I will not waste one lesson that I have learned because of the cancer.
Forgive me for being a bit “morbid” today, but I just needed to put into words my thoughts. I am praying for each friend I know who is also traveling this most difficult road.
A MATCHED SET
August 22, 2009 at 1:34 pm (Family, Marriage)
Some months back I set up a yard sale for our church youth. They were hoping to raise a lot of money for an event. I am all for the youth and their events, so I volunteered to head up the set-up.
The set-up involved a lot more than I expected. There were boxes, bags, piles of JUNK! I began to place items on tables according to a certain category. One table had a section for salt and pepper shakers. I realized to some people they are collectibles if they are a “matched set”. So I displayed them to get the most value from each set. As I was putting them out, I noticed that there were two or three shakers without a mate. Each separate shaker was able to stand alone; but the value was diminished when the pair was broken.
Lately I have been thinking a lot of how important my husband is to me. Thirty years ago, we “became one”. It has been quite a journey! He is someone who I have learned to love more and more each day. He is my strongest supporter and cheerleader. When we are apart, I miss him terribly! I can’t wait to talk with him each day.
But when we are together, WOW! We are good! It is amazing what we can do together! God intended for us to be a pair, a “matched set”. Each of us can stand alone if necessary. But God intended for Paul to be my helpmate. And more importantly to me, He intended for me to be Paul’s helpmate.
Webster’s defines helpmate as: one who is a companion and helper. I LOVE that God cared enough for both of us, that He gave us each other. I’m not trying to brag, but I am realizing today God knew what He was doing when He brought us together! We are a pair!
MEMORIES
July 30, 2009 at 9:40 am (Uncategorized)
I am a moderately nostalgic person. Well, maybe it is more seriously nostalgic. I just know that I love re-living and re-visiting my childhood. It always brings smiles and laughter.
My husband and I are spending a few days in Daytona Beach, Florida. As a child, my family vacationed here at my great-aunt Kate’s home. She was one special lady!
As we drove into Daytona from Orlando, we took a slight detour and went off the beaten path. It surprised me how much I remember from those “earlier years”. However, the good memories are not just thoughts that make me smile. Those memories have actually helped to form who I am today – the good, the bad, and the ugly!
As I walked the beach this morning, I recalled the time I was told not to go into the ocean because of a large swarm of jelly fish. Being the headstrong young child, I assumed I could get in the water and “dodge” the little “stinging” monsters. I was wrong. Uncle Jim was right. I got stung. OUCH!
For dinner last night we had fresh fried shrimp at my cousin Jimbo’s home. I’m not sure what others ate, but I had at least 20 HUGE shrimp! I remember one time when I ate 72 and my sister Kathie had 99. And we didn’t worry about any weight we might gain!
All of these memories have made me appreciate the importance of family. We are never perfect. We have many flaws. But we are family – and we love each other!
TECHY – I’M NOT!
July 1, 2009 at 11:28 am (Lessons Learned)
Monday was the most “technically-challenged” day of my life! I was ready to through away computers, GPS systems, VCRS, DVDS, my cell phone…Wait, I couldn’t go that far! But it was a frustrating day!
On Saturday, I had tried to upgrade my GPS system. It should have been a simple process…Order it online; pay online; download to your computer; Upload to the GPS system. After 7 hours of downloading, uploading, and stress…IT STILL DIDN’T WORK! I ended up calling the Tech Support on Monday morning. (They don’t have Tech Support on the weekends…I guess if the GPS takes you to the wrong place on Saturday, or it blows up on Sunday, you MUST wait until Monday morning!) Anyway, after waiting on hold for 35 minutes, the Tech walked me through it. He told me I had to have the GPS system turned on the entire time. A simple prompt on the download would have saved me HOURS of frustration. So two hours and a bunch of money later, I was updated and upgraded!
Next issue: In an effort to be more financially wise, two weeks ago I called and cancelled one of the two landline phone lines that was coming into our house. However, our DSL was on that line, so it had to be transferred to the second line. They told me a service tech would come and take care of it for me. Great! I don’t want to be responsible for that kind of “techy” stuff! (Mistake Number 1 – No tech was needed nor was ordered.) I waited most of the day for the tech to arrive. Finally around 3 pm, I called to find the status of the arrival of the Techy. After 5 or 6 phone calls, they informed me the NO ONE WAS COMING! I HAD TO DO IT MYSELF! (One lady on the phone asked me what state I was calling from. I told her before I answered that question, she needed to tell me what state she was in…the Philippines! That is not a state!) On the final call, I reached a man in southern India. (I know you think you know where this is going…just wait.) I began the conversation with, “I am very frustrated and angry at Verizon…I know it’s not your fault, but….!” Mr. Sanya remained calm and assuring throughout the entire process. He even laughed a number of times. (His laugh was very similar to my son’s laugh! Freaky – but comforting!) Mr. Sanya told me exactly what to do. He worked with me and my computers for an hour and a half. At two different times, he was able to “share” the screen with me and fix it for me. When I made a mistake (hit the wrong button), Mr. Sanya would reply, “No problem!” When it was all done, he congratulated me on getting it all fixed. He made me feel like I had done the work. Before Mr. Sanya and I parted ways, he reminded me that I had initially told him of my frustration and anger towards Verizon. He then asked me if I was satisfied with the outcome of our “conversation”.
Relief, Joy, Excitement! That is what I felt. If Mr. Sanya had been anything but kind with me, I think I would have just blown up! But he showed me that it was do-able. He walked me through my difficulty, and made me feel good about it.
Kind of makes me want to walk others through their difficulties and show them Relief, Joy and Excitement!
