Friday's Wrap-Up

How I love Fridays!  

How I love blogging!  O.K., I admit, I border on being addicted to blogging ;)

But seriously blogging friends, it just doesn't get much better than this! 

Each day we share our lives; our very hearts with one another--and not just the pretty parts!  This blogging connection is authentic living in action! We tackle together on Tuesdays, we remain wordless on Wednesdays,  and break out in Thankfulness on Thursdays!  

Fridays are my wrap up day; a day to review my endless list of things that must get done and transfer the undone to next weeks list!  It's also a day to smile as I recall all that week taught me. 

I discovered this week that Allison Bottke's life-saving book, Setting Boundaries With Your Adult Children: Six Steps to Hope and Healing for Struggling Parents has been endorsed by Focus on the Family!  

Check out in the lower left hand corner....see the 

? "When you see this symbol, it means Focus on the Family RECOMMENDS this resource based on its message, quality, and alignment with Focus on the Family's philosophy and mission."    

WOO-HOO! Congratulations Allison!  

This week, I learned how to "Print Screen!"  How much fun is that!  And I thought "cut and paste" was fun??!!

This week I rediscovered mercy!  I LOVE when THAT happens! 

I spent the entire week LOVING my new job!  This gift, that God has dropped into my lap, just keeps blessing and blessing!  Isn't it amazing how God takes our pain and gives it purpose for His glory!?!?!

This week was another good week for our MIP.  It is nearly impossible to share the joy I feel as I watch our adult son feel proud of himself as he continues to live independently.  Many do not understand such joy over the ordinary: your adult child maintaining (and prioritizing) a full time job and feeling proud of newly discovered work ethic and commitment to himself.  Yes, these things are expected, they are usual and standard behaviors!  But when your beloved adult child has struggled for so many years to successfully find his place in HIS world...the ordinary becomes extraordinary!  May I also remind those who underestimate joy in the ordinary--of the extraordinary pain involved in setting your adult child free--to discover himself.  The level of pain is matched only by the level of joy you feel when he begins fighting as hard as you did....for his own life!  

This week was a tipping point week for the two SANITY Support Groups I facilitate.  Just four weeks ago, these two groups of 35 hurting parents met as virtual strangers, with little in common except their pain.  It is not easy being vulnerable with friends, imagine the courage required to trust strangers.  Each week we have discovered the unique benefits a Support Group offers and as Week Five unfolded, I began to see strength appear that many thought was impossible, hope previously elusive, and the courage to change--not their adult children, but themselves.  In our SANITY Support Groups, we have discovered the taste of freedom; freedom from guilt and regret.  Freedom because we have begun to understand that we are not responsible or our adult child's poor choices.  As one father stated, "We know we are still involved in a unhealthy relationship with our adult child, when we suffer the consequences of what they have sown."  A tipping point, indeed :) 

Please, if you know a parent in pain, or ARE a parent in pain, please let me know how I can help you start your own SANITY Support Group.  Starting a group is so easy-you'll wonder why you waited for so long.   The six steps to SANITY work!  

How was YOUR week?  

I'd love to hear from you....have a great Friday!

Blessings! 

FRIDAY SHOW N TELL

NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

Did you know about BlogRadioTalk? Me neither; not until last night, that is, when a friend from FaceBook posted that she was getting ready to do her radio show in 30 minutes. Well, off I went to www.blogtalkradio.com/GodUnplugged and I sat in the comfort of my new office (!) and listened as Amy Hammond Hagberg interviewed an amazing (that's AMAZING) young man, Nate Huss. Where have I been? I haven't heard about blog-radio...and I hadn't heard Nate Huss's voice yet?!?!?

This young man not only has an outstanding voice and musical ability, he has a love for the Lord that would make any mother proud. ;)

Adopted at birth, Nate's song, "Your Own" has been chosen by FOCUS on the Family to highlight their November ministry campaign in support of Christian Adoption. After hearing his song, it is not difficult to understand why it was chosen.

Please...sit back in your chair, click on the video, turn up the volume...and just focus on the lyrics to this song. His interview tonight on Blogtalkradio....was just as compelling. I think I'm going to send him a list of questions and do a Blog interview. Remember those....old fashioned things!

