In Memory of Joan E. Young

Joan was a part of my life for probably 58 years.  First she held me in the nursery at church, later taught me in Sunday School, then when I was an acolyte, she would fix my robe before I would leave the choir room.  Later when she married my dad she became my step mom ... the word step mom can bring bad thoughts to one's mind in the world of Disney ...

but I'm really not a princess.  

She helped me, a 20 something grow into a strong young woman by giving me space and teaching me to clean the hair trap in the bathtub!  Yeah she hated when I was a slob. 

Later at my wedding she was the mother of the bride, then most importantly to her she became the grandmother of my children.  She doted on my boys Michael and Peter, babysitting often.  Joan bought them their first suit then taught them to be respectful young men.  When the children were babies she would often take them and disappear, teaching and loving on them.  

We called her the baby-napper.  

When my husband, Ken and I were thinking of adopting a daughter, she said, "there's always room in her heart to love one more!"  

That is who Joan was, always finding room for one more.  

She loved and doted on Theresa as much as the boys.  Just this past fall she got to hold her first great-grandchild, Adelia and I saw that twinkle in her eyes once more ...

The baby-napper had returned.   

My dad said she picked up strays, as he often referred to himself.  Family and inclusiveness was important to her, no one was ever left out, even if she didn't agree with your politics, you knew you were always included with Joan.  

One thing she always wanted to know was how my brothers were doing.   She wanted me to have a close relationship with them because she knew that family was all you had, besides God in your life and that was important.  As the years went on and my relationships got somewhat better with my brothers it made her happy because she wanted to me to always have family. 

Her legacy is one of love, compassion and bringing people together.  

May 2, 1930 ~ February 13, 2016 

I Need You In CLASS!

So you started an exercise class? Your instructor was great! She was energetic and fun!  You notice that class is large and everyone is engaged.  Leaving the class you think wow that instructor is great and that was a great class!  

Well, let me say YOU may be the reason that the instructor was great!  

I've been teaching 30 years and I have learned that it isn't all about me.  I need you in my class!  

When I new person walks in to my class, I'm nervous but also excited of what that person might bring to my class.   New participates coming into class will pump up the energy in the room, just by them being there.   So the next time you are starting out to a new exercise class and think you are going to be nervous or feel awkward, 

know this, just by you being there ... 

the energy level will go up.  

Energy in a fitness is class is a good thing! You need it to make the class motivating for all participates.  

I will teach my scheduled classes if there is 1 person there or I will teach it if there are 100 people there!  I know if you came to class, you were expecting to exercise, so I won't let you down. But the class is more enjoyable for all when it is a full class. 

SO 

When you can't make it to class know you that you are missed!  The more the merrier! 

When the class is filled,  the energy is up as well.  The instructor gets pumped and so will you.  So if you are thinking of skipping class today...

... DON'T!  

THE REST OF THE CLASS AND THE INSTRUCTOR NEEDS YOU THERE!  

Going Grain Free

Recently here in my family, we decided  we would do a month of grain free eating, which means we have taken all foods containing grains out of our diet.   Why you might ask?  Most of today's grains are highly processed and can cause many problems in the body.  I already am gluten free because I have a disease called Celiac.  This affects my small intestine and literally destroys the villi that aids in absorption by the body.  So I am already on my way to being grain free.  

Eating grain free is a TEMPORARY way of eating to encourage some changes in your body.  It reduces inflammation, detoxs the body, forces more vegetables in the diet, and can be a jump start to a weight loss program. 

If you were thinking of going grain free here are some things you may want to consider. 

First of all, here is the list of main whole grains and sudo grains (Carbs high in sugar that raise the insulin in your body) that I have taken out of my diet.  Wheat, barley, millet, rye, corn, malt, oats, quinoa, buckwheat, and rice. Sudo grains are white potatoes and some legumes.  Again I want to stress this is only temporary and after a period of time I will be introducing gluten free grains back into my diet.  Probably one per week.  

Second thing is that you will feel some cravings and maybe be irritable or experience headaches.  If you decide to do this remember you must eat more fruits and vegetables to make up for the loss of fiber and carbohydrates. There are many great recipes for grain free eating, just goggle grain free eating and a whole new world will open to you.

Drama in the News... CNN .. MSNBC .. FOX oh my who do I watch?

