When Love Wins

Today love won.  Well, actually it won on April 16th, but today I saw the result.   

Last year I counseled with a woman at With Child who was pregnant.  She was adamant about wanting to abort her baby.  I don't actually think she *wanted* to abort, but she was feeling an exorbitant amount of pressure from her mother to do so.  She had already taken the morning after pill and had morphine in the hospital, but she was still pregnant and did not want the baby. I begged her (begged. her.) not to abort.  I can still remember where she was sitting, where I was, and how I pleaded with her. I didn't see her again, but hoped and prayed that something I said resonated.

I saw her later in the year and asked about her baby.  She just shook her head and tears filled her eyes. I didn't ask.  I didn't really need to.  I could see the weight of her decision in every part of her being.  My heart just sank as she relayed to me how horrible it was and the regret she felt.  I talked to her about my forgiving God and how healing could come. She touched her belly and told me she was pregnant again.  Atonement Baby.  So often women who abort get pregnant very soon afterwards.  They don't always recognize that they are trying to replace what was lost, that they are trying to give life for the life taken.  She looked at me with her tear filled eyes and told me that THIS baby she was keeping.  She told me that her mom would not be happy, but she didn't care because it was her baby.

Today I wasn't working but got a text message that said someone was there with their newborn and wanted to see me because I helped her so she wouldn't abort.  I rushed to With Child and met her son.  Sweet Dillon.  His mother loves him and so does HER mother.   I cried my eyes out holding this boy.  I had no part in his creation, no part in his birth, but I am moved by the knowledge that God gave his mama another chance.  Her pregnancy was not easy, he was born early...but he was born.

Last week was a dark week for me.  I questioned how I could be used at With Child because I was feeling incredibly flawed as a human being. I knew in my heart that it was a lie from the pit of hell, because I see miracles at With Child all the time, but I was tormented all the same.  Today, God loved me enough to give me a glimpse (again) of what He - in His perfection -  is able to accomplish through me - in my imperfection.  So yes, I wept.  For the joy of Dillon, for the hope for his mama and for the love that God continues to show me.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13

Mom

 















This is my mom who would have celebrated her 77th Birthday today. God took her home 15 years ago and she is dearly missed by those who knew her and loved her - which is  most likely everyone who knew her. 

It is almost impossible to describe the loss of your mom to someone who hasn't been down that road, but it is profound.  I remember shortly after she died I was sitting in my Bible Study during the worship time and started crying.  Someone asked me what was wrong and I told her that I missed my mom.  Her response was something like, "Oh, you're still having a hard time with that?"  I was dismayed (okay, and a little angry) at her comment, but even now I have to chalk it up to someone who just hasn't been down that road...yet.  She will some day.  She'll come to understand that the loss continues for a lifetime.  It isn't the kind of thing that you can just slap a bandaid on.  Because a mom is a mom and the wound is deep.

My  peace, my only peace regarding her death, is that I share her unwavering faith in Christ.  She loved Him, followed Him, lived for Him and is now with Him.   ...and someday I will be with both of them.  One of the last things my mom said to me was, "Jesus knows best."  My mom knew me and knew that those were the precise words I needed to hear.  To carry me through her passing, to carry me through my life:  Jesus knows best.

I have had the blessing of vivid dreams of being with my mom. Wonderful, beautiful dreams of walking together, talking together.  I long for these dreams...pray for them to come.  It's all I have for now.
 
 I just need to say this: If your mom is still here...
~love her
~forgive her
~call her
~laugh with her
~cry with her
~write down recipes
~ask about heirlooms
~ask about her childhood
~share memories 
~hug her
~listen 
~talk to her
~spend time together

My mom was 57 in the above picture and died 5 years later at 62.  So young.  None of us know the days we have left, but I believe as David proclaimed, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16  I know she believed that, too.

Love and Be Loved.

"Acknowledge and take heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below.  There is no other."  Deuteronomy 4:39

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."  John 3:16-17

When Conviction Wins

Four years ago someone wrote these words (part of a larger article entitled Christians Should Not Choose Evil), which mirror my conviction with this presidential election. 

As much as I enjoy politics, I have remained somewhat quiet during this election because I have come up against great resilience from my Christian brothers and sisters when they find out I am probably going to abstain from voting for President this election.  I've been the recipient of everything from the wide-eyed stare to a verbal lashing.  I believe everyone should vote their conscience, but I have been baffled by the 'hip, hip hoorays' for Romney from friends and family with whom I usually share a like-mindedness.  Many a day I have wondered what it is I am missing that others are seeing.  Nevertheless, I can't bring myself to join the parade even when enticed by streamers and confetti.  I just don't find him party-worthy (in more ways than one).

I love the political process.  During the primary this year I wore my "I voted today" sticker with pride, as I always do.  If I don't vote it will be the first time that I haven't voted for President since I was able to do so.  It will be a very sad election for me, but at the end of the day I need to lie my head on the pillow that is on my own bed and stand by the conviction of my Spirit.