I can't think of a better thing to share this Show N Tell day!

Be blessed!

Friday Wrap Up

How time flies!

As we approach the end of October, I have delighted in the changing colors of this changing season. The burnt orange, brilliant red, and stunning yellow of the leaves are a hard-to-miss sign that winter is coming. Still, I have tried to stay in the moment and appreciate the beauty of fall.

I wonder:  do I do the same thing with the seasons of my life? Do I delight in the gift of this season or do I dread the coming season so that I miss the gifts that are now present?

How about you? Do you worry so for tomorrow that you miss the joy of today?

Being in the moment takes practice. Breathe, pause...stop racing.

Easier said than done.

But when I do just that, this is what I find:

• It is a fabulous Fall day in Minnesota
  
• Our daughter and her husband are so happy
  
• Our youngest son is in love! It is a long distance relationship; his girlfriend lives in Dallas. This is really difficult for them--but oh the benefits of a long distance relationship! Especially in this techno-friendly time in our communications. She visited last weekend and he will be traveling to Dallas to visit her next weekend and he is giddy with excitement! Don't mention the giddy part to him; he's 6' tall, a Junior in High School--and certain he never visits giddy!
  
• Our MIP (miracle in progress) has a job! For the past few months, we have been sitting in the lap of God as He works in our MIP's life. Many of you know, he has not been employed for nearly a year. This fact alone makes it very difficult to stay in the moment. My mind races to that distorted thinkin' thing: "He'll never hold a job." "His life is such a mess." "He will never be happy." TODAY, however, I am sitting in this moment of gratitude. Thank you God for using the dark times to bring light to our son's life.
  
• My husband and I will spend the weekend preparing the cabin for winter. I am thankful for the time we will share at the place he most loves.
• And if all of the above wasn't good enough, the piece de resistance in this moment is my partnership with Allison Bottke, author of the landmark book, Setting Boundaries With Your Adult Children: Six Steps to Hope and Healing for Struggling Parents. The learning curve has been.....exhilirating and exhaustive. My desire to grow this very important ministry takes me miles ahead of any moment! My joy that God brought together two strangers, yet sisters of the heart....causes an overflowing of gratitude.  I can not begin to tell you how stunned I am when God steps into our lives and says, "I have prepared you for such a time as this!" There is no doubt, He is always ready to use our pain for His purpose; the real test is whether we are in the moment and listening for His voice.
  

What better reason to breathe, pause....stop racing and just listen for what God is doing in your life and in the lives of those you love.

I'd love to hear how you practice being in the moment.  

Friday Wrap-Up

Grandma Dawn is comin' to town! It's like Christmas in July....and it's time for a little jingle!!!

You better watch out

You better not cry

Better not pout

I'm telling you why....

Grandma Dawn is comin' to town!

She's making a list

And checking it twice

Gonna meet friends both naughty and nice!

Grandma Dawn is comin' to town!

There'll be no time for sleeping

She'll need to stay awake

'Cuz we've got things to talk about

And that's good for goodness sake!

O! You better watch out

You better not cry

Better not pout

I'm tellin' you why

Grandma Dawn is comin' to town

Grandma Dawn is comin' to town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am meeting her at 9:00 a.m. and we will spend a few hours at the Mall of America (yeah--Dawn, you've got the Rocky Mountains in your backyard but I've got the Mall of America!!!!!). I have a meeting later in the afternoon, so I will return her safe and sound to her relatives by 1:30 p.m. Too short of a time to meet a dear friend, I already know so well!!!!

While Dawn and I are catching up, wanna to something fun too? Check out your personality DNA Maps. This is mine.

Encouraging Architect

And click on this banner and discover the fresh sounds of this fabulous Christian band. BooMama is gaga over this great CD and I couldn't agree with her more. My favorite so far is "Beautiful You." Listen to their sample songs....your spirit will soar as they sing "Beautiful You", you will find yourself worshipping through "Hallelujah Jesus." You will be challenged to see more clearly as you listen to the acoustic conviction of "The Twenty-First Time." The soothing harmonies found in "More than that" will simply float your prayers directly to heaven...and the contemporary pop rhythm of "Into Orbit," happens to be one of BooMama's favorites! I seem to remember she wrote something about swooning!

