End of a great vacation........

 I actually missed a day of blogging yesterday... it was a very busy day.  We went back to New York City...lower Manhattan... and we went to the 9/11 Museum.  I could most likely do an entire week or more about all that we saw and experienced there.  Most of the museum you are not allowed to take photos, so that explains one reason why I didn't blog last night.  Plus, it was more of an emotional thing.... I needed some time to let everything sink in.  I know that it has been almost 14 years since that event, and it has been easy to put it out of my mind.  But as you walk through the timeline of the events, it all comes flooding back in your mind.  I actually saw....LIVE...on the Today Show, the first plane hit the tower.  I just happened to be getting coffee in the kitchen of the church I worked at and the Elder Daycare center that shared our space had the TV on.  It was so frightening... we thought it was an accident at first.  But then as the coverage continued, it became clear it was something else entirely.  It was eerie to walk on that spot.  The museum is actually constructed BELOW those memorial pools I blogged about yesterday.  There is a room with floor to ceiling (VERY TALL CEILING) pictures of each of the people who died in this tragedy.  In another room, there is a constant recording by family members about the family member they lost, with videos.  It went on and on.  Through a time table of events, the search and hope for rescue (only 14 people were found alive) and then the terrible task of cleanup.  There was a burned and crumbled fire truck.....   There was one display that I stood in front of for a long time.  It was a map of the United States showing the airline traffic at 8:53am and then at 9:31am.  There were no planes in the air after that over the United States.  Ken and I remember how odd it was to not have planes flying over us.  And this was such a visual of the impact of that day on so many people. The museum did exactly what it was supposed to do.  It made me remember.

Yesterday we also went back to Trinity Church and actually walked through the cemetery and inside the church.  It was a great place to be, after spending several hours at the 9/11 memorial and museum.

I could have spent hours in the cemetery just reading the tombstones.  I can tell that I haven't spent much time in the East.  I am just not used to things being so OLD!  I saw more than one from the 1760's.  It certainly helped me get my focus back and to see Jesus on the throne, reigning over it all.  I loved one tombstone I saw that read, "Here lies Elizabeth, awaiting her glorious rising with Jesus".  Yes, it was exactly what I needed at exactly the right time!

We also went to Federal Hall and Wall Street.  We ate New York Pizza for lunch.  And Ken walked 1/2 way across the Brooklyn Bridge!  I waited in the shade at the City Hall Park.  It was 91 and very humid.  I wanted to protect my feet, but alas, I got another blister...this time on my heel!  (I think my new socks may have something to do with this).  We finished off the day having dinner at Tops Diner, which is supposed to be the best diner in New Jersey!  It was really good food and Ken splurged on an amazing desert..the first of the vacation!

Today was our last day in New York.  We realized that you just can not do it all in one trip, so we scaled back our plans.  We took the train to 33rd St this morning and saw Time Square.  Good Morning America was filming some kind of Army presentation (we never did figure out what it was exactly but there were soldiers all around).  We saw bagpipers and then this band played the National Anthem.  It was pretty amazing to be in Time Square for something like that, especially after the 9/11 museum!

We walked on Broadway and saw Macy's flagship store. They have a sign that says "World's Largest Store" and we thought it was just some kind of slogan.  But when you walk and walk and walk and it is still the Macy's store, yes it IS possible that it is the biggest.  And then we walked to Ken's happy place.......B & H Camera!

His camera actually came from this store (shipped to us, of course).  And he had never actually been inside of this store.  To quote Ken, "This is sort of like a super mega big Best Buy, with a whole floor of Camera stuff"!  He was certainly happy.  We actually got out of the store only spending $36, which is quite amazing.  

From there we walked to the Empire State Building.  We decided NOT to take the tour to the top.  Instead we had a really nice lunch in a pub in the building.  We took an early train back to our Hotel.

A bonus shot of us on the train.  It was a good decision to leave and start our trip home.  We drove 4 hours and shortened our trip tomorrow to just 8 hours.  

