I have a confession to make; I might as well just lay it all out there. I have blogger-envy. It's an embarrassing thing to admit, but it's the truth.
I love reading other people's blogs. I often lose track of time as I flit from one blog to another, relishing the insights, humor and advice that I find inhabiting the words of so many wonderful bloggers. I love it! And I hate it!
When I read a beautifully written post that encourages and inspires me I think "What? Why didn't I write that?" Or when I laugh at the humorous experiences of some hilarious blogger I wonder, "How come I didn't come up with that?" It's painful. It truly is.
The truth is, I am an accidental blogger. I never planned on writing a blog. But one Sunday night in November of 2008, my daughter happened to be home. She had recently started blogging and thought that I should give it a try. So while I watched with amazement and trepidation, she set up "In The Midst" and immediately handed over the keyboard to me. I loved it! And I hated it!
It's a joy to have a place to deposit the countless thoughts that swirl around in my head on a regular basis. There is such satisfaction in pulling together ideas in a way that can be shared with others. It's a pleasure, pure and simple. I love that!
But then there are other times, when nothing comes. Zero. Zip. Not a single thing. I struggle to think of something, anything to write. And I hate that!
That's when I usually hit the other blogs. And that's when the envy begins. So there you have it. Blogger-envy.
I hope that all of you wonderful bloggers recognize your role in this. If you weren't such great writers, I wouldn't have this problem. But the bottom line is this: I love you! And I hate you...just a little!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Heavenly Thoughts
I never used to think about heaven very much. Of course as a young child I learned about heaven in Sunday School. And as a born-again Believer, I rest in the knowledge that it is my future home. But I've never spent too much time thinking about just what it will be like when I get there.
However, the older I get, the more I experience a sense of anticipation when I think of heaven. Don't get me wrong, this isn't some morbid wish to be done with my life here, although there are days when the weariness of living in this world strikes deep into my soul.
Rather, it's simply that every now and then, God gives me the briefest glimpse of what it will be like to spend eternity worshiping and praising Him, and it makes me excited! I had one of those glimpses the other day.
As I drove to work on a glorious sunny morning last week, Matt Redman's song "10,000 Reasons" came on the radio. While singing along with the music, I was suddenly overwhelmed with what it will be like when I am joined by countless other saints in heaven worshiping and singing God's praises forever. It was breathtaking! Yet it was just a preview of coming attractions, and I for one, can't wait to see the real thing!
However, the older I get, the more I experience a sense of anticipation when I think of heaven. Don't get me wrong, this isn't some morbid wish to be done with my life here, although there are days when the weariness of living in this world strikes deep into my soul.
Rather, it's simply that every now and then, God gives me the briefest glimpse of what it will be like to spend eternity worshiping and praising Him, and it makes me excited! I had one of those glimpses the other day.
As I drove to work on a glorious sunny morning last week, Matt Redman's song "10,000 Reasons" came on the radio. While singing along with the music, I was suddenly overwhelmed with what it will be like when I am joined by countless other saints in heaven worshiping and singing God's praises forever. It was breathtaking! Yet it was just a preview of coming attractions, and I for one, can't wait to see the real thing!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
A Shore Thing!
We just got back from a long weekend at the beach with family. My husband, being from the East coast, would say we'd been to the shore, but we Washingtonians go to the beach! It would have been absolutely perfect had our daughter and son-in-law been able to join us from California, but they weren't able to make it this time. But that just gives us the perfect excuse for planning another trip when they can come!
On Thursday morning, my hubby and I headed to Seabrook, Washington where we had rented a sweet little cottage called "A Shore Thing." That evening, we were joined by our son, daughter-in-law, and nearly 15 month-old granddaughter, Ella, and that's when the fun really began.
We had planned for an ever-changing weather scenario by bringing layers of clothes, rubber boots and umbrellas but God smiled down on us and other than a little sprinkle on Saturday morning, we had plenty of sunshine and blue skies!
Before leaving on our trip, I had been on the look out for the perfect bucket and shovel to bring for Ella's first sand-digging experience. But every bucket I found, was flimsy and looked like the handle would be history by the time the first shovelful of sand hit it.
But then I went to Costco and...SCORE! They have the best 13-piece bucket set that is sturdy and fun! Ella had a blast with it before we ever even got outside. So if you are in the market for a great bucket and shovel set, check out your local Costco. They really should be paying me for this endorsement...
Anyway, here's a how the beach looked this weekend to our gang!
On Thursday morning, my hubby and I headed to Seabrook, Washington where we had rented a sweet little cottage called "A Shore Thing." That evening, we were joined by our son, daughter-in-law, and nearly 15 month-old granddaughter, Ella, and that's when the fun really began.
We had planned for an ever-changing weather scenario by bringing layers of clothes, rubber boots and umbrellas but God smiled down on us and other than a little sprinkle on Saturday morning, we had plenty of sunshine and blue skies!
Before leaving on our trip, I had been on the look out for the perfect bucket and shovel to bring for Ella's first sand-digging experience. But every bucket I found, was flimsy and looked like the handle would be history by the time the first shovelful of sand hit it.
