His Earthly Army of Angels

The text message arrived this morning, 24 days since the car accident..."Hi there! Just wondered if you were going 2 be home this afternoon? I made a chicken pot pie & have some rolls for you? Hope you are all getting stronger everyday"...I can not help but be overwhelmed by the cocoon that the Heavenly Father has woven around us through His earthly army of angels, allowing us to heal and focus on each other. And this band of caretakers was called into action before we ever emerged from our vehicle...witnesses of the accident calling 911, comforting and assisting us before help arrived, the homeowner whose yard we landed in bringing out warm wet towels so we could clean our faces, the unsung heroes of police and emergency workers just doing their job, my in-laws covering so many bases that we were unable to fully cover that day and in the days since, a corps of families from church springing to action to pray and fill every need (known and unknown), and friends and family who have called, written and prayed. I have a pile of personal thank you's to write but could not get past the need today to write something, praising God for His provision and care for us through so many (see Psalm 103:20-22 above).

While I am thankful for the many terrible things that did not happen on December 12, I am grateful for what has happened. My family has received an intensive crash course (pun intended :) ) in serving and caring for others. While I have prepared meals for others when an expectant mom has been relegated to bed rest or when someone has been limited by a recent surgery, my eyes have been open to countless opportunities where I did not step up and serve enough. What follows is just a short list of the gifts of love, time and service we have received.

• So many generous meals...by the time everything is out of my freezer, we will have been fed for at least 5 weeks.
• My laundry was done...though they had to sneak it away while I was at the hospital with our youngest daughter.
• My floors have been swept and mopped. The floors would have been vacuumed but that had been done earlier in the day.
• Grocery shopping
• Our driveway and sidewalk cleaned as needed
• Christmas shopping
• The wrapping of Christmas gifts
• Breaking my two oldest daughters out of the house for a breather from all they have been called on to do
• Notes, calls and emails to encourage us
• Regular text messages offering assistance with errands

We have received so many gifts through this experience...the blessings of a family strengthened by trials, the blessings of a marriage strengthened by crisis, the shaping of character when faced with difficult times, the firming of faith when leaning fully on God and welcoming His will in all things and the gift of seeing His love for us in action. I pray that anyone faced with the trials that may occur in life can be blessed with these same gifts and more. And I pray that God will use me and my family similarly in the lives of others.

He Made Me Cry

Now, before you get all mad at him, please let me explain...

Yesterday, marked our eighteenth wedding anniversary. And, normally, my husband's more practical side is employed...whether it is a special occasion or a plain old ordinary Wednesday. He is an "Acts of Service" kind of guy (Have you read Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman yet? If your answer is no, then stop reading this and go to your favorite book selling website right now and order it...then come back.). He shows he cares by working hard for you, bringing home the bacon, taking out the garbage, organizing the fridge...and on and on. He doesn't care to go gift shopping and usually assigns any research/planning/arranging to his secretary...who would be me. Now, that doesn't mean that he isn't up for any celebrating...it just isn't usually a surprise. He did spring one on my twenty-first birthday...he arranged to have fresh cut red roses delivered to me...at a campground, to the back of the pickup truck I was sleeping in while on a canoe trip. So, I knew he had it in him...that was before the internet even existed. And, while there have been little surprises along the way, nothing that has required the type of planning and orchestrating that that act and his scheme he fulfilled yesterday did.

We were scheduled to be in Milwaukee for the weekend. A few months back, I had tossed up the suggestion that we stop in Chicago on the way home for the night, since our return fell on our anniversary. He wasn't really interested. So, I figured we would probably just grab dinner out some night after we had gotten home.

We hit the road mid-afternoon. I did try one last time to score some Chicago time by mentioning the Cheesecake Factory...but he wanted to get THROUGH Chicago and eat after we got into Michigan. So, that was the plan I was operating under...wondering what kind of paper my dinner would be wrapped in.

It was a beautiful afternoon for a drive...we slipped into southwestern Michigan in the early evening. We weren't too far into the mitten before he pulled off the highway without saying a word. I knew the fuel was fine, so I figured this was a bathroom break since he had not even mentioned eating yet. But he turned away from the gas stations and fast food restaurants and headed into farm country. He drove purposefully...taking turns as though he had already been on this journey. The drive was beautiful...green...rolling hills...trees changing color...the sun going down. But I had no idea where we were going...I even joked about texting my mom so that she would have my last known location when she called the police...after all, we were way out there. After driving for 10 minutes or so, he turned into the drive of the Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant. I'm sure I looked dumbfounded. I asked him what was going on. He then explained that he had been working on a plan for weeks to find an exceptional restaurant, off the beaten path. He had studied the map online for days so that he knew the route perfectly. And, since we were at a winery and would probably participate in some tastings, he went ahead and made lodging arrangements nearby...scheming with my mom to keep the kids one more night. And then I cried...because he had gone to all that trouble for me...because he knew that I would love it...because he hid all related stress over a possible blown surprise from me...and because he took care of every last detail (As a melancholy, he is excellent with details...if you don't know what that means then go to your favorite book selling webiste and order Personality Plus by Florence Littauer...and then come back). He made sure every base was covered, even when some events threatened his plan. So, sitting at the perfect table, we enjoyed champagne and some wonderful food...a crabcake appetizer, filet mignon and grilled lobster.


