Something's Going to Happen

Well of course something is going to happen. It always does, doesn't it? I for one am looking forward with anticipation as to just what that "something" will be.

Plenty of "somethings" are out there looming just over the horizon of possibilities for me, my family, our country, our local church and my friends. Even the local community theater where we are members has great opportunities opening up to us this year. Yes, it is going to be a good year for something to happen.

Lately, I have heard many people speak of things that happened to them or their families in the last 12 months and that 2009 just had to be better than 2008. I would agree. Our church family felt the sadness of the passing of beloved members we will surely miss a lot. Individuals I know have gone through serious health issues this year. The whole community felt the heavy hand of Hurricane Ike. Still in recovery from the destruction done to properties, our daily lives and routines are still working to get back on track. We've had much go on in each of our personal worlds to make us all say, "It can only get better from here."

I am trying to trust God and not worry myself to take care of problems. If we ask God to help us with our struggles, I have to believe that he will. When we take matters into our own hands too soon, we can miss the better choice God has planned for us. When I was just thinking this week about needing some extra money, I prayed to God for his help, not knowing where to pick up some extra income. I didn't even have to go out to find it. It found me and I have 3 days of paid work coming up. God is good and will handle our cares if we will simply let Him.

Seek and ye shall find, knock and the door will be open.

I recently read a request on Max Lucado's website requesting all of us to pray for our President Elect Obama on January 20, 2009. I believe that we as Christians should all pray to God for Obama's family and for his wisdom and leadership as the President of our country. Now that is going to really be "something" that is going to happen isn't it? Yes, this is going to be an interesting year full of new happenings. You can click on this link to sign a pledge and learn more about this prayer for you or a group.


God is good. He has a plan and believe me its better than any one you or I could ever come up with on our own. Possibilities? Plenty!

Luke 11:9-10
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Resolutions '09 or The Person I Want to Be

This picture doesn't look like it fits with an article about New Year's Resolutions, does it? Although, it reminds me of when I was a little girl with long braids and she looks thoughtful. That is what I will be doing here...just thinking about the person I want to be.

Making New Year's Resolutions for me is like throwing a basketball at a goal. I see the goal, I know what it will look like when the ball drops through the net, I even know the proper way to execute a lay up, but I stink at it. Such it is with resolutions. I can write them down to read. I know what it will take to carry through and succeed at the goals I've set up for myself. I even know what it will be like when I achieve the goal, but like shooting baskets, I stink at it.

Therefore, instead of making a frustrating list of resolutions I'll break before I go to sleep again tomorrow, I would like to contemplate the person I want to be. That way, I'm not just taking free throws, missing and giving up after the first failure. It isn't going to be a one-shot, miss and I'm out. I'm setting out on a journey. As with any traveling, some days are easy and we make a lot of mileage. Smooth sailing, not a bump in the road. In contrast other days are going to be slow as we plod along pulling ourselves out of pitfalls that were in plain sight. I'm thinking that each day is new every morning and God gives me another chance to try it again. After all this is going to be a journey and my expected arrival is open ended. God with me on this trip and he wants me to succeed.

I'll be setting out on my journey tomorrow. By the end of 2009 I hope the view from behind shows a lot of mileage has been covered and I'm closer to being the person I want to be. So who do I want to be in 2009? Glad you asked.

ML wants to be:

1. A better Christian example to others.
   
2. A better reader of the scriptures.
3. A more fit person. (translation: Curves)
4. A healthier person. ( less sugar, more protein and vegetables)
5. A happier person. (I believe the Bible says something about being content.)
   
6. A person who will trust God more than herself.
   
7. A person who helps others.
   
8. A person who smiles. (see #5.)
   
9. A creative person. (I want to put my ideas in action.)
   
10. A person who treats other people the way she wants to be treated. (Love my neighbor as myself.)
    

I will not be keeping records of all the times I mess up along my journey. Instead, I'll remember to give thanks to God for helping me accomplish any small victory I have throughout my day. (see #6.)

I'll take one day at a time, one step in front of the next. Its all about being a better person and feeling better about myself. The person I want to be is the same person that God wants me to be. Now that I think about it, that would be a tall order if it weren't for God's help.

Mark 10:27

27Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.

I'd say I have a very good traveling partner in 2009.

January 1, 2009

A small theater family gathered on December 31, 2008 to welcome in the New Year of 2009.

As I think about this new year, there are a lot of changes in the making. Now I don't exactly know what those changes are, but God does. A plan has been in the making since Kim and I were even born. Wow! isn't that incredible? Even at 56 years old Kim and I are still receiving God's surprises around every corner.

God showed us mercy when we needed extra money. I got on with UHCL as a teacher supervisor in 2008. I love it too. The students are much older than I am used to, but just as inspired, creative and willing. When the university cut back on our pay, I got a phone call to tutor children in the elementary where I used to teach. I also have to opportunity to test students for the Gifted and Talented program again this year. When school goes on summer break, I will need to have another job to continue contributing to our family income. Prayers are going up on this matter and I believe that God has a plan for us.

Kim is happy in his job at Deer Park High School. Its his second year there, he appears to be more confident in his work. This year he has the opportunity to direct a play with the upper level campus. That's a real plus for him. He's put in an application to work with our local junior college, but hasn't heard from them yet. If he can work with them this summer, it will be answer to prayers for more financial security. Even if he doesn't get to work for them, God is on his throne perfecting his plan for us.

Our theater family is going through changes. We are on the verge of new beginnings with the hope of a brand new facility. Moving forward and planning for continued quality productions, workshops, and events that will benefit not only our theater family, but friends and community as well, is on the horizon. We have new members and young people with innovative ideas for productions. It has been brought to my attention that some of my church family doesn't understand or appreciate the work we do with the theater. We dearly love the people we call our theater family and appreciate their talents, and longing for relationships. One special thing about theater people is their appreciation and acceptance of even the most odd of us. As with most productions, we gather in a circle holding hands before the actors take to the stage. It is in this moment of prayer that I feel the closest to breaking barriers between my theater and church families. God created people to have relationships with each other so that we will not be alone. That is His plan for all of us.

Our church family is going through transitions or maybe its just us that are going through transitions. I pray that we can resolve our problems and move on. We love those people we call our church family. Moreover, like most families we disagree, hurt each others feelings and in general aren't always kind to each other. Its my prayer that our church family would accept and appreciate all of our God-given differences. Unlike our own personal families, we are free to leave the church family at any time we wish. It has crossed our mind to leave. It isn't our desire to start over with a new church family. Like I've already said we love those people at our church. Really we do and pray that 2009 will reveal God's plan not only for us, but for and with our church. I pray that we and the leaders of our church family will see change as a good and Godly act. I pray that they will seek God's will and not their own because God has a better plan.

God has a plan for you too. I pray that you and I will realize God's plan for our lives and our eyes will be open and our ears will hear.

New beginnings, continued old ones, and transitions that are smooth and flawless. I also pray for us to be loving and accepting of each other. We are all just trying to make it through this life doing what we know how to do. Those thoughts are in my prayers for 2009.

God bless you all!
ML