10 things...

I've been reflecting lately on this season of singleness in my life lately.  It's been a blessing in disguise in so many ways and I think all to often we neglect to celebrate thing like this.  So I've made a list of 10 things I love about singlehood.  (I'll be adding to this list from time to time)

Now don't get me wrong.  I love marriage.  These things are not intended to diminish that.  And if God sees fit to bring a special someone into my life again I would not turn it down but... if not, then these things are undeniably okay with me. :)

10.  I Always get to drive - No two ways around it folks, that just works for me.

9. The DVR is all mine - Do I really need to say anything about that?

8. I'm available for those I love 24 hours a day - I was recently reminded how 
                   precious this is to me.  There is nothing...nothing more dear to my heart
                   than loving on people right when they need it, no matter when that is.

7. Anything is possible - any job, any city, any salary, anything and everything can
                                        happen

6. I can hog the bed, blankets, shower, mirror, closet space etc to my heart's content
              - Admit it Ladies, you've thought about it. ;)

5. I can experiment with hair color/styles, nails, pedi's, clothes - No one has to love 
                 it, or hate it but me.

4. I have time and experiences which the Lord uses to help hurting
                 people - Wouldn't have signed up for it, would never trade it for anything.

3. My vacation time - I get to spend every bit of it with those awesome lil bros of
                 mine and all the rest of my sweet family.

2. God is teaching me about me - This sweet, painful, journey is precious to me.

1. I am becoming a better person for having lived in this season - more and more
                  every single day.


Happy Monday everybody!!!

Every Life Has a Story

Wow... Thanks Chick-A-Fila and Angela Hunt for this.

Tribute to the Troops

To all those brave men and women who have served or died for our country: my eternal gratitude, my undying loyalty and my standing ovation...this one is for you.  

Happy 4th of July troops, without you there would be no such thing.

"God Bless the USA"

I am so proud of our country, yes, even with all it's faults.  God Bless America. 
Happy Independence Day everyone! Enjoy....

2 Chronicles 7:14

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

 

Ten Things I love about my Sis 

10. Laughs abound when I am with you

9. Your animals are crazier than mine

8. Pedicures are way better with you than without

7. You're way brave and your ability to leap in faith amazes me

6. Tigger

5. You push me to be more

4. Resiliant beyond all logic

3. Chris

2. When there are no words, we don't need any

1. I will never love anyone the way I love you

Happy 26th chickadee!!!

For my Daddy...

Life Lessons



You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be
The woman I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
So here's to you, dear father,
From your forever grateful kid.By Joanna Fuchs 

How do you say all that your parents have meant in your life?  That is the question I ponder every time I sit to try to honor my parents on their special days.  There are simply too many moments, too many lessons to pick out the most significant or important ones...but then that is precisely the point isn't it?  Recently, I found a paper I wrote which captured some of those special moments with my father. Through my eyes and from my heart Daddy, this is for you...  Lullabies for a LifetimeSeptember 22, 1999 There are special times in all our lives that we will treasure forever.  We will remember with ease each word that was said or the music that was played.  We can remember exactly how everything looked, even down to the smallest, simplest detail.  My father's lullabies were simple things that have become some of my most precious memories.   "  Bedtime, kiddos."   were the two words which signified the best of times, and the worst of times in my life as a small child.  As my sister and I were hurried through our bedtime preparations, anticipation hung thickly in the air, for we knew what a treat we would have when tucked safely into bed. Once our baths were taken, pajamas donned, and nightly prayers said, my father would appear at the doorway of our room.  He seemed so big looming in the doorway, but when he silently entered, in his hands was the most magical thing I had ever seen. The guitar was made of honey-colored wood; its strings were like beautiful tinsel strands varying in color from gold to bronze.  Without a word, he began to pluck at the strings, tuning each one to perfection.  Then this task was finished, he started to sing, in a voice that was quiet and soft, and yet so strong: 