I have had many thoughts about this week's shooting ... I have listened to opinions on both sides.  I've heard the sheriff, John Hanlin state that he will not use the shooter's name ... and now many news medias are not using his name as well. But we all know it ... and with that said ... I just think we are graving drama in this country.  How many of you follow these stories?  I mean I do, so I'm not pointing any fingers but I think that is the problem.  We have too much access to what is going on immediately.  Just turn on the TV and there it is... instantly anyone who commits one of these horrific crimes, is all over the TV, even if their names aren't mentioned.  We will find their name and everything about them.  We will remember it for our lifetime and so we will have helped them succeed in their quest for being 'someone' for eternity.

I heard a quote from a convicted serial killer.  Travis Forbes... he killed one young woman in Denver and almost killed another in Fort Collins.  He said, "society is addicted to drama and that every tragic story presented by the media feeds the monster."  We DO feed that monster ... HOW do we change this?  WE can't reclaim TV or the 4 channels most of us grew up with. Technology is here to stay.  Not by changing the laws or by promoting mental health legislation because we all know that takes time.  So we need a solution NOW ...  we can change things by realizing everyone wants to be needed and loved.  If we can do that in our own homes and neighborhoods, I believe we can make a difference for the future in this society.   It starts with you ... Will you make the difference?

Sands, a Little too Deep

Some call me crazy...
      Some call me adventurous ...
              Some call me a dreamer ...

I'm not sure which characteristic is correct.  Maybe I just don't think and do things impulsively. One thing I do know about myself is that I don't like things to be boring.

When I ride my bike I like to go off  the paved trail, I like to ride in the dessert where it is bumpy and rough.  Since I've been riding on these desert trails I have learned that sand is hard to ride through.  If you are coming off a jump or going fast you have to keep peddling when you hit the sand or your bike will make a dead stop but your body will keep going and fly through the air.

Now that is adventure! 

I don't know why I like adventure but I do.  I like lots of adventure.  I don't think I live dangerously but sometimes I think I can do almost anything I set out to accomplish.  Oh there are times when I get sidetracked with old baggage but it doesn't take long until I'm back up and running, or should I say peddling.

Music is one thing that really helps me to get back on the right path.  All kinds of music.  I love to listen to words of the song and usually the more upbeat a song is the more it pleases my taste.

"Beyond Me" is a song I've been listening too a lot lately... 

That You gave me the stars, put them out of my reach

Called me to waters a little too deep

Oh, I've never been so aware of my need 

You keep on making me see 

It's way beyond me 

           Tobymac

The other day I hit sand too deep just as the song was playing on my iPod.   I thought wow ... I've been called to sand too deep but if I keep peddling I will get through.

I don't think we are to give up on dreams.  We are to keep peddling.  It might be a little hard going but once through the deep sand, that feeling of accomplishment, knowing you did it, will flood your soul...

And when in those deep places remember, you are never alone.  You will have the equipment to make it to the other side. The people in your life are there to help you through those deep sands or waters.  All you have to do is reach out...

BUT... 
        MAYBE ...

When you reach out you will be actually helping someone else out of a deep place.  You see, I think this life is bigger than any thing we can imagine.  I think there are forces at work that we don't see, working towards our good and urging us to be kind, or adventurous.  

Don't be afraid to be seek adventure or dream big dreams.  

IT IS ...

Way Beyond Me & YOU ... God HAS called us all to do great things.  Some things may not seem GREAT but they may be to someone else, especially if you are doing a kind thing for a random person.

We need to keep peddling and ...
   
        looking for those acts of kindness that help others ...
         
                             "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.  Aesop
         

Adelia Rose and other family news

Soon we will be welcoming a new member into our home; introducing Adelia Rose! Our first grandchild will be coming into our world sometime this summer.  It has been a rough go so far and we are praying the birth with be the easy part.  Our daughter-in-law Amy and our son Michael live with our for the time being and we are hoping that baby Adelia will be born at home.  We do ask for your prayers.

Michael is still looking for full time work, he presently works part time for a web design company.  Recently they were hit with a need for a new car since their car of 11 years and 190,000 miles died.  They did get a good deal but will need more income to purchase a home in the fall. 

Peter is also looking for a new teaching job either back east or here in Arizona. 

Theresa is still taking online classes at Grand Canyon University and is getting connected to some young ladies through a Bible Study.

Ken continues to love his job ... it is nice that we don't hear that phone ring 24/7!  And I am hoping to get more involved with the church we have been attending.   

If you remember to keep us in your prayers it would be greatly appreciated! 

