I'm thinking about...

Concert Series at a local university this evening. It appears the weather will cooperate for a change. Still a bit hot but no storms and even the heat won't be as bad as it's been recently. Looking forward to a fun evening with the kids!

Too hot for many of the great summer activities offered in our area. As one who lived most of my life in south Florida you'd think I'd be used to that...high temps and higher humidity. At least here we only have a few months of that followed by a discernible fall.

My ADHD in action...I opted to make a project for my husband's office...photos of a local spot adhered to canvas. Then came the decisions...black/white, sepia, color. I'm supposed to paint the canvas first including the edges. Hmmm...what color? that depends a lot on the first question. Next...1 large canvas with the 3-prints side-by-side or 3-separate canvas' hung next to each other? I thought I liked the idea of 3-separate ones but that's when I thought the pics would be vertical rather than landscape. Oh no-sidetrack ahead....while researching the how-to's of my project I came across another project idea. Now I'm thinking of abandoning the original project idea and go instead for this new one.

Knitting...lest you think the above scenario is a rarity, think again. I found a lovely infinity scarf project I wanted to knit. I went to the store and found the color yarns I needed and hurried home to get started. While reading over the pattern and the comments of other knitters who had made it. Now I'm thinking instead of 4-different yarns I could just buy a nice color-changing yarn and avoid all the yarn changes. I did that and then started looking at other knit patterns. Found one that looked nice and started knitting the now-revamped project, got a few sections completed and then found I had turned the project around at some point. Ouch!!! Now trying to decide whether to rip it all out and start again or just rip back a portion and continue on.

Wash or Dish Cloths... I'm getting very good at knitting them. When I'm in-between projects or discouraged with other knitting projects I knit dish/wash/spa cloths (spa cloths when I'm feeling fancy!). I started one last night after discovering the turned-around section of my infinity scarf. It does keep my daughters happy...they love them!

Home Shopping...I've been amazed how many things I find on home shopping channels that I simply must have. Fortunately my budget hasn't been in agreement so there's been little-to-no damage there. I think I'll sit back one day and have the tv on in the background and keep track of all the things I'd like to order. See just how much damage I would do in a day. Have you seen the aluminum foil/plastic wrap/wax paper dispensers??? And for only 2-easy payments...

Time to start getting ready for our picnic/concert evening. No rain clouds in sight.

No Place for Fear...

This came through a group posting that I follow. I love this message and this was a great time for the reminder. Courtesy of Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

No Place for Fear

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” —Matthew 14:29–30

Peter was willing to put it all on the line. He and the other disciples had been straining against the waves and wind all night long when Jesus appeared to them, walking on the water. Wanting to prove his courage to Jesus, he made an amazing statement: “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28). These were rough seas, and Peter was willing to literally step onto them because He was looking at Jesus. That gave him confidence and courage.

It went well for awhile until Peter started to sink. And why did he sink? Because he took his eyes off Jesus and put them on other things. The Bible tells us, “When he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid” (verse 30).

Circumstances can be frightening. When your boss calls you in and tells you the company has to downsize and they are letting you go, when the doctor calls you with the test results that are not good, when you open that letter from an attorney that says you are being sued, it can scare you. It can devastate you. And it can cause you to take your eyes off Jesus.

Where fear reigns, faith is driven away. But where faith reigns, fear has no place. Faith and fear don’t mix. As you bring in faith, fear will walk out the back door. But if you invite fear as a resident in your life, then you will drive faith away.

Peter had faith. He had his eyes on Jesus. He was doing the impossible. But then he started to sink, because he took his eyes off Jesus. In his case, he looked at the wind. In our case, it might be something else. But when we forget God, we will start to sink.

Copyright © 2011 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.

Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.

You just never know...

Last Monday I wrote about certain milestones within the family, and yes, the kiddos had a great day at pre-school. Later that day I took Abbey to sewing class, stopped by the grocery store, went home and fixed dinner. Just hours later I was in the ER. You just never know...