Keeping things in context, what BooMama has discovered (being the pioneer that she truly is) is simply that these two young men (Texan's at that) have an incredible partnership of talent, love for Jesus.....and their wives. Gotta love that!

I hope you have a toe-tapping, spirit soaring kind-of-day......Enjoy this beautiful day!

Friday Wrap Up

Or.....my attempt to participate in Show and Tell Friday!

This week, I have simultaneously dedicated my blog to the theme of my blog, Prodigals, with our Church's online devotional, Life Line. We have done a series called, God Cares......in which we address issues relating to life. It began with a three day series dedicated to Prodigals, and have moved on to address many of life's other painful issues such as suicide and divorce.

Although we returned from our family trip to Texas on Monday afternoon, today is the first day I have had to post photos of our time in Bryson, Texas.

While we intended for all of our children to travel with us on this trip, and oh--how excited I was to have them all with us, Curt arrived at the airport last Thursday sick. He was unable to fly with us. Although my heart felt sad that he was not able to be with us, we did have a very nice trip.
Bryson, Texas has gotten a lot of rain over the past few months and when we arrived we were pleasantly surprised by the colors of the wild flowers. The magnolia trees were so fragrant and the cactus had bloomed in full color!

The normally dry creek beds, were flush with streaming water.

The 'fishing hole', one of 9 lakes on our property, had grown larger by acres. By Minnesota standards, these lakes are really ponds--still, in Texas, water supply on a Ranch holds great value.

And of course, what would Spring on a Ranch be ....without babies!

It's enough to make a mamma proud!

On Saturday night, we went to the finals of the Jacksboro Rodeo. Our Minnesota heritage involves more around Winter Carnivals and Lake activities; we have our Rodeo's, but nothing quite like a Texas Rodeo! I will be doing a little research in the coming weeks on rodeos--as our 26 year old daughter was moved to tears...well, she cried. She is our equestrian and has ridden since she was a toddler. She is our Cross Country Champion and in her heart of hearts and deep love for her cherished horse, the perceived brutality of a rodeo was just too much for her. We talked about Americana culture, we talked about the Western livelihood of cattle roping, horse breaking, and calf tying. Still, her heart would not allow such logic! Any Southerner's or Western folk out there that could help this Yankee soften the heart of my horse lovin' daughter??? :) Thanks y'all!

All in all, we had a Texas-sized-fun-time! There was all manner of four-wheeling, skeet-shooting, and we once again proved, you can take the boys off the farm--but you can't take the farm out of the boys.

Proof positive! I've never seen these three brothers look so happy!

Whereever the road may lead you this weekend,

may it be a blessed journey! Y'all come back now, ya hear!

For more participants in Show and Tell Friday, click over to Kelli's at There's No Place Like Home.

Friday's Wrap Up

I have so many things that I should be getting done, that I find myself feeling as twisted as this poor little guy to the left! Anyone else get simply paralyzed when the list gets too long? ;)

I started this week off with a bang and cleaned out my bedroom closet. It is so nice to be able to walk into our walk-in closet! 5 days later, it still brings me joy!

We may or may not be going up north this weekend. We love spending long holiday weekends at our lake place, but the weather maps are suggesting it may not get any warmer than 60+ degrees and the forecast includes rain. Hmmmm.....go to the cabin and stay inside because of cold weather or stay home and clean....clean....clean! If I had a full crew here this weekend...we could get a lot done! Starting with our attached garage!

We normally move every 5-6 years which forces a natural cleansing. We have lived in this house since December of 2001 so I guess it can only be expected that I am feeling a bit squeezed by the clutter we have collected over the years. No move in sight....so I guess I better honker down and get this done!

Heather continues with her radiation and chemotherapy treatments. It has been such a joy to read her posts (and her Mom's!). I am simply amazed by the creation of our Creator! While Heather cannot speak as fluently as pre-surgery, her ability to communicate by typing continues to bless without missing a beat!

My sister has come out of hiding! Please stop by and visit her today...she has posted pictures of her lovely cabin on Milacs Lake (in Northern Minnesota). She's a crazy girl....with all of the gardening she has been doing--worms and all!

