Tears and Hope

I have been thinking much about time and loved ones recently. Memories of loved ones are crowding my mind as I remember the time that I spent with them. I have come to discover how much their personality's have shaped my own. I have discovered how much I miss the presence of their laughter and humor in the day to day of my life. Things are just never the same.

Mary and Martha's lives changed when they knew Lazarus lay sick and dying. Their dear brother was suffering and they wanted Jesus to heal him, but he was away. Their hearts were breaking. Memories swept through their minds as they wept. Thoughts of memories never to be surely flashed by as well. Lazarus died as his family wept for him and for themselves. Their hearts broke.

Jesus knew that Lazarus had died and he knew what he was going to do about it. He went to the grave 4 days after Lazarus had been there. Jesus wept with Lazarus' family and then preceded to tell Lazarus to come out.

Lazarus lived again, yet his life was changed.

Mary and Martha would never be the same.

Those who witnessed it were changed and made choices because of it. Some placed their faith in Jesus, others reported his deed to the Pharisees who in turn met with the Sanhedrin. A plot to kill Jesus had begun.

Lazarus lived, but Jesus would die. Jesus would overcome death, rising on the 3rd day, so that each and everyone of us would live again and things would never be the same again.


We so want our loved ones not to suffer, but yet we don't want to part with them either. It is a strange mix of emotions as you sit and weep for a loved one as they pass from this earthly world. We long for them to be their old self, yet it can never happen in this world. As much as we want it, things will never be the same and we can only hope.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain...

Revelation 21:4

I'll be home for Christmas

I have fond memories of putting up the Christmas tree with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa had the uncanny patience to put up the tree and string the lights perfectly, winding them around each limb so that you could barely see the cords. To this day, I have not figured out how he did it.

He also had the talent that only elves and Santa have, he could string the lights back into the box perfectly when Christmas was over. He enjoyed it. I on the other hand do well to get them off the tree and throw them in a plastic sack until next year.

Mrs. Claus and I would then decorate the tree. The ornaments were packed safely away in boxes. Each year, we would pick each one up and place it on the tree while talking and laughing together about this or that. The elf below is one from that time so long ago. He still is shiny and bright and looking towards Christmas with happiness. The moose is one that I painted after Popsaroo and I got married. The penguin is one of two, part of a wooden collection of Noah's animals given to me by my Mums-in-law.

This is one of Mum's ornaments that she painted. She was painting lots of pictures on canvas during this time and took her talent to Christmas balls. Unfortunately, this is all I have left of this ornament. BubbaLou accidentally knocked this one off the tree and it shattered. This has been the Christmas of broken ornaments, and Erith Sappy hasn't fallen over once like Fat Charley.

Mum's also painted these Christmas mice. I love Christmas mice. The goose is one that I painted, and the lamb is one of my collection.( I collected sheep once upon a time-but my pasture is full.)

I placed tinsel on the tree this year too. Santa would keep the tinsel packed away very neat and tidy each year, he treated each piece with respect. He must of used the same pack for over a decade.

Memories of my Santa are sweet and dear to Mrs. Claus and me.

Favorites

When Popsaroo and I first got married, I decided that I was going to make some ornaments for our tree. I can not tell you how I threw myself into this. I had been cross-stitching during the winter we were married, but do you know that although I finished them, I never made them into an ornament. They are still at the bottom of my cross-stitching basket-safe and sound. I have good intentions.

The ornaments that I did finish, were the ones that I painted. They have been put on our tree every year since. I have several favorites from that group that I painted. A gingerbread house, a sleepy mouse in a cup, and a church with a red door. The gingerbread house takes me back to Hansel and Gretel. I loved that tale as a child and every time I see a gingerbread house, I have to think of them pulling treats off the witch's house to fill their hungry tummies. This mouse was probably my first Christmas mouse of my very own. Mum's had made several mice for the tree while I was growing up- I always loved Christmas mice. I think churches can be so beautiful at Christmas-and even though my church doesn't have a red door, I love the vesper service on Christmas Eve.

I just love unwrapping these ornaments every year, ahhh...memories. This year, BubbaLou has been more interested in the ones that I made and the ones that Mums made. It is always fun when BubbaLou actually wants to listen for the answer and hear about our traditions of Christmas.

Mum's ornaments will be the next post. Mums let me raid the ornament box at her house and I brought home some of my all time favorites from my childhood.

Last year, BubbaLou and I made snow flakes. We wrote prayer requests on them last year. We placed them on a piece of red yarn and strung them around the tree. I really love the snowflakes and the memories of the prayers that we said. We checked the names twice to make sure everyone was accounted for this year and celebrated those prayers that had been answered.

