Update From Me

Today I am working alone, flying solo, having it my way...in other words, I'm free to do as I please. Kim has gone to a rehearsal at the high school today. Can you believe that? The holiday break is not over yet and Kim called a rehearsal. I wonder how many of the students will be absent?

(I've created a new blog specifically about my life with the theater teacher. It is called Life is a Stage. Check it out.)

Christmas with the kids was a lot of fun. We had it the Saturday after Christmas this year since they were in other places on Christmas Day. All three boys, the grand kids, the daughters in law and the in-laws were here to celebrate the day. As you can see from the photo, its a chaotic time when the Martins all get together. It is also a really fun time.

I love that Regan had to put on her princess dress from Uncle Ryan the minute she got it, complete with tiara. Aidan was trying out some binoculars he got, Pawpaw is putting his "stash" in a safe place and everyone is talking at once. I love to listen to everyone and to watch those grand children play. They are never still unless a good movie is on TV.

My favorite gift this year was aprons I sewed for my daughters in law and my granddaughter. The problem was that they didn't get finished in time. With the play Kim and I worked on at the theater lasting up until just before Christmas, I got a late start on everything. Right after the play closed on the 14th, I still had some days to work with the university and my interns. I completed one apron and almost 2 more, but the night before we had Christmas, I sewed until I couldn't stay awake. So I wrapped what I'd done and let Kari open her's first since it was the one completed. The other girls got to see the fabric and what their apron would look like. I have now completed one more and hope to finish the others today. I enjoyed choosing fabric patterns and colors that I thought fit each person. Now whether they will use their aprons doesn't really matter because I had fun making them. Seeing their reactions and knowing I'd chosen each one specifically for that girl was a satisfying feeling.

New Year's Eve is tomorrow and we are going to a party at the theater. We won't have a lot of people there, but we'll have fun ringing in 2009 together. Someone has a karaoke machine, we are bringing a game and everyone is bringing food. Since it isn't an official theater party everyone is also bringing champagne to share for our midnight toast. I have always enjoyed going to the theater on NYE and being with our friends.

Happy New Year to all of you in 2009!

Christmas Is Coming, the Goose is Getting Stewed!

Do you people realize how close it is to Christmas Day? I barely remember Halloween or Thanksgiving! The pictures of Regan and Aidan dressed up like Red-Riding Hood and The Mummy are still stuck on my fridge door. I still have marinated green bean salad leftovers from Thanksgiving inside of my fridge for crying out loud. Where have the days gone?

I got an email from one of the Zchicks (some ladies I lived with in Zellner dorm at ACU in the '70's) who lives up north. She always decorates, puts up a Christmas tree or two and does a lot of gift shopping. She commented in her email that all that was done, she was ready for Christmas and that Christmas Eve was a week from tonight [Wednesday]. What? You say, "A week away?" Is that all, just 7 days? I was shocked! Was I to believe that this holiday so many people anxiously await to arrive is a mere 168 hours away? I have done nothing to get ready. No decorations, no Christmas Tree not even a chestnut roasting on an open fire.

While I feel the need to do something about my current unpreparedness, I am not so much as a bit compelled to begin on what is surely to be a very tiring task. Although, I should want to get into the Christmas spirit and decorate, buy Christmas presents, and in general be jolly; I can't seem to muster the enthusiasm to move from my chair to the attic where my tree is still stored in its box. (That pic is from last year. Too bad I didn't just leave it up.)

The thought of circling Wal Mart in search of a decent parking place is eclipsed only by the image of sardine-like shoppers, displaced articles off the shelves, crying children wanting nothing more than their homes, and in general the chaos that will besiege if I dare to stop. Why would I want any of that? Sort of makes me want to slap that smile off the Smiley Face.

Five days ago the play that Kim and I directed at the theater closed. Yesterday I washed shirts and towels used during the show. There is still a big box of props in the corner of our breakfast room. Today I need to take a few costumes to the cleaners. The musical scores, however, were counted and it was discovered we are short by two scores. But I digress.

All of that said about the play was to point out that in addition to our paying jobs, we were very busy otherwise and have just let Christmas happen all around us without getting involved. In spite of hearing Christmas music on the radio, observing and being trapped in the lines of cars on Garth Road, noticing the occasional Blue Spruce tied to the top of a Suburban, or the car with antlers and a big red ball on the front grill, we just didn't notice it was time for Christmas. Though I would like to join all the bustle, I can't for some reason gather the wherewithal to get into Santa's big scene. What is wrong with me? Have I been Scrooged?

Here's the plan: I'll get out of this chair, out of my pajamas, into the shower and into some real clothes. That's a good start don't you think? Then, perhaps I should put on some Christmas music. Although I've been listening to holiday music for days and days. I'll give it a try anyway. Maybe a new mindset will make the difference. Next, I will put the Christmas wreath on the front door. All that requires is fixing the hanger on the door and putting the wreath on it. The box of wreathes is already out of the attic because we needed one of them as a prop in the play. After that, I will see what I can haul down of the other Christmas decorations including the artificial blue spruce. If I'm not flat on my back in the floor asleep, I'll eat lunch, vacuum the floors and maybe get out and try to shop. Although, I could make my own Christmas presents this year and avoid all that craziness in the stores. Of course, that does require effort on my part.

With a plan in writing, I can do this. Right now, it looks as if I'll have to skip down the list to lunch since its noon. Hmmm, do you think that means it'll be time for a nap soon? I'll let you know how it goes.

We Need A Little Christmas

Kim and I have been directing and working on the play “Mame” at the Baytown Little Theater recently. A featured musical number in the show is the song, “Need a Little Christmas” in which Mame, her nephew and faithful staff sings and decorates their house in an attempt to capture a spirit of cheer. Set in the depression era and the great Stock Market Crash, Mame suddenly finds herself without funds to pay her staff and barely enough money to eat more than Shredded Wheat for dinner. Knowing that Christmas is the one time of year when they are happy and even though their situation is bleak, they realize their need for the holiday.

Like Mame, we also need a little Christmas. Not just the holiday with the lights, ornaments, trees, and gifts, but Christ the child for which Christmas is celebrated. We need Christ in our lives. God sent his son to be born in a manger on a cold winter night in Bethlehem. He sent us a little Christmas in the form of Baby Jesus to save us from our sins and our earthly struggles.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

The phone rings and a creditor demands payment. We need a little Christmas. A loved one has passed from this life. We need a little Christmas. Hurtful words pierce our hearts and forgiveness is difficult. We need a little Christmas. The teen stormed out of his parent’s house with shouts of hate. We need a little Christmas. A single mother weeps as she puts her child to bed without a hot meal in her belly. We need a little Christmas. The laborer’s only vehicle to work sits dead on the driveway. We need a little Christmas. We are losing faith. We need a little Christmas.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Christ is born. Glory to God!