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Completely full and happy, we skipped dessert and went to pick out some artisan chocolates with names like caramel apple, vanilla cupcake and cinnamon roll. We saved most of those for the drive home, enjoying one each half hour, letting the flavors linger.



Such a wonderful memory he created for me...and I am so thankful that he stepped out of his comfort zone to design such an experience for us. Even now as I write this, my eyes tear up a little. So he is still making me cry.

Where have the Summer...and I...Gone?

It is September 2...really...it is...just look above the title of this post. I can hardly believe it. It seems to have flown by. I am clinging tightly to our last few summer experiences. I promise to wear sandals and capris for as long as possible.


Now, I realize that I have not been by here in awhile. I can hear you saying "Bad, bad blogger! Bad!" I've been busy, though...doing summer stuff. Also, we have been managing some home improvement projects. We have camped a lot...all over the mitten. I do have a couple of posts brewing...honest, I do. And I will begin to share...soon. When I have a moment to sit down and put together a coherent thought. Meanwhile, check out this cool picture I took last week. And thank you for still labelling me as a blogger...although I really haven't earned it in recent days...er...weeks...um, I mean...months. The grace you have extended to me, and continue to do so, is soooo appreciated....even if you are just playing along with my charade.


Now...to that picture taken in my backyard. (I love it when the sky is that color of blue!)

Happy Birthday, Granny!

Granny with my own Cinco de Mayo baby -- June 2009

This post has been a long time coming...I've thought of it often, not sure where to start...only confident in the inadequacy of my words. You see...Granny, my maternal grandmother, passed away on February 20. She had been dealing with various health challenges for over a year, with them worsening this past January. The days that followed that Saturday were filled with love for her, gladness that she was reunited with my grandpa who had left this earth over 21 years ago, peace that she was meeting Jesus face-to-face and sadness over saying our good-byes. It was therapeutic to revisit memories with cousins as we sorted through Granny's various treasures that she had kept for so long. It was heartwarming to hear the pastor, who was to conduct the memorial service, suggest that he center his words on the Excellent Wife...as described in Proverbs 31.

She has left such a mark on my life...several marks even. She grew up with sisters so she could always empathize when my sister and I were having...hmmm...what's the word I'm looking for?..."difficulties" with one another. She loved her husband and was a great example to me of what a loving wife should be. She raised six children and was always willing to share her own parenting experiences and laugh at the antics of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The pastor described her as a homemaker in the truest sense of the word...someone who MADE a home that we all looked forward to visiting. She loved her family.

My sister and I made the trip to visit with her a week before she passed. What a worthwhile journey! We were thrilled that she recognized us and was so willing to chat. She would stare into our eyes and hold hands as we enjoyed our time together. At one point in the visit, her living room was filling up with several family members. I stepped into her room where she was resting and commented on how noisy her family was. She responded that "it's the best kind of noise". She loved her family. And what a testament to her and my grandpa that there have never been any chasms in the relationships amongst her family.

When my mom asked if there was any specific belongings of my grandma that I would want. I instantly thought of two of her bowls. I can still picture them on the table...filled with gravy or fried potatoes or banana pudding. These bowls represented to me what she provided for her family...a home in which to be nourished literally and figuratively. I am also blessed to have in my possession a Bible...given to my grandparents in 1960 by my mom. What a treasure to remind me of the three people who have played such important roles in my own walk of faith!

Additionally, I took possession of many items that I had given to my grandparents over the years. You will see in the picture the potholders that I made on my little plastic loom...doilies bearing my embroidery and my mom's crocheting handiwork...a painting that I believe I did during girl scouts. I have letters that I sent, while in elementary school, to my grandparents and an anxious letter I wrote to them the week before I left for college. I am so thankful that I gave them and so thankful that she saved them.

As I wrap this up, I must confess that I do not believe that this begins to be worthy of her and all that she has meant to me. As soon as it is published, I will have regrets of other memories and thoughts not shared. Not a day will go by that I won't be reminded of her. But I have joy...joy that she is at peace and in heaven...joy that I will see her again in heaven someday. And I have responsibility...the responsibility of being worthy of her and her legacy...the responsibility of sharing her character with my own daughters as they grow up to be women of faith, wives and mothers. Granny was certainly a cathedral builder in my life and many others. And her influence will be felt for years to come.