I have also had silver bells hanging on the tree for many years. They are the inexpensive ones, but I sure like to see them on the tree. The carol silver bells always runs through my head when I untangle them and put them on the tree.

Silver bells, silver bells

it's Christmas time in the city

ring-a-ling, hear them ring

soon it will be Christmas day!

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
dressed in holiday style
in the air there's a feeling of Christmas!

Children laughing, people passing
meeting smile after smile

and on every street corner you'll hear . . .

Silver bells ( silver bells! ) silver bells
( silver bells! )it's Christmas time in the city

ring-a-ling ( ring-a-ling! ) hear them ring
( hear them ring!! )soon it will be Christmas day!
~Silver Bells Carol

Friends are Friends

My memories have been working on overtime the last few days. I was invited to join Facebook by a friend from church, I thought, why not? I will give it a whirl. So, I joined, and have been tripping over people who I lost contact with 20 years ago. Okay, 21 years ago. I feel really old sometimes!

I found myself smiling as I found each person, because I had missed them. You share such big chunk of your life with people as a child(especially when you are an only child) and into your teen years, and then you grow up and move away. These friends were your support system, and all of a sudden they are far, far away.

When I went off to college, I didn't go to far. I could always be home in about an hour. I didn't even notice that I missed anyone at first, I was too busy making my place on campus. All is new, and I didn't even realize that I was in a new world without all my friends who had similar values. I got married, move 800 miles away, and then I noticed. Ooops, where did everyone go?

I had such a hard time acclimating to Florida when I first moved here 18 1/2 years ago after marrying the love of my life, Popsaroo. I had him, but I was missing my support system of my friends from youth group and school. I had a hard time finding a church family because, they weren't the ones from Nashville. You don't just make those types of friendships as adults, at least, if you do, they are rare.

So, joy! I have touched base with several friends that I had lost all contact with. Their smiling faces have really soothed the edges of my stressful life lately. So thanks friends, I have missed you and am so glad to have a little slice of you back in my life!

Count your age with friends but not with years - Anonymous

Packing up the dreams God planted

But we'll keep you close as always

It won't even seem you've gone'

Cause our hearts in big and small ways

Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever

If the Lord's the Lord of them ~Michael W. Smith

Heavenly Music

Music in church has always meant a great deal to me over the years. I have very fond memories of being a member of the children's and youth choir at church. I still remember songs and even scripture from the songs that we sang. I have very warm and fuzzy memories of friends and teachers from my music experience at church.

I was never a soloist, nor, was I good at music at any individual level. The most humiliating moment in my life happened at a piano recital when I attempted to play "Open Arms" by Journey. If you were there, you know the horror. If you missed it, count your self spared from the piano horror of a lifetime! I took for six years, and I am terrible. I just wasn't talented. It came so easy to so many of my friends, but not for me. I really was able to play "Open Arms" because I had practiced it for so long. I had to play something a hundred times when my friends could sit down and do it probably ten times. Some of them could just do it right the first time they read the music. Not me. Imagine how my parents felt when I had to practice "Chariots of Fire." It started off with about a hundred d's.

I steer clear of most musical endeavors now. I can download my iPod and sing and dance in private or in front of BubbaLou. She just tells me to be quiet! The only place I sing with other people, is at church, in the congregation, as I worship my God. This is still where I have warm fuzzies, singing to God at church. I am just grateful that I can just show up and let those who are actually talented lead the way.

It is in church, where so many wonderfully talented musicians have touched my life. Ministers of music and choir teachers have always held a special place in my heart. They taught me songs about my Jesus, they showed me how to sing with the body of Christ, they carried me through times when I was very sad or very glad. What an awesome place they have in the body of Christ. They touch people who they know and who they have never met. They bring everyone who is present before the throne of God in worship. They instill hope and passion into our faith through song.

It is because they touch us in such ways, they probably don't even realize the impact they have on our lives. The impact that God purposed them to have. We don't ever realize what we really mean to people we don't even know. It boggles my mind when I think about it, the way our lives touch others, however briefly, seeds are planted, and impressions are made.

Our church's minister of music, Simeon Nix, just followed a new call to heaven. This coming just three months after our pastor and his son followed their call to heaven. We have heavy hearts, but they are still uplifted and full of hope and purpose, because we know, that someday, we will see them again and hear them all sing again, but for now, they want us to keep singing.

When we loose one of these wonderful people on Earth, we can at least look forward to their music in heaven. Their earthly music lifted to God is only a foreshadowing of that music they will make in heaven. I can only imagine how wonderful it will be.

