Back to School! Time to do the hard things!

Had to think a bit to remember the last time I actually had a child going back to school - it's been awhile. It's over 40 since I started back to school myself,but this still feels like the time of year to start new! When I had school age kids I seemed to repeat the same cycle every year- I enthusiastically embraced the freedom of summer with no routine until it quickly got out of control and I anxiously and even more enthusiastically embraced the return of routine in the fall!

Since retiring in June of 2013 I have had an endless summer-no routine, no deadlines,no "work" ! My family worried I would be bored and have nothing to do. Boredom has never been a problem in my lifestyle and my project and to do list seems endless. What I have missed is the sense of routine. What I have missed even more is the challenge of doing the hard things! Some how "taking life easy" is not at all fulfilling! It also doesn't keep me where I want to be!

I had already been thinking of this because of the time of year. Making plans to create goals for the year ,a game plan to achieve those and enlisting an accountability partner to help me stick to the plan. I have learned through experience that it truly is insanity to continue doing the same thing and expect a different outcome! I have also learned that if you aim at nothing you will hit it! That the way to accomplish more is to if you think it ink it! Also for me to win at the weight battle I must follow the slogan "if you bite it WRITE IT!"  Corny but true! These things became famous sayings because they have merit!

All that to say that I have mentally been preparing for Back to School i.e. Back to Self Discipline and routine for a couple of weeks now. Last Sunday's sermon put all this into a very clear perspective for me! My take away for the day was different from the intended theme and it came from a very brief glimpse of a video shown. The theme for the day was the tremendous love God has for us shown by His only son dying on the cross. A gift I am very thankful for and am always overwhelmed by. 

To illustrate we watched a video representation of the crucifixion ! One scene showed Christ thrown down at the cross He was expected to carry up Golgotha where He would meet His agonizing death ! He was already beaten bloody. What I saw was how He wrapped His arm around the Cross leaned into it and embraced it - to me it looked like He kissed it! What I remembered were these words of scripture "endured the cross for the joy set before Him". That full scripture is found in Hebrew 12:2 

      " Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith,who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. " 

Another translation The Message says that same verse this way

        " Keep your eyes on Jesus ,who both began and finished this race we're in,study how He did it! Because He never lost sight of where He was headed- that exhilarating finish in and withGod- He could put up with anything along the way :cross, shame,whatever and now He's there in the place of honor. When you find yourself flagging in the faith go over the story again item by item. That long hard hostility He plowed through. That will shoot adrenalin into your souls!" 

Another thought that came to me was a conversation one Easter with one of my sons. He was at that hard age when society expects you to pick a career and get education that might serve you the rest of your life. He expressed that yes the cross was painful and humiliating but he also thought for Jesus it  .was the best moments of His life because He was finally getting to do what He had come to do! Think about it.

So here's what I have recently learned that I thought someone else might need too ---We need the hard things in our lives! We need challenge and routine and just plain doing what we don't want to do! It may be exercise or dieting or making up the bed or keeping the dishes or the car washed. It maybe difficult relationship things! Whatever our "cross" is , to be Christ like we need to embrace it! 

What's a Grammy supposed to do?

We have all seen them I confess they make me laugh! You know " If Mom says no ask Grandma" or the padded Grandparent paddle, I laugh but I don't re-post and most of all I DO NOT LIVE by this philosophy ! Truthfully it bothers my conscience a bit. A Grandparents job is to reinforce the parents values!

Now before I get stoned I am not saying there shouldn't be special treats at Grammy's that aren't the norm at home! Even these need parental approval and explanation. For example I usually have Capri Suns for the Grands- at least I did before all the mold issues! When one of the Grands complained that Mommy didn't buy them I explained that Mommy left that to me so I could have the fun of having something special as a treat when they visit.

Part of being a Grandparent is teaching our grands to value and appreciate their parents. We listen to complaints yes - they should know they can share anything with us- but in the end we present a united front with the parents.

About listening, it's simple hours and hours of Leggo information and video games builds the bridge to those deep life conversation we want to be a part of when they are teens.

Grandparents need to provide teaching moments. Formal ones like Vacation Bible School - I take the responsibility of registration, T -shirts, and part of the transportation. Informal ones like taking Grand One with me to shop for back to school supplies to donate. Today I told the Grandboys about the tinny country of Malawi and showed them the pill bottles I am sending for the Malawi Project clinics. Two ideas here - you live in a blessed family and not all kids are born with your advantages, there are ways to help others and we need to look for them and do them!

So what should the answers be when a Grand asks Grammy? Your parents know best and they love you ! I love you too enough to want you to grow up to be a loving , compassionate , responsible adult! Because I love you WHEN MOM SAYS NO GRAMMY DOES TOO!

Missing Mom

I didn't plan this , it's just one of those times when grief and loss sneak up on you . I am having the ladies from my neighborhood over and I wanted to sort of fancy up for them . My way of saying I value you and you are special. Maybe that's a Southetn thing? Well I couldn't do that without pulling out and going through the many "pretties" that my mom has given me over the years. Her treasures. 