It has been an amazing week.  We have seen so much and covered so much ground.  I know that I have walked more miles in this week than I have walked in months!  Both of our destinations had so much history.... so many things to see.....so much to take in.  One thing is certain, we will need to go back again.  And mostly again.  

We have been so blessed on this trip.  Our travel has been good.  All of our activities have been outside and we have not had any rain.  We knew that we would be walking so we bought rain gear and never opened it!  (We did have one evening/night of rain in DC but nothing during the day!).  Our hotels have been just great.  We met so many really helpful people.  All of our train/subway trips went smoothly and we never got lost!  And every time I have felt my perspective shifting, or felt the ground a bit shaky, or been overwhelmed by what my eyes have seen, Jesus has always been there to bring me back to exactly where I need to be.  Yes, what a blessing.  

Jesus, thank you for time away from our routines.  Thank you for museums that preserve the past so that we do not forget our triumphs and our sorrows or our mistakes.  Thank you for your guidance and wisdom so that we do not repeat the mistakes of previous generations.  Help us to leave a legacy filled with you Jesus, for the generations to come.  Amen

Get out of the box!

This morning I caught Anna in this position.  Yes, she is sitting in a box.  This particular box is one of her favorites....it hold all of the "little people".  I think these are her favorite toys.  Now for a little one, not yet walking, getting into this box is quite a big deal.  And then there is the getting out!

Anna struggled for a bit and then realized that she was sitting on a "gold mine" of wonderful toys to play with.  So she happily sat and played.....in the box.....for a long time.  When she finally decided to get out, it only took her a couple of tries to figure out how to get free of that box!

After I had just snapped these pictures, I realized that there is a message in this...a message that I have been hearing for some time.  I need to get out of my box!  Isn't this a message that oh so many of us are hearing these days?  You know, it is so interesting how easy it is to get stuck in a rut.  Happy in that place, even when things are not all that good, you still are comfortable there?  Sometimes, like Anna, there are many very good things in our box.  Things that make us happy.  But that box can be very confining.  Not much room to move around.  A place where you know you are not meeting your full potential.  I realized that I need to take a cue from Anna.  She left the box, but she also brought those favorite "little people" with her.  She was able to move out of that tight space, and really enjoy those toys.  She had many many fun things to use with those little people AFTER she got out of the box.  There were castles, swings, houses and even an amusement park!  And after she was free of the confines of that box, I saw her standing and cruising around the toy shelf.  I actually saw her take one very tentative step today without holding on to anything! For sure, Anna has an amazing world opening up to her, when she masters walking.  

On the way home I was thinking about this.  I do feel like I have been in a box for a long time.  For awhile it felt very comfortable just doing the same things over and over.  Not really going anywhere.  There were some very good things about my life, but I knew that there was so much more that I was missing.  Making the decision to leave that box is really the hardest thing.  Once you make the choice to leave, the getting out is easy.  But then it is knowing where to go next that looms large for you.  I am happy to say that I did get out of my box.  However, I know that I have been sort of sitting on the ground, pretty close to that box, and I have not really moved very far from it.  Certainly in the last few months, grief has kept me from taking steps into new things.  But spring is here and it feels like time to move on out.  So I am going to keep listening to Jesus each day, taking those steps when the path is clear.  I will be keeping my eyes focused beyond my present place.  Looking ahead and remembering to see from Jesus' perspective.  I blogged about the power of the presence of Jesus, yet I didn't really do anything with that power.  It's time for me to put some action to all of these words.  I have promised truth on this blog, so watch for a truthful reveal in just how successful I am on this new path, moving out and away from my box.  

Jesus, thank you for encouragement to try new things and also your grace and courage to move into those new places. Help us all to be like Anna....seeing those happy things in our boxes and also working to get out of those boxes.  More than that, help us to carry with us all of the good things we have gained from the places we have been.  And give us excitement and delight as we look out at new things on the path ahead of us.  Amen

Looking back....37 years

Ken and I have just passed another "anniversary" of sorts.  Thirty seven years ago we moved into our house.  This picture was actually taken in late January of 1978 - BEFORE the house was totally done.  There was a BIG snowstorm on January 28, 1978 and the closing was delayed.  It was an interesting time for Ken and I.  We had totally packed our apartment and had a sea of boxes with a tiny path through the rooms.  We had hardly any food in the house since we THOUGHT that we were closing and moving on the 30th.  Well, it snowed and snowed and our closing was canceled.  As a matter of fact, we didn't end up closing until the 19th of February and we moved into the house on the 21st. So it was an interesting few weeks. I am so thankful that we bought our house and decided to move out of our comfort area (which was about 25 miles north and west from where we live).

