Thoughts and Prayers

This morning my mind is not with me, but in Sioux Falls, SD.  Our niece's 6 week old baby is facing surgery this morning because her liver is not functioning properly.  What does one do when faced with a storm such as this?  Two things help me. 

I remember what God's Word says:

From Psalm 139:

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well. ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be. ¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God!
   How vast is the sum of them! ¹⁸ Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you.

And God brings to mind a song promising peace:

When the world that I've been living in collapses at my feet
When my life is shattered and torn
Though I'm windswept and battered, I can cling to His cross
And find peace in the midst of the storm
There is peace in the midst of my storm-tossed life
Oh, there's an anchor, there's a rock to cast my faith upon
Jesus rides in my vessel, so I'll fear no alarm
He gives me peace in the midst of my storm

Though I can't be there in person to offer support, I know God is with them. . .and with the grandparents who face the hours of waiting and wondering.  Hard for me to empathize, as I've not had to be in their position.  But in response to a prayer request I sent out, I heard from someone whose son had a heart transplant as a baby. . .and is now 12 years old!  He can empathize to what they are going through. . .and offer prayers even more fitting than the ones I fashion. 

Today I will go to work at Farmers State Bank.  But my focus will be elsewhere!

Football & Water Walking

It seems these two things would have little in common.  Still, through watching one, the other made sense.  It's football playoff season, so our TV has been tuned in to the games whenever they are on.  Today's second game was especially important, as our son's favorite team was playing.  It being Sunday, I missed the first half of the game.  (Sunday afternoons are a great time to nap.)  When I came on the scene, his team was down and struggling.  The quarterback, who rarely threw interceptions, had his first in a long time.  The offensive line allowed 5 quarterback sacks.  From my vantage point, it appeared they had lost their drive.  Although they did score two more touchdowns, they lost the game by seven points.

My husband and I missed the final minutes of the game, as we attend a Bible Study in our pastor's home on Sunday nights.  We are doing a DVD Study series entitled, "If You Want to Walk on Water You've Got to Get Out of the Boat".  The lessons have been challenging us to recognize our giftings, and then encouraging us to be willing to move out of our comfort zone to use them for God's Kingdom work.  Putting this in the perspective of a football game, I thought of our church as a team.  Each one involved in the church has been given a special assignment from God, much as the coach of a football team has a special task for each of his players.  When all of the players don't give their best effort individually, the result is an unsuccessful effort by the whole.

One good thing about joining up with God is already knowing His team wins in the end.  The decision we face is whether we want to be an active player or simply sit on the sidelines observing.  One of the questions in our Bible study tonight was reflecting on what the other 11 disciples were thinking when they saw Peter walking on the water.  I don't know about you, but I'm willing to be out there trying instead of missing all the action.  As for that special assignment. . .guess I'd better go meet up with the Head Coach and see what He has in mind!

The Male Brain

There are two males and one female living at my house. It has given me a good insight into the male brain.  Tonight I would like to shut off my female brain, which is constantly seeing one more thing to do before I go to bed.  Just for tonight I'm going to try think like a male brain, which can only focus on one thing at a time, and doesn't seem to see the many things to do.  I need to get to bed early, because it is going to be a busy day at work tomorrow.  And so for tonight, I will not go to bed "but first".  [. . .that is, "but first I have to get this done, and then that done, and then the other thing done.]  But I do have to wash my face, floss & brush my teeth, write in my prayer journal, read my Bedtime Blessings page for the day & think of 3 things to be thankful for to write in my gratitude journal.  Perhaps one of the things I can be thankful for is the female brain God gave me that can multitask when necessary!

Wednesday WOW's

Wednesday at our house means a quick evening meal.  Shortly after 6:30 my husband takes off in our Suburban to pick up kids to bring to our church.  Several other vehicles around town are doing the same.  We originally used a 15 passenger van to pick up all the kids who came to our Wednesday night children's ministry.  Now we use the van [don't tell, but I do believe they cram more than 15 in there!] and 5 other adult leaders each bring more kids in their personal vehicles.  If anyone has a good deal on a used bus, let us know! 

On a typical Wednesday night we have between 40 and 50 kids, ages 3 through those in 8th grade.  We begin together in the church sanctuary and sing a couple of lively songs.  From there we divide the kids into groups.  Those who are 3 and 4 years old are called "Rainbows".  My group is usually girls in kindergarten, although this year I also have the 1st graders.  We are the "Daisies".  The next age level of girls are called "Prims", followed by "Stars", and "Friends".  My husband is in charge of boys in kindergarten through 3rd grade, and the older boys usually get together at our school gym.  They are known as "Rangers".  It's a lively crew, but we love the fact we can plant the seeds of a Christian life in these youngsters.

When these kids go home at 8:00, another group gathers in the sanctuary.  These are the junior high and high school age kids.  There is more singing, a devotional (sometimes led by one of the youth) and prayer time, followed by a time for playing games and simply "hanging out".  Tonight we were treated by special guests. . .two brothers and a sister from a local home school famly who came to minister to us in song and testimony.  A delicious lunch of pizza, fresh fruit & bars was provided after the service.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship for both the kids and the adults who came to help.

