It's been a while since I have even thought about posting anything....I mean, lol, it really is only for myself to read.
The past year or so has been full of amazing and wonderful things happening to me and my family. The little ones started a new school - which they both love. My oldest has gotten remarried and seems to be very happy with his new family. I am now only working part-time at the "real" (read paying) job, and work three to four days at week at the school my kids attend. I love that so much. I enjoy being with all the kids, but I mostly love being with my little ones more. I missed so much with my oldest growing up, that I am so thankful the Lord has given me the opportunity to spend time with the two left at home.
I have worked myself through an amazing Bible study about just freeing myself from the bondages of satan. It has really been an eye-opening experience. Until you begin to systematically remove the little things, you don't realize just how much has been holding you back.
There are some things I wish I could go back and change, but overall, life is good. I have watched the Lord take our little family and grow us in his awesome plan. I am thankful for all He has given to us.
As I read the story below, it really made me stop and think about how we tend to limit ourselves. We fail to see the "sometimes..." that can make such a difference in our lives. We always have choices to make in our life; and if the first choice you make doesn't end like you thought it should, well, you still have two more choices to make. The right choice or the wrong choice. A good choice or a bad choice. "Sometimes" you should never quit. "Sometimes" you never dwell too long on the "what might have beens", but press forward to the "what I am going to do now" things. No matter your age, young or old, "sometimes", you can still change the direction of your life to the greater good.
Enjoy the story.
"Sometimes" By Bob Perks
"It is how I was raised. Now that I look back I see how limiting that was and wonder how much more I could have accomplished," he said.
"What's stopping you now?" I asked. It was a simple word but in his childhood it was more of a philosophy.
Sometimes.
I watched that day as two men played cards in a nearby park. It was a warm, sunny day blessed with an occasional breeze just when you needed it.
I saw it as the kind of day I would rather be resting in a lounge chair in my yard with a cool drink within reach. Eyes closed, baseball cap tilted slightly over my eyes to shade them from the sun.
Here I was, walking in the park perhaps in search of the perfect tree to sit under while watching the world go by. It is another one of my favorite things to do; watch the world go by.
Two men caught my eye when I arrived. Because they were playing cards, I thought it was best not to interrupt them.
Instead, they called to me.
"Hey, fella!" one man shouted. "Come over here and settle this."
This might not be a good thing.
"Are you asking me to take sides on a bet?" I asked as I walked toward them.
"Not a bet," he said.
"Keep in mind, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose," I added.
The other man began laughing hysterically.
"There you go. I told you. That's exactly what I said," the man shouted.
I was a bit confused at this point. I thought they were going to ask me about the card game. I don't play cards, so I thought I'd be safe in this conversation.
"What's this all about?" I asked.
"Sometimes," the man said.
"Sometimes what?"
"The word. I just told my friend that sometimes is a philosophy. He brought it up when I lost the last hand. He said exactly what you said, "Sometimes you win..."
"How's that a philosophy?"
"My parents, my father in particular, always used that word when I asked about things growing up," he said.
Pausing for a moment as though he was remembering some particular conversations, he continued.
"It is how I was raised. Now that I look back I see how limiting that was and wonder how much more I could have accomplished," he said.
"Give me an example," I asked.
"We were poor. If I asked him if poor people ever get rich, he'd say sometimes. If I asked if I was smart enough, he'd say sometimes. If I asked if he loved me, he'd say sometimes."
The sunlight that warmed the day suddenly sparkled in the corner of his eye. That last thought brought a tear.
"So, hearing your friend say, "Sometimes you win," made you think about that?"
"Yes," he said in a whisper.
"So, what's stopping you now?" I asked.
He looked surprised.
"Men our age don't get second chances," his friend said.
"Sometimes," I said. He smiled.
"But here are three ways to change that."
First...Every ending is a new beginning. If retirement brings an ending, freedom to dream big doesn't end there.
Second...they say attitude is everything so choose a better one than that.
Third...take on the challenge to change the perception of being old. It's nice playing cards in the park. Why not be proactive in your community. If you have children, prove to them it's never too late to begin again.