With that said - here is an excerpt of the words of  J. Robert Lancaster (underlining mine) - and some food for thought:

"I am not convinced that Christians need to vote for the lesser of two evils. First, because that is not the way we make most other significant decisions. When seeking to find a godly spouse we rarely fall back on this kind of logic. When faced with such an unpleasant choice we would likely keep looking, even if it meant staying unmarried. Every man does eventually marry a “fallen” (in sin) woman though I doubt she would appreciate being told that he married her because she was not as evil as the other girl he had been considering.

The second reason Christians need not vote for the lesser of two evils is because Christians, despite the common belief, have no obligation to vote. In fact, it is the false belief that this obligation exists which often seems to force such a “lesser of two evil” choice. This is not to say that Christians should not or cannot vote, but abstaining from an election cycle does not make one a bad Christian.

Christians are members of two kingdoms and our ultimate allegiance is to the kingdom of God. We live and participate in the kingdom of this world but this is not where our hope and salvation lie. Yet a vote in this presidential election, for either of the major candidates at least, is being billed as a statement about who you are going to place your hope in. When an election is being cast in this particular light, why do Christians feel the need to vote for the lesser of two evils? Shouldn’t we at least consider not voting at all?

...Yet nowhere in Scripture are we commanded to vote nor are we called to choose between two evils when choosing neither is a possible action. Any vote in this election seems to be a vote that will conflict with Christian principles. For that reason I have decided not to vote in this Presidential election. A vote for the lesser of two evils is still a vote for evil."

(Thanks for listening.  It was either this or writing about my nightmare last night which involved death and paint choices.  eek!)

Names You Won't See on a Coffee Cup

I was at the Gerber site looking at pictures that have been entered in the 2012 baby contest.  After just a few minutes I became so distracted by the names I was reading that I stopped looking at the pictures and became fixated on the craziness.   Because of the work I do, I am around babies all the time.  I've heard some doozies, but I was still shocked at the extent parents will go to be unique, essentially shackling their child for life to a name that people will:

a) laugh at

b) mispronounce

c) misspell

d) all of the above

So here, for your pleasure, is a mere pittance, a sampling of a few of the craziest names and spellings.

Girls 

1.  Kynadie (They are probably going for Kennedy, but this little one will go through life with people     saying things like KyNayDee...which isn't bad if her middle name is AN and she is from Canada)

2.  Rayghan (Was there something wrong with all the other weird variations of Reagan?)

3.  Tuesday (Even though I love Keith Urban, I blame him and Nicole for starting this trend of naming girls one of the days of the week.  All I can say is that it is better than Saturday)

4.  Ove'a (Since the definition of Ove is 'a deep feeling of sexual attraction and desire' there isn't     much to say about this choice except 'ewww')

5.  Dezeray (The spelling...so unique! so unusual! so unnecessary!)

6.  Safia (She can expect the following exchange for life.  What's your name?  [Safia.]  Sofia?  [No,    Safia!]

7.  Canon (Boom!)

8.  Heaven (These parents must not have heard of the trending Nevaeh)

9.  Haylin  (This might have been a hospital typo for Kaylin - I'm hoping)

10. Keilyani (Again, why choose a name that the child will need to spell EVERY SINGLE TIME?)

11. Journey (Yeah, life is going to be a journey with a name like this)

12. Tomorrow-Lynn (...and I'm not joking.  Maybe she can be best buddies with Tuesday, or get a     free pass at the Disney Tomorrowland rides).

Boys - Overall the boys names that I saw were more normal than girls, but not all as witnessed here...

1.  Lenin (Even spelled like Vladimir's name.  His brother will probably be named Marx)

2.  Jaizyk (Huh?)

3.  Damien (Has this person never heard of The Omen?  Gee, why not just saddle him with Adolph?)

4.  Manasas (Sorry, but this sounds like a city.  Oh, and Molasses, too.

5.  Leonidas (I would have advised skipping the 'idas' and sticking with Leon, but they didn't ask me)

6.  Maxson (Ohhhhh, people there are all kinds of names with X's out there:  Jaxxon, Paxton, Flax -     just kidding about Flax, but it wouldn't surprise me)

7.  Rammy (Brother of Tammy, Sammy, and Pammy)

8.  Cash (I guess it's better than naming your son Credit)

9.  Sturges (A quick google search told me there are a lot of fish markets in Sturges, MI)

10. Asharious (That's hilarious!)

11. Bowevori (Really?  Did they put Scrabble letters in a bag, draw them, and rearrange?)

12. Taytum (Sorry, but this spelling looks feminine.  This poor kid better develop a thick skin) 

...well, that was amusing.  