Lifesong

by Casting Crowns

Empty Hands held high

Such Small sacrifice

If not joined with my life

I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say

And the things I do

Make my lifesong sing

Bring a smile to you

Let my lifesong sing to You

Let my lifesong sing to You

I want to sign your nameto the end of this day

Knowing that my heart was true

Let my lifesong sing to You

LORD, I give my life

A Living sacrifice

To reach a world in need

To be your hands and feet

So may the words I say

And the things I do

Make my lifesong sing

Bring a smile to You

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

Let my lifesong sing to You

Encouragement

The prayer service at Bell Shoals last night drew thousands together to make sense of the tragedy of loosing Pastor Pollock and Preston. Bell Shoals is the Fellowship of Encouragement and it was no different last night. I walked away encouraged. I truly saw the Body of Christ in action as members from other churches came and took care of the little children while their parents went to the service. Pastors from other churches came to lend counseling to those who needed it. Members from both Bell Shoals and other nearby churches worshiped with hope. Pastor Pollock would have loved it.

The Tampa Tribune had a really nice article this morning. I think the community has been encouraged.

1Peter 5:12

I want to encourage you and give my testimony that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

Last Words

Pastor Pollock preached a wonderful message Sunday morning. I encourage each of you to take time to listen to his message: Motherhood is not for Sissies!

http://bellshoals.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=23576

Imprints

God puts people in this world baby by baby. He gives each one a personality with talents and charms. He makes each one special because He has a plan for each one. We can't see people the same way God sees them. We see stereotypes, colors, wealth or poverty, and actions. God sees each person's heart. He sees the way we act and knows the thoughts that go along with it. He sees the potential that each of us have because of the gifts and talents he set us up with at birth. He knows from the beginning. He knows...everything about us. He knows when we are to be born and when we are to die. He knows the imprint on the world that each of us are to have for Him.

People come in and out of our life and they make imprints on us, and we make imprints on them. God chooses who and why.

God allowed me to sit under a wonderful preacher for several years and allowed the preacher's daughters to sit in my GA class. I am the better for it, but my heart is broken today. For today, we have lost a wonderful and caring preacher and his son, and those girls and their family have lost their father/husband and brother/son. Pastor Forrest Pollock and his son Preston will be missed greatly by his family, the Bell Shoals Baptist Church congregation, and all the people, all over the world that they touched with their lives. We will carry on knowing that they are in our Father's arms, and we will be forever changed-for the better. We will see them again.

Php 3:20

For our citizenship is in heaven.

Thinking about the beach....

Just sitting around this morning remembering the beach. It was getting warmer and thoughts of afternoons in pools and days at the beach are starting to drift into my mind. Of course, it is cool this morning and the water is still cold at the beach, but I am starting to drift there often.

This is Mums looking for shark teeth at Casperson Beach in Venice. It was a beautiful day although the pic looks a little overcast. We found quite a few shark teeth just below where she is sitting. I have to admit, we didn't go out very far since sharks were on our minds. These shark teeth we were finding were supposedly old, but Hey! This is the gulf-we do have sharks! Chomp, chomp. Sorry, couldn't resist.


We went to this beach on purpose with the intent to hunt for sharks teeth. There have been sharks teeth as big a tea saucer found. Shivvver....We did not go diving for them-but for some, that is their cup of tea!
I want to go back this year. This is a gorgeous beach! The flora, the rocks, the sand, and the teeth all work together for a good find, except I can't remember where we put our shark teeth!

Gen 1:21

So God created the great sea monsters, all kinds of creatures that live in the water, and all kinds of birds. And God was pleased with what he saw.

Wooooooooo

I admit it, I got a little choked up last night during Rick Flair's farewell tribute. I don't really watch wrestling anymore-I used too, but it got a bit far fetched and disappointing over the last decade. Well, that sentence made me feel old.

But anyway, Popsaroo still tries to watch it and prefers the old timers. That is when it was good. When Rick Flair, The Four Horsemen, and Dusty Rhodes were at it, I found it quite entertaining.

Really, I can't imagine my marriage to Popsaroo without all his playful Rick Flair, "wooooos"

So, Popsaroo, this is for you!

A Surprise Easter Celebration

Easter, our most Holy Day when Christ was raised with a promise of Eternal life has come at last. My celebration of this day was a little different. I had to work.

I could not attend church services, not even a sunrise service, because I was already at work. But God does not forget those of us who must carry on and serve him while we work. He keeps the surprises for us!

He played the Hallelujah Chorus on the radio this morning for me. I found myself in full blown worship with the Holy Spirit! I cried all through it. How awesome that he loves us so.