(Scriptures: Luke 2:11-12, 13-14)

Today Is December 9

My attempts to post a blog entry lately came up with shallow content. I wrote and deleted; posted and deleted. Nothing seemed to convey where my thoughts have been.

Then, a while ago I noticed the date. Grading student assignments and posting dates for tomorrow, I'd not paid attention to the date. So when my eyes fell on today's date at the top of a friend's blog, all I saw was December 9, 2008 and it hit me. Today is my daddy's birthday. He would have been 90 years old today. It's hard for my mind to wrap around that Daddy could have been that old. He's still 77 to me. Right where he was when he left us.

(The photo above shows the six Ritchey siblings. My daddy is sitting in the chair on the left.)
Born Elton Lavarne or Lavorne (Mama Ritchey wasn't even for sure which spelling was correct) Ritchey, nicknamed "Jiggs" was born December 9, 1918 in Oklahoma. He was the fourth of six siblings born to John Renrick. and Beulah James Ritchey.

Remembering where he was and how he looked the last time I saw him alive, I recall that physical person I saw wasn't actually my daddy anymore. Alzheimer's disease took my daddy's mind away and when it did, he was gone too.




Adjectives that described my daddy would be kindhearted, loving, Christian, firm, soft-hearted, loyal husband, wise, intelligent, self-motivated, lifelong learner, carpenter, handyman, gardener, country music fan, guitar player, singer, comedian and grandfather. I could probably go on and on.

Daddy once started out to drive back to his parent's house in Ryan, OK from Port Neches, TX. He was going to visit my grandparents and help his dad do some home repairs. My brothers and I were in school and so we stayed back with Mom. Daddy was an hour away when Mom answered a phone call from him saying that he just couldn't make the trip without us. Daddy rarely ever went somewhere overnight without us. Even when he worked for some people on their beachhouses in Galveston, we got to join him for the weekend. Daddy was always working a second job of some kind to help the family income.











It is such a shame that my grandchildren never knew my daddy. He would have loved them so much and they would have thought he was just great.







Like I do.

Mame Opens at the BLT

Mame at the Baytown Little Theater.

Even though putting a play on is a whole lot of trouble, it is quite gratifying when it all comes together. Mame opened last Friday night and played three performances of the musical over the weekend. It continues this next weekend with three more shows. No matter how hard it got to pull all the details together, I kept telling myself that there was an end in sight. No matter what happened the play will end December 14. I am happy to say, the play is very good and apparently the community thinks its a good show too because all the remaining performances are sold out.

Mame

Baytown Little Theater
presents

Mame


Book by
Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee

Music and Lyrics by
Jerry Herman

Directed by
Kim Martin

Produced by special arrangement with
Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.,
New York, NY

Performances
December 5, 6, 12, 13 at 8 pm
December 7 & 14 Sunday Matinee at 2:30 pm

Fond Thanksgiving Memories

(This picture of my family was taken December, 1977. Jason was 10 months old. Pictured at the back left is Cynthia, my brother's wife who passed away 6 short years ago, her husband & my oldest brother, Johnny, beside him is our brother, Richard, and my husband Kim. Seated left is Mama [Louise Ritchey] gone now for 15 years , I am holding Jason, and my daddy [Elton "Jiggs" Ritchey] gone for 10 years.)

This morning I am reminded of Autumn days many years ago. As Thanksgiving approaches I remember how my mother began days even weeks ahead picking up ingredients on grocery store runs to prepare her scrumptious recipes for our "feast". The day and night before Thanksgiving, she would bake pies, cakes, and prepare cornbread for the cornbread dressing to go with the turkey. My mom was a wonderful cook.

On Thanksgiving morning I'd wake up, go to the kitchen where my mom would have been up for hours cooking. My dad would usually be seated at the kitchen table with his breakfast and coffee listening to the radio or Macy's Thanksgiving Parade would be on TV. If it was cold weather, the small space heater in the corner of the little dining room would be warming the room like toast. Even though mom had been cooking for hours already, she'd ask if I wanted a scrambled egg or oatmeal for breakfast. It may just be my fading memory, but I don't think my parents ever woke up grumpy or at least they didn't show it. Also, I rarely ever heard them argue and really can't recall if I ever did. Mom and Dad were both affectionate and often were seen smooching in the kitchen. We rarely ever saw each other or said good bye without a kiss. I miss that family affection and public display of love.

In those days Thanksgiving was either at our house or my aunt's house. Mostly it was at my parent's house. Either way, my aunts and my mom could cook a feast fit for a king on those Thanksgiving days. The warmth of the oven was equaled only by the warmth of family love as we exchanged stories, jokes and laughter. I felt a genuine happiness and contentment being with my loved ones. We were family and I for one never thought of speaking mean to them. (That's not to say I never said a sarcastic comment to my brother. Sorry, Bro.) These were my relatives and I loved them deeply. I would not come to realize just how deeply I loved them until some of them were gone and our Thanksgiving feasts together were a thing of the past.

As the temperature has turned cooler lately and Thanksgiving approaches I close my eyes and picture those past holidays with my family. Even though my parents have been gone all these years, the love I feel for them remains immense. It's still so hard to believe they have left this earth and tears will often fill my eyes as I miss them so much. I won't get to be with them at Thanksgiving ever again. My family is in my memories which are only filled with love and warm feelings of happy holidays, warm hugs and a very loving family.

(The photo here was made Thanksgiving, 1977 and pictures four generations. Jason at 9 months, Mama Bond, my grandmother [Mama's mother], Mama [Louise] my mom and standing behind her, a much younger version of me.)

One Year Ago

One year ago, I was into my first retirement year with no schedules or daily agenda to move me too early out of the house. I was, however, involved with a play at the theater. That served to keep me busy during the day as I searched for props and costumes. Now one year later, I am once again involved with a play at the theater doing the same things, searching for props and costumes. However, this year I add to that task, a couple of part time jobs that keep me busy enough to make my day seem like full time work.

I supervisor a nice group of young women as they student teach in area elementary schools. Enrolled in a nearby university, the intern course not only requires their presence at the elementary school one day a week, but they also have to write papers and complete assignments. All of which I have to grade and along with evaluating their teaching abilities assign their semester grade for the course. Its my task to read and score all of their assignments and return them to the students in a timely manner. Even though reading college students' papers are more interesting than reading third grade students' papers, I still get sleepy while reading.

