Day Four - So thankful for Ken

Okay, this is probably sort of a no-brainer.  But today I am sooooooo thankful for Ken.  This is a VERY OLD picture of us, back in the "good old days" when we were young and just married.  I am sure that you can guess the date, just by looking at our hair styles and clothes!  At any rate, today I have just been thinking about how good it is to remember what a blessing Ken is to me.  The fact that we ended up together is kind of amazing.  We went to the same high school (Elk Grove) and Ken was one year ahead of me.  We had many, many common friends and frequently attended parties and events at the same time.  I had one good friend who told me over and over, how much she wanted to date Ken.  He was "older" and more importantly, he had his own car.  Now I didn't think very much of Ken in high school.  And I told my friend over and over that there is no way that dating Ken was a good idea.  Nevertheless, after both of us were out of high school, we connected again at a party at a mutual friends house.  We really hit it off and, as they say, the rest is history. 
I've been thinking about God's plan for me that included Ken.  Wow, does he know what he is doing!  Even though we certainly don't agree on many things, we are really good at compromise.   I am thankful that Ken has encouraged me to go places and try things that I most likely would not ever have done.  Quite frankly, I never imaged that I would Kayak.  Yet, because Ken wanted to try this out, I agreed.  And let me tell you those Kayaks have given me adventures that I never would have had!  I mean really, how many people get to be in a kayak lifted out of the water by a Manatee? I am so looking forward to the years ahead. I am so thankful for the wisdom that Ken has, and the support that he has given me over the years regarding my work.  Just today, during a very challenging day on my new job, I was thinking about Ken's words to me.  He has assured me that if this job doesn't work out, it will be okay!  Something else will always come and I do not have to stay in a job that I don't want.  That is so freeing for me.  And I know that many people don't get that kind of support from their spouses.  I am so thankful!!!   I love the way that we laugh at the same things and can find something funny in almost anything.   (Aside to Ken..... I am still laughing about the "sleevies").   All this is to say that Jesus knew exactly who I needed.  I am so thankful  for his great plan that included giving Ken to me.

Jesus, thank you for knowing me so well and also knowing exactly the right person for me to spend my life with.  Holy Spirit, remind all reading this blog to be thankful for the people you have given them.  And Jesus, thank you for the opportunity to express my gratitude over this month!  Amen

Day three - thankful for the time change

Day three of thankfulness  - Today I am thankful for the time change.  I am one of those people that really enjoys the extra hour of sleep with the fall time change.  But, with truth telling here, I also DREAD the spring time change! (I seem to always have a problem adjusting to the jump ahead)  At any rate, today was one of those really pretty fall days.  The sky was so blue and the air was crisp but not cold.  The sun was shining brightly.  And we had an "extra" hour!  So, in order to be outside and enjoy some of this fleeting nice weather, Ken and I decided to clean up the outside summer things and also prepare for winter.  This included putting lots of stuff up into the attic in the garage.  And, can I share another thankfulness - let's call it 3.5?  I am so thankful that we have storage in our attic.  It is really bittersweet to see those beach chairs and that float go up in the attic. But because of that attic, we have plenty of room to put a car in the garage, and still have room for that snow blower! On one hand I love summer, but on the other hand, I also love the change of seasons.

Which brings me to what is on my heart tonight -  change.  I don't know about you, but I find change very difficult.  No matter what the change is.  Even when you know that after the change, things will be better.  But going through a change is, well just plain uncomfortable.    Over and over I have been hearing that this is a new season of change and that everything we have had, will be different in the future.   Yes, it seems that Jesus is bringing about a change in how things operate.  I don't really know what that means, but I do know that Jesus is in control!  And when he changes things, it will be good!  So, join me in praying that all of us can rest and be at peace even when things around us are changing - the seasons, the time, a job, your family, your church.  A very wise person said "the only thing that you can always count on is that everything will change!" In spite of all the changes, I am secure in the knowledge that Jesus never changes.  There is great comfort in that.

Jesus,  thank you for a wonderful fall day.  You are the source of our peace and joy, even when things around us seem so upsetting and so unfamiliar.   Holy Spirit, bring us all into your rest so that we can not only "get through" these changes, but thrive as we sail on into the new season.   Jesus, thank you for the wonderful, amazing new things that you have for us, just ahead through that open door.  Holy Spirit, thank you for encouraging us to walk boldly out into those changes.   Amen

Thankful for Green Stamps..........