He gave me a positive day at work today, lots of progress with a patient.

He took two suffering patients home today. I got to hug the wife and brother of one of those that he took home. We shared that if he had to go, "What a day to go!"

He had a friend/co-worker reveal to me that they got saved!

Luke 24:12

But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; he bent down and saw the grave cloths but nothing else. Then he went back home amazed at what had happened.

Don't you think that we should expect to be amazed by our Lord-it still takes me by surprise every time.....

Here and There

This is here, in Florida. Where it doesn't snow.

This is one of our Chinaberry trees. We consider this a weed tree, because you see, it grows no matter what you do to it. It drops these chinaberries that look like a bunch of ugly grape shaped clusters and just litters up the yard. Our bird friends then scatter the seeds by their very own special seed delivery system. They pop up all over the place. You just can't get rid of them. But they do have pretty blooms. This is the tree that BubbaLou picked those blossoms from. It is hard to see them in the picture, but they are way up in the tops of the tree.

She can really swing that golf club!

This is there in Tennessee, where it does snow. It looks very cold.

My CuzinAmy sent me these pictures of the snow, she wanted me to remember the good times. She was happy, she was excited, she got a snow day!

Did you know that teachers get excited over snow days just like the kids?

I know two teachers who are like that. MzAmy and MzLisa.

Yes, CuzinAmy, the thought of snow days does bring back fond memories. I loved to sit in front of the TV, anxiously watching Snowbird and waiting for him to announce that Davidson county had no school that day. There is nothing like getting a snow day! Except maybe playing in it!

I also remember the snow cream. I loved snow cream. Snow cream tasted as good as snow smells. I guess it wouldn't be safe to eat snow cream anymore. So sad.

I also remember attempting to walk down our driveway to my car, so that I could venture over to MzLisa's house to pass the snow day away, when I fell flat on my tooshy! I must have been a site to behold as I crawled up the icy drive to the snowy sidewalk and then back into the house where I almost blacked out from the pain. Ahhh, memories.

Psalms 147:16

He spreads snow like a blanket and scatters frost like dust.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

Our family has shed many tears this past year, but we did a lot of smiling and laughing too! We allowed the Lord to show us His mercy and His blessings this past year as we lost several dear family members and a few good friends. We have felt honored by the people that He has placed in our lives in 2007 to help us along the way. We look forward to the lives that we will touch and that will touch us in 2008. May your year be blessed.

This was from a Christmas card my mom got from my Aunt Dot, I really loved the message. I thought, "Wow, how beautiful! This is a good guide for us in 2008."

God gives us breath that we may sing.

God gives us all the earth that we may plant faithful gardens.

God gives us the promise of His second coming

that we may dance even in the rain.

I miss my Santa

I have been missing my Santa this Christmas. It took me by surprise. Memories have flooded over me the last week and I realized that my Santa is gone. I have felt like the little girl that wrote Santa she would have a blue Christmas without him in the movie, The Year Without a Santa Claus. I have really identified with that tear that wells up in her eye and falls hitting the letter that she is writing to Santa as she sings I'll have a Blue Christmas without you.

My Santa loved Christmas. He would always be smiling and happy with a wonderful laugh when Christmas came around. I can never remember one Bah Humbug from my Santa.

My Santa and Mrs. Claus would always pick an angel off the Christmas tree at the mall. Santa would look for all sorts of things to place in the gift box; clothes, toys, books, always a Bible.

He loved to get ready for Christmas by trimming the tree. Some years we had artificial trees and other years we had real trees and my Santa always made it fun. He would string the lights ever so carefully and then let Mrs. Claus and me put on the ornaments. Then he would bring out the tinsel. You could not just throw tinsel on, it would be placed on one piece at a time. The tree would be beautiful and we had such good times trimming our tree. My Santa even brought home an ornament that you could plug in and it would chirp like a bird in the tree. It was almost a contest to see how long we could leave it on before it got on every one's nerves. Even when Christmas was over, he had nerves of steel and actually enjoyed taking the lights off the tree and placing them back in the cardboard box just like they came from the factory!

My Santa shaped Christmas for me, in ways I am only beginning to realize. My Santa spent hours teaching me how to wrap gifts as we watched Christmas shows on t.v. He was very meticulous on cutting and taping and placing bows and name tags. Mrs. Claus says they could actually go around the world and still look perfect. I love to be able to take the time to wrap a gift Santa's way. My favorite time to do it is while watching Christmas t.v. shows like Rudolph, all the Santa movies, and my Santa's favorite- Charlie Brown.

