MMM (Monday Morning Memo) - 6.29.15

This past January, I struck up a conversation with one of the patients at Fort Wayne Oncology while my mother-in-law was receiving treatment.  It didn’t take long to realize that Marty was a faith-filled woman and a real delight to be with.

While we were visiting, my mother-in-law told Marty that I had written a book and that I write a weekly devotional.  Marty asked how she could find my website and so I told her the address and we left.  I didn’t write it down for her so I honestly didn’t expect for her to pursue finding it.

Much to my surprise, a couple weeks later I received an e-mail from Marty, telling me that she had found my website and that she had begun reading my past devotionals.  She then asked to be added to my e-mail list so that she could have my writings e-mailed to her each week.  It wasn’t too long before she requested a copy of my devotional book and several weeks later asked if she could obtain more copies for her Bible Study group to use for their next study. 

This began a relationship between Marty and me as we have shared e-mails back and forth and have seen each other at the cancer center.  She even came to the center to sit with us during one of my mother-in-law’s treatments.   We so enjoyed her time with us and it really made the time go more quickly.  What a gift she gave us by giving up of her time to brighten our day. 

Then Marty did something that just blew me away.  She asked me if I would be willing to come to one of their evening gatherings to meet the other women who were studying my book.  I told her I would love to join them and this past Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of eating dinner with them and then sharing in their time of study. 

What I found that night was 11 women, from various churches, who not only love the Lord, but also deeply love each other.  Many of them have been meeting twice a month for the last 10 years and have laughed together, cried together and have been drawn closer to Christ together.  There is an obvious bond between these women; a bond that has brought all of them through thick and thin and through happiness and sorrow.

What an experience it was for me to sit with them while they discussed my writings.  I had never been asked to do this before and I can’t begin to tell the emotions I felt as they shared.  The entire evening was one where I felt showered with blessings from these sisters in Christ.           

I’ve been thinking about what I would have missed out on, if I had not been obedient when God called me into the ministry.  Or if I had not listened to the Lord when He told me to write a devotional book.  Or if I had not acted on the Lord’s nudge that January day to strike up a conversation with Marty.  Each event in my life has been a stepping-stone to take me to where I am today and if I would have refused to follow His leading I may never have had the blessing of Marty’s friendship.  Our paths may never have crossed again after our initial meeting and I would have missed getting to know her and these precious women in her group. 

   

If God nudges you today to take a huge step or even a small one like striking up a conversation with someone, I recommend you do it.  You just never know when He will use that encounter as a stepping-stone to something even greater which will shower you with blessings beyond measure.

So to Sue, Alice, Liz, Marty, Madonna, Ellen, Barb, Cheryl, Marilynn, Marcia and Patty, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your warm welcome and kind words.  I was honored and humbled by our time together and am praying for God’s richest blessings to be showered on each of you!

 “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.”

Philippians 1:3

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.

For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.

And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.

Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.

Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs 
to God with thankful hearts.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a 
representative of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

Colossians 3:15-17

Liver Anyone?

Once in a while, while I was growing up, my mom would do the unthinkable.  She would make liver and onions for supper.  Oh how I hated to hear those words and smell the unmistakable aroma of it cooking.  To be honest, I'm not sure I ever even tasted it...I just knew that anything that looked that disgusting before it was cooked, had to taste horrific after it was cooked.

Then I did something unthinkable.  I married a man who also likes liver and onions because he grew up eating just about anything that could be taken from an animal.  He, of course, wanted to know when I was going to make this repulsive dish for him, but I held my ground.  I made it very clear that there were many dishes I would make for him but liver and onions was NOT on my list!

Then, we started getting a half a beef at a time from a friend of ours who raises calves and that meant that liver was in the assortment of meat when we picked it up.  Now it was in my freezer...staring at me...and Dan knew it.  Finally, after talking to my mom about it and getting her secret on how to make it edible, I gave in and made Dan very happy one night when I placed it on the table.  He loved it...and I choked it down.

After that night, he didn't get it often for dinner but at least I made it periodically.  Over time, I began to realize something.  What I thought was so sickening, wasn't so bad after all.  I don't know if my taste buds had died or if I was really beginning to like the taste, but when I reached for a second piece one night Dan knew I had come over to his side.  Once again...he had won :-)

Of course our kids wouldn't think of consuming it when they lived at home and still won't to this day.  But I'm still holding out hope that maybe, just maybe, they will change their minds someday.