Also, new from last year is a small tutoring group I've recently began to teach at the same school from which I retired. I marvel as I work with these students who are the same ages of the children I had in my classes as a full time teacher. These sweet children seem so young and much smaller than I remembered. Its funny what being away for a year will do to our memories. I forget how much older those 8-9 year old children appeared and how I expected them to be so much better behaved. When really, they were children being little children, and some with dysfunctional families, children forced to be adults at home. Perhaps I expected too much from them. This small group of students who are in need of assistance to be able to pass the state mandated test in April, are really just little kids. I'm enjoying them since it's a little like grand parenting. I get to enjoy our short time together and when we are finished, I release them back to their teachers and I get to go back home.

I guess the point of this blog entry is simple a reflection on where I was a year ago and where I am today. A year ago my day started out in my gown, coffee in hand, seated on the couch with my laptop. I may or may not go anywhere depending on what other little chores I had to complete, which were few. Today not only do I have errands for the play we are working on, I have the part time jobs to keep me busy. Its a good thing too because I needed a reason to get up every day, to shower, fix my face and hair and be productive. However, I find that at times I'm a little more productive than I'd like to be.

The downside to my retirement is less income. Not that I want to buy a lot of stuff, I just don't want to be wondering how the bills are going to get paid every month. Bills left over from years past are still around and I labor over the thought that retirement was premature on my part. So I ask myself as I look around the schools I am visiting, "Do I want a classroom again? Do I want to make out lesson plans, discipline the disturbed children, work with administration again?" Then I recall headaches, stomach upset and over whelming feelings of too much to do and I have to answer with a resounding, "NO". I do not want a classroom of my own.

Doing work with the interns and students I tutor keeps me active. The real fulfilling aspect of supervising interns and tutoring children is that I feel more respect than I ever had as a classroom teacher. People listen to me as a university supervisor and they seem to think I know what I'm talking about. They trust that I am doing my job. No one is looking over my shoulder making sure I have all the TEKS in my lesson plans or recording my students' scores properly. My university administration I'm sure has its problems, but I feel like they respect who I am, my degree of education and experience enough to let me do my job without sending the message that they do not trust me. I am able to have time to volunteer with the theater and still have time to earn money to supplement my retirement check. Maybe I'll find another job one day that pays more, but one thing is for sure, it won't be a full time position in a public school classroom.

Free My Soul

Freedom in Christ. The women in this photo are free to worship their Lord without fear of being judged by anyone. All of the women in this place love the Lord. March of 2007 I was right behind these ladies lifting their hands in praise of the Savior. Watching them encouraged me and lifted my soul as I observed their witness.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to join my friends at another gathering of the Women of Faith, a conference held each year in major cities across the nation. Filled with women from all flavors of Christian faith, the air in the coliseum was charged with the electrifying energy of thousands of Christian women singing praises to their Lord. Singing never felt so good and lifting my hands to the Lord never felt so right. My soul was soaring. Several speakers, comedians, singers, and dramatist used their God given talents to spread the news that we are saved by grace and that God's infinite mercy was worth our rejoicing. Praise the Lord!!

Not all worship assemblies can be as electrically charged as the ones my friends and I got to experience. Oh, but wouldn't it be marvelous to experience the freedom to worship...REALLY worship in our home assemblies? Free from all fear of others who won't understand? Free from those that would judge our motives behind our actions? As the song says, "There's a stirring deep within me...I will rise up, rise up and lay my crown at His wounded feet." I want to be able to sing that song with all my heart and soul with my hand lifted high to the Lord. But not in the place where people don't understand. Not there because not only would some not understand, but others would feel compelled to tell us to stop. It discourages me and saddens my soul when that happens.

I begin to feel as though the rules are chains wrapped around me locking in that which longs to be free. The air in that place is heavy as it bears down on my chest and my soul cry out for mercy. I long for a fresh breath of air to come into that space where it can rejuvenate tired souls and we can breath in the springlike grace of God's spirit. Jesus has set us free to joyfully praise his name!

Lord, Give us the freedom and boldness to dive into a meaningful place within our hearts and souls to be with you. A place where we worship your name and where there are no rules to do that which we are lead to do. Lord there is strength in your name. It is in that name that we petition you to walk with us along our way and give us the strength to live for you. It is in the name of your son Jesus that I pray. Amen.

A Lot Happens in 30 Days

The first picture is a shot of our backyard before the hurricane. The other two are after Hurricane Ike hit. Now most of the tree debris is gone. The tree stumps are not, but we hope to get a stump grinder out to take care of that. Stump grinders are in abundance now and we get daily fliers, business cards and visits from various workers asking to do the job.

The only thing we really need back now is our cable, internet and telephone service. We are pretty much back to normal. Which is a lot more than I can say for many families here in Baytown hit much harder by the hurricane. The storm surge ripped through many homes not far from our house. The houses were flooded with water and sewage making all that touched the flood waters worthless. Piles of furniture, appliances and personal belongings sit on the sides of streets as a reminder of the devastation a hurricane can do.

We lost 3 trees in this storm and our house escaped with minimal damages. We were blessed.

Please keep all the others in your prayers that are having to deal with their greater losses and wondering where they will be in another month.

A lot can happen in just one month.

Fret Not

If you watch CNN or the Weather Channel, you have seen and heard about some fretful matters in our world. A nurse in the Army Reserve talked to me about coming back from Iraq last March and of her upcoming deployment in January. After her four-month long tours, she returns to Baytown and her job at Methodist Hospital. Life back to normal, she didn’t appear to fret over her upcoming return to Iraq. We casually sat at a dining table with a third friend, laughing and talking. I was left to wonder why she wasn’t hiding in her house wringing her hands in the dark? When she told me that her hospital unit had been under attack five times, I asked if she was scared. She readily replied, “yes”. Even the calm soldier frets under the dangers of war in Iraq.

Hurricanes spin their way through warm waters blowing up a storm and disrupting life as it slides across land in its path. Threaten by Gustav; we watched the weather, prayed that Gustav would go away from us and spare poor New Orleans. Our prayers were answered and without even so much as a drop of rain, Gustav turned away. Then, as it made landfall to the east, we wondered how New Orleans could withstand another hit three years after Katrina devastated people’s homes and left others homeless. Our prayers again were heard as the storm slowed coming on land, lessening its hit to Louisiana. Thousands of evacuees exhaled in relief and journeyed back home, many with prayers of thanksgiving on their lips.
Wars and storms will leave us fretting if we allow it. We don’t need to fret if we believe God’s promises.