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Whether at home or away.....may you find yourself refreshed!

And, let's all remember to pray for our soldiers, both serving today and all of our yesterdays--we owe them our gratitude and our prayers every day! While many of us know and love someone who is currently serving our Country, if you don't, please pray for my nephew-in-law, Chuck, who, after having his deployment extended, remains in Iraq. We are prayerfully expecting him home by August. So many young men and women are fighting this war on terroism first hand......let's pray for God's hand of protection!

Friday Wrap Up

It has been a week of lurking--yes, I have visited each of your blogs this week but have not left comments. After being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis fifteen years ago, I am having my first flare up. Who would have thought that typing could be so painful! I saw my Doctor yesterday, and he prescribed a dose of Prednisone and I will begin taking an arthritis medication next week. Apparently, Prednisone is a fast acting inflamation reducing med and he guaranteed I should be feeling some relief by this afternoon. Greater than the pain in my hands is the extreme fatigue I have been feeling. I look forward to the return of my energy....whereby, I will once again vacuum....and typing "HI!" when I visit your blogs! Well, vacuuming-maybe; but de-lurking...FOR SURE!

The weather in Minnesota is delightful! I do believe Spring has sprung! We are expecting a much needed rain this weekend--let the green spring forth!

I awoke this morning realizing that I had been praying in my sleep for Heather! Yesterday, Heather had brain surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester to remove a brain tumor. I checked her blog several times yesterday, as many of you did, and appreciated every update! Heather's faith enriches my life and is such a testimony to the hundreds, yes, even the thousands who are following her struggle. She is living the words she types my blogging friends! What an inspiration.

My 'MIP' is having a good week. His back is healing and he continues to do twice-weekly physical therapy and chiropractic care. He also is making great progress as he sees his new Psychologist and attends a weekly support group. He and his Dad have scheduled another appointment to meet with the Psychologist next week and have scheduled an appointment for a joint meeting with Psychologist, patient, parents, and Psychiatrist to determine the right medications. To this point, he has been treated for Bi-polar disorder, however, this Psychologist does not believe he is Bi-polar; he believes he suffers with a 'severe spectrum' of ADHD. Mental health is not a quick diagnosis which is a bit frustrating but we are focusing on the hope of finding just the right treatment that will give him the best shot of moving forward. We are giving this process over to God and know that He will direct--we see His handiwork even in the midst of changing circumstances. Heather is so right....."God is good....ALL the time!"

Thanks for your visits this week....I will try to be a better-blogging-friend!

Have a great weekend!

Friday Wrap-Up

This morning as I listened to the birds announcing dawn, I was reminded, again, of how much I love Spring. Just a few days ago, I awoke to the noise of honking horns, screaming sirens, and the sound of air traffic overhead. This morning as I awoke, I was serenaded by the music of nature! How beautiful!

I have been busy trying to get a few things done after our short trip away. Once again, I find myself spending way to much time in my executive office...the laundry room! Speaking of executive offices....while I was in New York, the President, having left his own Oval Office, was visiting New York! When in New York, the President stays at the Waldorf Hotel, which, as it happened was across the street, and 1/2 block down the road from where we were staying. Walking through the revolving doors on Tuesday mid-morning, you could feel the 'buzz about the street. By mid-day, sidewalks had been barricaded, roads had been blocked and you could actually stand alone on the sidewalk in front of my hotel! As I sat down at a nearby cafe for a bite to eat, I watched as the New York Police Force positioned itself for his arrival.

The traffic was stopped--at a standstill--for nearly an hour. Pedestrians were not allowed to cross any of the four streets on any side of our hotel. People began to feel trapped, and the grumbling began. As I stood proudly awaiting the arrival of the President's motorcade, I listened, in sadness, as the comments began to unfold.

"Who does he think he is! He's just one man! What right does one man have to causing all of this rucus?!"

"I'll be so glad when this guy is out of office!"

"This is all for show! What an ego-maniac!"