Why does our church take time for the kids?  I guess it is because we are trying to pattern our lives after Jesus, and He always took time for children.  In Matthew 19:13-15 we find people bringing the children to Jesus to have Him lay His hands on them and be prayed for.  The disciples rebuked them for doing so, but Jesus was quick to respond.  “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 

So Wednesdays are a busy day for us.  But it is a fun kind of busy.  The reward is seeing the smiling faces and lives impacted for the Lord.  There may be a few gray hairs acquired along the way, but in eternity it won't matter.  Instead, it is then we will learn the stories of how seeds planted on a Wednesday night eventually grew into fruit God could use in His Kingdom.

Morning Pep Talk

It was one of those mornings.  I slept past my alarm.  While in the shower I received a work related call about a problem one of my co-workers was experiencing.  It was cold outside, and I really didn't feel like going to work.  Then I got in the car.  My new car.  I really like it, and feel blessed to be able to have it.  An added blessing is the leftover XM radio we get to enjoy until the contract runs out.  (The car, although new to us, is not brand new.   It is a year old, and was a lease return.)  The song playing this morning was just for me. . ."There's a Light at the End of This Tunnel" by a group called Third Day.  Here's a link to a video of the song.  It was a "pick me up" for my day.  Perhaps it's just what you need, too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB_PPcaHAys&feature=related

Go, Ducks!

Football has meant various things in my life over the years.  In high school it was a time to cheer for my classmates.  When I was dating my husband I actually thought I liked watching football, but looking back I think it was just an excuse to be with my "special someone".  When my son was in high school it was a time for traveling from town to town on our way to winning a state championship.  Now it is something I enjoy watching for a few minutes at a time, but mostly leave to my husband and son to enjoy together.

The Oregon Ducks have been a favorite team of my son's from way back.  At one point we bought him a Ducks jersey.  Tonight he got it out and even de-wrinkled it in the dryer to wear as he cheers on the Ducks in the National Championship game. 

As for me, there's something else in need of tackling.  There are some Christmas decorations to deal with.  As much as I love Christmas, it is time.  I won't be watching the game, but will check in occasionally to see how the Ducks are doing.  In my mind I will silently be cheering them on! 

Technology

Sometimes I feel like I was meant to stay in the 60's and 70's as far as technology.  This is the time frame in which I grew up.  I'm comfortable there.  It seems I drag my feet in accepting the "latest and greatest" advances in technology.  When we first purchased a computer I was scared to death. . .until my brother encouraged me to "play with it".  He assured me there was nothing I could do to it that couldn't somehow be undone.  And I'm still learning.  I'm thinking I need to confer with my daughter on some of the details of this blogging adventure.  Seems there are way too many options and settings.  Is anything just "simple" anymore?

We finally broke down and got a cell phone.  Nothing fancy.  Just the basic phone to have along when we travel in case there is an emergency and we need to contact someone.  Although I keep it in my purse, it is seldom used.  As my husband says, "I really don't want everyone to be able to contact me anytime they want!"  There are times my son must just shake his head at my cell phone illiteracy.  Who knew to see the whole message you just push OK?  And to get back to the screen you don't have to open and shut the phone, just hit END?  These are things I'm learning. . .slowly.

And I'm not into texting.  I'm sorry. . .if I want to tell you something, I want you to hear my voice.  So much meaning is lost when you simply read words on a screen.  And I love to hear other people's responses by way of their voice, instead of waiting for them to click out their reply on the keypad.  Call me "old fashioned".  Call me "behind on the times".  It's just the way I am.  God accepts me this way, so why shouldn't you, too?

Then there is Facebook.  A wonderful tool.  My husband's oldest sister encouraged me to sign up to help stay in touch with family.  With my 3 siblings and my husband's 9, there is a lot of family out there.  I enjoy getting a peek into their world by way of status updates and photos posted.  I decided from the start I wasn't going to search out a lot of friends.  I made a deal with God to accept whoever He sent my way.  So far it's been a good experience.  I've been able to connect better with old friends.  It has provided me with new friends.  It has given me an opportunity to know people better and be of encouragement when needed.  It has given an avenue to share my weekly devotional writings.  ["Saturday Seeking"-if you're inteterested in learning about these, let me know!]  Still, I find myself wasting too much of my precious time all by myself in front of a computer screen, aimlessly scrolling from comment to comment, clicking a "like" button here, leaving a comment there.  What ever happened to "getting together with friends"?  I mean. . .in person??  Growing up there was a group of us who got together often to play games, listen to music, share experiences first hand.  Somehow it seems to be a lost art, and I miss it!

Technology. . .a good thing.  Without it we would still be living in the horse and buggy days.  But there is also room for some of the "good old fashioned way we used to do things".  Anyone interested in joining me?  

Come Into My World

For some time now my daughter has been blogging.  I love reading her posts and having a little window into her world as a young mother.  Looking back, I think it would have been a healthy thing to have such an outlet when I was her age!  And so tonight, while my husband and son are busy with football playoffs and I find myself alone in my world, I decided to start my own blog.  It may be just what I need to let go of my feelings when there is no one available to listen. 

As I was doing the dishes this evening the gentle voice of Amy Grant filled the empty spaces of the kitchen.  She is someone I first listened to when my children were young.  A couple of years ago, we found one of her Christmas album to enjoy.  Last fall, as we left on a road trip, we realized we had forgotten to bring a supply of CD's with.  A stop at a Bible Book Store brought several new CD's into our possession, one of them being an Amy Grant album entitled, "Somewhere Down the Road".  I have really enjoy listening to it.  Tonight, as I was thinking about what I might title my blog, the song "Come Into My World" came across the speakers.  What a great title!  Come Into My World.  As the song says, "If you are brave then come into my world!"