Slowing Down ... for now

So I'm finding myself finally adjusting to Arizona life. I knew that I was settling in when I realized I was not really excited about going back to Pittsburgh. At first I thought it was the snow but as I got out of the car at the airport, I knew home wasn't a building that our processions are arranged in a decorative manner or is it a city where our favorite sports team resides. It is the people we live with or who are in our lives.  

Moving from Pittsburgh after living there my entire life has been a adjustment to say the least.

Here are the feelings I believed I would experience:  

I thought I would be anxious about going to the gym, never did I think I would be able to relax as a student in any fitness class. I thought I would find myself with nothing to do most of the time. I was ready to experience boredom and insomnia.  
I'm finding myself enjoying the slower pace.  

I think I'm even kinda busy but I'm not sure doing what.  

I really like the instructors at the gym and I'm proud of myself, I'm not critiquing them AT ALL! I am enjoying just dancing, singing, and not thinking. I'm walking the dogs most everyday which is something I hardly even did in Pittsburgh. I'm enjoying spending extra time with my daughter. And my daughter in law has gotten me in to cooking shows. Dinner could end up being a new adventure every day!  I am happy just spending more time at home putzing around.

This move has become a release of myself; kinda of what Jesus says in Luke 9:23-24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” 

I have left some of the most wonderful people and a rewarding career, but I'm looking forward to the path ahead.  I like to look at the lessons in nature, the redwood tree is so tall and mighty, but the seed has to decompose, die, before it can become a mighty tree. 

I'm happy that my friends are still in my life, thanks to Facebook, Twitter, email, and texting. As far as a career, God has something in store for me, I'm not sure what but I can't wait to find out. It will be exciting!  

Christmas Letter 2014

                                                                                                     December  2014

Dear Friends and Family,

2104 has been a very busy year for the Jones’s!  I normally do not write a Christmas letter but felt it a good idea since we have moved to Arizona.  God’s provision was evident during our journey and wanted to share with you the fun we had through all our bumps and bruises!  So buckle up for the ride it is an adventurous one!

In January Sue’s Step Mom, Joan told her that she would like to move to Country Meadows before the next winter.  But God had other plans and Joan was able to move into her new home March 1^st.  Sue had the task of emptying and selling the Upper St Clair townhome.  With the help of her great friend Leslie she arranged for an estate sale and prepared the house for sale.  The estate sale wasn’t a pleasant experience and we will not being doing another one of those!  The Pinehurst Townhouse sold in July, closing that chapter in Sue’s life. 

Theresa, being a senior in High School, was planning on graduating from Canon McMillan.  June 10^th Theresa found herself on the football field participating in commencement exercises.  She decided to attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona online.  Majoring in Early Childhood Education.  She had a graduation party at the end of June, catered by Chipotle!  It was a fun time for all!  Her Uncle Jim and Aunt Sheryl flew in from San Francisco for the party! Uncle Chuck and Aunt Patti came in from Morgantown and it was a Young family reunion! 

Meanwhile, Peter applied for a job in Phoenix, Arizona in May.  He later found out that he landed that job and plans were made to move Peter to Surprise, Arizona.  He would be teaching Chemistry and Biology at Paradise Honors High School.  The trip was set for July 1^st.  Sue and Theresa planned on flying while Ken and Peter were going to drive across country in Peter’s car.  The trip was a success and Ken, Sue and Theresa flew home mid July.

August was a quiet month for the Jones Family! Thank Goodness!  Well, at least the first part of August!  August 26^th Ken was contacted by the district manager of Mesa, Arizona from Allied Barton, informing him of a job possibility in Tucson.  It would be promotion to a single site management.  Which meant less stress for Ken!  Ken and Sue considered what the changes would mean to them and their family, moving to Tucson, Arizona.  On August 29^th Ken was offered the job and he accepted.  In early September Ken and Sue listed their home with a Howard Hanna agent Erin Laigle.  Our house sold in 24 hours … we were now in for the journey of a lifetime.

It was a great relief to have the house under contract since everyone was coming into town for Amy’s brother’s wedding in late September. The big event that was to take place at the Buhl Mansion in Sharon, PA.  Then Ken was set to fly out of Pittsburgh September 27^th after the wedding.  Sue would be driving the car out with her friend Leslie.  Hotels booked, TripTik acquired, snacks packed and return fights for Leslie and Sue booked! 

We found the cliché, His plans are not Our plans became our reality going forward.