As I was fixing liver and onions a few nights ago, I was thinking about my "journey" with this organ meat and it made me think of the things that the Lord asks me to do and I stand my ground and tell Him no.  He tells me to just try to do something new, but I resist and turn my nose up at it without even giving it a try.  Makes me wonder what I have missed out on in my life, just because I wouldn't do what He wanted me to do.  Maybe the next time He nudges me to step out and try something new, I'll remember how much I now like liver and onions.  

BTW...in case you are wondering what secret for cooking liver and onions my mom passed on to me...here it is.  Flour, salt and pepper each piece and brown both sides in a skillet.  Then add lots of onions over the top of the meat and turn your heat down to simmer.  Then (and this is her secret) lightly sprinkle sugar over the top.  This takes out any strong taste that might be present.  When onions become soft, put the pieces of liver on top of the onions so they can caramelize in the skillet.  Simmer until meat is fork tender and enjoy!

And what you end up with is something that is ooohhhh so good!

P.S. I'm still standing my ground and refusing to fix tongue for Dan and after 34 years, I doubt I'm going to ever give in.  I refuse to fix something that looks like it will lick me before I      can get it down!

Life's Milestones

Last year, we had the privilege of having a young woman stay with us for several months, while her parents were living out of town.  Ashley was a junior in high school and needed to stay in the area so she could attend her classes and continue working at her part-time job.

We hadn't had a teenager living in our home for awhile so we weren't sure what to expect.  But Ashley was a model houseguest and soon became part of our family.  It was probably harder on her having to adjust to living with us old folks, but she seemed to adapt rather quickly!

A couple of weeks ago, Ashley graduated from high school so it was now time to celebrate!  Her parents had just purchased a new home and weren't moved in yet, so I suggested that they have her Open House here.  So this past Saturday, we welcomed into our home 80 - 100 of their friends and family.

(Photos courtesy of Charlie Brumbaugh)

Thank goodness for friends who can make beautiful AND delicious cakes to help with our celebration.  Janice Waugh you outdid yourself and everything was amazing!!

We want to wish Ashley the best of luck as she begins a new chapter in her life.  We are so glad that she is a Christ-follower and we are excited to see what God has in store for her!

Ashley with Luke, one of her many young admirers! 

Family...

The last few days have been CRAZY busy and I have to admit that right now I'm pretty tired...but it is a good tired.  They have been days filled with friends and family and it just doesn't get much better than that!

I just have share with you some pictures from yesterday and today.  As you know yesterday was Father's Day and so we were blessed to have part of our family here.  Our son Adam came, along with our daughter Megan, her husband John and their son (and our adorable grandson!) Elias.  Missing was our daughter Erica in North Carolina and our daughter-in-law Katie who had to work.  

Of course with Elias here, my camera is always close by.  But I have to admit that it used to be much easier to get pictures of him when he wasn't constantly moving!  But I managed to get a few shots of him and his daddy.

Then today we had the opportunity to take my dad out to lunch for Father's Day and we were blessed to have Megan and Elias go with us.  We had a great time together eating and laughing together at the restaurant and then returned to my dad's apartment and Elias got to sit on grandpa's lap for awhile.

We then attempted to get a 4 generation picture.  Elias was not wanting to stay in one place, but I thought my husband Dan did a pretty good job of catching him at the right time!

Unfortunately I often here of families who are fighting and feuding and haven't talked to each other in years.  Friends, life is just too short to be that way.  I absolutely love being with my family and I feel blessed every time we are together!

MMM 6.22.15 - A Positive Attitude Part 4

I have been sharing the past few weeks three steps that we need to take to have a more positive attitude.  I have written about looking inward, upward and outward. Finally today I think it is important that we look downward.

No I haven’t lost my mind.  I know that usually when you think of looking downward, it sounds like you are discouraged or depressed.  But I think our final look needs to be a downward look at our feet and this just might be the most important part of our journey. 

It is important that we always keep tabs on where we are headed in our life.  What steps can we take to improve our health, our family, our career, our outlook and our relationship with Christ?  Have we become stagnant in those areas…doing the same thing over and over again?  Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone to make us and those around us better?  I’m sorry to say that too many people live in a rut because that feels safe and they fear the unknown.  And as a result they can easily become bored, depressed and out of touch with the world that is going on around them.

We read in Joshua 1:9  “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  In 2 Timothy 1:7 it says,  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

With God’s power in us, there isn’t anything that we can’t do!  God promises that if He tells us to take a step that is WAY out of our comfort zone…He will be holding our hand every step of the way!!

I think what is sad is that we don’t make our children step out of their comfort zones either.   It’s so easy to want to protect them and coddle them and so we do whatever we have to do to make sure the little darlings aren’t stressed at all.  The problem is that those kids grow up and then as adults they still expect someone else to take care of things for them and they aren’t equipped to face the unknown.