I remember when my mother fell ill in the wee hours many years ago. There was such an unusual series of events leading up to it. At least a dozen reasons why I should be sound asleep and unable to hear her. But...I wasn't asleep, I did hear her, and we were able to get help. I have always been certain that God's hand was leading the day's events.

I can't help but believe that again. For two-weeks or so I had been having heart-rhythm concerns. A 4:00 am phone call (nobody on the line) woke us up and I soon realized I was feeling very odd. That feeling got worse and I was having typical heart-attack warning signs. Off to the hospital we went.

Monitors, IV's, blood work...all was going well. They gave me the 1st of 3 Nitroglycerin tablets to ease the pressure I was feeling on my chest. Before the 2nd pill I suddenly felt dizzy and knew I was going to pass out. My heart stopped for 20-seconds. Everything went into high gear at that point.

Ambulance ride to the larger hospital, multiple tests, pacemaker surgery Wednesday morning, home Thursday afternoon.

Pretty standard, right? Well, not really. The heart rhythm issues I was having turned out to be harmless. The chest pressure, weakness in left arm, tingly fingers, etc... we have no idea why. My heart tests came back fine.

What we did learn was that I have something called malignant vasovagal syncope. It means I pass out a lot. Generally caused by situations which lower my blood-pressure and an over-reaction within my body. I think. The Nitroglycerin dropped my blood-pressure and the rest kicked in. That's when my heart stopped. That's a simplification but explains it pretty well.

So...even though my heart tests fine, I have a pacemaker. While the pacemaker won't stop me from passing out, it may give me a few extra seconds to get to safety and it should keep my heart beating through the episode.

So, in summary, I was concerned about my heart rhythm (harmless) which caused me to go to the hospital when the other symptoms kicked in (still don't know why) and during treatment for the heart symptoms, I fainted (while on a monitor) and we found something I have had my whole life. It's a great relief to know there's been a reason for all of the fainting through the years; it explains so much.

You just never know...but I do believe that God does.

Thank you, Lord!

NEW EXPERIENCES...

Two of our g'kids start a 2-day a week preschool program today. I'm excited for them and only a little nervous. I am, after all, their g'mom.

Before Alexis' arrival Zach was in a wonderful program where he did very well. His former teacher is a wonderful, caring woman. She still attends many Z-events and he's been very blessed to have Miss Lisa in his life. So, aside from the fact that he's now firmly in his wonderful/terrible two's, I'm not worried about him (maybe his teacher, but hey, if you choose to work with 2-years olds...)

This will be a brand-new experience for Alexis. Between family and friends she's been around other children a good bit, but I think it will be new for her to have a caretaker who isn't a member of her family. She's so sweet and easy-going, though, that I don't think this will be a problem.

All this to say that I'm saying extra prayers for these two precious kiddos today. I hope and pray for wonderful experiences with caring people in an atmosphere of wonder and play!

MILESTONE...

This handsome young man is our dear Matthew. He's our oldest grandchild and this is his pre-school graduation picture.

Milestones or stepping stones...they mean the same. They (and we) are all on journies of 1000+ miles, and all, begin with those very first steps.

We don't get to share in as many of his steps as we would like but our hearts partake in each one.

NEW (Spring) PURSUITS

Over the weekend Abbey took us on a trip to the local Home Improvement store. She wanted a rose bush. It was also time to get tomatoes started again. So...before long we were loading a rose bush, plant food, 2 tomato plants, a random plant, and a beautiful pink dahlia we found (specific hybrid to aid in breast cancer research). I thought the dahlia was going to be mine but Abbey had other ideas. She's also taken over care of the peonies in our back yard planted by her grandfather many years ago. Over the weekend we found out the he had planted those because they reminded him of his mother; they had been her favorite flowers. Time to grab the watering can!

Spring is such a wonderful time of year!

Random Thoughts

...in no particular order

Easter - Celebrating with joy the wonder of this day. Reflecting on my relationship with Jesus and being so thankful for God's incredible gift!