Any time the comments were directed my way, I tried to suggest the real reason for such extravagant security measures: we live in a crazy world! Yes, it would be nice if the President of the United States could travel without the very real threat of an assassination attempt. Yes, I'm sure it is difficult to shut down the streets of New York for his arrival--but how much more difficult must it be to prevent the "shutting down" of a President's life.

By 2:30 p.m., we knew his arrival was imminent as the overhead helicopters were hovering. Soon, we all saw the ensuing arrival of police officers on motorcycles, a town car, and then, several black Suburbans (or the like) with heavily tinted windows...as they made their way to the designated gate of arrival. My excitement over this 'brush of fame' was only diminished by the sadness I felt over the lack of appreciation and respect for the highest office in our Country.

And then, yesterday morning as I was folding, yet, another load of laundry, I heard Barbara Walters commiserating about the barracades on The View. Turning the volume up, I sat at the center island of my kitchen and listened as this women of class, stooped to complaining about how she was personally inconvenienced by his arrival.

She called it her rant. Apparently, she lives nearby the Waldorf and was trying to walk back to her home during the barracade. She was held-up for 15 minutes, not allowed to cross the street to continue her walk home. Oh the shame of it all! Barbara Walters was delayed 15 minutes while the NYC Police Force did their job! How does such a smart woman rant...about such triviality? Hasn't she dined with the widow of JFK? Hasn't she interviewed the spouse (Nancy Regan) of another President whose life was threatened by the bullets of an assassin? Doesn't she have so much more to rant about....than a 15 minute delay!?????

(Taking a deep breath!)

Rant....over!

Let it be enough to say, no matter political persuasion, I long for the return of the day that we honor the postion, the office, of the Presidency. The sacrifice of a traffic detour, whether by car or by foot, is a small (small? it doesn't even register in the realm of sacrifice!) price to pay as we protect that Office while the President spends his/and someday, just maybe, her day doing the President's job, without risk of loss of life.

Geesh! More ranting! Sorry!

Have a great (and rant-free) weekend!

Friday Wrap Up

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Ps. 1118: 24

I woke up with a migraine this morning.....and.....with this verse on repeat....going through my mind! No matter how much I want to succumb to the morose of this day....I can not!

Miracles abound, blogging friends, miracles abound!

Soul Reflections reports "Salvation is Here!" After praying for her husband's salvation, on April 15th, her husband made a faith commitment! "After 36 years of marriage, I feel like a newly wed again! God is faithful to keep His promises. Promises of household salvation. Promise that if we are persistent and persevere He will honor that. He stored up all my tears of supplication and standing in the gap for my Mike and granted His salvation in a beautiful simple moment."

Heather is going in today at 4:00 p.m. for a second opinion/consultation. Be in prayer. And while you're praying, don't forget to thank God for the growing monetary blessing He has sent Heather's way! Oh, Heather, you are so right! "God IS good, ALL the time!"

Part Six of Kev's miracle has been posted and we are anxiously awaiting Part Seven! For his mom's, always, poignant perspective, visit Dawn! What a miracle of deliverance and restoration we are blessed to be able to read.

Today, at 1:30 p.m. my DH will join my MIP ('miracle in progress'--thanks Morning Glory!) for a joint therapy session. While I so-o-o-o want to be there......my son told me yesterday why he invited his Dad only. "Mom, Dad and I have things we need to work on. He is my biggest barrier to moving forward and, yet, the one I want to please the most." I'm still trying to process that! Putting my mother's ego aside, this is a very good thing! For the last year, my DH has been intentionally mentoring our son, meeting with him for breakfast, lunch, dinner, movies, bowling, and just to talk. My DH is a pretty fabulous man who has chartered his life with high standards, incredible goals, and a work ethic that would kill a lessor man! In fact, when I met him 36 years ago, he already had a life plan! Sadly, I didn't know what I was doing the next weekend! Clearly, we make a balanced team!

He has been meeting with our adult son, guiding him with ideas and plans that have always worked in his own life. It seems, that while our son has benefited much from this Dad time....he also believes that unless he does things exactly like his Dad does....he fails. And although our MIP is just a darker version of his Dad, that's where the similarity ends. This is the young man who said in a counseling session a few years back, "I can't succeed like my Dad can--but he can't fail like I can." How does this confusion happen! Hence, the barrier. Still, the heart connections remain and he wants to please his Dad. Please pray that this joint therapy session will be a start; the beginning of meaningful communication that will lead to our MIP's independence, health, and happiness.

