Expecting the "unexpected"!

So I was concentrating on all of the traffic around me as I was driving home from Gwen's this afternoon.  There was quite a line up of cars that had grown longer and longer (thanks to the Canadian National Freight Train blocking the busy road) and we were inching along.  Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted this odd creature that peeked its head out of the tall grass on the side of the road and started to walk closer and closer to the cars.  As the cars began to move, it turned around and darted back into the grass.  When I got home, I actually drew a picture of the animal that I had seen so that I could show it to Ken.  My drawing  looked a bit like a cartoon dinosaur, keeping in mind that the creature I saw was about 2 feet long and possibly a foot and a half tall.  I described it as a smooth, solid black creature without ears.  Ken identified it on his second guess (his first guess was a weasel) - A RIVER OTTER!  And that is exactly what I saw.  Not exactly what you would expect to see!  And the article I read said that the River Otter is a member of the weasel family!  So Ken was actually correct on his first guess!  This made sense with the lakes that were all around the area I was driving through.

Earlier today I had been thinking about that "window" word that I had heard a few days ago.  As I was meditating on that word, I heard "expect the unexpected"!  As I was thinking about those two things together - the window and the unexpected - many things started to run through my mind.  The first time I thought about the window, it was a quiet, calm scene that came to mind.  But today, I was seeing the exact opposite of that.  I was seeing lots of scarier things out of that window.  In fact I was thinking about 9/11 and suddenly that window became the TV and I was seeing those buildings fall.  Yes, that was very unexpected.  So I wasn't really surprised today to see that unusual animal out the car window.

I can't wait to see more of the "unexpected"!  This seems to be a time of seasons changing all around.  Things are happening in the natural!  Zeke noticed this morning that the leaves on the top of the trees in their neighborhood had started to turn red!  He was very excited.  And, truthfully, it was unexpected to already see leaves changing.  I loved this (from the Passion Translation Facebook site)

When Jesus looks at you, he never sees your history, he sees your destiny, he sees who you really are. You are his lover, his friend, his delight, his bride.When you think you deserve a lecture, he gives you a kiss.When you have failed him, when you are your worst, Mercy rises up and says you know I love taking chaos making it into beauty and symmetry. I work the night shift and my plan is Night and day. Evening and the morning is the first day. God always begins in the dark. He's comfortable working to make you more like Jesus Christ.

This was an unexpected find on Facebook today!  I can't wait to see what will be coming around the corner for all of us.  I love that Jesus doesn't see our history.... only our destiny!  And I love the reminder that God always begins in the dark.  Isn't that a great encouragement to us all?  Even if we are in a really dark place, it is a good place because God is beginning something there.  So if it is looking dark and gloomy out of that window, expect the unexpected and rest in the assurance that Jesus sees our destiny and is already working in us and for us!

Jesus, thank you for speaking to me in even little things, like a surprise animal out my car window! Holy Spirit, continue to encourage us during those dark times.  Keep our eyes open to see those unexpected sights.  Thank you for seeing our destiny when you look at us!  Amen

Great day to be a parent!

Sometimes things just kind of sneak up on you.  Well, sort of.  This picture is my son Doug, of course.   I know that I have blogged about how musical both of my kids are.  I have talked about all of the various musical things that Gwen does.  And I guess I have mentioned that Doug is also musical.   He started playing saxophone in 5th grade.   He played all through middle school and high school.  He was in the Jazz band starting in 6th grade.  Somewhere around then (I'm not exactly sure what year) Doug bought an electric guitar.  He did take some lessons, but basically taught himself to play.  Then he got a full set of drums.  We used to laugh about the fact that we could here him playing the drums when we were several blocks away.  That drum set took up the better part of his bedroom.  He was mostly responsible about not playing those drums except during the daytime.  It was quiet once he moved out of the house.   I knew that Doug was playing in a band and that he had set up a band practice area in the basement of his home. 

The thing is, Doug hasn't said very much to me about this band!  I guess I should not be overly surprised.   The contrast between my two children is extreme!  Gwen would come home from school and talk.  And talk.  And talk.  I heard about everything that happened.  What all the girls were wearing.  What the teacher was wearing. Especially her shoes.  I got a pretty much play-by-play account of the day.   Then Doug started school.  He would come home.  I would ask "How was your day?"  The always answer was "Fine".  I would try to get further information.... "what happened in school today?"  and the answer was "nothing".  And that was about it.   Now here is where things sort of "snuck up on me".   About a week ago, Susie, Doug's wife, liked the "Crisis Identity" Facebook page.   That is the name of Doug's Band.  And they had a Facebook page.   And when I liked the page and actually went to the page and looked at it, low and behold, there was a link with actual tracks off of a CD that I could listen to.   And pictures of Doug, playing and singing.   Wow.   This was amazing!