Remember to "Be still..." It sounds odd to say that I miss my blog. Ok, so I'm odd. I do miss my blog...I miss feeling inspired enough to write something - OR - energized enough. There are many things which that applies to; baking, cooking, reading, knitting, playing board games with the kids, etc... Families today are on treadmills set way too fast. Do we view our worth by how busy we are? How full our calendar is? Maybe that's why I particularly love Psalm 46:10 where we are told to "Be still and know that I am God"

Royal Wedding...Yes, I must admit that I'm following some of the hoopla concerning the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton (and NO, I do not read supermarket tabloids). I feel a little embarrassed by this but counter by saying that I have a 10-year old princess of my own and she's enthralled with the whole thing. We're anxious to see 'the dress,' the carriage ride, and the couple's balcony appearance. I was brought up reading fairy-tales and this is the closest thing we have to them. So, laugh if you must, I can handle it. I'll just send my fairy godmother after you!

Cars - We recently purchased two cars for our family. I find it interesting (and humorous) to see the process of 'getting to know,' and then, personalizing, our cars. For me, it has included some of the following...

• Transitioning from seeing it as 'a car' to 'my car.'


• Establishing a relationship; My car! We're a team! We'll take care of each other! Then...a trip to the dealer for a glitch. Still happy but a touch more cautious.


• Designed custom front-plate


• Applied for personalized SC license plate


• Set radio stations


• New key ring


• Purchased floor mats (a little sporty-looking AND practical)

I spend a lot of time in my car. I want it to reflect 'me,' - at least a little bit. This has been a good start but we hopefully have a number of years to spend together, and hey, I still have a rearview mirror, bumper, and back windshield for my canvas. Oh, and for the record, I see my husband doing many of the same things with his car!

Hobbies - What an incredible time to pick up a new hobby! I started knitting about a year ago. I'm an ok knitter at this point. I can tell you, however, that I wouldn't be any kind of a knitter (except a failed one) without the tools and technology we have available now. Online magazines, online patterns, YouTube videos, EBooks, Video classes, online yarn shops, knitting specific blogs, Ravelry (think of FaceBook for knitting), Skype, and so much more. If you've ever had a hobby or interest you wanted to pursue, there's never been a better time!

Graduation - Our oldest son, Darrell, is graduating from University of South Carolina - Upstate in 9-days. I can't begin to convey how proud, happy, and excited I am about this. Congratulations, Darrell!

Cocoa Krispies, really? - A blast from the past...I was reminded how much I (still) love Cocoa Krispies cereal. Just eat them fast because they get soggy (but oh so chocolatey) pretty fast. So, on that note, have a wonderful week and don't be afraid to eat your favorite childhood cereal (and maybe a pb&j for lunch!). Got milk?

Milestones

What a Week -

In the span of 5 days we have 3 family members reaching significant milestones...

Our youngest grandchild, beautiful Alexis Collins Richards, reached her 1st birthday yesterday. As she is the true 'baby' in the family, we are reluctant to let go of her infancy and yet marvel at her achievements, giggles, kisses, and words 'nigh-nigh' as she waves on her way to bed. Through these days and all those to come, I thank God for the blessings that are our grandchildren.

Our youngest son, Christopher Scott Wiren, with the ticking of the clock, leaves his childhood behind...shedding its outgrown attire for the new, better-fitting wardrobe of the teenager. He is such an interesting, fun, smart, and kind young man. The years leading to this point have been filled with joy...almost as bright as his smile when he shares a vision he stored in his mind and relays in gread detail to anyone who will listen. Almost as bright as the sparkle in his eye when he's being mischievous or enjoying something witty or funny. Words are inadequate, but through these days and all those to come, I thank God for the blessings that are our children.