Happy Birthday, Granny...I love you...I miss you.

You can read more about my grandma here. This is the post in which I introduced her to you last summer.

You can also read my sister's post about my grandma here. Yes...I was (and still am) quite intimidated that she wrote such a beautiful tribute...in the airport...on the way home back in February.

Kid Art

The four-year-old painted this picture recently during a homeschoolers' class on the Impressionists taught at our local art museum. She created this using watercolors and "stamping" the paint using pieces of styrofoam. She has titled it "Spring"...quite appropriate with the tree...flowers and grass...and the butterflies.

Such a Nice Thing to Hear

The note on my Facebook "wall" said

I heard this said about you today, "She has such a heart for the Lord." and thought that you would love to know! Thanks for ALL you do.

Such a nice thing to hear about yourself. It started an interesting mix of thoughts and feelings for me as I considered it.

First of all, since we are called to be a light in the world, witnessing to others by putting our faith into action...doesn't it feel great when someone notices it? I considered all my blessings that make it so easy to have "a heart for the Lord"... a relationship with God because of the sufferings of Jesus, married to my own personal superhero, the blessing of being the mom to three beautiful girls, the world's best parents/sister/extended family (in-laws included), wonderful friends, the unearned privilege of being born in the best country in the world...and on and on and on.

But then I start analyzing...considering the comment made, am I joyful because I brought glory to God or prideful because I brought glory to myself? The analysis continues...I know what my actions and thoughts were for the entire day...am I worthy of such a comment? I know that many (if not most) of my actions or thoughts on that particular day, and even this morning, were not for the Lord.

One of the weapons that Satan will use to weaken our faith and our relationship with God is doubt. While it is true that we, as sinners, are unworthy of the precious gift of salvation, that gift was still freely given. And I have to work at focusing on the love God has for me, to make such a gift available. I can't focus on why God shouldn't love me, but do my darnedest to be worthy of His love for me...a love so strong and deep that He planned for and allowed the sacrifice of His Son for me.

And when someone gives me a little "hat tip" regarding my faith in action, maybe that's God's way of letting me know that I'm on the right track and I'm growing where I've been planted. Because it is my heart's prayer that others see less of me and more of Jesus in all I do...that I can complete the work that God has given me so that, at that appointed time, when I enter into Heaven's gates, I hear "Well done, thy good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

Other verses to consider ~ Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9

Slugbug Prayers

Allow me to begin by confessing that I have not YET mastered the discipline of getting up early every morning for some quality quiet time with my Bible...and a thorough prayer session. I realize that confessing the weakness is the first step towards overcoming it...please pray for me!

With that said, you can understand that I need as much help as possible to make the most of the power of prayer. So I have developed/copied/stolen various triggers and routines that will bring me into a prayerful moment. For example, I participate in a long distance slugbug competition with my sister in California and my cousin in Arkansas (and, now my mom...wherever she may be at any given time). When any of us sees a Volkswagon Beetle, we text the others, accumulating points for the day (no slugging...just the prize of daily victory). There are extra points for convertibles and vintage models (we call them "old school"). This may seem silly to some, but I don't care. What this does is keep us connected on a daily basis. And, whether I see a slugbug and text them, or I receive a message from one of them on a sighting...that triggers me to say a prayer of thanks for these special ladies...perhaps petitioning God on their behalf regarding something going on in their life...asking for blessing on them and their loved ones. This children's game reminds me to pray for them.

And I have other similar triggers in my daily life....while folding laundry, pray for each garment's owner, making each prayer specific because there will probably be more than one prayer said for each person...pictures and mementos around my home remind me to pray for various family members and friends...see a news story or article, pray for those involved and that God's will be done...and, when I lay down to sleep, to quiet my brain from the day's activities and tomorrow's to-do list, I pray specifically over my husband and my children, and all that is going on in their lives. It's a chance for me to give thanks for all the blessings in my life and to hand over any burdens to Him who loved me so much that He gave His only Son so that I may believe and not perish (John 3:16). This allows me to enjoy peaceful rest.

Several years ago, I spent some time in the Bible study by Cynthia Heald titled "Becoming a Woman of Prayer" (you can order it here). I learned volumes about how God is listening...how He wants us to be persistent...that we can pray for anything. And I drew comfort from knowing that the Holy Spirit will lift up the prayers we really need when we may not know what to pray for. Prayer has given me comfort when moments of worry and doubt may be sneaking up on me. And I've seen the results of prayer in my life...in the big life issues and the daily challenges that a stay-at-home homeschooling mom can face. I am thankful that Jesus tore the veil separating me from God...through dying for my sinfulness...so that I can approach the throne of the Holy Father myself and build a relationship.

So, I recommend that you work on understanding the power of prayer. Develop your prayer habits. You will come to develop a peace that will help you manage life through any circumstance.