Psalm 37: 1 says:

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die.

Also, Matthew 24:6 tells us,
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.

Jesus calmed a storm when he …rebuked the wind and raging waters. (Matthew 24:6) Just as the disciples were afraid of drowning even with their Savior nearby, we also fret even though the Father is still nearby. Jesus asked the disciples, “Where is your faith?” Could Jesus be asking the same of us today when we worry and fret over storms out of our control?

When storms persist and wars continue, have faith. He won’t tell you to “buck up” or “get tough.” He’s been where you are. He knows how you feel. The Father is with us to still the storm and calm the soldier. Who’s to say he won’t do the same for you?
(Lucado, Max. Traveling Light, (W. Publishing Group: Dallas, TX, 2001) 101.

Department Store Hell

Have you ever shopped in what I call a "low end discount department store?" What I mean is one that is known for its low prices on name brand items. Sure, you can save a buck, but you have to wade through a lot of crap first. Those clothes may not be this season or even last season, but by golly, they are Name Brand!

Name brands mean nothing to me. I didn't go in that store to find a name brand top to wear under my much too revealing dress. Just about the only name brands I know are Sag Harbor and Bobbie Brooks; one of which is now sold in Wal-Mart. There were too many choices like type, colors, sizes, fabric, solids, floral or patterned, and the clearance items appeared to be mixed in with the regular priced items. It really resembled a garage sale.

Some clothes had fallen off the hangers and were flung across the hanging rack making it an annoyance for anyone moving hangers to see other clothing items. I can only assume that when the item of clothing fell off the hanger, a customer decided they were doing the store a favor by throwing it on top of the rack of clothes, instead of leaving it on the dirty floor. Furthermore, the whole bending, stooping, picking up, and flinging of the garment must have worn said costumer out so much because they didn't even put it back on the hanger. I mean...really. How hard can it be to hang it back on a hanger??

The thing that really disturbs me about walking through a "bargain basement" type of department store, is the people who shop there show no respect for the store, the merchandise or even themselves enough to handle the items with care. The shoe department looks like a war zone of dead shoes strewed up and down the isles and laid out on the shelves minus a mate. I just don't have the patience it would take to find a matching pair of shoes in all of that clutter.

After my dissatisfying trip to the fitting room, I emerged from the hot musty smelling dressing room imagining that this must be what Hell is like. Hot skanky smelling dressing rooms, ill-fitting clothes, messy floors and things of all sorts thrown around like confetti. I felt sleazy as I left the store.

It is amazing to me that places like that stay in business and that people continue to give in to their Siren cries of discounts. What was I thinking when I walked into that "Den of Disarray?" Yet, I must confess, this wasn't the first time I'd ever ventured into such a department store. Oh no, I am a shamed to admit I have attempted to find clothing there before and failed. So, why did I think it would be any different this time?

At least I didn't leave my money with those money changers. Like Satan, I must put that store behind me. I must pray never to be lured through its dank doors again. For now, I have escaped the disorganized, dirty, drab, dismal, Department Store Hell.

Today Has Enough Troubles

The other night, Kim and I had our small group from church in our home for a time of Bible study. Our text was Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

The question posed was, "What does righteousness mean?" Someone answered that it was "being right in the eyes of God." Another person questioned the meaning of the word, righteous. All agreed that the word is more of a religious word and not one used by people not familiar with what might be considered religious buzz words. So, how does one relay that message to hunger and thirst for righteousness to the un-churched, that is, one who isn't connected to any religious organization? What does the word righteous mean? Furthermore, why seek righteousness in the first place?

Righteous--1: acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary).

Hmm,...still a lot of religious words in divine or moral law. However, free from guilt or sin might speak to the common man a little better if it weren't for that word, sin.

To be guilt or sin free is not possible and being righteous is not as easy as it sounds, is it? Who was the only righteous One? Jesus Christ. Isn't being righteous like Jesus is righteous a pretty tall order? Fortunately, God has us covered. ( John 3:16)

Although, I would like to back up to the root word, right, for a better understanding of the meaning of righteousness.

Right--1: righteous, upright2: being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper <right conduct> (MWOD)

Surely, all would understand the word good. Every child has heard often to "be good." So, to be right in the simplest form is to be good. But, how does that work with the definition of righteous and having to do with divine and moral law? The word righteous is an adjective and describes someone or something. Jesus is divine, that is, 1. of, relating to, or proceeding directly from God. (MWOD) Therefore, to hunger and thirst for righteousness is to have a longing or desire to be righteous or divine like Jesus. Still easy for the Divine One, but what about Me? How is that possible? Why am I hungering for Christ-like righteousness?

Matthew 6:31-34 talks about our worries of what to eat, drink or wear. As I thought about that text, I could relate to my own anxieties now that I have retired, as to having enough money to pay bills, make needed repairs to the house, buy clothes, and food to eat. Our needs haven't changed much from Jesus' day. We still worry over where we'll get the means to acquire those things. In verse 32 of chapter 6, Jesus is telling us that the Father knows we need those things, but if we seek first his (Jesus) kingdom and his righteousness, all of those things we need will be given to us. That's why we seek righteousness. To be without worries and to trust in God. Think of it like having faith we will have air to breath all through the night as we sleep and into the morning as we wake up. Do we fret over having air? No, its there. We can't see it or hear it, but we know it will be there for us every day. So, why is it so hard to trust that God, who we can't see or hear, will also provide for our needs. If we trust and have any amount of food, clothing or money; it is because of God. First, however, we must seek (hunger/thirst) for his kingdom and his righteousness. When we do that, Jesus reasons in Matthew 6:34, there is no need to worry about tomorrow. Let that sink in, don't worry about tomorrow. That should bring a calm sense to your very soul. We do not need to worry. Furthermore, why should we? After all, each day has enough trouble, don't add to it with tomorrow's trouble too.

Finally, allow me to conclude with a song. As I thought about not worrying about tomorrow, I was reminded of a secular song by a 1970's group, Fleetwood Mac, called Don't Stop. The lyrics may appear to be opposite of Jesus' advice to not worry about tomorrow, but the song has the same message. "Don't stop thinking about tomorrow, it'll be here, better than before. Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone". For Christians, we can forget about today and look forward to a worry-free tomorrow because God has it covered for those who thirst for righteousness.