Our middle daughter, Elisa Kiley Wiren Richards, beautiful in every way, turns 25 this week. She's shrugging off the last lingering bits of the teenager without losing her sense of fun. Easily fitting are the coats of Wife, Mother, Career Woman, Deans-List Student, Daughter, Sister. That's not to say she won't pull out the old prom gown to see if it still fits (and it does), or pulls out the high school yearbook, only to marvel at how far she's come since then. She's on a road that is difficult, to say the least...then again, she knows that taking the easy route rarely gets you where you want to go. The days are long yet the hours too few, the responsibilities great, but the reward...priceless. She's chosen an excellent partner to travel with and they make the load lighter for each other. Just keep going a bit longer and the view is Spectacular! With a mental slideshow playing; snippets of the days and times gone by, while looking forward to the ones still to come, I thank God for the blessings that are our cihldren.

For the blessings that are my life.

Thank You, Lord...

The Power of Kind Words...

Every now and then we come across a story that speaks to our heart. The type of story you tuck away to be retrieved again and again. The following story has been one of those to me. I heard that the author is Elizabeth Silance Ballard but have not verified that. I'm also posting this without the appropriate copyright recognitions. That said, I share this story here in the hope that it touches you as it has me.

*********************************************************************************

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other

students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between

each name.

Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could

say about each of their classmates and write it down.

It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment

and, as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.



That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a

separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

On Monday, she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the

entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered.

"I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much." were some of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents,

but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another.

That group of students moved on. Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the

funeral of that special student.

She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before.

He looked so handsome, so mature.

The church was packed with his friends. One by one, those who loved

him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin. As she stood there, one of the soldiers, who acted as pall bearer, came up to her.

"Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked.

She nodded: "Yes."

Then he said: "Mark talked about you a lot."

After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a

luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.

"We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it."

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notepaper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times.

The teacher knew, without looking, that the papers were the

ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's

classmates had said about him.

"Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it."

All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around.

Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's

in the top drawer of my desk at home."

Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album."

"I have mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary."

Then Vickie, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group.

" I carry this with me at all times," Vickie said, and without batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists."

That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.

A Year Has Come and Gone...

Wow! I can't believe it's been a year since I've written. I don't know why, but somehow this blog was pushed and shoved to the background of this crazy adventure I know as 'My Life.'

Kenneth visited here this morning and I realized how much I missed having posts on here. Miss being able to look back and be reminded of things that may not stay in memory but are so nice to revisit.

The biggest news of the last year was the arrival of our newest granddaughter, Alexis Collins Richards, born March 19, 2010. She is such a beautiful, happy, and precious baby girl!

We've all aged a year...hopefully with a little more wisdom and knowledge than in the years before.

We've had memorable adventures in Florida,both with my father and Ken's mother. That's where, among other things, Kenneth went parasailing for the first time (and loved it!). We got to experience the beauty and majesty of the Statue of Liberty, and visited Washington DC again last October. Kenneth and I celebrated another anniversary (and while I didn't think it was possible, I'm even more head-over-heels in love with my husband now than I was the day we married). Darrell is in his last semester of his senior year at University of South Carolina Upstate. Christopher seems to be growing in feet rather than inches, and Abbey is a go-getter in anything she decides to tackle (especially arts/crafts, and cooking). We got to spend some time with Matthew (but not enough...never enough), Shannon and Josh are doing well, as are Elisa and Rob. We still have Trudy (Stupid dog) and Izzie. Cats have come and gone and there's mostly just one around these days. We've had joys, and sorrows, and we've been blessed to come through it all stronger than ever.

As for hobbies, I did leave the loom knitting behind and decided to try my hand (pun intended) with traditional knitting. It's been a rocky road but I've been enjoying it tremendously. I don't get too many projects done because I'm always in learning mode. Once I get one concept I rush to the next. It's kind of funny/sad that I'm working on a scarf for Abbey (I don't know if it's still or again!). Darrell is taking guitar lessons and really enjoying it. He really wants to get good and it shows. He sure didn't practice like this when he was playing trumpet in his high school marching band! Abbey is enjoying art and sewing classes, and Christopher is advancing admirably in Scouts. We didn't get a chance to go family camping this year - it would have been nice, but there will be times that work out for us, I'm sure.


I plan to keep writing here. I really have missed it. It feels really good to post here again.

God's continued blessings...