… Ken’s flight was canceled due to the fire at Chicago O’Hare Airport … All plans changed … Ken and Sue were in the car driving across country Saturday, September 27^th.  Ken started his new position on September 30^th and Sue was looking at new homes on October 1^st.  A beautiful ranch home was found and closings were all set to happen in a perfect timely manner.   Our plans seemed to be back on track and we survived the bump in the road.

Sue returned home, she and Theresa had the month of October to finish all the packing while caring for 2 dogs and 4 cats… Michael and Amy had left their animals since they had a planned their vacation in mid October.  So to say the least … it was pretty crazy in the Jones’s house!

House packed and movers arrived; Sue and Theresa had their snacks for the first leg of the trip across country with the 4 cats and 2 dogs to Michael and Amy’s house.  It was going to be a long 11 hours to Illinois but the girls were up for the trip. Ken’s mom, Marilyn was helping them get on their way by staying until the movers were all packed up. 

36 hours before the closing of the Canonsburg home, things began to crumble.   The buyer had problems and the closing was canceled … Sue and Theresa had to go anyway since the house was already mostly on the truck.  The closing on the house in Tucson had to be canceled also since now the loan had to change, things were a bit of a mess.  It looked like a storage unit was in store for Ken and Sue and renting was the only option. 

Talk about having an Abraham moment …

Through much prayer and negotiation, our sellers in Tucson allowed us to rent until our loan issues would work out.  We moved in as planned and our closing happened in early December.  As of writing, we still haven’t closed in Canonsburg but anticipate this to happen before 2015.  

The fun continued as Sue went to the DMV and found that some how her name had been changed with the Social Security Administration.   Now let me just say changing your first name legally is not an easy task.  You have to petition the court and pay lots of money.  SSN said Sue had done that sometime in the last 32 years … Ken and Sue found their way to Superior Court in Tucson to reclaim Sue’s birth name …

At the writing of this letter Ken, Sue, and Theresa await the arrival of Michael and Amy, with their move to Tucson.  The new house will be home to all 5 Jones with 2 dogs and 4 cats!  And you know what a new home means … yes … new home, new baby!  That’s right Michael and Amy’s family is growing with a due date some time in July!  First Grandchild for Ken and Sue!

2014 isn’t over yet … and the Jones know there is always an adventure waiting around the corner!

Post script:  These events are only the highlights, much more happened, God showed up at every twist and turn!  He is Faithful! 

Epilogue:

Amy's Grandma Rose passed away the Thursday before Mike and her were to drive to Tucson.  So their plans changed and she drove to Pittsburgh while Mike drove the truck to Tucson.  I flew back to Pittsburgh so she didn't have to drive that long way alone.  On the way to the airport I was alerted that my step mom was in the hospital... amazing how God works!  I was able to visit with her as well as keep Amy company as she drove from Pittsburgh to Tucson!  So in all I made 3 cross country trips in 80 days!  2015 here we come! 

De-Friended?

I love that song by Randy Newman! "You Got a Friend In Me" ... Remember?  It was from Toy Story.   I love that movie too...

I thought about that song this past week, after Robin Williams died, everyone was saying, if you ever find yourself feeling low call someone.  The problem with that is that if you get that low you don't want to call someone because you might be bothering them.

Even if they are your friend. 

But CALL! 

Believe they will be very glad you called them.  

I also thought of that song when I discovered an old friend had de-friended me on FB.  I think they thought I didn't have enough time for them.  Unfortunately that was true, I didn't have enough time.  I'm not going to make excuses and say I should have, could have, ... etc.  It just happened and I'm sorry that person felt that de-friending me was somehow justified by my inability to hang out on FB.

Once again, I thought of that song this week when I texted my best friend as I was getting ready to drive past her house.  We live about an hour apart and I was in her neighborhood.  I needed personal facilities in friendly territory.  She was not home but told me her daughter was and invited me to stop anyway.  We have been friends our whole lives.  That is a total of 56+ years.  We don't get together much and don't text or talk enough.  We keep up on each other on FB by liking and checking out each others photos and posts.  I love her with my whole heart and know that no matter what, we willl always be friends ... in fact I would call her if I was in that place of deep despair and she would call me.  That's Friendship.

Selfless.. 

Thoughts

Monday night we learned that Robin Williams apparently committed suicide.

When I first heard of his death, I heard Mork in my head say ... "This is false information" But unfortunately ... Mork was wrong.

Robin battled depression, had substance abuse, and heart surgery.  I read many comments about his life, comedy, acting career, humanitarian acts of love and charity.  His death came as a shock to us all and I find myself waking still with him on my mind.