I remember when we moved into our house it seemed SO BIG!  It has three bedrooms and 1.5 baths.  Compared to our 1 bedroom apartment it was big.  But in reality, it is a very small house. Over the years it has felt very small at times.  When we had two teenagers and all their friends, it could get very tight.  When the kids moved out, Ken and I have had years of once again knowing that our house is plenty big enough for us.  Truthfully, now when the kids come home, it once again feels pretty cozy when you add the grandchildren and the dogs!

And once again, here is our house now.  With new siding and new windows and doors.  It's so interesting to see these pictures side by side (so to speak).   Yes, I am quite happy with my cozy little home!

What a great reminder today about perspective.  How big or how small something is....well it depends on your perspective.  My small little house (by the standard around here) would be a real mansion in some parts of the world.  And on the other hand, it would seem like a tiny cottage to some in other areas where large estates, castles or palaces are the norm.  Considering that many around the world live in huts with dirt floors or many don't even have a roof over their head, I feel blessed. 

I was thinking about the old adage "Home is where the heart is".  Yes, it is really true.  It doesn't matter where you live, as long as those that are important to you are there with you.   In my Bible reading this morning, I was reading in John 14.   I love this chapter that starts with these words of great comfort from Jesus....."Do not let your hearts be troubled."   Jesus then follows this up with an instruction...."You believe in God; believe also in me"   And then Jesus says  "My Father's house has many rooms, if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?"   That is a house with many, many rooms that I am very much looking forward to.  The most important thing will be that Jesus is there, along with all of the "Saints that have gone before".   Yes, that will be a home where my heart is!   

So, it has been an interesting day.  I have been thinking about perspective and in that, I have been feeling thankful and hopeful.  Yes, there has been a breakthrough in my spirit this week.  I feel as if I am moving toward the end of that tunnel.  It is a wonderful, freeing feeling.  Even though it is VERY COLD outside, and winter still seems to have a strong hold on us, my overwhelming feeling is that SPRING IS ON ITS WAY!   So that is is the message I am leaving you tonight.  Spring is coming!  It's right around the corner.  And, to just add a bit to the message...consider perspective tonight!  

Jesus, thank you for your provision that includes my wonderful home.  And thank you for the room that is prepared for me in your Father's house!  Holy Spirit, keep our eyes open to see with YOUR perspective.  Remind us when it is cold and dark that spring is near.  Thank you Jesus for leaving your Word so that we could hold fast to your promises!  Amen

Small town happenings......

I love living in a small town.  While it is a "suburb", it still has much of the same feel of a small town that it had when we moved here 38 years ago.  It was a wonderful place for our kids to grow up and we have really been very happy living here.

Today we went "downtown" (I use that term very loosely, there is really no "downtown" in this town) so that Ken could get some photos of the many firetrucks that were on display to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Fire Protection District.  When we moved into town it was an all volunteer fire department.  We did get a discount on our homeowners insurance because we lived within a mile of one of the 2 stations in town.  Ken and I were a bit surprised, not that long ago, when we discovered that fire station 2 (the one closest to our house) was closed and FOR SALE!  Somehow we missed the memo that they were closing that station.  In truth, that small station was really not necessary since the remodel and build of the new station that is only slightly further away from us.  And many years ago, we gained full time paid firefighters and paramedics. So this event was exactly what you would expect.  There were lots of fire trucks, lots of people and vendors selling food.  And there were also "water fights".