Yours Truly,

Elehcim

God - 1, Chance - 0

This is a post about God's latest miracle in my life.  It may not resonate for those who believe life is governed by chance, luck, karma, horoscopes or crystals.  But it will for those who know, beyond a shadow of doubt, that there is a God who cares about us in an intimate, personal way.  This is a post that celebrates the God of the universe - the one and only God.  

For too long I have had two cars sitting in the driveway needing to have something, anything done with them.  Neither worked and both required more to fix than we were willing to spend.  So both just sat...and sat.  They were an eyesore to be sure, but I just never addressed the problem because they sat amidst a long list of problems that needed to be dealt with.

This past Saturday morning, John and I were sitting in the house when there was a knock on the door.  Being the bra-less, pajama-clad mess that I was, I told him I wasn't going to answer the door.  Well, he did, and the woman at the door asked him if there was any chance we were selling our car.  I came out to meet the woman and her brother and he said something to the effect of, "Oh my gosh...if this is true it is a miracle."  I had no idea what he was referring to until I got the full scoop:

He has just moved here from Las Vegas.  He is in the middle of a divorce, having a wife who cheated on him and then proceeded to get most everything in the divorce.  The night before, and then Saturday morning, he prayed and asked the Lord to lead him to the car he was supposed to buy. Saturday morning he was driving somewhere around our neighborhood to look at another car.  At some point he turned onto our street and passed our house.  Suddenly, his sister said, "Stop the truck and back up."  She pointed to the car in our driveway and told him they should stop and ask if it was for sale.  He said he didn't want to do that because it was crazy to knock on someone's door and ask that, but she persisted saying, "All they can do is say 'no'."

So she knocked, and asked, and well...we said 'yes'.

Today I met him, his sister and his mom at the DMV and transferred the title.  (Have you ever been to the DMV?  The place where you typically wait and wait and wait with all the other sad sacks for your number to be called?  Well today, Monday afternoon, the number we got was the next one to be called.  Imagine that).  I basically gave the car away, but it isn't about the money, it is about the handiwork of God. The incredible, personal, beautifully orchestrated handiwork of God.

We had many years with Dennis, our 1996 green Infinity.  I drove him until he was on life support and then the kids drove him to death. He was with us for 14 years, through grade school drop offs and pick ups, permits and licenses.  Anyone who knows me well will know full well that I was kinda sad to see him go despite the mess he was in.  Today, the new owner said that at some point in the future he will bring him by and show me what he did to fix him up.  He doesn't know yet that I likely won't be here, but it does make me happy to know that in the end Dennis didn't end up in a junkyard, but in a backyard, and that someone is going to put his pieces back together.  (To all who are wondering...yes, I do know Dennis isn't real).

...and that, my friends, is the God I know and love.  The one who takes care of my needs, even when I don't ask, by moving someone else who loves Him to knock on my door.





 

English Peas by Paula Deen

This recipe was taken from the foodnetwork website (Paula Deen). It is really quite complicated, so be sure you have a pen and paper to make sure you are copying the directions exactly as needed. Here it is:

English Peas

Ingredients:

1/4 C (1/2 stick) butter
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces) English Peas, drained

Directions:

Melt the butter in small pot and add the peas. Cook over medium heat until peas are warm.

Did you get that? I know it's kind of confusing, so let me summarize. First you melt the butter in the pot and then you add the peas. Or put another way...melt 1/2 a stick of butter in a pot and throw some peas in until they are warm.

The comments following this mind-blowing recipe are funny. Here are some highlights:

"For our neighborhood block party, I put the peas on bamboo skewers and grilled them outside, then served the melted butter in individual ramekins as a dipping sauce. What a treat. My neighbors are still talking about it!" pattipoopidoo

"Was I supposed to take the peas out of the can? Cause it didn't work when I put the cans and packaged butter in the pot." jil504

"I tweaked this recipe when I made it the other night. Doubled the butter and left out the peas. It was delicious!" swedeboy

"This is very similar to my Can of Corn recipe, perhaps I could have my own show on Food Network!?" dyates_10047437

and of course I had to add my own personal review:

"I substituted Velveeta for the butter and jalapenos for the peas and poured it over tortilla chips. I call it English Nachos." ponytayl

If any of you bloggers make this, let me know how your tastebuds enjoyed this new and unique spin on peas!

(Thanks to Tracey for leading me to English Peas at: http://www.foodnetwork.com)

The Dream

Wow. Have you ever woken up from a dream and thought, "THAT was a doozy!"? (Okay, I know 'doozy' may not be the exact word you would use, but you know what I mean). Well, last night I had a doozy of a dream. To preface, I dream often and vividly. It isn't unusual for me to remember more than one dream when I wake up in the morning. I'm also a lucid dreamer, which means that while I am dreaming I am often directing the action in my dream (turn this way, walk that way, etc.) Like most people my dreams are often influenced by personal things happening in my life as well as things I've seen through the course of my day. While sometimes disturbing, I've always found dreams fascinating.