To hear a very righteous offering of Fleetwood Mac performing Don't Stop, click this YouTube video link. The Fleetwood Mac band, joined by a school band*, will bring a smile to your face and happiness to your heart. Be blessed, hunger for righteousness and don't worry about tomorrow.

*After some research, I learned the band in the Fleetwood Mac video is the University of Southern California Marching Trojan Band.

Back to School...Sort Of

In two weeks when the big yellow school buses are zipping down the streets to transport kids of all ages to school, I will be joining them. That is, in a sense I will be joining them. I have gone back to teaching part time and this go around I will be working with college aged students. My part time profession as a adjunct with the University of Houston-Clear Lake, is a new and exciting venture for me. As a University Teacher Supervisor, it will be my task to instruct students within a professional setting and monitor their internship as teachers.

If someone would have told me when I was getting my master's degree that one day it would help get me a job in a university, I would have laughed. When I got my MA, as much as it was for furthering my education, it was for adding to my paycheck. It never occurred to me that some day I would actually use my degree to work with college level students. As a retired teacher with an elementary teaching background, this job will be a different challenge.

Next week I will drive to the university to meet my students. They will be given a syllabus with assignments meant to broaden their outlook of what it is to be an educator. Some of them are going to be nervous about standing in front of a classroom full of children ready to point out any mistake they make. Those nerves will be strained more as they are also observed by their mentor teacher and me, their University Supervisor. It will be my job to encourage, teach, mentor and guide them through the semester.

When I as teaching full time in elementary school, most of the initial excitement about school starting back was seeing all my colleagues and friends again. As much as I looked forward to meeting my students, it was a ton of work to prepare for their first day. This year, I'm excited to have more freedom than I did as a classroom teacher and to be able to work with older students. Instead of putting up brightly colored bulletin boards, cutting out shapes for name tags or filling supply boxes with crayons, pencils and scissors; I will be setting up computer files for each of my 9 students, reading their academic textbooks, and preparing myself to be an effective instructor.

My parents would be surprised that I have signed on with a university. Heck! I'm surprised that I signed on with a university. However, I believe my parents would be proud that I've come this far in my career. It is my hope and desire to always be searching for something else to do with my time and abilities for as long as God will allow. It is humbling for me to think about where I started as a scared just-turned 6 year old student walking into a school building for the very first time. I didn't even know all the letters of the alphabet and my 5 year old grandson can read words going into kindergarten. Now I can be the confident 56 year old instructor walking into a school for higher education. Humbling indeed that God didn't give up on me when I bogged down in self-pity or self-destruction. That He kept whispering in my ear to get up and move on has reminded me often that I am not alone in this world.

This little adjunct job with the university may not seem like a big deal to a full time PhD on the faculty of a major university. But, to a little East Texas nobody of a girl who ranked in the lower middle of her 400+ high school graduating class, who barely scraped up an acceptable GPA to earn her bachelor's degree and had to begin her post graduate work on probation...this is HUGE. I gratefully and with much humility, thank the Lord for an opportunity to give back some of what I learned as an educator over the course of 30 years to young interns. That just boggles my mind.

However, I would be remiss if I closed this post without giving notice to what a wonderful, supportive husband of 33 years I have. He always encourages me and never once has he told me I couldn't success in whatever I set my sights toward. Even though we don't always agree and sometimes he makes me so mad I want to scream, he is my reality check and solid wisdom. Where the rubber meets the road, where it really counts, I know that Kim is there for me.

"Back to School" novels with many new chapters are starting to be written. Let our stories continue.

Cats vs. People: Cats Win

It isn't easy living with people. They can be rude, messy, noisy, inconsiderate of other's feelings and aloof. Like the song says, "...you always hurt the one you love, the one you shouldn't hurt at all."

However, cats, unlike people, care. My cat, Homer, is always considerate of me. He is a faithful male. I am never ignored by Homer. He follows me around the house and will come lie by my side when I sit down. If I have just woke up or in a mood, he'll place his paw gently on my arm or even my face just to get me to look at him. When I do, I'm always rewarded with a soft rub of his head. He isn't too messy. He tries to keep his litter in the box and doesn't leave clutter on the tables, beds or floors. He trusts me because he knows I love him and would never be mean to him. He shows his love for me. He rubs his head on my foot or puts his cold nose near my hand, he likes to cuddle. Yes, Homer, is more affectionate than many people.

My other cat, Baby, is the older of my two cats and a female. She has silky black fur that is very soft to touch. Baby likes my singing. When I sing, she will come into the room and if possible climb in my lap all the way up to practically breath the songs coming out of my mouth. What a compliment! She does, however, leave things lying around on the floors. To tell the truth, though, I think she is bringing me offerings of her affection. Baby even "talks" to me as she meows her announcements of treasures she brings into the room. Baby does not ignore me.

Cats are loyal friends who love their people and will notice when they walk into the room. They treat their people with respect, never contradicting something they say. They are playful, providing a lot of entertainment for the people in the room as they run with each other. Its sweet to observe how they show affection for each other. If Baby or Homer are outside and come in after a while, the one that was inside will always lick the other one's neck or head. I think it is their way of kissing or greeting the one that was gone for a while.

Homer and Baby never give me cause to question their love. They always greet me when I come home and make me feel welcome. I love my cats. If I should ever find that I'm in a house without people, I know that Homer and Baby or whatever other cat I may have, will be there to keep me company. Cats verses people may not be an even match. After all cats are at an advantage because of their natural ability to love the people who love them.

My Wish I Could Do "To Do" List

My "To Do" list is longer than my arm. It can be very discouraging when roaming through my house, garage or yard looking for a place to start. The whole needy thing is a work in progress!! Where to begin is the real question here. Which project should get top priority? I don't know. I just don't know. Some of my projects will require muscle of which mine are unfortunately, lacking in the strength department. So, those activities have to be done at a time when my husband is home. That is, home and available. My husband is often at home, but not often available as he is normally completing his own projects. Therefore, timing is everything when enlisting his assistance with a home project.

To refer to my list as "home projects", is to give the false impression that I am actually being creative in my home. No, I just didn't want to write about my home organization, repair, throw away and clean up activity for what it really is, "housework". Not only is it really housework, I am a shamed to say it is housework I should have done long ago. No, my "To Do List" is not so much of a project as it is maintenance. Only problem being that I have to complete the clean up before I can maintain.

So, here is the list for any of you that may be interested. The items are in no particular order, although some will need to be completed before I can begin another. I hope my list will inspire and promote any "home projects" that you have on your own personal list.