 

Me in 1957

 I have seen that many, many people are taking the month of November to be thankful each day.  So, in order to catch up, my yesterday's post began the month, thankful for the presence of Jesus in my life.  Today, I am thankful for Green Stamps and this little rocking chair.  I have very clear memories of the Christmas that this musical rocking chair showed up under the Christmas Tree.  We had just moved to a new town and I remember well the story that my mom told about that Christmas.  All of the presents under our tree that year were acquired with Green Stamps!  (Okay - how many of you remember these? I recall spending time sitting at the kitchen table with a wet sponge to moisten the back of sheets of stamps, as we filled up those books.)



This was a crazy time for my mom, she had lost her dad and her aunt within one year, and then our family had moved to a new town.  In addition to all of this, my oldest sister was away at college, my oldest brother was in high school, other sister in junior high, brother in grade school and I was a preschooler.  Yep, this sounds like an awful lot to be dealing with.  And, there was not much money.  But with those wonderful stamps, everyone got exactly the right present.  Mine was that little chair.  I loved that chair.  It was really something that was all mine and had never belonged to one of my siblings.  I am so thankful that my mom understood how much I loved this chair.  When our family moved to Illinois when I was in 8th grade, my dad wanted to get rid of this chair.  My mom would not hear of it.  So this chair came with us.  And it stayed in my parent's attic until they retired and moved back to Minnesota.  I remember when they brought several large boxes to my present house, along with this chair.  Ken thought it was totally nuts that this stuff had been saved. 

 

Then, after Gwen was born, it was so amazing to take out this chair and have her sit in it.  This was Thanksgiving of 1981,  Before Doug was born.  I love this picture.  I know that Doug spent time sitting in that chair also, but I couldn't find any pictures to prove it.  I think that Gwen had claimed this chair and she didn't let him sit in it very often.  When she outgrew this chair, I insisted that we save it.  Ken was not very happy shifting it around in the attic, but I am so thankful that we did.

Because here is Lia, sitting in that chair in 2007.  I remember when Gwen gave me this picture.  There is something so special about seeing this chair being used by my grandkids.

And here are Ellie and Zeke in that chair in 2012.  The chair is a little beaten up now.  There are hunks of wood missing from it. But the music still played.  It really doesn't matter to me what it looks like.  It is the idea that three generations have used that chair.  And more than that, it was MY special chair. 

 

So tonight I am thankful for those Green Stamps.  I am thankful that my mom found a way to give our family a wonderful Christmas by collecting those stamps.  And I love that this chair survived so many moves and so many years of being stowed away.  And I am, once again, thankful for pictures that preserve this memory. 

 

You know, sometimes it is the smallest things that can really give you a lift.  Just looking at these pictures makes me smile.  I am sure that my mom had no idea when she picked it out, how special that little chair would be 56 years later.  Knowing that my mom made that selection especially for me, still makes my heart happy. I love how Jesus keeps reminding me of the small things that have become very important to me.  How many times have we heard that the little things make a big difference.  This is really just one very little thing that continues to have a big impact on my life.   I bet that many of you can look around and find things in your own life like this little chair.  Maybe you don't own those items any more, but you still have the memories.  Cherish these things, and more importantly, share these memories with those you love.  I wish I had told my mom exactly how much I appreciated that little chair. 

 

Jesus, thank you so much for the family that you planned for me!  Thank you for my mom and dad and the many ways that they made sure that I had  a wonderful home and many, many extras like this little chair.  Thank you for preserving this special item and these memories for me.  Holy Spirit, remind those reading this to be thankful for the smallest things.  Jesus, thank you for my family - past, present and future!  Amen





Jesus believes the plans for my life......

I know that some of you will think that I am always going to conferences when I tell you that I have been at another conference over the last two days!  But the reality is, that I rarely go to conferences and it is amazing that these two events happened back to back weekends and both driveable distance from my home.  As a matter of fact, this weeks conference really couldn't get any closer to me.  The hotel is the closest hotel to my house - about 2 miles.   So I am thankful for the location!  Both of these events featured amazing people.

 

 

Last night Chuck Pierce was the speaker and tonight was Barbara Yoder.  If you are not familiar with these people, look them up!  The Prophetic word from Chuck Pierce last night was an encouragement for the entire Chicagoland area to expect revival.  Tonight Barbara Yoder spoke about what brings revival.  And the answer is the presence of Jesus.  Barbara told her own testimony and I was struck by the memory of my own encounter with the real presence of Jesus.  When Barbara spoke about being alone in her bedroom, I was remembering being alone in my living room.  I hadn't really spoken to anyone about the growing hunger I was feeling to understand if all this "church" stuff was really the truth.  I had been reading many, many books about the Charismatic Renewal and I just wanted to know if this stuff was real.  So, all by myself, I simply asked the question that had been in my head for so long....... "Jesus, is this really true?"  And just as Barbara said happened to her, Jesus walked into my living room that night.  From that time on, I have KNOWN the very real presence of Jesus.  It is not a sort of thing.  I know the truth.  And that truth changed everything in my life. 