So...

Last night right before I went to bed I watched Top Chef Just Desserts. Cake maker Sylvia Weinstock was on the show, which is the only explanation for why she was in my dream. (...as if there could be another connection...) Right before I woke up I had the following dream:

I was in a hotel and Sylvia and her husband were there as well. I can't recall what my occupation was, but it was very clear in the dream that it was my job to get Sylvia and her husband to a museum filled with historical Irish (?) artifacts (6 pm) before getting them to a black tie affair at 7 pm. This was the last evening that they could attend these events so it was vital that I get them there. They were dressed in their finest and ready to go even though I was still dressed in my frumpy sweats. I told them that we were going to be traveling in my Jeep, but was stressing as I said it because I couldn't imagine these two in their fine clothes bumping along in my Jeep (I decided in my head that her husband could take the backseat since it would be the bumpiest ride). I also realized that the inside of my Jeep was filthy and I needed to get it cleaned out so they could climb in. I left them to clean out my Jeep, which I inexplainably did at the museum event dressed in my sweats. I was throwing bags into a garbage can when I suddenly realized that I threw out a bag of mail. As I was hurriedly sorting through the garbage I became increasingly stressed because I was getting later and later in picking up my guests. In the garbage I found important bills for my husband as well as a fun, stickered envelope from my cousin. I looked to the right at this time and saw a big huge parked semi mail truck that was already supposed to be at my former Bible study teacher's house. People were hounding me and asking me why it wasn't already there and I nervously began to fret myself until I finally let it go because I had the Weinstock problem yet to handle. During the dream people were milling around the breezeway of the event including one man who had a puppy on his shoulders (are you worried about me yet?). There were all kinds of other details in this dream, but ... moving on...

So, it is getting later and later. I am still in my sweats, the Jeep is now cleaned out, and I am heading back to the hotel to pick up the Weinstock's. I am an hour late getting to them, and feeling terrible because they have now missed the first event because of me. (I haven't yet figured out why they were going to an Irish museum since the Weinstock's are clearly Jewish). Here's the clincher of the dream...

Ready?

As I'm driving back to the hotel - stressed out - I go through a very, very poor neighborhood. The first thing I see is an entire family working together outside their house to sort papers to get ready for the next morning's delivery (I think this is in direct relation to watching 'Downsized' before I went to bed which is about a large family struggling and working together to get out of debt). The next thing I see is a grandmother walking next to her grandson who was pedaling a trike. Finally, I turn a corner and see a family sitting on lawn chairs outside their home. The mom is playing beautiful music on the piccolo while her family relaxes, reads the newspaper, etc. The music was wafting through the neighborhood and I felt a sense of peace, calm and serenity as I drove through this part of town.

I woke up with a very clear understanding as to what this dream meant for me. It could be the right interpretation or it could be the wrong interpretation, but it was my immediate thought so I'll go with it:

I am trying so hard in my life to live up to my responsibilities and the expectations I have for myself and that others have of me. Invariably I feel like I am failing to meet their needs and to hit the mark that I've set for myself. In my dream, the juxtaposition between the black tie crowd and the poverty stricken neighborhood was startling. But those in the neighborhood, who had very little - but had each other, were happy and content on the inside with their simpler way of life.

Sometimes dreams do have messages. Although I am quite private and know that people I don't know read this, I am posting it to remember the message and perhaps pass the message on to someone else who might find it meaningful.

...and for a laugh...here's another recent dream:

My sister and I were shopping through racks and racks of sale clothes. I had a few things and was done, but she kept frantically searching for more and more items. She felt my impatience as I urged her to go. She finally said, quite emphatically, "Michele, we HAVE TO get clothes because of OBAMACARE!"

I don't know what the meaning of that dream was, but it still makes me laugh!

Sweet dreams.

Is It Just Me?

I had the strangest thing happen today. Sometimes I have to wonder if I am the only one experiencing these kinds of things or if it is just that I am the only one that thinks it is bizarre? So, I was on my way to With Child to open the doors for a birth couple who wanted to come in and watch movies on their impending birth. I thought I'd drive through Taco Bell and pick up some food for them to eat. That doesn't sound complicated, does it? I get to the drive thru window and the employee, decked out in fancy Taco Bell attire, cheerfully hands me my open 'box' of food.

I said, "Oh, thank you. Can I get a taco sauces and a bag, too, please?"

(Grabbing the sauce and bag) She said, "You were supposed to ask for this when you ordered."

I said, "How would I know that I needed to ask you for a bag when I ordered?"

She said, "We've been putting food in boxes for 3 months now. If you want a bag you need to ask for it when you place your order."

I said, "I don't really eat here. I wouldn't have any way of knowing that."

She said, "Well, we've been doing it this way for a few months now AND (frustrated) you need to ask for your taco sauces when you place your order, too."