1. Clean out the 3rd garage of all the old boxes. Unpack stuff we want to use again. Throw away stuff we won't ever use again.
2. Plan and organize a garage sale.
3. Organize the "office" room. Get rid of so much paper.
   
4. Take old books to Half Price Books or sell in planned G.S.
5. Paint walls in living room and dining rooms.
6. Replace window treatments in LR, DR, frt BR
7. Rearrange den so TV is on another wall away from fireplace
8. Get roman shades for patio doors.
9. Fix weather stripping on patio doors.
10. Paint bookshelf in den.
11. Sell dining room table/chairs to purchase a new one.
12. Replace chandelier in dining room.
13. Remodel kitchen, new appliances, paint, and redo cabinet finish and cabinet/drawer pulls.
14. Reorganize the things in all kitchen cabinets.
15. Take out the range top and wall oven. Replace with one stove/oven all together.
    
16. Build a pantry closet where refrigerator is and relocate fridge to another place.
17. Remove or move wall between breakfast room and laundry room.
    
18. Change out old small pipes of washing machine and kitchen sink.
    
19. Weed the back yard plants. Clean out the beds and take out some plants. Plant some of the pots of plants. Remove or cut back large leaf plant behind the house.
    
20. Fix or buy another weed eater.
21. Redo the beds around the house. Take out the poky plants with stickers.
    
22. Trim back the hedges. Take out the weeds in the side plant bed.
23. Enlarge patio area to extend into the back yard for more seating.
    
24. Buy a new backyard grill.
25. Clean den floors and replace the rug.
26. Get rid of the sectional and purchase new den furniture. May need to sell sectional before buying the new furniture.
    
27. Relocate master bedroom to middle bedroom.
28. Cut a door from middle bedroom to bathroom.
29. Train bedroom furniture and office furniture from front room to present master bedroom.
30. plant flowers around the house outside.
    
31. Clean out every closet in the house and relocate some of the items either to other closets or to garage sale items or give away items.
    

See, that's a lot and it could keep going. I wish I could do all the items on my "To Do" list. Some of those things are easy, others are hard and costly. Of course, the number 1 thing on the list should be get up off my bottom and start!

What's on your "Wish You Could Do-To Do List"?

What To Write About?

Knowing its about time that I posted again, I've been trying to decide on a subject. We just returned from a week at the lake and that was very relaxing. We spent some time with our sister and brother in law at my in-law's lake cabin. It was a good place to get away and change our scenery. As you see from the pictures, the scenery is really nice. The days were hot, fun, relaxing, and a good place for an evening game after dinner. The cabin is on a part of the lake that is not highly populated with vacationers or people. We went to a sandy beach part of the lake to swim and it was so nice. We were the only four people with our sister and brother in law's dog within miles.

I've been teaching a little Wednesday night class at church which I'll be finished with in another week. I took on this class as a favor to a friend. Now that friend is not involved as much at church as in the past and I don't really want to teach. It's one of those church jobs that as a weekly thing, locks you into that position each week. Unlike the adult classes, the teachers for the younger kids don't rotate and it becomes a burden because you're stuck until you beg for a replacement.

Church is going through a lot of changes right now. We're adding more elders and that is a whole 'nother issue. That's all I can say on that subject. There is a lot on my mind in regard to all of that, but I'm not at liberty to put in on my blog. Suffice it to say that we can use your prayers for our church right now.

Our community theater is busier than ever. Our summer musical is in rehearsals now. Chicago will open on August 1. Kim and I will house manage for two of the performances, and we'll work in the box office also. Our son, Kyle, is the director and we will of course go to see it. Our daughter in law, Amy, has one of the lead roles and our son, Ryan is also in the play. Our oldest son, Jason, and his wife Kari and son, Aidan all are performing in Music Man at a church in Friendswood. So we went to see their play and it was just wonderful! It gave me several opportunities to baby sit with Regan while they were at rehearsal or the shows. I liked that very much. Lots of plays on the horizon. Kim is directing Mame in December not to mention his student productions at school. Kyle will also have student productions at his school, so we'll be trekking over to his school to see them. And who knows at this point if I may perform in a play myself?

Well as you can tell, there really wasn't a lot to this post. I hope you all are enjoying the summer. I love the summer time. I know a lot of people complain about the heat, but I'm okay with it. Of course, I have a/c and can stay cool. Okay, well...maybe next time I'll have something to say.

Relationships

Relationships, from my perspective, are wonderful at its best and challenging at its worst. They can be easy and at the same time very exasperating. Relationships: man and woman, girlfriend to girlfriend, male pal to male pal, partner to partner, church to elders, young to old, kids to peers, adults to peers, employ to boss, and in Jesus' day it was even master to slave. Many more relationships remain that could be compared and contrasted. But the fact remains that any and all relationships take a lot of work patience and tolerance in order to be healthy, honest and alive.

My husband and I have known each other for 36 years and married for 33 of those years. One might think that after all that time we'd never have a misunderstanding or conflicting word for each other. However, whether a couple is married for 33 years or 73 years, that relationship requires work. It might get easier as you grow older together and develop tolerance for the each other's idiosyncrasies. However, our marriage is important enough to both of us to continue to strive for the understanding and love we promised to each other in our marriage vows 33 1/2 years ago. Some friends of mine are celebrating 70 years of marriage this year. The following are some words of advice in regard to marriage, by the wife.

Marriage is not a game, not a contest. You are both on the same team. Always work together. Don’t let anyone come between you, no matter how convincing, how attractive the temptation.

We'd all do well to follow that advice not only for our marriages, but for any relationship. Just substitute the word "marriage" for any relational situation in which you participate. For example: "Church relationships" are not a game or contest. You are both on the same team. Always work together. Don't let "the devil" come between you, no matter how convincing, how attractive the temptation. Give the words of my friend some thought in your dealings with other people.

Most relationships encountered on a day to day basis, don't have vows attached. We don't normally recite vows of loyalty and acceptance to our friends, bosses, or leaders with whom we are involved. The rights of "number one" seem to prevail in many relationships with no evidence of love or respect. Some bosses want, even demand, respect from their employees to the extent that the employees may only respect his authority because of his ability to terminate their jobs. A friend, while loyal to a point, can also be demanding of her friendship. He or she gets their feelings hurt when their friend does not agree with them on a point of personal importance. However, true friends will usually talk out their differences for the sake of the friendship. I have found that my closest, truest girlfriends allow me to bare my soul. They listen and give me feedback with gentleness. I trust their advice and they'll agree and support me all the way. However, not all friendships are as amiable. People should take Peter's instruction to live in harmony with one another.