 

So, what does the title of this blog post have to do with this?  Well, earlier today I got one of those "God's word for you today" messages and it was short and simple.... "God believes in you".  So, I have been pondering that word today.  Then, tonight at the meeting, one of the filler slides had the title quote - "Jesus believes the plans for my life".  Given that message two different times today probably means that there is something in that message I need to listen to! 

 

So.... to recap

1) Expect a revival in Chicagoland!

2) All we need is an encounter with the presence Jesus!

3) All you have to do to experience an encounter with Jesus is ask!

4) Jesus believes in the plans he has for your life!

 

Jesus, Father, Holy Spirit, will you remind all of us that you believe in us.  You have a great and wonderful destiny for your people and you believe in that plan.  Thank you Holy Spirit for your working that brings us into the truth of the powerful presence of Jesus.  Thank you that you always come when we are seeking you.  Holy Spirit will you encourage anyone reading this blog who is fearful or apprehensive but really wants to experience your presence in a deeper way, to just ask!  Thank you for your great faithfulness!  Amen

Halloween from the past.....in the world, but not OF the world

This is one of my favorite pictures of my kids - mostly because it is so "natural" of them both.  I have to smile when I look at it.  I love the "junk" on the freezer behind Gwen and the kids art work hanging on the drapes.  Who would think that I would be missing those things?   And, when I look at Doug, all I can think is - on no, not that shirt!  He insisted on wearing that particular shirt, over and over and over - even after it was really small on him.  I don't know what it was about that shirt, but he loved it. 

These pumpkins were from a place that we STILL refer to as the "humble pumpkin patch".  Needless to say, it is no longer a farm since the suburban spread has taken over and the road is now lined with stores and houses.  But that spot was and will always be to us, the humble pumpkin patch.  Going to pick out pumpkins was a favorite event for me.  I think it is because I never did this as a child.  As a matter of fact, there are no pictures of me at Halloween and I really only remember trick or treating after I was in 1st Grade.  I remember one particular Halloween when we lived in Minnesota.  We went to about 3 houses - trudging through several inches of snow in our snowsuits.  And while I know that some people will cringe, my family did dress up and go trick or treating.  But I have to say that there were many years that we also had "Halloween Alternatives" at our church.  These were good times filled with great activities. 

You know, this is one of those times when there is a fine line between being IN the world and not OF the world.  I am happy that my children have chosen to become an influence to their peers and have remained friends with people that may not know Jesus.  Because, really, how else will these people ever get to know who Jesus is if they never get to experience his love through us?  I mean, really, didn't Jesus eat with all those "untouchable" people?  And go places that he was not supposed to (by religious teaching)?  So I am proud and very humbled by the grace that my children walk in, as they are out in the world.  And they are there because that is where Jesus has called them to be.  I am remembering that now as I am in a workplace that is filled with so many who do not know about Jesus.  I am so grateful that the Holy Spirit has promised to be that living water that flows out of us. 

So tonight, as I am passing out candy to the sweet young ones who come to my door, I will be greeting them with a smile and praying a blessing upon them. 

Jesus, thank you for your promises to us, to be with us and act through us.  Thank you for my children and the many, many lessons I have learned through them and the examples that they are to the world.  Holy Spirit, bless all of the children who have visited my home tonight.  Touch them with the knowledge of Jesus and the love of the Father.  Thank you for your great plan for the world, to show forth your glory!  Amen

It was a "partly foggy, mostly not sunny day".....

I am going to blog something that I never, ever thought I would be blogging about...... the weather!  Yes, the weather.  Today was one of those grey, late fall days when the clouds hung heavy in the sky.  It felt kind of muggy, even at 7:00 as I was going to work.  Like it could rain at any moment, but then it didn't.  Thankfully, it was nice enough to be outside with the little ones in the late morning.   I loved this explanation of the weather today, given by the "weather watcher" in the 3 year old room......  He spent several minutes looking out the window this morning, then declared it was a "partly foggy, mostly NOT sunny day"!   I just loved this.  Needless to say, the teacher did not have a partly foggy, mostly NOT sunny day, flannel piece to put up on the calendar!  So she settled on the grey clouds.  Then, suddenly, the heavens opened up and it rained and rained and rained. 