The truth is sometimes you win but you always learn from losing. That's a win, too."
The man stood up to shake my hand.
"Sometimes," he said with emphasis, "you have a second chance and you don't know it," he said.
"When God can't get you to see it, "Sometimes" he sends a "Friend you never met" to remind you, I added.
As I sit and think of all the wonderful things that have come to pass this year, there are too many write about. I'd be here all evening and probably miss the new year coming in at midnight. Yet, for all these things, I am grateful and completely realize how truly blessed I really am.
From being able to ring in the year of 2008 with all of my family here at my home, especially Adam and his new family, to friendships that are new and the ones that have only gotten closer and dearer to me, to watching my little ones grow and mature, to a niece receiving her driver's license and yet another niece receiving her learner's license. I am so very thankful that I still have both of my parents as this year draws to a close and also thankful fewer deaths of those that I love and hold dear.
Yes, there were more trials and hardships than I wanted but I know those were for a purpose too. And, though I am so very certain that I truly complained well about each and every one of them, I know that had I not gone through those I wouldn't be where I am right now. Eagerly anticipating what God is going to do in my life and the lives of my family.
I have also watched friends and family struggle through this year, yes I wish those hadn't happened as well, but I am so happy to say that they have endured well and continue to see the blessings and miracles and friendships and love that God has brought to them as well.
We had three new births this year! One in the phsyical and two in the spiritual. Now, those are truly blessings to remember.
On June 20th, my granddaughter was born. There is nothing as wonderful as a newborn baby to bring new life into a family and this world. Full of love and beautiful dark hair, she is such a precious child and I am so excited to watch her as she grows. Albeit, most of the growing I will be able to see will be through pictures and all the news her parents share, but I know God has a purpose and a plan for her life. Nothing is more fun than watching a child grow. She and her older brother are blessings in my life. Grandchildren as just SPECIAL!
On August 24, 2008, my brother accepted Christ and was baptised. This year has been a long hard journey for him, yet he never failed to see where his real strength came from. No greater testimony that that - walking through a trial and letting God pull you closer and closer to Him, until you say "Yes Lord, here I am.". Praise God.
On November 13th, my very own Master C accepted Christ as his Savior and on December 21st he completed that with baptism. Oh the tears of joy that were shed that morning.
As I sit and think of all we have been through this year, and looking forward to what is ahead, I am not worried, scared or fearful. The Lord has been faithful to us and He shall continue, I have no doubts.
I am not one to make new year resolutions, but I do have goals set for next year. Things I would like to do and achieve; people I want to get to know better and see more often; and, just live a better life. However, going into 2009 I most importantly want to do what God has set for me. To know that as I go forward I am going in His will and ways. I know I shall never be perfect, but I do pray that I continue to mature and grow in Christ.
I love you, my family, with all my heart!
I wish all of you a truly blessed and prosperous New Year. Love those in your life and hold them close.
And, as I close I will leave you with the video below. Have a
Today my niece passed her driver's test. She is now legal to drive all by herself now. [Please make note of this if you live in my little acre in God's country - LOL].
However, it started off in typical Miranda fashion. She did all she needed to do in preparation for this driving exam: practiced driving A LOT, took the driver's ed class online, kept track of her driving time. Oh yes, that's it...all that preparation and keeping track, she forgot one key element. That driver's log had to be notarized. So, guess who got a phone call waking her up from a fitful's night sleep? Uh, no...not you. Aunt Sherri...are you a notary? Yep, my sweet Miranda calling at the last minute. And, if that wasn't enough, when I went to pick her up to take a ride to get that paper notarized, she walked right out of her house without that very driver's log we needed to notarize. Think she was nervous??? No, not at all. Ha. Ha. And, though I did not love waking up, if I can really say that since I can't say I really slept, there is not one thing I wouldn't do for her.
I remember the day she got her learner's license. After a couple of tries, she nailed it. She was definitely one happy teenager. Mind you, I haven't seen an unhappy one once they got their license.