My Santa loved to spend time with friends and family. He would work on invitations for hours and invite the people that he worked with over every year for a huge breakfast. He loved it! He would send them home with recipes that he and Mrs. Claus had made for the occasion. He had a special spice tea recipe that he mixed every year. I think, maybe, I should try to find it.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus would always go to the Sunday School Christmas party and I would always tag along. Santa taught Sunday School for years and years. He loved being around the people in his class and always looked forward to spending holiday time with them. A white elephant gift was always involved and Santa could be very devious. I always had such a good time at these parties and I was often the only kid.

My Santa was from a huge family and they would always have a Christmas Eve party. We would travel to my grandmother's or aunt's house with the car packed with gifts and food. I could hardly wait to get there, and when we did, we would crowd into the house with children scampering around, excitement in their faces as they got to see their cousins and awaited the gift opening ceremony. The adults laughed and talked and enjoyed each other. It was always a joyous occasion with tons of food and gifts! It was hard to leave, but Santa had to get home with a full night ahead of him.

My Santa always left great gifts. He always picked out great gifts-he was Santa! He left my stocking filled with nuts, oranges, toys, and a huge peppermint stick. I love peppermint! I couldn't wait to break it with the hammer. Santa left me notes. I remember the note he left me when we had put maraschino cherries out for Rudolph. Rudolph loved them and they helped his nose glow!

Santa would take me to Christmas music at church. He sang in the choir for several years and later he did the sound. Most importantly, he told me about the true reason for Christmas. He told me about the baby Jesus, the Christ child born in Bethlehem. He showed me with his actions what Jesus' birthday was about. He worshiped the Christ child and lived his life spreading happiness and joy.

As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Proverbs 27:19

Fat Charley's Angel

Meet Beth, she is the angel that sits on top of our tree this year. My daughter named her Beth, short for Bethlehem. She is a new addition to our Christmas decor that my daughter brought home from school on Friday. I have to admit, I was surprised that she would get to make an angel in school, public school, where everything is to be censured and politically correct. She must have thought I was losing my hearing because I asked her twice where she had made it. I said in disbelief, "You made this at school?! What if someone didn't believe in angels? "

"Everyone believes in God in my class this year. Only Ian doesn't believe in the devil."she replied. I just looked at her.

"What do you want to do with the angel?" I asked.

"Put it on top of the tree!" she said like she couldn't believe I was asking. I was in shock, okay! I marched over to our tree, Fat Charley, and plopped that angel on top where only a bow had been placed because nothing else fit. Beth fit perfectly! I just had to take her picture:) I am not really sure how Beth slipped through the public school system to end up on our tree, but God does. He is always full of surprises!



This is a nativity set that my mother-in-law gave us last night. She had it in a box and was trying to find a home for it. I unwrapped it and found it to be little children! How sweet! Children are so innocent and have that childhood faith that allows them to love the baby Jesus. It allows them to make angels and decorate their goody bags with manger scenes and the Star of Bethlehem without worries of being politically correct. That is the way it should be.
Even Jesus had to deal with politics. He certainly did not meet any one's political agenda! That baby, born in a manger, under a star, while cattle lowed near by, and wise men traveled afar, changed the world forever. No matter what the kids get to make in school or what is said in class or what is written on money can ever undo what God has done by sending His son to earth to become Savior to the world. They can try, but they can not change what Jesus has accomplished.
We will just have to seek to live for Jesus a little more, wish more people Merry Christmas and show our love to others so that they will know that Jesus loves the little children and all the people of the world.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble. Luke 1:52

My Advent Calendar

The Christmas season has started! Lights are twinkling and fir trees are seen tied on tops of cars as people head home to decorate each bough. Today is the first day of December and my Advent calender starts today.

My mom made my Advent calender when I was small. I have fond memories of counting each day and getting to remove a felt ornament that stuck to the felt tree. I now have it hanging on my wall for my daughter but the felt ornaments don't stick anymore. So I have been searching for tidbits of information and small little ornaments to hang on this tree with little pins. In the process, I have found some fun things to share, some even with your kids. My blog will have its very own Advent calendar! So click on each day to be taken to a link that has something special for that day. This calendar will however, go through Jan. 6 Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas and my wedding anniversary.

1-25 is ready to go. I am still working on the 12 days of Christmas!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!!!

DECEMBER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

JANUARY

1 2 3 4 5 6

The twelve days of Christmas is now ready to go. I got a little behind, so the the first of the 3 of 12 days are lumped together. I found a little fun, a little fact, a little devotion, and a few pictures to boot! Hope you enjoy.