I was thinking about a time when Doug was in high school.  He and I had a conversation about what he wanted to do when he "grew up".   He told me that he would love to play music and get paid for it!  He said that he wished he could make enough money doing that, but realistically he knew that was not possible.  I am so thankful that he actually found a career that he loves.  But mostly, tonight, I am so thankful that he has been able to continue to play music.  As a parent you always hope to see your children have their hopes and dreams come true.  And I am so blessed to know that my children are happily walking out their destiny.

What an amazing gift this information was today.   Isn't it wonderful how the Holy Spirit just brings these wonderful little pick-me-ups to us?   It is so wonderful to be surprised and then to realize that there is much more than the surface stuff to the surprise.   In this case, it is that connection to Doug's childhood desire.  And that knowing the joy, as a parent, of seeing your adult children living life to the fullest.  
Tonight I am so proud and thankful.  

Jesus, thank you for my family.   Thank you for Gwen and Doug.  How wonderful it is to be blessed like this today.   Holy Spirit, help all parents to stand by their children, whatever and wherever their children go as adults.   Jesus, I know that you are guiding and leading my children.   Thank you for your care and protection for them.   Amen

The blessing of great pretzels..............

Tonight as Ken and I were sitting at dinner at our local Chili's restaurant, I realized that today was Friday the 13th.  I happened to see something on my phone about facts on Friday the 13th.  And I was thinking about various superstitions that hold so many people hostage.  Friday the 13th is certainly on that list.   Since I don't believe in "luck" either good or bad, this seems very silly to me.  I know that nothing happens by chance and that our destiny is part of God's plan for us.  So it really doesn't matter to me WHAT the date is, since everyday Jesus is in charge of my life.  The interesting thing that happened was that after dinner, the waitress accidentally dropped a plate holding several small dishes of various sauces.  They smashed to the floor and splattered EVERYWHERE including up and down the side of my leg and on my shoes.  Since I was going to be going straight home and really didn't care about my clothes, this was not a big deal.  When I heard the waitress say "It figures, it's Friday the 13th!"   I kind of chuckled!   When we found out that the manager had taken our appetizer off of our bill (By the way....wonderful, warm, fluffy, tasty pretzels - that make going to Chili's worthwhile) I realized what a blessing this little accident was for Ken and I.  Free Appetizers!  It's all about perspective.  From the perspective of that waitress, it was a "bad luck" occurrence because of Friday the 13th.  From my perspective, this was just an accident that ended with a blessing for us. 

So, these pretzels were a wonderful "unexpected" surprise.  And yes, I am still "Expecting the Unexpected".   I had another "unexpected" surprise at work today.  I got to spend my entire day in my favorite classroom, with my favorite kids and my favorite co-worker.  And today I got to paint a bunch of kid's hands with brown finger paint (making cute reindeer out of these), helping assemble a really cute owl (for "O" week), helped create a sign up sheet for next weeks Holiday Party (this included coloring and cutting out pictures of reindeer - in the dark- when the kids were asleep), read a really cute book to the kids that was an age appropriate book based on "Christmas Carol" and finished up the day watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas".  Really, could there have been a better day? 

 

Yes, all in all, this was a really good day.  And now, I am going to bed because after re-reading this blog, I understand why I am tired!  Good night!

 

Jesus, thank you for surprises and blessings.  Thank you for work, for children, for friends, for family and for food - especially pretzels!  Bless that waitress and help her to know that accidents happen and that you are in charge Jesus!  Amen



Amazing surprise...........

Isn't it wonderful when you open your mailbox and find something totally unexpected.....and it's not a bill?  I had that great experience today!  After having a relaxing lunch with a dear old friend, I returned home to this surprise in my mailbox.  My brother-in-law, Roy, send me a package of memorabilia from my mother and father that had been in his possession.  He recently moved into a senior apartment and in clearing out his large home, he discovered these items.  I am assuming that my sister had gotten these items from my mother at some point.  I am sure that all of you will be seeing some of these items in the future.  But today I have to share this...........

This postcard was in my surprise package today.  This is my dad, Harry Johnson, in 1915 when he was two years old.  I had never seen this picture before today!  In fact, a picture I had shared on this blog earlier of my dad at about 6 or 7 years old, with his family, was what I thought was the first picture we had of him!  I was so surprised to see this picture.  I immediately began to compare it to a picture of me at 2 years old, as well as pictures of my kids and grandkids at 2!  I think my sister Julie gets the prize for looking the most like him.  But I can see the family resemblance down through my grandchildren.  If that wasn't enough, the back side of this postcard is written by my Grandmother.  And it is written in Swedish!  The postmark is August 18, 1915, just before my dad's 2nd birthday.  It has a 1 Cent stamp! 