At this point I gave up as she clearly didn't understand that I don't visit Taco Bell much and therefore would have no way of knowing that my food wouldn't come with a bag. I realized when I arrived at With Child that she also generously graced me with two (count them - two) small napkins.

THEN...

I arrive at With Child and give the food to my clients along with Strawberry Lemonades from Sonic. Now let me just say, Sonic is not a fast food restaurant I am unfamiliar with. I don't really like their food, but my dear friend Annie blessed me with a Strawberry Lemonade this summer and I've been drinking them ever since. I was so excited to share this refreshing drink with my birth couple. I put them in a room, started the movie, and sat at my desk to take my first sip of my drink.

siiiiiiiipppppppp.....ahhh, uh, wait just one minute!
siiiiiiiipppppppp....what the heck...?

My Strawberry Lemonade tasted like water mixed with strawberry. There was no lemon to this drink. I asked them if theirs tasted like water and they said, 'yeah'.

Boxed food? No bag? No sauce? Two napkins? Water for lemonade? Times are tough, people.

Sooooooo...I called Sonic and said what I'm sure you all know I said in the way you all know I said it. Yeah, I did. I guess I didn't like it when the manager said, "Well, our lemonade ran out." Because I thought she meant, "Well, our lemonade ran out so we replaced it with water. Enjoy!" Which is not what she meant at all.

The short version of what could be a long story is that the manager of Sonic offered to bring me three new lemonades so I was able to bless these kids after all. I thought it was a very kind gesture on her part.

(She didn't look like the kind of person who would spit in my drink for all of you who are thinking that.)

Two things I learned today:
Taco Bell - ask for bag and sauce - WHEN ORDERING MICHELE, WHEN ORDERING!
Sonic - sip drink before you drive away

See - you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Yes, I'm a Cat Lady Now

It all started innocently enough. The kids and I went to the pound, picked out a kitten and named her Sneakers. She was precious, and we loved her dearly, until she went missing when we were on vacation in 2003. Such Sadness.

I, in my brilliance, somehow decided that the reason she went missing was because she was alone in the world. I figured if she had a companion, a fellow furry friend, they could have conquered the mean world together - bravely protecting one another from harms way. So, after a period of grieving, the kids and I went to the pound and picked out two kittens whom we named Boo-Boo and Tinker Belle. So then we had two. I was happy with two. Two was doable.

(Boo-Boo 2010. Yes, I know this picture is sideways. Please tilt your head to the right...a little more...there you go)

(Tinker Belle 2010)


Then I heard from a friend who told me that her friend found three helpless kittens. She said that if they didn't find homes the kittens would go to the pound and that the pound had already told them any kittens brought in would be killed. (I digress, but how can ANYONE have that job? Really. I can't even imagine.) I talked to my husband (did I mention he is allergic to cats?) and he said, rather generously, "What's one more?" ...and then we had three. Twinkie, so named because she looked like the sugary treat - and was just as sweet, joined our family - hitting the motherload.

(Twinkie 2010)

Three was still doable, but was certainly, most definitely, enough. I could tell people, "We have three cats and two dogs" and not feel certifiably crazy (especially living on an acre of land.)

Until something furry showed up smack dab in the middle of Mariah's bed.

(Ringo 2010)

I will be honest with you. I didn't want this full grown cat, whom we named Ringo, who decided that Mariah's bed would also be his. He meowed loudly and often, was not 'fixed' and wasn't even a kitten! The nerve. When I started softening, and told my husband he didn't have a home, he said, "Yes, he does. It's called the pound." :( I just couldn't do it. But I couldn't embrace him either. Yes, I fed Ringo when I fed the others, but I was not happy about the situation. After a year of denial - still believing that maybe he would 'go home' - I had him fixed and called him ours. He has grown to be quieter and is actually quite affectionate and lovable. So that was it. Four cats and two dogs. Finito. We actually had six animals for quite a long time. Yes, it was a lot, but it was also a lot of love.

Then in May of this year Mariah found the cutest kitten you have ever seen in our front yard. I was convinced it was put there by someone who saw the plaque my sister sent me that says, "All God's Creatures Welcome Here". (Hey, kitten dropper, I don't really mean it!) Anyway, guess what? I somehow found the strength inside myself to say 'no' to this kitten, whom we named Chester. One of Mariah's friends adopted him. Despite the fact that we cried and cried, I knew that it was the best thing. I grieved over the loss, but Chester is happy in his new home. I was quite proud of myself for saying no. I felt like I bravely staved off the dreaded "Cat Lady" label. I knew, just knew, that four cats didn't make me a Cat Lady, but that five would...and I felt good.

(Chester 2010)

Then -

In May our son left for Army Basic Training

In July our dog Persy, nearly 13 years old, passed away

In August our daughter left for college -

...and a week before she left she walked into the house with two black and white kittens that she found in our backyard.

