Hamburger Helper

Mother called this morning. It was a fun phone call. She called to let me know that 49 years ago today she became my Mother. We share special moments like that. She could remember that my grandmother made me a hamburger for supper on the night that she and Daddy married. I was planning fish for dinner tonight, but I think I will have to change my plans. In honor of the day it only seems fitting that a hamburger be in order. Who knows, maybe even homemade on loaf bread and not a bun. I am sure that is the way my grandmother would have made it.

Git-r-done

I would most likely not make my mother proud admitting that I know who Larry the Cable Guy is. I would most likely fall out of my chair if she admitted she knows who he is and has ever heard any of his jokes. But, I have to borrow a line from Larry, "git-r-done". I have been really motivated since the first of November and I have been able to accomplish many task. I am excited about the accomplishments that I have done. I wish I knew what had changed to get me so motivated, but all I can say is Praise God and thank you for giving me the renewed joy.

I have taken out time for me, not enough time, but the time that I have had has been fun. I have almost completed a Christmas quilt I started 2 years ago. My goal is to complete it and snuggle under it for the first time Thanksgiving weekend. I hope the weather cooperates, and we are not wearing shorts. I have also started some Christmas sewing projects and I have enjoyed working on them.

God is showing me that phyical rest is important, but renewal also comes in taking out some time to mentally rest and enjoy the talents that He has given me. He gave them to me for a reason. He wants me to enjoy them. My talents that He gave me help me to minisiter to others. I let someone who is suppose to be a spiritual leader in my world rob me of that joy a couple of years ago. He condimed the ladies in our church who use their talents to minister to others by stating we are robbing God of our time when we sew and as he called it are "stampin' up" (making cards). I recently re-read Proverbs 31:10-31, about an excellent wife. I am far from an excellent wife, just ask Bill. I have learned if I am working on being an excellent wife, I am giving myself and my time to the Lord. I am far from robbing God of my time, I am seeking to serve Him. Proverbs 31:31, states, Give her the product of her hand, and let her works praise her in the gates. Thank you Lord for reminding me that the talents you have given me are products of my hands, and you want me to use them for you.

New kid on the block

Hannah: Favored by God, gracious, graceful

God blessed our family this summer with Hannah. I had the opportunity to meet Hannah this past week. Hannah is from China and has special physical needs. God has given her with a very strong and loving spirit. He has also given her a clear and sharp mind.

I can't begin to put myself in Hannah's shoes. A new country, new family, new name, new language, new foods, new religion, new traditions, and the list goes on and on. I have tried to think how I would adjust to being the new kid on the block in China. New country, new family, new name, new language, new foods, new traditions...I can't begin to imagine, and I am a fairly flexible ole' girl.

During our visit, Hannah announced one morning, "Ready to go back to China now." My heart broke, not because she doesn't love us, but because she is missing her familiar, her comfort zone. Homesickness is not just an American event.

I know God has it all under control and that He will meet all of Hannah's needs. After all, her name means favoured by God, gracious, graceful. I thank Him for that. I know He will continue to give her serenity and peace. As her aunt, it is my job to pray for her, to love her, to ask God what I need to do for her as she grows and matures. Paul tells us in Philippians that He who began a good work in us, will be faithful to perfect it. I will never know why God brought Hannah into our world. I don't need to know, that is not important, I am thankful that He did.

Trick or Treat

Trick or treat, come smell my feet and give me something good to eat! I can remember this rhyme from my childhood. Wow, how things change. I guess it would be politically incorrect to use this phrase now for some reason or the other...offensive to Dr. Scholl or whom ever.

I had a wonderful Halloween. I spent the evening with "my knight in shining armor and his sidekick dragon". It was wonderful. The joy that only children can bring. Andrew and Matthew are awesome. They have supplied Bill and I with many warm fuzzy moments, laughter, hugs and kisses. It has been fun watching these babies begin on their journey to becoming men. We are honored to have been invited to be a part of that journey. I thank God for them. I thank God also that they have wonderful Christian parents who want to give their children love, create memories, and are not selfish with their time and devotion to family.

I am thankful Liz and Scott want them to grow slowly and be little boys as long as possible. I am also thankful that they try to guard what goes into their minds and try to protect them from things that encourage children to grow up too fast. I am grateful they encourage learning and activities to develop skills and imagination over a TV to babysit. They are doing an awesome job getting these fellows on the right path to manhood.

God promises us "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 I am thankful my "knight in shining armor and my little dragon" have people in their worlds who are working towards this promise. It does take a village. I can't always decide who is going to live in my village, I can't control the behaviors of others in my village. However, I can ask for the wisdom and the strength needed to help "my knight and dragon" slay any villains that cross their paths.