In the cast of our Christian brothers and sisters, that harmony should definitely be in place. We are taught by Jesus to love one another. There seem to be more disagreements and intolerance within church relationships than most others I've known. Some intolerance appears to come from people thinking their way is the only way. We take offense too easily, not giving consideration to the other person's feelings and not taking time to talk about our different opinions. God's children should never behave so rudely to each other. Church relations deserve as much effort as marriages, and considering the growing number of divorces, they deserve much more.

God knew he had created a flawed species when he cast Adam and Eve from the Garden. He knew that we would need a Savior in order to enter heaven and the divine presence of our Lord at the end of our life. As a flawed creature, however, He gave us the ability to make choices. We don't always make good choices in our relationships. We botch up our lives when we selfishly attempt to laud our power over another human being.

By the grace of God, we can achieve a loving understanding and tolerance for each other in this world. Value your relationships. Work on them. Our opinions are just that...our opinions. Passing them off as facts are just wrong. God can not tolerate wrong. (Habakkuk 1:13)
We recall with humility the words of Rodney King when in 1992 he made an appeal to the rioting crowds, "...can't we all just get along."

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Summer, Time for Nothing

Every time I hear or sing the lyrics to the popular old song, Summertime, I envision a tall, white stately old Louisiana plantation porch. I'd be sitting in a tall rocking chair with an oriental fan in one hand and a mint julep in the other. Stretched out in front of me are tall moss laden oak trees swaying in the soft warm breeze. The air is filled with the melodic sounds of birds and locust. Ah...no obligations whatsoever at that moment. This is truly summertime bliss.

Summer is the season to wear limp cotton clothes, flip-flops, and shorts. Summer is the time for coffee leisurely sipped while waking up late before a carefree day. Summer is watching our cats stalk lizards among the tall plants in our backyard. Summer is the smell of fresh mowed grass and the sight of blue wildflowers heroically blossoming among the weeds.

Summer is the Fourth of July in the park listening to concerts and watching fireworks soar high into the dark sky before exploding suddenly into a million and one multi-colored glittery strands of fire. Summer is an evening at the baseball park cheering for the hometown team, with high 5's all around as Berkman slams one more homerun into the Crawford boxes.

Summer is melted ice cream, ice cold watermelon, and frosted sugar cookies enjoyed with laughing children. Summer is a trip to the beach and a breezy evening ferry ride across the salty bay waters with noisy seagulls feeding in the boat's wake. Summer is the feel of cool wet sand beneath bare feet.

Summer is lunch with girlfriends in a quaint tea room punctuated by girlish laughter from 50-something aged women enjoying the company of their sisters. Summer is lazy tunes from a late night jazz combo drifting out into the hot night sky. Summer is an evening out with friends who share that special feeling one can only get while sitting outside on a warm Texas night.

"Summertime, and the livin' is easy".

Why the Chicken Crossed the Road, or Chicken Takes a Risk

Why does the chicken cross the road? Probably one of the most asked “why” questions of all time. The setting is a hot summer day in Texas on a dusty dirt road in the country. The occasional 1957 Chevy pick up truck or slow moving tractor is bouncing its way back up the road to the barn. The white chicken is standing on the side of the road; red comb flopped to one side, watching the vehicles amble by while contemplating her venture to the other side.

Perhaps more importantly instead of asking “why” the chicken crossed the road, one should ask, where it would get her to cross to the other side and what she hoped to accomplish by crossing the road? That would have answered any question of “why” one might have had in the first place.

Where did the chicken think it would lead her once across the road?
The chicken was going to the wheat field she saw just beyond the wire fence on other side of the road. Tall “amber waves of grain” leaned back and forth in the hot summer breeze. Small kernels of wheat gently drift to the ground where they lay in wait for an adventurous chicken such as herself to peck it up. This road crossing could lead to other wheat fields where the little hen could have her fill of grain to eat. The wheat field stretched as far as her little black eyes could see. It presented her with an endless possibility of food for life.

What does the chicken hope to accomplish by eating her fill of the wheat found on the other side of the road?
She thinks that if she eats the grain she’ll produce more eggs and the farmer can sell them to make money. The money will buy grain to grow wheat on their farm, thus ending the need to cross the road. Now the chicken will have wheat on her side of the road to eat. The farmer might also buy a handsome rooster and a new coup where they can raise chicks. Then, the farmer will have more hens to lay eggs. More eggs to sell will mean more money for the farmer and more grain for the chickens. It’s a win-win situation.

Where does the farmer see himself in 5 years now that the chicken crossed the road to get more grain, to produce more eggs for the farmer to sell?
The farmer sees himself on a large chicken farm with lots of hens laying eggs daily. The markets in the city will buy the hens’ eggs. That will bring him wealth and he will be able to afford the two-story farmhouse his wife has always dreamed of owning. All of this just because the chicken took a risk and crossed the road.

So, that is why the chicken crossed the road. However, she wouldn’t have crossed the road had she not seen the potential in eating more grain from the fields beyond the fence.

Therefore, do not ask why someone does a certain thing. Instead ask, “Where are you going with your idea or plan?” Also, ask, “What will you do with what you find there?” and, “What will it look like 5 years in the future?”

There’s a lesson to be learned here somewhere. Perhaps it is this: Take a risk; it is not about why you do it. It’s about what you do with it and where you hope to take it from here.

Endings and New Beginnings

This has been "one of those weeks". You know the kind where you are trying your hardest to please everyone and get all the jobs done that are on your calendar. Then, in among the hurry of the days' chores, you remember a loss and that wave of sadness washes over your heart for a moment. I had a few of those this week.

An old building where my family and I preformed and worked on many theatrical productions came down this week. The old building had been home to the Baytown Little Theater for 48 years. My participation with the theater group began 33 years ago when my husband and I got married. I have known for a year now that the theater was to be destroyed. Last July a woman having a seizure, drove her car through the side wall of the seating area, fatally damaging the main support beam to the theater. The building was constructed in the late 40's as a grocery store and meat market. It was already way past its prime. So, it didn't take much to cause serious damage to the structure which led to her inevitable demise.