I'm not sure why my reaction was so different with these two. All I know is that I immediately thought, "I have two more cats". I imagine it has something to do with the multiple losses I was experiencing and the fact that I wasn't willing to 'go there' emotionally. I know I am a Cat Lady now. I don't necessarily like the label, but have decided to embrace it. After all, each of these sweet precious animals was a choice made. A choice to welcome them in, and love them, until the end.

Jeeves and Fifi have made me smile when I feel like crying. They lie next to me when I am otherwise alone. They love me and I love them. I am glad I listened to my heart and said yes.

(Fifi and Jeeves 2010)


(Griffy 2010 - who loves them all)

Remembering Persy

August 1997 - July 2010

We adopted Persy from my dad after my mom died. Persy traveled in a UHaul from Arkansas to Arizona with my brother, Doug, and became a part of our family. He loved our kids more than you can imagine, and everyone who met Persy loved him as well. He was gentle, protective, patient, friendly and faithful till the end. I begged God to let him die at home, which he did on July 5th. There is a huge loss in our lives now that he is gone, but we are thankful for the many years we had him.

I won't always have seven pets. Sadly, each of these will pass on as well. The only thing I know for sure is that for the rest of my life I will always have at least one (okay, you're right...one or two).

Fifteen Things I Know Today...

- The One who created me loves me and leads me in a personal way.

- Love isn't enough - you need commitment.

- My children are my greatest blessing.

- People wear masks.

- Family divisions can usually be repaired, and should be before

it's too late.

- Relationships are built from time invested.

- Life would be bleak without animals.

- Abortion is wrong. Always.

- Blood and water can be equally thick.

- People do what they want to do. Words are easy - action is harder.

- Grace and forgiveness are necessary in life.

- Laughter is essential.

I also know...

Joran Van Der Sloot did it (in this case 'presumption of innocence' can take a hike) and that the chicken came before the egg (Genesis 1:25)

Psalm 104

God - who put order in the sky, sea and land - who gives the animals what they need - lovingly cares for you, too. Look around you and believe...this is your creator:

"Praise the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth. He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate - bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees. The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the coneys. The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening. How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works - he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord. But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord."

To RSVP or not to RSVP that is the question

I've been pondering just exactly how to blog about RSVPing. I know I want to blog about it, but I don't want to offend the masses (as if 'the masses' are reading this). Since I'm not sure how to blog about proper RSVPing with out sounding like a whiny, snivelling creature I guess I'll take a few minutes to talk about something deeper. Did you know that the finger licker at my local Starbuck's got fired? Even though the remaining employees assured me that it wasn't because I officially complained about him (three times), I can't help but feel badly that he got canned. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's gone. I mean, a person can only handle so much mucus on their money. However, it appears there were bigger issues than my problem with his phlegm. I must admit: it is incredibly refreshing to pull up in the parking lot, park my car, go inside and order my drink. Sounds normal, right? Well, when the finger-licker was still employed I would need to pull my car up and stake the place out to see if he was at the counter. If he was, I politely backed my way out and went on my way - Starbuck's-less. (yes, it was difficult, but not as difficult as trying to put my licked money in my wallet without touching the licked part). ...as for RSVP'ing here are the rules in a nutshell:

• If you are attending - say 'yes'
• If you aren't attending - say 'no'
• If you say 'yes' show up

...now that isn't so hard, is it?

Twitter Nation

I just don't get it. Every time I hear a new story involving twittering, tweeting, twoting, twirping and the like I shake my head in baffled confusion. I wish someone would explain to me why they follow people, and also why they want people to follow them. What purpose does it serve to send a message to followers that says, "I'm at Target"? Likewise, why would you want to know the daily happenings of someone else? SOMEONE EXPLAIN THIS TO ME! I enjoy reading about the lives of celebrities in People magazine, which I purchase every week, but even *I* can't bring myself to a place where I want or need to know their daily, minute-by-minute meanderings. The reason this is on the forefront of my mind right now is because I read on the internet last night the story of Conan O'Brien and the one person he decided to 'follow'. Sarah Killen had three followers BC (before Conan) and now has over 20,000. Whaaaaaaaat? Huh? Are people now following Sarah because Conan might tweet? If that's the case, and Conan does tweet Sarah, does that make the rest of the thousands feel like he is talking to them as well? Is that why they are following someone named Sarah that they don't even know? SOMEONE EXPLAIN THIS TO ME. Please, I'm begging here.

Loss

The other day I was sitting with a friend and thinking about all of the loss that I will likely experience this year. John is joining the Army, Mariah is going to college, even our dog is probably not going to make it until his 13th birthday in August....and that is just the tip of my Loss Iceburg. The physical loss of the daily presence of these loved ones in my life is going to be profound. The thing I wonder is this: How do people make it in this world without the Lord? I already know, before any of these losses occur, that the only way I am going to make it through is because of my faith. I know, beyond any doubt, that John is doing what God has put on his heart and led him to do. I also know that Mariah is seeking God's will in graduating early and in the decision on where she will go to school. If I didn't truly believe that the God of this universe is in charge of my life, and the life of my loved ones, I'd most likely be falling apart.