Williams was such a part of my life yet I didn't know him personally nor have I ever seen him, in person.   I can't imagine how his family and close friends are feeling right now.

Dennis Miller said last night on a news show, "If a person with as much going for him as Williams could feel so alone, it is a warning to everyone."  He also said, it would honor Williams's memory to reach out to another person whenever YOU feel in such desperate straits because hope is always just around the corner.

I called my brother Monday night as soon as I had heard the news.  I knew he would understand me since he has a sixth sense into my thoughts... older brothers do you know... We were thinking along the same lines as Miller even then ... if someone with so much talent, success, and love could feel so alone ... is there any hope for us?

Suicide is an act of betrayal. The person contemplating the act, finding themselves in the pit of despair, doesn't think that way.

They just want the pain to go away.  

I know .. I've been there. 

What  has stopped me?  My kids, my husband, my brother, my friends, my God, and HOPE.  (not in any order)

Miller is right ... the sun will come up tomorrow and there is always HOPE.

That is the thing about HOPE ... we can always for hope for something.  You might say ... no, I have nothing to hope for,  oh but you do ... even in your darkest moments, hope that you can get out of your bed tomorrow.  I have been there too... Hope that the doctor will get your meds correct and the therapist will help you make the breakthrough.

If someone you love, suffers from depression ... take them seriously.  Because it is seriously situation.

24 Hours

Well, I did it ... stayed off social media for 24+ hours.  

At one point, I thought, I should go check Facebook, and then said oh no, I can't ... small panic that lasted about 30 seconds.  

Really it wasn't that hard and it seemed I had more patience dealing with the little things in life.  

I think I need longer than 24 hours to really make an impact on my spiritual life. Cutting back seems like a good idea right now and so I think I'm going to stay off first thing in the morning.

This fasting thing off Social Media needs more thought and experimentation.

I can't decide if this blog is social media or not ...       

His Voice

Want to hear the voice of GOD?

                      Open a Bible ... ok so maybe you don't believe it is really God's Voice.  Then you shouldn't read this blog.   

Sure God spoke through the burning bush and dreams with Angels and I believe He still does. In fact the next time I see a bush on fire I'm going to listen very closely.  I'm not kidding or being sarcastic.  I look, listen, and wait for God and His voice everywhere.  But the only place I know I will hear it for sure is in my Bible.  

God speaks to us also through TRUSTED friends and family.  I say TRUSTED because I think one has to earn the right to tell someone what they think God is saying... you just can't walk up to someone and say, God told me to tell you ... it really doesn't have any validity.  Jesus had 12 close friends and 3 very close friends for a reason.   I also love the story of Mary coming to Jesus at the wedding ... she tells him they are out of wine and he is like .. so??? She earned her right to tell him what the Father was saying ... and he listened.  

Sin blocks the voice of God... before you open your Bible think if there is any unconfessed sin in your life.  I have been doing this everyday and what a difference it has made in my prayer and devotional life.  I'm not saying beat yourself up about it, I am just saying be in check with your thoughts and motives.  I think the worse sin is not LOVING people ...  Think of the rich young ruler that came to Jesus.  I love Mark's account after the young man says I have kept all the commandments. 

 ... Mark 10:21 Jesus looking at him, loved him and said to him.  

See Jesus didn't say ... OH NO YOU DIDN'T 

.... he loved him and said, "sell everything you have and follow me." ... Take sin out of life and follow me.  

Fasting can also open up your ears to hear God's voice.  Mark Batteson talks a lot about fasting in The Circle Maker and he doesn't just say to fast from food ... he said one summer his family fasted from TV! 

So I've going to fast from Social Media for 24 hours.  It may end up that I need more than 24 hours but I think it is a good start.  I'll let you know if I hear God's voice.  

Take a fasting challenge, think of something you can't live with out.  The reason I picked social media is because when the lights go out at my house, the first thing I think about is ... oh no, I can't get on Facebook.  Stupid I know, but I guess I discovered I can't live without it.   Maybe it is TV, your phone, a game, apps... music, whatever it is just try 24 hours and see if God speaks.  

Power

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us"

Feeling powerless?  Read that above verse again...

                             The last eight words of that verse are amazing... 

Think about them for just a minute...    According to the power that works in us


Have you ever considered that there is a power in you that can do amazing things? Well, it is there and you just need to tap into it ... But how? Now that is the question.  