After the date was set to tear down the theater, I made my plans to be present to watch this small, but rather historical thing happen. Wednesday came and I fell out of bed at 7:30, pulled some clothes on, slipped on my flip-flops and drove down to the site with my camera. There were a couple of my friends there to watch too. At a quarter past the scheduled time to begin, the bulldozer's backhoe made the first crunch into the roof of the building, just above the marquee that still held last season's poster. It sounded like a giant animal eating rocks as the jaws of the machine's shovel munched the wood, metal, and fiber glass that once was our box office. A handful of theater friends and onlookers appeared and disappeared to witness the demolition of a building where countless memories, careers in theater and even marriages had taken root. Alongside the numerous theatrical performances, the old building had also played host to many New Year's Eve celebrations, anniversaries, birthdays, and engagements of the actors, families and crew that played and worked inside those walls.

I was glad that I got to witness the demolition because it made the occasion less of a tragedy and more of a bittersweet drama. Seeing the brittle wood splinter like a twig and the rotten walls buckle under the slightest pressure of the shovel, evidenced to me that it was time to bid farewell to this building. On that warm Wednesday morning as I clicked my camera taking pictures of various stages of the demolition, I knew it was the right thing to do. Now working in a temporary space, the BLT board of directors will be working toward the future with plans to rebuild the theater.

Earlier in the week we got news about a dear friend that really is more of a tragedy than a tired old theater being laid to rest. Our friend, who was the associate minister at our church for 28 years, will no longer serve in that position. Our friendship with he and his family has spanned over 33+ years. My husband and I naturally feel sadness and loss over his leaving the church staff. There is a long story behind his resignation, but suffice it to say, his absence will leave a hole in the heart of our church. So many of us came to depend on his wisdom and Biblical knowledge. We asked questions and he always gave us a thoughtfully patient answers. He was available most anytime to help with everything from making coffee, to teaching the proper use of the copy machine, from teaching a class of toddlers about Jesus, to teaching a class of kids to sing classical music. He is always up for a dramatic rendering of a Bible story or singing Beach Boy tunes with a couple of old friends. His knowledge of Bible history is as accurate as the Internet with his research coming from his own library of literature sources and scholarly aptitude not to mention a Master's Degree in Biblical studies. His compassion for those less fortunate often lead him to seek aide in whatever form is applicable to their need at the time. Unlike the theater, there is no replacement in our congregation for one such as our friend and brother. We pray God's blessings on him and his wife as they continue to serve the Lord wherever and in whatever capacity He wills.

Endings and new beginnings are a continuum in all aspects of life whether it be an organization, a church or a life with Christ. The passage of time and events isn't always easy, but with God in control, we must believe that the new beginnings will be nothing short of marvelous. Therefore, I will not look to these endings with sadness but with the hope of new beginnings.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?

I can think of younger days when living for my life
Was everything a man could want to do.
I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.

And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend a this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.

I can still feel the breeze that rustles through the trees
And misty memories of days gone by
We could never see tomorrow, noone said a word about the sorrow.

And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.

Bee Gees lyrics, 1973

Yellow-Crowned Night Herons

Spring is definitely in the air. The weather is pleasant, my cats want to stay outside longer and we have heron chicks high up in one of our tall backyard trees. The Yellow-Crowned Night Herons nest in the trees around our neighborhood every year. They are back up there again this year right in the same nest they occupied last year.

About two weeks ago, we noticed the soft blue broken egg shells on the ground and garage rooftop. Some days before we noticed the eggshells, I had witnessed what I assumed was a male heron, feeding the female on the nest. She must have been sitting on her eggs. Recently, I saw a couple of gawky, fuzzy bird heads poke up above the nest a couple of times. They looked a lot like the one in the picture here. Since I can't really see inside the nest, I'm not for sure if there are two or three baby herons.

Last year there were three babies in the nest. My binoculars were close at hand as I reached for them daily to observe the babies' progress. I was fascinated as the baby herons gradually eased out on a limb, back to their nests and finally one day flew away. I wonder if the parent Yellow-Crowned Night Herons in our tree today are the same parents or the babies from last year?

The chicks will be in their nest for a month before they learn to fly. As they get older, I will see them stand up in their nest every day. Right now I can hear them chirp as they wait for the parent birds to bring food back to their open mouths. I look forward to the day when I may see one of the young birds awkwardly balance on a wire or fly down to the ground as they investigate the world around them.

Spring is here and my binoculars are out again and I'm enjoying a new family of Yellow-Crowned Night Herons. As the wind blows, they ride the swaying limbs like they are sitting on rippling waters. One of the adults fly back to the nest each day with food for the young birds. The Night Herons make a loud distinct squawking sound when they fly. So, when I hear their sound, I look to the sky and usually see one or two of God's creatures in flight. Sometimes they fly right into the nest high up in the tree in my own backyard.

And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.” Genesis 1:20

Why Do We Worry?

Don’t we wish that there was no reason to worry? What do we worry about…the bills? Paying for repairs? Medical bills? So far we worry about money, don’t we? What else to do worry about? What we will wear? If our children are going to have the money they need for education and the day to day functions of life? What else? Whether or not our children are going to retain their faith in God, their happiness? So much to worry about and where does it get us? NOWHERE!

I tell you though we are not in control. No, we aren’t because wouldn’t we have money to fix the broken car, to paint our house, or to pay our bills? We would not be without a job when we needed one. We would have the money that we needed right now, if we were in control. So who is in control? Not me. Not you. Not even the Devil. The One in control is God. He and he alone is the controller of all that is. If we can just have faith in God and His control, we would not be so worried about today or tomorrow.

God is going to see to my needs, and make sure that my family is filled with food, covered with clothes and sheltered with a roof. I HAVE to believe or all hope for my livelihood is gone.

Jesus teaches that God cares for us more than the sparrows or the lilies. If he cares for them, then he is going to make sure we have what we need.

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Believe that God loves you and that He is taking care of you. We can’t see down the road to the end of our problem, but God has seen the big picture. He knows what is going to happen. I have to trust that whatever happens is the best for me because God is the one driving my life, not me.

I Once Was, But Now...

Some very beautiful lyrics recorded by Christian artists, Casting Crowns, really speak to my heart. I wanted to share them with you. If you have the chance to find a recording of this song, I think you'll agree that it is beautiful, simple and true.

"And Now My Lifesong Sings"

I once was lost, but now I'm found
I once was lost, but now I'm found
So far away, but I'm home now
I once was lost, but now I'm found
And now my lifesong sings

I once was blind, but now I see
I once was blind, but now I see
I don't know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see

And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings

I once was dead, but now I live
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You



[Thanks to c-unit25@juno.com for correcting these lyrics]

[ www.azlyrics.com ]