Later this morning, I am going in for a facial and to correct the only mistake ( ;) ) God ever made (highlighting my hair to the color it should have been!). Facials are a new luxury for me, but a necessary one; while the hot flashes of menopause have subsided, it seems the cells of my skin are having some trouble regenerating on their own. And since we have our annual "After Tax Season Party" tonight, let the regeneration begin!!!

Yes, April 17th was the last day of Tax Season (or busy season as it is now called in accounting circles)! Do I hear a WOO-HOO!!!

Have a great weekend blogging friends! Thanks for your visit!

Friday Wrap-Up

And what a week it's been!

Once again this week, I am amazed by the community of bloggers I am blessed to be part of. Never did I imagine when I began blogging in February 2006 that I would feel a spiritual connection with so many of you! At the risk of the "mental health police" reading this and coming to take me away.....I am going to say it: I literally "felt" surrounded by the presence of believers this week as I prayed for Heather, a not-yet-met Christian woman, still held deeply in my heart! Once again this morning, as I passed my prayer closet on my way to take my son to school, I felt a tug, calling me to the communion I've experienced while praying this week. Yes, we have an amazing community here...don't we.

One of the most amazing posts I have read this week can be found at Kisses of Sunshine. Seriously, it was as if Gibee was speaking directly to Heather.....with a message directly from God! Quoting Mac Powell, Gibee said, "God was seated on His throne when this tragedy occurred. He was still in charge. He was not taking a coffee break the moment this happened."

Does that not strike a chord!?!? How beautiful to know, that while circumstances in our life are seemingly out of control, God is, in fact, "still on his throne!"

What response does this compell in you?

Give it some serious thought.

Breathe in this knowledge! And then read Heather's response: In part she replies, "I am choosing to anticipate the next great provision. Whatever provision that may be. I am choosing to believe that no matter what- even if God calls me home tonight in my sleep- He never stepped off His throne.

He simply brought me closer to it."

Anyone else have goose-bumps (or "God-bumps" as my friend Jan calls them!)?

We've learned a lot this week. We've learned that in a split second, one's life can change. We've learned that God IS working even when we don't understand, we've learned that God provides even our deepest needs. And, we've learned that "out of the mouths of babes".....comes ...wisdom!

And, we've been inspired, oh so inspired!

"Let them shout for joy and be glad
Who favor my righteous cause;
And let them say continually,
'Let the LORD be magnified
Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.'"

According to Healing Scriptures, "The word in the Hebrew for prosperity here is "shalom" and we know it as the word for peace. However, in the Hebrew this word literally means health, prosperity and peace--wholeness, welfare. So you can clearly see the mind of God who takes pleasure in the health, wholenss, prosperity and peace of we His children! He's excited for us to have it. Once you get ahold of this, praise and adoration will naturally flow forth in pure appreciation for who He is to us and all that He has already done for us. Fear and doubt will no longer have a place in your thinking. What an awesome God He is!!"

Yes, what a week it's been! "Let the LORD be magnified! Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant(s)!"

Friday Wrap-Up

The results are in: Who tattled? It was a close race, but 58% of you guessed correctly--DIXIE tattled!

For more of Dixie's tattles--please stop by her new blog, Tattle Tales.

Did you know you could win a vacuum cleaner? Yup! 5 Minutes for Mom is giving away a Dyson Slim Vacuum! Do sign up, you have until April 4th! Thanks to Susan and Janice for always "Bringing Mom's the Best...!"

Hop on over to Faith Lifts/Parenting and read today's post by Yellow Mama; you won't want to miss this one!

Thanks, Dawn, for the Thinking Bloggers Award! Your post touched my heart--as you do with regularity!

And speaking of a heart blessing, please visit Time for Twittering; pull up a chair, stay for awhile, and be prepared to be blessed! Tam has beautifully written a poignant example of how God is in the details of our lives; He is in every corner of our heart's desires!