First ... Believe it!  ... Believe that God's power is in you and He is able to do things that you wouldn't dare to dream.  Make a decision to believe it.  Believing is a choice.  

Really it actually is easy.  

Here is an example: I believe my husband loves me ... Do you believe you have someone that loves you?  You choose to believe it.  You can do the same with God. Choose to believe God's Power is in you and you can do things that you would only dare to dream.  

What makes the believing part difficult is this ... you have to transfer that belief from you head to your heart and honestly that transfer thing is hard to do. Your heart doesn't always want to trust your head.  But make the choice to make the transfer.

Second ... Write that verse down in your journal and circle it in your Bible; Write it on a note card or a sticky note and place in a prominent place where you will see it everyday.  Memorize the verse.  When you are feeling powerless, you have it right on the tip of your tongue and you can be reminded of the power, God's power that can do exceedingly abundant things. 

I do like the Amplified Version: Now to Him Who, by (in consequences of) the (action of His) power that is at work within us, is able to (carry out His purpose and) do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we (dare)  ask or think - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams.  

The Message interprets it this way:  God can do anything you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 

Guarantees

A question I am often asked when people come for the first time to my classes; "Can you guarantee results if I join your exercise class?" 

That is a good question and I would love to answer with a resounding YES!  But I can't, ...

I have no control on the students that come to my class when they leave.  Like what they will do with the rest of their day, what they might eat or drink.  So I can't guarantee what results they might have.  In fact now that I think about it I have a limited amount of control on students while they are in my class.  Maybe they won't exercise to their fullest potential or maybe they will talk and not really exercise.  Maybe the size of weights they are using aren't appropriate for their abilities.  

Guarantees come with appliances, electronics, ... etc. And I think they are called limited warranties.  I can't give them out for results in exercise, even limited ones. 

I really wish life came with a guarantee ... Like if I didn't like how my nose looked, I could return it for a new one.  I know I could have a nose job but there isn't a guarantee that I would even like my nose after that and returning your nose job isn't as easy as returning something to the mall.    

I used to find myself seeking a guarantee from God.  A guarantee that I was doing exactly what He wanted me to do.  I wanted to be that person that impacted people's lives.  I wanted to make people feel special.  But I find that with each passing day I'm more confused to what God wants me to do.  In fact I feel like I'm in a slump, like I'm not doing anything for HIM.   

I don't think there are any guarantees in Christian Life ... 

The only guarantee we have is this ... 

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6 

One last thing ... Happy 32nd Anniversary to my wonderful husband!  He is an inspiration! 

When?

Waiting is a nasty task, but we all have do it.  Have you ever not been able to sleep at night? You toss and turn; You get up walk around, look for something to eat, see what is on TV ... but the wait goes on for hours.   Even praying doesn't seem to make the time go faster.  Then the next day, after being up all night, it drags on too.  Waiting for the Sun to come up or go down is not fun.  

Waiting on God can feel that way.  You pray and hope for an answer but none comes.  The days tick by and even though you are waiting with an expectant hope, the waiting can still be painful.  I say painful because there are times that you think God doesn't hear you, that you are talking but no one is listening.  And there is a pain in your heart, an emptiness.   

We watched "Heaven is for Real" last night ... good, clean movie.   I believe it, the story that is ... but it was a long wait during the movie to get to the good part.  When you know the storyline of a movie and the beginning seems slow ... that is a long wait too. 

I bet you are waiting for me to make some point here ... about waiting on God and prayer.

You'll just have to wait ... Because waiting is hard.  

BUT...

When the waiting is over, you will forget you waited so long. 

The Captain of the Ship

Adventure?  Love it? Hate it?  

No matter how you look at, life it is an adventure.  Some say, learn to love it or you will 

never be happy.  

I just heard Pharrell Williams's voice.  Who doesn't hear 'happy' and think of Pharrell?  Sorry for the interruption... 

So this morning I was thinking of all these different scenarios my life could be taking over the next year, and I began to feel like I was falling apart.  I was overwhelmed with what might happen. 

Then my mind took me back to Luke 5:27, a verse I read this morning ... "Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth.  "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him."  The commentary that went with this devotion stated that following Jesus is an adventure and it will take us out of comfort zone.  

As that devotion played in my head... I thought ....

I am really out of my comfort zone.  The last seven years really haven't been comfortable either. So why am I praying this prayer for my family that will change a lot of things in my semi-comfortable life?  

I can't even answer that right now. 