I snapped this picture of Ken taking a picture of the Warrenville Team #1 winning a round against Lisle/Woodridge Team.  The kids were having a great time.  They were running and playing everywhere that the spray was going.  They had also assembled a "pool" from a large tarp that was about 2 feet deep and most of the kids were soaking wet from head to toe.  Yes, this was a kid friendly event.

I was thinking about that saying that you always hear... "it takes a village to raise a child".  In so many ways, this town has been a blessing to our family.  I never had to leave town to find daycare for my kids.  They were always cared for in our neighborhood, in the homes of their friends.  They went to schools that were really state of the art.  Their elementary school had a "computer lab" when Doug was in Kindergarten and Gwen was in 3rd grade. (This was thanks to Bell Labs being in our back yard and they provided a donation of computers for the school)  Thanks to that keyboarding training, both of my kids could type 50 words a minute before they entered middle school.  For the most part, we were happy with the schools, the teachers, and the education provided to our kids.  And, of course, it is the people who make up the village.  We have had some really wonderful neighbors.  Our favorites, Mr. and Mrs. Sweemer, lived next door for more than 15 years.  This wonderful retired couple really were a bit like having a grandma and grandpa living next door.  Things have changed in our neighborhood.  There are not as many kids as there used to be.  We have more renters around us.  And there have been some divorces among our neighbors. But it stills makes me smile to stand on the sidewalk and look up the street.  Yes, its a nice place to live.  This town was certainly part of that "village" that provided a foundation for Gwen and Doug.

I think it is good to look around and appreciate all that you have, where ever you live.  I know that I am not the only one who can find many, many good things about the town, village, or city that you live in that bless your family.  I love that Jesus planned for Ken and I to live in this town.  It was part of the design he had for us.  Some people might look at my small town and miss all of the positive things.  It seems that it is always easier to see the negative rather than the positive.  Today, I was reminded to see the GOOD through this wonderful celebration.

Jesus, thank you for bringing us to this town.  Thank you for all of the men and women that serve our community as Firefighters and Paramedics.  Guard and protect them as they carry out their duties in our town.  Holy Spirit, help all of us to see the positive benefits of our home towns.  Change our perspective to in all things to respond to the good rather than the bad and to appreciate all that we have.  Amen

Another even longer day on the beach....and more.

 

Here I am, under that blue canopy on the right of the picture.  On the far left, the last balcony on the top floor, is our room.  We had such a great day sitting on the beach.  We were actually out there for more than 6 hours.  Ken went to the hotel snack bar and got us some lunch, so we didn't have to leave the beach.  I spent more time in the water today than I have EVER.   For some reason, on this trip, I have just loved being in the ocean.  Usually I just walk in, get wet and get out.  Not so this time. And, unfortunately, my body shows it today!  My face got burned around my swim goggles.  Apparently they rub the sunscreen off and I must not have applied quite enough.  I also got burned on my upper arm area, just one crazy spot that must have missed the reapply of the sunscreen.  I look pretty silly. 

And here is the evidence that I was actually in the water.  Ken took this picture as I was coming out of the water.  I never thought I'd be posting a swimming suit picture, but here it is.  I love the two little birdies in the background.  They are my favorite kind of little beach bird. 

 

Part of the reason I am posting this swimming suit picture is that I recently saw a blog and facebook post that included a picture of a mom laying on the beach in a swimming suit.  She was so angry and just appalled at the picture that she found on her phone.  Apparently her children had taken the picture.  When she asked them about the photo, they both exclaimed that this was just a wonderful and beautiful picture.  They saw her as beautiful.  And they were remembering the great time that they had with her on the beach.  She saw all of her flaws, but they saw her as beautiful.  I want to remember this vacation and the great times that we have had.  I also want to keep the perspective of thankfulness - not only for the vacation, but for the fact that I can still BE in the water, walk on the sand, and enjoy life so much. Whatever I look like in a swimming suit.   Isn't it true that we are our own worst critics? 