Here is the postcard.  Addressed to Mrs. August Nilson from Mrs. Johnson.  Mailed in Ortonville to Ortonville, Minnesota.  If there is anyone out there who can read this Swedish message, I would love a translation! 

 

As I hold this card in my hand, and trace the writing on the back, I am picturing my Grandma.  By the way, it is written in pencil!  And I am thinking of the many other hands that touched this card.  And I wish that I knew how this card ended back up in the hands of our family!  It should have been in the Nilson family.  I am just speculating that because it was a photo, it was returned to my grandma.  At any rate, I am so thankful that it has found its way into my hands. 

 

And as I am writing this blog tonight, I am reflecting on what Jesus is saying to me in this.  I was beginning to wonder why I have been so focused on my ancestors, on old pictures, on my family history and stories.  This morning in my quiet time, I was asking Jesus to speak to me about this.  There is also the connection to this blog!  I am not understanding why so many of you are taking the time to stop and read my words, but you are!  And I am praying that you are being blessed and challenged and encouraged as you read.  When I opened this surprise package from my mailbox today, it was as if Jesus was answering my questions.  There is more that I have yet to discover!  There is more that the Holy Spirit has to speak to me (and to you) through this medium.  And I am being so stretched in this process.  This has been an interesting journey.  I can't wait to see what comes next!

 

Jesus, thank you for surprises.  Holy Spirit, I love that you answer us when we ask a very direct question.  Please show each person reading this blog, exactly what they need, right now.  Jesus, I am so grateful for this blog and the ability to speak to people all over the world.  Thank you for computers, the Internet, blogs, scans, and all things of modern technology.  Holy Spirit, help me to stay expectant for the next amazing revelation you have for me.  And Jesus, I would love the translation of this postcard!  Thank you!   Amen 



Surprises!

Today we spent the day together as a family.  What a wonderful time.  The get together was planned to celebrate my birthday, which is this week.  There is nothing better than all the kisses and hugs I got today from my grandchildren.  And the time with Gwen and Tim and Doug and Susie.  And, of course the "grand-dogs", Sammy, Kylie, and Chandler.

I've been thinking about my birthdays from the past!  I was actually born on Labor Day!  My mom always said that at her first doctor visit in her pregnancy with me, the doctor said she would labor on labor day!  And she did.  Since my birthday is always around labor day, we were usually at Lake Maud. So my birthdays were celebrated there.  The first birthday present I remember was for my 6th birthday.  It was my "golden" birthday (I turned 6 on the 6th).  My mom had gotten me a "real" necklace with a blue stone.  My birthstone.  I also got a very grown up blue "sweater set".  (Remember I had a sister who was 14 and all I wanted was to dress like her). Well I couldn't have been more pleased.  These were grown up gifts.  I wore that sweater set until it almost fell apart.  And then I remember my 12th birthday.  I was totally surprised when my dad came home with a brand new bike for me!  Don't you just love surprises like that? 

I am so thankful for the amazing worship time last night.  It was a most wonderful birthday "surprise" in my life.  In yesterday's blog I hinted at the special - for me- part of the words that were sung.  Over night and then today, I have been given a wonderful gift of understanding just what that word meant for me.  "Speak, Release.  Speak what you see.  Release what you hear from me.  Come away with me. Fly on my wings.  Into your destiny.  I have chosen you and gave you life.  Breathe in me, I wil set you free!"   Yes, this affirms what I have been feeling over the last couple of months.  This blog is my best present!  Through this blog I can speak and release everything that I am seeing and hearing. 

Yes, I am thankful for the internet, for blogs, for surprise guests at meetings, for worship, for songs, for friends and family, and for Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  And I am thankful for all of you.  Yes, you out there.  The ones that read this blog.  Everyday I am praying for all of you.  People in the United States, Russia, Sweden,  France, Germany, Serbia, Canada, Bolivia, Croatia, Korea, Japan, Kwait, Nigeria, Estonia, Poland, Brazil, United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Finland, India  and Australia.  Be blessed!  Jesus loves you and he cares for you. 

Jesus, thank you for my family.  Thank you for speaking from the heavens!  You are so amazing.  You bestow gifts on your people and surprise us each day with new grace and mercy.  Jesus, bless all those who are reading this blog.  Let them hear your voice.  Amen