But then as I turned in to the church parking lot where I was teaching my class, I said out loud, "boy am I glad I'm not the captain of this ship!"  

It was an epiphany.  

I have chosen to be a believer in God and so my life is His ... I'm on His ship experiencing the adventure.  Where it goes, is His direction and His control.  If it appears that I fail, just hold on because appearances aren't always what they seem.  I am waiting to hit Mach 1 ... till things turn into a sea of glass and I can see where my captain is leading us.  

Hurry Up and Wait!

Life is pretty routine and my circle books are continuing to encourage me to pray through.  I'm waiting on God for something BIG.  About 35 days ago God laid an important prayer need for our family on my heart, and with the help of The Circle Maker and Draw the Circle, I have been focusing my prayers in this special direction.  I have learned very much about myself and prayer as I am now heading towards my next forty days.  

I've come to the conclusion that prayer is much like air travel... Hurry UP and WAIT!


Hurry up to the airport   
Hurry up to check your bags  
Hurry up through security  
Hurry Up to the Gate

...

SIT AND WAIT 
...

And so it is with prayer ... Hurry up pray and then Wait ... Hurry up pray and then wait ... 

I want God to be more that those expert Air Travelers... you know them, they show up to the gate right before boarding begins, calm, cool, and collected.  They know just how long each step takes from getting to the airport and to the gate.  But as it is with God, air travel, most of the time is not a guarantee even for those seasoned travelers. You can be on the plane, in your seat, cell phone off, headphones in, and the tower brings everything to a halt. Praying through my circumstances can be just that, sitting on the tarmac waiting for God to say GO!

Those seasoned travelers are the first to get impatient, they start to complain, worry, and become angry.  Their cool, calm, collected demeanor is gone!  I can easily get that way too with praying through and hard.  I want everything now and think that praying 40 days is like praying 40 years.  I hear myself saying to God ... come on already!  

I'm praying with a determination to pray as long as it takes, even it it takes longer than I ever imagined.  I know that God is not my genie in a bottle, I know that my prayer needs to be in line with God's will.  And knowing myself and understanding my relationship with God~ I don't think I would last 40 days of praying for one thing unless it was God's will.  So looking back on past prayers and answers will help determine if I'm praying  God's Will or just asking for something to make my life more comfortable.  I personally believe my stamina would give out if I wasn't praying God's will.  Let's see how the next 45 days go ... I will be blogging everyday.  Wait in prayer with me! 


If you want to read those books The Circle Maker and Draw the Circle they are written by Mark Batterson

Within YOU!

I want you to think of an event in your life that was one of the happiness moments ever!  Just one!

I think the happiest time of my life was when I was drama director at my church.  I was using my gifts and I felt important. My husband and children were involved and we laughed a lot. I have some very happy memories during that time and I would only pick one.  Maybe your event was 20 years ago, maybe it is right now.

Got it?   

I want you to do something that actors do, called "The Moment Before;"  it is what gives the actors the ability to go on stage to portray what their character would be feeling as they act their part.  
Don't be afraid this isn't something mystic, it is just remembering how you felt when you, say, got married, held your new born child for the first time, passed the bar exam, ... 

Close your eyes and relive it, allow yourself to relive the emotions of that event. 

Pure joy, Happiness, Feels good right!  Don't you wish you feel that way everyday, have those experiences all the time?  

You can't 

Why did I make you do that?  

Kinda depressing right? 

We judge our present state on some happy exciting moment that happened at another time.  You might ask, "Is wrong to enjoy these memories?"  I would say no, but they are not what defines us ... 


We cannot allow those events define our joy, we cling to those moments and we relive them. Then we wish, if only ... 

So many times I have wished for my mom to be alive .. if only she was here .. 

then I would be happy. 

Ok, so why can't we just feel that way all the time?  Well, first of all there is a physiologically reason,  

It would stress out our adrenals to where we would be in adrenal fatigue.  It would also be added pressure on your Thyroid gland.  

But the main reason I want you to know is ... This ... 

you would not grow in character.  

The two truths I want you to take from this blog

These moments do not define you

AND

You do not grow in character during those moments of euphoria.  

When I left the position of Drama Director, our entire family went through a very dark time.  We lost a lot, not only, money but friends, respect, and the emotional strain was almost unbearable. I whined and cried out to God .. turned my back on His plan.  Those moments leading, directing, and acting had defined my joy.

All of this started in the summer of 2007 ... it has been 5 years of struggle. 

But God never lets go.