So, I was thinking about this during nap time (while patting the back of a 17 month old who did NOT think it was nap time - for 2 hours).   I love the mind of a three year old that doesn't say it is foggy - it is only PARTLY foggy.  and then, its not dark and grey it is simply NOT sunny!   I loved this positive spin on the pretty ugly day.

Wouldn't it be much better if we saw all of the icky stuff in our life as PARTLY bad? And really, isn't it the truth that usually, not EVERYTHING is going wrong.  And wouldn't we feel a lot better about things if we focused on the good stuff that is really just around the corner (or in this case, hiding behind a cloud)?  I was thinking about the TRUTH that the sun is always shining, we just might not be able to see it.  I know that there is so much written and spoken about the glass half empty/half full.  But I just couldn't resist.  Because really, that is what this is all about.  But today I'm thinking on a much deeper level.  Today I realized that even when really lousy things happen to us, behind it all, the SON is shining.  Yep, Jesus is there and he is always in charge.  He is the Lord of Lord and the King of Kings.  And He reigns! Even over the really icky days.   So now I will be thinking about the less than perfect things in my life as "partly cloudy, mostly not sunny day, with a 100% chance of the SON shining! 

Jesus, thank you so much for the wisdom of little children.  Thank you, Holy Spirit for this revelation to remind me that the SON is always shining even when things look bleak and dark.  Thank you for the reminder that you are in charge every day, whatever the weather, whatever the circumstance.   Jesus, hold close in you arms all those that are having one of those ICKY days.  Holy Spirit, bless them with the assurance that Jesus is shining and brightly reigning.   Amen

Why knowing WHO you are counts!

Day two was most assuredly better!  So this day would have a smiley face for more reasons than that!  Yes, work was truly "without incident" (as in, I did not have to fill out any paperwork for a child hurt by him/herself or others), I didn't have to change a single diaper (I was with 3 & 4 year olds for the entire day), I got to my evening meeting on time and now for the biggy.........Thank you Jesus for giving me revelation on how to FIX the mess I made last night!  I actually thought of the solution while watching 22 sleeping three year olds.  And when the answer popped into my head, I knew that it was heaven sent.  And when I arrived at my meeting tonight, fired up the computer and things worked exactly as they should, all was well in my world! 

I guess it was because of where I was today (as in working with 3 and 4 year olds), that I remembered this quote from the conference over the weekend (okay, I know that I said I was through recounting the wonders of this event, but I KNOW that there is even more amazing things that I heard that hasn't even begun to settle in my spirit....)  "When you know WHO you are in Christ Jesus, then the devil will stop using you as play-doh!"

Now, I have to tell you that I am a play-doh lover!  I love the feel and the smell of play-doh and I love to watch kids play with the stuff.   It is soft and squishy and you can do so many different things with it.  And if you have one of those fancy play-doh machines you can create everything from snakes to spaghetti.  I guess that the smell must also be enticing to kids, because almost everyone I have ever seen play with this stuff, puts some of it in their mouth.  Good thing that it is non-toxic!  I love how you can mix the colors together and create a totally different color. Yep, it's great stuff.

When I was thinking about this quote and play-doh in general, I realized just how true this is.  I don't want to be so soft and squishy that satan can manipulate me into whatever he wants.  I don't want to be so easily changed that I can be mashed together with someone else and turn out a totally different "color" than I was meant to be.  And isn't it also true, when we are allowing satan to use circumstances, all that we are experiencing FEELS a lot like what the play-doh must feel, going through those pressing machines.  We feel pressed and stressed and pulled in so many different directions.  And sometimes it feels like we don't even recognize ourselves.  And then suddenly, we wonder how we even got to the place that we are in! 

So I will be reminding myself each and every day, of exactly who I am in Jesus.  I want to meditate on the teachings that I heard from this conference.  I plan to spend much more time in the Bible, since that is where we can KNOW who Jesus is.  And in all of that I will be praying that the Holy Spirit will reveal to me that truth - who I am in Jesus.  Then I can be sure that satan can not punch me down or change my color or my shape.  Because I am made in the image of God.  I have the Holy Spirit within me to empower me.  And I have Jesus.    End of story.

Jesus, would you please write this truth into all of our hearts tonight.  Help us to grasp with a clear mind and spirit, of who you have made us to be.  Holy Spirit, quicken this revelation in our spirits so that there is no way that satan can use us as his play toy.  Thank you for these "bursts" of remembrance of wonderful nuggets.  And Holy Spirit, thank you for helping me solve my big problem from yesterday.   Amen