Some mock Jesus as being a crutch. All I know is that I need Him. I lean on Him. I am broken and useless without Him. Everyone needs a crutch like that.

I am eternally grateful to my mom, who took me to church as a young girl even on the Sundays that I didn't want to go. I am thankful for the memory I have of her sitting in her rocking chair reading her Bible, and for the steadfast faith she demonstrated through the difficult times in her life. I know the Lord put the "faith to believe" in me, but she was my earthly example of how to walk that faith with peace and confidence. I miss her so and rejoice in the knowledge that we will some day be reunited.

I am blessed to have close friends and family come along beside me and help me on this journey. Thank you. Thank you for being an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. ...and thank you for laughing with me when you know I need that as well.

I am richly blessed.

Exchanging Gift Cards

I'm not a Scrooge, I promise. I love gift cards as much as the next person, but I just can't get over the silliness of exchanging gift cards at Christmas. What is the point of giving my brother in law a $50 gift card to Harkins and then opening his gift to me: a $50 gift card to Target? Why are we going through the motions of pretending we are 'gifting' one another? It's different with actual gifts. I might get my sister a pair of earrings, and she might get me a pair, but at least thought went into the purchase and there is a surprise when opening the gift. How can one be surprised by a gift card when they asked the purchaser to get them one? I love the attempt of family members to ACT surprised! My response usually goes something like this, "Wowwwww...a GIFT CARD to TARGET!!" Admittedly, I still love receiving them, but deep down inside I yearn for the days when gifts were gifts and you bought them for the people you wanted to buy them for...not the people whose name you picked. One of my greatest joys this season was buying a small gift for someone who wasn't on my list because I found something that reminded me of them. That, to me, is a Christmas gift.

Baby Calvin

Ahhhhhhhh. A couple of weeks ago I met baby Calvin. Finally. I was waiting until I got over my Kansas sickness because I didn't want to be around a newborn and take a chance of passing along some gunk. He was certainly worth the wait.

Analicia, Calvin's mom, came in to With Child in October and told me that she wanted to make a plan for adoption. She thought she had several months to go in her pregnancy, but one turn of my pregnancy "wheel of fortune" told a different story. I let her know that she was actually 36 weeks pregnant and then took her for a free ultrasound to confirm it.

That same day she chose a potential adoptive couple from my book, that evening we all met together at The Islands, two weeks later Calvin was born and three days after that he went home with his new mommy and daddy.

I never, ever tire of this process. The unselfish love shown by the birth families, the love poured out by the adoptive families and the new life that reaps the benefit of so much sacrifice and love. It's beautiful. It's God-ordained. It's my life.

Keep Your Mucus to Yourself

I have a problem with mucus. I admit it. I don't like to eat off people's plates or drink out of people's cups. This goes for the people I love as well. When my kids were little, people always said to me, "Oh, you'll end up sharing your water with your child." To which I would say, "No. Never." To my recollection I held firm to this because I knew...deep down in my being...that I was not one who could drink a glass of water with chewed up goldfish floating in it. I'd rather die a painful, thirsty death than drink a sip of liquid from a cup that had my sweet child's backwash in it (no matter how much I loved them). As my kids have gotten older, and I realize they can actually sip something without backwashing, I can stomach through the occasional sip (opposite side, rim wiped). If it involves a straw...i'm out. If it involves the sharing of a utensil, and I'm second in line, I'm out. When my friends and I go to lunch and someone orders a 'community dessert', I politely tell the waitress that she need not bring me a fork. I know people think this is weird. Oh well.

With my issues in mind, imagine my disgust when twice (twice!) in the last week I've witnessed a Starbuck's employee licking his fingers before dispensing my change. I was so COMPLETELY GROSSED OUT the first time that I called the corporate number and said, "GROSS!!! Do something!" The customer service rep took my info and assured me that the problem would be addressed immediately. In light of this I happily skippity do dawed my way back to Starbucks a few days later to give it another go. Same employee. Same mucus. Same finger. GAG ME. I called again and told the CSR that this time he has lost me as a customer on the days this guy is working. I don't want the poor guy fired, I just don't want his spit on my money. C'mon...it's flu season. Has he heard of the swine flu? He needs to stop his piggy ways.

I think he should get a job at 31 Flavors since he likes to lick things.