I read a book in the fall of 2012 that started me back on God's road.  Up until I read, My Decent into Death, I was pretending to be happy and fulfilled.  This book prepared me for the quote below.

“If you think of this world as a place simply intended for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable: think of it as a place for training and correction and it's not so bad.”C.S. Lewis

My next several blogs are going to be on Training and Correction ... and how that defines your joy.  

Are you willing to find that kind of JOY?

Saddness for Newtown, CT

This morning my heart goes out to those of the tragedy that struck a small town in Connecticut yesterday.  I am a teacher and so this is very close to my heart. 

The school was safe and locked down.  The teachers knew what to do in case of an attack and they did it ... Some say they are heroes and yes I believe as a parent they were heroes.  But as a teacher I would say ... they were doing what instinctively comes to them ... protecting their students, their kids.  I would have done the same.   

Being also a parent, I remember sending my children off to school each morning and still do.  Everyday our routine would be the same. We would hold hands or I would place my hand on their shoulders and pray.  Even into high school, we would gather and pray for their choices, wisdom, tests, grades, teachers, and most of their safety.

Some say God isn't in the schools and this is why this happened.

This would have happened regardless if the teachers had a official prayer time or King James Bible reading. 

I am a believer and you might think it strange that I don't think the Bible needs to be read or group prayer lead by a teacher.  

Actually God was in that school yesterday.  God is omnipresent, everywhere all the time. 

God is in the hearts of all believers that entered that school or your school.  We as believers carry the Holy Spirit with us and we bring light to the darkness.  

God grieves evil. He holds every tear of all those mourning this day.

You might ask why?  Why did God allow this?  

Or you might ask, what caused Adam to do this?

I have my own opinions about the video games and the music that encourages hate.  But the bottom line is ... evil is in the world.  

But this is 'evil's' only time and it will get worse has we get closer to Christ's return. 

God is still omnipresent, it may not feel like that but He is here and there, and with you right now. 

I'm so sorry for anyone that has to come in contact with evil.  

Great Expectations

All my life I have been a dreamer!  I have dreamt of having horses in my backyard, bay windows in my home, a loving husband, acting on stage, a happy life ... All those things had come true and I thought life was great!  I had other dreams but even though they weren't fulfilled I was ok ... 

THEN 

      the walls of my life 

                came 

                        crashing 

                                     DOWN

 I didn't think things could get worse but in less then a month's time I was beaten and was hurting ... during the next 3-4 years I turned from God and focused only on comforting myself. 

But .... it didn't help ... there was no comfort.

  
                            Through counseling and love, God brought back to his side. 

I am so grateful today for his LOVE.

So fast forward to present ... life is good .. not the best but we are happy, healthy, and living life to the fullest ... so I thought.  

Then I read a 'new to me' devotion ... Girlfriends in God .. and first I read yesterdays and it blew me away .. just what I needed to hear ... oh I knew it ... I had heard it before, but today God opened my eyes and I was wowed! All that stuff I had gone through before was the devil's schemes ... yes I fell flat on my face and really messed up but God had now brought be back to His side.   

STRONGER IN HIM

So I don't want to fall again but I know how weak I am ... I can't do this life without His GRACE! 

So that brings me to GREAT EXPECTATIONS..... 

I used to have such great expectations, everyone laughed at me.  I would use references of Joseph and his brothers ... not even realizing for a minute that I was Joseph, that arrogant little brother. Then God allowed me to break and I did.  

For HIS purposes , I am broken and continue to be broken.

Now life is so so ... I am not expecting anything from GOD ... just to get up and make it through my boring life.  What ever He has for me ... whether it be a struggle or good ... 

OK GOD ... I'm your puppet.

NOT! 

This is not what the Lord wants for me ... John 10:10 ... 'I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.'

I realized that I am not expecting my relationship to be what it should with God ... Thanks to GIG, my eyes have been opened to truth.  And I am putting on the full armor of God.  (Oct 31,2012 devotion) 

Look at this way ... you are getting to meet your favorite president and be in a friendship with him ... wouldn't that be exciting? ... wouldn't you have expectations?  

Just meeting him would be GREAT!  

You wouldn't go .. oh yeah ... I'm going to have coffee with George Washington    

.

..big deal...  

no you would not! 

It would be a 

...BIG DEAL...

So that brings me to now ... what am expecting my relationship to be with God?  

A BIG DEAL!!!!

I know He will fulfill His purposes in me and they won't be boring!  

Check out girlfriends in God ... http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/girlfriends/