But then I went to Costco and...SCORE! They have the best 13-piece bucket set that is sturdy and fun! Ella had a blast with it before we ever even got outside. So if you are in the market for a great bucket and shovel set, check out your local Costco. They really should be paying me for this endorsement...
Anyway, here's a how the beach looked this weekend to our gang!
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| Heading out for our first trip down to the beach |
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| Look at that fantastic bucket set! |
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| Getting a feel for the beach thing! |
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| You'd cry too if they told you that you had to leave the sand behind :( |
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| Beautiful family! |
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| Lookin' good! |
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| Couldn't resist this photo op! |
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| Ella liked Grandma's boots... |
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| Blue skies and sunshine...sweet! |
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| Oh yeah, this is the good life! |
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| Smile! |
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| Our home, sweet home, away from home! |
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Truth and Nothing But the Truth
I learned a little lesson tonight. Children can't be trusted to tell the whole story.
I was talking on the phone with my daughter, Elizabeth, who now lives in California, but a couple of years ago lived in St. Petersburg, Russia. She was asking me about her cousin, Kevin, who is living in Mozambique where he is working with the Peace Corps (these world traveling kids!). She wanted to know the latest news from him.
I told Elizabeth that my sister (Kevin's mom) had told me that he had a friend coming to visit. He was going to have to go to the city to pick her up and that would require a night in a hotel. Since crime is so bad in the city, they were planning on putting a chair under the door knob for extra security.
These words were no sooner out of my mouth when my daughter said "Kevin shouldn't tell his mom that kind of stuff."
"Oh," I said, "So what kind of things did you lie to me about when you were in Russia?"
"I didn't lie," she said. " If you had asked me if I was going to put a chair under the door knob for extra security, I would have told you, 'Yes, I am!'"
The bottom line is, if you want the truth and nothing but the truth, you've got to know the right questions to ask. Not all that reassuring, actually!
I was talking on the phone with my daughter, Elizabeth, who now lives in California, but a couple of years ago lived in St. Petersburg, Russia. She was asking me about her cousin, Kevin, who is living in Mozambique where he is working with the Peace Corps (these world traveling kids!). She wanted to know the latest news from him.
I told Elizabeth that my sister (Kevin's mom) had told me that he had a friend coming to visit. He was going to have to go to the city to pick her up and that would require a night in a hotel. Since crime is so bad in the city, they were planning on putting a chair under the door knob for extra security.
These words were no sooner out of my mouth when my daughter said "Kevin shouldn't tell his mom that kind of stuff."
"Oh," I said, "So what kind of things did you lie to me about when you were in Russia?"
"I didn't lie," she said. " If you had asked me if I was going to put a chair under the door knob for extra security, I would have told you, 'Yes, I am!'"
The bottom line is, if you want the truth and nothing but the truth, you've got to know the right questions to ask. Not all that reassuring, actually!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Scars Understood
Lately, I've been listening to a beautiful song by MercyMe called "The Hurt and the Healer" and it's gotten me thinking about some events of my life where I end up asking the question "Why?" "Why did I have to go through that painful experience?" "Why did things turn out that way when I was expecting something so different?" "Why does it have to hurt so much?"
At those times I feel like I need an answer in order to move forward. In all honesty, I feel like a deserve an answer for the suffering I've gone through and the scars that I bear. I seem to believe that if I could just know the "why" then I could make sense of it and move on.
It's not that I don't understand the value of trials and suffering. They build strength, perseverance, and character. Sometimes it may take some time before I see those results in my life, but when I do, I'm grateful for the pain I had to go through. But there are those experiences that wound and I never see the benefit from the resulting scar.
A few years back, I fell and broke my hip which resulted in the need for two surgeries to repair the break. Both surgeries left scars. I don't question the reason for those scars because I understand the need for them. They brought healing to brokenness.
But sometimes we bear scars where we simply can't see any good resulting from them. They make no sense to us and that in itself brings added pain.
The question I have to face at those times, is do I trust that God has a purpose for the pain and that someday those scars will be healed and understood when I stand before Him? Do I trust Him enough to move forward with my unanswered questions , believing that He will use every bit of the struggles and pain that I surrender to Him, for His glory?
As the song I've been listening to says, there will be a time "when the hurt and the Healer collide," and eventually, all of our scars will be undestood. I want to move forward in that knowledge... beyond the scars and pain... to the glory that awaits.
At those times I feel like I need an answer in order to move forward. In all honesty, I feel like a deserve an answer for the suffering I've gone through and the scars that I bear. I seem to believe that if I could just know the "why" then I could make sense of it and move on.
It's not that I don't understand the value of trials and suffering. They build strength, perseverance, and character. Sometimes it may take some time before I see those results in my life, but when I do, I'm grateful for the pain I had to go through. But there are those experiences that wound and I never see the benefit from the resulting scar.
A few years back, I fell and broke my hip which resulted in the need for two surgeries to repair the break. Both surgeries left scars. I don't question the reason for those scars because I understand the need for them. They brought healing to brokenness.
But sometimes we bear scars where we simply can't see any good resulting from them. They make no sense to us and that in itself brings added pain.