Anonymously Yours

Reading Marie's blog has reminded me (again) how much I despise "anonymous" posts. Honestly, isn't the internet/blogging anonymous enough without calling oneself "Anonymous"? Invariably, anonymous posters post negative comments. This results in something much like a hit and run accident. They do damage and then high tail it away from the scene of the crime, leaving the poor victim to wonder what in the heck just hit them. How spineless does an individual have to be to hide behind the cloak of "anonymous"? Perhaps I don't understand it because I tend to own my comments - positive and negative. Really, their self esteem must be even lower than mine is because I like attaching my name to my dumb comments.

So...to all you Debbie Downers of the world (waa waaaah)...who get your kicks posting ugly and hateful things anonymously...stand up and let yourself be seen! The gig is up and your true colors (as Cindy Lauper, non-anonymously, once said) are shining through.

Television

Lord help me. The new tv season has started and I find myself waking up and thinking, "What show is on tonight?" I don't know when my addiction to tv started, but I can remember excitedly watching it as young as 5 or 6 years old and I've never stopped. The earliest show I remember was called Romper Room. I also watched a local show called The Wallace and Ladmo Show at a pretty young age. Does anyone remember Captain Kangaroo (and his friend Mr. Greenjeans)? Then there were the wonderful cartoons like The Flinstones and the Jetsons. I loved the campy show Lost in Space (danger, danger, Will Robinson) and classic shows like The Brady Bunch, Bonanza, Bewitched, The Big Valley, The Partridge Family....ohhhh, the list goes on and on. I have a vivid memory of going to bed when I was in about 5th grade to the opening of The Perry Mason Show (duhhhh duhhhh duh duh. duhhhh duhhhh duh duh duh. do do do do do do do do do...) Speaking of theme songs I still get a warm, fuzzy feeling that comes over me when I see the opening sequence to The Brady Bunch where they show a far away shot of the front of the Brady house and play cool intro music. We all know that song meant happy things were happening inside the house (except when Marsha got hit with the football before the big dance!) I think one of my favorite theme songs was to a show called Growing Pains ("show me that smile again; don't waste another minute on your crying...") I was a little taken aback the other day when my dear, sweet niece couldn't readily identify Mackenzie Phillips because *I* was quite grown up when I was watching One Day at a Time. (I've noticed that as I age I am occasionally slapped up side of the head with these types of reminders that my tree stump has really acquired some rings). Anyway, fast forwarding to present day I watched one of the funniest sitcoms I have seen in ages (at the recommendation of the previously mentioned dear, sweet niece) called Modern Family. It is funny (with a capital 'f') so that would make it Funny! It is a bit off color so don't tune in if you would be offended by a grampa's reference to his new Vietnamese granddaughter as a 'pot sticker'. I wasn't, because he clearly adored her. The best line of the whole show was when this new baby girl's uncle asked, "Her name is Lily? Won't she have a hard time pronouncing that?" (am I the only one laughing here?) Okay, so now I will be hooked on that this season. Add it to the following list of shows I record on a regular basis:

Project Runway

Amazing Race

Survivor

Top Chef

Flipping Out

Rachel Zoe

America's Next Top Model

American Idol

The View

The Dave Ramsey Show

(what did I watch before reality tv?)

and...

The Office

I could feel guilty right now for all that wasted time, but I know how the rest of my life is and I think it all balances out just fine. Besides, with DVR I can zip through commercials at lightning speed, reducing my viewing time to practically nothing.

At least that's what I tell myself. ;)

This was good for a laugh...

If you follow Dave Ramsey (heretofore referred to as DR) you know that he is big on the envelope system for some areas of spending. I have taken this DR concept to heart. At the beginning of every month, I trot myself down to my bank and hand the teller a piece of paper that allocates precisely how many $50's, $20's, $10's, $5's and $1's I will need for my envelopes. The process is simple, since I have everything multiplied out for her. In fact, the hardest part for me is handing her the paper. The thought crosses my mind, "What if they think this is a stick-up?" Anyway, on this particular day, the brain-iac behind the counter took my piece of paper, saw the total amount, and started counting out her own version of what I needed. I kindly explained to her that I actually needed it in the denominations I laid out (uh, this is why I actually did that part before I got to the bank), prompting her to start over. When she got to the tens the following conversation took place (are you ready?)

Teller: "I only have four $10's."
Me: "What?"
Teller: "I only have four $10's."
Me: "In the whole bank?" (I know it was wrong to mock her)
Teller: "No, here."
Me: "Well, I feel certain that there must be more somewhere in this bank."
Teller (pondering this for far too long): "Yeah, but I'd have to cash some money out."
Me: "Okay."

She did figure out how to walk to another teller and get me some more tens. It was rather frightening, but good for a laugh. Poor thing.

She's probably blogging about her own version of the same story. Talking about how "this old lady walked in and just HAD to HAVE her money in certain DENOMINATIONS!!! Like, whatever, you would have thought her world was going to stop turning if she didn't have just the right number of TENS!!!"

Like Dr. Phil says, "Even a flat pancake has two sides to it."

P.S. The DR envelope system works.