 

Today I saw some families having wonderful times together on the beach and in the water.  There was one little boy, around 8 or 9 years old.  He had a baby brother who I would guess was around a year old.  There was also a sister around 4 or 5 years old.  Mom had her hands full with this bunch!  But that little boy held his baby brother right at the edge of the water and let him splash and play in the water.  What a picture that was.  And then mom finally got sister to join them and she snapped some photo's on her phone.  These will be keeper pictures for sure.  In the same way, the pictures that Ken took of me today, are all keepers!  I am so thankful for all of the pictures I have!  Pictures are a memory treasure. 

 

This morning I was reading Isaiah 45.  I love this particular chapter of Isaiah.  And as I was typing this blog, I was remembering this passage verse 3 of Isaiah 45.......

 

"I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am Yahweh, the God of Israel, who calls you by name."

 

Yes, all of these great memories are treasures and riches.  And I am so thankful that all around us are reminders of the love and care of Jesus that includes treasures and riches that sometimes go unnoticed.  I am going to be more aware of the little things around me and watching for the wonders that come from Jesus.

 

Jesus, thank you for the ocean, the sunshine and time to relax with Ken.  Holy Spirit, help me to hold on to today's lesson.  Give me eyes to see the ways you bless me with treasures and riches.  Help us all to have the perspective to see and feel your love and care for us.  Jesus, thank you for calling me by name.  Amen

 



The UPSIDE of my job and READING UP!

One of the hardest things about my new job is the constant changes.  Nothing is ever the same.  My schedule changes ALL THE TIME!  And I mean all the time.  I never know what my hours will be from week to week and then actually from day to day or even hour to hour.  For instance, today I was SCHEDULED to work 7:30 - 4:00.  When I got to work at 7:15 I discovered that my schedule had changed and I was now working from 7:30 - 5:00.  And WHERE I am working also changes just as often.  I was supposed to be with the school age kids all day.  That is what my schedule said.  However, when I got my changed schedule this morning, I was now being shifted around between 3 different rooms with 3 different ages of children.  Then about a half hour later, that changed again and I was only going to 2 rooms.  Then at noon time today, I was told that my schedule had changed AGAIN, and I would be going home at 4:00.  And everyday is like this.  This job has been a lot about learning to be adaptable and willing to change - constantly.  FLEXIBILITY!  That's the name of the game with this job. 

But, the upside of all of this is that it is never boring!  Things are always changing.  I am with lots of different children.  And also work with many different people.  The different schedules also mean that some days I don't have to leave the house until much later.  And some days I get home earlier.  I also always have one day off each week.  Now that is a BIG upside to this job.  Once again, it is all about perspective. 

Today I saw this on Facebook.  I really like this because again, it is about perspective.  In this case, when you read it down the page, you see one message.  And when you read UP the page, you see a totally different message. 

This is another great reminder to be looking UP as well as READING UP!  I like this!  There is a totally different meaning to these words when you read them in the correct order.  What a great reminder. 

 

Jesus, today I am so thankful for the job that you provided for me.  Thank you for showing me the importance of being flexible and celebrating the UPSIDE of my job.  Holy Spirit, I love that you remind us to keep looking up in so many interesting ways.  Thank you for this visual that reminded me again that perspective is so important.   Help us all to keep our eyes on Jesus even as we are in our day to day life.  Jesus, give us all a new upward perspective as we go into 2014.  Amen 

Seeing more clearly..........in 2014

Even though New Years is a couple of days away, I have been feeling the "end of Christmas" today.  I can't really explain why, it just seems to be there.  I am already thinking about taking down the Christmas tree.  One of the very best things about the holidays is the being together.  I know that I have said that over and over, but when I think about the year in review..... what comes to mind is the time we have spent together.   I simply adore the picture above.  It was taken at the end of our family Christmas celebration (which actually happened on the 21st).  Nothing makes me smile more than this picture.  Those sweet little ones cuddled up to us.  Yes, this is smile stuff!  It has given me a greater appreciation of how my mom really loved being around her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  There is something really special about holding those babies on your lap and seeing a part of yourself, continuing on. 

I love this picture of my mom and Gwen and Doug.  It resonates with the picture above.  It was taken as we were "celebrating Christmas" just after Thanksgiving when Grandma was here visiting.  I want to have the same close relationship with my grandchildren that my mom had with my kids.  And I love that I see it in that picture above.  It's as if I am seeing new things through these old pictures.