 "  Music makes pictures and often tells stories,All of them magic and all of them true.In all of the pictures and all of the stories, All of the magic, the music is you."
With these words I closed my eyes, picturing the gentle setting and close friends that the story in his next song told of: "  Today while the blossom  still clings to the vine,I'll taste your strawberries; I'll drink your sweet wine,A million tomorrows shall all pass away,Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today." As the music worked it's magic, I'd pause to watch the magician.  His strong face was relaxed and his eyes were downcast, watching his muscled hands and stout fingers, as they danced over the strings.  I could tell memories of his own father were flooding his mind and every once in a while, his voice would catch, as a memory of his loss overtook the present task. Sleep gently began to overtake us and as our eyes closed for the last time and  dreamland appeared, the last few words rang gently in our ears:
"  Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy,Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry,Sunshine on the water looks so lovely,Sunshine almost always makes me high." When he sang, I could simply forget anything that had been troubling me and relax.  Safety surrounded me and all in the world seemed good.  When he sang, it was as if I held a tangible part of his love that I could wrap myself up in.  The time he spent with us showed me that we were truly important to him.  No matter how tired he was, or how long the day had been, that was our time and it was special. Since we were small children we have been told of how our grandfather sang to his children.  Grandma often says how much my father and grandfather are alike.        " Look carefully at your father and you will see what your Grandpa was like.  It is not just their faces that reflect each other, but their hearts also."    As I have grown older, I have realized that the way I envision my grandfather comes from the times my father spent singing to us.  
It was only a simple nightly routine.  As a young child, I would listen complacently, never dreaming that those words would cement themselves so firmly in my mind.  Then as I grew older and began to softly sing along, without my notice or permission, the foundation for my musical ability was laid.  Strange though it might be, the warm-up song he used so long ago, now slips from my lips just before I perform, and the song of undying friendship is now sung to my baby brothers at night. Our most precious of memories often spring from what seemed to be rather insignificant events in our lives.  Things we once took for granted have now become invaluable to us.  We realize that it is the simple things in our lives that have shaped our characters and molded us into the people we are.  When we search for what is important to us, we often find in the treasure chest of our memory, our "  lullabies for a lifetime."

Happy Father's Day, Dad.  I love you.

The thanks of a patriot.

Short post tonight as I am enjoying the holiday weekend with my family and I know many of you are too. All of which is only possible because of the brave men and women who serve, past and present.  There is no way to say thank you, no way to express the fierce loyalty and gratitude your sacrifice evokes in me.  So I will simply say: My love and prayers are ever before you, my devotion and support always behind you and my thoughts are constantly with you.  No one knows better than you that freedom isn't free, please know that fact is not forgotten here. 

In honor of all the veterans, I am posting a poem I started just ofter 9/11:

A Soldier’s Prayer

Lord, looking up at the sky tonight I wonder why I’m here,

Why can’t I be at home asleep and have my loved ones near?

Why am I in this foreign land fighting someone else’s war?

Why am I pulling third watch shift and pacing til I’m sore?

“Protect and Serve’ is what they said, ‘Be all that you can be’.

I wonder why I never thought just how hard that could really seem.

Don’t misunderstand me Lord; I know that it’s my call,

To defend, and uphold justice here and liberty for all.

It’s just that I don’t know the answer to lay upon my child,

When he looks at me and asks me why I won’t be home for a while.

I believe in our dear country, Lord, and the peace that it provides,

So Lord, please hold on tightly to the sweet, gentle heart of my bride.

This desert’s stark beauty and freedom’s worth saving,

But danger prowls freely while madmen are raving.

Though the aged Bill of Rights should apply to all men,

Our own people undermine us with their words and their pens.

Help me to stay strong, Lord, and keep up my chin,

Cause none of us can change the spot that we’re in.

Lord, you know I’m no hero, with no wish to be,

So help me stand brave when this fight comes to me.

Father, forgive me my dread moments of weakness,

And thanks for your presence on nights that are sleepless.

Protect our maneuvers be they far or quite near,

And please protect fiercely my family so dear.

I’ll continue to fight here and press on with my mission,

Living for God and my country to realize this vision.

And when shooting the enemy is what it requires,

Then I hope you’ll forgive all the anger it sires.

Lord, keep us safe here in our cots and our tents,

And guard over the orders that have yet to be sent.

I know that you love all your people alike,

Please help us to see there is peace still in sight.