The question I have to face at those times, is do I trust that God has a purpose for the pain and that someday those scars will be healed and understood when I stand before Him? Do I trust Him enough to move forward with my unanswered questions , believing that He will use every bit of the struggles and pain that I surrender to Him, for His glory?
As the song I've been listening to says, there will be a time "when the hurt and the Healer collide," and eventually, all of our scars will be undestood. I want to move forward in that knowledge... beyond the scars and pain... to the glory that awaits.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
It's Today!
It was 31 years ago today! That's when my husband and I made that long walk down the church aisle to a new life together. Friends and family gathered to help us celebrate that special day.
Then a few short weeks later, we headed south to a new home in the middle of the Mojave desert. As we drove down the freeway, my new husband said, "We're on an adventure, just the three of us...you, me and the Lord!" That adventure took us to Twenty Nine Palms, California, home of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. A little bit intimidating!
But life in the desert had its charms...waking up to sun streaming in the window every morning, no traffic jams since the town only had one stop light, and best of all, a two year honeymoon for just the two of us...oh yeah, and the Marine Corps!
While I missed my family back home like crazy, I wouldn't have traded those early days of just "us" for anything, because it gave my husband and me the chance to become our own family.
Now, 31 years later, we look back and bask in the blessings of those years! Family and friends who have enriched our lives beyond measure. Heartaches and joys that have molded us into the people we are today. And the continuation of that adventure with "just the three of us"... and everyone else we love!
Then a few short weeks later, we headed south to a new home in the middle of the Mojave desert. As we drove down the freeway, my new husband said, "We're on an adventure, just the three of us...you, me and the Lord!" That adventure took us to Twenty Nine Palms, California, home of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. A little bit intimidating!
But life in the desert had its charms...waking up to sun streaming in the window every morning, no traffic jams since the town only had one stop light, and best of all, a two year honeymoon for just the two of us...oh yeah, and the Marine Corps!
While I missed my family back home like crazy, I wouldn't have traded those early days of just "us" for anything, because it gave my husband and me the chance to become our own family.
Now, 31 years later, we look back and bask in the blessings of those years! Family and friends who have enriched our lives beyond measure. Heartaches and joys that have molded us into the people we are today. And the continuation of that adventure with "just the three of us"... and everyone else we love!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Two Peas in a Pod
Today was delightful. It was sunny and warm and included a shopping trip! Doesn't get much better than that from my point of view! My friend, Valen, and I decided that it was time to hit the outlet mall and see what bargains we could find.
Valen and I have been office mates since December, and it didn't take long to discover that we are kindred spirits! To start with, we are sisters in the Lord which gave us a firm foundation from the get-go.
But then a short time after meeting, I discovered that she was about to become a first-time grandmother. When Valen told me that her daughter was having a little girl in January, I asked her what the baby's name was going to be and she said...wait for it...ELLA.
In case you're not a regular follower of this blog, let me just direct your attention to this post from last February and you'll understand the connection! So we are now both grandmothers to two beautiful little Ellas and we love to swap "Ella" stories and show "Ella" pictures.
Valen and I have another thing common...we love to shop for bargains! So a few weeks ago we pulled out our calendars, locked in a date and decided to make a day of bargain hunting. The outlet malls we were headed to are about an hour from where we live so we had a great time visiting on our way there.
When we got to the mall we shopped, then stopped and had a delicious lunch at a down-home style restaurant, and then we shopped some more. We didn't go crazy or anything, but we headed home pretty satisfied with the day!
But there was one thing that I discovered that Valen and I don't have in common; she has "people" and I don't. When we walked into Starbucks to grab a cup of coffee to take on the road with us, her "people" greeted her immediately and knew exactly what she wanted to order. I was impressed! And I admit that I'm a little bit jealous. But I won't let that come between us. Afterall, our Ellas still need their grandmas to find some great bargains for them!
Valen and I have been office mates since December, and it didn't take long to discover that we are kindred spirits! To start with, we are sisters in the Lord which gave us a firm foundation from the get-go.
But then a short time after meeting, I discovered that she was about to become a first-time grandmother. When Valen told me that her daughter was having a little girl in January, I asked her what the baby's name was going to be and she said...wait for it...ELLA.
In case you're not a regular follower of this blog, let me just direct your attention to this post from last February and you'll understand the connection! So we are now both grandmothers to two beautiful little Ellas and we love to swap "Ella" stories and show "Ella" pictures.
Valen and I have another thing common...we love to shop for bargains! So a few weeks ago we pulled out our calendars, locked in a date and decided to make a day of bargain hunting. The outlet malls we were headed to are about an hour from where we live so we had a great time visiting on our way there.
When we got to the mall we shopped, then stopped and had a delicious lunch at a down-home style restaurant, and then we shopped some more. We didn't go crazy or anything, but we headed home pretty satisfied with the day!
But there was one thing that I discovered that Valen and I don't have in common; she has "people" and I don't. When we walked into Starbucks to grab a cup of coffee to take on the road with us, her "people" greeted her immediately and knew exactly what she wanted to order. I was impressed! And I admit that I'm a little bit jealous. But I won't let that come between us. Afterall, our Ellas still need their grandmas to find some great bargains for them!
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