I found myself wanting to share the moment with her. Here's the problem , Mom at almost 93 is still here, but she's not here. I can't send a photo she can't see. Oh I will send one and Lauren or D will " show" it to her and she will enjoy the moment telling them about what she sees. I can't seem to get her on the phone today - some days she just forgets how to answer. Here but not here that describes my mom.

So where are the words of wisdom, what have I gathered in this walk that I hope my young friends can use? Say it when you can and say it often. Clear the air - there are things I have apologized to mom about- some silly some serious. She knows I love her - she also knows there are some things we will never see the same. I know she loves Jesus and sees Heaven as her next home. Just be sure your relationship is as it should be . Not everyone gets 93 years! Even though there are many times Mom drives me crazy because we are such different view points on so many things. I am suddenly aware that I do miss her and she isn't even gone!

Missing Mom

If I write it will they read it?

So I am naturally slow at doing "new" things! Maybe it's my southern heritage or maybe it is just my age, but in the case of this blogging thing I have been beyond natural slowness! I have been fighting a battle- and even as I do this I am not sure the battle is won. It has been on my heart for a very long time to share the things the Lord has taught me and is teaching me through a blog. I want to be an encouragement to those around me. I love to teach and share and a blog seems a great way to do that. Of course there is a long list of why this may not work. There's the technology issue- I am of the generation that computers are for rocket scientist. There's the basic generation gap thing- do I have anything of interest to say, does the Titus 2 charge to older women to teach the younger remain relevant today?  What do I really know anyway? What do those around me want to know?
One thing I do know- it just keeps coming back to me,especially when I sincerely ask the question " What am I being asked by my Lord to do?" This idea of blogging always comes to mind.
So my Facebook friends here are my questions to you. If Inwrite will you read?  What would be helpful to you?

Has it really been that long??

2009 that 's when this blog was created. Where have the last two years gone?? Why am I thinking about this now. Because at church we are starting into a series on Dreams. No not a how to interpret what you dream after a big piece of pizza. Dreams --or goals , desires, purpose in life--what would God have me do with this bit of time He has given me. You know for such a time as this type stuff. What has always sort of been in the back of your mind or on your heart that you would like to do?? Or what has life thrown your way that just needs doing for God's glory. Kind of Joseph versus Esther . I personally can't think about this without coming once again to the point that I love to teach!! Always have. I really at this point in time don't picture myself standing in front of groups of women teaching--though when I have had the opportunity to do this in the past I have loved it. I am however wondering if some of my thoughts put into a blog format might just be read by some and in that way I could "teach" once again. One thing is for certain when I am studying with the idea of sharing I always also personally learn more. So maybe I should dust this off and if nothing else "teach" myself a few things. So once again I am exploring how this works.

He Was Building the House!

If God doesn't build the house the builders only build shacks. Psalm 127:1 The Message
Just some thoughts on our new home and how we managed to buy and sell a home in an economy that says that just isn't possible.
He was building the house when:
The first house we thought would be "perfect" fell through--now that we have this floor plan I know the first one would not have been nearly as comfortable.
I "just happened" to hear a commercial about a guaranteed buy program that the builders of this community have. Just what we needed to have the confidence to try.
A Dave Ramsey class at Grace helped to do the budget numbers so we could know what we could afford to spend.
The lot we wanted that has real trees we can see but won't have to rake and gives us a view of a church with a steeple was still available when we were ready .
Things that had to be done in the old house were within our budget.
A roofing and mold issue that could have stopped the whole thing was covered under our insurance.
The storage unit I picked ended up having a free tuck with move in --they hadn't even gotten the truck when I arranged for the unit--but when they asked if there was any thing else they could do to help I jokingly said yeah give me a truck to move in. Nice savings!!
Prayer to sell the house before Feb. 3rd when the price would be lowered again was answered and the papers where signed on Feb . 2nd --house had just been on the market since November.
An issue with Flood insurance was avoided by a survey --turns out our house was 1 and 1/2 inches above the flood line.
Closing and moving day were DELAYED--which meant weather for the move was perfect when we did close--first date was very cold and nasty.
We were blessed beyond belief with help with our move!!! That's the subject of another blog soon.
All through this process my faith has been increased. Many days my prayer was Lord I believe--help my unbelief!!! God is good and what concerns us concerns Him. We had a need --the stairs at the old house were a huge challenge for me some days --and the Lord provided In Spite of an Economy that says Selling a house is impossible. This is why we testify so that others following will be encouraged in the faith.
I ask you in your life is the Lord building the house??? Is He actively involved in your decisions and desires and plans??? Houses or shacks??? Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchmahman wakes but in vain . IT is vian for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of anxious toil:for He gives blessins to His beloved in sleep. Ps 127:1-2