And, to wrap up this Friday-Wrap-up, don't forget your final considerations regarding an upcoming event, The first ever, Bloggy Girls Mountain Getaway! The April 1st deadline is looming on this one, blogging friends! For more details, see Mama's So Called Life. I'm hoping to see you there!

Friday Wrap-up

What a week it's been! I have enjoyed visiting my new blogging friends that I met at the Ultimate Blogging Party; and as always have loved hearing from my "old" blogging friends!

Be kind to those that meet you as you rise, you may pass them again as you fall.

If you have even a wee bit o'Irish blood, click on the video to your right! And just try NOT tappin' yo' toes!

You can stop by Faith Lifts/Parenting to read Cindy's post: Operation Clean-up! It should be up today (barring any technical glitches). Do click over and don't forget to leave a comment.

I still have not unpacked from my most amazing "girls-get-away!" It's at the top of my never-ending list of things to do today; don't be surprised if at the next Friday wrap-up....it's still on the list!

Make hay while the sun shines.

Please pray for Janice, our party-hostess-with-the-mostess! She has posted about a health scare that demands our attention. Thanks.

Though wisdom is good in the beginning it is better at the end

I pray thee have a good weekend! Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day....my blarney friends! As I bid thee fare-thee-well.....I leave you with just a few more Irish words of wisdom:

Don't tell secrets to the children of your relatives.

If you lie down with dogs you'll rise with fleas.

Don't throw out the dirty water until you have the clean water in.

And my all time favorite: It's no use carrying an umbrella if your shoes are leaking.

Until next week!

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Friday Wrap Up

Time for another pause in the week....although I must admit, life at the Lake this week has been one. long. pause!

Still, the world continues to spin: did someone really find Noah's ark? Charlie Gibson retired from morning news, Britney Spears posed naked on the cover of Vanity Fair, Warren Buffet is giving away his fortune, and Reuter's has reported that Doctors removed a light bulb from a man's anus! Good grief, 24/7 news is going to be the death of me!

In blogdom this week we find that Dawn has navigated her way through week two of blogging! If you haven't been over to say welcome, please do! Kristen is off to a good start in college....in addition to being a wife, mom, and all around very busy woman--she has returned to school. Give her a WAY TO GO when you stop over at Mama's so called life! Holy Mama went to her Perfect Hair Playgroup, yes she did!~ And we are so proud of her! Yellow Mama's daughter came home from Marine Boot Camp and we are still praying for sweet Emily's dear husband, D's, safe return home from Iraq!

So, during this week of pause at our cabin, while I have been thanking God for the beauty of the lake, the brilliance of the sky, and the nourishment of family; I have also been thanking Him for my new world of blogging friends. Which reminds me, I can't forget, there was a gathering of face-to-face-bloggers last weekend! Clear the envy from your eyes, and read all about it at Shalee's Diner. A wonderful time was had by all.

I have to go assume my position of pause....in the hammack....and thank God for the job that my son is starting today! Go Chili's! Go God! Hope you each have a glorious weekend....Keep smiling! Keep blogging! Keep sowing the Word into your reality--after all, there is G.L.O.R.Y to be shared with the Harvest of Joy!

Friday’s Wrap-Up

How quickly the week flies! It’s that time again, it’s Friday; time to take a pause and review the blessing of yet another week.

• While life can be difficult, we find relief as we live between “a rock and a God place!” He is our Rock, we are not in this battle alone.
• I will never, ever, NEVER again oversleep on a "Wednesday’s with Beth" morning! While I have received the discs I ordered through Life Today, they are not DVD’s—they are audio CD’s! Now, don’t get me wrong, I love hearing Beth Moore, but as I sat listening to Part Three of Loving a Difficult Person, I missed seeing her visual energy. However, I will share just a few of the Beth Moore-ism’s I listened to this morning! To love a difficult person, we must:

1. Know and rely on God’s love for us. When we try to love with a natural love, we burn out. When we fill up with God’s agape love, we can love supernaturally.
2. We must fill up our hearts with God’s love. Remember the canteen analogy? Are we daily dumping out the toxic water we fill our canteens up with and replacing them with God’s love?
3. Learn to love with insight: “Hurt people….hurt people.” “Misery loves misery.” When we try to love the handicapped heart without God’s insight, it is as if we are expecting a person in a wheelchair to get out and jump around. It can’t be done. Consequently, we must rely on God for insight. Philippians 1: 9-11: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” When we struggle to love the unlovable, we must go to God for insight, discernment, and knowledge. While we can’t change them, however, we can deepen our understanding supernaturally.
   