 

Recently there was an Elijah list post    that included this.....

The Lord says, "I am expanding your spiritual perception. In the same way that binoculars are adjusted to see in magnification, wide angle or panoramic view, I am going to open My people's eyes to see things in a new way. For some of you, The Seer anointing will open up to you and you will receive visions and dreams, and your eyes will be opened as the blinders are lifted. There is a door standing open in Heaven. It is not a natural door and I am calling you to come up here and I will show you things that must take place. You shall declare a thing, and it shall be established."

 

Sometimes I feel as if I have been given a totally new perspective as I look back at pictures of my family from the past and reflect on current events.  I love that Jesus is changing how I see things.  I can't wait for an even bigger, clearer vision in 2014.  I have the sense that all of us only see the very small surface of people and events.  There is so much more beneath the surface and around the edges and behind the scene, if we would only take the time and look more carefully.  One thing that I will be doing in 2014 is praying for an expanded view!  Won't you join me?

 

Jesus, thank you for grandchildren and smiles and family and love.  Holy Spirit, will you help me to have that expanded view in the days ahead.  Thank you for those word from the Elijah list.  Give us all a changed perspective and the desire to see beyond the surface.  Thank you for Christmas and celebrations and wonderful time together.   Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 



Some things never change...... and some do!

Today I was thinking about our Christmas and the different years when our own kids were little and then I saw this picture of Ken from the early 1950's.  There he is, in front of the tree with all of his trucks.  And I was remembering  Zeke with this year's special toy from Uncle Doug and Aunt Susie.  It was a battery operated Backhoe that shook and moved and lights flashed.  Yes, it was a hit with Zeke.  There is something about boys and their trucks.

Sadly I didn't get a picture of Zeke with that truck. Or the cars and the ramps that he also received.  What I did get a picture of was this sweet shot of Zeke with the doll and blankets and bed that we gave him.  You know, Zeke is going to be a big brother and with a new baby coming soon, he needed his own "baby".  I love the look on Zeke's face.  He was really happy with this little doll.  I was thinking about how grateful I  am that some things DO change.  When Ken was little in the 1950's, no little boy would have been given a doll.  I am so thankful that in 2013 it is totally okay to let boys learn how to nurture and care for babies.  Actually, Doug had a Cabbage Patch doll in 1985.  I guess when you have older sisters, you expect to be able to have your OWN doll to play with. 

After looking at these pictures I was thinking about how much things have changed in the last years.  I am very different than I was a few years ago.  How I view the world and my life has taken a very different direction than I would have thought.  And I know that it is because of Jesus in my life that my perspective has shifted.  I know that even 10 years ago I would never have imagined I would be working in a daycare center.  As a matter of fact, this would have been the LAST place I would have imagined working.  Yet, I know that in this season, it is exactly the right place for me to be.  I am so thankful for the children and the people that I work with.  The days go quickly and I am grateful for the paycheck.  I know that there are many things that Jesus is teaching me in this season, and things that I am to be doing.  As the year winds down and you begin to think about what the new year holds, it is good to remember that things DO change!   So over the next week I will be thinking about the things that I would want to change and the things that I hope will not change in the new year.  I really think that this is a very different process than making "new years resolutions". Or even setting goals for the new year.  Its all about perspective! The most important step I will be taking is to be listening for the direction of the Holy Spirit as I make that list.  I know that is the only way that I will see the true path for the year ahead.   So right now, I am celebrating that some things don't change and little boys still love their cars and trucks (and so do BIG boys!).  But I am also celebrating that some things DO change when I see that sweet expression on the face of my grandson with his baby.  

Jesus, thank you for reminding me that I need to evaluate the new year from your perspective.  Holy Spirit, thank you for once again, using photos to trigger the thought process that leads me to the subject that you are speaking to me right now.  Jesus, thank you that you want to open our eyes, and ears and our spirits to your direction. Help me to continue to look, listen and be aware of all that you are speaking to me in the days ahead.   Amen