This beautiful young woman is so very dear to my heart. She has spent so much time with me over the past few years that she has truly blended and folded right in to our family that I have such a hard time remembering she isn't MY daughter. When she isn't here, I miss her terribly and so wish she was at my house all the time.
Getting her license is such a milestone and I am so proud of her. So then, why am I sad at the same time? I know that teenagers, even if she was my own, wouldn't be here all the time anyway. But, she isn't and therefore I do wonder - will she still come stay the night with me? How often will I see her? When she visits, will she stay and really visit?
Yes, I know. I am being selfish. Love isn't selfish. So, I am giving this all to the Lord. He knows how much I love her and how much she means to me. So does she. I know in my heart she will come visit and stay the night with me...but it won't be as often as it was before. And, yes, that is okay too. All children have to grow up and I am so pleased and proud to know she is growing into a responsible young person who has earned the privilege to drive.
I pray she is always safe.
I love you, Miranda!!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
This morning, on our way in to school and work, Master C sang me the most beautiful song. Of course, I love the song Fingerprints of God, and by no means is Master C's version anything like the video above, however I must tell you that his version was straight from the heart and his own visual sights as we travelled into town.
He first started singing he could see the fingerprints of God in the trees, the sky, the fields, in the van, in him, and every family member and friend he could name. As he sang, he just kept adding too. Then, he'd stop and ask, "Mom, want me to sing it again?" and let me tell you, the verse would change or, maybe, he was just adding more verses.
Master C is not an acclaimed vocalist I assure you. Yet, the sound of his voice lifting up what he knows to be so awesome and wonderful totally got to me. I had a smile wider than all the oceans put together. And, by the way, you can see God's fingerprints in the ocean too!
Do you take time to see God's fingerprints around you? Take time to do that today. His fingerprints are all around us. And, for that I am so thankful. I am even more thankful for God to trust me with such a wonderful blonde headed little boy who is covered in God's fingerprints to continue to show me God's love in such amazing ways.
Thursday night, November 13, 2008, my youngest son, Master C, accepted the Lord as his Savior and asked Christ to come into his heart. It was a such a sweet, tender moment. Lots of hugs and tears followed with even more praises being lifted up.
Since last year, really, Master C began wanting to ask Jesus into his heart and be baptized. So, I have tried to take the necessary time to make sure he really understands what he is wanting to do and make sure it is for all the right reasons and not because he just hears so much about it at school and church.
Today, He went before the church holding his daddy's hand and spoke to the pastor. He was so cute. I couldn't hear the conversation but he just nodded his head and his eyes sparkled. You could just see and feel the joy coming from him. They talked a bit and then the pastor prayed with Master C. When the Pastor turned him around and presented him to the church, Master C's eyes were misty. He got to stand at the front of the church and have his hand shook and received lots of hugs. Mom here, I just cried!
There is no greater JOY than having your child come to know and accept the Lord. I am blessed that two of mine have at this point and only one to go. I am confident the Princess will make her decision at the right time.
I haven't posted on here for a while and there is so much that I probably should have posted and shared. Just know, we haven't been slack or lazy - just busy.
Tonight, we finished reading the [Children's] Bible all the way through. This has been a wonderful accomplishment not only for me, but for Colin and Colleen. When I read the very last story tonight, about John's vision of the new Heaven, Colin had tears in his eyes. We just cried and laughed and are so thankful to God that we completed this goal. Next up, Colin has put in to read this Bible all the way through, all by himself. Please pray for him as he begins this journey. It's a big step for a six year old.
Prayer is something the Lord has truly began to burden my heart about. I have been reading and studying and really trying to learn the best way for ME to talk with God. We have prayertime every night before bed. God has blessed my heart hearing my children talk to Him. They are learning that it is important to have a relationship with the Lord and for them to know that He is always here for them.
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
I love God, my husband, my three children, my two grandchildren. My family is very important in my life. I am a legal assistant and enjoy my job very much. I teach Sunday School and work with youth and children at my church. God has blessed me very much in my life and I pray that as you visit here, something will touch you in a special way.
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