GETTYSBURG
May 26, 2009 at 10:30 pm (Uncategorized)
I had the privilege of touring the Gettysburg Battlefield and Visitors Center the past two days. What an emotional and inspiring place to visit. Emotions and feelings swung to both ends of the spectrum. It is one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania. The view from Little Round Top was breathtaking. And yet the mental images of young men losing their lives in brutal fighting until the land was described as fields of blood was ever present.
The newly opened Visitors Center is a “must-see”. Throughout the many rooms, quotes from Presidents, Generals, Privates, and Civilians are highlighted. Some of my favorites are listed below.
“There never were such men in an army before. They will go anywhere and do anything if properly led.”
Confederate General Robert E. Lee
May 21, 1863 (6 weeks before the Gettysburg Battle)
“There is no better way of defending a long line than by moving into the enemy’s territory.”
Confederate General Robert E. Lee
March 1863
“We must extinguish our resentments if we expect harmony and union.”
President Abraham Lincoln
April 14, 1865 (the day he was assassinated)
“I felt … sad and depressed at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly and had suffered so much for a cause, though the cause was, I believe, one of the worst for which a people ever fought.”
Union General U.S. Grant
1885
“Who can write the history of a battle whose eyes are immovably fastened upon a central figure of transcendingly important interest – the dead body of an oldest born?”
Samuel Wilkerson
New York Times Correspondent reporting on the death of his son, 1863
SELFLESSNESS
May 20, 2009 at 9:09 pm (Attitudes, Family)
Let me tell you a love story from the 1930’s. Two young people, Bill and Merinda, met and fell in love. Knowing that they were “right” for each other, Bill proposed.
However, the 1930’s were an impoverished time. Both Bill and Merinda were fortunate to have employment. Each family relied upon their income. If they married, the loss of their earnings would cause a hardship at home.
But their love for each other was real – and it was strong. And so they did what they thought was best. Bill and Merinda were married in a private ceremony. It was so private, that only the Pastor and his wife were in attendance. In fact, it was so private that even their parents were not invited or even told of the nuptials.
For an entire year they were married, but continued to live in their respective parents home. It was not an easy year. But it was what they felt had to be done.
After the news of their marriage accidentally leaked out, Bill and Merinda were able to “set-up” house. They began what they hoped would be many happy years together.
Soon they were blest with three healthy sons. It was a wonderful life! The boys grew and the family was happy.
A month after the oldest graduated from high school, tragedy struck. While at work, Bill was electrocuted. He died immediately. Merinda and the boys were devastated.
But Merinda did what needed to be done. She went to Nursing School and became a nurse. She worked for years as a Pediatric Nurse.
When I was 6, I had to have my tonsils removed. In the hospital the night before surgery, I was really nervous. Then in walked Nurse Merinda, or should I say, Aunt Merinda. You see, Merinda’s husband Bill was my father’s brother. I knew that I would be okay because, if Aunt Merinda worked at that hospital. Everything would be fine.
Aunt Merinda was a “gem of a woman”. She was sweet, strong, determined and godly. She was a wonderful example of selflessness. She had the attitude that you do what needs to be done.
Monday Aunt Merinda passed away. She was 93 years old. We have lost a great model for women today. What we need in our world today are examples like Aunt Merinda. I will miss “Nurse Merinda”.
HE MADE ME CRY!
May 1, 2009 at 4:47 pm (Family)
Yesterday my son did something that caught me off guard. It actually caused me to cry…
Nick has been “on his own” for about four years. He is an incredible young man of God and I am VERY proud of him. But, as is the way things are supposed to be, Nick has become his own man.
Yesterday he went back to Latrobe, Pennsylvania where he and his sister were raised. He was taking a day to read and pray. While there, he went to the high school where he had lead a successful Bible Club. They were actually hosting a large Christian Rally. It was a moving time for Nick to see how far the Bible Club has gone.
After leaving the Rally, Nick called me. He told me where he was and what he had done. And then (let the tears begin), Nick said to me, “I had a blest childhood. Thank you for what you did.”
It has been 27 ½ years since I brought him into this world. Yesterday, more than ever, it was worth it.
LOOK-A-LIKES
April 4, 2009 at 7:42 am (Uncategorized)
A few days ago our local Humane Society had a Rabies Clinic. I took our 12 pound Shih Tzu to get his shot. I arrived about 3 minutes before the clinic opened. I was already about 50th in line! There were ALL kinds of dogs; big, little, mangy, yappy, ugly, cute. You get the picture. As I waited in line, I began to compare the dogs to the owners. It really is funny how much they resembled each other! The lady behind me had a beautiful, fluffy, gentle Great Pyrenees. While she wasn’t fluffy, she was beautiful and had a very gentle way. The two young men in front of me each had a German shepherd. The one dog had a large leash that was held together by just a few threads. The other’s leash was a thick chain. Both of the young men looked shifty and a bit shady. I was concerned for my little Bosley! Further up in the line was a disheveled man with a dirty looking dog. The dog had a rash on his face. (How can you a dog have a rash????) On his back, there were large patches without any fur. I held sweet little Bosley closer to me, hoping that whatever disease was afflicting this dog would not become airborne. I continued in the line, watching each step, making sure I did not step into any “piles” left behind by those big, bad dogs! I listened in on the conversations. Not only did the dogs look like their owners, the conversations matched the look! Do you look like your dog????
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATASHA!
March 31, 2009 at 8:52 am (Family)
I remember well where I was 25 years ago today – right now. I was in the hospital giving birth to my daughter, Natasha. Happy Birthday, Baby! I LOVE YOU!