I share in my devotional book, Image Seeker, about the year 1989.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  Our first-born child was heading off to kindergarten and excitement was in the air. Friends often asked me how I was handling this first milestone in the life of our daughter, and I would always reply that we were all ready.  Erica was a very bright child who carried on wonderful conversations with adults at the age of two, so by five she was ready for the challenge - or so we thought!    

                                     

The first day of school arrived and the movie camera was rolling.  A day like this just had to be recorded so that we could relive the happy memories for years to come.  My husband got into position to capture the moment on film as I walked Erica out to meet the big yellow school bus. As we neared the road, her precious little hand squeezed mine with all her might.  I looked down, and her beautiful big eyes told the whole story - the reality of leaving home to enter the big world without her mom and dad was taking its toll.

We approached the bus door and I gave a big smile and wave to the bus driver.  I told Erica goodbye and helped her onto the bus so she could begin her years of education.  Unfortunately, Erica had different plans.  As I backed away from the bus, she jumped back off and ran to me, falling into my arms, crying uncontrollably.  I’m not sure whose heart was hurting worse at that time – hers or mine – but I knew what I had to do.  Once again, I put her back on the bus and yes, once again, off she came.  At that point, fighting back tears myself, I had to enlist the help of the bus driver.  I placed Erica on the bus for the third time and the driver held onto her as she closed the door and drove off.

As hard as it was, I knew that day that I had to make Erica face the unknown.  It would have been so much easier on me to let her stay home under my watchful eye.  But I knew that what seemed easier for me on that day, wouldn’t be the best thing for Erica’s future.  Part of starting school was learning that just like a turtle, we will never make it very far in life unless we learn to stick out our necks!

When Erica graduated from college with a teaching degree, she decided to move to North Carolina on her own, knowing absolutely no one in that state.  I doubt she would have ever felt equipped and ready to do that if she wouldn’t have been made to face the unknown growing up.

Trust me when I say that you will have more opportunities to see your life as half full, if you let go and allow your kids to step out of their comfort zone and if you allow God to push you out of your comfort zone.

Is stepping out of your comfort zone scary at times?  You bet it is.  Is it worth it?  It definitely is.  I could tell you story after story of times in my life when I made the choice to allow my feet to go places I thought I would never go and each experience has helped me to appreciate life even more.  Each situation has pushed me and challenged me and helped me to see my cup not just half full, but many times overflowing.

Conrad Hilton said, “Success seems to be connected with action.  Successful people keep moving.  They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.”  Sometimes we aren’t successful in doing what we are supposed to do, because we refuse to get our heiney off the couch!  We become paralyzed and many times fear overcomes us and we do nothing.  We need to put the gear in drive and start moving.  We need to let go of those things that are causing us to fear so we can get moving!

Why not spend some time this week looking downward?  My guess is that your cup will begin to overflow and life will take on a much more positive outlook as you allow your feet to step wherever God leads!

SC Massacre - Should We Be Surprised?

It has been difficult to work today because my mind just keeps going to the massacre in South Carolina last evening.  Six women and three men took time out of their busy schedules in the middle of their week to learn more about Jesus.  They had no idea that instead of just reading His Word, they would see Him face to face.

So many things are racing through my head today.  These were our brothers and sisters in Christ and their lives were cut short in such a tragic way.  How can a person walk into a Bible study, sit with them for an hour and then go on a shooting spree?  What is in this young man’s mind to make him believe that this act was justifiable?

I have to admit that I was very frustrated with the news media this morning.  Many stated how shocked they were at this violent act against people who were just gathering in a Christian setting.  Should we really be surprised?  With the news media, along with many in the world, on an agenda to destroy our religious freedoms and infiltrate the minds of our youth with the attitude that everyone should be allowed to “do their own thing”, should acts like this really catch us off guard?  Satan is on a rampage to destroy as many as he can and unfortunately, many of us are just sitting idly by and allowing it to happen.

This, like no other, is a time for prayer.  We need to be in prayer for

the families and friends of these victims, the family of the shooter and then the shooter himself.  We also need to be in prayer for America that we will return to being one nation under God.  A nation that, once again, believes in right and wrong and consequences for actions.  That will only happen when you and I begin to stand up for Biblical values, following His Word each and every day.  Each decision and choice we make and every word that is spoken should reflect the image of Christ.  If we aren’t willing to live in this way, then we shouldn’t be surprised when a tragedy occurs.