   If you love a prodigal, this lesson is a valuable tool. So many times, we teeter between aiding and abetting (enabling) and helping. What’s the difference, we ask? How can we love our prodigals without hindering the lessons they must learn to return? Philippians 1:9-11 gives us the answer. Test each effort to help through the filter of God’s insight, His discernment and His knowledge! This allows us to love our prodigals with agape love: the love that is other centered, with only their best interest at heart. This, my friends, is a very fine distinction. For, when we love through natural abilities only, we miss the more powerful insights and knowledge; we sometimes get in God’s way of the work He is doing in the life of our prodigal. We want to be partners with Him, not stumbling blocks! As Beth reminds us, “We will never be more like our Father in Heaven than when we love the unlovable.”
   

• There’s a kind of hush at my place today! My son is on day two of the med’s the Dr. prescribed. He is sleeping much better, his mind has decreased in it’s racing, and there is a calmness about him that hasn’t been present for awhile. Peace, peace, God’s peace! Psalm 29:11 “The LORD gives strength to his People; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” What a faithful God we serve! I am resting in His love and faithfulness.
  
  Wrapping up this pause in our week, I have been blessed! Your faithful visits, your compassionate comments and your prayer warrior hearts have truly been a blessing this week! Hence, the songs I find myself humming as I type! From my lips to God's ears:
  

“He drew [us] up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set [our] feet upon a rock, making [our] steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”

Psalm 40: 2-3


Have a great weekend! AND keep singing!

Friday's Wrap-up

As is the case with most first weeks of summer, it was a very busy week. Let's review:

While my lip swelling has reduced and my nostrils are once again even, the drooling has stopped and the bruises are healing; my front teeth still hurt to the bone. Good news is-- they no longer wobble!

• Hubby has returned home from London (sigh) and 14 year old is still enjoying the first days of summer at the cabin with his sister and brother-in-law! Thankfully, the dogs are there too!
• My eye sight isn't what it used to be, but I have seen some great miracles this week!
• I continue to refill my canteen daily--it has made a difference!
• We have much to be thankful for--topping the list--Dawn's son came home! With Dawn's permission and handy computer skills (Dawn, you really must start blogging--we had a blog-full of party guests that would like to visit you daily!), I have tried three times to upload the photo she sent of Kevin--blogger isn't cooperating. I will try again later and post when allowed!
• In the meantime, I will post something I found blog-surfing yesterday. This is a powerful description of the difference between giving up and letting go, found at Fisherman for Christ. Check this out--in the short time he has been blogging, it is clear, he packs a powerful punch! Today's post is entitled, "What can storms teach us."

Giving up and Letting Go!!

"Giving up implies a struggle---
Letting go implies a partnership.
Giving up dreads the future--
Letting go looks forward to the future.
Giving up lives out of fear---
Letting go lives out of grace and trust.
Giving up is a defeat--
Letting go is a victory.
Giving up is unwillingly yielding control
to forces beyond myself--
Letting go is choosing to yield to forces beyond myself.
Giving up believes that God cannot help--
Letting go trust in God to care and to carry!!"

(By Hank Dunn)

• For Kevin, for his family, for me, for all of us--this description is empowering. Letting go of a loved one or a relentless situation is nearly impossible, unless we surrender to the One who is the Victory! My prayer for Kevin is that he will remember these words as he faces unknown trials and temptations as he walks forward in his victory! My prayer for each parent who loves a wayward child, is that we will feel the powerful difference between giving up.....and Letting go to God.
  
  It has been a very good week; in spite of Bloggers continued glitches. But that really is life, isn't it? It is about living victoriously in a world filled with battle. It is about persevering through each roadblock because we know we are not walking alone. It is about living in partnership with the One who loves us! A few glitches can't get us down--after all, His desire is to continually lift us up!

Yes, it has been a very good week. Now, if I could only figure out what's up with those serpents!